Miss Mel's Message

Term 2, Week 1

Return to School Excitement

Welcome back, everyone! We hope you had a rejuvenating holiday break filled with rest and cherished moments. While we also enjoyed our well-deserved time off, there were also plenty of exciting developments that took place at school. From enhancing our facilities with fresh coats of paint to the completion of new learning areas, intervention, and extension rooms, there's much to look forward to as we dive into Term 2. Come and check out the new spaces. 

Clubs at St B’s are a Hit!

This week saw the introduction of a permanent passive play option in the Learning Street. We had an abundance of students engaging in a variety of activities, colouring, drawing, uno, chess, reading, writing and planks. If you are interested in supporting passive play and would like to come in and play a game, or teach the kids a new game or hobby please reach out and let us know. We would love to see you in there. Please see the below clubs timetable. We are open to including any more ideas you might have if you would like to come in and assist. 

Walking club was a success with 25 children joining us on an adventure. We visited the cemetery, had some great conversations, reflective moments and sharing of experiences. 

Another great student leadership initiative.  

Manna Gum Community Connection 

I had an exciting meeting with Jodie from Manna Gum Kinder today forming many new plans to strengthen our partnership and community connections. 

To begin our journey together Jodie from Manna Gum visited the 2024 prep students.In the coming weeks we will have groups of students from various levels visiting Manna Gum to connect with the kinder kids. Our staff will also attend the kinder for some observations, with Manna Gum staff coming in to observe some of our Discovery sessions. Great things to come. 

The Victorian Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement; School Closure Days & Meetings

The Victorian Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement, designed to provide significant improvements to help support teacher workload, outlines staff entitlement to time in lieu (TIL) for additional work performed outside their usual working hours. Work includes; 

• parent teacher meetings
• long excursions
• art shows
• concerts
• parent information sessions
• sacramental evenings
• after-hours sporting events
• camps 

In the state system schools are awarded funds from the government to pay out time in lieu.  MACS schools are not awarded these funds, and as such TIL is acquitted through school closure days. These days are lodged with MACS and approved the year before. 

The days for 2024 are;

26th April, 6th November, 18th December, 19th December.

In addition, in order to continue 3-6 camps that attract TIL for all hours outside of the usual working day, including overnight, it is encouraged that students who have attended Middles camp in 2024 have a rest day post camp. Teachers attending camp will have an additional TIL day after returning from camp. Any Middles students who come into school the next day will be combined and have leadership running the day.  As Senior camp is Wednesday to Friday, Leadership will take usual classes for Seniors on the Monday. The alternative is to build the cost of TIL into the camp, this would significantly increase the camp costs.  

In addition, each MACS school is allocated 6 school closure days for professional development.  

27th Jan, 30th Jan, 24th April, 14th August, 8th November, 20th December.

These dates are also on our parent calendar and on our website in the parent handbook.

Our upcoming day is held off-site in Riddells Creek in preparation for our School Review. It is an important whole staff event with review only occurring every four years. This will enable us to reflect on our achievements and set new targets for the coming four years. 

Another aspect of the agreement involves meeting times. Staff meetings will start at 3.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. For this reason, staff will not be walking their classes out. An education support officer will be on duty at the front of the school to ensure safe departure of students. 

Safety at St B’s

Defibrillator

St B's has invested in a defibrillator. Hopefully, we never have to use it, however, having the tools to help save a life is very important to us! We will be storing the defib in the First Aid room, which is upstairs, behind the front office, if ever required.

Buses and Parking 

Please note that parking is not allowed on the corner of Fisher and Brantome Street as this is the bus route, and it makes it difficult for the bus to enter Fisher Street. We have written to the council for a sign, however this may take some time. 

Hats

Please note, hats are to be worn until the end of April as per the recommendation from the Victorian Education Department. Please ensure your child has their hat or they will need to play in a shaded area. 

Canteen Update

Canteen will operate at this stage on a Thursday only for both hot lunches and counter sales. Later in the term we will seek parent feedback on the canteen menu, operation and the potential for another day. Menu changes are occurring with a reduction in sweet treats, the introduction of frozen fruit, and frozen yogurt, and the continuation of homemade muffins and other yummy healthy treats. Children will be permitted to purchase two items only. We are encouraging children not to buy treats for their friends, and to limit their purchases for their own health and wellbeing. Please have this discussion with your child. Further info on placing orders can be found on our Canteen page.

Communication

SeeSaw

Staff continue to share highlights of your child’s learning and achievements on SeeSaw. Please like or comment on these posts. We are aiming to increase parent engagement and participation in each child’s learning journey. 

Email 

Staff emails are a great communication tool. Staff will respond to your email within a 24-hour period during the working week. Staff are not expected to respond to emails out of school time, including weekends and holidays. Staff often do not have time to look at emails from 8.30am as they are preparing for the day. If you have an important or time-sensitive communication during these times please email the office staff or myself and we will support you and pass on any urgent messages; office@sbgisborne.catholic.edu.au or mdaly@sbgisborne.catholic.edu.au. 

Morning contact with teachers

If you have information to pass on to the teacher, they are available from 8.30am until they begin their teaching at 8.50am. Once meditation begins they will be unable to engage in conversations with you so you will need to arrange another time to catch up. Parents are welcome to stay for meditation. Please then quietly leave the class so the teacher can get the learning for the day underway. If you need to pass anything else on at this time, please come and chat with me or the office staff. 

Late arrivals

Please note that the office doors are shut to the main building from 850-9am to allow classes to pray and meditate without interruption. If you are late, your child will be required to sit in the office area for the duration of the prayer and meditation routine. 

Brain Food

Learning at St Brigid’s is hands-on, active, and involves movement between classes and learning spaces. We are however all about keeping those brain gears turning, which is why we're big fans of students bringing along their own little brain snacks as they move between classes and specialist sessions. Please send easy-to-handle nibbles in small containers so children don't have to carry their whole lunch box. Think nuts, fruits, cheese and whole grain crackers—stuff that packs a punch without making a mess. These snacks are perfect for keeping energy levels up and minds sharp, no matter where the learning journey takes them!

Prep 2025

Tours for 2025 preps have begun. We are receiving fantastic feedback from prospective parents, and have been very proud showing families around the school. Please spread the word. If you have a child commencing in 2025 please email office@sbgisborne.catholic.edu.au to secure your place early.

More Updates

Please check out our Learning & Teaching page for news from around our school, including Cross Country results, The Resilience Project, Religious Education, and staff professional development. Our P & F page has updates from the Easter Raffle and Colour Run also!

And check us out on our socials!