Newsletter No. 31 | Term 4 Week 4 | Thursday 27th October 2022
Prayer
God of all,
The story of Jesus and the 10 lepers inspires us to reach out to people on the margins, those seen as the outsiders. Help us to work towards greater inclusion of all in our community.
Amen
Principal's Message
Dear families and friends,
It was great to see the Warrion Flower Show back up and running after a few years of hiatus. I had heard many times about what a wonderful event it is and it certainly lived up to expectations.
Traditionally, St.Brendan’s School has been a huge supporter of the event and this year was no different. A big thank you to everyone who helped out by donating or decorating the tombola jars, as well as those who helped out on the day by setting up, packing up or helping out with the Petting Zoo, bbq or the tombola stall. Thank you also to everyone who came along with their families to join in the fun. Your support is appreciated. I would like to extend an extra thank you to Gayle McNabb & Sophie Alliband who did a great job of coordinating school participation at the Show.
Events such as the Warrion Flower Show, demonstrate how good it is when the community comes together to support one another. Once again, I am proud to say that St. Brendan’s showed the extended community that we are a united , vibrant school that is always willing to support local community initiatives. Our children also benefit from being part of these events. I am sure they will always remember the fun they had, and the sense of belonging they felt, at being part of the Warrion Flower Show.
School Closure Days
A reminder that school will be closed on Monday 31st October and Tuesday 1st October. Enjoy the long weekend!
Prep/1 Liturgy Date Change
Please note the change of date for the Prep/1 Liturgy. It will now be held before the Assembly on Thursday 10th November.
Professional Learning
On Tuesday, Allira and I attended a professional learning day in Ballarat. The focus was on Data Literacy, exploring best practice in how we use data to inform our teaching and enhance student learning outcomes. It is important that we are always exploring ways to improve our learning and teaching structures. We look forward to sharing our learnings with the rest of the staff.
Whilst in Ballarat, we also visited St. Columbia’s school which specialises in the Walker Learning approach to learning and teaching. Walker Learning is an evidence based pedagogy which uses play-based learning, investigative learning and inquiry based learning as key educational tools.
We also visited St. James Sebastopol, another school that has developed it’s own approach to play-based learning.
Although both schools have similarities, they are quite different in how they structure the play-based learning in their schools. Both schools are renowned for their approaches to learning and we were both grateful to accept the invitation to observe these styles in action. It was also a good opportunity to reflect on and reaffirm how we do things at St. Brendan’s and also explore how we may be able to enhance learning opportunities for our students.
All Saints Day
Fr. Michael will be celebrating Mass at St. Brendan’s for All Saints Day on Tuesday 1st November at 12 noon. All Welcome.
Have a lovely weekend everyone,
Leanne Eastman
principal@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
Covid Update
Changes to COVID-19 Isolation Requirements
It is strongly recommended that students:
- With cold like symptoms conduct a RAT.
- Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
- Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
- Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.
- Who are household contacts with a positive case, should wear a mask at school.
Where students become symptomatic at school, they should:
- Be collected by their parents/carers.
- Undergo testing for COVID-19.
If families require RAT kits, please contact the school office.
COVID-19 Reporting Requirements
The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household.
Schools no longer have to alert their school community of positive cases, however we will continue to do this informally.
Face Masks
Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.
Additionally, the department recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.
We are working very closely with our students at the moment, in particular to help them make positive choices about the way they speak and interact with each other. We are very mindful of the lack of stamina they have for friendships, given the last few Covid impacted years, and know that they need to continue to build their resilience in dealing with issues that may come up. Please have a chat with your child’s homeroom teacher if you have any concerns. We can’t help if we don’t know!
Prep/1 Classroom News
Week 4 has turned out to be quite a busy one. The Warrion Flower Show was a huge success - thanks to everyone who was involved. It was great to see so many people contributing. I was quite impressed at the talent on display; flower arrangements, crafts, artworks, artisan produce.
This week, Leanne and I were lucky enough to visit a couple of schools which adopt play-based learning throughout their whole school. It was a phenomenal experience. I am super inspired and can’t wait to see what we can achieve at St.Brendan’s. Thanks also to Mrs.McGuane who took the class while I was away.
Literacy: Students have finished and published their recounts this week. The quality of the writing and the care with which they published their pieces was a great source of pride for many.
Maths: In Maths, we have been exploring 3D shapes. Using playdough and sticks, students created models of 3D shapes. These included cubes, rectangular prisms and pyramids.
Religion: We are continuing to investigate the theme of ‘celebration.’ Students were invited to create artworks of small moments in their lives which they viewed as being cause for celebration and joy. We look forward to sharing these at the whole-school liturgy.
Integrated Curriculum: Students’ dioramas are progressing along nicely. They have created the backdrop to their ‘special place’ using a range of materials.
Allira Kluver
akluver@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
5/6 Classroom News
Welcome to Week 4 of Term 4! I hope everyone was able to make it to the Warrion Flower Show. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped organise our stalls, it looked fantastic! Congratulations to all of our students who entered into the art, flower or cooking competitions.
Homework: Just a reminder that homework is due this Friday 28th October.
Spelling: In Spelling this week we have been focusing on the suffix ‘ally’ for example; exceptionally and accidentally. We have been identifying the phonemes and syllables in our words and have been writing our own definitions.
Writing: This week in Writing we have been finishing our games. We have been creating our games using art supplies and we will be testing them out next week.
Maths: In Maths this week we have been working on Capacity. We have been estimating the capacity of different jugs and have been practicing reading the amounts in jugs.
Religion: This week we have continued to investigate Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. We have been unpacking the six chapters of the letter and are completing a reflection.
Integrated Curriculum: This week in Integrated Curriculum we have been learning about Australia’s global connections. We have been exploring what ‘trade’ is and have been investigating tourism around the world.
Have a great week and please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions or concerns.
Tahlia Whytcross
twhytcross@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
Birthday Corner
Happy Birthday to everyone who has celebrated their special day so far this term, especially...
2nd October - Isabella Coates (7)
6th October - Ava D'Altera (10)
8th October - Maverick Lenehan (12)
15th October - Grace Bayne (9)
22nd October - Pearl Armistead (7)
Important Dates
OCTOBER
28th - Geelong Cats 'Healthy Heroes' Session
28th - Swimming Session 3 (12 - 1pm)
31st - School Closure Day
NOVEMBER
1st - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
4th - Swimming Session 4 (12 - 1pm)
4th - Pre Prep Program Begins
11th - Remembrance Day
11th - Swimming Session 5 - Final Session (12 - 1pm)
11th - Pre Prep Program
18th - Mission Day
18th - Pre Prep Program
23rd - Trinity Small Schools Transition Day
25th - Pre Prep Program
DECEMBER
1st & 2nd - Year 4 Bike Camp
5th - Prep/1 Night
6th - Orientation Day
7th - Year 2/3 Night
9th - Graduation Mass & Christmas Carols Night
13th - Wide Smiles Dental Visit
13th & 14th - Learning Conversations
16th - Whole School Excursion & Last Day of Term for Students
20th - Last Day for Staff
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