Newsletter October 4th, 2023
- Principal's Message
- Parent Feedback Survey - 3 Way Conferences
- Foundation 2024 Enrolments
- Planning for 2024
- Class groupings 2024
- Hot Lunches and Volunteer Roster
- Assemblies
- School Uniform
- Book Club Issue 7
- Adjustment to End of School Year finishing date
- 2023 School Year key dates
- Preschool Storytime at St Brigid’s
- Birthdays
- SZapp Mobile Application - St Brigid's communication in one place!
- Gordon & Bungaree Parish News
- Community News & Events
- 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. We are really looking forward to another terrific term!
It was wonderful to see children arrive at school on Monday with smiles and happy faces, ready to dive into a new chapter of learning and growth. The energy and enthusiasm that our students bring to the school every day is truly contagious. It warms our hearts to see their eagerness to embrace new challenges, make new friends, and explore the wonders of knowledge.
Tomorrow is international ‘World Teacher’s Day’ and is an annual observance celebrated in October every year. World Teacher's Day 2023 will be celebrated across Australia on Friday 27 October 2023. 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. Throughout the next month, we will take the time to reflect upon the amazing work of our teachers and their passion, dedication and care for all. A special morning tea in recognition of our teachers and staff will be held towards the end of this term.
This term we make the transition from winter to summer uniform. Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct summer uniform. As the weather is unpredictable at present, either full winter uniform or full summer uniform can be worn for the first two weeks of this term. 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 during break times and outside activities.
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
St Brigid's Primary School Ballan wishes to acknowledge respectfully the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, learn, play and gather. We pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Parent Feedback Survey - 3 Way Conferences
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.
Hot lunches will resume on Friday 13th October, 2023.
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 4: If you are available to assist on a Friday please contact the office
| Date | Parent Helper | Parent Helper |
| Friday 6th October | No Hot Lunches | No Hot Lunches |
| Friday 13th October | Jo Muldeary | |
| Friday 20th October | ||
| Friday 27th October | ||
| Friday 3rd November | Jo Muldeary | |
| Friday 10th November | ||
| Friday 17th November | ||
| Friday 24th November | ||
| Friday 1st December | ||
| Friday 8th December |
This Semester, we are very excited to welcome families back 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!!
Assembly Schedule Term 4
Week |
Date |
Time |
Class |
| 3 | Friday 20th October, 2023 |
2.30pm |
|
| 5 | Friday 3rd November, 2023 |
2.30pm |
F/1R |
| 7 | Friday 17th November, 2023 |
2.30pm |
Year 2/3 |
| 9 | Friday 1st December, 2023 |
2.30pm |
F/1C |
We are now transitioning to full summer uniform.
Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct summer uniform to school each day including bringing the St Brigid’s school bag to and from school daily. A navy wide brim hat is also required, which stays at school for the Term. If your child does not have a hat to wear they will need to play in the sheltered area only during breaks.
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.
Book Club has arrived! Look out for your copy of Book Club coming home in your child's school bag! It's packed with hundreds of books from just $3 to help you on your child's reading journey. Orders close 23rd October 2023. Click on Book Club Issue 7 if you wish to order!
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 later in the term.
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.
Key dates 2023
Term 4…
|
Monday 2nd October |
Term 4 commences for all students |
|
Thursday 5th October |
Year 2 day at Sovereign Hill |
|
Thursday 5th October - Friday 6th October |
Year 3/4 overnight at Sovereign Hill |
|
Monday 9th October - Friday 13th October |
Swimming - Foundation/One & Year 2/3B |
|
Monday 16th October |
Little Feet Big Footprints - Day 4 for Year 6 students |
|
Monday 6th November |
Professional Learning Day for Staff – Pupil Free Day |
|
Tuesday 7th November |
Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday |
|
Friday 15th December |
Last Day of Term 4 - 3pm finish |
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.
| 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 |
Korobeit Sat 5.00pm ~ Creswick 8.45am ~ Daylesford 10.30am
RCIA for Children: We are inviting expressions of interest from parents who seek baptism for their children who are 7 years and older who have not yet been baptised. Expression of Interest Forms have been placed in the churches or ring the Parish Office on 0492903409.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2023 PARISH OF GORDON: Please see attached flyer for more information.
