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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
- PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
- WEEKLY AWARD RECIPIENTS
- SPORTS NEWS
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE
- RESPIRATORY ILLNESS REPORTING FORM
- NEWS FROM THE PARISH
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Dear Parents and friends,
As we approach the 3rd Sunday of Advent, we prepare to light the 3rd Advent candle. The candle is a lighter colour, usually white or pink, representing joy, as we move out of the darkness and into the light. The 3rd Advent candle reminds us of the light of God coming into our world at Christmas.
As we move through the Advent season we reflect on our failings, our prejudices, the grudges we hold, the animosities we cling to, as we strive for a more loving, forgiving, inclusive and humble new beginning.
At the same time, we push sadness and sorrow away and look towards the joy that Christmas brings, with its celebration of the birth of our Saviour, as hope for the world. We rejoice at Christmas.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Thessalonians 5:16-24
This year has been full of sorrow. We have been filled with sorrow for those who have lost their lives and for those who have lost loved ones to the global pandemic which has ravaged our world. We have been filled with sorrow: for lost opportunities; for lost jobs; for cancelled trips; for the absence of embraces; for being kept away from our loved ones in nursing homes and hospitals; for being separated from family and friends who live interstate or overseas.
As a community of faith we have remained steadfast in our hope and trust in God. We have slowly emerged from our fear and isolation. We have watched in admiration, the dedication of doctors, nurses, health workers and scientists. We have seen the first COVID-19 vaccine administered to a 90 year old woman in the UK this week. We rejoice.
“I delight greatly in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God” Isaiah 61:10
We rejoice during this Advent, as we enter out of the darkness into God’s shining light for a brighter future for ourselves and for our world.
Thank you to all of the St Brigid's families who continue to promote St Brigid's in a positive manner and for your support during this very challneging year. I pray that the new year brings opportunities to relax social distancing regulations so that we can welcome families back on site.
Wishing everyone a very blessed Christmas and a safe and peaceful New Year.
Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning
MERRY CHRISTMAS - MUFTI DAY
PUBLISHED AUTHORS
Today, the students received their certificate and official published book which features their outstanding work from 2021. Congratulations to these published authors.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP FOR 2021
Yesterday afternoon we announced the Year 6 leadership positions for 2021. The students will be inducted into these positions during our Commencement Mass on 11 February 2021 at 9:30am. On behalf of our school community, I would like to congratulate each student and wish them every success in these leadership positions for 2021.
|
LEADERSHIP POSITION |
STUDENTS |
|
School Captains |
Luca De Bol and Edwina Jones |
|
Leader of Faith |
Paige Hennessy |
|
Leader of Justice |
Addison Wiggins |
|
Leader of Learning |
Dalton Youssef |
|
Student Representative Chair |
Natalia Rustom Treble |
|
Leader of Service |
Charlotte Woodcock |
|
Senior School Leaders |
Dara Oluwadara |
Matthieu Churchward |
|
Senior School Leaders |
Starrsi Dickinson |
Chris Hilario |
|
Senior School Leaders |
Lila Jackson |
Ariel Linnehan |
|
Senior School Leaders |
Niya Martin |
Quentin Mascarenhas |
|
Senior School Leaders |
Thomas Shoebridge |
Eden Subotic |
|
Senior School Leaders |
Aryan Thomas |
Reg Tuffy |
FAREWELL MRS EVANS AND MRS BAKER
On Tuesday we celebrated the retirement of Mrs Evans and farewelled Mrs Baker. We thank them for the outstanding dedication and committment they have shown to the students and families of St Brigid's Primary School over many years.
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face and,
May the rain fall soft upon your field,
Until we meet again,
May you be held in the palms of God's hand.
Until we meet again,
May you be held in the palms of God's hand.
BABY NEWS
Congratulations to Mrs Foxton on the recent birth of Emmett Patrick Foxton. Both mum and beautiful baby boy are doing very well.
STAFFING FOR 2021
Classroom Teachers for 2021
| CLASS | STAFF | DAYS |
| Year 6 |
Mr Nicholas Cervarano Mrs Alysha Lavelle |
Monday - Wednesday Thursday - Friday |
| Year 5 | Mrs Arthur-Worsop - REC |
Monday - Friday |
| Year 4 | Mr Mark Boss - Middle Leader |
Monday - Friday |
| Year 3 |
Mrs Claire Shrimpton Ms Brooke McMahon |
Monday - Wednesday Wednesday - Friday |
| Year 2 | Mrs Stacey Thatcher |
Monday - Friday |
| Year 1 |
Mrs Michelle Wilson Mrs Donna Arjona |
Monday - Tuesday Wednesday - Friday |
| Kindergarten | Mrs Cathy Cuff |
Monday - Friday |
Specialist Teachers for 2021
| Instructional Coach | Mrs Amy Sammut - AP | Monday - Friday |
| PDHPE | Mrs Nicole Carey-Barr | Monday - Wednesday |
| Music | Mrs Melissa Sommerville | Thursday |
| Indentured Casual | Mrs Louise Richardson | Monday - Tuesday |
| Diverse Learning Teacher | Mrs Alysha Lavelle | Wednesday |
| Middle Leader Release | Mrs Alex Boss | Thursday |
| REC release | Mrs Tess Roche | Tuesday |
| Large Class Support - Yr 5 | Mrs Tess Roche | Wednesday |
| Large Class Support - Kinder | Ms Brooke McMahon | Tuesday |
| Literacy Coach | Mrs Margaret Panozzo | Monday - Thursday |
Support Staff for 2021
| SSSO - Finance and Admin | Mrs Nicole Regan | Monday - Friday |
| SSO - Admin Office | Mrs Anita Mitrevski | Monday - Friday |
| SSO - Classroom | Mrs Toni Frino | Monday - Friday |
| SSO - Classroom | Mrs Lisa Paton | Monday - Thursday |
| SSO - Classroom | Mrs Yvonne Tasker | Monday - Thursday |
| SSO - Classroom EALD | Mrs Amanda McAlary | Tuesday - Thursday |
| SSO - Library | Mrs Karen Campbell | Tuesday - Wednesday |
| Executive Assistant | Mrs Suzanne Clark | Friday |
THANK YOU MOWING GROUP
Despite COVID-19, this group has continued to look after the St Brigid's school grounds. Your efforts not only add to the overall presentation of our school but it saves the school lots of money, which is diverted back into the purchasing of learning resources. Thank you for all your time and commitment. It is very much appreciated.
| MOWER ONE |
MOWER TWO |
| John Harman | Louise Macdonald |
| Matt Duggan | Paul Rustomji |
| Anthony Petre | Fabrizio Curcio |
| Jason Shoebridge | Darrell Mitchell |
| Mark Eckermann | Mick Zanella |
| Gary Humphrey | Neo Arian |
| Brett Shrimpton | Paul Brogan |
| Daniel St Archangel | |
| Jeremy Crook |
UPCOMING DATES
| 15 December 2020 | Graduation luncheon and Liturgy |
From 12:20pm |
| 16 December 2020 | Year 6 Graduation excursion |
9:30am-2:00pm |
| 16 December 2020 | Break Up for 2021 |
3:00pm |
| 28 January 2021 | Students Year 1 - 6 return |
All day |
| 4 February 2021 | Kindergarten First Day |
All day |
| 8 February 2021 | Swimming Carnival Years 3-6 |
8:30am - 12noon |
| 11 February 2021 | Commencement Mass and induction of leaders |
9:30am |
| 17 February 2021 | Ash Wednesday Mass |
TBC |
| 3 March 2021 | Catholic Schools Week Celebration |
TBC |
| 26 March 2021 | Pupil Free Day |
All day |
| 1 April 2021 | Term 1 concludes |
3:00pm |
| 19 April 2021 | Term 2 commences |
8:50am |
Proverbs 19:17
Another wonderful effort by our school community in fundraising for the Vinnies Van and St Vincent de Paul. When Kelly collected the items she was impressed by the amount she was able to take back to Coniston in preparation for the Christmas Hampers to be distributed. And as you can see from the photo, our local SVdP conference has a substantial amount of items that will be distributed in our local area. We have helped to add some ‘sunshine’ to someone’s ‘gloomy’ life.
|
Sunday 6 December 2020 Second Sunday of Advent |
In the wilderness God's salvation comes to a broken people. In the midst of what is seemingly an impossible situation, hope emerges with vigour. In this context, hope is an openness to surprise, the surprise that God is in no way limited to the imaginings of human minds and the consequences of human history. This is the kind of hope that is proclaimed in the wilderness by John; it is the kind of hope that trusts that from the impossible, God can work a new creation. There is something of a time warp in Christianity. What is future, is made present. The prophetic oracle announces the future as if it is already happening. This sense of the future-present prompts new ways of living. As the future takes root in human lives, the present is transformed into a new creation and the Day of the Lord appears. God's future comes through the wilderness into the broken city and inspires a broken-hearted people. The contrite heart is a broken heart, an emptied-out heart, a hope-filled heart. It is a heart that is unencumbered by the past and that lives currently in the passing of time and the fragility of being alive. The contrite, broken heart can be filled only by what is promised in the future. This is the paradox of Advent. In the middle of the wilderness, God works the impossible in those whose hearts are ready for the surprise of hope. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
|
Sunday 13 December 2020 Third Sunday of Advent |
Traditionally, the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy. The joy of this Sunday comes both from the message of the readings and from the anticipation that Christmas is nearing. As described in the Isaian passage, the Messiah is the one imbued with the spirit and with the power of the prophet, the one who will fulfill the promises of God. It becomes obvious in the Gospel that the Messiah is the one proclaimed by the Baptist. John cleared a path for the coming of the anointed one, and from that time on the lives of believers have been the pathway through which the Messiah has entered the world. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
|
Sunday 20 December 2020 Fourth Sunday of Advent |
The world in which we live and the events of which we are a part are the stage upon which the drama of salvation is enacted. God works through real flesh and blood people, those like David, who occupy the seats of power and influence as well as those like Mary and us, who are unseen and unknown. All can be agents of salvation. God’s future is in our hands. Human history is really the history of salvation. Each turn of God’s revealing, causes us to wonder at what might come next. In this tension, mystery is revealed. What was hidden is now made known. Jesus establishes a people of covenant promise. Still, the mystery is unknown, for it continues to come to us from the future, revealing more and more of itself in the junctures of history. The waiting of Advent is over. In the face of the impossible, God works the possible. During Advent, we have been waiting for the realisation of the promise made to David. We have been waiting for Mary’s 'yes'. With this 'yes', hope is enlivened, and history is changed. There is an unimaginable future for all people, a future that comes from God. Salvation is created among us, and the fate of history is altered by a godly presence. This salvation resides in the hearts of those who believe in the gift, and who stay awake eagerly to know its coming. With David we await it, with the nations we long for it, with Mary we behold it. © Dianne Bergant CSA |
THE ADVENT PAUSE
Our habits to consume are very strong. They are reinforced by our culture that tells us that our happiness is dependent on owning the latest gadget, product, or experience. To break this consumerist habit, we need to become aware of this internal energy to consume, so that we don’t blindly follow it. This is a contemplative practice – to begin to see how the market and cultural forces shape our interior world.
- Notice your internal impulse to buy more, to eat more, to do more things that are not essential. This can be owning the latest electronic gadgets and buying the trendiest clothes. It can also be over-consuming more information or social media than is necessary, eating (and often wasting) too much food, or trying to pack in too many activities. It might feel like a subtle tug or pull in the body which we are conditioned to give into. This is normal and natural, but it doesn’t mean you have to follow the tug to consume more than you need.
- Pause and take a breath. Then find a phrase to ground you such as “Less is more”, “Jesus is the reason” or even “Do I need to get/do this?” in order to remind you of your commitment to not over-consume and to keep your eyes on Jesus.
- Make a choice based on your commitment to live simply, in order to create space and time to focus on what is essential: God, relationships, service, and caring for our earth community.
Thank you for all the support you have given to the faith development of your children and the generosity shown in advocating and reaching out to our most vulnerable.
I am looking forward to another great year in 2021!
Anna Arthur-Worsop
Religious Education Coordinator
PRINCIPAL'S AWARD
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 4 | Mason M |
Congratulations to the following students who have received an Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| CLASS | STUDENT |
| Year 2 | Enzo H-D |
| Year 6G | Kyah Z |
| Year 6G | Mia A |
| Year 6W | Atticus C |
| Year 6W | Arrabella I-S |
| Year 6W | Robbie L |
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards.
Week 7 - Term 4
| CLASS | LEARNING AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Charlotte F | Hkum Seng D |
| Year 1 | David M | Sachi B |
| Year 2 | Simon C | Fabrizio M |
| Year 3 | Rio M | Rafael M |
| Year 4 | Xavier C | Leila M |
| Year 5 | Ariel L | Charlotte W |
| Year 6G | Kip P | Piper L |
| Year 6W | Calista M | Chloe T |
| CLASS | SERVICE VALUES AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Abbie B | Hayde R |
| Year 1 | Macy G | Alice M |
| Year 2 | Enzo H-D | Ali S |
| Year 3 | Hamilton Y | Philippa L |
| Year 4 | Andy P | Abby H |
| Year 5 | Chris H | Paige H |
| Year 6G | Devrim T | Kyah Z |
| Year 6W | Arabella I-S | Luca S |
| CLASS | FAITH AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Grace H | Aria J |
| Year 1 | Ella D | Millie A |
| Year 2 | Isabella S | Harper L-D |
| Year 3 | Sofia S | Amelia E-B |
| Year 4 | Sophie J-T | Isobel F |
| Year 5 | Addison W | Natalia R-T |
| Year 6G | Erin R | Caelan S |
| Year 6W | Zara B | Keira B |
CONGRATULATIONS!
Save the date!
Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating in Weeks 7, 8, 9 and 10.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6G | Year 6W |
| Abigail B | Ned L | Rhiley A | Lucas T | Georgia F | Quentin M | Kip P | Daniel D |
| Allaria D | Hamilton Y | Xavier C | Edwina J | Hudson S | Calista M | ||
| Kip M | Evie B | Reg T | |||||
| Isobel F |
STUDENT MEDICATIONS
All student medications currently kept in the school office will need to be collected by parents by 3:00 pm Wednesday 18 December.
At the beginning of the 2021 school year, the medications can be returned with a new Request for School to Administer Medication form and any updated Medical Plans for Allergies, Asthma or Anaphylaxis. The forms are available below to assist you with preparation for the return to school in January 2021.
Parents are reminded that school fee accounts need to be finalised before the end of the school year. All school fee balances can be found in the Compass Parent portal and payments can be made through this portal as well.
If you will not be in a position to finalise your school fee account before the end of the year, it is imperative that you contact the school office so a discussion can be organised with the Principal and a plan put in place.
Your immediate attendance to any outstanding school fees is appreciated.
SCHOOL TRAVEL 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 be sent 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 |
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AFL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
The AFL will be running a School Holiday Program.
Tuesday 12 January at Croome Road Sporting Complex from 9:30am - 1:30pm and Tuesday 19 January at Thomas Dalton Oval from 9:30am - 1:30pm.
Boys and Girls turning 5 to 12 years are welcome to get along and have some fun.
Skills, drills and lots of fun in a safe friendly environment.
For more information and registration, Google Auskick. To register, enter the postcode and select Wollongong City (after school) Auskick Centre, then select Thomas Dalton or Croome Road Holiday Auskick Program and follow the prompts.
The cost is $51.00 and includes a sausage sambo, drinks, insurance and AFL footy pack.
For more information call John on 0411226086
School Holiday Robotics
