今日吃瓜

Term 4 Week 6: From the Principal

Jo Dunn on 16/11/2018

Family Spirit

This Marist characteristic inspires the principle of 鈥榗ollaborate鈥� as with a pedagogy of presence and family spirit, united in Christ鈥檚 love, we can build a community with a spirit of friendliness and collaboration, enabling young people to become responsible for their own formation. (今日吃瓜 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 history听

Term 4 Week 6: From the Head of Primary

Jo Dunn on 16/11/2018

Families are the first educators of their children and it is only through partnership with the College that our children can achieve their full potential. The College seeks to engage parents in their children鈥檚 education in many ways; in the home, the community and at school. Involvement in the home may include providing a secure environment, providing intellectual stimulation and conversation, modelling constructive social and educational values, shaping the child鈥檚 self-concept as a learner by fostering literacy and problem solving and encouraging high aspirations, both personally and socially. To connect with our families, the College seeks to firstly keep parents informed of their child’s learning and wellbeing and offer opportunities for families to be present at the College and connected with the community. Just some of these opportunities include, but are not limited to;

  • K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening
  • PK-12 Family Mass
  • Parent Soiree (as part of the Arts Festival)
  • Athletics and Swimming Carnivals
  • Parent Volunteers at Marian Campus (Parent Assisted Learning Program)
  • Parent Representatives
  • Primary Social Committee
  • Art helpers and Library helpers

The benefits of positive parental involvement in their child鈥檚 education are well researched and proven to increase effective outcomes for all.

Marcellin Award

Congratulations to the following student who recently received a Marcellin Award in Week 6:

Tom Abbott, Year 1 Blue – For helping keep our school safe by removing sticks from the oval.

The Marcellin Award at Marian Campus is drawn from submitted nominations each Wednesday morning at Prayer Assembly. At Lavalla Campus, the Marcellin Award is presented at campus assemblies to one student selected by the Leadership Team from submitted nominations.

Orientations

Parents are reminded of the following orientations offered by the College to welcome our new students and families:

Primary Social Committee

Thank you to our wonderful Primary Social Committee who have purchased four brand new gazebos for parents to use for shelter from rain, hail or shine at Sports Carnivals and other events at the College. The committee have also purchased sports equipment for each class across both the Lavalla and Marian Campuses.

Save the Date: K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening, Wednesday 28 November

Families will receive all of the relevant information for the K-6 Christmas Celebration Evening early next week. The evening will commence at 5.00pm on the Marcellin Oval. Families are encouraged to bring along blankets and a picnic. Please note that deck chairs will need to be on the outside of the area so as not to impede the vision for other families. For those families who have not attended this evening previously, it is a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of Christ and connect with other families at the College. The evening will finish at 7.15pm.

Years 1-6 Swimming Lessons

Information has been sent to all families regarding the in-term Swimming Lessons commencing on Monday 19 November 鈥� Thursday 29 November.听You would have received a confirmation email on completion of registration. If you did not receive a confirmation email, please contact the Newman Churchlands Swimming Club to make sure your child is registered听nchswimming@hotmail.com

Please note that all students are to wear their College Sports Uniform during these two weeks. The听今日吃瓜 bathers are only required for students in Years 3-6 as per the uniform requirements. If you have not purchased a pair for this term, your child may wear their own bathers. We do ask that you purchase a pair of 今日吃瓜 bathers for Term 1 Swimming Lessons in 2019.

For further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our Administration Staff.

Coder Dojo Finished for 2018

The final Coder Dojo session for this year was on Tuesday 13 November. We thank all students who attended and the dedicated teachers who volunteered their time to educate the students in the language of their future.

2019 Class Lists

The teachers are currently working through the placement of students in their classes for 2019. We take this process extremely seriously and we look to best meet the needs of every student. The classroom teachers have a wealth of knowledge about each child and are therefore best placed to make these decisions to suit each child鈥檚 academic, social and emotional development. The process is further supported by the Primary School Counsellor, Mrs Caryl Goia, our Psychologist Mrs Denise Bendotti and the Primary Leadership Team. Each child is given the opportunity to nominate who they would like to have in their class and this is used as a guide by their teachers. Please note that all relevant information is taken into consideration.

Drop off time at Lavalla, 8.20am

Parents are reminded to please ensure your child is not on the school premises before 8.20am. The College provides duty of care from this time by having staff on duty. Although present at school, teachers are in meetings or preparing for their day and are not able to provide adequate care before this time. If you must drop your child off prior to 8.20am the College offers before school care through Mercy Care. They can be contacted on 9442 3410 or wembley_ELC@mercycare.com.au

Hats

Now that the hot weather is upon us, please ensure your child has a College hat. We have a “no hat no play” policy. Please make sure your child鈥檚 hat is clearly labelled so that if misplaced at school we can make sure it is returned to them. If your child requires a hat these can be purchased at Administration on each campus for $15.00.

Lost Property

There is a significant amount of lost property at each campus that we are trying to return. Please ensure all items of clothing, including shoes, have your child鈥檚 name on it with a permanent marker. The Administration staff will then be able to get it back to you. There are also valuables that are being held at the front reception desk at Lavalla.

Important Calendar Dates for 2019

  • K-Y7, Y11 and Y12 commence on Monday 4 February
  • PK-12 Family Mass: Wednesday 13 February commencing at 5.00pm

Past Events

The children at 今日吃瓜 are continuously engaging in motivating learning experiences. These enhance their education and assist in embedding the learned content. Some highlights from the past two weeks include:

  • Years 3-10 Vocal Showcase

Year 7 2019 Transition Day

Jo Dunn on 16/11/2018

On Thursday 15 November, the Year 6 classes were involved in a Transition Day where they participated in variety of activities to prepare them for Year 7 next year.

The morning session was run by Mr Daniel Lynch, Deputy Principal Mission & Catholic Identity and the 2019 College Captains, Courtney and Matthew. The students were encouraged to 鈥淐ome To The Edge鈥� as they continue their schooling journey. After recess, the students got to discuss their fears, excitement and expectations of High School with the College’s Social Worker, Mrs Caryl Gioia and participate in a Q&A session with a number of Year 7 students, and College Psychologists Mr Jon Laden-Wearne and Mrs Denise Bendotti. The students then enjoyed a tour of the Marcellin Campus, guided by the Year 9 students.
After lunch, the students were addressed by Mr Patrick Woolley, Leader of Wellbeing Year 7, where they enjoyed reflecting on their time in Primary School and touch on their expectations of High School.

Erica Horn, Year 6 Teacher

Student Reflection

On Thursday 15 November, the Year 6 students experienced a Transition Day to prepare us for the upcoming events in Year 7. In our first activity, we discussed our fears and worries with Caryl. We created a brainstorm of what we are nervous and excited about for next year. The second activity was a Q&A with the current Year 7 students. They told us everything we need to know about High School. The final activity of the day was a tour around the school with the current Year 9 students. They showed us all of the different places around the school. We enjoyed this Transition Day and we are all really looking forward to Year 7!

Darcy and Samarah, Year 6 Blue

Year 3 2019 Lavalla Orientation

Jo Dunn on 16/11/2018

On Wednesday 14 November, we welcomed the current Year 2 students and their parents to the Lavalla Campus to support their transition from Marian to Lavalla for 2019. The students were shown around by their Year 5 buddies and participated in several activities at their new campus.

Thank you so much to the Year 2, Year 3 and Year 5 teachers for all of their hard work in making the students feel safe and supported. Thank you also to Mrs Zelich and Ms Warchomij for their preparation and efforts on the day and once again thank you to the Primary Social Committee for baking cupcakes for the Year 2 students to share with their buddies.

Mitch Bristow, Head of Primary

Term 4 Week 6: From the Dean of Wellbeing

Jo Dunn on 15/11/2018

The College’s Pastoral Care Program focuses on building Wellbeing by developing key life skills to help students cope with challenges at school and beyond.

Building resilience is an important feature of this program and the students are given opportunities to view the lives of people who have had to be strong and self-confident after experiencing life changing experiences. Students discuss the qualities they see in these people with the hope that they too can embrace those traits when things get tough for them.

Emotional wellness in young people is, at times, a very fragile line. The ongoing focus of the Pastoral Care program is developing the tools to conquer our fears and anxieties. As well as building resilience, we have also introduced a 鈥楪ratitude Project鈥� where we consider all the people in our lives for whom we are grateful 鈥� our parents, friends, neighbours and the wider community. Students write affirmations to their peers and letters of gratitude for the small mercies we often share with each other.


Welcome to Alan Fitzpatrick

We welcome Mr Alan Fitzpatrick our new Deputy Principal Wellbeing Secondary to 今日吃瓜.听 Alan has joined us after 12 years at La Salle College, his most recent role being Deputy Principal, Student Services.听 Alan will oversee the Pastoral Care of students on Marcellin Campus (Yrs. 7 鈥� 12) with special emphasis placed on student wellbeing and academic progress.

Write a Book In A Day Competition

Last term, as a part of National Book Week, 18 students from Years 7-9 participated in the Write A Book In A Day Competition, organised by and supporting the Kids鈥� Cancer Project charity. The students worked in teams to write, illustrate and publish an entire book in a single school day. They produced some incredible work and should all be extremely proud of their monumental efforts.

Following the release of the competition results last week, one of the teams who participated in the competition, 鈥楰ool Kidz and Co.鈥�, was recognised as Highly Commended. This essentially meant that the team came second in the state within the Middle School Division. With submissions coming in from hundreds of schools across the country, this is a fantastic achievement.

The students involved in writing this book were Charlotte Adams, Dylan Arto, Emily Baillie, Sebastian Burns, Jeremy Butson, Ruby Capurso, Tyler Connolly, Joel Frenzel, Louis Marcon and Amelia Troon.

The team鈥檚 book, titled 鈥楬opea鈥�, as well as the other category winners, can be .


2019 Parent Funded BYODD

A reminder that next year 今日吃瓜 will continue the parent funded, designated device model that commenced in 2016.

All students in Years 7 鈥� 11 will require a Microsoft Surface Pro. A summary can be found here.听

Parents will be required to purchase a device for students entering Year 7, current Year 8 and current Year 9 cohorts. 2019 will be the last year for the College funded MacBook program for students in Year 12.

Please refer any queries to your relevant Leader of Wellbeing.

 

Year 11 Exam Feedback

Year 11 students completed their Semester 2 examinations in Weeks 5 and 6 which gave them the opportunity to demonstrate all they have learnt in their subjects over the course of the year. They are to be commended for the wonderful way they have approached these exams, their dedicated preparation and the way they have worked with their peers and teachers over the course of the year. Thank you to all the teaching staff who have supported and guided the Year 11 students this year.

Year 11 ATAR students will return to the college on 20 and 21 November for examination feedback. Students will attend their normal timetabled classes and PCG and will go to the Learning Centre if they have a general class. All Year 11 students will return on Thursday 22 November where they will have a final year group farewell assembly, participate in English and Religious education workshops in preparation for next year, spend time in PCG classes, receive their predicted ATAR scores and celebrate their achievements by attending the Years 7-11 Awards Ceremony.


Upcoming Events


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.

 

Return of Library Books

As the school year is rapidly coming to an end, the Siena Library is conducting an audit of its current loans. To aid in this, we are asking that all students please return any books they currently have on loan as soon as possible. A huge number of books are currently overdue, which must be returned prior to the conclusion of the school year.

All students are asked to return any books currently on loan before the end of Week 8 at the latest. If overdue books are not received by this time, families will be issued with an invoice for the cost of their replacement. We will also be discontinuing loaning at the conclusion of Week 7.

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.