THOUGHT FOR THE FORTNIGHT

In 433 A.D., history tells us that St Patrick was praying for God’s divine protection in his work and ministry in Ireland while facing powerful enemies. He wrote this prayer called St Patrick’s Breastplate, which is still widely known and recited today.

I arise today through

God's strength to pilot me, God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to see before me,

God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me, God's host to secure me –

against snares of devils,

against temptations and vices,

against inclinations of nature,

against everyone who shall wish me

ill, afar and anear,

alone and in a crowd...

Christ, be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit,

Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is of the Christ.

May your salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.

CORONAVIRUS

Please find attached a letter which was sent via SchoolStream on Tuesday, 17th March updating families about COVID-19 and the implications for us as a College.  I ask that you take the time to review this document - COVID-19 update - event cancellations for families 17032020

Mentioned within the above letter is a short survey that we ask you to complete.  A link to this survey has been provided here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YQQ2MYH

I thank families for your continued support with the adjustments needed to accommodate this situation.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

• The Grade 8 Camps were a great success.  Thanks to James Wright, Peter Kay, Gemma Evans, Ben Hibbert, Nickie Birchall, Josh Leach, Sally Broadribb, Ben Fasnacht, James Hickey, Maddie Downie and Lilly Hyatt.  Big thank you to James Wright for all his coordination and to the second camp that had to navigate safely the decisions around the weather.
• We had Mary Aikenhead Ministries Pilgrimage members at the Kingston Campus and showed them around the convent.
• Thank you to the Grade 4 staff, and especially Tamara Telly, for their organisation and running of the Leadership Day for Grade 4.
• Thank you to Donna Duggan, Ben Hibbert and Jacinta Castles for running the Fides and Maths Pathways parent information sessions.
• The Commencement Mass was a very respectful experience led by Fr Chris.
• We have had Lisa Horton, an architect, and Adam Mulchay from the TCEO attend meetings about our plans for the refit on the third Campus site.
• We had North Melbourne Next Generation Academy Footy Skills sessions with the Grade 3 & 4's.
• The Grade 2-10 inter school chess tournament saw selected students participate.

QUALITY STUFF

We have heard and we even have a car bumper sticker to prove it, it’s our 60th birthday.  I wonder what that means to you?  I would hope that part of the answer is that you as a staff member of the college are custodians of what it is to provide for a high quality catholic education in our region.  What does that look like?  Let’s look at where it physically all started for us 60 years ago, the convent.  See in the next photos how Andrea, with her Explorers program, is authentically true to this challenge:

The old Principal's office, even our old premier, Will Hodgman, was sent there a few times to “get himself sorted”.  The front room was previously the chapel where the sister's prayed.  How appropriate that the Holy Family, as part of the Godly Play program, resides there.  Explorers families, our extensive needs students from Huntingfield, the Kingston Campus Early Years students and teachers and our Children’s Liturgy group on Sunday use this resource to more fully know the stories of our religious heritage.  Wouldn’t the sisters be chuffed to see and know that.

TRAFFIC/BUS SAFETY

It has recently been brought to our attention that students are not always following basic traffic safety measures, particularly at the end of each school day.  A reminder to all students, staff and parents that, for the safety of all at the College, it is imperative that students only embark and disembark stationary vehicles in designated parking spaces.  

We realise that in the busyness of the afternoon, when the cars are backed up for what seems like miles on end, it seems easier for students to duck between the cars and jump in the vehicle whilst banked in the queue.  This is not in the best interests of all on site.  Younger students are always learning and following the example of their older peers.  It would only take  a trip or stumble from one of our smaller students to disappear from vision, leading to what could possibly turn into a dire situation.  We ask that you take that extra 30 seconds to move into one of the many designated car parking spaces on site before requesting your children enter the vehicle.  Alternately there are many sites available for parking off site; Huntingfield Estate, Kingsgate Circle or utilise one of the many bus services available to families.  

In the interest of everyone’s safety, we ask that families please abide by this request.

NEW INITIATIVE FOR FAMILIES IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Via SchoolStream, my newsletter section for this week and our website, we will be advertising to families, present and potential, this wonderful initiative:

St Aloysius Catholic College, in conjunction with Catholic Education Tasmania, is pleased to announce a very important initiative aimed at assisting families with the cost in selecting Catholic Education for their children. Those who hold a current, valid Health Care Card can now receive a specified level of fee assistance without the need to make an assistance application to the College. 

This approach in offering direct fee assistance is in line with both the Archbishop's Charter for our College and with the intention of our founding order, the Sisters of Charity, to come forward and offer the hand of comfort and assistance. It is fitting that this initiative has been introduced in our 60th year of the founding of St Aloysius School.

To obtain more information on the fee assistance that is available, please make contact with our Business Manager, Mr Les Gardner ph:0488 298 744 or email: les.gardner@catholic.tas.edu.au 

A SLIGHT CHANGE TO THE EOY ARRANGEMENTS

After advice from the pastoral care team, we will this year have our Thanksgiving Liturgy and Awards on the last day of the year for students, Thursday 17th December.  It will be in the morning and campus specific assemblies will be in the middle of the day.  Susan McGann and Susie Bond will give more details later in the year.

Last year the Southern principals decided to have a centralised Grade 7 Orientation Day. That is, all orientation days for secondary catholic schools will be on Monday 30th November.  As a result, we will run our Huntingfield Campus Orientation Day on that Monday.  The Kingston Campus may not be on that day.  We will confirm that date soon.

NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Environment and Sustainability Officer
We welcome Mrs Michelle Dance to the College.  Michelle has been appointed to the Environment and Sustainability Officer position for which we recently ran a recruitment process.  Michelle is currently studying a Diploma of Sustainable Living at UTAS, bringing valuable skills and knowledge of this area to the College.  

Business Manager
Whilst Les Gardner takes a well deserved period of renewal leave, we welcome to the College Mr John Hills.  John has extensive knowledge and understanding of the TCEO being the Assistant Director of Corporate Services.  John will commence with us on Monday, 30th March 2020.  

We are sure you will make both Michelle and John welcome when they commence their duties.  We look forward to working with them both. 

COLLEGE ALUMNI

Congratulations to the following College Alumni who received awards at the Guilford Young College awards night.