Dear Parents and Carers

This term our Year 4 students have been focusing on the Eucharist as some of our Year 4 students prepare to receive the Sacrament this weekend. Congratulations to the following students who will receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist, Mia A, Isla B, Maddison B, Romy B, Brennan C, Jayden E, Annie F, Ava G-N, Lucy J-P, Storm R, Arthur S-D, Matthew S and Annabelle W. Thank you to Mrs Beashel, Mrs Keough, Mrs Coulter and Father Tom for preparing the children. All families are invited to join in this special celebration at the Mass this Saturday 17 September at 5.00pm.

Congratulations...

Congratulations to James P in Year 1 for receiving an encouragement award in the Mayor's Writing Competition. We will be including a book from the competition in our library with the writing from all the finalists. Congratulations James, we are very proud of you.  

Achieving High Learning Outcomes in English and Mathematics

Over the past three years, the staff of St Bernard’s have been engaged in Professional Learning focusing on the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading. We are committed to improving student outcomes and achieving our two system goals:

• Every student is a competent reader
• High Impact Teaching Practice is visible in every classroom.

Last week our NAPLAN results were released. The data is showing significant growth for students in Year 3 and Year 5. Some of the highlights include:

• In Reading, we are above the state in both Year 3 and Year 5
• In Grammar and Punctuation, we are above the state in both Year 3 and Year 5
• In Numeracy, we are above similar schools
• In Spelling, we are above similar schools in Year 3 and above the state in Year 5
• In writing, we are above the state in Year 3 and above similar schools in Year 5 

We believe that every student can learn. As educators, it is our role to engage, challenge, affirm and support the growth of the whole child. Our Annual Improvement Plan targets this year are:

• Results in Year 3 to align with similar schools’ mean scores or above in Literacy.
• For students in Year 5 to align with similar schools’/state mean scores in the Top Two Bands in Writing.
• Evidence of student growth in Spelling in PAT Spelling Assessment.

We have achieved all the above targets and feel this is a direct result of the High Impact Teaching Strategies that are being implemented across all classrooms at St Bernard’s. Our goal now is to review our recent NAPLAN Data and school data, including the surveys completed by staff, students and parents and to develop new targets.

St Bernard’s has adopted evidenced based instruction that is underpinned by The Simple View of Reading and Cognitive Science. This research-based approach informs the design of our instruction and classroom delivery.

At St Bernard’s Primary School, we offer high quality learning programs to our teachers to ensure they meet the learning needs of all students living in the 21st Century. Our learning programs provide a range of educational experiences that will challenge, motivate, and encourage teachers and students to reach their full potential.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang News

We are very excited to be performing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang next term to our school community. As you are aware we now have two evening shows and one matinee show to ensure that we are minimising the number of people in the hall. Mrs Hopman, Mrs Smith and Ms Guthrie have been working behind the scenes to create the backdrops. Rehearsals are being scheduled for the next four weeks and there is definitely lots of excitement at St Bernard’s. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets. We have limited spaces available each night.

Storyline

Next Monday 19 September, each class will be beginning to share their Term 3 Storyline Inquiry Unit with their peers. This inquiry approach takes the students beyond memorisation and recall into the higher order thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Please take the time next week or the holiday period to celebrate your child’s learning. Their work is a credit to all students, teachers and support staff.

Drink Bottles

Could all parents please ensure their child/ren bring their drink bottles to school each day. As the weather is getting warmer it is important that the students stay hydrated. Drink bottles can be filled up at taps around the school.

Thank you...

A special thank you to our wonderful Classroom Support Assistants, front office staff and teachers. We are very appreciative of your dedication and care for our students as they learn, play and grow at school. You are an amazing team!

Enjoy the beautiful Spring weather over the weekend. I wish all students, parents and care givers a happy, safe and restful school holiday period. Thank you to our parents and carers for your continued support over the past term. Term 4 will commence for students on Tuesday 11 October.

Kind regards

Johanna Wain
Principal