St Brigid's Catholic Parish Primary School Gwynneville eNewsletter

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

CONGRATULATIONS YEAR 6 CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES

Last Saturday afternoon, within a beautiful Liturgy of the Word, the students received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Brian. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the students for the maturity and commitment they showed during the program. The way in which they led the liturgy was absolute beautiful and both Fr Bernard and Bishop Brian were highly complimentary.

Sincere thanks all those who contributed towards the formation of these students, especially Mrs O'Donnell (REC), Mrs Roche and Mrs Lavelle (Classroom teachers). Thanks also to Mrs Mitrevksi for ensuring all administrative tasks were completed and to Mrs Benoit and to the 12 staff members who attended the liturgy and contributed to additional organisational aspects. The team effort speaks highly of the wonderful collaborative culture we enjoy at St Brigid's.

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EASTER MASS / MOTHER'S DAY BLESSING - THURSDAY 11 MAY 2023

Jesus is risen! Alleluia! The season of Easter is at the heart of our Christian Faith. We rejoice in the new life of Jesus. We rejoice that members of our Lumen Christi Parish were baptised and confirmed at the Easter Vigil. We rejoice that all of us are nourished by the life of God whenever we share in the Eucharist.

Please join us for our Easter Mass, with mother's day blessing, followed by mother's day morning tea.

9:30am Mass
10:40am Guided Learning Walks in the classroom
11:00am Muffins with Mum morning tea
11:45am Mother's day Stall

PICK UP PROCEDURES - A SUCCESSFUL WEEK - THANK YOU

Thank you so much for working with us to ensure that we are not blocking the traffic in Vickery street during afternoon pick-up. The car zone has been working significantly better this week and we believe that there is a much greater degree of safety for the students and families. This is the first week in a every long time that we have not had community complaints or other users of the road yelling at us as they pass by - so thank you.

WINTER UNIFORM

All students must wear the full winter and sports uniform from Monday 15 May 2023. Please ensure that your child is wearing the correct St Brigid's uniform each day. We have plenty of cardigans in stock which can be ordered on Qkr! All other items can be purchased via Lowes at Figtree.

We thank you for supporting the St Brigid's uniform policy.

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WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL

St Brigid’s has registered and will make those important steps towards a healthier future by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 19 May 2023.

National Walk Safely to School Day is a community initiative that aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for the long-term well-being of our children. Now in its 24th year, the annual event encourages parents and teachers to teach road safety skills and support the importance of regular walking, not just on 19 May, but every day.

On this day we will not be running the car drop off or pick up zone to encourage all our families to walk to and from school.

PRINCIPAL RENEWAL LEAVE FROM 1 JUNE – 21 JULY

The purpose of professional renewal is to create an opportunity for Principals to take time for personal and professional reflection and to action professional opportunities to develop knowledge and effectiveness as leaders, and/or strengthen their own spirituality in order to authentically lead Catholic School communities.

My renewal leave consists of three and a half weeks living and breaking open 2 elements of the St Brigid’s school mission statement: Inspired by our Catholic Values and the Benedictine tradition, we are committed to developing leaders of faith, justice and learning through…

Seeking God within a community of prayer, service and hospitality faithful to the mission of Jesus. (faith)

Fostering a love of learning and the seeking of wisdom through a contemporary education that encourages all to utilise the ‘good gifts’ given to them and equips them to take their place in the world. (learning)

I will engage in 3 faith and learning experiences during this period of renewal.

EXPERIENCE A

The Rule of Benedict calls for devoting a generous portion of every day to reading. This is the meditative, contemplative prayer that the Rule calls Lectio Divina, a particular blend of reading and reflection that takes its time and focuses first on Sacred Scripture.

Visits to English Benedictine communities throughout the UK, joining the community for daily prayer and reflection.

EXPERIENCE B

St Augustine was an Italian Benedictine Monk living in Rome who was sent by Pope Gregory the Great, to bring the English people to conversion. He was the first Archbishop of Canterbury and became known as the ‘Apostle of the English’.

A St Augustine Camino to the birthplace of Christianity. A walking pilgrimage from Rochester Cathedral to the Shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate.

EXPERIENCE C

“Bringing learning to life and life to learning”.

Visiting Catholic schools of excellence in England and Scotland.

Following my Principal Renewal Leave, I will take some Long Service Leave to visit my dad, who lives in Croatia.

STAFFING DURING MY ABSENCE

I am please to announce that the entire leadership team were open to steeping up into Acting roles while I am away. Fr Bernard Gordon and Mrs Natasha O'Donoghue (Head of People and Culture - CEDoW) approved these acting appointments. I am grateful to each of them for taking on this extra leadership role to enable this period of renewal, which I am really excited about.

Acting Principal - Mrs Benoit
Acting Assistant Principal - Mrs O'Donnell
Acting REC - Mrs Arthur-Worsop
Acting ML1 - Mrs Julie Mewett
Acting ML1 - Mrs Alysha Lavelle.

UPCOMING PUPIL FREE DAYS FOR TERM 2

Monday 29 May 2023	Staff Retreat in Mittagong
Tuesday 30 May 2023	Staff Development Day - Literacy/ Numeracy
Monday 12 June 2023	King's Birthday public holiday

RESPIRATORY ILLNESS PROCEDURES - GOOGLE FORM

Please continue to fill in the reporting google form if your child has even the mildest of respiratory symptoms or has tested Positive for COVID-19.

The information contained in this form gives me very good data about prevailing illness in the school which I can communicate to parents to help us all work together to ensure the health and safety of our community.

This google form can be found on the St Brigid’s website, as a link in the Brigid Bulletin and by clicking the link in the COMPASS news-feed.

Your support in ensuring the health and safety of the St Brigid’s Community during this global pandemic has been greatly appreciated.

REPORTING FORM

Please complete it any day or time of the week, including weekends. The information will automatically come to Ms Uroda and Mrs Benoit.

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6/5	kindergarten 2024 interviews	11:00-3:00pm
11/5	Whole School Mass, Muffins with Mum & guided learning walks	From 9:30am
15/5	All students wear winter uniform
26/5	Winter Appeal Jersey and Pizza Day	Order of Qkr
20/6	Netball Gala Day Year 3-6	All day
28/6	School Athletics Carnival	12noon
28/6	Lasagne and garlic bread P&F Lunch	TBC
30/6	Last Day for Term 2	3:00pm
17/7	School resumes for Term 3	8:50am
17/7	First Communion Compulsory parent night	6:30pm