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Dear Parents and Carers
I hope you have had a good week. Last weekend we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord. “In the story of the Ascension, Jesus instructs his disciples to go to Bethany where he farewells them. In the Gospels Bethany was closely associated with Jesus during his ministry, most notably in John’s Gospel as the place where he raised Lazarus to life. It was some distance outside Jerusalem, a safe place to which he retired when under threat of death. In Jerusalem by his death and rising he had conquered death. At his Ascension he could now send the disciples back from Bethany to Jerusalem to share the Good News – our mission today!” Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ - www.australiancatholics.com.au/article/jesus-withus
Our Year 6 students are currently preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation where they will renew their faith and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. As they take this next step in their faith journey, please keep the students in your prayers. All families are welcome to join us at Mass on Saturday 25 June at 5.00pm.
Last week we were very fortunate to have the team from Royal Far West supporting staff and students at St Bernard’s. RFW are committed to providing support for communities impacted by bushfire and other natural disasters. Resilience NSW have funded dedicated Community Resilience Officers to work with trained Companions and local groups in three bushfire-impacted regions in NSW, to support ongoing recovery, build resilience and enhance community preparedness for future adversity. All team members have experience/training in the following areas:
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Community Trauma Tool kit (Emerging Minds)
- Storm Birds & Seasons for Growth, child group programs (Good Grief)
- Trauma Recovery Techniques child group program (Children and War Foundation)
- Birdie’s Tree Resources (Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health)
- Child Developmental Assessment as part of a multi-disciplinary health team
Staff engaged in Professional Learning focusing on trauma and supporting behaviour in the classroom.
What is Trauma?
“Trauma is the emotional, psychological and physiological residue left over from heightened stress that accompanies experiences of threat, violence and life challenging events”
(Australian Childhood Foundation, 2010).
Trauma is an event that exhausts an individual’s coping resources. Everyone has a different threshold for whether or not they experience events as traumatic.
As a staff we discussed strategies to support students who have experienced trauma that we can implement across the school. If you have any concerns around your child and trauma, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher. We are here to support all our families. It is wonderful to have the care of RFW clinicians in supporting students and staff at St Bernard’s.
This year we have planned to facilitate a Swimming Program for Kindergarten to Year 6 at the new pool in Batemans Bay. Mrs Holmes is applying for a Sporting Schools Grant to assist with the financial costs of the Swimming Program. The grant will go towards paying part of the cost for the program for families. The Program will run at Batemans Bay Pool in Term 4 Week 7. This is a great initiative and promotes water safety. A special thank you to Mrs Holmes for her effort and organisation. It will certainly benefit all our students and I know they will be excited to try out the new pool.
Resource to Help Families Support Their Child Transition to Primary/Secondary School
Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) have developed a range of resources to support families to be positively engaged in their child’s learning. The resources are available at https://www.parentengagementcspa.edu.au/
The modules on Nurturing Your Child Through Transition -Primary and Nurturing Your Child Through Transition – Secondary have some useful information, ideas and resources that may be beneficial to provide your new enrolments.
Carroll College Variety Night
St Bernard’s and St Mary’s Primary Schools have been invited to attend a Performing Arts Variety Night at Carroll College on 22 June Week 9 Term 2. This year St Bernard’s has decided to showcase an item from the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang involving the cast and Year 2 students. The Variety Concert evening will commence at 6.00pm with a light supper available for purchase from 5.15pm. There is no cost for entry. All families are invited to join us and be entertained by the students from our 3 Catholic Schools on the Coast.
Next Wednesday Ross Fox, Director of Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn, will be visiting St Bernard’s. We are looking forward to showcasing the great teaching and learning happening across the school.
We wish Beatrix F, Mikinley B and Kiera A the best of luck at the NSWCPS Cross Country Championships in Sydney on Tuesday. They will compete against students across NSW Catholic Schools. We are very proud of you and look forward to hearing about your experience next week.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.
Kind regards
Johanna Wain
Principal
My brother and I were confirmed in the parish of St Colmcille, Ballyhackamore, Northern Ireland in 1947. World War II (1939-1945) had put paid to many of the parish’s religious and social lactivities. The German bombing raids on Belfast in April/May 1941 had destroyed our primary school, the parish hall and part of the church. The 1940s were years of conflict and fear.
Our bishop in the post-war years made every effort to visit all the schools in the diocese to examine the candidates for Confirmation and confirm them the next day. His Lordship joined us 5/6 Grade boys in a large circle and asked us questions based on the Green Catechism. I was asked: “What is Confirmation?” I answered parrot-like: “The Sacrament which makes us strong and perfect Christians, and soldiers of Jesus Christ.”
The bishop drew an analogy between the courage our soldiers had in defending our country and the courage he expected us to have in defence of our faith, even unto death. To remind us of this, he said that, after imposing his hands on us and anointing us, he would slap us on the cheek. The next day he did as he had forewarned us and it hurt. As an eleven year old boy I wasn’t particularly keen on dying just because I was a Catholic in Northern Ireland. I was relieved the next year, when my father decided to migrate to Australia for his children’s sake.
The first century AD in Palestine was a period of fear and subjugation. Rome had conquered most of the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and imposed Roman Law ruthlessly. Into this world came the Galilean prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, who preached the Good News of a loving God who wanted people to love on another. He declared blessed those who did not pursue power, possessions and prestige. Connivance between the Roman Governor and the Jerusalem elite led to Jesus’ execution. Most of his small band of disciples deserted him, fearing for their lives..
But Jesus rose from the dead and during forty days revived their drooping spirits. Before he returned to his Father God, he promised them he would send them a Comforter. On the great Jewish feast of Pentecost, the Comforter came with greater drama than the slap on my cheek. A mighty wind rocked their house. Divided tongues, as of fire, rested on them. They began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability.
An emboldened Peter went outside and preached an inspiring sermon. About 3000 persons were baptised that day.
So was formed the first community of those who followed the Way of Jesus Christ. Over the centuries, it has become the Catholic Church, scattered throughout the world: prospering in one place, persecuted in another: passionately loved by some, bitterly despised by others. But, I believe, worth dying for.
“Come Holy Spirit, Come! Fill our hearts with courage! Kindle in us the fire of your Love. Amen
Joe Quigley
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week has been National Reconciliation Week (NRW). During NRW all Australians are encouraged to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
There are many images around our school environment which have supported the theme of Reconciliation. Our special thanks to Trish Ellis for visiting classrooms and sharing her story with students. The theme, Be Brave Make Change is a powerful message that many students have displayed on their hands lining the entrance to the school.
Baptismal Congratulations
It was lovely to have Sienna N’s extended family attend our Parish Mass on Sunday for the celebration of her Baptism. Congratulations and welcome to God’s special family.
Confirmation Update
On Friday 10 June Year 6 students from St Bernard’s and St Mary’s, will join to participate in a Confirmation Formation Day being held at Carroll College. Year 10 students from Carroll College will be facilitating this day, along with teachers from the 3 schools. Deacon Eden will attend the Formation Day with us. Friday will be a fantastic opportunity to foster our K-12 Pathways here on the coast, providing our Year 6 students with an extended network of friends in the community.
Students will need to bring their own recess, drink bottle, school bag and hat. Sport’s uniform should be worn.
A hotdog, popper and ice block will be provided for lunch. All dietary requirements have been emailed to Carroll College. There is no cost for the day.
Confirmation Stoles - Option
An embroidery dove is available at HIP POCKET in Batemans Bay. The school will pay for the original design template which reduces the price for each stole quite significantly. HIP POCKET needs to set up the machine for the embroidery, so they would like all stoles on the one day.
Please put your name, order, and payment in an envelope with the stole and hand it in to the school office by Monday 6 June. 9.00am. A huge thank you to Corina C who has organised this option for parents.
Vinnies Winter Appeal
Today is the second day of Winter and there certainly is a chill in the air.
Vinnies Winter Appeal will be launched this weekend at all Parish Masses. Our local St. Vincent de Paul store is asking for donations of new blankets this year. All blanket donations can be left at the school office. We will be offering our blanket donations at a special school Mass on Friday 17 June at 9.30am. All parents and friends are invited to attend.
Mr Gary Norris spoke to the Mini Vinnies students today about the Winter Appeal. He also presented the team with their badges for the year.
Blessings on your weekend
Sharon Beashel
REC
Dear Parents and Carers
We were very pleased to have received positive feedback following the Parent Information evening held last week in the area of Mathematics. On Tuesday 14 June we will be presenting this information via zoom to reach a wider audience. The topics will cover Catalyst and Explicit Direct Instruction, Daily Review and Maths Pathway. Please find the link to the zoom meeting in the email sent to our community this week.
Carroll Day
Tomorrow, students in Year 6 will join with their peers from St Mary's, Moruya to attend Carroll Day celebrations. Carroll Day acknowledges the day that the College opened to the community in Broulee. The Year 6 students will participate in the Carroll Day Carnival hosted by Year 11 students, have a BBQ lunch and watch the Battle of the Bands.
Overnight excursions
This year we are excited to be able to once again take part in overnight excursions. Bookings and plans were made in 2021 in anticipation that excursions could once again take place. Year 4 will travel to Canberra for an overnight excursion, staying at Canberra Park and visiting a range of significant places in the nations capital. Year 5 will also travel to the ACT in the outer southern suburb of Tharwa, to attend Birrigai Outdoor School for two nights, to take part in the Life on the Diggings program of learning to compliment historical units of study. Year 6 will go to Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Camp for the first time, to participate in the ROAR program and walk to Mount Kosciusko. Parents of these children will receive detailed information via email in the coming weeks. The dates for the various excursions from our school calendar are below:
Year 4 to Canberra- Thursday 8 and Friday 9 September (Term 4)
Year 5 to Birrigai- Wednesday 27 July- Friday 29 July (Term 3)
Year 6 to Jindabyne - Tuesday 25 October- Friday 28 October (Term 4)
Year 4 ESC Calendar competition
Students from Year 4 throughout our region are invited to participate in the Eurobodalla Shire Council environmental art calendar competition each year. The 2023 calendar has the theme Threatened Species Survival: How can you help. The calendar competition is an excellent opportunity for Year 4 students to showcase their artistic talents, while learning about a very important environmental topic and communicating a message to a wide audience.
The 2023 Calendar will focus on the fight our native plants and animals have with introduced species. The aim is to highlight what is native and what threats they face.
The Eurobodalla has many iconic native species ranging from the well-known Humpback and Southern Right Whales to Bandicoots, Quolls and the Red Bellied Black Snake. We have amazing diversity in our native plant species which provide habitat and food for our numerous birds, reptiles, insects and mammals. The students will be producing their art about these species and more. We thank Bernadette Davis, passionate Educational Officer at ESC, for the work that she does to organise this competition and to support the learning of all students so generously.
Book Fair
The Ashton Scholastic Book Fair will continue until tomorrow afternoon in the iCentre. The book fair has been very well supported by parents and friends of our school and we are very grateful for this. Funds raised from the selling of books and related merchandise goes towards resouces for our school library. Thank you to Mrs Theresa Hopman for co-ordinating the Book Fair again for everyone to enjoy.
I hope that you have a restful weekend.
Karen Hadley
Assistant Principal
Welcome to a snapshot of what has been happening in Kindergarten so far this term.
Term 2 has been very busy and productive in Kindergarten. We started the term with our very first Cross Country. The children were all very excited to race and participate in the day.
During Catholic Schools week Kindergarten hosted a Teddy Bears Picnic. We had lots of fun participating in all things beary with our friends from St Mary’s. Some of the activities included decorating biscuits, dancing gummy bear fun, parachute activities. We enjoyed a picnic together before St Mary’s headed back to their school.
It was lovely to invite our mums, grandmas and mother figures into our classrooms. We took our mums on a tour of our classroom and showcased some of our learning.
We are looking forward to the rest of the term and can’t wait to see the great learning and activities that will take place in Kindergarten.
MacKillop Soccer Championship
Congratulations to Samuel S-D from Year 5 who played in the MacKillop Football Championships last week. We are very proud of the fantastic skills you displayed. Mark Thompson the coach of the Canberra- Goulburn team was very impressed by your playing ability. We can’t wait to see you continue to develop your skills in the future.
CPSNSW Cross Country
Good luck to Keira A, Mikinley B and Beatrix F who compete in the Combined Primary School NSW Cross Country Championships in Sydney next week. We are extremely proud of all the hard work and training that you put into running your 2km and 3km events. We hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy the experience.
Angela Holmes
