Newsletter No. 18 | Term 2 Week 9 | Thursday 23rd June 2022
A Prayer for Rest & Rejuvenation
Lord,
This world seems to move faster and faster as we try to keep up,
but in the whirlwind instead we can be caught up. Like an unbeatable force it pulls us in.
We must learn to rest in your perfect peace, and through good, let all endeavors ease.
Oh that our feet would mimic your pace. So your joy would be set on our face.
Help us Jesus, to slow down when you would.
Help us, Lord, to rest as we should.
Thank you for loving us just as we are;
Thank you that rest is part of your plan.
Principal's Message
Dear Families and Friends,
At St. Brendan’s we understand the importance of student wellbeing and resilience. Experience tells us that happy and well-cared for students learn best. We also understand that today’s parents and carers face a multitude of challenges raising happy and resilient children.
To assist our families, we are pleased to announce that we’ve partnered with School TV - an online resource designed to empower parents/carers with credible information which includes realistic, practical and ongoing support strategies. We are giving you access to a cross section of Australia’s leading experts, all in one window. You get videos from experts, articles by recognised organisations and a range of tools, links and resources, in bite-sized information.
Each week we will highlight a different topic. The link we provide will take you to the School TV site where you can access the article provided or another article or video on topics that interest you. The topics on the site relate to raising primary school children as well as teenagers, so if you have older children, you will also find helpful information for them.
This week’s topic is POSITIVE PARENTING
Despite the best efforts of parents around the world, the reality is, there is no such thing as the ‘perfect parent’. However, arming yourself with the right information is a good start!
Research shows, that one of the most important protective factors in the lives of young people, is a close relationship with a supportive adult. With the mental health of today’s young people being at an all-time low, it is simply not enough to parent effectively. Parents need to familiarise themselves with practical skills, knowledge and strategies when it comes to raising children.
Many parents today are over-protective, resulting in children being less independent, unable to problem-solve or self-regulate. Parents are failing to set clear boundaries, which is unfortunately making kids feeling less secure. There is too much pressure on kids today. Parents fill their days with too many activities in an effort to avoid their child’s boredom.
In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn what is the best approach for primary and secondary school aged children.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact us at school so that we can help you or help you to access the help you need.
Here is the link to the Positive Parenting edition of SchoolTV
https://sbcoragulac.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/positive-parenting
MELBOURNE CAMP
What a wonderful time we all had on the Year 5/6 Melbourne Camp. We often forget that we have an amazing capital city on our doorstep, with so much to see and do. The children took it all in their stride, soaked it all in, embraced every place that we visited, and every opportunity to learn and face new challenges.
I was blown away that, without prompting, many children brought along snacks to share with some of the homeless people on the streets. As we walked to the Eureka Skydeck on Thursday night, they also distributed our leftover pizza and pasta from our dinner in Lygon Street to homeless people we saw along the way. The compassion, generosity and confidence the children demonstrated was truly mind blowing. On one of our walks through Melbourne, I saw one of our girls gently place a mintie next to an elderly woman. As the girl walked past, the woman picked up the mintie and a huge smile spread across her face. This simple gesture had a big impact and can teach us all so much.
REPORTING
On Monday we released our Semester One reports. All of our students should be very proud of the efforts they have put into their learning, particularly considering the previous two years of the pandemic, and the ongoing challenges we have faced this year.
A huge thank you to our teachers for the many hours after school and on weekends that they have committed to writing these reports. They very carefully analyse the data they collect in order to accurately report the standards your children are working at. We are grateful for their dedication.
Two other important parts of our reporting process are the Learning Portfolios and Learning Conversations. We hope you enjoy the opportunity for your child/children to share their learning with you and to also talk with the teacher about your child's progress. Research shows that when parents become involved in their children’s learning, students value the learning process more and academic learning outcomes improve.
BUSH EXCURSION
This Term our bush excursion saw us venturing to Gellibrand. A major focus was to learn about the amazing variety of mushrooms that can be found in the area. Children had the opportunity to explore the environment, work in teams, climb, go fishing, splash about in the creek, warm themselves by the fire, do some whittling, create nature wreaths, and most importantly, be at one with nature.
The growth in our children in terms of developing curiosity, resilience and connection to the natural environment was noted by us all. We also observed the sense of calm, contentment and joy that the children feel when out in nature.
Thank you to Tony and Kara for allowing us to visit your home and for all the thought and preparation you put into organising such a great day with Alice. Thank you also to Terry for all that you did to help out. There is so much thought and hours of preparation that goes into organising these days. Your efforts are appreciated by us all.
FAREWELL TO THE SUTHERLAND FAMILY
This week we say farewell to the Sutherland family as they make the move to warmer pastures in sunny Queensland. The Sutherlands have been part of St. Brendan’s for many years with Boe, Luka, Harlie and Indi all completing their primary schooling here. During my two years at St. Brendan’s, I have witnessed first hand, and heard many times, about the wonderful contributions and hard work that the Sutherland family has put into our school. They have been an integral part of the school community and will be sorely missed when they move on. We wish Donna, Rick, Boe, Luka, Harlie and Indi all the best on their new adventure.
COVID UPDATE: Please note the following changes...
Vaccination Requirements: From 11.59 pm on Friday 24 June (in effect the start of Term 3), staff in Victorian mainstream schools will no longer need to meet vaccination requirements to attend work. Schools must continue to have strong mitigation measures in place, including enhanced ventilation such as air purifiers, ongoing use of rapid antigen testing and ensuring those who are unwell stay home. This will continue to help keep our schools as safe as possible.
Transport of children to school by positive cases: A further change to the pandemic orders is that from 11.59 pm on Friday 24 June, parents/carers who are COVID-19 positive can leave self-isolation to transport children to or from school via private vehicle.The parent/carer must travel directly to and from the school only. They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to walk the child to and from the entrance of the school safely. They must wear a face mask at all times.
AN UPDATE ON THE COROROOKE OPEN SPACE
Things are moving with council and the Cororooke Open Space at long last.
The RRDPA invites interested families to a community meeting with the Colac Otway Shire next Monday 27th June at 3.30pm at the Cororooke open space tennis club rooms .
Nicole Frampton will present the plans for the grounds, history trail, play space and the picnic area. She will explain the compromises that had to be made because of the big price increases since the infrastructure plan was costed and Covid happened.
All enquiries please contact Helene Bell on 0438765214.
CHILD SAFE
Eleven new Child Safety Standards will come into place on July 1st.
Key changes include new requirements:
- to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe
- for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people
- to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments
- for greater clarity on the governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.
As we approach the final week of the Term, our upcoming dates for major events have been updated for Term 3. Please make sure you consider these and note the details of the events with relevance to your family.
Finally, a reminder that the final day of the Term is Friday June 24th. Classes will finish at 2.30pm.
I wish you all a happy, safe and relaxing holiday. See you next Term.
Leanne Eastman
principal@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
Student News
LAST DAY OF TERM DRESS UP
TOMORROW: Friday 24th June is the last day of Term and students are dressing up as 'What they would like to be when they grow up'.
This could be anything from a builder or a farmer through to a nurse, astronaut, chef, firefighter, movie star or where ever their imagination might take them! We can't wait to see what everyone envisions themselves doing in the future.
MELBOURNE CUP
After many false starts the Melbourne Cup is off and racing it's way to Coragulac at long last! The big day will be Wednesday 13th July at 2.00pm.
We will be holding a whole school assembly and inviting parents, friends and community members along to attend. VRC representatives and special guests will speak at assembly regarding the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, the trophy and its meaning to Australasia and the Melbourne Cup Carnival and there will also be a Q & A with the racing talent in attendance. We warmly invite everyone to stay back for a cup of tea afterwards.
Prep/1 Classroom News
Wow! I cannot believe we have arrived at the last week of Term 2.
BUSH EXCURSION: What a fabulous way to end the Term. All students demonstrated incredible team work, collaboration, resilience and a positive attitude towards the day. I was extremely impressed with the way they all got involved and ‘had a go.’ A big thank you to Miss. Alice as well as Kara and Tony Carlon for all the organisation that went into the day. We are extremely fortunate to have had such a wonderful opportunity.
LEARNING CONVERSATIONS: I look forward to meeting with all parents at some stage this week to discuss students’ successes and achievements. Learning portfolios will be sent home so that you can all have a closer look at the work your child has been doing. Could these please be sent back to school at the beginning of Term 3.
Congratulations on a great Term! Have a very relaxing and refreshing holiday everyone.
Allira Kluver
akluver@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
2/3/4 Classroom News
Welcome to our final week of Term 2!
Thank you parents for your attendance and input with the Learning Conversations. It is always lovely to see you and your interaction with your child/children. I really value this time together.
On Wednesday the whole school travelled to the Carlon’s property for a bush excursion. What a glorious piece of countryside! We were blessed to have time exploring their beautiful land.
LITERACY: In Writing we are finishing our Information Reports and we will start investigating poetry next term.
Our EPIC reading total is at 960 books. A super duper effort 2/3/4’s!
MATHS: In Maths we have been investigating fact families for multiplication and division and learning our times tables.
No homework has been sent out for the last week of term.
I hope you all enjoy a well -deserved break and I look forward to seeing everyone back next term healthy, refreshed and ready to learn.
The Star of the Week award goes to Archie Robb. Congratulations on your excellent work and effort!
Cheers,
Mandy Sutherland
msutherland@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
5/6 Classroom News
Welcome to Week 9 of Term 2! I can’t believe that we are halfway through the school year, it is really flying by!
LEADERSHIP: The ‘Social Sunshine Creators’ (Indi, Lexie, Joe, Ayla and Audrey) have planned a dress up day for the last day of school. The theme is ‘dress up as what you want to be when you grow up’. Please bring a gold coin donation which will be going towards the Red Cross.
CAMP: We had a fantastic time at Melbourne Camp last week. We were very lucky to be able to do so many different activities such as Ice Skating, Parliament House and the Eureka Skydeck. All of the students were terrific to take away and were extremely tired on the bus ride home on Friday afternoon!
MATHS: Lately in Maths we have been working on Problem Solving questions. All students have been having a go and displaying a positive mindset when undertaking these tasks. We have also been working on Division. Year 5 students have been dividing numbers and writing the remainder as a fraction and Year 6 students have been dividing numbers and writing the remainder as a decimal.
RELIGION: To conclude our unit on Gratitude we recapped the Resilience Project’s ‘dis’ story. The students then reflected on what they could say ‘dis’ to in their lives. Examples include; a great education, family, warmth and animals.
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM: This week we have been learning how to use the Sphero balls. Sphero balls are robotic balls that can be controlled using Chromebooks. We have been having fun driving them around the classroom and changing their colours!
I hope everyone has a relaxing holiday with your friends and family. See you in 2 weeks!
Tahlia Whytcross
twhytcross@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
Birthday Corner
We would like to wish a very big Happy Birthday to everyone who has celebrated their special day this week or will celebrate throughout the holidays, including:
21st June - Jasmine Bourk (12)
9th July - Brennan Robb (10)
Important Dates
JUNE
24th - Learning Conversations 9am - 2pm
24th - Last Day of Term 2 - ‘Dress up as what you want to be when you grow up’
2.30pm Finish Time
JULY
11th - Term 3 Begins
13th - Melbourne Cup Visit 2pm
AUGUST
1st - Advisory Council Meeting 7pm
9th & 10th - School Review
22nd - Book Week Begins
22nd - Scholastic Book Fair Begins in the Hall
26th - Book Week Dress Up Parade. Theme: 'Dreaming with Eyes Open'.
30th - Indian Classical Dance Performance by Chandralaya
SEPTEMBER
11th - Thomas Carr Open Day
16th - Final Day of Term 3
Acknowledgement of Country
At St. Brendan’s Primary School we pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land, the Gulidjan people and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We will respect the land, animals and waterways, from the roots of the earth to the tops of the trees. Through the example of our first Australians, we understand that if we look after the country, then the country will look after us.
About Us
School Vision: 'For you I have a destiny and a hope.'
PARISH PRIEST: Fr Michael O’Toole PRINCIPAL: Mrs Leanne Eastman
SAC CHAIRPERSON: Ms Gayle McNabb CHILD SAFETY OFFICER: Mrs Leanne Eastman