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  • UPDATE NEWSLETTER Term 1 - Week 3 -14 February 2025
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02 9980 0444

admin@msb.nsw.edu.au

449C Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills NSW 2119
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In this Issue

Wellbeing
  • School Vaccination Program
Curriculum News
  • Celebrating Major Projects: Teaching History Extension - The Educator’s View
College News
  • Open Day
  • Now Enrolling for Year 7 2027
  • Bennies Cherrybrook Metro Shuttle: Morning Timetable Update
  • Transport to and from School
  • CDC NSW Hills district school bus changes
  • MSB Parent Portal
  • New Canteen Provider - Vanilla Blue
  • 2025 Commonwealth School Data Collection Notice and NCCD - Information Notice
Upcoming Events
    Cocurricular News
    • Swimming Carnival
    • Austria Music & Language Learning Tour 2025
    Cocurricular Sport
    • CoCurricular Sport Registrations now open for Term Two
    P & F News
    • Open Day P&F Helpers
    College Shop
      Community Notices
      • Good Samaritan Lent Appeal
      • Bus Safety Week

      Wellbeing

      School Vaccination Program

      School Vaccination Program

      In 2025 the following vaccines will be offered:

      Year 7 - students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough), (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
      Year 10 - students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

      If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10, you can give consent online for these routine school vaccinations.

      Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

      How to Provide Consent:


      1.    To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage (For detailed steps on how to provide consent please refer to guide on how to provide consent online on the NSW Health webpage.)
      2.    Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
      3.    Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
      4.    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

      If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from your child’s school.


      The benefits of providing consent online:
      •    SMS notification three days before the clinic to remind you of the vaccination day
      •    easily update your child’s details
      •    receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given
      •    faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

      For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.

      If you require information in your language, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx

      Show more

      Curriculum News

      Celebrating Major Projects: Teaching History Extension - The Educator’s View

      Celebrating Major Projects: Teaching History Extension - The Educator’s View

      We are proud to highlight the quality of teaching and innovation here at the College and we celebrate our educators whose commitment to excellence in their teaching practice, and expertise in their subject areas, allows our students to achieve their best. Educators like Dr Mirian Gillett, History Teacher in the HSIE Faculty make a difference every day. She shares her experience teaching the History Extension course to the Class of 2024.

      College News

      Open Day

      Open Day

      Save the Date - Bennies is holding our annual Open Day on Sunday 2 March from 10.00am - 2.00pm.

      Tell your friends with daughters currently in Year 5 that enrolments for Year 7 2027 are now open.  Prospective families can register to attend: https://enquiry.msb.nsw.edu.au/events , and lodge an online Expression of Interest to reserve your daughter's position on our database.

      Show more

      Now Enrolling for Year 7 2027

      Now Enrolling for Year 7 2027

      If you have a daughter, or know someone who has a daughter commencing Year 5 this year, now is the time to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI). This is easily accomplished by visting the College website and selecting Enrolments where you will find "How To Enrol". You can also book for the College Open Day on Sunday 2 March. All families who have lodged their EOI will receive the link inviting them to complete their Application for Enrolment in the week commencing Monday 3 March. If you have any questions, please email registrar@msb.nsw.edu.au or call 9980 0406

      Bennies Cherrybrook Metro Shuttle: Morning Timetable Update

      Bennies Cherrybrook Metro Shuttle: Morning Timetable Update

      We are pleased to share two updates about our free Bennies Bus Cherrybrook Metro service:

      1.    Transition to Electric Buses
      Through our charter partnership with North Sydney Bus Charters, the Bennies Bus fleet will be transitioning to electric vehicles over the course of 2025. This initiative reflects our commitment to our College value of Stewardship.

      2.    Additional Shuttle Service
      An additional Bennies Metro Shuttle now operates between Cherrybrook Metro and Mount St Benedict College. This means there are two 553-seat shuttles running approximately every 10 minutes during the morning service.

      Morning Timetable – Departing Cherrybrook Metro:

      • Shuttles run from 7:05 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. with departures at:7:05, 7:15, 7:25, 7:35, 7:45, 7:55, 8:05, and 8:15 a.m
      • Week B Bennies Time (Thursdays only): Additional morning shuttles depart at 8:25, 8:35, 8:45, 8:55, 9:05, and 9:15 a.m.

      Timing is subject to local traffic conditions. Demand is high for the final two morning shuttles, students are encoraged to consider an earlier shuttle.

      Afternoon Timetable – Departing Mount St Benedict College (Gate D):

      • Two Bennies Metro Shuttles (55 seats each) will depart from Gate D starting at 3:20 p.m. (Departing once the buses are full).
      • Additional afternoon shuttles are available at 3:40, 4:00, 4:45, and 5:15 p.m. to accommodate students finishing cocurricular activities.



      Important Notes:

      • This free service for Mount St Benedict College students is subject to seat availability.
      • From Monday 17 February Year 7 students will finish their day at the same time as the rest of the College at 3.15pm.

      • Year 7 students who have been catching the Bennies Metro Shuttle from Gate D will need to adjust to the normal bus departure time from the College of 3.20pm-3.30pm.
      • Morning Alternative Travel Option: If a Bennies Metro Shuttle is full, students can wait for the next scheduled Bennies Metro service (see timetable above).  Alternatively, students may use the public CDC bus service (Route 632) which stops at Mount St Benedict College. Please note that a valid Student Opal Card is required for this service.
      • Afternoon Alternative Travel Option: If the Bennies Metro Shuttle is full, students may use the public CDC bus service (Route 632) to Cherrybrook Metro. Please note that a valid Student Opal Card is required for this service.
      Show more

      Transport to and from School

      Transport to and from School

      Mount St Benedict College is well serviced by buses which drop and pick up students in Beecroft Road before the start and at the end of the College day. Parents should make their own enquiries to TRANSPORT INFOLINE if train or bus travel is required.

      Students must have a valid Opal Card to travel on school buses and they are required to tap on and off both morning and afternoon. The School OPAL card gives eligible students free or discounted travel between home and school, using the train, bus and ferry services you nominate in your application. For further information go to transportnsw.info/school-students

      It is very important that students use their Opal card to tap on and off the Government bus services provided. If students do not have an Opal card for the Government bus, parents are asked to order a replacement card online.

      https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/ticket-elig...

      Tapping on and off with your Opal card is vital as College Bus services are provided by Transport NSW in response to the needs of the community. The need is determined by the data collected from students using their Opal card to tap on and off the bus. If students do not have an Opal card or do not use their Opal card to tap on and off, this leads to inaccurate data being collected, and the need is not addressed or known by Transport NSW. This leads to full buses and transport needs are not met as a result.

      Bennies Private Bus Services

      Students must tap on and off the private bus services with their College-issued ID card. Year 7 and new students to the College are exempt until they are issued with cards.

      Please see link for timetable and bus stop locations: https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/location-and-transport/private-bus-services/

      Bennies Ryde Region Service (BB1) (Limited seats available)
      Paid Private Bus Service
      Bus stops: Ermington, West Ryde, Putney, Ryde, North Ryde, Marsfield and Epping.
      Link to bus route (after opening the Google map, double click on the bus stop to see photos of the bus stop location)

      Bennies North West Service (BB2) (No seats available)
      Paid Private Bus Service
      Bus stops: Rouse Hill, Beaumont Hills, North Kellyville, Kellyville and Castle Hill
      Link to bus route (after opening the Google map, double click on the bus stop to see photos of the bus stop location)

      Bennies North Shore Service (BB3) (Limited seats available)
      Paid Private Bus Service
      Bus stops: South Turramurra, West Pymble, Pymble, Turramurra, Warrawee, Wahroonga, Hornsby and Thornleigh
      Link to bus route (after opening the Google map, double click on the bus stop to see photos of the bus stop location)

      Show more

      CDC NSW Hills district school bus changes

      CDC NSW Hills district school bus changes

      Please find attached the new CDCNSW School Travel Advice which is effective from Monday 3 March 2025. Most services have not changed. CDC NSW have added a few new routes such as:

      Route 600 will operate between Parramatta and Pennant Hills Station.

      Catch the train or new route 590 between Pennant Hills and Hornsby to/from school.

      Route 660 updated Castlewood start location

      CDCNSW would like to remind students they must have a valid Opal card to travel on all public transport, including school buses, and must tap on and off morning and afternoon.

      Click here to see bus travel advice.

      MSB Parent Portal

      MSB Parent Portal

      The new College portal, BenniesLink was launched in November 2024 and is available for parents to access. BenniesLink is a centralised platform to help you efficiently manage your daughter’s education at the College. The portal is also used by staff and students at the College. This portal will give you easy access to College learning platforms, parent information, newsletters, student timetables, and the College calendar.


      The BenniesLink portal is available through your desktop browser and the mobile app.


      Year 7 Parents and New 2025 Families
      An email has been sent with instructions for logging into BenniesLink for the first time.

      BenniesLink Parent Portal User Guide: CLICK HERE
      This comprehensive guide will help you navigate and utilise the features of the portal.

      Year 8 -12 Parents
      If you have yet to log into BenniesLink, please refer to the user guide linked above.

      Link to log in for the first time:

      https://bennieslink.msb.nsw.edu.au/

      Access this link to log in for the first time and click the Forgot Password link.

      Subsequent log-in link: https://bennieslink.msb.nsw.edu.au/
      The functionality of the portal will continue to grow as further enhancements are progressively rolled out.

      Mrs Kylie Gray
      Director of Marketing

      Show more

      New Canteen Provider - Vanilla Blue

      New Canteen Provider - Vanilla Blue

      In 2025, Mount St Benedict College has partnered with a new canteen provider.

      Introduction from Vanilla Blue

      Vanilla Blue are excited to be your new canteen provider at Mount St Benedict College. As finalists in 2023 and 2024 for “Education Site Caterer of the Year”, we focus on wholesome lunches and snacks that will be freshly prepared on-site each day by our dedicated and friendly canteen team including your Canteen Manager- Migumi, Chef- Josh and Canteen Assistants- Kym, Sharon and Prin.

      If you have any questions or would like to speak to our team, please call 1300 556 086 or msbcanteen@vanillablue.com.au .


      Menu

      Please view our menu here.
      There are Daily deals, click here.

      Student Opening specials, Click here.

      Students are not permitted to order hot drinks including coffee, except for Year 11 and 12 students, who are permitted to order hot chocolates before school or during study periods.

      Payment information
      Orders can be placed up to 8am on the day via the Flexischools app, or over the counter by Student ID card (linked to the Flexischools account) or physical bank/ATM cards.
      Please note the canteen does not accept cash.

      Vanilla Blue supports the College’s policy on mobile phone usage, so we are unable to accept payment by mobile tap-and-go.

      Your student Flexischools account should already be linked to the new canteen menu.

      Sign up to Flexischools here.

      2025 Commonwealth School Data Collection Notice and NCCD - Information Notice

      2025 Commonwealth School Data Collection Notice and NCCD - Information Notice

      Commonwealth School Data Collection Notice

      The Australian Government Department of Education (the department) would like to notify you that we have requested for your child’s school to provide residential address and other information.

      Why is this information collected?

      The Student residential address and other information collection (address collection) informs Australian Government school education policy and helps ensure funding for non-government schools is based on need.

      The information collected is used to inform school funding calculations. It is combined with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data to calculate a non-government school community’s anticipated capacity to contribute to schooling costs, known as the capacity, to contribute (CTC) score. More information is available on the CTC page .

      Use and disclosure of personal information

      Your personal information is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). Personal information is information or an opinion about an identifiable individual. Personal information includes an individual’s name and contact details.

      Any use or disclosure of your personal information must occur in accordance with the Privacy Act, the Australian Education Act 2013 and Australian Education Regulations 2023.

      Please see full notice here.

      Have you moved or changed your phone number recently?

      Please update your change of contact details here. If you have moved and your daughter catches public transport, click here for transport and Opal Card information.

      Sarah Links to be added in the last paragraph:

      To change address click here:

      Transport NSW information

      Show more

      Upcoming Events

      Upcoming Events ​
      Year 7 Camp Wednesday 19 February - Friday 21 February
      Caritas Trek (Group 1) Tuesday 25 February
      Year 12 Learning Conversations (Zoom) Tuesday 25 February
      Year 7 2025 Winter Outfitting Tuesday 25 February - Wednesday 26 February
      College Swimming Carnival Thursday 27 February
      Caritas Trek (Group 2) Friday 28 February
      Open Day Sunday 2 March
      Shrove Tuesday Tuesday 4 March
      Beyond Bennies Assembly * Tuesday 4 March
      Ash Wednesday Wednesday 5 March
      International Women's Day / Mother Daughter Breakfast (Year 12) Friday 7 March 7.30am -8.30am Click here to book
      Visit from Seiwa High School (Japan) Friday 7 March - Monday 10 March
      Naplan (Year 7 & 9) Wednesday 12 March to Monday 17 March
      Year 10 Residential Experience Wednesday 19 March - Friday 21 March
      P&F Year 7 Welcome Parent Event Friday 21 March 6.30pm
      College Assembly * Tuesday 1 April
      Last day of Term One Friday 11 April
      First day of Term Two Tuesday 29 April

      To Access the schedule of events for 2025 log in to BenniesLink (Parent Portal) Calendar.

      *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 live stream link is here.

      Cocurricular News

      Swimming Carnival

      Swimming Carnival

      The MSB Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 27 February at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Homebush Bay.

      This is a compulsory school day. All students are required to attend. Students who are unwell will require a doctor’s certificate. The carnival will be on regardless of the weather, as the venue is indoors. Please remember to text the MSB Absentee line on0407 461 087 should your daughter be unwell.

      Spectators: Parents are welcome to attend as spectators. No admission cost for spectators. All parents will be required to sign in at the venue and must be seated in the first bays (closest to the main entry) in either grandstand.

      Uniform: Full College PDHPE uniform must be worn to and from school. Appropriate one-piece swimming costume at the aquatic centre.

      What to Bring :  Swimming costume, towel, swimming cap and water bottle. Students will have limited access to the canteen during the day, however we strongly encourage bringing your own lunch and snacks. Do not bring any electronics.

      PLEASE NOTE: Students are required to bring their College House swimming cap. This is a requirement from the aquatic centre. Swimming caps can be purchased from the College Uniform Shop for $8.00 in House colours. We encourage all students to purchase their House colour cap before the day. Parents can purchase caps via FlexiSchools online.

      Year 8-12 students in the two new houses (Jamberoo and Scholastica) will receive a cap free of charge.

      Year 7 students have already purchased their swimming cap at uniform outfitting and will receive it when they arrive to the carnival.

      See the permission note sent via Operoo for full details.

      Austria Music & Language Learning Tour 2025

      Austria Music & Language Learning Tour 2025

      This year, we are excited to be offering the Austria Music & Language Learning Tour to take place in the December holidays. This tour is designed to provide a unique opportunity for students who are studying or are thinking of studying German or are involved in cocurricular or curriculum subjects.

      We will be holding a webinar on Tuesday 18 February at 6:30pm for parents and students who are interested in attending and want to find out more information. The click on the link here , it will be hosted by Mrs Sandy Huang, Music Teacher and Music Academy Convenor and Mrs Christina He, Leader of Cocurricular.

      Expressions of Interest to attend are now open. To register your interest, please complete the form. This is NOT an official registration for the Tour as all applications will undergo an approval process. We will notify students who receive a place on the Tour and further information will then be provided about registration and payment.

      For more information please see this brochure.

      Cocurricular Sport

      CoCurricular Sport Registrations now open for Term Two

      CoCurricular Sport Registrations now open for Term Two

      Please be advised that registrations for our Term Two sports are now open. For more information please read the Term Two cocurricular Update and check your student email. The options are listed below:

      Interschool:

      - IGSA Basketball

      - IGSA Football (Soccer)

      Social Sport:

      - Social Netball

      Physical Activity:

      - Bootcamp

      Please note, registrations will close Sunday 2 March.

      For any enquiries regarding Interschool Sport please email Miss Bronte Finegan bfinegan@msb.nsw.edu.au

      For any enquiries regarding Social Sport or Physical Activity please email Miss Stephanie Kelleway skelleway@msb.nsw.edu.au.

      P & F News

      Open Day P&F Helpers

      Open Day P&F Helpers

      2025 Open Day P&F Committee are looking for volunteers to serve at the BBQ service and Refreshments stands for our visitors.

      When: Sunday 2 March 2025

      Please click this link to book your timeslot and/or refreshment donation.  You are able to book for more than one timeslot.

      If you are unable to assist on the day, you might consider donating cakes and/or slices. Food donation guidelines: - Please do not donate items that require refridgeration.
      - when signing up please put your name/daughters' name on containers you wish to have returned.

      Deliveries:

      Deliveries can be made to the MSB Centre Reception [Entry via Hull Road, drive up to the Rose Garden turning circle] on Friday 28 February between 10:00am - 2:00pm and Saturday 1 March in the Main Carpark between 12:00pm - 2:00pm . (entry via Pennant Hills Road). Please do not deliver prior to these dates, Alternatively, bring your item/s on the day to the Hildegard Centre Foyer. We appreciate your help.

      P&F Executive Committee

      College Shop

      College Uniform Shop

      The College Shop is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during Term Time between 8.00am-12.00pm and 1.00pm-4.00pm, and is located near the Hall Courtyard.
      Click here to see the 2025 College Shop price list

      Please note the College Shop does not accept cash.

      Community Notices

      Good Samaritan Lent Appeal

      Good Samaritan Lent Appeal

      For over 165 years the Sisters of the Good Samaritan have eased the pressure placed on vulnerable women and children by offering a safe haven, education, food security and hope.

      Today is a great day to donate to the Sisters’ ministries in Australia, the Philippines, Kiribati and Timor Leste!

      If you wish to support a particular program please choose your preference on the donation form.

      Blessings to you Good Samaritan. Thank you for your generosity.

      Click here to donate.

      Bus Safety Week

      Bus Safety Week

      The Transport for NSW Bus Safety Week campaign runs from 17 – 23 February 2024 to highlight the important message of bus safety. We are constantly working with our team to achieve the highest safety standards for driving and bus maintenance and consistently focus on safety as a priority in our services. There are also steps you and your students can take to be bus aware and act safely in and around buses.

      The Transport for NSW campaign aims to remind pedestrians, parents, students, motorists, passengers, cyclists, and bus drivers that we all have a part to play in bus safety.

      Mount St Benedict College

      Mount St Benedict College

      449D Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills NSW 2120

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      www.msb.nsw.edu.au

      449D Pennant Hills Rd
      Pennant Hills NSW 2120
      AUSTRALIA

      College Office

      02 9980 0444

      admin@msb.nsw.edu.au

      Copyright © 2024.
      All rights reserved

      Mount St Benedict College acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their connection to land, oceans, sky and community.

      We pay our respect to their elders past and present. Walk softly on Country.