• Thursday 24 August - Kindy/PP Carnival (9.00am)
• Friday 25 August - Merit Certificate Assembly (2.15pm)
• Wed 30 August - Orienteering
• Thursday 31 August - St Brigid’s Feast Day (Mass 9.00am)
• Thursday 31 August - St Brigid’s Feast Day Markets (12.30pm)
• Friday 1 Sept - Father’s Day Breakfast (8.00am - 8.45am)
• Friday 1 Sept - Year 3 Assembly (9.00am)
• Wed 6 Sept - Faction Carnival Field Events (Yr 3 -6)
• Friday 8 Sept - Faction Athletics Carnival (9.00am)
• Thursday 14 Sept - Grandparent Liturgy (9.00am)
• Friday 15 Sept - Year 3 Excursion
• Tuesday 19 Sept - St Brigid’s Learning Journey (3.30pm - 6.00pm)
• Thursday 21 Sept - Merit Certificate Assembly (2.15pm)
• Thursday 21 Sept - End Term 3
• Monday 9 Oct - Term 4 commences (all students)

Please note: Dates are subject to change, please also refer to the Term Planner on our Website.

Come, Holy Spirit,

Fill the hearts of thy Faithful.

And enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created,

and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the third and final of the sacraments of Christian initiation. Just as our bodies and minds grow, we know that our souls also need to grow in the life of grace. The Sacrament of Confirmation builds on the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. In Baptism, we become a child of God. Through the Eucharist, we partake in the life of Christ. In Confirmation, the graces of baptism are brought to completion, and we are empowered with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation is a rite of passage. On the weekend, Father Glenn called the Holy Spirit upon your child, and they were filled with the Spirit. they have now begun their journey with Christ as a mature adult in our Church. We were blessed to Have Father Glenn, Father Benny and Father Rodrigo as our celebrants on the weekend.

Last week Father Glenn came to visit the school and ponder some difficult questions with our students, it was wonderful to hear their responses and thoughts. They showed the deep faith and sound knowledge of our students.

Special thanks to Mr Anthony Corbett, our Assistant Principal RE as well as Miss Mollie Anderton and Miss Natasha De Gois the confirmation candidate’s teachers. These wonderful people have helped prepare our students for this important Sacrament. We are blessed to have so many wonderful people share their faith with our students.

A special thanks to our choir and their leader Mrs Alison Yeo who came to sing at the Confirmation on Sunday and sing to welcome in the Holy Spirit. We appreciate your gift of song to support your fellow students on their special day.

My prayer for you is that each of you will realise that you have been ‘Gifted’ by the Spirit and will treasure this. As you mature, open your minds and your hearts to God’s message for you. You are all so special and unique, each with the potential for greatness. God loves and cares for each of you in a very special way. Now empowered by the Holy Spirit you are called to use these Gifts to help you make wise choices and follow the example of Jesus. I pray that God’s Spirit will inspire you in your lives, daring you to live the life God imagined for you.

May you be strong in courage and confidence.

May you be wise in choices and decisions.

May you be caring of all relationships and compassionate to those in need.

May you meet life’s adventure with a clear mind and a bold heart.

May your integrity be a gift to the world

and may the Spirit of God

be with you always.

We are very excited to see book week visit our school once more. Book Week is always an enjoyable week of school. On Tuesday we saw our students dressing up in their costumes to celebrate another exciting book week in our school. The staff were in fine form and chose the Mr & Mrs Men theme for dress up week. We are blessed to have such a wonderful staff join in with the fine and support our students. Our parents and caregivers are so creative when it comes to costumes a big thank you for joining in with our day and assisting our students to dress up for the day.

Thanks to our amazing P & F we have the Father’s Day Raffle. The P & F have come up with so many prizes and they are on sale starting this week. Every family will have a set of 5 tickets, please fill in the tickets and return to school for your opportunity to win a wonderful prize. Thanks P & F you are awesome.

Presently we are enrolling many students for 2024 which is wonderful. This is a friendly reminder if you need to enrol your child for kindergarten 2024 and you have not done so yet please consider as we are filling up quickly.

Also, if you are intending to move schools could you please fill out the cancellation form on the website or ask for a form from the front office. We have a number of families who are on our waiting lists and are ready to join our school. Once we have the cancellation form, we can offer the children a place.

How much sleep is enough for your child? Research indicates that children 6 to 9 years old need 10 to 11 hours sleep a night; 10- to 12-year-old need an average 9 to 10 hours sleep and adolescents need 8 to 9 hours sleep each night, however there may be times when they need more or less.

How do you know if your child is getting adequate sleep? Sleep deprivation can add up over time. An hour less per night adds up to a full night’s sleep by the end of the week.

Lack of sleep can mean your child:

• May experience difficulties at school because they are having trouble concentrating, focusing, or completing tasks.
• May have a shorter fuse - more short tempered and less tolerant at home and at school, increasing their risk of experiencing behavioural problems.
  
  

Therefore, lack of sleep can contribute to your child experiencing more difficulty with managing their day and gathering the confidence and positive experiences they need to develop a sense of achievement and happiness.

Creating a bedtime routine can assist children develop healthy sleeping habits. Younger children need parents to set a bedtime routine:

• Make the bedroom a relaxing and secure environment.
• Ensure adequate warmth and comfort.
• Include a night light for children who dislike the dark.
• Allow children to read and relax in bed prior to sleep.
• Create a quiet time prior to bedtime for intimacy and sharing and the opportunity for the child to wind down. This can be a time to tell a story or read to your child.
• Decide on a bedtime, making sure you remind your child half an hour prior, so they are prepared when it is bedtime.
• Soft music or a favourite story tape can assist your child to settle and relax.
  
  

There is no set way to help your child become a good sleeper, but with the right supports, every child can become a good sleeper. The important thing is to be persistent and consistent with your bedtime routines.

God Bless and may you have a wonderful and relaxed week.

Paula MacKenzie

Principal

St Brigid’s Primary School will continue to do a school bulk order for all classroom stationery items for the 2024 school year. The bulk order for 2024 will not be covered by the school as it was in 2023. This was a once off only. Each family will be sent a separate invoice with the specific class amount that will need to be paid to the school. As in previous years by purchasing all stationery items for the students we as a school get a substantial discount, which is comparable to Officeworks, Kmart or Big W.

Parents as per usual will be required to pay for all subscriptions before the commencement of the school year.

More information will be provided early in Term 4 for each classroom stationery costings

St Brigid's Primary School will be hosting a Father's Day Breakfast on Friday 1 September. Breakfast (sausage sizzle) will commence at 8.00am and conclude 8.45am. The Year 3 Class Assembly will commence at 9.00am after breakfast. If you will be attending, please select the following link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/StBrigidsPrimarySchool2/FathersDayBreakfast2023

You play a big role in your child's learning journey. From the toddler years through to primary and high school, you will impact your child's attitude to learning and how they develop.

Not only this, when you spend time with your child supporting their learning, whether it's school work, play time or helping with an assignment, it shows you care and positively impacts the father-child bond.

So, if you show and encourage a love of learning, you will be setting your child up for success throughout their lives.

​​​​​​​​​​​Top Tips

1. Be actively interested in what your child is doing at school. Ask them about their day at school “What was the best thing about school today?” or “What was your favourite part of school today?”

2. Be positive about school, even if you have some not so positive memories of school or learning yourself, allow your child to create their own experiences of school. Speak positively about going to school and learning.

3. Praise their efforts: encouragement from dad goes a long way. Tell them how proud you are when they try hard and have a positive attitude to learning. You could reward by doing something together they enjoy.

Congratulations to the Year 6 students who completed their Sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday. Many thanks to the parents, sponsors, parish catechist helpers, teachers and Father Vincent, Father Benny and Father Rodrigo. Special thanks to the St Brigid’s School Choir who sang beautifully. The entire celebration was a success through everyone’s contribution. The flames of the Holy Spirit were strong.

On Thursday 31st of August we celebrate our Founders Feast Day and especially acknowledge St Mary MacKillop.

St. Mary MacKillop was an important figure in Australian history and the Catholic Church. She was a pioneering educator and a dedicated advocate for the poor and marginalized. Here's an explanation you can share with primary school parents:

Introduction: Saint Mary MacKillop, also known as Saint Mary of the Cross, was an extraordinary woman who lived in Australia during the 19th century. She is remembered for her dedication to education, social justice, and her tireless efforts to help those in need. As parents, it's important to introduce our children to inspirational figures like her, who can teach valuable lessons about compassion, perseverance, and the power of making a positive impact.

Early Life and Education: Mary MacKillop was born on January 15, 1842, in Melbourne, Australia. She came from a large and devout Catholic family. At a young age, she developed a passion for teaching and helping others. Mary faced many challenges growing up, including financial difficulties and health issues, but she never gave up on her dreams of making a difference in the world.

Founding of the Sisters of Saint Joseph: As Mary grew older, she recognized the need for education among the poor and disadvantaged children in Australia. In 1866, along with Father Julian Tenison Woods, she co-founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. This religious order was dedicated to providing education and support to children from all walks of life, including those in remote and underserved areas.

Education for All: One of Mary MacKillop's most significant contributions was her commitment to making education accessible to everyone, regardless of their social or economic background. She believed that education was a powerful tool that could uplift individuals and empower them to create better lives for themselves and their communities.

Challenges and Trials: Mary faced many challenges throughout her life, including opposition from authorities within the Church and financial difficulties. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her mission to provide quality education and care to those in need. Her determination and resilience serve as a powerful example of how we can overcome obstacles to achieve our goals.

Legacy and Canonization: Saint Mary MacKillop's legacy lives on to this day. Her dedication to education and social justice continues to inspire people around the world. In 2010, she was canonized as Australia's first saint by Pope Benedict XVI, recognizing her profound impact on society and her unwavering faith.

Lessons for Our Children:

1. Compassion: St. Mary MacKillop's life teaches us to care for others and show kindness to those less fortunate than us.
2. Perseverance: Despite facing hardships, Mary MacKillop never gave up on her dreams. This teaches us to stay determined and work hard to achieve our goals.
3. Empathy: Through her work, Mary showed us the importance of understanding the struggles of others and helping them in meaningful ways.
4. Education's Power: Mary believed in the transformative power of education. She reminds us that learning and knowledge can change lives for the better.
5. Making a Difference: Even one person can make a significant impact on the world. Mary MacKillop's life shows us that ordinary individuals can do extraordinary things.
   
   

In sharing the story of Saint Mary MacKillop with our children, we pass on important values and a role model who exemplified the virtues of compassion, determination, and service to others.

All parents are invited to share a Mass celebration on Thursday 31st August at 9:30am in the Mary MacKillop Hall.

GREAT NEWS! You can now order multiple lunches for your children through the QuickCliq account.

If you have placed an online order through QuickCliq and your child is unwell or the canteen is closed, you MUST cancel your order before the cut off time of 9.00am by going online and following these instructions:

Log into your QuickCliq account -> click Active/Cancel order -> Scroll to the right -> click Cancel against the order.

Hello my name is Kylie and I have been the Canteen Manager at St Brigid's Primary School for over 12 years. I am looking for any mums, dad, grandparents or careers who can spare some time to help out in the canteen. If you can't help for the entire day, that's not a problem, we would be grateful for anytime you can offer. The busiest time in the canteen is between 11.15am to 12.30pm. I find that the children love seeing there loved ones in the canteen it always bring a bit of fun into there day.

As a little "thank you" for your help, the canteen will provide you with lunch, a cold drink and bottomless cups of tea/coffee. Any additional information please feel free to come and see me in the canteen, I am happy to have a chat with you. Kind Regards, Mrs Kylie Dickenson

Uniform Shop Opening Hours

Monday 8.00am till 10.00am

Wednesday 1.30pm till 3.30pm

ONLINE UNIFORM ORDER FORM

If you need to place an order please click the Uniform Order Form, complete the form and either sent it to uniform@stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au or alternatively you can send the form in with your student to be handed into the office.

WINTER UNIFORM

When students return to school on Monday the 24th of April, we remind families that all students should be wearing the correct winter uniform.

Before the end of term please take this opportunity to ensure that our girls are wearing skirts which are the appropriate length and all uniforms are tidy and in good repair.

Please utilise the online ordering service to avoid the long wait times during this busy period.

If you need to place an order please click the Uniform Order Form, complete the form and either sent it to uniform@stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au or alternatively you can send the form in with your student to be handed into the office.

Children in years 3 to six should be wearing their school ties as this is part of our winter uniform.

As part of this uniform all students should wear clean and polished black leather lace-up shoes. For more information, please see our Uniform Guidelines in the School Uniform Guideline Booklet

Parents, we are here to support you and your children in before and after school hours! We offer a secure, safe and exciting environment for your children to thrive and be a part of a socialized group.

Please note an enrolment form and 1 days' notice is to be given to make your casual bookings for your children.

We are here to help! Enrolment forms are now online https://www.helpinghandsnetwork.com.au/register/#.

Vacancies Available Now!

E: stbrigidsmiddleswan@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au

The Midvale Hub Parenting Service offers a range of parenting programs to assist you to grow happy healthy children. Individual assistance with parenting is available for any parenting concerns you may have, just talk to one of our Parenting Educators and they will be more than happy to listen and provide practical support and skill building.

Our Parent Information and Support is offered through:

• Parenting programs for groups and individuals

• Individual and group support sessions

• Community events

Please click on the below link to view the workshops and programs that are being offered this school term for 2023.

https://www.midvalehub.org.au/copy-of-midvale-hub-parenting-servi

Service, Courage, Peace, Acceptance

Email: admin@stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stbrigidsms.wa.edu.au/
Location: 20 Toodyay Road, Middle Swan WA, Australia
Phone: 92501592
Facebook: facebook.com/stbrigidsms
Twitter: @stbrigidsms