Newsletter October 5th, 2021
- Principal's Message
- Mandatory Vaccination Directions from Chief Health Officer
- Welcome to the St Brigid's Commuity
- Auslan at St Brigid's
- Landscaping Project Update
- School Closure Days and Public Holidays - Term 4
- Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3-Way Conferences
- Birthdays
- Big Childcare - Expressions of Interest Before School Care
- Gordon & Bungaree Parish News
- Change of Details
Loving God, author of all gifts;
We praise and thank you for all the gifts you have entrusted to us.
Pour out your Spirit upon us so that, true to our baptismal promises, we may form faith communities that recognise and promote the gifts in all people so that we may all share in the mission of Jesus.
May our faith communities nurture and commission all members to live our particular gifts as a reflection and imitation of Jesus' life.
Give us the courage to be the light of welcome in the darkness of exclusion, a voice of gentleness in the wilderness of the unheard and an outstretched hand of love to those longing for community.
Amen
Dear Parents and Families,
A warm welcome back to Term 4! I hope that you all had a restful, well-deserved break.
As we step into Term 4, we continue to navigate the Remote Learning environment and associated restrictions. We appreciate your ongoing understanding and patience as we determine based on the guidelines, events and activities that are able to proceed this term. Where events and activities are unable to proceed, we will endeavour to postpone and where possible reschedule. I will communicate updates with you promptly as information is provided. Unfortunately the Year 3/4 camp has now been cancelled.
Today is World Teacher’s Day. World Teacher’s Day is an annual observance celebrated in October every year. The work of teachers and their contributions to society are innumerable. World Teacher’s Day is commemorated to celebrate the work of teachers, recognising the significant contribution they have given to the society. We hope our teachers have a wonderful day today!
This term we make the transition from winter to summer uniform. Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct 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.
I look forward to a terrific term ahead where we are able to welcome all children back onsite full time. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance.
Take care and God Bless,
Jayne Bosworth
'Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.'
Excerpt from St Brigid's Prayer
The Victorian Government has now formalised the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine Directions (No. 4). The Directions introduce mandatory vaccination for specific workplace industries to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (COVID-19) within the population in these settings. The Directions by the Chief Health Officer include “education facilities” and therefore mandates that people who work in these settings be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by specified dates.
Who must be vaccinated under the Directions?
The mandate for vaccination includes:
- any person who is employed by an education operator to work in an “education facility” or school (including teachers, early childhood educators and educational support staff);
- people contracted to work at an “education facility” and who will or may be in close proximity to children, students or staff, whether or not engaged by the education operator, including casual relief teachers, Breakfast Club suppliers, IT personnel, NDIS providers and auditors, but does not include delivery personnel or contractors;
- staff of any other entity who attend an “education facility” eg. CEB staff, priests, School Board Directors;
- volunteers that attend an “education facility” and that work in close proximity to children, students or staff (including parent helpers);
- students on placements at an “education facility”.
What is the mandated deadline for vaccination?
The Directions mandate a first dose by 18th October 2021 and a second dose by 29th November 2021. All groups identified in the Directions in all Victorian education facilities, including Catholic schools, must comply with the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine Directions and be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the 29th November deadline unless a medical exemption applies. Individuals will be required to show evidence of their vaccination status or valid medical exemption. This will work similarly to the Working with Children Check/Police Check requirements.
This term, we look forward to welcoming Tracy Pengelly who will begin her tutoring role through The Tutor Learn Program. The Tutor Learn Program is an initiative that assists schools to support learning following the period of remote and flexible learning in 2020.
We also welcome ACU Pre-Service Teachers, Claire Murray who will be working with Emma Anticaglia in Prep/One and Mackenzie Gould who will be working with Chelsea Brennan in Year 5/6.
Welcome to St Brigid’s Tracy, Claire and Mackenzie!
Throughout Term 3, several discussions and planning meetings took place regarding the way forward with the languages program at St Brigid’s. In partnership with Lauren Gould (Languages Officer - Catholic Education Ballarat) and Briana and Darren Beath (founders of Auslan in the West), Auslan will be taking place from Foundation – Year 6 this term through an approach called Teachers as Co-Learners (TCL). TCL empowers classroom teachers across the school to lead short, language-focused sessions daily. Children and teachers are co-learners of the language. The teacher is not expected to be the expert and will be supported by Auslan in the West who will feature in videos outlining the learning each day. The learning will be based on the Victorian Curriculum Languages Scope and Sequence.
Throughout Term 4, additional Auslan training will take place with all classes and staff. Auslan in the West will facilitate this training.
I am pleased to inform you that plans to replace the entire ball court surface have been approved. This term, the new sports turf surface will be installed and the area will include a basketball and netball court with reversible backboard/nets with padded towers. Included also will be four square games and a running track!
We are calling for expressions of interest for families who would like to pick up some of the existing old synthetic grass. Please contact the office if this interests you.
I will continue to keep you updated with new developments regarding the landscaping project.
Monday 1st November, 2021 (school closure day)
Tuesday 2nd November, 2021 (Melbourne Cup public holiday)
As we are still working in a Remote Learning environment, 3 -Way Conferences will now take place as Parent/Teacher check–ins at some stage this Term. More information about the check–ins will be provided via Seesaw this week.
Big Childcare run both after school care, curriculum day sessions and asking for expressions of interest in before school care.
Please see attached flyers for more information.
Mass Times:
| 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 |
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