Newsletter Term 1 Week 9 (Wednesday 29th March 2023)

Our Front Page with Year Three

This term in Year 3 we have been learning about the different writing styles and techniques that authors use to make their stories descriptive and entertaining.

This week our focus has been ‘Hyperboles’...a hyperbole uses exaggeration to enhance a story. Our writing task was to use a hyperbole to describe how hot it has been. We hope you enjoy reading our examples.

It was so hot Mrs Jansen’s hair turned into ashes and the leftover of her birthday cake melted. By Harry 

It was so hot at home the trees shrivelled up and it felt like I was wearing a million trillion billion thousand jumpers. By Eedie

It was so hot there was sweat dripping from my ears. By Ella

It was so hot yesterday I could cook steak on the school yard. By Judah

It was so hot that even the fridges melted. By Fletcher

 It was hot, so hot it could unfreeze Antartica. By Morgan

It was so hot, even the fish were sweating. By Summer

Our Gospel Reflection

This Sunday we begin Holy Week, the days during which we journey with Jesus on his way of the cross and anticipate his Resurrection on Easter. Sunday’s liturgy begins with the procession with palms to remind us of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. The events of Jesus’ Passion are proclaimed in their entirety in the Liturgy of the Word. Those events will be proclaimed again when we celebrate the liturgies of the Triduum—Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, and the Easter Vigil.

During these days of Holy Week, we prepare ourselves for Easter by prayerful reflection upon the events of Jesus’ Passion and death. You might display a crucifix in a prominent place this week, as reminder of the salvation Christ won for us. The crucifix can also be the focal point for family prayer during Holy Week.

Because of the length and complexity of the Passion narrative, young children have difficulty remaining attentive when it is proclaimed in its entirety. Families can choose to read a portion of this Sunday’s Gospel each day of Holy Week, providing ample opportunity for children to ask questions and respond to the events described there. In this way, the entire week can become a “way of the cross.”

Each day during Holy Week, the family can gather in a prayerful space with a crucifix as the focal point. The Passion as found in Matthew’s Gospel might be read as follows throughout the week:

After reading from the Gospel each night, the family might reflect on the reading together. Conclude your prayer time together by praying the Lord’s Prayer and/or singing an appropriate hymn, such as“Were You There?”

From Our Principal

In order for students to succeed academically, attendance at school is seen as an absolute priority. Over the past 2 years we have seen many disruptions to our learning patterns through Covid, floods and our own personal circumstances. Studies have been conducted and show the correlation between attendance and academic growth.

In 2018, the national attendance rate for primary students was 93% with little difference between boys and girls (92.8% and 93.3%, respectively). As of today, our school attendance rate is sitting at 89.8%%. The government has set a target of 90% attendance for all pupils. This rate allows for periods of illness or particular circumstances when absence from school is unavoidable.

From a recent study conducted, the reasons for non-attendance can be many and varied and can include:

• parents of young children (Kindergarten to Year 2) do not think it is important for them to attend regularly at that age
• parents did not have a good experience of school themselves and do not see the importance of attendance
• attendance data is misunderstood by parents – while 90% may be good as a mark in a test, in attendance terms it means one day a fortnight being missed
• basic routines are not in place at home, leading to lateness, which can lead to non-attendance through embarrassment or frustration
• parents cannot get their secondary-age children to come to school, even though they understand the importance of attendance
• families taking holidays during school time
• older pupils’ non-attendance is affecting their younger siblings – the whole family stops attending
• the pupil is a young carer
• there are financial barriers, for example parents being unable to afford transport to school or school uniform
• pupils are anxious about attending school
• parents feel generally anxious around other people, or have fallen out with other parents, sometimes on social media, and do not want to encounter them while bringing their child to school

We want to work with all families to ensure that all students are here at school each day to ensure that opportunities for learning are in place. If your child’s attendance rate drops below 90% we will be in touch to ascertain how we can put in areas of support.

Should you require any further information or wish to talk further, please do not hesitate to contact your child's class teacher or Mr Hunter here at school.

The bottom line is: Attendance Does Matter! 

Average for Week 8 - 89.5%                Average for Week 9- 89.8%

School Photos

As has been on the Term Calendar, tomorrow Thursday the 3oth of March is our St Brigid's School Photo Day. All students have been given envelopes and all students are required to have these back at school on and definitely by Photo Day. Any families  wishing to have a Family Photo of their children will need to pick up an envelope from Mrs Campbell at the front office. Please ensure that your child is in their full and correct School Uniform for Thursday. 

Assistant Principal News - Learning

What are Decodable Readers?

As you are aware, we have a new curriculum for English K-2. The major change in this curriculum is the way phonics is taught and the use of decodable readers. You would have noticed that the readers that are being sent home are very different to the levelled readers that previously were sent home.Kindergarten students are yet to have readers sent home, this will begin next term. 

Decodable books are simple books that are written for the beginning reader and contain the specific letter–sound correspondences students have learned. This provides learners with the opportunity to use their developing segmenting and blending skills to read words in order to develop automaticity, or the ability to recognise words quickly and effortlessly, experiencing independent reading success.

Decodable books encourage children to sound out words using decoding strategies rather than guessing from pictures or predicting from other cues. For beginning readers, the only books that are truly decodable are those that contain the alphabetic code they have learned.

Of course, decodable texts are not the only texts to be used for beginning readers. Teachers and parents should read high quality children’s literature to children that contains more complex vocabulary and sentence structures with students every day. This gives children the opportunity to hear good reading models, as well as develop the vocabulary that will support their reading development.

Vanessa Walters                                                                                                                                                                            Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching                                                                                           

Assistant Principal News - Mission

A BIG thank you for all the eggcellent donations that have come in. We have a wonderful supply of Easter treats to use as prizes for the Easter Raffle. Mini Vinnies students have volunteered to give up some of their play time to sell tickets in the raffle. Tickets are $1.00 each or 3 for $2.00.  It is not too late to make a donation if you are in the position to do so. 

The Easter raffle gives students the opportunity to be involved in social justice and give time in service, both wonderful opportunities in living and loving like Jesus. In addition to this, the money raised will contribute to our Project Compassion Campaign. 

What is Project Compassion?

Project Compassion is an initiative from Caritas Australia. Each year, Project Compassion comes as a timely reminder of the importance of solidarity and how a single act of kindness – whether big or small, can make a lifechanging impact in the lives of those who need it most. At St Brigid's we have a massion box in each classroom where students can make a donation to Project Compassion. The funds raised go to annual projects facilitated by Caritas Australia. Caritas Australia CEO - Kirsty Robertson explains how the funds raised change lives;

"Project Compassion 2023 brings us the stories of four incredibly inspiring individuals whose futures have been touched by the relentless work of our partners and by your unwavering generosity. Here is one story. Laxmi, who lives in one of the most remote communities in Nepal. After losing her father at a young age, she was vulnerable to falling further into extreme poverty. But thanks to your generosity, and the support of our partner Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child club, became a leader in her school and is now a mentor to other girls in her village. 

This year, we are also bringing you the story Thu from Vietnam who, with the support of the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development, can now earn extra income and care for his wife despite his disability. There is also the story of Priscilla from Zimbabwe. Thanks to your support, she has had the opportunity to learn conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops and farm poultry to support her family during the current food crisis. And finally, there is the story of Tereesa – a Gamilaroi woman from Western Sydney who struggled with homelessness while raising her four children. Through the Baabayn Young Mums and Bubs program, she was able to reconnect with her culture and create a better future for her children.

On behalf of everyone at Caritas Australia, I want to thank your school for
your ongoing compassion and support towards the work that we do. These
inspiring stories are living proof that your generosity can make a life-changing
impact and create better opportunities so that future generations may live to
their full potential and thrive."

Upcoming Dates:

Thursday 6th April: Sacrament of First Holy Communion @7pm in the Church. 

Thursday 6th Arpil: Whole School Holy Week Remembrance Service in the Parish Hall @ 11.30am.

Kelli-Ann Bugden

Assistant Principal - Mission

Change to Panadol Administration

The Catholic Schools Office has recently issued a directive that when a student presents to the school office and is feeling unwell or experiencing pain, a member of staff will contact their parent or guardian seeking permission to administer panadol (or other non-prescription medication such as anti-histamine). If a parent or guardian can not be contacted, the student will stay in the school sick bay, however we will not be able to give them any non-prescription pain relief medication.

Any previous permission to give non-prescription pain relief no longer applies. You will receive a phone call seeking consent, each time your child requests non-prescription medication. 

ANZAC Day 2023

The members of the Kyogle RSL sub-branch have invited all staff and students to join them in the commemoration of ANZAC Day 2023. All students are encouraged to represent our school by marching in the parade, wearing full school uniform on Tuesday 25th April.  

ANZAC Day allows us to remember and reflect on the service and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April 1915, during World War I. It also allows us to recognise and acknowledge the sacrifices of servicemen and servicewomen who have participated and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. 

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY PROGRAM

5.30am  Dawn Service at the Cenotaph

9.15am   Assemble for March, Geneva Street (opp Exchange Hotel)

9.30am  March commences through town

10am      Service and Wreath laying at Cenotaph

Parent Forum Fundraiser

Our Parent Forum "Social and Fundraising Team"  are seeking support for the catering at the Kyogle Garden Club Flower and Foliage Show to be held on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd of April. This is the last weekend of the Easter School Holidays.
 

We are organising the catering at the Kyogle Garden Show to raise funds for the Parent Forum, and we are seeking your support to make this event a success. To do this efficiently, we require helpers who can assist us in 2-hour time slots and donations of food items and supplies.

If you are able to help us, here are some ways you can contribute:

• Help us as a volunteer: We need volunteers who can assist us in 2-hour time slots across both days to help us set up, prepare food, serve customers, and clean up afterward. If you are available to help, please indicate your availability, and we will be happy to assign you a time slot that suits you.
• Donate Food Items: We are seeking food items that we can sell at our stall. These could include baked goods, cakes, slices.
• ​Donate Cooking Ingredients: Flour, Sugar, Cooking Chocolate, Eggs etc. These can be left at the school office before the 6th April.

Please indicate on the following link Parent Forum Garden Club Helpers

An updated roster will be posted regularly during the next week of school

Many thanks for your anticipated assistance and support with this fundraiser which supports the learning of all of our students.

From the Wellbeing Team

This week’s strength is: PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance is the ability to be persistent, industrious, and to finish what you start.

Is perseverance a particular strength belonging to you or someone close to you? How does perseverance help you or your loved ones to handle life?

Perseverance is a timely strength to consider as we approach the end of term 1! Perseverance is the strength we can draw on to help us stay the course and last the distance, and is often necessary if we are to achieve our goals.

Take a moment to acknowledge the strength of perseverance in yourself and others, and consider how perseverance enriches life for you and the people around you.

Seasons For Growth

Dear Families,

In 2023, St. Brigid’s will be offering the Seasons For Growth students for students affected by grief, loss and change. 

Seasons is a small group program that aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of young people who are dealing with significant life changes by exploring the impact of change and loss in their lives and learning new ways to respond to these changes. This Program is run over eight consecutive weeks with eight, approximately 45-minute sessions. Many factors can create change and loss, including:

• Loss of someone or something you love.

• Parents and families separating.

• Moving to a new place or school.

• Illness.

• Family work-life changes.

We invite parents, carers and teachers to nominate students who might benefit from the Seasons Program via the link below.

https://forms.gle/cJw7HxTNfdUigkuMA

If you, or a teacher, nominate your child to participate in Seasons For Growth, a Permission Form and Information Letter further outlining the Program will be sent home with your child.

Please note, it is recommended that anyone affected by bereavement wait 6 to 12 months before participating in the Seasons For Growth Program. 

Kind Regards,

Sereena Zanuso, Student Support Worker.

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Focus for Week 9:    We speak to everyone in our school respectfully and remember to use words that don't hurt other people's feelings.

Headspace

2023 Ready 4 Learning

Sports News

Last Friday we ran our school Cross Country. The weather wasn’t looking like it was on our side. A tiny glimpse of blue sky and it was go time. All the students put in an amazing effort on a tougher track than normal. Congratulations to the winning house Sutton taking out the victory on 306 points, 2nd place Doyle on 282 points and 3rd place Colahan on 229 points. Zone Cross Country will be held on Wednesday 3rd May at Hepburn park. For those students that have been successful, more information will follow next week.   Also a big congratulations to our champions and runners up on the day as follows-

5yrs girls

Champion - Annabelle Parker

Runner up - Harper Grieves

6yrs girls                                                    6yrs boys

Champion - Milla Flanagan               Champion - Cooper Goebel

Runner up - Kaya Hardwick              Runner up - Angus Walters

7yrs girls                                                    7yrs boys

Champion - Emily Kennelly              Champion - Zion Dowd

Runner up - Eliza Knight                    Runner up - Liam Bowden / Raph Hudson

8yrs girls                                                    8yrs boys

Champion - Ruby Farrah                   Champion - Hamish Laarhoven

Runner - Ellianna Devenish             Runner up - Stanley Holloway

9yrs girls                                                   9yrs boys

Champion - Lola Lindsay                  Champion - Michael Walker

Runner up - Summer Duley             Runner up- Danny Kennedy

10yrs girls                                                10yrs boys

Champion - Millea Rixon                  Champion - Wyatt Brown

Runner up - Alaska Argall                Runner up - Ted Standfield

11yrs girls                                                 11yrs boys

Champion - Hannah Kennelly        Champion- Parker Kennedy

Runner up - Eloise Stephenson       Runner Up - Beau Dever

12yrs girls                                                 12yrs boys

Champion - Georgia Pratt                 Champion - Carter Dowd

Runner Up - Ella Jones                       Runner Up - Noah Laarhoven

Yours in sport,

Lee Love

Library News

A big reminder about our colouring in competition. We have some great entries already, please hand these to either your class teacher or Mrs Campbell in the office. All of the students' colourings are on display in the library. Closing date for the competition is Monday 3rd April. The winners for each class, boy and girl will be announced on the last day of school Thursday 6th April.

Keep reading,                                                                                                                      Steph and Lee 

Happy Birthday to You

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

April

1st - Shaun Hill

Student Awards - Week 8, 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:- Chloe Ellis, Will Argall

Year 1:- Braith Roberts, Abigail Allen

Year 2:- Ella Walters, Emily Kennelly, Angus Wright

Year 3:- Kobe Dever, Morgan Studd

Year 4:- Harry Nugent, Charli Scofield-Godfrey

Year 5:- Indigo Dowd

Year 6:-  Chelsea Hyde, Aleyah Frith

Principal Awards: - Noah Rixon, Normy Presbury

MJR Awards - Carter Hudson

Upcoming Dates

MARCH

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

Friday 31st -             Year 5 Showcase

April 

Tuesday 4th -        Rewards Day (in-school)

Thursday 6th -      Last day of Term One

Friday 7th -            Good Friday

Mon 24th -              Term 2 begins (Pupil Free Day)

Tue 25th -                ANZAC Day - Public Holiday

Jan's Bucket Club - School Holidays

Free Parenting Course

Trinity Open Day