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Dear families and friends of St Brigid's,
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
This Sunday, we remember and celebrate the feast of Pentecost, the moment when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, fulfilling Jesus’ promise to send a helper for the great mission that lay ahead. That Spirit brought gifts of knowledge, wisdom and strength, empowering them to go out and proclaim the Good News.
In his recent inauguration speech, Pope Leo invited all Christians to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit “so that we might build a Church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word…” Just as the disciples were filled with courage and clarity, so too are we called to open our hearts to these same gifts, received in our own Baptism and Confirmation.
The world today yearns for leadership and witness grounded in love, peace and unity. Compassion, one of the fruits of the Spirit, is more vital than ever. It is also a core value at St Brigid’s, guiding us to show empathy and kindness to others, just as Jesus did.
The Pentecost story also inspires us to live out the values we cherish in our school community:
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Compassion, in reaching out with understanding and mercy to those in need;
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Courage, in standing for what is right and proclaiming our faith with strength, even when it is challenging;
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Service, in using our gifts to uplift others and contribute to the good of all;
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Stewardship, in caring for the world God has entrusted to us, recognising that the Spirit renews the face of the earth through our hands and hearts.
As we reflect on that first Pentecost, let us ask the Holy Spirit to renew within us a deeper commitment to these values. May we be bold in love, generous in service, and faithful in stewardship, trusting always in the Spirit who leads, empowers, and renews.
Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES
who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 14 June at 2:00pm at St Brigid’s Church.
We acknowledge this sacred milestone in the lives of Ireland C, Lachlan C, Ella D, Allaria Di S, Charlie E-B, Pedro F, Julia H, Raphael I, Christian J, Ned L, Kip M, David M, Alice M, Hunter M, Ryder M, and Tom S.
We give thanks for the support of their families, the guidance of their classroom teachers, and the encouragement of our parish community, all of whom have walked alongside these students in their preparation.
Our sincere appreciation goes to everyone contributing to the Confirmation liturgy, especially those involved in music and ministry and for helping to create a meaningful and prayerful celebration.
A heartfelt thank you to Fr Bernard and Kevin Galea for their ongoing support of the candidates and their families throughout this journey of faith.
May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of our candidates and bless them with wisdom, courage, and joy as they continue to grow in faith, hope, and love.
MS URODA - LONG SERVICE LEAVE
I will be taking a period of leave for the first six weeks of Term 3, as I travel overseas to spend time with my father who lives in Croatia, followed by some time in France, and concluding with a St Augustine pilgrimage in Northern Italy. This journey is both a personal and spiritual one, and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you and the students upon my return.
This week, the Catholic Education Office has invited expressions of interest for an Acting Principal to lead our school during my time away. I am confident that the school will continue to thrive in my absence, supported by our dedicated staff and leadership team.
THANK YOU – VINNIES VAN APPEAL
A heartfelt thank you to all our families for your generous support of last week’s Vinnies Van Appeal. Your kindness and compassion were truly overwhelming and a testament to the spirit of our St Brigid’s community.
Kelly, our Vinnies representative, was absolutely delighted by the response. She shared just how challenging life is for many people living on the streets, and how the demand for support has grown significantly in recent times. Your donations make a real difference and help bring dignity, comfort, and hope to those who need it most.
Moments like these remind us that small acts of generosity, when combined, can have a profound impact. Thank you for standing in solidarity with those doing it tough and for showing our children the power of community, empathy, and faith in action.
JUBILEE of SPORT , WALK-A-THON AND SAUSAGE SIZZLE
On Friday 13 June 2025, we invite you to join us in a special day of community, compassion, and action as we hold our 2025 House Challenge Walk-a-thon in support of the 2025 Vinnies Appeals and the Jubilee of Sport events for sporting equipment.
Our Walk-a-thon is not just about fun and fitness, it’s about coming together as a school to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness in our local community. We are proud to combine this important social justice initiative with our celebration of the Jubilee of Sport.
Our three Houses; Samaritan, MacKillop, and Evans will compete in both kindness and kilometres. We’ll be walking together at Wiseman Park and giving together, to raise funds to support the incredible work of The Gwynneville St Vincent de Paul Conference.
Let’s see which House can raise the most to help those in need. Every dollar, every step, and every act of generosity counts!
Sponsor Cards
Each family has received 1 sponsorship card. Please collect as many sponsors as you can from family, friends, neighbours, mum and dad’s work mates, grandparents. The more you raise the more we can support those in need this winter.
In addition, any family who raise over $100 will go into the draw to win a $100 rebel voucher, a Hawks basketball and championship poster. The Sponsor Card must be returned to school the day BEFORE THE WALK-A-THON so that teachers can sign off that the laps were successfully completed. The money must then be sent back to school no later than FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2025 so that we can present our donation to St Vincent de Paul. Please place your money in an envelop marked with your family name.
Details of the day
- 8.50am Students arrive at school usual time
- 10:00am Jubilee of Sport Activities - playground
- 10:50am Morning tea with lolly bags for sale ($2)
- 11.20am Students walk over to Wiseman’s Park
- 11.30am Walkathon begins in house colours
- 12:30pm Walkathon concludes
- 12:30pm Sausage Sizzle at school (preorder via Qkr)
What to wear Sports themed mufti, hat and sunscreen
Laps to be completed will be
- Kinder 6 laps
- Year 1 and 2 8 laps
- Years 3 and 4 10 laps
- Year 5 and 6 12 laps
After the excitement of the Walk-a-thon, come and enjoy a delicious Sausage Sizzle hosted by MacKillop House! Grab a tasty sausage sizzle for just $3.00. Drinks will also be available to help you cool down for $2.00 each. All items can be ordered through Qkr! Orders close Friday 6 June 2025.
In the meantime, we encourage families to begin conversations at home about empathy, justice, and what it means to walk in someone else’s shoes and gathering some sponsorship along the way.
Let’s step out together in faith, hope and love.
Last week, in a celebration of family, a wonderful example of a working partnership between family, school, and community was set by Margaret Ryan and her helpers, Jo, Trish, and Jo, as they tackled the sticky task of covering over 150 new titles for our school library. Your generous help is greatly appreciated.
A tremendous thank you to all the parents and visitors who supported the Book Fair. Almost $5300 worth of stock was sold which will translate into many new resources for children to enjoy borrow through the Library.
SEMESTER ONE REPORTS AND PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
This term students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will be receiving a Semester One Academic Report. These will be made available to parents via the Compass Portal.
All Kindergarten students will receive a written report with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will receive a written report with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
- Extensive
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Elementary
In addition to regular reports, schools may also provide off-level, partial, or non-graded reports. These types of reports help us communicate your child’s learning progress more clearly and accurately, especially when their learning needs differ from typical grade expectations.
Our goal is to ensure that you, as parents and carers, have the right information to understand how your child is progressing and how best to support their learning journey in line with NSW education standards.
- Year 4 reports will be available on Compass from 3:00pm on Friday 13 June 2025
- Kindergarten and Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 reports will be available on Compass from 3:00pm on Friday 20 June 2025
To access your child’s report:
- On a mobile device: Tap your child’s photo and select ‘Reports’ from the top menu. Then, choose ‘Semester 1, 2025 Reports’.
- On a desktop or laptop: Click ‘View Academic Report’ beneath your child’s photo, then select ‘Semester 1, 2025 Reports’ from the list.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held to discuss your child’s progress and Semester 1 report. Interview bookings are now open via the Compass Portal.
Interview times are as follows:
- Year 4
Interviews will take place in Week 8:
Monday 16, Wednesday 18 – Friday 20 June 2025.
Bookings close 5:00pm, Friday 13 June 2025. - Kindergarten, Year 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6
Interviews will be held in Week 9:
Monday 23 – Friday 27 June 2025.
Bookings close 5:00pm, Wednesday 18 June 2025.
We encourage all families to book an interview to support their child’s learning and growth. If you have any difficulties accessing reports or booking an interview, please contact the school office for assistance.
We are thrilled to launch the Lumen Christi Jubilee Dinner GRAND RAFFLE – a fantastic opportunity to win exciting prizes.
On Monday 16 June 2025, each family will receive a book of 10 raffle tickets, sent home with the eldest child. Tickets are just $2 each and the raffle will be drawn on Friday 25 July 2025 at the Jubilee Dinner.
Thanks to the generous support of our Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors, you could take home one of these incredible prizes:
- Jubilee Jackpot Cash prize – $1,000!
- Heavenly Relaxation Hamper – valued at $700
- Blessings Wine & Dine Hamper – valued at $550
- Game Day Glory Hamper – valued at $450
Returning Tickets
All tickets, whether sold or unsold, must be returned by Friday 27 June 2025. Please follow these steps:
- Place tickets and money in a sealed envelope (provided)
- Clearly label it with your family name
- Return it to your child’s class teacher to be marked off
But wait there is more….
Return your raffle tickets and money by Friday 27 June 2025 and your family will go into the draw to win a $100 Hoyts Movie Voucher – just for getting your tickets back on time!
Thank you for getting behind this fun and rewarding community fundraiser. Let’s make it a huge success – and good luck!
KINDERGARTEN 2026 ENROLMENT UPDATE
The enrolment period for Kindergarten 2025 has been a wonderful opportunity to welcome many new faces into our St Brigid’s community. Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting with 37 families, including 27 new families who are eager to join our school. It has been heartening to see such strong interest in what St Brigid’s has to offer, and to hear how deeply our values, learning culture, and welcoming community are resonating with prospective families.
As part of the enrolment process, our Enrolment Committee has met and carefully considered all applications in line with our enrolment criteria. I would like to thank the committee for the thoughtful and pastoral way in which they approached this important work.
Families who will be receiving a Letter of Offer for Kindergarten 2026 can expect to receive this on Monday 23 June. We look forward to welcoming these families into our community and beginning the journey together as their children take their first steps into school life.
We are proud to be a school of choice in the local area and grateful to all those who share such positive word-of-mouth about the spirit and strength of St Brigid’s. Thank you for your continued support in making our school a place where all students can belong, grow, and flourish.
ARRIVE TO THRIVE - ATTENDANCE
St Brigid's Attendance Procedures
The following table outlines the procedures that will be followed to ensure every student at St Brigid’s has the opportunity to thrive. Regular school attendance plays a key role in each child’s academic progress, wellbeing, and social development.
Every fortnight, the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) provides us with updated attendance data. This allows us to monitor patterns and respond early to any concerns. Our staged approach ensures that appropriate support is offered in partnership with families to promote consistent attendance for every learner.
| Attendance Level | Percentage | Follow up |
| Regular | 90% – 100% |
n/a |
| Targeted | 80% – 89% | Stage Leader/ Parent phone call |
| Targeted | 71%- 79 | Parent F2F meeting to discuss strategies |
| Intensive | 70% and below | Parent Meeting - Individual student plan writtten |
Please find below a link to the form used to apply for Extended Absence in excess of five days. Notification of extended absence in excess of 5 days form
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS IN 2025
There are eight such days scheduled for 2025, where our teachers, school leaders, and administrative support staff engage in targeted professional learning. These days are crucial in enhancing the skills and knowledge of our staff, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our students.
On these days, students do not attend school. This allows our staff to focus on professional development, planning, and enhancing their capabilities. Professional learning is an essential part of our commitment to building a highly skilled and professional workforce.
- Day 1 - Friday 31 January
- Day 2 - Friday 11 April
- Day 3 - Wednesday 4 June
- Day 4 - Wednesday 2 July
- Day 5 - Monday 1 September
- Day 6 - Friday 26 September
- Day 7 - Thursday 18 December
- Day 8 - Friday 19 December
Notification of extended absence in excess of 5 days
Please find below a link to the form used to apply for Extended Absence in excess of five days.
Notification of extended absence in excess of 5 days form
Canteen
REMINDER - DUE TO OUR JUBILEE OF SPORT DAY THE CANTEEN WILL BE OPEN THIS TUEDAY 10 JULY 2025 INSTEAD OF THE FRIDAY NEXT WEEK.
All canteen enquiries can be directed to Nicole Bonar - if your child is absent on the day you have organised a lunch order please text Nicole Bonar on the below mobile number and let her know before 8.30am - she will organise a credit for you.
ST BRIGID'S LEARNING MERIT AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during Week 4,5 and 6 of Term 2 2025.
Week 4 - Term 2
Students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive the Building Partnerships Award. This award recognises students who work collaboratively with other students and their teachers to enhance their learning.
| CLASS | BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Austin I | Albie N |
| Year 1 | Theodore M | Leo S |
| Year 1 | Learning Pathways - Kim M | |
| Year 2 | Luke W | Alexander L |
| Year 3 | Leo J | Georgina H |
| Year 4 | Gisele M | Ava Y |
| Year 5 | Lucas S | Jonas T |
| Year 6 | Lachlan C | Pedro F |
Students from Kinder to Year 6 will receive the Making Connections Award. This award recognises 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 | Keanu O | Golsa I |
| Year 1 | Bronte H | Kyrie T |
| Year 2 | Rose C | Mun Seng D |
| Year 3 | Quinn S | Evelyn T |
| Year 4 | Jaxson M | Evie W |
| Year 5 | Logan A | Hrihaan C |
| Year 6 | Tom S | Ella D |
Week 6 - Term 2
| CLASS | LEARNING PATHWAYS AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kinder | Betty T | Edison T |
| Year 1 | Miles Y | Emily J |
| Year 2 | Rhea E | Korban H |
| Year 3 | Max N | Emily Y |
| Year 4 | Remi D | Evanna T |
| Year 4 | Maggie M | |
| Year 5 | Aria J | Maya I |
| Year 6 | Ryder M | Tom S |
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Year 5 | Sparsha V |
| Year 3 | Roman G |
| Year 5 | Hayde R |
| Year 6 | Pedro F |
| Year 4 | Andre C |
| Year 2 | Luke W |
| Year 5 | Lucas S |
| Year 1 | Theodore M |
| Year 6 | Tom S |
| Year 1 | Bronte H |
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 |
| Year 6 | Arielle N |
Happy Birthday to the following students who celebrated a birthday Week 4,5,and 6 of Term 2.
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Orlando J | Miles Y | Oliver W | Aria J | Aaliyah O | ||
| Abigail Y | Darren Y | |||||
| Leo S | ||||||
| Achilles | ||||||
| Luna W |
SPORTING PATHWAYS
Unfortunately, the Diocesan Cross Country Carnival was cancelled due to wet weather and unsafe ground conditions. Despite this, I want to thank the entire St Brigid’s Cross Country team for their dedication and commitment to training, including giving up some of their lunch breaks in preparation.
In place of the carnival, Selection Trials were held at the Criterium Track in Unanderra — a challenging course made up entirely of road running. Well done to all the students who took part. A special congratulations to Ted F, who placed 4th and has qualified to represent the Diocese of Wollongong at the NSW Cross Country Championships. We look forward to hearing all about his experience!
PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS
P&F Disco
Get ready to put on your dancing shoes for the 2025 St Brigid's School Disco, happening in the school hall from 5.30pm to 8pm!
Entry Ticket: $10 - includes disco entry, a lolly bag and a glow stick.
Pizza Dinner - available for pre-order only, supplied by Domino's. Make sure the children have full tummies before hitting the dance floor!
- Doors open at 5.30pm and pre-ordered food will be served before the disco begins at 6.00pm
- If you would prefer to feed your children at home beforehand, they won't miss a minute of the fun!
- Order now via QKR! - orders close strictly on Monday 16 June at 6.00pm.
Please note: No food will be available for purchase on the night.
Parent Volunteers Needed!
While some parents may take the opportunity for a date night, we need volunteers to help make this event safe and fun for our children. If you’re able to stay for the duration or lend a hand, please sign up here VOLUNTEER SHEET
Winter Pie Drive - Delivery Thursday 4 July 2025
Stock up your fridge and freezer with delicious pies and treats from Berkeley Bakery – just in time for the school holidays!
- Orders are open now on QKR and close on Wednesday 25th June.
- Pickup will be on Friday 4th July at 8:30am
Spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbours – it's a great way to support our P&F fundraising efforts!
SAVE THE DATE – TRIVIA NIGHT: Friday 15 August 2025
After an amazing night in 2024, our Trivia Night is back – bigger and better than ever!
- Held in the school hall
- Hosted by the wonderful Mardee
- Featuring the Shisofine Food Truck
- With loads of games, laughs, and fun planned throughout the evening!
We need your help!
To make this a successful fundraiser, we’re looking for raffle prize donations from local businesses.
- If you or someone you know owns a business and can donate, please email us at pandf@sbgdow.catholic.edu.au.
- Alternatively, if you can assist with approaching local businesses, we’d love your help!
Stay up to date or get in touch with the P&F
Follow us on Facebook @ St Brigid’s Gwynneville P&F Association Email: pandf@sbgdow.catholic.edu.au
Updating QKR
Please be sure to update your children on the QKR app. You should get a prompt when you first open the app though if you don’t it is just 2 simple steps:
- Click PROFILES
- Click on your CHILD’S NAME and select the correct year for 2025.
This stops confusion of orders being misplaced or sent to the wrong at events throughout the year.
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
Canteen
All canteen enquiries can be directed to Nicole Bonar - if your child is absent on the day you have organised a lunch order please text Nicole Bonar on the below mobile number and let her know before 8.30am - she will organise a credit for you.
DATES FOR TERM 2
| 9/6 | Public Holiday for the King's Birthday | All day |
| 12/6 | Confirmation Retreat Day | All day |
| 13/6 | Jubilee of Sport & walk-a-thon & Sausage Sizzle | from 10:00am |
| 14/6 | Sacrament of Confirmation | 2:00pm |
| 16/6 | Jubilee raffle Tickets sent home via eldest child | 3:00pm |
| 19/6 | Year 6 Excursion to Parliament house & Sydney | 7:40am |
| 20/6 | P&F School Disco | from 5:30pm |
| 23/6 | Kinder 2026 Letters of offer sent out via Funnell | 9:00am |
| 25/6 | Athletics Carnival | from 8:00am |
| 27/6 | Raffle tickets due back today | All day |
| 2/7 | Pupil Free Day - Staff on retreat | All day |
| 4/7 | Break Up | 3:00pm |
| 21/7 | School resumes for staff and students | 8:50am |
PUPIL FREE DAYS IN 2025
- Day 1 - Friday 31 January
- Day 2 - Friday 11 April
- Day 3 - Wednesday 4 June
- Day 4 - Wednesday 2 July
- Day 5 - Monday 1 September
- Day 6 - Friday 26 September
- Day 7 - Thursday 18 December
- Day 8 - Friday 19 December
ALTAR SERVER ROSTER
JULY- AUGUST
|
DATE |
SATURDAY 5:30pm |
SUNDAY 9:00am |
| 5/6 July | Ari | n/a |
| 12/13 July | Ella | Grace |
| 19/20 July | Simon | Veronica |
| 26/27 July | Ari, Simon & Ella | Grace |
| 2/3 August | Ari | n/a |
| 9/10 August | Ella |
Veronica |
| 16/17 August | Simon |
Gace |
| 23/24 August | Ari |
Veronica |
| 30/31 August | Ella |
n/a |
WEEKDAY PARISH MASSES
St Brigid’s is part of the wider Catholic community. In our context, Religious Education is shared by home, parish and school, with each having its own distinct contribution. The relationship between the Religious Education program and the religious life of our school within the Lumen Christi Parish community is deeply interconnected.
While our students actively participate in prayer – be it silent, meditative or traditional within the school day, we also come together for school liturgies and whole school Masses to celebrate significant events in the school and Church's calendar. As we have our church onsite, classes attend parish Masses on Thursday mornings.
We would like to extend an invitation to all families to attend our Parish Masses alongside our students and parishioners. We know how much this means to your children and our parish community.
In Sacrosantum Concilium, Pope Francis declared active participation in Mass is “the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit.”
In order for you to plan your involvement in our school/parish Masses, please see the attached 2025 Parish Mass Calendar for families. Each grade will attend Parish Mass each term and we request that parents use the calendar provided to schedule attendance for the Whole School Masses as well as one of the Thursday parish masses each term. Please note that our Whole School Masses are led by students from Year 2 -Year 6.
From 2025, we would also like to extend an invitation for parents to become involved in the parish Mass on the dates shown (and with their child’s class) : please fill in the attached form if you would be interested.
After each Mass, there will be an opportunity to enjoy a ‘cuppa’ with our parish community followed by a visit to your child’s class.
| DATE | CELEBRATION | LED BY |
| 12 June at 9.30am | Confirmation Retreat Day & Parish Mass |
Year 6 |
| 14 June at 2pm | Confirmation Mass |
Year 6 |
TERM 3
| 24 July at 9:30am | Parish Mass |
Year 2 & 4 |
| 7 August at 9:30am | Parish Mass |
Year 3 |
| 21 August at 9:30am | Parish Mass |
Year 5 & 1 |
| 4 September at 9:30am | Parish Mass |
Year 6 & K |
| 25 September at 9:30am | Whole School Mass - Jubilee |
Year 4 |
TERM 4
| 23 October at 9:30am | Parish Mass - First Communion prep |
Year 3 & 2 |
| 30 October at 9:30am | Parish Mass - First Communion prep |
Year 3 & 1 |
| 6 November at 9:30am | Parish Mass - First Communion prep |
Year 3 & 5 |
| 21 November at 9:30am | Whole School Mass - Benedictine Saints |
Year 2 |
| 21 November at 9:30am | Parish Mass |
Year 6 & K |
| 11 December at 9:30am | Whole School Mass - Graduation |
Year 6 |
KINDER FLOURISHING FRIDAY
JUBILEE OF FAMILIES BOOK FAIR
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORY TIME
TABLE TENNIS TABLE
YEAR 1 FLOURISHING FRIDAY
