The last two weeks has been a rich time for our College community, with many opportunities for students and staff to deepen their faith, reflect on reconciliation, and celebrate our shared mission as a Good Samaritan school.

On Friday, we were also delighted to welcome Mission Leaders from Good Samaritan schools across Australia. It was a joy for our Mission Team to share the rich history of the College buildings and their connection to the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the many ways our students, staff and wider community live out our faith through service, hospitality and community life. We were proud to share these experiences and celebrate our shared mission together.

Ava R, and Chloe H have the following to share on the recent in-class alumni visits:

Our MyBennies classes had a very special visit from some of our own Bennies alumni!

Recently in MyBennies, we have been exploring the topic ‘What’s Behind the Red Brick Wall?’ Through this topic, we have been learning about the values and history of our school.

Dozens of alumni who graduated from Bennies between 1971 and the early 2000s visited Year 7 My Bennies classes across the school this term. Among these visitors was a very special guest, Cathy, who was part of the school’s very first graduating class and also the first College captain.

During the visit, the alumni shared many memorable stories and pieces of advice from their time at Bennies. They spoke about what school life was like many years ago, including their classrooms, traditions, friendships, and electives. Our class had the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the alumni, making the experience both engaging and meaningful.

Although Bennies has changed greatly over the past 60 years, from new buildings like the Hildegard Centre to the many new students and opportunities each year, the values and spirit of the Bennies community have remained the same.

Ava R, and Chloe H, Year 7

MYBennies classes recently participated in a “Study Skills Kick Start” workshop facilitated by Elevate Education. During the session, students explored strategies including dynamic reading, note formatting, and mind-mapping.

These foundational study skills are important in helping students build organisation, confidence, and effective learning habits that will support them throughout high school. We encourage all Year 7 parents to speak with their daughters about the strategies they learnt and how they might apply them, as these conversations can help reinforce positive study practices.

MYBennies classes have also participated in two seminars focused on Artificial Intelligence, exploring what AI is, how it functions, and how it can be used effectively and responsibly in learning. Students were introduced to CEChat (Catholic Education Chat), with guidance provided on how to use the platform in purposeful and targeted ways. The sessions also explicitly addressed academic integrity, helping students understand how AI can assist the research and learning process while still ensuring that submitted work remains authentic and free from plagiarism.

Dr Miriam Gillett
HSIE Faculty

Despite wet and drizzly weather, fourteen Year 9 and 10 students represented the College with enthusiasm and determination during the recent Clean4shore excursion on the Hawkesbury River. While many students began the day feeling nervous and unsure about what to expect, their confidence quickly grew as they worked together to remove rubbish and debris from the waterways and surrounding foreshores.

Equipped with waterproof PPE and guided by the Clean4shore team, students explored areas around Long Island and Sandbrook Inlet, collecting litter including soft plastics, polystyrene, plastic bottles and damaged marine equipment. Throughout the day, the girls demonstrated resilience, teamwork and a genuine commitment to protecting the natural environment. By the end of the excursion, the group had collected approximately 180 kilograms of waste, filling ten bags of rubbish along with larger bulk items such as canoes and kayaks.

The excursion provided students with a hands-on experience and their willingness to step outside their comfort zones and contribute positively to the environment reflected the College’s core value of Stewardship - caring for and protecting creation for future generations.

We thank the students for the energy, maturity and compassion they brought to the day, and we also extend our gratitude to the staff and Clean4shore team for providing such a meaningful learning opportunity.

Students involved: Sophia H, Valerie I, Claire M, Zara H, Matilda M, Janlous C, Woosun Y, Saanvi S, Anaaya H, Roshini K, Ishita M, Leah K, Zoe B, Isla C.

HSIE Faculty

The Year 12 Earth and Environmental Science class participated in an excursion to Long Reef and Collaroy Beach, where we conducted fieldwork and explored the fossils and stratigraphy of the local environment. This experience allowed us to actively apply our classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. Throughout the day, we discovered a variety of fossils and discussed how scientists identify the organisms to which they once belonged. We also explored the ocean rock platforms, observing local marine life such as sea urchins, sea slugs, and hermit crabs. In addition, we examined faults, weathering, and erosion processes affecting the local cliffsides. At Collaroy Beach, we learnt about coastal management strategies, including sand mining and the impacts of sand loss and erosion on nearby houses and infrastructure. We discussed the coastal hazards posed by east coast lows and tsunamis, and how seawalls help mitigate these dangers.

Mrs Veronica Christopherson
Science Faculty

The latest issue of the Library Newsletter is now available! Discover the newest books to hit the shelves, learn about our featured author, get inspired by our Genre of the Week, and explore the Research Toolkit on LibGuides for support with all your research needs.

Ami Seymour
College Librarian

Here’s what’s been happening in the Library this week! We’ve welcomed a fantastic stack of new books ready for students to borrow, perfect for quiet reading time, lunchtime, or winding down after school.

Our Author of the Week is Kasie West, known for warm, funny, and easy-to-read teen romances with characters you’ll quickly care about. If you enjoy stories about friendship, first love, and figuring yourself out, Kasie West is a great place to start.

Our Featured Book is The Sun and the Star Maker by Rachel Griffin, a beautifully written story with atmosphere, emotion, and plenty to think about. Pop in and ask at the Help Desk if you’d like help finding it.

This week’s Featured Genre is Romance. Whether you like sweet, light-hearted stories or deeper, more emotional reads, we can help match you with a book you’ll enjoy.

And finally, don’t miss our new non-fiction titles on marine life, full of fascinating facts about ocean ecosystems, sea creatures, and the wonders of the underwater world. See you in the Library soon!

Mrs Rebecca Shiels
Head of Department - Library

Many students are currently building their research skills through dedicated sessions with the College Teacher Librarian. In these lessons, students are explicitly taught the steps of the information literacy process and how to apply them confidently across their subjects. For example:

Year 7 Geography - Students are currently learning the CRAAP analysis (currency, relevancy, accuracy, authority and purpose) to critically analyse online sources for research, how to correctly format a bibliography using APA 7th Ed in the SLASA online referencing generator and how to access the Britannica and World Book databases through BenniesNet.

Year 8 Science and History - Students are applying the CRAAP analysis strategy when critically evaluating online sources.

Year 11 Geography - Students are applying their knowledge to access the State Library of NSW databases using Boolean search strings and how to read academic papers.

Year 11 Health Movement Science- Students are learning how to write literature reviews, apply APA referencing and creating search terms using Boolean operators.

Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science - Students are applying their knowledge to access online databases using the State Library of NSW, Google Scholar and BenniesNet (EBSCO).

Year 11 Modern and Ancient History - Students are applying their knowledge to access research databases through the State Library of NSW, Google Scholar and BenniesNet (EBSCO) and how to create footnotes through Chicago referencing.

Year 12 Science, English and History Extension - Students are applying their knowledge to access databases using the State Library of NSW, Google Scholar and BenniesNet (EBSCO) reading academic papers and creating search terms using Boolean operators.

To reinforce this learning, the Library also provides access to our Research Toolkit. This online resource supports students with the information research process through step-by-step instructional videos, which demonstrate each stage clearly and can be revisited at any time. The videos are available via the Bennies LibGuides under the Research Toolkit link.

Importantly, the Toolkit is designed to support not only students, but parents as well. By using the same steps and language taught at school, families can more easily guide their daughters at home, whether that means helping them clarify a research question, checking the quality of sources, or supporting good note-taking and referencing habits.

Please take the time to look at the online sources below.

Year 7-10 Research Toolkit

Year 11-12 Research Toolkit

The Library Team

Speaking Well of One Another: The Power of Positive Gossip

Whenever I tell people of my vintage that I work in girls' education, they immediately seem to teleport to 80s and 90s popular culture reminiscent of the movie 'The Heathers' and inevitably reference scandal and gossip. In schools, the word gossip often carries a negative connotation. Yet research from psychology and education suggests that not all gossip is harmful. When intentionally shaped, positive gossip - speaking well of others when they are not present - can strengthen relationships, reinforce values, and build cultures of trust, belonging, and purpose.

At Mount St Benedict College, this idea aligns deeply with our Wellbeing and Learning Model, our Benedictine tradition, and the Graduate Attributes we hope every Bennies girl embodies after she leaves our Red Brick Wall.

What Is Positive Gossip?

We are delighted to announce that tickets for this year’s College Musical, The Wizard of Oz, are now officially on sale!

Our talented cast and crew have been working incredibly hard to bring this much-loved classic to life, and it promises to be a truly magical production. We encourage you to bring along family and friends to enjoy the performance and celebrate the incredible efforts of our students.

Tickets are $38 per person.

Access tickets here.

Don’t miss your chance to follow the yellow brick road with us - we can’t wait to see you there!

It is with great pride that we celebrate three Year 12 students for achieving their Gold Level Duke of Edinburgh Award. Congratulations to Sophia A, Eva F and Eimear K on this outstanding accomplishment.

This is the first time the College has had current students attend their Gold Level Achievers Reception while still enrolled at the College. The morning tea ceremony was held at Government House Sydney and was one of the most successful receptions in recent years. Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, hosted and addressed more than 350 guests across two receptions.

These students successfully completed all three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Award by Year 11 or the beginning of Year 12, demonstrating exceptional commitment, perseverance and dedication. We also congratulate the many other Year 12 students who are very close to completing their Gold Award.

Ms Jodi Halmarick
Duke of Edinburgh Award Program Convenor

Eddie is now live!!

Eddie is our CEChat agent who has been created to answer our students' relative questions about the Duke of Ed program. If you would like to know more about Duke of Ed or have something specific to ask, please suggest to your daughter to try asking Eddie. Eddie will do their best to answer questions, both for staff or students.

Eddie's link can be found through the Duke of Ed tab on Clipboard or for easy access, you can use this link here .

Ms Jodi Halmarick
Duke of Edinburgh Award Program Convenor

Term Three Sport Registrations are now OPEN on Clipboard!

Next term, the Academy of Sport will have the following programs on offer:

Social Sport:

🏀 Basketball (social games at school on a Friday afternoon) it will be 3 on 3 basketball, fun social competition open to everyone and no prior experience is necessary.

Physical Activity:

🧘‍♀️ Pilates (Wednesday afternoons 4.30pm - 5.30pm).

🏋️‍♀️ Bennies Fitness Centre (Y10-12 students only) (Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM/PM).

Detailed information is available on Clipboard, which is also where your parents/guardians can complete your registration. If you are interested in participating, please speak with them and ask them to register you.

For questions regarding interschool programs, please contact Ms Finegan bfinegan@msb.nsw.edu.au.

For enquiries regarding Social Sport or Physical Activity programs, please contact Mrs Trofa
ytrofa@msb.nsw.edu.au.

Registrations close Monday, 8 June for Social Sports and Physical Activity.

Miss Bronte Finegan
Sport Academy Convenor

The 2026/2027 Student Leadership process is currently underway for our Year 10 and Year 11 students. This is an exciting and significant time within our College community, as students challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zones and apply for leadership positions they are passionate about serving in. It is also important to acknowledge that this process can be challenging for some students, as the high number of applications received across all areas of leadership means that, unfortunately, not every applicant can be appointed to a formal role.

At Bennies, leadership extends far beyond the wearing of a badge. True leadership is demonstrated each day through service, kindness, initiative, participation, and the positive contribution students make to College life. We are incredibly proud of the way our students continue to lead through their involvement in College events, cocurricular opportunities, mission initiatives and the everyday support they show to one another within our community. All students who have participated in the leadership process are to be commended for their courage, enthusiasm, and commitment to serving others.

The Year 11 leadership process will be finalised by the end of Week Eight, with the Year 10 process concluding by the end of the term. We wish every student all the best throughout the continuation of this process.

This week, we were delighted to officially finalise and announce our College Executive Captains for 2026/2027. These students have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, authenticity, service, school spirit and a genuine commitment to the values of our College community. Throughout the application, interview process, and speech, they demonstrated a strong desire to make a meaningful difference within the lives of others.

As College Executive Captains, they will play an important role in leading by example, fostering connection across the student body, and representing the voice and spirit of our students with pride and humility. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make as they guide and inspire our community throughout the coming year.

Congratulations to our 2026/2027 College Executive Captains:

Mrs Cassandra Silva
Student Leadership Coordinator

To access the schedule of events for 2026, log in to the BenniesLink (Parent Portal) Calendar 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 live stream link is here.

Please view the College Term Dates here.

A reminder that registrations for the 2026 Rugby Skills Program are now open to all students and no experience is required!

This program provides a safe and structured environment to learn the fundamentals of rugby under the guidance of Max Miller, a qualified development officer from Rugby NSW.

Whether you're brand new to the sport or an existing rugby player looking to sharpen your skills ahead of competition in Term Four, this program is open to you. It is also a prerequisite for students who wish to compete in the Interschool Rugby 7s Term One and Four Competitions or pursue the CGSSSA Representative Rugby Pathways.

📅 Dates: Six sessions across Term Three beginning on Thursday 30 July.

📍 Location: College Oval

⏰ Time: Thursdays, 3:30–4:30pm

Registrations close Sunday 14 June, so don't miss out!

To register a parent/guardian must log in to Clipboard and click Rugby Skills under the Interschool Sport (Term Three) registration banner.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Miss Finegan bfinegan@msb.nsw.edu.au .

It has been an incredible few weeks for Mount St Benedict College, with our students achieving outstanding results across a range of sports at the representative level.

🏐 Netball | NSWCCC Selections – Monday 18 May

On Monday 18 May, the NSWCCC Netball Selections were held and we are thrilled to congratulate the following students on their selection to represent CGSSSA:

Under 15s (Coached by Miss Bronte Finegan) Amelia B, Evie OD, Georgia H, Marni H, Sophia E.

Under 18s, Marley D, Sarah H, Sienna C, Siena P.

A special congratulations to Amelia B, Marley D, and Sarah H, who earned further selection into the NSWCCC teams, a fantastic achievement!

🏊 Swimming | NSW All Schools Championships – Thursday 21 and Friday 22 May

Last week, our swimmers proudly competed at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships as part of the NSWCCC Team. Congratulations to the following students for representing our school at this prestigious event: Sachie P, Onelly R, Tessa K, Olivia G,  Alannah S, Hannah C, Evelyn S, Lily S, Sophia B, Emma C, Michela I.

Congratulations to Ava H who competed in the NSWAS Diving competition alongside our swimmers.

⚽ Football | NSWCCC Championships – Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May

This week, the CGSSSA Football team competed at the NSWCCC Football Championships, and came away with a brilliant 1–0 victory over Sydney Catholic Schools Black in the final! Congratulations to our MSB representatives who were part of this winning team: Chloe H, Lucy VH, Tahlia M, Emilie C.

🏉 Rugby 7s

Congratulations to Imogen C on her selection in the NSWCCC Under 18s Rugby 7s side - an amazing individual achievement!

Bronte Finegan
Sport Academy Convenor

Please note that the College Shop will be closed for its bi-yearly stocktake on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June.

Any uniform orders placed for collection over this time can be collected on 10 June.

Mrs Gina Cheng
Uniform Shop Manager