Principal's News

Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome back to Term 3 and I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing time with family and friends. It was a cold break, but I hope you all had fun adventures. We start this term with some brand new shade sails over our playground.  How smart do they look? 

I am now 3 and a half weeks into my recovery from shoulder surgery. I have been and will be in a sling 24/7 for 6 weeks and then fingers crossed I can drive and return to work! I have to say a big thank you for the cards the children wrote to me last term, it was lovely to read all the messages! Thank you to the parents who emailed me their best wishes or asked after me at the office. A big thank you to the School Advisory Council members - Allie, Belinda, Mel, Margeaux, Kylie, Krista, Dan, Alex, Georgia and Kate for the food hamper - it was very well received at home and it was delicious! Last but not least thank you to the amazing staff at St Brigid’s, who have all done an amazing job in my absence. Special thank you to Jodie who has stepped up as Acting Principal and is doing an amazing job!

LONG SERVICE LEAVE

We have a few teachers on Long Service Leave at the moment. They are enjoying the lovely sunshine in Europe.

• Arch Cochrane (Year 6) is being replaced by Jane Jansz for all of Term 3.
• Ange Kavadias (Year 3/4) is being replaced by Marg de Vries until Week 8.
• Libby Young (Year 1/2 ) is being replaced by Lisa Franklin until Week 4.

CONGRATULATIONS

We would like to congratulate Zoe (STEM Teacher) and Craig on the exciting news of their impending arrival -  a baby brother or sister for Cleo due in October.  Zoe will continue to work with us until the end of Term 3.

EBA

At the end of last term all Victorian MACS Schools voted on the new EBA. 79% of school staff voted Yes and the agreement has now gone to the  Fair Work Commission for approval. Once approved all of the new regulations will take effect. We are not sure how long this will take to be approved.

As MACS requested and as a sign of goodwill during the lengthy negotiation process, we have started to implement the following for all staff:

• Pay increase to give us parity with the state system
• Time in Lieu for staff who have undertaken duties outside their normal 38 hour week eg camps, camping experiences, student led conferences and information nights to name a few
• Introduction of the 30/8 model 

NAPLAN

Naplan results are expected to come out next week. Please see the below the email I received from Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) which outlines how NAPLAN results will be reported on this year, now that all schools have completed NAPLAN online.

TERM 3

So what is happening this term - as with all terms we are always busy planning educational and fun activities for our students.

Our Run to Sydney is still happening this term during Running Club from 8.15am - 8.30am, every Tuesday!  Everyone is welcome to run and let's see if we can get to Sydney by the end of Term 3!

This week s Running Club results were:

Total laps this week = 313 

Km run = 15.6km 

Total km 95.1km 

We are still on the Hume Highway passing Broadford.

Our Sacramental journey continues with a Spirit Filled People night for our Year 5 and 6 students. The guest speaker is the Founder of  Christmas on the Streets (COTS) Roseanne Rofaeel. 

Year 6 will begin their Confirmation Sacramental journey with a Confirmation Family Activity Night followed by a Commitment Mass. Our Year 3’s will start their Reconciliation journey with a Commitment Mass and Family Activity night. We will also celebrate the Feast of Mary of the Cross with a liturgy and the Feast of the Assumption with a whole school Mass.

LitStem for our Year 4’s continues again this year. Our students will visit Kilbreda to experience some LitStem activities with Year 10 students.

100 days of Foundation is celebrated this term. Along with a fun day of activities, they will extend their school day with their camping experience.  

The Year 3/4's will be participating in an excursion around the Mornington Peninsula to explore our indigenous history.  The Year 3 students will be having their camp experience this term as well.

We will participate in a  whole school incursion led by a First Nations People called Indigenous Infusion. 

F-2 will have an excursion to Como House.

Year 5/6’s excursion to the city as part of their Inquiry unit and Mordialloc Pre School Visits with our Year 5’s continue this term with an art class and library session.

Body Education Parent Child Night for Year 3/4 and 5/6 ‘s.  Next term will be the Juniors.

Of course we have Book Week which will include a Book Week Parade, Book Fair, Book Week Activities and finishing with a movie night of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

We will be looking forward to celebrating Father's Day with a stall and breakfast - I am sure a coffee van will be in attendance as well!

We conclude the term with a Footy Day and a Toastie Van.

AUSSIE OF THE MONTH

Isla M (1/2Y) received Aussie of the Month at the end of last term for the following reasons:

Isla is always happy to work with any student, cares about her peers and has a keen sense of humor that they respond well to.  Isla works hard and always tries her best.  She is a fantastic role model for our Y1 students.   

Congratulations Isla.

MAKE A SPLASH

Have your say on the draft concept design for Kingston’s new Aquatic and Leisure Facility!  In the first four rounds of community consultation about the New Aquatic and Leisure Centre being planned for Mordialloc, more than 5,200 people have provided feedback to Kingston Council. Our community has told Kingston that the new centre should be a safe and welcoming space that celebrates its natural environment and is environmentally sustainable. You’ve already helped shape: 

• where it is located
• the facilities it will include, and 
• how it will look and feel. 

Council has taken on all of this feedback and worked closely with the appointed design team. And now, design partner CO.OP Studio has developed an exciting draft concept design that brings it all to life!

All of the community feedback received to date has been used to refine the draft concept design for the new Aquatic and Leisure Centre and now it's time to hear what you think. 

There are plenty of ways to get involved and have your say! Find out more by viewing the concept plan, landscape plan, facility layout and components (Photo) Then complete the survey at Creating a new aquatic and leisure centre - draft concept design | Your Kingston Your Say 

Hard copies available at the office.

There is a Free ‘Make a Splash Fun Day’ this Saturday 15th July 10am-1pm at Jack Grut Reserve Mordialloc. (See the flyer below) 

There is also a ‘Kid’s Activity’ sheet which students can complete.

(Hard copies of the activity sheet are available at the office).  Consultation is open until Sunday 23 July.

ENROLMENTS 2024

It is great to have the enrolment applications coming in.  We are busy making offers and look forward to meeting with each new and current family for 2024 in two weeks at our "Get to Know You" interviews.   We thank everyone who has attended our school tours and for considering St Brigid’s as the educational setting for their child and for them as a family. Please know that all enquiries regarding enrolments are always welcome. Please contact the school office on 9580 4518 if you would like to arrange a school tour.

With thanks

Wendy Sullivan