Newsletter, Term 3, Week 10

Principal's Update

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Welcome to Term 3, Week 10.  We are at the end of our term and ready for two weeks holidays.  Please note our first day back to school is TUESDAY, 10th October!  Our staff will be offsite on the Monday engaging in professional learning.  Vacation care will be available on the Monday if you need this service. 

Over the holidays could I ask all families to check their child’s Summer uniforms and come back to school next term in the correct uniform, with the correct shoes, socks, accessories etc.  If you have any uniforms in good/excellent condition we would welcome any donations for our clothing pool.  If you notice your child’s uniforms need a little sprucing up, please email the clothing pool with your child’s name and size and the item required and our lovely clothing pool volunteers will check our stock for you.  Otherwise, Cohen & Lewis are also able to take online orders as normal. 

At the beginning of this term, I put together a business case for 1:1 devices for our senior children.  This was the reason I cancelled the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) meeting previously.  By providing 1:1 devices (laptops) our children will be better prepared for NAPLAN, for high school and to extend their learning and engagement by having their own device readily available.  Next term when they are set up, we will provide our current Year 4 and 5 children with 1:1 devices and our Chromebooks will be readily available for our Year 6 and other grades.  I look forward to sharing with you on SeeSaw and updates as to our these devices are being used. 

I would like to welcome back Mrs Lewis who will be teaching with Miss Zietsch on Year 4 on a Thursday and Friday starting Term 4. 

Also, Ms Jaimie Wallace will be teaching Year 5 Blue as well as Mr Damien Lobb on a Wednesday as normal. 

I would also like to welcome Ms Charlotte Allen who will be teaching Year 2Red for the first six weeks of Term 4 while Mrs Scott is on her long service leave. Ms Allen is very familiar with the children in Year 2Red and our school procedures. 

Welcome to our school community the following children, we are looking forward to helping you settle into our school with your families: 

2 Green – Vaughan C 

2 Red – Ellie L 

3 Blue – Kingston W 

3 Green – Kobe L and Blake S 

4 Red – Lilah W 

5 Blue – Indigo W and Ava S 

5 Green – Ewan C 

5 Red – Liam W 

As noted on Compass we did not have a weekly award assembly this week.  Our next Weekly Award assembly will be Term 4 Week 2! 

We are looking forward to our Kindergarten Orientation next term.  We are still accepting enrolments for our Kindergarten 2024 classes. Our Year 5 children will also be able to assist with the orientation in the Buddy program here at St Brendan’s.  Kindergarten Orientation will take place on the following dates: 

26th October 8.45-10am in the school hall. 

2 November 8.45am-10am 

9 November 8.45am-10am 

16 November 8.45am-10am 

Plus our Kindergarten 2024 Teddy Bears picnic 8.45am-9.45am. 

Term 4 Week 1, will be our Year 6 Market Day!  We look forward to this annual fundraising day and the organisation from the Year 6 children. 

Our end of term reward day for this term was held on Wednesday – So many children and teachers had lots of fun in their house colour groups for the day.  The children participated in group rotations of banner making (see facebook for a time lapsed version), relays in the hall, soccer on the ovals/ play equipment and house colour chants!  Congratulations to you all for making your day such an enjoyable one. 

Congratulations to Rain R who has been awarded Broken Bay Athletics Junior Girl Age Champion 2023! .

Term 4 important dates so far: 

Monday, 9th October – PUPIL FREE DAY 

Tuesday, 10th October – First day Term 4 

Friday, 13th October – Year 6 Market Day 

Friday, 13th October – Polding Athletics carnival 

18th October – Year 4 excursion 

Year 6, 2024 leadership applications are due – 23rd October (Year 5 teachers will distribute them) 

24th October – PAG meeting 6pm (more information will be shared next term) 

26th October – Kindergarten orientation/transition commences (see note above) 

26th and 27th October – Year 5 leadership camp, Toukley 

I wish you all a happy and safe holiday. 

God Bless, 

Charlene Reid 

Principal 

Religious Education

Below are some photos of our wonderful students training to be Alter Servers Last week.  

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) 

Would you like to become a Catholic?

OR would you simply like to know more about our Catholic faith and the Sacraments?

A new RCIA process is beginning in our Parish this month and you are invited to come along to St. Mary’s Church each Tuesday evening from 5:30-6:45 where we will explore our Catholic faith and, if you wish, prepare to receive the Sacraments next Easter.  No meetings during school holidays. 

For enquiries contact Sarah-Jane at the Parish Office on 4396.4455 or Alison on 0424 737 911.

Children and Young People's Participation in Catholic Communities

Participation of Children and Young People in Catholic Communities is an important part of our faith and contributes to safe environments for students.  This guide assists with ideas that promote participation

 https://issuu.com/bbcat.../docs/children_young_participating

School Updates

Lions Club of Gwandalan Art and Craft Expo

A big thank you to Mrs Ramsey (Asford) for supporting students in our art lunch club this term. Many students planned and prepared an artwork for the Lions Club of Gwandalan Art and Craft Expo. As you can see they had a lovely time creating their artworks.

COMPASS INFORMATION

Attendance:  In the next few weeks Mrs Jacqui Fletcher, Assistant Principal,  may reach out to discuss your child's attendance with you.  

Awards and Assemblies

Awards

Dojo Awards

SBLM Awards

Community News

The Music Bus has opened their term 4 enrolments and are inviting new students to apply.

Classes offered are: · Keyboard (K-y6) · Ukulele ( K -y6) · Drums (y1-y6) · Guitar (Y2-y6)

Lessons are a 30-minute duration - once per week and held in the hi-tech music classroom on wheels on our site.

The cost is $20 per week ($22 drums) payable by the term on commencement.

Contact the Music Bus help desk or visit the Music Bus website for more information.

💡  FUN HOLIDAY ACTIVITY IDEA  💡

Outdoor Movie Nights are coming back these September School Holidays!

A FREE outdoor cinema event will be held in the Toukley Village Green on Saturday 23 September 2023.

Please visit https://www.lovecentralcoast.com/events/toukley-movie-night for further information.

What’s happening?

• Loads of fun activities for all ages including a petting zoo, a circus play space, craft activities, and  face painting commencing from 4 pm
• Grab a bite to eat from one of the many local restaurants beforehand or grab some takeaway to enjoy with the movie.
• Animated classic Stuart Little screening commences at sundown – estimated around 6 pm.

💡  SPRING CHESS TOURNAMENT  💡

Any students who may be interested in participating in the Spring Chess Tournament, it will held on the Friday of the second week of the upcoming break at Central Coast Grammar School. 

Check out Coast Connect for articles about patrolled beaches, Australia Day Award nominations, and Ideas for local School Holiday Activities.  

Click the link below to access this fantastic resource from Central Coast Council.

Compass Calendar