PRINCIPAL - PAULA MACKENZIE

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This Sunday is National Sorry Day. It is held on 26th May every year. This day gives people the chance to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.

MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

Our Lady accepted the invitation of God to be the Mother of Jesus, our saviour and to intercede on our behalf. We can pray to Mary and ask for her help and she will listen. A special feast day which occurs on the 24th of May was set aside for Mary and it is known as Mary Help of Christians.

We will also celebrate this day on Sunday 26th of May and we invite our children to be part of the procession that walks around the Church and participate in the prayers of the faithful. We invite you to bring your child in their school uniform so they can participate in the procession.

Mass begins at 9.30 at St Brigid’s Church on the corner of Morrison and Great Northern Highway.

 

PUPIL FREE DAY

This is just a reminder that there is a Pupil Free Day on Friday 31st May.

 

GRADUATION MEETING FOR YEAR SIX PARENTS

On Monday 27th May we will be holding a Graduation Meeting for all parents of Year Six students at 3.30pm in Year 6B. If you are able to attend we will see you there so we can discuss what our Graduation night will look like for our students. We appreciate your feedback and commitment.

 

NAPLAN

Today was the last day of catch up for NAPLAN we thank all our students for participating so well in the NAPLAN. As NAPLAN was online it did provide some interesting times for our students and thanks to the excellent support from Mr Shaw, Mr Duncan and Mr Sibbald along with our teachers we have managed to ensure that all students have completed their tests. We look forward to our results later on in the year. Reports on NAPLAN results will be sent home to parents when they arrive.

 

NATIONAL SORRY DAY WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR TURNING POINTS IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

Kids are starting to learn about it at school, but it can be hard for them to wrap their heads around. Here's what to do when the questions start popping up.

The what, when and why

National Sorry Day is a commemorative day that focuses on apologising to and bridging the gap between Australians and the Indigenous peoples. Held on May 26 each year, it gives people the chance to express regret for the way Aborigines were treated in the past, mostly as a result of the White Australia Policy. In a nutshell, this policy aimed to "weed out" the Indigenous people and their culture by making them assimilate with white people. For over 150 years, children were forcibly taken from their families and communities and thrust into a completely unfamiliar world. These children are part of the "Stolen Generations". Since the policy only ended in 1969, this issue is still very raw, and there are many Aborigines who have never found their families.

The process of reconciliation only really kicked off in 1998, when the first National Sorry Day was held. The event has helped to bring the whole nation together and create awareness about the suffering of the Stolen Generations. Indigenous people are well and truly part of the fabric of communities now, so no doubt your kids will come asking questions when the topic of the Stolen Generations comes up in class.

Another major step towards reconciliation came in 2008, when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Indigenous peoples for the way they were treated. On behalf of the governments before him, he said sorry for the laws and policies that caused such grief and loss. He also promised to look into ways to improve Indigenous life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity — or, in other words, to close the gap.

TIPS FOR TRICKY CONVERSATIONS

Children like to ask questions, and as a parent, it often falls to you to answer the tricky ones. Explaining the Stolen Generations definitely falls into that category. Child psychologist Dr. Phyllis offers her advice for dealing with difficult topics:

• If the event or issue does not personally affect your kids, reassure them that everything is okay with the people they love.
• Using simple, age-appropriate language, explain what happened.
• Ask if there is something they want to know more about, or if they need something explained further. If so, stick to answering their question or clarifying. Don't add on or digress.
• Ask if they know how they feel. Stress that people feel differently, and if they don't know how they feel (or don't feel anything), that's okay too.
• If they are upset but don't want to talk, suggest a fun activity to distract them.

God Bless

                                               

Paula MacKenzie
PRINCIPAL

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - MIKE SIBBALD

MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PARISH MASS

Everyone is invited to join us this weekend at the special Mary Help of Christians Mass beginning at 9.30am at St Brigid’s Church, Midland. Students from St Brigid’s and La Salle College will be assisting with the Liturgy, along with participating in the Annual Procession.

FIRST EUCHARIST PREPARATION

A few key dates to keep in mind for those families preparing for First Eucharist.

• Parent Meeting 4 June (St Brigid’s Church 7.00pm)
• Year Four Retreat Day 12 June (at School with Karl Brown)
• First Eucharist Mass 23 June 11.00am

Fr Benny has asked that you attend the required number of masses before making your sacrament on June 23.

 

SACRAMENTAL DATES 2019

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

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

 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - LUKE SHAW

TIM WINTON AWARD FOR YOUNG WRITERS

Your child may be interested in entering a piece of writing in the Tim Winton Award for Young Writers. This competition is open to Western Australian school students in years one to twelve. Stories submitted must be an original piece of prose writing, no more than 2000 words in length. Entries must be the sole work of the entrant. Entry is limited to one per person.  Entries for the Tim Winton Awards open at 9.30am on Tuesday 4 June. To enter, register and submit your story online before 5.30pm on Monday 24 June. For more information, please go to https://www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/timwintonaward

READING AT HOME

Over the next few weeks, I will continue to include some tips that may support you with home reading. Nightly reading forms an important part of homework here at St Brigid’s and research strongly supports fostering a love of reading at home. It is important that children are listened to when reading and also read to by an adult or more capable reader.

Don't leave home without it

Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor's office. Always try to fit in reading!

Once is not enough

Encourage your child to re-read favourite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more quickly and accurately.

Dig deeper into the story

Ask your child questions about the story you've just read. Say something like, "Why do you think Clifford did that?"

Take control of the television

It's difficult for reading to compete with TV and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity.

Be patient

When your child is trying to sound out an unfamiliar word, give him or her time to do so. Remind to child to look closely at the first letter or letters of the word.

Pick books that are at the right level

Help your child pick books that are not too difficult. The aim is to give your child lots of successful reading experiences.

Play word games

Have your child sound out the word as you change it from mat to fat to sat; from sat to sag to sap; and from sap to sip.

I read to you, you read to me

Take turns reading aloud at bedtime. Kids enjoy this special time with their parents.

Gently correct your young reader

When your child makes a mistake, gently point out the letters he or she overlooked or read incorrectly. Many beginning readers will guess wildly at a word based on its first letter.

Talk, talk, talk!

Talk with your child every day about school and things going on around the house. Sprinkle some interesting words into the conversation, and build on words you've talked about in the past.

Write, write, write!

Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he is learning at school.

SCHOOL NEWS

 

 

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DONATIONS FOR PP

Pre Primary are seeking empty cereal cartons for their tinkering trays.  If you can help, please bring your cartons down to Pre-Primary.  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 27th May          S THOMAS

Tuesday 28th May          H VRANJES

Wednesday 29th May    K TURNER

Thursday 30th May       S SOEMYA

Friday 31st May             PUPIL FREE DAY

 

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.  

 

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

 

 

 

 

 

 

P & F NEWS

St Brigid’s Parents and Friends Association

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 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

ST VINCENT DE PAUL WINTER APPEAL

Over the next five weeks, we are asking the children to bring in non-perishable food items that can be donated to the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal. In the past, St Brigid’s School Community has responded to this need very well indeed. Every class will have their own basket where donations can be placed. Thank you for your support.

 

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CAN YOU PLEASE HELP?

Dear Parents/Carers,

We have a student in the Stratton area requiring a lift to school in the morning.  If you can help please contact the school office.

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Mercedes College is proud to present its 2019 Production of Wicked. Featuring a cast of over 70, this musical is coming to the Regal Theatre in Subiaco for 4 performances only, from Friday 2 August. Tickets are available at http://www.ticketek.com.au. If you would like to know about Mercedes College, follow us on Facebook.