Dear Community

How the term is flying along! Staff have nearly finished semester reports which will go home on Monday June 21, Week 10. This is an exciting time to share all the successes with your child, to highlight the positives as well as support them in areas for development and goal setting. The written report is just one part of the reporting process. The Parent-Teacher interviews held four weeks ago will also have helped ‘paint the picture’ of how your child is developing at school. The old saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is never more accurate in schools when parents and school work together for the children.

Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn has made some changes to the reporting format we are using.

For Kindergarten students:

• Achievement in each subject will be reported using a four-point scale (Well Above Expectations, Above Expectations, Meeting Expectations and Working Towards Expectations).

For Year 1 to Year 6 students:

• Academic grades for each subject using a five-point scale from A-E will be reported using the NSW Common Grade Scale.
  Individual student comments will NOT be used in the Semester 1 Reports.

Don’t forget the K-2 InitiaLit Parent Information session to be held after school today. The session will highlight the new Literacy program that commenced this year with our younger students. I would also like to acknowledge our K-2 teachers who have embraced this new program and the many changes and challenges it has presented.

Our 1st Reconciliation students will celebrate the sacrament next Tuesday evening at 5:30pm in St Bede’s Church. The word reconciliation means ‘the restoration of friendly relations’. We believe that in reconciliation we strengthen our special relationship with Jesus Christ and with friends and family. Please continue to pray for these students and their families.

Letters have been sent home this week for all unexplained absences [whole day] and unexplained partial absences [often late arrivals]. I ask that parents use these notifications to explain their child/ren’s unexplained absence and return to the class teacher. Our apologies if you have forwarded an explanation already. At present we take phone messages, Skoolbag notifications, emails to both the office and classroom teachers as well as paper explanations for absences and occasionally we may miss your communication.

LATE ARRIVALS AND EARLY DEPARTURES
A reminder that children arriving late need to be accompanied by a parent/carer to the front office. Similarly, children leaving early will need to be collected by their parent/carer from the front office. In both instances, please come to the front counter to complete the sign in or out of your child. 

Last Friday Mrs Tooth attended the Northern Region Athletics Carnival in Goulburn with our school squad. Goulburn put on her typical winter weather however the St Bede’s performances certainly warmed things up! Mrs Tooth was very proud of the efforts, behaviour and good sportsmanship shown by the ‘maroon and white’ army. All athletes did their best. Special congratulations go to those students who have made it away to the next carnival to be held at the AIS in Canberra. More information from Mrs Tooth in the ‘sports pages’.

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
Milton Berle

Yours in Christ

Gerard

A Prayer for our Reconciliation Candidates

Loving God help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally. Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive. Give us the courage to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Please keep the following students in your prayers as they make the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first-time next week: Eli, Ferdinando, Hamish, Harvey, Lewis, Mack, Nicholas, Remi, Meredith and Rose. A big thank you to Ms Johanna Barling for preparing our students for this Sacrament. The candidates will have a special retreat day this Friday. We thank Father Mick and Brother Brian for your support and guidance.

The sacrament will take place at 5:30pm Tuesday 22nd June 2021 at St Bede’s Church.

Sacrament of First Eucharist - Save the date

This year, children in Year 3 & 4 who have made their First Reconciliation (or are making this Sacrament this term) are eligible for the Sacrament of First Eucharist this year. There will be a special mass for the children and their families on 10:30 am Sunday 15 August 2021 at St Bede’s Church, which is the Feast of the Assumption. If you would like your child to make this sacrament, please contact Miss Kaptein.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

With the Antarctic blast that we are currently facing, it is a timely reminder to remember those who do not have all they need to stay warm during winter.

St Vincent de Paul’s Winter Appeal provides emergency relief to people at risk and experiencing homelessness. Your donation and support will help ensure that families at risk of homelessness get the financial and emotional support they need to keep themselves and their children safe.

If you are able to donate any of the following items these would be greatly appreciated.

• Blankets
• Large Jackets
• Large Jumpers
• Warm Gloves and Socks
• Sleeping Bags

Please bring in any donations by Friday 25 June 2021. Miss Kaptein will take all donations to the Saint Vincent de Paul Braidwood chapter.

School Fees

The term 2 fees are overdue, reminder notices and letters have been sent out.

Please make it priority if you are yet to pay your fees. 

If you are experiencing financial difficulties making these payments please contact either Marylou or Lara.

A big thank you to those parents who have already paid their school fees. We appreciate your commitment to the school.