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)

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

The school was buzzing with excitement last week at our Grandparents and Special Friends day. It was lovely to see the interaction and smiling faces between everyone during the classroom activities and at our prayer service.  We thank all of our visitors for making the journey, however near or far to make the day an experience that will be a special memory for each of our students to hold in their hearts. 

This is a prayer that we prayed during our service for the gift of our grandparents.

Dear God,

Please bless our grandparents.

Thank you for the life they gave my parents 

and for the life they give to me.

For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks.

For the ways they love me no matter

what, I rejoice.

For the ways they have paved the road

that leads me here, I am grateful.

Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.

Let them find peace and rest from their work.

Let them be healed of every sickness and pain.

And let them see with their own

eyes the glory of your Son, Jesus,

in the love of their children and grandchildren. 

Bless them always.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Socktober

Thank you for your ongoing generosity. As a school community we raised $112.00 for Catholic Missions. A huge thank you to our Year 6 leaders and Mrs Tavcar for their organisation to make the day special for everyone. The students enjoyed the soccer skill games led by the leaders on the oval.

Our prize winners for the day were:

Most socks: George W

Craziest socks: Kimmara

Most creative socks: Joash

Remembrance Day

Next Saturday will be Remembrance Day, November 11th. Remembrance day is a day where we have the opportunity to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women in World War 1 and in all other wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 

We remember them, as they offered their bodies, minds, hearts and spirits in fighting for a better world. We pray that we value the freedoms that we enjoy today and commit ourselves to creating peace in our world by recognising that peace begins in our own families, classrooms, schools and communities, and it begins with us. 

Next Friday 10th November the students and staff will gather at 10:30am for a prayer service to acknowledge Remembrance day. Our Year 6 leaders will be visiting the classrooms next week to give students an opportunity to purchase items for the Poppy appeal. The items will also be available at the school office. Items begin at $2 for a poppy, $3 for a wrist band and $5 for a metal badge.

Loving God, 

you call us to be people of peace.

We acknowledge those who have given their lives in times of war and conflict,

and we ask that we never forget the sacrifice they have made.

Holy Spirit, send your loving power and strength to bring about peace in our world.

Help us to make the world a better place by living in harmony, peace and unity.

May we treat others as we would like to be treated and always remember to walk in love.

Amen.

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Socktober and Special Person Day in Foundation

It was fantastic to show our appreciation for the special people in our lives. Thank you so much to everyone who attended last Thursday. We had lots of family members travelling and rearranging their days just to be there for the Foundation students. Thank you very much. 

Socktober was a great success last Tuesday. What a variety of socks we had! Everything from footy socks to Halloween socks. Thank you for your gold coin donations, which help sustain and enrich the lives of vulnerable children in Timor-Leste.

Isabella G: My favourite thing about grandparent's day was making the craft with my grandma.

Grandparent’s and Special Friends Day

3/4MP really enjoyed having their grandparents and special people join us in class for Grandparent's Day. It was lovely to be able to spend the morning celebrating them. Some of the students have written a reflection from the morning. 

On Grandparent’s Day our teacher (Mrs Pearson) turned on a Just Dance for the kids and grandparents to try. Unfortunately my Nonna couldn't do it because she has bad knees. After that we asked the grandparents questions about their lives so that the grandkids knew a little bit more about them.  I found out that my mum was very competitive as a kid and always wanted to come first in whatever she did. I know where I get it from now! Lastly the whole class did a Blooket which is a fun quiz game. Then the school went over to Church for grandparents day. For the last bit the grandparents went to morning tea (my Nonna had a coffee). I enjoyed having my Nonna here because I didn’t get to celebrate Grandparent’s Day with her last year. 

By Dom 

On Grandparent’s Day my Roro and Pa came but Roro went to my sister first so Pa came to me first. We started with a prayer and a just dance. Then I interviewed my Pa. After that Roro came and we did a blooket and we came third place. Finally we went to Church and then the grandparents went to the learning hub for morning tea. I was so happy that my grandparents came and so grateful.

By Abbey 

Grandparent’s Day was really fun. We got to do a dance and our special guests chose Waka Waka. We like to get our bodies moving in the morning before we start learning. Then we got to learn about our grandparents and special friends and it was about their lives before. I learnt a lot. My dad told me about a time that my grandpa was drowning. Thankfully he was ok after. After that we did a Blooket trivia. When the quiz finished we went to the Church. When Church finished the elders went to have a coffee and had a chat.  I wish we could have gone for tea too!

By: Liana 

The Benefits of Gratitude

This term 3/4JB have been working on completing their daily gratitude journal. The children come in and access their online journal with a different prompt given each day. The students have really enjoyed starting each morning with this gratitude activity, creating a calm and peaceful classroom, ready for the day ahead. Some students are so eager that they manage to find time in the morning before school to complete it. 

Bunnings Barbecue - Sunday, November 19th

Donations and Volunteers needed ASAP!

We have locked in a date to hold another Bunnings Barbecue before the end of the year to continue raising funds for our mural and garden projects and we'd love your help! Please visit https://volunteersignup.org/J3LKX to sign up to volunteer for a timeslot now. 

We'll also need supplies for the day, including:

- Cans of Sprite, Fanta, Solo and Diet Coke

- Juice pop tops

- Tomato Sauce Bottles

- Barbecue Sauce Bottles

- Napkins

These items can be given to the office from now until November 18. Thank you in advance for your help supporting our fundraising efforts!

End of year Christmas Raffle!

Tickets are now on sale for the End of Year Christmas Raffle!
There are some amazing prizes to be won, thank you to the generosity of local Moorabbin, Highett and Bentleigh businesses who have donated goods, services and vouchers! Thank you to school families who have also donated prizes! Tickets are being sent home with students today. Please sell them to family and friends and return all tickets and money, as per the return slip on the poster. Extra tickets are available if needed from the office.

Tickets are $2 each and the raffle will be drawn on Thursday, December 7 at our Christmas Carols night.
This year, we will be offering EFTPOS sales for one week only from Monday-Friday 20-24 November, in the school courtyard from 3.15-3.30pm. Please look out for Nat or a P&F Committee member with the machine and check out the prizes!

12 HAMPERS UP FOR GRABS:

MAJOR PRIZE - NINTENDO SWITCH

Runner up prizes include vouchers donated from local businesses:

Krav Maga, Verve Photography, MOPA, Moorabbin Mechanical, Aquastar, The Light Practice, Penny for Pound, My Little Tribe, Officeworks, Comma, The Custodian, Lollipops Bentleigh, Le Bar, Sonder, Two Brothers, Hudlow, Tradesman Café, Twisted Science, Hunky Dory, Tunnel Express, Arco Bar, Edge Gymnastics, and more!

Mural Update

We are excited that the first workshop for our mural project will commence on Friday 17th of November between 11.30 and 1.30pm in the learning hub. We are lucky to have secured a renowned first nations artist and an expert in codesign to help the students explore 'the many faces of belonging'. The timelines for delivery of the mural have been extended until the end of June, 2024 to allow us to hear about the outcome of our creative arts grant application. This is due in early December and will hopefully give us an additional $10 000 to increase the impact of the project. 14 Students volunteered to participate and will work with the Student Voice to keep everybody updated on the themes and next steps. Parents of students participating will receive an Operoo providing them with more details.

Graduation dinner

The P & F have been working with Ms Tavcar, Mrs O'Donnell and the year 6 students on the graduation function for Thursday, December 14 (Evening). The students had lots of ideas about how they would like to celebrate this important milestone with family and supporters, and invitations will be sent home with students this week. So Grade 6 families please keep an eye out and mark the date in your calendar!

 Pancake Parlour School Rewards Program

St Catherine's is registered in the Pancake Parlour Rewards program - and every spend at a store adds to St Catherine's tally! If we score the most points in our local area, we will win $1,000 cash! We are currently in first place at Southland! Parents - please familiarise yourself with the options to attribute the points to St Catherine's tally - becoming a member (free) via their app, in-store when ordering or via their website: https://bit.ly/447hLSs Thanks to those families who have dined already and added to our tally! Competition runs until the end of December, 2023.

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