St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter Friday 11 June 2021
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Last Friday, the rain gave way to a beautiful sunny day enabling us to finally celebrate our Feast Day. The day commenced with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Father Anthony Crooks. The Mass had special significance because, over the past two years, bush fires, smoke from back burning and floods have led to our College Masses being cancelled. Our College’s focus on Love of God and Love of Neighbour and our Benedictine spirituality was captured beautifully by Father Anthony in his homily.
Thanks must go to Mrs Kimberley Logue and all the staff and students who contributed to the preparation and organisation of the liturgy and the student presentation awards ceremony.
Thanks also to the music staff, Mrs Jenny Koryzma, Mr Brandon O’Donnell, the student vocalists, and musicians, who provided the wonderful music that helped make this liturgy so memorable.
Special congratulations to the students who received 100 and 300 Merit Badges, these students are wonderful role models who strive always to achieve their personal best.
It was a great privilege on the day to listen to our guest speaker Mrs Rosemary Kariuki-Fyfe, the 2021 Local Hero Australian of the Year, deliver our Feast Day Address. Rosemary is the multicultural community liaison officer for the Campbelltown City Police Area Command, who helps migrant and refugee women.
Rosemary knows the importance of being neighbour. In her acceptance speech at a ceremony in Canberra, Rosemary urged everyone “to open their doors to their neighbours.” Rosemary’s warmth, faith, courage, good humour, and service left a lasting impression on all of us.
It was fitting that Rosemary commissioned students from our Social Justice Action Committee with their Social Justice badges.
Mrs Rosemary Kariuki-Fyfe with St Benedict's students
2021 Local Hero, Australian of the Year Mrs Rosemary Kariuki-Fyfe
Commissioned students from our Social Justice Action Committee with Mrs Rosemary Kariuki-Fyfe
Our Feast Day provides all of us with the opportunity to have fun, while, at the same time raising money. This year our college raised funds for Rosemary Kariuki’s charity, The Hannah Community Development Project Charity, whose focus is to empower the Kamukunji community youth, men, and women, to maximize their potential, through improved living standards.
The day concluded with “Benny’s Got Talent” rivalling anything that you may see on TV, not only for the quality of the performers but also for the wonderful support given to each and every performer by our student audience. The final act received a standing ovation from the students – Mrs Durrant, Ms Ferguson, Ms Grego, Mrs Coyle, Ms Brown, Ms Setterini and Mrs Santos provided us with a “dance” session that we will always remember.
The experiences and stories of special days like this one, build a school community and culture where people know they belong. These special days become memories that will be forever cherished. For the students who participated in this day, and our parents for their continuous support, I am truly thankful.
Parent-Teacher Meetings
Parent-Teacher Meetings for Years 7 to 10 will be held in the last week of Term 2. These meetings are being held both face to face and via Zoom are a great opportunity for parents and carers to communicate with your child’s teacher and hear how your child is tracking academically and socially, as well as answer any questions you may have about school life.
· Tuesday 22 June - 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Zoom Interviews only).
· Thursday 24 June - 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Face to Face Interviews only).
· Friday 25 June - 8:00 am - 2:30 pm (Zoom Interviews only).
Please review the information provided through Compass explaining how to make the relevant bookings.
Regards
Kerrie Piatek
College Principal
P&F NEWS
CLOTHING POOL
The clothing pool is re-opened on-site for fittings and purchases via appointment only.
Please send an email to pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au for any enquiries.
Fiona Place
P&F President
Please contact Miss Jane Kelleher if you have any issues. kelleherj01@dow.catholic.edu.au
DATES TO REMEMBER
- Monday 14 June - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday.
- Tuesday 15 June - Debating Incursion - P1-2.
- Wednesday 16 June - Open Girl's DIO Hockey at Narellan Hockey Fields.
- Wednesday 16 till Friday 18 June. Hall Tours. Click on the link provided for the available times.
- Friday 18 June - Bennies Bring a Blanket, 3-8.30 pm at the College.
- Monday 21 June - MISA Debating Years 7-9 (at home).
- Wednesday 23 June - Year 10 Vaccinations.
- Friday 25 June - Pupil Free Day.
- Friday 25 June - Parent Interviews Years 7-10 Zoom only.
- Friday 25 June - White Card Training.
- Monday 12 July - School resumes for Term 3.
- Friday 16 July - Drama Trial night.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
COMPASS
I wrote last week to families in regard to some of the changes to Compass. A reminder that for most events where families are asked to give permission, this will now happen through the Compass portal.
All families should ensure they can log onto Compass and access this from their device. If families have any questions, they should contact the College so we can help you through this transition period.
VAPING
I have been writing recently about vaping and the Australian Government's concern around this as well as the health impacts that it can have – particularly on young people.
I recommend all parents watch the following clip. This is from the US, but it shows the challenges that both teachers and parents have in detecting vaping. As it can be seen, ‘vapes’ can come in many shapes and sizes, including pens and smartwatches. These are obviously difficult to see and detect.
PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT INTERVIEWS
In week 10, we have our Year 7-10 PTS interviews for Semester 1. I encourage all families to attend these interviews and take advantage of the opportunity to discuss your child’s learning with their classroom teachers.
Working together in partnership to ensure that your child is the best version of themselves and flourishing is important to our College and there are some changes this year – to allow both zoom and face-to-face interviews to take place. This event will, of course, coincide with the release of reports for students.
A good strategy that a lot of parents use is to sit down and discuss their child’s report with them – looking at both the strengths they have demonstrated throughout the semester as well as looking at areas for improvement and development.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
Today was our staff spirituality day. Staff looked at the importance of Caring for our Environment. Pope Francis in his Papal Encyclical Laudato si’ – care for our common home, highlights some of the concerns that our age has brought on the environment, and calls for global action to address this. As Catholics, we have a responsibility to care for the environment.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND VISION
In last Sunday’s Gospel, the Church takes us back to Holy Thursday and the institution of the Eucharist; Jesus’ act of self-giving which was fully realised in his Crucifixion. On Sunday we celebrated the Solemn Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, which involves renewing our faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
A Sacrament is an occasion of God’s Grace, God’s affirmation and our acceptance of God’s presence in our lives. And if you are what you eat, by receiving the Eucharist we conform more and more to what we were created to be, the image and likeness of God.
BLESSING THE BREAD, THE CUP
FEAST DAY MASS - FRIDAY 4 JUNE 2021
After having our Feast Day celebrations postponed, it was truly wonderful to gather as a community in the COLA to have Mass and break bread together. Our College has not had a Mass as a whole community in over two years - due to bushfires in 2019, heavy rains in early 2020, and then COVID hit.
We were so lucky and blessed to have Fr. Anthony Crook RAN who celebrated Mass with us. Padre is currently the Assistant Priest at St Mary MacKillop Parish, Oran Park. At the heart of the homily was the Benedictine focus of “Prayer, Work, and Recreation” key aspects to have a balanced life and the importance of seeing Jesus in the other.
“Pray and work” (ora et labora) has come to be defined as Benedictine motto and practice. As we use our gifts to help others, we can strive to keep our own lives in balance, allotting the time necessary for each task we have before use - no more, no less. We can keep in mind the importance of our work yet not let work determine the structure of our lives. We need to be good to others, we need to be good to ourselves. This means taking care of body, mind, and spirit, balancing not only our various activities but also what we do for others and what we do for ourselves.
STAFF SPIRITUALITY DAY - FRIDAY 11 JUNE 2021
Today our College Staff participated in a Spirituality Day focused on ‘Who Is My Neighbour? Called to Ecological Conversion. This involved breaking open the theology and ecological challenges from Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si” encyclical. We also watched the video "The Awakening Universe" and participated in the Laudato Si prayer chaplet and a Creation Reflection experience.
The Laudato Si Chaplet is a simple prayer technique to pray with creation, inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures of St Francis of Assisi. The Chaplet is meant to nourish and foster our ‘ecological conversion by:
Developing spiritual attitudes of praise and gratitude towards God the Creator, and a sense of universal fraternity with all of Creation,
Enhancing our capacity to contemplate the beauty of Creation with awe and wonder,
Deepening interior peace and our relationship with God the Creator. Ultimately, this “ecological spirituality [will] motivate us to a more passionate concern for the protection of our world” (LS 216).
Message from Bishop Brian Mascord - Future of Cemeteries NSW
I am writing to ask for your assistance in petitioning the New South Wales Government to reverse a decision to exclude faith and charitable groups from cemetery management.
Please find below the following:
Save Our Graves Online Petition
I give my support to Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP who has recently launched a Save Our Graves online petition to put pressure on the NSW Government to reverse its decision to exclude faith and charitable groups from the management of cemeteries in NSW that operate on Crown land. This also has the support of other faith leaders from the Muslim and Jewish communities.
The government’s decision is a serious attack on religious freedom and raises significant questions as to the appropriateness of handing over the management of cemeteries to a bureaucracy that has no experience in providing comfort to grieving families or the management of burial grounds. Caring for the dead and those who love them is a spiritual mission, not secular. Our faith teaches that it is one of our “corporal works of mercy” and this underpins the way we look after our cemeteries, which we have been doing for over 150 years.
An online petition page has been established at www.saveourgraves.com.au and you are encouraged to sign this petition and circulate it to your family and friends in NSW.
REMINDERS
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 .
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.
Reminders
- 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.
LIVE 2 - CONNECTED - HIM
Friday saw a busy day for our College with the celebration of Feast Day, followed by the second LIVE event for Term 2. Run by Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CWMW), coupled with St Benedict’s Youth Ministry Leaders, LIVE 2 had the theme of Connected - Him.
The afternoon began with some delicious milkshakes, donuts, and icebreaker games that saw the students participate in a modified version of Scissors, paper, rock with balloons, and a relay.
After these events, the students were spoken to by the NET team about the place of Jesus in their lives. NET used the analogy of ‘Jesus being like Google Maps guiding us when we need it and always being aware of our direction’. The talk was inspiring to the students and allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the place of Jesus in their lives. The students were led by SBCC Youth Ministry Leaders in small group discussions that allowed them to unpack the message from the NET team. Our YML's did a brilliant job at leading this.
Students then had the opportunity to participate in a worship session led by the talented CYMW band and finished the night off with pizza.
I would like to extend a massive thank you to the staff who stayed back to support this event.
Miss T Brown
Youth Ministry Coordinator
CAPA NEWS
Dance troupe
Xhandra A, Daniella A, Janelle B, Makayla B, Selena B, Meah H, Aleyah M, Elizabeth M, Jenna S, Annalese W, Jemma W.
The CAPA department has been a busy place at St Benedict’s over the last two weeks. With the rescheduling of Feast day, many of our students spent the last two weeks preparing for our College Mass as well as the famous Bennies Got Talent concert. A special mention and thank you to all the students who participated in the afternoon concert.
Year 11 Music Class – African Drumming
Kayla P, Adam M, William M, Alexis M, Kirsty F, Lucinda G, Jada H,
Samantha E, Charlotte C, Hannah D, Emily D, Thomas H, Jeremy B,
Ben W, Alec C, Ryan E, Billy M, Leandro C, Harry M, Joel T and Mr O’Donnell
Year 12 CAPA
A reminder of the following dates:
Drama Trial Performance – Friday 16 July 3:30 pm.
Music Trial Performance – Monday 19 July.
Visual Arts Body of Work Marking – Thursday 24 June.
DEBATING AT ST BENEDICT'S
St Benedict’s V St Patrick's College in Round 4 of the MISA Debating Competition.
Our Year 9’s debated first, winning a close debate. Grace opened with her usual flair, Lara was strong as the second speaker, Charlotte has shown great improvement in rebuttals and summing up our case. Calan, unfortunately, was absent.
Our Year 8’s were the next to debate and were also winners. Madison opened our arguments with strong rebuttals, Jada was definitely the debater of the meet, with her incredible vocabulary. Samantha was strong as usual as our third speaker, while Jenna was a great support as our fourth speaker. These students are currently undefeated in the MISA competition for Year 8 students.
Year 7, while suffering a narrow loss, have grown immensely as a team, and have taken on the feedback given to them from previous debates. Lilia is now opening the team case with a required time limit and has strengthened our points by increasing her elaboration. Hannah is really developing her rebuttal skills and once again, Jessica was a great support as our fourth speaker.
Mrs Mizzi
Debating Coach
SOCIAL JUSTICE AT ST BENEDICT'S
On Tuesday of Week 8, the Social Justice team organised two events to raise awareness for homelessness in our local community. The Year 8 Social Justice members organised a Staff V Students’ game of soccer. Year 8 took this very seriously, holding try-outs the week prior to the game with the following students chosen for the team: Angus B, Cameron M, Makayla R, Tino A, Jye B, Noah S, Marcus S, Oliver C, Rhys D, Dylan K, and Cody I.
The game began at recess, where students not participating observed the game from the sidelines, encouraging the teachers and students. The Staff team included Mr Morris, Mr Agoo, Mrs Settineri, Ms Kelleher, Ms Ferguson, Mr Earl, Mrs Brown, Mr Wiseby, Miss Taylor, Mrs Durrant, Mr Tsomas, Mrs Farro, Mr Gavin, Mr Bufon and Mr Hayden. At the end of the game, the teachers managed to emerge victoriously, however, the participating Year 8 students showed considerable determination throughout the entirety of the game.
Jersey day was also celebrated throughout the entire school, where staff and students, ranging from Year 7 to 12, were encouraged to wear a jersey of their choosing to support the playing students and promote social connectivity in the school environment. Students brought in a gold coin donation to wear the jersey of their choice.
Thank you to all staff and students who participated in the day's events.
Jada H - Year 8
Bennies Bring a Blanket is set to take place Friday 18 June (Week 9) from 3 pm - 8.30 pm. This is one event on the calendar that all staff and students look forward to each year. This year we are supporting two charities, We are Community and Humanity Matters. Both of whom spend countless hours helping people who are experiencing homelessness and hardship.
Whilst this is a free event for students to attend, we are asking that students bring donations of coins for participation in various activities, warm blankets, and clothing to donate as well as food items, such as muesli bars, pasta sauce, canned food (ring pull tabs only) and long-life milk.
The evening is aimed at teaching students about the hardships of homelessness, and to encourage them to see how some people have to live. Permission notes for this event are due by Tuesday, Week 9. For more details, please refer to the permission note on Compass.
Mrs Castelli
Social Justice Coordinator
COLLEGE SPORT TERM 2 WEEK 8 MVP
MISA Term 2
A huge congratulations to our Boys Softball Team who are the winners of our MISA Softball competition this term. The boys have been undefeated all term and finished with a 3 - 2 win over John Therry this week. A massive effort week in and week out by the team and a special mention to the super coach, Mr Wisbey on coaching the boys throughout the term. We wish the boys the best of luck as they compete in the Interzone final next week and we look forward to hearing the results!
An unlucky defeat for our Boys Basketball team this week, going down by 3 points in their playoff for 3rd place. A strong effort displayed by our Girls Indoor Cricket team, who also went down by a narrow margin.
Well done to all of our MISA teams this term, some great results achieved by all and outstanding representation of the College by all students.
Yours in Sport
Miss Lisa Paton (Sport Coordinator).
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Our College Athletics Carnival was held at the end of Term 1, with the Javelin and 800m events being held at school this term. A great effort was shown through outstanding numbers of participation in all events on the day as well as a great display of house spirit!
Well done to all the Age Champions and Runners Up for the College Athletics Carnival!
Congratulations to Dharawal for taking out the title as the winning house of the Athletics Carnival.
Inter-Schools Lawn Bowls Challenge
On Monday, a group of students represented the College at the Inter-Schools Lawn Bowls Challenge. Students competed in teams of 3 and we had some great successes on the day. All our teams won at least one of their games, with a few teams winning 2 out of the 3 games played. A great improvement was seen in students' lawn bowling skills throughout the competition. Well done to all students on their participation and representation of the College. Some stand-out performances on the day included Matias C, Caitlin B, Cody I, Charlotte S, Joseph C, Alyssa N, Grace J, and Haylee G.
Miss Lisa Paton
Mrs Holland has organised for Wednesday afternoons Study and Pizza Sessions in the Library. The sessions are for 2 hours, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, starting from Week 6 for the following 10 weeks leading up to the HSC Trials. Up to 6 teachers volunteer their time and expertise to support and facilitate student’s knowledge in their chosen courses.
Students may study independently or in small groups, and or seek, any one of the attending teachers for support.
Pizza will be served for afternoon tea. Students are asked to fill in the google form Mrs Holland will send out each Monday to secure their place for the sessions and pizza.
Thank you to all the teachers who have so kindly volunteered to support our Year 12’s in their final year at the College.
Mrs Holland
Year 12 Coordinator.
CURRICULUM NEWS
Jobs For Youth Night
HELP KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE
ADDRESS:
Ranier Schoolwear Unit 5/6-8 Porrende Street Narellan 2567.
For online purchasing and appointments visit: shop.ranier.com.au
We offer:
- Collect from Shop
- Collect from School
- Home Delivery.
CONTACT US via 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
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS FOR SHOP ENTRY
- Please do not attend the shop if you are unwell
- Limited people permitted in the shop at any time
MY FIT REWARDS - ATHLETE'S FOOT STORES
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.
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.
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.