Thank you to our 2019 Families

I warmly welcome all families to the 2019 school year, especially new families joining the Barbreck community; I know our community will embrace you all, as will the Barbreck staff.

As the new Head of St Catherine’s Junior School, I feel as though I am also experiencing the ‘new to the school’ feeling; however, the staff and parents I have met have warmly welcomed me and have helped me feel very much a part of this wonderful community.

Year 2 students in Mrs Loretta Iacuone’s class on their first day of school in 2019.

I would like to especially thank Mrs Alana Moor for her wonderful hand over and for the legacy she created at St Catherine’s. Now that I am here, I see the many things that have the St Catherine’s stamp of excellence that she described and feel the warmth and enthusiasm of the staff, much the same way I am sure parents and girls do as well. I am privileged to lead this wonderful School.

The staff and I have been working hard at making sure the year ahead is going to be one full of great experiences, much rich learning, and progress in developing the talents of the girls, as well as personal growth and character development. The grounds of the new Village Green are nearly complete; however, the girls will not be allowed onto the green, as the grass needs to take root. The areas around the grass will be in use which will provide the girls with much extra play space and areas to explore.

Our goal is to help your daughter be the best she can be, and we look forward to working with you towards this goal. Your support is greatly valued and appreciated throughout this journey.

Our students enjoyed exploring the new play spaces in the Village Green.

Barbreck Staff 2019 – General Staff

Barbreck Staff 2019 – Specialist Staff

Invitation to the Junior School Parent Information Night and Social Evening on Thursday 14 February

Years 1 to 6 Parent Information sessions (6.15pm-7.00pm) will be held in your daughter’s classroom by their class teacher. The aim of this session is for teachers to welcome you to the School and to run through routines and procedures, and some of the events particular to that Year level.

Years Prep to 6 Welcome by Principal and Head of Junior School (7.15pm-7.30pm) held in the Barbreck Auditorium.

Year Prep to 6 Social Evening (7.30pm-8.30pm) hosted by the Parents’ and Friends’ Association.

Starting the New School Year

The start of any school year is always exciting as girls and parents reunite after the holiday period and catch up on all that has happened. It is also exciting as the girls move into their next year of schooling; there is a new teacher, new books, new routines and much to learn and be engaged with. It is also a time to set new goals, make new friends and develop more efficient routines.

New Year Resolutions for School
To assist parents and girls to become better organised from the start of the year and continuing through the year, I recommend the following:

1. Make copies of your daughter’s timetable – one for you and one for them.
2. Develop a routine:
   1. Girls arrive home
   2. Get out of uniforms – uniforms to go to laundry
   3. Have afternoon tea
   4. Complete homework
   5. Pack bag for next day and put in car or near front door
   6. Get uniform out and ready for next day
   7. Play
   8. Next morning, pack morning tea and lunch in bag before leaving.
3. To assist with the packing of bags, girls should create a packing list for each day, including specialist days when they need to bring PE gear or musical instruments. This needs to be displayed on a wall so she can have easy access. In the beginning, it may be on the fridge, but as they develop the skills, it can move to their bedrooms.
4. Train your daughter to pack their school bag and sports bag by supervising the first few times of packing and then create specific packing lists for particular activities e.g. swimming bag, for them to do by themselves.
5. Have a duplicate pencil case, ruler etc. at home. This reduces losses and packing items.
6. Set up a corner or desk where your daughter can do homework. In the earlier years, the kitchen table is okay, but as they progress through the years, they will need a space where they can leave work in progress.

I would like to thank all parents for getting their daughters ready for school; they all looked so beautiful in their uniforms and well prepared. 

Two of our Prep students settling into their new classroom on their first day of school.