Newsletter 2nd August 2023
In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land in which we sit, the Wadawurrung people, who have cared for this country for thousands of years. We would like to pay our respects to the Aboriginal Elders past, present and future for they hold the traditions, memories and wisdom of Mother Earth on which we place our feet upon today.
Upcoming Dates
24th July, 31st July & 7th August: Sacramental program 3.45 - 5pm @ St Brendan's Eucharist / Confirmation
10th August: LFBF @ St Brigid's Ballan
13th August: 8.45 Eucharist and Confirmation Mass Bungaree
23rd August: Book week dress up day
30th August: Bush Dance @ Bungaree community centre
3rd September: Fathers Day
12th September: Year 3/4/5/6 Sport day with St Michael's Daylesford
13th September: Footy Day
14th September: Last day term 3 for students
15th September: Pupil free day
2nd October: 1st Day term 4
Principal's News
Retirement
As you will all know by now, last week I announced that I would be resigning as Principal at the end of the 2023 school year with a plan to ease in to retirement. It was not an easy decision however, as I wrote ‘In so many ways I feel that the timing is right for the school and myself. My goal was to always resign when the school was in a good spot and I believe that is now. I am so proud of the way families, staff and students have worked together to achieve all we have over the past 4 years despite a number of challenges. There is so much to celebrate.’
The process to begin recruiting a new Principal will start next week, with filming taking place yesterday. The aim will be to appoint someone in Term 4 with a Term 1, 2024 start date.
I have every confidence that a new Principal will bring new energy and continue to build upon the work we have started as a thriving school community.
Take care everyone. Go as gently as possible.
Inez
PTC conversations
Thank you to all of the parents that made the time to meet with your child’s teacher/s. Will there are many opportunities to have a chat during the term, it is important to make sure that the PTC conversations are timetabled and conducted as a more formal way of sharing your child’s leaning and setting goals.
It is part of our Vision to
- building positive relationships
- ensuring a safe, supportive and inclusive environment that promotes high outcomes and celebrates achievements
- providing relevant and purposeful opportunities for growth
- working in collaborative partnerships to provide high quality, stimulating and evidence informed learning
Our Parent / Teacher / Child conversations support these.
If you haven’t had the opportunity and wish to have your time, please contact your child’s teacher.
Sacramental Program
Many of our Senior students are preparing for the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation with one more session to take place next Monday. This year we are doing something slightly different and following the Diocesan program of running a sacramental program that is family based, parish coordinated and school supported. The feedback has been positive and we thank Dianne Reynolds for running the program.
We invite all families to Mass on Sunday the 13th of August at 8.45 at Bungaree where are children will receive their sacraments.
The children are - Billy and Jai Brit, Felicity Ryan, Adele Leonard, Sophie Dash, Jack Lenaghan, Leo Denman and Kamden and Evie Singline.
We ask that you support and pray for these children during the coming weeks.
LFBF
Our Year 6 children will have their second day for the Little Feet Big Footprints Program at Ballan on Thursday the 10th of August. They will join St. Augustine’s Creswick, St. Pat’s Gordon and St. Michael’s Daylesford for a Liturgy, a session with Fr. Justin on Catholic Social Teachings, lunch and time to work in groups on a project of their choice. The children really enjoy these days as they have a clear purpose, as well as time to learn and socialise together. Many of the children will make connections with children who will go to the same secondary school in 2024.
Dates
Staff have been working on setting dates for the rest of Term 3 so that parents can plan ahead.
These have been decided upon –
10th August – Thursday. LFBF Year 6 children
13th August – Sunday First Eucharist and Confirmation Mass
23rd August – Wednesday. Book Week Dress up Day
30th August - Wednesday . Bush Dance for all families 6 – 8pm
1st September – Friday at SM . Father’s Day Breakfast and Liturgy
12th September – Tuesday. Years 4,5 and 6 sports day with St. Michael’s at Daylesford
15th September – Friday. Last day of term. Pupil Free day
We are now working to firm up some dates in Term 4 and will get these out to you soon.
Remember to keep checking in with the school calendar.
Junior Room
LUCY’S WEEKEND
On Sunday I went to watch the Barbie movie with my family. Barbie was turning into a person and it was at the start. She went to the big world. Barbie and Ken got put in the police station 2 times. At the end of the movie they joined the 2 states together so everyone can go anywhere they like to go. I liked the movie.
Inquiry
This term for our inquiry both the juniors and the seniors are participating in a curriculum program designed to educate primary school children about the Australian dairy industry and the health and nutrition benefits of dairy foods as part of a balanced diet. Our theme is Farm to Plate.
This week the students had to think about everything they already know about where their milk comes from and the processes dairy farmers use to bring us fresh, great tasting, wholesome milk and dairy products. We looked at the seven different breeds of dairy cows too.
Lucy R - There are 7 breeds of dairy cows. They are Jersey, Guernsey, Aussie Red, Brown Swiss, Holstein, Illawarra and Ayrshire.
Sophie - There are some cow breeds that I have never heard of before.
Lucy D - What they put on the dairy cows udders to milk them are called ‘cups.’
Flick - I learnt all the names of the dairy cows.
Jai - I didn’t know that a Friesian was the same as a Holstein.
Jack - I didn’t know there were Aussie Red cows.
Oscar - Aussie Red cow’s milk is high in protein.
Billy - The Jersey cow produces the creamiest milk.
Adele - A heifer is a young female cow.
The Blank Canvas
We learnt about the process of getting milk from the core to the table. From Farm to Glass - the story of milk.
Senior Room
Birthdays
Coby will be 12 on the 12th August
Child Safe – all on website
As is stated on our Vision and Mission, our schools ‘…are committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and young people.’ Our procedures and policies are now in line with the 11 child safe standards and can be found on our schools’ websites under the tab – child safe.
Memories from 2010
