Dear Parents and Carers

It’s hard to believe that this is my final newsletter for 2021. The year seems to have passed by very quickly. I would like to begin by recognising the contribution of our current members of the SRC and House Captains for 2021. They have shown great leadership and commitment to their roles. It gives me great pleasure to thank our School Captains: James C and Ellen H and our SRC: Levi L, Sarah A, Chanel C and Nicholas W.

I would also like to thank the 2021 House Captains….
Tenison: Indi F and Emma I
MacKillop: Storm B and Leo H
Lourdes: Ben E and Brodee H
Clairvaux: Amelia E and Maya B

This afternoon our Year 6 leaders passed on leadership to Year 5. It gives me great pleasure to announce our leaders for 2022:

School Captains: Anthony N, Erica S
SRC: Remi C, Amy C, Noah A & John F

House Captains for 2022:
Lourdes: Will L & Maicee D
MacKillop: Charlie J & Henry A
Tenison: Elyssa W & Lukas C
Clairvaux: Laila C & Brodie M

School Targets
This year one aspect of our Annual School Improvement Plan focused on improving student outcomes in Literacy. Over the past two weeks, students have been involved in assessments to inform us on current data to assist us in effectively planning for 2022. The data is showing that our focus on explicit instruction is having an effect on student outcomes. Each morning the students begin the day engaging in Spelling Mastery, an Explicit Direct Instruction lesson on Spelling. Kindergarten to Year Two are being explicitly taught phonics through the program “Let’s Decode”. Our school data represents growth in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. We implement PAT (Performance Achievement Tests) to measure what students in Kindergarten to Year 6 know, understand and are capable of across domains, and help monitor progress over time.  Some key points from our school data include:

• Year 6 students are well above the norm in spelling and reading in PAT assessments
• K-6 students are above the norm in Maths in PAT Assessments
• Spelling results are strong across the school
• Our average growth in Maths Pathway is 150% in Years 5 and 6

Farewell
I’m sure you join with me in wishing Mrs Jane Hardman all the very best as she embarks on a new journey. I thank Jane for her dedication and commitment to the St Bernard’s community for the past 23 years. Mrs Elizabeth Coggan is retiring from full time teaching, she will continue to complete some casual relief work at St Bernard’s. We are also farewelling Classroom Support Assistant Mr Craig Virtue as he will finish his contract this year. I thank Mrs Hardman, Mrs Coggan and Mr Virtue for their work and wish them well. It has been a pleasure working alongside them and having their level of expertise supporting our school priorities this year.

Thank you
I extend my personal thanks to our Year 6 parents, many of whom will be leaving our community this year, having their youngest child finishing Year 6. On behalf of St Bernard's school community, we farewell and thank them for their significant contribution to our school over many years. 

Thanks also to School Board and P&F members under the leadership of Board Chair, Mrs Nicole Allen and P&F President, Kelly Jameson. Parent involvement strengthens every aspect of school life and St Bernard’s is fortunate to have such a supportive partnership with parents and families. On behalf of the staff, thank you for everything you do! It’s been an extraordinary year and parent engagement has been much appreciated. We hope to continue to provide many opportunities for parents to engage in their child’s learning throughout the school year.

I acknowledge the work of our St Bernard’s staff. The St Bernard’s staff are committed to finding and nurturing your child’s strengths, and challenging them to
continue grow. Our teachers' care goes beyond the classroom walls. I thank the staff for their leadership, commitment and care for our St Bernard’s students. 

As we prepare for Christmas, I offer you this prayer...

“God our Father, as we wait in anticipation for the Advent of our Lord, prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, and may we always give you thanks for the salvation you offer us through Christ’s Incarnation. Nourish us in mind and body that we may praise you more fully each day”.

May the Spirit of Christmas bring you peace and hope. I look forward to working with you next year.

Warm regards

Johanna Wain
Principal