Cross Country
What a fantastic morning we had this morning with the students participating in our annual Cross Country Carnival. It is always so heartening to watch our students challenge themselves to do their best and in doing so be cheered on and supported by their fellow students. What a lovely community spirit is nurtured through our school carnivals. Thank you to those parents and grandparents who attended the morning, in particular those parents who helped the staff with the smooth running of the carnival.

School Park
When using the car park of a morning and after school please be mindful of all the members of the community and proceed with caution. Whilst the dropping off and picking up of your children is your priority, I ask that you are aware of the children and families accessing the school and the car park at that time. Please drive slowly through the carpark and be aware of those around you before leaving your car park.

School Disco
Don’t forget that this Friday night is the St Benedict’s School Disco. The disco will take place from 5pm-8pm and the theme is come as ‘your favourite animated character’. Thank you to the P&F for their organizing of this event, in particular Hannah Norgrove, Bridie Walsh and Sonia Brown. Hope to see many of you there!

Swapping Food
St Benedict’s staff are vigilant but there have been reports of some children swapping their food with others. We have children in the school with food allergies and swapping food with another may have serious consequences. Parents go to a lot of trouble to ensure their children have healthy recesses & lunches. I’m sure you would not be impressed to hear that your child had been swapping their healthy options for less healthy options. Could I ask that you speak to your child/ren and let them know your thoughts on this please?

Building Fund
The Building Fund is a donation or contribution rather than a Fee or Levy which means it is not a compulsory payment. All our internal electrical, plumbing, painting, glass repairs and maintenance work is undertaken through a CE department who receives these contributions. Over the last few years, this parental contribution has enabled this school alone to have drainage, refurbishment of the Year 3 and Year 4 block, electrical repairs, roofing and plumbing problems repaired.

Dealing with an Issue
We encourage you to keep in regular contact with your child’s teacher/s throughout the year and inform them promptly of any concerns or positive moments in your child’s year. Teachers are your main contact for learning, pastoral care, student management, great achievements etc. The class teachers appreciate being informed of all issues well before you consult a specialist teacher or a member of the Leadership Team.

Some things to consider:

• Teachers main duty of care is for their students, so please do not approach a teacher at morning assembly or straight after school for a formal chat. If you wish to speak to them at length about a matter, please make an appointment;

• Teachers may take a few days to respond to your email. Their main role is to work with your children, so they often will not see emails until the end of the day or even the following morning if there is a meeting after school;

• Teachers are always happy to meet with parents. However, appointments will usually be before school or straight after school. Like any specialist appointment, parents may need to rearrange their work schedule to make the appointment.

Uniform
Thank you to the many parents who have ensured their child is wearing the correct uniform. Enrolment at St Benedict’s indicates that each child will abide strictly with our school’s dress code. This code states that each child will wear full and correct uniform to school each day. The only exceptions to this are when the school holds an “out of uniform” day or special dress up day. Parents are asked to strongly support this rule making sure that shoes are of the correct type - BLACK LEATHER school shoes and the school bag has the school’s logo. All aspects of students appearance are gender inclusive i.e. apply to both girls and boys.

• Student’s hair should be clean and neat; fashionable extremes, including head patterns shaved into head are not permitted. Shoulder length hair or longer must be tied back. Only natural, all-over hair colour is acceptable. The Principal or Assistant Principal will contact parents if other hair styles are of concern.

• Accessories are to match school colours (maroon, navy blue, yellow and white).

• No jewellery may be worn other than small, plain (silver or gold, no colour) ear studs, a watch or medical alert identification. Only one stud per ear (i.e. earlobe).

• Nail polish and make-up in any form are not part of the school uniform.

• Students out of uniform are required to bring a note from home on the day.

• If a student is out of uniform, parents may be contacted and requested to give a commitment to resolve the problem.