Loving God,

On this Valentine’s Day, the day of love, we thank You for the gift of relationships – family, friends, and community – that bring joy, support, and kindness into our lives. May we always reflect Your unconditional love in the way we treat others, offering compassion, patience, and understanding.

Help us to see love not only in grand gestures but in the simple, everyday moments – a kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear. May our hearts be open to giving and receiving love, just as You love us completely and without measure.

May the love we celebrate today be a reflection of Your divine love, which knows no bounds and lasts forever.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

 
Thank you to all the families who attended our Meet the Teacher evening. We truly appreciate your time and engagement. If you were unable to attend – especially given the heat – please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher for any important information shared during the session. We’re always happy to connect with you!

Exciting Year 6 Trip to Canberra!

On Sunday 16 February, 56 enthusiastic Year 6 students, along with seven dedicated staff members, will embark on an unforgettable week in Canberra, exploring our nation's capital. This trip is an incredible opportunity for hands-on learning, discovery, and adventure, and we are all looking forward to the experiences that await them.

We can’t wait to hear all about their journey upon their return! Be sure to follow our social media platforms for daily updates and plenty of photos capturing their adventures.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful staff members who have generously given their time to accompany the students on this trip: Mrs Sandra Buchanan, Mr Dylan Cook, Ms Kameron Bazzo, Mrs Kathryn Brink, Mrs Karen Chambers, Mr David Johnston, and myself. Your dedication and support are truly appreciated.

Wishing our students and staff a fantastic and enriching week ahead!

Surviving the Heat: Staying Cool and Safe in Hot Weather

As we continue to experience extreme temperatures, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to stay cool, hydrated, and safe. The recent heatwave has reminded us of just how challenging the summer months can be, and at school, we are prioritising student well-being by implementing measures to keep everyone comfortable and protected.

Keeping Cool at School

To ensure the safety of our students, we have a strict policy of staying indoors when temperatures exceed 35°C. During these extreme heat days, students will remain in air-conditioned classrooms and other cool spaces to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Essential Tips for Staying Hydrated and Protected

Here are some simple ways to help beat the heat during hot weather while at school:

Freeze Water Bottles: Encourage students to freeze their water bottles overnight. This helps keep their drink cold for longer and provides a refreshing way to cool down throughout the day.

Bring a Hat: A hat is an essential part of sun safety. Students must wear their hats whenever they are outside, as this provides protection from direct sun exposure and reduces the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Stay Hydrated: It’s important for students to bring a refillable water bottle every day and take advantage of refilling stations throughout the school. Drinking water regularly is the best way to stay hydrated and prevent heat-related fatigue.

It’s important to watch for signs of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, nausea, or excessive sweating, and take action if needed.

By working together and taking these simple precautions, we can ensure that everyone stays safe, comfortable, and ready to learn – despite the soaring temperatures. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and take care!

Staff Spotlight Ms Kameron Bazzo
– new staff member in Year 6 White

What do you enjoy most about teaching your current year level or subject? Year 6 is such a rewarding year! It offers the chance to build solid and fun relationships with the boys, which form the foundation of an engaging classroom environment. I love watching their independence and confidence grow, both academically and socially and I truly enjoy guiding them through this pivotal final year of Primary School, helping them develop the skills and values they’ll carry forward into the next chapter of their education.

What is one lesson or skill you hope every student takes away from your class? Integrity is my biggest focus in Year 6. I hope the boys leave my classroom as honest, resilient, and respectful young men who are ready to thrive in High School. Additionally, our classroom motto is ‘Work Hard, Play Harder’ which encourages the boys to be good people who always have fun whilst doing so!

What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching? Travelling is probably my biggest hobby and I love using my school holidays to explore new places. In the summer holidays, I ticked off my #1 bucket list item: experiencing a White Christmas in New York City, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Italy – just so I could eat pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

What are you most looking forward to this school year? Canberra for sure – I have never been to Canberra, so I am excited to explore the nation’s capital with my 20 little besties!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about teaching? The best piece of advice I’ve received is to not sweat the small stuff – lessons won’t always go perfectly, and challenges will come up, but if students feel valued, supported, and engaged, real learning always happens. It’s taught me to be adaptable, embrace the unexpected, and remember that the impact you have goes far beyond just academics.

Exciting News: Alphabet Day is Coming!

Mark your calendars! On Thursday 2 May, we will be celebrating Alphabet Day, a fun and creative event where students are encouraged to dress up as something that starts with one of their initials. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to use their imagination and showcase their creativity while embracing the spirit of the day.

For those new to our community, last year we celebrated Harry Potter Day, transforming the Junior Campus into Hogwarts for a truly magical experience. This year, we are looking forward to seeing the unique and inventive costumes our students come up with for Alphabet Day!

Start brainstorming now – whether it’s a pirate (for Peter), astronaut (for Alex), doctor (for Daniel), or something completely out of the box, we can't wait to see the incredible ideas come to life.

Stay tuned for more details as the day approaches!

The Importance of Wearing the Uniform Correctly

At our school, the uniform is more than just clothing – it is a symbol of pride, respect, and belonging. Wearing the correct uniform each day, down to the appropriate socks, reflects a student’s commitment to our values and sets the tone for a positive learning environment.

Uniform Expectations

It is essential that students wear the correct uniform each day, not just their PE uniform. This includes:
Formal school uniform on designated days, with the appropriate shirt, pants, and black leather school shoes.

Correct socks to maintain a neat and professional appearance.
PE uniform only on designated sports days.

By wearing the uniform with pride and ensuring that all aspects—including socks—are correct, students contribute to the school’s strong sense of identity and discipline. Let’s work together to uphold these standards and encourage students to take ownership of their presentation each day!

Uniform Spot Checks

To maintain the high standards of our school community, uniform spot checks will be conducted regularly to ensure that students are wearing the correct uniform each day – including appropriate socks, shoes, and attire.

How It Will Work

• ✔️ First Reminder (Saving Grace): If a student is found not wearing the correct uniform, they will receive a reminder and an opportunity to correct it.
• ✔️ Second Offense (Community Service): If the issue persists, the student will be required to complete a community service task as a consequence.

Please see below the opening hours for the College Uniform Shop. If you need to purchase any items, you can also purchase items via the QKR! App and they will be sent to the JC for collection.

Normal Trading Hours

These hours apply during School Terms.  Special holiday trading hours (if applicable) are indicated below.

• Monday: 8am to 4pm
• Wednesday: 8am to 1pm
• Friday: 12noon to 4pm

NAPLAN

At Christian Brothers College we are dedicated to preparing your child for these assessments and using them as one of many tools to understand and support each student's learning journey. Recognising that while NAPLAN is an important assessment, it will be just one of the various resources we use to evaluate your child's progress.

This year, all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be completing the NAPLAN Practice tests on Tuesday 25 February.  This is an opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with the format of the assessments and for us to ensure that they feel comfortable and confident in taking the tests.

We understand that assessments can be a source of anxiety for some students, and we are here to support your child through this period. If you have any questions or concerns about the NAPLAN assessments or if you would like to discuss your child's participation and support, please feel free to contact us.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the relevant contact person for each campus.

Junior Campus

Mrs Alison Ronoastro - aronoastro@cbc.sa.edu.au
Ms Lauren Mercer -  lmercer@cbc.sa.edu.au
Tel: 08 8400 4222

Senior Campus

Mr David Salamone-Violi - dsalamone-violi@cbc.sa.edu.au
Tel: 08 8400 4200

Join Us for Coffee Every Friday Morning!

We warmly invite you to join us every Friday morning from 8:20am at the canteen for a coffee and a chance to connect with other parents. It’s a wonderful opportunity to catch up, meet new families, and start the day with a friendly chat.

We’d love to see you there – come along and enjoy a coffee on us!

• When: Every Friday morning, 8:20am
• Where: School Canteen

Looking forward to sharing a coffee and conversation with you!

SEQTA

A friendly reminder that SEQTA is our primary communication platform for sharing important school updates, announcements, and messages. To ensure you don’t miss any key information, we kindly ask that you regularly check your messages or set your phone to receive SEQTA notifications.

By staying up to date on SEQTA, you’ll have access to:

• Important school announcements
• Event reminders and calendar updates
• Direct communication from teachers and staff
• Academic progress and student reports

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain clear and effective communication. If you need any assistance with SEQTA notifications, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Yearbooks

All the students received a copy of the Yearbook earlier this week.  Can I please ask that if you have any issues with your copy, please return it to the Junior Campus front office?

Calling for Volunteers – Join Our Junior Campus Community!

We are looking for volunteers to support various school activities and would love for you to get involved! Your time and effort make a huge difference in enriching our school community and providing valuable experiences for our students.

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our College website for more information and to complete the WHS Induction:

 
Thank you for your support – we truly appreciate it! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Noel's Impressive Start in Cadet 12 Racing!

Year 5 student Noel ended 2024 on a high, being crowned the Southern Karting Club Cadet 9 Champion – a fantastic achievement!

Stepping up to the Cadet 12 category for the first time last weekend, Noel took on the challenge at Bolivar Racetrack. Despite a shaky start with a spin-out during practice, he showed incredible resilience and determination. Battling through sweltering conditions, he delivered solid performances in all four races, ultimately securing an impressive 5th-place finish.

Well done, Noel! We can't wait to see what’s next in your racing journey!

Upcoming Calendar events

• 16-21 February – Year 6 Canberra Trip
• 28 February - JC Leadership Assembly
• 4 March – Shrove Tuesday
• 5 March – Ash Wednesday
• 7 March – Community Mass at the JC
• 10 March – Adelaide Cup Public Holiday

     
Mrs Alison Ronoastro
Head of Junior Campus