Newsletter Term 3 Week 5 (Wednesday 17th August 2022)

Our Front Page with Wakakirri

Our 70 Wakakirri students thoroughly enjoyed their first time on stage last week in Logan. To say we are proud is an understatement. We have taken home 9 awards and have been nominated for a National Award for 'Mental Health Story of the Year'. We are looking forward to our community performance towards the end of the term. 

My New Gallery

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

Our Gospel Reflection

Families take advantage of certain days throughout the year to celebrate individuals in the family and to make sure that they know they are not taken for granted. As a family, recall all of the days that someone in the family was celebrated in the past year—birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, anniversaries, graduations, and so on. Next, challenge each individual to recall what gifts were received on the day(s) on which he or she was celebrated.

Emphasise that these days are intended to express appreciation in a special way but are not meant to replace the appreciation that we should always show. Point out how, at times, families can take one another for granted. In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells a story about some people who took something for granted and paid a price. Our Gospel this week comes from Luke (13:22-30) and Jesus, in this story tells how some people took it for granted that they could enter the house whenever they wanted, but the master locked the gate and would not let them in after hours. Point out that Jesus was warning his listeners not to assume that they will have eternal life in heaven and not to take this invitation for granted.

As a family, commit to showing appreciation for one another in the days ahead, striving to not take for granted any of the many things that family members do in their roles as parents and children.

From Our Principal

For someone who labels himself as an extremely disappointing "Dance Dad", I was absolutely blown away by what I witnessed and experienced last Wednesday for the Wakakirri Performances. I was just so proud of all the students who took part, not only those who were on stage but there was a very busy team off-stage ensuring that all of the props, costume changes and scenes were all set to ensure that the performance of St Brigid's Troupe went without fault. It was a brilliant performance and all involved deserve the congratulations and kudos that are coming their way. I would particularly like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Hayley Kennedy, Tilly Beetge and Hayley Holliday for all of the organisation and preparation that went into the production to ensure that our students had the best experience when performing "live" on stage. I ask you to read on a little later in this newsletter for a summary of the awards that this performance has received.  

On Monday August 15th, we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Catholic tradition recognises the importance of Mary as the Mother of Jesus and on this special Holy Day, we remember Mary ending her earthly life and returning to heaven to be reunited with God.  Still today Mary is a wonderful model to us.  We are reminded of her example as she responded to God’s call and faced her challenges with strength and faith. We were very appreciative to Fr Alexander for being able to come out from Lismore and celebrate mass for us in the absence of Fr Erick. It was also wonderful to have parents and members of our Parish join our school community to celebrate this significant Feast Day. 

NAIDOC Celebration

Last Friday we were able to come together as a school community to celebrate and acknowledge our Indigenous Culture. A wonderful way to start the day was having Boydy and son Michael playing the didgeridoo accompanied by Djalai who gave us a brief glimpse of Indigenous dancing. The students were then able to take part in a number of activities - painting, sketch art, bead making, face painting, traditional games and to top it all off, a bowl of kangaroo stew. Thanks so much to Stacey and Sam Ford for making and serving the kangaroo stew. 

This Friday 19th of August, our Year 5 students and a number of other students will be taking part in the Kyogle Reconciliation March and activities down at ANZAC Park. A note will be issued to these students outlining of the arrangements for their involvement on Friday.  

My New Gallery

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 28

Next

Wakakirri Success

As outlined our Wakakirri Troupe performed with such great distinction last Wednesday at the Logan Entertainment Centre. Following the completion of all schools' performances last week we have been informed that St Brigid's Wakakirri Presentation, "The Heart of the Flood" has been successful with the following Performance and Production Awards:

• Excellent Construction and Clarity
• Excellent Ensemble
• Excellent Performance Teamwork
• Excellent Overall Costume Design
• Best Direction for Combination of Dancing and Acting
• Best public speaking award on the night for their heartfelt responses to questions from the host.
• Best minimal use of sets, props and costumes
• Best individual costume design
• Most creative use of the signature motif
  

The Story-Dance "The Heart of the Flood" has been nominated for the National Festival Award: Mental Health Story Award. This is a fantastic nomination and our school will know if it is successful in this category later in October.

Below is feedback from the Wakakirri Panel Member, Daniel Dunlop who watched and judged all schools over the three nights of performing last week.

Story: A well constructed and paced piece allowing the audience to connect emotionally at each stage. Clever use of elements to enhance the narrative, building to a heart-felt finale.

Story Dance: A nice variety of choreographic and movement qualities, formations and spacings. A beautiful interpretation of the power, beauty and strength of flood waters.

Performance: a good energy throughout. Some lovely moments of honesty in acting choices. Clever staging to highlight casting choices that audiences find highly entertaining.

Elements: Great use of props and costumes to enhance the story-telling. Music has been used well to take the audience on a journey and to strengthen the narrative arc. Some lovely use of projection to enhance the emotional connection of the portrayal.

Daniel went on to say that "The Heart of the Flood" is a story of inspiration told sensitively and creatively".

Family Mass

We are so pleased to announce that our Family Weekend Masses will be commencing on Sunday 28th August at the 9am Parish Mass. Our students from Stage 2 will be leading the mass and we would like to see as many families as possible come along and celebrate. Following mass, all are invited to stay for a cuppa and enjoy the company of each other.

As a part of the mass, there will be Children's Liturgy, allowing our young ones the opportunity to have the message of our mass in a more child-friendly way. The children accompany their family into the church at the beginning of mass, and then following the welcome by Fr Erick, the children leave to go to the Parish Meeting Room to hear the Word at a level that they can understand. It is designed for children aged from 3 – 12 years and led by our teachers. The activity that follows the Gospel of the day, is age appropriate. 

The Family Mass will be held on the 4th Sunday of each month. Upcoming masses are as follows - Sunday 28th August, Sunday 23rd October and Sunday 27th November.

All families are most welcome to attend even if your child is not in Year 3 or Year 4.

ICAS

The ICAS Assessments are underway for this year.

Please note the following sitting dates:

English - 18 August; Spelling - 23 August; Science - 25 August; Maths - 1 September.

If sitting ICAS Spelling, students will need their own ear-buds or earphones. Thank you.

COMPASS Update

From the beginning of Term 4, we will be joining with Catholic schools across NSW and other states in transferring to a new Student Information System (SIS) called Compass.  The Compass platform offers many extra features and benefits, including a smartphone application (app). The Compass platform will become our school community communication tool from Monday 10th October (1st day of Term 4).  

The Compass platform is a web-based system that is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome & Safari) or by using the Compass School Manager iOS or Android App.  Every family receives a separate login to Compass which we will provide to you. 

The Compass platform includes many different features. You’ll have the ability to:

• Receive notifications about school events, news and information
• Enter an explanation for absences
• Communicate with your child’s teachers
• Update your family contact details (mobile phone & email)
• View our school calendar
• Download and view your child’s academic reports
• Book parent-teacher interviews 
• Pay and provide digital consent for events (No more permission slips)
• Order and pay for lunches from the Canteen 
• Pay school fees

Over the coming weeks, we will provide support, updates, and reminders to fully prepare you for a smooth transition to this new platform. 

Be sure to look out for notifications with the heading 'COMPASS UPDATE'.

Save The Date - Saturday 17th September

Start organising your tables for our St Brigid's Parent Forum Trivia Night on Saturday 17th September. As in the past, this is an exciting night for all with lots of fun, laughter and prizes. The theme for the evening will be "Finals Fever." Keep an eye out for further information and how to book a table 

Second Hand Uniform Give Aways

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated uniform items to our Second Hand Uniform Clothing Pool. Due to your generosity, there has been a huge stockpile of uniforms gathered and so, for the remainder of the term, all second hand uniforms will be "free". There is everything available except for the school jacket and all items are in very good order and condition. 

If you would like something, please just contact the school office with the required item and size and this will be arranged to be sent home. The Uniform Shop is open each Monday from 2pm if you would prefer to browse yourself.

Canteen Update - Sushi and Vietnamese Rolls

Our canteen will now be offering sushi and Vietnamese rolls as a healthy lunch choice each Monday. Due to ordering requirements and freshness, all orders for these must be placed by Thursday of the week prior so that they can be delivered fresh to our school each Monday ready for consumption.

There are a multitude of flavours to choose from as can be seen from the attached flyer. A single sushi roll pack will be $4.50, a twin sushi roll pack will be $7 and a full-size Vietnamese roll will be $4. Sachets of soy sauce will be available free of charge.

Please note that all orders and money must be in to the school office by Thursday of each week. In order for our school to have the sushi delivered we must have a minimum order of $50. If we do not have sufficient orders by Thursday of each week, all orders will be refunded and families notified.   

Book Week Parade - 26th August

The CBCA 2022 Book Week theme is "Dreaming with eyes open...".

Our school will finalise the week long celebration of Book Week with a Parade on:

Friday 26th August at 12.20pm 

Please start organising your child's costume now so that they are ready for the parade. Parents and friends are welcome to attend.

School Photos - New Date

School Photos are now scheduled for Friday 16th September. 

If anyone requires a replacement photo form or sibling photo form, please collect from the office. 

COVID Update

As always, we appreciate your support when it comes to your child/ren being unwell in that you keep them home until they are well enough to return. If you or someone in your family tests positive for COVID, students are still able to attend school. It is recommended that they wear a mask whilst at school.

We are maintaining our COVID safe practices here at school by ensuring that we:
* Stay home if unwell or showing any symptoms & not returning until we are fully recovered
* Rapid antigen test when exhibiting symptoms & for close contacts who are able to be at school
* Practise good hygiene including regular hand washing & sanitising before eating & entering classrooms.

RATs are available on request and can be sent home with your child/ren as needed. If you require RATs, please email the school (kyogp@lism.catholic.edu.au). All children were given a pack of 5 RATs recently. We appreciate your support in helping us to keep our school community safe and well over the coming weeks. 

Tell Them From Me

In the coming weeks, we will be inviting students, teachers, teacher assistants, and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite you to complete the 'Tell Them From Me' (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing here at St Brigid's Primary School.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Please access the survey through the following link:-

http://tellthemfromme.com/y66dc

Sports News

Diocesan Athletics Carnival

Last Wednesday, two of our students attended the Diocesan Athletics Carnival in Coffs Harbour. We congratulate Murray Doman and Hannah Kennelly for their hard work, sportsmanship and great results.
While both students missed out on progressing to the next level, they both performed admirably and were proud representatives of St Brigid's Primary School.

Zone Gala Day

This Friday, many of our Year 6 students will be heading to Lismore to participate
in the Richmond Zone Sports Gala Day. The students will be participating in soccer and will be accompanied by Miss Bugden, Mrs Myers and Mrs Love. All the very best for a very enjoyable and safe day of soccer and travelling.

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning

Focus for Week 5:  We follow the 4 SERS at all times and speak respectfully to all staff and students because that is what Jesus would do.

2023 Enrolments

Enrolments for any class for 2023 are currently being finalised. Please, if you know of anyone intending to join the St Brigid's community for 2023, ask them to get their enrolment applications in now! 

Our staffing allocation will be based on our enrolments at Census. This occurs at the beginning of August. Please do not hesitate to contact our Principal, Mr Hunter, if you have any questions or would like to inquire about enrolling here at St Brigid's for 2023 or even sooner.

Happy Birthday to You

Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week:-

19 August - Beau Dever

23 August - Elsie Laarhoven

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with awards at last week's  assembly:

Kindergarten:- Kaya Hardwick, Harlow Schneider, Tully Booth

Year 1:- Djalai Charles

Year 2:- Michael Walker, Landan Faulks, Byron Cameron-Keed

Year 3:- Christian Hoffman, Ayce Harley

Year 4:- Makayla McGlashan, Beau Dever, Jessica Rogan, Kobi Nairne

Year 5:- Talei Gill-Navatu, Lawson Alder

Year 6:- Aysia Heke, Darcy Rogan

Principal Awards - Lilly Hudson, Billy Kennedy, Fred Fowler

Making Jesus Real Awards - Not presented due to NAIDOC celebrations

Upcoming Dates

AUGUST 

Friday 19th - Kyogle Reconciliation March

Friday 26th - Book Week Parade 12.20pm

Sunday 28th - Family Mass @ 9am

SEPTEMBER

Friday 16th - School Photos

Saturday 17th - Parent Forum Trivia night

Friday 23rd - Last day of Term 3