Newsletter September 5th, 2023

A massive thank you to Mickal Trinder, Hayley Plageman and Aliesha Dalton who facilitated our Father’s Day Stall this term.

A special thank you to Deb Burvill, Pam Loynes and Lorraine Despirit who made special gifts for our Father’s Day Stall.

Well done to Felix, Tommy, Eddie, Anni, Kaylee, Clara, Dakota and Eli who competed in the Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival on Friday 25th August.  The students displayed perseverance, bravery and resilience throughout the day.  We are very proud of you all. 

Congratulations to Anni who has qualified to compete at the next level of competition which takes place on Tuesday 5th September.  We wish you all the best for the 800m and discus.

To celebrate the end of Term 3, children are invited to dress in footy colours/casual clothes next Friday 15th September. On this day our Parents and Friends Committee are offering hot pies for lunch (no cost involved). There will be no hot lunch orders on this day.

If your child does not want hot pies or if there are any specific dietary requirements please advise via email administration@sbballan.catholic.edu.au

Please send snacks or a sandwich to school if more lunch is needed in addition to the pies.

As previously communicated, school will conclude at 2:20pm next Friday 15th September, 2023. Term 4 will commence on Monday 2nd October, 2023.

As we are now in the process of planning for 2024, please ensure that all Foundation 2024 enrolments are submitted as soon as possible via the ‘enrol now’ tab on our website - https://www.sbballan.catholic.edu.au/

With planning for the 2024 school year now gathering momentum, I ask families who are aware that they will not be returning to St Brigid’s Primary School next year, to promptly inform Jayne via email - jbosworth@sbballan.catholic.edu.au.

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

Parent/Carer 2024 class requests of a serious nature, need to be emailed to Jayne - jbosworth@sbballan.catholic.edu.au prior to Friday 20th October, 2023. Requests submitted after this date will not be considered. Please note requests are not guaranteed.

We have now transitioned to full winter uniform.  Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct winter uniform to school each day including bringing the St Brigid’s school bag to and from school daily.

Children are able to wear sports uniform each Wednesday and on classroom nominated sports day as directed by your child’s classroom teacher. Given the nature of Physical Education lessons, on Wednesday’s children can wear either correct sports shorts or pants.

We are currently exploring options regarding tracksuit pants, sport shorts and rain coats. More details to follow regarding these items. 

Hot lunches are up and running via the online ordering system - Spriggy Schools on SZapp.

Volunteers

This term we have re-introduced a roster to help prepare and serve lunches on each Friday. 

Thank you to those who have been added. Ideally 2 helpers are required each day. If you are available to help out on a Friday between 11.30am-1.00pm please contact the school office (valid Working with Children Check is required).

The children really enjoy hot lunches and this can only happen with the help of volunteers!

Term 3:

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.

This year we are participating in a swimming program from Foundation - Year 6 at the new Salt Water Swim School in Bacchus Marsh. This will consist of a 5 day intensive swimming program, where children will participate in a 30 minute lesson each day.

Swimming and water safety is included in the Health and Physical Education Curriculum from Foundation to Level 10. This means that schools must ensure that they are implementing a swimming and water safety program that meets the requirements of the curriculum. Development of knowledge and skills relating to survival swimming and basic water safety can significantly reduce a child’s drowning risk and enhance community safety.

Class groupings for Term 4 attending are as follows:

• F/1 C; F/1R; Year 2/3B - Monday 9th October - Friday 13th October

Further information regarding times of lessons and travel details are being sent out this week.

Please ensure you give permission for your child to participate via PAM. A QR code will be sent home in your child's bag shortly, this needs to scanned and completed also.

SZappp Mobile Application is a fantastic way for communicating and making information or resources available to our St Brigid's school community. 

Please follow the instructions in the below guide on how to install the SZappp and register an email account for communication. 

As we move to the latter weeks of Term 3 we wanted to confirm some important date changes for our school community so that you can plan ahead as needed. In light of the new Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 (CEMEA 2022), DOBCEL schools have needed to make adjustments to employment obligations. You may be aware that there have been ongoing negotiations regarding working conditions for educators now for some time. After a long period of negotiations, the enterprise bargaining agreement 2022 is now operational and we are required to revise some of the conditions in which we currently operate.

As such DOBCEL schools have been encouraged to adjust the end of 2023 School Year finishing dates. The last day for students in 2023 will be on Friday 15th December and staff conclude on Monday 18th December, 2023.

KidsCo will be offering holiday care here at St Brigid's:

Monday 18th December - Friday 22nd December, 2023.

Returning on Monday 8th January 2024 onwards.

Further information regarding booking via KidsCo will be communicated next term.

Mass Times:

Korobeit Sat 5.00pm ~ Creswick 8.45am ~ Daylesford 10.30am