Dear Parents and Carers

This week we celebrated Grandparents day. Grandparents day is traditionally held each year close to the fourth Sunday of July and close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

Recalling the upcoming feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple – when the elderly Simeon and Anna encountered the child Jesus and recognised Him as the Messiah – Pope Francis said, “the Holy Spirit even today stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly.” The voice of the elderly “is precious,” he said, “because it sings the praises of God and preserves the roots of the peoples.” The elderly, he continued, “remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between the different generation, to pass on to the young the experience of life.” Whilst we couldn’t celebrate with a liturgy and morning tea, each class have sent something special home that they have made for their grandparents, in recognition of how special they are to them. We are truly blessed to have the gift of grandparents and we thank them for all they do for our families at St Bede’s!

It is wonderful to see all our students participating with such enthusiasm in ‘Jump Rope for Heart’. We have exceeded our fundraising target and have set a new target of $7000. Well done St Bede’s students. Not only are you fundraising to raise funds for heart research, patient support and programs that help save lives, the children are having fun and getting fit at the same time.

Mutton's are expecting the arrival of our sports uniform in the next few weeks. Whilst this issue with the supplier has taken many months to resolve, we are extremely grateful to Fiona at Mutton's for persevering. The quality of our sports uniform is extremely high and more durable than other suppliers. In the meantime should you have any issues with supply of uniform, please contact the front office and we will endeavour to supply something for your child from the clothing pool.

Canteen continues to be a great success at St Bede’s and the children are loving having the opportunity to buy their lunch each Friday. We are extremely grateful to Beck Thistleton and our parent volunteers, but we are in need of more parents to assist. If you can help, even if it’s only once a term, please contact Beck Thistleton on 0438211071.

Please continue to keep in your prayers all those communities that have been adversely affected by this recent COVID outbreak and who are in lockdown. We pray that all in our Braidwood community stay safe and well.

God bless

Marylou Gorham

Prayer

This week we celebrate our grandparents. We thank God for the gift of our grandparents and the elderly in our community.

Prayer for Grandparents

Lord God almighty
bless our grandparents
with a long life, happiness and health.
May they remain constant in your love
and be living signs of your presence
to their children and grandchildren.
We ask this through Christ our Lord

Amen

Sacrament of First Eucharist 

This year, children in Year 3 & 4 who have made their First Reconciliation are eligible for the Sacrament of First Eucharist. There will be a special mass for the children and their families at 10:30 am on Sunday 15 August 2021 at St Bede’s Church, which is the Feast of the Assumption. To help prepare the students for this Sacrament, they will have four sessions with Brother Brian during the school day. We thank Brother Brian for his guidance and support during this special time.

Year 5 and 6 are involved in The online writer’s workshop Little Scribes. On Monday afternoon, The students engaged in a workshop with Kirli Saunders, the author of the award winning book 'Bindi'. Kirli Saunders emphasized the use of imagery to the students when writing. The students in Year 5 completed a 10 minute activity. Below is a writing piece by Miranda and Grace.

I walk through my bedroom door, hit with the lingering smell of candles, melts and body mist. It’s quite a comforting smell.
I look around the nicely decorated room, watching the sun, ever so slowly creep in through the window, making the plants on the window sill look as if they are glowing.
I hear cars whoosh by and pull in and out of driveways. The birds fly over the house and perch upon the branches in nearby trees.

~ By Miranda ~ Year 5

These trees hold many memories;
playing, singing, and dancing.
Two kids thought of it as their bunker, or a house made of gold,
but the important thing, it has things to share.

~ by Grace ~ Year 5