From the Principal's Desk
APPRECIATING MOTHER'S BBQ BREAKFAST AND LITURGY
Despite the brisk 12.7 degrees this morning, we had a scrumptious breakfast prepared and cooked with perfection. It was wonderful to see so many families in attendance to celebrate the gift of our mothers.
A huge thank you to our Coordinator Lara P and the following parent helpers: Renee D, Shae R, Luke M, Mark E, Adam T, Justin H, Dave Mc, Svetlana T, Cindy M and Claire S.
200 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA
Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.
“Faith in the future” has been developed for the 200 years celebrations. The theme reflects the core purpose of Catholic education to form students in their faith, and to provide an education that enables our graduates to make a meaningful contribution to the world. The theme reflects our commitment to build on the great work of those who have come before us, and to provide a Catholic education for future generations of students in a world that is rapidly changing and poses new challenges for Catholic school communities. Yet, we have faith that we can face these challenges and continue to build on, and strengthen our mission of Catholic education.
The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony.
Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.
This represents 777,000 students in 1,755 schools across the country and employing over 100,000 teachers and staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.
The formal celebrations were due to be held from October 2020 to October 2021. However, due to pandemic restrictions, the celebrations will be held on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on 24 May 2021. St Brigid's School Captains, Edwina and Luca will accompany me to the celebration at St John Vianney's Co-Cathedral.
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.
By facilitating NSS we aim to:
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promote the value of reading and literacy,
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promote the value and fun of books,
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promote an Australian writer and publisher,
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promote storytime activities in libraries and communities around the country,
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and provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.
Imagine astronauts reading stories from space to school children & families in an exciting new program that combines literature with science!
ALIA along with Scholastic, the Australian Space Agency and the Office of the Chief Scientist invites you to join us for an intergalactic experience with the NSS 2021 book being read by the astronaut Dr Shannon Walker from the International Space Station.
At 11:00am, students at St Brigid's will join over 1 million children for this event.
NAPLAN ONLINE
This week students in Year 3 and Year 5 participated in the NAPLAN online assessments. NAPLAN Online is a tailored test that adapts to student responses, presenting students with questions that may be more or less difficult – resulting in better assessment and more precise results. It tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy.
- Hasties Meats - who donated all the sausages
- Bob and Pete’s - who gave us the bread at cost
- The Ferri family (Figtree Gourmet Kitchen) who donated and sliced the onions
- Packaging Direct - gloves and cleaning products
- PFD food services - sauce donation
MACKILLOP HOCKEY
CATHEDRAL CAR PARKING - CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS
This is a great way to contribute to our best fundraising opportunity. This year we are working towards adding to our play equipment and hopefully purchasing a geoclimber. We also need to replace some flexible furniture items for the classroom.
Can you assist at the upcoming events?
|
DATE |
EVENT |
VOLUNTEER TIME |
|
26 May 2021 |
Tina Arena |
7:00pm - 8:00pm |
|
29 May 2021 |
Tran Tasman Test |
1:30pm - 2:30pm |
|
19 June 2021 |
Dragons v Canberra |
4:00pm - 5:30pm |
|
19 June 2021 |
The Veronica's |
5:30pm - 7:00pm |
If you can assist with car parking at any of the above events, please click on the link below to add your name.
| EVENT | DATE | TIME |
| Year 4 Excursion to the Rocks | Thursday 20 May 2021 | All day |
| Whole School Liturgy | Monday 24 May 2021 | 2:00pm |
| Activate Fire for Year 6 | Tuesday 25 May 2021 | All day |
| Kindergarten 2022 parent night | Wednesday 26 May 2021 | 5:00pm |
| St Brigid's Kid's Disco | Friday 28 May 2021 | 5:30pm &7:30pm |
| Jersey Day for Vinnies Winter Appeal | Friday 4 June 2021 | All day |
| Special Food Day | Friday 4 June 2021 | 12:50pm |
| School Photos | Tuesday 8 June 2021 | All day |
| South Coast Netball Gala Day | Tuesday 15 June 2021 | All day |
| St Brigid's Athletics Carnival | Wednesday 16 June 2021 | All day |