24 March 2025

Principal’s Report

Lenten Reflection

As we journey through Lent, we are invited to reflect on the themes of sacrifice, renewal, and hope. This season is a time for us to pause and consider the deeper meaning of our lives and our faith.

Lent is traditionally a period of 40 days, mirroring the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and praying. It is a time for us to engage in our own forms of fasting, whether that be giving up certain luxuries or dedicating more time to prayer and reflection. This practice helps us to focus on what truly matters and to grow closer to God.

In our school community, Lent offers a unique opportunity to come together in solidarity and support one another in our spiritual journeys. It is a time to encourage each other to be more mindful, compassionate, and generous. We can look for ways to serve others, whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or simply being there for a friend in need.

As we move through this season, let us remember that Lent is not just about giving up, but also about taking up. It is a time to take up new habits that bring us closer to our faith and to each other. Whether it’s spending more time in prayer, reading scripture, or participating in community service, these actions can help us to grow and transform.

Let us also keep in mind the message of hope that Easter brings. The resurrection of Jesus is a powerful reminder that no matter the challenges we face, there is always hope and new life on the horizon. As we prepare for Easter, let us carry this hope in our hearts and share it with those around us.

May this Lenten season be a time of deep reflection, meaningful growth, and renewed hope for all of us.

Wellbeing Week

Thank you to everyone involved in Wellbeing Week last week. There were lots of great activities provided and participated in by our staff and students. I really enjoyed the chalk drawings that adorned the concrete paths at the entrance to the Administration area and it was good to see the splashes of green on Monday for St Patrick’s Day and the orange highlights worn on Friday for Harmony Day.

College Leaders and Student Voice

As part of Wellbeing Week, our College Leaders launched a new initiative which is a student suggestion box located at the Wellbeing Cottage. I met with the College Leaders on Friday, and we looked at the suggestions and ideas from our students. High on the priority list were more student seating, tables and shade, along with some ideas for the canteen menu. We will be working together to see how what can be done to support the ideas raised by our student body.

School Fees

Thank you to the many families who have attended to school fees already. I again extend the offer to any family that is experiencing genuine financial hardship to make an appointment through our Finance Office to come and meet with me to discuss options. Already many families have taken up this offer and we have been able to come to an arrangement.

Student Emails and Social Media

Starting from March 28, 2025, emails from social media platforms (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) will be blocked and not delivered to all student education email accounts (@mnstu.catholic.edu.au).  If students have signed up for a social media, gaming, instant messaging, or similar account using their student email address (@mnstu.catholic.edu.au). Once again, they are advised to change to a personal email address on each platform by March 28^, 2025.

Take care,

David Crawford
Principal

Student Spotlight

Judd Thomas

Year 5 student Judd was named Australian Champion in two events during the ABCRA National Finals Rodeo that were held in Tamworth at the end of January.

After an extremely successful 2024 Rodeo season, Judd qualified for the National Finals in both the 8/U11 Mini Bull Ride and 8/U11 Steer Ride. Competing against riders from all over Australia, Judd was able to continue with his impressive form and take out the Australian Championship in both events.

Congratulations Judd on this outstanding achievement. We wish you all the best for your 2025 Rodeo journey!

• 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.

Distinction

Excellence

Merit

Kinder

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Harmony Awards

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:

Mandy Pursell
Leader of Learning – Careers & VET

Canteen

QKR

• Did you know? You can order in advance for 2 weeks! Double check the date selected and save that morning rush and missing the 8:30am cutoff.
• Please place each child’s order under their own profile if they have siblings. Otherwise, all lunches will go out the child selected.
• Please double check your child’s profile to ensure they are allocated to the correct class AND category- Primary or Secondary. It will prevent any lunches going to the wrong class or time slot. Thank you!

Hot Lunches and Ordering on QKR

• Year 7- If you order an item that requires cooked chicken- flamed grilled, plain tender, sweet chili tender, beef wraps or burgers, these are available at SECOND break only. Pies, Sausage rolls, scrolls and fresh salads/sandwiches are available at first or second break.
• Please be aware that under any circumstances we are not able to heat food, provide boiling water for noodles or toast sandwiches from home for students. It is a safety directive from the CSO that this cannot be offered. Please purchase a suitable thermos food container for your child to bring their warm lunches in as we approach winter.

Ice Blocks

NEW ICE BLOCKS ARE HERE!!

ICY POLES (Lemonade or Raspberry)                   $2.00
TNT                                                                       $1.50
Quelch sticks                                                         $1.00
Frozen pineapple                                                   60c
Slushies                                                                  $2.50
ICY POLE (Lifesavers)                                              $3.00  

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 $4.00.

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

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 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)

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 News

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: 

https://singletoncatholicparish.org.au/ 

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: 

https://singletoncatholicparish.org.au/calendar/ 

Fr Thomas Chirackal 
Parish Priest 

Community Notices

What Matters Writing Competition

The Whitlam Institute is again running a writing competition. For details on how to enter, please select the following link:

Young Voices Awards 2025

The 2025 Young Voices Awards are brought to you in conjunction with Australian Catholic University. The YVA theme for 2025 is 'Voices of hope'. The competition is open to secondary school and senior primary school students – Junior (Years 5 and 6); Intermediate (Years 7 to 9); or Senior (Years 10 to 12).

Each section has three entry categories: articles, photographs and digital (video or podcast). This year, prizes will be awarded for each category. A selection of the best entries will appear in the magazine (with permission from the creator and their parents).

For further information and details on how to enter, please select the following link: