St Benedict's Primary School - Narrabundah eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

In the Catholic faith May is traditionally known as the month of Mary. It is also the month in which we celebrate Mother’s Day and honour our mothers and grandmothers. In doing so we are also honouring the nurturing and life-giving role they fill in our lives. In a special way Mary is their role model and spiritual guide in the blessing that is motherhood.

Being a parent is a challenging role. It is a permanently life-changing experience. No matter what the circumstances: once a parent, always a parent. It involves a vast array of emotions, provides us with some of our biggest challenges and is the relationship where we will experience some of the greatest love, pride and joy in our lives.

Each of the mothers in our community has their own story to tell. Though there may be similarities, no two stories of being a mother are ever exactly the same. Advertising and television provide us with images on what being a mother ‘looks like’. In reality there is no perfect mother (or parent).

For me, the most effective parent becomes the parent they need to be for the child that they have given the gift of life to. They show them love when they need it most, protect them when required and give them space and freedom, no matter how uncomfortable it feels, to become their own person. They provide boundaries to teach values and challenge to help them grow. They model kindness and generosity to others and how to share their opinion respectfully and assertively. They set an example for how to live rich, hopeful and optimistic lives.

Every mother does this in a way that is unique to them, their child and their family and I applaud them in the way that they do this every day. Thank you to all of our mothers for your gentleness, strength, guidance and love. We pray this week for all mothers and mother figures and ask that God will bless them and reward them for their goodness and the gift of life they have given us.

Happy Mother’s Day to all!

God bless

Rachel Smith
Principal

Catholic Schools Week Community Breakfast and Books Events
Thank you to all the families that sent in an RSVP for the Catholic Schools Week Community Breakfast tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you all at 8am for the egg and bacon rolls and Book Event.

Athletics Carnival
Well, we were certainly lucky with the weather last Thursday! What a wonderful day was had by all! Our students were fantastic, with all students enthusiastically and wholeheartedly participating in all races and activities. Thank you to Mrs Alana Quirk who coordinated our day and Miss Breena Walshe who assisted. It certainly was a well-organised carnival. Thanks to the many parents and family members who assisted on the day. Without our wonderful volunteers we cannot run days like this. Well done everyone!

Cross Country Ribbons
We will be handing out the ribbons from the Cross Country Carnival at this week's Friday assembly at 2.30pm.

Working Bee
Thank you to the parents, children and staff who assisted with our Working Bee on Sunday morning. We were quite a productive team! Every hour that people were able to spend pulling out weeds, raking leaves, cleaning gutters and garden beds, etc made a huge difference. Thank you to Mr Bob O’Heir and Mr Dean Dalla Pozza who coordinated and organised the plan of jobs for the day.

Mothers' Day
Don’t forget that the Mothers’ Day stall will take place this Friday. Thank you Mrs Barbra Cox for her coordination of the stall and to those parents who have volunteered to help out on Friday. Don’t forget to send your child with $5 on the day.

Enrolment Period
A reminder that the enrolment period has commenced and continues for the next three weeks. This is the time to enroll children for high school, primary school and preschool. If you would like to enroll a sibling into Kindergarten next year please collect an enrolment form from the Front Office. We will be holding Open Days and Open Evenings at the following times;

Wednesday 8^th 3pm – 7pm
Thursday 9^th May 9am - 11am
Monday 13^th May 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Winter Uniform
Just a reminder that beginning next Monday 13^th May all students are expected to wear their full winter school uniform.

Sacraments

Event	Date & Time	Venue	Participants
First Holy Communion Preparation, afternoon tea and Vigil Mass	Saturday 18th May 3.30pm-7pm	St Benedict’s Parish Centre and Church	Candidates and at least one parent/carer

First Friday Mass
Thank you to Year 6 for leading our school community in Mass last Friday. It was a lovely celebration of Mother’s and the other special women in our lives. Mothers and grandmothers received a special blessing from Fr Rembert. Thank you also to our parent-helpers who led the school choir and to all the families who provided morning tea.

Year 5/6 Class Parish Mass
Year 5/6 will be joining the parish Sunday 19^th May for Mass. We ask that those who have children in Year 5/6, 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 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:

Joshua Mackenzie joshua.mackenzie@cg.catholc.edu.au

or

Alana Quirk alana.quirk@cg.catholic.edu.au

Mini Vinnies
Our Mini Vinnies are beginning to organise our annual Winter Woollies Day (whole school event) which will be held Friday 28^th June to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness in Canberra as well as donations for the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol Van. In preparation for this we ask that all families begin collecting adult size winter clothing, as well as blankets and sleeping bags. Donations can be second-hand or new. Please store these at home until Winter Woollies Day, as we do not have the capacity to store these at school.

For more information about the Canberra Night Patrol Van, please visit

https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Find_Help/ACT/Food/Night_Patrol/

Community Meals Program
The Community Meals freezer is one way we can assist families 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

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

Mothers' Day Stall
Stanger Danger

9 May    Community Breakfast & Books Event, 8.00am
10 May Mothers Day Stall
14-17 May Naplan Yrs 3 and 5 students
14 May      Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
17 May Walk Safely to School Day
18 May First Holy Communion Preparation Year 3
19 May Parish Mass Year 5/6 Families, 9.00am
24 May Feast of Mary Help of Christians 25 May Sorry Day
27 May Reconciliation Day (Public Holiday)
28 May Reconciliation Day Liturgy, 2.30pm
7 Jun First Friday Mass, 10.00am
9 Jun Pentecost Sunday
10 Jun Queens Birthday (Public Holiday)
11 Jun Joint School Board and P&F Meeting, 6.30pm
16 Jun   Parish Mass Year Kinder Families, 9.00am
20 Jun Year 1/2 Mountain View visit
23 Jun   First Holy Communion, 9.00am
27 Jun Learning Showcase, 2.00pm
28 Jun   Semester reports sent home
28 Jun Winter Woollies Day
28 Jun St Vincent de Paul School Sleepout
1 Jul    Parent—Teacher Interviews (Optional)
2 Jul      Parent—Teacher Interviews (Optional)
5 Jul      St Benedict’s Feast Day Mass, 10.00am
6 Jul      Term 2 conclude

Open Days 2019

Earn and Learn

St Benedict's is once again participating in the Woolworths Earn and Learn.

Redgum Bookclub

Scholastics Bookclub

Both Redgum and Scholastics Bookclub orders are due to school by Wednesday 15th May. Unfortunately due to the tight turn around time no late orders will be accepted at school after the 15th, but you may still order online until the 20th May. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Mother's Day
Stall Helpers Needed - Friday 10th of May!
If you have some time to spare to help on the stall please let the front office know if you are available.

Thank you for your time and help!

Entertainment Book
This term we will be selling the new 2019-2020 Entertainment Book Membership for $60.

You will receive hundreds of valuable offers for shopping, dining and accommodation.

$12 of every membership sold will go towards our school.

A sample copy is available for viewing at the Front Office.

Please make sure you buy a book through St Benedict’s School, and tell your family and friends about it too!

Entertainment Book using the link: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/23231n Then pickup your book from Belinda at the Front Office. A sample book is available for viewing at the Front Office.

This book would make an ideal Mother’s Day present!

Kindergarten - Mya R, Kidada C, Elias S and Nathaniel G

1/2 Blue - Laura K and Isla Mc

1/2 Gold - Frederick H and Finn Mc

3/4 Blue - Liam N, Clancy B and Edith B

3/4 Gold - Edith Q, Elvira H, Henry P, Angus C and Joshua L

5/6 Blue - Troy J, Jacinta V and Gabriel D

1/2 Blue - Hunter R

1/2 Gold - Alisha W

Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special day this week: Obi O, Noah W and Emily D.

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.

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,

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.