Welcome to the Week 2 Newsletter, this week as the term gets underway, I want to alert parents to two important initiatives (Me @ SBE and Period Positivity)  we are planning for and launching to support wellbeing in our school (see below for details). These initiatives are critical to our ongoing Schol improvement Priority #2 Wellbeing for Life.

It is also that time of year again where our Year 4 cohort begin preparations for their BYOD program (see the Classroom Update) which launches face to face in Term 3 (but this term is about resourcing and communicating about the program). And finally, this week we are launching the Jump Rope for Heart Program that we have registered for in 2024 (See Sport and Community Update) which has some exciting fundraising initiatives the students may wish to be part of - either way, the school is about to be inundated with skipping activities. It is such an exciting time of a term when we are ready to embark on such exciting programs to enliven the school day. 

Me@ SBE - Student Wellbeing Check Ins 

As per the Wellbeing for Life priority in the School Improvement Plan (SIP), our school has set itself the challenge of developing and implementing a regular student wellbeing and engagement survey. In this way, student voice is our primary source for understanding what is important for students in this space at any given time. These regular check-ins will inform the direction of our Wellbeing Teaching Cycles and our PBL focuses as well as form the basis of communication with parents. Who else but the students, can tell us first-hand what is happening here at school.

On Friday 12th (the pupil free day at the end of last term) staff completed professional learning in preparation for this initiative across Term 2 by looking at research-based practices and audit the school’s current practices against the CSO's own wellbeing framework audit tool. It quickly became clear that regular student voice was missing from our current understanding of wellbeing in our school and led us to the development of the survey we are calling Me@SBE 

We are hoping to be ready to implement the survey in Week 4 or 5 of this term and again in Week 8. Next week, we hope to unpack the sorts of questions we will be asking and why, what format we will  be using to collect the data from the students and the timing of this. It is an exciting project and one we hope will bring student voice to the forefront of our priorities here at SBE. 

Period Positivity

This term, St Benedict's Edgeworth we will be launching a critical, proactive, and affirming program to promote understanding of and support for the wellbeing and care of students in our school who are managing puberty, most specifically the management of their menstrual cycle. 

Period Poverty

Period poverty is when people who menstruate don’t have access to the products, hygiene facilities and education they need to manage their periods.

Period Positivity

Period Positivity is about making periods normal. From free period care products to more informative discussions, the initiative aims to promote greater accessibility, equity and dignity for all.

In Term 4, 2022 a pilot program was conducted at St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul, trialling the installation of sanitary dispensing machines with the provision of free sanitary products at the school. The trial was very successful – with strong survey results in addition to positive student engagement and feedback.

Due to the success of the trial, dispensers are being rolled out across all Secondary Schools in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, with the Period Positivity initiative to commence at St Benedict's Edgeworth starting in Term 3, 2024.

• Sanitary products will be available to students for free, via dispensers in the toilet blocks.
• If students find themselves needing pads or tampons, they will be available from the dispensers.
• Students will still be able to use their own products, but there will be the option to use the free products provided in the female toilets for those who need them.

The product roll-out will be complemented by an educational awareness program that will be deployed to all students. Professional Learning resources will enable teachers to be competent and confident to deliver the age appropriate educational materials in line with the PDHPE curriculum including Menstrual health; information about periods and anatomy, dispelling myths, products, accessibility, gender equity and promoting dignity.

We appreciate that while this is a positive program, it may raise some interest and questions from parents about exactly why and how this is rolling out in Primary Schools. To that end, we are organising two identical information sessions for parents to attend (according to their availability) to unpack the program, and how it will look in our school, in more detail. Two identical sessions on Monday May 20th; 1 at 2pm into the school dismissal routines and one at 6pm for parents who otherwise are at work. Parents of all students are welcome as this program will be about promoting awareness in all age groups and genders as well as the support in place for thos to whom it specifcally applies 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day. A special day to highlight the central roles our mothers play in our lives. We also celebrate all the other women in our lives such as grandmothers, stepmothers, aunts, cousins, teachers, and special friends who have helped to shape and form us into the person we are today.

May is also the month the Catholic Church devotes to praying to Mary – Jesus’ mother. We pray to our Mother Mary to bless all the mothers of our school community. May Mother Mary bless you all, inspiring and energising you by her gentle example of love and perseverance. May she guide you each day as you care and guide your child/ren to grow and flourish. Below is a prayer you may like to pray together with your family on Mother’s Day.

Dear Lord, We pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; may they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy. We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; may they continue to guide us in strong and gentle ways. We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty or conflict; may they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes away every tear. We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion. We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever etched in our memory, with love. Amen.

Yours in faith,

Miss Michelle Collins

(Religious Education Co-Ordinator)

Right Learning Right Child- Every Day, Every Learner

On the pupil free day last week, the staff at St. Benedict's were busy at school planning and refining their teaching of Mathematics. The day was centred around our whole school priority number 3, 'Right Learning Right Child- Every Day, Every Learner​’. It was focussed on develop differentiated instruction for all learners including our high potential and gifted learner. The day was tailored specifically to our school priorities and was based on the research and evidence-based practice by a number of educational experts including Michael McDowell.

The day was divided into 3 parts:

Part 1- Micheal McDowell Introduction – Developing Expert Learner by Going Deeper in Learning. The focus of this session was on Michael’s research and work in deepening learning within the same level, not just making more learning. The staff engaged in a variety of model activities from Micheals professional learning in 2023 and 2024 facilitated by the Catholic Schools Office.​

Part 2- Utilising the Assessment Waterfall to drive Differentiated Instruction. As a whole staff group, we discussed ways we can ensure daily integrated and differentiated instruction for all learners in all classes. We revisited the Assessment Water Fall and how we use it as a daily tool to implement differentiated instruction. Using our knowledge of assessment data, quality feedback and individual goal setting, how we can embed success criteria with multiple entry points from which to pivot learning within the same intention.

Part 3- Embedding Differentiated Instruction for the High potential and Gifted Learning EVERYDAY. We were joined by our Education Officer Marie Karaka who facilitated our final session of the day. Marie is working closely with Ms Leah Killen this year in her Gifted Education Mentor role this year and with the COGAT testing and analysis of data across the school.

The work from this day will be used by all teachers to ensure the 'Right Learning is for the Right Child- Every Day and for Every Learner​’.

BYOD Year 4 Launch and Timeline 

Our BYOD project is timed to launch halfway through Year 4 to enable the students to have the devices set up and using them with confidence and  an emerging independence. In this way the BYOD program will be fully implemented for use as a tool for learning at the start of Year 5.

We are ready to begin the launch of the Year 4 BYOD program. Below is a timeline for parents in Year 4 to consider. 

Most immediately, we want to invite parents to an information session next Tuesday Evening at 6pm via zoom for parents who are new to the BYOD program. The link will be posted on COMPASS later this week. The information session will unpack the aims of the BYOD program, what to expect from the use of a device as a tool in your child's learning and the minimum specs of the devices we need. The same information is communicated in a special edition newsletter so that parents can take these with them as they investigate options for the purchase of your child’s device.

The Next Technologies website for the purchase option of a school nominated commercial grade device is now open, while this will be discussed further next Monday, parents are welcome to research this site (and option) in the meantime.

Jump Rope for Heart 2024

 Jump Rope for Heart kicks off this term at St Benidict's!

 Jump Rope for Heart is the Heart Foundation’s primary school skipping challenge that helps kids move more, have fun, and raise funds for life-saving research and programs.

 This year we’ve got an audacious goal to see our student Heart Heroes at Bennies to log 40 hours of skipping throughout the program!

 Register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising, simply follow the link below to get started. www.jumprope.org.au/parents

 Students will be skipping throughout the term during PE lessons and their lunch break. During this time you can share their online fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause.

 We will hold our school Jump Off Day on 25^th June (Week 9), this will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills. More information will become available throughout the term. 

 Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program! We are looking forward to jumping into the new term.

Polding Winter Sports Trials

Congratulations to Billy Johnson (Rugby League) and Archer Guihot (Soccer) who represented the Maitland/Newcastle Diocese at the Polding Winter Sports Trials in Tamworth last Friday. Our boys played their very best contributing to the success of  their respective teams.

A special congratulations to Archer Guihot who has gained selection in the Polding Soccer Team to compete in the NSW State Titles at Tamworth in August. An outstanding achievement indeed, especially as Archer is the only Year 5 student selected in the squad. 

Diocesan Touch Football Trials

Good luck to Cadence Hopkins, Alexis Huntriss and Archer Guihot who will represent the Lakes Region at the Diocesan Touch Football Trials. The trials, which were due to take place today, have been postponed to a later date because of the recent poor weather. 

AFL Paul Kelly Cup

Due to the recent inclement weather, the AFL Paul Kelly Cup, due to be played on Thursday for some of our Senior students, has been postponed to later in the month. Further information will be given when a date has been confirmed. Our Boys and Girls teams will compete against a variety of local schools in a round robin tournament in an attempt to progress to the Regional Finals later in June. 

Next P & F Meeting

Mothers Day and Sepcial Women in our Lives P & F Stall 

Canteen Update

Congratulations to the following students who were recognised for their efforts in Learning, Improvement and Kindness to Others last week. 

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. 

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