St Bernadette's Primary School Dundas Valley

Newsletter 2021 Term 4 Week 2

FROM THE PRINCIPAL...

Dear families of St Bernadette's

Welcome back to Term 4! 

On Monday we experienced a small move towards resuming our normal day to day routines. As I’m sure you are aware many of our retail outlets have reopened including gyms, hairdressers and much more. I understand that we have been in lockdown for a much longer time this time, so some of our children may be nervous and overwhelmed at the idea of coming back to school. After a discussion with the staff we have designed “well being activities” that will assist with students transitioning back into the school routine. 

As NESA has adjusted the curriculum requirements for 2021, we will be focusing on Literacy, Numeracy and Religious Education while integrating other key learning outcomes for the remainder of this term.

 You should have received via SkoolBag, an outline for how we intend to transition our students back onsite in the safest possible way.

Love & Light   

Lisa Gerrard

(on behalf of the St Bernadette’s staff & students)

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL...

As we are getting closer to our return to school, our children might be feeling a range of emotions - excited, happy, scared or anxious. All of these are perfectly normal and understandable. While it might be challenging for us as adults, children can find it even more so and might express their emotions in different ways.

 When they do express their feelings in these ways, it can be easy to try and dismiss or distract them in the hope that the behaviour or feelings will stop. The best way to deal with all this - talk.

Talk to your child about what is happening with their world. Talk to them about how you maybe feeling and if they feel the same way. Talk to them about what will be happening before it happens so they have an understanding of what to expect. 

If all else fails and the emotions get too much and your child does act out, as a parent, I find that a hug works wonders for solving problems. 

Remember that we are always here to help and we can work with you to help your child ease back into face to face teaching. 

 Mrs Willard

 

 

Returning to School

Are your children returning to school?

As mentioned above we are following the NSW return to school guidelines. We look forward to all students returning by October 25th, 2021.

If there are any reasons that your children are unable to return could you please notify the school via the dundasvalley@parra.catholic.edu.au email address attention Lisa Gerrard. This will assist us with taking attendance and opening up discussions about how to ensure learning opportunities are available for these students.

Remote Learning for Term 4:

We look forward to welcoming our students back to school over the next few weeks. At this stage, the advice on returns to school remains:

Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe settings on school sites in the following order:

  • from 18th October – Kindergarten and Year 1

  • from 25th October – Years 2 - 6.

A letter with additional information has been sent out via skoolbag earlier this week. Please read this letter carefully as there are a number of changes to our school routines.

A sincere thanks to all of those parents that have filled out our Google Form each week identifying whether or not your child requires supervision etc. This has made it easier to ensure that we have adequate numbers of staff onsite to supervise students.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION...

Sunday 17 October 2021

REFLECTION by Dianne Bergant CSA

When we set out to follow Jesus, faithful to the promises that we made at baptism to renounce sin and live lives directed by the Spirit, we normally do so with generosity of heart. However, after we have borne the burdens of this decision and realise some of the implications of our commitment, we begin to wonder if it was worth it. We believe that God will generously bless us. Still, would it be so wrong to hope for a little more, especially if we have made significant sacrifices along the way?

Of those to whom much has been given, much will be required in return. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we will be expected to mirror him. The great ones in the reign of God, the ones who exercise authority over others, must be the servants of the rest. Parents, teachers, civil authorities, managers of every kind, pastoral leaders must all be servants, as Jesus was a servant. We will also have to drink from his cup of suffering and be baptised into his death. As we draw close to the one who gave his life as an offering for sin, we will find that the same self-sacrifice is being asked of us. When we struggle with the misfortunes that we face because of our commitment to Jesus, we will have him as an inspiration and a model to follow. He can sympathise with our weaknesses, identify with our suffering. We can draw strength from his example and hope from his kindness.

LITERACY

Spoonville coming to St Bernadette's

Spoonville Writing Task

Students were asked to write about their spoon character. Some students wrote descriptions of their spoons, others wrote stories and some wrote letters to the St Bernadette’s community from the perspective of their spoon. Enjoy reading the work of some of our talented authors at St Bernadette’s.

 

SCHOOL NEWS...

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Dates to remember:

Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe settings on school sites in the following order:

  • from 18th October – Kindergarten and Year 1

  • from 25th October – Years 2 - 6.

School Fees

Thank you to all our families who have settled their School Fees Account or continue to pay fortnightly/monthly instalments, throughout these difficult times. If your School Fees are still outstanding and you are experiencing financial difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact our Finance Officer, for a confidential discussion on options available to you.

We have processed a $75 credit to your school account (to be reflected in your 2022 statement). This represents the cancelled excursion and activities in 2021. A reminder that you have previously received $143 credit in Term 3 for the cancelled swimming program.Please notify our office as soon as possible, if you know that you may be leaving St Bernadette’s at the end of this year. As you know, you are required to give a ten week notice if you are leaving. Please contact our office for a copy of a leaving form that must be completed.

We thank you for your ongoing support.

Watch this space!

Our school is going cashless! We have started implementing the process, we will be offering an online payment service through Qkr by Mastercard. Qkr (pronounced quicker) is designed for busy parents and carers.

This easy-to-use mobile phone application is suitable for both iPhone and Android Smartphones. 

This service will be available for all non-school fee payments. More information to come.

Community Of Learners

Over the course of the last two weeks we have seen a number of interesting members of Spoonville come in. It's not too late. Just bring your spoon in upon your return and your member of Spoonville will be placed with the others.

In our Prayers

Please keep Miss Strawbridge and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they recently suffered the loss of a very dear family member. 

Our deepest condolences to Miss Strawbridge and all the family.  May the Lord watch over you all and give you comfort during this very difficult time .

Reconciliation Classes:

As our students return to school, we will be able to begin Reconciliation classes. To enrol please contact the Parish on 9871 4414. Classes will resume and will comply with covid safe practices.

PBS4L

PBS4L During Remote Learning

Whilst working online it is important we continue to uphold the St Bernadette’s expectations:

⭐ I am safe

⭐ I am respectful

⭐ I am a learner

 

What would this look like online?

I am Safe 

    • Join Zoom lessons from a safe area in my house eg. the living room or kitchen/dining area
    • Use the technology correctly


    I am Respectful

      • Wear appropriate clothing during Zoom lessons
      • Mute my microphone when I am not speaking
      • Only use the chat feature in the Zoom lesson when my teacher asks me to
      • During Zoom lessons I am listen attentively
      • Speak kindly and use my manners when interacting online


      I am a Learner

          • Complete activities set by my teacher
          • Only use the comment section on Google Classroom when I need to ask a question
          • Avoid distractions around me when I am working
          • The work that is submitted is my personal best

            Our Digital Sign

            We would love to advertise events in our community so if you know of an upcoming event please email the details to dundasvalley@parra.catholic.edu.au.

            Don't forget to collect your Bread Tags!

            Enrolling now for 2022

            We still have a small number of places left in our 2022 Kindergarten. Please send in all relevant information as soon as you can to secure your place.

            Happy Birthday

            • Lenita - 04/10
            • Ethan - 05/10
            • Orlando - 06/10
            • Louis - 07/10
            • Kayla - 08/10
            • Johnluke - 08/10
            • Christian - 09/10
            • Afreen - 10/10
            • James.B - 11/10
            • Emily - 12/10

            EXTRA CURRICULAR...

            COMMUNITY NEWS...

            Community Health Advice

            St Bernadettes Primary School

            St Bernadette's Primary, Dundas Valley is a community focused, Catholic parish school catering for boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6. The school strives to build a Christ-centred community where faith is integrated with daily life. We provide learning and teaching experiences which enable the children to deepen their faith understandings, investigate, solve problems and explore their learning. We recognise the importance of creating a learning environment that provides opportunities to develop 21st century learning. Technology is integrated into the learning at St Bernadette’s in all Key Learning Areas.