Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to St Benedict’s for Term 4. Welcome to our new student Hector (Year 1) and his family. You are a welcomed addition to our community and we look forward to getting to know you better.

I love this time of year when the sun comes out, the trees in the eating area become covered with leaves, the students don their summer uniform once more since Term 1 and we see just how much some of them have grown! At this time of year we can also see how much they have learnt and how they have become more independent. It is a proud moment for us all!

Whole School Performance – St Benedict’s ‘Disney’
Our whole school performance, Disney occurred on Wednesday 25^th September. It was well attended by over 400 family members and friends and involved every student in the school. Many parents spoke of how they enjoyed the performance and how wonderful it was that each child was part of it. Thank you to all staff for their tireless efforts in preparing the students for the performance and to Alana Quirk and Hayley Gould for their organisation of professional lighting and Breena Walshe for the sound and visual effects. Thank you also to Jan Simpson who helped with choreography for the performance and to the parents involved in the organisation and creation of some of the costumes. Thank you to the P&F for their organisation and running of a canteen on the night. Finally a huge thank you to all the students, who bought such joy and enthusiasm to the night and absolutely shone. Well done to all!

Planning for 2020
There are a number of processes that are undertaken in order to plan for 2020. We will review our current achievements against the goals of the 2019 Annual Improvement Plan and 2018-2020 Strategic Plan and use data from other sources to inform our priorities for 2020. At present we have or are in the process of completing:

• Analysis of the feedback provided through the school surveys completed by students, parents and staff last term,
• The analysis of NAPLAN data, and
• Recommendations from last year’s Registration report.

Staff are involved at all levels of the review and analysis of data. Alana Quirk, skilled in data analysis for teaching and learning, has analysed the NAPLAN data in detail and will report to the staff this week with recommendations. This year the school leadership team will be hosting and working with other school leadership teams and members of Catholic Education on a new pilot designed to streamline the Annual Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan process. We view this as an exciting opportunity to strengthen key improvement goals and to ensure students and student learning is central to all processes undertaken at the school. The School Board in their consultative role will also provide feedback on the suggested Key Improvement Goals for 2020 to the school.

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal

Principal’s Notes

Mindfulness Day
Thursday of week 10 we had our Mindfulness day. Both the students and staff enjoyed participating in this day, which was made more enjoyable by the glorious weather. The students enthusiastically participated in a variety of mindful activities such as drawing, creating artworks, finger knitting, board games and outdoor games.  This day provided much needed mindfulness and calm after the busy lead up to the whole school performance and the end of term.

Swimming Program
On Monday Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students began their swimming program at Kingswim in Deakin. It was wonderful to chat with the Director of Kingswim and talk about how beneficial it is to run the program the way we do over nine weeks, rather than an intensive two week program as most other schools do. The nine weeks allows for greater skill development and progress. The program is very well run and students are highly engaged throughout each lesson. Thank you to the Junior Primary teachers for their commitment in providing this program.

Summer Uniform
It is customary for our students to begin Term 4 by wearing their summer uniform. This year due to the fluctuating weather we are allowing a two week transition from winter to summer uniform. Students will be able to wear either their winter or summer uniform for week 1 and week 2 of this term. It is expected that all students will commence week 3, 28^th October with the summer uniform.

Year 4 Camp
Tomorrow, Thursday 17^th October our Year Four students head to Sydney for their overnight excursion. Whilst in Sydney they will visit the Old Government House, the Powerhouse Museum and the Zoosnooz at Taronga Zoo. The students will be accompanied by Camille Ellison, Josh Mackenzie and myself. We look forward to sharing stories about the camp on our return. A reminder that all students must be at school tomorrow morning by 6:15am in order a 6:30am departure.

Taking Other Children Home
Occasionally parents organise for their child to go home with parents of another child in the school. Please notify the Front Office via a written letter, an email or a phone call if this is your intention. Understandably we don’t allow people to take other children home without this expressed permission from parents.

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 2020. 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.

Year 3/4 Class Parish Mass

Year 3/4 will be leading the parish this Sunday (20^th October) to celebrate Mass.  We ask that those who have children in Year 3/4 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: Camille.gerbich@cg.catholic.edu.au

Canberra Homeless Connect Event

Tomorrow we have some students volunteering with St Vincent de Paul at the Canberra Homeless Connect event. The event will bring together people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with free services and support that they need, whether it be a hot meal, a haircut or access to an agency that can help.  St Benedict’s students have been invited to support the St Vincent de Paul Thread Together Clothing Hub at the event. Our students will be assisting customers to select appropriate clothing for their needs whilst engaging in friendly conversation. We ask that you keep these students in your prayers as they experience frontline volunteering and be witnesses to their faith in action.

Archdiocesan World Mission Month Mass

Year 5/6 Gold have been chosen to attend the Archdiocesan World Mission Month Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral 10:30am Wednesday 23rd October 2019. Our students will join with other school communities and youth leaders from across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to pray for the work of Catholic Mission in Ghana at the Nazareth Home for God’s Children and celebrate our efforts as missionary disciples called to bring God’s love to others – both near and far. We ask that our school community prays for these missionary disciples as they live out their vocation whilst faced with many challenges.

Global Partnership Day

On Friday Week 4 (8^th November) our school community will be celebrating Global Partnership Day. Our Mini Vinnies are busy planning activities to help deepen our understanding of the lives of the children in our Global Schools Partner school in Kenya, Gesore Preparatory. In preparation for this event we need donations of plastic bags. Please send all plastic bag donations to Ms Wright. More information about Global Partnership Day will be sent home shortly.

Volunteers Needed
The St Benedict’s Parish Pastoral Council are looking for a team of volunteers to organise, set up and lead the Parish Family Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve (in the school hall). This vibrant family celebration has become a wonderful tradition in our parish. If you are able to assist or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office. Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au  (02) 6295 7879

A few important dates to note for this term are:
14 Oct School resumes K-6, Term 4
17 Oct Year 4 Overnight camp to Sydney
17 Oct Homeless Connect Day
19 Oct Catholic Schools Netball Carnival
20 Oct Parish Mass—Year 3/4Blue Families
22 Oct Kindergarten 2020 Parent Information
           Evening, 6.00pm
23 Oct Mission Mass - St Christopher’s, Manuka
24 Oct Day for Daniel
29 Oct School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
29 Oct Combined Board & P&F Meeting, 6.30pm
29 Oct Parents & Friends Meeting, 7.00pm
1 Nov Feast of All Saints
1 Nov First Friday Mass, 10.00am, Year 3/4 Gold
2 Nov Feast of All Souls
6 Nov Kinder Orientation 1, 9.00—11.00am
8 Nov Global Partnership Day
11 Nov Remembrance Day Liturgy, 10.30am, 1/2 Gold
12 Nov Year 3—6 St Clare’s Drama Performance
12 Nov School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
15 Nov Talent Quest
17 Nov Parish Mass—Whole School
20 Nov Kinder Orientation 2, 9.00—11.00am
21 Nov Kindergarten & Year 5/6 Mountainview Liturgy
22 Nov Mini Vinnies Social Justice Day
26 Nov Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
4 Dec Advent Liturgy—Kindergarten, 1/2B and 1/2G
5 Dec Learning Showcase, 2pm
6 Dec Mini Vinnies Giving Mass
10 Dec School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
13 Dec Ways of Being Assembly, 2.30pm
13 Dec Semester 2 Reports sent home
17 Dec Whole School Fun Day
18 Dec End of Year /Graduation Mass, 10.00am
18 Dec Year 6 Graduation Dinner, 6pm
19 Dec Year 6 Revue, 12.00pm
19 Dec Christmas Concert, 12.30pm
19 Dec Last day of Term 4

The following notes has gone home this week and will be sent home via Schoolzine App:

• Tales from the TUCKSHOP
• Year 4 Overnight Excursion - Final Reminders
• Year 4 Overnight Excursion - Itinerary  & Things to Pack
• First Day Bytes
• Term 4 Tuckshop Menu
• Colour Splash & Dash - Sponsorship Reminder
• Catholic Schools Netball Carnival - Reminder Note
• 'Our Planet' Nature Documentary Permission Note

National Day for Daniel – Thursday 24^th October
Next Thursday (Week 2) we will be acknowledging the ‘Day for Daniel’. This day is a national day of action to raise awareness of child safety, protection and harm prevention. It is about educating children and adults about keeping children safe. It aims to empower our children to recognise, react and report if they feel something is not right.

On this day we will complete a variety of learning activities in classrooms based around child safety and protective behaviours to reinforce this message. We also ask that students wear red clothing on this day.

**** Save the Date ****

Our school’s Remembrance Day Liturgy is on Monday, 11th November at 10:30am.

1/2 Gold (Miss Walshe class) will be preparing the liturgy.

Please join us in remembering all those who have died or suffered for Australia's cause, in all wars and armed conflicts, and to support the Defence families at St. Benedict’s.

God bless

Linda de Salis
Defence School Mentor

Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special day  this week: Taliyah M, Ekamjot K, Sethmi L, Isabella M, Isla M, Zack W and Hunter R.

The Ways of Being Awards for Term 3 reflected our value of 'Be Welcoming'

Congratulations to the following students

Kindergarten:  Thisagari R, Samson M

Year 1/2B:      Niamh B, Rocky-James B

Year 1/2G:      Gordon S, Mia F

Year 3/4B:      James N, Amelia J

Year 3/4G:      Grace R, Angus C

Year 5/6B :    Teresa DP, Adam AM

Year 5/6G:      Jade C, David T

The Clothing Pool will be open each Tuesday and Thursday between 2.50pm to 3.15pm by appointment. 

Please let Mrs McRae know at the Front Office if you need something from the Clothing Pool, even if you are unable to make the opening times.  Where possible we will always help.

The Lost Property Box is located in the  canteen area.  Please take some time to go through the box on a weekly basis as the lost property box is continually overflowing. 

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD/REN'S CLOTHING IS LABELLED WITH THEIR NAME.

The Lost Property box will be emptied weekly and all named items will be returned to students via their class note bags.  All items without a name will be washed and donated to the Clothing Pool for repurchasing.

"If it starts with a T - It's Tuckshop day"

This term we're starting the Tuckshop with a real bang! A huge new menu should please even the most fussy eaters.

 A few changes that will be happening this term:

• The Tuckshop window will be opening for fruit break. With teachers permission, kids can come to the tuckshop and buy a piece of fruit or have their apple slinkied or oranges cut.
• Has everybody worked out the Qkr! app yet? It will make ordering from the Tuckshop so much easier and allow the Tuckshop to run more efficiently. With a little tweaking, I'm hoping the Qkr! app will allow parents to order both recess and lunch without the need for money. Please ensure you select the correct day for your childs order.
• Kids can collect their recess or lunch order directly from the Tuckshop window.
• The Tuckshop will be trading at recess for the first few weeks. After that, recess orders can be ordered on Qkr! and picked up from the Tuckshop window at recess.
• The Tuckshop will still accept paper bag orders.

 Volunteers:

• Parents, Grandparents and the St Benedict's community are welcome to join us in the Tuckshop to assist with preparation of meals. Volunteers are appreciated any time of day but the busiest times will be 9am - recess & 12 midday until 1.30pm. Plenty of jobs and I'm working on good coffee for the volunteers.

• Stay tuned for more exciting installments of Tales from the Tuckshop.

Please contact me via the front office regarding dietary requirements, volunteering, Qkr! instructions or other Tuckshop matters, untill further notice.

Dave Noble

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

Interested in becoming a Catholic or learning more?

Contact Fr Dan at Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au for info about the RCIA program for adults.

Active Kids

Term 4 Aussie Hoops registrations are NOW OPEN!!

Register at : aussiehoops.com.au

Term 4 will commence from Friday 25^th Oct 2019 - Friday 13^th Dec 2019

From 4.30-5.30pm

 Term 4 Social New Enrolments/Information Night

Kindy-Year 6/High School and Seniors

Date: Thursday 17^th October 2019

Time: 5-7 pm

Venue: Queanbeyan Basketball Stadium

Competitions Commences back from Monday 21^st October 2019

Larissa Dann

PARENT EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING (P.E.T)

Supported by Parentline ACT

Tired of yelling? Looking to find a way to get out the door on time, while still liking each other? Learn respectful communication skills for a peaceful, gentle approach to parenting, without the use of punishment or reward. P.E.T helps children and parents develop resilience, emotional intelligence, confidence and consideration. The course is powerful, proven and practical, and will help you put peace back into your parenting.

 For more information visit our Parent Skills website; join the Parent Skills Facebook community; and read P.E.T. on a Page.

The 24 hour course consists of three-hour sessions, once per week, for eight weeks.  Booking is essential.

 Investment includes a workbook and textbook.

Course begins: Tuesday, 22nd October, 2019 (minimum number of participants required); Time: 6.30 pm to 9.45 pm; Place: Weston, ACT.

Enjoy P.E.T. with Larissa, accredited P.E. T. instructor. info@parentskills.com.au