Principal's Report
Financial Literacy - CBA
Earlier this term, we had an incursion for Financial Literacy led by a facilitator from the Start Smart unit of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The sessions were presented in a way that was fun and engaging so the children could make meaningful connections with the concepts presented.
The Junior classes learnt about how to identify money and how to keep it safe. They also looked at the difference between needs and wants. The Senior class focused on achieving goals through the approach of See it, Earn it, Save it. The students looked at different ways they can earn money right now as young people. They also looked at budgeting in their own lives, and also in business terms. They were taught about profit, revenue and expenses etc.
Cricket Gala Days
In addition to our Physical Education program, our students in the Senior Learning Community had an opportunity to play cricket against other schools in Gala Days as part of the Balwyn North District.
Prep 2020 Transition
Our Prep 2020 Transition continues this Term with sessions most Fridays (except 22 November). These sessions allow the new Preps the opportunity to become familiar with our school by meeting a different teacher each week, establishing a rapport with their Year 5/6 Buddies for next year as well as getting to know their peers for next year.
So far the students have had an opportunity to meet their Prep Teacher for 2020, Mrs Pangratis and our current Year 2 teacher Mrs Maher. They have experienced an Italian session with Mrs Michieli and an Art session with Miss Wills. This program ensures a smooth transition into Prep as well as into St Bridget's.
Girls Chess State Final
Recently we held the Girls Chess State Final, with 83 students from 33 schools across Victoria participate. Congratulations to Eleanor in the Senior Learning Community who qualified for the Girls State Final and placed 47th out of 83 students.
We now look forward to the Open Semi Final, Tuesday 29 October where 7 of our students (Aiden. M, Daniel, Eleanor, James, Matthew, Nicholas and Xander) in the Senior Learning Community who have qualified and will compete. I wish them all the very best for the final.
Foodbank Initiative
Each year our school volunteers as part of the Foodbank Initiative which involves our community volunteering to prepare containers of soup for those in need in our Parish and local community. We partner with Siena College to use their home economics facilities and this year we made 50 containers of soup, which are being stored in the freezer at our Parish awaiting distribution. It is through these social actions that see our Catholic values come to life.
Thank you to those parents and teachers who donated produce and to those teachers, parents and students who volunteered their time. I would also like to thank Siena College for the use of their facilities and particularly Lyn Alexander who works closely with us on the night each year.
60th Anniversary
On Sunday 20th October, we celebrated our 60th Anniversary as a Catholic Primary School. The celebrations were commemorated with a Mass led by Bishop Terry Curtin and Parish Priest Father Mark Reynolds, followed by morning tea and a walk down memory lane of 60 years of school memorabilia.
At the beginning of Mass, an emotional Bishop Curtin expressed to the congregation how special the Parish and School of St Bridget’s is to him as he was Parish Priest here for 7 years from 2008 to 2014.
During his time as Parish Priest, Bishop Curtin developed a truly wonderful rapport with the school children of St Bridget’s. As part of his homily on the day, he reminisced of the times when he would conduct Mass at St Bridget’s for the school children and the range of entertaining answers he would receive from them regarding the message from the Gospel of the day.
Following Mass, Bishop Curtin and Father Mark Reynolds spent time talking with the many past and present families of St Bridget’s Primary School before the formalities of cutting the Anniversary cake.
The families that attended on the day also enjoyed the many activities available including music performances, a jumping castle, a silent disco, an animal farm and craft activities.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the 60th Anniversary Committee made up of present and past parents and the Parents and Parishioners Committee for all their hard work leading up to and on the day. It was a truly wonderful celebration for our community.
Refer Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne website
https://melbournecatholic.org.au/
Cricket Clinic
As part of the Sporting Schools Grants our students this Term are participating in a cricket clinic which runs over 5 weeks (21 October, 28 October, 11 November, 18 November, 25 November). During these sessions the students are taught the fundamental skills of cricket including throwing and catching balls and batting. So far this year, the students have had an opportunity through this program to learn about gymnastics, Rugby, AFL and now cricket. Students are reminded to wear their sports uniform on these Mondays.
STEM
As part of our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Collective with 3 other Catholic Schools including St Dominic's, Holy Saviour and St Roch's, the Junior School Classroom Teachers of all 4 schools were involved in a Professional Development at St Roch's. The focus of the sessions were on combining technology and mathematics to generate rich learning tasks for the students. The professional development included observing modeled lessons, discussing the lessons observed as teachers and then sharing resources to replicate modeled lessons. I now look forward to see what new ideas our teachers bring back for the benefit of our children's learning.
School Production
Last Thursday night we held our School Production titled 'A Kid's Life'. It was a fabulous performance where all students had an opportunity to shine. Our Performing Arts Teacher Jon Bode has only been with St Bridget's this year but had prepared our children incredibly well as there was many outstanding individual and group performances.
In addition to thanking Jon for his efforts, I would also like to the staff of St Bridget's in their support of Jon and our children in preparing for the Production.
Furthermore, I would like to thank the Parents and Parishioners Committee for their work in organising refreshments before the Production and during intermission.
SRCs
Congratulations to those students who were nominated by their peers as their class Student Representative Council. The students nominated received their SRC badge at today's Assembly. These students will have regular meetings with their peers and Miss Wills suggesting ways in which our school can improve. The Student Representative Council provides a platform for student voice to be heard.
Nominated SRCs
Prep: Kate and Sean
JLC WM: Chizara and Carter
JLC M: Ava and Leo
SLC: Kiera and Darren
School Closure
Please note, this coming Monday 4th November, the day before Melbourne Cup Day, is a School Closure Day for St Bridget's. The staff will be involved in Professional Development on this day as they begin to evaluation and write their student reports.
Kind regards
Robyn Thomson
Principal