Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the 2020 school year!  There has been a very settled atmosphere around the school over the last two days even for our new students. Thank you to the teachers and the families who prepared so well for the beginning of the school year. It was great to see so many people at our first morning assembly and sharing in the moment.

Welcome to our 23 new Kindergarten students and welcome to the 17 other children who have joined us across the classes. Welcome also to the many new families that have become a part of the St Benedict’s community and story. We look forward to getting to know you and working with you over the coming years.

We have two upcoming events that invite not only our new families and students to attend but all community members. They are our Opening School Mass this Friday 7^th February at 10am and our Meet and Greet next Thursday evening the 13^th February. We hope to see as many parents and families at these wonderful community events.

Bushfire Support
With the devastation of the recent catastrophic bushfires and ongoing bushfire threat in the ACT, it is hard not to be affected or immune to what has gone on. It has continuously played out across our televisions, newspapers, radio and social media. I am sure every member of the community has a story to share about their recent experience or that of someone they know. There are many resources available to support the community and in particular children. Our new school counsellor Laura is trained in  running the ‘Stormbirds’ program, a program that is designed to support children who have experienced the trauma of bushfires. If you or your child needs any type of support please do not hesitate to contact the school. If you think your child would benefit from participating in this program please let me know.

Bushfire Response Plans and Hot Weather and Air Quality Risk Assessment
I would like to assure all members of the community that staff, under the guidance of Catholic Education, has revisited our Emergency Response Plans, Bushfire Policy and Bushfire Emergency Plan. Due to recent events and conditions we have also created a Hot Weather and Air Quality Risk Assessment. We will continue monitor the hot weather and air quality throughout each day, and will respond accordingly to the conditions. Students will be kept inside in air conditioned rooms if the weather is too hot and the air quality is poor, alternatively if you are concerned about your child’s health under these conditions please feel free to keep your child at home.

God bless.

Rachel Smith

Opening School Mass
Our Opening School Mass for 2020 will also be our first Friday Mass for February. Our Year Six Leaders will be blessed by Fr Dan during this mass. They will be commissioned and receive their leadership badges at a Friday assembly. All members of our school community are invited to join with us in celebrating this Eucharistic liturgy. Parents are welcome to join staff for morning tea in the Library after Mass.

Open House: Meet and Greet
Next week we will hold an Open House: Meet and Greet next Thursday evening, 13th February. Parents are invited to come into the classroom with their child between 5.00pm and 6.00pm to meet the teacher, see the learning environment and collect information about class operations for the year. Families are then invited to share a sausage sizzle with other members of the community from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. Feel free to bring a picnic rug and picnic, and enjoy spending some time getting to know other parents and children in a relaxed social setting.

We look forward to seeing you all there. If you are able to assist in cooking sausages or serving them please let Belinda know in the Front Office. Thank you to the Parents and Friends who provide the free sausages and drinks for the occasions.

Student and Family Information Update
On Monday and Tuesday we sent  home a record of the information we have about your child on our system at school. Please take the time to look it over and be sure that the information is correct, particularly all contact details for carers, parents and emergency contacts. With the information updated we can communicate with you directly and quickly should the need arise. Please return the signed form, with or without any amendments by Friday 7^th February 2020.

Student Health and Medical Information
Please ensure we have the most up to date health and medical information about your child, and that any medication that is needed during school hours, even if only occasionally, is supplied to the Front Office with a medication dispensing form. As a result of the recent poor air quality we have made contact with the parents of our asthmatic students to ensure we have the most up to date information and plans. If your child has recently been diagnosed with asthma or any breathing concerns or heart related concerns, please contact the office ASAP.

Class Parent Representatives
Each year a parent or two volunteer to be the Class Representative. It is a very simple yet crucial role that helps parents to connect with each other and assists in building a supportive school community. Earlier in the week a note was sent home inviting parents to volunteer to be that person. Please fill in the form or email the Front Office (Office.StBenedicts@cg.catholic.edu.au) to let us know of your interest. Someone from the Parents and Friends will then be in contact with you.

Welcome to the school year 2020!  This term our school community will be seeking to deepen our understanding of how we can be the living Gospel through compassionate action, stewardship, service to others and prayer. We hope that the exploration of these dispositions as a school community will help us to be the best we can be, grounded in Christ. 

Mini Vinnies
Our St Benedict’s Mini Vinnies K-6 Program will commence this term. Mini Vinnies is a social justice program of the St Vincent de Paul Society which exists in many primary schools. Mini Vinnies empowers primary school students to become advocates within their school and local community by putting their values into action. They meet regularly to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider St Vincent de Paul Society. The Mini Vinnies model of “See, Think, Do” is a great way to get young people thinking and talking about their spirituality and to connect their faith with issues affecting their community through volunteering, advocacy and fundraising. Not only do the students in Mini Vinnies benefit from the experience but also the school and wider community.

A permission note for our St Benedict’s K-6 Mini Vinnies program will go home this week. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact:

Natalie Wright

Religious Education Coordinator

Natalie.zarb@cg.catholic.edu.au

Mini Vinnies Hygiene Donation Station
The St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol is in need of mini toiletries (hotel size is perfect) to re-stock their hygiene packs to be distributed to the people who approach the van. We invite all families to make regular donations to the Mini Vinnies Hygiene Donation Station in the Front Office.  This is one way our school community can help teach our children about human dignity and how we need to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to look after their body.

Items that can be donated are

-          Shampoo/conditioner

-          Moisturisers

-          Combs/hair brushes

-          Sunscreen

-          Tissue packs

-          Feminine hygiene products

-          Soap/body wash

-          Toothbrushes/toothpaste

-          Mouth wash

-          Lip balm

-          Deodorant

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:

7 Feb   Opening School Mass
11 Feb  School Board Meeting, 6pm
13 Feb  Open House BBQ for families & teachers, 5pm
17 Feb  Canberra Raiders Visit Yrs 3-6, 9.30am
18 Feb  Parents & Friends Meeting and AGM, 6.30pm
26 Feb  Ash Wednesday Mass, 12.30pm
27 Feb  Swimming Carnival, K-6
28 Feb  Interim Reports sent home
1 Mar   Year 1/2 Gold School Mass, 10am
2 Mar   Three Way Conferences 
3 Mar   Three Way Conferences
4 Mar   First Reconciliation Prayer Night, 6pm
6 Mar   Year 3/4 Gold School Mass, 10am
9 Mar   Canberra Day Public Holiday
10 Mar  School Board Meeting,m 6pm
13 Mar  Olympic Athlete Visit Yrs 3-6, 12.30pm
15 Mar  Family Parish Mass, 9.00am
17 Mar  Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
19 Mar  Choir visit to Mountain View
2 Apr    Learning Showcase, 2pm
            South Western Region Swimming Carnival
3 Apr    Year 3/4 Blue School Mass, 10am
            Ways of Being Award Ceremony, 2.30pm
4 Apr    First Reconciliation and Mass, 4.30pm
5 Apr    Palm Sunday
7 Apr    Years 1/2 and 5/6 Holy Week Liturgy, 9.30am
            School Board Meeting, 6pm
8 Apr    Years 1/2 and 5/6 Holy Week Liturgy, 9.30am
9 Apr    Outdoor Education day 
            Term 1 concludes

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

• St Benedict's 2020 School Calendar
  St_Benedict_s_2020_School_Calendar.pdf
  St Benedict's Tuckshop Menu
  Tuckshop menu 2020 Jan.pdf
• First Day Byte
  First Day Byte Term 1 2020.pdf
• Tuition Fee 
  Systemic School Family Order.pdf
• Permissions Commitment from Parents and Enrolment Declaration
  General Permission Note 2020.pdf
• Student Medical Record
  Student_Medical_Records.pdf
• Class Parent Representative
  Class parent rep request 2020.pdf
• Social Media Release Form
  Combined Use Agreement for ICT and Facebook note.pdf
• Acceptable Use Agreement for ICT
  Combined Use Agreement for ICT and Facebook note.pdf
• Swimming Carnival
  Student Swimming Permission Note_2020.pdf

Happy Birthday to the children who celebrated their special day through the holiday period: Leilah G, Lillian E, Liam N, Sophia R, Sebastian O, Samuel F, Rafael K, Summah M,
Zoe N, Grace R, Antoni T, Gurasees G, Mackenzie C, Kate S, Alex N and Eva S 

Happy birthday to the children who celebrate their special day this week:  Olivia D, Ava W, Matthew S, Nobel S, Audrey S, Cooper W and Harrison M.

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.

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

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. 

Tales from the TUCKSHOP

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

Welcome to St Benedict's Tuckshop 2020! We have all your favourites from last year's menu with a bunch of new ice creams to keep the summer heat at bay. Our Tuckshop is all about healthy food that tastes great and kids want to eat. 

• Busy Parents Apple slinky roster:  Building on the huge success of the apple slinky fruit break, I am calling on busy Parents who can't really volunteer due to work.  If you can spare 30-40 minutes in the morning once in a blue moon to slinky a bunch of apples and say 'G'day to the kids', I'll make you a coffee to your liking. Front Office has a roster.
• Have you considered volunteering? Our wonderful volunteers are why our food tastes so good. If you have a spare couple of hours on Tuesday or Thursday, your assistance is greatly appreciated! Rosters are at the front office. Schedule a catch-up with your friends while prepping the kids lunches.You don't have to be a whiz in the kitchen!  Parents, partners and Grandparents are all welcome. Contact Mrs McRae in the office to find out more.
• QKR! Is the easiest way to order your lunch. Download the app today!
• If you'd prefer to drop your order off, please use an envelope instead of a paper bag. Write your name and year and order details on the envelope and seal the money inside. We'll provide a lunch bag.
• This year I will have separate menus for gluten free and lactose free lunch meals. I hope this makes things easier but contact me directly if there are issues.

Dave Noble
King of the Tuckshop

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

WODEN VALLEY YOUTH CHOIR
Woden Valley Youth Choir has provided a music education to hundreds of students from ACT and surrounding region for over 50 years.   WVYC offers a dynamic choral programme for young people aged 8 to 25 and we are proud to provide so many positive benefits to our members: the value of learning to sing with confidence, positive self-esteem, and performance skills, which will hold them in good stead for the rest of their lives. WVYC is a not-for-profit community choir with a strong music education programme. We don’t just sing – we become musicians.

OPEN DAY AND AUDITIONS
WVYC will hold an open day on Tuesday 18 February.   Auditions will follow, for those interested, on Saturday 22 February.   We have vacancies in all choirs although quite limited places in our high school/university age treble voice choir.  We are especially keen to audition more young men for our changing and changed voices choir, Centauri Voices.  For more information on open day times and auditions please go to http://wvyc.org.au and download an application form or email info.wvyc@gmail.com or phone 1300 599 655.