Click either the photo or below link to have a look at the Fathers Day Breakfast.

I hope all Fathers, Grandfathers and significant male figures had a wonderful Father’s Day celebration last Sunday. Father’s Day is a reminder of the important roles Fathers and Father figures play in our students’ lives. The following prayer was shared with our staff at Briefing this week:

Dear God,

Thank you for all the fathers and father-figures in this world and for the many ways you use them to lovingly guide others to Your heart. I ask that you would bless them and give them great joy and peace. May they see You and know You in new ways. Show them how much you love them and care about them. Guide their steps, use their hands, and make them a blessing to others as you continue to fulfil your special purpose for their lives.

Amen

As we enter the final stretch of Term 3, there are a few important themes and updates I would like to share with you.

A Heartfelt Thank You to the P & F:

I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Parents and Friends Association (P & F) for organising the spectacular Father's Day BBQ last Friday. It was a wonderful event that brought our school community together. The laughter, camaraderie, and delicious food served as a reminder of the strength of our school community. We appreciate the P & F's unwavering dedication to enhancing the school experience for our students and families. Thank you for your continued support.

Year 11 Examinations:

I want to extend my best wishes to our Year 11 students who have embarked on their final preliminary examinations. These tests mark a significant milestone in their academic journey, and I have no doubt that their dedication, hard work, and resilience will shine through. It is a time for them to showcase the knowledge and skills they have acquired over the past year. Please encourage them to stay focused, manage their time wisely, and most importantly, believe in themselves. Our dedicated teaching staff are here to support and guide them every step of the way.

Wishing Year 12 the Best:

As we celebrate Year 11's achievements and express our gratitude to the P & F, we also want to turn our attention to our Year 12 students. These remarkable young adults are now just two weeks away from completing their high school journey. The final stretch can be challenging, but it's also a time for reflection, growth, and a celebration of all that they've accomplished so far. I want to extend my best wishes to our Year 12 students, their parents, and their teachers as they embark on this crucial period of preparation for their final examinations. It is a time to stay focused, remain calm, and draw upon the knowledge and skills they've acquired over the years. The entire school community stands behind you, and we have every confidence in your abilities.

It fills me with immense pride to witness the dedication and determination of our students and the support they receive from their families and the wider school community. Together, we create an environment where each student can thrive and reach their full potential.

Thank you for your continued support, and may the upcoming weeks be filled with success, joy, and lasting memories.

Mr Michael Turner

Principal (Acting)

As we move into the final weeks of Term 3, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of students at the College. In the 8 weeks of this term alone, there have been over 7,500 merits awarded to students for displaying a vast amount of character strengths both inside and outside of the classroom. It is wonderful to see the positive attributes of our students and look forward to handing many students their 100 or 300 merit badges in 2024.

In addition, the number of assessment tasks, exams, and assignments completed so far is extraordinary and I thank both staff and students for their hard work and collective efforts to get this completed. Classroom engagement is a key concept of an effective school and there is a desire here at Bennies for all students to achieve, be engaged and challenged in the classroom with their learning.

There have been, however, many issues surrounding parent and student communication throughout the day. We have been made aware that a large number of students are sending and receiving messages from families through their laptops using message services. I’d ask that if parents need to make contact with their children, or if children need to make contact with home, that this be done through the front office by calling 4631 5300 as opposed to email or messages as this can cause disruption and disengagement.

Additionally, as the weather begins to lose its chill, a reminder that College winter uniform is to be worn, and worn appropriately, for the remainder of the term. College summer uniform is to then be worn from the beginning of Term 4. Further, the College uniform guidelines for summer uniform can be seen below.

Finally, the College prides itself on the wellbeing of our students. If your child has a concern related to their wellbeing or the wellbeing of others, can they please make contact with their STRIVE coach who will aid them and guide them through their challenges and address their concerns

Mr John Wheeler

Assistant Principal (Acting)

As someone who has been touched by the presence of Mother Teresa's order and inspired by her life, the feast day of St Teresa of Calcutta holds a special place in my heart.

Mother Teresa's life shines as a testament to unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and a profound connection with God. Her journey was marked by challenges that she faced with unyielding grace and a joy that transcended all difficulties. Reflecting on her life, it becomes clear that her extraordinary impact on the world stemmed from the divine grace that guided her every step.

In her legacy, we find an invitation to harness the graces bestowed upon us by God, just as Mother Teresa did. She beckons us to discover our own "Calcutta," not necessarily in distant lands, but within the hearts of our families, friends, and neighbours. Just as she established countless convents worldwide, we too can create havens of love and compassion right where we are, addressing conflicts and unrest with the transformative power of love.

Let us remember that embracing a missionary spirit involves introspection, compelling us to explore our own lives for opportunities to emulate the profound simplicity of Mother Teresa's actions. The smallest gestures, when infused with love, possess the potential to radiate the greatest impact. Through these acts, we not only test our capacity to love but also stretch ourselves towards personal growth and positive change.

As we honour St Teresa of Calcutta, let us ask for her intercession in our lives so we too can carry forward her legacy by opening our hearts to the God’s graces within us. By embracing her teachings, we can transform our lives into beacons of love, compassion, and grace.

Prayer for peace in our lives [a prayer from St Francis of Assisi, which Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity pray/ed]

Lord, make me a channel of your peace,

That where there is hatred, I may bring love:

Where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness:

Where there is discord, I may bring harmony:

Where there is error, I may bring truth:

Where there is doubt, I may bring faith:

Where there is despair, I may bring hope:

Where there are shadows, I may bring light:

Where there is sadness, I may bring joy:

Lord, grant I may seek rather To comfort than to be comforted;

To understand than to be understood; To love than to be loved;

For it is by forgetting self that one finds,

It is by forgiving that one is forgiven,

It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.

Amen.

St Teresa of Calcutta, Pray for Us

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for us.

The Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference Statement 2023-24 Listen, Learn, Love is a powerful document not only advocating for our indigenous brothers and sisters but a reminder that we are all made in God's image and belong to each other.

On Monday 4 September, Year 10 students from College had the opportunity to spend the day in Wollongong learning about the statement and developing a stronger understanding of the connection of Australian Aboriginal peoples to the land, Dreaming and identity. We had the opportunity to participate in a smoking ceremony and also were blessed to watch a traditional Lyrebird dance performed by Aboriginal students from John Therry Catholic College. The lyrebird is the totem for Dharawal country.

The Catholic Bishops have issued an annual Social Justice Statement practically every year since 1940. The social justice remarks are made on behalf of the entire bishops’ conference in time for Social Justice Sunday. These declarations are issued with the hopes of provoking thought and action throughout the year. Students had the opportunity to work and collaborate with other students from Wollongong schools in unpacking and making sense of the new statement.

As Bearers of Christ’s Love, our collective Catholic community aspires to see, judge and act in our

world, informed by Catholic Social Teaching and inspired always by Jesus Christ.

Students also heard from Maddy Forde - Senior Advisor for Ministry at Catholic Education South Australia, Kaurna Country. Maddy spoke about the importance of respectful dialogue, displaying visibility and intentionality everyday and to be a ‘HEART SEEKER’- knowing and understanding the story of others. These aspects are very important in Listening, Learning and Loving - and thus embracing the new social justice statement.

On Monday, the 4 September, three other students and I were able to go to the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong to be a part of the unpacking of the Bishop's Statement for 2023. Listen, Learn, Love: A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, is about creating connections and making new engagements, as people of God, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We were fortunate to be able to participate in a smoking ceremony and watch the students from John Therry perform a traditional dance of the totem animal for the Dharawhal people of Campbelltown, a lyrebird dance.

I loved to see their culture and how proud they were to show it to us. To be able to understand this year's statement to the best of our abilities, we had a keynote speaker named Maddy Forde help to understand her story and why she is such an ally for the First Nations People in Australia. We were able to see how we, as non-Aboriginals, could still help and stand for this community who have lost so much. To help unpack the statement, we formed groups with different people from other schools. We read through the statement and put quotes into the headings of Listen, Learn and Love. This helped us to understand how we can listen to the stories of the past, learn about their culture and love with our whole hearts.

Being open to these ideas helped us to understand what we can do to engage and make connections. We finished the day by creating traditional artworks on how we interpreted the Bishop's Statement. Overall, the day was very informative and I loved being able to be a part of this new step that people are making to reconcile and engage with the First Nations People.

Claire - Year 10

On Monday, I was privileged to attend the Bishop's Conference in Wollongong. From that day I learnt a lot about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways, their insights and what they have had to go through. I love how passionate the keynote speaker Maddy was about Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. It was a day to learn about Aboriginal culture and their history. I was particularly drawn to listening to the students from John Therry share their understanding of Aboriginal Spirituality and the importance of dance and ceremony in their lives.. The 4 of us who went have learnt many things we can do to make Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people feel welcome, safe and understood.

Chloe - Year 10

Director of Mission and Vision,

Religious Education Coordinator

Developing and following your own personalised learning timetable can be helpful to your studies and your motivation for a number of reasons:

• A timetable adds focus, pattern and structure to your study.
  
  
• Timetabling will enable you to review each section of your studies, establishing the key tasks involved and identifying the time slots when you will engage with them.
  
  

• Creating a study timetable will help you to overcome procrastination. You will find it useful to develop some sort of personalised system for organising your study time. This will allow you to decide what needs to be done and when. Without such a structure a lot of time can be wasted procrastinating or being distracted by elements of the study process. You might find yourself starting one thing and then another and wondering whether they are getting anywhere.

The aim of planning a study timetable is to identify or create regular time slots for study, ideally when you will be at your most alert, free from distractions and able to concentrate. Think about planning your study as an integral part of your life. This train of thought can go a long way to help you to maintain a positive attitude and a healthy work/life balance.

• It is important, when planning, to realise that study does not take place in a vacuum but needs to be organised around your other fixed commitments, like work and/or family. This may involve looking at regular activities that could be moved, done less frequently, delegated or deferred whilst you study.

• Depending on your circumstances it may help to involve other people, family and friends in the planning process to, where possible, gain their understanding, cooperation and support. When you create a study timetable that you can share with others it will help them to feel included and involved. It will also act as a reminder to them that there will be times when you should not be disturbed.

• It is important to schedule ‘free-time’ into your timetable. Such time can be used for relaxation, and social activities, things that help you achieve a balance. Having ‘free-time’ slots also means that there will be an element of flexibility built into your timetable. If a task needs extra time or there are some unexpected developments you have a built in a way of coping.

• You also need to think about how much time you need to devote to study as you plan and draw up a timetable.

Once you have considered all of the points above and thought about your own circumstances, start to prepare a timetable. It is usually easiest to think in terms of weeks when you design your timetable, although this is a purely personal exercise so use whatever suits your circumstances best. Split up each day, in a logical way to accommodate your commitments. If you work or play sport then mark out the blocks of time when you will be at work or sport.

Keep your timetable template and update your timetable each week. If you have a fairly regular routine the chances are that the timetable will not have to change much over subsequent weeks.

Universal Design for learning is a set of design principles that are used to provide opportunities to all individuals to ensure equitable access to curriculum, assessment, and learning. Staff have been working through these principals during the year and the College will be using Universally designed tasks this semester across all learning areas.

A Universally designed task removes barriers, offering all students equal access to demonstrate what they know and what they can do. Students will be given one task that caters for all needs. These tasks will take place within normal class time, delivered by subject specific teachers, with support given when and if needed.

If you have any questions about Universally Designed tasks, please contact me for further details.

Warner Youth Education together with Camden Council will present a motivational Graffiti Prevention and Life Skills Incursion. It is fully funded and no cost to school or students. The incursion teaches students about the consequences of graffiti, particularly tagging and the difference between street art and graffiti.

Date: Thursday 21 September
Year Groups Involved: Year 8 - Strive class and part of period 3 & Year 9 period 4
Where: JBLOCK and each session is 45 minutes

Teresa Holland
Director of Wellbeing (Acting)

In today’s digital age, high school students are navigating a virtual landscape that presents both incredible opportunities and unprecedented challenges. The rapid evolution of technology is transforming the way education is delivered and experienced. With these advancements comes critical concerns regarding e-safety that require addressing at times to ensure that students can harness the benefits of technology while staying protected online.

E-safety is a set of guidelines designed to assist schools, parents and the young people in our care to protect individuals from online risks, such as cyberbullying, identity theft, inappropriate content and privacy breaches amongst other things. The best place to gain advice or become aware of issues related to the use of technology and e-safety is the eSafety Commissioner website (https://www.esafety.gov.au/). Below are some key aspects of this site that are beneficial to parents.

• https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice - Information for parents to help your child deal with online safety issues.

• https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/screen-time - Information for parents to help achieve a healthy balance between online and offline.

• https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/parental-controls - Information for parents to use parental controls on devices to maximise online safety for their child.

Apple has their own dedicated e-safety tool called Screen Time, which is built into Mac computers, iPhones and iPads. Screen Time allows you to see how much time you and your children spend on apps, websites and more, so you can make informed decisions about how you use your devices and set limits if you'd like to. It can be a great tool to help your child focus on important tasks or work, both in the classroom and at home. The knowledge base article Use Screen Time on your Mac contains information on some recommended Screen Time features as well as links for step-by-step instructions on setting up Screen Time on your child’s Mac or iPhone device.

We endeavour to provide a safe learning environment for students at St Benedict’s. Over the past few weeks we have seen an increase in the number of students installing Virtual Private Network (VPN) software on their devices. This goes against the Wollongong Diocese Responsible use of Technology Agreement that is used and adhered to at the College. The only reason a VPN would be installed and open whilst on site would be to bypass our security and restrictions that are put in place to keep students safe online. This type of software is not to be installed on devices that are on the College network under any circumstances. Students found to have a VPN installed on their device will have it removed and consequences put in place.

Some facts parents should know about VPNs:

• A VPN changes the way a device connects to a network, causing websites and services to stop working and limiting the connection speed and functionality of the device.

• VPN providers may log and store internet traffic data sent using their service, which can then potentially be sold, distributed or seized by external parties.

• A VPN can also be used at home to bypass security measures put in place by parents and carers.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is the umbrella term for creative AI that can produce original content on demand. Rather than simply analysing or classifying data, generative AI uses patterns in existing data to create entirely new content. This can be in the form of text, graphics, video and music.

Artificial Intelligence is a tool to support students in their learning journey and there are ways that we can ethically use these resources. Possible uses include:

• As a personal tutor

• Explain an idea in simpler terms or in a different way

• Proofread student work

There are ways that we can use these in an unethical way and should be avoided. Using generative AI to complete school work or assessments is an example of academic malpractice and will be dealt with in accordance with the College Assessment Policy.

Students and parents should be aware that we should not blindly trust AI-generated material. At times, it can hallucinate and have a bias towards certain information. A hallucination is when a generative AI tool provides incorrect or made-up information. Bias is when the algorithms used to generate content reflect human biases. Students should always have multiple sources of information to verify the facts that are being presented in their assessment.

We highly recommend discussing these points with your child to ensure that we are providing the safest and best possible learning experience at the College whilst also keeping safe online at home.

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Term 3

• Monday 11 - 14 September - Year 11 Final Preliminary Exams
  
• Monday 18 September - Year 12 Mini Carnival Day & Pastoral Day Lunch
  
• Tuesday 19 September - Year 12 Farewell Assembly & 2024 Captain Commissioning
• Wednesday 20 September - Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards, Year 12 Reports released on Compass and last day for Year 12 ONLY
  
• Thursday 21 September - Years 8 & 9 - Incursion with Warner Youth Education and Camden Council about Graffiti Prevention and Life Skills
• Friday 22 September - Last day of Term 3

TERM 4

• Monday 9 October - Staff Development Day - Pupil Free Day
• Tuesday 10 October - Students commence Term 4
• Friday 15 December - Last day of Term 4

Year 7 Visual Arts students are currently working very hard in preparation for their assessment tasks that will be taking place throughout Week 9. We are asking all students to ensure they arrive at class on time so they can utilise as much time as possible to complete their work.

Year 9 Visual Arts students have started their ceramic sculptures inspired by the visit to Julia Reserve earlier this term. Here are some photos of their progression:

Year 10 Visual Arts students are also working toward their theory assessment tasks where they will explore artist Banksy and his artworks. Students have been working in groups to prepare for this as well as on individual documents to help them prepare for their task that will take place on Wednesday Week 9. We wish them the best of luck.

Year 11 Visual Arts students have begun their Preliminary Examinations this week. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you well and we look forward to seeing you all back in class.

Music

Congratulations to Year 12 who had their HSC Music Performance day today. The CAPA faculty are so proud of all your efforts in preparing for today.

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Some of our NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge participants receiving their prize pack from the Library. Students who completed the challenge of reading 20 books will receive a Certificate from the NSW Premier’s Office in Term 4.

The amazing entries for our Design a Book Cover competition are currently on display in the Library. All Authors/Illustrators please come to the Library at lunch break on Wednesday W9 T3 for the announcement of winners for these great prizes.

Keep an eye on our Oliver Homepage and the big Screens for our next competition Mask-A-Rade celebrating Halloween / Day of the Dead . This competition invites students to express their creativity with a light hearted approach to celebrating Halloween and/or Day of the Dead with a mask made by the students - a task which can be undertaken over the holidays. Strict guidelines are to be adhered to encourage appropriate entries particularly the exclusion of blood, gore, weapons and similar items.

The Library will be implementing Technology Free Friday for the remainder of the year at the Recess and Lunch break. This will provide our students the opportunity to either:-

• Read a book

• Play Chess

• Play Games

• Ask for direction
  
  

Relax - this will not apply to Senior Students !

Happy reading
The Library Team

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This fortnight, we delve into the fascinating world of interconnected proficiency strands that make up a well-rounded mathematical skill set. Just as a tapestry is woven from intricate threads, a strong mathematical foundation is formed by intertwining various proficiencies. Let's unravel these strands and discover how they create a masterpiece of mathematical prowess.

1. Conceptual Understanding: At the heart of mathematics lies conceptual understanding. This strand focuses on grasping the "why" behind mathematical ideas. When students understand the underlying principles, they can navigate through different problems, adapting their knowledge to various scenarios.

2. Procedural Fluency: Like a musician perfecting their scales, procedural fluency involves mastering mathematical techniques. Proficiency in calculations, algorithms, and problem-solving methods allows students to tackle tasks efficiently, freeing up mental space for higher-order thinking.

3. Strategic Competence: Just as a chess player devises strategies, mathematical thinkers plan their approaches. Strategic competence involves selecting appropriate methods, recognising patterns, and determining the best course of action to solve complex problems.

4. Adaptive Reasoning: Mathematics is a dynamic puzzle, and adaptive reasoning is the ability to adjust strategies when encountering new challenges. Students with this proficiency can apply their knowledge to novel situations, exploring connections between different concepts.

5. Productive Disposition: A positive attitude towards maths is essential. A productive disposition encourages students to embrace challenges, persevere in problem-solving, and view mistakes as stepping stones to improvement. This mindset fosters confidence and a lifelong love for learning.

The working mathematically components and the five strands of mathematical proficiency are foregrounded in language use as students explore and develop their numeracy skills. Here at St Benedict’s Catholic College, teachers across all KLA’s are encouraged to implement numerical concepts within their teaching to build this capacity.

Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findell (2001) Adding It Up: Helping Children learn mathematics, (Chapter 4: The strands of mathematical proficiency, p.116) National Research Council. 2001. Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

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On Tuesday 5 September a number of our MISA teams were involved in Grand Finals for their respective competitions. These teams included the Year 7/8 Girls Netball, 7/8 Boys Soccer, Year 7/8 Girls Soccer and Under 15’s Boys Rugby League. We were very competitive in all grand finals and St Benedict’s were crowned the Division 1 Champions in the Year 7/8 Boys Soccer competition coached by Mr Arcuri.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following staff members who gave up their time during the season to train and coach our MISA teams in Term 3. Ms Loudoun, Mr Agoo, Ms Hills, Mr Ripepi, Ms Lorking, Mr Sapienza, Mr Rushworth, Mr Arcuri and Mr Wakfer-Denbeigh

On Monday 11 September St Benedict’s will have three students represent their College and the Wollongong Diocese at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships to be held at Homebush. We wish Georgia Betar (800m), Lincoln Judge (1500m) and Mikaylah Robinson (High Jump and Javelin) all the best as they compete at this event.

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The Social Justice team will be hosting a stationery and sporting equipment drive throughout Week 9, 10 and Week 1, Term 4. We will be gathering the necessary resources for children in Uganda in support of Mary Babirye Kabanda and her team which will be donated around October. Please look out for any notices and please donate anything you are able to! Your small donation can make such a large impact.

We hoping to receive the following items:

Sport

• Soccer Balls

• Soccer Boots (used but in good condition)

• Netballs

• Basketballs

• Handballs

• Skipping Ropes

Stationary

• Pencil Cases

• Pens

• Pencils

• Coloured Pencils

• Textas

• Glue

• Rulers

• Erasers

• Sharpeners

• Coloured Paper

• Writing Books

• Calculators

• Reusable Lunch boxes

I am pleased to share the 2024 NSW Government Infrastructure Traineeships applications are now open!

Who can apply

• 2023 Year 12 Students
• 2022 Year 12 Graduates
• Those students who may not have completed Year 12 due to extenuating circumstances should also apply for exemption consideration to the Year 12 completion criteria.
  
  

Traineeships on offer. Certificate IV qualification in:

• Business
• Project Management
• Procurement & Contracting
  
  

All students are encouraged to apply.

At Apprenticeship Careers Australia (ACA), our values guide all that we do and who we are. We are passionate about providing an inclusive workplace, where we learn from each other to create a better Australia. We care about our people and those we represent, and we achieve success through a collaborative and courageous working environment.

Traineeships commence: March 2024

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further please book in a time to meet with me. More information can also be found at: https://www.apprenticeshipcareers.com.au/job-seekers/infrastructure-traineeships

ACU (Australian Catholic University) is welcoming students to the University to engage with them and gather information they may need to assist them with their choices about the University.

ACU events are tailored to give students an exciting taste of specific disciplines, with hands-on workshops and an opportunity to speak with current ACU students to find out what life is like in that area of study.

• Sports and Exercise Science Tuesday 21 November, 4-6 pm (Blacktown International Sports Park, Rooty Hill)

• Nursing and Midwifery Thursday 23rd November, 4-6 pm (Blacktown Campus)

• Discover Physiotherapy Tuesday 28 November, 4-6 pm (North Sydney Campus)

• Discover Nursing Thursday 30 November, 4-6 pm (North Sydney Campus)

• Teaching guided visits Tuesday 26 September, 11 am - 1 pm

• Nursing and paramedicine guided visits Thursday 28 September, 10 am - 1 pm

• Social work guided visits Tuesday 26 September, 11 am - 1 pM

Remember Early entry applications close 18th September 2023 into this university.

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The Macarthur Nature Photography Competition is an opportunity for you to help highlight the beauty of our region - so dust off your camera and get ready to capture our beautiful local environment.

Camden Council, Campbelltown Council and Wollondilly Council are once again hosting the highly anticipated Macarthur Nature Photography Competition (MNPC) and is encouraging our community to enter your most striking, engaging and enticing images of local native flora, wildlife and natural scenery taken from within the Macarthur area.

• Caring for Country;
• Threatened species; and
• Australian native plants, animals and pollinators.

Check out our website today and start snapping!

For further information please click here.

College P & F Uniform Pool orders

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 and collected from the SBCC College Office. We do not return, exchange or refund on 2nd hand clothing as these are donated by families.

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