Newsletter Term 4 Week 3 (Wednesday 26th October 2022)

Our Front Page with Year 2

This term in Year 2 we are exploring a range of texts and how as authors we can write for a range of purposes. Over the past week, we have been investigating how letters can be used as a way to communicate with others about the things that are happening in our lives. To support our learning, we have started composing our own personal letters to send to our Year 2 penpals in Arkansas, America. We are so excited to have an opportunity to write to students on the other side of the world and we are eager for them to inform us about themselves as well. 

My New Gallery

Our Gospel Reflection

This Sunday is the 31st Sunday of the Church's Liturgical Year and in the Gospel from Luke, we hear the familiar story of when Jesus looked up in the tree and spotted a tax collector named Zacchaeus. In Jesus' day, tax collectors were not popular people. They were collaborators with the Romans and were despised by many Jewish people. The tax system allowed them to charge more than what was required so that they could make a profit for themselves. Thus, they were considered sinners by their countrymen. Observers in the crowd that day grumble because Jesus dines with a sinner. Throughout Scripture, Jesus' choice of dinner companions set him apart from other observant Jews of his time. In first century Jewish culture, to dine together was to show a bond of fellowship and peace among those at the table. Observant Jews did not generally dine with foreigners and sinners. Yet, Jesus chooses to honor the tax collector, Zacchaeus, by staying at his house.

Why would Jesus choose Zacchaeus to become a disciple? Besides that, he was pretty short and did not stand out in a crowd. Perhaps Luke is trying to tell us that our physical attributes, our past history, and other people's perceptions do not figure into God's equation.

When Jesus looks up and notices Zacchaeus, Zacchaeus ends up not only believing in Jesus but also doing something surprising. He gives away half of his money and possessions, perhaps to make up for all the times he cheated people. This is what conversion is - a change of heart and behaviour. Conversion calls us to act in ways we would not have acted before.

From Our Principal

Many thanks to all students and their families who were able to come along to our Parish Family Mass last Sunday. It was a day more conducive to ducks and therefore we were so appreciative that people made the effort to come along and gather as a community to share in the spirit of what the mass is all about. Morning tea was a welcoming experience where we got to meet, chat and enjoy each other's company in the true sense of community. We very much look forward to our next Parish Family Mass which will be held on Sunday the 27th of November, the 1st Sunday of Advent.

Staffing Updates

We welcome Mrs Jansen and Mrs Walters back to school after their respective Long Service Leave breaks. Many thanks to Mrs Tonya Lickiss who filled in as classroom teacher in Year 3 whilst Mrs Jansen was away.

Sending out a big CONGRATULATIONS to Mr Jess Gibson who has been successful in his application as a Teacher Assistant at St John Vianney’s Primary School, Waramanga. This is a Catholic primary school located in the Weston Creek district of Canberra. Jess is a wonderful asset to our school and we will certainly miss him and the great gift that he is to our whole school community. This is a full-time position (30 hours per week) and we know that our loss is Waramanga’s gain. We wish Jess all the very best and look forward to hearing about your new ventures in the A.C.T.

I am very pleased to announce that Sarah Flocchini has accepted the position of Creative Arts Teacher for St Brigid’s next year. Sarah has been employed for the past 7 years as an Indigenous Education Worker and Pastoral Care Worker at St Mary’s Primary School Casino, where she has enjoyed building positive and effective relationships with parents and the wider community. Sarah is a highly organised person who has juggled full-time employment, six children, volunteered to coach local Representative Netball Teams all whilst completing her Bachelor of Education degree during the last four years. Sarah is very much looking forward to immersing herself in the Kyogle community and to building strong relationships with staff, students, the school community and beyond.  

Feast of All Saints Whole School Mass

All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church and all are invited to celebrate this special day with us as we attend Mass as a school community. Our Mass will commence at 12 noon in Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Please note that with Intensive Swimming continuing, the students of Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 will not be attending this Mass.

Congratulations Billy

Congratulations to Billy Kennedy on his success over the past 3 weekends competing in the Kyogle, Casino and Lismore Shows. Billy competed in the Mini Bull Ride for 7 to 12 years and also entered the Mini Bull Ride section for 12 to 15 year olds. Billy was successful in all three Shows in each respective age group and was awarded the Champion Buckle in doing so. It does not slow down as this weekend Billy will be competing at the Warwick Show and the following weekend will see him compete at the Murwillumbah Show. Following the completion of local Show competitions, Billy will then head off to Tamworth to compete in the PBR event.

At the end of November, Billy will be heading across to Las Vegas to compete in the Mini Bull Riding World Finals in the 10 to 11 years age group. This will see Billy competing against many other young people coming from all around the world but mostly from the United States.

Wishing you all the very best Billy for a successful few weeks on the Rodeo circuit but most of all safe travels and we look forward to hearing of your adventures, especially those in the United States.

Intensive Swimming

Once again with the onset of Term 4, all of our students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are currently involved in our Intensive Swimming Program. This will continue until Friday 4th November.

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. 

Compass Tips/Tricks

Compass Canteen is here! - Online ordering is available through your Compass App.  Orders close at 9.15am Monday for regular canteen and 1pm Thursday prior for Sushi Orders.  If you make an order prior to the Monday and your child is absent from School you are still able to cancel the order to 9.30am that day. 

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). 

Year Book Magazine Cover Competition

It is getting closer to the time when our 2022 Year Book will be released. Once again there is a competition for students to design the front and back cover of the Year Book with great prizes to be won. We encourage all of our students to put their artistic flair into full swing and get their entries into the office. All entries are to be on a piece of A4 paper with their name on the back of the entry, please. Three green tickets will be issued for entries received.  Entries need to be in at the school office by Tuesday 15th of November.

Parent Forum Meeting Minutes

Chickenpox in the community

There have been recent confirmed cases of Chickenpox in the Kyogle/Casino school communities. Whilst it is usually a very mild illness, it is also highly contagious. In the event your child contracts this illness, they are not allowed to attend school until all blisters are dry and scabbed over, usually about 5-7 days after the onset of spots.

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 a staff member.  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 3:  We come to school every day so that we don’t miss out on our learning because learning is important. 

Bringing Up Great Kids

Kyogle Family Support Services are hosting a four week parenting course on Bringing Up Great Kids beginning 4th November, 2022. Please see the flyer below for further details. 

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 Trails are being held this Thursday, 27 October, in Lismore. We would like to wish Lawson Alder trialing for tennis and Noah Laarhoven trialing for cricket all the best of luck in their respective sports. We look forward to hearing about your results.

Happy Birthday to You

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

26th October - Fred Fowler

1st November - Van Smith, Nicholas Stubbings

Student Awards

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

Kindergarten:- Milla Flanagan, Tully Booth, Braith Roberts

Kindergarten Transition: Chloe Ellis, Angus Walters, Niarah Walker

Year 1:- Harrison Goebel, Oscar Setnik

Year 2:- Ella Garred, Morgan Studd, Summer Duley, Lilliana Knight, Danny Kennedy, Nerida Phillips

Year 3:- Harry Nugent, Charli Scofield-Godfrey

Year 4:- Brooklyn Stubbings, Yari Howes

Year 5:- Ella Jones, Lawson Alder

Year 6:- George Stephenson

Principal Award: Nicholas Stubbing, Yari Howes, Brooklyn Stubbings

Upcoming Dates

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 1st - All Saints Day Whole School Mass 12 noon 

Monday 14th - Pupil Free Day

Wednesday 30th - Year 6 Graduation Mass & Dinner

DECEMBER 

Thursday 8th - School Swimming Carnival

Friday 16th - Last day of the year for students