Filter Content
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you have had a great week. I feel so blessed to come to work each day at St Bernard’s. In the mornings I hear many stories from the children about their weekends, their interests and their talents. I really appreciate the news I receive from parents about students participating in different activities on the weekend. Last weekend I received a photo with 5 boys all dressed and ready to play at half time at the Brumbies game in Canberra. What a wonderful experience! Please feel free to share with me any special events or awards that the students may receive so we can celebrate them as a school community.
St Bernard’s Refurbishment of Student Amenities
The Catholic Education Office, representing the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn, is pleased to advise that our tender for the refurbishment of the students’ amenities has been accepted. We are hoping the Infants and Senior toilets project will begin over the April school holidays. We will keep you updated. We are working with the School Board and the P&F Committee to support the early planning stages. These refurbishments will be a great addition to our school.
St Bernard’s Literacy Program
St Bernard’s has adopted evidenced based instruction that is underpinned by The Simple View of Reading and Cognitive Science. This research-based approach informs the design of our instruction and classroom delivery. The Simple View of Reading and Literacy instruction comprises of explicit and systematic teaching word recognition, subject matter knowledge, vocabulary, sentence comprehension and language from written texts. At St Bernard’s teachers instruct the students using evidenced based instruction that is direct, systematic and explicit with the goal and purpose being for all students to learn, enjoy and understand. Our data in the early years is showing significant growth since we have adopted evidence based strategies that align with the Science of Reading. All staff have engaged in professional learning focusing on how the brain develops as we learn to read and what instructional practices are most effective for all children. We are committed to improving student outcomes and being guided by scientific research to ensure that all students are learning. Parents are encouraged to read with their child/ren and talk over the day’s learning experiences which helps consolidate what has occurred in the class. If possible play some card or board games with your child/ren as these are a fun way to consolidate counting and number facts. Sharing a book helps to model reading as well as providing a special time together at the end of the day.
Suggested Time for Reading
Kindergarten: 10 minutes reading each night
Years 1 to 3: 10-15 minutes reading
Years 4 to 6: 20 minutes reading (minimum)
To support our teaching in Literacy, we ask parents to encourage your child to read each afternoon. Students are being encouraged to borrow each week and for homework each child should be reading every night.
Claim the date!
Our official enrolment period starts at the beginning of Term 2. The minimum enrolment age for Kindergarten is 5 years or turning 5 before 31 July in the year of enrolment. All parents enrolling their children in a Catholic Systemic school must complete the official enrolment form and return it by the due date. Please encourage any families with Kindergarten students starting in 2023 to attend Open Day. This will provide a snapshot of St Bernard’s, capturing life at ‘Big School’. Open Day will be held Term 2 Week 2, Tuesday 3 May.
Supervision
Class learning commences each morning at 8.42am and concludes at 2:40pm Mondays to Fridays. The school grounds are open to students from 8:10am each morning and remain open to 3:00pm each school day. No supervision is provided or responsibility taken by the school outside these hours. Where students need to be at school outside of these times for example, excursions or representative sporting events, adequate supervision is provided by staff.
Mrs Hadley is on leave for two weeks. She has just been through surgery as she had her appendix removed. We keep Mrs Hadley in our thoughts and wish her a speedy recovery.
Blessings on the week ahead.
Kind regards
Johanna Wain
Principal
Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time Reflection
‘Do not praise anyone before they have spoken, since this is the test of us all’
We have often heard the saying, ‘He/She wears their heart on their sleeve!’
This may mean that we know what they are thinking and hence can put them in a category without too much trouble. But I do love the quote from our first reading today: ‘Do not praise anyone before they have spoken, since this is the test of us all’… what comes out of our mouths, and hence our actions too, usually lets people know something about us! The emphasis in all today’s readings is to be very aware of what is in our hearts. St Paul cautions, not to give up, but to keep working for the Lord and forever improving that well of goodness in our hearts.
fruit: Of course, we know that He is speaking about us! Such easy metaphors but so often we can let the words fly over our heads and do not stop and think about the consequences of what our words and judgments can do. Yes, it only takes a smile to lighten someone’s day but a cutting word can do much damage. What Jesus is simply saying, speak from a heart full of love and if we are not confident in what our heart is saying, come closer to Him in prayer and follow Jesus in all things. I am often made aware of the mistake of seeing the beam in someone else’s eyes but miss the same in my own. It may be the quick judgement or rapid answer before I think … imagine if we remained silent until our words were ones of building up and not pulling down. Our world would be such a better place.
My take from the readings is that if we took the words of today’s Psalm as our prayer for the week: ‘Lord it is good to give thanks to you.’ We may make Gratefulness a habit and therefore build a strong heart ethic that bubbles up with joy and good words daily. ….and again as Brendan Byrne says.. ‘get the heart right and all else falls into place!’
God bless Sr Marie
Dear Parents and Carers,
It was wonderful to see so many families and children attend our family Enrolment Evening for the sacrament of Reconciliation last week. A big thank you to Deacon Eden, parents and students who assisted with leading prayers during the evening.
It is also a very special time for our school and parish community to have three students (and their families) preparing for the sacrament of Baptism.
What Is Baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament of incorporation into the Church. Together with the other Sacraments of Initiation, (Confirmation and Eucharist), Baptism gives the grace needed to become disciples of Christ. In the celebration of the sacrament, the Church is following Jesus’ command to go and baptise in his name.
In Baptism the Church passes from the death of sin into new life with the risen Christ. By water and the Holy Spirit, Baptism imprints a special character on the soul.
The celebration of the Sacrament includes several ritual actions. Central is the immersion in water (or the pouring of water on the head) as the ancient formula of the Trinity is invoked: I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The rite includes two separate anointings and the presentation of the baptismal candle, the light of Christ. A white garment is worn, symbolising new life in Christ.
Common to all Christian traditions, Baptism is honoured as the foundation of Christian life and is not repeated.
If you would like to have your child/ren Baptised, it is the perfect time to contact Deacon Eden at the Parish Office on 4472 4153.
Ash Wednesday – Our Lenten Journey
During the 40 days of Lent we are preparing to immerse ourselves ever more deeply in commitment to: the teachings of the Catholic Church and the ministry to the world we live in.
We spend our Lent:
- coming to greater clarity in our lives (prayer)
- simplifying our lifestyles (fasting)
- reaching out to those who are poor (almsgiving)
In doing this, we are preparing to renew our baptismal commitment at Easter. Lent is the time when we intensify the community’s initiation of our new Catholics. Lent is really a time of Retreat or Renewal for the whole community in Christian living.
Interesting Facts:
- The word Lent comes from an Old English word: lencten meaning ‘springtime’.
- The date for the Easter celebration is determined by the phases of the moon and so, Ash Wednesday is calculated accordingly. So, Lent will begin on a different date each year.
- The forty days are from the first Sunday of Lent until Holy Thursday when the Easter Triduum begins.
- The number 40 is a symbolic number taken to mean the whole of one’s life.
Our school community will be holding an Ash Wednesday Liturgy next week. During the liturgy children and staff will be sprinkled with ashes instead of having a cross of ashes placed on our foreheads.
Begin With the Heart Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have received our special BWTH awards this week. We thank you for beginning with the heart this fortnight.
Sophie B, Parker W, Sydnee S, Molly W, Eva H, Makenzie W, Johana DC,
Holly B, Ruby H, Noah S, Tully S, Ellie-Rose M, Mila W, Annabel H,
Joseph O'S, James W, Dante T, Mia S, Flynn A and Tyler Mc.
Prayer
Loving God, help us to find you once again. Our search for you asks us sometimes to be still, For You are all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness. You call us ‘fellow workers.’ May Lent renew our energy to serve your kingdom of justice and peace. (Michael McGirr)
Blessings on your weekend
Sharon Beashel REC
DAILY REVIEW
What is Daily Review and Why do we use it?
At St Bernard’s we are committed to implementing evidence based HIGH IMPACT TEACHING strategies that support and improve student learning. These HITS strategies also align with Science of Learning research on how the brain learns best. The Staff at St Bernard’s employ these Principles of instruction into their daily practice.
The Principles of Instruction describe a collection of teaching functions highly associated with the most significant student learning gains across K-12, and across all subjects. Research has shown that the most effective teachers ensure that students efficiently acquire, rehearse, and connect knowledge by providing a good deal of instructional support (Rosenshine’s, 2012). One of these teaching strategies is known as Daily Review.
The Daily Review consolidates students’ understanding and develops their fluency in essential understandings for literacy and numeracy sessions. It also ensures that students have the prerequisite skills for the day’s lesson. The Daily Review adds to students’ confidence by ensuring that previously taught skills and concepts are reviewed in a sequenced and planned way to allow for the information to transfer to the long-term memory.
The Daily Review is divided into three sections and takes 15- 20 minutes per day. It involves the following:
- fluency building – literacy and numeracy skills
- a planned cycle of revision of previously taught concepts and skills
- prerequisite skills for the day’s lesson
Teachers of younger students often use the strategy of seating students on the classroom floor with mini whiteboards for their Daily Review so that they can frequently check for understanding. Teachers of older grades usually check their students’ understanding of previously taught concepts and skills, also using mini whiteboards, while their students are seated at desks.
Checking for understanding is an important part of the Daily Review as it allows the teacher to check in with students, ask questions and provide instant feedback to move the learning forward or correct any misconceptions that the students might have about an idea or concept.
This year we are following a low variation scope and sequence curriculum for English and Mathematics from Canberra Goulburn Catholic Education. This curriculum is aligned to NSW Syllabus and provides staff with content that requires review each week to ensure that gaps in student learning are minimized and consolidated.
The Staff at St Bernard’s diligently build their Daily Reviews each week and continue to refine their practice and implementation across the school. Their commitment to improve learning has been outstanding.
Jenny Smith
Coordinator / Stage 1 teacher
Week 4 Class Awards
Presented : Friday 18 February 2022.
Congratulations to the following children who received class awards this week. It is great to see so many children working hard and receiving acknowledgment for their efforts - well done to all!
KB: Mace McA, Jacob S. | KBH: Charli H, Ruby P, Aidan S. |
1C: Nynika B, Anabel D. | 1M: Gianna L, Toby S. |
2S: Annalise J-P, George S-D, Quinn S. | 2T: Remi C, Heidi F. |
S1J: Charlie M, James P. | 3DH: Indiana A, Paige L, Taj P. |
3W: Beau C, Christian F, Evie P. | 4C: Amaya B, Lucy J-P, Charley McG. |
4K: Maddison B, Didier D C, Annie F. | 5D: Isla B, Hunter C, Molly W. |
5M: Kobi B, Caprice F, Dusty F. | 6F: Noah A, Mishell F, Floyd P. |
6M: Lukas C, Isabelle J, William L. |
Students who need a travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.