Carmel's News
Community Engagement & Parish Links at St catherine’s
The staff and I have been working hard to be an outward facing school and give back to our local community. There have been many examples of this throughout the year and particularly this term. We are so lucky at St Catherine's to have staff that go ‘Above and beyond’ to provide these amazing experiences for our school, parish and local community.
- Free Community Playgroup- Provided every Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-11:00pm. Congratulations to Kath Barca who has won the Playgroup Victoria Champion 2025 Nominations – People’s Choice Award. We all know how hard Kath Barca works and this is an amazing achievement. See further below in the newsletter for the link.
- 2025 Art Show- This Year we opened up the Art Show on a Sunday and invited families, friends and Parishioners to attend. We also invited the local kinders to visit the Art Show and they engaged in some interactive art experiences. We provided morning tea which was thoroughly enjoyed by all our visitors. Thanks to Jo Boers, our Visual Arts Teacher for this initiative.
- Local Kinder and Childcare engagement- We have opened up our playground and school library to three local childcare/kinders in the Area. We have regular visits from Bruthen Street Kinder, Guardian Childcare and Kinder (Moorabbin) and Excellent Education and Care (East Bentleigh).
St Catherine’s Substantive Principal Advertised
Applications closed for the position on Monday, 20th October. The screening and interview process has begun. An announcement will be made to the school community once the process is finalised over the next few weeks.
Staffing News
Staffing and class structures for 2026 are currently being worked through. We are not in a position to announce class structures or which staff will teach which classes at this point in time. We appreciate your patience and understanding. If your children will not be attending St Catherine’s beyond 2025 (Except students going into Year 7) please inform me in writing as soon as possible as this may impact planning re: class structures in 2026.
2025 Student Shout Outs!
Please email me if your child has achieved an amazing milestone either individually or with their team. We will showcase them in our newsletter. Please include a photo of your child showing off their award/trophy/certificate etc. Please note we cannot add team photos to the newsletter as we don't have photo permission for the team members.
Socktober Fundraiser 2025
During the month of October we raise funds for the Catholic Missions. This is a project that the Year 5/6 classes take on to plan and lead each year. They have come up with an exciting way to bring our community together and make a real impact on global issues. By participating, you not only help those in need but also foster a sense of empathy and social responsibility. It's a chance to engage in meaningful activities, learn about important causes, and see the difference your efforts can make.
This year the senior classes have come up with an idea that will raise lots of money but is also fun. As we reach certain targets staff will be asked to engage in a fun activity in front of the whole school. This will take place just before pickup time on some afternoons for the next few weeks (Around 3:10 pm weather permitting). Families are welcome to come along and join in the fun.
Holy Trinity Parish St Vincent De Paul Campaign
Every year we think about how we can assist others during the Christmas Season.
The Parish has asked us to collect the following items for the Appeal. We will accept items up to Thursday, 27th November. The Parish will collect the items from the school office on Friday, 28th November. We thank you in advance for your generosity during the Christmas season. Please only send the requested items (no soft packaging has been requested).
REQUESTED ITEMS
- Tinned biscuits
- Tinned cakes
- Tinned chocolates/sweets
- SPAM/Tinned Ham
- Tea bags
- Coffee sachets
- $20 Coles/Wollies/Kmart Vouchers
Term 4 Dates
School Closure Days
- Monday 3rd November
School Closure Day- Staff Professional Practice Day
- Tuesday 4th November
School Closure Day- Melbourne Cup Day Holiday
- Friday 21st November
School Closure Day- 2026 Planning
Playgroup each Tuesday & Thursday 9:00-11:00 unless advised
Term 4 Week 4
Monday 27th October
- Newsletter published
- Walking Club & Anthem @ 8:40 a.m.
- Private Music Lessons - Srebrenka
- Bruthen Street Kinder visit @ 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground & activity
- Choir @ 1:45 p.m.
- Student Voice @ 3:00pm
Tuesday 28th October
- Term 4 Chess Fanatics with Felix 3:25-4:20pm
Wednesday 29th October
- Guardian Kinder Moorabbin Visit Group 1- 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground
- Kingston Council Yr 7 Transition Session 1 @ 10:00-1:00 a.m.
- Private Music Lessons - Rachel
Thursday 30th October
- NO RUNNING CLUB TODAY
- Guardian Kinder Moorabbin Visit Group 2- 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground
- PE for all classes F-6 (Volleyball clinic)
Term 4 Week 5
Monday 3rd November
School Closure Day- Staff Professional Practice Day
Tuesday 4th November
School Closure Day- Melbourne Cup Day Holiday
Wednesday 5th November
- Private Music Lessons - Rachel
- Guardian Kinder Moorabbin Visit Group 1- 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground & activity
- Kingston Council Yr 7 Transition Session 2 @ 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Thursday 6th November
- Running Club @ 8:15 a.m.
- Guardian Kinder Moorabbin Visit Group 2- 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground & activity
Term 4 Week 6
Monday 10th November
- Newsletter published
- Walking Club & Anthem @ 8:40 a.m.
- Private Music Lessons - Srebrenka
- Bruthen Street Kinder visit @ 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground & activity
- Choir @ 1:45 p.m.
- Student Voice @ 3:00pm
- SAC- School Advisory Board @ 6:00-7:30pm
Tuesday 11th November
- Playgroup @ 9:00-11:00 a.m
- Excellent Education Kinder & Childcare visit @ 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground & activity
- Remembrance Day Commemoration @10:40-11:00 a.m.
- Foundation 2026 Foundation Information @ 7:00pm
- Term 4 Chess Fanatics with Felix 3:25-4:20pm
Wednesday 12th October
- Private Music Lessons - Rachel
- Guardian Kinder Moorabbin Visit Group 1- 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground & activity
- Kingston Council Yr 7 Transition Session 3 @ 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Thursday 13th November
- Running Club @ 8:15 a.m.
- Guardian Kinder Moorabbin Visit Group 2- 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground & activity
Term 4 Week 7
Monday 17th November
- Walking Club & Anthem @ 8:40 a.m.
- Private Music Lessons - Srebrenka
- Foundation 2026 Transition Session 1 @ 9:19-10:45 a.m (Morning Tea for families & Second Hand Uniform Shop)
- Choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 18th November
- OLSH Year 7 Orientation
- Term 4 Chess Fanatics with Felix 3:25-4:20pm
Wednesday 19th November
- Private Music Lessons - Rachel
- Parish Mass Year 6 & Foundation @ 10:00 a.m.
Thursday 20th November
School Athletics- Rowan’s Road @ 9:00am-11:30 a.m.
Friday 21st November
School Closure Day
Term 4 Week 8
Monday 24th November
- Walking Club & Anthem & Term 4 Class Awards @ 8:40 a.m
- F-4 Aquastar Swimming Program @ 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Newsletter published
- Private Music Lessons - Srebrenka
- Choir @ 1:45 p.m.
- Student Voice @ 3:00pm
Tuesday 25th November
- F-4 Aquastar Swimming Program @ 12:00 - 2:000 p.m.
- Foundation 2026 Transition Session 2 @ 9:19-10:45 a.m
- Bruthen Street Kinder visit @ 9:15-10:45 a.m. Playground
- Term 4 Chess Fanatics with Felix 3:25-4:20pm
Wednesday 26th November
- Private Music Lessons - Rachel
- Parish Mass Years F-6 @ 10:00 a.m. (St Catherine Laboure Feast Day 28th November)
- F-4 Aquastar Swimming Program @ 12:00 - 2:000 p.m.
Thursday 27th November
- Running Club @ 8:15 a.m.
- F-4 Aquastar Swimming Program @ 12:00 - 2:000 p.m.
Friday 28th November
St Catherine Laboure Feast Day
- STOMP Dance Company F-2 @ 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
- STOMP Dance Company 3-6 @ 10:00 -10:30 a.m.
- F-4 Aquastar Swimming Program @ 12:00 - 2:000 p.m.
Term 4 Week 9
Monday 1st December
- Walking Club & Anthem.
- Private Music Lessons - Srebrenka
- Choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 2nd December
- Term 4 Chess Fanatics with Felix 3:25-4:20pm
Wednesday 3rd December
- Foundation 2026 Transition Session 3 @ 9:15-10:45 a.m
- Private Music Lessons - Rachel
Thursday 4th December
- Running Club @ 8:15 a.m
- Christmas Carols & Twilight Market Carnival @ 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Term 4 Week 10
Monday 8th December
- Newsletter published
- Walking Club & Anthem @ 8:40 a.m.
- Private Music Lessons - Srebrenka
- Choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 9th December
- Term 4 Chess Fanatics with Felix 3:25-4:20pm
Wednesday 10th December
- Semester 2 Reports sent home to families
- Private Music Lessons - Rachel
- End of Year Mass & Foundation Nativity @ 10:00 a.m.
- 2026 Class & Teacher Meet & Greet @ 11:3001:30 a.m.
Thursday 11th December
- Running Club @ 8:15 a.m.
- Playgroup @ 9:00-11:00 a.m
Friday 12th December
- Year 6 Luna Park end of year celebration - TBC
Term 4 Week 11
Monday 15th December
- Last day of school for Year 6 students
- Walking Club & Anthem @ 8:40 a.m.
- Year 6 Guard of Honour @ 3:15 p.m.
- 5:45 p.m. Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 15th December
- Last day of school for Year F-6 students
Wednesday 17th December
- St Catherine’s Christmas Eve Mass & Parish Nativity 1 @ 5:00pm
Tuesday 23rd December
- St Catherine’s Christmas Eve Mass & Parish Nativity 2 @ 5:00pm
Thursday 24th December
- St Catherine’s Christmas Eve Mass & Parish Nativity @ 6:00pm