Dear Parents and Carers,

Each year in conjunction with the support of the School Board the school creates an Annual Improvement Plan to guide its work and planning for the year. The data gained to create the Annual Improvement Plan comes from a variety of sources, including student learning data, current educational thinking, NAPLAN data, the National School Improvement Tool and the school survey that is sent out to parents annually. 

The key improvement areas, using the National School Improvement Tool headings, this year are;

• An explicit Catholic identity and culture,
• A culture that promotes learning,
• Systematic curriculum delivery,
• Differentiated teaching and learning, and
• Effective pedagogical practices. 

Work on these improvement areas is continuous throughout the year and forefront in any planning and professional development the school undertakes. As we come to the half way point of the year it is important to celebrate the parts of the Annual Improvement  Plan we have already successfully achieved. They include;

• Evidence of a lived Catholic Faith and Tradition in each classroom through visual displays, rituals and practices, learning experiences and conversations and language,
• Increased student voice in the preparation and celebration of liturgies and prayer,
• Staff attendance at CE Faith Formation programs,
• Staff/Team Meetings for training in Religious Education, particularly in teaching Conceptual Inquiry in Religious Education,
• Coaching and mentoring with REC in teacher planning,
• RE curriculum visible in classroom and teaching programs,
• Continued implementation of Learning Intentions and Success Criteria in all classrooms to guide student self reflection and feedback,
• Continue to refine teacher – student – parent reporting processes that provide clear feedback to students and include student voice in reporting, e.g. three way conferences, learning celebrations each term learning goals, parent partnership form,
• A consistent, regulated approach to Personal Plan development and review with increased student participation and voice in the process,
• Undertake relevant training in Berry Street' and implement the strategies for wellbeing,
• Develop clarity of roles of leadership groups,
• Develop structures for regular reflection and consultation on student assessment data to inform teaching (including Literacy, Numeracy and Religious Education),
• Ongoing and frequent sharing and analysis of student data to inform teaching, and ensure ongoing student tracking (Numeracy and Literacy - including PAT testing and Best Start, and Religious Education),
• Build teacher understanding and use of quality Mathematics teaching pedagogy so that rich tasks with multiple entry and exit points can be used to teach in a differentiated manner,
• Consistent use of agreed assessment recording proformas across K-6 and curriculum areas,
• Professional learning opportunities to enhance staff knowledge and use of the Australian Curriculum and 3 Worlds of the Text (including Religious Education and Mathematics),
• Use of the Google environment to promote student, staff and wider community collaboration and creation through all elements of the learning process,
• Embedding of flexible, mobile digital technologies throughout the school to create greater opportunity for curation, creation and collaboration in developing new knowledge.

I thank the staff and community for their hard work in ensuring that we are meeting the goals set down in our Annual Improvement Plan. Attached is a copy of the 2019 St Benedict’s Annual Improvement Plan.

Annual_Improvement_Plan_2019.pdf

Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal

Enrolment Period – Final Reminder
The Catholic Schools’ Enrolment Period finishes this Friday 31st May. Enrolment packs are still available from the Front Office or you can enrol online. If you have a younger child who is commencing school in 2020 you must submit an application form for this child. 

NAPLAN
Unfortunately, as you would have heard via the media, there was a major disruption to the NAPLAN system this year. The Australian Primary Principals Associations put out joint statements regarding this disruption and the possible impact on student performance which were sent home to the families of students completing the tests. The school was in constant communication with the ACT NAPLAN authorities to ensure that students who experienced the disruption were able to re-sit tests where necessary. Thank you to the students for their calm approach to the disruption and to Alana Quirk for her extensive coordination of the NAPLAN process.

SZapp As  A Communication Tool
Just a reminder that the school is no longer using the Skoolbag app as a communication tool. All communication will be sent using the SZapp communication app, which can be found in the app store. If you would like to notify the school of your child’s absence please use the Absentee Form on SZapp. This form can also be found on the school website under the banner of ‘Communication’.

Planned Extended Absence
All students who have a planned absence for more than 10 days during the term require prior permission from the school Principal. If you are planning an extended holiday, please contact the front office for an application form.

Working With Vulnerable People Card
Once again we ask that you ensure you have a WWVP card. Teachers will be advising parents they cannot assist with excursions, in classrooms, etc unless you have a WWVP card on your person. Please take the time to visit the Canberra Connect Office and register for the card. It is free! Have you checked your card’s expiry date?

Hats Off June and July
In June and July, hats go away! In Canberra we have already started to witness daily UV levels decrease to what is considered “low” levels (under 3), during the morning and afternoon periods.

Cancer Council ACT does not generally recommend sun protection behaviour (i.e. hat wearing and sunscreen application) when UV levels are under 3 due to the low risk of potential UV skin damage. In Canberra UV levels drop and remain under 3, all day around the June and July period and the students are encouraged to leave their hats at home during this time. They may wear a navy beanie for warmth.

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 31st May
The feast of the Visitation recalls the visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousinElizabeth shortly after the Annunciation; the cleansing of John the Baptist from original sin in the womb of his mother at the words of Our Lady's greeting and Elizabeth's proclaiming of Mary—under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This free book on the story of Mary’s life offers us the opportunity to help our children learn about her and reflect on how she taught us to lead our lives in faith, hope and love.

Loyola Press Resource free download available here:

https://www.loyolapress.com/~/media/Images/Loyola%20Press/ocf-articles/article-images/the-story-of-mary.ashx?la=en

Sacraments

Reconciliation Day Liturgy

Thank you to Year 3/4 Blue for leading our school in a thoughtful Reconciliation Day liturgy. It was a wonderful opportunity for our school to gather to hear the Word of God and to reflect on the message of reconciliation and be a part of the promise to walk and heal together. 

First Friday Mass
Year 1/2 Blue will be leading our school community in Mass this Friday 7^th June.Mass is held in the St Benedict’s Church from 10am. Families are warmly invited to join us for this liturgical celebration. Morning tea will be provided by the families of students in Years 1/2 Blue. Parents are invited to stay after Mass for morning tea and a chat with Staff in the Library. Parents of the hosting class are also welcome to bring their child along to the morning tea.

Kindergarten Class Parish Mass

Kindergarten will be joining the parish on Sunday 16^th June for Mass.  We ask that those who have children in Kindergarten to make a special effort to attend the school’s Parish Mass. The parish choir will be at this Mass and warmly welcome anyone to join in singing. If you are planning to attend Mass on Sunday and would like your child (or any family member) to have a formal role such as a reading, bringing forth the offertory or the Gospel procession, please email: Fran Tomadini: Fran.Tomadini@cg.catholic.edu.au

Mini Vinnies
Our Mini Vinnies are beginning to organise our annual Winter Woollies Day (whole school event) which will be held Friday 28^th June to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness in Canberra as well as donations for the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol Van. In preparation for this we ask that all families begin collecting adult size winter clothing, as well as blankets and sleeping bags. Donations can be second-hand or new. Please store these at home until Winter Woollies Day, as we do not have the capacity to store these at school.

For more information about the Canberra Night Patrol Van, please visit

https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Find_Help/ACT/Food/Night_Patrol/

Community Meals Program

The Community Meals freezer is one way we can assist families who are experiencing hardship. If you are able to cook a meal, please use disposable containers and label with ingredients and date. All meal donations can be brought to the Front Office. If your family requires temporary meal assistance, you can speak in confidence to any of our staff members.

The following notes have gone home this week and will be sent home via Schoolzine App:

• Pizza Tuck Day 11th June - Due Wednesday 1st June
• P&F Stuck On You Fundraiser

Building Works in Front Office - Foyer
This Friday 31st May there is going to be some work done in the foyer area and the

front door will be locked from 9.10am once the walking students have arrived.  We ask that everyone, please use the Church carpark to drop off and pick your child/ren - as per the normal access arrangments.  This will mainly affect people doing a late drop off or early pick up. We ask that you also use the Church carpark to access the school to sign your child/ren in and/or out during the day.  Thank you for your cooporation.

School Fees
Thank you to all the families that have paid their school fees so far.

Please remember if you have not received your school fees yet, please contact Belinda at the front office.

Term 2 School Fees where due last Wednesday 22nd May.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Belinda in the Front Office.

Kindergarten: Noah W, Harrison M and Thisagari R

1/2 Blue: Leilah G and Alexander H

1/2 Gold: Dianna N and Gordon S

3/4 Blue: Joe R, Marissa M, Alain K and James N

3/4 Gold: Joshua L, Ava D, George P, Elizabeth K and Sophia M

5/6 Blue: Leila C, Michael T and Sarah D

5/6 Gold: Layla C and Kiera M

1/2 Blue: Benjamin F

3/4 Blue: Rafael V

Entertainment Book

This term we will be selling the new 2019-2020 Entertainment Book Membership for $60. You will receive hundreds of valuable offers for shopping, dining and accommodation.  $12 of every membership sold will go towards our school. A sample copy is available for viewing at the Front Office.

Please make sure you buy a book through St Benedict’s School, and tell your family and friends about it too!

Entertainment           Book           using           the           link: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/23231n Then pickup your book from Belinda at the Front Office. 

The Clothing Pool will be open each Tuesday and Thursday between 2.50pm to 3.15pm by appointment. 

Please let Mrs McRae know at the Front Office if you need something from the Clothing Pool.

The lost property box is located in the  canteen area.  PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD/REN'S CLOTHING IS LABELLED WITH THEIR NAME  The lost property box will be emptied throughout the term.

Hello everyone,

The Pizza Tuck Day note is coming home today.  All orders will need to be in by Wednesday 1st June so the pizzas can be ordered ready to pick up after the long weekend.  

Please talk with your child/children that counter sales only occur at Recess time and lunch orders must be ordered in classroom tubs first up of a morning.

As most of the food is made fresh in the canteen volunteers are needed for the peak times for this to continue. If you have any spare time, please consider dropping in and helping as volunteers are always welcome. No amount of time is too small.

FRIDAY 31st May

9am to 11.30am - Helpers Required

11.30am to 2pm - Helpers Required

TUESDAY 4th June

9am to 11.30am - Helpers Required

11.30am to 2pm - Helpers Required

If you would like to touch base about volunteering please either drop in or contact me on Cara.Cook@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Yours in tongs

Cara Cook, Canteen Manager

Weekend Mass Times

Saturday          6.00pm

Sunday            9.00am

Youth Mass      6.00pm

Charismatic Mass    6.00pm (last Sunday of the Month)

Baptisms: 11.00am, 2nd and 4th Sundays of the Month

                                                                     6287 3833

 Being a parent is the hardest job we’ll ever have.  All parents at some time experience difficulties and stress.

Parentline ACT

is a confidential and free telephone and face-to-face counselling and information service.

  Phone Parentline if you would you like:

• To talk with someone about those parenting issues.
• Help with some ideas on raising children.
• Support in the important job you are doing.
• To know what is available for parents, teenagers and children.
• To build better relationships in your family.
• Help to understand your child or teenager’s behaviour.
• Make an appointment for a counselling session.

Parentline ACT.

Monday to Friday (except on public holidays), 9am to 5pm.

Phone: 6287 3833

Welcome to the 2019 Winter Tennis Season,

We thank your school for continuing to support a sport your students can play for life. As a sport that is played all year round we invite your students to join a Winter Tennis Program or a Holiday Kids Tennis Camp.  If you can place the following information in your schools next newsletter it would be much appreciated. 

Winter Junior Tennis Coaching @ South & North Canberra Tennis Clubs

 - Qualified Tennis Australia Coaches

 - Free tennis racquet for new players

 - Trial lesson available

 July School Holiday Camps  @ Old Parliament House Tennis Club

 - July 8th - 10th (Week 1) & July 17th - 19th (Week 2)

 - All ages & abilities 

 - Morning, half-day & full-day options

Contact: www.tenniscanberra.com.au | 0416 186 121 | play@tenniscanberra.com.au