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Welcome to Week 2. We are already very much in the busy-ness of term and this week we have several events scheduled as we continue with our learning journey for ourselves, as a class and in our community. The students continue to respond well to the routine of school and are well settled in their classrooms. As we clock over to August and while the weather is clear (if a little windy), it is reasonable to hope we have seen the back of winter. However, this may yet be wishful thinking with memories of the August winds and onset of spring rains keeping the temperatures cold to mild. We will remain in our Winter Uniform expectations until the end of August, scheduling the summer uniform as an option from the beginning of September (Week 7 onwards).
Combined Feast Days - St Mary of the Cross Makillop
After unpacking the story and teachings of St Benedict last week. This week I want to reflect on our other school and Australian Saint.
While not named for St Mary MacKillop, our school has very close ties to her story through the charism of the Josephite sisters that she founded and who, in turn, founded our school in 1962. In fact, at one point the Josephite sisters were responsible for up to 50 of the parish schools in our diocese, some of which has since closed. Today, the Josephite charism is held by 26 of our diocese 48 schools, with a similar legacy across all dioceses in Australia. A profound legacy from Australia's first religious order driven by a belief in equity and a passion for education for all students, especially the most vulnerable.
Our school values embedded in our school identity, our policies and frameworks all share a deep connection with Gospel teachings that are easily linked to the prolific writing of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop. As the Josephite order of sisters spread throughout regional Australia, letter writing was the key line of communication to the pioneers of education in those schools. If you have some idea of the political and religious tension in Australia in the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century, it might explain the tone of so many of her letters based on courage and honesty , having faith, taking action, being compassionate, and empowering the people in to trust in God’s Love in their work / effort.
Above is the articulation of our school values and below I have linked some writing of St Mary MacKillop that can be linked to those values for our reflection during the feast day celebrations.
| School Value | Mary Maillop's writings |
| Love |
It is in love that God leads me, by love that God reproves me, by love that God lets me see love in all. (1873) |
| Faith |
God will carry you safely through every struggle. (1870) |
| Compassion |
It is not those who can pay us well that we should first seek, but rather the poor and vulnerable where we can do good (1875) |
| Action |
Never see a need without doing something about it |
| Empowerment |
If disappointed, don’t say too hard. Only think, pray and try to remember that God will bring about what is best through you. (1882) |
| Effort |
Work on humbly with the means God has placed at your disposal. (1886) |
| Courage |
Courage, courage, trust in God who helps you in all things (1874). |
| Honesty |
Do not, for the sake of defending one or two, shrink from speaking the plain, open truth. (1871) |
We look foward to celebrating our combined Feast Day tomorrow at school - Details below. And if you can, lets deck our school out in our colours by the wearing of the Black, Red and White but otherwise out of school uniform. Its a celebration after all.
Have a Great Week,
Jules Mulhearn
School Office
Phone: 4958 1858
Email:admin@edgeworth.catholic.edu.au
Admin/ Finance Officer Suzi Di-Nardo Monday to Friday
Admin - Tiare Collins-Grayson Monday, Thursday Friday
School Fees
As we enter term 3 it is expected that families are well on their way to extinguishing their fees for 2024.
School fee payments were expected to have commenced by 31 March if you have not paid a payment as yet this is now overdue.
School Fees are to be finalised by 30 November 2024, please contact the school office if assistance is required to work out a best payment method or frequency to accomplish this requirement.
Payments can be made via B/pay, Direct debt, EFTPOS, over the counter at our school or over the phone. These payment can be set up through your internet banking to be paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
We ask that all Fee Payers closely review your current account, paying particular attention to:
- Only one charge for DFSBL (Building Levy) across all schools; and
- Check sibling discount has been applied at ALL schools (if applicable).
Diocesan Pastoral Contribution- This charge of $300 is a voluntary fee. Parents can decline or accept via Compass Parent Portal.
If you have not received your statement please check your Junk mail and contact our office.
NAIDOC week 2024
NAIDOC Week 2024 was held across Australia from 7-14 July 2024, celebrating and recognising the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This years theme for NAIDOC week is "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud", by which we look at the enduring strength and vitality of the First Nations culture. We acknowledge their connection to country and their experiences of traditions that define the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander communities.
It’s wonderful to see the focus on unity, pride, and solidarity during NAIDOC Week. The concept of embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait perspectives in educational frameworks is crucial, and it’s heartening to know that services are engaging in conversations about genuine reflection, respect, and informed practices. By recognising the unique Country each service is located on, we can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures and histories.
This week our students lead by Mrs Johnson (Aboriginal Education teacher) celebrated with a liturgy as we gathered together to acknowledge NAIDOC week. Through this the students celebrated cultural diversity and also embraced the significance of cultural heritage.
Enjoy your week,
Mrs Megan Hunt
(Acting REC)
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
As with all peoples, children have human rights across the full spectrum of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights.
Because children are recognised as having particular inherent needs and dependencies, they also have particular rights.
Both the Commonwealth of Australia and the Vatican (Holy See) 
ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in November 1990, this is the central international instrument that underpins both Australia’s and the Church’s approach to safeguarding children.
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s child friendly summary of children’s rights state that children have the right to:
- be treated fairly no matter what
- have a say about decisions affecting them
- live and grow up healthy
- have people do what is best for them
- know who they are and where they come from
- believe what they want
- privacy
- find out information and express themselves
- be safe
- be cared for and have a home
- education, play and cultural activities
- help and protection if they need it.
nformation sourced and shared with permission from: The Office of Safeguarding.
MAGDALENE AWARD
On Sunday Mrs Jo-Anne Franks and I attended Mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral celebrated in honour of St Mary Magdelene. After Mass we attended the Magdalene Award ceremony where Jo received a certificate in recognition of the work she does within our school, also her support of our parish sacramental program and the work she does within her own parish.
Each year the Magdalene Award recognises a woman living in and committed to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. This is a public affirmation of a life being lived in ways that echo the spirit of Mary Magdalene. Who is Mary Magdalene: Mary Magdalene was the first to experience the Risen Christ and is the first Christian missionary, ‘the apostle to the apostles’. Mary was a close friend of Jesus and continued to live a life that reflected the values first spread by Him. She exemplified courage, leadership, fidelity and strength. The Mass and award ceremony are held the weekend after Mary Magdalene’s Feast Day which is 22nd of July.
In here nomination the following were listed as reasons why Jo exhibits the characteristics of Mary Magdalene:
“In her role as EAL/D Teacher at St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School Edgeworth Jo is part of the Cultural Team assisting in organising Liturgy and Events including Harmony Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. Jo also supports families from other cultures and religious backgrounds to better understand what it means to have a child attend a Catholic School. Jo is the person parents will often go to if they have questions around faith and the Catholic Identity of the School. She will liaise with the schools Religious Education Co-Ordinator to answer these questions and if needed assist in putting support in place for the family.
Jo is an active member of the Sugarloaf Parish Sacramental Team. Jo has assisted students from St Benedict’s prepare for their sacraments over the past twelve years. She has helped with lesson instruction, practices and attends the ceremonies whenever she can.
At MacKillop Parish where Jo attends Mass she is part of the thriving Children’s Liturgy Team. She helps to lead this team to deliver engaging liturgical experiences for children each weekend at Mass. Jo is also a key member of the Exuberant, Praise and Worship Event and ALPHA Youth Group."
We would like to congratulate Jo on her award and thank her for her support to the Faith Life of our School. WELL DONE JO!
Michelle Collins
(Acting Assistant Principal)
Wellbeing Project
As part of my role as the Acting Assistant Principal on a Tuesday I will be completing the Wellbeing Project lessons with each class. The classes will receive approximately two lessons per term. Each cycle we will focus on a different area of Well-being. The first cycle I am working with the students is building RESILIENCE. Lessons are tailored to the student’s learning levels and needs. Last week I worked with stage 3 students on Resilience, Teamwork and Communication. Below are some photos of Year 5 Black participating in the challenge.
Congratulations to the following 26 students who completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge either late last term or since the commencement of this term.
They are:
From 2 BLACK: Adithya Alackal Sudheesh, Lachlan Hall, Ava Isbester
From 2 RED: Ella Goodwin, Everlee Grainger, Maisie Huntriss, Adysen Keen, Lucas Marks, Blake Skardon,
Oliver Stewart, Zavier Thompson
From 3 BLACK: Ayda Bevan, Prisha Ghimire, Juan Jerin, Eleanor Jewell, Jackson Smith
From 4 BLACK: Rithvi Jeeva
From 5 BLACK: Lexi Schumacher, Amelia Wood
From 5 RED: Ethan Carpenter, Jack Fry, Ethan Mukondo, Tayla Rossetti, Mia Sabeesh, Audrey Stanton
From 6 RED: Scarlett Rose
So far more than 110 students have completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge and many students have said that they are close to finishing so I am looking forward to receiving their completed sheets very soon.
Mrs Pam Nicolaidis
PRC Co-ordinator
Stage 2 Gala Day
Four teams from stage 2 competed in the Newcastle Touch Gala Day on Tuesday the 23rd of July. All students remembered that with such a gala day that skills development and having fun are mor important than the winning of the games. Well done to both our staff and the teams on the diligent application and sportsmanship that remained at great levels throughout the day. Big thank you to Mr Moore for being a parent helper/referee as well as Mrs Kain and Mrs Killen who worked very hard refereeing and organising the teams.
Stage 3 Gala Day.
2 Senior boys teams and 2 senior girls teams competed in the Stage 3 Gala Day on the 30th of July. Our teams worked well at being a team coming together learning new skills and competing with teams of varied abilities. In the games that I refereed and watched our boys and girls displayed great camaraderie and represented Saint Benedict's with pride, in tricky conditions with a very strong blustery wind and chilly conditions. Many tries were scored and saved well done to all teams. On behalf of the staff thank you to the students and parents who made for a great day. Big thank you to Mr Scott Garven for being a parent helper and to Mr Morris and the tireless Mrs Kain who made it a great day for our teams. Well done!!!
P&F UPDATE
We would love some helpers for our Fathers Day stall. If you can spare a few hours on the morning of Tuesday 29th August to assist the P&F this would be greatly appreciated. Please let us know via email parentsandfriends.sbcps@gmail.com
Monday 29th July- F. McPherson
Tuesday 30th July - Closed
Wednesday 31st July- H.Fenwick
Thursday 1st August- C. Boyle
Friday 2nd August- N. Tickner
Monday 5th August- H. Sanderson
Tuesday 6th August - closed
Wednesday 7th August- L. Leigh
Thursday 8th August- K. Newport
Friday 9th August- J. L. Johnson & K. Miller Jewel.
Along with our dedicated canteen supervisor Hayley Fenwick.
The school canteen needs you!
We are calling for more volunteers as we have spaces to currently fill.
The Canteen’s regular open days are Monday, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If you have any spare time from 9am – 12pm on any of these days and you are interested in volunteering in the Canteen please let the office and Canteen Supervisor Haley Fenwick know. Volunteering in the canteen can also be a one off occasion or a couple of times a term or year. This will ensure the canteen runs smoothly and can service all of the children’s food needs.
Thank you to all of the current Canteen volunteers.
Your time is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to the following students who were recognised for their efforts in Learning, Improvement and Kindness to Others last week.
Spirit of Jesus Awards:
|
3B - Theo Cotton-Young |
|
3R - Lennox Heard |
Achievement Awards:
|
KB |
Lola Somner, Jayden Bejoy |
|
KR |
Abiral Rai, Niall Bhattarai |
|
1B |
Delta Fenwick, Mackenzie Hall |
|
1R |
Mace Davies, Georgia Lovett |
|
2B |
Adithya Alackal Sudheesh, Ava Isbester |
|
2R |
Maisie Huntriss, Everlee Grainger |
|
3B |
Max Fry, Charli Maddison |
|
3R |
Heidi Fenwick, Madeline Richards |
|
4B |
Lyla Bashford, David Garces Catano |
|
4R |
Morgan Terry, Taj Bennett |
|
5B |
Hope Fenwick, Michael O'Neill |
|
5R |
Willow Garven, Adam Tinawin |
|
6B |
Willow Creek, Edith Watson |
|
6R |
Brady Leighton, Shaniya Dean |
