Welcome to the first of our Hidden Treasures newsletter. Our regular newsletter can often be busy with the day to day reminders of running our school and so we set out to create something where we could celebrate the wonderful work and achievements of our staff and students. Here it is, a place where we reflect on how we are doing as a school community as we - and indeed the whole world - adapt to change. 

The cooperative and considerate community of St Bede’s continues to stay connected and demonstrate resilience in this time of change and challenge. The values underpinning St Bede’s – our school community and our faith – are the values we need most now as we are challenged by the changes we are facing together.

I am heartened to see the core values that have been explicitly modelled in our daily classrooms now relating to new contexts for our students.  We see the persistence our students demonstrated at the swimming carnival now applied to independent learning; the positive attitudes that helped us achieve success at the Walkathon and fundraising events now helping students to set their own goals and encourage their peers; and we see the collaboration students have shown in group work being extended to their online environment.  We see the same compassion of our Social Justice Team and the active Waste-Wise Warriors helping out at home and reaching out to the wider community.

You will read in this newsletter how Emma also talks about self-regulation and patience; how Timmy talks of the need for respect and resilience and Charlotte sees the virtues of adaptability and friendliness. I know these values and conversations are being replicated across our community.

We send our prayers, thoughts and support to those on the frontline and to those who have experienced illness, financial hardship and loss at this difficult time. A true reflection of the St Bede’s community is the comradery that is shining brightly despite the difficulties.

I would like to draw attention to some small silver linings. There has been the opportunity to slow down.  Time to be with family, without the usual interruptions and busy routines.  Beautiful autumn weather which we were still able to enjoy outdoors, along with time in the garden and sitting around the fire on cooler nights.  And of course, reconnecting with students and friends through new modes of communication.

 We eagerly anticipate the return of our resilient and energetic students.  You are truly missed by your dedicated and passionate teachers. United, we walk in love and peace.

Judy Elliott enjoys the collaboration and team spirit of the school community.   

It’s a small school and everybody knows everyone.

In the playground anyone can play with anyone, big kids and little kids.

The small staff steps up and shares the load to work together. We have seen this with the short turnaround we had to set ourselves up ready for remote learning.

The staff members who are more savvy with technology have been very willing to share their expertise and I’ve seen that with the parents online.

Someone will put up a query – how do I get onto this? – and other parents step in and say, do this, like this. 

All of this definitely shows the spirit of the school. Everyone is appreciative and supportive of each other. 

Michelle Mangeruca is currently working a mix of onsite and remote teaching. 

The skills our children are using have all been consolidated beforehand.

We had been using the same platform (Google Classrooms) at school and so this has linked in perfectly.

The children already know the technology and have their links and set-up in place.

I’ve really enjoyed this.

The children are using the values we have been teaching – such as resilience and independence – in this remote learning.

It’s been great to see their compassion for each other and the community spirit as they help one another. 

Emma Cusack says she has learnt good life skills including leadership, responsibility and patience, at school. 

I am a sports captain with my friend and we have to keep the kids under control. I think that responsibility will come in useful later on. 

I think the remote learning has been very good.

I’ve been able to reach my teachers and they’ve been able to give me the attention I need and I have been doing very well.

Sometimes my teacher will be in a meeting with someone else and I work on something else and wait for him to become available. 

The school is a beautiful environment and everybody is so lovely there. The teachers will help you become a very smart independent person. 

Timmy Minogue says quitting is not an option.  

Sometimes in real life situations you need to be patient and not give up. When we do religion we talk about this and about being respectful of others when they’re talking.

This is important on the (online) calls. You build trust in your friends and collaborate a bit more.

You learn to help each other. 

At the start of remote learning it was a little bit confusing but it got easier as we went along.

You can’t give up just because something is hard in the beginning. 

This is a really good school because it’s small and very easy to get around and you’re not all squished in.

Everyone is nice.

The teachers are really nice and whenever you’re hurt they care for you and when you need them they are there for you. 

Charlotte Maher, Year Three, (pictured with Max and Suzie), talks about adapting to change. 

In the beginning it was a bit weird being at home doing my school work.

Now it feels like everything is normal.

Sometimes people can get worried and sometimes they need help in learning to adapt.

St Bede’s has lot of respectful people.

Everyone is friendly and the teachers are nice.