Principal's News

Where every child is known, challenged and supported to be lifelong learners.

Dear Parents and Friends

Welcome back to Term 3, and I hope you all had a wonderful break and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

COVID UPDATE

As we return to school we are still feeling the impact of COVID with the added layer of our normal flu season. We will continue to see shortages of staff and a high number of sickness again this term. Please take care and look after each other.

The latest update from MACS in regards to COVID are as follows:

Unvaccinated or partial vaccinated parents are now allowed to be classroom helpers. If you would like to be a classroom helper please let your child’s teacher know.
The Victorian Government has determined the rapid antigen test (RAT) distribution will continue for Terms 3 and 4. Under the approach, schools will receive up to three deliveries of RATs each in Terms 3 and 4. Schools will be able to provide these RATs to parents/carers, staff or students on request, as the previous settings that required weekly or daily testing of students and staff have ceased.
Face masks - The current advice from the Victorian government is that it is recommended face masks are worn in indoor settings (except for close contacts, who must wear a mask indoors unless an exception applies).

UNIFORM

Term 3 is full winter uniform. As has been the case for a number of years, boys who like to wear shorts all year round can do so in Term 3. If your child’s hair is below shoulder length they must wear it in a ponytail. The uniform shop will be open next Wednesday 20 July 2:45pm to 3:30pm. Orders can also be made via CDFpay.

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES

Student Led Conferences will be held in Week 3 on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th July. School finishes at 1.30pm on Tuesday 26th July and TeamKids will be open if you need to book your child in.

The purpose of our Family Conferences is to encourage positive, productive dialogue involving parents, students and teachers. The conferences also encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and behaviour management and to set achievable goals for the future. We look forward to your participation in these conferences. Each conference will run for approximately 15 minutes. Approximately 10 minutes is spent with the parent, child and teacher and then the last 5 minutes is available for the parent and teacher.

We have allowed bookings for both Onsite and By Phone Family Conferences. Due to changes initiated by Zoom we can no longer offer our Family Conferences on this platform.

Bookings are now open and will close on Monday 25 July at 12 noon. Click here for the booking link to Schoolinterview. The Booking Code is jpmge.

If you would like to make a time to chat with any of our specialist teachers please feel free to email them to make a mutually convenient time for a meeting. ICT meetings will not be available this Semester as Mrs Kylie Kostense has only commenced teaching ICT with us this week.

A reminder that school will finish at 1:30pm on Tuesday 26 July to allow for our Family conferences to take place .

For all other enquiries in relation to our Family Conferences contact Tracey on 9580 4518.

LITSTEM PROGRAM WITH KILBREDA

Yesterday our Year 4 students went to Kilbreda and had an afternoon session working with Year 9 students in their science lab. The students watched a demonstration, performed by the science teacher Mrs Tanner, where hydrogen peroxide was broken down into water, oxygen and heat. This is called an Exothermic Chemical Reaction. The students then got to perform the experiment themselves, taking notes of the temperature of the mixture and any observations made. The excitement in the room, as the students performed their experiment, was amazing, as was their use of the scientific words associated with the experiment. All year 4 students are excited about continuing this program every fortnight for Term 3.

ENROLMENTS

It's not too late to enrol for 2023. Please spread the word to your family and friends. School tours are available. Contact the office to book a time.

ST BRIGID'S PLAYGROUP

We have registered with Playgroup Victoria to have an informal playgroup session at St Brigid’s. We are hoping to have this up and running by the middle of the term or earlier. The group will be open to all pre-school aged children. It will run on a weekly basis as we build interest and excitement through family connection, creativity and PLAY! It is an opportunity for children to explore their senses through craft, play and friendship, whilst parents can chat and connect to local families.

Please share the news with any friends, parent groups or local services as we hope to offer this to as many families that may be seeking interest in a local group. We aim to have it on a Monday between 8.45am - 10.30am. Could you please email playgroup@sbmord.catholic.edu.au if you are interested in attending so I have an idea of numbers.

What is a school playgroup?

Playgroups are groups of families and caregivers of young children who gather regularly so their children can play with other children and the adults can socialise with each other. A school playgroup is a playgroup that meets on a school site. Please click here for the a quick video on playgroups at school.

Donations for our playgroup

If you have any of the following that you do not need anymore please let the office or myself know.

Small table and chairs x2
Tent x1
Tunnel x1
Water play (outside) x1
Farm animals
Duplo etc

REVIEW

Our Review process with Trish (our reviewer) will conclude next Thursday with a Dialogue and Engagement Day where we go through what her recommendations and the opportunities are to continue driving improvement at St Brigid's. It has been an affirming process and one that we all felt privileged to be part of. Thank you to all parents, students and staff who participate in our review process.

ADDITIONAL STUDENT FREE DAY

MACS have approved all Melbourne Catholic Schools to have an extra student free day this term. We have scheduled this day on Thursday 15 September, 2022 and Friday 16 September which was already marked as school closure day. These two days will now be used for planning our School Improvement Plan and our Annual Action Plan for the next 4 years, incorporating recommendations from our School review last term. Students last day of Term 3 will now be Wednesday 14 September finishing at 3:15pm.

SENSORY GARDEN

Our beautiful new Sensory Garden is nearly complete. We are so excited! Here are a few photos to show you the progress so far. Thanks to Dan O'Connor for the great design for our garden.