St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter Friday 30 October 2020
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Over the past two weeks our Year 12 are to be congratulated on the way they presented for the HSC examinations. Many have said that one thing that does not need to be tested in the 2020 HSC, is resilience as “this Year 12 has it in droves”. Our Year 12 students have been positive and confident and have demonstrated a real sense of support for each other. I would also like to acknowledge the great support given by staff to our Year 12 students. I wish our Year 12 students all the best as they complete their remaining examinations.
I would also like to wish Year 9 and Year 10 all the best as they prepare for their final assessments in the upcoming examination period. For examination success, all students should organise time at home for effective study. It is important that parents support their child in setting up an appropriate study space in the home, work with them in developing a study timetable and make sure they are eating and sleeping well. During Strive and in their subject classes, staff will be assisting and supporting students in preparing for these very important examinations.
Congratulations to our new College Student Leaders for 2021. It was a great privilege to be part of this selection process and listen to the Year 11 leader candidates speak about their achievements and hopes and dreams for the future. I know that they will do their best to fulfil the many responsibilities that comes with leadership and be wonderful role models for the student body. Student Leaders will be commissioned at the Year 11 Assembly on Thursday 12 November 2020.
Each week our College community focuses on VIA character strength as part of the Strive initiative. Everyone possesses all 24 character strengths in different degrees, so each person has a truly unique character strengths profile. This week’s character strength is gratitude.
Character Strength - Gratitude: “I am grateful for many things and I express that thankfulness to others.” ― VIA Character Strengths
Uniform Changes for 2021
Following feedback from students, staff and Parents and Friends’, the following changes have been made to our school uniform for 2021. Shorts will be introduced for boys in Years 7 to 12 for Term 1 and Term 4. In addition, there have been minor changes to the sports uniform for 2021. Girls sports shorts will be designed using a new four way stretch fabric and the College tracksuit has been updated. The tracksuit changes include introduction of a fleece lining for the jacket and pants, and also changes to the jacket style.
Please note, there is no expectation for families to purchase these new items if your child’s existing uniform is still in good order. I would like to thank the P&F for their support and assistance in introducing these changes which will support students’ comfort and wellbeing.
End of Year Awards
Our College award ceremonies are important events for our students and their families. With coronavirus (COVID-19) continuing to cause disruption and uncertainty this year, we have implemented the following changes to the style of presentation and the timing of the awards.
Year 11 Academic Assembly will be held on Thursday 12 November Periods 3 and 4 and include the commissioning of the 2021 Student Leaders. The Assembly will be live streamed to our Year 11 parents.
The Academic Assemblies for Years 7 to 10 will be live streamed and take place at the following time and date;
● Year 7 Academic Assembly will be held on Monday 14 December Period 1 and 2
● Year 8 Academic Assembly will be held on Monday 14 December Period 3 and 4
● Year 9 Academic Assembly will be held on Friday 11 December Period 1 and 2
● Year 10 Academic Assembly will be held on Friday 11 December Period 5 and 6
The following Awards will be presented at the Academic Assemblies.
Awards
Academic Leadership-Diligence and Commitment - Years 7 to 11
For a student who has demonstrated diligence and commitment through working authentically to achieve their learning goals. They consistently model the College value of “Love of Learning” by demonstrating outstanding behaviours for learning, engaging respectfully at all times with teachers and their peers. They demonstrate Academic Leadership in the learning environment by supporting other students in their learning and strive for personal improvement,
Academic Achievement Award - Years 7 to 11
For a student who has demonstrated academic excellence through working authentically to achieve their learning goals. They consistently model the College value of “Love of Learning” by demonstrating outstanding behaviours for learning, resulting in the achievement of an A grade across one or more courses studied during 2020.
Oran Park Community Spirit Award - Year 10
The Oran Park Community Spirit Award is awarded to a community minded student. It is available to any student who has demonstrated involvement in the local community.
ADFA Award - Year 10
This award is in recognition of a Year 10 student who demonstrates a high degree of leadership, teamwork, community awareness, and creative thinking. This award includes a framed certificate from ADFA and a cheque for $250 to contribute to their senior studies.
Victor Chang Science Award - Year 11
The Victor Chang Science Award is presented to a Year 11 student who has demonstrated a high level of prowess in Stage 6 Science. This year, the recipients of this award have already been recognised in an award ceremony by the Victor Chang Institute
Sportsperson of the Year Award ( male and female) - Year 7 to 11
For the students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the College sporting program over the past 12 months. These students have accrued points in representing the College in various activities including College carnivals, MISA sports, Diocesan representation and Tuesday sporting competitions.
Love of God - Years 7 to 11
The final of our major awards is the Love of God – Stewardship Award. This prize is awarded to a student who understands and promotes stewardship in its true meaning: care for the environment and sacredness of creation. This award recognises a student who puts people before structures, evidenced through their involvement in the spiritual dimension of the College. Through their leadership, they enable others to find God in everyday life.
Love of Neighbour Award - Years 7 to 11
The Love of Neighbour – Social Action Award recognises a student who, through their actions, has assisted in the building of an authentic Benedictine Community. They may have been active in promoting or creating opportunities for inclusion of all students and promoted and recognised the gifts and talents of others, creating a spirit of hospitality and welcome.
Love of Learning Award - Years 7 to 11
The Love of Learning – Academic Perseverance and Resilience Award recognises a student who demonstrates high levels of self-discipline and adopts a balanced approach between their school life, their spiritual life and their life balance in general. The recipient of this award exhibits a love of learning for the sake of learning and contributes a consistently high level of effort across a range of subjects throughout the entire year.
Warm regards,
Kerrie Piatek
Principal
VIA Character Strengths
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
HSC
The HSC started last Tuesday. It has been great to see our Year 12 students working so hard to prepare themselves for these examinations. We continue to keep them in our prayers as they complete the remainder of the HSC Examinations.
YAM
For the last two weeks, Year 9 have been involved in YAM. This is a program that is aimed at supporting students in their wellbeing and mental health. We are grateful to all of the facilitators who have come to St Benedict’s to roll out this program and are confident that this will support our students.
MISA Sport
This week also saw the long-awaited return of MISA sport. Students in all year groups were able to try out for a variety of sports and represent our College. Congratulations to all students involved and good luck for this season.
Catholic Mission Fundraising
It has been pleasing to see the enthusiasm and dedication of our Year 11 students as they have undertaken their Catholic Mission fundraising. The ‘Soktober campaign’ is the main form of fundraising for Catholic Mission. Not only have the students raised awareness of the issues involved, but they have also been able to raise much needed funds for those in need. Congratulations to Mrs Holland and the Year 11 students on a fantastic effort.
Uniform
A reminder to families that the summer uniform is to be worn everyday, unless your child has sport or a double PDHPE lesson. Additionally, the sports jacket should only be worn with the sports uniform. If students are cold, they should put their College jumper on. If they are still cold, then students should put their blazer on over the top.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
Reminders
- HSC Examinations will run from Tuesday 20 October - Wednesday 11 November, please note that during the exam period students cannot be called to the office during recess and lunch.
- Keep Covid safe: If your child is sick, keep them home. See below for Covid updates.
- Please do not use Disabled Parking Spaces without a Disability Sticker.
- Tuesday afternoon is Sports Day therefore, if you are collecting your child early they must have a note to remain at school.
- Please see update from our school uniform shop, Ranier below.
Parents please take note
- Please do not enter details of Covid test for your child through Compass, please notify the office.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- Tuesday 20 October - Wednesday 11 November - HSC Examinations
- Tuesday 20 October - YAM program for Year 9 continues, information below
- Monday 2 - Friday 6 November - Yr 8 National Science Comp - all week
- Tuesday 3 November - Yr 11 Report Distribution
- Wednesday 4 November - Year 10 Semester Examinations begin
- Monday 9 November - Catch up vaccinations for Years 7 and 10
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND VISION
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: you must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole law, and the Prophets also.”
Matthew 22:37-40
This week in our Gospel reading the words of Matthew provides for us the very simple “rules” that we need to follow. The greatest commandment, as this passage is commonly referred to, underpins the virtue and beliefs that we hold close to us here at St Benedict’s - Love of God and Love of Neighbour. In Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, we are called to take these virtues further into the world. The focus on this encyclical is the love of God - he encourages us to keep the Gospel at the centre of our lives. It also very clearly focuses on the Love of Neighbour with the theme of common good for all, “God has created all human beings with equal rights, duties, and dignity, and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters” (FT 5). The idea of “common” is important as it unites everyone, a theme that he has earlier explored in Laudato Si, where we are encouraged to care for our common home. His encyclical also has a focus on the human person, reminding us of the importance of listening and talking with others, being called to action and to show kindness to all we meet. The following prayer is included at the end of Fratelli Tutti and I invite you to share in these beautiful words.
O God, Trinity of love,
from the profound communion of your divine life,
pour out upon us a torrent of fraternal love.
Grant us the love reflected in the actions of Jesus,
in his family of Nazareth,
and in the early Christian community.
Grant that we Christians may live the Gospel,
discovering Christ in each human being,
recognising him crucified
in the sufferings of the abandoned
and forgotten of our world,
and risen in each brother or sister
who makes a new start.
Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty,
reflected in all the peoples of the earth,
so that we may discover anew
that all are important and all are necessary,
different faces of the one humanity
that God so loves. Amen.
Friday 30 November is World Teachers Day. This is a day where we can take some time to stop and thank the teachers within our community for their dedication, support and care that they have for all the students in our community. I would like to say a thank you to the staff here at St Benedict’s for helping us to create not a good school, but a great school.
This week we had the opportunity to interview a number of students who applied for the important middle leader role of Youth Ministry Leader. The candidates were passionate, articulate and expressed not only a deep commitment to their faith but the drive to help the school community in delivering opportunities for other students to get involved in the activities and initiatives run in our College. I thank Miss Brown for her dedication to Youth Ministry and look forward to seeing how Youth Ministry grows with their leadership.
Social Justice Focus
The month of October is dedicated to the world wide Catholic Mission initiative. Locally and globally they answer the call to love God and to love our neighbour, by helping to build communities of missionary disciples who share their faith by proclaiming the Word of God, serving people in need, acting for justice and creation, and adopting child-focused development programs. This year our Year 11 students, led by Mrs Holland, have answered the call to lead our school to action for this worthwhile cause. The students have been preparing an awareness campaign called ‘Let’s Sock it to Poverty’. This includes clips shown in Strive classrooms, posters that are displayed throughout the College and today are holding Crazy Sock Day. On this day all students and staff are invited to wear their ‘craziest’ socks with their sport uniforms for a gold coin donation. To also add to this day they have arranged a Covid friendly soccer penalty shoot out! The money raised through these initiatives will go towards helping to support those left with disabilities and struggling through the impacts of COVID 19 in Cambodia. By supporting this worthy cause, we can help in contributing to healing a nation.
BEARs Update
It has been a busy start to the term for the Bennies Environmental Action Representatives. Our group repotted our citrus trees to give our lemon and lime plants a new home to thrive in. We have been tending to the various types of lettuce we have growing, in preparation for an upcoming Food Technology practical lesson when this will be used, and we have been delighted to see our first snow peas growing green and healthy. We also got our worm farm up and running again to help manage the College’s food waste in a sustainable way. We are now organising activities to recognise National Recycling Week that is coming up in Week 5. Stay tuned!
Work of the Week
This week I would like to nominate a group of students in 7 Orange for their work in deconstructing the meaning of the scripture passage ‘The Good Samaritan’. The students worked very well as a group to read and understand the messages in this Gospel passage to become experts to teach others in the class. Congratulations to Jenna S., Hannah L., Kobe B., Jayden C. and Zacariah V.
Congratulations, you have each earned 10 points for your houses!
God Bless;
Mrs Tarnya Grana
Acting Director of Mission and Vision
Today, 30 October, students were invited to participate in Socktober. The aim of this day was to support the Social Justice Initiatives of Catholic Mission and their work in Cambodia.
To support this Catholic mission, Year 11 took on the challenge of organising a range of fun activities with the focus being on raising much needed funds but, more importantly, to raise awareness of the impact of poverty.
Students were asked to wear their sports uniform and crazy socks and bring in a gold coin donation.
And BENNIES you did not disappoint!
The students' generosity was tremendous! One student even wrote a beautiful card for the cause and donated $25.00 of their own pocket money !
The day consisted of activities including crazy socks, a soccer penalty shoot-out and raising awareness through discussion and street art. The penalty shoot out involvement was fantastic ! All winners received a WAHU soccer ball and a big thank you to the teacher reps !
Year 11 has done an amazing job and I am so proud of the awareness they have raised today through the SOCK IT TO POVERTY posters, the informative and empathic clips, the outstanding artworks created during recess and lunch in the Cola and overall collaborating to promote awareness and involvement.
It was also World Teachers Day today! Year 11 created and wrote beautiful handwritten and personalised Thank You cards and a thoughtful gift for all our wonderful staff here at the College.
Thanks to everyone for all the help and support
“Teaching is the one profession that creates other professions." Today, I'm sure we are all exceptionally proud to be YOUR teachers.
Thank you ST BENEDICTS !
Teresa Holland
Year 11 Coordinator
For our paintings we explored "The face of poverty" and what life is like for people living in poorer parts of the world, such as Cambodia.
Sock it to Poverty Rationale
Socktober aims to draw light on those less fortunate in our world, reminding us to cherish life and do anything we can to help others. As a part of socktober’s mission statement, students and individuals alike are encouraged to activate a learning mind, an open heart and hands for action. As representatives of St Benedict's Catholic College, our artworks represent our commitment to reaching out and doing our bit, using our hands, as a community, to donate, raise awareness and support our Cambodian brothers and sisters.
Analia and Lucrecia’s chalk artwork centres around this idea, representing each teacher, student and staff member as hands, reaching towards and participating in this initiative. All with their individual designs, the hands all link and face ‘Cambodia’, giving each person a chance to express themselves individually, while working together as a collective towards a shared cause.
Sienna’s chalk wall art will represent cartoons that embody actions of students helping those in poverty stricken Cambodia. These simple images will convey how students - and others - can help. It will include donating a gold coin donation, prayers, wearing crazy socks (yay) and building soccer balls made of plastic bags. Promoting Socktober is central to this series of artworks.
We all must do our unique part in promoting socktober so that, as a collective, we can make a difference for those who need it. We hear you and we are here to reach out for you - that is our message.
GUESS WHO?
GEOGRAPHY NEWS
Each year, St Benedict’s students participate in The Australian Geography Competition. The competition is a contest for Australian secondary school students, assessing their geographical knowledge and skills. This year, even with COVID-19, more than 65,800 students from over 699 schools across the country participated in the competition. St Benedict’s was proud to enter 229 students in the competition this year.
We would like to congratulate all students from St Benedict’s that participated, and recognise the following students from Years 9, 10 and 11 who achieved an outstanding result.
Year 9
Credit: Julian B, Ryan C, Matias C, Hannah D, Emily M
Distinction: Benjamin A, Azariah B
Year 10
Credit: Joshua A, Amy C, Niamh H, Sophia L
Distinction: Emily F, Emily K, Edan R, Wesley S
High Distinction: Rhiannon E, Connor P
Year 11
Credit: Dylan B, Chelsea G, Kyla H, Katelyn O
Congratulations to all of these students!
Miss Joyce
Teacher in charge
Laptop usage at the College
A reminder of our responsibilities on laptop usage at the College.
- At all times laptops should be carried in the school approved case and zipped up.
- Drinking next to a laptop is not permitted due to spillages. (This can be a costly repair).
If you have any concerns please come and see me or the IT department.
Mr Andruschko
LIBRARY NEWS
Book Week 2020
This year Book Week was observed from the 17 to 23 of October. Book Week is promoted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and lists and celebrates children’s books of a high literary and artistic quality. This year the theme was ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’.
At St Benedict’s a Book Week Scavenger Hunt was promoted at our Library during breaks. Students were invited to attend and find certain words or illustrations across our entire library collection. We also displayed the wonderful collection of shortlisted books to encourage student borrowing and reading.
CAPA NEWS
Year 12 Music
HSC Aural Component occurred last Wednesday with many of our students feeling very confident about their responses to this examination. Good luck Year 12!
Year 11 Photography and Digital Media
Students are currently exploring stop frame animation and in particular Claymation! Students are working on creating a consistent shooting environment to maintain the illusion of continuity, with plasticine and various materials.
Year 11 Visual Arts
As part of Sockober, our Year 11 Visual Arts class produced live artworks in the COLA using chalk, acrylic and oil paint. These artworks reflect what Sockober is all about. Congratulations Year 11 for taking part in this fantastic initiative.
Year 9 Visual Arts
Student's this semester have explored various forms of sculpture, with an emphasis on the Pop Art movement! Last term students created small scale food sculptures using air drying clay and acrylic paint. This term students will go large scale to create food items inspired by Pop Artist Claes Oldenburg.
Year 8 Music s
Students are busily working on their final assessment task using Garageband. They are composing polyrhythmic ostinatos and recording each track followed by arranging these recordings into a final mp3. We look forward to hearing their compositions!
Year 7 Visual Arts
Year 7 are currently exploring Botany in Art, with an emphasis on the role of artists as researchers. Students have taken on this role to research native Australian plant life, to produce prints inspired by nature.
SPORTS NEWS
Yours in Sport
Mrs Ashleigh Durrant
Sport Coordinator
ABSENCES
We ask Parents/Carers to only report all day absences via COMPASS, part day absences should be reported to the office via phone on 4631 5300 or email to info@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
If a student is having an absence of 3 days or more, a request should be sent to the Principal via email to info@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
If a student is having an absence of 10 days or more an Application for Extended Leave should be completed and submitted to the office with a copy of the students itinerary, if the absence is within Australia or a copy of flight tickets if the extended leave is to be outside Australia. A copy of the Application for Extended Leave can be found here .
FIRST AID NOTICE
Given the presence of COVID-19 coupled with the commencement of the influenza (flu) season, our school has an important responsibility to provide a safe environment for students and staff. Your child should not attend school if they are showing any flu like symptoms.
If a student is sent to the office with flu like symptoms we will place them in isolation and call their parents to organise for them to be collected as soon as possible.
Your support in keeping our school healthy and safe is appreciated.
LOST & FOUND
We have a number of unmarked clothing items, jewellery, reading glasses and containers which would like to be returned to their owners. Please ask your child/ren to come to the office if they may have lost one of these items.
We ask parents to check that all their child/rens items are marked clearly with their name in permanent marker.
Any items not collected will be given to the P & F Clothing Pool at the end of Term 3.
UPDATE FROM RANIER SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP
Ranier are excited to announce a new and improved online shop platform starting in Term 4. In addition to the existing features that have served families well, we have introduced new features to improve your user experience. Our website is suitable for use on all mobile devices including iPads, tablets and mobile phones.
Families will be able to:
· View images and prices of all products on one page
· Find information on shop opening hours and location
· View school uniform policy
· Easily book appointments for fittings
· View status and history of purchases
· Choose click and collect or home delivery
With the new changes, we do require all parents to re-register with their email. No student number or school password will be necessary.
All uniform bookings made will be recorded in the new website, there is no need for re-booking.
If you have any issues with registration, please contact our Customer Support on 02 8337 7290.
Ranier Shop guidelines – Covid-19
- No more than 1 family in the store at a time (or allowing 1.5m gap)
- Staff to remain behind the counter when customers are present
- Any customer displaying any illness will be requested to leave the store and purchase online or by phone
- Counter will be disinfected with spray and paper towel (or disposable wipe) throughout the day
- Tap and go payments are encouraged
- Hand sanitiser is available at all times for customers.
- Any returned stock (including fitting room returns) is to be placed on the counter by the customer.
P & F CLOTHING POOL
Please contact the P&F via pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au with a list of your requirements and a contact telephone number and Tracey will contact you with availability.
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN OCTOBER 2020 ‘Tune In
CatholicCare now offers the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) in the Macarthur region, helping seniors to access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home.
If your grandparents, parent(s) or anyone you know requires aged care assistance at home, please ask them to call 4628 0044 and ask for Melissa or Colleen.