Dear Parents and Friends,

As I write the final St Bernard’s newsletter for 2023, I am filled with gratitude for leading and supporting you on the journey of parenting and educating your child/ren. I certainly feel blessed to be Principal of St Bernard’s and feel very proud of what has been achieved in 2023 by our team through the collaborative effort and uncompromising commitment to both academic excellence and faith formation.

This year, we've celebrated achievements, both big and small, and we've embraced challenges as opportunities for growth. From the classrooms to the playground, our school has been a hub of learning, friendship, and discovery.

Our K-12 theme “The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action” was woven through many aspects of school life. Our Mini Vinnies team showed a great commitment to service to others, reaching out to others in their times of need. Mission Day and the Winter Appeal are two examples of this.

The dedication of our teachers has continued to inspire and ignite the passion for learning within each student. The staff have continued to engage in professional learning to ensure that they are delivering evidence-based teaching and learning to all students. Their unwavering commitment to education has created an environment where students can flourish, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

I’m sure you will join with me in wishing Mrs Suzie McRae, Mrs Dianne Metcalf and Mrs Annette Hynes all the very best as they embark on their retirement. The community has been very fortunate to have had your passion and dedication for teaching. I thank Mrs McRae, Mrs Metcalf and Mrs Hynes for their commitment of service to the St Bernard’s community.

Mrs Faith Costigan (School Counsellor), Ms Julie Keedle (Classroom Support Teacher) and Miss Faith Ralston (Classroom Support Assistant) will be finishing at the end of the year. On behalf of the school community, I thank them for their support and commitment to St Bernard’s and wish them all the very best for next year.

Full details of class teachers and 2024 staffing arrangements can be found over page.

I extend my personal thanks to our Year 6 parents, many of whom will be leaving our community this year, having their youngest child finishing Year 6. On behalf of St Bernard’s we farewell and thank the following families:

• Angus Daly and family
• Hailey Ison and family
• Lachlan Jansen and family
• Xanthe Keough and family
• Alice McDougall and family
• Lawson Melton and family
• Amanda Niewiadomski and family
• Sebastian Rodriguez and family
• Cici Steinke and family
• Xavia Wallace and family
• Parker Whiteman and family
• Kobi Barbara and family
• Shaylann Gardner and family
• Annaleise Goodridge and family
• Rogan Hage and family
• Angel Reddy and family
• Caprii Reidy and family
• Samuel Slockee and family

These families have made a significant contribution to the St Bernard’s community over many years. We thank them and they go with our blessings for the future.

Thanks also to School Board and P&F members under the leadership of Board Chair, Mrs Nicole Allen and P&F President, Melissa Franzen. Parent involvement strengthens every aspect of school life and St Bernard’s is richer for having the support and partnership of parents and families. On behalf of the staff, thank you!

But it is our students who are the true stars. Each smile, every friendship formed, and all the new knowledge gained represent the growth. Our students have shown resilience, creativity, and kindness. Some of the highlights for the Year have been sport, dance, participation in overnight/day excursions and high levels of engagement in teaching and learning.  

As I look back on this year, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of leading St Bernard’s. It has been an honour to witness your growth and to be a part of your journey.

Merry Christmas! I look forward to reconnecting with you in 2024!

Kind regards

Johanna Wain
Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

As we write our final newsletter item for 2023, I would like to thank our school community for a wonderful year. We have an excellent school and that is due to the families and children who attend, as well as the committed staff members. Everyone works together to ensure that the children at St Bernard's have the best experience at school and can achieve their best.

Today we joined together for our final school Mass for the year, to acknowledge the achievements of our Year 6 students and to farewell teachers Suzie McRae, Di Metcalf and Annette Hynes. These three teachers have been highly committed to their teaching roles at St Bernard's for many years and have made a significant impact on the children they have taught. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jo Wain for her leadership this year. Jo has inspired students and staff to be their very best, taking time to offer each person she encounters a genuine listening ear. Jo supports all members of our school community, leading with insight and always making decisions to ensure that our school is excellent. Thank you Jo for all that you do for our school.

Student Leaders 2024

Tomorrow afternoon the new student leaders for 2024 will be announced at the Candle Ceremony that will take place in the church at 1.45pm.

A group of over thirty students presented speeches on Monday this week in front of students from Years 3-5, staff and parents to state why they would be worthy leaders. The students were very impressive and clearly expressed their leadership qualities and how they would like to contribute to our school. The Student Representative Council, made up of two School Captains and four SRC members while the each of the four Sport Houses- Lourdes, Tenison, MacKillop and Clairvaux, have two Captains. 

On Monday the SRC will have their first official duty, where they will meet with the other student leaders from Carroll College and St Mary's to select a theme to inspire students of our Catholic School Pathway schools throughout the 2024 school year.

A full list of the St Bernard's 2024 leadership team will appear on our Facebook page tomorrow afternoon.

Step Up Session

Next Tuesday 12 December at 1.30pm students will meet their new teacher for 2024. The Step Up Session will also be a chance for students to gather with their new class members, as an introduction for the new school year ahead. Each student will bring home a Meet the Teacher information page about their new class teacher to share with you. 

Next Wednesday we will share the joy of Christmas as a school community when Kindergarten present the story of Jesus' birth with the Nativity in the church and Carol singing by each grade. All students are invited to dress in Christmas colours on Wednesday as part of this special celebration. We hope that you can join us.

I hope that you and your family have a joyful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the new school year with all that it brings.

Warm regards

Karen Hadley

Assistant Principal

Eurobodalla Shire Council Award for Academic Excellence and Commitment to Studies:  Isla Blaas

St Bernard’s Award for Consistency: Arsh Khan

Rotary Club of Batemans Bay Most Improved: Kiera O’Sullivan and Lavina Priest

Lions Club of Batemans Bay Leadership Award: Keira Atkin

Country Women’s Association Award for Citizenship: Hunter Cootes

Tomakin Sports & Social Club diligent and conscientious worker in all curriculum areas: Lawson Melton

Carroll College Christian Living Award: Samuel Slockee

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland achievement award: Isabella Lipovsky

Dr Michael Holland encouragement award: Dylan Millard

Fiona Phillips Dedication to Personal Improvement Award: Alice McDougall

Sports Person of the Year: Samuel Shakespeare-Dargan and Ruby Bindon

St Bernard’s Integrity Award: Caprii Reidy

Ivan Bandur Memorial Award for the Arts: Cici Steinke

Sisters of St Joseph Service to the School Community Award: Lily Smart

St Bernard’s School Pride Award: Molly Ward

“Get ready for the Lord who is coming. Make a straight path for him!”’

Dear Parents and Carers,

This weekend is the second week of Advent. It is time to light our second purple candle on our Advent wreath. This is known as the ‘Peace Candle’ or ‘The Bethlehem Candle’. This candle reminds us of the journey which Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem.

I have attached a song link by Andrew Chinn called, “We Light A Candle” which you might enjoy at home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiUCfnWIeC0

The Gospel for the second week of Advent is from Mark 1:1-8.

This is the beginning of the Gospel written about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The prophet Isaiah had written long ago: ‘See, I will send my messenger before you to prepare your way; a single voice calling out in the desert, “Get ready for the Lord who is coming. Make a straight path for him!”’

So it was that John the Baptist began preaching in the desert, calling the people to make amends for their sins and to be baptised. From as far as Jerusalem and all over Judaea people came to confess their sins and to be baptised in the river Jordan as a sign of their repentance. John wore a simple camel-hair coat, fastened around the middle with a leather belt, and locusts and wild honey were his food. 

As he preached one day, he said to the crowd, “There is someone coming who is much greater than I am, and I am unworthy even to kneel at his feet and undo his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

John the Baptist deliberately went out into the desert to prepare the way for Jesus. The Gospel gives us the opportunity to reflect on how we are preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus this Christmas.

A Family Prayer

God of faithful love you sent John the Baptist to announce the coming Saviour. As we continue our journey towards Christmas, help us to prepare our hearts to receive your love so that we may be examples of your love in our world today. Amen

Graduation Mass

Blessings on your weekend

Sharon Beashel

Religious Education Coordinator

Becoming awake to God.

As I reflect on the readings this week I thought of the many inspirational people I have lived with, experienced and read about – people who have influenced my life and lived faith. They have helped me with the task of becoming awake to God, to companions on the journey, to the world, to the wisdom that lies within waiting only to be tapped. I think of family members, teachers, those I shared community life with, the Scriptures, Spiritual writers and inspirational people I have encountered on the journey. Hopefully, in some small way, I too, have been a good influence on people.

 Joan Chittister OSB, in her book ‘In the Heart of the Temple’ speaks of this influence: Once upon a time, some disciples begged their old ailing Master not to die. ‘But if I do not go, how will you ever see?’ the Master said to them. ‘But what is it that we can possibly see when you are gone?’ With a twinkle in his eye, they say, the Master answered: ‘All I ever did in my entire life was sit on the riverbank handing out river water. After I’m gone, I trust you will notice the river.’  [2004, pgs53-54]

 Prepare a way!

 The anticipation of Christmas is building in our Advent readings. Are we awake to God in our life now.  As Leonie Duck [St Vincent de Paul Reflections 2023] states: ‘Last week we were exhorted to stay awake! This week, in Mark’s Gospel, we are told that it’s really time - both then, and now – to prepare a clear and smooth way for the Lord. The popular and respected, John the Baptist, tells us it’s not him. And that the One we are waiting for is significantly superior to him.’ [Dec 10, 2023]

 Intensity ensures I make the most of the waiting time; of every moment. How will I prepare for the Lord? Or rather must we not prepare the way within us, setting up in our hearts a straight and true way?

 As Origen in Homily 21 states: “ Prepare the way by a worthy manner of living , and with good works make straight the path so that without hindrance the Word of God may tread  this way to you, and give you understanding both of his coming and of his mysteries, to Him be glory forever and ever.” 

What might God be asking me to consider ? 

Marie Weatherall.                                              

Term Four has been a very busy one for Year Five. There have been so many highlights for us. 

Antarctica

Over the term we have been studying Antarctica, learning facts about its landmass, climate, unique wildlife and sealife, learning how it is an important place for scientific research on the environment and food chains. We especially enjoyed presenting our Assembly about Antarctica to our friends and families in Week 8.

“If you don’t know, I was the Polar Bear! It was really fun, a little bit embarrassing because I was screaming and shouting but I made everyone laugh.” Noah Bianco

“I loved how I got to have a jumper on covering my face (looking like I was in the cold) and pretending that I was actually in Antarctica.” Sienna Broers

"I enjoyed how I got to pretend to be in Antarctica with a few of my friends and it was funny when Charley waddled through as a penguin!” Matthew Shalders

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

In Weeks 6 and 7 we had the best time down on the water at Corrigan’s Beach. After a brisk walk to the beach, we got to learn how to use a Stand Up Paddle Board. The instructors from ‘Surf the Bay’ had all the equipment set up for us and ready to go. They then showed us how to use the board and the paddle, where to stand and how to grip and push and pull through the water, before we headed out to sea. Once on the water, we practised kneeling and standing and moving across the bay. We had so much fun! One hour seemed to go so quickly. We are very grateful for the opportunity.

“I really enjoyed trying something new. I’ve never been on a paddle board before.” Oliver Bermingham

“It was really good and I loved it and I finally got to stand up!” Emerson Kirkwood

Swimming

At 9.25am each morning of Week 8, we were out of our seats and getting ready to go for our swimming lessons at the Bay Pavilions. We jumped on the bus and our driver Rick got us to the swimming centre, always on time, for our lessons. We then split into our various groups and spent the sessions learning, practising and refining our swimming skills, strokes and safety and rescue techniques. Over the week many of us gained greater confidence in the water, improved our strokes and were able to learn how to assist someone who may be struggling in the water. On the last day we even got to have a go on the water slides. We had so much fun and would like to thank the Bay Pavilions and their instructors for all their hard work and efforts in teaching us throughout the week. Also a special thank you to Rick for his wonderful driving!

“I really enjoyed going with my friends and having fun on the waterslides.” Dusti-Rae Locklier

“It was really good and I learnt how to do the freestyle stroke and I was able to go to the end of the pool!” Ben D’vouw

Leadership Speeches

On Monday, after many weeks of preparation, many of us presented speeches to our fellow students in Years 3-5 to ask them to consider us to be their SRC reps and House Captains in 2024. We were all very nervous, but well prepared! It was incredible to hear all about the different skills and talents each candidate could bring to the role. What was evident was the passion and pride each student had for our school. This made it very hard to choose, each person who spoke could bring something special to the roles of leadership we have at St. Bernard’s. We are now eagerly awaiting the announcement of SRC and House Captains for 2024 at the Candle Ceremony tomorrow at 1.45pm in St Bernard’s church.

“Just a little bit before I spoke I could feel my heart pumping as I was getting really excited and ready to speak!” Annie Fleming

“It was really difficult, but I am so glad I gave it a try!” Brennan Coffey

Our last Weeks in Year 5

And so, here we are in our last weeks of Year 5. Week 9 has been a very frantic week for us, Speeches, Candle Ceremony Practices, making Christmas craft for our buddies, and finishing up work and activities on Antarctica. All this has kept us very busy. Next week, our last week of the year, sees us packing up, cleaning up, and saying goodbye to the year! We are really looking forward to watching our buddies at the Kindergarten Nativity Play, seeing our friends share their skills and talents at the Talent Show and looking forward to holidays. We plan on enjoying the week together, before we say our goodbyes to Mrs Metcalf and Mr Maynard, say goodbye to our friends from Year 6 who are going into high school next year, and head off to the break knowing that next year we will be in Year 6! Wow!! Bring on 2024!

“I feel very excited and also very nervous about going into Year 6 next year!” Tyler McDonald

“I am feeling really nervous because I don’t want to leave Year 5, but I am excited to learn different things in Year 6.” Golden Prior

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us in Year 5!