Principal's Report
Dear Families,
Science Expo
It was wonderful to see so many families attend our Science Expo last Friday. The students were well prepared and very proud to share their learning. Please see class reports below. Thank you to all the staff that supported and guided students through the process of discovery.
2024 Book Week Parade- Reading is Magic
Today we started Book Week 2024 with a fabulous Book Character Parade. The school was abuzz with excitement from the moment the students walked through the gate. Thank you to families for the amazing costumes. You are a very creative bunch. Thank you to Mrs Barca for her hours of planning to ensure Book Week is amazing. An extra shout out to our 3 Learning Leaders for their amazing costumes. They have raised the bar and set a very high standard for the 2025 Year 6 students to follow. Well done, Cameron, Analia and Zoe.
Term 3 and 4 Staffing Update
Megan Moore will be taking on the Assistant Principal and Learning Diversity Leader roles for the remainder of the 2024 school year. This will be in addition to her current Learning and Teaching Leader role. In order for Megan to take on these additional responsibilities, we have advertised and a new teacher has been appointed to teach Year 6 fulltime for the remainder of the school year. Sandra Renehan will be reallocated duties on a Friday which will consist of Leadership Team support and releasing Leadership Team members to perform their duties.
Miss Joyce Dunne has been appointed to the Year 6 position. Joyce is an accomplished teacher who has extensive experience teaching in Ireland and in Catholic schools in Melbourne since her arrival in Australia. Joyce brings a wealth of experience and knowledge and we are looking forward to her starting at St Catherine’s. Joyce has been appointed fulltime and will teach Year 6 Monday to Friday. Her first day will be Monday, 26th August.
I will be taking pre-planned Long Service Leave from Wednesday 27th August until Saturday, 5th October (2 weeks which are the school holidays). Megan will be Acting Principal during this time. She will be supported by Maree Hills and Sandra Renehan during this time.
I have worked with my MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) Senior Manager Jennifer Hawkins to plan these staffing changes. I have every confidence that both Megan and Joyce will bring extensive expertise, experience and enthusiasm to their new roles.
I appreciate your support with these changes as we work together to ensure continuity of learning and wellbeing for our students.
School Review
Catholic Schools are reviewed every 4 years to inform School Improvement across 5 spheres: Leadership and Management, School Community, Religious Dimension, Student Wellbeing and Learning & Teaching. MACS have employed an external reviewer to undertake this process with all stakeholders across the school community.
Day 1- Thursday 1st August
VRQA Compliance - Requirements for registration as a Primary school
- Review of the minimum Standards and Requirements for School Registration, and other Commonwealth Requirements including Child safety Assessment
Day 2- Wednesday 21st August
Meetings with:
- Acting Principal
- Learning Area/Class visits (Observe lessons and meet 1:1 with teacher)
- Sphere Leader- Learning and Teaching
- Staff Focus Group
Day 3 Tuesday 27th August
Meetings with:
- Sphere Leader- Student Wellbeing
- Education Support Staff and Administration
- Student Focus Group (Year 4, 5 & 6)
- Sphere Leader- Religious Education
- Sphere Leader- School Community
- Parent Focus group (2.30-3.20)
- Acting Principal
Day 4 Thursday 10 October
- 9.00-12.00pm Feedback Report- Dialogue and Engagement (Leadership Team & MACS Staff)
After Review Process
- Work with MACs staff to Develop SIP- School Improvement Framework for next 4 years
The final report will be shared with the School Advisory Council and general school community in Term 4.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 2024
Last Wednesday, 14th August Megan and I met with the SAC. Carlo Piccolo attended and was thanked by the team for all his contributions over the years as a member of the school board. Thank you to Abbey who was temporary Chair and Julia Runci who took minutes. At the meeting we called for members to fill the positions of Chairperson and Secretary. Thank you to Denver Styles who has volunteered to be the new Chairperson, and Julia Runci will take on the role of Secretary. Thank you to Suzanne Currie who has applied to be a member of the SAC. Suzanne has a lot of expertise to offer and we look forward to her contributions. We have room for another member if any parents are interested. We meet once a term. The next meeting will be at 6.00pm, on Wednesday 6th November in the Learning Hub. Please feel free to contact any members of the board if you have any questions or are interested in joining.
2024 ST CATHERINE’S SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
|
NAME |
ROLE |
|
|
Darren Brady |
Member |
|
|
Denver Styles- Chairperson |
Member |
|
|
Suzanne Currie |
Member |
|
|
Julia Runci- Secretary |
Member |
|
|
Abbey Walters |
Member |
|
|
Carmel Donlon |
Acting Principal |
|
|
Megan Moore- Staff Representative |
Assistant Principal |
|
|
Maree Hills- Staff Representative |
R E Leader Wellbeing Leader |
We are seeking another new member for our School Advisory Council.
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
Foundation 2024 Transition Events/Dates
Jaimee Hall (2025 Foundation Teacher) and I have been meeting with the 2025 foundation families and students. It has been wonderful to see the children grow in confidence as the meeting progressed. They all left with a big smile and genuine excitement to be starting school. Jaimee and I will continue these family meetings this week. We are looking forward to the Transition Events in Term 4.
Detailed information has been emailed to 2025 Foundation families.
Upcoming Events over Weeks 6-10
Week 6
Week 6 BOOK WEEK
Week 6 Monday 9.00am 19 August Book Character Parade & 10.00-1.30pm Multi Age activities
Week 6 Tuesday 9.00am 20 August Playgroup
Week 6 MCubed Conference St Bede’s (Selected students notified by school)
Week 6 Wednesday 21 August SCHOOL REVIEW Day 2- Christine Wakeling
Week 6 Thursday 9.00 22 August Playgroup
Week 6 Friday 9.00am 23 August ‘Reading is Magic’ Incursion
Week 7
Week 7 Sunday 10.30am 25 August First Eucharist
Week 7 Tuesday 9.00am 27 August Playgroup
Week 7 Tuesday 9.00am 27 August SCHOOL REVIEW Day 3- Christine Wakeling
Week 7 Wednesday 10.00am Parish Mass 28 August 1/2HB & 5JH
Week 7 Thursday 9.00am 29 August Playgroup
Week 8
Week 8 Monday 2 September HOLT Athletics
Week 8 Monday 2.50pm 2 September Student Voice
Week 8 Tuesday 9.00 3 September Playgroup
Week 8 Wednesday 10.00am Parish Mass 4 September FMH & 6MR
Week 8 Wednesday 6.00pm 4 September Foundation Family Faith Night
Week 8 Thursday 9.00 5 September Playgroup
Week 8 Thursday 1.30-2.30pm Private Music Students- Lunchtime Performance
Week 9
Week 9 Monday 9 September SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY Warden Training & Team Planning
Week 9 Tuesday 9.00am 10 September Playgroup
Week 9 Wednesday 11 September Japanese Festival- 9.00-11.00am Concert
Week 9 Thursday 9.00 12 September Playgroup
Week 9 Thursday 12 September BIG GREEN Conference- Year 6 Environment Leaders
Week 9 Thursday 12 September RUOK Day
Week 9 Friday 14 Ethics Olympiad- Megan & Year 6 Team
Week 10
Week 10 Sunday 10.30am 15 September Parish Sacramental Celebration
Week 10 Monday 16 September Student Voice- Learning Hub
Week 10 Tuesday 9.00 17 September Playgroup
Week 10 Thursday 9.00 19 September Playgroup
Week 10 Thursday 19 September P&F COLOUR RUN (afternoon)
Week 10 Friday 20 September FOOTY DAY