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

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been wonderful to welcome back the students to school. They all seem very happy and well rested. This week students have been introduced to two new routines as part of our explicit behaviour curriculum. They focus on expectations and routine when moving to the canteen at recess and lunch time as well as the way to speak to and greet others. Students have practiced speaking to one another and greeting each other politely, as well as practicing how to respond to a teacher when something might have gone wrong. It has been pleasing to notice the way students are engaging with one another and taking the time to speak in a polite way to adults at school.

Walk Safely to School Day

Now in its 25th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual campaign and event which encourages all primary school children, their parents and carers, to walk safely and regularly to school. It is important for children and young people to be active every day. Physical activity has many social, emotional, physical and mental health benefits. Walking to school is a great way to incorporate physical activity into a daily routine to support healthy development. Regular physical activity, especially walking, can improve self-esteem and confidence, help concentration and improve overall fitness. Encouraging kids to be active each day establishes good habits that can stay with them throughout their lives.

OBJECTIVES BETTER HEALTH • CLEANER AIR • REDUCED CAR-DEPENDENCY IMPROVED ROAD SAFETY • INCREASED USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

On Wednesday 8 May next week we will participate in Walk Safely to School Day as part of National Road Safety Week. We invite all students and their families to join us for the walk, meeting at Corrigan's Park near the playground at 8.00am, and departing for the walk to school, via Beach Road at 8.10am. There will be stickers and tatoos for students on arrival back to school to mark the occasion. We hope that you can make it!

Cultural Learning Pathway Meetings

In Week 3, over three days Aboriginal students from Years 1 to 6 and their families have been invited to meet at school with Trish Ellis, classroom teachers and myself to plan cultural goals for learning and to review achievement of previous goals. The process of goal setting is one that we all value. It is very much about having a yarn together, focusing on how we can all work together to create excellent opportunities for each child's personal cultural learning. 

Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Program

Throughout Term 2, our school will be implementing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum with students in Years K-6. The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report. Through a series of lessons, students will learn how to recognise, react and report when they are unsafe or find themselves in situations that can have a significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum can be found at www.education.qld.gov.au/child-safety-curriculum.

Protective Behaviours is a component of the NSW Syllabus for Health and Personal Development. Supported by Catholic Education, we are undertaking this important teaching with the intention of informing students and being proactive to equip students with the skills and knowledge to recognise actions they can take to keep themselves safe. Below is an outline of the content that is being covered in all classes over the next two weeks.

Recognise

The first key safety message of the curriculum is recognise. Recognise is about being aware of your environment.

Children, young people and adults can all learn to take notice of what is happening around them to help keep themselves safe. Everyone can use clues, such as the things we see, hear, smell or feel to help protect us from harm and keep ourselves safe. Clues can be simple things that warn us about a danger, e.g. hearing a fire alarm or seeing smoke, that prompt us to react. We can also use clues to prepare for potentially unsafe situations, e.g. if we are walking alone at night, then we try to use a well-lit route and avoid secluded lanes or parks.

When we recognise that there might be a safety problem we can take steps to move away or reduce the risk or develop strategies that can help keep us safe. For instance, if you are in a busy environment such as the Ekka or a local event where there are big crowds, you might consider what you and your child could do if you became separated. Strategies could include: going to a highly visible pre-determined meeting spot; writing your phone number on a card and placing it in your child’s pocket; identifying who your child could approach if they become lost, e.g. police, staff at a booth.

We will continue to keep you updated on the content of the program in the newsletter as the program is delivered throughout the term.

A reminder that Winter School Uniform does not need to be worn until the June long weekend. Some students have already transitioned to the Winter Uniform which is totally fine, however we do have a period of time for this transition to be made.  Please note the following information from our school website on the Winter uniform items. 

Warm regards

Karen Hadley

CHRIST - THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Have you ever noticed how often the supreme god in some ancient religions was the Sun? Those of you who do crosswords would be familiar with this clue. 1.Egyptian sun god (2 letters). Answer: RA

The Egyptians, building a civilization two millennia  before Christ, lacking our modern astronomy  telescopes, were impressed by the Sun. It was always there in theheavens. Even when they couldn’t see its light, it gave off warmth. When it disappeared at night it would faithfully return the next day to assert its power.

 A force to be appeased!!

Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226) was also impressed by the Sun. Here’s how he personified it in his Canticle of the Creatures.

“May you, be praised, O Lord, in all your creatures, especially Brother Sun,

By whom you give us light for the day.

He is beautiful, radiating great splendour and offering us

A symbol of yourself, the Most High.”

Jesus himself claimed to have “come as light into the world so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.” (John 12: 46) He also used the gift of sunlight to illustrate God’s unconditional and universal love.

“I say to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his Sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike.” (Matt5: 45)

“Love your enemies?” An impossible task, you say.

Simon/Peter, who had thrice denied even knowing Jesus, might have agreed with you, but the conversion of the non-Jew, Cornelius made him realise

“God does not have favourites” (Acts 10; 34)

Let us admit to ourselves any difficulties we have in dealing with other people and turn our shortcomings over to the care of God our Father and Christ his Son and our Brother as we prepare ourselves to be refreshed by the coming of the Spirit of Truth and Light at Pentecost.   

Joe Quigley

CONFIRMATION ENROLMENT EVENING

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 2 which promises to be very busy and exciting. This term we have a number of key events focusing on Religious Education and the Religious Life of our school.

The first of our special events will be the Family Enrolment evening for students who will be preparing and receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.

The Family Confirmation Enrolment Evening will be held in St Bernard’s Church on Thursday 9 May between 5.00-6.00pm.

All children who have been baptised catholic and received the sacraments of reconciliation and eucharist are invited to attend.

Commitment Masses for families will be held on Saturday 18 May at

6.00pm and Sunday 19 May at 9.00am.

Archbishop Christopher Prowse will confirm our candidates this year on Sunday 23 June at 9.00am.

A parish coordinator has been appointed by Fr Loi to support the organisation of all sacramental programs. Mrs Roslynne Trompp will meet you at the Family Enrolment evening. We welcome her to the team.

Our next special event will be our Mother’s Day Liturgy/Assembly on Friday

10 May at 8.50am.

Mrs Coggan, Mr Mr Maynard and Year 5 students are already busily preparing and practising a beautiful liturgy. We thank them for their creative enthusiasm.

Catholic Schools’ Combined Mass

Our annual Catholic Schools’ Combined Mass will be held at Carroll College on Wednesday 29 May.

It is a key event in our calendar where we join with our Pathway Schools - Carroll College and St Mary’s Moruya in praise and worship.

The mass will be held in National Reconciliation Week and will be designed around the 2024 Reconciliation theme, “Now More Than Ever”.

Invitation to Retreat Mornings - Secret Place, Sacred Paths

Marie Weatherall St Bernard’s Parish Pastoral Coordinator and Carolyn Evenden extend an invitation to attend their series of morning retreats.

The theme of the retreat days is ‘Secret Place, Sacred Paths’ and will explore encountering God in the environment

Morning one, Tuesday May 14: The Coastal Experience of Prayer - Introduction and connectedness, relaxation exercise and meditation. Exploring our experience of the Coast.

Morning two, Tuesday May 28: Relaxation and simple meditation. The Mountain experience of Prayer.

Morning three, Tuesday June 11: Relaxation and meditation. The Rural Experience of Prayer.

Each session will go from 9.30am – 12 noon, in St Bernard’s Church Meeting Room, 2 David Ave, Batehaven. Cost: Free. BYO shared morning tea. Booking is essential one week before each retreat.

Please ring Marie Weatherall on 0405 028 057 if you are interested in attending.

Mini Vinnies Leaders

Congratulations to Harper Br, Christian F, Sienna N, Christopher H, Evie P and Holly B who received their Mini Vinnies Badges today. They were absent during the assembly presentation at the end of last term. The students are encouraged to wear their badges daily as a reminder of their christian leadership role. As a school community we are very proud of their ongoing commitment to helping others!

As always I look forward to supporting you all as we journey through Term 2. Please be in touch if I can help in any way.

Blessings on your days

Sharon Beashel

Religious Education Coordinator

 

 

 

The students of Year 6 have been involved in a diverse range of learning opportunities so far this year, developing as learners in the classroom and also displaying excellent leadership skills as they interact with their younger peers throughout the school. Some of the students have collaborated to recount some of the experiences that have been highlights for them.

Canberra Excursion- Week 5 Term 1- By Jamian 

This trip was so cool! We learnt a lot about the Old and New Parliament Houses and we did a role play and made a law because that's what happens in real life in Parliament. Then we got ice-cream in Parliament House while looking at the replica house built entirely from Lego. 

Stations of the Cross Liturgy- Week 9 Term 1- By Mia S

At the end of Term One, in the lead up to Easter, Year Six presented The Stations of the Cross. Year Six took on the roles of portraying characters experiencing the death of Jesus. It consisted of 14 stations from when Jesus was arrested to being crucified on the cross to being laid in the tomb.

Journey of the Heart- By Lucy and Amaya

We learned about God and did fun activities like write a letter to Jesus.

We completed fun activities, had a sausage sizzle and super doopers. We met other Year 6 kids from St Mary’s and we also wrote our own letter to Jesus. 

Term 2 AFL Clinic

This week, St Bernard’s hosted an AFL Clinic for our infants students to learn Aussie Rules skills and get a taste for the game. Year 6 students had the opportunity to practise and showcase the great leadership skills they have been learning by leading the rotations.

Thank you to Mrs Holmes for giving Year 6 the opportunity to support the younger students participating in the AFL skills day clinic. 

SRC: by Isla & Mia

Isla: SRC had so much fun last term with the shared playground and all the meetings. We are all so excited to plan events for the school. We have been working hard to make some cool ideas that have been suggested to us by students. So far, we have had a wonderful lunch time where we sat with our buddies to eat and talk to them. 

Mia A: SRC has so many ideas of fun things to do this year and we are so excited for another fun term. We have had so much fun helping others make the school the best place it can be. We have all had the opportunity to speak and help the teachers to run the assemblies, which has been an amazing experience, even if we are sometimes nervous.

Term 1

Week 11 Class Awards

Presented: Friday 12 April 2024.

Congratulations to the following children who received a class award in Term 1, Week 11. It is great to see so many children working hard and receiving acknowledgment for their efforts.

Well done to all!