St Benedict's Primary School Edgeworth eNewsletter

We gathered today to celebrate the conclusion of another successful year, to mark the end of this chapter but also to recognize the outstanding achievements of all our students, especially those receiving awards. It is important to note that for every award presented today, there were many worthy contenders. The staff faced a significant challenge in selecting the recipients for 2024. The difficulty in finalizing today's awards is a testament to the exceptional year we've had. It is a pleasant dilemma, but a dilemma, nonetheless.

On a personal note, I have had the privilege of witnessing the growth and dedication of each student. Your hard work, resilience, and passion have been truly inspiring. Remember, this is just the beginning of your journey. Throughout the year, you have shown commitment, perseverance, and a joy in learning that truly sets you on the right path of a lifelong learning journey. That journey will have ups and downs, triumphs and challenges, high points and low point and that’s ok. Winston Churchill challenged us to always remember "Success is not final, failure is not the end: It is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill

I would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff who have played an instrumental role in nurturing and guiding our students. Your encouragement, support, and willingness to go above and beyond do not go unnoticed. You are the driving force behind many of the experiences our students carry with them beyond these walls.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the school leadership team: Kate Wilson, Michelle Collins, Wayne Bailey and Megan Hunt. I have greatly valued your support, advice, and our collaborative strength as we have undertaken various initiatives throughout the year.

A special thanks to Mrs. Suzi Di-Nardo and Mrs. Tiare Collins in the front office, who are truly the secret to the smooth running of our very busy school. They are very good at keeping in us in check, they know exactly what needs to be done and by

when and most of all they are always the welcoming face of our school, the voice on the end of the telephone and the fingers at the end of countless COMPASS alerts. There is no doubt in my mind of their worth and I want to express my heartfelt thanks for all that they do.

And finally, just as out liturgy earlier today challenged us –let us rise in thanksgiving. To chose gratitude above all else. "Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." This quote beautifully illustrates the transformative power of gratitude in our lives. May we each carry gratitude into our daily lives, through the summer break and into our 2025 stories.

End of Year Awards

Attitude to Learning

The Attitude to Learning Award is presented to a student in every class. The recipient of this award needs to be hardworking, persistent, enthusiastic and conscientious. These qualities need to be evident in all that they do, particularly with regard to tasks that may not necessarily be appealing. It is about “Always Trying Your Best”. This person shows a willingness to try new things, gives attention to detail and believes those things that are worth doing are worth doing well.

Peacemaker Award

The Peacemaker Award is presented to a student in every class. The Peacemaker Award is presented to someone who shows respect, concern and friendship to others, both in their classroom and on the playground. The recipient of this award is someone who lives up to the school motto, “Pray Together, Work Together” and helping St Benedict’s be a happy, safe and harmonious community.

School Engagement Award

Awarded to one student from each Stage, the School Engagement Award is given to a student who has shown a positive improvement to their schooling. Excellence in education is not always about being the best but about being your best. Celebrating progress and reaching personal goals through resilience in education is worthy of recognition and celebration.

Knowledge Seeker Award

Awarded to one student from each Stage, the Teacher Librarian Award is given to a student who is an avid reader and loves to engage in the world of books. They are actively engaged in Library Lessons and have a thirst for knowledge

Cultural Connections

The Cultural Connections Award is presented to a student from each stage who is recognised as being curious about and respectful of all cultures including their own. They can adapt to different traditions while recognising and celebrating all cultures living in harmony.

Sportperson of the Year Award

While components of this award are to recognise a student who has represented the school at various levels in a variety of sporting fields, it is also about sportsmanship and integrity in the sporting arena. This award is presented to a student who displays sportsmanship both on and off the field, is a positive role model for younger students in sporting endeavours and consistently and willingly assists others in their sporting efforts.

Leadership Award

The School Leader Award is presented each year to the students who have undertaken and fulfilled the role of either School Captain and / or School Vice-Captain.  A school leader should be a positive influence on his/her school and be able to promote school pride.  He/she needs to be able to motivate others. A school leader at St Benedict’s needs to be an example of St Benedict’s Pillars of the sisters of St Joseph and St Mary of the Cross’ Charisms of action, honesty and compassion.

	ATTITUDE TO LEARNING	PEACEMAKER
Year KB	Allyra Chapple	Eleonore Turnbull
Year KR	Christopher Simon	Pria Lanai-Mitchell
Year 1B	Kyah-Jade Walker	Ella Creek
Year 1R	Trisha Poudel	Clara Hungerford
Year 2B	Ivanna Bajracharya	Indi Garven
Year 2R	Amelia Gulabovski	Paige Ferguson
Year 3B	Gwen Eckford	Lincoln O’Brien
Year 3R	Braxton Francis	Heidi Fenwick
Year 4B	Henry Bailey	Alexis Chambers
Year 4R	Vaida Johnson	Isaac Rose
Year 5R	Charlotte Grace Carter	Adam Tinawin
Year 5B	Reeva Tamang	Alanah Georgalis
Year 6R	Miller Burgess	Hudson Moore
Year 6B	Zac Skardon	Joel Heesen
Stage Awards	KNOWLEDGE SEEKER AWARD	ES1	Daisy Milajew
		S1	Finnley McCormick
		S2	Evelyn Paul
		S3	Anliya Liza Linson
	SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT AWARD	ES1	Zaylee Cambridge
		S1	Evie Vas
		S2	Hamish Roberts
		S3	Jack Van Der Zee
	CULTURAL CONNECTIONS AWARD	ES1	Veda Sabeesh
		S1	Adithya Alackal Sudheesh
		S2	Rithvi Jeeva
		S3	Finn Sharwood
School Awards	SPORTSPERSON AWARD	Archer Guihot
School Awards	LEADERSHIP AWARD	Hudson Moore, Scarlett Rose, Jack Searle, Zaidyn Porter

2024 PBL Medal Recipients

The PBL Medal Award is presented to any student of St Benedict’s who has reached the 200 Bennie Milestone for this school year. Bennies are awarded for ongoing daily commitment to the school rules using the PBL Matrix. A great example to other students and a well deserved achievement doing the right thing all day, every day.

To SPEAK with Honesty, Courage and Respect,

To BE LIKE JESUS by being Loving Compassionate and Responsible

To EMPOWER Themselves, Others and Action

PBL MEDAL - End of Year Prize Giving Assembly 12th December @12pm

Lenny Grainger, Harry Fry, Allyra Chapple

Daisy Milajew, Pria Lanai Mitchell

Ella Creek, Bonnie Novosekski

Clara Hungerford, Trisha Poudel

Ronan Somai, Indi Garven, Paige Fenner, Cruz Mansley

Adithya Alackal Sudheesh, Ivanna Bajracharya, Ryder Marriott

Amelia Gulabovski, Jonty Guihot, Giselle Arnold

Dylan Judge, Gwen Eckford, Thomas Smith, Blake Bird, Maddie Kilian

Jack Gloury, Dylan Tinawin, Haidyn Thomas, Lennox Heard, Sameer Dean

Lexi Schumacher, Archer Guihot, Amelia Mackay,

Adam Tinawin, Amelia Wolloff, Evie White, Layla Creek

Scarlett Rose, Josephine Gloury, Charli Howarth

Christmas Celebration Day Tomorrow - 13th December

Have a Great Final Week

Student Leadership 2025

Over the past 3 weeks, the Year 5 students have been engaging in the St. Benendict's leadership program. This began with the student leadership program at St. Paul's, Booragul and was followed by the parliamentary election process.

School parliament provide an opportunity for students to participate in the running of our primary school and are a vehicle for them to express their opinions and participate actively in decision making. All student leadership roles are both a privilege and a responsibility.

The parliamentary postions were available for our Year 5 students to nominate themselves for. Nominations for leadership requires students to outline why they believe they would be a suitable candidate. In their nomination forms, student indicate which of the leadership roles they wish to be considered for. Parents and carers are also asked to complete a 'parent confirmation' section.

The standing candidates prepared a speech for presentation to the whole student body followed by a direct election of the leaders. Once these were established, students nominating for other leadership speeches then had the opportunity to present speeches to the various student groups they wish to represent. For example: Sports leaders (Sports teams), Service Leaders (Mini Vinnies), Environmental Leaders (Eco Warriors) , Comms and Safety Leaders (ICT and Safe Choices) or Social Leaders (Lunch Clubs).

We are very proud to announce the St. Benedict's Student parliamentary leaders for 2025, with an outline of their roles.

School Leaders

Adam Tinawin

Jack Fry

Archer Guihot

Lily Cassel-Denmeade

Lead the Student Parliament. Discern ideas/suggestions made to the parliament. Lead the discussion and voting process for ideas brought to parliament from the student body. Reporting/feedback and negotiating with the principal.

Lead Assemblies, Represent the School at Diocesan Events

Sport Leaders – Active Healthy Lifestyle

Dobell

Allira Weet

Layla Creek

Freeman

Audrey Stanton

Leo Gosper

Chisholm

Lexi Schumacher

Axel Ferguson

Bradman

Hope Fenwick

Willow Garven

Report to Student Parliament regarding ideas/suggestions raised regarding sporting equipment and relevant ideas for maintaining active healthy lifestyles

Lead sporting events, Organise the Sports shed and work with sports coordinators

Service Leaders – Mini Vinnies and Social Justice

Elijah Hughes

Evie White

Report to Student Parliament about upcoming Mini-Vinnies/social justice events. Raise relevant ideas/ suggestions from the student body

Lead Mini-Vinnies Group working with coordinating staff.

Environmental Leaders – Ecological Sustainability

Payton Kinnaird

Michael O’Neill

Report to Student Parliament about Eco Warrior project around the school. Raise relevant ideas/Suggestions from the student body.

Lead the Eco Warriors group and work with coordinating staff

Social Leaders – Hobbies, Games and Student Interests

Amelia MacKay

Charlotte Grace Carter

Report to Student Parliament about Student interests and lunch clubs (Multicultural Groups, Yarning Circle, Performing Arts Clubs and Library Club including coding). Work with coordinating staff members

Comms and Safety Leaders

Bailey Smith

Issa Saneesh

Report to Student Parliament about ICT and Safety concerns within the school. Assist with ICT based communications during assemblies, information sessions and liturgies including safety promotion

Members of Parliament

Students in Year 6 form the parliamentary body, participating in discussions and voting on suggestions/ recommendations from the student body.

Second Week of Advent

Last week we started our Advent season through prayer about the theme of hope. We then lit the first candle. This week our school leaders led us in prayer as we lit the second candle that brings us peace through our faith. about another big idea connected to the Christmas story, and that’s the idea of how our faith can bring us inner peace.

Does anyone remember what the angels sang when they appeared to the shepherd

04_The_Second_Flame_of_Advent_7ad850e4_436a_4e49_ba38_1ba15a1567f3.webp

boys after Jesus was born? They said, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.”

So, what exactly is peace? In the Bible, it’s the word shalom, and it does mean an end to war and conflict, but it also means complete or whole, maybe another way to say it is “not broken.”

Our world is broken. It’s interesting that the angels said that Jesus, the Messiah, would come to bring peace.

Some things to ponder:

But how does Jesus un-break our world?

How does He bring wholeness and completeness to God’s good world?

I have also included here another link that further explains the meaning of Advent – specifically the wreath that is such an important visual symbol of this time in our churches year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqCse9J_-Wo

2024 Christmas Appeal

Our final fundraiser to support those in need will take place this Friday, 13th December as part of our Christmas Celebration Day. Students in different stages are asked to donate a gold coin and an item of "Christmas Fare" so that we can contribute to Christmas hampers delivered to those most in need. You can see the spread of goodies we are collecting in the gallery below. By doing this we ensure a good variety of items. We will only collect these items on Friday 13th December as there is no place to store them here in the meantime. We will send another reminder via COMPASS this Thursday. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity not only for this Fundraiser but for all those our Service Leaders and the Mini Vinnies have promoted this year. May God bless you all.

Yours in Faith,

Miss Michelle Collins

(Religious Education Co-Ordinator)

Aboriginal Clay work

This week, Mrs Johnson has been working with some students to create some amazing clay artwork pieces. Thanks to Mrs Johnson for all her passion and support promoting a safe and nurturing environemnt where every child in our school is encouraged to to be proud of their heritage!

In this edition of SchoolTV - School Transitions

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the School Transitions edition of SchoolTV
https://edgeworth.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

Regional Swimming Team

Congratulations to our exceptional regional swimming team! Your hard work, dedication, and talent have earned you a well-deserved spot next year, we can't wait to see you shine in the upcoming events. Please keep in mind the 17th of February 2025 at Wallsend Swimming Centre for the Regional Swimming.

Jack Fry, Chelsea Hunter, MacKenzie Hunter, Scarlett Hunter, Madelyn Kilian, Spencer Kinnaird, Amelia Mackay, Kiani Miller, Rupert Miller, Willow Moore, Gracie Reis, Isaac Rose, Lexi Schumacher, Bailey Smith, Jackson Smith, Nate Toohey, Rhys Toohey

Enjoy the last week,

Megan Hunt

(Acting Primary Co-ordinator)

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

Finalisation of 2024 School Fees

A reminder to all families that school fee balances were to be finalised by 30^th November 2024 unless a fee agreement has been entered into with your Principal. Please reach out to your school office if you anticipate any difficulties with settlement.

Thank you to those families that have finalised their fee commitments.

Photo Day 2025
Our 2025 school photo day will be Wednesday 19th February you will have the option to pay online and also in cash through the office, further information in regards to ordering will be provided when we return in the new year.

P&F update

The ticket sales have now closed for the Christmas raffle. Thank you to all of the families who supported the raffle.

Good luck to everyone and we hope the winners enjoy their prizes!

Prizes will be drawn Friday 13th December 2pm under the cola

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	Awards Spirit of Jesus Awards
KB	Olive Marr, Lenny Grainger	Elaina Stephenson
KR	Willow Chadwick, Sophie Topic
1B	Mason Smith, Kayal Periyan
1R	Alexia Bertwistle, Lettie Reis
2B	Nate Peachman, Ronan Somai
2R	Maisie Huntriss, Charlie Brock
3B	Eden Haynes, Juan Jerin
3R	Sameer Dean, Izzy Smith
4B	Rithvi Jeeva, David Garces Catano
4R	Evana Biyas, Mila Manthey
5B	Oliver Cruickshank, Axel Ferguson
5R	Issa Saneesh, Keeva Wallace-Taylor
6B	Edith Watson, Ethan Smith
6R	Bosco Thomas, Charli Howarth