St Benedict's Primary School - Narrabundah eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of media coverage about mental health and how people are experiencing a ‘slump’ now due to the return of covid-19 cases to several states. As much as we try to shield our children from what is happening in the world, they are very aware of what is going on and it may be affecting their mental health. This is why resilience is important for children’s mental health. Children with greater resilience are better able to manage stress, which is a common response to difficult events. If kids are stressed for long periods of time, stress hormones (particularly cortisol) can build up in their brain and interfere with their ability to learn and pay attention in school. Using healthy coping skills to deal with stress can help your child to pay attention, use higher level thinking skills and learn new facts and ideas.

So Where Does Resilience Come From?
Resilience is shaped partly by the individual characteristics we are born with (our genes, temperament and personality) and partly by the environment we grow up in — our family, community and the broader society. While there are some things we can’t change, such as our biological makeup, there are many things we can change.

Resilience involves behaviours, thoughts and actions that can be learned over time. Latest research has found that there are five areas that offer the best chance for building resilience in children.

As a parent, carer, or significant adult, you can help to develop essential skills, habits and attitudes for building resilience at home by helping your child to:

There are some simple things you can do to build your child’s resilience in these areas and a quick Google search will provide many different resources for you to check out. Beyond Blue’s funded The Children’s Resilience Research Project has many wonderful resources on building resilience which are worth looking at.

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/healthy-homes/building-resilience

Next week is Sabbath Week. It is typically Week 7 each term and is a week to pause, rest and be present to each day. The Sabbath is a traditionally Jewish custom where one day in seven was devoted to rest and worship. Many other cultures have similar cultural observances.

At St Benedict’s the Sabbath Week is specifically timed when energy levels begin to dip during the term giving us a small pause before completing the final weeks of the term. We do not send homework during that week, so as to provide families with a little respite from very busy home routines. We always encourage reading as a pleasurable activity, so we provide readers for our younger students, not referring to this as homework.

Thank you for your ongoing care and partnership in your child’s learning.

God Bless.

Rachel Smith
Principal

Late Arrivals
We ask that all students arriving at school after 9am be signed in at the Front Office by a parent or appropriate caregiver. Thank you for your support with this.

Winter Sport
Congratulations to many of our students who have been playing a range of sports over the winter months. A particular congratulations to the members of the St Benedict’s Netball Club who are doing a wonderful job representing our school in the Winter Competition at Deakin. A particular thank you to our parent coaches, Sonia Brown, Paula Keating, Belinda Daunt, Giuliana Baggoley and Allison Gonzales Bieniasz for their hard work throughout the season. Thank you to all our players and supporters.

School Uniform
A reminder that Summer Uniform commences in Term 4, so please check the wardrobe and visit the Clothing Pool and Savvy if any items are needed. We will have the usual transition period early in Term 4 to cater for the unpredictable weather.

A reminder that black leather school shoes are an essential item of uniform. Several parents comment that their Year 6 child only has one term left at school. However, students also need black school shoes in high school.

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.

Grandparents and Grand Friends' Day Mass
A special thank you to our Kindergarten students (and their Year 5/6 helpers) who led our school in celebrating our Grandparents and Grand Friends' Mass. It was a vibrant celebration of the love and wisdom that our grand friend’s share with us. We hope that all the grandparents and grand friends enjoy receiving their special bookmarks and letters over the next week!

Frist Holy Communion Sacramental Program

We pray for our First Holy Communion Candidates as they continue their sacramental preparation. We are looking forward to spending time in prayer with our candidates and their parents tonight at our First Holy Communion Prayer Evening.

Parents/Carers Mass
Next Friday, Year 1/2 will be leading our school in celebrating our Parents/Carers Mass, with other classes participating online. As our Parents/Carers won’t be able to attend this Mass, our students will be bringing home a little treat to say ‘thank you’.

What games are your children playing?
Children often ask to play online games based on what other children are playing which may mean they ask to play a game that is not always age appropriate for them. Before giving your approval for online games, it is good to do your research so that you can make an informed decision. Sometimes children may say that ‘all their friends are playing it’ but you might find that whilst a lot of children are talking about a game, they’re not actually playing it!

To help make an informed decision about whether your child should play a game you should:

1) Research – What is the recommended age for game? (Please see the ‘Recommended Age Guide Cheat Sheet’). Can people contact your child through the game?

2) Discuss – Talk to your child to find out why they want to play the game and maybe offer some more age appropriate alternatives.

3) Explain – If you decide that an online game is unsuitable, explain to your child why you have made that decision.

How does your child behave online?
One of the issues we sometimes see spilling over into the classroom is friends being unkind to each other whilst playing online. The very nature of online games means that it is very easy to send a nasty message in the heat of the moment and not think about the immediate consequences. How do you think your child would behave when they lose at their favourite game? Talk to your children about losing, talk about how they communicate online, sit with them whilst they play their games and review their online conversations to make sure they are being positive digital citizens.

The T-Shirt Rule:

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.

26 Aug First Holy Communion Prayer Night, 5.30pm
1 Sep Parents & Friends Meeting, 6.30pm
2 Sep Indigenous Literacy Day
4 Sep Fathers’ Day, Mass
6 Sep Fathers’ Day
8 Sep School Board Meeting
9 Sep First Holy Communion, 6pm
11 Sep DTT Session
16 Sep First Holy Communion, 6pm
18 Sep Ways of Being Award Ceremony
21 Sep International Day of Peace
23 Sep School Photos (Full Winter Uniform)
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

or

Apple App -

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/szapp/id982105479

School Fees

Thank you to all the families that have already paid their school fees. School Fee reminders will be sent home this week. If you have any concerns regarding paying your fees, particularly due to COVID-19, please contact either Ms Rachel Smith or Mrs Belinda McRae at the Front Office.

School Photo day is Wednesday 23rd September 2020. (Week 10)

Full winter uniform will need to be worn. Envelopes will be sent out today. Please return prior to the day as no late payments can be made. No envelope - no photo.

Sibling pre-payment envelopes are available from the front office. Each child needs to return their own envelope, even if payment is enclosed in a sibling's envelope.

Tuggeranong Savvy is the only supplier now for St Benedict's school uniform.

Queanbeyan Savvy has no uniform stock for St Benedict's.

You can also order online via:

https://www.savvyschoolwear.com.au/schoolwear/school

Commonwealth Student Banking is Wednesday. Please ensure your bank book and money are sent to the Front Office via the class notebag.

Happy birthday to the following child who celebrates their special day this week: Dianna N.

Kinder: Julian W, Lachlan W and Roseleen K

Year 1/2B: Summah M and Charlie W

Year 1/2G: Matilda B, Alessandra B and Mya R

Year 3/4B: Clancy B

Year 3/4G: Celeste M

Year 5/6B: Gabriella S, Matthew S and Mila Milin

Year 5/6G: Mia N, Oliver J, Obi O and Amelia C

Year 1/2B: Fergus K

Year 1/2G: Vincentia B

Year 3/4G: Raphael D

Year 5/6B: Nobel S

Year 5/6 G: Sarah D

Today the lost property box is overflowing, with winter uniform items. In the morning as you drop you child or children off to school please ask them to go and have a look and find any of their missing items.

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

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.

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.

Please see link for canteen menu.

Tuckshop menu 2020

The St Benedict's Tuckshop has a new range of take home products available! These products have been sourced from food businesses who can offer our community something a little different.

First off, an amazing SriRacha hot sauce in mild and hot to add a special Zing to everything! Made by my favourite chef, it delivers incredible smoky, fermented garlic and chili flavours. This is his first product from his new business 'Lost boys', and well worth a try! Now available on QKR!I now have Canberra's favourite Muesli- RAD Muesli; some incredible Thai pastes; and grow your own oyster mushroom kits!Limited numbers of products are available, so get in quick! Plenty of new products to be added, so keep checking in! If you know someone with a food business, we'd love to get in touch!

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 church.jpg

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 9am. If you wish to attend in person, please contact Father Dan or the Parish.

Please book for the Weekend Masses by 11:30am this Friday:

Saturday 29 August 2020 https://www.trybooking.com/BLCPM

Sunday 30 August 2020 https://www.trybooking.com/BLCPO

Those who wish to attend the Friday Healing Mass or the Sunday 6.00pm Charismatic Mass still need to contact Carmel Henry on 0409777743 or email carmelhenry2@gmail.com

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

Vocational Dance Auditions!!

5th September 2020

Audition Sessions

Aspire: 3:30-4:30pm

Pre-Professional: 4:45-6:15pm

To learn more or register your interest, please follow the link below!

The class will be ballet so please come prepared

https://www.dancedevelopment.com.au/courses

Spring Tennis Canberra coaching registrations are open!
Tennis Canberra's professional coaches are running junior tennis coaching programs at both South & North Canberra clubs this Spring. We welcome first time players and those who are ready to play competition tennis.

The 2020 Spring Season starts the week of August 24th however you are welcome to join at any time.

For more information and to book please visit www.tenniscanberra.com.au/junior-tennis or email play@tenniscanberra.com.au

We are excited to offer the new Entertainment Apps.

Amazing 50% off and 2 for 1 deals across QLD & Canberra and Australia.

20% from each membership goes towards our fundraiser.

PLUS receive a bonus $10 or $20 Priceline eGift Card until 13^th of August.

Help support us and our local community!

https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/23231n

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

To keep our community safe from #COVID19, only use public transport if necessary or consider walking or riding to school for those shorter trips.

The safety of our drivers and our customers is our highest priority and in response to #COVID19 increased cleaning is taking place across all areas of public transport including at stops, stations and within the vehicles.

If you are required to use public transport to get to and from school, please be aware and remember the following:

No cash accepted on buses - please use MyWay
Top up (and register) your MyWay card
Use the rear door to enter and exit on buses
Be aware that light rail vehicles have auto doors opening at all stops
Where possible maintain physical distancing
No front seat access on buses
Always practice good hygiene

For more: https://bit.ly/2Ws5mZs

Kind regards,

The opening hours for Savvy Tuggeranong are as follows:

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am to 3pm
Sunday Closed

Uniform is available at Savvy Tuggeranong, and also online via https://www.savvyschoolwear.com.au/schoolwear/school.

There is no St Benedict's uniform at Lowes Queanbeyan.

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