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Much of my time over the last week (and the last two years) has been devoted to planning for the offering of senior secondary classes at three of our Colleges. One of the key questions we have been discussing as a Catholic system is how should Religious Education be offered for students this age.
I am convinced that developmentally, our students who are aged 14 or 15 and older are questioning as they come to make sense of their own identity.
Parents of adolescents this age will have noticed that parenting becomes, at times, very challenging as teenagers want to argue about all sorts of things. In a few months, I will be a parent of four teenagers, it is often hard work!
Coming back to Religious Education, one of the foundations we are working from is some of the key questions of being human such as Who am I? Who is God? and How should I live? My colleague Principal Beth Gilligan, Principal at Dominic College suggested the additional question of What makes me happy? I think this is a very good question for all of us.
I recently finished reading a book on how happiness has been understood over the centuries. For the ancient Greeks, happiness was all about reaching one’s potential and living virtuously. This ethic of duty prevailed in the generations born around the first half of the last century. Individuals usually often stayed in the same job for 40 years, even if it wasn’t a particularly good job. They usually stayed married or stayed in religious orders for the distance.
Things have changed significantly since the 1960s with the rise of individualism. Happiness has become mostly about the individual pursuit of pleasure. I am not sure it is working. Rates of anxiety and depression, especially amongst teenagers are alarmingly bad. The Gospels also give a recipe for happiness, with the Beatitudes. The emphasis includes being humble, merciful, pure in heart and working for peace. I think that seeking pleasure and feeling good is necessary, as well as having the goal of supporting the wellbeing of others, especially those most in need.
My hope is that Religious Education for senior students at St Aloysius will be a mix of classroom formation, service in the community and reflection. Somehow when we look out for and support the needs of others, our own happiness is increased.
Staffing News
Mrs Venita Holland has joined the staff in the role of Acting Finance and Human Resources Coordinator, replacing Mary Macrae in this role in a limited tenure capacity. Venita is an experienced Human Resources and payroll specialist having worked across private and government organisations.
Mr Daniel Prichard has been appointed as Teacher Assistant. Daniel will be based at the Middle Campus, acting in a limited tenure: leave replacement position until the conclusion of the 2021 school year. Daniel will take on this role in addition to his Parish Associate position at the College. Daniel is an Honours graduate of the University of Tasmania, Guilford Young College Captain, St Aloysius College Alumni, College Leader and an active member of the Kingborough-Channel Parish and local community.
Parents and Friends 2021 Launch
Hopefully, you already know that our P&F will be relaunched this Thursday evening, 11th March at 7:00 pm in the Sisters of Charity Centre at our Junior (Kingston) Campus. There has been a small group of dedicated parents who have helped with the planning for this event. With their advice, the agenda has been put together. There will be drinks and nibbles, to begin with. Then I will give an introduction of myself, our Deputy Principals and other staff present, my background, an outline of the Vision for the College moving forward, some of the more recent initiatives taking place and the direction of the P&F moving forward.
The first meeting of the P&F will take place on 25th March, 7:00 pm, where we will look at priorities and possibly elect office bearers. All welcome to both events.
Extended absence
Occasionally a student will have an extended absence due to a reason such as a family holiday. The requirements of the Education Act are that, in these circumstances, the family need to write to the Principal seeking permission for the absence. On receipt of the letter (or email), I will write back to you to confirm the absence has been permitted and advise relevant staff.
2022 Kindergarten Enrolments
The College is currently taking Kinder enrolments for 2022. We encourage families with siblings looking to enrol for next year to please contact Mylinda Fletcher enrol@staloysius.tas.edu.au or 6229 0200. Applications close Friday, 30th April.
Baby News
Congratulations to Mrs Angie Mitchell (Middle Campus teacher) and her husband Rohan on the birth of Nellie Rose on Friday, 5th March.
College and Parish Fair
Thank you to the parents and staff who attended the College and Parish Fair meeting last week.
The decision was made to not progress any further with the planning of the Fair until the next scheduled meeting - Thursday, 24th June. At this meeting, a decision will be made based on the current COVID situation as to whether to proceed with the Fair in its current format.
Muso's Corner
Sean Brady – Drum Tutor
As a working professional, drummer Sean Brady performs in numerous bands and ensembles in Hobart, playing weekly as a member of both original music projects as well as doing cover band and private function work. He also works as a session musician for hire for recording projects and touring acts. Originally from Sydney, he studied percussion at the Conservatorium of Music in Hobart and now has a teaching practice offering drum tuition at schools in Kingston, Huntingfield and Sandy Bay at all levels - from beginners through to advanced students.
Sean’s contact details are:
Phone: 0409 818 301
Email: bradys6@bigpond.com
New College Finance System
The following letter was issued to families last week regarding the new finance system. If you have any question please contact Acting Business Manager Mary Macrae 6229 0100.
P&F Easter Raffle
Each family will have received 5 raffle tickets to sell for the P&F fundraising Easter raffle. Please contact the Campus offices if you haven't received yours or would like to sell more.
The donation of Easter eggs would be greatly appreciated as prizes and can be left at either Campus office.
Further details can be found in the attached flyer
Student Achievement
Congratulations to Grade 7 student Imogen Martini who has been announced as the co-winner of the Liffey Youth Poetry Prize, 8-12 years category. Established by Ten Days on the Island, the prize offers the chance for young writers to showcase their work.
As a co-winner Imogen will read her poem at the Weekend Poetical event this weekend at Liffey Hall.
This is Imogen's winning poem which was based on the difficult year we all just experienced -
Looking Out and Looking In
Far above, the sun flies high,
A golden bauble in the sky,
And all the planets orbit her,
Some quite slowly, some in a blur,
And meteorites come whizzing by.
When I look up to the stars,
And Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars,
I’m reminded that we are so small,
Of no significance at all,
Here on this little planet of ours.
And then I turn, and I look down.
At all the small insects on the ground,
And the tiny leaves on the trees,
Yellows and browns and legions of greens.
On our small island, life abounds.
In our detached minds we overlook
The miniscule universe underfoot.
It seems undoubtable to me,
We can co-exist in harmony.
Whether to the sky or to the ground we look.
So though this year has tried us hard,
Many privileges we’ve had to discard,
Through all this, closer we’ve grown,
For sticking together, we’re never alone.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop has had another busy start to the year getting all the current and new students ready for the new school year.
As many of you would be aware, this year changes had to be made to how the back to school sales worked, due to Covid-19 restrictions. These changes worked very well, with lots of positive feedback from families. They mostly enjoyed the ease and speed of Qkr ordering, compared to the normally long wait queues we have always experienced in the past. I would like to thank families for supporting and embracing these changes. I would also especially like to thank the wonderful volunteers who generously helped out at this time, giving up their own time so we can open. These kind people, some helping more than once, were Rebecca Polley, Juliet White, Amanda Doyle, Georgiana Ulrych, Sarah King, Leah Willis, Amanda Barry, Joanne Palmer, Alicia Ashlin and Mariza Stott. It would not be possible to operate without the assistance of these volunteers.
Thank you!
Alison Brereton
Uniform Shop Manager
Tuesday |
8.15am – 10.00am |
Wednesday |
2.00pm – 3.30pm |
Thursday |
1.30pm - 3.30pm |
Open Days
The Junior Campus is holding tours to prospective families on Thursday, 25th March between 9:00am - 10:00am and Monday, 29th March between 11:30am - 12:30pm.
Prep White
Grade 10 Retreat Day
Test and Tag
The College is offering students an opportunity to have their laptop charger tested and tagged on the following dates -
- Thursday 18th March - Grades 5, 6 & 7
- Thursday 25th March - Grades 8, 9 & 10
Click on the attachment below for further information
AFL 9's
Students have embraced AFL 9's this year with some competitive matches and great skill development. AFL 9's is a fair, fun, free-flowing game that involves 9 players on each team playing on a smaller field. The game involves no tackling or bumping.
Students hit the turf at Cornelian Bay and displayed some promising skills. The College has a short but proud history in this sport being crowned the current girls High School defending champions.
HIIT
Students from HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) have been busy completing beach Tabata and, more recently, boot camp sessions at All Aerobics. Students will slowly be increasing their strength and stamina in preparation for the Mud Run to be held in late October.
SATIS Sports - Term 2
Any students interested in participating in Term 2 SATIS sports are asked to register their interest on the College website, link below, before Friday, 19th March.
Netball - Grade 7 & 8 Girls
Roster Dates: Monday 3rd May - Monday 28th June
Netball - Grade 9 & 10 Girls
Roster Dates: Tuesday 4th May - Tuesday 29th June
Aussie Rules - Grade 7 & 8 Girls
Roster Dates: Thursday 6th May - Thursday 1st July
Aussie Rules - Grade 7 & 8 Boys
Roster Dates: Wednesday 5th May - Wednesday 30th June
Aussie Rules - Grade 9 & 10 Boys
Roster Dates: Tuesday 4th May - Tuesday 29th June
SATIS Swim Trials
On Wednesday, 24th February students were invited to participate in the College swim trials to determine the SATIS Swim Team for 2021. Students demonstrated effort and enthusiasm on the day, with new records broken in multiple events.
The SATIS team will be competing this Thursday, 11th March at the Hobart Aquatic Centre in the SSATIS carnival. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no spectators are allowed to attend the event. SATIS will endeavour to update times and records as possible on the day. Congratulations to the selected swim team and good luck with the SSATIS carnival.
Surf Life Saving
Outdoor Education, Duke Bronze and Duke Silver students have been busy practising their surf life saving skills in preparation for the High School League Competition in late March. Students are being educated in tube rescue, board paddling, beach safety, beach flags and efficient ocean swimming. The students enjoyed the practical experience working with the Kingston Surf Life Saving Club.
Grade 4 and 10 Aboriginal Games
Grade 10 students have been visiting students at the Junior Campus to deliver special lessons about traditional Aboriginal games. The Grade 10 students had to prepare a lesson plan, including the Aboriginal story, to go with each game; safety considerations and have all the sports equipment ready.
Both the leaders and the young students had a fabulous time and they learnt a lot about Aboriginal games in the process.
Kinder
Welcome to Country
Thank you to Jesse Frost, Charlize Hincks and Bridey McLean for delivering a very special Welcome to Country at the Commencement Liturgy. Jesse and Charlize sang in the melukerdee dialect and Bridey accompanied them with the clap sticks.
Click on the links below to view the performance
Kingston-Channel Youth Group
The Parish Youth Group have been busy with Lenten Quizzes, baking for Loui’s Van, and a very successful litter pick up to Kingston Beach where some beautiful and thought provoking beach art on the theme of ‘creation’ was created! We meet each Wednesday in the Sisters of Charity Centre from 4:00pm -5:30pm. Please note, there will be no Youth Group on Wednesday, 17th March due to College Goal Setting Interviews. Instead, we are holding a special weekend pizza and movie afternoon on Saturday, 20th March at 4:00pm followed by the option of attending the 6:00pm Vigil Mass.
Calling all budding actors!
On Wednesday 24th and 31st March at Parish Youth Group, there will be the chance to work with Hannah and Daniel as well as Parishioner Martina MacFarlane on creating tableau scenes for the Parish Stations of the Cross, to be held on Good Friday and staged in the Junior Campus grounds. You do not need to have been to Youth Group before to come along and take part. See Hannah, Daniel or Martina for more details.
Holy Thursday and Sacraments
Those students who completed the Sacrament of Reconciliation last year will soon be contacted by Mrs Marriott about participation in the Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper to start their preparation for Confirmation and First Communion this year. Details will follow in an email to families.
Any students and their families who would like start their Sacramental Journey with the Sacrament of Reconciliation in 2021 are asked to get in touch with Fr Mike mike.delaney@oahtas.edu.au or Polly Marriott Pauline.marriott@catholic.tas.edu.au. This is open to students from all grade levels with a particular focus on those in Grade 3.
Commencement Liturgy
On Thursday, 25th February the College celebrated the beginning of the 2021 school year with a Commencement Liturgy attended by Grades 3-10. We formally welcomed Fr Mike to the College, presented our SRC and Grade 6 House Leaders with their blessed badges and commissioned all of our student leaders for the year. It was wonderful to hear the pledges of commitment to serving the needs of the College and lovey to see everyone so smart in their formal uniforms for this special occasion. Fr Mike was also chuffed to receive a round of applause for his ‘dad joke’ about smelly socks! We may have started something here…
Middle Campus Masses
Fr Mike celebrated his first Mass at the Middle Campus Chapel last Thursday organised and led by Grade 5 Blue. The Grade 5s were respectful and reverent throughout and Fr Mike gave a wonderful homily on what charity truly means, tying in with the work Grade 5 have been doing in Religion on the charity CARITAS and, in particular, its Lenten Fundraising Appeal, Project Compassion.
Youth Leadership Conference
On Friday, 5th March a group of our Grade 10 leaders and a few extra students had the privilege of attending a Youth Leadership Conference hosted by Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA). It was a great opportunity for us to socialise with people from other schools and listen to inspirational young leaders. Speakers included Heather Miller, Wil Massara and Tasmanian Will Smith. Wil Massara, the CEO and founder of YLAA, is only in his early 20s and spoke about how ‘age does not determine your ability to achieve extraordinary things.' Will Smith spoke about making the most of all opportunities, and that you yourself choose how you define success. He also spoke about how we are the average of the top 5 people we spend time with, and that it is extremely important to choose the right people. Both Will and Heather gave tips for public speaking, saying that the most important things to remember are your physical body (shoulder rolls help!), positive self-talk beforehand, and have eye contacts around the room with a focus on the most engaged person.
Throughout the day, the YLAA team challenged us to sit with people from other schools and were incredibly vibrant and engaging. Highlights included an inter-school dance party during the lunch break, a game of Simon says which Ruby nearly won and activity with blue string, named Stringy Mc String-String, to show how we are all interconnected.
The Change Makers panel was the last event of the day with Maddie Hedderwick, Toby Thorpe, Fletcher Clarke and Matthew Etherington, and the point of the panel was to ask them about their experiences and tips as young leaders.
Some lessons we took from the day are:
‘The stories that we tell are not to impress you but to impress upon you’
‘Young people are 25 percent of the population now, but 100 percent of the future’
‘Numbers do not define your value’
‘If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. Mindset is everything’
‘My role model is my future self’
A big thank you to Mrs Marriott and Mrs Duggan for accompanying us to the conference, and for buying us delicious ice creams!
Madeline Brough, Inara Osborne and Sophie Dance
Grade 10
Vinnies
Congratulations to the following students who were voted to positions of leadership within our Vinnies and Mini Vinnies Groups.
|
Mini- Vinnies (Grades 5&6) |
Vinnies (Grade 7-10) |
President |
Izzy Preece |
Inara Osborne |
Vice President |
Elsie Boon |
Ruby Prichard |
Secretary |
Laura McFarlane and Madeline Franklin |
Lucy Willis |
Treasurer |
Charlize Hincks |
Lily Robinson |
On Wednesday evening, some of our Vinnies students and their families attended the Vinnies Mass and Rite of Induction at St Therese’s Church in Moonah where Izzy and Inara collected the office bearers’ badges and Vinnies 2021 candles. We are busy organising Purple Day for Project Compassion and looking forward to the Vinnies Inter-school gathering on Tuesday 23rd March.
Purple Day
Save the date! Purple Day for Project Compassion will be held across all Campuses on Thursday 1st April so save up your gold coins and pull out your purple gear or get op-shopping now!
Children's Liturgy
Children's Liturgy is being offered every week at the 10:00am Mass at the Church of Christ the Priest.
The College has a membership with Parenting Ideas for Schools. They provide articles, webinars and videos for parents.
Click on the link below for this fortnights articles.