10 July 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message:

By Mr Kort Goodman, Principal

Dear Parents

At Mass on the weekend of the 10th June, Father Terry drew our attention to the reflection on the front of the St Mary’s Catholic Parish Bulletin written by Ron Rolheiser. The reflection looks at ‘Finding God in Community,’ which is closely aligned to our Toowoomba Catholic Schools Strategic Plan, pillar of schools being an exemplary place of spiritual life and Catholic faith where every student comes to know and experience the loving presence of Jesus in their lives. As a College, we aim to provide every student with the opportunity to develop their faith life through a wide range of activities including masses, pastoral care liturgies, classroom prayer and the religious education classes. I believe that in our community we are endeavouring to allow our students to find God in community.

Finding God in Community

Someone, I think it was Buckminster Fuller, once said, “God is a verb not a noun.” At one level, that statement is dangerously false. At another, however, it affirms something very important and Christian about our relationship to God, viz, that God is not, first of all, a formula, a dogma, a creedal statement. God is a flow of living relationships, a trinity, a family of life that we can enter, taste, breathe within, and let flow through us.

“God is love,” Scripture says, “and whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in him or her.” Too often, we miss what that means because we tend to romanticize love. It might best be rendered this way: “God is community, family, parish, friendship, hospitality and whoever abides in these abides in God and God abides in him or her.” God is a trinity, a flow of relationships among persons. If this is true, and Scripture assures us that it is, then the realities of dealing with each other in community, at a dinner table, over a bottle of wine or an argument, not mention the simple giving and receiving of hospitality are not a pure, secular experience but the stuff of church, the place where the life of God flows through us.

But God can be known, experienced, tasted, related to in love and friendship. God is Someone and Something that we live within and which can flow through our veins. God is a flow of relationships to be experienced in community, family, parish, friendship, and hospitality. When we live inside of these relationships, God lives inside us and we live inside of God.

Scripture assures us that we abide in God whenever we stay inside of family, community, parish, friendship, hospitality – and, yes, even when we fall in love.

The most pernicious heresies are those of a culture of individualism that invite us to believe that we are self-sufficient, that we can have community and family on our own terms, and that we can have God without dealing with each other. But God is community – and only in opening our lives in gracious hospitality will we ever understand that.

This week we pray that our students take the opportunity to grow in their faith as part of our college community.

Father,
You have made me Your child through Your Spirit.
In Your kindness You adopted me and You keep me safe.
Remind me today what it means to be Your child.
It is so easy for me to live my day on my own terms.
Help me to live it in light of Your Grace.
I pray for my friends and family.
Help them experience Your love as their Father and
To feel their inheritance in Your Spirit.
Thank You for accepting me as I am but not leaving me the same.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Assessment, Report Cards and Parent Teacher Interviews

Over the last few weeks of Term 2 the students busily completed assessment for the semester and were provided with feedback on their performance by the teachers on their assessment pieces. During this time the teachers were also finalising the compiling of report cards, which were then printed and finally checked and signed by myself. As I have stated previously, having this opportunity to read the student’s reports and view their progress over the semester is something that I enjoy doing. I am continually encouraged by the effort and application that our students are exhibiting. As a College we hope that each of our families have taken the time to reflect on the positives noted on the report cards and to discuss any areas for improvement that are identified. A reminder for parents also that we have parent – teacher interviews coming up on Monday 24th July. We would love for all of our parents to come and discuss their child’s progress with their teachers.

Staffing Term 3

At the end of Semester One we said farewell to Miss Apps who is moving on from Warwick to Brisbane after two and a half years. During her time at our College Miss Apps has undertaken teaching a wide range of subjects as well as involving herself in a number of extra-curricular activities with great enthusiasm, energy and wisdom. We wish Miss Apps all the best for her future endeavours. Miss Apps position will be filled by Mr Matthew Howarth who comes to us with over 10 years’ experience working in schools throughout South Australia and Queensland.

Due to family circumstances, Mr and Mrs Stanley have decided to return to the coast to be closer to their families. We thank Mr and Mrs Stanley for their efforts in the time they spent at our College. Mr Stanley is being replaced by Mr Luke Kang who comes to us from Brisbane having completed his first two years of teaching at schools in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Mrs Stanley is being replaced by Mr Drew Schultz who also comes to us from Brisbane having recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Education to compliment the Bachelor of Music he attained in 2015 from the University of Melbourne.

We warmly welcome Mr Howarth, Mr Kang and Mr Schultz and look forward to them adding to the teaching and learning culture of our College.

At the end of Semester One we also wished Mrs Wockner farewell as she goes on leave for the rest of 2017. We look forward to hearing about her break when she returns in 2018. Miss Belinda Payne who has been on staff for the majority of Term Two covering Mr Williams whilst he was on leave will be taking on the majority of Mrs Wockner’s classes.

I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Mrs Julie Collins on her appointment as Acting Pastoral Leader for Donovan House for Semester Two 2017. This position was vacated by Mrs Wockner who has now gone on leave for the remainder of 2017.

Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to all students and staff on the wonderful two days of athletics events that were undertaken at the end of Term Two. In particular, I would like to thanks Mrs Julie Collins for her outstanding leadership in the organization of this event and to our College Leaders who set a great example through their participation and behavior. A full run down of the results of the carnival is included in the sports section of the newsletter.

Have a lovely week

Kort

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.

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:

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 at the link below to register and receive rosary beads.

Curriculum News:

By Ms Jen Smeed, Assistant Principal—Curriculum

Year 12 QCS:

Well done to the Year 12 QCS students who completed their final practice tests this week.

Semester reports:

Semester Reports will be posted home to parents this week.

Parent/Teacher interviews:

These will occur on Monday 24th July 2017. Bookings will be made through SOBS which will be open at the beginning of Term 3. Further information, including instructions will be available during week 1 next term.

Year 9 and 10 Electives:

Students will receive their electives for Semester 2 in their report card packages.

Tutorials:

Tutorials will begin again in Term 3.

Sport News

By Mrs Julie Collins, Program Leader Sport

Athletics Carnival

The College Athletics Carnival took place Friday 16th June and Thursday 22nd June. Thank you to all students, staff and parents who were involved in the days, without you all the days would not have been the success that they were. Please find below a complete list of results for the day :

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (GIRLS):

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (BOYS):

RELAY TROPHY

LEE GUNDERMAN (HOUSE SPIRIT AWARD)

Romero

INTERHOUSE CHAMPION

NEW RECORDS

200M Race:

400M Race:

800M Race:

1500M Race:

Long Jump:

Discus:

Triple Jump:

Shot Put:

High Jump:

Relay:

12 Girls – Rice – 1.16.16
12 Boys – Rice – 1.03.64
14 Girls – Rice – 1.03.22

IT News

By Mr Abraham Fern

Two letters will be going out to parents/guardians along with the Student Reports this week. These two letters will act as an introduction for two new pieces of technology that are being implemented at the College. One is a Keyboard/Tough Case combo for the iPad which will be getting trialled over the next couple of terms with the intent of taking it up as part of the iPad package for next year. The combo is offered through a partnership by Brydge Keyboards and Otterbox (the company that make our current iPad cases). It features some truly brilliant design aspects while offering a fantastic typing experience and still maintaining the robustness of the Otterbox cases.

The other is a Windows-based device which we are planning to provide as an optional device for seniors (Year 10-12) from 2018 onwards based on their needs and subject selections. This device will come in the form of a Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga. This device comes as a 2-in-1 convertible form factor which offers plenty of flexibility to adapt to many different learning environments. We hope it will provide the students who have the need with a functional and adaptable platform to complete their work.

As can be expected, there is a lot of information to cover regarding both devices. It would not be practical to include all of it in the Newsletter. I encourage you to read over the letter and product sheet included with your Student Report when it arrives so that you are aware of the exciting developments here at the College.

Business News:

By Mr Scott Clegg, Business Manager.

We have engaged Classroom Calendars Australia (CCA) to produce an annual events planner for 2018 for our College and they are sourcing local businesses to partner with us in this initiative. Their ‘Business Liaison’ team will commence contacting businesses in our area to establish support for our planners. Attached is a notice to our College parents who have businesses that they would like to advertise in the planners. This gives you the opportunity to partner with us, before we make the offer to the general public.

Our school event planner will be customised with our school emblem and printed in full colour to reflect the school branding. It will also include term dates, local holidays and any school event dates that we wish to include. The planner is designed to be used as a poster on a wall or door. This is also a wonderful chance for our school to develop relationships with local businesses whose support enables us to produce the planners. The schools who have fully embraced this as a community initiative have found that the connections and opportunities that come from it are invaluable. CCA receive a lot of enquiries from businesses regarding ways that they can further assist schools by providing sponsorship such as donations to fetes, sporting days etc.

CCA’s experience has shown that families value this combination; they like to know what is happening at the school as well as having quick access to local business information in an easy to read, no nonsense format.

Our College will be responsible for distributing the planners to student families, staff and the wider school community. We will be supplied with enough copies of the planner so that our entire school population is covered.

Getting started with Classroom Calendars Australia (CCA) is easy. Give their Schools Co-ordinator a call on 1300 987 650 to talk about your requirements. Our Business Manager, Scott Clegg will be the “School Contact” and if you have any queries in relation to this matter, please contact him. He will answer your queries about our participation in the initiative and subsequent planners.

Library News:

By Mrs Carmel Wooding

Happy holidays! Included with your report cards this year is a list of current loans for all students. We ask that you check your student has the right texts in their possession by checking the barcode of their copy against the barcode on the list. If your student has a copy that does not belong to them, please ask them to see us in the library at the start of next term. We will also include an overdue item list for any student who has an overdue loan. We request the prompt return of these items as they will be billed to students’ accounts at the end of Week 1, Term 2. Just a reminder, once books are billed, they can only be credited if found & returned within 30 days. After this point, the charge will remain even if they are returned. Thanks for your assistance!

General Notices:

Transition Day

Thank you to all the Year 6 students that spent the afternoon at Assumption College on Tuesday, joining us for the the first Transition Day of the Year. We look forward to seeing these students again on our next Transition Day !

Darling Downs Netball

Bethany McMahon was selected in the 12 Years Darling Downs Netball Team, and recently played over 4 days at the Mt Gravatt Carnival. The Darling Downs Netball Team placed 8th overall. Congratulations on a great result !

Arts Showcase

Assumption College will be holding an Arts Showcase on Thursday 22nd July, at the Warwick Town Hall. There will be three components to the evening: Art, ITD/Graphics and Performing Arts. It will be great to see many of our students involved in this evening, and a fantastic opportunity for people to see and experience the talent we have at Assumption College!

St Mary’s Catholic Parish:

Community News:

Marriage Encounter

WIRAC Squad Training

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