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- PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
- NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
- NEWS FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
- NEWS FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR'S DESK
- WEEKLY AWARD RECIPIENTS
- PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
- SPLICED STUDENT WORK
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE
- RESPIRATORY ILLNESS REPORTING FORM
- NEWS FROM THE PARISH
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Dear Parents and friends,
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the holy Rosary, one of the best known of all Catholic devotions. October includes the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7). The best way to celebrate the month is, of course, to pray the Rosary.
The Rosary draws its mysteries from the New Testament and is centred on the great events in the life of Jesus and Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary give us “thumbnails” of the life of Jesus and his Mother.
- The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from Saint Luke’s Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus’ childhood.
- The Luminous Mysteries bring a deeper understanding to the public life of Jesus. They fill in the blanks between the childhood of Jesus and His suffering and death on the cross.
- The Sorrowful Mysteries remind us of how much Jesus loves us. They recall how He suffered and died just for us.
- The Glorious Mysteries tell us what happened after Jesus died - His Resurrection, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the love Jesus had for his Mother.
In this last two weeks of October, let us consider this beautiful prayer of the Rosary as a means that we, as Catholic educators and parents, can use to help our students draw closer to Jesus and Mary by meditating on the great mysteries of our salvation.
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
SPECIAL FOOD DAY AND VINNIES RETURN AND EARN
Next Tuesday, 27 October 2020 we will have our second last house challenge for the year to raise money for St Vincent de Paul. Our efforts to date have been absoutely brilliant with 5,755 eligbile containers collected in Term 3. That is a total of $575.50. Let's keep it going. Which colour house will be victorious this time?
Following our return and earn collection in the morning we will celebrate with a special 'subway' lunch.
STAFFING NEWS
After 42 years of service to Catholic Education and devotion to educating children, Mrs Joy Evans will retire at the end of this term. Joy has taught many students at St Brigid's in a variety of roles. She can now look back with pride at all she has accomplished.
We thank you Joy for her dedication to teaching and the influence she had on many students over four decades. May she look to the future with happiness and satisfaction. We will acknowledge Joy in a school celebration on 8 December 2020.
Mrs Natalie Baker, who has been on transfer to Holy Cross Primary School Helensburgh for the past two years, is also officially leaving St Brigid's. Natalie has had a 14 year connection with St Brigid's as both a teacher and leader. She too has been a positive influence in the lives of many students. We will thank Natalie for her dedication to St Brigid's in a school celebration on 8 December 2020.
This week we farewelled Mrs Kelly Foxton as she takes parental leave, awaiting the birth of her second child. We wish Kelly and her family every blessing and can't wait to meet baby Foxton in the coming months.
Ms Kate Sparks, will continue her leave in 2021 due to the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a recruitment process, we have employed Mrs Stacey Thatcher in a full-time role for 2021. Stacey comes to us with 20 years teaching and leadership experience, holding a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Educational Leadership. She has worked at St Columbkille's for the past 2 years having moved from Griffith where she taught at St Patrick's Primary school.
On Wednesday this week we also conducted interviews for our temporary part time teaching positions for 2021. I am pleased to announce that Ms Brooke McMahon, Mrs Louise Richardson, Mrs Alysha Lavelle, Mrs Tess Roche, Mrs Margaret Panozzo and Mrs Alex Boss will be returning to St Brigid's in 2021.
In addition, we welcome Mr Nicholas Cervonaro to the staff of St Brigid's. Nicholas comes to us with a background in teaching and music. He has worked at St Columbkille's for the past 3 years and was an education officer at the Early Start Discovery Space for a year. Prior to becoming a teacher, Nicholas worked as a recording / mix engineer for 14 years in both London and Sydney.
Congratulations one and all! Thank you for accepting the call to building the faith, educational and wellbeing needs of the St Brigid's students.
SEMESTER 2 REPORTS
| FEATURES OF SEMESTER 2 REPORTS | WHY? |
| Omission of an overall grade for each Key Learning Area (KLA) |
In line with the flexible curriculum requirements as outlined by NESA, schools addressed all Key Learning Areas, however, not all outcomes and content were taught, assessed and reported upon. Therefore, the overall grades in each KLA have been omitted from the Semester 2 Report for 2020. |
| 5 Point scale for Effort Descriptors |
Previous Academic Reports contained Commitment to Learning Descriptors, these have been replaced with a 5 point scale outlining the effort demonstrated by the student during learning activities. |
| Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L) Description |
The format used to report on PB4L has been modified to reflect a more comprehensive range of students’ social skills and behaviours. |
| Inclusion of descriptions for each Key Learning Area (KLA) and Content Strands |
Additional detail has been added to describe the |
TRANSITION TO SCHOOL - KINDER 2021
St Brigid’s will be offering each child the opportunity to attend two COMPULSORY sessions. The two sessions will be held on Friday 13 November and Friday 20 November 2020. These sessions will be divided into two time slots in which your child MUST attend the session allocated to them. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 guidelines for schools, limiting each session to a set number of students will need to be strictly adhered to and it will not be possible to change your allocated time.
A letter will be sent to families of the 2021 cohort this afternoon.
UPCOMING DATES
| 27 October 2020 | Subway Special Food Day and Vinnies Return and Earn |
Order on Qkr! |
| 29 October 2020 | Fr Bernard Gordon visiting |
11:00am |
| 30 October 2020 | World Teacher's Day | |
| 13 November 2020 | Kindergarten Transition 1 |
9:15am-10:45am 1:00pm - 2:30pm |
| 20 November 2020 | Kindergarten Transition 2 |
9:15am-10:45am 1:00pm - 2:30pm |
| 8 December 2020 | Farewell for Mrs Evans |
9:45am |
| 15 December 2020 | Graduation/Thanksgiving liturgy and luncheon - Format TBC |
From 11:30am |
| 16 December 2020 | Last day of the year for both students ad staff |
3:00pm |
PREMIER'S READING CHALLENDE
The Arrupe Centre in Cambodia is the focus mission for 2020. It was established by Bishop Kike in 2001 to help empower children and young adults with disabilities. At the heart of this Centre is the restoration of the dignity and rights of those affected by landmines by giving them the opportunity to study, work and rebuild their lives. Bishop Kike wears a unique crucifix called the Disabled Christ.
Pope Francis has highlighted his passion for the Pontifical Mission Societies, known in Australia as Catholic Mission, recognising mission is at the heart and identity of the Church, and the worldwide network reflects the rich variety of "people with a thousand faces".
We will be holding a fundraising CRAZY SOCK Day and selling ice blocks on Friday 6 November.
OCTOBER - The MONTH of the ROSARY
This month, as Catholics, we have a special prayer focus in the Rosary. The Rosary is a special communal mantra prayer that includes the prayers we all know - the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
It is a prayer that honours Mary, while focusing on the events in the life of Jesus Christ. It is a powerful prayer, that when shared, can transform a family's spiritual life.
SUNDAY REFLECTION:
| Sunday 25 October 2020 |
30 SUNDAY in ORDINARY TIME Our religious tradition is founded on love. Actually, life itself is grounded in love. We may not always feel this love, but if we allow ourselves to reflect on life, we will realise this truth. We have been called into being by God's love; and we will only be happy if we live in that love. Thus, when we are directed to love God and love one another, we are not being asked to do something contrary to our nature. We come from God who is love, and so it is in our very nature to love and to be loved. We may sometimes think that it is easier to love God than to love others. It may actually be just the opposite. Other people are tangible. We can see and hear them, interact with them. Their influence in our lives can permeate our consciousness. That is not the way it is with God. Like Moses on the mountain, we can only see the traces of divinity as God passes by (see Ex 33:23). However, we show that we love God in the way we love our neighbour. Love, the foundation of the reign of God, is contagious. When we love others, the reign of God spreads throughout the world. The compassion that we show towards others is a form of evangelisation. It proclaims much louder than any words that the reign of God has been established. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
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| Sunday 1 November 2020 |
All Saints On this day, we celebrate the memory of all the baptised who have gone before us and whose lives are virtuous. The saints of God are all those who have been baptised into Christ, who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. We all know people whose lives were steeped in genuine holiness. The life of every one of us has been blessed by their goodness. This is a day for us to remember and to celebrate their holiness. We celebrate the lives of all those who have been marked with the sign of faith, those who have been canonised by the church, those whom we have known personally as well as those whose names we don't know. In the Beatitudes listed in today's Gospel, we are given examples of what it means to live lives of holiness. This Gospel really does not present a blueprint for holiness. Rather, it offers a series of snapshots that demonstrate the holiness that is ours by virtue of our baptism. Those who have gone before us lived such lives. Today, as we remember them, we hold up their lives as examples of holiness and models for our imitation. The sentiments that are expressed and the commitment that it illustrated in the beatitudes clearly stand in opposition to the standards of the world. Their radicality may be more than some can understand, but they are traits that are recognisable by those who belong to the family of God, for they are genuine godly traits. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
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| Monday 2 November 2020 |
All Soul's Day In Christianity, All Souls Day commemorates All Souls, the Holy Souls, or the Faithful Departed. On this Feast of All Souls, we remember those who have gone before us in faith. Our loved ones are always present with us in our hearts and in our memories. In our Catholic tradition, we call them the Communion of Saints. |
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NAIDOC WEEK
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
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during the last fortnight.
Week 1 - Term 4
| CLASS | FAITH AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Rita-Rose F | Veronica A |
| Year 1 | Kip M | Ruby G |
| Year 2 | Zlata K | Neave M |
| Year 3 | Zach C | Lucas T |
| Year 4 | Oliver E | Evie B |
| Year 5 | Dalton Y | Matthieu C |
| Year 6G | Harrison M | Jasper R |
| Year 6W | Max D | Alex H |
| CLASS | JUSTICE AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Charlotte F | Mia W |
| Year 1 | Millie A | Allaria D |
| Year 2 | Bethany M | Rhiley A |
| Year 3 | Willow M | Eve A |
| Year 4 | Alexis S | Vincent H |
| Year 5 | Starrsi D | Chris H |
| Year 6G | Ryder | Sienna F |
| Year 6W | Meki T | Marcus M |
PRINCIPAL'S AWARD FOR WEEK 2
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 2 | Molly S |
Congratulations to the following students who have received an Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Year 1 | Ireland C |
| Year 1 | Ruby G |
This week we will feature the work of two of the SPLICED students - Paige and Luca from Year 5.
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating in Weeks 1 and 2.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 3 | Year 6G |
| Jude C | Rocco G | Oscar M-J |
ST BRIGID'S SCHOOL CARDIGANS
The new school cardigans have been very well received by the parents and children who ordered them in our first round. They look amazing on the children.
If you would like to order a cardigan, they are available on QKR! for $45. We will be placing an order at the end of November for delivery early Term 1 2021.
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 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 |
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