Dear Parents and Carers

On Monday, I had the pleasure of listening to the Year 5 SRC Speeches. I was so proud of the students. I was particularly moved by the courage shown by a number of children who find it difficult to present in front of a large group. This is a testament to the preparation and confidence that has been developed in their Year 5 classes. Thank you, Mr Maynard and Mrs Metcalf.

Congratulations to Didier D who attended the Eurobodalla Environmentor Calendar Presentation today at Eurobodalla Council. Didier's artwork was chosen to be on the 2023 Calendar. Didier's artwork focused on the survival of threatened species. Well done Didier. 

Currently, an enormous amount of work is occurring behind the scenes with Student Report preparation, Whole School Mass, Year 6 Graduation, Talent Quest, formulation of 2023 classes, Excursions… the list goes on. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of our dedicated staff involved in these upcoming events. It all comes together with great teamwork! 

Year 6 Graduation Mass, Awards and Morning Tea

We are currently in preparation for our Whole School Mass and Year 6 Awards ceremony. This significant celebration will take place next Friday 9 December at 9.15am in the Church. This is a whole school event involving Kindergarten to Year 6 students, staff, families, parish members and special guests. It is a time of reflection for our Year 6 students as they remember their primary years at St Bernard’s. We also give thanks for the many blessings on the year and recognise the achievements of our senior students as they move into their secondary education. The Recognition Awards for Year 6 will follow Mass in the Church. Morning tea will then occur outside the Church with the Year 6 students and their families. Please join us for this special occasion. All families are warmly welcome. 

Year 5 & 6 Candle Ceremony/Announcement School Leaders 2023

Year 5 & 6 will come together in the Church for this special event of handing over of the leadership on Thursday 8 December at 1.45pm in the St Bernard’s Church. This event will include the Candle Ceremony (Year 6 hand over their leadership to the new leaders of St Bernard’s for 2023). School Captains, SRC and House Captains will be announced. Parents and friends are welcome to join us.

Reinvent the Classroom Project

Last week Mrs Keough, Mrs Holmes, Mrs Hadley and myself met with Brett Salakas from HP to discuss a project called Reinvent the Classroom. Brett is leading this project around Digital Technology and working with other schools across Australia.

The Reinvent the Classroom Framework services include:

• School Readiness Assessment: An online survey tool will be provided to schools to assess these areas in order to determine the readiness to implement the RTC program.
• Leadership workshops: Creation of a shared vision to define strategy, policy, and action plan.
• Learning Space Design: Professional learning zone design based on Pedagogical Activity
• Customised Professional Development: Digital skills, learning experience development and digital pedagogy training
• Project Management/Support: Project Management and support focused on reducing the administrative burden on schools and ensuring the correct deployment.

We have now been accepted as their final school. Brett has $40,000.00 to support St Bernard’s in this project. Our focus will be on the following:

• upskilling staff in applying formative assessment using digital technology
• working on a project to upskill students and staff. We will flesh this out more.
• HP will pay for an architect to provide some designs on how we may want to reconfigure the iCentre space, this may form our wish list.

Brett Salakas led our Staff Meeting last Tuesday, providing staff with a run down on the project, highlighting how it aligns with our Strategic Plan. Mrs Keough and Mrs Holmes will be involved in leading this at St Bernard’s.

Student Illness

If your child is unwell we ask that they do not attend school. We are priortising student and staff health within the school and for this reason request your support to keep your child at home if they have symptoms of illness. 

RE: 2023 School Term One Dates

• Thursday 26 January: Australia Day (Public Holiday)
• Friday 27 January: Staff Planning Day (Pupil Free Day)
• Monday 30 January: Catalyst Conference in Canberra for all system staff
• Tuesday 31 January: Staff Planning part day (Pupil Free Day)
• Wednesday 1 February: Years 1-6 students commence Term 1
• Monday 6 February: Kindergarten students commence school  
• 8 February & 15 February: Kindergarten Rest Days
• Thursday 6 April: Term 1 ends                                                

Enjoy a lovely weekend.

Warm regards
Johanna Wain
Principal 

WHILE WE WAIT - WHY NOT MEDITATE?

There are big gaps in the story of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In fact after the episode described in the Fifth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple, Luke describe the next twenty odd years  as follows. "He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2: 51-52)

 John the Baptist, second cousin of Jesus, reacted in his mother Elizabeth's womb to the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary when she visited Elizabeth and husband Zachariah. Mary stayed with them for three months waiting until baby John was born. Can you imagine what these two expectant mothers talked about? Remember Zachariah had been struck dumb. We must never forget we are dealing with a very human situation. Yet God is present and at work every second of their day.

Jesus and John don't meet again until Jesus comes to see John when he is proclaiming  to the people of Israel that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand; that they should repent of their sins; that they be baptised in the waters of the Jordan as a sign that they wanted to be cleansed from their sinfulness  and were resolved to maintain their new found purity.

I think it is important that we reflect on the long periods of ordinariness that characterised the life of Jesus as he waits to launch his public life. John by contrast prepares himself for his job as the Prophet for the Messiah by an extremely ascetic life and confronting preaching.

In our own lives there can be long periods of routine; no great highs, no deep lows. In our spiritual life we may find ourselves coasting. In many ways that was the state of Jewish society in John’s day. Elite groups like the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the scribes and lawyers, had sucked the spirit out of the Jewish religion and made it more an arena for disputation and an opportunity for seeking power & prestige. The common folk were neglected like lost sheep.

A few months before Jesus left Nazareth  and began his fast in the wilderness, John had emerged from his solitude and when he spoke he spoke boldly sparing no one. “You brood of vipers,” he tells the Pharisees, “who has showed you to flee from the wrath to come?” I wonder what he would say to us? If that idea is too confronting maybe we can pray to this great and holy man.

Great Saint John, of whom Jesus said “there has not risen among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist”, with great power, humility and courage you announced the Good News of Jesus Christ, obtain for us a share in your nobility of soul and a spark  of your zeal in the service of our One Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.  John the Baptist, pray for us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Joe Quigley

Dear Parents and Carers,

I had the privilege yesterday of joining Didier de C and his proud mum Kate for the launch of the Eurobodalla Shire 2023 Threatened Species Survival calendar. Didier’s artwork appears on the calendar in the month of January. His thoughtful artwork depicts the affects that deforestation may have on the habitat of the Black Cockatoo. Thank you to Mrs. Keough and Mrs. Coulter for supporting their Year 4 students in this worthwhile annual competition.

Christmas Giving Tree

This year St Vincent de Paul have asked for donations supporting the purchase of Kmart Gift vouchers.  These will go towards the purchase of Christmas gifts for children.

There are Giving Envelopes on our school Christmas Tree, or donations can be made via Qkr. You will find this option under Other School Payments - Giving Tree Vouchers. There are $5.00, $10.00, and $20.00 options. Thank you to Mrs McCarthy and Mrs Ward for their help with this online organisation.

Gary Norris from St Vincent de Paul spoke to the Mini Vinnies team today about the annual Christmas Appeal. The students always appreciate Mr Norris coming in to speak to them about topical social justice needs.

Begin With the Heart Awards

Congratulations to the following students who have received BWTH awards this fortnight. It is always wonderful to see children displaying our school values in their classroom and on the playground. The following names will go into the draw at Year 4’s assembly this Friday.

Scarlett W, Milo D, Emie A, Cruze W, Mia B, Mason L- Kindness & Responsibility, Sebastian T – Responsibility, Eve P K – Perseverance, Paige L, Alex H, Laycie E, Lilly G, Hailey I,  Didier de C, Annie F, Oscar J, Sienna B, Storm R, Sebastian L, Stella F, Lucy B, Imogen R, Mia B, Lebron C - Kindness and Respect, James W – Honesty, London B – Resilience, Annabelle H – Determination, Ruby P- Creativity, Jay S – Perseverance, Joseph O'S- Resilience, Jacob S - Kindness and Respect, Louis C- Kindness and Respect, Jack C- Kindness and Respect, Indie M- Creativity, Jayla R – Kindness, Emiliya S – Honesty, Imogen T- Respect and Tyler H – Respect. 

Candle Ceremony

You are invited to attend our Candle Ceremony next Thursday 8 December at 2.00pm. This is a special occasion where we farewell our outgoing school leaders and welcome in those for 2023.

Advent Prayer

Loving God, as we prepare for the birth of your son Jesus, help us to share your love with others. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen 

Blessings on your weekend

Sharon Beashel

Dear Parents and Carers

It is amazing to think that we are almost at the end of the school year, with only one and a half weeks remaining. Classes are enjoying their end of term learning about the season of Advent and preparing for Christmas. The end of the school year can be a sentimental time, as students think about their move to a new class and say goodbye to their current teacher. I know that many of the classes are looking forward to some fun celebrations together such as the movies, class visits to the beach and of course the Dazzling Duck Race on Friday after school. Next week is especially important for the students of Year 5 and Year 6 with the Candle Ceremony, Graduation Mass and the announcement of school leaders for 2023. We hope that many of you can join with us for these two particularly special events on Thursday and Friday next week.

Student Reports

Next Wednesday 7 December, Student Reports for Semester Two will be made available to you via Compass. The report will indicate your child's level of academic achievement towards outcomes taught this semester, their level of engagement with learning as well as further school involvement.

Students in Kindergarten have grades described as:

• Meeting Expectations
• Working Towards Expectations
• Experiencing Difficulty

The common grading scale is used in Years 1-6, describing performance from levels A-E. The grade scale is as follows:

A   The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.extensive achievement of outcomes

B   The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.

C   The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.

D   The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.

E   The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

Student engagment with learning focuses on areas such as:

• contribution to class discussions
• applying understanding to new situations
• adopting a range of strategies to think and learn
• takes responsibility for and manages own behaviour

We hope that you find the information in the student report to be a clear indication of learning achievement this semester. 

St Bernard's Dazzling Duck Race

Religious Education 

Stories of Jesus 

This term we have been exploring the new testament stories of Jesus. We have explored the story of the Blind Man. We loved learning the song, "The Blind Man Sat By the Side of the Road". 

We viewed a video of the bible story “Jesus heals a crippled woman”. We learnt of Jesus’s great compassion and care for others and his message to us to do the same for people in need. We loved recounting the story and making our own books. 

Preparing for the Season of Advent

This week we began the Season of Advent. We are learning that this is an important season in the Church signified by the colour purple. Advent is the four-week period of expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation and joyful preparation of Jesus’ birth.  It is a time to:

• remember Jesus coming into the world over 2000 years ago
• prepare for Jesus to come into our hearts and lives today 
• wait for Jesus to come again.

The celebration of Advent takes place on the four Sundays prior to Christmas, follows four weekly themes; hope, peace, joy and love and ends on Christmas Eve.

This week we set up our prayer space with purple clothes and made our class Advent calendars to help us prepare for the birth of Jesus by doing kind deeds and actions for others.

English

Fairytales - Stories of the past

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

― Albert Einstein

This term we have been exploring Fairytales. We have learnt that Fairytales are narratives written a long time ago to teach people about morals and values. Fairytales always have royal characters, magic, good and evil, a problem and the numbers 2,3,5 or 7.  

We have been recounting the stories The Emperor's New Clothes and Beauty and the Beast.

We have also been learning how to combine two simple sentences to make a compound sentence using our daily vocabulary words. This term our grammar focus has been on identifying the main clause in a sentence and learning about collective nouns. 

Maths

This term we have been working on multiplication and division for the 2x 5x 10x tables. We have learnt to express multiplication as groups and arrays by making, drawing and writing the matching equations.  When we had to divide we realised that it involved sharing a whole group into equal parts. We recorded our equations using the division symbol. Other areas of study have included probability using colours, measuring using metres and litres and revision of adding 2 and 3 digit numbers. 

Art

Students have been exploring our family history and learning about their family tree and different family structures. We then had the opportunity to design our very own personal crest. Students reflected on their own interests and symbols that represent their family. They then designed a personal crest using these images and icons. Students were very proud of their effort, especially when these crests were displayed during Year 2 and S1J’s assembly. 

Students of Year 2 and S1J have been learning about fairy tales throughout term 4. Students had the opportunity to create their very own Kings and Queens Character during art while exploring new painting techniques. Students used new techniques, such as ‘double loading’ their paintbrushes and explored the effects while creating their characters. After painting the outline, students blended different colours using the ‘double loading technique’ and created beautiful, colourful Fairytale Royals.

Students listened to the old fashion fairytale, ‘The Nutcracker’, and began painting beautiful artworks of Clara, the Nutcracker, Sugar Plum fairy, and the Rat King. Students used a variety of skills and techniques in their background and characters. We all believe that they look absolutely beautiful. 

HSIE - Families Past and Present 

 In our History lessons we explored  many different family structures. We investigated family names and crests and were mesmerised by the images and icons used. Many of us went home and researched our names. We loved creating our own personal crest with all the things that we love. 

Family Roles - past and present

We discovered that family life in the past was very hard. Each person in the family had special roles or jobs to do. We observed that some of the roles are still the same  today although mums and dads may both work and share the jobs in the household.  

Traditions and Celebrations 

This week we will be investigating ways we celebrate Christmas with our own families and compare this with other families around the world. We are looking forward to having our Christmas celebrations in Week 9 and have been busy making our decorations, hats and bonbons for the special day.  

PDH Healthy Bodies

In term 4 we have been investigating body systems. Last week we created a lap book that includes all body stems. We completed sentence stems that explained what each of our body systems do. This week we will be creating a poster to promote ways we can care for our amazing bodies.  

Canberra Goulburn Representative Sporting Trials

Over the next week we have students competing in Sporting Trials for the Canberra Goulburn 2023 Representative Tennis and Touch Football teams. Good Luck to Sebastian C, Campbell R, Lucy B, Beatrix F, Indiana A and Annie F. We hope you enjoy the experience.

Have a wonderful week.

Mrs Holmes