During the past two weeks I had the opportunity to be a part of the annual Principals Symposium for 2019. As a part of these two days all of the principals in the Parramatta dioceses were presented with the rationale and formation dispositions behind the new Religious Curriculum being rolled out in 2020/2021.
This is an exciting time in Catholic schools as we work towards challenging students to engage more actively in learning about and actioning their Faith.
As leaders of Catholic schools we have been challenged “to discern in your own heart what God is calling you to do within the context of your work in the diocese."
Pope Francis calls upon us to be witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through living the Beatitudes and respond to the pain and suffering of the people around us. During these two days we asked to see the “saint next door."
Who is the saint next door to you and how are you acknowledging them?
Love & Light
Lisa Gerrard
REFLECTION by Diane Bergant
Both the reading from Maccabees and the passage from the gospel speak of resurrection. The first is a testimony of faith, the second demonstrates a measure of scorn that accompanies unbelief. Belief in resurrection is not the same as the conviction of the immortality of the soul. The latter is based on the makeup of the human person; the former rests on the fidelity of God. The doctrine of resurrection is grounded in the concept of covenant, which claims that God has established a relationship with human beings. At issue is whether or not death is powerful enough to break the ties that bind us in covenant with God. Jesus says ‘No!’
If this is the future that awaits us, how are we to live until it dawns? Actually, it has already dawned. This is the eschatological hope in which we live by the grace given us from God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our future is already present and, therefore, we are called to live lives that have been radically transformed. However, the future has not yet completely dawned, and so we find ourselves living both in this age and in the age to come. Thus we live future lives, but we live them in the present. As difficult as this may be, we have the promise that the Lord will strengthen us and guard us. We have the instruction of our religious tradition that directs our minds and hearts. When we live lives of the future, we truly enable that future to dawn in the present.
 | PARISH: Altar Servers' Roster Nov 9 - March 1, 2020Download |
7/11 - Reconciliation Lessons 4pm - 5pm
8/11 - School Banking
8/11 - Class Mass and Reconciliation Year 3
8/11 - Assembly 2:30pm
11/11 - Rice Meal Deal Day
14/11 - Reconciliation Lessons 4pm - 5pm
15/11 - School Banking
15/11 - Class Mass and Reconciliation Year 4
15/11 - Disco 5pm - 7:15pm
21/11 - Reconciliation Lessons 4pm - 5pm
| 2019 Term 4 Parent CalendarDownload |
26/10 - Tyana N
26/10 - George G
28/10 - Aaron S
31/10 - Ella T
1/11 - Andre N
5/11 - Alexander H
Kindergarten - Dimitrios M
Year 1 - Ray M
Year 2 - Lachlan B
Year 3 - Gabriella V
Year 4 - Marie Elise B
Year 5 - Patrick H
Year 6 - Liam M
Since our last newsletter we have had Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) excursion to Old Government House as a part of their History Unit. The students had a great day immersed in our local story while learning about the importance of Parramatta and its surrounds in Australia’s history.
Our Kindergarten students went off to Fairfield City Farm where they had a chance to learn about farm animals and how to care for them. I was met with many handfuls of “stinky” sheeps’ wool and excited/ tired faces upon their return.
As we can see our attendance rate is quite low again this fortnight. What is more concerning is our growing number of unexplained absences. This is where a student has been absent and their parents has not sent a note to validate this absence with a note or email. As I have mentioned in previous newsletters throughout the year, this is questioned or flagged by CEDP as to what is causing this non-attendance.
If you are running late to drop your child to school you must come into the office and sign your child in, providing a reason for being late. If your child comes to the office unaccompanied by a parent this is still an 'unjustified' reason and you will receive a letter home asking for an explanation even if they are present at school for the whole day.
As parents it is our responsibility to ensure that our children attend school for the required amount of days to satisfy legal attendance obligations.
If there are reasons that your child is unable to attend school on a regular basis (other than illness) please let me know.
ALL absences must be followed up with a note outlining the reason that your child is late, leaves early or is absent for the day.
As we know:
5 minutes late everyday = 25 minutes per week = 250 minutes per term of learning time is missed!
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Attendance Rate: 82.6% - To unpack this a little more, this means that 82.6% of our students have an attendance rate of 90% -100%.
On Tuesday 19 November (Week 6) the students of St Bernadette’s are invited to participate in Busking Afternoon, by sharing a gift or talent with others. We will be raising funds for a much needed water bubbler for the students of St Francis Xavier, Daly River. Please note that there will be no sales of any kind. In appreciation of the gifts and talents of others, students are invited to make donations of small change.
It is paramount that our children's safety remains at the forefront of what we do each day. When dropping your child off at drive through in the morning and collecting them from school in the afternoon please follow these simple practises to ensure we maintain our student safety priorities:
- Be patient! Wait in the line up and do not cut off other cars
- NEVER drop your child on the other side of the road to cross and come into the school grounds
- Do not park your car or hop out of your car at dive through
- Do not manoeuvre your vehicle around other cars who are waiting or perform a u-turn in front of the school
Please remember that we have rangers patrolling our school in the morning and afternoon's and if you do not follow these rules you will run the risk of being fined.
Thank you for your co-operation with this important matter.
There seems to be an increased number of students wearing of nail polish, excessive jewellery or non uniform items at school. We would appreciate your support in our quest to represent our school in the correct uniform on the appropriate day.
It supports our PBS4L framework in which we have the goal of ‘wearing our uniform with pride’ . Taking pride in our appearance is an important social skill that puts our students in a good place as resilient, confident member of society.
St Bernadette's Primary, Dundas Valley is a community focused, Catholic parish school catering for boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6. The school strives to build a Christ-centred community where faith is integrated with daily life. We provide learning and teaching experiences which enable the children to deepen their faith understandings, investigate, solve problems and explore their learning. We recognise the importance of creating a learning environment that provides opportunities to develop 21st century learning. Technology is integrated into the learning at St Bernadette’s in all Key Learning Areas.
Attendance Rate: 82.6%