Dear Parents

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a safe and restful holiday. I also hope that families had valuable time away together or a weekend getaway. Thankfully all staff and students are back on deck and ready for another busy term.

We welcomed a number of new students at the beginning of last week. Vienna in Kinder, Fletcher, Eleanor and Emerson in Year 1, as well as Belle and Allegra in Year 2 have settled in beautifully to our lovely school. We also welcomed Esme and Ella in Year 4 and Connor in Year 3 towards the end of last term.

We celebrated Bastille Day today. All the kids looked very patriotic in the red, white and blue with some students even wearing berets. The activities and croissant morning tea topped off a great day. We thank Madame Sood for her wonderful organisation.

Last term, a group of Year 5/6 students participated in the Da Vinci Decathlon learning competition.  This event is a mixture of ten problem solving tasks covering many subject areas. Due to COVID restrictions this was held virtually in our Star Room. I am very pleased to announce that our St Bede’s team came third overall. This is a magnificent achievement and the best result we have achieved in the many years we have taken part. Congratulations children!

Due to the present uncertainty of COVID-19 cases being reported on a daily basis, Catholic Education has decided that the protocols that have been in place all year will remain until further notice. The key points of this stage are as follows

• We will continue to limit the number of adult visitors/volunteers on school sites.
• Assemblies will continue to be limited. Small assemblies, gatherings and performances can continue with limitations on parent/carer audience numbers. Mass should occur in line with restrictions for assemblies, with restricted adults allowed to attend. Our first Mass is in Week 4 celebrating St Mary of the Cross’ feast day. We will organise a RSVP for this event so that we know the numbers in advance.
• Parish sacramental programs can take place on church premises. Our First Reconciliation is in Week 5. Our First Eucharist celebration is scheduled to occur as per the calendar on Sunday 12 September.
• Our Year 5/6 camp is still going ahead at this stage as the camp is outside greater Sydney.

I will inform you of any changes as soon as I can. If you are ever in the school for appointments with teachers, please sign-in using the CBR app which is located at the front office and on the hall door. Thank you for your support in this matter. Sick kids must stay home so that germs can’t spread. This is to assist both other children as well as staff. Relief teachers are very hard to get at this time of year.

By all accounts the Parent Teacher Interviews this week have been successful. It was lovely to have parents back in the school this year. Unfortunately, there were some interviews that did not occur during the specified times. It is important that parents reschedule if a meeting was missed so that teachers can give parents valuable feedback on last term’s reports.

During the holiday break, heaters were installed in our corridors and automatic door closing devices were fitted to the glass outside doors so we can keep the heat inside. We have also started to paint and refit the large old wooden doors on the ends of the building.

We will again offer dance lessons this term with each class being involved every Wednesday. Parents will be invited at the end of the term to see what each class has been learning at our end of term expo. We are very lucky to again employ Mrs Janet Simpson as the dance teacher this term.

Just a couple of other reminders to begin the term –

• School supervision begins at 8.30am and concludes at 3.30pm. Outside of these hours it is important to realise that no formal supervision occurs and that parents need to be in attendance and vigilant during sports trainings and on the playground equipment.
• If your child needs medication dispensed during school hours, please ensure the correct form is completed when leaving the medicine.
• Please ensure all clothing is named as it makes it much easier to return items.
• Toys are not to be brought to school unless they are part of a class presentation.
• It has come to our attention that some students are wearing the incorrect uniform on a regular basis. With this in mind, students will be reminded about inappropriate clothing or accessories but if non-uniform items persist, a letter will go home to parents.  

The P&F Association are busily organising our dinner function later in the term. Tickets for the Fundraising dinner to be held on Friday 3 September at Pialligo Estate are now for sale on QKR!  A flyer with more information will be sent home soon. I hope everyone has saved the date and preparing for a great night.

It is hats on again from 1st August. As this date is on the weekend, this is just a timely reminder if you need to find a hat or purchase a new one. All children need to have a school hat to wear by Monday 2nd August.

I understand that the anxiety around coronavirus is still real for many in the community. Whilst school is open fully to staff and students, we are still in unsure times and situations are changing across Australia daily. We pray that things become more positive in our neighbouring states shortly.

Have a lovely weekend and please take care.

Julie