St Benedict's Catholic College

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope the recent break provided your families with time to relax and recharge. The start of this term is always filled with energy and focus, setting the benchmark for the remainder of the academic year.

First and foremost, on behalf of our entire staff and school community, I want to extend our warmest encouragement to our Year 12 students as they begin their Trial Higher School Certificate (HSC) Examinations.

The Trial HSC is a major milestone. It is a rigorous test not only of subject knowledge, but of exam stamina, time management, and resilience. To the Class of 2026, you have dedicated months to preparing, revising, and refining your skills. Approach each paper with calm confidence, trust in the foundation you have built, and remember that these exams are a crucial rehearsal designed to show you where you shine and where to focus your final efforts. We are immensely proud of your dedication. Take a deep breath, look after your physical and mental wellbeing, and give each exam your absolute best effort.

Term 3 is traditionally our most academic and structured term. As Year 12 models focus and determination in their exams, every year group across the school has an important role to play in setting a positive, productive tone:

• Year 7: Having settled into secondary school life, Term 3 is about building consistency. We expect Year 7 students to solidify their daily homework habits, sharpen their organisational skills, and actively contribute to the classroom community.
  
  
• Year 8: Term 3 is about stepping up standards. As emerging leaders of the junior school, students are encouraged to deepen their engagement, take pride in the quality of their work, and maintain strong routines in literacy and numeracy.
  
  
• Year 9: Term 3 marks a shift toward increased independence and academic ownership. Now is the time to stretch your learning, seek constructive feedback from teachers, and prepare for the responsibilities that lie ahead.
  
  
• Year 10: I would like to extend a warm congratulations to our Year 10 students for the mature and thoughtful approach they demonstrated during the recent subject selection process. Choosing senior pathways is a significant milestone, and the focus you showed in planning your educational futures was commendable. A special thank you goes to Mrs Wendy Fawbert for her exceptional organisation, guidance, and dedication in leading this crucial process. Navigating subject options and career pathways takes immense preparation, and Mrs Fawbert’s tireless efforts ensured our students and families felt supported every step of the way. This Term is an important opportunity to continue to work hard and consolidate your learning.
  
  
• Year 11: With Year 12 focused on their trials, Year 11 now steps up as the senior role models at the College. Crucially, Term 3 is the final term of Preliminary HSC coursework. Year 11 students must maintain strong attendance, refine their study schedules, and prepare thoroughly for their upcoming Preliminary assessments in September.

A strong partnership between school and home is vital to our students' success. Parents and carers, your support in maintaining regular routines, ensuring punctual attendance, monitoring home study schedules, and encouraging balanced screen time makes a world of difference.

Kind regards,
Michael Turner

Welcome back to Term 3, it has been great to see our students return for a new Semester and settle into learning for a new term.

Last week we had the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our 7-10 students in the Semester One Academic Awards ceremonies.

This year, the award ceremonies were presented in Stage groups - Year 7 & 8 in period 1, and Years 9 & 10 in period 2.

It was fabulous to present so many awards to students, who were genuinely delighted in celebrating their efforts over the course of Semester One.

We were joined by over 400 parents and carers to celebrate these achievements.

Success can look different for each of our students, and as we commence a new Semester together, each student is encouraged to set about achieving their personal best and to work proactively with their teachers to achieve their potential.

Last week I also joined our College Captains at the Campbelltown Catholic Club Mass. Our College Captains represented our St Benedict’s community with pride, along with both primary and secondary students from Catholic schools in the Macarthur region.

This week, we wish our Year 12 students well as they commence their Trial HSC Exam period. Over the next two weeks, students will engage in various HSC tasks, as one of the final major steps as they journey towards completing their HSC.

Best wishes to all our Year 12 students.

Kind regards,
Jennifer Lowe

Throughout this year, I, along other Bennies students from years 11 and 12, have been extremely fortunate enough to participate in the Interfaith Encounter, a “joint educational and dialogue program” run in partnership with Catholic Mission, Western Sydney University, and other groups. This being a program in which St Benedict’s Catholic College, Unity Grammar (Islamic school) as well as several other Catholic and Islamic high schools got together to talk about differences, learn about each other’s faith, break down stereotypes, build cross-cultural friendships, and explore deeply shared values.

Activities and opportunities to meet one another have been spanning out across months, but one of the most notable experiences was on Monday, 27th July.

On this day, all the schools that have been involved in the Encounter, both Catholic and Islamic high schools, met up with one another in our college hall, which we were lucky enough to host for the day. This gave us the opportunity to meet new people and members of the initiative, as well as make new friends and hear more stories.

The day started off with an ice-breaker, in which we were all given a chance to select a single card in which a value/trait was written on it (e.g, “Kindness”, “Loyalty”) and we were called to go up to people we haven’t met before, and explain the importance of the virtue, how it is lived it, among other questions which inspired thoughtful conversation and helped make the overall environment quite comfortable. Only after, were we asked to form a table group with members from the range of these schools and rank chosen values ranging from 1 (being most important) to 4 (equally as important, just on a scale). The team I was with copied the answers from the table next to us, and still lost! Different schools, different faiths, same mind. It was quite a funny experience, but alas, not rewarding.

There was also an opportunity that I was extremely providential to partake in; the ‘Q & A’ panel. One member from each of the participating schools was nominated to represent their school on the panel, answering questions on our respective activities completed throughout the year and our appreciation of the Encounter itself. We then engaged in an activity on creating a visual representation of a scenario and a solution on racism, discrimination, or other issues such as climate change or pollution.

And finally, the fan favourite; we immersed ourselves in delicious Turkish food that I can guarantee was an amazing way to end the day with new and existing friends we’ve all made along this admirable and perspective-changing journey.

The Interfaith Encounter is an experience I truly enjoyed, and I’m sure you all would if it is something you sign up for in the future. If I got the opportunity to partake in it again, I happily would. The things you learn from new people you meet, a faith you’re unfamiliar with, and concepts/values that one holds, is beautiful. And it’s worth? Priceless.

- Arshnoor Kaur, Year 11

Kind regards,

Melissa Ghignone

Kind regards,

Wendy Fawbert

Welcome back to Term 3! As we begin a new term, we are pleased to welcome the warmer weather and longer days that accompany the Winter to Spring season. We hope our students and families enjoyed a well-deserved break and return to school feeling refreshed and ready for the opportunities ahead.

Term 3 provides an important opportunity for students to reflect on their Term 2 reports and consider the progress they have made so far this year. Reports offer valuable insight into students’ strengths, achievements and areas for continued growth. We encourage students to use this feedback as a positive tool for setting goals, developing motivation and identifying practical steps to support their ongoing academic progress. Every student has the capacity to grow, and small, consistent efforts can make a significant difference over time.

Attendance and active presence in the classroom will continue to be a significant focus this term. Regular attendance and meaningful participation in learning are essential for students to maintain continuity, build confidence and achieve their academic and personal goals. We encourage students and families to prioritise regular attendance and to communicate with the school when support is required.

We will also continue to promote consistency in our school uniform. Wearing the correct uniform with pride supports a strong sense of belonging, school identity and readiness for learning. We thank families for their ongoing support in reinforcing these expectations at home.

As we move through Term 3, we remain committed to strengthening the connections between students, teachers, families and the wider community. When students feel known, valued and supported, they are better placed to flourish and thrive. By working together, we can create a holistic and supportive environment that promotes student wellbeing, engagement, belonging and success.

We look forward to a positive and productive Term 3 and to continuing to work in partnership with our students, families and community to support every student to reach their potential.

Parents and carers are invited by the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW to attend Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World, an opportunity to connect, learn and explore practical strategies to support children and young people in today’s changing world.

Key topics will include:

• Strengthening partnerships between families and schools

• Managing behaviour with confidence and compassion

• Supporting children through anxiety while building resilience

• Fostering respectful relationships

• Understanding the role of artificial intelligence in education

• Nurturing family values in a changing world

The event provides an opportunity for parents and carers to hear from engaging speakers, connect with other families and explore practical ideas that support student wellbeing, development and success.

📅 Saturday, 22 August 2026

For further information and registration details, please visit the Eventbrite event page.

At times, children and young people may benefit from support beyond the school environment. Building a strong network of trusted adults and professional supports can help students feel connected, understood and better equipped to manage challenges.

Students may be able to access CatholicCare counselling through the College. Families can contact the College to discuss requesting this support for their child and to be added to the waitlist.

A good first step is to make an appointment with your family General Practitioner (GP) to discuss your concerns. Your GP can provide guidance about appropriate services and may be able to develop a Mental Health Treatment Plan where appropriate, which can assist with accessing eligible psychological services.

Your GP can also help you identify services that are suitable for your child or young person. Local options may include Headspace Narellan and Headspace Oran Park, as well as other community-based services.

For families seeking more affordable online psychology support, Someone.health may also be an option, with bulk-billed services available for eligible individuals and appointments subject to availability.

At St Benedict's Catholic College, we value working in partnership with families to support the wellbeing and success of every student. We are pleased to share a free learning opportunity that may be of interest to parents and carers.

The Think Sensory Summit is a free online event being held from 16–19 November 2026, bringing together leading Australian and international experts in sensory processing, neurodiversity, emotional regulation, behaviour, and child development.

The summit will provide practical, evidence-based strategies to help parents better understand and support children who may experience sensory differences, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, demand avoidance, or challenges with engagement at home and school. Topics also include fostering resilience, strengthening relationships, supporting communication, and promoting positive wellbeing through connection-based approaches.

Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or simply experiences challenges with regulation, learning or emotions, this summit offers valuable insights and practical tools that can be applied in everyday family life.

Registration is free, with each day's presentations available to view online for 24 hours, making it easy for busy families to access sessions at a time that suits them.

To find out more or register, visit the Think Sensory Summit website

https://thinksensory.com/summit-registration-season-2/

On Monday 10 August, Year 7 students have the option of being vaccinated provided parent/carers consent has been given online.

• One injection

This vaccine is offered to boys and girls in Year 7, to protect against cancers caused by HPV such as cervical cancer, head and neck cancers, genital cancers, and genital warts. These illnesses can affect people of all genders. The vaccine is given to boys and girls in Year 7 to ensure maximum protection before potential exposure to the virus. Without a vaccination program, 4 out of 5 people will be infected with HPV over their lifetime.

• One injection
• 3-in-1 teenage booster

This vaccine boosts immunity from the childhood vaccines given at age 4–5 and provides continued protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).

The Year 7 dTpa dose is an important adolescent booster, especially as immunity to tetanus and whooping cough decreases over time. Maintaining protection during adolescence helps prevent the spread of these serious diseases.

Parents/Carers Remember:

If you're not at school on vaccination day, don't worry. You can catch up at a future school clinic, or you can get a free vaccine at your local GP.

Parents/guardians can consent online at any time. However, to help our school vaccination team with clinic planning, we kindly ask that you can do the online consent as soon as possible.

How to provide consent for your child’s school vaccinations:

1. To complete online consent, visit https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school_vaccination

2. Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to the instructions on this website to create one: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/myservicenswaccount/how-to-create-an-account

3. Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW, if needed.

4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child. You will need to:

a. enter your child’s personal details

b. provide the Medicare card details for you and your child

c. read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement

d. give separate consent for each recommended vaccine

Kind regards,

Madeleine Marks

Information in this calendar list is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice.

Term 2026

• Monday 3 August to Monday 17 August - Trial HSC Exams
• Monday 3 August - Coastal White Card Training (Selected students)
  
• Monday 3 August - Year 10 Visual Arts Excursion
• Tuesday 4 August - All Year 11 - Elevate Study Skills Session (Strive & Period 1)
• Wednesday 5 & Thursday 6 August - Year 7 Zoomobile Excursion
• Thursday 6 August - Year 10 MISA Public Speaking
• Monday 10 August - Optional School Vaccination Program - Year 7
  
• Staff Development Day - No students onsite - Friday 21 August

School Holidays Term 3

• Monday 28 September to Sunday 11 September 2026

Term 4 2026

• Monday 12 October - All students return for Term 3

Late last term our Year 11 Hospitality Food and Beverage students gained valuable real-world experience through their industry Work Placements. Working alongside hospitality professionals in cafés, restaurants and clubs allows students to put their classroom learning into practice while developing the skills employers are looking for.

Work placement provides students with hands-on experience in customer service, food and beverage preparation, teamwork, communication and workplace safety. It also helps build confidence, professionalism and a strong work ethic in a real hospitality environment.

For many students, work placement is more than just a learning opportunity, it can be the first step towards future employment. By making positive impressions and demonstrating their skills, students often create valuable industry connections that may lead to casual, part time or even full time employment after school.

We are proud of the way our students have represented St Benedicts and Hospitality.

Kind regards,

Mrs Simich

Year 8 are learning about energy transformations. This week they have been investigating the relationship between mechanical and gravitational potential energy using pendulums.

Kind regards,
Ms Lockhart

Students should be rehearsing daily for the following important dates:

• Trial HSC Theory: See Trial exam timetable
• Showcase performance: Date TBA due to NESA release
• HSC Practical: Term 3, Week 8
• HSC Theory: HSC Exam timetable

Students are busily working finalising their Body of Works (major works).

• BOW Due: Monday 31st August, 2026
• Trial HSC Theory: See Trial exam timetable
• Exhibition Showcase: Date TBA due to NESA release
• HSC Theory: HSC Exam Timetable

Archibald Prize Excursion:

• Monday 3rd August - See COMPASS for more details

For all CAPA information please contact Mrs Koryzma on koryzmaj01@dow.catholic.edu.au

Kind regards,

Mrs Koryzma

A selection of fiction books exploring Virtual Reality and Social Media

Discover a curated collection featuring fiction, biographies, and autobiographies centered on iconic sporting figures.

HOW TO ORDER

AFTER YOU HAVE ACCESSED OLIVER VIA COMPASS THEN LOG IN AND THEN CLICK THE UBER BOOKS ICON

* SELECT YOUR FLAVOUR (GENRE) FROM THE WEEKLY SPECIALS OR FROM THE MENU

* CHOOSE YOUR DISH (BOOK)

* CLICK ON THE 'DISH' (BOOK) TO SELECT IT

* YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK BY SELECTING 'PREVIOUS PAGE'

* HIT RESERVE - IF YOU SEE A RED CROSS OR RED BASKET ICON THIS MEANS SOMEONE ELSE HAS RESERVED IT - MAYBE CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE TO AVOID A LONG WAIT

* SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR DELIVERY

Registration for this event can take place anytime - all you need to do is come to the Library to sign up and remember any books read since last September can be included in your reading log for 2026.

For more information, contact the Library staff.

Summary: Brings together major pieces from the National Gallery of Victoria’s globally recognised collection of works by Indigenous artists in an unprecedented presentation of first Nations Australian art and design.

Happy reading,

The Library Team

Start Your Journey with WorldSkills Australia at competitions held in one of 34 Australian regions. The WorldSkills Competitions are a one-day event, designed to test your VET skills and knowledge against other apprentices, trainees and students!

Competitors have the opportunity to win gold, silver or bronze medals and gain the chance to go on to compete at a national and international level, all participants will receive a certificate of participation to add to their resume!

The 2026 WorldSkills Regional competition round will run across the country from Feb – Oct 2026.

Visit: https://www.worldskills.org.au/get-involved/compete/ to get involved!

At assembly last Tuesday we were able to acknowledge our Age Champions from our college Athletics Carnival held last term.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 College Athletics Carnival Age Champions.

Kind regards,

Mr Zahra

Please note that collecting students during Tuesday sports sessions can be challenging, as many activities take place off-site.

We kindly ask parents and carers to avoid arranging pick-ups during this time. School sport is a compulsory part of the curriculum, and all students are expected to attend.

For extended absences (of more than 5 school days) due to travel, parents must submit the Notification of Extended Absence form along with relevant travel documentation. This documentation should include: Dates, locations of travel, purpose and reasons for travel outside school holidays.

The new online Notification of Extended Absence form is user-friendly and simplifies the process for parents, eliminating the need for printing or downloading documents. Now, parents can conveniently complete the application entirely online.

Extended Absence Online Notification Link

Eligible cards are automatically updated for the new school year, so you'll only need to apply if you're:
Applications are open for students who are:

- applying for a school travel pass for the first time

- changing name, school and/or address or

- requesting an extra pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation

We encourage all students to check the new timetables for their school on our website: https://nsw.transitsystems.com.au/schools to confirm any changes to their journey.

Students can also check timetables at https://transportnsw.info/routes/bus or use the Trip Planner at https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip to check the times of the bus(es) they catch. Be sure to change the date in the options (to 1 December or later), and if using the Trip Planner, click “refine” and add “school bus” to ensure dedicated school services appear as a travel option.

We hope this information assists.

Step 1 - Register

Open your Flexischools app or use their website:

App Store - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/flexischools/id1420774608

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?gl=US&hl=en_AU&id=com.flexischools
Website - https://user.flexischools.com.au/register

1. Submit your email to create an account

2. In your inbox, open the registration email

3. Click the link within and follow registration prompts in app

Step 2 - Setting up your child's details

Once your account is set up, log into your Flexischools app.

1. Select 'Profile' icon on the bottom right hand side of the screen

2. Under 'Students' click 'Add new'

3. Enter your child's name, school, year level, class & student card number*
* This card number is on the back of your child's Compass Card (10 digits)

Step 3 - Order and pay with ease!
Here's how to order food on Flexischools

1. Click 'Order food' top of app home screen

2. Select the student you'd like to order for

3. Choose a service (break 1 - recess) or (break 2 - lunch) and order date

4. Select any items you'd like to order

5. Once finished, click 'view order'

6. Select 'Checkout & pay' to place the order

When using the Compass App:

1. At the bottom of the screen, select the 'more' option

2. Select the 'Open in Browser' option

3. On the top right hand of the screen click the 'clog symbol'

4. A drop down menu appears and select 'CompassIdentity Card'

5. Click 'Order New Card'

5. Under 'Payment' click the 'Order Now' button

6. An $11.80 (including GST) fee applies and once paid it will take up to 7 school business days to arrive at school

7. The office will send an email to the student when it arrived and the student will need to collect from the Student Foyer.

Remember when the new Compass Card arrives, to update your 10 digit code on the back of the card with Flexischools.

This is a friendly reminder that students are not to carry medication with them on site, with the exception of an EpiPen and/or Ventolin. If your child is required to take any medication during school hours this must be provided to the office by a parent/carer accompanied by the completed Request to Administer Medication Form attached below.

For all things related to the College BYODD Program, please visit the College BYODD Site. Here you will find all information relating to the BYODD Program including device requirements, Apple Care + and how to configure your device for use at the College.

For questions relating to BYODD, please contact the College or email:

https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/byoddsbcc/it-support

Please click the below for the latest newsletter:

Year 12 students who attended the incursion were informed about the Step into Teaching Program. The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDOW) is investing in the next generation of educators by offering "Step into Teaching" scholarships to Year 12 students across all Catholic secondary schools in the diocese who are ready to pursue a career in primary or secondary teaching. This comprehensive program provides a guaranteed career path, paid work experience, and ongoing system support to guide students into the profession. Additionally, successful applicants will receive financial assistance of $20,000 distributed over four years to support them throughout their teacher education journey.

In addition to these structural supports, students received direct assistance from University of Notre Dame representatives, who guided them through the early entry application process and highlighted available university scholarships. This hands-on guidance gave students a distinct advantage, demystifying the transition to higher education and opening up clear pathways to secure both their university placement and financial backing before completing their final exams.

Sydney Trains is offering amazing array of apprenticeships & cadetships. It is a wonderful place to work – and the jobs from outdoors on the lines to managing the networks have a common purpose to keep Sydney moving. It is a fabulous & supportive community!

• Sydney Trains Apprenticeships open in GDrive
• Sydney Trains Apprenticeships open in Dropbox

Congratulations to students being selected to participate in the Fast Forward program. Students were excited to be invited to the Western Sydney University Fast Forward Welcome To Western evening.

The evening is to officially welcome our 2026 Year 9 students and their parents/carers to the Fast Forward Program. The Welcome to Western evening is an opportunity to acknowledge the student’s commitment to the program and to offer parents and students more information about the benefits of university study and the Fast Forward program.

In New South Wales (NSW), all students are required to complete Year 10. Click on the below fact sheet to see what options you have for completing Year 10 or options after completing Year 10.

Mrs Brown

Transition & Pathways (TaP's) Adviser

As we move through the winter respiratory illness season, NSW Health is encouraging families to take simple steps to protect themselves and others from influenza (flu).

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can spread quickly in schools and other settings where people are in close contact. While many people recover at home, influenza can cause serious illness and complications, particularly in young children. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation.

NSW Health is offering a free nasal spray influenza vaccine for children and young people aged 2 to 17 years for a limited time. The vaccine is:

• Needle-free and painless.

• Given as a quick spray into each nostril.

• Approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

• Available through participating GPs, pharmacies and Aboriginal Medical Services while supplies last.

The nasal spray vaccine provides families with an alternative option for children who may be anxious about needles and aims to increase protection against influenza across the community.

Children can become seriously ill from influenza and can also spread the virus to family members and others in the community. Schools are environments where respiratory illnesses can spread easily, making vaccination an important step in reducing illness and absenteeism during winter.

Parents and carers can access information and resources from NSW Health:

• NSW Health – Influenza Information

• NSW Health – Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Information

• NSW Health – Influenza Information for Families with Young Children

We encourage all families to consider vaccination and speak with their GP, pharmacist or Aboriginal Medical Service about the most appropriate option for their child.

Please click on the PDF below to view the College bus timetables.

Please click the below link for Picton Buses:

Picton Bus Timetable

The P & F preloved Uniform Pool is opened, please complete the order form below and send to the P & F by email at: uniforms@sbccdow.catholic.edu.au

Our wonderful P&F volunteers will then be in contact with you.

Items can be paid for in cash ONLY and collected from the SBCC College Office.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

No returns, refunds or exchanges on uniform items as these are donations with cash payments only.

We are offering 30% off and Buy 3 Get 4th Free on the winter items, just in time for the cooler weather.

CONTACT:

Ranier Schoolwear Shop: Unit 5/6-8 Porrende Street, Narellan, 2567

Online purchasing and appointments visit: shop.ranier.com.au

Email: stbenedict@ranier.com.au

Phone: 02 4647 8942

Responses will be provided during opening hours.

Trading hours:
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 1pm

For more immediate assistance, Head Office details are

Online: ranier.com.au/contact

Email: custservice@ranier.com.au