Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to Term 2! I’m sure holidays came at the right time for families to take some much-needed time for yourself after the busyness and challenges presented in Term 1. It’s certainly been a devastating time for some Australians following the tragic events that have caused great pain and suffering to many families. We pray for healing and peace for those who died at Bondi Junction, those who are very ill and those who have lost loved ones.

As the students have settled back into school, there is a renewed focus on teaching and learning as we continue to deliver quality instruction. Every teacher is committed to teaching with a low variance curriculum to ensure we have no gaps in curriculum delivery. Our teachers have an excellent understanding of what needs to be taught and when. Data shows ongoing improvements across the school. We can identify students that required interventions and support. We are committed to continuously investing in the delivery of excellent teaching and learning experiences. We will do this by focusing on three key areas:

1. Improving the quality of curriculum resources available to teachers
2. Delivering high quality professional learning for all teachers
3. Implementing high quality assessment protocols

This week I engaged in learning walks across the classrooms. I saw students highly engaged in their learning and high impact teaching practices visible in all rooms. Teachers begin each lesson by clearly defining the learning intention, specifying what students are expected to learn or accomplish by the end of the instruction.

To ensure our teachers are kept up to date with the latest in teaching and learning, St Bernard’s Primary School will hold professional learning days throughout the year including on the first day of Terms 1, 2 and 3, without students. This week we focused on writing instruction and the use of assessment to inform our teaching and learning. All professional learning aligns with our Annual Improvement Plan and is always set with our goal to improve student outcomes.

Yesterday some of our Year 5 and 6 critical thinkers went to Canberra to compete in their first da Vinci Decathlon competition. They had a wonderful day and enjoyed the experience. Mrs Keough will continue to work with students in Year 5 and 6 to extend their thinking and provide enriching learning experience. Stay tuned for our next project!

St Bernard's welcomes all who are wishing to enrol their child for 2025. 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 Kindergarten for 2025 are encouraged to apply during the advertised period each year, 1 May – 24 May (late enrolments are accepted subject to places being available). All new families applying for enrolment are interviewed by the Principal or Assistant Principal. Interviews for Kindergarten 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. Our wonderful St Bernard’s choir will be singing on Open Day on Tuesday 7 May. We are looking forward to welcoming new and existing families as they prepare for their child to start Kindergarten in 2025. Open Day begins at 9.30am with morning tea.

Student Reports
Catholic Education Canberra-Goulburn (CECG) has communicated to schools regarding reporting to parents/guardians. CE has advised schools that general comments will not be required on Semester 1, 2024 reports, but to prioritise Parent/Teacher Conferences for every family in Term 2. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges and future areas of focus. A Semester Report will still be sent home as in previous Semesters providing A-E grading and attendance information.

Catholic Education has advised schools that Semester 2, 2024 reports will have a general comment for all children. This general comment will provide a summative comment for the year, areas of achievement and areas to focus on for the following year. A-E grading and attendance information will remain as normal. I would encourage all parents/guardians to engage regularly with their child/ren’s learning, connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress.

MOTHER’S DAY
St Bernard’s would like to warmly invite all mothers, guardians, and grandmothers to attend school between 8.00am and 8.45am on Friday 10 May. This year we are inviting parents and special guests to come in and visit classrooms with their child/ren and enjoy a croissant and a cuppa. Following the classroom visits, Year 5 will be leading us in a special assembly at 9.00am in the Hall. Students will have a gift on their table for their special guest that they have made in class.

The Mother’s Day Stall will occur on the Thursday 9 May in the iCentre. This will be a lovely opportunity for your child/ren to purchase a gift. Parents will be able to purchase vouchers through QKR if they do not wish to send money into school. Gifts will range from $5 to $15.

Catholic Schools’ Week
Next week we are celebrating Catholic Schools’ Week. From 6-10 May, St Bernard’s will join with Catholic schools across NSW and the ACT to celebrate the annual Catholic Schools Week (CSW). We are immensely proud of our Catholic heritage and are committed to celebrating and showcasing the achievements of our students. Catholic Schools Week is about forging and strengthening relationships between everyone who has a stake in our schools – students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider community – by showcasing our activities and actions.

During Catholic Schools Week, we take the opportunity to highlight not only the best of what we do, but also what happens in our schools every day. Our students will be involved in the following:

Monday 6 May

• Carroll College Year 7 Enrolment Night
• Year 6 Leadership Day at St Mary’s

 Tuesday 7 May

• Kindergarten 2024 Open Day

Thursday 9 May

• Mother’s Day Stall

Friday 10 May

• Mother’s Day Breakfast & Open Classrooms
• Year 5 leading Assembly
• Year 5 and Year 6 students attend Carroll Day

School Musical
This year St Bernard’s is proud to present Moana JR. the musical. Auditions will be held for interested Year 5 and 6 students first week back of Term 2, Friday 3 May, starting at 8.45am. Ms Guthrie, Mrs Hadley and Mrs Smith will be part of the audition committee. The performances are scheduled for 30 and 31 October. Over these school holidays, black block out blinds have been installed on all the high windows in the hall. A special thank you to our School Community Council for their support with funding. 

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.

It was lovely to be back with the students this week. Please know my door is always open and I look forward to the term ahead.

Warm regards

Johanna Wain
Principal