10 March 2025

Principal’s Report

Annual School Visit

Last Thursday, we were delighted to welcome a diverse group of visitors from the Diocese, Catholic Schools Maitland- Newcastle, and representatives of Diocesan Shared Services Teams for our Annual School Visit. These visits aim to foster connections with various stakeholders to review our school's progress, future direction, and potential support opportunities.

Throughout the day, I, along with the Assistant Principals and our Ministry/RE Leaders, discussed our School Improvement Plan (SIP), goals, and vision for St Catherine’s. Our clear message was to build on our legacy, making St Catherine’s the school of choice for students, families, and staff, while celebrating our Catholic ethos. Our focus for 2025 includes:

• Developing an Educational and Site Masterplan for the future.
• Emphasising formation for staff, students, and families, especially with our 150 Years Celebration in Term 3.
• Implementing a St Catherine’s framework of Positive Behaviour for Learning.

During the visit, team members attended classes for 'walks and talks,' observing teaching, learning, and Catholic Identity. They were impressed by the positive energy, high-quality teaching, and the pride and gratitude our students and staff have for being part of this wonderful community.

Uniform Blitz

Thank you to the students and parents who have supported our uniform expectations. To assist those who still need to meet these expectations, we will start lunchtime service activities for those not in the correct uniform without a valid reason. Key focus areas include:

• Shoes
• Socks
• Jewellery/accessories
• Wearing sports uniform only on sports days, practical PDHPE days, and practical Agriculture/Primary Industry days.

Mobile Phones and Personal Technology

Our community has responded excellently to the expectations around mobile phones and personal technology. The simple rule is that devices should be switched off/on silent and out of sight unless you have specific permission and direct supervision from a teacher. This includes break times and in the library, where gaming is only allowed under Ms. Buxton’s supervision as part of the gaming club once a week.

Take care and God Bless,

David Crawford
Principal

Student Spotlight

Elsie Howard

Earlier in the year we featured Year 5 student, Elsie Howard. During February, Elsie was participating in the Starlight Foundation’s Starlight Super Swim. Elsie had set herself a target of swimming 14 kilometres and raising $1,500.

We are very pleased to announce that not only did Elsie pass her swimming goal by swimming a total distance of 18.68 kilometres, she also raised an impressive $2,344 for the Starlight Foundation.

From the St Catherine’s community, congratulations Elsie. We are all extremely proud of you!

• 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

Term 2

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 5

Year 6

2026 Enrolments

Enrolments for 2026 are now open. All enrolment applications are now completed online. Please follow the below link to access the Online Enrolment Application:

Careers News

For the latest Careers information please see the documents below:

Canteen

QKR and Lunch Orders

• We are still experiencing some lost lunch orders. Please remember to update your child’s QKR profile to the current class and year. Select secondary if they are in High School. If they are selected incorrectly, their lunch will go out in the wrong basket or get lost. ☹
• Try our Sweet Chilli tender wraps, they are delicious and not too spicy. For an extra kick, add the sweet chilli mayonnaise.
• We stock high protein yogurt for sale for $3. A healthy way to fill hungry tummies.
• For our K-2 students, we have small meat pies and half sized sausage rolls to order.

Ice Blocks

NEW ICE BLOCKS ARE COMING SOON!!

Here is our current frozen range:

TNT                                                                                   $1.50
Quelch sticks                                                                     $1.00
Frozen pineapple                                                               60c
Slushies                                                                              $2.50   

Birthday Buckets

Remember 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 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 to purchase through QKR or at the counter for $4.

Volunteering

Please consider volunteering in the canteen, it’s 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:

Alternatively, if you have any questions regarding volunteering, please contact Kelly on kellie.holz@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Canteen Roster

Thankyou for your continued support. 😊
Canteen Staff

Uniform Shop

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

Opening hours throughout the school term are as follows:

Tuesdays
08:30am - 11:30am By Appointment
01:30pm - 03:30pm Drop In

Thursdays
08:30am - 11:30am Drop In

Fourth Saturday of the month
09:30am - 11:30am Drop in
11:30am - 01:30pm By Appointment
(during school term only)

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. 

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.

Trucker hats are currently sold out, an update will be communicated when stock is available.

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

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Thank to the families who came to our information meeting on 26 Feb to hear about the Sacramental Program for 2025. Our formation sessions for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will commence on Sunday 23 March at 5pm in St Patrick’s Church, Singleton. Families will then stay for Mass and make their commitment to the program in front of the congregation.

If you missed the information session and have a child in year 3 or above who would like to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation, Holy Communion and Reconciliation this year, please call the Parish Office on 5507 4048.

LENTEN REFLECTION PROGRAM

You are welcome to join our Lenten Reflection Program each Wednesday after 9.20am Mass during Lent. This year we are using a program from the Archdiocese of Sydney as a companion to consider more deeply the Gospel passages and the reflections each week.

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