Newsletter Term 4 Week 10 (Wednesday 13 December 2023)

Our Front Page with Year 6.

Year 6 have had a wonderful year with many memories and friendships made that will last a lifetime. Click here to see the fun we had at our Sydney and Canberra excursion and click here to see a reflection video of our Primary School journey. We had a wonderful time at our Graduation Liturgy and Dinner in Week 7. Below are some photos from the evening.

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Our Gospel Reflection

Sunday’s Gospel is taken from the beginning of Mark. Unlike Luke and Matthew, Mark does not include any details of Jesus’ birth. Instead Mark begins with the appearance of John the Baptist in the desert. On this the Second Sunday of Advent, we are invited to reflect upon the role of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus and the salvation that he would bring to us.

Mark’s description of the appearance of John the Baptist highlights John’s continuity with the Jewish prophetic tradition. Mark combines quotations from the Old Testament books of Malachi, Isaiah, and Exodus. Mark’s description of John as an ascetic, living in the desert, clothed in camel hair, and eating locusts and wild honey, is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah found in Second Kings. The people of Judea and Jerusalem flock to him, listening to his message of repentance and forgiveness; they also come to him to be baptised. Mark’s Gospel is clear, however, that John the Baptist’s role is only to prepare the way for another who will come, one who is greater than John.

Many scholars believe that the Gospels reflect the tension that likely existed between followers of John the Baptist and disciples of Jesus. Each of the four Evangelists report on John’s preaching and baptising, and they each emphasise the importance of Jesus’ baptism by John. The four Gospels also explain that John was sent to preach in preparation for another. In the Gospel of Luke, the question is raised as to whether John the Baptist was himself the Messiah. Just as in today’s Gospel, however, John speaks quite explicitly that the Messiah was to come after him.

In today’s Gospel we hear John the Baptist contrast his baptism of repentance with the baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John says that he has baptised with water, but that the one who is to come will baptise with the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism was not yet a Christian baptism, but a preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism through which sins are forgiven and the gift of the Holy Spirit is received.

John the Baptist is presented to us as a model during Advent. We, too, are called upon to prepare a way for the Lord. Like John the Baptist, we are messengers in service to one who is greater than we are. Our Baptism commissions us to call others to life as disciples of Jesus.

From Our Acting Principal

As we draw close to the end of the year, it is now time to reflect on the successes, highlights and the challenges we have all experienced in 2023.

Staff have worked incredibly hard for long hours, to be there for our students and their families. As it is continually said, we are incredibly blessed by the staff we have here at St Brigid's. They certainly put the students first in everything they do. I am so, so proud of the staff and how they manoeuvred through this year with a new curriculum in English and Mathematics ( K-2 ) and prepared themselves for the new 3-6 English and Mathematics curriculum for next year. I thank them for their enormous commitment to their students and their families. 

Congratulations to all the students for a year of great achievements. Their semester reports were posted on Compass today (Wednesday 13th) and although looking different from past reports, they still reflect their wonderful efforts and achievements.

Thank you to our families. You don’t realise how much it means to us all to hear a THANK YOU or WELL DONE. We have felt your support this year in many ways. We know how crucial it is to work as a team for your child and this year that spirit has been very evident. We thank you for your enduring support of our school.

I would like to thank Lani Campbell and Krystal -Lee Hyde who are both leaving us at the end of this year.

Lani has worked in our school office for 2 years and is taking some time to be with her family. We thank Lani for her commitment over this time and wish her and her family all the very best. I am pleased to announce that Joanne Kelly will take up the position of Office Administrator, beginning in 2024. Welcome Jo!

We would like to thank Krystal-Lee for her dedication to the school canteen for over 7 years. The coordination of the canteen is a busy role from tallying student orders, ordering food, preparing food to be distributed and the coordinating of volunteers to support in the canteen. We really appreciate the time that you have given to the school and we will miss you next year Krystal-Lee! M’Leigh Edwards will take the reins from Krystal-Lee and coordinate the canteen from 2024. We look forward to seeing you each Monday next year M’leigh and thank you for your support!

Thank you from me personally, to all our community for your encouragement and willingness to help. We have many volunteers who support our school throughout the week. We really appreciate your generosity of your time to make our school a better place!

On behalf our of school community I would like to wish Gloria and Oscar (Year 2) and their families all the very best with their move and new adventures. Thank you for being part of our school community.

And lastly, I would like to thank our whole school community of St Brigid’s for the support given to me while I have been in the Acting Principal role. It has been a real learning curve but I have enjoyed my time in this role learning new processes and again working closely with families.  It has been lovely having Mr Hunter involved in the end of year events and we are looking forward to Mr Hunter returning at the beginning of the 2024 school year.

Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and relaxing holiday.

God Bless

Vanessa Walters                                                                                                                                                               

Acting  Principal

Assistant Principal News - Teaching & Learning

Semester Two Student Reports

Semester Two Reports will be available to access on Compass today, Wednesday 13th December.

Attached is a reminder of how to access the reports.

Bookings for Mathematical Assessment Interviews and Best Start (Kindergarten Only)

All 2024 students will complete a Mathematical Assessment Interview and Best Start (Kindergarten only), bookings are now open on Compass. When booking the interview, your child's 2024 classroom teacher will appear.

See attached letter for more information.

A Heartfelt Thank you

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each one of you – the dedicated teachers, support staff, amazing students, and involved parents. You are the heart and soul of St. Brigid’s school, and your contributions are invaluable.

Together, you have achieved so much. You have fostered a vibrant learning environment, a supportive community, and your dedication, energy, and passion are truly inspiring to be a part of.

Thank you for making my short time here at St. Brigid’s so special. I am incredibly proud to be part of this wonderful school community.

With sincere gratitude,

Sarah McManus

Assistant Principal News- Mission

St Vincent De Paul Hampers

Thanks so much to all of our community for your generosity over the past 5 weeks in supporting our annual Mini Vinnies and St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper collection. We are absolutely amazed at the generosity of our school community! Thank you for your support of others in need, and for supporting your children in learning how to give, especially at Christmas time.

Stage One Performance

Stage One students and teachers brought so much joy to the residents and staff of Whiddon Care last week. Students visited the residents and sung Christmas songs. We have really enjoyed building relationships with Whiddon Care this year and look forward to even more opportunities to enhance this next year.  Great singing Year One and Two! 

St Vincent De Paul Giving Tree

During our Advent Liturgy last week, each class removed a tag from the Giving tree in the Church for a family in need. Yesterday, as a part of our Thanksgiving Liturgy, students from each class placed gifts under the tree. Thank you to the staff who are witnesses of our faith and modelling to students how as Catholics we show mercy and give to those who are less fortunate. 

Mass Times

A reminder that Our Lady of Sorrows mass times over the weekends are 6.00 pm Saturday night and 9.00 am Sunday morning. I encourage families to remember the real reason for the season and attend mass during Advent. The Christmas Vigil is 6.00 pm Sunday the 24th and the Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated at 10.00 am. It is such a joyful time to live out our faith. 

Kelli-Ann Shedden,
Assistant Principal - Mission

End of Year Liturgy & Awards

Thank you to all who were able to attend our Liturgy yesterday to acknowledge the end of our school year and to congratulate our Academic Class Award recipients. Our Liturgy was led by Fr Erick and we greatly appreciate the way in which the students participated throughout by reading, praying, responding and being attentive to the Word of God.

Following our Liturgy, the Academic Class Awards for 2023 were presented. Congratulations to the following children on receiving their respective awards for their effort and work throughout this year:

Kindergarten

Academic Excellence in English - Layla 

Academic Excellence in Mathematics - William 

Academic Excellence in Religion - Evie 

Christian Values Award - Annabelle & Chloe

Academic Excellence in Science - George

Year 1 

Academic Excellence in English - Liam 

Academic Excellence in Mathematics - Raph 

Academic Excellence in Religion - Abigail 

Christian Values Award - Eliza 

Excellence across all Key Learning Areas - Emma 

Year 2

Academic Excellence in English - Mabel

Academic Excellence in Mathematics - Hamish 

Academic Excellence in Religion - Blaire 

Christian Values Award - Gloria 

Improved Application and Growth in all KLA’s - Angus 

Year 3

Academic Excellence in English - Nerida 

Academic Excellence in Mathematics - Landan 

Academic Excellence in Religion - Byron 

Christian Values Award - Lilliana 

Excellence in Science - Harry 

Year 4

Academic Excellence in English - Peyhton 

Academic Excellence in Mathematics - Millea 

Academic Excellence in Religion - Jacqui 

Christian Values Award - Piper 

Excellence across all Key Learning Areas - Ayce 

Year 5

Academic Excellence in English - Brooklyn 

Academic Excellence in Mathematics - Yari 

Academic Excellence in Religion - Indigo 

Christian Values Award - Belle 

Excellence across all Key Learning Areas - Lexie 

Year 6

Academic Excellence in English - Loretta 

Academic Excellence in Mathematics - Eamon 

Academic Excellence in Religion -Rachel 

Christian Values Award - Eamon 

Excellence across all Key Learning Areas - Carter 

St Vincent dePaul Scholarship - Loretta

Kevin Hogan Book Award - Syra

The Aunty Doreen Flanders Deadly Leadership Award - Aleyah

The Aunty Doreen Flanders Reconciliation Award - Van 

2024 School Leaders

At the conclusion of our Awards Presentation, our student leaders for 2024 were announced and presented to our St Brigid's School Community. We extend a big congratulations to the following students who have been elected as our School Captains and Sports House Captains:

2024 School Captains - Belle Clarke & Parker Kennedy

Doyle House Captains - Brooklyn Stubbings & Carter Hudson

Colahan House Captains - Hannah Kennelly & Yari Howes

Sutton House Captains - Indigo Dowd & Noah Schneider

All student leaders will be presented with their respective badges at our Opening School Mass next year. Please keep a look out for the confirmation of date and time in the new year.

Student Awards 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 - Rylie-Jayne, Cooper

Year 1 - Harper, Braith  

Year 2 -  Harrison, Lane 

Year 3 - Ruby F, Judah, Fletcher, Chance

Year 4 - Max, Millea

Year 5  - Noah

Year 6 - Ella, Dom

From the Wellbeing Team.

Serve and Return – critical for a child’s developing brain

We’re not talking about tennis, but a communication style between parents and children that not
only improves relationships but has also been found to increase a child’s curiosity, grow more
connections in their brain, improve their self-control, and help them to get along better with others.

Here’s how (and it’s never too early or too late to start):

1. Share the focus: Pay attention to what your child notices. This increases their curiosity and builds
better relationships.

2. Support and Encourage: Offer words or facial expressions of encouragement to your child. This
validates their thoughts and feelings.

3. Name it: Name what your child is seeing, doing or feeling. This increases neuronal connections in
your child’s brain and improves their understanding of the world around them.

4. Take turns, back and forth: Remember to wait and give your child a chance to respond. This
improves your child’s self-control, as well as their ability to get on with others. It also increases their
confidence and independence.

5. Practice endings and beginnings: Notice when your child is ready to end one activity and begin
something new.

Looking after your mental health during the holidays

Holidays are awesome but, like any other time of year, they can be stressful and difficult too.
Your usual support services may be on a break just when you need them. perhaps you may find
yourself needing support but not knowing where to turn at this time of year.
The following services can help. Some are even available 24/7, 365 days a year. They also have lots
of useful information on their websites. Don’t be shy in reaching out to them if you need support.
Parents
Lifeline Australia
www.lifeline.org
13 11 14

Beyond Blue
www.Beyondblue.org.au
1300 224 636

Parentline
www.parentline.org.au
1300 1300 52

Reach Out Parents
parents.au.reachout.com

1800 Respect
www.1800respect.org.au
1800 737 732

Kids and Teens
Kids’ Helpline
www.kidshelpline.com.au
1800 55 1800

Headspace

www.headspace.org.au

Reach Out
Au.reachout.com

1800 Respect
www.1800respect.org.au
1800 737 732

Beyond Blue
www.Beyondblue.org.au
1300 224 636

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

PBS Focus for week 10 is: 

We’ve made it to week 10 and rewards day is this Friday! 

Don’t forget to keep following the 4 SERS both in the classroom and out on the playground.

PBS Awards Week 9:

Happy Birthday to You

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

December

Ryder - 13th

Ella J - 15th

Abigail - 22nd

Upcoming Dates

December

Wednesday 13th - Christmas Pageant

Wednesday 13th - Reports Home

Friday 15th - Rewards Day/Last Day of School

February 2024

2nd - Years 1 to 6 return

6th - Kindergarten

Jan's Bucket Club