Dear Parents and Friends,

It’s hard to believe that we are already at the end of Week 3. I am not sure about you, but I feel the weeks seem to pass by very quickly.

I have heard some wonderful reports from the Year 5 Camp to Birrigai. The staff commented on how fantastic the students were on camp. I have talked to a number of children who said that they had the best time and enjoyed all the activities that were associated with their Gold Unit this term. A special thank you to Mr Maynard, Mrs Metcalf, Ms McCarthy, Mr Ward, Ms Spencer and Mrs Hadley for their time and support of the students.

Next Tuesday 8 August we celebrate the feast of St Mary MacKillop who is an inspiration to us all. She set a strong example of faith, witness to who we are. Mary changed the lives of many as well as influencing the church in Australia. “On this day, we celebrate the important role she played in making education accessible for children in our country. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to ensuring a holistic Catholic education for children from rural, poor families. St Mary MacKillop's impact on Australian education was remarkable.  She was a trailblazer and a leader who passionately advocated for the education of underprivileged children and children in remote areas where others either would or could not go.  For such children and their families, Mary opened a door of hope into the future” (https://catholicfoundation.org.au/events/mary-mackillop-feast-day/) . 

The Sisters of St Joseph have had a significant impact at St Bernard’s. The history of the St Joseph nuns began when Mary MacKillop opened her first school in a stable in the South Australian town of Penola, on the Feast of St Joseph, marking the beginning of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. We acknowledge and thank the Sisters of St Joseph for their dedication and commitment to Catholic Education and the support they have provided to many in our community.  

School Counsellor
We have a new school counsellor, Jenni Kew, who will be starting at St Bernard’s next week. As you are aware, Faith is on leave this term and Jenni will be filling in for Faith in her absence. Jenni is local to the area and is a very experienced clinician. Jenni will be working two days a week, Monday and Tuesday. Jenni will then continue in Term 4 for two days and Faith will resume three days. If you have any questions regarding the counsellor or would like to have a referral put through, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Basil Sellers Art Competition
This year students across the school were supported to enter the Basil Art Sellers Competition. The Basil Sellers Art Prize is a biennial competition celebrating and awarding artistic excellence and creative practice. This year’s theme is “Drink the Wild Air”. Participants are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively in a way that is meaningful to them.

There are four school year categories:

• Years 1 - 4

• Years 5 - 7

• Years 8 - 10

• Years 11 - 12

Six finalists will be chosen from each school year category, with all entrant submissions being exhibited at the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre from 2 – 10 September 2023. Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as finalists:

• Rohan M (1M)

• Mace M (1C)

• Beatrix F (3D)

• Matilda R (3W)

• William M (3D)

• Holly B (4K)

• Arsh K (6M)

• Isla B (6C)

• Jonah T (6C)

These students will join the Mayor for morning tea and an exhibition on Monday 4 September, where the announcement of the competition winners will be made. 

Science Show
Next week our K-6 students will be participating in the Jollybops Science Show.

Kindergarten to Year 2 will be part of Mix it Up (Chemistry Show). This show targets the Material World and Living World of the syllabus (Chemistry & Bio-Chemistry). A high humoured, high energy fully interactive show for K-2 audiences looking at properties of materials, chemical reactions and how we interact with and use the chemical world around us. It’s Chemistry at its best for this age group, explosive gases, combusting powders and metals, freezing liquids, colour changing reactions, slimey gooey polymer worms and if the teachers behave themselves, maybe even a little Water to Wine. Who knows what will happen when Rusty the Robot and the Jolly Professor explore the chemical and material world! Concepts covered include: Observable Properties of Materials, Elements, Compounds & Mixtures, Changes to Materials due to heat or cold, Uses of materials, States of Matter, Simple Chemical Reactions, Gases we use and gases we create as Living Things. 

Years 3-6 will be participating in The Big Chemistry Show. This show is all about presenting the best Chemistry experiments, full stop. From combustion of Gases to Sugar fireworks or Elephant’s toothpaste, this show will leave us cleaning up after the show for quite some time. Its loud, colourful, flashy, fizzy, smokey, liquid nitrogen shattering Chemistry at its best! Just what Stage 2 and Stage 3 students love. Students will participate in all experiments as physical and chemical properties of materials are investigated. New materials will be created, and existing ones changed by chemical reactions and changes of temperature in a variety of Dry Ice and Liquid Nitrogen experiments. Water to Wine and firework Flame colours are just small moments in an intriguing show of quality Chemistry as the Jolly Professor brings his 25 years of High School Chemistry experience into a Primary setting. Concepts covered include: Chemical vs Physical Change, Properties and uses of Materials, Exothermic Reactions, Catalysts, Temperature effect on materials both Hot and Cold, Precipitation Reactions, Acid & Base indicator reactions. States of Matter & Chemical Formula.

Book Week
We’re approaching that time again when the talk of costumes, dress ups and favourite characters are hot topic! Book Week is being celebrated in Week 6 this term. This year’s Book Week theme is Read Grow Inspire. This theme provides great scope to be imaginative with costumes. These can be as creative as you wish. Really any book character could feature with this theme. Let your child escape into the character of their choice! Our Book Parade will be held on Friday 25 August at 9am in the Hall.

Blessings to you and your family.

Warm regards

Johanna Wain
Principal 

Dear Parents and Carers

Last week I went to Birrigai camp with the students of Year 5 over three days. I have been to Birrigai a number of times with students and the Gold rush program is always outstanding. The quality of engaging, real life learning is something that I know the students will remember well into the future. I thoroughy enjoyed spending time on the camp with the students of Year 5 and their behaviour was excellent. There are two more overnight camps coming up for our students with Year 4 this term and the students of Year 6 in Term 4. It is wonderful that the students are again able to participate in these memorable experiences.

Djinama Yilaga Choir

Today we have been fortunate to have two members of the Djinama Yilaga Choir visit our school and spend time with each grade. Cheryl Davison and her daughter Tamsin accepted our invitation to work with the students to teach them a song in Dhurga as part of our school NAIDOC celebration. We are very fortunate to have Trish in our school to teach Dhurga to Years 3-6 and some of the key words in cultural lessons with K-2, so having the Djinama Yilaga Choir members here today has been an added bonus for us. The Djinama Yilaga choir, meaning 'Happy Ceremony' in Dhurga, sing original songs in language. They have performed locally and in various locations around Australia including Parliament House and performed in Poland this year.

Dhurga Language

Congratulations to Year 5 teacher, Brendan Maynard who recently graduated with a Certificate II in Basic Aboriginal Languages for Social Use at TAFE. Trish Ellis teaches this course at TAFE and she is pictured here with Brendan.

Yuin Banaan

Tomorrow we will celebrate Aboriginal culture with our three Catholic Schools on the Coast at the Yuin Banaan Cultural Day at Broulee. The first Yuin Banaan was held in 2019 and we have not been able to hold this event since then. We are hopeful that this day will be just as successful as the first. We thank National Indigenous Australians Agency for the grant that they provided towards the day as well as the many community groups and individuals who have accepted our invitation to be involved. 

Thank you to:

Melissa Ellis

Muladha Gumara Dancers

Iris White

Carroll College students- Melody, Mia, Marlee, Jamal, Isaac, Keayne, Declan, Bailey and Robert

Family Place

Daphne and Anita from TAFE NSW

Jodie from Marymead

South Coast Aboriginal Medical Service

Grand Pacific Health

University of Wollongong

Woolyungah Indigenous Centre

Department of Industries- Fisheries

Forestry Corporation

Campbell Page

Police Citizens Youth Club

My Voice My Journey Team- Todman Chatfield

Southern Region Public Speaking Finals

Next week the Southern Region Public Speaking final will be held via Teams. Stage 2 finalists will compete on Wednesday and Stage 3 on Thursday. Congratulations to the following students who were selected to represent our school:

Year 3: Alyssa D and Beatrix F  TOPIC: My Backyard

Year 4: Mia B and Molly C         TOPIC: Sport brings us together

Year 5: Tomas C and Annie F     TOPIC: Learning from the past

Year 6: Isla B and Isabella L      TOPIC: Difficult Journeys

We wish these students the very best for the public speaking competition. The Archdiocesan competition will take place on Friday 8 September.

Have a great weekend.

Karen Hadley

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD A LUMINOUS MYSTERY

Pope (now Saint) John Paul 2 in 2002 added five Luminous Mysteries to fill in the gap between the Infancy narratives of the Joyful Mysteries and the high points of Christ’s suffering in the Sorrowful Mysteries. In  his Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, (Rosary of the Virgin Mary) he wrote these words.

“From the Infancy and the hidden life in Nazareth to the public life of Jesus, our contemplation brings us to those mysteries which may be called “mysteries of light”. The whole life of Christ is a mystery of light. “I am the light of the world” Jesus said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” (John 8: 12). This truth emerges in a special way during the years of public life, when Jesus proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom.

In proposing to the Christian community five significant moments during Christ’s life, I think that the following can fittingly be singled out: 1. Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan, 2. His self-manifestation at The Wedding Feast of Cana, 3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God &  its call for conversion, 4. The Transfiguration and 5. The Institution of the Eucharist.”

 

For those of us who have seen Hollywood blockbuster movies of biblical proportions, e.g. Moses, The Ten Commandments,  Noah, King of Kings, etc, The Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor as described by the three synoptic evangelists might seem tame. But we were not their target audience. Matthew in particular had mainly Jewish converts in mind. His account is replete with references to the Hebrew scriptures. And of course the presence of Moses the Lawgiver, who died c.1270 BC and Elijah the Prophet, who died c.850 BC. Yet Jesus converses with these two exalted figures of Jewish history  as if they were fellow pilgrims on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus is revealed as the Lord of Time and Space.

 

Jesus presented a completely new phenomenon which the writers could describe only by using the Greek word, META-MORPHE -O = I CHANGE MY SHAPE. This word might apply to a chrysalis becoming a butterfly. It does not adequately describe what happened to Jesus, a man whose face now shone like the Sun and his clothing became dazzling white.  What was happening on Mount Tabor was akin to what happened at the creation of the universe.

 “God commanded, “Let there be light and light appeared.” (Gen 1:3)

In a cloud above Mount Tabor the Father has some advice for Peter, James and John - and us.“This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased. Listen to him.” (Matt 17: 5).

 

Jesus, the Son of Man, is confirmed by His Father as the Son of God.

May Love and Light fill your soul every day of your life.         Joe Quigley

Religious Education News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Do we really understand that Jesus speaks the truth when he tells us that God supplies all that we need? God is the source of everything for which we hunger and thirst. The readings from the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (this weekend) asks us to trust in God’s providence. God offers us an abundance of good things that will satisfy our needs. We need only listen and follow the path laid out before us.

Matthew 14:13-21 Five Loaves and Two Fish

Focus on Church Teaching

God’s love for his creatures is manifested in his concern for their well-being. Food especially is a sign of God’s care: the sharing of food is often when the presence of God is strongly felt. The feeding of the multitude shows Jesus’ compassion for them: the great abundance of food is a sign that Jesus is the one sent by God. This event is a prefiguring of the Eucharist, in which God’s covenant with His people is made in the sharing of Christ’s Body and Blood. (Celebrating the Lectionary Year, A)

Family Enrolment Evening for the Sacrament of First Eucharist

Thank you to those families who have confirmed their attendance at the Family Enrolment Evening on Wednesday 9 August in St Bernard’s church. The meeting will begin at 5.00pm and conclude by 6.00pm.

Mini Vinnies Maranatha Visit – Building Community

Members of our Mini Vinnies team will be visiting Maranatha retirement village next Thursday 10 August at 10.00am. The students will be reading picture books to the residents during their morning tea. Students enjoyed choosing their books from the iCentre this morning in preparation for the visit.

Thank you to Mrs Smith and Mrs Metcalf who will be supervising the students during the visit.

St Bernard’s Feast Day

On Friday 18 August we will be celebrating the Feast of St Bernard!  St Bernard our patron saint, was born in the Clairvaux valley in France. He valued learning and was a renowned scholar. 

Parents and friends are invited to attend a special school Mass beginning at 9.15am. After Mass it would be lovely if you could join us for morning tea.

Activities planned for the day include:

French themed Morning tea 10.30am    

Infants Disco 11.15am – 12.00

Primary Disco 12.00- 12.45pm  

Clubs 1.30pm - 2.15pm

All students are asked to wear their Sports Uniform.

Morning Tea Menu

Choc chip biscuits - $1.00                         

Chocolate chip biscuits (vegan/gluten free) - $1.00

Chocolate Croissant - $2.00                      

Chocolate milk - $1.50

Morning Tea Orders can be made through QKR by Friday 11 August.

 

Blessings on your weekend

Sharon Beashel
Religious Education Coordinator

 

 

Year Five Off and Running for Term 3

Year Five have begun working very hard this term on their Storyline theme “Off to the Diggings”. Our springboard activity was our excursion to “Birrigai”. Students experienced a number of activities including a prospectors walk, an 1850’s classroom scenario, tent pitching, campfires, making damper, gold field investigations and a “Life on the Diggings “ simulation. This was such an incredible educational experience that will enable students to make deeper connections to their classroom learning.

After our amazing learning experiences at Birrigai, we have begun the “Gold Game” where we take on the persona of a character from the Goldfields. Each day, the students exchange their gold at the assay office, depending on the price for the day. Next week they will begin the game in earnest by purchasing tools and licences with their money and completing journal entries about their day.

Our Literacy focus this Term will be connected to our Storyline theme. We will be listening to the novel ”The Night they Stormed Eureka” by Jackie French and discussing the storyline, character arcs and the issues raised during this time period and how relevant they are to us today. During writing time, students have begun publishing  recounts of their time on the “Birrigai” excursion. They are  also now developing a character profile and biography of their own character for Story Line.

In Maths, Year 5 students continue to show growth and understanding  with the Math Pathways Program, mastering their skills across the mathematical concepts. They are participating in independent learning, mini lessons with teachers, and fortnightly tests connected to their individual modules of work. 

In Religion, Year 5 have begun exploring the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are learning how the visible signs of God’s active love works within and through believers, as they live their Spirit-filled lives. Mini Vinnies and Buddy time have become important opportunities to live out and share the Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit. This week, the students are working alongside their buddies to publish sentences that Kindergarten have written as part of their Story Line focus. 

During the final weeks of Term Two and over the first two weeks of this Term our students were preparing and presenting a speech based on the topic - “Learning from the Past”. This 3 minute speech was presented to the class in Week Two and Mrs Hadley was our adjudicator, selecting Annie F and Tomás C to represent Year 5 at the upcoming Southern Region Public Speaking Finals. Congratulations to all our students for all their hard work, preparations and presentations!

Southern Region Athletics

Yesterday we had a fantastic day at the Southern Region Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to all our students. Because of your efforts, we were the Champion School!

Congratulations to the following students:

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

We had many students selected to attend the Canberra-Goulburn Athletics Championships on August 22. Congratulations to all our relay teams who were absolutely amazing and had us all clapping and cheering. We had two students chosen as the champion for their age group, Junior Champion Beatrix F, 11yr Champion Matthew Shalders and Runner up Senior Champions were Ruby B and Samuel SD. Thank you to the amazing parents and grandparents who supported the students yesterday. We would not have done as well without your encouragement and support at all the events.

Angela Holmes

Term 3

Week 2 Class Awards

Presented : Friday 28 July 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!