St Benedict's Catholic College
Benny's Bites - Friday, 19 November 2021
World Children' Day - 20 November 2021
A Better Future for Every Child
“Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew" 18:4-5
World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how inequality affects the rights of every child. From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future.
This World Children’s Day, it’s more important than ever that the world listens to their ideas and demands.
On 20 November, kids will reimagine a better world. What will you do?
Welcome Year 7, 2022 students
St Benedict's Catholic College are looking forward to welcoming our new Year 7, 2022 students next week for orientation.
Please wear your current primary school sports uniform, and don't forget to bring your hat, mask, drink bottle and pen.
Entry will be at the front of the college accessed via the main carpark.
COVID Protocols
A reminder to all students and families that we are operating under our COVID protocols. All students would be familiar with these now and I ask all families to speak with their children about these protocols and reinforce the importance of following them.
Reminder about haircuts and uniforms
College staff have been working with students around uniform issues. It is important for all families to know that we maintain high expectations in regards to uniform. Students who are not in the correct uniform - including issues around hair, jewellery and make-up, can expect to be issued with normal consequences until this issue is addressed. Those students whose issues continue to be extreme and not resolved, can expect further consequences.
Please know that this is not an ideal solution, but the very small percentage of students who are not complying with this rule are setting a poor example to others in our College community.
Assistant Principal
Western Sydney University entrepreneurship challenge "The Blueprint"
The St Benedict's Team is in the final 5!
Western Sydney University - The BluePrint Business Idea Competition for Year 10 students
The Business Idea BluePrint Competition is a Western Sydney University initiative to engage with high school students from the Greater Western Sydney Region. The competition is designed to help students pursue new business ideas. It also empowers students through business education and enrichment opportunities and provides first-hand experience in entrepreneurship. The aim of the business idea is to solve a customer problem and students are required to conceptualise, build and market a business. The competition involves the creation, submission and presentation of original content that highlights the business idea.
St Benedict’s entered this competition for the first time this year and although WSU received a record number of projects this year, I am happy to report that our team of five Year 10 students: Jessica G, Lavinia H, Azaria B, Grace B and Ronan C have been selected for the finals. Only five schools have made it through to the final.
Our team has had multiple Zoom meetings with University Lecturers from the WSU Business Faculty to assist our them with their final presentation. They have put in a lot of time and effort to submit an impressive Business idea for the BluePrint Competition.
The team members were punctual to all the Zoom meetings and they collaborated with the WSU University Lecturers in a way that made them worthy ambassadors of St Benedict’s.
There are exciting prizes on offer from WSU for this Competition.
1st Team Prize: $3000 JB Hi-Fi gift card
2nd Team Prize: $2000 JB Hi-Fi gift card
3rd Team Prize: $1000 JB Hi-Fi gift card
Winning School: $5000
The finals will be held online via Zoom on the 26 November. The judges will consist of academics, and industry partners from marketing, finance and business development. We wish these students all the best for the BluePrint Competition finals.
Mr Mark Mustapic
Careers Adviser/TaPS
Now let’s hear from some of the students,
Dear Staff, Students and families,
In Term 3, we were offered the opportunity to participate in the Western Sydney University Blueprint Competition. In this competition, we have worked tirelessly to create a product that addresses a need in society. Out of hundreds of applicants, we have made it to the top 5, reaching the finals.
As the Competition will be judged on 26 November by Western Sydney University we cannot give any more details about our entry. We are the first St Benedict’s students to participate in this competition. We are so grateful to represent our wonderful school.
Thank you Mr Mustapic for supporting us behind the scenes and organising all our meetings and keeping us up to date on information about the competition. We would also like to thank Mr McAteer and Mr Bulfon and all the other members of staff for encouraging our efforts. We appreciate all the support from our school community. We look forward to telling you more about our product in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Jessica G, Lavinia H and Ronan C
St Benedict's athletes shine at the Diocesan Sports Awards
Last Friday the Annual CDF Sport Awards Ceremony was held virtually via a live youtube link. This ceremony acknowledges students who have represented the Diocese of Wollongong at Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) sporting events. Our College was well represented with 6 students receiving awards for their outstanding sporting achievements.
Young athletes saw how far the representative sport pathways offered by Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) and an unwavering attitude could take them when former students and Olympians, Kieran Woolley and Blake Glovers spoke at the 24th Annual Catholic Development Fund (CDF) Diocesan Sports Awards, held virtually last Friday, 12 November.
The presentation premiered to a large audience who watched on from the comfort of their own homes.
Congratulations to the following students on their exceptional achievements.
Dylan G - (Ingham) CCC Swimming
Lincoln J - (Hildegard) CCC Cross Country
Lachlan B - (Hildegard) CCC Baseball
Ella F - (Norcia) CCC Hockey
Charlotte M - (Polding) CCC Hockey
Lachlan H - (MacKillop) CCC Softball and NSW All Schools Merit Softball Team
Year 7 Catholic Studies
In Catholic Studies, Year 7 are currently completing the topic "Affirming Human Dignity". We began this topic by looking at Human Dignity, Human Rights, and that we are ALL made in the image of God.
Miss Jane Kelleher
Mathematics & Religious Education
Teacher and Compass Coordinator
Year 7 and Year 8 are supporting Catholic Care this Christmas by donating items for food hampers. The hampers our school community creates will be given to various families throughout the Macarthur region. All STRIVE groups have been provided with a list of items and so students are encouraged to check this.
Year 9 and Year 10 are supporting Catholic Care this Christmas by donating gifts to children/adults who have been allocated to each STRIVE group. These gifts will be given to the families who are receiving a Christmas hamper. All STRIVE groups have been provided with a list and so students are encouraged to check this.
Bennie's Cafe
Bennie's Cafe is open for online Flexischools orders only.
Click and Collect purchases only - there will be no items purchased with a card, all orders must be online. (no exceptions)
All collections will be staggered:
Students in Years 7-9
Collect from the Cafe
Year 7 - Recess: 10.27; Lunch 12.57pm
Year 8 - Recess: 10.37; 1.07pm
Year 9 - Recess: 10.32; 1.02pm
Students in Years 10 - 12
Staff members on the supervision roster will collect the lunch orders and take them to the students allocated area.
Year 10 - G-Block, Village Green (E-Block and Library Quad if it is raining)
Year 11 - B/D Block TAS Quad
Year 12 - S block Senior Area
Students should present their Compass Card to collect their order from the teacher.
Thank you for your understanding and patience while we implement COVID safe protocols.
2022 School Transport
2022 school travel applications are now open
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. A new
application will need to be submitted if they are applying for a school travel pass for
the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a
new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year
or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel
entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will
ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated
and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their
existing card.
If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade the system will
automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not
meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to
expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass)
for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal
address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2022.
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at
the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may
come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators
do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated
operator if they do not receive a pass.
School Student Transport Scheme site change
On 1 October 2021 the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) information
and application portal was moved to transportnsw.info. This will assist families
to find all their travel information in the one place.
Travel from Term 1 2022
We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use
and has a valid ticket to travel; either a School Opal card or Child/Youth Opal card
(within Greater Sydney) or a School Travel Pass (outside Greater Sydney), from the start
of the school year.
Applications for the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) open at the start of Term
4 2021 for travel in 2022, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be
ready for the start of the new school year.
Most students using the Opal network will not need a new Opal card and can continue
travelling on their existing card each year.
The start of the year is a difficult period for local bus operators, and students travelling
without a valid ticket make service planning and operations increasingly difficult.
We recognise that for some families last minute changes to school enrolments mean
they may not have a School Opal card or Travel Pass for the start of term. In the Opal
network, we strongly encourage these families to have their children travel on a
Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater
Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school
year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support
our operators we encourage all students to have a valid ticket, as early as possible, from
the start of the school year.
Please also remember that students using Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line
with the Student code of conduct and Opal terms of use.
Further information can be found at transportnsw.info/travel-info/using-public-transport/school-travel
Enquiries can be submitted at transportnsw.info/contact-us/feedback/passes-concessions-feedback
School Fee Accounts
Just a reminder that school fee statements are sent monthly to every family by email. Please can you check your junk or spam folder if you are unable to your statement.
All parents should be able to see their account balance/transactions on Compass if you have any issues with your compass account please contact the school office and the admin staff will be able to assist you.
School fee accounts are to be finalised by 10 December 2021. If you have any issues please contact the finance office by phone or email finance@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au.
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.
MY FIT REWARDS - ATHLETE'S FOOT STORES
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/.