ST BRIGID'S END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY AND CONCERT RSVP

We are delighted to invite you to our End of Year Assembly and Christmas Carol Sing-Along! 

Date: Friday 13 December 2024
Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: St Brigid's School Grounds

We would love to see everyone there as we come together for our final event of the 2024 school year. So to help us plan and ensure a fantastic experience for all, please complete the RSVP form at your earliest convenience. Accurate numbers will assist us in organising the class items and making the evening enjoyable for everyone. Thank you, and we look forward to celebrating with you!

CONCERN FOR STUDENT WELLBEING: EARLY VISITS TO WISEMAN PARK  

I’d like to bring to your attention a concern that has recently come to our attention which I feel is important to address for the well-being of our students.

It appears that an increasing number of students are going to Wiseman Park before school starts. Yesterday morning, a local council worker spoke to Mrs. Checkley about two students who were already in Wiseman Park shortly after 7:00am. We’ve also been contacted from some local residents who are concerned about students arriving very early and often without supervision.

While we encourage outdoor activity and appreciate the students' enthusiasm, it is important to ensure their safety and well-being. To address this issue, we ask for your cooperation in making sure that students are supervised if they choose to visit the park before school. Proper supervision helps ensure that they are safe and secure while they wait for school to begin.

We value your support and understanding in maintaining a safe environment for our students.

STAFF LONG SERVICE LEAVE 

We are delighted to announce that Mrs. Mitrevski has returned from her well-deserved European holiday, refreshed and ready to continue her dedicated work in our school office. We trust that her time away has provided her with renewed energy and inspiration.

As Mrs. Mitrevski returns, we would also like to share that Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Frino will soon be setting off on their own well-deserved holidays to Italy and France. We wish them a wonderful and refreshing break.

Wishing Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Frino a delightful and rejuvenating holiday. We look forward to hearing all about your wonderful adventures upon your return!

WHOOPING COUGH

NSW Health’s most recent Respiratory Surveillance Report advises that Whooping Cough (Pertussis) activity continues to increase in school-aged children.

What is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. It is characterised by severe coughing fits, which can make it difficult to breathe, and often ends with a "whooping" sound when the person breathes in.

Symptoms:

Initial symptoms resemble a common cold: runny nose, sneezing, mild fever, and mild cough. The cough usually gets worse and severe bouts of uncontrollable coughing can develop. Coughing bouts can be followed by vomiting, choking or taking a big gasping breath which causes a "whooping" sound. The cough can last for many weeks and can be worse at night. 

How is it Spread?

Whooping cough is spread when an infectious person coughs bacteria into the air which can be inhaled by people nearby. 

Prevention:

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent whooping cough.  Good hygiene practices, such as covering the mouth when coughing and regular handwashing, help reduce the spread of the infection.

Treatment:

If whooping cough is detected early enough, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. After 5 days of antibiotic treatment, enough bacteria are killed to stop the spread to others, although the cough can linger for weeks.

Without antibiotics, people with whooping cough can spread the infection in the first 3 weeks of the cough starting.  In some situations, other people who have been in contact with an infectious person may also need antibiotics to help prevent them from getting whooping cough, especially young children, people at high risk of health problems and those more likely to pass the infection to children.

School:

Children/staff members with a confirmed case of whooping cough should stay at home until they have completed at least 5 days of a prescribed antibiotic course. 

If close contacts being treated with antibiotics to prevent the spread of the disease are not displaying symptoms and have not tested positive for whooping cough they are permitted to attend school. 

Please refer to NSW Health - Information for Childcare and Schools for more information.

CSPA - PARENT SURVEY ON STUDENT WELLBEING AHD LEARNING

Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) is seeking the support of Catholic school parents and carers to take part in a national parents and carers survey.

 The CSPA 2024 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning is seeking your perspective as parents/carers of children who attend a Catholic School in Australia.

 You are invited to share your views on existing and emerging affirmations and/or
challenges in relation to your child/children’s wellbeing and learning. Please consider completing this anonymous, confidential, and completely voluntary online survey.

More information about the study, how to participate, and how to have questions answered, can be found here.