Dear families,

What a busy term it has been already, it is nice to see the kids so settled in!

With the easing of restrictions, it has been great to be able to meet some of the new families – we are starting to see the St Brendan’s spirit back around the school.

Upcoming Events

March	Friday 11th	Social catch up - Walk at Victoria Park Lake, meet at Western Park
	Monday 14th	Labour Day public holiday
	Wednesday 16th	School Photos
	Tuesday 22nd	P&F Meeting
	Wednesday 23rd	Hot Cross Bun Drive - orders due
	Wednesday 23rd	Ride 2 School Day
	Monday 21st to Friday 25th	Harmony Week
	Friday 25th	Harmony Day celebrated
	Monday 28th	Easter Colour Competition - sheets given to students
	Wednesday 30th	Hot Cross Bun Drive – Students bring orders home
April	Tuesday 5th	Easter Colour Competition - entries due
	Friday 8th	Last day of term
	Monday 11th to Friday 22nd	School holidays
	Monday 25th	ANZAC Day public holiday
	Tuesday 26th	Staff Professional Development - Student Free Day

Committee Updates & Information

Contact details for P&F:

President: Bianca Lane

Secretary: Jacklyn Lamb

Email: parentsandfriends@sbshepparton.catholic.edu.au

New Committee Office Bearers

At the Committee Meeting, held on 22nd February 2022, Belinda Riseley and Ronnyne Magill stepped down from their President and Secretary positions.

The Committee thanks Belinda and Ronnyne for their hard work and commitment to the school they have shown over their time as office bearers of the P&F.

New Office Bearers were appointed – Bianca Lane as President and Jacklyn Lamb as Secretary.

Bianca has been involved at St. Brendan's for 2 years with a daughter in Year 2.

Jacklyn has also been involved at St. Brendan's for 2 years with a daughter in Year 2 and a son in Foundation.

Bianca and Jacklyn are excited to bring some exciting new events to 2022 and build on the school community through regular social activities.

P&F Meeting discussion points – 22 February 2022

Action Plan for 2022 – lists key objectives for the Committee
Implementation of electronic payment system
Communication/engagement with the school community
Events for 2022 – new events, social activities, suggestions
Items to raise funds for
Grant opportunities

Committee member – positions available

Do you have a passion for our School Community and would like to contribute your ideas and a couple of hours a month - we have a role for you!

The P&F raise funds, hold fun events and support our school community to build an inclusive, supportive and caring environment for all students and their families.

We currently have openings for 5 new members to join the Committee. We are looking for parents/carers who are passionate and willing to help the Committee to be responsive to our community's needs.

We are hoping to get representation from families across all year levels of the school.

If this sounds like something you may be interested in, please contact Bianca or Jacklyn via email to express your interest or find out more information.

Register to be a Volunteer

The P&F Committee is made up of parents volunteering their time to the school to give great outcomes for our children. Parents who volunteer to assist with P&F events, enjoy socialising with other parents and the satisfaction of giving back to the school community. Kids enjoy seeing their parents involved at school and it gives the parents a greater understanding of the school environment.

If you have a few hours to spare during the year and would like to get involved in the school community, please register your interest to be involved as a parent helper through the P&F.

The P&F maintains a confidential database of parent contact details, so parents can be kept up to date on opportunities to volunteer at school and assist with events.

Please consider volunteering some of your time to the school community this year by registering your interest via email – include your full name, mobile phone number, email address, how many children you have at school this year and their year levels.

*Currently volunteers who provide assistance on school grounds need to provide evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19, including booster, before they can volunteer.

A copy of vaccination certificates is required to be kept in a confidential file by our Principal Paula Stevenson. This requirement may change during the year, however this is the current advice.

Volunteers assisting on school grounds are also required to hold a current Working With Children's Check. This information should be supplied to the school office to also be kept confidentially. Please advise the P&F that you have completed this.

Business interest

Do you own/run a business, or know of a business, that may be interested in being involved in supporting the school community through fundraisers, in-kind support or at events?

Please contact the P&F by email to register your interest. We are very interested in working with our school community and building connections with family businesses.

Upcoming Event Information

Social catch up - Friday 11th March

The P&F invites those in the school community for a walk around Victoria Park Lake on Friday, 11th March 2022 at 9.15am.

Meet at Western Park on Tom Collins Drive, near exercise equipment. Come for a casual stroll around the lake and a chat with others in our school community, younger children welcome.

Ride2School Day – 23rd March 2022

The P&F is supporting the school to encourage students, where possible, to travel to school in an active way on Ride2School Day on Wednesday, 23 March 2022.

National Ride2School Day is normally held on Friday, 25th March. This is on the same date as our Harmony Day celebrations, so we have planned to celebrate a few days early.

National Ride2School Day is the perfect opportunity for students and school communities across Australia to embrace a healthier start and to try riding and walking to school for themselves. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children, especially those who do not regularly actively travel to school.

For those students able to participate, it is recommended for helmets and bikes/scooter to be labelled with the students name and class. A secure site at school will be set up for students equipment to be stored for the day.

If you can’t participate on the day, think of how you can get active the next time you are outdoors!

Keep an eye out for more information in the next newsletter!

Please find the below attachment with full details:

Fundraising Information

Hot Cross Bun Drive – 30th March 2022

The P&F invites the school community to raise funds towards sports equipment through a Hot Cross Bun Drive.

We are teaming up with Bakers Delight City and Riverside to raise funds for our school. You can choose from a variety of flavors – Traditional, Berry Ripe, Choc Chip, Apple and Cinnamon and Fruitless.

Hard copy forms will be sent home with students. Order forms and payment is due to the school office by Wednesday, 23rd March 2022.

*Order forms are to be submitted under the name of the eldest child at school and must be returned to school stating which form of payment has been made. Orders cannot be fulfilled until payment is received.

Orders will be distributed to students on Wednesday, 30th March 2022.

Please find below the Flyer and Order form for the Hot Cross Bun Drive:

IGA Community Rewards

Please find the below attachments to view full details of the IGA Rewards Program:

My Name Label

Please find below attachments to view full details:

Book Club News

Issue 2 - Book Club