St Benedict's Catholic School Shaw eNewsletter

Mid Term

Wow, did you blink? We have now reached the mid way point of our first term. Classes are well underway with their learning activities. This week we had our first Open Classrooms following our Year Level led assembly. It is great to have these partnerships in place for our parents to engage with the progress and achievement of their children. We look forward to many more opportunities for this engagement this term

Respectful Communication - Parent Code of Conduct

At St Benedict’s we work very hard to create safe and respectful learning environments. Communication and collaboration with parents is a key element. Ensuring this communication, open, honest and respectful is paramount. Many teachers, often out of school hours and in their own time, will be making contact about meetings and/or sharing information about how your children are progressing. We ask that parents receive this communication in the spirit it is intended, and be mindful of how they are responding. If you would like further information, please see the Townsville Catholic Education Parent Code of Conduct (link here)

Building Works

This week we had our Pre-Start Site Meeting with Simon Bell Constructions and Mendi Group regarding the commencement of works. This weekend, Simon Bell Constructions will access the school site to fence off the area where works will commence. Additional equipment will then be delivered from Monday onwards for the initial site works.

Mendi Group will also commence their initial site preparation work next week. This will include the use of a drone to survey the vacant site opposite the school. The drone will not need to survey over school land.

Further information about the impending works for each stage will be included in future newsletters.

Community Events

We have a number of community events coming up in the second half of this term, starting with our school Disco on Thursday 2nd March. We look forward to seeing many families there.

Blessings

Ros

Welcome to the end of Week 5 - we’ve reached the half-way point of the term! We had our first year-level assembly today, led by the Year 6 Crocodiles. They presented on the theme of Project Compassion. The theme of Project Compassion this year is ‘For all Future Generations’.

Each Lent, our school, along with the rest of the diocese, raise funds for ‘Project Compassion’. Project Compassion is a Lenten fundraiser by Caritas Australia. Caritas is an organisation who show their faith through supporting those in need around the world. Through simple actions, in this case, through the gift of giving, we can all be more for our world.

Each class has received a donation box which will live on the prayer table, where students are welcome to place monetary donations. There has also been a box placed in the office for any donations. In the spirit of doing things for others, children may wish to donate a week of normal pocket money, or the money they would normally spend on an icy-pole to this great organisation.

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 Nepal and is about a woman named Laxmi.

If you’re interested, you may want to learn more at the following link:

https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/laxmi-story/

Sacramental Students

It is wonderful to see many of our students taking part in our parish Sacramental Program. I’ve been fortunate enough to take one of the classes, and it’s been wonderful to see many of the students and their families make a commitment to the growing of their faith, and through attending mass on the weekend. Please keep these young people in your prayers as they are going through this step of growing their faith and spirituality.

Pax,

Nick

Parent/Teacher Interviews

We will be holding parent/teacher interviews on Monday 20th March from 3:30pm - 8:00pm, and Tuesday 21st March from 3:30pm - 6:30pm in the Hall. You will be able to book a 15-minute time slot to attend an interview using the ‘Compass Parent Portal’ from this Friday the 3rd March, around 2pm. The Booking System will close on Friday 17th March so please make your booking by then. In the meantime, please ensure you are able to access the Parent Portal and contact the office for any assistance. Teachers are looking forward to discussing your child’ progress with you.