School Newsletter

NOVEMBER

17 10.30am Ritual of Belonging Mass at St Matthews

18 9am Forest Friends 

18 3.30pm Blast Cricket

19 9am Mass 3SD

19 RT & ROA Excursion to Art Gallery & Botanic Gardens

20 1.40-2.20pm Footsteps Year 6

21 8am Coffee Van

22 8.45am Bambinis

22 8.45-10.45am 2020 Reception Transition Visit

22 Year 4 Excursion to Museum & Art Gallery

23 9am 2018 Year 7 Reunion Breakfast

24  9am 2018 Year 6 Reunion Breakfast

24 10.30am Family Mass 5/6TK & ROA @ St Matthew's

25 9am Forest Friends

25 3.30pm Blast Cricket

26 9am Liturgy ROA

26 WRAP breakup

26 6.30pm School Board

27 RAA Street Smart 1/2AL & Yrs 4-6

27 1.40-2.20 Footsteps Year 6

29 PUPIL FREE DAY

DECEMBER

1 4pm Stirling Christmas Pageant 

2 9am Forest Friends

2 3.30pm Blast Cricket

3 9am Liturgy RT

3 12.10pm Catholic Charities Mass & Expo @ St Francis Xavier Cathedral

3 6pm 1st Reconciliation Sacrament

4 1.40-2.20pm Footsteps Year 6

4 6pm School Christmas Concert

6 8.45am Final Bambinis for 2019

6 8.45-11.30am 2020 Reception Transition Visit

6 2.30pm Assembly ROA

9 9am Forest Friends

9 8.45-1pm New Students Transition Visit

9 3.30pm Blast Cricket

10 Student Reports go home

10 Yrs 1-2 Road Safety Excursion

11 9am End of Year Mass

11 10.30am Volunteers Morning Tea

11 11.30am Awards Assembly

11 Sushi Day

11 6.30pm Year 6 Graduation Dinner

13 Final Day Term 4 Dismissal 12.30pm

This term the students in Year 6 travelled to Canberra for Camp. As part of their experience they undertook an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

As an important part of the Year 6 curriculum at St Catherine’s School, the Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the camp the Australian Government contributes funding of $60 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion and is deduced from the overall cost which is passed on to parents.

The week was filled with many memorable moments however the learning opportunities which were taken at places such as the Australian War Memorial, Government House and Parliament House were hard to top. Each venue offered an insight in Australia’s history and the way in which this has shaped Australia as we know it today.

Students were also fortunate to head to places such as the Institute of Sport, Questacon and CSIRO where they tested their strength, fitness and scientific knowledge.

The week was jam packed but an amazing trip and one which will be remembered fondly by the year 6 students.

For the remainder of the year we will be asking families to support the Vinnie’s Christmas Appeal by donating non-perishable food items. Classes will have collection tubs where food items can be placed and at the end of the school year these will be donated to families in need. Each year we have been able to provide a very generous supply of donations and it is hoped that this year will be no different. While any non-perishable items are appreciated, in the lead up to Christmas it may be a nice opportunity to also donate something a bit special such as pudding, long-life custard or some festive biscuits. 

As the end of the year fast approaches, there are a few key dates which are worth noting down.

Family Mass: Sunday 24th November, hosted by 5/6TK and ROA. St Matthew’s Church, Bridgewater. Everyone is welcome to attend.

School Christmas Concert: Wednesday 4th December at St Catherine’s School. Bring along a picnic and blanket and join us for an evening of festivities.

End of Year Mass: Wednesday 11th December 9am in Siena Hall, St Catherine’s School. We invited everyone to come along to celebrate the 2019 school year and to farewell our graduating class.

Volunteers Morning Tea: Wednesday 11th December 10.30am in Siena Hall, St Catherine's School.  We encourage all our wonderful school volunteers to join us for a special morning tea in their honour.

Awards Assembly: Wednesday 11th December 11.30am in Siena Hall, St Catherine’s School. Please join us to celebrate the achievements of those in our school community. 

Water Safety Program 2019

As part of the schools PE week celebrations all students at St Catherine’s have participated in a daily Water Safety based program and swimming lessons at Woodside Pool every morning for 1 hour. The week culminated in our annual school Swimming Carnival today at Woodside Pool with students competing in various activities including small pool activities/races and grass area relays (R/1 students), 12m races in the big pool (Yr 2-4 students) Novelty races across the pool and 25m races (Yr 3-6 students). The students returned to school for lunch and a Shield Presentation. 

Congratulations to:

1st Catherine (Blue) 382 points.

2nd Dominic (Gold) 310 points

3rd Veritas (Green) 281 points

4th Siena (Red) 267 points

On Monday the students were blessed with fantastic weather and began the week with instructors assessing their swimming abilities and placing them into appropriate groups. For the rest of the week students continued in their groups learning basic Swimming strokes and water safety rules and techniques.

Special thanks to all the staff at Woodside Pool for putting on such a fantastic program, the parents that have come along to support students every morning, Mt Lofty Coaches for transporting all the students to and from the venue and our accommodating teaching staff for their flexibility and support throughout the week.

Steven De Giovanniello (PE Teacher/Sports Coordinator)