Dear Parents and Carers

National Reconciliation Week began last Saturday 27 May. It is a time for all Australians to continue their learning about our Aboriginal stories and culture, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Last week our Year 6 students led us in a beautiful assembly, highlighting the importance of reconciliation for Australia’s traditional owners and paying respect to the Stolen Generation. “This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations urges us all to keep up the momentum for change. The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialize” https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/actions-to-be-a-voice-for-reconciliation-2023/ .

Teaching and Learning
On Monday Jenny Smith, Rebecca Brady and myself met with Brendan Lee to record a podcast focused on our journey at St Bernard’s. Brendan Lee works with schools as a consultant in refining their school improvement processes, managing change and providing professional learning. He has presented at various conferences including Sharing Best Practice (Sydney), ACHPER’s Early Career Teachers Conference and the Science of Teaching and Learning (SoTLA). Brendan’s website and link to his podcast is as follows: ‘Learning with Lee’… https://www.learnwithlee.net/about-learning-with-mr-lee-2/ 

We were very proud to share our St Bernard’s journey and dedication to improving student outcomes. Our teachers at St Bernard’s are committed to instructing our students using evidenced based instruction that is direct, systematic, and explicit with the goal and purpose being for all students to learn, enjoy and understand. Classroom teachers assess students using reliable evidence-based assessments and use this data to differentiate for student's needs, tailoring lessons to small groups or individuals. High Impact Teaching Strategies evident across classrooms include corrective feedback; examples and non-examples to embed concepts; connecting vocabulary to reading and writing and opportunities to retrieve information through daily and monthly reviews. Teachers are seeing student growth which is affirming for their practice.

This week, teachers have been collaborating to moderate writing samples across stages. The teachers are moderating to ensure that they can make consistent and comparable judgements of student learning and evaluate their practice. Our central focus continues to be on teaching and learning to ensure that all students are reaching their potential. 

Parent Satisfaction Survey- Tell Them From Me
This week we are inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an essential part of our whole school evaluation and planning process. We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and well-being at St Bernard’s Primary School. The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below: http://tellthemfromme.com/9v5w4 

School Fees
Term 2 Fees have been generated and sent out via email. As advised in previous emails, we have moved onto a new finance system and the preferred payment method is by BPAY. Due to the new system, our Biller Code and the Family Reference Numbers have changed, so please check that you have the new numbers before making a payment using BPAY. Statements will be automatically generated every month to your email. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Bel Coppin bel.coppin@cg.catholic.edu.au

Enrolments
Enrolments for 2024 are continuing to grow. If you know of anyone wishing to enrol for next year, please encourage them to contact our office for an application form or complete the enrolment form online. Enrolment packages have been sent to all Year 6 families from Carroll College. I encourage you to submit your forms as soon as possible. 

Welcome...
Over the last two weeks, we have welcomed two new families to St Bernard’s. We welcomed William B (3D) and Sienna B (5D) and Whaylen L (KL) and Kiesha L (2J) to St Bernard’s. We look forward to you being a part of our St Bernard’s community. 

Blessings to you and your family.

Kind regards

Johanna Wain
Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

As communicated by Mrs Wain in last week’s Newsletter positive behaviour is celebrated and recognised at St Bernard’s. One way that we currently do this is by using our Begin with the Heart awards. Over the past three weeks our focus has been linked to our five key school rules.

1. Treat each other with respect
2. Help each other learn
3. Keep ourselves and others safe
4. Wear our correct uniform properly
5. Care for our school environment 

The teachers are very proud to congratulate the eighty-four students who have received positive behaviour rewards over these weeks- Ben D, Seth L, Didier de C, Jayden E, Oscar J, Romy B, Campbell R, Sebastian L, Matthew S, Mia S, Dayton J, Alvey A, Hendrix P, James G, Ellena B, Daniel M, Daniel S, Isabella C, Harlo P, Gianna L, Yana K, James P, Eve P-K, Sietta G, Rory B-S, Jase W, Winter W, Ella A, Lebron C, Louis C, Jacob S, Ellie-Rose M, Hudson A, Van C, Colby S, Rolly S, Olivia R, Jasper G, Georgia N, Lucas F, Korra T, Emerson B, Olivia R, Van C, Johann D, Alexia V, Harley F, Eva C, Abby S, Beau O, Oliver C, Indie A, Mitchell B, Charli H, Emilia B, Daniel S, Bridey C, Benjamin D, Rohan M, Annie F, Alice McD, Xanthe K, Dylan M, Sally S, Ruby P, Harrison L, Daniel S, Charlotte C, Lucas V, Alexia V, Paige L, Holly L, Chelsea S, Maddie C, and Zaden F. 

A special mention must go to Beau L, Jay J, Indi A, Mia B, Holly B, Harper B, Harper Br, Scarlett C, Beau C, Ava G, Eva H, Finn H, Ava J, Leila K, Ollie L, Rowan L, Molly M, Levi O'S, Taj P, Isaac R, Michael S, Jace T, Georgina W, Makenzie W, Cruze W and Scarlett W who have received 2 BWTH Awards. Thank you for your amazing efforts in following our school rules. 

Thank you to Miss McRae for sharing a special photo of 1M students receiving their BWTH Awards this week.

Dear Parents and Carers

This week is National Reconciliation Week and the theme is Be a Voice for Generations. On Friday students from Year 6 and sixteen Aboriginal students from Years 2-5 participated in a Bridge Walk across Bhundoo Clyde River in Batemans Bay with many other school students and community groups. The first Sorry Day Bridge Walk for reconciliation took place in Sydney in the year 2000. Since then, Bridge Walks have continued to take place throughout Australia in an emotional expression of support. Melissa Ellis, parent of Samantha from Carroll College was one of the MC's for the large gathering which followed the walk on Friday and spoke about her desire for reconciliation. Melissa went on to introduce some of the excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders from various schools in our community, who spoke about their hopes for the future. It was a wonderful event to be a part of. 

Bay Theatre Player Stars

Isla and Holly B are cast members of the Bay Theatre Players' production of The Sound of Music, which opens next Friday 9 June. Isla, one of our school captains, plays the role of Marta Von Trapp. Holly of Year 4 plays her sister on stage and in real life, Gretl Von Trapp. The girls have been rehearsing for 6 months to learn their lines, songs and choregraphy. Holly has commented on the very funny moments experienced back stage, while Isla has enjoyed being part of her first professional show. Isla and Holly feel that the cast have become some of their very good friends. 

The girls encourage you to buy a ticket and come along to enjoy the production which runs from the 9 June- 25 June. Please see the flier in this newsletter for ticket information.

Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Lessons

React

Students in all classes have been learning to recognise if they are safe or unsafe in the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum. Our safety lessons will now be focusing on the second safety message: react.

When children recognise that they are in an unsafe situation, we encourage them to think about what they could do to be safe again. They will have opportunities to think about ways to react using real-life scenarios. Our students will also learn that breaking the rules (e.g. saying no to an adult who is behaving inappropriately) is sometimes necessary so that they can become safe again.

Please take the time to talk with your children about what they have been learning about safety and, in particular, the ways they could react if they are unsafe to make themselves safe again. Talking with your child about ways to stay safe will help them to develop life-long safety skills.

Is your child old enough for a smartphone?

eSafety Commissioner Update

A smartphone is about much more than making phone calls. It allows your child to spend time online using their own device, rather than a shared family tablet or computer. It literally puts the online world in their hands. 

For many parents and carers, giving a five year old their own smartphone may seem like it is a step too far. For others, it might offer them peace of mind and security to know they can keep in touch with their child – especially in an emergency. 

The right age for your child will depend on their level of maturity and your family routine. It is worth asking yourself the following questions before handing over a digital device. 

• Does my child have a good sense of responsibility? 
• Are they able to stick to the rules? 
• Do they show a good understanding of actions and consequences? 
• Do they come to me or another trusted adult when they are distressed or if they encounter problems? 
• What are the rules about when and where my child can use their smartphone? For example, will they only be able to use it while they are away from the house, and not in their bedroom at night. 

For younger children it may be best to start with a mobile phone without internet access, and only introduce a smartphone when they demonstrate an appropriate level of maturity. There are a range of mobile devices available that allow you to control which tools or services your child has access to.  

Some younger children might argue that they are ready for a smartphone, especially if their friends already have one. But it is worth holding out until you feel confident that your child is mature enough. 

More information on this and other topics related to esafety can be found here:

esafety https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice

I hope that you can join us for the Awards Assembly tomorrow, led by the students of Year 5.

Karen Hadley

A Snapshot of Year 1

This week Year 1 have been reading The Little Refugee by Anh Do and Suzanne Do. This highly engaging and emotive text has sparked wonderful discussions about the experiences of refugee children and the beginning of their lives here in Australia. This week, one of our writing tasks was to unscramble a 'command sentence' and write it using correct punctuation. We recently learned about ‘to be’ verbs. These verbs help us have subject and verb agreement and improve our speech and writing.

Every lesson with Trish is a treat! In Year 1 during Dhurga we have been working on our listening, preparing us for yarning circles. Trish has been teaching us the importance of listening to others as a sign of respect. We have been completing deep listening activities and following instructions carefully to complete tasks.  

In Health, we have been completing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum. In this week’s lesson we learnt about private parts of the body and the importance of knowing the names of these private parts so we can communicate about them clearly. 

In Religion we have been exploring the story of Abraham and Sarah. We have learnt how God promised Abraham his family would be as big as the number of stars in the sky. Abraham was going to be the father of many nations. God kept his promise and Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac. Abraham and Sarah’s descendants became the nation of Israel, and we can read their family stories in the Old Testament.

We read a lot of engaging texts in English. The stories we hear are amazing and they are always supported by the work of the incredible illustrators. Over the last two weeks we read Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and we also The Speedy Sloth as part of the National Simultaneous Storytime. These amazing illustrators inspire us to create our own artworks.

At the end of last term 1C was the winner of the most heart tokens for our whole school focus. After much discussion about possible rewards, we enjoyed an afternoon of Free Play activities and wanted to share some of the different things we did. We had lots of fun!

MacKillop Soccer Championships

On Friday Annie F competed as part of the Canberra Goulburn Girls Football team at the MacKillop Championships in Goulburn. Annie thoroughly enjoyed the experience and said the hardest game was against the Sydney City team. Congratulations Annie on being chosen to compete at such a high level.

Term 2

Week 5 Class Awards

Presented : Friday 26 May 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!