The images of the extensive flood damage in Victoria and NSW has dominated the media. These events remind us just how dependent we are on each other, and on nature. Such disasters give us perspective; they humble us; they remind us of what is important in our lives.

Creator God We pray

for the victims of disaster and their families ...

for those who labor in the work of recovery ...

for the communities impacted by flooding

for justice tempered with mercy, and for peace

and for our own community open our hearts in generosity to all who need help

Amen

As we return to school to complete the final academic term of 2022 we do so with much anticipation. Having joyously farewelled Year 12 at the end of last term we very much keep them and their families in our prayers throughout the HSC examinations.

I would also like to thank Mrs Sara-Jane Castelli and students from our Social Justice Committee for volunteering to support activities at the Mater Dei Fete this Sunday 23 October 2022.

What this means for students and staff.

• If a student is unwell and has any COVID-19 symptoms, even the mildest of symptoms, they should stay home and test (RAT tests are available from the College office).
• Students who are unwell with any cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms (whether they have tested positive or not) should not attend school until their symptoms are gone.

What this means for school operations.

• To limit the possible spread of illness amongst the school community, students displaying COVID-19 symptoms at school will continue to be sent home until their symptoms are gone (using the same process that has been in place throughout this year).
• Schools will still record positive cases of COVID-19 in students.
• Schools will still notify the school community of positive cases at least once a week.

Here we are, Term 4. We return back in the month of October. A month that is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. A Hail Mary each morning may be a great way to start your day. The HSC is well underway. There is still more to come with Studies of Religion on Thursday 27 October 2022 as well as a number of others. Our Year 11's are getting excited and prepared for their upcoming Senior Retreat in Week 4.

As a Benedictine Community, our Mantra is a key aspect of our prayer life at the College. The whole school stops at the end of Period 4 to reflect and say the words “Be Still and know”.

You shall be my witnesses’ – Acts 1:8

World Mission Sunday is celebrated in every Catholic community in the world. It’s a moment of grace to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are living in situations of poverty, violence and oppression. Every parish, school and community is invited to join this special event. In 2020, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of MISSION “Mission is a free and conscious response to God’s call. Yet we discern this call only when we have a personal relationship of love with Jesus present in his Church. Let us ask ourselves: are we prepared to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to listen to the call to mission, whether in our life as married couples or as consecrated persons or those called to the ordained ministry, and in all the everyday events of life? Understanding what God is saying to us at this time of pandemic also represents a challenge for the Church’s mission. Illness, suffering, fear and isolation challenge us…

The celebration of World Mission Day is an occasion for reaffirming how prayer, reflection and the material help of your offerings are so many opportunities to participate actively in the mission of Jesus in his Church. The charity expressed in the collections that take place during the liturgical celebrations of the third Sunday of October is aimed at supporting the missionary work carried out in my name by the Pontifical Mission Societies, in order to meet the spiritual and material needs of peoples and Churches throughout the world, for the salvation of all.”

Wednesday 26 October 2022 - Year 12 2023 Major Projects Information Evening 2022

Monday, 7 November 2022 - Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student Meetings

Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student Meetings

On Monday, November 7, the College will hold Parent/Teacher/Student Meetings for all Year 11 students. These meetings will be held face-to-face in the Hall between 3:00 pm - 7:30 pm. The purpose of this evening will be to enable students and their parents/carers to discuss the Year 11 Final Report and hear about the recently commenced HSC courses with their child’s class teachers.

Bookings will open on Monday, October 31 at 9:00 am through Compass Conferences. Booking will close on Friday, November 4 at 2:30 pm.

Year 12 2023 HSC Handbook of Studies

The Year 12 2023 HSC Handbook of Studies is now available for download. This Handbook of Studies has been designed to make clear the processes involved in the Higher School Certificate Assessment system. It is essential that all students become familiar with the relevant sections of this Handbook.

Parents are encouraged to discuss the guidelines with their child to ensure that they understand the processes involved to ensure the fairness, validity, and reliability of Assessment at the College.

The first section of this handbook details your responsibilities in meeting assessment requirements. The next section of this Handbook contains assessment schedules, a description of each outcome and the Performance Bands Descriptions for each Course. The schedules provide details of the type of task, the week of the task, the outcomes to be assessed and the relative weighting for each course component. All due dates for Term 4 assessments are now available on Compass. The calendar will be updated early next year for the remaining tasks.

Year 12 2023 Major Projects Information Evening 2022

On Wednesday 26 October 2022, the College will hold a Major Project Information Evening for all Year 11 students who are studying a course with a Major Project and their parents/carers. We will conduct this information session through Zoom.

Students studying the following courses are required to attend this Zoom:

• Design and Technology

• Industrial Technology - Timber

• Music

• Visual Arts

The purpose of this evening will be to discuss:

• The College Expectations of students studying a course with a Major Project component

• Time management

• Folios/Process Diaries/Logbooks

• Check-in process for 2023

What: Year 12 2023 Major Project Information Evening

When: Wednesday 26 October 2022

Time: 6:30 pm (please connect to Zoom 5-10 minutes prior to the start time)

Where: Zoom. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/67283023923?pwd=eVR1MFg4UW55VGZMbFltY1JnQjhBZz09

Password: 349496

All Year 11 students who study the courses listed above and a parent representative are requested to attend this important information evening.

On Wednesday 19 October, six Year 8 students represented the College at the 2022 WeSSSTA (Western Sydney Social Sciences Teachers Association) Junior Geography Challenge Day. Our team of geographers competed against approximately 15 other schools in 10 rounds of geography-related trivia.

Brodie, Bailey, Monique, Natasha, Jordyn and Lillian demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm and teamwork as they approached the challenging rounds about physical geography, country flags, city skylines and several other categories.

Congratulations to these six students on their performance at this event and thank you for representing our College so well.

Mrs Reinhold

As part of the “Back to the Future” topic studied last term, the year 7 High Performance class worked on a mini-research project to practise their skills in carrying out a reliable and valid scientific investigation.

They were given the challenge of investigating what factor (variable) would produce the greatest voltage from a potato battery.

Students worked in groups, chose a variable, and planned and designed their own investigation. They then carried out the investigation, collected and analysed the data and presented their findings in the form of a scientific poster. Students presented their posters during a science lesson to our Leader of High Performance, Mrs Isbister, who was suitably impressed by their work. It was a great effort by the whole class.

Through this process, students learnt how scientists carry out investigations starting with an initial observation, followed by forming an hypothesis, conducting a fair experiment and finally analysing the results. This is an important skill that is taught every year as part of the science curriculum from year 7 all the way up to year 12. In years 8 and 10, students complete a mandatory Student Research Project in which they are assessed on their ability to follow the scientific method based on a project of their own choosing.

This term in Science, Year 9 and 10 will be doing formal Exams as part of their assessment. Year 7 will be doing a formal Skills & Knowledge Test.

Here are some key tips when preparing:

• Read through the Assessment Notification carefully – make sure you know which topics are being assessed.
• Start preparing as soon as you receive the notification. Don’t leave it for the night before.
• Use the checklist on the notification as a study guide. Tick each dot-point off as you learn it.
• Create notes or study cards based on each of the dot-points. This could also include key words and definitions. (Get the information from your workbook).
• Read through the relevant chapters from your textbook (Oxford Insight) and add extra information to your notes.
• Explain the concepts to someone else in your family without looking at your notes. (In other words, memorise the information!)
• If there are calculations involved, practise doing some problems until you are confident.
• And finally, seek clarification from your teacher if there is anything you don’t understand.

Good luck!

Dr Maria de Lima

Leader of Learning (Science)

This Term in Year 10 PDHPE, Students engaged in a Project Based Learning (PBL) approach in order to tackle a future challenge which may present for young people. Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

This style of learning involves a student centred approach to PDHPE lessons which allows them to discover multiple issues young people may face which could lead to a future challenge, problem or issue. Their teachers did a fantastic job in mentoring them through mini workshops regarding specific topic areas and provided them multiple opportunities for feedback throughout the process. The students worked in groups which helped enhance their interpersonal skills.

The overall products, service and initiatives were presented to a panel of PDHPE Teachers - Mrs Durrant, Mrs Loudoun and Mrs Sammut, over the course of the two days. The panel members were blown away at the creativity, apathy and diligence of our students as well as their budding entrepreneurial skills which was clearly shown in their professionally delivered presentations.

I want to take the opportunity to thank the Year 10 PDHPE teachers for their time and effort in supporting the students, the panel members for their enthusiasm over the 2 days of marking and finally to our students for inspiring us teachers with their outlook to the issues presented to them in the world. Please see below some examples from this year’s fantastic projects. Great Job Year 10.

Year 10 PDHPE Teacher

This week 9FT2 have been investigating the nutritional requirements throughout the life cycle during their Food Selection and Health unit. They have had the opportunity to examine the relationship between food consumption, the nutritional value of foods and the health of individuals and communities.

See below the baby food taste testing lesson 9FTE2 experienced!

Miss Singh

St Benedict’s students and staff have access to both a physical library and a digital library (Sora).

CEDoW has clear and consistent guidelines on text collections within our system of schools.

The St Benedict’s college library collection is balanced with print and digital resources that are diverse and informed by learning and teaching requirements. Resources purchased or made available by the college are carefully selected in consultation with college staff. College library text collections contain broad, general and specific selection criteria for education resources.

Library staff make decisions on age-appropriate resource suitability as texts are purchased by the college. This age-appropriateness is guided by author and publisher recommendations as well as bookshop and recommended website reviews. However, most importantly, library staff apply professional knowledge and experience to ensure resources are relevant and suitable, and that the collection as a whole is balanced. Junior students are sometimes unable to borrow texts in the library that are considered more suitable to older students at the College. However, a written permission note from the student’s parent or guardian giving consent to allow books catalogued as ‘suitable for Year 9+” may be submitted to the Library which will then be added to the student’s profile.

There are many fantastic opportunities available for students at our College. Unfortunately many of those experiences are not photographed due to student permission to publish forms not being submitted to the College Office.

If your student has been involved in a sporting team or extra curricular activity but their photo has not been published in the newsletter please complete the permission to publish form and lodge the form at the College Office.

The permission to publish form is available to download here

For more information, please see our Facebook event pages “St Clare’s Fair” -

https://fb.me/e/3wXnMamyt

Most of you would be aware that Busabout started communicating with and visiting schools in our region last term to collaborate on ways to increase the amount of students tapping on & off, on our buses.

The results we have seen from the schools we worked with so far has been astounding, this goes a long way especially when we have such a rapidly growing community.

We want to continue to be able provide school services so ensuring your students tap on & off gives us and Transport for NSW the accurate data to enable this.

Transport for NSW has kindly provided a new poster that can be used at your discretion (see below and attached) within your school or digitally.

We will be continuing to liaise with schools over the coming months, however in the meantime if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Kind Regards,

Lauren Lebedevas

Operations Administrator

Tue 25 Oct - YML & Middle Leaders Induction Ceremony 8:10am

Wed 26 Oct - Year 12 2023 Major Projects Information Evening 2022

Fri 28 Oct - Year 7 History Incursion

Tue 01 Nov - Year 11 Report Release via Compass 2:45pm

Wed 02 Nov - Senior Retreat

Mon 7 Nov - Year 12 Sign Out, Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews 3-8pm

Tue 08 Nov - P&F Meeting at 6.30pm

Wed 09 Nov - Year 12 Formal

Fri 11 Nov - 25th Annual CDF Sports Awards

Wed 23 Nov - Yr 7 2023 Orientation evening - 6.30pm - Hall

Fri 25 Nov - Yr 7 2023 Orientation Day for Students

Tue 13 Dec -Year 10 Academic Awards, Last Day Year 10 and 11

Wed 14 Dec - Closing Mass and Yr 7-9 Academic Awards - Hall - 8:10am, Yr 7-9 Report Distribution via Compass at 2:45pm

Thu 15 Dec - HSC Results Released, Students Activities Day

Fri 16 Dec - Term 4 Ends for Students, Yrs 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (all day)

Tue 20 Dec - Term 4 Ends (Staff)

End of Term 4

RANIER has advised that there may be significant delays with the college uniform. This delay is due to COVID lockdowns in China.

Orders placed for home delivery are despatched twice a week from the Uniform Shop. Orders placed for collection from college office will be available Mondays after 2:30pm, orders placed prior to 9am Monday will qualify.

TRADING HOURS DURING COLLEGE TERMS:

Monday 9am – 5pm

Tuesday 9am – 5pm

Wednesday 9am – 5pm

Thursday 9am – 5pm

Saturday 9am – 12pm

Collection from shop | Collection from College | Home Delivery

CONTACT:

Ranier Schoolwear Unit 5/6-8 Porrende Street Narellan 2567

Online purchasing and appointments visit: shop.ranier.com.au

Email: stbenedict@ranier.com.au

Phone: 02 4647 8942

Responses will be provided during opening hours

For more immediate assistance, Head Office details are

Online: ranier.com.au/contact

Email: custservice@ranier.com.au

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following a change to COVID-19 rules on Friday 14 October 2022, it is no longer mandatory for people who test positive to COVID-19 to self-isolate at home.

What this means for students and school staff

• If a student or staff member is unwell and has any COVID-19 symptoms, even the mildest of symptoms, they should stay home and test.

• Students and staff who are unwell with any cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms (whether they have tested positive or not) should not attend school until their symptoms are gone.

• To limit the possible spread of illness amongst the school community, students and staff displaying COVID-19 symptoms at school will continue to be sent home until their symptoms are gone (students and staff with persistent symptoms, e.g. hayfever, will continue to be able to attend with a letter from their medical practitioner).

Steps we can take to keep our school community safe

• The most important step we can all take is to stay home when we have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, and not return to school until the symptoms are gone.

• Please continue to notify the school if your child tests positive for COVID-19.

• We strongly encourage all students, staff and visitors to follow NSW Health guidance.

We will continue with the COVID-smart measures that have been in place over the last few terms. This includes a combination of encouraging vaccination, supporting mask-wearing (with masks still required in some settings), rapid antigen testing, ventilation, hygiene and enhanced cleaning. If you have any questions or concerns about this change or any other matter related to COVID-19, please contact the school by phone or email.

Sincerely

Kerrie Piatek

Principal