Last week, some of our students participated in the Virtual Immersion organised by the Good Sams Foundation. Established in 1999, the Foundation works to ensure the spirit of the Sisters’ ministries into the future. Their ministries and partnership programs include The Good Samaritan Inn in Melbourne, remote and Indigenous communities in WA and NT, as well as Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Kiribati. The Foundation supports marginalised and vulnerable women and children who may be fleeing family violence, facing food insecurity, or living in severe and ongoing poverty. The focus is on women, who are often vital agents of change within their communities, and on children who often cannot protect themselves from harm. Their work is very much the living out of the Preferential Option for the Poor. The doctrine of 'the Preferential Option for the Poor', part of Catholic Social Teaching/Thought, proposes that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable should be given priority when we make decisions. Pope Francis, in a General Audience on 19 August 2020, spoke about us being called to preference those most in need:

"Faith, hope and love necessarily push us towards this preference for those most in need, [1] which goes beyond necessary assistance (cf. EG, 198). Indeed it implies walking together, letting ourselves be evangelised by them, who know the suffering Christ well … And, if there are unhealthy social structures that prevent them from dreaming of the future, we must work together to heal them, to change them."

Our participation in the Virtual Immersion enabled us to hear and see firsthand how the work of the Foundation and Sisters is not just about providing immediate support for those in need, as important as that is, but is also about challenging and changing the structures in society that lead to injustice in the first place. I encourage you to read the report later in the College Newsletter from Mrs Wells on the Immersion.

Recently, Ms Exton's Year 10 Ministry class and our Year 11 2026 Student Leaders had the opportunity to hear from Sonya Mears, who shared inspiring stories about the incredible work of The Good Samaritan Foundation. Sonya gave the students a glimpse into how the Foundation’s Ministries support communities both near and far, providing more than just immediate help; they offer hope, safety, and the tools for a brighter future. The Sisters who lead this work are dedicated to offering vulnerable people education, safe shelter, and nourishing meals. But what’s truly remarkable is how they empower individuals to build skills for future jobs, nurture their wellbeing, and create safe spaces where dignity is always respected. Their mission reminds us that every person has value and deserves kindness and respect. As a community, when we support these ministries, like we will during Mission Week in Term Four, we are living out the Gospel values, showing compassion, acting with justice, and standing together in solidarity.

Some of the key initiatives that all Good Samaritan schools support include:

In our topic 'What's Beyond the Red Brick Wall?: Transforming the World' this term, Year 7 MYBennies classes have been learning about the United Nations, with particular focus on its sustainable development goals. Students have been discovering different forms of energy, both renewable and non-renewable, and learning about energy poverty and its impacts on communities. Students have been collaborating on simulation tasks which require them to assess the best energy option for communities of different sizes and locations. This led to some robust conversations and group problem solving in order to justify their decisions.

Following this, students developed further knowledge on energy poverty. We learned that more than 660 million people live without access to electricity, and 2.1 billion people still rely on polluting fuels for cooking. Many communities cannot meet basic needs without clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy. To take some action, students worked in groups to construct a Solar Buddy rechargeable LED light. These lights will be delivered to children in an energy-impoverished area, possibly in Australia, the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. They will help replace harmful energy sources and help children learn. MYBennies students took the opportunity to write personalised letters to the children who will receive the lights.

Miriam Gillett
Assistant Head of Department - HSIE

As the Rugby Women’s World Cup continues to captivate audiences around the globe, it’s more than just a celebration of athletic excellence—it’s a powerful platform for reshaping how young girls see themselves and their bodies.

One of the standout figures in this movement is Ilona Maher, a U.S. rugby star known not only for her fierce play on the field but also for her unapologetic advocacy for body positivity. Through social media and public appearances, Maher has become a beacon of confidence, encouraging girls to embrace their strength, size, and individuality.

In a sport that demands power, resilience, and teamwork, Maher and her teammates challenge outdated beauty standards and redefine what it means to be strong. Her message is clear: “Your body is not just something to be looked at—it’s something to be celebrated for what it can do.”

This message is backed by growing research. A 2023 study published in Body Image found that positive body image is strongly linked to higher self-esteem, resilience, and mental wellbeing in adolescent girls. Girls who feel good about their bodies are more likely to engage in physical activity, take on leadership roles, and resist harmful societal pressures. Another report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare highlights that body dissatisfaction is one of the leading contributors to anxiety and depression among teenage girls, making early intervention and positive role models essential.

At Mount St Benedict College, where wellbeing is at the heart of our community, these messages resonate deeply. As we support our students in developing healthy relationships with their bodies and identities, stories like Maher’s offer real-life examples of courage and authenticity.

Whether your daughter plays sport or not, the Rugby Women’s World Cup is a reminder that confidence is contagious—and that every girl deserves to feel proud of who she is, inside and out.

Let’s continue to cheer for the athletes on the field and the values they represent off it. Because when girls see strong women celebrated for their talent, leadership, and self-love, they begin to believe in their own power too.

Sheri Upasiri
Dean of Wellbeing

From the beginning of Term Four, students will no longer be able to connect personal devices (such as mobile phones and tablets) to the College Wi-Fi.

This change will not affect:

As part of our proactive review policy for the College’s digital security posture, we engage third party experts in annual audit activities. As a result of this years report, we are making several adjustments to ensure our network continues to remain safe and reliable in an era of increasing cybercrime and hacking activity. One of these changes is to restrict Wi-Fi access to College owned and managed devices.

By taking this step, we can:

To avoid disruption for our senior students, this change will not come into effect until the end of Term Three, allowing Year 12 to complete their preparations and sit their HSC examinations without any impact.

We appreciate your support as we make this adjustment to help safeguard our community and ensure technology continues to be used purposefully in learning.

Scott Broadbridge-Brown
Director of ICT

To access the College calendar log in to BenniesLink (Parent Portal) Calendar.
Click here

* College Assemblies For Parents

College Assemblies are livestreamed for the MSB parent community at 9:40-10:45am on the dates specified in the schedule above. The livestream link is here.

Thank you to the families who have participated in the recent College Learning Tours webinars and submitted Expression of Interest Applications.

Each webinar was recorded, and the links are included below.

Please ensure you have watched the tour webinar first. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact each of the Tour Coordinators directly.

Expression of Interest Applications are due on Monday, 15 September.

Registration Process Overview:

Any student who is interested in attending a Learning Tour will need to follow the process:

1. Read through the selected tour information carefully and watch the information webinar.

2. Submit the relevant EOI application via the links below. All EOI applications are due on Monday, 15 September 2025. No deposit is required at this time.

3. All applications are then reviewed by the Dean of Wellbeing and Business Manager to ensure that there are no behavioural concerns and that family financial accounts are up to date.

4. Places on each tour will be offered by Monday, 22 September 2025, with formal registrations open and initial deposit paid.

EcoVenture North QLD 2026 (Year 8 - 12 2026)

Cape York First Nations Immersion (Year 10, 11, 12 2026)

Japan Language & Culture Tour (Year 9, 10, 11 2026)

Footsteps of St Benedict Pilgrimage (Year 9, 10, 11 2026)

Germany & Austria Culture Tour (Year 9, 10, 11 2026)

IGSA Netball

Congratulations to all students who represented the College in IGSA Netball this season. Our MSB1 team finished in 7th place and MSB2 in 6th place – an excellent result that reflects the growth, commitment and teamwork shown by all players throughout the competition.

Thank you to our parents and families for your ongoing encouragement and support each week. We look forward to seeing everyone back out on the court and on the field in Term Four!

CGSSSA Volleyball – Expressions of Interest now open:
We are now calling for expressions of interest from girls who would like to represent the College at the Term Four CGSSSA Volleyball Gala Day competition.

To be considered, you will need to have previous volleyball experience, including knowledge of the rules and scoring systems. This includes, but is not limited to, the Santa Sabina Volleyball competition or any other external volleyball competitions.

If you are interested in nominating, please complete the form below by the end of Week 9 (19 September). The link is also available in the email sent earlier this week by Miss Finegan. Click here.

IGSA Gymnastics – Expressions of Interest now open:

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the 2025 IGSA Gymnastics Competition, which will be held on Thursday 23 October at the Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre, Rooty Hill.

Please note the following important information before submitting your EOI:

All athletes must have recent experience competing outside of school at a Gymnastics NSW sanctioned event.

Athletes must compete at the last level in which they have competed at a sanctioned event.

Each gymnast must be accompanied by their own qualified/competent coach for the entirety of the competition. This is a compulsory IGSA requirement. Families are responsible for organising and funding a coach to attend.

Expressions of Interest can be submitted via this form: https://forms.office.com/r/vuYiCYkpmx

If you are interested in representing the College, please complete the attached Expression of Interest Form by FRIDAY 19 September. The Sport Department will review all submissions and confirm eligibility before entries are finalised.

The P&F warmly welcomes all parents and caregivers of
Mount St Benedict College to our upcoming Parent Forum.

P&F Parent Forum: Parenting and Leading Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Today’s parents are navigating a vastly different world from the one they grew up in. Raising Gen Z and Gen Alpha means guiding children and teens shaped by hyper-connectivity and rapid technological change in the era of the Great Screenage. This session will explore the unique challenges of parenting Gen Z – the first true digital natives – as they transform into adulthood, and raising Gen Alpha, a generation growing up in an even more digitally immersive environment.

The forum will explore data-driven insights on the distinct differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, examining the formative experiences that shape their unique perspectives, behaviours, and needs. This session will also discuss how parents can effectively support and empower these generations, from managing screen time and digital discipline to fostering real-world connections and resilience.

Presenter: Ashley Fell Social researcher, TEDx speaker and Director of Advisory at McCrindle.

Date: Wednesday, 17 September
Time: Arrive at 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start.
Venue: Mount St Benedict College, Hildegard Theatre.
Cost: $10 per person (includes a light supper on arrival and lucky door prizes).
RSVP: Friday 12 September. Numbers are limited. Click here to register.
Parking: Limited parking is available within the College grounds.  Parking is recommended in the surrounding streets to the College.

Please note: this is a parent-only event.

We hope you can join us on this evening.

Juliet Mearns
President, Mount St Benedict College P&F Association

The College Shop is now located on the ground floor of the College’s heritage building, Regenbah.  Regenbah is located next door to the MSB Centre and the Convent Chapel. See map location 2 on the College Map. View College Map here .

Student entry: via the back door of Regenbah, between the Convent Chapel and College Reception.

Parent entry: via the front door of Regenbah from the gravel driveway. Please note: There is no parking available on-site.

The College Shop will open on its usual days – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Students will change to summer uniform on the first day of Term Four, Tuesday 14 October.

Please check your daughter's summer uniform and purchase any additional items you may require or order them though the Flexischools website.

For all those students who have purchased the College Winter Pants, you are allowed to wear these in the summer terms until the new College Summer Pants are introduced. If you wish to wear the pants, seniors can wear them with their senior summer blouse and juniors with the junior summer blouse.

Any new students to the College in Terms Two and Three, please visit either at lunchtime or after school if you would like a uniform fitting.

A reminder that the College Shop opening days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Nikki Horbach
College Shop Manager