Premier's Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and St Bede's is excited to be participating. The theme this year is 'Discover a New Chapter'. The Premier's Reading Challenge website offers a range of exciting features including:

● access to a library catalogue (including book images and blurbs)

● a modern user-friendly interface

● rewarding students with badges as challenge milestones are achieved

● the option for students to mark books as a favourite, give them a star rating or complete a book review.

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 2 September 2022.

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 6 are challenged to read 15 books. All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/prc

If you would like for me to register your child, please email me back with your child's name and grade eg 4R. (lboyhan@sbedesbn.catholic.edu.au)

I will be registering students over the next couple of days. Then I will send through their logins so that you can record their reading into the website and I will verify this every couple of weeks.

The government sends through certificates usually in Term Four to be awarded to the children at an assembly.

Volunteers at St Bede's

Last week Arianna Chor (our Literacy Leader) and Brian ran a volunteers training program (we used to call this the Literacy helpers training). At this session we spoke about different ways that parents can help/ volunteer in the classroom, the code of conduct and the responsibilities of a volunteer. If you missed this session I will run another session early in the term. Requirements to be a volunteer at St Bede's are: current working with children check (we need a copy in the office), and a signed code of conduct (this is filed at the office).

Volunteering in the classroom will start again next term. Teachers will send out a roster that you can volunteer on once you have completed the course and have fulfilled the requirements. We look forward to having you in the classroom again.

Planning Days

The staff have all worked in teams over the last couple of weeks to plan and prepare for next term. Each term the teams have a day to work together with different curriculum leaders to plan.

We have been working further on our inquiry into perspective for next term and how this will also shape our concert. We have some very excited teachers brainstorming ideas for the children to communicate their learning through poetry. theatre and song. Watch out for lots of glitter and call outs for help!

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week 2022 is from 3 - 10 July. At St Bede's we will be celebrating this week and learning about Indigenous culture during our first week of Term Three. During this week we will have Uncle Ian come back to work with the children about traditional dance and song.

Fed Square has some great events if you wish to celebrate as a family during week 2 of the holidays. On July 10, head down to Fed Square for a day filled with live performances from leading Aboriginal musicians and entertainers, storytelling sessions by Aboriginal elders, arts and crafts activities and food tasting from First Nations-owned restaurants.

Check out events at their website; https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do/naidoc-week-events-in-melbourne

Melbourne School Holidays Activities for June/July 2022

Melbourne has a range of free Winter school activities on offer. Some activities that families can access include;

Firelight Festival - Melbourne's winter festival is back
St Kilda Penguins - we are lucky to have our own colony of penguins here in Melbourne
Royal Nature Park Play - this park is a wonderful outdoor space for children. With equipment to excite the kids – ropes course, climbing structures and more – as well as a water play area, there is something for kids of all ages.
State Library of Victoria - the State Library of Victoria houses Ned Kelly’s armour! The library also has a range of talks, workshops and children’s story time on offer all year round.
The Queen Victoria Market - Buy some fresh food and take it home to cook up a storm with your kids. They will be learning about measuring, weighing and timing.. but don’t tell them they are learning… ssshhh!
RAAF Museum - A visit to the RAAF Museum will ignite the passion for flying in your kids. See aircraft up close and learn about the history of the air force. Open days and flying displays are held throughout the year so make sure you add them to the list!
The National Gallery of Victoria - The National Gallery of Victoria has two locations and lots to offer kids these school holidays. The Gallery is committed to expanding the creativity of children with a range of programs, exhibits and activities all year round.
Melbourne Museum - Walk among skeletons, through a living rainforest and marvel at dinosaurs up close all at the Melbourne Museum. For the really little ones (up to 5 years) there is an interactive children’s gallery where you can let them explore and have fun.
ArtPlay - ArtPlay is a venue that encourages creativity and self-expression. Workshops and programs are on offer for a range of age groups and it is centrally located in Melbourne City. Families tip: Allow sometime to play at the playground located beside ArtPlay.
City Circle Tram - Experience old world charm on this historic Melbourne Tram. A fun and easy way to explore Melbourne’s inner city, the City Circle Tram offers commentary along the way about Melbourne’s landmarks and history.

There are many more activities that families can access some great websites to be inspired by include;

What's on in Melbourne

School Holiday Activities. com

Bastille Day at St Bede's

The French National Celebration, Bastille Day, is on July 14. At St Bede's we will be celebrating Bastille Day on Friday 22 July. On this day the students can come dressed in a French theme, be as creative as you like or simply come in the colours of the French Flag. We will also have on this day a French themed tuckshop (a big thank you to our tuckshop volunteers) and our French leaders are arranging some activities for the children to participate in.

Have a wonderful family break.

Larissa

Parent's Association