Newsletter Term 4 Week 3 (Wednesday 25 October 2023)
Our Front Page with Year 6 Excursion
Year 6 had an amazing and action packed trip to Sydney and Canberra last week. We learnt lots about Government and how Australia works. At every place, we went students were commended on their respect and behaviour throughout the week. On reflection, a few of our favourite places and memories were:
- Cockington Green Gardens- iPlay- the Great Suitcase Debacle- the privilege of attending the Last Post Ceremony at the War Memorial where our school captains laid a wreath on behalf of St Brigid's- AIS- Questacon
This is just a short list of an AMAZING week! Congratulations to all students in Year 6 who represented our school so respectfully during our excursion. All students and teachers made amazing memories that will last a lifetime!
Our Gospel Reflection
Sunday’s Gospel is the last of three questions put to Jesus by Jewish religious leaders who are trying to trick him into saying something that might get him arrested. This reminds us that the context for today’s reading is the mounting tension between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
The Herodians and the Pharisees asked the first question, which was about taxes. The Sadducees asked the second question, which was about the Resurrection (see Matthew 22:22-33). The third question, considered in today’s Gospel, is asked by a Pharisee who asks Jesus about the greatest of the commandments.
The question requires Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. The Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many additional rules, numbering over six hundred. Adherence to the Mosaic Law, for a devout Jew, is an expression of faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel. The ranking of the Commandments was regularly debated among the teachers of the Law.
Jesus answers the Pharisees’ question with a two-fold summary. Jesus says that all of the commandments can be summarised in two commandments: love God and love your neighbour. Both of these were central elements of the religious tradition Jesus learned from his Jewish community. Indeed these continue to be central aspects of contemporary Jewish religious understanding. Jesus’ response to his questioners proposed an integral connection between these two aspects of the Jewish Law. Love of God finds its expression in our love for our neighbour.
From Our Acting Principal
Welcome back to Year 6 after their excursion to Sydney and Canberra last week. From all reports, the students exhibited their best behaviour at all times and were respectful to the people and places that they came in contact with. I would like to thanks Miss MacDonald and Miss Bugden for accompanying the students and the organisation that went into the week to make it so successful. I would also like to thank Tim Llewellyn for taking the week to support our students in Sydney and Canberra. I could imagine there would have been lots of tired children on Friday night!
2024 Dates for Staggered Start
Please see below the dates for the return to school in 2024. Students will return via a staggered start to the year which means that across two days, students will come into school for an hour to complete an MAI (Mathematics Interview). Kindergarten students will complete the MAI and Best Start Interviews. This is a crucial time for teachers to spend with each student individually. More information about booking interview times for MAI and Kindergarten Best Start Interviews will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Staff will return on Tuesday 30th January 2024
MAI Interviews Wednesday 31st January and Thursday 1st February 2024
Years 1-6 Return on Friday 2nd February 2024
Kindergarten begin on Tuesday 6th February 2024
Thank you to all parents for supporting our Pupil Free Day on Monday so that staff could take part in new learning for the new Year’s 3-6 English and Mathematics syllabus. Our teachers were involved in three sessions across the day; Cognitive Overload, The Connectionist Approach and 2024 Spelling Programs.
Have a wonderful week and I pray that everyone receives sufficient rain over the coming days.
Vanessa Walters Acting Principal
Assistant Principal News - Teaching & Learning
Staff Professional Learning Day
This week on Monday 23rd October, all our staff participated in professional development and learning. Within this day, staff focused on the following areas:
- Cognitive Load Theory: This refers to the total amount of information a person’s working memory can handle. The cognitive load theory uses knowledge of the human brain to design teaching strategies that will maximise learning. You could try this activity at home
- The Connectionist Approach to Learning: This supports students with their learning by connecting concepts and ideas.
- Focus Areas of the English syllabus (oral language and communication, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and creating written texts) and how these focus areas are addressed in specific English lessons to ensure students are growing in all areas.
- Spelling: Developing an understanding of Spelling in the new Syllabus to identify which program will suit our school context. More information regarding this will be shared with parents.
Sarah McManus
Acting Assistant Principal
Teaching & Learning
Assistant Principal News - Mission
Today we held our Crazy Hair and Sock day to raise awareness and funds for Global Mission. Last Sunday was Mission Sunday and Pope Francis called for our hearts to be on fire and our feet on the move. We held a prayer service before our parade and communicated to students that today is more than dressing up for fun- we are raising money for the mission work happening in Timor-Liste. Thank you for supporting your child's understanding of a small donation making a big difference. Keep an eye our on Facebook for photos and Compass for how much money we raised today. Well done St Brigid's, you are missionary disciples!
Kelli-Ann Bugden
Assistant Principal, Mission
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
Focus for Week 3: We know that running from the classroom is unsafe when the bell rings for recess or lunch, and that it’s much safer to walk to the weather shed when we line up.
PBS Awards Week 2:
Brooklyn Stubbings | 5 |
Yari Howes | 5 |
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.
Student Awards Week 2
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly last Friday afternoon:
Kindergarten - Niarah, Chloe, Brodie, Lily
Year 1 - Hamish, Milla
Year 2 - Lane, Djalai
Year 3 - Harry, Morgan
Year 4 - Charli, Jacqui, Millea
Year 5 - Noah, Indigo, Wentworth
Principals Award - Piper
Ready 4 Learning - Callie, Theodore
Happy Birthday to You
Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week or over the holidays:
October
30th -Hamish W
November
1st - Van, Nicholas
Upcoming Dates
October
Friday 27th - Kindergarten 2024 Parent Information Sessions
November
Thursday 2nd November - Kindergarten 2024 Parent Information Sessions (Repeat Session)
Sunday 26th - Family Mass 9am @ Our Lady of Sorrows
