In this Issue
From the Principal
Recently, I was simultaneously entertained and frightened by a post in my “Socials” of a mother promising her daughter $100 if she could answer 10 questions about what she described as “nostalgic things”. Her daughter struggled to grasp the concepts of “Dial Up”, “Burn a CD”, and was asked what a “Chatroom” was, a Walkman, a cassette tape, the Yellow Pages, and a rotary phone. Needless to say, as a person who was born at the tail of the Baby Boomer generation, I was astonished at how someone who was in their teens couldn’t answer some of the questions. You might try some of those with your daughters to see if this is accurate! Then again, I still have a CD player at home and my computer has a CD burner in it, so maybe I'm not the one to cast judgment! I'm so glad vinyl is making a comeback. I don’t feel nearly so old.
Demographers define generations in 15-year cohorts. Generation Alpha – currently the youngest generation of children and teenagers – will very soon be preparing to enter the workforce. Gen Alpha comprises 6% of the global population, the largest generation ever. Born after 2010, they will begin entering the workforce in the late 2020s and early 2030s. This is the generation of young people currently in Years 7-10 at Mount St Benedict College. Whereas most of the parents reading this are late Gen X or Millennials (also known as Gen Y).

Gen Alpha is being raised in a digital age with technologies like AI, augmented reality, intelligent automation, machine learning and big data becoming increasingly prevalent. They are growing up as super-informed, constantly connected consumers. This means that their attitudes and consumption behaviours are different to previous generations’. They are tech-driven, influenced by platforms such as TikTok, Minecraft and Roblox.
Like most of their predecessors, Gen Alpha is a generation that is socially aware. Diversity and inclusion will be of great importance to them as they enter the workplace. They care about social purpose, with a focus on fairness, which will likely influence the careers and employers they choose to pursue.
According to a recent study, 65% of 8–10-year-olds are already thinking about their mental health, so it’s safe to assume that wellbeing will be a priority when Gen Alpha enters the workplace. Interestingly, Gen Alphas don't see tech as the key to greater wellbeing – three-quarters say they like to use technology less and spend more time outside to manage their mental health.
Middle and Late Career Teachers have seen two or even three generations of young people pass through their schools. The tail end of Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z and now Gen Alphas. Each cohort of 15 years reflects their times and the zeitgeist they have been brought up in, and each cohort puzzles the parents that have to raise them as they adjust to an entirely unfamiliar “childhood and youth culture”.
All of the above is the long way around to spruik a wonderful evening that the College P&F will be hosting with our guest, Ashley Fell, from the McCrindle organisation. She will be unpacking Gen Alpha for us, providing tips and tricks on parenting them. The principal of the McCrindle organisation, Mark McCrindle, actually coined the term Gen Alpha, which is now the standard nomenclature used around the world to describe young people 15 and under.
We would love to see you at this special event. There are limited seats available. Bookings have opened first for our current Bennies parents. Bookings will then open for our Year 7, 2026 parents. Ash will certainly be entertaining, and there will be an opportunity for discussion and questions. If you want to hear more from demographers, the McCrindle podcast, ‘The Future Report’, is a great place to start, and their infographics are clear and fun to read (as above). Click here to book.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Michael Hanratty
Principal
From the Deputy Principal
Growing Excellence: Welcoming Exceptional Educators for 2026
Growing Excellence: Welcoming Exceptional Educators for 2026
I am delighted to share exciting news about our College's continued growth and our commitment to providing the highest quality Benedictine education for your daughters. As we plan for 2026, next Monday we will commence our annual recruitment process for exceptional staff to join our mission of nurturing young women in the spirit of St Benedict, fostering Hospitality, Stewardship, and Peace. These roles extend beyond classroom teaching to the many and varied areas of the College. 2026 will be another year of growth for the College where our student numbers will reach 1400.
Our Employee Value Proposition: Why the Best Choose Us
Outstanding educators and support staff are drawn to our College because we offer more than just employment, we provide a vocation rooted in Benedictine tradition. Our staff thrive in an environment that embodies the Benedictine values. We offer competitive remuneration packages, comprehensive professional development opportunities, and the unique privilege of shaping young minds within our Benedictine charism. In our onboarding survey, new staff tell us that they chose our College as their workplace because of our commitment to the Benedictine principles and the strong sense of community that defines Benedictine life, combined with our dedication to academic excellence and spiritual formation, creating an environment where they can truly flourish both professionally and personally.
Strategic Growth for Enhanced Learning
This recruitment drive reflects our college's healthy growth and will resource our soon to be released Strategic Plan. We are seeking passionate staff across various disciplines who share our commitment to academic excellence within the Benedictine tradition. Prospective staff members consistently express their enthusiasm for joining a college renowned for its wholistic approach to girls education. Many cite our reputation for developing not just academic achievement, but the development of young women of courage and substance. Every new appointment strengthens our capacity to provide an outstanding education for your daughter. Our rigorous selection process ensures that each new team member brings both exceptional qualifications and alignment with our mission and values.
Please pray for us to find exceptional staff to join us for 2026 to continue to deliver on our mission and feel free to refer suitable candidates to our webpage to join the team. https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/about/employment/
Karen Keogh
Deputy Principal
From the Dean of Mission
Since 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops have released an annual Social Justice Statement in time for Social Justice Sunday. Through this initiative, the Bishops contribute to the ongoing development of Catholic Social Teaching in Australia. These statements challenge and encourage the Catholic community to reflect and act on pressing social, economic, and ecological issues, reminding us that the mission of the Church always has a deeply social dimension. At Mount St Benedict College, as a Good Samaritan school in the Benedictine tradition, we are especially mindful of this call. Living with compassion and justice, noticing the plight of our neighbour, is not only something we do, but it is central to who we are.
The 2025–2026 Social Justice Statement, launched last Wednesday, is titled:
Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving People Living in Homelessness and
Mental Ill-Health.
In his foreword, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of the Bishops Conference, notes that services supporting people facing homelessness and mental health challenges are overstretched and under-resourced, making it increasingly difficult to provide the care and dignity every person deserves. Interestingly, on Sunday, I had the privilege of joining the Epping-Carlingford Parish, where their Social Justice Team led the parishioners in exploring the issues that deeply concerned them. Across every table, two concerns rose to the surface: homelessness and mental health.
The Bishops’ statement offers this challenge:

"Instead of walking by and not noticing the plight of our neighbours, pay attention to them and their plight, listen to their stories, and serve them with the love we learn from Jesus."
As a College community and in our Parishes, let us continue to listen, to notice, and to respond, bringing the hope of Christ to the edges where it is most needed.
To read the full statement and explore the accompanying resources, please visit:
👉 Signs of Hope on the Edge – Social Justice Statement 2025–2026
Last week, we had a beautiful celebration of the Feast of Mary MacKillop in the Chapel at lunch time. Today, we have celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Celebrated each year on 15 August, the Feast of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. On Holy Days of Obligation, Catholics are expected to attend Mass as part of their faith commitment. In Australia, Christmas Day, the Assumptions and every Sunday are Holy Days of Obligation. This feast honours the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. The feast is celebration recognising Mary’s unique role in salvation history and her unwavering faith and devotion. The Assumption reminds us not only of Mary’s special place in the Church but also of the hope we all share in the promise of eternal life.
On the 25 August we are again Busking at Parramatta Square with our friends from St Edmund's College to support St Vincent De Paul Society, or Vinnies as it is perhaps better known. This is a highlight of the year for the Mission Team. It is a joy to perform with Eddies for those in the square and to raise money to support Vinnies work. The day will be shared on the Socials, but if you are in the area we would love to see you!
Kerry Bailey
Dean of Mission

Mission News
Sydney's Picnic for Peace
Sydney's Picnic for Peace
A community-led, interfaith, cross-cultural initiative that brings people together in a spirit of unity, reflection, and hope.
At its heart, Sydney’s Picnic for Peace is a public, interfaith, cross-cultural, and intergenerational event. But it’s more than a gathering in a park. It is a movement. It’s a gentle but powerful reclaiming of community.
A call to come together not in anger, but in unity and resolve. Through shared food, live music, storytelling, spiritual reflection, and open dialogue, we are building something lasting. We are rediscovering what it means to belong.
We are remembering the legacy of peace marches, justice campaigns, and local heroes who believed that Sydney could be a city of compassion. And we are reminding ourselves that we have the power to shape the future together. Find out more!
Kerry Bailey
Dean of Mission

From the Dean of Learning Science and Innovation
Celebrating Learning Conversations at Bennies
Celebrating Learning Conversations at Bennies
One of the great joys of our Learning Conversations is the privilege of sitting alongside our students and hearing them speak about their learning journey; their successes, their challenges, and their aspirations. They are moments where we see our young women take ownership of their growth, grounded in the Benedictine values of humility, discipline, obedience, and conversatio.
In recent weeks, we’ve been inspired by the honesty, courage, and purpose our girls have shown in talking about their goals and the steps they are taking to achieve them. The focus is not only on marks and grades, but also on the skills, habits, and mindsets that prepare them for life beyond school. We know from experience, and research, that students who consistently apply themselves to building their learning skills are better equipped for the challenges and opportunities that await them outside of the classroom.
For parents of daughters in Years 8, 9 and 10, this is a wonderful time to extend the conversation at home. Your daughter’s DataHub on BenniesNet remains open for access until Week 7, providing you with a window into her academic progress, learning goals, and areas for development.
We encourage you to sit down together, explore her DataHub, and discuss what it tells you about her learning. You might find the following reflective questions helpful:
- Which learning goals are you most proud of this term, and why?
- What is one skill or habit you’re working on improving?
- Can you think of a challenge you faced recently, and how you responded to it?
- How are you using feedback from teachers to grow?
- What does “putting in your best effort” look like in your day-to-day learning?
These conversations at home reinforce the message that learning is a partnership between students, teachers, and parents. They also build the self-awareness and self-discipline that are central to our College’s vision of learner excellence.
We thank you for being an active part of your daughter’s learning journey — celebrating her growth, encouraging her resilience, and helping her set purposeful goals that will carry her far beyond the classroom. If you have any questions about the Datahubs please contact Dean of Learning Science and Innovation at cbailey@msb.nsw.edu.au .
Corinna Bailey
Dean of Learning Science and Innovation
Curriculum News
HSC Drama Showcase
HSC Drama Showcase
Wednesday 20 August
6pm
Hildegard Theatre
Click here for free tickets.
CONTENT WARNING
The principal audience for any HSC work is the NESA Marking Team who, as experienced teachers, have been exposed to a wide range of styles and expressions in their discipline, and understand the nature of the subject and the medium.
Please be advised that the HSC Drama Showcase contains some performances with strong language/themes/issues. These are relevant to the character/style/scriptwriting of the pieces and fit the HSC Drama marking guidelines set by NESA.
Parental Guidance is recommended due to the more mature content in a few pieces.
If you have any queries about the showcase, please do not hesitate to contact, the Drama teacher, Ms Gabrielle Fonteyne. gfonteyne@msb.nsw.edu.au

Write A Book In A Day: Year 7-10
Write A Book In A Day: Year 7-10
This term, the English Faculty will be participating in The Kids’ Cancer Project: Write a Book in a Day. This event challenges teams across Australia to write and illustrate a novel in just 12 hours to raise vital funds for children’s cancer research. The independent charity supports scientific research to find better treatments and ultimately a cure for childhood cancer. It is an exciting opportunity for students in years 7-10.
We will be entering two teams into the competition:
- A Year 7 and 8 team comprising 10 students.
- A Year 9 and 10 team comprising 10 students.

This is a competition first and foremost! All books submitted will be judged by a talented team of judges, with prizes on offer throughout the competition. Winners of the ‘Best Overall Book’ and ‘Best Illustrations’ prizes will be chosen from each state as well as nationally at the end of the competition.
Awards for Best Books
The most prestigious awards for best book and illustration in each category are determined by the expert Write a Book in a Day judging panel. The following awards are presented in each school division by state or territory:
- Best Book
- Highly Commended Book
- Commended Book
- Best Illustrations
- The following awards are presented nationally in each division:
- Best Book
- Best Illustrations
Students can collect sponsorship from friends and family at any time during the competition, and all funds raised go directly to The Kids’ Cancer Project.
Please encourage your daughters to fill in the expression of interest form at school to be part of this creative opportunity and to support young Australians in finding a way back to the classroom.
For more information, please contact the following teachers: Mrs E.Clark, Miss J.Kim and Mrs. U.Jones.
From the Dean of Wellbeing
Positive Education at Mount St Benedict College
Positive Education at Mount St Benedict College
As I moved around the College Hall on Wednesday at Learning Conversations, it was clear how much the key tenets of positive education are at play here at Bennies. Positive Education is the integration of positive psychology with best practices in teaching and learning and underpins our Wellbeing and Learning Model which focuses on the development of both academic achievement and student wellbeing. As I heard the conversations around the room, it was clear we are working in partnership with parents to help nurture the whole student. The discussions around resilience, optimism, and growth mindset were with students at the heart and the aim of allowing them to flourish personally, socially, and academically.
As a Catholic girls’ school in the Good Samaritan tradition, we place a strong emphasis on the holistic development of students. Rooted in Benedictine values such as compassion, community, and stewardship, the College integrates Positive Education principles to foster a nurturing and empowering environment as they complement our College values and help achieve our collective aim of helping our students to thrive.
So what does Positive Education look like at Bennies?

1. Whole-Person Development:
- Development of both academic excellence and emotional intelligence in our girls.
- Encourages students to pursue meaningful lives through purpose and connection.
2. Strength-Based Learning:
- Encourages students to identify and use their individual strengths.
- Enhances motivation, engagement, and self-confidence in students through targeted strategies as discussed in the Learning Conversations.
3. Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy:
- Programs incorporate mindfulness practices to help students regulate emotions, reduce stress, and improve focus.
- Emotional literacy supports healthy relationships and decision-making.
4. Growth Mindset and Resilience Training:
- Students are taught to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and persist in the face of difficulty.
- Builds a foundation for resilient learners and future leaders who have agency in what they do, hence our conversations focusing on what works best for each girl.
5. Positive Relationships:
- Emphasis on building respectful, inclusive, and supportive relationships among students and staff as seen in the reciprocal conversations that have taken place for Years 7 to 10 this week and into the next.
6. Wellbeing Education:
- Wellbeing is explicitly taught through Wellbeing lessons, Bennies Time and health programs.
So why do we do what we do?
1. Improved Academic Outcomes:
- Students who feel supported and confident tend to perform better academically.
2. Greater Psychological Wellbeing:
- Reduction in anxiety and stress.
- Increase in overall life satisfaction and positive outlook.
3. Stronger Social Skills:
- Enhanced ability to collaborate, communicate, and resolve conflict constructively.
4. Higher Engagement and Motivation:
- Students feel more connected to their learning and school community.
5. Preparation for Life Beyond the Red Brick Wall:
- Equips students with lifelong skills in self-awareness, resilience, and emotional regulation.
6. Values-Based Living:
- Through the lens of Benedictine spirituality, students develop a moral compass and a commitment to social justice.
Thank you to our families who, through the Learning Conversations process for Years 7 to 12 have highlighted their commitment to Positive Education and the Bennies way.
For those wanting to know more about Positive Education, or our approach at Bennies, please do not hesitate to reach out via supasiri@msb.nsw.edu.au.
Sheri Upasiri
Dean of Wellbeing
Wellbeing
NSW School Vaccination Program - Year 7
NSW School Vaccination Program - Year 7
NSW School Vaccination Program,
NSW Health will offer vaccinations to all Year 7 students on Monday 25 August 2025
Year 7 – Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV)
Plus catch-up Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (dTpa) if not received at the previous clinic on 28/7/2025
Also: Year 8 – dTpa and HPV (if not already vaccinated in Year 7)
Year 10 – Meningococcal ACWY (if not given at the previous clinic)
Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.
Consent given previously remains valid. If you no longer want your child vaccinated, you need to withdraw consent before the day of the school clinic. You can withdraw consent online, notifying the school or contacting the Public Health Unit on (02) 9485 6971.
How to provide consent:

1. Access the link to the NSW School Vaccination Portal; https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage and follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW Account or refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
2. Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
3. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. 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. Translations available in 28 languages.
d. Provide consent.
(For detailed steps on how to provide consent please refer to guide on how to provide consent online on the NSW Health webpage.) If you require information in your language please visit Arabic, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese.
4. You will receive an SMS and email when you have successfully submitted the online consent form.
Vaccines
This dTpa vaccine is the booster dose against whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus and diphtheria. This adolescent dTpa dose is recommended at age 11-13 years old and is still advised even if they have had whooping cough.
Only 1 dose of HPV vaccine is required.
No Medicare?
If you or your child do not have a Medicare card or you don’t have I.T. access, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from your child’s school.
• Student absent from school on clinic
If your child is absent from school and misses the clinic we can vaccinate them at school next year, or the vaccine is available at your GP and some pharmacies.
For more information on routine school vaccinations, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination
If you require information in your language, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx
If you have difficulty completing the online vaccination consent form, please email:
nslhd-phuschoolvaccinationprogram@health.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9485 6971 for assistance.
College News
Term Three Learning Conversations Years 7-10
Term Three Learning Conversations Years 7-10
In order to facilitate the Learning Conversations model simultaneously across four year groups, the College will utilise distance learning and working from home for students. In the past students have used their time working from home productively, completing class and assessment work, collaborating for group work, and working on projects and individual study. A separate communication will go out to parents of Year 11 and 12 students.
We are providing both online and onsite interview opportunities to enable all parents to engage in honest, collaborative conversations with their daughter and their teacher, prioritising our continuing partnership in student learning. Our aim is for students to accept ownership and shared responsibility for their growth as a learner based on the Benedictine Values of Humility, Discipline, Obedience and Conversation.
The 2025 Semester One Student Reports, available in Term Two, Week Nine, are a valuable resource for these interviews, providing guidance for student reflection on completed work, their application to learning and how to improve. Parents will also have the opportunity to book an interview with their daughter’s Homeroom Mentor to further discuss their Student Action Plans (wellbeing, learning and growth goals) as well as their overall progress and achievement. All interview slots will be six minutes.

Learning Conversations | |
---|---|
Student Work from Home Day
(Years 7-10) no classes. Year 11 Work from home – bespoke timetable will be issued. Year 12 Trial Examinations | Monday 18 August |
Year 7-10 Learning Conversations L-Z(on-site) |
Monday 18 August
9am-5pm. Note: no parking on College grounds |
Years 7-10 Student Learning via Zoom
(classes from home 8.35am - 1.30pm) Periods 1,3 and 4 (no Period 2, No Homeroom) Year 11 Work from Home Day – bespoke timetable will be issued. Year 12 Work from Home Day – no scheduled lessons. | Tuesday 19 August |
Year 7-10 Learning Conversations L-Z (Zoom) | Tuesday 19 August (Zoom) 1.30pm -7pm |
Please refer to an email sent to all parents from the College on 26 June 2025 or the links below with further information and learning arrangements on these days.
Bennies Buses
Please note the following arrangements for the Bennies Buses on the Learning Conversation Days.
- BB1, BB2 and BB3 will not be running in the morning or afternoon.
- The Bennies Metro Shuttles will operate for the morning and afternoon schedules, to and from Cherrybrook Metro, to accommodate Year 12 students travelling to and from school for their Trial Examinations.
Thank you for your time and ongoing support as we work in partnership to empower your daughter to achieve personal success.
Corinna Bailey
Dean of Learning Science and Innovation
Great Bennies Book Swap
Great Bennies Book Swap
Wednesday 20 August 2025
Calling all students and staff to donate any pre-loved books from home, and swap for some ‘new’ preloved books!
How does it work?
Donate any preloved books to the Library and in exchange you will be given Bennies Book Bucks.
1 book = 1 Bennies Book Buck,
5 books = 5 Bennies Book Bucks,
10 books = 10 Bennies Book Bucks.
Treat the bucks like real currency as if lost, they are lost forever.
On our Swap Day, come to the Library, peruse the pre-loved collection, choosing some great reads for yourself. If you have 1 Buck, then you could get 1 book. If you have 5 Bucks, then you could get 5 books etc.
Let’s all be good stewards in a fun and caring way. If you cannot use all your bucks, give to a friend and they may find something they like.
Swap day for students and staff will be on Wednesday 20 August:
• Students – Lunchtime
• Staff – All day
Guidelines for pre-loved books:
• Books must be in good condition – no tears, marks, or damage.
• Suitable books for ages 12 to adult.
Any books at the end that are not swapped will be donated to charity.

Library Newsletter
Library Newsletter
The latest issue of the Library Newsletter is now available! Check it out to see the newest books to arrive in the Library, learn about our featured author and get reading inspiration from the Genre of the Week.

Advanced Life - Group Photos are now available to order
Advanced Life - Group Photos are now available to order
The following photos were taken on 2 June 2025:
- Mission Captains
- Faculty Captains
- House Captains
- College Captain and Vice Captains
Portfolios - Sport, Learning, SRC, Culture and Arts, Stewardship, Hospitality and Social Justice.
We are pleased to advise that online ordering is now open for the groups listed above. If you place your order before 29 August, you will receive a 20% early order discount by clicking on the link below. Please note that whilst you are not able to preview images in the ordering portal, all purchases are fully refundable for a period of 21 days. The 20% discount will be automatically applied at checkout.
Order your group photos here [use the code to login MFY 5A1 4FR]
Important
- Group photos can only be purchased online. PLEASE DO NOT return payment to your school.
- Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after the discounted early order period has closed.
- Past years' photographs, including sports, cocurricular and representative groups are also available at your school's advanced order and your child's advanced you photo sites.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience, please contact us at www.advancedlife.com.au/contact
Cocurricular News
Academy of Dance Showcase
Academy of Dance Showcase
We are excited to announce that tickets are now available for the Academy of Dance Showcase.
The evening celebrates not only the incredible talent and dedication of our dancers, but also the profound value of Hospitality that lives at the centre of our community.
Event details:
Wednesday 27 August - 6.30-8pm - College Hall.
Ticket price $10.

Cocurricular Sport
Term Four Cocurricular Sport Registrations are now OPEN!
Term Four Cocurricular Sport Registrations are now OPEN!
Next term, the Academy of Sport will have the following programs on offer:
Interschool
🏈Interschool Rugby 7s - Barker Competition
🏐Interschool Volleyball - Santa Sabina Competition
Social Sport
Physical Activity
Please follow the links above to access the Activity Fact Sheets for each program, which contain more information and registration details.
If interested, please speak with your parents/guardians, and ask them to fill out the registration form and complete payment.
For questions regarding interschool please contact Miss Finegan (bfinegan@msb.nsw.edu.au) and for Social Sports or Physical Activity please contact Miss Kelleway skelleway@msb.nsw.edu.au.
Registrations close on Monday 18 August

Representative Sport
Evana B of Year 10 recently competed at the School Sports Australia Australian Rules Football (AFL) Championships, representing NSW All Schools. Her team finished with a Bronze Medal, with Evana being selected in the All Australian U15s team.
Congratulations Evana on a wonderful performance and individual achievement.
Darren Nosti
Sport Academy Coordinator
