Last week we welcomed back our students, who returned to school with positivity and excitement, glad to reconnect with their friends and keen to start the new school year. We also welcomed 191 Year 7 students and many new families to our College. Year 7 had a very smooth transition to high school last week and this week spent three days at Camp. The early Camp experience was the perfect opportunity for our Year 7 students to meet students across their year group and build a Year Group identity that will support them in their first high school year.

Welcome also to our new staff and those returning to our College in 2023:

Name and Position

• Wendy Fawbert - Director of Learning and Teaching
• Marc Ghignone - Leader of Pedagogy and Innovation
• Simon Zahra - Leader of Sport
• Sharon McCarthy - SSO - Science
• Hannah Gray SSO - Learning
• Katia Mora - SSO - Learning
• Lesh Sen - Mathematics Teacher
• Brent Rushworth - PDHPE Teacher
• Todd Sapienza - PDHPE Teacher
• Erin Lockhart - Science Teacher
• Joseph Vo - English Teacher
• Donna Redman - English Teacher
• Adelicja Inglima - English Teacher
• Julienne Simich - TAS Teacher
• Daniela Ryan - SSO – Food Tech
• Melissa Grego - HSIE Teacher

Mobile Phone Policy

I would like to thank parents and carers for your support of our updated mobile phone policy. Our updated policy states that students who bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and stored in their locker, unless their mobiles are needed for approved reasons, such as monitoring a medical condition or linked to a personal plan. Correspondence to parents and carers last week through Compass outlined the new policy in detail including links to important articles regarding the impact of mobile phone usage on health and wellbeing.

P & F

Our parents and friends’ committee has made a significant contribution in establishing the identity and reputation since the College’s beginning in 2011. When you choose to send your child to St Benedict’s you are joining a community of teachers, staff, students and families. There are many benefits to playing a role in our school life through active participation and engagement.

Being part of the Parents and Friends’ Committee provides you with the opportunity to meet other parents and speak with school executives to obtain a more informed understanding of school life. Your involvement also supports the school in meeting its aims and objectives. We are seeking a new Parents and Friends’ President in 2023. If you are interested in this position or know of a parent or carer that may be suitable for this important role, please contact me at the school.

Our first meeting for 2023 is on Tuesday 21 February commencing at 6pm.

• Monday 13 February - Year 11 Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre
• Tuesday 14 February - HSC High Achievers Assembly
• Wednesday 15 February - Year 11 Information Evening (Via Zoom - 6.30pm)
• Thursday 16 February - Opening School Mass & Badging for House Captains, YML & Social Justice
• Friday 17 February - Year 12 - UOW Discovery Day
• Tuesday 21 February - P&F Meeting at 6.00pm
• Wednesday 22 February - Year 7 & 8 High Performance Evening Sessions at 6.00pm & Ash Wednesday

God of mercy,

We pray for the people of Türkiye and Syria

following the recent earthquakes.

We mourn the death and destruction.

and pray for those who have died and those who grieve.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

We hold in our hearts those who are injured,

and those who have lost loved ones, livelihoods, and homes.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Sustain and guide all responding to this disaster.

Grant those affected courage and resilience,

as they rebuild their lives and communities.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Inspire us to unite in solidarity,

acting swiftly and generously,

so that help may reach all who need it.

Lord, bring them comfort, strength and renewed hope.

Amen

Happy Valentine’s Day!

To celebrate, the Library is hosting an event entitled “Blind Date with a Book”. Students are encouraged to borrow one of our selected books which have been covered up only revealing the genre and a small snippet about the book.

The books selected include a wide variety of genres promoting the theme of not judging a book by its cover. Students will be asked to complete a google document when they return their book to rate their ‘date.’

Another busy start to the year for the Creative and Performing Arts Department.

Our Year 7 Visual Arts have all received the materials necessary for this year. There are several Visual Art teachers at St Benedict's so please make sure students listen to their teachers instructions on what equipment to bring as each class may cover aspects at a slightly different pace.

Our Year 8 Music classes will find all of the classwork either in a printed booklet or workbook with extra instructions/lessons given on Google Classroom. Students have been asked to provide a pair of inexpensive earphones for keyboard use over the next few weeks.

Our Elective Drama, Music, Photography and Visual Arts classes have begun working and great progress is already evident.

Our Stage 6 Music, Photography and Visual Arts students are already preparing for busy times ahead. Please email your classroom teacher if you have any questions about the Preliminary or HSC Course, we are always happy to help. Both Year 12 Visual Arts and Music students have had their major works checked and we are confident in their progress.

Some of our music students will begin preparing for our school community Opening Mass which is always enjoyable.

Mr O’Donnell will be running Band during sport, please speak to the music staff if you are interested in joining/auditioning.

Also, in the near future, Mr Hayden will be continuing with Drama Club, keep an eye on compass for details.

The Music Tuition Program is continuing this year and spots are filling fast. All students involved in the program have been notified of their times. Any students interested in learning an instrument in a private lesson setting are to contact Mrs Koryzma via email for further details. koryzmaj01@dow.catholic.edu.au

Art Club is also returning and spots are filling fast for this too. This will run on Wednesdays 2:30 - 3:30. Please contact Mrs Castelli or Mrs Lane for more details.

Dance troupe and Choir are also returning, please keep an eye on compass for details.

Jenny Koryzma

CAPA Department

On the 9 of February, Year 12 and Year 11 Visual Arts students attended the Art Gallery of New South Wales to see the student exhibition ARTEXPRESS. This is an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by NSW Visual Arts students for the Higher School Certificate examination.

Works included expressive forms such as drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, time-based forms. This was a most valuable experience for students as they reflected on their own art making journey. Students enjoyed the rich experience of being able to visit the gallery to engage with the works. Year 11 and 12 students had discussions about what makes a successful Body of Work and reflected on the great commitment and dedication evident in the works on display.

We look forward to what our own Visual Arts students are able to create here at St. Benedict’s when they return back to the Art rooms!

For all things related to the College BYODD program, please visit the College BYODD Site. Here you will find all information relating to the BYODD program including device requirements, Apple Care + and how to configure your device for use at the College.

For questions relating to BYODD, please contact the College or Email: help@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au