Learning and Teaching

VISUAL ART NEWS

Our young artists have had a great start to visual arts. A common thread of natural and earthy colours providing a sense of growth and calmness are interwoven through the whole school mural and SFS students’ art pieces complementing, in particular, the Catholic Education Week and Inquiry units on Australian history and geography created this term.

The whole-school mural this year captures panoramic views of the emerald landscape of Ireland. 

The 9+ metre wall mural created and displayed by both junior and senior students has been inspired by the 2026 Catholic Education Week theme - ‘Christ beside me walking in the footsteps of St Patrick’. 

Our junior artists take us on a journey with our Lord through the Irish mountains (as seen in the decorated orange and blue outlined steps) just like St Patrick who turned to God. 

Whilst the uniquely crafted and decorated shamrocks by our seniors represent the Holy Trinity. Each shamrock symbolising there being one God but three distinct Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit coming together to form a community of love. Feel free to take a stroll through our main corridor to see the work of our creative artists. 

Housekeeping:

It is great to see students wearing their own (labelled) art smocks. 

Whilst there are spare art smocks to be worn for their art lesson, they may not be an exact fit for your child. Students would benefit from wearing their own, preferably long sleeved and labelled art smock, particularly in the coming weeks as we explore with fluid art.  

Thank you to those who have donated plastic bottle lids and would appreciate more donations. 

Current Art Competition News:

As mentioned in last week's newsletter and our daily reminders, this week we again with excitement kindly remind our SFS community of The Catholic Education Week 2026 Creative Arts Exhibition taking place Sunday 15 to Saturday 21 March 2026. This is a public viewing event at Celtic Hall, Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne 3002. 

All families, friends, and the wider school and parish community are invited to visit the Exhibition. 

The results of this exhibition will be announced after The Creative Arts Exhibition Award Winners Ceremony, an invite only event, takes place. All the very best to our finalists!

Successful submissions for Catholic Education Week 2026 Exhibition

(N.B Below are the years levels the students were in 2025.)

Melissa Junkeer

Visual Art Teacher

mjunkeer@sfslynbrook.catholic.edua.u

LS3 Seniors  

Inquiry/Religion - Living Together

This week, our Senior students in LS3 engaged in a powerful hands-on activity to explore the concept of Solidarity.

To begin, we created a "Human Web" using a ball of yarn. As each student shared a person in the community and the ways they help out community, they passed the yarn to a classmate while holding onto their piece of the string. By the end, we were all physically connected, illustrating how the individual choices and kindnesses of the community members they mentioned weave together to support the entire community.

We were also fortunate to watch a special video from Cassandra Fernando, our Federal Member of Parliament, who sent through a video for our LS3 seniors this week. She shared how the Beatitudes—the core teachings of Jesus about compassion and humility—influence her leadership style. Cassandra spoke about how she uses the principle of Solidarity in her work, ensuring that she stands with and for all members of our community to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.

We discussed how living in solidarity means choosing love, standing together, and ensuring no one is left behind—just as Jesus and the Saints have shown us. They reflected on these ideas by writing personal commitments on heart-shaped cutouts, identifying one concrete action they will take this week to live out this value.

Literature Studies- Finding Our Heart 

This term in Literature Studies we are focusing on the book ‘Finding Our Heart’. ‘Finding Our Heart’ is a story about identity and understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture in Australia. The book explores the importance of truth, respect and listening to different perspectives. 

This week we learnt about the purpose, features and structure of a book summary paragraph. Students recalled what makes a strong summary and how it is different from simply retelling the whole story. We focused on identifying the main ideas and key events and then using these to write a clear and concise summary for a book report about ‘Finding Our Heart’.

WRITER’S NOTEBOOK

This term, the seniors in LS3 have been enjoying working on their Writer’s Notebook pieces.

They have been working through the process of seed planting, planning, composing and revising. They have been focusing on working through this process to create engaging and exciting pieces of writing. The students have enjoyed composing a range of genres and will be able to choose out of two of their pieces of writing to publish at the end of the term. We can’t wait to read their final pieces. 

SEED PLANTING

COMPOSING

Amanda, Rozeta, Claire and Rosie

LS3 Senior Teaching Team

SENIOR SPORTS

The Hampton Park District has different schools in the district due to saving travelling time and more time can be spent in playing the sport instead of travelling. The Hampton Park District comprise of the following schools:

• St Kevin's Primary School,
• Rivergum Primary School,
• Hampton Park Primary School,
• Coral Park Primary School,
• Kilberry Valley Primary School,
• Lynbrook Primary School,
• Lyndhurst Primary School,
• Trinity Primary School.

We don’t get to play all the schools, because there isn’t enough time during the semester.  However, there is a ladder which will determine who progresses to division play offs providing there is no Lightning Prem.Training is going well with the Senior students, as the Grade ¾’s are enjoying their time learning different sports.  The Grade ⅚’s are preparing for their first game against Rivergum Primary School.

INTERSCHOOL SPORT

 The schools we are playing, dates and locations for these events are as follows:

• Friday March 27th, Rivergum Primary School - Away Game
• Friday April 24th, Lynbrook Primary School - Away Game.
• Friday May 1st,  -St Kevins Primary SchoolHome Game.
• Friday May 15th, Hampton Park Primary School - Home Game.
• Friday May 29th, Lyndhurst Primary School - Away Game.
• Friday June 5th, Coral Park Primary School - Home Game.
• Friday June 12th, Kilberry Valley Primary School-Home Game.

• Friday June  19th, Summer Lightning Premiership

Venues for each sport are as follows for Lightning Premiership:

• Soccer - Melbourne City Synthetic Pitches (Casey Fields)
• AFL 9’s - Oval 2 (Casey Fields)
• Netball - Casey Stadium
• Volleystars - Casey Stadium
• Teeball - Oval 3 (Casey Fields)

BIKE EDUCATION

The students are gaining confidence when riding their bikes and the road rules around Lynbrook bike pathways. They are also gaining an understanding of what to anticipate while riding, recognizing the significance of safety.It is crucial for the students to attentively follow instructions to ensure that everyone can enjoy the experience. Bike education serves as a means to instill in the students the importance of prioritizing safety above anything else. Furthermore, engaging in regular activities is crucial, as it contributes to the enhancement of fitness, health and overall well-being. 

Lulli Barbakos

Physical Education Teacher

Senior Sports Coordinator

lbarbakos@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

SENIORS

GRADE 6 BIKE EDUCATION

Next Friday our Grade 6s will continue their 2nd level of Bike Education: Pathways. They will be using the skills they have learnt, riding on pathways in the community. 

Parents please ensure your child’s bike and helmet is at school next Friday March 13th. If you have dropped your child’s bike off it can remain in the bike shed for the duration of the program. Students who do not have bikes and parents indicated this on nForma will be able to use a school bike and helmet but we only have limited amounts of school bikes.

If your child is riding to school a reminder that bike helmets are compulsory and students will need to dismount their bikes on school grounds and walk. Bikes can be placed in front of their Learning Space. Like always if raining heavily in the morning we ask that bikes be left at home.

JUNIORS

URGENT - VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

We are still looking for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles who play a sport and are familiar with the rules and would like to run some Junior sporting clinics this Term. You would have to organise activities that would assist the students to develop skills in the particular sport and provide students with an experience of that sport.

In order to assist you will need to have a current Working with Children Check, which is registered with the school.

If you are able to assist and run some sporting clinics on one of the following days from 11.40-3.10 please email me at gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au 

Monday 23rd March

Monday 30th March

This would be a fantastic opportunity for our Junior students to experience a variety of sports.

WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS

BASKETBALL CLINICS

Casey Basketball Association will be providing free basketball clinics for our Grade 3/4 students and LS3 Juniors next Friday. Please ensure your child is wearing their sports uniform, has their water bottle and hat.

Further information has been provided to parents via nForma.

NETBALL CLINICS

Casey Netball will be providing free netball clinics for our Grade 3/4 students and LS2 Juniors in Week 9 while the Grade 5/6 students participate in Interschool Sports. We hope the Grade 3/4 students and LS2 Juniors enjoy the clinics and some might even discover that this is a sport they might want to take up out of school hours. 

Further information has been provided to parents via nForma.

SFS HOUSE CROSS COUNTRY

On the last day of term, which will be Friday April 2nd, the whole school will be involved in our traditional House Cross Country which will be held at school. We will be looking for the winning House as well as the winners for each level in the Juniors and age group in the Seniors. We will also be identifying the Senior students who will qualify to attend District Cross Country in Term 2. 

Please save the date so you can come and support your child. We will also be asking for parent assistance on the day. Remember to assist, you must have a current Working with Children Check registered with the school office.  If you're able to assist, please indicate this on the notification that has been placed on nForma as soon as possible.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

AFL SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM AT CASEY FIELDS

The program provides boys and girls of all skill levels with a fun, inclusive and active experience during the break. Delivered by AFL Victoria staff, sessions focus on skill development, games and match play in a safe and supportive environment. 

It’s a fantastic way for students to stay active, build confidence and connect with others over the holidays.

Please find the flyer along with the registration details below:

NAB AFL Auskick (4–7 years): https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/1548a3NAB AFL Superkick (8–12 years): https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/8372c2

Any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Giuliana

Extra-Curricular Coordinator

gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au