A message from our Principal

Dear St. Brendan's School Community,

We are well and truly into the term, with lots happening across the school! 

Last week, our Year 6 students enjoyed a fantastic camp experience, while our Year 5 students headed to Melbourne for an excursion that included a tour of the MCG and a visit to Scienceworks. 

Both events were thoroughly enjoyed by students, and I’d like to thank Mr Ted Linden and our senior years staff for their excellent organisation and care. 

As a SunSmart school, students are required to wear hats during all outdoor activities. Please ensure your child’s hat is clearly named. No hat, no play—students without a hat will be asked to sit in the shaded courtyard area. 

A warm congratulations to Mr Josh Wild and Emily, who will be getting married over the coming weekend. We wish them a joyful celebration and a lifetime of happiness! 

Tomorrow is Grandparents Day! 

We’re looking forward to welcoming grandparents into our school community. They are invited to join us for assembly, followed by classroom activities, and then enjoy morning tea in the school hall. 

If you’re able to donate a plate of something for morning tea, it would be greatly appreciated. Food can be dropped off at the hall between 8:30–8:50am Friday morning. 

A reminder for families: 

• Monday 3rd November is a Pupil-Free Day 

• Tuesday 4th November is the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

  (There will be no school for students on either day) 

In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find important updates and reminders, including: 

• Class Structures and Planning for 2026 

• Celebrating Our Future Olympians 

• Social Media Age Restrictions – Information for Parents 

• A Look Ahead at Upcoming Events 

   

Thank you for your continued support. 

Joel Brian (Principal) 

Celebrating Our Future Olympians  

We are incredibly proud to announce that three of our talented students will be representing our school at the State Track and Field Championships later this term! 

🏅 Willow Ryan – Shot Put 

🏅 Johanna Kobangu – Hurdles 

🏅 Jasmine Elnour – 100m Sprint & Long Jump 

These students have shown outstanding dedication, athleticism, and sportsmanship throughout their training and qualifying events. 

Their achievements at the recent regional competition in Albury have earned them a well-deserved place at the state level. 

We wish Willow, Johanna, and Jasmine all the very best as they prepare to compete. We can’t wait to hear how they go and celebrate their results with our school community. 

The photos below are from their qualifying event in Albury. 

Planning for 2026 – Class Structures and Enrolment Updates 

In 2026, our school will be moving to straight year-level classes to enhance the delivery of our curriculum, including Magnify Sandhurst. The class structure for next year will be: 

• 2 x Foundation classes 
• 2 x Year 1 classes 
• 2 x Year 2 classes 
• 2 x Year 3 classes 
• 2 x Year 4 classes 
• 3 x Year 5 classes 

• 2 x Year 6 classes 

   

This change supports more targeted teaching and learning and strengthens our ability to meet the needs of students at each year level. 

As we begin planning class placements and staffing for the 2026 school year, it’s important that we have accurate enrolment information. If your family is considering any changes to your child’s enrolment such as transferring to another school, relocating, or making other adjustments, please contact me directly as soon as possible. 

Early notice helps us ensure smooth transitions and effective planning for all students. 

Social Media Age Restrictions for Under-16s  

From 10th December, new restrictions will come into effect to protect children under 16 from the risks and pressures of social media. 

These changes are designed to reduce exposure to: 

• Excessive screen time, driven by constant notifications and disappearing content 
• Negative or manipulative content, served by algorithms 

• Harms to wellbeing, including increased stress, reduced sleep, and difficulty concentrating 

   

In addition to these design-related risks, young people may also encounter harmful conduct online, such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and pressure to share personal images. 

These restrictions are not a ban, but a delay,allowing families to say “not yet” instead of “no”, knowing other under-16s are also being prevented from creating or keeping accounts. This gives children time to build the digital, social, and emotional skills they need to navigate social media safely when they’re older. 

For more information and support, visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website: 

🔗 Social Media Age Restrictions – eSafety 

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe online. 

Upcoming Events 

Term 4 

• Friday 31st October - Grandparents Morning Assembly and Activities  

• Monday 3rd November- Staff Professional Development Day - Student Free

• Tuesday 4th November- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday  

• Friday 14th November – Kinder Transition 9:15am-10:45am 

• Friday 21st November – Kinder Transition 9:15am-10:45am 

• November 24th-28th – Junior Years & Middle Years (Group 1) Swimming Program  

• November 1st-5th – Middle Years (Group 2) & Senior Years Swimming Program 

• Wednesday 3rd December – Foundation Information Night 

• Tuesday 9th December – Orientation Day  

• Wednesday 10th December – End of Year Mass 

• Thursday 11th December – End of Year Celebration Swimming Day for Students 

• NEW! Monday 15th December – End of Year Concert (Evening Event More Details to Come)  

• Tuesday 16th December – Students Last Day  

Thank you for your continued support.  

Joel Brian (Principal)