Boy, it is great to be back at school as I really missed everyone. Thank you for all the well wishes I received in my absence from school for the last six weeks and a big thank you to Nick for taking the reigns as Acting Principal during this time. It gave me great comfort knowing the school community was in such good hands

Opening and Blessing

On Tuesday, we welcomed Bishop Tim Harris, Qld State Member for Thuringowa, Aaron Harper (who spoke on behalf Education Minister, Grace Grace) and Director of Townsville Catholic Education School Services, John Nuttal (who spoke on behalf of our Executive Director, Jacqui Francis) to officially open, name and bless our new facilities- including our St Scholastica Library and Resource Centre. Our local State Member, Nick Dametto and our local Federal Member, Phil Thompson also joined the proceeding along with other Townsville Catholic Education Principals and staff. It was a lovely ceremony and a fabulous acknowledgement of the growth of our school and the reputation we are developing in the wider community. 

High School Announcement

While here for our Opening and Blessing ceremony, John Nuttal, Townsville Catholic Education Director for School Services was able to officially announce TCE’s intention to build a catholic high school opposite our school on Bishop Putney Avenue (facing us). It is a long process but John was able to disclose that they have approval from the Non-State School Accreditation Board (NSSAB) and Townsville City Council to build the school in 2023, ready to open in 2024 for Year 7 students (our current Year 5’s. We are very excited about this announcement and look forward to the next big part of the process coming to fruition- the funding :) We’ll hear about this next term.

Assemblies

From next Friday, May 6 we will be inviting families from two buddy classes to participate in Brain Break and class activities after assembly. This will be an opportunity for students to show their parents some work they are proud of or some activities they particularly enjoy. Each class should get a couple of opportunities before the end of this year. Assembly starts at 8.45am and usually concludes around 9.15am

Classroom Showcase Roster: (first listed class is presenting assembly)

May 6: 56T and Prep P       May 13: 4B and 1W      May 20: 3G and Prep W      May 27: 1E and 4D             Jun 3: 2L and Prep B    Jun 10: 56J and 2C    

June 17: Prep K and 3K

Hair styles

We are getting quite a number of students coming to school with long hair, especially with the new fashion with mullets for boys. Please understand that while we are pretty flexible with hair styles, we do require hair longer than the collar of the school shirt to be tied up. This is a consistent expectation for both boys and girls. 

Pick up Zone

PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE PICK UP ZONE BEFORE 3.00PM AS THE LINE UP BLOCKS ACCESS TO CARPARKS FOR OTHER PARENTS. NO CHILD IS DISMISSED BEFORE 3.00PM. ALL STUDENTS ARE SAFELY IN CARS AND AWAY BY 3.30PM. BEING HERE EARLY DOES NOT CHANGE THIS, IT ONLY FRUSTRATES OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

Mothers’ Day Wine and Cheese Evening

I am really looking forward to catching up with many of you at next week’s ladies night. It was fabulous last year, so relaxed and such a lovely way to meet each other socially.

Have a fabulous week. 

Cheers

Penny

Week 2 has been another busy week at St Benedict’s!  We started the week off with the Official Opening and Blessing of our Stage 3 Buildings - the Administration extension, Orange Block and our St Scholastica Library and Resource Centre.  Bishop Tim Harris presided over the ceremony and spoke of the good work occurring in our Catholic schools.  A number of our students were able to be present whilst the Bishop was blessing the rooms with the Holy Water, which is always a great experience for the students to see this happening so close up, not to mention they all get a bit excited when the Holy Water splashes them as well!

Sacramental Program

The Bishop was also present during our Parish celebrations of the Sacraments this week - we had a number of students (mostly from Year 3) who received their sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  I was blessed to be a part of these celebrations and see our students take the next step of their faith journey to be fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.  For those families who would like their children to go through the Sacramental Program, our Parish does this in the first term of school each year, and is offered to all Baptised students in Year 3 and above.     

Assemblies

Our assemblies are back starting NEXT WEEK - Friday May 6, being led by the 5/6 Turtles.  For those unsure, our assemblies begin at around 8:45am and go for roughly half an hour.  Parents are invited every week - but for those who are interested in attending their children’s, I have attached a timetable below. Please also refer to Mrs Collins section in this weeks newsletter for parent classroom visits following assembly.

Pax

Nick

ANZAC Day

Thanks to all those who came along to march and remember the service of all those who have served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Participating in these special community events certainly shows we are living our school values of Love and Community.

School Photos

A reminder that Monday 9th May is our school photo day.  On this day, all students from Year 1 - Year 6 are to wear ACADEMIC UNIFORM, even if they would normally have sport that day.  Please ensure you send in your photo forms next week.  Sibling forms and additional forms for families seeking duplicate photo sets are available in the office.

P&F News

Wine and Cheese Night tickets are on sale now until Tuesday afternoon next week.

Last year was a great hit and this year is shaping up to be another great night.

We look forward to a fun night relaxing and celebrating motherhood in all its forms.

Buy your tickets here: https://townsvilletickets.com.au/event/st-bennys-mothers-day-wine-and-cheese-night-15640

Healthy Eats School

Did you know that we are part of the Life Education ‘Healthy Eats’ initiative and we are working towards becoming a Healthy Eats Accredited School? Healthy Eats is

an exciting, new program from Life Education Queensland focused on increasing fruit and veg consumption in primary school aged kids. Facilitated by Life Education Queensland’s Community Development Officers and spanning the full school year, Healthy Eats is an innovative program that works with schools, parents and community partners, to provide a whole school, place-based approach to healthy eating. Healthy Eats aims to empower children to make healthier food choices now and throughout their lives. Some of the things we do at St Benedict’s to encourage students to make healthy food choices include: 

• Daily brain break for every class (fruit or veg)
• Student led initiatives to encourage fruit and veg consumption
• Smart and healthy choices from the Tuckshop
• Fruit and vegetable gardens (Year 3 eProject)
• Healthy Eats Workshop to Year 5/6 classes later this Term
• Sharing Healthy Eats Tips on Facebook and in the newsletter

You can access parent information from the ‘Healthy Eats Parent Resources.’ 

Good Afternoon,

The North Australian Festival of Arts is almost here again! Running from 10 June – 10 July, 2022 we have an amazing line-up up of kids shows scheduled with spaces filling up quickly for school and vacation care groups.

Attached is our children’s show schedule. Shows in pink are during term and will be offered at an extra discounted rate of $10pp. All other shows are run during school holidays and will be $12.50pp for group bookings of 10 or more. We have limited spaces for our larger groups – so please reach out and secure your spot now. All shows are for the recommended age group of 3 – 10 years.

If you would like any further information on the shows – please feel free to reach out via Nafa@townsville.qld.gov.au. For expressions of interest and more information on bookings, please fill out the following -   https://fs6.formsite.com/townsvillecc/jvprxb3c0v/index.html

Kind Regards,

ToniLee Luck

Head Partnerships & Hospitality

North Australia Festival of Arts

P  07) 44175055    M  0467677072   E  tonilee.luck@townsville.qld.gov.au

Level 2, 143 Walker Street. Townsville QLD 4810

PO Box 1268, Townsville QLD 4810

www.townsville.qld.gov.au