Newsletter Term 4 Week 4 (Wednesday 6th November2024)

Front Page with Year 1

Literacy Instruction

Year 1 has worked incredibly hard this year on their initial literacy instruction, which they do every morning from 9 to 10 a.m. They have now learned much of the advanced alphabetic code, allowing them to work out most of the words that they encounter in their reading. 

Our Gospel Reflection

OUR GOSPEL REFLECTION

This Sunday’s Gospel leads us to think about our family’s financial contributions to our parish community, the diocese, other Church-sponsored organisations, and other charitable organisations. Good stewardship invites us to share our treasure as well as our time and talent. Sometimes, however, decisions about a family’s charitable giving are made without our children’s knowledge. Yet we teach more when we invite all family members to be aware of how we contribute to our Church and to other charitable organisations.

As you gather as a family, talk about your family’s financial contributions to your parish and to other Church activities. If your family supports other charitable organisations, you might talk about these as well. Talk together about why it is important for us to share our resources with these organisations. Read Sunday’s Gospel, Mark 12:41-44. Talk about what Jesus observes about the generosity of the poor widow. Talk also about ways in which your family might also make a sacrificial gift to support your parish or other charitable organisation. (Perhaps your family might choose not to go out to dinner but to contribute the money to your parish). Invite all family members to participate in the decision about what action you will take and which organisation you will support with your contribution. Conclude in prayer together asking God to help your family be generous like the poor widow in Sunday’s Gospel.

From Our Principal

Dear Families,

It’s certainly been a busy start to the term! Our students have been engaged in a range of activities, including Intensive Swimming, Intensive Dance, Summer Sports Trials, and the Exuro Retreat, all while continuing their classroom learning. As we approach the halfway point of the term, the next six weeks are likely to fly by even faster. Please keep an eye on our newsletter for important dates and upcoming events.

Remembrance Day Ceremony at ANZAC Park

On Monday, 11th November, all students and staff will attend the Kyogle RSL Sub Branch Remembrance Day Ceremony at ANZAC Park. This ceremony, beginning at 10:50 a.m., offers our school community a meaningful opportunity to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

Remembrance Day holds a significant place in our nation’s history, and we look forward to joining the Kyogle community in paying our respects during this solemn occasion. Parents are welcome to join us in commemorating this important day.

If it is raining on Monday morning, the school will have a short service at school and our School Captains, Belle and Parker will represent our school at the Kyogle Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Well Being Through Music

The students of St Brigid’s Primary are excited to take part in a new initiative, Wellbeing Through Music. This program uses music, collaborative song writing, and recording to enhance students’ school experience by celebrating their enjoyment and participation. This term, our focus is on promoting pedestrian safety through music.

The initiative is led by CJ Shaw, an ARIA-nominated educator and musician, along with songwriter and producer Matthew Storen. It kicked off with a school-wide concert, followed by an intensive song writing workshop with Year 4 on Thursday, October 17th.

On Thursday, October 31st, CJ and Matthew returned to the school to share the song with our students, giving them a chance to practice. They’ll return on Thursday, November 14th, to professionally record the students singing the song they developed. The Diocese of Lismore Media team will also be on-site to capture images for a video clip.

This song and video will be shared across all Lismore Diocese Primary Schools as a resource to promote road safety. It may also be featured on media platforms, and has the potential to be used in other education systems for teaching this important topic.

All parents are warmly invited to join us for afternoon tea at 2:30 p.m. on the front deck, followed by a mini-concert at 2:50 p.m. in the Parish Hall, where the students will perform their song.

Participation in the Wellbeing Through Music initiative is free. However, we need permission from families to photograph and video their children. Please return the permission form sent home with your child today.

Enrolments for 2025

Enrolments for any class for 2025 are currently being finalised. Please, if you know of anyone intending to join the St Brigid's community for 2025, ask them to get their enrolment applications in now! 

Our staffing allocation is based on our enrolments at Census, taken at the start of August. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to enquire about enrolling here at St Brigid's for 2025 or even sooner.

Have Any of Your Contact Details Changed?

To ensure we have the most current information, please let us know if any of your contact details have changed or are due to change soon. This includes your address, phone numbers, and any medical information. Keeping our records up to date is essential for maintaining effective communication and supporting the safety of all students.

If any updates are needed, please inform Jo in the School Office at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep our records accurate.

Communication

Please remember that our primary communication tool is Compass. With our busy schedules, it’s essential to set aside a regular time to check it. Through Compass, you can access newsletters, reminders, permission notes, calendars, and more—all in one place. This platform helps simplify communication for both families and staff.

Take care and have a wonderful week ahead,

Tony Hunter,
Principal

Assistant Principal - Mission

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

This year, our school is proud to support the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal by creating hampers filled with food and gifts to brighten the season for local families in need. We invite all families to participate by donating items each week, following our collection schedule.

Your contributions will help make Christmas a little more special for those in our community. We thank you in advance for your generosity and support as we work together to bring joy to others during this season of giving.

Crazy Hair and Sock Day 

On Friday, 15th of November, we’re inviting all students to get creative with their hair and socks for a fantastic cause! Come to school with your wildest, craziest hair and socks, and bring along a gold coin donation.

All money raised will go to Catholic Mission to support vulnerable children in Mongolia, providing them with essential care, education, and hope for a brighter future. Let’s have fun while making a difference together!

Thank you for your generosity and creativity – we can’t wait to see your crazy styles!

Please note: No hair glitter or hair dye, as our students will be swimming on Friday.

Courtney Hyde,
Assistant Principal - Mission

Wellbeing Team

Be the boss of your screen (ie. don’t let it be the boss of you)

Screens and devices have revolutionised the way we live, from communication (social media, text messages, emails, Facetime calls etc) to recreation (gaming, entertainment, watching, reading etc) to administration (banking, shopping, insurance etc).

So how can we possibly avoid them? It would be pretty inconvenient!

However, our obsession with screens does come at a price. Studies have linked increased screen time with increased rates of obesity, anxiety and depression, and decreased social connection, sleep, and physical wellbeing. All of which is, tragically, especially true for our kids.

What can we do about it? 

According to the Mayo Clinic in the USA, the American Academy of Paediatricians recommends the following screen time limits:

• No screen time for children under 2
• One hour per day for children 2 to 12
• Two hours per day for teens and adults

How does your family’s screen time stack up? Is it time for a screen-time audit?

Tips to reduce your family’s screen time:

1. Set expectations, goals and limits around healthy screentime.
2. If your family’s screen time is high, be realistic, and introduce restrictions.
3. Engage IRL. Every day after school or work, be sure to engage in some old-fashioned face-to-face time with family, friends and your community.
4. When screens are off-limits, put them out of sight because the old adage out of sight out of mind really is true.
5. Create some phone-free zones in your home. A great place to start is at the dinner table.
6. Go outside. Put devices down and get outside to engage with nature and each other. Not only will you deepen your relationships but you’ll get a boost of endorphins and improve your physical and mental health at the same time!

Go forth and be the boss of your devices!!

Attendance Matters

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 4 Attendance Results

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Making Jesus Real (MJR)

Competition: Yearbook Front Page Design!

The Yearbook Front Page Design Competition is OPEN NOW! All students from Kindergarten to Year 6, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your artistic talents.

Details:

• Closing Date: 15th November
• Submission: All entries must be submitted to the office.
• Design: A4 size drawing.
• Important: Please include your name and year on the back of your drawing.

All submissions will be featured in the yearbook, and the winner will receive a Family Pass to the movies and a $50 gift card! Get creative and show us your best designs!

Community Forum

Thank you for attending the school community forum last week!
We appreciate everyone's input, involvement and contributions this school year! As we wrap up 2024 with a few exciting events ahead, take a moment to review the minutes and stay informed about what's coming up next.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Tuesday, 26th November at 6:00 PM. More details will be shared soon, so please mark your calendars!

Parent Assembly

Supporting Healthy Tech Use as Your Child Transitions into High School

Join the final free eSafety webinar for parents this term!
Date: Tuesday 12 November
Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
This 'lunch and learn' event is designed for parents and carers of upper primary school students (aged 11-12) and Year 7. Gain valuable insights and tips on how to support your child's tech use during this important transition. For more details, check out the flyer.

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 in Week 3.

Calendar

Breakfast Club Update

Breakfast Club Now Available 4 Days a Week! Breakfast Club is now offered Tuesday through Friday during term times! Students can grab breakfast from 8:30 AM at the school canteen, featuring delicious cereal and toast options. A 50 cent donation is appreciated to help keep the program running. Start your day right and set a positive tone for the day ahead!

Parish News

Parish Information
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish established 1916. Our Parish Family includes the town of Kyogle and the villages of Urbenville and Woodenbong.
Administrator: Fr Erick Quinteros | Phone: 0438 196 944 | Parish Office Phone: 02 6632 1074 | Email: kyogle@lismore.catholic.org.au | Facebook: @OurLadyofSorrowsCatholicChurch

Service Times
Kyogle Weekday Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9 AM. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Saturday Vigil 6:00pm | Sunday 9:00am.
The Woodenbong Communion Service and Mass alternate every Saturday at 9 AM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation begins 30 minutes prior to Mass. Morning tea is served every Sunday after Mass, hosted by the parishioners. Everyone is welcome!

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

Community News

Kyogle Christmas in the Country

Get your tickets online for a chance to win a fabulous Christmas Hamper filled with local gifts, produce, and vouchers to the value of $1000! Don’t miss out on this festive community celebration!

Purchase your tickets here!
For all the latest updates and event information, be sure to follow the Kyogle Show on Facebook here!

St Brigid's Christmas Pageant

This annual tradition celebrates the reason for the season with school performances, Santa photos and delicious food, drinks and ice cream! More details coming soon on how to book Santa photos and the program for the evening. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Save the date Wednesday 11th December.

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