Dear Parents and Carers,

It is very easy when the children are at home to encourage them to develop their literacy skills. We can easily have them read their reader to us, read a recipe or set of instructions, or even write a shopping list or note. We sometimes forget that maths is a skill that needs practice and that there are lots of simple things you can do to help your child with their maths skills home. Below are some examples that you may like to try with your child.

One of the secrets to being confident with maths is having a toolkit of different calculation strategies, and knowing when and how to use them. If your child is in Years 5-6, you can help build their maths toolkit by involving them in the maths problems you come across in daily life, using ideas such as these.

• Ask your child to calculate answers for you – e.g. ‘Could you work out how much edging we need to buy to go around the new garden bed? It’s going to be three metres long and 1.5 metres wide.’
• Ask your child to estimate answers and then check their estimates – e.g. ‘Petrol today costs $1.65 per litre and we needed 56 litres, so how much will that be, roughly?’
• Show how you choose different strategies by talking through maths problems as you work them out – e.g. ‘There are 10 kids coming to your party, plus us makes 14 people altogether, and this recipe makes 6 muffins. Double that is 12, which is not enough, so we’ll multiply all the quantities by 3 and end up with 3 x 6 equals 18 muffins – one left over for each of us!’
• Play the Four Card Century Challenge: draw four random cards (ignoring any picture cards), then arrange them in any order and use mathematical operations to create a calculation which equals as close to 100 as possible. For example, if you draw 2, 3, 8 and 8, you could make ’83 + 28′ [equals 111], or ‘288 ÷ 3’ [equals 96], or ‘(8 x 8) + 32’ [equals 96]. Increase the challenge by drawing more cards and/or raising the target number.

If your child is in the younger years next time you go shopping with your child, encourage them to be your bargain shopper to save money. This will give them confidence as well as helping with their math skills.

• How much of a discount? Encourage your child to look out for products on sale. For instance, you might see a beach towel reduced from $12.99 to $6.99. Ask your child to work out how much money has been saved with this reduction.
• Older children can use their fractions skills to solve harder problems. For instance, ask them how much a $20 lampshade would be if it were discounted by 50%.
• Which brand is cheaper? Show your child a range of brands of the same product and ask them to work out which is the cheaper brand. Hint: check the shelf label for unit prices.
• Save in bulk - This exercise is good for an older child who is learning division. Ask your child if it is cheaper to buy in bulk. For instance, a single roll of paper towel is $4.00, but a package of three rolls is $10.00. Is it more economical to buy the paper towels in bulk?
• Have the children collect and count items as you put them in the bag or trolley.

Remember that mathematics is a skill we need for life and a subject that we need to show our students can be fun to learn.

God Bless.

Rachel Smith

Principal

Personal Belongings
Unfortunately, we have had a small number of children who have recently lost some valuable items, such as glasses and earphones. Could you please check your child’s bag to ensure that they have not mistakenly been put in your child’s schoolbag? Could you also check your child’s clothing to make sure that they have bought home their jumper and hats and not that of another child?

Change in Eating Habits
With the recent change in weather we are finding that many of our students both big and small are needing a lot more food at the moment and are eating most of the contents in their lunchbox at recess time. Over the next couple of weeks, you may like to consider sending your child with an extra piece of fruit or an extra sandwich.

The first thing the students do each morning as they enter the classroom is have their fruit break and sadly for some children this is their first meal of the day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and students are encouraged to eat a healthy breakfast every morning. A healthy breakfast can help children to concentrate and learn by providing energy and nutrients to fuel their brain and body. Breakfast does exactly what the word says, it breaks the fast after a night’s sleep and provides the body and brain with fuel to start the day. Just like any other organ in the body, the brain needs energy to work properly. With growing bodies and developing brains, kids need to eat breakfast to be able to perform their best at school. Eating a healthy breakfast can help children to concentrate, increase their attention span and assist with their memory.

You may like to consider giving your child carbohydrates such as wholegrain cereals and porridge for breakfast as they give your child immediate energy to start the day. Proteins such as eggs and low-fat dairy provide a slower release of energy to fuel the rest of the day. Foods with natural fibre, like wholegrain bread and fresh fruit, give a feeling of fullness and help with digestion.

Hats On!
Though it’s still cold, the UV is on the increase so we remind you of the School policy regarding exposure to the sun: Simply stated, from August until May, there is a ‘No Hat – No Play’ policy. Therefore, from next Monday (3^rd August) all children must wear their school uniform hats while outside during recess and lunch.

Learning Time
Missing the start of the school day has a real impact on a child. The morning gathering enables us to greet each other as a community and celebrate our efforts and special occasions. However, we work hard to have the classes inside and learning quickly after the bell rings. Classes are usually inside and ready for learning 5 minutes after the bell rings. Those children who are at school before the bell rings (at 8.50am) are usually more settled and focussed in their learning.

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 where they a heading to. We need to begin planning for staffing and class configurations for 2021. Naturally Year 6 parents need not respond to this request.

Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

Our school will celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Friday 7^thAugust. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, Catholic Education has advised that parents, carers and visitors will not be permitted to attend school Masses. Year 5/6 children will lead the Mass in the church while classes participate online from their classrooms.

St Benedict’s Feast Day
Our St Benedict Feast Day was the best day ever. We liked learning different things about St Benedict. We learnt about the St Benedict prayer and medal. The St Benedict medal has a special cross on it that is a prayer of protection to keep us safe. We read a book and found out that St Benedict had a twin sister called Scholastica and she also became a saint! The St Benedict icon scavenger hunt was lots of fun. We also made a school prayer book and drew a picture of St Benedict. The sausage sizzle lunch was absolutely delicious! It was a super dooper epic day! (Year 1/2 Blue)

   

 St Benedict’s School Sleepout Term 3 Week 2 POSTPONED
The current directive from Catholic Education, based on current government health advice and restrictions, is that all Sleep Out events be postponed until further notice. Although this is sad news, it is in the best interests for the health and safety of all

students and staff. When a new date is confirmed, a new set of permission and medical forms will be sent home. We encourage all students who signed up for the sleep out to continue to seek sponsorship for the St Vincent de Paul Street to Home Program. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

Mini Vinnies Winter Woollies Day Term 3 Week 2
Our annual Winter Woollies Day (whole school event) will be held this Friday

31^stJuly to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness in Canberra as well as donations for the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol Van. We invite all families to gather donations of adult size winter clothing, as well as blankets and sleeping bags. Donations can be second-hand or new. Please store these at home until Winter Woollies Day, as we do not have the capacity to store these at school.

For more information about the Canberra Night Patrol Van, please visit https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Find_Help/ACT/Food/Night_Patrol/

Families who wish to make a monetary donation might consider purchasing an incredible ‘Backpack Bed’- Backpack with storage that rolls out into an all-weather protected bed. These are an extremely ‘precious’ item that is handed out from the Night Patrol Van to those who are ‘sleeping rough’. For more information about this wonderful product that provides thousands of people with a dignified sleep across Australia please visit:

https://backpackbed.org/au/

The Homeless Bears
In preparation for Winter Woollies Day the Homeless Bears come to our school every

year to guide students in exploring the significant social justice issue of homelessness. They come to our school because they know that St Benedict’s School is a place that welcomes all as Christ. Our school is a safe place where the bears feel loved. Our Homeless Bears assists the children to develop empathy, compassion and an understanding of human dignity. We encourage families to talk at home with their children about the issue of homelessness and the Homeless Bears.

Cardboard Boxes Needed
In preparation for Winter Woollies Day activities we are seeking medium sized cardboard boxes. If you have any at home that you can donate, please bring these to the Front Office. Thank you

We have tried to keep as many of our usual school events as possible. Please understand that in the current environment these events may be cancelled or the style in which they are held may change.         

31 Jul National Schools Tree Day
31 Jul Mini Vinnies Winter Woollies Day 
4 Aug Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
7 Aug Feast of St Mary MacKillop, Mass
8 Aug Feast of St Mary MacKillop
11 Aug Walk to School Day
11 Aug School Board Meeting
14 Aug Feast of the Assumption, Mass
15 Aug Feast of the Assumption
17 Aug Science Week begins
21 Aug Mass to celebrate Grandparents
21 Aug   DTT Session (Doing Things Together - Buddy Program)
1 Sep Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
4 Sep Fathers’ Day, Mass
6 Sep Fathers’ Day
8 Sep School Board Meeting
11 Sep DTT Session
16 Sep School Family Mass, 9am
16 Sep St Benedict’s Spring Fair
17 Sep Learning Showcase
18 Sep Ways of Being Award Ceremony
20 Sep First Holy Communion, 9am Mass
21 Sep International Day of Peace
23 Sep School Photos
25 Sep  Mindfulness Day
25 Sep Last day of Term 3

There were no notes sent home this week.

Please remember to check the Schoolzine App (SZapp) for all the latest school information.  You are able to register via either:

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pidigi.schoolzine&hl=en_AU

Commonwealth Student Banking has resumed at St Benedict's in Term 3.  Our school banking day will continue to be Wednesday.  Please ensure your bank book and money are sent to the Front Office via the class notebag.

Happy birthday to the children who celebrate their special day this week: Alexander AM, Catelin S, Andrew K, Alessandra B.

Kinder:        Sandile N, Luciano C and Mackenzie AH

Year 1/2B:  Samson M and Tyler AH

Year 1/2G:  Lucy W, Eli A and Alexander H

Year 3/4B:  Alannah C

Year 3/4G:  Anna N

Year 5/6B:  Natalija M, Edith Q and Miya H

Year 5/6G:  Michael T and Edith B

Year 1/2B:  Savannah L

Year 1/2G:  Thisagari R

Year 3/4B:  Maria C

Year 3/4G:  Lalia D

Year 5/6B:  Mila M

Year 5/6G:  Santino E

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our normal school clothing pool processes are not in place. If you need uniform, please email the school office.stbenedicts@cg.catholic.edu.au or contact Mrs McRae with a list of items required.  We will endeavour to fill your order and reply to you as soon as possible.

Due to current circumstances all clothes in lost property will be emptied and clothing will be washed and returned to the clothing pool. All other items will be cleaned and donated to St Vincent de Paul.

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

Please check your child/ren are bringing their uniform home.  If they have accidently picked up someone elses,  please return it to the front office so it can be returned to the correct child.

The school Tuckshop is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Please order on QKR or by writing YOUR order on a paper bag with the correct money enclosed.

Apples will be slinkied in the canteen on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

St Benedict's Parish
Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 12noon
Phone: 62957879
Email: narrabundah@cg.org.au
Web:   www.cg.org.au/narrabundah

Parish Team:
Fr Dan Benedetti MGL
Fr Rembert Fernando MGL
Fr Baiju Thomas MGL
Monica Nulley-Valdes (Parish Secretary)
Anjalie Upasena  (Parish Youth Minister)

Dear St Benedict’s community,

St Benedict’s Live Stream Masses

Facebook Page: “St Benedict’s Church and Mission Centre Canberra” Sunday Mass continues to be streamed at 10am.  If you wish to attend in person, please contact Father Dan or the Parish.

All Normal Masses have recommenced.  Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9am and 6pm (Charismatic)

We ask that you use the following links for the following masses to give us an idea of numbers please.

Please see below for links for this weekend’s Masses.

Saturday 6pm booking link
https://www.trybooking.com/BKEUY

Sunday 9am booking link
https://www.trybooking.com/BKEVA

Daily Mass from the Archdiocese is available online at https://www.catholicvoice.org.au/mass-online/ .

If you would like to have email updates from St Benedict’s Parish, please contact narrabundah@cg.org.au . Be assured of our prayers for the whole St Benedict’s community at this time. Please keep safe and if anyone would like to contact Father Dan, he is available through the Parish or through the school.

St Benedict, pray for us.

God Bless

Fr Dan Benedetti MGL PP
Parish Priest
St Benedict's Catholic Community Narrabundah ACT

All bus and light rail services, including special needs transport, are operating as normal.

Just advising that the opening hours for Savvy Tuggeranong have changed to the following. The below changes to opening times will be taking effect on 24th June 2020.

Uniform will continue to be available online via https://www.savvyschoolwear.com.au/schoolwear/school.

Savvy Tuggeranong current opening hours: 

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am to 3pm
Sunday 10am to 2.30pm

Thanking you and stay safe,

Charlene Muraotto
ACT/NSW Account Manager
P: 0499 056 234
E: Charlenemuraotto@lowes.com
Shop 37 Homeworld, Soward Way, Tuggeranong ACT 2900