Assembly

We have just had our very first Assembly for the year led by our Year 4/5/6 Turtles. It was particularly great to see the respectful and responsible manner in which this group presented themselves, setting the tone for future Assembly leaders. Assembly will be held each Friday with a different class leading each week. Assembly starts at 8.45am and generally goes for about 30-45 minutes. Parents are most welcome to attend. We generally start with the National Anthem , then prayer led by our class for the week. The Assembly class does a short showcase about some things they have been learning in class. Next week we’ll present our first round of Run Club prizes for those students who have reached their goals.

Car Parking

Please be aware of some safety issues I am concerned about when car parking. Please encourage children to use the pedestrian crossings and not call them or walk them across in front of traffic as not only is this not safe, it is not teaching students appropriate road safety lessons. Also please be aware that all the areas alongside Bishop Putney Avenue is designated No Parking. This area isn't wide enough for safe car parking and it causes issues with oncoming traffic. This is not a school decision, this was how the road was set up and we have seen parents get booked by police for parking in this area. You can park on the dirt side of Bishop Putney Avenue so long as you are 2-3 metres back from the roadside.

Rainy weather always brings increased traffic on our roads and therefore at drop off and pick time. Your continued patience with this is appreciated.

Sacramental Program

Next week students participating in the parish Sacramental Program will do the First Reconciliation or Penance as some of us call it. We wish them all well as they celebrate this next stage of their faith journey.

Have a fabulous weekend. See you all next week.

Cheers

Penny Collins

Assemblies were back on this week.  A BIG thank you to the 4/5/6 Turtles who presented assembly on the theme of ‘Project Compassion’.  Project Compassion is a Lenten fundraiser by Caritas Australia.  Caritas is an organisation who show their faith through supporting those in need around the world.  This year, the Turtles presented the theme of Project Compassion, which is to “BE MORE”.  They also explained that through simple actions, in this case, through the gift of giving, we can all “be more” for our world.  

Each class has been given a box which will live on the prayer table, where students are welcome to place monetary donations.  I also have small boxes in the office which families are welcome to take home.  If you’d like to take one of these home, your children are welcome to collect one of these donation boxes from the office.  

Each week, Project Compassion has a video to show how they are supporting people and communities around the world.  Please see the link below to see one of the many projects around the world and to see where your donations might be spent.  This week's story takes us to Bangladesh and is about a woman named Jamila.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmXVXl74Qm8&feature=emb_logo

ECSI Project

A reminder that the ECSI Project survey is live and we are seeking feedback from families about the Catholic Identity of our school.  Please see the note attached in the newsletter for information about how to access.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated and will help St Benedict’s to further develop its Catholic Identity.

Pax

Nick 

Half Way - Congratulations!

As the halfway point of term has passed, celebration is in order.  You may be feeling quite weary too - which is totally ok.  Make 

sure you are taking time to rest and be re-energised.  The down hill run to the end of term is swift, though there is much ahead on the horizon.  Make sure to celebrate your journey so far, and shine a light on the positives. 

What ways does your family connect and recharge?  There is real value in the “pushing pause” and letting some things go - even if just for a moment.  They will be there later, when you are refreshed and ready to tackle them with a full heart and spirit.  Children are only children once. Take time, be kind to yourself.  

Jesus said “Come to me and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28

On Friday Curlews witnessed a butterfly emerging from its beautiful golden chrysalis.  Ivy had found and brought the chrysalis into class on Tuesday and we placed it in the butterfly enclosure on Thursday only to have it make its way out the very next day.  Thanks so much Ivy for bringing the chrysalis in so we could watch this marvellous stage of its life cycle

This was perfect timing as we are learning about life cycle of animals. 

Next week Year 2’s will be observing silkworms and how they develop and progress through their life cycle. Each class will have their very own silkworms to observe and look after.  Silkworms eat mulberry leaves so if anyone has a mulberry tree and wouldn’t mind bringing in some leaves. We would be very grateful.

Also in the next couple of weeks we will be, with great anticipation, watching eggs from our very own chickens grow from the egg (from our chickens) into an embryo before hatching out as a chick then growing super-fast into a mother hen.

Exciting times ahead for Year 2’s.

We will be holding parent/teacher interviews on Monday 22nd March from 3:30pm - 8:00pm, and Tuesday 23rd 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 next Friday the 5th 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.