Healthy Eating Linked to Academic Success

Healthy Eating Linked to Academic Success

Research has shown that there is a link between eating a balanced diet and academic success. At St Catherine’s, we encourage parents to provide healthy lunches for their daughters and encourage the girls to look at healthy eating that reflects this. Below are some guidelines you may find helpful in preparing your daughter’s lunchbox.

Today, foods are categorised into colour groups (as set out by the Victorian Department of Education and Training):

(Green) Everyday category
Foods and drinks in the Everyday category are consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Foods and drinks in the Everyday category are based on the basic food groups and include:

  • breads, cereals, rice, pasta and noodles
  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • dairy foods – reduced or low fat milk, yoghurt and cheese
  • lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and legumes (dried beans and lentils)
  • water.

(Amber) Select Carefully category
Foods and drinks in the Select Carefully category contain some valuable nutrients, but may also include unhealthy ingredients. They are mainly processed foods that have fat, sugar or salt added. Foods and drinks in the Select Carefully category include:

  • full fat dairy foods, low fat ice cream
  • 100 per cent fruit juices and 100 per cent fruit juice based ices
  • artificially sweetened drinks
  • reduced fat processed meats
  • commercially prepared hot foods
  • reduced fat, high fibre snack foods
  • margarines, oils, spreads, sauces and gravies.

(Red) Occasionally category
Foods and drinks in the Occasionally category are not consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Foods and drinks in this category include:

  • deep fried foods
  • pastry based or crumbed hot foods
  • savoury snack foods – crisps, chips, biscuits
  • ice creams and ice confections – chocolate coated and premium ice creams, icy poles and ice crushes
  • cakes, muffins, sweet pastries, slices, biscuits and bars
  • cream, butter and copha.
Travelling To and From School

A number of girls commute to and from school on foot, by bicycle or by train. As part of our duty of care, we ask that parents inform the School if this is the case. If your child is travelling via these modes, we ask parents to:

  • Talk to your daughter about road safety
  • Devise a plan should a problem arise
  • Discuss personal safety
  • Advise your daughter to travel in groups if possible
  • Ensure they travel the same route each day
  • Advise against detouring to shops etc.

We would advise parents that their child carries a mobile phone when walking, riding or taking the train home. If concerned about social media issues, parents may purchase a phone that is very limited in functioning, but allows calls to and from home.

Junior School Email Address

Please note that the Junior School email address juniorschool@stcatherines.net.au is available for parents to email any absences and to relay any student information or messages. The email account is accessed by the Junior School Office.

For urgent information, such as a change of after school or pick-up arrangements, please email or contact the Junior School Office on + 61 3 9828 3062. Please keep in mind that teachers rarely have an opportunity to read emails during the day, especially any which arrive late in the school day.

Teachers may be contacted by using the address containing their first initial and surname, for example: msmith@stcatherines.net.au.

The Student Record Book

The Student Record Book is a very useful means of conveying information to the School. Students are required to bring their record book to school each day and to take them home each night.                                                                                                                  

Student Absence and Attendance Processes

Please take the time to re-familiarise yourself with the Junior School absence, late arrival and early departure processes. These processes are in place to ensure we are providing the best care and safest environment for your daughter.

Absence from School – Absentee Line + 61 3 9828 3021

When a student is absent from school, parents are asked to call the Absentee Line on + 61 3 9828 3021 and leave a recorded message. Alternatively you can email absences to juniorschool@stcatherines.net.au

Absences are recorded in official School attendance records by 9.00am. This is important in order to ensure that the School is aware of the absence.

Class teachers appreciate emailed advice as well, but importantly the Student Absentee Line is the central information collection point.

The Absentee Line and Junior School email address are accessed and information noted by Mrs Sharon Brinkworth, or in her absence Mrs Mary Poulos, each morning.

Ms Karen McArdle, Head of Junior School
Year 3 Snapshot

Clara Barry and Amelie Favaloro proud of their Australia Day KWL chart.

We have enjoyed a wonderful couple of weeks in Year 3. The girls have settled in extremely well and have eagerly looked forward to each day ahead. As part of our unit on Celebrations, we have looked at Australia Day, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. We discussed traditional activities that occur on these days and why they are celebrated by many. The girls eagerly shared their own experiences on how they celebrate these days with their families. This will be an ongoing unit throughout the year. Below are some student reflections on celebrations.

I learned that Captain Cook found Australia but Captain Phillip placed the Australian Flag at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. Clara Barry.

We celebrate in different ways. Some people enjoy going to concerts or they have a barbeque with family and friends. – Amelie Favaloro.

During Chinese New Year I learned that some people write their wishes on a piece of paper and stick them on the tree with oranges. The wishes that stay on the tree will become true. – Genevieve Le.

I learned that noodles are eaten because it gives them long life. – Alexia Chatfield.

Saint Valentine was a Roman priest. There was a Roman festival called Lupercalia. At the festival, boys pulled girls’ names from a box and would be boyfriend and girlfriend for the festival.

The girls were introduced to ‘Elbow to Elbow, Knee to Knee (EEKK)’ reading this week. In pairs, each girl practised reading aloud and listening to the reader. After a couple of pages of reading, the listener asks questions and then the roles are swapped. Below are some thoughts about EEKK: – Isla Rosenberg.

I did not know some of the words in the book and Anabelle helped me. – Ellie Rodski.

I really enjoyed listening to each other’s reading and giving our partner a star and a wish. – Anabelle Ranchod.