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College Fees
It was a pleasure meeting so many of you on Launch Day to discuss the upcoming fee arrangements. If you are interested in settling your fees upfront to take advantage of the 5% discount, please contact us at sccc_ar@prspne.catholic.edu.au to request your annual fee amount and available payment options.
Please be advised that Term 1 fees will be processed next week, and all families will receive an email containing a statement with detailed payment options. For families who have not yet set up a Direct Debit arrangement, please note that fees will be due by Friday, 28th February.
For any enquiries regarding fees or assistance with setting up a Direct Debit arrangement, please feel free to contact the office at 4945 1414 or email sccc_ar@prspne.catholic.edu.au. If you are facing financial hardship, we encourage you to reach out to Business Manager Suzi Bellert at sbellert@prspne.catholic.edu.au to discuss special consideration.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Student Supervision
Please note that supervision of students is not provided before 0815 when teachers commence duty. Please do not drop students before this time as this presents safety concerns.
The Outside School Hours Care facility is available before school: please contact the College if you require details.
Immunisation Program comes to school
QLD Health is providing free vaccinations for all Year 7 and Year 10 students on Wednesday, March 26 as part of Queensland Health's annual School Immunisation Program.
I also hope that you received my recent letter welcoming all in our community: students; parents and guardians; and staff. I’d like to add to the new staff welcome Sarah McDowall (Primary) and Laura Robson (Secondary). Both teachers joined us during 2024 and have returned this year
I’d like to make a mention of communication methods: the primary means of communication are Compass, to which all parents/guardians should have access, and this Newsletter. We have a College Facebook page; however, I recognise that not all parents use Facebook. It is used for celebrating and reiterating events, but all College events mentioned on Facebook will be noted in the calendar.
On the matter of events: we are already on to Plan B for our opening liturgy which extends to commissioning of College leaders and recognition of our Year 12 cohort. I remain hopeful that we shall not have to resort to a Plan C (as last year!). The Bureau of Meteorology forecast shows Thursday 13th as cloudy and wet - but not to the degree of late. I look forward to the opportunity to meet parents and guardians at this event.
Katherine Nelson
Principal
This year marks a monumental milestone for St Catherine’s Catholic College, 100 years of history, community, and cherished memories!
Stay tuned for updates, and if you’d like to get involved or share your own St Catherine’s memories, please reach out to us at luhl@prspne.catholic.edu.au
You can also follow us on Facebook at St Catherine’s Catholic College, where we’re sharing Flashback Fridays, featuring photos from our school’s rich history. Who knows? You might even spot a familiar face!
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Welcome back and welcome to our new students and their families.
Parent Handbook - Your go-to resource!
We encourage all families to refer to the Parent Handbook (located under the enrolment tab), which provides essential information about College life. The handbook is available on our College website and serves as a valuable resource for understanding our College Values, Expectations, Policies, and Procedures. The following are a few pieces of information from our handbook:
Communication with the College
For general enquiries, please contact College Reception:Primary Campus – 07 4945 1414
Secondary Campus – 07 4945 1630
enquiries@prspne.catholic.edu.au
The handbook also outlines who to contact for specific enquiries to ensure effective communication between families and staff.
Compass Parent Portal
✅ Communicate with teachers and update family contact details
✅ Access timetables and the College Calendar
✅ View and download semester reports
✅ Book parent-teacher conferences
✅ View assessment results and feedback for Year 11 and 12 students
College Website - https://www.prspne.catholic.edu.au/
St Catherine's Catholic College’s website provides key information for current and prospective families. The About Us section outlines the College’s values, leadership team, policies, and employment opportunities. Teaching & Learning covers education from Kindergarten to Year 12, including curriculum details and online learning resources. Beyond the Classroom highlights extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, music, camps, and pastoral care programs. The Community section includes newsletters, the College calendar, tuckshop and uniform shop details, and parent resources. The Enrolment page provides information on applications, fees, and policies, while Contact Us lists key contacts for both Primary and Secondary campuses. The website also features announcements and updates on College events.
Year 9 to 12 Subject ChangesYear 9 and 10 Elective Subjects
- All subject change requests must be submitted to the Secondary Deputy by the end of Week 2.
- As electives are semester-based, no further changes will be possible after Week 2 until the start of Semester 2 later in the year.
Kate and Emma
Kate Moretto (Deputy Secondary)
Emma Hiscox (Acting Deputy Primary)
Welcome back to all our new and existing Families. 2025 promises to be another wonderfully busy year for our liturgical calendar. We invite everyone to join us for the many liturgical celebrations throughout the year.
Thursday morning Parish Masses
Primary Liturgical Calendar
|
Liturgy |
Class |
Date. |
|
Ash Wednesday Liturgy |
6A |
Wed 5th March. |
|
Feast of St Joseph |
2C |
Fri 14th March |
|
Palm Sunday Liturgy |
Yr 1B |
Tues 1st April |
|
Holy Thursday Liturgy |
2A |
Wed 2nd April |
|
Good Friday Liturgy |
6B |
Thurs 3rd April |
|
Easter Sunday Liturgy |
4B |
Fri 4th April |
|
Mothers Day Liturgy |
Prep B |
Fri 9th May |
|
Laudato Si 10th Anniversary Liturgy |
5A |
Fri 23rd May |
|
Mary Mackillop Feast Day |
5B |
Fri 8th August |
|
Fathers Day Liturgy |
Prep A |
Thurs 4th September |
|
Mercy Day Liturgy |
2B |
Fri 12th September |
|
Mary Liturgy |
1A |
Fri 17th October |
|
Remembrance Day Liturgy |
4A |
Tues 11th November |
|
St Catherine Feast Day |
3A |
Fri 28th November. |
Youth Group
This year the college and parish will continue partnership with the Youth Group. The Youth Group will be held once a month on Sunday evenings at St Martin's Church in Cannonvale, starting just before the Catholic Mass.
Here’s how Youth Group will run:
5:00 pm – Gather for fun activities, games, and fellowship
6:00 pm – Attend Mass together
After Mass – Share a light meal to wrap up the evening
All secondary students are invited to attend youth group.
Dates for Youth Group this year:
Secondary Retreat Days
Retreat Days in our college are important for student formation, giving students a chance to reflect and connect with others. Retreat Days help strengthen our Catholic identity by focusing on our college values of Community, Compassion, Excellence and Justice, which are also aligned with Gospel values. These retreats also support students’ well-being, creating a friendly community where everyone can grow together.
Retreat Dates this year
| Year level | Date | Theme |
| Year 7 | Friday 7th February | Transition into high school |
| Year 8 | Friday 17th October | Who am I? |
| Year 9 | Friday 16th May | Looking inwards |
| Year 10 | Friday 16th May | Discovery |
| Year 11 | Friday 31st October | Leadership |
| Year 12 | Wednesday 19th November | Memories |
God's blessings upon you,Julie Hornstra, Shadley Davids
Assistant Principals/ Religious Education
In the Early Years...
Welcome back to school for 2025. With the wet start to yet another school year, our students are still settling into routines. It is great to see more and more smiling faces now the rain is easing off. It is always important to establish good school routines at the beginning of the year. Here are some handy tips:- Be organised - get uniforms, bags and lunchboxes ready the night before to minimise the need to rush in the morning. Involve your child/ren in this process as much as possible when you can to encourage them to take responsibility for their belongings and these tasks (with support for younger children).
- Talk positively about school and all of the fun and exciting things your child will do and learn this year - even if your child is upset or doesn’t like something try to point out the positives.
- Keep the “goodbye” short after drop off. I know this is easier said than done but honestly the longer it lingers the harder it actually is for your child.
- Ensure your child knows how he/she will be getting home each afternoon. If this changes please notify the office at your earliest convenience.
- For younger students who may be feeling nervous or struggling with separation in the mornings read or listen to The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (awesome strategy inside to make separation easier).
~ Kelly ~
Middle Years ….
It is great to see our students back and getting into their learning journey for this year. Our students have now had a chance to settle in and get to know both their core/classroom and specialist teachers a little better. This year, we will continue to utilise our specialist teaching staff across the College in the areas of The Arts, PE and Language - Indonesian. These opportunities not only enrich the learning and teaching that is occurring within those lessons but this structure also allows for our younger students to become more familiar with the secondary setting and staff, further easing any stress or concern around high school transition. This is a wonderful benefit of a P-12 setting such as ours!
NAPLAN 2025
NAPLAN will be happening for Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 this term. It is hoped that by conducting the tests earlier, results will be back sooner and schools will be able to respond to the data in the same learning year. This data is an important contributor to our College data plan and allows for teachers to tailor the delivery of the Australian Curriculum to cater for student’s needs.
Specific NAPLAN practice will be taking place from Week 5 and will include a mixture of Campus coordinated practice tests and also less formalised practice activities during lesson time. These tests focus on the students becoming familiar with NAPLAN processes and procedures. As NAPLAN is now completed online, students need to know how to log in to access the testing platform, understand the functionality of the platform, how to pause their test, flag questions, etc. These practice sessions increase student confidence and reduce anxiety around the test. Further information for parents regarding NAPLAN can be found here.
NAPLAN Withdrawals
NAPLAN tests are a routine part of the school calendar. However students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer for reasons such as religious beliefs or philosophical objections to testing. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with the College. Withdrawal forms must be submitted to the College prior to testing. Please contact your child’s teacher (primary) or myself (secondary) to discuss any questions in relation to NAPLAN.
~ Erin~
~Kelly Bennett & Erin Laguna~
Assistant Principals - Learning and Teaching
In the Senior Years …...
Year 12 is a significant milestone that bridges the transition from guided learning to a more independent one. It is an exciting yet challenging time for students, as they face new demands and responsibilities. The main challenge is time management, particularly when balancing homework, studies, and assessments, which can feel overwhelming, especially if combined with excessive part-time work (greater than 10 hours per week). Procrastination and lack of focus can further hinder success.To manage time effectively, students should stay organised by using planners or digital calendars, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and avoiding last-minute stress. Balancing time is crucial: prioritise academics but include self-care and relaxation in daily schedules. Building strong study habits, like studying consistently and reviewing past work, helps maximise productivity.
Taking care of physical and mental well-being is equally important. Adequate sleep (8-9 hours), regular exercise, and a balanced diet can enhance focus and reduce stress. Students should also seek support from teachers, counsellors, or mentors when needed and lean on friends and family during overwhelming times.
Resilience is key to navigating setbacks—view challenges as growth opportunities and focus on progress rather than perfection. Lastly, students should cherish their final year by celebrating milestones, participating in school traditions, and making lasting memories. Balancing work with enjoyment helps maintain motivation and makes the journey rewarding.
Further advice and information will be provided in class.
~ Sooraj Fowdar~
Senior Phase Teaching and Learning Leader
| PREP | Mia Penglase-Fortunato, Remi Eastwood |
| YEAR 2 | Bonnie Smith, William Stagg, Franklin Murton, Freya Stokes, Miah Exelby, Archer Smith |
| YEAR 4 | Georgia Turner, Anwyn Hughes, Angus Moynihan, Leila Bonnici |
| YEAR 6 | Sienna Chohan, Paul O'Connor, Hannah Stagg, Max Bellert, Ari Apruzzese, Klarissa Croucher |
School refusal, sometimes called school avoidance or school phobia, is not uncommon. It is different to ‘wagging’ or truancy and is often related to worry or anxiety-related issues about going to school. School refusal may start gradually or happen suddenly. Although it is normal for a child to occasionally miss a day of school, parents should only be concerned if a child regularly complains about feeling sick or often asks to stay home due to minor physical complaints.
School refusal is a complex issue as there is rarely a single cause. It affects children of all ages across primary and secondary levels. It can often occur during times of transition at school. More recently, the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the educational experience of all students, affecting some more than others. Dealing with a school refusal child can affect the whole family, adding pressure to an already challenging time. School refusal is not considered a formal psychiatric diagnosis. It’s a name given to an emotional and/or behavioural problem.
In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers will learn how best to approach this issue and work towards a solution.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the School Refusal edition of SchoolTV
https://prspne.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-refusal
Warm regards,
Hayley Moore
Guidance Counsellor
- inspiring, practical lunchbox ideas and recipes
- supporting positive lunchbox experiences for children
- embracing the diversity of lunchboxes
- promoting supportive, judgment-free conversations around food.
- Recipes - lunchbox inspiration - for your child or your own lunch!
- Factsheets
- Videos
- Communication toolkits
Welcome to Prep
What a wild and wet start to the school year! Despite the weather disrupting our routines, our Preppies are settling in with confidence, persistence, resilience, organisation and a getting-along attitude. They are learning all about school life, making new friends, and reconnecting with familiar faces. Each day is filled with exciting activities—craft projects, engaging stories, and their first experiences with Sounds-Write and Numeracy. We’ve also begun learning about our You Can Do It! characters, helping us build confidence and resilience in the classroom.
We know that starting school can be just as nerve-wracking for parents as it is for children. Thank you for your patience, support, and encouragement as your little ones take these first big steps. The smiles, cuddles, and reassurance you provide each morning make a world of difference.
We are so excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to see our Preppies continue to grow and thrive!
Miss Mills & Miss Bennett
Prep Teachers
During Pastoral Care last week, the year 11 and 12's participated in their first mentoring session with the year 7 and 8 students. These mentoring sessions help our junior students to know who our senior students and leaders are. Our junior students gain guidance, confidence, and role models to help them navigate challenges, while senior students develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. It creates meaningful relationships, fosters personal growth on both sides, and promotes a positive, inclusive school culture. We hope that these sessions build a stronger, more supportive school community. Our mentor sessions will continue throughout the term.
A huge congratulations to our incredible Year 12 students on receiving these study offers! Whether you're heading off to university, starting a trade, heading into the workforce or pursuing further education, we are so proud of your achievements and the exciting journeys ahead.
This is just the beginning of an amazing new chapter, go make your mark on the world!
In the event of a cyclone or severe weather impacting on our Catholic schools, regularly updated information will be available on the following:
- Townsville Catholic Education website www.tsv.catholic.edu.au LATEST NEWS section on homepage.
- Twitter – you can follow us on www.twitter.com/tceo.
- Facebook – you can follow us on www.facebook.com/TownsvilleCEO
. - Listen to local radio stations (ABC in all regions) plus various local commercial stations for updates.
- Instagram – Townsville_Catholic_Education.
- School’s web page
If a decision is made overnight to close schools, this message will be broadcast from 7am or earlier, if possible, through the local radio stations. Please refrain from calling schools as this causes disruption to vital communication networks, ask parents to be patient, information will be broadcasts as soon as practicable.
Please refer to the above methods of communication as your first source of information. Please use your best discretion in the interests of safety at all times.
Storybox Library resource
Did you know you can access Storybox, a terrific resource available to our College families that provides free access to awesome stories and helpful resources. Click the following link to check it out. https://storyboxlibrary.com.
2025 Term dates
| Term 1 | Tuesday 28 January - Friday 4 April |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 22 April - Friday 27 June |
| Term 3 | Monday 14 July - Friday 19 September |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 7 October - Friday 5 December |
Year 12 School Year concludes on Friday 21 November 2025
Secondary Classes (7-11) conclude on Friday 28 November 2025
Primary Classes (P-6) conclude on Friday 5 December 2025
Follow us on Social Media
Keep up to date with the latest information in regards to upcoming events and those that have happened on our social media platforms.
Epic Walk for DV
Expression of Interest for St Mary's Deb Ball 2025
Dental check up time!
