Newsletter Term 1 Week 7 (Wednesday 16th March 2023)

Our Front Page with Year One

Year 1 has been exploring the different ways we use measurement. Today we ventured outside for our learning to look at how different container shapes can affect how efficiently they can be packed and measured. 

Our Gospel Reflection

As we did last week, our reading this Sunday comes from the Gospel of John. In Sunday’s Gospel, the healing of the man born blind invites us to focus on the physical and spiritual aspects of sight and light. In the first part of the Gospel, we hear Jesus’ response to a prevalent belief of his time: that misfortune and disability were the result of sin. That belief is why Jesus is asked the question of whose sin caused the man’s blindness—his own or his parents’. Jesus does not answer directly, but instead gives the question an entirely different dimension—through this man’s disability, God’s power will be made manifest. Jesus then heals the man.

The healing is controversial because Jesus heals on the Sabbath. The Pharisees, the religious authorities of Jesus’ time, understood that the law of Moses forbade work (including healing) on the Sabbath. They also have trouble believing that Jesus performed a miracle. To determine whether the man was really born blind, the Pharisees question him and his parents. The man challenges the leaders of the synagogue about their assessment of the good that Jesus has done. In turn, they expel the man for questioning their judgment.

As in last week’s Gospel about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, Sunday’s reading has many allusions to Baptism. The washing of the man in the pool of Siloam is a prototype for Christian Baptism. Through the man’s encounter with Jesus, the man born blind is healed, his sight is restored, and his conversion to discipleship begins. The man born blind gradually comes to a greater understanding about who Jesus is and what it means to be his disciple, while the Pharisees (those who should see) are the ones who remain blind.

From Our Principal

Last night was a great night for our school community - our students participated in our first disco for the year and the AGM for our Parent Forum was conducted. Every student that I spoke to you last night and this morning had a wonderful time being entertained by DJ Statik and though it was quite warm in the Parish Hall danced the time away. Many thanks to the parents of Year 6 who were able to assist through the cooking of the bbq and ensuring that all enjoyed a great sausage sandwich. Well done to Miss Macdonald and the Year 6 class for their organisation and preparation in ensuring that all in attendance had a great night and by the sounds of it, all did!!

NAPLAN  

Today our Year 3 and Year 5 students commenced their NAPLAN assessments. This year, the students are sitting these assessments alot earlier than in previous years and this will allow the results to come back earlier so that staff can plan and develop future learning experiences. The students will sit these assessments again tomorrow (Thursday 16th) and Friday 17th.

Attendance Matters

Our school day begins at 8:55am am with students going straight into class after morning line up and prayer and begin learning. If a student is continually late this means they miss important instruction to start their school day in the most positive way.

As we can see it is important that children attend school on every day that they possibly can as every day matters in the long term. I really urge parents to think twice about allowing their children to have a "day off" as attendance really matters.

My School Website

The My School website has been updated for 2023 with new profile information on schools and the latest school-level NAPLAN data.
My School provides data on schooling right across Australia, helping parents, schools and governments to understand the performance of schools. It’s an important resource for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s schooling. As well as providing an overview of approach and focus of the school, parents and carers can also find information on student and teacher numbers, attendance rates, financial information and NAPLAN results. It also provides teachers with important insights into school performance, supporting and driving improvements across the nation.
The 2023 My School update includes the following:

• 2022 school profile and population data
• 2022 school attendance data
• 2022 NAPLAN results for schools
• 2021 school financial information, including capital expenditure and funding sources
• 2021 post-school destinations data.
  

Student progress data for 2020 – 2022 is not available following the cancellation of NAPLAN in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, parents can still view NAPLAN performance data relative to Socio-Educational Advantage by school on the NAPLAN results page.
My School’s Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) indicates the average educational advantage of the school’s students and is calculated using information about a parent’s occupation and education, school geographical location and the proportion of Indigenous students. A school’s ICSEA value is provided to encourage taking socio-educational advantage
into account when comparing school achievement.

My School shows a decline in students’ attendance during Semester 1 and Term 3 2022, but this can be attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak, high influenza outbreaks and floods experienced in some regions of Australia during that time. To have a look at the St Brigid’s Primary profile and results, go on the My School website and search for “Kyogle” in the
search field.

Take care and have a wonderful week,

Tony

Assistant Principal News - Learning

Ready4Learning 

R4L is a Pre-Kindergarten program that is run at St Brigid’s on a Friday from 9.30-1pm for children who will begin Kindergarten in 2024. This program is offered in Terms 2 and 3 for the whole community and in Term 4 we move to full days where it becomes our transition program for children starting Kindergarten at St Brigid’s in 2024. An information night is being held on Thursday 30th March in our school library. Bookings are essential for this program as positions will be limited. Phone Lani in our office to book your child into our R4L program.

WOW Wall

This week I was really proud of Harper in Year 1 who was working on friends of tens in Mathematics. 

Congratulations on your Mathematical thinking Harper!

Vanessa Walters                                                                                                                                                                             Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Assistant Principal News - Mission

In our busy world, children are bombarded at an early age with noises, stimuli, and a message to keep busy. As a result, our consistent fast pace can detract from our ability to be still and silent with God. One of the ways to regain this is by teaching students the practice of Christian Meditation.

Christian Meditation is a simple way of silent prayer practiced by Christians as early as the fourth century. Children are natural meditators and readily open their hearts and minds to God’s presence within and around them. Over time, as we develop a regular practice, meditation changes us. 

After recess, every student at St Brigid's particpates in meditation. It allows students to be calm and still after a busy play time and build a relationship with Jesus. Students meditate on the mantra maranatha, which translates to 'come Lord.' 

Kelli-Ann Bugden                                                                                                                           

Assistant Principal - Mission

My New Gallery

Parent Forum AGM

It was great to see so many parents attend the Parent Forum AGM last night whilst their children enjoyed the fun of our school disco. Mrs JAnita Thompson from the Family and Partnerships Team of the CSO addressed the meeting outlining the role and descriptions of the Forum Executive. Following nominations and elections we congratulate the following people were elected to lead our Parent Forum for 2023:-

Chairperson - Claire Knight                   Assistant Chairperson - Krystal-Lee Hyde

Secretary - Ali Goldthorpe                      Treasurer - Hayley Kennedy

We thank Gemma Habchi (Chairperson) and Ashling Aherne (Treasurer) for their work in their respective roles in 2022 and look forward to their ongoing involvement in our school forum.

Along with the Executive, the following new teams were established with the following people nominating themselves to be a part of these teams. It is important to note that any one of our school community can nominate to be a member of each team

Parent Forum Publicity - Ali Goldthorpe, Danni Howes, Gemma Habchi, Travis Musicka

Uniform Shop - Stacey Newman, Ashling Aherne, Pam Studd, Nicola Dowd

Canteen - Majella Draper, Nicola Dowd, Sebastian Anthony, Pam Studd, Ali Goldthorpe

Parent Assembly - Gemma Habchi, Stacey Newman, Majella Draper, Belinda Grieve, Natalie Marychurch, Nicola Dowd, Hayley Kennedy, Danni Howes, Cassie Allen

Fundraising / Social Team - Tara Laarhoven, Gemma Habchi, Natalie Marychurch, Stacey Newman, Majella Draper, Sebastian Anthony, Travis Musicka, Belinda Grieve, Tanya Piggott, James Dowd

Class Parents - Jo Kelly, Gemma Habchi, Jess Rixon

Social Justice - Danni Howes, Majella Draper, Kelli-Ann Bugden, Natalie Marychurch, Krystal-Lee Hyde

As mentioned above all members of our school community can nominate to be a member of a respective team as all members of our school community are members of the Parent Forum. 

All parents are invited to attend Forum meetings where we discuss school and community events and plan for future gatherings and fundraising. We meet in the school library on the Tuesday of Weeks 3 and 7 each term, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Miss Bugden co-ordinates a "student forum" to allow parents to attend each meeting whilst their children conduct their own activities. The upcoming dates for the 2023 meetings are as follows:

Term 2 - Tuesday 9th May and Tuesday 6th June

Term 3 - Tuesday 1st August and Tuesday 29th August

Term 4 - Tuesday 24th October and Tuesday 21st November

Please keep a look out in upcoming newsletters for further information.

2023 Class Parents

Many thanks to the following people who have accepted the role of Class Parents for their respective classes for this year:-

Kindergarten: Belinda Grieve, Ashling Ahern
Year 1: Claire Knight, Kelly Keed
Year 2: Natasha Allan, Athelea Aquilina
Year 3: Ali Goldthorpe, Claire Knight, Kelly Keed
Year 4: Jessica Rixon, Lara Farrah
Year 5: Dani Howes, Gemma Habchi
Year 6: Krystal-Lee Hyde, Stacey Wimble

An email has been sent out by our Class Parents Co-ordinator, Jo Kelly to hold a planning meeting where we can answer any questions you may have, discuss ideas for class events, and establish some dates for upcoming activities.

Please keep a look out for information from your Class Parent!!

From the Wellbeing Team

This week’s strength is: KINDNESS

Kindness is the ability to be generous, nurturing, caring, compassionate and altruistic. Is kindness a particular strength belonging to you or someone in your family? How does kindness help you or your loved ones to handle life?

If you or someone in your family is particularly good at being kind, take a moment to acknowledge this strength and congratulate   yourself or your loved one!

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Focus for Week 7:    We demonstrate respect and treat others with kindness both in our classrooms and when we’re playing on the yard.

2023 Ready 4 Learning

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                                                                                                                  

Stormbirds

Dear Families,

Just a reminder that St. Brigid’s is offering the Stormbirds Program to students in 2023. This is a small group program based on the belief that change, loss and grief are a normal and natural art of life. 

If you feel that your child might benefit from Stormbirds, please nominate your interest via the link below. If your child is nominated, a Permission Form and Information Letter further outlining the Program will be sent home with your child. 

https://forms.gle/dAtxSm5uT1JNrLNB9

Kind Regards,

Sereena Zanuso, Student Support Worker. 

Sports News

Cross Country

 Date: Friday 24th March

Time:  The carnival will commence at 9:30 am and conclude at 11:55am. The students must then return to school for a normal school day.

Venue: Kyogle High School Oval (8yrs-12yrs)

Transport: Students are to arrive at school at the regular time (8:30am – 8:50am). Attendance will be checked and students will then walk down to the Kyogle High School Oval with their classroom teacher. At the conclusion of the event all students will walk back to school with their classroom teacher.

Students: Kindy and year 1 or (5-7 year olds) will remain at school and will run a modified track on the school oval Friday morning 24th at 10:15am for any parents wanting to attend

Parent Helpers would be greatly appreciated at cross country at the high school oval.

All parents are welcome to watch their children at either Venue on the day.

Fruit/Recess: Students will be required to bring their lunch to school as normal.  Students in Years 2-6 will take their fruit/recess down with them to the Cross Country and eat when they are not participating in their event. 

Timetable

The times below are approximate guides and these may vary on the day. We will try and move students through the events efficiently on the day.

Yours in sport,

Lee Love

Happy Birthday to You

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

March

13th - Byron & Fletcher Cameron-Keed

20th - Elvii Ernst

21st - Summer Duley

Student Awards - Week 6, 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:- Harper Grieve, George Schottelius

Year 1:- Raph Hudson, Liam Bowden 

Year 2:- Hamish Laarhoven

Year 3:- Summer Duley, Lola Lindsay, Kobi Dever, Nerida Phillips

Year 4:- Benjamin Price,  Mia Glover 

Year 5:- Hannah Kennelly, Parker Kennedy 

Year 6:-  Tess Cannington, Loretta Faulks 

MJR Awards - Brett Argall, Van Smith, Eamon McCormack, Tess Cannington

Upcoming Dates

MARCH

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

Friday 17th - Year 1 Showcase

Thursday 30th - School Photos                                                                                                                       Ready 4 Learning Information Night @ 6pm

April 

6th - Last day of Term One

7th - Good Friday

Trinity Open Day