PRINCIPAL - PAULA MACKENZIE

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last week we saw the beginning of Lent this is an exciting season in our Church. It is a time to reflect and think about how we can help others particularly our family. Quite often we talk about giving up things and sacrifice but I like to encourage children to take up something for Lent. For example they could chose to make their bed without being asked or laying the table each night any extra things that they don’t normally do. I would encourage families to talk about Lent and how we can take on extra small things that will help others in our family or community.

SICKNESS IN SCHOOL – GUIDELINES FOR SAFETY

We have noticed that there are a number of children that are experiencing vomiting and diarrhea symptoms within the school. Due to the large numbers of children we thought it may help to gain an insight into the infectious period for this illness. The guidelines advise that children should remain away from school at least 48 hours after the vomiting and or diarrhea has ceased.

To stop the spread of illness, please ensure your children stay away from school for 48 hours after their last episode. While we appreciate this is inconvenient for parents who are working we would appreciate your help in stopping the spread of this illness in others.

SWIMMING TRIALS

The children were very excited to go to the pool this week and try out for the swimming trials. We are busily preparing for the Swimming Faction Carnival that will be held next Thursday 21 March. Thank you to our wonderful parents for supporting our students in allowing them to attend training sessions at the pool and then taking part in the trials last Tuesday.

 

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Next Wednesday Night March 20, we will be holding our first School Board Meeting for 2019. The meeting will take place in the staff room at school and will begin at 7.00pm.           

 

PASSION PLAY

Every year we are blessed to be led through the Passion Play by our talented Year Five students. The children in Year Five along with their teachers tell the story of Jesus and the week leading up to Easter. This is a very special time in our lives and our students help us to understand the importance of Jesus in our lives today. Our Passion Play is normally help in the afternoon but this year we are holding the Passion Play in the Morning at 9.30am on 11 April. Please put this time into your calendar.

 

AUDITORY PROCESSING

Auditory Processing is the ability to understand what people say, and giving the correct meaning to language that is heard. It develops slowly, can sometimes take years, varies greatly between individuals and can affect learning, self-esteem and behaviour. Intelligent and high-achieving children may experience Auditory Processing difficulties.

Common signs of AP difficulty:

• ·  Difficulty sounding out words and spelling.
• ·  Reading and comprehension difficulties.
• ·  Motivation.
• ·  Inattentive or selective hearing.
• ·  Daydreams, distractible, vague.
• ·  Talkative OR quiet OR withdrawn.

 In trouble often, but doesn’t know why.

How to help with AP difficulty:

•  Look at the listeners and read their facial expressions and body language.
•  Listen to the child and consider that they may have heard a ‘different’ message.
•  Reduce language overload….short, concise instructions are best.
•  Insisting that a child looks at you can increase anxiety and reduce understanding.
•  Allow ‘think time’….teach and expect children to think before responding to questions.
•  Expect to say things only once.
•  Give positive instructions…..’Please walk’, rather than, ‘Don’t run’.
•  Reduce background noise.
•  Move closer to the child when giving explanations or instructions.
•  Ensure you have their attention before speaking.
•  Lip reading can help some children.

Check the child’s understanding by watching their reactions; don’t ask them to paraphrase or question their understanding.

May God bless you and keep you safe

 

Paula MacKenzie
PRINCIPAL

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MIKE SIBBALD

Prayer: “When his father saw him, he was so filled with compassion; and he ran and put his arms around him …” (Luke 15:20-21)

Reflection – In the parable of the “Prodigal Son” lays the yearning of every human heart …. The yearning to be loved and accepted with all our imperfections ~ for someone to see the worth behind all our mistakes and failings. This is the moment God waits for in every Lenten season and in every second of every day. The moment, when the heart that yearns for healing realises its need for forgiveness and follows its yearning to go home! Forgiveness always brings healing.

Please encourage your child/children to keep their Lenten promises and contribute to Project Compassion.

YEAR ONE LITURGY

The Year One classes are celebrating their first class liturgy on Tuesday 19 March beginning at 2.15pm. All parents and friends are invited to attend in the Year One Classroom.

FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT MEETING

This is on Tuesday 26 March, at 7.00pm in the St Brigid’s Parish Church. Information pertaining to the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be provided along with some helpful information to assist your child with their preparation. It will not be a long gathering and Fr Benny looks forward to meeting at least one parent from each child who will be making this important sacrament.

SACRAMENTAL DATES 2019

Year 3 RECONCILIATION – Tuesday 7 May 2019 (5.00pm)

Year 4 FIRST EUCHARIST – Sunday 23 June 2019 (11.00am)

Year 6 CONFIRMATION – Sunday 8 September 2019 (11.00am)

Please note that the First Eucharist Mass is at 11.00am, not at 9.30am as previously advertised.

 

LABELLING CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

A quick reminder to all parents to ensure that your child’s name is clearly written on all items of clothing. There were a number of Faction Shirts without names, left over at the Swimming Trials yesterday, and with the Faction Swimming Carnival coming up next week, it would be lovely to be able to return left over clothing to the correct child, after this event. Thank you for your assistance.

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - LUKE SHAW

 PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Our parent/teacher interviews will be taking place in week nine (1-5 April). A link to an online signup website will be sent to parents early next week. Parents will simply need to follow the prompts to select their preferred meeting time. Meetings will last for 15 minutes and teachers have been asked to ensure that they stick to this timeframe. We ask that all parents book a meeting as this is a wonderful opportunity to engage in a conversation about how your child is travelling in all facets of their school life.

Please note:

Kindy A will take place in Week Eight (26-28 March)

Kindy B interviews will take place in Week Eight and Week Nine (26-28 March and 2-4 April)

2A interviews will take place in Week Eight (27-28 March)

 

NAPLAN

This year students in Years Three and Five will sit for various NAPLAN tests from Tuesday 14 May to Wednesday 22 May. Our NAPLAN timetable is below. It is important to note that all testing will take place prior to recess. It is very important that students are here on these days. Please make certain that there are no dentist, doctor or other appointments at this time.

While NAPLAN does not measure everything that is important about a student’s literacy and numeracy development, it does provide each school with valuable data and every school is expected to pay close attention to trends over a number of years.

13 May	14 May Writing (Years 3 & 5)	15 May Reading (Year 3)	16 May Reading (Year 5)	17 May Language Conventions (Year 3)
20 May Language Conventions (Year 5)	21 May Numeracy (Year 3)	22 May Numeracy (Year 5)	23 May	24 May

 

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS IN OUR DIGITAL WORLD

ThinkUKnow Australia is a cyber-safety website that educates parents, carers and teachers about how people are using technology, the challenges they may face online, and how to help them overcome these in a safe and ethical way. You may be interested in visiting the parent portal, where you can find factsheets, videos, family online safety contracts and many more fantastic resources https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/parents-portal

 

SCHOOL NEWS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is a reminder for our upcoming Faction Swimming Carnival. Students are required to wear their faction polo shirt with their sports uniform with their bathers underneath. The key details can be found below regarding the carnival:

Date: Thursday, 21^st March 2019

Venue: Bayswater Waves Aquatic Centre

Time: Students will depart school at 9:00am sharp.

The carnival is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:40am and conclude at approximately 2:00pm, so students can be returned to school by 3:00pm.

Students will need to bring the following: bathers (underneath school uniform), faction polo shirt, alternative footwear to wear at the pool, i.e. thongs/sandals, a towel & swimming goggles (if they require them).

Please ensure that your child does not place a lunch order on this day, and are to bring a packed recess and lunch for the carnival.

If you have any questions, please come and see me before our carnival day and I would be more than happy to clarify any of the above details.

Kind regards,

Mr Samuel Harris

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HARMONY DAY

Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. We are celebrating Harmony Day on Friday 22^nd March. The day will begin with our Year 2 students presenting a Harmony Day assembly. This year we are encouraging  students to be proud of where they are from and come to school dressed in their traditional dress. Alternatively they can wear an orange shirt with St Brigid’s sport shorts.

There will be a parade at the assembly for students dressed in their traditional dress.

This is not a gold coin donation free dress. It is a time to embrace and celebrate our diversity at St Brigid’s Primary.

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LIBRARY HELP REQUIRED

If any parents are interested in taking small bundles of books home to contact cover for the library, please see Mrs Darling before or after school in the library.

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PLAYGROUP

Just a reminder Playgroup has started and it is every Friday 9am – 11:30am. Breakfast is offered in the morning. We are operating in the Early Childhood Room (next to Kindy). We have had a lot of kiddies join us in the past 2 weeks and that is lovely to see. So if you are a parent, grandparent, aunty or uncle of a child aged 0-4 yrs please come and join us.

Remember to bring a water bottle, a piece of fruit and a hat!

 

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CANTEEN ROSTER

Monday 18th March         S THOMAS

Tuesday 19th March         H VRANJES

Wednesday 20th March   S SOEMYA

Thursday 21st March       HELP NEEDED

Friday 22nd March           C KIRBY

 

NO MEAT products will be sold in the Canteen every Friday during Lent.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR CANTEEN MENU                                                

 

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ST BRIGID'S SWIM SQUADStart training now for this year's Swimming Carnival.   Come along and join the St Brigid's Swim Squad.  Training takes place every Thursday morning at Swan Active, Morrison Road, Midvale, commencing at 7am.  Entry is $3.30 (no spectator fee for parents).   Swim Squad is for students in Yrs 2 to Yr 6 whom are at swimming level 5 or above.  Students can then take advantage of Breakfast Club at school which commences at 8.15am in the MacKillop Hall.  If you have any queries, please contact Deanna (DJ) on 0419 943 901.  

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FOR SALE

Extra large trampolin, delivered and assembled locally $250. Please call Mr Peter Costable 0412 980 004.

 

P & F NEWS

St Brigid’s Parents and Friends Association

EASTER EGG RAFFLE

It's Easter Egg Raffle time again. Help us to contribute to school resources by participating in our first FUNdraiser of the year by donating and/or buying raffle tickets.

There will be a prize per class to give everyone a chance to win and raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win some sweet bonus prizes. Tickets will be sent home next week to buy if you would like to enter the bonus drawer. We will also be selling tickets before and after school in the coming weeks.

If you would like to help we are seeking donations from families of Easter Eggs or Easter themed gifts to help us create some special prizes. Please deliver your donations to the box in the front office by Monday 1 April.

The raffle will be drawn on Friday 5 April, giving us an opportunity to distribute prizes in the last week of school if any winners are not available on 5 April.

NEW: Guess How Many game

The person who guesses the correct number of Easter eggs in the jar will win! $1 per guess. Guesses can be made alongside the raffle ticket table before and after school. Winner announced 5 April.

Funds raised from the Raffle and Guess How Many will be put towards the purchase of new literacy resources such as take-home readers and classroom novels. 

We are also hoping to gift some of the donated eggs to families in need through St Vincent de Paul. 

PASSION PLAY COFFEE and CAKE - Thursday 11 April

The P&F will be running a coffee and cake stall before the Passion Play. Join us from 8.30am before the Year 5 students host the Passion Play at 9.30am in MacKillop Hall on 11 April. 

PARENTS AND FRIENDS MEETINGS

The next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 April at 9am. If you are able to attend or have anything you would like to share or suggest it would be wonderful to see you there. Young children are very welcome to come along if that makes it easier to attend. 

P & F CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Karryn - 0409 293 198

Joanne - 0418 954 821

 

SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEWS

HELPING HANDS

 BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE 

 

 

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! Enrolment forms are available from the Education Support Room.  During out of school hours and weekdays. 

Vacancies Available Now!

P: 0484302073

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

COMMUNITY NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PILATES CLASSES

Commencing Tuesday 19th February in the MacKillop Hall 

Then every Tuesday thereafter

From 5.15pm to 6.15pm

$12.00 per session or $60.00 for 5 sessions

All proceeds go to Cambodia

All equipment supplied, just bring a water bottle

Enquiries to Elaine 0433 900 703