Term 3, Week 1

Dear Families,

Welcome back! It's fantastic to see everyone again, recharged and ready to dive into Term 3. I hope you all had a restful break and are excited to catch up and get back into the swing of things. Our journey continues with new opportunities and challenges, and I couldn't be happier to have each of you here as we navigate this term together. Let's bring our best selves and make this winter term a memorable and successful one!

This verse inspires strength and courage, a wonderful message to begin the term with a positive and confident mindset.

School Closure Day: Vision for Instruction - MACS 2030

By 2030, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) aims to become ‘the benchmark for excellence in teaching and learning, through a coherently integrated, academically competitive and distinctively Catholic educational offering’ (MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World).

On Monday, the staff delved into the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools-MACS' Vision for Instruction, particularly their key principles of How Students Learn to enhance our teaching practices at St. Brigid's. They explored the Science of Learning, the brain's capacity to absorb and retain new information, and how to apply this understanding in their teaching practices. By reviewing Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction, created by a prominent researcher in education, the staff focused on explicit teaching methods that ensure students can effectively grasp and apply new concepts. This exploration highlighted the importance of delivering a consistent approach to instruction to enable all students to learn.

School Closure Day: ICAN Network Presentation

Our recent school closure day featured an insightful presentation by the ICAN Network, focusing on how best to support our neurodiverse students, particularly those with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. It was an important opportunity for all staff to engage together and learn from each other. The session highlighted the incredible work our team consistently does to build a safe and supportive network around our neurodivergent learners and set additional goals for our ongoing journey. You can find many amazing resources, webinars and tipsheets here: https://icannetwork.online/

Thank you to Kristie Murden from the ICAN Network for sharing these valuable insights and helping us enhance our support for autistic learners.

Our Four-Yearly School Review is Underway

We are excited to announce that our school's four-yearly review commenced on Tuesday. The first day was a comprehensive session with an independent reviewer, covering critical areas such as child safety, occupational health and safety, curriculum, policies, and procedures. The review continues next week with conversations involving all parts of our school community, including staff, students, families, and our parish priest.

To ensure we capture a wide range of perspectives, we are still seeking volunteers to speak with the reviewer on Monday, 22nd July, from 2.45 pm to 3.30 pm. Your input is invaluable as it will help shape our goals and outcomes for the next four years. Please consider participating and contributing to the future direction of our school.

Year 6 Confirmation Reflection Day

Our Year 6 students recently had a meaningful preparation for their confirmation, joining Holy Cross students and catechists for a special Reflection Day. The day was filled with engaging and thought-provoking activities, encouraging our students to reflect on how they can be fully present and active Catholics in the world, living their values, and embodying the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

A highlight of the day was a visit from Bishop Terry Curtin, who had an engaging discussion with the students. He skillfully linked Catholic teachings to modern, real-world challenges, making the faith relevant and relatable. The students also had the joy of celebrating Bishop Curtin's birthday with him.

The day was beautifully led by our sacramental faith leader, Emma Barker, and Eloise Myer from MACS. A heartfelt thank you to the parents who assisted and to our senior teachers for preparing the students so well. This Reflection Day was a memorable and significant step in our students' faith journey. Please check out our Learning & Teaching page for more photos from the day.

Socials

Our school uses social media to enhance our presence and keep our community updated with the latest news, events, and achievements. By following us, you can stay informed about our wonderful community events, innovative learning experiences, and important updates. If you haven't already, we invite you to follow us on:

Facebook	www.facebook.com/stbrigidsprimarygisborne
Instagram	www.instagram.com/sbgisborne/

Please share our profiles with your family and friends. Together, we can celebrate the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our school community.

Important Dates