St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter - Friday 26 October
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear Parents and Guardians
Welcome back to Term 4. I trust that, despite the rainy weather, you had a wonderful time with your children (and that they were a lot of help around the house!).
Last week the Prime Minister delivered a National Apology to the victims of historic child abuse. Each family has received a statement from Bishop Brian Mascord and from the Catholic Education Office regarding the apology. The College community joined in prayer last Monday for healing and hope and I reproduce the prayer below.
Compassion – that feeling of distress at the suffering of others that is combined with the desire to alleviate it – is in short supply in the world today. We only have to look at a random sample of world news – the indifference to the plight of refugees; the anger and hate routinely expressed by internet trolls; the political gridlock around energy efficient measures to address climate change, while bushfires are already raging and farmers are struggling with drought, to see that there is very little action being taken to alleviate enormous suffering. On a personal front, it can be hard to find compassion in our relationships and our circles. Yet, when we do, it is transformative: of our relationships, of our lives and of our communities.
Fundamental to compassion, of course, is empathy. To feel another’s suffering is to enter into their experience. As Atticus Finch famously advised his daughter Scout: “You never really understand a person…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (To Kill a Mockingbird, H. Lee, 1960). This takes both imagination and emotional intelligence. It is far deeper and more profound than simply “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you”. The ‘Golden Rule’ is limited by culture, context and maturity, among other things. Many times I have had to explain to a young person that something that they thought was humorous or insignificant was, actually, hurtful and offensive. This takes time and patience, to unpack the narrative and really allow both parties to hear each other’s stories. By the Golden Rule, I may have treated you as I don’t mind being treated. Once I exercise compassion, I stop that behaviour because I know that it will cause you pain.
Buddhists teach that “life is suffering”: compassion is the antidote to that suffering. Christianity wrestles with “the problem of evil”: compassion is the solution to that problem. Why is compassion so difficult? Because it is so important. Like all human experiences that facilitate growth and fulfilment, compassion is necessary for development as a whole and rounded individual. Compassion takes us out of ourselves into connection with others, providing meaning and purpose by serving something greater. Dare to imagine a world where all practised compassion: now that would be something truly radical.
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Over the last two weeks, we have been undertaking the process of electing our Middle School Student Leaders who will be joining the Senior Captains in their Induction Ceremony next Tuesday. Congratulations to our successful Year 8 students. A full list of the 2019 student leadership team will be published next week after the Ceremony.
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We are looking forward to next year with our new Year 7 students having their Orientation Day on Friday 30 November. The Parents & Friends Association traditionally provide a BBQ lunch for the 186 students and this is the first call for any parents who can give us some time to assist with the preparation and/or cooking on the day. If you can assist us, please let the school office know and we will pass your details on to the P&F Executive.
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The HSC moves into its third week next week – please continue to keep the Year 12 students in your prayers.
Michael Hanratty
Principal
FROM THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND VISION
“Listen to what the spirit is saying” (Revelations 2:7)
Many of us may have heard Pope Francis give his Blessing to consult with all Australians and hold our first plenary council in 80 years. Plenary 2020 is happening! This is a significant event for the Catholic Church in Australia and can really help to reshape the direction of the Catholic Church in Australia. We are called to take the time and ask ourselves “What is the Holy Spirit asking us today?” As people of faith, we must trust, even in the midst of such change, that the Holy Spirit is powerfully at work moving and doing new things in the hearts and minds of the faithful.
The Plenary Council is a gathering of the Church in Australia to make decisions for the future. Your voice is important. All people are invited to contribute to the Plenary Council agenda by sharing your experience of faith and of the Church. Preparation for the Plenary Council 2020, begins with open listening and dialogue. It is the first step to preparing the agenda for the Plenary Council. Your experience of faith and the Church is important. We are all invited to join a small group for Plenary Council Listening and Dialogue Encounters.
“Plenary Council 2020 is a cause for great excitement and one that we must enter into full of trust in God’s guiding hand. We have much to plan and organise along this journey, and that will happen in an ongoing way in the weeks and months ahead. It is important to note though: no matter how well we plan, this process will be “messy” at times, and necessarily so, because it deals with both the human and the divine. It will thus require patience and humility if we are to be led by the Spirit in honest and respectful dialogue. It requires us to sincerely pray with, and for, each other as we open ourselves to this process of expressing our loves, disappointments, hurts and hopes for who we are as Church. Together, let’s see what the Holy Spirit is saying to us." Bishop Brian Mascord - Pastoral Letter (2018).
See www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au for more information about the plenary Council.
Social Justice Update - Catholic Mission 2018
This month our social justice focus is on the support and care that is provided by Catholic Mission. Catholic Mission is the Australian agency of the international Pontifical Mission Societies. Locally and globally they answer the call to love God and to love our neighbour, by helping to build communities of missionary disciples who share their faith by proclaiming the Word of God, serving people in need, acting for justice and creation, and adopting child-focused development programs.
The money raised this year will go towards helping to build schools in countries like Myanmar who have been suffering through war and misfortune. By supporting this worthy cause this year, we can help to contribute to healing a nation. Academic Care classes have received their money collection boxes and I thank all students who have already generously donated to this worthy initiative.
God Bless;
Mrs Tarnya Grana
Acting Director of Mission and Vision
DATES TO REMEMBER
HSC Exams - Thursday 18 October - Friday 9 November
Leaders Induction Ceremony - Tuesday 30 October
Vaccinations for Year 7 students - Friday 2 November
Senior Retreat - Monday 5 - Wednesday 7 November
Year 9 and 10 Semester 2 Exam Block - Thursday 8 - Wednesday 14 November
Year 11 Report Distribution - Thursday 8 November
Year 12 Formal - Friday 9 November
Year 10 History Elective
In Term 3, Australia witnessed the downfall of our Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and his replacement by Scott Morrison. This historic event was the catalyst for a new unit of work for Year 10 History Elective; “Menzies to Morrison-the history of political assassinations in Australian politics.”
There were 3 parts to this topic. The first was developing a theoretical understanding of how government works in Australia. The second was a traditional academic learning of the achievements of Australian governments from the 1950s to the present day, focussing on the political manouverings under each Prime Minister. The final part was a simulation activity called “The Art of Politics” where the students formed their own political parties and developed policy statements on a number of important national issues, such as human rights and education. There were a number of heated debates among the parties, education equity being one of the most contentious topics.
During this last phase, it was interesting watching leadership styles develop, how the leaders dealt with differing views and personalities and how often the students called on their learning from other subjects.
Mr Andy Lundy
History Elective Teacher
Year 9 - The food works
Year 9 have been working hard on recreating food artworks by artist Wayne Thuebaud. Throughout Term 4, they will be creating Pop Food Sculptures inspired by Claes Oldenburg.
Year 7 - Plant Works
Year 7 have been exploring the use of botany in art. They have been busily creating scratch art and recreating Margaret Preston's 'Pink Jug' using Australian Native Plants on miniature canvases. Throughout Term 4, they will be creating prints of their chosen plant in numerous ways.
Australian Geography Competition 2018
Each year, St Benedict’s students participate in The Australian Geography Competition. The competition is an external contest for Australian secondary school students, assessing their geographical knowledge and skills. This year, more than 72,000 students from over 780 schools across the country participated in the competition.
We would like to congratulate all students from St Benedict’s in Years 9 and 10 that participated in the competition this year, in particular, the following students who achieved an outstanding result which placed them in the top 26% of their peers in the competition:
Credit: Lachlan Balderson, Paris Bermingham, Emily Buterin, Katarina Maruncic, Jessica McGlynn, Katherine Monier, Paris Murray, Calista Natsia, Isabella Ravino, Gabrielle Sarkis, Frederick Sembrano, Brooke Thistleton and Anna Wright.
Distinction: Emily Azzopardi, Nicholas Carroll, Julian Di Giovanni, Indhi Downie, Kyla Harp, Braydon Haskett and Nicholas Perez.
High Distinction: Darcey Christl and Hannah Small.
Once again, congratulations to all students on their success and we look forward to entering the competition again next year.
Miss M. Joyce
Teacher in Charge
Unexplained absence sheets have been given to students in Home room. Please complete and return to the office before Friday 2 November. Any unexplained absences will go on students reports.
Please telephone or email the school office to notify daily absences. If a student has a planned absence of more than 2 days please notify the office by email with the dates and explanation of absence.
For absences of 10 days or more an Application for Extended Leave must be completed and are available from the College Website. If your child is ill, please keep them at home and notify the school.
We have a growing number of clothing items, jewellery, lunch boxes and drinks bottles in the office. Students are welcome to come and collect them at recess, lunch and home time.
We would like to remind parents to please put students names on all items to enable us to return them.
P & F Clothing Pool
The clothing pool is run by appointment only. You can contact Mel on 0410 486 083. Please try and keep calls, texts and messages between the hours of 9-5 Monday to Friday.
If you make an appointment please be on time and, if unable to keep an appointment, please let Mel know.
We would also welcome any donations of uniforms, school bags, lap top bags etc. as stocks are running low.
Transport for NSW
School student applications for 2019 open from Monday, 15 October 2018.
Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 do not need to re-apply if they:
· are continuing at the same school
· are residing at the same address
· have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.
Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails
Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2018 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2018, the system will automatically cancel a card and a new one will need to be issued.
Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out during December 2018 and January 2019.
Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students should check with their operator for more information.
Please see the attached information regarding printed school travel brochures.
If school administrators require access to the school portal to endorse student applications, please request an account at https://appln.transport.nsw.gov.au/portal/requests/account/school
For further information visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts
COLLEGE SPORTING WEEK
Year 9 - Ben Novak
During the school holidays Ben travelled to Tasmania to race motocross in the Junior Australian Titles.
He won the Australian Title in the 14-16 year old 85cc class and was placed 4th in the 13-15 years 250cc class.
We would like to congratulate Ben on his achievements.
Tuesday Sport
As the weather starts to heat up, all students are reminded that their school hat and drink bottle must be taken to sport every Tuesday to protect them for the sun and keep hydrated. If students have lost their hats, a new one will need to be purchased.
Yours in Sport
Miss J. Liska
Sport Coordinator
DIO AFL - Junior Boys
On Thursday the 26th October, the St Benedict's Junior Boys AFL team competed in the Diocesan AFL tournament held at Figtree Oval, Wollongong. The team, captained by Year 8's Jeremy Battistuzzi, were drawn in a really tough group consisting of Edmund Rice, St. Joseph's College, Corpus Christi and Mount Carmel - all of which had representative sports players playing in their teams. Some were even in the Sydney Swans academy!
Despite the reputations of the opposition, the lads gave 100% physically and mentally to each game. Although, we unfortunately did not get a win, we gave our opposition some very close games. Most notably, we pushed the first placed Mount Carmel team all the way, just losing out 21 points to 20 - The most closely contested game in the tournament!
Despite not coming home with any silverware, the team returned in high spirits with their heads held high.
I would like to congratulate the lads on their great team and individual performances!
Mr D Reyes
Teacher in charge
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated as MVPs for Week
AFL:
Milly Parker
Martial Arts:
Joshua Bartolo
Cricket:
Miona Miljkovic, Simon McCarthy
Netball:
Annalysse Stevens
UFC:
Joshua Alchin, Emily Dager
NRL:
Daniel Sharkawy, Jessica Rocchetto
Barefoot Bowls:
Leonardo Malisano
Indoor Sport:
Aaliyah Abouslabi, Callum Elder
Crossfit:
Katherine Monier, Talon Grubisa
Golf:
Jack Napoletano
Kickboxing:
Eric Mougious, Portia Zuber
Dance:
Anastashia Mammoliti
Beach Sports:
Logan Hammond, Conner Scerri
Tennis:
Everyone
Bowling A:
Braydon Haskett, Sara Solomon
Bowling B:
Lazar Kljajic, Bianca Chinchilla
MISA Sport
Our MISA teams had their first week of competition against John Terry Catholic School:
Year 7 Boys Cricket Win
MVP: Fynn Bannura
Year 7-9 Boys Oztag Loss
MVP: Riley Hinton
Year 7-9 Girls Oztag Loss
MVP: Sophia Lopez, Kiera Hill
Year 7 Boys Basketball Loss
MVP: George Halim
Year 7 Girls Basketball Loss
MVP: Larissa Hobman
Year 10-11 Boys Volleyball Draw
MVP: Joshua Abdow
Year 10-11 Girls Volleyball. Loss
MVP: Jessy Arnold
Year 10-11 Boys AFL Loss
MVP: Braydon Hort
Opens Tennis Loss
MVP: Damon Suitz
A person can live without food for about a month, but only about a week without water.
If the amount of water in your body is reduced by just 1%, you’ll feel thirsty.
If it’s reduced by 10%, you’ll die.