St Benedict's Catholic School Shaw eNewsletter

Thank you to our parents who attended last Tuesday's Parents and Friends Meeting. The P & F continue to provide leadership and support for all parents, students and staff at St Benedict’s.

Annual School Improvement Plan - Consistent Orderly Environment

The past few weeks have been a very productive time for our students. The teachers, staff and leadership team continue to monitor the progress of our students, while focusing on our school goal of a consistent orderly environment.

The start of school is a very important part of this school goal. We need our students to arrive at school on time, between 8:00am and 8:25am.

By 8:25am all parents and carers should have left the school grounds. This signals to our students that the school day and learning is to commence.

The staff and I found the Term 1 procedure of music playing at 8:20am and students immediately walking to class, resulting in many students running to their classrooms.

Since the start of Term 2, we have replaced the music with a bell. A member of the school leadership team then directs on year level at a time to walk to their class in time for commencement of their lessons at 8:30am.

On Monday morning children will remain in the hall at 8:25am for some reminders. These are the type of behaviour reminders that teachers are teaching their students in class. Parents are not required to stay for these reminders, as this is not a parade or an assembly.

Thank you to parents and carers for their wonderful efforts in supporting their children arriving on time and being ready for school. This is never an easy thing for all parents (I remember it well with my own children). But sticking to this routine is so beneficial for all our students.

Family name tags for cars at pick up

Next Friday, family name tags will be given to the eldest child at school. These tags can be displayed on parent and carer’s cars when they come to pick up their child/children. This will assist myself or a member of the school leadership team to call out family names, so children can be reminded to come out to their cars.

School Reminder Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BoHxGvPan4

Before School Expectations

APRE NEWS

We’ve reached the end of Week 3! Today we had the Taipans lead us in Assembly and reflected on the Season of Easter and the message of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This message reminds us that no matter our stumbles, Jesus loves us all and will draw us in as our protector. The Taipans presented the Gospel through the model of a Bibliodrama that had all our students engaged and entertained. Thanks also to our sheep, and it was reassuring that Laaambert was found and returned to the flock.

Our Taipans, Kookaburras and Platypus classes hosted their open classrooms today and it was wonderful to see so many parents gather to celebrate their students’ successes. Next week we look forward to welcoming our Year 3 Galahs and Year 3 Emus.

Walk Safely to School Day - Friday 10th May

St Benedict’s is taking part in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 10 May 2024. Walk Safely to School Day encourages positive environmental action, with reduced car-dependency and encourages parents and carers to walk more, reducing dangerous traffic congestion around schools. Being active everyday, including walking to school, can help make a difference for many Australians. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or carer - everyone has a role to play in helping children and young people to lead active healthy lives.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so start planning your own journey for Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 10 May 2024.

We will meet at the Greater Ascot lights on the housing estate side. Staff, students and those parents/carers wanting to join are to gather there. We head off at 8am together as a School community along the footpath on the left side of Dalrymple Road and cross at the traffic lights. We will then walk, with Staff supervision into the Kindy carpark gate, along the footpath and to the hall. We would love to have many happy walkers join this year!

Camp

Our Year 4’s had a great time at Gumburu Environmental Education Centre this week. For many this is a big step that includes a night away from home, negotiating making beds, kitchen duties and of course the exciting activities. The catching of critters in the creek was for many a highlight and a chance to step out of our comfort zone. Camps are a great way of building emotional intelligence, including improvements in self-esteem, independence, leadership, environmental awareness and even decision-making.[1]

Our Year 6 crew are the next to head off to camp on Monday 13th May and are headed to Daradgee Environmental Education Centre in Innisfail.

School Photos

A reminder that School Photos are being taken on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th May. Photo forms should have been received at home by now . Sibling photo forms can be collected from the office. Please see the proposed photo schedule further in the newsletter.

Parish_News_Wk3_Term_2.pdf

Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting.

This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

I encourage you to browse School TV- found on our School website or for quick access, click this link: School TV

Open communication underpins pastoral life here at St Benedict’s and I extend an open and ongoing invitation for you to contact myself at anytime.

Yours in Support

Rhylie Mathiesen

rmathiesen1@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au

Pastoral Care Coordinator

SPORTING NEWS

We were blessed to acknowledge many of our sporting achievers today at assembly.

We have received our plaque for Most Improved School from Interschool Swimming in Term 1.

The Interschool Cross Country participants and Interschool Futsal Teams were also given our well wishes today for next week. Lunchtime training sessions continue next week for these teams. Ms Rowe also confirmed that the Bill Nettle Cup (Netball and Football) is rescheduled for this term. This will now be on the last day of term. To accommodate this change, we have shuffled the Athletics Carnivals around. This year we can confirm 2 carnivals. P-Yr 2 will be on Thursday of Week 9 and Yr 3 - Yr 6 will be on Thursday of Week 10.

If you have any questions, please email Ms Rowe via srowe@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au

Week	Date	Event	Important Info
4	Thursday 9th May Friday 10th May	Futsal Under 11’s Under 12’s Under 11’s	Training on Tuesday Training on Thursday for U12 & Girls
6	Tuesday 21st May	Interschool Cross Country	After School 3.30-4.30 Parents take own children
9	Thursday 13th June 9:00 - 10.30am	P-2 Carnival at St Benedict’s Catholic School - Bottom Oval	Carnival is focused on encouraging participation and building foundation skills. Running and Ball skills are the focus in PE Lessons
10	Thursday 20th June 9.00 - 1.00pm Friday 21st June	3-6 Carnival at St Benedict’s Catholic School - Top Oval Bill Nettle Cup Netball Football	Yr 3 upwards is representative age for Interschool Athletics for students from SBCS Commitment and healthy competition are a focus. Training in PE Lessons Training at school with teachers Training at school with teachers

ARTS NEWS

As part of fostering Partnerships, Art and Culture between the countries throughout Oceania and the world. Foshan, China hosted an International Youth Painting Contest at the end of 2023. The competition welcomes young people from all countries to create the artworks under the theme-- “Friendship, Dreams and the World”.

The students from cities invited were tasked to create their own interpretation of the theme. Representing Townsville, Australia, were students Adelaide Wall and Molly Ruddell. These students used their creativity to present an art piece of their choice.

Adelaide managed to have her creation chosen as one of the commended artists as a 3rd place holder for her age group. Excellent effort from both students who proudly represented our school.

MOTHER’S DAY

Preparations are well underway for our annual Mother’s Day events.

Raffle - $5 (Tickets via link here)

This year, we are again holding a raffle with many great prizes on offer. The total prize pool is well over $3000, with some very generous gifts on offer. Tickets for the raffle are now available for purchase online. Proceeds from raffle to be used to support Benny’s mums in need. Please send nominations to rbaumann@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au

Wine and Cheese Night - $35 (Tickets via link here)

This is always a wonderful event and a great way to relax, enjoy time with other mums and get away from the regular routine with the kids. Tickets are on sale via the online link. Please note, there is free child minding on offer from Ms Leza. Please contact Mrs Baumann via rbaumann@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au to make these arrangements.

Flower Stall - $4 each

After receiving feedback from our community, this year we are hosting a Mother’s Day Flower Stall. We will have Silk Flowers for sale and delivery on Friday 10th May. The flowers will be $4 each and PRE ORDER IS ESSENTIAL. We have enough flowers for 1 per child at school. Teachers will have order forms in their classrooms next week. Payment is requested on WEDNESDAY 8th May and is to be given to teachers. Orders will be collated and delivered to classrooms on Friday 10th May.