Hello!

Welcome back to a new school year! Its been fantastic to see everyone return with such excitement and enthusiasm for the year ahead. There has definitely been a positive buzz around the school as students settle into their new classes and reconnect with friends.

We would like to introduce ourselves for 2025 and we look forward to seeing you around the school throughout the year. Our names are Laura Zeeng and Callum Mills. Similar to previous years, we are very fortunate to have two deputies at St. Finbar's. Laura will continue her role as the Wellbeing Leader and is the Religious Educator Leader for 2025. Callum will continue his role as Learning and Teaching leader and is looking forward to supporting students, teachers and families in the role of Learning Diversity for 2025. This role will be shared with Andrea LaFontaine our school Occupational Therapist. Keep an eye out for Term 1 PSG bookings if this applies to your family. For all matters regarding student support or to follow up any unresolved matters from 2024 with Peggy McDonald, please contact Callum and Andrea via the emails below.

Callum Mills - cmills@sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au

Andrea LaFontaine - alafontaine@sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au

Laura Zeeng - lzeeng@sfbrightoneast.catholic.edu.au

We look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and community together!

School Transitions

As part of our commitment to student success, our teachers engaged in a thorough handover process to support all our students with a smooth transition into 2025. Teachers from 2024 met with the students 2025 teachers to share valuable insights about each student’s learning, progress, strengths and areas for growth. This process ensures that every child’s needs are understood and that their new teacher can build on their achievements from day one. By working collaboratively, we aim to create a supportive and seamless start to the new school year for all students.

School Values

At the end of 2024 we began the journey of updating our school values and expectations. Students, teachers and families had the opportunity to vote on what words we thought best reflected our community. After thoughtful input from everyone, we are excited to introduce our new school values for 2025; Resilience, Respect and Safety. These values will guide our learning, interactions, and daily life at school, fostering a strong sense of belonging and the ability to be ready to learn and navigate positive friendships. We have already begun exploring what these values mean in practice and celebrate how they shape our school community.

Establishing Routines for a Successful School Year

Over the last few days of school, Classroom teachers have been establishing routines that help students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. From morning greetings and daily schedules to clear expectations and positive reinforcement, these structures help students settle into their learning environment and build strong connections with their peers and teachers. Consistency at school and home ensures students feel confident and ready to engage each day.

As we begin a new school year, establishing consistent routines at home can help set your child up for success. Regular sleep schedules, healthy breakfast habits, and a well-organised morning routine can make the transition back to school smoother. Encouraging your child to pack their bag the night before, complete homework at a set time, and wind down before bed will help build independence and reduce stress. Together, we can create a strong foundation for a happy and productive year! If you need support with setting up these routines, please reach out to Callum or Laura for guidance.

Preparing our Year 6 students for Canberra Camp

Our Year 6 students are gearing up for an exciting five-day camp in Canberra next week, where they will explore Australia's capital and deepen their understanding of our government, history, and culture. As the trip approaches, it’s important to start preparing—packing essentials, getting plenty of rest, and discussing expectations with family. This camp is a fantastic opportunity to develop independence, build friendships, and make lasting memories. We encourage students to embrace the experience, step out of their comfort zones, and fully engage with the incredible learning opportunities ahead. Canberra, here we come!

Student Representatives

Each semester, two students from each class become Student Representatives. These students play an important role in fostering leadership, teamwork, and student voice within our school. They help share ideas, assist with different events around the school, and set a positive example for their peers. They work alongside our wonderful Year 6 leaders.

Our 6 students will recieve their leadership badges on Friday 7th of February.

Our Year 6 leaders are as follows:

Nagle Leaders: Jude & Max A

Xavier Leaders: Oscar & Edie

Marian Leaders: Elsie & Jordan

Finbar Leaders: Evan & Luis

Leaders of Learning: Mark & Luke

Sustainability/Indigenous: Mimi, Bill & Will

SRC (Student Representative Council): Felix, Archer & Alexander

Social Justice and Community Leaders: Claire, Sybilla & Jason

Italian Leaders: Alana & Sam

Wellbeing Leaders: Max D, Lachie H, Frankie

Technology Leaders: Tom, Teo, Leo

Performing and Visual Art Leaders: Sienna, Emily, Emilia, Sophie & Lachie K

On Friday 15th of February the following students will recieve their leadership badges at assembly. Assembly will begin in the hall after the 8:50am morning bell.

Prep B

SRC (Student Representative Council) Brody L & Addison M

Sustainability Lucas R & Talia H

Social Justice Hannah R & Luis R

Prep P

SRC (Student Representative Council) Keira S & Philip M

Sustainability Zoe F & Archie G

Social Justice Mila W & Brooklyn

1C

SRC (Student Representative Council) Noah M & Sofia O

Sustainability Hugo C & Billie M

Social Justice Emily T & Madeline C

1L

SRC (Student Representative Council) Thomas M & Veronica P

Sustainability Max W & Chiara C

Social Justice Tyler V & Oliver C

2F

SRC (Student Representative Council) Aobhlaith F & Emma F

Sustainability Ana S & Sadie S

Social Justice Kadir G & Pablo R

2M

SRC (Student Representative Council) Jessica K & Florence L

Sustainability Finn M & Lola S

Social Justice Alisa P & Nicolas M

3F

SRC (Student Representative Council) Marco G & Tavia D

Sustainability Lachie C & Poppy T

Social Justice Stanley W & Hazel L

3G

SRC (Student Representative Council) Olivia S & Kimi Q

Sustainability Anna B & Michael P

Social Justice Ayaan A & Harper H

4A

SRC (Student Representative Council) Will Z & Mia R

Sustainability Chloe L & Nico L

Social Justice Xavier E & Lily Y

4D

SRC (Student Representative Council) Andrew V & Brooklyn S

Sustainability Ben S, Mayura T & Oliver T

Social Justice Alex K & Ellie L

5B

SRC (Student Representative Council) Christopher K & Olivia E

Sustainability Jacob K & Grace M

Social Justice Jordan T & Grace M

5H

SRC (Student Representative Council) Ira K & Ryder B

Sustainability Sunnie D & Harry S

Social Justice Harper L & Boston O

Have a good week,

Laura Zeeng and Callum Mills

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