Newsletter Term 3 Week 10 (Wednesday 25th 2024)

Front Page with Year 2

Year 2 Creation Prayer

Dear God,
We are thankful for:
Capybaras because they have spiky fur
Axolotls because they are cute
Dogs because we get to play with them and have fun with them
Bees because they give us honey, and pollinate our flowers
Crocodiles because they have sharp teeth
Cats because they soft and gentle and can protect us
Rabbits because they are are fluffy and cute

The hands that built the roof over our heads
The food God gave us to be healthy
The school we have
Our teachers that help us learn and are kind
Friends and family because they are trustful, kind and loving
US!
We are thankful for life.

Amen

Our Gospel Reflection

OUR GOSPEL REFLECTION

The second part of this Sunday’s Gospel contains a strong message for those who share the responsibility of fostering faith. It is indeed an awesome responsibility. Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that faith is a lifelong journey toward God. We don’t always get it all or even get it right. But we pray for the grace to acknowledge and build upon even the smallest signs of faith, in ourselves and in others. There are plenty of obstacles that might prevent the growth of faith. Let us pray that we are not contributing to the obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith in Jesus.

As you gather as a family, observe that there are things in our lives that nurture our faith and things that can hinder it. Talk about some of the things that nurture our faith—healthy family relationships, healthy friendships, good literature, and so on. Name some of the things that might be an obstacle to faith—unhealthy relationships, scandals, and so on. Observe that Jesus teaches us in Sunday’s Gospel that we are to do everything we can to help one another have faith in Jesus and do all that we can to avoid creating obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith. Read together Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48. Conclude by praying together that we will be a family that helps each other grow in faith. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer

From Our Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 
As we come to the end of Term 3, I’d like to reflect on what has been a very busy, yet wonderful term. The students have worked incredibly hard and I’m proud of the effort and dedication they have shown in their learning. 

A big congratulations to all the students who represented St Brigid’s in the various activities this term. Our students have been involved in Wakakirri, Athletics Carnivals, Public Speaking & Poetry Competitions and tomorrow, we are participating in the Matt King Cup and our students have displayed fantastic skills, talents, sportsmanship and determination. Well done to everyone who participated!

Looking ahead, we are excited to be hosting a series of Kindergarten Transition sessions next term to welcome our 2025 Kindergarten students. These sessions will help families and students become familiar with the school and ensure a smooth transition into the next year.

As we head into the school holidays, it's a great opportunity for children to recharge. 
However, it’s also important to keep them entertained and engaged in ways that don’t always involve devices. Simple activities like going for walks, baking together or even starting a new hobby like drawing or gardening can be fun and screen-free. Maintaining routines over the break—such as consistent bedtimes and reading each day—can also help ensure a smoother transition back to school.

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable holiday, and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.

Celebrating The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy:

This week, we joyfully celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy (September 24th), a time to reflect on Mary’s compassionate heart and her powerful intercession for those in need. This special day holds deep meaning for our school as we remember the Sisters of Mercy who, through their faith and dedication, founded our school back in 1914.
The Sisters of Mercy, inspired by their foundress Catherine McAuley, dedicated themselves to the education and care of the marginalised, leaving a lasting legacy of mercy and love that continues to shape our school community today. Their commitment to serving God through education and their tireless efforts to build a school grounded in Catholic values still resonates in the life of our school.
On this feast, we give thanks for the vision and work of the Sisters of Mercy and pray that through the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy, we may continue to embody the values of compassion, service, and faith in our daily lives. We were extremely grateful to have Sr Monica Hogan, Sr Marg Bray, Sr Mary Moran, Sr Frances Moran  and Sr Christine Gelling come along and join with our students and staff to acknowledge the vision and commitment of Catherine McAuley. 

May Our Lady of Mercy continue to guide and protect St Brigid’s School community, and may we strive to follow her example of mercy and love in all we do.

Pupil Free Day:

Just a quick reminder that this coming Friday is a pupil-free day. This day will see staff working on our 2025 – 2027 Strategic Plan. Thank you to parents and carers for your understanding of the need for our staff to engage in this professional learning for the benefit of our students’ learning.

Year 6 Excursion to Canberra and Sydney:

We would like to wish our Year 6 students all the very best for their exciting excursion to Sydney and Canberra which will take place in the first week of Term 4. The students will leave from Ballina Airport on Monday 14th and return to Ballina on Friday 18th. This is a wonderful experience for our students, providing them with the opportunity to explore Australia’s rich history, culture and government while bonding with their classmates in a new and engaging environment.
During their time away, students will visit significant landmarks such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and key sites in Sydney. These experiences will not only enhance their learning but also create lasting memories. The students will be accompanied by Miss Macdonald, Mrs Myers and myself.
We pray that this trip will be both educational and enjoyable, and we look forward to hearing all about their adventures when they return. Safe travels Year 6 and may God bless and protect you throughout this journey!

Term 4 Calendar:

A calendar outlining all the key dates for Term 4 will be sent home tomorrow, Thursday 26th with all families. Please place this calendar on the fridge and refer to and add to it as we progress through the final term of 2024.

Tony Hunter,
Principal

Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning

Public Speaking and Poetry Competitions

A huge congratulations to our incredibly talented students—Callie, Banjo, Belle, Ayce, Lexie, Lola, Emily, Ruby, Ellianna, Abi & Layla —who participated in the Public Speaking and Poetry Competitions at St. Carthage's last Friday. Each of them did a fantastic job representing our school with outstanding confidence, poise and skill, making us all very proud. Their hard work and dedication truly shined through in their performances.

We'd also like to acknowledge Layla, who earned 2nd place in the Stage 1 Poetry competition and to Belle who took home 1st place in Stage 3 Public Speaking! These are remarkable achievements and we are thrilled to celebrate their success. Well done to everyone involved!

Vanessa Walters,
Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning

Assistant Principal - Missions

Feast of Our Lady of Mercy

We had a wonderful celebration for Our Lady of Mercy Feast Day this week and we’re excited to share the highlights with you!

Our event was made even more special by the presence of the Sisters of Mercy who have been integral to our school’s mission. As a gesture of our appreciation, students presented them with beautiful flowers, symbolising our gratitude for their ongoing support and guidance. In return, the Sisters generously gifted our school a book about Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, inspiring us all to learn more about her incredible legacy.

The liturgy was led by our talented Year 5 and 6 students, who skillfully guided us through the reflections and prayers of the day. Their leadership reminded us of the values of compassion and service that Catherine McAuley championed.

Mr Hunter also spoke passionately about the significance of celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy at St. Brigid's. He highlighted how our school, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, embodies the spirit of mercy in all that we do, emphasising the values of the Mercy Charism; justice, respect, compassion, hospitality, service and courage. 

Courtney Hyde,
Assistant Principal - Missions

Wellbeing Team

Zones of Regulation – what are they?

Q: What do mathematics problems and emotional regulation have in common?
A: They can both be very challenging!
“Emotional regulation” describes the ability to manage and respond appropriately to an emotional experience.
This is something most of us do in a variety of different ways many times a day.
Healthy examples of emotional regulation include talking to a friend, exercising, using the breath to calm ourselves, considering problems from a different perspective, and taking a break when we need it.
However, just like maths, emotional regulation is a skill that needs to be learnt and practised. 
Here at St Brigid’s we often use the Zones of Regulation program to help kids learn how to identify what emotion they are experiencing, what to call the emotion, and what they can do to help themselves regulate.
The program provides a simple way to think and talk about how we feel on the inside by sorting our emotions into four coloured Zones (see diagram below).
We encourage you to try this technique with your children at home too. For more information, visit: https://zonesofregulation.com/

School Fees Notice

Dear Parents/Guardians,

School fee statements will be sent out shortly. If you require any assistance or have concerns regarding payment, please don't hesitate to reach out to the school. We are here to support you and can discuss available options.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Jo Kelly,
Administration 

Kyogle Show Entries

We’re proud to share that our students’ class entries will be featured at the upcoming Kyogle Show! These entries showcase the creativity and hard work of our students across various subjects. Make sure to stop by and see the fantastic displays from our school while enjoying the show.

Attendance Matters

Each morning brings a brand-new start,
A chance to grow in mind and heart.
In every lesson, skill, and book,
A world awaits—if you just look.

When you're not there, a step is missed,
A day of learning gone, dismissed.
The path to dreams is built each day,
With every effort that you pay.

So come to school, be present, stay,
For your future blooms in every way.
Each day you're here, the brighter you’ll be—
Attendance shapes your destiny!

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 Attendance Results

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Making Jesus Real (MJR)

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 9.

Calendar

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. 
Vigil Mass will move to 6 pm from Saturday 5th October (Daylight Savings).

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

We are on Facebook! Click here for Our Lady of Sorrows Facebook Page  

Community News

Parent Assembly: The holidays are upon us, and while the extra free time can be a wonderful break for our kids, it's also a perfect opportunity to help them grow in character, virtues, and important life skills. Here are some fun and meaningful ways to use this holiday time to nurture your child's development and contribute to the family unit.

Buy tickets here https://bit.ly/kyogleshowtickets

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