Past issue · Term 4 · Week 1 · 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

13 articles

From the Principal

Principal Message

Jayne Bosworth

Principal

Dear Members of our St Brigid’s Community,

A warm welcome back to Term 4. I hope that you all had a restful, well-deserved break. We are really looking forward to another terrific term!

It is wonderful to see our children arrive at school each day with happy faces, ready to dive into a new chapter of learning and growth. The energy and enthusiasm that our children bring to our school each day is truly contagious.

As we begin this new term together, I invite you to reflect upon the following passage:

Do not fear, for I am with you,

do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will help you;

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

These words remind us that whatever the term may bring, we can move forward with courage and confidence, knowing that we are supported. At St Brigid’s, we are blessed to be part of a community where we walk alongside one another, encouraging our children to be brave, to persevere through challenges and to embrace every opportunity to learn and grow.

As a community inspired by the example of St Brigid, may we continue to show kindness, compassion and generosity to one another. May our children know that they are valued, supported and cared for, and may we, as a community, continue to strengthen one another through faith, friendship and hope.

Wishing all members of our school community a wonderful week.

Jayne Bosworth

Principal

'Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.'
Excerpt from St Brigid's Prayer

Deputy Principal Message

Dear Parents, Carers and Families,

Our whole school continues our focus on our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support, with our Behaviour Matrix and “Bees”. We are focused on commending our students on their positive behaviours.

Commendations are acknowledgements of positive behaviour, with a current focus on being SAFE.
This week we are noticing and commending students who demonstrate SAFE behaviours.
See our matrix below for details and examples to speak with your child about.

You will receive a notification from the SIMON / PAM system via email, regarding your child’s commendations at the end of each week. This is an opportunity for us to share and celebrate with you, your child’s successes. We’d love feedback around how this is celebrated in your family.

These practises form part of supporting our commitment to Child Safe Standards - particularly number 2 - see below for further information.

Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

First 5 in – free coffee or hot drink as you read the newsletter!
Fill in our Google Form to claim: https://forms.gle/vrStXG15TbfAaY919

St Brigid’s is dedicated to supporting every student’s success and fostering a positive, respectful, child-safe learning environment. If you or your family would like further information and/or support, please contact me on the email address listed below. 

Looking forward to continuing working in partnership.
Kind regards, 
Sallee Carter
Deputy Principal – Inclusion & Engagement
scarter@sbballan.catholic.edu.au

School Uniform

This term, we transition from our winter to summer uniform. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct school uniform each day.

Please also remember:

Sports uniform is to be worn each Tuesday and Wednesday.
As a SunSmart school, students are required to wear a navy blue, wide-brimmed school hat during break times and outdoor activities throughout the term.

Punctuality and Attendance

Punctuality is crucial to a productive learning environment. Arriving on time not only supports your child’s learning but also minimises disruption to their peers and fosters a positive classroom climate.

Students are expected to arrive at school before 8.50am.
Unreasonably late arrivals to school, unless unavoidable or with valid reasons, will result in conversations between the school and family to explore ways we can support you and your child/ren.

We ask for your assistance in reinforcing these routines and supporting your child in developing organisation and time management skills. Please ensure they arrive at school on time and provide them with a note or email the front office if they are late.

Every day counts – school attendance

We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day.

Missing school can have a major impact on a child’s future.

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind and can affect their educational outcomes.

Coming to school every day is vital, but if for any reason your child must miss school, there are things we can do together to ensure they don’t fall behind:

Speak with your classroom teacher and find out what work your child needs to do to keep up.
Develop an absence learning plan with your teacher and ensure your child completes the plan.

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher as early as possible.

From 1 March 2014, new laws will mean that parents can be fined for not sending students to school without an acceptable reason.

If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can work together to get your child to school every day.

Please see attached DOBCEL and Department of Education policies that underpin this procedure: DOBCEL Attendance Policy Rationale Background Policy Statement Principles, Attendance and missing school | vic.gov.au

1 or 2 days a week doesn’t seem like much but…
If your child misses:	That equals:	Which is:	Over 13 years of school that is:
1 day per fortnight	20 days / year	4 wks / year	Nearly 1.5 years
1 day per week	40 days / year	8 wks / year	Over 2.5 years
2 days per week	80 days / year	16 wks / year	Over 5 years
3 days per week	120 days/year	24 wks / year	Nearly 8 years

A little bit late doesn’t seem like much but…
If your child misses:	That equals:	Which is:	Over 13 years of school that is:
10 mins / day	50 mins / wk	1.5wks / year	Nearly half a year.
20 mins / day	1hr 40mins / wk	2.5wks / year	Nearly 1 full year.
30 mins / day	Half a day / wk	4 wks / year	Nearly 1.5 years.
1 hour / day	1 day / wk	8 wks / year	Over 2.5 years.