Newsletter
St Brigid's Primary School
PRAYER
Lord, Teach me a new freedom.
Freedom to reject comparison and to embrace uniqueness.
Freedom to cut ties with greed and feast on love.
Freedom to abstain from over indulgence And feast on self-control.
Freedom to leave behind selfish thoughts and to focus on the needs of others.
Freedom to fend off insecurity and to embrace grace.
Lord, at this time of Lent, Thank you for the freedom you bring. Amen.
Term One Week Four - 24th February
Principal - Paula MacKenzie
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
as we watch the news and look at what the media is telling us I know that many families are concerned about Covid and how it may impact our lives. Over the coming months and as our borders open, we will hear more about the spread of Covid. As a school we take Covid seriously and we will keep parents informed of cases. At no time do we disclose names of those affected by the virus, the dignity of each person is sacred. We have steps in place to ensure we deal with each case, and we will keep parents informed. School will remain open for your children to learn. We request if your child is sick, please keep them home so they may get better. When a child is unwell, they struggle to learn they need to be home and have time to recover. If you are concerned please seek advice from you doctor.
Find Out What Your Child Already Knows
Ask questions geared to your child's age level. For younger children, you could say, "Do you have questions about the new virus that's going around?" This gives you a chance to learn how much kids know — and to find out if they're hearing the wrong information.
Follow your child's lead. Some kids may want to spend time talking. But if your kids don't seem interested or don't ask a lot of questions, that's OK.
Offer Comfort — and Honesty
Focus on helping your child feel safe but be truthful. Don't offer more detail than your child is interested in. If the topic doesn't come up, there's no need to raise it.
If your child asks about something and you don't know the answer, say so.
Use the question as a chance to find out together. Check the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for up-to-date, reliable information about coronavirus (COVID-19). That way, you have the facts and kids don't see headlines about deaths and other scary information.
Speak calmly and reassuringly. Kids pick up on it when parents worry. So, when you talk about COVID-19 and the news, use a calm voice and try not to seem upset.
Give kids space to share their fears. It's natural for kids to worry, "Could I be next? Could that happen to me?" Let your child know that kids don't seem to get as sick as adults. Let them know they can always come to you for answers or to talk about what scares them.
Know when they need guidance. Be aware of how your kids get news and information, especially older kids who go online. Point them to age-appropriate content so they don't end up finding news shows or outlets that scare them or have incorrect information.
Help Kids Feel in Control
Give your child specific things to do to feel in control. Teach kids that getting lots of sleep and washing their hands well and often can help them stay strong and well. Explain that regular hand washing also helps stop viruses from spreading to others. Be a good role model and let your kids see you washing your hands often!
Talk about all the things that are happening to keep people safe and healthy. Young kids might be reassured to know that hospitals and doctors are prepared to treat people who get sick. Can wear a mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These talks also help kids manage changes to their normal routine.
Put news stories in context. If they ask, explain that serious illness and death in kids from the virus is still rare, despite what they might hear. Watch the news with your kids so you can filter what they hear.
Kids and teens often worry more about family and friends than themselves. For example, if kids hear that older people are more likely to be seriously ill, they might worry about their grandparents. Letting them visit, call, or video chat with older relatives can help them feel reassured about loved ones.
Let your kids know that it's normal to feel stressed out at times. Everyone does. Recognising these feelings and knowing that stressful times pass, and life gets back to normal can help children build resilience.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Infection can cause a range of symptoms. Most common are fever, cough, trouble breathing, and gastrointestinal problems like bellyache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other complaints include headaches, muscle aches, loss of taste and smell, and cold symptoms. The virus can be more serious in some people. And some people have no symptoms at all.
What Should I Do if My Child Has Symptoms?
Call your doctor if your child has a fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, or just doesn't feel well. If your child has been near someone with coronavirus or been in an area where lots of people have it, tell the doctor. Talk about whether your child needs a test for coronavirus. The doctor can decide whether your child:
- can be treated at home
- should come in for a visit
Keep the Conversation Going
Keep checking in with your child. Use talking about COVID-19 as a way to help kids learn about their bodies, like how the immune system fights disease.
Talk about current events with your kids often. It's important to help them think through stories they hear about. Ask questions: What do you think about these events? How do you think these things happen? Such questions also encourage conversation about non-news topics.
MASK WEARING IN SCHOOLS
As you are aware, under current WA Government requirements, students in primary schools are not required to wear masks while at school in areas where mask mandates currently apply. The Minister for Education, however, has stated that as case numbers increase there will be a requirement for students from Year 3 onwards to wear masks at school.
The change in the definition of close contacts in school settings has reinforced the importance of mask-wearing. Primary students are being significantly impacted by positive COVID-19 cases as entire classes are being identified as close contacts, under the following definitions:
- Face-to-face contact for 15 minutes or longer with an infectious person where a mask was not worn;
- Interaction for more than two hours in a classroom environment where masks have not been worn or have been removed.
Close contacts are required to isolate for seven days, and this has huge implications for the entire family.
I would encourage parents of children in Years 3 and above to discuss with them the possible wearing of masks at school and the potential for this to become compulsory in the days ahead. We are aware that some of our children are already choosing to wear a mask at school.
As part of an education program to support your child in transitioning to a possible mask mandate, we will be implementing ‘try a mask’ sessions to allow students in Years 3 and above to become familiar with the correct wearing of masks.
If you are purchasing masks for your child, especially for younger children, please ensure that they are child sized and fit appropriate. I thank you for your continued support.
Kind Regards
Paula MacKenzie
Children Unwell
We are seeing an increase in children coming to school feeling unwell or becoming unwell when at school. Please ensure if your child is not feeling well to keep them home so that we can stop the spread of bugs being transmitted to others.
Our staff will notify you as soon as they come to the office. When notified could you please collect as soon as possible as it can be difficult for children with upset stomachs. I appreciate it is not always easy to keep children home when you are working, but we are seeing an increase of gastro within the school, and it spreads very quickly. I thank you for your assistance in this matter.
God Bless
Paula MacKenzie
Principal
THE SEASON OF LENT
Lent is fast approaching; it is hard to believe that we will be celebrating Ash Wednesday on the 4th March. At this time, we begin to reflect on Lent and what it means to us. I though it might be helpful to stop and reflect on the season that is approaching and share some ways we can embrace the season of Lent with our families.
What is Lent All About?
Easter is when we celebrate the rising of Jesus after his death on the cross. It is a great day: because of Easter, we don't have to be afraid, and we never have to be apart from God. But at one time, we were apart from God. We can learn about that time and about why Jesus died on the cross during a season called Lent. Lent is the forty-day period leading up to Easter.
Why did Jesus have to die?
God cares that we show love for him and for all his children. When we do things that are hurtful to others or that hurt our relationship with God, we become separated from God. And when we can't be near God, our hearts are not at peace. Our hearts are not at rest. The Bible says, 'Everyone has done wrong and is far away from God' (Rom 3.23). As if that weren't bad enough, without God's help, there is no way to get back to him. Without God's help, we are lost.
But on the first Easter Sunday, God said, "Even though people have done wrong and are far from me, Jesus has let himself be punished for the wrongs of the people. Jesus took the world's trouble on himself: he died and was separated from me. My own child felt my anger instead of you. But now I am not angry anymore, and everything is forgiven. And though Jesus was dead, I have made him alive again, and we'll be together forever."
"Now," God says, "when you do something wrong and you feel like you are far from me, run to Jesus (this kind of running is not with your feet, but with your imagination). Jesus is the way back to me! Jesus has made my anger go away for ever. Run to Jesus and when you are near Him, you will be near to me also. I do love him, and I love you so very much. In fact, I love you so much that Jesus is my gift to you forever, so that whenever you are near Jesus, I will remember what he did to make my anger go away, and I will forgive you. This is how we can be close forever."
What is Lent good for? ...
God has given us a great and comforting gift. ... But it's easy to forget what God has done for us. We forget that it was because of our wrong that Jesus was punished. We can add to our wrongs when we try to make ourselves happy by eating lots of candy or junk food, by buying lots of toys or watching too much TV. We fill up with all sorts of things, always hoping that they will make us happy. We may be happy in the moment, but that kind of happiness doesn't last very long. We just end up wanting more. We are never satisfied by these things.
During Lent, many Christians try to stop filling up with all these other things. Instead, we try to make room for God again. When we do this, we feel nearer to God.
Some ways to remember what God did
Decide with your family what you can do to make room for God. Giving up some of our comforts also helps us understand how much Jesus gave up for us. Try to give up something each week. You could have a dessert-free day, or a dessert-free week! How about going TV-free? If you give up desert, or video games, or anything that costs money, think about taking the money your family saves, and using it to help someone who has less than you, perhaps you could place that money in Project Compassion boxes. Can you think of other things you can give up? Can you think of ways to help those who are often hungry, or who are less comfortable?
Now, fill up with something good. Spend some time learning about the days before Jesus died: read the stories about Jesus' last week in your Bible. Imagine what it would have been like to be with him at that time. Do the people who were with Jesus help him? Do they understand what is happening? Right before Jesus was arrested, he was very sad and needed to pray, but the friends he brought with him fell asleep. Would you have been able to stay awake?
"The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me." (Matthew 26.38)
Hope
But as you remember the reasons Jesus died don't forget the most important thing ... Easter! Remember that Jesus was not beaten by death. Jesus has won a great victory! He is the only one that could. He is the only one strong enough to overpower death. That's why God chose him to save us.
Remember, because of what Jesus did, we don't have to be afraid, and we never have to be apart from God. Because of Easter, we have hope, and our hearts can be at rest in the presence of God!
Some Places to Read
You may want to read in your favourite Bible about the days leading up to Easter. Look up these passages:
Matthew26
John18
John 19. 1-30
I hope this explanation is of some help and I have tried to keep it child friendly, but you may like to chat with your child and help them find a clearer picture about this season. It is by talking together that we discover our understanding. This is a wonderful time to sit as a family and reconnect with God.
TERM DATES FOR 2022
TERM ONE
Monday 31 January – Friday 8 April
Pupil Free Days - 8th March & 8th April
TERM TWO
Tuesday 26 April – Friday 1 July
Pupil Free Days – 5th & 6th May
TERM THREE
Tuesday 19 July – Friday 23 September
Pupil Free Days - 18th July & 12th August
TERM FOUR
Monday 10 October – Friday 9th December
Assistant Principal - Tony Corbett
What Is Ash Wednesday? Why Christians Celebrate It
Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. In 2022, Ash Wednesday falls on March 2. Ash Wednesday focuses the Christian’s heart on repentance and prayer, usually through personal and communal confession.
Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.
Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday
by Ellen Castelow
Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – was traditionally a time of fasting and on Shrove Tuesday, Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins). A bell would be rung to call people to confession. This came to be called the “Pancake Bell” and is still rung today.
Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between February 3 and March 9.
It was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients.
The pancake has a very long history and featured in cookery books as far back as 1439. The tradition of tossing or flipping them is almost as old: “And every man and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their Pancakes up for feare they burne.” (Pasquil’s Palin, 1619).
Taken from www.christianity.com
PROJECT COMPASSION 2022
Ash Wednesday – 2 March 2022
(Week beginning Monday 28th February)
This week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each class will receive a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au
First Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 7th March)
We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Anatercia, a 12-year-old girl living in a small village in southern Mozambique. She began to take on more and more adult responsibilities as her mother has chronic health issues. She did most of the household chores and had to travel up to five hours every day to collect clean water. Water scarcity also meant that harvests were poor and there was never enough to eat.
With your support, Caritas Australia’s local partner, Caritas Regional Chokwe, was able to help Anatercia’s family to irrigate their farm to improve their food security. They also improved water access for households in the village, delivered sustainable farming training, and provided Anatercia with essential school supplies.
Anatercia’s health, education and quality of life have improved, along with the outlook of her whole community for all future generations.
Watch a short film about Anatercia’s story here.
Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.auSt Brigid's Primary School has an Instagram Account
Please follow our brand new Instagram account: Stbrigidsms
To keep up with all happenings around the school.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - ALAN MORRISON
Parent Teacher Meetings
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions all Parent Teacher meetings will now occur via the telephone. These meetings will take place during Week 9 and Week 10. We will be using a new booking system called Parent Teacher Online (PTO). A link and instructions will be sent out via SEQTA during Week 7 to book a time for the classroom teacher to call you for your interview. Please be aware that the scheduled interview times will be 10 minutes only.
Interim Reports
Interim reports will be sent home Friday 18 March (Week 7). Our new report format has been created in SEQTA and will be able to be accessed the same way you access the current end of semester reports. Please make sure you can log into SEQTA Engage.
Uniform and Canteen Orders
Please be aware for the near future that all uniform shop orders must be done online and these orders will be delivered to your child (there is a uniform order form on the school website). All canteen orders, if possible, to be done online, although your child (no parents) can order their lunch at the canteen in the mornings.
Family Name Tags
We have sent home a name tag with the family name on it for all families (sent home with the eldest child) and we ask you to please place these name tags on the left sun visor of your car to assist us with getting your child to your vehicle quickly. If there is a split family condition
Building Resilience
Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back from adversity. It is a necessary skill for coping with the ups and downs of life and one of the key ingredients of success. A number of things impact on a person’s resilience, including their previous experiences, their sense of self, the coping strategies they have developed over time and their mindset.
Children experience a tremendous amount of physical and mental growth on a daily basis. Between school, co-curricular activities, work and their social life, teens face lots of new experiences and challenges. Being resilient gives them the ability to tackle these head-on, bounce back from any setbacks and have the best chance at succeeding. It allows them to learn and grow in all situations – two skills that are crucial to wellbeing and development. Resilience will also help them to approach new situations, people or experiences with confidence and a positive mindset, which will make them more likely to succeed.
Children need to be taught that failure can be a precursor to success and is a necessary component of learning. The only way to succeed with tasks, assignments and exams, in physical activities such as sport, and in life in general is through perseverance and persistence, and by embracing and learning from failure. This is a growth mindset and a key aspect of developing resilience.
Resilience is directly related to wellbeing; it is about having the ability to cope with and adapt to new situations. Being resilient and positive, with a sense of wellbeing, enables a person to approach other people and situations with confidence and optimism. This mindset is especially important for children given the enormous changes and challenges they face throughout adolescence.
By helping children to develop the skills to build resilience and a growth mindset, we can minimise the effects of negative, stressful situations. These skills allow children to face challenges, learn from them, and develop ways to live a happy and healthy life.
Here are some ways you can build your child’s resilience:
· Support your child but do not solve every minor problem or disappointment. For example, if your child doesn’t get invited to a birthday party or didn’t get what they want for their birthday, you could talk about how they feel instead of trying to fix the problem.
· Avoid predicting and preventing problems for your child. This might mean letting your child hand in homework that’s wrong or not replacing a broken toy. Overcoming small challenges builds your child’s resilience for bigger setbacks.
· Help your child to identify and manage strong emotions. For example, your child might be worried about a family member who’s sick. You could say, ‘I can see you’re really worried about Grandpa. It’s OK to be worried. But remember we’re doing everything we can to help him get better’.
· Encourage your child to have another go when things don’t work out the first time they try something. Praise your child for trying, no matter the result. You could say ‘I’m proud of you for finishing the race’ or ‘Well done for giving it another go’.
· Build your child’s self-compassion. Self-compassion helps your child deal with disappointment, failures or mistakes by being kind to themselves. In turn, this helps them to move on from difficult experiences.
· Make it a habit to recognise and acknowledge when things are going well. For example, during family meals you could each share one positive thing from your day.
· Help your child to develop problem-solving skills in an age-appropriate way. For example, if a child at school says or does something unkind to your child, brainstorm how your child might respond next time.
· Find a positive role model who has experienced similar challenges to your child. For example, your child might find support in an older friend whose parents have separated or who has lost a family member.
Children develop resilience over time, so try to be patient and supportive while your child works out how to respond to challenges. You might want to make everything all right for your child, but sometimes your child has to go through uncomfortable feelings so they can work things out for themselves.
School Uniforms
School Uniforms:
All children in Pre-Primary to Six are required to wear the school uniform as specified below. A note of explanation is required if the correct uniform is not being worn. All items of clothing are to be clearly marked with the student’s full name. At the beginning of the school term students will be advised by their classroom teacher two specified days when year groups have Physical Education and Sports classes. On PE day students are to wear their faction polo and on Sports day students are to wear the blue and white polo. When cold, students may elect to wear the school track suit.
Hair, Grooming and Jewellery:
Hair must be clean, neat and tidy. Students must have their hair styled or restrained so that it does not fall onto the face. Make-up or nail polish is not acceptable at school. These will be removed if worn to school.
Hair for girls should be:
• Clean, neat and tidy.
• Coloured or dyed hair is not permitted.
• Extreme hairstyles are not permitted.
• Girls’ long hair (collar length and longer) should be tied back firmly away from the face.
• Fringe must be short and well above the brows or long enough to be tied back.
• Hair accessories must be plain, non-decorative and only in the following colours – royal blue, white, yellow or black.
• On faction carnival days students may wear ribbons that match the colour of their faction.
Hair for boys should be:
• Clean, neat and tidy
• Boys’ hair is to be short back & sides; hair must be well above the collar, not over the ears and the fringe must be short and well above the eye brows.
NO…..
• Long sweeping fringes
• Mohawks
• Spiky hair to extreme
• Rats Tails
• Coloured or dyed hair
• Number one haircuts
• Razor cuts
We would appreciate your help with ensuring that your child/ren always wear the correct school uniform.
SCHOOL CANTEEN
QUICKCLIQ ORDERS
Log into your QuickCliq account -> click Active/Cancel order -> Scroll to the right -> click Cancel against the order.
UNIFORM SHOP
Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Monday 8.00am till 10.00am
Wednesday 1.30pm till 3.30pm
Uniform Order Forms can be emailed to uniform@stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au
or contact Mrs Jo-Anne Vellis during open hours only on
6216 3865.
Before & After School Care
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.
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 now online https://www.helpinghandsnetwork.com.au/register/#.
Vacancies Available Now!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Primary School Newsletter Ad Enrolments 2022
Interviews for enrolments for Year 7 2025 students are being conducted this Semester for sisters of current and past Mercedes students. If you have not enrolled your daughter, please contact our Enrolments Officer, Nicole Kirk, on 9323 1340 or enrol online via the College website at www.mercedes.wa.edu.au as soon as possible.
Primary School Newsletter Ad Open Morning 2022
Mercedes College Open Day | Tuesday 15 March
Located in the heart of Perth’s beautiful heritage precinct, Mercedes College are proud to be opening its gates for prospective families. The tour provides an opportunity for parents to hear from the Senior Leadership Team and enjoy a tour of College grounds and facilities led by some of our Student Representative Leaders.
There are two sessions on offer: 8:30am-10.30am or 11am-1pm. Both sessions conclude with some light refreshments and the opportunity to speak with some of our Teachers. Please register via the College website. Limited places available; www.mercedes.wa.edu.au/open-morning/
A note from the School Health Nurse
Welcome to the new school year. My name is Jobina Jose and I am the School Health Nurse who visits your school.
School Health Nurses work in schools to promote healthy development and wellbeing so students may reach their full potential. A major part of my work is focused on early intervention and the School Entry Health Assessment program. Additionally, the nurse can be contacted at any time throughout primary school if you have concerns about your child’s health, development or wellbeing. The assessments that can be done are as following;
· Vision
· Hearing
· Dental
· Growth (including weight, height and Body Mass Index).
The services provided are free and confidential.
If you have a concern about your child’s health, development or wellbeing please contact me on 0404 826 816 or email- jobina.jose@health.wa.gov.au
St Brigid's Primary School
Service, Courage, Peace, Acceptance
Email: admin@stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au/
Location: 20 Toodyay Road, Middle Swan WA, Australia
Phone: 92501592
Facebook: facebook.com/stbrigidsms
Twitter: @stbrigidsms