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Advent
“This December, as we journey through the weeks of Advent, may it mark for all of us the beginning of a reawakening in ourselves, to be enlivened and prepare for the coming of Christ. As we light the candles around the Advent wreath, may we be reminded not only of the journey that began so long ago, but also of our enduring role along this path of life to be the risen light of Christ for all those we encounter. For it is through this light that came into the world that we are born into the full grace and truth of God.”
https://www.cem.edu.au/News-Events/Catholic-Education-Today.aspx
Carols/Market Night
A very big thank you to Julie Griffin and her team of parent helpers who successfully planned and organised a wonderful event for our school community. On the day and evening of the market there was a such a buzz and positive vibe among students, parents and staff. Thanks also to all our school families and friends who attended and made the night a perfect community event.
Student Reports: Friday 13 December
Student Reports will be sent home with your child on Friday 13 December. Teachers are very happy with student progress throughout the semester. Students have spent some time this term reflecting on their learning and produced a student self reflection report. I encourage you to acknowledge and celebrate with your child their achievements this semester.
In your child’s report
- Student report- Semester 2 2019
- Student self reflection
- Letter from the principal (eldest in the family only)
- 2020 Stationery List
- Letter from the principal indicating student’s 2020 class and teacher
- 2020 School Fees Information
Students will meet their 2020 class and teacher on Friday 13 December.
Year 6 Graduation
Many thanks to our teachers for all the work that has gone into preparation for our Year 6 Graduation. The students have been working on graduation books and practising for our liturgy.
Thanks also to our Year 5 parent helpers who have organised the year 6 Graduation Dinner for students and families. This traditional event could not happen without your valued support.
Year 6 Graduation Liturgy will take place on Wednesday 11 December at 6:00pm in our church. All school families are most welcome to join us this celebration.
Farewell to Year Six Families
At this time of the year there is some sadness as we thank and wish all the best to not only our year 6 students but their families as well. For many of our year 6 families there has been a long association with our school and with their child leaving year 6 means that their connection with our school comes to an end. On behalf of our school community I wish to thank the following families for all that they have contributed to St Catherine’s.
ARGIROPOULOS Family
CHARAKAS Family
CUNNINGHAM Family
FODE Family
GIERLACH Family
HEDE Family
KOKKALOS Family
LAUTENBACH Family
SEYMON Family
SUSIC Family
WEBB Family
WHITFIELD Family
Guard of Honour
On Thursday 18 December (last day of school) the Year F-5 students and staff will form a guard of honour on the asphalt at 3:20pm to farewell our year 6 students.
2020 Year 6 Student Leaders
Our year 6 student leaders for 2020 will be announced on Monday 3 February at our whole school beginning of year Mass. This will take place in our church at 9:15am. All parents are welcome to attend.
Dates
End of Year Mass & Foundation Nativity Re-enactment Wednesday 18 December at 10am
Final day of term 4 for students is Wednesday 18 December at 3:30pm
Students begin term 1 2020 on Thursday 30 January at 9:00am
Lost Property
Please ensure you check lost property for any missing uniform items before the end of the year. Any items that have not been collected will be sent to the second hand uniform shop.
School Board
Nominations for the school board closed on Friday 6 December. Thank you to a number of parents who have expressed interest in joining the school board in 2020. How wonderful to have more parents interested than positions available. In line with our school board guidelines,
“If more nominations are submitted than places available, it will be the Co-Ordinating Principal, Principal and current Chairperson to allocate that vacancy to the nominee that best meets the need of the current Board. Things to consider include: balanced parental representation across the school, the needs of the Board in regards to ‘special projects’, expertise of nominees and variety of expertise already on the Board. “
Parents who have applied for a position on the board will be contacted this week and asked to provide a submission outlining their reasons for applying and expertise they have that may support the school.
Parents and Friends
Another way to be involved in our school community is to be part of the Parents and Friends. We are now looking for a coordinator for 2020. No previous experience required. Julie our current P&F coordinator will initially support you with handover information about events that took place this year. The P&F coordinator liaises closely with me in order for the school to support proposed initiatives.
I wish to acknowledge and thank Julie Griffin for all her work this year, supporting building community engagement, along with raising funds to benefit student learning. Julie has welcomed and encouraged many parents to re-engage with our school community. Countless research in the area of parental engagement in schools suggests when parents work in partnership with their child’s school there are many benefits for all stakeholders. Her positive can do attitude, calmness and efficient organisation has resulted in social, fun and engaging events for all to enjoy in our school community.
Lynda O'Donnell
Principal
Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is the founder of the Arrowsmith Program, an assessment process and a suite of cognitive exercises designed to stimulate and strengthen weak areas of cognitive functioning that underlie a range of learning difficulties, which has been delivered for 40+ years throughout the world. The Arrowsmith Program is offered in educational organizations in 10 countries. Ongoing research with neuroscientists, neuropsychologists and psychologists is demonstrating that the program not only changes the brain, cognitive functioning, and academic achievement but also leads to social-emotional well-being.
St Catherine’s in Moorabbin is one of 4 schools in Victoria that offer the Program. For more information about this amazing program that supports children with learning difficulties then go to the website: https://www.scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au/about-us
Holy Trinity Parish - St. Catherine's Primary School hosts a presentation by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young: Changing Brains, Exploring a New Reality – Neuroplasticity and Learning
Venue: Holy Trinity Parish - St Catherine's Primary School
14 - 28 Fletcher Street, Moorabbin
Date: Monday 17th February 2020
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm followed by book signing
In this presentation Barbara Arrowsmith Young will talk about how harnessing the principles of neuroplasticity leads to changes in the brain and how each individual can create a new reality for their future. She will discuss the latest research on the Arrowsmith Program which shows changes in the brain as well as academic, emotional, social and cognitive changes.
She will describe how a learning difficulty impacts the learner in school as well as in life and that the research shows that this reality is not lifelong and can be changed. The audience will gain insight into and begin to look at behaviour through a cognitive lens. They will build an understanding that through harnessing the principles of neuroplasticity we can change the brain and overcome learning challenges.
Click here to find out more information and register for the night.
The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light.
What to do with Wally? Wally was an awkward and shy child who belonged to the church kids club. It was time to hand out roles for the Christmas play, but what role should the teacher give Wally?
She decided on the inn-keeper. It was an important role, but required Wally only to shake his head and say one line "Sorry, we've no room." Wally grinned from ear to ear when he learned of his important role and he couldn't wait for the big night.
It arrived soon enough, and the play was proceeding according to plan. Mary and Joseph had travelled to Bethlehem and come to the door of the inn.
Joseph knocked on the door and it opened to Wally. "Please sir, do you have a room we could take?" asked Joseph. Wally shook his head and replied. "I'm sorry, we've no room".
Now the boy playing Joseph was a particularly confident child, and while the script called for him and Mary to turn away at this point, Joseph decided to exercise some dramatic license. "But sir" he said to the innkeeper, "My wife is about to have her baby and we need somewhere to stay. Couldn't you find us a room?" Wally's face went white - this was not planned for! - And he paused for a moment before repeating his line. "I'm sorry, we've no room."
"But sir" replied Joseph, "We've travelled such a long way and we've nowhere else to go and my wife is very tired. Surely you can find us somewhere." Wally bowed his head, shook it sadly and said, "I'm sorry, we've no room."
Forlornly Joseph and Mary started walking away. Wally, now fully into his role, felt shamed and saddened. A tear trickled down his cheek. Then his voice was heard calling out. "Wait! Please come back. You can have my room."
It may not have been according to script, but at that moment Wally gave perfect expression to the Christmas story.
What Wally does for us in this story is to bring darkness into light.
Wally is able to adapt himself to the mystery and the unknown and the chaos of drama and through this be moved by the Holy Spirit.
Wally does what we all pray for in following Jesus……stop……..I will move out so you can have my room.
Luke’s Gospel is often referred to as, “The Hospitality of God”. Wally is doing everything that Luke would want. He is being hospitable.
The Christmas story tells of the birth of a new king, a new kind of king. The birth reveals a new world order, a world not under Caesar but under the direction of God’s design for redemption of all peoples.
In this world, God’s Word is heard by the humble. God has not forgotten us or abandoned us to the brokenness we have created. The story of Christmas is both an announcement of hope and a call to humility.
The story of Christmas is about having the humility and the emotional wisdom of Wally to be able to say, "Wait! Please come back. You can have my room."
Happy Christmas and New Year.
Edward Dooley (Mission and Faith Leader)
On Thursday, the Year 6 students set out on an excursion to Luna Park to celebrate with friends and teachers all the learning that has taken place in their Primary years. Students were able to roam the park with their friends enjoying the many thrill-seeking rides, riding on dodgem cars and enjoying the sunshine with their friends. A mixture of delight and terror was evident with students remarking “that was the scariest ride I’ve ever been on’ or ‘I can’t believe I actually did that”. The fun on the day was evident by the fact that our school were the first to enter and the last to exit the park, before heading to the Lower Esplanade beach for one last stop and the chance to soak in some more sunshine.
On behalf of the year 6 students, we would like to thank Mrs Moore, Mrs Bruenjes, Mrs Chiodo, Mrs Barca and Mrs James for their help coordinating a fantastic day out.
The students had a memorable day celebrating the end of their primary school years and I’m sure it is one they will never forget.
Mrs Debra Bruennjes
