Edition #15, Friday 17th September 2021

Principal's Report

End of Term 3

This is the last edition of The Lighthouse for this term and, as we come to the end of a very challenging Term 3, I would like to offer my congratulations to our students for their perseverance and continued focus on their learning under difficult circumstances. I would also like to offer my heartfelt thanks to staff and parents/guardians for their efforts to continue to provide high quality learning opportunities and environments in which learning can flourish. We have been called to collectively respond with great resilience to our continuing crisis and I believe that we have done so admirably. The fact that most students continue to make good progress is testament to these collective efforts.

With colder and shorter days, Term 3 can be a term in which motivation wanes a little, even in a normal year, but it has been pleasing over recent weeks to see the initiative of our Student Leadership Council to promote House based competition to help build community spirit. I thank those who have participated, or maybe just taken an interest in the contributions of others and I hope that it has been a great reminder that you belong to a wonderful community.

I wish all students, staff and our families a safe and restful break over the upcoming holiday period.

Roadmap to return to onsite learning in Term 4

We await announcements from Premier Andrews on Sunday regarding the roadmap for Term 4. As soon as a plan is known we will communicate an outline with families. This will include directions regarding access to the College to collect resources presuming that online learning will continue at the commencement of Term 4.

Year 12

Our Year 12 students are about to enter the final stretch of their busy year and they continue to approach their work with dedication and a spirit of optimism. Over recent days our students have collected revision packages as they prepare for their upcoming exams. The General Achievement Test (GAT) is proceeding on Tuesday October 5 and the College will ensure that the test can proceed safely within comprehensive CovidSafe guidelines. The Education Minister, Mr Merlino, has again made it clear in a number of public announcements that there will be a process of Consideration of Educational Disadvantage to support graduates when it comes to seeking tertiary entrance. We understand that the process will be similar to last year and we will assist students in making these applications.

Many of our VCAL students have completed the course requirements and are nearing the end of their secondary schooling. It was pleasing to hear that quite a number of the students have already secured an apprenticeship or traineeship while at 海角大神 and are preparing to transition to the next stage of vocational learning and work. Once again we see the evidence that there are many pathways to successful completion of Year 12 at the College.

Vaccination blitz

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, from Monday 13 September, all Victorians aged 12 and older are at a state vaccination centre, a Commonwealth vaccination centre, or through a GP clinic, pharmacy or community health service.

Vaccination bookings for students should be made by following the instructions on the website.

Vaccination is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect our school community from further outbreaks and the spread of COVID-19.

Final year school student vaccination blitz

A reminder that final-year students (all Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Units 3/4, final-year Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and final-year International Baccalaureate (IB) students), their teachers, and exam supervisors and assessors have access to priority timeslots to attend their vaccination appointment at a state vaccination centre.

The vaccination blitz for final year school students has been extended until Sunday 19 September following a very strong and positive response from the community in the first week of the blitz. Please continue to encourage your eligible staff and students to take up this opportunity.

Consent

Students aged 12 to 15 can book their own appointment and may be able to consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor. This means that the health professional determines that they understand the information relevant to the decision to be vaccinated and the effect of that decision.

Where a student is not considered to be a mature minor by a health professional, the health professional will seek consent from the student鈥檚 parent/carer.

Parents/carers can complete a for their child to bring to their appointment, or can attend with their child to provide consent in person.

Staff Leadership Appointments

It is my pleasure to announce the following senior leadership appointments for the period 2022-24:

Curriculum coordinator - Ms Pam Ryan
Head Middle Years - Mr Philip Box
Head Senior Years - Ms Rachel Crawley

Thanks should be offered to Ms Meredith Greenwood on her outstanding service to senior years students and families over the last decade. Ms Greenwood has decided that it is time to pursue other opportunities to contribute her wisdom to our College community.

Announcement of other leadership position appointments will be forthcoming early in Term 4.

Darren Atkinson

Principal

A Note from Nap

A time to be thankful and the opportunity to rest

I hope that the holidays bring a much deserved break to you and your child as Term 3 ends. I am amazed at the resilience shown by most of the students at the College, as despite the many hard knocks that they have experienced during the term, the majority of the students have maintained good attendance, positive engagement and have met the requirements set upon them by their study programs. Teachers have been welcoming, caring and have maintained high expectations and I am thankful for their professionalism.

There is no doubt that many of you have found the current times testing and tiring. I would agree that many of the students feel the same way and that this can lead to frustration, negativity and distress. I wish to point out nonetheless that the current times have also provided positives. Greater opportunities for family time, walking, riding, exercising, cooking, playing games, chatting are just some of the examples of activities that the current times can bring. This is not to say that matters can also be difficult and it is important to seek support when in need.

During the last two years, many of our students have developed levels of resilience which will prepare them for life. Although hard at times to see this at the present moment, I am certain that in time some of the resilience built will emerge as they navigate through life. As the holidays begin, there is an opportunity to rest and recharge. The recent announcements about the easing of some restrictions will hopefully mean that there will be enjoyment outdoors for longer. I wish you and your families a restful and enjoyable time in the next two weeks.

It is evident that many students are experiencing screen fatigue. This can be problematic to eyesight, to posture and to mental health. I recommend that you encourage your child to stay away from their screens if this can be helped. Of course, our senior students may not have that luxury as they prepare for either their VCE exams or the completion of their VCAL programs. Best of luck to them all, and remember, there are 50,000 other students in their same situation. Please encourage them to focus on what is in their control and keep a positive attitude. Seeking help if they need it is very important.

Last week was RUOK? Day...
All Learning Mentors and Homeroom Teachers engaged students in discussion about the relevance and importance of this day during their pastoral time and were shown a PowerPoint presentation with relevant information. RUOK? Day is a significant initiative and very relevant to the current state of affairs for our city and the wellbeing of all. Information about .

During the term, many of the student leaders participated in leadership summits, created by them and led by them. The intention was to encourage their peers to participate in discussions, planning, development and execution of projects and programs to bring life to student experiences in the community. An example of this was the Spirit of 海角大神 activities which provided options for students to participate in a range of activities that promoted joy and wellness through physical, spiritual, emotional, social and academic development. From yoga to quizzes to talent displays, the students were able to involve their peers as a community. Well done to all students involved.

Unfortunately the College has had to cancel some events and this has been undoubtedly difficult for the community. Reaching the decision to cancel or modify events has been difficult and these decisions have been carefully measured with consideration of their impact on the community. I thank you for your support in ensuring that your children understand the difficult circumstances surrounding this and I implore you to voice the premise that hopefully 2022 will be a more reliable year in which all extracurricular activities will take place as planned. It is important to recognise that despite the loss of some activities, the learning program has continued and this is preparing the students for the next stages of the journey.

For us Christians, during the month of September, we are called to care for creation. We are indeed fortunate to have an earth that gives us life, and preserving it is important. As Christians, we are called to proclaim the Earth as our gift from God, not to destroy and abuse, but rather continue to co-create.

The current climate crisis brings ecological instability, creating damage and loss to many of the earth and its inhabitants. During these holidays, in the 'Season of Creation鈥� why not encourage your child to do their part in preserving the earth by:

Growing a veggie garden
Planting a fruit tree
Using reusable bags
Walking or riding a bike, scooter or skateboard to get to places
Building a compost bin

These are some examples of how they can learn to do their bit in preserving the earth by respecting the wonderful treasure we are lucky to call home.

Thanks for your continued support and partnership with the College. I hope that as we continue to move towards controlling the pandemic in our state, that the students will return to school and studies will resume in a face to face format. Please be attentive to all communication from the College as developments and direction from the health officials emerge. Take care, remain positive and enjoy the break.

Dr Napoleon Rodezno
Deputy Principal

Spiritually Speaking

Inspirations on Faith

This Sunday, there is a theme of jealousy and competitiveness that appears across the readings. The first reading discusses the use of violence to test the virtuous man who claims he is God鈥檚 son. In the second reading the theme is 鈥淭he wisdom that comes from above makes for peace鈥� and within the text it says, 鈥淧eacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.鈥� Then the gospel reading from Mark has the disciples arguing who is better after Jesus has predicted his death. Jesus tells the disciple that anyone who welcomes a child in His name, also welcomes him. So while jealousy, bullying and competitiveness may not be the key focus of the reading it does remind me of this edition's inspiration that I wish to share with you.

Lizzie Velasquez, who has been known as the world鈥檚 ugliest woman, has had to face bullying, trolling and other forms of harassment due to her appearance. I first heard her speak at a TED talk and her confidence and faith were amazing. Lizzie was raised and loved by her parents, totally accepting her for who she was and she did not realise she was different until school when others avoided her in fear. Even through her schooling years her Catholic parents encouraged her not to fight hate with hate, telling her that people who behave poorly towards her are often hurting. Lizzie held true to her faith until she saw a snippet of herself online with the tag 鈥渨orld's ugliest woman鈥� and when she scrolled through the comments she was devastated.

Lizzie鈥檚 faith was tested at this point. She prayed for God to change her, and she was angry that not only did he create her in this way but also that he refused to respond to her requests. It was through the love of her parents and family that she came to realise that she is beautiful and the image of God. Her parents welcomed her as a child of God and in doing so helped Lizzie to be a peacemaker through motivational speaking. Hearing her story and how she was able to strengthen her faith is inspirational. It reminds me that God created me to be me, not what others want me to be.

So this week, as you deal with the frustrations of life, I pray that you too feel loved and accepted for who you are, one of God鈥檚 beautiful creations.

Tania Grace

Assistant Principal - Mission

Senior Years & Middle Years Report

Senior Years

The VCE external assessments include written, aural, electronic/digital, oral and performance examinations, and the Extended Investigation oral presentation. At 海角大神, we are involved in most of these, starting with the Performance and Oral examinations which commence on the first week of Term 4 and run throughout October. This year we have our French students and those studying Chinese Culture, Language and Society sitting their oral examination plus a number of Drama and Music Performance and Music Investigations students performing their respective solos and repertoires. We also have a handful of students who study another LOTE usually via the Victorian School of Languages who will also be involved. Naturally, these assessments will be COVID safe, conducted in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer鈥檚 advice (at the time of the examinations) to reduce the risk of COVID-19.

For students, their performance or LOTE oral exams present an opportunity to demonstrate their talent, explore an issue of personal interest or express their ideas and opinions. For Drama, for example, students create, develop and perform a seven minute solo performance in response to a prescribed structure. The performance space is just a room in front of three assessors so there are none of the trappings of a theatrical show. Music performance students give a full, live performance of between 25-40 minutes duration, either as a member of a group or as a soloist. These are demanding tasks.

It has been a challenging time for all students however it has been particularly problematic for these people. Performing Arts studies have been prioritised due to performance examinations starting so soon, so students and their teachers have been allowed onsite to rehearse but they have also lost the chance to perform in front of an audience, to get that important feedback, but mostly share their passion.

Meredith Greenwood
Head Senior Years

Middle Years

A few years ago when visiting my father-in-law鈥檚 childhood home he shared stories from his younger years. Ron grew up in Portsmouth, five kilometres from the harbour, a prime target during the Blitz in the Second World War. The bomb shelter dug into the garden that protected his family from the falling bombs still exists. The visit raised so many questions about what it was like to live in such difficult times.

The stories remembered and shared were not as I expected. Even in such uncertain and truly terrible times, Ron spoke fondly of the shelter in his backyard. It was a 鈥�place to hide when I was supposed to be doing my chores鈥�; a quiet spot to read; an extra room where you could get some space when living in a crowded house and a grassy mound to run up and roll down.

These conversations return to me when thinking about our young people. How will they remember and retell their childhood stories during these difficult times? Now that their days for the next two weeks are not filled with daily Google Meet schedules and school work routines and you can鈥檛 go away on holidays. What can our young people do to make memorable times during this holiday period?

Fitting in time to engage with the world and people around them, to be creative and energetic, having time in the sunshine and fresh air. Sometimes just coming up with an idea is the hard part so here is a start to spark some possibilities. Make a mini movie showing how to...play a favourite song or service a bike; set up scribbl.io competitions against family members in another home; plan and plant a vegetable garden; use the time to go on long walks; write a letter and post it to a friend or family member living on their own; train a pet; put up Christmas lights outside to change the scenery; learn to sew or cross stitch; concoct mood boosting snacks in the kitchen or how about prepare a dinner party for the family with a three course meal and dressing up for the occasion. Whatever the plans for the holidays I hope all your family enjoy a safe and restful break from school routines.

And as we complete another term, I would like to thank you for your continued efforts in supporting your child with their learning.

Rachel Crawley
Head Middle Years

Wellbeing Matters

A Wellbeing Barometer for 海角大神

Measuring wellbeing isn鈥檛 an easy thing to achieve, in fact some experts argue the unique and complex nature of wellbeing varies so greatly between individuals a single measurement tool is unlikely to yield useful results. To honour the complexity of wellbeing in our school we use a multifaceted approach. A combination of individual self-reflection, teacher/homeroom/mentor analytical observation and objective curriculum measures enable us to ascertain if our efforts are achieving identified goals and as a school community if we are moving in the right direction.

The introduction of the digital check in app Pulse has enabled us to assess student self-assessment of how they are travelling from a wellbeing perspective in real time. Students simply check in once a week via any digital device and answer 5 quick questions, the key one being do they need help?

All responses (other than do they need help) are de-identified and can be analysed in a variety of ways to see how our students are travelling. Students have the option of reaching out to any staff member they choose and a notification is sent alerting that individual that a student would like some additional support. This has been of particular use during lengthy periods of lockdown and remote learning. Digital check ins are one of a raft of tools our staff can use to support students to manage their wellbeing. Students can build personal strengths via self-reflection, taking a moment to think purposefully about how they are managing amidst challenges. Coupled with a growth mindset, recognition that our moods and sense of wellness fluctuates, students can take action to address some behaviours and routines that can shape wellbeing. Digital check ins provide one piece of the puzzle if you like, the relationship between staff and student remains the most powerful analytical tool.

There has been considerable information on offer during lockdowns describing ways to support young people. There is no denying the effects of a global pandemic have tested us all in varying ways. Mental ill health statistics of young children and young people confirm the need for vigilance and some may need access to extra support. However, as contradictory as it sounds, it is important to recognise not all young people are struggling. On any given day our mental health and wellbeing ebbs and flows. It is important to acknowledge it is okay to be having a tough day, equally to also remember this will most likely pass. Learning to identify peaks and troughs is most useful and helps us to discern next steps for ourselves and the way we can support each other.

Irrespective of whether your child/student has struggled to navigate some of the current challenges pausing to reflect on what is working well and what may need some attention is recommended by mental health experts. It may be our activity, food selection, sleep patterns, even the music we listen to and movies/shows we watch.

A special edition of SchoolTV invites parents to view a brief clip presented by Dr Michael Carr Gregg and then participate in a quick survey. It is important to note that ALL responses remain anonymous. The purpose of this survey is to provide schools with aggregate data to act as another piece in our puzzle helping us support students and their wellbeing and learning.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of you and your family, the tireless work you do with and for your children. Working with young people, supporting them to dream big, learn and grow is a significant responsibility but also a great privilege. The energy, resilience and compassion of young people acts as a beacon of hope in tough times. I wish you all a restful and rejuvenating school break and look forward to joining you once again for the sprint to the finish line in term four.

Cheryl Kane

Child Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator

Sustainability Corner

Cake Competition

Australian Threatened Species

海角大神 College is celebrating National Threatened Species Day (Sept 7th) with our very own cake competition. Students and staff are encouraged to upload their baking efforts during week 10. The winners of the 2021 海角大神 College Threatened Species Cake Competition will be announced TODAY, judged by Mr Stott, Mr Cleeland, Ms Grace and Ms Myers 鈥� all experts in cake design and our Australian threatened species.

Save the Mountain Pygmy Possum

You help Melbourne Zoo save our threatened species the critically endangered Mountain Pygmy-Possum. Zoos Victoria has just launched Moth Tracker, the latest device being employed to help the Mountain Pygmy-Possum. If you see a Bogong Moth, the community is being asked to take a photograph and log the location, day and time with Moth Tracker. The Moth Tracker is an easy to use platform and a great activity to participate in. Moth Tracker, which can be accessed through any laptop or smartphone.

Want to know more - check these links and clips out.

Chicken Watching

Thank you to our fabulous film maker Cooper Walsh (Year 9) who put together a short clip of the chooks in action free ranging in the school garden. Cooper took time out of his day to create the wonderful clip. The link was shared with students and staff via SIMON daily notices. The girls were very entertaining to watch and provided a great way to practice some mindfulness. When you鈥檙e chicken watching, you can be there in the present moment, observing the way they interact, rather than dwelling too much on the stress of current lockdown life. It is also an excellent moment to enjoy the outdoors. A personal highlight was seeing the girls were busy digging and scratching and listening to them 鈥榯alk鈥� to each other.

Karyn Myers
Environment & Sustainability Coordinator