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Technology
As parents we can find navigating what is right and what is acceptable with our children’s use of technology an absolute minefield. Add in a bit of peer pressure (students and other parents) and we can find ourselves allowing children to participate in activities that are really beyond their age appropriate maturity level and in some situations open to real safety concerns. We have been made aware that many children are using sites and games that are not suitable for their age and in some cases are actually misrepresenting their age so they can access the site and sometimes this is being done with parent permission. There are many reasons why these age restrictions are in place and I think it is important that you are aware of these. If we can all agree as the parents and carers of our children to not get drawn into the peer or child pressure, it will be the best thing we can do for our kids. Please see this link for details on age-limits and positive on-line practices.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/are-they-old-enough
Generally, the 13-year age requirement is not necessarily because the site is unsafe for children to use but to comply with a US law — the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), which prevents collection and storage of personal information from children under 13 years of age.
Healthy school
Please be mindful of the current climate around viruses and keep children home when unwell. We are keeping up with Qld Health and Catholic Education advice around coronavirus (COVID-19) and have implemented increased cleanliness procedures. Our school community health is always in the forefront so please advise the school if you have been travelling and have been advised to self-isolate or whether you have been unwell and are going through testing processes for coronavirus (COVID-19).
We have a number of students participating in the Inter-school Swimming Carnival on Monday and we wish them every success but most importantly we hope they do their best and enjoy the experience.
Have a fabulous week. Go Cowboys for tonight.
Cheers
Penny
APRE NEWS
Thank you to the Year 2 Lorikeets who presented assembly this week on the theme of ‘The Third Week of Lent’. They spoke about the message of Jesus being like water, which gives us life. When we drink this water, we will be on the right path, heading in the right direction. Lent is a time to reflect on this journey we are all on.
Project Compassion
Along with the Diocese of Townsville, our school is supporting Project Compassion. Each week during Lent, Project Compassion release a story of the work they are doing to support people throughout the world. This weeks story is about Sakun.
“Sakun, 32, is a Gond indigenous woman living in a village in central-east India. She developed polio as a child and has difficulty walking. Until now, she has been isolated in her community, unable to earn a living and with no knowledge of support schemes that could help her. With Caritas Australia’s help, she learned how to access the disability support she’s entitled to and has set up her own thriving business. Her income is growing, along with her confidence. Sakun now participates in village decision-making, her progress motivating other community members to reach for their goals.”
To find out more about her story or see what Project have done to support, see the following video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDlpg2PYpwA&feature=emb_logo
Each class has a Project Compassion box in their classroom, and any donation would be greatly appreciated. A little goes a long way.
Have a great week and God bless,
Nick
PREP OPEN DAY
We invite all potential Prep families to St Benedict’s in 2021 to attend our Prep Open Day on Thursday 19th March from 9:00-10:00am. We invite you to attend with your child starting Prep in 2021 and have a tour of our school led by our senior teachers. You will also be encouraged to book your Prep enrollment interview for 2021 at this time. If you are unable to attend this day, our Principal will be running tours on the following times:
Monday 23rd & 30th March, 9:00-10:00am AND
Thursday 25 March and 2nd April, 4:30-5:30pm.
Parent/Teacher Interviews
Parent/teacher interviews will be held on Monday 30th March from 3:30pm - 8:00pm, and Tuesday 31st March from 3:30pm - 6:30pm in the Hall. You will be able to book a 15-minute time slot to attend an interview using the ‘Compass Parent Portal’ from Tuesday the 17th March, around 2pm. In the meantime, please ensure you are able to access the Parent Portal and contact the office for any assistance. We look forward to discussing your child’ progress.
