Newsletter Term 1 Week 6 (Wednesday 9th March 2023)

Staff Professional Development Day

On Monday 6th of March, the staff of St Brigid's joined with the staff of Our Lady Help of Christians, South Lismore to work with Dr Dan White from Sydney. Dan is very well known throughout the educational environment for his work as the former Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Archdiocese of Hobart. He is the author of 8 books that focus on pedagogy within the RE Classroom.

This was the focus of our day to develop an understanding of the DEEP pedagogical framework, with special reference to the RE classroom. Through a variety of teaching strategies and methods Dan was able to take all participants on a wonderful journey back in time and to put into context the world of 1st Century Palestine, the time when Jesus walked on this earth as human. It was a great day of learning, collaboration and exploring!!

Staff Development Day

Our Gospel Reflection

On this Sunday and the next two Sundays, we break from reading the Gospel of Matthew to read from John’s Gospel. The Gospel of John is the only Gospel not assigned to a particular liturgical year. Instead, readings from John’s Gospel are interspersed throughout our three-year liturgical cycle.

In today’s Gospel, the dialogue between Jesus and a woman from Samaria is among the most lengthy and most theological found in Scripture. The most startling aspect of the conversation is that it happens at all. Jesus, an observant Jew of that time, was expected to avoid conversation with women in public. The animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans should have prevented the conversation as well. The woman herself alludes to the break from tradition: “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” Yet Jesus not only converses with the woman, he also asks to share her drinking vessel, an action that makes him unclean according to Jewish law.

The high point of the conversation is when Jesus reveals himself to her as the Messiah. His answer to the Samaritan woman’s questions about worship is meant to predict a time when worshiping in truth and spirit will become the way to worship.

After the conversation, the Samaritan woman becomes a disciple. Even though she is an outcast and not a Jew, she returns to her town to lead others to Jesus and to wonder whether she has found the Messiah. The Samaritan townspeople return with her to meet Jesus for themselves, and many are said to come to believe in him.

The Samaritan woman has no idea of who Jesus is and what living water he is referring to, but she stays and listens. She comes to believe in Jesus and goes to tell others about the Messiah. John uses her as a role model for those who believe.

Look inside the well of faith within you. How deep is that well? Do you thirst for a deeper relationship with Jesus? Are you ready to share the Good News with others? Jesus invites each of us to join with him in a personal relationship. All we have to do is ask. Begin your relationship with Jesus by praying:

Jesus, you are the Messiah, the annointed one. I am thirsty.......quench my thirst

.

From Our Principal

At St Brigid's we are committed to continuous improvement for all of our students. For 2023, as a part of our School Annual Improvement Plan (SAIP) we are working towards goals in the key areas of Mission, Learning and Teaching and Pastoral Care.  Our key goals in the respective focus areas are as follows:-

Mission

• To maintain the mission and identity of the Catholic school through our faith traditions and celebrations.
• To provide intentional and ongoing faith and spiritual formation opportunities for all school community members- students, staff and families.

Learning and Teaching

• Students and staff will develop assessment literacy to improve outcomes in Reading.
• Students and staff will develop assessment literacy to improve outcomes in Numeracy.

Pastoral Care

• To enhance relationships and engagement within our school community to ensure students feel safe and supported.

As we progress through this year we will keep families informed of our progress and how they can support our goals.

NAPLAN 2023

This year NAPLAN tests will be conducted this Term as opposed to Term 2. These tests will take place next Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th of March. The change from the original Term 2 dates to Term 1 will allow earlier identification and intervention for students needing support in literacy and numeracy.

You can find a detailed brochure below  provided by  ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment And Reporting Authourity)

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Congratulations to all families who presented their children so beautifully for the Sacrament of Reconciliation last night in Our Lady of Sorrows Church. The way in which they were presented to Fr Erick and conducted themselves was an absolute credit to you all as parents and as a family as a whole.

Many thanks to Miss Bugden, Mrs Jansen and Mrs Schneider for your work, preparation and organisation in making this a memorable occassion on their young spiritual journey.

Parent / Teacher Interviews

As outlined in the Term Calendar, our Term 1 Parent and Teacher Interviews will take place on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd of March. These interviews are an integral form of school and home working together to ensure the success of every learner here at St Brigid's. Further information including an online booking form will be sent out in next week's newsletter. Please note that the Kindergarten Parent Teacher Interviews will be conducted in Weeks 9 and 10 of this term. These are later so that we have the Best Start Assessment feedback to share with families. 

Personal Planning and Deadly Cultural Planning Meetings

Personalised Planning and Deadly Cultural Planning (Indigenous Students) Meetings will occur during Weeks 8, 9 and 10 of this term. Those who are invited to be part of these meeting will be notified in the coming weeks. These meetings are conducted to discuss adjustments to student, learning or wellbeing as well as goal setting for the semester. More information to follow.

Assistant Principal News - Learning

WOW Wall

In my office I have a wall of students' work samples that I have collected from visits to classrooms. Students may have been working on a particular goal or were really proud of their achievements within that particular lesson. Each week I will  publish a photograph of a piece of work from a classroom and the student who owns the work can see me on Thursday morning for a small reward.

This week I was really proud of Michael who was working on speech marks in his writing. Congratulations on your writing Michael!

NAPLAN

Below is the timetable for NAPLAN next week. As mentioned previously, please send in a pair of earbuds/headphones for the testing period. Please let your child’s classroom teacher know if you don't have any. 

The students will sit four assessments across the three days and catch up testing will be available if they are absent from school.

Vanessa Walters                                                                                                                                                                            Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Assistant Principal News - Mission

Last night 13 Stage Two students experienced the wonderful sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. The students have been learning and preparing for the scarament in their classrooms and had a retreat in the school hall yesterday. Fr Erick made the students feel comfortable and at ease as they confessed their sins and were forgiven. A huge thank you to Mrs Jansen and Mrs Schneider who prepared the students so beautifully for the sacrament and ensured the students had a deep understanding that God always forgives. 

Congratulations to Danny, Summer, Ella, Morgan, Ruby, Byron, Fletcher, Elsie, Emma, Ted, Ayce, Harry and Lilliana. You all looked sensational and watching you make this sacrament was very special. 

Kelli-Ann Bugden                                                                                                                              

Assistant Principal - Mission

My New Gallery

Parent Forum AGM

The Parent Forum AGM will be held on Tuesday 14th March at 6pm in the School Library. You are all invited to come along whilst your children are enjoying the School Disco in the Parish Hall. The 2023 committee members will be announced at the end of the voting process.  A nomination form is attached to this newsletter. Our current Constitution stipulates that an Executive Member of the Forum can hold their position for 2 consecutive years but for no longer than 4 consecutive years in the same position.

We are looking forward to a positive year ahead and to working with you in your child’s educational journey. A nomination form is attached and hard copies are also available from the School Office. Nomination forms will also be available at the AGM.

Congratulations

The community of St Brigid's extends a warm welcome and huge congratulations to Nathan, Belinda & Harper Grieve on the birth of their son and brother, Cormack. 

School Attendance

School Disco

Family Connect Services

A Message from Nikki Devine our Family Connect Worker

As your school’s Family Connect worker, I am here to support families to access the services they might need to help their family thrive. I can assist families in a wide range of areas including NDIS, housing, counselling, parenting programs, supporting parents of children with anxiety through mental health struggles, family violence, addiction services and many other services that families may need from time to time.

I have a background in social work and youth work and have worked extensively in community projects. I am a qualified practitioner in many programs including Mental health first aid, Bringing up great kids and Tuning into Teens.

I care deeply about promoting family wellbeing and can help families access a wide range of support services. I welcome any of our parents/carers to make contact with me if they would like more information about the help and support I can provide.

Nikki 0429 216 841 or Nicole.devine@socialfutures.org.au

From the Wellbeing Team

This week’s strength is: HOPE

Hope is the ability to be optimistic, future-minded, and future-orientated. Hope is a strength that can help to carry us through difficult times, and encourage us to look ahead to a future in which life might be better.

Is hope a strength that belongs to you or someone in your family? How does hope help you or your
loved ones handle life when a challenging situation or event feels tough, unfair, or inescapable?
If you or someone in your family is particularly good at being hopeful, take a moment to
acknowledge this strength and congratulate yourself or your loved one!

Headspace

Headspace Lismore offers free support services for the young people of our local community aged between 12 and 25. These supports focus on mental health and wellbeing, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drugs services, connections to education, employment and more! Support is also offered in Casino and Kyogle, so young people and their families don't have to travel to Lismore for services. headspace Lismore operates on a "no wrong door" policy, which means no young person will be turned away without being supported to access other services in our outside of headspace.                                                                                                                                                         

Headspace Lismore also runs a variety of free and accessible groups to build social connection for our local young people. Groups that are currently running include:- Fresh Fruits. (16-25).- Media Hub. (16-25).- Mini Fruits. (12-15).- Social Hub. (12-15).- Young Peoples' Advisory Committee (12-25).

Headspace Lismore has a strong focus on engaging with local communities through facilitating workshops and presentations and supporting collaborative community events. Their Yarn Safe Worker is also available to have a confidential yarn with Aboriginal and Torress Strait Island young people and their mob.

If you would like further information or support from headspace Lismore, please see the attached information, visit their website ( https://headspace.org.au/headspacecentres/lismore/) or contact them directly on 02 6625 0200. If you are in an emergency situation or need immediate assistance, contact mental health services or emergency services on 000. If you need to speak to someone urgently, call Kids HelpLine 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline 13 11 14.  

School Fees

School fees for Term 1 have now been billed. No invoices are issued, however you will be able to view your account via the Compass App.

Fastpath = Home page>More (three lines on screen)>School Fees

At the end of each month, a fee statement is emailed to each Debtor.  

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

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Focus for Week 6:  We demonstrate respect and treat others with kindness both in our classrooms and when we’re playing on the yard.

Learning Assistance Program

Can You Help at St Brigid’s?

This is a call for volunteers to assist with the St Brigid’s Primary School Learning Assistance Program (L.A.P) for the school year.

L.A.P is a wonderful program that has been running at our school for over 18 years. Due to COVID restrictions we have been unable to run LAP but we are all ready to go in 2023!

You may have great skills that you could share with the children or would like to listen to children read or do other learning based activities. For example, John Harley volunteers and does gardening with a group of students in Year 5 and 6 each week. There are many children who would benefit from this great program but we can only offer it with your help.

Can you spare half an hour on a day that suits you to work with a child at St Brigid’s Primary School?

If you are interested I would love to hear from you. Please phone our School Admin Officer, Lani Campbell on 66321988 and leave your name and contact number.

If you would like more information about the L.A.P program I am happy to discuss it with you.

Loretta Morabito – Pastoral Care Coordinator                                                                                                                  

Sports News

Cross Country

A date to put on your Term calendar is the running of our 2023 St Brigid's Cross Country. This will be held on Friday 24th March with the back up day being Tuesday 28th March. Please keep on eye on future newsletters for further information.

Yours in sport,

Lee Love

Happy Birthday to You

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

March

9th - Kobi Nairne

12th - Charli Scofield-Godfrey                                                                                                    

Student Awards - Week 5, Term 1 2023

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

Kindergarten:- Tessa Stubbings, Cooper Goebel

Year 1:- Harlow Schneider, Eliza Knight

Year 2:- Frankie Lindsay, Stanley Holloway, Oscar Setnik

Year 3:- Michael Walker, Ella Garred, Eedie Batson, Harry Allen

Year 4:- Elsie Laarhoven, Lily Harris, Paityn Fear

Year 5:- Eloise Stephenson, Noah Schneider

Year 6:- Ava Price, Eamon McCormack

MJR Awards -Eamon McCormack, Noah Laarhoven, Rachel Ellis, Aleyah Frith 

Upcoming Dates

MARCH

Monday 13th - Sushi Day

Tuesday 14th - School Parent Forum AGM 6pm

Wednesday 15th to Friday 17th - NAPLAN Online for Years 3 and 5

Friday 17th - Year 1 Showcase

Thursday 30th - School Photos

Trinity Open Day