MOTHER’S DAY STALL – HELPERS WANTED

Anzac Day Event

Written by our Year 6 leaders

On April 1, 2025, we went to the Civic Theatre for an Anzac Day event. When everyone settled down, school representatives introduced themselves and the theme, Women in War.

During the event six women had a story, some from WW1, and some from WW2. They had a play to show their stories, an orchestra for background music, and got several speakers talking about their experiences in the military. They showed us what happens on Anzac Day with Military cadets marching in, the Last Post played on the bugle, and the flags of Australia, New Zealand, and the Indigenous being raised.

After the Anzac Day event, we walked from the Civic Theatre to the Anzac Memorial Bridge. When we reached the Memorial bridge, some of us would read the plaques or watch the view, with the waves crashing on the shore. After a short walk across the Anzac Memorial Bridge, we reached Bar Beach. When we reached Bar Beach, we took a rest at the seated area. While we were resting, we watched the sea and ate our lunch. After we finished eating lunch, we walked past the road to Empire Park.

In Empire Park we played Soccer, Handball, Cricket, Footy, and Tennis. We played for a while, changing games now and then until it started to rain. We took the sport equipment and boarded the bus back to school. That is how our day went.

EASTER SEASON

Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. Just as a family will gather round on important occasions and tell and retell the family stories, so there is a sense in which the Church keeps its ‘best stories’ for this most significant celebration. These are the family stories that shape our identity as Christians: they tell us where we have come from, who we are and where we are going according to the saving plan of God. Through class and whole school liturgies, Lent and Easter Units of Work and prayer the students at St Benedict’s have come to know these stories. 

So, for our St Benedict’s community, Easter is much more than just Easter eggs. It is  a time when the Christian story is an opportunity for us to reflect on a hope for a positive future and a new beginning in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I would like to wish you all a safe, happy and meaningful Easter break and look forward to working together in Term 2 where we continue to live out the Easter messages of faith, hope and love!  

FAMILY MASS

This Sunday 6th April @ 9:00am will be a Parish Family Mass - ALL families are invited to this Mass and it is my hope that our school community will be strongly represented at this Mass. Come along and support our Sacramental students and their families as they are introduced to the parish and meet their Parish Prayer Partner. This Mass will be held at Holy Cross Church Glendale.

EASTER SERVICE TIMES- SUGARLOAF PARISH

To find the Mass Times for Sugarloaf Parish over Easter please follow the link below.

https://mn.catholic.org.au/parish/sugarloaf/ 

(Religious Education Co-Ordinator)

Building Resilience in Children

This term, our students participated in a well-being survey. For the most part, our survey results were very pleasing. Our main area for discussion is around resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges, adapt to change, and keep moving forward despite setbacks. It is a crucial skill that helps children manage stress, overcome obstacles, and develop a positive outlook on life.

Why is Resilience Important?

Resilient children are better equipped to handle the ups and downs of life. They are more likely to:

• Adapt to Change: Resilient children can adjust to new situations and environments with greater ease.
• Solve Problems: They develop critical thinking skills that help them find solutions to challenges.
• Build Strong Relationships: Resilience fosters empathy and communication skills, which are vital for healthy relationships.
• Maintain a Positive Attitude: Resilient children are more likely to view setbacks as temporary and surmountable.

How Can We Build Resilience in Our Children?

Building resilience is a continuous process that involves support from both home and school. Here are some strategies to help nurture resilience in your children:

1. Encourage a Growth Mindset: Teach your children that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. Praise their efforts rather than just their achievements.
2. Model Resilience: Children learn by observing adults. Show them how you handle stress and setbacks with a positive attitude and problem-solving approach.
3. Foster Independence: Allow your children to make age-appropriate decisions and take on responsibilities. This helps them build confidence and learn from their experiences.
4. Promote Healthy Risk-Taking: Encourage your children to step out of their comfort zones and try new activities. This helps them learn to cope with uncertainty and build confidence.
5. Teach Emotional Regulation: Help your children understand and manage their emotions. Encourage them to express their feelings and provide strategies for coping with stress, such as deep breathing or talking to a trusted adult.
6. Build a Supportive Network: Ensure your children have a strong support system of family, friends, and teachers. Feeling connected and supported is crucial for resilience.
7. Celebrate Effort and Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your children's efforts and progress, no matter how small. This reinforces their sense of accomplishment and motivates them to keep trying.

Flexischools - New canteen ordering system

St Benedict’s will be using Flexischools from Term 2 for parents to place lunch orders and make over-the-counter purchases at our school, Flexischools, operates in more than 1700 schools across Australia, enabling parents and students to order and pay for school lunches, uniform shop items, and school community events online or via the Flexischools app.

Flexischools App 

Parents simply download the Flexischools app from the Apple or Google store and follow the prompts to create an account. You can download the App and find registration and online ordering instructions here.

Parents can set daily spend limits and keep an eye on what they’re buying via your Flexischools app. Additionally, you can also add access for your child to use the App, enabling them to place online orders themselves - great for growing independence.

If you already have a Flexischools account for another family member then just select the Profile icon on the app and +Add New Student. 

School Fees

School fee statements have been sent out to families for the month of April.

Your statements have change slightly with a new section on the bottom of the statement with a payment calculator. This gives you an idea of how much you need to be paying weekly, fortnightly or monthy to make sure your total fees are finalised by the due date of the 30th Novemeber 2025.

It is the expectation that families have already made their first payment towards school fees for the year as per your fee schedule. 

If you are experiencing financial hardship please contact our offie to discuss how we can assist you. 

WEEK 9 PBL AWARDS - 50 BENNIES CERTIFICATES AWARDED TO: