Norcia House this week lead our celebrations for Harmony Week. To symbolise Harmony, a team of students worked with Ms Oldfield and Ms Andonopoulos to create this beautiful artwork. One of the highlights of the Week was the Harmony relay race between staff and students.

The artwork shares the story of a journey, one about growth and belonging.

Our house Colours represent the points where our community meet. The footprints of the lyrebird walk the songlines of a history we will all share.

We are all members of this College, joined together by our Benedictine values and our house colours.

We are all unique and we all add to the beauty and excellence of this Community.

Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country – from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world.

Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live.

An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our national identity. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.

Over the past two weeks Year 7 and Year 9 students have participated in the NAPLAN online Literacy and Numeracy Assessments. I would like to congratulate our students for the mature way they approached each of the online tests and their readiness to do their very best.

The NAPLAN data that the College will receive later this year is used to assist in the design of future teaching and learning programs and also pinpoint areas where students may need support and intervention in literacy and numeracy. The NAPLAN data is also useful to determine if students are working at their potential, and in what areas they need to be challenged to engage with their learning and work more effectively both at school and at home.

Today we celebrated Flourish Day. Enjoy the photos of the day. More details to come in next week's edition of the newsletter.

This week is Harmony Week and we are also in the fourth week of Lent. All Year Groups are in the full swing of assessment tasks and exams.

Our College had its FLOURISH DAY today - Friday 24th March 2023. Each Year group participates in a range of activities. Our next newsletter will contain reflections and more photos from each group.

HARMONY DAY

“The image of a polyhedron can represent a society where differences coexist, complementing, enriching and reciprocally illuminating one another, even amid disagreements and reservations. Each of us can learn something from others.”

Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, n 215.

Harmony Week in Australia coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is a celebration of our cultural diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home. Held every year in March, Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Orange has been the Harmony Week colour since the first event was held in 1999. Traditionally the colour orange relates to social communication, stimulating two-way conversations.

It aids in the development of new ideas and frees the spirit of its limitations, giving us the freedom to be ourselves.

DIVERSITY BLESSING

May the God who created a world of diversity and vibrancy,

Go with us as we embrace life in all its fullness.

May the Son who teaches us to care for strangers and foreigners,

Go with us as we try to be good neighbours in our communities.

May the Spirit who breaks down our barriers and celebrates community,

Go with us as we find the courage to create a place of welcome for all.

PRAYER

God of all people, God of love,

Just as the colours of a rainbow

Blend and merge to form one rainbow,

So too may the colours of our different cultures and beliefs,

blend and merge in our families, our communities and throughout our world,

through mutual respect and acceptance,

so that we may come together in true harmony.

Students, staff and parents are invited to join in the CAMDEN ANZAC DAY COMMUNITY MARCH.

We would love a large group to attend. Students are required to wear their winter uniform, including school blazer.

Please let Mrs Logue know if you will be able to attend via email - loguek01@dow.catholic.edu.au

If you are attending, please meet me (Mrs Logue) on Elizabeth Street at 10:00am. The College Banner will be there so you will be able to find me.

The Camden RSL Sub-branch ANZAC Day March will commence from Elizabeth Street, Camden at 10.30am sharp.

The March will make its way down Argyle Street and conclude on Cawdor Road to the Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park.

At the conclusion of the March, parents/carers of participating children are advised to pick up their children from near McDonalds.

No parents/carers will be able to collect their children from Cawdor Road.

DAWN SERVICE

The Camden RSL Sub-Branch will be conducting services to commemorate the Anniversary of the Landing at Gallipoli on Tuesday, 25 April 2023. With the support of Camden Council organising and managing traffic management, security and other logistics.

OVERVIEW - Tuesday 25 April

• 5am - Camden RSL Sub-Branch Dawn Service, Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park Memorial, Cawdor Road, Camden

• All attendees are requested to be seated by 4.45am

• 10.30am - ANZAC Day March

  The March will move from Elizabeth Street, down Argyle Street and follow Cawdor Road to the Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park

• 11.15am - ANZAC Day Commemoration Service

Due to the popularity of the Cross + Generation technology program, CatholicCare, will again partner with St Benedict's Oran Park and CEDoW to help with the technology that you may be struggling with. Bring in your device, either your phone, laptop or tablet and the students will assist you with becoming more confident in downloading apps, sending messages or even using google maps.

The first day will be Tuesday 9 May from 12pm – 2.30 – this will include lunch on the day, a briefing chat followed by training. The following dates will have afternoon tea provided:

• Tuesday 16 May 1pm-2.30pm

• Tuesday 23 May 1pm-2.30pm

• Tuesday 30 May 1pm-2.30pm

• Tuesday 6 June 1pm-2.30pm

Please join us in this unique opportunity to connect with seniors, and students for some information sharing in a fun relaxed setting at St Benedict's Catholic College Oran Park.

Places will fill quickly, so please contact Jane Hollier Parish and Community Officer CatholicCare on 0417 018 152 or janeh@catholiccare.dow.org.au

Year 7 Transition Reports will be released through Compass in Term 1, Week 11 on Thursday 6 April 2023. Information about behaviour, application, organisation and use of technology will be the focus of this report.

Year 11 Progress Reports and Year 12 Mid-Course Reports will be released through Compass in Term 2, Week 2 on Friday 5 May 2023.

Year 11 progress reports will provide a grade for each subject, Strive profile and information about behaviour, application, organisation and use of technology.

Year 12 Mid-Course reports will provide a grade for each subject, organisational and interpersonal skills, and contribution to learning attributes.

Parent Teacher Student Interviews will follow in Week 3 of Term 2, on Wednesday 10 May 2023. More information to be provided next term.

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’. It is an expression of hope and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.

Project Compassion 2023 shares the stories of resilient and inspiring individuals whose lives and futures have been impacted by the ongoing support of our partners and by your generosity.

This week our community learnt the story of Thu from Vietnam. Read his story below:

To continue supporting Project Compassion, the Social Justice team will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of many Easter hampers throughout Week 10 and on Monday and Tuesday of Week 11. Winners will be announced during STRIVE on Wednesday Week 11.

Thank you to all families who have supported this initiative through buying tickets and through donating Easter eggs.

Mrs Sara-Jane Castelli

Social Justice Coordinator

The Premier’s Reading Challenge 2023 has commenced. Students are encouraged to sign up for the challenge to read 20 books before Friday 18th August 2023. ‘Too hard’ you say? ‘Not enough time’ you say? You will be surprised how many books you have already read. You can include in your personal reading record, books you have read since September last year, 5 books from an approved series, 10 personal choice books and not to mention books you are studying for English. Easy!

Come to the Library to register and be in the running to win a great prize pack together with a Certificate from the Office of the NSW Premier when you complete the challenge which will be awarded at the end of the year at the College Assembly. You will also be awarded House Points for every book you read!

Throughout this term Year 12 VET Construction have been working on some hardwood decking in the Cola.

Students worked in teams to excavate, make timber frames, level the frames and secure them into the garden beds with concrete screws. Students also covered the frames with hardwood decking, ensuring a big enough hole was left for the tree trunk.

This project has turned out really well. Students must be commended on the way that they worked together and how safely they completed the job to a high standard.

Well done Year 12 Construction!

Ms Lorena Ghignone

TAS/VET Faculty

VET Coordinator, TAS/VET Teacher

LACHLAN H. - SOFTBALL

Congratulations to Lachlan H. of Year 12 who was firstly successful in representing the NSWCCC at the All Schools Carnival on Tuesday 14th March. Following this carnival Lachlan was successful in being selected in the NSW All Schools team which will compete in the Australian Championship held in Victoria from the 13th to the 19th of May later this year. A fantastic achievement for Lachlan and we wish him well at the Australian Championships.

ETHAN C. - BASEBALL

Congratulations to Ethan C. who was recently successful in being selected in the NSWCCC Baseball team. Ethan will now represent NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Baseball Championships to be held on Tuesday 28th March in Newcastle. We wish Ethan all the best at these Championships.

For all things related to the College BYODD program, please visit the College BYODD Site. Here you will find all information relating to the BYODD program including device requirements, Apple Care + and how to configure your device for use at the College.

For questions relating to BYODD, please contact the College or Email: help@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au

Compass cards are vital during school use. They are used for signing in, photocopying and purchasing food from the canteen. If your child misplaces their card, please follow the steps below to order a new card via Compass.