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Key Dates for Parent Engagement:
Week 8:
- 18th - 22nd November: Swimming Lessons (Years 3-6) (Bring togs)
Week 9:
- 25th November: Interhouse 3-6 Swimming Carnival (3-6 Parents Invited) (Bring togs)
- 27th November: O’Holy Night - Christmas Carols in the evening time (Parents Invited)
- 29th November: End of Year Mass (recognising year 6 cohort) (Parents Invited)
Week 10:
- 2nd December: Report Cards Released on Compass
- 2nd December: School Advent Liturgy (Parents Invited)
- 2nd December: Year 6 Rite of Passage (Year 6 Parents Invited)
- 3rd December: Step Up Day (students spend the morning with their class and teacher where possible for 2025)
- 3rd December: Prep 2025 Parent Information Night
- 6th December: School finishes at 12pm
This week our youngest students have enjoyed taking part in our school swimming lessons program. Tomorrow our Prep to Year 2 students will be participating in their water fun day. Next week our Year 3 to 6 students take part in their swimming lessons, which culminates in our school swimming carnival on Monday 25th November at Long Tan swimming pool.
While our lessons promote the confidence and skills of our students in the water, they do not take the place of the swimming lessons that parents have their children involved in. Thank you to all parents and carers for supporting their children in this program and to our teachers and staff for their organisation and support of their students.
Reminder about St Benedict’s supervision of student from 8:00am
Despite reminders about our supervisioning commencing at 8:00am, the school leadership team and I are still witnessing students arriving before 8:00am. Can parents and carers please ensure that their children do not arrive at school before 8:00am (unless they are booked into Before School Care). Thank you to all parents and carers for their cooperation and support of St Benedict’s in regards to this matter.with the local community, which can strengthen students' sense of belonging and responsibility.
School Fees for 2025
All parents and carers will receive detailed information about the 2025 School Fees and Levies via email next Tuesday 19th November.
Why do Catholic schools have fees? (information from Townsville Catholic Education website)
To operate and provide quality learning environments, Catholic schools have fees to help us meet the shortfall in Government funding. Schools strive to keep fees as low as possible.
The term 'school fees' includes tuition fees, levies and charges. Each school assesses the school fees necessary to meet their individual school and community operation requirements.
In doing this, they are firstly guided by the diocesan tuition fee set by the Diocesan Education Council.
God In All of Life
Patrick
Welcome to the end of Week 7 - a busy week with swimming for our Early Years and plenty of work going on in classrooms! Last week our 1 Bandicoots presented their assembly, commemorating Remembrance Day. They recognised that peace begins in our own families, classrooms, schools and communities and it begins with us - a reminded us, that while commemorating those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in way, each one of us can make a peaceful world if we really try. On a similar vein, the 1 Possums presented assembly this week on the ‘International Day of Peace’. They prayed that we may all be peacemakers in our thoughts, words and actions through everything we do.
On Monday, we also paused as a whole school at 10:30am to pay our respects on Remembrance Day, with the Ode being read and a moment of silence being adhered to with our students standing to attention outside the classroom.
End of Year Events
On end of year events, I would like to extend an invitation to our families to attend our ‘End of Year Mass’. During this mass, we celebrate the year that was, and recognise the Year 6 students as a cohort and the contributions they have made to our school. This event will be taking place on Friday November 29 and 9:00am in the Hall.
Oh Holy Night
Oh Holy Night is back again this year on Wednesday November 27. This year we will be hosting the event on the back over so we can spread out even further! We are looking forward to a great night of singing and dancing and we prepare for the Christmas season. We invite parents to arrive at 6:00pm, perhaps with picnic blankets and dinner, for the “show” to start at 6:30pm. Students are encouraged to wear Christmas shirts/outfits on the night, but there is no expectation to go and buy anything special!
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
St Benedict's will again be collecting items to donate to the 2024 St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal. These items are collected by our local chapter, then hampers are created and given to families in need around the Christmas period. Our chapter supports over 100 families in our local community. Please see the suggested items you can bring in in the flyer below. Baskets will be in classrooms to items to be donated to from the start of Week 7. We thank you for your support of this worthwhile cause.
P&F News
Your P&F needs you. Thanks to those families who have reached out already. Please take a look at the elements needed to support a successful swimming carnival
and think about what you may be able to assist with.
Swimming Carnival:
- Collect pre-ordered sausages
- Collect pre-ordered bread
- Pack Poppers into cooler bags for transport to pool
- Transport Soft Drinks to pool for carnival
- Pack and transport utensils / condiments / napkins from school to pool
- Transport esky’s to pool for carnival
- Collect bags of ice and transport to pool for carnival
- Refill gas bottle and/or transport to the pool for carnival
- Transport marquee from school to pool for carnival
- Transport BBQ from school to pool for carnival (Trailer or Ute needed)
- Cook sausages at the carnival on the day
Please reach out if you feel that you can assist in any way. Every small offer of assistance makes these bigger events possible and they make a big difference to our community.
Please email rbaumann@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au and your offer of assistance can be passed on to the P&F organising committee.
Thank you!
Getting Ready for Report Cards
This is a friendly reminder that report cards will be available on Monday, 2nd December, in the Compass Parent Portal. These reports offer a wonderful opportunity to reflect on and celebrate your child's achievements and progress. Every student has the potential to grow and succeed, so be sure to recognise and cherish these moments of triumph. Remember, every student is unique, and growth can occur in many forms. It is important to celebrate your child’s efforts and progress regardless of the grades they receive. Within the next two weeks, please ensure you have access to the Compass Portal, and feel free to reach out to our office for any support. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.
Ending the Year with Education and Holiday Spirit
As we enter the final three weeks of the school year, we want to remind everyone that maintaining a positive and focused mindset for learning is crucial until the last day. Our commitment to education continues, and it's important that students remain engaged and ready to learn. In the spirit of the season, classes will start incorporating festive Christmas activities into their lessons during the last two weeks. While we recognise the joy in children exchanging small gifts like candy canes and cards, we kindly ask that this be reserved for the final two weeks. Additionally, as part of our 'Healthy Eats School' philosophy, we request that any candy or sweet treats be placed in students' bags to enjoy at home. We appreciate your cooperation and support in creating an environment that balances education with the holiday spirit, ensuring a productive conclusion to the school year.
Yours in Learning,
Aleesha Rockemer
Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning (APPL)
