St Benedict's Catholic College

Dear Parents and Carers

We have come to the end of another exciting term. Our Year 12s were farewelled this week in a moving whole school assembly attended by their parents. As is now customary, the students were not only saluted with a standing ovation but also provided with a guard of honour as they left the school for the final time through the front gates. There on the footpath awaited their parents, as they did 6 years ago when they waved them off into St Benedict’s for the first time. The Graduation Ceremony was then held on Wednesday night, where Fr David Catterall celebrated Mass and assisted in presenting our Year 12 Awards. Congratulations to those who won our most significant awards on the night: Skye Slattery, Claude Abdallah and Cooper Burton. On to the HSC!

“All Our Endings Are Our Beginnings”

At the end of last week we had internationally renowned speaker and researcher Professor Lea Waters from the University of Melbourne speak with over 200 interested parents about “Switching Their Thinking” to focus on not what we need to fix in our kids, but identifying their strengths. Copies of her most recent easy-to-read book The Strengths Switch were given out on the night free to attendees. Drawing on her own personal experience as a Mum and with simple practical examples she spoke to how we can re-frame our thinking and get better social, emotional and academic results from our children. The following day, Professor Waters worked with the staff on introducing the Via Character Strengths model into the College and provided us with the research base behind strengths-based teaching and learning. Many thanks to the parents who attended and special thanks to the Parents and Friends Association who co-sponsored the evening and provided loads of logistical support!

Landscaping works continue slowly on the Hollows Drive side of the school as our Benedictine prayer garden continues to evolve. Base Work on the “Village Green” area is complete as are the network of paths linking the areas together. The rain has been very welcome and will provide a base for the hectares of turf that need to be laid to extend the Oval and provide the Green area. It is my fervent wish that this will all be opened by years end!

Upon our return the staff will be working on transferring the Positive Education programme and integrating it into our “Learning Culture” during a Development Day on Day 1. We are reviewing our strategy in building a much stronger learning culture in our students together with our families. This planning and roll out is a 3 year programme, together with the PosEd model, to build more resilient, focussed, motivated learners and provide teachers with a sharper set of global outcomes of who we want our St Benedicts students to be when they graduate. Exciting times for our College.

Have a wonderful holiday break with your children.

Warm regards,

Michael Hanratty

Preliminary Examinations

Over the last two weeks, Year 11 have been working hard to complete their Preliminary Course Examinations. This is always a challenging time for Year 11 as they navigate preparing for an exam period. I am pleased to say that that students have worked hard and we are hoping for pleasing results.

Dr Lea Waters Parent Presentation

Last week saw Dr Lea Waters presentation to approximately 200 parents. The focus of looking at the strengths of their children and how to use these in times of struggle was well received as a strategy to help their child flourish and parents were able to walk away with some great insight into strength based parenting. Dr Waters was able to give some great insight into this through her own personal experiences, research, and work in the field of positive psychology.

Staff Development Day

The staff development day following the parent night was again with Dr Lea Waters presenting, this time to staff, about how the concepts and notion of strength based education can be implemented into our College community. Staff were provided with a lot of thought provoking ideas and insights into this approach and we have all left with some great strategies for implementation.

Year 12 Breakfast and Farewell Assembly

Our Year 12 students had their final breakfast and farewell assembly this week. This has been a great opportunity for the group to come together and celebrate their achievements, as well as receive recognition from the community for their achievements over the course of the last 6 years. Congratulation to all on their efforts.

Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony

Year 12 also this week celebrated their Graduation Mass. This is an important aspect of the lives of our students and families. It was a beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr David at St Paul’s Camden. It was pleasing to see the large number of family and friends in attendance to help celebrate the evening. After Mass, the awards and graduation ceremony was held. Congratulations to all on their achievements.

Reminders:

Use of Phones:

A reminder to families that students are not allowed to use their mobile phones during school time.

Signing students out

A reminder as well about the process for students signing out sick during the day – particularly when students are unwell. If a student is unwell they are asked to attend the front office. College staff will then contact families if the student needs to go home.

Mr David Costin

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents & Community Members of St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park.

The process of recruiting a replacement for Principal Mr Michael Hanratty is being carried out. This position has been advertised, and interviews are planned in the near future to fill this vacancy.

As part of the practice for this appointment, it is customary for the Catholic Education Office to conduct a process of consultation with members of the school community. This consultation process will give members of the community an opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of the school they would like to see maintained, to identify areas they would like to see the school focus on improving in the future, and to provide some of the attributes they would like to see in the person being selected to lead their school on its continuing journey.

We invite all parents & community members to complete this short survey by Friday 4 October 2019. If you wish to fill in this survey on paper, please see the school administrative staff for a copy. This is your opportunity to be involved in the appointment of the person who will lead your school in the coming years.

Warm regards

Carolyn Hadley

Head of Human Resource Services

Catholic Education Office

Diocese of Wollongong

Monday 14 October - First Day of Term 4

Monday 14 October - Staff Development Day (pupil free)

Tuesday 15 October - Year 11 SOR State Library Excursion

Wednesday 16 October - Year 9 YAM Program (see flyer below)

Thursday 17 October - HSC Exams Commence

Thursday 17 - Friday 18 October - Year 9 Outdoor Camp

There will be roadworks taking place on Oran Park Drive during September between Harrington Parkway and Forestgrove Drive. Please see details below.

Monday 14 October (Week 1 Term 4)

Year 12 Graduation - Mass of Thanksgiving

As we farewell the graduating class of 2019, we give thanks for the many experiences we have been privileged to share with them. We pray that the lessons they have learnt stay with them wherever the journey may lead.

Our Year 12, Mass of Thanksgiving took place Wednesday 25 September 2019 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Camden. Our Mass was celebrated by Fr. David Catterall, Parish Priest of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish, Oran Park. I have included aspects of Fr. David’s Homily in my newsletter as the message is not only highly pertinent to our Year 12 students but also to each of us Parents, Friends, Teachers, Staff and Students of St Benedict’s Catholic College.

Fr, David said, “We celebrate this moment of thanksgiving and farewell remembering St Benedict, and calling upon his intercession and his prayers.” A key message to remember is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and always to listen to the ear of our heart as St Benedict did as well as many other Saints.

Fr. David invited Year 12 students to:

“not only place all your concerns and dreams for your future, into the hands of Jesus, but I invite you during this Mass to pray with me,

• that because of your experience of St Benedict College you will not be afraid to be faithful disciples of Jesus.

• that you will not be afraid to make weekend mass a priority in your lives.

• that you will not be afraid to ensure that the decisions you make are moral and faithful to the teachings of the Church

• that you will not be afraid to put your faith into practice through serving the poor and the needy.

• that you will not be afraid to remain open to God’s call for you ... especially God’s call for some of you to serve the Church as priests and religious or as educators

A beautiful and memorable celebration of the Eucharist as a faith-filled, Catholic, Benedictine community.

Vanessa Romeo’s artwork featured on the front cover of the Year 12, Mass of Thanksgiving Booklet.

A special mention and thanks to Mrs. Jenny Koryzma and Mr. Brandon O’Donnell for their faith, organisation, passion and leadership of our musicians and choir. The music was reverent, inspiring and uplifting. Thank You to our students who were also involved and joined in the celebrations -

Morgan W - Year 11

Alicia M - Year 11

Talon G - Year 10

Mitchell C - Year 10

Charlotte C - - Year 9

Hannah D - Year 8

Gabrielle P - Year 10

Faith E - Year 11

Tahlia M - Year 7

Cita C - Year 7

Annaliese A - Year 8

Thank You to Elijah R and Jak Ffrom Year 9 who assisted on the night as Altar Servers. The boys did a most wonderful job. Thank You to Sebastian W (Year 8), Aidan H (Year 8) and Morgan W (Year 11) who assisted as greeters on the night.

Prayer for Year 12 -

Dear Year 12,

May you always be strong and courageous and be aware of the limitless possibilities of this life

May you always be grateful and thankful for all the blessings that are and will be bestowed on you

May you always feel the love and strength of God in all that you do

How do you interpret the words ‘Do not fear for I am with you’? This was the question posed to attendees of the launch of World Mission Month – an annual occasion which celebrates stories of mission around the world, the power of collective charity and generous intentions.

As one student from St Benedict's Catholic College explained, “Something I took away from the day is that no matter where you are in the world, you can connect with God and good people like Sister Stan will be there to help you, even when things seem impossible because of the situation you may be facing.”

While another student from St Benedict’s, Elijah, said, “It was a beautiful and dignified liturgy presented by St John’s. I feel very lucky to live in Australia but also to know of the need to help others. Listening to Monsignor Anamooh share his story and work as the rector of a seminary in Ghana was inspiring - a man that emulates Christ in his actions."

Again, a busy fortnight for the CAPA department.

Our choir and musicians prepared and performed for the Year 12 Graduation Mass celebrated at St Paul’s Church in Camden. Special thanks to the following students;

Mitchell C - Year 10

Talon G - Year 10

Emily D - Year 9

Gabrielle P - Year 10

Hannah D - Year 8

Annelise A - Year 8

Charlotte C - Year 99

Tahlia M - Year 7

Cita C - Year 7

Alicia M - Year 11

Morgan W - Year 11

Akhuenmose (Faith) E - Year 11

We are very proud of you all for your commitment to the department and for some of you, your very first public performance, well done!

Special mention to Mr Brandon O’Donnell who prepared and led the students through our very first ‘rock’ mass. We look forward to more in the future.

Congratulations to our Year 12 first in CAPA subjects;

First in Drama – Mya Sullo

First in Visual Arts – Allirah Hill

We wish you a creative future.

Happy holidays,

Mrs Jenny Koryzma

Year 11 has just submitted their design portfolios for drama and they are fantastic! The students could choose from either promotion, costume, set or lighting design and create a portfolio based on either Lysistrata by Aristophanes or A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.

This is a highly competitive class as you can see from the high standard produced. Some of these students will be choosing their Individual Project for the HSC and it looks like there will be quite a few designs next year. Congratulations year 11!

Mr Hayden

Congratulations to the following students for being nominated MVP:

Soccer:

Jarrod E, Talia M, Vasili K.

Netball:

Ceara N.

Zumba:

Harrison D.

Mixed Sports:

Jayden S, Aiden H.

Kickboxing:

Elizabeth B, Nate B.

Powerwalking:

Orlando F, Polly C.

Bowling A:

Luke S, Jessie G.

Bowling B:

Gabrielle P.

Tennis:

Alex M.

Barefoot Bowls:

All of them!!!

Skating:

All of Year 9

Flip Out:

Annabelle P.

Golf:

Corey S, Courtney G.

Yours in sport

Ms Julia Liska

Sport Coordinator

Being selected to represent the Diocese is not an easy job. However, last Friday 20 September, Joseph Christl, Ashton Judge and Anthony Ellul represented the College and the Diocese at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships in Homebush. All three boys did a sensational job in their events, especially Joesph who was placed 3rd in U13 discus. This was a great achievement for him as Joseph was able to achieve a personal best in this event.

As a College, we would like to congratulate all boys for their efforts and hard work in training for this day. Thank you to the parents that went and supported their children.

Yours in Sport,

Miss Liska

On Friday 13 September, Year 9 students participated in a day that focused on the challenges they experience as boys and girls and the transition they must face as they grow into young men and women.

They were placed into their gender groups in order to explore the expectations and issues that are specific to them and placed on them each day.

This was a valuable opportunity for them to develop skills in resilience, relationships, and positive self image.

Brent Sanders and Sarah Alderton were impressive, engaging and dynamic in their presentations and were impressed with the way our students responded to what they had to offer.

Mrs Teresa Holland

Year 9 Coordinator

The school uniform shop are taking bookings for uniform fittings. It is important that Year 9 students book in early for their senior uniforms. Please call Ranier to book an appointment on 4647 8942, please see flyer below.

The clothing pool is open on Friday mornings from 8:00 - 8:30am. Students are welcome to come if parents are unable to. Cash sales only.

We would also welcome any donations of uniforms, school bags, lap top bags etc. as stocks are running low.

Lunch Order – Any lunch order completed through Flexischools, lunch collection for hot food is in the oven labelled “Lunch Orders” any Cold Food is in the Milk Fridge.

All orders including drinks are labelled with Students name and order. If students cannot find their lunch order, please can you ask the CAFÉ staff for assistance.