Newsletter Term 4 Week 4 (Wednesday 1 November 2023)
Our Front Page with Kindergarten.
Kindergarten has had another busy start to the term. We have been looking at procedural texts and followed a recipe to make our very own Frozen Fruit Cups! We have also been having lots of fun during our swimming lessons, learning important water safety skills and swimming techniques.
Our Gospel Reflection
Last Sunday's Gospel reading was from Matthew 22:34-40. It 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 neighbor. 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 neighbor.
From Our Acting Principal
It is my absolute pleasure to announce that Mrs Sally Griffths will be part of the teaching staff next year. Sally is an exemplary K-6 teacher with a wealth of knowledge around our Positive Behaviour Support. Sally has been teaching Year 5 since the beginning of Term 3 this year and we welcome Sally to the team for 2024.
I also welcome Kayla Roberston back to St. Brigid's next year in a flexible working arrangement, two days per week. Kayla taught Year 5 in Term 1 this year before leaving for the birth of her daughter. It will be lovely having Kayla back at St. Brigid's next year.
The announcement of teachers allocated to classes for 2024 will be in the coming weeks. This announcement will come in time so that the students will know their teacher for 2024 in readiness for Step up Day on the 5th December.
Swimming
I would like to thank the infants teachers, Lee Love and our swimming teachers, Kylie Myers and Amanda Brown for the commitment given to Intensive Swimming over the two week period. I hope that all students have increased their confidence and skills in and around the water.
School sport for swimming will begin from Week 5 in preparation for the school Swimming Carnival. Please watch out for the Compass notification regarding permission for your child to participate in the swimming program.
I pass on my sincere condolences to Father Erick with the passing of his dad earlier this week. Please keep Father Erick and his family in your prayers at this difficult time.
Have a wonderful week!
Vanessa Walters
Acting Principal
Assistant Principal News - Teaching & Learning
Whole School Writing
A mysterious nest appeared on the school playground overnight this week! The students were very intrigued to know where it came from, who put it there, and what could be inside the eggs.
The students then used the mysterious nest as a stimulus for their writing. The focus of the writing was not how much the students could write, but the quality of the writing, including our focus on quality sentences, grammar, and punctuation. The teachers all loved reading the students' writing.
Sarah McManus
Acting Assistant Principal
Teaching & Learning
Assistant Principal News - Mission
All Saints Feast Day:
Today is the Feast of All Saints Day. We gathered as a school community and acknowledged the work of the faithful saints of our Church. We prayed to the Saints and remember that we are all called to be saints. Congratulations to the students who prepared our prayer space and read so beautifully. Tomorrow is All Souls Day, students will have the opportunity to pray for the souls of family members who are no longer with us.
Kelli-Ann Bugden Assistant Principal, Mission
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
Focus for Week 4: I accept responsibility for my behaviour and speak to everyone respectfully at all times because that’s what is expected.
Student Awards Week 3
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly last Friday afternoon:
Kindergarten - William / Hazel
Year 1 - Raph / Kendrick
Year 2 - Harrison / Frankie
Year 3 - Danny / Lola / Fletcher
Year 4 -
Year 5 - Scarlett / Eloise
Year 6 - Eamon / Brett / Chelsea / Tess
Principals Award - Noah S
Happy Birthday to You
Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this week or over the holidays:
November
2nd - Eli
5th - Tahnesha
Upcoming Dates
November
Thursday 2nd November - Kindergarten 2024 Parent Information Sessions (Repeat Session)
Sunday 26th - Family Mass 9am @ Our Lady of Sorrows
December
Thursday 7th - Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 12th - End of Year Liturgy & Academic Awards
Wednesday 13th - Christmas Pageant
Friday 15th - Last day of School
