FOUNDATION 2024 ORIENTATION SESSIONS & PARENT INFORMATION EVENING

It was a pleasure to meet our 2024 students and families over the last few weeks. 

The parents stayed back for morning tea this week. It was a great opportunity for current and new families to meet and start new connections. Thanks to Karen Glancy who also joined us and was a fabulous host. We are looking forward to seeing our 2024 Foundation families at our Foundation Information evening at 7pm on Wednesday 15th November (Learning Hub)

SCHOOL HATS  & UNIFORM - 2024 Requirements  

As of Term 1, 2024 all students from Foundation- Year 6 will be required to wear the new uniform. This includes the official St Catherine's school hat. No maroon coloured hats will be accepted next year. The 2 year transition to the new uniform ends this term. Please see the PDF outlining the requirements which are available from PSW, the official school uniform provider.

All uniform requirements are available at

PSW Pty. Ltd. 1 Age St. Cheltenham  

Ph: 9768 0332

PARKING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS/DRIVEWAY- Child Safety

Parents are asked not to drive onto the school grounds to drop off and pick up students. This also applies if the double gates are open. Parents are also asked not to park on the driveway crossover when they drop off or pick up children. This also applies to parents accessing the before and after school program. Please park responsibility in designated areas on Fletcher Street. It is a parent's responsibility to check parking signs/times. Thanks for your cooperation with this to ensure our families and students are safe at all times.

RESPECTFUL CONVERSATIONS WITH SCHOOL STAFF

Please note that all St Catherine’s staff are open to respectful dialogue with parents regarding their children. Please keep this in mind when emailing and or speaking directly to staff. I understand that parents will advocate for their children but please do this in a calm manner. 

Please do not directly approach other children if there are issues between them and your child. Contact myself or their class teacher and we will follow up as required. Thanks for  your cooperation and understanding as staff have the right to feel safe in their workplace.

PARENTS & FRIENDS COORDINATOR- 2024

We are looking for a volunteer to take up the role. The role involves being the point of contact between the parents and school leadership. The P&F Coordinator also represents the P&F Committee at SACS meetings each term (School Advisory Council). Please email Julia if you need further information regarding this role. 

Email: juliac.runci@gmail.com (current P & F Coordinator)

Please email me if you are interested in taking up this very important role. 

Email: principal@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au

The final P&F meeting for 2023 will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 21st November.  

Everyone is welcome to attend.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 2024

We are now seeking new members for our School Advisory Council for 2024.

The following are some examples of ways the School Advisory Council may support the school and the Principal:

• articulating and enacting the school’s vision and mission
• promoting the school’s Catholic ethos and culture
• promoting faith formation and development
• supporting school policies as required
• giving advice to the principal on issues such as school improvement plans and enrolment trends
• engaging in discussion with the principal about the annual school budget and other financial matters
• giving advice to the principal about the school master plan
• providing capital resource planning and maintenance support to the principal.

As an advisory body, the school advisory council develops processes of consultation that are an important expression of the educational relationship that exists between parents, schools, parishes and the wider parish community to support all students in the enhancement of their outcomes.

Please download and complete the application form and email it to:  principal@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au

F/1/2 SWIMMING & 5/6 BEACH PROGRAM

An Operoo went out this week with information regarding the F-4 Swimming Program. An Operoo will go out today with information about the 5/6 Beach Program. Please note that these are a compulsory component of the PE Curriculum. Please contact me if you need to discuss any aspects of the programs.

FREE  LITTLE ANGLERS KIT FROM THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT- Year 5 students

The Victorian Government is investing $1.5 million from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Fund to provide up to 95,000 'Little Angler Kits' to Grade 5 students and all students in specialist schools across Victoria, free of charge. These kits aim to offer children and their families a school holiday activity while promoting environmental stewardship and fostering a love for nature among children.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) will deliver the kits to eligible schools between Monday 16 October and Monday 4 December 2023, ensuring availability for the summer school holidays. Each Little Angler Kit includes a fishing rod, reel, line, tackle box, tackle and information on how to use the equipment to catch fish.

It is important to note the tackle tray includes fishing hooks. The tackle tray will be wrapped in cardboard and placed inside a pocket inside the fishing kit bag, which will be sealed with a cable tie to discourage students from opening their kits until they are with a parent or carer. Teachers will also tell students not to open the kits until they are safely at home with a parent or carer.

The program is voluntary, and we support parents and carers in making decisions that align with their family values and beliefs. You can choose to opt out of receiving a Little Angler Kit for any reason. You can also contact the school to request an adult pick up the kit from the school if you prefer. Please email me if you would like to opt out. An Operoo will go home today giving you this option.Please note that if you do not opt out, your child will be provided with a Little Angler Kit to take home from school once the kits arrive.

To further enhance the learning experience, the VFA has created a dedicated 'Little Angler Hub' on its website which will be live by Tuesday 10 October 2023. This online resource will provide useful information, instructional videos and additional online materials related to fishing. These will include existing resources from Fishcare Victoria and new resources tailored specifically for the Little Angler Kits program.

Instructional Videos & Information

**IMPORTANT DATES**

Week 6

6th November- School Closure Day- Staff Professional Practice Day

7th November- School Closure day- Melbourne Cup Day

10th November- 10.30am Remembrance Day Prayer Service

Week 7

14th November- 6.30-8.00pm Arts Showcase (6:15pm arrival)

15th November- 7pm Foundation 2024 Information Evening

Week 8

20-24th November- Book Fair

22-23 November- 5/6 Beach Program

Week 9

27th November - 3/4 Melbourne Zoo excursion

29th November- St Catherine Laboure Feast Mass

29th November- 11.30-1.00pm Kaboom Sports Incursion

1st December- School Athletics

Week 10

4th December- Year 6 Big Day

4-8th December- F-4 Swimming

7th December- 5.30-7.30pm Christmas Carols

Week 11

13th December- End of Year Mass & Nativity

13th December- Reports go home

13th December- 11.45-1.35 Meet & Greet (2024 teacher/s & classmates)

14th December- 3.15pm Year 6 Guard of Honour

14th December- 6-9pm Yr 6 Graduation

15th December- Last day of term for staff & students (3.20pm finish)