What a fabulous week our students have had with an interactive outdoor Science Centre for Science Week. Each group even made their own loaf of bread and butter to taste amongst a whole lot of other activities to do with the theme Food: Different by Design. I hope you heard about it at home and saw some of our photos on our facebook page.Thanks to Lou Costanzo, our JCU Scientist in School and our Learning and Teaching Advisor, Aleesha Rockemer for creating such an engaging experience for our students.

Inter-school Athletics

Congratulations to our team of about 40 students who represented our school in the C- School Inter- school Athletics Carnival this week. Competition was tough but our students gave it a red hot go.  Congratulations especially to Ashton and Alvina who were selected to attend NQ trials due to their efforts on the day.

Way of PEACE

St Benedict’s introduced a way of thinking about how we connect as a community and about our expectations of each other within our community called the Way of PEACE last year. PEACE is a particularly important word in a Benedictine school because St Benedict ‘s motto, PAX, the Latin word for Peace. We have used the word Peace as an acronym to develop a common language for us to understand how we can all

contribute positively to our community. 

One of the areas that has come up as a  particular priority is Accountability. There have been numerous communications about lost property in our newsletter and on our parent Facebook page where we are all consistently flabbergasted at the number of times our children are losing important school items- hats and jumpers in particular. We then have follow up issues where parents or students become frustrated because the item is missing  and therefore impacts on the student’s ability to participate in certain activities or to wear the correct uniform. This frustration has resulted in hats or jumpers ending up with other students and even being renamed as their property which is clearly an unacceptable practice. 

At school, students are expected to put their things in their bags when they are not using them but often children being children take these items off and end up leaving them wherever they are or they lose them during play without realising. Some children do not bring a school bag to school, limiting their opportunity to be accountable for their belongings. Some children do not have effective labelling on their school items, making it very difficult for them to identify their own belongings. So as the adults, (parents, carers, teachers) we are all the primary educators for our children and need to ensure we are setting them up for success. Please find a number of articles about how you can assist your child to be more accountable with their belongings and with the choices they make. 

7 Tips to help teach your child about being responsible

How to teach your kids to value Personal Accountability

Accountability: Teach your child the most important value of all

School Uniforms

Aside from the issue indicated above in terms of accountability, we are also noticing an increasing number of students not wearing correct school uniforms, shoes and jumpers in particular. Please remember, it is an expectation that all students wear all black school shoes (joggers are perfectly fine). These should not have any other colours on them. Black shoes are readily available in all shoe stores and department stores and are available in a price range that is manageable for all families. If your child is not wearing the correct school shoes, please rectify this as soon as possible. 

We also have a school jumper that is designed for our North Qld climate. It is light in weight, so it is not too hot or too cold and also works as quite a good windbreaker. It is very stylish and can be worn open or zipped up. I appreciate that the school jacket may be expensive for some families but you can generally access second hand ones on our Parent facebook page. Most children get a couple of years out of them. We have tried to be mindful of costs to families by allowing track pants or stockings to be worn with the uniform in winter.

Our school is well recognised in the wider community for our stunning uniform and I hope we can all commit to wearing it as expected and be accountable to the expectations of our community. :)

Have a fabulous week. Don’t forget we have Book Week parade next Friday at 9.00am.

Cheers

Penny Collins

We’ve reached the end of another week - well done!  There’s certainly a bit of illness going around at the moment, so I urge you all to take care of yourselves and rest up when you can!

We were led on assembly by the Year 4/5/6 Turtles who did a wonderful job presenting about the Assumption of Mary.  Mary, the mother of Jesus is a very important person when we consider our faith journey. Mary was a person of great faith and hope, willing to trust in God.  The Turtles prayed that we can be guided by Mary by being faithful, trusting and hopeful people, and especially that we can be people of peace. 

Upcoming Events:

Friday August 27 -

Book Week Character Parade, 9:00am, ALL WELCOME

Friday September 3

Pupil Free Day - please contact OSHC if care required on this day

Thursday September 16 - 

EcoFest, 11:30am, ALL WELCOME

Week 10 - Eisteddfod Week - Please see information below

Friday September 17

Last Day Term 3

Eisteddfod

All classes (except for 4/5/6, who are preparing for Ecofest) will be performing a prepared group poem at the Townsville Eisteddfod during Week 10.  Parents are welcome to attend, with all sessions being held at the Townsville Civic Theatre.  Please note, the following information from the Townsville Eisteddfod Committee:

Parents & friends are able to watch performances. Under the current Covid restrictions, we are allowed 100% ticketed audience capacity.

There is an entry fee involved in attending.

Tickets will be available to purchase on-line or in person from the Townsville Civic Theatre Ticket Shop.

Cost for Day or Evening Session is $11 per adult, $5.50 per Concession, $2 per child age 3 to Year 12.

We strongly advise pre-booking to ensure a seat.

Pax,

Nick

As we start the downhill run into the end of Term 3, I invite you to take some time and reflect on the gifts you have in your hands each day.  Our children, whilst they can be a source of busyness, sleepless nights, stressful times and parent reflection, they are a gift.  How is your gift celebrated each day?  What ways do you give thanks to your children for all they bring to yours and others lives each day.  Can get forget at times, that our children are the reason for all we do.  Bringing this back into focus can be a great way to revisit and hold in our hearts, all that we are gifted with, each and every day.

In love and care,

Ros

P&F - Father’s Day Mini Golf Challenge

We are looking forward to our upcoming Mini Golf Challenge.  Tickets are on sale now via the online link (https://townsvilletickets.com.au/event/14019).  There will be family, fun and food a plenty.  We hope to see as many families participate as possible.

Parent/Teacher Interviews 

We will be holding optional parent/teacher interviews on Monday 6th September from 3:30pm - 5:30pm, and Tuesday 7th September from 3:30pm - 5:30pm in the Hall. If you would like to book an interview, you will be able to book a 10-minute time slot using the ‘Compass Parent Portal’ from next Friday the 20th August, around 2pm and will close at midday on Friday 3rd of September. In the meantime, please ensure you are able to access the Parent Portal and contact the office for any assistance. We look forward to discussing your child’ progress. 

Information about Compass Kiosk in the Office for parents.

If your child is LATE, after 8.30am it is a requirement that a parent or guardian must sign the child in via the Compass Kiosk, which is located at the front counter of the Administration Office.  A late slip will be issued to the student to take to the teacher.

EARLY DEPARTURE If you are signing your child out early a parent or guardian will need to sign the student out via the Compass Kiosk.