Newsletter
St Brigid's Primary School
PRAYER
Lord of Light
Lord of light, come shine your truth upon my life in this season of Lent.
Light into the dark corners of disillusionment,
where I hide beneath the comforts of food and drink.
Light upon the fears and worries I seek to quell with control and routine.
Light within the shadowed areas of hurt that cast shades of resentment and unforgiveness in me. Light bright across my thoughts, seep into my heart and come awaken my hope.
May your eternal light reveal heavens beautiful promises and bring a peace that surpasses understanding.
Amen.
Term One Week Eight - March 22nd
Principal - Paula MacKenzie
Dear Parents and Guardians,
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.
Reconciliation Meeting
On Tuesday we had our first Sacramental Meeting for Reconciliation, the evening was facilitated most beautifully by our Parish and Father Benny. This year Mario led the evening and I know we all benefited from his faith and knowledge. These evenings are so important for our families, and I was delighted by the response by our parents. We are here to support parents with the faith journey of their children and the evening really highlighted the spirituality of our communityCovid Information
I thank all our parents for the way they have rallied during COVID times in our school. I am aware that many parents are confused by some of the rules, and I want to make this as easy as I can for you. This term we began well but we have seen a spike in positive covid cases as the term has progressed, this was to be expected. School have remained open throughout the term. I think some of the confusion has come from the different terms used and what they mean. When the term began, we had close contacts and the definition has changed as more cases have come into the community and the wearing of masks.
Children in years 3-6 are mandated to wear masks so therefore they are now deemed not to be close contacts if a positive case is seen in the classroom. They may continue to come to class and participate in all subjects as long as they are not showing signs or symptoms.
In Year Pre Kindy to Year Two they are not mandated to wear masks therefore if we have a positive case in the classroom all children in that class are deemed Asymptomatic close contacts. In this case the children may come to school as long as they are not showing signs or symptoms. However, once school is finished for the day the child must isolate at home for the seven days as per WA Health department protocols. They may not attend birthday parties or go to the shop or any sporting practices they must go home and remain there.
If a child has recently recovered from COVID 19 they are not considered a close contact for up to a period of eight weeks, and you will not need to isolate or be retested in this eight-week period.
Pupil Free Days & Public Holidays
On Friday 8th April there is a Pupil Free Day as staff are involved with a Professional Development Day on Mathematics so the last day for pupils in Term One is Thursday 7th April.
In Term Two Monday the 25th of April is ANZAC Day which is a Public Holiday so children will begin on Tuesday 26th April.
Parent Interviews
The teachers are presently compiling Interim reports to share with you this Friday 25th March.
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 of Term 1 (28 March – 7 April 2022). We will be using a new booking system called Parent Teacher Online (PTO) closes on Friday 25th March 4.00pm. The teachers will call you when your scheduled interview time is allocated.
To obtain your logon details you MUST select the PTO link on the school website and select https://bookings.parentteacheronline.com.au?school=wjnt4 ‘Obtain PIN’, add your email and a PIN (5 digit number) will be emailed to you. Further instructions will be available when logged in.
Please be aware that the scheduled interview times will be 10 minutes only.
If you encounter any issues logging in, please email steve.duncan@cewa.edu.au
Bedtime Routines
How much sleep is enough for your child? Research indicates that children 6 to 9 years old need 10 to 11 hours sleep a night; 10 to 12 year old’s need an average 9 to 10 hours sleep and adolescents need 8 to 9 hours sleep each night, however there may be times when they need more or less.
How do you know if your child is getting adequate sleep? Sleep deprivation can add up over time. An hour less per night adds up to a full night’s sleep by the end of the week.
Lack of sleep can mean your child:
- May experience difficulties at school because they are having trouble concentrating, focusing or completing tasks.
- May have a shorter fuse - more short tempered and less tolerant at home and at school, increasing their risk of experiencing behavioral problems.
Therefore, lack of sleep can contribute to your child experiencing more difficulty with managing their day and gathering the confidence and positive experiences they need to develop a sense of achievement and happiness.
Creating a bedtime routine can assist children develop healthy sleeping habits. Younger children need parents to set a bedtime routine:
- Make the bedroom a relaxing and secure environment.
- Ensure adequate warmth and comfort.
- Include a night light for children who dislike the dark.
- Allow children to read and relax in bed prior to sleep.
- Create a quiet time prior to bedtime for intimacy and sharing and the opportunity for the child to wind down. This can be a time to tell a story or read to your child.
- Decide on a bedtime, making sure you remind your child half an hour prior, so they are prepared when it is bedtime.
- Soft music or a favourite story tape can assist your child to settle and relax.
There is no set way to help your child become a good sleeper, but with the right supports, every child can become a good sleeper. The important thing is to be persistent and consistent with your bedtime routines.
May God bless each of you and keep you safe.
Paula MacKenzie
Principal
Roof Renovations
Last year we reviewed our rooves, and it was found that they are in need of repair. So, the School Advisory Council undertook to have them stripped and then undercoat and repaint each of the rooves in our school to ensure they continue to be the best they can be. The change of colour will also help the rooms remain cooler during our hot months of the year. Eric Hood PYT LTD is the company we use, and they have been just amazing in completing the work around the school while not disturbing our classes.
Outdoor Tables
As part of the School Advisory Council improvement plan, we have seen new outdoor tables and stools for our Pre-Primary and Kindergarten students. This will enable the children to sit comfortably to eat recess and lunch as well as to complete outdoor activities. This is part of our National Quality Standards and ensuring the best facilities for our students.
Assistant Principal - Tony Corbett
Prayer of Consecration for Ukraine.
We turn to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Word of God made flesh for us, and we entrust the people of Ukraine to you who once said to your disciples, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you”.
Hear the cry of your people; change the hearts of those who have unleashed such suffering on the innocent; strengthen the resolve of those who are working to bring the conflict to an end; be close to those who have been driven from their homes and from their homeland; heal the wounds of mind and heart inflicted on the children; comfort the frightened and the lost; strengthen the faith of those who are bereaved; give eternal rest and joy to those who have died.
In your agony on the cross you entrusted your mother to the beloved disciple, and entrusted him and all disciples to your mother’s care.
It was through Mary’s faith that you, the Word made flesh, came to dwell among us. That same faith strengthened Mary as she stood at the foot of the cross.
We pray that your suffering people in Ukraine may know and experience that Mary stands with them, too, in this time of their great distress. You have given Mary to us as the Mother of the Church and the Help of Christians.
With great confidence in the power of her prayer, in accordance with the tradition of your Church, and in communion with our bishop and all the Holy People of God, we consecrate and entrust the people of Ukraine to Mary and ask that our prayers might be joined with hers as we come before you now in hope and in trusting faith.
Hear our prayers, O Lord, and raise up champions of peace, of justice and of healing, so that the weapons of war may be silenced and the people of Ukraine may know the peace that only you can give.
Mary, Mother of the Church, Help of Christians, Mother of the Ukraine people, pray for us.
Pope to Russian Patriarch: 'Church uses language of Jesus, not of politics'
Duty to aid suffering people
Pope Francis was quoted saying that "as pastors we have the duty to
be close to and help all people who are suffering from the war.”
“There was a time, even in our Churches, when people spoke of a holy war or a just war. Today we cannot speak in this manner. A Christian awareness of the importance of peace has developed.”
Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill agreed that "the Churches are called to contribute to strengthening peace and justice."
Pope Francis concluded by lamenting the cost of war.
“Wars are always unjust, since it is the people of God who pay. Our hearts cannot but weep before the children and women killed, along with all the victims of war. War is never the way. The Spirit that unites us asks us as shepherds to help the peoples who suffer from war.”
Taken from www.vaticannews.va
St 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.
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
SCHOOL CANTEEN
Please Note: During the Season of Lent the school canteen will not be serving meat products on Fridays.
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.
Winter Uniforms Term 2 and Term 3
WINTER UNIFORM
When students return to school on Tuesday the 26th of April, we remind families that all students should be wearing the correct winter uniform. Before the end of term please take this opportunity to ensure that our girls are wearing skirts which are the appropriate length, and all uniforms are tidy and in good repair. 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
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://www.stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au/uniform-shop
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/
Greetings from iFLY Perth,
We will be hosting STEM Families again these school holidays!
iFLY Perth is an indoor skydiving facility located in Rivervale. Our education Programme is aligned to the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards and provides an excellent solution for fun and engaging STEM learning. We would love to invite the STEM Curriculum leaders and Heads of Science to experience iFLY for free during these school holidays, to give them a little taste of what we have to offer their students at a convenient time during these school holidays.
To find out more, and to make an inquiry for your free flight, please contact Kristina Hicks, our National STEM Coordinator at khicks@iflyworld.com We look forward to flying with you soon.
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