Welcome to our Week 5 newsletter.

The colder weather has arrived, and it is a timely reminder for us all to maintain healthy routines to avoid illness and to stay ready for learning.

Next week, we have a pupil-free day on Friday 5th June, prior to the King’s Birthday long weekend. This will provide students with two four-day weeks, giving them an opportunity to rest and return refreshed, ready to finish the term well.

Our teachers are currently writing learning reports for your children, which you will receive at the end of term. These reports are an important way we share student progress and provide insight into what children are learning.

Another exciting opportunity to engage with your child’s learning is our Learning Exhibition, taking place on Wednesday 17th June. Over the past few weeks, students have been preparing work to share with you. This whole-school approach allows us to demonstrate not only what students learn, but how they learn. Our learning badges continue to highlight the important dispositions and skills that help students grow, and we are very much looking forward to sharing this with you.

Learning Exhibition Schedule:

• Junior Primary (Reception–Year 2): 3:30–4:30pm
  Families are invited to wander through and explore student learning.
• Year 5 Business Stalls: 4:30–5:30pm
  Our Year 5 students will be running their business stalls as part of the exhibition. In previous years, these have been available only during student lunch breaks. This year, they are sharing this learning experience with the wider community. You may wish to bring some cash to enjoy a snack or support their enterprises.
• Years 3, 4 & 6: 5:00–6:00pm
  Students will share their learning and reflections with you. We encourage you to ask questions and engage with them as they present.

We ask that you bring your Primary students along ready to participate in their year-level exhibition. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to grow in confidence and communication.

I would also like to share an exciting staffing update. As you may be aware, Mrs Wendy Carlesso will be taking maternity leave at the end of this term. We are pleased to announce that Mrs Rebecca Thomson has been appointed as our new ELC Director. We congratulate Rebecca on her appointment. We also warmly welcome Mrs Dominique Mildenhall as the Reception class teacher for the remainder of 2026.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend the National Policy Forum hosted by Christian Schools Australia (CSA) in Canberra. I was pleased to invite our local MP, Matt Burnell, to join us for dinner at Parliament House. I also attended the launch of the Student Flourishing research, a collaboration between CSA and Harvard, which explores the conditions that help students flourish.

The forum provided valuable insights into current challenges and opportunities facing Christian education in Australia, along with ways we can continue to move forward together. One key focus is ensuring parents retain the choice to educate their children in schools like ours.

We are grateful for the strong community we have at Bethany and remain committed to working in partnership with families. Together, we strive to excel in Christian education and character, inspiring greatness while serving our community and impacting the world. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students flourish.

Have a lovely weekend.

God bless you,

Wendy Matear
Principal

Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things.

Colossians 1:15