PRINCIPAL - PAULA MACKENZIE

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to another busy and exciting term at St Brigid’s. It is hard to believe that Term Two is here already and our calendar is filling up quickly. This week we have seen our Year Three students participating in their Reconciliation Retreat. We were very happy to welcome Mr Karl Brown to our school to lead our students through this important part of their faith journey along with their teachers. The students were very respectful and participated well in the day’s activities. I love the way our children share their thoughts and join in so enthusiastically. There was a lot of laughter during the day and big smiles.

ANZAC DAY ASSEMBLY

We began the term with a very moving Anzac assembly lead by Mr Dalziell and the sensational Year Six leaders. Our students were able to explain the true meaning of Anzac day to our school and showed great warmth and appreciation of all those who risked their lives to protect our way of life. Our special assemblies always help our students to gain a greater understanding of these memorable days. Our Year Six leaders presented a very moving and reverent portrayal of past and present heroes who fought for our freedom.

We were indeed fortunate to have the amazing services of Mr Peter Fowler and Mr Peter Constable who joined our assembly in full dress uniforms from World War Two. Also Mr Fowler provided the school with an extensive array of memorabilia from the era this truly helped focus our students on the importance of this occasion. Special thanks also to our wonderful students who came dressed in their scout, guides, brownies and cadet uniforms.

 

 

THREE YEAR OLD PROGRAM

This week we saw the orientation for our Three Year Old Program, it was wonderful to see the newest members of our school join their parents in the 3 Year Old room with their teacher Mrs Gabrielle D’Agnone-Doyle and Mrs Leanne Bailey. The program will begin next Wednesday where we will find our young learners eager to begin. We are still taking enrolments for this year level so if your child is ready for learning through play please consider enrolling your child. The only requirements needed is that they have had their third birthday and are toilet trained.

KINDERGARTEN INTERVIEWS

Just a reminder for our parents that in week three and week four we are holding our Kindergarten enrolments for 2020. If your child has a birthday that falls: between 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 they are eligible for Kindergarten 2020. Please ensure you have your children enrolled as we would like to ensure there is a space for all our families.

MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST

We would like to invite all our wonderful Mothers, Grandmothers and Caregivers to a Mother’s Day Breakfast in the MacKillop Hall on Wednesday 8^th May at 7.30am. Come and join us so we can celebrate our wonderful Mothers in our school community. Your children are welcome to come with you and celebrate your speical day. If you have a photo of yourself with your children if you could email it to the school we would appreiacte it so we can put a photo power point together for this speical day. If not just come and join us on the day.

 

MOTHER’S DAY STALL

We are truly blessed to have the best P & F ever. Once again they will be holding a Mother’s Day stall so our students can purchase gifts for the special people in their lives, their mums. The stalls will be run in week two on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you would like your child to participate please could you send along money with your child in a zip lock bag. Gifts range from $1 to $8. Thank you once again to our amazing P & F mums for providing this great service to our school community.

SPEECH SCREENING

Next week we will begin our Speech screening service to the Kindergarten and Pre- Primary classes. All parents were notified and permission was sought. The screening will begin on Monday and once completed reports will be sent home to parents and caregivers. Early intervention is essential in helping our students.

SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION

On Tuesday 7^th May at 5.00pm our children will be making their First Reconciliation at St Brigid’s Midland Parish Church. This is a very important step in their faith journey and as a school we are there to support our families and in particular our students as they take this step in their journey.

INTERSCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Next Thursday our amazing students will be participating in the interschool swimming carnival. I know they have been practicing and are ready to represent our school in our local community. We wish them luck as they take on seven other schools in the competition. It will be held at HBF Stadium, Mt Claremont the competition will start at 9.30 am.

QUALITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLING SURVEY

Our aim is to be a Quality Catholic School and with this in mind we are constantly looking at ways to improve the education we provide for our students. Our motto is every child matters every day and that every child is a successful learner. We want to provide the best education we can for every child. We want to see our students grow and develop and become active citizens in society. We are searching for feedback on our school so we are asking, students, parents and staff to complete a survey with their views about our school. All staff and students from years four, five and six will be asked to complete the survey forms as well as our parents. This will not be occurring until later in the term so we will keep you informed.

NATIONAL TESTING OF LITERACY AND NUMERACY

The national tests assess student achievement in literacy and numeracy. Students will be familiar with the test formats and the type of questions they have to answer. The main difference is that all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 at schools across Australia complete the same tests on the same days. Students will have their skills assessed in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. NAPLAN will begin on Tuesday 14 May and finish on Friday 24 May.

National tests will provide information on how students are progressing, and support improvements in teaching and learning.  These tests will make it easier to monitor student performance in literacy and numeracy across the nation. Over 1 million students from 9,000 schools across Australia participate in the national tests.

This information will be used to evaluate what students can do and how they perform against the national benchmarks. You can help your child by talking about these tests as a means of showing what they know and can do at this point in their schooling. Ease any anxiety by explaining that everyone in Australia will be doing this test at the same time and the testing process is an integral part of their school life.

Later in the year individual students will be given reports which will indicate their level of achievement in reading, writing, spelling, punctuation, grammar and numeracy.

MANNERS

‘Good manners cost nothing’ is an old adage, but one that still rings true today. Words such as ‘please, ‘thank you’ and ‘excuse me’ might be simple but their power and effect on others is immeasurable. We constantly reinforce and teach students to always use their manners.

When we stand aside to allow others to pass, or give up our seat on the bus to someone who needs it more than we do, we are saying, in a symbolic way, that we respect others enough to give them precedence in this situation. If we neglect our manners, we are in fact giving up our respect for others. If we can’t be bothered to show respect for each other in little ways that cost us nothing, what does that show about our commitment to the health and well-being of society?

So why bother with ‘please’ ‘thank you’ and ‘excuse me’? Manners are like the ‘check and balance’ of our moral health; they are the little signals that reveal the strength of our commitment to respecting others. Acknowledging that other peoples’ rights, needs and well-being must be taken into account is the beginning of our understanding of what is required of us as members of any community. They show that we respect people, all people, people we know and don’t know, people who don’t like us or are utterly different from us. We are simply acknowledging that they, like us, are part of a community that depends on our mutual respect for its peaceful and harmonious survival.

God Bless

  

Paula MacKenzie
PRINCIPAL

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MIKE SIBBALD

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)

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - LUKE SHAW

NAPLAN

Students in Years Three and Five will sit for various NAPLAN tests from Tuesday 14 May to Wednesday 22 May. Our finalised 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) 9.15am	15 May Reading (Year 3) 9.15am	16 May Reading (Year 5) 9.15am	17 May Conventions of Language (Year 3) 9.15am
20 May Conventions of Language (Year 5) 9.15am	21 May Numeracy (Year 3) 9.15am	22 May Numeracy (Year 5) 9.15am	23 May	24 May

 

PARENT WORKSHOPS

We are looking at offering parent workshops in the future. Please take the time to let us know what areas you are interested in by completing the survey below. Thank you for your time.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Iy-FxTM2KU-zhlHaU-NeIwSak1hXJxdBk0lRNXJGtCxUOVZFR01EMkJBQThNQVU2VlFONDJBTVhCVy4u

SCHOOL NEWS

 

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 Parents and Caregivers

If you are having a clean out of your board games over the holidays I would gladly like to take them off your hands.

In Term Two I will be visiting Matrix Illam Orphanage in Tamil Nadu India and would very much appreciate to take some games over to the children in the villages.

A labelled box will be in the office for your kind donations of complete games.

Many thanks

Cheryl Harris

 

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DONATIONS FOR PP

Pre Primary are seeking recycled goods for their tinkering trays. Items needed include margarine containers with lids, ice cream containers , bottle tops from milk bottles and orange juice bottles, lids from any type of jars, old computer keyboards, small cuts of plastic pipe , cuts of a hose, off cuts of material, the rolls found inside glad wrap/alfoil and sticky tape, unwanted CDs, 600ml and 300ml bottles. Your trash is our treasure. Thank you.  

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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 two 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 6th May        S THOMAS

Tuesday 7th May        H VRANJES

Wednesday 8th May  S SOEMYA

Thursday 9th May     HELP NEEDED PLEASE

Friday 10th May          C TURNER

 

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR CANTEEN MENU                                                

 

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ST BRIGID'S SWIM SQUAD 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 Trampoline.

Vuly 14ft Classic. Good Condition.

Can be delivered and assembled locally for a family of the school.

Only $250-  over $1000- New.

Please call Mr Peter Constable 0412 980 004.

 

 

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

YEAR 3 RECONCILIATION RETREAT

 

 

 

ANZAC DAY SERVICE

 

 

 

P & F NEWS

St Brigid’s Parents and Friends Association

Dear Parents and Carers,

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT STALL - TUESDAY 7 AND WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 2019

Next week the P&F will be holding a Mother’s Day gift stall, with lots of lovely yet inexpensive gifts that the children can purchase for the special women in their life. Gifts range from $1 to $8. Each class will have the opportunity to make a purchase from the stall during the school day on either Tuesday or Wednesday depending on class schedules.

If you would like your child to participate, please send along a small amount of money on Tuesday or Wednesday. Class teachers will advise the students how they can manage their money for safekeeping.

Children as asked to provide their own plastic shopping bag for purchases.

Any remaining gifts will be available to purchase after school on Wednesday 8 May and before and after school on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 May, subject to helpers.

MOTHER’S DAY RAFFLE

Thanks to some wonderful local businesses we have 6 gorgeous hampers to be won. The hampers are valued from $80 to over $500! Check out the list of generous donors below.

Tickets are $5 each and the raffle will be drawn at Assembly on 10 May. Winners who are not present will be contacted to arrange prize collection.

A ticket has been sent home this week with the eldest child in each family. If you wish to enter the raffle please complete and return the ticket stub, along with $5, to the P&F box in the front office.

Additional tickets can be purchased for grandmothers, aunts and other special women in your life at the Mother’s Day Breakfast on Wednesday 8 May or by contacting 0409 293 198 (Karryn) or 0418 954 821 (Jo) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

                                      

THANKS TO OUR RAFFLE DONORS

Some of the wonderful prizes for this year’s Mother’s Day Raffle have been donated by local businesses. We would like to acknowledge their generosity and ask you to please support those who have supported us:

•  Betts – Midland
• Brookleigh Beauty & Spa – Upper Swan
• Chemist Warehouse – Midland Gate
• ENVY with Karryn
• Expressions Gift and Cards - Midland Gate 
• Hairhouse Warehouse – Midland Gate 
• Jane Brook Winery - Toodyay Road, Middle Swan
• Margaret River Chocolate Factory - Swan Valley
• Rubra on the go – Middle Swan
• Solution Skin Fitness - Midland Gate
• Upper Reach Winery - Baskerville
• Yahava Koffeeworks – Swan Valley

WOOLWORTHS EARN & LEARN – *double stickers this weekend*

The Woolworths Earn & Learn program gives schools and Early Learning Centres around Australia the chance to earn amazing school equipment.

Between 1 May and 25 June 2019, collect as many stickers as you can from your Woolies shop, stick them on the sticker sheets and give them to your school or drop them into a collection box in store.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Mother’s Day Stall: 7 – 10 May

• Mother’s Day Raffle Drawn – Assembly 10 May

• P&F Meeting Tuesday 14 May at 9am
All are welcome, including young children. Mrs McKenzie has a wonderful box of toys for the little ones to play with!

• Disco: Friday 24 May 2019

• Cross Country Coffee & Cake Stall: 26 June 2019

• Bunnings Sausage Sizzle: 19 October 2019

 

 

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