Thank you

Thanks to Julie Griffin for coordinating the Mother’s Day breakfast and stall. Thanks to the dads who supported Julie with setting up and cooking the bacon and egg rolls. Thanks also to the mums who helped with the stall. There were many smiling faces as children left the stall with their decorated bag and gift for mum.

Hope all our Mums had a beautiful Mother’s Day

Staff Professional Learning

Last Friday 3 May staff attended professional learning on the URstrong Friendology Curriculum founded by Dana Kerford a Canadian teacher. Dana’s friendology framework for supporting students to develop healthy friendships is being implemented in many schools worldwide.

The objective of the program:

“Explicitly teaching children how to develop healthy friendships and manage conflict in a positive way is at the heart of helping them flourish. These important social skills are the key to bullying prevention, creating safe, caring learning environments, and inspiring kinder, happier children”

https://urstrong.com/resource/language-of-friendship-introduction/

Later in the term our school will adopt this program as part of our student wellbeing program. The key messages in the lessons link to our school values, The Victorian Capabilities Curriculum and Catholic Education Melbourne Religious Education Curriculum. We will continue to provide parents with more information in the weeks ahead.

The URstrong website does have some free resources for parents. There is a parent membership available however Dana informed us that URstrong are currently working on making this membership free for parents. We will let you know if this will be available.

Click on the link to view more information. URstrong Friendology- Video

New Parent Engagement Platform- Enews

73% of our subscribers to our newsletter opened and viewed our new Parent Engagement Platform. It would be great to see this increase to 100%. If you were previously receiving newsletter emails, you will continue to receive a link via email to access our parent engagement platform. The parent engagement platform supports parents with accessing newsletters, important dates and information. If you have changed your email address or have not received the newsletter previously, please contact Cate in our school office so as she can add your email to the list of subscribers.

Don’t forget to install our new school app called SZapp. Information about the school app can be located http://www.schoolzine.com/szapp go to the app store / google playstore and search SZapp and download. You will need to select a region and type in school name. We will no longer be sending messages via FLEXIBUZZ.

We are hoping this new platform will support effective communication. The Schoolzine products have been specifically designed to support schools with communication and are used in many schools Australia wide.The feedback we have received so far has been very positive. Many parents have indicated that information is easier to access. If you have any feedback please email principal@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au or speak to a member of our school board. The names of the school board members are located on our parent engagement platform and are on display in our school office.

Chicks free to a good home

The foundation and year 1-2 students have had chicks hatching in their classrooms as part of their Integrated work this term. We are looking for new homes for the chicks and if you are interested could you please contact Deb Wilson (Foundation teacher). The chicks need to be collected by Thursday 16 May.

First Aid

As part of our school protocol we always phone parents to let you know if your child has reported a knock, bump or blow to the head. We always ensure we make contact with parents in case there is any follow up needed. In all cases we follow first aid procedures and most incidents rest and ice-pack is all that is required. A slip indicating that your child has visited the first aid room will be sent home.

Gossip

Teachers often talk with the students about the harm of gossip, deliberate put downs and being mean on purpose can cause to others. Students are still learning about how their words and actions can impact others and often need support from adults with understanding this.

As adults we too sometimes need reminders about the impact our words and how we deliver messages can  have on others. I have heard many teachers and parents say to their children, “treat others how you would like to be treated”

Pope Francis speaks quite frankly about the effect of unkind words/gossip can have on others.

“Gossip destroys community because it is inopportune or careless.”

Pope Francis, Rome, 14 November 2018

Pope Francis also talks about gossip destroying the reputation of others and the gossiper walking away calmly.

I hope in our school community we can be mindful of how we interact with each other and apply our school principles of Respect to all in our school community. Last year our school board worked on the Federated Parent Code of Conduct Guidelines. I encourage all parents to familiarise yourself with these guidelines. There is an expectation that parents agree (as part of their child’s enrolment at the school) to these guidelines.

Please see link below or you can find a copy of these guidelines in the school policies located on the left hand menu of the Parent Engagement Platform.

Parent Code  of Conduct

In a world where people have the impression that they are either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ at maths (with no inbetween), this article shows how we can all enjoy success in this area. Jo Boaler is Professor of Mathematics Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and is involved in promoting mathematics education reform and equitable mathematics classrooms.

MATHS FORTNIGHTLY CHALLENGES

Entries close Wednesday 22nd May

AGE 4-7

Sally saw 15 rabbits in the field. 7 rabbits hopped away. How many are left in the field?

AGE 8-10

Yesterday, Tara had $10.67. Today she spent $1.30. Her Mum then gave her another 0.60 cents. How much does she have now?

AGE 10 upwards

A netball team is made up of 7 players. If 212 children turned up to a netball tournament, how many full teams could you make?

Name:

Age:

Answer (showing my working out)

Name:

Age:

Answer (showing my working out)

This term, the students in Years F-2 are focusing on the concept Life and Living. As part of this concept, we are exploring the needs of living things and investigating different habitats.

On Monday 29th April, we travelled by bus to Werribee Open Range Zoo. The students were very excited to explore the different types of animals that they have at the zoo and the different habitats they live in. We enjoyed an exciting safari bus tour in which we got to see many animals up close and learn some interesting and fun fact about them. Read below some of the interesting facts that the Foundation students learnt.

During our education session with Georgia, we learnt all about being Habitat Heroes. We focused on learning about animals habitats, exploring the wallabies habitat and ways in which we can help to look after these habitats.

We would like to say a special ‘Thank You!’ to the parents that joined us on the excursion; Jess Wilson, Lisa Anstee, Olivia Slupecki, Karen Glancy, Tina Orfanos, Kristian Arnaoutis, Darren Forner and Jose Carapeto.

Interesting Facts that we learnt:

The hippopotamus can hold its breath for up to half an hour under water. Alexis

I learnt that every animal needs shade, water and food.  Leila

A baby wallaby is called a joey. It lives in its mother’s pouch.  Benjamin

We need to respect all the animals at the zoo.  Leona

Camels store fat in their hump. They can last for three weeks without eating or drinking. Duke

On Wednesday the 8th of May the 3-6 students took part in education programs at the Melbourne Zoo.

Here is what the students had to say about it.

“My favourite animal was the spider monkey because they are cute, funny and love to climb. They were black and white with long tails. Their habitat has ropes, trees and branches.” - Sabine Willmot. Grade 3.

“We went to learn about the Local Legends.. My favourite local legend was the helmeted honeyeater. The helmeted honeyeaters story goes like this, it is known for feverishly protecting its nest but people are cutting down trees and destroying its home! We can help them by using toilet paper made from recycled paper.” -Linus Hupfeld. Grade 4.

“I liked the Melbourne Zoo because there are cool animals like tigers, tasmanian devil and australian fur seal. The tassie devil is the best. I learned that the tassie devil has sharp teeth to eat meat.” - Miki Nowak. Grade 3.

“My most favourite thing was seeing the seals. I saw that they were so excited to see us all and they were absolutely adorable.” - Alexa

“On Wednesday 3/4s and 5/6s went to the Melbourne Zoo. My favourite bit was seeing Diamond the corn snake. We got to touch him! - Alexandra

“There were monkeys, giraffes, penguins, snakes and meerkats at the zoo!” - Chiara

“My favourite part was seeing the monkeys and the seals.” - Elise

Netball Interschool Sports Report

By Jess Lee

During Netball this week St Joseph Black Rock came to our school to play netball. There were two teams, the “A” team and the “B” team. A team scored 4 goals while St Joseph’s got 1 goal. B team scored 1 goal and St Joseph’s scored nothing. Although the netball teams had to go into the hall we still had fun. Many thanks to the OLSH girls who came to help  umpire us and thanks to St Joseph Black Rock for playing games with us!

Footy Interschool Sport Report

By Ollie McDonald

Round 1:St Catherine's vs St Joseph Black rock.

The rain was pretty heavy but settled.

Our Captain Emlila Fode did a great job leading the team to victory. Our umpire Mr. Fisher did a great job keeping the game fair and encouraging everyone during the game.

Goal Kickers: 1.1 Oscar Bowen, 2.1 Jack Thorp , 1.0 Ollie McDonald

Behinds - Peter Kokkalos, Charlie Grainger and Emlila Fode.

B.O.G Charlie Grainger.

Key B.O.G= best on ground

Goals= first number points=last number

Final score St. Catherine’s 4.6 total 30 St. Joseph Black Rock 2.2 total 14

Interschool Sport Report

Jack Thorp 5/6SS

The rain was pouring but then it settled. Our first match was against St. Joseph’s Black Rock. Our Umpire was Mr. Fisher and our captain was Emilia Fode. Goal Scorers were Oscar Bowen with 1 goal 1 behind, Jack Thorp with 2 goals 1 behind, Ollie McDonald 1 goal, Peter Kokkalos 1 behind, Emilia Fode 1 behind and Charlie Grainger 1 behind. Best on ground was Charlie Grainger. Final Scores for Round 1: St. Catherine’s 4 goals 6 behinds, 30 points to St Joseph’s Black Rock 2 goals 2 behinds, 14 points.

Interschool Sport

Congratulations to all children, it was a difficult start to our competition but I was happy we at least got to play for a period of time. A huge thank you to Adrian Fisher who umpired the football and the OLSH girls for umpiring the netball.

Cross Country

Good luck to all children in our Cross Country Squad who will be competing next Friday 17th May at Bald Hill Park.

There will be no Interschool Sport next week due to this event.

Susan Pattinson

Thank you to those parents who have provided some really positive feedback on the new Parent Engagement Platform. We will continue to add to it as we receive that feedback. You will notice on the side bar of the eNewsletter we have added a tab – ‘School Polices’ as parents have asked where to find them. We have only put the relevant ones for parents but if there is something not there that you think should be added please just email me and we can upload it if needs be.

On the Schools Policies Page, we have the updated version of our Federated Schools Privacy Policy and Standard Collection Notice. These have recently been updated to reflect the use of digital data and to cover the use and/or disclosure of personal information in relation to the Catholic Education Melbourne School Improvement Surveys (CEMSIS).

We have begun to use the App and will increase the use in coming weeks so I urge all parents to download it. You will receive notification from us when the eNewsletter is published and when other important items or events need to be communicated.

If you haven’t yet I ask that all staff download the app for St Catherine’s - http://www.schoolzine.com/szapp  - all the instructions can be found here or just go to the app store / google playstore and search SZapp then download and pick region and type in school name.

Michael Juliff

Co-Ordinating Principal

St Catherine’s, St Paul’s & St Peter’s

We are taking it in our stride on Friday the 17th May 2019

Well it's that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking!

Not only is walking a wonderful way to get you where you want to be, but it also gets your health and your child's health on the right track too. So that's why this year our school is participating in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday the 17th of May 2019.

Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. On this day walking all the way to school isn't realistic for many of us who live too far from school therefore, it has been arranged that Ms Armour will meet students at the Bricker Reserve oval in Rowans Rd at 8:30 am sharp to walk together to the school as a group. Students who live close to the school are encouraged to walk with their guardian from their home.

Remember active kids are healthy kids so get planning on your walk safely to school journey for the 17th of May!!

In the spirit of ANZAC day, the year 5/6 classes spent a session baking ANZAC cookies. Students learnt that ANZAC biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I.

The students were interested to learn that the biscuits were sent by wives and women's groups to soldiers abroad because the ingredients did not spoil easily and they kept well during naval transportation.

Part of their historical study of our ANZAC soldiers was to explore the famous escape from Gallipoli.  Students wrote interesting dialogues during English class, explaining their understanding of the event and demonstrating their use of direct speech punctuation.

Jack Griffin of Year 5/6 SS writes:

One day Grandpa Jeff was talking to his grandson,  Johnny.

”Grandpa, how did the Army leave Gallipoli beach?” questioned Johnny.

“Well, we had buckets full of water with a hole. So the water dripped into a bucket that had a piece of string around the trigger and as it got heavy it pulled the trigger.The gun shot and we ran to the boat.”explained Grandpa Jeff quietly.

“How did you escape on the sand?” asked Johnny.

“We put towels on our feet to muffle the crunch of the sand,” replied Grandpa.

“Thanks Grandpa.That was an amazing story!” sighed Johnny.

“You are very welcome Johnny. The war was a very scary time. I’m glad you were interested to ask.” stated Grandpa.

Six Moments in Kingston is a multidisciplinary public art project unfolding across the City of Kingston, led by six contemporary artists with  over 200 local participants. Six extraordinary local stories drawn from the period 1976-1981 form the genesis of six installations, each set in the site of the original story. The project is experienced via a public art bus tour, with on-board broadcasts and the occasional stop to interact with the artworks. Artists are drawing from multiple arts disciplines including performance, video, animation, sculpture, music, textile art and craftivism.

 Stories:

• The mysterious disappearance of pilot Fred Valentich and his plane following sightings of a UFO
• The story of Julie Cooper, Moorabbin’s first female mayor
• A celebration of local Parkdale rocker Rick Springfield’s worldwide number one hit, Jessie’s Girl
• Two local protests that mirrored national and international protest movements
• The infamous headbutting incident between troubled VFL footballer Phil Carman and umpire Graeme Carbery
• And the contentious demolition of historic manor, The Grange

Artists: Field Theory, Laresa Kosloff, Shane McGrath, Spiros Panigirakis, Steve Rhall, Tal Fitzpatrick

Sat Sun 18 19 25 & 26 May 2019

Tours depart Kingston Arts Centre, 979 - 985 Nepean Highway, Moorabbin VIC 3189

9:30am | 11:30am | 1:30pm | 3:30pm

Wheelchair Accessible Tours available Saturday 25 May 11.30am

Tickets: Full $10 | Conc. $7.50

Book online at smik.melbourne or 9556 4440