Newsletter Term 4 Week 1 (Wednesday 16th October 2024)
- Front Page with Kyogle Show Highlights!
- Our Gospel Reflection
- From Our Principal
- Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning
- Assistant Principal - Mission
- Wellbeing Team
- Attendance Matters
- Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
- Making Jesus Real (MJR)
- Book Club
- School Bus Mayfield/Homestead Area
- Celebrations
- Calendar
- Parish News
- Community News
- Parent Resources
Front Page with Kyogle Show Highlights!
Outstanding achievements from our students at the Kyogle Show!
Kindergarten showcased their creativity and knowledge with a fantastic entry on the life cycle of the butterfly, earning first place and the overall reserve champion rosette. Their display included a QR code linking visitors to a timelapse of the lifecycle from their classroom—an innovative touch!
Stage 1 earned 2nd Place for their delightful 'We Eat What We Grow' display, highlighting students' creative culinary creations on a plate.
Year 3 also achieved 1st Place with their Water Cycle display, which illustrated the processes of condensation, transpiration, precipitation, and evaporation, emphasising the crucial link between water and food.
Year 4 took home 1st Place for their impressive Field to Fibre display, featuring silk, flax, cotton, and wool.
Additionally, our baking section entries garnered several place cards for their delicious treats, including Milk Arrowroot biscuits with fun and creative designs. Well done to all our students for their hard work and impressive presentations!
Our Gospel Reflection
OUR GOSPEL REFLECTION
In the daily routine of family life, power struggles seem unavoidable. Whenever two or more people live together, there will be occasions of disagreement and attempts to exert influence over each other. Sunday’s Gospel can be an invitation to consider how authority is exercised in your household. There is a temptation to exercise our authority in ways that show our power over others. Especially when conflicts emerge, many of us rely upon the power we believe our role gives to us. Jesus teaches us that there is a more persuasive form of leadership. In these daily challenges we have the opportunity to practice and teach the kind of service and leadership Jesus modelled for us in his ministry and in his passion and death.
As you gather as a family, invite family members to participate in a role play in which family roles are reversed. For example, you might assign children the role of parents putting their children to bed with parents acting like the children. Or you may have them role play parents asking for cooperation from children to clean up the family room. When the role play is finished, ask if it was an accurate picture of how this situation usually plays out in your household. Does everyone cooperate when asked? What happens when someone doesn’t cooperate? How are the conflicts that emerge resolved? Observe that conflicts based on power struggles in situations such as these seem unavoidable in family life.
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches how Christians are to show their authority over others. Read together Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 10:35-45. After reading the Gospel, talk with your family about Jesus’ unique message to his disciples about how they are to exercise authority. Talk about ways in which you might apply Jesus’ words in your family life. Conclude by praying we may receive honour in God’s eyes by learning to serve others in love. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.
From Our Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome to Term 4 everyone. I hope all families were able to enjoy the school holidays and spend some quality time with your children.
As we move into a very busy Term 4, I encourage everyone to take advantage of the many events and learning opportunities on offer to ensure the term is a successful one for all at St Brigid’s. An extensive list of upcoming events is listed on our Term Calendar which was sent home last term. If you did not receive this or require another one, please contact our School Office and this will be sent home.
I look forward to a productive term of learning and growing together. It’s hard to believe it’s that time of the year when we welcome the Kindergarten students for 2025 this Friday. We welcome all of our new students as they commence the first of their 7-week Transition Program attending school all day in readiness and preparation for next year. We look forward to welcoming new and existing families to the St Brigid’s community.
Kyogle Show Entries
Congratulations to all the students and staff who participated in the school section at Kyogle Show. Despite the show being cancelled due to heavy rain, our entries were displayed and judged beforehand, earning high commendations across the board.
A special mention to our Kindergarten class, who not only captured first place with their amazing entry on the life cycle of the butterfly but also received the overall Reserve Champion Rosette!
Other standout achievements include:
Year 4: 1st Place for their Field to Fibre display
Year 3: 1st Place for their Water Cycle display
Stage 1: 2nd Place for their 'We Eat What We Grow' display
Additionally, our class entries in the baking section garnered several place cards for their delicious creations.
Well done, everyone!
Year 6 Excursion
Last Monday morning was an early start for our Year 6 students and accompanying staff as they flew out of Ballina Airport bound for Sydney and the start of an exciting week which also takes in a busy schedule in Canberra. Many thanks to parents, grandparents and friends who ensured that all students were at the airport in readiness for their week ahead. The weather has been a little cool and to experience the climate in Canberra at this time of year has certainly been a big eye-opener for all of our students. Whilst in Sydney the students have had the opportunity to visit Mary MacKillop Place and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Museum, though the storm that hit Sydney certainly impacted our visit to the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout and a walk through The Rocks and to the Opera House. Our experience with the biodegradable ponchos which disintegrate whilst wearing them was quite a hit!! Yesterday (Tuesday), our first full day in Canberra the group had a wonderful visit to The Mint, Parliament House, Questacon and experienced the Sports Expo at the Australian Institute of Sport. Please check our school Facebook page each day for an update on each day's activities. The group is due to fly back into Ballina Airport on Friday and then spend the weekend resting and getting over their jam-packed week.
Term 4 Staff Changes
As we move into Term 4, a reminder of our Staff changes whilst Mrs Morabito is on Long Service Leave. We welcome Mrs Beetge in on Mondays and Tuesdays and then Ms Majella Draper on Wednesdays and Thursdays to cover during Mrs Morabito’s extended leave. Ms Draper will be taking on the role of Acting Additional Needs for this term. We hope that Mrs Morabito enjoys her time away and we look forward to having Mrs Beetge and Ms Draper working in our school.
2025 Start of Year Dates
With Term 4 now underway, I would like to bring to your attention dates for the start of 2025 which are listed below: -
- Friday 31st January – Staff return for an Administration Day (Pupil Free Day)
- Monday 3rd to Wednesday 5th February – MAI Interviews for students in Years 1 to 6
- Monday 3rd to Thursday 6th February – MAI and Best Start Interviews for Kindergarten
- Thursday 6th February – First day back for students in Years 1 to 6
- Friday 7th February – First day of school for Kindergarten!!
Please jot these dates down in your calendar and they will be placed on our online school calendar. More information about the start of 2025 and especially the MAI and Best Start interviews will be forwarded out later this term.
Take care and have a wonderful week ahead,
Tony Hunter,
Principal
Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning
PAT & Dibels Assessments
Over the coming weeks all students from Year 2 to Year 6 will be participating in Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT), these tests have been developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research to assess skills in Reading Comprehension and Mathematics. These tests are completed in all Catholic schools across the Lismore Diocese in Term 4, each year. The information gained from these tests shows which areas students are achieving in and which areas need some extra attention. Alongside the classroom observations and assessments that occur within the classroom, these test results help to inform next steps forward in students learning this year and into next year as well.
All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will complete their Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) testing. The purpose of this testing is to screen for reading success/risk at multiple points throughout the year and identify areas of strength and areas for improvement in the area of Reading.
The assessments your child will complete will vary depending on their grade level. These assessments focus on the essential skills that successful readers need, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Vanessa Walters,
Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning
Assistant Principal - Mission
Whole School Family Mass
Please join us for our Parish School Mass on Sunday, 27th October at 9:00 am. This is our first Family Mass for the term we would like as many families there as possible. The Children's Liturgy led by our teachers will be held in the Parish Meeting Room. After Mass everyone is invited to stay for morning tea. Please bring a plate to share, and enjoy some time together as a community.
Fun for Kids: There will be games for the children on the school oval, adding to the celebrations! We look forward to seeing you there!
We hope to see you all there to share in this wonderful occasion.
The Feast of All Saints
We warmly invite you to join us for the Feast of All Saints liturgy on Friday, 1st November at 12:20 pm. This special celebration will be led by the students of St Brigid’s, and it promises to be a meaningful and joyful occasion as we honor the saints.
Please mark this date in your calendar—we would love to have you with us to share in this important feast day.
Exuro
Exuro is a retreat day for selected Year 5 students from Parish Primary Schools based in regions of the Diocese to celebrate their faith at a Diocesan level. This retreat will be an opportunity to bring students together with like-minded peers, to share and build relationships that strengthen the practice of their Christian faith and to be leaders in building strong Catholic school communities.
On Tuesday, the 22nd of October, there will be three students from Year 5, attending Exuro in Lismore. Upon their return, they will then lead the whole class retreat taking place on Monday week 8.
Mission Dates for your calendars | |
| Tuesday 22nd October | Exuro (Selected year 5 students) |
| Sunday 27th October | Whole School Parish Family Mass 9 am |
| Friday 1st November | Feast of All Saints Liturgy |
| Friday 8th November | Crazy Sock and Hair Day |
Courtney Hyde,
Assistant Principal - Mission
Wellbeing Team
Back to Routine – Hooray!
Holidays offer a wonderful break from the relentlessness of routine, and a chance to relax, reconnect as a family, and unwind.
However, returning to the predictable routine of the school term also comes with many benefits.
Research has found that when we follow routines in our day-to-day life, it helps our children to develop emotional regulation, which is key to good mental health.
Learning to follow a routine also helps children to feel safe, valued and anchored. Knowing what is coming up, and when, teaches the valuable skills of time management and how to transition from one activity to another.
Routines also expose children to boundaries and consequences. For example, we need to get ready for school in the mornings before we can play; or, we need to put our lunch box/uniform away in the afternoon before we can relax/have afternoon tea; or, we need to eat our dinner before we can have dessert.
Wishing all St Brigid’s families a wonderful return to the valuable routine of Term 4!
Attendance Matters
EVERY DAY COUNTS!
New Term, New Beginnings: Attendance Matters!
As we embark on a new term, it's the perfect time to reflect on the importance of consistent attendance. Each day in the classroom is an opportunity for growth, learning, and connection.
Tips for Maintaining Good Attendance:
- Set a Routine: Establishing a consistent morning routine can make it easier to get to school on time.
- Stay Healthy: Prioritise physical and mental health to reduce absences. Remember, a healthy student is a happy student!
- Communicate: If there are barriers to attendance, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. We're here to help!
Let’s make this term a successful one by prioritising attendance. Every day counts!
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 10 Class with the highest average attendance |
| Year 6 96.21% |
| Term 3 Week 10 Whole School Average |
| Whole School Average 88.01% |
Term 3 Attendance Whole School Average was 85.68%
| 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% |
| Week 6 | 87.31% | Year 4 92% | Year 3 90.78% | Year 2 89.89% |
| Week 7 | 80.87% | Kinder 90.13% | Year 3 88.44% | Year 5 82.65% |
| Week 8 | 85.31% | Year 3 90.94% | Year 4 89.36% | Kinder 85.74% |
| Week 9 | 84.81% | Year 3 89.00% | Year 4 88.78% | Kinder & Year 3 84.87% |
| Week 10 | 88.01% | Year 6 96.21% | Year 3 91.28 | Year 1 89.88% |
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
Making Jesus Real (MJR)
Book Club
A message from Scholastic Book Club
Issue 7 is here - and it's a BIG one!
This is our BUMPER BOOK CLUB! More pages, more books and more gift ideas to inspire holiday reading.
We believe that books make the best gifts, so we're bringing back our FREE BOOK OFFER for one last time this year. Every LOOP order over $20 can choose a bonus title from the 'free book list.'
PLUS, every order on this Issue will receive a $5 promotional code to spend on Issue 8.
Peek inside Issue 7 HERE
Place orders HERE
School Bus Mayfield/Homestead Area
Expression of interest Butlers of Kyogle Bus are looking at providing a bus service for infant only students in the Mayfield/Homestead area.If you live in this area and have a infant student that could benefit from this free service please contact Sue Butler on 0409024089.
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!
| 15th Oct - Jacqui |
| 15th Oct - Lilliana |
| 21st Oct - Ryder |
| 21st Oct - Angus |
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly in Week 10.
| Kindergarten | Satkar & Lennix |
Year 1 | Will |
Year 2 | Gianna, Abi & Mille |
Year 3 | Nyima, Lane & Hamish |
Year 4 | Chance & Danny |
Year 5 | Jacqui, Ben & Wyatt |
Year 6 | Lexie & Parker |
Principal | Belle, Nyima, Tulsi, Bodhi, Lola, Eloise & Nerida. |
Calendar
Pupil Free Days Term 4 |
| Thursday 19th & Friday 20th December |
Week 1 | |
| Friday 18th October | Kinder '25 Transition 9 am - 3:15 pm |
| Sunday 20th October | 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time |
Week 2 | |
| Tuesday 22nd October | 3 x Year 5 students to Exuro Faith Leadership Day |
| Friday 25th October | Kinder '25 Transition 9 am - 3:15 pm |
| Friday 25th October | World Teacher Day! |
| Sunday 27th October | Whole School Parish Family Mass 9 am |
| Sunday 27th October | 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time |
K-2 Intensive Swim Monday 28th - Friday 8th November
Week 3 | |
| Monday 28th - Friday 8th November | K-2 Intensive Swimming |
| Tuesday 29th October | Community Forum Meeting School Library 3:30 pm |
| Thursday 31st October - Friday 1st November | Diwali the Indian Festival of Lights |
| Friday 1st November | Whole School Liturgy 12:15 pm |
| Friday 1st November | Swimming for sport commences |
| Sunday 3rd November | 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time |
St Brigid's Dance Week with Aleeta Northey Monday 28th October- Friday 1st November
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 6:00 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
We are on Facebook! Click here for Our Lady of Sorrows Facebook Page
Community News
Expression of interest Butlers of Kyogle Bus are looking at providing a bus service for infant only students in the Mayfield/Homestead area.If you live in this area and have a infant student that could benefit from this free service please contact Sue Butler on 0409024089.
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