Newsletter Term 2 Week 1 (Wednesday 27 April)

ANZAC Day 2022

Many thanks to all staff, students and parents who participated in the Dawn Service and March on Monday. Our School Captains, Lilly and Billy represented our school so well at the Dawn Service and then followed this up at the March and Remembrance Service. The new format of having the Commemorative Service at ANZAC Park (as last year) is also a good initiative of the Kyogle RSL. It was positive to have the whole community able to take part in the entire experience. It was wonderful to be able to gather as a community again and remember this significant day. It was also great to see a number of our students at the Dawn Service with their families as well as students of our school marching with other local community organisations. 

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Our Gospel Reflection

There are 14 stories about Jesus' Resurrection in the four Gospels. None of the stories describes the actual Resurrection or the physical appearance of the resurrected Christ. Matthew emphasises God's power with dramatic symbols like earthquakes and lightning. Mark, in its original ending, focuses on the empty tomb. Luke emphasises the living presence of Jesus in the Scriptures and the Eucharist. John brings out the authority of the leaders of the early Church, especially Peter's role as shepherd of the Church.

Together, all these stories convey the faith of the disciples that Jesus is alive. Through God's power, life has triumphed over death. The disciples' mission is to communicate this Good News. And that's our mission too!

From Our Assistant Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope you've had a wonderful break over the Easter period and that the students have also enjoyed some relaxation time during the holidays, and managed to have fun doing other activities with friends and family.

There is excitement in the air because this term, after such a long time with imposed restrictions, we are finally allowed to have visitors back on site! We look forward to many events where we can gather together again as a school community. Next week we will celebrate Mother's Day with a liturgy and picnic lunch and then groove our way to the class performances which will be showcased at our wonderful Dance Night. We also encourage you to attend the class masses and liturgies, and our class showcases and assemblies, just to name a few events where we would love to see your faces so we can resume where we left off before the pandemic. Let's build up our school community again as we will all benefit from everyone's contributions and support.

Have a wonderful week,

Jan Condon

Thank You Denis

Today marks the final day here at St Brigid's of our much loved and respected groundsman Denis Newton.

We certainly owe a huge debt of gratitude to Denis for the way in which he has ensured the grounds are so well maintained and presented. Denis has been the groundsman here at St Brigid's since December 2014 and it is truly evident how much pride he takes in his work. This is on top of all the "little" jobs we ask of Denis and the phone calls in the middle of the night from security saying that the school alarms are going off! Denis will take LSL from the 26th of April and then retire following the expiry of his LSL. 

Schools are places of learning and Denis has always ensured that St Brigid's has been a place of learning where the students have a wonderful and well presented space to learn, play and be proud of. Denis has also had the extra responsibility of ensuring that the grounds around our Parish Church and McAnelly Place are in tip-top condition. 

We wish Denis all the very best and as a school community, thank him for what he has done for our school. It is apparent that Denis put in way many more hours than what he was paid to do. However, Denis did not do this for the money, he did it because he has great pride in his work and we are all so pleased that Denis is a member of our school community.

Welcome

We extend a very warm welcome to Mr Dean Barsby who has been appointed as Groundsman for St Brigid's Primary School. Dean is no stranger to our school having been involved in a number of Parent Forum activities and initiatives whilst a parent of our school. He currently runs his own Garden Care business and has experience in maintenance. We are glad to have Dean as a member of our school staff community and wish him all the very best in filling the 'big boots' of Denis.

Fundraising Thanks

A great effort to all parents of our school community who were able to support our Forum Fundraising Team whilst they catered for the recent Kyogle Garden Club's Flower and Foliage Show last weekend. There were hundreds of scones and sandwiches made and devoured by the very appreciative 'flower and foliage' fanatics. Our Fundraising Team Leaders, Tara Laarhoven and Ali Lewis, did a fantastic job in coordinating the catering. Through the combined efforts of all, we were able to raise just over $1,600. Not a bad effort for the 2 days of catering!! Well done one and all. 

COVID Update

On Friday 22 April the NSW Government announced an easing of isolation requirements for close contacts. The easing of these restrictions enables students who are close contacts and have no symptoms to continue to attend school if they follow NSW Health guidelines, including daily Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT).

Students who test positive for COVID-19 or are unwell or showing COVID-19 symptoms must continue to isolate at home.

Students who are close contacts attending school will need to adhere to the following in addition to the NSW Health guidelines:

• They must notify the school if they are intending to return under this provision.
• They should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result each morning before attending school for 5 school days.
• Primary school students are recommended to wear a mask indoors in such cases (except when eating or exercising).
• No student identified as a close contact will be permitted to participate in overnight excursions, including school camps.
• Any visitor to a school site who is a close contact is required to advise the school that they are a close contact before they come on site. These visitors should conduct a daily RAT and return a negative result before attending. They must also wear a mask indoors at all times in such cases.
• Students at greater risk of serious illness, if they were to contract COVID-19, should speak with their health care professional to review their health support plan or COVID-19 action plan and speak with the school about any local considerations.
  

We will continue to keep all of our school community informed and updated of any changes to these guidelines.

Ready 4 Learning

It’s back……bigger and better and it starts this Friday at 9.30am in our school library. The program will be entering its 6th year of operation and will once again be coordinated by Mrs Vanessa Walters with assistance from Stacey Newman, Kimberley Langley & Ella Cooke. Our R4L program gives these young people a wonderful introduction to the workings and routines of school. We are still waiting to hear if we have the services of the Occupational Therapy students from Sydney University. 

Mother's Day Liturgy and Picnic

You are invited to our Mother's Day Liturgy on Friday 6th May, 12.20 pm in the hall. We also encourage you to stay on for a BYO picnic lunch with your child/children on the school grounds. This is always a popular event and one the children love to celebrate with family. Don't miss this special occasion.

Mother's Day Stall

The Mother's Day stall will be held on Thursday, 5th May. We will have gifts ranging in price from $1 - $5. Each class is given an opportunity throughout the day to visit the stall, but we do have limited gifts. The children really enjoy this experience of being able to buy a gift for their loved ones on their own.

Intensive Dance Week

We welcome Aleeta Northey to our school next week following on from our wonderful efforts over the past 2 years. Aleeta will be working with all classes during the week for an intensive week of dance. The theme for our Intensive Dance Week is Music Through the Ages. We hope that if all goes to plan, we will be able to perform our Dance Spectacular Concert on Thursday 26th May. More information will be available in upcoming newsletters.

Class Masses

Last term, Fr Erick visited most of the primary classes to help them prepare for a class mass that was held in their own classrooms. The students took ownership of the preparation and enjoyed celebrating in their room as they were close to the altar and could see what was taking place.  They all felt very much connected during the parts of the mass and responded positively and with energy. 

Once again this term, each class will be offered a class mass. These will take place in the classroom on a Thursday at 12.20 pm.  Parents, carers and other relatives are welcome to join the students as they celebrate mass. Dates and classes were placed on the term calendar. Year 6 will be celebrating the first class mass on the 5th May followed by Year 2 on the 12th May. We hope to see you there.

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Walk Safely to School Day

National Walk Safely to School Day is on Friday 20th May and we invite all of our students at St Brigid's to take part. Now in its 23rd year, this annual campaign encourages all primary school children, their parents and carers to walk safely and regularly to school.

On Friday 20th May, we will be walking from ANZAC Park in Norton Street to St Brigid's School. We will gather at 8:15am and set off to school from there. All parents and friends are more than welcome to accompany us on the walk and are more than welcome to bring along prams, scooters and good old fashioned footwear.

Our school's participation in this national activity is to raise awareness of the benefits of regular walking.

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with awards for their tremendous efforts at our last school assembly of Term 1.

Kindergarten:- Amelia Stiller, Igziah Anthony, Raph Hudson, Zion Dowd

Year 1:- Kinsley Whiting, Emily Kennelly, Frankie Lindsay

Year 2:- Landon Faulks, Nate Jones

Year 3:- Emma Farrah, Elsie Laarhoven, Piper Marychurch

Year 4:- Emmelyn Whiting, Jess Rogan

Year 5:- Dominic Bennett, Noah Rixon

Year 6:- George Stephenson, Noah Marychurch, Jarrod Rixon

Principal Awards:- Evie Howes, Peyhton Bateman

Making Jesus Real Awards:- Darcy Rogan, Djalai Charles, Myah Gordon, Olivia Alvos

Sport News

Polding Rugby League Trials

We wish Murray Doman all the very best as he takes part in the Polding Rugby League Trials this Friday in Bathurst. Murray is a member of the Under 12's Diocese of Lismore Squad and along with approximately 90 other students are vying for a place in the 17 person Polding Squad to contest the NSWPSSA Championships to be held later this term. All the best Murray and we look forward to hearing of your progress at these trials.

Richmond Zone Cross Country

Next Monday our squad of 29 runners will take part in the Richmond Zone Cross Country Carnival to be held at Geoff Watt Oval at Alstonville. Please note the change of venue from that which was advised at the end of last term. All representatives have received information from Mrs Love stating time, venue, map and an approximate program for the day. It is essential that all students return their permission notes to our school office ASAP so that we can confirm travel arrangements. The students will be accompanied by Mrs Love and Mrs Kennedy.

Happy Birthday To You........

A big happy birthday is extended to all those children who have celebrated their birthdays recently or will do in the days ahead:-

10th April - Ted Standfield                                   12th April - Jarrod Rixon

14th April - Nerida Phillips                                   15th April - Zion Dowd

16th April - Pepper Larsen                                    17th April - Rachel Ellis

19 April - Caileb Hyde                                             21st April - George Marychurch

21st April - Lila Standfield                                    26 April - Marshall Brooks

27th April - Blaire Lucas                                        29th April - Morgan Studd

1st May - Carter Hudson 

Upcoming Dates

MAY

Monday 2nd - Zone Cross Country. Geoff Watt Oval, Alstonville.

Friday 6th - 12.20pm - Mother's Day Liturgy - Hall

Sunday 8th - Mother's Day 

Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th -  NAPLAN Testing Years 3 & 5

Friday 13th - Stage 3 Writers Workshop