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Dear Parents and Carers
Catholic Leaders Day
Last week I attended the Catholic Leaders Day in Canberra with Principals and key leaders from the Catholic Education System. The information presented was excellent. One of the key speakers was Pamela Snow, Professor of Cognitive Psychology in the School of Education at the Bendigo campus of La Trobe University. Her focus was on the importance of providing students with high quality instruction to improve outcomes. She went on to say that once children start falling behind, it becomes especially difficult to catch them up. Few schools have resources for this. Over the past 18 months, teachers and support staff from St Bernard’s Primary School have been applying instructional teaching practices to improve the literacy outcomes of their K-6 students via programs including Spelling Mastery, Let’s Decode, MiniLit and MacqLit. As early adopters in the Archdiocese, St Bernard’s staff have been delivering evidence-based reading, writing and spelling instruction to help their students learn specific language and grow their knowledge and understanding of phonics and spelling. The professional learning and coaching has been excellent and as a school we have been well supported throughout the journey. We are seeing growth in student outcomes that we haven’t seen before. On Monday 30 January, all staff across our archdiocese will come together to hear from Pamela Snow. I feel very affirmed about what I have heard and the focus on teaching and learning at St Bernard’s.
Staffing Update
Staffing plans are well underway for the new year. Following interviews for the two Classroom Teacher Temporary Positions that were advertised during the holiday period, I offer my congratulations to Elizabeth Coggan and Alyssa McRae on gaining classroom teaching roles. Classroom Teacher roles for 2023 will be announced in the coming weeks. I congratulate Ms McRae and Mrs Coggan on their appointments and wish them every blessing in their roles.
Parish Update
Fr Martins has resigned as Parish Priest of St Bernard’s. I have included Fr Martins’ letter to the community. I thank Fr Martins for everything he has done over the past 6 years for both our school and parish and wish him all the best in this new chapter.
Dear Parishioners,
Greetings of Peace in this Year of Renewal.
I wish to use this opportunity to thank you all for your prayers, personal and collective support during my time in your parish, most especially during this time of ongoing personal and professional development through further studies. Many thanks to Frs. Tom Thornton, Rex Curry, John Walter, and Eden Langlands for their ministry during this time. Also, I acknowledge any unintended difficulties due to my extended Study Leave.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of 2022, we had declared a Parish Year of Renewal, in the light of the ongoing Renewal of the Australian Church through the Plenary Council. In the spirit of renewal, a new Parish Priest, Fr. Loi Viovicente is being appointed to the Parish, from January 2023, ending my time in your parish. Together, we have been through the drought, the Black Summer Fires, the Flash Floods, and the ever-changing times of COVID. As I finish my role in your parish, I will take with me the memories of your support, warmth, hospitality, love, care, generosity, kindness, and friendships. For these, I am deeply grateful, thanks to each one of you.
Special thanks to the members of the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, the Pastoral Care and Liturgy Teams, Parish Staff, the School Community, and those who served in the different ministries, working with me in the spirit of collaboration, co-responsibility, interdependence and synodality to continue the mission of Christ in the parish. I entrust you all to the motherly intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary during this October Month and always.
Wishing you all every blessing.
Fr. Martins Aloga
Fr Tom will remain with us until the end of the year. On 10 January we will welcome Fr Loi Viovicente. We look forward to welcoming Fr Loi to our community. I would like to thank Fr Tom for his support and leadership for the past 6 months.
The Combined Schools’ Mass has been moved into next year. We will look forward to celebrating the beginning of the school year as a K-12 Pathway for Catholic Schools’ on the Coast as we welcome Fr Loi.
Kindergarten Expo for Parents of Kindergarten Students 2023
Next Thursday evening we will host an Expo for our Kindergarten 2023 families and any parents interested in learning more about St Bernard’s. I often say to families that it doesn't feel like the staff and I are at work each day. We are truly blessed to be working in such a wonderful, life giving community. Working with the children each day is an absolute joy. I hope you feel the positive energy as you enter the school. If you have any friends or extended family members who are interested in enrolling their child at St Bernard’s, please encourage them to come along on Thursday evening at 6.00pm. The Expo will be held in the St Bernard’s Hall and will showcase many aspects of our school. Our Kindergarten Teachers for 2023 are Mrs Rebecca Brady (4 days)/Mrs Laura Tyler (1 day), Mr Matt Lowe and Mrs Therese Armstrong. Mrs Rebecca Brady will teach Monday – Thursday and Mrs Laura Tyler will teach every Friday in KBT. Mr Matt Lowe will teach KL and Mrs Therese Armstrong will teach KT. Our Kindergarten teachers will speak to parents about school readiness and classes will be on display. We look forward to welcoming many new families.
Student News
Congratulations to John F who attended selection trials and was picked to be a ball kid at the 2022 NSW Tennis Open currently being played at Homebush. This is a professional tennis tournament which is part of the ATP Challenger Tour and the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour. John's goal is now to be selected from this tournament to be a ball kid at the ATP Cup (Sydney International) played in January. What an exciting opportunity for John. Congratulations on your achievement!
Blessings on the week ahead.
Johanna Wain
Principal
Finding new life!
Petrea King, well known author, counsellor and teacher was stricken by Leukaemia at age 32. Petrea was, over a period of time, able to confront and come to accept the prospect of death. Yet the unexpected happened. She survived and then she had to figure out how to live. Part of this quest led her to write her first book: ‘Your Life Matters – the power of living now’ [2004]. Her book focused on the following themes ‘how to live well today; that our existence is precious; to take opportunities as they arise to awaken our own loving potential while establishing peace in our daily life’. In the book she reflects: ‘my health continues to improve and for the first time in my life I felt that I was truly living the life I came here to live ... my focus is always on how to live today well.’ [Pages 21-23]. To this day Petrea helps many who are ill or traumatised to find new life.
The God of the Living.
Today’s Readings and Gospel [Luke: 20:27-38] speak strongly about ‘new life’, ‘resurrection’ and ‘God of the living’. The Sadducees – ‘those who say there is no resurrection’ – were religious conservatives who preserved the old concept of a colourless survival of souls in an uncertain ‘Sheol’. The teaching of the resurrection of the dead formulated much later than Moses seemed to them unintelligent and lacking in perception. In this spirit the Sadducees put to Jesus a fantastic problem...taking the law that a man must marry his brother’s childless widow, while pouring ridicule on the doctrine they reject.
Jesus does not argue with them instead Jesus makes an act of faith in God the Living One! He is not the God of a short human life, but of a covenant, and cannot be limited by corruptible existence. He is not the God of the dead in a state of ‘suspended judgement’ but to those who put their trust & hope in him he is the God of Life. Jesus himself died as a witness to this hope in a Living God. [Adapted from: Glenstal Bible Missal – Gerard MacGinity OSB, 1984, page1378]
In the words of Cardinal Newman: ‘May he support us all the day long, till the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then in his mercy, may he give us – a safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at last.’
Marie Weatherall
Dear Parents and Carers,
This time last week I had the pleasure to support Mrs Coggan, Mrs McRae, Mr Maynard and Year 6 on their Jindabyne excursion. The students had a fabulous time experiencing many different sporting and team building activities over the four days.
I would like to acknowledge our wonderful teachers who supported the students on their very first overnight excursion. Their level of organisation, care, dedication, and resilience were unsurpassed.
As we celebrated World Teachers’ Day (with the scenic Mt Kosciuszko as our backdrop), we all acknowledged the commitment and diverse nature of our teaching profession. The photo of us wearing many hats really summed up our time together. Teaching is really a huge commitment to wearing many hats every day!
I feel very privileged to be able to work with this amazing team of teachers!
Begin With the Heart Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have received BWTH Awards this term. It is wonderful to see you putting the core values of St. Bernard’s school into action.
H – Honesty
E – Empathy and Kindness
A – Appreciation
R – Respect and Resilience
T – Tolerance
Layla S, Gianna L, Grace R, Zach C, Alyssa O'B – Compassion, Hudson A – Diligence, Tahiti H – Compassion, Jacob B – Determination, Hudson E – Perseverance, Amelia P – Kindness, Ryan N – Kindness, Bobby M – Creativity, Mace McA – Compassion, Ellie-Rose M – Kindness, Heidi F, Lucy B, Elijah McG, Sydnee S, Elijah McG, Able M, Harlo P, Mitchell B – Honesty, Addison G – Kindness, Alyssa D – Kindness, Tully S – Kindness, Ruby H – Kindness, Lucas V, Indiana A, Scarlett C, Noah B, Indi T, Korban S, Didier D, Annie F, Storm R, Golden P, Mia A, Sebastian L, Arsh K - Kindness and Compassion, Dylan M - Consideration of others – Compassion, Xanthe K - Resilience and kindness, Lilly G, Holly L, Christian F and Michael S.
Sisters of Sr. Joseph
We received a special card from Sister Julie who was one of the nuns that visited St Bernard’s during our recent celebratory weekend for the sisters of St. Joseph. Her heartfelt acknowledgement of our students, teachers and school really was quite beautiful. I have included her words for your reading.
Warm and Sincere thanks to each of you.....
Principal, Staff and Students for your welcome, hospitality and appreciation of the Sister's presence over many years at Batemans Bay / Batehaven.It was a joy to be with you all. Congratulations on your beatiful school. I was touched by the sense of care, love, respect and friendliness. It was quite evident. May we all continue to grow in the spirit of St Joseph and Mary MacKillop. May God's abundant blessings be yours and your families too.
Sr Julie
Thought – The Kingdom of God
“What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19
Blessings on your weekend
Sharon Beashel
REC
Dear Parents and Carers
Parent Teacher Interviews
Bookings for Parent Teacher interviews are currently open through Compass. Interviews will be held over two days, Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 November (Week 6). The opportunity to arrange a time for a Parent Teacher interview is for you to discuss your child's growth, celebrate their success and plan furture goals. The Semester Two report will become available through Compass on Friday 2 December in Week 8. This report will contain A-E grading and attendance information. If you would like to take the opportunity to make a Parent Teacher interview to support the information that will be communicated through the Semester Two report, do not hesitate to do so.
Digital Technologies and Mental Health
The esafety commissioner suggests ideas to support your child and their mental health and well-being when online. One idea is to regularly discuss with your child how what they see online can effect their mood and well being. Making a habit of asking your child what they enjoy on their gaming platforms or other apps can be a good way to be involved. Another idea is to talk about your own online experiences to let your child know that it is normal to have emotional reactions to things viewed online. Having regular chats might make it easier for your child to let you know if they do see something that makes them feel uncomfortable or upset. It can be a good idea for settings to be installed on devices to ensure that the type of content that children see online is censored. Group chats for example, can be stressful when children are posting with their friends. Turning off notifications can be a good way to give children a break when interactions become too much. Strategies for managing negative experiences online are important and knowing how to report online content that is upsetting or blocking users from sending your child messages can support children to have positive experiences and for mental health and well-being to be monitored.
Future Finder University UOW Program
Year 6 students will participate in an introduction to University program at the Batemans Bay campus of the University of Wollongong tomorrow. The day will provide our students exposure to what university is all about and the types of careers possible. This experience is linked with curriculum outcomes and aims to provide students with an opportunity for career discovery, to raise social capital, understand their personal values and foster authentic learning activities. The UOW has provided transport and morning tea as well as facilitating the learning for our students which we appreciate.
First Aid in Schools
Students in Years 3-6 will take part in a 40 minute First Aid training session at school facilitated by St John Ambulance in Week 6. St John believe that age is no barrier to First Aid awareness. Launched in 2012, the St John First Aid in Schools Program is designed to educate children on how to assist in emergencies, whether at home, at school or on the sports field. We know that this is important knowledge for our students to be exposed to and we thank Bob Colville for presenting the First Aid in Schools program for our students.
We look forward to celebrating an awards assembly tomorrow at 2pm led by the students of S1J and Year 2. Everyone is welcome.
I hope that you have a lovely weekend.
Kind regards
Karen
Performing Arts
On the 19th and 20th of October the students of St Bernard’s amazed us with their performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It was an incredible display of creativity, teamwork and confidence by all students. All students were involved in a variety of roles, from main cast performer to backstage assistant.
I would like to congratulate all the students on a job well done, and thank all the staff and parents that assisted to make this event such a success.
The matinee performance was professionally filmed as a keepsake for parents and carers. A link will be sent to all families in the coming weeks.