St Benedict's Catholic College
Benny's Bites - Friday, 4 February 2022
1ST IN STATE - HSC DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
Congratulations to St Benedict's Catholic College student Lucrecia Carter who has been awarded first in the state for Design and Technology.
For her Major Design Project, Lucrecia designed an innovative social housing concept for those authentically struggling in the Australian, Northern Territory town of Elliott. The architectural concept also aims to inspire a wave of change within the Australian housing market, creating a new perspective on sustainable homes in the future.
Well done to Lucrecia. St Benedict's Catholic College is very proud of you and of your achievement.
Year 7 Student's first day at St Benedict's
More than 180 Year 7 students have enrolled at St Benedict's in 2022. With much excitement and anticipation the students were welcomed through the gates under an arch of gold, purple and black balloons to commence their next 6 years in secondary schooling.
As the St Benedict's Class of 2027, we look forward to watching them on their journey of curiosity and learning.
Changes to the 2022 College Timetable
A central focus of our College community is to support wellbeing for both staff and students.
We have been reviewed our Wellbeing policies and procedures to update and strengthen STRIVE. A key outcome of this review has been a change in time for STRIVE from 8:05am at the start of the day to 10:40. With the continued implementation of COMPASS the need for administration time in the morning has been reduced. Therefore, students are able to commence their learning from the first bell of the day. This will also lead to further development of our STRIVE teaching program allowing for an emphasis on teaching the skills of positive psychology.
At St Benedict’s teachers mark official rolls each lesson so the Period 1 roll marking will replace STRIVE as the roll that is used to send absent notifications to parents and carers in 2022.
St Benedict's Year 8 2021 MISA Debating Champions
If you are in Years 7 to 10 and would like to find our more information regarding debating, please refer to your STRIVE Coach or see Ms Mizzi in the English Faculty.
KEEP SAFE
St Benedict's Catholic College is committed to providing a safe environment for all students, parents and teachers as they arrive and depart school, we ask that you observe our signage when in and around our car park.
Safer Internet Day 2022
Tuesday, February 8 is Safer Internet Day. This year the eSafety Commissioner is calling on everyone to play it safe and fair online.
Join the global initiative that brings families, schools, organisations and governments from 170 countries together to raise awareness about online safety.
With so many young Australians engaging online it is important that we educate students on how to stay safe and what to do if they are being harassed or bullied. There is no place for online abuse. We can all help to make life online enjoyable by being kind and respectful to each other.
Explore eSafety's range of resources to find out how you and your community can get involved in the 2022 campaign.
Sign up to support Safer Internet Day and access resources. Together, we can all #PlayitFairOnline.
2022 School Transport
2022 school travel applications are now open
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. A new
application will need to be submitted if they are applying for a school travel pass for
the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a
new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year
or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel
entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will
ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated
and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their
existing card.
If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade the system will
automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not
meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to
expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass)
for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal
address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2022.
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at
the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may
come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators
do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated
operator if they do not receive a pass.
School Student Transport Scheme site change
On 1 October 2021 the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) information
and application portal was moved to transportnsw.info. This will assist families
to find all their travel information in the one place.
Travel from Term 1 2022
We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use
and has a valid ticket to travel; either a School Opal card or Child/Youth Opal card
(within Greater Sydney) or a School Travel Pass (outside Greater Sydney), from the start
of the school year.
Applications for the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) open at the start of Term
4 2021 for travel in 2022, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be
ready for the start of the new school year.
Most students using the Opal network will not need a new Opal card and can continue
travelling on their existing card each year.
The start of the year is a difficult period for local bus operators, and students travelling
without a valid ticket make service planning and operations increasingly difficult.
We recognise that for some families last minute changes to school enrolments mean
they may not have a School Opal card or Travel Pass for the start of term. In the Opal
network, we strongly encourage these families to have their children travel on a
Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater
Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school
year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support
our operators we encourage all students to have a valid ticket, as early as possible, from
the start of the school year.
Please also remember that students using Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line
with the Student code of conduct and Opal terms of use.
Further information can be found at transportnsw.info/travel-info/using-public-transport/school-travel
Enquiries can be submitted at transportnsw.info/contact-us/feedback/passes-concessions-feedback
P & F Clothing Pool
The P & F Uniform Clothing Pool is available by emailing pandf@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au with a list of your requirements and a contact telephone number and Tracey will contact you.
Please note: clothing pool purchases may be collected by students from the College Administration Office or by parents from outside the College office by arrangement.
MY FIT REWARDS - ATHLETE'S FOOT STORES
A message from St Mary MacKillop Catholic Parish, Oran Park
St Mary MacKillop Parish Sacramental Program
Our Parish Sacramental Program is all about creating opportunities for our young parishioners to encounter Jesus and His Holy Spirit through the sacraments; to find their home in the Catholic Church; and to thrive in faith and to joyfully live out their call as missionary disciples of Jesus!
Additional information is available here - visit the parish website.
Emergency Assistance
Just a reminder that the Camden/Oran Park Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society remain available to provide emergency assistance by telephone, and drop off resources as required.
Any person requiring assistance should telephone the Conference on (02) 8250 1484 and a Conference Member will retrieve details and follow-up requests for assistance.
Information for affordable food hampers is available through Our Community Pantry (a community food rescue initiative) or copy and paste the URL into your browser: https://www.ourcommunitypantry.com.au/.