Specialised Gardens

Before the end of this term, we are planning to have a couple of garden upgrades completed, one to better acknowledge our defence connections and one to acknowledge the indigenous families in our school. Where the current Defence Memorial is, we are adding a Benedictine Cross, a silhouette of a soldier and some children made from steel plates. We will also have some painted steel poppies amongst the memorial garden. The garden will be edged around the rock with the memorial plaque and we will plant out the garden with some rosemary (for remembrance) and dandelions that represent the resilience of children from defence families especially as they move from place to place.

Our Indigenous Education Staff Committee have liaised with Wulgurukaba Walkabouts to learn more about their language and totems. These will be represented in the garden with a Welcome sign in their aboriginal language and some steel sculptures of their totems, the serpent, the cockatoo and the brolga. Our Indigenous Education Teacher, Lizzy Christie has contacted our indigeonous families this week to see if they can share the totem for their people or country ie. the part of Australia that their family originates from. Each student's totem will be represented by artwork of the footprints of their totem.This garden will be located at the front entrance to our Administration building. Please get in touch with Nick Christie if you would like to contribute in any way to these specialised gardens or ask any questions. We are looking forward to these enhancements to our school community.

2021 classes

As discussed last week, plans are well underway with staffing allocations for 2021 mostly sorted, though we are seeking a new Music teacher. We will inform parents about which teachers will be in each year level through the newsletter in Week 8 with specific class groups for children being available on our Step Up Day in the last week of school ie. students will know which class group they are in and who they are with but lists won’t be shared as is our usual practice. 

As mentioned last week, our current class teachers are working together to draft class lists over the next few weeks which is why it is essential to get back to us confirming your continued enrolment at St Benedict’s. Each child in each class is very important and any potential movements can impact on other students. We do our best to ensure students have access to the social climate that best supports their learning.

Please note that we also have a number of limited spaces for enrolment available in each year level if you are aware of any families wanting to join our wonderful school. Please encourage them to get their applications in ASAP.

Book Fair

Please see the details provided in this newsletter regarding our Book Fair next week. I’m sure the kids will have quite the Wish Lists for you.

Please have a fabulous week.

Cheers

Penny Collins

Principal