Welcome to the start of the Lenten season! Lent calls us to respond to God and to others now. During Lent, classes will be exploring and supporting Project Compassion. Project Compassion will present us with inspiring stories from Caritas Australia about real people entering into partnership with us in real ways. The theme for Project Compassion this year comes from one of the great now moments in the whole of scripture. After the flood has receded in the Book of Genesis, God puts a rainbow in the sky as a sign that the earth will never again suffer in such a way. God makes a covenant with the human family and the whole of creation ‘for all future generations.’ It is an expression of hope, something we might relate to after the unsettling experiences of the last two years. For some people, this will be the first Easter we can come together since 2019.

We were fortunate to be joined by Fr Trenton on Wednesday to mark the start of Lent through Ash Wednesday. The distributed ashes are an invitation to rebuild from wherever we happen to be on life’s journey. The hope we share starts now. The Psalm from Ash Wednesday includes the line ‘Give me again the joy of your help.’ We know that God will reach into our lives this Lent. We are called to reach into the lives of others so that they might know the joy of true partnership. For more information about this year’s Project Compassion, please visit the link below https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/. Further information will come in the following weeks about how St Bede’s will be supporting Project Compassion in 2022.

Here are some wonderful wonderings and statements from our Kindergarten group about Easter.

God Bless,

Ben Macintyre

Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Friday 4 March is Clean Up Austalia Day. Xavier and Mackenzie, our Environment leaders have organised a quick clean up of the school grounds. Students are asked to bring a pair of gardening gloves if they have them. 

Parents are advised that Tuesday 26 April and Monday 18 July are scheduled Pupil Free Days for students of St Bede's. The St Bede's Staff will undertake professional learning.

YWCA will be open and offer care for any St Bede's families who would like this service. Booking information will be distributed in due course. 

Students and parents are reminded that Term 1 and 4 requires students to wear school hats. Although the sun may be lacking, the UV is still significant during this times of the year. Students have been advised that NO HAT means NO PLAY. Please make arrangements should you need to purchase a hat for your child.

Please also be reminded of the requirements in relation to hair being tied back, the style of hair cuts and the wearing of jewellery and nail polish.

Catholic Education have advised that Covid restrictions and mask wearing will remain in place for the remainder of Term 1 (minimum). Thank you to all parents and students for adhering to these protocols. We look forward to welcoming parents and visitors back into our school when allowed.

The school will continue the current cleaning regime, cohorting logistics and communication with families. Please continue to use the Rapid Antigen Tests provided or purchase additional tests should you want to.

A reminder that students who have received their first vaccination for Covid are approaching the time period for the second shot.

Please be advised that the Pialligo Estate P & F Fundraiser has been postponed (date to be advised).  All current sales/ticket transactions will be transferred to the new date. Further communication will be distributed in due course.

Thank you to the P & F and the parent community for your continued support of our great school.

On Tuesday 2 March the Parents & Friends Annual General Meeting was held. Congratulations to the newly elected office bearers and good luck with your roles for 2022. We look forward to seeing great initiatives being implemented for the benefit of all students.

President: Jen Maher

Vice President: Tess Green

Secretary: Monica Kyburz

Treasurer: Ben Davies

A massive thank you to Danielle Hitchcock (President) and Bridgit Kirby (Vice President) for their leadership of the P & F and for serving the St Bede's Community. 

The following students received an award in Week 3:

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

WALK IN LOVE AND PEACE AWARDS

LEADERSHIP AWARDS