Newsletter Term 2 Week 9 (Wednesday 26th June 2024)

Front Page with Ready For Learning

Our Ready4Learning program has been in full swing for nearly a term. The children have settled into the program and the routines of ‘big school’ very well. The program will continue in Term 3 each Friday from 9.30-1pm and in Term 4, the students who have enrolled in Kindergarten for 2025 will complete full school days each Friday. 

Our Gospel Reflection

Our reading this Sunday is taken from the gospel of Mark.  In the gospel, Jesus reaches deep into the world beyond life and rescues a young girl from the jaws of death. Earlier, he was jostled by the crowd and felt healing power leave him in order to restore an afflicted woman. Repeating the words of last week’s gospel: Who is this man? Is this someone with whom we want to become involved? On the other hand, can we afford not to get involved with him? This is a man who can lead us to life even in the midst of death. He is someone who is interested in the well-being of everyone, even those who may not be highly valued by society – women and children, the chronically ill, those who carry the seeds of death within them.

God's graciousness toward us should prompt us to be generous toward others. What we receive as life-enhancing gifts, we must share with those in need, those to whom life has not been kind. As we have been favoured by the healing touch of God, so we must extend that same loving touch to others. The love of Christ impels us to be openhanded as we approach those in need. Following Jesus' lead, we must not only give to them, we must also allow them to take from us. At times this will require that we share material resources; at other times it might mean that our energy will be drained in our service of them. In all of this, Jesus has set the example for us to follow.

From Our Acting Principal

I would like to welcome Annika Dicker to our school for the next eight weeks while Tony is on Renewal and Long Service Leave. Annika will take the Assistant Principal of Learning & Teaching role while I fill the big shoes of Acting Principal. It is lovely having Annika as part of our staff and I wish Tony and Helen a wonderful adventure!

Athletics Carnival - The excitement is high at school among our students as they prepare for our Athletics Carnival this Friday. As we are leaving the school grounds, students will need permission to attend the day on Compass. This Compass event also includes the information you will need about the day. The program for the day is only a guide and depending on what happens on the day, we may run behind or ahead of time. If you plan on taking your child home early on this day, please see the ladies on the day at the recording table to sign your child out. All the best to our three house colours!

Rewards Day - All parents received a Compass event today on behalf of their child for rewards day next Wednesday 3rd July. I would personally like to congratulate every child on their efforts in demonstrating the SERS this term. Students will have the choice of one of the two movies listed below.

Please ensure that you give permission and indicate which movie and treat package your child would like by Monday 1st July.

School Reports - Our teachers have been very busy over the past few weeks, finalising assessments and composing the Semester 1 Academic Reports. Reporting is not an easy process and there is much time, thought, conversation and deliberation put into arriving at the final result. I thank all the teachers for their hard work and dedication to this reporting process.  School Reports will be published in Compass on Monday 1st July.

Pupil Free Day Reminders - A reminder that we have three Staff Development Days coming up in Terms 2 and 3. These will be devoted to professional learning on Staff Spirituality, the development of our three-year strategic plan and Indigenous Education. The dates are:

School Review - Last week, we welcomed  Dr Graeme Hall (ACER Lead Reviewer), Mrs. Jenny Triglone (Lead, School Improvement, Catholic Schools Office) and Mr. Dan Gubby (Principal, St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballina) to our school for three days to complete our School Review. I would like to thank the staff, students and parents for the time given in providing our panel members a real insight into our school. There were many, many commendations and affirmations that came from the initial findings from the review along with recommendations to form our three year plan that will be built with staff, parents, students and parishioners. I feel very blessed to be part of this beautiful school and look forward to celebrating our vision for the future.

Grandparent's Day - One of the biggest celebrations that we have at St Brigid's is for our Grandparents. They play such a special role in the lives of our families. . I see each day, how much grandparents are supporting their grandchildren by dropping them off to school or picking them up. We will be honouring all of our grandparents with a special day of celebration on Friday 26th July here at St Brigid's. This is the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. We invite all grandparents to set this day free if possible so as to come to our special day to honour you, thank you and be with you. There will be further information in future newsletters.

Sista Speak - This morning  I attended a shared lunch as a celebration of the conclusion of an eight week program called, Sista Speak at KPS. This eight-week program for Aboriginal girls, covered everything from developing positive relationships, self-respect, and culture to life skills. I would like to thank Aunty Helen for her contribution to organising such a wonderful program and to Stacey Wimble for taking the time to support our girls each week. 

Have a wonderful week.

Vanessa Walters,
Acting Principal

Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning

Whole School Writing Bump it up Wall

Shared teaching and learning practices that help make learning more visible to students. We have commenced a whole school writing ‘Bump It Up Wall’, which consists of visual rubrics presented in the classroom that clearly show students how they can progress in their learning for a specific task. The walls can be used for any subject and students use them to gain specific information to help them enhance their learning and work.

Success criteria helps students to know what's expected of them to know exactly what they need to know or do to be successful with their learning.

Here is an example of our 'Writing Bump It Up Walls’ used in our classrooms that focuses on writing progressions with a grammar and punctuation focus.

Annika Dicker,
Acting Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning

Assistant Principal News - Mission

RUG UP SNUG UP

A reminder that we will be raising awareness for those people who find the winter months especially difficult on Thursday, 4th July. Students are to wear their school uniform but are encouraged to Rug up in winter accessories. It is strongly suggested that students have their name on beanies, scarves etc so we can return them if they are found on the playground. 

Our Mini Vinnies students are so excited to actively serve our community; they will be selling hot chocolates for $2.00 before school and at recess. All funds raised will go directly to the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal. 

We will also be collecting donations such as blankets and warm clothing to distribute to initiatives and drives happening within our local communities. Encourage the children to help you at home by cleaning out the cupboards and putting together a donation. We ask students to bring these items in on our Rug Up, Snug Up Day and place them in the donation buckets near the line up area. 

GRANDPARENTS DAY

Friday, July 26th is the Feast of St Joachim and Ann. Joachim and Ann are the grandparents of Jesus which is why as a Catholic school we always mark this special occasion. Our celebrations begin in Our Lady of Sorrows Church at 12.00 noon, followed by the opportunity for grandparents and visitors to bring along lunch to share with their grandchildren on school grounds. We will have the Book Fair open in the school hall and encourage our visitors to have a look! Tea and coffee will also be served from the canteen. We can not wait to celebrate such a special day with you all. The best spot for parking on the day would be along Summerland Way as our celebrations begin in the Church. We will have access to the bottom school oval from the Church. 

Kelli-Ann Shedden,
AP Mission

Wellbeing Team

Difficult thoughts? Press “skip”

What do you do if you don’t like a song on a playlist you’re listening to? You probably hit “skip”.

What if you could do the same with difficult self-talk?

You can! Just as you wouldn’t keep listening to a song that made you feel bad, you can choose not to listen to thoughts that make you feel bad too.
The next time negative self-talk is playing over and over in your head, hit “skip” until you land on something that’s more helpful to hear.
In the same way that negative thoughts can lead to a downward spiral of feeling bad about ourselves, more helpful ones can help us feel better, approach life in a more positive way, be kinder to the people we interact with, and improve our ability to tackle challenges and deal with adversity.

Stop wasting time listening to that same old bad song!

Wellbeing Team

Sports News

The Community Parent Forum will running a small canteen from 9am at the Kyogle High Oval, no pre-orders please bring cash. If you would like to help please sign up using this Volunteer Form. Menu options listed below:

Attendance Matters

Recognising and praising your child's attendance is a powerful way to reinforce positive behaviour and encourage a strong commitment to their education. Good attendance in primary school is a fundamental building block for academic success and overall wellbeing, and it sets the stage for success in high school and beyond. Primary school is the foundational stage of a child's education. Regular attendance ensures that children build a solid understanding of fundamental concepts and skills that serve as the basis for more advanced learning in high school.

Tips for Parents – Supporting your Childs attendance at School
St Brigid's Primary School Daily Procedures

Term 2 Attendance Results

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) is a whole school program that actively promotes positive behaviour. It enables students to develop a clear understanding of required expectations, become responsible for their own behaviour and work together to create a positive, productive and harmonious learning community. To be successful,  it requires a consistent, whole school community approach.

Making Jesus Real (MJR)

You may have heard your child talk about MJR or bring home an MJR award and wondered what exactly MJR is? MJR is an acronym for Making Jesus Real. Each fortnight, we have a different focus here at St Brigid's of how we can be the face of Christ in our school and community.

Celebrations

You shine with the Light of the Lord —the kind of Light that grows brighter and warmer and more radiant with time. God bless you with a very happy birthday!

Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly week 8.

Coming Events

Terrific Year 3 Families and Friends. You are warmly invited to a special Prayer Party filled with faith, fellowship, and gratitude.
Date: Tuesday, 2nd July | Time: 12:20 pm | Location: Year 3 Classroom
Join us as we celebrate and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. This event will include moments of prayer, song, dance, reflection, and sharing, all in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

NAIDOC Celebrations will take place Wednesday 24th July.

NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s held each year during the first week of July and is an important annual event where everyone’s invited to join in the celebrations with this year's theme of "Keep the fire burning! Students can dress in cultural colours (Blue, Red, Yellow, Black & White) on Wednesday 24th July.
Celebrations will start from 11:20am - All our welcome to join us for face painting, crafts, kangaroo stew tasting and the Smoking Ceremony.
Colouring Competion - All students have been given a 'Keep the fire burning' colouring in competition.  Entries must be received by Thursday 4th July 2024. Winners will be announced and presented with a NAIDOC polo shirt during the NAIDOC Celebrations in Term 3. Prizes for Kindergarten | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3.

Important Dates

Parish News

Morning Tea is served every Sunday after Mass hosted by the parishioners.

Community News

Parent Resources

Because we value the critical role parents and carers play as partners in educating and forming young people, we have compiled some helpful resources to support families at home.

Resource Links

Toy Theatre | Educational Games for Kids
Math Games
Hidden Pictures Games and Puzzles
Supporting Learning - Primary