Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to Term 2! With Easter occurring in the middle of the school holidays, I am sure many families took advantage of the timing to be with family and friends and enjoyed some much-needed time for yourself after the busyness and challenges presented in Term 1. My family and I attended Mass on Easter Sunday. Fr Rex reflected on the true meaning of Easter, providing time to appreciate and understand the mystery behind this significant event in our Catholic tradition. John O'Donohue wrote "May the spirit and light of this Easter season bless us all, watch over us and protect us on our journey, open us from the darkness into light of peace and hope and transfiguration ”(John O’Donohue)". As we move into Term 2, the staff of St Bernard’s continue to support and foster a love of learning in each individual child to achieve their full potential.

I begin by congratulating Mrs Socha and William Mason, who were married during the holidays. We wish you all the happiness for the your future together.

Indiana A (Year 3) was baptised last Sunday by Deacon Eden and Father Rex. Congratulations to Indiana on receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. Becoming baptised marks the beginning of a journey of faith together with the family of the Catholic faith. Indiana pledged her faith and belief in Catholicism, with the support of her family and the parishioners. It was a beautiful celebration.

WELCOME…
Last week we received correspondence that the Archbishop has accepted a request from Fr Martins to extend his leave as Parish Priest of Batemans Bay until December 2022 to enable Fr Martins to continue his studies. In order for this to happen, there has been a priest swap. From 29 April until 16 December 2022, Fr Martins will be the priest in residence at St Thomas Aquinas Charnwood and Fr Tom Thornton will be the priest in residence at Batemans Bay. Deacon Eden will be ordained this year and will continue to support at St Bernard’s. We very much look forward to welcoming Fr Tom back to St Bernard’s and it will be lovely to have Deacon Eden supporting us for the remainder of the year.

We thank Fr Rex for the support and care he provided to the students last term while Fr Martins was on leave.

This term we also welcome Elizabeth Coggan and Dawn Penberthy to new roles. Mrs Coggan will be teaching 5D for Term 2 while Mrs Metcalf is on leave and Mrs Penberthy will be supporting students on Monday, Tuesday and Friday each week. We welcome you to the St Bernard’s team!

St Bernard's welcomes all who are wishing to enrol their child for 2022. Application forms for enrolment are available at the School Office or you can enrol by completing a web-based application form found at https://stbernardsbb.nsw.edu.au/enrolment Parents wishing to enrol their child for Kinder for 2022 are encouraged to apply during the advertised period each year, 3 May - 30 May (late enrolments are accepted subject to places being available). All new families applying for enrolment are interviewed by the Principal or a member of the School Executive Team. Interviews for Kinder enrolments are conducted in Term 2 and Term 3 and parents are advised if a place is available. To be eligible for enrolment in Kindergarten a child must turn 5 on or before the 30 July in the year of admission.

CATALYST
As we look towards Term 2, we will continue to focus on embedding High Impact Teaching Practices to improve student outcomes. Each term we are building on our understanding of the Catalyst initiatives. Catholic Education is also expanding on the support provided to schools.  We have been through a lot of change over the past couple of years. All our decisions are central to students, and it all starts with the pedagogy! The Scope and Sequence provides us with consistency across the school. Term Two Day One we focussed as a staff on High Impact Teaching Practice in Action, delivered by Catalyst professional learning presenter Dr Lorraine Hammond. Our focus was on Writing. The Professional Learning facilitated was excellent! At St Bernard’s, we began the implementation of Explicit Instruction across Kindergarten to Year Two last year. This pedagogical approach has already delivered improved learning outcomes and active participation in the classroom. Next week, Jared Bussell is visiting St Bernard’s to continue providing support to the Leadership Team and staff in delivering high impact teaching practices.

CANTEEN & TOILET REFURBISHMENTS
Over the stand down period, works have begun on the Canteen and Toilet Refurbishment Project. This is very exciting and will be an improvement on our current buildings. The Hall Area will be used as a building site. There will be no access to the Hall for Term 2. (We will be able to open the Hall for Open Day only). Fencing has been placed around the building site. Bus lines will need to line up in Bandur’s Barn and the Lean To. Early buses will line up in Bandur’s Barn and late buses in the Lean To. A portable toilet block has been placed in the Staff Car Park with fencing around it. 

ANZAC DAY
Thank you to our Staff, Parents and Students who were able to attend the ANZAC Day March. St Bernard’s was well represented and I was very proud to be leading

with our students. ANZAC Day is a significant event, and it was wonderful to see so many of our students participating and showing their support.

CROSS COUNTRY
We had a wonderful start to the term, beginning with our St Bernard's Cross Country Carnival. We were so proud of the students for participating in the various races. Thank you to the parents who supported with the Canteen, your help was most appreciated. A special thank you to Mrs Holmes for her incredible organisation and preparation for the day. Congratulations to all the students for their participation and team spirit.

The Staff and I look forward to another rewarding term with you. Student reports and Parent Teacher Interviews will take place towards the end of this term. Please don’t hesitate to come and see me if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind regards
Jo

Johanna Wain
Principal