Welcome to this week’s newsletter. This week at SBE, our teachers are readying themselves for the Parent Teacher Meetings under our Partners in Learning project. They are completing learning goals for every child based on the learning data collated so far and the forward planning of the learning to come. These learning goals will be discussed a little more in this newsletter with a reminder for all parents to make sure they go into Compass and book a time for this important meeting for their child.

Partners in Learning - Goal Setting via Insights Tab on COMPASS

In the last few weeks, we have unpacked the Partners in Learning Meetings (parent teacher interviews) as having the priority of goal setting in English and Maths. These goals will be set in this first phase of the project by the teachers and unpacked/ discussed with parents in the meetings. In the next phase we will invite parents to contribute their own goals for their child to also bring to the meeting (Semester 2)  

For now, I want to show parents where these goals will be kept and how we (parents and teachers) can view them throughout the semester, especially toward the end of the semester when feedback is provided on these goals as part of the reports. The attachment below breaks down what you will be able to see on COMPASS as of Monday 13th March (they are currently being built by the teachers). These insights will be used as part of your conversations when you meet with your child's teacher but you can also view them prior to that meeting and throughout the semester

Some Important Reminders from Staff

Mobile Phones - students who need to carry a phone, especially as they increase their independence with afternoon routines, MUST hand this phone into the office upon arrival at school where it is registered, stored and picked up at dismissal. There should be no phones in school bags. If a student does get a phone out of their bag during the school day, they will be directed to hand this into the office as is procedure. If this is done repeatedly, the phone will stay in the office until collected by an adult.  

Messages to students at school - All messages to students MUST come through the office. We realise there is potential for

messages to be sent directly from parent to student via smart device/ watch and even email.  The problem with this is that the staff are not aware of the communication, or the change provided in the message. We cannot ensure the student is safe and supported to make that change. This especially applies when an older sibling receives a message and then verbally passes it to a younger sibling without that teacher being aware. We realise parents may be assuming it is easier to direct the message to child and not burden the office but please rest assured we are ready to take these messages and ensure they get to the students so that they are safe and supported for afternoon routines.

(And to be fair to mobile phone users, a smart watch of any sort that has capacity to send and receive messages is technically a mobile phone so should be under the same policy mentioned above.) 

Nuts at school - As with all schools, please note that we make every effort to be a nut free school. We ask that no child be sent to school with nuts or nut based lunches - the most common being peanut butter or Nutella. We are supporting students with serious allergies and appreciate your ongoing support in doing so.  

Hair - Hair long enough to be hanging in the eyes MUST be tied back from the face. Too often hair is worn loose and it impedes the face when learning and even when interacting with others especially adults. Hair must be natural in colour

Hair Accessories need to be in school colours and not so large the clip or the hairstyle impedes the wearing of the school hat (which is a non-negotiable). We appreciate sometimes students may get a few brightly coloured extensions, clip ins or tie ins (especially if they have the privilege of going to a travel destination or a particular themed party). Our  first preference is to make these removable so student can wear them off and one – school being a time when they don’t. If they are more permanent, we will seek a timeframe for them to be removed by still allowing them to enjoy wearing for a period of time.

Jewellery - particularly earrings. Please do not allow students to wear dangling earrings or large hoops at school. They present a serious risk. Think about anything that is able to be grabbed or have a finger hooked into. Simple studs or small hoops are the safest bet. Similarly, necklaces are small and worn under the uniform. A dangling necklace or chain presents the same grab risk. Rings - small signet rings, if necessary, not protruding gems. Hopefully you can see the theme here.  

International Women's Day

As I sign off for this week, I want to take this opportunity to speak to International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 8th. I am very grateful for the impact of the women (and men) in my life who taught me, from a very young age, to be the best I can be, no limitations.  As we celebrate the women in our lives tomorrow, we are very mindful of women who are not given this chance and pray for a future where everyone has the same opportunity to be their best, regardless of gender. And to all our women (and girls) in the SBE community, have an amazing day. 

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 & Thuursday

Fee statements were sent out to our families last Thursday.

Please take the time to check your statement. Please ensure that all details and charges are correct.

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, fortnighlty 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. 

Compass Information - How to reset your password

In the Compass “APP” and the “browser view” of Compass,  parents have the option to reset their own password.

Parents will be asked for an email or phone number.  If the email address or mobile phone number entered is recorded against their record in compass a password reset link or confirmation code will be sent.  If you do not know your mobile or email address recorded in Compass please contact the office.

Volunteering

Please see the link below to register as a volunteer at St Benedict's.

Assessment Capable Students at SBE!

Each year, the school leadership team met with personell from the Catholic Schools Office as part of our continuous school improvement cycle. Together, we analyse our school data,  celebrate successes and plan for continued success and growth moving forward. At the beginning of 2023, we wrote our 3 year strategic vision (2023-2025) after our self review at the end of 2022.  From this plan, we develop a vision for our school and set specific goals to see this vision come to life. At St. Benedcit's, we  have the vision and aspiration to: be a school that builds capacity in every staff member to work in partnership with parents to enhance the excellence in learning for every child. 

In working towards this vision, we set goals which become our 3 Year School Strategic Plan. Each year, we use these overarching goals to set more specific goals and targets. One of the goals at SBE is to build assessment capable learners.

To build assessment capable learners, the school will implement the consistent use of Assessment Rubrics in Numeracy and English tasks and use this to guide quality feedback and develop student goals for all students. 

This term, the staff have begun an action research project with the question: What impact does the use of descriptive feedback have on student work and their capacity as assessment capable students?

Action research is a process for improving educational practice. Its methods involve action, evaluation, and reflection. It is a process to gather evidence to implement change in practices. Action research is participative and collaborative and is undertaken by individuals with a common purpose. Our comon purpose is excellence in learning for ALL at SBE!

All students in the school completed a 'cold write' task with the common theme of 'The door'. A cold write is where students are given a writing stimulus and asked to produce a piece of writing with little or no guidance or instruction. Students were presented with an image of a door and asked to write an imaginative piece of writing about the door. These images varied depending on the age of the students.

The classroom teachers then used a marking rubric to assess where each individual student is at. This is done by highlighting each component on the rubric using the 'cold write' writing sample. The imaginative writing rubrics were developed by the staff at SBE using the outcomes and content descriptors from new syllabus K-2 English syllabus and also the new trial 3-6 English syllabus (due for implementation in 2024). 

The next plan in our action research is to use the writing rubrics to provide feedback to each student in the class on how they can improve their writing moving forward. The data from these rubrics and work samples are also used to plan targeted teaching and learning activities with the aim of every student showing growth. 

Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. At Saint Benedict’s Catholic Primary School, we celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional owners of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world. Harmony Day occurs on 21st March each year and coincides with the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Harmony Day is a day of cultural respect for all. By participating in Harmony Day activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians equally belong to this nation and enrich it.

The ongoing theme of Harmony Day is ‘Everyone Belongs’. And, as Jesus taught us: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Harmony Day gives us the perfect opportunity to live out the Gospel values of love, respect and acceptance in a real and tangible way.

To celebrate Harmony Day at St. Benedict’s we will be having a Liturgy at 12.15pm on Wednesday 15th March in the school hall. Parents and friends are most welcome to attend. Children are invited to wear national dress. Alternatively they may wear orange symbolising harmony. The students will then participate in activities aimed at developing awareness and appreciation of some of the many cultures represented in our school. The day will also coincide with a Canteen Special Day where students will be able to order and  have fresh Sushi delievered to school on Wednesday 15th March (See the canteen update in this newlsetter and in upcoming COMPASS alerts about the day). 

Year 3 Maths

Last week, I had the pleasure of working alongside the Year 3 teachers and students with their persuasive writing. As I entered the room, the class were finishing up their Maths lesson on number patterns. As an assessment of and for learning (formative), the students were all given a set of traffic lights.

The traffic lights are a way for each student to asses their understanding of the concepts covered in the lesson, or sequence of lessons. They refer to the Learning Intention and Success Criteria to make an informed decsison on the colour light they choose.  The green light indicates solid understanding, the orange light indicates partial understanding and the red light indicates limited understanding.

The teacher then scans the room to gauge not only the understanding of each studnets, but the class a whole. This then adds to their assessment data in planning targeted teaching moving forward.

Bradman House Captain

Congratulations to Hannah Gossage, who was elected Sports Leader of Bradman House this week. This position became available after an elected student from last year moved schools. Hannah will join Natalie Fenwick as Bradmen's new leadership team.

Book Club News

Issue 2, 2023 out now

Orders to be placed through LOOP only

‘Thank you’ for your support of our school through your purchases from Book Club.

All students have now received the March issue of Book Club.

Orders for Issue 2 should be completed by Monday, 20 March, 2023. If you have an enquiry you can email me at pam.nicolaidis@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Please remember to use Scholastic’s excellent on-line ordering platform (go to scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP app) to place your child’s order, then pay by credit card.

For more information about Scholastic and Book Club, visit www.scholastic.com.au

Mrs Pam Nicolaidis

Book Club Co-Ordinator and Library Assistant

P&F MEETING

Our next meeting will be held on Monday the 13^th of March via Zoom. To receive the zoom link for the meeting please email the P&F Executive at: parentsandfriends.sbcps@gmail.com

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 now. 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

CANTEEN UPDATE

There will be no changes to the canteen menu during LENT. The current canteen menu has many options available if you are not eating red meat during lent.

The Canteen is open on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. If you have any spare time from 9am – 12pm on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays and are interested in volunteering in the Canteen please let the office and Canteen Supervisor Haley Fenwick know.  It can also be a one off occasion or a couple of times a year.  This will ensure the Canteen can remain open.

Canteen Special Event

We are very excited to announce that we are having an additional Canteen Special Day next week. This is actually scheduled for Wednesday 15th March and so we are moving the usual Wednesday opening to Tuesday 14th March. Our Specials day this term will be Sushi and be in line with the school's Harmony Day activities scheduled for Wednesday 15th. We will post more details on COMPASS and Facebook. The Sushi Menu will be open for orders on Qkr as of Tuesday 7th March. 

 DATES TO REMEMBER

Monday 13^th of March – P&F Meeting via Zoom.

Tuesday 14th March - Canteen Open today - (replacing its closure Wednesday 15th) 

Wednesday 15th March - Canteen Special Day - Sushi Day (in line with Harmony Day -  the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds) 

Friday 31^st of March – Last day to order the Easter Special.

Thursday 6^th of April – Easter Raffle Drawn, 2pm at the Easter Hat Parade.

Congratulations to the following studnet who were recognised for their efforts in learning in Week 6.