Parent Information Session at Catherine McAuley School: Learning Areas and Programs

1. Reception Parent Information Session Catherine McAuley School

2. Our learning Areas • 5 learning areas- Mercy, Mitchell, Howe, Redden and Mullins Buildings • Our Evangelista Learning Centre was completed in August 2008 and opened in 2009 • 8 new classrooms, with a shared area, teacher preparation area, toilets and kitchenette. • It is where we gather for Monday morning whole school prayer, Friday Liturgies and Assembly. Parents are encouraged to join us for these occasions. • Currently we are building a Multi-purpose hall which will incorporate Out of Hours School Care

3. Program Overview • Our school follows a curriculum framework named SACSA and the National Australian Curriculum. • SACSA covers all areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Society and Environment, LOTE (Italian), Design and Technology, Health and Physical Education & the Arts • As a Catholic school we teach a 9th curriculum area: Religious Education (Catholic Tradition)

4. Religious Education • Catholic teaching based on the Crossways framework • Has 12 Topics such as Prayer, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit etc as well as Church seasons such as Lent, Easter, Advent, Christmas • Made in the Image of God / Human Sexuality Program: 4 Topics – Being Human, Being Sexual, Being Moral, Being Connected. This is integrated through the whole curriculum as well as through Religious Education, Health and PE

5. Special Programs • Numeracy Program • Mentoring Program • Gifted and Talented (HOTS) • Reading Recovery • Reading Rocketeers, Rainbow Reading, • Bridges in Literacy • Adaptive Education: ESO Curriculum support in class • Moon walkers (Coordination Program) • Fine and Gross Motor room • Play room • Student Leadership: SRC, Prayer and Liturgy Committee • Program Achieve • Peer Mediation • Play group and Community Room activities

6. Play group & Community Room • Playgroup is open every Thursday • Variety of play and learning experiences are offered as well as regular excursions and events • Community Room offers a variety of parenting programs and support. • A regular Friday morning walking group wanders the streets to keep fit and enjoy the company of others. • Flyers are available at the start of each term outlining up coming events as well as notices being placed on the board in the school foyer

7. Campus • Campus buddies similar year levels • Campus assemblies once a term • Shared playground areas and shared yard policy • Shared facilities: Multi-Purpose Room, Art & Design Room, Resource Centre • Campus Staff meetings • Campus Leadership Meetings

8. Reception Experience • Your child will complete 5 terms of Reception before entering in Year 1. • Classes have approximately 25 students. • Specialist lessons: LOTE, Physical Education and Expressive Arts. • ICT: Computer lab, interactive whiteboards, computer programs, digital cameras etc • Resource Based Learning with class teacher and Teacher Librarian.

9. Parent Involvement • Catherine McAuley Community Team • Classroom: reading, swapping readers, small group activities, weekly cleaning • LAP (Learning Assistance Program) • Fundraising: soup making, blanket appeal • Extra curricular sport • Excursions

10. Out of Hours School Care Offering a safe, caring environment that encourages learning through play. • Tanya Geister (Director) • Before school, After school and Vacation care

11. School Pack Information for Parents GET TO KNOW WHAT IS IN THE PACK: • Uniform Policy • Stationery & Books • School Fees: Composite Fees, Building Levy, Tuition Fees • Medical forms • Permission forms • OSHC • Etc.

12. Registered Volunteer Process • Police check (Currently every 3 years) • Electronic Screening • Volunteer detail form (Annually) • OHS&W Pack to read, sign and return • Volunteer Information Session (Held each term)