School Photos will be taken for all students on Wednesday 29 January. This includes individual, homeroom and sibling portraits. Please ensure your daughter is wearing full summer uniform. Shoes should be clean and hair tidy as per uniform requirements outlined in the Student Diary. Black leather regulation lace-up school shoes are required. Hair needs to be tied up and off the face with the school ribbon which will be given to your daughter on the 28 January; no other hair accessories please. All jewellery should be in line with the rules as per the Student Diary and the students should not be wearing make-up or nail polish. See information later in this newsletter on how to order your photos online, prior to the day.

Staffing update - Schools are dynamic places and our staffing has been very stable over many years. At the end of 2019 we had a number of staff retire or accept promotion in other schools. I am delighted to advise that we have been very fortunate to recruit an outstanding ensemble of new staff for 2020. Please see below the names of the new staff for 2020. I know our community will welcome these professionals to our community.

At the end of the 2019 Academic Year we were delighted to launch the College Learning Framework to the College community. The Framework has been based on our belief that learning at the College is inspired and informed by our Benedictine, Good Samaritan heritage. Our students are encouraged to contribute to our Catholic community with the gifts given to them and learn how to use these gifts to make a difference in the world. Learning at Mount St Benedict College is directed towards the communal seeking of God through the Catholic tradition. It is about enabling us to grow, as human beings and as disciples of Christ. It draws on the particular wisdom of the Benedictine, Good Samaritan tradition which calls us to ‘listen with the ear of the heart’ and be a neighbour to others, especially those in need. It is our intent to equip our students for the world beyond school: to instil in our students the understandings they need to build the knowledge and skills they will require to lead rewarding lives and make a meaningful contribution to the lives of others.

2020 will see an increased focus on and expansion of the Cocurricular Program at the College. Mrs Christina He is the newly appointed Leader of Cocurricular and will oversee the Academies of Sport, Dance, Music and the many other individual programs on offer such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Debating. Please feel free to contact her for more information on any of the programs available at che@msb.nsw.edu.au.

I encourage you to like us and follow us on Facebook. You do not need to “be on” Facebook to keep up to date with this public site. We place engaging content on the page most days in term time, with a view to keeping our community updated on the many exciting things happening at our school. https://www.facebook.com/mountstbenedictcollegepennanthills/

Should you have any concerns as the year progresses, please do not hesitate to make contact with the College staff. We seek to partner with you in your daughter’s education. I encourage you to contact your daughter’s Homeroom Mentor as the first point of contact for any pastoral matter or the class teacher for a subject related matter either by telephone or email.

If there is any way that I can be of assistance to you throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email.

Kind regards

Karen Keogh
Deputy Principal, Dean of Staff

The first term will also involve our commemoration of Ash Wednesday and our journey through the Season of Lent which will include our work with Caritas Australia through their Project Compassion Appeal. The Season of Lent will begin with Ash Wednesday on 26 February and continues until the end of term on 8 April when we will have our Holy Week liturgy. Throughout the six weeks of Lent, students will have a range of opportunities to reflect and to respond to the call of the Gospel. Our work with Caritas Australia and the Project Compassion Appeal will be a significant part of this response.

In the next few weeks, students in Year 10 will receive information about their residential Retreat which takes place from Wednesday 18 – Friday 20 March. We will also be inviting students across all year groups to take part in a range of reflection and outreach programs which are offered to meet the needs of students at different year levels.

Each week the College newsletter will contain information about upcoming events and initiatives which we trust will provide both challenging and enriching experiences for all members of our community.

Paul Lentern 
Dean of Mission

Our House system is designed to help students feel engaged and supported at school. If students have any concerns at all, they are encouraged to raise them with their Homeroom Mentor or Head of House as soon as possible. Often small concerns can be resolved before worry sets in.

One essential element for feeling at home is knowing who your “go-to people” are. Please feel free to contact your daughter’s Head of House if you have concerns for her wellbeing or her adjustment to the school year. You are welcome to phone them on 9980 0444 or email them.

I look forward to working with our staff and families as we support each one of our students in their learning journey in 2020.

With best wishes for the year ahead,

Jen Jarrett
Dean of Students

We welcome to our Teaching and Learning Team, Ms Corrina Bailey as our new Head of Technologies, and Mr Greg Hume, the new Head of HISE. The Teaching and Learning Team also comprises:

Along with myself as Chair we facilitate the leadership of teaching and learning in the College.

In 2020 we continue to build on the strategic and collaborative work in formative assessment practices which began last year, especially in Year 7 and 8. Research shows from the Dylan Wiliam Centre that over the course of a year the rate of learning where teachers use short and medium cycle formative assessment was double than found in other classrooms and that students were more engaged and teachers had increased professional satisfaction.

We will also continue to bring alive our new Learning Framework which embraces, embeds and integrates Teaching for Understanding, a Harvard based model, into our curriculum design and practice, Positive Education and our College values.

I welcome you again along the journey of your daughter's exciting adventure into the world of learning!

John Muskovits
Dean of Teaching and Learning

MYBennies - Year 7 Integrated Course

All Year 7 take part in a course called 'MYBennies' integrating the subjects Religious Education, Drama, PDHPE, TAS and Geography. This course is designed like no other course in school as it puts the focus on the student to take responsibility for their learning fostering the development of 21st century skills such as creativity, teamwork and independence.

STEM

Stage 4 students will be introduced to the notion of STEM, where they will investigate real-life problems using the knowledge and skills they have learned in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. This will include whole year group experiences such as STEM Challenge Days.

INSPIRE and TRANSFORM

During Term Four last year, all Year 9 students participated in a week of learning outside the classroom. Taking their learning into the real world, the girls were looking for inspiration found in the real world to help transform their lives and those of others. This was done by challenging them to see things differently, experience new things, meeting experts in various fields and spend time reflecting on their personal and shared values. The girls followed the themes; 'Empowering Australian Women' based in Canberra, 'Past, Present and Future Australia' based in Sydney, 'Sustainable Australia' based in Wollongong and 'Unique Australia' based in Sydney. During 2019 we have reviewed our residential programs and have decided that INSPIRE Week will be better suited to the start of Year 10. As a result, the next INSPIRE Week will take place for Year 10 during Term One in 2021.

REAL Program

Year 9 and 10 students will begin a course designed to further build their independence in learning and experience of everyday life issues. This will include areas such as 'how to budget', 'career pathways', 'life wellbeing', 'current affairs', 'how to change a car tyre' and further practical advice as they move through to adulthood.

Kevin Jones
Dean of Innovation

Opening Eucharist

On Friday 31 January our Opening Eucharist will be celebrated in the College Hall to mark the beginning of the new school year. This will take place at 9.30am with all students and staff in attendance. Family members are very welcome to join us for this occasion. Morning tea will be served for guests at the conclusion of the liturgy at approximately 10:45am.

Stationery

There are no stationary lists for Years 8-12. Teachers will advise students of their requirements during classes in the first few weeks.

Flexischools

The College has moved to Flexischools to order and pre-order items from the Canteen. Signing up is easy. Click here for further information on this system and visit www.flexischools.com.au to register. Follow the online prompts and enter in your daughter’s College ID to link her student ID card (the ID can be found on her card). 

Canteen

Click here to volunteer for the Canteen for 2020 by Monday 3 February.

Accessing the College Portal

For students new to the College, you will receive an email with your log-in details next week.
For current families, click here to access information on the College parent and student portal.

Fees

Each family will receive an itemised fee statement by post next week. Please fill in the form which accompanies the fees updating any contact details and return it to the College asap. Click here for a Direct Debit Request form.

Photo Day

School Photos will be taken for all students on Wednesday 29 January. This includes individual, homeroom and sibling portraits. Please ensure your daughter is wearing full summer uniform. Shoes should be clean and hair tidy as per uniform requirements outlined in the Student Diary. Black leather regulation lace-up school shoes are required. Hair needs to be tied up and off the face with the school ribbon which will be given to your daughter on the 28 January; no other hair accessories please. All jewellery should be in line with the rules as per the Student Diary and the students should not be wearing make-up or nail polish. See information later in this newsletter on how to order your photos online, prior to the day.

Please click here for the packages on offer for 2020. All orders are required to be ordered and paid for online including sibling photos by Wednesday 29 January. There will be no envelopes supplied.

To access the Advanced Life website and place your order, go to www.advancedlife.com.au, enter the code 'MFY 5A1 4FR' and follow the prompts.

Sibling Photos

Sibling photos will be taken on Wednesday 29 January at 1.30pm.

The Year 12 Group Photos

Year 12 group photos will be taken on a date to be advised in Term Two. 

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during Term Time between 8.00am and 4.00pm and is located directly opposite the Canteen. Orders can be made via Flexischools.

Have you Moved or Changed your Phone Number?

With your fee statement, you would have received a 2020 Student Contact Details sheet, please check this form and return it to Student Services. If you have moved and your daughter catches public transport, click here for transport and Opal Card information.

Absentee Requirements

If a student is absent from the school and will not be attending school on that day, a text message needs to be sent to 0407 461 087 notifying the school of this with a reason.

College Communication

To keep up to date with what's happening at the College, please like our Facebook page here, follow Twitter here and read the weekly College newsletter which is delivered via email each Friday afternoon.

Open Day

Save the date - Bennies is holding our annual Open Day on Sunday 1 March from 10.00am - 2.00pm. All welcome. 

Tell your friends with daughters currently in Year 5 that enrolments for Year 7 2022 are now opening and there are limited places available for Year 7 2021.  Prospective families can register to attend: https://enquiry.msb.nsw.edu.au/events

P&F Parent Year Co-ordinator/s

We would like to ask for parent volunteers to help organise a couple of events for each year group. This is not a time consuming job, and we welcome a couple of parents per year group to share the load. If you are interested please email: pandf@msb.nsw.edu.au

Hillsbus Timetable Changes

Please click here for an updated school bus advice sheet for Hillsbus services commencing Tuesday 28 January 2020.

Please note that there has been a minor change to Route 3550.

Important Message regarding Opal Cards

Students must have a valid Opal Card to travel on school buses and they are required to tap on and off both morning and afternoon.

From 28 January, drivers will give priority boarding to students with Opal Cards. This is a change in practice. 

Tuesday 28 January – first day for Years 7, 11 and 12

• Students should wear their full summer uniform and hat.
• Please arrive between 8:15am and 8:25am.
• Come to the Hildegard Deck at the back of the College. Parents are most welcome and we will have tea and coffee available. Students will be welcomed to the College in a special way at around 8:30am at which point parents will be free to leave. Listen out for announcements.
• Students should bring their recess, lunch and water bottle as well as a pencil case with pens, coloured textas, a glue stick and lead pencil. Students will not be using their laptop on this day.
• Year 7 students will be completing a series of interactive activities with their Peer Support Leaders throughout the day.
• Students should be aware of their travel arrangements for getting home. Activities will finish about 3pm with dismissal at 3:15pm.

Wednesday 29 January – first day for all students and 'Photo Day'

• Students should be at school before 8:30am and gather in the Hall Courtyard.
• This is “Photo Day”. Students will also spend time in their Homerooms and in House assembly. There will be no formal lessons. It’s a great day to spend getting to know new Year 7 students and the others in their Homeroom and House.
• Students should bring extra books to put in their locker on this day.

Thursday 30 January (Day 9 on the timetable)

• This is the full first day of timetabled lessons.
• Students should go to their lockers and unpack before 8:30am. They should collect their books and supplies for both Periods 1 and 2.
• Students should meet in the Hall Courtyard by 8:35am and wait for their Period 1 teacher who will come to collect them.
• There will be a Liturgy preparation session on this day. Details will be provided later.
• Period 5 will end at 3pm for Year 7 students so they have extra time to organise themselves at their lockers. They are not permitted to leave school until 3:15pm.

 Friday 14 February – Year 7 Welcome afternoon and P & F BBQ

• Regular lesson times for Periods 1, 2, Homeroom, 3, 4 and Lunch. Period 5 – Peer Support session. Details will come via email.
• After school, students will collect their bags from their locker and go to the Hall to get changed into casual clothes in the Hall change rooms and junior toilets. They should bring some clothes or hair decorations in their House colours.
• Please bring something to eat for afternoon tea and a full drink bottle. Afternoon tea will be in the Hall and Hall Courtyard.
• Activities and games will be run by the College Senior Leaders for all Year 7 in the Hall once afternoon tea has finished until about 5:30 - 6pm.
• Arrival time for Year 7 families is 6pm for the Welcome BBQ. This will begin at the Learning Tree outside the MSB Centre at 6:00pm sharp. We will then move to the Hall. The BBQ is being hosted by the P&F in the Hall Courtyard and is expected to finish at about 7:30 – 8:00pm.
• Click here for the permission note for Year 7 Welcome Afternoon. Please please complete by Wednesday 29 January.
• If you are yet to RSVP to the Welcome BBQ, please click here

Tuesday 18 February - Year 7 Family Information evening

A parent and daughter information evening has been planned to provide an overview and specific information regarding Year 7. The purpose of the evening is to give our Year 7 families advice and support as we all navigate our way through the transition to high school. The evening will cover aspects such as, but not limited to:

• Camp
• Upcoming events for Year 7
• Expectations and meeting the demands of high school life
• Study and organisational skills
• Importance of sleep and rest for wellbeing

Date:           Tuesday 18 February

Time:           6:00 - 7:30pm

Place:           College Hall

Attendees:    Year 7 girls and their parent/s (attendance is highly recommended)
Please bring your daughter’s Student diary, highlighter writing paper and a pen.

Dress:          School uniform for students
Tea and coffee will be provided

Save the date

• Friday 14 February - Period 5 and afternoon activities for Year 7 and P&F Welcome BBQ
• Tuesday 18 February - Year 7 Information Evening for parents and students
• Sunday 1 March - MSB Open Day
• Monday 2 March - MSB Swimming Carnival
• Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 March – Year 7 Camp. Further details will be provided soon.
• Monday 30 March - Year 7 Vaccinations (Round 1)

Wednesday 18 March - Friday 20 March - Year 8 Camp

Our Year 8 students will be heading to the Biloela campsite in the Belanglo State Forest for their camp in Term One. Further details will be provided soon.

P&F Welcome BBQ Volunteers

We are holding our Welcome BBQ for new members to the College on Friday 14 February and each year we have parent volunteers from Year 8 to help run this event. Your time is appreciated, so if you could please let us know your availability on: Try Booking. You can volunteer for more than one timeslot. Thank you very much for considering this opportunity to support this important College event.

Monday 24 February  - Year 10 Information Evening 7:00pm – 8:30pm.

18 March - 20 March  - Year 10 Retreat  

The Year 10 Retreat Experience is an integral part of the Faith Development program and will be held from Wednesday 18 March - Friday 20 March. Students will be organised into four groups. Each group will go to a different venue; however, the same program will be used at each location. During this time the students will have an opportunity to reflect on their life story: friends, family, and the experience of faith and of God in their lives. There will be time for quiet reflection, liturgy, group work, recreation and relaxation.

Your daughter will be emailed the permission note for you to complete shortly.

Friday 3 April - Paul Dillon Presentation

Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) will present to Year 10 on this day.

Community Outreach 

Community Outreach is an experience for students to respond to the invitation to live out our College values of Pax, Hospitality and Stewardship. Students gain an insight into the lives of those in our community who face the daily challenge of disadvantage.

Community Outreach is compulsory in Year 10 and 11. For further information about Community Outreach please see Firefly (Resources/Mission/Outreach and Service Learning) alternatively you can contact Mrs Philippa Mercer. More information will be sent out in the coming weeks.

Tuesday 28 January – “Achieving Your Personal Best” session with Dr Prue Salter

Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (ELES) will be presenting a workshop to Year 11 on the first day of school.

Please see the following link to her website. Slides from the presentation are available for students and parents at https://www.studyskillshandbook.com.au/

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Community Outreach

Community Outreach is an experience for students to respond to the invitation to live out our College values of Pax, Hospitality and Stewardship. Students gain an insight into the lives of those in our community who face the daily challenge of disadvantage.

Community Outreach is compulsory in Year 10 and 11. For further information about Community Outreach please see Firefly (Resources/Mission/Outreach and Service Learning) alternatively you can contact Mrs Philippa Mercer. More information will be sent out closer to the time.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Year 11 Parent Teacher Evening will be held on Wednesday 1 April, 4:00pm – 8:30pm.

Tuesday 28 January – “Achieving Your Personal Best” session with Dr Prue Salter

Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (ELES) will be presenting a workshop to Year 11 on the first day of school.

Please see the following link to her website. Slides from the presentation are available for students and parents at:

https://www.studyskillshandbook.com.au/

user name: formsbenonly 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Year 12 Parent Teacher Evening will be held on Monday 9 March, 4:00pm – 8:30pm.

Friday 3 April  - Paul Dillon Presentation

Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) will present to Year 12 on this day.

Year 12 Retreat – 29 April - 1 May

Further details will be provided soon.