Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to the 2024 school year. On behalf of the staff, I extend a very warm welcome to both returning families and those who are new to our St Bernard’s community. A special welcome to the following new students who joined us today:

• Phoebe B (Yr 1R) and Willow B (Yr 5C)
• Lennea H (Yr 1K) and Jayda H (Yr 4C)
• Lucas C (Yr 1M) and Liam C (Yr 5C)
• Charlie O (Yr 3KT)
• Brody B (Yr 3W) and Riley B (Yr 5M)
• Cooper M (Yr 3KT)
• Ivy G (Yr 4C)
• Paige C (Yr 5M)
• Jordan B (Yr 5M)
• Amalia I (Yr 6C)

As we embark on this exciting journey together, we want to share some important updates and highlights to keep you informed and engaged.

Our K-12 theme for 2024 is “whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12-13). Jesus is portrayed as a guiding light, suggesting that those who follow him will be led on a path of righteousness. This theme will be central to 2024 and can certainly inspire us to be the light in our St Bernard’s community.

STAFFING UPDATE
As you are aware, Claire Campbell has made the decision to resign from her position at St Bernard’s at the end of Term One 2024. Claire and her husband Chris are moving to Queensland this year to begin a new chapter in their life. On behalf of the St Bernard’s staff, I extend our best wishes to Claire. Claire has been an excellent teacher and she will leave a lasting impression on the development of her students. 

Kate and Anthony are expecting their second child this year. Kate will most likely commence maternity leave at the end of Term 2. I take this opportunity to wish Kate and Anthony all the best for the birth of their new baby.

This year we have some staff fulfilling additional roles. The changes include:

• Mrs Georgia Veneris will be teaching three days Performing Arts (Tues-Thurs) and 2 days in Classroom Support (Mon & Fri). Georgia will commence maternity leave towards the end of Term 1.
• Mrs Beck Keough will be teaching Digital Technologies to Stage 3 and leading the da Vinci Decathlon enrichment. This will take place on Wednesdays from 11.15am. Mrs Jane Hicks will be teaching 1R to enable Mrs Keough to fulfill this role.
• Mrs Jenny Smith has been appointed to Literacy Leader. The Literacy leader/s will be the point of contact for the Teaching and Learning team with Literacy Programs (Let’s Decode, Spelling Mastery), English Scope and Sequence and Curriculum resources as well driving implementation and refinements within our school.
• Ms Claire Campbell (Term 1) and Jenny Smith will be leading High Impact Teaching Practices. This will involve these teachers participating in HITP Leaders’ Groups each term at the CE Office for focused training, with the intention for them to go back to schools and continue to support HITP being embedded across all classes.
• Ms Jeni McCarthy will continue leading in the area of Assessment.
• Mrs Karen Hadley will be taking on the role of Curriculum Leader. These leader/s will drive Curriculum implementation and refinements, be the point of contact for Curriculum Working Groups, support other curriculum resource developments (e.g., Ochre Resources) and engage in network meetings and professional learning.

WELCOME MORNING TEA
All Kindergarten families and new families are invited to a morning tea next Monday 5 February at 8.45am in the courtyard outside the Administration Building. If any of our existing families are able to join us, that would be lovely. 

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Communication between home and school is both valued and encouraged. We believe it is one of the most vital elements in creating an effective and welcoming community. Emails and messages through Compass are being pushed out regularly with updates and important information to remind you of events and changes that may be occurring for your children. All classroom teachers have group emails created for their parent group. If your email changes, please advise our front office staff. Parent emails are kept private. Staff will always use Bcc when sending group emails.

Remember to check our website. Relevant curriculum information and school procedures are highlighted for your reference. There is much to communicate as we begin the new school year. I encourage all families to visit our school calendars for key dates such as parent-teacher conferences, school assemblies, and special events. Stay tuned for detailed calendars and reminders throughout the school year. Parent Introductory Meetings are planned for Week 5. Information regarding these meetings will be sent out to families in the coming week.

CLASSROOM MASTERY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Last Tuesday the staff from Carroll College, St Mary’s Primary School and St Bernard’s came together to participate in Classroom Mastery Professional Learning. Our three schools were chosen recognising the importance of a common approach for the K-12 Pathway.

Classroom Mastery focuses on the skills and routines needed for staff to create engaged, positive and productive classrooms to improve students’ wellbeing and academic learning. On Tuesday all staff:

• Developed an understanding of student behaviour informed by neuroscience, youth studies, trauma practice and positive psychology.
• Explored the elements of culture: beliefs, values, norms, routines and rules that create a positive learning environment.
• Understood the teacher skills needed for effective classroom management.

Dr Tim McDonald introduced three behaviour routines that we will focus on as a staff for Term One. The three routines that we will focus on are:

• Classroom Entry Routine
• Classroom Exit Routine
• Student Movement
  

Today the teachers have begun building relationships with your child/ren and getting to know who they are and their talents. “Trust between child and adult is essential, the foundation on which all other principles rest, the glue that holds teaching and learning together” Nicholas Hobbs. We are excited about this new program and look forward to hearing your feedback as the year progresses.

We have high expectations of our students, and we are committed to ensuring that they are coming to school to learn in a safe, calm and predictable environment.

K-12 SCIENCE & STEM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
This year we are offering all Year 6 students to be part of a Science & STEM Enrichment Program at Carroll College. Each group will run for 6 weeks with approximately 8 students in the group. The outline will be as follows:

• 5 groups of students (approx. 16 students from St Mary’s and St Bernard’s)
• 6 weeks of enrichment lessons per group with 3 Science and 3 STEM lessons
• Every Tuesday at Carroll College from 12.30pm – 1.30pm
• Odd numbered weeks – Science with Ms Danielle Ciuffetelli
• Even numbered weeks – STEM with Mr Andrew Kenneally

The program will begin Week 5. Further Information will be communicated to Year 6 parents in the coming weeks.

We are looking forward to celebrating the achievements of our students throughout the year. From academic milestones to extracurricular successes, we'll keep you informed about the fantastic accomplishments of our St Bernard’s community. We are thrilled to have each of you as part of our St Bernard’s family. Together, let's make this school year a memorable and successful one!

Please know we are here to support you in every way we can. My door is always open. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education, and we eagerly anticipate a fantastic school year ahead! 

Kind regards
Jo 

Johanna Wain
Principal