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Strength in Adversity
Much has been written and spoken in recent months supporting and encouraging us as we deal with the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is broadly accepted that each of us is currently faced with change and stress that asks so much of us in our personal, family and professional lives. We share this with people not just in our own community but throughout the whole world. Our homes, workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods have become places that are not as familiar and comfortable as they once were.
I came across a quote by the esteemed Japanese writer, Hakumi Murakami:
When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.
These words caused me to reflect on how I am dealing with my journey through ‘the storm’ of the pandemic, and how I might emerge from the experience.
- Will I be strengthened as a person, more resilient and skilled?
- Will I have been able to assist others by setting an example of calmness, courage and compassion?
- Will I be understanding and supportive of those I deal with each day, demonstrating empathy and recognition that they also are attempting to do their best despite the anxieties and pressures that they too are experiencing?
In these times of unprecedented change and challenge, I pray that we might always consider that each of us shares one thing in common - the fear and insecurity of our times that can only be overcome with the compassion and understanding of those around us. Keeping this in mind, we might all strive to emerge with pride and a sense of wellbeing knowing that we, as individuals, contributed in a positive way to our survival of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in doing so, set an example for our loved ones, especially the children in our lives, of how adversity made visible our strengths and the values we claim as Christian people.
God of mercy, hear our prayer:
In this time of bewilderment and fear, we ask you to give us the courage to take care of one another as Jesus did.
In the midst of our sadness and grief, we ask you to give us words to comfort one another.
In the midst of our own anxiety, we ask you to give us the courage to support one another as you would.
In the midst of our growing awareness that all life on Earth is connected, we ask for the heart to respect and cherish all life.
Amen! Amen!
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
Our transition approach is similar to the NSW Government’s method, in that it will involve a staged return to classrooms from Week 3, Monday 11 May 2020. As we progress, we will continue to provide updates to ensure you have confidence in our approach, as well as all the information you need to best support your child/ren’s growth in faith and learning during this time.
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| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY |
| Remote | GOLD HOUSE | BLUE HOUSE | RED HOUSE |
Remote |
BE SAFE, FEEL SAFE MEASURES
No student or staff member should attend school if they are sick and/or have a fever, cough, sore throat, aches and pains, headache, runny or stuffy nose or shortness of breath.
1.Additional cleaning is provided at school, including:
- Onsite cleaner to wipe down bathrooms and high touch surfaces during the day in
addition to the current cleaning practices
- Clean and disinfect frequently used high-touch surfaces such as benchtops, desks, doorknobs, iPad sign in, taps, and handrails at regular intervals throughout the day with a detergent solution or detergent/disinfectant wipes
- Clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as computers, photocopiers and sports equipment with detergent solution or detergent/disinfectant wipes
- Clean and disinfect any play equipment used
- Clean staff and student toilets after each recess/lunch and at the end of the day
- Provide bins in every classroom, and empty them regularly throughout the day
- Clean and disinfect First Aid/Sick Bay rooms, staffroom and meeting rooms at regular intervals throughout the day
2. Hand sanitiser is provided in all learning spaces including timetabled handwashing with soap, supervised by teachers
3. Teachers/school staff maintain 1.5m physical distance from other adults and students
4. Increased physical space between students, arranging classroom furniture to leave as much space as possible between students and maintaining smaller classes
5. Isolation room for staff/student showing COVID-19 symptoms, awaiting assistance to depart site and seeking medical assessment
6. First Aid/Sick Bay rooms with infrared contactless thermometer
7. Contactless sign-in for all staff, visitors and contractors on site using iPads
8. School bubblers will remain closed and students must bring drink bottles to be refilled using designated taps, supervised by staff
SCHOOL UNIFORM
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WINTER UNIFORM WILL BE WORN FROM
WEEK 4, 18 MAY 2020
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UNIFORM POLICY
Please ensure that you are familiar with and support the school to ensure that both these policies are implemented correctly. They can be found on the school website:
DROP OFF AND PICK UP PROCEDURES FROM 11 MAY 2020
Morning drop off from 8.35am – 8.45am
• Parents drop off by car and students enter via the Vickery Street gate
• Students who ride or walk to school by themselves enter via the Vickery Street gate
• No adult is to enter school grounds or congregate outside the school gates
• Students proceed directly to their classroom on their scheduled day
• Students of essential workers, who must attend on unscheduled days, enter via the Vickery Street gate at 8.45am and sit on silver seats outside Library.
Afternoon Dismissal and Car Pick Up – 3.10pm
• Students who go to After School Care will walk to the Hall for check in
• Students who ride or walk home by themselves exit via the Gipps Road pedestrian gate
• No adults are to be waiting or congregating in Vickery Street for student dismissal
• ALL other students will be picked up via the St Brigid’s car pick-up lines in Vickery Street. Family name cards will be provided to all families who do not normally access car lines. These signs MUST be displayed on the passenger side visor. Please adhere to road rules and the guidelines on the back of the family sign.
Bus transport
• Our local bus service will operate according to the usual timetable
Wollongong Council has sent through some additonal resources to help school communities safely transition back into school travel.
As outlined in the Department of Education’s managed phased approach return to school guidelines, parents and carers are encouraged to stay in their car when dropping off and picking up. I have also attached the Transport for NSW “Drop Off Tips” which will assist parents and with the new arrangements. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to school zone safety and our school procedures.
We are asking that all families download the app onto student devices in preparation for Monday. Your child/ren will then be sent their individual login details from their teacher allowing them to access their books via the app.
I have attached a set of parent instructions for you to support the downloading of the app. Come Monday morning the student will then be able to have access to readers online.
We look forward to using this wonderful reading resource over the coming weeks to support home reading at home.
MAY THE MONTH OF MARY
Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to make a special effort, this May, to pray the Rosary knowing that by doing so we are united with believers all over the world asking for Mary’s intercession in stopping the COVID-19 pandemic. Pope Francis has written the prayer below that can be recited at the end of the Rosary which he said he would be reciting “in spiritual union with all of you”.
And so we pray…
O Mary you shine continuously, on our journey, as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus suffering, and persevered in your faith.
You know our needs and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial.
Help us Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen
MOTHER'S DAY
It is appropriate that we celebrate Mother’s Day in May as we remember our Mother in Heaven, Mary.
Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. She was a willing servant. She trusted God and she obeyed his call.
Mary was young, poor and female. God looked upon the quality of her trust and obedience. He knew she would willingly serve God in one of the most important callings ever given to a human being. Just like Mary, God looks at our obedience and trust.
Can we willingly accept God's plan?
And so we pray….
Loving God, we thank you for all mothers – for all they mean or have meant, for the love they have shown and the care they have given.
We thank you for the qualities of mothers – their patience, their kindness, concern and understanding.
We thank you for the part they play in our lives, and we thank you for this day of saying ‘thank you’ this opportunity to say what we so often mean to say but so rarely do.
For mothers and motherhood, for children and families, we bring you this day our grateful praise.
Amen
I recommend ....
In response to COVID 19, a significant initiative has been developed for staff and parents to support their ongoing personal spiritual formation. It is a new podcast series entitled ‘Ripples: Inspired Voices, Treasured Stillness’.
Ripples seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. On Tuesday of each week a new Episode and Meditation will be offered. Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to others in our world, to creation and to our loving God.
The Ripples Podcast is now available on the Continuity of Faith and Learning website, on Podbean. and Apple Podcast.
SAVE THE DATE
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Sunday 10 May |
Fifth Sunday of Easter |
Jesus said, “Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house and I am going to prepare a place for you.. I am the way, the truth and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.”  |
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Sunday 17 May |
Sixth Sunday of Easter |
Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper who will stay with you forever. It is the Spirit who reveals the truth about God.. When I go, you will not be left alone; I will come back to you.”  |
| SIZE | HEIGHT | WAIST |
| 6 | 120cm | 58cm |
| 8 | 130cm | 60cm |
| 10 | 140cm | 62cm |
| 12 | 150cm | 64cm |
| 14 | 160cm | 66cm |
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
ORDERS ARE DUE BY MONDAY 18 MAY
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kindergarten | Year 3 | Year 5 | Year 6G |
| Grace H | Lachlan E | Niya M | Mia A |
| Emmerson E |
LAWN MOWING ROSTER - MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Can you 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
CANTEEN NEWS
The canteen will remain closed until further notice due to COVID-19 pandemic.
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
MASS TIMES - TEMPORARILY CANCELLED
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil - cancelled |
| Sunday | 9:00am - cancelled |
| Thursday | 9:30am - cancelled |
PARISH WEBSITE
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN
Please click on the link for this weekend's Parish Bulletin.
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG WEBSITE
MESSAGE FROM FR BERNARD
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 pay 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.
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