First Day of Term 3  – Wednesday 18 July (Junior School students only)

As per the school 2018 calendar, the first day of School for all Barbreck students is Wednesday 18 July at 8.30am.

Junior School students will enter Term 3 on Wednesday 18 July and we will be commencing classes in the new building with much enthusiasm!

The one day late start for Junior School students is only for the commencement of Term 3, 2018.

Uniform Length

With the mid-year holidays fast approaching, parents of Barbreck students are asked to ensure that all students return to Term 3 in uniforms which are an appropriate length. While we do not make specific recommendations, we ask that uniforms are suitable for sitting, standing, playing and bending, with comfort and dignity. We have noticed that while many of the girls have grown a great deal the uniforms have not. I understand that parents and daughters may differ in their opinions about appropriate lengths, so if it would be helpful, I am always happy to chat to individual girls.

Emphasis upon Communication and Manners

At Barbreck, we frequently emphasise the need to listen attentively in class and when interacting with others. Listening and eye contact are essential skills as is the use of sound grammar and using an audible, clear voice when communicating. Using their teachers as role models, the students are reminded to communicate with clarity and respect for themselves and others. We are currently advising the girls to avoid the trend to insert extraneous words such as ‘you know’, ‘like’ or ‘whatever’ in sentences.

This sort of spoken language can quickly become the norm so please join us in helping the girls to curb this habit before it takes hold.

Nut Aware (Reminder)

St Catherine’s is a Nut Aware School. Please remember that students are not to bring nuts or nut products such as Nutella or peanut butter to School. We have a number of students who have an anaphylactic reaction to nuts of all varieties and we ask all families to observe the School policy with regard to this matter.

Arrival time for school is between 8.10am and 8.30am

Unless engaged in a scheduled co-curricular program (Junior Joggers/Epstein rehearsals/netball training/Athletics training with SS students etc) students should not arrive at School before 8.10am. Teachers are on duty from 8.10am and School commences promptly at 8.30am.

Staff are often engaged in essential meetings, administrative tasks or interviews before 8.10am. It is also of concern that students arriving early are frequently using their mobile phones prior to handing them into staff for the day. This can be a worry because sound decisions about the use of the phone are often difficult to make when time is ample.

Students have been asked to hand phones into staff upon arrival at School. Photographs should not be taken by students of staff or other students. We ask families to underscore this matter at home with your daughter and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Celebrating care and friendship

The recent Grandparents’ and Special Visitors’ Day for Years Prep to Year 2 was an extremely happy and memorable occasion filled with love and laughter.

Prep to Year 2 students reflected upon the experience through writing and verbal stories. Each one spoke of their special friend(s) with care and had so many wonderful things to say about them!

For your enjoyment, we have inserted just a few “snippets” from each classroom.

Special Visitors’ Day – Year 2

On Friday 18 May, it was Special Visitors’ Day. I invited Maggie because she is very nice and she gives me lots of beautiful things. I hope she liked it because it was my last Special Visitors’ Day. My highlight was singing to her because I think it would make her feel very special. I loved Special Visitors’ Day.  Arabella Foote

For Special Visitors’ Day, I invited my nana and papa because they are very, very, important in my life. I get to go to my grandparents’ house lots of times. They give me special treats and make me yummy food. The highlight was playing the violins to all the grandparents. It is really, really sad that this is my last Special Visitors’ Day. Frankie Lasky

On Friday 18 May, we had Special Visitors’ day. I invited my nanna and GG because I love them and they look after me. The highlight for me was eating yummy food and drinks, talking and showing my work. I’m going to miss Special Visitors’ Day.   Amelie Favaloro

On Friday 18 May, it was Special Visitors’ Day. My auntie Mona came. She is special because she is my only relation here. I love her because she makes me yummy food and for all the little things she does. The little things always stay in my heart. My highlight was that I had the honour of speaking in front of all the special visitors and I really appreciated this. I am really sad that all of my Special Visitors’ Days are finished. Tara Pattison

Special Visitors’ Day – Year 1

I liked many things about Special Visitors’ Day but my favourite part was when I was saying the poem out loud and making them laugh. I invited my uncle. When I showed him my work, he was so proud of me! He was mostly proud of my Maths and the work in my English book. The tissue paper flower that I gave him looked really nice. I liked it and he liked it too. I had a lot of fun being with him. Teegan Gobel

On Special Visitors’ Day my grandma came. I gave her a tissue paper flower. She loved it so much. It had red in the middle, pink around the red and blue around the pink. I invited my special visitor because she wanted to come and she take care of me. I was glad she came. Margaret Shao

My favourite part on Special Visitors’ Day was morning tea. I loved the food. My special visitors were my mum’s mum and dad, my grandparents. I chose them because I have not seen them for a long time. They laughed a lot at our poem. I loved it. I wish it was all the time. Eliza Herold

I loved showing my visitor the work I have done throughout Year 1B. I invited my nanna to Special Visitors’ Day because she lives in Sydney. She gives me presents, cuddles and kisses. We play games together. It is so fun! Genevieve Campbell

Years 1 and 2 Koorie Heritage Trust

As part of this terms Unit of Investigation into Aboriginal culture by Years 1 and 2, the students visited the Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square. Students were given a guided tour of the “Birrarung Wilam Walk”, which runs alongside the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr. Students enjoyed learning about traditional hunting and gathering techniques as used by local people of the Kulin Nation. The behaviour and responses of the girls reflected how engaged and interested they were throughout the entire day.  The teachers were very thankful for the help from the volunteeer parents who accompanied the girls on the excursion.

“I learnt that the Aboriginal version of footy is Marngrook.” Holly Farrer, Year 2

 “We learnt that the tree sap was used for medicine.” Camilla Aberdeen, Year 2

 “I learnt how they cut the trees without killing the tree.” Emily Venema, Year 2

 “We got to wear a possum coat.  The man said it was like a Facebook page because as the person got older, they added information on the smooth side of the fur.” Berry Roberts, Year 2

 “We learnt that the Aborigines called the Yarra River the Yarra River.” Scarlett Bertalli, Year 1

 “I learnt that they used animal fur to keep them warm.” Carys Dreaver, Year 1

 “I learnt that they built their houses out from sticks, branches and bark that was around them.” Georgie Ayres, Year 1

 “I learnt that they hit a musical instrument to hunt for kangaroos.” Anna Roosenburg, Year 1