Today we welcomed Year 7, 2023 students to their St Benedict's Orientation Day.

Sorting to House Groups, fun activities and a tour of the College was followed by a BBQ lunch. Lots of new friends were made judging by the chatter and laughter.

We look forward to greeting the students again in Term 1 next year.

Aboriginal students from year 7 through to year 12 participated in a project to create a mural that tells a story of this place. Using signs and symbols, we have told a story of the history, culture and community connected to Country.

The bats/flying foxes are our guardians of the night. They pollinate plants and diversify the seed bank that keeps Country alive and healthy.

Father Sun provides the energy for healing and growth, whilst the cleansing rains filled the five water holes that signify the dams existing before the school was established on this site.

The Lyre Bird is our Dharawal totem specific to this place. It is painted in the school colours. The Waratah in the centre tells a story of caution and change.

The three meeting places are the classrooms, library, and staffroom where we gather to teach and learn.

Our natural environment combines the river, sacred trees, moon and stars where community once would gather to celebrate culture through dance, song and story telling. There are many stories connected to this design that are waiting to be told. Most importantly it tells a story of the deep connection First Nations People will always have to this Land.

Kay Andonopoulos

Visual Arts teacher

See your designs in gold, silver and bronze and win a $500 Visa Gift Card. See details on how to enter this competition here.

If you do choose to enter please also email your entry to Ms Ghignone ghignonel01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

We need to name the new cafe and also have a logo (icon, motif) that we could use to create promotional material with.

The cafe name and logo needs to be simple and encompass the essence of both of our great schools.

For details on how to enter this competition please see this presentation.

College Hall Cafe - Logo Design Competition Presentation. click here

Over the past term, Year 8 Technology Mandatory - Food students have been busy learning about adolescent nutritional needs and applying this knowledge to design a healthy burger. As a part of this task, students also investigated sustainable farming practices and grew a herb or salad ingredient to use in their burgers. We are really proud of the hard work and time the students have put into planning and fine tuning their recipes and we know that many families have had the privilege of taste-testing these creations along the journey!! I know the students were excited to finally prepare, professionally plate up and eat these tasty creations. Congratulations Year 8!

This week the Year 11 Hospitality Kitchen Operations class prepared, made and served sweet slices to parents, staff and future Year 7 students at the Year 7 2023 Year 7 Orientation Information Evening.

A very special thanks must go to our Hospitality teacher Miss Pepper and Caera N who served guests during the evening.

The caramel slice was a big hit!

We look forward to catering many more events in the future when our cafe is fully set up in the College Hall.

Ms Lorena Ghignone

VET Coordinator

Tue 13 Dec -Year 10 Academic Awards, Last Day Year 10 and 11

Wed 14 Dec - Closing Mass and Yr 7-9 Academic Awards - Hall - 8:10am, Yr 7-9 Report Distribution via Compass at 2:45pm

Thu 15 Dec - HSC Results Released, Students Activities Day

Fri 16 Dec - Term 4 Ends for Students, Yrs 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews (all day)

Tue 20 Dec - Term 4 Ends (Staff)

End of Term 4

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

TRADING HOURS DURING COLLEGE 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

Dear Parents and Carers,

Following a change to COVID-19 rules on Friday 14 October 2022, it is no longer mandatory for people who test positive to COVID-19 to self-isolate at home.

What this means for students and school staff

• If a student or staff member is unwell and has any COVID-19 symptoms, even the mildest of symptoms, they should stay home and test.

• Students and staff who are unwell with any cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms (whether they have tested positive or not) should not attend school until their symptoms are gone.

• To limit the possible spread of illness amongst the school community, students and staff displaying COVID-19 symptoms at school will continue to be sent home until their symptoms are gone (students and staff with persistent symptoms, e.g. hayfever, will continue to be able to attend with a letter from their medical practitioner).

Steps we can take to keep our school community safe

• The most important step we can all take is to stay home when we have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, and not return to school until the symptoms are gone.

• Please continue to notify the school if your child tests positive for COVID-19.

• We strongly encourage all students, staff and visitors to follow NSW Health guidance.

We will continue with the COVID-smart measures that have been in place over the last few terms. This includes a combination of encouraging vaccination, supporting mask-wearing (with masks still required in some settings), rapid antigen testing, ventilation, hygiene and enhanced cleaning. If you have any questions or concerns about this change or any other matter related to COVID-19, please contact the school by phone or email.

Sincerely

Kerrie Piatek

Principal