Rewarding Success 

What a privilege it was to recognise the many amazing achievements of our College family at the awards ceremonies earlier this week.  After a year of hard work and dedication to learning, spiritual formation, sport and culture, there is nothing better than seeing so many smiles come to greet you to receive their award!  There are plenty of images of the award winners later in the newsletter and full lists will be published on the College Website, though there are a few special mentions I need to make, amongst the many amazing achievements.

• Firstly, to everyone for the College Prayer, Song and National Anthem.  Nothing instils a sense of pride like being in the MPC for that awards ceremony.  Likewise everyone’s behaviour, patience and respect throughout the entirety of the ceremony, simply excellent.
• All of our College Icon Award recipients, especially Matilda Ryan, William Cook, Matilda Paffey and Kaitlyn Harms; to demonstrate these virtues at such a young age is admirable. 
• Charlotte Crothers – ADF Long Tan Award, English, Math, Science, RE, History, Geography and Home Ec Subject Excellence Awards, Academic Excellence Award, Academic Distinction Award, as well as many awards on Monday, and topped off yesterday with an outstanding House Leader speech.
• Georgia Ryan – many awards on Monday, ADF Long Tan Award, Math A Subject Excellence Award, Academic Excellence Award, Outstanding Vocational Student Award, Nolan Strength Through Gentleness Award and Catherine McAuley Award.
• Daniel Gillespie – Math B and Chemistry Subject Excellence Award, Academic Excellence Award, Persuasive Literature Award, Gold Sports Award, Sports person of the Year, Our Lady of the Southern Cross Award

As I stated on Wednesday, I was most humbled and proud as the College Principal to a level I’m not sure others would understand.  Looking at the faces of a champion family and seeing such excellence in achievement sure is a great way to be further invigorated in leading the College to even better results in 2019 and beyond.  Thank you to all of our people who were able to be present to celebrate our collective success.  

One to One Laptop Program in 2019

In January next year, we are rolling out the One to One Laptop program for all students in Years 7 to 12.  This aligns strongly with the demands of the workplace that our students will enter in the near future. It also aligns with the type of learning and way of learning that creates MASTERY LEARNING.  Essentially, mastery learning simply means that students are mastering both how and what they are learning so that they can apply their knowledge, understandings and cognitive skill sets to unfamiliar situations to develop a response or solution.  Each student having a laptop means they can access information at any point in time, as well as use the tools of learning/software 24/7.  Through our Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), our students will have access to key information and resources at any time they have a connection to the internet.  Resources from the class that day can be uploaded so students can engage in revision to master their learning.  It also enables students to submit their assessment items on line and reduces the tyranny of student notices etc, as students will have 24/7 access to all the information that is made available.

The final model is yet to be finalised as we are scrupulously selecting the best, and most reliable device that can perform to a high standard for all software needs of the College.  We are also ensuring there are excellent standards of service, warranty and accident insurance that come with the device.  The  laptop program will come at a cost to each student in Year 7-12.  For those creating their budget for next year, our current target is $260 per student per year.  At the completion of 3 years with the laptop, there will be an option for students to payout the device and keep it. 

Some FAQs in regards to the program:

• Can I bring my own device? No.  All devices will be the same and owned by the College until the point in time the student/family pays the final payout. This is largely due to software licensing agreements, management of devices, security and online safety of students.
• Can I take the device home on weekends and holidays? Of course – that’s the whole idea!
• How do I pay for the device? All students in Years 7-12 will have a laptop levy in their school fees. There are no concessions or scholarships for this aspect of the fees and this must be paid.  The only other cost will be an excess if the device is damaged or lost.
• What if I don’t have good internet at home?  The device can still be useful as a stand-alone tool, though is most effective when connected.  Documents can simply be saved to the device storage so they can be accessed offline.
• What happens if my device fails?  We will have spares on site and will be working with the students regarding how and where they store their information so that in case of failure they can still access everything they need. All devices will have the same software required for school.
• Can I put whatever I like on my device?  They are owned by the school and will be managed as such, so it is wise to ensure that there is no content that is against the values and expectations of the College
• Does this mean I don’t need books? No. Text books will still be needed, although our new versions will include online resources to support your learning as well. You will also need to write notes and work on paper, but also have the option of doing this digitally if that is what works for you.

The laptops are only one aspect of a complex process of moving to digitisation which supports mastery learning.  The other aspects include: teacher and student training, software and licensing, classroom technology (projectors/interactive screens etc), infrastructure, technical support, Canvas LMS, and most importantly the pedagogy of teachers and engagement of students.  All of this is not able to simply be flicked on like a switch and we know that it will take time to make this as effective as it can be.  We look forward to starting the adventure and further developing our students to be ready for the workplace into which they will enter, and allow them access to support and resources whenever they need it most. 

Peter Cuskelly

Principal