Dear Parents and Carers

As we complete another week of remote learning, we are in awe of the amazing job everyone is doing at home and at school, to ensure every child can access their learning. Joining class ‘Teams’ meetings is a privilege for me as Principal and an opportunity to see everyone. The children are to be admired for their diligence and application to their work and their mature approach to these meetings. We are all extremely grateful to all our staff for the work they are doing tailoring the learning for students and checking in regularly with families. Well done everyone!

You will be aware of announcements earlier today regarding the release of various lockdown conditions and possible return to school for some NSW Local Government Areas. Our school continues to be in an area under lock down so will not be impacted by this announcement. Should in the event that this situation change for St Bede’s, you will be notified through Schoolzine and FaceBook.

R U OK? Day (Thursday 9 September 2021) is our national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and support those struggling with life's ups and downs. This is a reminder to start a conversation that could make a difference to a life. We will recognise this day tomorrow. We would like all our students to wear something yellow and send your photos to your class teacher. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to send a message of gratitude to someone who has helped you through a tough time your mum or dad, class teacher, grandparents, or friends. Ryoko, our School Counsellor is available every Thursday for our students and families who are in need of support.

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

Parents, please ensure you email your child’s attendance to the class teacher by 11am each day. Remote learning packs will be available for collection from 12pm to 2:30pm every Friday or the following Monday from 9:15 to 3pm. They will be left inside the school gate for ease of collection.

Plans are well underway for our Kinder Orientation. Unfortunately, we will be unable to conduct our previously planned Kinder Orientation days, due to the current restrictions regarding visitors entering schools, as advised by the NSW Department of Health and Catholic Education. Instead, we plan to conduct our Kinder Orientation days on two consecutive Tuesdays, which are Tuesday November 16 and Tuesday November 23 from 9am to 12pm, pending current restrictions being lifted. Notes have been posted to all families this week advising parents of the change of dates and additional information.

NAPLAN results were posted to all our Year 3 and 5 parents this week. Parents please check your mail box and remember this test is a snapshot of what your child is capable of doing. Since the test was undertaken in May, your child has done 4 more months of learning.

This week we celebrated National Support Staff week. We would like to say a very special THANK YOU to all our Support Staff who do an awesome job at St Bede’s to assist our staff and our families. This week we presented Lara, Michelle B, Michelle R and Sarah with a cyclamen in appreciation for all they do for us. We couldn’t operate our school without you all!

Last night, our Community Council met via ‘Teams’. We are extremely appreciative of our Community Council and the hard work they do to for our school. If you have an item that you wish discussed at a meeting, please contact a member of the Community Council.

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

Creator God,
Thank you for giving us each unique gifts and talents.
We pray that we will be able to use these to show love, kindness, mercy and service to others.
Help us to be fair to all we meet like Jesus.

We ask this through Jesus our friend.

Amen

Steve Angrisano - Go Make a Difference