From the Middle Campus
A Wonderful Start to the School Year
As we embark on another exciting school year, it has been truly heartwarming to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our students as they settle back into school life. A special welcome to our Year 5 and Year 7 students, who have made a fantastic start to their journey on our Middle Campus. Transitioning to a new environment can be a big step, but their resilience, positivity, and eagerness to embrace new experiences have been commendable.
Getting back into the rhythm of school routines can sometimes be tricky, but our students have taken it in their stride. Their commitment to learning, their engagement in activities, and the kindness they show one another make our college a truly special place to be.
The start of the year has been a busy and vibrant one! Our Year 7 and 8 students showcased their school spirit at the Athletics Carnival, while our Year 5 and 6 students made a splash in their swimming events. The Year 7s have also enjoyed their Ready Program and camp, where they built friendships and strengthened their sense of belonging. Our Year 8 students took time to reflect and grow during their Reflection Day, and we have celebrated important milestones as a school community, including our Commencement Liturgy and Student Leaders' Commissioning Ceremony. The observance of Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday has reminded us of the importance of reflection, kindness, and living out our values each day.
One of the most inspiring aspects of these early weeks has been seeing our student leaders step up to take on their roles with confidence and enthusiasm. Their commitment to making our school a welcoming and inclusive place has been evident in the way they have led events and supported their peers.
As we move forward into the term, I encourage all students to continue embracing challenges, supporting one another, and striving to ‘Be the Good’ in all they do. An important part of this is ensuring that our school remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone. I remind all students of the importance of keeping hands-off play and respecting the safety of others. By following the college expectations and looking out for one another, we can continue to build a community where everyone feels secure and valued.
It is a privilege to be part of such a dynamic and caring school community, and I look forward to all that the year ahead holds.
Year 7 Ready Program
As part of the Year 7 Ready Program, Anne McWatters (Aboriginal Student Success Teacher) and Polly Marriott (Director: Mission) lead walks around the Peter Murrell Reserve, guiding the students in Care for Country and Care for our Common Home from both an Aboriginal and Catholic Perspective. Students were introduced to the concept of ‘dadirri’ meaning ‘deep listening’ as well as an ecological ‘examen’ prayer encouraging reflection on their experiences in nature. Presenters such as Dan de la Motte of Anchor Retreats, Leanne Prichard and 'Magic’ Marty Ogle of Making Jesus Real from the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office also ran sessions on Sacred Space, the Sacred in Me, and how we serve others. Thank you to Vinnies Hobart who loaned us their ‘Cost of Living’ life size Monopoly style game which was a huge hit.
Year 7 Camp
On Wednesday, 19th February we arrived at school with all of our luggage ready to depart for our first High School camp. We loaded onto the buses in class groups, dreading the long five hour trip ahead of us. There was a lot of chatter and excitement in the air as we headed to Camp Clayton, in Ulverstone.
At around midday we arrived at Cambell town for a break from the bus and to stretch our legs where we ate our recess and learnt how to read a sundial. Some people played on the equipment, climbed the tree log while others just sat enjoying the break. We loaded back on the buses after about an hour to continue our journey to Camp Clayton. The bus ride was still quite long as we were only half way. On the bus we started singing and this is where most of the memories were made. When we finally got to camp, we got our bags off the bus and assembled in the main hall to get given our groups and some basic information and rules about the camp.
After we were split into our groups, we gathered around our leaders ready for our first activity. Each group had a nickname. The nicknames were based on Australian animals so we didn't forget our groups. After our activities for the first day, were over we went back to the hall and we all sat down ready to find out our cabin groups. There were 8-10 people in each cabin. There was also 3 different areas where we were all sleeping. The boys had their own area and the girls were split into two groups.
After we split into activity groups, we raced to the events that were planned. The activities were archery, high ropes, rope swing, rock climbing, trampolines, zipline, and mini-golf. The high ropes were wires suspended around 12 meters in the air. They were obstacles along wire, and most only made it about half way along the top. The rope swing had most people screaming. You were harnessed to a rope and pulled up by your team to be 12 meters up in the air. After a count of three, you would pull the red string on your harness and suddenly drop and then swing, fun and exciting. The zipline was a lot of fun. You had to climb up a massive rock wall then zipline a long way down into the paddock. Everyone enjoyed themselves and some even faced their fears.
Camp Clayton was an enjoyable first high school camp experience. We made lots of new friends and learnt quite a few important life lessons.
By Marni, Kirby and Aoife in 7E.
Year 8 Reflection Day
The Year 8 Reflection Day set students up for a positive year ahead with the theme of the day based on Mr Reidy’s catchphrase “Be the good”. Mr Reidy started with an address to the students on why this phrase resonates so much with him. Students then took part in a rotation of activities including ‘to do good’ where they heard about the fabulous work of local Kindness Project ‘1000 Hearts’ and had a go at heart making themselves!
