Newsletter Term 1 Week 3 (Wednesday 19th February 2025)

Front Page with Kindergarten

Welcome to St Brigid’s Kindergarten!

The Kindergarten children have had a terrific start to the school year. Since beginning school they have been busy building friendships and learning many new skills. 

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Our Gospel Reflection

Luke 6:17. 20-26

We cannot be authentic followers of Christ if we adore riches to the neglect of the poor.

Followers of Jesus, Pope Francis reflects, ‘do not find their joy in money, power, or other material goods; but in the gifts they receive every day from God: life, creation, brothers and sisters, and so on.’

In fact, he adds, true disciples of Jesus are ‘content to share even the goods they possess, because they live according to the logic of God.’

The Beatitudes, the Pope explains, ‘may sound strange, almost incomprehensible to those who are not disciples.’ But as challenging as they are, they ultimately ‘define the identity of the disciple of Jesus.’ For Christians, they are non-negotiable.

What the Beatitudes do, the Pope suggests, is remind us that ‘disciples allow themselves to be challenged, aware that it is not God who must enter into our mindset, but we into his.’

‘Disciples,’ the Pope reminds us, ‘in the end, are those who let themselves be led by Jesus, who open their heart to Jesus, who listen to him and follow his path.’

Such a path involves openness to the joys of the present, wherever we may find them. It also involves a readiness and willingness to become Christ’s blessing to others.

From Our Acting Principal

Today at our Opening School Liturgy in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, we joined together as a Catholic community in prayer to both mark the commencement of another school year and to commission our new Year 6 Leaders and Student Representative Council.  Many thanks to all those families who were able to join us on this special day. Thanks also to Mrs Hyde for her work in preparing such a beautiful Liturgy.

We wish all of our 2025 Leaders all the very best as they fulfil the role and responsibilities bestowed upon them by their peers. Our Year 6 students have already demonstrated themselves to be fine leaders in the way they have commenced the new school year, the effort they are putting into their classwork and the amazing way they are setting an example to the rest of the school community.

Congratulations to our new leaders:

Like your parents, we are very proud that you are leaders in our school and that you are here to support all students here at St Brigid's. We also welcomed our newest students in Kindergarten and another student in Year 1 who have joined the St Brigid's Primary School community this year.

Meet & Greet and Safe on Social Presentation

This year, we have amalgamated the Meet & Greet with the Safe on Social presentation which is being held on Thursday afternoon. I can’t stress enough how important it is to come along to the presentation to learn how to keep your child safe on the internet and social media. The classrooms will be open from 5.15pm for students to share with their parents/carers their new classroom for 2025 and meet their teacher. The students will move down to the hall at 5.50pm to watch a movie with pizza while parents listen to the presentation by our guest speaker, Kirra Pendergast.

There is no cost to the evening and all families present, will go into the draw to win a $200 discount off the 2025 school fees. I just ask that you book in through the office or the Compass event shared with families.

If your child has access to a device at home - you need to hear this!

Pupil Free Days

An early save the date to all families is the 24th of March as it is a Pupil Free Day for our school community. All of our staff will be working with the recently retired Executive Director of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney, Dr Dan White OAM. We are very much looking forward to working with Dr Dan and learning how his work can support the learning of our students.

The last day of Term 1, Friday 11th April will also be a Pupil Free Day. The school will be hosting the Kyogle Garden Club's Flower and Foliage Spectacular event on Friday and Saturday.

All Are Invited to Our Friday Awards Assemblies

A timely reminder that each Friday we hold our Weekly Awards and MJR Radio Assembly at 2:50pm in the Undercover Area. All parents and friends are kindly invited to this very informal presentation before we end our school week. Please note that on weeks when we have a Showcase Presentation, the assembly will be held in the Parish Hall instead.

Enjoy the week ahead!

Vanessa Walters,
Acting Principal.

Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Welcome to Week 3 of the 2025 school year at St Brigid’s Kyogle! It has been wonderful to see our students settling into their routines and embracing the opportunities for learning and growth. The energy and enthusiasm in our classrooms are a testament to the strong start we’ve had, and we are excited to build on this momentum as we move forward.

What’s been happening over the past week:

• Classroom Routines - teachers and students are refining classroom routines and expectations, ensuring a smooth and productive learning environment for everyone.
• Mathematics - teachers are analysing the Mathematics Assessment Interviews (MAI) to plan targeted lessons that support individual student needs.
• English - MultiLit programs are in full swing, with a strong focus on building foundational literacy skills and supporting students with tailored interventions.

How you can support your child:

• Encourage Conversations - ask your child about what they’re learning and what they’ve enjoyed most at school this week.
• Support Independence - encourage your child to take responsibility for organising their belongings and/ or fulfilling their responsibilities both at home and at school.
• Stay Involved - take time to read any notes or updates sent home and discuss upcoming events with your child.

We are so proud of how well our students have started the year and look forward to continuing this positive journey together. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need support as we settle into Term 1.

Samantha Lynch,
Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching

Assistant Principal - Mission

Opening School Liturgy 

Thank you to all the families who attended our Opening School Liturgy. It was a wonderful morning of sharing faith, coming together as a community, and celebrating our 2025 student leaders. Your presence and support help to strengthen the partnership between home, school, and parish as we begin another exciting year. We look forward to walking this journey with you throughout 2025.

Parish School Mass 

We look forward to celebrating Mass with families this Sunday the 23rd of February at 9am. Children who attend will be invited to participate in the Children’s liturgy. There will be a morning tea after Mass. 

Key Mission Dates for your calendar.

These dates are important for staying connected with upcoming events and ensuring everyone is prepared. Please take note of these dates, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further details.

Courtney Hyde,
Assistant Principal - Mission

Wellbeing Team

FREE Webinars on Offer this month and Next Month 

One way in which we can support our students to reach their fullness of life and thrive is by accessing information and learning ourselves.  The webinars offered by the Council of Catholic School Parents are brief and informative.  The Council of Catholic School Parents was established in 1995 and has been formed to represent the interests of families of children in all NSW Catholic schools.  They recognise the parent/carer as the most important and first educator of the child.  This month they are inviting parents to join in some FREE webinars

CCSP - Council of Catholic School Parents 

The Council of Catholic School Parents was established in 1995.  It has been formed to represent the interests of families of children in all NSW Catholic schools.  They recognise the parent/care as the most important and first educator of the child.  This month they are inviting parents to join in some FREE webinars 

• Schoolspeak 101
• Dream Big 
• ALgorithms and Adolescents 

Find out more about the CCSP at their website  HERE 

Sparks Education 

Sparks education specializes in high school transition for tweens and teens.  They are inviting parents to join them for a “Calm Connected Tweens and Teens” summit over the weekend.  If you have time to spare - some of these speakers are world renowned for the expertise in the field of building resilient, independent and well adjusted teens it will be well worth the time invested.  

There are also some great resources at their website for parents to access too  HERE 

Megan Ritchie,
School Counsellor - megan.ritchie@lism.catholic.edu.au

Community Forum

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s School Community Forum. For those joining us this year, we appreciate your engagement and look forward to all we will accomplish together.

Flower & Foliage Spectacular Event

Our next big event, the Flower & Foliage Event, is fast approaching on April 11th & 12th. We encourage everyone to get involved and help make it a great success! If you’d like to lend a hand, please sign up HERE.

Canteen

This term, we are also placing a special focus on the canteen as we plan for the 2025 school year. We urgently need help on Mondays for a few hours as we've had no responses from last week. You would be preparing orders such as making sandwiches, wraps and packaging lunch bags. We’re lucky to have our Year 6 students help serve at the counters.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or someone who can spare some time, we would greatly appreciate your support. If you’re available to help, please sign up HERE.

Class Parents

We also still have a few Class Parent positions available for this year:

• Kindergarten – 1 spot
• Year 3 – 2 spots
• Year 4 – 2 spots
• Year 5 – 2 spots
• Year 6 – 1 spot

If you’re interested in becoming a Class Parent, please see Jo or Lauren in the office if you'd like to sign up. You can find more details below.

Your School Community Forum Committee for 2025

• Chairperson: Lauren Schottelius
• Secretary: Ashlee de Rooy
• Treasurer: Belinda Greive

Contact us: stbrigidsforum@gmail.com
We meet twice a term in Week 3 and Week 7 in the school library after school. All parents are welcome to attend!

Thank you for your ongoing support! Our next meeting is Tuesday 18th March 3:30pm in the school library. Minutes for yesterday's meeting are below.

Start Strong: Arrive on Time for a Successful Day!

A new year is the perfect time to set your child up for success with solid school attendance. Regular attendance is crucial for primary school students—it builds a strong foundation for learning and sets the stage for academic success. Missing just a few days can cause gaps in learning that add up over time.

Establish Strong Routines

1. Set a Consistent Bedtime: Sleep is key for focus and energy.
2. Prepare the Night Before: Lay out clothes, pack the bag, and get homework done.
3. Healthy Breakfast: Fuel their body and mind for the day ahead.
4. Stay Positive: Encourage excitement about learning and being with friends.
   

Let’s make this term a successful one by prioritising attendance. Every day counts!

One of our school goals this year is to have an average weekly attendance of 90% and above. The class with the best average each week receives the  “Stars of the Week” trophy and certificate to display in their classroom.

Term 1 Attendance 

Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)

Making Jesus Real (MJR)

Traffic Management Procedures

Pick up and drop off zone in Groom street

Please be aware that the pick up and drop off zone in Groom street is an area where students can enter or leave the school for parent collection. If you are in this Groom Street zone, you must remain in your car. This is not a parking zone.

At times, this is policed and fines have been given for parking in this drop off or pick up zone.

Morning Supervision

Teachers may be at school in the morning early preparing lessons for the day, however supervision does not begin at school until 8.30am. We are fortunate enough in Kyogle to have before and after school care which can cater for your needs if you need to drop the children off earlier than 8.30am. Please see the information below for this service.

Rainbow Region Kids

Address
Bundjalung Country, Kyogle Public School, 192 Summerland Way, Kyogle
Phone: 0429640075
Email: rrkassist@nrcg.org.au
Enrol for Kyogle HERE

Celebrations

You shine with the Light of the Lord —the kind of Light that grows brighter and warmer and more radiant with time. God bless you with a very happy birthday!

Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly in Week 2.

Calendar

Parish News

Parish Information
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish established 1916. Our Parish Family includes the town of Kyogle and the villages of Urbenville and Woodenbong.
Administrator: Fr Erick Quinteros | Phone: 0438 196 944 | Parish Office Phone: 02 6632 1074 | Email: kyogle@lismore.catholic.org.au | Facebook: @OurLadyofSorrowsCatholicChurch

Service Times
Kyogle Weekday Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9 AM. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Saturday Vigil 6:00pm | Sunday 9:00am.
The Woodenbong Communion Service and Mass alternate every Saturday at 9 am. The Sacrament of Reconciliation begins 30 minutes prior to Mass. Morning tea is served every Sunday after Mass, hosted by the parishioners. Everyone is welcome!

We are on Facebook! Click here for Our Lady of Sorrows Facebook Page  

Community News

Webinars

Upcoming Term 1 free webinars for parent and carers. These are great opportunities to up your skills so that you can support your child's learning at home and at school. Can't wait to see you online!

Holy Family Skennars Head are hosting a parent workshop with Angela Lockwood Parenting in the Age of Distraction on Tuesday, March 4th. All parents and caregivers are warmly invited to attend.  

Parent Resources

Free online resources available that provide support year-round, even when other services are closed during the holiday period:

For Parents

Triple P Parenting is an evidence-based program and all parents and carers of children under 12 can access one year of support for free here: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/au/free-parenting-courses/triple-p-online-under-12/

Choose from general parenting support or support specifically for parents/carers of anxious children.

Parentline NSW is a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers of children up to 18 years of age. The phone line – 1300 1300 52 – is manned by a team of trained professional counsellors from 9am to 9pm Mondays to Fridays and 4pm to 9pm on weekends. https://www.parentline.org.au/

For Children and Young People

Kids’ Helpline – 1800 55 1800 – is a free, 24/7 service available to children and young people aged from five to 25. Support is available via telephone or webchat. There are also a variety of resources online: www.kidshelpline.com.au

Headspace – 1800 650 890 – is Australia’s national youth mental health foundation, and provides mental health services to 12 to 25-year-olds in person, online and via phone. There are also a lot of resources available on the website https://headspace.org.au/

For Mental Health Crises

The NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511 – is a free, 24/7 phone service that you can call if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The number is staffed by trained professionals who can offer mental health advice, complete brief assessments, make recommendations for appropriate care, and refer callers to other NSW Health mental health services. Some of the reasons that callers may contact the Mental Health Line include (but are not limited to):

- changes in mood that are worrying to you or others
- significant changes in personal hygiene or motivation
- difficulties with concentration
- confusion about what is real and what is not
- feelings of panic or intense anxiety
- thoughts or actions of hurting yourself or ending your life
- thoughts of harming someone else

Online Safety Basics (From www.esafety.gov.au) 

Because we value the critical role parents and carers play as partners in educating and forming young people, we have compiled some helpful resources to support families at home.

Educational Games

Toy Theatre | Educational Games for Kids
Math Games
Hidden Pictures Games and Puzzles

Quick Links

St Brigid's Facebook Page
Parent Assembly Facebook Page
Supporting Learning - Primary
Faith and Family
Tips for Parents – Supporting your Childs attendance at School
NSW Government Facebook Page