St Benedict's Catholic College

This week we welcomed our Year 7 2025 students and their parents and families to our College. We were so excited to see the happy and excited Year 7 faces as they came together in our COLA to meet each other for the first time. Year 7 2025 have made a wonderful start to secondary school demonstrating great respect and hospitality to each other and our staff during their orientation day. Year 7 2025 is the largest group the College has enrolled and we are looking forward to watching them learn and grow throughout their time with us.

Over the last fortnight a number of students represented our College at significant events:

The Blueprint Business Idea Competition is a Western Sydney University initiative which engages high school students from Sydney and Greater Western Sydney Region. The aim of the business idea is to solve a customer problem and students are required to conceptualise, build and market a business. The competition involves the creation, submission and presentation of original content that highlights the business idea, Distilluxe, your ultimate solution for potable water, no matter where the journey takes you. We’re dedicated to ensuring fresh, drinkable water anytime, anywhere.

This year our students reached the final in this most prestigious competition and came third. Congratulations to Zakariyya Halis, Kalpana Nandan, Daniel O'Malley and Mia Theodossiou. Special thanks to Mr Ghignone, Mr Reavell, Mrs Fawbert, Mrs Ghignone, Mr Arcuri, Mrs Williams, Mr Ripepi, Mr McAteer, Mrs Smith and Miss Pepper for supporting all students who entered this competition.

The Wollongong Diocese Sports Council Sports Awards were held on Friday 15 November at St Mary’s Star of the Sea College Wollongong. The awards showcase the most outstanding athletes in the Wollongong Diocese, for both primary and secondary students. This year our College was well represented at these awards. Both Mr Simon Zahra and I were very proud to see our students accepting awards. The following students were awarded Sports Council Medallions:

• Luca Mileto (Year 7) - Athletics

• Georgia Betar (Year 8) - Athletics / Swimming / Cross Country

• Jude Hamilton (Year 10) - Cross Country

• Ethan Clugston (Year 11) - Baseball

• Patrick Manny (Year 12) - Hockey

I would like to congratulate Mr John Wheeler on his new appointment as the Assistant Principal for Years 7-10 at All Saints Catholic College, Liverpool.

Mr Wheeler has been an integral part of our community at St Benedict's Catholic College, contributing significantly to the growth and success of our students. His dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education have left a lasting impact on both staff and students alike.

On behalf of the entire St Benedict’s community, we extend our thanks to Mr Wheeler for his remarkable efforts and wish him every success in this exciting new chapter of his career.

All the best, Mr Wheeler!

A significant number of students each day arrive after the start of the school day. Being late for school has a negative impact on your child’s learning as well as the learning of other students in classes where students arrive after the start of the lesson.

Being just 10 minutes late every day adds up to an hour a week of lost learning. Over a year this adds up to one week of school missed in a year. Also being late for class often means important instructions are missed and the time taken for the teacher to attend to the late student is time off others learning. A time management expert also reports that being chronically late to school or class could set children up for a lifetime of lateness, and reminds parents “the younger we can set up good habits the better”.

Kind regards,
Michael Turner

As we move into the final few weeks of 2024, I would like to thank all members of the community for their assistance with assessments, exams, orientations and parent evenings. In the coming weeks, staff will be preparing end of year reports and parents will see these later in the term.

There are some reminders and items for Term 4 below:

Parents are reminded that students are not to have their mobile phone, air pods or other devices with them at school. If they do have these, items must be placed in their lockers and not taken to classes or out to breaks. Students caught with these will have them confiscated and placed in the office for collection.

With an increasing school population, our College bus services are becoming rather crowded. When we speak with the bus companies about this, we are repeatedly told that our students are not filling buses and this is based on the opal data collected. Students are reminded that they MUST tap on when entering school bus services in order to be able to travel safely to and from the College each day.

End of Year Activities Day is scheduled for Tuesday 17 December 2024, at the beautiful Austinmer Beach. This event marks a joyful conclusion to the school year and provides a wonderful opportunity for students to bond, engage in fun activities, and celebrate their hard work and achievements.

Students can look forward to a variety of exciting activities including:

• Ball games on the sand (The College will provide balls for soccer and touch football, frisbees and big beach balls)

• Supervised swimming in the ocean pools.

The cost of the event is $18. This nominal fee covers the cost of transportation and no other additional charges for the picnic day activities themselves.

An early payment method has been set up for parents to make payment at any time, however, refunds will not be provided after payment has been made. Payment and Consent for this day are due by 29 November. Late permission will not be granted and students will be unable to leave the College site that day.

The College has received a letter from Camden Council outlining some parking issues which have been raised with them over recent weeks and months. These relate specifically to Olley Avenue, Myer Way, Phillips Avenue and Hollows Drive. The list of current concerns includes:

- Disobeying 'No Stopping' signs

- Obstructing roadways

- Parking across driveways

- Parking facing the wrong direction

- Parking within 3m of a centre line

Can parents/carers please ensure that they do not park vehicles in a way that is unsafe, illegal, or is inconvenient to others. Council Rangers will be monitoring this. They may issue fines if required for the appropriate offences.

Kind regards,

John Wheeler

I have now organised and run 6 Senior Retreats during my time at St Benedict’s. To be honest with you, this year was the absolute BEST. I think I have said this after each retreat. The Senior Retreat effectively combined Faith, Learning, Wellbeing and PosEd into a most wonderful experience for our Year 12 group for 2025. The students were phenomenal.

A massive thank you to Mr Steve Bulfon who led the retreat at DEER PARK. I led the retreat at RATHANE. Thank you also to the staff who attended and led the small groups and other sessions during the retreat. Thank you goes to Mrs Franciscus, Mrs Holland, Mrs Bulger, Mrs Hills, Mrs Simich, Mr Massa, Mrs Ghignone, Mr Agoo, Ms Smith, Mr Reavell, Ms Pepper for their unwavering support, leadership and active involvement, it was greatly appreciated.

Words from Year 12:

Elena Kljajic

Retreat for me was so unexpected, and I enjoyed it more than words would be able to describe. I formed connections with peers and teachers that I never thought I’d speak to, and rekindled some old friendships that made the experience even better. I loved being on Rathane, everyone got involved in things, and all of us students learnt how to laugh together and not be afraid or nervous to speak to one another when it comes to needing help or just wanting a conversation. I was certain I wasn’t going to retreat, but I did and now I want to go back!

Claire Small

The senior retreat was an amazing experience where I got the chance to connect with individuals and the whole year group. Lots of activities were thought out and prepared to make the 3 days full of amazing opportunities and memories, along with a lot of food. The gift boxes were one of my favourite parts, painting the book and then writing affirmations for those I don't normally talk to in my year. It was an amazing experience to open up the box and see all the affirmations from your peers around you!

Year 9 Reflection Day with Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries was a vibrant and inspiring experience filled with music, humour, and storytelling. Chris’ unique approach invited students to reflect on their lives, relationships, and choices through a lens of faith, love, and gratitude. Here are some of the powerful messages and moments that resonated throughout the day.

A Vision for Tomorrow

Chris encouraged students not to let their past dictate their future. Each new day offers an opportunity to grow and make decisions that reflect the people we want to become. He reminded us that our choices shape our legacy—how we will be remembered and the impact we leave behind.

Gratitude and Connection

Through group work and activities, students were invited to "count their blessings" by listing 100 things they were grateful for. This practice cultivated an attitude of gratitude, reminding us to say "thank you" more often and cherish the blessings in our lives, from family and friends to simple joys like food and energy. Gratitude also fosters empathy, as wishing for the wellness of others leads us away from selfishness and toward selflessness.

Faith, Hope, and Love

Chris explored the biblical themes of faith, hope, and love, reminding students that “the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). He emphasised that we are created in the image and likeness of God, and our potential is love. Through God’s love, shown most profoundly in Jesus’ selfless acts of agape love, we are called to love God, our neighbours, and the Earth.

Living with Respect and Kindness

Practical wisdom was at the heart of the day. Students discussed how to treat themselves with kindness and care—trusting God, being patient, eating well, and maintaining good hygiene. They also explored how to respect and care for others, including their families, peers, and teachers. Respect for women was a key focus, challenging the boys to be "top blokes" who treat women with kindness, support, and encouragement. Girls were reminded of the importance of trust, loyalty, and communication in their interactions with others.

A Call to Care for Creation

Chris linked the care for creation to our faith, urging students to avoid waste and greed, and instead treat the Earth with reverence. As stewards of God’s creation, our role is to ensure that its beauty and resources are preserved for future generations.

Music, Humour, and Storytelling

Chris’ use of music created a joyful atmosphere that made the day engaging and relatable. Through humour and storytelling, he connected deep truths with everyday experiences, making the messages memorable and meaningful.

What Would Jesus Do?

Throughout the day, the question “What would Jesus do?” served as a guiding principle. Whether in showing kindness to siblings, respecting teachers, or making decisions that impact others, students were encouraged to reflect on Jesus’ example of unconditional love and care.

The Power of Love

Chris highlighted that love is not merely a feeling but an action. It involves respect, sacrifice, and perseverance. As St. Paul said, love “does not keep a record of wrongs” and calls us to forgive and move forward. This resonated with the reminder that our lives are blessings, and we are remarkable creations of God.

Top Advice for Life

The day ended with Chris sharing practical advice:

• "The more you put in, the more you get out."

• "Fall seven times, get up eight."

• "It is better to be consistently good than occasionally great."

These words reminded students of the importance of resilience, effort, and striving for excellence in all they do.

Moving Forward

Year 9 Reflection Day was an opportunity to pause and reflect on life’s big questions: Who am I? How do I treat others? What legacy do I want to leave? Through Chris’ energy, wisdom, and faith, students were challenged and inspired to live lives of gratitude, respect, and love, grounded in the belief that they are loved by God and called to share that love with the world.

Wishing everyone a blessed term,

Kimberley Logue

Information in this calendar list is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice.

Term 4

• Thursday 28 November - Year 7 Water Safety / Lifesaving Program
• Friday 29 November - Social Justice - Christmas Doors Winners Announced
• Tuesday 3 December - Visual Arts Exhibition 3pm - 7pm

• Tuesday 17 December - Last day of Term 4 for students

2025 School Return Dates

• Monday 3 February - Year 12 Students ONLY
• Tuesday 4 February - Years 7 & 11 + All new students
• Wednesday 5 February - All students return

Last week we celebrated the Commissioning of our Youth Ministry Leaders for 2025.

We sent a small group from Year 10 to represent the College to learn about the importance of Youth Ministry. Students worked with other schools across the dioceses to develop their teamwork skills and share ideas about different initiatives they could lead in the community.

Youth Ministry Leaders are an important part of the St Benedict's community that help support events that develop the spiritual wellbeing of students across the College.

The students are to be commended for the way they represented the College and are encouraged to be the light for others.

We are looking forward to the great work you will do in 2025.

Kind regards,

Steve Bulfon

On Tuesday 19 November recent 2024 HSC graduate Gabriella Brajuha represented St Benedict's Oran Park and participated in STEM MAD National.

STEM MAD is an opportunity for schools to showcase their STEM learning through STEM projects that are designed to make a difference (MAD) in the world. Students showcase their projects with peers, receive feedback, and learn from viewing other student works and listening to keynote speakers in the STEM field.

Gabriella drove from Sydney to Brisbane with her project to present to Catholic Network Australia Limited and industry judges at the one day event. This in itself just demonstrates the level of commitment Gabriella puts into her work!

Gabriella's HSC Design and Technology project, called "Fixed Falls" is a design and concept model for working from heights in the Australian Construction Industry. The design is safe, of quality and appropriate. The design meets the needs in terms of safety in the Australian Construction Industry and the people using the system now and in the future. It aims to create a safety system adaptable to all house plots.

Gabriella's project was shortlisted in the secondary schools category. Well done Gabriella on your selection and achievement at this national level! We are very proud of your work and look forward to hearing what you achieve in the STEM field in your future! I have no doubt that it will be bright and include you Making A Difference!!

Kind regards,

Lorena Ghignone

We are thrilled to congratulate the following students who participated in the 2024 Illuminate Showcase:

• Sienna Lescano (Year 8)
• Ethan Azzopardi (Year 9)
• Maddison Lacey (Year 9)
• Lucinda Laurantus (Year 9)
• Mia Stanojev (Year 9)
• Grace Clarke (Year 12)
• Chris Foti (Year 12)

Their outstanding dedication, creativity, and perseverance were on full display during this incredible event. Each student has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to their craft, and the College community is immensely proud of their achievements.

The Illuminate Showcase is a celebration of talent and hard work, providing our students with an opportunity to shine and share their gifts with a wider audience. We commend these young individuals for their efforts and the inspiration they bring to all of us.

Congratulations once again to all participants—you are a credit to our College!

Watch behind-the-scenes footage, including backstage student interviews, below:

Kind regards,

Jennifer Koryzma

"BEARs (Bennie's Environmental Action Representatives) are focussing on the issue of food wastage by producing recipes that use common household leftovers. We're sharing them with you, so our community can work to waste less food!

Our third recipe gives you an idea of what you could make with leftover mash.

- Shimeka Hewawasam

Kind regards,

Erin Lockhart

Round 2 Ed Sheeran v Edgar Allan Poe

Week 8 Thursday Recess

Come on all you Sheerios - see how well you know your lyrics. Our trivia game is a fifty/fifty game of chance - did Ed Sheeran write it originally or was it Edgar Allan Poe? Either way, join us in the Library for a fun Kahoot Game with a great prize for the winner.

Round 3 will be Twenty Øne Pilots v Poets - date to be announced.

Madison L is our current Trivia champion having won the previous round of Taylor Swift v Tortured Poet.

There are great prizes to be won and some additional rounds with other artists to come.

BOOKFLIX is a collection of books that have been adapted for television and currently screened on Netflix. Come and see what’s trending in the Library! You will be surprised to learn some of your favourite flix are based on books that we have in the Library waiting for you to borrow on demand!

The College’s new virtual reality (VR) headsets are changing how students experience history. In a recent class, students used VR to explore life during World War I, immersing themselves in realistic scenes like trenches and battlefields. They also explored the streets of Sarajevo to learn about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife. Students learned about the events which unfolded on the 28th of June 1914, discovered the assassin, and found out how this event contributed as a cause to the First World War.

As part of the year 8 solar system unit our most recent classes explored the solar system and the moon landing amongst other experiences.

We hope to continue to utilise this new technology in more classes to provide immersive experiences for the students at St Benedict’s.

Happy Reading

The Library Team

Students who will not be returning to St Benedict's Catholic College in 2025 (excluding Year 12 students) are requested to send an email to our Enrolment Officer advising us of this change. Please email enrolments_sbcc@dow.catholic.edu.au

Step 1 - Register

Open your Flexischools app or use their website:

App Store - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/flexischools/id1420774608

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?gl=US&hl=en_AU&id=com.flexischools
Website - https://user.flexischools.com.au/register

1. Submit your email to create an account

2. In your inbox, open the registration email

3. Click the link within and follow registration prompts in app

Step 2 - Setting up your child's details

Once your account is set up, log into your Flexischools app.

1. Select 'Profile' icon on the bottom right hand side of the screen

2. Under 'Students' click 'Add new'

3. Enter your child's name, school, year level, class & student card number*
* This card number is on the back of your child's Compass Card (10 digits)

Step 3 - Order and pay with ease!
Here's how to order food on Flexischools

1. Click 'Order food' top of app home screen

2. Select the student you'd like to order for

3. Choose a service (break 1 - recess) or (break 2 - lunch) and order date

4. Select any items you'd like to order

5. Once finished, click 'view order'

6. Select 'Checkout & pay' to place the order

When using the Compass App:

1. At the bottom of the screen, select the 'more' option

2. Select the 'Open in Browser' option

3. On the top right hand of the screen click the 'clog symbol'

4. A drop down menu appears and select 'CompassIdentity Card'

5. Click 'Order New Card'

5. Under 'Payment' click the 'Order Now' button

6. An $11.50 (including GST) fee applies and once paid it will take up to 7 school business days to arrive at school

7. The office will send an email to the student when it arrived and the student will need to collect from the Student Foyer.

Remember when the new Compass Card arrives, to update your 10 digit code on the back of the card with Flexischools.

This is a friendly reminder that students are not to carry medication with them on site, with the exemption of an EpiPen and/or Ventolin. If your child is required to take any medication during school hours this must be provided to the office by a parent/carer accompanied by the completed Request to Administer Medication Form attached below.

The Annual Wollongong Diocese - CDF Sports Awards was held on Friday 15 November. This year we had the following students receive awards for their achievements through the pathways system.

Luca Mileto (Year 7) - Athletics

Georgia Betar (Year 8) - Athletics / Swimming / Cross Country

Jude Hamilton (Year 10) - Cross Country

Ethan Clugston (Year 11) - Baseball

Patrick Manny (Year 12) - Hockey

It was a great night to celebrate and recognise the students across the Diocese for their outstanding sporting achievements in 2024.

Tuesday 12 November

Tuesday 19 November

Kind regards,
Simon Zahra
Sports Convenor

For all things related to the College BYODD Program, please visit the College BYODD Site. Here you will find all information relating to the BYODD Program including device requirements, Apple Care + and how to configure your device for use at the College.

For questions relating to BYODD, please contact the College or email:

https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/byoddsbcc/it-support

Mrs Tracee Brown

Transition & Pathways (TaP's) Coordinator/ TAS Teacher

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel.

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

Please find attached the school bus timetable for 2024 or you can click on the link below to see our school timetable that has been uploaded onto the transit systems website.
https://nsw.transitsystems.com.au/

Our College's Clothing Pool is running low on uniforms, and we need your help! If you have any uniforms you no longer use, please consider donating them.

You can drop off your donations at the office Monday to Friday, from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Your generosity will make a big impact!

Thank you for your support!

P & F Uniform Pool order form - click here

The P & F preloved Uniform Pool has reopened, please complete the order form and send to the P & F by email at: uniforms@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au

Our wonderful P&F volunteer Tracey will contact you.

Items can be paid for in cash ONLY and collected from the SBCC College Office.

Donations of items in good condition can be left at the College Office.

ORGANISE UNIFORMS FOR SUMMER NOW

If you know the uniform sizes required, you can purchase the uniforms in-store or place an online order via the webstore at shop.ranier.com.au. For any exchange, item must be in original condition (unworn, unwashed, unaltered, tags attached) with original packaging. Some exclusions may apply. Note that online orders are only processed during shop operating hours. Orders placed during school/public holiday period will be picked and packed when the shop re-opens.

Ranier Schoolwear end-of-year closure and re-opening dates:

2024 last day of trading: Thursday 19th December

2025 first day of trading: Wednesday 8th January

CONTACT:

Ranier Schoolwear Unit 5/6-8 Porrende Street Narellan 2567

Online purchasing and appointments visit: shop.ranier.com.au

Email: stbenedict@ranier.com.au

Phone: 02 4647 8942

Responses will be provided during opening hours

For more immediate assistance, Head Office details are

Online: ranier.com.au/contact

Email: custservice@ranier.com.au