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This new reality of self-isolating, working from home and social distancing from family, colleagues, friends and strangers is very challenging. We are living and working in most unusual circumstances and we are all getting used to new ways of operating and managing the challenges. My wish for you is to approach everything with love and be hope-filled knowing that this time shall pass. What we will remember when this is all over, is the spirit of solidarity and care that we had for each other.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the St Brigid’s families for the support you have given us during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, especially the last 2 weeks.
I am so thankful to be working with a highly experienced and thoroughly committed staff. In the last two weeks we have experienced the most incredible pedagogical change and the response by the St Brigid’s staff has been exceptional.
One aspect of the school experience that can never be replicated at home is the social contact of the children being together and playing games at recess and at lunch times. It is vital that your children do get the opportunity to talk with their friends and extended family during this time of social isolation. We may be disconnected physically but we don’t have to be disconnected emotionally from the people who give us joy.
As we come to the conclusion of Term 1 and enter into the Pascal Mystery i.e the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus, I cannot help but bring to mind what Br Bill Tarrant expressed to our staff during a retreat experience, “you must experience your Good Friday in order to celebrate the Resurrection”. Therefore, embrace the challenges that confronted you during this pandemic (Good Friday) so that you may experience fullness of life in the Resurrection.
Wising you and your family a blessed Easter and a relaxing holiday. Until we meet again, may you be held in the palm of God’s hand.
END OF TERM LETTER
As we come to the end of Term 1, the Director of Schools and I thought it appropriate to take a moment to reflect on what has been one of the most extraordinary and challenging periods in the history of Australian education.
We wish to support you and your family as we commence this school holiday period, clear about what has happened to date and what you can expect when we return in Term 2. With that goal in mind, this letter includes:
- A summary of how Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) has responded to COVID-19
- A reminder of the support available to you and your child
- An outline of what to expect over the holidays and in Term 2
Parents and carers can register for one of these remote access devices by calling the Parent Internet Device Enquiry Line on 1800 512 370 during the registration period (9–23 April 2020).
Operators will ask a range of questions about the students in the home, what devices they have access to and what internet access you have. Parents and carers will be able to opt out of the call at any time. At the end of the call, the operator will explain what will happen next. The information collected will only be used to assess the needs of each family who registers to ensure the appropriate allocation of modems.
If the line is busy or the call is out of hours please leave a message with your contact details. This will be forwarded automatically to the service desk system and logged.
By registering to access a device, parents and carers accept that one of the solutions we are providing includes small modems that contain internet sim cards. These devices WILL NOT be filtered, which means students using them will have the same access to the internet as a typical home internet connection. As a result, monitoring students’ internet use by parents and carers is essential.
During the registration period (9–23 April 2020) we will be collecting information to determine the support needs of families who apply. In the following week, a group of senior leaders will assess the responses and determine what support we can provide to which families. Parents and carers will receive an email during the week of 27 April 2020 informing them of the outcome.
| LINES OPEN |
Thursday 9 April 2020 at 09:00am
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| LINES CLOSE |
Thursday 23 April 2020 at 17:00pm
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| DECISION ANNOUNCED AND MODEMS SHIPPED |
Week of 27 April 2020
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COVID-19 CEDoW INFORMATION CENTRE
| STUDENTS COMMENCE TERM 2 IN SUMMER UNIFORM. WINTER UNIFORM WILL BE WORN FROM WEEK 4, 18 MAY 2020 |
up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Parents shouldn’t avoid talking about it, because not talking about something can actually make young people more anxious. As a psychologist I'd encourage parents to use the conversation as an opportunity to convey the facts, with simple messages, all the while setting a positive, optimistic emotional tone. Parents should be purveyors of hope. The 6 main points to make are:
1. Reassure your child this is a virus not the plague, the fact is that most people only get a mild illness and fully recover within a few weeks
2. Remind them that children very rarely get sick and when they do it is usually just like a cold.
3. Describe what the main symptoms are and encourage them to let you know if they feel unwell.
4. Reassure them that their pets are not affected.
5. Tell them that we all have to change our behaviours, wash our hands more, practice not touching our face as much, learn coughing etiquette, and a foot tap instead of handshake.
6. Let them know about all the scientists across the world who are working together to find vaccines and treatments. If they are concerned about grandparents or others, validate this as a sign of how caring and loving they are and focus on positive messages about the medical care and support available.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
Being in lockdown allows us an opportunity to gather as a family to celebrate Holy Week and Easter. On this site RE Online - Holy Week Prayers you will find three PowerPoints, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, that you can use to help with remembering the great moment of Christ’s life that gives us such hope and the realisation that God is with us, no matter how dark things may seem.
We can also be in communion with each other through “Mass on line” with Bishop Brian this week. Holy Week liturgies online
I wish you a happy and holy Easter time.
Holy Spirit, please encircle me,
Come hold me safe and secure.
Wrap my mind up with your truth
Guide my thoughts and calm my fears.
Steady my emotions,
Lord that you would guide my feelings,
May I not be overcome by upset.
Sustain my soul,
With vision for the future,
And hope for tomorrow. Amen.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS
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Sunday 12 April  Alleluia, Alleluia
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EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD Jesus’ tomb was empty. It had even been cleaned up. The linen burial cloths were folded and rolled up neatly. Everything was left in order and taken care of. Jesus was clearly finished with this grave. No more of this ‘death business’ for him. He left it totally behind, and was fully alive, never to know the sufferings of death again. Have you ever made a transition in life? Did you ever take a step and know that a part of your former life was totally behind you? What happened? How did you feel? Did you find yourself trying to take care of things or leave things in order in any way? Obviously Mary, Peter and the other disciple were close friends with one another and with Jesus. It is easy to picture the three of them running to the tomb together to be sure of what actually happened. Who are the Marys and Peters in your life? Have you ever hurried to get to some important place? Have you ever struggled with someone else to figure out what was really happening in an important situation that affected you or a friend of yours? What happened and how did that affect your relationship? |
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 6G | Year 6W |
| Finn D | Raphael I | Tayla R | Amelia E-B | Abby H | Sienna F | Alex H |
| Mia M | Alice M | Emma L | Christopher M | William C | Erin R | Leki D-B |
| Ilena P | Eve A | Tully D | Alina L | |||
| Iva O | Zita H |
| SIZE | HEIGHT | WAIST |
| 4 | 108cm | 56cm |
| 5 | 115cm | 57cm |
| 6 | 120cm | 58cm |
| 7 | 125cm | 59cm |
| 8 | 130cm | 60cm |
| 10 | 140cm | 62cm |
| 12 | 150cm | 64cm |
| 14 | 160cm | 66cm |
| 16 | 165cm | 70cm |
St Brigid’s Gwynneville
BISHOP BRIAN'S PASTORAL MESSAGE
HOLY WEEK LITURGIES
The ceremonies of Holy Week will be celebrated privately by Bishop Brian and made available on the Diocesan website (dow.org.au) so they can be viewed and prayed.
MESSGAE FROM FR BERNARD
Dear Parishioners,
In this time of the Covid-19 pandemic please help us to help you. Parish services and pastoral support will continue even though we will not be able to come together for the public celebration of Mass.
At a time of financial insecurity for all of us, our parishes of Lumen Christi still need funds to maintain our parish office and our parish staff. Your WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIRST AND SECOND PARISH COLLECTIONS is more important than ever.
To make a donation you can click on the General Donation icon in this notice or go to our website www.lumenchristi.org.au
If you wish to make a donation directly into our bank account, the details are:
Parish of St Brigid’s Gwynneville. BSB: 066 711. Account no: 001770.
I only ask you to give according to your means because I am aware of the present economic difficulties that afflict our nation. Yet, if we all give what we can it will add up to more than enough.
Please drop your planned giving envelope or loose collection in the slot provided in the main door of Wollongong Cathedral.
Alternatively, you can contribute to our parish planned giving online by clicking on the green planned giving link: www.dow.org.au/plannedgiving
Thank you very much for your support.
Fr Bernard Gordon, Administrator
MASS TIMES - TEMPORARILY CANCELLED
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil - cancelled |
| Sunday | 9:00am - cancelled |
| Thursday | 9:30am - cancelled |
PARISH WEBSITE
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WOLLOGNONG WEBISTE
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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.
Lawn Mowing Roster - Call for Volunteers
Do you want to help keep the school grounds looking great?
The P&F are asking for your help. All it takes is a regular mow and tidy up – a small job we share as a community. It’s very easy, simple and quick and if we get enough volunteers then you only need to commit to twice a year (if that….the more that sign up, the less frequently you are rostered on)
Please email John Harman with your details. A roster will be organised for the year and sent out to all volunteers.
If you would like to know more about what is required, don’t hesitate to contact John Harman on dabeers@bigpond.com or 0419 993 133