Newsletter Number 16

1st June 2017

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.

God is king over the nations. National Sorry Day Last Friday afternoon, eight students with Sophie Campbell and Jan Gee represented St Benedict’s at the Whitehorse National Sorry Day Flag Ceremony. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain a deeper understanding of our history and how we need to acknowledge that decisions we have made impact on others’ lives. Photos and a recount from the day can be found further in the newsletter.

Caritas Leadership Day On Tuesday, 11 Year Six students attended a Caritas Leadership Day with Regina Balbata at St Michael’s Ashburton. The day was facilitated by Megan Bourke from Caritas Australia and focussed on leading action to care for our earth. The children learnt about the famine in Africa and how they can make a difference in their local communities to raise awareness and support the work of agencies such as Caritas. School Closure Day Please remember that Friday 9th June is a school closure day. On this day, our staff will be continuing their professional learning in the area of SWPBS. We will be developing our Behaviour Matrix, identifying major and minor behaviours and examining how we can further develop our school identity in SWPBS through our posters and acronym. Our voting for our poster has ended and we look forward to sharing the results of our voting with you in the coming weeks. Once our winner has been announced, we would like to produce this poster for display around the school for all of our community to refer to. To ensure that our poster looks its best, we are interested in working with any parents who have graphic design or printing expertise to produce these posters. If you are able to assist in any way, please contact our Jess Fielding, SWPBS in school coach via email on jfielding@sbburwood.catholic.edu.au Poker Night Thank you to all the dads who organised our very successful Poker Night last Friday night. It was a terrific night with lots of laughter, winning and fundraising for our school. It was a different experience to be the only female in the room, however a certain jar that I was in charge of did manage to raise some additional funds for the school. Thank you to all the dads and other male members of our community who supported this evening.

3 –

9 C

en

tral

Ave

nu

e, B

urw

oo

d

9808 8

551

ww

w.s

bb

urw

oo

d.c

ath

olic.

ed

u.a

u

St

Ben

ed

ict's

Pri

mar

y S

cho

ol B

urw

oo

d

stB

en

ed

icts

bu

rwo

od

St Benedict’s

Catholic

Primary School

Burwood

FlexiBuzz App We currently have a FlexiBuzz app, which was previously known as TiqBiz. This app is a way that we, as a school, can communicate directly with parents in relation to camps, excursions and reminders. The app also allows for our newsletter to be shared and there is the possibility of permission notes and forms also being completed through the app. To ensure that we are providing appropriate communication for you as parents and caregivers, we ask that you complete this short survey in relation to our app. The information that is collected through this survey will give us future direction. Please use the following link to access the survey - https://goo.gl/forms/ZIyDprHiWYUoAQFs1

Working With Children Checks As part of our ongoing adherence to the new Child Safe Standards, all volunteers or visitors to our school are required to have a current Working With Children Card. As a school, we are required to keep a record of these cards and their expiry dates. If you are currently volunteering with us, I ask that you send us a copy of your card or ask us to copy it at the office for you. Any parent who holds a current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration is exempt from holding one of these cards, however we do need to have a copy of your current VIT card. If you have completed an application for a WWC card and named St Benedict’s as your place of volunteering, we will be automatically sent a letter once your application has been approved and so we do not require an additional copy of your card. If you have any questions or concerns about these checks, please feel free to contact me.

Sporting Events and Excursions As a school we enjoy participating in sporting events and attending excursions. As some of these events occur during the cooler months of the year, it is often difficult for the children to sit on the grass as it is wet or cold. We are looking at having a large tarpaulin or mat that we could take to future events. If you have any ideas of where we could purchase a tarpaulin or mat from or if you would be willing to donate one to our school, please feel free to contact me. Meredith Bennett Principal

Education in Faith Pentecost Sunday– Year A Gospel: The feast of Pentecost celebrates the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the

disciples and energising them to set about their mission of continuing the ministry

of Jesus. The gospel reading is one of the post-resurrection appearances by Jesus

when he breathed the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The actual events of that first

Pentecost are recorded in the book of Acts and are recalled in this week’s first

reading. The use of this post-resurrection gospel account is a reminder that Jesus

had already imbued the disciples with the Spirit but, as so often throughout his

ministry, they were a bit slow to catch on to the significance of what he had done.

It seems that they needed a more tangible experience to jolt them into action and

Acts records the very physical experience of the Spirit entering their midst as a

roaring wind before settling upon them as tongues of flame. Jesus had breathed the Spirit upon them but

it took the roaring wind to make a real impression on the disciples. There are frequent references in the

gospels to Jesus being ‘filled with the Spirit’. It is this Spirit with which he was filled that he breathed upon

his disciples; it is that same Spirit that we receive sacramentally in Confirmation. For the weeks following the death of Jesus the disciples had lived in fear and confusion, not fully

understanding what had happened and not really knowing what to do. When they realised that the Spirit

Jesus had breathed upon them was really present and urging them to action they finally had the courage

to begin the mission that Jesus had entrusted to them: to spread the Good News of Jesus and continue to

realise his message in the world. Historical Context – Pentecost

The word Pentecost comes from the Greek for fiftieth day. Pentecost Sunday ends the season of Easter and

comes as a Sabbath day after seven weeks of seven days. In Jewish tradition the 50th day after the Passover

was celebrated as a blessing of the harvest and rather than the unleavened bread of Passover it was

celebrated by leavening the bread. It was for this reason that the disciples were gathered together when

they experienced the Holy Spirit empowering them. In Christian tradition, Pentecost is celebrated as the

arrival of the Spirit, promised by Jesus, that animated the disciples to spread the gospel of Jesus and gather

believers to form what would eventually become the Church. Have you thought? The Spirit

We can sometimes regard Pentecost as the day the Holy Spirit came into the world. However, the Spirit

had long been active in the world before this event. In fact, even the second verse of Genesis Chapter 1

tells us that the Spirit hovered over the waters. The Old Testament is filled with references in which ‘The

Spirit of God came upon (him) with power’ and the Spirit was evident at Jesus’ baptism and throughout the

gospels. Jesus is frequently described as being ‘filled with the Spirit’. So, from the very beginning of creation

the Spirit has moved in the world and continues to energise it today. Living the Gospel – Come, Holy Spirit

‘Come, Holy Spirit’, or its Latin, ‘Vene Sancte Spiritus’, has become the basis of countless prayers and

hymns over many hundreds of years. To this day, it remains a powerful invocation that can be used in

prayer or meditation. Three simple words convey a wealth of meaning. The invitation for the Spirit to ‘Come’

indicates recognition of the need for the Spirit’s intervention and openness to accept the guidance that the

Spirit brings. It is a powerful, simple prayer that can be used at the outset of any significant undertaking or whenever you find yourself in need of inspiration. © Greg Sunter Weekday Mass and Adoration

Week Day & Date Mass Adoration School Events

7 Wed 31/05 5/6SP Friday 2/06 3/4 classes 5/6 Excursion Immigration Museum

8 Wed 7/06 3/4C School Closure Day

9 Wed 14/06 3/4GL Friday 16/06 P/1/2 classes

Confirmation Parent and Child Faith night 14/06/17, 7pm Confirmation Reflection Day 16/06, all day

10 Fri 23/06 Whole School Mass Feast of the Sacred Heart 23/06/17 Sacrament of Confirmation, Sunday 25th, 2pm

11 Wed 28/06 1/2B

Ms Mary Brooks Religious Education Leader

Learning and Teaching YEAR 5/6 NEWS

Congratulations to all the students who attended the District Cross Country. It was a great day for running around Nettleton Park and a great experience for students to compete at the next level of competition. The feedback from students who attended the flag raising ceremony organised by the City of Whitehorse last Friday was positive.

We are off to the Immigration Museum this Friday. We will be travelling in on the tram and are excited about adding to our knowledge of Australia's migration story. Please make sure you are in full school uniform and have a raincoat as the weather can be changeable.

We are now starting our work on Fractions and Area and Perimeter in our Math sessions. We are working hard at getting our Confirmation candidates ready. Another note will follow by the end of the week with everything you need to know regarding the event.

Deb, Tanya and Mandy

YEAR 3/4 NEWS

Thank you to those parents and families who attended our District Cross Country last Tuesday. It was great to see so many parents and carers there to support all of St Benedict’s Primary School. A big congratulations to Henrik Thompson who came 3rd in the 9/10 boys and well done to everyone else who ran on the day.

In Religion we have been learning about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit continues to be active in people’s---- lives today.

In Reading, we have been learning to make connections with the text so that they can understand the text better. All students have been learning to make text to self connections (this is a connection between the text and your life), text to text connections (this is a connection between the text and another text), and text to world connections (this is a connection between the text and something in the world).

When reading with your child, you could ask them if there are any connections to help with comprehension.

In Writing, we have been learning to write from a character’s perspective so that they can understand the text better. Students have enjoyed using the DeBono Thinking Hats to think from various perspectives.

In Mathematics, we have been learning to use efficient mental and written strategies to work out addition and subtraction problems. We have been learning to use the Jump strategy, Split strategy, Compensation strategy and algorithms. We have just commenced learning about money and encourage you to support your child to pay and calculate change during your transactions at the shops.

In Inquiry, we have been learning about the First Fleet including the first people, the early explorers and European settlers.

3/4GL are presenting at Assembly on Friday so please come along if you can.

Thank you,

Grace, Sophie and Lorraine

NATIONAL SORRY DAY FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY

Last Friday, eight students, Jan Gee and myself went to the Nangnak Gardens at the Nunawading Civic Centre. We listened to a Welcome to Country and were part of a traditional smoking ceremony with a Wurundjeri Elder.

The flag raising ceremony was an opportunity for the community to acknowledge the grief and loss caused by past Australian government policies.

After this we wrote messages on ‘Bunjil’ the eagle and had an afternoon tea together. The students represented St Benedict’s in a wonderful manner.

Sophie Campbell

Diary Dates TERM TWO

June 1st Soccer Clinic Year Three to Six June 2nd Year Five & Six Excursion to

Immigration Museum 8:45 – 3:15pm

June 7th School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Professional Learning

9:00am – 3:30pm, Catholic Leadership Centre

June 8th Soccer Clinic Year Three to Six June 9th Curriculum Day Students to not attend school June 12th Queen’s Birthday Holiday June 13th Footy Clinic Whole school June 14th Confirmation Faith Night 7:00pm – 8:30pm, School Hall June 15th Soccer Clinic Year Three to Six June 16th Confirmation Reflection Day 8:45am – 3:15pm June 19th P&F Meeting 8:00pm in staffroom June 20th Footy Clinic Whole school June 23rd Feast of the Sacred Heart Mass 9:00am June 25th Confirmation 2:00pm, Parish Church

June 27th Footy Clinic Whole school

June 30th Term Two Concludes 3:15pm TERM THREE July 11th St Benedict’s Day July 17th Term Three Commences 8:45am July 18th Hooptime Years Three/Four July 21st St. Benedict’s Day Celebration

& Mass 9:00am

July 24th P&F Meeting July 27th Italian Day August 2nd First Eucharist Faith Night 7:00pm August 8th St. Benedict’s Athletics

Training Years Three to Six

August 11th First Eucharist Reflection Day August 13th First Eucharist 10:00am August 15th Feast of the Assumption

Whole school Mass 9:00am

August 18th Grandparents’ Day 9:00 to 11:00 am August 21st Book Week August 21st P&F Meeting 8:00pm in staffroom August 28th Curriculum Day Students do not attend school September 1st Father’s Day Breakfast & Mass September 11th Italian Poetry Competition September 14th Art Expo 2:30pm September 15th Art Expo Open Day 9:00am – 3:00pm September 18th P&F Meeting 8:00pm in staffroom September 22nd Term Three Concludes 3:15pm TERM FOUR October 9th Term 4 Commences 8:45am October 13th District Athletics October 16th P&F Meeting October 24th Andrew Chin Concert October 31st Prep 2018 Storytime 2:15 to 3:15pm November 6th Report Writing Students do not attend school November 7th Melbourne Cup Day Students do not attend school November 9th Prep 2018 Parent Info Dinner 7:30pm to 9:30pm November 11th Remembrance Day November 14th St. Benedict’s Sports Day November 16th Prep 2018 Orientation TERM FOUR cont’d November 20th P&F Meeting 8:00pm in staffroom November 23rd Prep 2018 Orientation November 24th Staff Planning Day Students do not attend school

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the Curriculum Day school closure day on Friday, June 9, 1/2B assembly will now take place Week 11.

FRIDAY MORNING ASSEMBLY

Week Six May 26 Year 1/2O

Week Seven June 2 Year 3/4GL

Week Eight June 9 Curriculum Day

Week Nine June 16 Year 3/4C

Week Ten June 23 Feast Sacred Heart Mass

Week Eleven June 30 Year 1/2B

CHICKEN DUTY 3rd & 4th June Docherty family

New volunteers are always welcome for weekends and school holidays. Please contact Lorraine Walker if you would like to be a volunteer.

TUCKSHOP – OPEN TOMORROW FRIDAY 2 JUNE

Shift One L. Sutherland, M. Filipovic, G. Walton, K. Hearn

Shift Two L. Sutherland, M. Filipovic, K. Woolwridge, S. Wearne

Tuckshop bags are available from the school office, $4 per pack. Please send correct money in an envelope marked with your eldest child’s name and class.

School Community Extend After School Care at St Benedict’s School WINTER HOLIDAY PROGRAM BOOKINGS ARE OPEN AT A SCHOOL NEAR YOU!

Book 14 days in advance to receive the lowest rate. Participate in our winter-themed activities, including science experiments to learn about animals with blubber, recreating a winter snowstorm in a jar, and participating in a snowman slam! Check out the daily schedule at your nearest program at extend.com.au and book via the Parent Portal.

PARENT PORTAL: extend.com.au

Student Awards

Congratulations to the following students

Prep/One F Owen T

Lebron R

Year One/Two B Chloe S

Patrick P

Year One/Two O Harriet Q

Isaac A

Year Three/Four GL Hana S

Michael Z

Year Three/Four C Sophia S

Rose M

Year Five/Six SP Aileen Y

Lachlan H

Year Five/Six T Alecia W Alessia T

Captain’s Award Stavros G