Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been another busy week at St Benedict’s! As the term draws to a close, students have continued to be active in their learning and have been involved in various sporting and cultural activities.

Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Student semester reports have been published via COMPASS. Our teachers worked diligently to evaluate your child's progress and complete these reports. The release of reports followed the Parent-Teacher interviews that were held last week. Thank you to those parents and carers that attended these meetings which provided a valuable opportunity to discuss your child/ren’s academic achievement, progress and wellbeing. I thank all of our dedicated teachers for making themselves available for these three nights of interviews.

Indigenous Performance

Today we were fortunate to have a highly entertaining performance from Lucas Proudfoot.  The performance captivated students and helped them to learn more about Indigenous Australian culture and history. It involved music through guitar, didgeridoo and stomp box, dance and storytelling and humour.

Year 5/6 HASS Learning Showcase

Last week our Year 5/6 students excitedly shared their learning about natural disasters with our school community. It was fabulous to see them so keen to share their work and knowledge with others. Visitors to their exhibition learnt about a number of natural disasters that have occurred in Australia and the impacts they had on the environment and community. Well done Year 5/6!

Winter Woollies and Mini Vinnies Sleepout

Homelessness is a rising issue in Australia with over 116 000 people facing life without somewhere safe, stable and secure to live.

Last week, students learnt a lot more about this serious issue faced by so many and the importance of helping those in need whilst respecting their dignity, and sharing hope for the future.

We held our annual Winter Woollies Day on Friday, with students donating a gold coin to wear their ‘winter woollies’ and also bringing in donations of scarves, socks, gloves, beanies, jumpers, jackets, blankets and sleeping bags. The St Vincent De Paul van was almost bursting with donations, some of which made it to those in need that very night.

On Friday evening we held our Mini Vinnies School Sleepout. We are so proud of the group of students that gave up their evening to engage in a workshop with a representative from St Vincent De Paul, offer prayers to those affected by homelessness and experience what it might be like to ‘sleep rough’ for an evening. Although we weren’t outside, the hard floor of a classroom and a lack of home comforts like a pillow and blankets, certainly made it harder to get a good night’s sleep! Congratulations also to this group that also raised money for the cause through sponsorship. Their kindness and generosity reflects the big heart of the St Benedict’s community.

Thank you to Ms Zarb, our Religious Education Coordinator, for her organisation of these events. Thank you also to Mrs Haines who slept out with us and to Mrs Webb and Mrs Skaff who were at school bright and early Saturday morning cooking up a delicious breakfast for everyone.

St Benedict’s Feast Day

This Friday we celebrate St Benedict’s Feast Day, as well as looking to him as our guide for how we should live our lives. We will celebrate a whole school mass at 10am in the church. We would love to see you there.

This Friday will be Father Rem's final time to celebrate mass with our school community, as he will be on sabbitical between July and September. Father Chris Eaton will be with us in Father Rem's absence, before officially commencing the role of Parish Priest in September. We thank Father Rem for his guidance, love and support as he has journeyed with our school community. He will be greatly missed.

Thank you to all our families for your collaboration and support over the term. I wish everyone a happy, safe and enjoyable school holiday period. 

God bless,

Alana Quirk

Principal