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Only 30 or so days into 2021 and we face the Pandemic crisis, insurrections, global unrest, protests, health and financial problems, racial discrimination and so on…. now more than ever we are in need of hope.
Pope Francis has dedicated this year, 2021, to St. Joseph. As we think about St. Joseph’s role in the lives of Jesus and Mary we find events that required great hope:
Joseph was a dreamer. He had to hope that following the directives he received in his dreams, that they were indeed God’s will for the Holy Family.
He had to hope that he would be successful in doing so.
How shocked and confused he must have been when Mary told him she was pregnant. Should he have her stoned to death according to the law? No, rather he followed the angel’s advice to take her as his wife. Again, he hoped that he was doing the right thing.
As a husband and father he faced severe trials: No room in the inn; Jesus lost for three days; confusion upon hearing Simeon’s and Anna’s prophesies in the temple.
What is the virtue of hope? At one of his weekly audiences Pope Francis spoke of hope: “As a gift of the Spirit, hope is both an anchor (cf. Heb. 6:18-19) giving us security amid the storms of life, and a ‘sail’ driving us forward towards the safe harbour of eternal life.”
Let us consider St. Joseph, earthly father of Jesus, who had many occasions to rely upon this anchor for security and safety because Mary and Jesus were great responsibilities for him.
Joseph is creative hope; that is, he listened to the messages of his dreams and he acted with faith and hope. Both Mary and Joseph were hope-filled because of their love for Jesus who is hope.
As we live in this world with its challenges during 2021, let us embrace Jesus and follow Mary and Joseph who in moments of difficulty and crises were able to look ahead and live daily lives with hope.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW FAMILIES FOR 2021
We extend a very warm welcome to the following 20 new families who have enrolled in St Brigid’s and commenced at the start of the 2021 school year: Watson, Lee, Issa, Rustice-Muller, Merenda, Muco, Cassar, Flynn, Fredricks, Gruber, Iacurto, Lim, Mehle, Morrissey, O'Dwyer, Theodossiadis, Wachala, Warren, Whitton and Young.
Our beautiful Kindergarten class of 2021 has settled in magnificently to daily life at St Brigid’s. Thank you to the parents who have been so supportive of our teachers in preparing for this special time. The first day of school is always an exciting time and seeing the Kindergarten students begin their school days is indeed very rewarding for us all.
![IMG_6638[1]](https://prod005-au.sz-cdn.net/sbgdow/media/2735/210205040106936/4608x3456/img_6638_1_.jpg)
DIRECTOR'S VISIT
Yesterday, the Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong visited our school for the day. It was a wonderful occasion for us to discuss the delivery and execution of our school's annual targeted goals and to consider the learning data. Mr Hill also visited classrooms interacting with the students and he had a most valuable discussion with our Year 6 student leaders. It was a wonderful day to celebrate the great things that happen each day at St Brigid's.
COVID-19 PROCEDURES STILL IN PLACE
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Parents and carers are not allowed on school sites or at off-site school events held during school hours except for the following purposes only:
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Essential parent and carer meetings with teachers and/or school executives with a scheduled appointment.
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Parents and carers who attend a school administration building or another defined location for the purpose of picking up their child if they are unwell or where they have been asked to arrange for a COVID-19 test after their child has displayed flu-like symptoms while at school.
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Parents and carers who need to be on-site for canteen and uniform shop duties or to collect or purchase uniforms.
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Parent or carer volunteers required in educational support roles for activities essential to the delivery of the curriculum such as reading groups, music, dance and kitchen garden areas. Schools are required to have scheduled programs in place and remind parents and carers that they must not attend school unless it has been previously arranged.
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Parents and carers can attend parent orientation meetings and ‘meet the teacher’ meetings with school staff for all year/stage groups. Meetings should be limited to 1 hour where possible, with a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.
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Parents may attend P&F meetings held after school hours with a COVID-19 Safety Plan. Gatherings are limited to 30 people indoors and 50 people outdoors for schools within Greater Sydney and Wollongong.
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Schools may organise outdoor events (e.g. morning teas, BBQs, picnics) for staff, parents/carers and community members with up to 30 people for schools within Greater Sydney and Wollongong or 100 people for schools in other locations.
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Schools should conduct parent/teacher meetings, using Zoom video-conferencing where possible.
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Parents/carers should not be at school or school events without the principal’s permission.
CAR ZONE PROCEDURES FOR COVID-19
We desperately seek your assistance in following the school procedures and traffic rules to ensure the smooth operation of our car zone but even more importantly, for the safety and well being of all our families.
Please do not queue and block the traffic in Vickery Street. You must do a lap of the block or time your arrival when the zone is not so congested. Please do not use technology and be on your phone in the car zone.
The car zone has a 2 minute limit. As we commence calling names from 2:50pm-3:10pm please do not enter the zone until 2:48pm. Heavy fines can be given as a result of parking in this zone.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
We strongly encourage the use of the pedestrian crossing that is located on Gipps Street. This is the government funded crossing for our school which is manned by a trained Crossing Supervisor each morning and afternoon. As the safety of students and families is paramount and given the high volume of traffic on Vickery Street, due to our car zone, and the fact that it is not supervised, it doesn't pose as the safest option for crossing. If you have to cross on Vickery Street, please be mindful of the traffic flow of our car zone so that we are not causing a bank up, which in turn, causes some neighbourhood traffic to illegally cross double lines to overtake.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESS PROCEDURES - 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 news-feed.
Students and staff who have undergone testing but HAVE NOT been directed to self-isolate can return to school when: they have received a negative test result AND are not displaying symptoms of illness.
Please complete it any day or time of the week, including weekends. The information will automatically come to Ms Uroda and Mrs Sammut.
ST BRIGID'S RESPIRATORY SYMPTOM REPORTING
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (SRC)
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 leadership team. 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 processes,
- 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 One Student Representative Council for 2021:
| SRC Chairperson | Natalia |
| Year 6 | Eden |
| Year 5 | Vincent |
| Year 4 | Emerson |
| Year 3 | Zlata |
| Year 2 | Hunter |
| Year 1 | Orlando |
| Kindergarten | Semester 2 only |
A reminder that the parent/teacher night will be held next week in the School Hall. This is an opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher and hear briefly about the term and year ahead.
| DAY | GRADE | TIME |
| Monday 8 February 2021 |
Year 1 Year 2 |
5:00pm - 5:45pm 6:15pm - 7:00pm |
| Tuesday 9 February 2021 |
Year 5 Year 3 |
5:00pm - 5:45pm 6:15pm - 7:00pm |
| Thursday 11 February 2021 |
Year 4 Year 6 |
5:00pm - 5:45pm 6:15pm - 7:00pm |
SCHOOL FEES FOR 2021
The Primary Tuition Fee for 2021 will be $1,712 per family (per annum) and the Parish School Enhancement & Debt Servicing Obligation (Parish SEDSO) will be $1,076 per family (per annum). The St Brigid's Resource Fee is $233 per student. The first school fee payment/s are due on 28/2/2021.
The following documents are available on our St Brigid's website for the information of families:
- Diocesan School Fee Management Policy
- Diocesan Frequently Asked Questions
- Diocesan Request to Pay by Instalments
- Information regarding school Fees
Congratulations to Mrs Benoit, whose precious jewel, unique and blessed arrived on Tuesday 12 January 2021. Axel Jack Benoit was born at 9:54pm, weighing 3.745g and 52cm long.
May Axel be blessed from head to toe with love, joy and health.
May Nichole and Nat, who embark on this beautiful life-changing event, be blessed with all the gifts they need to be loving nurturing parents to little Axel.
NO FOOD SHARING POLICY
Just a reminder that we do not encourage the sharing of food from home for special occasions e.g birthdays, Easter and Christmas. If we do have a treat day at school, we will always ask you to contact the office should you not wish for your child to par take in buying a special treat. Thank you for your ongoing support
USER AGREEMENT FOR TECHNOLOGY
This form must be read, discussed and signed annually to ensure the compliance, safety and well-being of all students as responsible users of technology. Each child was given this form today. The form is due back to school on Tuesday 9 February 2021.
UNIFORM and SUN SMART POLICIES
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:
https://www.sbgdow.catholic.edu.au/parents/policies-procedures-forms/
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR TERM 1
| 8/2 | Swimming Carnival | 8:15am - 12noon |
| 11/2 | Commencement Liturgy | 11:30am |
| 17/2 | Ash Wednesday Mass | 11:00am |
| 23/2 | P&F AGM and Term 1 meeting | 6:30pm |
| 19/3 | Project Compassion Fundraiser | All day |
| 19/3 | Special food day | Lunch time |
| 26/3 | Pupil Free Day - Staff retreat | All day |
| 1/4 | Cross Country Carnival | From 9:30am |
| 1/4 | School term ends | 3:10pm |
| 20/4 | School commences for Term 2 | All day |
2021 SAVE THE DATE
| 2 December | End of year Christmas concert in the playground from 5:30pm |
| 14 December | Year 6 Graduation Mass/ luncheon/prize giving/ringing of bell from 10:00am |
Dear Parents and Friends,
My name is Amy Sammut and I am delighted to be a part of the wonderful community of St Brigid’s, as Acting Assistant Principal and Instructional Coach for 2021. I have felt so very welcomed by the students, staff and parents over the past two weeks and look forward to getting to know you all throughout the year.
We have certainly hit the ground running, with teaching the students new recess and lunch procedures, classroom routines, Kindergarten Best Start assessments and literacy and numeracy assessments to inform instruction across Years 1-6. The students have settled in well and are enjoying being back with their friends and teachers.
In my role as Instructional Coach I will be working with teachers to identify a meaningful focus for improvement in writing this semester. This improvement journey will begin with teachers collaboratively analysing literacy data, then immersing the students in an authentic independent writing experience whereby students will have an opportunity to produce a writing sample for collaborative analysis using the CEDoW Writing Analysis Tool. The tool supports teachers to target areas of learning to write, to enhance teaching practice and affect pedagogical improvement efforts (Collaborative Inquiry). It also enables teachers to record student's progress against the ACARA Literacy Learning Progressions - Creating Texts enabling a base-line to monitor student's continuous improvement in writing.
Teachers will begin this exciting improvement journey in Week 4 and each teacher will have an opportunity to co-plan and co-teach with me throughout the course of this semester. I am very excited to get into the classrooms and co-teach all the students in Kindergarten through to Year 6.
Stay tuned for regular updates on how the students are engaging in the learning and improving as a result of enhancing teaching practice at St Brigid’s.
Welcome back to a new school year. I hope that you were able to rest and refresh for the year ahead.
And so we pray…
Lord Jesus, we ask for Your help as we begin this new school year.
Allow us to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before us.
Open our eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings.
Open our heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.
Give us a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with our work and courage to accept new opportunities.
Help us to be attentive to each other and let us experience Your presence in our new friends.
Jesus, inspire us to do our best this year!
Amen
A NOTE OF THANKS FROM OUR ST BRIGID’S ST VINCENTde PAUL PRESIDENT, PETER COONEY
On behalf of our Conference I wish to thank the St Brigid’s School Community for the fantastic donations for our 2020 Christmas Food Hampers. I have to say that the items donated could not have been more appropriate to reflect the festive season. The hampers assembled from both the school and some parishioner donations were from our perspective outstanding. I would go as far as saying they were the best hampers that we have ever assembled. They reflected our community's generosity.
These hampers were distributed to deserving families within our Parish boundaries. With the COVID pandemic we also provided a few hampers to the International Uni students at UOW who have remained on campus with little or no income support.
SACRAMENTS 2021
Prior to enrolling your child into the Lumen Christi Sacramental Programme you, as parents/carers will be asked to attend a parent meeting which will be led by the Parish Administrator, Fr Bernard. This meeting is a requirement for enrolment into any of our Sacramental Programmes.
Parent Meeting: Wednesday 10 February or Thursday 11 February 2021 from 6.30 pm in St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
To ensure careful preparation, attendance by the child and an accompanying parent/carer at the following four sessions is essential.
Meeting 2: Reconciliation Programme Session 1: 24th or 25th Feb, 6.30 pm in St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
Meeting 3: Reconciliation Programme Session 2: 3rd or 4th Mar, 6.30 pm in St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
Meeting 4: Reconciliation Programme Session 3: 10th or 11th Mar, 6.30 pm in St John Vianney Co-Cathedral
Meeting 5: Reconciliation Programme Session 4: 17th or 18th Mar, 6.30 pm in St John Vianney Co-Cathedral. Sacrament of Reconciliation to follow upon completion of Meeting 5.
Ash Wednesday begins our forty day season of Lent that leads to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, we come together like the people of the Old Testament to remind ourselves that we don’t always follow God’s ways and need to ask God for His Mercy and forgiveness.
Lent opens with readings that call us to penance. However, this penance must be understood within its proper context. Penance is really an attempt to correct what is upset, to repair what is broken, to atone for the wrong done. Penance must spring from a contrite heart or acts of penance can be merely external feats of endurance.
Nothing that we do can reconcile us with God. No penance, regardless of its severity, can repair a ruptured covenant bond. Only the mercy and graciousness of God can accomplish this. And God has accomplished it in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was God’s love for sinners that prompted such a magnanimous display of divine love. Through Jesus, the entire world has been reconciled to God. Now, each individual has the opportunity to be reconciled. Penance and acts of devotion are ways of benefiting from the treasury of divine mercy and love. They do not buy reconciliation; it has already been purchased.
Almsgiving and fasting and prayer are honoured ways of changing whatever prevents us from drinking from the streams of divine grace. Almsgiving reminds us of the covenant bond that joins us with each other and of the social responsibilities that accompany it. Fasting sensitises us to the dependence we have on the natural world. It also curbs our insatiable desire for more and more. Prayer unites us with God, the source of our being and our merciful covenant partner.
© Dianne Bergant CSA
WORLD DAY OF THE SICK - 11 FEBRUARY
On February 11 we come together as a community to pray for the sick and those who care for them.
Here is what you can do to observe WDOS:
- Say the prayer tonight to thank the nurses, doctors and all the wonderful carers for taking care of us during COVID;
- Commit to washing your hands frequently, keeping surfaces clean and wearing a mask on public transport
18 FEBRUARY ‐ CHARLES PERKINS’ FREEDOM RIDES
In 1965 students from the University of Sydney took action to draw attention to the racism that was rife in New South Wales country towns.
The Ride included a survey of Aboriginal living conditions, a direct challenge to a ban against Aboriginal ex-servicemen at the Walgett Returned Services League, and a demonstration against local laws barring Aboriginal children from the Moree and Kempsey swimming pools.
And so we pray….
Creator Spirit, God of the Dreaming, God of this ancient land, you see the good in all your people; we thank you for the gift of our many cultures. We come to you with our hearts open to your Spirit of peace and healing. We ask you to fill us with the love and understanding that can help us to accept the wrongs that have been done to our brothers and sisters. Help us to do all we can to be one in your love and peace. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus who is our hope of healing. Amen
NATIONAL APOLOGY DAY
On 13th February, we commemorate the Australian Parliament’s Apology to the Stolen Generations. This marks a day of great significance in the history of our nation. On the 13th February 2008, the Australian Federal Government made an apology to the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. It was a moment of solidarity and empathy that could be shared by everybody who heard it.
National Apology Day is a day to remember and pray for the children who were taken away from their families and homes. This apology was a step on the path to reconciliation. It is a commitment to right the wrongs of past injustices and is about building a bridge of respect between all people.
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards during the last fortnight.
Week 2 - Term 1
| CLASS | FAITH AWARD | LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Year 1 | Laine W | Logan A |
| Year 2 | Ella D | David M |
| Year 3 | Joshua S | Briella I |
| Year 4 | Reed B | Rafael M |
| Year 5 | Vincent H | Grace D |
| Year 6 | Dara A | Eden S |
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| Marcella S | Flynn D | Arthur R | Simon C | Zac C | Alexis S | Eden S |
| Hayde R | Christian J | Zlata K | Sofia S | Audrey G | Starrsi D | |
| Veronica A | Tom S | Daniel M | Rosie S | Sam S | ||
| Florence M | Andy P | |||||
| Luke S | ||||||
| Mason M | ||||||
| Oliver E | ||||||
| Shay A |
St Brigid’s Gwynneville
ST BRIGID'S CHURCH MASS TIMES
| Saturday | 5:30pm Vigil |
| Sunday | 9:00am |
| Thursday | 9:30am |
PARISH BULLETIN
PARISH WEBSITE
BEGINNING OF YEAR NOTES AND INFORMATION
The information that we need to collect at the beginning of the school year is many and varied. For many of these notes we will be utilising Compass as a way of collecting permission. For notes that are required by a small portion of students the details are below.
STUDENT MEDICATIONS
As per the Catholic Education Office Administration of Medication in Schools Policy, any medication required by the students while they are at school must be kept in the school office. This medication must be accompanied by a Request for School to Administer Medication form.
The form is available at the link below and on the school website.
ASTHMA
If your child suffers from Asthma and requires medication at school, along with the form above, please provide the Asthma Notification form (attached below) and ensure the school office has a current Asthma Plan.
ANAPHYLAXIS
If your child suffers from allergies that could result in an anaphylactic reaction and requires medication at school, along with the form above, please provide the Anaphylaxis Action Plan (attached below).
If the school already has a copy of this plan you only need to provide this form if the form we have is out of date.
ALLERGIES
If your child suffers from allergies that could result in a reaction and requires medication at school, along with the form above, please provide the Allergic Reaction Action Plan (attached below).
If the school already has a copy of this plan you only need to provide this form if the form we have is out of date.
At the beginning of the new school year, we would like to remind parents to check and update any details for your children and yourself in the Compass portal.
School fee balances can be checked via the Parent Portal on Compass.
To do this on your phone:
- Open the Compass App
- Open the menu button in the top left hand corner (3 lines, also commonly refered to as the hamburger)
- DO NOT USE THE SCHOOL FEE OPTION IN THIS MENU
- Find and click 'Open in Browser'
- Click your name in the top right hand corner
- Click billing tab (fourth tab along)
To do this on your computer:
- Open the Compass Portal (httpss://sbgdow-nsw.compass.education/)
- Click your name in the top right hand corner
- Click billing tab (fourth tab along)
STUDENT UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES
A reminder to please logon to your parent portal and provide an explanation for any full day absences for your child/children. You do not need to provide partial absence explanations - this will be done from the school office when the students arrive or depart.
If you have any questions regarding any of this information please contact the school office.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
Scholastic Book Club Issue 1 Orders due via LOOP by 3pm Friday 19 February.
For families new to the school the attached flyer provides an explanation of how to order.
Australian Parents Council February 2021 Newsletter
Visit the link below to view the newsletter:
NEWS FROM THE PRESIDENT
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2021 Enrolments Now Open!
The Drama Studio is Illawarra's leading Youth Theatre Company providing premier acting training and performance opportunities for young people aged Kindergarten through to Year 12.
Classes held at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
Email: dramastudio@bigpond.com
Phone: 0418 966748
Collegians Junior Rugby League 2021 Season Registration
Cancer Council’s Healthy Lunch Box website
Healthy Back-to-School lunch boxes made easy!
Developed by dietitians, healthylunchbox.com.au is a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about packing a healthy lunch box. It’s a great resource to promote to parents, even the canteen. On the website there is an interactive lunch box builder, a wide range of nut-free recipes, an ‘Inspiration and Ideas’ section that includes healthy snack alternatives and informative blogs to help kick start the year.