Dear Parents and Friends,

I would like to begin by thanking the staff, students, and families for the beautiful farewell last Friday. I was truly touched by the kind words spoken and the thoughtful gestures that made my departure so memorable. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this incredible community, and I will always cherish the memories we’ve created together.

Congratulations to our Year 6 students graduating from primary school. We had a beautiful celebration of the school year at Mass this morning followed by the Awards Ceremony. We gathered together to celebrate the end of their primary education—a milestone that marks both an ending and a beginning. Congratulations to all award winners and to all Year 6 students on a wonderful year! 

As we approach the end of Term 4, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful experiences we’ve shared this year. It has been a privilege to be part of this school community. Our final day for Term 4 will be Wednesday, December 18, and I look forward to celebrating the end of year with all of you.

This year has been filled with accomplishments, from completing our School Registration to hosting the musical and participating in a wide array of sporting events. Our students have achieved so much, and it has been a joy to see them excel in both the Arts and their chosen sports. Highlights of the year include exciting excursions, memorable camps, the vibrant Colour Run, and of course, the spectacular Moana. St Bernard’s is truly a place of academic excellence, inclusion, and countless opportunities for growth.

A special thank you to our families for the support you've shown our staff and students. The year 2024 has been deeply rewarding, and our dedicated teachers continue to inspire and ignite a passion for learning in every student. Through ongoing professional development, our staff have ensured that each student benefits from evidence-based teaching practices. Their commitment to education has fostered an environment where students thrive and reach their full potential.

I would also like to thank our Parish Priest, Fr Luis Viovicente, our School Community Council members, and our hardworking committee members for their invaluable contributions throughout the year. Your dedication has impacted our school’s growth and strengthened our community bonds. Mrs Kelly Jameson and Ms Margie Malone will be stepping down from the Community Council at the end of the year as their last child finishes at St Bernard’s. Thank you for your support and leadership with your roles on our School Community Council. Your time and dedication to St Bernard’s has been much appreciated.

Farewell
We wish Mrs Rebecca Brady all the best as she embarks on the next chapter of her career in education. Her care, support, and commitment to our students, families, and staff have been truly appreciated. The St Mary's community is very fortunate to be gaining her experience and passion for teaching. 

We also wish Fr Luis all the very best as he takes on Parish Priest in Western Creek in Canberra. Fr Luis has been a wonderful support to staff and families, and we wish him all the very best next year.

We are also farewelling Ms Emily Nagel (6C) as she finishes her contract this year. I thank Emily for her work and wish her well. It has been a pleasure working alongside Emily and having her teaching expertise supporting our school priorities this year.

Full details of class teachers and 2025 staffing arrangements can be found over page.

I extend my personal thanks to our Year 6 parents, many of our whom will be leaving our community this year, having their youngest child finishing Year 6. On behalf of St Bernard’s we farewell and thank the Atkin, Baxter, Bianco, Birks, Bleach, Bruce, Burn, Buschhaus, Bush, Coffey, Elliott, Goodliffe, Issa,  Jameson, Johnston, Kahlon, Kirkwood, Locklier, McDonald, McGann, Millard, Moore, Pierce-Phillips, Prior, Prowse, Ralston, Reidy, Thomas, Thompson, Vagg, Walsh, Whittaker, Whitty and Woolridge families. These families have made a significant contribution to the St Bernard’s community over many years. We thank them and they go with our blessings for the future.

As I prepare to leave St Bernard’s, it is hard to believe that my time here is coming to an end. I have cherished every moment at this wonderful school and will deeply miss our students, families, and staff. Thank you for the support, care, and trust you have shown me during my years as Principal. I know that St Bernard’s is in excellent hands with Mrs Hadley taking on this role, and I look forward to seeing the school continue to flourish. I know our school has strong leadership which is future focused and child-centred. The newly formed executive team will continue to lead school improvement and academic excellence.

In closing for 2024, I acknowledge the work of our teachers and support staff. The staff of St Bernard’s are truly dedicated to their role and I would like to extend my personal thanks to everyone they do.

As we head into the festive season, I would like to share this Christmas blessing with you all:

"May the peace and joy of Christmas fill your hearts and homes, and may the new year bring you health, happiness, and many blessings."

Kind regards

Johanna Wain
Principal

Christmas is a time of …?

Christmas comes each year, often it seems, with a rush and a bang as we prepare for the gatherings of family and friends. School Children have begun their School holidays and are full of expectation and there is excitement in the air as we prepare those last touches of preparation for the day. Yet Christmas can mean different things for different people. Christmas calls us to be aware and be sensitive to the needs of those around us.

For some, Christmas may be:

* A time of grief as someone is missing from his or her festive table.

* A time of loneliness and isolation.

* A time of stress as parents try to make ends meet unable to provide for their family, as they would wish.

* A time of broken or strained relationships.

* A time of sickness and/or anxiety about the future.

This Christmas will I:

Recognize God’s presence in my world?

Hear the truth told long ago of this Beloved’s kindness towards all?

Hold my family, friends and those who most need our prayers, in my heart this Christmas?

Reach out, where possible, to those in need?

Let them touch my prayer and my celebration?

Emmanuel – God is with us!

‘The Word became flesh’ and lived among us giving us the power ‘to become children of God’ and so we turn to God and pray:

Surprise your people, O God, with the joy of your birthing of love among us.

Break past the boundaries of our full rooms and into the holy spaces near to us.

Call to us from afar, that we may search and find your dwelling place.

Come to us here, on this day of celebration.

Come Prince of Peace. Come Lord Jesus!  

  Marie Weatherall

Second Week of Advent

The second week of Advent is marked by lighting the Candle of Peace, also known as the Bethlehem Candle. This candle is typically purple and symbolizes the peace that Jesus brings to the world. The theme of peace is central to the Advent season, reflecting the prophecy of Jesus as the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6-7).

This week encourages us to reflect on the peace that Christ's birth brings, both in our hearts and in the world around us.

Candle Ceremony

The Candle Ceremony will be held tomorrow Friday 13 December at 1.45pm.  This will be held in St Bernard’s church.  Parents are most welcome to join us at this event. We are looking forward to finding out our new student leaders for 2025.

Christmas Giving Tree

Each year during Advent, we have an appeal to support families in our community through the St Vincent de Paul Society. Mr. Norris from Mini Vinnies has requested donations which will support the purchase of Kmart Gift vouchers for children this Christmas.

If you would like to donate towards this appeal, you can make a  Kmart card or cash donation for our school Christmas Tree for amounts of $5.00, $10.00, and $20.00.

Mission Week News Update – Socktober

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of St Bernard's Primary School Batemans Bay, we have been able to create a brighter future for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds in Mongolia and around the world.

With the money we raised we have been able to provide:

• Nutritious meals to children like Otgonbayar*, ensuring they grow up healthy and strong.
• Access to education, opening up a world of opportunities for them.
• Safe and supportive homes for the children, giving them a secure environment to grow up in.
• Together, the Socktober organisation has raised $290,000. Our hard work and commitment have made all of this possible.

Advent Prayer for Peace

 Dear Lord,

Humbly we ask you to bless us with the Peace of Christ, the peace that transcends all understanding.

 

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful week,

 

Jenny Smith

Religious Education Coordinator

 

 

 

Dear Parents and Carers

It’s incredible to think that the end of the school year is already upon us. This morning, we celebrated a beautiful Mass presided by Fr Loi in honour of our Year 6 students, who are graduating and preparing to move on to high school.

Following the Mass, an Awards Ceremony took place, where many Year 6 students received awards from notable members of our community, including Jacqui Heffernan, Principal of Carroll College, Mathew Hatcher, Mayor of the Eurobodalla Shire, and Dr. Michael Holland, Member for Bega. Congratulations to all of these deserving students.

Additionally, we acknowledged the hard work and leadership of our SRC and House Captain leaders throughout the year. Our School Captains, Annie F and Brennan C, delivered a speech on behalf of their fellow Year 6 peers, expressing their gratitude to the school community for their time at St Bernard’s. Below is an excerpt from their speech:

'To the students of Year Six. We are soon ending an important chapter of our lives. It seems like just yesterday we thought the infants playground was enormous, but now we are able to touch the ground from the monkey bars. We've grown not just in height, but in knowledge. Each day, we faced new challenges and new opportunities. We've made mistakes, and we have learned from them. 

Our advice for future leaders is to do the things you love and do the things you don't, because at the end of the day you can think back and realise it’s not about the things you like or don't, it's embracing new opportunities'. 

Nicole Allen, Chair of the Community Council farewelled families from St Bernard's. In addition, she spoke about Mrs Wain and her outstanding contribution as Principal of St Bernard's, with a gift presentated on behalf of the parent group by Kelly Jameson and Katie Shakespeare. An excerpt from Nicole's speech is included here:

'I have had the privilege of witnessing Jo Wain’s professionalism, integrity and commitment since 2015, when she came to St Bernards School, appointed as our Assistant principal.

From the very moment Jo engaged with the St Bernard’s community, she created a sense of calmness and feeling of safety in all aspects of school life for our children and for us as families.

Since Jo took on the position as Principal in a permanent capacity from 2019, she has always continued to effortlessly make decisions that demonstrated best practices and led by example, showing us all what it is to be a true leader. Jo has always demonstrated an authentic Catholic ethos that we all admire, respect and value.

We very much are looking forward to continuing to share this wonderful school community with you, Jo in 2025 as a parent and as you embrace your new role in Moruya, we hope you will continue to experience the benefits of being part of this wonderful parent community of St Bernard's.

Last Friday, Year 3 led an assembly in the hall, which included a special farewell for Mrs Wain, Mrs Brady, and Ms Nagel. We were honored to have Tim Smith, Performance and Improvement Leader from Catholic Education, attend the event. Parents and other community members also joined us for a morning tea afterward.

A standout moment of the assembly was when the main cast of Moana joined Year 3 and the entire audience in singing a surprise new rendition of the Moana song, “You’re Awesome Mrs. Wain!” This song was secretly practiced by all the students in the week leading up to Friday, adding a touch of magic and excitement to the farewell. Some of the lyrics are below.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please note events for our final week of the year:

Monday 16 December

• Kindergarten will be telling the story and true meaning of Christmas to the school at 9.00am in the Hall. All families are invited to join us. We will also be presenting final awards for the school year.
• St Bernard’s Colour Run. Students can wear mufti shorts, t-shirt, old joggers/enclosed shoes, and a hat. Students will get wet and colour on them. Please wear something old! Students will be allowed to take their shoes off to participate in the Colour Run. If your child is travelling home on the bus - please send in a small towel or a change of clothes if your child would like to get changed. The Colour Run will start at 11:15am and finish at 1pm. Parents and carers are invited to come and cheer on the students. There will be a sign out table for parents to sign out students if they leave school after the event with a parent.

 Tuesday 15 December

• All students are invited to come to school in their sports uniform. Some classrooms are moving that day.
• St Bernard’s Talent Quest will be held at 9.00am in the Hall. 
• Year 6 Graduation Disco at the RSL from 5.30pm – 7.15pm. 

 Wednesday 18 December

• All students are invited to come to school dressed in Christmas mufti.
• Year 6 Big Day Out: Wednesday 18 December Students will participate in water activities at Corrigans Beach. Additional details will be shared closer to the date. At the end of the day, Year 6 students will walk through the school, with staff and students forming a guard of honour to bid them farewell. Families are invited to join this memorable moment.

Our final day for Term 4 is Wednesday 18 December.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks for the support you’ve given me over the past year.

It has been my privilege to work alongside Jo for the past six years, and it is truly an honour to take on the role of Principal for 2025. I look forward to leading our school and continuing to work with the exceptional teachers, support staff and wonderful students of St Bernard's.

As we approach the holiday season, I hope you take time to relax and enjoy the festive period. May you and your family be blessed with all the joy and peace that Christmas promises.

I look forward to reconnecting with you in the New Year.

Warm regards
Karen

Snapshot of Year 3 - Term 4

We would like to commend and congratulate the students of Year 3 for the way they have enthusiastically engaged in all tasks this year. They have consistently impressed us with their commitment to improve on their personal bests and we wish them every success in Year 4. Please see below to gain a snapshot of Year 3’s learning during Term 4.

Literacy 

Year 3 have eagerly participated in writing sessions where they displayed both their creative and persuasive sides. The students have successfully used powerful, emotive language to persuade the reader to agree with their point of view. We have enjoyed reading our class novel; The One and Only Ivan. The book is inspired by a true story, of how a mighty gorilla, Ivan wins his freedom from being kept in captivity at a shopping mall. This heart-warming tale explores friendship, freedom, and the power of hope. Students have worked industrially during handwriting lessons focusing on cursive joins. 

Maths

Year 3 students have continued to push themselves during math lessons. They have enthusiastically participated in Daily Reviews where they have shown improved speed and accuracy when solving problems that have been set out for them in a variety of ways. It has been great watching the students strive to develop their knowledge in all areas.

 Religion

Students have participated reverently during Christian Meditation.  After Christian meditation, students have been able to share aspects of the meditation with their peers. Students have also written beautiful prayers of thanks and praise for the wonders of creation.

Science

This term in Science students have been learning about the three states of matter, solids, liquids and gases. The clever Year 3’s have also extended their learning due to their natural curiosity and also learnt about plasma, the fourth state of matter that makes up 99.9% of the universe! 

Geography 

Students thrived on the opportunity to learn about some of our neighbouring countries New Zealand, Fiji and Indonesia. Year 3 became quite good at greeting people using the different languages. Students were able to make lots of great contributions to discussions about these countries by drawing on their general knowledge as well as personal lived experiences.

Swimming 

Year 3 had a magnificent time at the Bay Pavilions Swimming Pool. It was wonderful to see the students grow in confidence as they improved throughout the week. Some students commented on new achievements that they had accomplished like diving from the blocks, treading water for two minutes, retrieving items from the bottom of the pool or just getting faster at a particular stroke. 

Visual Arts 

Students have been learning about New Zealand and artist Raewyn Harris. Students have created Koru designs using oil pastels. The Koru is the Māori name for an unfurling fern frond known as the Ponga plant that grows in New Zealand. It symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace and is an integral symbol in Māori art.

Moana 

Wow - what a spectacular school performance! We are sure you were as impressed as we were. In Week 3 the students of St Bernard’s performed the Moana Musical. Year 3 were the Kakamora (angry coconut) characters and they certainly performed their scene in character! After many class practises in Performing Arts as well as Whole School practises, it was amazing to see their confidence shine on stage. To all the parents who supported their child’s participation during musical week and through all the rehearsing, practising and costume preparation, we can’t thank you enough. 

First Aid 

Last week Year 3 participated in a First Aid program with Bob Colville from St John's Ambulance. Students were taught the importance of DRSABCD that should be applied when providing first aid. We were so impressed with the students' prior knowledge. 

We wish all our wonderful parents and Year 3 community a fantastic holiday break and a safe and holy Christmas and New Year. 

Year 3 Teachers 

Term 4

Week 8 Class Awards

Presented: Friday 6 December 2024.

Congratulations to the following children who received a class award in Term 3, Week 8. It is great to see so many children working hard and receiving acknowledgment for their efforts.

Well done to all!