Dear Parents and Carers

The season of Spring is upon us and the change in the weather, with the warmer days and sounds and pleasant smells of flowers in bloom is a reminder of the many blessings in our lives. The change of season can also remind us of the constant changes that each season and indeed life itself brings.

Just as the seasons change, we too experience times of growth and joy, as well as challenges. Yet, in every season there is hope, especially when we are surrounded by a supportive and understanding community.

I feel very blessed that at St Bernard’s we have not only a beautiful school, but also a truly welcoming community. My prayer is that you continue to experience the care of our school family as we reach out with understanding and compassion, striving always to be the face of Jesus for the students and families entrusted to us.

On Sunday 14 September, a number of our Year 4 students will receive the sacrament of Eucharist for the first time at the 9am mass. We keep these students in our prayers and warmly invite you to attend the Parish Mass to support the children and their families.

Carroll College 30th Year Anniversary

On Saturday evening, I will be attending the 30th Anniversary celebration of the opening of Carroll College. This is a very special occasion to reflect on the beginnings of the school and to celebrate 30 years of providing thousands of students with an excellent Catholic secondary education on the coast.

As an early career teacher at St Mary’s, Moruya, in 1995, I fondly remember attending a barbecue at Carroll College on the afternoon before the school opened its doors for the very first time. Staff, including foundation principal Bill Reid, were meeting each other for the first time and connecting with the wider Catholic school community.

Carroll College remains an important part of our K–12 pathway, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership into the future. Congratulations and happy celebrations to all current and past members of the Carroll College community!

Tournament of the Minds

Last Sunday a team of students from Year 5 and 6 competed in the Tournament of the Minds competition in the ACT, entering the STEM challenge component of the tournament. The team of 7 students, led by Mrs Keough, were delighted to be invited to participate in the regional tournament. They will now compete in the Branch finals back in Canberra on Sunday 14 October.

Congratulations to our team members, Ava G, Alyssa D, Ava J, Remi F, Sarah S, Beatrix F and Mia B.

School Community Council Meeting- Summary

Last Wednesday the School Community Council met for our Term 3 meeting. A summary of some of the agenda items discussed are below:

• Fr Joshy attended his first meeting of the School Community Council. He outlined the sacramental programs that have taken place and the preparations for the sacrament of Eucharist that are currently underway. Fr Joshy spoke about the time that he has spent each week in the school leading up to the sacrament and warmly welcomed the students to attend the weekend masses with their families.
• The Executive Director of Catholic Education, Mr David de Carvalho, will be visiting our school for the first time since his appointment this year on Wednesday 12 November. He will be spending time meeting with students, teachers, parents and our Parish Priest Fr Joshy.
• The iCentre will be undergoing renovations to provide more options within the current building configuration to work with small groups of students. This building project will begin in Term 4 and is being organised by the School Planning and Facilities team at the Catholic Education Office.
• Curriculum update - The Rocket Maths program is now being taught in Years 3-6 and will soon be introduced to Years 1-2. The program is designed to improve student fluency and recall of basic mathematics facts.
• There are two outdoor projects that we would like to undertake in the school. One involves updating the existing vegetable garden and the other is to build a Yarning Circle, where outdoor cultural lessons would take place.
• A workshop for parents will be held on Tuesday 21 October in Term 4 at 3:15pm on the topic of Home School Connections for Primary Student Learning. Child care will be provided. We hope that parents can spread the word about this event.

• Kinder – Year 2: Move & Groove with Energy – 11.30am to 12.30pm
• Years 3 – 6: Natural Phenomena & Energy – 1.30pm to 2.30pm

A reminder that tomorrow we are celebrating Father's Day, with breakfast of bacon and egg rolls. We hope that all Dads and father figures in the children's lives are able to be there from 7:30am to 8:30am in the Lean-to. The Father's Day liturgy will follow at 8:45am, led by Year 6 in the hall. Class awards will be presented and the Tournament of the Minds team will perform their winning act.

I hope that you have a wonderful fortnight and Happy Father's Day on Sunday.

Warm regards

Karen

Karen Hadley

Principal

DISCIPLESHIP

There's a knock at the door. You respond, and here is a small group, looking serious but friendly. What is this, you wonder, just before one of them asks if you read the Bible. Not from cover to cover, you think as you blurt out, "Well, bits of it." And you try to remember last week's (or any) Gospel passage.

NB. This is an imaginary scenario, not based on any particular religious approach.

They quote you Luke 14:26 (from today's Gospel) and announce they are forming a new religion based on this text. They explain God requires you to hate family members: "See, Jesus says unless you hate your relatives, you cannot be my disciple. We will be the 'Real Disciples Church'."

Back to reality; and we may be a bit shocked by this Gospel verse. Then we recall being told that the word translated here as "hate" does not mean "to reject" or "have strong negative feelings about". Luke uses the word in the Biblical comparative sense, meaning "to love less" in the context of preference.

On the other hand the word "love" is used hundreds of times in the New Testament (even AI doesn't have an exact number because of the different kinds of love and their translations). Jesus' real message is very clear and doesn't depend on just one verse. So no 'Jihad Jesus' that our imaginary doorknockers may have proposed. No, the core message of the gospels (particularly with Luke's Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son parables), is love.

Of course, easier said than done. And today's gospel suggests that prioritising and serious thinking is part of that process.

Crowds were following Jesus, kind of like Facebook followers, curious maybe, hoping something might be in it for them.

At this stage he is on his way to Jerusalem, to his passion and the cross. He is confronting these followers, letting them know what it entails to be a real disciple.

Unlike the clever salesman who highlights how his deal meets all your needs but doesn't show you the fine print, Jesus reminds us again about the cost, what we have to give up, about the cross. Those travelling with Jesus were invited, not just to be onlookers, but to be disciples. Were any of the crowd ready for the absolute commitment that Jesus asked? Are we?

Then we would truly be a real disciple.

John Mackay

Sacramental News: First Eucharist

We ask that you pray for our candidates as they prepare for their First Eucharist on Sunday, 14 September at 9:oo am.

Please join us at St Bernard’s Parish Church to celebrate this significant sacramental event with the students.

Save the Date:
Reconciliation Before Sacrament	Wednesday 10 September. Father Joshy will visit the school.
Family Catch-up Evening	Thursday 5:00 pm  11 September, St Bernard’s Parish
Sacrament of First Eucharist Mass	Sunday 14 September 9:00 am

As part of our preparation, we attended a Sacrament Retreat Day at Carroll College, which was led by the Youth Ministry Team and Mrs Belle Barling. 

We thank Mrs Barling and the students for preparing and facilitating an excellent experience for our students.

The students had a wonderful day with peers from St Mary’s Primary School, participating in ice-breaker games, formation activities and prayer. 

Begin With The Heart

Congratulations to 2N, who were the winners of our Begin With The Heart class award.  They demonstrated the value E – Empathy: I never see a need without doing something about it. What a great effort you have put in.

Begin With the Heart: Term 3 2025
Week/s	Heart Focus
7 & 8	HEART – Appreciation  I contribute my gifts and talents in the classroom.
9 & 10	HEART – Respect  I allow everyone the right to learn.

Operation Christmas Child

We are excited to be supporting Samaritan’s Purse to construct shoe box packages to go overseas to those less fortunate than us.

This year, we are inviting your family to either contribute a shoebox or to send in an item to support Mini Vinnies to be able to package boxes ready to go. All of the items must be new. Unfortunately, second-hand items are not able to be donated.

Thank you to those families who have already generously donated items or who have been in touch to get a box sent home.

Please see below the items we are asking each class to contribute:

Kindergarten:	Year 1:
Crayons, colouring books, soft toys, small cars or small dolls.	Picture books, yo-yos, skipping ropes, or hand balls.
Year 2:	Year 3:
Tote bag, puzzles, stickers, playdough or frisbee.	Pens, led pencils, chalk, textas or small paint sets.
Year 4:	Year 5:
Short novels, notebooks, small craft sets or a small torch.	Face washers, toothbrushes, combs, hair brushes, or fun bandaids.
Year 6:
Socks, sunglasses, shorts, skirts, t-shirts or hats.

If your family would like to donate a small shoebox, please see the attached flyer on what to do, or call Mrs Keough who will be happy to send more information home for you.

More information about this initiative can be found here: https://occ.samaritanspurse.org.au/

Kind regards,

Beck

Rebecca Keough

Religious Education Coordinator

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Each day, I’m reminded of the strength and spirit of our wonderful community here at St Bernard’s. The generosity of our families and the unwavering commitment of our teaching staff are evident in everything we do. Over the past few weeks, we’ve welcomed several special visitors to our school, and all have spoken very highly of the positive learning environment, student growth, and high-quality teaching they’ve observed in our classrooms.

As a school, we are committed to continually improving our teaching practices, guided by the principles of the Science of Learning. Our staff engage openly with feedback and work alongside trusted professional colleagues to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experiences for our students.

Spelling Mastery    

At our school, we are committed to using evidence-based programs that support long-term student success. One of the key tools we use to build strong literacy skills is Spelling Mastery – a research-proven program designed to help students become confident, accurate spellers.

What is Spelling Mastery?
Spelling Mastery is a highly structured, Direct Instruction program that teaches students reliable spelling strategies. Rather than relying on rote memorisation, it helps students understand how spelling works through consistent, focused instruction. Lessons are short, targeted, and carefully sequenced to ensure maximum learning and retention.

How Does It Work?
Spelling Mastery blends three key approaches to give students a well-rounded understanding of spelling:

• Phonemic Approach – Teaches the connection between sounds and letters, helping students spell regular, predictable words.
• Morphemic Approach – Focuses on word parts like prefixes, suffixes, and root words, helping students learn how words are built and how spelling rules apply.
• Whole-Word Approach – Targets common irregular words that don’t follow standard rules and need to be learned through repeated exposure.

Why It’s Effective

• Students are explicitly taught spelling strategies and rules, promoting understanding rather than simple memorisation.
• Lessons are scripted, clear, and systematic, making them efficient and easy to follow.
• The program supports long-term retention and builds skills students will use for life.

We are tracking the progress of all students in Spelling through the use of yearly PAT Spelling Assessment and Spelling Mastery formative assessments throughout the program. We’re excited to see the continued growth and confidence in our students as they engage with this structured and proven approach to spelling.

Classroom Support Assistant Appreciation Week.

This week, we proudly celebrate Classroom Support Assistant Appreciation Week – a special time to recognise the incredible contributions of our dedicated CSA team. Our Classroom Support Assistants (CSAs) play a vital role in supporting students across all year levels. Whether working one-on-one, assisting in classrooms, or delivering intervention programs, our CSAs bring compassion, patience, and professionalism to everything they do.

We are truly fortunate to have such an outstanding group of individuals who provide tailored academic and emotional support. Their commitment to nurturing the well-being and learning of every student enriches our entire school environment. We acknowledge and thank our CSAs for their dedication to Catholic education and the vital work they do every day. Their impact on our students is lasting and deeply appreciated.

Father’s Day Stall – Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, all students will have the opportunity to visit the Community Council Father’s Day Stall and purchase a special gift for Dad or an important father figure in their lives.

A big thank you to the wonderful parents and staff who volunteered their time to help pack the gift bags in preparation for the stall — your support is greatly appreciated!

We wish all the dads, grandads, and special father figures in the St Bernard’s community a joyful and love-filled Father’s Day. May your Sunday be full of special surprises, big hugs, and plenty of well-earned appreciation!

Kind regards,

Jeni

Ms Jeni McCarthy

Assistant Principal

Term 3 in Year 4 

Storm Boy 

By James and Sebastian 

Recently we've been reading a book called Storm Boy with Mr Whiteford. Storm Boy is a book about a child and his father, Hideaway Tom. One day, Storm Boy was out playing when he saw two shooters shooting at the pelicans and other native birds. By the time they'd finished, there were only three pelicans left. Later in the text, when Storm Boy was out, he met a man who introduced himself as Finger Bone Bill. He taught Storm Boy how to nurture the park and teach pelicans. A few years later, Storm Boy taught pelicans how to deter shooters. Later, when the pelicans were deterring the shooters, Mr Percival, Storm Boy's favourite pelican was shot. Storm Boy left the Coorong, his beloved home, and headed to Adelaide to learn at a boarding school. 

Storyline 

By Grace and Zayden 

Year 4 have been working hard recently, learning about the First Fleet and researching people involved in the First, Second and Third fleets. We have been watching a number of videos and having a number of interesting discussions about convict life. To show our determination in learning about past Australians, we've been studying convicts carefully, writing four to five journal entries depicting their day to day life before, during and after travelling to Australia.  

Soon we will be starting our first contacts artworks, making a map of our journey from Great Britain to Australia, a ship artwork and a portrait of our convict. On Storyline Presentation Day, we will dress up in what convicts would have worn in the 1700s. Many people have also chosen to tell the story of a British officer or official from colonial times or of an Indigenous person faced with foreign colonisers in the 1700s and 1800s. Our teachers have been helping by conferencing with us to help us when we are stuck. 

Canberra 

By Winter and Astrid 

On Monday 11 August, Year 4 went to our first overnight camp. We left at 6:45am and headed to Canberra. We stopped at Braidwood for a toilet break, then hopped back on the bus. We went to the zoo and saw jaguars, hyenas and monkeys. Then we went to the Art Gallery. There were heaps of interesting and cool artworks. Later, we went to the Australian Institute of Sports and we played sports games and got shown where the Olympians train. We entered our accommodation and settled into our cabins. We all unpacked our stuff and got ready for dinner. After dinner we went bowling. All of the Year 4 kids enjoyed it, afterwards, we all went to bed. The next morning we went to the Arboretum, played at the Acorn Park and made kites. We then went to Questacon. Some of us went to the gift shop and some were brave enough to go on the drop slide. After some lunch we finally got back on the bus and headed back home. We watched Surf's Up on the bus ride back. When we got back to school, our parents picked us up. It was a great first camp. We’d like to thank our teachers for taking us. 

Making a Coolamon & Dhurga Learning 

By Emily and Mikayla 

As part of our Dhurga and Storyline learning, we have been designing and making a coolamon with Mr Whiteford and Mr Nolan. We came up with a design with Mr Nolan and started painting yesterday afternoon. In our paintings the pelicans symbolise the First Fleet ships, with some young Yuin men in the foreground. Mother Mountain, Gulaga is also present in the background with loads of traditional Aboriginal symbols throughout. We are so excited to share it with the school when we're finished. We love learning Dhurga, listening to the Yidaki and love doing Aboriginal art. 

Holy Communion and Holy Communion Retreat 

By Raph, Natalie and Elsie 

This year, many year 4 students are receiving the Sacrament First Holy Communion up at the Church. Sacraments are important steps in becoming a full member of the Catholic church. First Holy Communion is a sacrament initiation and is when you receive the body of Jesus as holy and spiritual food. Jesus body becomes part of your body and we become part of Jesus's body. To prepare to receive our first Holy Communion, we've been going to Church, where we pray and worship God and ask Jesus to help us. Father Joshy has also been helping us learn about Holy Communion. We've been learning about the history of Holy Communion and it’s origins in scripture.

Mr Joshua Whiteford, Mrs Jane Hicks & Mrs Rearne Clark 

Year 4 Team 

Archdiocesan Athletics Championships

Congratulations to Emerson B, Vander C, Nalu G, Sietta G, Lebron C, Jordan L, Indie F, Astrid B, Annabelle T, Winter W, Raph C, Lehan D, William O, Beatrix F, Charlie M, Aurelia S, Brooklen S, Avia N, Lucas V, Noah S, Remi C, Lilly G, Georgina W, Sion D, Ollie L, Liam C and Finn H on your outstanding participation at the Canberra Goulburn Athletics Championships. Your school spirit and encouragement of each other was wonderful. You should be very proud to compete at such a high level of competition. We had fantastic personal bests and many outstanding results.

Beatrix F was awarded 11yr Champion Athlete and she broke three records on the day in 11 yrs 100m, 11 yrs 200m and 11 yrs 800m. Only first and second in each event were selected to compete at the NSW Combined Primary School Championships in Sydney and we have three relay teams and a number of individual students chosen to compete.

These students are:

Beatrix F, Charlie M, Raph C, Ollie L, Noah S, Lilly G, Lebron C, Lehan D, Sion D, Finn H, Jordan L, Lucas V and Georgina W. We wish you well in your preparation, and we look forward to watching you on the live TV stream and cheering you on.

Tennis Coaching

Students are enjoying sessions of tennis coaching in school sport and PE sessions. Year 3-6 are playing tennis at the Todd Woodbridge Cup Gala Day in two weeks. Thank you to our local coach Rob Frawley and all our staff for supporting this fantastic program.

Upcoming Sport Dates

Tuesday 16 September - Year 3 and 4 Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis Gala Day Broulee

Thursday 18 September -  Year 5 and 6 Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis Gala Day Broulee

Wednesday 24 September - NSW MacKillop Athletics Sydney Olympic Park

Kind regards,

Angela Holmes

Sports Coordinator/PE Teacher 

Using the “Magic Triangle” to Challenge Negative Thought Patterns

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has become a very mainstream approach to working therapeutically with both children and adults these days. The focus of CBT challenging (positively reframing) negative thought patterns that influence our feelings and actions.

Because of CBT’s heavy cognitive focus it has its limitations, and is not something I would recommend in all cases or for all people. However, one area where there is strong evidence for CBT’s effectiveness is in treating depression and anxiety, two of the most common presenting issues seen by therapists. I think this is because a core component of both depression and anxiety is how they are fuelled by negative thought patterns. If we can challenge and change such patterns, in many cases we see an ability to hold them more lightly whenever they do visit us.

A concept drawn from CBT that is easily explained to kids is the “magic triangle.” The magic triangle is a simple tool to help us visualise how our thoughts influence our feelings and actions. 

For example:

Term 3

Week 6 Class Awards

Presented: Friday 29 August 2025.

Well done to all!

Happy Birthday to all of our students that have or will celebrate their birthdays in September.

Lilli H, Beatrix F, John B, Frankie C, James W, Harlo W, Natalie N, Michael S, Reuben S, Indie M, Ruby H, Alana M, Leo B, Valentina D, Lucinda S-L, Grace R, Harper B, Mason H, Ganesh P, Harley D,  Cali Z, Victoria F, Benjamin F, Harper Br, Jayda H, Rosalie F-D, Kyla S, Khalid N, Cora McA, Yana K, Johaan D, Torah O'D, Harley F, Bentley S, Miranda S, Holly B, Ellie-Rose M, Jase W, Elsie G, Nate K, Mia-Hazel G, Asher A, Louis C, Oisin M-M, Polly B, Ollie L, Jasmine F, Manuel P.

We hope you enjoy your special day.