As we near the end of another term and reflect on our growth through interim reports, we also prepare for the busyness of the term ahead, plan transitions for 2025, and celebrate our achievements. It seems like a relevant time to acknowledge the remarkable student leaders who make our school a vibrant and dynamic place. Leadership is not just about holding a title; it’s about making a difference, inspiring others, and growing together as a community.

Our Year 5/6 camp last week was not just an adventure at Berry Sport and Recreation, but also an opportunity for developing student leadership. Students embraced various roles, from group leaders to problem solvers, each contributing to the camp’s success.  Students stepped outside of their comfort zones, developed relationships and communication skills, considered risks and reinforced the importance of teamwork.  It was an incredibly rewarding experience for our students.  Thank you to Mrs Charles, Mr Baldwin and Mrs Johnston for your care, supervision, and time away from your own families. 

With our Stage 3 leaders away on camp, there was an opportunity for our Year 4 students to step up as leaders. Their true colours shone as they took on the daily responsibilities of their peers. They demonstrated initiative, accountability, and a strong sense of teamwork. From managing sports equipment to running assembly, their efforts were commendable. This experience not only showcased their leadership potential but also fostered a sense of community and responsibility among the students. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow as leaders.

Our student Faith Leaders recently collaborated on a statement to contribute to the Archdiocesan Assembly.  This group of Year 5 students were invited to explore the theme ‘Come Holy Spirit’, grounded in a shared understanding of evangelisation: encounter, discipleship and mission.  Our students asked:

“How can our Church support young people to spread the word of God and embrace the fire of the Holy Spirit within them to better understand and connect with their faith?”

Their response will now be shared within hubs in the archdiocese, raising up a new generation in the life and mission of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.  

Last week, three St Bede’s students, Georgia G (4), Oscar H (2) and Annabelle H (2) represented our school in track and field events for the ACT.  This is a huge achievement to reach this level, demonstrating persistence, skill and endurance.  These attributes are useful tools in our tool box, for life.  Congratulations on your achievements. 

Earlier this week, students celebrated another positive behaviour reward.  The Student Representative Council (SRC) nominated a talent show!  And so, St Bede’s Got Talent was born.  In just two weeks, students created, rehearsed and presented their acts to their classes. Finalists from each class then went on to the finale, in front of the whole school!  Not only did they exhibit great talent but courage, determination and resilience.  Well done to all students who embraced the challenge.

Early next term, our Year 5 leaders will begin to prepare for leadership roles in 2025.  They will present leadership speeches to their peers, design their leadership shirts and prepare to receive the light from our current leaders at the end-of-year candle ceremony.  Our Year 6 students will be attending high school orientation days, preparing for graduation and reflecting on their primary school journey through their autobiographies.  We have come so far and we still have so much to look forward to. 

I wish the St Bede’s community a safe and relaxing school holiday break.  I look forward to welcoming Mr Casey and Mrs Heggaton back from long-service leave when we return on Monday 14 October in Term 4. 

Breen Fox

Acting Principal

Early next term, teachers will begin preparing class groupings for 2025.  Where year levels are split into two classes, consideration will be given to class dynamics, group sizes and learning needs.  If you wish to discuss your child’s needs, in regards to class placements, please email myself breen.fox@cg.catholic.edu.au or andrew.casey@cg.catholic.edu.au directly. 

Kindergarten – two classes

Year 1 – one class

Year 2 – two classes

Year 3 – two classes

Year 4 – two classes

Year 5 – one class

Year 6 – one class

If your child/ren will not be returning to St Bede's in 2025 and you have not formally advised the school of this, we would ask that you do so as soon as possible as this will assist greatly with our planning for 2025.  Please either email office.stbedes@cg.catholic.edu.au or Andrew directly.

Interim Reports will go live in Compass at the end of the day, this Friday 27 September.  You can access your child/ren’s report:

• Through the Compass App on your phone in the Chronicle folder, under the Reports tab.
• Alternatively, when accessing via a browser, your child’s report will be a link on your child’s dashboard (left side).

This is the first time that we have provided an interim report as an additional opportunity to provide feedback about your child/ren’s learning.  Teachers have provided feedback in three areas: Work Habits, Behaviour and Social.  Each area contains criteria demonstrated by students during classroom learning, general behaviour and friendship groups.  I would like to thank all teachers for the time and consideration devoted to each student's report and congratulate students on their continued growth and outstanding achievement.   

Our wonderful volunteers have offered to come into the uniform shop on Friday 11 October and pack any orders made through Qkr! up until that date.  Please note the shop will NOT be open to come in and purchase items.  They are only packing orders on the day.

These orders can be collected from the front office from 8.30am on Monday 14 October.

Thank you to our parents that generously give up their time and assistance.

There are an increasing number of parents who do not make the cut off time for ordering lunches and then contact the school or the canteen directly on a Friday morning wanting their child/ren to still be given a lunch order.  Quantities are ordered and preparation is done in advance so catering for unplanned orders places extra pressure on our canteen volunteers and puts them in a very awkward position of either saying no or having to make lunch for extra students.  

We would like to remind parents that the cut off time for orders is Thursday at 5.00pm and if meeting this deadline is an issue, parents can do a recurring order and therefore do not need to do a new order each week.

We appreciate your assistance with this.

The end of term is upon us and there are still a number of families who are in arrears with their school fees.

We would ask that all families have their accounts up to date and paid prior to the start of Term 4 on Monday 14 October before further fees are raised.  If meeting this date is an issue please contact the office at office.stbedes@cg.catholic.edu.au to discuss other options.

St Bede’s will celebrate Silly Sock Day on Friday 18 October (Week 1, Term 4) as part of Socktober for World Mission Month. Socktober is Catholic Mission’s annual flagship school engagement program to bring communities together and make a real impact on global issues. This year, Catholic Mission is raising awareness and funds for the Caring Center in Mongolia which provides care and support for homeless children.

Students are invited to wear silly socks (e.g. unmatched, novelty, colourful) to school on Friday 18 October and participate in activities on the day to foster a sense of empathy and social responsibility.

Families are asked to contribute what they can to St Bede’s Primary School’s Silly Sock Day collective fundraiser through the Qkr! App. Donations will be gratefully accepted until 18^th October 2024.

Catholic Mission is the Pope’s international Mission agency in Australia. To find out more about Socktober 2024: Mongolia, visit the Socktober website.

The following students received an award in Week 10:

WALK IN LOVE AND PEACE AWARDS

PRINCIPAL'S AWARD