Principals Report

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

I am delighted to be back at school after the school holidays and a week’s Long Service Leave in beautiful Byron Bay.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bernie Turner, our Leadership Team and the entire staff for ensuring that the return to school was a smooth and happy one.

It was wonderful to reconnect with the students yesterday. I love hearing their stories and about their individual and team achievements. I look forward to a full and exciting Term Four.

Class Placements 2025

It is amazing to realise that we are already in mid October, and therefore are beginning our planning for the 2025 school year. We also begin the challenging task of placing children into class groups. As always, we will attempt to make the very best decisions and judgements based on the information we have at hand. We ask, at this time, that parents are respectful of the knowledge we have of collective student groups. We will use this information to place students into classes for 2025. 

All parents need to understand that we base the placement of students into classes using the following criteria:

• As close to an equal balance of genders as possible
• A mix of learning abilities
• A spread of students with additional learning needs

Parents, please note that we respectfully request that the following things do not happen:

• Parent requests for certain teachers for their children
• Parent requests that their children are placed with their friends

I think it is timely to remind parents that our classrooms are simply smaller versions of the world. They are simply not full of best friends, favourite/desired teachers and no challenges to face. Please be assured that we will do our best to place children in learning environments that support them and encourage their academic and personal growth.

If you have a concern about your child and their placement for 2025, please put it in writing to me by Monday 21th October.  Do not send your request to your child’s classroom teacher or to any other member of staff. Please understand that I may call you for a meeting to discuss your request. Please be aware that your concern will be considered in our deliberations although your suggestion/request may not necessarily be met.

Letters/emails received after Monday 21st October will not be considered. 

 My email address is scarr@sbsomerville.catholic.edu.au

Finally, please be aware that class placements are an extremely challenging task for teaching staff and school leaders. We know our students and how they operate at school within both the classroom and playground environments. Please trust and respect our professional knowledge and judgement as we make these important decisions.

Our Class Structure for 2025

It is exciting to announce that we have two Foundation classes again next year. We will welcome 50 Foundation students in 2025. This will give us twelve classes for the 2025 school year. For the first time at St Brendan’s, we will have four Year 1/2 classes. We believe this is testament to our growing reputation as a school of excellence in learning and teaching and in student wellbeing.

Please be aware that next year, our class structure will be as follows:

 2 x Foundation

4 x Year 1/2

3 x Year 3/4

3 x Year 5/6

World Teachers Day Friday 25th of October.

I would like to alert all parents and carers that on Friday the 25th of October teachers are acknowledged and celebrated across the world. If you would like to acknowledge your child's teacher, please feel free to send them an email or a card.

Have a great week.

Warmest regards,

Sue