SCHOOL NEWS
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION- REFLECTION FROM OUR REC
Last week, our Year 6 students took an important step in their faith journey as they received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This sacred occasion was a deeply moving and joyful celebration, as 15 of our Year 6 students were sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the presence of their families, teachers, parish community, and the Most Reverend Bishop Brian Mascord.
During the ceremony, the students demonstrated great reverence and maturity as they answered questions posed by Bishop Brian, reflecting on the meaning of Confirmation and how the Holy Spirit will guide their lives. Their thoughtful and heartfelt responses showed a deepening understanding of their Catholic faith and a sincere commitment to living as disciples of Christ.
The Confirmation Mass was made all the more special through the efforts of many. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our candidates for their courage, preparation, and dedication. You have each made a significant and public commitment to your faith, and we pray that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire and strengthen you in the years ahead.
A sincere thank you goes out to Bishop Brian for presiding over the celebration and to Father Bernard, Father Cang, and the Lumen Christi Parish Staff for their guidance and support. We also acknowledge the commitment of our Year 6 teachers, music ministry, altar servers, and Ms Uroda who helped prepare the students and contributed to the beautiful liturgy.
To the families and sponsors who have supported these young people throughout their journey-thank you. Your example and encouragement play a vital role in nurturing their growing faith.
May this milestone be a source of grace, joy, and spiritual growth for our newly Confirmed students. Congratulations!
STAFF SPIRITUALITY RETREAT
As part of our 2025 Annual Improvement Goal, staff will be continuing our journey together in exploring Catholic Social Teaching (CST) as the central focus of our faith formation and mission. Rooted in the Gospel and the Church’s call to justice, CST invites us to respond to the world with compassion, service and stewardship for God’s creation.
To enrich this journey, we are also drawing on our Benedictine charism, which grounds us in school values. By weaving together the principles of Catholic Social Teaching with the spirit of St Benedict, we aim to form hearts and minds that are not only faithful but also actively committed to making a difference in the world.
Throughout the year, our staff will continue to engage in meaningful learning experiences, reflections, and actions that deepen our understanding of the Catholic faith and its relevance in everyday life. These opportunities help us grow both spiritually and professionally, enabling us to accompany our students with greater purpose and authenticity.
As we explore how Gospel values come to life in the world around us, within and beyond the school gates, this ongoing formation will directly inform how we guide our students through the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. It equips us to help them recognise and respond to the needs of others, act with justice and compassion, and live out their faith in practical, meaningful ways.
We look forward to sharing this journey with our students and families as we continue to build a community grounded in faith, action, and hope.
JUBILEE OF SPORT - THANK YOU
What a wonderful day we shared as a school community at our Jubilee of Sport and Pilgrimage! The day was filled with energy, spirit, and togetherness as students participated in a variety of sporting activities before joining in a whole-school pilgrimage at Wiseman Park Field.
It was heartening to see so many parents and family members join us for the pilgrimage, walking alongside students in a meaningful expression of our shared faith and unity. The presence and participation of our broader community made the event truly special.
A huge thank you goes to our MacKillop House staff team and school leaders for their outstanding organisation of the day. From coordinating sporting events to selling lolly bags and supporting every element of the celebration, their hard work ensured a memorable and joyful experience for all.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this beautiful day of faith, fun, and fellowship.
We’re thrilled to share the success of two recent fundraising events and extend our heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support.
Through our 2025 Walk-a-thon, we raised valuable funds to support the St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) 2025 Appeals, helping those in need within our wider community.
In addition, the money raised from our Jubilee of Sport activities has allowed us to purchase a second table tennis table and equipment, along with additional sporting resources for the oval, enhancing the opportunities for all students to be active and engaged during playtimes.
A special congratulations to the Beeton family, who were the lucky winners of the Rebel/Hawks prize package for raising over $100!
ACTING PRINCIPAL - MRS AMY SAMMAT
Following a recruitment process led by Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) and in consultation with our Parish Administrator, Fr Bernard Gordon, Mrs Amy-Louise Sammut has been appointed as Acting Principal during my Long Service Leave from 21 July - 29 August 2025.
Amy is currently the Assistant Principal at St Michael’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Thirroul, and previously served as Acting Assistant Principal here at St Brigid’s from 2021 to 2022.
Amy brings strong leadership experience, a deep commitment to Catholic education, and a genuine understanding of our school community. St Brigid’s will continue to flourish under her guidance supported by our dedicated leadership team and staff.
Please join me in warmly welcoming Amy back to St Brigid’s.
NAPLAN DATA
Celebrating Our Outstanding NAPLAN Results
We are delighted to share that the initial NAPLAN data for 2025 reflects outstanding achievement from our students at St Brigid’s. While the individual student and parent reports are yet to be released, the CEDoW analysis of the 29 primary schools in the diocese paints a clear picture of significant growth and academic excellence in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and numeracy.
This success is a direct result of the extraordinary dedication and expertise of our teaching and support staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure every student is supported in their learning journey. Their commitment to high-quality teaching and targeted support has made a real and measurable difference.
Once the full dataset is received, our teachers will spend time analysing the results closely to continue supporting student growth and setting goals for further learning.
In the meantime, this is a moment for our whole school community to celebrate: these results reflect the strength of our teaching, the commitment of our students, and the vital partnership we share with families. Congratulations, St Brigid’s!
| Reading | Writing | Numeracy | Punctuation & Grammer | Spelling | |
| Year 3 | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Year 5 | 3rd | 6th | 1st | 1st | 11th |
NAIDOC WEEK
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday ), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.
The NAIDOC journey began as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Indigenous communities who saw a future built on justice and equality. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful national celebration, a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we commemorate this 50-year legacy, we also look forward, honouring the next generation who will carry the torch, shaping the future with courage, insight, and deep respect for our roots. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.
https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-theme
This year, we will be immersed in Aboriginal culture through dance, jewellery making and looking at artefacts. Adam Towney and his team will be visiting our school on Thursday, 3 July. The students will rotate between the three different activities.
"Every time we teach, at least one child is hearing the word “Aboriginal, Dharawal, Yuin, Dhurga, Wiradjuri” for the first time, “ochre” for the first time, “totem animal” for the first time, or hearing a “yidaki” (didgeridoo) for the first time.” Adam Towney
BISHOP BRIAN'S PASTORAL VISITATION
We are delighted to share that Bishop Brian Mascord will be making his official Pastoral Visitation to our parish from Thursday 25 July to Saturday 27 July 2025. This is a significant and special occasion in the life of our parish and school community, as the Bishop takes time to meet with clergy, parishioners, school staff, parents, and students to listen, support, and celebrate the faith life of our community.
At St Brigid’s, we are blessed by a dynamic and faith-filled partnership with our parish, which nurtures the spiritual life of our students and enriches the wider community. Bishop Brian’s visit is a wonderful opportunity to highlight and celebrate this shared mission in action.
As part of his visit, Bishop Brian will spend time at St Brigid’s on Friday 25 July from 9:30–10:30am, meeting with staff, student representatives, and invited parent representatives.
We especially invite all families to attend the Saturday evening Vigil Mass at 5:30pm, where Bishop Brian will celebrate a special Mass with our parish. Members of our school community will be involved in various ministries throughout the liturgy. Following the Mass, there will be a parish reception in the St Brigid’s Hall, and all families are warmly welcomed to attend.
This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a faith community and show our support for one another.
PARENT ENGAGEMENT
We’re excited to be offering an 8-week gymnastics program for all students throughout Term 3. Delivered by qualified instructors, the program will support students’ physical development, coordination, balance and confidence in movement.
This initiative aligns with the NSW PDHPE syllabus, particularly in the area of "Movement Skill and Performance", helping students develop competence and confidence to participate in a range of physical activities.
We sincerely thank our parents and carers for taking the time to participate in the recent school survey. Your feedback provides valuable insights into how we are supporting students and families, and helps shape our ongoing efforts to improve. We are encouraged by the strong results and also mindful of the areas that call for further attention.
Strengths in Communication and Engagement
St Brigid’s continues to demonstrate strong results in the area of two-way communication with parents, with a school mean of 7.9 compared to the regional average of 7.2. Parents feel welcomed when they visit the school (8.9), find it easy to speak with their child’s teachers, and are well informed about school activities (8.3). Written communication is clear and accessible (8.1), and parents generally feel listened to by teachers. The approachability of the principal and the scheduling of events at convenient times also support strong partnerships with families.
Supporting Student Learning and Behaviour
The domain of support for student learning received a school mean of 7.7, again exceeding the regional mean of 7.2. Parents highlighted the encouragement students receive to do their best (8.5), and noted that teachers maintain high expectations (7.7) and take an interest in their child’s learning (8.0). Classroom management and behavioural expectations are clear and consistent, with students being expected to pay attention (8.4), and rules for school behaviour clearly communicated (8.9).
In addition, behavioural support and student wellbeing emerged as key strengths. St Brigid’s achieved a school mean of 8.7 in this area, well above the regional mean of 7.6. Parents expressed high levels of confidence in the safety of their children at school (8.6) and travelling to and from school (8.8). They also reported minimal concerns regarding gangs (9.5) or racial tensions (9.0), and believed behaviour issues were addressed in a timely manner (7.7).
We also received strong feedback in how the school supports diverse learning and inclusion, with a mean of 7.9 in this area (regional mean 6.8). Parents acknowledged the school’s commitment to helping students who need additional support (8.0), creating opportunities for slower-paced learners (7.9), and supporting students with special needs (7.9). Staff were also recognised for their efforts to include all students in school life (8.2) and to help foster positive friendships among peers (7.4).
Areas for Continued Growth
While these results are affirming, your feedback also draws our attention to some important areas for reflection and improvement:
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Homework expectations (6.8) were the lowest-rated item in the learning domain, suggesting a need for more clarity and consistency across year levels.
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While parents feel informed, we see opportunities to enhance communication about academic progress (7.1), timely feedback when students are not progressing (7.6), and consistent reporting of behaviour, both positive and negative (7.2).
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Lower scores in understanding a child’s future opportunities (6.7) and social and emotional development (6.2) indicate a need for greater focus on holistic development and future planning, in partnership with families.
We are truly blessed to have the support of our local community and generous business sponsors, whose contributions strengthen the mission of the Lumen Christi Parish. Our partnership with the Catholic Development Fund Wollongong and the broader parish network reflects our shared commitment to faith, service, and community life. We are especially grateful to the following local businesses for their generous support:
- H. Parsons Funeral Directors,
- CVC Law,
- Hansen & Cole Funerals,
- Transformation by Design,
- Figtree Gourmet Kitchen,
- WHK Commercial,
- Lunarey Luxury Sleepwear,
- D’va Hair Gwynneville,
- Harbourfront Restaurant,
- Eva Whitmee Makeup,
- Bottle-O,
- Cin Cin Pizza Cucina,
- Leisure Coast Fruit Market,
- and Gwynneville Pharmacy
Their contributions enrich the life of our parish and are a testament to the strength, unity, and community spirit of the Wollongong region.
Congratulations to the DAVIES family who won the "right on time" raffle ticket prize today!
ARRIVE TO THRIVE - ATTENDANCE
St Brigid's Attendance Procedures
The following table outlines the procedures that will be followed to ensure every student at St Brigid’s has the opportunity to thrive. Regular school attendance plays a key role in each child’s academic progress, wellbeing, and social development.
Every fortnight, the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) provides us with updated attendance data. This allows us to monitor patterns and respond early to any concerns. Our staged approach ensures that appropriate support is offered in partnership with families to promote consistent attendance for every learner.
| Attendance Level | Percentage | Follow up |
| Regular | 90% – 100% |
n/a |
| Targeted | 80% – 89% | Stage Leader/ Parent phone call |
| Targeted | 71%- 79 | Parent F2F meeting to discuss strategies |
| Intensive | 70% and below | Parent Meeting - Individual student plan writtten |
Please find below a link to the form used to apply for Extended Absence in excess of five days. Notification of extended absence in excess of 5 days form
SPORTS DAYS IN TERM 3
| CLASS | DAYS |
| Kindergarten | Monday & Friday |
| Year 1 | Wednesday & Friday |
| Year 2 | Thursday & Friday |
| Year 3 | Wednesday & Friday |
| Year 4 | ednesday & Friday |
| Year 5 | Thursday & Friday |
| Year 6 | Thursday & Friday |
LITERACY WEEK DRESS UP
St Brigid’s will be celebrating Literacy Week on Friday 29 August, with a special focus on encouraging and celebrating both literacy and numeracy across our school community.
The day will begin with a 'Read to Your Child' morning, followed by our regular Friday assembly. After the assembly, students will take part in our Dress-Up Parade, where they are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character. Whether it’s a classic storybook hero, a magical creature, or a character from a beloved novel, we’re looking forward to seeing all the wonderful and creative costumes!
It promises to be a joyful celebration of reading, storytelling, and imagination.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS IN 2025
There are eight such days scheduled for 2025, where our teachers, school leaders, and administrative support staff engage in targeted professional learning. These days are crucial in enhancing the skills and knowledge of our staff, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our students.
On these days, students do not attend school. This allows our staff to focus on professional development, planning, and enhancing their capabilities. Professional learning is an essential part of our commitment to building a highly skilled and professional workforce.
- Day 1 - Friday 31 January
- Day 2 - Friday 11 April
- Day 3 - Wednesday 4 June
- Day 4 - Wednesday 2 July
- Day 5 - Monday 1 September
- Day 6 - Friday 26 September
- Day 7 - Thursday 18 December
- Day 8 - Friday 19 December
Canteen
All canteen enquiries can be directed to Nicole Bonar - if your child is absent on the day you have organised a lunch order please text Nicole Bonar on the below mobile number and let her know before 8.30am - she will organise a credit for you.
