St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter, Friday 6 August 2021
Dear Parents and caregivers,
With the announcement last week of the extension of the Greater Sydney lockdown and the
continuation of online learning, I would like to acknowledge and thank the entire Bennie’s
community for the way that everyone has worked together, supporting each other in these
very challenging times. I would also like to acknowledge the resilience and commitment of our
students who have shown such positivity and as well as empathy for each other.
Over the past two weeks we have implemented a number of strategies to seek parent feedback
including online surveys and also through our phone calls to families. I would like to pass on my
thanks to all parents for their feedback from both the surveys and through phone conversations
with our staff. Information from the parent survey was presented at our Staff Meeting on
Wednesday. This feedback has provided us with important insight into what is working well for
students and their families, as our staff remain committed to make each day engaging and
enriching for all students.
Overall we found that parents were very positive about our online learning platforms. There is
still mixed feedback however from both parents and students about the length and frequency
of Zoom lessons, which we will continue to review. Parents also highlighted their concern for
their children’s wellbeing, in particular around not being able to connect with friends or school.
There were also several questions raised about Year 12 students return to school.
On Monday evening the College has organised a Year 12 Parent Meeting to respond to the
questions that parents have raised. Year 12 parents will be sent an invitation to attend this
meeting.
In addition, at the P&F Zoom Meeting on Tuesday 10 August ,Mrs Kimberly Logue, Mr Michael
Turner and Mr Chris Shelton will provide a presentation to parents about how we are
supporting and delivering Catholic Life and Spirituality, Student Wellbeing and Remote
Learning.
CatholicCare offers mental health support through Mindfulness webinars
The uncertainty of the current times we live in, mixed with physical distancing and isolation from families and loved ones due to the recent COVID lockdown has left many feeling anxious, stressed, and worried.
To help support people through these difficult circumstances, CatholicCare Wollongong under the direction of Lysa Fitzgerald, Acting Manager of CatholicCare's Families and Communities program, has released six Keeping Calm and Connected:
Mindfulness webinars with practical steps to reflect and calm the mind.
Or cut and paste the URL into your browser:
In this time of COVID-19, we pray:
When we aren’t sure,
God, – help us be calm.
When information comes – from all sides, help us to discern.
When fear makes it hard to breathe, and anxiety seems to be the order of the day, slow us down, God.
Help us to reach out with our hearts,
when we can’t touch with our hands.
Help us to be socially connected, when we have to be socially distant.
Help us to love as perfectly as we can, knowing that ‘perfect love casts out all fear.’
Help us, O God,
that we might help each other.
In the love of the Creator,
in the name of the Healer,
in the life of the Holy Spirit that is in all and with all,
we pray.
May it be so.
St Benedict
Pray for Us
Amen
Adapted from Richard Bott
Kerrie Piatek
Principal
Assistant Principal's Report
This week sees the end of week 4 – and we are almost at the half way point of the term. As
the term progresses it is important that the communication lines between both the college
and families is open and clear. As a general rule, if you have concerns about your child’s
learning in a subject, you should contact the subject teacher. Any other areas, or any
concerns in general – you should direct to their STRIVE coach. This remains important and
the staff of the College are keen to support you.
Extra-Curricular activities
The College is looking at a range of Extra-Curricular activities that students can undertake during remote learning. These will be, for some students, a lot of fun and a great way to engage in something different. I encourage students and families to keep an eye out for these and participate in as many as you can. Last week we released ‘Benniesvision’ song contest and the entries already have been amazing. We have also recently released the Bennies poetry competition – with the theme around Character Strengths. This of course is linked to our Pos Ed approach that the College has undertaken. Good luck to all in these activities.
Faith and wellbeing activities
A reminder that faith and wellbeing activities have been sent out to students. These are a
great pathway for students to engage in their faith as well as look at ways to help them with
their wellbeing
Catch-Up Day
This week also saw a Catch-Up Day for students. This day is designed to help students in
keeping up with their work and to help in processing and understanding their work. It was
pleasing to see students use this day well to stay on track with their learning.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
Term 3 Assessment Overview 2021 Remote Learning Plan
Dear Parents/Carers and Students,
We would like to take this opportunity to again thank parents and students for all their work adjusting to Remote Learning over the past three weeks. We understand the significant impact this has had on the families in our community.
This document contains an Assessment Overview for Term 3. Our teachers have spent the last week reviewing their Sequence of Learning and Assessment Events for Term 3. On the basis that Remote learning will continue throughout the month of August we recognise that it is important for parents and students to have some clarity in regards to the Term 3 assessment requirements.
For most courses in Year 7-10, any planned Term 3 formal assessment tasks will be cancelled. Instead, assessment evidence will be gathered through class set tasks. Some courses will continue with their formal assessment tasks as these can be continued through online learning.
Students in Year 11 will continue with planned assessment tasks and students should continue preparing for Preliminary Final Examinations.
Students should engage with and complete all set class tasks to the best of their ability. This is important as these tasks will be used to support teachers in determining student grades for the Semester 2 reports in Term 4.
We have provided a breakdown of the changes to assessment for Term 3 on the following pages. If you would like to seek clarification about any of this information please contact me via email. sheltonc01@dow.catholic.edu.au
Yours in learning,
Chris Shelton, Director of Learning and Teaching
Feast day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop
This Sunday is the feast day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. The Sisters of Saint Joseph believe that Saint Mary MacKillop would offer encouragement during these difficult times. In 1907 she wrote to the Sisters:
We must let no obstacles deter us from proceeding with courage in the path marked out for us. It may sometimes be dark and full of windings, but a beautiful bright light shines at the end of this path and a few more windings will bring us to it. Mary MacKillop 1907
Mary MacKillop Prayer
Mary MacKillop Prayer
Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant
in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you strengthen and grace us with your presence during this period of lock down.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mary MacKillop PRAY FOR US.
Family Week
Family Week, which celebrates the vital contribution families have made to Catholic education in Australia coincides with the Feast Day of Australia’s First Saint, Mary MacKillop, who was a passionate educator and advocate for children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A huge thank you to our St Benedict’s families for your support of your sons and daughters and the College during remote learning. I understand that it
Daily Reflections
I have been writing and sending daily reflections to staff and I appreciate the positive response. I am sharing below with the College Community my TUESDAY MOTIVATION post on Perseverance and Courage. It is also amazing to see these qualities in our students and staff during this period of remote learning.
Perseverance and Courage go together like ham and cheese, strawberries and cream and milo and milk.
The Olympics has seen many great achievements but also many stories of perseverance like the Fiji men's 7s rugby team travelling on a cargo plane to Tokyo. They won GOLD. I must say their singing of their traditional song E Da Da Qaqa was AMAZING...WOW, WOW...a bright moment for the nation since Fiji is presently being hammered by the COVID outbreak.Perseverance
To the female weightlifter from The Philippines, Hidilyn Diaz who finally won GOLD in her fourth Olympic appearance - perseverance. It was also the very 1st Gold medal for The Philippines.
Prayer
God of the prophets you gifted Mary MacKillop with vision and courage.
In her, we see one who was not afraid to act and speak fearlessly your gospel of love.
We pray for the sensitivity and imagination to read the signs of our times and to articulate new possibilities for our own day.
Like Mary, may we learn to confront all that is oppressive and unjust, and empower others towards true freedom and integrity.
Spirit of wisdom, be with us as we face new horizons.
Courage
And...A brave and determined Indian women’s hockey team etched its name in the history books by entering the Olympic Games semifinals for the first time, stunning three-time champions and world no.2 Australia 1-0. A lot can happen with perseverance and courage.
Our MangaMania competition has been extended so keep creating your amazing Manga characters.
Winners in the junior and senior categories will be voted by students and teachers.
We have some great prizes on offer for the most popular characters when we return.
In the meantime, you can scan and upload your entry to sbcclibrary@dow.catholic.edu.au anytime.
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
2021 NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
Year 8 Geography Update
Floating along with billions of my closest friends, I thought nothing would ever change, until… We were just drifting when all of a sudden rays of sunlight landed on us burning me and all my friends. We thought we were going to die. While being burned I closed my eyes in fear hoping that all was alright. And what happened next stumped me. I was rising into the air. I looked over at my friends and they looked way different than they usually did. They were… gas. I think the word was water vapour. I thought I was rising into heaven. I thought I was dead. And then, it started to get chilly, very cold. I was shivering very hard up until the point where I thought I would die of COLDNESS!! I closed my eyes again, being scared of my next path. Would this be the way I die? As I squeezed my eyes tightly, my body weight almost quadrupled. I looked at my friends and they had turned back to water!! Considering this, the same must've happened to me. Now I was back to normal, but we were still in the air. I kept my cool and I knew that I was with my friends so all would be alright. We were floating around for a long time. A really long time. Then all of a sudden, it was like a huge bubble that was holding us together just popped, and we all fell. Billions and billions of us are just falling to the floor. Some of us got separated from the others but by the end of it we ended up back in the same place. The ocean. And from then onwards, it happened continuously. And I've gotten used to it.
By Angus D.
Year 7 Maths Purple
They have also worked on dancing hands to practice angle pair relationships. This fun activity assists to learn the corresponding , alternate interior angles, co - interior angles and vertically opposite angles.
Anna Tait
Mathematics
ZOOM lessons with 12SOR2U
I have included some work samples of the collaboration and shared learning taking place in Year 12 Studies of Religion II via Zoom. This period of remote learning has provided a great opportunity to look at different ways to teach, learn, share and collaborate as well as prepare for HSC Trials and Examinations. I have been so impressed with students in this class - they know their content and are so willing to share with one another and learn from each other.
Mrs. Kimberley Logue
Director of Mission and Vision - Religious Education Coordinator
Matthew 5:16 Let Your Light Shine
Year 10 Visual Art
Since Term 2, Year 10 have been exploring Still Life in art and how it has evolved and changed from Vanita still life to contemporary still life.
Year 10 began designing their still life composition at the end of Term 2, ready to carve and print at school using Lino in Term 3. Instead, they have been working hard at home exploring other ways to create still life artworks, from using photography, drawing and collage.
Below are some images of these works. Well done Year 10, I am very proud of your efforts.
Mrs Castelli
Extra-Curricular activities
Year 7 supporting Green and Gold Day
Julia Novak
Year 7 Coordinator
Supporting our senior students
Ms Holland has been encouraging our Year 12 students with different types of communication and support during their study. Some recent engagement activities include:
Pet Sharing Day
House Colour Day with House points
Movement Breaks ( JUST DANCE ) for students to do together or on their own
Reach out Letter to Carrington Aged Care Residents
Bring your instrument and play a tune Morning
Have Recess Together Zoom
Hollands Junior classes video clip of encouragement to Year 12
2021 Remote Message From Juniors.mp4
Strive Kahoot each morning with points and merits for highest scores as well as a tailored Year 12 one with fun questions about students car models , pet names , hobbies, teacher questions too!
Mr Mustapic, our College Careers advisor makes regular appearances to our year 12 Zooms to keep students updated on their potential pathways which includes early entry applications, scholarships, and other pathways post school , he also offers one on one zooms and support for students and their families
Question Time With Mrs Holland every Lunchtime in Week 4 from 1-130p
Ex Year 12 Students Nate, Isabella and Morgan (pictured below) were invited to zoom year assembly to share their survival tips pre trial and HSC and their own experiences with remote learning
Stay healthy HSC hub
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 Zoom Meeting - Tuesday 10 August 2021 6pm
Note - RSVP 12noon Monday 9/8/21 by email to the College Office to obtain the zoom link.
The next P & F Zoom Meeting will be held on Tuesday evening, 10 August 2021.
Mrs Kimberly Logue, Mr Michael Turner and Mr Chris Shelton will provide a presentation to parents about how we are supporting and delivering Catholic Life and Spirituality, Student Wellbeing and Remote Learning.
Please visit Compass for rsvp/login information.
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.