St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter - Friday, 3 September 2021
"With a Father's Heart"
With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021.
As we conclude our tenth week of lockdown the season of Spring has brought to many of us a sense of hope and renewal. On my morning walks I have very much appreciated the smell of jasmine and the cheery calls of our local kookaburra population. Hopefully you too have had some opportunity to enjoy some time outside appreciating the beauty of your surroundings.
With the season of spring, Pope Francis and the Australian Bishops have invited all Catholics to join the ecumenical Season of Creation commencing on 1 September (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) and ending on 4 October (Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi).
This month we are all encouraged to make this a special time of prayer and action in caring for our common home.
May God who established the dance of creation,
Who marvelled at the lilies of the field,
Who transforms chaos to order,
Lead us to transform our lives and the Church
To reflect God’s glory in creation.
(CTBI Eco-Congregation Programme)
Parent Information Evenings
I would like to thank parents and carers for your wonderful support of our Parent Information Evenings. We have appreciated the time you have given to attend these meetings and we hope that they have provided you with worthwhile information about your child’s faith, learning and wellbeing. Your kind and supportive feedback has really resonated so positively with each and every one of us.
Our final information night will take place at 7:00pm on Monday 6 September for Years 9 and 10 and we look forward to your presence. To register for this evening, please reply to the link in the letter forwarded to Stage 5 parents last Tuesday.
Wellbeing Week - 6 September 2021
During Week 9, starting 6 September, St Benedict’s Catholic College will be participating in “Wellbeing Week”. As a school community, we recognise the need for everyone to lead healthy balanced lifestyles, the challenges faced to accomplish this during these challenging times and the importance of strong mental health.
As part of Wellbeing Week Year 7 to 10 will be involved in Problem Based Learning Activity across the week. Further Information will be provided to parents through Compass.
Warm regards
Kerrie Piatek
Principal
Week 9
As Week 9 is Wellbeing Week, this is an exciting project that all year 7-10 students will be undertaking. This project based learning will allow students to branch out into areas of interest, and will also allow staff to have some conversations with students around this project, and also, their wellbeing.
Private number on mobile phones
Many staff, in their communications with families are ringing from phones that will display ‘Private number’ on your own personal mobile display.
Please be aware that if you are receiving phone calls from private numbers it may be a staff member attempting to contact you.
Meetings with families
Over the last few weeks, we have met with families from Years 7, 8 and 11 to look at the next few weeks of school and what is in place for students and their faith, learning and wellbeing. These nights have been greatly attended and we thank families for their ongoing support of the College.
Next week is the Stage 5 Evening. This meeting will be important for families of Years 9 and 10 students as we will address questions that came up in our recent parent survey as well as look at faith, wellbeing and educational needs of students and families. We would encourage all of our families to attend. Please be aware that given the nature of a ‘zoom meeting’, questions on the evening won’t be answered. Families who have questions after these meetings should contact the relevant staff member to discuss.
Communication during remote learning
Communication remains important as we work together to deliver the best faith, learning and wellbeing outcomes for students. A reminder that if you have any questions about your child’s learning, please direct this to the classroom teacher where you have the concern.
Any questions about faith development and wellbeing, please speak with either Mrs Logue (for faith development) or your child’s STRIVE Coach.
Extra-Curricular activities
We currently have competitions in cooking and Religion. These will be great competitions as they provide students with alternative ways of engaging with extra-curricular activities. I encourage all students to get involved in these.
Last week saw an end to the Music, Art and Poetry competitions. I must say that there has been some amazing work entered from students in our College – well done to everyone. We hope to have the final judging and announcing winners in the coming week.
I have included Charlotte's (Year 11) entry for the Poetry Competition.
This was based on the character strength of ‘Love’.
This Shattered Masterpiece
This shattered masterpiece,
These shards once made a whole.
Now, damaged, worn and scattered;
Unsalvageable, sharp even to hold.
You cautiously collected them,
The reds, yellows, greens.
Each one reflecting broken hopes -
Ceramic tiles, porcelain dreams.
You faced the bricks ahead of you,
An empty wilderness of fear.
This shattered masterpiece,
Its ghost drifting near.
But I watched you from afar,
Picking up the pieces I left behind.
With skillful rearrangement,
You saw the potential I couldn’t find.
And when the sun tiptoed on the horizon
To greet the blankness of the empty wall,
A kaleidoscope of rays revealed
The wondrous mosaic, standing tall.
This shattered masterpiece,
These shards were perfectly one.
Now, rebuilt, reworked, renewed;
Reversing what had come undone.
And as you turned I saw your face,
A stark reflection of my own.
All this time I had the love inside myself.
I should’ve realised, yet somehow -
I’d always known.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
Last Friday, the College had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a Virtual Mass via ZOOM with Fr David Catterall, Parish Priest of St Mary MacKillop Parish Oran Park - both Staff and Students joined in plus some parents. There were over 150 people in attendance.
It was wonderful to come together as a community. Here are some words of wisdom from Fr. David's homily.
"Each of us no matter if we are a staff member, a student, a parent, a colleague,...are experiencing many storms...we think of our young adults and students doing their HSC, we are reminded of Jesus' words from the Gospel - Be calm, be still, I am with you.
Making reference to a landscape photo looking down on Lake Illawarra covered in mist - Fr David said "the amazing thing is beyond and under it is the lake...Home is there. Fr David received this photo when he moved from Albion Park to Oran Park. Under the photo are words of Mary MacKillop - God's presence seems to follow me everywhere.
May we today as a College community that is called is to be a people of the light, may we not allow the wind, the storms, the clouds, the rains that we experience physically and emotionally swamp us - remember that God's presence follows us everywhere even into a virtual exam room, and remote learning.
May we today hold fast, Jesus is with us in this boat and will lead us to the safe harbour of the kingdom
A special thank you to Fr David for leading us in this Mass and saying yes to my suggestion for a Mass via Zoom. Fr David has a most wonderful way of engaging and speaking to everyone. As one of the parents who attended said “He has the most calming voice, and always used the right words to reach into my soul and let me know ‘everything will be alright’ ……..
September - Season of Creation
Each year from September to October the Christian community celebrates the Season of Creation by praying and acting together to protect our common home. During this time Catholics unite with others in the global family to pray and protect every creature in God’s beautifully complex web of creation. The theme of this year’s Season of Creation celebration is “A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God”
The Season of Creation begins September 1st, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which we celebrate tomorrow. This annual day, established by Pope Francis in 2015, is an opportunity to pray, reflect and act to care for God’s creation. All of us, both those who most contribute to climate change and those whom it most affects, pray today for better stewardship of the Earth.
Our students participated in a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation liturgy on Tuesday during their assembly.
We pause for a moment to remember the earth beneath our feet, the land that sustains us, and the people who have cared for country for thousands of years.
We acknowledge the First Peoples of this land that we now call Australia.
We pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging and commit ourselves to ongoing relationship and reconciliation with the land and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
May we continue to listen to and learn from the First Peoples about how to truly live in harmony with creation.
Earth's Creation - Emily Kngwarreye
Caring for Creation - also requires us to care for the other. To care for not only ourselves but one another. This also extends to caring for ALL of creation (environment, plants, animals, etc). Everything is interconnected.
Caring for Creation links very well to Love of God and Love of Neighbour -
Maybe it is just a coincidence - the Social Justice Statement for 2021 has this as its focus.
NAIDOC Week 2021 Theme was Heal Country
Olkola/Djabaguy woman Sherry Balcombe says:
“We as Aboriginal people know the Earth is the most sacred of gifts given to us by the Creator Spirit,” she said.
“It is what gives us life. It nurtures us, it sustains us, and provides all that we need. We must heal country”
A lot can be understood from just the above two lines...
there is so much to learn from our Indigenous Brothers and Sisters.
Prayer
God of creation, you who are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures,
who surround with your tenderness all that exists,
help us to be a witness to your presence,
to your kingdom, here and now,
and inspire us to live in communion with all that surrounds us.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Catholic Earthcare Australia Award for St Benedict's
Our school has been recognised as a Catholic Earthcare School. That means, we have a commitment to caring for the world that God gave us. This includes not only showing gratitude for the gift of creation but being committed to changing the way we think and act to make good choices that help our planet.
Catholic Earthcare Australia has awarded us with this certificate to acknowledge all of the environmental actions that we have engaged in so far to care for our common home.
This certificate acknowledges the school is demonstrating a strong commitment to ecological conversion and dialogue through a documented journey of environmental change actions.
#act4ourcommonhome
Students have been invited to participate in the #act4ourcommonhome creative initiative.
Here are some samples from our students in Year 9.
Have a wonderful start to Spring and September,
God Bless,
Mrs Kimberley Logue
Director of Mission and Vision
Celebrating Wattle Day and Legacy Week
Over the expanse of the 1st to the 3rd of September, the school students of St. Benedict's Catholic College collaboratively celebrate both Wattle Day and Legacy Week. Together, these dates recognise those who have devoted themselves to fighting for our nation, the families of war veterans, and the Australian spirit so heavily ingrained in our culture.
Wattle Day is celebrated annually on the first day of September, additionally renowned as the first day of Spring - A significant season where numerous variants of the Acacia species begin to bloom, further causing numerous Australians to wear a sprig of the wattle's flowers or leaves to commemorate the occasion.
Approximately a century ago, the wattle's leaves and wattle badges were sold to raise both awareness and money for wounded soldiers in the First World War. The wattle is known to withstand severe drought and bushfires, disasters common to the nation, thus causing the wattle to be perceived as a sign of resilience that represents the nature of our devout soldiers and the Australian identity.
Additionally, Legacy Week spans from the 29th of August to the 4th of September and commemorates both modern and past veterans who dedicated themselves to the nation's service. This week of remembrance initially began to assist widows and children of deceased veterans. Post the outbreak of World War 2, a War Orphans Appeal was founded in 1942 to support the families of deceased servicemen, thus causing this appeal to develop into today's legacy week.
Kind Regards,
Mrs Sara-Jane Castelli
Dear Year 11 Students, Parents and Carers,
Please review the plan for the remaining weeks of Year 11 courses. We hope that this plan provides parents and students with some clear direction for the next few weeks and time to adequately prepare for the upcoming Year 11 Final Examinations.
As the Practice Trial Examinations draw to a close, a plan for Week 9 has been finalised. During Week 9, there will be no timetabled classes, however, Year 12 will be participating in a Workshop Week.
On Monday, Hospitality and Construction students will have their final assessment starting at 8:20 am and supervised on Zoom. All students sitting the HSC Exam must attend. There is also an opportunity for those students who missed any Practice Trial Exams. These will be made available through the Year 12 Exam Google Classroom from 8 am on Monday 6 September. Students are encouraged to complete these on Monday and submit their responses to their class teacher for feedback ASAP. Students are responsible for managing their own exam conditions at home. They will not be supervised on Zoom.
Tuesday will focus on Careers, University Early Entry and SRS Applications. The University Admissions Centre will be running a Zoom session for all students. There will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have to the presenter at the conclusion of the presentation. Parents are most welcome to attend the UAC Zoom meeting if their work commitments allow for it.
On Wednesday and Thursday, students will participate in compulsory Masterclass Workshops. HSC Teachers will prepare and run a session with their class at the time scheduled below. Each line has been allocated a 1.5-hour block. Class teachers will send students a Zoom link and information about the workshops.
Friday will have the week conclude with a very inspirational guest speaker Luke Kennedy, share his story through Zoom. Mrs Holland has organised this outstanding presentation and all students are required to attend.
Students will follow the schedule as outlined below and must attend STRIVE each morning. When you do not have assigned workshops to attend, you should be working through your own revision program.
Year 11 Parents - Textbook order discount code expires 7 September
Our MangaMania competition has been extended so keep creating your amazing Manga characters.
Make sure your character is original, appropriate and drawn by hand then scan it or take a photo of it and send it to sbcclibrary@dow.catholic.edu.au
We have some great prizes on offer for the most popular characters when we return.
Remember, your design must be original, hand drawn and appropriate.
You need to tell us 3 things about your character/design
- your character's special power
- description
- name.
SORA Digital Library
All students have 24 hour access to great books from Sora, our gateway to the digital library. Access via the Oliver homepage or direct via this Sora link - you will need to sign in with your CeNet login and click ACEN Member Collection. You can download the Sora app to your phone too so you can read anytime, anywhere! Happy Reading from the Library Team
2021 NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
We have quite a few students participating in the 2021 Premier’s Reading Challenge which has been extended to 13th September 2021. Good luck to all our participating students and congratulations to the following students who have already achieved their reading challenge goal ahead of time.
Mikaylah R, Kirsty F, Ava N and Cita C
These students will receive a Certificate issued by the NSW Premier in recognition of this achievement.
Any enquiries regarding the PRC, access to digital books or any other relevant information, please contact the Library at sbcclibrary@dow.catholic.edu.au
The St Benedict's Careers and Further Education Website
Mr Mustapic updates the St Benedict's website each week to include information such as:
- University Admissions Centre updates
- Updates from Individual Universities (please add)
- Updates on University Early Entry (please add)
- Updates on Scholarships (including University scholarships) please add
- Apprenticeships/Traineeships
- TAFE updates
- Private College updates
- Careers pathways
- Labour market information
Please visit the website to explore post school opportunities:
St Benedicts IT Help Desk
Click the image above or cut and paste the URL into your browser:
Year 11 Design and Technology and Year 10 Design and Technology - Student work
Over the course of remote learning, Year 10 Design and Technology started a new topic on Landscape Architecture. Students have been producing some outstanding work, from rendered perspective drawings, computer aided design animations to scaled models made from materials found at home. Year 10 have started, in the last few weeks, their next project for this unit which is to redesign the Learning Garden that is attached to our College's library. I look forward to sharing what design ideas Year 10 come up with to reimagine this under utilised space in our college.
At the beginning of Term 2, Year 11 Design and Technology began Task 2 Design Brief which was to "Design, produce and evaluate a design and scaled model for a prefabricated family home with eco principles. The home must be able to be built on standard block in 2021, which is around 450sqm or 15m by 30m. The home must bring nature in and have modernist lines such as a partially flat roof and straight walls in order to capitalise on land availability and meet the needs of people living and working in a Covid world".
The work that students have produced in response to this task has been outstanding and the skills they have learnt will surely be taken into the HSC MDP, which they will begin in Term 4 of 2021.
Well done to our aspiring architects in Year 10 and 11 Design and Technology!
Ms Ghignone
Acting VET Coordinator, TAS/VET Teacher
Art Club
Art Club is now available for all students 7-12 to join on Google Classroom. Various tasks will be uploaded for students to complete in their own time. Please email Mrs Castelli for the classroom code.
Year 7 Visual Art
Year 7 Visual Art
Year 7 spent Week 7 creating art! For this task, they were asked to collect branches and leaves when out for a walk to create paintbrushes. Once they assembled these, they then made a cold coffee mix to use as ink/paint. They used their brushes to create various marks on their paper. They then drew various Australian Native plants on top of the coffee background. Another way botany can be used in art! Well done Year 7!
Stage 6 Visual Art
Year 11 Visual Art
Year 11 students have been studying hard in preparation for their Preliminary Examinations approaching. Good luck Year 11, you've got this!
Year 12 Visual Art
Year 12 students will submit their BOW on Monday 6 September 2021. You have worked so hard throughout this time on developing and refining your skills in artmaking. Well done on all of your efforts.
Mrs Castelli - Visual Art Teacher
To Kill a Mockingbird - Year 10 English
"10 ENGB have concluded their study of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by completing a series of creative tasks including newspaper articles, board games, court proceedings and scrapbooks of key moments. Some fantastic work was produced. Well done to all!"
Thank you!
Kind regards
Mrs Rachel Newell
Leader of English
Year 7 Science
Year 7 has been learning about mining and we had the opportunity to model the impacts of mining by using cookies and muffins.
Here are a few photos taken of the end result.
Miss Alicia Lorking
Science Teacher
CatholicCare Online Courses for Families
Opal Card Important Information for Year 11 students
School Opal cards have a physical lifespan of five years. Between now and the end of 2021, School Opal cards which haven’t been renewed in the past five years are due to be replaced for SOME students of St Benedict's Catholic College.
Impacted students or their parent/carer will be contacted by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their contact details via a secure online form to ensure their replacement School Opal card is sent to the correct address.
If you have any further questions you can contact transportnsw.info/feedback, then select "Fares, concessions & tickets" and then the "Question" button.
Stay healthy HSC hub
Find tips for looking after yourself during your senior studies and dealing with changes and challenges arising from studying in the time of COVID-19.
Visit the Stay healthy HSC hub for more information
https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/stay-healthy-HSC?q=
Compass lesson access for parents
Did you know that you can use your parent/carer Compass login to check your child/rens planned lesson content and scheduled Zoom sessions for the day?
Watch our short one-minute video to find out how to review lessons by clicking the compass logo above or using the URL below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uQbNmKl7o3a_l1boSvbocYUu2pnZdkvt/view?usp=sharing
Please contact me if you have any questions at kelleherj01@dow.catholic.edu.au .
Miss Jane Kelleher
Mathematics & Religious Education
Matters of attendance
A message from St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish, Oran Park
Just a reminder that the Camden/Oran Park Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society remain available to provide emergency assistance by telephone, and drop off resources as required.
Any person requiring assistance should telephone the Conference on (02) 8250 1484 and a Conference Member will retrieve details and follow-up requests for assistance.
Information for affordable food hampers is available through Our Community Pantry (a community food rescue initiative) or copy and paste the URL into your browser: https://www.ourcommunitypantry.com.au/.
Rainer Schoolwear Shop update
College uniforms can be purchased online and will be processed when the store reopens.
For online purchasing information visit: shop.ranier.com.au or by email narellan@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
Phone: 02 8337 7290
MY FIT REWARDS - ATHLETE'S FOOT STORES
P & F Clothing Pool
The P & F Clothing Pool is currently on hold, and will recommence when mandatory NSW Health Orders allow. 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.
Art Club @ Bennies
Bennies is now offering Art Club online. Please email Mrs Castelli for the classroom code to join. There will be various activities posted each week for you to choose from. Take a photograph of your finished work and upload it!