March 13 2025

Dear Families,

Lent commenced with Ash Wednesday last Wednesday. Lent is a season lasting 40 days (not counting Sundays), leading up to Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. It’s a time for reflection, repentance, alms giving and spiritual renewal. As we begin the season of Lent, it is an opportune time to reflect, especially as we are still in the early stages of 2025. As part of our reflections, it is vital that we are also thinking about how we can help those in need. This relates to the theme of alms giving. We speak quite regularly to our students about the values we have at SBW- care, curiosity, courage and connection. We share a common connection with over 7 billion other people- our earth. It is our role to care for the environment but also those around us. In Australia, we are incredibly fortunate to live in a country where most of us have access to a stable food supply, housing, education and clean water. Almsgiving, in particular, during Lent allows us to give to those in need. It may be through food or clothing donations or a monetary amount, but giving to those in need is a key part of our Catholic faith and links strongly to the values we have here at St Brigid's Wynyard. Our staff consistently speak to our students as to how they can help those in need. I do encourage you all to please continue these conversations at home.

I will leave you with a paragraph from Pope Francis' message for Lent.

This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs. Let us ask ourselves in the presence of the Lord whether, as bishops, priests, consecrated persons and laity in the service of the Kingdom of God, we cooperate with others. Whether we show ourselves welcoming, with concrete gestures, to those both near and far. Whether we make others feel a part of the community or keep them at a distance.This, then, is a second call to conversion: a summons to synodality.

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Nic Saltmarsh

Principal

For our Religious Education communication today, I wish to share with you a reflection from Father Jessie (Parish Priest) that he communicated in last week's Burnie/ Wynyard Parish Newsletter.

To further help understand our observance this season of this First Sunday of Lent, the Gospel today presents to us different images. One of the prominent images is the desert. All of us should pass through the desert to discover God. We need to feel empty, thirsty and dry to understand the nature of the desert experience. 

On the other hand, Jesus presents Himself in the image of water. We need "water" to quench our thirst but more to wash us, so that we can be cleansed from the addictions that trap our inclinations to sin. This Lent, Jesus teaches us how to be strong against temptations through penance, prayer and fasting. Jesus will lead us and bring us to the fulfillment of the promise of the Father. 

This Lenten season is a time to go deeper into our faith through the experience of the desert and examine what we hold dear to our hearts, and to treasure the time to strengthen our relationship with God. - Fr. Jessie Banez 

Yesterday, our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students commenced NAPLAN testing by completing the Writing assessment. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress.

Thanks to Grade 6 for sharing a snippet of a Rocket Maths lesson. Rocket Maths is a supplemental learning program that teaches students addition,subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. Specifically, the program teaches number facts–the basic building blocks of all mathematics. 

In Grade Six, we have been exploring the novel Rivet Boy by Barbara Henderson as part of our current novel study. Rivet Boy is a historical fiction novel based on real-life events. It tells the story of twelve-year-old John Nicol, who starts working on the construction of the iconic Forth Bridge in Scotland. Through danger, determination, and resilience, John faces the harsh realities of life as a child worker while dreaming of a better future.

Understanding the main characters of a book is important because it helps us connect with the story on a deeper level. By exploring their thoughts, emotions, and motivations, we can better understand their actions and decisions. This also allows us to see how characters change and grow throughout the story. Additionally, learning about the characters helps us develop empathy, as we see the world through their experiences and challenges.

As part of our novel study, we have created character maps for the main characters. These maps help us explore their traits, relationships, and development. As we continue reading, we will learn more about each character and add to our maps. 

As part of our ongoing focus on school effectiveness, students, staff and families are invited to participate in a survey that is facilitated by Insight SRC. Information will be sent to families in the week commencing 24/3. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parents' perceptions of their children’s experience of school.  The results will benefit everyone within the school by providing valuable information about the ways in which the school can use staff, student and parent input to plan programs and activities to improve our effectiveness. Thank you in advance for your support with this.

Students in Prep to Grade Two will participate in a Water Awareness Program from Monday, 17th March to Friday, 21st March at the Burnie Aquatic Centre.

Students will travel by bus in their class groups to and from the pool. Please ensure your child has a substantial packed lunch on these days, as the pool canteen will not be accessible.

As swimming is part of the HPE curriculum, it is essential that all children participate. Please complete your child's permission form on Compass to ensure they can take part.

Parents are welcome to attend their child’s lesson; however, due to strict guidelines, parents will not have access to the change rooms. All visitors must sign in at the pool in accordance with the Burnie Pool protocol.

Swimming Timetable:

• Grade 2 – 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
• Grade 1 (Group 1) – 10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
• Grade 1 (Group 2) – 11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
• Prep (Group 1) – 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
• Prep (Group 2) – 12:40 PM – 1:10 PM

What to Bring:

• Bathers
• Towel
• Spare underwear
• Plastic/waterproof bag for wet bathers
• Goggles (optional)
• Swimming cap (which can be purchased via the QrK app)

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Kayla McNamara via email kayla.mcnamara@catholic.tas.edu.au

Dear Families,

As we commence the Lenten season, we'd like to share some information about Caritas Australia and their important work in 2025.

Caritas Australia is the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia. The name "Caritas" comes from the Latin word meaning "love," reflecting the organisation's commitment to serving others with compassion.

In 2025, Caritas Australia continues its mission to confront poverty and promote justice worldwide through locally led programs. This year, they've launched Project Compassion 2025, their annual Lenten fundraising and awareness appeal, with the theme "Unite Against Poverty.”

Key initiatives of Caritas Australia's Project Compassion 2025:

The Long Walk for Water: Highlights the challenges communities face in accessing clean water.

Give it up for Lent: Encourages families to sacrifice and donate to support Caritas' work.

Supporting Global Communities: To demonstrate the impact of Caritas' support, it shares inspiring stories of individuals overcoming challenges, such as Toefuata'iga from Samoa and Lam from Vietnam.

Together, we can put our faith into action and demonstrate the true meaning of "love between nations".

Join St Brigid’s loose change appeal and collect your change to change lives. Collection boxes are in classrooms.

On Wednesday, April 9th, SRC will host a Guess the Number of Easter Eggs in the Jar competition.

For a Gold Coin Donation, students are welcome to wear Casual Clothes on Thursday 10th April

Students are encouraged to wear casual clothes with a theme related to Caritas, such as "Unite Against Poverty" or colours associated with Caritas.

All proceeds will go to Caritas Australia to help vulnerable communities.

As part of our Positive Behaviour approach, students may receive a Heart Reward card for demonstrating our school values - Care, Connection, Courage, Curiosity. Every fortnight, Heart Reward cards are drawn out and students are invited to participate in a special activity. 

Congratulations to our Week 3 Heart Reward Students: Lila, Emerson, Morgan, Harriet, Rhett, Matilda, Jaxxon, Maya, Peter, Olive, Anakin and Luca. 

Please be aware that our school grounds are dog free zones. This is part of our WHS compliance to ensure the safety of all. This means that dogs should not be onsite at drop off and pick up time.