St. Benedict's Newsletter
November 3 2017
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 37- 40
Last Sunday’s gospel presents for us a very clear and simple instruction book for life. In this statement, Jesus presents us with a message that is deep enough to provide for eternal salvation, yet simple enough that we can ask this basic question of every decision we make. Is what I am about to do, in the best interests of ‘the other’? There have been many sayings over the years that have developed from the same concept…. ‘walk a mile in their shoes’…… ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’…… ‘treat them how you want to be treated’. Each asks us to stop and decide whether what we are doing is right. Another way to consider our decisions is whether we would like what we are about to do, to happen to the person we love most in our lives. This yardstick can often be the best guide to our actions. It hinges on the idea of “loving your neighbour as yourself”.
I was fortunate to experience a little of this on the Senior Retreat which was run with our Year 11 students last week. The retreat was an opportunity for students to get away from the normal routines and take time (a very Benedictine approach) to stop and evaluate their own expectations and their relationships. Spending three days with our fine young women and men was an exhilarating and tiring experience. Their attitudes and values have been built on solid foundations and have helped them to develop into mature adults. I thank them for this valuable experience and especially to Mr Costin and the staff who gave of their time and talents to offer such a great opportunity to these students.
This week as a Catholic community we celebrated All Saints and All Souls days. These days prompt us to remember those people important in our journey who have passed into everlasting life. For some this is a sorrowful time but we are buoyed in the knowledge that these people are resting in the presence of God and have influenced us each in a different way. For those we know to be in heaven (saints) and those we hope are in heaven (souls) we thank God for their lives and pray for their continued intercession on our behalf.
Over the next week we will have students in Years 9 & 10 undergoing their final exams and students in Year 11 will have their Parent Teacher meetings. Each of these is an opportunity for both students and parents to reflect on their experiences this year and answer questions on what the have learned. It is also a time for consolidating what they know and planning a springboard for the future. I encourage all parents to discuss with your children how they are going and how they might build on this for a better future.
Over the last few months, a number of our students have been building to participation at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF). This event is getting closer and there is a great energy and enthusiasm around the formation days and the festival itself. Once again I thank the staff who are supporting the students in this journey, especially Mr Hayden who has given of himself to ensure this is a success.
Mr. Steve Lo Cascio
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND VISION
The Prayer Focus continues this week with three main areas. We continue to pray for the Healing of Fr David, the Year 12 students as they undertake their HSC examinations, the people in Uganda and the Catholic Mission support they receive. For the last 2 weeks we have read the following information:
Sister Mary Goretti is from the local Ugandan order, the Daughters of Mary. For the past two years, she has been running St Luke’s Bujuni Health Centre. As the most affordable health centre with a maternity ward in the region, St Luke’s has seen an influx of expectant mothers coming to receive care and to give birth, among them many who are at high risk. One such example is Harriet, who was sick with Malaria and Typhoid and travelled for two hours on a motorcycle to come to St Luke’s.
While there Harriet experienced the love and care given by Sister Mary and the nurses and has been inspired to become a nurse herself. Harriet travels by foot to go to school at St Thereza Bujuni primary school which takes four hours there and back. Harriet is dedicated to learn to become a nurse so she can give care to those in need like she was given when she needed it. Harriet wants to learn, but if she is sick she cannot attend school – this highlights the Importance of services like St Luke’s Health Centre to children like Harriet.
The Senior Retreat was held last week and once again this proved to be an amazing experience for all involved. The retreat allows the students to take some needed time to look inwards and reflect on what is of value to them. The 3 days and 2 nights were outstanding and the students gained a lot out of the experience. I am extremely appreciative of the staff – Mr Lo Cascio, Mr Bulfon, Mr McAteer, Mrs Newell, Mrs Sammutt, Mrs Grana, Miss Wojcik, and Sr Anne Marie for giving up their time to come away and for doing such a wonderful job with the students. I am also extremely grateful to the Year 11 students, who entered the retreat in such a positive manner making it a great experience.
With the pending Australian Catholic Youth Festival getting closer, the students have continued to be engaged with some Youth Ministry activities organised by the Diocese. Students have continued to enjoy these activities. Not long to go now!
The Liturgical Ministers Training Day was held last week. This day provides training for students who wish to undertake the important ministries of either an Extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion or as a Lector. This year we had four students from Year 10 undertake the training. It really is pleasing to see students not just volunteer, but to enthusiastically undertake these important ministries. Congratulations to all involved.
The Gospel reading last weekend was Matthew 22:34-40. This of course is commonly known as the Greatest Commandment. In it, Jesus is asked “what is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” This is a passage we sometimes use here at Bennies as it refers to some of the core themes of our College, such as Love of God and Love of Neighbour.
Mr David Costin
Acting Assistant Principal / Director of Mission and Vision
Year 11 Parent Teacher Evening & HSC Information Session
Letters with details of the evening, as well as the access details for the online booking, have been included with the report, as well as hard copies being provided to each student.
Strike Action News
Dear Parents & Carers
The Union has notified us that members will stop work at St Benedict’s Catholic College on Monday 6 November from the start of the school day until 12:30pm. Supervision of students will be provided but normal classes will be affected. You may wish to keep your child at home.
Normal routine and classes resume at 12:30pm. Please contact the school directly if you require further information.
Yours sincerely
Steve Lo Cascio
Acting Principal.
FACULTY NEWS: HSIE
History Extension up and running for 2018
The course's "Big Idea" is the question "What is History?" a question which is dealt with in 3 ways; through the study of historians through the ages (and their varying approaches), the Case Study (Queen Elizabeth I) and the students' own individual research essays.
This year's class is Anthony Conlon, Maddison Crawford, Harrison Mae, Jessica Mannion, Annaliese Pennings, Jake Schloeffell, Annnabella Thorpe and Amy Wright.
We wish them all the best for their studies.
Mr. Andy Lundy
History Extension Teacher
FACULTY NEWS: ENGLISH
Year 7 have just come to the end of a very challenging and entertaining unit on speaking, where the students have learnt the importance of, and the skills in, public speaking.
Our final Year 7 unit for the year is a "Introduction to Shakespeare", which will be a challenge but a fun one!
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Year 9 and 10 English students the best of luck in their upcoming examinations.
Mrs Jo Baker
English Coordinator
College Sport Week
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated as MVPs for Week 4
AFL:
Jarrod Buttigieg, Sophie Flint, Siena Forner
Martial Arts:
Connor Price
MILO Cricket:
Luke Shipley and Elizabeth Barnett
Swimming:
Bianca Miranda
Netball:
Charlize Brennan
Soccer:
Anthony Ellul
NRL/Taeknowdo:
Althea-Faith Dela-Cruz
Taeknowdo/NRL:
Marco Corbo and Analia Castro
Beach Sports:
Joshua Cefai
Bowling A:
Jack Smart and Corey Bigwood
Bowling B:
Alyssa Nash
Crossfit:
Tyler Lewis and Jacqueline Turnbull
Golf:
Jacob Tomac
Pilates/Yoga:
Emily Murdoch
Powerwalking:
Braydon Hort and Emily Buterin
Spin Class:
Marlon Font
Tennis:
Rhiannan Moore
MISA Sport
Our MISA teams had their first week of competition against Mount Carmel
Year 7-9 Girls Oztag Win
Year 7-9 Boys Oztag Loss
Year 10-12 Boys Volleyball Loss
MVP: Nicky Ross
Year 10-12 Girls Volleyball Loss
MVP: Leah Brown
Year 7 Girls Basketball Loss
Year 7 Boys Basketball Loss
MVP: Michael Bautovich & Jeremy Battistuzzi
Year Opens Mixed Tennis Loss
MVP: Zachery Suitz
Yours in Sport
Miss Liska
P & F Clothing Pool
CAREER NEWS
The next session in the popular Getting to Know Nursing events will be held on Tuesday 14 November from 5.30pm to 7.00pm at the School of Nursing, 160 Oxford St, Darlinghurst (opposite St Vincent's Hospital).
Attendees will hear from the Dean of Nursing about:
- Nursing as a profession
- The structure of Notre Dame's three year Nursing program
- How the School of Nursing produces graduates who are highly regarded for their skills and knowledge and employed promptly in the health sector, and
- The key time frames for starting the Nursing degree in 2018.
Students can ask questions about any aspect of the Nursing program, receive application assistance and submit an application for Nursing at the event. Students can register here.
Please note that over the summer holidays Notre Dame will be holding two separate events for students: a personalised Course Options Day for one-on-one conversation with admissions staff and the more comprehensive Course Info Day. Students will be able to submit applications on both days and enrol on Course Info Day. See below for details.
Course Options Day - Saturday 16 December 2017
The Admissions and Prospective Students Office will be open from 9.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 16 December 2017 after students receive their final Year 12 results, and before Change of Preferences day on 17 December. Course Options Day is a great chance to have a one-on-one chat with staff and submit an application ahead of Course Info Day on January 4 (see below).
On Course Options Day students can:
- Get course information
- Speak with academic staff and current students about courses of interest
- Apply for the course they're interested in studying in 2018
Location: Admissions and Prospective Students Office, Pioneer House, 140 Broadway, Chippendale.
Course Info Day - Thursday 4 January 2018
On Course Info Day students can ask their last-minute questions and explore uni options for 2018. Student who visit the Broadway campus between 9.00am and 3.00pm on Thursday 4 January can attend sessions on courses they're interested in studying, speak with academic staff and current students and apply for study in 2018.
Eligible applicants can also:
- Interview with an academic staff member in the course they're interested in studying
- Receive an offer
- Enrol and choose their first year units
Location: St Benedict's Hall and courtyard, 104 Broadway, Chippendale.
Applications are still open for all courses at Notre Dame in 2018