St Benedict's Catholic College

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Last Sunday we celebrated the first week of Advent. The Advent wreath helps us keep our thoughts focused on the coming of Christ at Christmas.

The word ‘Advent’ means ‘coming’. Lighting the candles on the wreath symbolises the coming of light (Jesus) into the world. The first candle (violet) represents hope, the second (violet) peace, the third (rose) joy, and the fourth (violet) love. The central white candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Christ. This Advent we will learn, act and pray for a more just and fair world – a world full of hope, peace, joy and love. Making the Advent wreath a daily custom.

On Tuesday at the College Merit Assembly 226 students from Years 7 to 11 received their 100 Merit Badge award. In addition, 17 students were acknowledged for receiving 300 Merits which is an outstanding achievement.

St Benedict’s Merits system focusses on acknowledging our students’ strengths with merits awarded to students who display the virtues of Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, Humanity, Justice and Transcendence across all areas of our school life.

Congratulations to all students who received acknowledgement for continuing to strive to be the best version of themselves.

Last Wednesday and Friday we have welcomed the families and Year 7 2023 students to our College Community. We have been very impressed by the maturity of our newest students and the hospitality and welcome they displayed to each other. The students were provided with an engaging orientation day program and also participated in MYAT testing. I look forward to welcoming them in January 2023 .

A big thank you to our staff, Student Middle leaders and House Leaders who assisted with the organisation and running of the Orientation day.

As we approach the end of the 2022 school year, we will be farewelling a number of staff who are moving to new and different opportunities. We wish each of them every success, fulfilment and enjoyment, and also thank them for their significant contribution to our Catholic school community and their work in growing students & faith, learning and wellbeing.

Christopher Shelton, Tammy Isbister, Rebecca Sammut, Magda Mizzi, Adam Rowles, Lisa Scott, Lisa Paton, Angela Camilleri, Madison Mining, Paul Martin

Warm regards

Kerrie Piatek

Principal

Congratulations to Isabella M who has been selected for the University of Sydney Business School’s Future Innovators Award. Special acknowledgement to Ms Ghignone who supported and encouraged Isabella to apply.

The Future Innovators Awards recognise and reward high achieving New South Wales Year 12 students for their innovativeness, critical thinking and interest in business studies.

Exclusively available to Year 12 students studying at New South Wales high schools, the Future Innovators Awards aim to recognise the visionary influencers of the future.

As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:4-6

College Staff have each received the Diocese of Wollongong’s Incarnate—Daily Advent and Christmas Reflections 2022

As we journey through the seasons of Advent and Christmas this year, staff have been invited to reflect daily on the wonder of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where, as St Augustine of Hippo reflects: “Man’s maker was made man that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that Truth might be accused of false witnesses, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die.”

Incarnate is a 86-page pocket-size book containing short spiritually rich, yet accessible, daily reflections from the beginning of Advent (27 November 2022) through to the Baptism of the Lord (9 January 2023).

Incarnate also features beautiful religious artworks from the Masters such as Caravaggio, Santafede, Murillo, Poussin, Fra Angelico and Brueghel The Elder with enlightening “Artwork Spotlight” reflections written by the popular Monsignor Graham Schmitzer.

God of light, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

When we worry, are anxious or feel overwhelmed,

help us to seek quiet spaces and trusted companions who will listen to us.

May these times, places and people of peace

remind us that you come to us to be one of us, with us and for us. Amen.

James Arblaster, who was involved in our College back in 2019 and 2020 when he spent time at St Mary MacKillop Oran Park will be Ordained to the Priesthood next week.

I am a big fan of the website ACTIONS FOR HAPPINESS monthly calendars.

This month, you are encouraged to carry out small acts of kindness.

Have a blessed and peaceful Advent.

God Bless

Director of Mission and Vision,

Religious Education Coordinator

During Advent, we embark on a journey of preparation for Christmas, our encounter with God, Jesus Christ who comes to meet us within Creation. We anticipate with hope and joy the renewal of all Creation through the Incarnation as Jesus takes on the material life we share with all creatures.

Here are some resources and suggestions for how you can celebrate a Laudato Si' Christmas.

5 Rules for Gift Giving in a Spirit of Laudato Si'

Guide to a Sustainable Eco-friendly Christmas 2022

The best Ways to Have a Sustainable Christmas

Earth Buzz - A Very Green Christmas

Creation Corner Episode 10 - Advent: Creation Waits

As Movember has come to an end all the Moe's are starting to disappear we would like to thank staff and students for your discussions and support.

Thank you to those teaching staff who got involved in growing a moe or running some different activities!

Miss Lorking

Thank you to all of the families who contributed to the hamper appeal.

This week 7 hampers have been distributed to St Vincent de Paul.

Next week hampers and gifts will be forwarded to CatholicCare.

Mrs Castelli & the Social Justice Team

This term, I have had the pleasure of coaching the MISA 7-9 Boys Oztag team to an incredible 3rd place finish in Division 1. All the boys from Years 7-9 were able to showcase their incredible talent, passion and team spirit through their participation and determination week in and out.

The boys represented SBCC with pride and showed a 'never give up' attitude in order to achieve a number of wins and score many wonderful tries across the term.

Congratulations and thank you to the following students:

Noah A, Brodie B, Ethan C, Jordy C, Riley D, Aidan G, Jackson H, Jude H, Cameron M, Koby R, Luke R and Dante T.

A very special thank you to our assistants Ryan W and Oliver C, as well as Tom B for stepping in with guest appearances.

Miss Mora

Year 8 Black has completed a Burger Assessment Task where they designed their own healthy burger and used products that they have grown from home.

Mrs Brown

Year 10 has been studying the topic of Food Service and Catering. Below is an image of some of the Foods that they cooked.

Mrs Brown

Wool4School is an annual student design competition encouraging budding fashion designers to show their nation what they're made of.

https://www.wool4school.com/about-competition/

See or email Ms Ghignone if you are interested and would like some resources to help you enter this competition.

ghignonel01@dow.catholic.edu.au

See your designs in gold, silver and bronze and win a $500 Visa Gift Card. See details on how to enter this competition here.

If you do choose to enter please also email your entry to Ms Ghignone ghignonel01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

We need to name the new cafe and also have a logo (icon, motif) that we could use to create promotional material with.

The cafe name and logo needs to be simple and encompass the essence of both of our great schools.

For details on how to enter this competition please see this presentation.

College Hall Cafe - Logo Design Competition Presentation. click here

Last Thursday all of Year 8 went on an excursion to Science Space, the Science Museum in Wollongong as part of our ‘Off the Planet’ unit for this term.

Students had access to all the interactive and fascinating gadgets and gizmos in Science Space and could explore the solar system to virtually visit different planets in the Planetarium. A few moments of motion sickness as we zoomed through the Solar System were the only dampeners on a great day, but they passed quickly!

The Liquid Nitrogen show was a big hit with students and was for many the highlight of the day… maybe because it ended with a ‘BANG’.

Students unleashed their creativity and knowledge in the Rocket Building STEM challenge, where in small teams they designed and built a paper rocket that had to land in a target zone. The rockets were launched with an air cannon, which students really enjoyed.

Feedback from students was very positive, with many wanting to return with their parents to see the Planetarium again. Staff also had a great time, coming away with ideas to use later in the classroom.

Ms. Smith & Mrs Bastias.

The Library will celebrate the 2022 FIFA World Cup with games being streamed at recess and lunch.

Join us in the Library for your chance to enter the FIFA World Cup Raffle (a ticket to a corresponding qualifying country).

Flags of the competing countries will also be displayed and a competition to correctly name all flags will be held later in Term 4 - keep an eye on the Oliver home page for more information as well as an upcoming soccer trivia competition and other upcoming events.

Happy reading

The Library Team

Wed 7 Dec - 9am Year 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Zoom Meeting bookings will open on Compass under Conferences

Mon 12 Dec - Year 10 Reports Issued

Tue 13 Dec -Year 10 Academic Awards, 1pm Afternoon Tea, seated by 1:20pm for 1:30pm Presentation

Tue 13 Dec - Year 7-9 Reports Issued

Wed 14 Dec - College Hall 8:20am please be seated 8:30am Closing Mass commences followed by Yr 7-9 Academic Awards. Morning tea will be served at conclusion.

Wed 14 Dec - 9am Parent/Teacher/Student Zoom Meeting bookings

Wed 14 Dec - 2:45pm Yr 7-9 Report Distribution via Compass

Thu 15 Dec - HSC and ATAR Results Released

Thu 15 Dec - 10:30am - 11:30am - Year 12 2022 HSC Results Celebration Brunch

Thu 15 Dec - Students Activities Day

Fri 16 Dec - Term 4 Ends for Students

Fri 16 Dec - 8:30am - 2:00pm - Yrs 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Tue 20 Dec - Term 4 Ends (Staff)

End of Term 4

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.

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

RANIER has advised that there may be significant delays with the college uniform. This delay is due to COVID lockdowns in China.

Orders placed for home delivery are despatched twice a week from the Uniform Shop. Orders placed for collection from college office will be available Mondays after 2:30pm, orders placed prior to 9am Monday will qualify.

TRADING HOURS DURING COLLEGE TERMS:

Monday 9am – 5pm

Tuesday 9am – 5pm

Wednesday 9am – 5pm

Thursday 9am – 5pm

Saturday 9am – 12pm

Collection from shop | Collection from College | Home Delivery

CONTACT:

Ranier Schoolwear Unit 5/6-8 Porrende Street Narellan 2567

Online purchasing and appointments visit: shop.ranier.com.au

Email: stbenedict@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

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following a change to COVID-19 rules on Friday 14 October 2022, it is no longer mandatory for people who test positive to COVID-19 to self-isolate at home.

What this means for students and school staff

• If a student or staff member is unwell and has any COVID-19 symptoms, even the mildest of symptoms, they should stay home and test.

• Students and staff who are unwell with any cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms (whether they have tested positive or not) should not attend school until their symptoms are gone.

• To limit the possible spread of illness amongst the school community, students and staff displaying COVID-19 symptoms at school will continue to be sent home until their symptoms are gone (students and staff with persistent symptoms, e.g. hayfever, will continue to be able to attend with a letter from their medical practitioner).

Steps we can take to keep our school community safe

• The most important step we can all take is to stay home when we have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, and not return to school until the symptoms are gone.

• Please continue to notify the school if your child tests positive for COVID-19.

• We strongly encourage all students, staff and visitors to follow NSW Health guidance.

We will continue with the COVID-smart measures that have been in place over the last few terms. This includes a combination of encouraging vaccination, supporting mask-wearing (with masks still required in some settings), rapid antigen testing, ventilation, hygiene and enhanced cleaning. If you have any questions or concerns about this change or any other matter related to COVID-19, please contact the school by phone or email.

Sincerely

Kerrie Piatek

Principal