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What is the purpose of schools?
Schools are busy and, at times, messy places. It is good occasionally to rise above the busyness to look at the larger questions of purpose and what it is that educators are really hoping to achieve with the students in our care, perhaps in particular in the early stages of a new year. The Tasmanian educator Eleanor Ramsay stated “education simply transforms lives. There is no other more powerful tool to disrupt intergenerational poverty and disadvantage; there is no more powerful tool to unlock the potential for a successful happy worthwhile life than education.” (Ramsay, cited by Rockliff, 2017). Education matters.
Here are some suggestions as to the purpose of schools.
- Thomas Groome (1991) wrote from a Catholic perspective: “I have been convinced for some time that the “learning outcome” of Christian religious education should be more than what the western world typically means by “knowledge”; that it is to engage the whole “being” of people, their heads, hearts and lifestyles, and is to inform, form and transform their identity and agency in the world.”
- Cardinal Garrone (1977): “Knowledge is not to be considered as a means of material prosperity and success, but as a call to serve and to be responsible for others”.
- future schooling and employment – developing the knowledge, skills and values for work and life.
- developing confident individuals who have the ability to think critically and creatively and to reflect.
- making a positive contribution to a healthily functioning democracy, the economy and being good citizens.
- world citizenship - the importance of a compassionate imagination, to have empathy for those who live in places and cultures different to our own. A more global outlook would include looking at “the ecological, moral, cultural, political and economic issues that affect us.” (Alexander, cited in Thomson, 2010). Alexander notes that we need capabilities that not only provide knowledge and skills but also hope, optimism, efficacy and agency.
- help each individual find their unique pathway that is personally fulfilling.
- a drawing out of latent passions for learning.
- the promotion of equity and excellence.
- opportunities for one’s common humanity and common uncertainty to be explored, and sense made of one’s experiences.
- to form well rounded, ethical, flourishing graduates who will use their gifts and talents to make the world a better place.
- the inter-generational passing on of knowledge and skills - cultural transmission.
- learning for its own sake – acquiring knowledge that takes an individual beyond their own lived experience.
- a mix of intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social education.
- the stimulus to reach one’s potential as a fully formed human being.
- encouragement to live in a balanced manner, which includes a mix of contributing but also knowing how to relax and enjoy life.
- opportunities to experience the arts and sport.
This is no doubt an ambitious set of purposes. If you wonder what my own hopes are for the students of St Aloysius, this gives you some idea. We want to give each student the best education we can as it can be transformative in terms of outlook and options. As Peters stated, “to be educated is not to have arrived at a destination; it is to travel with a different view” (Peters, cited in Bresler, Cooper, and Palmer, 2001). As well as setting our young people up for success in terms of career, we want our graduates to have a well-developed spirituality, with meaning and purpose generated by relationships and a spirit of service to the local community, the environment and to the world.
Staffing News
2023 Enrolments
The College is currently taking Kindergarten enrolments for 2023. We encourage any families with siblings looking to enrol for next year to contact Mylinda Fletcher at enrol@staloysius.tas.edu.au or 6229 0200. Applications close Friday, 6th May with interviews conducted prior.
Year 7, 2023 enrolments were due Friday, 10th September 2021. If you are already enrolled in Year 6, you do not need to do anything. If you have a family member in another school who would like to enrol please contact Melissa Dance at enrol@staloyisus.tas.edu.au or 6229 0100.
Career Help
We are seeking your support to help guide our Year 10 students into transitioning not only into Years 11/12 but into their future careers.
We are looking for volunteers to be:
Guest Speakers
For Career Education to a Year 10 class. A 50 minute commitment, which would include talking about your career journey – the good, the bad, the twists, and answering questions from the students. We are looking for a diverse range of careers and people.
Work Experience Host
For 2, 3 or 5 days at the beginning of Term 3 (25 July - 12 August 2022) With COVID, finding opportunities has become increasingly difficult and work experience is an important opportunity to get a taste of the world of work and to explore pathway opportunities.
If we can band together as a community, then all students will have an opportunity to be exposed to the world of work, and not be restricted to their own families’ connections. We are casting our net wide, as we know parents on both of our Campus’ have done and continue to do amazing things in the world of work and would be exemplary role models for our Senior Students.
If you are able to assist, please complete the following expression of interest survey by 14th April 2022.
Junior Campus Science
Junior Bee Keeper and Year 4 student, Lola Hendy and her parents Jason and Nina came and spoke to the Year 4 students about all things bees. Year 4 have been learning about the mutually beneficial relationship between bees, plants and humans in their Science lessons and what a great opportunity it was to have the experts come in. The Hendy's (with the help of their beehives) create some beautiful products and you can find their stand on Howden Rd if you are interested in making a purchase. Thank you again to the Hendy family for sharing your knowledge with us.
Year 5/6 House Spirit Day
Reflections below are written by Year 6 students about the 5/6 House Spirit Day:
On Friday, 4th March we were lucky enough to go on an excursion to Coningham Beach and Dru Point park along with all the Year 5 and 6 students. We had a range of activities including volleyball, beach soccer and sand and water play.
Although the water was freezing, my favourite activity was splashing in the water with my friends. One of my friends bought two floaties, a crocodile and a chair. We all took turns having a go on them. There were balls and frisbees to play in the water with as well. I also liked beach volleyball. It was Sixes vs Fives. It was a lot of fun.
After the beach, we went to Dru Point Park for lunch and a play. We spotted an albino possum in the tree and had fun on the swings, slides and more. This was a brilliant day for everyone.
By Faith Taylor and Elly Royce
When Year 5/6 went to the beach, most people went in the water and others played soccer on the sand. When the water got cold we played a tournament game of volleyball with the boys. Some of the other boys dug a big sandcastle. In the end, there were some cricket games.
When we got to the beach, everyone was excited to get on the sand, it was a bit of a shock when we saw that there was only about 3 meters of sand showing. We still managed to make fun by playing soccer, volleyball and beach cricket. When the lifeguards arrived, it was time to hit the water, it was a bit loud at first because all the girls were squealing about how cold it was. It really wasn't that cold, I'm not sure what the fuss was about. Most people swam and if they didn't they spent their time building sandcastles and digging massive holes in the sand. My favourite activity would be swimming in the ocean.
There were lots of people swimming and the was my favourite too. There were many sports balls to play with. The boys were more throwing tennis balls back and forwards. There was some volleyball in the ocean but only for like 15 minutes. After the ocean when it got cold we played soccer, volleyball and cricket on the sand that was very fun we headed back to school.
By Tom Stevenson and Harrison Adams
HIIT
Students were put through the rigours in HIIT at Sandy Bay beach in a series of rotations. The Scavenger Hunt, Long Beach run and a challenging stand up paddle board session. Students challenged themselves in an inspiring manner.
Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver classes took part in a session put on by Surf Lifesaving Tasmania. It was an action packed afternoon in the fabulous weather down at Kingston Beach.
National Close the Gap Day - Thursday 17th March 2022
All students Prep to Year 4 recently read a wonderful new book called 'Sea Country'. Written by palawa Elder Aunty Patsy Cameron and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy, the text was read to students by our Aboriginal Student Success Teacher Ms Anne-Marie McWatters. To support student understanding of the cultural content, Ms McWatters showed children rina mapali (many shells) including abalone and maireeners, a miniature bark canoe and some kangaroo fur. The children delighted in the artwork by Lisa Kennedy and each chose their favourite page.
Nature play & learning
- provides experiential opportunities (the best way to learn!)
- allows children to respond positively to challenges, manage risk and cope with change.
- supports skills including inquiry and experimentation, communication, reflection, problem solving & co-operation.
- Gets children moving and connecting with nature and each other
Only 19% of Australian young people meet the national daily physical activity guidelines (1 hr per day).
What about the Risks?
Developmentally, our children NEED challenge, adventure & uncertainty.
Reasonable Risk taking:
- builds emotion regulation skills
- develops decision making, planning and judgement skills
- improves self control, confidence and self esteem
- promotes perseverance, coping skills and independent thinking
When a child takes a risk, they aren’t being reckless. They are making analytical decisions and shaping pathways in the brain for skills needed to negotiate larger stressors.
We have a beautiful bush school area on our school grounds. We will provide mud and water play, sand and rocks, sticks for building cubbies, bark and nature painting, and a balancing obstacle course. We will also provide playdough and mats with books & activities for babies and toddlers.
Vinnies, Mini-Vinnies and Pancakes!
Vinnies and Mini-Vinnies are back up and running and full of ideas for the year ahead. As usual (although following extra covid-safe protocols) we kicked off our Project Compassion Fundraiser with a colossal pancake sale on Shrove Tuesday raising over $200. It was excellent to have the support of a number of our Galilee student leaders and Head of House Joshua Leach with Galilee House taking on Project Compassion as its focus charity. In the spirit of Laudato Si’ and care for creation, this is the first year we have not used pre-mix plastic shakers but made all the pancakes from scratch with Tassie milk and local free-range eggs. Well done to all those who took part, it was an amazing effort! We finished up the event watching the launch of Project Compassion in Tasmania being YouTubed live from Sacred Heart, New Town.
Vinnies now meet on Thursdays at recess in the Chapel. All students are welcome and we look forward to sharing lots of ideas for raising money, awareness and support for those in need in our community and beyond.
Ash Wednesday
We’re quite getting used to events and celebrations taking on new forms and Ash Wednesday was no exception! One student from each class in Years 3-10 attended the Parish Mass at the Church of Christ the Priest to collect a small dish of ashes and a Project Compassion box to take back to their classroom. Fr Mike, Deacon Mick, Maggie Sandric, Hannah Donovan, Polly Marriott, Mel and Clynton Scharvi and Eamonn Pollard then distributed the ashes to all 43 classes across the College with a short prayer service in each class.
International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day stall was set up by Vinnies and other interested students to promote gender equality. With a focus on awareness raising, rather than fundraising, they researched and shared facts on gender discrimination and encouraged staff and students to wear a pink ribbon to support gender equality.
Visit from Sisters of Charity
We had a visit from four Sisters of Charity on Monday who were having a look at the old convent at the Junior Campus. They were very impressed with the growth of the College and very grateful that their charism continued to be lived out at St Aloysius.
L-R Andrea Watt JC DP, Sr Maria Wheeler, Sr Suzette Clarke, Sr Anne Turner, Sr Margaret Guy, Eamonn Pollard Principal
Junior Campus Commencement Liturgy and Student Commissioning
The Junior Campus Commencement Liturgy and Student Commissioning was a huge success with Years Prep to Four being able to come together for the first time this year, celebrating this event on the Blue Carpet. After an Acknowledgement of Country by Lyla, Amalee and Rachel, we celebrated with readings and prayers and Fr Mike reminded us all that we should try to be the best people that we can be, especially during Lent. Mr Pollard also spoke about God always seeing the best in us and how the job of a leader is to help others.
The Commissioning after the liturgy included pledges by our staff, Year 4 Leaders and our Year 4 SRC (Student Representative Council) students who also had their badges blessed by Fr Mike. A highlight of the event was the fabulous singing and actions by everyone! Families may be familiar with ‘These Hands’ and ‘Ubuntu’ being practised at home!
Thank you to our Year 8 tech students Simon, Connor and Will who set up the sound system. Thanks also to all of our students, in particular our Prep students who did an amazing job at their first campus gathering and sat respectfully throughout!
You can watch the liturgy on the link below: