Newsletter Term 1 Week 6 (Wednesday 6th March 2024)

Our Front Page with Year 4

This term in Year 4 we have been lucky enough to learn about the order of the Catholic Mass, which is helping to prepare some of the students in our class for making their first Holy Communion (sacrament of the Eucharist) on Holy Thursday later this term. 

The Holy Eucharist is the third sacrament of initiation and the most important of the seven sacraments because it is where we receive the very body and blood, soul and dignity of Jesus Christ. 

To support us in this journey, we have been busy exploring the traditions and prayers that are associated within the Catholic Mass and their importance, in particular the Prayers of the faithful. These prayers help us make a connection between the Eucharist and the daily life of Christian’s which acknowledge the needs and concerns of people at this particular time, while also extending their compassion to include the whole world. Below are some of the examples we have written in class. 

My New Gallery

Our Gospel Reflection

Our Gospel this Sunday comes from John and we hear when Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man will be raised up so that those who believe in him will have eternal life.

Parents whose children are afraid of the dark are struck by John’s observation that darkness is preferred to light. Perhaps this is as it should be. God made us to live in the light of his love. But this original friendship with God was corrupted by sin. Our sin causes us to shy away from Christ, the light that has come into the world. During the season of Lent, we try to fight this tendency by remembering God’s great mercy and the salvation that we have received through Jesus. We do not fear confessing our sins, knowing that God forgives us, and so, during Lent, we seek out opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

After your family gathers, sit for a time in darkness, then light a candle. Invite people to talk about what it felt like to be in the darkness and to compare that to their feelings when the candle was lit. What are we able to see by the limited glow of the candlelight that we couldn’t see when we were sitting in darkness? Read today’s Gospel, John 3:14-21. John’s Gospel teaches us that Jesus was the light that came into the world. In this light we know ourselves to be sinners, but we are not condemned. Instead we have been saved because we have been forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Conclude in prayer together, thanking God for the great gift of forgiveness we have received through Jesus. Pray together the Act of Contrition:-

O My God, I am very sorry that I have sinned against you. As you are so good and with your help, I will try not to sin again! 

From Our Principal

It is hard to believe that we are well over half way through this term and we are well and truly now into the year. 

There are a number of events coming up next week and I ask that all families please mark these down on your calendar at home as I cannot emphasise the importance of supporting your child's school journey and working together to get the best possible outcomes for their learning.

School Community Forum AGM

The School Community Forum AGM will be held on Tuesday 12th March at 6pm in the School Library. You are all invited to come along whilst your children are enjoying the School Disco in the Parish Hall. A reminder to all parents and carers, that by virtue of your child’s enrolment at our school, you are all members of this group.  At each meeting there will be opportunities for the school to share, for parents to discuss items of interest, and for parent learning opportunities. All positions on the 2024 Executive are vacant and I strongly urge all to think about nominating a person whom you feel will be beneficial to support our Community Forum. Why not even nominate yourself!!!

We are looking forward to a positive year ahead and to working with you in your child’s educational journey. A nomination form is attached and hard copies are also available from the School Office. Nomination forms will also be available at the AGM.

Nomination Form 

Parent / Teacher / Student Interviews

As Christians, we are encouraged to ‘let our light shine before others.’ (Matthew 5:6). For parents and teachers to truly be partners in education, effective communication is key. Our Three Way Conversations are just one way parents, teachers and students can come together to listen, celebrate and support each other.

These will be held next week on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th March. Students will have the opportunity to share their goals for Literacy and Numeracy and present how they are working towards achieving these goals.

Please follow the link on the Compass app to book in your appointment to meet with your child's class teacher. If the times are not suitable please contact Jo in the Front Office so that a more amicable time can be arranged.

Professional Learning Day

Last Friday the 1st of March, the staff of St Brigid's joined with the staff of Our Lady Help of Christians, South Lismore to work with Dr Dan White from Sydney. Dan is very well known throughout the educational environment for his work as the former Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Archdiocese of Hobart. He is the author of 8 books that focus on pedagogy within the RE Classroom.

Utilising the metaphor of the ‘seven steps’ or courtyards of the ‘Second
Jewish Temple’, Dan's presentation immersed all those involved on a journey of reflection as to the true purpose of a Catholic school that acknowledges all participants, students, staff and families, and how they are at different points along the journey of faith and life.  It was a great day of learning, collaboration and exploring!!

I'm looking forward to seeing as many families as possible at our School Community Forum AGM next Tuesday the 12th of March in the School Library.

Take care and have a wonderful week,

Tony

Assistant Principal News - Teaching and Learning

NAPLAN  FOR YEARS 3 AND 5 2024

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point-in-time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Years 3 & 5 at St Brigid’s will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. These assessments will begin next week and will finish in Week 8. There will also be catch up days for students who have missed assessments because they were absent on the assessment day. Please don’t make a big fuss of the NAPLAN assessments that will happen at school, we would like children to be calm and know that they just need to try their best.

• Wednesday 13 March : Yr 3 and 5 Writing
• Friday 15 March : Yr 3 and 5 Reading
• Monday 18 March : Yr 3 and 5 Conventions of Language
• Tuesday 19 March : Yr 3 and 5 Numeracy

Students MUST also have working headphones for the NAPLAN tests (no wireless or bluetooth headphones) they must be headphones that plug into a computer with a cord. Can you please send these headphones in with your child to the classroom, prior to the assessments?

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.

Vanessa Walters                                                                                                                                                                                      Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning. 

Assistant Principal News- Mission

EASTER RAFFLE:                                                                                                             Thank you for the donations we have received thus far for our Easter raffle. Keep the Easter eggs, bunnies and chocolates coming, we hope to have lots of prizes to give away! Students can purchase tickets from their classroom teacher- $1.00 each or 3 for $2.00. It would be great if students could do an extra chore or something around the house so that they understand giving and doing things for others rather than just asking for money. All money raised goes directly to Project Compassion. 

ANDREW CHINN CONCERT:                                                                                                A reminder that there is a whole school Andrew Chinn concert in the school hall from 1.50-2.50 pm on the 14th of March. We hope to see Mums, Dads, grandmas and little siblings dancing away to Andrew’s awesome music. 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CANDIDATES:                                                                                                                               On the 28th of March at 7.00 pm, 11 Year 4 students will receive the Eucharist for the very first time. This will be during the solemn Holy Thursday Mass. Please pray for these students as they make final preparations for the sacrament. The students will be presented to the Parish at our next Parish Family Mass - 24.03.24. It would be wonderful to see as many of our school community at this mass to support them. 

Kelli-Ann Shedden                                                                                                                                                                     Assistant Principal, Mission. 

Parent Consent and Student Digital Technologies User Agreement

Parent Consent and Student Digital Technologies User Agreement

At St Brigid's, we use a variety of digital technologies to promote engagement and creativity across the learning areas. The attached Parental Consent and Student Digital Technology User Agreement provides our families and students with the processes in place to build responsible digital citizens and also helps create an understanding of the expectations when using digital technology throughout the school year. This is a new process initiated by the Catholic Schools Office. The Parent Consent and User Agreement will need to be signed each year by families.

This form has been sent out to all families and we are extremely appreciative of the families that have completed this form. Please take the time to read through the Digital Technologies User Agreement with your child via the link below:-

Parent Consent and Student Digital Technologies User Agreement

From the Wellbeing Team

Occupational Therapy Groups at St Brigid’s

We are very fortunate to have the expertise of Carmel Perrett, a local Occupational Therapist (OT), who will be commencing small OT groups each Wednesday afternoon. For example, Carmel will be running a handwriting group to support students in improving these vital skills. We thank Carmel for volunteering to run these valuable support groups. 

The Wellbeing Team

Stars of the Week

One of our school goals this year is to have an average weekly attendace of 90% and above. The class with the best average each week receives the  “Stars of the Week” trophy and certificate to display in their classroom.

Last week the class with the best average attendance was Year 6 with 94.6%. Once again we had 3 classes all over the 90% mark and the whole school average was 89.7%. 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 2: 91.1% - Kindergarten (98.3%), Year 3 (96.4%), Year 1 (94.5%) 

Week 3: 89.7% - Year 6 (95.5%), Year 1 (93.3%), Year 4 (92.9%) 

Week 4: 92% - Year 3 (94.05%), Year 6 (93.4%), Year 2 (93.1%)  Year 4 (92.66%)

Week 5: 89.7% - Year 6 (94.6%), Kindergarten (93.6%), Year 1 (92.8%)

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

Attendance Matters

Good attendance in primary school will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school. 

Good attendance in primary school is a fundamental building block for academic success and overall wellbeing, and it sets the stage for success in high school and beyond. Primary school is the foundational stage of a child's education. Regular attendance ensures that children build a solid understanding of fundamental concepts and skills that serve as the basis for more advanced learning in high school.

By recognising the long-term benefits and reinforcing the importance of regular school attendance in primary years, students are better equipped to succeed in high school and beyond. Attending school regularly instils a sense of responsibility and work ethic in students and participating actively in class are essential components of success.

School Disco

Tuesday 12th March 5.30pm - 7.30pm                                                                                                                                      A School Disco Event is now on Compass to allow ordering and payment, please respond to this event by Friday morning so that ordering may take place. 

Year 6 parents who are able to assist in the cooking of the BBQ from 5pm please contact Miss Macdonald as this is a Year 6 Camp Fundraiser.

Thank you for your support,                                                                                                                                                              Laura Macdonald                                                                                                                                                                              (Year 6 Teacher) 

School Uniforms

2nd Hand                                                                                                                            

Do you have  spare uniforms in good condition your family no longer needs? We're collecting donations to support families and promote sustainability. Drop off your contributions at the office. Thank you for your generosity.

Hats                                                                                                                                              Just a friendly reminder to check the name on your child's school hat so that they are not wearing a hat that belongs to anyone else. The spare school hats that have been borrowed or those with other children's names on them, can be returned to the office.  Let's ensure everyone has the right gear for outdoor fun and learning! Thank you for your cooperation and attention to detail.

Parenting Tips

RealTalk - A Free Resource for Parent - helping tackle tricky parenting topics 

Supporting parents in tackling topics such as online behaviour, friendships, concent and many more, this resource is provided free through  the Catholic Schools Parent Assembly. 

Student Awards Week 5

Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly last Friday afternoon:

Kindergarten -  Naythan L, Lenix B, Angel J

Year 1 - Rainbow A, Chloe E

Year 2 - George M, Ben L

Year 3 - Emily K, Harrison G

Year 4 - Caileb H, Fletcher C-K

Year 5 - Millea R, Ben P

Year 6 - Tahnesha W, Yari H

MJR Awards

MJR Weekly Focus Term 1, Week 5 & 6: Be a giver not a taker.                                "Let's learn from Jesus and be like him by giving instead of just taking. Jesus showed us how to be kind and share with others. When we give, we make people happy and make the world a better place. So, let's be like Jesus and be givers! When we give, we spread love and joy everywhere we go."

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Term 1 Week 4 and 5 Focus: I use people’s names when I speak to them because Jesus knows each and everyone of us. 

Ready 4 Learning

Happy Birthday to You

Wishing the following children all the very best for their special day this coming week.

Upcoming Dates

March

8th - Dio Winter sports Trials - Grafton 

10th - 4th Sunday Lent 

12th - Disco and School Community Forum AGM

Community News

Trinity Catholic College Open Night