Newsletter October 25th, 2022
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Principal's Message
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Welcome to St Brigid's Nicole and Rebecca
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World Teachers Day
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Pupil Free Day and Public Holiday
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Big Childcare
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Parents and Friends meeting
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Food Awareness
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Uniform and Hats
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Beleza Ballarat Uniforms
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Friday Assemblies (Timetable)
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Parents & Friends Gathering
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Grandparent's Day
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Hot Lunches new ordering system via Spriggy Schools App
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Important Dates - Term 4
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Class groupings 2023
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Ballan Autumn Festival - Sunday 13th November, 2022
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Gordon & Bungaree Parish News
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Birthdays
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Story Time
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Community News and Events
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Change of Details
Dear Members of our St Brigid’s Community,
As we step into Week 4, we hold in our minds and hearts all those affected by the floods and heavy rainfall that occurred last week.
Our prayers and thoughts are with those whose lives, homes, possessions and businesses have been destroyed or damaged by the floods and rainfall. The above adapted prayer was shared by the Sisters of St Joseph earlier this year and is very relevant today.
Last Sunday was World Mission Sunday. World Mission Sunday is a day dedicated to the great work of Mission. To celebrate this event, Catholic Mission is inviting all of us to answer our call to be missionaries. Through their international network of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Catholic Mission has created a 2022 #wearestillhere message that witnesses the dedication of missionaries around the world and is a celebration, an acknowledgment, and a thank you message to everyone who is answering the call of being missionaries wherever they are.
This Friday 28th October, staff and students are invited to bring a gold coin donation to school and wear casual clothes and crazy socks to celebrate World Mission Month. Funds raised will be donated to Catholic Mission. Throughout Mission Month, students and staff are invited to learn about, pray, advocate for, and financially support children and communities in need around the world.
Last week our Year 3/4 children and staff attended Narmbool Camp. I was fortunate to be able to call in on Thursday afternoon and spend the night. It was so wonderful to see the children having a fabulous time, engaging in many enjoyable, fun filled activities and experiences. A massive thank you to our wonderful staff whose planning, preparation, organisation and participation on camp ensured that camp was a huge success.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Take care and God bless,
Jayne Bosworth
Principal
'Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.' Excerpt from St Brigid's Prayer
Recently, we conducted interviews for the position of Classroom Teacher at St Brigid’s. Due to larger numbers in Foundation next year and in an effort to reduce class sizes from Foundation - Year 6, next year we are moving to a model of 6 classrooms and therefore, two Classroom Teacher positions were offered and accepted.
I am pleased to inform you that Mrs Nicole Brightly and Ms Rebecca Conroy have been appointed to the positions of Classroom Teacher at St Brigid’s Primary School beginning in 2023.
Rebecca is currently employed at St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East, as Interim Deputy Principal – Learning Enhancement. Throughout her 15 years in Catholic Education, Rebecca has had extensive experience as a classroom teacher in Foundation, Year One and Year Two. This experience has provided Rebecca with continuous opportunities to build her capacity as a teacher and to develop her craft to ensure the delivery of contemporary, high-quality teaching and learning. Rebecca has also had experience in various leadership roles such as Team Leader, Junior Level Leader and Learning Enhancement Leader. As an exemplary, passionate, committed and nurturing educator, Rebecca strives to ensure optimal growth for all children and holds the belief that with high quality instruction, all children can and will learn.
Both Nicole and Rebecca’s child-centered approach is admirable and their thorough understanding and application of pedagogy, learning and teaching, curriculum and evidence-based practices will be an asset to our school!
This Friday 28th October is World Teacher's Day!
World Teacher’s Day is an annual observance celebrated in October every year. The work of teachers and their contributions to society are innumerable. World Teacher’s Day is commemorated to celebrate the work of teachers, recognizing the significant contribution they have given to the society.
At St Brigid’s this year, we have a number of students with severe food allergies and therefore, in alignment with our anaphylaxis policy, we encourage parents to avoid sending foods that contain nuts to school. This includes peanut paste, nut spreads such as Nutella and fruit and nut bars.
We acknowledge that due to food processing practices it is impractical to eliminate nuts or nut products entirely from an environment where there is food. Many food packaging labels include the phrase ‘may contain traces of nuts’. These foods are acceptable.
Thank you for your understanding and support of our school policies.
This term we will transition to Summer Uniform. As the weather can be unpredictable, for the first two weeks winter or summer uniform is acceptable. Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct winter or summer uniform. Children are able to wear sports uniform each Wednesday and on classroom nominated sports day as directed by your child’s classroom teacher.
As we are a SunSmart school, it is compulsory for children to wear a navy blue wide brim school hat in Terms 1 and 4.
This term, we are very excited to continue welcoming families to our fortnightly assemblies in the Multipurpose Room. Each fortnight a class will present a small item at assembly (please refer to timetable below).
We look forward to seeing you at our assemblies!
Week |
Date |
Time |
Class |
1 |
Friday 7th October, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Opening Assembly |
3 |
Friday 21st October, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 5/6B |
5 |
Friday 4th November, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 3/4 |
7 |
Friday 18th November, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 5/6W |
9 |
Friday 2nd December, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Prep/1 |
11 |
Friday 16th December, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 2 |
Exciting news - our hot lunches are moving to an online ordering system via the Spriggy Schools App in the coming weeks! We are currently working with our Spriggy Schools account manager to set up the App and we are anticipating it will be available to download and start ordering from Week 6. Therefore there will be no hot lunches available until this time.
Please see brochure below for more information.
All of the timetabled events (to date) for the school year can be found on our school calendar which can be accessed through PAM and via this newsletter.
Term 4:
Week |
Date |
Event |
5 |
Monday 31st October, 2022 |
Pupil Free Day - Assessment and Reporting |
5 |
Tuesday 1st November, 2022 |
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday |
5 |
Wednesday 2nd November, 2022 |
Little Feet Big Footprints Final Day - Year 6 students |
6 |
Sunday 13th November, 2022 |
Ballan Autumn Festival |
9 |
Friday 2nd December, 2022 |
Save the Date - End of Year P & F Social Event |
11 |
Wednesday 14th December, 2022 |
End of Year Graduation Mass - 1:30pm at St Brigid’s Church |
11 |
Friday 16th December, 2022 |
Last day of school for students - 3.00pm |
Each year, teachers undertake the work of creating class lists for the following year and many hours are spent on this task. Please be assured that teachers use their professional knowledge of students and their professional knowledge of what is best for each individual child when considering groupings. In assigning students to classes, teachers are asked to consider the following criteria to ensure where possible an even spread of:
- Learning abilities
- Boys and girls even grade levels
- Learning friends - these are not necessarily social friends but students they enjoy and work well with. Students are asked for their input in this area.
- Friendship groups - again students are asked for their input
If you as parents and carers have any special requests regarding friendships, these need to be put in writing to Jayne (jbosworth@sbballan.catholic.edu.au) prior to Friday 4th November 2022. Requests will be considered, however not guaranteed.
On Sunday 13th November, the Ballan Autumn Festival will take place! As a school, we are very excited to again be a part of this wonderful community event. We would love for as many families as possible to join us for the parade. The theme this year is ‘Bloomin Marvellous’. In preparation for this event, children will be making flowers at school and if attending, we are asking children, families and staff to ‘dress up’ keeping the theme in mind. Some ideas include sunshine, flowers, and vibrant colours.