Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend our Catholic Schools Week celebration and open classrooms. We also had some families join us for Mass at West Wallsend and Glendale parishes over the weekend, and a large number of staff to support our school. It is always lovely to see our school community come together and to acknowledge the great work done by our children and their teachers.

From the Catholic Schools Maitland Newcastle Website:

“Catholic Schools Week 2025 runs from 2 June – 6 June celebrating what makes our Catholic Schools great and raising awareness of the many opportunities Catholic schools provide through faith-based education.

It provides an opportunity for our schools to not only showcase their rich and vibrant Catholic identity, but to affirm their integral role within our local communities, highlighting the multitude of learning and faith experiences that occur every day.

This year, with the Jubilee Year in place, the theme Pilgrims of Hope resonates strongly with our schools. We use the word ‘pilgrims’ not to suggest that we are walking dusty roads with hiking poles, but rather to symbolise that we are all on a journey – teachers, students and families. And hope? That’s what keeps us moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.”

P&F Acknowledgement

The children have been making use of floor cushions donated by the P&F. These are for use in the hall during long assemblies and school performances or masses, to make the children more comfortable when sitting for a long period of time on the hard floor. We thank the P&F for their contribution to the school.

FACE (Family and Community Engagement) Meeting

We will hold our first FACE meeting On Monday 16^th June at 8.30am in the library. As this is before our next PBL assembly, we are hoping that this is a convenient time for parents to attend. At the meeting, Mr Hassett will present the use of our writing assessment program, purchased for the school by the P&F. We will also discuss fundraising for the remainder of the year – parents are invited to submit any ideas they may have.

Questions with notice to the principal will be accepted by email until Thursday 12^th June.

Also, we are seeking volunteers to assist with the Father’s Day Stall sales on Wednesday 3^rd September, if you are able to help out please contact the school office.

Safeguarding Message:

At St Bendict's, we are blessed with a wonderful community that values respect, kindness, and a commitment to nurturing our children. As part of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, we adhere to the  Community Code of Conduct, which can be found here on this link -  Catholic Schools Community Code of Conduct which ensures that all interactions on school grounds reflect these core values.

I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that our behaviour—whether in the car park, at drop-off, or on the playground—is witnessed not only by our own children but by all students on site. As role models, our words and actions leave a lasting impression, shaping how children learn to interact with others. Positive communication, patience, and respect go a long way in creating a safe and supportive environment for all.

We ask that parents, grandparents, carers and all visitors continue to uphold these expectations by fostering a spirit of cooperation, engaging respectfully with staff and with other visitors when on school grounds, and supporting our school’s mission to provide a positive learning space. By working together, we strengthen our community and set a wonderful example for the children entrusted to our care.

Thank you for your partnership in making St Benedict's  a place of learning, growth, and mutual respect.

Take care and God Bless,

Danielle Reed