St Benedict's Catholic College

Week 3 proved to be bustling with a multitude of events taking place. A comprehensive overview of these events will be featured in the upcoming edition of our newsletter. Here's a brief glimpse:

• Recognition of Year 12 High Achievers at the Assembly
• Celebrating Shrove Tuesday
• House Liturgies for Ash Wednesday
• Commemoration of the Opening School Mass along with the Badging ceremony for Youth Advisory Leaders and the Social Justice Committee Members
• Year 7 Parents Breakfast - Meeting of Strive Coaches

We intend to grant Year 10-12 students access to the gym starting from Week 5. Before commencing your sessions, it's crucial to be aware of the following guidelines:

• The gym will be exclusively open to Year 10-12 students on Tuesday and Thursday mornings starting in Week 5, from 6:45 to 7:45 am promptly.
• There is a limit of 15 persons per session.
• Completion of the online gym modules on Google Classroom (code: ac7n44u) is mandatory, unless previously completed.
• Parents or carers must complete liability waiver and consent forms through Compass
• Session booking procedures are still being finalised, with more information forthcoming.
• A 2-strike policy will be enforced for no-shows; repeated instances will result in access revocation.
• It is mandatory to bring a towel, and advisable to bring a water bottle.
• Personal gym attire is permitted but must be appropriate (seek clarification from Mr. Turner or Mrs. Loudoun if uncertain).
• Students must change into their regular school uniform after the session, aligning with the day's schedule. The supervising PDHPE teacher will verify this following each gym session.
• Please note: shower facilities will not be available post-gym session.

On Monday 12 February, the Year 11 drama class had the incredible opportunity to attend Onstage 2023, a series of Drama HSC performances at the Seymour Centre within the heart of the University of Sydney.

This excursion consisted of a diverse range of performances, each showcasing a variety of dramatic elements that not only held the audience’s attention but also offered valuable insights into our upcoming Drama HSC studies.

In particular, I found the final Group Performance to be one of my personal favourites. This performance showcased the narrative of four young men navigating the pressures of conforming to traditional roles within a prestigious club. The club essentially acts as a symbol of societal expectations in men - the story unfolding as a commentary on toxic masculinity. By defying societal and political expectations, the performance effectively conveys its message while also incorporating a diverse range of dramatic elements.

Observing these productions not only allowed us to view the utilisation of the elements of drama (such as character, role, movement, voice, and space) but also provided valuable insights into the standards we should strive for in our upcoming Drama HSC journey next year.

Article by Lucinda Grace

I am delighted to share that Year 11 has made an outstanding start to the academic year, exhibiting remarkable adaptability and focus. Students have seamlessly transitioned into their new roles and responsibilities, showcasing a strong commitment to their studies. With a positive attitude and active engagement, they have quickly adjusted to the demands of their coursework, leading to notably high classroom participation and interaction. Thursday night our Information Evening was able to set the stage for continued academic success with a Zoom session for families and students focusing on Learning in Stage 6 and the importance of balance in regards to student wellbeing.

Furthermore, the sense of camaraderie among peers has been palpable, contributing to a supportive learning environment. The impressive number of Youth Ministry Leaders badged at our Opening mass on Friday morning as well as Social Justice volunteers has created a positive atmosphere and has set a solid foundation for continued growth and success throughout the year.

Exciting opportunities lie ahead for Year 11 as they eagerly prepare for enriching experiences. This week, they have embarked on an Open University Visit alongside Year 12 peers, gaining valuable insights into higher education and future academic pathways.

This week students also attended a Biology excursion to Mt Keira, where those studying the course were able to immerse themselves in the intricacies of ecosystems firsthand. These activities not only deepen their academic understanding but also nurture a sense of curiosity and exploration.

Year 11's proactive engagement in such endeavours underscores their commitment to holistic learning and personal development, setting a commendable example for their peers.

Thank you for your continued support as we journey through this academic year together.

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• Wednesday 21 February - Year 12 Fast Forward Program
• Wednesday 21 February - Year 7 & 8 High Performance Evening Information Session - 6pm (Selected students only)
• Thursday 22 February - Year 12 Legal Studies Excursion
• Friday 23 February –Staff Development Day (No students on site)
• Monday 26 February - College Swimming Carnival - Competitors ONLY
• Monday 26 February - College Open Day (3.30pm - 7pm)
• Tuesday 27 February - P&F Meeting - 6.00pm in the Library
• Thursday 29 February - Years 10 & 11 VET Course (White card training)
• Friday 1 March - Year 11 Incursion - Independent Drug Education Australia
• Thursday 28 March - Staff Development Day (No students on site)

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

The Library is celebrating Library Lover's Day with a Blind Date with a Book promotion. The idea is to take a chance and 'date a book'. Here are the rules:-

Suzanne Seychell

Numeracy Instructional Coach

seychells01@dow.catholic.edu.au

It has been a busy but very exciting week for the Social Justice team. On Tuesday 13 February in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, the team sold pancakes at recess. Thank you to everyone who bought some, but for those who missed out, we will do it again on Tuesday Week 4, so be quick! Stock is limited.

Tuesday 13 February also marked the official launch of Project Compassion. I had the pleasure of attending this launch with our newly appointed President, Claire Small and Senior Secretary, Kirsty Fernandes. Below is a recount of the day from the team’s leaders:

On Tuesday the 13 of February, we had the privilege of accompanying other Catholic schools in our diocese for the 2024 Project Compassion Launch. The focus this year is to raise money for our future generations, while only sometimes taking credit for our actions. Bishop Brian Mascord reinforced the idea of project compassion being more than “putting money into a box”, but rather reflecting as to what good deeds and projects the money is going towards. With this launch, it gives our community awareness of what our actions can do for those in need.

St Benedict’s has the goal of reaching $1000 which will help people like Ronita in the Philippines learn and study jobs that can help break the poverty cycle.

Ways you can support this initiative is through:

• Donating money into the project compassion box in STRIVE

• Buying Zooper Doopers after sport from Week 5 to Week 10

• Another Pancake day in week 4

• Easter Raffles and competitions

President, Claire Small and Senior Secretary, Kirsty Fernandes

On Thursday 15 February, the College held our Opening School Mass and with this, we also had the opportunity to formally introduce Claire Small, Kirsty Fernandes and Elizabeth Robertson to the College as the Social Justice leaders. To say I am proud of these students is an understatement. Each of these students have demonstrated their passion for helping others for the whole time they have been part of St Benedict’s community. Their determination in leading our College to helping others in need, is an inspiration to all. I can see we are going to have a very productive year under their leadership.

Thank you again for your continued support. All money raised this year will go to Project Compassion, so please help us to reach our goal of raising $1000 this term.

Mrs Sara-Jane Castelli

Social Justice Coordinator

The way that the St Benedict’s College uniform is worn is a reflection of the respect that our students hold toward themselves and the College Community. For this reason, it is expected that students will wear the uniform in a correct and appropriate manner at all times. Students should be dressed in the correct uniform from the time they leave home in the morning until the moment they arrive home in the afternoon. If students are not travelling directly home after school, they would be expected to wear their uniform correctly or change completely out of their uniform into other clothing. We aim to set a standard that we can all be proud of, and which brings credit to students, parents and the school. Our uniform clearly identifies who we are and what we stand for and, as a result, the uniform code will be strictly enforced. Some aspects of the student uniform code are necessary to comply with Work, Health & Safety regulations and to ensure students’ safety in specialty areas. Items that are worn or damaged are to be replaced. All items of clothing need to be clearly marked with the student’s name.

For a comprehensive list of St. Benedict’s Catholic College Uniform Guidelines, please click here.

Just a few important notes in relation to our canteen:

1. No cash or credit card payments are accepted

2. Only Compass Cards allow for purchase of items

3. Year 7 are yet to receive their Compass Card. In the meantime you can download the canteen's App, FlexiSchools, and place your orders online. https://flexischools.com.au/

The Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) gives Australian Year 12 students who have applied for undergraduate admission through UAC an opportunity to be assessed on criteria other than, or in addition to, the ATAR.

Below are some important dates to remember if you wish to apply for early entry into University. If you need to discuss this process please email me brownt04@dow.catholic.edu.au to book an appointment. Mrs. Brown.

Landscaping Construction Apprenticeships

Opportunities for interested students in Landscaping Construction Apprenticeships.

If you are interested please apply at WWW.GWL.JOBS. There is a brochure on the Careers noticeboard out the front of my office.

Wednesday 21 February 2024

The University of Sydney - Why study environmental engineering?

Join our webinar to learn about our new environmental engineering stream, launching in 2025. Time: 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM Location: Online Click here for registration

Defence Careers Australia Information Sessions

Defence Careers Australia Information Sessions - Would you like the opportunity to undertake military training in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) while earning a degree? All without debt - in fact, we'll pay you! Tuesday 20 February 2024 Sydney: ADFA Careers Information Session Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Location: Sydney Defence Force Recruiting Centre Click here for registration

Understanding Special Consideration

Life isn’t always kind to everyone. If you’ve experienced an exceptional situation or event during your high school period, particularly in your senior years, you may not be able to perform to the best of your abilities. And that could affect your results. You don’t have to miss out on achieving your goals if circumstances beyond your control mean that you’ve been held back in your studies or exams. That’s where special consideration comes in.

To find out more, please click on the above link 'Understanding Special Consideration.'

Please ensure you have actioned the '2024 Acceptance Use of Technology Agreement' and the '2024 Consent for the use of students image and/or work' via Insights in your Compass parent portal. (Tip sheet attached)

The St Benedict's P&F Committee will coordinate and host THREE events in 2024:

Dates to be confirmed:

• Mother's Day - 9 May
• Father's Day - 31 August
• Year 7 Orientation - November

This quick survey is to help us to determine if Mother's Day and Father's Day events will be held as a breakfast or morning tea. It is also asking for any volunteers to assist in the planning or running of these events.

https://forms.gle/Ukg5cbtBc8VwiAGQ8

In 2024 as with all other years, NSW Health is providing a free vaccination clinic to students at the College. This is not compulsory. In 2024 the following vaccinations will be available:

• Year 7 - 9 August 2024 diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV)

• Year 10 - 25 May 2024 meningococcal ACWY vaccine

Parents can provide consent online for their child’s routine school vaccinations. Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received. To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need:

• Their Service NSW log-in details, or to create an account with Service NSW if they don’t already have one

• Medicare details for parents/carers and their child

Benefits of online consent for parents/carers:

• SMS notifications when vaccinations are given

• Easy updating of their child’s details online

• Faster upload of their child’s vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

Printed consent materials are also available where parents/carers cannot provide online consent, including for parents/carers or students who do not have a Medicare card or internet access (A small number of these are available from the College office and will need to be handed back to the front office ONE week prior to the vaccination date)

Missed vaccinations

Students who miss vaccination due to absence on the day of the school vaccination clinic may be offered catch-up vaccination on 24 October. Where this is not possible, parents will be advised that free catch-up vaccine is available at their local GP or pharmacist immuniser.

Parents who choose to wait for their child to be older before consenting to vaccination will be required to arrange for vaccination at their GP or pharmacist. This may incur a consultation fee.

A helpful video about the NSW School Vaccination Program and how to provide consent is available for parents on the NSW Health webpage please visit:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/schoolvaccination.aspx

School fees for 2024 have now been invoiced and statements will be issued by the end of Week 1 with annual or first instalment payments due on 28 February 2024. You may also view your school fee account in the Compass Parent Portal. Please note that if you have instalments, they will only be visible on your school fee statement and not in the Parent Portal.

Phttps://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/for-parents/school-fees/

▪ The invoicing of school fees and the distribution of school fee statements each month, is now a function carried out by the Catholic Education Office.

▪ Payment of fees, whether as an annual payment or payment by instalments is due on the date/s provided on your school fee statement.

▪If an amendment is made to your school fee account eg your child changes subjects in a secondary school, etc. you will be emailed a statement which will provide a new schedule of payments and due dates. Please review this schedule to make any changes to your payments that are necessary.

EVET COURSES – SECONDARY SCHOOLS ONLY

If your child is studying an EVET Course (External VET Course), the costs will not be known until mid- February. At that time an EVENT will be published via email which will advise the amount required and a due date. These payments are made via the Parent Portal as a separate amount to your school fees.

REMINDERS FOR LATE PAYMENTS

SMS and email reminders are automatically generated by our accounting software based on the number of days a payment is overdue and are distributed by the Catholic Education Office. For those families that may have difficulty in paying their school fees, these reminders may cause some distress. This is not our intention. Our intention is to support the collection of school fee accounts centrally and in so doing, alleviate some of the administrative work of our schools.

SCHOOL FEE ACCOUNT ENQUIRIES

Please note, despite the centralisation of various functions, your school/s will always be your point of contact for matters pertaining to fees. If you wish to discuss your school fee account, please contact your school office. The role of the Catholic Education Office is to action centralised tasks on behalf of schools.

IF YOU WISH TO PAY BY INSTALMENTS

Many families have already elected to pay their school fees by instalments. If you wish to avail yourself of this option please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available at your school’s office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at your school’s office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your next school fee statement. Please note it is only necessary to complete this form once during the period of child/children’s enrolment unless you wish to amend your payment frequency.

DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage you to contact the school in which your child/children are enrolled to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments. This may include the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the administration office of each school. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances. If you wish to submit an application, please do so at your child’s school. Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application.

For those families that received a Fee Concession in 2023, you will receive an email prior to your annual review date attaching a further Application for Fee Concession. You may also initiate an earlier review if you wish to do so by contacting your school office.

For further information regarding school fees, please access the Diocesan School Fee Management Policy and Frequently Asked Questions which is available here. https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/for-parents/school-fees/

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.

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

RANIER has advised that there may be significant delays with the college uniform. This delay is due to COVID lockdowns in China.

Orders placed for home delivery are despatched twice a week from the Uniform Shop. Orders placed for collection from college office will be available Mondays after 2:30pm, orders placed prior to 9am Monday will qualify.

TRADING HOURS DURING COLLEGE TERMS:

Monday 9am – 5pm

Tuesday 9am – 5pm

Wednesday 9am – 5pm

Thursday 9am – 5pm

Saturday 9am – 12pm

Collection from shop | Collection from College | Home Delivery

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