Newsletter Term 4 Week 2 (Wednesday 19th October 2022)
Our Front Page with Visual Arts
A number of students have had the joy of working with Mrs Jan Seymour, an Arts Specialist, from the CSO. These weekly sessions engage the students in creating wonderful artworks and offers them an outlet to express their creativity. Jan is like Mary Poppins - she arrives with a smile and a case full of art supplies and then the magic and fun begins as they all chat, design, build, glue and create their masterpieces. Strong relationships have developed over time and we thank Jan for her energy and passion as she engages our young learners in Visual Arts.
Our Gospel Reflection
In our Gospel reading this week from Luke, Jesus addresses attitude in prayer. In contrasting the prayer of the Pharisee with the prayer of the tax collector, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in humility before God. Jesus again surprises his listeners by showing the tax collector as the example of faith, rather than the Pharisee. Remember that Pharisees were members of a sect of Judaism active in Jesus' time. They taught an oral interpretation of the Law of Moses as the basis for Jewish piety. If anyone would be a model for prayer, a Pharisee was a likely candidate. In contrast, Jesus offers the tax collector as a model for prayer. Tax collectors were collaborators with the Roman authorities in a system that allowed the tax collectors to line their own pockets by charging in excess of the defined taxes. Yet, in this parable, Jesus offers the humility of the tax collector as a model for the prayer of a disciple. The parable reminds us that when we pray, we must remember our need for God in our lives. If we are too full of ourselves, there is too little room for God's grace to work in us.
In the family, one sometimes observes a level of competition between children for parent attention, for acknowledgement of their abilities. Somehow, children seem to internalize that the attention given to one member of the family diminishes the attention given to another. In this way, children can often sound like the Pharisee in Jesus' parable. Parents who provide continual reminders to their children that they are loved for who they are, not for what they do, help children develop a healthy spirituality.
As a family, talk about what it means to compare oneself to another. Discuss whether it is helpful to compare oneself to another. In what ways might this be positive? (when it motivates one to use one's talents) In what circumstances might this be unhelpful? (when it proves discouraging, when it prevents one from valuing the abilities of another)
As a family, read this week's Gospel, Luke 18:9-14. Discuss: What was wrong about the prayer of the Pharisee? How can we emulate the prayer of the tax collector?
Pray together as a family in thanksgiving for the blessing that is each member of your family. Pray that your family will be free from unhealthy competition. Pray in thanksgiving that God's love for us is unconditional.
From Our Principal
I hope that everyone has had a good start to Term 4. It is wonderful to see the students of St Brigid's so settled and focused on working to the best of their abilities. Week 1 has passed us by and now we are halfway through Week 2 and before we know it the term will be done. There is still a lot to do in that time and it is important that we keep ahead of what is happening by referring to our school newsletter and calendar regularly. I can see that gradually we are getting more of our families registered on the Compass App and as previously mentioned I cannot stress this enough as this is our major form of communication. There are no more Skoolbag messages sent from St Brigid's.
Class Teachers for 2023
As we prepare for next year, I have great pleasure in announcing our classroom teachers for next year - 2023:
Kindergarten - Ms Karen Esslemont
Year 1 - Mrs Hayley Kennedy
Year 2 - Ms Emma Davis
Year 3 - Mrs Vicki Jansen
Year 4 - Mrs Kelly Schneider
Year 5 - Miss Kayla Robertson
Year 6 - Miss Laura Macdonald
We welcome Emma Davis to our school next year to take on the role of Year 2 classroom teacher. Emma is currently the Kindergarten teacher at St Joseph's, South Grafton and has had a wide range of experience teaching here in the Diocese of Lismore and in schools in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes. We look forward to having Emma spend some time with us this year in preparation and planning for 2023. She will definitely be here for our Class Step Up session which will take place on Monday 5th December.
A reminder that Mrs Walters (Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning) and Miss Bugden (Assistant Principal - Mission) will not have a classroom teaching load but will be supporting all teachers and students in our key learning focus areas of English and Mathematics. They will also release staff for their scheduled Release From Face to Face teaching.
A full list of staff roles and positions will be published in our school newsletter closer to the end of the year.
Wedding Happiness
We extend our love, best wishes and support to our Indigenous Education Worker, Stacey Newman, as she and her fiancee, Justin Wimble, are married this Saturday. We hope that it is a beautiful day to start the rest of their married lives together. Our school community wishes you all the best, not only on your wedding day, Stacey and Justin but for all the days to follow. May your lives be filled with love and unending joy.
Book Club
Issue 7 of the Scholastic Book Club was distributed to students last week. Orders are due back to the office this Friday 21st October. 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. Happy book hunting, happy reading!
Intensive Swimming
Once again with the onset of Term 4, all of our students in Kindergarten to Year 2 will be involved with our Intensive Swimming Program to take place from Monday 24th October until Friday 4th November. This will be Weeks 3 and 4 of Term 4.
Please check now if your child has goggles and swimwear that fits and organise these if need be during the next week.
All information including times and methods of payment have been sent out to all families in Kinder to Year 2 via Compass. This is another reason why it is essential that all families are logged onto the new Compass portal and have access to the App.
Family Mass
All are invited to join with our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students as they lead our Family Parish Mass on Sunday 23rd October at 9am. In addition to the Mass, there will be the opportunity for the children to take part in their own Children's Liturgy guided by our classroom teachers. After Mass all are invited to share in morning tea and catch up with members of our Parish community. Following this, the Infants students and families are invited to have some fun at the Skate Park. Thanks to our Class Parents for organising these events. A flyer has been sent home to all students K-2.
Compass Tips/Tricks
Thank you to those parents/guardians who have downloaded and are actively using the Compass app. If you are having any problems please come and see Mrs Campbell in the office for assistance.
To enter a student absence or pay for an event- go to the home screen and press the shortcuts button (the + symbol at the bottom).
School Parking
The afternoon pick up along Groom Street is always a busy and chaotic time. To ensure the safety of students and motorists we ask that you vigilantly adhere to the parking zones.
If you have parked on the opposite side of the street to the school, please walk over and collect your child from Staff. Thank you for your continued support in making this time of the day as safe as possible for everyone.
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning
Focus for Week 2: We follow the safety rule at all times so that everyone keeps safe at school.
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 is based on our enrolments at Census, taken at the start of August. Please do not hesitate to contact our Principal, Mr Hunter, if you have any questions or would like to enquire about enrolling here at St Brigid's for 2023 or even sooner.
Sports News
2022 Summer Sports Trials
Summer Sports Trials are upon us. Students from Year 4 and 5 are invited to these trials that will be held in Week 3. These sports will carry over to 2023.
Wednesday 26th October
- Basketball Boys & Girl - Goonellabah Sports and Aquatics Centre
Thursday 27th October
- Cricket Boys & Girls - Marist Brothers Cricket Nets
- Tennis - Lismore Tennis Courts
- Touch football Boys and Girls - Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
To register utilise the following link: https://forms.gle/cXr9anvrJxhnTauV9
Nominations close on Friday 21st October, at 11.59pm.
As these trials are held after school, it is the responsibility of parents and carers to have their child(ren) at the respective venues.
Yours in Sport,
Lee Love
Happy Birthday to You
Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week:-
17th October - Aleyah Frith
20th October - Oscar Setnik
22nd October - Lily Harris
23rd October - Chance Flanagan
Student Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with awards at last week's assembly:
Kindergarten:- Chloe King, Abi Allen
Year 1:- Hamish Laarhoven, Angus Wright
Year 2:- Byron Cameron-Keed, Fletcher Cameron-Keed, Chance Flanagan
Year 3:- Jacqui Smith, Millea Rixon
Year 4:- Ruby Wright, Emmelyn Whiting, Tahnesha Walker
Year 5:- Zhepplin Fear, Noah Laarhoven
Year 6:- Ryan McDonald, Maggie Pearce
Principal Award:- Harry Allen, Tess Cannington
Making Jesus Real Award: Hamish Laarhoven, Yari Howes, Beau Dever, Parker Kennedy, Ava Price, Carter Hudson, Wentworth Bennett, Normy Presbury, Noah Schneider
Upcoming Dates
OCTOBER
Sunday 23rd - Family Mass led by students from Kindergarten, Year 1 & Year 2. Morning Tea at the church followed by play at the Skate Park
Monday 24th - K-2 Intensive Swimming begins
Tuesday 25th - Parent Forum Meeting, 3.30pm
Tuesday 25th - Yr 6 Amazing Race (Evening event)
NOVEMBER
Tuesday 1st - All Saints Day Whole School Mass 12 noon
DECEMBER
Thursday 8th - School Swimming Carnival
Friday 16th - Last day of the year for students