Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to all staff, students, and families of St Bede’s. A very special welcome to our new families. We are certain that you will find the community at St Bede’s and surrounds to be friendly and welcoming.  It was wonderful to see the children walking into school with big smiles on their faces on Tuesday, especially our Kinder students who have quickly settled into school routines. The children were all very excited to meet their new teachers and the Infants especially excited to be able to use the play equipment.

This year we welcome several new staff members:  

• Mark Chifley- Assistant Principal: Mark is an experienced educator and has worked in previous schools as Assistant Principal at Young and in Canberra. Mark is teaching Year 6 this year.
• Helen Mulholland- Religious Education Coordinator: Helen is an experienced educator and has previously taught in the Tumut region in Catholic schools and Bathurst and Wagga Wagga Dioceses as Principal in several schools. This year Helen is teaching Year 4.
• Jade Crispin: Jade is an experienced teacher and has previously worked in Canberra. This year Jade is teaching Year 3.
• Rebecca McPake: Rebecca is an experienced teacher having previously worked at West Wyalong and at schools in Brisbane. This year Rebecca is teaching Year 1.

As you are all aware, there have been many emails and letters sent to families this year. We encourage all our families to subscribe to Schoolzine to access newsletters and to keep up to date with notifications. With Covid-19 active in Queanbeyan-Palerang region it is important that we can get information out to you as quickly as possible.

Next week we look forward to the swimming carnival on Friday February 11. This day always promises to be action packed and a great day for students and families. Only volunteers are permitted to enter the pool who must show proof of being fully vaccinated. We hope to see many of you at the pool.

Unfortunately, we are unable to have any school events, either at school or at a venue outside of school. As a result, this year we will not be conducting our usual parent information night which was to have been held on Wednesday February 16. A note will be sent home with each student from their class teacher, outlining what is to be taught in each Key Learning Area and general routines for the class. This information will be sent home with each child on Wednesday, February 16. We have also had to cancel the Welcome BBQ which was to have been on Wednesday, February 23 at the Club but hopefully once the restrictions are lifted, we will be able to have school events.

Thank you so much to all our parents who have endeavoured to follow all the Level 3+ restrictions. Please ensure you contact the office if you need to come into the school, sign in at the front office and wear a mask.

Please keep our Braidwood community in your prayers and continue to be thankful for the small everyday blessings around us.

God Bless