Term 1 Week 6 Newsletter 2025

Season of Lent  

Lent is the most important season for us as Catholics. As we begin the journey towards Easter. I invite you to take a moment to read this article from Archbishop Patrick O'Regan. In this article the Archbishop reflects upon Lent as a call to Life and Renewal; of Synodality as a call to walk together and of Lent as a season of conversion and renewal.  

Faith, Hope and Love. A reflection. 

As a child, I understood that the message of the church focussed on the three key virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. And as a child I travelled my own journey of Faith and Love, but I didn’t spend much time worrying about Hope. Not sure why that was, but perhaps it was because I was fortunate to have the safety and support of a loving family or perhaps I was too preoccupied by what was present for me.  

I worry that for some children today, their 'present' seems more clouded by anxiety than I recall previous generations. We know that the support of a family is critical for the health and wellbeing of a child. We know the mostly negative impact of social media. We know the influence that good teachers have on a child's wellbeing. We know the power of faith in helping bring hope to people's lives.  

In addition, there are several well regarded allied health professionals who offer excellent resources including Mark Le Messurier. Please see link below. 

https://marklemessurier.com.au/main/articles/anxious-child.shtml 

School Captains  

At the start of the year a healthy number of our Year 6 students nominated themselves to be one of our School Captains. I congratulate all students who nominated for these roles. The number and strength of these applications is testimony to the quality of our students and the formation opportunities that the school has provided and augurs well for a great year for our students. I was profoundly impressed with the depth of reflection in the application letters. Following the nominations, all staff were consulted before the school leadership made their decision and I am pleased to share that Aliyah, James, Charlie and Raphi have been appointed as our School Captains for 2025. I have met with the captains to clarify their role as servants of the school community and particularly in how they support other students. I have begun the process of leading the captains through the training they will need to undertake their duties this year. I look forward to seeing them develop their leadership capabilities this the year.  

SRC and ECO students  

Congratulations to the following students who have been nominated as SRC and ECO members for this Semester. 

SRC (Student Representative Council) 

The SRC meet with me each fortnight. In our first meeting we discussed the role of being a student representative and how each member is responsible for sharing information from their classmates. At each meeting, the SRC members share information from their class under the four broad categories of Positives and Celebrations, Questions, Ideas and Issues. This information helps the students discuss ways to make our school a happy and safe place.  

ECO (Ecology representatives)

The Ecology representatives are important leaders at St Catherine's and reflect our commitment to Ecology. The Eco representatives meet each fortnight with Mrs Thomas.  

An Ecology representative advocates for and actively promotes sustainable practices and environmental awareness within the school community. They lead initiatives to reduce the school’s ecological footprint, such as recycling programs, mindful and purposeful use of resources and energy conservation efforts. Additionally, they educate and engage students on the importance of environmental stewardship, promote activities that support a greener future, and align their efforts with the principles of Laudato Si’, emphasising the care for our common home. 

AGM/ School Board   

On Tuesday 25th Feb, the School Board held our Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM report along with the 2024 School Performance Report is available HERE on the school website.

School Board 2025 

I am delighted to welcome to the school board for 2025 Gary Bowman, Ben Murray, Roger White, Jessica Arabia, Jessica Barolo (staff representative) and Di Cook (secretary). 

Thank you to the continuing members: Father Fred Farrugia, Ben Clements, Sharna Bucher, Kay Burton, Rocky Luppino, Tom Kenyon and Lucia Clements (Parents and Friends representative)  

New Chair 

I am also delighted to share that Ben Clements has been elected Chair of the board. 

I look forward to working with all members of the board. 

Kangaroo Island Camp 

Overwhelmingly previous students share that one of the highlights of their time at St Catherine's is the Year 6 camp and as I write this the students have been enjoying the activities, the weather and the company of other students. 

Forest Friends Playgroup  

Each Monday, we hold our Forest Friends Playgroup from 9.00-10.30am with children from birth to school age joining in a variety of activities, including nature play, crafts, singing, sensory play and storytime. If you know of anyone who may be interested in coming along, please let them know about this opportunity. Further information is available HERE on our school website.

All the best for the long weekend.  

Warm regards,  

Mark 

Living Our Ecology Principles on Clean Up Australia Day 

Last Friday, our school community came together to support Clean Up Australia Day, embracing our role as stewards of God’s creation. Staff and students rolled up their sleeves to clear rubbish from our school grounds and gardens, making a noticeable difference to our environment while living out our commitment to sustainability. 

Our 1/2 classes took special care of the butterfly garden, weeding and preparing it for plant Butterfly-friendly plants that will soon provide a thriving habitat for our new friends. The day ended with a fun and fast-paced Rubbish Relay, where students put their sorting skills to the test, reinforcing the importance of reducing waste and caring for our common home. 

It was a fun morning enjoyed by all! Thank you to all students and teachers for their efforts, to our Eco Leaders for leading the event, and for our parent volunteers who joined us for the morning. 

Launching Project Compassion: Uniting Against Poverty 

On Shrove Tuesday, we were blessed to attend the launch of Project Compassion at St Bernadette’s Parish in St Mary's.  

During a beautiful Mass led by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, we joined in celebrating 60 years of Project Compassion and embraced this year’s theme: "Unite Against Poverty." This powerful call reminds us of our shared responsibility to support those in need through acts of generosity and compassion.  Our four Year 5 student leaders—Mary, Oliver, Flynn, and Hailey—represented our school with great pride and reverence.  

As a school, we are committed to this mission throughout Lent. Each class has a Project Compassion box, and the eldest student in each family has been given a box to take home. Every donation—big or small—makes a difference in transforming lives of those in extreme poverty. 

Together, through our prayers, actions, and generosity, we walk in solidarity with the most vulnerable, doing our part to unite against poverty this Lenten season. 

Ash Wednesday Mass and Liturgy 

Ash Wednesday: A Time to Turn Back to God 

Our school community gathered in prayer on Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent—a season of reflection, renewal, and commitment to living with faith and compassion. 

Students in Reception to Year 2 participated in a special liturgy, while our Years 3-5 students joined together in Mass. During these sacred celebrations, each class was presented with their Project Compassion boxes, reminding us of our call to help those in need. 

The sign of ashes on the forehead has been used by God’s people for hundreds of years. The ashes remind us that we do not always love God as we should and that there are things in our lives we need to change. On this journey towards Easter, we acknowledge our failings, seek God’s forgiveness, and open our hearts to His love and grace. 

We thank Fr Fred for leading our celebrations and guiding us in prayer as we begin this important season together.  

Reestablishing Our Butterfly Garden 

We’re excited to share that plans have begun towards the reestablishment of the butterfly garden near the oval! The recent introduction of butterfly chrysalises to the 1/2 classes sparked an interest in creating a space that attracts butterflies and other native insects. Last Friday, during Clean Up Australia Day, students began preparing the space, clearing weeds and making room for new plants. 

Students are already brainstorming ideas for plants to improve the biodiversity of the space. We’re also thrilled to be working with John Leeton from St Matthew’s Parish on this project, bringing our school and parish together in care for God’s creation. 

If you have any native shrubs to donate or keen to know how you can become involved, please contact Bianca, Narelle, or myself. We’d love your support in bringing this project to life! 

Walking Together in Faith: Supporting Our Sacramental Students 

Our school and parish community have come together in support of our students on their sacramental journey this year. On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of March thirteen students from our school were presented to the parish during the Ritual of Remembering Baptism Mass. This special moment marked the beginning of their preparation for the sacraments, surrounded by the prayers and encouragement of family, friends, and the wider faith community. 

We congratulate Harrison, Quin, Conor, Elliott, Toby, Scarlett, Alice, Liam, Oliver, Harper, Holly, Toni-Mari and Alexander. As they continue on this journey, we look forward to supporting them through prayer, learning, and shared experiences.   

We ask for God’s blessing on these students and their families as they take this important step in their faith lives, and we thank Fr Fred, Cathie Oswald and our parish community for walking alongside them with love and encouragement. 

Carla Thomas 
(Acting APRIM) 

5AW were very lucky to get the opportunity to visit Glenelg beach on Wednesday 19th February.

The class got to experience a range of beach safety activities throughout the day. From surfing to using rescue equipment to basic water safety, our day was jam packed!

Thank you so much for letting us join you Surf Life Saving SA and also to the wonderful parents who accompanied us.

Our Year 6 students enjoyed a beautiful sunny day at West Lakes for Aquatics Day in Week 3. They participated in a variety of water-based activities designed to promote aquatic skills and safety. Many different activities filled the day, including kayaking, surfing and body boarding, beach safety, snorkelling and sailing.

In kayaking, students learned essential paddling and steering techniques. Many students enjoyed racing their classmates and found that it wasn't as easy as it looked.

In snorkelling, students donned full body wetsuits and masks to explore the underwater life near the pontoon. The thrill of discovering schools of fish and plants sparked curiosity about marine ecosystems. Many students were surprised they were able to touch the fish and some even ate pellets out of student's hands. 

Visiting the west lakes shore, student participated in a beach safety workshop led by qualified lifeguards. Students learned how to identify safe swimming areas, recognize rip currents, and then had a go body boarding and surfing.

In their Sailing session, students were treated to an adventure on a small sailboat. They learned to hoist sails and navigate the wind while focusing on teamwork and communication. Many expressed their excitement about this new skill and the joy of being out on the water.

As the day wrapped up, students reflected on their experiences. Aquatics Day not only taught valuable water skills but also reinforced the importance of safety and teamwork.

Clare Thompson

Year 6 Teacher

On Thursday 27th February eleven students form St Ccatherine’s participated in the annual SAPSASA Swimming Carnival at Mountain Pool, Mt Barker. The students had several training sessions at Woodside Pool in preparation for the Carnival. Events included, freestyle, backstroke, breastroke, butterfly and relays.

Our students were outstanding on the day winning the “Small Schools Shield” for adjusted point score which was very exciting. Most of our swimmers finished in top 10 for their age groups and a special mention to Holly, year 5, placing 1st overall for her age in butterfly.

Some of our commendable results included:

• Holly year 5 – 2nd – 50m Freestyle, 1st – 50m Butterfly
• Buster year 5 – 2nd – 50m Freestyle
• Alex year 6 – 2nd – 50m Freestyle
• Open Relay Team – 4th in Final – Alex, Joseph, Charlie and Kiyan

Congratulations to the team and we look forward to all competing again at the Catholic Schools Carnival on Tuesday 1st April (week 10).

Mr De Giovanniello/Pat Wheeler

Our Year 6 students have just returned from an incredible adventure to Kangaroo Island, and what a trip it was! Filled with exciting activities, breathtaking landscapes, and a deeper connection to nature, this camp will certainly be remembered as one of the highlights of the year. 

Monday, 3rd March – Wildlife Wonders and a Night Walk 
The camp began with an exciting visit to the Birds of Prey show, where students were thrilled to see these majestic birds of prey in action. Later in the day, students explored the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, where they met some of the island’s iconic animals, including kangaroos, koalas, and other fascinating species. In the evening, the students took part in a memorable night walk down to American River Jetty.  

Tuesday, 4th March – Coastal Adventures and Fun at Little Sahara 
Tuesday was an action-packed day starting with a visit to the stunning Secret Beach at Stokes Bay, where the students explored the secluded, peaceful cove. It was a perfect spot for a morning of exploration and relaxation. The group then headed to Flinders Chase National Park to marvel at the Remarkable Rocks and the striking Admirals Arch. The last stop of the day was a thrilling adventure at Little Sahara, where students enjoyed tobogganing and sandboarding down the giant dunes. There were plenty of laughs and cheers! 

Wednesday, 5th March – Coastal Beauty and Local Delights 
Wednesday brought another exciting day of exploration, starting with a guided beach walk at Seal Bay, where students observed a colony of Australia sea lions in their natural habitat. Next up was a visit to Clifford’s Honey Farm, where the students enjoyed an ice cream made from delicious local honey. Later, they explored the historic Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, where they enjoyed panoramic views of the coast and learned about the history of the lighthouse and its crucial role in maritime safety. The day ended with a scenic Ocean Safari cruise along the rugged coastline. The one-hour adventure was filled with excitement as students spotted seals, dolphins, and stunning cliffs. 

Thursday, 6th March – Agricultural Adventures and Farewell 
On the final day, the students visited Pennington Bay, where they took in the natural beauty of the area before heading to Rob’s Shearing and Sheep Dogs Show. The students were fascinated by the live demonstration of sheep shearing and enjoyed meeting the hardworking sheepdogs in action. 

Throughout the camp, students were not only able to appreciate the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island but also gained a deeper understanding of conservation, history, and the importance of supporting local industries. Special thanks to our amazing tour guide and bus driver Jo-Anne, who kept the students engaged with fascinating information about the island’s unique history and wildlife. A huge thank you to the staff and all the guides for making this camp an unforgettable experience! 

Clare Thompson
Year 6 Teacher

Join the Premier’s Reading Challenge 2025! 

We’re excited to invite all students to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a love for reading while exploring new books and challenging yourself to read more. Whether you’re a fan of adventure, mystery, or fantasy, there’s a book for everyone. 

To join, simply download your 2025 form and start reading! The challenge is open to students of all ages, and there are prizes and recognition for those who complete it. Plus, it’s a fun way to improve your reading skills and discover amazing new stories. (Please note that Reception to Year 2 students will complete this with their class during Term 3). 

Get ready to read, have fun, and be part of something special this year! Let’s make 2025 the best reading year yet! 📚✨ Who is up for the challenge? 

Implementation of DIBELS Data to track Student Reading Progress in Years 2-6  

At St Catherine's School, we are always looking for effective ways to support our students' reading development. This year teachers will begin using the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessments to track and measure students' reading progress. 

DIBELS is a series of brief assessments that measure essential reading skills such as letter naming, phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension. It’s quick to administer, taking only a few minutes per student, but provides a wealth of information about where students are in their reading journey. 

One of the key benefits of DIBELS data is that it allows us to identify students who may need additional support early in the school year. By regularly monitoring reading progress, we can quickly pinpoint areas where students are excelling or where they may need extra help. This gives teachers the ability to tailor instruction to meet the unique needs of each student. 

Another advantage of using DIBELS data is its ability to track progress over time. With periodic assessments, we can see how students’ skills improve as they engage in classroom activities, and adjust teaching strategies as needed. DIBELS assessments give us real-time feedback, allowing for adjustments that can lead to greater student success. 

We are excited to continue using this tool to track and celebrate the growth of our young readers and look forward to seeing all the progress that our students will continue to make this school year! 

Kind Regards,  

Narelle Brine and Carla Thomas 
Leaders of Learning – Curriculum and Assessment

PBIS Matrix 

At St Catherine's, our Positive Behaviour Intervention Support focus has again been successful. Our focus for the past fortnight has been on 'Using the correct bins'. After explicitly teaching what we use each bin for, we had many students collecting rubbish in their recess and lunch times and sorting this into the correct bins! 

Our PBIS focus for weeks 5 and 6 is 'Safe hands, safe feet and safe mouth'. By explicitly teaching the students how to be safe and modelling this through daily lessons, students will learn the positive behaviours.  

To ensure consistency between home and school, I have included below our St Catherine's PBIS Matrix. This Matrix outlines our three school focuses of 'I am Kind', 'I am Safe' and 'I am Sustainable'. These three focuses were created using our school values and adjusted to accessible language to ensure all of our students from reception to year 6 understood their meaning. Under each focus, our school team of teachers, ESO's and leadership highlighted the positive behaviours we believe are important in our school context. By using this Matrix at home, students will be exposed to consistent language and develop a wholistic understanding around expected behaviours.  

Interventions  

In week 5, our evidence based intervention programs began! Along with our regular ESO support inside classrooms, we have MiniLit and MacqLit Interventions that focus on literacy support in a small group setting. We also run The Zones of Regulation intervention that teaches emotional regulation strategies and support. We are excited to get these interventions up and running for the year! 

Bianca Foote
Leader of Learning – Wellbeing and Inclusion