Filter Content
Dear Parents and Carers,
This term at St Benedict’s we have been talking with the children about Respect – Respect for Self, Respect for Others, Respect for Our Belongings and Respect for Our Surroundings.
Respect is one of the most important virtues a child can have. Teaching children how to respect others will ensure they develop positive relationships with their family, friends and teachers throughout their life. Respect can be taught in many ways, but ultimately it’s about ensuring children lead a happy life and treat other people kindly.
Below are some of the most important traits a child can gain from learning the virtue of respect.
Good manners
Teaching children good manners might seem difficult, especially at a young age. However, good manners stem from respect. Saying a simple “please” and “thank you” can go a long way and, with practice, these gestures can become natural to a child. By practising manners, a child will learn that all relationships benefit from give and take.
Tolerance
A child is bound to face conflict throughout their life. While they might not always agree or understand what’s being said or done, teaching them respect will ensure they do their best to address conflict in a productive way. Teaching a child respect will allow them to communicate in a way that is effective and also will encourage them to take responsibility for their own mistakes, and better tolerate the mistakes of others.
Listening
Listening is an important part of having a productive or positive conversation. Learning how to communicate effectively means knowing how to listen, and this can be taught by understanding the importance of respect. We need to show a child how to listen intently, not interrupt and take their turn in order to help them better engage conversationally with others. This will also help the child to better understand rules and avoid conflicts.
Open-minded
Teaching children respect ensures they will get to know a person before making a snap judgement. This behaviour will help them throughout their entire life, and ensures they treat everyone with kindness. As well, for some children, diversity is a hard concept to understand. However, teaching children respect at an early age ensures they accept everyone for who they are.
For all children, learning respect takes time, but it’s never too early to start practising this essential life skill. Ultimately, teaching children respect will help them to create more positive relationships with their family and friends.
It is also vital that we teach children respect for their belongings and surroundings. So often at the end of session, end of break or end of a day we find the children’s personal belongings scattered around the classroom and playground. Many have the expectation that someone will pick it up and return it to them. Likewise they will leave rubbish behind for someone else to take care of. We must work with our students to value their belongings and surroundings, by teaching them to be independent, responsible and respectful of their have.
This term’s Ways of Being award will be for ‘Being Respectful’.
Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.
God bless.
Rachel Smith
Principal
Student Absences
Parents, please note that even if you have made a phone call informing the school that your child is away (and for one day this is not necessary, longer absences we do appreciate a phone call), we still need a written note or email upon their return explaining the absence, otherwise your child will be marked as ABSENT WITHOUT REASON in the Class Roll. If a child arrives at school after 9.00am they need to be signed in at the front office. St Benedict’s Primary School is regularly audited by the Education Department re - Student Absences. If you know in advance that you will need to pick your child up early from school, please notify your child’s teacher ahead time via a note or email.
Home Reading
Home reading should be an enjoyable, stress-free activity where students can practice and consolidate their skills and really learn to love literature. If your child arrives home with a library book or home reader that is challenging, why don’t you try echo reading or just read the book to them. If it’s too easy, congratulate them and stress how much fun and easy reading is. Children need to see themselves as readers. Often children who struggle to read lack confidence and ability to take risks with their learning. Students in the older grades are also required to read NIGHTLY. Parents are asked to assist teachers with closely monitoring the home reading. In our experience many older children choose not to read.
Sickness At School\ Guidelines for Parents/Guardians
Parents will be contacted when their child receives a knock to the head, sustains an injury that is considered serious or in need of a second opinion, soils their underwear, constantly complains of feeling ill requiring extended supervision, complains of a severe headache and presents at school with an infectious or contagious illness. When contacted, parents will be asked to collect their child or make other arrangements, as we are unable to provide the necessary supervision for such cases at school. In extreme situations we will negotiate the best possible solution with the parents eg. take the child to hospital for a second opinion.
To help limit the spread of contagious illnesses we ask that if your child has diarrhoea or is vomiting that they stay at home for at least 24 hours after their last episode. Thank you for your support with this.
Staff Illness
Unfortunately, like many of our students some teachers have been struck down by gastro and the flu. Some have been so ill that they have required a series of days of leave in order to recover fully. However, it is often not clear as to how many days leave the individual teacher will require. When teachers are away every effort is made to engage a casual relief teacher but there is a limited number available and it is not always possible. In this instant students will need to be split across other classes. Please know that we do our best to ensure that the learning of students is not impacted. Thank you for your understanding.
New Bus Timetable in Term 2
As you will be aware, the ACT Government is introducing a new public transport network including bus and light rail services for Canberra for the beginning of Term 2, 2019. The Government has recently released timetables for the new network, which will commence on Monday 29 April 2019. I encourage all parents and carers to find out how they can use the new services from Term 2 by planning their journey to and from school in the Transport Canberra journey planner at www.transport.act.gov.au.
Please see attached pdf sent with this newsletter.
Sacraments
|
Sacrament of First Reconciliation and Vigil Mass |
Saturday 6th April 4.30pm-7.00pm |
St Benedict’s Church |
Candidates and their parents/carers |
Reconciliation Program: This weekend when you come to Mass, after receiving a blessing during Holy Communion use Pope Francis’ 5 Finger Prayer to help you pray for others.
Season of Lent
Gospel Reading Luke 15:1-3,11-32
Jesus teaches about forgiveness in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
The parable Jesus tells in today's Gospel is unique to the Gospel of Luke. Jesus has been teaching the crowds as he journeys to Jerusalem. As he teaches, the Pharisees and scribes complain and challenge Jesus because he is welcoming sinners at his table. Today we hear the third of three parables that Jesus tells in response to his critics. These three familiar parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin and today's parable of the prodigal son—invite us to consider the depth of God's mercy and love.
Dear God,
Teach us to turn greed to generosity and envy to love.
Amen.
Did you know?
In the early Church, Christians would make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, retracing the steps of Jesus to Calvary. Not everyone could travel to Jerusalem, so the Stations of the Cross were popularised in art and as a devotional practice.
School Mass: Year 3/4 Blue
Next Friday (5th April) Year 3/4 Blue we will be leading our school in celebrating Mass (10:00am). Families are warmly invited to join us for this liturgical celebration. Morning tea will be provided by the families of students in Year 3/4 Blue. Parents are invited to stay after Mass for morning tea and a chat with Staff in the Library. Parents of the hosting class are welcome to bring their child along to the morning tea.
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.
Natalie Wright
Religious Education Coordinator
- 2nd Apr Yr 1/2 Excursion
- 3rd Apr Cross Country
- 4th Apr Learning Showcase 2pm-4pm
- 4th Apr South Western Region Swimming Carnival
5th Apr Year 3/4 Blue School Mass, 10.00am- 5th Apr Year 5/6 Excursion
- 6th Apr First Reconciliation and Mass, 4.30pm
- 7th Apr Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival
- 9th Apr School Board Meeting, 6.00pm
- 10th Apr Year 5 and 6 Holy Week Liturgy, 10.00am
- 12th Apr Outdoor Education day
- 12th Apr 5 Ways of Being Award Assembly
- 12th Apr Term 1 concludes
Tennis Clinic
Last Thursday all of our students participated in their first Tennis Clinic with Coach Robbie. The students all had a turn at hitting a tennis ball with a racquet. This is the firs
t time we have had tennis as a sport run at school and we look forward to observing their growing confidence and skills over the next few weeks.
Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival
This week the Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival Facebook page is running a competition. The lucky winner will win a Easter basket and a Dinosaur Museum family pass. All you need to do is "like" the page and the post.
The Facebook page will be the main source of communication about the soccer carnival. The draws and winners of games will be posted on the page, as well as the different food and activities available on the day.
Please share the Facebook page "Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival 2019".
Thank you for your support!
Harmony Day - Everyone Belongs!
Last Friday, 22nd March, our school celebrated Harmony Day. This day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and promotes a strong message of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
On Friday most people came to school dressed in either cultural dress or in orange (which is the colour of Harmony Day). The classes did lots of activities in their classrooms and some students brought in their cultural food to share with their class. We also learned about other people’s cultural background and that it is important to respect others, and always include each other. We thank everyone for participating on Harmony Day.
Community Leaders.
Kindergarten - Selina H, Thisagari R, Isabella M
1/2 Gold - Claire L, Alexander H, Maria C
1/2 Blue - Leilah G, Alexander H, Maria C
3/4 Gold - Isadora N, Annabell W, Finn W, Laila D
3/4 Blue - Nobel S, Hubert K, Joe R, Santino E
5/6 Blue - Natalija M, Gabriella S
5/6 Gold - Rose G, Dharma S, Grace L
Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special
The following notes have gone home this week and will be sent home via Skoolbag App
- St Benedict's Netball Carnival Club 2019 Winter Season
- St Benedict's Netball Carnival Club 2019 Winter Season - Kindergarten and Year 1 Students
- South Weston Swimming Carnival
The Clothing Pool will be open each Tuesday and Thursdays 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.
The lost property box is located in the canteen area. PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD/RENS CLOTHING IS LABELLED WITH THEIR NAME The lost property box will be emptied throughout the term.
Hello everyone,
A reminder that the Canteen days for 2019 have changed to Tuesdays and Fridays.
Please talk with your child/children that 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, 29th March 9.00am – 11.30am
HELPERS REQUIRED
11.30am – 2.00pm
HELPERS REQUIRED
TUESDAY, 2nd April 9.00am – 11.30am
HELPERS REQUIRED
11.30am – 2.00pm
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
Parish News
Parish Office Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 9.00am to 3.00pm
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
