Next week we celebrate Ash Wednesday at a whole school Mass at 11.40am in Summat. The celebration marks the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent. One of the important moments in this Mass is the signing of the ashes on the foreheads of people, which is a reminder of the time Jesus entered the desert for 40 days to fast and to pray and is a time when we too are invited to pray, to change our hearts and to grow closer to God. Lent is a time when we can try harder to live just as Jesus taught us.  

This year, in keep with Covid safe practices, the priest and other ministers will sanitise their hands and then sign the person, by sprinkling a small amount of ash on the person’s head. 

One of the most popular readings for weddings is from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It provides the guidance on how to build strong relationships between partners, and indeed in family life and school life. It reads: 

‘Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.’ 

Let us pray: Teach us to follow, you Lord, and lead us on the right path.  

Class Liturgy and Mass attendance: 

In appreciation of the frustration Covid continues to create for us in placing restrictions on our activities, we have reviewed the previous decision to not allow family members to attend class liturgical events. We apologise for any confusion caused by previous communication with regards to this matter as we attempt to navigate and create a safe environment for our children, staff, and families. 

The existing Chapel space can (Covid) legally hold up to 50 people, including students. Counting the class, Fr Jose and three staff, this generally adds up to around a total of 31 people, leaving 19 places for one family member for each child to attend. 

The attendance will be on a first in basis and we will ask parents to email their class teacher and nominate that family member who will be attending. Once positions are filled then no more visitors can attend. I trust this is helpful in supporting families to celebrate these special occasions with children in our current social climate. 

Creative, Collaborative, Connected Learners - Inspired by Love 

Literacy:

It has been wonderful to see all our children settle into the routine of school. Home Learning has commenced this week, and our new Heggerty phonemic awareness program is now formally underway and forms part of the everyday routine for students across all year levels. Phonemic awareness is the ability to understand that spoken words are made up of individual sounds called phonemes. It is one of the best early predictors for reading success. 

During 2020 our Early Years teachers also undertook training in the InitiaLit Program. InitiaLit is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program providing all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful in literacy. InitiaLit is a three-year program, covering the first three years of school. Now we are in 2021 our teachers are ready to embark on this learning journey with our students. Thus, for you as parents, things will look a little different. Your child’s class teacher will have sent through information detailing how the program works and expectations for parents and children. After introducing and running Jolly Phonics as the program to support literacy learning, the school has undertaken this next step in data-based research to support children to become successful and confident readers and writers. 

Instrumental music at St Brigid’s: 

On Tuesday February 23, we will be holding an information evening for those parents and children who wish to find out more about what the school has to offer and support families in making lessons more accessible. 

The evening will comprise of a short presentation explaining the research behind the effects of music learning on brain development and the benefits of instrumental music learning across all learning areas. Children are welcome to attend and notwithstanding Covid restrictions, we will make some instruments available for children to try out. 

Please email Gennaro at gmannella@stbrigids.catholic.edu.au if you intend to come and numbers attending. The session will commence at 6pm with the venue to be decided once we have total numbers confirmed. 

Building program - movement around the school: 

We ask families and children to be mindful of ongoing works around the school that may impact on your movement. Currently we have paving being undertaken and we hope this will be completed by the end of this week giving a clear pathway to the SAMMAT and PODs from the Quad. Access can still be undertaken from behind the Italian and Music rooms. 

Irrigation works will commence once paving is complete with ground preparation for the roll out lawn on the Village Green to follow. We will confirm the lawn laying working bee in due course.  

Oval: 

Children will need to adapt to a smaller oval play space as the Nature Play works have finally commenced this week! While this may seem to be an imposition, the children’s patience will be rewarded with exciting new play spaces.  

Concurrently, the extension of the dry creek bed and creative play works will continue and we are currently receiving quotes for the completion of OSHC works. 

Shrove Tuesday: 

Thank you to the volunteer parents who assisted with putting together the BBQ kitchens in the PODs. They will get their first run when students cook pancakes for their peers on Shrove Tuesday next week. 

We also take this opportunity to thank the parent volunteers who have offered to support the junior classes in serving pancakes next Tuesday.  

Parent Teams: 

Thursday morning saw our first Parent team meeting for the year. It is great to see that we can once again consider events that can support community building as well as fund raising efforts. The team discussed projects that they may wish to target for fund raising efforts over the course of the year. The next meeting will be in Week 7 on Thursday 10th March. 

St Brigid's Superstars:

Isabelle from Year 6 will be performing in the production of 'Annie' later this month. Details are available below if you wish to go along in support.

Good Luck Isabelle!!