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Dear Parents and Carers,
The school continues to provide feedback to the students through our Student Learning Questions. These questions provide prompts for the students to talk about their learning and ‘dig deeper’ when developing their knowledge and understanding of the concept being taught. They are on display in the classrooms and the students are familiar with them. These questions that are often used at the end of a lesson, enable teachers to gain instant feedback from the students about how they feel about their learning and their level of understanding. This in turn directs the teacher for future teaching and learning.
The Student Learning Questions include;
- What are you learning?
- How are you doing?
- How do you know?
- How can you improve?
- Where do you go for help?
Just as conversations about learning and feedback from teachers are vital to a student’s future learning, so too are conversations at home about what learning is happening in the classroom. You might like to try some of the following conversation starters with your child. Here are some questions that you might like to try at the evening family meal:
- What made you laugh today?
- What did you do that was friendly?
- What did you try hard at today?
- What was something that made you think hard today?
- What was something tricky that you figured out how to do better?
- What was something helpful you did for someone?
- What was a problem you had to solve today?
- What was something you were grateful for today?
- How did you bounce back from something that went wrong today?
- What was something you enjoyed in the classroom? Out of the classroom?
God bless
Rachel Smith
Principal
Reconciliation
Our Year 3 students, some of our older students and their families are undertaking preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this Lenten period and we keep them in our prayers as they prepare to experience their first Reconciliation. The students have been learning about Reconciliation as part of the classroom Religious Education program and this weekend they will participate in Parish based preparation, in the form of a Retreat Day for students and for parents. Thank you to Nat Wright, Fr Dan, Camille Ellison and Hayley Dwyer for the extra time to assist the students and families to prepare for the sacrament.
School Board
Expressions of Interest are being sought from parents who would like to participate on the School Board. The Board provides the opportunity for members of the school to support the mission of Catholic Education at St Benedict’s. Working with the Parish Priest, Principal and Staff, the Board members provide leadership to the school community.
The Board has a decision-making role on certain policy areas and an advisory role in others. Specifically, the Board is responsible for developing, approving and monitoring the School’s annual budget; contributing to the longer term planning of the school; and consulting with the P & F on the expenditure of funds raised on behalf of the school community. Additionally, the Board has responsibility to provide advice on curriculum offerings, educational and student welfare policies and parent support processes.
Parents who would like to contribute to this very important role would need to commit to meeting once a month on a Tuesday evening for 2 hours.
This is a great way of being involved with St Benedict’s and there will be a note going home shortly seeking nominations.
Newsletter
As you may be aware our website was updated at the end of last year. This website upgrade allows us to now create the newsletter online. Beginning this week you will notice a few slight formatting changes to the newsletter, these include links to photo galleries and other information. We hope that this new process will make access to the newsletter easier and more interactive. Another benefit of the new website package is the ‘SZapp’ communication tool. It is hoped that this communication app will replace the use of Skoolbag at St Benedict’s. In preparation for this transition you may like to download the ‘SZapp’ app from the app store and then search for the ‘St Benedict’s Primary School’ – Narrabundah subscription.
Winter Uniform
It is customary at St Benedict’s to transition into the winter school uniform at the beginning of Term 2. To help with your preparation for this transition our Second Hand Uniform Shop will be holding an outdoor clothing sale next Thursday 21st March at 3.10pm.
School Fees
Thank you to those families who have paid their school fees. Just a gentle reminder that school fees are now payable at the Front Office. Please speak to Mrs McRae, in the Front Office, if you are interested in setting up direct debit or if you are not sure of the amount to debit.
Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.
Sacraments
Upcoming events:
|
Event |
Date & time |
Venue |
Participants |
|
First Reconciliation Retreat |
Saturday 16th March 10am-12pm followed by lunch |
St Benedict’s Parish Centre |
Candidates and at least one parent/carer |
Season of Lent
On the second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus' retreat to the desert and temptation by the devil to the glory shown in Jesus' Transfiguration. On the first Sunday of Lent, our Gospel always tells the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday, we always hear the story of Jesus' Transfiguration (Christ's appearance in radiant glory to three of his disciples.)
Lenten Prayer
Lord God, you call us out of the darkness. Fill us with your light. Amen. Abraham, holy man of the Scriptures, pray for us. Amen.
Did you know?
Pretzels were invented by a monk around 600 AD in Germany and
Year 2 Parish Mass
Yea
r 2 will be joining the parish this Sunday (17th March) for Mass. We ask that those who have children in Year 2, to make a special effort to attend the school’s Parish Mass. The parish choir will be at this Mass and warmly welcome anyone to join in singing. If you are planning to attend Mass on Sunday and would like your child (or any family member) to have a formal role such as a reading, bringing forth the offertory or the Gospel procession, please email: Natalie.zarb@cg.catholic.edu.au
Community Meals Program
The Community Meals freezer is one way we can assist fami
lies who are experiencing hardship. If you are able to cook a meal, please use disposable containers and label with ingredients and date. All meal donations can be brought to the Front Office. If your family requires temporary meal assistance, you can speak in confidence to any of our staff members.
Natalie Wright
Religious Education Coordinator
Natalie.zarb@cg.catholic.edu.au
- 14th Mar School Banking
- 16th Mar Reconciliation Retreat Day
- 17th Mar Year 1 Family Parish Mass, 9.00am
- 21st Mar School Photos
- 26th Mar Tuckday - Hot Dog
- 3rd Apr Cross Country
- 4th Apr Learning Showcase
- 4th Apr South Western Region Swimming Carnival
- 5th Apr Year 3/4 Blue School Mass, 10.00am
- 5th Apr Year 5/6 Excursion
- 6th Apr First Reconciliation and Mass, 4.30pm
- 7th Apr Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival
- 9th Apr School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
- 10th Apr Year 5 and 6 Holy Week Liturgy, 10.00am
- 12th Apr Outdoor Education day
- 12th Apr Term 1 concludes
- Name of Student
- Class
- School
BULLYING. NO WAY! - NATIONAL ANTI-BULLYING DAY
This Friday is National Anti-Bullying Day. The theme this year is ‘Bullying. No Way! Take action every day.’
Bullying and violence are never okay. This is a message that we always promote and remind our students of as we teach them strategies for dealing with bullying. National Anti-Bullying Day provides us with an opportunity to shine a spot light on the issue and echo the importance of this powerful message.
Classes will be participating in various activities based around the theme and our Year 6 Community and Sports Leaders will be guiding our school in the creation of a ‘Bullying. No Way! mural. We want to take action and ensure we do all we can to make our community safe for everyone.
Watch out for the wrist bands that children will wear home on this day and be sure to ask them about the anti-bullying message and the activities they completed.
School Photos
- Hair accessories should be in school colours
- Summer school dress
- Maroon jumper
- White socks
- Black leather shoes
Boys:
- Summer uniform
- Maroon jumper
- White socks
- Black leather shoes
All notes and money for photos needs to be returned to the front office by Tuesday 19th March.
St Benedict's Netball Club
Afternoon tea / cake stall Monday 18th March 2.30 - 3.30pm
We are having an afternoon tea / cake stall at St Benedict's on Monday 18th March to raise money for our club. We would appreciate you buying afternoon tea from us or if you enjoy baking, contribute something for us to sell. The stall will be held from 2.30pm to 3.30pm in the undercover area.
Menslink visit
On Friday, March 8, Menslink came to our school to speak with all male students from Years 3-6 about their ‘Silence is Deadly’ Program.
The program aims to support young men who are experiencing tough times. It encourages the boys/men to chat to their mates about stuff going on in their life and to get professional help if they need it.
The ‘Silence is Deadly’ Campaign was started in 2013 and reaches up to 10,000 students in schools across the Canberra region.
David and Michael, from Menslink spoke to us about how being silent can be more dangerous than speaking up and encouraged all the boys to talk to a person they can trust about their worries.
Start a conversation, It's not weak to speak.
David.T Year Six Sports Leader
Kindergarten - Savannah L, Mya R, Elias S
1/2 Gold - Bryce T, Dianna N
3/4 Gold - Raphael D, Elizabeth K
3/4 Blue - Erik E, Sophia R, Marissa M
5/6 Blue - Teresa D, Matthew S, Emerson C
5/6 Gold - Josephine L, Riley W
The following notes have gone home this week and will be sent home via Skoolbag App
Lenten Calendar: 40 Days of Kindness
Naplan - Years 3 and 5
Class Representative 2019
Kindergarten Information
School Photos - Due by Tuesday 19th March
Sibling Photo - Forms available from the Front Office
Tuckday - Hot Dog - Due by Tuesday 19th March
The Clothing Pool will be open each Tuesday and Thursdays between 2.50pm to 3.15pm by appointment.
Next Thrusday 21st March there will be an Open Air Sale in the undercover area. This is a wonderful time to start looking at your child/rens winter uniform.
Please let Mrs McRae know at the Front Office if you need something from the Clothing Pool.
The lost property box is located in the canteen area. PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD/RENS CLOTHING IS LABELLED WITH THEIR NAME The lost property box will be emptied throughout the term.
Hello everyone,
A reminder that the Canteen days for 2019 have changed to Tuesdays and Fridays.
Please talk with your child/children that counter sales only occur at Recess time and lunch orders must be ordered in classroom tubs first up of a morning.
As most of the food is made fresh in the canteen volunteers are needed for the peak times for this to continue. If you have any spare time, please consider dropping in and helping as volunteers are always welcome. No amount of time is too small.
FRIDAY, 15th March 9.00am – 11.30am
HELPERS REQUIRED
11.30am – 2.00pm
HELPERS REQUIRED
TUESDAY, 19th March 9.00am – 11.30am
HELPERS REQUIRED
11.30am – 2.00pm
HELPERS REQUIRED
Canteen Tuck Day - Tuesday 26th March
All orders are due by Tuesday 19th March
If you would like to touch base about volunteering please either drop in or contact me on Cara.Cook@cg.catholic.edu.au.
Yours in tongs
Cara Cook, Canteen Manager
Parish News
Parish Office Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 9.00am to 3.00pm
Weekend Mass Times
Saturday 6.00pm
Sunday 9.00am
Youth Mass 6.00pm
Charismatic Mass 6.00pm (last Sunday of the Month)
Baptisms: 11.00am, 2nd and 4th Sundays of the Month
YMCA Sailing
YMCA Sailing Level 1 and 2 Course coming up at the YMCA Canberra Sailing Club during the school holidays from April 15th-19th. The course runs from 9-5 each day. This program will teach kids all they need to know to start their sailing adventures, no experience necessary.
For more information please check out our Sailing page at: https://canberra.ymca.org.au/what-we-do/activey/the-sailing-club/discover-sailing-courses/
