Dear St Bernie’s Families,

It has been a really chilled-out week full of fun and learning here at St Bernadette’s. Our students have embraced the idea of Wellbeing Week (especially the lack of homework) and our teachers have worked hard to keep learning time free of distractions and engaging.

Now that we are through our audit, I have been able to spend a lot more time in classes. I was lucky enough to spend some time with our Year 3’s who made their First Reconciliation on Wednesday, I got involved in a Year 6 discussion about how we can stay healthy – both physically and mentally, I did some Aboriginal Art in Year 2, spent some time with our Enrichment Class who were preparing for their Creative Edge Tournament and I even got to teach Kindy for an hour on Tuesday - with a fair bit of support from our AWESOME Kindy EA’s.

I believe that it is vitally important for our Leadership Team to be present in classrooms on a regular basis, talking with students and staff to identify how we can best support them in the teaching and learning process! And it is a lot of fun as well! Both Mel and Lisa, our AP’s, have begun spending more time in their support roles and this will continue to increase as the year progresses.

Over the past week I have begun the process of planning for a new Strategic Plan for our school. With help from Lisa and Mel as well as Melinda Evangelista our Advisory Council Chair, we are framing out a process to engage all stakeholders in our community in developing a direction for the next 3 years and beyond. We have also enlisted the support of Brendan Spillane, an external consultant, experienced educator and expert in helping to develop positive culture within organisations to help us through the process. Later this term we will let you know how you can have your say in this strategic direction process!

I hope you all got the opportunity to think about you own wellbeing this week. I apologise that there were still a few unavoidable scheduled activities, however in the future, we will do our best to continue this tradition for everyone’s wellbeing!

Have a great weekend, I am hoping Jack Darling can kick another bag this week and help the Eagles continue racking up the wins - despite our injury list!

Geordie Thuijs

Principal

Merit Awards are being presented during next week's assembly. This will be held at 8.50 am in the undercover area.

The following students will be receiving their awards, parents are welcome to attend.

An important aspect of MJR is learning how to recognise God Moments in an encounter with a friend, a cheerful greeting, a smile, a wink of encouragement, an offer of a helping hand or an unexpected compliment. MJR leads us to be ‘winners and grinners’ rather than ‘moaners and groaners’, to look for positives in each day, and to make sure we let others know how much we appreciate them in our lives, and how to pass on the Good News each day.

Congratulations to Amy C in 4B for receiving this week's MJR Award.

Amy was nominated because 'she made me smile. She is always kind and is the kindest person and she always makes games fun!'

Well done Amy!

Neave M in Year 1B for 'showing care for God's creation (especially the wormies!). She made sure all the citrus peel was removed from the garden fruit scraps bin in the garden.

Tracey & Katherine for 'always being utter rays of complete sunshine! Always smiling! Always helping! Always patient! Always there for everyone - even hairy dogs!'

Congratulations to you all, what beautiful comments!

The children could see the Astronaut who sat in the space station and watch as her hair floated above her head - she also let go of her book so the children could see the effect effect of no gravity!

It was fantastic to be part of this storytime and this was reflected in the the amazing book reviews that the students produced afterwards!

The Reconciliation Celebration Mass is on the following weekend, Saturday 29th May at 6.00pm and Sunday 30th May at 9.00am. Certificates will be handed out at these masses. Father has asked that all families please bring a plate to share after afterwards.

Calling for parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties and friends! Our Parish has a Busy Bee Sat 22 May from 7am to midday (come at any point, leave when you need too). We would greatly appreciate as many helpers as possible.

Jobs to be done include pruning shrubs and trees around the buildings to increase visibility for security reasons, cutting grass, weeding, edging, cleaning gutters, picking up rubbish, carting rubbish to tip etc.

Could volunteers please bring general garden implements, lawn mowers, whipper snippers, saws or chainsaws, trailers, ladders, tip passes, blowers, lawn edgers. Tip passes are reissued with rate notices in August, so if people have spares available they will be useful.

• Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week - classroom activities
• Kindy Health Nurse visit
• Dance Troupe - Wednesday 26/5/21
• Kindy Wildlife Incursion - Thursday 27/5/21
• Cross Country Training 3 - 3.45pm - Thursday 27/5/21
• Fume Free Friday - 28/5/21
• Year 2R Assembly performance - 28/5/21

Today I have attached Statement 4 of the Code of Conduct.

Again, please take the time to read this document in your own time.

Term 2 Monday 19/04/2021 - Friday 02/07/2021

Term 3 Tuesday 20/07/2021 - Thursday 23/9/2021

Term 4 Monday 11/10/2021 - Friday 10/12/2021

Friday 04/06/2021

Monday 19/07/2021

Monday 16/08/2021

Monday 24/09/2021