Dear Parents and Carers

It has been wonderful to be back in the school after two weeks away. Having parents in the school at drop off and pick up times now that some of the restrictions have lifted has really added such a nice feeling and brought a lot of joy to the students. We really welcome your presence in the school. I know that many of you took the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher in Week 5 via video conference and that this was a wonderful way to connect and discuss your child's learning. The Welcome BBQ and Disco on Thursday 24 March will be another great opportunity for everyone to be together in the school environment. We hope to see many of you then.

COVID symptoms

While many of the NSW health restrictions are no longer in place, it is very important that we continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 that members of our school community may exhibit. A reminder that these symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, extreme tiredness, unexplained chest pain or conjunctivitis (eye infection).

Social Media and Online Safety

Next Monday, Constable Donna Clarke of the Batemans Bay Police will be visiting the school to speak with the students of Year 5 and 6 about the topic of online safety.  Donna will inform the students about some of the ways that they can keep themselves safe when engaging online and make clear to the students what some of the risks are. We are very grateful to Donna for making herself available to come into the school next week. The esafety commission is a government website with a range of resources for both parents and children. This resource is used to support students in all grades in Digital Technology lessons with Mrs Holmes, when the topic of cyber safety is also taught. A link to a 10 minute podcast from the esafety commissioner site is well worth a listen. Topics discussed include:

• Prevention, Protection & Proactive Change
• User empowerment tools
• Talk early, talk often, be present, teach them to block/mute, don't take away devices as punishment
• Set parental controls
• Have your children use their devices in open areas of the home
• Digital resilience

https://podfollow.com/1082244480/episode/68744b5052b6d4b2db0864287fce6de6a8f51a46/view?fbclid=IwAR3OYS5o29EIFgjjdJGuS5jP4

Yesterday a note for responsible student use of computers at school was sent home. Please take the time to read through this agreement with your child and return to us at school before next Friday 18 March. Signed agreement notes need to be returned to ensure that your child is able to access our school computers.

Archdiocesan Swimming

Congratulations to the team of swimmers who travelled to Queanbeyan this week to compete in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Primary Swimming Championships. Beatrix F was successful in making the Canberra Goulburn team for the 50 metre freestyle event, and will now swim at the NSW Combined Catholic Schools meet in Sydney on the 22 March. We wish Beatrix all the best!

St Patrick's Day

On Thursday we will be celebrating St Patrick's Day with a special lunch day in the canteen. Green recess snacks and hot dog and ice block lunch orders can be purchased. Orders for the hot dog lunch can be made through Qkr! More details can be found later in the newsletter. Everyone is invited to wear green coloured mufti clothing on Thursday.

Walk for Autism

A very enthusiastic group of students will be holding a cake stall on Monday to raise money for the Walk for Autism fundraiser in the month of March. At this stage we look like exceeding our target to raise $1000 for this very important cause. Cupcakes and other recess treats can be purchased on Monday. Prices are between 50 cents and $1. Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Personal Development My Body My Life Program

On Tuesday the students in Year 6 will be taking part in a personal development program.

My Body My Life is the Archdiocesan program approved by Catholic Education for Stage 3 Puberty and Personal Development education.

The program involves parents in this important aspect of their children’s journey by providing online units for parent & child to work though together at home.

The online parent program is followed up by a visit from the Marriage Family & Relationships team who work with the students in small groups to facilitate corporate ownership of this important knowledge and allow an opportunity to ask further questions and clarify concepts and information.

Public Speaking

Isla B and Annie F received their trophies this week following the 2021 Archdiocesan Public Speaking competition that was held via video conference. Congratulations to them. We look forward to the 2022 competition. 

I hope that you have a relaxing weekend. Jo will be back in the school next week following her time at the Principal's retreat. 

Warm regards

Karen

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

On Friday 18 March, Year 3 students from St Bernard’s Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School, Moruya, will be participating in a Reconciliation Retreat Day.

The Retreat Day will be held at Carroll College, Broulee. The day will commence with prayer based around the Prodigal Son. Carroll College Year 9 Youth Ministry will lead the day. Father George and Deacon Eden will also attend.

Please see below for more information.

Thank you to our Reconciliation candidates and families for attending Commitment Masses over the weekend. I was at Saturday evening Mass, and it was a very special occasion.

Mrs McCarthy and Mrs Hynes attended Sunday evening Mass and took this lovely photo of Reeve T, Molly M and Jace T.

I look forward to supporting children and families who will make their Commitment this weekend.

BEGIN WITH THE HEART AWARDS

Thank you to our SRC who organised our Heart graph for this fornight. Our school focus has been on acknowledging students who are showing empathy for others by using: “Kind Actions and Kind Words.”

Congratulations to: John F, Charlie J, Elyssa W, Henry A, Lily D, Jasper S, Anthony N, Chloe K, Maicee D, Remi C, Max L, Chloe T x 2, Caprice F, Joel F, Samuel S, Lily S, Hailey I, Malachi C, Amaya B, Logan P, Campbell R, Gurnoor K, Kobi B, Matthew S, Dante T, Jayden B, Isaac R, Levi T, Molly M, Aurora B, Oscar J, Sebastian L, Seth L, Elsie W, Noah S, Derek B, Michael S, Cruze W, Harper B, Georgina W, Milo D, Evie P, Sienna N, Finn H, Levi S,  Ryan N, Bobby M, Amelia M, Louis C, Aidan S, Charlie L and Lola R. Good luck in our Friday draw everyone.

ST PATRICK’S DAY

Although Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the 5^th Century, he spent most of his adult life bringing the Good News of the Gospel to the people of Ireland, which was a pagan country at the time.  He is believed to have used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, and the shamrock remains associated with the saint and the Trinity to this day.

Saint Patrick died on March 17, 461. He is now the patron saint of Ireland and is known as the Apostle of Ireland.

Many people in Australia are from an Irish Catholic heritage. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is a way of acknowledging the faith that St. Patrick brought to the Irish people a long time ago.

We will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday 17 March. Students and staff are encouraged to wear green to celebrate this day.

PRAYER - ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE

"Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Have a lovely weekend.

Sharon Beashel REC

Southern Region Swimming

Neither rain, wind or sleet could stop our amazing swimmers and their fantastic parents who drove them to Queanbeyan on Tuesday. We laughed and cheered despite the weather and I am very proud of their achievements. It was a day of personal best times and the parents and I said you cannot ask for any greater accomplishment than to swim your best time.

Congratulations to:

Junior Boys Relay - Arthur S-D, Campbell R, Ethan S, Oscar J. (Beau C)

Senior Girls Relay - Molly W, Lily D, Ruby B, Remi C. (Laila C)

Senior Boys Relay - Charlie J, Henry A, John F, Samuel S-D. (Rogan H)

Our Senior Boys came a fabulous third, only missing out on making it to the State Carnival by 25 hundredths of a second. A fabulous race.

We also had some very fast individual swimmers:

Indiana A, Mia A, Ruby B, Annie F, Beatrix F, Addison G and Molly W, Henry A, John F, Charlie J, Oscar J, Arthur S-D and Samuel S-D

Samuel S-D was third in the 11yr 50m Freestyle congratulations.

Beatrix F is the Archdiocesan Champion in the 8yr 50m Freestyle. With a fantastic PB of 47.98. We wish her every success as she travels to Sydney on Tuesday 22 March for the CPSNSW Swimming Championships at the Olympic Pool at Homebush.

  Week 6 Class Awards

Presented : Friday 4 March 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!