4 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message:

By Mr Kort Goodman - Principal

Dear Parents

Welcome Back

Welcome back to all students and staff to Term 4. I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and are ready for what is always a very busy term that seems to fly by so quickly. With this in mind, I thought that it would be appropriate to share some reflective thoughts that I had on some reading about adolescents that I was doing for both for professional and personal reasons. As you are well aware, being able to build relationships and deal appropriately with our adolescent children and students is of paramount importance not only for family harmony but also for schooling.

It was while I was doing that reading that it occurred to me that there might be times in our role as parents and teachers when we might wish that we had the option of breaking free and bailing out. However, it’s important to be resolute in our hearts and heads, that we are in this for the long haul and to be accepting of the fact that there are no “quick fixes” to changing behaviour or achieving desired outcomes in our children’s / student’s lives.

For young people, adolescence is about the re-formation of identity, the development of independent thinking and their own take on life. What we observe and endure in behaviour and conversation during this transition period, can be inconsistent, even outrageous and usually always highly emotional. How we respond, is of vital importance.

If we listen with “hammer in hand” ready to attack and demolish, we will have an effect but it won't produce the outcome we want. We will have lost our children and the opportunity to guide the identity re-formation that, hopefully, would have seen them develop into happy, self-accepting people.

Adolescence has sometimes been compared to early childhood, when the development of imagination through free non-directed play, through story and age appropriate entertainment, through simple conversation with adults and plenty of interaction with other same-age children, prepares these infants well for their childhood years.

So, when our adolescents confront us with their music, their language, their DVD’s, their dress, their everything we wished it wouldn’t be, they don't want us to run away and hide. They want us to still respect them, to still be a significant presence in their lives and to know that, in spite of all that’s going on and not going on we still love them, we still support them, we still value their presence in the family.

Even when, perhaps, they barely acknowledge our presence, we need to listen, mostly with lips closed, to their differing viewpoints, give them conversational space to try on ideas and standpoints. This we do, whilst trying to maintain boundaries and being consistent in the communication of our love for them. Change occurs over time and if we are strong in our perseverance and keep a twinkle in our eye, then, the good days will come around again.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for my children.
I know they are a gift from you.
Daily I need Your wisdom and strength to support and guide them.
Give me patience and a joyful heart.
Let me be an example of Your love and forgiveness.
Thank you Father, for the honour of being a parent.
Amen

Have a lovely week

Kort

TERM 4 – 2017 DATE CLAIMERS

Pastoral Care News:

By Mr Craig Frattini, Deputy Principal

Tolerance For Differences Begins At Home

By Michael Grose

It’s often said that a civil society can be determined by the way it treats its most vulnerable members, including the young, the old and minority groups. Most Australians like to think that we do pretty well on these measures, but I suspect the imminent postal survey on same-sex marriage may challenge this comfortable view.

Thanks to saturation media coverage, virtually all Australians, kids included, are aware of the survey (aka plebiscite). We have all been exposed to the debate over the pros and cons of using a postal survey, and, of course, to the debate over its central question. Many, again including kids, will have heard some of the more vitriolic commentary that is part of the surrounding debate. You’d have to be living under a rock not to have noticed it. If it relates to you personally, you are likely deeply affected by it.

While the debate rages on, it’s worth considering what place children and young people have amongst all this noise. As a parent, how are you approaching the issue with your children and/or young people at home?

There are many ways to approach this topic within your family, but perhaps it’s most appropriate to view it through the lens of tolerance and respect for diversity.

The conversation starts at home

Kids learn tolerance from those around them. Children in primary school usually reflect the attitudes of their parents, and while adolescents are also strongly influenced by their peers, parental attitudes still have a significant impact on their acceptance, or otherwise, of people who are ‘different’. In short, if you want your child to be tolerant of differences – whether they relate to race, culture, behaviour, sexuality or anything else – then you need to work hard to make tolerance and respect a family trait.

Tackling tough issues head on

By looking at the same-sex marriage survey through the tolerance lens we may be able to steer conversations and discussions into relatively safe areas that kids can relate to. But that doesn’t alter the fact that children and young people will have questions about human sexuality, which includes sexual orientation. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most parents struggle to talk to their children about human sexuality, with many happy leaving the topic to schools to tackle.

The current debate offers an opportunity for parents to have genuine discussions with their children about a broad palette of human sexuality topics that is truly reflective of the community in which we live. That means parents need to be informed and also feel comfortable with their own views and attitudes. The latter may call for an examination of your own attitudes toward sexual orientation to prevent conversations and discussions being flavoured by any insensitivity or insecurity you may have.

It’s worth remembering that research shows that providing young people with a thorough knowledge about sex and sexuality does not lead to an increase in promiscuity or teen pregnancy. On the contrary, it’s widely accepted that a better understanding of human sexuality amongst teens is associated with a lower incidence of teen pregnancy and less likelihood of first intercourse at a young age.

Similarly, informed, adult discussions of different sexual orientation do not increase the likelihood that a young person will identify as homosexual or lesbian. Explaining LGBTIQ does not influence a child’s sexual identity, orientation or expression. Importantly, it does decrease shame and harm for young people who are LGBTIQ – including those who have not yet ‘come out’ – and it models how to be respectful to those who are.

Being matter-of-fact

Kids are naturally curious. Questions such as “Where do babies come from?” and “Why does he have two mums?” can be asked by both a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old, albeit in very different ways. Your responses as a parent to questions like these need to differ in complexity and depth as your kids reach different developmental stages. Regardless of a child’s age, it also helps to use language that is objective and factual such as, “Families come in many different shapes and sizes”, “All families are equal”, and “There are many ways to make a family, adoption and IVF being just two examples”.

Challenge prejudice and narrow-minded views

Sometimes children and young people will say the cruellest things about others, particularly if those others are part of a minority group. As a parent, remind your child or young person about the impact that narrow views can have on others. We shouldn’t underestimate the long-term impact that intolerance by the majority can have on the wellbeing and mental health of a minority.

Most Australians like to pride ourselves on the fact that we’ve accepted and assimilated people from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I hope that when the same-sex marriage survey is finished, regardless of the result, we can also say that we are a nation that’s tolerant of diversity in all forms and whose citizens are truly respectful of each other. That’s the type of country that most reasonable-minded adults want our children to inherit.

Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s the author of 10 books for parents including Thriving! and the best-selling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, and his latest release Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children.

APRE News:

By Mrs Kate Cullen, APRE

Looking Ahead

• Year 12 So Long Farewell Retreat (13th to 15th) November, please bring in any outstanding forms for the final retreat.
• Year 10 High Seas Retreat- will be occurring on Friday the 20th for all Year 10 students and information will go out with school fees for families regarding this day. I look forward to students participating in the event.
• Year 11’s have only just finished the Leadership Camp but a letter will be included in their school fees regarding the Still Life Retreat camp for the start of next year. Please contact the APRE if you have any questions after receiving the letter.

Henri Nouwen: Speaking Words of Love

Often we remain silent when we need to speak. Without words, it is hard to love well. When we say to our parents, children, lovers, or friends: "I love you very much" or "I care for you" or "I think of you often" or "You are my greatest gift," we choose to give life.

It is not always easy to express our love directly in words. But whenever we do, we discover we have offered a blessing that will be long remembered. When a son can say to his father, "Dad, I love you," and when a mother can say to her daughter, "Child, I love you," a whole new blessed place can be opened up, a space where it is good to dwell. Indeed, words have the power to create life.

Term 4 Fundraising

In Term 4 we have two commitments to help Catholic Charity organisations.

• The first one is for Catholic Missions and is the SOCKTOBER day where students are invited to wear crazy socks and donate money to the work of Catholic Mission on Tuesday the 31st of October. Please see the link here

• The second focus is that of the Annual Christmas Appeal for SVDP where we collect items for a hamper for a variety of families in Warwick and through SVDP they allocate key people/families they know who can benefit from a little extra for Christmas to receive the hampers.

Students will receive more information about both of these opportunities to make a difference during next term.

Curriculum News:

By Ms Jen Smeed, Assistant Principal—Curriculum

Welcome back to Parents and Students. In Curriculum, we are looking forward to a busy Term 4!

Assessment calendars

Assessment calendar links will be emailed to students in the coming weeks. It is recommended that students save the link to the home screen of their iPads for ease and convenience. It is also important they check this page regularly in case there are changes to due dates.

SET Plan interviews

A reminder that SET plan interviews will take place during week two and three of this term with year 10 parents and their children. This is a great opportunity for parents to meet with Mrs Ali Porter or myself to discuss future pathways available. Letters outlining the time and date of these interviews were sent home with report cards at the end of last term.

Year 11 QCS

Year 11 students will sit the first of their QCS practice exams this week. We wish them the very best of luck.

Term 3 Interim reports

Interim reports for students in Years 7-11 were posted to parents at the end of term 3. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the progress of your child further please do not hesitate to contact the relevant teacher, Curriculum Leader or myself at the College on 4660 4000 or via email.

Careers News:

By Mrs Ali Porter, Careers

ASSUMPTION COLLEGE STUDENT PATHWAYS NEWS

Noteworthy items:

• Date claimer 31st of October: Graduation morning tea for Year 12 school-based apprentices and trainees, their parents and employers – invitations have been sent out
• The University of Southern Queensland (Toowoomba) is offering students personalised campus tours over the school holidays – information has been provided to Year 12 students
• Year 10 SET Plan meetings have been scheduled and information has been sent home to parents with student end of term academic reports
• Reminder to Year 12 students that some university courses with fixed application dates close for application at the end of this month.

Year 10 SET Plans

We have been working with Year 10 students to develop their Senior Education and Training (SET) Plans. The Department of Education and Training requires that all schools in Queensland develop a SET Plan with each Year 10 student. The information below, taken from the link below outlines the purpose of a SET Plan.

“What’s a SET plan?

A SET plan is a confidential document that a student develops, in consultation with their parents/carers and their school, to map their learning and career pathways.

What’s the purpose of a SET plan?

The purpose of a SET plan is to help students:

• set and achieve their learning goals after Year 10
• include flexible and coordinated pathway options in their course of senior study
• think about their education, training and career options after Year 12 and make decisions about their learning pathways
• structure their learning around their abilities, interests and ambitions
• communicate with their parents, teachers and career guidance officers about their learning pathways and post-school plans.”

What’s involved in developing a SET plan?

Students develop their SET Plans in Careers lessons by using an online tool that guides them with a series of questions and prompts.

What happens next?

Parents are encouraged to be involved in the SET planning process so they can support their child through their learning. You can do this by asking your child to log onto his/her online careers account and viewing the SET Plan online. Year 10 parents will also be invited to join their child and a College representative at a SET Plan meeting. These are being held in Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 4 and letters regarding these meetings have been sent home to parents of Year 10 students.

Please visit the link below for more comprehensive careers and pathways information and news.

Sport News

By Mrs Julie Collins, Program Leader Sport

Congratulations to Joelle Natividad, Isabel Natividad and Kiah Murray who were selected in the Darling Downs Softball team.

Photo supplied by Deeann Natividad

Darling Downs Trials – Congratulations to all competitors at the recent DD trials. The following students have gained selection in the Darling Downs Team:

Sam Ogden, Flynn Donaldson, Morgan Byrne, Cooper Tate-Roche.

Congratulations and good luck at the State trials.

SPORTS DATES

General Notices:

Instrumental Music Lessons

Instrumental Music Lessons will start in Week 2 of next term. If students would like to commence any lessons please contact Kristy Searson. Timetables will be distributed at the end of Week 1.

Year 11/12 Hospitality Studies Dinner

On the 24th of August Year 11/12 Hospitality Studies hosted a formal dinner for family and staff of the ACW community. The students planned and prepared all aspects of a successful and classy evening. This event was the last function for year 12 students and they would like to thank everyone who have supported their functions over the past two years.

Parish Ladies Spring Cent Sale

It was so nice to have three of our Senior girls assist at the Parish Ladies Spring Cent Sale last Saturday afternoon. Victoria Watson, Eve Kelly, Millie Hauff and Miss Timms gave freely of their time to deliver the many Cent Sale prizes to the lucky winners at their table and then assist with the serving and clearing away of a delightful afternoon tea. Many worthwhile organisations benefit from this annual fundraising event and we are pleased to be able to support it in such a small way.

Year 8 Camp Kokoda Photos

Interschool Rodeo Competition

Four Assumption College students - Latisha Murphy, Tyler Aspinall, Kobe Miller & Willem Boyce - recently competed in a combined team of riders from the Warwick State High School Rodeo Program, at the Interschool Rodeo Competition held at St Brendans College, Yeppoon. Some great riding saw our students come away with some fantastic results:

Latisha Murphy - 4th Barrel Racing
Tyler Aspinall - 7th Steer Ride

Congratulations to all our students who competed!

Photo supplied by Dave Ethell

Magpie Season

Just a reminder that magpie season has arrived again – please be vigilant in the College grounds and whilst entering and leaving the College!!

Community News:

Grow Strong MMA

Warwick Swimming Club

Cricket Season

Junior Touch 2017

Warwick Cowboys Rugby League Bull Ride

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