Catholic Identity
✨End of Year Mass and Graduation Ceremony✨
Yesterday our school community came together for our beautiful End of Year Mass and Graduation Ceremony to celebrate and farewell our Year 6 students.
Well done to our students who sang beautifully and participated with such reverence.
Congratulations to all our graduates, we are so proud of all they have achieved and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
Always remember our school motto:
“With Faith and Courage.”
Let those words guide you in all that you do.
Where ever life takes you,
and know that you will always be part of the St Brendan’s story.
Dear St. Brendan's Community,
As we entered Term 4, our journey as Pilgrims of Hope continued to flourish through celebration, leadership, service, and connection.
This final term offered us rich opportunities to deepen our faith, strengthen our parish partnerships, and reflect on how our students are growing as young leaders inspired by Mercy, hope, and the message of Jesus.
Pilgrims of Hope – Term 4 Catholic Identity Highlights
Term 4 Youth Mass
Our final Youth Mass for the year, celebrated with Fr Ronald, was a joyful and faith-filled experience. Students from across the school embraced roles in the readings, prayers, offertory, and choir, demonstrating confidence, reverence, and a genuine spirit of participation.
Their leadership helped create a beautiful expression of worship and community partnership with our parish.
Altar Servers’ Christmas Picnic
To celebrate the dedication of our altar servers, we gathered for our annual Christmas picnic, a time of laughter, games, and gratitude.
This special event acknowledged the important ministry our servers provide throughout the year and affirmed their commitment as young leaders serving God and the parish community.
Presenting at the Sandhurst Religious Education Leaders Meeting
A significant highlight this term was the opportunity to present at the Religious Education Leaders Meeting for the Sandhurst Diocese.
I was able to share how prayer is woven into the life of St Brendan’s, our daily practices, whole-school approaches, and the ways we nurture spiritual formation in students.
This gathering was a wonderful opportunity to stand alongside other leaders, exchange ideas, and contribute to strengthening Catholic identity across our diocese.
Just Leadership Day – Year 5 Students
A group of our Year 5 students participated in a Just Leadership Day, exploring what it means to lead with justice, compassion, and courage.
They engaged in workshops, discussions, and activities designed to help them recognise their capacity to influence positive change. Their enthusiasm and maturity were inspiring, as they began to see leadership not as a title, but as a service rooted in empathy and Mercy.
Giving Tree
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our families for their generosity in supporting our Giving Tree this year. The many donated gifts will be distributed through St Vincent de Paul to families across the Shepparton community, bringing love, joy, and hope to those in need this Christmas.
St Vinnies will be visiting on Tuesday to collect these wonderful gifts. They are deeply grateful for this kindness and truly appreciate the ongoing generosity shown by our St Brendan’s community throughout the year.
Well done and thank you to our St Brendan’s school community.
Your generosity, kindness, and willingness to support others continues to shine brightly. Together, we make a real difference in the lives of families within our wider community. Thank you for embodying the spirit of compassion and for living out our Mercy values in such a meaningful way.
End-of-Year Mass and Graduation Ceremony
This week our school community gathered for a beautiful End-of-Year Thanksgiving Mass. Together we gave thanks for the many blessings of 2025, our learning, friendships, and the ways we have grown as Pilgrims of Hope.
Our students participated reverently through readings, music and prayer, reminding us of the joy and light Christ brings into our lives. As we prepare for Christmas, we carry forward the spirit of gratitude, generosity and hope into the year ahead.
Christmas Eve- Nativity re-enactment and Family Mass
As we draw closer to Christmas and prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, we are encouraging our students to take part in the re-enactment of the Nativity and the Christmas Eve Mass on Wednesday, 24 December.
Christmas Eve Nativity re-enactment
- Wednesday, 24th December at 5.30pm-6pm
Family Mass
- Wednesday, 24th December at 6pm-7pm
If you would like your child to be involved in this year’s Christmas Eve Mass, please let me know via email.
We would be delighted to have your children join us for this special celebration.
Contact: lpellegrino@sbshepparton.catholic.edu.au
Rehearsal Dates and Times
Please take note of the rehearsal dates and times with Mrs Ange Collins and myself.
- Friday, 19th December 19th at 3pm-4pm
- Monday, 22nd December at 4pm-5pm
Thank You and Christmas blessings to you all
As we conclude the year, we celebrate our students who have led with heart, hope, and integrity.
Through Masses, assemblies, social justice initiatives, prayer, and everyday kindness, they have shown what it means to walk as Pilgrims of Hope. Their willingness to serve, to listen, to learn, and to support one another reflects the living mission of our school and our Mercy tradition.
With Christ as their guide and Mercy as their compass, our students step forward into the new year ready to shine God’s love into the world.
Christmas blessings to you all, and thank you for your continued support and partnership throughout this year.
May this sacred season bring peace to your homes, joy to your families, and renewal to your hearts.
I look forward to journeying with you again in the new year.
Warm regards,
Leanne Pellegrino Catholic Identity Leader