FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Week 8 Term 4

This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. The four week season of Advent starts a new year in the Liturgical calendar. Advent is the time where we prepare for the coming of the Lord. We not only prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus at Christmas, the readings during Advent make us aware of two other comings. One at the end of time when the Lord, the King of the Universe, will come again and thirdly we look for the coming of the Lord in our daily lives when we try to live the way Jesus wants us to live. The readings this week refer to the coming of Jesus at these three levels. In the First Reading the Prophet Jeremiah predicts the arrival of the Messiah as promised by the Lord. In the Gospel from Luke Jesus advises his followers to be ready for the time when the Son of Man returns at the end of time. In the Second Reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians Paul appeals to the community members to live a life that the Lord wants them and us to live i.e. one that manifests the message of Love that Jesus delivered. So this Advent don’t just focus on the baby Jesus, Emanuel, think about living a life fully alive and unencumbered by thoughts and feelings that stop us fully participating in life and finally identify ways in your daily life to live “the life that God wants”

Michael Mangan Concert

I hope that all enjoyed our Michael Mangan concert on Friday evening. Thanks to all those who helped ensure the evening was a successful one. Thanks to Mrs Kingston who organised the evening, to Mrs Sandstrom and the various class teachers who prepared the children by practising the songs and actions and to Mr Colin who spent the day setting up in hot conditions. Thanks also to the members of the Parents and Friends’ Association who provided the catering for the evening and finally to the children and their families who came along in great numbers and joined in so enthusiastically.

What is on over the following week

The third and final week of swimming lessons for grades 1-6 will take place at Nerang pool. The Parents and Friends’ Association volunteers’ morning tea was held on Tuesday Nov 24. Year 4 end of year movie event Thursday Nov 26th. Grade One will participate in a Raw Art incursion Friday Nov 27th. Year 6 will enjoy an End of Year Pool Party on Monday November 30th.

The Grade One end of year celebration will be held on Tuesday December 1st from 12 – to 2 pm. The Year 5/6 Leadership Handover Liturgy will commence at 11:30am on Wednesday December 2nd. Prep Santa Show will be held in the OSHC from 1-2:30 pm on Wednesday December 2nd. The Year 6 Farewell Liturgy will commence at 7pm on Wednesday December 2nd in the St Brigid’s Church. St Brigid’s School will celebrate its end of year Mass on Thursday December 3rd commencing at 9:15 am. Semester 2 student reports will be issued on Thursday December 3. For students not at school on that day or the following the reports will be mailed to the address we have on file. Please be aware that the school year will finish on Friday December 4th at 12:00 noon. Assembly prayer this week was led by 5B whilst 5C will lead next week’s.

PB4L Focus

This week we will be expanding on Rule #3: Respect for property – using technology responsibly. Children will be reminded that Information and Communication Learning Technology is made available to them on the condition that they use the equipment responsibly and act as a good digital citizen at all times.

"Boys are more sensitive than girls to disadvantage. Any disadvantage, like growing up in poverty, in a bad neighbourhood, or without a father, takes more of a toll on boys than on their sisters. That realisation could be a starting point for educators, parents, and policy makers who are trying to figure out how to help boys a₠¬" particularly those from underprivileged families." Created by--Claire Cain Miller in "A Disadvantaged Start in Life Harms Boys More Than Girls" in The New York Times, October 22, 2015

Guidance Service 2016

After a review of student numbers and needs there will be a change to the personnel filling the Guidance Officer positions at several of the Catholic schools on the Gold Coast from next year including St Brigid’s. Mrs Debbie Thurlow has been acting in the position at St Brigid’s for the past 18 months while our usual Guidance Officer, Cilla Stent, was on leave and subsequently returned to work on a part-time basis but not to St Brigid’s. From next year Mr Vince Dundas has been appointed as the Guidance Officer serving St Brigid’s and St Kevin’s, Benowa. Mr Dundas will be at St Brigid’s each Wednesday, Thursday and every second Friday. Currently Mr Dundas services St Kevin’s and St Francis Xavier School, Runaway Bay. Mrs Debbie Thurlow will continue at a Catholic Secondary College in Logan and with her private practice. I wish to express my thanks to Mrs Thurlow for all she has done to support the students, families and staff during her time at St Brigid’s and wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

Parish News

Mass and Prayer Times at St Brigid’s Church Daily Mass 7am Monday to Friday Saturday Mass 9am Rosary 8.00am Sunday, 7.30am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8.30am Saturday Divine Mercy Prayer at 7.30am on Wednesday. Adoration with Benediction Thursdays from 7-8pm. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturday 9.30 am. Sunday Mass Vigil at 6pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday. Reconciliation 5.15pm Saturday. St John’s , Windabout Road, Beechmont: Mass on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 10.30am . Next Mass at St John’s Sunday 13th December 2015 Nudgee College Old Boys’Association—Annual Memorial Mass will be celebrated in the College Chapel on Saturday 28th November at 7.30am. All of Nudgee Family are welcome.

Kevin Bianchi Principal

APRE NEWS

Prayer on Assembly

Prayer on assembly this week was led by 5B. 22 November is the feast day of Christ the King. This feast brings the Church year to a close. Thanks to Mr Grehan and our Year 5 students for their special prayers and messages that were reflective of this feast day and the connections that were made to our 2015 school year. The prayer today reminded us of some important moments and events that we have shared together and the people who have been a special part of our 2015 school journey. Our final prayer for 2016 will be led by 5C. Parents are always welcome to attend our assemblies, which begin at 2.20pm.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Let’s help to make someone less well off than us, enjoy a better Christmas! Please help contribute to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

Let’s dig deep for the last time this year St Brigid’s! The St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal has once again been launched amidst increasing calls for help from the community. With Christmas looking like a tough time of year for many in our local area, a celebration with all the trimmings and traditions that Christmas brings might be far from a reality. Let’s try to turn that around for some families!

Any items such as the ones listed below can be sent to school with your child/children over the next 2 weeks. We are hoping to have many hampers full of Christmas joy to present to St Vincent de Paul at our end of 2015 School Mass. My dear children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3-18)

Gift Suggestions

For children and teens: Plush toys, rattles, clothes, building blocks, books, art and craft supplies, board games, sporting equipment, sewing kits, puzzles.

For men: Toiletry packs (containing razors, shaving cream, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste) clothing vouchers, shoes, thongs, bags, backpacks.

For women Toiletry packs (containing shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, body lotion, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste), makeup kits, bags.

For families Tins of ham, Christmas cakes or puddings, long life custard, cordial or 6 pack fruit drink. Tins: Corn kernels, beetroot, green peas, baby potatoes, fruit. Packets: Jelly, lollies, biscuits.

Peace on Earth Christmas Concert last Friday Night!

It was lovely to see so many families enjoying the concert on Friday night. Thanks to everyone who attended and got into the Christmas spirit. The children’s and Michael’s performances were wonderful and the night really reflected the sense of community that is alive here at St Brigid’s.

Special Events to finish the 2015 School Year

Each year we take time to celebrate achievements and to reflect on the time our outgoing students have spent at St Brigid’s. The special days and times put aside for families of Year 5 and 6 students to note are:

Wednesday, 2 December 11.30am Leadership Handover Ceremony for Year 5 students (Church). This will be followed by a Farewell Cake sharing event for our Year 6 students and their families which will be held in the Eco-Inquiry building.

Wednesday, 2 December 7.00pm Year 6 Farewell Liturgy (Church).

Full dress uniform is required for all students at the above events. Please ensure your child is wearing their black leather shoes, St Brigid’s socks, checked dress for girls and checked shirt with green shorts for boys. Hair that reaches below the collar is to be tied back with white, green, yellow or black ties or ribbons. A Leader badge, a watch and a single pair of earrings may be worn if desired.

End of Year Whole School Mass Thursday, 3 December 9.15am – All welcome!

Have a wonderful week!

Belinda Kingston

APRE

PASTORAL CARE

GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR NEWS

As we approach the end of the year, we are all busy here trying to finish off tasks from the year and plan for 2016! One of the tasks I am required to do is to transfer Guidance Counsellor files for our students transitioning to Catholic High Schools. Please advise me through the front office staff if you

DO NOT consent to any information being passed onto your child’s high school. This week’s article is about keeping your kids safe in public. With the Christmas break fast approaching, your children will be out playing at the park, at the beach, the movies, hanging with friends and depending on the age of your child, this may not always be with you. The article provides some tips on helping your kids be confident and cautious about being out in public and how to respond if they are ever approached by a “stranger.” Please have a read and discuss this with your children. It is never too early to start these conversations. It is important to have them in relaxed manner though, as you do not want your child to become anxious about leaving the house or being away from you. Have a great second last week of the 2015 school year!

DATE CLAIMERS

Date Event

Wednesday 2 December 2015 Yr 5/6 Handover Liturgy

Wednesday 2 December 2015 Yr 6 Farewell Liturgy

Friday 4 December 2015 Last day of Term 4 - School finishes at 12pm

Monday 25 January 2016 Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 26 January 2016 Australia Day Public Holiday

Wednesday 27 January 2016 First day of Term 1 2016

BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to those children who are celebrating their birthday this week:

Jonte M, Cliodhna N, Benny W, Cadell S, Jack H, Vanessa H, Georgia L, Lillie F, Aliya R, Lilli M, Jack M

CLASS AWARDS

0B Ruby, Nate

0C Darcey, London

1B Layla, Ava, Kobie

1C Poppy, Banbha, Kobi 2A Charlotte, Alex

2B Mia, Hayden, Jake

2C Meg, Mia P, Aiden, Ashton

3B Lachie, Emma

3C Chloe, James

PB4L

Robo's Rule of the Week

Respect for Property - using technology responsibly

Robo Awards

Reilly 2A, Rosalia 0C, Abbie R 2A, Sophia L 2A, James H 2A, Kobe K 5A, Jake K 5A, Joshua H 4C, Jake V 4A, Chelsea P 5A.

LIBRARY NEWS

Help Needed Urgently

We are in urgent need of help to cover Take Home Readers. Even if you have a small amount of time, please call into the library. All help is very much appreciated. A bundle of readers can be taken home for you to cover at home. PLEASE assist your child in RETURNING ALL TAKE HOME READERS AND LIBRARY BOOKS TO SCHOOL. Due now.

Jan Knowles

Teacher Librarian

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

Hope you enjoyed your coffee on Tuesday. Coffee van should be back next Wednesday for the last week. Judy will continue coming in 2016 on our Walking and Wheeling Wednesdays. Thanks Judy for great coffee!! We congratulate Prep C on winning the Green Boot. Well done Prep C!! I think that is the 1st time this year. Great to see our young ones travelling actively!

We are still waiting on the Prizes/Certificates for the art competition. Keep up the active travel for our Walking and Wheeling Wednesdays or any day that suits. Think of all that great exercise and more money to spend on more exciting things than petrol.

UNIFORM SHOP

Hours Opening hours - Tuesday and Friday 8:30am - 9:30am

Help needed! If you have a spare hour on a Tuesday or Friday morning from 8.30 - 9.30am, your help serving would be greatly appreciated. If available to help out, please give me a call or drop in to the Uniform Shop.

We currently have an abundance of second hand uniforms and cannot take any more this term until stocks go down. Thank you. Deb Laurie

Uniform Shop Opening Hours in January 2016

The Uniform Shop will be open between 9:30am and 1:30pm on WEDNESDAY 20th JANUARY and THURSDAY 21st JANUARY 2016 (the week prior to school commencing) for uniform purchases and Prep collections.

Wishing all St Brigid's families a safe and Merry Christmas. God Bless.

Debbie Laurie

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY NEWS

Visitor\\\'s Register

The Visitor's Register is located at Reception and all parents and visitors are required to sign in and out. This is an essential document that keeps the school informed of all visitors and contractors who may be on site at any particular point in time. be SAFE be WELL

OSHC

Christmas Disco at OSHC

Friday December 4th (last day of School) 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm All money raised will support the “Isabella and Marcus Paediatric Brainstem Tumour Fund www.IsabellaAndMarcusFund.org.au

Or Facebook.com/IsabellaAndMarcusFund.org.au Refreshments will be available for sale on the night and we are currently running a raffle which will also be drawn on the night. Tickets are $1.00 each or 3 for $2.00 Cost for the disco will be $5.00 per child (over 5 years of age) This is a great opportunity for Parents to plan a Friday night dinner or some child free Xmas shopping All students and friends are welcome

TUCKSHOP

Tuckshop Roster

Wednesday 25/11/15 Thursday 26/11/15 Friday 27/11/15

Help Needed Please Julie Rollison

Tuckshop closed last day of school

Please note the Tuckshop will not be open on Friday December 4.

It will still be operating on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Thank you to all the helpers this year. Many hands make light work!

Helen Fahey

Tuckshop Convenor

P & F COMMITTEE

Christmas Concert

We wish to thank all the families and friends that came along on Friday night and celebrated the end of year with us. We would also like to thank the helpers on the night David, Michael, Greg, Ange, Lisa, Greta, Tamara, Ruby, Caitlyn what a great help you all were thank you. Special thanks to Mr Colin for all his hard work throughout the day/night. And thank you to Judy for bringing the coffee van. Helene Fahey P and F President

CLASS NEWS

Prep News

We are celebrating the ‘Story of Christmas’ Liturgy this Friday.

Date: Friday, 27 November beginning at 12:00pm, in the Prep Area. Please remember to bring a plate of food to share.

Thank you to all of the families who were able to attend the Christmas Concert last Friday night. Our children began the celebration by singing beautifully and all seemed to enjoy the evening. The final school Mass for this year is next Thursday, 3rd December at 9.15am. You are most welcome to attend this Mass, to celebrate our successful year together.

Year 1 News

This Friday Grade One will host an incursion for Raw Art. We look forward to an exciting 1 hour session per class, with a make and take session. Children from Grade One will have an end of year celebration next Tuesday. Please look for a note to confirm this event and sent your child with something to share with their Grade One friends. It is a good idea during the Christmas holidays to sustain writing skills by encouraging children to write – (letters to friends, emails, Santa, notes) … to read - (recipes, signs, books, instructions) and to apply maths – shopping (money/measurement), recipes (measurement), counting… Some parents find it helpful to get back into a routine ready for school a couple of weeks prior to school commencing by taking out Grade One exercise/student books or by purchasing Grade One student books for revision from the newsagent. Remember the local library has books and CD’s for your child to enjoy. 20 min. -1 hour of structured time may be helpful for your child to prepare them for the academic year ahead. The following is helpful information about the character Connie Confidence from the “You Can Do It” Program which is constantly reviewed in Grade One. Connie Confidence is about not being afraid to make mistakes when learning something new. It encourages a child to believe that he/she will be successful when learning something new. Not being afraid to meet new people. It is also about believing that he/she will be liked and will make friends. It is about standing up tall, sitting with straight back, speaking in a voice that everyone can hear but is not too loud. Remember to encourage your child to think positively by thinking, ‘I am likeable and good at doing many things.’ ‘It is okay to make mistakes when learning something new.’ ‘It is good for me to try new activities by myself and it is okay to ask for help if I need it.’

Year 2 News

Set homework has finished for the year but we encourage students to continue with their skip counting, simple story problems, counting money and telling the time to the quarter hour with an analogue clock. Please return all home reading books and library books before the end of the week. Thank you to those children who returned them last Friday. Please encourage your child to read and write everyday throughout the holidays. Thank you to everyone who attended the Michael Mangan concert last Friday, it was a great success. The children sang beautifully and lots of fun was had by all. There has been a very positive response to our Christmas Appeal, with children bringing in a variety of Christmas foods and gifts for those less fortunate in our community. This is a highly visible way of

'Making Christ Present' at St Brigid's. Please keep the items coming in. Swimming for Year Two concludes at the end of this week. We have noticed a marked improvement in the student's swimming ability and their confidence in the water.

Please ask your child to return their homework zip bag. We will collect these and send them to Year Three so that they can be reused next year. Have a great week!!!!

Year 3 News

Welcome to Week 8. We are into our last week of swimming. The children enjoyed the bus again and their second lesson. Enjoy our photos below. Please make sure your child has all their belongings on their day. We would like to thank you parents, for all the extra, healthy food. The children were certainly hungry again after their long swim. 3A IS SWIMMING ON WEDNESDAY 3B AND 3C ARE SWIMMING ON THURSDAY It was great to see so many families at the Christmas Concert. We hope you and your families enjoyed the night. Thanks for your company! The children sang beautifully! If your child is finishing before Week 9 Thursday December 3rd please let your child’s teacher know as your child’s report will need to be posted. On Tuesday we were entertained by Matthew A and Lachie on drums. Well done to the boys for all their hard work and enthusiasm. What talented drummers! Thanks to Miss Margot and Mr Davey for having us. We would like to share some comments from some of our children. “I liked doing the assessments this week.” William 3A “I enjoyed digging in the dirt for Science and seeing all the grubs.” Couper 3B “I liked doing the Maths groups. We looked at symmetry”. Chloe 3C Have a peaceful week! Enjoy our photos.

Year 4 News

Thank you to all the families who attended our Christmas concert last Friday. We all had a fun and joyous occasion. The year 4 students did us all proud with their wonderful rendition of “The 12 days of an Australian Christmas” and “Fill every Valley”.

This week will be our last week of swimming. The students have enjoyed their time in the pool not only learning vital pool safety but also offering them a cool alternative to those hot days.

Christmas Appeal

Sincere thanks for your generous contributions to support the St Vincent de Paul Society. The students are invited to bring in gifts that are suitable for children and adults in the wider community whose families do not have the resources to purchase gifts this Christmas. We are also collecting non-perishable food items that the St Vincent de Paul Society will pass onto the parish.

Year 6 News

Last week Year 6 enjoyed an incursion from Raw Art to make some pots that will be used as part of their Farewell ceremony next week. Alisha took them through a step by step process and you can see some of the results below.

We are completing PBL with many interesting presentations and these will be completed by the end of the week. Behaviour in class and in the playground has been an issue for some Grade 6 students. It has been made very clear to the students that there is every possibility that the failure to follow school rules will result in their being 'uninvited' from the end of Year 6 excursion to the pool. We would like to think that this will not be necessary and any encouragement of expected behaviours is most welcome.

OFFICE NEWS

Term 4 Fees

Term 4 fees were due 30 October 2015 and are now overdue. If you are paying by cash at the Office please have the correct amount available as we are unable to give change.

Lost Property

Lost property not claimed will be given to charity or disposed of.

Please remember to label all items.

Student Absences

When leaving a message on the School Absences Line - please clearly state the following:

Student's name

Class

Reason for absence - VERY IMPORTANT

Please call the Absences Line prior to 9am on the day of the absence.

Administration of Medication

Student Medication Request forms must be completed by a parent/caregiver and handed to the school office in order to authorise the administration of medication to a student. Please click on the link below to download and print a form. Have you changed your Contact Details?

As we may need to contact you urgently at any time due to your child being unwell or in an accident, it is imperative that we have your current contact details. If you have moved house, changed your workplace, email address or phone number/s recently, please call into the office to complete a Change of Address/Contacts form. Parent Portal

Please contact the office if you have any problems accessing the Parent Portal or require your password to be reset.