Dear Parent and Carers,

Sometimes as children come to the end of the school year, whether they realise it or not, they start to feel anxious or concerned about the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents. At this time open communication between parent and child can become challenging with most questions at the end of the day being met with single word answers.  Here are some questions you can ask to get the conversation flowing:

• Tell me the funniest thing that happened to you today.
• What did you do today that made you proud?
• What games did you play with your friends?
• What did you learn about that you found interesting?
• What was the best part about today?
• What happened today that you wish you could have changed?
• What did you learn today that you did not know before?
• What was the most boring thing that happened today?
• Why are you looking forward to going to school tomorrow?

Advent
This week marks the beginning of Advent in our Catholic Church. The church sets aside the season of Advent so that we might prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus at Christmas. Advent is about prayer and reflection. The word ‘Advent' is from the Latin ‘Adventus,' which means ‘coming.' Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year (in the Western churches), and begins from the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until the Nativity of Our Lord is celebrated - Christmas. The liturgical colour for this season is purple.

Like Lent, Advent is a preparatory season. It has significance because it is a season of looking forward and waiting for something greater; both for the annual celebration of the event of Christ's birth, and for the time when Christ will come again.

Each Sunday in Advent a candle is lit on an Advent Wreath, reminding us that Christmas is coming. The first candle is called the Prophet’s candle. It reminds us of the people who spoke God’s word for hundreds of years before Jesus was born.

Another tradition in the Catholic Church is that of the Jesse Tree. It is a representation of Jesus’ family tree, all the way back to Jesse – the father of David. The tree image is taken from Scripture where it is written; “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse.” Isaiah 11:1

We have a Jesse Tree in the foyer of the front office. Come and have a look and find the symbols which represent different members of Jesus’ family.

Stay safe and healthy.

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal

COVID Reminders
Whilst some restrictions have eased in the ACT, there are some that are still in place for educational settings. All people over 12 (not primary school students) are still required to wear a mask when onsite at St Benedict’s, both in the school and church. We are still required to limit the number of visitors (including parents) onsite, restricting them to the carparks and Front Office area. No visitor is to enter the school grounds. Next week we will be having our Advent Liturgy and Ways of Being Award assembly which parents are allowed to attend. All visitors to these events must check in using the Checkin Canberra App, wear a mask and social distance. Members of the same household are able to sit together. Please support the school with meeting these restrictions as we want all members of our community to be able to celebrate Christmas with their families.

Giving Mass
The Mini Vinnies Giving Mass will take place this Friday 3^rd December at 10am. The mass will be screened online through Microsoft Teams. If you would like to join us for the mass, please send an email with the appropriate email address to be used for the mass to rachel.smith@cg.catholic.edu.au .

Library Stocktake
A reminder that all library books must be returned at the end of the year. Please ensure your child’s library books are returned next week for the upcoming Library stock take.

Home Reader
Please check at home for any misplaced home readers and return them to school. All families are encouraged to maintain a reading regime during the holidays - it is amazing how much progress can be lost if reading is abandoned during the long Christmas break. Don’t forget to read in front of your children - this is a very powerful message.

Tuck Day
Don’t forget the tuckshop will be running a special Tuckday on Wednesday 8^th December. Orders can be placed through Qkr!

Working Bee
OnThursday 9^th December the P&F will be holding a Working Bee, from 3.30pm – 4.30pm. Many hands make light work, so please try to come along, and lend a hand.

2022 School and Term Dates
Please be aware the term dates will be as follows for next year.

• Term One 31 January       -           8 April
• Term Two 27 April            -          1 July
• Term Three 19 July             -        23 September
• Term Four 10 October      -           16 December

2022 Term One Dates

• Tuesday, 25 January Staff Planning Day
• Thursday, 27 January Staff Planning Day
• Friday, 28 January Staff Planning Day
• Monday, 31 January Students Return
• Wednesday, 2 February Kinder Rest Day
• Wednesday, 9 February Kinder Rest Day
• Wednesday, 2 March Ash Wednesday
• Monday, 14 March Canberra Day Public Holiday
• Friday, 8 April End of Term 1
• Thursday, 14 April Holy Thursday
• Friday, 15 April Good Friday
• Sunday, 17 April East Sunday

Important dates to note for this term are:

3rd December -   Reports Available after 3.30pm

                           - Mini Vinnies Giving Mass 10.00am -11.00am

6th December   - Optional Parent/Teacher Interview (Online)

                            - School Board (virtual) 6.00pm-7.00pm

10th December  - Ways of Being Awards Assembly  2.15pm-3.10pm

15th December  - End of Year and Graduation Mass - Year 5/6 Blue & 5/6 Gold                                      10.00am-11.00am

16th December -  Year 6 Graduation  6.00pm-9.00pm

17th December   - Last Day of Term 4 

All relevant communication and information is sent via Compass and SZapp. 

Please log into the relevant Portal or App to view them.  

The following note has been sent home this week:

3 / 4 Theme days

Advent Liturgy

Happy Birthday to the following children who celebrate their special day this week: Penelope V, Alishia W, Ryana O, Raphael D.

Kinder: Nathanael M and Oscar Q

Year 1/2G:  Jack K and Roseleen K

Year 3/4 B: Alexander H

Year 3/4 B: Mia F

Stuck on You

Dear Families,

We are raising funds for our St Benedict’s Primary School community through Stuck

on You. There are many lovely things to purchase at the Stuck on You website including Christmas gifts, name labels, drink bottles, bag tags, lunch bags and shoe labels.

Please use our school code: STB when you make a purchase.

1. Create your own account and place your order online
2. Enter our fundraising name (STB) at the checkout to transfer points to our fundraiser

When you order from Stuck on You, St Benedict’s P&F earn up to 20 per cent commission on all orders received with our school code. The P&F are awarded points for every order made.  These points are then converted to money for our school.  It is important to create your own account, if you order as a guest your points will not transfer to our fundraiser. Family and friends can also use our code to help fundraise for us.

Please use the below link to go directly to our fundraising page.

https://www.stuckonyou.com.au/affiliate/fundraiser/STB

If you require uniform items please email the school:

office.stbenedicts@cg.catholic.edu.au   

with attention Mrs Hemphill or 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 lost property box is overflowing with numerous clothing articles.  Could parents please ask your child/children to check the lost property box ASAP as it will be cleaned out by Wednesday 8th December, Week 10.  Named clothing will be returned to the student and all other items will be donated to the Clothing Pool.

Thank you.

The tuckshop is open and will continue operating each Tuesday and Thursday.

Cash sales at recess and all other orders online via QKR App.

Remember to bring your own apple to have it slinkied at the Tuckshop!

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 have recommenced at the usual times. 170 people are able to attend each Mass in person. Please follow social distancing and sanitise before entry. Face masks are no longer mandatory, but encouraged for those 12 years and above. Parishioners are not required to produce evidence of vaccination. Upon entry please sign in using the CBR app, if you are unable to do so please use the sign in sheets that are available. If you are unwell due to immunity issues it is better to stay home.

Is technology a source of conflict in your family? Would you like to better understand what your children are doing with technology (and why they love it so much), and explore strategies for minimising conflict around technology use at home?

Researchers from the University of Canberra are hosting four family workshops until early December for parents and their teen/preteen children. The workshop is aimed at facilitating understanding between parents and their children about technology, with a view to reducing conflict around its use.

Workshops are free and will be held at the following locations:

Sunday 28 November 2-4 pm: Conder

Tuesday 30 November 6-8 pm: Belconnen

Saturday 4 December 2-4 pm: Narrabundah

Sunday 5 December 2-4 pm: City

Free food and refreshments will be provided.

This project is being led by the University of Canberra in partnership with Community Services #1 and Capital Region Community Services, and has been funded by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. It’s not just another cyber safety presentation (however we will have some online safety resources on hand).

Spaces are limited! For further details and to sign up, go to: www.safeonlinetogether.com