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Our dedicated teachers embody this mission every day, guided by our Catholic values and the rich Benedictine tradition. They are not only shaping leaders of faith and justice but also fostering a love of learning, encouraging each student to use their unique ‘good gifts’ to flourish.
Through their commitment to Faith, our teachers build a community grounded in prayer, service, and hospitality, faithfully following the mission of Jesus. They live out a deep sense of Justice by listening with the ear of the heart, working for the common good, and responding with energy and generosity to the needs of others and creation. In the classroom, they nurture Learning, fostering curiosity and wisdom, and providing a contemporary education that equips our students to make a positive difference in the world.
As Pope Francis reminds us, “Teaching is a beautiful job; as it allows you to see the growth day by day of people entrusted to your care.” Our teachers truly reflect this, bringing compassion, stewardship, courage, and commitment to service in all they do at St Brigid’s.
Please join me in wishing our teachers a wonderful World Teachers’ Day. Together, let’s continue to support and celebrate their dedication and the incredible role they play in shaping the future.
Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of our educators, who guide our children in faith, wisdom, and love. Bless them with patience, strength, and joy in their calling to nurture young minds and hearts.
May they always be inspired by the example of Jesus, the Divine Teacher, and lead with compassion, humility, and courage.
Grant them the wisdom to impart knowledge and the grace to touch the lives of their students, helping them grow in faith and love for You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
OVERNIGHT CANBERRA EXCURSION
Our Year 5 and 6 students recently enjoyed an exciting and educational overnight trip to the national capital, Canberra, where they had the opportunity to explore our nation’s capital. The visit included tours of significant sites such as Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. These experiences provided valuable insights into Australia’s history, democracy, and national identity.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians visiting the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program. This rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Australian Government for their support through the PACER grant, which helped make this trip possible. The students returned with a deeper understanding of civics and citizenship, and memories they will cherish.
A special thank you to our Year 5 and 6 students for their exemplary behaviour and keen interest in learning throughout the trip. Their enthusiasm and respect for the learning opportunities made the experience even more meaningful.
Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mrs. Benoit, Mrs. Roche, Mrs. Mewett, Mrs. Lavelle, and Ms. Sparks for their generosity and care in looking after our students during this trip. Their dedication, time, and thoughtful attention made a huge difference, ensuring that the students were well cared for and able to make the most of this valuable experience.
ST BRIGID'S END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY AND CONCERT RSVP
We are delighted that he majority of families are able to join us for the End of Year Assembly and Christmas Carol Sing-Along! We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you. More information about the P&F BBQ dinner and costumes will be shared soon.
Date: Friday 13 December 2024
Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: St Brigid's School Grounds
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR PARENTS - SCHOOL CYCLIC ENQUIRY
School Cyclic Inquiry is a valuable process that occurs every four years, allowing schools to reflect on their effectiveness in enhancing student faith, learning, and wellbeing. Through a comprehensive report based on data and community feedback, schools assess their achievements and challenges. An independent panel then reviews the findings, meets with the school’s leadership, and evaluates performance using key tools like the Australian Council for Educational Research School Improvement Tool. The panel provides recommendations to shape the school's four-year School Strategic Improvement Plan, along with a one-year Annual Improvement Plan to support ongoing progress.
Please find below the executive summary for parents. We would like to sincerely thank our parents, staff, and students for their valuable insights and feedback throughout this process.
ARE YOU LEAVING ST BRIGID'S AT THE END OF THE YEAR?
As we begin planning for the 2025 school year, we kindly request that any families who are intending to leave our school at the end of this year notify the office as soon as possible. This information is crucial for us to finalise staffing arrangements, student numbers for the upcoming year and our funding from the Government.
Please ensure that any withdrawal notifications are submitted to the schoo office, via the info emial address by Friday 1 November 2024.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to prepare for a successful 2025 school year.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
We would like to remind all families of the importance of following our school uniform policy. The uniform plays a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging and pride within our school community.
Your support in ensuring that students are dressed in the correct uniform each day is greatly appreciated. This helps us maintain a positive and respectful learning environment, allowing all students to feel confident and focused.
Thank you for your cooperation in upholding the high standards we value at St Brigid's. If you have any questions or need assistance with uniform requirements, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
ALTAR SERVER ROSTER TERM 4
|
DATE |
SATURDAY 5:30 pm |
SUNDAY 9:00 am |
|
26 / 27 October 2024 |
Simon, Ella, Ari |
Veronica |
|
2 / 3 November 2024 |
Simon, Ella, Maya |
n/a |
|
9/ 10 November 2024 |
Simon, Ella, Ari |
Grace and Veronica |
|
16 / 17 November 2024 |
Ella, Maya |
n/a |
|
23 / 24 November 2024 |
Simon and Ella |
Grace and Veronica |
|
30 Nov/ 1 December 2024 |
Simon, Ella, Ari |
n/a |
|
7 / 8 December 2024 |
Simon, Ella, Maya |
Grace and Veronica |
|
14 / 15 December 2024 |
Simon, Ella, Ari |
n/a |
|
20 / 21 December 2024 |
Simon, Ella, Maya |
Grace and Veronica |
|
24 December - Christmas Eve |
Simon and Ella |
n/a |
PARISH WEEKDAY MASSES
An invitation is extended to parents, grandparents and carers to attend their child/children’s designated grade Parish Mass on a Thursday and then stay for a ‘cuppa and a chat’ while the students have crunch and sip. You can also pop into the classroom to see some learning in action.
Please put the date/s in your diary!
|
PARISH MASS 9:30 AM |
LITURGICAL CALENDAR / FEAST |
GRADES ATTENDING |
| 7 November |
31 Week in Ordinary Time |
Year 6 and Kindergarten |
|
21 November |
Presentation of Mary |
Year 4 and Year 1 |
|
28 November |
31 Week in Ordinary Time |
Year 5 and Year 2 |
|
12 December |
Graduation / Thanksgiving Mass |
Whole School Mass Led by Year 6 |
|
All Saints’ Day 1st November |
All Souls’ Day - 2nd November |
|
For Pope Francis, the two celebrations, All Saints’ and All Souls', “remind us of the bond that exists between the earthly and heavenly Church, between us and our loved ones who passed on to the next life.” |
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The feast of All Saints’ reminds us that we are all called to holiness. “The Saints are people who have lived with their feet on the ground; they experienced the daily toil of existence with its successes and failures, finding in the Lord the strength to always get up and continue on the journey.”  |
Also called The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, observed on 2 November.
 |
CHRISTMAS STORY ART COMPETITION
Congratulations to all the Year 5 and 6 students for their outstanding participation in this year’s Christmas Story Art competition. It was a privilege to engage with students throughout the process as they reflected on scripture and expressed their interpretations through both words and art. The depth of reflection, creativity, and personal connection shown by all students was truly impressive.
A special congratulations to Bethany Meaker, whose artwork was shortlisted for this year’s Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition. From 48 selected artworks across diocesan primary schools, Bethany’s piece stood out for its exemplary use of reflective writing and artistic skill, meeting the competition’s criteria with distinction.
The Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Awards Night took place on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, at the Wollongong City Art Gallery. We are incredibly proud of Bethany, whose Art Work was awarded a HIGHLY COMMENDED, and all our students for their thoughtful contributions.
CATHOLIC MISSION - CRAZY SOCK DAY
THANK YOU
In the final week of Term 3, our school community came together in a wonderful show of support for Catholic Mission. The week began with the Socktober launch and a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Brian at St. Michael’s, Thirroul, where our students were introduced to the vital themes of mission and social justice.
The excitement continued with a spirited SOCKTEMBER event, filled with fun activities, where students not only enjoyed themselves but also gained a deeper understanding of the global challenges that Catholic Mission seeks to address.
Our students had the opportunity to learn about global issues in a developing country and were encouraged to take action by praying, advocating and providing financial support to children in need to make a real impact.
The centrepiece of our Catholic Mission week was our focus on the country of Mongolia and the story of Otgonbayar, a young boy who dreams of becoming a superhero. The money we raised during the week, as students took part in guessing competitions, crazy sock parades and purchased ice-creams, will go to the Caring Center in Mongolia to:
- provide nutritious meals to help children, like Otgonbayar, grow up healthy and strong
- purchase essential school supplies to support their education
- provide warm winter clothing for the cold Mongolian winters.
Thank you for generosity and support for this worthy cause. A special thank you to Year 2 staff, students and families for your donations, organisation and leading Catholic Mission Week.
HOUSE CHALLENGE - RETURN AND EARN
A heartfelt thank you to our school community for your incredible support in collecting eligible bottles and containers for Vinnies Return and Earn! Together, we raised $438.10 for the Environment Club, which will go towards planting new seasonal produce and acquiring essential equipment for our gardens. A special shoutout to Steve G and Andrew F for their generous help in transporting the bottles to the St Vincent De Paul Unanderra Return and Earn Depot. Your contributions truly make a difference, and we couldn't do it without you!
STUDENT - LED OPEN HOUSE TERM 4
STEM
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It refers to an educational approach that integrates these four disciplines to foster problem-solving, innovation, and critical thinking skills.
What Are Decodable Texts?
Decodable texts are books that are specifically designed to align with the phonics skills that children are learning in the classroom. These texts focus on words that can be easily "decoded" using letter-sound patterns that students have been taught. For example, if your child has learned the sounds for "s," "a," and "t," they will read words like "sat" and "mat" in a decodable text. This approach builds confidence and helps children develop the foundational skills they need to become fluent readers.
Why Are We Making This Change?
The shift to decodable texts is based on strong evidence showing that early readers benefit from structured phonics instruction. Unlike natural texts, which often contain words that cannot be easily sounded out or rely on students' memorization, decodable texts:
- Reinforce phonics skills: They provide opportunities for children to apply the sound-letter correspondences they are learning.
- Build reading confidence: When children are able to successfully decode words on their own, they feel more confident and motivated to read.
- Prevent guesswork: Instead of guessing at unfamiliar words, students use their phonics knowledge to accurately sound out words, leading to more precise reading and fewer mistakes.
What Can You Expect?
You will notice a shift in the types of books your child brings home. These books may seem simpler or more repetitive than the natural texts, but they are intentionally designed this way to support early literacy development. As your child progresses, the decodable texts will become more challenging, incorporating a wider variety of sounds and word patterns.
Please note that the levels on these decodable texts do not correlate with previous home reading levels. Decodable levels and sets differ depending on the phonemes and publishers.
When a child is consistently using phonic knowledge to decode texts and are reading with automaticity, fluency and prosody (expression) class teachers will begin to transition from decodable texts to natural language texts. Teachers will inform you when your child is ready for this transition.
How Can You Support at Home?
Here are some ways you can support your child as they transition to decodable texts:
- Practise regularly: Encourage your child to read their decodable text aloud to you and celebrate their successes.
- Focus on phonics: Help them sound out unfamiliar words rather than guessing. Prompt them by asking, "What sound does that letter make?"
- Be patient: Building reading fluency takes time. Offer praise and encouragement for their effort and persistence.
We are confident that this shift will have a positive impact on your child’s reading journey. By developing a solid foundation in phonics, they will be better equipped to tackle more complex texts as they grow as readers.
If you have any questions or would like further information about decodable texts, please feel free to reach out to Mrs Cuff or Mrs Benoit. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way.
DIOCESAN CRICKET TRIALS
Congratulations to David M who has been selected to attend the Diocesan Cricket trials on Tuesday 29 October 2024. We wish David all the very best at the trials!
ST BRIGID'S LEARNING MERIT AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during Week 9,10 of Term 3 and Week 1 and 2 of Term 4.
Week 9 - Term 3
Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the Deep Thinking award. This award recognises those 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 | Sebastian N | Emily J |
| Year 1 | Ella F | Noah M |
| Year 2 | Wilson Z | Della M |
| Year 3 | Elliot G | Ava Y |
| Year 4 | Sparsha V | Hkum Seng |
| Year 5 | Darren Y | Charlie E-B |
| Year 6 | Daniel M | Himandi N |
Week 10 - Term 3
Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the SERVICE AWARD. We are called to respond actively to God’s mission as servant leaders by reaching out to others – especially the needy as Jesus did.
| CLASS | SERVICE AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Stella B | Sofia M |
| Year 1 | Ariel E | Kai R |
| Year 2 | Quinn S | Temi O |
| Year 3 | Jaxson M | Sofia H |
| Year 4 | Grace H | Mia Mc |
| Year 5 | Aaliyah O | Christian J |
| Year 6 | Emma L | Neave M |
Week 1 - Term 4
Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the Strong Foundations award. This award recognises those students who create a safe, supportive and friendly environment. They are active participants in their faith, learning and outreach
| CLASS |
STRONG FOUNDATIONS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Pia R | Lia F |
| Year 1 | Zachary R | Mun-Seng D |
| Year 2 | Sophia N | Myra C |
| Year 3 | Ari O | Amelia P |
| Year 4 | Hayde R | Maya I |
| Year 5 | Ella D | Christian J |
| Year 6 | Tayla R | Zara H |
Week 2 - Term 4
Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the 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 AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Leo S | Isabel T |
| Year 1 | Alana E-B | Joshua R |
| Year 2 | Archie M | Georgina H |
| Year 3 | Remi D | Hudson I |
| Year 4 | Logan A | Veronica A |
| Year 5 | N/A - Camp | N/A Camp |
| Year 6 | N/A Camp | N/A Camp |
| Week 9 - Year 1 |
Mun Seng |
| Week 10 - Year 5 |
Lachlan C |
| Week 10 - Year 5 |
Kip M |
| Week 10 - Year 1 |
Daniel A |
| Term 4 - Week 1 - Year 3 |
Elliott G |
| Term 4 - Week 1 - Year 2 |
Temi O |
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 9 - Year 3 | Josiah M |
SCHOOL MERIT AWARD POLICY
The purpose of our weekly school-based merit award system is to recognise and celebrate student achievement and success in a variety of learning and leadership areas. As the title suggests, it is based on merit for achievement and is not designed as an encouragement award or given out so everyone in the class will receive an equal amount of awards each term or year. The classroom teachers have a myriad of ways of encouraging and recognising the growth of the students at a class level.
THE STRUCTURE OF MERIT AWARDS K-6
- Step 1 - 5 Merit awards = First Assistant Principal Award+
- Step 2 - 5 Merit awards = Second Assistant Principal Award+
- Step 3 - 2 Merit awards = First Principal Award
- Step 4 - 5 Merit awards = Third Assistant Principal Award+
- Step 5 - 5 Merit awards = Fourth Assistant Principal Award+
- Step 6 - 2 Merit awards = Second Principal Award+
- Final Step - 2 Merit Awards = St Brigid Medal
THE PROCEDURE
- When students achieve a milestone they are required to submit the actual relevant merit awards to the school office for validation
- The awards are verified by the Assistant Principal and /or Principal and signed, stamped and dated
- The next milestone award is presented at the assembly on the Friday after all the documentation is presented.
- The Assistant Principal and Principal will sign and date the back of the awards when they are presented.
- The final awards of the year are presented at the final assembly in Week 9 (if it is a 10 week term) and Week 10 (if it is an 11 week term). No awards will be presented after this assembly.
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrated a birthday Week 9 and 10 of Term 3 and Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 4.
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Sebastian N | Alana E-B | Max N | Jacob S | Vita K | David M | Ali S |
| Bronte H | Roxanna O | Emily Y | Gisele M | Jude C | Charlie E-B | |
| Angus S | Jackson Y | Elliott G | Arielle N | |||
| Angus B | Ella F | Ari O | Ella D | |||
| Mun-Seng D | Lynn E | |||||
| Nivana R-I | Ava Y | |||||
| Ryan C | Evie W |
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
PARENTS & FRIENDS RECENT EVENTS
Term 4 P&F Minutes
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to Tuesday evening’s Term 4 General Meeting. Your input is greatly appreciated as we work towards a strong finish for the year.
Please find the attached minutes from the meeting. Looking forward to a productive and successful final term together.
PARENTS & FRIENDS UPCOMING EVENTS
ST BRIGID’S 2024 YEARBOOK & COVER COMPETITION
The Yearbook is available to purchase on Qkr! for $30 (includes digital copy). The Yearbook is a lovely memento of the school year created by the Yearbook Committee. Orders close on Friday the 1st of November.
Don’t forget to enter the St Brigid’s Yearbook Cover Competition!There are $30 Gift Cards to be won for the winning design of the front cover (Primary: Year 3-6) and the back cover (Infants: Kindergarten-Year 2). Entries must be A4 Portrait size and submitted to their teacher by Friday the 1st of November.
NEED TO CONTACT US?
Follow us on Facebook @ St Brigid’s Gwynneville P&F Association
Email: pandf@sbgdow.catholic.edu.au
|
Weekend |
Mower #1 |
Mower #2 |
| 02/11/24 | Simon Y |
Ben Y |
| 16/11/24 | Mitchell O'D |
Ryan O'C |
| 30/11/24 | Vasko S |
Nigel Mc |
| 14/12/24 | Darrell M |
Mark H |
| 04/01/2025 | Simon Y |
Ben Y |
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
2024 DATES FOR TERM 4
| 30/10 | P&F World Teacher's Day Luncheon | 12:50pm |
| 5/11 | Kindergarten 2025 Transition Day 1 | 8:50am - 10:50am |
| 12/11 | Kindergarten 2025 Transition Day 2 | 8:50am - 10:50am |
| 13/11 | World Kindness Day Student-Led Open House | See Flyer for details |
| 19/11 | St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal day | All day |
| 24/11 | P&F Working Bee and Sausage Sizzle | 10:00am - 12:30pm |
| 29/11 | Year 5 Leadership Day Expo and breakfast | from 8:00am |
| 12/12 | Year 6 Graduation and End of Year Mass | 9:30am |
| 13/12 | End of year Assembly, carols and P&F BBQ | from 4:30pm |
| 17/12 | Meet your teacher for 2025 | 8:50am - 11:50am |
| 17/12 | Last ringing of the bell for Year 6 | 2:45pm |
| 18/12 | Year 6 Graduation Excursion to Hang Dog | all day |
| 18/12 | Last day of the year for Kinder - Year 5 | 3:00pm |
| 19/12 | Staff Development Day 7 | All day |
| 20/12 | Staff Development Day 8 | All day |
SAVE THE 2025 DATES FOR TERM 1
| 31/1 | Staff Development Day 1 | All day |
| 3/2 | Students return - Year 1 - Year 6 | 8:50am |
| 4/2 | Kindergarten return - full day | 8:50am |
| 7/2 | First Assembly for Term 1 | 8:50am |
| 11/2 | P&F AGM and Term 1 General Meeting | 6:30pm |
| 19/2 | Parent Information Evening | from 5:00pm |
| 20/2 | Swimming Carnival - Year 3-6 | 8:00am - 12noon |
