Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for a great Term 3. It’s been very busy and very productive. Everyone has achieved so much and earned a well-deserved rest.

St Benedict’s Splash & Dash

Thank you to the P&F for their organisation of a great community occasion last Friday. A big thank you to Ms Sonia Brown and Mrs Hannah Norgorve who were the main organisers of the event, and who thought and planned for every possible occurrence, and worked hard to ensure the day was a great success. So many children told me it was ‘the best day ever!’ Thank you to those parents who helped out on the day and the St Edmund’s students who joined in the run. Thank you to those students and parents who have returned their sponsorship cards and money. We would like to announce our prize winners at the first assembly back next term, so could all sponsorship cards and money be returned by Tuesday 15^th October (first day of Term 4).

Whole School Performance – St Benedict’s ‘Disney’
We’re really looking forward to the whole school performance this evening in our school hall. It has been two years since our last whole school performance and the children have been practising a lot, with every child having a part to play in the performance.

Thank you so much to all the parents who have helped in finding and sourcing costumes for their children. We really appreciate your support.

Please remember that all students need to be dropped off to the Year 5 and 6 classrooms at 6pm. The hall doors will open at 6.00pm and the P&F will be running a canteen between 6pm and 6.30pm. Parking is available in the carpark, on the oval, in the street and across the road at Narrabundah College.

I wish to thank all of our staff for the wonderful effort in putting this fun evening together and of course a big thank you to all students whom without there would be no show. Your enthusiasm and excitement for the performance has been infectious!

Recharge, Reflect, Reset, Restart
We all know the three Rs of school, but what about the four Rs of the holidays? My hope is that everyone in our community experiences a nourishing break over the holiday period and have lots of opportunities to Recharge, Reflect, Reset and Restart! We look forward to having everyone return to us safe, happy and healthy next term.

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal

Junior Primary Swimming Program

Dear Kinder, Year One and Year Two Parents,

Just a reminder that your child's permission note and swimming ability note were due back at school by, Monday 23rd September. This allows King's Swim School time to assign the students to ability groups.  Please return them tomorrow if you have not already done so.

Year Four Overnight Excursion

The Year 4 students will be travelling to Sydney for the Year 4 Overnight Excursion on Thursday 17th October. All permission notes for the excursion were due by Tuesday 24th September. Please return them tomorrow if you have not already done so.

Safety In and Around the School Grounds
I am asking for all our drivers to be careful and alert when driving along the roads around our school, in particular on Jerrabomberra Avenue where the cars are parked outside the townhouses next to the church. It is difficult when cars are parked in the street, but please be mindful that this is a shared road and at times we do need to give way to other oncoming traffic. If we are all aware of the traffic, the parked cars and remember stick to the school zone speed limit we should all continue to remain safe getting to and from school. Thank you for your assistance with this.

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. 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.

Confirmation
Congratulations to our students who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation on the weekend. Vicar General Fr Tony Percy along with Fr Dan and Fr Rem lead the community in spirit-filled Mass and Rite. The Missionaries of God’s Love Brothers performed the MGL Prayer a cappella accompanied by the children performing a liturgical movement. Thank you to all those who helped prepare the children, the church and morning tea for this special occasion.

Year 3/4 Mountain View
Year 3/4 students enjoyed spending time with the residents of Mountain View using

origami chatterboxes to spark conversation. The students celebrated Mass, including a Healing Liturgy where the children anointed the residents with chrism. The Mass concluded with students singing and performing a liturgical movement.

Volunteers Needed
The St Benedict’s Parish Pastoral Council are looking for a team of volunteers to organise, set up and lead the Parish Family Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve (in the school hall). This vibrant family celebration has become a wonderful tradition in our parish. If you are able to assist or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office on 62957879 or email Fr Dan: Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au

Mini Vinnies need your help!

Mini Vinnies have been busy packing hygiene packs for the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol and they are officially out of toiletries. If you have any hotel toiletries or would like purchase travel toiletries please donate these to the Hygiene Donation Station in the Front Office hallway.  Toiletries that the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol needs are: soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, tissues, hand sanitiser, mouth wash, toothpaste, sunscreen, moisturiser, combs, hair brushes, tooth brushes, sanitary products and lip balm.

Your donations are greatly appreciated!

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.

25 Sep School Performance, 6pm
27 Sep Mindfulness Day
27 Sep Last day of Term 3
27 Sep 5 Ways of Being Award Ceremony, 2.30pm
14 Oct First day of Term 4 - normal School Uniform

There have been no notes this week.

Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special day this week: Claire D, Rose G and Hamish M.

Happy Birthday to the children that will celebrate their special day during the school holidays: Miya H, Brigid N, Thisagari R, Mackenzie J and Himiona T.

There were no Merit Awards for Week 9 due to the Colour Run.

There were no Growth Mindset Awards for Week 9 due to the Colour Run.

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

The Lost Property box will be emptied tomorrow and Friday.  All named items will be returned to students via their class note bags.  All items without a name will be washed and donated to the Clothing Pool for repurchasing.

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 continually overflowing. 

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

Extra Lost Items
There are still a number of expensive personal items that have been handed into the office. eg. glasses, fitbit, phones, usb sticks, jewellery, key rings and purses.  If you are missing any items please call in and see Mrs McRae at the Front Office.

Hello parents and friends,
Canteen days are Mondays and Thursdays.

Qkr! is now operating for the canteen and it is a quick and convenient way to order your child's lunch if you have no spare change.  If you are using Qkr! please check that you have selected the correct day and date otherwise your child's order will not come through to the school correctly. 

Available during recess, available are:

gluten and lactose free savoury muffins $1
pumpkin soup $2
nachos $2
cheese and herb pastry twists 10c
pizza slices 50c
delicious muffins of the day $1
fresh fruit $1 ea (Bananas, Apples and Pears)
whole carrots 50c
jelly 50c
jelly and lactose free custard 50c
warm corn cobs 50c
seasonal fruit and custard $1

If your child forgets their morning munch and crunch, please see the front office.

THURSDAY 26th September - Canteen Tuck Day- Helpers Please
9am to 11.30am - Helpers Required - Over counter sales only
11.30am to 2pm - Helpers Required

MONDAY 14th October
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

Men’s BBQ with Fr Dan: St Benedict’s is having a men’s BBQ on Sat Oct 12th at 12 noon at the Parish Centre (next to Church. Park in Church/School car park. Please email Fr Dan at: Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au  so we can get an idea of numbers and if you’d like to help organise.

Fr Dan and St Benedict's are running a Men Alive weekend Oct 12-13, a low key weekend to explore what it means to be a Christian man. Contact Fr Dan at Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au or check out the website: www.menalive.org.au

Interested in becoming a Catholic or learning more?
Contact Fr Dan at Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au for info about the RCIA program for adults.

Tennis Canberra Holiday Camps @ Old Parliament House Tennis Club

 - Camp 1: September 30th, October 1st & 2nd

 - Camp 2: October 9th- 11th

 - Morning, Half & Full Day options available

Sign Up: www.tenniscanberra.com.au/holiday-program

 Free Trial - Term 3 - Give Tennis A Go!
We invite new players to our sport to a free trial before Term 4.  This is a great opportunity for all students to see if tennis is the sport for them.  Please e-mail play@tenniscanberra.com.au to request a free trial and our team will get back to you with the best options.

After-School & Weekend Coaching - Term 4
Run by Tennis Australia professional at a Tennis Canberra Club near you. Our coaches are excited to see many new players hit our courts in the Spring. Learn a sport they can play for life.

Sign up: www.tenniscanberra.com.au/junior-tennis

Email: play@tenniscanberra.com.au

Phone: 0416 186 121

Larissa Dann

PARENT EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING (P.E.T)

Supported by Parentline ACT

Tired of yelling? Looking to find a way to get out the door on time, while still liking each other? Learn respectful communication skills for a peaceful, gentle approach to parenting, without the use of punishment or reward. P.E.T helps children and parents develop resilience, emotional intelligence, confidence and consideration. The course is powerful, proven and practical, and will help you put peace back into your parenting.

 For more information visit our Parent Skills website; join the Parent Skills Facebook community; and read P.E.T. on a Page.

The 24 hour course consists of three-hour sessions, once per week, for eight weeks.  Booking is essential.

 Investment includes a workbook and textbook.

Course begins: Tuesday, 22nd October, 2019 (minimum number of participants required); Time: 6.30 pm to 9.45 pm; Place: Weston, ACT.

Enjoy P.E.T. with Larissa, accredited P.E. T. instructor. info@parentskills.com.au