Dear Parents,

Last week was Sabbatical Week, although you wouldn’t know that with all that was happening at St Bede’s. I hope families enjoyed some downtime and spending time doing things together. 

We are beginning to prepare our students in Years 3 & 5 for the annual NAPLAN testing.  The national testing tool will be online apart from the Year 3 writing test which will continue to be a pencil and paper test. I would like to reassure families that although we take these tests seriously, we attempt to downplay any anxiety there maybe with students participating, especially the younger students who haven’t sat formal tests before. It is a one-off test on one day and therefore is just a snap-shot of your child’s overall ability.

We have had iPad boot camps for Year 3 parents and students. We opened up these information sessions to other parents in the upper grades this year as we were unable to offer this service in 2021 due to COVID-19. This is an ideal opportunity to understand the use of iPads in classrooms and questions you may have about apps and security. Please find attached the link to the presentation this week if you missed the sessions. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Z40PEz4H8QlJ-O8NDtMatn8btcEmvaw9DMca2y-Q1D4/edit?usp=sharing

Last week we had our much anticipated ‘Colour Run’ Launch. The children were very excited to hear about the prizes and what was involved to participate. The teachers completed the launch by covering me with the dye!! Students need to visit https://myprofilepage.com.au to create their own profile, donate money and find out about the latest prizes.  A huge thank you to Mrs Fox for organising the launch. It will be run in conjunction with our Cross Country carnival on May 7 in Term 2.

Easter falls at the beginning of our school holidays this year and as such we will have all our celebrations before the break begins. ‘Stations of the Cross’ and Easter egg raffle draw will all happen in Week 9. Thank you to all the families who have donated to the Easter raffle. Donations and raffle tickets need to be returned to school as soon as possible. The raffle draw is Wednesday 31 March.

Next Thursday, our classes will be re-enacting the Stations of the Cross. All of the children are invited to wear a cloth for their head piece. A tea towel or towel is appropriate with a band around it. Please send this into school with your child on the day so that they can look the part. Parents are warmly welcomed to join us for this event as it will be held outdoors.  We would love to see you there.  

Holy Week Celebrations

When: 1 April, 11.30am

Where: Outside Assembly Area

Who: Whole School – If the weather is fine you are most welcome to attend to be a part of our celebration

The senior wing classrooms are on schedule to be recarpeted during the next break. This will complete the work started during January which has brightened up the internal parts of the school. The junior wing is scheduled for carpet replacement by the end of the year. We are also replacing the very old curtains in the next few weeks. The final measurement was carried out yesterday so they should be installed early next term. The bus bay is also meant to be signed off over the break but this has been such a long winded process so I won’t hold my breath!

As this is a nine week term, this is my last Principal’s message for the term. I would like to wish all our families a blessed Easter and a safe holiday break. Can I remind families that the first day of next term is Tuesday 20 April 2021.  Monday 19 April is a pupil free day.

Have a lovely weekend.

Regards,

Julie