“Culture = Values + Behaviour”

- Simon Sinek

Term 2 is shaping up to be another busy and eventful term!  Within the first three weeks alone, students will have participated in the Cross Country Carnival, Athletics Carnival, ACT Swimming Championships, High School try-a-days, Confirmation family sessions and retreat day, and dance lessons.  Our community will have also been involved in the Parents & Friends Meeting, Mother’s Day celebrations and the St Bede’s Dinner. 

Personally, I have had the pleasure of facilitating Kinder Enrolment Meetings throughout the month of May.  I am never short of positive stories to share about St Bede’s during these meetings and new families are genuinely excited and interested to hear about what makes St Bede’s so special.  The amazing feedback that I receive from visitors demonstrates that even after a short time touring our school, they feel welcome and engaged.  Our culture is more than ‘the vibe’ of St Bede’s, it is demonstrated in the values and behaviours that our students, staff and parents demonstrate in the classroom, on the playground, representing the school at events, volunteering, socialising and working together. 

Building a positive school culture does take effort.  Like a garden, our school culture needs to be nurtured, fed, supported and encouraged.  There are multiple contributing factors that help us to feel safe, united, respected and motivated.  If we neglect to monitor our culture or let attributes slip, it can start to reflect in our relationships with others, our work habits and safety bubble. 

School Uniform

Whilst it may not seem like a huge contributor, school uniform builds our sense of belonging, shared sense of pride and our identity.  Now that we are well into autumn, students should be in full winter uniform.  This includes hats until the end of May.  Beanies do not substitute hats until the months of June and July.  A few other areas that need attention include:

• School shoes with school uniform – not sneakers
• Correct socks – no logos or labels, white socks with sports unform, navy socks with school uniform
• Navy tights – not black (only to be worn with tunic, not under sports shorts or skorts)
• Jewellery – stud/sleeper earrings, crucifix chains only
• Correct jumpers – sports jumpers with sports uniform/ navy or maroon jumpers with school uniform
• No make up (including bringing foundation, coloured lip balms, eyelash curlers, mascara and toiletry bags to school)
• No nail polish
• School coloured hair ties – navy, maroon, white (school uniform); royal blue, white, yellow (sports uniform)

Developing Faith

Developing faith plays a significant role in shaping our school culture by fostering a sense of community and shared values.  Students in Years 5 and 6 will embark on their Sacrament of Confirmation journey next week, beginning with Family Sessions and Retreat Day where they will deepen their understanding of commitment and the Holy Spirit.  We keep them in our prayers as they prepare for this special occasion in their faith. 

14 May – Confirmation Family Session 1 @ 5:30pm OR

15 May – Confirmation Family Session 2 @ 4:30pm

16 May – Confirmation Retreat Day at school

School Social and Community Events

School social events are also a vital way of connecting people and building positive school culture at St Bede’s.  Our P&F working group have collaborated to plan what is shaping up to be a fun, entertaining and interactive St Bede’s Dinner at Louie Louie, upstairs at Verity Lane Market, next Saturday night, 17 May.  The generosity of sponsors and parent donations has been overwhelming.  We thank Dom Kensey, Carman D’Costa and Jessie Strong for taking on the role of coordinating in order to provide an opportunity for parents and staff to come together for a common cause.  Our Mother’s Day Liturgy and Bubbles and Cuddles event on Monday 12 May is another example of building relationships and celebrating together.

Student Leadership

Student-led events are the heartbeat of school culture! They give students a real sense of ownership over their environment, fostering pride, inclusivity, and excitement. Year 5 and Kinder students will lead our feast day mass on Tuesday 27 May and our Year 6 Leaders are currently preparing to host the St Bede’s Fete on the same day. 

Remember to make your donations for the Year 6 Fete through Qkr! by the 26 May.  Students will be able to participate in a range of games, activities and competitions, created and facilitated by our student leaders.  Fundraising will contribute to the Year 6 Graduation at the end of the year. 

Shout Outs

Parents and volunteers provide essential support and encouragement at St Bede’s.  Our school culture thrives when our community collaborates to build a stronger and vibrant school environment.                       

A shout out goes to Mel Hendrie for her contribution to the Parents and Friends working group.  Mel has contributed hours of her time and effort volunteering, most recently as the P&F Secretary, as well as organising discos, community carols and fundraising events.  Sadly, Mel is stepping down from her role as Secretary due to work commitments.  We thank Mel for her commitment and motivation. 

This does mean that the P&F is seeking a new Secretary volunteer.  This role includes:

• Liaising with the P&F President
• Preparing and distributing the P&F working group meeting agenda
• Taking minutes during the P&F working group meeting
• Attending the P&F working group meeting, Tuesdays Week 2, every term

If you can contribute a couple of hours per term to assist in this role, or you would like to ask questions about the role, we would love to hear from you! Contact breen.fox@cg.catholic.edu.au

Our teachers also build positive culture by nurturing relationships with staff and parents, promoting respect, encouraging collaboration, celebrating achievements, supporting growth, and fostering a positive classroom environment.

Another shout out goes to our 4 Blue Teacher, Amy McMaster.  Amy graduated through ACU on the last day of Term 1.  This week, Amy attended the Early Career Teachers’ Commissioning Mass at the Cathedral, hosted by Fr Richard Thompson and Catholic Education.  Congratulations, Amy.  We feel very blessed to have you as part of our team at St Bede’s.  We are very proud to celebrate this momentous occasion with you. 

I wish all special ladies a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday.  I hope that you are spoilt.

Breen Fox

Acting Principal

Reminders and Celebrations

St Bede’s Athletics Carnival – Tuesday 13th May
A reminder that our Athletics Carnival will be held at Woden Athletics Park. We’re looking forward to a fun and active day for all students!

Netball Gala Days
The Netball Gala Days for Years 5/6 and 3/4 are approaching. Please ensure you have accepted the event on Compass if your child is participating. No late changes can be made once registration closes, so don’t miss out!

ACT Swimming Championships
Congratulations to all our students who represented St Bede’s at the ACT Swimming Championships at the AIS on Tuesday. Everyone gave their best effort, with many swimmers achieving personal bests! A special congratulations to Sofia (Year 3), who placed 1st in the 8 Years 50m Backstroke – an outstanding achievement!

Cross Country
Well done to all students who participated in our recent Cross Country event. It was fantastic to see everyone putting in their best effort. Qualifiers for the South Weston Cross Country will be announced on Monday. South Weston Cross Country will be held at Mt Stromlo on Tuesday 3^rd June. 

Yours in sport

Elyse Charles and Toby McNaughton

There are a number of upcoming Defence Families events.  Please see the links below for further information. 

Invictus Australia – offer a range of activities to keep you moving including an upcoming Trek.

https://invictusaustralia.org/event/invictus-trekkers-canberra/

Weekly Yoga sessions – Queanbeyan https://invictusaustralia.org/event/yoga-queanbeyan/

DMFS

DMFS

The next Children of the Defence medallion ceremony has just been released and is Fri, June 27 Location: Duntroon community centre.1 Sapper Close, Campbell, ACT 2612 book through Eventbrite.  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-adf-families-event-child-of-the-adf-medallion-ceremony-canberra-tickets-1344756495879?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android

Duntroon Community Centre

Please remember to pack plastic or disposable cutlery for your child if they require an implement to eat their lunch.  Students regularly come to the staffroom for supplies which are often not returned.  Unfortunately, we do not have an endless supply.

The following students received an award in Week 2:

WALK IN LOVE AND PEACE AWARDS

PRINCIPAL'S AWARD