St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter - Friday, 20 August 2021
A person was grumbling. There was so much to do!
“Lord, I am surrounded by tasks that always keep me busy!
When will I find peace?”
The person then implored God impatiently
“Where do I find You, Lord, in the busy-ness of my day?”
God smiled gently... It was the moment God had been waiting for. Finally!
“Put your worries aside for a moment. Be still” replied God,
“and you will find Me”
And as the stillness emerged, so did the peace of God.
Student Wellbeing Focus Groups
Dear Parents and Carers
This week we have spent time this week meeting via Zoom with students from Year 7, 8 and 11. All of students involved in the focus groups sessions provided us with valuable insight regarding what is working well for them in terms of their learning and as well, students provided us with some great ideas about how we can support their ongoing wellbeing. All students were articulate and great ambassadors for their Year Groups. Students also displayed great empathy and understanding for their peers.
Special thanks to the Year Coordinators, Mrs Novak, Mr Morris and Mr Limbrey for facilitating these very worthwhile conversations. We look forward to meeting with students from Years 9, 10 and 12 next week
Belong, Challenge Engage
Our 2021 annual plan and intent statements guide the College to deliver our strategic plan. In 2021 the College adopted the focus, Belong, Engage and Challenge to drive key initiatives particularly those around the areas of Mission and Catholicity, and Teaching and Learning. Over the next two months we will be assessing our progress and also exploring new directions for 2022. Below is a summary of the 2021 plan in these two areas:
Mission and Catholicity
By the end of 2021, the house system, ecological and social justice offerings will be invigorated to improve staff and students sense of belonging and leading to more opportunities for students to extended in their learning.
Learning and Teaching
By the end of 2021, belief in one's ability to learn will be shared by both students and teachers, leading to improved engagement and more opportunities for students to be extended in their learning. Key strategies in this area included the development of a College Learning and Teaching Framework as well as a review of the College’s Student Award System and the introduction of a High-Performance Program for Year 7.
Year 11 Parent Meeting Monday 23 August at 7:00pm
Year 11 Parents and Carers have been invited to a Zoom meeting to update them on the final weeks of the Year 11 Study Program and transition to HSC studies in Term 4. At this meeting the College Leadership Team will provide Information that includes; Year 11 Final Assessment Period, Term 4 Parent Teacher Meeting and Supporting Student Wellbeing.
* Year 11 Parents and Carers must RSVP by 12 noon on Monday 23 August 2021.
Prayers for Afghanistan
Posted by the Catholic Education Office
From Pope Francis….”I join in the unanimous worry about the situation in Afghanistan. ... I ask you to pray along with me to the God of peace so that the din of weapons ends and that solutions can be found around a table of dialogue."
The Australian community is diverse and welcoming. Our history boasts the world's oldest living
civilisation and one of the youngest and most diverse nations on Earth.
Hundreds of cultures have come together to create contemporary Australia.
Our Catholic community too, is diverse and rich, with a deep commitment to those who are
vulnerable here and beyond.
The scenes of recent days from Kabul in Afghanistan are harrowing. They draw us in as we
listen to the voices and see the images of an airport runway flooded with people clambering to
climb onto planes. The plight of women and children is of particular concern with pending
Taliban rule.
Our instinct to action our faith is immediate. The Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) has advocated for
the minority, the victim, the outcast, and the stranger, for decades. Once again, as this human
crisis unfolds, the ERC has provided a means of exercising our faith-in-action. Please click here
to access this information - Urgent Call from ERC Director to Contact Federal MPs to Help
Warm regards
Kerrie Piatek
Principal
Private number on mobile phones
Many staff, in their communications with families are ringing from phones that will display ‘Private number’ on your own personal mobile display.
Please be aware that if you are receiving phone calls from private numbers it may be a staff member attempting to contact you.
Meetings with families
Last week we met with Year 12 families to look at the next few weeks for Year 12 and the road map ahead.
Over the coming weeks, we endeavour to have similar meetings for students in Year 11, Stage 4 (Years 7 & 8) and Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10). These meetings are important as we will address questions that came up in our recent parent survey, as well as look at faith, wellbeing and educational needs of students and families. We would encourage all of our families to attend these zoom evenings.
Please be aware that given the nature of a ‘zoom meeting’, questions on the evening won’t be answered. Families who have questions after these meetings should contact the relevant staff member to discuss.
* Year 11 Parents and Carers must RSVP by 12 noon on Monday 23 August 2021.
Engagement with remote learning
If you feel that your child is struggling to engage with remote learning or having difficulties understanding the skills and content of their courses, please contact the relevant teacher or Coordinator at the College to look at how we can best support both yourself and your child.
Enter now!
We currently have College wide competitions in music, art and poetry.
I am also aware that Year Coordinators and STRIVE Coaches are running competitions and games in their respective classes and meetings.
I encourage all students to engage with these activities. They are a great way to relax and have some fun, and importantly, to connect with others.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
Please review the plan for the remaining weeks of Year 12. Our congratulations again to this group of students for their resilience and maturity on display during this period of change and uncertainty. We hope that this plan provides parents and students with some clear direction for the next few weeks.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10wgiETpogvLUOGj-dLyUV0r4Ww3t0BariKc4DCkc-q4/edit?usp=sharing
Please review the plan for the remaining weeks of Year 11 courses. We hope that this plan provides parents and students with some clear direction for the next few weeks and time to adequately prepare for the upcoming Year 11 Final Examinations.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19rns5nf8upROjj80rrMyGa3vykYMA-YoSMfUkaTXn_4/edit?usp=sharing
Less than a couple of weeks left until we welcome SPRING. You can feel the warmth in the sun, it has been lovely to do some of my Zooms outside this week. I always get excited when Spring nears...flowering plants, new life, growth, symbol of new beginnings, even my birthday (it is at the end of the September..but I like celebrating my birthday the whole month).
It has been wonderful to witness both staff and students engage in the various faith and wellbeing activities on offer whilst in remote learning and staying at home. Some staff participated in a guided meditation led by Robyn Gallagher from the Catholic Education Office Spiritual Formation team in Week 3. While others have been baking, going on long walks in the afternoon and/or reading a good novel in the sunshine. Don’t worry we have been teaching, Zooming, preparing, marking and the list does go on.
A copy of all these ideas are available through the parent portal. You can also access copies of the weekly prayer focus, prayer reflections, faith and wellbeing activities created by our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Miss Tabitha Brown. This week is on HUMANITY with a focus on St Teresa of Calcutta.
I have also started rock painting with my daughters. Creating rocks with a focus on kindness and positivity. We have been hiding them all around our area - mindful of the 5km radius. If you live in Currans Hills, Mount Annan or Gregory Hills keep a look out for them.
The below reflection is from Prayers in a Time of Pandemic written by the Corrymeela Community of Northern Ireland.
God beneath the encompassing sky,
God above the hardening earth:
in this thin space between,
the great human drama plays out
with deep and deepening pains
and endless moments of joy.
Even as we take note
of how small our part may be,
may we take heart
that our next breath can hold
a message of light and love,
like the one
that brought your creation to life.
Amen.
Australia Prays - Sunday, 22 August 2021
The team at the National Day of Prayer & Fasting, in consultation with many church leaders and prayer networks, including Bishop Philip Huggins and the National Council of Churches, is calling for Australia to unite in prayer in the light of the current COVID-19 crisis.We are drawn to pray together across the land, given the current level of need and distress.
The theme is found in this beautiful liturgical prayer: “Lord have mercy — Christ have mercy”. Inspiration for this prayer is found in the story of the blind beggar in Luke 18:35 and his cry to Jesus for healing.
For further details please see:
http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org.au/LordHaveMercy/2021 Call to Prayer
Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind,
God Bless,
Mrs Logue
Opal Card Important Information for Year 11 students
School Opal cards have a physical lifespan of five years. Between now and the end of 2021, School Opal cards which haven’t been renewed in the past five years are due to be replaced for SOME students of St Benedict's Catholic College.
Impacted students or their parent/carer will be contacted by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their contact details via a secure online form to ensure their replacement School Opal card is sent to the correct address.
If you have any further questions you can contact transportnsw.info/feedback, then select "Fares, concessions & tickets" and then the "Question" button.
Our MangaMania competition has been extended so keep creating your amazing Manga characters.
Make sure your character is original, appropriate and drawn by hand then scan it or take a photo of it and send it to sbcclibrary@dow.catholic.edu.au
We have some great prizes on offer for the most popular characters when we return.
Remember, your design must be original, hand drawn and appropriate.
You need to tell us 3 things about your character/design
- your character's special power
- description
- name.
SORA Digital Library
All students have 24 hour access to great books from Sora, our gateway to the digital library. Access via the Oliver homepage or direct via this Sora link - you will need to sign in with your CeNet login and click ACEN Member Collection. You can download the Sora app to your phone too so you can read anytime, anywhere! Happy Reading from the Library Team
2021 NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
We have quite a few students participating in the 2021 Premier’s Reading Challenge which has been extended to 13th September 2021. Good luck to all our participating students and congratulations to the following students who have already achieved their reading challenge goal ahead of time.
Mikaylah R, Kirsty F, Ava N and Cita C
These students will receive a Certificate issued by the NSW Premier in recognition of this achievement.
Any enquiries regarding the PRC, access to digital books or any other relevant information, please contact the Library at sbcclibrary@dow.catholic.edu.au
St Benedicts IT Help Desk
Click the image above or cut and paste the URL into your browser:
In this Covid world Youth Ministry at St Benedicts is looking a little different to what it would usually look like in Term 3. This term we are running two initiatives:
LIVE Online (Every Second Wednesday. Week 7 and 9)
Faith and Wellbeing Session released every Wednesday.
LIVE online session 1
CYMW are running the LIVE afternoons through Zoom, inviting all the Catholic High Schools across the Diocese of Wollongong to participate.
Wednesday 11th saw over 100 people online. These young people in their own time joining together as a Catholic Community is remarkable.
It looked a little different, but it really was an immersive faith experience. Time well spent for staff and students alike to take time out of the day to get to know God.
Tips from this LIVE were:
1. Take some time to sit in silence.
2. God tells Jeremiah some pretty interesting things.
Check out this book in the bible, read a passage, does it speak to you?
3. Get outside and check out something beautiful. Something awe-some.
A big shout out to Azariah in year 10 for winning the lucky door prize. Your prizes will make their way to you soon.
If you missed this week’s LIVE, don’t stress, tune into Week 7 Live, Wednesday 25th Aug 3:30-4-15pm.
Please email Miss Brown for more details about this event or register using this form link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdd9moEhv7448j7MYIRBcASZy-kczbNNIQifUCRr8BQsqtgnw/viewform .
Faith and Wellbeing Session
Each week on a Wednesday a “Faith and Wellbeing” document will be shared on compass for students to engage with. The document includes a theme on a Gospel Value, how to live out the Value, reading on a Saint who embodied the Value and then actions that can promote the focus value in your life.
Through students completing one of the activities and sharing a picture of it with Miss Brown, they have the opportunity to earn house points but also increase their own faith and wellbeing during this Covid time.
It is very fitting that Week 6’s focus is on Humanity, given what is going on in our world at the moment. I encourage you to try out one of the following activities this weekend.
● Send a message to a friend giving them a compliment
● Do one of your siblings chores for them
● Cook a meal for your neighbour and deliver it to them in a Covid safe way
● Smile at people on your walk
● Thank your teacher the end of your zoom lesson
● Say I love you to your family members and loved ones
Take Care
Miss Brown
Youth Ministry Coordinator
Science Week
This week we celebrated National Science Week at St Benedict’s. We had planned some
exciting activities for school, but due to the lock-down we had to re-think what we could do.
The school theme for National Science Week 2021 is Food: Different by Design. It is all
about making our students more aware of the need to think about the sustainability of our
current food options. There has been a greater push towards reducing our meat intake,
reducing our food wastage, and increasing our diets with plant-based proteins. All this in the
name of protecting our planet, feeding our growing population and reducing our ‘foodprint.’
Yesterday, Year 9 were given the opportunity to watch and participate in an online
performance titled “Time for Tech”. It was livestreamed by an external organisation,
Perform Education. Students learnt about sustainable agriculture, food technology and
resilience in a COVID impacted world. It was a very enjoyable performance and the next best
thing to seeing it live. It was also wonderful to see our students sending in answers to the
questions through the live chat. I do hope our students learnt from this and have become more
aware of our need for sustainability in food production.
Screenshots from our livestream are below.
Year 7 Soybean seeds
Students of year 7 have hopefully received their little package of soybean seeds in the mail.
We hope all year 7’s will get involved and start growing their seeds. There will be great prizes on offer for the tallest, healthiest soybean plants.
We are grateful to Professor Kaiser from the Centre for Carbon, Water and Food at the University of Sydney for his generous donation of the soybean seeds.
Science Week Kahoot - House points winners
During STRIVE classes this week, students played a Science Week Kahoot.
Here are some of our winners so far:
- 7B James D
- 7P Lachlan H
- 7M Lillian S
- 7R Evie
- 7O Harrison
- 8.1 Kobi S
- 8.2 Cody I
- 8.4 Milen A
- 8.5 Zachariah V
- 8.6 Chloe C
- 9.3 Lara C
- 9.5 Grace C
- 9.6 Andre S
- 10.2 Josh B
- 12H Jaidyn W
- 12P Hannah S
Congratulations on being the most knowledgeable about food sustainability. Highest scoring
students will win points for their House and a small prize when we eventually get back to
face-to-face learning.
Year 11 Biology Excursion
On the 13 of August, Year 11 biology students were given the opportunity to participate in an online incursion, exploring the coastal rock platform ecosystem of Long Reef in Collaroy.
This was organised in place of our field trip. Through a range of videos, photographs, and interactive activities, we were able to learn about elements of various practical scientific investigation skills, including quadrat and transect studies.
I found that the day was great in exploring the real-world applications of the content we have been learning in class. I would also like to say thank you to the Biology teachers for organising it and giving us this opportunity during remote learning.
Rhiannon E, Year 11
Attached are some diagrams drawn by the students.
Algae specie by Kristina, Sea star by Tayla and Transect by Hugh
The International Chemistry Quiz will be taking place online on 26 August.
The year 11 Chemistry class plus some year 10 students will be competing in this competition during their normal science lesson time. It is a 60 minute quiz aimed at promoting interest in chemistry and the important role of chemists in our society. We wish them well in the competition.
Maria de Lima
Science Coordinator
Art Club @ Bennies
Bennies is now offering Art Club online. Please email Mrs Castelli for the classroom code to join. There will be various activities posted each week for you to choose from. Take a photograph of your finished work and upload it!
Year 10 Visual Art
Year 10 have begun their new unit of work, exploring Street Art. This term they will begin creating designs that will be painted onto skateboard decks, stencils to print onto t-shirts and chalk designs to draw onto the ground, all when we finally return to the art room!
Year 10 have started off the practical component of this unit drawing their names using graffiti letters. Well done Year 10, these look great!
Year 11 Visual Art
Year 11 began this term exploring the human form and how it has been represented in art throughout time. In our practical lessons, Year 11 have explored the human form through gestural drawings taking anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes. They then began learning the skill of foreshortening and then onto continuous line drawings. It has been wonderful seeing these artworks submitted to Google Classroom.
Keep up the great work Year 11!
Year 12 Visual Art
A big shoutout to my Year 12 Art students who are working tirelessly on their BOWs. Keep up the amazing work, I can't wait to show your work off to our school community. Your efforts are not going unnoticed. I am very proud of the work you are putting into these artworks.
Mrs Castelli, Visual Art.
Year 7 History update
This term in History, Year 7 students have been learning about Medieval Europe. As part of their studies, students have learnt about the different types and uses of Medieval Castles.
Students in Miss Joyce’s 7P class were challenged to design and build their own Medieval castle using lego, household items, Minecraft, drawing, or another method of their choosing. The castles had to be functional, and able to withstand a siege and a trebuchet, and students had to explain and justify their design choices.
Year 9 Catholic Studies - Assessment Task
Students have been exploring the Ten Commandments and The Beatitudes. These are important to our understanding of the Catholic faith. This task involved developing a deeper understanding of the language, values and concepts in these two passages of the Bible and communicating their understanding in the form of a picture book. Year 9 were asked to write a new story based on the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes that is suitable for children aged 7 (approximately year 2 students) for their picture book department that will help the reader to understand an element of Catholic faith and how to live a just and moral life.
The work that has come through is nothing short of AMAZING. Some students have hand made their books, whilst others have engaged with various online formats to create too. Here are some samples.
Stay healthy HSC hub
Find tips for looking after yourself during your senior studies and dealing with changes and challenges arising from studying in the time of COVID-19.
Visit the Stay healthy HSC hub for more information
https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/stay-healthy-HSC?q=
Compass lesson access for parents
Did you know that you can use your parent/carer Compass login to check your child/rens planned lesson content and scheduled Zoom sessions for the day?
Watch our short one-minute video to find out how to review lessons by clicking the compass logo above or using the URL below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uQbNmKl7o3a_l1boSvbocYUu2pnZdkvt/view?usp=sharing
Please contact me if you have any questions at kelleherj01@dow.catholic.edu.au .
Miss Jane Kelleher
Mathematics & Religious Education
Matters of attendance
During our time of remote Learning, if your child has been marked absent from Strive due to being late or unable to connect via zoom, please allow us to rectify the attendance, as we certainly understand family situations require some flexibility and adjustment and student records should not be affected.
On a similar note, may I ask that you take this opportunity to look at the students overall attendance on Compass as this will be recorded on Semester Reports.
As shown below, you may see:-
- full red days, these are "Absent/unexplained" days which require parent/carer. approval/explaining.
- red stripe days are "late/unexplained" which also require parent/carer approval/explaining
- full blue days are Remote Learning or earlier in the year would be for a College excursion, event or activity.
- Stripe blue are partial day, used for partial College excursion, event or activity, no action required
- Full orange are whole day absence explained - thank you, no further action required
- Stripe orange are partial day, being either late arrival or early leave explained - thank you, no further action required.
and finally
- Green days - indicate full attendance - no action required.
Please feel free to explore the Compass Attendance using your Compass Parent/carer login.
Go to the "Attendance " tab,
"Summary" tab to view outstanding partial or non attendance
or go straight to the "Unexplained " tab, select the date then locate and click the 'explain with attendance note' section, use the arrow to move to select which option suits. Please place an explanation in the details comments section if you would care to elaborate.
Please note, If you require the students attendance comment notes to be actioned or leadership/coordinators notified please also forward your note in confidence to the College email info@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
If you require any assistance or have a query please don't hesitate to email the college info@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
Attention Attendance.
Please remember, it's important to stay distanced to stay safe , but also to remain connected is crucial during this time.
The Administration Team
A message from St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish, Oran Park
Just a reminder that the Camden/Oran Park Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society remain available to provide emergency assistance by telephone, and drop off resources as required.
Any person requiring assistance should telephone the Conference on (02) 8250 1484 and a Conference Member will retrieve details and follow-up requests for assistance.
Information for affordable food hampers is available through Our Community Pantry (a community food rescue initiative) or copy and paste the URL into your browser: https://www.ourcommunitypantry.com.au/.
Endeavour Energy apprenticeships 2022 intake
Click through on the image above or cut and paste the URL into your browser:
2021 University Open Days and Tours Update
Australian National University
IN PERSON & ONLINE Sat Aug 14 2021 -
ONLINE 14 August ONLINE CHAT – 1 & 15 September
ONLINE Sun 5 Sept – Wagga Wagga & Orange
ONLINE Sun 12 Sept – Port Macquarie, Bathurst, Albury-Wodonga & Dubbo
ONLINE Sat Aug 28 2021 - Sydney
Rainer Schoolwear Shop update
College uniforms can be purchased online and will be processed when the store reopens.
For online purchasing information visit: shop.ranier.com.au or by 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
MY FIT REWARDS - ATHLETE'S FOOT STORES
P & F Clothing Pool
The P & F Clothing Pool is currently on hold, and will recommence when mandatory NSW Health Orders allow. 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.