What a fantastic term! For the first time in what seems a long time, students have been able to enjoy the full school experience. Classrooms have been buzzing with learning, co-curricular activities have been full of excitement and the girls have loved spending time and having fun with their friends.

As we turn our attention toward Term 2, we have several additions and alterations to our co-curricular program.

ELC and Junior School Dance Program

I am pleased to announce that Circle Studios are bringing their signature Ballet and Jazz classes to St Catherine’s School.

Circle Studios is owned and operated by Ms Sophie McSweeney (’93), a former St Catherine’s student and current parent.

Circle’s dance classes replace the existing Barbreck dance program and will take place in our new Black Box Theatre.

Mondays:

ELC Intro Ballet 3.15pm to 4.00pm

Prep to Year 2 Ballet/Jazz 4.00pm to 4.45pm

Thursdays:

Years 3 to 4 Jazz 3.30pm to 4.15pm

Years 5 to 6 Jazz 4.15pm to 5.00pm

St Catherine’s classes are open for enrolment now, CLICK HERE TO BOOK. For further information on the enrolment process please email hello@circlestudios.com.au.

Barbreck Club

To support families and children, St Catherine’s School will provide an Afterschool Club facilitated by St Catherine’s staff and located in Barbreck. The Club will run as a pilot program for the duration of Term 2, 2022 on Thursday afternoons from 3:20pm to 5.00pm.

The Afterschool Club aims to support working families who require supervised care for their daughters after school, and before the start of their afterschool commitments, for example, Swimming lessons or Swimming Squad. This program will run separately from the ELC based After the Bell program.

Students will engage in fun art and craft activities and sports, as well as the opportunity to complete homework.

The program will operate out of the Barbreck Art Room and will utilise the Village Green and top field for sport.

Afterschool Club fees are $25 per week, with afternoon tea provided by the School catering company, Chartwells.

Enrol in Barbreck Afterschool Club: HERE

For further information please email: lrussell@stcatherines.net.au

Junior Engineers

Our Junior Engineers, after-school Coding Club, held on Thursdays, has two options for Term 2.

1. App design – students will create a design for a real mobile app, with a brand and logo. Suitable for Years 4 to 6.
2. Coding Games and Software Like a Scratch Pro – Students develop real games, software, and new digital projects. Suitable for Years 2 to 6.

To enrol please click HERE

Time and Date Changes

Please note the Years 5 and 6 Writers’ Club will change from Wednesday 3.30pm to 4.30pm to Thursday 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Prep to Year 2 Tennis coaching will change from Wednesday 1.20pm to 1.50pm to Thursday 1.20pm to 1.50pm.

To access the Term 2 Co-curricular timetable, information regarding Clubs and activities, as well as enrolment details for the Barbreck Co-curricular program, please access the mystcatherines Parent Portal HERE.

Wellbeing

Throughout Term 1 our Barbreck teachers have been undertaking Wellbeing training, including discussing The Resilience Project with their classes. This week’s training and information focusses on Gratitude.

Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Research shows that practising gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

Following on from Part 1 of The Resilience Project’s series, which discussed Resilience, I now share Part 2: Gratitude below.

There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a Wellbeing Journal. If you are not sure how to get started with journaling, click here for some tips to get started or enjoy the image below.

For additional wellbeing and mental health resources visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Updates on our Barbreck Wellbeing Program will continue to be shared via the Blue Ribbon over the course of Term 2. St Catherine’s Director for Wellbeing, Ms Merran O’Connor will also continue sharing wellbeing resources for parents via the newsletter.

I wish everyone a happy Easter and a restful term break.