Filter Content
Dear Parents and friends,
Stewardship - We are inspired to live our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation by being proactive stewards, taking responsibility for the care of our common home and one another.
This term, we have been especially mindful of our school value of Stewardship.
In Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si (2015)' he addresses his thoughts to all citizens of the world and comments on the deteriorating relationship between people and nature. So many of his teachings in this encyclical support our growing awareness as Christians of our role as stewards of this great gift of God’s creation to us - Earth and all it contains. Here at St Brigid’s, we have included the notion of Stewardship as one of the school values that underpin all that we do and guide us as we learn each day.
Pope Francis reminds us: A true ecological approach (that is, one where we look to care for and improve the health and sustainability of our planet) always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
At St Brigid’s, we hope that as our students listen to the ‘cry of the earth’ they also hear ‘the cry of the poor’. Our Church asks us, through its teachings around social justice, to keep thoughts of those who are in need of our compassion and ability to help at the forefront of our efforts, as we care for the environment and consider the future of the Earth.
Let us pray:
As stewards of the Earth, may we grow to be protectors of creation; protectors of God’s plan, inscribed in nature; protectors of one another and of the environment.
Amen.
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
The teachers will be engaged in Professional Development around the concept of Writing, specifically looking at vocabulary. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the teachers will work in smaller tutorial groups on this day.
2020 CHRISTMAS STORY ART EXHIBITION
The 12 students who worked on this project during Term 3 did an awesome job. It was a very tough decision to make about which three entries would progress to the exhibition at the Wollongong Art Gallery. Thank you to Mrs Arthur-Worsop for facilitating the experience for the students.
Congratulations to the following students:
| ST BRIGID'S WINNER | ST BRIGID'S HIGHLY COMMENDED |
| Atticus C | Charlotte W |
| Luca S | Addison W |
| Lila J | Tilly B |
| Leila P |
Preliminary judging took place at the Marian Centre on Tuesday 22 September by a team of judges. Congratulations to Lila J who was successful in proceeding to the CEDoW exhibition. This is a wonderful achievement for Lila and St Brigid's.
This year the Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition opening and awards night will be a virtual event and will be premiered on YouTube from 7:00pm on Wednesday 14 October. A link will be made available to schools on Monday 12 October. We encourage you to view the virtual event with your artist in your own home and tune in to see the award winners for 2020.
During the virtual event the winners of the “Bishop’s Choice Award”, “Director’s Christmas Story Award” and the CatholicCare “Star of Hope Award” will be announced. Finalists from Years 5 and 6 will also be announced and their artwork will be entered into the Sydney Archdiocese Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition.
The CEDoW exhibition will be open at the Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong from 7-25 October which includes a week of the student vacation period. Due to COVID restrictions only 20 people will be able to view the exhibition at the one time. You are most welcome to attend the gallery but may experience wait times for entry. The exhibition will be open Tuesday to Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 12:00-4:00pm.
COVID-19 DIRECTIVES FOR TERM 4 - COMING SOON
The NSW Government this morning announced that a number of changes to COVID-19 restrictions are coming in Term 4.
We are waiting to receive the full guidelines from NSW Health and Catholic Schools NSW, and I will provide parents with a detailed update as soon as possible.
Thank you once again for supporting our COVID-19 plan to ensure the health and well being of everyone in our community.
UPDATE ON BORDER RESTRICTIONS – PUPIL VACATION
New South Wales only restricts entry to travellers coming from Victoria. Anyone who has been in Victoria in the past 14 days must not enter NSW unless they are eligible and hold a current border entry permit. NSW residents who plan to return from Victoria can only enter via Sydney airport and must immediately undergo 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine.
People leaving NSW are subject to the border restrictions of any state or territory they plan to enter.
- Australian Capital Territory: There are no restrictions travelling to the ACT from NSW.
- Northern Territory: There is a mandatory 14 days quarantine at a designated facility.
- Queensland: NSW is considered a COVID-19 hotspot. Non-Queensland residents travelling from NSW will be turned away at the border.
- South Australia: From midnight Wednesday 23 September, people travelling from NSW to SA are no longer required to self-quarantine. All travellers need to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration form. Travellers who arrived prior to midnight 23 September must complete 2 weeks of self-quarantine. They are also required to take two COVID-19 tests on the day they arrive in SA and on the 12th day of quarantine.
- Tasmania: There is a mandatory 14 days quarantine for all non-essential travel.
- Western Australia: No one can enter WA - including WA residents - unless they have been granted an exemption.
Click here for further detail regarding border restrictions.
GYMNASTICS PROGRAM TERM 4
Tri-skills will deliver an 8-week gymnastics program to the students each Wednesday throughout Term 4.
Students in Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 focus on ‘developing foundation movement proficiencies’. They learn how to land and travel safely, move in different ways and directions, jump and turn, and move together in simple patterns.
Students in Year 3 and 4 focus on ‘building fundamental movement proficiencies’. They combine the elements of effort, space, objects and people to perform movement sequences. Students learn how to perform safe landings, balances, rotations, jumps, swings and sequences with others.
Students in Year 5 and 6 focus on ‘advancing movement proficiencies’. The advanced movement proficiencies provide a sound basis for involvement in a wide range of sport and recreational pursuits. The students learn how to control different landings, dynamic and static balances, spinning and turning, jumping and flight and performing quality movement sequences.
PUPIL VACATION
We welcome the students back to school on Monday 12 October 2020 in full summer uniform.
VINNIES VAN FOOD DRIVE
SEASON OF CREATION
In our age, one of the Church's most insistent calls has been for people to work for the protection of the vineyard of the earth. Speaking of climate change, deforestation and chemical pollution, Pope Saint John Paul II declared in 1980 "that the ecological crisis is a moral issue" and called on all people to "recognise their obligation to contribute to the restoration of a healthy environment." In 2009 Pope Benedict XVI insisted that "technologically advanced societies can and must lower their domestic energy consumption." In 2015 Pope Francis called on all of humanity "to recognise the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat the warming" of the world's climate which we are currently facing.
Successive Popes have therefore called us all to work for the protection of our planet and its people. But it is up to every Christian to ensure that these words are not just empty rhetoric. We are called to prayer, reflection and action towards the care of our common home, the planet EARTH.
AND SO WE PRAY:
Creator of Life,
The Earth is full of Your creatures, and by Your wisdom you made them all.
At Your word, the Earth brought forth plants yielding seed of every kind and trees of every kind bearing fruit, the waters teemed with swarms of living creatures of every kind, and the world was filled with every kind of winged bird, walking animal, and creatures that creep upon the ground.
Mountains, plains, rocks and rivers shelter diverse communities, and through the changing seasons, Your Spirit renews cycles of life.
During this Season of Creation, open our eyes to see the precious diversity that is all around us.
Enlighten our minds to appreciate the delicate balance maintained by each creature.
Inspire us to conserve the precious habitats that nurture this web of life.
In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ.
Amen
SUNDAY REFLECTION:
| Sunday 27 September 2020 |
26 SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME Jesus tells a little story about two brothers. One said 'Yes', but never did anything. The other said 'No', but then had a change of heart and did what was required. Jesus loved the brother who came around. He was very hard on the one who said 'Yes' but did not 'walk the talk'. We may have said 'No' to God at various times, with various intensity in our lives. But God is wonderfully patient and prepared to hear 'No' many times in the hope of hearing 'Yes'. God's patience never runs out. But our time to say 'Yes' does run out. We only have a relatively short life span! © Fr Michael Tate; mtate@bigpond.com |
 |
| Sunday 4 October 2020 |
27 SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone. This was the Lord's doing and it is wonderful to see. |
 |
| Sunday 11 October 2020 |
28 SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME Throughout the Scriptures, the image of a wedding is often used to describe how God loves us. The Church tells us that if we want to know about how Jesus loves, we should look to the passionate, committed couples - they are an image (and a sacrament) of Christ's love for us. |
 |
PODCAST SERIES - RIPPLES
Ripples is a PODCAST developed for staff and parent's on-going spiritual formation. It 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.
Practices like these create a ripple effect. They have the potential to impact the way we respond to family, friends, colleagues, to creation and to our loving God. Come and enjoy some Inspired Voices and Treasured Stillness.
The Ripples Podcast is now available
PRINCIPAL'S AWARD FOR WEEK 9 and 10
Considered an honour of the highest order, the Principal's Award celebrates outstanding achievement by a student in faith, learning and other contributions to school life. Congratulations to:
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Year 3 | Reed B |
| Year 3 | Hugo S |
| Year 6W | Luca S |
Congratulations to the following students who have received an Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Year 1 | Stevie R |
| Year 3 | Eve A |
| Year 3 | Nahla O |
| Year 4 | Flynn S |
| Year 6G | Erin R |
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during the last fortnight.
Week 9- Term 3
| CLASS | LEARNING AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Finn D | Nathan S |
| Year 1 | Ryder M | Irelan C |
| Year 2 | Ryan T | Ilena P |
| Year 3 | Matthew C | Philippa L |
| Year 4 | William C | Iva O'B |
| Year 5 | Lila J | Charlotte W |
| Year 6G | Kyah Z | Ayla J-T |
| Year 6W | Luca S | Chloe T |
| CLASS | CATHOLIC VALUES AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Jonas T | Lucas S |
| Year 1 | Arielle N | Leo O |
| Year 2 | Molly S | Zara H |
| Year 3 | Rio M | Christopher M |
| Year 4 | Cameron B | Malachy H |
| Year 5 | Paige H | Luca D-B |
| Year 6G | Devrim T | Oscar M-J |
| Year 6W | Ryan F | Marcus M |
LIBRARY AWARDS - TERM 3
Congratulations to the following students who have received a Library Award this term. The award is given to children who are consistent borrowers and have borrowed this highest amount in their class. Well done!
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Kindergarten | Logan A & Nathan S |
| Year 1 | Arielle N |
| Year 2 | Bethany M |
| Year 3 | Rafael M |
| Year 4 | Alexis S |
| Year 5 | Dalton Y |
| Year 6G | Ilija G |
| Year 6W | Robbie L & Thomas W |
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating in Weeks 9 and 10 and the school holidays.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6G | Year 6W |
| Vita K | David M | Ali S | Rio M | Sophie J-T | Dara A | Mondre G | Sebastian S |
| Charlotte F | Charlie E-B | Ayla J-T | Leila P | ||||
| Rafael S | Max H | ||||||
| Hugh S | Emily S | ||||||
| Ella D | |||||||
| Arielle N |
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 the COMPASS newsfeed.
Please complete it any day or time of the week, including weekends. The information will automatically come to the Ms Uroda and Mrs Benoit.
ST BRIGID'S PARISH GWYNNEVILLE
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 |