RSVP required by Wednesday 1/6/22 - register your attendance online:

College Family RSVP registration - St Benedict's Feast Day Mass

For the first time in almost three years our college conducted face to face parent teacher interviews in our new hall. Thank you to the parents and carers that attended these meetings and also to our college staff for their time and preparation. These meetings provided an opportunity for parents and teachers to review student progress, as well as discussing strategies for students to implement throughout the remainder of Year 11 and the HSC Year. Staff who were unable to attend these interviews will contact parents and carers to arrange alternative times to meet. I would encourage all parents and carers to contact your child’s teacher as soon as practical if you have any further questions regarding your child’s progress.

Every year Australians celebrate National Families Week held between 15 – 21 May which coincides with the UN International Day of Families. Families Week is a time to celebrate the most significant unit of society, FAMILY.

In this week our prayer is for the members of our own families and for families all around the world. We especially pray for families in the Ukraine and families experiencing hardship, poverty, violence, abuse or displacement at this time. We also pray for the families at St Benedict’s – giving thanks for their many gifts of life and daily love and praying they will continue to know the blessings of each other and of the God of life.

It is a worthwhile and positive experience to be involved with the SBCC P&F, working closely with the College Principal and Leadership team to enrich the learning opportunities of our students.

The work of our P&F helps to ensure that our students experience at St Benedict’s Catholic College is of the highest quality.

Expressions of interest are currently sought for the SBCC P&F Executive Team. If you would like to make a contribution to our college as a P&F Committee member please email your details to: pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au.

Over the last week or so of an afternoon, I have taken time and great delight in looking at the sun - the colours are just spectacular. The yellow, red, orange and white the make up the afternoon sky. A wonderful reminder of how amazing creation is. This is also quite fitting as this week is Laudato Si’ Week, is a celebration of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and a call to action for Catholics around the world. The 2022 theme is 'Listening and Journeying Together.’

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference promotes the celebration of Laudato Si Week from 16th-24th May and invites Catholic parishes, schools and communities to take part in opportunities for prayer, reflection and conversation.

The seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical letter Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home takes place on May 24th. Laudato Si Week is celebrated annually in appreciation of the 2015 Encyclical letter in which the Pope says, “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love” (#84).

Pope Francis has helped Catholics understand the connection people have to the whole of creation and that caring for Earth's community is central to the mission. “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents” (#14).

An important feature of St Benedict Catholic College's learning framework is to provide students with experiential opportunities that students would not normally have in the classroom. One of these opportunities has been offered to us by Catholic Mission. St Benedict Catholic College is part of a program initiated by Catholic Mission to foster and develop interfaith experiences within our local community. More information about the program can be found here: https://www.catholicmission.org.au/get-involved/interfaith. We have formed a partnership with Amity College for this Interfaith Encounters program. We also look forward to building a strong relationship with the community at Amity College.

Catholic Mission is a Catholic Organisation operating in Australia since 1847, and its mission is to help build a world where all people may live life [freely and fairly] to the fullest, physically and spiritually inclusive of race, stigma, religion and gender. Catholic Mission, through its social justice workshops, Immersions program and the Interfaith Encounters program provide opportunities for students to become empowered as champions for change. Using a pedagogy firmly based on experiential and immersive learning, the interfaith program is designed to celebrate difference, deepen faith, and promote peace and social cohesion. The main goals of this program are to provide an opportunity to meet one another with respect and appreciation as human beings with the fullness of each other’s dignity and explore the diversity of experience and understanding of faith and culture within communities. This initiative has been facilitated by Catholic Mission with the community at Amity College.

Our students had the opportunity to take part in Session One on Wednesday 18 May 2022. Staff members from Catholic Mission - Catherine Towiro and Liesje Barratt gave Year 11 students the opportunity to to explore why interfaith encounter matters and consider the role of personal and social identity in how we encounter and dialogue with others. Students also had the opportunity to share their hopes about the program too - many are keen to find out more about other faiths, make new friends and deepen their understanding of the variety of beliefs and ways of life in the Australian community.

We look forward to meeting Amity College next week.

It was a great sight on Tuesday as we were able to host our first whole college assembly in the Hall. As the Covid restrictions have eased we are enjoying being able to get a sense of “normal” around the college. During the assembly students were reminded about the following:

Uniform

Blazers need to be worn to and from school. As the weather has started to get colder, students are to wear the college jumper under the blazer. No hoodies or other jumpers are allowed. Girls skirt length needs to be at the knee. I would ask for your support in ensuring that the uniform is worn properly. If you are having issues with the uniform please contact the relevant STRIVE Coach.

Bags

Students are not to have their bags with them until after school. All students have been provided a locker and this is where all belongings are kept. A reminder that students need to have a lock on their locker.

Lateness

School starts at 8:10 with a warning bell at 8:05. Please ensure that students are here on time. Traffic and other such excuses are not a valid reason to be late.

Laptops

Laptops need to be fully charged at home overnight ready for the school day. Students are not allowed to have their charger at school. Laptops also need to be carried in a case to stop any damage to screens.

Feast day

Our College Feast Day is fast approaching on Friday 3 June. We will be celebrating Mass as a College Community and all parents and carers are invited.

We would ask that you RSVP to the College by Wednesday 1 June 2022 online at:

The Year 11, 2023 Showcase and Information Night will be held on Wednesday 1 June.

Showcase of course commences at 5:30 pm

Information Session commences at 6:30 pm

All students and a parent/carer representative are required to attend.

Both the Showcase and the Information Session will be held in the Hall.

Entry via Hollow's Drive Gate or the Main Carpark.

Context

Social media is used in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) to help create vibrant Catholic school communities of faith and learning. In this context, social media is any form of online presence used in valid educational contexts that facilitates inclusive relationships, contemporary communities and multi-directional interactive exchange of information, conversation or activity. Users of social media are required to manage their digital footprint by interacting responsibly and ethically, in line with our Catholic ethos, respecting the dignity of all involved.

CEDoW maintains a social media presence on various platforms, including but not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Users of social media should consider their rights and responsibilities for promoting the respect and dignity of all participants.

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Social Media Standards

CEDoW encourages the use of social media for open and productive dialogue. When using social media it is expected that individuals will:

• respect the dignity of self and others in the context of their role

• not promote perspectives contrary to the Catholic faith

• not bring the school into disrepute

• not publicly criticise CEDoW, schools, staff or students

• align with the parameters of the intended purpose of the social media presence.

In order to create a positive experience and the maintenance of respectful relationships it

is expected that no material posted:

• includes any content that a reasonable person considers in any way is defamatory, discriminatory, rude, aggressive, abusive, harassing, intimidating, threatening, insulting, hurtful, hateful, offensive, obscene or indecent

• constitutes trolling

• is unlawful or where the user does not have the necessary rights, licenses and/or consents to post, including infringement of copyright or any other intellectual property rights;

• breaches or invades anyone’s privacy;

• impersonates or misrepresents any person, organisation or entity;

• consists of any proprietary, confidential, sensitive or private information;

• constitutes spam, unauthorised advertising or soliciting, or links that contain any kind of virus, spyware or malware;

• appears to contain irrelevant or excessive links or coded information;

• is off-topic, redundant or excessively long;

• encourages conduct that may, or would, constitute a criminal offence or give rise to civil liability, or that otherwise violates any local, state, national or international law or regulation.

Social Media and Privacy

CEDoW, OoD, Strategic Planning and Policy – AMC – 27032019

Click here to view the policy online at the CEDow Website:

CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT

St Benedict’s Catholic College celebrated National Careers Week 16 - 20 MAY 2022 by implementing the CEO Transition and Pathway Program (TAPP). This program is a new era in Careers Education at St Benedict’s Catholic College and indeed the whole of the CEO Wollongong Diocese. Over the past 3 years, a program of Careers Education across years 7-10 has been developed through CEO lead consultation, a Steering Committee and a Pilot program.

This year all CEO Wollongong Secondary Colleges will continue with the Transition and Pathway Program (TAPP) to deliver quality Careers education to year groups across 7-10 so they are better prepared for the important Career decisions they will make in Years 11 and 12.

On Wednesday 18 May, the Year 10 cohort completed the 4 lessons of the Careers/TAPP program during Periods 1-4. They were then treated to a BBQ lunch and then completed Pastoral Activities during Period 5 with their Year Coordinator, Mr Morris and the Year 10 Strive Coaches.

On Thursday 19 May, the Year 8 cohort completed the 4 lessons of the Careers/TAPP lessons during Periods 1-4. They were then treated to a BBQ lunch and then completed Pastoral Activities during Period 5 with their Year Coordinator, Mrs Novak and the Year 8 Strive Coaches.

On Friday 20 May the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) delivered a face to face Workshop with the Year 11 and Year 12 cohorts to provide students with the latest information on: Applications, Courses, Scholarships, Adjustment Factors (Bonus points), Early Entry and Alternative Entry at universities and colleges.

Mark Mustapic

Careers Adviser/TaPS

Joe C, Year 10 St Benedict's student recently competed in the U17 discus at the Australian Track and Field Athletics Championships as part of the NSW representative team. He placed 9th in Australia throwing distances of 33.65m, 36.74m, 39.60m.

Congratulations Joe!

It’s not too late to sign up for the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

The challenge commenced in February but registration is still open. You can count books you have read since the last challenge ended and our lovely Library team can help you register and log your reading records and also help you find your loan history.

The challenge is to read 20 books - 15 from the PRC list and 5 personal choice books by 19th August 2022. You might be surprised to find you have already read a few.

Not only do you receive a NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Certificate, the Library is also providing a prize pack for all those students who attempt the challenge as well as house points and merits.

Come in and see us in the Library or keep an eye on Oliver for other upcoming news and events.

Happy Reading

The Library Team!

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

Last year Reconciliation Australia encouraged all Australians to take action; not just in National Reconciliation Week but every week of the year.

We saw unprecedented response to our suggested actions for everyday and for braver action.

This year we are asking everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives – where they live, work, play and socialise.

National Reconciliation Week—27 May to 3 June—is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Find out more about National Reconciliation Week #NRW2022 #BeBraveMakeChange

Colouring pages are available at the Library, or you can download a copy here:

National Reconciliation Week Colouring Competition pages

Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Families of current Year 5 students are invited to complete an Expression of Interest for Enrolment for Year 7, 2024.

Expression of Interest is not a formal enrolment application, but an opportunity to be included in St Benedict's College information and enrolment timelines as they become available.

Click the image above or click here to register your family's details.

Wed 01 Jun - Year 11 2023 Subject Selection Evening 6:30pm,

Year 9 2023 Subject Selection Website Launch

Thu 02 Jun - Year 12 - English Standard HSC Symposium, Riverside Theatre

Fri 03 Jun - College Feast Day

Mon 06 Jun - Year 12 - English Advanced HSC Symposium, Seymour Centre

Tue 07 Jun - NSWCCC Cross Country - Eastern Creek

Wed 08 Jun - Year 10 Fast Forward Program, Year 12 UOW Discovery Day, Year 8 Music - African Beat Company Incursion

Thu 09 Jun - Year 10 Mace Excursion

Fri 10 Jun - Staff Development Day - Spirituality / Pupil Free Day,

Basketball - Yr 7-8 & Yr 9-10- Qualifying Tournament

Mon 13 Jun - Queens Birthday Holiday

Tue 14 Jun - MISA Debating Semi-Finals

Fri 17 Jun - Year 9 Reflection Day - Offsite

Tue 21 Jun - MISA Dance Festival

Mon 27 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course

Tue 28 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course ,

Year 7 - 10 Parent Interviews Zoom - 3pm - 8pm, MISA Debating Grand Final

Wed 29 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course

Thu 30 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course,

Year 7 - 10 Parent Interviews on site 3pm - 8pm

Fri 01 Jul - TAFE Trade Readiness Course

End of Term 2

Mon 18 Jul - Term 3 Starts

Tue 19 Jul - Stage 6 Academic Award Ceremony - College Hall

Mon 25 Jul - Stage 4 Academic Award Presentation - 8:10am, Stage 5 Academic Award Presentation - 11:00am

Mon 01 Aug - Trial HSC commences

Thu 04 Aug - 2023 Captains Interviews

Mon 08 Aug - Feast of St Mary MacKillop

Mon 15 Aug - Feast of the Assumption, Science Week

Tue 16 Aug - P&F Meeting - 6.30pm, NSWCCC Girls Netball Champs - Penrith

Fri 19 Aug - Science Week, Year 12 High Tea

Tue 23 Aug - Bishop’s Student Excellence Awards (2022 Cohort – Year 12)

Thu 25 Aug - MISA Youth of the Year (MCCC)

Mon 29 Aug - Staff Development Day - Wellbeing / Pupil Free Day, Wellbeing Week

Fri 02 Sep - LIVE 2022

Mon 12 Sep - NSWCCC Athletics - Homebush

Tue 20 Sep - Year 12 Farewell Assembly

Wed 21 Sep - Year 12 Grad Mass and Awards

End of Term 3

Mon 10 Oct - Term 4 Starts

Wed 02 Nov - Senior Retreat

Tue 08 Nov - P&F Meeting at 6.30pm

Fri 11 Nov - 25th Annual CDF Sports Awards

Fri 18 Nov - Year 12 Formal TBC

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

Tue 13 Dec - Year 9 Academic Awards - 8:50am - Hall, Year 10 Academic Awards - 12:50pm - Hall, Last Day Year 10 and 11

Wed 14 Dec - Closing Mass and Academic Awards - 7-9

Thu 15 Dec - Students Activities Day

Tue 20 Dec - Term 4 Ends

End of Term 4

RANIER has advised that there may be significant delays with the school 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 school office will be available Mondays after 2:30pm, orders placed prior to 9am Monday will qualify.

TRADING HOURS DURING SCHOOL 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