Dear Parents and Carers,

Recently some of our Year 5 students received the sacrament of Confirmation at the Parish mass. We congratulate Josh, Lewy, Elsa and Stella and thank their families for supporting them, Mrs Mulholland for preparing them and Father Mick for the beautiful mass.

This fortnight our rule focus is to practise the value of gratitude. We encourage all our students to always have an attitude of gratitude and to start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart! Sadly, many people in our country and around the world are suffering through floods, famine homelessness and war. On Friday December 2 we will be having a plain clothes day at St Bede’s for St Joseph’s School Eugowra who have been impacted by floods. All children are requested to bring a gold coin donation.

During the past two weeks teachers have been busy with parent teacher meetings. This is an integral part of our report writing process. We thank our teachers for their work preparing and organising the meetings and our parents who have taken the opportunity to meet with teachers. Reports will be published on Compass on Monday December 12 after 3:30pm.

We have a few changes with staffing for 2023. This year we say farewell to Johanna Barling who has been successful with obtaining a teaching position at St Gregory’s Queanbeyan and to Jennie Marsh and Lois White who are retiring. Philippa Kelly and Alex Shain will be available to do casual relief next year. We will all get an opportunity to farewell and thank the teachers leaving at our end of year mass on Tuesday December 13. We hope you can join us at St Bede's Church at 10am.

Classes and Staffing for 2023:

Principal: Mrs Marylou Gorham

Assistant Principal: Mark Chifley

REC/Classroom Support Teacher/Library: Mrs Helen Mulholland

Kinder: Ms Shaye Cooper

Year One: Mrs Cherie Kilburn

Year Two: Ms Chantel Strapp

Year Three: Ms Jade Crispin

Year Four: Mrs Rebecca McPake

Year Five: Ms Bridget Welfare/Mrs Lis Mertens

Year Six: Mrs Katie Tooth/Mr Mark Chifley

Office/Clerical: Mrs Lara Hewitt

Classroom Support Assistants: Mrs Michelle Bartley, Mrs Michelle Ridley, Mrs Sarah Stewart and Mrs Jacqui Walker

Community Council met last night and have approved the 2023 School fee levies. The fee schedule and a covering letter will be emailed this afternoon. You will notice that our fees have been restructured for next year, this is in preparation of a new finance system in early 2023. As always parents are encouraged to make an appointment with me, if anyone is struggling to pay fees.

On Monday December 12, commencing at 9am we will be moving some classes and storerooms in preparation for the building refurbishment, which is commencing early next year. Year One, Year Two, Year Three and the Sports Store Shed and furniture in the Library will be moved. A note will be sent home next Monday requesting assistance to do this. Please watch out for this.

Have a great week!

God Bless

Updated communication from CE re Covid Smart Measures

NSW and ACT Health recently advised that they are starting to see a rise in COVID-19 transmissions within the community, with a peak of cases expected in early December. COVID-smart measures continue to be in place and are vital in allowing us to keep our schools operational while prioritising student and staff wellbeing. These measures include:

• staying home if unwell and/or showing any symptoms
• mask-wearing strongly encouraged, particularly when indoors and/or when physical distancing is not possible, and on public transport
• continued mandatory mask-wearing for anyone working with students at greater risk of serious illness whether they are in specialist centres, support unit or mainstream classroom
• using rapid antigen tests (RATs) when showing symptoms or exposed to COVID-19
• encouraging all staff and families to keep up to date with their vaccinations, including COVID-19 booster shots if eligible

NSW Health are also encouraging everyone in the community to continue to register positive RATs with Service NSW to ensure they receive timely support and advice, including access to antivirals for those who are eligible. Schools will continue to reinforce the importance of the COVID-smart measures to students, parents, carers, and staff.

Rapid antigen tests (RATs)

Students, families and staff are encouraged to test whenever they are showing symptoms or if they have been exposed to COVID-19. With the expected spike in COVID-19 cases in the community in early December, it is important to continue to test, particularly before large end-of-year events and gatherings.

Should you require RATs tests please contact the office and we will arrange RATs to be be distributed to families.