Dear Parents and Carers,

Pope Francis has proclaimed 2025 as a Jubilee Year, a sacred time of renewal, reflection, and grace. This is a time to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope.” As we live in uncertain times, this year is an opportunity to focus on an expectation of good things to come.As we continue to focus on Catalyst initiatives in our teaching and learning, we are ensuring that every student has a chance to thrive in a hope filled future.

What a great start to the year for our St Bede’s School community! The children have quickly settled into school as have the staff. We have several new families that have started at St Bede’s this year and some that are also new to Braidwood. I’m sure you will help make our new families feel welcome.

Welcome back to all our staff and a very warm welcome to our new staff this year: Ms Hayley Millsom (Year 1 teacher), Ms Laurel Clark (Year 2 teacher), Ms Elizabeth Conroy (Year 4 teacher) and Mrs Sue Anderson who is the teacher librarian. We also welcome Mrs Bridget Bradley back to St Bede’s, returning from paternity leave. Bridget is working 2 days this year as Classroom Support Teacher. We welcome Father Sijo Jose to St Bede’s Parish as Parish Priest. We look forward to our opening school mass on Friday February 28, at 10am where our Year 6 students will receive their leadership badges. We hope you can join us.

We have commenced the implemention of the Resilience Project at St Bede’s. The Resilience Project (TRP) program aims to build resilience and happiness. The program focuses on promoting emotional literacy and positive emotion, specifically: Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM). TRP offers a whole school community approach, and will involve students, staff and parents/carers. We will provide more information as the program evolves. We are very fortunate to have our local Uniting Church sponsor the program with a donation of $6000.

This year we have been blessed with 4 sets of identical twins - Jude and Ambrose in Kinder who are brothers to Benedict and Raphael in Year 4, Holly and Heidi in Year 2 and Jasmine and Jacinta in Year 3. Can you tell them apart in the photo?

Ms Crispin and Year 3 were especially excited to walk into their classroom on the first day back to discover that air conditioning has been installed in their classroom and the learning support room during the holidays. This has been generously provided by the Community Council from fundraising initiatives including canteen, at a cost of just under $7000 . We thank the generosity of our parent community to ensure there is a more comfortable environment for the children and staff to work in. It was the only classroom block in the school that did not have air conditioning.

What a fantastic day everyone experienced last Friday at the swimming carnival. We were blessed with such beautiful weather and it was wonderful to see so many of our families at the carnival, assisting and supporting the children. Our children had a great day whether they were competing or participating in novelty events. A special thank you to all our staff for their assistance and especially to Mrs Tooth for her amazing organisation. The winning house was Araluen (Red). Ribbons will be presented to the children tomorrow at 2:45pm in the hall. We wish all our students all the best who have qualified for the Northern Regions Swimming Carnival next Thursday at Queanbeyan.

Tomorrow, Year 6 students head off to Trinity Goulburn, with Mrs Katie Tooth to participate in a leadership Day, organised by students from Trinity. We commenced this last year at St Bede’s and it was a great success. We are extremely grateful for Trinity who are organising a bus free of cost, to collect and return our students. This year, St Mary’s Crookwell will be joining us for the day. Next Wednesday, Mrs Gaye McManus, Principal of Trinity, will be available at St Bede’s from 2:30pm, to meet with Year 6 parents who you are considering sending their child there in 2026.

Community Council News
Following resignations from the Community Council at the end of last year, there are three positions vacant. Council Chair, Head of the Fundraising Working Group and a Parent Representative position. Should you be interested in any of these positions, please contact myself or Richard Bunn on 0427633184 for information about the various roles and email an Expression of Interest to Marylou Gorham at office.stbesesb@cg.catholic.edu.au by COB tomorrow, February 14.

Drinks Stall Coordinator - Braidwood Show
The Braidwood Show is fast approaching on Saturday 1st March, and we are still looking for a volunteer to coordinate the Drinks Stall on the day. This is the first fundraising opportunity for St Bede’s for 2025. Last year, this stall raised nearly $3,000 for our school, and with your help, we can make it another great success! The coordinator role involves purchasing of stock, organising volunteer roster, overseeing set up/pack up, and ensuring smooth operation throughout the day. You will be supported with a handover from last years coordinator. If you’re able to assist or would like more information, please contact amy.doszpot@cg.catholic.edu.au

God Bless