St Benedict's Catholic School Shaw eNewsletter

Hi everyone,

This term is proving to be a little tricky with the extended cool weather seeming to also extend the flu season. We have many children who are struggling with being a bit under the weather, not necessarily sick enough to stay home but enough to affect their day at school. During this time, it is really important to do all we can to ensure children are getting enough sleep (10-12 hours for primary school children) and that we are consuming a healthy diet. I have included an article from Michael Grose’ Parenting Ideas that may assist you with some ‘Wellbeing tips for Primary School Children’ and I have sent home a hardcopy of some lunchbox ideas that one of our parents gave me. This parent has said this flyer has helped her children to take more responsibility for what they are eating at school and has also started to eliminate some of those fussiness tactics kids use. As parents and carers, I’m sure many of you are feeling a bit run down too, so please take care of yourselves as well. It is so easy to resort to the packaged food that doesn’t do much for us nutritionally but is pure convenience when we are time poor, stressed and / or exhausted.

Thinking about making healthier choices for our lunch boxes is also a good time to remind ourselves of our commitment to create litter free lunches as best as we can too. Instead of using plastic wrap, use re-useable containers; instead of buying small multi packs of pre-prepared foods, buy in bulk, save money and our environment too. Preparing a healthy, litter free lunch does not have to be difficult, it just takes some thought during your shopping.

Over the next week, I am going to be away for two conferences that are back to back with each other. Next week, I am meeting with all the Townsville Catholic Education Principals where we will engage in two days of professional learning with Dr Jo Lukis, a psychologist who has expertise in helping teams to reach their potential and the following week I will be in Adelaide for the Australian Primary Principals Association Conference which is called ‘Leading the Way- collaboration, connection, community’ which is based highly on areas of interest I have for our school. I can’t wait to share what I have learnt when I am back. Mr Nick Christie will be acting in my place during my absence though I am always contactable through email if required.

Thank you to all the families who assisted with getting children ready for our Book Week Parade and to those parents who were able to come along. The kids and our staff had a fabulous time. Big thanks to Mrs Whalley whose creative genius always brings the parade to life for us. Please enjoy the disco on Wednesday night; another great opportunity to come together as a community.

Have a fabulous week.

Cheers

Penny

We started this week with prayer lead by Year 1 Echidnas. The theme of this week was the assumption of Mary (the mother of Jesus). She is a wonderful example of a faith filled person who loved God very much and wanted to do God’s will, even when she didn’t understand. As always, it is wonderful to see members of our community attending and supporting their children as they present assembly. You are always welcome to attend on a Monday morning at 8:45am in ‘the Hall’.

I wrote last week about the value of the contemplative nature of our school. I’ve since had the following text from ‘Winnie the Pooh’, written by A.A.Milne sent through to me. I think it highlights the importance of stopping and enjoying the world around us. As we head into what looks like a fabulous weekend - weather wise - in North Queensland, read the following, and take the time to listen this weekend and see God in all of life!

“Say, Pooh, why aren't you busy?" I said.

"Because it's a nice day," said Pooh.

"Yes, but ---"

"Why ruin it?" he said.

"But you could be doing something Important," I said.

"I am, " said Pooh.

"Oh? Doing what?"

"Listening," he said.

"Listening to what?"

"To the birds. And that squirrel over there."

"What are they saying?" I asked.

"That it's a nice day," said Pooh.

"But you know that already," I said.

"Yes, but it's always good to hear that somebody else thinks so, too," he replied.

Stop and take time to listen today! It's a beautiful day!

Have a great week and God bless,

Nick

We are going to add a new section to our newsletter to introduce all the new babes joining our Benny's families. We'd love for you to send in a family photo with your new addition so we can introduce them in the newsletter, including any babes that have been born this year. Once our OSHC building finally turns up (don't ask:( ), I'd love for us to be able to have a playgroup as well.

Congratulations to Josh, Amalie and Zaiden (Prep Bilbies) on the safe arrival of Zander. May God's blessings be with you all.

In year 1 wallabies, we have been learning how to collect data in a table. Then transfering our collected data and creating a digital and paper graph. Most of the year 1 wallabies agreed that a digital graph is easier to read and shows the information better then a paper graph.

4B_Club_poster.pdf

St Benedict’s 4B Club

To coincide with Book Week, here at St Benedict’s we are launching a new club, the 4 B Club.

What is 4B?

4B equals = Benedict's , 1 Book, 1 Bed, 1 bunch of kids

As families we all live very busy lives. Fitting in time for reading can be difficult. However, reading is the basis of every child’s education. It is one of the singularly most important things you can do for your child. Here at St Benedict’s we are passionate about reading. 10 minutes a day in whatever form is important to all children. So we are asking you, our parents to grab 1 book, sit on 1 bed and read to all your kids at the same time once a week. 10 minutes - done. Remember big kids love being read to just as much as the smaller ones.

We would love some photos of you altogether to share with our school community! Please send one photo only to the email address below. At the end of August we will pull one family name from the draw and that lucky family will win a terrific hamper pictured below.

jwhalley1@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au

Children and teenagers are capable of so much more than they are often given credit for. Closing the expectation gap between what adults believe kids and young adults are capable of, and allowing them to create their own solutions to the challenges they face will greatly impact their resilience, and society as a whole. In this webinar, Dr. G will outline the practicalities of doing that, and the guiding principles that will make it possible.

Click on link:

Webinar - Step back so kids step up