PRINCIPAL - PAULA MACKENZIE

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As Christians, we ought to embrace the world in which we live. After all, this is still God’s world. Yet that is increasingly hard to recognize as many of us get swept up into the latest Tweet, Facebook post, or viral video. We are constantly entertained. And with the ease of working from anywhere, we are constantly working. Technology allows us to communicate effectively and connect with others, even on Skype calls across hemispheres. With all of the time-saving and people-connecting devices we have, what about our time to connect with God? Does the pace of the world really move so quickly that we have no time for God? During this Lenten time perhaps as a family we could stop and spend time in prayer and reflect on our faith journey. Lent, is the season in which we prepare for the Easter celebration of Jesus' resurrection, and allows for teaching children about prayer, sacrifice and showing kindness to others.

Lent is a very important time in our faith that focuses on the ideas of sacrifice, repentance, reflection and prayer. These are hard concepts for children to grasp, but that doesn't mean they can't fully participate in the Lenten season. Explain to the children that Lent is about getting ready for Easter as well as apologizing to God for the times when we weren't so good.

Lent is a special time when God invites us to go without so that others may have a fair share of the gifts of creation. The season is about changing ourselves and thinking of others. It is a time to take action, to be aware of others and to work towards a world where we all have a healthy and safe environment to grow in.

 

P & F MEETING

We had our first P & F meeting on Tuesday morning and have had the opportunity to discuss the events for the year. This is an exciting group of industrious parents who want the very best for our school and for our students. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 9th April at 9.00am if you are available please come and join us. We are getting ready for our Easter egg raffle which is always a great success with our children and community.

 

God Bless

 

Paula MacKenzie
PRINCIPAL

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MIKE SIBBALD

REFLECTION – WHY “PRAY, FAST AND ABSTAIN” DURING LENT?

The three traditional ‘pillars of Lenten observances’ are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Prayer draws us closer to God …. The more we pray and spend time in God’s presence, the more we are transformed into the people we are created to be.

Fasting is one of the most ancient practices linked to Lent … The hunger pangs it creates remind us of our hunger for God and of the suffering that others experience because of lack of food. Fasting reminds us and calls us to live up to our baptismal responsibility to show Christ’s love to the world and to work to alleviate suffering.

Abstaining from meat traditionally links us to the poor, who could rarely afford meat … Its aim, is to spiritually link us with those who lack the food we take for granted.

Almsgiving is our sign of care for those in need and also expresses our gratitude for all that God has given us.

 

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

ASH WEDNESDAY

This week we celebrated the beginning of our Lenten Season with a whole school Ash Wednesday Mass. Thank you to Fr Benny and Deacon Liam for leading us in this special Eucharist, along with Jeni George (6B) our altar server. A special congratulations to the Year Four Students for your excellent reading and assistance. Everyone sang so beautifully too! Class Project Compassion Boxes were blessed and distributed, ready to receive the generosity of our families over the next six weeks of Lent. A special thank you to parents who were able to attend: your support is highly valued. The children in Kindergarten also received the ashes back at school after mass.

 

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.

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - LUKE SHAW

NAPLAN

Our school will join the majority of schools across Australia in completing the NAPLAN testing online in 2019. Our school is well equipped to make this transition as we completed a variety of trial tests late last year. An information sheet about NAPLAN Online will be coming home today for all Year 3 and Year 5 families.

SCHOOL NEWS

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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LOST PROPERTY

We have several pairs of reading glasses in the office which have not been claimed from last year.  If you think they may belong to your child can you please call into the office to claim them.  

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PLAYGROUP

Previously we have had two separate Playgroups however this year we will be running just one. All parents/guardians and community members with children aged 0-4yrs are more than welcome to come along.

 

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CANTEEN ROSTER

Monday 11th March         S THOMAS

Tuesday 12th March         H VRANJES

Wednesday 13th March   HELP NEEDED

Thursday 14th March       S SOEMYA

Friday 15th March            K PURCHASE

 

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.  

 

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS

 

                                                            

 

 

   

 

 

                     

 

 

           

 

 

 

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 1pm before the Year 5 students host the Passion Play from 2pm 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. 

At our last meeting the following roles were nominated and confirmed:

President: Karryn Purchase (nominated at AGM)

Vice President: Jo Johnson (nominated at AGM)

Secretary: Emma Chessell-Keevers

Treasurer: Jenny Separovich

P&F rep on the School Board: Karryn Purchase

 

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. 

Message from Nicole  

Wednesday the 13th of March 2019, will be my last day working at Helping Hands St Brigid's.  It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know your families and all the special bonds I have made with the children over the years. I have loved every minute working at St Brigid's and will miss everyone very much, thanks for making my time here so enjoyable. 

OUR GOALS/ Family feedback. Here at helping hands St Brigid's we strive to build and a maintain a respectful, trusting relationship with each child and their families. We Acknowledge that parents/guardians are the child’s first primary Nurtures. This term we are focusing on including our parents into the program by getting feedback, ideas with programming, menu and cultural history.    This term we are focusing on goals we would love to hear what wishes and goals you would like your children to achieve while at Helping Hands, please write it on our leaf to hang on our wishing tree located on the parents table.  

Our Parent’s Board!  We have a parent's board located inside our room where we will display important information, including our programs, our QIP (quality improvement plan), information regarding our programming, goals. Please come and look and provide some feedback. We appreciate your input and feedback 

Term 1 we will be focusing on the environment making it look inviting for the children to explore, as well as to look at what each child's likes and interests are. We have also been reflecting on our transitions and routines due to having new children. The Educators strive to builds and maintain a respectful relation with each child, we have been getting to know each children’s likes, interests.  The children have shown interest in role playing vets and restaurants. 

The children have enjoyed using their imagination with using leggo to make Beyblades.

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