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‘Picture a World in Harmony’
Each year, World Harmony Day is celebrated around the world on March 21. This event gives us not only an opportunity to recognise and celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity but also the important role that each of us can play in sustaining the practice of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all people. Here in Australia, this brings us to greater awareness of the traditional owners of the land, along with those who have come from many countries around the world.
It is important that the education of all our children includes learning how all Australians belong equally to this nation and enrich it. At St Brigid’s, we have participated in activities that reinforce and expand this important concept and the values that are associated with it. This week, we might pray:
Good and gracious God,
Who loves and delights in all people, we turn our hearts to You, knowing that the spark of life within each person on Earth is the spark of your divine life.
May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate similarities and differences among us. We place our hopes for racial harmony in our Christian actions, knowing that You are present in all those we meet.
AMEN.
A huge thank you to our wonderful Year 6 leaders; Leki, Meki, Sienna, Zita, Ava, Emily, Devrim, Marcus, Mia, Kyah, Atticus, Piper and Robbie for organising every aspect of our Project Compassion Appeal today. We raised a total of $351.50. Everyone looked awesome in their 'loud shirt' and the hot cross buns were fresh and delicious. What a great fun day we had!
| 6W | Alex H |
| 6G | Ryder J |
| 5 | Matthieu C |
| 4 | Noah S |
| 3 | Nahla O |
| 2 | Briella I |
| 1 | Rafael I |
| K | Orlando S |
| Staff | Ms McMahon |
- At this stage, there has been no direction from government or CSNSW to close any schools, except in response to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in a student or staff member.
- We have not had any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in any of our schools (including staff and students).
- If the situation changes, we will update CEDoW school communities as soon as new information becomes available
2. We have taken action to keep our students and staff safe
- We have established a dedicated COVID-19 Incident Management Team.
- We have put in place rigorous measures related to travel restrictions, hygiene and social distancing, in line with the best advice from Australian Department of Health.
- We have increased the cleaning of high-touch-point surfaces in all schools.
- We are supporting families in self-isolation and monitoring those undergoing testing for COVID-19.
- We have implemented protocols for staff or students that present with COVID-19 symptoms during the school day.
- We have established protocols for notifying staff, parents/carers and students in the event a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19.
3. We are sharing information as soon as it's available
- The COVID-19 situation continues to change, sometimes daily.
- New direction and advice is regularly being provided by government and health authorities.
- We are providing updates and new information to staff, parents/carers and students as soon as possible.
- The best place to find the latest information is the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong website (www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19)
PARENT MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
Scheduled Personal Plan meetings for individual students will still go ahead next Wednesday 25 March 2020 as we can organise tables in the hall to ensure a safe distance is maintained.
CANCELLED EVENTS AT ST BRIGID'S
- 30 March - Edmund Rice College band performance
- 1 April - Year 4 'Return of the Explorers' Expo
- 9 April - Cross Country Carnival
- 1 May - Easter Hat Parade
- 6 May - Da Vinci Decathlon
- 8 May - Mother’s Day breakfast and liturgy
- All class, parish and whole school Masses
- Parish Sacramental program
- Holy Week ceremonies
- All Diocesan and representative sport
- Monday and Friday morning assemblies will be conducted over the PA with students in classes
PRINCIPAL AWARD
Congratulations to Lachlan and Emerson in Year 3, on achieving their first Principal Award. This is an outstanding effort. Keep striving to become great leaders of faith, justice and learning.
MOBILE PHONE USE: A REMINDER
The NSW Government’s world-first mobile phone detection cameras have been operating in warning mode since 1 December 2019, but from 1 March 2020 drivers caught doing the wrong thing will cop a $344 fine and five demerit points. Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said 9 million vehicles had been checked by the cameras during the three-month warning period, with more than 30,000 warning letters issued to offending drivers.
NSW Police continue to enforce illegal mobile phone use and issue infringements as part of regular operations.
Find more information about mobile phone rules and FAQs on the Transport for NSW Know the Rules page.
| 25/3 | PP meetings with parents | Appointment times |
| 3/4 | Pupil Free Day - staff retreat | All day |
| 9/4 | School term ends | 3:10pm |
| 27/4 | School commences for Term 2 | All day |
HAND WASHING
We are encouraging all students to wash their hands with soap multiple times throughout the day. Teachers are using the following video clips to remind students of the appropriate ways to wash their hands.
LENT
This week, I offer you, a different way, of praying, almsgiving and fasting during Lent, the way of ecology. During this time we have an opportunity to reflect on how we can strengthen our relationship with God through focusing on our relationship with creation.
Pray
An ecological examen in the Ignatian tradition.
The examen has several steps. Begin by placing yourself in a quiet place and a posture of openness to the Holy Spirit.
Gratitude: I ask for the grace to look closely to see how my life choices impact creation and the poor and vulnerable. How can I turn away from a throwaway culture and instead stand in solidarity with creation and the poor?
Awareness: I ask for the grace of conversion towards ecological justice and reconciliation. Where have I fallen short in caring for creation and my brothers and sisters?
Understanding: I ask for the grace to reconcile my relationship with God, creation, and humanity, and to stand in solidarity through my actions. How can I repair my relationship with creation and make choices consistent with my desire for reconciliation with creation? Conversion: I offer a closing prayer for the earth and the vulnerable in our society.
Fast
Take a break from electronic entertainment - TV, computer use, mobile phone use. Pay attention to the people in front of you and the natural scenes around you instead. Try to grow comfortable with quiet and stillness.
Act
Read about efforts to ban the sale of single-use plastics by certain state and local governments. This week, refrain from using single-use plastic, such as plastic bags, silverware, bottles, etc.
A FAITH RESPONSE TO COVID-19
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS
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Sunday 22 March  |
4th week of Lent
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Spiritual Blindness Jesus was not just concerned about physical blindness. Spiritual blindness happens when we refuse to recognise God in our lives. Sometimes the hardest thing to see clearly is our own faults.
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Sunday 29 March 
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5th week of Lent
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Jesus asks “Do you believe that I give eternal life?" Our Catholic faith has always had a strong conviction about heaven. It’s one of the reasons why we have so many saints: people who help us to live with a daily awareness of the reality of heaven.
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|
CLASS |
Week 1 |
Week 2 |
|
Kindergarten |
$10.70 |
$3.00 |
|
Year 1 |
$33.50 |
$22.85 |
|
Year 2 |
$11.30 |
$76.70 |
|
Year 3 |
$32.10 |
$28.95 |
|
Year 4 |
$8.35 |
$16.55 |
|
Year 5 |
$7.05 |
$8.25 |
|
Year 6G |
$3.05 |
$5.50 |
|
Year 6W |
$66.65 |
$46.65 |
|
Teachers |
NIL |
$44.15 |
|
SUB TOTAL: |
$172.70 |
$252.60 |
|
TOTAL for two weeks |
$425. 30 |
|
Congratulations to the students who have received their Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| CLASS | ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AWARD |
| Year 5 | Paige H |
| Year 5 | Paige H (2nd award) |
| Year 6 | Alina L |
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during the last fortnight.
Week 7 - Term 1
| CLASS | JUSTICE AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Jude C | |
| Year 1 | Arthur R | Charlie E-B |
| Year 2 | Rhiley A | Ryan T |
| Year 3 | Rosie S | Hamilton Y |
| Year 4 | Abby H | Sophie J-T |
| Year 5 | Niya M | Quentin M |
| Year 6G | Kyah Z | Jasper R |
| Year 6W | Ryan F | Zita H |
Week 8 - Term 1
| CLASS | LEARNING AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Lucas S | Charlotte F |
| Year 1 | Raphael I | Ryder M |
| Year 2 | Enzo H-D | Fabrizio M |
| Year 3 | Rafael M | Hugo S |
| Year 4 | Isobel F | Andy P |
| Year 5 | Matthieu C | Aryan T |
| Year 6G | Harrison M | Ryder J |
| Year 6W | Leila P | Meki T |
LATE ARRIVALS
Please be reminded that if your child arrives at school after 8:50 am and their class has left the assembly area, they must enter through the school office to be signed in.
Scholastic Book Club - Issue 2
Book Club brochures have been sent out. 
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 6G | Year 6W |
| Neave M | Philippa L | Malachy H | Kyah Z | Meki T |
| Briella I | Cameron B | Tilly B | ||
| Sarah M |
CANTEEN MENU
There is a new menu which can be accessed at the link below. It will also be available on the school website.
UPCOMING CANTEEN ROSTER
| WEEK 9 TERM 1 | |
| 23 March 2020 | Gabrielle M |
| 25 March 2020 | Karen B |
| WEEK 10 TERM 1 | |
| 30 March 2020 | Maria I |
| 1 April 2020 | To be advised |
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
St Brigid’s Gwynneville
HOLY WEEK LITURGIES
At this time, the ceremonies of Holy Week will be celebrated privately by the bishop and made available on the diocesan website (dow.org.au) so they can be viewed and prayed.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS AND CELEBRATIONS OF THE SACRAMENTS
Preparation for and celebration of First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion for children will be postponed until the pandemic is over.
MESSAGE FROM BISHOP BRIAN REGARDING COVID-19
PARISH AGM
Last Tuesday evening, the Lumen Christi Pastoral Region held the Annual General Meeting. In the document below you will find some very good information about the life of the Pastoral Region.
MASS TIMES - TEMPORARILY CANCELLED
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil - cancelled |
| Sunday | 9:00am - cancelled |
| Thursday | 9:30am - cancelled |
For Parish information, please visit the Parish website.
Please visit the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong website for further information.
CAN YOU VOLUNTEER AN HOUR OR TWO?
Thank you to Martin, Marg, Caterina and Gary for working at the Rugby and NRL games in the last two weeks.
Given the current environment, we will let you know when we need Cathedral car park volunteers next.
ENROLMENT APPLICATIONS - HOLY SPIRIT COLLEGE
NEED HELP WITH EDITING?
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All enquiries will be attended to promptly:info@tasmanediting.com.au
CatholicCare Courses 2020
Strengthening Relationships
Enrolments for CatholicCare's Term 1 Wollongong groups are now open. We offer a range of group work courses for adults, parents and carers, children and couples.
We offer courses to strengthen relationships, support children's development and build resilience within a supportive environment alongside others who share similar life experiences. All of our 2020 courses are listed on our website.
Keiraville and Gwynneville Access and Movement Study - join the conversation
Keiraville and Gwynneville will experience significant growth in the coming decades as a result of the expansion of the education and health precinct. Council has worked with Neighbourhood Forum 5, the University of Wollongong, Transport for NSW and community members to study the existing and future access and transport issues in the area.
The Study outlines strategies to improve the transport system, reduce impacts on surrounding suburbs, promote the use of sustainable travel modes and ensure that the transport network can accommodate future development.
You can provide feedback online https://our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/keiraville-gwynneville-access-and-movement2 or via email to engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
All comments from the community will be considered, in finalising the set of actions to address access and movement issues.
Feedback is due by 7 April 2020.
EARTH HOUR 2020
Saturday the 28th of March is Earth Hour. People and businesses around Wollongong, and the world, will be switching off non-essential lighting between the hours of 8:30pm and 9:30pm. This year, everyone is invited to SwitchOff and raise their voices for nature for the most important Earth Hour yet.
Schools are asked to participate by turning off all non-essential power supplies for one hour on Friday 27th March.
Wollongong City Council will be switching off all non-essential lighting at its Administration Building and other major sites.
Register here to take part in Earth Hour 2020. You will also find loads of information and activities to do during Earth Hour.
For more information contact Julie Palmer, Environmental Project Support Officer, Wollongong City Council. Phone 42278279 or email jpalmer@wollongong.nsw.gov.au 
