Term 4 Week 8 November 23 2021

Our Front Page from Year 4

An exciting part of being in Year 4 is getting to know the Ready4Learning children who will become their buddies when they start Kindergarten in 2022.

Last Friday, Year 4 were very excited to meet and spend some time with their buddies. Let the friendships begin!

2022 Buddies

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Our Gospel Reflection

The Advent of a New Year
 
I was terrified to start my first year of high school. While I was excited about the prospect of learning, I was afraid to go forward alone. My classmates from primary school were attending a different high school as I had to move towns due to my father's work. I wasn’t sure I would know how I’d make it without the friends I had been with in primary school. I was sure my first day of high school would be the end of me.
 
As the summer holidays wound up, my parents encouraged me to check out a flyer from the local cricket team seeking new players. I loved playing cricket and spent plenty of afternoons and weekends  playing the backyard "test match" with my brother. My mum rearranged her schedule so that she could drive me to practice after I made the team. I spent two weeks running drills and training with the team before school started. I got to know my teammates and found that a few of us shared the same classes. By the first day of high school, I had a few friends - and even some sports cred.
 
While it was tough to arrive at the end of what I had known for most of my life, it was also necessary for the great new adventure to begin. People like my parents would be with me, giving me strength and encouragement - and car rides - all along the way.
 
As we start this first week of Advent, we remember that we go forth not alone but with our faith community. In this season of hope, we can trust that together we will find strength and encouragement for whatever adventures and challenges lie ahead.

From Our Principal

Thank you so much to the many families who took the time to make comment on our new Newsletter format. We do hope that all find this a much easier way to navigate through our major weekly communication. It is also easier to be able to access information when and where you need to as long as you have your favourite device with you.

School Pageant: Following on from discussions with the Catholic Schools Office, we are in a situation whereby we have no other alternative than to cancel our Christmas Pageant for this year.

This is due to a number of reasons because of still being in Level 3 Restrictions and having to comply with the State Government requirements with Dancing, Singing, Music and Performances. The guidelines clearly state that  School performances, productions and concerts are not permitted.

On top of this we are unable to have the Pageant at school due to the fact that parents and visitors are still not permitted to enter school grounds unless specifically invited to do so. We cannot take the Pageant to the Kyogle Amphitheatre as it would break 2 requirements under Singing and Performances and we are not in a position to risk heavy fines for our school and our families.

We discussed having each class perform, record it and put together a film clip of the Pageant as per Wakakirri. However, we still are not permitted to sing. The current Public Health Order is in place until Thursday, December 23rd. 

We are still going to try and produce something that will be sent out to our families and to give our School Leaders a chance to perform without singing. These past 2 years have taught us to try things differently and so therefore we will try everything to ensure that as a school community we can acknowledge the real reason behind the Christmas Season.

Mr. Tony Hunter

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Last Wednesday evening, 4 students from St Brigid's were able to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the very first time. We congratulate Hannah Kennelly, Jessica Rogan, Parker Kennedy and Noah Schneider on this significant time in their sacramental journey. All students presented to Fr Erick were an absolute credit to their families. Many thanks to those who came along to support the children on the evening. Many thanks are extended to Mrs Jansen and Miss Macdonald on the way in which the children were prepared and for the prior organisation needed to ensure that all went well. Please keep these young people in your prayers!!

Staffing 2022

As has been notified in previous newsletters, a number of staff will be moving on from St Brigid's at the end of this year. We say farewell to Mrs Welsh, Mrs Newton, Mr Dwyer, Wendy Saini and Wendy Jansen. We will also say farewell to Mrs Sally Wake and Mrs Tahlia McGuinness. Mrs Wake will be moving back to Brisbane with her family and Mrs McGuinness has accepted a full time permanent teaching position at Denison College of Secondary Education in Bathurst. We thank Sally and Tahlia for their wonderful dedication and commitment to the students of our school whilst here at St Brigid's.

Congratulations to Mrs Vanessa Walters who will take on the leadership role of Leader of School Evangelisation. Vanessa is an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and a very much loved and respected teacher at St Brigid's for the past 12 years.

We also welcome onto the staff of St Brigid's, Miss Kayla Robertson who will commence her teaching career at St Brigid's following the completion of a very successful practicum experience working with Miss Bugden and the students of Year 6. Miss Robertson is a former student of Trinity Catholic College.

Class teachers for 2022 are as follows:-

Kinder - Miss Laura Macdonald       Year 1 - Mrs Hayley Kennedy    Year 2 - Mrs Kelly Schneider    Year 3 - Mrs Vicki Jansen             Year 4 - Ms Karen Esslemont                                                                                Year 5 - Miss Kayla Robertson        Year 6 - Miss Kelli-Ann Bugden

Young Mary Performance

This Thursday the 25th of November, our school will have the opportunity of welcoming the very creative team from Starrs Productions as they perform Young Mary. This play introduces us to Young Mary and we will have the opportunity to participate in her many fun filled and spirited childhood adventures. We will have lots of fun playing games with Mary, and hearing about her pet cow Blorac and her dad, Alexander.

The play is funny, entertaining, and very informative involving the audience in lots of acting and moral decision-making. Young Mary’s humour and compassion will help our students enjoy and
understand St Mary MacKillop, whilst appreciating her famous quote: “Never see a need without doing something about it”. 

It is just a shame that we cannot have this open for our families to come along and enjoy.

No Stopping Area

At the front of our school, on the corner of Groom and Wyangarie Streets, is a sign indicating 'No Stopping'. This is for all vehicles to ensure the safety of all who travel to and pass our school each day.

It has been brought to our attention that a number of cars are parking in this area whilst waiting for a vacancy in the "Pick Up" zone outside the Groom Street gate. With cars parked in this "No Stopping" zone, it makes it very difficult for buses that are turning left, to do so safely. In fact, buses are forced to cross to the wrong side of the road, making it very unsafe for any oncoming vehicles.

I urge all of our school community to please keep safety well above convenience especially when looking for that space to park and wait for your child, or to just drop into school. Being safe also does not cost anything in fines!! I appreciate your support with this request.

Final Day of Ready4Learning

This Friday will see the final day of our Ready4Learning Program for 2021. This program has worked as a school readiness program and a transition for our young students as they prepare to commence “big school” in 2022. It has been wonderful to see these new little faces and to have the opportunity to begin building relationships with the children and their families.

The purpose of the orientation and transition program is for the children to become more familiar with St Brigid’s Primary, to get to meet some new friends and to begin building relationships. We know that this time has been of great benefit at the start of the new school year. Each of our new students brings with them a wealth of experience, understandings, gifts and talents to share with their new class and with the St Brigid’s Primary School community. We welcome all new families joining our school and hope that they feel the warm and supportive community that we strive to provide. Thanks so much to Mrs Walters and Miss Macdonald for the way in which they have given our new students a wonderful opportunity to ensure the smoothest of transitions to "big school". Mrs Walters and Miss Macdonald have been ably assisted by Mrs Emma Rixon and Ms Stacey Newman each Friday and we thank them very much for their commitment to the program.

MAI and Kindergarten Best Start Interviews 2022

As advertised previously all students will be involved in numeracy and literacy assessments to commence the 2022 school year. Students in Years 1 to 6 will have an MAI on either Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd, or Thursday 3rd February. The first day of school for students in Years 1 to 6 will be Friday 4th February.

Students in Kindergarten will undergo their Best Start and Maths Assessment Interview on one of the following days: Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd, Thursday 3rd, or Friday 4th February. The first day of school for Kindergarten will be Monday 7th February.

These bookings will be open for all students (Kindergarten to Year 6) on Wednesday 1st December from 8:30 am.

Each assessment for Years 1 to 6 students has been allocated a timeslot of 30 minutes. The Kindergarten Best Start Assessments have been allocated 60 minute timeslots.

To book online please follow the following steps:

1. Go to schoolinterviews.com.au
2. Enter the code: nddde
3. Enter your details
4. Select your child’s class teacher.
5. Select the appointment times that suit you best
6. When you click FINISH, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically. If you do not receive your email immediately – Check your junk mail folder AND make sure you have spelled your email address correctly

You may change your bookings, any time prior to the closing date, Friday 29^th January 2021, by re-visiting the www.schoolinterviews.com.au website, and using the event code. Remember to use the same name and email address, you used when you made your original booking. Parents and carers who do not have access to online facilities can ring Di in the office at school (6632 1988) and she will make the bookings for you.

Year 6 Graduation Liturgy and Dinner

This year’s students in Year 6 are a wonderful group and it will indeed be sad to see them leave St Brigid’s. Their Graduation Liturgy will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church at 6 pm on Monday 6th December. This promises to be a very special occasion. This will be followed by dinner at the Kyogle Bowling Club commencing at 7 pm where families, students, and staff can relax and celebrate the end of their primary school journey for these children.

Step Up Day

On Tuesday the 7th of December, our students will have the opportunity to spend the middle session of the day with their respective class teacher for 2022. This is an exciting time for all as we continue our preparations for next year. It is important that your child is here at school on this day as a part of the transition to their new class and teacher.

Bazaar Santa Photos

Please refer to attached information for this local Kyogle fundraiser coming up to Christmas time.

Dates For Your Diary

With the calendar clicking over to December next week it is important that we have all of the upcoming listed school events noted. It is a busy time of the year and we can get caught so easily through double booking ourselves or completely overlooking an event. For your information, here are some important dates for the remainder of 2021 and the start of 2022:

November

Wednesday 24th    5:30 pm - Parent Forum Meeting on the front deck of school - CANCELLED

Thursday 25th         9 am - Year 5 Exuro Retreat   2 pm - Young Mary Performance

Friday 26th               Last day of Kindergarten Transition and Uniform Shop Open 2 pm to 3 pm

December

Thursday 2nd       8 am - Year 6 students leave for Lake Ainsworth Day

Monday 6th          10 am - 2022 School Leader Speeches, 6 pm - Year Graduation Liturgy and Dinner

Tuesday 7th          Step Up Day

Friday 10th            St Brigid’s 2021 Swimming Carnival and Uniform Shop Open 2 pm to 3 pm

Monday 13th         Term 4 Rewards Day, Semester 2 Reports sent home

Tuesday 14th         End of Year Liturgy and Awards from 9:30 am

Wednesday 15th   Final day for students

Thursday 16th       Last day of the year for staff

Friday 17th              School closed for the year