St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter 15 February 2019
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
The school year is now well underway and students are now in the important phase of developing routines – these give confidence, security and most importantly, support learning.
This week, we welcomed our Year 7 parents with our “Get your L’s” (Laptops) and “Study for your P’s” (Parenting Tweens) Evening. Most parents would recall that previously we would hold two evenings at the beginning of the year for Year 7 parents – and it shows how far learning with technology has come when we no longer need a stand alone evening justifying the use of learning technologies nor our Apple platform.
This new combination evening was attended by over 500 people and we were able to use our newest buildings for some of the workshops. The workshops covered, particularly for our new parents, the Benedictine Way, school communication, and “What to expect from your 12 and 13 year old” in social and emotional development. There were sessions on Cyber Safety run by our Police Liaison Officer, Allan Clapham, and we launched with parents our Positive Education programme and the importance of student wellbeing in relation to learning. Of course, every child then went home with their shiny new machine, which was put to good use during our Bootcamp days yesterday and today.
The other highlight this week was our HSC High Achievers Awards on Tuesday. Our most outstanding HSC achievers, a record number of students across a record number of subjects, were presented to the College in front of their parents. School Captain and Dux of 2018, Maddison Crawford, spoke of the collegiality of the Year 12 group and the importance of self care and balance despite the need to constantly push yourself beyond even what your teachers expect. We congratulate all our High Achievers, but also recognise that the majority of students achieved their goal - many now just about to begin at University, have started work or are participating in some other form of Higher Education. Our High Achievers will also be recognised by Camden Council and be presented to the Mayor on the evening of Monday 18 February at the Camden Civic Centre.
It’s the season of enrolments once again and for those who have siblings in Year 6 or friends who are thinking about St Benedict’s College, it is worth noting our Information Evening is on Wednesday 27 February at Camden Civic Centre. Although we can now seat about 500 in the Library and the venue is a bit further away for some, the last two years we have had over 700 people attend the Information Evening and we would rather parents hear what we have to say in relative comfort than be standing or crowded into a small space. Because of whole school changes in our approach to Wellbeing and Curriculum, it would certainly be worth current parents attending even if you think you have “heard it all before”. In addition, following feedback from parents, we have made a change and will be conducting our school tours before as well as after enrolments close this year. Just a reminder that these are held during the school day so parents and students see the school functioning as a school – the reality rather than the showcase.
Finally, it was with sadness that I attended the funeral of Mrs Pamela Catterall, mother of Fr David Catterall, last Friday together with many of the parishoners of Mary McKillop and staff from St. Justins Primary. It was a Requiem Mass full of hope of the resurrection and a beautiful celebration of Mrs Catterall’s life. It has been a very sad fortnight for our local Priests – Fr Michael Williams of Camden also lost his mother recently. As a Catholic community we keep both Fathers David and Michael and their families in our prayers at this time.
Warm regards
Michael Hanratty
Principal
YEAR 7, 2020 INFORMATION EVENING
St Benedict's Catholic College will be holding their Information evening for Year 7, 2020, on Wednesday 27 February in Camden Civic Centre, Oxley Street, Camden at 7:00pm. Application forms will be available on the night and from the College Office the next day.
A reminder to parents with students already at the College that sibling interviews will be held before end of Term 1. Interview times can be booked once the completed application form has been lodged. Further information can be obtained from the office on 4631 5300, during school hours.
SCHOOL TOURS - FROM FRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday 18 February - Year 11 Music Excursion
Tuesday 19 February - Year 11 Information Evening
Friday 22 February - Opening School Mass starting at 9:00am
Wednesday 20 February - Swimming Carnival
Monday 25 February - Pupil Free day
Wednesday 27 February - Year 7, 2020 Information Evening
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY
YEAR 11 INFORMATION NIGHT
There will be an Information Evening for Year 11 on Tuesday, 19 February at 7.00pm. During this evening, students will receive their Year 11 Handbook of Study, and a range of important issues involved in the HSC will be outlined.
Year 11 parents and students were sent an email about the event in late January and this email contains further information about the evening.
P & F MEETING
2018 High Achievers
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Welcome to Bennies
The beginning of the year has seen some important events already held at the College. We welcomed our new Year 7 students and introduced a new day for them called ‘Welcome to Bennies’ which helps give the students an understanding of St Benedict, our Charism and some of our policies and procedures. The aim of this day is to provide some certainty and stability in this transition period and help our youngest members to flourish as they begin their St Benedict’s journey.
2018 High Achievers
We have also recently held our High Achievers assembly. The Year 12, 2018 cohort was represented by students who achieved a Band 6 in one of their subjects, as well as some of their friends who joined us in support of their classmates. This was a wonderful way to celebrate the achievement of our students. Congratulations to all of the Year 12, 2018 cohort on their performance last year. Congratulations to College Dux Maddison Crawford as well for her outstanding achievements.
L&P Night and Yr 7 Boot Camp
The new and Year 7 students attended the L&P night, which is designed to help our families understand some important information as their child enters High School, such as parenting teens and getting to know and understand the College in a better way. Students also received their new Laptop – a valuable educational tool. It was great to see so many families engaged in the evening.
In addition to the evening, students have been supported in using their laptops with an intensive 2 day ‘boot camp’ program. This provides students with some knowledge and skills around laptop usage and helps them to better use their laptop as an educational tool.
Elevate Education
This week Elevate Education visited our Year 10 and 11 students. They provided some valuable study skills and time management strategies to our students. The presenters were able to engage the students and deliver the skills, adding in their own personal perspective. Students were also given access to a website with some great resources and I would ask students to share this resource with their families. On Friday the 1 March, Years 7, 8 and 9 will be working with the presenters from Elevate.
Diocesan Staff Development Day
Just a reminder to families that Monday 25 February is a Pupil Free day as there is a Diocesan Staff Development Day being held.
Year 7 2020 Information Night and School Tours
A reminder to all families that the Year 7, 2020 Information Night will be held on Wednesday 27 February. Any families with students in Year 6 wanting to enrol their child should attend the evening to gain all of the required information and dates. School Tours are also being held over the coming weeks, so book now and have a look at the school as it operates from day to day.
Opening School Mass
A reminder to families that our Opening School Mass will be held on Friday 22 February.
Other events coming up
There are some big events coming up next week as well. On Monday our Year 12, 2018 students who received a Band 5 or 6 in one or more HSC courses will be recognised by Camden Council on their achievements. We also have our Year 11 information evening on Tuesday 19, where families and students of Year 11 will gain important information around Stage 6 assessments, classwork, study and wellbeing programs.
Lastly, our Competitors only swimming Carnival will be held on Wednesday 20.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND VISION
I had the opportunity to speak about the Benedictine Charism and the College’s Mission Statement at the Year 7 “L” and “P” evening on Wednesday 13th February 2018. I have included what I said in this newsletter. It is definitely a good reminder and refresher for the whole Benedictine community.
I have been in my role for 3 weeks now and I can tell you I have experienced so warmly the richness, diversity and hospitality of this wonderful Benedictine community. ‘Something to strive for...and nothing to run from’. This is our College’s Mission Statement and at our College there is something for everyone to strive for - whether it is in the classroom with learning, on the sporting field, or in extra-curricular activities. Stemming from this Mission Statement are the THREE key pillars - Love of Learning, Love of Neighbour and Love of God which are key to the development of the whole person. “Be My Light” in word, thought and action, relationships with others (our peers, teachers, friends and families) and even in the attitude towards learning and doing well. These all tie in well with the Benedictine Charism. The central influence on the charism of any Catholic school - and for us at St Benedict’s Catholic College is the person and example of Jesus Christ.
St Benedict established a monastic way of living. He was a strong, peace-loving, gentle and dignified man; whose contemplative approach demonstrates to us the way of community. St Benedict is best known for the establishment of the “Rule of St Benedict”. Rules that ordinary people, actually all people could apply in their daily life. “Let all guests who present themselves be welcomed as Christ” a key message from St Benedict. Since joining the College three weeks ago as a teacher and the newest member of the College Leadership Team; I have experienced first hand the welcoming that Benedict taught by the Teaching Staff, Office Staff, Students, Families, and Parish Priests in this amazing community. It feels like I have always been here.
The Benedictine Virtues are relevant and can be easily embedded by Staff and students, guides the expression and development of faith plus can be applied to life in general. From obedience which links to listening. This is a key aspect for the development of a good relationship between students and between students and their teachers. I love using the line in RE classes;” God gave you two ears to listen twice as much and one mouth to speak half as much”. Good listening is key. Work/Life Balance is common catch cry for many Australians - in fact back in the 6th century St Benedict promoted the concept of balance in work/study, prayer and leisure.
All these wonderful virtues within the Benedictine Charism and through the example of Jesus Christ are evident in the St. Benedict Prayer. May we be faithful to finding God in the ordinary circumstances of daily life.
Gracious and Holy Father,
Give us wisdom to perceive you,
Intelligence to understand you,
Diligence to see you,
Patience to wait for you,
Eyes to behold you,
A heart to meditate on you,
And a life to proclaims you,
through the power of the spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen
Opening School Mass
On Friday 22 February, we will be holding our Opening School Mass in the COLA. It will begin at 9am and will be celebrated by Fr David Catterall. We warmly invite all parents to attend and look forward to coming together as a College community to celebrate Mass. As our numbers have increased again this year, we encourage parents to bring a chair, and maybe an umbrella for shade, if attending.
Mrs Kimberley Logue
Director of Mission and Vision
Three Weeks to Go!!!
If by now you haven't heard that the Church in this country is preparing for its first plenary council since the 1930s, you may not have been paying attention.
More than 68,000 people have engaged with the Plenary Council during the Listening and Dialogue stage. As this comes to a close, there’s still three weeks for you to contribute your story, your experience of faith, Church and God in your life to help to shape the Plenary Council agenda.
The Listening and Dialogue stage will close on Ash Wednesday (March 6th, 2019). We would love to hear from you before then.
During Lent, we will join the Catholic Community in prayerful preparation for Easter, and at Pentecost (June 9) we will launch the Listening and Discernment stage and announce the national themes for discernment which have emerged from the Listening and Dialogue responses.
Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit of the great South Land.
O God, bless and unite all your people in Australia and guide us on the pilgrim way of the Plenary Council.
Give us the grace to see your face in one another and to recognise Jesus, our companion on the road.
Give us the courage to tell our stories and to speak boldly of your truth.
Give us ears to listen humbly to each other and a discerning heart to hear what you are saying.
Lead your Church into a hope-filled future, that we may live the joy of the Gospel. \
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, bread for the journey from age to age. Amen.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
“Listen to what the spirit is saying” (Revelations 2:7)
Many of us may have heard Pope Francis give his Blessing to consult with all Australians and hold our first plenary council in 80 years. Plenary 2020 is happening! This is a significant event for the Catholic Church in Australia and can really help to reshape the direction of the Catholic Church in Australia. We are called to take the time and ask ourselves “What is the Holy Spirit asking us today?” As people of faith, we must trust, even in the midst of such change, that the Holy Spirit is powerfully at work moving and doing new things in the hearts and minds of the faithful.
The Plenary Council is a gathering of the Church in Australia to make decisions for the future. Your voice, Our Voice is important. All people are invited to contribute to the Plenary Council agenda by sharing your experience of faith and of the Church. Preparation for the Plenary Council 2020, begins with open listening and dialogue. It is the first step to preparing the agenda for the Plenary Council. Your experience of faith and the Church is important. We are all invited to join a small group for Plenary Council Listening and Dialogue Encounters.
“Plenary Council 2020 is a cause for great excitement and one that we must enter into full of trust in God’s guiding hand. We have much to plan and organise along this journey, and that will happen in an ongoing way in the weeks and months ahead. It is important to note though: no matter how well we plan, this process will be “messy” at times, and necessarily so, because it deals with both the human and the divine. It will thus require patience and humility if we are to be led by the Spirit in honest and respectful dialogue. It requires us to sincerely pray with, and for, each other as we open ourselves to this process of expressing our loves, disappointments, hurts and hopes for who we are as Church. Together, let’s see what the Holy Spirit is saying to us." Bishop Brian Mascord - Pastoral Letter (2018).
See www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au for more information about the plenary Council.
This journey to the Plenary Council began in 2012 with the Year of Grace. A year in which we were invited to "contemplate the face of Christ". We are invited to do the beginning of a deep conversion process.
What do you think God is asking of us in Australia at this time?
Mrs Kimberley Logue
Director of Mission and Vision
HSC Special Provisions
Disability provisions for the Higher School Certificate are designed to assist students who couldn't otherwise make a fair attempt to show what they know in an exam room.
A formal application has to be made to apply for provisions, which will be determined by NESA. Provisions are granted solely by how the students exam performance is affected.
Students who think they may be eligible are encouraged to click on the link below for more information. Students will also need to contact Mrs Keedle as soon as possible, as formal applications need to be submitted by the end of Term 1.
https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/disability-provisions
CAPA NEWS
After a long wait, the CAPA department is open. Our students have been enjoying two large new art classrooms, a digital photography room, two large music classrooms, a rehearsal room and 5 practise rooms. The amazing Drama classroom will be up and running very soon after some minor fine adjustments.
ART
Our Year 12 Visual Art students attended the Art Express exhibition on Thursday 7 February organised by Mrs Castelli. One of our talented Year 12 students, Victoria Gray has written this report.
I’m positive that I speak for all my classmates in saying that this was an amazing opportunity and valuable day. As a group we witnessed what we would expect to go against in our major works. The level of skill and passion behind a lot of the artworks excited and baffled us.
The exhibition itself had many diverse works in terms of concept, themes, style and media. Majority of the works explored social and cultural issues such as identity, race, stereotypes and human’s relationship with the environment. But all of the works in some way delivered insight into the artist’s mind. A lot of the students were very emotional and personal in their works when it came to their values, which I admired.
This year for us in year 12, not just in art, will be a very emotional one. So, it comforted me to see that for these students, the sweat, pain and tears put into their works paid off for them. Overall between the exhibitions, the gallery, and the beautiful lunch in the Domain, it was an amazing day.
MUSIC
Music Tuition has begun and is running in our new practice rooms. This year we are offering lessons in woodwind, piano, guitar, drums and vocals. Lessons are $30 for half an hour.
If you wish to be a part of this program, please email me at koryzmaj01@dow.catholic.edu.au
DRAMA
Yesterday, our Year 12 Drama students attended the 'Onstage' Drama performance at the Seymour Centre, this excursion was organised by Mr Hayden.
One of our talented Year 12 Drama students has written this report:
This was a monumental and exciting excursion for both the Year 12 Drama class and the school. It was the first time our school has attended the 'OnStage' production at the Seymour center in Newtown, a showcase of the best of the 2018 Independent projects and Group performances.
We were privileged to see the standards of performance for the IPs and GPs and to gain inspiration for our own projects. Whether it be costume, stage, lighting, monologue, we were in awe of the creativity and professionalism of the works. During the performances, our class was moved between highs and lows, ultimately being drenched in many different emotions with each new performance. You could really feel the powerful mix of tragedy and comedy. For some we cried, and many we laughed till we cried. In the end we walked away intimidated but excited and inspired to get right into our projects and create some art.
The entire day was a worthwhile, valuable and unforgettable experience that I’m sure we won’t forget.
Victoria Gray
2019 HSC Drama student
Mr Hayden is organising a Drama Drive. If you have any clean and unstained clothing (suits, accessories, hats, wigs etc) size 12 and up, or table top items (lamps, mugs, vases) please bring them in to Mr Hayden on Thursday 21 February. He will be in the drama room from 7:45am to collect your items. NO FURNITURE PLEASE!
We look forward to another creative year.
Mrs Jenny Koryzma
CAPA Coordinator
COLLEGE SPORTING WEEK
Congratulations to the following students for being nominated MVP:
Mixed Sports:
Jarod Emmett, Abbie S.
UFC:
Harrison Aucterloine, Hannah McWhirter
Dance:
Edan Beringer, Jessica Rocchetto
Tennis:
Blake Sapienza, Blake McDermott
Skating:
Mitchell Casey
Golf:
Manuel H., Zach Newman
Laser Tag:
Jacob Veres
Flip Out:
James Haslam, Paris Beringham
MISA Sport
Our MISA teams had their first week of competition against Mt Carmel Catholic College
Year 7-9 Boys Volleyball Loss
MVP: Jacob Zammitt
Year 7-9 Girls Volleyball Loss
MVP: Molly Kubecka
Year 10-11 Boys Basketball Loss
MVP: Lachlan Parker
Year 10-11 Girls Basketball Loss
MVP: Karla Lay
Year 10-12 Boys Oztag Loss
MVP: Matthew Korgess, Aiden Wood
Year 10-12 Girls Oztag Loss
MVP: Amy Evans
Year 7-9 Boys Softball Win
MVP: Cameron McFerran, Jayden Shields
Year 7-9 Girls Indoor Cricket Loss
MVP: Liana Corbo
Year 7-9 Girls Hockey Win
MVP: Lara McDonald
Yours In Sport,
Miss Liska
Sport Coordinator
A flyer below provides information regarding road signs to be found on the site. NSW road rules apply to all areas on the site and all fines and penalties will be applied if these are being abused. Police will be doing random visits during the term to monitor these.
P & F Clothing Pool
The clothing pool is run by appointment only. You can contact Mel on 0410 486 083. Please try and keep calls, texts and messages between the hours of 9-5 Monday to Friday.
If you make an appointment please be on time and, if unable to keep an appointment, please let Mel know.
We would also welcome any donations of uniforms, school bags, lap top bags etc. as stocks are running low.
LOST & FOUND
We have a growing number of clothing items, jewellery, lunch boxes and drinks bottles in the office. We would really like to return them to their owners. Students are welcome to come and collect them at recess, lunch and home time.
We would like to remind parents to please put students names on all items to enable us to return them.
ABSENCES
Please telephone or email the school office to notify daily absences. If a student has a planned absence of more than 2 days please notify the office by email with the dates and explanation of absence.
For absences of 10 days or more an Application for Extended Leave must be completed and are available from the College Website. If your child is ill, please keep them at home and notify the school.