Dear Parents and Carers

It’s hard to believe that we are already at the end of Week 3. I am not sure about you, but I feel the weeks seem to pass by very quickly. It's been a very sad week for our community following the loss of Pickles. Please keep Mrs O'Brien and her family in your prayers. Pickles was very much loved by our school community. In the coming week we will organise a special tree to plant in memory of Pickles. Paul and Deb O'Brien are so touched and overwhelmed by the love that has been shown to them. They want to say thank you for the messages, flowers and gifts, and to let you know that it is helping so much to know their boy was loved by so many.

I have heard some wonderful reports from the Year 5 Camp to Birrigai. The staff commented on how fantastic the students were on camp. I have talked to a number of children who said that they had the best time and enjoyed all the activities that were associated with their Gold Unit this term. A special thank you to Mr Maynard, Mrs Metcalf, Ms McCarthy, Ms Spencer and Mrs Keough for their time and support of the students.

Next Monday 8 August we celebrate the feast of St Mary MacKillop who is an inspiration to us all. She set a strong example of faith and a witness to who we are. “Mary MacKillop’s legacy holds more for the Sisters of Saint Joseph and followers and the way we minister. She encourages us to be women of justice and ecumenism. Mary inspires us to be courageous and hopeful and to have a deep faith in our God who provides”. https://www.sosj.org.au/our-story/saint-mary-mackillop/legacy/

Mary changed the lives of many as well as influencing the church in Australia. Inspired by Mary MacKillop, let us focus on the core values that unite us together at St Bernard’s.

NAIDOC WEEK

St Bernard’s is celebrating NAIDOC Week this week. Today we had the privilege of welcoming The Muladha Gamara Dancers (Wise old women, wise old man) to school to perform for each grade. Jordan, Cameron and Michael spoke to the students about the significance of the dance in the Aboriginal Culture and the students all took part in this celebration. Thank you to Trish Ellis and Karen Hadley for facilitating this special visit. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!. “We have a proud history of getting up, standing up, and showing up. From the frontier wars and our earliest resistance fighters to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities fighting for change today—we continue to show up”. https://www.naidoc.org.au/awards/current-theme#:~:text=Current%20Theme-,Get%20Up!,we%20continue%20to%20show%20up.

We are very fortunate to have Trish Ellis part of our school community, educating our students on the Aboriginal culture and history of our land.  

COVID Information

As you are aware, COVID continues to impact our community. Although we have had staff and students away, we have managed to maintain classes and keep school as 'normal' as we can, albeit with challenging staffing situations. Thank you for your understanding when regular teachers are away. As you know, staff or students with COVID must isolate for at least 7 days. Any staff or students with COVID symptoms may not attend school. All staff and students with symptoms are asked to remain at home and complete a rapid test. Parents are asked to inform the school if their child has been diagnosed with COVID.

Book Week 2022

We’re approaching that time again when the talk of costumes, dress ups and favourite characters are hot topic! Book Week is being celebrated in Week 6 this term. This year’s Book Week theme is “Dreaming with Eyes Open”. This theme provides great scope to be imaginative with costumes. Really any book character could feature with this theme. Let your child escape into the character of their choice! Our Book Parade will be held on Friday 26 August at 9.00am in the Hall.

Enrolments

It has been my pleasure to welcome many new families to St Bernard’s this term for 2022. The Catholic Education Office is currently analysing data from school statistics regarding classes and staffing levels for 2023. If you know of someone who is considering enrolling their child at St Bernard’s any time from now through to the start of the 2023 school year, please encourage them to contact our Front Office.

TERM 3 Pupil Free Days:

A reminder as outlined in previous correspondence from our Director Ross Fox, this term St Bernard’s will hold a pupil free planning day on:

• Monday 22 August- Week 6
• Friday 23 September- Week 10.

I would like to finish the newsletter this week thanking the wonderful staff of St Bernard’s for everything they do to support the students and families in our community. Our team is made up of so many talented and gifted support and teaching staff who are all highly committed to their roles. The children are central to all our decisions. Also to our students for their resilience and to our families, for your ongoing support and trust in the school. It is the partnership between home and school that is so important in supporting the children socially, emotionally and academically. I encourage you to please reach out if you need any support.

Blessings to you and your family.

Johanna Wain
Principal

SIMON PETER THE BRIDGE BUILDER 

Before I started to prepare my Sunday Reflection on the Scripture Readings for this Sunday’s Mass, my first step was to say this simple prayer to the Holy Spirit.

“Holy Spirit, I want to get to know Jesus better. I want to understand the Good News He preached to His followers, which has been passed on to me in the Scriptures and in the teachings of Holy Church. Help me exercise the gifts promised at my Confirmation - Wisdom, Understanding & Right Judgment. “Amen 

Today’s texts are taken from the Old Testament (The Book of Wisdom 18: 6-9 and Psalm 32) and from the New Testament (Hebrews 11: 1-19 & Luke 12: 32-48)

How blessed are we Christians to be beneficiaries of God’s Covenant with Abraham, Patriarch of the Jewish people - a Covenant that is realised in the coming of the Messiah, Our Lord Jesus Christ. 

As I read through the Gospel text one verse, Luke 12: 41, struck me most vividly.

“Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’”

The parable Peter was referring to were actually two parables: one was to be ready like servants who wait for the return of their master (the bridegroom) at any time; the other was to protect oneself & one’s house against burglary if Neighbourhood Watch has raised an alert. 

The first promises a very positive reward - the master will serve them supper himself. The second is a reminder that there are evil forces in the world and we must be prepared to protect our assets, both physical and spiritual against them.

In asking his question I see Peter acting as building a bridge between Jesus and his followers. 

Summus Pontifex (Supreme Bridge Builder) is a title used to describe the office of the Pope.  His duty is to build & maintain a bridge between God and the People of God. Peter, several times in the Gospels, raises questions/issues with Jesus. Pope Francis takes building bridges very seriously.  He often says he prefers to build bridges rather than walls. 

As is often the way in the Gospels,  Jesus answers Peter’s question not with a Yes or a No. He tells another parable.  Jesus tells a parable of a master, who before going away, appoints a manager over his household staff. If this manager does his job of supervising the staff properly the master on his return will place him over everything the master owns. Wow!

On the disobedient side Jesus describes a wicked manager. He is positively awful. He beats the servants and maids, eats & drinks & gets drunk. He will be dismissed in disgrace.  Another servant may take advantage of this situation. He knows what tasks he ought to be doing, but doesn’t. He will receive a severe whipping. A third servant doesn’t know what he should be doing , but muddles through. He will receive a lenient punishment. 

How does this answer Peter’s question? Jesus has introduced a new element between the Master (Bridegroom) and the servants. He has delegated his authority to an interim manager. He expects trust. This is precisely what Jesus will do when he commissions his Apostles to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God. This same commission has been given to Pope Francis and our Bishops.

Let Us Pray

Heavenly Father, in these trying times when the spirit of the age threatens our Christian values bless Pope Francis and all our Bishops with holiness of life and with the wisdom to direct and guide us, sisters & brothers in the one family of Christ, that we may grow in your love.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord, Amen.                                Joe Quigley

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our pastoral care and behaviour management focus for the first three weeks has been around personal RESPONSIBILITY:

• The responsibility to allow everyone the right to learn
• The responsibility to wait my turn
• The responsibility to help keep the classroom clean

We are so very pleased to congratulate the following students across grades who have received Begin with The Heart Awards  BWTH) for showing these areas of responsibility.

Grace R, Hendrix C, Charlotte H, Winter W, Annabelle T,  Anabel D, Alice L, Indie F, Zaden F, Sebastian T, Leila K, Sophie B, Mia Barling, Matilda R, Ruby H, Charlie M, Annie F, Didier DC, Josh S, Josh M, Isla B, Oscar J, Sebastian L, Mia A, Cali Z- Respect, Thea E - Respect, Rohan M - Respect, Riley N - Respect , Ashton S - Perseverance, Fraser S - Respect, James W - Resilience, Charli H - Respect, Eva H, Holly B, Taj P, Mishell F, John F, Amy C, Erica S x 2, Elyssa W, Bailee H, Isabella J, Logan P - responsibility, Emerson K- kindness, Kobi B- responsibility, Seth B- kindness, Chloe JP x 2 , Lavina P, Lawson M, Jackson M x 2, Makenzie W, Remi C, Maicee D, Estella G and Lachie B.

First Eucharist Enrolment

Last night at First Eucharist Enrolment, Father Tom spoke to parents about the importance of bringing their children along to celebrate the Mass each weekend. He also recommended several YouTube videos that may be useful for parent development around the Eucharist.

YOUCAT was also recommended to parents. This book is an inspiring and easy to understand, introduction to the teachings of the Catholic Church (8-12 years). The publication has cheerful drawings which encourage young readers to explore and ask questions, about Jesus, the sacraments and prayer. I have copies of YOUCAT at school. Please let me know if you would like to borrow this resource during your child’s sacramental preparation time.

Thank you to Fr Tom, parents, teachers and members of our leadership team who attended. If you couldn’t attend the meeting and would like your child to prepare for First Eucharist, please see me at school or contact the Parish Office this week.

Members of the St. Bernard’s community are invited to attend Mass each weekend. Saturday night Mass begins at 5.00pm while Mass on Sunday is at 9.00am.

Enjoy your weekend.

Sharon Beashel REC

Dear Parents and Carers

We are very fortunate at St Bernard's to have local Elder and Knowledge Holder, Trish Ellis work in our school each week, teaching the Dhurga language and lessons about Indigenous culture to each class. Teachers and students alike are immersed in lessons throughout the year, bringing an Indigenous perspective to all areas of the curriculum. When it comes to celebrating NAIDOC Week as a school this week, we have called on Trish to advise us of how we can engage the students with something very special. On this National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, the Muladha Gamara Dancers have visited our school, demonstrating their Dreaming through dance and ceremony. Each grade has learnt so much from the experience today with Jordan Nye and the dance group and we thank them very much for all that they have shared.

Southern Region Athletics Carnival

On Wednesday 3 August, the St Bernard’s Southern Region Athletics Team travelled to Bega for the first time in three years to compete with Catholic schools from across our region. The team represented our school spectacularly, both on and off the track. Our relay teams excelled with their smooth baton exchanges and our track athletes dug deep to produce outstanding results across all age groups. A special mention must go to the athletes who accepted the challenge to run the 1500m race at a moment’s notice, demonstrating the tenacity and commitment for which St Bernard’s is renowned. Our field athletes entertained spectators with their impressive jumps and throws and all team members exemplified our ‘Begin with the Heart’ philosophy through their interactions with their fellow athletes. Students cheered on their teammates and congratulated fellow competitors from other schools on their performances. It was a proud day for our school community, with the St Bernard’s team claiming a commendable third place in the overall point score. A big thank you to parents and carers for their assistance and support throughout the day, you were an integral part of this remarkable team!

Rebecca Brady

PPSA Golf Championships

Congratulations to Lachie B who made the MacKillop Golf team to play in Sydney in early September. A fantastic result.

Welcome to a snapshot of Year 1! 

In Maths we have been learning about bridging ten. It involves doing sums in parts by adding (or bridging) to the nearest 10, and then taking things from there. For example, when given a sum like 9 + 7. 9 + 1 = 10 which leaves 6 remaining. We then use the sum 10+6 to find the answer 16. It is much easier to do in our head and we don’t have to use fingers to count on!

Year 1 have been working very hard to improve our letter formation. We have had explicit teaching in the way to form letters the correct way and we are practicing them every day during our Daily Review. This has improved how quickly and accurately we can write.

During visual arts we have been creating some bright and colourful artworks this term. We have created posters that will feature in our NAIDOC week assembly, Dancing Giraffes and Zookeepers for our storyline unit.

We have been looking at paragraphs. We have been learning about topic sentences, detail sentences and concluding sentences. We have written paragraphs together as a class about a variety of different animals.

We have been learning about the family of Jesus. This week we have been learning about Mary the mother of Jesus. There is a special prayer called the Hail Mary that we pray as part of our Daily Review in Religious Education.

School refusal can be a challenging issue for students and families and often becomes more frequent after school holidays where students have had a break from their routine and school. For many young people, refusing to go to school can be part of a larger issue and it is important to provide support to assist them to go to school safely.

What is school refusal?

School refusal is when a student frequently does not want to attend school due to anxiety or worry about attending. This fear can become so great that the student refuses to attend school and may act out in order to stay at home.

School refusal can look like:

- Tantrums and acting out when it is time to go to school

- Increased anxiety or worry before school

- Complaining of illness/injury that requires them to stay home, then symptoms go away once they miss school

- Crying and begging not to go

- Trouble sleeping

Common school refusal causes include:

- Worrying about leaving the comfort of home (common in younger students and students who are new to a school)

- Learning difficulties – challenges in class that include not understanding key concepts, difficulty concentrating, finding all schoolwork “too hard”

- Social problems – bullying, fighting with friends, feeling left out

- Aftermath of extended lockdowns/ fear of Covid-19

How can we help?

As a parent it can be hard to remain patient with your child when they don’t want to go to school, but it is important to take the time to learn why, and how your child can be supported.

- Learn about the issue from your child’s perspective. Have an honest and open discussion about what they are feeling and why. In doing so, you can gain an understanding of what support they need in order to attend school. If your child is having difficulty identifying the issue, a useful way to explore this is to ask them to rate each part of the day – drop-off, class, recess, lunch, bus ride etc. In doing so you can find the main issue together.

- Acknowledge feelings and manage expectations. It is important to acknowledge how your child feels and let them know they are not alone, and you are there to help. It is also important to let them know that they are still expected to go to school and will be supported to do so. Plan with your child about how you can work together to get back on track.

- Communicate with schools and other supports. Let the school know what is going on for your child and work collaboratively to support them. Communicating to others involved with your child is also important (e.g., sport coach, teachers, principal). The best way to support a child is to have a team around them with a common goal.

- Reach out if you are concerned. School counselling is available if you are not seeing any improvement with your child, or if they would like to talk to someone else about the issues they are experiencing. See the link below for school counselling referrals. All fields must be

entered. Please note, Faith is currently maintaining a waitlist and consent requirements apply. https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form

Tickets are now on sale for the purchase of a lucky duck number in the St Bernard's Duck Race to be held on 9 December 2022.
One lucky duck number = $10
We only have 1000 tickets to sell. Tickets are on sale now.
First Prize is $1000 cash. Kindly sponsored by South Coast Property Specialists.
There will be other prizes announced as we get closer to the event.
Your lucky duck number will be sent home via the front office after payment is received.
Help us sell as many ducks as possible to friends and family, as we work towards achieving purchasing more items on the P&F wish list that benefit all students at St Bernard's.

Please advise names so we can allocate numbers correctly.