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You would have seen from our Facebook page that we recently celebrated National Reconciliation week. It is very important that, as a nation, we continue to work towards reconciliation with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters. It is a sad reality that, historically, the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has, in some cases, had devastating effects, that continue to impact negatively on some today. As a nation and as individuals, we need to keep reconciliation in our hearts and minds. First Nations people have much to teach us, including spirituality, respect for the land and the importance of community. Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann has written movingly on the concept of dadirri. Here are some of her words:
I believe it is the most important (quality of my people). It is our most unique gift. It is perhaps the greatest gift we can give to our fellow Australians. In our language this quality is called dadirri. It is inner, deep listening and quiet, still awareness. Dadirri recognises the deep spring that is inside us. We call on it and it calls to us. This is the gift that Australia is thirsting for. It is something like what you call "contemplation". When I experience dadirri, I am made whole again. I can sit on the riverbank or walk through the trees; even if someone close to me has passed away, I can find my peace in this silent awareness. There is no need of words.
Student Free Day
Families are reminded that there will be a Student Free Day on Monday, 25th July for the whole college, as all staff will be in attendance of our annual Spirituality Day.
Mask Requirements
We have been advised by the Director of Public Health that the wearing of masks in schools can cease from midnight on Friday, 24 June 2022. While masks will no longer be mandatory, there are times when masks will continue to be worn.
Staff and students will still be required to wear a mask in indoor settings when outside the home, if they are considered a household close contact. Individuals may also wish to wear a mask to reduce their personal risk of contracting or transmitting viral respiratory illnesses. The wearing of masks may also be required by Public Health in specific instances in response to an increase in cases at the College, this will be communicated to families as required.
St Aloysius will continue to have masks available for staff, students and visitors should they wish to wear one. It remains important that students, staff and visitors stay at home if feeling unwell and get tested. Thank you for your continued support as we transition out of Covid-19 restrictions.
Feast Day
On Wednesday, 15th June, Year 1 students went on Excursion, visiting the school oval, Peter Murrell Reserve and Kingston Park.
Clara, a Year 1 student, reflected;
All the Grade 1s were there. I played on the climbing part of the play ground of Kingston Park. Then we hopped on the bus then Miss Squires gave the whole class a lollie. The bus was a bit fun on the Excursion. Then the bus stopped at my school I had a really fun day on my excursion my buddy was Isla it was a really fun day on Excursion.
In week five, Galilee House held a barbeque to raise money for the college Breakfast Club. We raised over $450. It was an amazing turn out with many people showing their support and gratitude for the Breakfast Club. The BBQ had such a fun vibe. Everyone was getting along, and everyone was patient. The BBQ also smelt AMAZING!
Everyone that helped on the day was hardworking, and thank you to the people's generous donations. Galilee House is extremely grateful for everyone's support and their donation to keep the free breakfasts going for the students.
The Breakfast Club provides free toast, milo and juices on Monday and Wednesday mornings before school. Every Friday before school, the Club provides a free breakfast BBQ with bacon and egg rolls.
The free Breakfast Club is seeking donations of bread, fruit, juices, milo, milk, eggs or cash to ensure it can continue to operate three days a week. Thank you to the community members who have already contributed to this worthy cause.
Article written by Declan Shai-Smith and Jasmine Leurs (Year 8)
Excursions to Peter Murrell with Kinder and Year 10
Kinder White, Kinder Blue, and the Year 10 Duke Silver students have been enjoying spending time together at Peter Murrell and in the gym. It has been great to see how the oldest students at our College support the youngest. We have participated in many activities; from looking for animal tracks and droppings, bird watching on the viewing platform and testing the floating capacity of natural resources. The students enjoyed participating in many gross motor experiences as well as being involved in mindfulness activities. We look forward to returning again for further exploration and investigating.
Year 7 Religious Education
All Schools Cross Country Carnival (Year 3-6)
Senior Drama Production
Year 9 and 10 Drama Students have been working extremely hard to prepare this year's Senior Drama Production Afraid of the Dark!
Tickets are available for free and can be collected from the front office at our Middle Campus.
Sound Tech Crew
During Term 1, a new extra-curricular club was formed, dedicated to sound engineering. The Sound Tech Crew currently meets every Thursday at recess and is open to anyone who wants to get involved in this oft-needed craft.
Term 1 was mainly dedicated to learning new ideas and theory, such as:
- The type of equipment used
- How to operate said equipment
- Why certain setups are done in a certain way
Term 2 was dedicated to putting the newly learnt information into practice, and the Crew expertly set up and operated several different P.A. setups in the Music Room, the base of operations. The Crew got some practical experience, implementing practices and techniques commonly used in professional applications.
Led by Simon MacFarlane, a talented technician himself, the Sound Tech Crew is the place at St Aloysius to be mentored in this field. Ms Belinda McDermott, the Music teacher (Yr 5-10), helps greatly by providing the space and resources needed, as well as contributing to the collective pool of knowledge contained within the Crew. Other experienced up-and-coming students are also being given the opportunity to develop and extend their skills.
As there is always need for audio engineers and associated crew, we warmly welcome newcomers.
Please don’t hesitate to contact either Simon, or Ms McDermott via belinda.mcdermott@catholic.tas.edu.au.
The Sound Tech Crew is eagerly anticipating being part of future College events and awaits an engaging and successful year.
Article written by Simon MacFarlane (Year 8)
Individual Music Lessons available
Would you like to learn and instrument, or further develop your talents?
Lessons are available in;
• Vocals
• Trumpet/ Trombone /Euphonium
• Drums
• Bass Guitar
• Saxophone
• Guitar
• Piano & Keyboard
For more information, email Ms McDermott:
belinda.mcdermott@catholic.tas.edu.au
NAIDOC Week 2022: Get Up! Stand Up! Show up!
Staff and students are preparing for NAIDOC Week 2022 celebrations. This is an annual Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday of July until the following Sunday. NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is an important national event where everyone is invited to join in the celebrations.
This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ It will be a key focus in assemblies at both the Junior and Middle Campuses in Week 10, as well as during Mass at Christ the Priest Church. Many classes will be celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by participating in art and craft activities in their classes as well as during lunch time in the Library on Tuesday, 5th July at the Middle Campus.
All students and families are cordially invited to a local NAIDOC celebration at the Kingborough Community Hub on Monday, 4th July 4.00pm-7.00pm. This event is organised by SETAC (South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation). Visit SETAC’s Facebook Page to register for free tickets https://fb.me/e/1NZkWh28H
NAIDOC Week Resources & Prayers for Families
The idea of NAIDOC originates in a letter written back in 1937 by William Cooper that was aimed at Aboriginal communities and Australian churches. Some churches were very quick to respond and began observing NAIDOC as early as 1940. More information about NAIDOC Week can be found on the website: https://www.naidoc.org.au/
Families wishing to pray together during NAIDOC Week, can visit Common Ground’s website for prayer resources: https://www.commongrace.org.au/aboriginal_prayer_resources
‘Healing Country’: Smoking Ceremony at Senior Campus
During National Reconciliation Week, a very special smoking ceremony was held at the Senior Campus. Led by cultural fire practitioner Jason Smith and attended by select senior staff, architects, landscapers, school leaders and First Nations students, the ceremony was conducted before machinery work was due to begin. The event took place in the car park where all the bitumen will be dug up and native trees will be planted. We look forward to seeing the transformation and learning more about ways we can care for, respect and ‘heal’ Country.
Sea of Hands
Colourful ‘seas of hands’ were created at both Campuses during National Reconciliation Week. Photographs from the week will be published in our next Strive newsletter.
Takariliya Wakata holiday program for First Nations Students
Join the team at SETAC, over the July School holidays while they facilitate free events for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families, living in the Huon and the Channel. Information is attached.
Vinnies Mass
Well done to Charlotte and Jenna who both read beautifully and represented the College Vinnies Committee at the Vinnies Youth Induction Mass at St Therese's Moonah, where we received blessings for our work ahead in assisting the needy in our community.
Vinnies Winter Appeal
Once again, our College is assisting in collecting donations for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. It is a great time to clear out pantries and wardrobes to pass on any donations of food and warm clothing. Gold coins are also accepted.
Donations are being accepted at both campuses until Friday, 24th June.
No Waste Nothing!
The Junior Campus also had a visit from Kingborough Council waste Ambassador, Mamma Rosa, and Community Development Officer, Mel Staples, to remind us all to “NO WASTE NOTHING!!!” This was in conjunction with Laudato Si’ week as we investigated more ways to care for our common home.
Volunteer Opportunity
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori style of learning approach to religious formation for children age 3-12, delivered in a beautifully prepared environment called an atrium. In the Kingston Channel Parish, we run two sessions each week during the school term; Saturdays 9:00am-11:00am and Mondays 3:30pm-5:30pm.
As our ministry to children continues to grow, we are offering free training for volunteers to learn how to be with children in the atrium and support our catechists. With thirty children enrolled across two sessions, the work is dependent upon volunteers.
If you would like to know more about being involved in this ministry or to register for training, please contact Catherine Sandric on 0407552239.
Volunteer training dates are:
- Sunday 26th June, 1:00pm-3:30pm
- Tuesday 28th June, 9:30am-12:00pm
St Aloysius Catholic Church, 96 Beach Road, Kingston
Parenting young people on Instagram
Instagram has recently rolled out new features to assist parents in keeping track of teens' activity while online.
News article available at: https://7news.com.au/news/cyber-security/instagram-launches-new-parental-controls-c-7164853
School Holidays Program
Kingborough Community Hub is offering a program during the July holidays, including activities for young people aged 12+, facilitated by Kingborough Council’s Youth Service Team.
Adventure Patch Vacation Care
Vacation Care available for ages Kinder through Year 6.
Contact saoshc@adventurepatch.org.au for bookings or more information.
Tasmanian Community Achievement Award Nominations are now open!
The Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities and businesses are making throughout Tasmania.
Do you know an individual, group, business or organisation who deserves to be recognised? We would love for you to enter them into the Awards!
Great prizes are up for grabs! Category winners will be presented with $1,000 from Bentleys Advisors, Accountants, Auditors and a trophy or a Southern Cross Austereo Airtime package and a trophy.
Plus, we will send out a media release to each of the nominee’s local papers encouraging them to write a story, and every nominee will receive a certificate of achievement!
The Awards are free to enter – and completing a nomination online is easy!
To find out more about the Awards, please see our website
Nominations close Wednesday 17th August 2022.
Cricket Hub
The Cricket Hub Tasmania has some exciting upcoming opportunities, including Girl’s Indoor Cricket Classes, and Term 3 Junior Indoor Cricket.
Snug Community Singing Group
Newcomers are welcome to join the Snug Community Singing Group, which runs on Monday nights from 6.30pm-7.30pm in the Clock Tower Hall at Snug Primary School.
Adult Art Classes in the Huon
Art From Scratch is going local with their first round of adult art classes in the Huon Valley!
This introductory art course will allow participants to experiment with and enjoy a range of art media and methods through making a finished artwork each week.
DATE: Thursday 23 June
TIME: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
LOCATION: Huon Valley Hub (23 Main Street, Huonville)
DURATION: 5 Weeks
COST: $100 for the 5 weeks.
This is a great way for any parents, carers, or adults in your life to take part in a creative, supportive, and fun program.
Lego Brixhibition
The Tasmanian Brick Enthusiasts are seeking EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST from all Primary Schools and High Schools in Southern Tasmania to participate in the Brixhibition Lego Competition for Term 3 (Aug – Sept 2022)
There is a separate Lego Competition for Primary School aged students, and for High School aged students.
If you think your child would like to participate, please contact the college by the end of Term, with your expression of interest. Participation will be contingent upon interest from a number of students.
Salamanca Arts Centre Winter Light Schools Program
This year offers an exciting infusion of creative experiences, utilising the arts as a creative tool to showcase the talents and share the voices of our young Tasmanians while embracing and celebrating diversity!