From the Principal
I'm sure, as you go to work each morning, you have started to notice that it is getting darker. I am an early bird at work, and these days it's still dark when I arrive, which is quite unnerving in Summer! It’s a stark reminder that our morning routine is a fixed point where we can measure the changing of the seasons. Since the summer solstice on 21 December, the days have begun to shorten, and that trend accelerates in February and March. Even a minute or two of change can catch our attention, reminding us to appreciate not only the gift of light but the gift of time as well.
The focus on light is particularly poignant this week. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks powerfully about light. He describes the lamp that pierces darkness in a home but goes further, reminding us of our own potential to be that lamp. Just as a flame illuminates what would otherwise remain dim, our lives can reveal the spark of divine life within each of us.
Last Friday, we held our 60th Anniversary Mass, and in the readings and rituals, presider Bishop Anthony Randazzo acknowledged both our students and staff as bearers of the "Light of Christ." As a symbol, there was a presentation of candles to our new staff, lit from the College candle, to welcome them to our College. These moments reminded us powerfully that we are called to be light-bearers in our community.
Two days ago, we began the season of Lent. There's something sombre about Ash Wednesday, and yet the ashes are a signal of hope. In the ashes of our own lives, we can find that glimmer of hope, and Jesus calls us to feed and nurture it until it transforms our lives. We can be a light to a world that desperately needs it. And in no better way do we realise the power of that hope than in the light of Easter.
We don’t doubt the power of the sun to bathe our world in light. But what of the light within us? Jesus suggests we ought never underestimate that power. Never should we conclude that we are incapable of shedding light in our corner of the world. In fact, Jesus reminds us: we are the light of the world. The light we shed matters, despite any doubts about ourselves.
At the College, we see this light shining in acts of kindness between students, in the dedication of our staff, in the courage of those who stand up for others, in the quiet moments of support that go unnoticed by most but mean everything to one person. We see that next week in particular with the two (very) early mornings of the Caritas Trek—more than just fundraising, it's a genuine effort to "walk in the shoes" of women around the world whose task it is each and every day to bring water to their families from distant locations, on foot. We will also see it in the joy of House Spirit at the Swimming Carnival on Thursday, and I look forward to meeting those parents who can make it to support "their House."
This week, our Year 7 students headed out on their first Residential Experience at Stanwell Tops. This was an exciting first milestone in their journey with us, and they embraced new challenges, built friendships, and grew together as a cohort.
Let us carry this theme forward together, understanding that our community shines brightest when each individual lamp burns true.
Michael Hanratty
Principal
From the Dean of Mission
Over the past two weeks, the Mission of the College has been vibrant and full of life. We have had many opportunities to gather and celebrate what it means to be a Good Samaritan Benedictine community. So much has taken place, that it is impossible to capture it all here. I would encourage you to follow the College on social media, where photos and stories beautifully reflect the spirit, commitment and joy that define our community.
Our Opening College Mass to mark our 60th Anniversary was a wonderful occasion for us to come together in gratitude and celebration. We were honoured to welcome Bishop Randazzo and Fr Raphael, and we thank them sincerely for sharing this special moment with us. The Bishop’s homily can be accessed here and I encourage you to read it.
Following Mass, we warmly welcomed our new students and formally commissioned our new staff, before our first and current College Captains cut a celebratory cake for our Anniversary.
Under the guidance of Mrs Wells, the Year 10 Ministry Class did a fantastic job running our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Stall this week. Supported by Mrs Johnson, Mrs McGrath, Mrs Elsey, and the Year 11 Hospitality Class, they cooked up a storm to fulfill the 280 orders placed. We are thankful to Ms Ursino for joining the lunchtime team. The girls and staff served every customer with incredible efficiency. It is a lot of orders to get out in a short space of time!
Curriculum News
Free Parent Webinar: Helping Your Child Manage Their Time
Free Parent Webinar: Helping Your Child Manage Their Time
We’re excited to announce that Elevate Education will be hosting their next parent webinar on Wednesday 25 February.
Elevate works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you’ll learn how you can help support your daughter at home by reinforcing the skills she’s learning at school.
Sign up for the session below to learn how you can help your daughter to balance her priorities and stay on top of her workload.
Live Parent Webinar: How You Can Help Your Child Manage Their Time
Wednesday 25 February 6:30-7:30pm (AEDT)
Click here to register for free
Here’s what Elevate will be covering on the night:
✅ Align expectations on homework with your daughter.
✅ Help your daughter balance her schoolwork and social life.
✅ Set up a weekly planner tool with your daughter.
Jamie Warren
Head of Languages Faculty
Cocurricular News
At Mount St Benedict College, we have intentionally used the word 'co' for cocurricular as opposed to 'extra' curricular. It can be sometimes easy or convenient to see cocurricular activities as 'extra' as time fillers, yet, some of the most powerful learning happens precisely in these spaces - on the stage, on the sporting field, in rehearsal rooms, in debating rounds, in the art rooms and clubs at lunch.
When students choose to show up consistently to cocurricular activities, they are doing far more than attending practice or rehearsal. They are building habits of commitment, resilience and teamwork. They are learning that excellence is not accidental - it is the product of effort repeated over time. Cocurricular involvement provides a unique environment where growth is visible. A musician who attends every rehearsal hears the improvement in ensemble cohesion. An athlete who trains consistently feels an increase in strength and confidence. A debater who turns up each week learns to think more critically and respond with clarity under pressure. Progress in these spaces is earned collectively and individually - and it only happens when students show up.
With the launch of Clipboard this year, I have been able to monitor participation and attendance more accurately. It has been amazing to see almost 1,000 registrations across the breadth of the program just for Term One. I am incredibly proud of our participatory culture, which has been embedded in the program over the years. This only happens because our staff work hard to provide quality experiences, parents support their children in pursuing their endeavours, and, most importantly, our students choose to show up and be part of the holistic learning experience at Bennies.
I have been walking the grounds before and after school these last few weeks, and it has brought me much joy to see the place buzzing with excitement. I have seen students participate with enthusiasm, grit and determination in their sports training, students whose confidence grew throughout their rehearsals or lessons and students who laughed and giggled with friends they just made. I particularly enjoyed one of my visits to the new Study Hub initiative, where our newest and youngest members of the community, Year 7 students, were seeking words of wisdom and advice from our Study Hub Mentors, graduates of the Class of 2025. It really highlighted the importance of mentoring for girls, and I loved seeing the Bennies Sisterhood in action.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the community for your patience and understanding as we implement our new cocurricular management system, Clipboard. So far, the feedback has generally been positive, particularly regarding the streamlined registration process. We are aware of a few teething issues and are working through these. If you have any further feedback, I encourage you to share it.
It is now the time of the term when we begin registrations for Term Two programs. Please ask your daughters to keep an eye on their emails for any communication, and likewise, parents can see what's on offer on Clipboard at any time.
Christina He
Dean of Cocurricular
College News
Bus Safety Week 23 February - 1 March
Bus Safety Week 23 February - 1 March
One of our school bus operators, Busways, is reminding all road users, parents, and students to ‘be bus aware’ as part of Transport for NSW’s Bus Safety Week campaign, running 23 February - 1 March.
Bus Safety Week, part of the ‘Be Bus Aware’ campaign, sees Governments, bus operators, and emergency services raise awareness about the importance of being safe in and around buses and spread the message to ‘Be Bus Aware’.
The initiative provides a timely reminder to parents to have a talk with their children about bus safety; to motorists when giving way to buses; to pedestrians to make sure they are alert of their surroundings; and to cyclists to ensure they can see where buses are. We all have a part to play in bus safety.
The ‘Be Bus Aware’ campaign has been developed with input from Bus NSW, NSW Police and Transport for NSW. For more information on bus safety or to learn about Transport for NSW’s ‘Be Bus Aware’ campaign, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/be-bus-aware or visit the Busways website https://www.busways.com.au/.
Reminder About Parking Near the College
Reminder About Parking Near the College
The College has received complaints from local residents located near the Hull Road driveway. It has been disappointing to hear of cars regularly parked over resident driveways and instances of double-parking, particularly around 3 pm on weekdays during the school term.
All members of our community should be respectful of our neighbours when parking and picking up their daughters. Just as importantly, we remind you that student and pedestrian safety is a priority for us all. Unsafe or illegal parking can pose serious risks to students and others navigating busy streets during peak times.
Please note that it is illegal to park across a driveway, even partially and that offenders can face fines exceeding $320. Parking rangers from Hornsby Council will be regularly patrolling the area.
Please:
- Allow clear access to all driveways.
- Avoid parking on curbs or nature strips.
- Park only on one side of narrow streets.
- Do not use the College driveway to turn around, as this creates serious hazards for students, pedestrians, and other drivers.
- Consider an alternative pick-up point if the area is too congested.
We also remind families that there is to be no student drop-off or pick-up via the College's Hull Road entry at any time.
In addition, we encourage the use of public transport options available from the College, including the free Bennies shuttle bus service to and from the Cherrybrook Metro.
Hornsby Shire Council road safety officers have been at the College recently and have issued warnings to some of our parents. The Council have the power to issue fines and demerits to any drivers disobeying the road rules. Please see the image for parking and traffic rules in school zones.
Thank you for your continued cooperation in supporting both our students’ safety and our positive relationship with the local community.
Student Success
Student Success
Year 8 Success
Congratulations to Sophie V (Monte Cassino) who on the weekend competed at the NSW Metropolitan Championship for swimming. She achieved 2 top 10 finishes and qualified for the Australian Age Championships (nationals) being held in Queensland in April.
Australian Girls Choir Success
Congratulations to Year 12 student Eloise S (Monte Cassino) who has been accepted into the specialist 'Bel Canto' performance vocal group, part of the Australian Girls Choir.
This is Eloise's 9th year participating in the choir and she has performed at the Opera House, been part of the Carols at the Domain, appeared on Sunrise and is a G-oz Ambassador, voted by her peers to increase awareness of the program in Australia.
Melina Moyes
MC6 Homeroom Mentor
Upcoming Events
Cocurricular Sport
Term Two, Sport Registrations are now OPEN
Term Two, Sport Registrations are now OPEN
Term Two, Sport Registrations are now OPEN on Clipboard.
Next term, the Academy of Sport will have the following programs on offer:
Interschool:
🏀 IGSA Basketball
⚽ IGSA Soccer
Social Sport:
🏐 Netball
Physical Activity:
🏃♀️ Bootcamp
🏋️♀️ Fitness Centre (Year 10-12 students only)
Detailed information is available on Clipboard, which is also where parents/guardians can complete registrations.
For questions, regarding interschool programs, please contact Miss Bronte Finegan. For inquiries regarding social sport or physical activity programs, please contact Miss StephanieKelleway.
Registrations close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 1 March.
P & F News
P&F Helpers and Donations of Baked Goods Required for Open Day - Sunday 1 March 2026
P&F Helpers and Donations of Baked Goods Required for Open Day - Sunday 1 March 2026
The P&F would appreciate your assistance at the upcoming College Open Day on Sunday 1 March 2026. This is an important day for our community and also for prospective families looking to enrol at the College.
Thank you to those who have volunteered so far.
We urgently require volunteers for the following areas:
- Serve the BBQ sausage sizzle to our students and guests on Open Day (Canteen staff will be cooking and cleaning up the BBQ).
- Serve refreshments to our visitors.
- Morning tea contributions of homemade or bought goods for the Refreshment Stand that we will serve to our guests throughout Open Day. This could include cakes, slices, biscuits, muffins, savoury etc.
The Refreshments Stand will be located in the Hildegard Centre and the BBQ service will be located near the Bennies Cafe/College Canteen on the Blue Gum Walkway.
Further information:
- Morning tea contributions may be homemade or store-bought, including cakes, slices, biscuits, muffins, and savoury items.
- We would also welcome donations of baked goods for dietary options, including gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free etc.
- Clearly label the ingredients on all donations.
- Please do not donate items that require refrigeration.
- Place your name/daughters' name and year group on containers you wish to have returned.
- Drop-off times:
This is a wonderful community event and an excellent opportunity to meet other parents at the College.
Your help is always appreciated for this major event; you can register by clicking this link and selecting your time slot/s of preferred choice.
Parish News
Youth Ministry - Is your daughter interested in building her faith with like minded young people? She can join the "Antioch" group on Sundays after the 5pm Youth Mass at St Gerards, Carlingford. They meet in the Parish Meeting Room from 6pm - 8pm to listen to talks, play games and be part of a thriving youth community. All are welcome from the ages of 10 - 23 years old.
Another Youth Group opportunity is available for students in Years 7 - 9. It is called Cana. It is an opportunity to talk about faith, play games and make new friends. They meet on Fridays on the following dates 27/2, 13/3 and 27/4 from 7:30pm - 9pm. This is held at the Parish Hall at St Gerard's Church in Carlingford.
