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Toy Appeal
It is so nice to see the fabulous donations for the toy appeal in the front office. I will be packing them up by Monday, 9 December ready for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas party. Thank you for your amazing support - we will still accept donations of toys right up until the end.
Mini Vinnies Social Justice Day
Last Friday, our Year 5 students took a bus ride from St Bede’s to the Australian Catholic University (ACU) to attend Mini Vinnies Social Justice Day with many other schools. We learned about St Vincent de Paul Society, their good works and the unfortunate people they have helped.
There was a variety of workshops which put deep into our hearts the understanding of the sorrow and weight that were put on people’s shoulders and hearts. Each workshop gave us more knowledge about these unfortunate people and the way Vinnies help them. For some people, it inspired them to do more to help the poor. I hope this has informed you about the Mini Vinnies Social Justice Day, and perhaps, inspired you to walk in love and peace, just like it did for us.
Victoria
Advent and Christmas Happenings
- Our Advent school prayer will take place in our hall at 9.30am on Monday, 9 December.
- Kinder Nativity and Christmas Concert will take place in our hall at noon on Wednesday, 11 December.
- End of Year Mass - please note that the end of year Mass is an important school event and all families and friends are encouraged to join us at St Christopher’s Cathedral on our last day of school at 10am on Thursday, 19 December.
Nikki Dwyer
Religious Education Coordinator
2019 CHRISTMAS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS TENNIS CLINICS, Red Hill Tennis Club, Astrolabe St. Red Hill.
CLINIC 1 Dec 20, Fri 8am - 4.30pm
CLINIC 2 Dec 23, 24 Mon, Tues 8am - 6pm
Total stroke development with beginners serving overarm by the end of the clinic. Professional and well trained coaching staff. Trophy singles tournament and also doubles training and tournaments.
Enrolment forms are available at the front office or ring Matt McDonald on
0412 565 137.
Pizza by the slice |
|
Margarita |
$4.00 |
Ham and Cheese |
$4.00 |
Icecream |
|
Vanilla Dixie Cup |
$2.00 |
Drinks |
|
Apple Juice |
$1.50 |
Orange Juice |
$1.50 |
Please order via Flexischools by 9.00am tomorrow morning.
CHRISTMAS RIBBONS AND CANDY CANES
Please note Christmas hair ribbons are not part of school uniform. However, they may be worn during Week 10 (excluding the end of year Mass).
Candy canes received should be put into schoolbags and are NOT to be opened at school.
75th CANBERRA CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Families are invited to bring a picnic dinner and join in the 75th Canberra Carols by Candlelight to be held at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, on Saturday, December 14 from 7pm.
Organised by the Woden Valley Youth Choir, this event is the second longest running city community carols in Australia (Melbourne is the longest).
Come and join us for a night of song and celebration. It's a great way to begin the Christmas season.
We'll also be collecting donations for this year's charity.
Find us on Facebook ("75th Carols by Candlelight") for more details.
Students (other than Year 6) not returning to St Bede's in 2021
Thank you to the families who have informed us if they are leaving our community at the end of the year. If you are not returning to St Bede’s in 2021 and have not let us know officially, would you please advise Julie or Breen as soon as possible. Although we hate to see any of our families departing, it is important for our planning for 2021 that we have this information.
Term 1 3 February – 9 April
Term 2 28 April – 3 July
Term 3 20 July – 25 September
Term 4 12 October – 18 December
SPENDING TIME WITH KIDS: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
The need to spend time with their parents differs for different kids. For some, there’s no end to the time they’d spend with you. However, other kids feel differently. There’s no right answer.
I’m fortunate to have the flexibility that allows me to spend a great deal of time with my children. However, my nine year old daughter wants to spend more time with me. My eleven year old son, on the other hand, is content either way.
Australia ranks first
According to a recent study Australian parents rank number one among OECD countries (including most of Europe, North America, the UK and Finland) when it comes to spending time with their kids. The lion’s share of this time is still invested by mums, but Australian dads are ahead of those from many other countries, averaging around 70 minutes a day with their children.
The source of misplaced parental guilt
According to research published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, not spending enough time with children is the biggest source of parental guilt in Australia.
The researchers also found that it’s quality, not quantity of time children spend with parents that’s important for their emotional wellbeing, achievement and behaviour for kids aged 3 - 11 years. The researchers concluded that volume of time doesn’t matter. It’s much more important how time is spent with your children when you are together. This in no way advocates for absentee parenting. It’s about making the most of the family time you have and reducing feelings of stress for you if you can’t be around as much as you’d like to be.
Here are some ideas to help make sure you optimise the time you spend with your kids:
- Create a tradition of one-on-one time with each of your kids around an activity that you both enjoy, such as a cafe catch up over a milkshake, shooting hoops or playing a favourite board game
- Read regularly to each other, as these are special times of connection, especially in bed at night
- Eat meals together as a family so you can all catch up and connect – this is worth its weight in gold when it comes to quality time
- Pay attention to your children, watching for cues that they’re in need of extra time with you
- Adolescents benefit from spending extra time with their parents. Through interactions with their parents teenagers can learn to make better decisions about their health, improve their academic achievement and experience better wellbeing
- Take an interest in their interests. Connect with your children through the activities that they value such as music, sport or games, even if they aren’t hobbies you don’t normally enjoy. Your kids will appreciate you making the effort and will respond accordingly
- Be present when you’re with your kids. Research shows our minds can wander up to 47% of the time when we are with our loved ones. If you’re present with our kids, you won’t miss out on nearly half of that precious time.
Be mindful of the importance of unstructured time for kids. That is, time they spend playing alone or with siblings and friends. Play is essential for our kids’ wellbeing and development. Play changes as our kids grow up but as long as whatever they’re doing is child-led, it’s play. This is the time to leave them to it.
Dr Jodi Richardson