Welcome Back to Term 2. I hope that all families enjoyed the beautiful weather over the Term 1 holiday break. As we commence Term 2, many students will be using the feedback they received from their first term assessments to refine and consolidate their knowledge and skills in each subject area. For Students in Years 7 to 10 it is important that they consult the Term 2 assessment schedules so that they aware of dates for assessments.

At the end of this term students in Years 7 to 10 will be issued with a semester report that will state the standard that they have achieved for each subject as well as feedback about attendance patterns and their learning behaviours. Reports for students in Years 11 and 12 have been published via Compass to parents today.

Year 7 and 9 students will be completing NAPLAN online tests on May 10 to May 20. These standardised tests will cover reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The data obtained from these tests provides information for our staff that assists us in developing more individualised approaches to learning and teaching as well as identifying students who require targeted intervention.

Term 2 is also a particularly important term for Year 12 as students work towards the final stages of their Major Practical Works and consolidate their knowledge and understanding in preparation for the HSC Trial Examinations that commence early Term 3.

This Term Year 12 students will be provided with the opportunity to participate in our Senior After School Study Program. This program allows students to work in a collaborative environment building a sense of team and sharing valuable knowledge and understanding with each other. In Week 5, I will commence interviews with all Year 12 students. These interviews are always such a highlight for me as I get the opportunity to discuss post school pathway plans with individual students as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.

Finally, I would like to wish our community a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday. I hope that this day is filled with joy, laughter and love.

God of Love, we ask for joy, for grace, for wisdom, for great peace... for all mothers,

for mothers to be, and for women who nurture and lead,

bring comfort to those whose mothers are no longer with them.

Amen.

It is a worthwhile and positive experience to be involved with the SBCC P&F, working closely with the College Principal and Leadership team to enrich the learning opportunities of our students.

The work of our P&F helps to ensure that our students experience at St Benedict’s Catholic College is of the highest quality.

Expressions of interest are currently sought for the SBCC P&F Executive Team. If you would like to make a contribution to our college as a P&F Committee member please email your details to: pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au.

We finally had the opportunity to celebrate our Opening School Mass in the Hall. A wonderful opportunity to come together in faith and prayer and to receive the Body of Christ as a community. It has been nearly a year since we were able to celebrate Mass as a whole College.

Special thanks to Fr Michael Williams, Parish Priest of St Paul’s Catholic Church Camden for celebrating this wonderful Mass with the College. He spoke of the importance of living life to the fullest through faith and shared an example of Kobe Bryant and NRL Coach Jack Gibson whose Catholic Faith sustained them during their life. He also invited the College to pray the Our Father and Hail Mary daily.

Thank You to Mrs Koryzma and Mr O’Donnell for the most wonderful work and preparation of our Music students who sang and played music at our Mass.

Today, we give thanks to all mothers,

those at home;

those at work;

those in our school community;

those who are expecting;

those who cook and clean and encourage;

those who manage, motivate and influence;

those who kiss goodnight and wake with a smile;

those who can be grumpy, tired and burdened by expectation and duty.

Motherhood is different for every mother and child. It is unique and irreplaceable,

a tug and tie of love that lasts a lifetime.

It can be a gift and a struggle; a joy and a juggle, managing and mayhem.

Let us remember all that our mothers have modelled for us; patience, good humour, time given unstintingly to our nurturing and growth; the values and unconditional love that makes us who we are.

Year 11 and 12 reports are released at 2:45 this afternoon.

Bookings for Parent Teacher Student Meetings close on Monday, 9 May 2022 at 9 am through Compass Conferences.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday evening, 11 May 2022 in the College Hall.

Read more here: St Benedict's Catholic College NAPLAN information site 2022

School Sport

The sun was finally shining on Tuesday this week, which saw our school sport program go ahead in full capacity. Well done to all students for their participation in sport this week!

MISA Sport

Our Term 2 MISA teams kicked off their campaign for the term with some outstanding results. Firstly, a big congratulations to our Senior Girls Netball and Junior Boys Hockey teams who are playing in the MISA Division One competition and both came away with a win this week. Another congratulations goes to our Senior Boys Soccer, Senior Girls Soccer, Junior Boys Basketball and Junior Girls Basketball teams who have begun the term by coming away with convincing wins over their opposition. I look forward to seeing more impressive results throughout Term 2.

Yours in Sport

Miss Lisa Paton (Sport Coordinator)

We were blessed with wonderful weather last Friday, the day of the Year 7 Science excursion to Sydney Zoo. Students and staff had a lovely day wandering through the zoo and observing all the animals who were at their best. Highlights included seeing the tiger splashing in the water, lions wrestling with one another, and the newly acquired rhinoceros chasing deer. The purpose of the day was to observe animal behaviour in the zoo and compare it to how they would behave in the wild. Students were also required to observe the adaptations of the animals to their environment. Each class also attended a one-hour workshop where they learnt about animal classification and adaptations. Here, the students got to touch a snake and shingleback lizard.

The information gathered at the zoo will form part of an assessment task.

Overall, it was a most enjoyable day. The zoo staff were most impressed by the behaviour of our students and commented that St Benedict’s was one of the best schools that had visited.

Maria de Lima

Science Coordinator

It’s not too late to sign up for the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

The challenge commenced in February but registration is still open. You can count books you have read since the last challenge ended and our lovely Library team can help you register and log your reading records and also help you find your loan history.

The challenge is to read 20 books - 15 from the PRC list and 5 personal choice books by 19th August 2022. You might be surprised to find you have already read a few.

Not only do you receive a NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Certificate, the Library is also providing a prize pack for all those students who attempt the challenge as well as house points and merits.

Come in and see us in the Library or keep an eye on Oliver for other upcoming news and events.

Happy Reading

The Library Team!

Mon 09 May - MISA Drama Pip Day

Tue 10 May - NAPLAN

Wed 11 May - NAPLAN

Parent/Teacher/Student interviews Yr 11 & 12 3pm-8pm

Thu 12 May - NAPLAN

Fri 13 May - DIO Football Selection 9-11am

Mon 16 May - National Careers Week

Wed 18 May - Year 10 - TAPPS Program

Thu 19 May - Year 8 - TAPPS Program

Fri 20 May - UAC Workshop

Wed 01 Jun - Year 11 2022 Subject Selection Evening 6:30pm,

Year 9 Subject Selection Website Launch

Thu 02 Jun - Year 12 - English Standard HSC Symposium, Riverside Theatre

Fri 03 Jun - College Feast Day

Mon 06 Jun - Year 12 - English Advanced HSC Symposium, Seymour Centre

Tue 07 Jun - NSWCCC Cross Country - Eastern Creek

Wed 08 Jun - Year 10 Fast Forward Program, Year 12 UOW Discovery Day, Year 8 Music - African Beat Company Incursion

Thu 09 Jun - Year 10 Mace Excursion

Fri 10 Jun - Staff Development Day - Spirituality / Pupil Free Day,

Basketball - Yr 7-8 & Yr 9-10- Qualifying Tournament

Mon 13 Jun - Queens Birthday Holiday

Tue 14 Jun - MISA Debating Semi-Finals

Fri 17 Jun - Year 9 Reflection Day - Offsite

Tue 21 Jun - MISA Dance Festival

Mon 27 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course

Tue 28 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course ,

Year 7 - 10 Parent Interviews Zoom - 3pm - 8pm, MISA Debating Grand Final

Wed 29 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course

Thu 30 Jun - TAFE Trade Readiness Course,

Year 7 - 10 Parent Interviews on site 3pm - 8pm

Fri 01 Jul - TAFE Trade Readiness Course

End of Term 2

Mon 18 Jul - Term 3 Starts

Tue 19 Jul - Stage 6 Academic Award Ceremony - College Hall

Mon 25 Jul - Stage 4 Academic Award Presentation - 8:10am, Stage 5 Academic Award Presentation - 11:00am

Mon 01 Aug - Trial HSC commences

Thu 04 Aug - 2023 Captains Interviews

Mon 08 Aug - Feast of St Mary MacKillop

Mon 15 Aug - Feast of the Assumption, Science Week

Tue 16 Aug - P&F Meeting - 6.30pm, NSWCCC Girls Netball Champs - Penrith

Fri 19 Aug - Science Week, Year 12 High Tea

Tue 23 Aug - Bishop’s Student Excellence Awards (2022 Cohort – Year 12)

Thu 25 Aug - MISA Youth of the Year (MCCC)

Mon 29 Aug - Staff Development Day - Wellbeing / Pupil Free Day, Wellbeing Week

Fri 02 Sep - LIVE 2022

Mon 12 Sep - NSWCCC Athletics - Homebush

Tue 20 Sep - Year 12 Farewell Assembly

Wed 21 Sep - Year 12 Grad Mass and Awards

End of Term 3

Mon 10 Oct - Term 4 Starts

Wed 02 Nov - Senior Retreat

Tue 08 Nov - P&F Meeting at 6.30pm

Fri 11 Nov - 25th Annual CDF Sports Awards

Fri 18 Nov - Year 12 Formal TBC

Wed 23 Nov - Yr 7 2023 Orientation evening - 6.30pm - Hall

Tue 13 Dec - Year 9 Academic Awards - 8:50am - Hall, Year 10 Academic Awards - 12:50pm - Hall, Last Day Year 10 and 11

Wed 14 Dec - Closing Mass and Academic Awards - 7-9

Thu 15 Dec - Students Activities Day

Tue 20 Dec - Term 4 Ends

End of Term 4

RANIER has advised that there may be significant delays with the school 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 school office will be available Mondays after 2:30pm, orders placed prior to 9am Monday will qualify.

TRADING HOURS DURING SCHOOL 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