Dear Parents and Carers,

Last Thursday, we received the sad news that Cathy Ffrench had passed away. Cathy taught at St Bede’s School for 18 years and had prepared the children for their First Communion and Confirmation for several years since her retirement. Cathy was a much-loved member of staff and our school community. On Friday morning, staff and students gathered for a liturgy with Mr Fletcher (Cathy’s brother). We are extremely grateful to Amy Doszpot for organising the beautiful liturgy. We extend our condolences to Laurie and family as well as Bob, his wife Naida and their family and extended family.

The funeral for Cathy will be held this Monday at 12:30pm at St Bede’s Church. Year 5/6 students have been invited, to form a guard of honour for Cathy. Parents have been requested to provide a plate of slice for supper following the funeral. An email was sent to all families today with information about this. All offers of food would be appreciated. Food can either be dropped to the school or at the Club.

Last Thursday, Kinder to Year 3 went on an excursion to the Mogo Zoo. For all these students, this was their first excursion since they started Kinder at St Bede’s due to Covid. The children had a fantastic time and we are extremely grateful to Ms Cooper and Ms Crispin for their organisation, the Classroom Support Assistants and the following parents who attended and assisted on the day, Tim Thistleton, Sarah Hickey, Sarah Paciorek, Sarah Symington, Cristina Sanchez, Theresa Jingco, Talia Fa'oa (and her mum, Michelle Griggs), Kate Ellis, Shannon Ricketts (and her mum, Donna Sherriff) and Kate Morris. (Please refer to the Kinder account of the excursion further in the newsletter).

Tomorrow, is Grandparents and Special Friends Day. We look forward to seeing all our grandparents and special friends at St Bede’s at 12:30pm for a liturgy that has prepared by Katie Tooth and Year 2 and will be in held in the hall. This will be followed by shared BYO lunch and old fashioned games with the children. Children can leave with their grandparents and special friends before dismissal but they must be signed out at the front office.

Plans are well in place for the Walkathon which will be held on the last day of this term. Please get behind this great fundraiser and get your sponsors organised. We have fantasic prizes which our fundraising committee have organised. The more money the children raise, the more tickets they will have in the prize draw. At our last wakathon we raised over $7000. Can we beat this?

Parents, just a reminder, on Friday October 18, we will be having a disco for our students in the school hall commencing at 5pm-6pm for K-2 and 6:30-7:30pm for Years 3-6. There will be a barbecue provided for the children between 6pm and 6:30pm, glow sticks, drinks and ice blocks for a small cost. Simultaneously, we will be having a much-needed working bee in preparation for the opening of the new classrooms. We hope many of our parents can stay throughout the duration of the disco and give a couple of hours in the garden planting new plants at the front of the school. A barbecue dinner and refreshments will be provided for all volunteers. Information will be provided before the end of this term for both events.

Mrs Katie Tooth will be taking long service leave from this Monday until the commencement of week 3, term 4. Arrangements have been made for the class with Miss Alex Mathewson taking Year 2 until Tuesday October 22. We welcome Alex back to St Bede’s. Alex did relief work here earlier this year. In addition, Year 2 will be supported by me and may on occasion be split. I’m sure you will join with me, in wishing Katie all the best as she takes a much-needed break to spend the time with family and family.

Next week, until the commencement of term 4, I will be attending a Principals conference in New Zealand and taking long service leave. During my absence, the school will be in the very capable hands of Ms Amy Doszpot as Acting Principal and Ms Shaye Cooper, as Acting Assistant Principal. If you have and issues or concerns about your children, please direct them to Amy or Shaye who will be only too happy to assist you.

Have a wonderful last two weeks of term and I look forward to seeing all students and parents return on Tuesday, October 15.

 God Bless