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Dear Parents and Carers,
Emails, mobile phones, the internet and social media – online technology is becoming a part of every child’s and teenager’s life. Unfortunately around 20 percent of young Australians aged between 8 to 17 report experiencing cyberbullying. Here are some tips on the signs to look out for and what you can do if you think your child is being cyberbullied.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is the use of technology to bully an individual or group with the intent to cause harm – social, psychological or, in extreme cases, physical.
Cyberbullying can be abusive texts or emails, hurtful messages, images or videos. Other forms of cyberbullying include excluding others online, imitating others online or nasty online gossip.
What to look out for
If your child is experiencing cyberbullying, you may notice they don’t want to go online or use their mobile. They may get upset when they get a text or an email. You may notice changes in their school work and friends. They may also be withdrawn or appear lonely, sad or angry or not sleep well. They may try to avoid going to places like school.
What you can do
If you think your child is being cyberbullied, try not to overreact—reassure them that you won’t block their access to the internet. There are some really useful resources for parents on the eSafety website, and here’s a few more things you can do:
- Help them stay connected to supportive family and friends both online and offline.
- Advise them not to reply to any messages from a bully. Often if bullies don’t receive a response they will give up.
- Help them to collect evidence of the cyberbullying material.
- Report the cyberbullying material to the website administrator or social media service. If the site or app does not remove the content within 48 hours, report it to the eSafety Commissioner—they will work with the service to get the content removed.
- Encourage them to ‘block’ the bully.
- Talk to your child’s school if another student is involved.
If your child doesn’t feel comfortable talking to you or someone they know, encourage them to contact Kids Helpline, for free and confidential online and phone counselling 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Remember 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. I encourage you to monitor your child’s social media use and be aware of the age limits that apply to the various networking sites. Some of them, whilst they appear harmless, may open them up further through advertisements to sites that are not as harmless and have children chatting to strangers. Here is a link to the esafety’s online safety guide;
Definitely worth reading!
Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.
God bless.
Rachel Smith
Principal
Library Stocktake
In the last two weeks of the year Sue Anderson, our Librarian will be conducting a library stocktake.To allow this to happen all library books must be returned by week 7. There will be a prize of a movie and ice block to the class that is the first to have every item returned. Please encourage your children to start looking for those books that have been lost or missing for a long time.
Save the Date - School Disco
On Friday 29th November (5.30pm – 8.30pm) The P&F will be holding a Colours of the Rainbow disco. Children can come dressed in their favourite colours of the rainbow. A volunteer note and order form were sent home last week. If paying on Qkr you must still return the completed order form so that the school has a record of your order.
Save the Date – Working Bee
On Saturday 30th November (9.00am – 12.00pm) The P&F will be holding a Gardening Working Bee. Many hands make light work, so please try to come along and lend a hand. Don’t forget to return your volunteer note.
Kindergarten and Year 5/6 Mountain View Liturgy
This morning all Kindergarten and Year 5/6 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 expect that their presence will bring some Christmas cheer and laughter. We ask that you keep these students in your prayers as they nurture community spirit through their presence and participation in this special prayer celebration.
Parliament House Christmas Carols Performance
Our St Benedict’s School Choir has been invited to perform a set in the Marble Foyer at Australian Parliament House as part of the 2019 Christmas at Australian Parliament House program. The time slot allocated to our students is Wednesday 27th November at 11:30am. All are welcome to attend and watch the performance. We wish them all the best.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Food Donations
Each year our St Benedict’s school community donates non-perishable food to our parish St Vincent de Paul Conference. This food is then made into Christmas hampers that's distributed to people in our local community who are experiencing hardship. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about the joy of giving without the expectation of receiving something in return. Families are welcome to donate as many non-perishable food items as they wish. Please send all non-perishable food donations to your child’s classroom. These will be presented at our Giving Mass this Friday 6th December.
Family Advent Calendar
A Family Advent Calendar has been sent home to each family in preparation for the coming season. Included in the calendar are some simple activities focused on drawing families closer together through experiences of sharing joy and giving to others.
Advent Liturgy
Wednesday 4th December 10.15am
Kindergarten and Year 1/2 students will be presenting our school Advent liturgy, focusing on deepening our understanding of the Christian symbols of Christmas amongst all the busyness, presents and tinsel. All students in Kindergarten and Year 1/2 have received a note outlining roles and costumes. We recommend that all families are seated by 10.00am as the configuration of the hall seating will be in a circular formation for this celebration.
Volunteers Needed
The St Benedict’s Parish Pastoral Council is 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 or (02) 6295 7879
Community Meals Program
The Community Meals freezer is one way we can assist families who are e
xperiencing 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:
21 Nov Kindergarten & Year 5/6 Mountainview Liturgy
22 Nov Mini Vinnies Social Justice Day
26 Nov Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
29 Nov Disco
30 Nov P&F Working Bee
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 have gone home this week and will be sent home via Schoolzine App:
- School Choir Performance at Parliament House
- Photography/Filming Consent for School Choir Perfomance
- Non Perishable Christmas Food Donations - St Vincent de Paul
- Family Advent Calendar
- Working Bee
- Disco Notes - voluteer and food ordering
- Yr5 & Yr6 Graduation helpers note
On Wednesday 6th November, the students in Years 3-6 welcomed some visitors from the Canberra College of Piping and Drumming. Steven Shedden (drums) and Athol Chalmers (pipes) came and gave a brief demonstration before giving students a chance to play on a drum pad with some sticks and with a chanter (a bit like a recorder). There were smiles all round as the students learnt more about traditional Scottish bagpipes and drumming.
I am now seeking expressions of interest from students who will be in Years 3-6 in 2020 and who would like to be involved in a pipes and drums band. Students who are interested have an opportunity to learn either pipes or drums. Lessons are charged per term (approx $250 per term). There is also an instrument hire fee so that the students have something to practise on at home.
For more information about the Canberra College of Piping & Drumming, visit their website http://www.canberracollegepipesdrums.org/
If your child is interested in being a part of the band or you would like more information, please email Beth Moores (Music Teacher) at Bethany.Moores@cg.catholic.edu.au
In January 2020 the Young Music Society will be holding their annual Summer School holiday program. The program goes for 2 weeks. Students have the opportunity to sing, dance, play an instrument and perform. Each day begins at 9am and finishes at 3.30pm. Supervision begins at 8.30am and an after school program is available until 5.30pm. For more information check out http://youngmusicsociety.org.au/holiday-programs/summer-school/ or pick up a yellow brochure from reception.
Here at St Benedict's we have a recycling box for printer and ink cartridges. If you need to dispose of any from home please feel free to see Mrs McRae at the front office.
Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special day this week: George P, Archer B, Joshua L and Vivienne K.
Kindergarten: Kidada C, Samson M
Year 1/2B: Vivienne K, Maria C
Year 1/2G: Gorden S, Olivia B
Year 3/4B: Daria F, Clancy B, Alain K and Archer B
Year 3/4G: Edie Q, Ekamjot K and Liz K
Year 5/6B : Emerson C, Matthew S and Troy J
Year 5/6G: Josephine L, Emily S
Welcome back to the new school year. 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.
Tales from the TUCKSHOP
"If it starts with a T - It's Tuckshop day"
It's starting to warm up for summer and the Tuckshop is doing everything we can to keep the kids cool. Icecreams and drinks are available at recess and lunch from the tuckshop window. Over the next couple of weeks I'll increase the range of icecreams available.
- This week we have had some amazing volunteers preparing some gourmet lasagne that will revival the finest restaurants.
- Have you considered volunteering? You don't have to be a whiz in the kitchen! An hour or 2 on a Tuesday or Thursday between 9.30am and 1.30pm would be really helpful. Parents, partners and grand parents are all welcome. Contact Mrs McRae in the office to find out more.
- I recently prepared some Kenyan food for the kids to try while they learnt about Kenyan culture. Ugali or fufu is a side dish made from maize and Sukuma wiki is a main dish made from mince and kale.
- Qkr! is available to order your child/ren recess and lunch. This is an easy process that you could do while sitting having breakfast with your children - no brown paper bag required if ordering this way.
Contact me regarding dietary requirements, volunteering, Qkr! instructions or other tuckshop matters.
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.
Join us on Mondays at 10am for half an hour of FUN! This is a chance for you and your little one to spend some quality time together while learning simple dance moves, using your imagination and of course using props such as pom poms, fairy wands, and butterfly wings. From the wiggles, to nursery rhymes this half an hour will leave you and your little one with a smile. You can then go home and practice the moves together!
This class is just for the kids however you are welcome to sit at the back and cheer them on! Mondays 4:15pm – 4:45pm half an hour of good energy and learning in a safe environment. Your child will learn basic hip hop and jazz steps and learn a simple routine at the end. This is a great way for kids to learn how to socialise, make friends and of course dance!
E: info@subsdance.com.au
P: 0413 338 827
75th Canberra Carols by Candlelight
School families are invited to bring a picnic dinner and join in the 75th Canberra Carols by Candlelight, to be held at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, on Saturday, December 14 from 7pm.
Organised by the Woden Valley Youth Choir, this event is the second longest-running city community carols in Australia (Melbourne is the longest).
Come and join us for a night of song and celebration. It's a great way to begin the Christmas season.
We'll also be collecting donations for this year's charity.
Find us on Facebook ("75th Carols by Candlelight") for more details.
