Principals Report

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

A very warm welcome to the first newsletter of the new school year at St Brendan’s.. The start of the year is always filled with excitement, anticipation, renewed energy, fresh possibilities and the joy of seeing our community come together again. 

While I was unfortunately unable to be present for the first few days of the school year, I have been kept closely connected and am grateful for the positive and settled way our students and staff have begun the year. I am so excited to be back at St Brendan’s and able to reconnect with you and your children.

I would like to sincerely thank our Deputy Principal, Bernie Turner and our Leadership Team for their strong, calm leadership during this time. The smooth start to the year reflects the care, professionalism and shared responsibility that is a hallmark of our school community.

Our Theme for 2026

This year, our school theme is Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus. At its heart, this theme invites us to think about how we treat one another each and every day. It is when the values of kindness, compassion, courage and fairness are fully present that children in particular and families and communities thrive. This theme encourages our students to make thoughtful choices, to include others, to stand up for what is right and to contribute positively to their school and to the world around them.

In practical terms, this means creating classrooms where every child feels safe, respected and known; playgrounds where relationships are nurtured; and learning experiences that help students grow not only academically but also as people of integrity and empathy.

A Strong Beginning

I am so sorry to have missed the first day for our new Foundation students and for the other students who have joined us at St Brendan’s this year. It is my plan to connect with all these students in my first week back at school.

I have been delighted to hear how happily our other students have returned to school reconnecting with friends, meeting new teachers and settling into new routines. Our staff has worked carefully to ensure classrooms feel welcoming and supportive, helping each child begin the year with confidence and a sense of belonging. I would like to acknowledge all St Brendan’s staff, both administration and teaching, for the wonderful way they have begun the year. Their warmth and professionalism is highly valued and appreciated by me.

Principals Award

The Principal’s Award is presented fortnightly at assembly to recognise students who consistently demonstrate outstanding effort, positive behaviour, and commitment to our school values. This award celebrates achievements both in and out of the classroom and highlights students who serve as role models within the school community. Receiving the Principal’s Award is a special honour that acknowledges hard work and dedication. The award the students are working towards for the next two weeks is For showing focus and determination in all learning tasks.

New Learning Spaces to Support Creativity and Innovation

We are so excited to share that two new portable classrooms are now in place and will be used as new learning spaces for Visual Arts and Science/STEM learning as soon as they are completed. These spaces will become part of our specialist precinct and provide students with purpose-designed environments to explore creativity, curiosity and problem-solving. We are delighted to see these learning areas take shape and look forward to the rich learning experiences they will enable throughout the year.

Learning Together in Partnership - Meet the Teacher Sessions

We value the strong partnership we share with families and recognise the important role you play in your child’s learning and wellbeing. Open communication and mutual trust are central to this partnership, and we encourage you to stay connected and engaged throughout the year.

As part of our commitment to partnership and to open communication, you are warmly invited to make an appointment to attend our Meet the Teacher sessions which will be held this week on Tuesday and Wednesday..

Looking Ahead

The weeks ahead will bring opportunities to gather as a community, share learning and celebrate the many moments, big and small, that make school life meaningful. We look forward to walking this year’s journey together, guided by shared values and a commitment to the wellbeing and growth of every child. At St Brendan’s. Thank you for the warm welcome extended to our staff and for the care you show in supporting these teachers and your children who learn with them each day.

Sue Carr