From the Principal
We farewelled Year 12 on Wednesday with a beautiful Graduation Mass and Ceremony. In the presence of their parents and with guests including our Board Chair Dr Marea Nicholson and Director, Cathryn Newcombe, the Class of 2024 concluded their day by processing through a student and staff Guard of Honour to the College gates where their parents waited. Our Captains then symbolically joined the Year 12 students outside and then closed the gates for the last time. Click here to see the Gallery.
In a more festive way, College staff joined Year 12 students and parents at the Valedictory Dinner on Wednesday evening at Waterview In Bicentennial Park, for a night of celebration and memories. On to the HSC!
The conclusion of classes for Year 12 is a clear signal that it is the end of Term Three. For most students, this is an opportunity to relax with family and friends. However, this year, during non-term time, many of our students, accompanied by teachers and support staff, are travelling to all parts of the world on their Learning Tours. We wish safe travels to the students and staff travelling to Japan for the Culture and Language Tour for 14 days; we also wish well the European History Tour group, who will be travelling through much of Europe over the break. Closer to home, our Touch Footballers will be flying to the Gold Coast for ‘friendlies’ against other schools.
With Year 11 having finished their Preliminary Course exams, they are now looking forward to their Senior Retreat upon their return.
We wish Mrs Keogh well on her well-deserved Long Service Leave in Term Four and welcome Mrs Corinna Bailey to the Deputy Principal role for the remainder of the year.
I know that many families are taking the opportunity to have a holiday over this break, and I trust that you travel safely. I look forward to welcoming your daughters back in a few weeks.
Michael Hanratty
Principal
Mission News
This week, we bid farewell to the Class of 2024. The week was filled with wonderful graduation festivities celebrating their transition from high school students to young adults. One highlight was Connect Night, a special mini Retreat designed for our Year 12 students to pause and reflect. This year’s theme, “ Ride the Tide with Stewardship as our Guide, ” inspired the evening's focus: A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.
The evening featured a rotation of activities, including creating care packs for Vinnies, chalking the driveway, and planting a House Garden. After dinner, students engaged in activities that drew on the wisdom of others, culminating in the creation of paper boats where they wrote reflections on what they would ‘take with them’ as they prepared to leave the harbour of Bennies. As is our tradition, the evening concluded with a prayer in the Chapel, dramatically transformed for the occasion.
The Graduation Mass for the Class of 2024 took place on Wednesday. Lumen Gentium , from the Second Vatican Council, informs us that "Mass is source and summit" of Christian life. We are grateful to Fr Raphael from St Agatha’s who joined us to celebrate Mass. There is always a tinge of sadness as we farewell Year 12 and some families where this is their last child at the College. There is, however, a sense of great optimism about the change the girls will be in the world. As part of the Graduation Mass, each Year 12 student is given a candle, which is lit at the end as a visual reminder of Christ’s words, “You are the light of the world.” (Matt 5:14). Watching the Year 12 students stand with their candles glowing, encircling the hall while singing the College song, filled everyone present with joy and hope—not just for the future of the graduates, but for the world they are about to enter as adults.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those students and families moving beyond the “Red Brick Wall” for being a valuable part of our community.
Kerry Bailey
Acting Dean of Mission
College News
2024 Bennies Big Book Swap
2024 Bennies Big Book Swap
The Library proudly held its first-ever Bennies Big Book Swap, with students participating on 18 September and staff on 19 September. As part of the Year of Stewardship, this event highlighted our dedication to sustainability by breathing new life into pre-loved books, reducing waste, and conserving valuable resources.
By swapping rather than purchasing new books, participants helped reduce the demand for paper, water, and energy involved in the production of new publications. This initiative aligns with the College’s core values, encouraging a culture of sharing over consumption. It also strengthened our sense of community, reminding us of our shared responsibility to manage resources wisely.
The Bennies Big Book Swap not only fostered a love for reading but also promoted a more environmentally conscious approach to learning by reducing the carbon footprint linked to producing and transporting new books.
Given the success of this year’s swap, the Library team is excited to host the event again in 2025.
The newest edition of the Library Newsletter is out! Explore the latest book arrivals, discover our featured author, and get inspired by the Genre of the Week. Holiday borrowing is now open, so be sure to stock up on books for the term break!
Rebecca Shiels
Head of Department Library
Upcoming Events
Cocurricular News
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
YEAR 9 BRONZE ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY
The Bronze Duke of Ed Year 9 students embarked on their 4 day/3 night Adventurous Journey at the end of Week Seven. This included their Year 9 Residential Experience and required them to stay on for another night and day at Somerset, Colo. We had over 90 students stay on and complete their Qualifying Adventurous Journey. The students showed tenacity and commitment to complete this extra adventure. Well done to all students who completed their Adventurous Journey.
Below are some reflections from Year 9 students:
Other Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residentials
Other Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residentials
The July school holidays saw our Yr 12 student, Candice complete her Gold Residential Project through Outward Bound. Candice travelled to Canberra to fulfill her 5 days Leadership Program. Congratulations Candice on this achievement.
We also had some Silver students complete their Adventurous Journey or part of their AJ at Somerset in the second week of the July school holidays. Congratulations goes to Sophia A, Imogen H and Sarah H in Year 10 for completing these requirements.
I would also like to wish the best for the following Year 10 students for the coming October school holidays in taking on the challenge of their Adventurous Journey at Somerset:
Sarah H for her Silver Qualifying AJ
Holly M for her Silver Practice AJ
Laura C, Francesca C and Amelie T for their Silver combo; both Practice and Qualifying AJ.
All the best for our Year 9 students who will be finishing off their Adventurous Journey at Somerset also during the October school holidays:
Sohaaya H for her Practice and Qualifying AJ
Alyssa T for her Qualifying AJ
Jodi Halmarick
Outdoor Education Academy Convenor
Academy of Dance at The Australian Dance Festival
Academy of Dance at The Australian Dance Festival
On 20 September, students from the Academy of Dance represented the College at The Australian Dance Festival in Sydney Olympic Park. The Excel team spent the day taking workshops from some of the industries best and strongest choreographers from around the country. The team performed their custom work ‘Drums’ that night during the Resonate Education Schools Show. They performed to a high level and displayed the talent that we have to offer within the Academy of Dance.
Jesse Kean
Dance Academy Convenor
Cocurricular Sport
Social Sport Update - Basketball
Social Sport Update - Basketball
Social Sport for Term Three has concluded. There were five teams participating in social basketballon a Friday afternoon. It was a great way for students to finish their school week by being physically active and having fun with their friends.
Thank you to our coaches Mia, Grace and Sam who enthusiastically engaged with the students, running warm up, skills and games. Also, a special thank you to Frankie, our student helper who volunteered her time to help referee.
We are looking forward to social futsal beginning next term!
Lauren Martin
Academy of Sport Convayor
Physical Activity Update - Yoga
Physical Activity Update - Yoga
On Thursday we had our last session of Yoga for the term. Yoga was another success with many returning students and some new students participating. The program has allowed students to be physically active and make new friends.
Thank you to Laura, our yoga instructor, for ensuring the program was successful and enjoyable for all students.
We look forward to running Martial Arts – Self Defence next term!
Lauren Martin
Sport Academy Convenor
Term Four Representative Sport Trials
Term Four Representative Sport Trials
In Term Four, we have several Broken Bay Sport events that MSB will be entering teams and individuals in. Students should keep an eye out in their college emails for expressions of interest and sign-up forms to be considered for selection. Please see the following list of competitions and dates. EOI forms will be sent out prior to the competition dates, and will require a selection trial:
• Under 13s Broken Bay Touch Football (Week 4)
• Opens Broken Bay Volleyball (Week 5)
• Years 7-11 Broken Bay Tennis (Week 7)
• Year 7-11 Broken Bay Surf Life Saving (Week 7)
Lauren Martin
Sport Academy Convenor
IGSA Netball Season Summary
IGSA Netball Season Summary
In Term Three, the College had four teams participate in the IGSA Netball Competition. Our teams played across various Sydney Schools, and we also hosted teams onsite in the College Hall for the first time. Congratulations to all students involved on your efforts during the season. It was great to see our teams displaying enthusiasm, developing new skills, building strong friendships, and working as a team throughout. I would like to thank our parents and coaches for their support.
A special mention to the following teams who competed in the grand final on Saturday 21 September. Well done to our Year 8 and 9 students in the MSB2 team who won their grand final match against PLC Sydney. The team scored a vital goal in the last 15 seconds of the game to win 22-21. Well done also to our Year 7 students in the MSB4 team who won their grand final match against Loreto Normanhurst. The team played with great determination and demonstrated amazing teamwork, securing the game with a 18-8 win. Congratulations to both teams.
What amazing results for our first ever IGSA Netball Season!
Lauren Martin
Sport Academy Convenor
Representative Sport
Broken Bay AFL Championship
Broken Bay AFL Championship
On Wednesday 18 September, our Intermediate AFL Representative team attended the Broken Bay AFL Championships at North Narrabeen Reserve. The team consisted of 13 players, including Year 9 and Year 10 students.
The day consisted of five round games, and then finals/playoffs. The team played with great determination and integrity throughout their round games, making it through to the grand final undefeated. This was a great effort! The team then came up against Stella Maris in the grand final, where we just fell short, with Stella scoring a 6-point goal within the last few seconds of the game to secure the win.
The team are congratulated on concluding the day as runners up.
Lauren Martin
Sport Academy Convenor
NSWCCC Athletics Carnival
NSWCCC Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to the 11 students from the College who represented Broken Bay at the NSWCCC Athletics Carnival last week. It was a very successful day with some amazing results.
Special mention to the following students who won their events:
Sophie P: Under 14s - 1500m Walk, 1500m Run, 800m Run.
Nehara DM: Under 15s – Shot Put, Discus.
Lauren Martin
Sport Academy Convenor
Ex-Students
MSBESA Meeting
MSBESA Meeting
All ex-students are invited to the Ex-students Association of Mount St Benedict College (MSBESA) meeting. We'll be hearing from former students receiving a MSBESA Grant.
Monday 28 October 2024
Commencing at 6:30pm
Mount St Benedict College [MSB Centre] 449D Pennant Hills Road PENNANT HILLS NSW 2120 [enter via Hull Road]
To RSVP please click here
Sarah Arane
President - MSBESA
Action Items
From The Fees Desk
From The Fees Desk
A current statement for end of Term Three has been issued today. The balance of 2024 school fees are due Friday 18 October.
If paying automatic deductions by the term, the payment for the balance of your fees will be processed on Friday 18 October. Monthly, fortnightly and weekly deductions will continue until mid-November, including Year 12.
Year 12 Enrolment Deposits will be refunded to the fees account after Exit Day – mid November. A final statement will then be issued.
If you have any queries regarding your fees account, please contact the Finance Office on 9980 0445 or fees@msb.nsw.edu.au
