Term 1, Week 4 2024

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

We have just completed a rigorous process to select our school captains for 2024.  Our Year 6s wrote excellent applications, from which they were shortlisted for interviews.  We were then faced with the dilemma of choosing just 2 students when we had a large number of very worthy applicants. After much discussion and deliberation, Ayanna and Shayna were chosen.  Both these fine young people clearly understood the qualities suited to the role, had great ideas on areas of school life which could be improved, and demonstrated that good teamwork goes hand in hand with good leadership.  Congratulations Ayanna and Shayna!

Thank you to all who engaged in our Parent/Teacher Connection meetings over the past 3 weeks.  I have had some very positive feedback about the value of the meetings, and we had close to 100% participation from families.  These meetings help set up your child for a successful year.

Last week, some of our year 6 leaders attended a liturgy that launched Project Compassion for the Lenten season. Bahkita, Shubhan, Sophia, Shayna and Lauren represented our school beautifully and participated in the liturgy with much reverence. At the end of the Liturgy our school was chosen to receive the "travelling candle" which means St Bernadette's will host the Project Compassion launch in 2025. This holds great significance to us, as our school and parish were founders of what we now know as Project Compassion.

This week, the Year 4L class hosted our first Lenten Liturgy. While our liturgies usually take place in the Commons, due to some building works we were forced to relocate at the last minute to the Church. This would usually cause some headaches for both students and staff, however our classes did a wonderful job at changing location and participating in the religious celebration. This is just another example of what makes our community so special and unique. The Year 4L class did an excellent job at leading the liturgy. Our next Lenten Liturgy will be in Week 6 and it is being led by the Year 1H class.

Next week, we have a number of Year 4-6 students representing the school at the SAPSASA Swimming Carnival at Marion. This will be the first time we have participated in this carnival. We wish our swim team luck and know that they will give their best efforts and do themselves and St Bernadette’s proud!

Looking forward to seeing you all at Welcome Night…

Regards and blessings,

Michelle, Matthew and Ray

Art – 2024 Agamographs
As part of our goal setting for this year, we created agamographs based on a key word involved in our 2024 goals.  An agamograph is an art form that uses optical illusion to create changes when you look at it from different angles.

My key word is KIND because I think that I am a kind person, and kindness is a very important quality.  I enjoyed creating the pattern on my agamograph by using lots of colour. (Samar)

I chose PEACE as the focus word for my agamograph because I want peace to be everywhere in the world, especially with all the war and fighting in some parts of our world currently.  I chose a blue-green pattern for the word and a circular design including those colours for the background. (Seerat)

Caritas Fun Run, Monday 19^th February
Our Year 5 and 6 children participated in the annual ‘Caritas Fun Run/Walk’, on Monday 19^th February.  We were one of the 7 schools in our region to take part in either a 6km run or a 3km walk. This was a great opportunity for students to challenge themselves physically, while kick starting their Lenten focus of alms giving and raising funds for Project Compassion.  It was a great morning had by all, culminating in a donut recess as a reward for their efforts!

I loved the opportunity to spend some time on the beach.  I enjoyed the surprise of a donut recess when we arrived back at Angus Neill Reserve!  At the end of the run, while waiting for our school bus, I enjoyed playing on the playground for a while with my peers. (Kiana)

A highlight of the fundraiser for me was spending time with my friends while walking and jogging the course.  Brima and I ran for a bit and challenged a boy from another school to a race for some of the journey. (Rahao)

All about me collage
We created a collage all about us and the things we enjoy. Rhitvik

On mine you will see that I like soccer and my favourite players are Cristiano Ronaldo, Jude Bellingham and Kyllian Mbappe. Sakar

On my collage you will see that I love mangoes, doughnuts and sushi. Sophia

On my collage is my Chinese zodiac sign which is a dragon because I was born in 2012, ‘the year of the dragon’ Santa

On my collage there is a lot of pink because it is my favourite colour and grapes because they are my favourite fruit.

Leadership
We have been busy writing applications and thinking about all the ways we can be the best school leaders for 2024. We are also very excited about the many opportunities we will have to show our different skills and qualities.

Shayna - I am excited to be a leader because I have wonderful leadership skills which include being a good role model, encouraging others to do their best and treating everyone fairly.

Abigail – I am excited to be a leader this year because I have very good leadership skills including being empathetic and having great communication skills with others and I will help everyone enjoy school by including them.

Aaroha – I am very excited to have the honour of being a leader of this remarkable school after being a follower for many many years. I have observed my past leaders and I have learnt a lot from them. I have many skills and qualities, including being kind, funny, playing guitar and sports.

Millar – I am excited to be a leader because I like helping others and doing the right thing to make our school the best place to be.