Newsletter Term 3 Week 6 (Wednesday 28th 2024)
Book Week Celebrations
Last Friday’s Book Week Parade was a vibrant celebration of imagination and community spirit. The school transformed into a lively World of Dr. Seuss, with a spectacular array of costumes and characters, from beloved book figures to creative interpretations. The enthusiasm of the children and the support from families, who came out in full force, made the parade a joyful and memorable event. It was a wonderful reminder of the joy and pleasure that books bring to our lives. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the day so special!
Our Gospel Reflection
Children have learned the importance of following rules. Like the Pharisees in this Sunday’s Gospel, they often bring to our attention the infractions of others. Even parents sometimes get caught off guard by their children’s observations: “Why don’t you have to go to bed at 8 o’clock?” or “But I saw you eat a cupcake before breakfast once.” Our rules for our children are not arbitrary. We establish and enforce family rules with the intention of helping our children grow to be healthy and mature adults. We foster this maturity when we also initiate conversations with our children about the purposes behind family rules and teach them the essential values that rules help us observe.
As you gather as a family, list some of your most important family rules. Together, try to write a single, positive statement that captures the essential value behind your family rules. In Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23), we hear Jesus criticise the Pharisees for making their rules about ritual purity equal to the commandments of God’s Law. When we remember the essential element behind our rules, we see that our rules help us be the good people that Jesus wants us to be. Conclude in prayer together that we may always honour God’s Law in our words and deeds. Pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us “Our Father…..”
From Our Principal
What a great turn out of costumes, characters, colour and spectators at our Book Week Assembly last Friday morning. It was such a wonderful event and the children had great fun in dressing up, even the “bigger” children. Thanks so much to all families for the way in which you supported your children in getting them ready for the Book Week Parade. The school looked very much like The World of Dr Seuss and to cap it off there were “Things” running about everywhere. It is a great reminder that we get so much joy and pleasure from books!!
Father’s Day: As we celebrate Father's Day this coming Sunday, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings to all the fathers, grandfathers, uncles and father figures who play such crucial roles in our lives. This special day gives us the opportunity not only to show our gratitude but also to reflect on what fatherhood truly means. In our Catholic faith, we are fortunate to have extraordinary examples of fatherhood - God the Father, and St Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Both offer timeless lessons that resonate deeply with the roles and responsibilities fathers undertake each day. St Joseph, in particular, exemplifies virtues of unconditional love, humility, courage, and dependability. Just as God the Father loves us unconditionally, St Joseph's love for Jesus was unwavering. He set aside his own dreams to focus on his family's well-being, a form of humility and sacrifice that many of you emulate every day. Courage, too, was central to St Joseph's journey. His strength in protecting his family resonates with the courage that many fathers display in ensuring the safety and welfare of their families. Lastly, his faithfulness and dependability are a testament to the steady guidance that fathers offer, echoing the eternal stability of God the Father.
We wish all fathers and father figures a very happy and blessed Father’s Day this coming Sunday.
Professional Learning Day: Thank you to all of our families for your support of our Professional Learning day here at St Brigid’s on Monday. These days help us to plan for the future and to ensure our learning and teaching practice is as strong as it could be for the students of our school. Our next Professional Learning Day will be on Friday 27th September which is the last day of this term.
Right To Disconnect Legislation: You may be aware that a recent change in workplace legislation has introduced the right for employees to disconnect outside of their working hours. This new law came into effect on Monday 26 August 2024.
Our teachers are committed to providing the best education and support for your children. To ensure they can maintain a healthy work-life balance and deliver their best during working hours, the new legislation allows them to refrain from monitoring, reading, or responding to work-related communications outside of their scheduled hours.
We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation in regard to this new legislation. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Response Time: You are of course welcome to send emails and messages at a time convenient to you, however, please understand that if sent to a teacher outside of their working hours, they may not respond until they are back on duty.
- Urgent Matters: If you have an urgent concern, please consider whether it can be addressed during working hours. If immediate attention is required, please contact either myself or Mrs Walters.
- Ongoing communication: We will continue to communicate important updates and information in a timely manner. However, non-urgent inquiries will be addressed during the teachers' working hours.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we implement this important change.
Father’s Day Breakfast: We look forward to welcoming our Dads and special men in our children’s lives to our Father’s Day celebration this Friday 30th August from 7am. Please come in and enjoy a croissant or cereal before heading off for the day. We can’t wait to see you there!
Tony Hunter,
Principal
Assistant Principal - Mission
The Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is the annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action for our common home. It is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together.
The Season of Creation begins on September 1, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
How do we encourage care for our common home at St Brigid’s?
One way we do this is by our Year Three students collecting poppers to recycle. Not only does recycling poppers reduce landfill, the money raised by recycling the poppers contributes significantly to our weekly Mission totals. We thank Year Three students for taking on this job and Mrs and Mrs Jansen for initiating and supporting such a wonderful cause!
Kelli-Ann Shedden,
Assistant Principal - Mission
Wellbeing Team
Risk it for the biscuit
As parents and carers, we’re programmed to do our best to keep our young charges safe, which is a sound general principle to follow if we are to grow the kids in our care into independent adults.
But there is a strong argument for letting kids experience a bit of risk.
Research in this field supports the notion that risky play – climbing high into a tree, riding a bike downhill fast, exploring rocky foreshores – is actually protective against the development of anxiety.
By getting acquainted with, and used to, the physiological state of arousal that accompanies undertaking risky activities – ie. Feeling a bit sweaty, butterflies in the belly, a fast heart-beat, a flushed face – kids learn that they are able to face fearful situations and survive and thrive.
This is important news when we consider that more than 50% of anxiety disorders begin before the age of 11.
Researchers Helen Dodd and Kathryn Lester concluded that when kids experience feelings of fear, excitement and thrill in a happy context, they get used to dealing with the uneasiness that accompanies uncertainty.
Humans are not alone in reaping the benefits of risky play. It’s something that all mammals engage in, and it teaches young to avoid overreacting emotionally during unexpectedly stressful situations.
The next time you have the knee-jerk urge to step in and control your kids’ risky play, first stop to ask yourself, “Could engaging in this risk actually be good for them?”
Wellbeing Team
Community Forum
It was wonderful to see so many parents from all years stop by for a chat and a hot drink last Friday.
We served tea, coffee, and hot chocolates at our new kitchen on the deck, before the Book Week Parade. We hope you all had a chance to meet someone new and make the day even more special!
Our Bunnings Sausage Sizzle in Lismore was a fantastic community effort. We appreciate all the staff and parents who volunteered and helped make the event so successful. The sunny weather made it a busy and enjoyable day for all.
Join us next Tuesday for our School Community Forum, where we'll come together to share the latest events and important news from the school. This is a great opportunity to connect, discuss, and engage with fellow community members. We look forward to seeing you there!
Community Forum Meetings are held in the school library Week 3 and Week 7 during the school term from 3:30pm.
Term 3 Week 7 date: Tuesday 3rd September 3:30pm | Email: stbrigidsforum@gmail.com
Attendance Matters
Why Attendance Matters: A Key to Success
Each day of learning is crucial for building skills, fostering social development, and avoiding gaps in education. Consistent attendance helps your child stay on track and establishes lifelong learning habits.
Tips for Supporting Attendance:
- Set a Routine: Keep a consistent daily schedule.
- Communicate with Us: Let us know if your child will be absent.
- Celebrate Success: Encourage and recognise good attendance.
Resources and information for parents on supporting student attendance below, click the link.
One of our school goals this year is to have an average weekly attendance of 90% and above. The class with the best average each week receives the “Stars of the Week” trophy and certificate to display in their classroom.
| Term 3 Week 5 Class with the highest average attendance |
| Kindergarten 92.65% |
| Term 3 Week 5 Whole School Average |
| Whole School Average 86.35% |
Term 3 Attendance Results
| Week 1 | 87.54% | Year 3 93.33% | Kinder 90.43% | Year 2 89.84% |
| Week 2 | 84.36% | Kinder 92.91% | Year 4 88.93% | Year 2 88.60% |
| Week 3 | 85.64% | Year 5 82.08% | Year 4 81.14% | Year 2 80.40% |
| Week 4 | 86.64% | Year 2 89.58% | Year 3 89.33% | Year 4 88.07% |
| Week 5 | 86.35% | Kinder 92.65% | Year 3 90.39% | Year 4 88.61% |
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
| Term 3 Week 5 PB4L Focus |
I demonstrate the SERS at all times, including when coming and going from school each day. |
Making Jesus Real (MJR)
| Term 3 Week 5 MJR Focus |
| I am a disciple of Jesus |
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!
| 29th Aug - Igziah |
| 4th Sept - Delilah |
| 5th Sept - Caden |
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly Week 5.
| Kindergarten | Silas, Frankie & Kendall |
Year 1 | Chloe & Annabelle |
Year 2 | Kaya & Harper |
Year 3 | Jack & Mabel |
Year 4 | Summer & Morgan |
Year 5 | Alyannah & Braythen |
Year 6 | Yari & Hannah |
Principal | Emily & Frankie |
Calendar
Date Change Announcement
Our Public Speaking & Poetry Competition at St Brigid's is now Monday 9th September from 1:40 pm. The best finalists from each class will showcase their talents in a whole school final. The top performers will earn a spot in the Zone Finals!
Zone Finals are Friday 20th September at St Carthage's, Lismore from 9:10 am - 2:30 pm. Parents are warmly invited to both events! This is a fantastic opportunity to support and cheer on our students as they display their public speaking and poetry skills.
Celebrate Father’s Day with Us!
Join us for a special Father’s Day breakfast on Friday, August 30th, starting at 7:00 AM. We warmly welcome all dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, and favorite friends to come and enjoy a delightful breakfast as we honor and celebrate you!
Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to enjoy good food and great company. See you there!
Pupil Free Days Term 3 |
| Friday 27th September |
Week 6 | |
| Friday 30th August | Father's Day Breakfast from 7:30 am |
| Friday 30th August | Multi Sports Gala Day & Soccer Gala Day (Years 5 and 6) |
| Sunday 1st September | 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time |
| Sunday 1st September | Father's Day |
Week 7 | |
| Tuesday 3rd September | Parent Forum Meeting School Library 3:30 pm |
| Thursday 5th September | Wakakirri State Awards Performance |
| Sunday 8th September | 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time |
Week 8 | |
| Monday 9th September | Public Speaking & Poetry Competition St Brigid's 1:40 pm |
| Friday 13th September | Year 3 & 4 Showcase |
| Saturday 14th September | Whole School Family Mass & Pizza Dinner 5 pm |
| Sunday 15th September | 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. |
Week 9 | |
| Friday 20th September | Public Speaking & Poetry Zone Finals St Carthage's Lismore |
| Sunday 22nd September | 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time |
Week 10 | |
| Tuesday 24th September | Feast of Our Lady of Mercy |
| Friday 27th September | Pupil Free Day |
| Friday 27th & Saturday 28th September | Kyogle Show |
| Sunday 29th September | 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time |
Breakfast Club serves assorted cereal & toast options EVERY Wednesday | Thursday | Friday during term time for a 50c donation.
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
| Saturday 14th September 5 pm | Pizza dinner provided after Mass. |
Pizza Dinner RSVP Time!
We’re gearing up for our Pizza Dinner and need your help to ensure we have enough delicious pies for everyone!
To make sure we order the right amount, please take a moment to fill out the form with the number of people in your party. Your quick response will help us make sure no one goes hungry!
We’re looking forward to a fantastic evening with great food and even better company!
Community News
The NSW Children's Week 2024 Art Competition is open to all children and young people up to the age of 18 living in NSW. Children and young people can enter by creating an artwork that shows the ways they connect with and love the environment around them. The artwork can be about:
- which parts of the environment they enjoy being in regularly
- where they feel connected to the environment and why
- how they show the environment love and care.
Nine winners (three winners for each age group: Age 5 and under, 6-11 and 12-18) will receive an award and prize.
Entries close Monday 30 September 2024.
Find out more on the link below:
Local Support Services
Kyogle Together is a local organisation focused on supporting youth and community wellbeing. They run the Laneway Community Space at 161 Summerland Way, Kyogle, next to the pool, where you can find Youth Drop-In sessions, the Fair Share Kitchen, and various other programs.
Kyogle Family Support Services Neighbourhood Centre Inc
Are you needing support? We have a range of free services available to support you
Southern Cross University school of Health & Human Science has an amazing opportunity to learn from the experts, see the flyer below.
Youth Group at Christian Life Church, 5 Geneva Street, Kyogle.
Website
Facebook Page
Instagram 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
NSW Government Facebook Page