Welcome to the Week 6 Newsletter.

Last Friday, we celebrated the Wellbeing Launch with Be your Own Superhero day. (It also marked the mid point of the term). We have a number of new signs in our COLA area to help the students ariculate the importance of and use the supports to promote their own wellbeing and that of their friends. the call to be your own superhero was loud and clear on Friday and one that we hope strengthens the students every day. 

Students from Kinder to Year 3 also particpated in a workshop with author Dan Marshall. His book teaches us that the power of the superhero is within us all. It is as unique and special as each one of us is unique and special. AND that is what makes us heroes. An all great day for all, even the staff. 

Reconciliation Week 

National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June – is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for National Reconciliation Week are the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 Referendum, and the High Court Mabo Decision respectively.

The theme encourages all Australians to be a Voice for Reconciliation in our everyday lives – where we live, work and play.

This week, we pray and reflect on the work of generations past and the benefit of generations future. Together we work for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

As we mark Reconciliation Week in school this week, our calendar watch and planning also  turns to the celebration of Naidoc Week in Week 10 of this term. This will be a special day for the students and is schedule for Friday 30th June - the last day of term. More information will come regarding this.

The celebration of Naidoc Week (to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) is directly linked this week's Reconciliation Week (when together we work for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.) 

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

This week students in years 3-6 will be completing the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). Students in Year 2 got in early and completed this test last week!

This test measures students’ reasoning abilities in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. The verbal battery measures how well the student is able to learn and solve problems related to words. The quantitative battery measures your child’s ability to apply numerical concepts. The nonverbal battery assesses skills in using figures and pictures to solve problems. Like any standardised test, the CogAT measures only some of your child’s skills, and the results represent ability on the day the test was given. Therefore, these scores form one point of reference to measure a student’s potential. Test scores should never be used alone to make decisions about services or supports, but they can be helpful when interpreted in conjunction with other information and metrics.  Classroom teachers use these test scores to gain a further understanding of your child as a learner and identifies their areas of strength. These scores are not shared. 

In the Maitland – Newcastle Catholic Schools Diocese, CogAT results are used as one of several measures to inform classroom differentiation, supports, enrichments, and extensions. If you have questions, please contact Mrs Killen, our Gifted Education Mentor at school. 

School Dismissal Alert 

Parents are asked to ensure that any changes to afternoon routines are called through to the office so that staff can assist students with the change of plans. this inlcudes if you have arranged to have another parent to pick your child up due to you being held up somewhere. It is critical we know this and not have students move off with different paretns without being informed by you. 

School Fees

A TIME FOR PRAYER

At Mass on the weekend Father Christo in his homily reminded us of the importance of prayer quiet contemplative prayer, community prayer or ritual prayers all have a significance and value when praying.

In our busy lives it is difficult to find the time to communicate with our loved ones. Finding time or setting time aside for conversations with our family and friends is very important. So too is conversation or prayer time with God.

Therefore, some kind of regular family prayer ritual is critical to fostering your child’s emerging relationship with God. Some families pray at dinner time some have a routine bed time prayer.

If you have young children, establishing a habit of prayer is often easier as they will be less likely to resist the change. The best way to get older children praying is by extending an invitation and going ahead with or without them. It might take a couple of weeks, but if you stick to a routine, they will notice and influenced by it, and may even join you.

Like many family traditions, they require effort, and an active choice. However, starting such a habit can be daunting but by being consistent you can build a new tradition with your family.

Yours in faith, 

Miss Michelle Collins 

(Religious Education Co-ordinator) 

The attatched document is a Wellbeing Framework Handbook that individually unpacks all 4 elements of the school's integrated approach to wellbeing. 

1. Be You 
2. Positive Behaviours for Learning  (SBE)
3. Make Jesus Real
4. Student Voice

We share this with parents as a commitment to the continual focus on wellbeing that supports all members of our community being ready to learn, ready to grow and ready to be their true self.  

Regional Maths and Spelling Bee 

Over the past two weeks, we have held our St. Benedict’s Maths and Spelling Bee finals. It was a great celebration of our marvellous mathematical minds and super spelling strategies! All the students presented a fabulous display of skills as well as great confidence, persistence and resilience. We are very proud of all class finalists.

St. Benedict’s Spelling Bee Winners

Early Stage 1- Noah Jones

Stage 1- Dylan Judge

Stage 2- Gabrielle Yee

Stage 3- Alex Curran

 St. Benedict’s Maths Bee Winners

Early Stage 1- Noah Jones

Stage 1- Rhys Toohey

Stage 2- Oliver Britton

Stage 3- Lucas Kelly

ALIA’s National Simultaneous Storytime 

Last Wednesday, 24^th May our school participated in the Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) National Simultaneous Storytime. This event occurs every year. A picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. 

Our students had a wonderful time reading this year’s picture book, The Speedy Sloth written by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Heath McKenzie. They also enjoyed participating in activities in response to the text. 

Ms Mateos

Teacher Librarian 

Congratulations to the following nine students who completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge over the last two weeks.

They are:

From 3 BLACK:   Astyn Davies, Isla Hopkins, Vaida Johnson, Gracie Reis, Isaac Rose

From 3 RED:        Lola Watts

From 4 RED:        Mia Sabeesh

From 5 RED:        Xavier Lovett

From 6 RED:        Taylor Jewell.                    

Well done

Mrs Pam Nicolaidis

PRC Co-ordinator

CANTEEN UPDATE

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.

Check out our new winter menu.

Some new items and some old favourites

All these items can be ordered on the QKR app along with our normal menu.

Please see below for the canteen roster for the rest of the week:

June P and F Meeting  

Week 4 Awards

Congratulations to the students who received awards at this week's assembly.