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On Monday 12 November, the Primary and Secondary Piano Recitals were held over two concerts in the Marist Auditorium Studios. Students from Y2-11 performed prepared repertoire in front of an audience. It was a wonderfully entertaining afternoon of music. Thank you to our piano teachers Mrs Lori Greco, Mrs Kirsten Pearson, Mr Paul Olsen and Mrs Lynette Telfer for preparing the students for their recital. Congratulations to all performers and thank you to family and friends who came along to support the musicians.

Margaret Goldsmith, Coordinator of Music

Family Spirit

This Marist characteristic inspires the principle of ‘collaborate’ as with a pedagogy of presence and family spirit, united in Christ’s love, we can build a community with a spirit of friendliness and collaboration, enabling young people to become responsible for their own formation. (½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Vision for Learning).

Developing relationships is at the heart of our Marist narrative. Being present to each other imbues a sense of family and underpins the strength of our community. The strength of this College is in the multiple opportunities students have to engage with each other in and outside the classroom. Central to our Vision for Learning – Shine through Discovery – Let Your Light Shine (Mat 5:16), is for our students and teachers to collaborate. Education and learning are interactive, social processes. We believe that students learn best in an environment where they can interact and experience the curriculum, gaining knowledge and learning how to live. A recent Ohio University article, Why relationships — not money — are the key to improving schools, posits that sustained interactions over time, focused on children’s learning and effective teaching practice, is the best way for people to build trust and build networks that are at the heart of social capital. Put simply, if we build relationships our learning experience at school will improve.

The same can be said for our teachers. Over the last three years we have aligned our professional learning of staff PK-12 to ensure collaboration across units, faculties and schools. This was exemplified by our recent Gratitude Project. The intent of this Project across the College is aimed at building student resilience through gratitude. The collaboration of units in the Primary School and Pastoral Care Groups in the Secondary School lifted our focus of the uniqueness of each individual student, recognising and affirming their diversity and individuality. The definitive impact on our school is improved relationships representative of our Marist family spirit.

Remembrance Day 2018

Last weekend we recognised 100 years since the end of the World War 1. Br John Horgan, Community Leader of the Marist Brothers, prepared a presentation to staff outlining the contribution made to the war effort by the Marist Brothers. It was both a moving and reflective experience understanding the impact war had not only on the families here in Australia but specifically on the Marist Brothers in Western Europe. Please take time to read this brief historyÌý

The Importance and Impact of Social Education

The focus of personal and social education is to develop a student’s personal and social skills. Learning skills are enhanced by the development of self-confidence, resilience, perseverance, and an empathy for others.Ìý Our Vision for Learning, Shine through Discovery, challenges each student to collaborate with their peers and teachers as they strive for excellence in their learning. We teach skills associated with collaboration by;

• Teaching opportunities within the curriculum that enhance the personal and social development of students
• Delivering the Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum that explicitly teaches the concepts of safe relationships
• Enabling students to gain confidence and positive self-esteem by celebrating their gifts and talents
• Encouraging the skills to make appropriate decisions and to think independently
• Teaching the skills and strategies needed to work effectively in a team and to problem solve

The development of these skills and attitudes assist in creating a positive and socially healthy College community in which we seek to collaborate positively with one another.

Return of Lease Laptops

Year 8 students need to return their laptops on Wednesday 28 November immediately after lunch.
Year 9 students need to return their laptops on Wednesday 28 November halfway through Period 5.
Year 12 students need to return their laptops by Thursday 22 November (at the latest) to the IT Department located in the Siena Learning Centre.

Transition Days

This week, the current Year 2 and Year 6 cohorts enjoyed a Transition Day to assist with their transition to their new campuses in 2019.

Important Calendar Dates for 2019

Students return to school on the following dates:

• K-Y7, Y11 and Y12 commence on Monday 4 February
• Y8-10 commence on Tuesday 5 February
• PK-12 Family Mass: Wednesday 13 February commencing at 5.00pm
• Y7-12 Swimming Carnival: Thursday 21 February, HBF Stadium in Mount Claremont. This is a compulsory event and all students are expected to attend on this day.

Code of Conduct

A reminder to all families that the can be accessed via the College website. The Code is mandated by Catholic Education Western Australia and the application of the code extends to all staff, students, parents, guardians, caregivers and volunteers and extends to all forums including social media and email forms of communication. The Code seeks to value the dignity of every person, foster positive relationships, ensure confidentiality and accountability and support professional boundaries. Events held during school hours AND outside of school hours that are associated with the College are also supported by the Code. Any perceived breaches of the Code can be discussed with any member of the Senior Leadership Team.