~ Positive Education for Life ~

Every Child Known, Encouraged, Challenged and Supported

Dear Parents and Friends of St Brendan’s,

As difficult as it may be to believe, there are just sixteen school days left until the end of the 2020 school year!

None of our usual end of year activities are taking place. We all find ourselves called to look for even more ways to demonstrate our resilience. Listed below are some of the changes to our end of the school year.

Our Year Six Graduation will be a two day celebration for our graduating class and their teachers. Unfortunately, due to the government restrictions the parents of these children will be sent a recording of the key events in the day.
Our new Foundation students came to school in small groups of ten for two forty five minute orientation sessions.
The End of Year Mass will have some Year 5 students in the church others will view from their classroom.
There will be no final assembly with the usual awards ceremony
There will be no Christmas raffle this year.

With all of these challenges and changes to our usual school program, I ask you to remember that we are about to enter the season of Advent (November 29 - December 24). During Advent, the Church reminds us to be watchful, alert, to wait with hope for the coming of the Saviour. We have been more watchful, alert and hopeful throughout 2020 than perhaps ever before in our lifetimes. The Church also asks us to pray, to practise self regulation and to do acts of kindness to others. Let’s join in the spirit of Advent as we await the birth of the Saviour and hopefully, a brighter, happier, healthier and more prosperous 2021.

A Message From Father Michael

As you know, yoga and meditation are a regular part of the wellbeing program at St Brendan’s.

The benefits of mindfulness, stillness and meditation are widely documented. I am always amazed when I visit the yoga room to see the stillness, the presence and the deep engagement of our students.

This week, Father Michael presents a beautifully child centred talk on Christian meditation.. Please make the time to watch this beautiful clip with your children.

Blue and White Day - a fundraiser to support one of our own

Friday 4th December

A few weeks ago, I was approached by two Year Four students who asked for a meeting with me. When I met with Molly Trotter and Matthew Corbridge, Molly told me that they wanted to hold a fundraiser to support research into MND - Motor Neurone Disease. She told me that Matthew’s dad has this disease. I asked Matthew whether he wanted us to hold the fundraiser. He assured me that he did.

The children want everyone to dress in blue and white clothes and to bring a gold coin/coins for the privilege. I said that the school would give every child who brought a donation a Zooper Dooper at lunch time.

I took the children’s request to the school Leadership Team meeting. The teachers on the team thought we should donate the proceeds of our fundraiser directly to the Corbridge family. I have checked with Donna Corbridge and she has said that the family would be most appreciative of the school’s support. In a year where many have found life challenging, I ask those of you who can possibly support this special event to do so wholeheartedly. I feel sure that the St Brendan’s community will show Simon, Donna and Matthew our loving support.

School Uniform

Thank you to those parents who have made contact with the teachers or me to explain why their child/children may be out of uniform in some way. Please ensure that your children wear the correct school uniform each day or make contact to explain why they are out of uniform. We notice a direct correlation between the wearing of full and correct school uniform and positive behaviour.

Please be aware that all of the elements of the uniform policy will be strongly enforced from the first day of the new school year.

Please be aware that our Uniform Policy states the following regarding hairstyles for both girls and boys:

Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back with school coloured hair ties, scrunchies or ribbons
No extreme hairstyles will be permitted e.g shaved sides, extreme colours etc

School uniform engenders belonging, pride, respect and responsibility for following the rules of the school to which children belong. Please start to help your child understand why these things are really important at St Brendan’s and why the policy will be enforced.

Thank you for your support in this matter, and in all other matters that pertain to our school.

Congratulations

We are very excited to announce to our school community that our wonderful Foundation teacher; Loren Kondarios and her husband Adam are expecting their first baby in May. Loren will continue to work at St Brendan's supporting Junior students with Literacy and Mathematics during Term One of 2021. We look forward to celebrating the safe arrival of their precious first baby next year.

I look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Have a great week.

Sue Carr

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