Newsletter Week 11 Term 1
St Brigid's School 12 April 2022
Linda's Message
Dear Parents and Caregivers
It is with some sadness, lots of gratitude and a little excitement that I write this, my final newsletter piece, as Principal of St Brigid’s.
These last six years have been a real privilege and pleasure - being part of this wonderfully rich and diverse community, getting to know many of our families and of course supporting your children to learn, grow and flourish. There would not be many jobs that bring such joy and fulfilment daily as the one I have done for the last 43 years. Becoming a teacher was something I wanted to do from a young age and it has certainly lived up to expectation.
I would like to thank our parent community for your support, friendship and openness during my time at St Brigid’s. Every now and then there have been challenging conversations but always the bottom line for home and school is working towards a positive solution with the children’s wellbeing at the centre. It has always felt like a partnership.
My little bit of excitement stems from the fact that my life will now have more choices in it. I will have more time to spend with family, to travel and to do some voluntary work. I come from a family who have a history of volunteering ( my parents did meals on wheels in the Hutt Valley for 30 years). Tony and I are planning to spend some time in the South Island over the next few weeks to begin this next phase in our lives.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your children’s lives; I will certainly miss the warm greetings, sharing of stories, grazed knees and the laughter that is part of each day.
I wish you all the best for the future and hope that you have a restful Easter break.
God Bless
Linda
Upcoming Events
- Dental Van Visits - Monday 28 March - Thursday 14 April
- End of Term 1 (School Finishes at 2.00pm) - Thursday 14 April
- Start of Term 2 - Monday 2 May
- Dental Van Visits - Monday 2 May - Friday 6 May
Principal Announcement
Tēna koutou katoa,
The St Brigid’s School Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Jennifer Ioannou as the new Principal of St Brigid’s School. Jennifer has extensive leadership and strategic planning experience as well as a deep understanding of quality learning and teaching. She was Principal of St Anthony’s School in Seatoun for four years (2015 - 2019) and is currently the Director of Samuel Marsden Primary School in Karori. Jennifer will start with us at the beginning of Term 3. We are confident that Jennifer will be a wonderful new leader of our school community.
The Board would like to thank the St Brigid’s staff for their extremely hard work supporting our tamariki and community during these trying times. As always, the staff have demonstrated leadership, grit and aroha and we are truly blessed to have them walking alongside our young people.
We would like to thank all of our ākonga and whānau for your ongoing support of our school. It has been a very tough term for everyone and we have rallied together to create a place of learning and support.
The Board thanks Linda immensely for her service and commitment to our school and wish her the very best for the future. Linda has been a key figure in our community and we look forward to celebrating her on Thursday at her farewell.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Fiona Kearns who will step into the Acting Principal role for Term 2.
We wish everyone a blessed Easter and safe holiday break.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Meg Davies
Presiding member
St Brigid’s School Board
Change to Term 2 Teacher Only Date - Please Read
As we are a Catholic School, teachers are expected to do regular Professional Development on our Special Character. Every third year or so we take part in a university level paper to continue to develop and build expertise and understanding in this area. This year the teaching staff are all completing the following paper
TH504 Catholic Social Teaching
The first day for this will be in the coming school holidays and the second day was scheduled for June 27. Unfortunately it can no longer happen on that date and has been changed to Tuesday June 7, which is the Tuesday after Queen's Birthday. Some parents may see this as an opportunity to have a four day break (now that we can travel everywhere again) and some parents will be inconvenienced by the change of date. For this we are truly sorry.
Term 2 - Newsletters/Notices will only be sent out on SchoolAppsNZ
Thank you to the parents who are using SchoolApps.
The app also allows us to send alerts to our parent community, links to our website and you can use it to send absences.
If you haven't done so already, please download the app:
1. Go to the app store and search for SchoolAppsNZ and download.
2. When you first open it, it will ask you to search for the school you want.
3. Once you have confirmed St Brigid's you are good to go!
4. If you already have this app on your phone for a child at college just go to 'add a school' and add St Brigid's.
EASTER EGG RAFFLE - CARITAS
Tickets for the raffle will be on sale outside Rm 12 (YCL will visit Junior classes) on Wednesday 13 April - Prices are $1 for 1 ticket or $2 for 3 - there will be multiple prizes per class. Watch out for the posters in classes and on the Facebook page for a reminder!
2022 Sacramental Programme
First Reconciliation Programme - please contact the Parish Office for additional information and registrations forms - Ph 04 478 7137 or email office@stfrancisohariu.nz
This year there are options for this programme, including a Full-Day Course. Children who
attend the one day holiday option will ONLY need to attend the Sunday programme on May
15 for a final practice.
Reconciliation - (Option 1)
Wednesday, 27 April, 10am - 4pm
Day course Ss Peter & Paul Church
Reconciliation - (Option 2)
Sunday, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 10.15am - 11.45am
St Benedict’s Church / School
Sunday, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 3.30pm - 5.00pm
Ss Peter & Paul Church
First Reconciliation Liturgy options
Tuesday, 17 May, 7.00pm, St Benedict’s Church, Khandallah
Thursday, 19 May, 7.00pm, Ss Peter & Paul Church, Johnsonville
Term 2 Orchestra
We are wanting to get our school orchestra up and running again after not having it in Term 1. If your child is interested and is a competent musician we would love to have them join us. A competent musician means they are able to either read music/play chords. Please contact fiona@stbrigids.school.nz, if you are unsure or get your child to come and see me to discuss. We try to accommodate all instruments but as you can imagine it is challenging if we have many piano players. We meet weekly on a Thursday to learn songs for special liturgies and celebrations.
Contact Us
Email: lynne@stbrigids.school.nz
Website: https://stbrigids.school.nz/
Location: 9 Phillip St, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
Phone: +64 478 6516
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1428952763904874
April School Holidays at Wellington City Libraries
View Finders Photography Competition
During the April school holidays, we’re running View Finders – a photo competition for tamariki and rangatahi aged 5-18. You can submit your original photos across three categories – Nature, Whānau, and Objects or Books, and there are heaps of awesome prizes to be won. Plus, all submitted photographs will be entered into a special exhibition that will take place after the holidays at libraries and community spaces across the city. Entries can be submitted online, or dropped off at your local library.
To find out more, and participate, visit wcl.govt.nz/viewfinders. Special thanks to our friends at local photography business Splendid Photo for their support!
The City Nature Challenge
Are you keen to contribute to real scientific research while getting out in nature with your whānau and having a great time? We’ve got the perfect solution for you – this year, the City Nature Challenge is returning in style for a massive Bioblitz from Friday 29 April to Monday 2 May. In the lead up to the Bioblitz, park rangers and other experts (including a few librarians!) will be leading nature expeditions to good flora and fauna-spotting locations around the city. Visit wgtn.cc/CNC2022 to keep up to date with all the events!
ComicFest: Comicify Your Life
What would your life look like if it were happening on the pages of your favourite comic book? In the lead up to ComicFest on the 7th of May, we’re running a competition for aspiring artists of all ages during the April school holidays. Draw yourself as a comic book superhero, villain, or just an ordinary ‘comicified’ human, and be in to win a bevy of sweet prizes, judged and announced by some of New Zealand’s most talented artists. Entries can be submitted online, or dropped off at your local library.
To find out more, and participate, visit wcl.govt.nz/comicifylife.
Springboard Diving at Kilbirnie Pool
Wellington Diving Club offer diving lessons for kids aged 6yrs+ to Adult sessions!
Try something new - visit our website and register for a FREE 30min Trial Lesson in the school holidays or during Term.
After-school sessions available on Wed/Thurs and Saturdays - All levels welcome from beginners to competitive.
FREE Community Diving sessions one Sunday per month during Term. T&C’s apply.
For more information, please visit our website www.wellingtondiving.org.nz or call/text Barbara on 027 485 8888.