We hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday and are feeling refreshed as we start the new school year. It’s always exciting to come together as a community and begin another chapter of learning and growth.

The teachers and staff have been back at St Benedict’s for the past two weeks in preparation for the return of our students. Our staff have also attended mandatory Townsville Catholic Education training this week.

A very warm welcome to all our students, both returning and new. We are all excited to have you back and to welcome our newest students, including those joining us in Prep.

To our Prep children, we are so excited to begin this wonderful journey with you! This year marks the start of many new discoveries, friendships, and experiences, and we can’t wait to see you grow and learn.

To our students moving into new year levels, we hope you’re ready for the exciting challenges and opportunities that come with each new stage of your learning journey. We are proud of how far you’ve come, and we can’t wait to see all the great things you’ll achieve this year.

To our new students, welcome to our school community! We’re so glad you’re here, and we look forward to helping you settle in and feel right at home as you begin this new chapter with us.

First Day of the school year

The first day of school for 2025 is Tuesday 28th January.

Repeat notices from email to parents and carers of 17th January

New School Hours

In preparation for St Mary’s Help of Christians opening this year to Year 7 students, we did make some changes to morning routines in Term 4 last year. These changes proved very successful in providing an orderly environment for our students to start the school day.

• Morning Supervision: Starts at 8:00am. Students can attend the run club, library, or sit in the school hall until the bell rings.
• Run Club and Library: Students are to bring their school bags to these areas. Staff will supervise these areas from 8:00am.
• At 8:20am, music will play and students will walk to their classrooms from the hall, run club, or library.
• Classes commence at 8:30am.

Arrival After 8:30 am: If students arrive after 8:30 am, parents and carers must sign them in at the school office.

The afternoon dismissal time has been brought forward to 2:50pm, to allow time between our end of day times and St Mary Help of Christians.

• Afternoon Supervision: From 2:50 pm to 3:20 pm. During this transition period, supervision will extend until 3:30pm in Term 1. Students are to be collected from the hall from 2:50 pm, or students will be supervised as they walk to their parents/carers' vehicles along the pick up zone.

Arrival & Departure Procedures

• Morning Drop-off: Parents and carers are not permitted to walk students to class. Students will be directed to their designated areas (run club, library, or hall) starting from 8:00am.
• Afternoon Pick-up: The school gates will open at 2:30pm for parents and carers to gather for pick-up.
• Visitor Access: Between 8:30am and 2:30pm, all visitors, including parents and carers, are required to sign in at the school office.

School Front Fence – Opening Times

Over the summer holiday break a new front fence has been erected to ensure the safety and security of our students throughout the school day.

• OSHC remote gate: This entrance to Before School Care will be open from 6:30am in the morning. 
• Gate to school hall and office: These gates will be opened for parents and students at 8:00am.

NB Only students who are enrolled at St Benedict’s OSHC are permitted to enter school from 6:30am to 8:00am.

Welcome to the 2025 school year.  I am very excited to see all of the students back on Tuesday and get the year rolling!

Sacramental Program

Students from Year 3 - Year 6 and invited to participate in our Parishes Sacramental Program - where students attend 7 lessons to prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion.  Please see the note attached from the Parish for further information.

Instrumental Music Program

Students in Year 3 - 6 are also able to participate in our schools Instrumental Music Program.  Information was sent out earlier in the week, but please find the note attached if you missed that and complete the following link to register your interest.

LINK: https://shorturl.at/eFMP6  

Please note that there has been a lot of interest in the program this year, and while every effort will be made to accommodate everyone, preference will be give to returning students, followed by Year Levels is descending order from Year 6.

Save the Date - Beginning Year Liturgy

Finally, I would like to invite everyone to our Beginning Year Liturgy on Friday February 14 at 9:00am.  During this liturgy, we will celebrate coming together for the year ahead, and induct our Year 6 students and our Leaders.

Welcome back to 2025.

Our first P & F Meeting will be on Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 7pm in the Administration Building.  All parents are welcome to attend.