Dear Parents and Friends,

Wow what an amazing term! For only 9 weeks we certainly filled them to the brim!

AWARDS

Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards

Light the Way

Amelia for her amazing love of learning. She consistently strives to achieve her best and demonstrates a positive attitude. She is recognised as a leader within our classroom and is always willing to help her classmates. Her perseverance and kindness make her a wonderful role model for others.

The senior recipient was unwell on the assembly day so we will present them with their award next term.

Aussie of the Month

Jordyn is a kind and considerate member of our class. She is respectful of everyone and goes out of her way to make sure others feel included and welcome both in the classroom and outside. Jordyn works hard in all areas of her learning and gives everything a go. Recently, she completed a wonderful diary entry written as a convict on the First Fleet.

TIM RICHARDSON VISIT FOR PREMIERS READING CHALLENGE

Congratulations to Chloe (Year 3) and Theo (Year 2) for the “Reading Rockstar” Award they received from the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Thanks to Tim Richardson who came to St Brigid’s to present the awards.

Wellbeing Representatives for Semester 2

Congratulations to our Semester 2 Wellbeing Reps.

Sports News

Wow! What an amazing effort from our sports stars - Emilia, Daphne, Jess, Jasper, Flynn, Alfie, Isla Sh who all placed in the top 3 at our District Sports Day. Jasper (discus), Alfie (hurdles), Jess (long jump) Isla Sh (200m and 800m ) made it in Kingston Division 2025 Athletics Carnival, which will occur next term. What a team of superstars we have!!

MEDICATION

We have been advised by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) of an important update regarding the administration of medication at school.

From now on, staff will not be able to administer any medication (including Panadol, antibiotics, antihistamines or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine) without a completed Medical Authority Form that has been signed by a doctor.

Please note:

We can no longer accept verbal permission over the phone.
Medication must be supplied in its original packaging, clearly labelled with your child’s name.
The Medical Authority Form must be signed by your child’s doctor and provided to the school before any medication can be given.

We understand this may be an adjustment for families, but this process is required to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students.

If you need a copy of the Medical Authority Form, please contact the office if you need a form.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

MACS Flourishing Leaders Conference

On Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th of September, members of the St Brigid’s Leadership Team attended the Flourishing Learners Conference at Marvel Stadium. This conference, organised by Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS), was attended by over 1,200 Catholic school leaders.

We were privileged to hear from internationally recognised experts such as Professor Dylan Wiliam and Tom Sherrington. Kristen Douglas, Emina McLean, Bron Ryrie Jones, Jamie Clark and Brother David Hall spoke about Explicit Instruction and Full Participation. It was extremely affirming to see that at St Brigid’s we are well on the way to ensuring that the MACS Vision for Instruction is fully implemented, and that we are making a significant impact on the learning of our students.

Throughout the conference, we explored concepts around effective leadership, decision-driven data, and teaching some, verses, teaching all. Some of the key takeaways included:

Our role, as teachers and leaders in Catholic schools, is to awaken the hope that lives within every student.
All humans need two things in life: meaningful connections and a purpose beyond tomorrow.
We do not learn from experiences themselves, but rather from reflecting on those experiences.

Our Leadership Team will now take time to reflect on these insights and develop a clear plan for moving forward in our work with students, staff, and families.

BIKETOBER

Biketober is a fun and friendly initiative, run by Love to Ride and in conjunction with the Kingston Council, with the aim of getting more students travelling actively to school, by walking, catching the bus, biking, or scooting. At St Brigid’s we have decided to participate in Biketober this year. We ask that, if possible, you and your child/ren walk, ride or scoot to school every Thursday throughout October. Class teachers will tally the results every Thursday before they are entered into the competition. There will be weekly leaderboards online, with the overall winner to receive a $1000 sport equipment voucher.

Key Information

Dates: Thursday 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th October

Travel to school by: walking, riding, scootering, catching the bus

If you have any questions please reach out to Suzie Ripp.

sripp@sbmord.catholic.edu.au

We look forward to getting active together throughout October.

MACSSIS SURVEY FOR ST BRIGID’S FAMILIES

Thank you to the families who completed this important survey. It is a survey that may only take 10-15 minutes but it can give us lots of useful information about what we are doing well and where we can improve on.

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

How lucky are we to have such talented students and teachers at St Brigid’s. The cast did a sterling job learning their lines and singing and dancing with their classes.

The children were so good at learning their song and dance and how they presented on the night. We couldn't be prouder!

Many thanks to Jodie who put the production together, Sigi for her wonderful artistic backdrops, the students for their energy and enthusiasm, the teachers for their rehearsals and for showing off their talents to “Its a Long Way to the Top if you Want to Rock and Roll” and finally a big thank you to the parents who were so enthusiastic during the show and joined in the singing - especially Horses and You're the Voice.

We received this email from one of our parents which just shows what a great community event our production was.

Dear Wendy and Jodie,

I wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for pulling together an extraordinary school production last night.

As an audience member, I can tell you it bought a tear to my eye. This was not simply an exercise in school theatre, it was a resounding affirmation of the values that hold us together as a civil, democratic society: family, joy, reconciliation, hope, and unity. As we watch in horror at events unfolding around our planet - genocides, political assassinations, division, famine and war - I sensed you took the opportunity not only to entertain but to demonstrate the very best of our society’s values, to ask - most poignantly - how long can we look at each other down the barrel of a gun? Perhaps I am reading too much into this given the emotions of the last few years, but this joyous celebration of unity, of togetherness, was truly uplifting. I’m usually a bit of a cynic when it comes to school productions, but last night I witnessed something genuinely special and the limitless potential of future generations to succeed if only we would allow them.

I thank you both from the bottom of my heart. And bonus points for getting the teachers up to dance; what great sports you are!

Your sincerely,

Matthew French, father of Daphne

SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY

Today on our school closure day the staff worked on the Pre-Review process ready for our School Review in 2026.

Mental Health Fundraiser

Josh (Jack’s dad Year 3) is undertaking a Mental Health Fundraiser for Beyond Blue to raise both funds and awareness for Mental Health.

Below is what they are planning to achieve.

10km Every 4 Hours for 48 Hours – Supporting Beyond Blue

This November, we’re taking on another physical and mental challenge for Mental Health.

Starting at 4:00PM on Friday, November 14, we’ll be running 10km every 4 hours for 48 hours, finishing at 12:00PM on Sunday, November 16. That’s a total of 120km across two days — no matter the hour, no matter the weather.

From the flyer in our newsletter, Josh has already had some wonderful interest from parents. Please see his email below – if you are interested in running with Josh to support his efforts, you can contact him directly or speak with me if you’d like to be involved.

What a fantastic fundraiser – thank you, Josh, for including us!

Morning Wendy,

Thanks so much for publishing the poster for our fundraiser, we’ve already had some great interest from it, Including a few mums joining us over the weekend!

We’d love to include any kids who’d like to join us as part of the run. Our first 10km lap will start at 4pm on Friday, November 14th, and we’re planning to set up a loop at George Woods Reserve. This way, kids, parents, (and even teachers) can jump in and run as many laps with us as they’d like.

We think it would be an awesome way to kick off the challenge before we continue across the weekend.

Thanks again for all your support, we really appreciate it!

Cheers,

Josh

Congratulations

Thank you Issac (Year 6) for inviting Mrs Thredgold and myself to your graduation from the Funky Farm course you completed over 12 weeks. It was so nice to see what you achieved over the time - building vegetable gardens, looking after the animals and helping the other students who attended. Your knowledge of animals is just amazing!

I wish you all a wonderful and well-deserved school holiday! It has been such a busy term with our School Production, camps, and many exciting learning experiences.

Take care and stay safe. If you are heading away, enjoy the adventure, and if you are staying home, I hope you find time to rest and relax.

With thanks,

Wendy Sullivan

Principal

Community News and Events

Community Bank - Parkdale

Junior Rockers

Mordialloc Gemfair

Beyond Blue Fundraiser

KENPO KARATE

AFLW - FREE FOR U10'S

Back in Motion - Kids and Exercise

Parkdale Cricket Club

Club Pilates