St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter Friday 19 March 2021
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Our key theme for 2021 is to build within our community a sense of belonging, along with the confidence and motivation to engage in and accept challenges in all areas of learning.
The importance of belonging to a community, a family, a group of friends or a workplace, was highlighted in 2020, as we all struggled to cope and adjust to the changes in our world because of COVID. This week we celebrated St Patrick’s Day at our College and it was very obvious the great importance many of our community place on belonging to, and identifying with, people of Irish heritage.
Our New House Coordinators have been working very hard with students from each of the six Houses to build their sense of identity and belonging with their House. This term, there have been many House activities and fundraisers, as well as the establishment of “House Mascots”. We have also created additional Student Leader roles at the College, with students from each Year group being elected as Year House Leaders.
Our House Leaders have also been promoting our School Carnivals and Flourish Days as a way of building a sense of belonging and students’ overall wellbeing, so it was disappointing to look at the very poor attendance from some Year groups at our Cross Country Carnival and Activity Day, which was held at the beautiful Mt Annan Botanical Gardens. Next week is our School Athletics Carnival which offers all students a chance to participate in a variety of events. I would hope to see real improvement in student attendance, and I would ask that you encourage your child to attend these very worthwhile days on our School Calendar.
As we enter into the final weeks of Lent and prepare ourselves for Easter, I invite each of you to reflect on Pope Francis’ Lenten 2021 message.
Pope Francis focuses on three theological virtues in his Lenten message for 2021, inviting the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God.”
Warm regards
Kerrie Piatek
Principal
Student's enjoying St Patrick's Day.
"Top of the Morning to you".
VIA CHARACTER STRENGTHS
Engagement and equitable outcomes for all students
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Combined Staff Liturgy
Last week, both St Benedict’s and St Justin’s staff held their Catholic Schools Week masses. It was good to come together as a Catholic community on our site and celebrate the 200 years of Catholic Education in our country. It was also great to have Fr David celebrate the mass.
U-Turn the Wheel
We continue to be grateful to the local rotary club, who give up their time to plan and implement the U-Turn the wheel program. This is such an important day as it helps provide our Year 11 students with a greater understanding of road safety and the important responsibility that one has when they get behind the wheel. Thanks again to Rotary for providing this opportunity and to Mr Limbrey and the team for their organisation and involvement on the day.
Diocesan Swimming
Last week saw our Dio swimming team in action. Our College carnival doubles as a selection for this event and it is pleasing to see our students perform well. Special congratulations to Dylan G. who was named as U12’s Champion Boy.
MISA Debating Workshop
This week saw our Year 7 MISA debating team learn the intricacies of debating. This workshop will help develop skills of our students as they develop their understanding of the different roles of the speakers as well as help give them the skills, they require to be successful. Good luck to the team as they get ready for this year’s competition.
LIVE
Live returns to Bennies tonight after a year’s absence, and I’m sure that as always, it will be a wonderful success. Congratulations to Miss Brown and the team for what will be a great evening.
COMPASS Calendar
We were having some issues with the Compass Calendar, which has now been corrected and dates should now be accessible for Terms 2, 3 and 4.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
P&F NEWS
A reminder that the P&F can be contacted via the email address: pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
Fiona Place
P & F President
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- Saturday 20 March - International Day of Happiness
https://www.dayofhappiness.net/#new - Sunday 21 March - Harmony Day
- Monday 22 March - St Benedict's recognises Harmony Day
- Wednesday 24 March - Year 10 Geography Excursion.
- -Thursday 25 March - College Athletics Carnival
- Friday 26 March - DIO Secondary Boys & Girls Football 13's,
- Friday 26 March - Years 7-9 & Year 10 Pathways.
- Thursday 1 April - Last day of Term 1.
- Thursday 1 April - Holy Thursday.
- Friday 2 April - Good Friday.
- Saturday 3 April - Easter Saturday.
- Sunday 4 April - Easter Sunday.
- Monday 5 April - Easter Monday.
- Monday 19 April - First day of Term 2.
- Tuesday 20 April - School Photo Day.
- Thursday 22 April - Year 7 Zoo Excursion.
- Thursday 22 April - DIO Open Girls Soccer.
- Sunday 25 April - Anzac Day.
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND VISION
We are moving into the final weeks of Lent - a significant season in the Catholic Church. A time to pause, to fast, repent, pray and reflect. Our Year 9s have been looking at the significance of the sacraments of healing. A fitting topic at this time of year.
During this week we celebrated St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the feast of St Joseph’s.
AN IRISH PRAYER
Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde, called the Church to set aside 2021 as a year to focus our attention on St Joseph as patron of the Universal Church.
Saint Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods, the co-founders of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, chose St Joseph to be patron of the Congregation and so we rejoice in this opportunity to pray with and for the people of God with St Joseph. The Sisters of St Joseph have also created a beautiful prayer book for the Year of St Joseph. You can find it here.
Combined Staff Mass - St Benedict’s and St Justin’s
As a result of COVID-19 restrictions that currently prevent us from gathering as one diocese, the Diocesan Education Mass was cancelled this year. Instead of celebrating a school-based liturgy with just St Benedict’s staff, we chose to have a combined Mass with staff from St Justin's. Mass celebrated by Parish Priest, Fr. David Catterall in the newly renovated Church - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Oran Park. Thank You to Fr David for his encouraging words and for making the time to celebrate Mass with us. It is so wonderful to see him return to the Parish during Lent.
Thank you to staff who came to the combined Mass with the staff of St Justin's on Thursday, 11 March after school. The celebration of the Eucharist is so significant to our Catholic faith. It was a beautiful way for both communities to come together, pray, break bread and celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.
The National Catholic Education Commission released a short promotion video. I invite you to view it. A national theme, “Faith in the future” has been developed for the 200 years celebrations. The theme reflects the core purpose of Catholic education to form students in their faith, and to provide an education that enables our graduates to make a meaningful contribution to the world.
The theme reflects our commitment to build on the great work of those who have come before us, and to provide a Catholic education for future generations of students in a world that is rapidly changing and poses new challenges for Catholic school communities. Yet, we have faith that we can face these challenges and continue to build on, and strengthen our mission of Catholic education. ‘Faith in the Future’ is the song commissioned for the 200-year celebrations. I invite you to listen to the song.
Regards
Mrs Kimberley Logue
Director of Mission and Vision
PROJECT COMPASSION
We are in the final weeks of raising funds for Project Compassion. Thanks to all that have donated money so far. Thank You also to the staff and students who have and are organising various activities.
SENIOR RETREAT - KOLOONA
The conversations about the Senior Retreat are still continuing two weeks later. An event that has significantly brought the group together and made them stronger too. I have included more photos and student reflections from the Koloona site for the retreat.
KOLOONA STUDENT REFLECTIONS
Katarina M
Our Koloona retreat was definitely an experience to remember. It was an enjoyable three days away with wonderful peers and teachers, that enabled us to strengthen our relationships. Through participating in reflective activities, group activities, and partnered activities, we strengthened bonds with many people and became closer.
On the last night, we shared and received affirmations of gratitude from each other, which taught us to not only to appreciate our peers, but also ourselves. We followed this with a fun trivia game, that included guessing the teacher’s baby photos. Overall, our senior retreat has been an experience that everyone will remember and cherish when we look back on our days at St Benedict’s.
Lazar K
My experience at Koloona was something I’ll hold dearly with me for the rest of the year, maybe even the rest of my life. It was a time of reflection, a time of fun and a time that brought our grade together. I am thankful, as are many, the retreat helped mend bridges, strengthen existing relationships, and build new ones. An experience like no other, and one, I am thankful for being a part of.
Sebastian G
Year 12 retreat at Koolona was an amazing experience filled with so many great people. The activities allowed everyone present to strengthen relationships and reconcile with people, particularly through the campfire reconciliation activity. There were tears shed, hugs all around and some students showed courage in sharing with the group. Overall, it was an experience I will never forget, easily the highlight of my schooling so far.
YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP - PYRMONT
On Friday, 12 March 2021, Year 12 Geography students undertook primary fieldwork in Pyrmont, Sydney to explore the urban dynamics of change.
The class extended their understanding of the morphology of Sydney and the results of processes such as urban decay and urban renewal. This was aided by a guided walking tour of the suburb of Pyrmont, run by the Australian National Maritime Museum. Students observed, questioned, photographed and sketched important information in order to investigate the impacts of these urban processes on social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Teachers were highly impressed with the mature and respectful manner in which students conducted themselves on the day. Their level of engagement and appreciation for the unique learning opportunities the field trip brought them was outstanding.
Miss Joyce
On Thursday 18 March 2021, on a rainy day, we as a cohort of two Yr 12 Modern History classes, attended the Sydney Jewish Museum to cover our unit on Power and Authority, which included life in Nazi Germany. We were particularly impressed by hearing a survivor’s story, and so learning first-hand, the impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish population, not only in Germany but in surrounding countries. Listening to Olga, the survivor, was a deeply moving and informative experience. Olga was 15 years old when she went with her family to Auschwitz in 1942 and witnessed many atrocities. She was there with her mother and older sister and was fortunate to survive at the end of the war, all the while weighing only 29kg.
We then went on a guided tour of the museum, seeing various artefacts and memorials relating to the Jewish community during the time of the Holocaust. One of these artefacts was a blanket, which was the only item that Olga had taken with her as she left Auschwitz.
Clearly, the museum has significant cultural significance, and it was an amazing experience to learn about this period of history.
Sebastian G
NSW PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE 2021
Students in Years 7-10 have been developing their literacy skills through the Literacy Planet platform each Monday A during Strive. Students complete a variety of activities, called ‘missions’, to enhance their comprehension and understanding of correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. So far this term, our students have completed a total of 2000 literacy missions. Congratulations to all students who have been using Literacy Planet regularly to enhance their skills!
Jo Baker
Literacy Instructional Coach
SPORTS NEWS
Congratulations Joseph C
Joe achieved a Bronze medal by coming third in the State in the Under 16 discus at last weekend’s Athletics NSW Junior State championships. He threw a 1kg discus 48.74 metres.
Joe has qualified for entry into the Australian Athletics Championships being held in the April school holidays in Sydney.
A glimpse of an Equestrian at St Benedict's
I began competing in Equestrian events when I was 8 years old and my love has grown for it ever since. I compete in dressage and showjumping and have represented the school for the past 6 years. I have placed sixth in the state for the past two years, excluding COVID last year. This year will be a juggle to manage riding and the HSC, but I plan to compete in all of the inter-school competitions, as well as state interschool to represent the college for my last year.
Alannah D.
School Sport
Congratulations to our MVP Raffle winners from last week - Levi P & Tahlia B.
Congratulations to our MISA MVPs:
Our MISA teams headed out for their final round game of the term. Congratulations to our Boy’s Softball and Girl’s Hockey teams for both finishing their round games with a win!
Congratulations to our MISA MVPs:
Softball: Ronan T
Indoor Cricket: Yasmin E & Tahlia E
Boys Volleyball: Oliver W & Zach H
Girls Oztag: Torens H, Kristen G & Chiara S
Boys Oztag: Connor B
Hockey: Grace H, La Mora J & Hayley E
Boys Basketball: Daniel P & Marco C
Girls Basketball: Caitlin C
We have started off the year with a very busy term of sport and carnivals!
Well done to all of our swimmers who competed at our school swimming carnival. All competitors demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and house spirit on the day. We had some amazing results, with a number of school records being broken in the pool!
Congratulations to our Swimming Age Champions and Runners Up.
Well done to our swimmers who competed in the Diocesan Swimming Carnival last week. All students represented the school with pride and we had some great results on the day. A special mention to Dylan G who was named 12 Year Boys Age Champion at this event, an outstanding achievement!
Our school Cross Country was held last week at the Australian Botanic Gardens.
Well done to all students who participated on the day, some great house spirit was on display!
Congratulations to our Age Champions and Runners Up.
A reminder about sun safety - All students need to bring and wear a hat for sport each week. Sunscreen is also available and offered to students at all sports, please be vigilant with your sun safety and ensure you are applying sunscreen.
Miss Lisa Paton (Sport Coordinator)
CAPA NEWS
This fortnight has been very busy in the CAPA department! Our students have been preparing and beginning various assessment tasks. Our Year 7 art classes completed their first written task in class, Year 8 music should be using this weekend to study for the music exams next Monday – Wednesday. Electives 9 and 10, Drama, Music, Photography and Visual Arts, are all working towards either a formal task or in-class activities, and stage 6 Drama, Music and Visual Arts are working through Task 2 of their HSC.
The CAPA buildings have been buzzing with creativity.
Due to changes in restrictions around singing, the choir is returning. Choir runs from 10:30 – 11:30 each fortnight (Mondays) by a professional vocalist. Students have been asked to email Mrs Koryzma if they wish to join.
Mr O’Donnell and our band have been busy rehearsing for the Easter Liturgy and some of our drama students, together with Mr Hayden are working on a re-enactment of the Easter story.
We ask our students to email their teacher if they need support during this time.
Thanks
Jenny Koryzma
BENNY'S CLUBS
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Caritas Australia is an international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia. Every year Caritas and our schools, support Project Compassion, a fundraising opportunity that runs throughout the season of Lent. Throughout Term 1, our Social Justice team have been encouraging students from Years 7-12 to support Caritas Australia to raise funds for Project Compassion through various activities:
Current Activities:
- Zooper Dooper Tuesdays: Students have been purchasing Zooper Doopers for $1 each to help cool down after Sport.
- Easter Egg Guessing Competition: Guess how many eggs are in the jar. This competition can be found in the Library. $1 per guess.
- Knitting and Crochet Club: Mrs Wardley is running the Knitting and Crochet Club in the Library on Wednesdays in preparation for the St Vincent de Paul's Winter Appeal in Term 2.
Upcoming Activities:
- Easter Raffle: Students in Year 9 will be selling tickets for the chance to win an Easter egg hamper.
- 12 Polding: selling cans of soft drink (TBC)
- Harmony Day 22 March: for a gold coin donation, students can wear their sport uniform along with an orange item of clothing or accessory to celebrate multiculturalism in Australia.
- Bennies Walk-a-thon Week 9 and Week 10: students nominate how many kilometres they can walk over a two week period at home and raise money to support their "walk in solidarity with those in our world who walk each day to survive".
The Social Justice team would like to thank all students and staff for taking part this term, in raising funds and awareness for Project Compassion. With two weeks left to go, we are asking everyone to continue taking part.
Thank you
Mrs Sara-Jane Castelli and the Social Justice Team
KNITTING AND CROCHET CLUB
ART CLUB
Research tells us that young people who feel safe, connected, secure and have trusting relationships, are more likely to be active participants in their learning and achieve better physical, emotional, social and educational outcomes. As teachers, we want to ensure students are safe and happy throughout their time at school and beyond. Our College theme for 2021 of Belong, Engage and Challenge, embodies this notion.
With this in mind, it was fitting that our Director of Learning and Teaching, Mr Chris Shelton and the Director of Wellbeing, Mr Michael Turner, took the time to share their expertise in these areas with the Year 12 students in a seminar-style morning last Friday 5 March.
Wellbeing is linked to improved academic achievement, enhanced mental health and responsible life choices, and that is why at St Benedict’s, wellbeing and learning go hand in hand.
Mr Shelton was able to explain the importance of the HSC journey and Mr Turner balanced that with personal anecdotes, and relevant analogies about life and choices, whilst achieving your best academically is commendable, so is a life filled with balance and good choices.
Helping students to feel connected and engaged in their learning, will enable students to develop the social and emotional skills to grow into happy, respectful, well-balanced and successful members of their school and the wider community.
Following the seminar, students engaged in a Scavenger House Hunt that proved very popular, followed by a gourmet pizza lunch and an early end to the day.
I thank both Mr Shelton and Mr Turner, and I hope that Year 12 will take away the words of advice offered to them in the seminar, and apply them to their life choices.
Mrs T Holland
Year 12 Coordinator
THIS WEEK AT ST BENEDICT'S
Year 11 Design & Technology.
Yr 12 Advanced English.
Pie making in Hospitality class.
School Leaders visiting St Justin's Primary School.
Book club.
Year 7 Debaters.
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
LIVE CONCERT DURING LUNCHTIME
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
CAFE NEWS
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 .
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.
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.
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.