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- PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
- NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
- NEWS FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S DESK
- WEEKLY AWARD RECIPIENTS
- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
- NEWS FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR'S DESK
- NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
- RESPIRATORY ILLNESS REPORTING FORM
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- NEWS FROM THE PARENTS & FRIEND'S ASSOCIATION
- NEWS FROM THE PARISH
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Next week, on August 8 we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. On this Feast Day we are called to pause and reflect on the wisdom her life experiences offer to us in this time.
Mary MacKillop was a woman who dared to believe in her dream and to trust in God. She lived the Gospel faithfully as a missionary, and this trust gave her the courage to take risks and to break boundaries.Trusting in Mary can light our path. No matter what darkness she entered or how uncertain she was at times, Mary never wavered in her belief that the work she was doing was the work of the Holy Spirit. She never doubted that hers was a call from God. Nor did she ever waver from her sense of duty – that there were certain things which she simply had to do, even if she didn’t want to do them, even when she found them painful.
Mary MacKillop brought about a change in the newly colonised Australia. Australia was a tough place at this time, there was little money and very few people. Mary through her work in the Church, brought about a better living for all Australians. She is Australia's first saint and a Saint for all the world.
At 10:00am on Saturday 8 August, the Wollongong Catholic Diocese will be broadcasting a special Liturgy to celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with Bishop Brian and the Sisters of St Joseph. It will be a wonderful occasion to come together to pray, sing and reflect on the life of Australia's only canonised Saint. As per usual, the Liturgy will be broadcast on the usual channels: YouTube, Facebook and the Diocesan website
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
WELCOME TO ST BRIGID'S
This term, 4 new families have commenced at St Brigid's. We hope each family experiences the joys of this life-giving community and that each student grows and develops into the best person they can be.
Welcome to: Chris Hilario and Tahlia Mathewson who joined the Year 5 cohort; Grace Aleksic who has moved from Queensland to begin her NSW education in Year 3; and Luna Gregory who will start Kindergarten on Monday. It is so wonderful that you have chosen to join us.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
The Student Representative Council (SRC) consisting of eight students from K-6 were elected last Friday, by their peers and teachers to represent their class. The SRC works as an advocate for the needs of the school community, and as a point of contact between the student body and the school. It addresses relevant issues and sets achievable goals which support the school. The SRC aims to:
- develop leadership skills
- provide opportunities for students to create and to implement
- give students a greater voice in decision-making process,
- empower students to contribute to a positive school culture and
- strengthen the school community through active participation.
It is with great pleasure that I announce the Semester Two Student Representative Council for 2020:
| SRC Chairperson | Hudson S |
| Year 6W | Meki T |
| Year 6G | Ryder J |
| Year 5 | Luca D |
| Year 4 | Cameron B |
| Year 3 | Philippa L |
| Year 2 | Neave M |
| Year 1 | Lachlan C |
| Kindergarten | Amelia D |
- Outdoor carpet
- Cafe style blinds that can be lowered when it is cold, wet and windy and open to allow a cross breeze on warmer days.
- Student lockers (positioned in the under-croft) for bags and school hat
WASTE WARRIORS - SUBPOD PROJECT COMPLETE
Meet our new family of Subpods. After successfully applying for an environmental grant from CEDoW for 2020, we have now completed our in-garden composting system, that is powered solely by worms and microbes.
As you can see from the photos, the Subpod's unique design embeds the composting unit directly into the garden bed, allowing worms and microbes to move freely below ground, transferring key nutrients between the compost in the Subpod and the surrounding soil. Being completely odourless means it doesn't attract rodents and flies, while removing 80% of the workload of traditional composting.
This project is just one of the many ways we are actively working to reduce our environmental footprint. Composting prevents food waste from being disposed of in landfill, where it rots and becomes a significant contributor to methane emissions- a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.
The Subpods we will be managed by the enthusiastic environmental club under the skilful direction of Mrs Cuff.
ST BRIGID STATUE - PROJECT COMPLETE
Thank you to Kevin Dent and Fabrizio Curcio (Jude's granddad and dad) who restored the St Brigid statue. She was cleaned, patchup and painted and looks wonderful. Thank you for your generosity.
DRINK BOTTLE REFILL STATIONS COMING SOON
Please ensure you send your child with a drink bottle, labelled with their name, every day to school. The bubblers are still not able to be used at the moment. Thank you to the P&F for the donation towards two water bottle refill stations. These have been ordered and should arrive in the next 2 weeks. A special thank you to Lucy Harman for all her work in obtaining information and negotiating prices with various comnpanies.
UPCOMING STUDENT EVENTS
The SRC, Year 6 leaders and staff will be organising some fun events for the students during Term 3. The first of these events, a colour house challenge to support the Vinnies return and earn container program and a Pizza lunch day, will be held on Tuesday 11 August 2020.
We are asking all families to start collecting your containers and to bring them to school on 11 August. The sports captains and SRC will count the containers from each colour house. I wonder who will bring in the most containers... Samaritan, Evans or MacKillop?
DROP OFF AND PICK UP PROCEDURES
The procedures are working extemely well and I thank you most sincerely for your ongoing support during our phase 3 COVID-19 transition. More parents are doing a lap of the block when the zone is full, however, that only seems necessary in the first 2-3 minutes of an afternoon.
There are quite a few students who are walking and riding to school as a peer group, which is wonderful. We ask that all these students walk to the crossing that is manned by NSW transport in Gipps Road. Plesase avoid crossing in Vickery Street. It also enables the parents in the car zone to leave the zone more fluidly and is another simple way to enhance traffic flow.
KINDERGARTEN PARENT/ TEACHER INTERVIEWS
We will be holding Kindergarten Parent/ Teacher interviews during Week 4 of this term (Monday 10th August and Tuesday 11th August).
These interviews will be to discuss your child’s Semester One progress as Kindergarten students do not receive Semester One reports.
All interviews will take place via teleconference calls. Mrs Cuff will call you at the arranged appointment time to conduct the interview over the phone.
The Compass Portal is now open to book Parent Teacher Child Interviews. The portal will close on Friday 7 August at 3pm. All appointments MUST be made through the portal before the closing time. Please log in to Compass to make an appointment.
PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during the last fortnight.
Week 1- Term 3
| CLASS | LEARNING AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Jude C | Orlando S |
| Year 1 | Arthur R | David M |
| Year 2 | Fabrizio M | Zlata K |
| Year 3 | Nohan M | Emerson E |
| Year 4 | Noah S | Samuel S |
| Year 5 | Dalton Y | Charlotte W |
| Year 6G | Sienna F | Piper L |
| Year 6W | Justin D | Thomas W |
Week 2 - Term 3
| CLASS | CATHOLIC VALUES AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Amelia D | Hayde R |
| Year 1 | Macy G | Hunter M |
| Year 2 | Bethany M | Ali S |
| Year 3 | Rosie S | Hugo S |
| Year 4 | Ash A | Shay A |
| Year 5 | Matthieu C | Aryan T |
| Year 6G | Ryder J | Jasper R |
| Year 6W | Leila P | Alex H |
Congratulations to the students who have received an Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Year 1 | Lachlan C |
| Year 1 | Athur R |
| Year 1 | David M |
| Year 2 | Theo D |
| Year 6W | Leki D |
PRAYER FOR WORLD INDIGENOUS DAY
In order to raise awareness of the needs of Indigenous peoples, every 9th of August the global community commemorates the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
As we globally grapple with the challenges of COVID-19, especially now, Indigenous Peoples need us and we need the traditional knowledge, voices and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples.
Please watch the clip: World Indigenous Day
We give thanks for the sacredness of the traditions and cultures of our Indigenous sisters and brothers, whom through their example have enlightened our way to walk gently upon this earth, gifted to us by our Creator.
And so we pray:
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR 2020
We are still awaiting information from the Parish Office. We will keep you informed, STAY TUNED!
PODCAST SERIES - RIPPLES
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
SUNDAY REFLECTION:
| Sunday 2 Augsut 2020 |
BODY AND SOUL The reading today shows that God is not only concerned about spiritual things; God wants to provide for our physical needs as well. |
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| Saturday 8 August 2020 |
FEAST OF ST MARY of the CROSS MACKILLOP Mary MacKillop was an educator, a pioneer and a leader; someone who had compassion for others regardless of their situation or race. Galvanised by her belief in the value of education as the foundation for a fulfilling like, Mary's motto was, "Never see a need without doing something about it". This led her to minister in many different ways to those who were poor and pushed to the margins. |
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| Sunday 9 August 2020 |
COURAGE When things terrify us, it can feel as if we are sinking. Our panic overwhelms us just like the sea and wind overwhelmed Peter. When he began to sink, Peter called to Jesus, "Lord, save me!" And Jesus responded immediately. |
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SAVE THE DATE
| Tuesday 11 August | Pizza Day and house colour Vinnies container competition |
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| Tuesday 25 August | Rainbow mufti day for St Vincent de Paul local conference - gold coin donation |
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| Tuesday 8 September | Sausage Sizzle and house colour Vinnies container competition |
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| Thursday 24 September | Vinnies Van Food Appeal |
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EXPLAINING STUDENT ABSENCES IN COMPASS
A reminder to please logon to your parent portal and provide a detailed explanation for any full day absences for your child/children. If you have completed the Respiritory Illness google form, you will still be required to enter an explanation into Compass.
Please do not email the school office with your absence explanation as a detailed explanation in your Child's Compass portal will be sufficient.
You do not need to enter partial absences in Compass as this will be done from the school office when the student arrives or departs.
LATE ARRIVALS - if your child arrives after 8:50am the partial absence will be entered as unexplained. As parents are not coming on site of a morning you will need to send an email or phone the office to explain the late arrival.
If you have any questions regarding any of this information please contact the school office.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
As we approach Semester 2 it is important that the students continue to wear the full school uniform. It may be a good idea to check your child’s uniform, including school hat, school shoes and joggers, to make sure that they will all ‘last the distance’ and that they satisfy the uniform policy until the end of the year.
STUDENT MEDICATION PLANS AND REQUEST FOR SCHOOL TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION FORMS
A reminder to the parents who have been contacted regarding outstanding medical plans and forms to please return these to the office via email or with their children by the beginning of Term 3.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
Issue 5 of the Scholastic Book Club is out now. Please complete orders by Monday 19 August. Click the link below.
Australian Parents Council
Please find below a link to the online newsletter for the Australian Parents Council.
GOOGLE FORM
Your support in ensuring the health and safety of the St Brigid’s Community during this global pandemic is evident in the growing number of students who are either staying home with respiratory illness and/or being tested for COVID-19. We really appreciate your vigilance with this.
It is compulsory for us to keep a detailed register of the process from symptoms to medical clearance, and so, it is crucial we know when your child develops symptoms BEFORE they are tested for COVID-19. To make this easier for you to communicate all the information that we need, we have developed a google form that will only take 30 seconds to complete and submit.
This google form can be found on the St Brigid’s website, as a link in the Brigid Bulletin and by clicking the link in this COMPASS newsfeed.
PARENT FORM
This form is now ready for use if you have a child with respiratory symptoms. Please complete it any day or time of the week, including weekends. The information will automatically come to me and Mrs Benoit.
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Year 1 | Year 3 | Year 5 |
| Ireland C | Nohan M | Lila J |
| Lachlan C | ||
| Hunter M |
2020 YEAR BOOK COVER COMPETITION
As the saying goes, 'you've got to be in it, to win it. So why not turn your creative hand and submit an entry into our annual Year Book Cover competition. Deatils are below in the flyer.
MOWING ROSTER
A huge thank you to the parents who volunteer to keep our grass mowed and the outside of the school tidy. Your efforts not only add to the overall presentation of St Brigid's but saves the school lots of money, which is diverted back into the purchasing of learning resources.
UPCOMING DATES FOR THE MOWING GROUP
| UPCOMING DATES | MOWER ONE |
MOWER TWO |
| 8 August 2020 | Matt Duggan | n/a |
| 12 September 2020 | Anthony Petre | Paul Rustomji |
| 10 October 2020 | Jason Shoebridge | Fabrizio Curcio |
| 24 October 2020 | Mark Eckermann | Darrell Mitchell |
| 14 November 2020 | Gary Humphrey | Mick Zanella |
| 28 November 2020 | Brett Shrimpton | Neo Arian |
| 12 December 2020 | Daniel St Archangel | Paul Brogan |
| 19 December 2020 | Jeremy Crook | TBC |
CANTEEN NEWS
The canteen will remain closed until further notice due to the 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 PARISH GWYNNEVILLE
WEEKLY PARISH BULLETIN
ST BRIGID'S MASS TIMES
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil - Please ring the Parish Office to register |
| Sunday | 9:00am - Please ring the Parish Office to register |
| Thursday | 9:30am - Please ring the Parish Office to register |
SUNDAY MASS ONLINE
LOWES 20% off SCHOOLWEAR - 6 & 7 August 2020
GRASSHOPPER SOCCER ILLAWARRA
HOMEWORK HUB
Port Kembla Youth Project is conducting the
Homework Hub
Free Tutoring and Homework Help.
Small Group Programs open to:
Primary and Secondary Students
Enrolment Essential
Spaces are available
Program commencing on
Tuesday 28 th July – 15 th September 2020
(8 Weeks)
Contact our team on 4276 1229 or email team@pkyp.org.au to book.
CANCER COUNCIL HELATHY LUNCH BOX WEBSITE
At Cancer Council NSW we want to make it easy for you to provide healthy eating information to your parents and the wider school community. Our Healthy Lunch Box Website has been updated with new seasonal recipes and informative blogs to help inspire and assist parents to keep packing healthy lunch boxes throughout the year.
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If you wish to present your best work, contactTasman Editingfor a collaborative approach to copyediting and proofreading. We will need a sample copy of your work, the type of work, word-count and an estimated timeline.
All enquiries will be attended to promptly:info@tasmanediting.com.au
