masthead2014
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - Volume 17, Issue 6

No Headline Story for today


Enjoy the nice weather, while it lasts!

Stay Connected with
St. Benedict's!

Twitter

@StBenedictCSS
Instagram
@bennies_sac_updates

Admin Team

Mr. J. Figueiredo
Principal
A

Mr. M. Anderton
Vice Principal
B-G, International

Mrs. L. Craftchick
Vice Principal
H-N

Mrs. C. Kamta
Vice Principal
O-Z

Aspiring chefs compete to win free semester at Conestoga College

Tristian Palin and Abby Renner pose with Conestoga College President Dr. John Tibbis.
Congratulations to Abby Rener and Tristan Palin for winning the culinary competition at Conestoga college! Abby and Tristan have both won a free year of tuition!!

Please also congratulate Naiya Lewis McKitty and Clare D'Souza for competing in the baking competition!
Both teams worked incredibly hard the past few weeks and we are so proud of them!

Congratulations to Our 2024 Catholic Student Award Winner

We are thrilled to announce that former St. Benedict student Sabrina Bumbacco has been honoured with the prestigious Catholic Student Award at the 38th Annual Father Patrick Fogarty Award Dinner. This event, held on October 26th in Toronto, celebrates outstanding students from Catholic high schools across the province.
A Canada-wide annual event, “Take Our Kids To Work Day” is an important first step in Grade 9 students’ career awareness and their ultimate ability to make choices and decisions during high school about their future careers and pathway directions. Grade 9 students from all five of the WCDSB secondary schools will be spending November 6, 2024 in the community, at the workplace of their parent, guardian, or family friend.
Secondary schools will have permission forms signed by parents or guardians on file for all students participating in “Take Our Kids to Work”. In a majority of cases, the students will be under the direct supervision of their parents or guardians during their day at work.


Looking for a quick way to navigate all things WCDSB for parents?

Check out the Board website for information and information pertaining to Aspen Portal, Brightspace, School Cash Online, Transportation updates, and other resources

https://www.wcdsb.ca/parents/

News from Guidance

Who is your Guidance Counsellor?

Counsellor’s Name

Ext

Last names

Mrs. O’Toole
5190
A – Cl
Ms. Varriano Lane
5635
Co – Ha
Mrs. Novakovich
5636
He - Mc
Mr. Betik
5633
Me - R
Mrs. O’Neill
5634
S – Z
Mrs. Kot

International Students
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. McAulay-Arruda, ext. 5631
GUIDANCE D2L
For additional information throughout the year, please visit the Guidance D2L page. Instructions are in the article below.

POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

Ontario Universities Fair Virtual Event
November 21, 5 – 7pm
Join us for any (or all!) of your virtual information sessions.

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY VISITS AT BENNIES

Grade 12s! College and university representatives are coming to Bennies to provide info for you as you decide on where you want to go to school next year. Check out the calendar on the website (Student Services > Post-secondary planning) and sign up in guidance.

Academics

Athletics

Jr Volleyball Boys perfect

Congratulations to the junior boys volleyball team who beat Rockway Monday in their final regular season game to finish with a perfect record of eight wins and zero losses. Amazing work boys! The quarter-finals will be held today here at Home.

Cross Country success

Congratulations to the St. Benedict Cross-Country team for their outstanding performance at CWOSSA!

The junior girls placed an impressive 5th out of 39 teams, with Sophia I, Gracie M, Kaylin S, Emily V, and Orla H all finishing the 5-kilometer race in under 22 minutes. Special shoutout to Austin G for placing 4th in the para division and earning a spot to represent the school at OFSAA in Ottawa. Each athlete achieved a personal best—way to go, team! Your hard work and dedication are inspiring. Best of luck at OFSAA, Austin!

Also, please remember to return your clean jersey to Mrs. Spitzig in room 308

Calling all wrestlers!

Attention those joining the wrestling team: Our first practice will be next Monday, November 4 after school. This will be a dry-land practice, so bring your running shoes and meet us in the atrium at 2:10.

Make sure to bring your signed permission form if you haven't already.

Sports Results

SENIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL
Woodland Christian HS 53, St. Benedict CSS 31

JUNIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL
St. Benedict CSS 3, St. David CSS 0
St. Benedict CSS 3, Rockway MC 1

SENIOR BOYS VOLLEYBALL
St. Benedict CSS 3, St. David CSS 2
Rockway MC 3, St. Benedict CSS 1

JUNIOR BOYS FOOTBALL
St. Benedict CSS 34, St. Mary's HS 7

SENIOR BOYS FOOTBALL
St. Mary's HS 24, St. Benedict CSS 15

Attention Hockey Players

There will be a Boys Varsity Hockey meeting on Thursday, October 31 at the start of both lunches in Gym 1. If you cannot attend please see Mr. O'Connor.

There is a brief but mandatory meeting for the girl's hockey team on Thursday October 31 in room 325 at 7:40am. If you can't make this meeting please speak to Miss Buhlman asap.

See the calendar on the school website for complete sport schedule listings!

Clubs

Calling all green thumbs!

The St. Benedict School Food Garden is looking for club members. We meet in room 107 every Wednesday from 2 - 3 pm. We focus on Garden Knowledge, Improvement, Maintenance, Preparation and Planting. If you are interested in environment stewardship and food equity, this is the club for you.

Clubs collaborate for a cause... and to scare you!

Just in time for Halloween, the Bennies Haunted House is back!! Cosmo Club, Drama and SAC present a terrifying Horror Movie Character themed Haunted House.

We are featuring over 30 heart stopping scream stations!! Come if you dare next Thursday, Halloween, to the caf, both lunches and for a donation of $2 you can enter the House!! Jason, Michael and Freddy can't wait to see you!!!

This is a cashless event, we will accept debit, credit, Apple and Google Pay.

All proceeds will be used to support families in our community over the holiday season!

Saints Esports Team

We are excited to introduce the Saints Esports Team at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, where students will have the opportunity to compete in Rocket League, a highly strategic, team-based video game. Esports is rapidly growing in schools across the world, and we are thrilled to bring this innovative program to our students.

Why Esports?

Esports is much more than just playing video games. It offers a unique platform to teach valuable life skills in a digital environment. Here’s why we believe in esports:
  • Teamwork and Collaboration: Just like traditional sports, esports fosters teamwork. Students work together to achieve common goals, learning how to communicate effectively and support one another.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Esports requires fast decision-making and strategic thinking. Players must adapt their strategies to changing game dynamics, which helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Inclusion and Community: Esports provides a space for students of all backgrounds to belong. Whether they are new to gaming or experienced, all students can participate, making this a highly inclusive environment where they can build friendships and a sense of belonging.
  • Transferable Skills: Through esports, students develop digital literacy, leadership skills, and emotional resilience, all of which are transferable to both academic and real-world settings.

Addressing Concerns

We understand that some may see video games as a distraction. However, our esports program is designed with students’ well-being in mind. Esports promotes a healthy balance of physical activity, mental engagement, and social interaction. Our program focuses on:
  • Holistic Development: Esports fosters mental, physical, and emotional health. Players are encouraged to maintain a balanced lifestyle, incorporating physical exercise and ergonomics to ensure well-being.
  • Academic Support: Participation in the esports team comes with the expectation of maintaining good academic standing. Our coaches/teachers are happy to work closely with students to ensure they are excelling both in the game and in their studies.
  • Career Pathways: Esports opens doors to exciting future opportunities. From scholarships to career pathways in technology, marketing, and media, esports is a growing industry where students can thrive.
We are proud to launch the Saints Esports Team during ‘lunch A’ this semester with the hope of making it available to ‘lunch B’ students in the future. Esports is not just about gaming; it’s about learning, growing, and building a community. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Rolland Chidiac, Saints Esports Team Coach.

Thank you for your continued support.

Other News

A Better Tent City

Do you believe that everyone deserves the right to safe and affordable housing? Perhaps you’ve seen encampments throughout our region, have noticed the work of community organizations like The Bridges, or heard about A Better Tent City.
If you’ve ever wondered what you can do in light of issues people in our community face, please join us! Come take a stand against housing insecurity – and gain 20 community service hours at once – by joining us for the Better Tent City Sleep Out Event on November 21! Camp out overnight on our football field in a life-changing experience that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of people in our community. You’ll also get a chance to learn about housing insecurity by participating in activities and hearing from guest speakers from the community representing:
  • The Bridges (Cambridge)
  • A Better Tent City (Kitchener)
  • House of Friendship
  • The Catholic Church
  • St. Jerome’s University
  • Other local community leaders
Come to an information session this MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4th in the LECTURE HALL during both lunches. Talk to Ms Vorsteveld or Ms Currie if you have any questions, and find the forms below!

Bennies Bling for your shoes

SAC is excited to share that we now have Bennies Jibbitz available for order on School Cash Online for $5 each! These shoe accessories are a fun way for students and staff to personalize their footwear and share their school spirit.

It also makes for a great gift! The jibbitz will be available for pick up from the SAC office window during Lunches A & B starting Wednesday, November 6th.

News from the Library

From the librarian’s desk

Hey Bennies – Hope you’re enjoying everything Fall has to offer! With Thanksgiving, Diwali, and Halloween this is a busy month. Swing by the library to relax, enjoy a program, or catch up with friends.
Library questions? Reach me at rorr@ideaexchange.org.

Research time?

Do you have an assignment to complete and don’t know where to start? You can make an appointment with a librarian for one-on-one research help by visiting the library or emailing me at rorr@ideaexchange.org. You can learn how to master our online library resources to find the perfect source, learn how to cite your sources, and improve your scholarly communication skills. Drop into my office Thursdays from 2-3pm or make appointment today!

Nerf, Retro Gaming, and more!

Join us for an action-packed Nerf Night at the library—after hours! We'll supply the blasters and safety gear, so all you need to bring is your energy and friends for a fun-filled evening. This is a registered event, so sign up today to experience the library in a whole new way!

Are you a newcomer to Canada? Sign up for Camino’s YEAH Newcomer Youth Group to meet folks, engage in fun games and activities, and score some bus tickets. This registered program meets every Wednesday from 3:15-5:15 in the library.

Note: This is a Cambridge Public Library events and not affiliated with the WCDSB.

Your Next Read

Need to find a book for a rainy day? Idea Exchange’s online catalogue has tonnes of great tools you can use to find your new favourite book. Check out our staff lists to find curated selections on all sorts of subjects - everything from “Indigenous Speculative Fiction” to “Daring Heists”. Want a more personal suggestion? Fill out this form and our amazing staff will prepare a list just for you. Of course, you can also swing by the service desk any time to chat books!

For your virtual library needs, visit the St Benedict Library Learning Commons site here or the Cambridge Public Library site here.

Calendar of Events

Thursday, October 31
10:40am: IRIS Club
12:00pm: IRIS Club
2:00pm: Math Club
2:00pm: DECA Business Club
2:15pm: Model UN Club
2:15pm: Doctor Who Club

Friday, November 1
PD Day

Monday, November 4
9:15am: Univ/Coll visit: St. Jerome's University (U of W) (Waterloo)
2:00pm: Homework Club
2:15pm: Film Club

Tuesday, November 5
9:30am: Univ/Coll visit: Conestoga College Degree Programs (KWC)
10:40am: Arts Council
10:40am: IRIS Club
12:00pm: Arts Council
12:00pm: IRIS Club
12:15pm: Rosary Club
2:15pm: Choir

Wednesday, November 6
Take Your Kid to Work Day
10:40am: Black Excellence Group
12:00pm: Black Excellence Group
2:00pm: Garden Club
2:00pm: Homework Club
2:30pm: Bouldering Club

Thursday, November 7
9:20am: Univ/Coll visit: Ontario Tech University (Oshawa)
10:40am: IRIS Club
12:00pm: IRIS Club
12:45pm: Univ/Coll visit: McMaster University (Hamilton)
2:00pm: BASA (Asian Student Assoc)
2:00pm: Math Club
2:00pm: DECA Business Club

Friday, November 8
10:40am: Star Trek Club
10:40am: Cosmo Club
12:00pm: Star Trek Club
12:00pm: Cosmo Club
2:15pm: Ping Pong Club
2:15pm: Model UN Club
2:15pm: Doctor Who Club
Monday, November 11
Remembrance Day
2:00pm: Homework Club
2:15pm: Film Club

Tuesday, November 12
9:20am: Univ/Coll visit: Laurentian University (Sudbury)
10:40am: Arts Council
10:40am: IRIS Club
12:00pm: Arts Council
12:00pm: IRIS Club
12:15pm: Rosary Club
2:15pm: Choir

Wednesday, November 13
BENN Newsletter release
10:40am: Black Excellence Group
12:00pm: Black Excellence Group
2:00pm: Garden Club
2:00pm: Homework Club
2:30pm: Bouldering Club

Thursday, November 14
10:40am: IRIS Club
12:00pm: IRIS Club
2:00pm: Math Club
2:00pm: DECA Business Club

Friday, November 15
10:40am: Star Trek Club
10:40am: Cosmo Club
12:00pm: Star Trek Club
12:00pm: Cosmo Club
2:15pm: Indigenous Student Union
2:15pm: Ping Pong Club
2:15pm: Model UN Club
2:15pm: Doctor Who Club

Be sure to check out the calendar on the school website for updates!

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