Week 6, Term 4 2024

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through the term. Teachers are in the process of finalising assessment, semester reports and organising the numerous end of year activities. Our last day for the students is Monday 16 December (an unusual day to end the year). Team Kids will be running a vacation care program from Tuesday 17 December.

The next 3 weeks are going to be very busy with all the end of year activities. We have further orientation days for new students in 2025, book fair, student semester reports, Christmas concert, masses and Year 6 Graduation events.

Semester Reports

Student semester reports will go live on Compass on Friday 6 December. Parents and carers are invited to contact the classroom teacher if they wish to make a time for a Parent Teacher Interview.

Student Reminders – Respectful Behaviour

As we near the end of the year, students are getting tired and sometimes less patient with each other. It can also be a difficult time for our older students as they can be feeling a mix of emotions as they prepare for end of year activities and their transition to high school. Although there are many activities on in the final weeks of school, we continue to focus on learning in our classrooms and maintaining our expectations and routines. We remind students of the importance of respecting others. ‘Respect’ means treating everyone with care. The golden rule is to treat others the way you would like to be treated.

You can show respect for classmates, parents and teachers in many ways – how you speak to them, how you behave towards them and how you look after your belongings and those of others. You also need to show respect for yourself. This message will continue to be an important one as we work with our students and support them through the final weeks of the school year.

Remembrance Day Service

Our school and parish community gathered for a solemn Remembrance Day service last Monday. This day was a meaningful time to pause, reflect, and honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country. We come together each year to teach our students the importance of remembrance, instilling deep respect and gratitude for those who have given their lives for our freedom and peace. The beautiful service allowed us to collectively reflect on peace, courage, and unity and pray for peace in our world. We thank those parents that joined us on the day and assisted us to celebrate this special service.

As we reflect on the positive learning experiences we have shared this year, let’s continue to work together and communicate openly with our teachers and one another. We thank all parents and carers for your engagement as it plays a crucial role in ensuring that we make the most of the remaining weeks and that we finish the year on a high note.

Yours in partnership,

Alana Quirk

Principal's Reminders

Class Allocations for 2025

Any requests received after Friday 22 November 2024 will not be considered

In the next few weeks, we will be finalising our staffing and class arrangements for 2025. Below is a copy of the ‘Class Allocation Policy’ which aims to ensure there is a fair and just process in allocating students to classes for the upcoming school year.

We believe teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know all the children in their classes and have a view of the ‘big picture’. However, parents are invited to inform Mrs Quirk of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development. This information is to be only focused on your child and does not include requests to be with particular friends.

When forming the class lists the following factors are taken into consideration:

• gender
• learning needs
• social/emotional needs
• work habits
• friendships
• behaviour
• health considerations
• religion (to assist in achieving balance between classes, especially in Sacramental years) and
• common names

Ideally, we aim for a balance across all areas in classes. Where practical, parental requests based on educational concerns may be considered. At St Benedict’s, we follow these principles and guidelines when considering placement of students each year:

• Every care will be taken to ensure that each child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development.
• Parents who wish to raise concerns regarding the class placement of their child should put the concern in writing and email it to our Principal (alana.quirk@cg.catholic.edu.au) by Friday of Week 6 (Friday 22 November). Parents cannot assume that requests from previous years will be taken into account. A new request will need to be made every year.
• Parent concerns will be considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that the final decision regarding student class placement lies with the school.
• Significant time and effort on the behalf of the teaching staff is committed to class formations. Classes are initially drafted by current stage level teachers. These lists are then considered by the wider teaching staff group and then further reviewed by the Executive Team.
• Children will be informed of their class placement for the following school year in December, on the day of our ‘Meet and Greet your 2025 teacher’ session. The opportunity will then be provided for students to spend some time with their new class teacher. New students to the school for the following year are invited to attend.
• Throughout this process, after appropriate consultation, the Principal reserves the right to make final professional decisions regarding the placement of children.

From the Assistant Principal

Unwrap the secrets to smart, safe tech gifts!

Tis' the season to find tech gifts that don't come with hidden surprises! But how do you choose tech gifts that are both fun and safe for children? https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources/gift-guide

eSafety's Gift Guide is here to help unwrap age-appropriate options in tech. From gaming consoles to drones, eSafety has done the homework so parents and carers can make safe, informed decisions. Remember, gadgets can influence personal safety and the wellbeing of families. That's why healthy online habits are important right from the start.

Spotlight on Religious Education

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Food Hampers

Each year our St Benedict's school community donates non-perishable food to our parish Vinnies Conference. This food is then made into Christmas hampers and distributed to people in our local community who are experiencing hardship. We encourage parents to talk with their children about the joy of giving without the expectation of receiving something in return. Each class will have a particular set of food items to donate. Families are welcome to donate as many food items as they wish. Your child may also like to make a Christmas card to put inside the Christmas hampers (eg Dear Family, May your Christmas be filled with joy, hope and love).

Kindergarten        Tinned fruit, UHT custard and tinned ham

Year 1/2 Blue          Pancake mix, jelly, cupcake/muffin mix, cake mix

Year 1/2 Gold         Sweet biscuits, crackers and dried fruit

Year 3/4 Blue        Cordial, long life milk and soft drink

Year 3/4 Gold       Christmas pudding, shortbread and gingerbread

Year 5/6 Blue        Chips, popcorn and Christmas themed serviettes/paper plates

Year 5/6 Gold      Chocolate, lollies and zooper doopers

Please send all non-perishable food donations and handmade Christmas cards to your child's classroom by Wednesday 27th November.

These donations will be presented and blessed at our Giving Mass in Week 7, Thursday 28th November 10am. All are welcome to attend this Mass.

School Advent Liturgy

Thursday 5th December 10am

Every year our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students look forward to leading the school in our school Advent liturgy, to help prepare our hearts to be more open to the presence of God's Kingdom. We invite all in our community to come and gather with grateful hearts to reflect and celebrate with us. The liturgy will take place in our school hall.

Family Advent Calendar

Advent reminds us that we can look forward to and prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is a season of so many things; of expectation, reflection, hope and trust. It is important that we involve our children in this ritual of preparing, helping them too, to be ready for the gift of Jesus - the real reason for the season! Attached is a wonderful Family Advent and Christmas Calendar resource from the Archdiocese of Brisbane (Evangelisation Brisbane). These calendars include fun and faith-filled ways to invite children and families into the upcoming liturgical season of Advent and Christmas, including QR code links to guided prayers. We hope that you enjoy using these to connect as a family and with your community in the coming weeks.

Dates to Remember

Out and About at St Benny's

Remembrance Day

On Monday, Remembrance Day (which marks the end of World War 1), we remembered all those who died in that war and al those who have died in wars and conflicts since then. Our school community came together with grateful hearts in thanksgiving for all those who gave their lives so that we may live in peace and freedom. We acknowledged the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.

We welcomed Reverend Don Nguyen (Deacon, St. Christopher's Cathedral) and Mrs Nguyen. Our community was blest to have Rev. Don officiate at his first ever school liturgy, at our school: "My wife Jennifer, and I are honoured to be included in this special event. Please convey our gratitude to everyone for the warm invitation. May God's blessings continue to guide and inspire your community".

It was a proud family affair with Wing Commander Mark Powell from the Royal Australian Air Force and his daughter Lydia 5/6 delivering the Commemorative Address; Warrant Officer Meagan Bressow from the Australian Army and her daughter Ava Yr 3/4 reading the In Flanders Field poem; Artificer Sergeant Major Matt Brooks from the Australian Army and his daughter Charlotte Yr 1/2 reading the Ode of Remembrance; and Paulini Yr 3/4, her grandmother Chantelle and aunty Mahalia laying the wreath for the fallen.

Linda De Salis

Defence School Mentor

National Taekwondo Championship

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and an Olympic sport. The Australian Taekwondo Association hosts the National Taekwondo Championships every year, which were held in Brisbane this year. Athletes representing all states and territories compete in various belts and age categories. The championships consist of sparring (known as Kyorugi in Korean), performing traditional technical patterns (known as Poomsae), musical poomsae, and board breaking.

This year, Jayden and Keisha represented ACT in three poomsae coloured belt categories in their age groups through their club, Lee's Taekwondo. They won the silver medal in the family poomsae category in the red belt ages 8-11 year group. This was their first national competition and winning a medal was a great achievement.

Jayden and Keisha are both looking forward to getting their Black belts and representing ACT again next year.

Link for more information: https://austkd.com.au/event-information-centre/2024-national-championships/

Congratulations Alex!

Congratulations to Alex C from 1/2 Gold who received a Champion award in the  Junior Craft and Hobbies Exhibit (12 & under) at the recent Queanbeyan Show.

Benny's News

Issue 8 Book Club orders are due Wednesday 4th December

Counsellor's Corner

Happy Birthday

Merit Awards

Community News

Parish Secretary Advertisement

People are invited to apply for the position of Parish Secretary for St Benedict's Parish, Narrabundah. This is a part-time permanent position Tues - Friday 9am - 12 noon.

Essential Requirements:

• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, Publisher, Calendar)
• Ability to work with Canva
• Experience with database packages
• Strong communication and liaison skills
• Strong organisational skills and calendar management
• Ability to work on your own, and as part of a wider team and take direction
• Understanding and respect for the Catholic Church and its teaching
• Experience in an office environment

Please phone 6295 7879 or email the Parish Priest (Fr Chris Eaton ceatonmgl@gmail.com) for a copy of the duty statement. Applications addressing the Selection Criteria (above) and duty statement are due to the Parish Priest by 13th December 2024.