Dear Parents and Carers

ICAS ASSESSMENTS

The ICAS Assessment timetable has been revised to commence in Week 5, when all students have returned for face-to-face learning. Students will complete the assessments online in cohort groups. The new timetable is below.

SPELLING MASTERY-CATALYST

Next Wednesday, when all students return to school for face to face learning, we will be re-commencing Spelling Mastery lessons for all students in Years 1-6. The Spelling Mastery program is a part of the system wide Catalyst initiative, focusing on teaching lessons in an explicit and systematic way. Students will learn in cohort groupings which cater for individual levels of spelling ability based on data we collect at regular points of the program. Spelling Mastery teaches phonemes or sounds within words, whole word memorisation of words that can’t be sounded out conventionally and morphemes as building blocks of words and word rules. Lessons begin at 8.45am and conclude at 9.15am each Monday to Friday for the rest of the term. 

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL and HOUSE CAPTAINS

The SRC at St Bernard’s School is a proactive student group which meets weekly to discuss issues brought up in class meetings. It is comprised of two school captains and four SRC representatives from Year 6. Our House Captains assist Mrs Holmes with sporting events throughout the year. There are two Captains per House. As you are aware the positions are held for the school year. Our SRC and House Captains have done an excellent job in what has again, been a very different year, and I thank them for their enthusiasm and leadership. It is coming close to the time of year where we vote for next year’s leaders. Speeches will be held on Thursday 25 November. Mrs Coggan and Mr Maynard will be speaking to the children about how to prepare and the expectations of the roles over the coming weeks. More information for Year 5 students will be sent home soon.

RETURN TO SCHOOL-WALKERS

Each afternoon we are staggering the departure of students from school to comply with COVID restrictions related to limiting the gathering of large groups of people. Students are waiting in their classroom until their group is called. The groups are arranged according to alphabetical order of surnames, with students from A-F moving first at 2.30pm, G-N in the next group at 2.40pm and O-Z in the final group at 2.50pm. We ask that you arrive to collect your child at the staggered time in order to follow our COVID plan.

CANTEEN

A reminder that the school canteen is again open for pre-orders made via QkR or written on a paper bag each Wednesday to Friday. This new practice for ordering is in compliance with health orders to avoid queuing to purchase food.

I hope you enjoy a relaxing weekend.

Karen Hadley

Assistant Principal