Principal's Update
Throughout this week, St Benedict’s Catholic School, Shaw has joined with schools across Queensland to celebrate Catholic Education Week, a time to reflect on and rejoice in the unique gift of Catholic education within our communities.
This year’s theme, “Communities of Faith, Hope and Love”, reminds us that our schools are more than places of learning. They are faith-filled communities where Gospel values guide our relationships, our learning, and our service to others.
Catholic Education Week is an opportunity to give thanks for the many people who make our mission possible, our students, parents, carers, staff, parish community, and the Townsville Catholic Education Office. Together, we nurture the spiritual, academic, social, and emotional growth of each child, encouraging them to become the best version of themselves.
At St Benedict’s, we strive to follow the example of our patron, St Benedict, who taught that life is about balancing prayer, work, learning, and community. During Catholic Education Week, we will take time to celebrate our Benedictine values through liturgy, community and activities that highlight the joy of learning in a Christ-centred environment.
We are blessed to be part of the wider Townsville Catholic Education, where over 13,000 students across our diocese grow in knowledge and faith. This week reminds us of our shared mission: to bring the light of Christ into the lives of those we teach and to build communities that inspire hope and love.
I encourage all families to take a moment during Catholic Education Week to reflect on the blessings that a Catholic education offers your children and to pray for our continued mission in forming young people who will make a positive difference in the world.
100 days of Prep
Today, our Prep students celebrated a very special milestone, 100 days of learning, laughter, and growing together at St Benedict’s Catholic School, Shaw.
The day was filled with excitement as our youngest learners marked the occasion with fun activities designed around the theme of 100. Students came to school dressed as if they were 100 years old, complete with walking sticks, glasses, grey hair, and creative costumes that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
Throughout the day, Prep classes enjoyed a range of engaging activities:
The 100th day is more than just a fun event, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the incredible progress our students have made in their first months of school. From learning their letters and numbers to building friendships and growing in faith, our Preps have achieved so much already.
We are so proud of each and every one of them, and we look forward to the many exciting learning adventures that lie ahead in the rest of the school year.
Congratulations, Prep! Here’s to the next 100 days!
A Warm Welcome to Our 2026 Prep Students
This week marked a special milestone for our St Benedict’s community as we welcomed our 2026 Prep students and their families for their very first Stay and Play session.
The Stay and Play experience is a wonderful way for our newest students to begin their journey into school life. It gives them the opportunity to explore the Prep classrooms, meet their teachers, and start building friendships with the other children who will share this exciting adventure with them next year. It is also a time for parents to connect with our staff, ask questions, and feel confident about their child’s transition to school.
We know that starting school is a big step, not only for children but for families too. At St Benedict’s, we are committed to making this transition as smooth and positive as possible. Stay and Play is just the beginning of a series of opportunities we have planned to ensure that every child feels welcome, settled, and ready for the first day of Prep in 2026.
We thank our dedicated Prep team for preparing such a warm, engaging experience, and we extend a heartfelt welcome to all of our new families. We are excited to walk alongside you as your child begins their learning journey at St Benedict’s Catholic School.
Townsville Catholic Education Surveys
Townsville Catholic Education Office (TCE) collaborates closely with all schools and colleges across the Diocese to consistently improve the Catholic school experience for students, staff, and families. A vital part of this effort is listening to the voices of our school communities.
Over the coming days, TCE will send out a survey to all staff and families, while Yr 5-12 students will complete the surveys during class. These surveys are a vital tool that helps us understand what’s working well and where we can improve. The feedback collected will directly shape future planning, guide school improvement efforts, and foster environments where both students and staff can flourish.
Staff and families will receive the surveys via email on Monday, 4 August, and we kindly ask that you complete them by Monday, 18 August. If you have children attending more than one Catholic school, or if you work across multiple schools, you will get a separate survey for each.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts and help us build stronger, more responsive school communities.
God in All of Life
Patrick Dempsey