NEWSLETTER th May 2017

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1 NEWSLETTER th May 2017 Praise the Lord PRINCIPAL S COLUMN Reconciliation Week This Friday is Sorry Day and we will be having a special liturgy at 2:30pm on the oval. This liturgy will take the place of assembly for this week. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) runs annually from 27 th May 3 rd June. These dates mark two milestones in Australia s reconciliation journey: The 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision, respectively. In 2017, we reflect on two significant anniversaries in Australia s reconciliation journey 50 years since the 1967 referendum, and 25 years since the historic Mabo decision. As we commemorate these significant milestones, all Australians are asked to be a part of the next big steps in our nation s reconciliation journey. The theme for National Reconciliation week this year is Let s Take the Next Steps. Flying the Aboriginal Flag On Sorry Day, this Friday and throughout Reconciliation Week, next week, we will fly the Aboriginal Flag at the front of the school in place of the Australian Flag. When a school has only one flagpole they can fly only one flag and so in the spirit of Reconciliation we will fly the Aboriginal Flag proudly. First Eucharist While our Year 3 students continue to learn about the Sacrament of Eucharist in their Religious Education lessons, some of our students are preparing with our St Benedict s Parish to receive Eucharist for the first time. They and their families began their preparation with Fr Mat and staff after Mass last Sunday morning. Thank you to those families who are supporting their child through this important time on their life of faith. We pray for all of these children that this time of preparation is transformative in further growing their relationship with our loving God. Athletics Carnival Next Monday is our annual athletics carnival at Phillip Oval. Thank you to all staff for preparing our students for a wide variety of events. It is always a great day and the students enjoy the rotations in the primary years and the games for the infants. Come along and support the students and maybe volunteer to be a helper! Thank you to Mrs Alana Quirk for her organising of the day. Hats Off June and July During June and July we are encouraged by the Cancer Council ACT not to expect children to wear hats at school. It s all about ensuring that during these cooler months our students receive as much Vitamin D as possible. There was a great cheer when this was announced last week. Nurturing personal and academic growth a journey from Kindergarten to Year 6.

2 Recess and Lunch With the days getting colder we are finding that students are eating all their food at recess and not leaving anything for lunch. Please have a discussion with your child/children regarding what and how much they need for the day. Rugging Up in the Cold We encourage a lot of play outside and during winter it can be quite cold. We encourage all of our students to dress with plenty of layers. Our uniform lends itself very easily to this. Singlets, thermals or other simple long sleeve underclothes are encouraged under the shirt to add that extra layer. Our uniform policy then outlines: Maroon jumper: worn over the shirt and dress. As it s harder to take off it can be used inside and outside to keep warm, Blue polar fleece jacket: to be worn when going outside over the maroon jumper and generally taken off in the classroom while the heater is operating, Beanies/Scarves/Mittens: are very acceptable and preferably navy blue. Sport uniform: If an extra layer is required then a simple navy blue top underneath the polo shirt is acceptable. God bless. Rachel Smith Principal (Acting) CATHOLIC COMMUNITY LIFE First Communion Thank you to all the children and families who participated in Sunday s First Communion preparation. It was a wonderful opportunity to explore and discuss the blessings brought from being a part of a Eucharistic community. And what a great shared lunch! Don t forget to keep working through your workbook in the coming weeks. We look forward to celebrating First Communion with these children and families on Sunday 18 th June. If you missed Sunday please contact Father Mat at the Parish Office, Family Mass Thank you to the Year 4 families who shared our special family Mass on Sunday. Thanks also to the parishioners for the lovely morning tea.

3 Mini Vinnies Friday lunchtimes we have a keen group of knitters busily knitting squares to make into rugs that we will donate to our local Canberra homeless people. All students are welcome, many are first time knitters and we have some experts in Year 6 who are more than keen to share their knowledge. First Friday Mass Next Friday, 2 nd June, is our First Friday Mass. 1/2 Gold are busy preparing the readings and music for this special celebration. All families are most warmly invited to join us for Mass at 10:00am in St Benedict s Church. Morning tea afterwards is prepared and organised by the parents of 1/2 Gold. Please come to the Library after Mass to share morning tea with the Staff. Save the dates! Confirmation Parish Preparation: Event Date & time Venue Participants Parish Mass Sunday 20 th August St Benedict s Candidates and at least one 9:00am Church parent Confirmation Preparation Sunday 20 th August 10:00am 11:30am Father Greg Collins Wing Candidates and at least one parent (sponsor if possible) Confirmation Wednesday 30 th August Father Greg Retreat 9:00am 3:00pm Collins Wing Year 6 Students Confirmation Sunday 10 th September St Benedict s Candidates and at least one 9:00am Church parent and a sponsor

4 Mary, Help of Christians This week we rejoice in our patron and spiritual protector, Mary Help of Christians. The Feast of Mary Help of Christians (24 th May) has been celebrated in Australia since 1844, but can be dated back to Europe some thirty years earlier. In 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte had Pope Pius VI arrested, and he subsequently died in jail, after which time Pope Pius VII was elected. Just a short time later, Pius VII was also jailed by Napoleon, who kept him prisoner at Fontainbleau, just outside of Paris. The Holy Father vowed to God that, if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary. Military reserves forced Napoleon to release the Pope, and on 24 th May 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later, the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians, be kept on the 24 th May. During the time the Catholic Church began to spread to Australia, Mary Help of Christians was adopted as its patron. No priests were sent to the new Australian settlement in its early days and the Mass was not celebrated until It was largely the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary and was the first nation to choose her under the title, Help of Christians in St Mary's Cathedral, located in Sydney, was dedicated in honour of Mary by the Irish pioneer priest, Fr John Therry who arrived there in 1820, and represents the spiritual origins of the Catholic Church in Australia. Meaghan Younger Religious Education Coordinator Entertainment Book This term we will be selling the new 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: Then pick up your book from Belinda at the Front Office. A sample book is available for viewing at the Front Office.

5 School News Friday 26 th May - Assembly This Friday there will be no assembly as we are having a Reconciliation liturgy at 2.30pm on the oval. We would like to invite all families to come along to this special occasion. K-2 FARMYARD EXCURSION I loved brushing Sugar the miniature pony. I put flower bows on her tail. I also loved feeding the lambs and I liked it when I was patting my guinea pig because it warmed up. Will C I liked feeding seeds to the rats. They nibbled on the seeds and kept coming back to me for more. I also liked the guinea pigs on my lap. Alannah At the farmyard there was a duck in the turkey pen. There were also two giant pigs that looked like fat horses. I liked feeding the chickens because I got to feed almost all the chickens and a little chick. William C I discovered that snakes stay very still and learned that you can t milk cows until they have a baby. James The big giant pigs were wart hogs. They had giant tusks. At the farmyard we got to talk about cows, we got to feed the sheep with bread, we brushed the horse and we looked at little lizards and pythons. There were little lizards that swam in water and they had little curls on their heads. Frederick At the farmyard we saw mice. We got to talk about how we get milk from the cows and we watched Tori milk a cow. We got to brush the donkey and we also got to pat the lamb. It was so fluffy. Mia My favourite part was feeding the enormous pigs because they loved eating the bread. I learned that some pigs have different colours. Archer I liked holding the guinea pigs. They wriggled a lot on my lap. I think they were scared. Emily I got to feed the lamb milk. One of the lambs was sick. Edith Q My favourite part was when we got to wash the pony. Marissa

6 DR CAMERON STELZER AUTHOR VISIT On Monday well-known author and illustrator Dr Cameron Stelzer attended our school and ran workshops for all our classes. Kindergarten enjoyed an interactive big screen book reading and then produced very creative and imaginative illustrations. Years 1 and 2 participated in a writing workshop that focused on idea formation and inspiration for narratives. Years 3 and 4 explored exciting and descriptive language in their workshop and Years 5 and 6 explored techniques to create blockbuster action stories. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and were inspired by Cameron s ideas and techniques. Books and merchandise that have been ordered from Cameron Stelzer will be delivered to school on Friday this week. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 We are asking for students in Kindergarten to Year 2 to please bring in any board games that they may have at home. The board game will need your name and class on it. The games will be played in week 10. The following notes have gone home this week and are currently on the website. Amber Day 26 th May Publication Celebration Yr 5/6 Gold Mrs Basedow Walk A Thon Yr3/4 - ACT NoWaste Recycling Excursion

7 26 th May National Sorry Day 29 th May Athletics Carnival 31 st May South Weston 12U Cross Country 2 nd June First Friday Mass, 10.00am 6 th June P&F Meeting, 6.30pm 12 th June Public Holiday 13 th June School Board Meeting, 6.00pm 18 th June First Communion Mass, 9.00am 23 rd June Semester Reports sent home KINDERGARTEN Abel d and Rocky-James B 1/2Blue Joshua L, Ria C and Ciru N 1/2Gold Tessa P and Marissa M 3/4Blue Jacinta V, Michael T and Matthew S 3/4Gold Fionn L and David T 5/6Blue Imogen B and Mason T 5/6Gold Charlotte G and Sophia M THURSDAY, 25 th MAY 9.00am 11.30am 11.30am 2.00pm School fees are due today. Thank you to all the families that have contacted me about their fee statement for term 2. If you have not received yours as yet, please contact Mrs McRae as soon as possible. Thank you to all the families that have paid their fees so far. House Point Winners The points for Week 4 Term 2 were: Murramai 3,966, Arakoola 4,510 and Tangara 3,787. At the end of Week 4, Term 2 the year totals were: Murramai 34,260 Arakoola 38,320 and Tangara 39,217. CONGRATULATIONS to this week s winners: Arakoola 4,510! Well done to Year 3/4 Blue who earned the most house points (4,753)! FRIDAY, 26 th MAY THURSDAY, 1 st JUNE FRIDAY, 2 nd JUNE 9.00am 11.30am 11.30am 2.00pm 9.00am 11.30am 11.30am 2.00pm 9.00am 11.30am 11.30am 2.00pm Amber Day is this Friday with a Chicken and Gravy Sub. Look forward to working with you. Yours in tongs. Cara Cook, Canteen Manager

8 COMMUNITY NOTICES Parish News Parish Office Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 9.00am to 3.00pm Weekend Mass Times Saturday 6.00pm Sunday 9.00am Youth Mass 7.00pm Charismatic Mass 7.00pm (last Sunday of the Month) Baptisms: 11.00am, 2 nd and 4 th Sundays of the Month