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Welcome to the Week 4 Newsletter. I trust that all the special women in our lives had a wonderful Mother's Day on the weekend and that those that are missing their mothers are comforted with the warm memories of laughter, smiles and hugs.
A huge thank you to all those who joined us at the Mothers day breakfast last Friday and special thanks to the staff who hosted this annual event for the first time. We had a beautiful morning as the weather once again stayed with us for the event.
In this week's newsletter, I will complete the series of Anti Bullying procedures at our school in the student welfare section, below I will outline the importance of Catholic Schools Week and the School Welbeing Launch and we celebrate the acheivements in Spelling and Maths bees as well as the diocesan cross country in the various updates within the newsletter.
Catholic Schools Week
This annual celebration is an important part of being a Catholic School community. We are one of 44 primary schools in our diocese. Together with our 11 high schools, the Maitland Newcastle Catholic Schools are committed to the whole life education of more than 20000 students and 3000+ staff. We have a strong vision for our schools that is authentically Catholic through liturgy, sacrament, service, and social justice. In addition to this, our schools are committed to providing excellence in teaching and learning. In essence, Catholic Education is primarily concerned in forming young minds to be independent self-disciplined learners with a strong sense of wellbeing and who have a deep sense and understanding of faith and an authentic experience of a faith community.
Catholic Schools across Maitland-Newcastle celebrate Catholic Schools Week during 15 – 19 May. Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity for Catholic schools to showcase what they do best – high quality learning and teaching within a caring and supportive Catholic community (We like to think that we had so much to showcase that our " week" will stretch across two).
Below is an outline of the events we have scheduled for these next two weeks. we can't wait to celebrate the great community we have hear at St Benedict's Edgeworth.
CSW Open Classrooms - Monday 15th
Whole School Wellbeing Launch
The goal to develop a school wide systematic Wellbeing Framework (that incorporated positive behaviour support, a deeper understanding of mental health and the explicit teaching of skills to promote wellbeing with a Catholic Lense) was a focused project throughout 2022 and into 2023. As with all such initiatives, we begin to develop and implement elements of it as we continue to work on it. This is why we are launching now, despite having many components of the framework already in place such as PBL.
Essentially, what we are trying to do with our PBL framework is build in students the capacity to be advocates of their own wellbeing. With the love and support of their families and with deepening knowledge into this critical aspect of life skills, we can make student their own superheroes and in turn, they become champions for their friends and loved ones. To celebrate our launch, we will be holding a "Be Your Own Superhero" day on Friday the 26th of May. The day will incorporate an assembly to officially launch the framework, the installation of school wide and classroom based signs to support it and wellbeing activities for students to practice the skills needed to become their own superheroes. In line with the launch in Week 5, we will recap the essential elements of the actual wellbeing framework in next week’s newsletter.
In terms of what to wear on this day, we open the invitation to all students to come as a superhero. Either design a costume from scratch or add on some elements of their own to a known superhero costume. Kids, be creative! How can you adapt a design you know to become your own superhero and what traits would you need if you were going to protect your own wellbeing and that of others.
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 Mary Bruce Monday, Thursday & Friday
We would like to welcome Mary Bruce to our school office. Mary will be working in the office Monday, Thursday & Friday for Term 2. Mary comes with many years experience in a school office enviroment and will be an asset to our school.
FEES
Statements are sent out at the beginning of each month. Your statement for May was sent out last week. Please check your Junk Mail and if you have not received your statement please contact our office.
Your first installment for the year should have been paid by now.
First payments were due by the 31st March.
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.
Uniforms
Please make sure that your childs uniforms are clearly marked with their name on it. We have lots of jumpers and jackets being lost at the moment with no names.
Our lost property box is located under the Cola near the library lab doors.
CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATION
On Monday morning here at Saint Benedict's Catholic Primary School, we celebrated the launch of Catholic Schools Week (or Catholic Schools Week over two weeks here at St Benedict's). Catholic Schools Week is an annual event that recognises and acknowledges the sacred work of our schools and how they seek to journey with every student. Each moment of that journey presents opportunities to encounter the Mystery and all-embracing love of God: through our relationships, our learnings, our liturgical celebrations. As our Church engages in a process of synodality, which literally translates to ‘journeying together,’ we accompany our young people in a process that listens, discerns, and responds. By walking together in faith and love, we are inspired by the Holy Spirit to live more fully and resonantly in the freedom of God.
This year our Catholic Schools Week theme is “Encounter: Journeying Together,” which reminds us that we are called to be Easter people
– those who are committed to building joy-filled communities who are constantly seeking unity and belonging. Such times call for us to accompany others along the road, meeting them where they are at, hearing the things that set their hearts on fire, and those that express their disappointments and anger. Like the two disciples heading towards Emmaus (Lk 24:13:35), Jesus does not tell them to turn back, rather He walks alongside them and listens deeply. He doesn’t just talk to them at a distance, He meets them and encounters them.
Our mission is to live within the tension between the convictions of the Church and the questions of the world. As we accompany one another, we become Christ for one another, opening up together the mysteries of life and faith. This is at the heart of our theme this year.
During this significant week, may we strive to live in active service of Jesus and His mission as we celebrate together during Catholic Schools Week and always.
Please pray for us as we continue our Catholic Schools Week celebrations.
God of infinite Mercy,
You sent your Risen Son
to encounter the disciples on the way to Emmaus.
Grant us today a missionary spirit and send us forth to encounter all of our sisters and brothers:
to walk with them in friendship,
to listen to their hopes, dreams, and pains, and to proclaim Your Word with courage, so that all might come to know You
in the breaking of the bread.
Make us all missionary disciples, and stay with us always,
as we seek to share the joy of the Gospel with people of all generations,
from every race, language, culture, and nation.
We ask you this with burning hearts.
Amen.
Yours in faith,
Miss Michelle Collins
(Religious Education Co-ordinator)
This week is final part of our 3 part series to unpack the bullying protections we have in place at our school. The purpose of this series of articles is to clearly set out the procedures regarding any alleged bullying behaviours. It is actually one of our biggest documents, so I want to unpack it over a number of weeks. ( I will also move all three weeks of articles into a Special Edition newsletter for future Reference, should it ever be needed).
- Week 2 Newsletter - Purpose of Documentation, Recognising and Defining Bullying, Types of Bullying. Promoting Bullying Awareness
- Week 3 Newsletter - Investigating, Recording (tracking) and Confirming Bullying Behaviours. Including occasions when Bullying is not confirmed and why.
- Week 4 Newsletter - Responding to bullying, Consequences and actions, Supporting Anti Bullying strategies.
School Repsonses to Bullying once confrimed.
- All disciplinary measures and responses are undertaken in consultation with the parents of those children receiving such measures.
- Responses to confirmed bullying behaviour are based on the Restorative Justice Principles and are outlined in a section below.
- Tracking of repeated patterns will place students on higher tiers of behavioural intervention as prescribed by the Positive Behaviours for Learning Framework. This may include a individual behaviour support plan
- It is important to note that once a behaviour pattern has been confirmed as bullying, only a general outline of disciplinary measures can be outlined to other parents. For privacy reasons, much of the specific details as to the support provided and consequences impacting on the perpetrator cannot be disclosed to any other parties.
Counselling Support for all involved.
Counselling services provided by the school’s counsellor along with social skills programs implemented by the Learning Support Teacher and Pastoral Care Worker will be offered to all children who are identified as harmed or harmful in a bullying incident.
Although it is more than reaonable to proivde counsellingsupport for thos impacted by bullying behaviours it may seem less so to provide the same to thesoe perpertrating thos behaviours However, it is critical to the process that the school provide supprots for the child demonatrating the bullying behavcious. Please know, that conseqeunces are still in place but if we are to find a way to stop bullying behaviours at their source, we must seek to supprot the studnet to understand why they particpated iint hose behaviours that are harmful to others.
There’s no simple explanation for bullying
Bullying emerges from a complex interaction of social, personal and psychological circumstances. Underdeveloped emotional skills may also lead to bullying behaviour. Children and young people who have poor self-regulation and anger management skills are more likely to engage in bullying behaviour compared to those with better-developed skills.
Children and young people who engage in bullying behaviour may feel disdain for their targets, find bullying others to be enjoyable, feel strong and in control when bullying others, and/or believe that bullying others will help make them popular. Bullying behaviour can also occur because of distrust, fear, misunderstandings and lack of knowledge or jealousy.
Ensuring clear, consitent consequecnes and response to incidnets of bullying.
In order to be proactive in restoring positive behaviours and in reducing the likelihood of repeated action, it is essential to have clear consequences built around the notion of restorative justice.
Firstly, any child found to have been involved in a confirmed incidence of bullying will meet with staff regarding their role in the incident. It is important the child understand why any bullying behaviour is undesirable and every effort should be made to help the child overcome the problem.
Currently the school discipline response to an incident (injustice) is based on the premises inherent in the Restorative Justice model that includes:
- Awareness of the impact of incident on multiple people
- Awareness of the impact on their interpersonal relationships
- Acknowledgement of their own feelings and motivations at the time of the incident
- Acknowledgement that equity needs to be restored and to ‘right the wrongs’
- Future intentions are planned for, clarified and enacted.
Children workshop these principles through the completion of stage appropriate worksheets and discussions while spending time removed from the playground (Reflection Room) or on repeated incidents if may result in the removal from normal school routines.
Ongoing Promotion and Awareness of the Schools Anti Bullying Procedures and Supports.
Ongoing monitoring of incidences of bullying will be maintained and remain open for the full period of enrolment at St Benedict's Edgeworth.
The school's Anti Bullying porcedures are communicated to regularly to the parent comunity (hence this recent series of aritcles in the newsletter) and these are often unpacked at age appropriate levels to the students in the classroom.
Additionally, our more proactive programs of Positive Behaviours for Learning and the Whole School Wellbeing Framework focuses on the explicit teaching, modelling and rewarding of those behaviours that promote positive communities and also building skills of ‘resilience’ in all students.
These programs are designed to promote in children the skills to deal with incidences that may involve bullying in a more proactive and assertive manner. Having said that, it must always be understood that the school is well placed to deal with those incidents that are of concern beyond those initial strategies.
Spelling Bee 2023
Over the past few weeks all classes have conducted Spelling Bees and today we held our school finals.
Spelling Bee Finalists 2023
|
ES1
|
Oliver O’Brien Indi Eisel (absent) Emily Haddad Georgia Cambourne Noah Jones Kayal Periyan |
|
Stage 1 |
Akira Yee Everlee Grainger Charlotte Nymoen Bianca Bassford Jack Cleveringa Dylan Judge Talia Walker Adithya Alackal Sudheesh |
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Stage 2
|
Lyla Bashford Ary Biddut Josiah Layburn Phoebe Huntriss Fariz Thaha Gabrielle Yee Oliver Britton Jack Fry |
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Stage 3
|
Ethan Smith Scarlett Rose Connor Howell Brianna Bassford Kayla Williams Eli Guihot Alex Curran Jack Searle |
Congratulations to the following students who were the winner and runner up for each stage:
Early Stage 1:
Winner- Noah Jones
Runner up- Georgia Cambourne
Stage 1:
Winner- Dylan Judge
Runner up- Bianca Bassford
Stage 2:
Winner- Gabrielle Yee
Runner up- Oliver Britton
Stage 3:
Winner- Alex Curran
Runner up- Scarlett Rose
Later this term we will have a special ‘Spelling and Maths Bee Winner assembly presentation. The winner of each stage final will advance to the Regional Finals on Friday 9th June. We are hoping to also send the runner up but will confirm closer to the date.
Maths Bee 2023
As our school Spelling Bee comes to end today, we now prepare for the school Maths Bee next week. The Maths Bee will be held next Tuesday 23rd May in the school hall.
Early Stage 1 at 9.30am
Stage 1 at 10.15am
Stage 2 at 11.20am
Stage 3 at 12.05pm
Parents will be notified via Compass by Thursday afternoon if their child is a finalist for the Maths Bee next week.
Diocesan Cross Country
Last Wednesday, a team of fifteen students represented our school at the Diocesan Cross Country event held at Maitland Park. We were very fortunate to have a lovely, sunny day for the event. Our team did very well, with all competitors completing the challenging course (2km for 8, 9 and 10-year-olds, 3 kms for 11, 12 and 13-year-olds). A number of our students placed in the top 20 in their age groups, a great result considering they were up against approximately 70 competitors, all of whom had to meet strict qualifying times. We are so proud of each of our team members for their persistence, great attitudes, team spirit and respect for all on the day.
The next stage for Cross Country is the Polding event to be held in Sydney in June. We are pleased to congratulate Eli Guihot who ran second in the 12-13 boys event at Maitland and qualified to represent our school and Diocese at Polding. A special mention also goes to Scarlett Herringe (11th in 10 years girls), Lily Cassel-Denmeade (15th in 10 years girls) and Henry Bailey (20th in 8-9 years boys).
A great effort!
Another nine students completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge last week.
They are:
From 3 BLACK: Bonnie Hungerford, Hamish Platt, Yuvi Rana, Baily Reeves
From 3 RED: Ella Hall, Sophie Williams
From 4 RED: Sebastian Skyrm
From 5 BLACK: Audrey Roberts
From 6 BLACK: Talen Hall.
Congratulations and well done
Mrs Pam Nicolaidis
PRC Co-ordinator
CANTEEN UPDATE
The Winter Menu has launched this week and we have some great new options available including a Beef Burger, Garlic Bread, Hawaiian Pizza, Lasagne, Raisin Toast with Butter, Roast Chicken and Gravy Roll, a Warm Ham and Cheese Roll and Hot Milo.
Please see below for the roster for the rest of the week:
Wednesday 17.5.2023
V sutton
H Fenwick
Friday 19.5.2023
K Hudson
J Fenwick
H Fenwick
Monday 22.5.2023
C Smith
H Fenwick
The Canteen’s regular open days are 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.
P&F UPDATE
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday 5th of June – P&F Meeting, 6pm in the Staff Room.
Congratulations to the students who achieved their 50 Bennies milestone this week!
|
Class |
PBL Certificate |
Spirit of Jesus Awards |
|
KR |
Georgia Cambourn, Harper Annison Macy Craig, Aubree Guest Noah Jones, Georgia Lovett Kayal Periyan, Trisha Poudel Lettie Reis |
Malia Kelly
|
|
KB |
Seraya Wallace-Taylor, Delta Fenwick Evelyn Smith, Benny Steele Ruby Allen, Ella Creek Sienna Mallak, Mason Smith |
|
|
1R |
Indi Garven, Jonty Guiot Scarlett Piper, Dexter Thomas Xavier Manusiu, Amelia Gulabovski Chelsea Hunter, Nate Toohey |
|
|
1B |
Charlie Brock, Paige Fenner Paige Ferguson, Everlee Grainger Mackenzie Hunter, Ronan Somai Akira Yee, Evie vas |
|
|
2R |
Hudson Bailey, Bianca Bassford Gwen Eckford, Bentley Francis Noah Giblin, Henry Johnson Madelyn Kilian, Spencer Kinnaird Christo Mathew, Willow Moore Madeline Richards, Elka Rolfe Haidyn Thomas, Noah You Lydia Thornton, Lucy Burgess Charlotte Nymoen |
|
|
2B |
Max Fry, Claire Tickner Macey Searle, Levi Kinnaird Emily Reynolds, Braxton Francis Grayce Musgrave, Theo Cotton-Young Willow Harris, Miles Jones |
|
|
3R |
Evelyn Paul, Roman Gulabovski Rithvi Jeeva, Logan Leighton Logan Shakespeare, Jake Dimovski Ahanah Joel, David Garces Catano Ella Hall, Ovi Rana |
|
|
3B |
Scarlett Hunter, Astyn Davies Isabel Curran, Finn Ryan Alexis Chambers, Evana Biyas Alaster Bailey, Aryan Biddut Aubree Weet, Baily Reeves Abel White, Gracie Reis Oliver Wright, Isla Hopkins William Irvine, Yuvi Rana Sophie Stewart |
|
|
4R |
Amelia Mackay, Nixon Brock Willow Garven, Gabrielle Yee Lily Cassel-Denmeade |
Archer Guihot |
|
4B |
Jack Fry, Payton Kinnaird Lexi Schumacher, Olivia Price Scarlett Herringe, Axel Ferguson Issa Saneesh |
|
|
5R |
Charli howarth, Alexis Huntriss Aditya Modi, Josie Gloury Xavier Lovett, Casey McGovern Logan Walmsley, Marli Eisel Cohen Ford, Tobias Cotton-Young Jayce Manthey, Cadence Hopkins Isaac Mate, Bosco Thomas |
|
|
5B |
Nate Bevan, Ruby Castles Shaniya Dean, Joel Heesen Hudson Moore, Boston Rolfe Angad Singh, Elyiah Vernik |
|
|
6R |
Grace Alexander, Natalie Fenwick Isobel Hudson, Lexi Kinnaird Erin Wark, Emma Woodward Niya Peterson |
Eli Guihot |
|
6B |
Brianna Bassford, Harry Cleveringa Finnan Esler, Mia Fanti Hannah Gossage, James Irvine Lily Kehoe, Lucas Kelly Riley Myers-Perrett, Sofia Nymoen Joshua Saopa, Oliver Tickner Savannah Wolloff, Ethan Herringe |
|
Walk Safely to School Day
Well it’s that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking!
Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.
You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:
• Walking with them the whole way to school
• If they get the bus or train, walk past your usual stop and get on at the next stop
• If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.
Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.
Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey for Friday 19 MAY 2023!
For more information, visit www.walk.com.au