Dear Parents and Friends,

I hope you have had an enjoyable week. It’s great to be back at school. I have enjoyed catching up with the students and hearing all about their recent break and the new learning they have started this term.

As Mrs Hadley mentioned last week, we are celebrating NAIDOC Week next week. Our NAIDOC celebrations began last Friday morning with a regional NAIDOC Mass for Catholic schools and parents in the Southern Region. Pictured to the left is Samuel S receiving a recognition award from our Performance and Improvement Leader, Mr Tim Smith along with Fr George, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Moruya. Samuel’s award was presented in recognition of the kindness and respect he continues to show, always reaching out to others. In addition, Samuel was recognised for his high level of engagement in learning Dhurga and his leadership in offering an Acknowledgement to Country. Samuel is an exemplary role model at St Bernard’s.
Congratulations Samuel!

Mayor’s Writing Competition

This year our Years 2-6 students are eagerly writing to enter the Mayor’s Writing Competition.

Held for the past 14 years, the competition has celebrated and encouraged the literary talents of our local community's young people aged between 5 and 18. The categories are Kindergarten, Years 1-2, Years 3-4, Years 5-6, Years 7-8, Years 9-10, and Years 11-12.

The theme for 2023, as selected by Mayor, Mathew Hatcher, is “CHANGE”.  All written submissions must incorporate the theme ‘change’. The competition is open to children and youth who live or go to school in the Eurobodalla. Entries can be any style of creative writing. Finalists will be chosen by an expert panel of judges. Entries close at 5pm on Friday 25 August. For more information, or to enter, visit the Mayor's Writing Competition webpage or call in to one of the Shire’s libraries.

We look forward to sending in our school entries! This is certainly giving our students a strong purpose for writing!

Absentee Notes

Just a reminder that when your child misses a day of school, you MUST complete an absence note in Compass Portal. From the Compass Portal home screen on the left-hand side in the student profile Parents can select…. + Add Attendance Note (Approved Absence/Late)

Parents then select a reason from the drop-down option list, write in supporting comments and select the date the student will be absent (either current or future). Parents will be notified on the right-hand side of their Compass portal through My News for any outstanding unexplained absences/late. To explain an absence or late for your child, the parent must click the check box to the left side of the absence they wish to explain and then the Explain with Attendance Note button.

This is a government requirement. If you have any questions or have difficulty accessing Compass, please don’t hesitate to come and see us at the Front Office.

Goodluck…

Next week we wish many of our Years 2-6 students, good luck competing at the Southern Region Athletics Carnival in Bega. A special thank you to Mrs Brady and Mrs Holmes who have been preparing the students for this event. We look forward to hearing about your experience next week.

Welcome…

We have welcomed 4 new families to St Bernard’s last week. Welcome to Ben T (4C), Claire E (4K), Alfred and Angelo M (1C) and Sai G (2B). We know you will be very happy as you settle into our beautiful school.

Brain Breaks

Most students require a brain break throughout the day. This can be a whole class or individual break. Brain breaks should be around 1-3 minutes long and can be either passive or involve movement. Some options that are used for brain breaks by our teaching and support staff include taking a message to a teacher/office, getting a drink, heavy lifting etc, meditation, movement activity.

The new jackets have arrived and they are a hit with the students! They certainly

look very smart and have provided students with an extra layer of warmth. All jackets can be purchased through the Front Office or Compass.

Our Year 5 students are enjoying a wonderful time at Birrigai. Although the weather is cold, this hasn’t stopped the fun or high level of engagement in the different activities. I am sure they can’t wait to share their experiences with the school next week.

Blessings to you and your family on the week ahead.

Kind regards

Johanna Wain
Principal