End of term

Wow, this term has turned out to be a very crazy time full of ups and downs but most importantly we are all safe. I trust that the next few weeks and months are going to be quite challenging for all of us. For some of us, the sense of the unknown is enough in itself to cause a little worry whereas we also know of people who have already lost jobs and who have ailing family members they are worried about. We do offer our thoughts and prayers for everyone during this time and hope we can focus on the positives we can be grateful for throughout this. I know I am certainly very grateful to be surrounded by an amazing staff and school community who all genuinely care about each other.

It is important during the next few weeks and months that we stay as connected to people as we can while not being near each other. We will still be able to access phones and the internet. If you are not already following our school Facebook page or our St Benny’s Parent Facebook page, I’d encourage you to do so. I have found our school community to be very supportive of each other through these avenues. Our parent community is fantastic at providing different ideas especially at the moment in regards to potentially moving to online learning at home scenarios next term. Our parent group has also been great at providing some moral support and some good humour. 

While I am also happy to interact in these forums, please be mindful of the appropriateness of different questions as if they are directed to me, they should come through email as opposed to a social media platform.

Pupil Free Days

As you would be aware from my email last night, supervision for next week’s Pupil Free Days  is available for those families who are still required to work and do not have alternative care arrangements. Children will be supervised from 8.30am until 3.00pm by school officers. Children are not required to wear school uniforms (closed in shoes please) and tuckshop will be available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. OSHC will still be available for before and after school care too. 

We will stay in touch as soon as we have any further information to share with you over the coming weeks. For now though, I do wish you all the best. Please stay home as much as you can. Treat these first few weeks as a break time, there is plenty of time for learning to continue. The kids are well and truly ready for a break and being connected as a family the best way you can is the most important thing you can all do right now, along with keeping healthy of course. 

Cheers

Penny

APRE NEWS

With the Term break being brought forward a week early, we now find ourselves at the end of Term 1.  I’d like to commend our school community; teachers, students and families, for all of their hard work throughout the term. 

With the closure of places of worship coming about, a lot of peoples plans around Easter may have changed.  I know for many families, attending mass around Easter is somewhat of a tradition. I know that our Sacred Heart Cathedral has begun to live stream many services, so would encourage you to join their facebook (The Catholic Diocese of Townsville) and keep an eye open for those times if you are interested. 

The Easter Story - Prayers and Activities for Home

I know many classes would have already begun looking at the Easter story, centring around Jesus.  I’ve put together 2 documents that families might like to use in coming up to this time.

The first is a slideshow which includes a Gospel reading, YouTube Clip, song and prayer reflection for 5 events of Holy Week.  In your homes you might like to use one of these a day around Holy Week to pray together and follow the Easter Story. CLICK ON THIS LINK to access.

The second is an activity around the Stations of the Cross.  I’ve created an activity where all you need is a link, some paper and pencils.  I’m asking our families to choose a different station of the cross, draw a symbol or illustration that represents it, write a short summary and a short prayer about that station.  If you are able to do this, I’d love to get a picture or scanned document sent to me so that I can put together a “St Benedict’s students Stations of the Cross”, and share with our school community in the lead up to Easter Sunday.  CLICK ON THIS LINK.  If you are able to complete this, please email to myself at nchristie2@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au 

I wish everyone a safe and healthy break and I am looking forward to seeing you all (whether physically or digitally) in Term 2.  

Have a great week and God bless,

Nick 

SCHOOL DENTAL PROGRAM

Townsville Oral Health Services to the community will be changing effective immediately due to the current pandemic.  In line with Government advice, child and Adolescent school dental programs and adult services in the Townsville University Hospital and Health Service will be moving to an emergency dental service only. 

Any children that are due to have examinations or follow-up treatment will be deferred until normal operations resume.  If your child develops a dental emergency during this time, initial triaging will occur by phone interview to assess the risk and decide on best course of action for each individual case.  For all enquiries regarding dental emergencies during this time PH. 1300 300 850 (Please note there will be no options for parents or patients to ‘walk in’ and make appointments).

Dental staff are essential members of the community healthcare team and during this time, will be working closely with other hospital staff across the community to reduce the load on our Emergency Department.  We thank you for your assistance, understanding and co-operation in this matter.

Townsville Oral Health Service

Townsville University Hospital and Health Service