Dear Families and School Community,

Welcome to the start of week 5 (Our midpoint week point of the Term 3).  I kindly ask that parents please support our staff by partnering with us for Safe Play at school: As we head outdoors this week, we are asking for your support in reinforcing a quick safety message with your children. While the students are excited to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, our school grounds remain quite wet and slippery. We will be reminding students in class to play smart and stay safe by slowing their pace down, sticking to walking on paths, and avoiding running on wet, slippery and muddy areas. Slipping over is no fun for anyone—and usually leads to soggy uniforms! We would greatly appreciate it if you could echo these reminders at home so we can work together to keep everyone safe, dry, and on their feet every day.

Stepping Out Safely: Walking and Riding to School. 

There is nothing quite like seeing our school community come alive in the morning as students walk, ride, and scoot to school. Active travel is a fantastic way for our children to build independence, get fresh air, and start the day energised and ready to learn! As we encourage these healthy habits, keeping our students safe on their journeys to and from school remains our highest priority. We ask all our young walking, riding and scooting students and parents to continue to do it safely, responsibly and respectfully practising smart road safety and community awareness every day.

We love seeing our students embrace healthy, active travel, and we appreciate your support at home in talking through road safety habits with your children. Let’s work together to make sure every journey to and from school is active, enjoyable, and above all, a safe one!

Supporting our staff while planning for the future - message from MACS

Currently, all Catholic schools are working through planning and budgeting activities for 2027 to ensure we are well placed to support our staff, students and school communities in the coming year. This includes looking at how we can accommodate the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with school staff. We recognise the significant financial pressures many households are facing, and we are making a conscious effort to ensure these costs are not passed on through significant fee increases. We will continue to keep our parent community informed throughout this process. As always, our focus remains on maintaining strong school communities and continuing to deliver a high-quality Catholic education for every student. Please also find attached an important letter to parents from Professor Elizabeth Labone, Chief Executive Officer,  Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA). 

Letter to Parents & Carers

Looking Ahead Together: Planning for 2027

As we move through the school year, we are already looking ahead and beginning the thoughtful and discerning process of planning for 2027. Careful early preparation allows us to ensure we have the best possible learning structures, staffing, and resources in place to support every child's growth and wellbeing. To help us create a clear picture for next year, we kindly ask families to let us know if your child/children will not be returning to our school community in 2027. We understand that family circumstances can change, and if you are currently uncertain or navigating decisions, we welcome an open conversation.

If your plans are confirmed, please take a brief moment to notify the office via email (enquiries@stcatherine.catholic.edu.au) as soon as possible before Term 4. 

Your prompt updates make a world of difference in helping us nurture a strong, well-prepared environment for all our students.

Thank you for your ongoing support

In Partnership,

Nathan

Help Us Stay Paperless!

As part of our commitment to sustainability and efficient communication, our school endeavors to be paper-free. To make this work seamlessly, we need your help!

Please be vigilant about checking your email inbox regularly for updates, permission forms, and important announcements. When emails go unread or forms aren't submitted on time, our admin team and teachers spend a significant amount of valuable time chasing up responses—time that would be much better spent supporting your children's learning and school activities.

We rely heavily on your partnership and cooperation to keep our community connected and running smoothly. Thank you for making a quick daily email check part of your routine!

A Quick Note on School Event & Assembly Arrival

To help our school days run smoothly, a gentle reminder that our main office and reception area is not a waiting space for parents before assemblies or school events. We kindly ask that families gather under cover near the main gate until doors open.

We completely understand that it is chilly outside at this time of year and tempting to wait indoors! However, a busy reception area creates distractions for our administrative staff who are hard at work. More importantly, confidential conversations and sensitive administrative tasks often take place in the office, and keeping the space clear ensures student and family privacy is maintained.

Thank you for your understanding, warmth, and co-operation in helping us keep our office functional and private.

Faith Focus

Saint Mary MacKillop was Australia's first saint. Born in Melbourne in 1842, she dedicated her life to helping children and families in need through education and care.

Together with Father Julian Tenison Woods, Mary founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph, a religious order committed to bringing education to children, especially those living in rural and disadvantaged communities. Mary believed that every child deserved the opportunity to learn and grow.

Despite facing many challenges throughout her life, Mary remained faithful, courageous and trusting in God. Her well-known words, "Never see a need without doing something about it," continue to inspire people today.

Saint Mary MacKillop was canonised in 2010 and is remembered as a woman of faith, compassion and service. Her example encourages us to care for others, stand up for what is right and share God's love through our actions.

St Mary MacKillop’s feast day is the 8th August.

Prayer

God of compassion, 

We praise you for your servant, Mary MacKillop, who gave her life to serve you in the poor and oppressed.

As she is honoured in our world, may we continue to learn to share her vision.

Help us to recognise, as she did, that the poor of our time will hear the gospel in the way we serve them. 

Be with us as we strive to follow her and carry out our mission of service and care.

 Amen

Mini Vinnies Update: Supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation

On Friday 21st August, students are invited to wear their favourite pyjamas to school with a gold coin donation. Students can also enjoy a delicious hot chocolate for an additional gold coin donation if they would like one.

All money raised will support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). The ILF is a not-for-profit organisation that works to improve literacy opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in remote Communities across Australia. Funds raised help provide books and literacy resources, including books written in First Languages, helping children discover the joy of reading, writing and sharing stories.

The impact of the ILF is remarkable:

• Donated over 1 million books to more than 500 remote Communities across Australia.
• Published 158 books in 41 First Languages, helping preserve and celebrate Indigenous languages.

Thank you for supporting this wonderful cause. Together, we can help ensure every child has access to books and the opportunity to be part of the story.

Please find below link to the Dates for your Diary - Updated for Term 3 Week 4

These are subject to change and will be updated with new events regularly. Please ensure you check SIMON /PAM and the What's on Weekly.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY