Dear Parents and Carers

I hope that you enjoyed the holiday break with your family. Students have returned to school in a positive way and seem happy and well-rested, ready for another term of learning.

This week many classes have launched into their Storyline topics with provocations and wondering experiences. In Kindergarten students were introduced to Oreo the rabbit as well as baby quails who they will care for during the term as part of their learning about farming. Year 6 students re-enacted the experience of border control this week, imagining the experience of a refugee as they departed their country of origin. Storyline is an approach that brings learning to life, where teachers design opportunities for students to step into the lives of real life characters and eventually create their own 'storyline' as they acquire knowledge and understandings.

In the final week of Term 3, parents and other community members are invited into the school to view the Storyline learning in each classroom. Please keep Tuesday 19 September free in your diary for this special school event.

Microsoft Digital Technologies

On Monday, all staff participated in professional learning facilitated by Adrian Francis of Using Technology Better. Teachers learnt new skills in using the Microsoft Suite of digital resources with the aim to enhance teaching and learning outcomes for students. As part of the Reinvent the Classroom project, we are committed to providing opportunities for students to engage with up-to-date technologies. The new skills that teachers have acquired will be a key feature of Storyline this term.

Knowledge for Teachers Podcast

During the holidays an episode of the 'Knowledge for Teachers' podcast launched, highlighting the journey that our school has undertaken as early adopters in our Archdiocese of the Explicit Direct Instruction pedagogy. Jo Wain, Jennifer Smith and Rebecca Brady were interviewed by Brendan Lee, who visited our school last term. The link to the podcast is here

NAIDOC Events

As NAIDOC Week took place in the school holidays, we are celebrating with three key events over the coming weeks. Tomorrow, Aboriginal students from Years 1-6 and the Student Representative leaders will be attending a regional NAIDOC Mass for Catholic schools and parents in the Southern Region. The Mass will take place at Sacred Heart Church in Moruya beginning with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country offered by Trish Ellis and will be followed by a presentation of awards. 

On Thursday 3 August, students are asked to come to school dressed in the colours of the Aboriginal flag or other Aboriginal designs. Supporting Trish in her lessons will be a member of the Djinama Yilaga choir who will teach and sing the Welcome Song to students in Dhurga language.

The Yuin Banaan Cultural Day, will be held on Friday 4 August, when all Aboriginal students and some invited participants will gather at Captain Oldrey Park, Broulee, along with students and their families from Carroll College and St Mary's Moruya. A range of activities will be facilitated by Year 10 students of Carroll College and members of the Aboriginal community including art, dance, ochre face painting, damper making, ball games, bush tucker walk and Aboriginal Trivia. We thank NIAA for the grant we received from them to support the day, as well as community groups who have generously accepted our invitation to attend.

Bridging Aboriginal and Christian Spirituality

An invitation has been extended to members of our school community and their friends and family to attend a Gathering at St Bernard’s Parish Church on the theme ‘Bridging Aboriginal and Christian Spirituality’. The gathering will take place on Tuesday 22 August at 10am – 3pm in the Church Meeting Room. 

Guest Speakers include Loretta Parsley, First Nation’s Elder and facilitators Carolyn Evenden and Marie Weatherall. There is no cost and morning tea will be provided. Participants are asked to bring their own potluck lunch to share with others. 

All are welcome. Bookings are essential by Tuesday Aug 15 by calling Marie [m] 0405 028 057.  

ICAS

ICAS is an educational assessment designed to target students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies. Students from Years 2-6 will have the opportunity to enter this online competition for subjects listed, with the exception of Writing, which is available to students in Years 3-6. It is important to note that the assessments are targeted for students wishing to extend themselves academically and to take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment.
 
Every student who enters will receive a printed certificate and an online result report. Top performers in Australia will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised.
 
ICAS Assessments Sitting Date Schedule
Digital Technologies         Monday 7 August
Writing (Years 3-6)          Tuesday 8 August
English                           Monday 14 August
Science                          Monday 21 August
Spelling Bee                   Wednesday 23 August
Mathematics                   Monday 28 August

Cost for each Assessment (excluding Writing)- $19.25
Cost for Writing Assessment- $23.65

Online Parent Payment

If you would like your child to participate in any of the subjects listed above, please visit the online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments. Payment can be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card.

Closing date for entry and the online payment system is Monday 31 July, 2023

P&F Meeting

All parents and friends of the school are invited to the next P&F meeting which will be held next Monday 24 July at 5.30pm in the Staffroom. At the meeting ideas for Term 3 fundraising will be discussed among other topics. We hope that you might be able to attend.

Tomorrow Beatrix F of Year 3 is competing for a place at the National Cross Country Championships. This is an excellent achievement and we wish her the very best!

As you know, Jo is currently on leave. She will return next Wednesday 26 July.

Have a lovely weekend

Karen Hadley

PARABLES

The Gospel is from Matthew and is known as the “Parables Discourse”. Jesus used these parables/stories to address the crowds who flocked to hear Him. Why, then, are these stories of so long ago still regarded as relevant today? What do we understand a parable to be? Do we view a parable as a cleverly designed “story” to draw us into new ways of thinking, reflecting on our own attitudes and behaviour?

Jesus knew His audience and told parables which were set in familiar contexts using recognisable settings and images. However, He would have been aware that still the messages may have been disturbing or mystifying for some.

What has changed? We as the audience may still view the parables as disturbing, mysterious or even as riddles.

Using common and familiar words and phrases such as “ sow, seed, harvest, wheat, weeds, yeast, mustard seed, good soil” He told them stories. We need to be aware that Jesus, when telling the parables had a deeper purpose. He was alluding to the Kingdom of God and its growth - sometimes hidden ,small beginnings quietly gathering strength. The parables Jesus told, whilst familiar in the agricultural context were also mindful of the social and “ religious” attitudes of the time.

 We, as the current audience can still learn and glean an understanding from the parables. As Richard Rhor states they can help us understand” what it means to live in the kingdom and be a member of the Church”.

 Whilst the language may seem “quaint” the message of the kingdom should resonate. Can we recognise the kingdom in our “here and now?” Is it a spiritual reality and not merely an institution. How different in terms of society is our context?

 Each of us has a seed planted in our heart but it will only grow if we give it proper care. The first reading however, reminds us that God is the source of all good things, suggesting we are to search for our knowledge from God. The opening statement in the second reading is also a strong reminder and reassurance that the Spirit is always there for us.

The parables provide much food for thought and indeed challenge us to reflect on our attitudes and even choices. To help grow the kingdom we need to be aware of our own imperfections/faults as well as those of the people around us, but also be aware of the positive potential in us all. How can I nurture the wheat in me and those around me? Am I able to accept and forgive the mixed bag of reality in myself and those around me?

The small mustard seed alerts us to the fact that even the smallest acts of kindness and compassion can have an impact.

By our words and actions we can be like the yeast- quiet but powerful.

How can I(am I ?) spreading the yeast of love,faith and love?

With so much richness in this week’s readings may we take time to reflect and find (new) meaning or insights in understanding our part in the Kingdom of God.

 Ken and Carolyn Evenden

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to school for Term 3. I hope that you enjoyed the holiday break. I spent most of my time on a 4WD trip to Cape York, the northern most tip of Australia. The experience highlighted for me the diversity and beauty of the people and the land we call home. A special highlight was to make it to Thursday Island. My grandfather, a medical orderly stationed in Darwin during the war, had visited and supported the indigenous people of TI on many occasions. It was a great experience to see the amazing infrastructure and facilities in the Torres Strait for the Islander peoples living there.

Gallery Artwork Thursday Island

Southern Region NAIDOC Mass

You are invited to attend our Southern Region NAIDOC Mass tomorrow in Moruya. The theme for NAIDOC this year is, “For Our Elders”.

Across every generation, Aboriginal and Islander Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in communities and families.

Schedule for the day

11:00am Arrival / Morning Tea - Meet at St Mary’s Hall

11:20am Welcome to Country/Smoking ceremony Trish Ellis

11:30am - 12:30pm Mass Sacred Heart Church

12:30pm NAIDOC Awards Ceremony Sacred Heart Church

1:00pm: Lunch at St Mary’s before departure

Please locate this special event on Compass. We thank Mrs Genevieve Schofield St. Mary’s REC for her organisation of this event.

St Bernard’s Athletics News

St Bernard’s held its annual Athletics Carnival on Thursday 29 June and the weather was divine. It was wonderful to see both students and teachers enjoying a fantastic day with great efforts in all events, especially the hotly contested Teacher versus Year 6 Tug of War.

Students competed in age groups from Kinder to 13 years. All students who participated in field events, including trials, 800m, 200m and 100m received points in the House competition. The winning house was Clairvaux. Congratulations to all students in especially the House Captains and all the children who helped with leadership of the teams throughout the day.

I must extend my sincere thanks to all the parents who gave so generously of their time helping with field events, timekeeping, setting up and dismantelling the shade tents and at the canteen. Without their assistance the day would not have been as enjoyable for the students. A fantastic thanks also to the wonderful staff of St Bernard’s who set up the equipment, organised races and novelty events, ran field events, judged, time kept and recorded throughout the day. Your enthusiasm and commitment to our students is most evident in your actions. We were also lucky enough to have the very capable Sports Coaches from Carroll College who shared their expertise across all the field events and on the track.

Using the results from our events, Age Champions were awarded in each category. A huge congratulations to:

Junior Champions - Beatrix F and Arthur S-D.

Runner Up Champions - Lilly G and Ollie L.

11yr Champions - Annie F and Brennan C.

Runner Up Champions - Teagan W and Matthew S.

Senior Champions - Ruby B and Sebastian C.

Runner Up Champions -  Keira A and Rogan H.

54 students have been selected to represent St Bernard’s at the Southern Region Athletics Carnival in Bega. I am sure they will have a very exciting day.

Astrid B, Sietta G, Stella F, Kate W, Raph C, Zach C, Toby S, Beatrix F, Brooklen S, Charlie M, Aurelia S, Ruby H, Noah S, Quinn S, Xavier L, Lilly G, Georgina W, Storm R, Mia A, Dusti-Rae L, Tomas C, Harper B, Ollie L, Beau C, Arthur S-D, Ethan S, Nate K, Jace T, Annie F, Teagan W, Jayden G, Sienna B, Lily S, Matthew S, Tyler M, Brennan C, Didier D, Chase W, Korban S, Isaac V, Ruby B, Keira A, Hailey I, Caprice F, Molly W, Isabella L, Annaleise G, Rogan H, Lawson M, Sebastian C, Kobi B, Connor K, Samuel S-D.

Congratulations to the many students who performed well in their races. Whist celebrating the achievements of these students, I feel it is also important to congratulate the more than 300 other students who participated in and completed various track and field events. Parents and teachers were so impressed and made many comments about the helpfulness and team spirit of the students who participated in many events to support their House team. Our thanks also to Bernie Beatty and his team for marking the lines for the track and field in preparation for the event.       

National Indigenous Tennis 

Congratulations to Sebastian C of Year 6 has been selected in the NSW Tennis team to play in Darwin on the 10-14 August. Sebastian will be representing NSW in the National Indigenous Tennis Championships, playing for the Ash Barty Cup. We wish him the very best in Darwin and are very proud of him!

Have a wonderful week.                                                                                       Angela Holmes