Farewell to Mr Owen Hughes

Today we farewelled Mr Owen Hughes. Retiring after an outstanding career in education, we farewell him with our very best wishes for a well-deserved and happy, healthy time in his retirement. Mr Hughes can now pursue personal interests, have time with his family and definitely enjoy his much loved games of golf!

Mr Hughes has provided admirable, dedicated and professional service at the highest level to St Catherine’s School during the past 17 years. His time at St Catherine’s School has included classroom teaching for which he is well admired by students, families and colleagues. Mr Hughes was Deputy Head of the Junior School and then Acting Junior School Head mid-way through 2006 and until the end of Term 1 2007. He then resumed his position as Deputy Head and as always, both his work as a classroom teacher and as Deputy, has been meticulous and outstanding.

Upon entering my role as Head of Junior School and ELC, I reflect upon my remarkable great fortune to have worked with not only an outstanding educator but a Deputy Head who approaches all he does with a quiet, calm and thoroughly professional manner. Always wise, thoroughly confidential and assists with generosity and ease. We farewell a wonderful colleague and a very great friend with whom we will stay in touch!

Thank you Mr Hughes.

Chess Tournament

In the last edition of The Blue Ribbon we noted the Chess Tournament at Bialik College and congratulated our five players who were entered into the competition. Two of the representatives Paula Chen (trophy recipient) and Angela Yu (medallist) have provided a reflection of their experiences:

Angela, Olivia, Emma, Eloise and I headed off to Bialik for a Chess tournament. There were many schools there and the place was full of students eager to play. The pairings were up and we moved to our seats. All you could hear was the clicking of clocks. After Round 4, we got a 20 minute break to eat our lunch and go outside for some fresh air. Then, once our break was finished, we headed inside to play three more rounds. St Catherine’s Junior School came fifth overall and we were thrilled. We all did really well.
Paula Chen (Year 6)

In the morning of Friday 27 May I woke up feeling excited and rather nervous as I had never been to a Chess tournament before and I had never been to Bialik College either. As we walked towards the gate of Bialik College I could see all of the other St Catherine’s girls there too – Eloise, Emma, Olivia and Paula. We walked in together and assured ourselves that we would do fine. I won my first game and relief and joy rushed over me. I did not win the second, third or fourth round however I calmed down and went outside for fresh air as it was break time. We had time to refresh our brains and relax. In the end I won three rounds out of seven. I was pretty happy with my results as it was my first tournament. In the announcements we found out we came fifth. It was St Catherine’s first time in the tournament so being able to achieve such a good score was awesome. I was fortunate enough to receive a medal and Paula was glad to receive a trophy. Everyone in the team did a grand job!
Angela Yu (Year 6)

Loving to Write!

A recent Write on Wednesday session hosted the Year 6 students whilst Year 5 participants were away at camp. The participants in the writing session had the opportunity to create their story from a randomly given object. The resultant writing was quite stunning. After a quick draft, the students wrote with energy and focus and the desire to complete a story/poem was palpable. The writers, whilst supervised, had no adult assistance with their pieces. We provide just two samples of what were many most intriguing and well written pieces completed within 30 minutes:

The rusty bell,
Covered in layers of dust,
Sitting there for centuries,
It is tradition in itself
A long lost ritual
Now forgotten
The handle is a gold mine,
Currents of yellow streak the brown,
Carving etched into the metal,
Telling a story long forgotten,
Of the ones that came before us
The sounds rings,
Echoing through the empty room,
Reminding me of the times,
When this sound filled the air,
Swallowing me whole,
Until I could hear no longer
Sacha Hanegbi (Year 6)

Full of colour,
Full of fun,
Full of life,
Full of love
Oh Africa, how I miss you
A reminder of my trip,
A sign of love,
A thank you gift from above,
A trip full of fun
Oh Africa, how I miss you
The elephant can remember everything,
The rhino, big as a house,
The cheetah, as fast as light,
The giraffe, as tall as a skyscraper.
Oh Africa, how I miss you
My favourite of all,
My heart loved the lion,
My soul bounded together with zebra,
Our trip, a trip full of memories
Oh Africa, how I miss you
Sarah Marriott (Year 6)

Four Leaf Clover Program

One of the very popular offerings in the Junior School is the Year 4 and 4YO Four Leaf Clover Program. Relationships with peers are very important as is the joy and learning which can prosper when the age
groups differ between friends! The third session of our cross campus Program between the Year 4s and the ELC Four Year old students was held in the ELC classrooms. The Year 4 girls drew portraits of their Four Leaf Clover friend, modelling how to draw a portrait. Their little friend then drew a portrait of their older friend. It was a wonderful morning of sharing and spending time together. It was full of laughter and amazement of each other’s
talents and abilities. Rhea and Millie from Year 4 provide this reflection:

It was lovely getting to see our Four Leaf Clover friends today. We are so happy and glad to spend time with our little friends. Today we had to draw portraits of each other. We just used black pens on white paper. First we drew a picture of our ELC friend and then they had to draw us. We then shared our portraits with the group. We are going to frame our pictures to give to them as a present.
Rhea Werner and Millie Nilsen (Year 4)

Year 6 Fundraising Event Friday 22 July

In the tradition of several previous Year 6 classes, the 2016 group of students will experience a further taste of leadership as they prepare for the 22 July Fundraising Event. It is a much anticipated event in Barbreck and is certainly one which takes much preparation, thinking, problem solving, organisation and negotiation. Planning an event which spans lunchtime and recess and involves engaging the minds and interest of Prep to Year 5 students is definitely a challenge!

This year, the funds will be donated to the Make a Wish Australia. All students will be invited to be involved and to wear casual clothing in rainbow colours. The theme for the day is ‘Make a Rainbow’. The name is driven by our desire to bring a smile to the face of a very sick child by assisting towards a special wish being granted. We decided that rainbows always seem to make people smile and hence the name. The day will be filled with fun and activities, including the popular gourmet lunch provided for those who pre-purchase the meal as well as the ever popular “Barbreck’s Got Talent” Years 5 and 6 talent quest.

We give advance notice to families in order for rainbows colours and casual clothing to be prepared. More details about lunch costs to come. Each student will be invited to bring a donation for Make a Wish Australia on the day. For more information on Make a Wish visit makeawish.