Week 4, Term 3 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Science Week
This week we are celebrating Science Week at St Benedict’s. This year’s theme is Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language.
Students will be completing a range of activities in their classrooms over the week. Thank you to Ms Maple for her organisation of various activities that teachers will use to celebrate Science.
Book Week
We celebrate Book Week next Wednesday 20th August.
This year marks a special milestone as it's the 80th anniversary of Children's Book Week, organised by the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA). For 8 decades, CBCA has been dedicated to inspiring young minds to journey through the countless worlds that books offer.
This year’s imaginative artwork represents the Book Week theme ‘Book an adventure’, and encourages children to set off on adventures through time, lands, and imagination.
Students are encouraged to dress up for the day’s celebrations, as either their favourite book character or to represent the theme. At our morning assembly, students will have the opportunity to complete a walk around in front of their peers, to showcase their costumes. Students are also reminded to bring in their Book Week bag task that Mrs Currey has sent home as they will be sharing these in their library lessons on this day.
Thank you to Mrs Currey for her organisation of Book Week celebrations.
Photos
This Friday 15th August we will be having a special whole school photo to celebrate our 70th anniversary. Students will need to wear full winter school uniform on this day (not their sports uniform as they would usually).
70th Anniversary Celebration
This year marks a truly special milestone — 70 years of rich history, strong tradition, and a vibrant Catholic education at St Benedict’s Primary School.
Since 1955, generations of students, families, and staff have helped shape the heart of our school, creating a legacy of learning, faith, and community spirit.
It’s a time to come together and celebrate this wonderful occasion at an Open School Morning and a Dinner Dance Celebration on Friday 17th October. Please save the date. Further information and tickets for the dinner will be released in the coming days.
Please share this invitation with anyone you know who has ever been part of the St Benedict’s community — past students, families, staff, and friends. The more, the merrier!
School events to help us celebrate this momentous occasion:
- Friday 17th October – Open school morning
- Formal dinner dance celebration at the Southern Cross Club 6pm.
- Tuesday 21st October – Whole school musical performance (70s theme)
- Friday 5th December – School disco (70s theme)
As I look over photos and information from our school’s history, I am discovering some real gems. Following is a special reflection on our school written by a past parent, Mr Bob French, in 2005.
Wherever I have travelled in my life, for every success and failure I have tasted,
for every step I have trodden, and every new horizon I have watched,
the spirit and love that lives in this school will endure when we are all gone,
and will keep us in good stead no matter where our own lives lead,
because we are all touched by the spirit and love of this wonderful school.
And we who have passed through have all left a bit of ourselves behind,
as those who are coming through now will,
and those to come will,
and for each small part that we all leave behind,
the ones beginning will feel that spirit of laughter and love
and know that they belong to a special family,
the family of St Benedict’s.
Building Project Update
Our preparations continue for the new building. We are currently making some final decisions around design features and finishes. We are still on track for work to commence in the December – January school holiday period.
National Catholic Education Commission Conference
Next week I will be out of the school Monday to Friday as I attend the National Catholic Education Commission Conference in Cairns. During the conference, there will be key-note presentations from world class speakers as well as workshop sessions on a variety of themes including faith leadership in Catholic schools, school improvement, leading evidenced based instruction, legal compliance, family engagement and culturally responsive education.
Mrs Karen Haines will be Acting Principal in my absence and she will be supported by Mrs Louisa Mitchell, our Religious Education Coordinator.
Music Performances
Our classes have continued to hold mini performances amongst themselves to share their wonderful learning in Music. To date, out Year 1/2s have showcased their recorder skills and today our Year 3/4s delivered percussion performances. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and enjoyment from students in addition to their improving skills. They are loving showcasing their talents! Thank you to Mr Ruiz Marin for continuing to help bring music alive at St Benedict’s.
Year 5/6 Excursion to St Christopher’s Cathedral
Yesterday our Year 5/6 students participated in a walking excursion to St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka, to learn about many of the saints that are represented in the stained glass windows. Whilst out and about, our students were fabulous representatives of our school and they also learnt a lot. Well done Yr 5/6 and thank you to Mrs Webb and Mrs Livingstone for organising this enriching learning experience.
Yours in partnership,
Alana Quirk
Principal's Reminders
Hats On!
With the weather warming up, students will be required to wear hats from next Monday 18th August.
Students Leaving
If you anticipate that your child will leave St Benedict's at the end of this year, could you please notify the Front Office which school they are moving to. We need to begin planning for staffing and class configurations for 2026. Naturally Year 6 parents need not respond to this request.
Spotlight on Religious Education
Sunday 17th August ~ Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!
There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now
on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against
the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against
daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’
Reflection
This Sunday's Gospel reminds us that following Jesus is both a joyful and challenging journey. Jesus speaks of bringing fire to the earth, a symbol of God’s love that can inspire and transform. As parents, we are called to share that love with our children, helping them grow in kindness, compassion, and faith.
The Gospel also reminds us that living with love sometimes means facing difficulties. Just as Jesus endured hardship for others, we too may face moments that require patience, courage, and strength. But through it all, we walk with hope, knowing that love and faith will guide us forward.
Let us continue to nurture the flame of God’s love in our homes and hearts, encouraging our children to be lights in the world.
Confirmation Faith Formation Evening – Walking Together in Faith
On Wednesday 6th August, our school community gathered for a joyful and meaningful Faith Formation and Information Evening in preparation for Confirmation. Parents and children walked together in faith, reflecting on their baptism and the significance of their names, names that remind them of their identity as friends, siblings, children, and leaders.
We were blessed to have Father Samson join us and share a beautiful reflection on the Fruits of the Spirit. He likened the Sacrament of Confirmation to a milkshake: baptism is like the chocolate syrup at the bottom of the glass, and Confirmation is the moment we stir it up, spreading the sweetness of the Spirit’s gifts throughout our lives.
As our students continue their journey towards receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 30th August, we ask you to keep them in your prayers. May they be guided as they choose a saint whose virtues and character inspire them to live with love, courage, and faith. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with Father Richard Thompson our Vicar General.
REC, Clergy and Principal Day – A Shared Mission of Faith
Last Friday, I was blessed to attend the annual REC, Clergy and Principal Day which was a special gathering focused on evangelisation in Catholic schools. The day explored how schools and clergy can work together to become vibrant centres of encounter, discipleship, and mission.
We were inspired by thought-provoking talks from our new Director, David De Carvalho, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, and a panel of clergy, teachers, and principals. It was uplifting to hear how other schools are nurturing faith and building strong relationships and celebrate all we are doing to help students live out their beliefs with boldness and conviction.
A highlight worth celebrating for our school in this area is the launch of our Youth Ministry Program with our Year 5 students. Over the next six months, led by myself and Mrs Livingstone, they will take part in the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) Primary Program, learning about connection, proclamation, and response. These students will help lead retreats and events for younger peers, focusing on the key themes of encountering Jesus, growing in discipleship, and living out their mission.
We look forward to seeing how this program helps our students grow in faith and leadership.
Dates to Remember
Benny's News
Out and About at Benny's
Year 5/6 Excursion to St Christopher's Cathedral
Happy Birthday
Merit Awards
Team Kids
Community News
