Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s increasingly common for children to have social media accounts, even in Primary School, so learning how to use these responsibly is an important skill they need to develop.

Social media is a pretty broad term that refers to websites and applications that enable people to create and share content, or participate in social networking. The big ones such as Facebook and Instagram are widely known, but did you realise that many children have social media accounts associated with online games, or online learning communities? If your child has a username and can post comments or chat online, they have a social media account.

Online gaming sites and learning communities are common places for children to have social media accounts. It’s easy to set these up, so make sure you know what your child is using your computer for, and that they check with you before filling out a form that asks for a name or username. Check the privacy policy of the site together and talk about what it means. If you decide to let your child create an account, teach them the basics of choosing safe usernames and passwords and keeping them secure; and set up the privacy settings together.

Through the use of Google Classrooms in our Year 3 to 6 classes we have created a secure online learning community that enables students to interact with each other and their teachers to discuss topics, work collaboratively and submit assignments. This can be a good way for them to learn the techniques and etiquette of social media, and how to use it responsibly; and to become aware of online issues such as bullying and scams.

When your child wants to set up a social networking account on one of the main public platforms, it important to remember that many have age restrictions, so make sure the platform your child wants to sign up to is appropriate for their age. For example did you know that Fortnite, the online battle game that a lot of our students are talking about and accessing at the moment, is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years?

It is worth visiting the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner  Website at the following link https://www.esafety.gov.au/ to get the latest expert advice on how to keep safe online, and make sure you discuss it with your child.

If you are wondering whether you should be their online ‘friend’, the short answer is yes. However this may be difficult with platforms such as game or special interest forums that you may not have an active involvement in. By being your child’s online friend, you can see what your child is posting and give them guidance if needed.

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

God bless.

Rachel Smith

After School Pick Up
Just a reminder that all children are to remain seated at their designated tree each afternoon after school whilst they wait to be picked up. No child is to be running around or playing on the equipment at this time. Please ensure that when picking up your child you come into the school grounds to do so. Could you please ensure that all people who pick up your children are aware of this rule? Thank you for your support with this.

Learning Showcase
Next Thursday, 27th June between 2pm and 4pm we will have the second of our Learning Showcases for the year. The Learning Showcases provide an opportunity for you to visit your child’s classroom and look at the great work they have been doing. It will also provide you with the opportunity to sit with your child and revisit the goals they set at the end of last term and work towards setting new goals for Term 3. It is also the perfect time to remember that your child thrives on praise from you. When you recognise the effort your child has put into their school work it boosts their self-confidence, which can result in better academic performance.

NAIDOC Dance Performance
Over the last two weeks the students have been participating in Aboriginal Dance Workshops with a specialist teacher. The students will be performing these dances at a special presentation on Thursday 4^th July at 9.40am. We would love it if you were able to attend.

Year 6 Graduation and End of Year Mass
Year 6 Graduation and dinner will take place on Wednesday 18^th December. The school end of year mass will also take place on this date. You may like to add both dates to your calendars.

Leaving St Benedict’s
If you anticipate that your child will leave St Benedict’s at the end of this year, could you please notify the Front Office where they a heading to. We need to begin planning for staffing and class configurations for 2020. Thank you to those who have let us know already, this is very much appreciated. Naturally Year 6 parents need not respond to this request.

Sacraments

This Sunday, on the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ,  four of our students through the waters of Baptism, will be welcomed into the Catholic Church community and reborn as children of God. Also 18 of our Year 3 students, through the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, will share in the meal through which Jesus gives Himself to us so that we may go out into the world and share His love with others. As a school community we pray for these students and their families. All are welcome to attend this significant celebration Sunday 23^rd June 9.00am. Sacrament canidates will need to arrive at 8.30am to meet their teachers in the Parish Centre.

May you always know the peace of Jesus,

 the light of His love,

 and the joy of His life within you.

IMPORTANT: DATE CHANGE

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date for the Confirmation Retreat has been changed. The Confirmation Retreat will now be held on Saturday 17^th August NOT 24^th August. Thank you.

Mountian View
On Thursday 20th June, all Year 1/2 students will be participating in a Healing Liturgy with Father Dan and the members of our community at the Mountain View Aged Care Centre.  We ask that you keep these students in your prayers as they nuture community spirit through their presence and participation in this special prayer celebration.

St Vincent de Paul School Sleepout

We have 20 students in Years 4-6 who will be participating in our school St Vincent de Paul Sleep Out. We are very proud of these students! Please keep these students in your prayers as they prepare to undertake this challenging experience. If you would like to sponsor them please contact Nat Wright natalie.zarb@cg.catholic.edu.au.

WANTED: Medium and Large Cardboard Boxes

At the Sleep Out students will be require cardboard boxes. If you have any unwanted medium and/or large cardboard boxes please bring them into the Front Office. Thank you.

Mini Vinnies Winter Woolies Day

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. Over the next two weeks, all classes will be discussing the issue of homelessness in our Canberra community. Please take the time to also have these discussions at home. The main understanding we want our students to have is that we are working as a school to protect the human dignity of the vulnerable in our community. In preparation for the day, 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/

Families who wish to make a money donation might consider purchasing an incredible ‘Backpack Bed’- Backpack with storage that rolls out into an all-weather protected bed. These are an extremely ‘precious’ item that is handed out from the Night Patrol Van to those who are ‘sleeping rough’. For more information able this wonderful product that provides thousands of people with a dignified sleep across Australia please visit: https://backpackbed.org/au/

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.

20 Jun       Year 1/2 Mountain View visit
23 Jun       First Holy Communion, 9.00am
27 Jun       Learning Showcase, 2.00pm
28 Jun       Semester reports sent home
28 Jun       Winter Woollies Day - Unifrom Free Day
28 Jun       St Vincent de Paul School Sleepout
1 Jul          Parent—Teacher Interviews (Optional)
2 Jul          Parent—Teacher Interviews (Optional)
4 Jul          Naidoc Dance - 9.40am - All welcome
5 Jul          St Benedict’s Feast Day Mass, 10.00am
5 Jul          Term 2 concludes

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

• ICAS Testing - Due by 24th June
• St Vincent de Paul Sleep Out - Selected students
• St Benedict's Snowsports Team

ICAS TESTING
ICAS is an independent, skills-based assessment program which recognises and rewards student achievement. ICAS provides a suite of academic assessments for primary (Years 3-6) and secondary school students but this testing is optional. These tests do not assess recall of curriculum content, but rather assess the higher order thinking and problem solving skills needed for success in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies.

This year the tests are being conducted in online according to the following testing schedule. If you would like your child to participate in any of these tests, please return the accompanying note and payment by Monday 24^th June.

I would like my child/ren ________________________ in class/es ______________ to participate in the nominated ICAS tests. I have included the required payment for each of these tests.

                                  (please mark)

Digital Technologies                        $14.40            Tuesday 3^rd September

Science                                          $14.40            Thursday 5^th September

Writing                                          $14.40             Tuesday 10^th September

Spelling                                         $14.40             Thursday 12^th September

English                                          $14.40             Tuesday 17^th September

Mathematics                                  $14.40             Thursday 19^th September

Total money included: $ ________________           Signed: __________________________

Year 5/6 Excursion to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands

As part of our environmental/integrated studies about water catchments and the water cycle, we went to Jerrabomberra Wetlands. When we got there we went for a walk. On the walk we had a stop at a log where lots of baby huntsman spiders live. Some of us even got to hold them! We also got to meet Tucker the turtle. We went into a hut and split into groups. We each got a big sample of water from the lake, and used droppers to get out little creatures. We put them into little tiny bowls and observed them. This told us about the water quality of the lake. When we were finished, we went for another walk and stopped at three places along the way. We drew what we saw and labelled our diagrams. We had lots of fun, and best of all… everybody learnt a lot about water catchments and the cycle of water!

By Environmental Leaders! :)​

Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special day this week: Isadora N, Jack O, Michael R and Adam O.

Kindergarten: Pragna L and Lucy L

Year 1/2 Blue: Hunter R and Alessandra B

Year 1/2 Gold: Huxley N and Saanvi C

Year 3/4 Blue: Daria F, Celeste M and Lucia M

Year 3/4 Gold: Ekamjot K, Michaeal R and Henry P

Year 5/6 Blue: Obi O and Emersen C

Year 5/6 Gold: Dharma S and David T

Year 1/2 Blue: Nicolas B

Year 3/4 Blue: Santino E

Year 3/4 Gold: Grace R and Alec C

Year 5/6 Blue: Sarah D

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. 

St Benedict's is once again participating in the Woolworths Earn and Learn.  We are now into the final weeks, so go on down to Woolworths and Earn some extra stickers between now and the 25th June 2019.

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, even if you are unable to make the opening times.  Where possible we will always help.

The Lost Property Box is located in the  canteen area.  Please take some time to go through the box on a weekly basis as the lost property box is overflowing with jumpers and jackets.  These are going to be essential items of your child/rens uniform as the days get colder.

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD/REN'S CLOTHING IS LABELLED WITH THEIR NAME.

Extra Lost Items
There are a number of personal items that have been handed into the office during the term.  If you are missing any jewellery or accessories please call in and see Mrs McRae at the Front Office.

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the number of orders for the tuck day on Tuesday. I do hope the children enjoyed their little pizzas, garlic bread and drinks. It was a very successful day.

Just a little note about the tuckshop/canteen menu. A large proportion of the food sold through the canteen is made on site. This affords me with flexibility with ingredients, where I endeavour to ensure all students are catered for with respect to any dietary requirements. If your child has a dietary requirement, please refer to the canteen menu which I have updated to include information regarding Gluten Free (GF) or Lactose Free (LF).  Much of the menu can be altered to accommodate these requirements.  Therefore if your child has been unsure if they can have any food from the menu, I can assure you, some items can be changed. I believe food is a wonderful opportunity for children to share common ground amongst their friends. It can also be divisive for many reasons, including dietary requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

I endeavour to ensure the prices are kept to $2 and below per item.

Please remember 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 21st June

9am to 11.30am - Helpers Required - Over counter sales only

11.30am to 2pm - Helpers Required

TUESDAY 25th June

9am to 11.30am - Helpers Required - Over counter sales only

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

Holiday Workshops Kinder - Yr2

Holiday Workshops Yr3 and Up

Holiday Workshops Yr3 and Up 1.04 MB