Newsletter Term 2 Week 8 (Wednesday 14 June 2023)
Our Front Page with Year 6
This term in English, we have been learning about connotation, imagery and symbol as a way to allow readers to emotionally connect to texts. As part of this we have learnt about figurative language and different types of sentences that author's use to enhance their texts. We have explored a range of books and identified author's word choices. We have now been creating our own texts using what we have learnt this term. We use the 'Bump it up Wall' to make our writing even better. Our writing has improved so much from the feedback we are getting from the 'Bump it up Wall' and our peers. Below are some of our texts we have created about imaginative settings. We hope you enjoy them!
Our Gospel Reflection
In Sunday's Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The signs of the kingdom's presence consist of the work that Jesus has already been doing: the sick are cured, lepers are cleansed, demons are driven out, and the dead are raised to life. The disciples are sent to continue doing the work that Jesus has begun. This is a moment of transition in Matthew's Gospel. The focus has shifted from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the community that he has inaugurated. More than any other Gospel, Matthew's Gospel elaborates on the work of the Church, which is to continue after Jesus' death and resurrection.
Every person in the Church is sent by Christ to do the work that he did. This task can seem daunting. Yet when we have learned to work together with others to achieve a common goal, we have learned something of what it means to do the work of Christ. The family is one such place in which we work with others, sharing a common task and a common goal.
As family members gather, invite each person to reflect upon their contributions to family life. Invite each one to share one or two things that they do to help keep your family life flowing smoothly. Take time to thank one another for the contributions each person makes to your family life.
Invite a family member to read aloud Sunday's Gospel, Matthew 9:36-10:8. In this Gospel, Jesus sends the disciples to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. Point out that the disciples are called to work together just as family members must work together. Pray together that your family will always work together as a family to help one another. Pray that your family can be a model for other families. Pray together the Lord's Prayer.
From Our Principal
Grandparents Day
One of the biggest celebrations that we have at St Brigid's is for our Grandparents. These people play such a special role in the lives of our families and even more so today. I see each day how much grandpaernts are supporting their grand children by dropping them off to school or picking them up. It may be that the children are excited as their grandparents are coming to visit or arrange something special.
We will be honouring all of our grandparents with a special day of celebration on Wednesday 26th July here at St Brigid's. This is the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. We invite all grandparents to set this day free if possible so as to come to our special day to honour you, thank you and be with you. There will be further information in future newsletters.
Good Luck Miss Bugden at World Youth Day
Late last year we were informed that Miss Bugden had been selected to be a part of the Lismore Diocese World Youth Day Pilgrimage. World Youth Day (WYD) is a worldwide encounter for young people aged 18 to 35 with the Pope celebrated about every three years in a different country. The first WYD was instigated by Pope John Paul II and this has been carried on by Pope Benedict XVI and now Pope Francis. The most recent WYD was celebrated in Panama City, Panamá and the next World Youth Day will be held in Lisbon, Portugal from the 1st to the 6th of August 2023. Australia hosted this very special event back in 2008 in Sydney when milliions of young people from around the world joined with Pope Benedict in a special outdoor mass at Randwick Racecourse.
Miss Bugden will join with 32 other people from the Lismore Diocese and leave on a 20 day experience that will take in WYD in Portugal. Not only will this group have the opportunity of being a part of this event they will also visit other significant sites and places that are a strong part of our Catholic faith in Spain and Portugal. We congratulate Miss Bugden who has also been appointed as one of the leaders of the Lismore representation. We wish Kelli all the very best and look forward to hearing and learning all about her experiences when she returns to school in Week 5 of Term 3.
School Uniform Reminder
Many thanks to all families who have their children presented to school each day in the full and correct school uniform. This is very much appreciated. It is very apparent that there are a number of children who are not in correct uniform wearing incorrect shoes or jumpers at this time of year.
A reminders in relation to wearing the school uniform.
- The school shoes should be black, soft, polishable leather – not suede or skate shoes. Nylon sneakers are not a part of the school uniform.
From the commencement of Term 3 it will be expected that every child is in correct uniform, including the correct black shoes. We ask for parent’s support in ensuring their children are wearing the correct school uniform each day. Should families have a concern or difficulties in adhering to this request, I ask that you come and see me so that we can work something out.
Pupil Free Day Reminders
A reminder that we have two Staff Development Days coming up in Term 3. These will be devoted to professional learning on the revised NSW Curriculum for English and Mathematics and the development of our three-year strategic plan. The dates are:
- Monday 7th August (Week 4)
- Friday 22nd September (Last day of Term 3)
Stars of the Week
This term we have introduced a new award, Stars of the Week which will be presented to the class with the best average attendance for the week. Last week the winning class was Year 6 with a weekly attendance average of 94.7%%. It is clearly evident that we have hit the cold and flu season and this is evident in our attendance for the past week.
Remember our whole school goal is 90%. The whole school average weekly attendance for this term is as follows:
Week 1: 90% - Year 6 (96.1%), Year 1 (95.6%), Year 3 (93.6%)
Week 2: 87% - Year 1 (95.3%), Year 6 (92.7%), Year 2 (90.4%)
Week 3: 89.2% - Year 4 (94.3%), Year 3 (92.3%), Year 1 (91%)
Week 4: 86.4% - Year 3 (91.4%), Year 1 (89.7%), Year 4 (87.8%)
Week 5: 85.9% - Year 1 (92%), Year 4 (90.5%), Year 3 (89.3%)
Week 6: 83.2% - Year 4 (90.1%), Year 6 (89.8%), Year 2 (87.8%)
Week 7: 83.5%- Year 6 (94.7%), Year 4 (94.4%), Year 2 (86.9%)
It is essential that every student is at school on every day as attendance matters to support your child's learning.
Assistant Principal News - Learning
Dibels Assessments
During weeks 7-9, each student from K-6 will be completing reading assessments to support teachers with where to go next with their reading development. Below are frequently asked questions for parents about the Dibels assessment. If you have any questions or would like to know how you can further support your child with their reading at home, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
What are DIBELS?
DIBELS are measures that help teachers and schools determine how students are performing on important reading skills. DIBELS stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills. These measures are designed for students in grades K-8.
What skills are measured by DIBELS and why are they important? The critical skills necessary for successful beginning reading include: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The DIBELS measures assess students on four of these five critical skills, which are often referred to as the “Big Ideas” of reading.
Which tests will be given to my son or daughter? Each student will complete the tests depending on his or her grade and the time of year. All students in school are given the DIBELS test three times each year; usually this occurs at the beginning of the year, a check in in the middle of the year and the last at the end of the year.. This school-wide testing is called benchmark assessment.
How much time does it take? Each of the DIBELS tests only takes about one minute to complete. DIBELS tests are “indicators” of the student’s overall reading status, and are not intended to be in-depth or comprehensive measures of reading. Just like using a thermometer to take your child’s temperature, which provides a quick indicator of your child’s general health, these quick DIBELS tests provide teachers with information about your child’s reading health and how well he or she is progressing on a particular early reading skill.
How will the results be used? A student’s scores on the DIBELS measures give the school information about whether or not a student is on track for grade-level reading success. A school can quickly identify students who do not meet the goals on each DIBELS measure and provide extra help to ensure your child is on track to become an accurate and fluent reader.
Vanessa Walters Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
Focus for Week 8: I know who I can go to for support with my learning and for any concerns I may have.
Weekly Focus Awards- Week 7:
Congratulations to the following students who demonstrated our weekly PBS focus last week:
Stanley Holloway, Mabel Standfield, Ayce Harley, Olivia Alvos, Zhepplin Fear
From the Wellbeing Team...
This week’s strength is JUDGEMENT.
Judgement describes the strength of being open-minded, a critical thinker*, and someone who thinks things through. Is Judgement a particular strength that belongs to you or someone close to you? Take a moment to acknowledge the strength of Judgement in yourself and those around you, and consider how this strength enriches life for you and many others.
*(A critical thinker describes someone who combines their existing knowledge with new
information in order to analyse and form an understanding of a problem or situation.)
Did you know…. that this week is INTERNATIONAL MEN’S HEALTH WEEK?
Men’s Health week is celebrated around the world to highlight the importance of the physical,
mental and emotional wellbeing of men and boys. The theme of this year’s Men’s Health Week is Healthy Habits. What small changes can individuals, and our communities, make to improve the health and wellbeing of our men and boys? For more information about what’s happening around Australia during International Men’s Health Week, visit www.westernsydney.edu.au/mens-health-week
Sports News
Athletics Carnival
Our Athletics Carnival will take place this Friday 16th June at the Kyogle High School Oval (Soccer Ground). Please action the event to enable your child to attend. Please indicate through the event, if you are able to assist in any capacity on the day.
Happy Birthday to You
Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week and over the school holidays:
June
15th - Evie Beetge
16th - Gloria Rogin, Kobe Dever
17th - Lola Lindsay
21st - Chloe Ellis
Student Awards - Term 2 Week 7
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly last Friday afternoon:
Kindergarten:- William Argall, Rylie Jane Rankin, Brodie Duley
Year 1:- Kaya Hardwick, George Marychurch
Year 2:- Oscar Setnik, Harrison Goebel
Year 3:- Kobe Dever, Caileb Hyde
Year 4:- Ayce Harley, Isaac Beetge, Adam Bryant
Year 5:- Kobi Nairne, Beau Dever
Year 6:- Chelsea Hyde, Carter Dowd
Principal's Awards:- Nicholas Stubbings, Cooper Goebel
Upcoming Dates
June
16th - School Athletics Carnival
29th - Rewards Day
29th - Applications for Kindergarten 2024 due
30th - Last day Term Two
July
26th - Grandparents Day