Newsletter Edition 3.8
Principal Reflection
Dear Parents and Carers
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and our St. Brigid’s families for the support provided over the past few weeks. Observing the culture, connection and care that wrap our community together has been heart-warming.
Proverbs 17: 17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Last week, students were excited to launch the new school song during ‘Brigid Factor.’ I thank Mrs Bryan, Miss Pegg and Mr Hutton for all their work to make this happen. Students and staff had input into the lyrics, and our musical experts worked together to produce a final product that we were all proud of.
The Lyrics are as follows:
We live by the river and the sea
We grow together in harmony
Lord, teach us to know and to love
We pray to you our god above
We all play a part
With Jesus in our hearts
Here at St Brigid’s
We build our futures bright
Na na na na na na na
Lord teach us…
Care, Courage, Curiosity, Connection (Chant x3)
We all play a part
With Jesus in our hearts
Here at St Brigid’s
We build our futures bright
Na na na na na na na
We all play a part
With Jesus in our hearts
Here at St Brigid’s
We build our futures bright
Na na na na na na na X 3
When the students sang last week, the energy was high, and it was obvious that they felt a sense of ownership, connection, and pride.
This week, 5/6 staff, students and leadership have had a busy week on camp. Many students may not have experienced time away from their families, and I am sure they will all be tired and ready for their bed when returning on Friday. As the bus departed, one student told Miss Priest to have a good holiday!! Little did Miss Priest know what she was in for!! The days have been long and full of activities, and students demonstrated our values of care, courage, curiosity and connection. I am grateful for Mrs Temple, Miss Priest, Mrs Licandro and Mr Charles. They have been so generous with their time preparing and participating in the long duty hours whilst on camp. I know how much students enjoyed this amazing opportunity.
Thank you for your ongoing support and care
Mrs Charlene Best
Principal
Religious Education
Be a diffuser, not an escalator
This is our current Making Jesus Real theme. At our Line-Ups after 1st Lunch, students have shared with the whole school what this theme means to us. It is empowering to hear the responses from students across ALL grades and for the children to share their understanding of what this looks, sounds, and feels like in their everyday actions.
Our MJR themes rotate, allowing our students to deepen their understanding of our MJR themes and how they apply to real life. Making Jesus Real, means LIVING our Catholic faith!
It is being like Jesus and trying to be the best version of ourselves.
Ask your child/children what the MJR theme for the week is, and ask them what this means to them. They will know because it is the language we use daily at St Brigid’s!
Jesus in our hearts, FOREVER!!
Brigid Factor
Celebrating Courage and Talent: Brigid Factor 2023
The 2023 Brigid Factor events were a huge success! Over 70 students participated in a private audition with a judging panel, with 12 acts selected to perform in the final event. The whole school attended the final event as an audience and were treated to an exciting afternoon of entertainment, each act giving outstanding performances.
The Brigid Factor journey is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talents and abilities and to connect with their peers and community. The process of performing in an audition or the final event setting also contributes to building a student's self-confidence. Stepping out on stage and performing takes courage, and the students who participate in the Brigid Factor learn that they can do more than they thought possible. They also learn to deal with nerves and setbacks, valuable life skills.
Congratulations to Alyssa Finestone and Madeline de Jonge, who were announced the winners of the grades 4-6 section and P-3, respectively, at the Brigid Factor Final!
I would like to congratulate all of the students who participated in the Brigid Factor 2023 events. Thank you for inspiring us. You all showed great courage and talent; as a school community, we are so proud of you!
Musically,
Mrs Rachel Bryan
Uniforms
Uniform Shop Update
We are still on track for the uniform shop operations to transfer to the Midford store (located at Marist) in Term 4. Midford staff will be on-site at the school on Thursday, 19 October, for parents and families to review the uniform items/purchase items/plan orders.
In the next few weeks, further information will come out regarding ordering. In the meantime, here is a clarification of our items detailing changes where applicable.
New items will start to be sold from Term 4, and 2024 will see the phasing out of the older uniform items, with all students expected to be in the new uniform from the start of 2025.
Girls' winter dresses and polo shirts can be worn until a student grows out of them, when a new one would then need to be purchased.
New items
The following items will be introduced to parents as optional items:
1/2 Zip Smart play jumper for K-2 or sports Uniform Gr3-6
Beanie - can be worn to and from school in winter terms only. Not to be worn in class.
Discontinued items
Winter coat
Rugby top - replaced by soft shell jacket or ½ zip pullover
Wool jumper - replaced by soft shell jacket
White socks/plain Short Navy socks - replaced with navy socks with 2 sky-blue stripes around the top.
Optional Items
School bag
Library
Art smocks
I hope this clarifies the changes for families, but please get in touch with me via email (alison.stevens@catholic.tas.edu.au if you have any questions.
Please click on the link below to our Uniform Requirements.
SALE SALE SALE !!! QKR
As we are handing over our school run Uniform Shop to Midford at the start of term 4 we need to clear out some of our our current stock - and at discount prices!!
This is a great opportunity to start purchasing summer uniform items and planning ahead for winter uniform next year. We also have other items at great prices e.g. 3 pack of white socks/navy socks and winter jackets, that can be worn outside of school.
Please head over to QKR to make the most of the opportunity.
As you know St Brigid's uniform will be evolving in some ways but please remember that all current uniform items can be worn until the end of 2024, with full transition by the start of the 2025 school year.
WHS updates
Covid Update-We have free RATS at school. Please come to the front office and grab some if you wish.
Public Health recently raised the COVID-19 risk level to moderate.
When the COVID-19 risk level in Tasmania is moderate it means cases of COVID-19 per day are increasing which indicates that the virus is circulating widely in our communities.
At a personal level Public Health advise:
- Be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines (including boosters) and annual flu vaccination
- Stay home and get tested for COVID-19 if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms, no matter how mild
- If you test positive by RAT, register your result
- Stay at home while you still have symptoms
- Wear a mask in indoor public places for 7 days after your positive test
- If you have COVID-19 or cold or flu-like symptoms do not visit high risk settings or people at higher risk from respiratory illness for at least 7 days
- If you have been in close contact with a person who tests positive to COVID-19 – be alert for symptoms
- Cover coughs and sneezes and keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water, or by using alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- Public Health recommends wearing a face mask in crowded indoor spaces, on Public Transport, and when visiting people who may be at risk of severe illness.
For more information on COVID-19 including information relating to testing, COVID@homeplus healthcare advice and access to antiviral medications visit: www.health.tas.gov.au/covid19
LOCKDOWN PRACTICE
Within the next two weeks, we will be holding an unannounced emergency practice with staff & students to test our response to a potential scenario that staff identify a threat warranting the school to go into lockdown (opposite to evacuation).
Like for fire evacuation drills, we recognised the worth to test this process and have plans in place to make this practice as least disruptive as possible.
If you have queries please call our WHS Safety Officer, Katie Ryan, on 0497 681 042.
Upcoming Events
- Footy Colours Day 29th Sept (info to follow)
