From the Principal's Desk

Principal - Ms Julie Di Noto

Loving God,

As we enter Holy Week this Sunday, help us to remember the great love Jesus showed through His life, death, and resurrection. May this sacred time invite us to pause, pray, and reflect on how we can show kindness, forgiveness, and hope to those around us.

Bless St Bernard’s School families during this holy season. May our homes be filled with peace, gratitude, and the joy of Easter, as we celebrate the promise of new life in Jesus.

Amen. ✝️🌿

Dear St Bernard’s community, 

It’s hard to believe this is already the final newsletter for Term 1. After almost two terms at St Bernard’s, I have well and truly settled in and genuinely feel a part of this wonderful community.

It has been an incredibly busy and productive term, with students actively engaged in their classroom learning alongside a wide range of extra-curricular activities. These have included ‘Ride to School Day,’ the ‘Premier’s Reading Challenge,’ the Year 3/4 Soccer Tournament organised by our Student Leaders, ‘Interschool sports,’ various lunchtime clubs, and our upcoming Sports Day. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers, who work tirelessly to create diverse opportunities that support every student to thrive.

It was a privilege to attend the annual Catholic Education Week Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral last Friday alongside our student leaders, with over 300 schools represented from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Archbishop Comensoli, who presided over the liturgy, reflected on St Patrick’s life and mission in his homily. Our leaders were outstanding ambassadors for St Bernard’s, demonstrating prayerfulness, respect, and reverence. Following the Mass, students enjoyed a concert and a range of activities in the park. 

Additionally as part of Catholic Education Week, St Bernard’s Primary School was featured in ‘The Local Newspaper.’

It has been wonderful to introduce class Masses this term and to see so many families in attendance. Please note the change in 1/2L Mass, now being held this Thursday 26th March at 9.30am. Next week, I am looking forward to my first St Bernard’s Holy Week Paraliturgy, where students will reflect on the events of Holy Week through a reenactment. This will take place on Monday 30th March at 2:30pm in the Hall, and families are warmly invited to attend.

As we count down to Easter, the most sacred time in the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, Catholics commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and sorrowful events of His Passion and Death, culminating in the joyful celebration of His Resurrection. To acknowledge Easter, students will have an opportunity to ‘Guess the Easter Egg’ for a fundraiser organised by the BPC. If you would like your child to participate please send a Gold coin donation to school on Monday 30th March. 

This Friday our year 3-6 families are invited to attend our first ‘Student Learning in Action’ sessions from 9-11am in your child’s classroom (9-10am for 3/4 families and 10-11am for 5/6 families). For safety reasons an attendance register will be kept in each classroom. I understand that some families will not be able to attend during the school day. For this reason our session in Semester 2 will be held in the evening. I hope this provides a beneficial experience for families, and an opportunity to authentically engage in your child’s learning. Please RSVP your attendance to your child’s teacher. Our Prep to 2 session will take place on Thursday 30th April. 

Last week our students gathered in their house colours in preparation for our Sports Day next Wednesday 1st April. They learnt about how the house names acknowledge our Catholic Faith traditions and the language of the land which our school is on. Excitement is building and students are counting down! Thank you to Ms Tijana for all her hard work in organising the day. Families are welcome to join us for the running races 9.15-10 (Prep to Grade 2) and 10-11 (Grades 3-6) and for the winner announcement assembly in the afternoon at 3pm. Tabloid sport activities will be taking place in the middle part of the day. 

This Monday I led a school tour with six prospective families. Due to the great interest we have had in our school, we have opened up another two school tours on Monday 30th March and Friday 24th April at 9.15am. I am also offering personalised tours if families prefer. Please continue to share with family and friends all the reasons why St Bernard’s is a great community to be a part of. A reminder to submit your enrolment form as soon as possible if you have a child beginning Prep in 2027. 

I am extremely proud of all our Grade 3 and 5 students who completed NAPLAN testing the last couple of weeks. At times technology wasn’t kind to us, but the students displayed resilience and perseverance. A huge thank you to Ms Lisa, Ms Bridget and our classroom teachers for all their hard work to ensure the children were prepared and felt confident to try their best. NAPLAN 2026 results will be released to schools and parents around June.

Ms Efi Cioccio has officially begun at St Bernard’s. Many families have already warmly welcomed her. Efi will be working in our school office on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, alongside Ms Nicole. 

Thank you to all those who applied to be part of our School Advisory Council. I am pleased to announce the appointment of two new members, Laura and Sarah. They join Renee, Gabrielle, Tyson, Father Leo and myself to form our SAC for 2026. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our exiting members Nahrain and Hayley for their commitment and contributions to St Bernard’s school community. 

SAC 2026

As mentioned in last fortnight’s newsletter, please ensure students do not arrive at school until 8.30am as they are not supervised. Students should not be riding their bikes on Patterson St before school. Our students' safety is of paramount importance. Thanks for your support with this. 

A reminder that parents who enrol their child agree to follow the terms and conditions regarding parent conduct. Below are excerpts from the Enrolment Form and the Parent/Carer Code of Conduct  which can also be found under “Policies” on our school website. These reminders outline the responsibilities all parents share as members of our school community. If concerns arise about any incident at school, they should always be raised with your child’s teacher or school leadership - never directly with a child or with another child’s parent.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment:

8.6 The parents/guardians/carers agree to comply with any code of conduct for parents/guardians/ carers or other policy implemented by the school from time to time

which sets out the school’s expectations of parents/guardians/carers who have a student

enrolled at the school.

Parent Code of Conduct: Unacceptable conduct:

• approaching a child that is not your own with a view to disciplining that child for their behaviour. Such matters are only to be dealt with by school staff.

• approaching other school parents to resolve issues arising between students at school. Such matters should be referred to school staff.

A number of policies (listed below) have been updated and can be viewed on our school website www.stbernardscoburg.catholic.edu.au 

You may also notice that our website is in the process of being refreshed. 

-Assessment and Reporting Procedures F-6

-Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Policy for MACS Schools

-Curriculum Procedures F-6

-Recording and Monitoring School Attendance Procedures for Schools

-Student Behaviour Support Procedures for Schools

See below for some new images from our recent photo shoot and grade 1/2 art work on display in our administration area. 

Principal Award

Congratulations to Arlo from 1/2L for being awarded this fortnight’s Principal Award. I was particularly proud to see the joy of Arlo's classmates who were so encouraging and happy for him. They are true examples of students demonstrating our 2026 school theme ‘Let your light shine.’

A reminder that students finish on Thursday 2nd April at 1pm (OSHC is available on this afternoon) and resume school for Term 2 on Tuesday 21st April. On Monday 20th April staff will be participating in a Literacy professional learning day. Wishing each and every family joyful Easter blessings and a safe and wonderful holiday break. Thank you once again for all your support this term as we partner together to enhance learning and wellbeing outcomes for our students.

Warm regards

Julie Di Noto

(Principal)

Reminders

The End of Term Dance Concert is on next Monday 30th at 2pm in the hall, for families who would like to attend.

Sign up for next term for Kelly Sports Dance and Chessmates Chess Club at lunchtime the details are on the brochures below.

A reminder to students we also have several clubs run by our teachers - Garden Club, Uno Club, Coding Club (year 3-6) and Choir at lunchtime during the week.