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Dear Parent and Carers,
The last few weeks of any school year are an extremely busy time for the staff as they finalise the school reports ready to be sent home with students on Friday and finalise the class lists for 2022, and this year is no exception. Add to that the organisation of end of year masses, liturgies, graduations, assemblies and fun days, all under the banner of COVID. A huge thank you to all the staff for the extra hours they are putting into finishing off the year on such a high note and after such a challenging year.
Last night the School Board held their final meeting for the school year. I would like to offer my thanks once again for the commitment of time and energy to the school by the School Board for 2021. It has been a challenging year that has been constricting for both the School Board and the school community. I thank the School Board for the support you have shown our school community, particularly our staff. As a School Board they have strived to continue to be a welcoming and caring community, whilst ensuring the school continues to function despite the challenges COVID presents us with.
Staffing
Congratulations to Miss Breena Walshe who has been successful in gaining a position at Evelyn Scott School, Denman Prospect from 2022 as Classroom Teacher. Whilst at St Benedict’s Ms Walshe has held a variety of roles such as classroom teacher and Sport’s Coordinator. During her 5 years at St Benedict’s Miss Walshe has contributed positively to our strong St Benedict’s identity, the community life of the school and Parish. We wish Miss Walshe well in her new position and know that the Evelyn Scott community will be richer for having her join their staff.
Congratulations to Miss Samantha Slocomb who will be joining Giralang Primary School next year. We thank her for her enthusiasm and care for her classes over the last two years. We wish Miss Slocomb the very best for her exciting year ahead.
Following interviews, I am very pleased to announce that Ms Melissa Taglieri was successful in gaining a permanent teaching position at St Benedict’s beginning 2022. Ms Taglieri is currently a teacher at Marist College Canberra and prior to that taught as a relief teacher with Catholic Education in the ACT. I know you will join with me in welcoming Ms Taglieri into our community.
Miss Kaitlin Reedy, one of our current 5/6 teachers, was successful in gaining a permanent part time position at St Benedict’s beginning 2022. Ms Danelle Chan Tie was also successful in gaining a permanent part time position at St Benedict’s beginning in 2022. Ms Chan Tie, one of our regular relief staff, has been employed two days a week as a relief teacher. Congratulations to both Miss Reedy and Ms Chan Tie. We are very lucky to have you both join permanent staff.
I hope to be able to announce classes and teachers shortly.
Stay safe and healthy.
God bless.
Rachel Smith
Principal
COVID Reminders
With the new COVID variant we need to ensure we are being extra careful and strictly following our hygiene practices. 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. This week and 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 distancing. Members of the same household can 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.
Working Bee
This Thursday 9th 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.
Absences From School
It is a legal requirement that all absences are explained. Please notify the school of your child’s absence by either: Using the COMPASS App; Calling the Front Office; Emailing the Front Office at undefined office.stbenedicts@cg.catholic.edu.au indicating your child’s name, class, reason for absence and date; or sending a note to the classroom teacher indicating date and reason for absence.
Carpark
Please remember to be patient and considerate of others when driving in the car parks. School carparks are notoriously dangerous, and ALL PARENTS are asked to be patient and alert. If you are in a hurry, collect your children early, or wait until after 3.10pm when the carpark is less congested.
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.
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:
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 - Ways of Being Awards Assembly 2.00pm-3.10pm
- 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:
Happy Birthday to the following children who celebrate their special day this week: Nicolas B, Augustin L, Annabell W and Alannah C.
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.
- Create your own account and place your order online
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Death Cap mushrooms are growing in the ACT. While Death Cap mushrooms are most prolific during autumn, the mild weather and significant rainfall is likely to have contributed to this current growth. Recent years have shown that Death Caps can grow at any time of year.
Death Cap mushrooms are one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms and can be found across the Canberra region. Since 2002, there have been four deaths and several poisonings in the ACT due to Death Cap mushrooms.
All parts of the Death Cap mushroom are poisonous and eating part of a mushroom can be fatal. Cooking, soaking, freezing, peeling or drying does not make them safe.
It is difficult, even for experienced collectors, to tell the difference between the Death Cap mushroom and edible wild mushrooms. For this reason, the Health Protection Service advises that people should not prepare or serve any mushrooms picked from the wild. Mushrooms should be purchased from commercial suppliers.
If you have any questions, please contact the Health Protection Service on
5124 9700.