Newsletter Term 2 Week 2 (Wednesday 4 May)

Year 3 News

Last week Year 3 presented a wonderful Prayer Celebration to the whole school. We celebrated the new life of the risen Jesus. The children participated with reverence and enthusiasm. We prayed we sang, we danced, we acted, we read about the Bible passage and we played instruments to honour the risen Jesus.

Jesus, we thank You for the joy of the resurrection when you rose from the dead and were filled with new life. Help us to remember that You suffered and died on the cross for us, so that we too will share with You the joy of everlasting life. 

Our Gospel Reflection

The theme of shepherds and sheep is a recurring one in the bible. Being a shepherd is not an easy job. Sheep are pretty defenseless creatures, and shepherds have to protect them from predators. Sheep also have a tendency to stray from the flock, making them especially vulnerable. Shepherds endure many hardships while pasturing sheep. Sheep learn to recognise their shepherd's voice, which makes it easier to separate different flocks when flocks are mixed together for grazing or protection.

In your prayer this week, reflect on the following: How do you relate to Jesus as the Good Shepherd? When is it reassuring to know that Jesus is watching out for you? How do you see yourself helping to 'shepherd' other people as a follower of Jesus?

From Our Assistant Principal

Dear Families of St Brigid's,

After such an unsettled period of time during the pandemic, education has suffered. Many students have had disrupted learning which has posed challenges regarding confidence and growth. Every day is an important day for learning! When absent, students may miss critical baseline learning which in turn, if not addressed, creates gaps in their knowledge and skill development. Learning is sequential so establishing strong foundations in the early years is critical. Teachers build upon this learning as the years progress and cater to the differing needs of each student. The partnerships we forge with our students and parents are paramount in providing the best education for every individual in our school. Yes, we set high expectations, but we do so because the child is the centre of everything we do. We want them to succeed and grow and be confident individuals who will eventually take their place in society, having purpose, self-worth and a sense of belonging. Our partnership is important because we all want the best for our children. As educators, we strongly urge you to value each and every day of learning - EVERY DAY COUNTS! Please encourage your child to be at school, as increasing absenteeism is a concern and places the child at risk of falling behind and not achieving student outcomes. Let's work together to ensure our students receive the best learning opportunities at St Brigid's School.

Wishing all our mothers, grandmothers and special ladies a wonderful Mother's Day this Sunday.

God bless,

Jan Condon 

Introducing Dean

We have a new staff member on board at St Brigid’s. Last week we welcomed Dean Barsby, our new groundsman and maintenance man. Please say hello to Dean if you see him around the school. He will normally be working outside of school hours, but there may be some overlap. Dean loves to work outdoors and takes great pride in his work. The wet weather though is making his job difficult at the moment. Like Dean, the students are itching to get back onto the grounds, so we are all praying for a healthy measure of sunshine!

iPads for Learning

At the end of last term, we had 83 new iPads and Apple Pencils arrive. These were distributed amongst staff and students in K-2 so now they have access to their own iPad and pencil that can be used for their learning at school.

Staff members have been receiving professional development on how to use these iPads creatively in the classroom to enhance student learning. This has been a shift in mindset for staff and students. We want students to be creators not just consumers of technology!

One of the apps that staff will be utilising in the classroom is the ‘Sketches School’ app. This app is a drawing and sketching app that allows students to create book covers, characters and a range of artworks. The possibilities are endless!

Below are some photos of Kindergarten creating amazing artworks to showcase their Mums.

If your child has access to an iPad at home, we encourage you to download this app and let them explore and create. Teachers would love to see some artworks that students have designed at home!

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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 remember, 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. We wish all our special ladies a lovely Mother's Day!

Book Cafe

Last Friday, Stage 2 invited the staff and classes to their Book Cafe. What a celebration of writing! The students were so proud of their efforts, as were we, in publishing their books for all to see. As any author would know, this task takes a great deal of patience and determination as many changes may have to be made to the text and layout after being provided with feedback from the teachers, teacher assistants and their peers. We remind everyone that Kyogle will also be hosting a Writer's Festival this month which kick starts on May 12th until May 15th. Our Stage 3 writers will be part of a workshop on Friday 13th May conducted by author and illustrator, Tina Wilson. We look forward to this wonderful opportunity. 

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Intensive Dance Week

The week began with great excitement. Everyone loves to have Aleeta Northey join us for this special week of creativity and energy. The students are kept busy and don't miss a beat! Aleeta's talent is incredible as she quickly works through the choreography, supporting the girls, boys, and teachers whilst giving background information on the music and the time in history that the songs were on the charts. Aleeta also suggests the costumes which would work best for each performance. We are so looking forward to our Dance Night as we present 'Music through the Ages.' Mark your calendar with this event, Thursday evening May 26th.

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Scholastic Book Club

Issue 3 of the Scholastic Book Club has now been distributed to Students. Orders are due back to the office by Friday 13th May. We strongly encourage the use of the online ordering system, visit www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP. Orders processed by the due date will be electronically linked to the rest of the school order.  You do not need to complete the paper form. 

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 have shown tremendous effort and were presented with awards at the Week 1 Assembly:

Kindergarten:- Chloe King, Emma Nugent

Year 1:- Oscar Setnik, Emily Kennelly

Year 2:- Ella Garred, Caius Dowd, Landan Faulks

Year 3:- Paityn Fear, Millea Rixon

Year 4:- Brooklyn Stubbings, Noah Schneider

Year 5:- Marshall Brooks, Lawson Alder

Year 6:- Jayden Floyd, Myah Gordon 

Sport News

Due to the ongoing poor weather, Zone Cross Country scheduled for tomorrow 5th May, has been postponed yet again. New date and location to be advised. Thank you for your patience. 

PBS Focus

Our PBS Focus this week is:

We speak respectfully to our teachers and friends at all times because that’s what is expected at St Brigid’s.

Happy Birthday to You ...

3rd May -   Raziel Aquilina                      3rd May - Noah Marychurch

6th May - Nate Jones                                 7th May - Hamish Laarhoven

Upcoming Dates

MAY

Thursday 5th - POSTPONED - Zone Cross Country. Geoff Watt Oval, Alstonville.

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

Sunday 8th - Mother's Day 

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

Friday 13th - Stage 3 Writers Workshop

Thursday 26th - Dance Night K-6

JUNE

Thursday 30th - School Photos