Newsletter Term 1 Week 7 (Wednesday 13th March 2024)

Our Front Page with Year 5

Year 5 have been busy getting a "sweaty brain" over the past five weeks as they focus on selecting and justifying efficient strategies when solving mathematical problems. Our budding Mathematicians have been experimenting with estimation, rounding, long addition and subtraction, constant difference and levelling strategies- just to name a few! We have also managed to have some fun with a great mathematical game named  "Around the House"- just one of many they enjoy playing during our Maths sessions.

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Our Gospel Reflection

As we move closer to the events of Easter we hear in this Sunday's Gospel from John how Jesus teaches his disciples about the way in which He will be glorified by God, and a voice from heaven is heard to affirm this teaching

Family life is often a balancing act in which we prioritize and attend to a variety of competing needs. We learn the value of putting others’ needs ahead of our own. In family life we also learn that when we make personal sacrifices to serve others, we gain so much more than we may have lost.

As you gather as a family, talk about how important it is to your family life to gladly serve one another. Ask each person to consider the last time that another family member asked for help. What was your response? Did you cheerfully try to honor the request, or did you ask “Why me?” Read Sunday’s Gospel, John 12:20-33. How do you think Jesus would want us to respond when someone in our family asks for help? Invite each family member to make a commitment for the next week to try to respond cheerfully to requests for help. Pray together The Our Father, asking God’s help with this commitment.

From Our Principal

Last night was a great night for our school community - our students participated in our first disco for the year and the AGM for our Community Forum was conducted. Every student that I spoke to you last night and this morning had a wonderful time being entertained by DJ Statik and though it was quite warm in the Parish Hall danced the time away. Many thanks to the parents of Year 6 who were able to assist through the cooking of the bbq and ensuring that all enjoyed a great sausage sandwich. Well done to Miss Macdonald, Mrs Myers and the Year 6 class for their organisation and preparation in ensuring that all in attendance had a great night and by the sounds of it, all did!!

School Community Forum AGM

WOW!! What a fantastic roll up of parents we had at our School Community Forum AGM last night. It was so good to see so many parents take the opportuniity of attending this meeting whilst their children were grooving away at the disco next door.

I would like to personally thank Mrs Claire Knight (Chairperson) and Mrs Hayley Kennedy (Treasurer) who stood down from their respective positions on the Forum Executive. Both ladies displayed their commitment to our school by taking on these roles and gave of their time to support all of the Forum activities. Many thanks Claire and Hayley.

As this was the first Community Forum AGM held under the new Constitution, all positions on the Executive were declared vacant and I would like to thank and congratulate the following people who have taken on the respective roles for 2024:-

Chairperson - Lauren Schottelius

Assistant Chairperson - Emily Clark

Secretary - Ashlee de Rooy

Assistant Secretary - Cameron Clarke

Treasurer - Belinda Grieve

Assistant Treasurer - Krystal White

Thanks so much to all for taking on these roles and we look forward to a great year of fun and learning together.

Along with the Executive roles as outlined above, nominations were also called for the following Teams or sub committees of our School Community Forum - Uniform Team, Canteen Team, Parent Assembly and Class Parents Team, Social Team and Fundraising Team. Each of these teams has a designated leader and all parents and carers are most welcome to join any of the teams listed. Please contact Jo in our Front Office and she will put you in touch with youor respective Team Leader. A full list of Team Leaders and team members has been placed in the minutes of the AGM which are attached to this newsletter in the School Community Forum.

The next meeting of our School Communty Forum will take place on Tuesday 14th of May from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in our School Library. All families are most welcome to attend.

If last night's meeting of the School Community Forum is anything to go by then we are very much looking forward to a great year ahead for all of St Brigid's School Community. 

NAPLAN  

Today our Year 3 and Year 5 students commenced their NAPLAN assessments. This year, the students are sitting these assessments alot earlier than in previous years and this will allow the results to come back earlier so that staff can plan and develop future learning experiences. The students will sit these assessments again on Friday 15th, Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th.

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.

Welcome Andrew Chinn

So looking forward to having well known Australian singer and songwriter, Andrew Chinn working with our students here at St Brigid's tomorrow Thursday 14th of March. It has been way too long since Andrew last visited our school and I am very sure that he will certainly engage the students with his wonderful talents and quick sense of humour. All are most welcome to attend our Whole School Concert with Andrew at 1:50pm in

A Little Bit of Long Service Leave

Just a quick note to say that I will be taking a little bit of Long Service Leave for the next 2 weeks and Mrs Walters will be Acting Principal in my absence. My wife Helen and I booked a cruise around New Zealand last February and can't believe how quickly it has come around. We will be joined by our middle daughter Maddison on our high seas adventure. I look forward to being back at school after Easter on Tuesday 2nd April. Please do not hesitate to see Mrs Walters about any issues or needs in my absence.

Take care and have a wonderful week,

Tony

Assistant Principal News - Teaching and Learning

SpellX 

Year 4 & 5 students have started the SpellEX program this year in the English block. This program is taught three mornings a week for 45 minutes, each lesson. SpellEx is a whole-class spelling program which provides explicit instruction in spelling concepts, terminology, rules and conventions. Teachers feel confident teaching SpellEX as the lessons are scripted, supported by a range of additional resources and they know that they are covering all the skills and knowledge required to master English orthography.

Stella the Super Speller, who features across the program, takes students on an enlightening and enjoyable journey, discovering the inside information to help them become super spellers themselves!

2024 School Improvement Plan

The 2024 plan has been constructed by the staff by using data collected from many areas across our school. These areas include the Student, Parent & Staff Tell Them From Me Surveys, NAPLAN, PAT Reading and PAT Mathematics, Our Writing Wall, The 2023 School Improvement Plan, Fullness of Life Framework Reflection Tools and conversations with families through the Forum Meetings.

We are excited to have three main priorities this year which have framed our goals on our school improvement journey. 

1. Mission - Students, staff & families will deepen their understanding of discipleship so that there is a greater uptake in Faith Formation opportunities.
2. Learning & Teaching - Using the revised Grammar & Punctuation data wall, student progress is tracked which will inform the learning & teaching to ensure growth for all.
3. Pastoral Care - We will aim for an average weekly attendance rate of 90% for all students during the 2024 school year. 

If you have any questions or would like further details about our improvement plan, please reach out via email or phone.

Vanessa Walters                                                                                                                                                                                      Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning. 

Assistant Principal News- Mission

Easter Raffle:

Our collection of Easter goodies to raffle off is growing! Thank you for your support. All money raised from ticket sales will go towards class weekly mission totals. Our school community has already rasied over $1 000.00! We thank you for giving to those in our global community who are less fortunate. 

  Take a look at this story below to learn more about Caritas and the people our Mission funds assist. 

Memory's Story- Project Compassion:

Memory is 26 years old and lives in rural Malawi. As the eldest child in a low-income farming family, Memory had to take on many household chores and farming activities to support her parents. They struggled to pay for Memory’s school fees and school supplies, and Memory often had to walk to school
barefooted. With the support of Caritas Australia and its partner the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), Memory was able to enrol at a technical college where she learnt technical skills in carpentry. She undertook a three- year carpentry course, with CADECOM supporting part of her tuition and boarding fees.
Memory became the first female carpenter from her village. Today, she works as a carpenter at one of Malawi’s largest hydroelectric power stations. With the income from her job, she can provide financial support to her family and inspire other young women in her community so that they may have the
opportunity to succeed in a male-dominated industry.
Watch Memory’s Story here.  

Andrew Chinn Concert: 

A reminder that this Thursday from 1.50 - 2.50 pm we will be having a whole school concert with Andrew Chinn in the hall. All are welcome! 

Easter Presentation:

On Wednesday, 27th March at 12.20 pm all students will be actively involved in an Easter presentation in the school hall. This presentation will depict the events of Holy week in liturgical dane form. Parents and friends are very welcome to come along to watch. 

Kelli-Ann Shedden                                                                                                                                                                     Assistant Principal, Mission. 

Class Parents 2024

Many thanks to the following people who have accepted the role of Class Parents for their respective classes for this year:

Kindy: Krystal White & Kimberley Langley                                                              Year 1: Belinda Grieve & Ashling Aherne
Year 2: Kelly Keed & Natalie Marychurch
Year 3: Natasha Allen & Stacey Newman
Year 4: Kelly Keed & Danielle Howes
Year 5: Tilly Beetge & Jess Rixon
Year 6: Danielle Howes & Kelly Schneider

An email will be sent out to class parents regarding a planning meeting where we can answer any questions you may have, discuss ideas for class events, and establish some dates for upcoming activities.

One of the responsibilities of class parents is to stay connected with other parents in their class. To facilitate this, we provide them with a class list containing parent names and contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses. If you prefer not to have your information shared with class parents, kindly reach out to Jo in the office by Wednesday, March 20th.

Parents please keep a look out for information from your Class Parent!!

No Aerosol Sprays Thanks!

It is great to see our young people taking and being conscience of personal hygiene. One of the things that students have in their possession is spray-on deodarant and perfumes. Unfortunately due to asthma precautions these spray containers are not permitted in the school and the use of roll on deodarant and dab ons are the only permissable containers that the children can use. 

Should a child have a spray can or bottle in their possession it will be confiscated. Many thanks for your anticipated co-operation with this request for our children's safety.

Residential Address Collection

The Australian Government Department of Education will be undertaking a residential address collection in March 2024. The Catholic Schools Office will centrally collect, collate and furnish this data from our schools’ Compass system. Please ensure your address details here at school are accurate and up to date as the collection takes place this week. For further information please refer to the attached flyer.

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

Resilient Families App

Are you interested in boosting the mental health of your whole family, but not sure where to start?

Would you like to help your children develop emotional literacy, better relationships, and a stronger sense of who they are?

Smiliing Mind has an app that promises all of that and more. The Resilient Families Program app is  basically a toolkit for parents at the tap of an icon, and it’s free and easy to download from the App Store or Google Play. 

Developed by a team of researchers, educators and psychologists, the app provides families with strategies, tools and ways to communicate through a series of interactive modules and activities suited to the whole family.

To download the app, or to find out more about it, go to www.smilingmind.com.au, and navigate to the Resilient Families program (you’ll find it under the “at home” heading).

The Wellbeing Team

St Brigid’s Community Forum

Screentime

How does screen time affect a child’s language development?

Did you know that the average 3-year-old misses out on hearing over 1,100 words daily due to screen time? They also miss out on being involved in over 240 conversations per day. Unfortunately, excessive screen time negatively affects young children’s language development and the repercussions of this impact when children start school. The importance of talking to your child/children cannot be stressed enough.

 Below are just some of the resources available that have practical advice

Screentime.pdf

 Healthy screen time and digital technology use: checklist 

How to get kids to play outside

School Photos - Thursday 4th April

📸 Don't forget to check your child's backpack today as school photo envelopes are going home. These evenlopes are personalised for each student. If you would like sibling photos, envelopes can be collected from the school office.

💳 Payments for the school photos can be made conveniently in two ways! Simply enclose cash or a money order in the provided envelopes and send them back with your child. Alternatively, visit www.theschoolphotographer.com.au to make secure online payments. All the necessary details can be found on your student's envelope.

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 we had our first tie of the year with Years 1 and 3 having the same average attendance with 91.4%. Once again we had 4 classes all over the 90% mark and the whole school average was 86.9%. 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%)

Week 6: 86.9% - Year 1 and Year 3 (91.4%), Year 2 (90.5%), Year 4 (90.1%)

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

Attendance Matters

Healthy sleep, exercise and diet can make a difference.

Healthy sleep, exercise, and diet play critical roles in a student's overall wellbeing, impacting not only their physical health but also their cognitive function, emotional regulation and ability to focus. 

Encouraging healthy habits early on sets the foundation for a lifetime of wellbeing. Children who learn the importance of sleep, exercise and a balanced diet are more likely to carry these habits into adolescence and adulthood, impacting their overall attendance and success in school.

Student Awards Week 6

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

• Kindergarten -  David, Callie, Satkar, Oscar
• Year 1 - Evie B, Evie M 
• Year 2 - Abbie, Francisca
• Year 3 - Stanley, Mabel, Harrison 
• Year 4 - Summer, Lila, Morgan
• Year 5 - Charli, Jacqui,
• Year 6 - Wentworth, Carter
• Principal Awards - Belle, Eloise 

MJR Awards

MJR Weekly Focus Term 1, Week 5 & 6: Be a giver not a taker.                              Congratulations to the follwing students who recieved MJR Awards

• Harlow S
• Emily K
• Lane C
• Djalai C
• Isaac R
• Harvey M
• Teddy L
• Frankie E

MJR Weekly Focus Term 1, Week 7 & 8: I’ve got Spirit

"In the Bible it says, 'For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.' That means we've got this amazing spirit inside us, filled with power, love, and self-control. It's like having a superhero power! So whenever we feel a little unsure, we can tap into that spirit and feel brave and strong, knowing that God is with us every step of the way."

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Term 1 Week 6 and 7 Focus: 

I speak respectfully to everyone at all times 

Bookclub

Scholastic Bookclub have 8 issues a year, which is 2 each term. At St Brigid's we only send out catalogues to 1 issue a term. If you wish to order from the other issue, catologues can be viewed online and orders can be placed through the LOOP app. 
If you ever want the books not to be sent home with your child, please mark it as a "gift" when ordering. 
If you have any questions your book club coordinator is Jess Rixon. Please send an email to jess.rixon@y7mail.com  or call or text 0404136209. 

For more information on ordering please view the BOOKCLUB PARENT GUIDE
https://issuu.com/scholastic_australia/docs/scholastic_book_club_parent_guide?fr=sODVlMDM0NDU5MDI

Happy Birthday to You

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

Upcoming Dates

March

13th - NAPLAN Yr 3 & Yr 5

14th - Andrew Chinn Concert  1.50-2.50pm All welcome 

15th - NAPLAN Yr 3 & Yr 5  

17th - St Patrick's Day 

18th - NAPLAN Yr 3 & Yr 5  

19th & 20th - Parent / Teacher / Student Interviews

22nd - Year 1 Showcase in the Parish Hall

Ready 4 Learning

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. 

St Mary's College Casino

Year 7, 2025 Enrolments

Now taking enrolment applications for Year 7, 2025. Applications can be submitted via the College Website: https://www.cashlism.catholic.edu.au/enrolment. If you require any assistance with the application please email smccenrolments@lism.catholic.edu.au.

St John's College Woodlawn

St John's College, Woodlawn invites you to our 2023 Open Night. The evening will include a tour of our impressive facilities.Enrolments are invited for students wishing to enter Year 7 or Year 11 in 2024.

• Session One will be held from 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm
• Session Two will be held from 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm

A pre-registration visitor sign in form will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.

Bookings 

Trinity Catholic College Open Night

Kyogle High School

Students wishing to attend Year 7 at Kyogle High School in 2025 can complete an EOI via the school website, selecting the Enrolment tab located at the top of the screen, or from the link below.https://kyogle-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/about-our-school/enrolment.html

Questions can be directed to Kyogle High School Front Office.