Newsletter No. 5 | Term 1 Week 5 | Thursday 2nd March 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Families and Friends,
Due to the Information Night last night, this week’s Newsletter will be a short one.
We were so glad to see such a great turnout last night. If those of you who were unable to attend would like to catch up on some of what we shared, have a chat with someone who went, or come up to school and I can fill you in on what we covered.
I would like to acknowledge the staff who gave up their time to provide fun activities for the families, and also present in their areas of expertise. Thanks also to Liz, Deb, Mel and Gracesyn for your help with setting up and supervising the children whilst the information session was in progress.
Besides being an information evening, it was a wonderful opportunity for the community to gather together, something we really value at St. Brendan’s. Thank you to all who attended and thank you for the positive feedback after the event.
Warm Regards,
Leanne Eastman
principal@sbcoragulac.catholic.edu.au
WOODWORK AT LUNCH TIME
Allira has organised a lunchtime woodwork activity for interested students. Students are sanding, and later oiling a block of wood to create chopping boards. These will later be sold to the community to raise money for developments to the back square area.
It is great to see the children engaging in the sustainable practice of making things by hand. They seem to be really enjoying sanding their little hearts away!
NAPLAN
NAPLAN testing will be undertaken a lot earlier this year. The testing window is between the dates, 13th - 25th March.
NAPLAN testing is for students in Year 3 and Year 5. The Test dates for St. Brendan’s are as follows:
- Writing: Thursday 16th March at 10am
- Reading: Friday 17th March at 10am
- Language Conventions: Thursday 23rd March at 10am
- Numeracy: Friday 24th March at 11.30am
If you have any questions about the testing please see Leanne.
SWIMMING
A reminder that our third swimming lesson is taking place tomorrow at Bluewater Fitness Centre in Colac from 1.30pm until 2.30pm. Please remember pack a swimming bag and extra water.
FRIDAY NIGHT NETBALL
Alvie Primary School has kindly offered to coordinate our joint netball program this season with the Colac and District Netball Association. The CDNA competition takes place each Friday night at the Eastern Reserve Netball courts in Colac. The draw has not been released at this stage but there is no play throughout the school holidays.
The competition is open to all students from Grade 2 - Grade 6, providing that they are turing 8 years old this year as a minimum.
Registration forms were sent home yesterday, if your child is interested in participatig please ensure these forms are completed and emailed to alvie.ps@education.vic.gov.au before 6th March 2023.
COLLEGE OPEN DAYS
Trinity College and Colac Secondary College both have upcoming Open Days for prospective new students. This is an excellent opportunity to have a close look at both schools and the fantastic things they have on offer. If you are unable to make either day please contact the schools to arrange a private appointment.
School Photos
Annual school photos including sibling photos will be taken by Arthur Reed Photos on
Friday 24th March 2023
There is no need to return any forms or money to school.
Unique image codes will be issued to all students on/after photo day so families can register online to view images when they become available in the webshop.
Registration is simple, just follow the 3 simple steps on your child’s personalised flyer once you receive it and remember to add the codes for all your children attending this school.
Even if you registered last year, it’s important that you do again this year using your child’s 2023 image code to link their images for the current year with your contact details.
When images are ready to view and in the webshop, all parents who have registered will be notified by SMS and email.
Once registered, please wait for notification that 2023 images are online to view before making your purchase.
ORDERING PHOTOS
We understand that last year there was some confusion when ordering photos around what packages were available and if individual photos could be ordered instead of packages.
We have been assured there are many ordering options available that definitly allow families to purchase individual photos in whichever combinations they prefer.
If you find yourself faced with the same issues when ordering this year please pop in to the office and we will work with you to order the photos that you would like, without making you feel as though a package is the only way to go.
Birthday Corner
Wishing a very big Happy Birthday to everyone who has celebrated their special day this week! Especially...
26th February - Millicent Carlon (6)
Important Dates
MARCH
3rd - Swimming 1 - 3pm
10th - Swimming 1-3pm
13th - Labour Day Public Holiday (No School)
15th - School Sports Day (ALL Welcome)
17th - Swimming 1-3pm
18th - KANA Festival in Colac
20th - 22nd - 5/6 Sovereign Hill Camp
24th - School Photo Day
27th - School Advisory Council Meeting 7pm
APRIL
5th - Whole School Bush Excursion
6th - Last Day of the School Term
7th - Good Friday (Public Holiday)
8th - Easter Saturday
9th - Easter Sunday
10th - Easter Monday (Public Holiday)
24th - Pupil Free Day (Staff AUSLAN PD)
25th - ANZAC Day (Public Holiday)
26th - Term 2 Begins
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: Mark Robb CHILD SAFETY OFFICER: Mrs Leanne Eastman