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Dear Parents and Carers
I hope you have had an enjoyable week.
Today we commissioned our Year 6 leaders for 2023. As I listened to their pledge, I was reminded how special it is to be part of the St Bernard’s Community. Our Year 6 leaders enthusiastically accepted their leadership responsibilities and I know they will lead our school with pride. I met with the Student Representative Council this week and they have some great ideas for the year ahead.
A reminder to our Year 3 families that the Reconciliation Enrolment evening is tonight starting at 5.00pm. Fr Loi is looking forward to supporting the students in preparing for this Sacrament. We are reconciled with God, with the Church, and with the people we have hurt through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I think back to my own First Reconciliation and remember feeling well supported by family and the school community. It’s not about what we have done, it’s about Jesus comforting us and strengthening us as we continue on our faith journey. Through this Sacrament the Church celebrates Jesus’ gift of forgiveness. We are here to support our families.
This Saturday evening at the 6.00pm Mass, the staff will be commissioned in their roles for 2023. All families are welcome to join us.
Swimming Carnival
Last Thursday we saw many talented swimmers participating in the St Bernard’s Swimming Carnival. We had a wonderful day with all students having an opportunity to partake in a race. Timed events, and novelty races were definitely enjoyed by many. A special thank you to Mrs Holmes for her high level of organisation and preparation for the day and a special thank you to all our parents who are assisted us on the day. It was wonderful to see so many parents supporting the Carnival, cheering on their child/ren and connecting with other families. Our Swimming Presentation of Ribbons will take place Monday 20 February at 2.00pm in the Hall. All families are welcome. I wish all students competing in Narooma next week all the best.
Navigating Online Friendships – Free Webinar
The Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) is hosting a webinar for parents and carers in collaboration with the eSafety Commissioner. Navigating Online Friendships is a 30-minute webinar designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school. Please find the links below.
Parents & Friends AGM
The P&F AGM was held on Monday evening. I congratulate and thank the following parents who accepted leadership roles and were appointed to the P&F Executive:
President: Melissa Franzen
Vice President: Tori Vincent
Treasurer: Gemma Angwin
Secretary: Danielle Logue
Social Coordinator: Janelle Dedakis
Assessments
Over these past two weeks, students from Kindergarten to Year 6 have been participating in Progressive Achievement Tests. Kindergarten and Year One have been provided individual support from our Classroom Support Team.
Years 1-6 have been engaging in Reading and Maths Adaptive Tests for the first time. PAT Reading & Maths Adaptive Assessments are the most recently developed assessments. The assessments comprise of a number of questions, of which there are eight different entry levels. Entry levels are automatically assigned to students depending on their previous PAT Reading/Maths scale score or their current year level. After completing each block of questions, students are automatically allocated another group of items of targeted difficulty based on their cumulative performance to that point. Questions are presented to students to ensure at the appropriate level of challenge.
These assessments will provide teachers with valuable data to inform their teaching and learning. Teachers will be able to instantly receive information and sort and report results for powerful new insights into student performance.
As a school we will continue to analyse the data to ensure we are meeting the needs for all our students.
Parent/Teacher Introductory Meetings
Parent Teacher Introductory Meetings have been planned for Week 5, Monday 27 February, Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March. This is a great opportunity for you to connect with your child’s teacher and discuss the year ahead and goals for teaching and learning. If you are having trouble making a booking time, please don’t hesitate to email your child’s teacher or contact the Front Office.
Blessings to you and your family.
Johanna Wain
Principal
REVERENCE! WHAT IS IT?
HOW DO WE SHOW REVERENCE?
One could be forgiven for thinking that the Readings this week are yet another list of how to behave under the heading
“ you must.”
Then we are told in Corinthians we are to realise we are God’s temple. The word “temple” conjures up many images - some visual, some descriptive, but then, some images which suggest something deeper and of a personal reflective nature.
The words reverence and respect quickly come to mind when thinking “temple” as a building. If we are God’s temple, reverence and respect is also relevant BUT a two way street- we can expect it but need to extend it to others.
ARE WE DOING THIS? HOW ARE WE DOING IT?
In his Gospel, Matthew, continuing the theme is quite unambiguous in his description of how we should treat those around us. We need, however, to be mindful that in the time of Jesus, there was only a literal understanding of what He was saying. Today we extract a different meaning from “ love your enemies.” We don’t need to feel affection or be attached but do need to look out for their welfare and see they receive fair and just treatment. Perhaps this may mean a review of our own moral code. Instead of keeping a list of what we perceive as wrongdoings,criticisms, subtle complaints regarding differences of opinions and actions we should remember we are ALL God’s children.
Jesus came to love and save NOT to condemn.
We are reminded that “the Spirit of God lives among us”- a very comforting thought as well as the realisation each of us is a Temple. The Holy Spirit is waiting for us to ask for help in the building of a better world.
Ron Rolheiser says we are “ genuine disciples of Jesus when we live inside His Spirit.” He continues, telling us “ we live in the Spirit when our lives are characterised by charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, long suffering, constancy and chastity.” He adds “ if these do not characterise our lives, we should not nurse the illusion that we are inside God’s Spirit irrespective of our passion for Truth, Dogma or Justice.”
This week may be the time for us to reflect on our understanding of the phrase “You are God’s temple” and ask ourselves if our ministry/ way of life demonstrates that we are/I am a true disciple of Jesus?
Richard Rohr simplified when he wrote
“ Listen to Jesus and let Him teach you how to live."
Ken and Carolyn Evenden
Dear Parents and Carers,
A big thank you to the parents and friends who joined us today for our Opening School Mass for 2023. Our Year 6 students were extremely proud to receive their Leadership badges. Thank you too to students and staff who took on special roles during the mass.
Staff Commissioning Mass
Most K-12 Pathway school staff will be commissioned at the evening mass on Saturday at 6.00pm. As in common with all Christians, we are called to give witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. But ours is the special privilege and responsibility of the education of children. We are called to be Christ Bearers to those we teach and care for. If you are attending church this weekend, it would be lovely if you could support us for this occasion.
Family Reconciliation Enrolment Evening
Enrolment for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place tonight in the church. The meeting will start at 5.00pm and conclude by 6.00pm. Thank you to those families who have indicated that they will be attending. A light supper will be provided. The church meeting room is available for smaller children who might come along.
Ash Wednesday
Next Wednesday 22 February Years 3-6 will attend Ash Wednesday mass. Mass will begin at 9.15am. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey.
Infant grades K-2 will join for an Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the school hall at 11.30am. Fr Loi will lead both services. Parents and friends are welcome to join us.
On Ash Wednesday Fr Loi will mark our forehead with a cross made of ashes. This is a reminder of Christ's sacrifice for our sins. It is a sign that we are truly sorry for the wrong things we have done.
Historical Context – The mark of the cross
The tradition of marking the forehead with ash on Ash Wednesday can be traced back to the ancient Jewish action of dusting oneself with ash as a sign of repentance and mourning for wrongful actions. It was a public declaration of the acknowledgement of the wrong and the commitment to turn one’s life around and try not to make the same mistake again.
It remains a public declaration that during the period of Lent those who wear the cross of ash are going to attempt to turn around their lives and re-focus themselves more fully on God. Three ways we can do this are by:
- Almsgiving
- Prayer
- Fasting
Lenten Prayer: God of mercy and compassion, you call us back to you in this season of repentance. Listen to our pleas and put a steadfast spirit within us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Blessings on your weekend
Sharon Beashel
REC
Dear Parents and Carers
Dhurga and Culture Lessons
Each Wednesday and Thursday Trish Ellis works in our school to teach the local Aboriginal language Dhurga and integrates cultural content with other areas of the curriculum. This term Trish will teach Kindergarten about the importance of family and community for Aboriginal people with the theme of Belonging. In Year 1 and 2, students will learn Dreaming stories to enhance learning in Geography about the ocean.
Students in Years 3 to 6 have a more specific focus on learning Dhurga language using the Dhurga Dictionary and Learner's Grammar co-written by Trish, as a key resource.
Year 3 and 4 are learning about Australia and plants and insects and Trish will complement this with her extensive knowledge about the natural environment and traditional ways that Aboriginal people lived on the land.
In Year 5 Trish will enhance student understanding of their shared novel Storm Boy by teaching about middens and natural disasters.
Trish will support Year 6 learn about Federation, giving an Aboriginal perspective and relating to the Uluru Statement and Constitutional voice, using questions generated by the Year 6 students.
A special project is also being planned for the students of Years 5 and 6, who will be working with Trish to write and present a play in Dhurga to be performed for our school community this year. More information about that will be communicated soon!
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Each year students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
From 2023, NAPLAN has moved to Term 1 and will take place from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March 2023. The reason for this change is so that results can be returned to schools earlier in the year which will support teachers to understand the learning needs of their students and plan accordingly.
NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling. In preparation for NAPLAN 2023, our school will undertake activities to help students to become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Further information can be found in the flyer attached.
Students and parents can access the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.
A testing schedule for all classes will be emailed out to all families in late February.
If you have any further questions about NAPLAN, please contact Jeni McCarthy (NAPLAN Coordinator) or your child’s classroom teacher.
Links to NAPLAN 2023 Information for parents and carers:
- Public demonstration site
- NESA NAPLAN website
- NAP parent/carer support page
- Watch a video that explains tailored testing
School Photos
A reminder that school photographs will be taken tomorrow, Friday 17 February. We ask that all children wear their full summer uniform, NOT sports uniform for the photographs.
Have a lovely weekend.
Karen
St Bernard’s Swimming Carnival 2023
St Bernard’s held its annual Swimming Carnival last Friday 10 February. It was our first whole school Swimming Carnival in many years and the staff were thrilled with the student’s participation. Students competed in age groups from 8 years to 13 years and it was a fantastic day full of fun, laughter and so much encouragement. Thank you to the staff and the huge number of parents and family, for helping us run our day so smoothly. All students who participated in the 50 metre races received points in the House competition. We have not announced the winning house or the Age Champions, but will be doing so at our Awards Presentation on Monday 20 February at 2:00pm in the Hall.
I must extend my sincere thanks to the many parents who gave so generously of their time helping with timekeeping. Without their assistance the day would not have been so enjoyable for the students.
The following students were selected to represent St Bernard’s at the Southern Region Carnival on Tuesday 21 February:
Olivia C Annabelle T Evie M Yana K
Raph C Toby S Zach C James P
Beatrix F Charlie M Addison G Evie Pa
Harlo P Lucas V Remi C Nicholas E
Mia A Indi A Eva H Evie Po
Arthur S-D Alex H Taj P Isaac R Beau C Ethan S
Annie F Isla B
Oscar J Hunter C Campbell R Dante T
Ruby B Keira A Molly W Hailey I
Sam S-D Rogan H Kobi B Arsh K
Congratulations to the students who were selected to represent St Bernard’s at Southern Region level. Again thank you to all those who were so caring and encouraging of our students. The enthusiasm of the novelty events and the relay truly showed the St Bernard’s spirit.
Canberra Goulburn and Wollongong AFL trials
Good Luck Lawson M who travels to Wollongong next week to compete for a place in the AFL team that will attend the MacKillop AFL Championships. We hope you have a fantastic experience.
MacKillop Tennis Championships
Next Friday, we have four students playing for the Canberra Goulburn team at the MacKillop Tennis Championships. Ruby B, Sebastian C, Annie F and Beatrix F will all be playing. We are very proud of your achievements to make this team and wish you all the best in competition.
Angela Holmes
