Carmel's News
Catholic Education Week
This week is Catholic Education Week in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic mission, the pivotal role they play within their local community and the strength of the sector. The theme for 2025 is ‘Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you’ (Isa 60: 1).
St Catherine’s Open day 9.30-11.00am Thursday 20th March
This Thursday, we invite prospective families to visit and tour our school. Please let any friends or families know and invite them to register online via our website. Applications are now open for 2026 enrolments.
Please apply online via the below QR code or our website.
Monday 17th March
Happy St Patrick’s Day to all our families
St Patrick’s Mass & Concert in the Park
On Friday, 21st March our Year 6 Leaders will represent St Catherine’s at the Catholic Schools Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. They will be accompanied by their teachers, Miss Dunne, Mrs Harvey and Mrs Hamilton.
Prayer for 2nd Week of Lent
Loving God, we are changed because you love us. Help us to know the depth of your love so that we may never be afraid to speak and act in your name. Shine your light on us so that our hearts and minds are open to doing your will. Pope Francis tells us that “with the Jubilee, we start a new life, a new phase… we begin again.” Let us go forth from here, sharing the light of hope and message of God’s love in all that we say and do.
God, guide us on our journey as ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’
Amen
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.
We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family (eldest child in the family) has received a Project Compassion box for your donations, or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au If you choose to collect during Lent, please return the boxes to school by Monday, 31st March, so donations can be sent to Caritas Australia by the end of term.
Tha Earth & Spirit Year 6 Leaders will organise a fundraiser in the last week of term with money raised going towards Caritas. Details to be advised soon.
Congratulations to Molly for this amazing effort!
Over the weekend, Molly ran her very own lemonade stand to raise money for Caritas Australia!
She put in an amazing effort, making signs, preparing lemonade, and braving the scorching heat to sell her wares. It was wonderful to see a few families from school come along to support her.
Thanks to her hard work and the generosity of the community, Molly raised an impressive $53.55! Well done, Molly!
Pancake Tuesday (4th March)
Thank you to staff that came in early to cook and serve pancakes to students as they arrived at school on Pancake Tuesday. Students really look forward to Pancake Tuesday each year. The smile on their faces as they skipped into school reflected this.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
10.30am Saturday, 22nd March St Catherine’s church
Congratulations to the following Year 3 students who will make their First Reconciliation this Saturday. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for this special day.
Sacrament of Confirmation Dates
Wednesday 30th April- 6.00pm Confirmation Family Workshop (Learning Hub)
Sunday 18th May- 10.30am Confirmation Presentation Mass (St Catherine’s Church)
Date TBA- Confirmation Reflection Day (St Peter’s School)
Sunday 27th July- 2.00pm Confirmation (St Patrick’s Cathedral- Melbourne)
Sacrament of Eucharist Dates
Wednesday 23rd July- 6.00pm Eucharist Family Workshop (Learning Hub)
Sunday 3rd August- 10.30am Eucharist Presentation Mass (St Catherine’s Church)
Wednesday 6th August- Eucharist Reflection Day (At school)
Sunday 24th August- 10.30am First Eucharist (St Catherine’s Church)
MACSEYE Before and After School Care
Term 1 Holiday Program Care for working families
MACSEYE have informed the school and families that they will not be providing care onsite these upcoming holidays. Megan and I are in the process of organising alternative care offsite and we will keep you informed of progress. We are also communicating with MACSEYE and will let you know if anything changes.
Chess Club
Carmel Donlan is running our Chess club every Tuesday lunchtime.
Choir
Srebrenka Casaceli is kindly running our choir every Monday lunchtime.
Term 1 2025 dates
Week 8
Monday 17th March - 24th March - NAPLAN Catch Ups Years 3 & 5
Tuesday 18th March 10.00 -10.45am - F/1/2 Fire Incursion
Wednesday 19th March - Year 3 Reconciliation students - Reflection Day
Wednesday 19th March 10:00 -11:00am - 3/4 class mass
Thursday 20th March - Ride to School day
Thursday 20th March 9.30-11.00am - Open Day for 2026 families
Friday 21st March - Harmony Day (Wear a touch of Orange)
Friday 21st March - Yr 6 Leaders attending St Patrick's - Catholic Education Week Mass
Saturday 22nd March 10:30-11:30am - Year 3 Reconciliation students -Reconciliation day
Week 9
Wednesday 26th March 10:00-11:00am - Year 5/ 6 and Foundation class mass
Week 10
Wednesday 2nd April 9:00-9:30am - Easter Hat Parade, Raffle & Caritas Fundraiser
Friday 4th April 3:20pm - End of Term 1 (school resumes Tuesday 22nd April)