Newsletter Term 2 Week 6 (Wednesday 4th June 2025)
- Front Page with Year 4
- Our Gospel Reflection
- From Our Acting Principal
- Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
- Assistant Principal - Mission
- MJR & PB4L
- Wellbeing Team
- Sports News
- One Night. One Stage. One Cause.
- Stars of the week
- Celebrations
- Calendar
- Parish News
- Lunchbox Hacks
- Community News
- Parent Resources
Front Page with Year 4
In English, our Year 4 class has been exploring the text Ned Kelly and the Green Sash. We are investigating the idea of argument and authority by discussing the question: Was Ned Kelly a hero or a villain? As part of this learning, we are examining how authors and speakers use reported and quoted speech to show different perspectives and strengthen their arguments. Yesterday, we looked closely at parts of the text and practised identifying reported and quoted speech. We also discussed why it is important to understand who is speaking and how it affects the way we see a character. As a class, we shared what we thought some of the characters might have said in the passage.
These examples came from what Year 4 students imagined Ned Kelly’s siblings might have said when he was gifted his green sash.
Our Gospel Reflection
Gospel Reflection - John 20:19-23
In our age of increasing division and discord we should learn to trust that the Holy Spirit can bring us together. The Holy Spirit, Pope Francis once quipped, ‘knows how to bridge distances.’
Explaining that the Holy Spirit ‘connects the teaching of Jesus with every time and every person,’ Francis reminds us that ‘Christ’s words are not a memory.’ Rather, through the Holy Spirit, they ‘come alive today!’
Using Scripture as an example, Francis points out that the Holy Spirit ‘speaks to us and guides us in the present.’ Hearing today’s Gospel proclaimed, for instance, means being called to renew our trust in Christ in the here and now. We have the Holy Spirit with us, after all!
‘The Holy Spirit does not fear the passing of the centuries,’ Francis says. Indeed, it is we who get caught in the past. ‘We run the risk of making a museum piece out of faith,’ he suggests, when we fail to recognise that the Holy Spirit ‘makes believers attentive to the problems and events of their time.’
As the late Pope put it, ‘the Holy Spirit does not bind himself to passing epochs or trends, but brings into today the relevance of Jesus, risen and living.’ Alleluia to that!
In our age of increasing division and discord we should learn to trust that the Holy Spirit can bring us together. The Holy Spirit, Pope Francis once quipped, ‘knows how to bridge distances.’
Explaining that the Holy Spirit ‘connects the teaching of Jesus with every time and every person,’ Francis reminds us that ‘Christ’s words are not a memory.’ Rather, through the Holy Spirit, they ‘come alive today!’
From Our Acting Principal
I would like to welcome Fr Joe Holloway to our Parish and school community. Fr Joe shared morning tea with staff this week and will meet children in the coming weeks. Fr Joe has a lovely connection with Kyogle which can be read below from small introduction that Fr Joe had printed in the church bulletin a couple of weeks ago:
I was raised in a Catholic family in Casino, with three (3) siblings and I attended the local Parish schools completing the HSC at Lismore Marist Brothers. I worked in Sydney and later I was employed in local government in Wauchope, Tumut and Bellingen before returning to Casino and working in Public Health. My later employment included in local Councils including a year at Kyogle. Having been married I have three (3) adult children and have been blessed with three (3) grandchildren. I was a member of the St Vincent de Paul in Casino and I was involved for several years in the Diocese Beginning Experience Program. As a late vocation I attended seminary in Rome at the Beda College (2008-2013). During that time, I was able to welcome to the Rome and the College. I attended the Canonization of Australia’s first saint – St Mary of the Cross and the thanksgiving for her canonization. I was ordained to the Diaconate at St Paul’s Basilica in 2012 and just over 12 years ago I attended the first Papal Mass of Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica. I was ordained as a Priest at St Mary’s Casino on 12 December 2013 and have been appointed to Macleay Parish in Kempsey, Bellingen and the Clarence Valley Parish in Grafton since January 2019.
Fr Joe’s first Mass will be held on the coming weekend in Our Lady of Sorrows.
Welcome Fr Joe!
Tell Them From Me
Many thanks to all families who participated in the recent Tell Them From Me survey that our school participated in earlier this term. Although the parent returns of surveys haven't been as high as in previous years it still gives us a very good base from which to act upon the feedback. There will be an opportunity at the School Community Forum early next term where the results from the survey will be presented.
Semester One Reports and Three Way Conferences
Semester One reports will be distributed via COMPASS on Thursday 26th of June. Our Three Way Conferences involving parents, student and class teacher will take place early next term. In the coming weeks, more information will be provided about how to book for these conferences.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Vanessa Walters,
Acting Principal.
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
WRITE ON
‘Could they be changing?’ Our WriteOn students are currently exploring this theme as they begin their writing journey toward entering a 500 word text in the National WriteOn Competition.
In Week 3, our workshop focused in on the theme and the tension of the text to ensure the students had a solid plan to start writing.
TOP TIP: A joke, a movie, a TV sitcom, a book and a great story - what do they all have in common? They all follow the same 'story graph'. Start with a bang, slowly build up the tension and end on a real high point.
In Week 4, we explored several texts to develop ideas and build shared understanding around what makes a strong story starter and during the week our authors put this into action.
TOP TIP: Start where the action is, not at the beginning of the day where nothing is happening. Begin when the volcano starts oozing lava or as you walk in the door to the big disco competition.
In the Week 5 workshop, we shared our Story Starters and received feedback from each other to make adjustments and improvements. This was followed by a session on how to ensure you build excitement in your text by banning all the boring bits and getting to the juicy interesting details.
TOP TIP: Everyone gets up, gets dressed, travels to school...it's not exciting. So why write about it? Ban all mention of the 'boring B' words - beds, breakfast and bus trips. Think like the movies, the heroes never travel, they just arrive...
I hope your child is enjoying the process and remember if they would like feedback at any time, they only need to place their writing on my desk and I will catch up with them during the week.
Warm regards,
Samantha Lynch,
Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching
Important Teaching & Learning Dates
| Week 4 to Week 7 Friday's 12:50pm - 1:20pm | Writeon competition student feedback & support session - school library. |
| Friday 13th June | Writeon Submissions are due. |
| Monday 28 July at 11:59pm | ICAS Registration for all subject areas closes. |
| Monday 4th August - Friday 29th August | ICAS Assessments |
| Thursday 18th September | Richmond Zone Public Speaking |
Assistant Principal - Mission
Year 6 Glow Retreat
On Thursday last week, Year 6 travelled to Xavier Catholic College along with all the other Year 6 students from the Richmond Cluster to experience the Lismore Diocese's first Glow Retreat.
GLOW provided students with an opportunity to grow in their faith, make new friends and explore different ways to express their faith. In line with the mission of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore - “to enable students to achieve the fullness of life” (John 10:10) - the retreat offered a chance for them to pause, reflect, and grow.
The theme for GLOW, “God is light and in Him there is no darkness.” (1 John 1:5) was woven through every aspect of the day's activities.
Here’s a snapshot of what Year 6 experienced:
- Time for personal reflection on who they are and how God calls each of us to shine our light in the world.
- Fun games and team challenges that reminded them that faith is joyful and shared.
- Small group sessions led by supportive leaders, encouraging open discussion and friendship.
- Scripture reflections and age-appropriate prayer experiences designed to deepen their understanding of faith.
- A sense of connection to something greater — a vibrant community of faith across our diocese.
Courtney Hyde,
Assistant Principal – Mission
MJR & PB4L
Wellbeing Team
Movement isn’t just exercise — it’s a secret weapon for mental health. When we get moving, our brains unleash a flood of feel-good chemicals that kick stress and anxiety to the curb. It sharpens our focus, boosts our confidence, and helps us fall into better sleep. Plus, moving around means more chances to hang out with friends and build real connections — all the good stuff that keeps our minds sharp and balanced, no matter what life throws at us.
Why timing matters for mental health:
- Moving earlier in the day can boost energy and cognitive function; movement before bed should be calming, like stretching or yoga, to aid sleep.
- Daily movement keeps stress and anxiety lower and mood elevated consistently.
- Short bursts of activity (even 10-15 minutes) can improve focus and reduce feelings of overwhelm during the day.
5 Quick equipment free ways to move
- Dance Breaks: Play yours or theirs - favorite song and have a 3-5 minute dance party. It’s fun, energizing, and gets the heart pumping.
- Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of items to find around the house or yard — it gets them moving and thinking.
- Walk & Talk: Take phone calls or family chats while walking around the house, yard, or neighborhood.
- Movement Snacks: Set a timer to remind them to do quick “movement snacks” every hour — like 10 squats, lunges, star jumps, pushups /wall or chair push ups or a quick run up and down stairs.
- Unstructured Play Inside or Outside: Encourage 10-15 minutes of unstructured outdoor play — no rules just explore and find what is fun to do outside or inside.
Quick Links
Physical activity and Mental health
Physical Activity Guidelines for 5-17 yrs Australia
Some examples of YouTube workouts for younger children 3-8 year olds
MOVEMENT! - Day 4 Mental Health Superpowers for #childrensmentalhealthweek
Tabata Workout for KIDS | The Animal Workout (ages 3-8) w/@TabataKidsWorkouts
Stay golden,
Megan Ritchie,
School Counsellor - megan.ritchie@lism.catholic.edu.au
Sports News
Brian Kelly 7's League – A Fantastic Team Effort!
We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding performance of our 26 students who participated in the Brian Kelly 7's League. Each player demonstrated exceptional skill, teamwork, and most importantly, great sportsmanship throughout the competition. Their dedication and positive attitude truly made us proud and showcased the spirit of our school community. Well done to all the players for their hard work and commitment!
Congratulations to Hamish – Cross Country Star!
A special shout-out goes to Hamish, who travelled to Woolgoolga on Thursday to compete at the Dio Cross Country event. Despite having played football all day the previous day, Hamish showed remarkable stamina and determination, improving his placing by an impressive 8 positions compared to last year. His perseverance and sportsmanship are an inspiration to us all. Congratulations, Hamish!
Upcoming Event – Athletic Carnival in Just 3 Weeks!
The excitement continues as we count down to our annual Athletic Carnival, happening in only three weeks! We encourage all students to start preparing and training so they can perform at their best.
NOTICE: The Compass event for consent is now open for the Athletics Carnival. Please accept or decline as soon as possible to help us with planning.
Stay tuned for more details and get ready to showcase your athletic talents! Keep up the fantastic work, everyone! Your enthusiasm and sportsmanship make our school proud.
Hayley Catlin,
Sports Coordinator
Calendar Dates
| Week 6 - Week 10 | Wednesday's - NAB AFL Auskick/Superkick Program |
| Week 9 | St Brigid’s Athletic Carnival on Thursday the 26th June at Kyogle High School Oval. |
Please familiarise yourself with the Compass App, as it will be used to provide consent for participation in sports events.
One Night. One Stage. One Cause.
Wakakirri Fundraiser
Join us for a magical evening of dance, acrobatics, and aerial artistry as LACRO, MSOD & Ascent Dance come together to support St Brigid’s Primary School on their journey to the Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival in Brisbane!
Event Details
| Date | Saturday 28th June |
| Location | KMI Hall, Stratheden Street, Kyogle. |
| Time | Show starts at 6pm |
| Food | BBQ from 5pm |
| TICKETS | Adult $15 | Children $10 |
Tickets are available online through Humanitix, or can be purchased with cash at the St Brigid's School Office.
https://events.humanitix.com/one-night-one-stage
This is a one-night-only celebration of movement, music, and storytelling — turning passion into purpose. Come along, enjoy the entertainment, grab a bite, and support a great cause!
Stars of the week
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 2 Attendance
| Week | School Average | Top 3 Classes |
| Week 1 | 90.53% | Kinder 94.6% | Year 5 87.82% | Year 2 87.34% |
| Week 2 | 89.07% | Year 5 94.73% | Year 3 90.11% | Year 6 90.08% |
| Week 3 | 83.38% | Year 5 94.13% | Year 1 86.78% | Year 4 83.44% |
| Week 4 | 86.42% | Year 5 96.04% | Kinder 91.28% | Year 6 86.12% |
| Week 5 | 88.19% | Year 1 96.78% | Year 6 90.32% | Year 5 88.13% |
Celebrations
Welcome to the world, little Cameron! Congratulations to the Rankin Family on the arrival of your beautiful baby girl. Wishing you all lots of love, joy, and happiness as you begin this wonderful new chapter together.
May God bless you with joy, good health, and His loving presence today and always. May your faith continue to grow and guide you through every step of the year ahead. Have a truly blessed day!
| 6th June - Eedie |
| 8th June - George & Charli |
| 12th June -Finn |
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly in Week 5.
| Kindergarten | Tommy, Everleigh & Gabby |
Year 1 | David & Kendall |
Year 2 | Ayla, Hazel & Rylie-Jane |
Year 3 | Harlow, Nicholas, Abbi & Harper |
Year 4 | Mabel & Blaire |
Year 5 | Byron & Rumo |
Year 6 | Paityn & Lily |
Principal | Jahlissa & Freya |
Calendar
Public Holiday: King's Birthday, Monday 9 June 2025
Staff Development Day Term 2 - Friday 4th July
School Calendar Access
You can find the school calendar in the Compass app by tapping the calendar icon at the bottom of the homepage. Click on the button below for how to access your calendar. Please always refer to the calendar for updates, as changes may occur.
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.
Parish Priest: Fr Joe Holloway | Parish Office Phone: 02 6632 1074 | Email: kyogle@lismore.catholic.org.au | Facebook: @OurLadyofSorrowsCatholicChurch
Service Times
Kyogle Weekday Masses: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 9am. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Saturday Vigil 5pm | Sunday 9am.
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!
Quick Links
Catholic Life Latest Edition - April 2025
The April edition of Catholic Life is filled with stories and news that captures the vibrant life of the Diocese of Lismore.
The Catholic Diocese of Lismore YouTube Channel
Lunchbox Hacks
Community News
Dear Community, we’re so excited to announce that bookings for our Winter School Holiday Program are opening soon!
This season, we’ve got an amazing lineup of activities including:
- A fun-filled excursion to Summerland Farm
- A trip to Ballina Ten Pin Bowling
- Soccer and Tennis workshops with professional instructors
- Plus, loads of engaging indoor and outdoor activities at our site!
**All activities are CCS Approved**
100 Year Celebration of care at Kyogle Memorial Hospital/Health
| Date | Saturday 28th June 25 |
| Time | From 10am, lunch is at 12pm |
| Where | Kyogle Bowling Club |
| RSVP | Final numbers by Saturday 14th June |
| Tickets | $32 *No tickets will be sold on the door. |
To purchase tickets in person please visit Scarborough's Shoes on the main street OR the Hospital Office. Alternatively you can pay online details below.
| Bank | Summerland Bank |
| Payee Name | Centenary of KMH |
| BSB | 728728 |
| Account | 2235491 |
| Reference | Name & number of tickets purchased |
Parent Resources
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