Newsletter Term 4, 2023. Week 8

Principal's Update

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Welcome to Term 4, Week 8! 

Our Step Up day on Tuesday was a great way for our children to meet their 2024 teacher!  We welcome our new staff members who also joined us and some of our new students starting at St Brendan’s in 2024! 

Early this term we have started looking at 2024 classes and teachers!  This is a very important part of your children’s schooling and we address this very seriously.  Many hours and discussions have been had to find the best fit for your children. 

In 2024 we will have 19 classes at this stage.   

2024 Teachers

2024 Support Staff

Student leadership team 2024 

We will also have a number of staff return to us Term 3, 2024 who are on maternity leave including Mrs Maggie O’Brien, Mrs Lily Anderson and Mrs Stephanie Mind.  Our learning support teacher Mrs Tierney DesBrulais will also return to us Term 3, 2024. 

I would also like to welcome new children to our St Brendan’s community in 2024 including: 

Year 3: Braxton W, Evie R 

Year 4: Arran R, Isla R, Nicholas H, Oscar A, Beau S, Charlie H, Emmitt H, Mia W 

Year 5: Ava S, Samuel Z 

This year our educational focus has been mathematics, more specifically in the areas of multiplication and division across all grades.  Our data gathered shows growth in the children’s learning and reading academic outcomes within their stages.  We are continuing to focus on mathematics in 2024 with more of a focus on writing including spelling, punctuation and grammar.  Our school improvement plan outlines our strategic approach.  Consistency across each grade will allow us to work and learn collaboratively.  We will be updating our policies and procedures including our approach to homework, excursions and school uniforms among others.  I will again offer a parent forum in February, 2024 for those who wish to attend where I can share more information about the 2024 vision for St Brendan’s and revise our 2023 vision. 

Student Passes

Student passes are given to children when they are leaving the classroom for any particular reason e.g. job, toilet, or out of class.  They look like these.  We will be able to keep track of why any children are out of class during the day. 

Christmas Carols

Our Christmas Carols were postponed due to the storm activity (which was very impressive) from Wednesday to next Wednesday, December 6.  I do hope you all stayed safe during that storm on Wednesday.  On the 6th of December, food trucks and market stalls are on site from 3 pm followed by children’s performances at 5 pm.  Please try to stay until the finale – this will also allow the classes performing toward the end of the evening to perform in front of an audience. 

Childrens University Graduates

Thank you Mr Chandler who organised our Children’s University Graduates on Thursday night at Ourimbah University.  Here are some very proud “graduates”: 

Reports

Semester Two reports are available on Compass from Friday, 1st December afternoon.  If you would like to book an interview with your child’s teacher please do so on Compass.  These interviews are offered in Week 10. 

Week 9

Week 9 will be busy, especially for the Year 6 students, families, and staff: 

• Year 2 intensive swimming program at Morisset pool all week 
• Monday, 4th December, 5.15 pm Year 6 Farewell mass – please wear your full Summer Uniform 
• Tuesday, 5th December, 6 pm start (arrive 5.30) at The Doylo for the Year 6 Farewell dinner, award presentations, and disco 
• Whole school Evacuation drill on Tuesday, 5th December at 9.30 am 
• Wednesday, 6th December dojo reward day – movie and popcorn in classrooms 
• Wednesday, 6th December Christmas Carols (take two)! 
• Thursday, 7th December Year 6 Beach fun day at Toowoon Bay 
• Friday, 8th December Thanksgiving whole school mass 9 am, early recess break followed by End of Year Awards 10.30 am
  

We will publish a newsletter in Week 10 with the names of our End of Year Awards recipients in 2023.

Sports news

Congratulations to Rain R (year 4) who came 2nd in her National long jump event in Tasmania last weekend!  Only 2 cm away from the 1st place. Rain’s jump was 4.23m – incredible! 

Congratulations to Kai W in Year 5 who attended the Broken Bay trials last Friday for Basketball.  Kai has now made it into the Broken Bay Basketball team and will try out for the Polding team in Coffs Harbour on 9th February 2024! Good luck Kai! 

 God Bless, 

Charlene Reid 

Parent-Teacher Conferences

In Week 10 we will be providing you the opportunity to meet with your child's classroom teacher regarding Semester Two Reports. Conferences will be opened on Saturday for you to book face-to-face conferences.  These opportunities will be available from Monday, 11 December 2023 to Wednesday, 13 December 2023.  

2024 Stationary Requirements

Religious Education

Christmas Eve Mass and Nativity

Join our school and parish community to celebrate Mass on Christmas Eve, Sunday 24^th December at 5pm at St Brendan’s Church. If your child/children would like to be involved in the Children’s Nativity please register your interest by scanning the QR code.  Or click here 

School Updates

Digital Technology by Suzanne Shiu-Haskins

We can all agree that our world is quickly advancing. The use of technology in our schools today supports many key learning areas. It can provide learning assistance to students but also an opportunity to extend students further as they learn to navigate digital tools and software in a safe environment.

Digital Technology has become an increasingly high-demand learning area. We are not just teaching students how to use devices. This year at St.Brendan's, we have been fortunate to have a designated Digital Technology Teacher to teach the outcomes found in the Science and Technology Syllabus. For some of our youngest students, DigiTech is about familiarising themselves with devices, learning to navigate Seesaw independently, introducing them to basic coding and building good technology habits. As we move into Stages 1 and 2, students begin to explore how computers work inside and out. They also begin their journey into computer programming by developing computational and problem-solving skills. In Stage 3, students are putting everything they have learned in prior years to create and design digital solutions for digital problems. Students will explore various software applications to create coded stories, games and 3D designs. This term, we have been lucky to partner with Lumination to provide the Beacon Education Program to our Stage 3 students. We delved into the augmented and virtual reality worlds by exploring how we can make a more sustainable world.

We understand how important it is to keep our students safe online these days so as part of the DigiTech program, students will also learn about digital citizenship and ways to limit our digital footprint. One of the other focus areas this year for DigiTech was building keyboard awareness through touch typing activities.

Awards

SBLM FOCUS

Merit Awards

Week 7 Awards

Dojo Awards

Spirit of St Brendan's

Congratulations to our Spirit of St Brendan's Award recipients.

Community News

School Holiday Access to Counsellors

Dear Parents/Carers,

Just a note to inform you that Catholic Schools Broken Bay School Counsellors are unavailable over the school holiday period and will resume school counselling support services within schools from the beginning of Term 1, 2024.

Should you require support for your child or family during the school holiday period, please find below information on support websites and helplines:

Child supports:

Kids Helpline Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800 (24 hours per day – for children and young people aged 5-25).

Brave online anxiety management program for children Login | BRAVE Self-Help Program (uq.edu.au) – Free program for children aged 8 – 17 and parent program for children aged 3-7 years.

Parent and family supports:

Parent Line 1300 1300 52 | Parent Line NSW (9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 4pm – 9pm on weekends). 

Raising Children Network Raising Children Network – provision of information in relation to childhood development, behaviours, relationships and general health and wellbeing from infancy through to adulthood.

Family Connect and Support Family Connect and Support | Family & Community Services (nsw.gov.au) – offering services and supports for families.

Domestic Violence Support:

1800 RESPECT Home | 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732 – 24 hour phone and online counselling for people seeking support for domestic violence situations).

Mental Health Information and Support Lines:

Mental Health Intake Line Mental Health Line - Mental health (nsw.gov.au) 1800 011 511 (24 hour telephone support if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health).

Beyond Blue Beyond Blue | 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention (1300 224 636).

Lifeline Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. (24 hour crisis support service).

Head to Health Home | Head to Health (1800 595 212).

Be You information on general health and wellbeing Fact Sheets - Be You.

Grief Support:

GriefLine Australia's National Grief & Loss Support Hub: Griefline (1300 845 745 – 8am to 8pm seven days a week).

National Centre for Childhood Grief Kids & Grief - National Centre for Childhood Grief (1300 654 556).

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year!

AQUATHLON

CSNSW SPORT is offering a fantastic school holiday opportunity for students enrolled in Catholic schools in NSW.

Our pilot AQUATHLON event is open to participation for students aged 8 years to 19 years with age divisions in both mainstream and multi-class events.

For more information - https://csnsw.sport/sports/csnsw-sport-programmes/aquathlon

Vacation Care

The end of year school holidays are nearly upon us!

The December and January Vacation Care program at St Brendan’s is set to begin.   

CatholicCare’s Vacation Care service at our school 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 with activities to harness your child's interests and strengths while respecting their need for leisure.

See the latest program here www.catholiccaredbb.org.au/vacation-care. Get in quick, programs filling fast! We hope to see your children there!

The Smith Family Saver Plus Program

The Smith Family Saver Plus program supports eligible parents with $500 matched savings and free financial education. The matched funds can be used for education expenses including laptop, school uniforms and other education items.

Saver Plus is funded by the Department of Social Services and is the Australian longest financial education program for community, having more than 50,000 participants since 2003. RMIT University has conducted evaluation showing Saver Plus is effective to help people develop medium-long term saving habits.

Parents with children at school OR starting school next year would meet one of the program eligibility criteria. This would reduce pressure on parents as they learn the tools to sustain their finances and be better prepared for future school costs.

 More information can be found in the program flyer and the link -  https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/programs/financial/saver-plus

 Enquire now to see if you are eligible by using this link https://www.bsl.org.au/services/saving-and-managing-money/saver-plus/saver-plus-enquiry-form/

Music Bus Lessons at St Brendan's, Lake Munmorah

The Music Bus has opened its Term 1 enrolments and is inviting new students to apply.

Classes offered include: · Keyboard (Prep-y6) · Ukulele (Prep-y6) · Drums (y1-y6) · Guitar (Y2-y6) · Singing (Prep -y6.

Lessons are:  

• 30-minute duration - once per week
• Held in the hi-tech music classroom on wheels on site
• Cost $20 per week ($22 drums) payable by the term on commencement

If you wish to take part in Music Bus, please complete this expression of interest form.

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ee4627a5204c46158e1ab17e7c8069c6

Many thanks for your continued support.

Holiday Activities to keep the kids busy

The Northern Lakes Neighbourhood Centre is having a FREE Craft in the Park, at Chain Valley Bay, on Wednesday 17^th January 2024.

Our fabulous friends from Interrelate will be joining us with their rock painting.

Please see the flyer below for more information.

Outdoor Movie Night

Central Newcastle Rugby League Club invite you to a community event held at  St John Oval, Charlestown, on Saturday 9^th December.  See the flyer below for more information.

Did you Know….

Every Thursday is an opportunity to grab a bargain! You can pick up a bag of essential groceries for $10 and the option for bread, fruit & veg & frozen items for reduced sale as well!

Most of these items are either surplus or close to use by date, but if they don’t get eaten, they will be thrown in the garbage… what a waste!

The local locations are:

Food Bank: Colongra Bay Hall, Colongra Bay Road, Lake Munmorah: 10.00am until sold out

Wyee Community Hub: 20 Gorokan Road, Wyee (the road that goes under the railway line at Wyee train station)

10.00 am-1.00 pm; free BBQ lunch, bring your own bags, open-air markets with loads of discounted items for sale. The food hampers with Wyee Community Hub are ‘$10 for around 30-40kg of groceries, fruit & veg, bread, juice & (UHT) milk’ – items in the hamper are dependent upon stock available. When I visited the Wyee Community Hub, I got there at 12.00pm and for $10, I walked away with shopping bags of groceries & a bag of vegies (which included a whole pumpkin & head of cauliflower: pumpkin soup for dinner that night!).

Both locations accept cash only, so raid that money box, it will be worth it!

If you can’t make a Thursday, you can always try:

Toukley Neighbourhood Centre: 199 Main Road, Toukley

Tuesday, Thursday & Fridays from 9am-3pm and Saturdays 9.30am-1.00pm. Stretch your grocery budget further with cheap groceries.

If you know of a family member, school family or friend who would benefit from information or a helping hand, please leave a message for me at the school. I can provide you with local resources and services that may be of assistance. If I don’t know, I can’t help!!

Take Care… Nicole Anderson

Parent Engagement Coordinator (PEC)

Every Monday & alternate Tuesday’s

Compass Calendar