Shout Out!

Winter Solstice 2026 – A Huge Thank You!

What a beautiful way to welcome the longest night of the year. Friday’s Winter Solstice celebration was filled with warmth, music, creativity, storytelling, firelight and community spirit, and it simply could not have happened without the extraordinary efforts of so many people.

A special thank you to Uncle Trev for sharing a moving Smoking Ceremony and storytelling in Yakai Barring – what a wonderful turnout, and what a deeply meaningful experience for our community.

Thank you also to Denis Phelan, Rebekah T and Jakob for coordinating our wonderful student music performances and Boite Choir, to Jenny Wheatcroft for the Art Room Exhibitions, and to our very own Principal Keir, who kept the evening flowing so beautifully as MC and announcer.

Thank you to Bernadetta, Andrea, Laxmi, Summer and the entire OSHC crew for their collaboration and support in organising the event, for generously sharing their busy space, and for staying on to help with pack up.

Thank you also to the Yakai Barring Steering Committee, and to Ben and his classes, who together helped establish around 500 new plants in Yakai Barring — a genuine contribution to Country and a wonderful way to celebrate.

A very special shout-out goes to our many student helpers, whose enthusiasm and willingness to jump in wherever needed made a tremendous difference.

We are deeply grateful to our Winter Solstice CET Subcommittee, the wider Community Engagement Team, and the Office Staff, who ceaselessly support community events behind the scenes.

We also thank the incredible parent volunteers who give so generously of their time and energy to make the magic happen — including our fire wardens, lantern-making support team, damper makers, hot drinks organisers and servers, marshmallow team, student performers, Boite Choir, and the many staff, students, families and volunteers who made the evening so special.

Heartfelt thanks especially to: Alicia Flynn, Amy Brown, Andrea, Anna Cook, Anne Treasure, Ange Hopkins, Audrie Sexton-McGuire, Ben, Brigid Morgan, Courtney Zlatic, Dallas Ambry-Horsfall, Danny Nguyen, Dave, Denis Phelan, Diana Korndorffer, Fiona Page, Geua Montana, Ian, Imogen Jubb, Jakob, James Cameron, Jane Eckett, Jenny Addy, Jenny Wheatcroft, Jo Keeble, Joel Hallinan, Keir Jasper, Kristy King, Laxmi, Linda Reiling, Linda Williamson, Liv Shanahan, Mayii Evans, Matthew Champion, Mia Cornthwaite, Miranda Stanyon, Nat Forde, Peter Heilmann, Rebekah T, Ruth Lim, Sarah Napier, Sarah Purcell, Summer, Sunny Birch, Tess Hallinan, Uncle Trev and Vanessa Hughes.

And if we’ve inadvertently missed anyone, please know that your contribution was deeply valued and appreciated — this celebration truly belonged to the whole community.

We are always open to feedback, ideas and helping hands for future events, so please feel free to get in touch with us via the email below.

As we settle into the cosy season after the longest night of the year, we hope the warmth and connection of Friday evening stay with you. Thank you for helping create such a magical community event.

**Until next year — keep warm, enjoy the season, and thank you for helping make our Winter Solstice celebration such a memorable one**

Upcoming Events!

Trivia Night : Saturday Evening, 1 August (Term 3) – Grown-ups only

Save the date — Saturday 1 August!

Plans for this year's Annual Trivia Night are well underway and we're excited to share some updates!

As many families will know, our much-loved venue of many years, Estonia House, has sadly been sold. SO this year we'll be heading to the Brunswick Town Hall — and we think it's going to make for a fantastic night out! And to keep the magic alive as we enter our exciting new venue, the fabulous Planet Janet Trivia is back to host for another year.

We're also finalising this year's theme shortlist and want YOUR vote!

Voting CLOSES this week!!!

Here are this year's theme options:

When I Grow Up
Get Lit...erary
Back to the 90s

Cast your vote by placing a token in the correct jar at the front office, or fill in the online form here:

Vote for your theme!

The theme will be announced before the end of term — giving you plenty of time to hunt the op shops over the holidays for the perfect outfit. Dressing up is never compulsory, but it's always part of the fun!

Remember- this is a grown-ups only night, so get the babysitter locked in, mark the date in the diary and start thinking about your team now!

Ticket sales and table bookings opening soon.

While a few things will look different this year, everything our Trivia Night is known for will be there — laughs, friendly competition, great fundraising, raffles, auctions, and of course, plenty of dancing

Contact!

If you want to get in touch about community events, inquire about joining the team, or have any questions at all, email Brigid Morgan (CET Co-Ordinator) at cet@brunswicknwps.vic.edu.au We always welcome new volunteers, with flexible and low-pressure ways to get involved — reach out if you’re interested or have any questions (see email below).

Please note: the Community Events Team (CET) and Spring Magic Market (SMM) teams are separate.

Spring Magic Market is a major BNWPS annual event, with more details coming later in the year. For enquiries about market planning or stalls, please contact market@brunswicknwps.vic.edu.au.

(Families are very welcome to be involved in both teams.)

** All volunteers at the school need a valid Working With Children’s Check - click this link to apply if you don’t have one. It’s fairly straightforward and free for volunteers**

Victoria Police - Community Sentiment Survey