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Enriching students learning with real world examples

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Year 7 students were lucky to have a visit from Unique Urban Design and Planning on 5 May 2023.  It was a fantastic opportunity for students to extend their learning in Geography about what makes a town liveable.  Great to see so much interaction, discussions and questions on different living scenarios.  Thank you so much for taking the time to share your skills, knowledge and experience Jared!

Welcome Back- Assistant Principal Message

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Welcome Back

A warm welcome back to all of our students and their families for another busy term at St Brigid’s.  A huge thank you to the students who were able to come along and show their support at the ANZAC Day March at the Doylo, it was great to see our St Brigid’s contingent steadily growing year on year.  Thank you also to the students who competed in the College Cross Country this week, it was a great day out on the banks of Lake Macquarie and as hard as it is, I congratulate Walker on an outstanding victory, this House is certainly setting the pace in 2023.

I look forward to what the remainder of this term will bring and encourage all of our students to apply themselves to their learning and prepare well for upcoming assessments and examinations.  It is so crucial that you develop good habits now that will serve you well in the future.  Parents can play an active role here as well, please take the time to engage with your child’s education, be inquisitive about what they are studying, ask questions and offer support where necessary.

Mother’s Day Morning Tea

I look forward to welcoming lots of our Mum’s and Grandmothers to our inaugural Mother’s Day Morning Tea next Friday 12th May.  Too often the opportunity to recognise the special women in our children’s lives are lost once they transition from Primary to Secondary which is a real shame.  We hope that this gathering is a simple way for us to say thank you, a chance to come into the College and enjoy a delicious morning tea and an informal way to meet with staff and other parents at St Brigid’s.

I pay a special thank you to Naiomi Hepplewhite for putting this morning together.  Naomi is our new Parent Engagement Coordinator and this morning tea is just one of many new ideas she will be bringing to the College to ensure we all stay connected on this important journey which is your child’s education.  Please be on the lookout for other opportunities to engage with the College as they are publicised, we appreciate that our parents lead busy lives but any opportunity to connect with the College sends a great message to your child and importantly lets them know that you value their education.

Winter Uniform

The first Monday after Mother’s Day is our traditional change to winter uniform.  Please ensure your child is organised and equipped for this change.  Students will wear winter uniform up until Father’s Day unless the weather becomes unseasonably warm prior to this time.  A link to the winter uniform regulations can be found here.

Paul Lynch
Assistant Principal

The State of Youth Mental Health

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Parents and carers can play a crucial role in their children’s mental health. As a result, staying informed on the current state of youth mental health is vital, as it not only affects individuals, but also families and communities. According to recent research, the frequency of mental health disorders among young people is increasing, with anxiety, depression, and self-harm being among the most common challenges.

One of the reasons being attributed to this rise is the heightened stress and anxiety that many young people face in today’s society. Academic success, social media, and family issues are all influencing factors. Many young people are still suffering the long-term consequences of the pandemic, such as social isolation, uncertainty, and loss.

Parents can play an important role in their children’s mental health. Creating a safe and open environment for your children to talk about their emotions, thoughts, and feelings is vital. Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper sleep can help reduce their stress levels and boost your child’s overall mental health. There are also many resources and services available to children, adolescents, and their families, such as school counsellors, various mental health organisations, support lines, and of course, mental health professionals. It is important to remember that seeking help is a show of strength, not weakness, and that early intervention is critical in addressing young people’s mental health difficulties.

This edition of SchoolTV, discusses some of the major mental health issues affecting young people and how to support a child experiencing them. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month’s edition https://sbccdbb.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/state-youth-mental-health

Indigenous Basketball Camp & Competition

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During the school holiday’s four of our Year 10 students travelled to Gunnedah to participate in a Basketball NSW Indigenous Basketball Camp and 3×3 competition.

Well done to Max I, Sam L, Dom S and Riley M for your effort and sportsmanship you displayed during the camp and competition.

Taster Day

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A day at St Brigid’s

 

On Tuesday we held our annual Year 6 Taster Day where we had approximately 150 students from 12 of our local primary schools. The Year 6 students participated in a range of activities including experiments in Science, guitar and drums in Music, designing a keyring and making mini pizza’s in Technology and finally some practical PDHPE and Sport.  Students also got a taste of our “Friday House Challenge”.

We hope the students enjoyed the day and got a “taste” of some of the things we offer at the College.

Please contact the College on (02) 4358 4278, or email stbrigids@dbb.catholic.edu.au with any enrolment enquiries.

Keeping Kids in Mind – CatholicCare Program

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CatholicCare will be offering an online parenting program called Keeping Kids in Mind. It will start in Term 2, on Wednesday 3rd May, 2023. This valuable program is suited for separated parents who are experiencing ongoing conflict and is designed to provide some insight from the perspective of their child/ren.

This course is designed to assist parents to see through their children’s eyes the experience of parental separation. You’ll also develop a greater understanding about how to support your children. This course is only offered to parents with children experiencing separation.

Topics include grief and loss after separation, the hidden world of children, rebuilding resilience, bridging the gap and looking back, moving forward. The cost is $150 or $50 concession. Register here. For more information visit the CatholicCare website.

Congratulations Jerome P

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Please join us in congratulating Jerome P of Year 10.  On Wednesday Jerome trailed for the Under 16 Boys Rugby Union Catholic Schools NSW team along with over 100 other students.  Jerome was successful in these trials and was announced as the team’s Starting Prop.  We are so pleased for Jerome and his accomplishment; Jerome is the first St Brigid’s student to make this team.  We look forward to watching and hearing more about your progress on the CSNSW Under 16 Union team. Well done!