Religious Education 

Dear Parents and Carers

Respect Starts Early

At school, we are committed to helping every child develop the skills and values needed to build positive relationships.  Through our Right, Respectful and Resilient Relationships (RRRR) program, we aim to teach children from an early age that its not ok to be disrespectful. One of the most important lessons we can teach our children, especially our boys, is that girls and women deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect at all times.    

Respect is shown through everyday actions: listening to others, using appropriate language, respecting personal boundaries, including others in activities, and treating everyone fairly. These behaviours help create safe and supportive environments where all children can thrive.

Unfortunately, this week, our children have been exposed to examples of disrespectful behaviour by professional athletes.  The AFL has come under the spotlight with some players facing sanctions for inappropriate comments, harassment, disrespectful treatment of women, or behaviour that has failed to meet community expectations.   It's not ok to behave this way.   Being a professional athlete is a privilege and with this comes responsibility; number one ~ being a good role model on and off the field. 

These incidents provide valuable opportunities for discussion with our children. We can help them understand that being talented, successful, or popular does not excuse disrespectful behaviour. True leadership is demonstrated through character, empathy, self-control, and the way we treat others.

As a Catholic school community, we look to Jesus as our greatest role model. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently treated women with respect, compassion, and dignity, often challenging the attitudes of His time.  He listened to women, valued their contributions, showed them kindness, and affirmed their worth.  His example teaches us that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with love and respect.

As parents and educators, we play a vital role in modelling respect. Simple conversations at home about kindness, consent, empathy, inclusion, and standing up against disrespect can have a lasting impact.  By working together, we can help raise young people who value others, build healthy relationships, and contribute positively to their communities.

Thank you for partnering with us in nurturing a culture of respect for all.   We owe it to those we love.

For those who might find it difficult to talk to their son/s, especially teenagers, please take the time to read the attached article: '10 questions to ask your son that aren't 'How was your Day?'    It's a great way to open up conversations.  

Chris Summers

Deputy Principal ~ Catholic Identity & Wellbeing Leader

Sacramental Students 

We continue to pray for our Sacramental candidates for 2026.   The Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist continue to be celebrated this weekend on 22nd - 23rd August.

Thank you to all families for supporting your children through their Sacramental journey over the past 12 months.  

Best wishes to the following students and their families. 

St Luke's FIRE Carriers Commissioning ~ Friday 14th August, 12:30pm

Our newly elected FIRE carriers were commissioned last Friday, 14th August.   It was a wonderful celebration and we are grateful for the support of our diocese indigenous leaders, Michael Chisholm and Chrissy James.  Thank you to the many parents, relatives and friends who could join us for this special celebration.   

Congratulations to our newly commissioned FIRE Carriers.

Diocesan and School Theme 

This year our school theme is: Seek Peace and Pursue it.   For leaders, educators, students, and families, this theme is both a challenge and a compass. It reminds us that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, mercy, and love. It calls us to be peacemakers in our schools, homes, communities, and hearts. And it affirms that the pursuit of peace is not optional, it is essential to the mission of Catholic leadership. 

In 2026, may we not only seek peace, but pursue it with courage, humility, and hope.

Important Dates

St Brendan's Parish Bulletin 23.08.26