Filter Content
Thank you for joining together as a community to commemorate Remembrance Day. The 11:00am observance on Monday was a powerful reminder of the courage, compassion, and selfless service shown by those who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today. Our collective moment of silence allowed us to reflect deeply on the values that lie at the heart of St Brigid's: compassion, courage, service, and stewardship.
In remembering those who gave their lives for others, we are reminded of the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13). This ultimate act of love calls us to live with courage and compassion, to serve others, and to care for our world as stewards of peace and justice.
How can we show compassion for those affected by war and conflict, both in our own community and around the world?
What can we learn about courage from the sacrifices made by those who served, and how can we show similar bravery in our own lives?
How can we honor the legacy of those who have served by being good stewards of the peace and freedom they helped secure for us?
Thank you to Year 6 and Mrs Roche for preparing our prayer and to everyone who participated in this important observance. Let us continue to honour the legacy of Remembrance Day by embodying these values as we move forward, together.
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
ST BRIGID'S END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY AND CONCERT COSTUME LIST
As we prepare for our upcoming Christmas concert, we want to extend a huge thank you for your support in getting your child(ren) concert-ready. Your help with organising costumes will bring so much excitement and sparkle to this event. We are incredibly grateful for your involvement - it truly makes a difference in creating a joyful celebration for our school community.
We look forward to seeing all the students shine on stage and to sharing this festive celebration with you.
Costume Style - Each class has selected a unique song to celebrate a character in the Christmas story, and we want the students’ costumes to reflect their specific performance. Rather than commercial Christmas-themed outfits, we encourage simple clothing that captures the theme or character of their song. Costumes should be comfortable and easy for the students to move in.
Footwear - For safety, all students should wear closed-in shoes / sandals for the concert. - no thongs or slides. This will allow them to move comfortably and safely.
Accessories - Simple accessories that reflect the theme of each song are encouraged.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS
Roll Up Your Sleeves for Our Working Bee – Let’s Make a Difference Together
We warmly invite you to join us for our upcoming Working Bee to help beautify our school gardens. We’d be so grateful for your support in weeding, planting, and tidying up these spaces for our students. Your helping hands and green thumbs will make a tremendous difference, and we can’t do it without you!
Please bring along any gardening tools you can spare, and together, let’s make our gardens flourish. We look forward to a wonderful day of teamwork and community spirit.
- Performing is optional and acts can be an individual/solo one or group acts (maximum in a group 6). Y
- our child can only be in one act.
- Your child's SRC Class Representative (along with the help of your child's teacher) collected some simple information on the acts from their class.
- Auditions will be limited to a time of 1 minute only.
- Auditions will be held in class time during Weeks 7 and 8 in the classroom.
- The classroom teacher and SRC member will choose one individual/solo act from the class and one group act from the class to go through to the finals.
- All contestants are to provide their own resources and costumes. So begin to plan and rehearse so that you are ready for the auditions!
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.
STORY TELLING
This week we welcomed many parents to be part of our Religious Education Storytelling Open House sessions. This was an opportunity to share how the use of story, with its use of tactile materials and images, engages and connects our students to their learning while supporting their faith development and religious literacy.
From Kindergarten to Year 6, our students are regularly invited to reflect on Sacred Scripture, encounter religious language, talk with God through prayer and explore meaning of symbols and rituals. Students also learn empathy and engage with differing worldviews.
The storytelling approach nurtures our students’ curiosity, imagination and wonder and provides them with the opportunity to know how much God loves them and when they are drawn into a love of God and others.
Thank you to those parents and family members who were able to share in these very special storytelling sessions.
ALTAR SERVER ROSTER TERM 4
|
DATE |
SATURDAY 5:30 pm |
SUNDAY 9:00 am |
|
16 / 17 November 2024 |
Ella, Ari |
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 |
|
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 |
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL
"Christmas is a reminder that God loves us and wants to be with us," the pope told a group of children. The Incarnation, he said, "is a stupendous gift, and it brings with it another: that we may also love one another as brothers and sisters."
Over the coming weeks, you are invited to support the Christmas Appeal by donating the items listed for each class. These food items will make up gift hampers that will go to people in need in our school’s local community. You may donate singular or multiple items from this list.
This year has been a particularly challenging year for many as the cost-of-living crisis has impacted a growing number of people. People who may have never required financial support in the past are now in a vulnerable position as more and more individuals and families balance the demands of rising costs associated with essentials they need to survive- rent, food, fuel, utility bills and clothing.
The St Vincent de Paul society responds positively and immediately to provide professional services and support as best they can, however they need our support.
Please give generously to our 2024 Christmas Appeal!
WHAT TO BRING
STUDENT - LED OPEN HOUSE TERM 4
WORLD KINDNESS DAY
World Kindness Day was a wonderful reminder of the power of small acts of kindness to brighten our world. It was a day filled with warmth, joy, and generosity, and we’d like to extend a huge thank you to Mrs Benoit for organising such fantastic activities that brought the students together in the afternoon session. From heartwarming interactions to thoughtful gestures, kindness was certainly in the air!
A special shout-out goes to the P&F for their incredibly sweet and thoughtful gesture of gifting each child a delicious doughnut. It was a lovely treat that made the day even more special!
The day also featured the wonderful open classrooms, which began with engaging teacher-led storytelling and student-led activities. It was truly inspiring to see the students take the lead, share their creativity, and connect with one another in such a positive and meaningful way.
Thank you to everyone who helped make World Kindness Day so memorable. Let’s continue to spread kindness every day!
AUSTRALASIAN PROBLEM SOLVING MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIADS
In 2024, 60 students from Years 3 to 6 embraced the challenge to sharpen their Mathematics problem-solving skills through a program that featured four assessment papers, held every six weeks. During lesson time, students also focused on building confidence and refining problem-solving strategies.
Our Year 5 and 6 students took on the demanding Maths Olympiad papers, with David M achieving outstanding results, placing in the top 25% of over 100,000 participants. Congratulations, David! Special recognition goes to Rhiley A, who received the encouragement award as St Brigid’s highest-ranking Year 6 student.
This year also marked the first time Year 3 and 4 students joined the program. Among them, Ava Y, Ivy F, Jaxson M, Logan A, Sparsha V, and Hkum Seng D stood out with impressive efforts, showing great promise for the future.
Over the last two weeks, our students in Year 1 - Year 6 have been completing the Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT). These assessments are adaptive, meaning that it creates personalised test pathways determined by student responses (in a similar way to NAPLAN), giving a more precise picture of student achievement.
These assessments are designed to provide valuable insights into each child's learning progress in key areas such as reading, mathematics, and comprehension.
The purpose of the PAT assessments is to help us identify individual strengths and areas for improvement, enabling our teachers to tailor their instruction to better meet the needs of every student. The results will guide our teaching strategies, ensuring that we provide targeted support and opportunities for growth.
SEMESTER 2 REPORTS
Semester 2 student reports will be available via the COMPASS Parent Portal on Friday 13 December (Week 9).
Teachers write the reports and award grades in line with the NSW K-10 Syllabus outcomes and the Diocese of Wollongong Religious Education Curriculum. In NSW, schools are required to report to parents using a 5 point achievement A-E grading scale for each Key Learning Area (KLA)
The A-E grading scale is for use within each stage of learning;
- Stage 1- Years 1 and 2
- Stage 2- Years 3 and 4
- Stage 3- Years 5 and 6
How do teachers make judgements about grades?
Teachers award grades by making ‘on-balance judgements’ about a student's work. This means that assessment data is gathered across numerous work and assessment samples built up over time.
Grades are not based on 'one-off' tests that may not fully reflect what the student actually knows and is able to do. This is why it is so important for students to be ready to learn each and every day.
The Common Grade Scale
A |
The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
B |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations. |
C |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
D |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
E |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
What does it mean if my child receives a ‘C’ grade?
Celebrate because your child is at the expected level of achievement for the content they have been exposed to over the semester.
A ‘C’ grade is considered sound and the student has demonstrated that they have gained the knowledge, skills and understandings expected of them at that point in time.
KINDERGARTEN REPORTS
The Kindergarten report will be written using a three-point scale which describes performance at each of three grade levels for each Key Learning Area (KLA).
|
Achievement |
Descriptors |
|
Thorough |
Your child has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, your child is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations. |
|
Sound |
Your child has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
Basic |
Your child has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
ST BRIGID'S LEARNING MERIT AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during Weeks 3,4 & 5 of Term 4
Week 3 - Term 4
Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the Making Connections Award. This award recognises students from Kinder to Year 6 who use their knowledge, skills and learning opportunities 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 AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Taj W | Millie F |
| Year 1 | Milani S | Leo S |
| Year 2 | Chris T | Kana B |
| Year 3 | Remi D | Ted F |
| Year 4 | Aria J | Hkum Seng D |
| Year 5 | Aaroz P | Alice M |
| Year 6 | Sarah M | Emma L |
| Week 2 - Term 4 |
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Year 5 | David M | Kip M |
| Year 6 | Neave M | Ilena P |
| LEADER OF THE WEEK AP AWARDS - CAMP | ||
| Year 5 | David M | |
| Year 5 | Kip M | |
| Year 6 | Rhiley A | |
Week 4 - Term 4
Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the Learning Pathway's Achievement Award. This award recognises students from Kinder to Year 6 who show high engagement and motivation in their learning. They co-construct their learning tasks, demonstrating and use voice and choice to become self-directed learners.
| CLASS | LEARNING PATHWAYS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Kya P | Luna W |
| Year 1 | Luke W | Nivana R-I |
| Year 2 | Myra C | Teni A |
| Year 3 | Mila J & Aarav J | Ari O |
| Year 4 | Nisindu N | Jude C |
| Year 5 | Darren Y | Ryder M |
| Year 6 | Praise M | Samuel G |
Week 5 - Term 4
Students from Kinder to Year 6 received the Deep Thinking Award. This award recognisesthose 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 | Theodore M | Bronte H |
| Year 1 | Ryan C | Jackson Y |
| Year 2 | Magnus A | Leo J |
| Year 3 | Ivy F | Sebastian T |
| Year 4 | Lucas S | Flynn D |
| Year 5 | Pedro F | Lachlan C |
| Year 6 | Ryan T | Tevin D |
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 3 | Ted F |
| Week 4 - Year 3 | Hudson I |
| Week 5 - Year 5 | Sachi B |
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.
PARENTS & FRIENDS
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 |
| 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
Choose water as a drink. Try these tips to help your child to drink more water:
- Take a refillable bottle of water when you go out.
- Put a bottle of water in with your child’s lunch.
- Keep cold water in the fridge at home.
- Give your child a water bottle when they play sport.
- Serve water for everyone with the family meal.
- Show your child that you enjoy drinking water.
2024 DATES FOR TERM 4
| 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 |
| 4/12 | St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal day | All day |
| 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 |
