Dear Parents and Carers

This Sunday, we celebrate Father’s Day. This day gives us all an opportunity to stop and reflect on how important our fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and significant role models are in our lives. It is also a time that we pray for all those who are no longer with us or are unable to be with us on Sunday. Tomorrow, our children are all dressing up as dad or grandpa. We can’t wait to see what the children will wear.

A Poem for Dad

I thank you on this Father’s Day
For all the love you send my way.
The things we learn, the games we play
The many things you do and say.
Of all the dads, I must confess
I think you are the very best!
So sit right down, forget the stress
Kick up your feet and take a rest.
Happy Father’s Day!

Last Friday, we received notification that the lockdown in NSW has been extended until September 10, with a staggered plan to return students to school, commencing October 25. Whilst we are eager to return to school, it is important that we comply with the recommendations by the NSW Department of Health and CE. A special thank you to all our parents for the work that you are doing at home with your children. The teachers are reporting that the students are checking in regularly on ‘Teams’ meetings and they are working hard to complete their work.

Every second Wednesday commencing Wednesday, September 15, we will be having Wednesday Wellbeing Day. On this day the children will put their devices up and parents can have a break from having children on devices. Everyone is to use the time to complete any unfinished work. Teachers will also be working offline marking and preparing work.

Parents, please ensure you email your child’s attendance to the class teacher by 11am each day. Remote learning packs will continue to be available for collection from St Bede’s at the front gate, 12pm to 2:30pm every Friday.

Just a reminder to all students attending school, it is a requirement that as of September 1 that all students wear hats. Please ensure your child’s name is clearly labelled on their hat.

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

God Bless

Marylou Gorham
Principal

Last Friday we celebrated Book Week. Staff and students went to great efforts to dress up to the theme ‘Old worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’. A special thank you to Mrs Jennie Marsh for organising and everyone for joining in with the celebration. A shame we couldn’t be at school but the parade on our FaceBook page was fabulous!

Remote Learning Parent Feedback

This week we are sharing some reflections from our Year 4 parents…

"It’s a steep learning curve for parents and gives us a greater appreciation for teachers!"

"Thanks for another entertaining week in Year xx"

"Thanks for all your ongoing hard work and patience with home schooling, you are doing a great job"

"Thanks very much for all the information! XXXXXX is enjoying the home learning and meetings, thanks for all your hard work with this!"

"The difference with happier mood and motivation to learn from my boys from last year to the last 3 days has been nothing but mind blowing. Thank you for being a great support. I realise it’s early days but we are completing most tasks without confusion. I’m less anxious about it all and it’s rubbing off on my kids."

"Just wanted to say Thank you for lightening the mood on a Friday afternoon! XXXX has been mostly settled and having a go at school activities each day...also been reading recipes and has cooked an amazing paella and rainbow cake!!"

Prayer

Strength of a Mountain
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

- Author Unknown

Without many of the students coming to school, you would not know that some plants, 'Japanese Box' have been planted along the concrete path from the back gate. A big thank you to Miss Kaptein for donating the trees and another big thank you to the students who assisted in wheel barrowing the dirt to the area and those who helped to plant them. We are always doing something to improve our school.

Keep safe everyone.

Cherie

Northern Region Public Speaking

Students from Years 3-6 will still be asked to present their speeches to their teacher starting Week 9. Class teachers will communicate exact details with their own class. We will select two students per year group from Years 3-6 to represent St Bede’s at the Northern Region Public Speaking Competition which will be held in Week 2 next term.