Newsletter No. 11 | Term 2 Week 9 | Friday 20th June 2025

Prayer

Lord, 

Your door is always open to us.

Help us to keep our doors open to all who struggle with poverty and homelessness.

Give us open hearts to recognize our sisters and brothers in need, particularly during these cold Winter months.

Fill us with the will to work in our community and country towards ending the pain and waste that poverty and homelessness create.

We ask this through Jesus, who emptied himself of all, but love.

Amen.

Principal's Message

Dear Families and Friends,

I hope you have all managed to stay warm during what has felt like the first real blast of winter. It has definitely been good to see some rain. Keep it coming!

One of the highlights of my year so far has been the opportunity to spend more time in our classrooms. It has been incredibly rewarding to see our students fully engaged in their learning—whether working independently, collaborating with classmates, or sharing their thinking with confidence. The growth they’ve shown since the start of the year, both academically and personally, has been wonderful to witness. We are so proud of the effort they continue to put into their learning each day. We look forward to celebrating some of these achievements with you during our learning conversations in the last week of Term.

Have a great weekend. 

Leanne

Leanne Eastman

Reports and Learning Conversations

On Monday 30th June, Semester 1 reports will be released via the Parent Access Module (PAM) accessible from the SZApp and our website. These reports provide families with information about their children's progress socially, academically and behaviourally.

Learning Conversations: Learning Conversations are the second part of our formal reporting process. These will take place on Wednesday 2nd July. These valuable conversations provide an opportunity for teachers, parents/carers and students to come together to discuss students strengths, challenges and goals. 
Bookings are now open via PAM, and we encourage all families to log in and book a time as soon as possible to ensure a time that suits your schedule.

Inter-School Sports

Last week, a group of  Yr 4/5/6 students participated in a Colac and District School Soccer tournament. We entered a mixed team and the kids looked like they had a great day. We think that these sports days provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet and interact with other children their age, as well as having lots of fun!

Wow Wall

You may have noticed the WOW Wall outside Grace’s Office. It highlights some of the amazing things that are happening in our school. Our latest ‘Wow’ moment happened on Wednesday. 

Noah accidentally dropped all of the bottle lids in the Art room.. Everley said, “Do you want me to help? You always help out your friends!” Java also joined in to help. What great friends they are!

Trivia Night - Save the Date!

Some of the parents have been planning a Trivia Night for Term 3 which should be lots of fun - the last Trivia Night was a huge success!

It will be held on Friday 25th July - the first week back after the school holidays. 

All families should have received some raffle tickets to sell, if you need anymore please see Grace in the office, we have some wonderful prizes coming our way.

Please also note we are selling tickets to the event via the trybooking website below. If you do not have enough for a table and you wish to come to the night please call Grace in the office and we can put your name down for a community table!

Toasties - Help Needed!

The students have been excited to have toasties back each Friday. 

For this to go ahead each week, we are calling on parents to volunteer to take on a shift to cook the toasties. If you are able to help please let Grace know.

Bush Excursion

This coming Wednesday the 25th June is our much anticipated Bush Excursion!! We will be heading to the Beechy Trail with the exact location to be announced on Monday, after a final check on the sites over the weekend. Students will need to be prepared for any weather that may come our way wearing old clothes, boots and warm jackets and beanies. We will not be having lunch orders on this day but we will indulge in a sausage sizzle instead. There is nothing like the smell of a barbeque in the bush! If your child does not eat sausages please send an alternative lunch with them. Also, please ensure students have their drink bottles and snacks packed. The note will go out on PAM today so remember to give your permission via this platform.

Sick Bay Pass on PAM

As some of you may be aware, when your child is sick or injured you will usually receive a note home explaining what has happened. We are currently moving away from paper and keeping everything online, which will mean we will now be using PAM to note down Sick Pass entries. These will be sent out after 4pm on the day occurred. If you notice any issues with this please let us know.

Library Sports

We are excited to announce that the students are currently participating in ‘Library Sports’. This is an initiative where students are given House points for reading books. There is a list of specific books that they can read to earn more points, or they can also be given points for reading books which are not on the list. 

At the end of each book, students answer questions about the story to show that they have definitely read it! Scores are then recorded.

The Library Sports will culminate in a special READING SPORTS DAY which will be held on Wednesday 17th September. 

This week we would like to give a special mention to Lewie Panther who is reading his little heart out and has already earned over 400 points for his team McCarthy! Well done Lewie!

Thank you to Diane who has been leading this initiative. Great work Diane!

Brain Breaks = Brain Boosts

Whether it’s a round of Just Dance, sharing some fresh fruit, or relaxing with a story, our students know the power of a good brain break!
These short, active pauses help students recharge their minds, reset their focus and get ready to learn again with energy and a smile.
They’re also a great way to build connection, movement and a bit of laughter into the day.
Because let’s be honest... sometimes a quick dance-off is just what the brain needs!

Winter Wellness

As the weather cools down, so does our immune system’s defence!

At school, we want to keep everyone feeling well and ready to learn, so here are a few easy tips to help prevent the spread of colds and flu this winter:

🧼 Wash hands often – especially after coughing, sneezing, or before eating.

🤧 Cover coughs and sneezes – with a tissue or elbow.

🏠 Stay home if unwell – rest helps recovery and prevents the spread to others.

💧 Keep hydrated – even in cooler weather, drinking water is important.

🍎 Eat well & sleep well – a balanced diet and good sleep support the immune system.

If your child is showing flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, body aches), it’s best to keep them home until

they’re feeling better. A day or two of rest can prevent a week of sickness from spreading through the

classroom! Let’s work together to keep our school community healthy and happy this winter!

Enrolments

2026 Foundation enrolments are now open. We have upscaled our Social Media output to spread the word about our wonderful school. It has been really positive to see people responding positively to the advertisements. 

A reminder that one of the best ways to advertise a school is by word of mouth.  Spread the word!

Free Resources for Parents from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne

The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne offers a wide range of free, trusted resources to support parents and carers with reliable information about child and adolescent health.

What’s available on their website:

Kids Health Info fact sheets: 

Easy-to-read, evidence-based information on hundreds of common medical, developmental and wellbeing topics.

Kids Health Info Podcast:

Free podcast episodes featuring RCH experts, covering topics such as:

Winter wellness: croup, RSV, whooping cough, colds, flu, gastro, and more

Common childhood concerns: fussy eating, bedwetting, head injuries, anxiety, autism, sports injuries, burns and first aid

Child development: puberty, late walkers/talkers, learning difficulties

Sleep, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing

COVID-19 updates and vaccine information

Special topics like allergies, vaping, sexual safety, and navigating the healthcare system

Regular new episodes are added and available to stream or download via the RCH website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. No sign-up required — all information is free and accessible to everyone.

Wellbeing

SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that we have to support you with the challenges relating to modern-day parenting. This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

In addition to the weekly topic we publish in our newsletter, all of the SchoolTV topics are always accessible through our school website under the Student Wellbeing section. You can always use this link: 

There are videos from experts as well as a huge range of websites, books, apps, fact sheets and podcasts.

This week is international men's health week. As well as thinking broadly about male health - both physical and mental- it is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we support our boys. The School TV topic Raising Boys has a variety of useful resources to support parents. Remember that all of the School TV topics remain accessible to our parent community and can be accessed via our school website.

Raising Boys

Many parents will attest to the fact that most boys are active, loud, rambunctious and prone to rough play, but this should not affect how a parent acts towards their son. Be careful not to pigeon-hole your son into sex-specific behaviours or gender roles. The male brain is distinctly different in its development. A boy’s physical maturity is often at odds with his mental and brain development.

Societal beliefs about how to raise boys can sometimes influence their adult carers. Although we are not determined by our biology, it is a factor. It is important to support boys in their natural tendencies and nurture their strengths and abilities. Teach them the skills they need for their future and to develop a healthy identity. It is important for boys to have a role model they can connect with and acknowledge who they are. One of the most important determinants for a boy’s development is how secure they feel growing up.

In this edition of School TV, adult carers will gain a better understanding into some of the more complex issues relating to raising boys.

Here is the link to your Edition:

Don't forget to use this amazing free resource - School TV!

Child Safety

At St. Brendan’s, we know that every child is unique - and so are their needs. Some children may face extra challenges in their lives, whether that’s at home, in friendships, with emotions, or in learning. It is our role as a school to notice, support and care for these children. What does this mean?

A vulnerable child might be:

Going through a tough time at home

Finding it hard to manage emotions or behaviour

Missing school regularly

Feeling isolated or disconnected

Showing changes in mood, learning, or friendships

We work as a team - teachers, support staff, wellbeing leaders and families - to gently identify these signs and put support in place. This might include:

✔ Checking in regularly with a trusted adult at school

✔ Involvement in small wellbeing or social groups

✔ Working with families to find the best way forward

Why do we do this?

Because every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported—no matter their circumstances. Early support can make a big difference in helping kids build confidence, improve learning, and feel connected at school.

If you ever feel your child is going through a hard time or needs extra support, please reach out. 

We’re here to listen, help, and work with you to make sure your child feels safe, happy and supported every day.

Bike Wheels Wanted

In our ‘Bike Wheel Drive’ we have currently collected one bike wheel - thanks to Pat O’Shea! We need at least 20, so if you have any spare bike wheels it would be appreciated. A variety of sizes would be great!

As mentioned in the previous Newsletter we will be using them for an Art project. The painted bike wheels will be used to decorate the front of the sports shed. 

Please note: We do not need the whole bike, just the wheels.

However, if you happen to have any bikes in good working order, we are always looking for bikes for the children to ride.

School Uniforms

School uniforms are now available for purchase. The online platform is up and running so if you wish to place an order scan the QR code below or get onto the Borne Apparel website and search for ur school.

Please Note: The last order preview did not have the school beanie on it. They are adding it to the online platform. It may take four weeks to come in so if you would like to order one for Winter it might be a good idea to do it soon.

There will also be the option of a school dress (the same as what we have) and optional navy pants (dressier than a tracksuit).

A reminder that you are under no obligation to buy anything at this stage. The transition period is two years.

Social Media

A reminder that you can follow us on the following social media platforms to stay up to date with all of the happenings in our vibrant school community.

School Attendance and Absentee Notification

Please ensure you are logging onto PAM, calling or emailing the school to advise if your child will be away or late to school prior to 9:30am each morning. This is a very important matter and we wish to ensure each child arrives to school safe.
Please remember students are not permitted to leave school unless permission has been granted. In these circumstances, the student needs to be signed out in the register at the Office. Thank you for your support in all these school matters.

Prep/1 Classroom

Welcome to Week 9!

We have nearly made it to the end of Term 2! The past fortnight we have welcomed Jordyn Murnane, a third year pre-service teacher from ACU, into our classroom. It has been a pleasure having Jordyn with us as she delivers engaging lessons and builds positive connections with the students.

Learning Conversations: Learning Conversations will be held on Wednesday in Week 11. This is a valuable opportunity for students to share work samples with their parent/s and for teachers to discuss each child’s learning progress. Please book via PAM or see Grace if you need assistance.

Religion: In Religion, we have been exploring how we can show God’s love in our daily lives. We have also been preparing for our class liturgy, which will take place this Friday afternoon. All are welcome to attend.

Integrated Curriculum: Recently in Integrated Curriculum, we have been learning about plants and animals. We’ve explored the features of living things and discussed what plants and animals need to survive. This week, we also said goodbye to our mustard seeds, which we have been growing since the beginning of Term 2.

I hope you have a lovely week,
Tahlia

Tahlia O'Keeffe
tokeeffe@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au

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2/3/4 Classroom News

Welcome to Week 9!

I would like to extend a huge thank you to our 2/3/4's for running a lovely liturgy for St. Brendan's Feast Day. It was wonderful to celebrate our patron saint in the beautiful chapel at Thomas Carr. The children did a fantastic job with their readings and were really respectful.

We have finally finished reading The Magic Far Away Tree! It was epic! The class enjoyed the characters and adventures. As a response to the book, we are creating our own worlds to be found at the top of the tree. There is a lot of excitement for this creative activity! I always look forward to seeing what amazing things 2/3/4 come up with.

Integrated Curriculum: The children have been presenting their research on places in Australia and countries in the world. I have been truly impressed with their speeches and their delivery. The rest of the class have been given the opportunity to give feedback and the comments have been thoughtful and respectful.

Religious Education: We have been investigating the presense of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which is also known as the birthday of the Church. The children have also looked at the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the sacrament of Confirmation.

During the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation, the bishop or priest performs a laying on of hands and calls upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit to come upon the Catholic Christians who are receiving the sacraments. 
Hey prays the following words:
                                               send upon them, O Lord, the Holy Spirit
                                               give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding
                                               the spirit of right judgement and courage
                                               the spirit of knowledge and reverence
                                               fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe of the Lord.

The Star of the Week award goes to Issy Coates. Congratulations on your excellent effort!

Warm Wishes,
Mandy Sutherland
msutherland@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au

5/6 Classroom News

Newsletter week 9

Hello everyone. It has been a busy 2 weeks in the 5-6 classroom. 

This week in literacy we have been diving deep into how sounds and images work together to create powerful feelings and tell incredible stories! We learned that it's not just what you see, but how the visuals are sequenced and what music or sound effects are playing that can totally change the meaning of a video or a set of pictures. Some of the stories that the students were able to generate based on the images and the sounds were very creative. 

In Maths, we've been exploring Volume and Capacity! We've been learning all about how much space 3D objects take up (that's volume!) and how much liquid they can hold (that's capacity!).We've explored different units of measurement, like cubic centimetres (cm3) for volume and millilitres (mL) and litres (L) for capacity. 

In Integrated studies we also discovered how the Sun provides us with light and heat, and how important it is for plants to grow through photosynthesis. 

Fun Fact: The light you see from the Sun today actually left the Sun's surface about 8 minutes and 20 seconds ago! That's how long it takes to travel all the way to Earth!

Enjoy your weekend as we move closer to the end of Term 2.

gdouglas@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au

Birthday Corner

Wishing a very big Happy Birthday to everyone who is celebrating their special day! We have no student birthday's this fortnight however, some celebrity June birthdays are as below:

June 1st - Morgan Freeman

June 18th - Paul McCartney

June 20th - Nicole Kidman

June 22nd - Meryl Streep

Important Dates

Catholic Culture

St Brendan's Coragulac & St Joseph's Pirron Yallock Mass Times

Mass & Lay-Led Times.

1^st SUNDAY of Month             9.00am   Mass - St. Joseph’s, Pirron Yallock

                                                10.30am  Lay-Led - St. Brendan’s, Coragulac

2^nd & 3^rd SUNDAY of Month    9.30am    Lay-Led - St. Brendan’s, Coragulac

4^th & 5^th SUNDAY of Month     9.00am    Mass - St. Brendan’s, Coragulac

Community News & Events

Bluewater Sensory Quiet Time Pool Session
When: Every Saturday between 1-3pm
Please contact Bluewater Colac if you have any questions.