Dear Parents and Carers

This week I had the pleasure of supporting the students who competed in the Southern Region Public Speaking finals. The competition for Stage 2 and Stage 3 representatives was held over Microsoft Teams video conference. Our representatives were:

Year 3: Indiana A and Georgina W

Year 4: Annie F and Jayden B

Year 5: Isla B and Isabella L

Year 6: Samuel H and Erica S

The standard of speeches was particularly high and all students should be very proud of themselves for delivering their speeches with such confidence. Credit must also go to teachers and parents who supported the students to be ready for this level of competition. Particular congratulations to Erica S who was announced as winner of the Year 6 category for her speech on 'Why I should be Prime Minister'. Erica will progress to the Archdiocesan finals next month. 

Piano and Flute Tuition

I have recently met with Jessica Farrell who will be working in our school each Monday to provide private tuition in piano and flute lessons for students. Jessica is a highly qualified musician who has previously taught in primary and high schools in Melbourne. She is very happy to have returned to Batemans Bay, where she attended high school and is looking forward to working with our students. If you would like to arrange lessons for your child, which will take place in our Performing Arts room, please contact her via the number on the flier in this newsletter.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the Musical

Planning for our school production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is very much underway, with extra staging arriving this week from Carroll College, back drops being finalised and whole school practices taking place from this Friday and continuing on, as we approach the performance week in Week 2 of Term 4.

Tickets for the musical can be purchased through QkR! under School Events.

Father's Day Breakfast

The Father's Day Breakfast held last Friday morning seems like a distant memory. It was a really lovely occasion for the children and Dad's, Grandfather's, Uncles and special carers to come into the school and spend time together. A really big thank you to the teachers who worked hard to make it so successful.

Carroll College Transition

As Term 4 approaches, there are many plans being made to ensure that our Year 6 students are ready to transition to high school. Today, Garreth Wigg from the Digital Learning Support Team at Catholic Education worked with each of the Year 6 classes, teaching them to use various online tools to assist with learning in high school. Some of the digital tools and strategies for learning that he will demonstrate to the students include:

• Setting up and showing students how Google Calendar works
• Voice to Text technology for note taking
• Best ways to search an area of inquiry

In addition, Year 6 teachers will be meeting with key personnel from Carroll College in the coming weeks to discuss how students at our school can best be supported in Year 7 and beyond. It is an exciting time for these students and we are committed to preparing them for the very best transition possible.

I hope that you have a relaxing weekend. Jo will return from her leave on Monday. I know that she will be eager to communicate some of what she has learned at the National Catholic Education Conference that she attended early this week.

Warm regards

Karen Hadley

St Bernard’s Parish, Canberra/Goulburn Archdiocese, St Bernard’s School, Carroll College and St Vincent de Paul are committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children, young people and people at risk in our community. We uphold that child protection and the dignity of every person is the responsibility of every adult. 

On the Australian Government website we read: ‘In 2022, National protection week will continue to embrace the overarching message that “Every Child, in every community, needs a fair go.” This year we will be shining a light on children growing up safe and supported. Children and young people thrive when they grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, faith community, School/College and culture. They have the right to grow in environments that support them according to their needs, now and into the future.  [Adapted from: ‘Australian Govt. Dpt. of Social Services, 2022] 

“Child Protection Sunday invites us to reflect on what it means to put children first. It certainly means ensuring a safe space in which children can live and grow in wisdom, self assurance and confidence; that they are respected and valued for who they are. The space must be one in which children meet mature adults who understand and care for them and help them to grow. The boundaries of regulation and protocol protect this rich world of respectful and warm relationships. It is an unselfish world where adults recognise and respect the human dignity of each child and nurture the distinctive gift they are.” [Fr. Andrew Hamilton SJ] 

Our Sunday Gospel today speaks of an endlessly patient & merciful God. Jesus put his relationship with the ‘lost ones’ first and we are invited to put the dignity of person’s first. 

Morris West in his book ‘Children of the Sun’ tells the true story of the poverty stricken children on the streets of Naples after World War 11 and the courageous efforts of Fr. Mario Borelli to improve their lives ...changing his cassock for  tattered beggars rags living in the filth and misery of the streets. 

He was able to set up the ‘House of Urchins.’ He reflects: ‘It is the rule of the house – the doors open both ways. The Casa exists for the boys, not the boys for the Casa. It is their home, if they don’t want to stay there, if the love it offers is not enough, they are free to go ... but they always seem to come back – no one questions them – it is enough that the boy is home again’ [p.115]. 

Who in the following week will we ‘lift up’, care for, welcome home and show compassion? How do we respect, cherish, heal and responsibly protect and make accountable all who harm or hurt our brothers and sisters?                                                                                                              Marie Weatherall  

Dear Parents and Carers,

I had the pleasure at the end of last week to be invited to visit Year 1 during their Religious Education lessons. They are currently learning about, “The Church” within their local parish community.

I was very honoured to speak to the children about my role as Religious Education Coordinator. During my interview, the children asked me some very interesting questions about being a teacher at St Bernard’s school, how long I had been a teacher, what did I like about my job and did I like milkshakes.

A big congratulations to the Year 1 teachers who had prepared the children beautifully for the interview. Their portrait sketches of me were fabulous!

This week Year 1 have invited Fr Eden to visit their classroom too. They will interview him about his role as Parish priest. I know that he is looking forward to visiting the children and even has some photos of his recent ordination to share with them. 

Other skills covered in The Church unit of inquiry include:

• Compare the different roles that people have in the local parish community.
• Describe and explain the significance of some occasions when believers gather as community to pray (e.g., school feast day, Baptism, Sunday Mass, funerals, weddings, school prayer assemblies and liturgical celebrations)
• Identify words, actions and symbols used in the Sacrament of Baptism to communicate God's presence and action (e.g., use of water, sign of the cross, anointing with oil, white garment, Baptismal promises, candle)
• Identify words, actions and symbols used in the Sacrament of Eucharist to communicate God's presence and action (e.g., bread, wine, water, priest community gathered, table fellowship, the Word, sign of peace, sending forth).
• Identify ways believers past and present have honoured Mary
• Communicate an understanding of the language, purpose, and context of the Hail Mary.

Year 4 Eucharist Retreat

Year 4 had a wonderful day reflecting on the Mass and the Eucharist. Father Eden said a beautiful Mass. The students enjoyed a range of different activities during the day. A highlight was the making of Eucharistic flags which will be displayed in the church.

Thank you to Fr Eden, Mrs Coulter, Mrs Keough, and all staff members who spent time with us during the day. Thank you too to Mr Basevi who organized the parish BBQ for us. 

Blessings on your weekend

Sharon Beashel REC

MacKillop Cricket Championships

Congratulations to Will L who competed at the MacKillop cricket in Wagga last week. He was very capable with the bat and in the field. Well done Will on playing against students from Catholic schools from all over NSW at this event. St Bernard’s is very proud of your achievements. 

NSW State Golf Championships

Lachie Booth, one of our very talented golfers, has been playing at the PSSANSW Golf Championships this week. He had a practice round and then a team event with a combined handicap of 12. He and his teammates played impressively against the best golfers in NSW for a spot at the National Championships, coming Runners up in the net competition. Lachie then played two stroke rounds at Barden Ridge GC and Brighton Lakes Recreation and Golf Club. He pulled back 8 shots yesterday and finished strongly in 20th. MacKillop Team manager, Brett Murphy contacted our school today to let us know that Lachie was an excellent sport at this event. Lachie, St Bernard’s is very proud of your outstanding skill. Congratulations on being the first student this year to make it to a State competition!

Ang Holmes

Term 3

Week 7 Class Awards

Presented : Friday 2 September 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!