Hi everyone,

We were very pleased with our students going to swimming lessons this week; everyone participating to their best of their ability and representing our school very positively as we would expect. Between the swimming lessons and the humidity this week, it has made for very tired children and staff. A well earned rest is definitely warranted this weekend. 

This week we also celebrated Outdoor Classroom Day which is a growing initiative to emphasise the value of being outside, especially in natural settings wherever possible. We support this initiative wholeheartedly and recognise the value in not only being outside but also in interacting with nature. While so many of our children seem content to be inside or playing with technology these days, we inherently know how much better it is for them to be outside (being sun safe of course). I feel pretty passionate about the importance of play for children and as I hope you can agree, have ensured that we are creating inviting play spaces that promote active engagement with nature. So before the weather gets too crazy with heat, enjoy the outdoors as much as you can.

In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be meeting with Nick Christie and Berndaette Herron (our leadership team) to establish our goals and priorities for 2020. This is always a very thorough process and one where we aim to be very strategic in making plans that most benefit the needs of our students and our community. We have already been discussing some initial ideas and I think you will all be as excited as we are about how our school will progress next year.

Next week we have our Swimming Carnival at Northshore Aquatics Centre on Thursday 14 November. The P&F are hosting a sausage sizzle and would love to have as many helpers as they can so everyone can tag team to be able to watch their own children’s races etc. I look forward to seeing you there.

Cheers 

Penny

On Wednesday we reached the half-way point of the term!  The year is certainly flying by! We started this week with assembly led by Prep Bilbies.  During their prayer they lit a candle to remember All Souls Day and prayed in a special way for all the faithful departed.  I would like to invite ALL families and friends to assembly next week, Monday November 11 at 8:45am, where our Defence children will be leading the school in a Remembrance Day Liturgy.  

Next marks the beginning of the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal at St Benedict’s.  Each year communities are asked to give generously to the Christmas Appeal. Items collected throughout the appeal provide struggling families in our local area with some Christmas cheer.  Please see the poster below for the items which your class is asked to bring in. There will be a donation box placed in each classroom as well as one in the office for any donations.

Please also see posters below with important information (date and time) for upcoming events for the end of the year.  This includes ‘O Holy Night’ (Christmas Carols), End of Year Liturgy/Year 6 Rite of Passage and Step Up Orientation day.  I would encourage all members of our community to attend these events where possible.

Have a great week and God bless,

Nick

Year 1 Echidnas have loved going to swimming lessons this week. We have been trying hard to listen and follow the instructions of the swim teachers. 

We have had a visit from Mr Freckles, Miss Tracy’s pet bird. We have discussed what birds eat and we have made a bird feeder to encourage lots of native birds to come to our billabong. 

We have a large amount of lost poperty in our sick bay room. Please have a look at the photos below and see if you can identify any of your lost items. We will keep the lost property untill next Friday after this we donate them to St Vinnies