St Bernadette's Primary School Dundas Valley

In recent weeks St Bernadette’s has enjoyed a ‘return to normality’, with parents joining us for celebrations such as Father’s Day, as well as attending regular whole school assemblies. It has been great to see everyone coming together again and we look forward to much more of this in the future.

Another activity which is now running after a two year absence is our Whole School Swimming Program. This program is so important to ensure the safety of our children in the water and it has been a great success once again. Our children have done an amazing job of organising themselves and have conducted themselves in an enthusiastic, yet very responsible manner at all times.

One of our lead instructors personally approached me this week to share her thoughts on the conduct of the children of St Bernadette’s. She wanted me to pass on to our community that our children were amazing! Their beautiful manners and sensible attitude to their lessons had been noticed by all staff, which is a credit to our entire community. 

Have a safe and restful holiday break with your children.

Anthony Kensell

Acting Assistant Principal

Both the reading from the prophet Amos and the gospel narrative pointedly condemn the lifestyles of the rich.  It is not wealth itself, but the complacency and the disregard for others that it too frequently generates, that is denounced.  Biblical covenant is a communal concept.  It emerges from a society that insists on mutual responsibility.  Today’s readings invite us to consider the covenant bond we have with others.  How do we measure up?

The fundamental image of God reveals mercy and compassion.  However, we cannot disregard the fact of judgement.  Amos pronounces a woe against his own people; Abraham declares that there is an unbridgeable chasm between the saved and the condemned.  Paul speaks here of the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ who will bring judgement when he comes.  Judgement will be determined not primarily in terms of our obedience to law, but in view of our fidelity to covenant commitment.

Righteousness is a covenant term.  It is a quality of God that is shared with us by means of our covenant bond.  Paul admonishes Timothy, and us, to pursue this righteousness, along with devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.  Some of these virtues focus on our relationship with God, but most of them are directed toward our relationship with others.  Those who are less fortunate are our sisters and brothers.  If we take lightly our covenant obligations and allow them to languish at our gates, we will have only ourselves to blame when we find ourselves facing the harsh judgement of God.

In our Term 3 Learning Cycle, Steward of Creation, Stage 3 have been learning to understand the relevance of Sacred Scripture and Tradition for Care of the Common Home. The students created this Biblical Micrography in response to Genesis 1-2:4.

We are accepting enrolments for the First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion program 2022/2023, for any child in year 2 and above, who has been baptised and has not yet received these sacraments.

A program overview/nomination form is available at: https://form.jotform.com/stbernadettedvsp/Nom1

Nomination forms are to be submitted by Friday 7th October, 2022

Parent Information evening will be Friday 14th October, 2022 – 7pm in the school hall.

Lessons begin Term 4, Week 2

For enquiries, please contact Lauren at stbernadettedvsp@hotmail.com

Thank you to all our families who have settled their School Fees Account or continue to pay fortnightly/monthly instalments. If your School Fees are still outstanding and you are experiencing financial difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact our Finance Officer, for a confidential discussion on options available to you.

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 a ten week 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.

A reminder when children return to school in term 4, they are required to wear the Summer uniform.

Please see below image of the uniform as a reminder. If you need to purchase new uniforms they are to be purchased from Lowes at Carlingford Court.  If you needed to purchase second hand uniform from the clothing pool, please email the school office items required.

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.