Newsletter Term 2 Week 10 (Wednesday 28 June 2023)
Our Front Page with Mrs Seymour
Every Tuesday our creative students have been gifted with the presence of Mrs Jan Seymour, for arts and craft sessions. One of our Kindergarten students described Mrs Seymour as looking like a rainbow. What they didn't realise was the pots of gold that Mrs Seymour was helping our students to create. Take a look at some of their wonderful creations.
Our Gospel Reflection
In our Gospel this Sunday, Matthew outlines the reward of hospitality offered to Jesus’ followers. In the Gospel, Jesus explains the difficulties of discipleship, yet reveals that those who welcome the disciples have also welcomed him.
Today’s Gospel also highlights for us the importance of hospitality in the Christian life. To welcome another in Jesus’ name is to extend hospitality to Jesus himself. We have many opportunities in our daily life to reach out to others, to be a welcoming presence and a sign of God’s love.
The community that the author of Matthew lived in knew that living as Jesus' disciples was not always simple or easy. This is why Jesus says such a curious thing as he prepares the twelve for their mission: "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt 10:34). Jesus isn't advocating violence, just simply predicting how people will likely react to the values and way of life of his followers. He is speaking metaphorically to emphasise the extreme demands of discipleship. What are the challenges you face in being a disciple today, and how might you rely on other disciples to strengthen you for the important road ahead?
From Our Principal
As we approach the end of what has been an incredibly rich and full Term 2, I am encouraged by last Sunday’s Gospel. In the reading from Matthew last Sunday, Jesus tells his disciples to “not be afraid”(Matt 10:26). This declaration to ‘be not afraid’ appears 366 times throughout the entirety of the Bible. Clearly, this is a message that is important for us to listen to. We pray that the upcoming term break be a time of rest, renewal, and reflection for members of our community. We eagerly await the opportunities that Term 3 will bring. Until then, let us remember that God truly knows and loves us, that"every hair on your head has been counted" by Him and that we are always under the protective wing of our Father in heaven.
Welcome to St Brigid's
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the following people who have recently taken up positions here at our school.
April Williams - has commenced work as our School Cleaner replacing Sandra Ibbertson who was in the role for 16 years. April has many years of experience in the cleaning business and also currently works at Hyde and Seek, a local pressure cleaning business.
Sally Griffiths - today we welcome Sally as our new Year 5 classroom teacher. Sally has taught at Manifold Public School, Casino Public School and most recently Sally was the Assistant Principal at The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School, Tenterfield. She has also held the roles of responsibility as Inquiry Learning Leader, Numeracy Leader, Choir Coordinator and Dance Concert Coordinator. Sally is an excellent classroom teacher and goes well and beyond to build strong relationships in her classroom with the students and their families. Sally has a very consistent behavioural management style and has high expectations for all learners in her class.
Jessie Moulynox - Social Futures are delighted to announce Jessie as the new Family Connect In Schools worker for St Brigid's. Jessie comes with a wealth of skills and experience; she has a degree in Theology and a Diploma in Community Services and her most recent work history is with Brighter Futures Family Preservation Program in Ballina. Jessie will commence her role in our school during the upcoming July holidays.
We extend a warm welcome to April, Sally and Jessie to our St Brigid's School Community and look forward to the many skills and experiences that you have that will benfit all who attenf St Brigid's.
Semester One Reports
Our Semester 1 Academic Reports were released to families last Monday 26th of June. I would like to acknowledge the significant work of our teachers to assess and compile these reports.
With the move to the new K-2 English and Mathematics curricula, there have been some necessary changes to the structure of the K-2 reports. To provide clarity for our parents on the nature of the reports, we have composed two documents outlining how to understand report grades. These were both included in last week's newsletter.
Reports Feedback
With the changes in the NSW Curriculum, the Catholic Schools Office is facilitating a working party to guide the system approach to semester report structures. This will guide what flexibility there is at the school level in relation to reports. When the guidelines arising from the working party are released, we will communicate these with families. We will then seek feedback from parents in relation to any flexible elements of the reports.
3 Way Conferences
Our 3 Way Conferences involving parents, carers, student and teacher will be held in Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 3. The Year 5 Conferences will be held in Week 1 and the remainder of the school community will take place in Week 2. Your child's attendance at these meetings is essential. It is an opportunity to share successes and engage in discussions about their learning improvement areas. This active involvement is a key part of making these conversations productive and meaningful. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss your child's learning with you.
Bookings will be open from Thursday June 29.
Term 3 Calendar
A hard copy calendar outlining all of the important dates for Term 3 was sent home with all children today. Please place it in a prominent place in your home and refer to and to it as we move through the third term.
School Uniform
With holidays quickly approaching, some families will be looking to freshen up haircuts, uniforms or perhaps even school shoes. Please remember that any new school shoes purchased should be black soft polishable leather or all black!! All children are expected to be in fully balck school shoes at the start of next term.
Returning to school, we do ask students to remove any holiday nail polish or fake nails and jewellery other than a watch and sleepers or stud earrings.
Uniforms promote student safety but also a sense of community and equality as they create an ‘equal playing field’ for our students. We appreciate your support in helping your child understand this and continuing to wear their uniform with pride.
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 1 for the 3rd time this term with a weekly attendance average of 95.3%. 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%)
Week 8: 83.7% - Year 5 (91.2%), Year 2 (89.3%), Year 6 (86.4%)
Week 9: 84.7% - Year 1 (95.3%), Year 4 (92.2%), Year 3 and 5 (89.1%)
It is essential that every student is at school on every day as attendance matters to support your child's learning.
Assistant Principal News - Mission
Congratulations Lilliana:
We extend our congratualations to Lilliana Knight who received the sacrament of Confirmation last Wednesday evening. Lilliana was away when Year Three students made the sacrament at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish so she joined the St Carthage's Parish at the Cathedral.
Rug Up, Snug Up!
On Tuesday, 18th July all students are to come to school in warm casual clothes for our Rug Up, Snug Up Day. Students are encouraged to wear beanies, scarves and anything else to keep warm. We ask that students bring in an item to donate to our Mini Vinnie's Winter Appeal. Blankets, coats and warm clothing are needed at our local Vinnie's shop. In addition to bringing in an item to donate, students can also purchase a hot chocolate for $2.00. Funds raised will go to those in need. Thank you for supporting this Mini Vinnie's initiative.
NAIDOC DAY:
We will celebrate NAIDOC on Thursday, 20th July here at St Brigid's. Students are encouraged to wear NAIDOC colours and/or patterns on the day. This year's theme is For Our Elders. Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. There will be a liturgy at 12.00 pm and activities to follow. We look forward to seeing you there!
Kelli-Ann Bugden Assistant Principal - Mission
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
Focus for Week 10: I know I can make choices about the games I play at recess and lunch.
From the Wellbeing Team...
This week’s strength is PRUDENCE.
Prudence describes the strength of being careful and cautious, and of not taking unnecessary risks. As we head into the winter school holidays, this week’s strength may be a timely reminder to take
care when playing at home and in the community. Consider potential risks before participating in new or challenging activities, and remember to take care and to exercise caution to keep yourself, and others, safe.
Is Prudence a particular strength that belongs to you or someone close to you? Take a moment to
acknowledge the strength of Prudence in yourself and those around you, and consider how it
enriches life for you and many others.
Sports News
Zone Athletics will be held on Thursday 27th July, 2023, at Woodlawn Catholic College, for those students who have progressed to this stage. Parents will receive a Compass event to action soon.
Happy Birthday to You
Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week and over the school holidays:
June
29th - Mia Glover
July
6th - Ava Price
12th - Ruby-Grace Walker
14th - Emma Nugent
20th - Milla Flanagan
Student Awards - Term 2 Week 9
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly last Friday afternoon:
Kindergarten:- Tessa Stubbings, Angus Walters
Year 1:- Zion Dowd, Nicholas Stubbings
Year 2:- Frankie Lindsay, Louise Calvey
Year 3:- Lilliana Knight, Danny Kennedy, Ella Garred
Year 4:- Charli Scofield-Godfrey, Adam Bryant, Jacqui Smith, Millea Rixon, Harry Nugent
Year 5:- Emmelyne Whiting, Carter Hudson
Year 6:- Noah Rixon, Aleyah Frith
Principal's Awards:- Gloria Rogin, Abigail Allen
Upcoming Dates
June
29th - Rewards Day
29th - Applications for Kindergarten 2024 due
30th - Last day Term 2
July
17th - First Day Term 3
18th/19th - Parent-Teacher interviews - Year 5 only
20th - NAIDOC Celebrations
24th/25th - Parent-Teacher interviews - K to 4 & Yr 6
26th - Grandparents Day Liturgy 12.15pm Parish Hall
27th - Zone Athletics
31st - Stage 2 camp Tallebudgera
Jan's Bucket Club
