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Through the Desert…
This Sunday is our celebration of the fourth week of Lent. We continue our journey towards Easter, begun on Ash Wednesday, mindful of what is asked of us as followers of Jesus; that, at this time in particular, we are invited to take up the call to fast, pray, and give alms. As always, our world, both near and far, requires that we keep in mind, and through our actions, those people who are in need of our prayers and material support.
The theme of Lent 2024 is Through the desert God leads us to freedom. This theme is inspired by the passage from the Book of Exodus, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Ex 20:1-17). We are reminded through scripture that God sustains as we move towards the land he wants for us and those who depend on us for love and compassion. Pope Francis has told us, "It is time to act, and in Lent to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister because ‘love of God and love of neighbour’ are one love". And so, Pope Francis asks us to take time out from our journey to pause in prayer; to reflect on our lifestyle and the choices we make; and to consider how we might more effectively be supportive for a world that is troubled and needy.
As God continues to lead us, we are challenged to show courage as we are faced with so much that is not right with our world. The Pope urges us to ‘take hope by the hand as we move forward doing all that we can to assist those who need us, and those who help others, here at home and afar.
Project Compassion, with its ongoing tradition of encouraging us to contribute from our personal wealth anything that we can give, even if it means going without something for ourselves, is one way that Lent can be made real, for ourselves and our children. At school, our students will learn that Project Compassion, made possible by our growing knowledge and contributions, can support people in places such as parts of Africa and Asia, as well as in our own country, to realise their full potential and offer more to their own family and community.
As our journey towards Easter continues, we pray:
… that we will deepen our faith over the whole of our lives.
May we be open to the many lessons God wants to teach us.
Through Project Compassion, may we support the journey of all to fullness of life. Amen.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
A huge thank you to the following families who joined the P&F Clean Up Australia Day event on Sunday 2 March 2024: Meaker, Hides, Beeton, Nicholson, Ramsay, Fiakos, McBriarty, McDondald, Fei, Jovanovski, Goode, Randall & Ferri.
SPARKING LIFE AT ST BRIGID'S
'Sparking Life' is a non-profit organisation and is affiliated with Lifeblood. The mission of 'Sparking Life' is to create awareness of the real need many people face daily to maintain their health.
Recently, 'Sparking Life' presented to the staff at St Brigid’s. The aim of this presentation was to encourage staff members to register and donate either blood or plasma to assist the many people in need of donated blood and blood products each and every day.
There has been such an amazing response with the staff saving a total of 36 lives to date. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement. This means that 12 people have signed up to donate either blood or plasma. This number continues to grow as more staff members come on board. I’d like to sincerely thank the staff for their support of 'Sparking Life'. It has been amazing to witness such acts of kindness by our staff assisting those in need.
'Sparking Life' will be extending an invitation to parents and friends to participate in this presentation during the next P & F meeting on Tuesday 14 May 2024 (Term 2 Week 3). You are most welcome to come along to hear how parents and friends can also become involved in this endeavour.
Pictured are some members of staff who have donated on behalf of 'Sparking Life'.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK CELEBRATION
You are invited to attend our Catholic Schools Week celebration on Thursday 11 April 2024. See the details below. Food and drinks must be preordered and paid for on Qkr! by Tuesday 2 April 2024 5:00pm. The menu will go live next week.
| TIME | WHAT | DESCRIPTION |
| 5:00pm | Liturgy | Students and families gather in prayer |
| 5.20pm | Open classrooms K-6 | Students share their learning with parents |
| 6.00pm | Family picnic in playground | Pizza Van, Samaras, drink stall, coffee van, Kens Kones |
KINDER ENROLMENTS FOR 2025
The enrolment application form is now completed digitally and is available on our school website.
Before you start
Before you start the application, please ensure that you have copies of the following ready to upload (please note if you are applying on a mobile device, you can use the camera function to submit a photo of the documentation). Wherever possible, documentation provided should be in English.
All applications require:
- A clear photo of your child
- Your child’s birth certificate
- Your child’s immunisation history statement (Click here to find out how to access your child’s statement from the Australian Immunisation Register)
- Proof of identity for all parents/carers listed in the application (e.g. driver licence, birth certificate, passport)
- Proof of address for all parents/carers listed in the application (e.g. utility bill; rental agreement)
Only if applicable to your child:
- Your child’s Baptismal certificate (if baptised in a Catholic Church)
- Supporting documentation related to your child (e.g. medical; disability)
- Any court or parenting orders relating to your child.
Only if your child is on a visa:
- Your child’s passport
- Your child’s visa documentation (Please note that we cannot accept applicants travelling on a Visitor [600] or Student [500] Visa)
Applications are due by Monday 8 April 2024.
CYCLIC INQUIRY 2024 - SURVEY
Thank you to the 36 fmailies who completed the Parent survey. The feedback will assist us to identify the future faith and educational direction of St Brigid's. We will keep you informed of our progress. Upcoming dates for our preparation.
|
SDD Day 2 – Looking forward. Pupil free day |
2 April 2024 |
|
Documentation due |
1 May 2024 |
|
Cyclic Inquiry Day 1 |
29 May 2024 |
|
Cyclic Inquiry Day 2 |
5 June 2024 |
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2024
If your child has been baptised in the Catholic Faith, you have already begun preparations for their reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. From the moment of their birth, you have shared your Faith with your children in your love, words, actions and prayers. This is an essential component in their faith formation.
Receiving the Sacraments is a very blessed time in our journey of faith, and it is the means by which baptised children can complete their journey into full membership of the Catholic Church. They are community events, which remind us of the role of the parish community in the development of our life of faith, hope, and love.
Students in Year 6, who have received the Sacrament of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Eucharist are eligible to enrol in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Compulsory Parent Information Night - Tuesday 19 March 2024 at 6:30pm
- Candidate's Commitment Mass - Saturday 23 March 2024 at 5:30pm
- Retreat Day - Thursday 16 May 2024 from 8:50 am - 3:00 pm
- Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation - 18 May 2024 at 2:00pm
Enrolments have now CLOSED
AN INVITATION FOR STUDENTS IN YEAR 4-6 TO TRAIN AS ALTAR SERVERS
Students (girls and boys) who have received their First Holy Communion are invited to train and become an Altar Server. Altar servers assist the priest in the Mass, and greatly improve the smoothness and solemnity of divine worship, facilitating a celebration which enables everyone to enter more deeply into its mysteries.
Children who are altar servers are guided by senior (adult) altar servers as they learn their roles. Altar servers often express that they feel much more invested in the Mass, have better knowledge of what they are doing, and experience a sense of contributing and belonging to the wider Catholic community.
The St Brigid’s scheduled training sessions for Altar Servers will be held during class time each Wednesday during the month of April.
Why become an altar server?
- Altar serving is a way of actively participating in the Mass.
- Altar servers have a privileged place in the Mass, it is not only a duty but a great honour.
- By volunteering to become an Altar Server, you are entering a ministry of service where reverence, dedication, attentiveness, quick-thinking, and commitment are needed in order to perform the role properly.
What is required?
- Altar servers must have received their First Holy Communion.
- Altar servers will be rostered on to serve during school Masses, the regular weekday Mass at St Brigid’s (Thursday 9:30am), and once confident, join the roster of weekend Masses at St Brigid’s Church.
- Altar servers will attend 4 x 30-minute training sessions held in the St Brigid’s Church during school hours.
If your child is interested in this program for St Brigid’s, please fill in the expression of interest form by clicking on the link. CLICK HERE
CURRENT ALTAR SERVER ROSTER
|
DATE |
SATURDAY 5:30pm |
SUNDAY 9:00am |
|
9/ 10 March |
Anthony |
Simon |
|
16 / 17 March |
Millie |
Anthony |
|
23 / 24 March |
Simon |
Matthew |
|
31 March |
NO MASS at SBG |
Millie |
|
6 / 7 April |
Anthony |
Simon |
|
13 / 14 April |
Millie |
Anthony |
|
20 / 21 April |
Simon |
Matthew |
CLASS MASS TIMETABLE FOR TERM 1
Each term, our students are provided with the opportunity to attend mass with our St Brigid parishioners. Mass is a central aspect of our students’ faith formation and greatest act of worship and sacred celebration of community.
Parents, carers, grandparents and relatives are invited to attend mass, and are especially encouraged to come along when their child(ren) are involved. Morning tea is served after each Mass and is fabulous opportunity to meet other parents and members of our parish community. You are also welcome to go to the classroom for a 10-15minute learning walk. Please see the schedule for Term 1:
|
Week 7 |
14 March 2024 |
Year 6 and Year 1 |
|
Week 10 |
4 April 2024 |
Year 6 (Confirmation Prep) |
|
Week 11 |
11 April 2024 |
Year 6 (Confirmation Prep) |
THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
THU 28 MARCH 2024: MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
- No Morning Mass
- Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper:
- Fairy Meadow 6pm
- Wollongong 7pm
FRI 29 MARCH 2024: GOOD FRIDAY
- Wollongong (Grassed Area) 10am, Stations of the Cross
- Wollongong 3pm, The Passion of the Lord
- Fairy Meadow 3pm, The Passion of the Lord
SAT EVENING, 30 MARCH 2024: EASTER VIGIL
- Fairy Meadow 6pm Easter Vigil
- Wollongong 7pm Easter Vigil
SUN 31 MARCH 2024: EASTER SUNDAY
- Wollongong 7am, 10.30am & 5pm
- Fairy Meadow 8.30am
- Gwynneville 9am
- Balgownie 10am
On Wednesday 20 March 2024, Year 3 and 4 will be leading the 2024 PROJECT COMPASSION FUNDRAISING EVENT. This year, the date coincides with Harmony Day and this gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate the multicultural diversity of our school community.
We are asking that students come to school wearing ORANGE clothing or CULTURAL DRESS/Items. (Please refer to the Uniform Policy for appropriate mufti day clothing).
On the day, there will be several activities that will enable your child to take part in multicultural events while also contributing to our Project Compassion goal to purchase a 5000L water tank for a family in Samoa.
We are asking that each child brings some spending money that will include a gold coin donation for mufti-day, money for food, a guessing competition and other activities.
THE NATIVE BEE PROJECT
On Wednesday our new native bees arrived at school to have a home in our garden. We have approximately 5000 sugarbag bees buzzing around our Subpod garden. These stingless native bees enable children to safely explore, engage, learn and experience close up the social behaviours of the bee, an awareness of the impact of human activity on the environment and the interdependence of living things.
If you have good pots, flowers or plants that you would like to donate please send through to Mrs Cuff.
The resources that accompanied the bees are also available for borrowing from our Library.
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.
This year our Year 3 and Year 5 students will participate in the assessments on the following days:
- Wednesday 13th March - Writing
- Thursday 14th March - Reading
- Friday 15th March - Conventions of language
- Monday 18th March - Numeracy
It is important that students arrive to school on time for all assessments, as they will occur first thing in the morning on each of the days. Where possible, we will arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the school’s test schedule.
All assessments will be completed online except for the Year 3 writing assessment. Could all families please ensure they have downloaded the 2024 NAP App onto their child's iPad and updated the software to the latest operating system. Students will be required to have a pair of headphones to use throughout the duration of the testing period.
The Public Demonstration Site is available for students (or parents) to see what the assessments look like and how they work. It can be accessed at: https://nap.edu.au/naplan/
If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN or your child's participation, please don't hesitate to contact the school.
EARTH HOUR AT ST BRIGID'S
Earth Hour has become much more than switching your lights off, but that iconic switch-off moment is still an important part of Earth Hour. Millions of participants worldwide will switch off their lights at 8:30 pm local time on Saturday 23 March 2024 to demonstrate their support of the environment. This action is symbolic and is not an action to save power. We know it will take so much more than an hour of turning our lights out to have a measurable impact on climate change. Still, the action helps to bring greater awareness to the issue and demonstrates your commitment to helping protect the planet – both during and beyond Earth Hour.
Together, let's create the Biggest Hour for Earth!
At St Brigid’s, we will be supporting the environment with our symbolic action of switching off the lights and other electrical devices in our classrooms and offices from 11:30am to 12:30pm on Friday 22 March 2024, and heading to our outdoor learning spaces.
And so we pray…
Creator God, we thank you for all of creation. We ask your forgiveness where we have failed to be just stewards.
And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth. May we learn to live in harmony, safety and just sharing of resources among all so that we achieve the kingdom of God. Amen.
DIOCESAN SPORTS TRIALS
Congratulations to David M who attended the Diocesan AFL and Cricket trails.
David was successful in being chosen in the Diocesan AFL Team. David will now participate in the NSW MacKillop Trials to be staged at Wagga on TUESDAY 26 MARCH, 2024.
Well done David!
SOUTH COAST SWIMMING
Congratulations to the following students who represented St Brigid's at the South Coast Swimming Carnival:
Logan A, Rhiley A, Emmett B, Sachi B, Ireland C, Ben F, Ted F, Charlotte F, Elliott G, Sofia H, Zara H, Kip M, David M, Alice M, Ryder M, Hunter M, Hayde R, Tayla R, Tom S, Evie W and Mia W.
ST BRIGID'S LEARNING MERIT AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during Week 4,5 and 6 of Term 1 2024.
Week 4 - Term 1
Students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive our Making Connections Award. This Award recognises students who use their knowledge, skills and learning opportunitiesto connect to real world experiences and learning. These students seek to make meaning and connections to the world beyond the classroom.
| CLASS |
MAKING CONNECTIONS AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Gracie W | Gracie B |
| Year 1 | Roxanna O | Rhea E |
| Year 2 | Evelyn T | Violet D |
| Year 3 | Joshua M | Hurley M |
| Year 4 | Jonas T | Charlotte F |
| Year 5 | Kip M | David M |
| Year 6 | Chloe M | Samuel G |
Students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive the Learning Pathways Achievement Award. This award recognises those students who show high engagement and motivation in their learning. They co-construct their learning tasks, demonstrating and use voice and choiceto become self-directed learners.
| CLASS | LEARNING PATHWAYS AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Theodore M | Nixon G |
| Year 1 | Daniel A | Mung S D |
| Year 2 | Leo J | Emily Y |
| Year 3 | Ivy F | Ari O |
| Year 4 | Jude C | Lucas S |
| Year 5 | Ireland C | Allaria D |
| Year 6 | Sarah M | Rhiley A |
Week 6 - Term 1
Students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive the Deep Thinking Achievement Award. This award recognises students who use critical and creative thinking to become independent life-long learners. They use a variety of thinking strategies and take responsibility for their learning.
| CLASS |
DEEP THINKING AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Miles Y | Parker M |
| Year 1 | Kane F | Kai R |
| Year 2 | Quinn S | Temi O |
| Year 3 | Jaxson M | Mila J |
| Year 4 | Jacob M | Hrihaan C |
| Year 5 | Aaroz P | Charlie E |
| Year 6 | Fabrizio M | Lidia C |
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Week 4 - Year 3 | Sofia H |
| Week 4 - Year 3 | Ted F |
The Principal's Award celebrates outstanding achievement by a student in Faith, Justice and Learning including other contributions to school life. Congratulations to:
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Week 4 - Year 6 | Molly S |
| Week 4 - Year 4 | Sparsha V |
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrated a birthday Week 4,5,and 6 of Term 1.
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Demola O | Korban H | Temi O | Levi C | Hrihaan C | Isabella S | |
| Gracie W | Ben F | |||||
| Lia F | Kana B | |||||
| Magnus A |
NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE
Parent Talk newsletter aims to provide parents and carers with relevant and timely information about parenting, education, wellbeing, upcoming Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) events and webinars for parents, and significant Catholic news and events.
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT represents all parents and carers of students in our Catholic schools. We value and promote the critical role that parents play in the education of their children, and provide leadership, advocacy and support for parents and carers of children in almost 600 Catholic schools. Parents and carers are invited to subscribe to CCSP’s Parent Talk newsletter to receive future editions keep up to date with how our Council supports Catholic school parents to support their children’s wellbeing, faith journey and academic outcomes. Click here to subscribe.
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT is conducting a survey to gauge parental involvement in their child's school including their learning. They are looking to receive feedback on areas that are really important to parents. Participants have the option to receive a 2024 Faith Diary as a token of appreciation by providing their name, address, and mobile phone number at the end of the survey.
The survey link is provided: CCSP Survey.
Scholastic Book Club
Issue 2 due Thursday 28 March 2024.
St Brigid's does not accept cash orders. Please order via the Loop platform on the brochure that you receive.
Premier's Reading Challenge
The challenge aims to encourage a love of learning for leisure and pleasure in student's. It is not a competition - however, there are rewards of certificates and medals for participants - but a challenge to each student to read, read more and to read more widely.
Between Monday 26 February and Friday 23 August 2024 students in Year 3-6 are encouraged to read and record what they have read at the link below. Student's in K-2 will participate and have their entries uploaded in class. Countless research links the time spent reading quality literature to improved results in school - this is a way to support improvement in your child's literacy, knowledge and vocabulary skills.
Each child is able to borrow books from the school library, which count towards the Challenge, when they bring their library bag to school every Friday.
Teachers will be able to provide log in details in Years 3-6 next week.
PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS
Please see the next 6 rotations of the roster below:
|
Weekend |
Mower #1 |
Mower #2 |
|
9/3/2024 |
Fabrizio C |
Jason S |
|
23/3/2024 |
Zac B | Nathan McB |
|
6/4/2024 |
Russell B | Thomas M |
|
27/4/2024 |
Shane Gilbert | David H |
|
18/5/2024 |
Mitchell O'D | Ryan O'C |
|
15/6/2024 |
Vasko J | Nigel McD |
New House Supporters Gear
- Pom Poms
- Tinsel Wig
- 2 piece sweat bands - head and wrist
- Glasses
Jump onto QKR and order your supporter gear ASAP so you don't miss out as there is limited stock. Will be delivered prior to the Cross Country.
You're Invited!!!
After the huge success of last year's Easter Egg Hunt, it is back bigger and better in 2024 with an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Hat Parade (or Easter Dress Up) and BBQ put on by the P&F.
RSVP to the above link by Friday 22 March 2024. Looking forward to another fun event at school.
Easter Box Fundraiser
Cadbury Chocolate Fundraising Boxes are back again for another year. Stock up your Easter supplies or sell onto your family and friends.
Boxes start from $50 and are available on QKR now.
Orders close Tuesday 19th March.
Call out for yearbook committee volunteers
The yearbook committee NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
If you can help out by representing your child's year by taking photo's for you child's year group and helping the co-ordinators Jess and Jenn put together the pages for the year book. Would be great to have a couple of representatives for each year so the load can be shared.
If you can help, shoot an email to yearbookcommittee.stbrigids@gmail.com
Want to know what's happening with upcoming P&F events?
Follow us on Facebook@St Brigid's Gwynneville P&F Association
Keep an eye out on the FB Page, Compass and the Brigid Bulletin for updates or to get in touch please email the exec at pandf@sbgdow.catholic.edu.au
PARISH NEWS
St Brigid's Parish Mass Times
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil |
| Sunday | 9:00am |
| Thursday | 9:30am |
Lumen Christi Parish Bulletin
Lumen Christi Website
COMMUNITY NEWS
SAVE THE 2024 DATES FOR TERM 1
| 13/3 | NAPLAN testing period begins | Year 3&5 |
| 14/3 | Year 6 and Year 1 Parish Mass, cuppa and class visit | 9:30am |
| 19/3 | School Photos | All day |
| 19/3 | Confirmation Parent meeting - compulsory | 6:30pm |
| 20/3 | Primary WEN day for selected Year 6 leaders | All day |
| 20/3 | Harmony Day and Project Compassion fund raiser | All day |
| 23/3 | Confirmation Commitment Mass - Year 6 | 5:30pm |
| 28/3 | Cross Country Carnival | 9:30am |
| 29/3 | Good Friday public holiday | All day |
| 1/4 | Easter Monday public holiday | All day |
| 2/4 | Pupil Free Day | All day |
| 4/4 | Year 6 Parish Mass - Confirmation preparation | 9:30am |
| 9/4 - 10/4 | 3 way PP interviews by appointment | All day |
| 11/4 | Catholic Schools Week Celebrations | from 5:00pm |
| 11/4 | Year 6 Parish Mass - Confirmation preparation | 9:30am |
| 12/4 | Term 1 ends | 3:00pm |
ST BRIGID'S SCHOOL UNIFORM 2024
Summer Uniform - Girls
| Shirt unisex white over shirt with embroidered school crest | $39.99 |
| Culotte bottle green tartan with elastic back waist | $49.99 |
| Tunic bottle green tartan - white collar, cuff and red tab | $59.99 |
| Cardigan bottle green with school crest | $74.99 |
| Pullover bottle green with school stripe | $74.99 |
| Wind jacket bottle green nylon fleece lined with school crest | $71.99 |
| Hat bottle green with school crest | $24.99 |
| Socks white turn over ankle style - 2 pack | $12.99 |
| St Brigid's school bag | $69.99 |
Summer Uniform - Boys
| Shirt unisex white over shirt with embroidered school crest | $39.99 |
| Shorts grey gaberdine with elastic waist - SBG logo | $34.99 |
| Cardigan bottle green with school crest | $74.99 |
| Pullover bottle green with school stripe | $74.99 |
| Wind jacket bottle green nylon fleece lined with school crest | $71.99 |
| Hat bottle green with school crest | $24.99 |
| Socks grey ankle style turnover with school stripe | $9.99 |
| St Brigid's school bag | $69.99 |
Unisex Sport Uniform
| Polo top - bottle green with red panels, embroidered school crest | $49.99 |
| Shorts - bottle green with piping & SBG logo | $35.99 |
| Bottle stretch Jacket MF, white piping, red & white panels & crest | $79.99 |
| Track pants - bottle green with red panels and white piping | $69.99 |
| Socks - white ankle style (3 pk) | $12.99 |
Uniform Shop
Please note the second hand uniform shop is closed.
School Winter Sports uniform
The winter sports uniform will be available for the start of Term 2, 2024.
