St. Catherine’s School – Newsletter

PRIMARY SCHOOL

8 June 2010

NEWSLETTER 11 / 2010

Dear Parents,

Pre-school news

It seems like a very short term and a really long holiday to follow. Eye tests and hearing tests were carried out in April at parents’ requests. The visit by Umalusi went off very well with lovely people visiting our school.

H.O.D’s did a Safety Officer Training Course which can only benefit the school as a whole. Lovely to see our little ones being very supportive of Bafana’s Days and really enjoying dressing up.

Well done to Grade R’s for winning the Woolworths School’s Card Competition for the second time. Thank you wonderful parents. Have a safe and blessed holiday. Mrs Henry and Miss Beaton

Junior Primary news

Wow, what a short term! Our children were most productive this term and very busy with all extra mural activities. Soccer and netball went well, with the highlight of the season as usual, our annual St Dunstan’s tournament. The children thoroughly enjoyed the day (and the good weather).

Our drama group showed off their talents and we all enjoyed it. Our children also attended the science club. They will have their annual expo in July. We wish them good luck.

We had a visit from Steiner who gave the children a talk on hygiene. Our Grade 1 classes had a very successful cake ‘n candy. Thank you to all the parents who contributed to their success.

Please make sure that your child has the correct stationery when we return. We wish you all a warm relaxing break.

Mrs. Kuhn, Mrs Higgins and Miss Busse

Senior Primary news

St. Catherine’s boys and girls are ready for the Soccer World cup 2010! Kitted out in their soccer gear, vuvezelo in hand and dancing the diskie dance, Football Fridays were enjoyed by all.

Our soccer boys played their matches with determination and lots of enthusiasm. Our U10 team made it through to the finals and won the league. We are very proud of you boys! Well done to coach Palmer.

Our netball girls took part in the Private school league again this year and as always our girls performed well. Thank you to all the coaches for training and encouraging the girls. Our U10 team made it through to the playoffs and played like stars. Well done U10 girls and Mrs Farry, You Rock!

This year St. Catherine’s hosted the annual Bible Quiz. Our girls had spent weeks learning certain Books from the Bible, and in the end all their hard work paid off. Our girls won the 2010 Bible Quiz. Thank you to Mrs. Cruz and Mrs Davies for preparing them for this event. We are extremely proud of you girls!

Our budding Scientists took part in an internal Science Expo, held at school. These boys and girls have worked extremely hard during the year and it was lovely to see how confident they were when explaining their experiments to the judges. The groups who received gold certificates will be representing the school in the Science Expo held at Wits. Thank you to Mrs van der Merwe for all her hard work in preparing these children.

The grade 7 learners attended the Grade 7 Mass held at St Patrick’s church, Benoni on Friday. Six catholic schools from the Diocese were invited to celebrate this Mass of Thanksgiving. Thank you to Sr. Bernadette for preparing the learners for this special celebration.

The grade 4 – 7 learners have spent the 2^nd term learning their times tables vigorously; as part of the ‘Time Table Challenge’, which was held this week. Well done to all the boys and girls who received medals and certificates.

Mrs Rodrigues and the S.P. teachers

Congratulations to the following children who have been chosen as Altar Servers and Liturgists:

Altar Servers : Jessica Teixeira, Karabo Motloung, Michael De Gouveia, Thando Phenyane, Ethan Dominic, Jarred Orfa’o, Fabio Macedo, Kgontse Pule, Diane Cilengi, Koketso Ramphore, James Schmitz, Devon Rasteiro, Flora Moloi, Delano Ribeiro, Tsholofelo Mokotsi, Ryan Higgins, Roger Muzawazi, James Yates and Njabulo Mwelaze.

Liturgists: Jessica Teixeira, Diane Cilengi, Fabio Macedo, Kgontse Pule, Chandray Jones, Bongiwe Zondo, Mbali Ndimande, Karabo Motloung, Allyssa Pires, Koketso Ramphore, Kabelo Mokgoro and Jarred Orfa’o.

School Fees

We have sent statements out to all parents with a balance on their account. If you have not already managed to pay June fees, please pay directly into our account during the holidays. By the time we return to school on the 13^th July, these fees will already be overdue and July fees due for payment! Please remember to put your child’s name as reference on the deposit slip and fax or e-mail it through to the school. Thank you

Banking Details: FNB Germiston – Branch Code 250142 – A/c No. 51120344745.

U.P.T

• Boma show and lunch – “Thank you” to the parents who supported this function. All the parents who went had a wonderful time and the food was good. St Catherine’s received an amount of R2, 270.00 from the Boma! Our sincere thanks to Fran our Chairlady for being there and organising the day for the school.

End of Term arrangements.

• Tomorrow is a “support your chosen team” day. Children may come to school dressed in supporter’s clothes of any country in the world cup – no provincial teams.

• School closes at 12h00 on Wednesday, 9 June. Please make arrangements to collect your children promptly. If they use the transport, please speak to the drivers to collect children promptly. Please don’t allow them to take your children to the lake or anywhere else for a “party”. This is very dangerous.
• There is no Parent’s evening tonight. As stated in newsletter 07/2010, the term is very short and reports will not be issued this term, but on the 29^th July. There will be a parents evening that evening.
• School re-opens on 13 July. There will be extra-murals that week.
• There are still places available for the holiday aftercare. Please contact Mrs. Wilson if you are interested.

General

• All grade 7 pupils have received forms to complete for our High School next year. If you have not yet returned your form, please do so before we close for the holidays so that we can secure the place for your son / daughter. Grade 8 is almost full and we need to know how many applications from outside primary schools we can accept.
• Blanket campaign update: We today handed over 36 Blankets and 18 Jerseys to the SAVF Kowa Pienaar Old Age Home. The Jerseys were donated by one of our parents and they were most grateful for the donation. This is a record for the most blankets ever handed over a very big “thank you” to all the children and parents for their support. (See letter below). Final scores for squares were: Red house – 1782, Green house – 1061 and Yellow house 1005. Well done!
• The Portuguese Embassy has contacted the school to let us know that they will be giving lessons at the school next term. All interested parents must please meet them at the school on Friday 16^th July – Please contact Linda Rodrigues in the office for any further info.
• If any parents are willing to put an “open evening” sign in their car window please ask Mrs Rodrigues in the office for one. This will help to advertise our open evening whilst driving around or parking at shopping centres. Our open evening is only a week after we get back from holiday.

Thank you for your on-going support. Have a wonderful holiday with your children. God Bless.

Yours sincerely,

V.A. JOHNSON (MRS)

Proposed dates 2011

TERM 1 Start: Wednesday 12 January Close: Friday 8 April Half Term: 12h00 Thursday 24 February Return: Tuesday 1 March. Public Monday 21 March Holidays: (Human Rights Day)

TERM 2 Start: Tuesday 3 May Close: Friday 5 August Half Term: Normal closing Friday 1 July Return: Monday 11 July Public Sunday 1 May Holidays: (Workers’ Day) Mon.2 May Public H Thurs.16 June(Youth Day)

TERM 3 Start: Tuesday 6 September Close: Friday 2 December Half Term: 12h00 Thursday 20 October Return: Tuesday 25 October Public Saturday 24 September Holiday: (Heritage Day) 2012 – Start Wed. 11 January

Thank you for your on-going support,

God Bless.

Yours sincerely,

V.A. JOHNSON (MRS)

PRINCIPAL

TERM PLAN AND CYCLE TESTS - TERM 2 - 2010

APRIL	MAY	JUNE
13 Start of Term 2 14 Eye Tests UPT Meeting 15 Eye Tests 16 UMALUSI P/S Mass 20 Golf Day EMS Cycle Test Hearing Tests 22 Hearing Tests Safety Officer Training 23 Word Service Football Friday – Bafana Day 26 School Holiday (Monday) 27 Freedom Day 29 St. Catherine’s Day 30 P/S Mass Yellow Civies Grade 5 Cake ‘n Candy	04 History Cycle Test Spur Evening 07 Word Service Football Friday - Supporters’ Day 11 Geography Cycle Test 12 Board Meeting 13 Ascension Day – Mass 14 Football Friday – Bafana Day 15 Mothers’ Breakfast 18 Afrikaans Cycle Test 21 Word Service S/P Bible Quiz 25 Science Cycle Test 28 P/S Mass Football Friday – Bafana Day Grade 1 Cake ‘n Candy	01 English Cycle Test 04 Word Service 05 Inter-Dominican Netball 08 Maths Cycle Test 09 Blood Drive Football Friday - Supporters’ Day School closes

Tuckshop Menu

Monday	Cheese and Tomato Sandwich – R6.50 Hamburger – R9.00
Tuesday	Cheese Burger Roll – R12.00 Chicken Burger – R11.50
Wednesday	Chicken Mayo Sandwich – R9.50 Mince Roll – R9.00
Thursday	Egg Mayo Sandwich – R7.50 Cheese, Ham & Tomato – R8.50 Hot Dog Roll – R9.50
Friday	Boerewors Roll – R11.50 Toasted Bacon & Cheese – R10.00

HIGH SCHOOL

28 April  2010

Dear Parents

LOOKING BACK

Umalusi Inspection:

This term started with a visit from UMALUSI which is the statutory organisation setting and monitoring the standards for general and further education and training in South Africa. Their key functions are

• Evaluating qualifications and curricula to ensure that they are of the expected standard.
• Moderating assessment to ensure that it is fair, valid and reliable.
• Conducting research to ensure educational quality.
• Accrediting educational and assessment providers.
• Certifying learner attainments.

Suggestions for improvement were made but no problems were identified. It is always reassuring to be told that the service that is being offered to both parents and learners is of a suitably high standard.

Golf Day:

The UPT had their annual Golf Day on Tuesday 20^th  April. This was a great success with an amount of

R26 000 having been raised. Thank you to all those who supported the UPT in this fundraising venture.

ACADEMIC ISSUES

With the World Cup only 42 days away, this term is very short. Assessment will again take the form of continuous assessment. Examinations are scheduled to be written in July. Reports will be issued to learners on the last day of the term.

We are considering drawing up a revision programme for the learners to follow during the holidays to ensure that they do not leave all their studying until they return to school in July. Please let me have feedback on this issue, by emailing me at the above email address or sending a letter with your child.

EXTRA MURAL ISSUES

Boys’ soccer:

The boys’ soccer team started their season with matches again La Salle on Wednesday 21 April. The U15 boys lost 6-3; the U16 boys won 3-0 and the Open team drew 1-1.

On Wednesday 28 April both the Open and U15 teams won their matches against The Kings School West Rand with scores of 3-1 and 6-3 respectively.

Girls’ netball:

The girls’ netball season started with matches against Saheti on the 14 April. The results were as follows:

U14 lost 0-15;  U15 won 10-8;  U1 lost 2-21 and the Open team lost 8-35

In their match against Sacred Heart on Wednesday 21 April, the U14 team won 6-4, the U15 team lost      9-12, the U17 team lost 3-11 and the U18 team won 16-15

On Wednesday 28 April the girls played against Bishop Bavin and the scores were as follows. The U15 team won 15-9 with the other teams unfortunately losing.

The following girls were selected to play in the Netball trials: Kedirile, Nomfundo, Zinhle, Reitimetse and Tshegofatso. Nomfundo and Tshegofatso were eliminated in the second round.

Well done to all the sports teams for the manner in which they compete.

Arts Alive:

The Grade 11 learners are organising the Arts Alive evening to be held on 2 June. It seems as if this is going to be the event of the year and tickets are bound to be sold out soon after booking opens.

Learners not involved in netball or soccer are encouraged to play tennis or join Ms Moll for  Zumba on a Wednesday afternoon.

LEARNER ISSUES

Support for the World Cup:

In preparation for the World Cup, learners have been given permission to wear an official Bafana Bafana T-shirt (yellow, green or white) with blue jeans and takkies on Friday the 14^th  May and Friday 28^th  May.

On Friday 7^th  May and Wednesday 9^th  June learner may support any team participating in the World Cup e.g. England, Brazil, South Africa  etc by wearing an appropriate T-shirt with their blue jeans and takkies.

Should the cold weather persist, a warm jersey may be worn UNDER the supporter’s shirt. Although there was a shortage of these shirts last week, many shops have new stock. Please do NOT feel obliged to spend over R100 on a shirt. Please note that these are ‘supporter’ days and not ‘civvies’ days. For this reason learners may not have fancy hairstyles, shoes, makeup, jewellery etc.

Winter Uniform:

All learners are to wear their full winter uniform with effect from Monday next week. This implies that:

· Blazers are compulsory for all learners

· Black scarves and gloves may be worn

· Beanies may NOT be worn

· Tracksuit tops and other hooded tops may NOT be worn

· Girls must wear white shirts and ties with either black tunics or trousers

· Girls may wear either black school socks or opaque black tights with their tunics – thin pantyhose are not permitted.

Grade 9 Aptitude Tests:

The Grade 9 learners will be writing an aptitude test on Monday 7^th  June for 9-1 and 8^th  June for 9-2 to assist them in choosing subjects for the FET phase of their schooling. The results of these tests will be sent to parents after the holidays.

ETHOS ISSUES

Masses:

Thursday 29^th April is St Catherine’s day. We will be celebrating a Mass on Friday 30^th  April at 9:30 should parents wish to join us. Please note that school will finish at 13:45 on this day.

The Grade 10 mass will take place on the 4^th  May at 8:00 for those parents wishing to attend.

Parents are also welcome to attend the Ascension Day Mass on Thursday 13^th  May at 9:30.

The Grade 11s will be participating in a mass at the cathedral in Johannesburg on the 19^th May .

Inter Catholic Schools Bible Quiz:

On Saturday 22^nd  May, St Catherine’s will be hosting the Inter Catholic Schools’ Bible quiz. Parents and learners are encouraged to support this event.

Retreat:

Grade 10 will be going on a retreat on Monday 7^th June and the Grade 11 and 12 learners on the 8^th June. Pupils may wear blue jeans and a casual top for the day. We will be leaving after homeroom and walking to the Mazenod Centre nearby.

COPs:

The COPs are currently supporting the New Beginnings Care Centre in Boksburg, a place for destitute adults and a crèche and nursery school. In addition they have recently opened an aftercare for the high school and primary school children. At present the centre provides a home for 850 adults and the nursery school provides an education to about 80 children. The centre relies entirely on donations. Any donations of the following items will be appreciated: baby formula, nappies, baby cereal, baby clothes; any stationery (72-page exercise books, erasers, pens, pencils etc); boys’ clothes etc.

Knitted squares:

We are also appealing to all ‘knitters’ to participate in the Inter-house square knitting competition. The squares are used to make blankets for those in need.

Please help us to have a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.

PARENTAL ISSUES

School fees:

Please ensure that you pay your child’s school fees on time, ie before the 7^th day of each month, to avoid them being suspended. All fees for April must be paid by Monday 10^th May. Learners whose fees have not been paid in FULL will be removed from class and suspended from school until their fees have been paid in full. If you make use of electronic transfers or deposit money into the school’s  bank account, please ensure that you include your child’s name and class as a reference. In addition, please ensure that you send proof of payment to school.

Spur Evening:

Please support the UPT fundraising by taking your family to the Spur in Lambton for an evening meal on Tuesday 4^th May. A portion of money collected on the night is donated to St Catherine’s.

Mothers’ Day Breakfast:

Moms are requested to support the Mothers’ Day breakfast hosted by the UPT on Saturday 15^th  May. Tickets can be obtained from reception at a cost of R100  per person.

Yours sincerely

J Crosby (Mrs)

PRINCIPAL