Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. James Baldwin

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1 Term 4 Week 3 NEWSLETTER Website: 31 October, 2012 Dear Parents, ST. BRIGID S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL 25 Bayview Road, Officer Vic Telephone: (03) Fax (03) Term 2 Week 1 NEWSLETTER 23 rd April 2014 Dear Parents, Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. James Baldwin Wishing you all a very happy return to school for the beginning of Term 2 in this wonderful season of Easter. Let us Rejoice! Please note there is a Public Holiday for ANZAC DAY this Friday, April 25 th and a School Closure Day on Monday, April 28 th As a Catholic School we are a community, which celebrates our Catholic Story and traditions and recognise Christ is at the centre of our lives: He is Risen. Alleluia! Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe. John 20:19-31 The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord. They were transformed with the gift of peace, which Jesus brings and his giving of the Spirit to strengthen them for their mission. They changed from being frightened and confused hiding in the upper room to being filled with hope and belief. Inside this issue: ANZAC Day Friday, April 25 th School Closure Day Monday, April 28 th First open morning Tuesday, April 29 th School Photos Monday, May 26 th

2 When Jesus appeared to his disciples in the closed room he said to them, Peace be with you. The apostles are called to do for others what has done for them. Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared and they set out to look for him. When they found Thomas they told him, We have seen the Lord, but Thomas did not believe them. Thomas said, Unless I see the hole that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into his side, I refuse to believe. Thomas reaction is just like many of us. We are all able to identify with Thomas at some stage in our lives. Thomas does not want to appear silly by believing in what he thinks is humanly impossible and too good to be true. The pain and heartache he would have felt following Jesus death would not allow him to feel hope of seeing the Lord alive again. Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. Jesus came in and stood among them. Peace be with you, he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, Put your finger here; here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it in my side. Doubt no longer but believe. Thomas disbelief is shattered and replies, My Lord and my God. Jesus says to him, You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen, yet they believe. Just as Jesus sends the disciples, we too, are called to be followers of Christ by our Baptism. We are included in the group of believers that Jesus speaks about in Sunday s Gospel when he says: Happy are those who have not seen yet they believe. As followers of Jesus we are called to have hope and engage in the mission to make Christ known in our world. Let our lives give witness to the risen Lord as he walks with us. In the words of Saint Augustine: We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song. Glory and praise to you, risen Saviour, for you bring light to our darkness, joy to our sorrow, and the fullness of love to our reluctant hearts. In the glory of your Resurrection we have been set free from all that keeps us from following you. Be with us always inspire our prayer shape our lives and fill our hearts with your Light and Grace that we might joyfully echo the words of your Holy Angels: He is not here in the tomb, He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

3 Foundation Year (Prep) Enrolments for 2015 Foundation Year (Prep) Enrolments for the 2015 school year are now open for families who already have children attending St. Brigid s School and close on Thursday, April 24 th Thank you to the families who have already requested Enrolment forms. We will be holding Open Days for new families in our Parish boundaries in Term 2. The first Open morning is Tuesday, April 29 th from 9.00 a.m. to a.m. and our second morning will be Tuesday, May 6 th from 9.00 a.m. to a.m. Grounds Committee We are looking to recruit additional members for the Grounds Committee. The main role of the Grounds Committee is to assist in the development of the school grounds and organising the working bees. If anyone is interested please let me know. Winter Uniform Students are to wear their winter school uniform during Term 2 and Term 3. As usual we have a transition period of two weeks. All students are to be wearing their winter uniform by Monday, May 5 th NAPLAN Dates NAPLAN tests will be conducted from 13 th to 15 th May this year. Students in Years 3 and 5 will undertake these tests. We would appreciate it if you could avoid taking family holidays during this period. School Photographs School photographs will be taken on Monday, May 26 th. Please make a note of this date. We will send home information closer to the date. Year 4 Camp Our Year 4 students and their teachers will be attending Camp from Wednesday, May 28 th to Thursday, May 29 th 2014.

4 Supervision - Adventure Playground A reminder to parents that pre-school aged children need to be supervised by their parents while they are waiting for the dismissal bell. I am concerned that children are playing on the adventure playground unsupervised and may get hurt. Please note that once the dismissal bell has gone teachers are on duty in the car park. It is important to note that children need to be supervised by their parents once they have been dismissed. Help Required Lift in the afternoon required, from St Brigid s to Chase Boulevard, Berwick (Monday to Friday) If anyone is able to help out, please contact Lisa Baxter Lost 1 Sports Jacket Size 6 typed Brodie Atcheson. We wish the children who have celebrated or are celebrating a birthday shortly all the best for a great day. APRIL Lucy B 3 rd Zander W 4 th Isla A 5 th Brodie M 5 th Max M 7 th Phoebe A 8 th Chloe R 8 th Phoebe W 8 th Charlotte M 10 th Joel O 10 th Ben O 11 th Luke O 11 th Sarcha C 13 th Ruby C 16 th Paden K 16 th Summer C 18 th Charlotte T 20 th Lily H 22 nd Abbey W 24 th Amelia B 26 th Luke C 28 th Maddison K 29 th Nathan C 30 th

5 Uniform Shop Open Monday and Friday 8.45am 9.15am As you are aware the Uniform Shop is currently working from a shipping container. With the sudden onset of wet weather, conditions have become a little more difficult with families having to wait outside until they can be served. Therefore, until the current building program is completed, we are asking families who require uniform items in the coming weeks to complete an order form and return to the school office. Orders will then be packed and ready for collection on the same day. Payment can be made at the school office directly or via telephone if that is more convenient. We thank you for your patience and for the continued hard work from the uniform shop ladies. Social and Fundraising Committee News Mother s Day Please come along to an afternoon tea and assembly in celebration of all our wonderful Mothers within our school community. There will also be a raffle with some great Mothers Day gifts to be won, so bring along some change. Friday 9 th May 2.00pm (Learning Centre yet to be advised) We are having a Mother s Day stall throughout the morning for students to purchase gifts for mum and grandmothers. Please ensure you send some money along (no more than $10) on Friday 9 th May for your child to be able to participate in this. We look forward to seeing you there. Tracy Fisher Social & Fundraising Committee

6 Social & Fundraising Committee Annual General Meeting 6 th May Date: Tuesday 6 May 2014 Time: 7.00pm 8.00pm Venue: St Brigid s Library Light refreshments will be served following the meeting. Please contact the School Office to RSVP your attendance. The Social & Fundraising Committee are an integral part of the St Brigid s school community. The Committee first met in March 2010 just weeks after St Brigid s opened - and since then has organised many social events and raised considerable funds for our school. Now in it s fifth year, the Social & Fundraising Committee will become official with their Constitution to be inducted at the inaugural Social & Fundraising Annual General Meeting. Formal election of Executive Committee members and Office Bearers will also occur for the first time. All parents are welcome to attend the AGM. Parents interested in taking on roles within the Committee are invited to complete nomination forms, which will be sent home this week. The following positions are open for nomination: Executive Committee: - Chairperson - Treasurer - Secretary - Deputy Chairperson - Assistant Treasurer - Assistant Secretary Office Bearers: - School Board Representative Role descriptions are available. Please contact the School Office to request a copy. News from the Deputy Principal Mr. Simon Greely Cross Country Our Officer District Cross Country event is on Friday, 9 th May at Pakenham Football Ground Toomuc Reserve from 9.30am. We will send a team of about 35 children to represent our school, with the aim of getting lots of children through to the next stage, the Cardinia District event on Monday the 2 nd of June. Children will be selected shortly and will be given a yellow permission slip that will need to be returned. NAPLAN Our Grade 3 and 5 children will be participating in NAPLAN on the 13 th, 14 th & 15 th May. Please ensure children are here for this. The NAPLAN testing is a very small snapshot in time about where a child might

7 be on their learning journey. We want every child to do the best they can but it will not be a major focus at St. Brigid s in the next 3 weeks. Students in Grade 3 & 5 will be given a look at some old tests to get a feel for them but we don t teach to the test or close down our learning to prepare for it like some schools might. If your child is a bit nervous about these tests please assure them they just need to try their best and not get too caught up in any media hype surrounding NAPLAN. Our teachers will provide a safe, relaxed environment where children will be able to try their best and try to enjoy the different experience. Leader of Learning and Teaching - Religious Education Of all the famous Historical People that people that have been remembered over the centuries, I would hate to be remembered the way Doubting Thomas was. Thomas was one of the 12 disciples and has earned himself a place in the Oxford Dictionary (for all the wrong reasons). His definition, A person who is sceptical and refuses to believe something without proof. Why; He simply couldn t believe that Jesus had risen even after the disciples had told him. He needed to see proof before he believed. Mr. Damian O Bryan Whilst he has been given a bad rap for not believing that Jesus had resurrected after witnessing his arrest and eventual death on the cross, to me, Thomas seems pretty normal. Imagine hearing that someone had come back from the dead after three days in the tomb. I paraphrase from a web article by GPBS (gather, proclaim, break, send) that although Thomas didn t have faith that Jesus had risen, doubting our own faith is pretty normal. It is easy for us to start doubting our faith as we get older and question whether the stories we have heard about Jesus and God could really be true. We are taught to think in new ways and like Science, we need proof to know that what we have learnt is accurate. This is normal. The article explains that: Don t worry if this happens. It s a normal part of growing as a disciple. But don t let this separate you from Jesus. Let it bring you closer. Do the following when you doubt: Read more about our faith. Answer your questions: Compare Catholic beliefs with the beliefs of other faiths. Keep looking for examples of how Catholics & Christians make a difference in the world. Keep praying and attending Mass. Ask God to help you sort out your doubts. FULL ARTICLE:

8 Whatever you do, just don t walk away. While at Easter, the eggs we give are to represent new life (Jesus resurrection), I invite you to renew your faith. Perhaps considering some of the aforementioned actions and how it could become part of your Christian Journey. Congratulations to the Year Senior Students and Mrs. Rose who prepared our Station of the Cross. On the final day of Term 1, students put on a very moving and reverent enactment of the final hours of our Lord. Whist there was very good feedback from all who attended and well deserved accolades, the students were reminded of the purpose of what they were doing. Thank you to all Senior Students for their involvement and for the preparation that went into it. A video of the presentation is available on my blog at: year56obryan.global2.vic.edu.au Congratulations to Leonie (mother of Jordan and Jett) and Rebecca, Ethan and Alicia (pictured) who were baptised over the weekend at the Easter Vigil at St. Michael s. Leonie and Rebecca were initiated though the RCIA Program through the parish and received all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). Ethan and Alicia were Baptised and will complete their Sacraments though the parish based school program. Finally, a reminder that Year 6 Confirmation Commitment masses are this weekend at our Parish. Please make sure you attend one of the masses to ensure enrolment in the Confirmation program. Welcome back and I hope you ve had a blessed Easter. Damian O Bryan

9 Leader of Learning and Teaching - Inquiry and Innovation Miss Elyce Birch Welcome back for Term 2. I hope you all had a lovely Easter and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. The Daily 5 and CAFÉ The Daily 5 structure and CAFÉ menu for literacy has been a great success within our Junior and Middle Learning Communities during Term 1. Staff are loving this approach to teaching literacy and have expressed a keen interest in learning more about it. It has therefore been decided that this structure and menu for literacy be a whole school approach and be implemented from Foundation to Grade 6. This term sees staff being involved in professional development to further develop their understanding of this approach to literacy. On May 27 th, St. Mary s from Sale will be visiting our Junior Learning Community to see it in action. As you can see below, the Daily 5 has 5 tasks that children are involved in. In between each of these tasks are 5-10 minute mini lessons or short bursts of instruction where children receive explicit teaching of literacy skills and strategies for reading, writing and spelling. The CAFÉ Menu below is used during mini lessons for reading where children are taught a variety of strategies in order to be a successful reader. As you can see, reading involves many things and it s important that children develop and use a variety of strategies when reading.

10 Leader of Learning and Teaching Wellbeing Mrs. Mary Rose Wellbeing and Inclusiveness Welcome back and I hope everyone had a wonderful relaxing break. At the end of term one I included an invitation for any children who would benefit from being involved in Seasons for Growth. This program gives children a forum to work through issues of loss and grieving, enabling them with strategies to deal with their feelings and reactions to events in their lives. Please feel free to come and chat to me about the program or an expression of interest for your child. Tuesday 27 th May is the date for Term two PSG s. A letter and reply form will be going home next week with your allocated time. The meetings are attended by your child s teacher, Learning Support Officer and Mr. Gale. As classroom teachers are replaced on this day if you are unable to attend the meeting we cannot accommodate you on another day. Please contact me if the time is not suitable prior to Tuesday 27 th May. Have a great week, Mary News from the Creative Arts Specialist Mrs. Natalie Richardson Donations of newspapers or paper of any kind would be greatly appreciated for use in the Art Room. News from the Performing Arts Specialist Mrs. Theresa Ray St Brigid's School Concert News When: 18th of September 2014 (Thursday evening, Week 10, Term three) Where: Berwick Church of Christ, 446 Centre Road, Berwick What: "Danger Kids" a joke and dagger musical by arrangement with Bushfire Press Pty Ltd More details to follow. If you can offer your assistance with props, sets or costumes etc, that would be greatly appreciated.

11 School Closure Day Monday, April 28 th Professional Development for staff NO SCHOOL for students Open Days Tuesday, April 29 th and May 6 th and Families wishing to enrol their child from 9.00 a.m. to a.m. NAPLAN tests May 13 th to May 15 th May Students in Year 3 and Year 5 School Photographs Monday May 26 th All students to wear full and correct winter uniform Term Dates for 2014 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Tuesday 28 th January (Staff) Friday, 4 th April Easter April Tuesday, 22 nd April Friday, 27 th June Monday, 14 th July Friday, 19 th September Monday, 6 th October Friday, 19 th December School Closure Days for 2014 Term 1 Term 2 Monday, March 24 th - Staff Professional Development Curriculum Monday, 28 th April Staff Professional Development Term 3 Term 4 Monday, July 28 th - Staff Professional Development Religious Education CEO Cluster schools TBN

12 Closure Days and early dismissals will be advised throughout the course of the year.

13 ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and News Zealand Army Corps soldiers who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 th April 1915 during the First World War ( ). As a result, one day in the year has involved the whole of Australia in solemn ceremonies of remembrance, gratitude and national pride for all our men and women who have fought and died in all wars. That day is ANZAC Day 25th April. A Prayer for ANZAC Day God of love and liberty, we bring our thanks this day for the peace and security we enjoy, which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in time of war. We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain, but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come. That the liberty, truth and justice, which they sought to preserve may be seen and known in all the nations upon earth. This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. The ode comes from the For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in The Winnowing Fan: Poems of the Great War in This verse, which became the Ode for the Returned and Services League, has been used in association with commemoration services in Australia since (The above information has been taken from ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee (OLD) Incorporated 1998.)

14 School Banking Beaconsfield District Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank Shop Old Princes Highway Beaconsfield Vic 3807 Phone Fax Please remember to enclose a completed deposit slip with your child s passbook. New families will have an opportunity to sign up for School Banking with Bendigo Bank Beaconsfield Branch in the coming weeks. Please check the next Newsletter for further details. School Banking can be handed in at your Classroom every Tuesday with your money, deposit slip and passbook. Your books will be returned on Wednesday afternoons please don t hesitate to call or pop in if you have any questions. Before and After School Care Before and After School Care is now available at St Brigid's School. Mission Australia Early Learning Centre is providing care in the Specialist s Centre (the old Year 5/6 classrooms) between 6.30am until 8.30am in the morning and 3.30pm and 6.00pm in the afternoon. This is a temporary arrangement until the new Multipurpose room is completed. Before and After School Care will then be available in our new building. There is an information pack available at the School Office for anyone who is interested. Any inquiries need to be made directly to the Early Learning Centre and they can be contacted on Weekly Lunch Orders Update The Lunch Order Price List is the St Brigid s website for future reference. Lunch orders (provided by Beaconsfield Village Bakehouse) will continue to be available on Wednesday s, however please note that orders will now need to be handed in by 9.00am on the Monday morning prior. You might like to note that Quiche Lorraine has been added to the menu.

15 2014 Blog URLs (FB) (FA) (1I) (1DW) (2/3Mc) (2/3D) (2/3B) (2/3F) (4/5F) (4/5C) (5/6R) (5/6O) (Principal) (PE )

16 News from St. Michael s Parish Berwick 2014 SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION St Michael s Catholic Church, Berwick, invites Catholic children currently in Year 6 or above to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation has began with the compulsory parent meeting. For more information, please contact St Michael s Parish, Berwick, on or secretary@stmichaelsparish.org.au Commitment Masses Parent/Child workshop Reflection Day Blessing of Children Masses Ceremonies Saturday, 26 th and Sunday 27 th April (all Parish Masses) Tuesday May 13 th, Wednesday May 14 th, Thursday May 15 th Tuesday May 20 th, Wednesday May 21 st, Thursday May 22 nd and Friday May 23 rd 7.30 p.m. in St. Michael s Stadium Tuesday, May 27 th Saturday, May 31 st and Sunday June 1 st (at all Parish Masses) Thursday, June 5 th and Friday June 6 th 7.30 p.m. Saturday, June 7 th at 2.00 p.m. Thursday, June 12 th and Friday June 13 th at 7.30 p.m. Saturday June 14 th at 2.00 p.m.

17 Community Noticeboard LEADING DANCE SCHOOL IN PAKENHAM Offering classes in Irish Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics and Personal Training. Classes available for children from 2 years of age through to adults. Al staff members are fully qualified and accredited. Please quote this advertisement to receive 20% of all Term 1 tuition for St. Brigid s families new to the school in Unit 6/1 Purton Road, Pakenham office@mcaleerschool.com.au

18 N IG H T M ARKET ARRIVES JUST IN TIM E FOR M others D ay FRIDAY 2ND MAY pm OFFICER PUBLIC HALL Tivendale Road, Officer GOLD COIN DONATION UPON ENTRY Featuring lots of Indoor s Stalls. Sausage Sizzle, Kids Activities, Raffle thr oughout the evening. Unique and Local products, browse the market, do some Mothers Day shopping, have some fun with your family and support your local community & Cardinia Calisthenics Club. DESIGNED BY NATALIE GATTO GRAPHIC DESIGN

19 The Blood Service Mobile Unit will be visiting: Pakenham Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Drive Monday 28 April Tuesday 29 April Wednesday 30 April Thursday 1 May Friday 2 May 1.30 pm 7.30 pm 1.30 pm 7.30 pm 1.30 pm 7.30 pm 2.00 pm 7.30 pm 9.30 am 3.30 pm To book your appointment please call

20 Fri. April 25 th Sun. April 27 th Mon. April 28 th Looking ahead... ANZAC DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY Second Sunday of Easter John 20:19-31 After eight days Jesus came in and stood among them. SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY Brainteaser The answer to our last brainteaser was: Bridge over troubled water. This week s brainteaser is: the weather feeling Tues. April 29 th Sun. May 4 th Open Morning for Foundation Year 2015 Third Sunday of Easter Luke 24:13-35 They recognises him at the breaking of the bread. Doubt questions Who believes? while faith answers I. The more I live the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize the less I know. Michael Legrand Loving Father, Thank you for the gift of new life, of new beginnings, and the power that is given to us if only we believe. Amen. Saturday: Sunday: St. Michael s Parish High Street, Berwick 3806 Parish Priest: Fr. Peter Slater Assistant Priest: Fr. Jeff Klenyjans (03) Weekend Masses 6.00 p.m a.m., a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Yours in friendship and unity, Ken Gale Principal