Dear Parents

It is with great pleasure that I announce the new school leaders for 2020. The School Captains are Madeleine and Ty. The SRC President is Zoe. The sports leaders are  Harry (Scholastica), Zach and Georgie (Benedict) and  Emma and Jaide (Polding). They will receive their leadership badges at the beginning of school year Mass in February. Congratulations, children!

We have a number of families who are leaving us at the end of the year, some after a long association with St Bede’s. We wish the very best to the Blaney-Brown, Dopita, Hyde, Noordewier, Phillips, Read, Roff, Spilker and Wootten families as they embark on new journeys with their children at other schools.

At the end of the term we farewell three staff members. We send our love and very best wishes to Katie Horsburgh as she and her family excitedly await the birth of their second child. We hope to see Katie back in 2021. We also say farewell to Ella Morella and Naomi Lamb. Ella has had a long association with St Bede’s and we will miss her in the support area.  Naomi is taking up a full-time position at Telopea Park School. Naomi has only been with us this year but has been a real asset to French at St Bede’s.  

I am very pleased to announce that we have been able to secure a new French teacher for 2020. Her name is Chhaya Sood and she is very excited to join our school community.

We will also farewell our Year Six group in Week 10. Next week they will celebrate completing their primary school journey with Mass and dinner. They will also have a fun day next Tuesday. May they enjoy the rest of their school years and look back on their time St Bede’s with fondness.

We have quite a few significant celebrations happening in the next couple of weeks. Next Monday we celebrate Advent prayer. This will be led by the staff and will be celebrated in the hall from 9.30am. Please feel free to join us if you are able.

Next Wednesday we will celebrate the Kindergarten nativity and school Christmas concert. This is always a special occasion in our school calendar and I know that Mrs Garrity, Mrs Pryor, Ms Moores and class teachers, as well as all the students especially Kindergarten, have been working hard on this for most of the term.

Our traditional end of year school Mass is on the last morning of the school year (Thursday, 19 December) at the Cathedral beginning at 10am followed by games and a BBQ lunch back at school supplied by the P&F - thank you. I hope as many parents as possible can join us for this wonderful annual event.

Our Christmas toy appeal donation in the front foyer is looking wonderful and clearly displays the generosity of the St Bede’s families. Thank you everyone for supporting this worthwhile initiative. There are going to be some very happy children in the community on Christmas Day due to the kindness of our community.

Reports will be coming home next Friday, 13 December, with your child. They are a reflection of the fantastic achievements your child/children have made over the last semester. If you have any concerns please make an appointment with the class teacher to discuss.

A letter from the School Board concerning fees for next year will be sent home next Monday. This letter outlines the increases that have been reviewed by the Board, in alignment with tuition fees set by the Catholic Education Commission. The changes in fee levies will cater for escalating operational costs and curriculum needs. Following receipt of the letter, if you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I would like to thank the many parents who have helped in any way this year. Your contribution does not go unnoticed and makes this school the special place that it is. I would like to especially thank members of the School Board and the P&F Committee for their unfailing support throughout 2019. It has been a very successful year.

As part of our marketing campaign for 2020, we are working with a team from Resonate Marketing.  The marketing team are inviting parents and members of our community to contribute via testimonials of your experience at St Bede's.  If you would like to share your thoughts and you are happy for Resonate to make contact with you directly, please let me know as soon as possible.  These testimonials may be used for future advertising, such as brochures, website and social media.  We would love to hear from you.

The last day of term is Thursday, 19 December.

The first day of Term One, 2020, is Monday, 3 February for all children except new Kindergartens. Their first morning is Tuesday, 4 February.

School begins at 9am and concludes at 3.10pm

As this will be my last Principal’s message for 2019, I wish to thank our hard-working staff who have worked tirelessly to make your child’s year so successful. Their commitment to their profession and your children is immense and something that makes this school exceptional.  

On behalf of the staff of St Bede’s, I would like to wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas and a peaceful and safe holiday season.

Kind regards

Julie