Welcome to the 2025 school year. It was great to come back and see everyone looking refreshed and ready to take on the new school year. 

2025 School Theme  ‘We are Pilgrims of Hope’                                                                   

Pope Francis’ invitation this year is to participate in the Jubilee Year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Since 1300 AD , the Catholic Church has celebrated the Jubilee Year every 25 years.

Our school theme for 2025  ‘We are Pilgrims of Hope’ calls us to sow seeds of beauty and kindness wherever we find ourselves. We are invited to sing of hope and awaken in every heart the joy and courage to embrace life - life to the full. 

The word ‘Jubilee’ is associated with excitement. Its origins are found in two different causes for celebration. In Latin, jubilation was the shout of joy accompanying the birth of a king or the victory of a famous gladiator. In Hebrew, the word referred to the trumpet sounded to announce the 50th year in which the Law of Moses ordered people to be released from their debt, the land was rested, people could travel over borders and slaves were freed.

Today, forgiveness and renewal remain key themes of a Jubilee year. It is a year of prayer and pilgrimage during which we are called to seek forgiveness and strengthen our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. 

Watch  PILGRIMS of HOPE

Mural & Playground Refresh

The school grounds are looking fresh with our new mural and newly painted lines, hopscotch game, compass and alphabet snake. Thank you to the P & F for their fundraising initiatives and support to assist with these upgrades. A big thank you to Suzanne Currie for leading and coordinating the Mural Project over the last 2 years. The mural was completed during the week before school began. Here are some photos of the progress from the initial projection of the design onto the wall on Tuesday night to the completion of the mural on Friday. Thank you to our amazing artist Kyle Brightside for completing the design. Thank you also to Jo Szczepanska and Candice Peart who donated their time to workshop concepts and designs with the students and families.

2025 Staffing

We welcome four new staff members to St Catherine’s this year. 

Please see a short introduction from each of them below. 

Andrea Harvey- Year 5/6 Teacher

Dear families,

My name is Andrea Harvey and I am thrilled to be teaching 5/6 this year. It was a pleasure meeting your gorgeous children and I already love my class. I'm looking forward to the year ahead, where we can all grow in knowledge, understanding and in our love of learning. I have had many years of experience as a teacher and in leadership during my career, and it is a job I love doing. In my personal life I love travelling, exercising, laughing, painting, shopping and socialising with friends and family. I look forward to meeting you all, so please say ‘hi’ if you get the chance.  

Joanne Boers- Visual Arts Teacher

I’ve had a deep passion for art from a young age, starting with oil painting lessons that sparked my passion for Visual Arts. This love has only grown over the years, as I’ve continued to explore watercolour painting workshops and continue to paint for pleasure. After teaching Visual Arts for many years, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of the artistic journeys of students at St Catherine's Primary School. Outside of art, I’m a proud mother of two young men and enjoy my daily walks along the beach. 

Samantha Hudson- Performing Arts Teacher

Terri Wilson

Terri is going to be helping in 1/2HB to help us with our learning.Terri is mum to June, George and Charlie. She has two dogs and one cat. Her favourite food is chocolate and hot chips. She is very happy, kind and helpful. Terri likes to read her book and relax on the weekends.

2025 Wellbeing Leader

Congratulations to Jenny Burnet who has been appointed Wellbeing Leader. She will be a valuable asset to the Leadership Team. Jenny is passionate about student and staff wellbeing and will bring this into her new role. 

2025 Staff Roles & Responsibilities

Carmel Donlon- Acting Principal/Religious Education Leader/Student Diversity Leader

Megan Moore- Assistant Principal/Student Diversity Leader Leader/Learning & Teaching

Laura Bailey- Administration

Jaimee Hall- Foundation Classroom Teacher

Holly Burke- 1/2 Classroom Teacher

Jenny Burnet- 3/4 Classroom Teacher/Wellbeing Leader

Andrea Harvey- 5/6 Classroom Teacher

Joyce Dunne- 5/6 Classroom Teacher

Helene Lionakis- Japanese Teacher (Tuesday & Wednesday)

Joanne Boers- Visual Arts Teacher (Monday & Tuesday)

Samantha Hudson- Performing Arts Teacher (Monday & Tuesday)

Susan Pattinson- Physical Education & Sport (Thursday & Friday)

Antonella Chiodo- Education Support

Catherine Dudley- Education Support

Kath Barca- Education Support/Library/ICT Administration/Playgroup Leader

Paula Hamilton- Education Support & Administration

Terri Wilson- Education Support & Administration

Paul Harding- Gardening & Maintenance

Olga Russell- IT Support

2025 School Hours/Morning & Afternoon Routines

8.40-8.55am Playground supervision (Asphalt & Courtyard- No Adventure Playground))

8.55am Music plays- Classrooms open

9.00am Bell rings

9.00-10.55am Class time

10.55-11.00am Eating- snack

11.00-11.30am Recess

11.30-1.35pm Class time

1.35-1.45 Eating- lunch

1.45-2.15pm Lunch time

2.15-3.15pm Class time

3.15-3.20pm Pack up time

3.20pm Dismissal bell

3.20-3.30pm Playground supervision (Playing on Adventure Playground after school only permitted if parents are actively supervising alongside the playground equipment)

2025 School Photos

These will take place on Thursday 13th February (morning). Students are required to wear full summer uniforms. A reminder that students need to wear navy blue socks with their summer uniform. If your child has PE on Photo day, they can bring their runners in their school bags to change into before their PE lesson.

See attached flyer for ordering. Family photos are available but must be ordered.

TK Snack & Lunch Orders

In 2025 we will be changing our lunch order provider to TK Tuckshop.The new provider will commence service on Wed 29th Jan 2025.  To set up TK Tuckshop ordering for 2025 please download the Spriggy Schools App. TK Tuckshop Lunch Orders will be available- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri (not Tue). Orders will be delivered at 10.45am so students can have their snack at recess. Our school canteen will be open as usual on Thursdays at recess for snack purchases and icy poles. See attached flyer for information.

STUDENT ABSENCES- LATE ARRIVALS

Parents/Guardians are required to notify the school of their child’s absence before 8:45 AM, providing the reason for the absence. This notification must be made through the Schoolzine app. Parents/guardians may contact the school directly or email the class teacher; however, this should be in addition to using the Schoolzine app. Please note that teachers are unable to check emails after 9:00 AM as they are engaged in teaching.

Parents are required to sign students in, providing the reason for the late arrival, either in person at the office or via the app, before the student proceeds to class. If you arrive after 9:00 AM, please drop your child at the school office, and staff will escort them to their class. We kindly ask that parents avoid entering classrooms or corridors after 9:00 AM, as this can be disruptive to the start of the school day.

In accordance with legislative and child safety requirements, schools are obligated to record student attendance twice daily, including the reason for any absence or lateness. At St. Catherine’s, class teachers mark the roll at approximately 9:00 AM and 1:35 PM each day. If the school has not received notification of a student's absence by the start of the school day, families will be sent a text message in the morning prompting them to contact the school and provide the reason for their child's absence. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact myself or the office staff.

School Advisory Council Members

2025 Meeting Dates

Term 1 Week 5 - 6pm-7:30pm - Monday, 24th February

Term 2 Week 5 - 6pm-7:30pm -Monday 19th May

Term 3 Week 5 - 6pm-7:30pm - Monday, 18th August

Term 4 Week 6 - 6pm-7:30pm - Monday, 10th November