Newsletter Term 2 Week 7 (Wednesday 8 June)

Kindergarten

This term in Science, Kindergarten have been busy investigating the properties of materials. We have been given the challenge to help the ‘Lamington Man’ get across the river safely.  We inquired about how we might do this and decided that we will need to build him a boat. Our boat will need to be waterproof, float and blow in the breeze. We began investigating in small groups this week what materials float. Below are some photos of us observing and sorting materials into objects that float and sink. We recorded our findings on a Jamboard to help us remember what materials might be best when making our boats later in the term. 
We had heaps of fun and can’t wait to make our boats and Lamington Man...yum!

Our Gospel Reflection

Think of the last time you witnessed an act of selfless love in your family. Parents and caregivers of all kinds are called upon to act selflessly every day. Family life calls us to share selfless love with one another.

God is the model for us of selfless love. There was no need for God to create our planet or the creatures that inhabit it; it was an act of selfless love. There was also no need for God to send his only Son to save us. That too was an act of selfless love.

As we draw closer to God and the mystery of the Trinity, we learn about God's love. God has lavished us with love in the persons of the Son and the Spirit, who in turn nurture in us the desire to do the same. When we open ourselves to be filled with an awareness of the divine life within us, we participate in the endless spiral of love that leads to eternal life. Whenever we share selfless love in the family, we are sharing in the life of the Trinity.

From Our Principal

In 2020, just as the COVID pandemic began, we started working with Lyn Sharratt. Lyn is the Canadian author of a book called Clarity. Lyn works in improving outcomes for students, by looking at the way we teach, the data we use and the supports we put in place for our learners. Many of Lyn’s ideas around collaboration are already in action here within our classrooms, such as the way we use resources and the use of our release days to plan for our students.

There are 14 Parameters that Lyn addresses in this important work. Many of these were already part of our culture and thinking prior to participating in the Lyn Sharratt professional learning. Others we have utilised to build our collective skills.

• We will be holding Case Management Meetings to look at individual students who are not progressing at the rate we would like so that we can find ways to support them.
• We create Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for topics we are learning.
• We utilise data to group and organise our students in their flexible learning.
• We ‘own’ all students - faces on the data- and are collectively responsible for their learning.
• We have our own Staff Learning Area where we can work collaboratively and meet regularly to enhance the learning of all of our students.
  

A recent study gives us all some food for thought. The study, led by Queensland University of Technology (QUT), identified stark differences in the reasons why students like or dislike school. Students’ who perceive they have a strong connection with their teacher are far more likely to
enjoy attending school than their peers who don't. Researchers surveyed over 1,000 students across three Queensland schools, all of which had low retention rates and high rates of suspension. They that two-thirds of students who said they liked school (66.5 per cent) also reported having a good relationship with their teachers. A major factor included whether or not staff made an effort to build rapport and trust with students and whether they offered individualised support. This fits well with our thinking around here! 

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria

Sacrament of Confirmation

Congratulations to Elsie Laarhoven, Emma Farrah, Tyler McPherson, Ayce Harley and Ted Standfield who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Thursday evening from Bishop Greg Homeming. It was a wonderful celebration for the children and their families and it was lovely that members of our Parish community were able to be there to join in the celebration. It is great that we are able to share these moments with our young students as they continue on their spiritual and sacramental journey. Thanks so much to Mrs Jansen and Mrs Walters for all their work and preparation for this blessed time.

Stage 2 History Inquiry

Yesterday, the Stage 2 students took a walk down to the Kyogle Railway Station to immerse themselves in some history learnings about 6 brothers from the Farrell family who all enlisted into the Australian Army and encountered active service abroad. This was the culmination of the Stage 2 Inquiry History Unit, "Community and Remembrance". The students were amazing as they engaged in the various tasks and drama devices. Their curiosity and eagerness to gather information about their real-life soldier was extremely rewarding to witness and all students were involved in using a variety of History skills. We look forward to sharing further information about this experience next week.

Stage 2 History

URGENT - Wakakirri Tickets

An urgent reminder to all families with children participating in Wakakirri that the ticket order is due in tomorrow (Thursday 9th June) to the School Office. Any concerns or questions please contact Mrs Campbell or Mrs Kennedy on 6632 1988.

Kindergarten 2023 Information Session

It is that time of the year when we start to prepare for the next wave of students who will commence their school journey next year. All parents with children ready to commence school in 2023 are invited to attend an Information Session tonight at 6pm. We held the same session earlier today and received very positive feedback. We look forward to meeting with you tonight. 

Kinder 2023 Information Session:  Wednesday 8^th June at 6pm

If you know of anyone who has children ready to commence school next year please let them know of this evening's information session. If you are unable to attend, please do not hesitate to contact our school for another appointment.

All enrolment forms and necessary documentation are due back to school by Thursday 30^th June (2^nd last day of Term 2). Please let others know that they can obtain an Enrolment Application package from the school office.

Calling For Class Parents

This is an area that we would like to reinvigorate in our school as we all work together for the benefit of our students. We are calling for 2 parents from each class to be the Class Parent Reps so as to share the role. Many thanks to the parents who have indicated that they would like to take on this role. These parents volunteer to support the class, teacher and parents in developing a positive working relationship. It is designed to help welcome parents into the class and school and develop friendships and a social network for families. Some of the ways in which the Class Parents can support teachers is to welcome and assist new families into the class or to help farewell a student who is leaving. There are a number of things that our Class Parents can do to involve all of our families. Once we have our Class Parents nominated we will have a meeting to ensure that all Class Parents are clear with this important role. Activities could include organising social gatherings for class parents and families like cake, coffee, and play dates at the park, or nights out for the Mum’s or Dad’s. They could also organise a card or gift for a specific family event. Class parent nominations so far are as follows:-

Kindergarten - ____________ , ____________

Year 1 - ____________ , ____________

Year 2 - ____________ , ____________

Year 3- Jessica Rixon, ____________

Year 4 - Danielle Howes, ____________

Year 5 - Krystal-Lee Hyde , ____________

Year 6- Gemma Habchi, Natalie Marychurch.

Please let your child’s class teacher know if you would like to take on this role in 2022 for your respective class. Mr Hunter will then be in touch to meet with all Class Parents to give further support and guidance.

School Photo Day

Please do not forget that our revised School Photo Day is Thursday the 30th of June. Please ensure that your child/ren are at school on this day dressed in full school uniform. Should you require a family photo envelope please do not hesitate to pick one up from our School Office. 

Stormbirds - Flood Support

Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC)

Once again we will offer the students of St Brigid's the opportunity to sit the AMC. 

The AMC is an engaging 30-problem competition that demonstrates the importance and relevance of Mathematics in students’ everyday lives. It is open to students in Years 3 to 12.

When: Thursday 4th August 2022

Cost per student: A$7.50 (Australia and New Zealand)

Entry closing dates: (Paper) Wednesday 29th June

The students sit either the Middle Primary (Years 3–4) or Upper Primary (Years 5–6) paper.

Please complete the Privacy/Consent Policy and the Registration Form contained at this link:

https://www.amt.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AMT-Online-Consent-Form-2022-AMC-ACFG.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Condon.

Preparation for the Competition:

• Problemo Student is a free problem-solving platform that allows students to test their skill in Mathematics and informatics. It’s packed with problems covering a range of topics and year levels. They can jump in anytime and try one question or work their way through a series based on a topic.
• AMT competition student practice portal. This is the same place students go on the day of the competition. We’ve added practice questions here so students can familiarise themselves with the online platform before the AMC.
• AMT’s online shop holds a range of AMC resources that are great for student practice. Download individual past papers for free, or buy AMC compilation books sorted by topic and full solutions for past competitions.   

ICAS

Each year over a million students sit the ICAS assessments. The questions in the ICAS competitions help students to connect information from content strands of the curriculum to their existing knowledge and to real-life situations.  These assessments are optional. Payments are online only and you will need to enter the code below, which links to our School.  If you have any questions please contact Mrs Jan Condon.

Subjects Offered:                                      Year 2 to Year 6  (Digital Technologies, Spelling Bee, Science,                                                                                                                     English, Mathematics)       Cost = $19.25 each

                                                                           Year 3 to Year 6  (Writing)                                    Cost = $23.65 each

Parent Payment Code:                            EYG369

Payments Due:                                           31st July 

Assessments begin:                                  Early August (dates to be finalised and placed on our calendar) 

School Fee Support For Families Affected By Floods

We know that some flood-affected families and communities will continue to work through their response and recovery for some time. We are here to support you in whatever way we can. We understand that the financial impact of the flood event has been extensive for many families in the affected regions.

In recognition of this burden, the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Ltd (DLCSL) Board has approved support to schools and parishes to provide full (100%) or partial fee relief (50%). This fee relief will include levies and elective fees. Full-year fee relief will be provided to families that received any Australian Government financial assistance payment relating to the 2022 floods, including either the:

• Disaster Recovery Payment (property damage)
• Disaster Recovery Allowance (income).

Partial fee relief (up to 50%) may be provided to other flood-affected families at the discretion of our Principal. Although individual circumstances will vary widely, the following factors will be considered in approving partial fee relief:

• Extent of property damage
• Duration of loss of income
• Other factors as appropriate.

If you would like to request the fee relief outlined above, please contact St Brigid's School, Kyogle either via kyogp@lism.catholic.edu.au or phoning 6632 1988 and ask to speak with Mr Hunter. We ask that you present documentation indicating you are receiving the relevant Disaster Recovery
payments when making your application. Fees that have already been paid can be refunded or carried forward as a credit for 2023. Please indicate in your application which of these options you prefer.

I thank you again for your ongoing support of our school. Our families and communities remain in our prayers. Please don’t hesitate to contact the school on kyogp@lism.catholic.edu.au or by phone on 6632 1988 should you have any questions. All enquiries will be treated with the utmost respect for the privacy of each family.

PBS Focus

Our PBS Focus this week is: We demonstrate and follow the 4 SERS at all times and speak respectfully to EVERYONE. 

Sport News

Diocesan Cricket Trials

Finally a break in the weather, grounds open and conveners available for the Lismore Diocesan Cricket Trials. We wish Corey Love all the very best as he takes part in these trials next Wednesday 15th June (backup date is Wednesday 29th June) at Hepburn Park, Goonellabah. 

Do We Have The Correct Information?

It is important that our school has your correct contact details. If you have moved house, changed jobs or are in any doubt about what contact numbers (including Emergency Contacts), and emails we have on record, please contact Lani in the school office to check and if necessary, update your information.

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with awards at the Week 6 Assembly:

Kindergarten:- Zion Dowd, Kaya Hardwick

Year 1:- Tom Booth, Ryder Newman 

Year 2:- Summer Duley, Michael Walker, Caileb Hyde

Year 3:- Poppy Scarborough, Mia Glover, Wyatt Brown

Year 4:- Wentworth Bennett, Normy Presbury

Year 5:- Dominic Bennett, Syra Halt

Year 6:- Murray Doman, Corey Love

Principal's Awards:- Eloise King

Happy Birthday to You ...

8 June - Darcy Rogan

10 June - Dominic Bennett    

Upcoming Dates

JUNE

Wednesday 8th - Kindergarten Information Session 10am & 6pm

Monday 13th - Queen's Birthday Long Weekend

Friday 10th - Year 4 Showcase (2:15pm)

Friday 10th - Book Club due

Friday 17th - Year 2 Showcase (2:15pm)

Wednesday 22nd - Dance Night Spectacular

Thursday 30th - School Photos / Last day of Term 2 for students

JULY

Friday 1st - Pupil Free Day

Monday 18th - Term 3 commences

Trinity Catholic College Open Day