This year St Bede’s has embarked on a journey towards reconciliation with the establishment of our Reconciliation Action Plan committee, or RAP committee. We are proud to announce that we have a RAP Action Plan ready to launch in Term 1, 2024. This plan will guide us as a school community in actions to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Culture at St Bede’s. The actions aim to be lived as part of who we are and what we stand for as a community who walks in love and peace, showing respect, responsibility, and resilience. This is really exciting!

To celebrate the RAP launch, we have organised a Smoking Ceremony for Monday Week 2 at 2:30pm. A smoking ceremony is cleansing and is an important part of connecting people to country. I can’t think of a better way for us to begin our new school year in 2024.

There will be more information regarding this important ceremony late January.

Haley Stonham

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Contact

In conjunction with Catholic Education, St Bede's has undertaken a tender process for Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC). This process involved investigating numerous providers.

Camp Australia was successful in their application to be the provider of care at St Bede's for the next three years 2024-2026. This provider has many years of working with schools both nationally and within Canberra. 

Thank you to YWCA for their commitment to the children of St Bede's over an extended period of time. YWCA provided care for 20+ years. We wish the educators and organisation well for the future.

Information will be distributed in coming weeks to clearly explain the enrolment process for Camp Australia. This will be sent directly via Compass to all parents.

As previously advised, Semester 2 student reports will be available via Compass to view and download. They will be available from approximately 3.45pm today (Friday).

This is the first time in a number of years that the student reports have included written comments from the class teacher. I sincerely thank our wonderful teachers for the time invested in writing each comment. It is clear that every teacher has a thorough understanding of each student.

Student reports should not include any surprises! Please contact your child's class teacher if you feel that you need to discuss the student report.

Yesterday afternoon a cubby house was installed in the playground. Children have enjoyed exploring this new addition. Children will have the opportunity to explore their imagination as they play games and utilise this space.

In 2024, the School Board and the P&F will amalgamate to form the St Bede's Primary School Community Council. This is a wonderful opportunity to become involved in our school community and have your say about a whole range of matters. Please be on the look out for meeting dates in 2024.

Thank you to all of the people who have served the Board and the P&F in 2023. I especially thank Mrs Aaron Torline who has been the Chair of the Board for quite a few years. St Bede's appreciates the time that parents invest in serving our school community.

Tuckshop Update

As you may have seen in previous communication, the Tuckshop will reopen in 2024.

Tess Green (Mum to Madison & Chloe) will take on the role of Tuckshop Manager.

The Tuckshop is also moving to a structured volunteer system. Under this system, two volunteers from each class will be responsible for volunteering to help in the Tuckshop once a term.

A sign up roster has been created and if you are interested in volunteering for your child’s class, please click the link below and enter your details.

Tuckshop: St Bede's Tuckshop Term 1, 2024 (signupgenius.com)

We understand that some of the classes haven’t been announced yet. You will find out which class your child will be in very soon.

Thank you to the parents who have already signed up to help!

Uniform boutique Update

The Uniform Boutique will be open on Thursday 14 December from 8:30am-9:30am for the last time in 2023.

Next year, the boutique will reopen in a brand new location! A permanent demountable structure has been installed behind the staff room and will be fitted out with brand new, customer-friendly layout. 

To access the new boutique, please head through the double frosted doors next to the staff room. These doors will have signage to help to guide you to the new location.

The boutique will be open before the commencement of school in 2024 at the following times:

Monday 29 January 9:30am-11:30am

Tuesday 30 January 1:30pm-3pm.

Orders can also be made by QKR! as a click and collect service. Orders for collection are to be placed by 10pm on Sunday 28th January and will be available for collection in the front office after 12pm on Monday 29th January.

Please do not come to the Boutique and ask for your order to be filled earlier than 12pm as we will not be able to fill it for you. You will be asked to wait until 12pm.

Please remember our Uniform Boutique is run by parent volunteers who donate their time to make sure the shop is stocked and uniform is available for purchase. Please be kind, patient and respectful of our team.

New Uniform Item

We received feedback that the current sports jackets are not warm enough and there was a need for a warmer option which can be layered in the cooler months. 

We ordered royal blue polar fleece zip up jumpers (same as the navy one) which can be worn with the sports uniform.

From 2024, students will no longer be able to wear the maroon or navy fleece with their sports uniform. The new royal blue fleece and the existing sports jacket are the only two jumper options that will be allowed on sports days.

Clear guidelines about the changes to the uniform policy will be available shortly.

St Bede’s Christmas Carols 2023

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are looking for volunteers to help on the Carols night.

Please sign up to the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DABA922A6F9C16-46611906-stbedes

Please note that all volunteers are encouraged to leave their station to watch their child to perform!

We will once again be running a cake stall at the carols.  Donations can be dropped to the tuckshop from Monday 11 December.  

If items can be on put disposable plates or individually wrapped, ready for sale, that would be extremely helpful! Please remember to include information if your items include common allergens.

Sausages, Drinks, Popcorn & Gelato will also be available for purchase.

For catering purposes and to ensure you get your food we encourage you to pre-purchase your food tickets via QKR.

This is a cash free event, eftpos machines will be available at all stalls to purchase items.

The kids and teachers have been working very hard to make this a special occasion and we look forward to celebrating the end of 2023 with you all.

On behalf of the P&F, we wish you a safe, happy and joyful Christmas.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2024.

Kind regards,

St Bede’s P&F