Dear Parents and Carers

This term our Year 4 students have been focusing on the Eucharist as some of our Year 4 students prepare to receive the Sacrament this weekend. Congratulations to the following students who will receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist, Mia A, Isla B, Maddison B, Romy B, Brennan C, Jayden E, Annie F, Ava G-N, Lucy J-P, Storm R, Arthur S-D, Matthew S and Annabelle W. Thank you to Mrs Beashel, Mrs Keough, Mrs Coulter and Father Tom for preparing the children. All families are invited to join in this special celebration at the Mass this Saturday 17 September at 5.00pm.

Congratulations...

Congratulations to James P in Year 1 for receiving an encouragement award in the Mayor's Writing Competition. We will be including a book from the competition in our library with the writing from all the finalists. Congratulations James, we are very proud of you.  

Achieving High Learning Outcomes in English and Mathematics

Over the past three years, the staff of St Bernard’s have been engaged in Professional Learning focusing on the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading. We are committed to improving student outcomes and achieving our two system goals:

• Every student is a competent reader
• High Impact Teaching Practice is visible in every classroom.

Last week our NAPLAN results were released. The data is showing significant growth for students in Year 3 and Year 5. Some of the highlights include:

• In Reading, we are above the state in both Year 3 and Year 5
• In Grammar and Punctuation, we are above the state in both Year 3 and Year 5
• In Numeracy, we are above similar schools
• In Spelling, we are above similar schools in Year 3 and above the state in Year 5
• In writing, we are above the state in Year 3 and above similar schools in Year 5 

We believe that every student can learn. As educators, it is our role to engage, challenge, affirm and support the growth of the whole child. Our Annual Improvement Plan targets this year are:

• Results in Year 3 to align with similar schools’ mean scores or above in Literacy.
• For students in Year 5 to align with similar schools’/state mean scores in the Top Two Bands in Writing.
• Evidence of student growth in Spelling in PAT Spelling Assessment.

We have achieved all the above targets and feel this is a direct result of the High Impact Teaching Strategies that are being implemented across all classrooms at St Bernard’s. Our goal now is to review our recent NAPLAN Data and school data, including the surveys completed by staff, students and parents and to develop new targets.

St Bernard’s has adopted evidenced based instruction that is underpinned by The Simple View of Reading and Cognitive Science. This research-based approach informs the design of our instruction and classroom delivery.

At St Bernard’s Primary School, we offer high quality learning programs to our teachers to ensure they meet the learning needs of all students living in the 21st Century. Our learning programs provide a range of educational experiences that will challenge, motivate, and encourage teachers and students to reach their full potential.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang News

We are very excited to be performing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang next term to our school community. As you are aware we now have two evening shows and one matinee show to ensure that we are minimising the number of people in the hall. Mrs Hopman, Mrs Smith and Ms Guthrie have been working behind the scenes to create the backdrops. Rehearsals are being scheduled for the next four weeks and there is definitely lots of excitement at St Bernard’s. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets. We have limited spaces available each night.

Storyline

Next Monday 19 September, each class will be beginning to share their Term 3 Storyline Inquiry Unit with their peers. This inquiry approach takes the students beyond memorisation and recall into the higher order thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Please take the time next week or the holiday period to celebrate your child’s learning. Their work is a credit to all students, teachers and support staff.

Drink Bottles

Could all parents please ensure their child/ren bring their drink bottles to school each day. As the weather is getting warmer it is important that the students stay hydrated. Drink bottles can be filled up at taps around the school.

Thank you...

A special thank you to our wonderful Classroom Support Assistants, front office staff and teachers. We are very appreciative of your dedication and care for our students as they learn, play and grow at school. You are an amazing team!

Enjoy the beautiful Spring weather over the weekend. I wish all students, parents and care givers a happy, safe and restful school holiday period. Thank you to our parents and carers for your continued support over the past term. Term 4 will commence for students on Tuesday 11 October.

Kind regards

Johanna Wain
Principal

­ LIVING FAITH IN THE EVERYDAY

During this historic period of mourning across many countries we recall the words of the late Queen Elizabeth ‘grief is the gift of having loved’. We are touched by her extraordinary life of service. Some reflections to ponder…

Wisdom from Joan Chittister

Prayer

Loving God we recall all those who have given their lives in service of humanity even at great personal cost and against the odds… Uncle Jack Charkes, Archie Roache, Queen Elizabeth 11 and so many ‘local heroes’

May they Rest in Peace. Amen 

Dear Parents and Carers, 

This Sunday’s Gospel reading comes from Luke 16:1-13. It leads us to reflect on our stewardship of the Earth. 

“We are creatures of this world. We are made of it and we are totally dependent upon it for our very existence. We require its air, its water, its food, its heat. We need it for covering and for shelter; we need it to stimulate our minds and our spirits. Therefore, our use of its phenomenal resources cannot in itself be immoral. What is questionable is the character of our use.

There are many circumstances that contribute to the complexity of these matters. The merchant in the passage from Amos is not faulted because he was prosperous. Nor is the steward in the gospel criticised for putting resources aside for future use. But how much does a person need when there are others who are really needy?

We live our lives on the horns of a dilemma. We have the right to use and to enjoy the marvels of our world, but we cannot do this free of responsibility to each other and to the world itself. We are not called to disown the world. It is impossible for us to do that, because of our total dependence upon it. But we are called to live in it gently, using what we need and sharing what we can. We must make decisions as trustworthy stewards of the household of God, not like the man in the gospel who was only concerned with his own wellbeing. We must serve God, not mammon (riches).”

Mini Vinnies

Today our Mini Vinnies team conducted a rubbish audit of the playground. As a group they are very concerned with the amount of litter, especially plastic that they see left after recess and lunch each day. They have some excellent ideas to put into practice during Term 4.

First Eucharist

We welcome back Fr Tom after his holiday break. 

Congratulations to our thirteen candidates who will receive the sacrament of the Eucharist over the next two weekends. The Children distributed prayer cards to their peers this week, asking for their prayers and thoughts leading up to their first communion.

First Eucharist Candidates 2022 

Mia A, Isla B, Maddison B, Romy B, Brennan C, Jayden E, Annie F, Ava G-N, Lucy J-P, Storm R, Arthur S-D, Matthew S and Annabelle W. 

Some of the students practicing in the church for First Eucharist today.

Begin With the Heart Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have shared our HEART values over the last two weeks.

Ethan S, Evie P, Harper B, Harper Br – Kindness, Alexander H- Respect, Rowan L - Kindness, Louis C - Kindness, Auroralise C-N – Kindness, Juliette DeC – Respect, Gracie H – Respect, Joseph O'S – Determination, Charlie L - Kindness, Ella R – Creativity, Isla T - Kindness, Jay S - Perseverance, Brooklen S – Respect, Stella F - Respect, Beatrix F - Respect, Mason L - Kindness, Caprii R, Imogen R - Kindness, Abel M - Persistence, Bexley B, Scarlette S, Zach C, Seth B- Stewardship, Emerson K- Stewardship, Remi C, Sophia D, Quinlan C, Lachie B, Jaylee D, Arsh K, Hailey I, Cici S, Annaleise G.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.

Sharon Beashel

REC

Dear Parents and Carers

Reporting and Assessment

This week, teachers took part in professional learning facilitated by Shane Chapman from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). He presented information about Assessment and Grading and using the Common Grade Scale provided by NESA. 

A standards-referenced approach is used to report student achievement in NSW. Achievement standards are based on what students are expected to learn and how well they have achieved.

The NSW syllabuses state the intended learning for students by the end of each stage. A to E grade scales describe how well students have achieved. Teachers make professional on-balance judgements to decide which grade description best matches the standards their students have achieved at a particular point-in-time. These decisions are based on evidence of achievement and information teachers have collected during the teaching and learning.

Reporting with grades requires that teachers use on-balance judgement in relation to standards. An on-balance judgement does not just focus on a single piece of work or the results of a test.

NESA supports the assessment for, as and of learning approach. Information on a student's achievement is collected during the course of learning and used as part of this broader assessment strategy to allocate grades. Reports for Semester 2 learning will become available for you to access from Friday 2 December in Week 8 of Term 4. 

Gurumbangamba Mentoring and Transition Program

Tomorrow a group of Year 5 and 6 students will attend Carroll College to take part in the final stage of the Gurumbangamba Mentoring and Transition Program for Aboriginal students. This program has been very important for our students over the years in their preparation for transitioning to high school has been a valuable opportunity to get to know their peers and the Contact Teachers at the College. We are very grateful for the time that teachers Michelle Katuke and Catherine Davis and senior Aboriginal students of the College give to make this program so enjoyable for our students.

Pupil Free Day 

Next Friday is a Pupil Free Day as stipulated by Catholic Education. On this day teachers and support staff will plan for the delivery of High Impact Teaching across all curriculum areas and engage in professional discussion with colleagues. 

I hope that everyone enjoys the two week holiday that will now begin next Thursday, 22 September with the Queen's Memorial Day.

Warm regards

Karen

Religion - The Church - Pentecost 

This term we have been exploring the concept of the Church. We have researched the early Church and the role of St Peter and the apostles’ call to spread the word of God and provide service to others in need. We listened to the story of Pentecost and learnt that we can use the wisdom and gifts of the spirit to follow in the way of the apostles in our lives today.

Writing 

This term students in Year 2 and S1J have been looking at a variety of texts that have been linked to their storyline learning about Zoos. Over the past weeks, students have had the opportunity to create and publish their own work from the texts; ‘Edward the Emu’ by Sheena Knowles, ‘The Ugly Five’ by Julia Donaldson, ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’, by Giles Andrara, ‘Stellaphant’ by James Foley, ‘The Lion Inside’ by Rachel Bright, and ‘Gorilla’ by Anthony Browne. Students eagerly created their storyboards and recounted the various texts, they were then ready to publish their work. The students in Year 2 and S1J have taken much pride in their recounts, sharing their published work with one another and congratulating completed work. 

Maths

This term students in Year 2 and S1J have been completing Maths lessons following a comprehensive sequence of learning focusing on the topic of multiplication. These lessons were developed by five expert CECG primary teachers, working with Ochre Education, as part of the Catalyst Program. These high-quality resources are Science of Learning aligned and are designed to support and enhance student learning. 

HSIE - What is a Zoo?

This term we have been learning about what Zoos are and why they are important for the conservation of animals. We have been exploring the role of zookeepers and the vast array of jobs that they undertake to care for animals. We love how they must provide shelter, food and something to entertain them. We were not so keen on cleaning up the animal poo !!!! We have also learnt about habitats and how they meet the needs of the animals that live there and why it is important to their survival. As part of our assessment we have had a blast making our dioramas. Our criteria for constructing them was to create a moving zoo of the future. We used Perth Zoo as our model. We had to ensure that the animal had food, shelter, something to play with and a place for people to move around and observe the animal as if they were in the wild. We loved creating them and hope you enjoy them too.  

Art

Our focus this term has been on drawing and observing animal shapes. Our art was connected to our literature that we read each week. We have learnt to draw emus using many different lines and materials to create feathers. We can see our own personalities in them. Our drawings of Gerald Giraffe were captivating. We were able to capture Gerald’s Dance Moves by drawing his legs in different positions on the page.  

Superstars of Year 2 and S1J

We have been very fortunate to have some students excelling in the areas of athletics and writing. 

James Penberthy in S1J entered a story in the Mayor’s Writing competition. Mrs Wain and Mrs Smith attended the presentation on Monday to see James receive his highly commended certificate. James had his story published in an anthology of stories by all participants. We are so proud of you James.

Charlie Mates and Beatrix Fleming have been achieving great things on the athletic tracks. Charlie and Beatrix have represented St Bernards at regional and diocecesan level and will now go onto state at MacKillop in the coming weeks. We will be cheering for you both and wish you all the best at the event. 

Raph Cummins is adding to his extensive trophy collection, winning two first places at the recent BMX competition in Manly. Congratulations Raph on your amazing achievement.  

NSWCPS Athletics

Congratulations to Beatrix F, Charlie M, Chase W, Keira A, Molly W, Samuel S-D and Elyssa W who are competing at the Combined Primary School Athletics Championships in Sydney on Tuesday. We wish them well and are very proud of them for competing against Catholic Schools from across NSW.

This school holiday the Batemans Bay nbn™ Community Hub is offering free 45 min introductory coding lessons for students (with their parents/carers) from grades 2-7 using Sphero Bolt robots and the scratch coding language. 

In this hands-on session, students will learn to navigate the robots, program their robot to move, make sounds and lights, and respond to the environment. They will also get to build and conquer an obstacle course. 

When: 11:30 – 1:30, weekdays during school holidays

Where: 3 Clyde St, Batemans Bay 

Please note: Parents/carers will be required to stay with their students during the sessions. 

Bookings are essential, please email batemansbayhub@nbnco.com.au to reserve your place.

Batemans Bay Community Hub: 3 Clyde Street, Batemans Bay, NSW, 2536