Welcome to the Week 8 Newsletter.

Key Happenings this week.

Harmony Day

We are very excited for our Harmony Day scheduled for this week (albeit a week due to other impacts on our calendar). Student are again invited to wear ORange or their own national dress for the day. Lets celebrate the magnificant wonder of the many different cultures that make up modern Austratlia. May we continue to rise to our challenges with compaassion, inclusivity and a sense that everyone belongs. 

Installation of Bishop Micheal Kennedy - I have the very great privilege of attending the Installation of the new Bishop, Michael Kennedy this Friday evening as a representative of our Parish and School Community. The installation of a new Bishop is an important and not often occurring event. Bishop Michael will become the Diocese ninth Bishop since the beginning of the Maitland Newcastle Diocese in 1948. 

Parish School Mass this Sunday - as per previous invites, we want to be sure that families are welcome to join the Parish this Mass at Holy Cross Church at 9am this Sunday 19th March. It is a perfect coincidence of the calendar that it falls on St Joseph's feast day as this is the patron saint of the Josephite sisters who founded our school more than 60 years ago. Our newest members (Kindergarten) are  invited to take part in a special procession as part of the Mass. We would love to see you there. 

Naplan This week and Next

I know that there is more detail later in this newsletter regarding the Naplan assessments that will be completed over the next week and a half. For me, I want to acknowledge the ongoing commitment and learning journeys of every child by wishing them the very best of effort in these assessments. I will return to what i often say and passionately believe:  

Each child's "best effort" in these assessments will allow us to combine it with all the other ways we know them as a learner and from there, decide how to best help them in their journey. Good Effort (not luck)  to Year 5 and Year 3 in Naplan 2023. 

Ongoing Traffic and Parking Concern

We continue to witness and receive concerning phone calls about “incidents” and “near misses” that occur in and around our school during morning drop off and afternoon dismissal. While as a school, we can put as many controls in place as possible to reduce these, they remain an ongoing risk every morning and afternoon because so much of what we do and expect of the children relies on your cooperation as parents. 

I would like to acknowledge that we have many parents who commit to the controls in place to support traffic and ensure the safe passage of students. However, we still witness the risk and fear the horrible consequences associated with some parent choices when parking, turning and even pulling over "quickly' in illegal spaces. From a teacher’s point of view, it is very difficult to direct a child to a car that we know to be unsafely and illegally park, no matter how quickly that pick up might occur. Nor is it fair to our neighbours when it impacts on their right of property (driveway). 

Last year, the Lake Macquarie council in conjunction with Services NSW conducted a publicity campaign and ensured all signs were renewed to alert the public to the new penalties that are associated with these actions including fines and demerit points. They provided a 6-month window (which is up) as a cooling off period before these will be applied and once issued, the fines will be non-contestable. This is particularly relevant to any infringement that occurs inside a school zone, in which most of our dismissal routines occur. Please know, this is not a money grab (revenue raiser), it is about the safety of our children. 

Now, I know that no parent wishes to be involved in an incident where someone gets hurt, nor I imagine does anyone want to be involved in altercations with our neighbours who are understandably frustrated with the situation. Beyond that, I wonder if parents are even aware that the new infringements now come with points lost on our licences. In that regard I have attached the flyer below that explains these new regulations that relate directly to licence points. I implore all parents to comply as there is no outcome of the situation that is pleasant should one of these risks turn bad, and they can turn bad so quickly. Nothing good comes from a choice where the best outcome, once made, is $350 fine and points lost with the worst outcome being a child getting hurt. Let’s keep our kids safe and please share our community with our neighbours with respect and patience. 

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Kinder 2023 Enrolment Launch and Inforamtion Evening.

It is that time already. The staff are busy preparing for an important evening on April 4th to launch the Kinder Enrolment Process for the 2024 Cohort. I want to alert all families with younger siblings of this important first step for their new Kinder child at SBE. Enrolment Packs are currently being finalised and ill be avialble for collection leading up to and on the night. 

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 Office Bronwyn Lynch Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

School Sessions within the Day. 

While we have not altered the start and finish times, there has been some changes this year to the break times (only 10 minutes difference). We appreciate some parents rely on these to know when it is nest to arrange appointments (and pick-ups for theses) knowing when the breaks occur. So, to that end, they are listed below.

School Fee Accounts 

By now families should have received your fee statement for 2023.

Statements are sent out at the beginning of each month.

Health card and Pension card discounts have now been processed along with any sibling discounts that may apply to your family.

Please arrange for a regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly Bpay, Direct Debit or an annual payment.  If you are paying by instalments we ask that your first instalment is made by 31 March and the debt extinguished by 30 November 2023.  If paying in full please ensure this payment is made by 30 June 2023.

Additional costs may apply throughout the year for representative sport and other extracurricular activities.

Payments can be also be accepted at the administration office between 8.30am-3.00pm Monday to Friday or credit card payments can be taken over the phone. 

QKR

The canteen is run independently of our school and so has it's own ordering and payment system.

If you wish to place lunch orders, buy raffle tickets or orders for special events like tomorrows sushi day please download the app and create an account.

St Joseph's Feast Day

This Sunday the 19^th March, we celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, honouring the namesake of the Sisters of St Joseph who founded our school. Since the 10th century, this date has been observed as the principal feast day of St. Joseph in Western Christianity and commemorates the life of Joseph. The husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus.

In honour of the Feast of St. Joseph, I’d like to share 10 facts you may not know about St Joseph.

1. In 1955, an additional feast day was declared by Pope Pius XII and is celebrated on May 1 as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.
2. Symbols associated with Joseph include the carpenter's square and lily. The carpenter’s square not only symbolizes Joseph’s trade but also the concept of truth. The lily, represents purity and Joseph’s marriage to the Virgin Mary.
3. Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers and working people, among others.
4. Joseph is also considered to be the patron saint of the New World, China, Canada, Korea, Mexico, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Peru, Vietnam and several cities and dioceses.
5. On the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis proclaimed a Year of St. Joseph beginning Dec. 8, 2020 through Dec. 8, 2021.
6. Although we know Joseph as a working carpenter, he is descended from royal lineage, the line of David.
7. Joseph is portrayed in works of art with grey hair and a beard, an older figure next to Mary and Jesus, and often in the background.
8. The scriptures mention nothing of Joseph’s age and previous life.
9. The first apostolic mission entrusted by the Pope to the Society of Jesus was given on the Feast of St. Joseph, Mar. 19, 1539. On this day, the mission of the Jesuits began – and continues to this day around the world.
10. The Sisters of St Joseph have him as their patron saint for many reasons but one of the most profound is this statement...He is an ordinary man whose meaningful life without fanfare is wordlessly faithful.

Parish Family Mass

Although this Mass is to welcome our Kindergarten children and their families to the parish community ALL families from our school community are warmly welcome to attend the Mass and join the parishioners for a cuppa and chat after Mass. 

Yours in faith, 

Miss Michelle Collins 

(Religious Education Co-ordinator) 

Stage 3 devices are ON!!!

It has been a wonderful start to our BYOD program and we can now confirm that we have ALL students in Years 5 and 6 set up on devices! After a long, but important road of consultation and planning with parents, students and the wider community, we are well into Phase 1 of the program.

We began in Week 4 with a Student Digital Tech Development Day where all students in Stage 3 worked through a number of challenges and information sessions with the teachers. Individual classes built a class pledge and designed their own ‘digital footprint’ poster to showcase their understanding. This day was followed by a parent and student information evening. During this session parents participated in an internet safety presentation by ThinkYouKnow and students completed a series of cyber smart challenges. At the conclusion of the session, parents and students were invited to sign the 2023 St Benedict’s BYOD acceptable Use Policy.

On Thursday 16^th of February, students brought their devices to school and Mr Steve Newman, one of our IT Educational support officers, attended the day to support the teachers and students. The reminder of this week was focussed on device organisation, file set up, testing, email set up and administration.

Over the past few weeks, the students have shown an amazing amount of responsibility in not only using their devices, but their conduct when using the various platforms. They are all now successfully accessing MN Connect, Teams (including the discussion forums), completing assignments online, the immediate teacher feedback function and emails. Some of the assignments so far include writing tasks where they can use Word to edit their own work, typing skill programs, online Maths assignments and individual programs and tasks, art assignments and a variety of research tasks.

The students have been exceptional in the reposnsibility and care they are showing when transporting their devices to and from school. Also, when entering the classroom, they are in a great routine of safely storing their devices. At present, 5 Black have some specific device storage spaces and 5 Red and Year 6 have been using their tote trays until more stoarge arrives hopefully this week. 

Tomorrow, we begin NAPLAN for Year 3 and 5. All of Year 5 have downloaded the NAPLAN online platform to their devices and have completed a number of practice tests and activities in preparation. They are all very confident with their devices and the process of how to log in and complete the tests in readiness for the upcoming weeks. Year 3 have also been completing online practice as well using school devices and are all set for tomorrow!

Moving into the finals weeks of Term 1, the stage 3 students will be spending up to 2 hours spread throughout the day on their devices, moving more into independent use, creative integration and content creation. We will also be seeking parent feedback through an online survey towards the end of the term.

We are still on track to launch the BYOD with Year 4 to begin in semester 2. We have secured a number of devices through NextTechnology if parents wish to choose this option to purchase. More information will be communicated at the beginning of Term 2 for our Year 4 families.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mrs Amanda Lewis for her time, committment and knowledege in leading SBE through launching our BYOD project. She has been instrumental in supporting the staff, students and families in a calm, smooth and effective launch!  

NAPLAN 2023 (15^th – 27^th March)

Students in Years 3 and 5 will sit their NAPLAN Assessments (the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy) over the next two weeks. The Writing Assessment will take place tomorrow followed by Reading later in the week. Conventions of Language and Numeracy will be completed in Week 9. There are “catch up” sessions available for students who may be absent during various assessments however they have to be completed before the end of the testing window - 27^th March.

AFL Success

Congratulations to Caleb Isaac who has gained selection in the Maitland/Newcastle AFL squad to compete in the Polding Championships at Bateau Bay in early April.

Hannah Gossage was also successful in progressing to the next level of the Girl's AFL State selection process. Hannah will attend further trials at Batemans Bay in May.

A wonderful effort from both our students!

Below is a link to the website  through which  register to a webinar of that you may be interested in. There are multiple dates for each.  I have also attached a flyer that might be handy as it maps the different webinars across the year. 

Challenging Maths Fun

Year 5 have been working on a number of Mathematical challenges this term. Last week, they were given 6 challenge cards to work through in order to solve the mystery number. The students worked in small groups to problem solve and find solutions for each challenge.

The students were highly engaged and showed amazing persistence and resilience in these problem solving tasks! They came to the realisation that they needed to work as team to complete the challenge successful.

Well done Year 5!

Reading Groups in Year 1 

Last week Mrs Mulhearn happened to be walking past and then through the Year 1 classrooms and was struck by the powerful learning that she witnessed. Moments in time are sometimes hard to capture by the teacher as they are often to busy working with this group or that but Mrs Mulhearn grabbed these pictures that can be aptly entitled: What learning looks like at SBE. 

P&F UPDATE

EASTER SPECIAL

Easter is just around the corner and the P&F have put together an Easter Special for the last day of term. All orders for the Easter Special can be placed via QKR. For $6 each child will receive a Hot Cross Bun (option of Traditional or Choc Chip), an Easter Egg and a Chocolate Milk.

We are also looking for a few more helpers to assist us with putting the special together for a couple of hours on Thursday morning the 6th of April from 8:30am. If you are available, please contact us via email parentsandfriends.sbcps@gmail.com

EASTER RAFFLE

Thank you for all of the donations that we have received so far. Donation of Easter eggs and Easter related items can still be delivered to the office. Raffle tickets are on sale via QKR.

Congratulations to our week 7 award recipients for achievement, growth and progesss!