A message from our Principal

Dear St. Brendan's School Community,

It was lovely to have the children return to school so refreshed and ready for work.

We have been extremely pleased with the way the children have settled and the calmness around our school environment.

Wellbeing

As discussed in previous Newsletter, as a Staff we decided that we would assist with children's wellbeing by offering a number of different programs that all children will be able to access.

Term 1

Children were involved in groups to help their wellbeing, facilitated by:

• Michelle Black - Drama/Music
• Leanne Pellegrino - Art
• Josh Wild - Sport
• David Maskell - ICT

Teachers have also been supported in classrooms by these teachers and Learning Support staff.

Lunch time Activities

We observed that children, when they came back after COVID, weren't playing any games or sport at lunchtime.  A decision was made by Leadership to support children to engage in physical activity.  We would release some teachers from normal Yard duty and they would organise games and skill sessions.

• Sam Beks - (GV Gators player) 5/6 Teacher - Offering Basketball
• Sophie Sidebottom (Netballer) 5/6 Teacher - Offering Netball
• Josh Wild (PE Teacher) - Offering Soccer/Football

We have employed Anthony Andronaco who will assist with PMP classes for Juniors, Football at lunchtime and assist some of our children in the classroom.  Juniors will also be shown how to play hopscotch and other games.  Anthony will begin his teaching training as well as playing for Shepparton Bears.  

In the last four days we have noticed a very good take up of these activities, and we will continue to monitor these.

Tutoring

The Government did allocate money for Tutoring to 'catch children up' who have dropped in academic areas during COVID.  Some Government Schools received large amounts of money as per information in the Herald Sun.  We received some money, and are using this to work with small groups of children that need extra intervention after analysing our data.

Heather Woodman (Reading Recovery) and Sally Mills (Deputy Principal-Curriculum) have been mentoring Millie Casey and Kate Turk in delivering these Literacy Intervention groups.

Letters will be sent home on Monday for children who will begin the groups.  They will have three extra 45 minutes a week, for 10 weeks.

Please contact your child's teacher or myself if you have any concerns.

Mother's Day Stall

Thanks to Parents and Friends for organising the Mother's Day Stall.  A flyer was sent home today for parents who wish to order and there is also an order form through Operoo.  

There are such great gift ideas, and we thank the Parents and Friends for all their organisation.

Assemblies

We will send out a schedule of Assembly dates for this term shortly.  As our Hall is not large enough to accommodate students, teachers and parents, we will have Assembly in the different Units.  This will be sent out early next week.

Notre Dame College Open Day

On Friday, 7th May 2021, Notre Dame College will hold its annual Open Day.  

Guided tours will commence in front of the Administration Building in Knight Street.  To facilitate the visit and avoid overcrowding, students and parents/guardians are asked to book a suitable time for a tour via www.schoolinterviews.com.au (Booking Code 55zfy).

All people who have booked must provide a face mask while on campus and wear it if instructed.

Groups from our School won't be attending, only parents and students who have booked.

Please refer to the flyer attached:

St. Brendan's Open Day - Save the Date

Our Open Day will be held on Tuesday, 18th May.  More information to follow.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Sally and Simon Mills on the exciting news of the safe arrival of their first grandchild, a beautiful granddaughter 'Harriet Marie'.  Fantastic news for Nick and Nat Mills.

Kind regards,

Paula Stevenson (Principal)