St Brendan's Primary School Dunnstown eNewsletter

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

23rd August: Book week dress up day

30th August: Bush Dance @ Bungaree community centre

1^st September: Friday at SM . Father’s Day Breakfast and Liturgy

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

There is not a lot to share this fortnight as things in both schools are moving along smoothly and calmly at this point.

We do have a number of families taking the chance and get away to find some sunshine and others that are unwell either for a day of a few days. Please remember to let the school know if your child is away. It is our policy that we contact parents if the school has not been notified by 9.30 and it can save our admin ladies time if they know why a child is away. It also saves you needing to explain what is going on if you are busy or at work.

The best way to contact the school is ring or leave a message on the mobile.

St. Marys. Landline - 53345280. Mobile - 0491734779

St. Brendan’s Landline - 53347604. Mobile – 0490762877

Take care everyone. Go as gently as possible.

Inez

Upcoming events

We do have a number of important events coming up so please put them into your calendar.

The first is our annual Book Week dress up day next Wednesday at St.Brendan’s. Parents and siblings are invited to also dress up and join us from 9 – 9.30am as children take part in a parade, sharing what they have dress up as and the book their character is from.

The following Wednesday, the 30^th is our family Bush Dance at the Bungaree Community Centre. The Billy Tea Bush Band will teach the children some dances in the afternoon at school. We will then all gather from 6 – 8pm. All families and extended families are welcome. Please bring a plate of food as we will have a shared supper at 7.30pm.

That same week of Friday the children and their Dads, or special person in their lives are invited to join us at St. Mary’s for a Father’s Day breakfast. The invitations have gone home. Please contact the schools by Monday the 28^th with numbers, including adults and children, so that we can cater for everyone.

A reminder that the last day of term is a pupil free day as the staff will be doing a Professional Development Day on the Friday. We will be looking at the changes to the Victorian Curriculum F-10 Mathematics Version 2.0 as well as the assessments we currently do.

Professional Development is an important part of a teacher’s role. It is an investment in teachers' growth, improving skills and growing knowledge which directly benefits students' education. It enables teachers to keep up to date with the ever-changing educational landscape, ensuring they can provide the best possible learning experience for their students.

If you haven’t had the opportunity and wish to have your time, please contact your child’s teacher.

Children receiving the Sacraments

Last Sunday Bishop Paul Bird celebrated Mass at St. Michael’s, Bungaree. There were 13 children form the Parish that received the sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. They included Billy, Jai, Adele, Sophie, Felicity and Jack from St. Brendan’s, and Evie and Kamden from St. Mary’s. It was a beautiful Mass with many family and Parish members part of the ceremony.

A very special thank you to Dianne Reynolds who ran the program this year, to the parents for being at the sessions and working with the children, and to the staff for supporting the children at school and at the Mass.

Little Feet Big Footprints

Last Thursday our Year 6 children participated in the second day of the Big Feet Little Footprints program with 4 other country Catholic schools. They all came together at St. Brigid’s, Ballan where they joined together for a Liturgy and then did a session with Fr. Justin on Catholic Social Teachings. There was also some time to play together and reconnect with old friends and make new ones. This program is an important part of how supporting our seniors as they transition to Secondary School.

Time capsule

I have contacted Greg Lane the school principal at the time of the time capsule being placed into the ground near the flags poles. He said that the capsule had been dug up at a later stage by another principal and unfortunately the moisture had damaged the items in the capsule.

Thanks for the information supplied by past students regarding the capsule.

Anita

Birthdays

Aiden will be 8 on the 19th 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.