First Assembly in the New Barbreck

Tuesday 7 August was a memorable day because we held our first assembly in our new Junior School building. The new auditorium provides an extremely appealing venue for assemblies.

We welcomed back our Year 6 students who enjoyed a successful week of learning in Canberra. We were also entertained by the Prep class who celebrated 100 days of Prep. Mrs Melissa Dods composed and taught the girls a fabulous song to commemorate this milestone. A special gift was presented to each Prep student by Mrs Chrissy Ryan, President of SCOGA. The teddy bear tags will be long treasured as the Preps move forward in their schooling journey. Mrs Chrissy Ryan announced that the gifts will be given annually from this year on. We were also treated to a wonderful performance by St Catherine’s School Choir, the Epstein Singers.

Environment Club Special Excursion

On Friday 3 August, the Environment Club went on an excursion to the Glen Iris Wetlands to celebrate our involvement with the City of Stonnington’s ‘Tomorrow’s Leaders for Sustainability’ project. Throughout our sessions at school, the students have learned how to be leaders promoting messages of sustainability as well as strategies to work collaboratively with students from other year levels. We have been ably led by Karen Jones, from Port Phillip EcoCentre, and we thank her for her inspiring guidance, advice and strategies.

Below are some of the students’ reflections from the excursion.

We had a great time studying the features of energy saving buildings – the building’s carpet was even made out of recycled fishing nets! – Giselle Upton (Year 4), Minnie Chen (Year 4) and Xinyue (Elena) Wei (Year 4)

My favourite part of the day was bird watching and being surrounded by the beautiful trees. In the wetlands we saw small fish and I now know a lot more than I did before. – Isabella Soutter (Year 4)

Personally, my two favourite parts of going to the Glen Iris Wetlands was walking among the peaceful trees and bird watching. I also enjoyed being in the natural environment with most of my classmates. – Isabella Ayre (Year 4)

I loved the sustainability building where the carpet was made out of old fish nets and there was also a wall and roof of plants cooling the building down. We listened for birds and we even saw a willie wagtail! We tried to catch fish in the wetlands using nets but instead found many tiny insects and plant life. – May Aiello (Year 4)

STEM Action Terrariums

Learning is wide and diverse in the new STEM Lab. This was showcased last week with the Years 2 and 4 students as they explored the water cycle. Students worked together to identify the four main stages of the cycle and then applied this to create their very own water cycle in the closed environment of a terrarium. This activity taught the students many things from sphagnum moss to using percentages to create the right soil for the plants. Some students were so captivated by the experience that they made their own terrariums at home with their parents.

Congratulations to Year 4 students Emma Peele, Giselle and Mia Upton and Harper Roberts for teaching their parents about terrariums over the weekend.

Miss Alyssa Flint
STEM Teacher
Year 4 Age of Exploration Wax Museum

In the first week of Term 3, the Year 4 students hosted their parents and other important guests for an afternoon of learning. The students shared information they had learnt about ‘the age of exploration’, by dressing up as famous explorers and pretending to be part of a wax museum. Students shared what they had learnt with the visitors by presenting their posters or scrolls and answering questions.

The day was summarised by Elodie Scott-Elliot as follows, “The wax museum was a good learning experience. I learned that not all explorers originated in Britain. I enjoyed presenting my poster to parents and students, they were all wonderful listeners.”

Mr Luke Russell
Year 4 Teacher
Parliament and Civics Education Rebate Program (PACER) Funding

The Year 6 students recently participated in an educational tour of Canberra. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

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 excursion, the Australian Government contributed some funding towards costs under the PACER program. The rebate is paid directly to St Catherine’s upon completion of the excursion.

Mid-Term Break on Monday 20 August

Families are reminded that Monday 20 August is the St Catherine’s School Mid-Term Break. There is no school for students on this day. Staff are involved in a whole day professional development series of lectures and workshops.

Mrs Alana Moor, Head of ELC and Barbreck