Principals Report

Dear Parents, Carers, and Friends of St Brendan’s,

As we reach the final week of Term One, it’s hard to believe how quickly the time has passed. This term has been full of wonderful moments of growth, learning, and connection. Our students have made tremendous strides—settling into their new classes, acquiring new knowledge and skills, and forging lasting friendships. Together, we’ve come so far as a community, united in our mission to “Lead and Learn with Teamwork and Kindness.”

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your ongoing support. The partnership between parents, carers, and teachers is what makes St Brendan’s such a special place. We all play a vital role in shaping a positive learning environment for our students, and I truly appreciate your continued encouragement.

Congratulations to Our Amazing Swimmers

On Wednesday, Ellie B. and Maverick M. travelled from St Brendan’s to compete in the next level of the district swimming competition in Rosebud. Maverick, from Year 3 showed amazing courage and determination to compete for the very first time at this level. Maverick told us that he placed 4th or 5th in a field of eight talented swimmers. We are so proud of his efforts and he tells us he is looking forward to competing again next year. Congratulations Mav!

Ellie who is in Year 6 has competed at this level before. She was proud to tell us that she won her breastroke event. Ellie will now compete again on April 2. We are very proud of Ellie’s amazing achievements and we look forward to hearing how she fares next week. Congratulations on your wonderful swim Ellie!

Creating a Community of Respect

As principal of St Brendan’s school, it is my duty and my purpose to do everything I can to create and encourage a safe and supportive school environment.

Therefore, I want to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of our shared commitment to modeling positive behavior for the children in our care. As members of the St Brendan’s school community, teachers are required to uphold the MACS Code of Conduct for Staff and you, as parents and carers, are required to follow the MACS Parent/Guardian/Carer Code of Conduct, which you agreed to upon enrolling your child in our school.

Our primary goal is to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students, staff, and families. It’s essential that we all adhere to these Codes of Conduct, and I’d like to highlight a few areas where breaches have recently occurred:

• Parking and Driving Behaviour: Drop-off and pick-up times can be busy, however, we expect that everyone exhibits safe and courteous driving behaviour when parking or driving within the school grounds. Please remember that it takes a maximum of about 12 minutes to clear the grounds after school. If you have grandparents or other family members collecting your child, please ensure they are aware of our queueing procedures. Patience and courtesy are essential during these busy times.

   

• Disagreements and Concerns: Should any issues arise regarding student behaviour or school decisions, we ask that these matters be addressed privately, not in front of students or other families. Disagreements are best resolved through open, respectful communication, and we encourage parents to approach the school directly to discuss concerns.

   

• Social Media: We understand that social media can be a powerful tool for communication, but it should never be used to accuse, blame, or discuss school decisions, individual teachers, or staff members. If you have a concern, please schedule an appointment to meet with the relevant person to have a respectful and constructive conversation.

Let’s continue to work together to create a welcoming and respectful environment for all, modeling the behavior we want to see in our children. 

Thank you once again for your support, and I wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday break.

Warm regards,

Sue Carr