Junior School Musical – The Wizard of Oz

With the extension of the current lockdown to the end of Term 3 our plans to film the cast of our Junior School production of The Wizard of Oz on stage at School are, unfortunately, no longer possible. However, we will prevail to ensure the show must, no, WILL, go on!

Our wonderful teachers and production team including Mrs Melissa Dods, Miss Kirrilly Wootton and Ms Lucy Mason have devised a plan for students to dress in costume and embark on several days of individual videoing at home.

The aim is to feature the medley of songs in the show’s finale, snippets of dances and dialogue, songs by our soloists and small groups, interviews with cast members and much, much more.

Professional sound and video engineers will collate the recorded material over the school holidays and produce a compilation video for students and families to enjoy and keep as a memento. Although not the outcome we would have hoped for, we hope it will be a treasured memory of life in Barbreck nevertheless.

Thank you to all staff and students involved in this year’s production – your ability to pivot from plan A to plan Z and your never give up attitude is to be admired and greatly is appreciated!

Ruby Slipper Competition

This term we have been holding an art competition to complement our Wizard of Oz production.

The Junior School Music Captains, Tiffany Shen and Olivia Grasso have the following message to inspire students to get creating:

Do not forget about creating your own version of the ruby slipper. It could be an up-cycled slipper, runner, gumboot or party shoe. The sky is the limit. So, get your creative ideas working and grab that red paint, those red ribbons, the glue gun, those sparkly sequins…anything that might help you to create a shoe that could be in the running to win one of these awards…

  • A Shoe For Any Occasion!
  • The Craziest Shoe!
  • The ‘Look At Me’ Shoe
  • The Shoe from Another Time and Place!

Please note, all Junior School students are invited to submit an entry.

Students need to submit photos of their completed ‘Ruby Slipper’ designs to Mrs Guest by Week 1, Term 4.

Artistic Recreation Afternoon

In the Junior School we have continued our theme of fun and creative activities on Friday afternoons.

Recently students were asked to recreate a famous piece of artwork.

Using materials found from around their house, students and teachers were able to come up with both accurate and hilarious recreations!

I am sure you will enjoy the image gallery below.

From the Music Room

There has been a lot happening in the online Barbreck Music space.

Over the last two weeks we have held three online after-school recitals. Over 30 students have performed beautifully for their peers, parents and teachers. It is wonderful to see students perform, demonstrating skills learned and developed in the St Catherine’s Music program. The dedication students have towards mastering their instruments is impressive. It is obvious they spend a lot of time practising and working on their craft.

Our Breakfast with Epstein Series has been taking place every Monday morning. Breakfast with Epstein is an online choral program designed to enable the auditioned Epstein Choir to connect each week online while enjoying their breakfast. Following breakfast, the choir engages in a range of choral exercises to continue their vocal development and extend their singing skills.

As part of this program, we have invited a number of vocal coaches and singing experts to join us online for rehearsal. Last week, we welcomed vocal coach and singing teacher Ms Libby Choo to assist with the session. Libby has worked as a vocal coach with some of Australia’s premier youth choirs, including the Voices of Birralee and the Sydney Children’s Choir. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the session and we thank Libby for running the workshop.

Out of School Hours Care – Week 10 Activities

Upcoming activities for Term 3 Week 10 detailed here.

St Catherine’s School offers an Out of School Hours Care program to all ELC and Junior School families. The program is implemented by our provider ‘After the Bell’, and operates within the ELC building. Parents are reminded that if you need to use the Before School Care or After School Care service, registrations need to be made in advance with ‘After the Bell’. Please allow up to five business days for your registration to be processed before your child can begin attending the program. Registration is free. All families are encouraged to register so that you can use this service in the event that you are unable to pick up your child.

Before School Care – 7.00am to 8.45am

After School Care – 3.00pm to 6.00pm

Registrations can be completed via the ‘After the Bell’ website.

Please phone 9758 6744 for all enquiries.

Mr Luke Russell, Deputy Head of Junior School