St Bernadette's Primary School

Message from Geordie

WOW! Week four down and the term is really flying by here at St Bernie’s….

Mr Murtagh has done an excellent job of organising our Swimming Lessons this week and it has been awesome to see so many students with huge smiles as they come and go from the pool. We got VERY lucky with the weather and I think that the students all appreciated the opportunity to cool off this week.

Down in the Science room we have had one EXTREMELY excited Science Teacher as our ‘wee chicks’ have now been hatched from their eggs. Mrs Murphy and our students will be looking after these guys as they learn all about their life cycle.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone in our community for the positive start to the year. In the form sent out last week we had some really positive and encouraging feedback, as well as some really practical areas that could be improved. In particular we had a few comments about:

1. Parking and the Pick-Up routine

2. Communication – See Saw and emails

3. Sacramental Program Information

This feedback is invaluable and while I can never promise we can deliver on every idea put forward, please be assured that it will always be taken into consideration and form part of our discussions at both school and Advisory Council level. Please see the sections below in response to this feedback and look out for the next feedback form towards the end of the term.

Parish Carpark and Drive-Through

We are very lucky to have use of the parish carpark at St Bernadette’s and over the past few weeks I have been out on duty in the morning and afternoon to see observe our process in getting everyone to and from school safely. This has been an issue at every school I have worked in and I have been pleasantly surprised at our morning drop off routine as well as the fact that we have generally had everyone out by 3.25pm, with 3.21pm our record so far - FYI!

What I have noticed is that there are a few things that really make a difference to our drive-through.

Having classes out promptly at the end of the day – this one is on us!
On Fume Free Fridays we have FAR less congestion - so where possible walking and riding is AWESOME!
When cars pull up to the drive through, the first car stops AFTER the speed hump so that we can get 4 cars loaded at a time.

When we get these three things right, we do not end up with cars blocked back to the road and things run as smoothly as could be hoped when you are trying to move 450 students in the space of 15 minutes. Please see below.

On a whole we have been really lucky with our parents calm and patient attitude. I realise there have been frustrations, however, I urge everyone to remember that being kind and respectful of each other will help keep this positive vibe around our school. As always we will continue to look and listen to ideas as to how we can improve our practices and I thank everyone for their support with keeping our grounds safe for everyone!

Resurfacing the Basket Ball Courts

Our lovely P&F have worked very hard to secure funding from Paul Papalia's office to resurface the school basketball courts.

A very big thankyou to Paul Papalia, the P&F and leadership for coordinating this; our students will love playing on new and even surfaces. Tracey and Katherine will also be very relieved not to have to deal with the injuries that they have seen from the old and patchy basketball courts!

Sacramental Registration 27th & 28th February

For those who were unable to register last week, Sacramental Registration is open again this weekend in the Parish Hall following Mass. This registration includes:

Year 3 Reconciliation

Year 4 Holy Communion

Year 6 Confirmation

In addition, this weekend is also the Commitment Mass for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 3 students). You can attend either 6pm Saturday evening Mass or 9am Sunday Morning. However, if you attended the Registration Mass for the Sacrament of Reconciliation last weekend, Father does not require you attend the commitment Mass this weekend.

Further information regarding the dates of these Sacraments will be sent out next week.

If you require any assistance, please contact the Parish on 9593 4670.

Fume Free Fridays are Back!

Last Friday, our Your Move Sports Ministry champions and our Principal greeted and handed out stickers to our students with big smiles at the crosswalk. Students in all years were so excited to see our first Fume Free Friday starting back at St Bernie’s.

Our students are always so excited to hear about our active travel days called Fume Free Fridays, where students who walk to ride to school are acknowledged for their efforts to get to school safety with a raffle ticket. Each Fume Free Friday, three active transport students are pulled out from a box and given a prize. To keep the momentum going and help reduce congestion at the kiss and drive, we will also be starting a Star Card initiative in Term 2, where our sports ministry leaders will be heading out in the mornings to give a hole punch to student star cards to acknowledge those walking and riding to school more consistently. Stay tuned to learn more about this new initiative in Term 2.

We’re also keen to reignite a school walking bus, from the local IGA, where Fred and Mr T might even join in. If there are any parents interested in this, please email the school.

All students who ride bikes or scooters to school on Fume Free Fridays will only be acknowledged if they are wearing a helmet as we want to encourage students to be walking and riding to school safely.

The Gold Sports Ministry leaders gave a brief announcement over the PA, focusing on thanking everyone for participating and staying active and being safe when riding to school. The YourMove winners were overjoyed with their prizes! Awesome work Elsa, Raylan and Noah. Keep up the physical exercise, movement, and safety Bernie’s and don’t forget the next date free for Fume Free Friday is 12th March and is also a ‘Decorate Your Helmet’ day!!