Dear Parents and Carers

We have nearly come to the end of Semester One and we are now half way through the school year which is hard to believe. Thank you for the many ways you have supported our school throughout Term 2. The partnership between parents and the school plays a big part in education. I also thank our dedicated Staff for their hard work and commitment to ensuring the students are engaged and learning in the best possible learning environment. A special thank you to the School Board and the Parents and Friends Committee who are always working behind the scenes to assist in community events and raising funds for the school. Your contributions are appreciated!

Sacrament of Confirmation

This Saturday at 5.00pm, a group of our Year 6 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is the final step in their Sacramental journey, where the students will receive the Holy Spirit and bear witness to their faith. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers at this special time. All families are invited to join us. Blessings to all.

Deacon Eden will celebrate his first Mass as a newly ordained Priest on Sunday 26 June at 5.00pm. All families are very welcome.  

Annual Improvement Plan

Each week the Executive Team meet to discuss teaching and learning across the school, including data. The staff engage in Professional Learning each week, focusing on our students at St Bernard’s and improving student outcomes. Our students are central to every decision we make. Some key improvement strategies listed in our Annual Improvement Plan include:

• Coaching and Professional Learning with Dr Lorraine Hammond in Explicit Direct Instruction.
• Regular analysis of school data
• Continue to implement Spelling Mastery across Years 1-6 Monday – Thursday 8.45am – 9.15am (no interruptions).
• A Data Analyst role in the three schools to meet each term, focusing on data and areas for growth
• Daily Reviews in Literacy and Numeracy occur each day
• Regular analysis of school NAPLAN data.
• Implement question types from NAPLAN into Daily Reviews and Explicit lessons.
• Continue implementing MiniLit and MacqLit for students who require additional support in Literacy
• To implement Christian Meditation across the school
• For teachers to become well informed about the Brisbane Religious Education Curriculum and the elaborations.
• Increase teacher understanding and knowledge of Brisbane Curriculum in Religious Education  

Personal Plans
This week our staff met with a focus on Personal Plans. All schools in Australia are required to participate annually in the National Consistent Collection of Data for Students with Disability (NCCD). This allows our Catholic sector to continue to provide and prioritise innovative and high-quality teaching and learning to support all students on their learning journey. Above all though, our Catholic tradition demands that educators see every child as equal, inherently sacred and worthy of dignity and respect. Our Catholic schools support children and young people with disability as an act of love, not merely as a legislative requirement.

At our staff meeting this week, we focused on ensuring that we are providing adjustments to support individual students with their learning. We have an amazing team of teachers and Classroom Support Assistants who are dedicated to supporting all students to access their learning. We are looking forward to Parent Teacher Conferences next week and discussing the growth and achievements from Semester One.

Aboriginal Culture at St Bernard’s
Each week Trish Ellis, a proud Brinja Yuin woman, engages the students from Kindergarten to Year 6, in the Aboriginal culture, language and stories. Trish immerses Kindergarten and Year 1 students in Dhurga through storytelling and games. In Year 2 – 6 students learn a deeper understanding of the language through symbolism and hands on experiences. As Dhurga continues to be taught at St Bernard’s, it is clear that it is not just a language, but a culture that is being respected and taught to immerse our students in our Aboriginal history.

Trish has taught Dhurga, our local Aboriginal language, for the past 15 years both in institutions and in the Aboriginal community. She is extremely passionate about her culture, heritage and language.  Trish works alongside, Karen Hadley, and together they support our Aboriginal students and families at St Bernard’s.

We are working closely with St Mary’s, Moruya and Carroll College, Broulee to create authentic celebrations. In the first week of Term 3, all Aboriginal students and their families are invited to Mass at Sacred Heart, Moruya to celebrate NAIDOC Week. St Bernard’s will celebrate NAIDOC Week in Term 3 Week 3, with Year 1 leading us in a special Assembly on the Friday at 2.00pm.

A reminder that school finishes for Term 2 for all students on Wednesday 29 June. The additional Pupil Free days for St Bernard’s this term are ​Thursday 30 June and ​Friday 1 July.

I wish all families a safe and enjoyable break and we look forward to seeing you back for Term 3 on Tuesday 19 July.

Kind regards
Johanna Wain

Principal  

Vocation.... a Calling to… 

As a young adult in the 6os and 70s I was aware that the word ‘vocation’ referred to a ‘higher calling’. We spoke of those who had a calling or vocation to the priesthood, religious life, married and single life. We often spoke of the vocation of teaching, medicine, nursing and the like. We knew that the calling to the service of teaching or healing went beyond working for pay. Sr. Clare Condon sgs states while speaking recently to new University Graduands: “Don’t be fixated on ordering and arranging your life as if it only belongs to you ... be outgoing and serve, teach and engage in those places that might have the greatest need. The rewards will be way beyond your expectations...bring the message of a mysterious God, with all of its potential, to those afraid of life  and who struggle with its limitations’ [June 2022].

Free to Follow

Today’s Gospel according to Luke is confrontational and non compromising. ‘Would be’ disciples approach Jesus, feeling they are called to be a follower of him, but he challenges their calling: “No one who puts their hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God’. We are either looking toward the kingdom or we are not. We are either responding to the call of life or we are not. He asks us to look at the direction of our life, the mission and values we claim to hold and how we are living and embodying those values.

 To be a follower of Jesus the Gospel plainly tells us we must embrace the people and situations that are right in front of us and/or the future that is coming to us. ‘Jesus recognises and holds before us the tension in which we live. On one hand we say to him: ‘I will follow you wherever you go’ on the other hand we say to him: ‘but first let me go and ...’ you probably know what that is like. I know I do. [From ‘Interrupting Silence’ June 2022]

I wonder when you have felt this tension, of being pulled in two different directions in your life ... the way of Jesus and some other way. 

As Michael Rogness points out: “the verses in the Gospel jar us into asking: ‘How are our lives different as followers of Jesus than what they might have been otherwise?’  I remember a bumper sticker stating “ If you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Our Christian vocation and call to discipleship means living in ways we might not otherwise live. Let us take time today to look at the quality of our commitment as followers of Jesus especially to those we are called to love and serve.   

                                                                                            Marie Weatherall

Dear Parents and Carers,

This weekend we celebrate the Confirmation of twenty-one of our Year 6 students. Saturday evening will be a very special occasion for families, friends, and parish community. Mass will be held on Saturday evening at 5.00pm. You are most welcome to join us.

Congratulations to the following candidates: Dominic B, Harry B, Amy C, Lukas C, Remi C,    Maicee D, John F, Akein G, Michael (Griffin) H, Samuel H, Marguerite J, Ethan K, Max L, Ryan L, William L, Alexander Mc D, Noah O’S, Scarlett P, Erica S, Ashton W and Elyssa W.

I also ask that you keep Deacon Eden in your prayers. Eden will be ordained on Friday at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Canberra. Mrs Wain, Mrs Hadley, and I will be attending.

Many blessings on your weekend.

Sharon Beashel

REC

THANK YOU

St Vincent de Paul Conference would like to thank

St Bernard's Staff, Mini Vinnies, Students and Families

for your amazing & generous gift to the

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal 2022.

Thank you for your gifts of blankets and sleeping bags. 

The Mini Vinnies Team raised $825.00.

$369.89 went to the purchase of food vouchers

You are a School Community with a big heart!

Gary Norris, President, St Vincent de Paul Conference, Batemans Bay

Dear Parents and Carers

Variety Night

Last night, students from Year 2, S1J and Year 6 performed at the Carroll College Variety Night. They sang two items, one from our upcoming musical, 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and another contemporary song, 'Sunday Best'. The atmosphere in the hall was wonderful, with performers and audience members so excited to have the opportunity to be at an event to celebrate the creative talents of so many. Congratulations to the students and to teachers, Mrs Nussdorfer and Mrs Smith who prepared the students to perform with such confidence and joy!

ICAS Competition

ICAS is an educational assessment designed to target students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies. Students from Years 2-6 will have the opportunity to enter this online competition for subjects listed above, with the exception of Writing, which is only available to students in Years 3-6. It is important to note that the assessments are targeted for students wishing to extend themselves academically and to take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. 

We will be conducting these assessments for students in Years 2-6 who would like to participate. Our cchedule for ICAS Assessments is as follows:

Cost for each Assessment (excluding Writing) - $19.25
Cost for Writing Assessment - $23.65

Online Parent Payment

If you would like your child to participate in any of the subjects listed above, please visit the online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments. Payment can be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card.
 
The web link is:https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

Please see Compass Newsfeed for our school’s unique access code. Closing date for entry and the online payment system is Monday 1 August, 2022

Regional NAIDOC Mass

Aboriginal students and their families are invited to attend a NAIDOC Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Moruya on Friday 22 July (Week 1, Term 3). The Mass is to celebrate the history and culture of the students and community members from our regional Catholic schools. We will be transporting students from Kindergarten to Year 6 to Moruya for this special occasion.

The annual Mayor’s Writing Competition aims to encourage young people who live or go to school in Eurobodalla to get writing.

Each year, young authors between the ages of five and 18 are invited to submit an original work. Entrants can submit a short story, essay, poem, or any style of creative writing as long as the writing adheres to a 500 word limit.

2022 theme: Magic

This year a theme has been selected to provide some extra inspiration. Chosen by Mayor Matthew Hatcher, the theme of 'magic' needs to be incorporated in the entry. Entries close next Friday 1 July. The parent and guardian consent form and entry form can be accessed using the following link:

https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/whats-on/mayors-writing-competition

Poetry Writing

During Dhurga and culture lessons, students in Years 3-6 wrote poetry with the theme from Reconciliation Week, 'Be Brave, Make Change'. Jasper S of Year 6F shared his poem, titled Invasion with me last week.

Invasion

Brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers,

Dancing with each other

Making memories with one another

During the day

Hunting for prey

During the night

Trying to sleep tight

In the morning

A big frightening warning,

Running away,

Each and every day,

As they've been seeked,

their fear is at its peak,

As they've been captured,

Their hearts have been fractured,

As they've been taken away, 

Their memories are fading away,

As their families are taken apart

It's like a dart,

being thrown into your heart,

As they try to blend in,

It's hard to just fit in,

For many years, 

there were a lot of tears.

Many years later

their lives have gotten greater.

B Kinder Day

Tomorrow, Friday 24 June our SRC will be leading us in the ‘B Kinder Day’ initiative, where students are able to wear brightly coloured mufti clothing to school. 

The purpose of 'B Kinder Day' is to highlight kindness, empowering children and others to see that they each have the capacity to make a difference. During the day the students will meet in their mixed age Peer Support Group to take part in a card making activity and will have lunch on the oval together.

We thank Mrs McRae and the SRC for organising the day. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Karen

GEOGRAPHY  

Year 2 has enjoyed a very busy Term 2! In Geography, we have been learning about the weather. We have learnt how to read the weather using the clouds, animals, apps and symbols. We have explored the weather for each season and the types of clothing that we wear for these seasons. We even designed a camping trip for the Three Bears involving clothing, food and shelter.  One of our highlights from this unit was making pinwheels and discovering how the wind can be used as a source of energy.

ENGLISH 

In English, we have been focussing on sentence writing and information texts. We have used our skills to write our own information booklets. We have written information reports about animals. We also completed an information report about the weather called “ How does the wind make sound?” This week we are publishing our own information report called “What can rain from the sky?” We will be authors and illustrators of our own text. This task was directly linked to a book that we read in Geography called “What can rain from the sky?”

DHURGA

During our Dhurga lessons, Trish has taught us about the ways Indigenous people read the weather using the environment. We also learnt that they have six seasons after reading the book “Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo”. Trish has also been teaching us about Yarning circles and the importance of listening to others in a respectful way.

RELIGION

We had a fun day last week wearing our PJ’s to school for the St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal. We all thought Mrs Smith looked fantastic in her unicorn onesie !

This term we have been exploring stories and psalms from the Old Testament. We have explored and retold the stories of Noah, Ruth and Abel. We have learnt how the people of the Old Testament used symbols of God in their stories such as a shepherd, lamp, eagle,and shield. We loved making the character of Abel the shepherd and our beautiful lanterns after reading

Psalm 119:105 Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet and a Light Unto My Path.

Creative and Performing  Arts 

A real highlight of the term has been our involvement in the Carroll College Variety Night, where we performed an item from our musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Many hours of practice resulted in a fantastic performance - we would like to give a special thanks to Mrs Nussdorfer for all her help and support as we prepared for our performance.

Visual Arts

We have been exploring the theme of seasons and weather as part of our art unit this term. We have been combining different mediums such as paint, crayons, pastel, textas to create different textures and effects. We loved creating our umbrella pictures and Van Gogh inspired Sunflowers and Four Seasons timeline.

 One potato two potato three potato four….

Last term we read the book Potato People and made potato people for art. We would like to congratulate Natalie Nussdorfer who has successfully grown another potato plant using her potato person. We love that the original potato person sits proudly above the ground still wearing the original outfit. A great job Natalie !

Thank you!

Our Term 2 Book Fair was a great success! Thank you to everyone who purchased something from the Fair. We sold over $5000 worth of books & stationery, and earned $1000 in books and resources for the iCentre!

Look out for our next Book Fair in the iCentre during Term 4 2022.

Star Borrowers

It is wonderful to see so many students borrowing from our wonderful school library in the iCentre this year. There have been 45 students recorded as ‘STAR BORROWERS’ for Semester 1 2022. These students have loaned a new book at least 5 times from our library and had at least 5 weeks with no overdue library books. These wonderful students were entered in a special prize draw and 6 lucky winners were chosen to receive a book and stationery pack.

I would like to congratulate the following students as the winners of the Star Borrowers Draw for Semester 1 2022:

Fraser KBH

Annabel H KBH

Anabel D 1C

Belinda G 2S

Ava G 3DH

Jayden B 4K

Thank you to all the students who remember their library bag and borrow each week !

Term 2  

Week 8 Class Awards

Presented : Friday 17 June 2022.

Congratulations to the following children who received class award this week. It is great to see so many children working hard and receiving acknowledgment for their efforts  well done to all!