Mrs carmel Donlon
As the Principal of St Catherine’s Primary School, I would like to extend a warm welcome and invite you to learn more about our wonderful school community.
We believe that the education of a child is a partnership between school and home, whereby we work together to support your child to build self-esteem, develop independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
St Catherine’s School is an inclusive and diverse community, welcoming catholic & non-catholic families, and is truly a place where everyone feels like they belong. Trust and respect are key to building positive relationships within our school community. The staff of St Catherine’s and I look forward to developing our relationship with you, your child, and your family so that together we can all support your child to learn, grow and develop.
Our beautiful school grounds are located on Fletcher Street, Moorabbin next to Holmesglen TAFE and Hospital. We are very fortunate to have lovely modern facilities which along with our dedicated staff, provide an inviting environment for learning. Our students are valued, nurtured, and supported to be the best version of themselves.
Principal's Welcome
PRINCIPAL
About our
School
St Catherine's School opened in 1957 and was administered by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. In 1984 the first lay principal was appointed and this practice continues to the present day. In 2017, the school celebrated 60 years of providing Catholic education in Moorabbin.
St Catherine's is one of three primary schools in the Parish of Holy Trinity, Bentleigh East. St Catherine's continues to provide a country school feel in suburbia. Students and families are known to all staff and families connect with each other in many community events within the school.
The school grounds provide spacious play areas, including a large grass oval, shaded adventure playground, vegetable garden and quiet courtyard area.
Our classrooms are well equipped, creating the ideal learning environment for contemporary teaching and learning. Other facilities include the learning hub/library area, school hall and kitchen, before and after school care and performing arts/visual arts areas.
Specialist programs include Performing and Visual Arts, Physical Education and Auslan. Students in years 3-6 are provided with many opportunities to participate in interschool, zone and regional sports. Our whole school performance and visual art expo take place biennially.
Our Catholic faith and traditions remain alive and visible in our school community. Learners are encouraged to encounter dialogue and connect their faith to life through social justice initiatives, sacramental programs, meditation, and celebrating liturgies and masses.
We embed our school values: respectful relationships, responsible behaviour and restorative practices in all that we do and teach.
St Catherine's has always been known for its friendly and welcoming school community.
Our Vision
Inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ to hope, love, learn and respond.
Inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ to hope, love, learn and respond.
Our Mission
We are committed to developing learners who are curious, creative and critical thinkers, able to confidently communicate, collaborate and respond within their community.
We are committed to developing learners who are curious, creative and critical thinkers, able to confidently communicate, collaborate and respond within their community.
Our Values
We encourage all in our school community to make a difference by striving to be:
RESPECTFUL to all:
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We respect people, belongings and the environment.
RESPONSIBLE in our behaviour:
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We are inclusive, friendly, empathetic, collaborative and problem solvers.
RESTORATIVE in our relationships:
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We forgive and look at mistakes as an opportunity to learn and change.
We encourage all in our school community to make a difference by striving to be:
RESPECTFUL to all:
-
We respect people, belongings and the environment.
RESPONSIBLE in our behaviour:
-
We are inclusive, friendly, empathetic, collaborative and problem solvers.
RESTORATIVE in our relationships:
-
We forgive and look at mistakes as an opportunity to learn and change.
-
Parent Testimonials
Enactment of School Values and Philosophy
In all documents, in all practice by students and teachers, in work with the School Advisory Council and the community, in all teaching and learning programs, in all school initiatives, in all internal and external interactions, in all organisational structures and practices the vision of the school will sit at the centre and there will be expectations about all work aligning with the school vision. Regular evaluation processes will be in place to measure performance in all areas of the school with respect to the implementation of the vision and values of the school.
The process at our school can be represented as the vision, catholic values and beliefs at the centre. In an outer ring there will be a set of principles. As a further outer ring will be a set of practices. A detailed list of school policies sits within this framework. In all work in the school, the question “Is this work or process in line with the school vision, catholic values and beliefs?” This question will be a fundamental part of the practice of all leaders in the school.
In all documents, in all practice by students and teachers, in work with the School Advisory Council and the community, in all teaching and learning programs, in all school initiatives, in all internal and external interactions, in all organisational structures and practices the vision of the school will sit at the centre and there will be expectations about all work aligning with the school vision. Regular evaluation processes will be in place to measure performance in all areas of the school with respect to the implementation of the vision and values of the school.
The process at our school can be represented as the vision, Catholic values and beliefs at the centre. In an outer ring there will be a set of principles. As a further outer ring will be a set of practices. A detailed list of school policies sits within this framework. In all work in the school, the question “Is this work or process in line with the school vision, Catholic values and beliefs?” This question will be a fundamental part of the practice of all leaders in the school.
Statement of Values
Australian society is defined, among other aspects, by a belief in elected Government; by a commitment to the rule of law, to equal rights for all before the law; and by a belief in freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of association.
Our society is also tolerant of a range of religious, political, social and cultural beliefs and values in the context of the fundamental principle of our democracy.
The ‘Education and Reform Act 2006’ requires all education providers to operate in a manner consistent with this set of Australian democratic principles.
In accordance with the Act we will deliver our programs and teaching in a manner that supports and promotes the principles and practice of Australian democracy.
This includes a commitment to:
• Elected government
• The rule of law
• Equal rights for all before the law
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of speech and association
• The values of openness and tolerance