24 February 2025

Principal’s Report

Opening Liturgy

On Wednesday last week we gathered as a community to celebrate the achievements of our 2024 Year 12 and Year 10 students, to welcome Kindergarten into our community and to celebrate the commissioning of our Primary Leaders and our Primary and Secondary House Leaders. It was a beautiful ceremony, highlighted by Year 12 accompanying Kindergarten through the hall, onto the stage, and the joyful signing of our school song “Open My Eyes” – complete with the actions – by our primary and secondary students and staff. These were two truly wonderful and unique characteristics of our K-12 community and something our guests were amazed by. A huge thank you and congratulations to our ministry team and our wonderful musicians for making it so special. For those not present, the opening welcome highlights what the gathering meant for us:

Today, we come together as a community of faith, purpose, and commitment. A special welcome to Fr Thomas, Ms Louise Robertson—Diocesan Acting Leader of School Learning and Wellbeing—our Year 12 students, our esteemed ROSA Award recipients, our dedicated school leaders who will receive their badges today, and their proud families.

We gather here for more than just a ceremony—we gather as a united family, bound by faith and a shared vision. Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year, calling us to embrace the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” This theme is not just words; it is a mission, a challenge, and an invitation to walk together, to bring hope—not only within these walls but far beyond, into our world.

A key part of today’s liturgy is the commissioning of leaders and groups within our community. The word “commissioning” itself is profound—it comes from “co,” meaning together, and “missioning,” meaning to be sent with purpose. Today, we are not just celebrating leadership; we are accepting a sacred trust. Students, staff, parents, and our parish—we are all being called forward, united in purpose, to become true Pilgrims of Hope.

This call is even more powerful as we prepare for a milestone—150 years since the Sisters of Mercy first arrived in Singleton. These courageous women were pioneers, bringing hope, education, and faith to this community. They built something extraordinary, and today, that legacy is in our hands.

When we speak of high expectations, we speak of honoring that legacy—standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and reaching ever higher. We are here to carry forward their spirit.

Today, we recognize not just academic excellence, but the determination, effort, and personal growth of every student, every teacher, every member of our community. Because together, we rise. Together, we lead. Together, we make a difference.

So let us embrace this moment. Let us walk forward as Pilgrims of Hope, living out the values of Harmony, Faith, and Integrity—just as the Sisters of Mercy did 150 years ago.

Today, we are commissioned. Today, we are entrusted with a mission. And together, we will answer the call.

Uniform

As highlighted previously, one of our big focuses to start 2025 has been getting the uniform correct. Thank you to those students and parents who are supporting this expectation, and we are certainly seeing some improvements.

One of the conditions of coming to St Catherine’s is that the uniform policy is adhered to. It is not an optional choice. We request that any family that has an issue with wearing the correct uniform – for financial or other reasons – please contact your child’s teacher (primary) or the PC teacher or LOWE (secondary) to discuss as arrangements can always be made to support in meeting this expectation.

Year 7 Camp

I had the great privilege of attending the Year 7 Camp this week. This camp is a very important part of the transition to Secondary School, as students get to make new friends, try new challenges and start to bond as a team. Students were complimented by the staff of Camp Elim for their manners and willingness to participate. A huge thank you To Mrs Digby, Mrs Smailes, Ms Judd, Mr Berry, Mr Carr and Miss Stacey for giving up their time to make this experience a great one for our students.

Fees

Fee statements for 2025 will be issued at the beginning of March. Thank you to those who have arranged payment or have met with me to discuss fee assistance and payment plans. If there is anyone who is not able to make full payments due to financial hardship, please contact our Finance Office to make an appointment with me to discuss how we can support you. We will always work with families with genuine issues to come to an agreed arrangement.

Dave Crawford

Principal

Student Spotlight

Wyatt Gall

Wyatt competed at the annual 'Spin to Win' team roping competition at Goulburn on January 18 and 19. Competing in the 5s Team roping, Wyatt was placed first and also placed second and third with different team partners. He took home a Bob Berg trophy buckle and over $1000 in prize money. Congratulations, Wyatt on this fabulous achievement!

• Is your child excelling in an activity outside of school? We would love to hear about it and share it with our College Community. To be featured in ‘Student Spotlight’ please send an email with the details including a photo to gina.kellner@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Upcoming Events

• Please note that these dates and times are subject to change and that all efforts will be made to communicate this through the College communication platforms.

Term 1

Awards

Primary

Primary students are acknowledged for both academic achievement and effort, and for positive contributions to the life of the College. Teachers individually award Encouragement Awards (white awards) to students throughout the term. Students accumulate these awards to achieve higher levels of recognition. If your child receives the following number of awards, please send them in to Student Services for recognition of the next level of awards. 

 4 Encouragement Awards    =        Merit Certificate
4 Merit Certificates                =        Certificate of Excellence
3 Certificates of Excellence    =        Certificate of Distinction

Students also earn ‘Gotchas’ for exhibiting Positive Behaviours for Learning.

Excellence

Merit

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 6

Sport Notices

St Catherine’s is a member of the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC). Updated information and a detailed list of all individual and team pathway events / carnivals can be found at:

Click here to visit the CSNSW Sport website

A reminder that all Dio Sport (except swimming, x country & athletics) is now paid for on the website when students register.

Students and parents are NOT to register for a Dio Pathway Sport without seeing their school sport coordinator (Matt Edwards) for necessary information or paperwork. If a student or parent register for an Individual Pathway Sport and fails to meet the criteria and has already paid registration fees, the CSO WON’T be issuing refunds.

Matt Edwards
Secondary Sport Coordinator

Canteen

Welcome back! Below are some reminders and updates for Term 1.

QKR and Lunch Orders

• Please remember to update your child’s QKR profile to their current class and year to avoid their lunch going out in the wrong basket.
• High School lunches are issued at their second break unless it is a pie or sausage roll.
• We offer a meal deal for students in Kindergarten to Year 2 (K-2 meal deal) – A small chicken tender wrap, a popper and cookies for $6.50

Ice Blocks

We have a range of ice blocks and frozen fruit:

• Calippo                  $2.00
• Icy Twist                 $2.00
• TNT                        $1.50
• Quelch sticks          $1.00
• Frozen pineapple   $0.60

Birthday Buckets

If your child has a birthday that they would like to celebrate with their class, please call us a few days in advance and we can organise any of the above ice blocks, mousse or jelly for the class. Payment is to be made at the time of ordering.

New Item – Blastade

We have added an isotonic sports drink to our range for High School students only. Blastade is available to purchase over the counter or through QKR for $4.00

Volunteering

Please consider volunteering in the canteen. It is a great way to meet other parents and see your children’s smiling faces in their educational environment. We understand the busy schedules of our parents and carers and appreciate even just a couple of hours of your time. Please find below the link for the online registration and induction to become a volunteer:

If you have any questions regarding volunteering, please contact Kellie via email – kellie.holz@mn.catholic.edu.au .

2025 Canteen Menu

Canteen Roster

Thank you for your continued support 😊.

Canteen Staff

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop will continue to operate using appointments and a drop-in system. The appointments are for uniform fittings for families who need to try on uniforms and drop-ins are for families who know what they need to purchase or are picking up orders. 

For your convenience, the uniform shop is located on site with access via the small Queen Street gate. 

Opening hours throughout the school term are as follows:

Tuesdays

Thursdays

Fourth Saturday of the month

Alternatively, uniforms can also be ordered online and delivered to your child’s classroom (primary) or student services for secondary. 

For appointment bookings and online orders please visit:  

Hats for Years 7-12

St Catherine’s Senior Sports Cap and Navy Bucket Hats are both available for purchase in store and via the Pickles website. Both styles are available in a variety of sizes.

St Catherine's Tri-Colour Track Jacket Size Conversion

To assist with sizing conversion when ordering via the secondary campus page, please see below:

Carley Vaughan
Uniform Shop Supervisor

Parish

2025 Parish Sacramental Program

Singleton Parish children aged in year 3 or above who are ready to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion are invited to attend an information meeting on Wednesday 26 February at 5.30pm in St Patrick’s Church, Singleton. All information regarding the program for 2025 will be given at this meeting.

All Parish news and events can be found on the website:

As always, we welcome you to Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Singleton, St Brigid’s Church, Branxton, St Catherine’s Church, Greta and St Paul’s Church, Glendonbrook. For Mass times, please click on the link below to take you to the Parish Calendar:

Fr Thomas Chirackal
Parish Priest

Community Notices