Principal News
Dear Parents and Carers
Anchored in Hope: Celebrating 30 Years of Guiding Minds and Shaping Futures
On Tuesday we joined with St Mary’s Primary School, Moruya and Carroll College, Broulee for the Combined Catholic Schools’ Mass. This annual Mass for our three K-12 Catholic Pathway Schools was particularly significant as we acknowledged and celebrated 30 years since Carroll College opened. It was wonderful to have participation from students, parents and staff of our three schools. We thank Fr George of the Sacred Heart Parish, Moruya who presided the Mass. Also thank you to the Carroll College staff and student musicians who contributed to make this a very beautiful Mass.
New students
Recently, I have had the pleasure of welcoming new students to our school. They are as follows:
- Anoop K (KTR)
- Casey O (Year 2N)
- John (KTR) and Isabel B (Year 2BM)
- Nehu (Year 5J) and Neil M (Year 5KT)
- Shiloh W (Year 1M)
We hope that you are settling well and already feeling part of our school community.
Staffing Appointment
We are very pleased to let you know that Mrs Shanon Small will join our staff in Term 2 working in a Classroom Support role. Welcome Shanon!
Catholic Schools Week
In Week 2 of Term 2 we will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week. This marks the beginning of our enrolment period. On Tuesday 6 May, we will hold our Open Day for prospective students and their parents from 9.30am- 12.00pm for Kindergarten 2026. The morning is an opportunity for preschoolers and their parents to experience life at our school, with a welcome in our hall and rotation activities led by members of our staff, followed by a sausage sizzle lunch.
If you know of anyone who might be considering where to send their child for primary school, please mention our Open Day. Enrolment packs for 2026 can be accessed online using the following link: https://stbernardsbb.nsw.edu.au/thinking-of-enrolling
Lifelong Benefits of Catholic Schooling
Parent representative of our School Community Council and board member of Catholic School Parents of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Mr Paul Penberthy, recently shared information about research conducted in Australia at the Victoria University, analysing the post-school outcomes of people who attend Catholic Schools. A large representative sample of data from participants was tracked over the course of their lifetime, enabling unique analysis of interactions between different personal characteristics and changes in circumstances over time. Economic wellbeing, personal health and wellbeing, labour market dynamics, family life, community participation was analysed, with the average effect of the school sector that a person attended, determined using the HILDA Survey. Data from the survey indicated that those who attended Catholic schools were more likely to be employed, earn higher wages, were more likely to be working in an industry or sector that directly benefits the public, have higher life satisfaction, have better general health and are more likely to donate to charity.
‘By educating the whole person, Catholic schools support the development of well-rounded individuals who will succeed and be happy and confident in the world during and after their schooling, whatever path they choose through life’.
Professor Elizabeth Labone
Chief Executive Officer
Canteen Assistant
We are currently advertising for a Canteen Assistant to support our Canteen Manager Samantha Whyte on Fridays. If you or anyone you know might be interested in applying for this role, applications can be submitted using the following link:
ANZAC Day Services
On Friday 25 April, we will be attending the local ANZAC Day services. ANZAC Day falls on the last Friday of the school holidays. We very much encourage all students to join us in representing our school at one of the local marches. Full summer uniform should be worn. Many of our students gather at the Soldiers Club carpark Batemans Bay for the march and service to follow at the Cenotaph in Batemans Bay. A number of staff will be in attendance. Please refer to the email sent yesterday for further details.
Mother's Day- SAVE THE DATE
On Friday 9 May, we will be celebrating Mother’s Day by opening our classrooms from 7:45am to welcome mothers and those who care for our children like a mother.
A breakfast of pastries, tea and coffee will be provided for mothers to enjoy.
Following this, our Year 5 students will lead a Mother’s Day Liturgy in the hall, beginning at 8:45am, and we warmly invite you to attend.
We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you.
Da Vinci Decathlon
We have had a very dedicated group of Year 6 students preparing for the Da Vinci Decathlon competition under the guidance of Mrs Rebecca Keough. The Da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students. Students compete in teams of eight across 10 disciplines: engineering, mathematics, code breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography and legacy.
Our team of ten have been particularly dedicated in the practice sessions. Eight students from the ten will be participating in this competition on Wednesday 30 April in Week One of next term at the Canberra Grammar School in Canberra.
Congratulations to you all for being selected in our school team:
- Holly B
- Mia B
- Ava G
- Lily G
- Ava J
- Rowan L
- Molly M
- Evie P
- Reeve T
- Makenzie W
Easter- Stations of the Cross
Next Thursday 10 April all students will be contributing to the retelling of the final days of Jesus' life with the Stations of the Cross. We will begin at 8.45am in the hall. You are very welcome to join us.
Pupil Free Day
Please note that Friday, 11 April is a Pupil Free Day.
School will resume for Term 2 on Tuesday, 29 April.
I hope you have a restful holiday break and enjoy a wonderful Easter with your families.
Kind regards,
Karen Hadley
Principal