Dear Parents and Carers

I thank you all for a happy and productive term. It is a pleasure to work together as we guide, advise and support the children in their learning and daily interactions.

Congratulations to all students who competed at the Cross Country! The children showed great team spiirt and I know Kindergarten certainly enjoyed their first race! A special thank you to Mrs Holmes for her coordination and to all the staff who support in various roles throughout the carnival. The Southern Region Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday 28 April in Wolumla. Congratulations to all students who reached this level. 

This week, we have entered into the most important time in the Church’s Year – Holy Week. Holy Week commenced with Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) last weekend and was celebrated with a School Mass. Today is Holy Thursday and marks the end of Lent when the Church begins the celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This Mass begins a three-day liturgy – known as the Easter Triduum spanning Friday, Saturday, and ending with evening prayer on Easter Sunday. This three day period allows time to truly experience and appreciate this tremendous mystery.

Yesterday we celebrated the Combined Schools’ Mass with Carroll College and St Mary’s Primary School, Moruya. In the Year of Walking Together, it was lovely to celebrate Easter together and share in the growth of our students as they transition from Primary School to Secondary School. I congratulate the staff and students at Carroll College, St Bernard’s and St Mary’s for their coordination of the Mass yesterday. A great week of celebration for our K-12 schools!

Energy Drinks
Over the past two weeks, some students have been presenting at school with energy drinks. These types of drinks are not to be brought to school. They can be very harmful to children. ‘Prime’ is the most recent energy drink to reach our supermarket shelves. This drink in particular, contains six times the amount of caffeine that is found in a can of coke. The drink seems to have become popular through social media. 

Griffith University sports dietitian Professor Ben Desbrow said the consumption of highly caffeinated drinks had a range of physiological and cognitive effects, including insomnia, increased breathing and heart rate, and restlessness. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-30/what-is-prime-energy-hydration-logan-paul-ksi/102160604

Please be aware of the effect that this energy drink can have on your child/ren. We are asking for your support in ensuring that this drink does not come to school. 

Staff Professional Learning Day
On Monday 24 April, the staff will be meeting to participate in training focusing on Safety Intervention with students. Callie Bolitho, Inclusion Officer- Complex Case Coordination Catholic Education, will be facilitating the course focusing on learning skills around behaviour assessment and decision making to ensure escalation is avoided. When we are faced with a behavioural concern, it is important that we respond to ensure the care, welfare, safety and security of those in our care. I look forward to sharing more information about the course following our participation. All staff have completed the online component of the professional learning and are implementing this learning in the school setting.

Students thrive on structure and routine. They like predictability and knowing what's ahead for them in the school day. This can support stduents with reducing anxiety and in turn, escalating behaviours. Each morning the school bell rings at 8.40am. The students know that on Monday to Thursday this means it is time for Spelling Mastery lessons. A routine such as this supports students to feel safe and ready to learn. The routine and structure that this program provides is a real strength at our school.

ANZAC Day

St Bernard’s Primary School will participate in ANZAC Day ceremonies on Tuesday 25 April. We join with other organisations and Returned Service People to show unity and support for those who have made sacrifices for our country in times of war. The ANZAC Day March provides an opportunity to help our students better understand this aspect of our history and culture and participate in a very important event in our community. St Bernard’s will be represented at the following locations:

Batemans Bay
March
Meet at B’Bay Soldiers Club carpark at 9.30am. March begins at 10am

Tomakin
Dawn Service/March Meet at Rivermouth Café at 6.30am. March begins at 6.45am

Nelligen
March Meet at Mechanics Institute Hall, Braidwood St. March begins at 10.50am

Our Year 6 Leaders are asked to lead the students of St Bernard’s in the ANZAC Day March. All students are asked to come dressed in full school Summer uniform. Please remember school hats and water as it is often very warm on this day. The students will march to the Honour Stone Clyde Street Batemans Bay. The service will commence at 10.30am, with the school laying a wreath.

St Bernard’s Facebook Page
Are you following the St Bernard’s Facebook Page? It is a great avenue for sharing the wonderful things that are happening in our school on a day-to-day basis and a positive way to promote our school to prospective families. Our focus is to celebrate student and staff achievement, classroom learning and school events. 

Congratulations to all our prize winners for the Easter Egg Raffle. Thank you to all our families who donated chocolate and a special thank you to the parents who came and assisted with the wrapping!

Please note that there is no school tomorrow (Good Friday 25 March). In addition, there is no school Monday 24 April (Staff Professional Learning Day) and  Tuesday 25 April (ANZAC Day). School resumes on Wednesday 26 April.

Enjoy a safe and holy Easter. Thank you to our wonderful staff and for all that you do everyday!

Kind regards

Johanna Wain
Principal 

EASTER SUNDAY 

ALLELUIA!    PRAISE GOD!

There was a time in Western Europe when “ALLELUIA!” was a war cry used by Christian soldiers. There was a famous battle in Britain c429 AD when the Britons defeated the combined forces of the Picts and the Saxons. Their win was known as

THE HALLELUJAH VICTORY.

The Britons, most of whom were recently baptised/confirmed Christians, were led by Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre (in France).  Germanus had been sent to Britain by Pope Celestine 1 to combat the heresy of Pelagius who  denied the need of God’s grace for salvation.

 The Britons ambushed their enemy in a valley. Their fervent chanting (Orchestrated by Germanus) of  HALLELUJAH!  from the surrounding hills bewildered the Picts and the Saxons so much that they fled without raising  club or sword.

This weekend we celebrate a triumph, the triumph of Our Lord Jesus Christ

 over Sin and Death.   Rightly do we cry out: 

ALLELUIA!  PRAISE GOD! 

At last night’s Liturgy we were transported back to basics.

 Basics which no human person witnessed happening but which we believe.

Genesis told us that God started the whole process of Creation with one command.

“Let there be light.” (Gen 1:2)

The reading from the Prophet Isaiah (among others) reminded us of God’s covenant with the Chosen People and hence with us.

“Now your Creator will be your husband,

His name the Lord of hosts.

Your redeemer will be the Holy One of Israel.

He is called the God of the whole earth.

 (Isaiah 54:5)

The Gospel reading from Matthew gave us a dramatic version of the Resurrection story in which an angel spoke to Mary Magdalene and another Mary.

“I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

 He is not here, for he has risen as he said he would.”

 (Matt 28: 5&6) 

The Collect of today’s Mass is a beautiful Easter prayer 

O God, who on this day,

Through your Only Begotten Son,

Have conquered death

And unlocked for us the path to Eternal Life,

Grant, we pray, that we who celebrate

This day of Our Lord’s Resurrection

May also rise up in the light of his Life.

This prayer we make through that same Jesus Christ

Who lives and reigns with You

In the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, forever and ever. Amen 

ALLELUIA!   PRAISE GOD!  CHRIST LIVES!

                                                                                                Joe Quigley

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Yesterday we joined our K-12 Pathway schools at Carroll College to celebrate our Easter mass. The mass was a meaningful way for us to celebrate Holy Week as one community. Thank you to Fr Loi and Fr Anthony who concelebrated the mass so beautifully for us. The music provided by the Carroll College band was outstanding, as was the freeze frame of the Stations of the Cross dramatized by Year 10 students.

Thank you to the members of St. Bernard’s school who played an active role in the celebration of the mass. You represented our school perfectly.

Entrance - Clare W and Daniel M, Isla B and Hunter C

Gospel Acclamation – Didier D

Prayers of the Faithful – Molly W, Lawson M

Offertory – Brooklen S, Deric B

It was a privilege for me to be part of the Religious Education team who organised the mass. I also thank Mrs Erica Drewsen, Mrs Belle Barling and Mrs Genevieve Schofield for being such great people to work alongside.

Lastly, I would like to thank our amazing teachers and support staff. It is not an easy task to move an entire school of children! The staff of St. Bernard’s always go above and beyond in their planning and organisation to make special days like these such a success – Thank you. 

First Reconciliation

On Wednesday evening Jay J from Year 3 received the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Jay was very proud and excited to receive God’s special graces through this sacrament. Thank you to Fr Loi for putting this special time aside for Jay and his family.

Year 6 Leadership Day

St. Bernard’s will be hosting a Leadership Day for our Year 6 students on Monday 1 May 2023. St Mary’s students will join us for this event. The theme of the day will be:

“People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.” Michelle Obama

Year 6 will be involved in several team workshops during the day which will give them the opportunity to reflect on personal strength, empathy, resilience, and right relationships.

Students are asked to wear their Sports uniform and provide their own morning tea. A Sausage Sizzle lunch will be provided. 

Confirmation Term 2

If your child has been baptised Catholic, received the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist they will be able to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation next term. 

Please add these key Confirmation dates to your diary/calendar

Enrolment Evening: Thursday 11 May 5.00-6.00pm St. Bernard’s church

Commitment Mass: Saturday 21 May 6.00pm or Sunday 21 May 9.00am

Confirmation Retreat: Friday 9 June Carroll College

Sacrament of Confirmation: Saturday 24 June 6.00pm Mass

Dear Parents and Carers

This final week of term has been a fitting end to a very full and productive time of learning at St Bernard's. Congratulations to all who participated in the Cross Country on Tuesday. This was the first year that I was at a check point on the top oval to see the full distance students were running and I was in awe of the way students faced this challenge so couragously. On such a warm day, it was even more amazing and so heart warming to hear everyone enthusiasiastically encouraging one another. It was a day of excellent spirit!

Parent Information Evening

On Thursday 4 May, Dr Lorraine Hammond, leading educational expert who has worked in our school over the past three years to transform the way we teach using high impact strategies, will present information to parents on how the brain learns to read, how children are taught best and how parents can support children to learn to read. The Parent Evening begins at 5.30pm and will take place in the hall at Carroll College. Broulee. Child care will be provided by teachers from our three Catholic Schools. We encourage you to attend and ask that you complete the survey monkey link below to indicate your attendance by Thursday 6 April. It is an opportunity not to be missed! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ParentNightPL

I hope that you have a wonderful holiday break. Blessings to you and your family this Easter.

Karen Hadley

Learning in Year 4

with Mrs Coulter and Mrs Keough

Learning Snapshot

 As Term 1 comes to an end, we have much to celebrate in Year 4.

Over the course of the term, we have been very busy writing recounts, poetry, and more recently, we have been writing narratives. Our current narrative focus is entering the Mayors Writing Competition! We’re very excited about this purposeful writing opportunity.

Our excursion to Casey’s Beach was a lot of fun. We met up with Bernadette and James from the Eurobodalla Shire Council to collect rubbish and learn about the Little Penguins of Snapper Island. Trish Ellis came along with us, and this learning has been closely connected to our inquiry and geographical learning.

During Religious Education we have reviewed different prayer types and have explored new prayer types such as prayers of blessing, meditation and The Rosary. We have really enjoyed creating paperbag prayer journals, Dadirri and making our own Rosary beads.

Our Mathematical learning has been rich and diverse. We have explored addition and subtraction up to four digits, and started to use formal algorithms for division and multiplication. We have also consolidated our understanding around place value.

The hands on learning for measurement has been enjoyed by the students, with opportunities to practise using decimals and converting between units of measurement. Most recently, we have explored 3D objects. 

Our Guided Inquiry has been carefully linked with our Geography unit. We have been drawing, writing and creating in order to learn about Australia and its various habitats. Our central focus has been on our local area, and specifically on the habitat of The Little Penguin. We have been using a variety of tools to create a slide presentation in Google Classroom.

Students have created various art works to compliment this unit of learning. We have explored Australian Artists and used their art as the inspiration for our own landscapes, floral paintings and animal drawings. We’re sure you will agree that the students have created outstanding pieces! 

We had some calves at school this term! Bluey and Bingo came to live at school for a short period of time. Each class has had a chance to feed the calves their formula. It was a wonderful experience for all the students.

Our PE lessons with Mrs Holmes have allowed students to prepare for the Cross Country event! We are grateful to Mrs Holmes for all of her encouragement and support. 

Sport lessons have centred around games that can be played with friends during break time. We have been discussing fair play and options for what happens when things do not go as planned.

We’ve really loved our learning this term and we can’t wait to launch into Term 2!

MacKillop AFL  

Congratulations to Lawson M who played AFL for the Canberra-Goulburn and Wollongong region at the MacKillop AFL Championships in Wagga last week. He trained with the team and the next day played against the best players from across NSW. We hope you are very proud of your selection for this event and enjoy continuing to play AFL this season.  

NSWCPS Swimming Championships  

On Thursday last week Olivia C and Beatrix F swam at the NSW Combined Primary School Championship in Sydney. It was a fantastic event and the girls both swam fabulous times. It is such a wonderful achievement and a huge commitment from our families taking students to and from events.  

Canberra-Goulburn Soccer trials 

On Monday, Annie F and Campbell R competed at the Canberra-Goulburn soccer trials. The students said it was a great day with lots of running and passing in different positions.

Finally, thank you for a wonderful term of sport. I am very grateful to all our families who have supported their students travelling to compete in events this term. It is wonderful for the students to have these opportunities. It is a big commitment from parents and the students to train and prepare, but the smiles and pride they experience when they are selected in various teams makes my job so worthwhile. Enjoy a restful holiday break. 

Angela Holmes

Term 1

Week 9 Class Awards

Presented : Friday 31 March 2023.

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

The P&F would like to thank all of the families that supported our Easter raffle. We received a huge number of donations of eggs and Easter fun and we were able to put together 48 separate prizes. So thank you to all of our families who sent in eggs, bunnies and assorted Easter fun. We were also overwhelmed with the huge number of tickets sold. The Easter raffle is always a valuable contribution to the PNF fundraising for the year, as every single ticket sale goes directly to supporting your kids.

The raffle was drawn at the cross country and was a nice reward for the kids after running up walkers hill.

Congratulations to the following winners - 

Colby S, Tyler McD, Alison M, Lesley, Lucas V, Kate W, Lina T, Ruby B, Lorel M, Rita, Alyssa D, Ava J, Elijah D, Janelle D, Levi C, Tahiti H, Richardson, Jessica L, Kelita B, Brooklen S, Allison L, Ashton S, Lesley, Tamara C, Leeam F, Xanthe K, Dante T, Sam, Amanda F, Kylie A, Kobi, Claire S x 2, Gavin H, Rick L, Sarah S, Mace McA, Briggs Family x 2, Sam, Lawson B, Val, Morrie C, Janelle D.

The P&F wish all family, parent and friends a very happy and safe Easter. Your generosity in supporting us this year certainly embodies the Christian spirit of Easter.  We look forward to seeing you all next term.

After great attendance in January, we are once again offering school holiday activities. 

This April school holidays the Batemans Bay nbn™ Community Hub is offering 2 different activities for young people. We will be providing 30 mins VR experiences with the Meta Quest 2 Headset, and 45 min introductory coding lessons for students (with their parents/carers) using Sphero Bolt robots and the scratch coding language. 

In the VR session you can visit destinations around the world, ride a rollercoaster or swim with sharks. 

In the hands-on coding sessions, 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. 

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

Activities are scheduled weekdays from the 11^th to 21^st of April/ We will be closed public holidays. 

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

Kind​ Regards,

Cameron Thompson

Community Ambassador (NSW) - RDE

E cameronthompson1@nbnco.com.au

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