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Congratulations everyone on making it to the end of what has been a very interesting term! We’ve been able to overcome many obstacles and bumps along the path due mainly to the ongoing impacts of Covid-19. I am very proud of the resilience our students, staff and entire school community have shown to be able to keep moving forward in a positive frame of mind, which has led to a largely successful term across the board. We look forward to more things returning to ‘normal’ next term, with Friday assemblies beginning again as well as some further opportunities for parent engagement within the classroom - watch this space!
Today we were able to welcome parents to school to watch our annual ‘Fun Run’ - it was great to see students participating and putting in their best efforts - whether this meant they were out in front leading, or walking behind! I’ve heard and seen many great stories of sportsmanship that were shown by a number of our students, and more than anything, I am most proud of these behaviours - perhaps even more so than placegetters (although these are also tremendous efforts!) A big thanks to Mr P for organising his first St Benedict’s carnival, and thanks to our groundsmen, Bob and Ian, for their work in setting up the event as well!
I wish everyone a restful break! We are certainly looking forward to welcoming everyone back next term, refreshed and ready to go again!
Pax
Nick
Class Mass
It was wonderful to be able to hold our first ever ‘Buddy Class Mass’ this week, with Fr Clement presiding. It’s wonderful to be able to share in the celebration of the Eucharist with our parish priest in a more intimate setting in our library. Our classes this week were 5/6 Jellyfish and 2 Curlews. Fr Clement sat down with the students during his homily and spoke about why we have mass - firstly to be nourished and learn from the word of God in the scriptures and secondly to be nourished by the sacrament of the eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus. These masses will take place fortnightly next term on a Wednesday afternoon during our whole school pastoral care time.
Save the Date
ANZAC LITURGY -
Friday 22/04 @ 8:45am in the Hall - Led by St Benedict’s Defence students, with special guests from the 1st MP Battalion
ANZAC DAY MARCH
Monday 25/03 - We will be participating in the Thuringowa March - a note will come out early next time with further information
Opening and Blessing
We would like to invite our St Benedict’s community to attend the Opening and Blessing of Stage 3 of the St Benedict’s Building Project (Library, Orange Block and Administration Block Extension). This liturgy will be celebrated by Bishop Tim Harris, with other special guests in attendance, and most importantly, our students! This event will be taking place on Tuesday 26 April at 12:00pm.
Project Compassion
Each week, Project Compassion has a video to show how they are supporting people and communities around the world. Please see the link below to see one of the many projects around the world and to see where your donations might be spent. This week's story takes us to the Solomon Islands and is about a woman named Shaniella. If any of these stories inspire you to give any monetary funds to Caritas, we have collection boxes within classrooms and in the school office.
https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/shaniella-story/#
Pax,
Nick
As parents, modelling ways of managing these interactions with peers and chatting with your student is key. There are some great resources available to help parents with this aspect via the School.TV hub on the school website. You can click here for more information.
Please remember there is also a difference between age normative conflict and bullying. Key to this is looking at the actions and deciding if they are rude (once off or unintentional), mean (isolated or occasional and intentional) or stems from an imbalance of power and the targeted repeated nature of actions (bullying).
If you have concerns that your student may be experiencing some of these aspects, the first point of contact should always be your child’s teacher. Remember, we cannot respond to issues we are unaware are taking place.
Jesus taught us to ‘treat others as you want to be treated’ Luke 6:31
Anzac Day
m up as a group in the Weir School Carpark, rather than behind the school. The students will then be invited to form a guard of honour along the Weir School side of Ross River Road. The Parade will then march past the students so they cheer and participate in the March. The students will then fall-in to the March behind the groups they have watched march past. We will have a marquee set up on the oval at Riverway for the students to assemble under once the march is complete so they can watch the Service.Form up for the March on Monday 25th April will be at 8.15am at the Weir School Carpark, with the road being closed from 8.40am. There will be an allocated drop off zone on Ross River Road. Parents can meet their students at the end of the March in the Riverway Precinct.
We will have Anzac Day memorabilia for sale for the 1st Week of sch
ool in the morning from 8am with Ms Leza. The memorabilia is priced between $0.50 and $5.00.
Our Defence students will lead us for our Anzac Day Liturgy on Friday 22nd April from 8.45am in the Hall. All are welcome to attend. We will be joined by an official contingent from the 1st Military Police Battalion including LCPL Morgan and P Berg.
Wow, what a first Term! I am beyond proud of all of our St Benedict’s community for being so flexible and proactive in what could have been an unsettling time. Even though many absentees (from staff and students) have occurred, our students have continued to engage in their learning. I would also like to acknowledge you, the parents and carers, for keeping the wheels going at home. Many families have engaged in home learning while isolating and/or have focused on your family's wellbeing. We are looking forward to a well earned rest before more learning in Term 2! If you are looking for something to do on the holidays check out the ‘TCE School Holiday Guide - Easter Edition’ opening on Saturday 2nd April.’
Wishing you a blessed and holy Easter,
Aleesha Rockemer
(Learning and Teaching Adviser)
Wow, what a term it has been for Prep Platypus! We have settled into our routine and are well and truly into learning. Over the past two weeks, our students have been observing Monarch butterflies as they move through their life cycle. We observed as they turned from caterpillars, chrysalis’ and finally into vibrant Monarch butterflies. Mrs. Trigg has helped us learn all about pollinators and the essential job that they have in our environment - so we knew our butterflies needed to be released into the world! All of the Prep’s gathered together by the Billabong to farewell our butterflies, and to our delight they flew back into school where they found plenty of pollen to sustain them. Keep your eye out for Monarch’s these holidays - they may well have been born and raised in St. Benny’s!
