Newsletter
St Brigid's Primary School
PRAYER
Term Two Week Ten- June 30th 2022
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The book of 1 Corinthians
Wishes. You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.
Henry Drummond
Where there is great love, there are always wishes.
Willa Cather
Principal - Paula MacKenzie
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
It was wonderful to see our Year Six students take to the field and participate in the Catholic Primary Schools winter carnival on last Thursday. While the day was grey and raining our students participated so well in the soccer and netball games. We had two teams for each sport and the children played well throughout the day. A big thank you to Mr Harris, Miss Peters, Miss Anderton and Miss Sauzier attended the day and helped our teams to perform at their best. It was a joy to see all the children having fun and laughing despite the weather. Our teams performed well with a number of wins and happy memories.
We have been blessed to have Miss Chloe Sauzier with us for the past few weeks, she has been invaluable in the sporting area working with our students. She has worked brilliantly with Mr Harris endeavouring to make physical education exciting for our students.
Life Link Artwork
Life Link Day provides a wonderful opportunity for students attending Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Perth to join together to show their support for the many Churches social service agencies – agencies which on behalf of us all, reach out to provide practical care and direct assistance to thousands of people in need each year.
For Life Link Day 2022, Archbishop Timothy and Bishop Don have invited Archdiocesan primary schools to participate in a special project, one which encourages students to learn more about the wonderful work of our Life Link agencies and engages their creative talents.
St Brigid’s chose to be creative in artwork and invited our Indigenous students to create artwork that displayed the many different agencies supported by Life Link. Mrs Mel Saylor our new Aboriginal Liaison officer worked with the children to produce these amazing artwork pieces that show Faith in Action. It is through the work we do that Christ can be seen. This artwork shows Aboriginal faith and Catholic faith working side by side to help others in need.
As a school, children were also asked to dress up and display anything beginning with “L” to light the way. We managed to raise $446.70 which is an awesome amount, well done everyone.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Troy Kingma who has been selected to represent Western Australia in the 2022 Aquathlon Championships being held in Hervey Bay Queensland in September. State representation is an honour and is a great achievement and shows the great work that has been achieved by Troy to reach this standard.
Winter Appeal
Thank you to all our wonderful parents and families who have generously given to the winter appeal. Every year St Vincent De Paul asks for assistance in winter. There are many homeless and struggling families who are cold and hungry in winter and what ever we can give will go to good homes and help so many. It was very short notice, but we wanted to help those less fortunate than ourselves. So once again thank you to all who gave. St Vincent De Paul will gather up all that has been donated on Friday afternoon. So, it is never too late to give the boxes will be in the hall until after school on Friday.
Reports
Reports were sent out last Friday on SEQTA so by now all parents have read the reports. Remember to sit down with your child and go through the report together. It is a great way to work through a child’s strength and areas for improvement. If you take the time to read the report together it helps the child to see what they are doing well at and what they need to work on.
Swimming Lessons
Just a reminder that swimming lessons begin for our Year 3 – 6 next term in week one. It is a good time to remember to check bathers and towels ready for the beginning of the term. Children in years 3 – 6 may wear their sports uniform for the two weeks while swimming lessons are on.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia literally means having trouble with reading, but the word is often used for other problems such as spelling difficulties or trouble with maths. It is a specific learning disability which affects between 5% and 10% of the population. There is some research which suggests that it could be hereditary, but this has not yet been confirmed. People who are dyslexic are often very intelligent but have difficulty with reading and spelling. One child described his difficulty with reading as, “When I opened the book, the letters and words were jumping about all over the page.” Other children frequently reverse letters and even letters within words. The most common example is was/saw and b/d or p/q. Children who have dyslexia do not realise that they have confused the letters because their brain does not process the sight and sound messages in the same way as other people’s brains might. Letters and sounds can be misheard and misrepresented. The same word may even be written in different ways within the same piece of writing, eg. should, shulod, sould.
There is no cure for dyslexia and diagnosis must be made by a specialist educational psychologist, either with or without an evaluation by a speech pathologist. There are a series of tests conducted on thinking skills, memory, vocabulary, literacy skills, intellectual ability, information processing and psycholinguistic processing.
There are some common behaviours which may indicate that your child has dyslexia, however there are other factors which may be affecting their learning. This list is not complete but if you think your child shows any of the following signs you should talk with his or her teacher and the family doctor.
- Missing out words when reading or adding words which are not there.
- Swapping letters around or reversing when they are reading or spelling.
- Losing their place when reading or commenting that the words are jumping around the page.
- Difficulty copying information from the board.
- Not understanding or remembering verbal instructions.
- Unable to read, write or spell at the appropriate year level despite being bright, intelligent and articulate.
May you have a wonderful and peaceful and safe holiday and return to school energised and ready for another wonderful term.
Paula MacKenzie
Principal
Assistant Principal - Alan Morrison
READING AT HOME - During the holidays
Make books special
Turn reading into something special. Take your kids to the library, help them get their own library card, read with them, and buy them books as gifts. Have a favourite place for books in your home or, even better, put books everywhere.
Get them to read another one
Find ways to encourage your child to pick up another book. Introduce him or her to a series like The Boxcar Children or Harry Potter or to a second book by a favourite author, or ask the librarian for additional suggestions.
Crack open the dictionary
Let your child see you use a dictionary. Say, "Hmm, I'm not sure what that word means... I think I'll look it up."
Talk about what you see and do
Talk about everyday activities to build your child's background knowledge, which is crucial to listening and reading comprehension. Keep up a running patter, for example, while cooking together, visiting somewhere new, or after watching a TV show.
First drafts are rough
Encourage your child when writing. Remind him or her that writing involves several steps. No one does it perfectly the first time.
Different strokes for different folks
Read different types of books to expose your child to different types of writing. Some kids, especially boys, prefer nonfiction books.
Teach your child some "mind tricks"
Show your child how to summarize a story in a few sentences or how to make predictions about what might happen next. Both strategies help a child comprehend and remember.
"Are we there yet?"
Use the time spent in the car or bus for wordplay. Talk about how jam means something you put on toast as well as cars stuck in traffic. How many other homonyms can your child think of? When kids are highly familiar with the meaning of a word, they have less difficulty reading it.
SWIMMING LESSONS (Yr 3 – Yr 6)
I remind all Year 3 to Year 6 parents that swimming lessons will be taking place over the first two weeks of Term 3 commencing Wednesday 20 July 2022. Swimming enrolment forms have been sent today and are to be returned to the classroom teacher by Monday 27 June. During swimming lesson weeks, students are to wear their sport uniform to school with their bather’s underneath. Students are required to bring their thongs to wear to and from the pool – students will not be allowed to wear their thongs for the entire day.
· Online Interm Swimming Enrolment Form: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/interm-swimming?redirect=%2Fswimming-lessons
Assistant Principal - Tony Corbett
Creating a Business Register
Dear Parents
We are in the process of creating a business register for the school community families to advertise their business in our newsletter and website.
We believe it can help build solid community bonds and help out a few small business owners. It can potentially be a source of information for families looking for certain services as well.
If you are interested in promoting your business? Please provide me with all contact details.
Year 3 Celebrated Liturgy
On Tuesday 21st of June the Year 3’s celebrated Liturgy with the theme of Community being it’s focus. The students spoke well and sung with enthusiasm. Many thanks to Father Benny and Ms Davies, Mrs Paull and Mrs Shirren for organising this special event. Also thank you to the parents for their attendance, it means so much to the children to see their proud parents smiles.
Perth Homeless Support Group Kids Busy Bee.
All students invited to a Busy Bee..
Thursday 7th July 11:00am to 12:00am
Unit 2/28 Munt Street Bayswater.
Jobs include making care packages and lolly bags for the homeless, that will be given out the following Sunday.
With gratitude
The Feast of Saint Benedict
On Monday the 11th of July the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Benedict.
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=26
St. Benedict is believed to have been born around 480, as the son to a Roman noble of Norcia and the twin to his sister, Scholastica.
In the fifth century, the young Benedict was sent to Rome to finish his education with a nurse/housekeeper. The subject that dominated a young man's study then was rhetoric -- the art of persuasive speaking. A successful speaker was not one who had the best argument or conveyed the truth, but one who used rhythm, eloquence, and technique to convince. The power of the voice without foundation in the heart was the goal of the student's education. And that philosophy was reflected in the lives of the students as well. They had everything -- education, wealth, youth -- and they spent all of it in the pursuit of pleasure, not truth. Benedict watched in horror as vice unravelled the lives and ethics of his companions.
Afraid for his soul, Benedict fled Rome, gave up his inheritance and lived in a small village with his nurse. When God called him beyond this quiet life to an even deeper solitude, he went to the mountains of Subiaco. Although becoming a hermit was not his purpose in leaving, there he lived as a hermit under the direction of another hermit, Romanus.
After years of prayer, word of his holiness brought nearby monks to ask for his leadership. He warned them he would be too strict for them, but they insisted -- then tried to poison him when his warning proved true. The story goes, the monks attempted to poison Benedict's drink, but when he prayed a blessing over the cup - it shattered.
So Benedict was on his own again -- but not for long. The next set of followers were more sincere and he set up twelve monasteries in Subiaco where monks lived in separate communities of twelve.
After almost 1,500 years of monastic tradition his direction seems obvious to us. However, Benedict was an innovator. No one had ever set up communities like his before or directed them with a rule. What is part of history to us now was a bold, risky step into the future.
Benedict had the holiness and the ability to take this step. His beliefs and instructions on religious life were collected in what is now known as the Rule of Saint Benedict -- still directing religious life after 15 centuries.
Exert from www.catholic.org
HOW TO BE A GOOD FATHER: TIPS & ADVICE FOR DADS
The role of a father is always changing in our modern world. Read our advice and tips for being an engaged, supportive and loving dad.
What does it mean to be a dad? The art of fatherhood is evolving as society and the traditional family changes. With these positive parenting tips, dads can help their children build confidence and self-esteem, and in turn, learn how to be an engaged, supportive, and loving father to their children.
Todays families are increasingly more diverse, including single parent families, blended families, same gender parents, unmarried parents, and multi-generational families. Over the past three decades, societal changes including the rise in numbers of women working outside the home, escalating divorce rates, remarriages, and blended families are causing shifts in both maternal and paternal roles.
Ask a dad today and he will probably tell you that his father-daughter or father-son relationships differ widely from those he experienced with his own father. Changes in parenting styles have given men more options for responding to obligations as fathers, husbands or partners. Todays dad is less likely to automatically rely on his own childhood experiences for fatherhood guidance. With the constantly changing roles of dads, what worked well for his father 30 years ago, may not work at all with the complex and varied challenges modern fathers face.
Current research reveals that warm accepting fathers tend to have children with higher self-esteem. An affectionate and nurturing father-child relationship furthers the development of childrens achievement, peer popularity and personal adjustment. Loving fathers, who provide reasonable, firm guidance, without arbitrarily imposing their will, help to promote competence in children.
PARENTING TIPS FOR DADS: BEING AN ENGAGED, SUPPORTIVE & LOVING FATHER
- Spend time with your child. How a father spends his time reveals to his child what is important to him. Kids grow up quickly and the time to bond is now. There are plenty of fun ways to spend family time with children.
- Discipline with love and positive parenting. All children need positive guidance and discipline, not as punishment, but to set reasonable limits. Dads should remind children of the consequences of their actions and positively acknowledge desirable behaviour. Fathers who discipline in a calm and fair manner show love for their children.
- Be your childs role model. Whether they realize it or not, fathers are role models to their kids. A girl who spends time with a loving father grows up knowing she deserves to be treated with respect by boys and she learns what to look for in a partner. Fathers teach boys and girls what is important in life by demonstrating honesty, humility and responsibility.
- Earn the right to be heard. Fathers should begin conversations with their children about important topics when they are very young so that difficult subjects will be easier to handle as they get older. Take time for listening to your childs ideas and problems.
- Be your childs teacher. To be a good father, teach your children about right and wrong and encourage them to do their best. See that your children make good choices. Involved fathers use everyday examples to help children learn the basic lessons of life.
- Eat together as a family. An important part of healthy family life is bonding through family meals. It gives kids the chance to talk about what they are doing and want to do. It is also a good time for fathers to listen and be involved. It provides a structure for families to be together each day.
- Read to your child. In a modern world dominated by television and internet, it is important that fathers make the effort to read to their children in order to grow lifelong readers. Begin reading when they are very young and as they get older, encourage them to read on their own. Instilling a love of reading is one of the best ways to ensure children will have a lifetime of literacy and personal and career growth.
- Respect the other parent of your child. Parents who respect each other and demonstrate mutual respect to their children, provide a secure environment for them. When children see parents respecting each other, they are more likely to feel that they are also accepted and respected within the father-child relationship.
- Seek involvement early. Show interest early by understanding a fathers role during pregnancy or the adoption or surrogacy process and gently touch, play, hold and talk to your infant child. When fathers are involved, they send the clear and emphatic message: "I want to be your father. I am interested in you and we have a relationship that is important to me."
Few events change a mans life as much as becoming a father. Being entrusted with the responsibility and care of another person is a monumental task but none is more rewarding than becoming a father and seeing your child grow gradually into adulthood, with your affection returned in good measure and your childs self-worth confirmed. Hopefully, these parenting tips can provide some guidance to dads trying to learn how to become engaged, supportive, and loving fathers.
Information from www.brighthorizons.com
TERM DATES FOR 2022
TERM ONE
Monday 31st January – Friday 8th April
Pupil Free Days - 8th March & 8th April
TERM TWO
Tuesday 26th April – Friday 1 July
Pupil Free Days – 5th & 6th May
TERM THREE
Monday the 18th July – Friday 23 September
Pupil Free Days - 12th August
TERM FOUR
Monday 10th October – Friday 9th December
Pupil Free Days - 10th October
SCHOOL CANTEEN
QUICKCLIQ ORDERS
If you have placed an on line order through QuickCliq and your child is unwell or the canteen is closed, you MUST cancel your order before the cut off time of 9.00am by going on line and following these instructions:
Log into your QuickCliq account -> click Active/Cancel order -> Scroll to the right -> click Cancel against the order.
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays are the busiest days for the canteen. If you can't help for the entire day, that's not a problem, we would be grateful if you could help between the hours of 11.15am to 12.30pm. As a "thank you" for your help, the canteen will provide you with lunch, a cold drink and bottomless cups of tea/coffee. Please call into the canteen and have a chat with Kylie (our canteen manager) to let her know when you are available.
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.
ONLINE UNIFORM ORDER FORM
If you need to place an order please click the below link, complete the form and either sent it to uniform@stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au or alternatively you can send the form in with your student to be handed into the office.
https://stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Uniform-Order-form-2022.pdf
Please note: Children in years 3 to six should be wearing their school ties as this is part of our winter uniform. As part of this uniform all students should wear clean and polished black leather lace-up shoes. For more information, please see our Uniform Guidelines at https://stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Uniform-Guideline-Booklet-2022.pdf
St Brigid’s Running Club 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Due to the interest shown in previous years, we will once again be offering the St Brigid’s Running Club Program’ again in 2022. The program will begin on Tuesday of Week 4 (17th May), and will not only prepare students for the Inter House Cross Country Carnival, but also promote an active lifestyle and encourage participation.
The essential details are listed below;
When: Every Tuesday 3:15pm – 3:45pm
Where: St Brigid’s Primary School, Middle Swan (Meet in the undercover area at the main school oval)
Cost: Free
Year Groups: Pre Primary – Year 6
Equipment:
Students will need to bring running attire and running shoes/joggers, and get changed into their attire at the conclusion of the school day, before ‘Running Club’ commences. Students who wear sports uniform on a Tuesday, may participate in their sports uniform.
Parental Support:
This initiative is one which will be a success if we have the full support of the parents who have their children involved. It is expected that each student’s behaviour is of the highest standard and students must maintain this standard of behaviour throughout the program or they will not be able to continue participating in the program.
This will include ensuring that students are to be picked up no later than 3:50pm at the conclusion of ‘Running Club’ and that participating students stay off the play equipment/stay out of the sand pit areas.
I thank you very much in advance for your support, and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself via email, samuelharris1@cewa.edu.au or in person at school.
I hope that we can continue this enjoyable and productive program for the students of our school.
Kind regards
Mr Samuel Harris
Physical Education Teacher
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
School Holiday Athletics Clinic for boys and girls aged 8 to 16 years. Tues 5th & Wed 6th July 2022 . WA Athletics Stadium. 9am-3pm. $95 per day. Or $170 for both days. Includes a T-Shirt or Shoe Bag or Cap and also a certificate. CHOOSE ANY 4 EVENTS PER DAY! More Info: http://sprintingfast.com/
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