THE LINK
Week 2 Term 3, 27 July 2018
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace
Jerry Bridges
GRACE
When you get into a tight place’
where you feel you can’t go on, hold on,
for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
PRINCIPAL - PAULA MacKENZIE
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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This week we saw two great events take place in our school community. We led off with our Interschool Cross Country Carnival. What a fantastic carnival, I am so impressed by our students and the sensational way they performed on the day. This event is a hard event to participate in and takes great courage and strength of mind. Our children performed so well and improved their best times. Mr Harris our amazing sport teacher is constantly finding ways to support and assist our students in their development. The running club has truly made a difference and it was great to see so many participants this year and how well they improved their times. Thank you also to Miss Mitchell for helping out on the day.
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OPTIMISM
Optimism is an outlook on life such that one maintains a view of the world as a positive place. Optimists are people who refuse to feel helpless and don’t give up when faced with seemingly impossible problems. They expect to succeed, believe in themselves and remain positive. Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out for the best in the end.
Optimism includes the assumption I can do something to change this situation for the better, whereas pessimism includes the assumption probably nothing I do will make any difference. Of course, when you're optimistic, you are more willing to take action to change things for the better, which increases the likelihood that things will change for the better; that's how optimism becomes self-fulfilling.
How do children develop optimism? As children grow and develop, they need as many opportunities as possible to experience success. Every time children achieve something they set out to do, they start to develop a belief that they can go on trying and have more successes. ‘Self-talk’ is what we say to ourselves to explain the things that happen through the day. When children are able to say to themselves that they can do something, they are more likely to succeed.
Recent research has indicated that successful experiences and positive interactions with parents, teachers and significant others are critical factors in children learning optimism. The way that adults think about and talk about their experiences are very powerful in shaping a child’s beliefs about why success or failure might happen.
The more optimistic children are, the more able they are to succeed and have a sense of the future and the more they are able to make friends and learn at school.
What parents can do:
· Be a good role model - let your children hear how you make sense of a situation (your ‘self-talk’) and share your positive thoughts with your children.
· Re-phrase what your child says - say things or use different words to make more positive sense out of a situation. Child: "I never have anyone to play with." Parent: "Sometimes it’s hard to find a friend, but last week you had a good time with Mary."
· Tell your own stories of overcoming hardships - "When I was at school I thought . . . but then I realised . . . "
· Give encouragement - "What were your thoughts when you were losing that tennis game?", "How did your thoughts change to help you to move from losing to winning?" Help your child catch the helpful and unhelpful thoughts and stick with the helpful ones.
· Remember to share some of the old sayings: - "If at first you don’t succeed - try, try again." - "There’s no such word as can’t." - "Every cloud has a silver lining."
· Draw your child’s attention to media and highlight public figures or winning teams who have overcome hardship.
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God Bless and take care

Paula MacKenzie
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MIKE SIBBALD
- NAIDOC DAY CELEBRATIONS
- We all had a fantastic day on Wednesday celebrating the various Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Traditions. It was wonderful to begin with a Welcoming Liturgy and conclude with Traditional Dancing. Ms Billy-Rooney, our school Indigenous Liaison Officer, is to be warmly congratulated for co-ordinating the many interesting and appropriate activities celebrated throughout the day. A special mention to all staff for your assistance and support too.
FOUNDER’S DAY/MARY MACKILLOP FEAST DAY (8 AUGUST)
On Wednesday, 8 August, we will celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross and her contribution to Australia and in particular, our school through the work of the Sisters of St Joseph. Her charisma is embedded into St Brigid’s history through the Sisters of St Joseph, thus we celebrate our Founder’s Day on this day with our traditional Mary MacKillop Mass and Mission Fete. Our mass begins at 9.00am and all parents and friends are invited to join us. Classes are also preparing for their respective stalls for our Annual Mission Fete and I sincerely thank you in advance, all parents who assist by way of contribution to this.
THE BISHOPS' RELIGIOUS LITERACY ASSESSMENT 2018
At the request of the Western Australian Bishops, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 9 students in Catholic schools across Western Australia will take part in The Bishops' Religious Literacy Assessment (BRLA) from the week commencing Monday 30 July in Term Three. The assessment will be accessible to students only online.
Students enrolled in Year 3, Year 5 and Year 9 who are following a regular classroom program are expected to participate. Students with disability are also entitled to participate in the assessment. Exemptions may apply.
The Nature and Role of the BRLA
The Bishops' Religious Literacy Assessment is a large-scale, standardised assessment that consists of a series of Religious Education (RE) tests developed and marked by the Office of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA). The purpose of the BRLA is to measure student learning of the content in the RE curriculum. Formal school and student reports are produced by the Office and will become available to schools in Term Four.
The BRLA provides a ‘point in time’ snapshot of student performance in RE. Students’ knowledge and understanding of the content of the RE curriculum is assessed using a combination of multiple choice, and short and extended response items. Students’ faith is not assessed. The use of the BRLA complements the school based assessment programs in RE.
Please contact your child’s teacher or myself if you have any enquiries regarding the administration of The Bishops' Religious Literacy Assessment.
SACRAMENTAL DATES 2018
Following is the final sacramental date for this year:
Year 6 CONFIRMATION – Friday 14 September 2018 (6.00pm)
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ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - ANNE BROWN
MILO, CEREAL AND PANCAKE DONATIONS
If you can spare Milo, Cereal or Pancake mix for Breakfast Club your donation is greatly appreciated.
BATTERY RECYCLING
Please keep bringing in your batteries for our recycling competition.
BREAD
We currently have fresh bread donated to the school on Monday and Tuesday morning. If you would like to place a standing order please contact Anne Brown or alternatively parents and carers only can collect bread from the front of the office on these days.
2 LITRE ICE CREAM CONTAINERS
If you have any ice-cream containers with lids 2L could you please drop them to the office please.
DISCO ADVANCED WARNING SAVE THE DATE
The school disco will take place on Friday 24 August 2018.
Kindy- Year 2 will be from 4.30pm – 6.00pm and the Year 3-6 Disco will be from 6.30-8.00pm. We ask that you pick up your children promptly after the disco as the staff would like to return home at a reasonable hour. Tickets will be sold in week 5 and 6 of the term. The tickets will be on sale out the front of the office. This is our last disco of the year so please come and have a great time.
P & F NEWS
St Brigid’s Parents and Friends Association
SAVE THE DATE:
• Parents & Friends meeting: Tuesday 31 July, 9am. Staff conference room. Young children welcome.
• Bunnings fundraising sausage sizzle - Saturday 11 August 2018
• Colour Fun Run - Wednesday 10 October 2018
FOR SALE:
Softis Travel Tissues - $2.50 per packet (contains 2 or 4 travel packs of tissues. Part proceeds to Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.
Cook Books - From our home to yours: Recipes from the St Brigid's Primary School community - $20 each. Over 120 recipes.
DID YOU KNOW?
St Brigid's Primary School is an affiliate member of The Parents and Friends Federation of WA (PFFWA).
WHAT IS THE PFFWA?
The Parents and Friends Federation of WA Inc. is the peak body representing all parents of children in Catholic schools in Western Australia. The PFFWA recognises parents as the first and ongoing educators of their children, and offers practical support to help parents build capacity, grow in confidence and actively engage in all aspects of the child's spiritual, emotional, social and academic learning and wellbeing.
Members of the PFFWA Council and staff serve on state, national and Catholic education sector committees, promoting the interests of parents and giving them an effective, independent voice, These forums provide opportunities for the parent perspective to be heard in the discussions around policies and practices relating to children and families. PFFWA advocates for equitable and affordable access to quality Catholic education for all children, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.
CONTACT US: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Phone: 0409 293 198 (Karryn) or 0431 896 213 (Emma)
SCHOOL BANKING

Our school banking day is Wednesday morning from 8am until 8.50am. Come along and see us if you would like to join up and start saving!
WANTED: We are also looking for another school banking person to assist with school banking for our school community. Please feel free to come & see Nicole and Kelly to get signed up.
SCHOOL NEWS
TERM 3 IMPORTANT DATES
Pupil Free days - Week 5, Friday 17 August ( Staff Professional Day)
- Week 6, Monday 20 August (Catholic Day)
Founders Day - Term 3 Week 4
The Pre-Primary classes will be holding a Trash and Treasure stall. They require your kind donations of any child related items in good condition, which are no longer needed in your household. These donations are appreciated and can be brought to the Pre-Primary classes.
CANTEEN ROSTER
Monday 30th July H VRANJES
Tuesday 31st July H VRANJES
Wednesday 1st Aug HELP NEEDED
Thursday 2nd Aug HELP NEEDED
Friday 3rd Aug L PETERSON

- DEAR PARENTS/CARERS, I URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR WEDNESDAY'S, THURSDAY'S & FRIDAY'S THIS TERM. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ASSIST, PLEASE COME AND SEE ME ASAP.
- I WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE PIES, PASTIES, SAUSAGE ROLLS & SANDWICHES IF I DO NOT HAVE ANY VOLUNTEERS FOR THESE DAYS.
- With thanks,
- Mrs Kylie Dickenson
- Canteen Manager
- CANTEEN MENU NOW AVAILABLE ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE
- SEQTA ENGAGE FOR STUDENT REPORTS: PRE-PRIMARY TO YEAR 6
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To access your child's report, you need to go to the following site: https://stbrigidsms.coneqt-p.cathednet.wa.edu.au and use your current username and password.
If you have remembered your username but have forgotten your password, please click on the ‘Forgot your Password?’ link and an immediate email will be sent to you. THIS EMAIL WILL EXPIRE WITHIN ONE HOUR, so please action this immediately. Please note that for security reasons, the school does not have access to parent passwords.
If you have any issues, please contact the school by sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kind Regards,
Ms Philena Giorgiante
Seqta Coorindator

NAIDOC Day was celebrated on Wednesday 25th July and it was a huge success. We started the day with a morning Liturgy hosted by our Indigenous students and special guest Miss Trudy Snow. The students then moved to the Central Green experiencing a Traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Mr Len Yarran, Mr Shane Garlett and Mr Glen Miller from the Wadjuk Community Centre. The students then spent the day rotating through their blocks participating in the following activities, Hunting and gathering, Communication, Indigenous people of Australia and Indigenous female athletes before ending with our Closing Ceremony, watching the Girrawheen Girls Academy perform a Traditional dance.
Melissa Billy-Rooney
Indigenous Liaison Officer





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HELPING HANDS
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Helping hands before and afterschool care program
Unable to make it in time to pick up your children? Boss asked you to stay late or come in early? Need to have some time for yourself?
Parents, we are here to support you and your children in before and after school hours! We offer a secure, safe and exciting environment for your children to thrive and be a part of a socialized group while you are busy.
Please note an enrolment form and 1 days' notice is to be given to make your casual bookings for your children.
We are here to help! Please find enrolment forms in the admin office or come down to Kindy B during out of school hours weekdays to inquire.
We would like to welcome back Nicole Rouse as the new Coordinator for Helping Hands St Brigid's. Nicole previously worked at the centre in 2017 for 7 months before going on leave. Varsha is working alongside Nicole as the Assistant Educator, they are both looking forward to an exciting term 3!

This week the children have enjoyed using their imagination and working together to build their own Lego Beyblades learning all about weight, size and height using problem-solving skills on how to make the Beyblade's spin faster. The children have shown great sportsmanship while battling and having competitions with each other. They all established and maintained a respectful, trusting relationship.
In the morning, before school, the children and the Educators got creative with paint and wool and made a special flower picture using special techniques with the wool. How amazing do these pictures look? We had a lot of very happy and excited children who were very keen to make and play with slime.

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Vacancies Available Now!
- P: 0484302073
- E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
COMMUNITY NEWS
ST BRIGID'S NETBALL CLUB NEWS
Saint Brigid's Netball Club is now looking for expressions of interest of children wanting to play in the Swan District's Spring Netball Competition.
The season starts early October and runs for approximately 9 weeks. In previous years, games have been at 5pm or 6pm timeslots. Fees will be in the vicinity of $70 per player (plus $10 dress hire) if your child played in the Winter Season. If your child didn't play in the winter season, there will be an additional fee of approximately $50 payable to cover Netball Wa Fees.
Please return your notes indicating your child's expression of interest to your child's team manager/coach ASAP
IF YOUR CHILD DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE WINTER SEASON please contact Catherine Hall at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest.
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With swimming pools and beaches a big part of the Western Australian lifestyle, ensuring your children can swim competently and safely is essential.
You can now enrol your children in VacSwim swimming lessons during the October and December/January school holidays.
VacSwim is for all children - from beginners to more advanced swimmers and young people doing their Bronze Medallion. Your children can start as young as five years old.
Your children can join in the fun of learning to swim at pools and open water venues across the State.
Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/swimming