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Dear Parents and Carers,
Hopefully by now you have read the letter that was sent out to the school community earlier. The school has been in constant communication with ACT Health, the Education Department and Catholic Education since we were notified this afternoon. As mentioned in the letter ACT Health will provide a further update for the school community tomorrow, Thursday 21st October 2021.
Beginning tomorrow St Benedict’s will undergo a deep clean of all areas. As a result, St Benedict’s Primary School will be closed for the next two days (Thursday 21 October and Friday 22 October). Please note there will be NO remote learning for the next two days. This allows time for testing for those people who have attended school, including staff.
Once ACT Health has been in contact with the school, we will work with Catholic Education to revise our Return to School plan. As soon as this information is ready we will send it to Parents and Carers, via SZapp, Compass and email.
Again, I sincerely thank all our school staff, parents, families and carers. I know this has been challenging for all of you, and I thank you for your patience and resilience. Please do not hesitate to reach out via email if I can be of any assistance.
Stay safe and healthy.
God bless.
Rachel Smith
Principal
2022 Kinder Orientation and End of Year Functions
We continue to monitor and follow the latest health advice provided to us from Catholic Education and the ACT Department of Education in regard to end of year award ceremonies and functions. As you can imagine this, is an ever-evolving thing and will be very dependent on the end of lockdown and what it brings with it.
Leaving St Benedict’s
If you anticipate that, your child will leave St Benedict’s at the end of this year, could you please notify the Front Office. We need to begin planning for staffing and class configurations for 2022. Thank you to those who have let us know already, this is very much appreciated. Naturally Year 6 parents need not respond to this request.
Global Schools Partnership
Thank you everyone for your participation in our virtual Global Schools Partnership Day. It has been lovely to see the students engage in a variety of African immersion activities to help them better understand the Maasai culture and the lives of the students at Gesore Preparatory. Students are excited to resume pen-pal letter writing to the students at Gesore Preparatory on our return to school.
Click the link below to view a special video message from Simon Carroll to our school community https://video.link/w/LorFc
If you would like to donate to support our partner school in Kenya or to find out more information about our partnership, please visit https://www.globalschoolpartners.org.au/gesore-preparatory
Donations
Donations made by families are tax deductible. When making a donation on their website please place in the comments section of the donation form ‘GESORE’ or ‘ST BENEDICTS’, this will ensure that your donation goes directly to our partner school.
https://www.globalschoolpartners.org.au/online-donations
If families choose to do a direct deposit into the GSP bank account
https://www.globalschoolpartners.org.au/donate we ask that you email simon@globalschoolpartners.org.au so that a receipt can be issued, and the funds allocated to Gesore Preparatory.
Livestreamed Online Masses
St Christopher’s Cathedral
12.15 pm Monday to Saturday masses and the 11 am Sunday mass
Link: https:// www.catholicvoice.org.au/mass-online/
St Benedict’s Parish livestreamed online Masses- please visit the parish website and Facebook page.
While our churches are closed, Archbishop Christopher would like to invite all to pray the Rosary via Zoom today at 4 pm.
All you need are your Rosary beads and your intentions.
TIME: Every Wednesday and Friday at 4 pm
ZOOM DETAILS: Simply click on the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85022458332?pwd=MDZ4ODFhNjIvdnpFd21aVDQzWnAydz09
Or enter in the details below after opening the Zoom app
Meeting ID: 850 2245 8332
Passcode: 543675
Nintendo Switch
Did you know there is a free Parental Controls app that you can download to your phone to link to your child’s Nintendo Switch? You will need to set up a Nintendo account first to use it but then you can:
• view a report to see what video games your child has been playing
• see how long your child has been playing for and set time limits and what time they can play
• set which games can be played based on their age rating
• limit in game communication
• restrict purchases in the Nintendo eShop
Further information
• https://www.nintendo.co m/switch/parentalcontrols/
• https://www.internetmatt ers.org/parentalcontrols/gamingconsoles/nintendo-switch/
Instagram Update
You should be over 13 years of age to set up an account. To create an account, you must enter a date of birth (but this isn’t verified). Instagram is used to post photos and videos and users can also DM (direct message), add to their stories (these disappear after 24 hours) and broadcast using IGTV.
A guide to Instagram
If you child is using Instagram, then download a copy of ‘A Parent’s Guide to Instagram here: https://help.instagram.com/377830165708421
Wellbeing toolkit
Instagram have collaborated with The Jed Foundation (JED) and Internet Matters to create a toolkit which includes tools and suggestions to make your child’s experience of using Instagram more positive. The toolkit is designed to help you start conversations with your child about how they use Instagram. More information can be found here: https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/wellbeing-and-safety-oninstagram-advice-for-parents-and-carers/
Additional Links
More tips from Instagram including how to manage privacy: https://help.instagram.com/154475974694511
Ensure that your child knows that they should talk to you or another trusted adult if they have any concerns.
Important dates to note for this term are:
1st November - All Saints Day
2nd November - All Souls Day
3rd November - Kindy Orientation Day 1 (TBC) 9am-11am
5th November - St Clare's College Try a Day (TBC) All day
- School Mass (Online) 10am
8th November - P & F Meeting (Online) 6.30pm - 7.30pm
9th November - School Board Meeting (virtual) 6.00pm-7.00pm
11th November - Remembrance Day
17th November - Kindy Orientation Day 2 (TBC) 9am - 11am
2nd December - Learning Showcase (TBC) 2.00pm - 4.00pm
3rd December - Reports Home
- Mini Vinnies Giving Mass (TBC) 10.00am -11.00am
6th December - Optional Parent/Teacher Interview (Online)
- School Board (virtual) 6.00pm-7.00pm
8th December - Kindergarten Health Checks
10th December - Ways of Being Awards Assembly (TBC) 2.15pm-3.10pm
15th December - End of Year and Graduation Mass - Year 5/6Blue & 5/6 Gold (TBC) 10.00am-11.00am
- Year 6 Graduation (TBC) 6.00pm-9.00pm
17th December - Last Day of Term 4
All relevant communication/information/notes have been sent via Compass and SZapp.
Please log into the relevant Portal or App to view them.
A Lens on Learning
Year 5/6 have been investigating composition elements used in photography. They have evaluated a range of photos for these elements (rule of thirds, centre composition, leading lines, foreground interest, framing, perspective and utilising light). Students then experimented with using these elements when taking their own photos.
Ekamjot – centre Liam – perspective
Lalia – leading lines Edith Q - centre composition and
foreground
Rafael – perspective and light Ava – light
Miya – foreground Tessa – centre, perspective
Happy Birthday to the following children who celebrate their special day this week: Tristan G, Elvira H, Nicholas L, Sophia M and Roseleen K.
All Merit Awards will be posted to relevant recipients.
Year 1/2B: Lydia P, Selina H and Sandile N
Year 1/2 G: Molly F and Noah W
Year 3/4G: Frederick H and Gurasees G
All Growth Mindset Awards will be posted to relevant recipients.
Year 1/2G: Alishia W
Year 3/4G: Zayn S
If you require uniform items please email the school:
office.stbenedicts@cg.catholic.edu.au
with attention Mrs Cox with the list of items required. Please include either your telephone number or email address.
We will endeavour to fill your order and reply to you as soon as possilble.
The Tuckshop is currently closed due to lockdown.
BUT we will be reopening on Tuesday 26th October and will continue operating each Tuesday and Thursday.
St Benedict's Parish
Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 12noon
Phone: 62957879
Email: narrabundah@cg.org.au
Web: website: http://cg.org.au/narrabundah/Home.aspx
Parish Team:
Fr Rembert Fernando MGL
Fr Baiju Thomas MGL
Onela Iruthayaraj (Parish Secretary)
Masses recommence this week with the usual times. We will continue to stream the 9am SUnday and Sunday 6pm Mass from the Church for those unable to attend. 25 people are able to attend each Mass in person. Please follow social distancing and sanitise before entry. If you are unwell due to immunity issues it is better to stay home. Please refrain from booking more than one Mass per week so that it gives everyone a chance to attend the Mass. We have an online booking system. If you would like to attend Masses please book online at:
Thursday 5.30pm Mass 21/10/21
https://www.trybooking.com/BURDF
Saturday 8am 23/10/21
https://www.trybooking.com/BUVIK
Saturday 6pm 23/10/21
https://www.trybooking.com/BUVIM
Sunday 9am 24/10/21
https://www.trybooking.com/BUVIN
To attend the Friday Healing Mass or Sunday Charismatic Masses please contact Carmel Henry 0409 777 743.
Online parish mass link:
htpps://www.facebook.com/stbenedictscanberra/
