Newsletter Term 4 Week 1 (Wednesday 11 October 2023)

Our Front Page with Our Success from the Show.....

At the end of Term 3, students across all stages were busy completing their art entries for the Kyogle Show. The criteria around the turkey competition was for a metre by metre piece of art depicting the bush turkey. The competition was open to all preschools and primary schools in our local area. The judges found it difficult to find a winner with entries of such high quality. Congratulations to Stage 3 who were awarded second in the art competition. ES1, Stage 1 & Stage 2 were all awarded highly commended!

Our Gospel Reflection

Sunday's Gospel follows directly after last Sunday's Gospel in which Jesus was questioned by Jewish religious leaders about the source of his teaching authority. After refusing to answer their questions, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons and then criticizes the priests and elders for their lack of belief in John the Baptist.

In today's Gospel, Jesus once again speaks to the priests and elders with a parable. In this parable, the landowner leases his vineyard to tenants and sends his servants to collect the portion of the harvest that the tenants owe to him. Several times the servants are sent to collect payment, and each time they are beaten and killed by the tenants. Finally, the landowner sends his son to collect his rent. The tenants, believing that they will inherit the vineyard if the landowner dies without an heir, plot together and kill the landowner's son.

After telling the parable, Jesus questions the chief priests and elders about what the landowner will do to the wicked tenants. They all agree that the landowner will kill the wicked tenants and give the land to new tenants who will pay the rent.

In telling the parable, Jesus is clearly drawing upon Isaiah 5:1-7, which is today's first reading and one that the priests and elders would have known well. Jesus doesn't, therefore, have to explain the symbolism of the parable; the Pharisees would have understood that the vineyard represented Israel, the landowner represented God, the servants represented the prophets, and the bad tenants represented the religious leaders. Yet Jesus nonetheless explains the meaning of the parable for his audience: the Kingdom of God will be taken from the unbelieving and given to the faithful. The chief priests and elders have condemned themselves with their answer to Jesus' question.

Today's Gospel has a parallel in Mark 12:1-12. There are some notable differences, however. In Matthew's version, the religious leaders condemn themselves; in Mark's Gospel, Jesus answers his own question. Matthew names the religious leaders as Pharisees and chief priests. Clearly this Gospel shows the tension that was mounting between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders who thought that his message was dangerous. Matthew's Gospel was written about 70 years after Jesus' death and reflects the conflicts and tensions found in the Christian community for whom Matthew was writing. Many biblical scholars believe that the tension between Matthew's community and their Jewish neighbors can also be heard in today's reading.

This Gospel reminds us of the importance of listening to God's word. God speaks to us in many ways—through Scripture, through our Church tradition, in our Church's teaching, and through modern-day prophets. Are we attentive and receptive to God's word to us through these messengers?

From Our Acting Principal

Welcome back to Term 4. I'm still wondering how we arrived here so quickly!      I hope everyone had a restful break and that you are ready for a wonderful term ahead.  Mr Hunter sent an email on Sunday night, asking to please pass on his best wishes to all the students of St Brigid's and wish you all a wonderful term.

We extend a warm welcome to Olive, Lilly & Lane and their families who have commenced at St Brigid's this term.  We are so pleased to have you with us here at St Brigid's and do hope that you enjoy what the St Brigid's School Community has to offer.  We also extend a warm welcome to Mrs Sarah McManus who will join us in Term 4 as Assistant Principal of Learning & Teaching. We look forward to Sarah being part of our St. Brigid's team.

This term is already shaping up to be a busy one with the calendar filling up with Liturgies, Year 6 Graduation, Pageant and Swimming Carnival just to name a few. Please ensure that you have a copy of our Term 4 calendar to help you stay connected to the events happening in our school community. 

Year 6 Excursion

Year 6 will  be leaving for their Canberra/Sydney excursion next Monday morning from Ballina airport. The undertaking of this educational tour of our Nation's capital, Canberra will give students the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia's history, culture, heritage, and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government is contributing funding of $90 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate Program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

We wish Year 6 along with their accompanying teachers, Miss MacDonald, Miss Bugden and Mr Llewellyn a wonderful trip and we look forward to seeing photo updates.

Kindergarten 2024

This Friday will see the beginning of our transition program for our 2024 Kindergarten students. The program will run each Friday from Week 1 until Week 8 which will be Friday 1st December. I am pleased to announce that Karen Esslemont will be the 2024 Kindergarten teacher and she will be transitioning the children in their Friday program.

Have a wonderful week!

Vanessa Walters

Assistant Principal News - Mission

Yesterday we gathered in our Mercy garden and held a belated Mercy Feast Day prayer service. We celebrate and give immense gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy who pioneered the beginnings of such a wonderful school. We look to Catherine McAuley and pray that her spirit guides us in our daily decisions and interactions here at St. Brigid's.

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Focus for Week 1:  We listen to the teacher and follow the expectations and routines in our classroom because it makes the learning environment just right.

Parent Forum News.

All parents and carers are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend our Forum Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 24 October 2023 at 3.30pm - 4.30pm (see agenda below). While this meeting gives our parent community a valuable chance to make some decisions, share ideas and learn. Our children will be engaging with our Assistant Principal - Mission, in a Youth Group setting.

Attention: All sub-committees please come prepared to present your reports to the forum, or if unable to attend in person, they can be provided prior to the meeting via email to chair_stbrigids@outlook.com.au
N.B. Minutes from the meeting will be published in the newsletter within two weeks of this meeting being held.

Many thanks

Claire

Book Club

Keep an eye out for the next issue of Scholastic Book Club. It contains some great gift ideas for Christmas. Orders will close on Friday 27th October. 

Happy Birthday to You

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

October

2nd -Ella G

3rd - Wentworth B

8th - Loretta F

15th - Jacqui S / Lilliana K

17th - Aleyah F

Upcoming Dates

October

Monday 16th - Year 6 Excursion to Sydney/Canberra 

Sunday 22nd - Family Mass 9am @ Our Lady of Sorrows 

November

Sunday 26th - Family Mass 9am @ Our Lady of Sorrows