Term 2 Week 2 Newsletter 2024

Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of St Catherine’s,  

Welcome back to school for Term 2. I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break following an action packed Term 1. The children returned to school with smiles on their faces and have quickly settled into the school routine over the past two weeks. At the start of this term, we gathered for a whole school Mass, celebrating the Feast Day of St Catherine of Siena. It was a lovely way to bring our community together and reflect on her life. 

During the school holiday break we held our St Catherine's Nature PLAYtopia event, welcoming close to 200 people to our school grounds for a morning of nature based activities. Several of our staff and students, along with Jeremy Gramp (Education Officer from Green Adelaide), volunteered their time to support the morning. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to these volunteers who helped make this day a wonderful experience for all who came along. 

It has been a busy week this week with our Parent Teacher Learning Conversations taking place. A strong partnership between home and school is a key factor in ensuring excellent learning outcomes for young people and so the engagement this week has been an important part of this partnership. Thank you to all those parents and guardians who were able to make time to meet with their child's class teacher. 

Year 5 and 6 Leadership Lab - Podcasting 

Already this term, our year 5 and 6 students have participated in our two day Podcasting Leaders Lab. Students in Year 5 work on obtaining their Level 1 Badge, producing their own interview podcast where they develop an engaging and eye-catching topic, learn how to write professional interview questions, and become masters of storytelling using story telling techniques, before recording their podcast using industry standard editing software. The year 6 students work towards their Level 2 Badge, expanding their podcasting skills by developing a ChatCast episode, based in the FM Radio style of live announcing. The students all did a fantastic job and their podcasts can be listened to via the Arch D Radio and Podcasting webpage: https://www.archdradio.com/podcasts/slp/stcatherines. 

Term 2 Calendar and Curriculum Overviews 

Last week, the Term 2 calendar of events was sent to families via Audiri. If you have not received a copy of the calendar, please contact Cathy Fischle (cfischle@stcaths.catholic.edu.au). Our classroom teaching staff have also sent an overview of the teaching and learning for their class for this term via email. Please make contact with your child's teacher if you have not received this. 

Parent Workshop 

I encourage parents to come along to our upcoming parent workshop taking place on Tuesday 21st May, 5.30-7.00pm. The workshop is being facilitated by Clinical Psychologist, Ben Congedi and will explore the ins and outs of building strong bonds with your child, including practical tips and tricks to make your parenting journey more positive and fulfilling. Please register via our Website here.

Mother's Day 

Our Mother's Day stall took place today and the students loved being able to choose something special for their special person in their life. A huge thank you to our parent volunteers who helped the students make various items and for the organisation of the Mother's Day stall. I hope all mums and mother figures have a wonderful day on Sunday. Thank you for all that you do. 

A prayer for Mother's Day 

Dear Lord, 
On this special day, we show our gratitude for all Mothers. 
We thank them for their all-encompassing love, for their commitment, care and kindness. 
We thank them for their wisdom, for helping us grow and flourish. 
We thank them for their strength, for their sacrifices, and for being there in times of need  
And we thank them for their encouragement, for being our cheer leaders and celebrating our achievements. 
Lord, help Mothers know how much they are loved and appreciated.  
We ask that you bless all Mothers, including those who are no longer with us today. 
Amen.

(Taken from https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/news/165/a-prayer-for-mothers) 

Warm regards, 

John 
Together in Faith, Learning and Community

Feast Day of St Catherine of Siena 

On the 29th of April, we celebrated the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena, a remarkable figure in Christian history known for her deep faith, wisdom, and dedication to serving others. St. Catherine was born in Siena, Italy, in 1347, and from a young age, she showed a profound devotion to God. 

St. Catherine's life was marked by her commitment to prayer and service to those in need. Despite facing many challenges and hardships, she remained steadfast in her faith and was known for her compassion and care for the sick and the poor. St. Catherine's influence extended beyond her local community, as she played a significant role in the political and ecclesiastical affairs of her time, advocating for peace and unity. 

One of the key teachings we can learn from St. Catherine is the importance of living out our faith through acts of kindness and service. In today's world, where we are often faced with various challenges and uncertainties, St. Catherine's example reminds us of the power of faith and love in overcoming adversity. Within our school we continue to follow in her footsteps with a commitment to social justice and prayer. 

May her life inspire us to be beacons of light and hope in our community, spreading God's love through our words and actions. 

Honouring Mary During May 

As we enter the month of May, we are reminded of the special significance this month holds in the Catholic faith as the Month of Mary. May is a time for us to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. 

Mary holds a unique place in our faith as the one chosen by God to be the mother of His Son. Her unconditional "yes" to God's plan, as expressed in the Annunciation, is a model of faith and obedience for all believers. Throughout her life, Mary exemplified virtues such as humility, compassion, and faithfulness, making her a source of inspiration and intercession for Christians around the world. 

During this month, we have the opportunity to deepen our devotion to Mary through prayer, reflection, and acts of love and kindness. Just as Mary cared for and nurtured Jesus, we are called to emulate her example by caring for one another, especially those in need. As a school community, we will be celebrating the Month of Mary with special prayers, devotions, and reflections. Classes will also have a focus on Mary within their learning.  

Project Compassion - Thank you 

I would like to extend a thank you to the entire school community for their support of our Project Compassion fundraising. Last term there were several events which took place with funds raised going to the Lenten Project Compassion initiative. In total over $1440 was raised. This money will help vulnerable communities have a better future. This includes actions such as providing education, installing rain water tanks and supporting community health efforts.  

YELP - Youth Environmental Leaders Program 

The YELP team took part in their first formal workshop of the year which was held at Belair National Park. Facilitated by Green Adelaide, students engaged in a number of different sessions that provided opportunity to work alongside others on environmental learning activities. The weather was perfect for a day spent outdoors considering the habitats of native birds, nature journaling, sensory walks and working with team from Belair National Park.  

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program 

We are delighted to share that 2/3F and 5/6O will  participate in this program throughout the term. These classes will begin their journey with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, immersing themselves in all aspects of gardening and cooking under the guidance of our dedicated staff and volunteers. 

The benefits of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program extend far beyond the garden and kitchen. Research has shown that involvement in the program can lead to improved academic outcomes, increased confidence and social skills, and a greater appreciation for the environment. 

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our school community in bringing this program to life. Whether through volunteering in the garden or kitchen, donating equipment or supplies, or simply encouraging your child's participation, your support is invaluable in making this program a success. If you would like to volunteer some time to assist with these lesson please don’t hesitate to reach out. 2/3F will have their lessons on Thursday 11.30-1.00 and 5/6O will be on Wednesday 11.30-1.00. 

We look forward to sharing the journey of our students in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program with you and witnessing the growth and learning that will undoubtedly take place along the way. 

Walk Safely to School Day 

Walk Safely to School Day is an annual campaign which encourages all primary school students and their families to walk safely and regularly to school. This was a great opportunity for our school community to come together and support the health and wellbeing of our students. Walking to school not only promotes physical activity but also helps reduce traffic congestion, making our streets safer for everyone. This year marks the 25th year of this event! 

Thank you to the families who were able to join us in walking to school on this morning. Whether you live near or far, walking even part of the way can have a positive impact on your child's health and fitness levels and is a great opportunity to teach our young people about road safety and pedestrian awareness. 

Easter Egg Efforts 

Students and families across the school were invited to bring in foil wrappers from their Easter egg chocolate. As a school, we collected 793g of foil, saving it from going to landfill. Students in 5/6 have been working together to roll the foil into balls (larger than a golf ball) to recycle. While this may not seem like a huge amount, if everyone who enjoyed foil wrapped Easter eggs did this, imagine the difference it would make. Thank you to our year 5/6 for their work on this initiative.  

I wish all our families a wonderful Mother's day. 

Warm regards, 

Krystina Dawe 
Assistant Principal, Religious Identity and Mission 
kdawe@stcaths.catholic.edu.au 

Happy Mother's Day!

A massive thank you to our P&F, especially Janelle Stevenson, for all the hard work to provide such a fabulous Mother's Day Stall for our students.

All are welcome to come to the next P&F at 9am on Friday 31st May in the Staffroom. We would love to see you there!

Our Year 2/3 students have been using Boomwhackers in their music lessons. The students thrive in this interactive environment, expressing themselves through music while developing fundamental musical concepts. Through Boomwhackers, they grasp pitch differentiation, learn about scales and chords, and discover the joy of making music together. This experience not only enhances their musical aptitude but also cultivates their confidence and collaborative spirit.

This year our Semester reports will be distributed digitally. During Week 3 families will receive an email welcoming you to join to our new school reporting platform SEQTA Engage.  

SEQTA Engage is best accessed via the SEQTA Engage App on your Apple or Android device. We recommend downloading the App to your device in preparation for the setup email. Further instructions will be emailed in conjunction with the welcome email.  

Homework Club at the Hutt 

The Matilda Bookshop in Stirling and The Hut are working together to provide a Homework Club for local upper primary and high school students. The program commenced back in 2018 and has been well received by students ranging from grade 2 to 12. Tutors experienced in Math’s, Science, Humanities (with Children Clearance) are providing students with one on one (1:1) support. The program also provides group assistance and exam preparation as needed. 

The Homework Club operates on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm at The Hut Community Centre. 

See their website for more information: https://www.thehut.org.au/on-going-programs/homework-club-d/ 

Students in Partnership  

Our Year 5 students have started working with The Eventful Learning Co. as part of the CESA Student Partnership Initiative. This initiative emphasises the importance of student voice, partnership, and agency in shaping the learning environment and outcomes. There is a focus on developing a "Students as Partners" structure, aligning the broader goals of enhancing learning, wellbeing, and school culture. It reflects the strategic commitments towards inclusive education, engaging learners, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and equity. 

Students will take part in a student-led research and make recommendations to help improvement practices. We are excited to see the passion of these students come to life through their research projects. Already they have been actively participating in learning to improve understanding of what it means to have agency and where they already have agency both at school and in the wider community. Students were able to name a variety of situations where they have agency, but also discuss the way in which choice, voice, responsibly and power all help form a sense of agency. We have already been impressed by the ability of students to engage in meaningful dialogue and consider themselves as able to create change. 

Children's University - Let the Learning Begin 

This years Children's University has officially kicked off with 14 students participating. Last week we gathered to have a look at the student portal and talk about some of the possibilities for the year ahead. Students are already very excited about the learning which can be undertaken and acknowledged through Children's University. To help students start building their hours on Monday June 3rd there will be a lunch time calligraphy session which these students can attend. We are looking forward to having a representative from Children's University lead this session for us.  

In addition to this students may like to consider some of the following activities on the online portal.  

TreeClimb was born in 2014 when a unique vision was presented to the Adelaide City Council for the creation of South Australia’s first nature-based adventure park in the heart of the Adelaide parklands. TreeClimb was launched in October 2018 and has since welcomed over 170,000 climbers through the trees. Working carefully alongside ForestrySA, TreeClimb developed a second venue just 50 minutes South of Adelaide in the Mt Lofty Ranges in South Australia’s scenic, Kuitpo Forest. Both TreeClimb experiences provide a unique opportunity for users to be immersed in nature while the interactive education elements highlight the importance of conservation and the environment. 

Maybe you visited the SA Museum’s popular school holiday program offers unique opportunities for children to connect with and be excited by science and culture. The school holiday program at the Museum has been running for over 30 years. If you were able to get along to it, don’t forget to fill out the reflection online. 

Did you go to the ANZAC day dawn service? CUA would like members to get creative! You may like to build a model or drawn a picture of something that symbolises this important day. Think poppy’s, rosemary springs or the rising sun badge. Take photo as evidence of your window display and upload below for 30 minutes in your Passport to Learning.

The monthly challenge is a great way to build up your hours. This month the focus is on marshmallows. Yummy! Use your research skills to find a recipe online and make some marshmallows. Make sure you have an adult with you supervising your cooking! 

The Young Writers Award is NOW OPEN 

R-12 students in South Australia are welcome to enter in the Young Writers Awards. Entries can be poetry or prose and up to 1000 words. Entries close on May 17th with further information available to families at the following link. 

https://www.aate.org.au/saeta-content/writers/young-writers-award 

If you think your child might have a flair for writing, this could be  just the thing for them to sink their teeth into.  

ICAS 

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies. 

Every student who participates is celebrated and recognised with a printed certificate in each subject area, and an online results report to track development each year. Top performers are eligible for one of the highly coveted ICAS medals. 

Further information regarding ICAS will be distributed to families via Audiri in coming weeks. Please keep an eye out for this information.  

Scholastic Book Club 

Issue 3 of Scholastic Book Club is now open order. This issue is an opportunity to gain credit for Issue 4. Issue 3 closes Friday 17th May. 

Kind Regards,  

Narelle Brine and Krystina Dawe 
Leaders of Learning – Curriculum and Assessment

Parents in Education (PIE) Grant 

This year, St Catherine's have been successful in winning a CESA grant for Parents in Education to help us present termly positive parenting workshops. We have put forward workshop ideas such as the Growing with Gratitude parent workshop, a workshop with clinical psychologist, Ben Congedi, about healthy attachment parenting and a workshop with our on-site OT Briony Lucas. We hope to see you in attendance at one of them! 

The PIE grant program is supported by the Office of the Minister for Education, Training, and Skills, Government of South Australia. Catholic School Parents South Australia is responsible for administering the grants for Catholic Schools in South Australia. 

PBIS - Cubby Building 

This week our Positive Behaviour focus has been on how to safely and respectfully use the materials in the yard to build cubbies! 

Some of our agreed practices include; 

R/1B spent some time exploring the materials and modelling how to safely build a cubby, include others and store the materials. 

Briony – OT 'About Me'  

Hello to the St Catherine’s School and Parish Community. My name is Briony Lucas, and I have had the pleasure of being warmly welcomed into the St Catherine’s School Community over Term 1 2024 as the new Occupational Therapist. My role is one day per week at St Catherine’s School, and two days per week at both St Francis de Sale’s College Mount Barker and St Joseph’s School Murray Bridge through the Hills-Murray Catholic Schools Partnership. My role is to provide support to our students with a broad range of support needs, with a focus on building the long-term skills and capacity of our school staff to meet these needs through this school-based therapy support. These OT support areas include social skills, gross and fine-motor skills, cognitive skills such as attention and concentration, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and activities of daily living (ADLs) within the context of the school environment. 

I hold a Bachelor of Health Science Masters in Occupational Therapy from Flinders University and have recently returned from living in Kingston SE and working as a community Paediatric OT across the diverse regional communities of the Limestone Coast in South Australia. Paediatric and community-based therapy in the home and school environment have underpinned my career as an OT, linking in with my previous roles as a classroom ESO, disability support worker and swimming instructor. I am deeply passionate about providing support to young people and their families to promote their capacity for independence, wellbeing, and engagement in meaningful activities. 

Environmental sustainability, gardening, mental health, and building independence in self-regulation are passions of mine that I look forward to supporting for our students here at St Catherine’s, including linking these together through Horticultural Therapy. Outside of work I love to spend time with my Fiancé, our two beautiful dogs Arlo and Poppy, and our family and friends cooking, fishing, gardening, camping and at the beach. I look forward to continuing to meet our students, families, and community members, please don’t be shy to say hello! 

Warmest Regards, 

Briony Lucas 
Occupational Therapist 

Catholic School Parents SA Parent Engagement Event 

“Teens, parties, alcohol and vapes: What do parents need to know?” presented by Paul Dillon 

Date: 14 May 2024 6:30pm - 14 May 2024 8:00pm 
Venue: Mercedes College - Mercy Lecture Theatre, 540 Fullarton Road , Springfield, South Australia 

Adolescence is a challenging time for all concerned, with many parents 
feeling as though they are not adequately prepared, particularly in areas such 
as alcohol and other drugs. 

Every family is different and there are a range of different circumstances that 
will dictate how a parent responds to problems that may arise in this area. 
Having good quality, accurate information is vital. 

This session is presented by Paul Dillon of Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia who continues to work with many school communities to ensure they have access to quality information and best practice drug education. 

Spaces will be limited to 120 people in person. 

Livestreaming will be available on the evening, with the recording available for 48 hours for viewing. 

Register via CESA Registration Centre