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"Do this in memory of me"
Seventeen of our Year 3 and 4 students are currently preparing for their special day, the celebration of their First Communion, and we are all so mindful of the significance of this occasion - for themselves, their families, and our parish. These celebrations for our schools and parish are fast approaching as students and families have been preparing for some time.
Receiving Jesus through the Sacrament of the Eucharist is the high point of the students’ initiation into the Church, the sacrament that completes the process of initiation, and is when a person can fully participate in the Eucharist by receiving Holy Communion. They receive the body and blood of Jesus for the very first time and know that they celebrate the real presence of Christ in the bread wine, and in the gathered community. This is cause for great joy and for marking the occasion with happiness, pride and all the symbols of a special occasion.
In the words of Pope Francis, of the Eucharist, “... from this Sacrament of love, in fact, flows every authentic journey of faith, of communion, and of witness.”
We believe, as Catholics, that Jesus left us the gift of himself in the Eucharist, and our students will soon be granted this great gift of love to strengthen and support them in their daily lives as Christian people. A cause for great celebration!
We wish all our first communicants, and their families, every blessing as they experience the great joy of welcoming Jesus, through receiving him in Holy Communion, for the very first time in the coming weeks.
We pray for the following students who will soon receive, for the first time, Jesus in Holy Communion. May they love Him with all their hearts and forever live in the joy of faith in Him:
Mia M, Jude C, Charlotte F, Finn D, Grace H, Jonas T, Isla R, Maya I, Logan A, Veronica A, Hayde R, Hannah J, Vita K, Flynn D, Ella D, Jacob M and Sophie RM
NEW PLAYGROUND TRAMPOLINES
We have just purchased 2 additional Vuly trampolines for the playground from the recent fundraising at Cathedral Car Parking. Thank you to Sarina C, Josie C, Mark H, Brad F, and Brad D for volunteering. A special thank you to Sarina C who coordinated the car parking while I was on renewal leave.
STAFF LEAVE
ST BRIGID'S MILESTONE AWARDS
In order to assist you and your child in keeping track of achievement milestone awards we would like to give every student a new tracking card (see example below) and mesh A5 zipper pouch.
Throughout the remainder of the term we invite you to gather all your Merit Certificates, Assistant Principal and Principal awards and send them to school so that Mrs Benoit and I can sign off on your progress and issue you with your new storage pouch and card.
| WEEK | CLASS TO BRING IN AWARDS |
| 6 | Year 5 and Year 6 |
| 7 | Year 4 and Year 3 |
| 8 | Year 2 and Year 1 |
| 9 | Kindergarten |
BOOK WEEK 2023
The CBCA Book Week theme for 2023 is "Read, Grow, Inspire". We will hold our celebration next Tuesday, 22 August 2023. You are warmly invited to attend the morning sessions of this celebration.
|
Time |
Event |
Location |
|
8:50am |
Big Brigid Book Swap Read to your child - main playground |
School Hall |
|
9:20am |
Book Week Parade |
Main playground |
|
10:10am |
Guided Learning Walks and Talks Creative Writing Presentation |
Classrooms |
|
10:30am |
Morning Tea (picnic style) in family groups |
Main Playground |
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Dear Parents and Carers of St Brigid's Catholic Parish Primary School, Gwynneville
As part of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Principal Performance and Development Plan Process, an Appraisal occurs for each Principal every three or four years.
The Principal Appraisal process will be occurring for Katherine Uroda, Principal of St Brigid's Catholic Parish Primary School, Gwynneville, over the coming weeks and parents are invited to participate via a short survey. Entering your name on the survey is optional and extracted data remains confidential to the panel members.
Surveys need to be completed before Friday, 1 September 2023.
This Appraisal aims to give the Principal affirmation, honest feedback about their past performance and recommendations to give them direction for the future.
Your contribution to the Principal Appraisal via honest survey feedback is highly valued and an important component of the Principal Appraisal process.
Natasha O'Donoghue - Assistant Director - People and Culture
DAY OF PRAYER FOR CREATION
In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on 1 September 2023, Pope Francis calls us to a change of heart and “the renewal of our relationship with creation so that we no longer see it as an object to be exploited but cherish it instead as a sacred gift from our Creator.” Pope Francis encourages us to avoid waste and to promote practices that promote care for our environment and the earth’s resources for future generations.
SAVE THE DATES - TERM 3
| 21/8 | Library today | All day |
| 22/8 | Book Week Parade, Open classrooms | 8:50 - 11:15am |
| 23/8 | Welcome afternoon tea for Kinder 2024 | 4:30pm |
| 24/8 | First Reconciliation for Year 3 students | 10:15am |
| 24/8 | Year 3 retreat day for First Communion | 9:00am - 2:30pm |
| 26/8 | First Communion Mass Group 1 | 5:30pm |
| 28/8 | Father's day P&F celebration | |
| 29/8 | Playgroup 1 for Kinder 2024 | 8:50am and 2:50pm |
| 31/8 - 1/9 | Year 5 and 6 camp at The tops | Overnight |
| 2/9 | First Communion Mass Group 2 | 5:30pm |
| 19/9 - 20/9 | Parent/Teacher/Student PP meetings | All day |
| 22/9 | End of Term 3 | |
| 10/10 | Term 4 starts for all students |
The Bishop of Wollongong, Most Rev. Brian Mascord DD, has published a new document on the nature and purpose of Catholic schools in our diocese. Titled Bearers of Christ’s Love — Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, this document is the first of its type in our diocese since the 1970s.
In it, Bishop Brian explores the purpose of Catholic schools as an expression of the Church experience, as well as the vital connection between schools, parents/carers, parishes, and the diocese itself.
Throughout the document, Bishop Brian reiterates:
- The significant role Catholic schools play in the evangelising mission of the Church and the nurturing of students’ faith.
- The commitment of Catholic educators to complement and support the educational rights and duties of parents as their child’s first educator.
- The essential requirement for Catholic schools to be places of educational excellence, where learning, wellbeing and actions of outreach and service are integrated in a holistic educational vision and practice.
- That Catholic schools are places where those seeking a Catholic education are welcome, reflecting the diverse mix of cultures, nationalities and religious traditions that currently make up our school communities.
I encourage you to take the time to watch the short video from Bishop Brian and read this important document on the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong website.
BULLYING NO WAY DAY
Today we held a ‘Bullying No Way Day’. This day is being held during National Bullying Prevention Week to raise awareness and take a stand against bullying.
The students participated in activities in their classrooms and played board games to learn about inclusion, turn taking, resilience and dealing with emotions if things don’t go the way we want when we play games. One of the hardest lessons to learn when you’re trying to build resiliency is that you don’t always win—and that’s OK.
PARENT READING VOLUNTEERS - KINDERGARTEN & YEAR 1
We are seeking some parent volunteers who would be willing to listen to the students in Kindergarten read on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:50 -9:20am and Year 1 read on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:50 -9:20am. The purpose of this is to support the frequency that students are reading with an adult in order to build their confidence as readers.
If you would like to support our students, we require you to complete a child protection declaration before volunteering. Please complete the attached V3 form if you do not hold a current Working with Children Check Clearance (WWCC). If you do have a WWCC, then you only need to complete the V2 form.
A short presentation will be held on Friday 25 August at 9:15am (after Assembly) in the library for all parents who would like to volunteer. This presentation will outline the child safe guidelines for volunteers and some tips for supporting young readers. You can complete the appropriate form at school when you come for the presentation. Parent reading will begin in Week 7.
ST BRIGID'S AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during Week 3,4 and 5 of Term 3.
Week 3 - Term 3
Students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive our Building Partnerships Award. This award recognises students from Kinder to Year 6 who work collaboratively with other students and their teachers to enhance their learning.
| CLASS |
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Ellen O | Ariel E |
| Year 1 | Chris T | Leo G |
| Year 2 |
Jaxson M Maggie M |
Levi C |
| Year 3 | Hayde R | Hrihaan C |
| Year 4 | Raphael I | Sachi B |
| Year 5 | Chloe M | Molly S |
| Year 6 | Christopher M | Lucas T |
Week 4 - Term 3
Today students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive the Making Connections Award. This award recognises students from Kinder to Year 6 who use their knowledge, skills and learning opportunites to connect to real world experiences and learning. These students seek to make meaning and connections to the world beyond the classroom.
| CLASS |
MAKING CONNECTIONS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Beatrix M | Zachary R |
| Year 1 | Bella W | Georgina H |
| Year 2 | Ted F & Ivy F | Lynn E |
| Year 3 | Logan A | Vita K |
| Year 4 | Ned L | Paulo D V J |
| Year 5 | Florence M | Isabella S |
| Year 6 | Eve A | Nicolo M |
Today, students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive our Catholic Values award of Stewardship. This award recognises those students who are inspired to live our faith in relationship with all of God's creation by being proactive stewards, taking responsibility for the care of our common home and one another.
| CLASS | CATHOLIC VALUES STEWARDSHIP | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Kai R | Mia F |
| Year 1 | Archie M | Emily Y |
| Year 2 | Giselle M & Jacob S | Elliott G |
| Year 3 | Hannah J | Hkum Seng D |
| Year 4 | Christian J | Ryder M |
| Year 5 | Ilena P | Lidia C |
| Year 6 | Sofia S | Eliza P |
Considered an honour of the highest order, the Principal's Award celebrates outstanding achievement by a student in faith, learning and other contributions to school life. Congratulations to:
Congratulations to the following students who have received an Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Term 3 - Week 3 - Year 1 | Ben F |
| Term 3 - Week 3 - Year 1 | Sophia N |
| Term 3- Week 3 - Year 2 | Drew G |
| Term 3 - Week 3 - Year 3 | Charlotte F |
| Term 3 - Week 3 - Year 6 | Bailey C |
| Term 3 - Week 4 - Year 2 | Amelia P |
| Term 3 - Week 4 - Year 3 | Hrihaan C |
| Term 3 - Week 4 - Year 3 | Logan A |
| Term 3 - Week 4 - Year 3 | Hayde R |
| Term 3 - Week 4 - Year 5 | Molly S |
| Term 3 - Week 4 - Year 6 | Emerson E |
| Term 3 - Week 4 - Year 6 | Lachlan E |
| Term 3 - Week 5 - Year 1 | Bella W |
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrated a brithday in
Week 3, 4 and 5 of Term 3
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Beatrix M | Quinn S | Samuel J | Ireland C | Matthew C | ||
| Violet D | Lachlan C | Eliza P | ||||
| Sophia N | Hunter M | Bailey C |
SOCCER GALA DAY
Unanderra Park was shining bright as all the teams arrived and were itching to take the field. It was a day of sportsmanship and teamwork as all of the St. Brigid's players worked together to have a fantastic day. Representing St Brigid's was an honour and everyone took that opportunity to play their best and keep pushing until the final whistle blew.
We need to thank Mr Andrea M and Mrs Caterina H massively for helping coach us and supporting us throughout the day. Also a big thankyou to Mrs Therese R for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come and support us.
By Rafael M, Yr6
The soccer gala day was alot of fun even though we didn't win many games. It was a great experience for everyone to play soccer against other teams from different schools. We played 7 games throughout the day. It was very tiring. We would love to thank our managers Kate S and Shae-Leigh R who gave up their time to coach us.
By David M, Yr4
SOUTH COAST ATHLETICS
On Tuesday 8 August a group of students participated in the South Coast Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park. These students should be very proud of their achievements and behaviour on the day. The students gave their all to each and every event and are to be congratulated on their achievements.
Congratulations to those students who attended:
Lidia C, Bailey C, Ireland C, Zach C, Finn D, Lachlan E, Ted F, Charlotte F, Vita K, Zlata K, Harper L-D, Sarah M, Bethany M, David M, Alice M, Maggie M, Rafael M, Rio M, Willow M, Hurley M, Ryder M, Hayde R, Hugo S, Sofia S and Ava Y.
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to participate in Wollongong Diocese Primary Athletics Selection Trials on Tuesday 15 August:
- Rio - 3rd 12yr Boys 800m
- Bethany - 1st 11yr Girls Shot Put
- Zac C - 1st 11yr Boys Long Jump
Congratulations to Zac who was awarded 3rd Place Overall Champion 11yr Boys.
UPDATING QKR!
Please make sure that you have updated all relevant information on your child's profile on Qkr! Just a reminder that your child's class needs to be updated annually.
FETE UPDATE
The Fete Committee has been working hard behind the scenes, however, we still NEED YOUR HELP!!
The Fete Committee desperately needs a TREASURER and ENTERTAINMENT COORDINATOR. We know our school community is full of talented professionals and we call on your help! If these important roles are not filled within the next week, we run the risk of the Fete not being able to go ahead.
Treasurer - Ideally someone good with numbers or accounting experience (but not essential). Can be a joint role, so grab a friend. Main responsibility is to track income and expenses for the fete, and setting up a payment system for the day. Most input is in the preparation for the fete and less involvement on the day.
Entertainment - Organise anything from DJs, musicians, dancers, magicians... you name it!
All of the roles are fully supported by the Fete Committee, the P&F exec and parent volunteers so you're not doing it alone!
If you are interested in volunteering in either of these roles, in another capacity, or have a great idea for a stall please email Pandf@sbgdow.catholic.edu.au
Looking forward to continuing to provide updates as the preparations continue - it’s exciting!
Want to know about the fun things happening at school?
Follow us on Facebook @ St Brigid’s Gwynneville P&F Association
UPCOMING LAWN MOWING ROSTER 2023
|
ROSTER 2023 |
||
|
Weekend |
Mower #1 |
Mower #2 |
|
26/08/2023 |
Juan Marcano |
Brett Shrimpton |
|
16/09/2023 |
Anthony Petre |
Louise MacDonald |
|
07/10/2023 |
Mark Eckermann |
Thomas Mortlock |
|
21/10/2023 |
Fabrizio Curcio |
Jason Shoebridge |
|
4/11/2023 |
Paul Brogan |
Jeremy Crook |
|
18/11/2023 |
Matt Duggan |
n/a |
|
2/12/2023 |
n/a |
Darrell Mitchell |
|
16/12/2023 |
Russell Bailey |
Adam Fredericks |
ST BRIGID'S CHURCH MASS TIMES
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil |
| Sunday | 9:00am |
| Thursday | 9:30am |
BLESSING FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
A MESSAGE FROM FR BERNARD
Dear Parents and caregivers,
SAVE OUR KNEES | PADDING FOR CHURCH KNEELERS
The kneelers in our churches at St John Vianney Co-Cathedral and St Brigid’s need renewal with padding that will provide comfort and support to all, students, parents, and teachers who kneel during liturgical worship. Improving this practical aspect of our community life will foster an environment of welcome and prayer.
Please contribute to the purchase of padding materials for the kneelers in our churches. No matter how large or small your donation is your generous donation will help ensure a far more agreeable experience for all members of our congregation, young and old.
HOW TO DONATE?
To be part of this important renewal for our liturgical worship, please complete a pledge form online at: www.lumenchristi.org.au/
- Direct Deposit
- BSB: 066 711 Account #: 008056 Ref: Your Name-SOK
- Cheques Payable to: Lumen Christi Parish
Or collect an envelope from the church door (mark it “Kneelers Donation”) and place it inside the collection bag, collection boxes, or hand it in at the parish office.
Thank you for helping to save the knees of our students, parents/caregivers, and teachers who come to the House of God to pray in thanksgiving and for the needs of their loved ones.
Fr Bernard Gordon
BLESSING FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
PARISH WEBSITE