From the Principal's Desk

Bunnings BBQ - Thank you

I would like to thank Stephanie Hodgson her organisation and coordination of the Bunnings BBQ over the weekend. A thank you also to the BPC and all of the parents who volunteered at this event. It was a great success and I am thankful to have seen so many families drop by. For more details, please see the BPC page. Thank you everyone.

School Fee & Levy Policy

Our Fee & Levy Policy will be sent home by the end of this week and we encourage you to read the letter with the policy, which explains our budget.  Levies for 2020 ($470 per student) are due before the end of the 2019 school year and separate invoices will not be sent out. Please make your payment before 18th December 2019 to avoid long queues at the office. Details regarding payment are:

Fees and levies can be paid in cash or card at the office between the hours of 8.30am-4.00pm or by using internet banking as follows:

NAB Account No: 483924506                           BSB: 083 347                                        Reference: Family Name

Parent Education Opportunity

There is an opportunity to run a ‘Tuning into Kids- Emotionally Intelligent Parenting’ program at school next year. The course, facilitated by a psychologist, runs for 6 weeks and helps parents teach their children the skills of emotional intelligence. The program costs $150 per participant, usually in a small group (between 8- 12 participants) and runs over 6 weeks either from 9:00am - 11:00am or 1:30pm - 3:30pm. You can learn more about the program by visiting their website http://www.tuningintiokids.org.au

Interest of parents and responses, will determine if the program can proceed, so please email us by Friday 15th November on schooladmin@stbernardscoburg.catholic.edu.au if you are interested.

Year 6 Graduation Dinner

We are still in urgent need of more parents to help organise the Year 6 Graduation Dinner as we have only had 2 responses. This function is to celebrate the end of your child’s primary years and as such we want to make it a special occasion. We cannot do this without help and support from parents, and planning and organisation must start in the next week if it is to go ahead. Please consider helping and contact us on schooladmin@stbernardscoburg.catholic.edu.au

Mini Mission Fete

Cakes and slices have been made, trash and treasure is being collected and games, stalls and activities are ready to go! Everyone is eagerly awaiting Thursday and the Fete. All money raised, supports those in need and again this year we will support Catholic Missions, in particular, their work in Ghana through Sister Stan. Read more about the amazing and life-changing work she and her staff do, to support children who are challenged by disabilities, on our RE page.

Join me!

I am so grateful for all of the questions and discussion around my pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan. If anyone would like to see some photos from my time there (not all 1300), please join me at Bernie's Cafe on Tuesday 29th October at 9.00am or  2.30pm for a cuppa. I would love to share my experiences with you. Everyone is welcome!

Outstanding Accounts

There are still some families that have not paid their 2019 accounts in full and have not contacted us to make arrangements. Please do so before this Friday 25th October.  A reminder also, that the Year 5/6 camp payment must be paid for by Thursday morning if students are attending. We cannot take students to camp, if payment in full , has not been made.

Assembly - Friday 1st November @ 3.00pm

Our next Assembly for Term 4 is  Friday 1st November @ 3.00pm. Everyone is welcome, however a special invitation goes out to 3/4 families, as the 3/4 level are hosting the assembly on this day. Remember to pop into Bernie's before assembly and grab a cuppa. This assembly was previously supposed to be hosted by the 5/6s, however given that they will be away on camp, the 3/4s will host, with the 5/6s to host on the 15th November instead. 

Professional Development Day - Monday 4th November

No school for students

Please not that there will be no school for students on Monday 4th November, as the teachers will be participating in a PD Day. OSHC will be open, as long as there are a minimum of 15 bookings, so please be sure to contact Carmel and book in as soon as possible.

Melbourne Cup Public Holiday - Tuesday 5th November

Please note that there will be no school on Tuesday 5th November due to Melbourne Cup Public Holiday.

'Something to think about'

Encouraging Kindness

As we think about helping others this week, here is an article about how to  encourage kindness.

Yours Sincerely

Joanne Doherty

Principal

School Board News - A Report from the Chairperson

The St Bernard's Primary School Advisory Board met on Thursday 17 October.  A number of topics were covered, including child safety (which is a recurrent agenda item), 2020 school fees and options for expending the future funds raised by Bernie's Parent Collective.  Joanne also discussed two upcoming term 4 events, the Mini Fete and Mini Bernie's Orientation sessions - the latter of which is a great initiative to provide local pre-school children with an opportunity to experience life at St Bernard's. The night ended with a presentation from Joanne about her trip to Israel, including a beautiful reflection on the Blessed Virgin Mary and opportunities for sharing this experience with the broader school community. 

Fiona Gallagher

Chairperson