Newsletter Term 3 Week 2 (Wednesday 31st July 2024)

Front Page Grandparents Day

Our Church was packed last Friday as we celebrated Grandparents Day! It was wonderful to see so many grandparents and special visitors enjoying a social gathering and picnic lunch. The Book Fair was very busy and there was such a heartwarming atmosphere on our school grounds. Here is the blessing that students gave their grandparents on Friday: 

Dear God,
Please bless all grandparents.
Thank you for the life they gave through our parents and ourselves. 
For the ways they help us and make us strong, we give thanks.
For the ways they love us no matter what, we rejoice.
For the ways they have paved the road that leads us here, we are grateful.
Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.
Let them find peace and rest from their work.
Let them be healed of every sickness and pain.
And let them see with their own eyes the glory of your Son, Jesus, in the love of their children and grandchildren.
Bless them always until they come to rest in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Our Gospel Reflection

This week’s Gospel from John 6:24-35

The Exodus story of the bread from heaven is very similar to last Sunday's accounts. However, the focus  is not divine prodigality shown through the overabundance of food, but total dependence on God. The bread comes from heaven, not merely because the food seems to come down from the sky, but because it comes from God. The restriction about collecting it was meant to emphasise this point. Our survival is in God's hands, not ours.
Jesus insists that he is the true bread from heaven; he is the real basis of our survival. The people followed him because they saw him as a source of bread; they did not realise that he is really the source of life. If we fill ourselves with all that the world provides as nourishment we will still hunger. Only faith in Jesus can satisfy our deepest hungers, and we will not be able to survive apart from him.
Acceptance of Jesus as the source of our life and the very nourishment of our spirits effects a total transformation in us. We will no longer be content to live with full bellies but empty minds. We will put aside our old selves steeped in ignorance and self-interest and put on a new self, created in his image. Having fed on the bread from heaven, we will be mysteriously transformed into it. The spirit of our minds will be renewed by his teaching. As a result, we will be able to launch out into a way of living that witnesses to our new understanding, our new life.

From Our Acting Principal

Last week we celebrated NAIDOC Week, with a number of opportunities for students to engage in games and activities to celebrate the culture, history and spirituality of our First Nations peoples. We started with a Liturgy in a circle on the oval which was a reverent and prayerful occasion. I would like to thank and acknowledge Mrs Stacey Wimble, Uncle Wayne and our indigenous students for their efforts in preparing and leading our liturgy which was a particularly special event. 

Our 3 Way Conferences continue today and tomorrow and I thank parents and carers for supporting their children to celebrate the successes in their learning and to plan for the next steps.

We will be holding a Green & Gold day on Friday 2nd August, to celebrate the Olympic Games in Paris. Students are asked to wear a green or gold shirt for the day along with sports shorts and shoes. We will begin the festivities with an opening ceremony at 12.15pm before participating in events for the afternoon.

Next Monday, August 5th, join us for a special performance by our students at 12:00 PM in the Kyogle Memorial Hall.
This is a full dress rehearsal before their actual performance on Wednesday 7th in Logan. I wish the performers all the very best for both performances. A big thank you to Hayley Kennedy & Tilly Beetge for all the time and effort that has gone into preparing the students. We look forward to seeing you there!

ICAS Assessments 
Over 10 million school students from 16,000 schools across 41 countries have been inspired, celebrated and challenged since the annual event began over 40 years ago. Next week we begin the ICAS Assessment in Writing and Digital Technologies at St Brigid's. Students who have registered through the online parent portal will complete these assessments over the coming weeks. Below is the assessment window for all the different disciplines.

ICAS recognises academic performance in a way others celebrate achievements in sport or the arts. The questions are engaging and fun and have been designed by psychometricians, education measurement experts and experienced teachers to push students to their academic limits, as well as test higher-order thinking and problem-solving abilities. Results will be released later in the year along with certificates.

Public Speaking
This term we will be holding a Public Speaking & Poetry competition at a school level. Students in Kindergarten and Stage 1 will be encouraged to recite a poem in their classroom with the top three being chosen to present their poem at our whole school competition on Thursday 5th September. Primary students can enter both poetry or public speaking with the recommended times listed below. The top 2 finalists from the school will then compete in the Zone Finals which will be held at St. Carthage's in Lismore on Friday 20th September.

Lastly, I would like to thank Miss Emma Davis for her contribution to St. Brigid’s during the time she has been here teaching at the school. On behalf of the school community, I wish her all the very best with the upcoming birth of her twins. 
Enjoy the weekend ahead.

Vanessa Walters,
Acting Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

SONGS OF PRAISE:

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish is hosting Songs of Praise on Friday 6th September at 10.30 am in the Church. Our school choir will be performing in this event. We invite everyone to come along to the Church and support our students in their performance. We thank Mrs Kelly Schneider for preparing our choir. 

KINDY KIDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

A huge congratulations to Kindergarten in their fundraising efforts! As a part of their 100 days of Kindergarten celebration students were aiming to collect 100 pantry items to donate to the Kyogle Food Bank. Kindergarten exceeded their target and were able to donate over 138 items. Students will hand deliver these items to the local Food Bank. We thank the volunteers of the Kyogle Food Bank who provide a much needed service to our local community. Please keep the Food Bank in mind if you are needing assistance or are able to make a donation. 

Kelli-Ann Shedden,
Assistant Principal - Mission

Compass School App

We would like to take a moment to stress the critical importance of using the Compass App and completing your requests promptly.

The Compass App is our primary means of communication, and it is crucial that all parents and carers are familiar with it and use it consistently.

We have noticed some delays and incomplete actions regarding app usage, which can affect the efficient running of the school and your child's experience. Delayed requests can create a ripple effect that disrupts the workflow of our teachers and administrative staff. By completing your tasks promptly, you help create a smoother and more supportive environment for everyone.

Compliance and Safety: In some cases, delays can have serious implications. For instance, missing deadlines for permission slips, health forms, or emergency contact updates can affect the safety and well-being of your child. Using the Compass App effectively helps us ensure all necessary information is up-to-date and accessible when needed.

Please ensure that:

1. Familiarise: You take the time to understand how to navigate the Compass app thoroughly.
2. Contact details: Please ensure all contact details, emergency details and medical information is up to date. 
3. Consent: You provide consent for events before the deadlines close to avoid last-minute issues. By not actioning consent by the deadline, your child will miss out on important events and opportunities.
4. Attendance: You log your child's absence directly through the app as soon as possible.
5. School Fees: You review and pay school fees through the app promptly to keep your account in good standing.
6. Canteen Orders: You place and manage your child's canteen orders through the app to ensure timely service.
   

Timely and accurate use of the app is essential for smooth school operations and to ensure that everything runs effectively. Delays or mistakes can create unnecessary complications and disrupt the school’s processes.

If you encounter any issues or need assistance, please contact the school office immediately. We appreciate your immediate attention to this matter and your cooperation in ensuring the efficient running of the school and the well-being of your child.

Thank you to all the parents and carers who have been actively using the app. Your engagement is greatly appreciated!

Wellbeing Team

Free Training Opportunity.

If you support a child between the ages of 10-13 years old in a personal or professional capacity, you might be interested in a free training opportunity from Southern Cross University.

Professor John Hurley from SCU Faculty of Health and a team of mental health experts will deliver the six-week, online training/research program that aims to better enable rural, regional, and remote communities to support children in this age bracket who have unmet mental health needs.

The training can be accessed at any time, and a weekly group meeting will be available to provide participants with extra support. If you are interested in participating or would like to find out more, please contact Prof Hurley at john.hurley@scu.edu.au

Wellbeing Team

Sports News

Community Forum

Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser is Sunday 25th August!

We will be running the BBQ from 9am-4pm Sunday 25th August to raise funds for the School Community Forum, and we are seeking your support to make this event a success. To do this efficiently, we require helpers who can assist us in 2-hour time slots.

Community Forum Meetings are held in the school library Week 3 and Week 7 during the school term from 3:30pm.
Term 3 dates: Tuesday 6th August 3:30pm | Tuesday 3rd September 3:30pm | Email: stbrigidsforum@gmail.com

Attendance Matters

On-time to school means your child is on track to unleash their potential.

Arriving on time to school is a fundamental aspect of a child's educational experience and plays a crucial role in unlocking their full potential. Here are several reasons why being on time to school is important for a child's academic and personal development:

Consistent Learning Opportunities. Being on time ensures that your child doesn't miss the beginning of lessons, announcements, or important information shared at the start of the school day. This consistency in attendance provides a steady flow of learning opportunities.
Establishing a Routine. Timely arrival helps children establish a morning routine, promoting organisation and time management skills. Consistent routines contribute to a sense of stability and preparedness for the day's activities.
Reduced Disruptions. Arriving on time minimises disruptions for both the child and the class. Late arrivals can interrupt the flow of lessons and can be distracting for the child and their peers.
Building Respect for Punctuality. Punctuality is a valuable life skill. By consistently arriving on time to school, children develop a sense of responsibility.

Term 3 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. 

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 1.

Important Dates

Book Week celebrations from Monday 19th  to Friday 23rd August.

With the 2024 Children's Book Week theme; Reading is Magic, we're celebrating reading stories and their amazing power to transport minds. We are encouraging students to be curious about the wonders in our world. There will be a Book Week Parade and other celebrations to acknowledge this wonderful time. Start planning for the special costume parade which is always a well attended and fun aspect of celebrating Book Week each year.

SHOWCASE DATES FOR TERM 3

Parish News

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish established 1916. Our Parish Family includes the town of Kyogle and the villages of Urbenville and Woodenbong. Our Parish Priest is Fr Erick Quinteros.

Mass Times are Saturday 5:00 pm | Sunday 9:00 am.
Morning Tea is served every Sunday after Mass hosted by the parishioners. 

Parish Office Phone: 02 6632 1074 | Email: kyogle@lismore.catholic.org.au

Whole School Parish Mass Dates

Community News

We invite you to join us for our performance on Monday, August 5th at 12pm in the Kyogle Memorial Hall.

Wakakirri Matinee Facebook Event Page

The AA Casino Fun Run is on Sunday 15th September this year., featuring a 10k, 5k and 2k distance.

Anyone can enter! Run, Jog or Walk.

Casino Fun Run Facebook Page

A wonderful and innovative, widely recognised and evidence-based program that supports the development of children by strengthening the parent-child attachment. 

Monday 5th, 12th & 19th August | 1 pm - 3 pm | FREE

It focuses on helping parents become more attuned to their child’s emotions and behaviours, fostering a secure base from which your child can explore the world!
Places are limited.

Kyogle Family Services Facebook Page

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.

Educational Games

Toy Theatre | Educational Games for Kids
Math Games
Hidden Pictures Games and Puzzles

Quick Links

St Brigid's Facebook Page
Parent Assembly Facebook Page
Supporting Learning - Primary
Faith and Family
Tips for Parents – Supporting your Childs attendance at School