Newsletter · Term 4 · Week 6 · 2026
St. Brigid's
Catholic Primary School
Ballan
United in the courage and warmth of Brigid and with Jesus at our heart, we aspire to be an inclusive learning and faith community who nurtures lifelong learners
From the Principal
Principal Message
Jayne Bosworth
Principal
Dear Members of our St Brigid’s Community,
Week 6 has been full of wonderful opportunities for learning, connection and reflection at St Brigid’s!
Yesterday, we were delighted to welcome Tom Sexton, Executive Director - Catholic Education Ballarat, Julia Petrov Strategy Implementation Manager - Catholic Education Ballarat and Dr Jean Stiles to St Brigid’s.
Tom, Julia and Jean have been instrumental in the development of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035, particularly in the areas of student voice and agency.
Jean brings a wealth of experience in education, spanning teaching, school leadership, consultancy and university instruction. Having retired from Edmonton Public Schools in Alberta, Canada, she currently teaches graduate courses at the University of Alberta.
Jean’s work is centered on developing authentic student voice and agency, supporting school leaders to genuinely listen and respond to the needs of learners, and creating meaningful change through social innovation and design thinking. Her PhD, completed in 2017, explored how educational leadership can challenge traditional approaches and create more equitable opportunities for students.
During their visit, Tom, Julia and Jean connected with our School Captains and Student Agency Team. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their learning, experiences and ideas, while continuing to strengthen student voice and agency across our school. We are grateful for their time, insight and the opportunity to be part of these important conversations.
Yesterday, our Year 5 and 6 students proudly represented St Brigid’s at the Remembrance Day service in Ballan. Our School Captains delivered a meaningful speech about the Merchant Navy, sharing an important part of our history and recognising the contribution and sacrifice of those who served. They also had the honour of laying a wreath as part of the service.
We are incredibly proud of the way our students represented our school, demonstrating respect, gratitude and an understanding of the importance of remembering those who have served.
To conclude another busy week, tomorrow we look forward to welcoming our 2027 Foundation students to St Brigid’s for their very first transition day! We are excited to meet our newest learners, help them become familiar with their new surroundings and begin building connections as they take their first steps towards starting school with us in 2027.
Kind regards,
Jayne Bosworth
Principal
'Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.'
Excerpt from St Brigid's Prayer
2027 Foundation Transition Information
We are excited to welcome 2027 Foundation students to a series of transition sessions at St Brigid’s Primary School. These sessions provide children with the opportunity to become familiar with the school environment, meet our staff and other children and begin building confidence ahead of their first day of school in 2027. Attendance at all four sessions is highly recommended.
** Please note: Due to the larger number of Foundation enrolments for 2027, children will attend transition sessions, allocated according to surname:
● A–M: 9:00am – 10:15am
● N–Z: 10:30am – 11:45am
Friday 13th November | 9:00am – 10:15am (surnames A - M); 10:30am – 11:45am (surnames N-Z) |
Friday 20th November | 9:00am – 10:15am (surnames A - M); 10:30am – 11:45am (surnames N-Z) |
Friday 27th November | 9:00am – 10:15am (surnames A - M); 10:30am – 11:45am (surnames N-Z) |
Tuesday 1st December | 9:15am – 10:30am (Surnames A - Z) Whole school 'Step-up' day |
School Fee Payments
Final Statements will be emailed by the end of the week and we would appreciate all accounts being finalised by Friday 4th December with the exception of families on a Direct Debit or Payment arrangements.
Should you have any queries or need to know your balance please do not hesitate to contact Tracey in the office.
Parents & Friends Committee 2026 Year-End Update
As we come to the end of another wonderful school year, the Parents & Friends Committee would like to extend our sincere thanks to all parents, grandparents, friends, staff, and members of the wider school community for your support throughout 2026.
Your generosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to get involved helped make this year such a success. From our Trivia Night and Oaks Day celebrations to the Bunnings BBQ and the many other events held throughout the year, every contribution helped strengthen our school community and support initiatives that benefit our students.
We are excited about what lies ahead in 2027 and look forward to even greater engagement.
Introducing Project Cover Our Court
In 2027, the P&F will be launching Project Cover Our Court, an ambitious fundraising initiative to help deliver a covered basketball court for St Brigid's School.
This project will provide students with a valuable all-weather play space, ensuring they can remain active during wet weather. It will also create an important gathering place for assemblies, events, and community activities as our school continues to grow.
Buy a Brick Program
As part of Project Cover Our Court, we will also be launching our Buy a Brick Program.
This will provide families with the opportunity to support the project by purchasing a commemorative brick that will feature a family plaque on the basketball court wall. It will be a lasting reminder of the families and community members who helped bring this important project to life.
Further details about the Buy a Brick Program will be shared early in 2027.
Get Involved
As we set our goals for the coming year, we are always looking to welcome new members to the Parents & Friends Committee. Whether you can contribute your time, skills, ideas, professional expertise, industry contacts, or simply lend a hand at events, your involvement can make a real difference.
If you would like to be part of Project Cover Our Court or become involved with the P&F in any capacity, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the school.
On behalf of the Parents & Friends Committee, thank you once again for your support throughout 2026. We look forward to achieving great things together in 2027.
The St Brigid's Parents & Friends Committee
Book Fair
Dates: | Morning: | Afternoon: |
|---|---|---|
Thursday 12th November | 8:30am - 9:00am | 3:00pm - 3:30pm |
Wednesday 18th November | 8:30am - 9:00am | 3:00pm - 3:30pm |
Thursday 19th November | 8:30am - 9:00am | Closed |
Advent Liturgy/Launch of Mission & Vision
Christmas Carols on the Grass
Christmas Carols on the Grass – 2026
We warmly invite all our families to join us for our annual Christmas Carols on the Grass on Thursday, 3 December 2026.
Bring your family, a picnic rug and your Christmas spirit for a wonderful afternoon of festive fun, community connection and Christmas cheer! Please note this is a non-alcohol event.
Arrival from 4:00 pm
🍔 Food Options
Families are welcome to bring along a picnic dinner and enjoy a relaxed evening together on the grass.
Alternatively, you can purchase something delicious from our P&F BBQ.
Are you a local business interested in running a stall at our event? We would love to hear from you! Please contact the school office for further information.
We look forward to celebrating the magic of Christmas with our wonderful school community! 🎅✨
Christmas Raffle Donations
Our school is again facilitating our annual St Brigid’s Christmas Raffle. We are currently seeking donations for this raffle and would greatly appreciate any donation for this raffle. We will be promoting the raffle prizes, donations and businesses on our St Brigid’s Facebook/Instagram page. All money raised from this raffle will go back to our school as we fundraise for a cover over our basketball courts.
2027 School Tuition Fee Raffle
Year 6 Graduation
Year 6 Graduation will take place on Wednesday 9th December. Further information will be circulated in next weeks newsletter.
The Week That Was!
Little Feet Big Footprints - Year 6!
On Tuesday, Year 6 students and staff from St Brigid’s Primary School Ballan, St Patrick’s Primary School Gordon, St Augustine’s Primary School Creswick, St Michael’s Primary School Daylesford and Our Lady Help or Christians Primary School Wendouree gathered for our final Little Feet Big Footprints session.
Little Feet Big Footprints is an initiative designed to support students as they prepare for the transition to secondary school. It provides opportunities to strengthen connections between our school communities, develop student leadership and empower students to work towards a shared goal inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.
During Tuesday’s session, students reflected on the projects they had been working on throughout the program and had the opportunity to present their ideas and progress to the wider group.
It was a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate their learning, share their achievements and recognise the positive impact they can have in their communities. We are incredibly proud of the leadership, collaboration and commitment demonstrated by all involved!
Hot Lunches
We have partnered with Ballan Bakehouse for Hot Lunches for the remainder of the school year.
You can order using your existing account details via the online ordering system - Spriggy Schools on SZapp https://app.spriggyschools.com.au/
Order cut off time is 10am on the Thursday prior with no inhouse ordering.
Please find above a copy of the Ballan Bakehouse Term 4 menu.
Whole School Prayer/Assembly Celebrations
Whole School Prayer/ Assembly will continue to take place on a fortnightly basis at St Brigid’s Church on Monday afternoons from 2:30pm.
Term 4 dates:
Monday 9th November, 2026 @ 2:30pm - Year 5MA
Monday 23rd November, 2026 @ 2:30pm - Foundation A
Monday 14th December, 2026 @ 2:30pm - Final Assembly
Upcoming Events
What events are happening here at St Brigid's!
Preschool Story Time
Community Noticeboard
St Patrick's Parish News - Communities of Ballan, Gordon, Springbank
Click here to access the St Patirck's Parish Newsletter
Mass Times
1st Sunday | 2nd Sunday | 3rd Sunday | |
Vigil Mass Sat 6:30pm | Dunnstown | Springbank | Dunnstown |
Sun 9:00am | Gordon | Bungaree | Gordon |
Sun 10:30am | Ballan | Ballan | Ballan |