Mount St Benedict College

JERSEY DAY |The College is full of colours today with students and staff wearing their favourite sporting jersey to mark Jersey Day, raising awareness about the importance of tissue and organ donation. Jersey Day was started by a family within our Bennies community who chose donation in the midst of enormous loss, a decision which gave the gift of life to six people.

In Homeroom this week students have been learning about organ donation, including how many Australians have benefited from the national program since it commenced in 2009 and the importance of being officially registered as a donor and discussing it with family.

FACT: in 2022 82% of families gave consent for donation when their family member was registered to donate on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
FACT: 4 out of 5 Australians support organ and tissue donation.
FACT: Only 1 in 3 Australians are currently registered to be a donor of the Australian Organ Donation Register.

We are proud to support Jersey Day and to help start conversations about donation. Let’s talk!
Jersey Day
https://www.jerseyday.com.au/

LEARNING | Year 12 Drama students lit up the Drama Studio at the annual HSC Drama Showcase Evening last week. Their individual projects and group performances covered a diverse range of topics and demonstrated the creativity, talent and passion of the Class of 2024. The College’s Head of Drama, Ms Fonteyne, congratulated them saying, ‘it has been an absolute pleasure to teach you over your years at MSB. There is no doubt that fantastic futures await you all beyond Bennies.’
The evening was also a wonderful opportunity for the class to perform their HSC Drama works for an audience ahead of their HSC Practical Examinations which took place yesterday.

MISSION | What a show! The College is proud to support the annual Busking for Vinnies event in Centenary Square Parramatta. In preparation for this event which raises funds to support the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, the College Choir and musicians and have rehearsing with a series of lunchtime concerts.

LEARNING | Performing for an audience isn’t easy but if musicians can manage their nerves, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to build confidence, refine their musicianship skills, and showcase their talent, all while sharing their love for music with others.
To help students build confidence ahead of their upcoming performance exams, Music teachers, Mrs Huang and Miss Ursino, hosted a series of lunchtime concerts in the Hildegard Theatre this week. It was delightful to see students share their talents with such a wonderfully, supportive audience.
We wish all the performers well with their upcoming exams.

LEARNING | Reading is Magic, the theme for the 2024 CBCA Book Week, recognises that books allow readers to step into other worlds and experiences simply by turning a page. At our annual CBCA Book Week Morning Tea, the College Library celebrated readers and reading. Mr Hanratty, who is an avid reader, presented the awards, including the Principal’s Reading Awards, the Premier’s Reading Challenge Platinum Awards, and the very special Premier’s Reading Challenge Medal which is awarded to students who have participated in the PRC program from kindergarten to Year 10. Mrs Shiels commended everyone who participated in the Book Week events and competitions, and the Library Team who celebrate the magic of reading all year long.

REUNIONS | Friendships made at the College are long-lasting! The Class of 1974 are celebrating a significant milestone, 50 years since graduation, with a reunion lunch on Saturday 9 November. Contact Jo-Anne Nibbs (Kennedy), College Captain 1974, at [email protected] for more information. Everyone from the 1969-1974 cohort is welcome.
There is something very special about being a Bennies girl.

The College Newsletter - Term Three - Week Four is now available:
https://bit.ly/3WLVhVe
We invite prospective families to book for the next College Tour on Wednesday 11 September 11am - 12.30pm.
https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/open-day-and-tours/

BENNIES BUZZ | The 2024 edition of the Bennies Buzz, the annual alumni magazine, is out now. We hope you enjoy reading about the news, events and achievements of current and ex-students from Mount St Benedict College.
2024 is a Year of Stewardship, so it is significant that we launch the new look Bennies Buzz this year, which is now printed on more eco-friendly paper and is available as an accessible document online: https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/about/college-communications/
Grab a cuppa and enjoy catching up on life at the College.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT | Congratulations to Olivia (Year 11) who recently competed in the 2024 Touch Football World Cup in Nottingham, England. She represented Lebanon in the Women’s Open team, the first women’s team to represent Lebanon in this competition. ‘Lebanon was competitive against most teams but being a very young side there were challenging moments,’ Olivia said, ‘but overall, it was an amazing experience to be part of a team with such great camaraderie and patriotism. I look forward to the opportunity of playing again in the future.’
The College is proud to celebrate achievements and students striving for their best. Congratulations Olivia!

LEARNING | As our Learning Conversations continue today we celebrate the partnerships with families. Working together we support our students to assess their learning, to understand their strengths, to implement strategies to help them grow as learners, and give them every opportunity to achieve their best. Our Learning Conversations model builds on the traditional parent-teacher interview framework providing time to ensure the conversations are authentic, meaningful and data-driven.
Thanks to our staff, students and parents for dedicating this time to support growth as learners!

GSE | Last week the College hosted the Governing Council and Principals from Good Samaritan Education (GSE) schools for two days of conversation, formation and sharing.
The College is proudly part of Good Samaritan Education (GSE), a group of ten schools across Australia who all share a Good Samaritan, Benedictine heritage. There is a distinctive spirit and character to each school but we all share an educational philosophy and charism, and we are enlivened by being part of the GSE community. Part of the GSE mission states, ‘Our school communities work together to ensure an educational culture where all are safe, valued and welcomed.’ It is particularly beneficial when we can work together in person and last week’s gathering was a celebration of our partnership and our shared commitment to developing learning communities based on the GSE Philosophy of Education.
Good Samaritan Education Lourdes Hill College Mater Dei School, Camden Rosebank College Five DockSt Mary Star of the Sea CollegeSt Patrick's College for Girls CampbelltownSt Scholastica's College Glebe Stella Maris College, Manly Sisters of the Good Samaritan

Bennies Update - Term Three - Week Three is now available:
https://bit.ly/3Aj0fRL
This fortnightly edition is a summary of upcoming College events and reminders.
We invite prospective families to book for the next College Tour on Friday 16 August 11am - 12.30pm.
https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/open-day-and-tours/

LEARNING | Eating lamingtons on a deck overlooking a blue gum forest is peak Aussie. That’s how we farewelled students visiting from Elly-Heuss-Knapp Gymnasium School in Stuttgart, Germany, after a 3 week visit. They thoroughly enjoyed the lamingtons and their time exploring Sydney.
The new Modern Languages syllabus was implemented this year as part of a broad program of curriculum reform in NSW. The new syllabus places a strong emphasis on developing competency in speaking and comprehension. Spending time with the Elly-Haus-Knapp students was a valuable opportunity for our students to practice these skills working towards the Languages Faculty goal of creating confident speakers of the languages we teach. Students who have the language and cultural understanding to not only be able to function, but also thrive in the target language communities.

COLLEGE HISTORY | It was delightful to welcome Sr Elizabeth Brennan sgs and Sr Christine Manning sgs back to the College to tour the MSB Centre. They last visited in 2022 before renovations to this beautiful heritage building began. Principal, Mr Michael Hanratty, Deputy Principal, Mrs Karen Keogh, and Acting Dean of Mission, Mrs Kerry Bailey were honoured to show them through the refurbished building.
Sr Elizabeth and Sr Christine are two of the hundreds of Sisters of the Good Samaritan who studied, prayed, worked, lived and served communities during the 93 years the Sisters were at Pennant Hills. The first community of Good Samaritan Sisters moved into Regenbah in 1925. The novitiate building, now the MSB Centre, was opened in 1927.
We are proud to celebrate the wonderful legacy of the College, which thanks to the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, has always been a place of learning and service for women.
Sisters of the Good Samaritan Good Samaritan Education

GRANDPARENT’S DAY | Last week Year 7 students welcomed their grandparents to the College today for the annual MYBennies Grandparent’s Day. College Principal, Mr Hanratty warmly welcomed the 200 grandparents who joined us, celebrating the unique connection between children and their grandparents.
Our visitors enjoyed the opportunity to step into a day in the life of a Bennies student – travelling on the Bennies Bus, having morning tea on the Hildegard Deck and attending a MYBennies class with their granddaughter. The focus of the class was an Intergenerational Change Investigation with students facilitating discussions to interview grandparents about their experiences. The data collected will help answer the question, ‘How have perspectives towards global issues changed over time?’.
MYBennies is a College-specific subject designed to help students manage the jump from primary to secondary school. Skills learnt in MYBennies are transferrable and help Year 7 students in their learning across all their subjects. Students also develop a range of skills that can be transferred to the real world. These are referred to as Attitudes to Learning.
The Class of 2029 demonstrated a strong affiliation with the College Value of Hospitality in the care, welcoming and consideration they showed to our visitors and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thanks to everyone who joined us, it was delightful to meet so many people and to know that we all share the journey through secondary school, working together to support the Class of 2029.
To see more images from the day please visit the Photo Gallery on the College website:
https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/photo-galleries/year-7-grandparents-day-2024/

LEARNING | The Curriculum Dance Showcase was a wonderful celebration of the learning, excellence and artistry of the College’s Dance program and gave the Class of 2024 an opportunity to stage their performance and composition works ahead of the HSC Dance exams. The Dance Showcase is an annual event so the growth of students skills from year to year is clear and highlights the progress they make as they progress in their Dance studies. It is also wonderful to see growth in their courage and comfort performing for a large audience. ‘It is an opportunity for students to be stewards of their talents,’ notes Ms Elizabeth Kerr, Dance teacher. ‘Especially having the older students be role models for the younger ones within the Dance community.’
The Dance teachers and the CAPA Faculty love to share the learning with parents so everyone can work together to support the individual growth of each Dancer.

We wish the HSC Dance students at the College, and across NSW, all the best for their upcoming exams.

LEARNING | The Whitlam Institute ‘What Matters? Writing Competition’ is described as ‘part writing exercise, part civics and citizenship activity’. It empowers students to harness the power of the pen and share their perspectives on issues that are important to them.
The English Faculty are thrilled to announce that four Year 7 students have made the 2024 shortlist for this prestigious competition. Congratulations Isabella, Mikhaella, Adriel and Hannah. As Ms Corinna Bailey, Dean of Learning Science and Innovation notes, ‘this is a remarkable achievement!’ It both reflects the excellence being achieved across English at Bennies, and the Good Samaritan value of ‘being neighbour’ which guides us.
This competition is open to students from Years 5-12 across Australia. Participants submit a 600-word entry in the form of an essay, creative writing piece, poem, or another literary format on a topic that matters to them. As part of their ‘Power of Voice’ unit in English Year 7 students grasped the opportunity to discuss their passions and practise their writing skills, all while nurturing their personal growth and fostering a sense of accomplishment through the creative process. This platform not only allows them to express their unique perspectives but also helps them develop confidence in their abilities and pride in their achievements.
We extend our warmest congratulations to these talented students as we eagerly await the final results.
Thanks to the Whitlam Institute for this wonderful opportunity for young writers.

COLLEGE LIFE | Today is a significant day in the history of Mount St Benedict College, with the launch of two new Houses, Jamberoo and Scholastica.
‘The culture of the College relies heavily on the relationships we have with each other’, College Principal, Mr Michael Hanratty said. ‘Positive relationships are at the core of who we are at Bennies. Thanks to the science and psychology of Positive Education we know that strong relationships and healthy community fosters learning.’
The Houses and Homerooms within the College’s Wellbeing structures are central to relationships and belonging. In response to the growth of the College the two new Houses will allow us to keep Homerooms small, and Houses like families, so we can maintain the benefits of this structure ensuring that all students and staff feel that they belong.
Jamberoo (Lilac) is named for Jamberoo Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1987. It fosters the Benedictine tradition in Australia, and is a spiritual haven, providing sanctuary for those who seek quiet reflection and contemplation. Jamberoo House values are Harmony and Kindness.
Scholastica (Teal) is named for St Scholastica, St Benedict’s twin sister. She established a convent in Monte Cassino, dedicating her life to prayer and spiritual growth, providing a model for female monastic life. She is a wonderful spiritual example known for her deep faith and devotion. She is the patron saint of education and as a strong female leader in the Christian church is an exemplar for us all. Jamberoo House Values are Wisdom and Love.
Every House takes on the responsibility of supporting a House partner to inspire students to deeply value service to others. Jamberoo and Scholastica share a House Partner, Timor Leste and will support the work being done there by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
We are grateful for the wisdom and insight of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan who founded the College, and for the alumnae, staff, students and families whose combined energy and care have created the thriving Bennies community we enjoy today.
Good Samaritan Education Sisters of the Good Samaritan

STUDENT LEADERSHIP | Year 11 gathered today to hear College Principal, Mr Hanratty, announce the Student Executive Captains for 2024/2025. He spoke of the exceptional calibre of all the candidates who put themselves forward saying they are to be commended for their leadership speeches, and their demonstrated commitment to the College Values of Pax, Stewardship and Hospitality. Mr Hanratty told the Class of 2025 that he shares a unique connection with them. 'My first year at the College was the year you started Year 7', he said, 'it has been a privilege to share the journey at Bennies with you.'

Congratulations to the 2024/2025 Student Executive Captains:
Simran (College Captain),
Maya (Vice-Captain, Portfolio) and,
Mia (Vice-Captain, Spirit).

We look forward to presenting the 2024/2025 Captains to the College community at the Induction Assembly.

COCURRICULAR | Congratulations to the College String Ensemble who won a Gold Medal at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival over the weekend. The dynamics and projection of their three pieces were outstanding especially in their arrangement of Lullaby to the Moon. One of the parents at the event commented on how moving it was saying, ‘thanks to their teachers for the amazing support and guidance.’
Every student in the Ensemble is to be commended for their dedication to their instruments and to each other which made this achievement possible. They love playing together and it shines through in their performances.
The Academy of Music in the College’s Cocurricular Program is continuing to grow, find out more about all the ensembles and classes available here: https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/student-life/co-curricular-activities/

LEARNING | Global Citizen is one of the Graduate Attributes students strive for during their time at the College. We aim to develop our students to be confident young women who understand their roles and responsibilities as global citizens. The Global Enrichment Program in the College’s Cocurricular Program works towards this outcome by providing opportunities for students to have real-world experiences through responsible and sustainable travel in Australia and overseas. After a hiatus of several years, it was very exciting to recommence the program with the North Queensland Learning Tour.
The North Queensland Geography Learning Tour took place during the recent school holidays visiting Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Barron Gorge National Park, and Fitzroy Island on the Great Barrier Reef. It was an immersive experience with students participating in a range of learning, service and adventure activities. There were many highlights during the six day trip including visiting the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Fitzroy Island, snorkelling the Outer Great Barrier Reef and walking through Mossman Gorge guided by a Kuku Yulanji community member.
Learning tours provide a unique platform for experiential learning. Students are energised and challenged by the change in environment. Participating in opportunities that can’t be recreated in the classroom fosters a deep understanding and appreciation for their field of study and helps them make strong connections between their learning and real-world applications. The North Queensland Learning Tour was full of amazing experiences like snorkelling, mangrove cleanup and seeing how eco-tourism sites manage resources. All of which reshape how students think about their learning.
The tour was a very enjoyable experience for both staff and students and a great way to relaunch the Global Enrichment Program.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT | Congratulations to Addison (Year 10), Annabelle (Year 9), Eliza (Year 9) and Amelia (Year 7), who represented Australia at the recent Junior Tri-Nations Indoor Netball tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. 19 teams from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand competed in the competition which showcases the next generation of talented players. The tournament is organised by the World Indoor Netball Association (WINA) and aims to promote young talent, sportsmanship and international camaraderie through the shared passion for Netball.
It was an amazing experience and our students relished the opportunity to step up to international competition. The College is proud to celebrate students whose dedication, persistence and commitment to developing their talents lead to opportunities like this. Congratulations!
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT | All eyes are on Olivia (Class of 2024) who is part of the Australian Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team which is competing tomorrow night, Saturday 27 July. Watch the race at 7pm AEST on 9Now.

Let's show our Bennies spirit and cheer the team on. Congratulations Olivia – dreams do come true!

STAFF | The College aims for our students and staff to thrive. It is a word chosen intentionally for inclusion in our Learning and Wellbeing Model because it suggests not simply doing well but truly flourishing. The Clifton Strengths Model helps people ‘thrive at work’ and is the framework the College uses to assess, understand and harness each individual staff members unique strengths.
The three year process, led by Deputy Principal, Mrs Karen Keogh, of integrating the model into the College’s Professional Development Program and developing Strengths coaching capacity in our Middle Leaders culminated in a day of Strengths-focused PD earlier this week. Every member of staff at the College has completed a Clifton Strengths 34 profile providing insight into their inherent talents and characteristics. The greatest chance of success in all aspects of our lives comes through through strengthening what we naturally do best (Gallup Strengths’ Finder, 2000) by naming, claiming and aiming our strengths and understanding our blindspots.
At the PD session on Monday staff unpacked the Team Strengths Grid. This is a snapshot of a team’s collective strengths and is a tool to explore individual and collective talent. Understanding the grid deepens understanding within teams, improves partnerships and boosts team success.
It was rewarding to see everyone huddled over their colourful grids, engaging meaningfully with the collective goal of thriving in the workplace.