Dear parents and friends,

“Neither do I condemn you”

At Mass this Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Lent, we will hear again the Gospel story of the sinful woman brought to Jesus. Those who brought her were doing so in the hope of not only having the woman publicly condemned, but also of trapping Jesus into contradicting the law of Moses - that she should be stoned for her sins.

Scripture scholars tell us that the crowd was full of hate for Jesus and also of self-righteous anger and judgement of the woman. Full of compassion, but also aware of the trap being laid for him, Jesus responds in a most unexpected way. After spending some time writing in the dirt on the ground (we do not know what he was writing!), Jesus stands and speaks the memorable words, “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

The crowd immediately begins to disperse, one by one leaving the scene. It is clear that Jesus has dismissed the self-appointed ‘judge and jury’, their malice disqualifying them. He then speaks to the woman: “Has no one condemned you?... Neither do I condemn you; go away and sin no more.” Jesus speaks of God’s mercy without fear of those who would entrap him, and without undermining the law.

As Term 1, during which the St Brigid’s school value of Compassion has been our focus, draws to a close, we might pray for growing wisdom and discernment: to see Jesus as our model of mercy and compassion, and the God of our hearts as our judge.

Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning

CYCLIC REVIEW

Every five years Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong are required to undertake the Cyclic Review process as part of our Learning Improvement Journey.

This is an opportunity as a self-reviewing, self-improving Catholic school community to review past improvements in the faith and educational life of our school and to look ahead to further improvements and growth. An external Review Team will be at St Brigid’s on Wednesday 8 May 2019 to affirm the school’s initiatives and successes and they will work with our school leadership team to identify some future directions.

CLIMBING FOR THE SUN PROJECT

Levi Gibson is embarking upon a mission to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania in July 2019 in an effort to raise funds for St Brigid’s Primary School to install a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System, and in doing so become the first primary school in the Illawarra (124 schools) to be virtually electricity independent. It will also be the largest solar installation on a primary school in the Illawarra.

The proposed 35kW Solar Photovoltaic System presents a target budget of $32,400 to purchase Tier 1 technology that includes a 30-year performance warranty. Best of all, the system will save the school approximately $10,300 per annum which can be directed back into student learning.

The good news?

Levi is already 67% of the way, having raised $21,735 via primary sponsor, Dapto Leagues Club, as well as very generous support from Jackson Residential, Figtree Gourmet Kitchen, Culinarius, D’vahair, Wollongong Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, Illawarra Home Loans, Advanced Constructions, Wiseman Park Bowling Club, Wisharts Paint Solutions, Rowles Site Solutions, Ray White Wollongong, Warilla Bowls Club, DGB Lawyers, Ingleburn RSL Club, BaiMed Physiotherapy, ESBS Consultants, Massey Park Golf Club, MMJ Wollongong, Culburra Bowling Club, QSX International, NowChem, Progenia, Talis Consultants, Waste Initiatives, 100% Renewables, and the broader community.

All expenses associated with administering the Climbing for the Sun Project, both financial and in-kind, will be entirely covered by Rana Environmental so you can have confidence that 100% of funds raised will go towards the solar PV system supply and install cost.

And that’s where you come in……

You can support the project in one of two ways:

1. Adopt a panel for $250 which will see your family’s name added to a permanent display to accompany the system. For more information, email enquiry@ranaenvironmental.com.au
2. Go to https://www.gofundme.com/climbingforthesunproject, hit the Donate Now button, and contribute whatever amount you like.
    

GUIDED LEARNING WALKS - OPEN CLASSROOMS

Next Thursday, 11 April from 2.00pm,  there will be an opportunity for you to visit your child’s classroom to see the learning that has taken place during Term 1. On entry, you will be handed a blue laminated card which can assist you in asking your child about their learning.

• What are you learning? Why?
• How are you doing?
• How do you know?
• How can you improve?
• Where do you go for help?

STAFF OVERNIGHT RETREAT- PUPIL FREE DAY 10 May 2019

           “May God be glorified in all things”

Next term, the staff will travel to The Hermitage, Mittagong on the afternoon of 9 May 2019 to participate in an overnight retreat of quiet and contemplation. This staff spiritual formation opportunity will allow us to stop and experience stillness, to discover more about ourselves and our loving God and to focus on Jesus’ mission for us as Catholic educators. We will be connecting with Scripture, The Benedictine Rule, the History of the Good Samaritan Sisters, our charism as well as exploring our school values in depth. This retreat will be facilitated by Beth Riolo, (Education Officer - Special Projects CEO) and Pat O’Gorman, (Director Mission Integration - Good Samaritan Education).

PRINCIPAL'S AWARD

Congratulations to Edwina for achieving her first Principal's award. This is a wonderful achievement.

CROSS COUNTRY

On Wednesday the students participated in our annual Cross Country Carnival. Congratulations to all students for their wonderful participation in the events. It was wonderful to see all students trying their best and displaying wonderful sportsmanship.  A big thank you to the staff and parents for your support on the day. We are unable to run such wonderful events without the support of our community. Congratulations to the students who finished in the top rankings.

Congratulations to our overall Cross Country champions:

• Senior Girls - Celeste
• Senior Boys - Henry
• Junior Girls - Grace
• Junior Boys - Matthieu

The overall results of the day were:

• 1st -  Blue 309 points
• 2nd - Gold 273 points
• 3rd - Red 226 points

DIOCESAN CROSS COUNTRY

The Diocesan Cross Country carnival will be held on Tuesday 7th May 2019 (Term 2 Week 2) at Nowra. Students who have been selected in the St Brigid’s squad will be informed next week. A note will be sent home outlining school training sessions in preparation for the event. It is important that all students chosen in the squad continue to train during the  holidays.

DIOCESAN TOUCH TRIALS

Congratulations to Mia A who attended the Diocesan Touch Trials last Tuesday at Dalton Park. Well done Mia!

WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN

The Woolworths Earn and Learn Program is beginning again this year. This program gives schools the opportunity to earn new resources. Woolworths has partnered with Modern Teaching Aids where there are a large range of categories to choose from including; ICT, science, sports, mathematics, arts and crafts.

How you can help:

1. Between 1 May and 25 June 2019, collect as many stickers as you can.
2. Stick them on the sticker sheets and give them to school. Or drop them into a collection box in the store in Figtree
3. Don’t forget, you can always download and print extra sticker sheets at woolworths.com.au/earnandlearn
4. Ask neighbours, friends and grandparents to collect stickers as well.

Thank you so much for your support.
 

Sacrament of Penance - Reconciliation 2019

Last Friday, the Year 3 children enjoyed a day full of engaging activities and quiet contemplation as they culminated their preparation of the for the Sacrament of Penance with the reception of Reconciliation.  

We congratulate our recipients as they continue the journey, started at Baptism, in receiving the sacraments in our Catholic Church.

PROJECT COMPASSION

Our fundraising efforts for week 3 and 4 of Lent:

SAVE THE DATE

DATE	EVENT	CLASS
Thursday 11 April 2019	Guided Learning Walks (2pm) Lenten Liturgy led by Year 5W (2:40pm)	Whole School
Sunday 14 April 2019	Palm Sunday
Thursday 18 April 2019	Holy Thursday
Friday 19 April 2019	Good Friday
Sunday 21 April 2019	Easter Sunday

 

Easter Celebrations in our Lumen Christi Pastoral Region

The children received a flyer on Monday, outlining the Mass times in each of the churches in the Lumen Christi Region for Holy Week and Easter.  

 

Appin Massacre Memorial

Remembering, Healing, Reconciliation

This event is a memorial to the Aboriginal people who were massacred by government troops in April 1816. This event has been held annually for over 20 years and is an important cultural gathering for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to come together in a spirit of reconciliation and healing.

The memorial ceremony involves a short walk to the site. Appropriate footwear, hats, sunscreen and bottled water are recommended. As the site has limited seating available, please feel free to bring your own fold up chairs.  The event will take place regardless of weather conditions.

2019 Appin massacre memorial flyer.pdf

2019 Appin massacre memorial flyer _pdf 4.81 MB

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and holy Easter holiday.

Anna Arthur-Worsop
 

RUGBY LEAGUE / LEAGUE TAG GALA DAY

Monday of Week 10 saw the participants in the Rugby League/League Tag Gala Day involved in a workshop facilitated by the NRL. Both girls and boys had specific coaching particular to their own game. I’d like to thank the representatives from the NRL who came to school to assist our players in preparing for the Gala Day. They gave great practical advice to our students and encouraged the further development of their skills.

The Rugby League/League Tag Gala Day was held on a rainy Thursday of the same week at Reed Park in Dapto. St Brigid’s entered 1 team in the boys Rugby League section and 1 team in the girls League Tag event. In difficult conditions, both teams had a combination of wins and losses throughout the day. As more games were played the degree of skill and teamwork increased. There were well-timed passes, skillful tackles and great runs – some ending in spectacular tries. Well done to all our students both on your games played and your sportsmanship shown.

I would like to offer a big note of thanks to our parent volunteers who acted as managers and coaches throughout the day. We appreciate your time and organisation Mrs Duggan, Mr McCann and Mrs Poidevin. Thank you for assisting us. Thanks also to the parents and family members who were there to cheer on our students.

TEAMS:

Girls League Tag:
Mia, Zara, Leki, Alina, Piper, Callista, Celeste, Harper, Milli, Jahzara and Madi

Boys Rugby League:
Max, Daniel, Mondre, Kip, Henry, Zane, Jonah and Lucas.

Ms Sparks

THANK YOU

Thanks to all the family and friends who came to the Harmony Day breakfast and made it a great experience. A very special thanks as well to all the volunteers that helped out on the day, you made the event run extremely smoothly.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming P&F events for your diary:

WANT TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE LIFE OF THE SCHOOL?

Are you interested in volunteering for P&F events? Would you like to help out the wonderful St. Brigid’s community but don’t know where to start? We’d love to have you on board.

Drop the P&F a line and we’d be very happy to get you involved in events or as a coordinator. We can also team you up with an existing volunteer to help share the work and learn the ropes. Email us at pandf@sbgdow.catholic.edu.au
 

Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during the last fortnight.

Week 9 - Term 1

Week 10 - Term 1

CLASS	FAITH AWARD	LEADER OF THE WEEK
Kindergarten	Allaria	Alice
Year 1	Neave	Theo
Year 2	Lachlan	Anthony
Year 3	Ash	Grace
Year 4	Quentin	Charlotte
Year 5G	Arabella	Zita
Year 5W	Ryder	Calista
Year 6	Milli	Ayesha

Congratulations to the students who have received their Assistant Principal Award. Well done!

CLASS	STUDENT
5	Piper
5	Zara

Happy Birthday to the following students.

We hope you have a great birthday!

The Canteen will be closed until:

TERM 2 WEDNESDAY 1 MAY 2019.

Please ensure that students bring all their food to school until this date when orders will be available again.

THANK YOU

I would sincerely like to thank Silvia Lucchini who has been our Canteen Coorindator during Term 1, 2019. Silvia has worked tirelessly to meet the standards required of a healthy school canteen and has been innovative in her ideas. It's great having such committeed volunteers.

Kerry Sweeney has volunteered to take over the coordinator role for Term 2. I thank Kerry for her generosity.

St Brigid’s Gwynneville

Saturday	5.30pm Vigil
Sunday	9.00am
Thursday	9.30am

For the most current Mass times and Parish information, please visit the Parish website http://www.lumenchristi.org

A reminder that applications are now being accepted for Kindergarten in 2020.  The enrolment forms are available from the school office, from the school website or by clicking on the link below.

Enrolments close NEXT Friday 12 April 2019 as interviews are schedule for May.

Enrolment Information

School Shoes Sale

Lowes is having a Sale on School Shoes, up to 50% off, whilst stocks last.