Filter Content
- Principal News
- Deputy Principal
- A message from DOSCEL School Principals
- A message from the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd
- Important Dates - This can be found in your Simon App under Calendar
- Student Celebrations - November!
- Library timetable
- Polly Woodside Excursion
- STEM- Spotlight
- Class separation requests - extended until the end of October!
- 2026 Enrolments!
- Student News! Riley Hughes 3S8
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Sport News - Regional Athletics
- Grandparents / Special person activities
- Camp Australia
- Lunch time Club
- Lost Property
- Uniform
- Community News
Welcome to week 4 in Term 4.
The first few weeks have been busy with interviews and recruitment.
I would like to congratulate Rebecca Cox on her appointment as Deputy Principal of School operations and Learning and Teaching. Both Rian and I have had the pleasure of working with Rebecca as part of our executive team and know she will do a terrific job in this role. Rebecca had to interview with a panel of four. Myself, along with another principal from a Catholic school, The Manager of professional Growth from DOSCEL and The Parish Priest - Father Paul Zahar. Once all applicants have been shortlisted then interviewed, the panel makes a recommendation which must then be approved by the Deputy Director of DOSCEL who approves the candidate and ratifies that the process has been fair and followed all guidelines.
We are also currently recruiting for teachers for 2026.
The Grade 5’s are preparing captains speeches and applications for voting later this term as we prepare our student leadership team for 2026.
Riley Hughes from Grade 3 competed in a Golf Tournament last week in Queensland and went very well. Please read below for more information. This is a great achievement!
Swimming is commencing for Grade 6 in week 6 this term and will run across 2 weeks.
Grade 4 went to Polly Woodside for an excursion last week and the Grade 2 students went to the zoo this week. Both days went off really well and the children were terrific and had great learning experiences.
Mr Pawlukowski has been working hard to get our Athletics day organised. This is a monumental task and he has been supported in this space by many staff members and I am sure this will be a great day.
WE ASK THAT ALL STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL ON BUSES UNLESS BEING PICKED UP FOR MEDICAL REASONS. The students who do not return miss out on learning tasks and on the team spirit and the social aspects that continue well after the carnival is over. These are important elements of the program and curriculum.
Students will NOT be released to any one other than emergency contacts as per our school policy and child safe practices.
School attendance is important and has a significant impact on student outcomes.
Grand Parents day also takes place in week 5. We look forward to having Grandparents in classrooms with students followed by a morning tea in “The Vines”
Once again illness is hitting St Catherine’s hard. We have students presenting with many symptoms, and ask that if your child is unwell or has any symptoms, that they be kept home to assist with reducing the risk of infection to other students and staff.
Friday 31 October we celebrate World Teachers Day. The week leading up provides an opportunity to celebrate teachers and all school staff across the Diocese for the work they do in educating, inspiring and supporting our children and young people.
Warm regards
Anna
Address Changes
Please email info@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au if you have recently changed your address.
2nd Hand Uniform Shop - Thursday 4 December
Calling out for any uniform donations for our 2nd Hand Uniform Shop stall being held on Thursday 4 December.
Out of School Hours Care Program
If you think you might be late picking your child up afterschool we have Out of School Hours Care Program onsite in the Multi Purpose room, Camp Australia. You can always call them anytime if you need a spot as long as you have registered (which costs nothing). There's no obligation to use this service, but if you are registered it makes it easier for you to use in the future.
Click on the link below.
Religious Education
Level Masses
On Friday 31 October, our Year 1s will have their Level Mass. We will be welcoming Honourable Martin Dixon from the Diocese of Catholic Education Limited to our Year 1 Mass who will be visiting the school. Friday 14 November our Preps will have Level Mass. All are at 9:30am in the Chapel and the entire community are invited to each and every Mass. We would love to see you there.
First Holy Communion
We want to congratulate the 41 students who completed their First Holy Communion sacrament over the past month. We couldn’t be prouder of you and your commitment to your faith. You all did a fantastic job on the day and your teachers prepared you excellently for your sacrament. I am asking any families who have taken photos, and would like them shared in the newsletter, to please send the images to deputy@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Food Appeal
Each year, St Catherine’s Primary School partners with the St Vincent de Paul Society to collect donations for local families in need. It is a great way to remind students to consider the needs of others before our own. “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” Proverbs 11:25.
This year, we have been provided a very specific list of items. We ask that those families who are in the position to donate only bring in the items allocated to their level. This way we are able to present St Vincent de Paul society, and those in need, with an even spread of items. Note, that no toys are to be donated as they are being sourced from another school. Please see the attached flyer for details.
White baskets will appear in classrooms as of Wednesday 5 November for collections. Items can be brought in until Friday 7 December. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
Family Prayer Afternoons
Thank you to the families who responded to the survey sent out in last term’s newsletter asking for feedback on this initiative. A flier was sent out, and is attached to this newsletter, with the dates and times for our Family Prayer Afternoons. Students will have a greater focus and participation this term. We look forward to people attending. As with Level Masses, anyone is welcome to a prayer afternoon regardless if your child is in the level or not.
We have extended the time frame for parent requests 2026 due to the recent holidays.
It will be open until the end of this Month.
A large amount of information and considerations goes into setting up classes, including parent requests. Please note the following carefully:
-Parents may submit a separation request.
-We do not consider pairing requests as this is managed by the learning buddies process outlined below.
-Separation requests must be submitted every year.
-If you submitted one last year, they do not roll over.
-All requests are considered a one off.
-Separation requests must come via the office to info@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au.
-Requests submitted verbally, via individual teachers or staff may not be included, please submit your request via this email. Please clearly state your child and the person you would like your child separated from (full name).
-Separations may be for personal reasons or because of a pre existing relationship such as family friendship, family members, etc.
-Parents of twins are also asked to advise the school their preference for their children being placed together or separately.
-The deadline for requests is the end of Term 3.
We do our best to cater for parent requests but cannot guarantee as there are many factors which must be taken into consideration.
Later in the year, students will nominate 5 Learning Buddies that they learn well with and would like to have in their class. We ensure they are placed with at least one of these.
VICTORIA DONLAN
Curriculum/ICT Leader and Learning Adjustment Leader
St Catherine's School, Berwick
73 Ridgemont Drive Berwick VIC 3806
P O Box 557 Berwick VIC 3806
Phone: 03 9702 1466
2026 ENROLMENTS
We are currently taking 2026 Enrolments. If you are an existing family please get your forms in asap to guarantee you a spot. Our Prep numbers are getting quite high so if you know of anyone considering St Catherine’s for their child please ask them to contact the Office for a tour.
Hello Everyone,
Towards the end of last term, our staff at St Catherine’s took part in professional development about regulation strategies. These are simple tools and techniques that help children manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. Teachers use these strategies throughout the day to support students and show them ways they can calm themselves or focus when they need to.
We often talk about self-regulation (when a child manages their own emotions) and co-regulation (when an adult helps a child use the strategies). Research shows that children often need co-regulation first, before they can use these tools independently. It’s also important that children are taught these strategies when they are calm, so they can use them effectively when emotions run high.
Practicing these strategies at home can really help children feel more confident and in control. Over the coming weeks, we will share some simple strategies that families can try together.
Wishing you all a wonderful two weeks ahead.
Warm regards,
Jasmine Bentley
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
On Friday 24 October, Emilia.J, Jacob.O, Kepler.P (Year 6) and Kashmere.K (Year 5) competed in the Southern Metro Regional Athletics Championships at Casey Athletics track.
Emilia.J competed in both the 800m and 1500m events recording times of 3:00:84 and 6:02.68 respectively. Jacob.O recorded times of 13.63 for the 100m sprint and 27.40 for the 200m sprint. Kepler.P ran a time of 14.41 in the 80m hurdles. Kashmere.K threw a distance of 18.65m in her discus event.
Congratulations to all these four students on making it to this level of competition, a tremendous achievement by all. Thank you to all the parents that transported and supported their athletes on the day.
