Principal's Update
Thank you to everyone who supported and coordinated our wonderful Book Week Parade. It was incredible to see the efforts that parents and carers went to prepare their children for this fun school day. The amount of parents and family members who attended the parade was extraordinary. Thank you to our classroom teachers and staff for coordinating the students and entering the spirit with their year level theme costumes.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia promotes Book Week each year. The link to their website contains information about Book Week and the winners of the children’s book awards for 2024.
https://cbca.org.au/cbca-book-week-resources/
Book Week is a great reminder of the importance of books, reading and literacy in the lives of children.
Australian Catholic University research into benefits of reading to your child
New research has found that how parents read to their children improves children’s memory and learning outcomes.
The findings come during Book Week (18-24 August) from Australian Catholic University’s Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education researcher Dr Ameneh Shahaeian.
“Kids love to hear stories. There is a magic in stories. We all remember hearing them as children, and we loved them,” she said.
“By examining the different ways that parents tell stories, the research has identified the key elements of the reading which are most beneficial for children’s cognitive development.
“Cognitive benefits include improved: memory; learning outcomes; and self-control.
“The reading recommendations are that parents should: tune in to their children; make the stories interesting; go beyond the text and tell rich stories that are logical, imaginative, and meaningful.
“Always remember, the best books for your children are the ones they like the most!” \
“Reading to very young children can have long-lasting benefits for their later school success, not only in literacy but also in mathematics. So, if there is only one thing you have time to do with your children, it should be reading to and with them.”
https://www.impact.acu.edu.au/community/six-tips-how-to-read-to-kids-for-best-results
Inter-school cricket teams
Congratulations to our inter-school cricket teams who on Friday showed competitiveness, talent and sportsmanship beyond what was expected!
We are now the 2024 Blast Cricket Mixed Champions and achieved 2nd place in the boy’s competition by only one point. Thank you to Miss Rowe for training and coaching our teams and for parents and carers who supported our students on the day.
Diocesan Education Council
Also on Friday, (after the Book Parade), we had the pleasure of welcoming members of the Diocesan Education Council to St Benedict’s. The role of the Diocesan Education Council (DEC) is to assist the Bishop in formulating the Townsville Diocesan Catholic Education vision and identity. Our Executive Director, Jacqui Frances, is a member of the DEC.
As part of their visit, the DEC met with staff, members of the school leadership team and school board members. This was a great opportunity to reflect on the formation years of St Benedict’s as well as discussing plans for the future of this great school.
Reminder that staff supervision commences at 8:00am
A reminder to all parents and carers that children are not permitted to arrive at school until 8:00am. At this time supervision commences in the school hall, at the parent drop off zone and the school library and school oval (for run club). A member of the school leadership team will announce from 8:00am when the library and run club is open and supervised by staff.
Thank you to all parents and carers for their cooperation with regards to supervision at the start of each school day.
'God in all of life'
Patrick Dempsey