Dear Parents and Carers,

Congratulations Mrs Gerbich, Mrs Gould and Mr Mackenzie
Congratulations to Mrs Camille Gerbich who has been successful in gaining a position at Holy Trinity Curtin from 2020 as Classroom Teacher. Whilst at St Benedict’s Mrs Gerbich has held a variety of roles such as classroom teacher, Wellbeing Coordinator, KidsMatter Coordinator, Sports Coordinator and STEAM Coordinator. During her 6 years at St Benedict’s Mrs Gerbich has contributed positively to our strong St Benedict’s identity, the community life of the school and Parish. She has been instrumental in developing Wellbeing within the school and the Berry Street Program.  We wish Mrs Gerbich well in her new position and know that the Holy Trinity community will be richer for having her join their staff.

Congratulations to Mrs Hayley Gould who will be joining St Joseph’s School O’Connor as Kindergarten teacher for 2020. Congratulations to Mr Josh Mackenzie who will be joining St Thomas Aquinas’ Primary School West Belconnen next year. We thank them for their enthusiasm and care for their classes throughout the year. We wish them the very best for their exciting year ahead.

Staffing News
Mrs Amanda Basedow has chosen to extend her leave from her full time teaching load for 2020, and will continue with a flexible working arrangement for two and half days a week in 2020.

Following interviews I am very pleased to announce that Ms Emma Donaghue was successful in gaining a permanent teaching position at St Benedict’s beginning 2020. Ms Donaghue is currently a teacher at The Robert Fitzroy Academy, London and prior to that taught as a relief teacher with the Catholic Education in the ACT, including at St Benedict’s. I know you will join with me in welcoming Ms Donaghue into our community.

Mrs Narelle O’Callaghan was successful in gaining a temporary teaching position at St Benedict’s for the 2020 school year. Mrs O’Callaghan is a teacher with over fifteen years experience who is currently teaching at St Clare of Assisi, Conder. Ms Samantha Slocomb was also successful in gaining a temporary teaching position at St Benedict’s for the 2020 school year. Ms Slocomb is a recent graduate, who has taught at both St Clare of Assisi, Conder and St John the Apostle, Florey. Congratulations to both Mrs O’Callaghan and Ms Slocomb and welcome to the St Bendicit’s community.

I know the community joins with me in congratulating Mrs Gerbich, Mrs Gould and Mr Mackenzie, and in welcoming the new members to our community. With staffing now finalised class groupings of students are currently being determined. Students will find out which class they will belong to in their school report on Friday of Week 9.

Our staff are looking forward to some very exciting work with students next year with the continued focus on an contemporary inquiry in curriculum and the introduction of more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) units of work. We look forward to sharing much more with you at the beginning of 2020 when we hold our Open House Information Evening in February.

Key dates coming up...

• Semester 2 Reports sent home - 13 December
• Ways of Being Awards Assembly - 13 December
• Year 6 Graduation Mass - 18 December
• Christmas Concert - 19 December

Look to our school calendar on our website and app for more information.

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal