Dear Parents and Carers

Congratulations to Laila C who received an award last Friday for student of the month. This award is sponsored by My Agent and was awarded to Laila for being inclusive and demonstrating exceptional kindness and compassion towards others. Congratulations to Laila!  

This week our Year 4 students have been focusing on First Eucharist and participated in a Retreat with Fr Martins. To help us better understand the relevance of the Sacraments and the importance these have for our Catholic faith, I offer the following for your information.

What is a Sacrament?
A Sacrament is a special ritual that is highly symbolic and connected to our Christian faith. There are seven religious rituals or church ceremonies that Catholics call sacraments. The Latin word sacramentum means “a sign of the sacred”. The Catholic sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians.

The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church         
Baptism                Holy Orders                    
Reconciliation        Matrimony
Eucharist              Annointing of the sick
Confirmation

The Eucharist is often referred to as ‘Communion’. The word communion means to be ‘united with’. Catholics believe that in Holy Communion we are united in a special way with Jesus Christ. Each time we go to Mass we remember the first communion that Jesus gave His disciples. We continue to keep our Year 4 students in our prayers as they prepare to receive this Sacrament for the first time.

Staffing and Classes for 2022

The class structures for 2022 at St Bernard’s will be:

• 2 Kindergarten classes
• 2 x Year 1 Classes
• Stage One Class (Year 1 and Year 2)
• 2 x Year 2 classes
• 2 x Year 3 classes
• 2 x Year 4 classes
• 2 x Year 5 classes
• 2 x Year 6 classes

From year to year it is necessary to make decisions based on the approach for class structures. All schools receive a staffing allocation from Catholic Education and this is determined by overall school enrolment numbers. The NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum is arranged in Stages: Early Stage One (Kindergarten), Stage One (Year 1 and 2), Stage Two (Year 3 and 4) and Stage 3 (Year 5 and 6).Year 1 and Year 2 are taught and assessed against the same outcomes; with each stage being taught over two years. All teachers provide a flexible learning environment to cater for mixed abilities and interests. There are a range of academic abilities in all classes and teachers differentiate their teaching and learning. We have a dedicated team of teachers who are working together to ensure best pedagogy is occurring to improve student outcomes. Please be assured that all decisions are made in the best interest of the students.

Public Speaking

The Southern Region Public Speaking dates have been rescheduled to be held virtually on November 16 and 17, with the Archdiocesan Public Speaking competition set for November 25. We wish our school representatives all the very best as they prepare their speeches.

Have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Johanna Wain
Principal

In November, we remember

November is the last month in the season of spring in some parts of the Southern Hemisphere. A season of new life and regrowth. In Australia, November is always remembered for the Melbourne Cup in Flemington with an extended celebration of the winning Horse and this year is: Verry Elleegant and Rememberance Day on November 11^th at 11am.

In this season of new life, and during this month of November, the Church,celebrates the triumph of God’s Grace in the Saints on the 1^st, giving thanks for their courageous witness, and dedicates time to praying for the dead on the 2^nd. The practice of honoring the saints and remembering the departed souls has been part of the ancient tradition of the Church, enshrined in the Canon of the Eucharist.

All Saints Day is intended to honour the memory of countless, known, unknown and uncanonized saints who have no designated feast days in the Liturgical Calendar. During the Feast, we unite with the church in heaven to give thanks to God for a share in His Beatific Vision, the reward for their Faith. In observing the feast, we are invited to honour the saints, by imitating their virtuous lives and seeking their intercession before Christ, the only mediator between God and humanity (I Tm 2:5).

In Commemorating All Souls on November 2^nd, the Church invites the baptized to remember the Dead, and to offer prayers for those who have gone before us, to find respite in God’s presence. It is a day specially set apart that we may remember and pray for our dear ones who have gone for their eternal reward and who are currently in a state of ongoing purification in purgatory.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC # 1032) recommends prayer for the deceased in conjunction with the offering of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical, Mirae caritatis (1902), states, "The grace of mutual love among the living, strengthened and increased by the Sacrament of the Eucharist, flows, especially by virtue of the Sacrifice [of the Mass], to all who belong to the Communion of Saints. The Catechism also encourages almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead. All these acts are to be exercised as matters of Faith, in the hope that those who sleep in peace will experience eternity in God’s presence and turn intercede for us.

However young or old we are, none of us is ever new to the experience of losing someone: Grandparents, parents, partners, spouses, siblings, children, friends, colleagues, neighbors, extended family members, acquaintances etc. We grieve their loss and honour their memories in different ways. We offer masses, light candles, visit burial sites, place roses, and pray the rosaries. In this November, let us remember them, lest we forget.

                                                                                                                                                                         Fr Martins

Youth Ministry 2022

Do you want to be  employed on a year of formation and mission? Become a Youth Minister in 2022 in the St Bernard’s community! For more information visit;  cgyouth.org.au/youth-ministers or email; youth@cg.org.au 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Today Year 4 were very excited to be attending their First Eucharist Retreat. They have been so patient waiting for the big day to arrive. The focus scripture for the morning session was Luke 22:7-28. Lectio Divina was used to give the students a meditative experience using this key piece of scripture.

Lectio Divina is an ancient method of praying with sacred texts; usually the sacred text comes from the Scriptures, but other texts may be used as well. The basic idea is to spend time listening deeply and intently to what God might have to say to you through the text—almost as if the sacred text were a much-cherished love letter from God.

Eucharistic Life

During the middle session students were given the opportunity to participate in role plays. Each group of students created short dramas around the theme of “The Present”. The key understanding being that each person is a gift, filled with love that can be shared with God, themselves or others.

Children enjoyed listening to Father Martins after lunch and creating flags using symbols of the Eucharist. Thank you to everyone who assisted with the preparation and leadership during the day. I would like to acknowledge the magnificent support given by Liarna Miller our CSYMA leader.

Socktober for Mission Month

Last Friday Mission Week ended with class groups holding a Penalty Shoot Out. The children had so much fun using their Sockballs. Socktober sponsorship raised a $1,377 and along with $68.80 in coin donations, an amazing total of $1,445.80 was raised for the Good Samaritan Kindergarten in Bangkok, Thailand. Huge thanks to Parker W, Lucas H, Cooper S, Shaun F, Noah S, Charlotte F, Lukas C, Brennan C, Leo H, Alyssa D, Indi F, Keelan H, Eve P and your generous sponsors. You have made such a difference in the lives of others!

Holy Saints and Souls

November is month of Holy Saints and Souls. We pray for the members of our families who have departed this life. We know that they are at rest in God’s loving arms.

Wishing you a happy and peace filled weekend

Sharon Beashel REC

Dear Parents and Carers

Public Speaking

Last term before we entered the school lockdown period, all students in Years 3-6 wrote and delivered speeches on a variety of topics. Students were provided with a set of criteria for what makes a successful speech which included the following elements:

• Delivery
• Suitability for an audience
• Content and creativity
• Organization
• Timing

The students who were selected to represent our school for the Southern Region Public Speaking will finally be able to participate in the rescheduled virtual competition on Tuesday 16 November for Stage 2 and Wednesday 17 November for Stage 3. We congratulate the following students, who will now begin the process of practicing to deliver their speech:

Year 3    Flynn A and Annie F

Year 4    Isla B and Isabella L

Year 5    Erica S and Samuel H

Year 6    Ellie H and Kiarna W

ICAS Digital Technologies

A small number of students from Years 3-6 participated in the Digital Technologies ICAS Competition last term.

Congratulation to Annie F, who was awarded a Credit.

This week the ICAS English Assessment was held on Tuesday. Please note the updated dates for future ICAS competitions in the school calendar.

ESC Environmental Calendar

Congratulations to Mikinley B and Caprice F of Year 4, whose artwork was chosen to be included on the Eurobodalla Shire Council 2022 environment calendar. The theme for next year’s calendar, ‘Estuaries: Where the tide meets the Stream’, was an excellent learning opportunity for all of the Year 4 students earlier this year. Mikinley and Caprice were particularly successful because their art communicated what an estuary is and in addition, met the criteria of including Dhurga words for species and water bodies in the design. What better prize for Minkinley and Caprice than to be presented with their own Dhurga Dictionary written by Trish and donated by her as a prize. 

Representative Sport for 2022

Students currently in Year 4 and 5 are invited each year to try out for various representative sports.

If students choose to try out, they attend a selection trial held in 2022, and if chosen are part of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn team.

We have had many many talented students selected in previous years in a huge variety of sports including cricket, tennis, basketball, touch football, netball, rugby union, rugby league as well as soccer and AFL. There are girls' and boys' teams in various sports, and we encourage all of our enthusiastic sports people to try out and use this as an opportunity to develop their skill and meet new friends from around the state.

I have just received nomination information for AFL. If your child would like to play AFL in the C&G Rep team and I haven’t already sent home nomination information, please let me know and I will give you the details. Nominations for AFL need to be sent to Sherree Bush, Archdiocesan Sports Coordinator by 19 November.

All other sports nominations will open in the coming months and I will speak to the students in their class and advise them each time a new sport is seeking nominations, as well as communicating the dates to parents.

Angela Holmes

Happy Birthday to all our students who are celebrating their birthdays in November. We hope you have a great day!

Azami S.  Leila K.

Chloe T.  Tyler McD.

Cruze W.  Jayden E.

Mishell F.  Sienna N.

George S-D.  Isabella L.

Annalise J-P.  Sebastian T.

William M'N.  Kingston A.

Reeve T.  Ruby T.

Molly M.  Rogan H.

Annabelle T.  Hendrix C.

Dominic B.  Abby S.

Scarlett C.  Jayden G.

River O.  Harry B.

Kate S.  Sonny B.

Week 4 Class Awards

      Presented : Friday 29 October 2021.

Congratulations to the following children who received class awards this week. It is great to see so many
children working hard and receiving acknowledgment for their efforts - well done to all!

1ST BATEMANS BAY SCOUT GROUP

If you would like to try Joey Scouts this term and are between 5 and 7 we have vacancies.   More information can be obtained at https://www.nsw.scouts.com.au/about/youth-program/joeys/  

In Batemans Bay Joeys usually meet 4.15pm to 5.15pm Wednesday – as it is summer we often meet away from the hall so please contact Tara 0488 671 122 or Ruth 0412083572