A message from our Principal
Dear St. Brendan's School Community,
Term 3 is always one of my favourite terms of the year. As the weather begins to improve, there is a real sense of energy and excitement across the school. It is a wonderful time for learning and growth, and we also begin preparing students for some of the highlights of the second half of the year, including our upcoming Athletics Carnival.
The term has already provided many opportunities for learning, leadership and faith formation. Last Thursday, I had the privilege of representing our school at the Installation Mass of Bishop René Ramírez, alongside our Catholic Identity Leader, Leanne Pellegrino, and members of the Saboni family. Held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo, it was an incredible event to be part of and a very special milestone for our Diocese as we welcomed Sandhurst's ninth Bishop. The celebration brought together Catholic communities from across the Diocese in prayer and thanksgiving as Bishop René commenced his ministry among us. May we all keep Bishop René in our prayers as he begins this important role, and may God bless him as he leads the people of Sandhurst with faith, wisdom and compassion.
Continuing this focus on faith and formation, on Wednesday our staff joined colleagues from Notre Dame College and St Luke's Primary School for Catholic Education Sandhurst's annual Staff Spirituality Day. It was an enriching experience that included a range of thought-provoking presentations, workshops and opportunities for reflection. We extend our sincere thanks to Notre Dame College for hosting this year's event.
Student leadership has also been a focus in recent weeks. Last week, we announced our 2026 School House Captains. Congratulations to all students who nominated themselves for these important leadership positions. I am continually impressed by the confidence, commitment and school spirit demonstrated by our students. You can find the full list of our 2026 House Captains later in this newsletter.
I also had the opportunity to spend a day with our Year 2 students during their excursion to the Bendigo Discovery Science and Technology Centre. It was a fantastic day of learning as students explored chemical change and engaged with the many interactive exhibits. The highlight for many was tackling the Southern Hemisphere's largest vertical slide. Thanks to the Year 2 students for encouraging me to give it a go. As many of them discovered, heights are certainly not my favourite thing!
Over the past week, we have also conducted our Parent-Teacher Learning Conversations. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for families and teachers to work together in supporting each child's learning journey. Thank you to all parents, carers and staff who took the time to participate in these important discussions. Strong partnerships between home and school play an important role in helping every child thrive.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
2026 School House Captains Announced
We are proud to announce our 2026 School House Captains and Vice Captains.
Throughout the year, our Year 6 students have participated in the Misneach Leadership Program, where they have developed their understanding of leadership and had numerous opportunities to put their leadership skills into practice. As part of the selection process, each Year 6 student was invited to apply for a leadership position by preparing a written application that reflected on their leadership journey, strengths and aspirations.
The quality of applications was outstanding, and I would like to congratulate all students who demonstrated the courage and commitment to put themselves forward. Leadership takes many forms, and every student involved should be proud of their efforts.
I am delighted to announce our 2026 School House Captains and Vice Captains:
Goretti House
Captains: Armaan and Piper Vice Captains: Dane and Addisyn
Savio House
Captains: Daniel and Evie Vice Captains: Navraj and Elsie
Xavier House
Captains: Johanna and Noah Vice Captains: Lyla and Gar
McAuley House
Captains: Lucy and Max Vice Captains: Owen and Adriyanna
These students have demonstrated commitment, enthusiasm and a willingness to serve others, and I know they will lead their houses with pride throughout next year. We look forward to seeing them encourage participation, promote school spirit and support their fellow students at events such as our Athletics Carnival and other school activities.
Congratulations to all of our newly appointed House Captains and Vice Captains. We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to watching you grow as leaders within our school community.
SchoolCare Clinics – Term 3
Appointments are now available for SchoolCare Clinics during Term 3.
SchoolCare Clinics is a community-focused GP service that provides bulk-billed healthcare for students across the Greater Shepparton area. Child-focused doctors work with students from Prep to Year 12, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.
If you would like to make an appointment, please contact me via email at principal@sbshepparton.catholic.edu.au and I will provide you with an appointment time. Please note that places are limited.
Services available through SchoolCare Clinics include: Free flu vaccinations for students, Asthma Action Plans, Referrals for ADHD assessments, Allergy Management Plans and Mental Health Care Plans
Term 3 Key Dates
Friday 14 August – Year 5 Excursion to Melbourne
Friday 28 August – Book Week Dress-Up Day
Tuesday 1 September – Father's Day Morning Event Friday 4 September – Athletics Day
Friday 11 September – Athletics Day (Back-Up Day)
Friday 18 September – Footy Colours Day Last Day of Term 2:20pm Finish
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting and rewarding term of learning.
Kind regards,
Joel Brian (Principal)