Dear Parents

We have a number of families who are leaving us at the end of the year, some after a long association with St Bede’s. We wish the very best to the D'Aquino, Exon, Glavinic, Greig, Haridemos, Hill, Hunter, Kelly, Krippner, McKay, Minogue, Pucci, Rezo, Sale, Scope, Skinner, Stuart, Swan, Weber and Wong families as they embark on new journeys with their children at other schools.

After announcing the staff and class teachers for 2022, I am very sorry to announce that Kerrin Henderson will not be joining us next year. Since my announcement, Kerrin has successfully applied for a leadership position at another Catholic School in our system and we wish her well. This means that we are currently trying to engage another teacher for 2022. Whoever we procure may mean a slight shuffle in who is teaching each grade. I know this is not ideal, but I will endeavor to let everyone know class teachers by the end of next week.

Next Tuesday, we will celebrate the Kindergarten nativity. This is always a special occasion in our school calendar and I know that Veronica Trow and Kindergarten have been working hard on this for most of this term. Unfortunately, only Kindergarten parents are able to attend again this year.

We will also farewell our Year Six group in Week 11. Tonight, they will celebrate completing their primary school journey with a Graduation Mass and dinner. They will also have a fun day on Wednesday 15 December at ‘Big Splash’ at Macquarie. May they enjoy their last days here, the rest of their school years and look back on their time St Bede’s with fondness.

Our traditional end of year school Mass is on the last morning of the year (Friday 17 December) at St Christopher’s Cathedral beginning at 10am. We are delighted that we are able to attend at the cathedral this year. Covid-19 restrictions are still in place with the students included in the one person per two square metre guidelines due to them being unvaccinated.  I would encourage you to arrive early so that families are not disappointed due to the church reaching capacity.

Reports will be uploaded through the St Bede’s Compass portal tomorrow. Attached to this message is a letter detailing what is included in the reports for this semester. They are a reflection of the fantastic achievements your child/children have made over the last two terms. If you have any concerns please make an appointment with the class teacher to discuss.

The end of year P&F Raffle will be drawn next Thursday 16 December. Tickets can be bought through Qkr and donations can still be given through the front office.

We are having a Christmas dress-up day next Thursday to thank the children and their families for the incredible generosity shown with our St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. The tree was laden with gifts which is testament to the caring and giving nature of our community. The dress-up day means that children can wear Christmas coloured clothes and accessories on the day.

I would like to thank the many parents who have helped in any way this year. Your contribution does not go unnoticed and makes this school the special place that it is. I would like to especially thank members of the School Board and the P&F Committee for their unfailing assistance throughout 2021. It has been quite a year for the community with many doing more than their fair share to assist. I would also like to thank personally each family for their unwavering support especially during the remote learning period. We hope that next year will a fresh start and things can return to normal.

As this will be my last Principal’s message for 2021 and as Principal of St Bede’s, I am feeling quite emotional and have mixed feelings as I finish up at this beautiful school. I would like to thank the whole school community for their ongoing support throughout my time here. I would especially like to sincerely thank those involved in organizing my farewell last week. It was lovely to see so many people there as I celebrate retirement and the completion of my memorable career.

Thank you to the students, whose smiling faces I will miss each day. They are all truly remarkable individuals. I admire their engagement in learning as well as their willingness to take on all the opportunities offered to them.

I wish to thank our hard-working staff who have worked tirelessly to make your child’s time at school so successful. Their commitment to their profession and your children is immense and something that makes this school exceptional. It has certainly had its challenges this year, but they are an incredible group of people who have certainly made the most of what has been another year of uncertainty. I could not be more proud of them.

In finishing, I wish Andrew Casey every success as he takes over the reins as Principal in 2022. On behalf of the staff of St Bede’s, I would like to wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas, and a peaceful and safe holiday season. Please take care.

I will miss you all.

God Bless.

Julie