St Benedict's Catholic College

Year 7 are involved this term in a cross curricular initiative between PDHPE and Catholic Studies on SUSTAINABILITY: War on Waste.

Year 7 had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers - Chris Nolan from Caritas and Beth Riolo (Professional Officer: Environment-Advocacy-Outreach in the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong). The presenters spoke about the importance and our responsibility to care for creation in light of Catholic Social Teaching and the insights from Pope Francis' Papal encyclicals Laudato Si. Year 7 also had the opportunity to learn about the Catholic Social teaching principles especially 'CARE FOR CREATION'

Students also had the opportunity to work with their RE and PDHPE teachers to brainstorm and come up with ideas for their project for this term. During the following weeks students will have some class time during their PDHPE and Catholic Studies lessons to work with their group to produce a product, plan or initiative.

War on Waste Series 3 begins next week - students will also have an opportunity to to watch this and have discussions about what Australia needs to do but then also apply their learnings for our College and in their own lives. Students will also get to learn about the work of OzHarvest. Food is at the core of OzHarvest, saving surplus food from ending up in landfill and delivering it to charities that help feed people in need. They are committed to halving food waste by 2030, inspiring and influencing others to do the same, and transforming lives through education.

Our faith calls us to take action for the planet. The Earth and all life on it is God's creation - it is a gift from God.

Below is the prayer that is central to the work of Year 7 in Catholic Studies and PDHPE this term.

Creator God,

We acknowledge that as your handiwork,

we stand alongside all that you have made.

Trees and rivers, mountains and valleys,

soaring birds and scuttling creatures,

all are held within your care.

May we grow in our love and appreciation

for the fabulous variety around us;

and may our awe and wonder draw us closer

to the natural world, and through it to you,

the God of all things.

We pray in Jesus name,

Amen

• Monday 24 July - Year 10 Art Excursion
• Tuesday 25 July - Stage 4 (Year 7 & 8) Semester 1 Awards Ceremony - 8.30am in the Hall
• Tuesday 25 July - Stage 5 (Year 9 & 10) Semester 1 Awards Ceremony - 10am in the Hall
• Thursday 27 July - Year 9 Art Excursion
• Friday 28 July - Year 12 Breakfast in the Library
• Friday 28 July - DIO Athletics (Campbelltown Athletics Stadium)
• Monday 31 July - Year 12 Trial HSC Exams Begin
• Thursday 3 & Friday 4 August - Year 9 Camp

Congratulations to Cooper Najjar from Year 12 Construction who was a finalist for the 2023 NSW Training Awards - VET Student of the Year Award - Southern, South Western Sydney Region.

The awards ceremony took place at Novella at Abbotsbury on Friday 30 June.

Cooper's initial nomination progressed through to an interview stage where applicants were asked questions by a panel about their industry framework and why it is important to the community, the economy and the future of our country. Cooper had to detail his interest in the industry framework, what he enjoys about it and what he has learnt.

From this interview Cooper was then selected as a finalist along with six other VET in Schools students from the Southern, South Western Sydney Region. Cooper was the only student from the Wollongong Diocese to be selected as a finalist.

St Benedict's Catholic College would like to congratulate Cooper on this amazing achievement and highlight VET as a fantastic course that offers many opportunities for students and their future!

Cooper will be formally recognised by our College community at an upcoming college assembly where the RTO Manager, Christina Desmond from Wollongong CEO will present Cooper with his award.

Lorena Ghignone

VET Coordinator

Photos and an article of the Bennie's Winter Fest will follow in next week's newsletter.

Year 9 Visual Arts students participated in an observational drawing exercise to make ‘something from nothing’ in their first lesson back this term. Students are preparing to design a ceramic sculpture and used this exercise to better understand form, balance, movement, and alter their current perception of good design practices.

Catholic Earthcare (CARITAS) are running an ARTWORK COMPETITION for Season of Creation 2023. Further information can be found at this link: https://catholicearthcare.org.au/2023-arts-competition/ Entries close 9am, 14 August 2023.

If you have any questions please speak to Mrs Logue or send an email loguek01@dow.catholic.edu.au

• If you are using your mobile while walking in our car park, make sure you exercise caution and remain aware of potential hazards. Even when not crossing the road, be aware of other pedestrians and look, listen and think when walking on streets, particularly in the school car park, driveways and bus stops.
• Pause your music and pay full attention while crossing the roads or walking in the school car park. It’s important to be able to hear traffic and cars approaching as well as see them.
• Be particularly careful and stop texting when in the school car park, getting on and off buses and crossing roads.

We would like to notify you that from Monday 31st July 2023, Picton Buslines drivers and staff will be implementing a two-week blitz on school student bus passes.

The Transport for NSW School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) provides eligible school students with free or subsidised travel on public transport between home and school. When travelling between home and school, students must adhere to various regulations regarding passenger behaviour and the Codes of Conduct for travel by bus. One of the obligations of students is to show their travel pass or ticket when requested.

We ask that you assist by requesting that teachers on bus duty ask all students that catch Picton Buslines buses to and/or from school to have their physical bus passes ready to display to the driver before boarding the bus. Note that we will not accept students showing a photo of their bus pass on their phone.

If a student is planning on catching the bus and they do not have a current valid bus pass, their pass is damaged or lost, please inform their parents/guardians to contact our office on 02 4677 1564 or email us at info@pictonbuslines.com.au to organise a pass.

P & F Uniform Pool order form - click here

The P & F preloved Uniform Pool has reopened, please complete the order form and send to the P & F by email at: uniforms@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au Our wonderful P&F volunteer Tracey will contact you.

Items can be paid for and collected from the SBCC College Office. We do not return, exchange or refund on 2nd hand clothing as these are donated by families.

Donations of items in good condition can be left at the College Office.

Please come and see the friendly office staff for a box of RAT kits. Either parents can come to the office reception or students can collect via the student desk during recess, lunch or at the end of the day.