Over the past 16 months, the IEU VicTas, teachers union, and the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria have been negotiating the new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Like all negotiations, there have been a number of sticking points resulting in frustrations and delays for both parties and all Catholic education staff.

Wage parity with our state school friends has been achieved and changes in conditions are now being worked through. These include:

• 38 hour week
• time in lieu outside work hours for directed activities
• reduction in classroom time i.e. increased planning and preparation time

I, with our school leaders, will be attending a briefing on Tuesday afternoon in which the implication of the changes will be explored. I will keep you all informed as the two parties continue to work towards agreement.

We have been extremely fortunate to have been added to the Bunnings sausage sizzle roster. Planning for our allocated day, Saturday 4 March, is well underway. The next step is to fill the roster with volunteers to cook and serve the sausages and drinks. There are a number of operational procedures to be aware of however, two of the more significant ones are:

• No persons under the age of 18 are permitted to cook or operate any equipment.
• A minimum of three people are required each shift to conduct a BBQ. Each shift is required to have a Cook, Order and Collect person.
• No children under the age of 15 are permitted at the BBQ.

FYI.

St Brendan’s has been provided with a $1.4 million grant to refurbish the:

• Art Room
• Internal toilet facility
• Drainage infrastructure upgrades.

The refurbishment will see the closing of the lower yard, junior playground, for 6 - 8 months. The works are expected to commence in Term 3 and the funds raised will go towards the purchase of additional playground resources for our students.

Best wishes,

Peter

• 3-Way Learning Conferences
• Ash Wednesday
• Year 4/5/6 Camp - Doxa Malmsbury
• District Swimming Carnival - School Squad
• School Athletics Carnival
• Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
• School Incursion - Zanna and the Lost Code
  
• Welcome Mass
• NAPLAN - Years 3 & 5
• Summer Gala Day - Soccer Years 5 & 6
  
• Lent & Easter

For dates, visit the Parent Calendar button below. Further information to follow.

Monday

• Physical Education
• Visual Arts

Wednesday

• Performing Arts
• Bluearth

Each specialist program runs for 1 hour during which time all students will be engage in learning activities based upon the Victorian Curriculum.

The school sports uniform is worn on Mondays and Wednesdays for PE and Bluearth

2023

Term 1

Week 1

Friday 3 February

- Prayer Assembly

School Captains

2:20 pm in the Gym.

Week 2

10 February

- Prayer Assembly

Koalas (Yr 5/6)

2:20 pm in the Gym.

Week 3

Wednesday 15 February

- 3-Way Conferences

Week 4

Wednesday 22 February

- Ash Wednesday

- Year 4/5 & 6 Camp

Thursday 23 February

- Year 4/5 & 6 Camp

Friday 24 February

- Year 4/5 & 6 Camp

Help me to journey beyond the familiar

and into the unknown.

Give me the faith to leave old ways

and break fresh ground with You.

Christ of the mysteries, I trust You

to be stronger than each storm within me.

I will trust in the darkness and know

that my times, even now, are in Your hand.

Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,

and somehow, make my obedience count for You.

AMEN.’

The Whole school will be attending the Christmas Melodies at Hamer Hall on Monday 12 December. Host Gorgi Coghlan and friends will lead us in a warm festive sing-a-long with a big band and choir.