Leadership News
Dear Parents and Carers,
A very warm welcome back to Term 4 and the final term of the 2024 academic year. We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful two week break from the routines of school life and were able to enjoy some extra special time with your children.
World Teachers Day
Today we celebrate and thank our teachers for the work they do to educate, inspire and empower the students, their families and school communities. Our teachers work tirelessly to transform teaching and learning, create inclusive learning communities and nurture students so they grow in confidence and excel in their learning.
As educators in a Catholic school, we truly value the privilege of living our Catholic values each day. Our classrooms are not just a place for lessons, but are where young minds are nurtured and futures shaped with care, creativity and community. We are very fortunate at St Mary’s to have such dedicated and committed staff that create opportunities for our children to flourish and thrive.
God of Love, Thank you for every teacher who notices a child’s special gift.
Thank you to teachers who are listeners and gentle guides.
Thank you to teachers who expect much and love enough to demand more.
Thank you for the special teacher each one of us remembers.
God of Mercy, Sustain teachers who give everything they have. Help exhausted teachers rest.
God of Strength, Encourage teachers to care and inspire them to nourish. Motivate teachers to keep on learning for the fun of it and to make learning enjoyable for children.
We wonder at teachers who know how to quiet a class of five year olds or help eight year olds to be empathetic. We admire teachers who enjoy primary school writers, or teach physics or math or history. Bless the people who are expected to accomplish these miracles and who know how to comfort children when miracles don’t happen.
God of Justice, help and support teachers in their special calling, wherever they teach and whatever obstacles they must face. We pray these things in the name of our great teacher, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
– Prayer adapted from the National Catholic Education Association
Grounds and Maintenance
Thank you to Mr Bateman for his coordination of the maintenance work taking place around the school. Over the holiday break we had some plumbing work completed and a new pathway has been laid. Thank you for your patience in accessing the school playground while this was completed.
Our students have been fascinated by the installation of the new soft fall under the playground equipment. The poles have been repainted and new shade cloth will be completed shortly. In the coming months, the hall and some of the classroom buildings will receive a freshen up with painting work to be completed.
Staff Professional Learning
As part of our commitment to ongoing learning, on the first day of Term 4, the staff participated in a day of professional learning with Sam Chrzczonowicz, Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn Teaching and Learning Officer EAL/D. Sam unpacked with staff the needs of students who have English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D). These students have another language other than English spoken at home and they are learning to become proficient in the four English modes: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
This was a valuable day for staff where we were able to learn about useful strategies that teachers could easily implement in their classrooms to support their EAL/D students.
Catholic Leaders Days
This week Mrs O'Neill has joined school Principals across the Archdiocese for the Catholic Leaders Days in Canberra. Each year our school leaders meet together to hear from educational experts and hold regional meetings to plan together for the following school year.
This year, Mrs O'Neill and Mrs Robertson from Cooma were being farewelled as they both retire at the end of this school year.
Archdiocesan Assembly - Come, Holy Spirit
Last Saturday, Fr George, Mrs Afflick, Mrs Durnan and Mrs Heffernan joined a variety of people from parishes and schools on the south coast at the 2024 Archdiocesan Assembly in Narooma. More than 650 people gathered at hubs across the Archdiocese in Canberra, Narooma, Goulburn, Cooma, Young and online on Saturday to celebrate the fruits of the Holy Spirit and explore new opportunities for evangelisation and synodality in the life and mission of the Church.
The gathering centred around the theme “It seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” (Acts 15:28). This theme guided us as we shared our stories, explored our collective journey and the path we are called to take as a community into the future. Our day was filled with fruitful discussions and discernment. It was wonderful to engage deeply with one another and reflect on the direction our Archdiocese is heading. In the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to reflect upon the messages shared during the Assembly. It is essential that we listen to where the Spirit is calling us as we strive to renew and strengthen our Church community.
Gurubangamba-ga Mentoring and Transition Program
Yesterday, nine students from Year 5 and Year 6 attended the Gurubangamba-ga Mentoring and Transition program at Carroll College. This program aims to assist our Stage 3 Indigenous students gain confidence as they transition to secondary education. It is a great opportunity for them to make connections with peers from St Bernard’s, and the Carroll College leaders act as mentors in this process.
The theme for this session was ‘respecting yourself and others’ and students participated in a range of activities that encouraged them to collaborate and connect as they discussed what respect looks, sounds and feels like, and how they can put this into practice in their relationships with others. 
School Musical - Mary Poppins
With only two weeks to go, Mary Poppins is nearly here! It will be an incredible show. Our cast and production team have been working really hard. Tickets are selling fast, so make sure that you get yours before they sell out. Thank you for organising your children’s costumes. Our first dress rehearsal will occur next week. Check COMPASS for some important information regarding the musical that was sent out today.
Thank you for supporting the Community Council’s Jar fundraiser. Please see the Community Council News below for more information about what to donate for supper at the evening shows.
Swimming Program 2024
The students are very excited about our upcoming swimming program. We are very pleased to be able to provide swimming instruction for all of our students from Kinder to Year 6 at no cost to parents. Our School Community Council is contributing to the cost of relief staff to cover the four teachers at the pool each Friday.
The cost of pool entry for the Swimming Assessment day and 4 days of the program is $25.00. If your family holds a season pass or fitness passport card, then this may be used to cover pool entry. The COMPASS note for swimming will go out today.
2024 Eurobodalla Mayors Writing Competition
Congratulations to Alex K in Year 1 who was awarded the winner of the Stage 1 Mayors Writing Competion. Congratualtions Alex!
Kindergarten Orientation
We look forward to welcoming our 2025 Kindergarten students this term for the Kindergarten Orientation sessions on
Thursday 14 November and Thursday 28 November
Wishing you a wonderful term. Please keep in mind our Year 6 students who are embarking on their last term of primary school, with everything that entails. Such exciting times for them!
God bless and take care
Leadership Team