Newsletter Term 3 Week 7 (Wednesday 30 August 2023)

Our Front Page with Year 3...

Year 3 Love Meditation

Each day straight after recess Year 3 along with the rest of the school stop to be still, be in the presence of God and Meditate. Here’s what we feel about
Meditation.

I love meditation because:

We pray to God and think about Him. Shekinah

It helps to calm me down. Caius

We can focus on our prayer space. Nerida

It gives me a chance to speak to God. Lola

It makes us more settled. Ruby F.

It helps us get ready for learning. Liliana

We are all quiet. Danny

It gives us a quiet time to be settled and talk to God. Ella

It helps me to relax. Landan

It helps us to calm down after recess. Judah

It relaxes my body and my heart. Chance

We like to set up the prayer space and choose things that remind us of God.
Morgan

It makes me think of happy thoughts. Harry

It helps me think of Jesus and God. Kobe

It helps me settle down. Caden

It reminds me of God. Ruby D.

It makes me feel that nothing matters. Eedie

It makes me relax. Summer

It makes me calm. Michael

Our Gospel Reflection

This Sunday’s Gospel continues the story that began in last week’s Gospel. Simon Peter was called the “rock” upon which Jesus would build his Church, and yet Peter continues to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus’ identity. Now that the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his ministry: he must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised on the third day. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus rebukes him severely, calling him “Satan.” In opposing this aspect of Jesus’ mission, Peter shows that he is no longer speaking based on the revelation from God but as a human being. Jesus then teaches all of the disciples about the difficult path of discipleship: to be Christ’s disciple is to follow in his way of the cross.

Peter was expecting a Messiah that would carry out a different plan than the one Jesus had explained. Jesus was indeed the Messiah, but his life and death would show a different understanding of what it means to be the Messiah. We too have expectations of God and our own ideas about what we think God ought to be doing in our world. Like Peter we may risk limiting our image of God by thinking only in human ways. God’s plan is always more than we can ever imagine.

As you gather as a family, talk about what we expect God to be doing in our world and in our family life. Then read Sunday’s Gospel, Matthew 16:21-27. Why do you think Peter was so upset by what Jesus was saying? Notice how Jesus reprimands Peter. Do we sometimes forget to let God be God for us? That is, do we sometimes get discouraged because God doesn’t act in our world in the ways that we expect? Pray together that your family will remember that God is always working for the world’s salvation in ways that are beyond our human imaginings. Conclude by praying together The Our Father.

From Our Principal

I would just like to say thanks so much to all in our school community for your very kind words, thoughts, prayers and little gifts as I take a bit of leave to ensure that I will return in a much healthier position in 2024. It has completely overwhelmed me and please know that I will be thinking of all at St Brigid's over the coming months as we move towards the latter part of the year. I will definitely be keeping in touch with what is going on and hearing about all the wonderful things that everyone is doing in their learning.

I am very disappointed that I will be missing out on the Year 6 excursion to Sydney and Canberra but know that all will have a great time with Miss Macdonald, Miss Bugden and Mr Llewellyn. Am so grateful to John O'Brien and the school community of St Mary's, Casino for allowing Mr Llewellyn the time to accompany our school on this memorable and exciting trip.

It is so encouraging and affirming to know that our school will be in very good hands under the guidance of Mrs Walters (Acting Principal), Miss Bugden (Assistant Principal:Mission), Mrs Morabito (Leader of Pastoral Care / Additional Needs) and Miss Davis (Acting Assistant Principal:Mission) for this term. As mentioned in last week's newsletter we are currently advertising for an Acting Assistant Principal:Learning and Teaching for Term 4. As soon as this appointment is made, it will be announced to our school community. 

Father's Day

As we celebrate Father's Day this coming Sunday, I would like to extend heartfelt greetings to all the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who play such crucial roles in our lives. This special day gives us the opportunity not only to show our gratitude but also to reflect on what fatherhood truly means. In our Catholic faith, we are fortunate to have extraordinary examples of fatherhood - God the Father, and St Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Both offer timeless lessons that resonate deeply with the roles and responsibilities fathers undertake each day. 

We wish all fathers and father figures a restful and blessed Father’s Day this coming Sunday. We hope to see you at our Father’s Day Breakfast on Friday from 7:15am. Don’t forget about the Father’s Day Stall on Thursday. Lots of amazing gifts there for dad!

Kyogle Reconciliation Celebration Day

Stars of the Week

The Stars of the Week is presented to the class with the best average attendance for the week. Last week the winning class was Year 1 with a weekly attendance average of 95.5%. The great news is that our whole school average was 90.5%, the second week in a row that it has topped over 90%. Keep up the great work everyone and thanks so much to families for the way in which you are encouraging your children to attend school.

Remember our whole school goal is 90%. The whole school average weekly attendance for this term is as follows:

Week 1: 89.6% - Year 3 (97.6%), Year 6 (93.6%), Year 1 (91.8%)  

Week 2: 87% - Year 3 (97.6%), Year 6 (92.7%), Year 2 (90.4%)

Week 3: 87.5% - Year 2 (93.7%), Year 3 (93.4%), Year 6 (90.1%)

Week 4: 92.5% - Year 3 (95.2%),  Year 4 (95.0%),  Year 2 (94.5%)

Week 5: 90.5% - Year 1 (95.5%), Year 4 (94.7%), Year 5 (90.2%)

Week 6: 90.6% - Year 3 (92.5%), Year 4 (91.8%), Year 6 (91.5%)

It is essential that every student is at school on every day as attendance matters to support your child's learning.

Have a wonderful week and take care,

Tony Hunter

We Will Miss You, Mr Hunter!

The students, staff and families of St Brigid's wish Mr Hunter all the very best for his upcoming procedures and recovery. We will be gathering together to pray for Mr Hunter, the surgeons and Mr Hunter's family tomorrow morning. As a school community, we will be reciting the Rosary. We will be asking for Mary's intercession and the healing of Mr Hunter. You can pray the Rosary at home as a family and pray for Mr Hunter too. Here is a video to help you. 

See you in 2024, Mr Hunter!

Kelli-Ann Bugden,
Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal News - Mission

Father’s Day Breakfast and Prayer

To celebrate Father’s Day this upcoming Sunday we will be holding a Father’s Day breakfast this Friday 1st September in the playground beginning at 7:15am. We welcome all dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles to join us. Bacon and egg burgers, tea and coffee will be available for breakfast. We then invite you to join us for morning assembly and a special Father’s Day prayer.

Emma Davis

Acting Assistant Principal, Mission

Father's Day Celebrations

Father’s Day Stall

Each child will have the opportunity to visit the St Brigid's Father’s Day stall next Thursday 31st August. Prices range from $2 to $5.
Students must have money on the day to purchase. Each child who purchases a gift will go into the draw for some great prizes. 

Father's Day Breakfast

All dads, grand-dads, uncles and favourite friends are invited to come and have breakfast next Friday 1st September to celebrate Father's Day. Start the day on a positive note with a bacon and egg roll or sausage sandwich before heading off to work.  Cost of breakfast is a gold coin donation and will be available from 7:15am to 8:45am. Hope to see as many students bringing in their dads and grand dads for a wonderful celebration.

From The Wellbeing Team

This week’s strength is SPIRITUALITY.

Spirituality describes the strength of feeling a sense of purpose, searching for meaning, and sensing a relationship with the sacred. Is Spirituality a particular strength that belongs to you or to someone close to you? Take a moment to acknowledge the strength of Spirituality in yourself and those around you, and consider how it enriches life for you and your friends and family.

Kyogle Reconciliation Celebration Day

This Friday the 1st of September will see the staging of the Kyogle Reconciliation Celebration Day. The day will commence with a march by many from our Kyogle community from 10:30am meeting at the Kyogle Youth Centre and marching down to the Amphitheatre. There, all are invited to take part in the many activities on offer.

Our school will be represented by all of our Indigenous students and Stage 3 classes accompanied by Stacey Newman, Miss MacDonald, Mrs Griffiths and Mrs Myers. The students are to wear their sports uniform.   

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Focus for Week 7:  I take ownership of my own behaviour because we are all self responsible at St Brigid’s. 

Week 6 Awards: 

Harrison Goebel, Gloria Rogin - Year 2

Fletcher Cameron-Keed, Lilliana Knight - Year 3

                                                              Olivia Alvos, Emma Farrah - Year 4

                                                              Brooklyn Stubbings, Indigo Dowd - Year 5                                                              

Before & After School Care Kyogle

We are so grateful to have Rainbow Region Kids conducting Before & After School care at Kyogle Public School. Their hours of operation are 7am-9am and 3pm-6pm. Educators/Teachers will walk children between care and School. If you wish to enquire about this fantastic service please contact them on 66217397 or email rrkassist@nrcg.org.au  

Parent Assembly News

Family Faith Retreat

The Catholic Schools Office Parent Assembly Team will be facilitating a retreat for parents and families on Saturday and Sunday 9th & 10th September. The retreat is held at Tyalgum Ridge Retreat Centre and is open to all families with children in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lismore. The retreat is fully funded by the Catholic Schools Office and is a terrific opportunity for families to connect with each other and to enliven their faith lives. Please see the flyer below with details for registering.

Online Webinar

The Diocese of Lismore Parent Assembly is advertising the upcoming webinar hosted by the NSW Council of Catholic Schools Parents in collaboration with eSafety as noted on flyer below. The Online relationships and consent: Sending nudes and sexting will be held on 15 August 2023. This 30-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school.

It will cover:

• the impact of sharing nude images without consent.
• practical suggestions for starting the chat about respectful relationships, consent and pressure to send nudes.
• where to get support for a young person who has experienced abuse.
• the impact of sharing nude images without consent.
  

Happy Birthday to You

Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week and over the school holidays:   

September

5th - Caden Brown

Upcoming Dates

September

1st - Father's Day Breakfast

21st - Last day of term for students

22nd - Staff Development Day / Pupil Free Day