Dear Parents and Carers

This year as part of our annual improvement plan, St Bernard’s encouraged all students in Years 2-6 to participate in the Mayors Writing Competition, organised through Eurobodalla Council. The annual Mayor’s Writing Competition aims to encourage young people who live or go to school in the Eurobodalla to get writing.

Each year, young authors between the ages of five and 18 are invited to submit an original work. Entrants can submit a short story, essay, poem, or any style of creative writing, as long as the writing adheres to the set word limits.

On Wednesday, two of our Year 2 students, James P 2B and Mikalya S 2J, both finalists in the competition, attended the Mayors Writing Competition presentation in Moruya. Mrs Hicks attended along with James and Mikayla’s parents.

There are many components to writing and this can be represented like the strands of a rope. Each strand contributes to fluent and skilled writing. Explicit instruction in writing also supports reading comprehension as writers develop the ability to develop their background knowledge about a topic.

Teachers at St Bernard’s use explicit instruction to teach writers craft or genre writing. They draw on rich literary texts to address the following skills and strategies in student writing.

• Word choice-specific vocabulary
• Awareness of the audience, purpose, and style of the text
• Literary devices-plot, setting, imagery, and alliteration

We are grateful to all our wonderful teachers that supported the students with their entries for the competition, and the amazing creativity demonstrated by our students.

On Wednesday, the Executive Staff attended Professional Learning at Carroll College as part of K-12 Pathways Pilot program on evidence-based Classroom Management. This professional learning was hosted by Dr Tim McDonald who is an expert in this field. This training will continue with all staff in 2024.

By participating in this program, teachers will:

• Practically apply the latest research in neuroscience, cognitive science, and psychology
• Create consistently productive, safe, inclusive, and calm learning environments
• Improve student wellbeing and create the classrooms they need with belonging, generosity, mastery, and independence
• Increase safety of classrooms and schools by proactively reducing disruptive behaviours
• Dramatically improve student learning outcomes through increased engagement

Year 3 will be presenting their Assembly tomorrow, commencing at 8.45am in the hall. We welcome all families to attend and celebrate the great learning happening at St Bernard’s. On Monday 30^th November, we will celebrate the Official Opening and Blessing of our Refurbished Buildings. The ceremony will commence in the hall at 11.30am followed by light refreshments. Parents are most welcome to join us for this special occasion.

Kindest Regards

Jenny Smith

Co-ordinator