Barbreck News

Junior School Concert
Congratulations go to every Barbreck girl who performed at our Junior School Concert this week. You were all amazing, and I am so proud of you all!
It was obvious the girls loved performing as you could see the joy and pride on their faces throughout the performance.
The evening took our audience through a progression of performances from girls in Prep singing, to the highly polished choir and ensemble performances of the Years 5 and 6 girls.
Over the past few years and under our Barbreck Coordinator of Music, Mrs Kristen Hanife’s direction, we have seen the skills of our girls grow, the number of girls in the various ensembles and choirs increase and the inclusion of more instruments on offer and performed expand. The night certainly showcased the incredibly high levels of skill and performance talent that our marvellous Music Department is able to nurture and develop.
Once again congratulations on the best Junior School Concert at Barbreck to date!
Class Allocations
The creation of classes is a very complex process. Much is considered, assessed, and incorporated in this process. When forming classes, we work to ensure classes across a Year level are fairly and evenly balanced by using the following criteria:
- The academic levels of the students
- The academic care levels of the students
- The pastoral care needs of students
- The behavioural standards of students
- The social, emotional, and physical needs of students
- The number of students in each class
Student friendship groups are also considered, ensuring all students have at least one of their friends in their new class. For children, making friends is a vital part of growing up and an essential part of their social and emotional development leading to the growth of attributes such as social competence, self-esteem, and self-confidence. It is expected that children will need to make a few new friends each year.
Your child’s Year level teachers, who best know the children, and I will be working together on the formation of classes. The School does not take requests from parents for particular teachers.
If you feel we do not have all your child’s current information (medical, psychological, or physical) at our disposal for this process, I ask that you send it to me as soon as possible for inclusion in your child’s file, and for our consideration.
Children will learn from their teacher, who is in their class and which classroom they will be in for 2025 on Friday 29 November.
Staffing arrangements
Mrs Courtney O’Brien will be leaving Barbreck at the end of the year to take up a position at Geelong Grammar, Toorak.
Mrs O’Brien has been a valued member of the Barbreck team for the past six years. During that time, she shared her incredible knowledge of, and expertise in, curriculum development, and helped pilot new programs, and nurtured the development of many young minds.
Mrs O’Brien has a wonderful way of interacting with people that easily builds a warm rapport with staff, parents, and students alike. This rapport was evident in the classroom where she helped instil a belief in girls that they could achieve, and security with parents who knew their girls were in very capable hands.
On behalf of the Barbreck community, we wish Mrs O’Brien every success and happiness at her new school.