Welcome to the Week 6 Newsletter. We cross the mid point of first term today and more importantly we are past the midpoint of Lent, whcih of course we are faast approaching the Easter celebrations that are core to our faith (as well as being an exciting time for families and chocolate lovers). 

Some Traffic and Afternoon Pick Up reminders 

As so often happens when we are in the midst of a busy term, even the daily routines of afternoon pick can hit some snags that are best addressed as a whole community. In the past week, we have been notified from several neighbours, on different days for different reasons, expressing concern for student safety. I implore parents to be respectful of all and keep the safety of all our students as a priority. 

1. We have had several complaints from our neighbours about cars routinely parking unsafely and illegally, as parents quickly step out of the car to pick up their child (having to rush this as well). Ultimately, this is about the safety of all children and when parents are rushing, pulling in and sneaking out quickly (on occasions not even stepping out of the car or shutting engine off), it presents a continual risk to that safety. I know that no one truly wants an accident to be the end result of what seems to be “just a simple exception to the rule”, but this is in fact a very real risk when parents do think they can be that exception. 
2. When accessing the “gate walkers” pick up point on (Durham St and Mowbray Ave), we ask that parents do not block the pathway for kids as they move out of the school gates and along the narrow grass verge (parallel to the road) to access the corner where they then move down further on that side of the road or cross at the pedestrian crossing. When a parent is standing along that narrow verge, keenly awaiting their afternoon welcome from their child, it can force the other children to walk on the road to the school carpark and I am sure we can all agree this is not a reasonable risk to take. It would be wiser to wait for your child where the grass widens enough for all to pass safely.
3. Similarly, we ask that parents do not stand directly across the pedestrian crossing waiting for their children to cross to them. Two reasons, the first being that drivers may think you are seeking to cross and stop unnecessarily (causing frustration) and secondly, the other students using the pedestrian crossing are then forced to cut the corner of the crossing outside of the lines to avoid the group of adults waiting there. 
4. Finally, the early childhood centre have contacted us to ask parents to not park in their carpark awaiting school pick up. Again, I am sure you will agree that this presents a concern as reversing and moving cars in a carpark accessed by preschoolers (albeit with an adult) is not a reasonable risk on their site, nor do we have the right to park their anyway. 

I do appreciate the pick-up routines are a busy time but trust in the patience and understanding from our families to ensure this is done safely and respectfully to all families, our neighbours and most importantly, our students. Yes, it is busy but if we all do the right thing at the expense of a few minutes of time, we can ensure the safety of our community at SBE. 

Partners in Learning Meetings and Insights Goals

Our Partners in Learning program continues this year as we begin to prepare for the Term 1 Partners in Learning Goal Setting Meetings across Weeks 8 - 8, 9 and 10 of this term. The teachers are already underway in setting goals based on the student’s learning already this year.
We are very excited to invite students to be part of these meetings, or for a component of the meeting, to unpack their own learning goals that they are working on in class. This is critical to giving student voice in their own learning and to equip them as assessment capable learners for life. We do appreciate that there may be some things the adults want to speak privately about so what this looks like will vary accordingly. Although perhaps those concerns may have already been discussed, responded to and supported and it could just be a touch base regarding them. We always encourage parents to raise concern as they emerge rather than always leaving it to these Partners in Learning Goal Setting Meetings
Either way, we would like to invite students to join their parents, at whatever level you are comfortable with, and become a critical part of these Partners in Learning goal setting conferences. Bookings for these meetings will go live in Week 7 (notification and bookings via COMPASS) and they will be conducted across Week 8, 9 and 10. Keep in mind that Weeks 8 and 9 are shortened by the Easter Long Weekend). The goal setting by both teachers and students will become visible to parents at that point.

Lent is a time to Repent

The Latin word sacramentum means ‘a sign of the sacred.’ Sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Catholics. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence and are signs of God's grace. Celebrating sacraments is such an important part of our lives. Lent is a perfect time to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation as we are called to repent and to come back into a loving relationship with Our Lord and Saviour. 

Reconciliation is a time in which we come to ask for God’s forgiveness. This leads me to think, God easily forgives us, why do we sometimes find it hard to forgive others?  

God has given us specific direction within the sacred Scriptures, all of which can be summed up in just one word FORGIVE! God is saying that it is in our own best interest to forgive others. Our hearts are a little lighter when we forgive or are forgiven. He is not talking about what is in the best interest of the person who needs to be forgiven. We are the ones who God is trying to protect. We are the ones who receive the most benefit from forgiveness, not the other person. A spirit of unforgiveness complicates and compromises our daily lives.  

Forgiving others releases us from anger and allows us to receive the healing we need. The whole reason God has given us specific direction is because He does not want anything to stand between us and Him. God's love for us is beyond our comprehension. Forgiving others spares us from the consequences of living out of an unforgiving heart. This Lent we are challenged not only to seek forgiveness but to also offer forgiveness with an open heart.  

Yours in faith,

Miss Michelle Collins

Pedagogical Mentor Role 2024

Continuing with our work for last year, myself and Megan Hunt will work each Thursday in the role of Pedagogical Mentors. 

Working collaboratively alongside Jules and school leadership team we will be working towards  our whole school priority # 3 So that students are engaging with learning the meets their capacity and pushes them to achieve their next learning goals, the school will commit to differentiated instruction in every classroom via multiple entry success criteria, task engagement and assessment rubrics of deepening level of success. 

We plan to help achieve this goal and improve student outcomes in literacy and numeracy using the following strategies:  

• Planning and presenting whole staff professional learning with a focus on assessment rubrics for Writing and Understanding texts.  

• Modelling high quality teaching within and across the school community.  

• Working collaboratively with teachers to develop and refine their teaching practice. 

• Supporting the facilitation and leading of PLTs (professional learning teams). PLT's occur every 3 weeks and are a never-ending cycle of inquiry. The beginning of the year our focus is on analysing Mathematics data. Teachers collaborately plan with the end in mind- identifying the outcome from the curriculum expectations that all students will master. Teachers analyse pre-data at the beginning of the 3 weeks and post-data at the end of the 3 weeks to inform and differentiate instruction for each student in their class. The second half of the year we will move into a literacy focus.

• Collaborate with and meet regularly with the school leadership team.

School Office 

Phone: 4958 1858

Email:admin@edgeworth.catholic.edu.au

Admin/ Finance Officer Suzi Di-Nardo Monday to Friday

Admin - Tiare Collins-Grayson Monday, Thursday Friday 

Respectful Relationships

Today we began our second focus topic in our whole school wellbeing cycle- Respectful Relationships. These explicit lessons are tailored to the specific needs of each stage and align with the schools focus areas.

Initiating conversations about respectful relationships with children is crucial for their emotional and social development. By addressing topics like kindness, empathy, and communication, parents create a foundation for healthy interactions. These discussions promote awareness of boundaries, consent, and mutual understanding, fostering a safe environment where children can thrive. Teaching respect from an early age equips kids with essential skills to navigate friendships and romantic relationships, building a future based on empathy and equality. Open dialogues about respect empower children to recognise and value their own feelings and those of others, cultivating a positive and harmonious approach to all relationships.

Below is a link to the Respecftful Relationships parents resources our the St. Benedict's Schooltv portal.

School Swimming Carnival Ribbon Presentation

At Monday's Morning Assembly, place ribbons and Age Champion trophies were presented to children who competed at our School Swimming Carnival towards the end of last year.

Bradman was also officially announced as our winning team for 2024.

A special congratulations to the following children who were announced as Age Champions.

Jnr Girls - Kiani Miller

Jnr Boys - Jackson Bailey

11Yrs Girls - Olivia Price

11Yrs Boys - Bailey Smith

Snr Girls - Audrey Roberts

Snr Boys - Hudson Moore 

Diocesan Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to Mackenzie Hunter and Kiani Miller who represented the Lakes Region at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival, last Tuesday at the Forum Pool, Newcastle University.

Mackenzie was placed 7^th overall in the 8yrs 50m Freestyle. Well done!

Kiani was placed 3^rd overall in the 10yrs 50m Freestyle, 5^th in the Jnr 50m Backstroke, 5^th in the Jnr 50m Breaststroke, 6^th in the Jnr 50m Butterfly and 3^rd in the Jnr 200m Individual Medley. At the conclusion of the carnival, Kiani was announced as the overall 10yrs Girls Age Champion for the Diocese. A fantastic achievement!

Kiani has now been selected to represent the Maitland/Newcastle Diocese at the Polding Swimming Championships, (50m Freestyle and the 200m Individual Medley) held in Sydney’s Olympic Park on 3^rd April.  

Lakes Region Winter Sports Trials

Good luck to the following children who will represent St Benedict’s at the Lakes Regional Winter Sports Trials this Wednesday.

Netball – Cadence Hopkins and Alexis Huntress.

Soccer – Girls – Willow Garven and Audrey Roberts.

                 Boys – Bosco Thomas, Finn Sharwood and Archer Guihot.  

Regional Touch Football Trials

Congratulations to Cadence Hopkins, Alexis Huntriss and Archer Guihot who have been selected to represent the Lakes Region at the Diocesan Touch Football Trials on 7^th May. Well done!

Congratulations to the following students who were recognised with a Spirit of Jesus award last week. 

Alexis Huntress, Bosco Thomas and Casey McGovern.

The school assists local organsiation to promtote their child related services, events and activities. The school is not directly linked to these events but we are happy to support the greater edgeworth and Cameron Park community.