St Bede's Catholic College Newsletter 11 - 28th July 2023

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – JOHN MURPHY

PRAYER

Lord God almighty,  
bless our grandparents and  
elderly members of the community  
with happiness and health.  
May they remain constant in your love,  
and be living signs of your presence  
to their children and grandchildren.  
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  
Amen
St Bede… Pray for us

WELCOME BACK 

Term 3 has commenced smoothly with staff and students quickly getting back into the routine of teaching and learning. We wish all our students the best for the term ahead, particularly our Year 12 students who will complete their last term of schooling. We look forward to the celebrations of our foundation students graduating whilst keeping them focused on their HSC preparation. 

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY 

Last Sunday 23 July was World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which was initiated three years ago by Pope Francis. The 2023 theme is “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50) which emphasises the importance of dialogue between generations. 

We give thanks and pray to all our past and present grandparents for their gifts, wisdom, and support. Below is an artwork and prayer as we honour all the grandparents in our lives who gave so much for their children and grandchildren. 

BACK FIELD 

In good news, the back field had significant work completed over the holidays and is now in full use. The water retention issue that had caused issues appears to be resolved. Patch-up work and mowing were completed over the holidays and the turf has taken well with the mix of sunshine and showers. This area is now being used for PE classes, sport activities on Friday afternoons, and by students during their break times.  

NEW CLEANING COMPANY 

A new cleaning company, Ventia, commenced at the start of the last holidays. Ventia is a large-scale cleaning company that was highly recommended by the Diocese. A deep clean was completed over the holidays with the school brought up to our required cleaning standard. The site is being cleaned before and after school each day. The high standard of cleaning now being provided is helping to keep our wonderful facilities well maintained. 

STAFF NEWS 

During the July break, two of our teaching staff, Ms Lauren Power and Ms Tamara Powell, travelled to Canberra to present at the AATA/ALEA National Conference. This three-day conference is for Literacy Educators and the Teaching of English and Ms. Power and Ms. Powell’s presentation was titled “Innovating and Integrating – Making Literacy Meaningful”. It showcased the teaching and learning and educational practice of our Stage 4 Humanities Team. The experience was both rewarding and successful and it was livestreamed to a wider online audience of the conference. 

The College received feedback from other educators that the extent of our curriculum integration and innovation in Humanities is unique and that others wish to learn from our approach and its focus on developing literacy in our students. 

PARENT FORUM 

The Term 3 Parent Forum will be held on Wednesday 16 August. These term meetings are an important form of parent engagement and as such you are warmly invited to attend. The meeting will commence in the College Library at 6.00pm and will finish shortly after 7.00pm. To access the library, walk up the main path to the Benedict Building and turn left into the first room at the top of the stairs. Staff will also be located outside the Office to assist you in locating the library if required. No registration is required to attend so simply turn up if you would like to join us.  

SAFEGUARDING 

For some free, reliable, up-to-date, and independent information to help families grow and thrive together please refer to the Raising Children website. 

This site is funded by the Australian Government and is designed for busy families.  There are some excellent user-friendly tips and interactive resources tailored to different ages and stages.  Access to this site can be found as a related link in the Child Protection section, located under the ‘Student Life’ tab on the College Website. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Assistant Principal Report – Brett Donohoe and Emma South

Period Positivity 

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education and inadequate toilet facilities.  It is also the stigma and feelings of shame and embarrassment of a normal bodily function, and subsequent impacts on mental health.   

In 2022 students from St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul advocated for female hygiene products to be made available in school toilets to provide access, equity and dignity to students who menstruate. A Diocese-wide working group was formed to investigate the impact of period poverty in our schools and lead the way in addressing the issues by exploring the feasibility of:  

1. Installing free period products in dispensing machines in our schools, aligned with the placement of the sanitary bins. 
2. Developing an awareness education program for schools in conjunction with the syllabus. 
3. Developing a policy that will help reinforce the promotion of dignity, gender equality and reproductive health.

The working group soon developed an initiative called Period Positivity. The initiative 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 Booragul, trialling the installation of sanitary dispensing machines with the provision of free sanitary products at the school.  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 Bede’s Catholic College starting Monday 3 July 2023. 

• 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 students. Professional Learning resources will enable teachers to be competent and confident to deliver educational materials such as Menstrual health; information about periods and anatomy, dispelling myths, products, accessibility, gender equity and promoting dignity. 

For more information, please click on the link below.

NAPLAN Results 

Our Year 7 and 9 students received their NAPLAN results on Wednesday this week. As a College, we will analyse the data from these tests to identify the needs of cohorts and the individuals within them to ensure we meet any learning needs that are present. 

Please find the link below to read the Parent Information sheet for parents and carers.

There is also a helpful video about reading the NAPLAN individual student report. 

Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations 

On Tuesday 25 July our Year 12 students were presented with specific information on the processes and protocols that will be in place for their upcoming trial examinations. A reminder that these examinations will commence Monday 31 July and conclude Friday 11 August.

Please see attached the timetable. Each student’s personalised timetable will also become visible via Compass prior to the examinations. 

Students must present in full school uniform when they are visiting the College. They are expected to be at school at least 15 minutes before their scheduled examination. In the event they have two examinations in one day, they are to remain at school between their examinations.  

Should a student be absent from an examination due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness it is important parents let the school office know by 8.30am on the morning of the day of the examination. Alternative arrangements for the student to sit a catch-up paper will then be communicated to the student via Compass. Students have been asked to read their Compass timetable each morning. It is important students submit a completed Illness Misadventure form with evidence on the morning of their return to school. 

We wish our Year 12 students every success in their upcoming examinations. 

Stage 5 Elective Information Evening 

On Tuesday 25 July, we welcomed Year 8 students and their families into the College to learn about the range of Elective Subjects on offer for 2024. As we grow, and our specialist spaces are completed, we have been able to add new subjects each year and we are excited to confirm that students will have fourteen different subjects to select from.  

The evening was well attended, and our Year 8 students were able to meet with both specialist teachers and the students who already study these subjects to get an authentic student perspective about the learning opportunities available. Thank you to those students from Years 9, 10 and 11 who supported us on this evening and made it so worthwhile for our Year 8s.

We will be able to confirm the subjects for each student in Year 9 2024 later in the term. 

Catholic Formation and Mission – Andrew Slater

St Dominic’s Feast Day 

On Thursday 3 August, the College will join with the rest of the Australian Church in celebrating the Feast of St Dominic. St Dominic was the founder of the Order of Preachers, whose motto is ‘Veritas’, Latin for truth, as Dominic wanted his order to spread the Truth of Christ to all people.

On St Dominic’s Feast Day, all students are encouraged to wear RED and make a gold coin donation to the Mission to Seafarers at the Port of Newcastle. There will also be a fundraising BBQ, with sausage sandwiches for $2.50 (cash only). 

The Port of Newcastle is the largest on the Australian east coast, with over 4100 ship movements per year, transporting 145 million tonnes of cargo. Thousands of seafarers pass through the Port of Newcastle each year. Seafarers spend many weeks at sea, separated from their families, under challenging and dangerous conditions. The Mission to Seafarers, based in Wickham, provides essential support to these seafarers, helping to uphold their dignity as people made in the image and likeness of God. Mission to Seafarers Newcastle is an ecumenical collaboration between the Anglican and Catholic Churches and is celebrating its 150^th anniversary in 2023. Mission to Seafarers responds with loving care to the seafarers, by providing spiritual, social, medical and material support. 

More information can be found by clicking on the link below.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults  

Are you interested in becoming a Catholic? The Chisholm region is holding an enquiry evening for those people who are interested in finding out more about the process. Please see the flyer below for more details. 

Fr Richard Lennan Workshops 

Fr. Richard Lennan will be visiting the Diocese this August. During his stay he is offering several workshops and presentations: 

• Tuesday 15 August - The Church: Foundations, Challenges, and Possibilities – Maitland Gaol – 9.30am-3.30pm 
• Wednesday 16 August - Shaping the Church’s Future: The Grace of Creative Faithfulness – Sacred Heart Cathedral – 6.00pm-7.00pm 

To register please click on the link below.

Activ8 Youth Adoration 

LEARNING DOMAIN

Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement – Nicholas Marsh         

With the Trial HSC Examination Period beginning in Week 3, students should be busy revising and preparing for their final school-based assessment tasks at St. Bede’s Catholic College. In advising students on some of the ways to ensure they are balanced in their approach to this busy time, students are reminded to remember this alphabetical guide to keeping bodies and minds in sync:

Appreciate                                        Nourish body and soul
Build something                               Observe
Connect                                            Plant a seed
Do what is difficult                           Question
Explore                                             Read
Forgive                                             Stretch
Gather                                              Try something new
Honour                                            Unplug
Ignore the sceptics                          Value
Just be                                             Wonder
Know you are loved                         Xpress your gratitude
Listen                                                Yes to adventure
Make                                                Zzzzz – get enough!

As this is the final Newsletter article for the foundation cohort at St Bede’s Catholic College, I’d like to use this opportunity to acknowledge the perseverance and commitment the cohort has taken to all aspects of school life – not only this year, but throughout their time at the college. Not only am I proud of their achievements inside and outside the classroom, but also of the relationships they have established with peers and staff. I’d also like to acknowledge the parents and carers for your support and trust in the college.

We look forward to celebrating the cohort’s successes at the events outlined below: 

Graduation/Formal: Please take particular note of the dates below and the recent correspondence (available on Compass) about end-of-year events for Year 12.  

Important Dates for the Remainder of 2023 

Graduation: Friday 22 September, 6:30pm at NEX, Newcastle 
Formal: Friday 10 November, 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Ben Ean Winery & Vineyard, Hunter Valley 

A reminder to all parents/ carers, if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s wellbeing, please don’t hesitate in contacting me on (02)4088 8222 or at nicholas.marsh@mn.catholic.edu.au 

Marine Studies – Liane Buckley

Year 9 Marine students enjoyed a busy Semester 1 completing the Core Module which included water safety and an introduction to snorkelling.

During Term 2 students constructed glass aquariums in which 4 Betta Fish (commonly known as fighting fish) are now inhabiting.  

World Environment Day 2023 aimed to raise awareness of plastic pollution. Students constructed marine creatures (jellyfish, turtle and whale shark) from recycled plastic used at school and around the home.  

Religious Studies – Sara Rowley

The beginning of a new semester is a great time to remember the importance of Religious Studies within our suite of subjects at St. Bede’s.  

Religious Studies sets us apart as a Catholic College and is one of the core subjects of study for students at St. Bede’s. Regardless of background, all students are invited to the rich dialogue that occurs in the Religious Studies classroom. Religious Studies gives students the opportunity to explore topics that connect the teachings of the Church with our lived experiences in 2023, such as social justice, the search for meaning and caring for our environment.  

Religious Studies is an important element in Catholic Education, where we believe in educating the whole person. In a Religious Studies class, students can grow in their ability to contribute to our world in a real and positive way. Religious Studies is part of the faith life of our College and an important element of what makes our Catholic community so unique and special.  

Our Religious Studies teachers have specialty education and training and undertake regular professional development. Teachers care deeply about the subject and student success within it. Students are encouraged to set fresh goals for Semester 2, keeping in mind the great importance of Religious Studies. Students should aim to engage in their lessons fully, think deeply and complete assessment tasks to the best of their ability.  

As the family are the first educators, your ongoing support of the Religious Studies subject area at St. Bede’s is important and appreciated. 

Visual Arts – Leisha Young   

During Semester 1 our Year 8 students worked with dedication and focus to create realistic Self Portrait drawings for their first (very challenging) unit of work in Visual Arts. Using their school photo as a reference, students employed the traditional grid method with blending sticks, progressos and shading techniques to create likeness and realism.  

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the following students for having their Self Portrait drawing selected to be hung in Mr Murphy’s Office: 

This is a new initiative designed to showcase the talent and creativity of our fine artists, whilst simultaneously enhancing Mr Murphy’s office spaces with examples of the life and learning here at St Bede’s. What an honour for the students to see their work professionally mounted and displayed in such an important place. Well done to our Year 8 artists. I look forward to bringing you more artworks from the office! 

SERVICE & GOVERNANCE DOMAIN

School Fees – Kylie Murray  

If you indicated that you were paying your school fees in full this was to be completed by 30 June and now considered overdue. 

If you are making regular payments towards your annual fees, these regular payments should have commenced by 31 March with all fees to be completed by the end of November.  

For those families that have not commenced a payment plan or reached out for an appointment, you are currently outside of a payment term, and you are reminded that this is a requirement of enrolment. Please contact the Finance team immediately if you need any assistance in calculating a regular amount to get a payment plan in place or if you require a meeting with the Principal. 

For any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the Finance team. 
finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au 

Other News

Canteen Helpers Needed

Immunisations – NSW Health

School Student Travel May 2023

Williamson International – Uniform Queries

All uniform queries are to be directed to Williamson International.

Williamson International Contact Details:

Phone: 1800 815 571
Email: greg@williamson.com.au

Online Uniform Orders: