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I have reattached the schedule of dates that I shared last week for your reference. I would like to draw your attention to the revised start dates for 2025 that were incorrect in the flyer from last week’s newsletter. I can confirm, the start dates for 2025 are as follows:
Tuesday 4th February- Students in Year 1-6 return for 2025.
Thursday 6th February- Kindergarten 2025 first day.
World Teachers'Day
This Friday is World Teacher Day! To celebrate our amazing teachers, I am asking our community to do a shout out for any teachers at SBE. I will collate these responses on Friday morning and publish on Compass and Facebook. Please use the link below to give a shout out to our teachers!
Milestones Across Term 4
Across the business of Term 4 there are 3 initiatives or projects of particular importance to us here at SBE that I would like to focus on in this newsletter. The first is the Orientation program for our 2025 Kindergarten Cohort, followed by the Leadership Development Program for Year 5 in readiness for their Year 6 Student Leadership and finally, our current Year 6 students begin their transition to high school and marking their graduation at term’s end.
Kinder Orientation Program 2025
We have a strong cohort of kindergarten students poised to join our community this term via a 4-week Orientation program. Some students are already part of our community with older siblings at our school and others are new families that we will welcome to SBE. Either way, for each 4- or 5-year-old, the orientation program (supported by their Year 5 Buddies, the Kindergarten teachers and various support staff) will be their first steps in their primary school journey and we are so please to have them be part of SBE. The Orientation Program will happen across four Tuesdays (12th, 19th, 26th November and 3rd December). The first will include a morning tea hosted by our current Kindergarten parent cohort and the last will include an assembly where the children will receive a Kindergarten Readiness Kit. It is a great program and equips students for a positive transition to SBE life. Their return in 2025 to actually start “big” school will be like returning to a welcoming home they already know. We look forward to getting to know our new friends!
Leadership Development Program - Student Leadership 2025
Our Student Parliament led by our 4 school leaders have had a productive year and represented our school in a variety of events and initiatives. It has been wonderful to have such a valuable student voice working for the betterment of our school. As our Year 5 students begin to prepare for their role as student parliament in 2025, it is important they spend some considered and focus learning time on what it means to be a leader built on service, compassion, and love. It is with this understanding that we then challenge our Year 5 students to ready themselves for leadership including nominations for specific roles in our student parliament. Their first whole grade leadership development day was held last Thursday and will be recapped by Mrs Hunt in her Religious article below. Moving forward, the students will continue the program in class including the nomination process, the actual speeches and student elections in Week 8 of term. We wish all the Year 5 students a great term as they take on the role of student voice in our school.
For our Year 5 parents, there is a detailed unpacking of our student parliament and the selection process via the special newsletter link below. We will share it separately on COMPASS for your reference and further communication will come home with the students when the process is underway.
Year 6 Graduation and Transition to High School
Our Year 6 students come to perhaps the second most important phase of their Primary Schooling (the first being the Kinder orientation they participated in 7 long years ago... was it truly 2018?). Now it is time to look forward to their Secondary Schooling and we are so excited for each of our Year 6 friends as they begin the journey. While it is important to note that there is still a term of learning to be had, there is no doubt that this term will go quickly. All too soon, we will be farewelling our old friends even as we welcome our new. Such is the cycle of a Primary School.
Year 6's transition program is already underway with 3 x Afternoons at St Paul's throughout Term 2 and 3 and their first formal orientation day last term. This term, they complete their orientation with a final day at St Pauls on December 4th before embarking on the celebration of their Graduation here at SBE. Graduation Week (Week 10) includes a Graduation Assembly during the school day on Monday 6th, followed by a Graduation Celebration that evening. They will participate in a Graduation Fun Day at Holy Cross, Glendale on the 10th December and then, they will join the rest of the school as we "clap them out" of their Primary Years on the 18th December, the last day of term. It is such an exciting time to be preparing for any milestone such as Year 6 graduation.
I met with the school leadership team last week to seek their ideas and feedback about their graduation celebration on the evening of Monday 16th of September. I will communicate with our Year 6 parents later this week about the outline for the evening and an option for parents to volunteer to help decorate the hall after the Year 6 graduation assembly in the morning of the 16th.
I wish all our Year 6 students a wonderful final term at SBE. While perhaps you are ready to go now, please stay with us a little while longer before starting out on your own future.
Soktober Mission Day- Friday 2nd November
Next Friday, we will be holding our annual mission day at SBE. Students are invited to wear crazy socks, and wear crazy hair/accessories for the day and bring money to see which class can make the longest coin line. This is part of the whole Diocese Soktober initiative which was communicated last term. Thanks to our wonderful leaders Josie, Boston and Ruby for creating the flyer below which has been displayed around our school.
Have a great week everyone!
Kate Wilson
Teaching and Curriculum Update
ICAS - 2024
Last term, some of our Primary children participated in the ICAS Assessments (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools). These assessments were designed to be very challenging, targeting students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies.
The school has recently received results and certificates for our children who participated in the competitions.
Please note that the Writing results and certificates have not arrived as yet but are expected in the next few weeks.
Congratulations to Alexander Leigh, Dylan Mai Judge and Scarlett Rose who received special commendations for their efforts.
Dylan Mai Judge, Year 3 – Spelling - Distinction, English - Distinction.
Alexander Leigh, Year 3 – English - Credit, Mathematics - Merit.
Scarlett Rose, Year 6 - Spelling - Credit.
The special commendation certificates will be presented to these children at next Monday's Morning Assembly (Wk 3).
An excellent achievement!
Wayne Bailey,
Primary Coordinator.
Religious Education and Catholic Identity Update
Leadership day
Annually the Year 5 students from Holy Cross Glendale and St Benedict's Edgeworth join in preparation for becoming leaders in their schools. This fun day always sees the students strive and learn for the journey ahead of them. The students always approach the day with maturity and collaboration. We are supported by St Paul's Booragul and appreciate the assistance from their students. It is always wonderful to see former St Benedict's and Holy Cross students again.
How our students found the day?
Leadership day was a fun day where all Year 5 students from St Benedict’s and Holy Cross came together at St Paul's Highschool. They came to learn how important it is to be a leader as well as how to become one. There were four activities and four groups of children, every group would take turns going to each activity.
One of groups consisted of hearing a bible story and writing down ways of how you
can be a good leader. In other groups you would learn about teamwork, thinking about what if you have all the qualities of being a leader and trusting yourself. St Paul’s Year 10 students would help with activities as well.
After every two activities you would have a break to eat, run and play. When everyone has done all the activities. We came together for a closing prayer, we would read our pledge and let a Year 10 student witness it. We all then headed for our bus. We also had been given a booklet about leadership and some prayers. Everyone loved it!
By Anliya Linson
Yesterday we had a leadership day at St. Paul’s High school Booragul to train
us to be a better leader. We had 4 different sessions to train us in different
aspects of leadership.
Session one: Jesus washes his Apostles’ feet
In this session we listened to the story of when Jesus washed his Apostles’
feet to tell us about what it means to be a leader. After listening to the story,
we had 4 questions to answer, think of ways to help someone, is it important
to help others, what was Jesus teaching us, and what this has to do with
leadership.
Session two: Team building is a sign of good leadership
In this session we did activities that helped us get better at team building. For
the first activity in this session, we did tower building with dry spaghetti and
marshmallows. We had to build a tall but strong tower within a time limit. We
also had different phases for this activity, a planning phase, building phase
and a testing phase.
Session 3: Jesus as a Servant leader: our role Model
In this session, we had an activity that taught us about what qualities Jesus
used in His service to others. The qualities Jesus had in His service were,
speaking with authority, being charismatic, empowerment, service, interest in
others, confrontation when it is necessary, He led by example, He always
reflected before acting. We also ranked and reflected on the qualities that we
have as a leader. Session 4: Leadership skills through games
In this session we played games, black and red, which is about choosing
sides and getting out based on the colour of the card and rock, paper scissors in teams We learned in this activity that we can ask others about their opinion on a decision like in this game asking on which side to pick or choosing based on your gut feeling.
Overall, I think that all of us had fun during leadership day and learnt a lot
about leadership in the different activities and sessions.
By Adam Tinawin
Have a wonderful week,
Megan Hunt
(Acting REC)
Year 3 Excursion
Year 3 went for a visit to the Awabakal Education Centre in Dudley last Tuesday. The students were able to make the most of the inclement weather and engage with a slightly varied learning program. Starting with impeccable manners when leaving the bus students showed of St Benedict's in a great light to our hosts all day. Students were able to attempt the lighting of fires with traditional igniting methods. They also had a chance make a gunyah and touch some artefacts that had been found in the area. The students were actively engaged and their behaviour all day was a source of pride for all staff at the event. Well done year 3 on being so respectful and inquisitive on our excursion day.
Ms Brazel and Mr McGill
Morning Play
We are so lucky to have such talented and passionate teachers who bring so many talents to our school. Each morning, Mrs Johnson faciliates a play session in the hall providing an option for students to quielty play, and take part in a variety of craft activities.
Last week during morning play, St Benedict's students created bees. The craft activity was enjoyed by many students. Thanks Mrs Johnson!
HEADING TO HIGH SCHOOL
As I was compiling the information last week with regards to transitioning back to school after the holidays I thought it might be important to include some helpful information regarding our Year 6 student's transitioning to high school.
School transitions are complex – they can be influenced by a students’ personality as well as by their family, friends, school, neighbourhoods, and broader communities. Support and input from these influences can help students transition successfully to the next stage of their learning.
For some students, transition can be largely positive, but for others it can be somewhat challenging.
Students’ grades or their engagement and motivation at school can be affected by changing schools. Students’ wellbeing may also be challenged during the transition period. It is important that we all check whether students are ok during their school transition. Students are best supported in their transition by having good relationships with their family and friends and participating positively in communities outside of school.
What are students most worried about?
Research conducted by ACER in 2021 asked students what were the main challenges related to school transition.
Students said they needed to know about:
- How their new school operates (campus maps, timetables, how to not get lost/be late)
- Academic work (how diffcult the work is, and what to do if it is too diffcult)
- Workload (how much work/homework there is, and how to get it all done)
- Social elements (how to make new friends & keep in touch with old friends; what to do when friends are unfriendly)
- School-life balance (how to make sure there was still time for sports, hobbies and relaxation).
Life Education in association with the Department of Education have created a resource for parents and carers to utilise to support their child with their transition to High School. Below is a link to this resource:
https://guidetothrive.lifeed.org.au/support-for-parents-carers
God bless,
Miss Michelle Collins
(Acting Assistant Principal)
Year 6 Soccer Gala Day - Socktober
Catholic Mission and the Catholic Schools Office as part of their Socktober celebrations, are raising funds to support the Don Bosco Caring Centre in Mongolia "Mon-Goal-Lia" with a Soccer Gala Day at Speers Point this Wednesday (girls) and Thursday (Boys). Good luck to our selected Year 6 children who will be involved on the day.
Important News - Admin Office Update
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
Special Note for year 6 parents regarding fees.
As this will be the last year for year 6 students at St Benedict's fees need to be finalised & paid in full prior to November 30th 2024. Any families that are experiencing hardship or require assistance with extinguishing their debt please contact our school office. Payment of school fees must be addressed to avoid being negatively impacted on their enrolment proceeding at another Catholic school. Principal's will be notified where no fees clearance is applicable.
An SMS was sent out to all families regarding this.
As we enter term 4 it is expected that families are well on their way to extinguishing their fees for 2024. If your intention was to make your payment weekly or fortnightluy please ensure this is happening as it can be hard to catchup once behind.
School fee
Payments were expected to have commenced by 31 March if you have not made 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.
Parents and Friends update
Our next P&F meeting will be held next Monday 28th October at 6pm in the SBE staffroom. We would love to see you there!
Once again we are pleased to announce our annual Crazy Camel fundraiser is open. The children have had an opportunity in class to complete and submit a piece of their own artwork. Scan the QR code to view your child’s artwork and order some memorable keepsakes.
We have had a good response so far and there’s still time to order.
*Orders close 1st of November
Congratulations to the following students who were recognised for their efforts in Learning, Improvement and Kindness to Others last week.
|
Class Achievement, Progress and Effort |
Spirit of Jesus Awards |
KB |
Thea Reeves, Aaron Poudel |
|
KR |
Jaydan Hammond, Alina Linson |
|
1B |
Oliver O'Brien, Kierley Chapple |
|
1R |
Vivaan Gandhi, Paige Smith |
|
2B |
Lachlan Hall, Oliver White |
|
2R |
Nate Toohey, Talia Walker |
|
3B |
Charlotte Nymoen, Blake Bird |
Jackson Smith |
4B |
Blake Holman, Sophie Atkins |
|
4R |
Oliver Wright, Ella Hall |
|
5B |
Isaac Richards, Amelia Mackay |
|
5R |
Jack Fry, Ivie Oakes |
|
6B |
Cadence Hopkins, Zac Skardon |
|
6R |
Nate Bevan, Scarlett Rose |
|