Welcome to the final newsletter of this term. As we are excited for  the break and the well-earned rest for all, we are at the same time looking forward to the new term which brings a fresh start; a new term, a new semester.  We have a few important notices in this newsletter, many of which pertain to next term, that we felt were key to provide parents prior to the break. With that in mind, we thank you again for taking the time to read this newsletter. 

Staffing Next Term 

Acting Positions 

This week, we bid a "Farewell For Now" to Kate Wilson who will undertake the Acting Principal Role at St Joseph's Charlestown for Term 3. We wish Kate all the best iin this new experience and know with confidence she will meet the demands of the Principal Role with the same dedication and service she has given our school since the start of 2022. We look forward to welcoming Kate back Term 4. We are, in turn, excited to welcome Michelle Collins to the role of Assistant Principal for the term and Mrs Megan Hunt who will step into a formal executive role as Religious Education Coordinator for next term. She joins our executive team of myself, Michelle Collins and Wayne Bailey as together we plan for and implement a positive Term 3 at SBE. 

Internship Postitions

One of the great things about wintessing the excellence in teaching that occurs in our classrooms is to share that expertise with undergraduate teachers via a dedicated Internship program for 4th year University students. Currently, students who have yet to complete their 4th year internship are able to teach in schools and are encouraged to conduct their internship as part their already established roles in those school communities.

We are lucky enough to have two interns confirmed for the start of Term 3 and that they are both already well known to our students as casual and part time teachers on staff. We have a third internship teacher that we are hoping to confirm soon and will happily update the school community once we do. It is important to note that the Internship Program is a critical, final stage of an already approved beginning career teacher, so the nature of this program means that they bring their own expertise to the teaching team and this adds significant value and capacity to the teaching team on that grade. We are looking forward to supporting and welcoming our newest members to the profession in their final official steps to a career in teaching. 

The following Internship program will be implemented next term.

Navigating Wet Conditions

I do hope the wet week we are currently experiencing means we get some clear weather for the upcoming term break. There is something that little bit more chilling when the days are cold AND wet.

The school site continues to manage the challenge of draining a lot of water at once across varying degrees of slope and underground drains. The students have been good at alerting staff to emerging blockages which we have sought to manage each time.

However, as young people tend to do, their intrigue to the blocked water often results in them choosing to navigate straight through the puddles (when there are ways around it), sometimes going as far as standing in, sliding across and splashing in them. On the most part, wet shoes and even wet jackets gained within the school grounds are avoidable and teachers have been reminding students to make the best play choices for the conditions. The water has dissipated after each heavy fall as the drains eventually do their job, but we are certainly navigating times when particularly heavy rainfalls mean there is a decision to be made (by everyone) about how we best move past or around the situation. 

School Improvement Goals 2024 

Dates for Next Term 

Important Dates to Launch Term 3.pdf

Important Dates to Launch Term 3 _pdf 1.02 MB

Congratulations on another great term. We always say Term 2 is the toughest as it see us transition to the coldest, wettest months all the while being in the middle of the "learning pit" of the school year (don't worry, the learning pit is a good thing but it is also about working tough). While we have more to come in Term 3, we fast approach spring soon enough and find ourselves coming out of the pit and celebrating new triumphs. If nothing else, I invite the students to rest up, perhaps rug up with a good book and simply relax these holidays. Parents, if you get a chance, have a good rest as well. At the very least, please enjoy the break from the daily grind of the school term (uniforms washed and ironed, backs packed, lunches made and out the door by "go" time). 

Have a great 2 weeks. We will see everybody back her for the first day of term - Monday 22nd July 

Jules Mulhearn 

Naidoc Week 

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first full week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. 

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation. https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-theme

Our school is conducting its NAIDOC Liturgy and Activities upon our return to school in Week 1 but we wanted to acknowledge it as we launch into the holidays during which time many of the activities and celebrations will be part of the media we watch and we may even have a chance to be part of some events.  

Celebrating the Feast Days of our School Saints. 

Another key event that we will celebrate upon our return to term is the Combined Feast Day of our School Saints. Combine because we are named for St Benedict (Feast Day July 11th) and founded by the Josephite sister led by the charism of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop (Feast Day August 8th). Again, we will provide more details about the celebration day we will have in Week 2 of Term 3 (including a Whole Class Mass and Class / Playground celebrations) but wanted to mention this as we move into the break, given that the first feast day will happen while we are apart. 

Mission PJ Winter Warmer Day this Thursday. 

Dont forget our Winter Warmer day outlined in the flyer below. We remind parents to not send their chidlren to school in slippers (for safety reasons) no matter how tempting this may be and techincally within the theme of the day. Best just keep to joggers on this occassion.

Maths Data Cycle 4

On Monday afternoon, the staff met for their final PLT (professional learning team) meeting for Term 2. As we have all just completed the mid term common grade assessment using our Essential Assessment platform. It was a great opportunity for the teams to meet, analyse and discuss where their students are at now mid way through the year, celebrate their growth and plan for goals moving for class and individual goals moving into Semester 2.

Please see below the Maths goals that were decided on yesterday afternoon by each grade. These will remain a focus for the first 3 weeks of term 3.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy holiday break and successful term 3. As you know I will be taking on the role of Acting Principal next term at St. Joseph's, Charlestown. I look forward to returning in term 4 and once again working with you all for the remainder of the year. 

As I take up the role of PM to lead the STEM project and digital literacy capabilities project in Term 3, I am delighted to provide an update on the exciting STEM project for Stage 3 students in Term 2 and 3 of this year – STEMquest - Shaping Tomorrow's Innovators.  

The video belwo will unpack this further but in summary,  STEM ( an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), lies at the heart of this innovative endeavour. And as part of a stem project with hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and real-world challenges, our students will embark on an exhilarating journey of discovery and innovation. 

 Students will form groups and delve into researching and proposing solutions for real-world problems of their choice. As the culmination of their hard work and dedication, Stage 3 will proudly host our inaugural STEM Fair. This event will showcase the incredible projects our students have developed, providing them with a platform to share their ideas and insights with our school community. 

 I am confident that STEMquest will not only ignite a lifelong love for learning but also empower our students to become active contributors to a brighter future. Your support is invaluable in making this initiative possible, and we are seeking volunteers or "experts" from the community who would be willing to lend their expertise and support to our students during this exciting journey. If you are interested in participating as a volunteer or would like more information about STEMquest, please contact Amanda Lewis via email. amanda.lewis@mn.catholic.edu.au 

Jump Off Day!

Screen time

As we head into the school holiday period, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to provide some extra resources around how we, as parents, can manage screen time at home. As a parent of a 12 and 14 year old, this is a conversation that my husband and I have regularly as parents, and also have with our children. Often we find we have very differing ideas about what is the 'approriate' amount of screen time for their ages.

Screen time refers to the amount of time spent using electronic devices such as phones, computers, televisions and tablets. Managing screen time is important for a child’s overall wellbeing and development, both physically and mentally. It is important for children to establish healthy habits and boundaries around screen time use from the moment they are handed any electronic device. Developing healthy screen use habits will ensure your child also has plenty of time for other activities such as playing, reading, spending time with family and friends, and participating in physical activities. There are both benefits and drawbacks to screen time, learning how to make good decisions about when and how much to use their devices will help children find the right balance.

Many parents have reported excessive screen time as the number one health concern affecting kids, especially now in the hyperconnected world we live in. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that there should be no screen time at all for children under two, less than an hour a day for children aged from two to five, and less than two hours for five to 17 year olds. Parents must play an important role in modelling a positive approach to using screens, and assisting children to navigate the content they access.

Below you will find a link to some resources on our school tv account in the CyberSafety Serieswith a specific link to managging screen time.

Regional Athletics Carnival

Good luck to our 48 children who are competing at the Lakes Region Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 3rd July at Glendale. This is our largest ever team representing SBE which shows the high standard of athletes who were successful in qualifying.  

Congratulations to the following students who acheived a Bennies milestone and Spirit of Jesus award this week.