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Dear Parents and Carers,
In recent weeks there have been quite a number of students and staff unwell with flu and respiratory illnesses. As a result, we ask you to be vigilant and keep sick children at home. We will be sending students who present with symptoms home as needed and we are being vigilant in sanitising the school – including regular handwashing and disinfecting common surfaces.
Mother's Day Celebrations
Our Mother’s Day celebrations were a great success! It was lovely to see so many mothers, grandmothers and family members in our school to celebrate the love and care our mothers and special people give us. There was a wonderful turn out for the breakfast, our Mother’s Day stall was successful and the Mother’s Day mass was beautiful and also well attended. Thank you to everyone that came along to one or more of these events and to those parents that helped on the day, either with the stall or helping to set up morning tea for after mass.
AFL Gala Day
Last Thursday a group of Year 5/6 students had a great day out at the AFL Gala Day. It was great to see many of these students trying AFL for the first time. The encouragement students have shown to each other on the field was fantastic and it was also good to see a considerable improvement in their understanding of the game and skills as the day progressed.
Simultaneous Storytime
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, preschools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. It is a fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and liteacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the curriculum.
Yesterday we celebrated this event at St Benedict's and explored the book Bowerbird Blues, by Aura Parker.
Oh, how I love the sky….
And moving through
The marvellous BLUE
Our Year 1/2 were fortunate to have a guest speaker, Ranger Meg Doepel. Meg shared the Bowerbird story and then spoke to the children about Bowerbirds, what they do, how they live and how important it is to take care of our environment. The children were very engaged, learnt a lot and asked many questions! We are very thank you to Ranger Meg for her visit. It was a walk down memory lane for her as she attended St Benedict's as a student in the 1970s.
Our Kindergarten and Year 3-6 students worked collaboratively to investigate the story and information about the themes. They also had a great time working together on Bowerbird artworks.
Pentecost Sunday
Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost Sunday, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Pentecost Sunday commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and marks the beginning of the spread of the Gospel message. It serves as a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit and the call to live by the values of Pentecost in our daily lives.
The spirit of Pentecost invites us to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to embrace the virtues of love, unity, and service. It reminds us of the importance of nurturing a welcoming and inclusive environment where all members of our community feel valued and supported. This is something that is of utmost importance at St Benedict’s.
Current of Grace Conference
On Monday and Tuesday this week, Ms Natalia Zarb (Religious Education Coordinator) and I, attended the Current of Grace Conference: Renewing Catholic Schools as Centres of Evangelisation. The conference attracted speakers and participants from both Australia and international (Oceania, Europe, the USA, Africa, and New Zealand).
Day one focussed on the leadership and staff of our school communities, how school leaders, teachers and others can grow stronger in the Catholic faith and be agents for wider evangelisation. The second day centred on the students and current programs for youth ministry (including ‘peer-to-peer’ ministry). We also attended breakout sessions where case studies were presented on how evangelisation and youth ministry is successfully being implemented in our schools in Australia and overseas.
A quote from Barbara Coupar, Director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service, really resonated with me; “Every time we speak… those around us [should] get a glimpse of Jesus…You [school and education leaders] are the church to your children. You are the church to your staff. You are the place where they will meet Jesus.”
Enrolment Time
During our enrolment period, we encourage all parents to engage actively in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues about what makes St Benedict’s special. By sharing our experiences and highlighting the unique opportunities our school offers, we can inspire others to consider joining our community. I thank those parents that have been doing this; it has been lovely to hear from so many of our new enrolments that St Benedict’s has been strongly recommended to them by current and past families.
Lost Property
With the colder days here, there are many school jumpers, beanies and coats around the school. Can I please ask all parents to check that the school jumpers coming home (often in school bags) are your child/ren’s as some families have lost a number of belongings. Please ensure that all student clothing and belongings are labelled clearly – this makes it much easier to direct found items to their owners!
Trivia Night
Just a reminder to get your tickets for our upcoming trivia night on Friday 14th June from 5:45 to 9:30pm. It is sure to be a great night of fun. You can purchase individual tickets for $25 or get a group together and purchase a table for $200 (maximum 8 people).
There will be mixed content rounds with a variety of question types.
A BBQ dinner, snacks and drink will be available on the night.
Register at https:www.trybooking.com/CQDPG
Pyjama and Movie Day - Fundraising Event
To assist our school in raising additional funds for the purchase of school resources, students in Years K-6 will be participating in a pyjama and movie day on Friday May 31. Students are invited to wear their pyjamas to school for the whole day and enjoy a movie and popcorn treat with their class. To support our fundraising efforts, students are encouraged to bring along $5 in cash/coins on the day.
When: Friday 31 May
What: Pyjama and Movie Day
Dress: Warm pyjamas and enclosed footwear (such as joggers - no slippers)
Provide: Parents are required to provide permission for the PG movie via Compass
Reconciliation Week 2024
Monday 27 May - Monday 3 June
This Monday 27 May we celebrate Reconciliation Day in the ACT, as a part of National Reconciliation Week (NRW), which is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities.
In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first National Reconciliation Week.
In 2001, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation.
In the same year, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of National Reconciliation Week-and subsequently across bridges in cities and towns-to show their support for reconciliation.
Today, National Reconciliation Week is celebrated in workplaces, schools and early learning services, community organisations and groups, and by individuals Australia-wide.
The theme for NRW 2024 is Now More than Ever. Reconciliation Day in Canberra is a community event that showcases Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. It’s part of National Reconciliation Week celebrations. The family-friendly event will include food, music, entertainment and activities. For more information on how you can enjoy the celebrations, visit the ACT Government website:
everything-you-need-to-know-about-reconciliation-day
NAIDOC Week Art Competition
Although NAIDOC week is some months away, there is an art competition that students are encouraged to enter. The winner will have their art made into an Acrylic Block and be featured on the NAIDOC Mass booklets. For more details about this great opportunity for students, please see the link below. Please contact Karen Haines or Linda De Salis with any queries.
MGL Sisters visit
Missionaries of God's Love Religious sisters visit Years 3 / 4
Last week, students in Years 3 & 4 were fortunate to have MGL Sisters Alina and Sharita visit.
Together, students enjoyed singing songs and playing games. Sister Alina and Sister Sharita read and discussed passages from Scripture with us and talked about the meaning of different names given to Jesus, which ties in with our current 3 / 4 learning focus in Religious Education. They then concluded their visit by leading us in a prayer of thanksgiving.
We hope to welcome the sisters back to our school as regular visitors. The students certainly enjoyed their visit!
Mini Vinnies
Mini Vinnies are preparing for our annual St Vincent de Paul Winter Woollies appeal. Please start collecting adult size winter coats, jumpers, socks, sleeping bags, blankets, waterproof jackets, beanies, gloves and scarves. Please store these donations at home for now. More information to be shared in the coming weeks.
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
