Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the halfway point of the Term, and the landscapers have been able to return to the playground. Whilst it appears not much is happening, they report that there are lots of drainage systems being installed to ensure that the previous rain-soaked flood zones are not a recurring issue in the future. Once these are completed it will be more obvious to us that things are moving in the right direction. However, the rain delay means that we need to add on some time for the expected completion date.

Planning Survey

 As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, each year our school identifies a list of priorities. These priorities are carefully considered to ensure we are  using resources wisely to best support student learning, wellbeing and school operations.

Examples of school expenditure priority areas that have made a significant impact in our school community in recent years include - the installation of smart screens in each classroom to support modern learning, and  the purchase of Ipads and laptops to allow more access to devices for learning, especially in Kinder to Year 3. Of course, for the remainder of this year and into next year, the playground continues to be a focus for improvement.

 As valued partners in our school community, I would like to invite you to complete a short survey, which will help us to ascertain our 2026 priorities. The survey also provides an opportunity for you to have your say on aspects of our school you think should be prioritised to ensure it operates at a high standard now, and into the future. The survey will be distributed next week via Compass.

Pupil Free Day

Our Final Pupil Free Day for the year will be held on Monday 3^rd November. There will be no school on this day. Staff will be working on our School Improvement Cycle for the next 3 years.

Uniform

Winter uniform is still in place until the end of the Term.  While there have been some warm days, until the weather is consistently warm students should be in their winter uniform. If we get unseasonably warm weather toward the end of term, we will have an earlier changeover date than the usual Day 1 Term 4.

I look forward to seeing our Dads, Grandads and Grandfriends at the Father’s Day Breakfast and Liturgy next Friday from 7.30am.

Take care and God Bless,

Dani Reed

Principal 

Celebrating Our Writing Success at St Benedict’s

This year, we’ve made some exciting changes to how we teach and assess writing at St Benedict’s and we’re already seeing fantastic improvements in our students’ work!

Recently, our leadership team and a group of enthusiastic teachers had the opportunity to present to 12 other schools in our Diocese. They shared the wonderful things happening in our classrooms and explained how we’re helping students become confident and capable writers. It was a proud moment for our school, and our staff did an amazing job representing the great learning happening here.

One of the biggest benefits of our new approach is how it helps us understand each child’s progress more clearly. By collecting writing samples and using consistent assessment tools, we can give students timely and positive feedback, track their growth, and help them set personal writing goals. This means every child gets the support they need to keep improving.

We’re so proud of our teachers for their hard work and passion, and for sharing their knowledge with other schools. It’s wonderful to see their efforts making a real difference for our students and being recognised beyond our school community.

We are excited to announce the winner of the STEMQuest 2025 Logo Competition. Congratulations to Evie. W, in Year 6! Her design will proudly represent our STEMQuest journey this year. A big well done to all of our entrants for their creative and thoughtful designs.

• Early childhood and education
• Construction and engineering
• Nutrition and health
• Animal welfare
• Fire safety and environmental protection
• Roads and traffic management
• Sports science
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Environmental science and sustainability

Important Security Update for student BYOD Devices

Action is required for students with BYOD Windows 10 devices as Windows 10 will soon no longer be supported by Microsoft.

To ensure your student device security you should upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible.

Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will end on 14 October 2025, meaning it will no longer receive critical security updates.

To stay protected and ensure optimal performance, it is strongly recommended that all students with BYOD Windows 10 devices follow Microsoft’s instructions and upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible. There is no charge for this upgrade.

Why this matters:

• Windows 10 will no longer receive Microsoft updates after 14 October 2025, leaving devices exposed to threats.
• Upgrading to Windows 11 helps reduce security risks.
• Student Work Protection: Staying current helps safeguard assignments, projects, and personal data.

Ways to install Windows 11 - Microsoft Support

Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ - Microsoft Support

How do I check what version of Windows am I running?

Select Start > Settings > System, then select About. You then see Edition, Version, and OS Build information.

We encourage all families with Student Windows 10 computers to begin the upgrade process now to avoid last-minute disruptions. If you need assistance or have questions about upgrading, please reach out to the IT support team in our school.

KINDERGARTEN CHAMPION:

Freddie The Frog-

CARE OF OUR COMMON HOME

The Catholic Church deems care for the Earth and all of God’s creation essential to our faith. The responsibility of taking care of the Earth’s resources needs to be taken seriously and thoughtfully. Each day we are faced with choices, large and small, that help sustain our environment or contribute to the abuse of the tremendous gift of God’s creation.

One person can dramatically affect the lives of others. Catholic social teaching reminds us that we are called to embrace everyone: the poor, the incarcerated, the unborn, our nosy neighbour and those whose opinions differ from our own. We are called to treat everyone lovingly, as God loves us. We are also called to use the resources in our environment with careful consideration. The goal of Catholic social teaching has been articulated in the Church since the beginning: “Love one another” (John 15:17). The principles of Catholic social teaching articulate this love in a precise and measurable way. Together they serve as an “examination of conscience” for the Church today, and they can serve as a beacon of hope for all of human society. In our world today, the principles of Catholic social teaching outline our path toward building a just society and a life of holiness.

Some of the examples Kindergarten gave as to what they can do to Care For Their

Common home just like Freddie teaches them:

• Make bird houses
• Clean up the playground
• Clean up our classroom
• Look after the garden

Some ideas for home:

• Remember to compost​
• Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
• Gardening Day-planting, watering, cleaning gardens, mulch​
• No tech day- go outside​ as a family and enjoy God’s Creation

Here is the story Freddie Shares with us:

 PARISH FAMILY MASS

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

A reminder that our Sacramental Program recommences next Wednesday 3rd September. The students will be preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. I ask that you send along an extra snack with your child to eat before our lesson. Please collect your child at the Library next Wednesday at 4:15pm. There will be a short information session for parents at this time. Please pray for these children as they prepare to receive their Sacraments.

SAVE THE DATE -

Grandparents and Grand-friends Day

Video Games and Your Child’s Development

Video games are a big part of many children’s lives today. For primary-aged kids, gaming can be fun, creative, and even educational. But like anything, too much of a good thing, or the wrong kind of game, can have an impact on how children grow, learn, and relate to others.

How Video Games Can Affect Your Child

Learning and Thinking Skills
Some games help children solve problems, think strategically, and improve coordination. But fast-paced or overly stimulating games can make it harder for kids to focus in class or manage frustration when things don’t go their way.

Feelings and Behaviour
Children may copy behaviours they see in games, especially if they’re exposed to violence or aggressive language. You might notice changes in mood, sleep, or how they respond to limits and rules.

Friendships and Social Skills
Online games can connect kids with friends, but they can also lead to arguments, exclusion, or exposure to inappropriate content. Some children may prefer gaming over playing outside or talking face-to-face.

How You Can Support Healthy Gaming Habits

Talk About It
Ask your child what they’re playing and why they enjoy it. Use this as a chance to talk about kindness, fairness, and how to handle winning or losing.

Set Limits Together
Work with your child to agree on screen time boundaries. For example, no gaming before school or during dinner, and a set time limit.

Choose Games Wisely
Look for games that are age-appropriate and encourage creativity or learning. Avoid games with violence or adult themes, even if your child says “everyone else plays it.”

Balance is Key
Make sure gaming is just one part of your child’s day. Encourage outdoor play, reading, hobbies, and time with family and friends.

Be a Role Model
Children learn from what they see. Show them how you manage your own screen time and make space for other activities.

Play Together
Join in sometimes! Playing a game with your child can help you understand what they’re experiencing and open up conversations about safety and behaviour.

Final Thought

Video games aren’t all bad, but they do need to be part of a balanced lifestyle. With your guidance, children can enjoy gaming while still growing into thoughtful, resilient, and socially aware young people.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge finishes in three weeks. Students should hand in their completed reading logs as soon as possible.

Congratulations to the following 11 students who completed the Challenge over the two weeks:

From 3 BLACK:   Charlie B, Paige F

From 4 BLACK:   Harrison C, Willow H, Charlotte N, Madeline R

From 4 RED:        Heidi F, Elyse H, Eden H

From 5 RED:        Scarlett H, Kalani M

There are now more than 160 students from Years 2 to 6 who have finished the Challenge.

Well done.

Book Week Celebrations

St Benedict’s Primary School celebrated Book Week with a joyful blend of creativity, storytelling, and literary exploration. The highlight of the week was our vibrant Book Character Parade, where students and staff brought beloved book characters to life with imaginative costumes and enthusiastic spirit.

A special shout-out to Mrs Greaves for organising the exciting Where’s Wally Scavenger Hunt, which had students searching high and low around the school for clues and hidden Wallys around the school. It was a fantastic way to combine fun with literacy and observation skills!

Throughout the week, students engaged with a selection of CBCA Shortlisted Books from our library collection. These stories sparked rich discussions, inspired art activities, and deepened our appreciation for Australian children's literature. From read-alouds to themed classroom projects, Book Week was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the power of books and the joy of reading.

Thank you to all families and staff for your support in making this week so memorable!

Mrs Pam Nicolaidis

PRC Co-ordinator