EDGEWORTH St Benedict's Primary School (2012) - Catholic ...

As previously mentioned, the parish priest and school chaplain have regular class visits to instruct children on a topic suggested by
teachers, usually from the unit that is current or about a special need that arises.
Particular themes such as Holy Week celebrations are talked about and dramatized by a nominated class. Monday prayer
assembly mornings are another way St Benedict’s celebrate and pray together for a particular theme, eg Fathers’ and Mothers’
Day, Pentecost, and Anzac Day. Every class from Kinder to Year 6 class has a Monday Morning Prayer Assembly each semester.
Retreats and Faith Development Programs
Education program provides for a K-6 approach to faith development.
In 2012 at St Benedict’s there was a focus of regular prayer being incorporated into the daily life of the school.
The teachers of Year 2, 3 and 4 teach their RE units and they coincide with the Parish Sacramental Program.
Parish Priest, Fr Peter Rees shared with his Parish schools, Holy Cross and St Benedict’s, the Social Justice Projects in the
Sugarloaf Parish. He discussed the parish sponsoring of Vietnamese students to receive a better education. Consequently, a
social Justice Policy was developed.
Sister Lucie worked alongside classroom teachers from Years 2, 3, and 4 helping the children prepare for their respective
sacrament. The school held a Red Day to raise money for Vietnamese students.
A combined Year 5 Leadership Day was held with Holy Cross Glendale. Leaders from St Paul’s High School Booragul were also
involved.
Values (including Social Justice Initiatives)
The importance of respect and responsibility are two characteristics that everyone; staff, students and parents are constantly
reminded of, as they are integral to the school’s philosophy and purpose. They are both important aspects of the school’s manners
sheet and statement of agreed practices. Respect and responsibility are fostered by emphasis given to respectful and responsible
behaviour and by designating certain classes with the role of gardeners, “buddies” and rubbish monitoring and recycling.
Social Justice is a core value at St. Benedict’s. The importance of Social Justice is reflected in the school’s vision statement, which
states “….the school community is committed to living our faith and respecting our world and the rights, needs and feeling of
others.”
St Benedict’s is a very generous school community where students, parents and staff are keenly aware of the needs of others. As
such the school has a very active Mini Vinnies Conference that organised various fundraising activities in support of the work of the
senior conference and parish initiatives in both the local parish and overseas communities. The school continues to develop close
links with schools in Vietnam that are supported by the Sugarloaf Parish. Throughout the year students and staff also raised money
for other priorities including; Catholic Mission, Caritas and assisting school families with clothes and financial support.
Policies
Enrolment Policy
St Benedict’s adheres to the guidelines provided by the Catholic Schools Office Policy Enrolment (Amended 2008). The Policy has
been devised to accommodate, as far as is possible, the needs of families seeking a Catholic education. In situations where
enrolments have to be restricted because of limitations on capacity, preference may need to be given to children of Catholic
families, as defined in the Policy. Implementation of the Policy is via our local school Enrolment Committee which has discretionary
authority in keeping with Diocesan guidelines. Copies of the Policy are available from the school, or from the Catholic Schools
Office website (cf end of Report). Parents concerned about school fees should ensure they make contact with the school. Diocesan
provisions (including standard discounts for those with a Health Card) exist to help in this area, and the Principal can also exercise
discretion where genuine need exists.
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