海角大神

World Teachers Day - October 29

Today we acknowledge the work of teachers and those who support our teachers, and thank them for the valuable role they play in the formation of our young people. Teaching is a vocation and those who are called to the profession feel a deep desire to nurture a love of learning in their students. Moreover, teachers offer pastoral care that creates an environment in which young people can hopefully flourish in the fullness of their being. On this World Teachers Day especially, I thank the teachers of 海角大神 College for their commitment and adaptability over the last 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are indeed blessed to have a community of passionate and enthusiastic educators all working together towards a common goal.

Student Free Day - Monday, November 1st

Our calendar reserves the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day as a student free day to allow an opportunity for catch up for our teachers and support staff. Thank you for your amazing support of their endeavours this year to provide quality tuition in a blended learning environment. The College will be closed to all except those who are taking VCE Exams on Monday. 

Welcome Back - Wednesday, November 3rd

We welcome all students back to onsite learning on Wednesday and hope that they are all looking forward to returning fulltime to their schooling face to face, albeit with important COVID Safe protocols that will need to continue to observe so that we can operate safely. Much of what students are reporting to have missed during our period of online learning is the interpersonal connections that they value with both their peers and their teachers and we know that they have been excited to see their friends again as part of the staggered return this week.

Year 12 Students

We wish our Year 12s (and Year 11s studying Unit 3/4) the very best as they commenced their exams this week, starting with English on Wednesday, 27th October.  While English will have been the first exam for most students, there will be some who have already undertaken exams in performance and language subjects over recent days. The graduating class will receive their certificates at a Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, 18th November and gather for their Valedictory Dinner in the new year as large indoor functions become a possibility again.

Student Attendance

All students are expected to attend onsite once their year level has returned to onsite learning. Exceptions may exist for medically vulnerable students. It is recommended that parents/carers of students with complex medical needs seek advice from the student鈥檚 medical practitioner to support decision making about whether onsite education is suitable and work with the relevant level leaders at the College in regards to a plan. As all students will have returned to onsite learning, the current online remote learning program will cease.

COVID Safe Protocols

The key messages that will continue to be emphasised are:

• Stay home if unwell. 
• Get tested immediately if any of the following symptoms appear: fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, night sweats, chills, acute respiratory infection (such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, and/or loss of taste.
• Maintain good hand and cough hygiene.
• Do not share food or drink and use a water bottle (drink fountains are allowed to be used).
• Do not share other utensils.
• Maintain social distancing as much as possible.
• Wear a fitted mask at all times indoors.
• Minimise time at lockers.
• Parents/guardians should remain in cars during drop-off and pick-up times.

Vaccination

In accordance with the health directions, all staff, contractors and volunteers must have provided evidence of their vaccination status to the College by now to be given permission to work onsite. While it is not mandatory for students to be vaccinated to attend the College, it is highly recommended and we are strongly encouraging all eligible students to be vaccinated for their own safety and to support the safety of the community.

Responding to Positive COVID-19 Cases on a School Site

As we return onsite while still seeing cases of community transmission, COVID-19 exposure at school remains a possibility.  The College will respond promptly as soon as we become aware that a student, parent, contractor or other member of the school community has tested positive to COVID-19 and was onsite within 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Or, if there are no symptoms, 48 hours before the positive test. The College will assess who may be a Primary Close Contact (PCC) based on the level of face mask compliance, the degree of mixing across classes and year levels, and the time spent together. The Department of Health will send an SMS to the PCCs advising them of their quarantine, testing and release dates. PCCs will be informed that if they are fully vaccinated (double dose), they should isolate for seven days and may be able to return to school after a Day 6 test, depending on local school arrangements. If the PCC students are unvaccinated, they will be required to isolate for 14 days and can return to school after a Day 13 test. Students will need to show evidence of their test and vaccination status when they return to school. Schools may need to close so that cleaning can take place, but it is expected that the school will be able to reopen the next day and will remain closed only as a last resort in response to complex circumstances.

ICON - Parent/Guardian Onboarding

All parents/guardians should have received an email explaining that a new process by which you will be given access to the Community Portal is being launched and this requires you to validate your details. Once we migrate to the ICON Finance and Administration system over the coming weeks, you will access the ICON ePortal to make changes to your own personal details, make school fees, other event payments and more. Should you have any questions please contact the College.

Illuminare 60th Birthday Special Edition

Congratulations to the production team, Mrs Janet Blackwell, Mrs Rebecca Presta and Ms Emily Scott, on the special edition of Illuminare celebrating 60 years of education at 海角大神 College. This commemorative publication captures the spirit of the College by showcasing special aspects of each of the decades. It has only been possible thanks to the generous contribution of so many past and current students, staff and family members who have recalled memories of their time at the College. Special mention must go to Ms Anne Stebbing for her work to locate artefacts from our archives that help tell the 海角大神 story. You can enjoy reading the special edition of Illuminare here.

Darren Atkinson
Principal

Earlier this year I bought an ebike to ride to work a couple of days a week, or more importantly to tackle the Category 4 climb on the way home. After a few successful journeys I fell (or at my age did I have a fall?). The weight of me and the 25+kg bike hitting the ground was taken mainly by my wrist which was fractured. I was in plaster for 6 weeks, rehab for a few more and then lockdown. It has only been in the last couple of weeks that I have felt able to get on any bike and only this week that I returned to the ebike. The experience of getting back on the bike has a clear parallel with students returning to school.

This week newspapers reported a study from a conservative think tank, the Centre for Independent Studies about student鈥檚 progress during lockdowns. The findings, which came from looking at testing before and after lockdowns, were that many of the things we might worry about did not eventuate for the whole cohort of students who were locked down. Below are some of the findings but you can read a summary .

In the case for learning at school was made in light of these findings.

鈥淥n the same day the CIS research paper was released, UNICEF reported the results of its national survey of 1000 students from Year 3 to 11. It found almost half felt they had learnt less at home than they would have at school.鈥�  They argued, and we would agree, that there is no substitute for learning at school, but the CIS report was more about reassuring that long term damage may not be inevitable. There is an important distinction between these two arguments. The first looks at learning evidence based on high stakes tests to ask if students have on average loss ground. The second reports what students on average feel about their learning progress. It tells us that learning is about both processes and emotions.

The return to school is a little like me returning to riding. I know on average that people are able to recover from minor fractures and return to activities they enjoyed. That did not take into account what I felt as I took the bike out again, given that the last time I rode ended in mishap and inconvenience and should that occur again a major injury may be the result. In the same way students might not be bouncing out of bed to go to school to learn (as distinct from going to resume social relationships). This reluctance should not be unexpected. No young person meets the profile of being exactly average and we all treat new things in different ways. What we can learn from reading the studies and arguments about the return to school is that it might take different periods of time and different levels of  positive self-talk for different students to get back into the saddle.

Michael Box
Deputy Principal Learning

Preparing to Return

As we prepare for the easing of further restrictions in the state of Victoria, we have been fortunate to welcome our Years 7-11 students in the last two weeks. It is pleasing to see how much many of the students have grown and how well they have adapted to their return to school following another long period of time in remote learning. The community is fortunate that the impact of the pandemic has been minimal in our region. In speaking with peers who work in different schools in other regions of Melbourne, it has been made clear that the experiences for other school settings has been very different. 

Most of the Year 12, and some Year 11 VCE Unit 4 students started their exams this week and I am thankful for the dedicated team of staff behind the preparations and delivery of such an important part of the learning journey of the students. Continually applying strategic adjustments to the exam settings in order to maintain 鈥渂ubbles鈥�, protecting different year levels from coming into contact with each other, while providing the Unit 4 students the opportunity to complete their exams in safe environments has not been easy but the rewards and outcomes will be uplifting for each student. A message for all students is that as much as the experience has been challenging and confronting, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the joys of learning face to face, in community, will return. 

As the Year 12 students continue completing their exams, or continue to take steps towards achieving their plans for 2022, I wish them all the best. There is no doubt that their last two years have been challenging and very different to what was expected before the pandemic appeared in their lives, but I am confident that their efforts will provide them with opportunities, optimism, success, joy and further aspirations.

For all students returning to school to resume face to face learning, it is very important that you monitor and discuss with your child their school experiences over the next few weeks. It is normal for there to be some feelings of anxiousness, for some to struggle to get up in the mornings and for sleeping patterns to return to what is needed when attending school. However, these adjustments are necessary and students must seek the support of the staff if in need of assistance. If there are concerns about your child鈥檚 return to school, please contact their respective Year Level Leader or Team Leader. It is normal to feel some worry as the students return but it is important that the concerns are discussed and addressed. 

Over the last three months, as restrictions have changed, announcements have been made by politicians, informing us of any new directions or adjustments that have needed to be made, and we have entered different phases in the effort to protect our community from the challenges of the pandemic, the College has continued to positively respond to the challenges embedded in the restrictions because of the support of the community it serves. Equally, we have been fortunate to not have any outbreaks at the College because most students adhere to the expectations of our COVIDSafe Plan. 

During big parts of the current semester, as each student attended their online lessons, completed their assigned work and followed the directions of their teachers, they have allowed for their remote learning to deliver the best educational outcomes possible during what have been very difficult times. Your support and assistance as parents enhancing this has been extremely valuable to the success of your child in achieving positive outcomes. 

As your child returns to school for face to face learning, it is important that they have enough sleep in order to be ready for the challenges that each school day will bring. According to the Better Health Channel, sleep research suggests that a teenager needs between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night. It outlines that most teenagers only get about 6.5-7.5 hours sleep per night on average. Teen's body clocks naturally shift to make them feel tired later in the evening, but early school starts do not enable them to sleep in the mornings.

What is of concern is that chronic sleep deprivation can have dramatic effects on a teenager鈥檚 life, including affecting their mental wellbeing and reducing their academic performance at school. Smartphones and other devices used around bedtime reduce sleep time. More information about sleep deprivation can be accessed

It is clear that a good night's sleep is highly beneficial to learning, so I encourage you to monitor this very important aspect of your child鈥檚 life. 

Please note that the wearing of masks, for indoors at the College, will continue until further notice. This is very important, especially when social distancing cannot be maintained. Please encourage your child to wear a mask at all times while travelling to school if using public transport, while attending classes in the classroom and to consider using a mask outdoors if there are concerns with the inability to maintain social distance. Although these measures are challenging, they are deemed to be necessary in order to uphold the safety of everyone in the community. These restrictions are mandated by the Victorian Government for all schools. Best of luck to you and your family as your child returns to school for face to face learning.

Parents and Friends Network

The P&F Network meet each month and all parents are welcome to attend their meetings. They run many projects in support of the students and the College community. Please read their advertisement in this newsletter about the business directory project and their invitation to join the team. Thanks to the parents who have emailed an expression of interest. We will be in touch shortly. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the College.

Dr Napoleon Rodezno
Deputy Principal

Inspiration from Pope Francis

Over the past few editions I have spoken about various inspirational people of faith and while this is something that could be discussed for much longer, I will finish this theme today with Pope Francis.

When the Pope was announced and he had taken the name Francis, after St Francis of Assisi, I was immediately filled with hope. St Francis was a remarkable man, gentle, humble, compassionate and a strong sense of responsibility for the environment. In the years that Pope Francis has guided our church, it is clear that he has emulated this much loved saint. 

His encyclical, Laudato Si is an honest look at God鈥檚 creation, how the earth is crying for help in so many ways. The Pope does not just provide 鈥渓ip-service鈥� he enacts and models what he writes; committing Vatican City to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Similarly Pope Francis has modelled compassion in many ways. From the beginning when a young boy walked up to him during a papal audience, washing the feet of prisoners, refugees, the homeless and refusing to wear or use the overly glamorous material goods often bestowed upon the church. Shortly after his inauguration, I attended a conference where a guest speaker was an American journalist, who had reported on the Vatican for three different popes. He spoke of the remarkable changes and signs of humility that he had witnessed. One example was of the journalist at a caf茅 in Rome, near the Vatican where many people from the Vatican were known to visit. While having his coffee he noticed a cardinal, known for his ostentatious ways, walk in wearing the simple black robes and red trim, and a simple, smaller than normal cross around his neck. The journalist stopped the cardinal to say hi and during the conversation mentioned the change in clothes. The cardinal smiled and said that humility was now 鈥渋n fashion鈥�. 

One of his more recent papers, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis reminds us that we are all brothers and sisters and in the eyes of God, equal. He emphasises the foundation of Catholic Social Teachings - Human Dignity. Francis makes the connections that we often do not see, that through being equal we not only help each other, we also help all of God鈥檚 creation. There is so much change the Church wishes to see as evident in the current plenary council. and while people may not always agree with the ways of the institution of the Church, it can be said that we are being led by a man who is trying to be his best and a role model for the world. 

We finish today with Pope Francis鈥� prayer for the earth:
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live 
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, 
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
A Christian prayer in union with creation

Father, we praise you with all your creatures. 
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father鈥檚 love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts 
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made. 
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak, 
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light, 
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.

Praise be to you!
Amen.

Assistant Principal - Mission

Staff @ 海角大神    

Whilst we are settling back into life on campus, our Year 12 students have completed final assessments and are commencing their final exams. The teachers and staff involved in the VCE, VET, VCAL and Careers departments have been instrumental in ensuring that our Year 12 leave 海角大神 with the required support and guidance for their future. As a parent of a Year 12 student, I too hope that the challenges of the past two years allow my son, and all of the class of 2021, to be resilient, fearless, compassionate and kind to all people they come across in their life ahead.

Staff have also been busy rescheduling a number of events and activities for other years levels, so they are able to experience an engaging and positive end to another particularly difficult school year. There is a great deal of planning underway at present for the start of the 2022 school year,  with staff undertaking Professional Learning, team meetings and completing accreditation certificates. 

Happy 海角大神 Educator鈥檚 Day

Today we are celebrating the wonderful work our Teaching and Non-Teaching staff undertake at 海角大神. We are very fortunate to have staff that care for our students and go 鈥渁bove and beyond鈥� to make their time at school enjoyable.  On your behalf, I thank all 海角大神 staff for the valuable contribution they make in the lives of the young people in our care. Please feel free to forward a 鈥渘ote of gratitude鈥� to any of our staff to acknowledge their great work.

Gina Goss
Assistant Principal - Staff

Spring is here!

Spring is well underway and the veggie patch is thriving. There are beans, silver beet and spinach growing at rapid rates.  This also means the chickens are doing their best to get the winter grasses and spring weeds but are battling to keep the weeds at bay.

This week students have had opportunity to participate in sustainable Halloween activities at lunchtime.  Students have made Halloween treats for chooks, carved watermelons, decorated the chicken coop and weather permitting made scary scarecrows.

The simple cups recycling program has arrived to 海角大神, stay tune for more information on this exciting recycling program.

Karyn Myers
Environment & Sustainability Coordinator

Religious Education is about learning the history, scripture and teachings of the Catholic Church. To understand why a person has faith, acts in certain ways, or follows certain rules requires a knowledge of the religion. While this may seem dry and boring, relating this to everyday life in a contemporary world is actually very interesting.

Learning can occur in many different ways. As these photos demonstrate, religious education can be active, explorative, constructive and fun. Over this year, Middle Years students have had board game creations, song writing, social justice activities, exploring role models and so much more. Our Year 10 and 11 students have explored the interaction of society and religions by exploring what makes a religion and how religions respond to various issues. For our Year 12 students, they have experienced a wide range of guest speakers who have provided opportunities to explore and discuss issues beyond the walls of 海角大神.

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal - Mission
RE Learning Area Leader

On their first day back, the Year 7 Geography class participate in a water scarcity activity. The students had to sense how it feels to carry heavy buckets of water over a long distance.

Congratulations to some of our Year 8 students who recently participated in the MACS STEM Mad Showcase. The two groups of students were selected for their Global Green solutions which they created earlier this year. The 2021 MACS STEM Mad Showcase was a virtual event, and the Africa Group achieved top 3 of their category.

Well done to Caitlin Hartley, Emma Landsberg, and Jade Forder (Africa Group); and Adeline Dods, Lachie Buyck, Layla Beare and Deon Perna (Wurundjeri Group) on your involvement.

Emma Lynch
Global Green Coordinator

In 2021, 海角大神 College commemorates 60 years of educating students from our local parishes. We invite our Community to enjoy a commemorative edition of Illuminare, our alumni magazine filled with photos, reflections and memories gathered from across our alumni, staff and students.

Click here: ...

Over this fortnight we welcomed back our students across all year levels, albeit on staggered days. It was great to have the College buzzing again with noise and the excitement of students seeing their friends and peers again, in real life.

It was a more subdued farewell for the Class of 2021 this year. They enjoyed a presentation including a great trip down memory lane over their 6 years at 海角大神 College; reflections from their fellow cohort, and farewells from the teachers and staff.

Best wishes to everyone in the Class of 2021!

Each year 海角大神 College collaborates with St Vincent de Paul Society to collect donations for their Christmas appeal. Small gifts and donations go a long way during the holiday time and can bring joy to families who might otherwise go without. It has been a challenging year for many of us in our 海角大神 Community, if you are able, any donations would be much appreciated.

From Thursday 4th November, Homerooms/Mentors are encouraged to collect gift tags from a Christmas Tree in the ARC, the Senior Years building or the Middle Years Building (downstairs near the office). Gifts only need to be a maximum of $15-$20. Gift Vouchers are also a great option! Gifts will be for young children and families."

If you are after any further information, contact please contact me on tukavkins@aquinas.vic.edu.au 

Sasha Tukavkin
Justice and Outreach Leader

An opportunity for business owners of our 海角大神 Community

The Parents and Friends Network are an integral part of the College community and contribute to and support key initiatives for the College. The P&F Network provide an opportunity for all parents to become involved in the community, social and fundraising activities of the College and to support the various programs and events organised by the College. 

In consideration of the challenges imposed on the community by Covid-19, especially for small businesses and the limitations to trade they may have experienced, the Network has embarked on creating an 海角大神 College Business Directory. 

What the Business Directory will provide:

• Membership to the Business Directory is specifically for parents/guardians of the College only. 
• It will offer the broader 海角大神 community convenient links and contact information to businesses owned by members of the community so that they can choose to support their fellow parents/guardians.
• The 海角大神 College Business Directory will be accessed via the 海角大神 College website and will be accessible by all members of the community. 

All commercial businesses from across the services, industries and trades are welcome. If unsure about the suitability of your business, you are encouraged to submit an email of interest. If the business meets the criteria, then you will be invited to submit an application. 

If you wish to be considered for entry into the 海角大神 Business Directory, please email pandf@aquinas.vic.edu.au to register your interest. An application form will then be provided.

The 海角大神 Parents and Friends Network meet at 7.30pm on the first Monday of each month to discuss initiatives to support the College community in reaching the best outcomes for the students. They welcome new members, please email pandf@aquinas.vic.edu.au if you would like further information.

Dear 海角大神 Community

Please be aware, there are students within the College who are receiving medical treatment. Should these students come in contact with others who have been diagnosed with measles, mumps or chickenpox, they may become seriously ill. 

If your child is suspected/diagnosed as having any of these conditions throughout the year, we request you notify the Health Centre immediately via email healthcentre@aquinas.vic.edu.au or on 9259 3021. 

Thank you, we appreciate your cooperation in keeping our students safe.

The Health Centre team