SEPTEMBER 2021

SEPTEMBER is the monthWhen Summer turns to Fall.
Vacation time is over,
It's back to school for all.    
So even though I'm sad,
How fast the Summer ends,
I'm really glad I have the chance 
To meet and make new friends!!

WOW! Every year it seems like the Summer goes faster and faster! Here we are back at school again!

The hallways have begun to "buzz" with excitement once again! Little faces, little voices and little pitter patters up and down the stairs!

NOTE: Corrections on the Year At A Glance

Please note that the Preschool is CLOSED for Thanksgiving on MONDAY, OCTOBER 11TH.

Please note that the Children's Christmas Parties are on Dec. 15/16/17.

Please Note: 

St. Catherine's Childcare Society ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING is on WED., OCT 27, 2021 @ 6:30PM.

We have more children this year and so we have had to hire more teachers. Please take a look at our Staff Bios to learn a little more about the teachers in your child's classroom.

TEACHERS

BRITA: My name is Brita Bendrodt and I have worked in the childcare industry for more than 30 years. I received my ECE education at Capilano College and began working in daycares and preschools after that. I worked for Family Services of the North Shore as a one-on-one childcare worker and facilitated supervised visits.

I began working for St. Catherine’s in 2008 as a preschool teacher and support teacher and I have basically been here ever since.
Outside of work, my interests consists of raising two active children, walking, tennis, being by the ocean, and heading to Vancouver Island for vacation!

KAREN:This will be my tenth year at St.Catherine’s as a teacher. My three children also attended St. Catherine's. Connor is my oldest and he is 18. He is presently awaiting his course to start at BCIT. Next is my daughter Alexis 17, it will be her final year at Handsworth Secondary. Last but not least my youngest is Amanda,13 and she is presently at Handsworth in Grade 9. I have been married for 20 years to a wonderful man named Adrian and our 21st year is just around the corner. We have two Golden Doodles named Bailey and Guinness and also a very vocal Burmese cat named Valdy.

Prior to my employment with St.Catherine’s I was a stay at home mom and before that I was a caterer for the local movie sets.
When I have some time to myself I enjoy walking my dogs, cooking, gardening, hiking, biking, sailing and just anything outside. I recently got my motorcycle L and can’t wait to get started.
I am very happy to be working at St.Catherine's and will continue to work here as long as they will have me.

ROSE: Rose Leung has been teaching at St Catherine’s Preschool for 3 years. She has a passion for teaching and loves seeing smiles on children’s faces especially when they learn something new. She is a mother of 3 children and she loves photography during her free time (especially on food). She is very happy to be part of the St Catherine’s Family.

MONICA: I have been in the E.C.E field for many years working in Montessori schools.. I have also taught  Phys-ed and Art as well as remedial work in  a Montessori Elementary School.

I enjoy traveling, kayaking and skiing. 

DANIELLE:My name is Danielle and I was born in Perth, Western Australia.  Many years ago, I came to Vancouver on a work visa and meet my husband Rick…Long story short we got married, had 3 children in Australia and moved back to Vancouver 17 years ago. My children are Alyssa 25, who lives in Australia, Rhys 23 years & Haylee 19 years and they still live at home while they study/work. In our spare time we love to go for walks on the North Shore with our dog Marely.  I also like to watch movies and read to relax.

I have been working at St Catherine’s Childcare Society for 16 years in the 4’s, Discovery Two Program and now the 3/4 yrs program in the Sunflower Room.  I have been working with children for over 30 years and I am amazed everyday at the wonder I see in their eyes when they are exploring, learning new things and playing with their friends. 

MARION:Hello, I have been working here at St. Catherine's since 1997.  It is my home away from home.  I was born in Montreal and moved to St. John's, then Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg and back to Vancouver.  Jim and I have been married 40 years and have three adult sons.  The two oldest live in Winnipeg and the youngest lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and our first grandson, Freddy.  Jim and I enjoy camping, boating and archery.  We have a 5 year old Flat Coated Retriever named Rupert.

I received my Early Childhood Educators' Certificate in 1981, followed by my post basic certification in Infant Toddler and Special Needs.  I am the Developmental Resource Educator/ Director and am part of the Admin staff.  I provide resources to all the staff, and am considered a .5 teacher when I am in a classroom.  I am also on the North Shore Supported Child Development Advisory Committee which keeps me updated on the needs of families with children requiring extra support.  

I look forward to spending time with your children as they "Learn Through Play."   This is the school's 30th Anniversary and hopefully we will be able to celebrate all together soon.

VIBHA:My name is Vibha Sisodraker.  I was born in the Fiji Islands and moved with my family to Toronto in 1987.  I completed my Early Childhood Education there before moving to Vancouver in 1995.  

I am married and we have a beautiful daughter, Ria, who is 19 years old. I spend my free time experimenting with food and I have written a cookbook. I also enjoy practicing yoga and hiking. I have also written a children's book so I suppose writing is another interest.

I look forward to a fun-filled year with our children and can’t wait to watch them blossom and grow as the year goes on.

TINA:  I grew up in North Van. and this is where I raised my two boys who are now 25 and 29 years old! I started out at SFU studying math and science but in 1989 I decided to get my ECE and have been working in childcare ever since. I have worked with infants, toddlers, 3-5s, out of school care but I have found my home in Preschool...in the office!  My off time is usually spent going for walks, hikes, or paddling in my kayak or on my paddleboard!  

CAROL: I was brought up in North Vancouver and got a degree in Special Education at U.B.C.

I then moved to Scotland where I studied Gaelic, enjoyed many outdoor activities and travel and raised my three boys (now men). Raising a family in the wilds of Scotland involved a VW Camper Van and hundreds of Shinty and Rugby matches.

It was there that I did my ECE training and worked in a wonderful outdoor Kindergarten.

In 2014 I returned to North Van to be closer to my elderly parents and happily joined the team at St. Catherine's Preschool.

I participate in outdoor sports, but  also enjoy music, reading and painting. 

CECILIA:One of my greatest joys has been raising my daughter who is now 19. We both love pets (I have a lap dog and she has a kitten), enjoy Asian cuisine (Thai for me, Japanese for her), and we relish beautiful things (I cherish nature walks while my daughter is an artist). I grew up in the lower mainland but moved to L.A. when I got married. After 18 years there, I am thrilled to be back and living in North Vancouver where my husband and I enjoy discovering new trails together.

Being with children, learning and laughing with them is my absolute privilege. While my background is in writing and administration, I pursued my childhood dream of becoming a teacher after working as an assistant at a Montessori preschool. I recently completed my ECE and look forward to serving with the dedicated group of educators at St. Catherine's. My faith is what informs me at this stage of my life and I concur wholeheartedly with author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, "what is essential is invisible to the eye." 

MARJAN:  Hi, I am Marjan. I have been working in preschools for over 14 years.  

I am originally from Iran, and immigrated to Canada in 2001. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Technology and since I am passionate about kids, I obtained my Certificate in Early Childhood Education, at VCC, in 2008.

As a mother of two kids, my philosophy is to be a friend with children and establish a good relationship with them.  I love kids and I always want to provide good quality care for them.

My hobbies are trying new restaurants and exercising.

Thank you for taking the time to read our Blog. Make sure you read it every month as this will be the place to find out everything that is going on in the classrooms.