Newsletter October 11th, 2022
-
Principal's Message
-
Condolences
-
Prayers and Thoughts
-
Welcome
-
Arts Night
-
Class groupings 2023
-
Hot Lunches
-
Uniform and Hats
-
Friday Assemblies (Timetable)
-
Important Dates - Term 4
-
Ballan Autumn Festival - Sunday 13th November, 2022
-
Parents & Friends Gathering
-
Book Club Issue 7
-
Birthdays
-
Story Time
-
Community News and Events
-
Gordon & Bungaree Parish News
-
Change of Details
Dear Members of our St Brigid’s Community,
A warm welcome back to Term 4! I hope that you all had a restful, well-deserved break. I am really looking forward to another terrific term!
Last week, we farewelled Learning Support Officer Mackenzie Gould. Mackenzie has been an asset to our team and her approachable, flexible and caring nature will be greatly missed. We wish Mackenzie the very best for the future as her teaching career begins!
Sarah Foyster will finish at St Brigid’s at the end of this year. Sarah and her family are heading to Darwin for the 2023 year. Sarah has had a fabulous year at St Brigid's and has been an absolute asset to our school. Sarah's care for our children, staff and our school community in general is so very appreciated. Her enthusiasm, positivity and presence will be greatly missed by all.
A classroom teacher position for the 2023 school year and beyond has been advertised and I will communicate further staffing updates with you upon making an appointment.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Take care and God bless,
Jayne Bosworth
Principal
'Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.' Excerpt from St Brigid's Prayer
We extend our deepest sympathy to Tracey Speakman, her husband Mark, and their children Marcus and Mackenzie following the recent passing of Mark’s father. I ask you to please keep Tracey, Mark, Marcus, Mackenzie and their family members in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
In the first week of the school holidays, there was a serious bus accident involving Loreto College Ballarat students and staff. Please keep Loreto College students, staff, families and community members in your thoughts and prayers.
Each year, teachers undertake the work of creating class lists for the following year and many hours are spent on this task. Please be assured that teachers use their professional knowledge of students and their professional knowledge of what is best for each individual child when considering groupings. In assigning students to classes, teachers are asked to consider the following criteria to ensure where possible an even spread of:
- Learning abilities
- Boys and girls even grade levels
- Learning friends - these are not necessarily social friends but students they enjoy and work well with. Students are asked for their input in this area.
- Friendship groups - again students are asked for their input
If you as parents and carers have any special requests regarding friendships, these need to be put in writing to Jayne (jbosworth@sbballan.catholic.edu.au) prior to Friday 4th November 2022. Requests will be considered, however not guaranteed.
There will be no hot lunches again this week. As mentioned last term, we are currently in the process of ascertaining whether hot lunches can continue this Term and will advise within the coming weeks.
Moving forward, to assist with organising Hot Lunches, and based on the overwhelming survey responses re online ordering and payment, we will move to an online app. More information to follow.
This term we will transition to Summer Uniform. As the weather can be unpredictable, for the first two weeks winter or summer uniform is acceptable. Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct winter or summer uniform. Children are able to wear sports uniform each Wednesday and on classroom nominated sports day as directed by your child’s classroom teacher.
As we are a SunSmart school, it is compulsory for children to wear a navy blue wide brim school hat in Terms 1 and 4.
This term, we are very excited to continue welcoming families to our fortnightly assemblies in the Multipurpose Room. Each fortnight a class will present a small item at assembly (please refer to timetable below).
We look forward to seeing you at our assemblies!
Week |
Date |
Time |
Class |
1 |
Friday 7th October, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Opening Assembly |
3 |
Friday 21st October, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 5/6B |
5 |
Friday 4th November, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 3/4 |
7 |
Friday 18th November, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 5/6W |
9 |
Friday 2nd December, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Prep/1 |
11 |
Friday 16th December, 2022 |
2:30pm |
Year 2 |
All of the timetabled events (to date) for the school year can be found on our school calendar which can be accessed through PAM and via this newsletter.
Term 4:
Week |
Date |
Event |
1 |
Monday 3rd October, 2022 |
First day of Term 4 for students and staff |
3 |
Thursday 20th - Friday 21st October, 2022 |
Year 3/4 Camp - Narmbool, Sovereign Hill |
5 |
Monday 31st October, 2022 |
Pupil Free Day - Assessment and Reporting |
5 |
Tuesday 1st November, 2022 |
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday |
5 |
Wednesday 2nd November, 2022 |
Little Feet Big Footprints Final Day - Year 6 students |
6 |
Sunday 13th November, 2022 |
Ballan Autumn Festival |
9 |
Friday 2nd December, 2022 |
Save the Date - End of Year P & F Social Event |
11 |
Wednesday 14th December, 2022 |
End of Year Graduation Mass - 1:30pm at St Brigid’s Church |
11 |
Friday 16th December, 2022 |
Last day of school for students - 3.00pm |
On Sunday 13th November, the Ballan Autumn Festival will take place! As a school, we are very excited to again be a part of this wonderful community event. We would love for as many families as possible to join us for the parade. The theme this year is ‘Bloomin Marvellous’. In preparation for this event, children will be making flowers at school and if attending, we are asking children, families and staff to ‘dress up’ keeping the theme in mind. Some ideas include sunshine, flowers, and vibrant colours.