Newsletter No. 23 | Term 3 Week 5 | Thursday 11th August 2022
Prayer
Prayer of Gratitude
Lord,
We thank you for all of the people who have been part of our school community over the past five years, for those who have worked here in an official capacity, and for parents, parish members and Fr. Michael, who have all contributed in so many ways by supporting the school and making the school community of St. Brendan’s so welcoming and vibrant.
We ask for your guidance as we move forward into our next phase. Bless all members of our community. Help us to remain committed to maintaining the wonderful spirit of our school. Guide us in providing an education that meets the needs of our students and prepares them for the next phase of their education and life journey.
Amen
Principal's Message
Dear Families and Friends,
This week we welcomed our School Review Panel to our school for the final stage of the Review process. The Panel members were:
Cheryl Pefanis - Reviewer
Lee Schlooz - Education Consultant Catholic Education Ballarat
Jane Claasson - Education Consultant Catholic Education Ballarat
Suzie mcManus - Principal, Sacred Heart Casterton
On Wednesday, in order to gain a comprehensive overview of the school, they interviewed quite a few focus groups made of various sectors of the St. Brendan’s community. This included students, staff, parents and parish members. Thank you to the following people who gave up their time to meet with the Panel:
Parents: Gayle McNabb, Melissa D’Altera, Sophie Alliband & Tracey Bayne.
Parish: Maureen Finn, Jill O’Dowd, Marita O’Shea, Bronwyn Hickman & Margaret Allen.
The Review process was a positive experience. It validated the good work being done and the wonderful learning opportunities we provide for our children and families. It also enabled us to set goals and priorities to meet the needs of our school over the next five years, ensuring that we provide a meaningful, relevant and high quality education for our students. We are excited to begin the next stage of the process, planning for the future and putting our plans into action.
Just a reminder that the ‘Circuit Breaker’ weekend is THIS weekend. School will be closed on Friday 12th August and Monday 15th August. We hope you all enjoy the break and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.
Warm regards,
Leanne Eastman
principal@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
Student News
SRC
This week I enjoyed a Morning Tea with the SRC students. We had a chat about their roles as SRC members, discussed what is going well at school and brainstormed activities that the SRC would like to lead this Term. This is yet to be decided. The students are doing a wonderful job in their roles as leaders in our school.
SCIENCE IN 2/3/4
The students in 2/3/4 have been blowing some pretty amazing bubbles in Science this week. They used a secret ingredient which enabled the bubbles to hold together longer and become bigger. What was the ingredient? It was glycerine!
Students were encouraged to reflect on their ‘wonderings’ eg I wonder what makes the bubbles hold together? I wonder why the bubble doesn’t pop when I put the straw through the bubble? I wonder why I am able to create a bubble inside another bubble.
It is wonderful to observe the curiosity in our students.
SchoolTV
In this edition of SchoolTV - HAPPINESS & GRATITUDE
Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things, to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.
The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increase your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.
In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude.
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 the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Happiness & Gratitude edition of SchoolTV
https://sbcoragulac.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/happiness-gratitude
Prep/1 Classroom News
Congratulations to the Prep/1’s for a very productive week so far! We’ve achieved so much already.
Literacy: The Preps are working on CCVC (consonant-consonant-vowel-
Maths: This week we have been learning about probability and chance. The Prep 1’s have been creating graphs and charts to show information they have collected. After coming up with a question to investigate (eg. Do you like the bush?), they interviewed their peers and tallied the results.
Religion: The dramatic prowess of Prep/1 students was on show this week when they acted out the story of Micah. Students appeared to really enjoy the opportunity to engage in role play. Not only was this lots of fun, it helped us to really understand the story. I am certain that several students will go on to have illustrious acting careers!
Integrated Curriculum: For Science this week, students have explored natural vs man-made items and classified them into categories. They were then challenged to create a bird feeder using their chosen materials. It was great to see their innovation and problem-solving skills during this activity.
Enjoy the looooong weekend!
Allira Kluver
akluver@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
2/3/4 Classroom News
Welcome to Week 5!
We survived our Review and I hope we all make the most of the extended weekend!
Literacy: In Literacy this week, some of our reading groups presented short plays to the class. The focus was on expression, volume and following punctuation cues. Everybody did a great job with their parts.
Writing: In Writing, we have started thinking about a product to create and designing an advertisement to showcase the item.
Religion: In R.E. we are investigating the Scripture story from Matthew 14: 13-21 about Feeding the 5000. We are looking at the World of the Text which delves into what was happening at that time in history.
Today we are presenting our liturgy about Mary McKillop, Australia’s first and only saint.
Science: The class was involved in an experiment this week that involved making bubbles. Not just any bubbles but super bubbles! It was an exciting time for everyone and the results were incredible! Check out some of the creations below - they were amazing! The secret to the size and strength of the bubbles was the magic ingredient – glycerine.
Did you know that glycerine mixed with dishwashing detergent makes the bubbles thicker? The thicker skin of the glycerine bubbles keeps the water from evaporating as quickly, so they last longer. It also makes them stronger, so you can blow the biggest bubbles.
Maths: In Maths this week we are learning about probability. We are discussing chance terms like: certain, impossible, likely, unlikely and even chance.
Homework has been sent out with a worksheet focused on basic mathematical concepts and new spelling words to learn.
The Star of the Week award goes to Melody Baker. Congratulations on your excellent work and effort!
Cheers,
Mandy Sutherland
msutherland@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
5/6 Classroom News
Welcome to Week 5 of Term 3! We are halfway through this term, it is flying by!
Leadership Groups: Just a reminder that the Earth Heroes are collecting plastic bottle lids (milk, water & soft drink lids). If you could please remember to collect these lids we would appreciate it very much. There is a Lids4Kids box near Gracesyn’s office.
Spelling: This month some of our students will be competing in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee. This is a spelling competition against other Year 5/6 students across Australia. We have lots of excited children who are looking forward to testing their spelling knowledge.
Writing: This week in Writing we have been studying Classic poems. Specifically, we have looked at; Waltzing Matilda and The Man From Snowy River by Banjo Paterson and My Country by Dorothea MacKellar. We unpacked these poems and discussed the meanings behind them and also looked at the figurative language used by the poets.
Maths: In Maths we have been learning to find locations on a Cartesian plane. Year 5 students have been locating and plotting coordinates in the first quadrant and Year 6 students have been working with all four quadrants.
Religion: This week in Religion we have been learning about the Catholic Social Teachings. We have been discussing each teaching, and are making posters to represent what this looks like in our lives.
Integrated Curriculum: In Integrated Curriculum this week we have been investigating how solids, liquids and gases can change with different temperatures. We have been discussing evaporation, condensation, freezing and melting.
I hope you all enjoy your long weekend, please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions or concerns.
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, including:
9th August - Caleb Price (10)
Fundraising News
Warrion Flower Show: Tombola Jars
Below are some ideas to help everyone with their Tombola Jars for our fundraising store at the Warrion Flower Show, which is being held on Wednesday 26th October.
It is not necessary to buy a brand new jar. Try to reuse/recycle jars you already have. Just give used jars a clean with hot water and vinegar to take the smell out of the jar.
Get the kids involved and it becomes a school holiday activity for the kids, as they decorate the jars. To have lots of jars to display for Tombola would be fantastic, as it would result in both a great looking stall and maximum fundraising potential for our school. Variety, colour, and the element of surprise is a big part of the fun of Tombola.
Ideas include, but are obviously not restricted to...
- Making a batch of jam/chutney/preserves/pickles? A jar of homemade goodness would be a lovely jar to receive in Tombola.
- You can reuse jars from the kitchen, simply wash, dry and fill.
Think pasta, nuts, lollies, lentils, mints, biscuits, spices.
- Perhaps make up a couple of biscuit/brownie/cookie mix jars (google it)
- Items do not even have to be edible.
Think pencils, puzzle, beads, buttons, screws, nails, clothes pegs, washing powder, bath salts, pot pourri, seeds for the garden.
- When at the supermarket grab a couple of extra items in jars. Job done!
- Have a family member or friend with a business to promote? Perhaps they’d like to contribute a voucher ($ value or deal offer) ...Pop it in a jar!
Last time the school collected 270 Tombola jars. Can we break the record this time?
Other ways to help with the Flower Show:
In the next month or two, a working group will be meeting to get our stalls up and running. We understand that we have new families in the school who may not know what is involved or how they can help out. There is a list below to give you an idea of what is involved.
St. Brendan’s Stalls 2022 (to be confirmed)
- Petting Zoo
- Flower Crowns
- BBQ
- Tombola jars
Families can assist by:
- Helping out at a working bee in the hall the day before the show, decorating the jars and doing other small jobs in preparation for the next day (the added bonus is having a coffee, a chat with other families and feeling good about working with others to do something for our school)
- Packing the trailer the day before
- Being rostered on for a shift on the day of the Show. This may be to sell Tombolas, help out with the bbq or supervise the petting zoo
- Setting up on the day
- Packing up post event
School Concert Videos - NOW AVAILABLE!
Copies of the school concert video are now available for purchase from the front office. We are selling these USB's for $15 each and all proceeds are going towards the community groups fundraising total. Perfect for grandparents and friends who may not have been able to attend on the night!
CDFNL Finals Gate Fundraiser
St Brendan's has again been given the opportunity to man the gates during the CDFNL Finals Series this year. Some parents may remember helping with this in previous years and it was a fantastic fundraiser for the school. We are able to raise significant funds and all we need to do is show up with some volunteer power!
We are looking for parent helpers to assist in covering shifts working on the gate. If you are able to help in any way please contact the office and we can put your name on your preferred shift. Thank you.
** Please note that those rostered on the first Saturday (Qualifying final) do not need to start their shift until 8am. 7.30am is the start time for the Second Semi Final & Preliminary Final as netball is starting early on these days**
Important Dates
AUGUST
12th & 15th - NO SCHOOL (Catholic Schools Long Weekend)
16th - Assumption Mass 12pm in the Church
17th - Opera: The Selfish Giant 9.15am - 10.30am in the School Hall
22nd - Book Week Begins
22nd - 26th - Scholastic Book Fair Open in the Hall
8.30am - 9.30am and 3-3.30pm each day
25th - Book Week Dress Up Parade. Theme: 'Dreaming with Eyes Open'.
26th - 5/6 Winter Sports at St Mary's PS Colac
30th - Indian Classical Dance Performance by Chandralaya
SEPTEMBER
2nd - 5/6 Winter Sports at Colac Primary School
5th - Trinity Band Visit
6th - Whole School Photo (retake)
9th - Whole School Bush Excursion to Lake Elizabeth
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