Dear Parents

We are all finally back together and it is wonderful. With all that has happened, we now only have five weeks left of 2021 and we are in the last weeks of learning and assessment. We are also coming into the silly season with a few extra things happening at school each week. With restrictions easing for the beginning of December, we hope that parents are able to attend the events organised for the end of the year.   

We welcomed our new Kindergarten students for 2022 this morning. It was lovely to see new families at school as well as those who are familiar to St Bede’s. The children settled well into the classrooms and seemed quite at home. The second orientation will be next Thursday from 9.30 to 11am. We look forward to welcoming them again on their official first day at ‘big school’ early in February. I am very pleased to announce that the Kindergarten teachers for next year are Veronica Trow and Katie Horsburgh.

After much consideration and consultation with staff, we are also announcing that our Year 5/6 classes will return to straight Year 5 and Year 6 cohorts for 2022. This decision has been made for a number of reasons but primarily we have been able to guarantee steady enrolment numbers for the last three years. We will continue take advantage of the many wonderful positives that came from the multi-age class including planning collaboratively, ability based groupings, Year 5/6 camp and Confirmation celebrated bi-annually. A letter detailing this decision has gone home today to parents of Year 4 & 5 students. I am sorry but I am unable to confirm the teachers for these and other classes at this stage. We have advertised for a teaching position that closes tomorrow on Friday and following a selection process, I will able to announce all class teachers in due course.

This Sunday, we will gather at St Christopher’s Cathedral at 9am to celebrate our Year 4 students receiving Eucharist for the first time. This sacrament of initiation is a very special occasion in a child’s life and one the children have been preparing for quite some time. They participated in their Eucharist retreat yesterday. This traditional event is the final part of the preparation they receive Holy Communion. Congratulations children!

Bethany Moores, our current Music teacher, has been offered a permanent Music teacher position at the Anglican School at Googong from the beginning of next year. This vacancy will be advertised shortly. We are also looking for a private piano teacher as Kerry Watson is relinquishing her position at St Bede’s due to larger commitments at other schools. Kerry has been with us since 2012 and has taught a number of students in her time here. On behalf of us all, we wish them well in her new school.

Our last P & F meeting for 2021 will be tonight and fortunately we are able to meet face-to-face. Again, it has been a very different year for the community and our committee with the postponement of our community dinner last term. I know that there are plans for a function early in the New Year which I am sure will be a wonderful occasion.

Transitioning back to school in the COVID-19 era can present many challenges for parents and children. Attached to this Principal’s message is a pamphlet from the Australian Psychological Society with reassurances and tips to making the adjustments easier.

Have a lovely weekend.

Julie