Newsletter Term 4 Week 8 (Wednesday 30th November 2022)

Our Front Page with Year 1

Year 1 are incredibly proud of how far their writing has come this year. We wanted to show you the growth we have made from February until November. Please celebrate with us!

My New Gallery

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Our Gospel Reflection

In this week's Gospel Reading and next week's, our Advent preparation for Christmas invites us to consider John the Baptist and his relationship to Jesus. In the Gospel this week, Matthew describes the work and preaching of John the Baptist.

We do many things to get ourselves ready for our celebration of Christmas: purchase gifts, prepare Christmas cards, and decorate our homes. John's call of repentance in preparation for Jesus reminds us that our repentance is another way in which we can prepare for the Lord's coming and our celebration of Christmas. Parish communities often offer a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Advent season. Your family might choose to participate in the communal celebration of this sacrament, or you might seek out the sacrament on an individual basis.

Read together Sunday's Gospel from Matthew (3:1-12). Talk about how John reminds the people to prepare for the reign of God by reforming their lives. As a family, prepare a simple reconciliation service in preparation for Christmas such as the following: Gather in a prayerful space, perhaps around your family Advent wreath. Read again today's Gospel: Matthew 3:1-3. Invite each family member to pray silently, asking for God's forgiveness. Pray together an Act of Contrition. Then celebrate God's forgiveness by sharing a Sign of Peace with each other.

From Our Principal

As is always the case, time does not stand still and life moves on. As this year draws to an end, one of the significant times is when we take the opportunity to welcome our new students for next year yet at the same time, farewell our Year 6 students who will be moving on to the next stage of their educational journey in various high schools around our area.

Tonight we will gather with the families of our Year 6 students at Our Lady of Sorrows Church to give thanks for their time spent in primary school and to wish them all the very best as they commence the transition to high school. This is becoming more real for them all now as they have commenced and attended the Year 7 Orientation programs at their new schools for 2023. This is a special time in their lives but also a wonderful time for parents to reflect on how those last 7 years disappeared so quickly. It all moves too fast! 

As we farewell the Year 6 students we keep reminding them that they were in Kindergarten at one stage and look forward to our new students who have completed a very comprehensive and thorough transition to St Brigid's through their attendance at Ready4Learning and then this term, through the Kindergarten Transition Program. Many thanks to all staff for their commitment to ensuring our youngest students have the best start possible. The introduction to school for these little ones is due largely to the work of Mrs Walters, Mrs Esslemont, Stacey, Kimberley, Ella, Jennifer, Kate and Jo. It is affirming to know that we have already had enquiries from families from within the community wishing to enrol into R4L for 2023. I always say to them... "let's get this year finished first before looking into next year" but yes, Ready 4 Learning will continue next year, commencing in Term 2

Farewell Aanaminda

Unfortunately for our school community, we are saying goodbye to our Family Support Worker, Aanaminda Makeig. Today marks her final day working with and for the families of St Brigid's and we have certainly benefitted by having Min's calming and positive presence supporting many within our school. Min totally assures me that she does not want to leave her position as she has loved doing what she does and will certainly miss her colleagues and friends in the St Brigid's community. We wish Min all the very best and once again thank her for her friendship and very valuable support.

Advent Liturgy

The season of Advent has begun. This is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Christ and his second coming. Today we gathered as a school community to celebrate the beginning of Advent. Thank you to Year 3 for leading our Advent Liturgy. 

Songs of Praise

On Tuesday, the beautiful voices of our School Choir were singing 'Songs of Praise', at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Thank you to Mrs Schneider for leading our Choir. They all did a fantastic job.

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Vinnies Hampers

Friday 9th December (Week 9) is set for our DRESS IN CHRISTMAS COLOURS day whereby you also bring something for the festive hampers. We have always supported this appeal generously. Our local St Vincent de Paul Society and our parishioners work with us to keep the Spirit of giving alive at Christmas for those who need it most in our community - those who are doing it tough, are isolated or experiencing hardship. On December 13th the volunteers will come to our End of Year Mass to be presented with all of our ‘goodies’ and then they will work hard to sort everything and repack items into individual hampers. Suggestions for hamper items include:
 Christmas food such as biscuits, shortbread, puddings, and anything NON-PERISHABLE
 Boxed chips like Cheezels, Pringles etc (bagged chips will crush)
 Crackers
 Lollies
 ‘Treat’ food
 Jelly, tinned fruit
 ‘Fancy’ tea (like Twinings), coffee, instant cappuccino/chai/latte etc
 Soft drinks like canned six-packs, bottles of fizzy drinks, poppers
 Non-alcoholic beverages
 Christmas items like bonbons, decorations
Please donate according to your own financial ability and, if possible, include your child in the process. You might like to donate now and save something else for the dress-up day. If you are in Ready4Learning you are welcome to donate to the Kindergarten basket. We have 142 students in our school. Imagine if we could all donate an average of 3 items per student and then we could end up with nearly 500 items. That makes for many generous hampers and plenty of smiles for
the recipients. Thank you once again for your support.

ICAS Results

The final packs have arrived by mail, and we plan to present the last of the ICAS certificates at the upcoming Year 3 Showcase on Friday, 9th December (new date). 

Congratulations to the many students who took up the challenge and sat these national and international assessments. We are all very proud of your efforts and achievements.

Well done Fred Fowler, Evie Howes, Eamon McCormack, Talei Gill-Navatu, Van Smith, Brooklyn Stubbings, Yari Howes, Indigo Dowd, Ayce Harley, Christian Hoffman, Eloise King, Landan Faulks, Kymani Gill-Navatu, Carter Hudson, and Morgan Studd.

Covid Update

You may be aware of an increased number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the broader community. Please be reminded that students and staff CANNOT attend school if they are showing any symptoms of Covid 19. 

Students who are unwell

If a student is unwell, displaying any COVID-19 or cold and flu-like symptoms at any time, they CANNOT attend school and should undertake a rapid antigen test. 

If the rapid antigen test is positive and the student is unwell and/or experiencing any symptoms, they CANNOT attend school.

If the rapid antigen test is positive and the student is not feeling unwell and not displaying or experiencing any symptoms, they CAN attend school under the following conditions:

• the School Office is informed of the positive test result, AND
• the student (over 12 years old) wears a mask for a period of 7 days in all indoor settings.

Should you require any RAT kits please contact Lani in the School Office and these will be sent out to you.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Every year as a school community we like to support the Kyogle branch of the St Vincent De Paul Society with items for their Christmas hampers. These hampers go to people in the local area who are experiencing hardships during the Christmas period. Please refer to the list below and many thanks for your support again this year.

Book Fair

This week the Book Fair is operating from the School Library. It will wrap up on Friday. Students will visit with their class during the week to see what books are on sale. There is a '2 for 1 offer', so it's a great opportunity to purchase books for Christmas. 

It will be open for everyone during the following times:

Wednesday 30th November:       12.30pm-3pm
Thursday 1st December:               8am-9am
Friday 2nd December:                   8am-9am   

Cash and EFTPOS will be available.

Library News

Borrowing has now ended for this year so we are asking students to return all library books asap. Please look around the house, under beds, in cupboards for any home readers that might be hiding away also.

Invoices will be sent out for any lost books.

Bus Travel Information

Transport for NSW information and application portal at transportnsw.info is designed to help families find all their travel information in the one place.
SCHOOL TRAVEL APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 ARE NOW OPEN: Parents are asked to plan ahead and make sure their child has a valid School Travel Pass from the start of the 2023 school year.
 A new application will need to be submitted if students are applying for a school travel pass for the first time or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (eg joint custody). Students who need a school travel pass for 2023 can  apply now.
 Students who change address or school, should update or renew their details before the end of Term 4, (eg progressing to Year 7). This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. All students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are eligible for free bus travel. If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their Year, (eg progressing to Year 3), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
 Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
 Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
 For some families, last minute changes to school enrolments mean they may not have a Travel Pass for the start of the new term. In this instance, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs. Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. To best support bus operators, we encourage all students to have a valid travel pass, as early as possible, from the start of the new school year.

CompassTix

Year 5 families - Purchase Year 6 2023 shirts. Orders close this Friday 2nd December. 

Whole School - Parents can register to assist with Swimming Carnival duties. Closes Wednesday 7th December.

BPay - Preferred Payment Option

Account Payments - For families wishing to make one off or regular payments to your Fee Account, our preferred payment option is BPAY. 

The school's BPAY Biller Code is:   395004

Individual reference numbers will appear on your statement, which is automatically emailed at the end of the month. 

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning

Focus for Week 8:  We wait in line quietly to get a drink from the bubbler and do not push in front of others because we follow the 4 SERS at St Brigid’s.

Sports News

Swimming Carnival

This week a Compass Event was posted to families for our 2022 St Brigid's Swimming Carnival to be held on Thursday 8th December. At this stage, we are seeking parent assistance for the successful running of the carnival. We ask that you nominate your intention to assist via the Compass message that was sent out earlier this week. Parents and friends are most welcome to come as spectators.

Summer Sports Trials

Congratulations to Noah Laarhoven who gained selection at the Lismore Diocesan Cricket trial last week. Noah will now attend the Polding selection trials in Lismore on Friday 10th February, 2023.  

Jans Bucket Club

Our beautiful and creative Jan Seymour runs art and craft workshops for K-6 students over the school holidays. A great way to use your creative kids vouchers!

Registration details are below.  

Consent and Respectful Relationships

Happy Birthday to You

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

3rd December - Emma Farrah, Danny Kennedy, Billy Kennedy

4th December - Indigo Dowd

5th December - Hannah Kennelly

6th December - Braythe Batemen

Student Awards

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

Kindergarten Transition:-  Elvie Ernst, Rylie-Jane Rankin

Kindergarten:- Emma Nugent, Eliza Knight

Year 1:- Frankie Lindsay, Gloria Rogin

Year 2:- Kymani Navatu-Gill, Lola Lindsay, Nate Jones, Summer Duley

Year 3:- Mia Glover, Ben Price, Ted Standfield

Year 4:- Yari Howes, Carter Hudson

Year 5:- Dominic Bennett, Loretta Faulks

Year 6:- 

Principal Awards: - Year 3 and Year 4

MJR Awards: Not presented - limited time

Upcoming Dates

NOVEMBER

Wednesday 30th - Year 6 Graduation Liturgy & Dinner, 6pm

DECEMBER 

Monday 5th December - Class Step Up Day

Tuesday 6th - Student Leadership Speeches, 9:45am

Wednesday 7th - Christmas Pageant, 5pm onwards

Thursday 8th - School Swimming Carnival

Friday 9th - Year 3 Showcase  and 'Christmas Colours' Day

Tuesday 13th - End of Year Mass & Awards, 9:30am

Thursday 15th - Year 6 Showcase

Friday 16th - Rewards Day / Last day of the year for students