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Emmanuel! God is with us.
This is the prayer of Advent. Last weekend we celebrated the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year with the commencement of Advent. This Advent, we reflect on the voices that challenge us. The empty crib reminds us that Advent is a season of anticipation and expectation. It is also a stark reminder of the emptiness that fills the lives and hearts of many people. We are challenged to bring Christ to today’s world and to be good news for all.
Advent is a time when we are challenged to listen to the Voice of God, a choice that questions what it is to wait for and with another person, to wait for and with God. The voice of God challenges us to reflect on and examine the nature of HOPE.
- Who is it that brings hope to your world?
- What is the voice of God challenging you to do today?
- Who are the people without hope, without happiness, without a future?
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
The anthology The Best of WriteOn 2019 is now available in the NESA Shop Online. Due to Harper's achievement and inclusion in this anthology, NESA would like to offer a 20% discount for any purchases of this title. Please use the code WRITEON2019 at checkout. This offer is available until 28 February 2020.
The Diocese School Fee Policy, stipulates that each family completes a School Fee Agreement at the beginning of the year. This process must be completed each year.
Thank you to those who have paid or who are on track to finalising their 2019 school fee account. A reminder that all school fees are due in full by Friday 13 December 2019.
STAFFING FOR 2020
At the end of an educational year we often welcome new staff and say farewell to others who move on for many and varied reasons.
Ms Kelly Young, who has worked at St Brigid’s in a temporary capacity for 10 years, has accepted a fulltime time position at Stella Maris Catholic Primary School Shellharbour, and will therefore, not be returning next year. We thank Ms Young most sincerely for the contributions she has made to the lives of the students at St Brigid’s.
In addition, Mrs Kate Tarlinton will be returning to St Brigid's next year on a casual basis. We welcome Ms Brooke McMahon and Mrs Alex Boss to our school for 2020.
Classroom Teachers for 2020
| CLASS | STAFF | DAYS |
| Year 6G |
Mrs Kelly Foxton Mrs Michelle Brodnik |
Monday - Wednesday Wednesday - Friday |
| Year 6W | Ms Kate Sparks |
Monday - Friday |
| Year 5 | Mrs Arthur-Worsop - REC |
Monday - Friday |
| Year 4 | Mr Mark Boss - Middle Leader |
Monday - Friday |
| Year 3 | Ms Brooke McMahon |
Monday - Friday |
| Year 2 |
Mrs Claire Shrimpton Mrs Alysha Lavelle |
Monday - Wednesday Thursday - Friday |
| Year 1 |
Mrs Michelle Wilson Mrs Donna Arjona |
Monday - Tuesday Wednesday - Friday |
| Kindergarten | Mrs Cathy Cuff |
Monday - Friday |
Specialist Teachers for 2020
| Instructional Coach | Ms Nichole Harris - AP | Monday - Friday |
| PDHPE | Mrs Nicole Carey-Barr | Monday - Wednesday |
| Music | Mrs Melissa Sommerville | Thursday |
| Indentured casual | Mrs Joy Evans | Tuesday - Wednesday |
| Diverse Learning Teacher | Mrs Alysha Lavelle | Wednesday |
| Middle Leader Release | Mrs Alex Boss | Thursday |
| REC release | Mrs Louise Richardson | Tuesday |
| Large Class Support - Yr 4 | Mrs Alex Boss | Wednesday |
| Literacy Coach | Mrs Margaret Panozzo | Thursday |
Support Staff for 2020
| SSSO - Finance and Admin | Mrs Nicole Regan | Monday - Friday |
| SSO - Admin Office | Mrs Anita Mitrevski | Monday - Friday |
| SSO - Classroom | Mrs Toni Frino | Monday - Friday |
| SSO - Classroom | Mrs Lisa Paton | Monday - Thursday |
| SSO - Classroom | Mrs Yvonne Tasker | Monday - Thursday |
| SSO - Classroom | Mrs Amanda McAlary | Friday |
| SSO - Library | Mrs Karen Campbell | Thursday - Friday |
END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Please join us for our final school Mass of 2019 on Tuesday 17 December 2019 at 9:30am where our senior class for 2020 will recite the oath of commitment and the symbols of leadership will be handed over to them from our current leaders. You are warmly invited to join us from 9:30am. Below is an order of events for Tuesday:
- 9:30am Mass
- 10:35am Guard of Honour for Year 6
- 10:40am Ringing of the recess bell
- 10:45am Recess - Year 6 and Kinder to have morning tea together
- 10:45am Volunteers morning tea Habits Hollow
- 11:15am Final assembly in the Hall – leaving certificates, merit awards, Year 6 performance and some sing-a-long Christmas carols
PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
| Year 2 | Matthew C |
| Year 2 | Rosie S |
UPCOMING EVENTS
| 10 December 2019 | Year 6 Graduation | From 5:30pm |
| 12 December 2019 | Mr Peter Turners' Mass of Thanksgiving | 10:30am |
| 13 December 2019 | Reports made available on Compass parent portal | From 3:30pm |
| 13 December 2019 | Transition Day - Meet your teacher | 12noon - 3:10pm |
| 17 December 2019 | Thanksgiving Mass, final assembly, Christmas Carols and Ringing of Bell | From 9:30am |
| 18 December 2019 | Last day of the school year for both students and teachers | All day |
2020 TERM 1 SAVE THE DATE
| 29 January | Year 1 - Year 6 students return |
| 6 February | Kindergarten first full day |
| 13 February | Commencement Mass 9:30am |
| 24 February | Swimming Carnival 8:30am - 12:30pm |
| 25 February | School Photos |
| 26 February | Ash Wednesday |
| 2 March | Catholic Schools Week Celebration and Welcome event |
| 25 March | Semester 1 Personal Plan meeting with parents |
| 3 April | Pupil Free Day |
| 9 April | Cross Country Carnival from 9:30am |
| 9 April | End of Term 1 |
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17
Your generosity has been appreciated with all our fundraising this year. The school community showed an active commitment to the mission of reaching out to the marginalised in our society. $679.15 was raised for Project Compassion during Lent, and $469.10 was raised for Catholic Mission in October.
A further $1,749.55 was raised through a Jersey Day and a Super Heroes Day, to assist the local St Vincent de Paul conference in their Winter and Christmas Appeals, as well as collections of food items for the Vinnies Van throughout the year.
SAVE THE DATE
|
Sunday 8 December |
REPENT Father in Heaven, soon the Glory of your Son, Jesus will make the night radiant with light. Prepare our hearts and minds. Amen |
 |
|
Tuesday 10 December |
Graduation Mass 5:30 pm |
Year 6 |
|
Thursday 12 December |
Parish Mass 9:30 am |
Year 3 |
|
Sunday 15 December |
BE PATIENT God of Mercy, you are patient and kind. Teach us to wait patiently for the coming of Jesus. Amen |
 |
|
Tuesday 17 December |
Thanksgiving Mass 9:30 am |
Whole School |
|
Sunday 22 December |
EMMANUEL Father in Heaven, you sent your son to be with us - Emmanuel. We rejoice in His coming. Amen |
 |
A message from St Therese Parish West Wollongong
Messy Church is on again at the St Therese school Hall on Saturday 14 December 14 2019 from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. We will be celebrating a Messy Christmas, with games, craft story telling, and afternoon tea for all.
Messy Church is great for people of all ages and we particularly welcome anyone who hasn't been to Church in a while. We understand that life (and kids) can get messy and we embrace all the wriggly, loud, untidiness that life and Christmas time can bring.
If you would like to come along, please RSVP to westgongyouth@hotmail.com so we can make sure we have enough afternoon tea for everyone.
School fee balances can be checked via the Parent Portal on Compass.
To do this on your phone:
- Open the Compass App
- Open the menu button in the top left hand corner (3 lines, also commonly refered to as the hamburger)
- DO NOT USE THE SCHOOL FEE OPTION IN THIS MENU
- Find and click 'Open in Browser'
- Click your name in the top right hand corner
- Click billing tab (fourth tab along)
To do this on your computer:
- Open the Compass Portal (httpss://sbgdow-nsw.compass.education/)
- Click your name in the top right hand corner
- Click billing tab (fourth tab along)
STUDENT MEDICATIONS
All student medications currently kept in the school office will need to be collected by parents before Wednesday 18 December.
At the beginning of the 2020 school year, the medications can be returned with a new Request for School to Administer Medication form and any updated Medical Plans for Asthma or Anaphylaxis.
STUDENT UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES
A reminder to please logon to your parent portal and provide an explanation for any 2019 unexplained absences for your child/children.
If you have any questions regarding this please contact the school office.
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during the last fortnight.
Week 7 - Term 4
| CLASS | FAITH AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Raphael I | Ella D |
| Year 1 | Molly S | Nathaneal J |
| Year 2 | Eve A | Daniel C |
| Year 3 | Raen G | Georgia F |
| Year 4 | Ariel L | Lila J |
| Year 5G | Caelan S | Alina L |
| Year 5W | Ilija G | Mia A |
| Year 6 | Jahzara M | Harper D |
Week 8 - Term 4
| CLASS | JUSTICE AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Ned L | Stevie R |
| Year 1 | Bethany M | Zara H |
| Year 2 | Hamilton Y | Emerson E |
| Year 3 | Leila M | Alessia S |
| Year 4 | Charlotte W | Ben C |
| Year 5G | Robbie L | Zara B |
| Year 5W | Leki D | Ryan F |
| Year 6 | Breanna K | Noelia S |
Congratulations to the students who have received their Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| Year 2 | Rosie S |
| Year 3 | Leila M |
| Year 4 | Lila J |
| Year 5G | Hudson S |
| Year 5W | Marcus M |
LAST DAY TO ORDER!
The 2019 St Brigid's Yearbook is now available to pre-order for $20.00 via Qkr! The Yearbook is a yearly publication which covers events throughout the school year. It is a great momento for the students to keep and look back on. Please place your order by today Friday 6 December 2019.
CANTEEN NEWS- Calling for 2020 Canteen Helpers
The school tuckshop is organised and staffed on a voluntary basis. We are in constant need of helpers to operate the tuckshop for our children. Your time spent on tuckshop can be an enjoyable time for both you and our children by donating a little of your time.
Volunteers need to be at the tuckshop from 9:30am till 2:00pm for a FULL DAY.
The roster will be done for the full 12 months, therefore dates can be placed in your diary for your reference. If you are unable to do your shift you are encouraged to find your own replacement through the relief roster or swap the day.
Please download the attached note to indicate your availability and return the note to the school office by Tuesday 17 December 2019.
The roster will be emailed to all before the end of the year to start February 2020. Thank you for your anticipated help.
UPCOMING CANTEEN ROSTER
| WEEK 9 TERM 4 | |
| 9 December | Maria Ianni |
| 11 December | Ainsley Eckerman and Fiona Carolan |
PLEASE NOTE: THE CANTEEN WILL BE CLOSED FROM THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER 2019
WANT TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE LIFE OF THE SCHOOL?
Are you interested in volunteering for P&F events? Would you like to help out the wonderful St Brigid’s Community but don’t know where to start? We’d love to have you on board.
Drop the P&F a line and we’d be very happy to get you involved in events or as a coordinator. We can also team you up with an existing volunteer to help share the work and learn the ropes. Email us at pandf@sbgdow.catholic.edu.au
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kindergarten | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
| Ned L | Xavier C | Quentin M | Daniel D |
| Kip P |
- Congratulations to Jasper R in 5W who has been selected to play for the Greater Illawarra Cricket Zone in the NSW Country Championships in late December in Raymond Terrace.
- Congratulations to Millie A in Kindergarten for her gold medal winning art work.
St Brigid’s Gwynneville
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil |
| Sunday | 9:00am |
| Thursday | 9:30am |
For the most current Mass times and Parish information, please visit the Parish website
CAN YOU VOLUNTEER AN HOUR OR TWO?
Thank you to those who have already vounteered to help with our fundraising efforts at the Cathedral carpark for major events in Wollongong.
If you can volunteer for an hour or two for any upcoming events, please add your name to our Google document below.
CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR NEW YEARS EVE
- 16 December 2019 - Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne 7:30pm tip off
- 22 December 2019 - Illawarra Hawks v NZ Breakers 3:00pm tip off
- 31 December 2019 - NYE and Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings 5:30pm tip off
The P&F Fete Committee would like to thank all our generous sponsors for contributing to a wonderful community event.
PROJECT BUCEPHALUS
Project Bucephalus will be running another round of robotics workshops in the January holidays. Please refer to the flyer.
SONGS OF JOY
Songs of Joy - 15 December 2019
Ss Peter and Paul Church Kiama - 2:30 pm
A combined chorus of over 180 singers from Sydney and the South Coast are joining together for a sensational afternoon of song.
Antoinette Raynal, Director of Katandra Womens A Cappella says, “The joy of singing has such an impact on both the audience and the singers, nothing beats the excitement and impact of such a beautiful big sound".
Sydneys’ Hummingsong Choir's Maribella and Senisuara, as recently seen on TV in Australia’s Got Talent, are the special guests for the event.
The Finale features the Kiama Youth Group 'The Sing Space Vocal Ensemble' leading the combined chorus in singing “One Voice”. Sure to create a moving highlight which will raise the roof and cheer in the season!
Entry to the concert is by donation with all proceeds going to the Charity “The Homestead of Hope”. A proud collaborative endeavour by Kiama churches to support those in need within our community.
Whether you're a weekend warrior, a novice with training wheels or someone who never hops on a bike. We want to hear about your cyclying experiences.
Council is updating our bike plan - let's continue to make Wollongong cycle-friendly for all. Please visit our website at https://www.haveyoursaywollongong.com.au/help-shape-the-wollongong-cycling-strategy and complete the survey.
We welcome feedback from all members of the community by Monday 9 December 2019.
Australia Day Aquathon
Australia Day is a fun day at Wollongong Harbour and it all kicks off with the huge all age fun of the Australia Day Aquathon and Funrun-walk.
The Kids Aquathon distance is just for kids 6-12 years, and is all about participation. The 140m swim (7-9 years) or 200m swim (10-12 years) is held in the safe confines of the Wollongong Harbour, with lifesavers galore and parents can even accompany their child (if you can swim of course). The run for both ages is 2km along the coastal blue mile.
Kids receive a finisher medals and with everyone cheering on, they will feel like superstars!
Longer distances for older children and adults, along with the popular 4km Warrigal Funrun and walk the whole family can do.
Sunday 26 January 2020. Info: http://aquathon.com.au
Tennis Clinics
FootGolf Holiday Activity
