海角大神

Parent Teacher Meetings and Subject Selection Expo

Feedback for online Parent Teacher interviews over the last couple of weeks have been very encouraging. While we clearly had no alternative given the restrictions, many parents and guardians have commented that the online format actually has a number of advantages in terms of the commitments that families face each evening and makes this format worthy of future consideration as a viable ongoing option. Thank you to everyone who worked to ensure that these meetings could be conducted so successfully. Parents of Years 8,9 and 10 students have also had the experience of an online Subject Selection Expo this week and I want to say thank you to Mr Michael Box, Mrs Pam Ryan and the many other contributors who put in an enormous amount of work to prepare for this event. I hope that participants found it helpful.

Weekly House Challenges
I want to commend our student leaders on the wonderful initiative to engage our student community in a fun activity each week to help build connection and House spirit. The first week saw 172 very impressive art submissions, with points awarded to the respective house per entry. A commendation was awarded to two middle school and two senior school students from each House and all entries were uploaded to a website maintained by various senior student leaders. The Year 12 leaders maintain the administrative aspects of the challenge, and each week a different year level is in charge of organising the theme for that week. The theme for week two was cooking, and this week will see submissions on a music theme. At a time when many students are missing the social interaction with peers, it is great to see our student leaders looking for ways to help others to continue to engage.

VRQA Accreditation
It is pleasing to report that our five year review by the VRQA last Friday week was very positive. In an exhaustive analysis of our policies and compliance protocols, we were able to demonstrate that the College continues to meet or exceed the statutory requirements. We have three minor areas around which some additional work needs to be undertaken and this will be completed over the coming days. There are many to thank for their contribution to the review as we compiled literally hundreds of documents as evidence to demonstrate compliance, but I wish to make special mention of Mrs Janet Blackwell, Mr Luke Russ and Mrs Dawn Aitken who brought many of the threads together so that we could present a coherent picture of our College policies and protocols to the assessor.

海角大神 College Board Meeting
At the end of the school year, we will farewell three long-serving members of the College Board. At our Board Meeting on Tuesday, I was able to thank Mr Brad McDonald, Dr Roland Faktor and Mrs Nadine Callahan for their outstanding contribution to our College over a span of many years. We will also farewell our student representative, Miss Charlotte Dring, at the end of 2020. At our AGM this week, the College Board decided that it was prudent to wait for the new Board Constitution that will come into effect when 海角大神 College incorporates as part of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) on January 1, 2021, before commencing a search for new members, or electing office bearers. Hence, Mr Paul Ayton will continue in the role of Chairperson through this period of transition. If you would like to find out more about the changes to governance of schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne please go to .

Capital Projects Update
As you are aware, the College Board decided to put the Gymnasium redevelopment project into hiatus earlier this year when it became apparent that our revenue would be down significantly due to the impact of Covid-19. However, part of the project, which was to address a serious matter regarding stormwater drainage, cannot be delayed and we are continuing to prepare for this work to be undertaken as soon as possible. We had hoped that this work might be possible while the school was closed this term, but we are still some time away from having all of the necessary permits in place to be able to go to tender. We are also in the midst of seeking permission from Catholic Education Melbourne. It鈥檚 obviously disappointing that this work will essentially be 鈥渋n the ground鈥� and that, despite a substantial outlay, there will be little to show for this investment in terms of improved learning facilities. Of course, not having to dry out a flooded Theatre and Food Tech facilities when we have future heavy rains will be a great relief to those who learn and work in these spaces.

Darren Atkinson
Principal

As you know from these fortnightly articles I am a proponent of life-long learning. I think it is part of who we are as people and the fingerprints of that learning is everywhere; in arts, in business, in trades, in management, in agriculture, in health care in the public and private sectors, we see the genius of people who do not stay still, who learn to do new things everyday to enhance our lives. But as a self professed learning lover, I am tired. Having to learn new things and new ways of doing things every day can be exhilarating but it is also tiring. I know I am not telling you anything you don鈥檛 already know, especially if you are working from home (lots of new learning) and helping with remote learning (the perverse new learning for you to facilitate new learning for someone else). Whew! Glad it is Wellness Day.

I want to pause and say thanks to many people. In the past two weeks we have run classes online, student leadership activities online, parent teacher nights online, VCAL information nights online, Subject Selection Expo online. All have been received favourably. We have tried to do the things we do annually to provide some consistency for students. It has required a great deal of retooling on our part but it has been worth it to provide some of the important events in the school year. Many people need to be thanked. The teachers for their preparation, dedication and follow up. The Learning Area and Year Level Leaders for their work generally, but particularly in getting the Subject selection Expo up and running. The Homeroom Teachers and Mentors who are taking the main responsibility in the interviews and the VCE teachers who held them last week. The Marketing and Development Team (the overseers of the Lighthouse) have made a range of complex tasks possible. Admin staff and the IT staff who have made everything new run smoothly. The College leaders who have embraced new opportunities. But the two key groups deserving of accolades are the students (and their student leaders) and our parent community. The positive responses we are regularly receiving show how willing our 海角大神 community is to work hard and together through this tough experience. Enjoy Wellness Day and the weekend. You have earnt it.

Michael Box
Deputy Principal - Learning

鈥淭he more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you鈥檒l go.鈥� Dr Seuss

The world has changed considerably since Dr Seuss wrote such a statement in his acclaimed book, "I can read with my eyes shut" in 1978. Yet, the message remains the same, as it is through engagement, exposure and accessibility that the human brain extends and explores beyond what it knows. Since the beginnings of the 20th Century, as the great human advancements of the times influenced scientific and social progress, the significance of education in the life of human beings has been considered paramount to development, functional ability and the capacity of individuals to contribute and influence the world around them. What was once reserved for the influential and fortunate, often the privileged minorities, is now a right to all, making education a vehicle that offers scope for change and justice. 

Since the world is rapidly changing due to the impact of technology on society, future generations must be taught to develop the necessary skills to function beyond expertise in a field, by also being able to adapt and function within the landscape of change. As the individual human life evolves, society places much emphasis on the role of education as a springboard to offer opportunities, connectedness and success for the individual, with the ideology that it is education that will prepare the person to partake as a contributing member of their society, whilst preparing the person for the forecasted challenges that future workforce contexts will bring. This ideology and appreciation for learning is closely aligned with the commitment of 海角大神 College as a community of learning, where many wonderful things happen for those prepared to take the challenges front on. And then, we consider what the last two terms have delivered...
 
I decided to share these perspectives with you in the attempt that they may generate discussions at home about your child鈥檚 sense of control and aspirations for their future. Considering the current challenges we experience with remote learning, it has become increasingly obvious that students are required to adapt greater levels of organisational skills to fulfil their responsibilities as on-line learners, they have had to rely on their research skills with particular emphasis on self-directed learning, and while some have sought out support from their teachers (and you as parents) some have prospered with little direction. They have developed good collaborative skills, and they have had to rely on schedules that may be inconsistent with what they may have been used to at school. And although some of the students have struggled with the imminent challenges, especially if they have not accessed the available support, they all, as members of a learning community, have continued to make progress as learners. In every setback, there has been plenty to be learnt. In every achievement, there has been plenty to consider. 

The future is bright and full of opportunities for success. The current context will bring about great challenges to the economy, and it is widely predicted that the competition for employment will be greater than it was 18 months ago for some time, yet, we have been exposed to many possibilities during this pandemic and period of isolation which has enhanced our position as learners, and this includes us teachers. My students can attest to this, they in fact have taught me lots about the possibilities that exist with technology in recent months. Although the future will continue to bring challenges, the adaptability that we have all been required to put in place and develop, allows us to embrace the gift of learning substantially, and this will be a fundamental perspective required for the contributions to our society as functioning members of our community. 

Senior students are now in the process of selecting courses and subjects for 2021, preparing for the last school term of the 2020 school year and continuing to explore what 2021 may bring. Year 12 students will reflect on 2020 forever and perhaps remember it as a great challenge, but I am confident that in time, they will appreciate their growth in resilience and their ability to adapt to something that could have never been predicted 12 months ago. And this experience has been the same for all other students. It is now time to start preparing for the future by discussing the aspirations and dreams, by establishing the informed plans. By continuing to learn from each success, setback and new challenges, students will continue to make positive progress. 

The phrase, 鈥淭he more that you learn, the more places you鈥檒l go鈥� has never been truer in my estimation. Help your child unclip her/his wings by discussing their future, by identifying how the College can assist this process and by continuing to reflect on how much learning has occurred within the virtual classroom and in our dealings with the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. And if your child has struggled, identify how and why, and assist them in developing skills to address this. Each mistake or setback is a springboard to achieve success. If you require any assistance in supporting your child with their learning, general wellbeing, and pathways, please contact your child鈥檚 Homeroom Teacher or Learning Mentor. Alternatively, please contact her/his Team Leader or Year Level Leader. For counselling support, please access the Youth and Family Centre at yfc@aquinas.vic.edu.au.

I recently shared a comic segment with staff which was well received. For this reason, I will share this with the rest of the community. I hope it brings a smile to your face.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at rodeznone@aquinas.vic.edu.au. Good luck with the next two weeks of the stage 4 restrictions for our state, the planning in the lead up to the transition to term 4 and the thinking about 2021 and the future possibilities and opportunities, not just the imminent challenges.

Dr Nap Rodezno
Deputy Principal

Joys of Spring

Last Saturday in the pouring, thundering rain, I huddled under the shelter of my shed carport and prepared potato bags. Yes maybe I should have checked the weather forecast - but I went on knowing that the excitement of spring is just around the corner. Next week we see the beginning of Spring. There is more sun, more rain (just not as cold) and lots of new growth. It will also be the time where we will slowly go beyond our homes. 

In writing this article I thought about the hope spring brings, we prepare, we toil, we wait and we are rewarded with the beauty of Creation that God has given us. John O鈥橠onohue wrote amazing poems and reflections and in researching for this theme I found two snippets which I would like to share with you.

Spring is a youthful season coming forth in a rush of life and promise, hope and possibility. At the heart of spring, there is a great inner longing when desire and memory stir toward each other. Consequently, springtime in your soul is a wonderful time to undertake some new adventures,

some new project, or to make some important changes in your life; there the rhythm, the energy, and the hidden light of your own clay work with you. You are in the flow of your own growth and potential.

Wishing you all a wonderful start to spring.

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal - Mission

Finding Hope and Happiness even in Tough Times

Over the last six months there has been an increase in wellbeing literature published in an attempt to support people in navigating the challenges associated with COVID 19. We have also seen incredible generosity from others in sharing information, resources and insight. The plethora of content seems overwhelming and of course we need to apply a critical lens when reading. It seems that many are looking for information to build social and emotional or stereotypically referred to as ways to be happy and well. A quick google search on How to increase happiness during COVID brings up 1,326,000,000 for you to consider! 

Focusing on ways to increase happiness, hope and optimism is something we naturally look to in times of challenge and uncertainty. Arguably one of the most important (yet challenging) pursuits currently for teachers and parents to encourage young people to see past the 鈥榞loom鈥� of lockdown and refocus on hope and optimism for the future. Significant adults in the lives of young people need to be hope builders!  Research clearly shows when children and young people experience optimal wellbeing and a degree of happiness they are better positioned to learn and flourish. 

So what really is happiness?
Happiness is the balance of positive and negative emotions combined with life satisfaction. Happiness is also often described as pleasure, personal control having a sense of purpose. We do also need to experience some discomfort for us to benefit form and even realise when we experience happiness in our lives. Negative emotions also help us to understand things can change allowing us to be more optimistic and hopeful. Whilst there are many and varied opinions on the science associated with happiness a sense of gratitude remains a constant that is widely accepted. Gratitude mobilizes hope and optimism especially when we extend our feelings of gratitude towards others. Especially I tough times we need to relish good experiences that build positive relationships. Being grateful helps us deal with adversity, feel safe and improves our general health and wellbeing. 

I was fortunate to tune into Dr Justin Coulsons webinar on lightening lockdown load

 Key considerations Dr Coulson posed were:

• The importance of hearing what young people are telling us
• Young people need humour in their lives (even Dad jokes)
• Young people need hope builders in their life, especially now
• Practicing gratitude builds hope

Some of us might find this harder to enact than other right now. This too is okay! Acknowledging things are tough but that you are doing your best is a demonstration of your ability to find hope and optimism even during gloomy times. Throughout the year I have drawn inspiration from my Year 12 mentor class (Fab four).  I laugh at their jokes (even though they don鈥檛 seem to laugh at mine) and am constantly inspired by their collective determination and ability to see the good in others. As clich茅 as it sounds, hope builds hope. Martin Seligman (referred to as a founder father of the positive psychology movement) stated 鈥淥ptimism generates hope…. Hope releases dreams… dreams set goals…. Enthusiasm follows. 

My wish for our 海角大神 community is that we continue to support each other to hope, dream achieve our goals and share this enthusiasm with others.

Cheryl Kane
Child safety and Wellbeing Coordinator 

As Term 3 progresses so do our 海角大神 Music Students. Over 350 students have continued to participate in music lesson online and I wish to congratulate these students for continuing to challenge themselves in their performance and grow their instrumental skills during this time. I know that once things return to 鈥渘ormal鈥� students, staff, parents and the wider community will be amazed how far they have come in their musical journeys. Ensemble directors are continually working on alternatives to keep students engaged and focused on developing their performance skills and these include upcoming recording projects, online performances, and other exciting collaborative opportunities. 

One exciting opportunity for our choir and vocal students has recently been undertaken with the College鈥檚 鈥渃ouch choir鈥� project.  Students have been recording parts and attending rehearsals with vocal staff all in preparation for a performance piece and once completed this will be shared with the community. Stay Tuned!

With subject selection well underway, I would like to encourage all our junior students to discuss with their teacher the classroom program and to explore their future pathways either with music as a career or even to explore music as a passion, as many students do, all the way to Year 12.

On behalf of the music staff, I wish the very best for our Year 11 and 12 students studying units 3/4 VCE subjects for their upcoming performance exams. Students were informed recently of the dates and times of these exams. It is exciting and challenging for all students involved but music staff have worked tirelessly with student preparation over the past 5 to 6 years so we know they will be brilliant.

There are two quotes included below that I feel sum up music for our students at 海角大神. 

鈥淢usic is a language that doesn鈥檛 speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it鈥檚 in the bones, it鈥檚 in the bones.鈥� 鈥� Keith Richards

鈥淚 think music in itself is healing. It鈥檚 an explosive expression of humanity. It鈥檚 something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we鈥檙e from, everyone loves music.鈥� 鈥� Billy Joel

Again, please remember, music is an excellent stress buster so I would encourage all our music students to keep playing - for themselves, their families, and those around them. What better way to cheer up a relative than a mini recital via zoom or another online platform.

I hope all families in our community stay safe and healthy during these challenging times.

Jared Campbell
Music Programs Coordinator

As teachers of Mathematics, one of our primary goals is to guide and develop students into becoming independent and resilient learners and problem solvers of the modern world.  Remote learning has taken away some of our classroom tools, however, also given us the chance to test our students independence, resilience and ability to self organise, plan and learn.  On the most part, our students are making us proud with their increased confidence and ability to demonstrate autonomy and resilience under these trying circumstances.  We took the chance this week to reflect with students on what they have found successful through this time.

Michael O'Halloran
Maths Learning Area Leader

National Science Week ran this year from 15th to 23rd August. Science week is an opportunity to celebrate the scientific heroes in our community and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Our celebrations this year looked a little different from past years. 

As part of this important event, our Year 9 Students who are studying Future Sciences: Emerging Technologies had the opportunity to e-meet with Doctor Mark Schultz. Dr Schultz is a Biomedical Scientist who is currently employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bioinformatics at the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, within the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.  

In anticipation of this activity, the Year 9 students prepared a range of questions for Dr Schultz. They heard about his work in infectious diseases and how present circumstances have meant that he is currently spending most of this time working on SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) to develop a better understanding of the transmission of the virus, with intention of providing results for public health action. We also had the opportunity to reflect on Dr Schultz鈥檚 scientific journey and how scientific technology and innovations have influenced this journey. 

Dr Schultz鈥檚 presentation was informative and inspiring, and provided much consideration for our students as they contemplate subject choices for 2021 and the potential for a future career in the Sciences. We would like to thank Melbourne University for facilitating this wonderful opportunity for our staff and students.

Lynda Schulz
Science Learning Area Leader

"On Wednesday the 19th, Doctor Mark Schultz spoke to the Year 9 Future Science classes online about his career as a Biomedical Scientist. Mark talked about all the different jobs and areas of science he worked in before he started working as a Postdoctoral research fellow in Bioinformatics. It was really interesting to hear about all the research that he has participated in since the coronavirus came to Australia. He has played an important role in finding out more information that is crucial to our response to the pandemic. Mark explained how his job as a scientist is very important and how the industry of medicine will never go out of business. This is helpful in the leadup to subject selection, and thinking about our career pathways in the future. We鈥檙e very grateful for the opportunity to have spoken to Mark and for his insight into the many different fields of science he has worked in."

Leonor Fernandes and Olivia Della Gatta, Year 9

Year 8 students have been researching, drawing and designing a new Formula 1 car. They have completed concept drawings, refined drawings, and computer aided design (CAD) drawings. They will then design a new team logo and team uniform. Their Formula 1 design will be constructed using cardboard and recycled materials.

Kathy Thompson
Year 8 Design & Technology Teacher

Year 9 Visual Communication allows skills that have been taught in Year 7 and 8 to be taken to the next level. In Year 9 students are asked to design a product. They enter into the world of an Industrial Designer and are asked to consider all aspects of the design process before coming up with a final presentation. A variety of tasks in the industrial design field have been produced over the years. The results are always nothing short of outstanding. 

So many skills are combined in this task including freehand drawing, media exploration, product design, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. It is truly a task  I look forward to teaching each year. The possibilities are endless. These are some of the industrial products and accompanying marketing material completed this year.

Pina Perinetti
Visual Communication Teacher

The annual Student Engagement Survey in VET Hospitality and Kitchen Operations asks students to shared important feedback on their courses. Students from both 海角大神 College, and other schools in the Mullum Cluster that undertake their training at 海角大神, complete the survey. This feedback is used to continually improve the course.

Here is some curated feedback from students this year -

What are the best aspects of the training? 

• The best aspects of the training is that we are given more responsibilities and we are able to use the facilities that we have at school in order to do our pracs. 
• Being able to engage with customers and having the teacher with you, giving you good feedback and advice.
• Getting to know new people, learning new things, making drinks in bar and the amount of time we get to do homework.
• Being able to use my skills and knowledge in real life. I think it is such a beneficial subject which i am passionate about. I also love learning about Australian ingredients.

Which areas of the training need improvements? 

• I don't think that theres anything that needs to be changed.
• The practical side of things I think just because I believe I learn best when we do hands-on activities and we do a lot of theory work which is sometimes hard to do.
• No need of improvement.    

What was a positive experience for you of online learning?

• Being able to do things in my own time and not being easily distracted by people talking as much.
• How we could get the ingredients from school and cooking with the class in our own kitchens.  
• Seeing everyones faces in this tough time.
• Warm lunches.
• We were able to complete most of the theory work and still able to use communication through google meets and face the challenges of it, then being able to work on the practical side once back at school.
• Having supportive teachers.

What good things have you noticed that have come out of the current situation that we have been in?

Week 1: Art

Congratulations to our Highly Commended recipients of Week 1 of the House Challenge. We had over 170 entries across all year levels, including some stuff entries. It was a difficult decision to make from all the amazing entries, but here are the recipients of the house points from each house at Middle Years and Senior Years.

Week 2: Cooking

This week's competition was cooking! It was time to whip up something tasty in the kitchen either a family recipe, an ovenless masterpiece, or some baking excellence.

Last Friday morning seven 海角大神 students competed in the EISM Chess competition. The competition was run online. 海角大神 was competing against Luther, Tintern, Eltham and Huntingtower.

The students who competed were:
Year 8 - Heath Slattery, Francisco Cortes-Gama
Year 9 - Shaelee Donohue
Year 10 - Tom Egan. Alex Cortes-Game
Year 11 - Vince Cayme, Nicolas Faulisi.

The students were watching their opponents move their pieces鈥� virtually鈥� and responded 鈥渧irtually鈥�. They played at least seven games across the morning. The students enjoyed the opportunity to do something different. We did not win many games throughout the competition but they were very competitive in most of the games.

Well done to all these students.

Bernie Brummell
Sports Coordinator

A report by Alex Cortes Gama
"I may have lost every single game I played, but I still had an amazing time. Not being able to see my opponent making a move or their reaction to the moves I made, which were probably laughter, gave me a somewhat thrilling sense of worry. I can't describe it. The whole time there was a unique vibe to it. I tip my hat to everyone who organised the tournament, and to Dan for being a great host. I truly enjoyed playing."

Cafe N9ne 2020 Planning is continuing for an abridged version of the Cafe N9ne program for Term 4! We are working hard to ensure that where possible the cafe program will continue, it may look a little different but a taste of Cafe N9ne is still a possibility!!

In the meantime, how about a little Cafe N9ne competition?

A Cafe N9ne Voucher will be awarded to the top five design your own Cafe N9ne breakfast ideas.
Breakfast creations can be sweet or savory and can have many components, as long as they are cooked from scratch! You could use Pinterest and or YouTube to gather ideas and cook your dish at home. Take some photos and write a description of your own Cafe N9ne designed breakfast and send to Mrs McConchie: mcconchieja@aquinas.vic.edu.au