Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of St Brigid’s,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful break and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. We are looking forward to a fantastic term of learning, as well as plenty of opportunities for students to play and connect with one another.

School Traffic

I received the email below from Kingston Council. Please make sure you are following the road rules and parking times carefully. It is especially important that we adhere to the Stop and Go parking bays which are a 2 minute wait time only. Please do not get out of your car if you are parked in those spots.

Good afternoon,

As per my email at the start of term, Kingston City Council’s Parking Enforcement team will be commencing school patrols and applying the road rules to ensure compliance and safety around schools in the morning and afternoon throughout the week.

Council will be prioritising schools that receive concerns from School Crossing Supervisors and concerns from public, the schools themselves with parking enforcement.

The first week back, Parking Officers will be focusing on educating the parents of the road rules, unless there is unsafe parking.

After that, Council’s Parking Enforcement team will be enforcing the road rules for illegal parking that is observed.

Could you please ensure that this message is being distributed to parents of children that attend your school.

MACS School Survey - Understanding Family Experience and School Choice

Melbourne Archdiocese are currently undertaking a survey in relation to understanding family experience and school choice. The aim is to honour our commitment to strengthening the Catholic Education sector and to inform our strategic provision planning, we would like your help with building our understanding of our current families’ experience, decision-making and engagement with Catholic education.

The MACS Family Survey is part of our broader system‑wide research that informs our effort to ensure we meet our communities’ needs in the years ahead. The survey is anonymous and all responses are confidential and will be used solely for the purposes of this research. The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary and families may complete the survey without providing identifying information.

If you would like to participate in the survey click here.

Swimming Program – Foundation to Year 4

We are excited for the Foundation to Year 4 swimming program commencing next week. Lessons will take place at Toby Haenen Swim Centre this year. Looking ahead, we are pleased to share that in 2027 we will be able to walk to the new Mordi Aquatic Centre, with bookings already secured.

Program Dates:

Monday 27 April – Wednesday 6 May

During the swimming program, children may wear their sports uniform to school. Lessons will be held at Toby Haenen Swim Centre, 10 Ashley Park Drive, Chelsea Heights. Each student will be assessed on their first day and placed into an appropriate ability group.

Swimming Timetable:

Parents are reminded that all items of clothing must be clearly labelled with your child’s name, including a swimming cap. Students will need to bring a plastic bag for wet items after swimming and are responsible for their own belongings.

Students should wear their bathers underneath their school uniform. They are encouraged to bring thongs or slip-on shoes to wear to and from the pool, as well as goggles.

We welcome parent helpers at the pool; however, please note that you must hold a current Working With Children Check and have it displayed. Lanyards will be provided by the school.

District Cross Country Training

Training for District Cross Country began this week. We met at Governor Road and, following training, returned to school to share breakfast together. There will be three ur training sessions in preparation for District Cross Country on Tuesday, 13 May.

Training Dates: Week 1: Wednesday 22 April & Friday 24 April – 7:30am–8:00am Week 2: Monday 27 April & Thursday 30 April – 7:30am–8:00am and Monday 4 may - 7:30am-8:00am.

Winter Uniform

As the weather begins to cool, we will transition to winter uniform. A two-week transition period will apply; however, summer and winter uniforms must not be mixed.

St Brigid’s winter beanies are available for purchase through the school office and PSW. This is the only beanie permitted at school. Please note that our uniform shop is now located at PSW on Cheltenham Road.

Uniform Reminders:

Boys: Students may wear shorts all year round if preferred.
Hair: Hair below the collar must be tied back for all students, as per our uniform policy.

Thank you for your continued support. Wearing the correct uniform demonstrates pride in being part of the St Brigid’s community.

Please ensure your child is in the correct uniform each day. We are noticing an increase in items such as runners, nail polish and necklaces. Wearing our uniform correctly shows respect for our school and for one another.

Anzac Day

ANZAC Day 2026 falls on Saturday. Thank you to all Year 5/6 parents who responded to the nForma. A special thank you to Jye and Sarah, who will represent St Brigid’s by laying the wreath.

This march honours the service and sacrifice of our ANZACs, who fought for our country and the freedoms we enjoy today. All families are warmly invited to attend. We will meet at Mentone Park at 8:30am before walking to the Mentone RSL.

As a school, we will also commemorate ANZAC Day on Friday afternoon at 2:15pm with a liturgy led by our Year 6 leaders. All welcome.

Playgroup

Playgroup has resumed this term and runs every Monday from 9:00am–10:30am. If you know any families with pre-school-aged children, please encourage them to join us.

House Colour Naming Competition

Our House Colour Naming Competition has now closed. Staff and the School Advisory Committee will vote on the names in the next week or so. Thank you to all the children and parents who contributed suggestions.

School Advisory Committee meeting

Our next School Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting will be held next Wednesday at 7:00pm in the staffroom. All are welcome to attend.

Tuckshop Closed until Friday 8 May

Our Tuckshop will reopen for Term 2 on Friday 8th of May. It will not be open on Friday 24 April or Friday 1 May so please make sure your child/ren are sent to school with fruit snack, snack and lunch.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and enjoy the warm autumn weather.

Yours in partnership.

Wendy Sullivan

Principal

Community News and Events

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Art of the Soul

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Kingston Hockey Club

Mentone Hockey Club