Message from the Principal
Naplan
During Term 2, students in Years 3 and 5 completed the annual National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The students completed tests in reading, writing, numeracy and language conventions including spelling, grammar and punctuation. This year was the first year our school completed the tests online except for the Year 3 writing test. Overall, the delivery of the tests was successful. Thank you to Mr Brophy, Mr Cirillo and Miss Durrant for preparing our students. We look forward to receiving the results from August onwards.
Chess Tournaments
Some of our students participated in recent chess tournaments at our school. In the Junior, Prep to Year 3 tournament held 17th May, St Bridget's finished 4th out of 17 schools. Of the 45 students who participated our highest ranking student was Sophie in Year 3 who placed 24th.
In our most recent chess tournament, Prep to Year 6, held 2nd June, we placed 3rd out of 16 schools. Of the 58 students who participated our highest ranking student was Darren in Year 6 who placed 3rd. Darren received a gold medal for his efforts and has qualified for the Primary Open Semi-Final. Well done to all students who participated.
Hosting chess tournaments at our school is also an opportunity for us to raise funds via our TuckInn which is very popular among participants from all schools who attend. Thank you to those parents who volunteered their time.
Fundraising
In addition to the funds raised through TuckInn, a number of other opportunities were organised during Term 2. As part of our community partnerships initiative, we operate a monthly BBQ in conjunction with our local butchers Belmore Biodynamics.
Also, the Greythorn Traders Association invited us to run a cake stall at the Greythorn Shopping Centre recently as part of their Faces of Greythorn Statues Launch. In addition to the sales from our cakes, the Association donated $500 to our school as an incentive. The total amount raised from the two BBQs and the cake stall including the $500 donation was $1,100. Thank you again to those parents who volunteered their time and/or baked goods.
Furthermore, one of the other local businesses we connect with, Viva La Fruit located at Greythorn Shopping Centre, 291 Doncaster Road, Balwyn donates 10% each year from sales receipts inserted into our community loyalty box. Based on last year's receipts, this year we received a total $1,043.
When purchasing your fruit and vegetables, please consider Viva La Fruit, as you will be also helping our school as well as purchasing high quality produce.
On 18th June, we held our biggest fundraiser for the year, our Trivia Night. It was a fabulous and very successful event. Thank you to Talia Loarson, President of our Parents and Friends Committee and her team for organising the event. As previously communicated, we raised $15,502. Please refer to the next page for further information and acknowledements.
To round off the end of term in regards of donations, school parents, Dave and Kellie McNeil offered to donate 10% from sales to St Bridget's parents at their recent Onkaparinga warehouse sale. A total of $146.30 was donated. Thank you Dave and Kellie for your kind generosity.
Student Wellbeing
During Term 2, we engaged with an organsiation called The Human Develpment Workshop who provide a number of programs that promote the social development of young people as individuals. Over an eight week period, Kate Wilde and her team ran a workshop with our Year 4 and Year 5 girls called Girlosophy. This program focuses on friendships, self-esteem, body image, 'frenemies', etc. The program has been a successful initiative in helping our girls naivate some particular challenges. We look forward to our up coming parent workshop on 19th July. More information regarding this will be issued in the coming week.
Kindergarten Visits
Further to our community partnerships initiative and in order to build our future Prep enrolments, we have started to re-engage with our local kindergartens since COVID.
Our visits will centre around providing a service which connects well with our Catholic Social Teaching. Each month two of our Student Captains and two of our staff will visit our local kindergartens. During this time, they will support the kindergarten in running their library session. Recently, we visited Balwyn East Kindergarten.
Volunteers
Last term, we supported a number of past students with their pre-service teaching or community service placement while others volunteered their time. It is wonderful to see past students come back to St Bridget's as well as for their helping hand. I think it says a lot about a school when students return to volunteer their time.
First Eucharist Workshop
In preparation for the Sacrament of First Eucharist on 17th July, we held our parent and child workshop. The workshop was delivered by Presentation Family Project and consolidated the learning taught in the classroom about the sacrament. We wish the students making their sacrament all the best for their upcoming celebration.
We look forward to seeing all students back at school for the beginning of Term 3 on Tuesday 12th July.
Kind regards,
Mrs Robyn Thomson
Principal