I am pleased to advise that St Bede's will have 10 classes in 2023. Thank you to everyone who has referred families to our great school. Your support and effort is truly appreciated.

In addition to additional teachers, we will be recruiting for a Curriculum Coordinator to join our Leadership Team. This is a new position that will focus on teaching and learning across Kindergarten to Year 6.

The structure is currently being reviewed and will be shared in due course. It is anticipated that we will have approximately 190-200 students in 2023 with an average class size of 19-20 students. This leaves a little room for additional enrolments without having large classes.

Please feel free to refer any families to St Bede's for 2022 or 2023. It is not too late and we may well require a waiting list!

Assumption Mass

This week we gathered for mass, led by our wonderful Year 3 students and their teacher Mrs Laura Burt. They did a tremendous job with the readings, and the whole school participated reverently during the service. We were joined by Fr Trenton, who shared with us some personal stories and insights into Mary and her life. We were also accompanied by our fabulous musician teachers, Mr Morwitch and Mr Heffernan.

The Feast of the Assumption celebrates the belief that the body and soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken into heaven after the end of her earthly life. Mary’s assumption into heaven is seen by many as a fulfilment of Jesus’ promise to all faithful servants that they too will be received into the kingdom of God. Mary is seen as the first disciple of Jesus and a model for all disciples.

St Bede’s Community Mass

We are very excited about our St Bede’s Community Mass! Many children are enthusiastic about joining us on Sunday week, and we will be involved in the reading, serving, singing and sharing a little morning tea afterwards.

All of our St Bede’s community is invited. Please join us at 9.30 am, 28 August at St Peter Chanel’s Church we would love to see you there.

Thank you in advance to Mrs Deighton for playing the music for the choir and to all our wonderful volunteers.

Remember the name Louis, as he is sure to be a future winter Olympics superstar!

Not even the absolutely horrible weather over the weekend could stop this little legend from competing in the Interschools Snowsport Championships at Perisher. Although this was Louis' first ever slalom downhill skiing event, he attacked the slopes like a pro, didn’t miss one single gate and best of all he came through the finish line with the biggest smile on his face. Louis ended up placing an impressive 5^th in the K-2 category!!!!  

Thank you, Louis, for representing St Bede’s so beautifully. We can’t wait to continue to see your success on the slopes.

This week, the P&F held the Term 3 meeting. We are always grateful for the attendance of parents, new and old who help to shape our school community. 

We have a load of exciting things happening in the P&F space with the annual fundraising dinner quickly approaching, we still have tickets available for purchase on QKR!. There will be various messages going out in coming days about the dinner so keep a look out for that.

The school is in the process of obtaining quotes to replace the basketball courts and netball courts at the front of the school. This project will be proudly funded by the P&F as a project that will be beneficial for each child.

Last term, the tuckshop received a much-needed facelift with the P&F funding a new oven, cooktop, air-conditioning and airfryers. We are also getting quotes to purchase a new fridge to house the ever-popular frogs in a pond. These updates allow our Tuckshop Mums to continue to provide the extensive menu for the children, which is all cooked from scratch.

The uniform shop will reopen on Friday mornings from 8:30am – 9:30am starting next Friday 26 August for in shop purchases. Payment will be card only on the day. Our uniform boutique is also run solely by parent volunteers with a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure the children are clothed! Thank you to Zoe, our boutique manager who is also a shift worker, for all her hard work and Fiona Torline who will take on the Friday morning shift.

We are hoping that Covid restrictions will be lifted in Term 4 to allow the school to have our Annual School Disco and the P&F are also hoping to host a St Bede’s Community Christmas Carols Picnic in Week 10. Watch this space!

Looking forward to seeing you all at Pialligo Estate on 9^th September.

Jen Maher

P&F President

On Behalf of the St Bede’s P&F

The St Bede's school uniform is a beautiful and practical uniform. Currently, there are students who are not wearing the correct uniform. At this morning's assembly, students were reminded to wear the correct uniform to school.

As of Monday 22 August, students not wearing the correct uniform will receive a letter referencing the incorrect uniform. We ask that parents encourage their child/ren to wear the correct uniform. This includes a school hat.

The uniform shop is now open on Friday mornings and orders can also be placed online.

We thank you for you ongoing support as we focus on wearing the correct uniform with pride. Please remember that Mrs Luhrs places a reminder in the newsletter each week to assist parents knowing sport and normal uniform days.

Unfortunately, due to current restrictions we are unable to invite parents to attend school events in Term 3. We thank you for your understanding as events are held.

Dance Performance

As you would be aware, Mrs Simpson has been working with our students in Term 3. It is wonderful to see our students across all grades participate and enjoy dance. Dance is also offered as a lunchtime activity on Fridays. We will endeavour to arrange a dance performance in Term 4 so students can perform for parents and show their skills. This will be a wonderful opportunity to see your child dance.

Father's Day

Due to Covid restrictions we will not have a St Bede's Father's Day event in 2022. As usual, students will bring home some form of surprise for dad that they have completed in class. We look forward to having an event in 2023 and celebrating with all of the dads.

Grandparents Day

Due to Covid restrictions we will not have a St Bede's Grandparents Day event in 2022. We look forward to organising something exciting in 2023.

A reminder that Term 3 fees are due today, Friday 19 August. Should you need to discuss school fees, you are invited to call the office to make an appointment. Thank you to everyone who has already made the Term 3 payment. Your prompt payment is appreciated.

Covid safe practices remain in place at St Bede's and all Catholic Education Canberra & Goulburn schools. Thank you to parents who are keeping children with cold and flu symptoms home. Below is a short summary:

• Students with symptoms should test regularly for Covid;
• Contact the office should you require any Rapid Antigen Tests;
• Mask wearing is highly reccommended but not mandatory;
• Parent visitors are limited;
• Children who are absent have access to ACT Goverment learning modules.

As previously advised, St Bede's will have a pupil free day on Friday 9 September. Care will be available from YWCA on these days.

YWCA, who are our current before and after school providers, will provide care for students enrolled at St Bede's on those days.  Parents can enrol their child/ren by contacting YWCA on 6185 2000.  

If parents need to enrol students into before and after school care at St Bede's, the website is https://childrens-services.ywca-canberra.org.au/school-age-care/