School Disco

Thank you to all our families who were able to come along to our school disco last Thursday night. The kids had an absolute ball. Big thanks to our P&F who planned the event and were completely overwhelmed with sales for snacks and glow products. Part of our discussions for this disco were about using glow products with less packaging so we were being more environmentally friendly but we really do see these items as junk that we should assess the value of having. We’d love your thoughts on how we add to the atmosphere of the school disco like glow products do but cut down on promoting junk products?

Next P&F Event the Burgers by the Billabong - Saturday July 31 4.00pm- 6.00pm

Under 8’s Day

It was wonderful to see so many parents able to participate in our Under 8’s Day morning last Friday. Our staff did an amazing job of setting up some really creative outdoor play activities and everyone had something they could access to enjoy. We thoroughly enjoyed having our kindy friends join us and some of our Prep 2022 families as well. Our visitors from South Australia had never heard of Under 8’s Day but loved it so much, they are bringing it back to their schools

Reconciliation Week

This week each of our classes has been learning about National Reconciliation Week and the significance of Sorry Day. It has been especially heartening to see the empathy our students have for our First Nations people's stories and for the work we all need to continue towards reconciliation. 

Building Project update

Next week we should see blocklayers on site and walls coming up on our library. Before the end of this term, we should see the concrete slab for the Administration Block extension and the classroom block beside Teal Block being poured and possibly some walls on the Admin extension going up. It is already getting a little noisy outside our offices which is actually quite exciting- for now anyway :)

Choir

This morning our choir performed two songs at assembly and were absolutely beautiful. They have come so far in such a short time. We are very proud of their commitment to the choir and their efforts are certainly paying off.

Please know that Mr Roberts, our music teacher has been nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award which will be presented at Townsville Catholic Education during Catholic Education Week next term.

State of Origin

All students are welcome to wear State of Origin colours next Wednesday (preferably Maroon :))

Have a fabulous weekend. I am away for a Principal’s meeting for a couple of days next week but will be back by Wednesday. See you all next week.

Cheers

Penny Collins

Welcome to the end of another week, and what a busy week it’s been!  We started this morning with the Prep Platypus leading us on assembly celebrating Reconciliation Week.  They reflected on the millions of footprints that travelled the Dreaming pathways and gave thanks for their wisdom and knowledge, that we can still learn from today.  They also prayed in a spirit of reconciliation and prayed that as a nation we can work together to bring hope and healing.

I’ve been away at the end of this week, attending two days with APRE’s from across the diocese.  We have been unpacking the terms and shifts involved in the Enhancing Catholic Identity Project, which our school has taken part in for the first time this year.  We will receive our data back from the surveys completed later in the year and I look forward to taking what I have learnt this week back to our community, to work with our data and to support and continue to grow a strong, truly Catholic identity at our school.  

200 Years of Catholic Education

As mentioned in last weeks newsletter, we are starting to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.  Please see the note below, which has also been sent through email, which outlines how you can contribute to our acknowledgment of the impact that Catholic Education has made in our community. 

Pax

Nick 

Friday’s are such a lovely way to end our week.  Today at the assembly the Prep Platypus presented a thoughtful and joyful assembly about how we can move forward in the spirit of Reconciliation and how our Accountability (Part of PEACE) can play a role in this.  Have you seen our PEACE display outside the Administration building with our Term focus for PEACE?

We also had a wonderful choir performance, were able to celebrate the achievements of our athletes and those who love to read and have quiet time.  The 4/5/6’s also treated the school to a delightful space display of their work in designing and representing our solar system through art and creativity.  It was a wonderful way for all members of our school community to come together and celebrate the learning and discovery of our senior students.

The next few weeks will see the build up to our Athletics carnival at the end of term.  There will be lots of fun activities on offer and a Sausage Sizzle coordinated by the P&F.  Keep your eyes peeled for more details to come later in the term.

The P&F will hold it’s June meeting on Tuesday evening 8th June at 7.00pm in the staffroom.  Everyone is welcome to attend and offer your input.

Blessings

Ros

Nicholas Christie, Assistant Principal - Religious Education at St Benedict's Catholic School is currently undergoing a professional appraisal which is part of the life and work of all school leaders in Townsville Catholic Education schools.

You are invited to take part in this process by completing the electronic survey (Survey B) which seeks to clarify Nicholas' performance against the dimensions of leadership attached to the position of APRE.

To access the survey please click this link: https://forms.gle/UcKUDcRxr3VbBPwb8 and on completion, please press SUBMIT.

If you could provide responses to me by Wednesday 9th June 2021 it would be appreciated.

Many thanks for your assistance and I look forward to receiving your input.

Laurence Hosking

Education Consultant