Term 2, Week 11

As we approach the mid-year break, it's time to reflect on the remarkable achievements and memorable experiences of Term 2. Our students have embraced a season of learning, growth, and creativity, demonstrating dedication and enthusiasm in every aspect of their education. From innovative projects and captivating lessons to collaborative endeavours and extracurricular activities, Term 2 has been filled with moments of inspiration and success. As we take a well-deserved break, let's celebrate the hard work and wonderful experiences that have defined this term, looking forward to the new opportunities that await us in the coming months. Enjoy your winter break!

As we approach the school term break, let us reflect on the words from Psalm 46:10. This break provides a wonderful opportunity for us to pause, reflect, and rejuvenate. Just as the verse encourages stillness and reflection, we hope this time allows everyone to rest and recharge, preparing us for the journey ahead.

Student Representative Council: A Collaborative Voice for All Students

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) brings together students from Prep to Year 6, creating a platform where their voices can be heard and valued. This diverse group collaborates on initiatives that matter most to them, fostering a sense of responsibility and community. The SRC empowers students to take an active role in shaping their school environment, ensuring that every child's perspective is considered and respected. This week we have been discussing ideas for our whole school reward for PBL, ideas for the outdoor spaces, and suggestions for celebrating 150 years of the St Brigid’s church.

Parent-to-Parent Communications

To join the Friends of St. B Messenger group, please contact Jess at jessicaennis@hotmail.com. This group serves as a valuable communication hub for parents, providing updates and answering questions about casual days, uniforms, the tuckshop, and events. It is an excellent resource for new families, helping them navigate the ins and outs of our school environment. All questions are welcome in this positive and safe space.

End of Day

Between 3:00 and 3:20 pm is an exceptionally busy time for our administrative staff. If you need to pick up your child for an appointment, please come before this end-of-day rush to ensure timely collection. Additionally, please note that you are required to come into the school to collect your child if it is before 3:20 pm. For appointments known in advance, kindly inform the office and your child's teacher with as much notice as possible.

Before and After School Supervision

Before school supervision begins at 8:30 am, and afterschool supervision is available from 3:20 to 3:30 pm. After this time, students will be taken to the office for collection. Students are not allowed to be on the playground unsupervised by parents. If you are in a meeting at the school, please ensure your children are sitting safely and quietly. Bus students are supervised at the gate; however, this is a busy time for the staff member, who is focused on ensuring the safe transition of bus and afterschool care students. They cannot supervise other students during this period.

Celebrating the Digital Upgrade

We are thrilled to announce that we have upgraded our device provisions for students, now offering one-to-one Chromebooks for Years 1-6. Our students are enjoying their new digital learning experience, enhancing their touch typing skills, and deepening their understanding of cyber safety. Under Daniel's guidance, our students are continually expanding their knowledge and skills, furthering our digital presence.

Our Lift Is Now Operational!

Typing is a Hit!

Looks like we're on the right track! We need explicit handwriting practice with our kids which has already been heavily researched PLUS explicit typing skills too. Well done Dan for bringing this in for the kids. See article below FYI: Our research shows children produce better pieces of writing by hand. But they need keyboard skills too: https://theconversation.com/our-research-shows-children-produce-better-pieces-of-writing-by-hand-but-they-need-keyboard-skills-too-229380

School'sOUT!

Congratulations to our friends at SchoolsOUT OSHC, who's service has recently been rated “exceeding” against the National Quality Standards. This achievement highlights the dedication and hard work their team puts into excelling in all seven quality areas regulated by the Department of Education. They thank our school community for our support of their program.

Socials

Our school uses social media to enhance our presence and keep our community updated with the latest news, events, and achievements. By following us, you can stay informed about our wonderful community events, innovative learning experiences, and important updates. If you haven't already, we invite you to follow us on

Facebook	www.facebook.com/stbrigidsprimarygisborne
Instagram	www.instagram.com/sbgisborne/

and share our profiles with your family and friends. Together, we can celebrate the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our school community. Some recent posts you may not have seen:

Another amazing week for our Grade 3/4 students!

A big thanks to Wally, Lynne, Jane and their amazing team at Gisborne Foodbank who we visited to deliver all the generous donations from our beautiful St B’s Community. With your support we collected over 530 Grocery items and together with the Middles’ BBQ and bakesale we raised an additional $600 towards our fundraising efforts. On Tuesday, 8 Middles students went shopping and we were able to get another $200 worth of required groceries and $200 worth of vouchers. We also plan to use the remaining $200 to donate to St Vincent DePaul’s Assist-A-Student. Thanks to our community for their incredible generosity to make this support possible and to our Middles’ students who are putting their faith in action. Salesian College Sunbury kindly invited our Grade 3/4s to a most wonderful production of Alice in Wonderland! The students thoroughly enjoyed it!

Daniel’s Digi Tech Update: My favourite thing this week

“My favourite thing this week” could be a series in itself, but here is one from this week, and no, it’s not because I want everyone to know I am the best teacher in the world (that goes to all the teachers at St. B if you ask me) but just so you can see some of the amazing kindness and gratitude our students show. Not only did they go to the trouble of writing this, but they even got it laminated! (super special), and (because, let’s face it, 7 year old Daniel never got cool stickers when he was in Primary School) I got stickers! You get a 3D print, and you get a 3D print, and you get a 3D print!

We have had a wonderful group of new students join the St. B family over the past few weeks, and one thing they have all asked me is “When can we use the 3D printer!?”, so last week we ran some 3D printing sessions during lunch break for all our new students, and here are the results, limited edition blue, personalised name tags! Some Green Screening in Prep (also known as jumping around like crazy)

As students will tell you, I am always leaving my stuff lying around, and last week our Preps discovered I left the Green Screens in the learning street which meant, yep, the Preps wanted to do Green Screening this week. One thing I like best about our Preps is they still have such an amazing sense of wonder, so when they saw that with a click of a button they could go anywhere they wanted (requests included: Space, Chocolate Factories and... McDonalds) their minds were blown!

Loving Lulu

We were lucky enough to be invited to talk to the Dog's Connect Community today in their webinar about Lulu's involvement in our community. It was lovely to reflect on all the positive ways she is involved.

More Updates

Please check out our Learning & Teaching page for more news from around our school.

Please check the Parent Google Calendar for any changes that may occur after the newsletter has been produced.

Term 3
Week 1	Mon 15/07/24	School Closure Day
	Tue 16/07/24	Term 3 Begins
	Thu 18/07/24	Year 6 Confirmation Reflection Day

Week 2	Tue 23/07/24	St Brigid's Advisory Council Meeting, 7pm
	Wed 24/07/24	Confirmation Rehearsal, 10:15am
	Fri 26/07/24	Whole School Assembly, 2:45pm

Important Dates