Teaching and Curriculum Update
St Bennies Maths & Spelling Bees – Finals Fever!
Last week, the hall was buzzing with excitement as students from Kindergarten to Year 6 took part in the St Benedict’s Maths and Spelling Bee Finals. Finalists competed within their stage levels, showcasing lightning-fast number crunching and standout spelling skills – all powered by memory and focus alone! It was wonderful to witness the courage, concentration, and encouragement shown as each student stepped up to the challenge.
Congratulations to all our finalists, and a special well done to our stage champions. The first-place winners from Stages 1 to 3 will now go on to represent St Benedict’s at the Lakes Region Spelling Bee Final, held at St Joseph’s Primary School, Kilaben Bay.
A big thank you to all the parents, grandparents, and special friends who came along to support and cheer on our finalists – your encouragement made the event even more special. We’re so proud of every student who gave it a go – what a fantastic celebration of learning!
Mrs Lewis and Mr Morris












CYBERSAFETY REMINDER - IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PARENTS
As we continue to navigate the digital age, it's crucial to remember that social media is not always a safe space for our young children. While platforms may seem kid-friendly, they can still be breeding grounds for bullying and other harmful behaviors.
We urge you to monitor your child's online activities and have open conversations about the potential dangers they may encounter. Even on sites designed for children, the risk of cyberbullying is real and can have lasting effects on their well-being. By the end of this year, these sites will be illegal for children under 16 in Australia.
Additionally, please remind your children about the importance of privacy and respect online. They should never post pictures of their friends without permission, as this can lead to unintended consequences. It's also essential to avoid sharing images that include school logos on uniforms or other identifying details. This helps protect our students' privacy and maintains the security of our school community.
For more information and resources on how to keep your children safe online, please visit the following websites:
- eSafety Commissioner Parent Resources
- ChildSafe Australia eSafety Online
- Australian Cyber Security Centre: Protect Your Children Online
Together, we can create a safer online environment for our children. Thank you for your continued support and vigilance in this matter.
Minecraft World First – St Bennies Joins Global Education Preview!
Students explored the immersive world before its official release and provided valuable feedback to help improve the user experience. Even more exciting – they had the chance to speak directly with the actual Minecraft developers and Microsoft Education specialists behind the project!
Minecraft Education is a classroom-specific version of Minecraft, designed to support curriculum learning. It includes in-game lesson tools, structured challenges, and teacher controls – turning play into powerful learning.
Peter is Here is a unique experience developed by the Vatican in collaboration with Microsoft. Students become Vatican Conservators, solving restoration challenges and uncovering the cultural, artistic, and spiritual significance of St. Peter’s Basilica – all while building critical 21st-century skills like problem-solving, digital literacy, and collaboration.
The world has now officially launched across the Diocese, and we invite all students to explore and play!
Want to try it at home?
Students can access Peter is Here using Minecraft Education on their device with Minecraft Education installed. Simply log in with your school Microsoft account, open the Library, and search “Peter is Here” in the lesson worlds.
Will you be able to reach the final level and uncover the secrets hidden deep within the Basilica?
Mrs Lewis










