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

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

Eucharist

We ask our school community to keep the following students receiving their First Eucharist this weekend 25th August at the parish mass at 10:30am in your prayers and thoughts.

The Parish would like to invite all students who have received the sacrament of Confirmation, Reconciliation and First Eucharist to the

10:30am Mass on the 15th September.

All families are asked to bring along a plate of food to this celebration. 

Feast of the Assumption

The whole school attended Mass on Thursday 15th August for the Feast of the Assumption. It was lovely to see parents attending this celebration with us. Thank you to the students from Foundation to Yr 6: Ryan, Josh, Haley, Vanessa, Cooper and Gus who led us in the prayers of the faithful respectfully. For those who brought the gifts forward Jensen and Rian and Dairus for altar serving during the Mass. It was lovely to have Bernard Gill from the parish lead us with live music on this special day.

Parish/Class Masses 10:00am for the remainder of the term. 

28th August: 1/2HB & 5JH

4th September: FMH & 6MR

Families are invited to join the classes at these masses.

Foundation Expo News

The Foundation students have worked extremely hard over the past few weeks researching the needs of plants and their favourite Australian animals in order for them to survive. We planted bean seeds in a jar and have been watching them grow. We placed seeds in a plastic bag greenhouse on the classroom windows and are still waiting to see them grow and change.

The students have listened to information clips, read fact sheets and books to collect the information during literacy and science lessons. They created clay models of their animals after completing a labelling activity about the body parts of their animal. We gathered materials from the school environment to create a habitat for the animals. Each student chose two interesting facts to share about their animal. One fact was printed in a speech bubble for visitors to read. The students were shown how to create a green screen movie using their recordings of their second fact. They produced amazing research projects to read to their families. The students have become experts in identifying carnivores, herbivores and omnivores amongst the Australian animals we have been learning about.

1/2 Expo News

In Science in 1/2 HB, we have been learning all about living things. We explored both plants and animals, learning all about their needs, their different external features and what the purpose of these features are. For example, roots taking in water and nutrients or using wings to fly. We were so interested in learning about plant needs, and how their needs impact the survival of different species, for the Science Expo we designed and created our own greenhouses. We applied our knowledge about plants and their needs to our designs. This week we will test them out by germinating a seed in them.

3/4 Expo News

Grade 3/4 loved preparing for science week! We spent time focusing on what water pollution is and how to prevent it. The students researched, designed and created their own water filter using water bottles, sand and gravel. They then designed their own posters to help prevent water pollution. 

5/6 Expo News

For the Science Expo, the 5th and 6th graders presented an impressive visual display of their research on endangered animals. In pairs, they utilised reliable sources to investigate critically endangered species, focusing on the major threats facing these animals and the efforts to ensure their survival beyond 2050.

Additionally, the students produced public service announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness, share information, and influence public behaviour regarding their chosen animals.

Finally, each student created a persuasive poster for their endangered species, employing emotive language to engage and appeal to viewers.

Enjoy some images from our presentation - 

Dear Parents and Friends,

Don’t forget that Weeks 8/9 of this term is the time to showcase Japanese language and culture at St Catherine’s with our…
日本祭り (Nihon Matsuri) or Japanese Festival!

Our theme for the festival is「面白い」(Omoshiroi) which means “That’s interesting!”.

On Wednesday, September 11, we will have our 日本コンサート(Nihon Konsaato) or Japanese Concert. And you are all invited!
At the concert, you will be able to see the children singing, dancing, acting, playing music and more! They can’t wait to show you what they have been practising.

It will be held in the hall from 9am. Remember children are welcome to wear the Japanese colours of red, white, black and gold (yellow) or something ‘Japanese-y’. 
 
Please encourage your children to enter the following competitions which are open to ALL students. You gotta be in it to win it!
 
1. Poster Competition:
To enter, students must design and create a poster that is about ‘omoshiroi’.

What do you think about when you close your eyes and think ‘hmm, omoshiroi nihon’? 
*paper size must be A4 or larger
*the design can be from any artistic medium (watercolour, texta, coloured pencils, crayons, etc) BUT NOT printed
*full name and class must be written on the back of the poster
*must be about ‘omoshiroi’
*have the word ‘omoshiroi’ somewhere in the poster
Once students have completed their poster, they can hand it in to their class teacher, to Sensei or to the office.

2. Trivia Competition:
*answer the following questions in English on a piece of paper
*make sure the answers are numbered
*you can answer in short answers
*there is no need to write out the questions
*write your name and class on the top of the piece of paper
*pop the paper into the entry box in the office
*it doesn’t matter how you find the answers. 

1. How many petals does a ‘sakura’ have?
2. Who are the top two dolls displayed on a hinamatsuri stand?
3. What year did Japan last host the summer Olympic games.
4. Name a Japanese anime or manga character.
5. What does ‘aka’ mean in Japanese?
6. What is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
7. What is ‘Studio Ghibli’?
8. What is the population of Tokyo?
9. What is the weather like if you have to make a teru teru
bozu/boozu/bouzu/bōzu?

10. If I add ni and san together, what do I get? Answer with a
numeral; NOT a word.

3. Cooking Competition
*pick one of the six recipes below
*cook it at home
*when you have cooked the recipe, dish out a portion of the recipe in a bowl or plate
*take a photo of the recipe in the dish/plate with your child in the photo and email it to Sensei: helene.lionakis@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au
*in the subject line, please put your child’s full name and class and the name of the recipe
Note: that there be one photo per student; if there are siblings, there needs to be another recipe made

Japanese Potato Salad:
https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/cook/potatosalad/

Tempura: 
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/recipes/mixed-root-tempura
(if you don’t have the vegies listed, try medium sliced potatoes,
pumpkin, beans or any other hard vegie)

Okonomiyaki:
https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipes/japanese-okonomiyaki-recipe/2ok5pwis?r=easydinners/vfr9jov3&h=easy%20dinners
(you can leave out or sub the prawns and ginger if you want; you
can sub mirin for water or stock; you can sub the stock for water or
vegie stock)

Japanese Curried Rice:
https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/cook/curry/

Yakitori with Japanese Slaw:
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/recipes/chicken-yakitori-with-japanese-slaw

Hot and Sour Ramen: 
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/recipes/hot-and-sour-ramen
(you can leave out the chilli if you wish and sub spicy ramen with
non-spicy ramen)

Dorayaki: 
https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/cook/dorayaki/
(baking soda is bicarb soda and the tsubu and can be left out)

4. Kyaraben Competition
Kyaraben are characters made out of food. For example, you could make a kyaraben snowman out of rice with two almonds for eyes, a corn kernel for the nose and an olive for the mouth.
For ideas, you can Google ‘kyaraben’ and have a look at the different characters portrayed.
*make the kyaraben
*take a photo of the kyaraben with your child in the photo and email it to Sensei: helene.lionakis@scmoorabin.catholic.edu.au
*in the subject line, please put your child’s full name and class and the name of the character
Note: that there be one photo per student; 
if there are siblings, there needs to be another kyaraben made

5. Ayatori (school) Competition
The students are practising ayatori at school to get ready for the school competition. If they would like to have a go to get ready for the comp, they will need a knotted piece of wool or string approx 150cm long. Here are some links. Of course, there are more ayatori than just these. You can Google ‘ayatori’ or ‘easy ayatori’ for heaps more.

Have fun! 

Solo Cat’s Cradle - With only one person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j-ADpQY3_k

Easy Cat's Cradle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j-ADpQY3_k

Jacobs Ladder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kr8jrc56eA

Hammock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIHfMkxVlnU

Flower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQSJW0G3D08

Fish Trap string figure tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWRKhweGpjU

Open the Gate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11omMUvluwQ

Star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrveQloT7JQ

Cutting off Fingers trick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcBN_0Sf17U

リオナキス先生
(Rionakisu Sensei)
Lionakis Sensei

Thanks to all who came to enjoy the wonderful and colourful book parade this morning! 

Please enjoy these happy snaps

Father's Day stall order forms - Thursday 29 August

Order form is coming home today. Please return to office with money asap for the stall next Thursday 29 August.

Colour Run event

Information coming home later this week - we are excited to have the Colour Run return to St Catherine's on Thursday 19 September

Parents Night Out at Sonder

Thanks to all the parents who came along to the recent parents night at Sonder Bentleigh - thanks to Julia for organising! Yummy cocktails and food was enjoyed by those who attended - thanks for supporting St Catherine's events!

Dad's Vs. Kids Soccer Match

Thanks to all the families who came to the Dad's Vs. Kids soccer match last Sunday - it was an epic battle of strength and skill, but the dads were no match for the kids, who gave it their all to win in a record breaking defeat! 

Uniform Shop - open this Friday

Looking for some new items as we approach Spring? Uniform shop is open this Friday from 3pm, cash and eft accepted.

P&F Meeting

The next meeting of the Parents and Friends Committee will take place next Tuesday 27 August 7.30pm. We have a busy Term 4 coming up, with graduation and Christmas celebrations - if you'd like to join and help please let us know if you'd like to attend!

Dad's Group Father's Day Dinner

As Father’s Day approaches, it’s time for us to gather in the fine tradition of camaraderie and good cheer. You are cordially invited to join us on Friday, August 30th, for an evening of exceptional company, hearty fare, and perhaps a drink or two at Big Pig Little Pig. The evening promises to be an excellent opportunity to unwind, share a laugh, and celebrate the unique bond we share as fathers of the awesome kids at St Catherine's.

Date: Friday, 30th August

Time: 6:30pm onwards

Venue: Big Pig Little Pig, 35 Ebden St, Moorabbin

Kindly RSVP by 23rd August to Bernard on 0429 055 911 or Daz on 0490 502 108

Mum's Group Welcome to Spring Day Dinner

As Spring approaches, let's celebrate we have survived winter with a Mum's dinner on Saturday 7 September. Vietnamese dinner and BYO  at Bun Cha, 332 Highett Rd, Highett From 7pm. RSVP to Nat Taffe Wednesday 4 September on 0438548739. If you'd like to join the Mum's What's App group, please also contact Nat.