Newsletter Term 2, Week 8 2023
Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Term 2, Week 8!
Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Kindergarten coordinated a beautiful mass this morning for us to celebrate this special Feast Day.
I hope you have all enjoyed your long weekend just gone!
Spirit of St Brendan’s will be awarded in Week 9 at our Friday assembly at 2.05pm. During this assembly we will not award merit certificates. Only Spirit of St Brendan’s and dojo awards. Teachers will send parents and carers of our recipients on SeeSaw! There will be no awards assembly in week 10.
Please note we have a pupil free day on Friday of Week 10, 30th June. Our staff, actually our whole Diocese, will be involved in a whole system professional learning day with Catholic Schools Broken Bay. Our OOSH will be open on this day for families needing vacation care.
Our end of term reward day this term will be held on Thursday, 29th June! Congratulations to all the boys and girls who are invited to attend. This term will be a Science Super Showcase day!
Next term we have engaged with Healthy Harold, the Life Education Van, to visit our school to deliver part of our health curriculum. This is a fun and interactive way to learn many different health aspects. I will share with you the timetable closer to the date.
This week our playground equipment opened after such a long time sitting empty. It was so nice to see the children enjoying the climbing, sliding, sand pit, basketball ring and balancing activities available in our play space. We have rostered the classes Years 1-6 trying to coincide with the days they mainly wear their sport uniform. Our lower oval space has been a great place where the children are able to run and play soccer/footy. Next week we will open our top oval also.
At present we are looking at various slight amendments to our school uniform items. This will not happen overnight and I just wanted you to know this is in the pipeline and all families will be informed and have the opportunity for feedback.
We are blessed to be able to offer many gala days to our children including soccer, union, league, netball and touch. I sent a letter last week reminding everyone these gala days are invitational only. The invitations will be determined by the enthusiasm and behaviour of our team players.
Our Year 3 and 5 families would have received the NAPLAN information sheet last week on compass. For our school community, I would like to share this with you also:
We have many staff with expertise in the area of technology and using technology and devices as a learning tool. Students these days are very tech savvy in the area of gaming etc, however, I would like our students to know technology as a learning tool also. Next term I would like to offer parent information sessions discussing the benefits of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in Stage 3 – Years 5 and 6 classes. This investment would provide all children the experience of advanced educational support using technology, help with transitioning to high school, adopting responsible habits looking after their own device and fully charging them ready to learn each day. I do have a minimum specification sheet for any device bought therefore please do not purchase anything just yet. If you have any questions, I am happy to address them before our information session or you can bring your questions to the parent session. This session will be early Term 3.
We have welcomed a few more families to our St Brendan’s community of late. Please welcome the following families:
Kiarana (Year 2), Grace (Year 2), Maddison (Year 3) and Indianna (Year 3)
We would like to congratulate Mrs Stephanie Mind (teacher year 4Blue). I have sent a letter to our year 4 cohort sharing the exciting news that Mrs Melissa Townsend will be teaching Year 4 Blue for the remainder of 2023 during Mrs Mind’s maternity leave which commences at the start of Term 3.
We also have a few other staff members going on maternity leave throughout this year and I will share with you who will replace them asap, the staff members include Mrs Anderson (Kinder Green), Mrs DesBrulais (Learning support teacher) and Mrs O’Brien.. (Year 5 Blue).
Thank you for your support yesterday for our pyjama day Winter appeal.
Thank you Mrs Madeleine Loneragan who organised such wonderful Well-being activities for our students this week during Well-being week! Congratulations to our winners who received $5 canteen vouchers for their efforts in our special hand shake competition.
Then we had beat the teachers competitions during lunch and a long lunch Friday!
Semester One reports will be published on Compass on Friday Week 9. You are welcome to book in teacher parent interviews in Week 10 – please do this on Compass.
We have new SBLM expectation outdoor signage. Thank you to our models who held them up at our assembly this week!
Our next newsletter will be published in Week 10 this term.
Friday Week 10, 30th June is a pupil free day!
God Bless,
Charlene Reid
Principal
Religious Education
It is with great joy and pride that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the students below who will be making their First Holy Communion this weekend. This significant milestone in their spiritual journey is a testament to their dedication, faith, and commitment. To the families of these students, we offer our warmest thanks. Your unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in your children's faith formation. May this day be filled with immense joy, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Let us ask God to bless these children and guide them on their continued journey of faith. May their participation in the Eucharist serve as a constant source of grace and inspiration as they navigate the path ahead.
Leo W, Ronan N, Evannah S, Grace M, Oliver D, Zachary J, Elliot R,
Elsa R, Mia N, Lillian B, Talei G, Arya G, Willow M, Charlie B, Alexia G,
Valli F , Samantha M and Sophie M
Thank you,
Alli Foskett
Religious Education Coordinator
School Updates
NSW Back to School Vouchers
Amount: 3 x $50 vouchers for each eligible student
Closing Date: 30 June 2023
Purpose: Parents, guardians, carers or students can apply for each eligible student to help with the cost of uniforms, shoes, bags, textbooks and stationary at registered businesses.
For more information: Click here
Awards
Merit Awards
Week 7 | Week 8 |
Evie S Oscar C Nate G Dustie Y Harper C Roland J Tekani-Ty H Sage C Sienna M Imelda D Stella B Maddison H Piper D-H Lanae M Sia R Bonnie P Ayden S Zara O Eden S Savannah H Tomislav T | Krystal H Issac W Anton L Jaxon H Albie M Theodore A Amelia M Jackson N Charlotte D Riley C Alec J Parker B Than B Ella G-G Bella L Lukas H Parker B Nevaeh B Keeley Z |
SBLM Awards
Week 7 | Week 8 |
Aiden A Charlie R Charlie Y Yenzile L Jaego J-B Willow G Kiaya M Logan Z Ella P Aston R Harley B Harper A Lian D Mia N Ruby S Charlotte M Leo W Kai P Lachlan B-T Laycie C | Oscar C William B Lexie G Remy B Bodhi W Rhoden M Ashton L Kaiya M Cruze T William G Sophie M Kailani S Liam H Zavier H Amira B-S Chelsey M Jake S Keoni L |
120 Gotchas
Week 7 | Week 8 |
Audrina G Anahli H Thomas R Beau J Harper K Willow G Matilda L Evie-Mae G Florence W Lennox S Logan P Jasmine D Isaiah W Eason M Logan Z Noah C Tiabella B Logan B Connor V Zac G Sebastian D Liam D Kara B Anabella F Chevy B Ethan S Jorge H Ronan N Zavier H Lachlan R Ruby W Elliott R Marcus R Charlotte M Leah B Ava D Amira B Cameron W Charlie C Emily O Jamieson C Lachlan B-T Marcus S Sophie A Flynn F | Alec J Rachael S Elloura S Specer A Kiaya M Dane S Archer T Isla P Chevy A Ella W Lara N |
200 Gotchas
Week 7 | Week 8 |
| Sage C |
Community News
CatholicCare’s Vacation Care service offers a wide range of activities catering to children of differing ages and interests. We also head out and about on a range of fun local excursions each holiday period. We provide a stimulating and enjoyable environment and activities which harness the children’s interests and strengths whilst respecting their need for leisure. The July programs are available here www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/vacation-care. We hope to see you there!
Go4Fun is a FREE 10-week healthy wellbeing program for children aged 7 to 13 to enjoy along with their families. Please contact 1800 780 900.
Run by top trained health professionals, it’s a fun way for kids to build self-esteem and learn about eating well, staying active and living a healthy life.
Term 3 programs will take place at:
📌 Lake Haven Recreation Centre, Tuesdays 4pm–6pm (Aboriginal program for everyone run by Bungree)
📌 Gosford Olympic Swimming Pool, Wednesdays 4pm–6pm
📌 Bateau Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Thursdays 4pm–6pm
To register, visit go4fun.com.au or call 1800 780 900.
Compass Calendar