On Thursday 23 March, 31 students from year 10 attended the Science & Engineering Challenge held at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush. This event is a nationwide STEM outreach program run for schools by the University of Newcastle in partnership with other sponsors. It was an activity-filled day at which students were competing in eight STEM-based challenges against various schools in the Sydney region.

Students worked in groups of four, each completing two different activities. The challenges included bridge building, making a Mars buggy, creating an earthquake proof tower, constructing a glider, creating functional codes to send secret messages, connecting a city with electricity, working out a carnival work schedule and organising the road map of a city.

Students had to work quickly, collaborate effectively with one another, and think outside the square. Every challenge focused on the development of critical thinking, creativity, engineering design processes and problem-solving skills.

Congratulations to Alyssa, Bettina, Rhianna, and Fenet who achieved first place in the Mars Buggy challenge!

All students came away feeling very excited and inspired by the challenges they faced.

I would like to congratulate our students on their outstanding behaviour and attitude throughout the day.

Maria de Lima

Leader of Learning (Science)

The day really taught me some valuable information regarding science and engineering. It really challenged me to think outside the box. The Coding activity really challenged our ability in terms of communication; it made our group think about ways of non-verbal communication.

Milen A.

The day was a very good experience of team building and having an enjoyable time with friends. There were various learning opportunities, and the class is very grateful for having such an experience.

Yonghu L.

Dear Parents & Carers,

Year 7 Transition Reports will be available through Compass on Thursday 6 April at 2.30pm.

These reports have been designed to share with you a description of how your child has transitioned into learning at the College. Feedback has been provided on their application across STRIVE and in each of their Academic Subjects.

As a transition report, this document does not provide specific marks, grades or outcome statements listed against subjects. More detailed information on academic achievement will be provided in the comprehensive reports that will be issued at the end of each completed semester.

Wendy Fawbert

Director of Learning & Teaching

This term, Mrs Sharma has been running the Science Club in Sci5 every Friday lunch time. She has a wonderful group of year 7 and 8 students who regularly attend and enthusiastically get involved in all the activities.

They have done all sorts of activities this term such as making elephant’s toothpaste, doing the Mentos and Coke experiment, floating tea-bags and so much more. If you are interested in joining the club and meeting like-minded students, then you are more than welcome. It will continue to run next term every Friday.

Thank you to Mrs Sharma for her active involvement.

On Tuesday 28 March 2023, our Year 11 and 12 students in the Western Sydney University (WSU) Fast Forward program participated in Senior Consultations with Shannon Vincent, a Project Officer in the Fast Forward team. Shannon guided our students in their post-school study and career pathway planning. The students were given comprehensive information on how to navigate the updated Western Sydney University website to get maximum information for their future planning.

Undergraduate Degrees | Western Sydney University

Students were taught how to navigate the university Handbook which provides comprehensive information on what study will look like in University degree study programs that they are interested in. The student researched admission requirements and campus availability for the courses they were interested in. They used the Handbook as a guide to see what subjects are offered in each year of the degree. Major study pathways offered in this degree and details on the type and weighting of assessment tasks they will complete in the degree.

Students were guided on the HSC True Rewards early entry program at WSU and given the opportunity to look through potential courses for which they could apply for early entry as some degrees are excluded from early entry programs. Shannon also provided information on Adjustment Factors (bonus ATAR points) as well as possible alternate pathways for students into university via The College at WSU.

Our Year 12 students also received advice on how to complete a scholarship application, particularly the Fast Forward at Western Sydney University. Scholarship applications for WSU open soon for Year 12 students.

Both Year 11 and Year 12 participants found it to be an engaging experience.

The next Fast Forward event on the Calendar is the Year 10 On-Campus University Day to be held in May at Campbelltown Campus.

Welcome to a new era in Careers Education at St Benedict’s Catholic College and indeed the whole of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong. Over the past 3 years, a program of Careers Education across years 7-10 has been developed through CEDoW lead consultation and a Steering Committee.

On Friday the 24 of March the whole Year 9 cohort took part in the CEDoW Transition and Pathways Program by engaging in 4 x 1 hour Career workshops:

• Lesson 1 - How to create a great Resume

• Lesson 2 - Matching my interests and skills with career options

• Lesson 3 - Finding out what job options are suitable for me

• Lesson 4 - Which career pathway will I take? Develop a Career Plan

• Lesson 5 - Year Coordinator Pastoral Activities

These lessons were delivered by their Careers Adviser and Year Coordinator.

Students enjoyed their complimentary recess as well as the Fun Friday activities in the Cola. The students are to be commended on their participation and engagement throughout the day. Here are some student comments about the day:

“It was a really good way to learn about how to write a professional resume with lots of support and help.”

“I now have a better idea about where to study my dream University degrees and what ATAR I need to aim for in Year 12 to get into study these degrees.”

Mark Mustapic and Julia Novak

Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students recently attended a barista training course at Macarthur Tourism, Travel and Events College in Mount Annan.

The students achieved a Statement of Attainment towards the codes SITHFAB025 Prepare and serve espresso coffee and SITXFSA005 Use hygienic practices for food safety.

During the course students had to make 10 different types of coffees three times each. We started with espresso, then moved onto macchiato's, piccolo's, cappuccino's, flat white, lattes, long black etc. Students also completed project workbooks and got to ask questions from baristas working in the industry and chefs who have worked at various cafe's, restaurants and clubs.

Year 11 and 12 and the staff involved got a lot out of the day and a new appreciation for the art of coffee making!

We look forward to practicing these new coffee making skills in our new school cafe and taking your coffee order at our next school event!

Ms Lorena Ghignone and the staff and students at St Benedict's Catholic College - VET Hospitality.

We are currently working on portraiture. We have been using the grid method to help us to transfer our chosen portraits onto larger paper.

The next intake for Art Club will be in Term 3 so please keep a look out for announcements.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY ARE THE LAST DAYS TO BUY RAFFLE TICKETS! Winners will be announced on Wednesday during STRIVE. There are many prizes to be won!

1x 1st place

1 x 2nd place

6 x 3rd place

6 x runner up

Thank you to all staff, students, families and friends who have donated to our Easter raffle! All proceeds will go to Caritas Australia.

Mrs. Brown's 10.1 Food Technology has been studying the topic "Food Product Development" as part of this unit they have been asked to develop an Easter Chocolate. The students have produced Oreo Chocolate Truffles. They had lots of fun producing this product in preparation for Easter.

10.1 Mrs. Brown's class experimented today to make new flavoured muffins in trial for the CAFE that will be opening soon. Mixed Berry Ricotta Muffins. They are delicious!

On Monday Week 10 Year 12 VET Business Service were challenged to plan and operate a Market Day stall during Lunch Time. Students from the College were invited to purchase a range of products from custom designed market stalls.

Congratulations to Year 12 for the success of the event, it was very impressive to see students use their character strengths of Leadership and Teamwork to complete this learning experience.

Lorena Ghignone

VET Coordinator

Dear Parents,

St Benedict's Catholic College school photo day is on Wednesday 26 April, the first day back of Term 2. Please wear your full winter school uniform, including blazer.

Please place your order online before the day of photography. To order please go to:
www.advancedlife.com.au and enter this code - 8A9 6V4 L53

HOLIDAY STUDY | We’re offering a quiet place for Year 10, 11 or 12 students to study these school holidays at Studio5, Campbelltown. These fantastic facilities will be open Monday to Friday (8:30am to 4:30pm) and offer:

- Computer and internet access.

- Printing and binding facilities.

- Access to an awesome community of innovative individuals.

Bookings are essential - visit www.atstudio5.com to learn more and secure your place.

Please follow the steps below to explain absence/s (partial or whole day.) This must be done within 7 days of their absence.

If you experience any difficulties, please contact the College Office anytime from Monday - Friday 7.30am - 3.30pm.

P: (02) 4631 5300

E: info@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au

Visit the St Benedict's Catholic College Careers website here

The P & F preloved Uniform Pool is open. For all enquiries please email: uniforms@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au Our wonderful P&F volunteer Tracey will contact you.

Items can be paid for and collected from the SBCC College Office. We do not return, exchange or refund on 2nd hand clothing as these are donated by families. Cash is the only option to pay with.

Donations of items in good condition can be left at the College Office.