Dear Parents and Carers,

When presented with new material and complicated topics, we need to be focused and calm as we approach the work. Children are no different. At school we use brain breaks and focused-attention practices to positively impact the students’ emotional states and learning. We try to refocus their neural circuitry with either stimulating or quieting practices that generate increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, where problem solving and emotional regulation occur.

Brain Breaks
A brain break is a short period of time when we change up the routine of incoming information. Our brains are wired for novelty. We know this because we pay attention to every stimulus in our environment that feels threatening or out of the ordinary. When we take a brain break, it refreshes our thinking and helps us discover another solution to a problem or see a situation through a different lens. During these few minutes, the brain moves away from learning, memorizing, and problem solving. The brain break actually helps us to develop and process new information. Some common brain breaks we often use include Simon Says, stretching, dancing, skipping, game and Go Noodle.

Focused Attention-Practices
A focused-attention practice is a brain exercise for quieting the thousands of thoughts that distract and frustrate us each day. When the mind is quiet and focused, we’re able to be present with a specific sound, sight, or taste.

Research repeatedly shows that quieting our minds ignites our parasympathetic nervous system, reducing heart rate and blood pressure while enhancing our coping strategies to effectively handle the day-to-day challenges that keep coming. Our thinking improves and our emotions begin to regulate so that we can approach an experience with variable options. When we’re focused and paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and choices, we have a much greater opportunity to change those thoughts and feelings that are not serving us well in life and in school. At school we often use deep breathing, meditation, stilling our bodies to watch how we breathe and focused breathing.

You may like to try these at home with your children or next time you are learning something new or challenging!

God bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal

Catholic Schools’ Netball Carnival
Congratulations to our 24 students who attended the last Catholic Schools’ Netball Carnival last Saturday. It was a long and windy day, but great fun. The students enjoyed themselves enormously and represented the school with pride. Thank you to Imogen Baggoley, Julia Norgrove,  Belinda Daunt, Sonia Domitrak, Kellee Rollston – Francis, Olga Morabito, Belinda Eidum and Samantha Losanno who took on the roles of umpires, coaches and managers. Thank you to the many parents who supported our students on the day.

Summer Uniform
Just a reminder that all students are expected to be in the full summer uniform commencing next Monday 28^th October, including black school shoes and hats. Currently all students Kinder to Year 6 wear their sports uniform on Mondays and Thursdays and their dress uniform on the alternate days. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform on the appropriate days. Your support with this is appreciated.

School Banking
In October last year the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced a review of school banking programs. ASIC recently announced that it is seeking the public’s views of school banking programs to help inform its review. ASIC would like to hear from you and you can do this online by answering ASIC’s short survey and providing any other feedback. Simply visit

www.consultation.asic.gov.au/financial-capability/review-school-banking-programs/

The consultation period closes on 31^st October 2019.

Hot Weather
Over the next couple of days we are set to have some unseasonably hot weather for this time of year. Your child’s health and comfort is important, so please ensure that your child comes to school with a water bottle, hat and wearing sunscreen. Throughout the day the students are given the opportunity to reapply sunscreen and fill their water bottle.

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.

Year 3/4 Class Parish Mass

Thank you to the students who led the parish Mass on Sunday. It was a lovely occasion and a wonderful opportunity for our families to take on different roles during the Mass.

Canberra Homeless Connect Event

Last week, four of our students volunteered with St Vincent de Paul at the Canberra Homeless Connect event. The event brought together people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with free services and support agencies there to assist them. St Benedict’s students have were invited to support the St Vincent de Paul Thread Together Clothing Hub at the event. Our student’s presence on the day was really special and it certainly put a smile on everyone's face. The St Vincent de Paul Society members were impressed by the manner in which they conducted themselves. They interacted with many different people who were experiencing different levels/types of hardship, and they did it with compassion, respect and integrity. They made a real difference to our Canberra community and we are incredibly proud of them. Each student has reflected on their experience below.

It was a great day. There were many services available on the day including St Vincent de Paul (SVDP), Orange Sky, Rainbow Paws, legal help and financial counselling. We were assisting with SVDP at the night patrol van as shopping assistants, helping people find clothing that they liked and that fitted them. Most importantly, we gave them someone to chat to. It felt really good to help someone that needed it. There were many other fun activities that we engaged in as well. It was a terrific experience volunteering and physically helping people. Thank you very much, Ms Wright for taking us. Brigid

Homeless Connect is a group of many stalls that have to do with supporting homeless people, poor people or people that are doing it tough in life. We were volunteers for the Vinnies Night Patrol van. People would come up and look at clothes they like for job interviews. It felt good to help people who needed it. I enjoyed it very much, it was a good experience and it definitely paid off in the end.Will

We went to Homeless Connect to help out as volunteers on the day, to help give out jackets, check sizes when handing jackets out and being a helping hand with the Homeless Connect. The tent that my friends and I were in was a tent full of clothes donated by Vinnies Thread Together.  The clothes were good quality. We did raffles, games and other things at the Homeless Connect. I had a lot of fun and I would like to go again! David

It was very fun going to Homelessness Connect. I loved working with all the people and getting to know them. It was like being a little shop assistant! There was so many different organisations there helping the homeless and every one was very kind. Shyla

Archdiocesan World Mission Month Mass

Year 5/6 Gold joined with other school communities and youth leaders from across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to attend the Archdiocesan World Mission Month Mass lead by Archbishop Christopher at St Christopher’s Cathedral. As a Catholic school community we prayed for the work of Catholic Mission in Ghana at the Nazareth Home for God’s Children. We ask that our school community prays for these missionary disciples as they live out their vocation whilst faced with many challenges.

All Saints Day Mass

Next Friday (1^st November 10am) Year 3/4 Gold will be leading our school community in celebrating All Saints Day. All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church that is dedicated to the saints of the Church. Families are warmly invited to join us for this liturgical celebration. Morning tea will be provided by the families of students in Years 3/4 Gold. Parents are invited to stay after Mass for morning tea and a chat with in the Library. Parents of the hosting class are welcome to bring their child along to the morning tea.

Global Partnership Day

On Friday Week 4 (8^th November) our school community will be celebrating Global Partnership Day. Our Mini Vinnies are busy planning activities to help deepen our understanding of the lives of the children in our Global Schools Partner school in Kenya, Gesore Preparatory. In preparation for this event we need donations of plastic bags. Please send all plastic bag donations to Ms Wright. More information about Global Partnership Day will be sent home shortly.

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. Daniel.Benedetti@cg.org.au  (02) 6295 7879

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.

A few important dates to note for this term are:
24 Oct Day for Daniel
29 Oct School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
29 Oct Combined Board & P&F Meeting, 6.30pm
29 Oct Parents & Friends Meeting, 7.00pm
1 Nov Feast of All Saints
1 Nov First Friday Mass, 10.00am, Year 3/4 Gold
2 Nov Feast of All Souls
6 Nov Kinder Orientation 1, 9.00—11.00am
8 Nov Global Partnership Day
11 Nov Remembrance Day Liturgy, 10.30am, 1/2 Gold
12 Nov Year 3—6 St Clare’s Drama Performance
12 Nov School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
12 - 14 Nov Book Fair 3.30 - 5.30pm
13 Nov Book Fair - Parents only 8.00 - 9.00am
15 Nov Talent Quest
17 Nov Parish Mass—Whole School
20 Nov Kinder Orientation 2, 9.00—11.00am
21 Nov Kindergarten & Year 5/6 Mountainview Liturgy
22 Nov Mini Vinnies Social Justice Day
26 Nov Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
4 Dec Advent Liturgy—Kindergarten, 1/2B and 1/2G
5 Dec Learning Showcase, 2pm
6 Dec Mini Vinnies Giving Mass
10 Dec School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
13 Dec Ways of Being Assembly, 2.30pm
13 Dec Semester 2 Reports sent home
17 Dec Whole School Fun Day
18 Dec End of Year /Graduation Mass, 10.00am
18 Dec Year 6 Graduation Dinner, 6pm
19 Dec Year 6 Revue, 12.00pm
19 Dec Christmas Concert, 12.30pm
19 Dec Last day of Term 4

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

• Year 6 Information for Term 4 & Farewell Gift
• Orienteering Come and Try for Free
• Year 5 & 6 Growth and Personal Development
• Year 6 Graduation Celebration
• Term 4 Overviews - All Classes

Book Fair 2019
We will be holding our annual Book Fair in Week 5 this term, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday

13th and Thursday 14th November.  It will be open each afternoon between 3.30pm and 5.30pm with a special 'parent's only' opening on Wednesday morning from 8.00am to 9.00am.  This is a wonderful opportunity to get a head start on Christmas shopping while benefitting our library at the sametime!

Hope to see you in our Library.

**** Save the Date ****

Our school’s Remembrance Day Liturgy is on Monday, 11th November at 10:30am.

1/2 Gold (Miss Walshe class) will be preparing the liturgy.

Please join us in remembering all those who have died or suffered for Australia's cause, in all wars and armed conflicts, and to support the Defence families at St. Benedict’s.

God bless

Linda de Salis
Defence School Mentor

Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special day  this week: Elvira H, Sarah R and Sophia M.

Kindergarten:  Mya R, Pragna L and Elias S

Year 1/2B:      Alana W and Leilah G

Year 1/2G:      Summah M and Claire L

Year 3/4B:      Rafael K 

Year 3/4G:      Isadora N, Annabell W, Alex H and Alec C

Year 5/6B :      Natalija M and Maxima S

Year 5/6G:       William F, Dharma S, Matilda R, Arabella S and Layla C

Kindergarten: Samson M

Year 1/2B:      Hunter R

Year 1/2G:      Dianna N

Year 3/4G:      Miya H, Lalia D and Ekamjot K

Colour Run Splash and Dash!
At Friday’s assembly we presented the prizes for our first ever Colour Run Splash and Dash! Thank you very much to everyone who helped to organise the colour run and volunteered on the day. Congratulations to the following prize winners:

Most money raised: Ruby S. – Ruby will be principal for a day.

Class with most money raised: 3/4 Blue – 3/4 will have a class party with a fun activity.

Prize hamper: Isla Mc – Isla won a terrific hamper full of prizes.

Thank you to everyone who returned their sponsorship money. If you have any outstanding sponsorship money please return it to the front office this week.

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 continually overflowing. 

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

The Lost Property box will be emptied weekly and 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.

"If it starts with a T - It's Tuckshop day"

This term we're starting the Tuckshop with a real bang! A huge new menu should please even the most fussy eaters.

 A few changes that will be happening this term:

• The Tuckshop window will be opening for fruit break. With teachers permission, kids can come to the tuckshop and buy a piece of fruit or have their apple slinkied or oranges cut.
• Has everybody worked out the Qkr! app yet? It will make ordering from the Tuckshop so much easier and allow the Tuckshop to run more efficiently. With a little tweaking, I'm hoping the Qkr! app will allow parents to order both recess and lunch without the need for money. Please ensure you select the correct day for your childs order.
• Kids can collect their recess or lunch order directly from the Tuckshop window.
• The Tuckshop will be trading at recess for the first few weeks. After that, recess orders can be ordered on Qkr! and picked up from the Tuckshop window at recess.
• The Tuckshop will still accept paper bag orders.

 Volunteers:

• Parents, Grandparents and the St Benedict's community are welcome to join us in the Tuckshop to assist with preparation of meals. Volunteers are appreciated any time of day but the busiest times will be 9am - recess & 12 midday until 1.30pm. Plenty of jobs and I'm working on good coffee for the volunteers.

• Stay tuned for more exciting installments of Tales from the Tuckshop.

Please contact me via the front office regarding dietary requirements, volunteering, Qkr! instructions or other Tuckshop matters, untill further notice.

Dave Noble

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

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.

St Thomas the Apostle School & Parish Fete - Proudly Brought to you by Jupiter Kitchens & MEJ

37-39 Boddington Cres, KAMBAH ACT 2902

Saturday 9th November 2019, 10am - 2:30pm

There will be so much to see & do,.

Stalls – Side Show Alley, Show Bags, Cakes, Trash 'n' Treasure, Craft Stall, Plant Stall, Books, & Used Clothing.

Rides - Dodgem Cars, Giant Slide, Supa Cha Cha, Jumping Castles

Great food - BBQ, Vietnamese, Tongan Food, Devonshire Tea & Coffee Stand.

Prizes – Tombola, Chocolate wheel, Money Tree.

Pick-a-Prize - $10 gives you 20 chances to win Prizes incl. Jamala Lodge Stay, iPad, $500 Gift Card & more. Tix’s available for presale.

Entertainment - Bands, School choir.

Face Painting & Tattoos & much, much more.

There is lots to see, do and buy. Come along & share the fun.

Website:           http://sttap.act.edu.au/fete/

Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/stthomastheapostlekambahfete/ 

Term 4 is when tennis comes alive in the Nations Capital.  We thank you for your continued support.  If you can place the following information in the upcoming newsletter or school communication networks it would be greatly appreciated.

After-School & Weekend Tennis Coaching by Tennis Canberra 

We invite new and retuning players to join a weekly tennis junior program at a Tennis Canberra Club.  A free trial is available for players who are new to the game or if you are returning after a break from the sport.

 To request a trial session please email play@tenniscanberra.com.au your kid/s age, experience and which part of Canberra you want to play.  We will get back to you with the best options available.

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

Email: play@tenniscanberra.com.au

Phone: 0416 186 121