What a busy first 3 weeks of Term 2 we have had at the College.  It is great to see the College alive with the buzz of students engaged in learning, sports and culture.  Educating our students extends beyond lessons in the classroom.  It involves teaching and modelling values we espouse as a College, offering opportunities for all students to showcase their talents which in last few weeks has included the College Cross Country and our musical ‘The Little Mermaid’.  We build the faith experience of our students through moments like our ANZAC Day service, our recent Year 10 Retreat and upcoming Mother’s Day liturgies.  We engage students in learning through Writer’s Toolbox intensives and StreetScience workshops.  At times it feels like there is too much on, that life is too busy, but we are very discerning as a staff to ensure that the opportunities we offer our students, your children, centre around them as learners and their learning.  We aim to grow these amazing young people into lifelong learners who are able to engage with all the opportunities life will offer them. 

BIBLICAL GARDEN UPDATE 

We see gardens in our lives as places to toil with the reward of plant and animal life, places we can sit and be in reflection and in the company of others. There are references in the Bible to specific Gardens, including the Garden of Eden that was planted by God in Genesis and the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before his betrayal. Plants are mentioned throughout the Bible, whether it is the apple tree of Genesis, the seed that falls amongst the weeds or the sycamore fig tree that Zacchaeus climbs to see Jesus.  

The concept of building a Biblical garden in a vacant space in the College has been resonating for some time and this term it has begun.  It is now a visible and tangible reality that will develop over time as we prepare the earth, nurture the soil, and sow the seeds and plants to grow. The College Biblical Garden will be located in the space behind The Chapel. The intent of this garden is to create a space where students and staff can visit, sit, stroll and enjoy, a place of reflection and peace.  The space will evolve over time and through the seasons, the first step in this process was to mark out the layout of the garden.  The photos show the marking out of the space which occurred last week.   

It is our intent that the garden be set out in the shape of the Celtic cross.  The Celtic cross links to the Irish heritage of our founders the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley and the Christian Brothers, Edmund Rice.  It is also the shape of the cross on our College Crest.  Like many symbols, the Celtic Cross has different meanings and symbolism attached to it.  Simple connections we make are the 4 arms of the cross representing the four directions: North, South, East and West. They also represent the four elements: fire, water, air and earth.  The ring that crosses around the arms represents continuity, strengthening and support, a sense of belonging and encompassing. We also see the circle on the cross on emblems representing Edmund Rice Education. The symbolism of this cross is rich in faith and reflects hope, thought of by some as a compass guiding us through our spiritual journey. 

How can you help? 

As we go through the phases of construction and planting, assistance will be called for.  It may be in the shape of resources – like our call for help this week to source rocks to use as garden edging – see our notice after Term 2 fee's notice within this newsletter.

Year 10 Science Trial Test – next week  

We have been randomly selected to take part in the National Assessment Program – Science Literacy (NAP-SL).  A sample of 20 students from Year 10 students has been randomly selected by Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to complete this test.  The assessment session will last approximately 2 hours and will be conducted on the 11 May from 8:50-10:50am.  Parents have been notified via email if their child has been randomly selected by ACER to take part in this trial.  Information and data from trials such as these is used by ACER to standardise their test platforms like NAPLAN, the Year 6 & 10 Science Literacy, ICT and Civics and Citizenship Tests, and gain a better understanding of alignment of teaching and learning across these curriculum areas.  Schools are not provided with individual data from these trial/sample tests but wholistic national data is presented by ACARA each year.   

ATTENDANCE DATA 

Students and parents can view attendance data on Sentral for Students or Sentral for Parents. We aim to ensure this data is correct at all times but errors are sometimes made in the system.   

If you notice an error with this information, there are a few steps you (or your child) can take to flag this.  The staff member you contact will change depending on the situation or the error: 

- contact the teacher of the class where the error is showing  

- contact the organiser of the event you attended eg Netball coach, Retreat or course organiser 

- contact your Sector Leader or Assistant Principal – Mr Spain and Mrs Forbes or Mr Cullen and Mrs Biggar 

- contact Deputy Principal – Mrs Brennan  

If your timetable is incorrect: 

- ensure you have submitted your subject change form to your Sector Assistant Principal 

- contact your Sector Assistant Principal – Mr Spain or Mr Cullen, or Mrs Brennan  

The best way to make contact in these incidents is via email – including in the email as much detail as possible explaining the error identified, which date/lesson/subject and the reason.  The staff member can then look at the system, identify where the error occurred and make corrections if needed.  Please allow time for these changes to be made. 

DATE CLAIMERS FOR LYF 

4 May – Year 9 Mother’s Day Prayer Celebration 

12 May – Prep Mother’s Day High Tea  

2 June – 9:00am - Ecumenical Service  

Mrs Cate Brennan

Deputy Principal Religious Education