Today we celebrated World Teachers’ Day. I am so incredibly proud of the team of professionals we have at St Benedict’s and I know that without their enthusiasm, commitment and hard work we could never have the school we have created so far. While many people think that working in a brand new school is a dream job (and for the most part it is), it is also full of many challenges. Our school community has consistently grown over the last four years with students and staff and a lot of work has gone into ensuring we are welcoming and hospitable while also having set expectations about the way we teach and the opportunities for learning we expect our students to experience.

Each member of our teaching team has continued to be inspired by learning themselves which I believe is part of what makes them great teachers. They also care about each and every one of our students and this has been shown even more so where different year levels have engaged with co-teaching meaning teachers across the year level have had the opportunity to form positive relationships with students outside their class group.

I hope that as a community you have taken the opportunity to give thanks to your child’s class teacher.

Thank you for all your efforts supporting students to be organised for swimming this week. I trust that we will have many very tired students this afternoon after 4 days of swimming lessons and Outdoor Classroom Day activities today. Enjoy a relaxing restful weekend.

Have a fabulous week. 

Cheers

Penny Collins

Welcome to the end of Week 4!  The Year 3 Brolgas led us in assembly today on the theme of the Feast of All Saints.  The Feast of all Saints recognised the lives of the many good people, both past and present, whose actions are guided by the Holy Spirit.  The Brolgas looked to the inspiration of Jesus and prayed that we could follow his example to be willing and open to those around us, being people of compassion, justice and love, to be saints to those around us.  

Many people over the weekend may dress up for Halloween, which is great fun.  What you may not realise is that a part of this stems from the Catholic tradition of All Saints, which is celebrated on November 1.  All Saints has also been referred to as All Hallows day, and so Halloween is ‘All Hallows Eve’, October 31.  The Feast of All Souls is also commemorated on November 2.  It is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died.

SAVE THE DATE

Our whole school swimming carnival will be on Friday November 5 at the Long Tan Pool.  ALL students are given the opportunity to participate in a race as well as other fun events in and around the pool.  Races begin at 9:30am.  We would prefer parents to drop children at school for transport to the carnival, however, parents are welcome to take their children home once they have participated in their races - we only ask that students are signed out with one of our office staff.

This year we are having an End of Year Mass, led by Fr Clement.  This will be a great celebration of the year that has been at ST Benedict’s, and also a way of farewelling our Year 6 students as they depart for high school.  ALL are welcome to attend - with a special invitation extended to the parents/families of our students in Year 6.

O Holy Night is certainly a favourite on the events calendar.  This year it is taking place on Wednesday December 1.  The event will be taking place on the low oval, gathering at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start.  

Pax,

Nick 

World Teachers Day

Today we celebrated World Teacher’s Day and acknowledged all the wonderful contributions our school staff make to the education of our children.  Teaching is a vocation, not just an occupation.  Those who work with children to assist their education are ‘called’ to do so and invest so much of themselves into giving to those in their care.  We are so proud of every one of our staff here at St Benedict’s and the love and commitment they bring each day.  There was no better teacher than Jesus to show us just how much a difference education can make.

Day for Daniel

Today we also acknowledged Day for Daniel.  This day is one of pause and reflection on the vulnerability of children in our world, and the role we all have to play in educating and keeping them safe.  Following on from our participation in Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson in September, today reminds us that we are charged with caring for and keeping children safe every day.

Outdoor Classroom Day

We are so blessed with our learning spaces to be able to get outside to learn on a regular basis.  Today is a National Day that acknowledges the importance and enjoyment that can come from getting outdoors to learn.  Our students enjoyed lots of fun activities today including some Bush Tucker Trail time and some wet play on the ovals in the sprinklers.  One of the most important things about being a kid is fun, and there is so much benefit in linking this to our learning and our wellbeing.

P&F News

Swimming Carnival

Just 1 week til our Swimming Carnival.  Preparations are underway with the sausages, bread and poppers all ordered.  We are so excited for this fun community day.  We will be looking for some helpers on the day to assist with set up, cooking and serving, and pack away.  If you can lend a hand at any time, please just email Mrs Baumann baumann@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au to let her know and we will be greatly appreciative.  We look forward to seeing lots of parents and families on the day to join in the fun and enjoyment of this great showcase of student skills and fun competition.

Disco - Save the date

We will have a disco on Thursday 11th November from 6.00-7.30pm in the hall.  This is a great fun way for kids to interact.  This time around there will be no flashing products for sale - feel free to bring your own - BUT there will be a sausage sizzle.  Please bring along your coins to assist and grab a snag whilst the kids all boogie on down to their favourite dance tracks.

Just a reminder when collecting your children, to wait in the hall until 3pm and not outside the classrooms.  This has been advised multiple times as it can disrupt the students in the classroom.