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Being a witness to the Resurrection of Jesus
This weekend culminates with the most joyous of celebrations on Easter Sunday when we commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus and begin a 50 day period when the early church was called to be radical witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus. This was a time of confusion, concern and courage. Some of Jesus’ friends went into hiding, some became deniers of his new life, while others dared to love generously and respond in hope.
This Easter may our St Brigid’s community be open to finding new ways of loving generously and responding in hope through our faith.
Mary Magdalene is a great example for us to reflect upon this Easter season. She was a woman from Magdala, a small Galilean town known for its fishing, who became a female disciple and was the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection.
According to the Gospels, she visited Jesus’ tomb on Easter Sunday, either alone or with other women, and found the tomb empty. In the Gospel of John, Jesus actually appears to Mary Magdalene alone after his Resurrection, and instructs her to tell his disciples of his return.
In 2016, Mary Magdalene was proclaimed by Pope Francis the Apostle to the Apostles. This was a pretty exciting declaration by Pope Francis who saw the honouring of Mary Magdalene as an opportunity to reflect deeply on the dignity of women and their role in the Church. Turning to Mary Magdalene, Pope Francis said her example is one of hope, and that her intercession helps us to live the experience of the Resurrection, because “at the time of tears and abandonment, she hears the Risen Jesus who calls us by name, and with a heart full of joy goes to announce: I have seen the Lord!”
Like Mary of Magdala, we too are called to be great witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus. I encourage our community during this Easter season to: love radically; to be people of hope; to share your faith; to be a person of prayer and a witness of the Good News.
Loving God, we thank you for the love that brought Mary to the tomb in tears and took her away in joy.
Thank you for your love that took Jesus through death for us to life with us.
Thank you for the love that joins us to so many people.
Be with all who suffer this Easter and
May love lead us to be a witness, like Mary to the joys of the Resurrection. Amen
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK GUIDED LEARNING WALKS
What a delight it was to welcome parents and grandparents back into the classrooms on Monday night. It was uplifting to see so many parents and carers engaged in learning walks with your child/ren. We have missed these wonderful experiences to build, improve and strengthen home-school partnership so that our students have the best opportunities to learn and grow.
How lucky we are to live in Australia. Throughout the pandemic, student learning around the world has been affected by nationwide closures of schools. New data released a couple of weeks ago by UNICEF found that around 168 million children globally – or 1 in 7 – have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning.
While we can count our blessings we must stay in touch with those suffering around the world by showing empathy and compassion.
WELCOME EVENT 2021
On a lovely Autumn evening we gathered and shared a meal and had lots of wonderful conversations with each other - such a treat in this time of a global pandemic. Speaking of treats....we thank the local businesses who supported our welcome event - Steve's Woodfire Pizza, Samaras Lebanese Food, Trevor's Coffee Van, Ken's Kones and Wendy's Milkshakes.
Last year, St Brigid’s entered the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns Awards Program for 2020. This provided us with an opportunity to showcase the Climbing for the Sun Solar Project which we undertook in 2019 to raise funds for our school to install a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System, and in doing so, become the first primary school in the Illawarra to be virtually electricity independent.
On behalf of St Brigid's, Levi Gibson travelled to Murrurundi, where the awards were announced two weeks ago. St Brigid's was named the NSW WINNER of the School's Environmental Achievement Award for the Climbing for the Sun Solar Project. Congratulations one and all!
This is an extraordinary effort for a small school who is leading the way in sustainability. Thank you to Levi Gibson for his encouragement and ongoing support of our school.
EASTER BLESSINGS
Another term has come and gone. Easter and the term holidays are with us again. As we draw to a close of Term 1 we can proudly celebrate the learning and faith achievements of the students.
Thank you to all the St Brigid's community for contributing to a wonderful start to the 2021 school year. It has been a relief that some of the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place at the commencement of the year are lifting and school life is returning to a new normal.
I sincerely thank you for your support during this very difficult time and the encouraging feedback you offer. I am so grateful that everyone in our community has remained safe and healthy.
May every blessing be with you and your family during Easter and the school holidays. I look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday 20 April 2021.
CATHEDRAL CAR PARKING - CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS
This is a great way to contribute to our best fundraising opportunity. This year we are working towards adding to our play equipment and hopefully purchasing a geoclimber. We also need to replace some flexible furniture items for the classroom.
Can you assist at the upcoming events?
|
DATE |
EVENT |
VOLUNTEER TIME |
|
15 April 2021 |
Delta Goodrem |
6:00pm – 7:00pm |
|
20 April 2021 |
Wiggles |
9:00am – 10:00am |
|
20 April 2021 |
Wiggles |
11:00am – 12:00pm |
|
21 April 2021 |
Boxing - Paul Gallen |
5:00pm - 6:00pm |
|
24 April |
Hawks v Sydney |
6:30pm - 8:00pm |
If you can assist at car parking at any of the above events, please click on the link below to add your name.
TERM 2
TRASH FREE TUESDAY Week 9 and Week 10 Winners
Reporting from the St Brigid's SRC news desk is SRC Chair person Natalia:
Congratulations to all our students on their efforts in bringing in 'trash free' lunch boxes on Tuesday
WEEK 9 WINNERS
'In Kindergarten they had 44%
In Year 1 41%
Year 2 61 %
Year 3 62 %
Year 4 56 %
Year 5 had 69 %
and Year 6 63 %
Congratulations to year 5 who are our WEEK 9 WINNERS!'
WEEK 10 WINNERS
'This week in kindergarten they had 26 percent .
In Year 1 46 %
In Year 2 64 %
Year 3 80 %
Year 4 78 %
Year 5 54 %
Year 6 65 %
That means that this weeks winners are year 3.'
Term 1 Trash Free Tuesday Champions
This term we had a tie between Year 4 and Year 5 as the Term 1 Trash Free Tuesday Champions. Congratulations to both classes. We will continue trash free Tuesday next term so be ready.'
NAPLAN 2021
How can you support you child with NAPLAN?
Teachers will provide opportunities for the students to practice NAPLAN style questions in the online format at school. If you would like to work with your child at home then you can access NAPLAN style questions using the public demonstration site by clicking on this link.
NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site
Easter Blessings
I would like to wish all the families a happy, safe and blessed Easter. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term working with and learning alongside the wonderful students, staff and families at St Brigid's. I am thankful to the staff and parents and carers for their warm welcome and I look forward to a wonderful Term 2 of learning and growth.
Considering that our students have no need to bring money to school, the Project Compassion boxes have been a successful means of fundraising. The total for the second half of Lent is $77.40, giving us a grand total of $929.25.
This money will be forwarded to CARITAS in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your generosity.
Kelly, from the Vinnies Van, has sent photos of the stocked shelves that our St Brigid’s community so generously donated. Please read the letter below from Kelly.
APPIN MASSACRE
I ask that you take the time to read the account of the massacre that took place at Appin, April 17, 1816.
Explainer - The Appin Massacre
And so we pray:
Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our Nation.
Teach us to respect all cultures.
Teach us to care for our land and waters.
Help us to share justly the resources of this land.
Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.
Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.
May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Appin Massacre memorial service at Cataract Dam
Date: Sunday 18 April 2021
Time: From 11am until 3.30pm
Location: Cataract Dam near Appin, off Appin - Bulli Road (Baden Powell Drive).
The ceremony is to remember the Dharawal People who perished in the Massacre.
Wishing you a HAPPY and HOLY EASTER.
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 6 | Edwina J |
Congratulations to the following students who have received an Assistant Principal's Award. Well done!
| Year 3 | Daniel M |
| Year 6 | Natalia R-T |
Congratulations to the following students on receiving their awards in Week 9.
Week 9 - Term 1
| CLASS |
VALUES AWARD |
LEADER OF THE WEEK |
| Kindergarten | Marcella S | Theodore F |
| Year 1 | Mia W | Grace H |
| Year 2 | Charlie EB | Macy G |
| Year 3 | Harper LD | Rhiley A |
| Year 4 | Rio M | Shennah L |
| Year 5 | Malachy H | Raen G |
| Year 6 | Lila J | Reginald T |
CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL
CONGRATULATIONS to every single member of St Brigid’s School for a wonderful Cross Country Carnival!!
The carnival was a wonderful way to finish our school term. School spirit was high and the students were very supportive and encouraging of each other, no matter what house. It was such fun to watch Kinder and Year 1 have their first run around at a school sports carnival! A big thank you to our parent helpers who supported our students during their runs.
RESULTS
Congratulations to MacKillop House for placing first!
| CLASS / AGE | BOYS | GIRLS |
| Kindergarten | Theodore F | Marcella S |
| Hurley M | Ava Y | |
| Xavier DB | Gisele M | |
| Year 1 | Finn D | Laine W |
| Logan A | Vita K | |
| Hayde R | Luna-Belle G | |
| 8/9 Years | Zachariah C | Rhiley A |
| David M | Eva A | |
| Rafael M | Ilena P | |
| 10 Years | Hugo S | Tayah A |
| Rio M | Audrey G | |
| Bailey C | Willow M | |
| 11 Years | Cameron B | Grace D |
| Flynn S | Raen G | |
| Xavier C | Georgia F | |
| 12 Years | Luca DB | Addison W |
| Matthieu C | Edwina J | |
| Quentin M | Charlotte W |
A compass notification will be sent home regarding the Diocesan Cross Country Carnival to be held on Tuesday 27th April. The top 3 place-getters from ages 8/9 - 12/13 will attend. More information to come.
MACKILLOP SWIMMING
A huge congratulations to Cameron Browne for his efforts representing the Diocesan MacKillop team at Homebush last Monday. Cameron placed in all of his events and had an outstanding meet. A great reward for his commitment to the sport. Well done Cameron!!
Happy Birthday to the following students.
We hope you have a great birthday!
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
| Juliette I | Maya I | Raphael I | Tayla R | Amelia EB | Abby H |
| Finn D | Ilena P | Chris M | Tully D | ||
| Mia M | Eve A | William C |
COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTS - MARCH NEWSLETTER
LAWN MOWING ROSTER - CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS
Do you want to help keep the school grounds looking great?
The P&F are asking for your help. All it takes is a regular mow and tidy up – a small job we share as a community. It’s very easy, simple and quick and if we get enough volunteers then you only need to commit to twice a year (if that….the more that sign up, the less frequently you are rostered on).
Please email John Harman with your details. A roster will be organised for the year and sent out to all volunteers.
If you would like to know more about what is required, don’t hesitate to contact John Harman on dabeers@bigpond.com or 0419 993 133
EASTER PICNIC
SAVE THE DATE - P&F EVENTS
|
DATE |
EVENT |
|
7 May 2021 |
Mother’s Day BBQ Breakfast |
|
7 May 2021 |
Mother’s Day Stall - Orders will be taken on Qkr! |
|
8 May 2021 |
Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser |
|
28 May 2021 |
P&F Kids Disco – Fraternity Club |
|
6 August 2021 |
Cocktail Dinner Party - Venue TBC |
|
3 Sept 2021 |
Father’s Day BBQ breakfast |
|
3 Sept 2021 |
Father’s Day stall |
|
6 Nov 2021 |
Working Bee and BBQ Lunch 10:30am – 12:00 |
|
2 Dec 2021 |
Christmas Concert and family picnic |
St Brigid’s Gwynneville
HOLY WEEK LITURGIES
The ceremonies of Holy Week are listed below.
Holy Week Schedule 2021
SFX—St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong
SJV—St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow
SBG—St Brigid’s Church, Gwynneville
MDB—Mater Dolorosa Church, Balgownie
|
Wednesday 31 March - Wednesday of Holy Week |
|||
| SFX 7am | SFX 11am (Confessions) | SFX 12:10pm | SFX 6:30pm (Holy Hour) |
|
Thursday 1 April - Mass of the Lord's Supper |
|||
| No Morning Masses | SBG 5pm | SJV 6pm | SFX 7pm |
|
Friday 2 April - Stations of the Cross |
|||
| SBG 9am | SJV 9:30am | SFX 10am | |
|
Friday 2 April - Passion of our Lord |
|||
| SFX 3pm | SJV 3pm | SBG 3pm | |
|
Saturday 3 April - Easter Vigil |
|||
| SBG 5:30pm | SJV 6pm | SFX7pm | |
|
Sunday 4 April - Easter Sunday Mass |
|||
| SFX 7am | SFX 10:30am | SFX 5pm | |
| SBG 9am | SJV 8:30am | MDB 10am | |
For Parish information, please visit the Parish website.
Please visit the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong website for further information.
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Fairy Creek Shared Path
As part of our commitment to improve pedestrian safety and amenity, we are proposing a new shared path adjacent to a tributary of Fairy Creek between Gilmore and Vickery Streets, Gwynneville. The proposed path will also provide linkages between Acacia Avenue and Greenacre Road. Plans have been developed and we’re now seeking feedback from the community.
The Fairy Creek Corridor is a unique open space that is highly valued by the local community and within two kilometres of the Wollongong CBD. The Fairy Creek Corridor Master Plan was developed with input from the community and adopted by Council in March 2019. As a result, this project has been prioritised for delivery from that plan. The 2.5m wide shared path will provide an important east-west link, as identified in Council’s Cycling Strategy 2030 and will serve as an additional connection with local schools and public transport.
Interpretive artwork will celebrate heritage by showing the earlier tramway link from Mt Keira to the harbour. There will be street tree planting in accordance with the Urban Greening Strategy. Existing trees will be retained and woodland edge planting along existing vegetation to suppress weed growth adjacent to the shared path.
Construction of the Fairy Creek Shared Path is scheduled for next financial year. I have attached the Consultation Plan for your review.
If you have any further questions about the planned work or would like to provide comment, please visit our Engagement website:
https://our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/fairy-creek-shared-path
Alternatively, you can email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or call 4227 7111. Please share your feedback by Wednesday, 21 April 2021.
NETFIT Netball clinic
School holidays clinics are kicking off next week, thanks to
The Athlete's Foot Australia !
We are so excited to launch our brand new NETSTEP class to our full day programs, along with skills, match play, NETFIT fitness, recovery and nutrition so you are ready to hit the court for the 2021 season.
With limited spaces tickets are being snapped up, don’t miss out!
