St Bernadette's Primary School Dundas Valley

As the term draws to a close, we find some students are becoming more easily frustrated with each other and this affects their interactions on the playground. I think it is important that as we get closer to the season of joy, that we are always reminding our students of the importance of using kind words.

Students often say things that they think others will find funny, but these words can be hurtful, especially when these things are about how someone looks, how they sound or things they enjoy. 

Kind words between classmates are so important as they build solid friendships. A few kind words can make a person's day and always brings a smile to our face. 

Maybe as an alternative to the usual “How was school today?”, you could try asking “What kind words did you use today?” or “How were you kind to someone today?”

“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time” - Morgan Freeman

Have a wonderful week,

Jackie Willard

Assistant Principal

This feast celebrates the power and authority of Christ by creating a collage of images that capture one or more characteristics of Christ’s kingship. Each image reinterprets the concept of king, investing it with new meaning. Gathered together they create a kind of litany that extols the kingship of Christ.

Shepherd and commander call to mind the care and protection that Christ lavishes on those who place themselves under his care. King of Israel is a sign of universal rule. Image of the Invisible God acclaims the divine origin of Christ and of the rule that he exercises over all. First born of all Creation places Christ over the entire created world. Source of all Created Things acknowledges both the sovereignty of Christ and his importance as the model after which all things were fashioned. Head of the Body, the Church underscores the intimacy and interrelationship that exist between Christ and all those who are joined to him through faith and baptism. Firstborn of the Dead not only acclaims Christ’s resurrection, but it also guarantees the resurrection of those who will follow him into death. Crucified King is clearly the image that reinterprets all other images.

The entire liturgical year is brought to completion in the last words of the gospel: ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise.’ These are the words that we all long to hear, words that are empty when coming from one who has no authority, but charged with power when spoken by the one who is king over us all.

This term, stage 2 have been exploring Journeys. Our starting point was Mary’s journey from the Annunciation to Christmas. Year 3 participated in a peeling the fruit scripture activity to explore different pictures that represent passages from the bible. This is what we saw. . .

Year 4 has been investigating the Annunciation. We noticed how this Scripture has parts of the Hail Mary and the Angelus in it. We looked at similarities and differences between Luke's gospel and the prayer. Here are some of our observations.

Our swimming carnival took place on Friday, 4th November.  We were blessed with a  beautiful day and were very impressed with the newly refurbished Waves at Baulkham Hills. It was great to be able to come together for a swimming carnival after several interrupted years, as it was to have many parents come along to enjoy the day with us. Many thanks to the parent volunteers who helped with timing.

The day was enjoyed by all and there was a great spirit among the children as they cheered for their house colour, friends and classmates. Congratulations to MacKillop, which was the winning house on the day! Age champions will be announced at this Friday’s assembly.

Due to some of our Kindergarten students for 2023 moving house or accepting other offers, we still have a couple of spaces for next year. Please let us know if you have previously missed out on a place as we may now have a vacancy for you to enrol for 2023.

Please notify our office as soon as possible, if you know that you may be leaving St Bernadette’s at the end of this year. As you know, you are required to give ten weeks notice if you are leaving. Please contact our office for a copy of a leaving form that must be completed.

We thank you for your ongoing support.

If you wish to purchase any items from our school clothing pool, please email the school office via dundasvalley@parra.catholic.edu.au . If the items are available, they will be sent home with your child. We are no longer able to have uniforms paid for via QKR! app, as unfortunately refunds aren't able to be processed if your required uniforms aren't available.  Therefore all payments need to be processed via EFTPOS only in the school office.