Good afternoon everyone,

Hoping this newsletter finds you warm and dry after another very wet and wild week!

Congratulations to our Year 3’s today for a highly entertaining assembly! High energy, well-chosen tunes and a lot of fun. I was really impressed with the way all the students had learnt their lines and were able to perform with such great rhythm. Thanks to Mrs Schofield and Well Done Year 3 Red!

This week I have attended the Catholic Primary Principal’s Association Conference where principals from all over WA came together to listen to variety of ideas and speakers exploring the theme – Don’t let a good crisis go to waste - specifically the effects of COVID 19, technology and an overcrowded curriculum on education and the wellbeing and the mental health crisis in Australia and the world.

Pasi Sahlberg was one of our Keynote Speakers who really got the discussion going through the room - here he is talking about the value of play in education:

https://faculti.net/pasi-sahlberg-on-play-in-education/?utm_sq=grzzx8q1x5

While I find it difficult to be away from school, taking some time out like this gives valuable think time to take a step back, be challenged in my thoughts and ideas, to think big picture, and to be grateful for being a part of such a great staff and community here at St Bernie’s. Good timing considering we are in the middle of our Strategic Planning journey.

On that note, we would love as many people as possible to support us in this process so please fill in the form below OR sign up to one of our focus sessions – I will leave the Forms open over the weekend.

In Week 3 we will be running two Parent Focus Sessions to provide an opportunity for parents to share thoughts and ideas. Parents will work in groups to discuss the four pillars (Catholic Identity, Education, Community and Stewardship) and brainstorm how we might improve in each of these areas.

These sessions will be run from 6pm – 7.30pm on:

1. Wednesday 4th August

2. Thursday 5th August

If you are interested in being a part of these discussions please register your interest below.

Enjoy your weekend!

Geordie Thuijs

Jethro W in 1B for encouraging your peer group members and saying helpful things when completing your wetlands diorama. Wonderful you made your friends smile!

Taj E in 5R for helping when I was sad. In my first week I twisted my ankle and and I could only hop but Taj helped me to the office.

We will be holding a short assembly and smoking ceremony on Monday 2 August at 2.15pm. Parents are welcome to attend and we'd love to see you there!

On Tuesday 3rd August, the Enrichment students from year 5 and 6 will present ‘Night of the Notables’ from 5pm-7pm.

The evening will start at 5pm in our school library where the students will come together to introduce the notable person that they have each been researching. After the introductions, the students will retreat to the senior classrooms, the Indonesian Rm and the Enrichment Rm where they will have the opportunity to share their individual projects in much more detail.

All families and friends are most welcome to attend this exciting event. The rest of the school will have the opportunity to see the students’ present their projects on ‘Wednesday morning.

If you are able to assist, please contact the school office.

We would also love more pavers if anyone has some to donate.

Below is a letter from Catholic Education regarding key funding measures, both in one-off grant programs and in recurrent funding structures.

• NAIDOC week - classroom activities
• Enrichment Night of the Notables 5 - 7.00pm - Tuesday 3/8/2021
• Wheelie Wednesday - To and from school on your bike, scooter or skateboard
• Dance Troupe 3 - 4.30pm - Wednesday 4/8/21
• Cross Country Training 3 - 3.40pm - Thursday 5/8/21
• School Disco 7/8/2021

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

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

Monday 16/08/2021

Friday 24/09/2021