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Dear Parents and Carers,
Today we had the first of our Easter liturgies, through the commemoration of the events of Holy Week. Thank you to Year 5 and 6 Blue for leading us through this liturgy. On our return to school next term Year 3 and 4 Gold will lead us through the events of Easter.
Holy Week is a time of great highs and lows. It begins with the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem, welcomed with great fanfare. The story then leads us to his eventual rejection by the masses and resulting crucifixion.
It is easy to miss the relevance of Holy Week when we stop reading, watching and listening to the story. Each time we hear the Holy Week story we have the opportunity to experience a greater understanding about the person of Jesus, the nature of the human condition and the cost of infinite love. Even more than this, Holy Week points us to the wonder of God’s love celebrated at Easter.
The school holidays are a perfect opportunity to read! Our students are in the habit of reading for 20 minutes every day at school and it would be wonderful if this could continue in the holidays. The only way to improve reading is to read every day.
I hope that all families have a happy and restful break. I wish all those who are travelling safe travels. I know that the staff are looking forward to a very well deserved break. I thank them for the dedication, enthusiasm and passion that they demonstrate daily.
Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.
God bless.
Rachel Smith
Principal
Cross Country
What a fantastic morning we had last Wednesday with the students participating in our annual Cross Country Carnival. It is always so heartening to watch our students challenge themselves to do their best and in doing so be cheered on and supported by their fellow students. What a lovely community spirit is nurtured through our school carnivals. Thank you to those parents and grandparents who attended the morning, in particular those parents who helped the staff with the smooth running of the carnival.
Disco
Thank you to everyone who came to the school disco on Friday evening. It was fun, relaxing and a great opportunity for parents to catch up and see their children happy with friends. Thank you to the P&F, in particular Hannah Norgrove, Bridie Walsh and Sonia Brown for their organisation of the night. Thank you to the parents who helped out on the night by cooking the BBQ, serving in the Canteen, face painting, hair spraying and manning the doors. We appreciated your help. Thank you also to the staff who attended. We look forward to the next opportunity to all get together.
Reconciliation
Congratulations to our students who experienced the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Saturday. It was a lovely celebration and was made even more special by the families then joining the Parish for the Saturday vigil mass.
Thank you to each family for their partnership in preparing the students. Thank you also to Nat Wright, Camille Ellison and Hayley Dwyer for the support they gave the students and thank you to Fr Dan for making this sacrament such a prayerful and reflective experience for all involved.
Catholic School’s Soccer Carnival
On Sunday April 7 St Benedict’s students participated in the Primary Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival held at the Calwell Ovals.
Well done to our two teams of 'Super Stars' from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 who played four competitive matches throughout the day with team spirit, enthusiasm and talent. A special thanks to Josh Mackenzie, Sarah Marchetti and Con Constantinou who led the teams on the day and ran several lunch time coaching sessions in the lead up to the event. We are looking forward to next year’s carnival and hope to continue to enter multiple teams to support this important fundraising event.
Winter Uniform
It is customary for our students to begin Term 2 by wearing their winter uniform. This year due to the unseasonably warmer weather we are allowing a two week transition from summer to winter uniform. Students will be able to wear either their summer or winter uniform for week 1 and week 2 of next term. It is expected that all students will commence week 3, 13th May with the winter uniform.
Enrolment Flyer
The Catholic schools enrolment period begins week 2 Monday 6th May. If you are able to help deliver enrolment flyers over the school holiday period could you please let the Front Office know. We would like every home in the local area to receive one of our flyers.
Working Bee
We have our first working bee for the year on Sunday 5th May. If you are available to help for an hour or so it would be greatly appreciated.
Remember, many hands make light work!
Sacraments
On Saturday afternoon many of our Year 3 students made the Sacrament of First Reconciliation. We congratulate these students on this significant milestone in their faith journey.
Season of Lent
Gospel Reading Luke 22:14—23:56
From the cross, Jesus speaks words of forgiveness and promises that the remorseful will be with him in paradise.
www.LoyolaPress.com
Lord Jesus,
You feed our bodies and nourish our souls.
Give us faith to follow you.
Year 5/6 Holy Week Liturgy
Thank you to our Year 5/6 students for their reflective 
retelling of the significant events of Easter. It was a wonderful community gathering of prayer.
Year 3/4 Blue Mass
Thank you to Year 3/4 Blue for leading our school in celebrating Mass last Friday. It was a lovely celebration focused on how we can nourish ourselves spirituality during this season of Lent. Thank you also to our school choir for bringing a warm energy to the Mass, and to our families who provided a delicious morning tea.
Project Compassion
Please return all Project Compassion donation boxes to the Front Office by Friday morning (12th April).
Chocolate this Easter
Are you buying ethically made chocolate?
It is easy to get swept away in all the delicious varieties of chocolate eggs at Easter time. But there is a darker side to chocolate involving human trafficking and child labour. 
To learn more about this social justice issue and to see where you can buy chocolate that uses 100% certified slave-free cocoa beans please visit http://stopthetraffik.com.au/chocolate
This website also includes a fascinating report called ‘A Matter of Taste’ which examines what the six biggest chocolate companies are doing to prevent human trafficking and child labour in the cocoa farms of West Africa.
Term 2 Week 1 Liturgies and Mass
Easter Liturgy Tuesday 30th April 10.30am- 3/4 Gold
ANZAC Liturgy Wednesday 1st May 9.15am- 1/2 Blue and Defence families
School Mass Friday 3rd May 10am- 5/6 Gold
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.
- 12th Apr Outdoor Education day
- 12th Apr 5 Ways of Being Award Assembly
- 12th Apr Term 1 concludes
- 29th May Term 2 commences - winter uniform
- 30th May Easter Liturgy 10.30am
- 1st May ANZAC Liturgy 9.15am
- 3rd May School Friday Mass 10.00am
MakerSpaceSouth Western Swimming Carnival
We congratulate them on their achievements and the support they gave each other. They represented the school with pride and we are very proud of them. A special congratulations to Emily D who has qualified for the ACT 12&U Swimming Championships.Catholic Schools Soccer Carnival
Sunday was such a wonderful day for the kids. They all had a great day and played some wonderful football. Myself and Con coached the 3/4s.They played 4 games and won all 4.
Game 1; 3-2
Game 2; 5-3
Game 3; 5-2
Game 4; 9-1
What wins !! What a team !!
Christian; our goal scoring machine, didn’t give up, used his strength and skills to bang in 10 goals throughout the 4 games. Game 3 Christian got himself a hat trick plus 1 extra !!
Noble; strong defensive centre midfielder. Great control.
James; such a composed player. Wonderful skills and took us by surprise on his goal keeping abilities. Great saves !!
Archie; had a whole heap of fun. Managed to get a couple of goals and quite a few assists.
Joe; wonderful to watch Joe get stuck in and use his defensive skills. He was a team player.
Joshua; made some awesome tackles, barn storming runs to get him a few goals. Pleasure to watch.
Liam; a quiet player, but don’t let his silence stop this kid. He controlled the ball so well in the midfield and layed off some wonderful passes.
Clancy; was everywhere !! He played every position and played it well.
Alec; don’t let Alec’s size fool you. Star defender. Alec kept us in the game with his defending and guiding the back line. He was great in midfield too. Composed and controlled.
Michael; speed speed speed !! Tackle tackle tackle !! Michael used his skill defensively and to attack. He had some great assists and goals.
Eric; Eric kept us in the game with his defensive fair tackles.
School Grounds Working Bee
The P&F Grounds & Maintenance committee are having a gardening Working Bee on Sunday 5th May commencing 10am. Please save the date as we will be calling for volunteers.
Many hands make light work, so please try to come along, even if you can only spare an hour or so of your time. Refreshments will be provided.
Entertainment Book
This term we will be selling the new 2019-2020 Entertainment Book Membership for $60.
You will receive hundreds of valuable offers for shopping, dining and accommodation.
$12 of every membership sold will go towards our school.
A sample copy is available for viewing at the Front Office.
Please make sure you buy a book through St Benedict’s School, and tell your family and friends about it too!
Entertainment Book using the link: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/23231n Then pickup your book from Belinda at the Front Office. A sample book is available for viewing at the Front Office.
This book would make an ideal Mother’s Day present!
Happy Birthday to the children who celebrate their special day this week: Ria C, Matilda W and Mia N.
The following notes have gone home this week and will be sent home via Schoolzine App
- Year 6 Leadership shirt
- Defence Families
The Clothing Pool will be open each Tuesday and Thursdays between 2.50pm to 3.15pm by appointment.
Tomorrow the Lost Property box will be emptied and all named items will be returned to students via their class note bag. All unnamed items will be taken home, washed and returned to the Clothing Pool ready for term 2.
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,
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, 10th May 9.00am – 11.30am
HELPERS REQUIRED
11.30am – 2.00pm
HELPERS REQUIRED
TUESDAY, 14th May
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
There are several opportunities currently on offer in the local Archdiocese for women to connect & reflect.
Billeting can be arranged for women from regional areas.
For more information see http://bit.ly/EatConnectPray or contact lara.kirk@cg.org.au
Tennis Canberra Holiday Camps at Old Parliament House Tennis Club
Camp 1: April 15th - 17th
Book Online: www.tenniscanberra.com.au/holiday-program
Kids Weekly Tennis Coaching - Choice of 7 Tennis ACT Clubs - Start Term 2
Programs run by qualified Tennis Professionals
Groups for all ages and abilities - FREE Trial Available
After-school & Weekends
FREE Tennis Racquet & Hot Shots Players Shirt
Hot Shots Match Play & ACT Junior Team Tennis Competitions
For more information and to sign up please visit: www.tenniscanberra.com.au/junior-tennis
Contact us via email play@tenniscanberra.com.au or 0416 186 121.
FEW PLACES LEFT FOR A SCHOOL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE YOUR TEEN WON'T FORGET!
Create a micro-business, products and sell to real customers at Old Bus Depot Markets
Three-day school holiday program: April 16, 17+ 28.
Entrepreneurship taps into creativity and teaches important and practical skills that are crucial for young people growing up today.
Our Maker2Market program is for creative 10-17 year-olds and develops independent creative thinkers who through the real-world experience of a full business cycle empower their entrepreneurial mindset.
Our Maker2Market program is a fun way for young people to learn prototyping, customer service, finance, marketing, and many other practical skills. Also, life skills that they carry with them as they grow – such as generating ideas, problem-solving, creativity and inspiration, interaction and collaboration and powering up their initiative.
The Maker2Market program is a fun, three-day program held in Canberra and runs every school holidays. Loads of fun, real-world learning and a great way to earn pocket money!
APRIL MAKER2MARKET PROGRAM: April 16+17+28
EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR OUR APRIL MAKER2MARKET PARTICIPANTS!
We know many of our Maker2Market participants love tinkering so our friends at the Green Shed have come to the rescue and are kindly giving all Maker2Market participants $20 of raw materials so your young person can keep tinkering while helping reduce some of Canberra's waste!
Enroll in the April Maker2Market program and automatically get a $20 discount off materials at The Green Shed - you'll find that's a lot of materials!!
