St Benedict's Catholic College
Newsletter Friday 21 August 2020
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
In a tradition reaching back to 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops release major social justice statements each year in time for Social Justice Sunday which this year will be celebrated on the 30 August. This year’s focus is on the Mental Health of all Australians and the theme is to “Live Life to the Full”. We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the mental health of many young people as well as members of our college, parish and wider communities. This year’s Social Justice Statement is available at
https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2020/07/03/social-justice-statement-2020-21/
Jesus, you invite us all into the fullness of life.
May we support one another to flourish in body, mind and spirit.
Strengthen our commitment to ensure
that nobody falls through gaps in our systems of care.
People called you mad.
Help us to recognise you in those who suffer mental ill-health today.
Show us how to eliminate stigmatisation of mental ill-health
from our parishes, schools, communities and organisations.
You drew near to those
who were suffering in body or mind.
May we too feel your nearness
when we struggle with mental health challenges. May we be one as members of Your Body.
You invite us to share in your ministry
of love and true compassion.
May we be empowered by your Spirit
to reach out to all people in need.
May we build communities of welcome and inclusion.
Amen
Congratulations to Year 12 students who have commenced their Trial examinations this week. It has been pleasing to see the relieved faces of students as they complete each exam, knowing that they have done their best. All students have ensured they have been well prepared for these Trials and have made effective use of the revision and support they have received from their teachers. The examinations will conclude on Monday the 31 August. Following these examinations, Year 12 students will use their remaining time at school to implement strategies to strengthen their performance for the HSC based on the feedback from their teachers.
Congratulations Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 Students
Last week students from Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 received the “Academic Leadership – Diligence and Commitment Award”. This is a new award for our College community and acknowledges those students who have demonstrated diligence and commitment through working authentically to achieve their learning goals in Semester One.
These students consistently modelled the College value of “Love of Learning" by demonstrating outstanding behaviours for learning and engaging respectfully at all times with teachers and their peers. They also demonstrate “Academic Leadership” in the learning environment by supporting other students in their learning and striving for personal improvement. In addition 26 students were acknowledged for Outstanding Academic excellence in obtaining at least six “A grades” in Semester One.
Warm regards
Kerrie Piatek
FROM THE P & F
Hello from the P&F
The Term 3 P&F meeting was held on Tuesday night via Zoom. Items discussed included the impact that COVID-19 has had on students, particularly Year 12 students, future P&F support requiring consideration, proposed changes to the College uniform and an update on the jointly shared hall. The minutes once finalised will be made available on the parent portal and via compass.
An item of importance discussed at the meeting was the project that P&F Secretary, Anita Borg, has been leading in updating our Constitution to reflect the Catholic Education Office templates and processes, and developing a P&F Handbook to assist in succession planning of P&F Executive members. Anita has been supported by Mel Gerace, Mel Sharpe and Margie Dowling and we give sincere thanks for the time and efforts from all ladies in getting the handbook is in its final stages of review.
The P&F will be posting both documents in the coming days on the parent portal and website for consultation and feedback. It is to be noted that St Benedict’s P&F are pioneering this project and we welcome consultation from College families.
A funding grant was also approved to provide support to Year 12 students. Time is quickly going by for Year 12 and a committee is being formed to share ideas on how we can support these students. We welcome interest, in particular, all Year 12 parents/carers to be involved and to share your ideas. If you would like to be part of this committee or would like to share an idea on how you feel we could support Year 12, please email pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au by COB Monday 24 August.
Please note the date for the Term 4 P&F meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 10 November. The agenda will be made available prior to the meeting on compass and the parent portal.
The P&F can be contacted via the email address pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
Stay safe and healthy and be kind to yourself.
Fiona Place
P&F President
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Science Week
Last week was Science Week. It was great to be able to celebrate the wonders of science. The Science staff prepared activities and quizzes to help students develop their knowledge and understanding of Science. Congratulations to Mrs DeLima and the team for the organisation of the activities and to the students who got involved.
Academic Awards Assembly
We recently acknowledged our Stage 4 and 5 Academic Award recipients. It was great to be able to recognise so many of our students for their Academic Leadership throughout Semester One. Congratulations to all students on their efforts.
Year 11 PDHPE, EEC and SLR First Aid Training
Year 11 PDHPE, EEC and SLR classes undertook their First Aid Training courses – which is an important component of these courses as well as providing knowledge and skills in keeping themselves and others safe. It was great to see students enthusiastically engage in this day. Congratulations on all for completing this course.
Trial HSC Examination
The Trial HSC examinations began this week. Our Year 12 cohort have prepared themselves well for these major assessments and we wish them the best of luck as they complete these exams. It was pleasing to see so many Year 12 students this term working closely with staff after school to ensure they were as well prepared as possible – please be assured that you are in all of our prayers.
Reminders:
Mobile Phones:
A reminder to students and families that mobile phones should not be used or seen during the school day. If a parent needs to get a message to a student throughout the day, please contact the front office to do so.
Mr David Costin
Assistant Principal
Reminders
- Year 9 Parents: Senior uniform needs to be ordered for 2021. See Ranier information below.
- Keep Covid safe: If your child is sick, keep them home. See below for Covid updates.
- Year 10 vaccinations are on Friday 28 August.
Parents please take note
- Please do not enter details of Covid test for your child through Compass, please notify the office.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday 17 - Monday 31 August - Year 12 Trial Exams
Friday 28 August - Year 10 Vaccination Day
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND VISION
“See the beauty of the daughter of Jerusalem, who ascended to heaven like the rising sun at dawn”
Benedictus antiphon sung at Lauds on the Feast of the Assumption
This week we celebrated a very special Holy Day of Obligation - the Feast of the Assumption. This day celebrates the fulfilment of the Easter promise in Mary’s life as she is assumed into heaven body and soul. Mary has a very important place in the hearts of all Catholics, her life illustrates how our Almighty Father works in our own lives. Mary came from a simple background and yet she was called by God to fulfil a very extraordinary role; that of becoming the mother of Jesus Christ. It is because of this that Mary became a model for Catholic life. Furthermore, she is a model for a life of humility, simplicity and charity. These virtues we see represented in our own Benedictine charism and are a part of our daily experiences here in the College each day. Here is a small prayer for you to enjoy!
“O’God, with gratitude and wonder, we celebrate your daughter Mary’s call to bring your son into the world to reveal your kingdom. May her song of joy and humility become our song as well. May her vocation to give birth to your Christ be our calling and work; may the Easter promise of life in your dwelling place be realised in our lives as it has been in hers.”
This week our Year 7 students will be receiving their own Bibles, they can treasure the story of God and God’s people at school, home, church or wherever they shall choose to carry it. As a part of receiving their Bibles, the Year 7 students took part in a special liturgy at our Prayer Garden and had the opportunity to walk contemplatively with their Bibles through our labyrinth. We hope the Year 7 students cherish and use them as a source of prayer and inspiration as they increase their own faith and devotion during their time here at St Benedict’s.
Currently, we are seeking applications from our Year 10 students for the special leadership role of Youth Ministry Leader This is a significant opportunity for our students who will have the opportunity to develop and enhance their leadership skills, explore and further develop their own spirituality, as well as foster the spirituality and faith in the school community.
This opportunity is to be part of a team, who gather fortnightly and actively support, promote and engage students in youth ministry initiatives, supported by Miss Brown as Youth Ministry Coordinator. Youth Ministry Leaders will be provided with opportunities for both spiritual and leadership development, through retreats, cluster networking days with other Youth Ministry Leaders in the Macarthur Region and in-school formation sessions. The overarching aim for the Youth Ministry Leader is to assist and empower students within our community to be disciples of today and deepen their own spirituality and faith.
Application forms have been emailed to students and we encourage year 10 students to submit these by Friday 28 August. If you have any questions regarding this please contact Miss Brown for further information. Successful applicants will have an opportunity to interview for this significant leadership role and we wish them every success in this process.
Where do we see God competition?
The Youth Ministry Coordinator is currently running a competition for all students in Years 7 -12 entitled ‘Where do we see God?’. Students are encouraged to submit a photograph or artwork of where they see God in their lives, community or in each other. Students are to email Miss Brown their entries and there are a number of prize packs up for grabs! Good luck to all entrants. We look forward to seeing all the ways that our students see God!
Social Justice Update
Last week representatives from our local St Vincent de Paul organisation came to the school to collect the generous donations we collected as a College community during the winter Appeal. They were overwhelmed with the generosity of blankets, clothes, food and toiletries that were given. They told us times have been very difficult during this global pandemic which, has resulted in many families falling on hard times in recent months and these donations will help many people in our local community. Well done St Benedict’s!
Update on Environmental Action:
The BEARs (Bennies Environmental Action Representatives) have recently nominated a group of students to lead the club in our environmental initiatives. We would like to congratulate the following students and wish them luck in their new roles:
President: Eliza B.
Vice President: Jared S.
Garden Manager: Daniel S.
Events Manager: Chelsea S.
Marketing Manager: Priseas F.
The club has also been focusing on preparing a liturgy for the upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and caring for the winter crops in the College veggie garden, including lettuce, snow peas and bok choy. We have also asked the students and staff of Bennies for suggestions on how the BEARs can make the College more sustainable. We are looking forward to implementing these ideas in the future.
Miss Madelaine Joyce
WEN Coordinator
Work of the Week!
This week Mrs Melissa Periera has nominated Ella T. for her excellent work in her Year 12 Catholic Studies class. Year 12 Catholic Studies, have been studying about different world religions and the impact these religions have for their adherents. As a part of their study, students learnt about Buddhism and the elements that make it a living and dynamic world religion, and have made brochures to teach others about this world religion.
Well done to Ella - you have earned 10 points for Dharawal House!
God Bless;
Mrs Tarnya Grana
Acting Director of Vision and Mission
CONGRATULATIONS YEAR 12
Congratulations Year 12 on your first week of HSC Trials. There was 100% attendance with great attitude and effort.
Chris Shelton
Director of Learning and Teaching
CAPA NEWS
Our Drama and Music HSC students have their HSC performances on Friday 4 September (Drama) and Friday 11 September (Music). They have been working extremely hard with their teachers to prepare for this day. We wish them all the very best.
Congratulations to the Drama students who have already submitted their non performance IP's.
The following clubs have been cancelled for the remainder of the term;
Choir
Band
Dance troupe
Art Club
Drama Club
We hope to revisit these next term.
Private tuition will continue (including woodwind, under strict covid guidelines).
Thanks
Jenny Koryzma
CAPA Coordinator
Year 11 Photography and Digital Media
Year 11 Photography and Digital Media have been learning about Portraiture using photographers such as Diane Arbus, Dorothea Lange and Annie Leibovitz as their source of inspiration.
SPORTS NEWS
Yours in Sport
Miss Julia Liska
Sport Coordinator
ABSENCES
We ask Parents/Carers to only report all day absences via COMPASS, part day absences should be reported to the office via phone on 4631 5300 or email to info@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
If a student is having an absence of 3 days or more, a request should be sent to the Principal via email to info@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au
If a student is having an absence of 10 days or more an Application for Extended Leave should be completed and submitted to the office with a copy of the students itinerary, if the absence is within Australia or a copy of flight tickets if the extended leave is to be outside Australia. A copy of the Application for Extended Leave can be found here .
FIRST AID NOTICE
Given the presence of COVID-19 coupled with the commencement of the influenza (flu) season, our school has an important responsibility to provide a safe environment for students and staff. Your child should not attend school if they are showing any flu like symptoms.
If a student is sent to the office with flu like symptoms we will place them in isolation and call their parents to organise for them to be collected as soon as possible.
Your support in keeping our school healthy and safe is appreciated.
LOST & FOUND
We have a number of unmarked clothing items, jewellery, reading glasses and containers which would like to be returned to their owners. Please ask your child/ren to come to the office if they may have lost one of these items.
We ask parents to check that all their child/rens items are marked clearly with their name in permanent marker.
Any items not collected will be given to the P & F Clothing Pool at the end of Term 3.
UPDATE FROM RANIER SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP
Ranier Shop guidelines – Covid-19
- No more than 1 family in the store at a time (or allowing 1.5m gap)
- Staff to remain behind the counter when customers are present
- Any customer displaying any illness will be requested to leave the store and purchase online or by phone
- Counter will be disinfected with spray and paper towel (or disposable wipe) throughout the day
- Tap and go payments are encouraged
- Hand sanitiser is available at all times for customers.
- Any returned stock (including fitting room returns) is to be placed on the counter by the customer.
P & F CLOTHING POOL
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 with availability.
CatholicCare now offers the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) in the Macarthur region, helping seniors to access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home.
If your grandparents, parent(s) or anyone you know requires aged care assistance at home, please ask them to call 4628 0044 and ask for Melissa or Colleen.