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The 21st August is the Feast Day for Pope Pius X who is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. He allowed children to receive communion from the age of seven.
The second of ten children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at age 68 in 1903. Ever mindful of his humble origin, Pope Pius stated,
“I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor”
He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani.” As a result he abandoned most of the trappings of the papacy and lived a more simpler life as Pope.
COVID-19 CLEANING AND PRECAUTIONS
The health and safety of our students and staff is our priority. Please do not enter the College or send your child to school if either of you are suffering from a fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
What COVID-19 protection is in place for students?
We have implemented a range of measures to ensure we meet the public health advice. The following controls have been established for Term 3 and are subject to change:
● Students and staff who are not well must not attend school;
● Physical distancing of 1.5 metres is required by all adults;
● Cleaning frequency has increased to include daily cleaning of high touch surfaces such as desks, handrails, door handles, taps;
● Shared devices are limited and electronic equipment is wiped after each use;
● There are procedures in place to ensure that students wash their hands on entry to each class and before eating at recess and lunchtime;
● Hand soap and paper towels are available in each class where there is a sink available. Hand sanitiser is available in the areas where this is not possible;
● Posters reminding staff and students of the importance of social distancing and hand washing are displayed;
● Communal water fountains have been closed;
● Increased amount of fresh air inside classrooms is encouraged by opening doors and windows when suitable;
● No woodwind or brass instruments to be played in music classes;
● Incursion and excursions are permitted which adhere to the College’s COVID-19 Safety Plan;
● Volunteers are permitted but must maintain social distancing where practicable and must not enter if they are unwell;
● No indoor College assemblies or performances involving audiences are permitted which involve large gatherings of parents or adults – student assemblies are permitted;
● Strict hygiene controls are in place for food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts.
Parents and caregivers gathering before and after school
Adults congregating in groups on school sites pose the greatest risk of transmission of COVID-19. Please observe physical distancing and hygiene protocols when picking up and dropping off students. We ask for your support to maintain this.
COVID-19 Testing
The Tasmanian Government has expanded it's COVID-19 testing program and is now encouraging people to seek a COVID-19 test referral from a GP, or the Public Health Hotline should they have any of the following:
● fever
● runny nose
● cough
● sore/itchy throat
● shortness of breath
Where a member of the immediate household of a member of staff or student has chosen to seek a referral for a COVID-19 test from a GP or Public Health, that member of staff or student does not need to self-isolate unless the person who is tested returns a positive result.
Where a member of staff or student has been instructed from a GP or Public Health to seek a COVID-19 test, then that member of staff or student must not attend their school or any other CET premises until they have received their results and it is confirmed as negative.
Should the person who has been tested return a positive result then all members of the household must not enter a CET school or CET premises until the member of the household with the COVID-19 infection has been informed by Public Health that it is safe for that person to return to their usual activities, and other members of the household have completed their 14 day self-isolation period without developing COVID-19 symptoms or have been cleared by Public Health.
We appreciate your assistance to ensure that you keep yourself, students, staff and the College community safe.
SUBJECT SELECTION ELECTIVES GRADE 3-10
It’s that time of the year again when students begin the electives subject selection process in preparation for 2021. Please see below the timetable in relation to this:
Thursday 27th August - Subject Selection Student Handbook available for all students Grades 3-10.
Thursday 3rd September - Subject selection process goes online for all students in Grades 4-9.
Wednesday 9th September- Subject selection process closes at 5:00pm.
Monday 14th September - Grade 2 and 3 parents will receive a link to a Google form for completion of elective selections for 2021.
Friday 18th September - Grade 2 and 3 elective selections close at 3:00 pm
TASMANIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS COUNCIL
The TCSPC is offering a free webinar to families to hear first hand about the NAPLAN and MY SCHOOL websites. Click on the link below for further details.
Mr Joseph Sandric
Acting Principal
APPLE FOR THE TEACHER
We are very excited that 12 of our amazing and dedicated teachers have been nominated for the 7HOFM Apple for the Teacher competition. The teacher with the most votes receives an Apple Macbook Air and an IPad for each of their students. You can vote as many times as you like, just follow the link - Here
Let's see if we can make it two years in a row!
GRADE 7 ENROLMENTS 2022
Any current families looking to enrol their child in Grade 7 for 2022, or know of families outside the College, are asked to complete an expression of interest form available on the College website - Here
Applications are due on 11th September.
SHOE BOXES
The art department is looking for shoe boxes. If you have any that you no longer require they can be dropped into the Huntingfield Campus office.
YOUTH SPEAKOUT 2020
Do you feel passionate about issues affecting Aboriginal Tasmanian's past, present & future? A cornerstone of reconciliation action is fostering greater unity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians. ALL students (Grades 5-10) are invited to participate in Reconciliation Tasmania's YOUTH SPEAKOUT 2020.
Students are encouraged to express their feelings and thoughts around RECONCILIATION. Submissions will be exhibited at the University of Tasmania's Makers Gallery in Burnie and online early in Term4.
Words: Up to 500 words eg: speech, essay, poetry, lyrics, article
Art: Up to A2 size ( 420mmx 594mm) eg: Fine Art: painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, mixed media, Graphic Art: posters, t-shirt design, mural or street art design.
This Year's Theme: "In this Together'.
YOUNG CARER BURSARY
The Young Carer Bursary Program supports young carers to continue with their education. The program offers 1,000 bursaries of $3,000 each year. Applications are open until 5:00pm, 8th September 2020.
Further information can be found by clicking on the link below
The Senior Athletics Carnival was held on Thursday, 13th August at the Domain Athletics Centre and Friday, 14th August at the Huntingfield Campus. There was great participation throughout all grades as students competed in both track and field events along with some novelty events. The carnival ended with ‘Fashions on the Field’ where students paraded around in their house colours in efforts to gain some last-minute house points.
Thank you to all students who participated in the carnival and to all staff and others who helped out over the two days.
New Records:
Name |
Event |
Time/Distance |
Blake Doyle
|
Grade 7 High Jump Grade 7 400m Grade 7 Long Jump Grade 7 Triple Jump |
1.50m 1:02.28sec 5.17m 10.24m |
Brooke Mathers |
Grade 9 Long Jump |
4.45m |
Jaxon Thorpe |
Grade 8 Triple Jump |
10.99m |
Josh Neil |
Grade 9 Triple Jump |
10.52m |
Ella Coad |
Grade 9 Triple Jump Grade 9 Discus Grade 9 Shot Put |
9.61m 8.87m 22.50m |
Oliver Vince |
Grade 8 Shot Put |
12.80m |
Nyssa Hartog |
Grade 8 Discus |
24.05m |
Josephine Thompson |
Grade 10 Javelin |
27.86m |
Track Champions:
|
Champion |
Runner-up |
Grade 7 Boys |
Blake Doyle |
Ewan McGregor |
Grade 7 Girls |
Hannah Kull |
Mia Atherton |
Grade 8 Boys |
Jaxon Thorpe |
Mitchell Dare |
Grade 8 Girls |
Amelia Loxley |
Charlotte Voss |
Grade 9 Boys |
Campbell Mudge |
Joseph Martin |
Grade 9 Girls |
Metesebia Duggan |
Niamh Bawle |
Grade 10 Boys |
Jacob Vanderkroef |
Harrison Henry |
Grade 10 Girls |
Josephine Thompson |
Ella Burton |
Field Champions:
|
Champion |
Runner-up |
Grade 7 Boys |
Blake Doyle |
Copper Steshic |
Grade 7 Girls |
Josie Rose |
Alyssa Lynch |
Grade 8 Boys |
Oliver Vince |
Jaxon Thorpe |
Grade 8 Girls |
Nyssa Hartog |
Lily Coughlan |
Grade 9 Boys |
Joshua Neil |
Hamish Ayliffe |
Grade 9 Girls |
Ella Coad |
Brooke Mathers |
Grade10 Boys |
Will Tinker |
Sam Voss |
Grade 10 Girls |
Ashlea Turner |
Josephine Thompson |
House Points:
1st |
Fides |
900 |
2nd |
Aloysius |
872 |
3rd |
Charity |
855 |
4th |
Aikenhead |
805 |
GRADE 2
On Tuesday, 11th August Grade 2 students had a visit from local author Fiona Levings. Fiona read her book 'Now and Then' showing the town of Margate through the past 80 years through the eyes of two boys who grow up in the same house in Margate. One boy lived in the house in the 1940s and the other boy currently lives in the house.
Grade 2 Blue students have been working on a research project in HaSS. They researched a country that they might have a connection to (either a family member or relative lived or still lives there, a country they may have visited or would love to visit as a grown up). They researched information on the internet and then used the skills they are learning in their English lessons to summarise and write out the important details, as far as possible, in their own words. They researched information about the population, capital city, landmarks, native animals, food, dress, music, currency, religion, famous people and popular sport. They also drew their favourite landmark of that country.
Grade 2 Green have been completing a unit of work exploring how they can use watercolour paint in different ways.
Grade 2 White students have been learning about prayer. Students made a prayer box with a prayer kit inside. They painted their box and decorated it with symbols and words relating to a theme of their choice, such as kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, friendship and the environment. For their prayer kits, students made a prayer cloth, candle, prayer journal, glitter mindfulness jar, a cross with sticks and twine, and a booklet of other prayers as well. The students practised prayer rituals by taking each item of the prayer box reverently and with meaning, by thinking about their chosen theme and having a conversation with God. They then sat in silence while talking and listening to God.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
It is only 68 days until the Duke of Edinburgh camp and students took the opportunity to trial new footwear and test their fitness on the slopes of Mt Wellington. Students started at the springs before venturing along the North South trail before a short pit stop at the Octopus tree. Students then tackled the Old Saw Mill track en route to the breathtaking views from Sphinx Rock. A great effort by all.
GRADE 5/6 SCIENCE
Grade 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to participate in group activities for National Science week. Their experiments involved measuring water into a beaker, then stirring salt water into the water until it was dissolved, placing it above a bunsen burner and observing what happened to the saltwater mixture. The other interesting experiment was about precipitate reactions. Students squirted lead nitrate into a test tube and then added potassium iodide and observed what happened.
GRADE 7 PHOTOGRAPHY
Grade 7 students have been studying images in the unique style of Mandy Mohler. Their task was to compile, organise and photograph a collection of objects that they felt best represented themselves. Alongside this collection they displayed an image of themselves similar to how Mohler displays her own work.
GRADE 9/10 CERAMICS
Grade 9/10 Ceramics students visited Glazed and Confused Ceramic Studio in Hobart to learn the skill of wheel throwing. Each student threw a number of pots on the wheel and returned to school with a completed piece. Julie Hoddy, a local artist, visited the school and demonstrated the use of transfers. Each student completed decorating their vessels with a transfer.
2021 National Indigenous Autumn School
Are you a current Grade 9 or 10 student of Aboriginal descent and interested in Science and Humanities subjects? Do you also have an interest in University studies?
Applications are no open for 2021's National Indigenous Autumn School at the Australian National University in Canberra. The week long Autumn School will run from 10-17th April next year, to provide learning experiences to help inform education and career aspirations. All accommodation, transport, catering and workshop materials are covered by the University.
Applications and more information can be found on the ANU's website:
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Last week, the Explorers celebrated National Science Week by engaging in science related activities designed to build on children's natural curiosity and inquiry. They did the classic bicarb and vinegar volcano experiment, straw rockets, planting beans, looked at insect habitats and played with the amazing kinetic sand. Parents and teachers used questions to encourage the Explorers to look closely, question what was happening, try changing things (like what angle their straw rocket best works on), and come up with their own ideas about what might be happening. We also had some great dress ups on hand from the previous week's Winter Wonderland theme: check out besties, Molly and Chase, dressed as Elsa from Frozen and playing in the big box castles we made during Construction Week.
INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
This year has been the first year St Aloysius Catholic College have run the Grade 10 subject, Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care. The Grade 10 students attend the Explorers program every second Friday, as part of the practical component of the course. It has been wonderful having our Grade 10 students helping with the program. Attached is a photo of Grade 10 student Bridie Adams, and one of our Explorers, Fiona, who will start Kinder next year. Fiona is that excited to start Kinder next year that she is already wearing her uniform! Thanks to Bridie's mum for supplying an image of Bridie on her first day of Kinder.
Special Report - Riding the Corona Coaster
For most of this year, families have been navigating the ups and downs of a new reality involving remote learning, working from home and lots of family time. The latest turmoil is focused on Victoria, with the state being in various stages of lockdown. However, a second wave of the pandemic is starting to impact other areas of Australia and New Zealand.
Young people may find this second lockdown more challenging than the first with many mental health professionals concerned about an increase in youth anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Adult carers are encouraged to take the lead by being pro-active in creating a scenario where everyone at home can be less anxious and better organised. As a family, it is important to focus on what worked, and what didn't work, last time.
Adult carers may see this as an opportunity to teach their kids the skills required to manage uncertainty in order to become more resilient. Communication will be key –– finding out what they know, understanding what they need to feel safe and helping them focus on the things they can control.
Please consider, if you or a family member is struggling, consult a medical professional.
In Australia, support is also available through Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or via the website www.kidshelpline.com.au
Alternatively, contact the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 51 23 48 or go to the website www.coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au
We are happy to share some relevant parenting topics in each newsletter for parents and families to watch or read and reflect.