General News
Dhulu - Message Stick
Dhinawan Dance Program.
Birrelee MACS is pleased to invite an Expression of Interest from students in Years 5, 6 and 7 to participate in our Dhinawan Dance Program.
The program will commence in September and will be delivered over a number of Friday afternoon sessions at Coledale Community Centre from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
This is a free cultural program that provides young people with the opportunity to connect with culture, develop leadership skills and participate in the Dhinawan Dance Program.
Please fill out the form below to apply for this exciting opportunity.
https://form.jotform.com/262107554582054
Expression of Interest closes on Friday the 14th of August 2026.
At this stage, we are simply inviting an Expression of Interest. Places are limited, and once the EOI process has closed, selected participants will receive further information about the program, including registration details and consent forms. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Brooke Vidler or Teegan Hewson on (02) 6765 3470.
Cultural Immersion Groups
At St Edward's School, we provide weekly Cultural Immersion lessons for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The lessons are programmed and taught by our Aboriginal Education Assistants. Each grade will have one lesson a week focusing on a significant part of Aboriginal Education and Culture.
Kindergarten - The Dreamtime
Year 1 - Aboriginal Art & Gamilaraay Language
Year 2 - Cultural practices & Gamilaraay Language
Year 3 - Identity, Family, Totems and Kinship & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Role Models
Year 4 - Gamilaraay Language
Year 5 - Connections to Country
Year 6 - Indigenous Storytelling, Cultural Study & Miyay (Girl) and Birray (Boy) Business
Gamilaraay Word of the Week
At St Edward's School, we provide students with the opportunity to learn words in Gamilaraay language each week.
Term 3: Dhii (Animals)
Week 1: Dhinawan - Emu
Week 2: Bandaarr - Kangaroo
Week 3: Yurrandaali - Goanna
AEA team
Brittany Cloake - bcloake2@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Jarrod Peachey - jpeachey@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Amanda Gwalter - agwalter@arm.catholic.edu.au
Infants AEA
Sally-Anne Clarke - sclarke@arm.catholic.edu.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Focus Teacher
Word of the Week
Students are encouraged to continually use the "Word of the Week" in context during class, expanding their oral language skills, one word at a time! Each time a student uses our 'Word of the Week' in the classroom, they will earn a point. The student with the most points at the end of the term will receive a book prize to further expand their vocabulary.
We will publish our Word of the Week on Facebook and in the newsletter. Please encourage and support your child to use this word at home.
Term 3 Week 4 Word of the Week "BOMBARD"
Book Week Dress Up & Parade - Wednesday 26th August
In Week 6, St Edward's will be celebrating the CBCA Book Week. There will be many different activities held in the libraries during Week 6 to celebrate. This year's CBCA theme is "Symphony of Stories". One of our students' most loved events is our annual Book Week parade. We invite students to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. We also welcome members of our school community to join us in celebrating "Book Week" and see our wonderful students parade in their favourite book character costumes.
Date and times for the 2026 Book Week Parade:
INFANTS - Wednesday, 26th August at 8.45am
PRIMARY - Wednesday, 26th August at 10.00am
Father's Day Stall - Thursday, 3rd September
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re looking forward to celebrating all the wonderful Dads, Pops and special father figures in our school community!
On Thursday, 3rd September, after recess, our amazing P & F Committee are hosting our annual Father's Day Gift Stalls at both the Primary and Infants Campus. The committee have been busy preparing some special gifts for our students to choose from. All gifts are $5 each (cash only), with a maximum of 2 gifts per child.
All students will have the opportunity to visit the Infants & Primary Stalls with their teacher and class during their allocated time.
HELPERS WANTED - Our P & F committee are seeking volunteers to help with our gift stalls! If you can spare some time to assist at either stall on Thursday 3rd September, please register your details via one of the links below. Thank you.
Assist at PRIMARY Stall - https://signup.com/go/FNNHgUC
Assist at INFANTS Stall - https://signup.com/go/qzmimuA
Father's Day Celebrations - Friday, 4th September
We invite all our Dads, Pops and special father figures from K–6 to join us for a fun morning of breakfast, hoops and handball! This will be held on Friday, 4th September from 7.30am-9.00am at the Primary Campus. Come along for a bacon and egg sandwich, GoGo Espresso coffee van and a fun morning of hoops and handball with the kids!
To assist us with catering, please click here to RSVPand let us know how many complimentary Bacon and Egg Sandwiches your family will require.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Supervision of Students
A reminder that school commences at 8.45 am and ends at 3.00 pm.
Please note that supervision of students commences at 8.15 am and families are kindly asked not to drop off children before this time. It is not appropriate for children to be at school before this time with no supervision. If your child/ren require care before 8.15am, you may like to consider before-school care here at school with Esteem.
Application for Extended Leave - 10 days or more
Family holidays and travel are no longer considered under the Exemption from School Procedures. Travel outside of vacation periods is now counted as an absence for statistical purposes. Please contact the school office if your child/ren will be away from school for 10 days or more, as an application form will need to be completed and approved at the discretion of the Principal.
Esteem Kids
Before-school care is available in the Infants Hall for both Primary and Infants students. It operates from 7:00 am to 8:30 am, Monday to Friday during the term, and includes breakfast.
After-school care is available in the Infants Hall for Infants students only from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Our Primary after-school care operates from the Art Room for primary students only from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Afternoon tea is also provided.
Families are encouraged to make enquiries or express interest by contacting William Wong on 0410 841 628 or email: info@esteemkidsgroup.com.au or visit the website at www.esteemkidsgroup.com.au
ABSENCES - Please remember to contact (telephone or text) Esteem Kids St Edward's directly if your child is going to be absent on 0481 373 883. Thank you.
DJ Fun Day for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - Thursday 27th August
Saver Plus
ADIG Special Offer
Centacare - Seasons for Growth Program
SWAP IT
SWAP IT is a free, evidence-based school lunchbox program. The program supports parents and carers to SWAP what is packed in their child’s lunchbox from sometimes foods to everyday foods. Visit their Website here.
Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box
Visit 'Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box' for a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about packing a healthy lunch box.
Don't forget to like us on Facebook and tell your family and friends about our page too!
St Edward's Primary School: Facebook
