It is hard to believe there are only a few weeks left of Term 1. We have been so fortunate to have had full school weeks, a Study Tour to Sovereign Hill, social evenings and School community events over the past seven weeks.

We have had a marvellous start to the year. I see happy girls enjoying their school, learning and playing well. They are fully engaging in being onsite and embracing the opportunities this provides. I also hear from many parents, reporting how happy their girls are at School. Our successful start has been a team effort and thanks must go to our parents, teachers and especially our girls – together we have created a wonderful school environment.

I also thank our wonderful Barbreck community for their vigilance with COVID testing and ensuring girls remain home when unwell. This has kept us in full operation at Barbreck, allowing us to avoid the necessity for Year level isolations for extended periods, as other schools have encountered.

Our school-home partnership will continue to be strengthened with two upcoming parent seminars scheduled for Weeks 8 and 9. Next week, on Wednesday 23 March our Prep Teacher, Miss Annie Taylor and I will provide an Early Years Reading Seminar, aimed at assisting parents with supporting their daughters’ reading and literacy development at home.

Designed for Prep to Year 1 parents, the informal seminar takes parents through the strategies teachers use for developing early readers, and includes a wide range of activities to guide parents in engaging their daughters in early literacy and building reading confidence at home. To book your place at this Seminar please call 03 9828 3062 or email barbreck@stcatherines.net.au.

On Wednesday 30 March, we also invite interested families to our Understanding Learning Plus Seminar, where Head of Learning Plus, Mrs Elka Gaensler and I, will provide insights into developing individual learning plans for students, building student confidence in learning, and how our Barbreck teachers capture and build on the strengths of each student. Bookings can be made via the contact details above.

We firmly believe that when parents and school work together, the best progress for our girls can be achieved. This was apparent during this week’s Parent-Teacher Meetings which were held yesterday. It was wonderful to have our parents onsite again. It also provided an opportunity for our teachers to share the learning programs your daughters are undertaking; the gains they are making at School, and provide information on how parents can support their daughters’ learning at home. If you would like an extended discussion about your daughter’s learning progress, please contact the relevant teacher to organise an appropriate meeting time.

NAPLAN Online – Practice Day

This year, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be undertaking NAPLAN online, with the exception of the Year 3 Writing test. In preparation for these tests, schools undertaking online testing will participate in a practice test on Thursday 24 March.

This practice will help familiarise girls with the test format and the various tools they will use in the test questions. Girls must use their own headphones on both the practice day (24 March) and NAPLAN test days to be held 10 to 12 May. Parents are asked to check and ensure their daughter’s headphones are in good working order and that they are brought to School in the week prior to testing in preparation, and for safe keeping.

Staff Arrangements

In Term 2, Mrs Sandra Ching, Year 6 Teacher, and Monsieur Andrew Gold, French Teacher, are taking Long Service Leave. In their absences, Mr Michael Day, will be taking Mrs Ching’s class and Mr Marcus Sharp will be taking Monsieur Gold’s French classes. Both teachers are highly qualified and experienced and I know the girls are going to enjoy their classes.

Ms Kellie Dunstan, our Junior School administrator will be taking up a position as Executive Assistant with the Education Department, commencing Monday 21 March. In the short time Kellie has been with us, she has become a key member of our Barbreck team and put in place many efficiencies and practices for our Junior School Reception. We wish her our very best for her new endeavours.

Out of School Hours Care – Term 1 Week 8 Activities

Upcoming activities for Term 1 Week 8 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.