Newsletter March 2nd, 2021
Dear Parents and Families,
Although not conducted at all in the way we had planned, our Colour Run was once again great fun for all involved. The students definitely enjoyed the addition of our ‘water sprayers’ and they ensured there was plenty of additional screams of surprise and anticipation. Thank you so much the parents and families who chose to do their outdoor exercise while we were conducting the colour run. We truly appreciate how disconnected we can feel from our school and particularly from each other during this time. Although our State is once again beginning ‘to open up’ further, we are still not in a place where we can all be re-united at school through being able to be in our classrooms or onsite for extended periods of time. Each week we receive updates from Catholic Education Ballarat which provide us with direction and advice in terms of what we can and cannot undertake in our school environments. Our hope is that over the coming days and weeks we will be able to make more connections with each other, but we will continue to keep you informed as things more forward.
Check out some pictures of the fun!
This year, Caritas Australia takes the theme of ‘Be More’ for Project Compassion 2021. It challenges us to venture into a new experience of compassion, and is taken from the invitation of St. Oscar Romero, to “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” This message invites us to step up and step out for those who do not have the essential resources they need for their survival. Those whose needs at this time are far beyond ours. Your support allows us to step out into the neediest communities, expressing love and compassion for the most vulnerable. For each week of Lent, Caritas Australia has provided us with a story of communities around the world that have been assisted to 'Be More' to their own community through the assistance of Caritas Australia and in particular Project Compassion. You can watch this week’s story by clicking on the link below.
Click here for Margret’s Story
In the coming days and weeks we will share some ways we at St. Brigid’s are working to 'Be More' through Project Compassion.
On Sunday a number of our Middle School students came along to mass at St. Brigid’s to enrol in our Parish Reconciliation program. Angus Eskdale, Tahini Muscat. Kristian Seketa, Clara Monterosso, Aoife Lakey and Terrence Ozimek are commencing their at home preparation in order to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the 25th March. It is most appropriate that this preparation is undertaken during Lent as reconciliation is all about recognising that sometimes we do not make great choices with our actions and words. Through reconciliation we have the opportunity to say sorry for these and most importantly to demonstrate we want to make changes in our lives that assist us in being the best we can be. The Season of Lent also provides us all with these opportunities.
As has been outlined in a number of previous newsletters, most primary schools in the Ballarat Diocese are now governed by DOBCEL - Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited. Over the coming weeks and months all of the school policy documentation will be transferred to those of DOBCEL. Already, all Child Safe policies and procedures have been re-aligned to those of DOBCEL and the key documents and are being uploaded on our website. This task is quite a significant one, but will ensure that as a school we remain both compliant and accountable with the requirements of VRQA who is our key registration body.
A reminder that this year we will be conducting our shared St. Patrick’s Day Event in Ballarat, firstly with a mass celebrated by Bishop Paul, on Thrusday 18th March at 11.00am at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by shared lunch and play at the Playground in Victoria Park. All parents and parishioners are invited and encouraged to come along and share in celebrating our heritage and our patron saint St. Patrick. The children will be travelling to and from Ballarat by bus and a permission form will be sent home this week.
As is marked in our calendar our annual Inter-School Athletics day at Mason’s Lane has been timetabled for Monday March 29th. At this stage we are working on the assumption that this event will go ahead and a permission form for all students will be sent out shortly. We will keep you informed of the progress of this event as the day draws closer. We are hoping this will be a great opportunity for us to gather as a whole school community.
Over recent weeks I have been having significant conversations with the uniform shop that supplies our uniform. I know that there have been issues with the supply of our rugby tops, but have been assured they will arrive in the shop very shortly. Additionally, I am aware there have been problems with the sizing around a number of our uniform items. Beleza have assured me that each of these are being addressed. We will continue to monitor this and as I have informed Beleza we may need to investigate moving to another uniform supplier. Please let me know if you have any issues with the supply of our school uniform. A further reminder that it is an expectation that all students wear the correct and full uniform on a daily basis to school.
Just a reminder, if your child has any allergies or requires an Asthma or Medical Action Plan, please make sure the school has a 2021 action plan from a GP or Specialist. It is important that both the school and after school care have the latest medical care information in case of a medical emergency.
It is with a sense of sadness that today we must say farewell to Vivian Lunt who has been our school counsellor for the last three years. Vivian has decided to take a position in Bacchus Marsh which is where she lives. Vivian has worked with many children and parents over her time here - assisting them with particular challenges or difficulties they may be experiencing. We wish Vivian every success as she moves onto other ventures.
Please see the information contained in the link below regarding The Get Active Kids Voucher Program, helping eligible families get their kids involved in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of membership and registration fees, uniforms and equipment. Eligible children may be able to receive up to $200 each.
1st Sunday | 2nd Sunday | 3rd Sunday | 4th Sunday | 5th Sunday | |
Saturday 6.30pm | Dunnstown | Springbank | Dunnstown | Clarkes Hill | Springbank |
Sunday 8.45am | Gordon | Bungaree | Gordon | Gordon | Bungaree |
Sunday 10.30am | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan |
Gordon Parish Sacramental Program 2021:
Thursday, March 25 – Reconciliation Ceremony
4pm - St Patrick’s Church, Gordon
St Patrick’s Day Celebrations:
Students from Gordon & Ballan schools will gather together at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat on Thursday, March 18 for 11am mass with Bishop Paul Bird. Parishioners are welcome to attend.
Bank Details for Weekly Collections at Mass:
If you would like to make a deposit directly into our Bank account for the weekly loose collection at Mass, our details are as follows:
Bendigo Bank BSB 633 000 - A/c No: 1602 757 98
For enquries please contact Parish Secretary on 5368 9280 or 0492 903 409