From the Principal
The Journey Is the Point.
This week's Principal's Assembly.
This semesters Principal's Assembly was held yesterday, bringing students and staff together to celebrate not just academic achievement, but the everyday courage that makes achievement possible. We were delighted to welcome back Danielle Cronin, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, College graduate, and former College captain, as the assembly's keynote speaker.
A Reflection for the Term ahead.
As we close out the term, a few thoughts for our community. To our award recipients: you did not simply accumulate marks on a page. You practised something far more difficult: turning up when it was hard, asking the question you were afraid to ask, revising the paragraph you thought was finished, reaching out to a classmate who needed a hand. These are not small things. They are, in fact, the entire point.
On Our Benedictine Heritage.
St Benedict did not build his communities around triumph. He built them around stability, conversion, and obedience; three words that, in his Rule, simply mean: stay, keep growing, and listen. As young women formed in this tradition, our students are inheritors of something twelve centuries old and as urgent as tomorrow. A world that prizes noise and speed has never needed contemplative, determined women more than it does right now. The truly educated woman is not merely clever; she is wise. Not merely capable; she is compassionate. Not merely successful; she is good.
The Gift of Mistakes.
Mistakes do not diminish a person. They transform them. No one is a lesser person for having made errors; they are richer for them. Every stumble, every wrong answer, every plan that fell apart is experience pressing itself in, making a person more valuable than they were before.
It is not practice that makes perfect; it is the mistakes we learn from that make perfect. History agrees. Christopher Columbus set out on a navigational miscalculation, and discovered an entire continent. Alexander Fleming forgot to clean a petri dish properly, and gave the world penicillin. These were not people who avoided failure; they were people who refused to be defined by it.
So our students should not be frightened of their mistakes, or shrink from the risk of getting it wrong. The bigger the step they dare to take, the bigger the world they stand to discover. Just keep going.
For Those Not Called to the Stage.
A word also for those who were not called to the stage this term, because this matters just as much, if not more. An award is a photograph. It captures one moment, in one subject, measured in one particular way, on one particular day. It cannot photograph courage. It cannot frame the morning someone nearly gave up but didn't. It cannot display the grade pulled back from the brink, the friendship mended, the idea that surprised even a teacher. Those things are real, and they count.
The journey is not the path to the award. The journey is the point. Every question wrestled with, every concept that finally clicks at eleven o'clock at night, every draft rewritten; that is where the real learning lives. Awards acknowledge a destination. But it is the road that makes a person who they are.
Keep striving, not for the certificate, but for the woman each student is becoming. She is worth every step.
Thanks and Best Wishes.
To our staff and teachers, whose dedication makes every award possible: our deepest gratitude. And to our families, who make the sacrifices and say the prayers behind the scenes: thank you for trusting us with what is most precious to you.
As we close this semester, here are three things for every young woman in this community: don't be scared of mistakes; they are the raw material of greatness. Take bigger steps; the world needs your boldness. And just keep going, because persistence, more than talent, more than luck, is what turns an ordinary life into an extraordinary one. Go forth rested, curious, and kind. Carry the spirit of this place with you, not as nostalgia, but as a compass. And when the term ahead asks more than you think you have, remember that you have already done hard things. You are, each of you, more than enough.
Congratulations to our award recipients, and best wishes to every remarkable young woman in our community as we head into the term break.
Looking Ahead.
The community extends its best wishes to all students, staff, and families for a restful and well-deserved term break.
We also look forward to welcoming back our College Principal, Mr Hanratty, who returns in Term Three following a period of Long Service Leave. Our thanks go to him for his ongoing leadership, and we wish him well as he prepares to rejoin the community.
Mrs Karen Keogh
Acting Principal
From the Dean of Mission
Today we celebrated Mount St Benedict Day, a wonderful occasion of community celebration marking the Feast Day of our College's Patron Saint. While the actual Feast of St Benedict falls on 11 July, it occurs during the school holidays, so we commemorate this important occasion on the final day of term through our MSB Day celebrations.
The highlight of the day was the opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate Mass. As the Fortieth Anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy reminds us:
“By its beauty too, the liturgy will continue to be the source and summit, and the school and norm of the Christian life.”
There is no more fitting way for us to gather than in the celebration of the Eucharist.
We were grateful to welcome newly ordained Fr Shayne D’Cunha, who joined us for the first time to celebrate the liturgy. Fr Shayne has recently been appointed to the Parish of Epping and Carlingford, and we look forward to his continued involvement in the life of the College.
From the Dean of Wellbeing
At Mount St Benedict College, we often speak about forming young women of wisdom, courage, and compassion. One of the most powerful, and often underestimated ways we nurture these qualities is through reading. Quite simply, readers are leaders.
Why Reading Matters
International research consistently affirms the central role of reading in student success. The OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) defines reading literacy as the ability to understand, use, reflect on, and engage with texts in order to achieve goals and participate fully in society. In other words, reading is not just a school skill, it is a life skill.
PISA data also highlights two key messages:
Students who are engaged readers are more likely to be effective learners and perform well academically.
Reading engagement is closely connected to motivation, confidence, and long-term learning capacity.
Curriculum News
Year 7 Geography Excursion
Year 7 Geography Excursion
On Friday 12 June, Year 7 students travelled to Meadowbank as part of their Geography studies. The excursion provided students with the opportunity to undertake a range of fieldwork activities related to the topic, Liveability of Places.
Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of hands-on learning experiences. They completed field sketches of Shepherds Bay Village, identifying both human and natural features of the landscape. Students also tested water samples from the Parramatta River, analysing key water quality indicators including pH levels, bacteria, and turbidity.
While exploring Shepherds Bay Village, students conducted observations and completed a liveability survey, examining factors such as access to services and facilities, environmental quality, and overall amenity.
The excursion provided a valuable opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world examples and develop their fieldwork skills in an authentic setting.
Year 7 students are to be commended for their exemplary behaviour, enthusiasm, and positive attitudes throughout the day.
Mrs Danielle O’Neill
HSIE Faculty
Engineering Talk
Engineering Talk
Year 11 and 12 Engineering Studies welcomed ex-student Jasmine Patanjali (Class of 2023) to class.
Jasmine is in her third year of a Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Sydney (USYD). She went through the different types of engineering streams offered at university, some typical university requirements such as bridging courses and how assessments work at university.
Did you know that Biomedical and Environmental Engineering have more females than males enrolled?
Jasmine is a strong advocate for Women in Engineering and she is the vice president of the Chemical Engineering Association at USYD.
Women still only make up approximately 15% of the engineering population in Australia.
We cannot thank Jasmine enough for giving up her time to talk to our class and promote engineering as a career.
What is Bennies doing to promote Engineering?
We offer Engineering Studies in Years 11 and 12 which mimics first year university Engineering subjects and we learn real world CAD skills. The course includes Civil, Telecommunications, Biomedical and Aeronautical Engineering components.
You can also take up Engineering in Years 9 and 10 and get a taster for engineering. Please ask any of the TAS teachers for more information.
Did you know that 100% of the Class of 2025 Engineering Studies students are currently enrolled in engineering at university? Well done to the Class of 2025!
Mrs Melina Moyes
Engineering Studies Teacher
From the Dean of Cocurricular
College Musical - The Wizard of Oz!
College Musical - The Wizard of Oz!
Our recent biennial College production of The Wizard of Oz was far more than a musical, it was a vibrant celebration of the spirit, talent, and community that make our College so special. We had over 250 students and staff who made up the cast and crew for this production which is outstanding. It really takes a village for this to happen.
Across multiple performances, audiences were treated to a spectacular journey down the Yellow Brick Road, brought to life by the dedication and enthusiasm of our students, staff, families, and volunteers. From the memorable performances on stage to the countless hours spent behind the scenes creating costumes, sets, lighting, sound, and choreography, the production showcased the remarkable gifts and commitment of our College community. In addition, our Year 11 BSV and Hospitality students assisted with all our front-of-house needs, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the true spirit of Benedictine hospitality.
One of the greatest highlights of the musical was witnessing our community come together with a shared sense of purpose and pride. Students from a wide range of year levels collaborated, formed new friendships, developed confidence, and discovered talents they may never have known they possessed. My favourite moments behind the scenes was seeing our students warm-up together, share a meal, cheer each other on, have a laugh and seeing the sisterhood well and truly alive with connections between all year levels.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to many staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes with rehearsals, costume preparations, and performance nights, ensuring every detail contributed to an unforgettable experience. There were over forty staff who had some form of responsibility and oversight to make the production happen. Their passion and commitment to provide the best for our students is what makes musicals at Bennies such a memorable experience for everyone involved.
As the final curtain fell and the audience rose in applause, it was clear that The Wizard of Oz, had achieved something truly special. It provided an opportunity for our community to gather, celebrate our unique spirit, and create lasting memories together. I extend my sincere congratulations to every student who showed resilience, courage and determination to bring this production to life. And to every person who was involved, students, staff, parents and volunteers, thank you for helping to bring a little magic to our College and for demonstrating the extraordinary power of community.
Mrs Christina He
Dean of Cocurricular
Cocurricular News
Triple Threat Performance Skills Program
Triple Threat Performance Skills Program
Triple Threat Performance Skills is a new cocurricular program launching in Term Three, till the end of Term Four, open to students in Years 7–9. Each week students will work across singing, acting, and movement, learning a full musical theatre number over a four-week cycle, from first notes through to group performing.
Sessions are facilitated by Ms McKinley, and no prior experience is required.
When: Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Starts: Thursday 24 July
Places: Limited to 30 students
Sign-ups: Open tomorrow on ClipBoard and will close Tuesday, Week One, term Three
Cost $150 for the semester
Sydney Dance Company Dance Workshops 13 and 14 July 2026
Sydney Dance Company Dance Workshops 13 and 14 July 2026
Sydney Dance Company will be holding dance workshops at Mount St Benedict College 9.30am - 4.30pm on Monday 13 July and Tuesday 14 July.
We have generously been supplied a discount code for MSB community to use for 10% off the cost of this two day workshop, MSB10.
Please direct any queries to Sydney Dance Company.
Representative Sport
NSW Touch All Schools Metro West Championships
Our Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 Touch Football teams attended the Metro West championships on Tuesday in Week 9.
Year 7/8: Our Year 7/8 team had limited Touch Football experience, however the girls played very well, conceding only one try in their first two games.
A hard fought draw and win followed by a tough 2-0 loss to the eventual finalists showed how far the team had improved. The girls finished off the day by winning one of their last two games, ending with two wins.
They showed great commitment and enthusiasm and built into the Gala Day very well, excelling with their defence.
Congratulations to the following girls on a wonderful effort: Charlotte H, Elka J, Emma B, Imogen C, Katherine W, Liv B, Lucy P, Molly P, Rebecca R, Unara R, Victoria F, and coach, Mr Guy.
Year 9/10: The Year 9/10 team began the tournament strongly, recording several convincing wins in the pool rounds. A thrilling 4–3 victory over Hills Sports on the full-time siren secured first place in their pool and a semi-final against Pymble Ladies' College.
The girls produced an outstanding performance in the semi-final, defeating Pymble 7–2 to qualify for the grand final, where they would once again face Hills Sports. In a closely contested match, the scores were locked at 3–3 at full time, forcing the game into drop-off extra time.
MSB held their nerve in the extra period to claim the championship and secure their place in the State Finals in Term Three.
Congratulations to the following students: Abigail W, Amelia B, Annabel C, Cate G, Claudia M, Elise W, Emma S, Mia S, Millie K, Poppy L, Samaira S, Zoe L, and coach, Mr Lichaa.
CGSSSA Futsal Championships
On Friday 19 June, our Junior (Years 7-9) and Senior (Years 10-12) Futsal team competed in the CGSSSA Futsal Championships at Camellia Indoor Sports Centre and produced some outstanding performances to be crowned champions in both divisions. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who supported the team during the day.
Junior (Years 7-9): Congratulations to our Junior Futsal team, who travelled to the CGSSSA Futsal Championships last week and returned home with the gold medal.
The girls were dominant throughout the pool stage, opening with a 6-1 win over St Scholastica's College, before a 3-3 draw with Saint Angelo Mercy College, and a commanding 9-0 victory over Brigidine College. This form saw them top their pool with an outstanding +14 goal difference, setting up a semi-final against Loreto, which the team won comfortably, 6-2.
That set up a gold medal showdown against Stella Maris College, who had knocked the team out at the semi-final stage last year, making this a much anticipated rematch. The girls fought hard and came out on top with a 2-1 win, securing the title in a wonderful piece of redemption for the squad.
A fantastic achievement from the whole team, and a great reflection of their effort and team cohesion across the day. Congratulations to the squad: Ava D, Charlotte H, Ellie T, Emma S, Olivia M, Savannah C, Sienna J, Sienna M, and Coach Miss Finegan.
Senior (Years 10-12) The girls began the day strongly with convincing wins over Santa Sabina College (7–0) and Our Lady of Mercy College (11–0). Their only pool loss came in a closely contested 3–2 match against Stella, who finished on top of the group.
In the semi-final, Bennies defeated Loreto Kirribilli 3–1 to secure a place in the grand final, setting up a rematch against Stella Maris College. The final was a thrilling contest, with both teams trading goals throughout the game. After the scores were locked at 4–4 at full time, the match moved into golden goal extra time.
The girls showed tremendous composure and teamwork, combining beautifully to score the winning goal and claim a memorable 5–4 victory.
Congratulations to the following players for their determination, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the tournament: Charli J, Chloe H, Emilie C, Isabella D, Scarlett R, Olivia R, Lucy VH, Tahlia M, and Coach, Mr Dixon.
NSWCCC Football (Soccer) Knockout
On Monday afternoon, the MSB Opens Football team played their qualifying round of the NSWCCC Knockout at Pennant Hills Park.
The match was controlled from start to finish by a strong MSB side, demonstrating impressive strength, skill and composure in a convincing 7–1 victory over St Leo’s Catholic College, Wahroonga. The team now progress to the NSWCCC State Quarter Finals, where they will face a team from country NSW next term.
Despite losing a centre back to injury before the match, and a left winger at half time, several players adapted to unfamiliar positions, highlighting the depth, versatility and commitment within the squad.
Congratulations to the team on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to the next round. Go MSB!
Senior Team: Annika F, Charli J, Chloe H, Emilie C, Emily D, Emily G, Isabella D, Lucy VH, Olivia R, Scarlett R, Sienna B, Sienna M, Sophia A, Tahlia M, Yvette F, Zara A.
Mr Darren Nosti
Sport Academy Coordinator
Upcoming Events
College News
Da Vinci Decathlon- Student Reflections on Challenge, Creativity and Collaboration
Da Vinci Decathlon- Student Reflections on Challenge, Creativity and Collaboration
In Term Two, 40 students represented Bennies in the Da Vinci Decathlon on the 12 and 13 May at Knox Grammar School. The theme for the 2026 Da Vinci Decathlon was “Machines and Mechanics”.
The Da Vinci Decathlon is an inter-school academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate the minds of school students with an emphasis on higher order thinking skills, problems solving and creativity. Over the course of a day, students work in a team to complete 10 challenges. The challenges encompass a wide range of learning areas, including Maths, English, Science as well as Engineering, Code-breaking, Cartography , Art and Drama. Decathlon teams are made up of eight students who were selected based on the information they provided in an expression of interest form, teacher recommendations and academic history. Team design reflects an attempt to create a cohesive team with knowledge and abilities in all 10 areas of competition, as well as personal and social attributes that positively contribute to team goals.
At the conclusion of the event, every Bennies team placed in the top 15 for at least one challenge, which is a significant accomplishment, especially with up to 82 teams per year. The Year 11s deserve a special mention as they came 15th overall and placed in 7 of the 10 challenges, which is extraordinary. This is a testament to their motivation, abilities, and hard work, but also the result of up to five years involvement in the competition. Alexis’ reflection below offers thoughtful insights into her team’s success. Yean shares her experiences as a first timer, Chaarvi explains how the competition helped her as a learner and Tianna explains how the competition can be both “tumultuous and terrific”.
Year (7): First Impressions
Year 7 Grandparents’ Day
Year 7 Grandparents’ Day
We are delighted to invite our Bennies' grandparents to attend Grandparents' Day on Friday, 31 July, for morning tea with their Year 7 granddaughters. Year 7 will then take their grandparent/s to experience one of their classes.
RSVP
Please register here by Friday 24 July to help us with catering, event and transport planning. It would be appreciated if the attending grandparent's email addresses could be included in the online booking, as we would like to confirm parking details with attendees in the lead-up to the event.
Parking
With a large attendance expected, parking opportunities will be limited to the College's external streets (see map, marked in pink) .
There is no parking available on-site at the College.
For the convenience of our guests and to avoid a long walk to the College, the Bennies Bus (39 seats) will also run continuous shuttle loops to collect guests from designated bus stops along Albert Road, Beecroft, to the College. Staff members will be at each bus stop wearing high-vis vests, and a staff member will also be on board the bus to assist guests on and off the bus.
Bus Times:
Pick-up - Between 10:00am - 10:45am from listed pick-up points on Hull and Albert Roads, Beecroft.Drop-off - Between 12.25pm – 1.00pm departing from the Hall Courtyard. A staff member will escort guests to the bus. The bus will drop off at the listed back bus stops on Hull and Albert Roads, Beecroft.
Disabled Parking: Please contact the College Marketing Team on 9980 0401 or email
ajunkiewicz@msb.nsw.edu.au
to book disabled parking for this event.
We are anticipating a wonderful morning that our Bennies grandparents will enjoy and remember.
Mrs Kylie Gray
Director of Advancement
College Shop
Volunteers for Year 7 2027 Uniform Fittings (current Bennies mothers and grandmothers)
Volunteers for Year 7 2027 Uniform Fittings (current Bennies mothers and grandmothers)
The College Shop would appreciate assistance from our current Bennies mothers and grandmothers at the upcoming Year 7 2027 Uniform Fittings.
We are pleased to offer face-to-face uniform fittings to our incoming Year 7 families.
In addition to assisting families with uniform fittings, volunteers will play an important role in welcoming our new families and strengthening our wonderful Bennies community.
Uniform Fitting Dates
Monday 24 August - Friday 11 September 2026
8am - 1.30pm
You might volunteer for one day or multiple days over the three weeks.
Would any of our Bennies grandmothers be interested in this opportunity?
This is also a great opportunity to meet and work alongside other parents/grandparents at the College.
If you are interested, please register using this link and select your preferred dates.
All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Working with Children Check (if you have not done so already); free to apply. Apply here .
Training will be given on the day, and any help given will be gratefully received.
Mrs Gina Cheng
Acting College Shop Manager
