29 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message:

By Mr Kort Goodman, Principal

Dear Parents

As I indicated in the newsletter last week, this week I will follow up with a snap shot of the information that was provided by Luke McKenna, at our evening for parents from last Tuesday, looking at ‘Unlocking the Truth about Performance’. A number of parents have provided me with valuable feedback on the usefulness of the information that was provided in the newsletter last week. I would like to highlight again that this philosophy and program provides great opportunities for our students to improve in all aspects of their learning both at school and at home. However, as always, these programs are most effective when both the school and parents work together in partnership. I again provide the link to the Unleashing Personal Potential website, which we hope parents will take the time to visit. Luke McKenna

Unlocking the Truth About Performance – Parent Education Session Notes

These notes will outline the three big inhibitors to learning, improving and thriving, and provide practical tips and a common language for parents to use at home to help kids reach their potential. Further information regarding the research behind the practice of developing a growth mindset can be accessed on the webpage.

“Our only limitations are those we set up in our own minds.” (Napoleon Hill)

Research suggests that the three big inhibitors to student improvement are;

• a belief that our talents or intelligence are fixed traits and cannot be changed
• a lowered ability of students to show resilience in the face of setbacks, and a reduced recognition of the benefits of persistent and focussed effort in enabling us to learn
• a general lack of mental health within students as they deal with anxiety and depression.

A belief that our talents or intelligence are fixed traits and cannot be changed, comes about due to the experiences that we have had and the fixed mindset voice that we employ. Examples of a fixed mindset voice include;

• I’m not good with numbers.
• I’m not creative.
• I’m just not much of an athlete.
• I don’t have an artistic bone in my body.

Or

• I was born smart.
• I have a gift for story writing.
• I am naturally good at sport.

In order to address the fixed mindset voice Luke suggests that we should be creating a common language across the community that praises effort rather than their personal traits. Luke highlights that the research implies that, “Children who received a greater proportion of process praise tended to believe that the sources of their accomplishments are effort and deliberate practice, whereas children who received a greater proportion of personal praise tended to believe that their accomplishments are related to their fixed traits.”

Luke suggests that the research says that we should be praising the process rather than the person. For example;

Other suggestions for situations that present themselves that Luke provided included;

Luke also suggests that we should be looking for natural opportunities to discuss our student’s / children’s learning with them by asking;

• What did you learn today?
• What mistakes did you make today that you have learnt from?
• What did you try hard at today?

He also suggests that we should share our own learnings from the day.

Finally, Luke outlines 5 key factors for parents and teachers;

1. Listen for a fixed mindset in the voices of our students and talk through changing this mindset with them.
2. Be explicit regarding our praise and feedback on the student’s efforts, not their personal traits.
3. Look for everyday applications of the growth mindset not just the school side.
4. Educate yourself and share what you know with the students about neuroplasticity. (Refer to the webpage)
5. Avoid the use of the fixed mindset words like SMART.

I hope that this information will be helpful for you and your students and we look forward to continuing to imbed the Growth Mindset Philosophy at our College.

This week we pray that we may demonstrate persistence in our learning.

Assumption College Newsletter Changes

Just a reminder that our newsletter from this week will become a fortnightly release. However, we hope that you have taken the opportunity to download our SZapp. This new digital communications platform will include fortnightly newsletters with unlimited content, a distribution platform, interactive survey and polls, online calendars, parent/teacher booking system, a new Assumption College Website (which is being updated now). Further information regarding the SZapp was included in our last newsletter and again today.

Have a lovely week

Kort

TERM 2 – 2017 DATE CLAIMERS

TERM 3 – 2017 DATE CLAIMERS

APRE News:

By Mrs Kate Cullen, APRE

Events Next Term

Families are invited to help celebrate with us the following.

• Catholic Education Week Liturgy – Monday the 24th of July at the McKillop Centre for a 12:30 start. This Liturgy of the Word is a combined celebration to mark Catholic Education Week as a school community and parents and families are welcome to attend on the day as well.
• Feast of the Assumption - 15th of August- St Mary’s Primary School and Assumption College join together with the Parish to mark this Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will start at 9:30 and parents and families are welcome to attend this Eucharistic Mass. Information below to explain significance of the day.

The Assumption of Our Lady - 15 August (Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese)

Assumption of Mary into Heaven

Monday, 15 August the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, "having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory". Although defined as an article of faith by Pope Pius XII just over half a century ago, the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven has been accepted from back to the earliest of Christian times.

The Assumption signals the end of Mary's earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the Assumption and the Resurrection. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own power, Mary's body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son.

For this reason we use different words to describe each event. One is the Ascension of Christ and the other, the Assumption of Mary.

For more information please visit the following site:

REAL TALK PRESENTATIONS

Real Talk presentations are occurring on the 19th and 20th of June- the Last Week of Term 2.

• Year 10 – Getting Real in the Digital World - which will be engaging students in thinking about the impact the cyber and technological world has on their relationships, self-worth, identity and ethical decision making (Monday, Lessons 5 & 6) .
• Year 7 – Love and Life Seminar covering topics of self worth, personal identity, good decision-­‐making, love and relationships (Tuesday, Lessons 1 & 2).
• Year 9- Will extend on the Love and Life Seminar of Year 7 and focus on True Beauty with the girls and Stronger with boys in the afternoon session with the groups divided into smaller focus groups. (Tuesday, Lessons 3 – 6).

This is an information letter for Parents regarding the Year 7 and 9 presentations. Please read and if you have any questions or concerns you can contact the College.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

RE: ‘Love and Life’ Seminar/Reflection Day (Years 7-­‐9)

We have been invited by your school to come and facilitate a seminar or reflection day. This will be on the topics of self worth, personal identity, good decision‐making, love and relationships. Appreciating the important and irreplaceable role you play as parents, we would like to share with you a little about Real Talk and the content we present.

Real Talk is an organisation that is all about getting REAL on the topics of sex, relationships and personal identity. Based on Catholic Christian values, Real Talk provides up to date resources, presentations and programs that help young people to understand God’s amazing plan for love and life.

It is important for young people to know that they are of great value, that they have a purpose and also for them to have an understanding of the topics of relationships and sex. Young people today receive countless mixed messages about these topics, and can be unaware or confused about the precious gift they hold. (Cf: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1632; Sacred Congregations for Catholic Education, 1997, 18)

We appreciate the importance of the role of parents in the education of their children. Our aim is to complement and not replace, the present instruction of your children. (Cf: Familiaris Consortio, 37)

Real Talk’s Love and Life Seminars/Days are an opportunity for young people to hear from trained outside presenters about these topics. Real Talk presents this topic in a fun, interactive and contemporary way whilst being real and honest with the students. We seek to encourage and empower students to make positive choices that show respect for others and for themselves.

Please be reassured this day focuses on topics that are relevant to this age group. In specific, our middle school ‘love and life’ sessions include the following elements and topics:

• Being created in the image and likeness of God
• Self worth and appreciating diversity (others and ourselves)
• Making good choices based on respect and love of self and neighbour
• The impact of the media on how we see ourselves and how we act
• The importance of our bodies the value and meaning of sexual body language
• The beauty of healthy relationships and the biblical teaching on sex and marriage
• Fun activities and games
• Personal sharing from the presenters
• Multimedia, reflection and discussion

Valuing your role as parents, the purpose of informing you is in part to allow for pre and post discussion with your child. If you have any queries about your child’s suitability or the content of the seminar, please contact your school or check out our website via the link below:

It is a great honour to speak into the lives of the young people we present to. We look forward to meeting your child / children soon!

Kind regards,

Paul Ninnes

Henri Nouwen Reflection: Jesus is Poor

Jesus, the Blessed One, is poor. The poverty of Jesus is much more than an economic or social poverty. Jesus is poor because he freely chose powerlessness over power, vulnerability over defensiveness, dependency over self-sufficiency. As the great "Song of Christ" so beautifully expresses: "He ... did not count equality with God something to be grasped. But he emptied himself... becoming as human beings are" (Philippians 2:6-7). This is the poverty of spirit that Jesus chose to live. Jesus calls us who are blessed as he is to live our lives with that same poverty.

Centenary of Fatima 1917-2017: Prayers

Mr Ian Hall contacted the school with information about the Centenary of Fatima and has asked for you to become involved in the prayers being made to focus on this event on the 13th of May, June, July, August, September and October. By praying the rosary on these days you can contribute in acknowledging the centenary of Fatima.

The following was taken from https://www.fatima.org.au/centenary-rosary-crusade/

1917-2017 You are invited to join a million people around the world who will be praying the Rosary on 13th October 2017.
A million Rosaries offered to celebrate the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima.
A million Rosaries prayed in response to the request of the Mother of God, who asked for conversion, prayer and penance.

Further information can be found via the link below to register and receive rosary beads.

Curriculum News:

By Miss Jen Smeed, Assistant Principal—Curriculum

Exam Block:

Year 11 and 12 students will begin their exam block in week 8. Exams run from Wednesday 7th June to Wednesday 14th June, with two exam sessions happening each day. Students have received their exam timetables via email. This week students will also receive a letter for both students and parents regarding study leave. Year 11 and 12 students do not have to attend school unless they have an exam. Students who have outstanding assessment will not be granted study leave, if your student is in this situation a letter will be forwarded home with the details. When in attendance normal school uniform and expectations apply. We ask that students use this study leave for its intended purpose and respect the responsibility given to them during this time. In regards to exams, we ask that students follow the exam procedures (including having all required equipment), arrive 10 minutes early for scheduled sessions and do their best.

Semester reports:

These will be posted home to parents at the end of the last week of school. Please ensure that if your postal address has changed our College office is aware of your new address.

Year 12 QCS:

Mighty Minds workshop – The second Mighty Minds workshop for all QCS students is scheduled for Thursday 15th June (this has changed from Monday 19th June). Please note that all QCS students need to be in attendance for this workshop.

QCS Practice tests:

The QCS simulation tests for all Years 12 sitting QCS will be sat on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th June (dates have changed from Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th June). These are the final practice tests before the actual QCS Test is sat in August. It is therefore essential that all students are present on these days.

We ask that appointments are not made during school time on June 15th, 19th and 20th on these essential QCS preparation days. If you have questions about these days please do not hesitate to contact me at Jen.Smeed@twb.catholic.edu.au or by phone via the College reception.

ICAS Tests:

The ICAS Science Test will be sat on Tuesday 30th May. We wish all students undertaking this test the best of luck. The ICAS Maths test will be sat on 15th August and the ICAS English test on 1st August. Entries for these exams have now closed. Those students doing the tests will be contacted via email and the morning notices to give them further details.

Assessment calendar:

Please see assessment calendar changes below

Careers News:

By Mrs Ali Porter, Careers

ASSUMPTION COLLEGE STUDENT PATHWAYS NEWS

Items of interest:

• Students can register their interest now to complete the General Construction Safety White Card course scheduled for the 15th of June
• Year 10 students should have finalised their placements for work experience
• A school-based traineeship in hospitality is currently open for applications from interested Year 10 and 11 students
• Year 10, 11 and 12 students can currently register their interest in the Ag Inspirations program
• Power Tynan Scholarship is open for application to Year 12 students. Any Year 12 student considering studying commerce or business at university next year should register their interest.

Year 10 Work Experience

Year 10 students wishing to participate in the work experience program in Term 3 should currently be finalising their placement with an organisation of their choice. Students have been advised on proper methods of approach and have been given a ‘Letter of Introduction’ to provide to organisations. When a student has been offered a work experience placement by an organisation, the ‘Letter of Introduction’ should be completed and signed off and returned to the College. Letters of confirmation will now be sent to the local businesses that have agreed to offer our students work experience placements. I would genuinely like to thank these people and businesses for their support. If students have any concerns or difficulties finding placements they should see me as soon as possible.

Rural and Agricultural Pathways

Students interested in rural and agricultural pathways and careers should consider attending the Ag Inspirations career awareness program currently on offer through AgForce Queensland. The program aims to raise awareness of the wide variety of career options within agriculture in areas such as biosecurity, agronomy, robotic farming, banking, purchasing, transport and logistics. It will involve students from Years 10-12 visiting multiple enterprises; spending about two hours at each location learning about the business and the skills required for the various tasks involved. The program will run over three days, 17th – 19th of July. Information regarding this has been provided to students. Those students who may be interested should let me know as soon as possible and register their interest, as places in the program are limited.

Year 11 and 12 Pathways Sessions

Last week, and over coming weeks, students in Years 11 and 12 will be provided pathways information sessions. In these sessions, students are being provided information around current careers and tertiary education events and news. They are also creating online student pathways accounts that can be accessed via our ACW Careers website.

UNE's Direct Early Entry Program is Open for Admission in 2018

For any Year 12 students wanting to apply to the University of New England (UNE), they should consider the UNE Direct Early Entry Program for admission in 2018. UNE's Direct Early Entry application process is fully online, free to apply and students can start and submit their applications now. The Direct Early Entry program is not based on a student’s OP result, rather it relies on the school’s recommendation of the student, such as the student's personal attributes, ability to work and learn independently as well as their overall potential for academic success at UNE. Successful Early Entry applicants will receive an offer in November.

Defence Jobs Australia: Information Sessions

25 May – Stanthorpe Defence Careers Information Session
30 May – Toowoomba Defence Careers Information Session

Sport News

By Mrs Julie Collins, Program Leader Sport

Foxtel Broncos School Challenge

Congratulations to all teams who travelled to Goondiwindi to play in the challenge. In very warm weather, a successful day was had by both Netball and Rugby League teams. The finals will be on Wednesday 7 June in Warwick. If students have NOT already handed a permission note, they will need to before Monday 5 June.

Thank you to the staff who travelled with the students!

SPORTS DATES

Bronco’s B Grade Gala Competition

Bronco’s B grade team competed in a gala competition at Goondiwindi which turned out to be a very successful event. The players were on a high right from the get go. Team talk was bantered around throughout the bus trip with all types of strategies being discussed. This must have paid off as the boys came out of the blocks showing plenty of spirit. There were a lot of positional changes made given that the squad consisted of no less than 24 players. Real tests were put forward to the troops throughout the three games as a lot of the players played in positions that they have never played before. All the while I was directing the players I had fantastic assistance. This came about from Joelle Natividad, Lachie Henry, and Keely McLachlan.

Without these fellow students I don’t believe I could have handled the team and their performance the way it all panned out. Everyone worked together so well, and this was supported by the fact that the team as a whole did so well and commented on what a fantastic time they all had. It made us all very proud after reflecting on the day, to be Assumption students.

By Nathan Cooney

Business News:

By Mr Scott Clegg, Business Manager

School fees accounts were posted or emailed to families last week. The school fees account is due 9th June, unless you have a direct debit in place with us (in which case, you can disregard this due date).

Please ensure that projects and camps are paid for before the date of the student commencing the project or attending the camp. The fees for Year 8 and Year 11 camps have been added to Term 2 fees to give parents two terms to pay them off. Notes will be sent out shortly to advise you of the details of these camps.

General Notices:

STATE OF ORIGIN DAY

Wednesday the 31st of May is "STATE OF ORIGIN" - please support your State by wearing Maroon or Blue, (Gold Coin donation). Also sausage in bread BBQ will be held at 1st lunch for $2. All proceeds go to Confraternity Netball and Rugby League campaigns for 2017.

Dress: HPE uniform with either maroon or Blue or combination. Not free dress. “GO THE MAROONS”

NEEDED – PIANO ACCOMPANIST

The College vocal group is seeking a piano accompanist for rehearsals and performances. If you would be interested in assisting the vocal group or know of anyone who could be interested please email Kristy Searson at Kristy.Searson@twb.catholic.edu.au.

ENROLMENTS 2017

All families who have siblings or relatives who wish to enrol at Assumption for 2018, we ask that you please return your enrolment applications to the office as soon as possible as places are filling fast!

LOST PROPERTY – MOTHER’S DAY MORNING TEA

The following items were left behind after the Mother’s Day morning tea last week. If they belong to you, they can be collected from the office.

DEBATING TEAM

Congratulations to the Assumption College Debating Team. Wednesday night the students competed against Centenary Heights at Toowoomba Grammar, arguing for the Negative to the statement Make-up should be banned. This was an unseen statement; the students had only an hour to construct their argument. Well done to Betty-Rose Carey, Taylah Hoffman, Holly Kelly and Chris Henderson. A special thanks to their coach Mr. Robert Dawson for his tireless efforts in developing and supporting these students. They now advance into the Quarter Finals held in the upcoming weeks. Good Luck team!

ARTS SHOWCASE

NEW ASSUMPTION COLLEGE APP

This week will see the launch of our new Assumption College App and our new style fortnightly newsletter. Instructions for downloading the app are included below, and also includes some information on the various uses for the app. We strongly encourage all parents and students to download the app and take advantage of the many features available on it. We will be utilising the app as an effective means of sharing information to our students and families, and this will mean we will be able to get important information out to our families in a fast and efficient way when required. If anyone has any questions or needs any further information, please contact the office.

St Mary’s Catholic Parish:

Confirmation 2017

Below is a list of important dates, concerning the preparation and celebration of Confirmation

Monday 29, Tuesday 30, Wednesday 31 May or Thursday 1 June - Formation Workshop 3 at Parish Centre at 3:30pm
Monday 5, Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7 or Thursday 8 June - Formation Workshop 4 at Parish Centre at 3:30pm
Tuesday 13 June: Rehearsal for Sacrament of Confirmation - St Mary’s Church at 3:30pm
Wednesday 14 June: Sacrament of Confirmation - St Mary’s Church at 7:00pm

Please say the following prayer for our Candidates

Holy Spirit Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.
Fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit
and there will be a new creation;
and you will renew the face of the earth.

Community News:

Warwick’s Got Talent

YMCA WORLD CHALLENGE

SALVATION ARMY CAR BOOT SALE

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