Newsletter Term 2 Week 5 (Wednesday 28th May 2025)
- Front Page with Year 3
- Our Gospel Reflection
- From Our Acting Principal
- Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
- Assistant Principal - Mission
- Sports News
- Wellbeing Team
- Making Jesus Real (MJR)
- Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
- Check Those School Bags!
- Groom Street Pick-Up/Drop-Off Zone
- Stars of the week
- Celebrations
- Calendar
- Parish News
- Healthy Eating Active Living Team
- Catholic School Parents: Free Events
- Community News
- Parent Resources
Front Page with Year 3
Last week, all of our Year 3 students took part in a special retreat day, where they learned about the Holy Spirit and how it comes to us through the Sacrament of Confirmation. While not all students were preparing for Confirmation, everyone engaged in the reflection activities and deepened their understanding of the Holy Spirit and our faith.
On Thursday evening, our Year 3 Confirmation candidates, along with Jovi from Year 6, received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Greg at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. It was a beautiful celebration of their faith journey.
To mark this important milestone, the whole school came together on Friday to celebrate with a special cake, recognising the significance of the Sacrament and honouring the students who received it. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide all our students with courage, wisdom, and love. Congratulations to all our Confirmandi!
Our Gospel Reflection
Gospel Reflection - Luke 24:46-53
A teacher told me recently that when she asked her grade fours to draw a picture of the Ascension, not unsurprisingly most of them did a fairly conventional portrait of Jesus rising up on a cloud. One of her students, David, who is a particularly gifted artist, had Jesus blasting off into the sky. Down the side of Jesus’ pure white garment was the word NASA and David provided all the sound effects for how he imagined the scene of the first Ascension. He concluded, without a hint of irony, that, ‘the Ascension must have been a real blast!’
None of us can blame David for marrying our modern culture with an ancient story. In fact if some of us are honest, David's ‘space shuttle Jesus’ is not far from what we think as well.
The Ascension stories, however, are not primarily interested in how or when Jesus got back to heaven. John and Paul never mention it at all. Mark and Matthew have it happening on the same day as the Resurrection and Luke has it occurring 40 days after Easter on the same day as Pentecost. The one thing, on which all the New Testament writers agree, is where in heaven Jesus went and where he is presently – at God's right hand.
Even to this day, being on someone's right is a place of honour. In the Old Testament being on the right hand of David, Samuel or Elijah was to be the anointed and favoured one, the true son or daughter. In telling us, then, that Jesus is now at God's right hand, the Gospels use a formal phrase to announce that God affirms everything Jesus said and did on earth and that he is the way for us to follow.
That can be all well and good, but Jesus goes one step further and that's why this feast is so important. Jesus taught us that where he is, so shall we be, that he was going to prepare a place for us and that, in and through him, we will have life and have it to the full.
The feast of the Ascension is the day, each year, where we remember and we celebrate that, just as Jesus was welcomed to God's right hand, so, too, shall we be welcomed to the right hand of Jesus. This is his promise, this is our faith and this is the hope we are called to proclaim to the world. And let's be clear about the invitation. There is nothing we have ever done, are doing, or will do, that will get our name removed from the invitation list to the feast of Christ's kingdom. The challenge is accepting that we have a standing invitation and living lives worthy of the love that places our name on the list. The feast of the Ascension announces that Jesus will faithfully accompany us no matter how far we lose our way and that by our fidelity to Christ we accept or reject the standing offer.
And because the Ascension is an Easter feast it develops even further that there is nowhere, bar evil, where God does not dwell. Because of the Resurrection and Ascension we can find God everywhere we want to: in our homes, our work, our suffering, our old age, our emotional, sexual or financial turmoil – and even in our death. Even though the writers of the New Testament are not too clear on the details of how the Ascension happened, what we initially see in this wonderful feast is not what we get. Thanks be to God, it's so much more.
From Our Acting Principal
It was lovely to see a number of our families at our Family Parish Mass on Sunday to thank and farewell Fr. Erick who has been part of our Parish for 12 years. Our school captains spoke of this journey and the opportunities that were given to us by Fr Erick during his time in our parish. After Mass, we enjoyed a BBQ and morning tea together as a community. I thank Mr Aaron Beach for supporting our community at this event.
On behalf of our school community, I would like to thank Fr Erick for his involvement with our school and wish him the very best in his next journey to Ballina.
We welcome Fr Joe Holloway to our parish and school and there will be opportunities in the coming weeks for Fr Joe to meet the students, staff and community.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Congratulations to our Year 3 students & Jovi James who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Thursday evening. This is an opportunity for our students to publicly acknowledge their faith and to be confirmed and strengthened in the Holy Spirit. We are proud of our Confirmands and will continue to keep you in our prayers. We thank Bishop Greg, Fr Erick, Mrs Jansen and Mrs Hyde for their work in being involved in this Sacrament. Thanks to our parents and carers for their work in forming their children to receive the sacrament. It was such a beautiful evening for all who came along to support our students.
Kindergarten 2025 Information Sessions
Our Kindergarten Information Sessions for those parents who have a child or children ready to start school in 2026 will be offered across two repeated sessions on Tuesday 3rd of June at 10am and then again at 6pm. There will be a tour of our school following the 10am session. If you are intending on enrolling your child into St Brigid's for 2026 or looking for further information on our school please come along to one of the sessions.
Tell Them From Me Surveys
A friendly reminder that the Tell Them From Me Survey closes soon and it would be helpful to have a high percentage of parent and carer voice . These surveys are an important part of our whole-school evaluation and planning process. Please see the link that was sent via the Compass message to the Year 4-6 parents. I really appreciate your support with this survey.
Lastly, I would like to wish Sereena Zanuso our Student Welfare Officer, all the very best for the upcoming birth of her first child. Sereena will be taking leave from Thursday for twelve months. An announcement will be made in regards to a replacement for Sereena’s maternity leave position soon. Best wishes Sereena and Curtis for this special time!
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Vanessa Walters,
Acting Principal.
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
ICAS Academic Challenge
St Brigid’s is excited to offer students the chance to showcase their talents in the world-renowned ICAS competition. ICAS is an online challenge in English, Maths, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies, designed to stretch thinking and celebrate achievement. All participants receive certificates and reports, with top performers eligible for medals.
Click the Important Information box below to find out more and register your child!
Visit: icasassessments.com/products-icas
WRITE ON
If your child has decided to enter the WriteOn Competition, can you please encourage them to develop their ideas over the next week and come with a plan to the next workshop.
Important Teaching & Learning Dates
| Week 4 to Week 7 Friday's 12:50pm - 1:20pm | Writeon competition student feedback & support session - school library. |
| Friday 13th June | Writeon Submissions are due. |
| Monday 28 July at 11:59pm | ICAS Registration for all subject areas closes. |
| Monday 4th August - Friday 29th August | ICAS Assessments |
| Thursday 18th September | Richmond Zone Public Speaking |
Warm regards,
Samantha Lynch,
Assistant Principal – Learning and Teaching
Assistant Principal - Mission
On Monday, our whole school gathered in the Parish Hall for a special National Sorry Day Liturgy, taking time to reflect on the significance of this important day in Australia’s history.
Following the liturgy, students and staff moved to the school oval, where they placed their decorated handprints as a symbol of reconciliation .
It was a powerful and meaningful moment for our school community as we acknowledged the past and showed our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
Reconciliation Week – “Bridging the Gap”
This week, we are acknowledging Reconciliation Week with the theme “Bridging the Gap.” Our school is committed to learning about and honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and contributions. Be sure to check out the display in the school office foyer, showcasing artwork from our students.
As part of our lead-up to NAIDOC Week at the end of June, all students have also begun colouring in wings that will form a vibrant school-wide art display. You can catch a glimpse of their creative work starting to take shape. More exciting updates on this project to come!
Courtney Hyde,
Assistant Principal – Mission
Sports News
It’s been a big term for sport at St Brigid’s! Students recently took part in the NRL Blitz clinic, where they had the opportunity to get a taste of rugby league with a visiting coach.
We also hosted an AFL taster clinic, giving students the chance to try out their footy skills in a fun and active session. Looking ahead, we’re excited that Auskick and Superkick start Wednesday 4th June right here at St Brigid’s. We can’t wait to see our students getting active and having fun on the field! Stay tuned for more sporting highlights as the term continues!
Calendar Dates
| Week 6 | Wednesday 4th June NAB AFL Auskick program starts. |
| Week 9 | St Brigid’s Athletic Carnival on Thursday the 26th June at Kyogle High School Oval. |
Please familiarise yourself with the Compass App, as it will be used to provide consent for participation in sports events.
Wellbeing Team
5 easy practical ways to keep your mind happy, healthy and developing
Let’s get one thing straight: Your brain is the boss, but your gut is really in charge. They want all the attention, all the snacks, and absolutely no spinach or green stuff unless it’s been disguised as something cool, like a smoothie, dinosaur-shaped nugget or muffin. But guess what?
Nutrition is actually the superhero behind a child’s mental health. Yeah lookout sugar processed villains of the underworld. This superhero is ultra disguised. What you eat can either turn your brain into a happy wavy wacky dance man or a grumpy grouchy (place noun of choice in here).
Here are 5 superhero tips to keep your mind and gut feeling as awesome as your choice of superhero (mine is GROOT):
- Protein = Brain Power
Eggs, beans, and yogurt aren’t just breakfast items—they’re your brain’s favorite fuel. They help you focus so you don’t accidentally wear your shirt backwards all day (again). - Omega-3s: Fish Food for Thought
Salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds have superhero oils that help your brain stay chill. Think of them as mood-smoothing magic fish—no fishing rod required. - Color Your Plate and supercharge your memory
Fruits and veggies bring vitamins and minerals that boost your mood and memory the brighter the better. A massive ranging rainbow of colours on your plate means fewer “I forgot my……………” moments. (Probably.) - Whole Grains = Slow Energy, Steady Legendary
Whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice release energy slowly, which means fewer sugar crashes and more steady awesomeness. No one wants the villain hangry monster around. - Hydration: Not Just for Plants
Water helps your brain stay sharp. We are 70 % water after all. Plus, drinking enough means you’ll definitely know where every bathroom is —just in case.
So remember, feeding your brain and gut the right stuff helps you laugh more, learn better, and keeps the cranks at bay. Now go forth, eat wisely, save yourself and others with superhero snacks!
Stay golden,
Megan Ritchie,
School Counsellor - megan.ritchie@lism.catholic.edu.au
Making Jesus Real (MJR)
Positive Behaviour 4 Learning (PB4L)
Check Those School Bags!
If your child brings home any letters or envelopes from the school, please ensure you complete any required paperwork and return it to the school office promptly. These are clearly labeled for your convenience. We encourage all parents to check your child’s bag regularly or ask them if they’ve received any communications from the school. Thank you for helping us keep communication flowing smoothly!
Groom Street Pick-Up/Drop-Off Zone
A friendly reminder to please do not park in the pick-up/drop-off zone on Groom Street, even on Fridays. Parking in this area blocks the flow of traffic and makes it difficult for others to safely pick up their children. If you need to park, please use the side streets, the opposite side of the road, or the available parking on Summerland Way.
Keeping this zone clear helps ensure a smooth and safe afternoon for everyone.
We love seeing parents attend our Friday Assemblies, and we appreciate your help in keeping the traffic moving for all families.
Stars of the week
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 2 Attendance
| Week | School Average | Top 3 Classes |
| Week 1 | 90.53% | Kinder 94.6% | Year 5 87.82% | Year 2 87.34% |
| Week 2 | 89.07% | Year 5 94.73% | Year 3 90.11% | Year 6 90.08% |
| Week 3 | 83.38% | Year 5 94.13% | Year 1 86.78% | Year 4 83.44% |
| Week 4 | 86.42% | Year 5 96.04% | Kinder 91.28% | Year 6 86.12% |
Attendance Update
As we reach the halfway point of Term 2, our current whole-school attendance rate sits at 87%. Our goal is to reach 90%, and with your support, we believe we can get there! Regular attendance is key to student learning and connection, so let’s make every day count. Together, we can climb back up and finish the term strong!
Celebrations
May God bless you with joy, good health, and His loving presence today and always. May your faith continue to grow and guide you through every step of the year ahead. Have a truly blessed day!
| 28th May - Rickelle |
| 4th June - Everleigh |
| 4th June - Max |
Congratulations to the following students who have shown tremendous effort and were presented with their awards at our assembly in Week 4.
| Kindergarten | Reggie & Amayah |
Year 1 | Banjo, Teddy & Bridget |
Year 2 | Evie, Sebastian & Jahlissa |
Year 3 | Hamish, Milla & Kalana |
Year 4 | Ella |
Year 5 | Elliarna, Nerida & Ivy |
Year 6 | Charlie & Piper |
Principal | Jovi |
Calendar
School Calendar Access
You can find the school calendar in the Compass app by tapping the calendar icon at the bottom of the homepage. Click on the button below for how to access your calendar.
Staff Development Days Term 2 |
| Friday 4th July |
Please always refer to the calendar for updates, as changes may occur.
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, Wednesday, and Friday at 9am. Please note that this schedule is subject to change. Saturday Vigil 5pm | Sunday 9am.
The Woodenbong Communion Service and Mass alternate every Saturday at 9am. 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
Healthy Eating Active Living Team
Banana-tastic recipes for brekkie or a quick snack that are sure to tickle your taste buds!
Peanut butter and banana english muffins
Quick raisin toast with banana
Catholic School Parents: Free Events
Community News
Winter school holidays are just around the corner… and we’re getting ready for a season full of fun, creativity, and adventure!
Our team is busy planning exciting activities to keep the kids engaged and smiling. Think winter-themed crafts, active games, special days, and so much more!
Stay tuned – we’ll be sharing our program soon!
100 Year Celebration of care at Kyogle Memorial Hospital/Health
| Date | Saturday 28th June 25 |
| Time | From 10am, lunch is at 12pm |
| Where | Kyogle Bowling Club |
| RSVP | Final numbers by Saturday 14th June |
| Tickets | $32 *No tickets will be sold on the door. |
To purchase tickets in person please visit Scarborough's Shoes on the main street OR the Hospital Office. Alternatively you can pay online details below.
| Bank | Summerland Bank |
| Payee Name | Centenary of KMH |
| BSB | 728728 |
| Account | 2235491 |
| Reference | Name & number of tickets purchased |
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