Principals Report

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

Welcome to Week 4. I cannot believe how quickly the days are flying by. I am so proud of the energy and the positivity that is evident when I visit classrooms and speak with students about their learning and about their school day. From our senior students to our youngest learners, energy and positivity are high at St Brendan’s.

When we focus on the positives and use encouraging language, we help to establish a positive environment in which both children and adults can learn, thrive and grow. I believe that this is a wonderful goal to strive for both in our homes as well as in our school. Teach your children to search for the positives about learning, friendships and growth in their day. 

I believe it is important to remember that what we focus on is what we notice! I hope you and your children have a wonderfully positive week this week.

Full and Correct School Uniform

At St Brendan’s, we pride ourselves on our reputation that we have worked so very hard to build over many years. We have built this reputation and it reflects both our school values and the standards that we hold dear.

At present, we are noticing a real rise in students who are out of uniform or choosing to vary our uniform to suit personal tastes and preferences. If you require a copy of our uniform policy, please come to collect one from the school office.

Below I have listed the key items/issues causing concern at present:

• Coloured runners on non Sport/P.E. or yoga days
• Incorrect socks - no logos, stripes, alternate colours are permitted. Plain navy socks with school uniform, plain white socks with P.E uniform
• Any jewellery that is other than simple studs or sleepers, a small gold or silver crucifix on a chain or a watch that is not a smart watch
• No variation to navy winter pants for girls (stretchy navy flairs are not permitted)
• The P.E skort is burgundy. A navy skort has NOT been approved.
• Senior girls rolling or cutting their P.E shorts to make them smaller/tighter is strictly not permitted
• Make up -  Please remind senior girls that mascara, foundation, bronzer, fake tan etc is not to be worn at school, fake tan for dance competitions and concerts is fine.

Thank you for taking note of this reminder. I will be conducting uniform checks and students who are out of uniform will be issued with a uniform infringement notice. Our school uniform is designed to engender a sense of pride in our school and an even playing field where all students can feel accepted.

Confirmation 2024

It was an absolute privilege and a delight to attend the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Brendan’s church on Saturday 27th July. Many of our beautiful Year 6 students along with their parents and sponsors prayed, sang and participated fully in a beautiful Mass celebrated by Bishop Tony Ireland and Father Shymon.

I wish these young people happiness and joy as they use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to enrich themselves, their families, their friendships, our school and our world.

Australian Government Capital Grants Round

Unfortunately, St Brendan’s school was not lucky enough to be awarded capital funding in this year’s application round. We were keen to gain funds to commence the first stage of our master plan which includes rectification works to solve our drainage problems on the school oval and other playing fields. 

We will now explore other ways we can commence these works using school funds. I will keep the community updated on any developments as we progress our inquiries and develop a plan. Our children show their resilience daily when we tell them that the oval is too wet to play on. We are looking forward to developing a clear and effective plan now that we know that we were unsuccessful in the grant application process.

100 Days of Foundation - 100 Days Brighter

Last Thursday, our 42 beautiful Foundation students celebrated their first 100 days of school. With their grandparents, special relatives or Year 6 buddies, they dressed as the bright and shiny little people that they and they shone! They have been a joy to have at St Brendan’s from the moment they arrived in our school. They have learned so much and progressed so far in their first 100 days. 

I want to acknowledge Camille Rossouw, Belinda Coggin, Trish Taranto, Lorna Heath, Sharon Christensen, Jack Taranto and Maggie Davies for the wonderful work they do to support and develop our littlest learners.

Thank you to the many grandparents and special relatives who were able to attend the celebration.

Whooping Cough

I have been asked to alert all families to the increase in cases of Whooping Cough in Victoria at present. Please note that there has been a recent rise in the number of cases reported in Victoria(particularly among children aged 10 - 12 years. Please read the information below and keep your child/children at home if you believe they are unwell. School is no place for sick children.

Whooping cough is a respiratory infection (infection of the lungs) that causes coughing. The coughing can occur in long spells, and often ends with a high-pitched 'whoop' sound when the child breathes in. Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordetella pertussis and is also known as pertussis. Whooping cough is extremely contagious. It is particularly serious in babies under six months of age, who are at risk of severe complications and will usually need to be admitted to hospital. Children and adults can also get whooping cough, but are unlikely to need hospitalisation. Many babies who get whooping cough catch it from older children or adults who might not even know they have the infection. Whooping cough is sometimes treated with antibiotics. There is an immunisation for whooping cough.

• Signs and symptoms of whooping cough
  • Whooping cough usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and dry cough, which last for about one week.
  • After that, a more definite cough develops, which may last for 10 weeks or more. The cough comes in long spells and often ends with a high-pitched 'whoop' sound when the child breathes in.
  • Some children cough so much they vomit afterwards.
  • Children are usually well between coughing spells.
  • Babies under six months of age may have pauses in breathing (called apnoeas) instead of a cough.
  • In more severe cases, babies and children may have problems catching their breath after a coughing spell.
  • Other infections such as pneumonia (chest infection) and middle ear infections are common while children have whooping cough.
• When to see a doctor
  Call an ambulance immediately if your child is struggling to breathe or if their lips start to turn blue.
  If you think your child has whooping cough, take them to see your GP.
  The doctor will often decide if your child has whooping cough by asking you questions about their cough, or by actually seeing one of the coughing spells. They may want to confirm the diagnosis by doing a blood test or testing secretions (fluids) from the nose, but the whooping cough germ may not be detected if your child has had their cough for three weeks or more, or if they have been on antibiotics before the sample was taken.
  The time it takes to get better is different for each child.

St Brendan’s Students Shine in Year 7 at Padua

I was delighted to receive the following letter from Padua college where they proudly shared the Academic Excellence Award winners from St Brendan’s. These students have just completed their first semester at Padua College. We are proud and delighted to share their outstanding achievements with our St Brendan’s community.

Dear Sue

We trust you have had an enjoyable start to term 3.

It gives us great pleasure to share the names of your Grade 6 2023 Graduates who received one or more academic excellence and endeavour awards for Semester One, 2024.

Indie Bertram ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Drama 7

Ailbe Duryea ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Science 7

Eva Hunt ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Mathematics 7

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Religious Education 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Science 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Visual Art & Design 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Year 7 French Language

Harry Birks ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Engineering and Digital Technologies

Kate Clode ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Drama 7

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Religious Education 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Visual Art & Design 7

Lyla Wright ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Mathematics 7

Scarlett Sevilla ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Engineering and Digital Technologies

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE English 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Italian 7

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Mathematics 7

Scarlette Walsh ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Drama 7

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Religious Education 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Science 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Visual Art & Design 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Year 7 French Language

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Year 7 Humanities

Sienna Body ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Italian 7

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Mathematics 7

Toby Barry ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Health and Physical Education 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Mathematics 7

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Science 7

Tyler Rei ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR English 7

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Religious Education 7

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Science 7 ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Year 7 French Language

ACADEMIC ENDEAVOUR Year 7 Humanities

Will Robinson ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Italian 7

Would you kindly share this information with your staff and the respective Grade 6 teachers. We believe this success is a testament to their dedicated efforts in shaping these young minds. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to nurturing the academic growth and well-being of your students.

Yours sincerely,

Phillip Helisma Melissa Kenyon, Andrew Ferguson & Chris Ryan

College Transition Coordinator Learning & Pedagogy Leaders

Pregnancy and Birth Study -  Volunteers Wanted 

An ex-student of St Brendan’s school is studying a double Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery and she requires interested pregnant women to support her with her studies. If you are pregnant and interested in a discussion with this student, please see me, call school and ask to speak to me or email me scarr@sbsomerville.catholic.edu.au Please understand there is absolutely no obligation to participate in the study but I can put you in touch with our lovely ex-student for an initial conversation.

Have a great week everyone.

Sue