Welcome back to the final term of 2023!

I am delighted to be back at St. Benedict’s after a term serving as Principal at St. Joseph’s Charlestown. During my time there, I gained many new skills and formed lasting relationships, but there truly is no place like Bennies!

Yesterday was particularly exciting for me to return and visit all the students and teachers in their classrooms, catching up on their latest adventures and seeing their bright smiles. It reminded me of the wonderful community we have here at St. Benedict’s.

I am looking forward to a fantastic four weeks as Principal before Mrs. Mulhearn returns in Week 5, just in time for the Year 5 and 6 camps. I’m excited to make the most of this time and continue to support our families, teachers and students in all aspects of school and community life!

As we dive into this busy and fast-paced term, especially for our Year 6 students who are wrapping up their Primary schooling, I’m excited to share the key dates with our community. Please note that these dates and details are current as of now, but specifics, permissions, and any changes will be confirmed via COMPASS updates and communications closer to the dates. Always double-check for the latest information.

You’ll notice that the first part of the term isn’t as packed as the latter half, which makes sense. The initial 5 or 6 weeks are focused on teaching and learning within the classrooms. As we move towards the end of the year, the excitement builds as we begin to celebrate all our achievements.

Here are the key dates for the term:

This term promises to be filled with enriching learning experiences, memorable events, and opportunities for our students to shine. 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Here’s to a fantastic Term 4!

Kate Wilson

Acting Principal

WELCOME BACK

Welcome to Term 4 and what a busy term it will be. First and foremost, I would like to warmly welcome Kate back to St. Benedict's and I look forward to working alongside Kate in her role as Acting Principal over the next four weeks.

In this week’s newsletter, I’d like to provide an update on St. Benedict's ongoing assessment efforts to inform learning. 

This term, we will be conducting PAT (Progress Achievement Tests) assessments for all classes from Years 1 to 6. These online, adaptive, multiple-choice tests help establish each student’s progress in various areas of learning. The information gathered will guide our teaching and learning strategies and allow us to monitor individual progress over time.

Here’s the schedule for our PAT assessments in the coming weeks:

• Students in Years 1-6 will take the Maths assessment during Week 2 of Term 4.
• Students in Years 2-6 will complete the Reading assessment during Week 2 of Term 4.
• Students in Years 3-6 have already completed the Spelling assessment at the end of last term.

These assessments, along with others such as Essential Assessment, provide valuable insights into your child’s current learning needs, enabling us to plan effective learning programs as they advance through their education. Ensuring that the right learning is in front of the right child at the right time.

As a staff, we track whole-school data across terms and years using a data tracking spreadsheet. This allows us to monitor each student’s progress within their learning journey, as well as their placement among their peers and grade-level expectations.

We look forward to celebrating student successes and identifying ways to address challenges in learning as we approach the end of the year, while also planning further support for 2025.

God Bless,

Miss Michelle Collins

(Acting Assistant Principal)

October the Rosary Month 

October is celebrated as the Month of the Holy Rosary, aligning with the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary in the liturgical calendar. Throughout this month, special homage is paid to Mother Mary by reciting the rosary daily, followed by the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was first composed in the 16th century by Pope Sixtus V in Italy. 

The term ‘Rosary’ means a chain of roses, with each rose symbolizing a prayer. The rosary prayer narrates the story of Jesus and Mother Mary. While October is particularly associated with the Holy Rosary, this prayer is cherished and used by many throughout the year. 

The Rosary derives its mysteries from the New Testament, focusing on the significant events of the Incarnation and Redemption. Each decade highlights a specific event in the lives of Jesus and Mary, offering “thumbnails” of their life stories. 

The Joyful Mysteries, primarily from Saint Luke’s Gospel, recount the joyful events of Jesus’ childhood. The Luminous Mysteries provide deeper insights into Jesus’ public life, bridging the gap between His childhood and His Passion. The Sorrowful Mysteries remind us of Jesus’ profound love, reflecting on His suffering and death for humanity. Lastly, the Glorious Mysteries narrate the events following Jesus’ death, including His Resurrection, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and His love for His Mother. 

Enjoy your week,

Megan Hunt

(Acting REC)

This term, we are completing PAT assessments with all classes from Years 1 to 6. PAT (Progress Achievement Tests) are online, adaptive, multiple-choice tests designed to establish the points individuals have reached in their long-term progress in an area of learning. This information can then be used to identify next steps in teaching and learning and to monitor individual progress over time.

The PAT assessments the students will complete in the coming weeks are:

Students in Years 1-6 will complete the Maths assessment.

Students in Years 2 -6 will complete the Reading Assessment.

Students in Year 3 - 6 will complete Spelling Assessment. 

These assessments along with multiple others give valuable information to teaching staff about your child’s current learning needs and enables us to better plan learning programs as they progress through the levels of schooling.

As a whole staff, we track whole school data across the terms and years. We use a whole school data tracking spreadsheet that shows student's progressions iwithin their own learning as well as placement within their cohort and grade expectations.  We look forward to celebrating the triumphs of student success and identifying ways to support the challenges in learning between now and the end of year as well as planning further support in 2025. 

BACK TO SCHOOL

As we return to school after the holidays, many of you may notice that just two weeks can be enough for a child to forget their established routines. The good news is that with a compassionate approach, you can help your child transition smoothly back to school.

Prepare Your Child for the Change

Transitioning from the leisurely pace of holidays to the structured school routine can be challenging for both children and parents. A key part of easing this transition is emotional preparation.

Engage in open conversations with your child about the changes to their routine. Discuss what their days look like, what they need to do each morning and night, and the exciting things they can look forward to at school. These discussions are vital in helping your child emotionally prepare for school each day especially during the busyness of term 4.

Create a Safe Space at Home

After a long day at school, children often need a safe space to decompress and relax.
It’s important for us, to foster this nurturing environment at home. Whether it’s through playful activities, leisurely walks, or heartfelt conversations, providing this safe haven allows children to process their emotions and share their school experiences. By encouraging open communication and offering unwavering support, you help your child navigate the ups and downs of school life with confidence.

Establish a Routine They Can Understand

Getting a child organised and out the door for school can be a challenge (I struggle with this these first few days back at school and I am a grown up!), but it’s important to recognise that they are doing their best with the tools they have. Establishing a structured routine is crucial for easing back into school life, so it’s essential to create a routine that your child can understand and engage with.

Start by prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule to ensure your child is well-rested and ready for the day ahead. To minimize bedtime challenges, have a clear conversation with your child about the importance of a sleep routine and encourage them to avoid stimulating activities, like watching TV or playing games, close to bedtime. Visual aids such as timers and checklists can also help your child stay organized. By setting clear expectations and providing a predictable routine, you help your child feel more secure and prepared as they return to school.

In the end, getting your child back into a routine doesn’t have to be a struggle. By working together with our kids to help them adjust to the back-to-school transition, we equip them with the tools they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

God Bless,

Miss Michelle Collins

(Acting Assistant Principal)

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

School Fees

Special Note for year 6 parents regarding fees.

As this will be the last year for year 6 students at St Benedict's fees need to be finalised & paid in full prior to November 30th 2024. Any families that are experiencing hardship or require assistance with extinguishing their debt please contact our school office. Payment of school fees must be addressed to avoid being negatively impacted on their enrolment proceeding at another Catholic school. Principal's will be notified where no fees clearance is applicable. 

An SMS was sent out to all families regarding this.

As we enter term 4 it is expected that families are well on their way to extinguishing their fees for 2024. If your intention was to make your payment weekly or fortnightluy please ensure this is happening as it can be hard to catchup once behind.

School fee

Payments were expected to have commenced by 31 March if you have not made a payment as yet this is now overdue.

School Fees are to be finalised by 30 November 2024, please contact the school office if assistance is required to work out a best payment method or frequency to accomplish this requirement.

Payments can be made via B/pay, Direct debt, EFTPOS,  over the counter at our school or over the phone. These payment can be set up through your internet banking to be paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly.  

We ask that all Fee Payers closely review your current account, paying particular attention to:

• Only one charge for DFSBL (Building Levy) across all schools; and
• Check sibling discount has been applied at ALL schools (if applicable).

Diocesan Pastoral Contribution- This charge of $300 is a voluntary fee. Parents can decline or accept via Compass Parent Portal.

If you have not received your statement please check your Junk mail and contact our office. 

If you have a spare morning, we are always looking for new volunteers who can help out from 9am through to 12pm.

Volunteers roster