“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

What a fantastic day we have had at the St Bede’s Swimming Carnival! Today was more than just a showcase of swimming ability, it was a celebration of sportsmanship, determination, and team spirit. Our students demonstrated incredible resilience, cheering each other on and giving their best efforts in the pool. A huge thank you to our dedicated team of organisers and staff who made the day run so smoothly, our wonderful parent volunteers who assisted in timekeeping and other roles, and our House Captains who led their teams with enthusiasm and encouragement. It was inspiring to see the true meaning of teamwork in action.

At St Bede’s, teamwork extends beyond the sporting field. Our school thrives because of the collective efforts of so many. Our team of teachers work tirelessly together to create an enriching learning environment for our students. Our wonderful parents contribute in so many ways, from volunteering in the canteen, running the uniform shop and the P&F. Thank you to the uniform team for Thrifty Thursday and the P&F team who are organising the COmmunity Dinner in May. Events like these continue to bring our community together and strengthen our team.

As we reflect on the strength of our community, the scripture passage above beautifully captures the essence of teamwork and sportsmanship at St Bede’s. Each member of our school community plays a unique and vital role, contributing their time, talents, and dedication to creating an environment where our students can thrive. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, or behind the scenes, every effort matters.

This year, as we celebrate the Jubilee Year, we are reminded of the importance of unity, renewal, and shared purpose. A Jubilee is a time of reflection and coming together, much like a team working towards a common goal. Just as we support one another in our school community, the Jubilee Year calls us to strengthen our bonds, forgive, and build a future grounded in faith and cooperation.

The fabric of St Bede’s is woven together by the many events, traditions, processes and other things that define our school. From our weekly assemblies where we come together in prayer and celebration, to the lively energy of our sports carnivals, liturgical celebrations, and fundraising initiatives, each of these moments strengthens our sense of belonging. It is through these shared experiences that we grow together as a community, supporting one another in faith and friendship.

We are also grateful for the incredible support we receive from Catholic Education. Their various teams ensure our school continues to grow and improve. The Facilities Team has been instrumental in approving our upcoming fencing project, which will enhance security and safety. The Inclusion Team provides invaluable support to our staff and students, ensuring that every child is given the opportunity to succeed. Behind the scenes, the People and Culture Team assists with recruitment and staffing, and the Finance and Payroll Team keeps everything running smoothly. Their work may not always be visible, but it is deeply appreciated.

St Bede’s is more than just a school, we are a team. Whether it’s through acts of service, words of encouragement, or moments of celebration, every individual plays a part in making our community the wonderful place that it is. Thank you for being part of this journey, and let’s continue to support one another with the spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Regards

Andrew

Third Week of Lent

(Week beginning Monday 24 March)

Lam is 27 years old from a small village in rural Vietnam who faced significant challenges due to his short stature. Growing up, Lam often felt isolated due to limited job opportunities and difficulty moving around his community. While his friends started jobs after high school, Lam stayed home with his parents, unsure if he could ever achieve his dream of becoming a graphic designer.

Everything changed when Lam joined the I-SHINE program, supported by Caritas Australia. Through this initiative, Lam completed a six-month course developing his graphic design skills. Along the way, he built confidence, made friends and gained a sense of connection.

Today, Lam runs a successful freelance graphic design business from home, serving clients worldwide and earning a steady income. Lam hopes his story will encourage other young people with disabilities to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.

Lam’s journey shows how your support of Project Compassion empowers individuals to break barriers and transform their lives.

Watch Lam’s story by using the QR code.

Will you walk alongside people like Lam this Lent?

                               

St Bede's TAPITAS - Fundraising Activity

In Week 9, families will have the opportunity to add their name to our St Bede’s ‘TAPITAS’ wall. What is ‘TAPITAS?’

One of the main fundraising initiatives is to raise money for communities who do not have access to clean water. Monies raised go towards buying and installing water tanks, pumps and raising awareness about hygiene and drinking water.

Each family who donates $5 will receive a droplet to add to our ‘TAPITAS’ wall with your name on it. It will look something like this -

All donations can be brought into school and placed into the class donation box. The classroom teacher will write your family name and display it on the TAPITAS window.

Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.

Saints of the Week

This week we have three saints of the week - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, St Angela Merici and St Clare of Assisi. All three inspirational Saints who have High Schools named after them.

It’s normal for children to show signs of anxiety, worries and fears sometimes. In most cases, anxiety in children and fears in childhood come and go and don’t last long. 

Children also worry about different things as they get older. In early childhood, they might worry about getting sick or hurt. In older childhood and adolescence, the focus becomes less concrete. For example, they might think a lot about war, economic and political fears, family relationships and so on.

If your child shows signs of anxiety, you can support them in a variety of ways:

• Acknowledge your child’s fear.
• Let them know anxiety has a function – it helps protect us from threats and can help us perform better.
• Gently encourage your child to do things they’re anxious about.
• Praise your child for doing something that makes them feel anxious.
• Help them manage their anxiety by setting daily goals.
• Avoid labelling your child as ‘shy’ or ‘anxious’.  Encourage a healthy lifestyle – eat well, sleep well and exercise.

When to be concerned about anxiety:

You might consider arranging a school counselling referral, seeing your GP, or seeing another health professional if:

• Your child’s anxiety is stopping them from doing things they want to do or interfering with their friendships, schoolwork or family life.
• Your child’s behaviour is very different from children the same age.
• Your child’s reactions seem unusually severe.

For more information about anxiety in childhood and adolescence we recommend the Kid’s Helpline website - kidshelpline.com.au - which has lots of hints and tips as well as ‘stories’ to share with your children covering a host of topics including ‘Everybody makes mistakes’ under the Kids 5-12 section.

If you’d like to talk about any of these tips (or anything else), you can contact me via email Amy.Kennedy@mccg.org.au or by phoning through the school on a Friday.

Amy Kennedy

Student and Family Counsellor

Just a reminder that there is no Snack Shack on Friday 4 April due to the South Weston Swimming Championships.  All students will need to bring their own lunch on that day.

Tess and her volunteers will be offering lunch orders on Thursday 10 April, last day of Term 1 2025.  We thank them for their flexibility and generosity in offering this service.

A reminder that Friday, 11 April (the last day of Term 1) and Monday, 28 April (the first day of Term 2) will be pupil free days.

These days are important for our staff to engage in professional learning and planning, ensuring we continue to provide the best possible education for our students.

We appreciate your support and hope everyone enjoys a well deserved break.

There are a few staffing updates in relation to Term 2. We are very fortuante that St Bede's has a great depth of staff and experience to cover roles when people are on leave. Please be reassured that it will be business as usual!

• Andrew Casey will be on leave for three weeks, from Friday 2 May to Friday 23 May. He will be in Italy on pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year. Breen Fox will be the Acting Principal, ensuring the continued smooth running of the school. Please feel free to reach out to her should you require any assistance during this time.
• We are also pleased to welcome Ben Macintyre back from parental leave. A big thank you to Ellen Fletcher for her wonderful work in relieving in the STEM role throughout Term 1.
• Judy Elliott will be on leave during Weeks 3-4 and 7-10. During this time Lisa Wright will relieve in the Learning Support Coordinator role. 
• Lyn Herden will be on Kindergarten Blue for three days per week for Lisa. Lyn is known to the students and will work with Lisa to ensure the classroom program continues.
• Gaelle Tregoning, our French/library teacher will be on leave in Week 1. During this time Lyn Herden will relieve. Library borrowing will continue as per usual.

A friendly reminder to all parents that our school calendar is available on the school website and can also be accessed via the Compass App. This calendar is updated regularly with important dates and events. Any schedule changes will be communicated via Compass or the school newsletter.

We encourage parents to check the calendar frequently to stay informed and ensure you don’t miss any key school activities.

Thank you for your support in keeping up to date.

Just a reminder that school fees are now overdue and we would appreciate parents settling their account prior to the end of Term 1.

As always, if you are experiencing difficulties in meeting your school fee commitment, please reach out to the office so that a payment arrangement can be made.

As you may be aware, this morning two students from St Edmund’s College were involved in an accident on Canberra Avenue. Catholic Education and our system schools have been working with Edmund Rice Education Australia who operate St Edmunds College to provide support to students, families, and the communities, we ask you to keep all those impacted by this incident in your prayers at this difficult time.  

Catholic Education will continue to provide pastoral care support to all our schools and will continue to provide support in the days and weeks ahead. If any families would like support or any children are upset or worried please contact the school and we can provide support through our counselling services.

The following students received an award in Week 8.  Please note these certificates will be given out on Monday 31 March:

WALK IN LOVE AND PEACE AWARDS

PRINCIPAL'S AWARD