From the Principal

Shannon Correll

To the wonderful St Brigid's School Community,

Here we are in Week 4, can you believe we are a third of the way through this term! At the beginning of this week, we had a virtual whole school assembly and liturgy which went very well and is a new way of engaging with the community.

We have been working very hard in our school to make some big improvements. When parents are able to come back onsite, you will be able to see the new calming environments in our classrooms next to the courtyard. All of the multicolour walls have been replaced with calming blue and grey walls.

We have also created a new garden for our Year 5/6 students to work in. We still have to install a cover to provide shade over the area, but the students are thoroughly enjoying being outside reading and engaging with nature. Lastly, we have tidied up the Memorial Garden and paved this area. It is a beautiful spot for students and families to sit and be reflective.

We would like to congratulate our Year 5/6 teacher Alana Del Medico (previously Gagliardi), who married her husband last weekend. A very exciting time for them both and their family and friends.

Safety Reminder

Students and families are reminded to be wary of approaches from strangers, especially when they are unaccompanied or travelling to and from school. If they are approached students should not respond and should not accept offers of rides or gifts.

Students should seek the assistance of other nearby adults if they feel unsafe and should report the event to a trusted adult (parent or school staff member) as soon as possible.

SAPOL advises that taking out a mobile phone and calling the police can deter the offender and they recommend the student make a formal report to their closest police station.

PLEASE use the school crossing... a number of parents are walking their child across the road and not utilising the school crossing. This is dangerous for both you and your child and it is an offence and you can be fined $145.

It is an offence to cross a road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing at a place other than the pedestrian crossing (rule 234 of the Australian Road Rules).

Please also note that the required speed of 25 km per hour is the speed you need to be doing in front of the school, again you will be fined and receive demerit points.

Also please pay attention to the parking times around the school, drivers who park in the lead up to the crossing, make it very unsafe for the children crossing. We are all responsible for our community, please don't put students and the staff at risk by parking here.

Child Protection

South Australian Catholic schools place the highest priority on the care, wellbeing and protection of children and young people. In South Australia, Child Protection policy and practices support a proactive role in the care, wellbeing and protection of children and young people, the provision of child safe environments and intervention procedures for responding to abuse and neglect.

Every child has the right to be safe and free from all kinds of abuse, including bullying and harassment, and neglect.

Schools are mandated child safe environments with legal, policy and procedural requirements for staff and volunteers.

The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) requires its schools to implement child safety policies and practices, including child safety education.

Please explore the links below to see Child Protection policies and associated materials: They are also available on the CESA website: Safe Environments for All | Catholic Education South Australia (cesa.catholic.edu.au)

St Brigid's School also has their own policy for Child Protection which can be found here:

St_Brigids_School_Child_Protection_Policy_.pdf (stb.catholic.edu.au)

Lunches

Just a reminder that we don't have access to a cafe for students to order lunches. If anyone knows of a restaurant or cafe that would be willing to engage with the school, even if it is only one day a week, please let us know.

Uniform

A thank you to all the students wearing their hats, it is extremely important in this hot weather and when the UV index is above 3. If students who don't have their hats, they must sit under the covered pergola for playtimes.

A reminder about the correct uniform needing to be worn at school. We have a uniform to show our belonging to St Brigid's School, it creates a sense of identity in the Kilburn community when our students wear their uniform with pride. Whilst some students feel wearing a uniform stops them from showing their individualism, a uniform can stop peer pressure from others as we all have the same. We will approach parents when the incorrect uniform is not worn and ask for them to make the changes.

Uniform Change Over

Families have had a number of years to change into the "new" school uniform which is not so new as it was introduced in 2019. (The yellow and light blue panelled top with the school emblem, jacket with yellow piping and school emblem and shorts/pants with yellow script). On the recommendation of the School Board, we are advising the school community that at the beginning of 2023 that the old blue and white uniform can not be worn at school. Please make time with the Principal to discuss this if you have any concerns about the timing of this.

School Card

Just a friendly reminder if you think you might be eligible for school card, please pick up a form from the front office or book an appointment to see Rosie. Can you please return your form by Wednesday 2nd March 2022.

Did you know St Brigid's School is on Instagram? Scan this QR code for a direct link to our page.

We are also on Facebook, click this link to go to our page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Brigids-School-Kilburn-South-Australia-113455157020346/

Please come in and see me if you require any support this year. I look forward to continuing our partnership in supporting your family.

Yours in Love, Peace and Learning

Shannon Correll

Principal