31 August 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message:

By Mr Kort Goodman - Principal

During week five of this term I visited my home town of Roma for the week for the Term 3 Toowoomba Catholic Schools Principal’s Forum with the other Principals from around our diocese, our Executive Director Dr Patrick Coughlan and a number of other Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office staff. During my drive to Roma, I started to think about my family and spending time with my mother and visiting my father’s grave and then I took a moment to reflect on ‘Fatherhood’ and what it means to me.

Fatherhood is a word that often conjures up a significant range of meaning depending on context and experience. In the Webster’s Dictionary the word ‘father’ is defined as – ‘a man who has begotten a child’. But that really doesn’t seem to cut it. I guess it is literally true but it doesn’t do nearly enough justice to the term. In the same way, it is not much different from a literal definition of ‘mother’. ‘Fatherhood’ is a biological reality but it needs to be so much more than that. It’s a shame the dictionary definition isn’t more about being a ‘hero’ or ‘mentor’ or ‘role model’ or ‘companion’ or ‘teacher’ because those words are closer to what ‘father’ and ‘fatherhood’ should be about. No one becomes a true ‘father’ or ‘mother’ because of biology.

I had a lovely moment recently talking to one of our Assumption College dads who had lost his own dad not long ago. That man lost not just a biological father but he had lost a hero and a mentor and friend. There were tears in his eyes as he spoke to me about the man his dad had been to him. The loss was hard but it was obvious that the man I spoke to was committed to being as good a father to his own children as his father had been to him. That is a priceless gift.

My own dad passed away over eight years ago and I am happy and proud to say that I still miss him every day. He was far from perfect and he made lots of mistakes as a man and as a parent but I am so grateful for the person he was for me and my family. I have a goal to be a better dad to my kids than my own dad was to me and I hope that every man (and woman) would have the same goal. Fatherhood and Motherhood, at their best, are choices and choices that need to be made every day and in every moment. It is the greatest vocation in the world. Happy Fathers’ Day to everyone who works hard at that role every day!

Have a lovely week
Kort

Term 3 – 2018 Date Claimers

Term 4 – 2018 Date Claimers

Pastoral Care News:

By Mr Craig Frattini, Deputy Principal

Parenting Ideas Insights

Kids Need Good Men in Their Lives

By Michael Grose

While rummaging through my bookshelves at home recently I stumbled across Romulus, My Father by Raimond Gaita, a book that had a huge impact on me as a father.

Romulus, My Father is a lovingly told memoir of a hard-working father who remained faithful to his family and friends despite his wife’s affairs, her mental illness and dealing with the hardships of earning a living in 1950s and ’60s rural Australia. It’s a tale of love, friendship and character.

One line in the book, “I know what a good man is because I saw it in my father,” struck an instant chord with me. It was a reminder that kids need to have close experiences with men who have real depth of character and strength if they are to adopt those qualities themselves and also look for them in partners.

Role models of quality

Sadly, children and young people are less likely to see these qualities in many of our current political leaders and other public figures. Self-interest and shallowness of character, at least in a public sense, seems to be standard fare at present.

Like Gaita, I had the good fortune to have a father who was also a good man. He wasn’t wealthy, famous or ambitious. Rather he was kind, considerate and generous. He had experienced an unhappy and – I suspect though he never spoke of it – abusive childhood but he was determined that his children would never experience the same treatment that he received.

As a disciplinarian he was soft but that didn’t mean he was a pushover. He’d stand his ground with his children over issues that really mattered, such as how we siblings treated each other, displays of dishonesty and disrespect, and taking shortcuts in our studies or with work. He was a community-minded man who, through his example, taught his children the importance of serving and giving to those who didn’t have the same serving of luck that we did. He was also an involved father who, despite being busy, always had time to play cricket and football after work with my brother and me. He was never too busy for his children.

A compass and a map

Significantly, my father gave me my moral compass in the form of the value system that he lived by. His many sayings including his most popular mantra: “If you can’t say a good word about anyone don’t say anything at all”. That still rattles around in my head today. Through his active community involvement, his devotion to family and his propensity to have a good laugh, he gave me a map to follow on how to live a good life.

I don’t have a monopoly on being raised by a good man. If you were raised by a good man then count your blessings because you had a wonderful head start in life. Your task is to make sure your father’s legacy lives on in your own children. You’ll do that by being a man of strength and character, and by being a wise, loving presence in your children’s lives whatever their age.

If, through whatever circumstance, you didn’t have a good man close to you in your life as a child, then start the process with your own kids. Many men who have gone before you weren’t close to their own fathers, or had fathers who were ineffectual, but they became great fathers despite their circumstances.

With public life increasingly producing male role models of dubious quality, it’s up to dads and other significant males in the lives of children and young people to be good men, strong men and men of honour.

That’s the legacy that we leave.

Happy Father’s Day!

Michael Grose

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

What’s On

• Father’s Day BBQ: It was great to see so many members of our student’s families able to participate in this year’s BBQ to honour important members of our families. It was good to hear the conversations around tables and groups over the afternoon. Thanks to the staff and students who helped out with preparation, serving and cleaning up on the afternoon.

• QCS TEST NEXT WEEK: Please pray for our students during the QCS test next week.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:29-31

• Fundraisers next term. St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal will be launched at the beginning of the term with pastoral classes preparing food and gift baskets to make a difference at Christmas for local families. We will also participate in the Catholic Missions Socktober free dress day (31st of October) as well as the BBQ day Daniel Morcombe foundation (26th October) that is supported in schools across the diocese.

• High Seas Retreat: The full day retreat for our Year 10 students will be on Tuesday the 23rd of October. A letter will be going home in the coming weeks which will ask for dietary details to help with catering on the day. The day is an opportunity to wrap up the year reflecting on their goals for senior and to spend some time completing a range of activities including the group boat design and function challenge.

Reflection: Father Ron Rolheiser

Several times during his ministry while Jesus was talking to a group of people, someone approached him and told him that his mother and his family were outside the circle of this particular group, wanting to talk to him.

Ron Rolheiser, OMI

ECUMENISM – OUR NEGLECTED MANDATE

Jesus’ reply is far-reaching: In each case, he responds with a question: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers and sisters?” And he answers his own question by saying: “Those who hear and keep the word of God are mother, and brother, and sister to me.”

In a society where blood relationship meant everything, this statement is a stunning one. Blood may be thicker than water but, Jesus asserts, faith is thicker than blood. Faith is the real basis for family.

Who is your real brother or sister as a Christian? Your fellow Roman Catholic? Your fellow Presbyterian? Your fellow Lutheran? Your fellow Baptist? Your fellow Evangelical? Your fellow Methodist? Your fellow Anglican or Episcopalian?

Clearly, for Jesus, it is the person who most deeply hears the word of God and keeps it, irrespective of denomination. Christian discipleship is defined more by the heart than by a particular church membership card.

This makes for a non-negotiable mandate within our Christian discipleship: We need to radiate Jesus’ hunger for intimacy with all people of sincere faith and, to that end, our actions towards those outside our own religious circle must always be marked by respect, graciousness, and charity – and a genuine signal that we hunger for unity with them.

Our real ecumenical task, no matter our denomination, is not that of trying to win over converts or convince others that we are righter than they are. Our primary task is inner conversion within our own denomination. Our primary task is to try, as individuals and as churches, to be more faithful to the gospel. If we do that we will eventually come together, as one church, under Christ because as we all go deeper into the mystery of Christ and grow more deeply in our own intimacy with Jesus, we will (in the beautiful phrase of Avery Dulles) “progressively converge”, eventually meet around one center and one person, Jesus Christ.

From the website: http://ronrolheiser.com/en/#.W4M6i8tlLIU

Curriculum News:

By Mrs Anna Hardy, Assistant Principal—Curriculum

QCS

Good luck to the OP eligible Year 12 students (and any elected OP ineligible students) who will sit the QCS tests next week. These students have been working hard in preparation for these four papers. A reminder that students sitting the test must attend school on both days, students who are not sitting the test do not have to attend school on these days.

Year 11 QCS Practice

Year 11 students will sit their first QCS trial on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th October. All OP eligible students need to be in attendance on these two days and have the required equipment. Further information will be sent home closer to the end of the term.

Senior Exam Block

Exam block for Year 11 & 12 students will run from 10th -14th September 2018. Whilst on exams our Year 11 &12 students have study leave, so they only need attend school when they have exams. The idea being that “study leave” means students have the opportunity to go home and study. We do hope that all students use this time effectively and wisely. For those students who choose to remain at school, the College library will be available as a study room, where students will sign in and out when they arrive/depart the College. If a student is not up-to-date with all assessment they will not be granted study leave. You will be contacted by the College if this applies to your son/daughter.

On the same topic, all Year 11 &12 students have received a copy of their exam timetable. There are only two exam sessions each day and we ask that students take care to ensure that they arrive to the exam at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the session. Along with timetables, students will also be provided with a copy of the exam procedures and they are to make sure they are familiar with these. Most of all, we wish all students good luck in preparing for, and completing their exams.

Subject Selection for 2019

Year 9 & 10 in 2019: The subject selection link has been emailed out. The curriculum handbook is on the College website under curriculum. You need to ensure that students have brought their receipt home for parents/guardians to sign. Subjects will not be lodged unless students have their receipt signed.

If you have any issues or concerns with subject selection please do not hesitate to contact me.

Assessment Calendars

A reminder that assessment calendars for all year levels are available on the student device. There is an icon on their desktop. These are live calendars that reflect changes made.

Extensions

Remember that extensions are for extenuating circumstances, extended illness (with medical certificate supplied in senior years), and family bereavement. Technological issues are not grounds for an extension as backing up electronic work is the student’s responsibility. Students can not apply on the due date for an extension (unless in extenuating circumstances) as they can email staff their assessment if they are not at school. Students must make every effort to get the assessment handed in on the due date.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions in regards to Curriculum at the College.

Student Pathway News:

By Mrs Alison Porter, Program Leader Student Pathways

Noteworthy items:

• University information and QTAC application session have been held with Year 12 students
• Counting down to the Year 10 work experience week (17th -21st of September)
• USQ Early Round Scholarship applications are closing soon.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Arnel Walsh for his recent sign-up into a school-based apprenticeship in commercial cookery.

Tertiary Studies Application

Applications for tertiary study in 2019 are now open through QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre). Year 12 students have had an information session about creating their QTAC account and the process of applying for university courses in 2019. When lodging a QTAC application for tertiary study, students can preference up to 6 courses. QTAC advises that students preference their courses in the following way:

• Preferences 1-2 should be a student’s desired courses
• Preferences 3-4 should be back-up courses
• Preferences 5-6 should be pathway courses.

Of course, students also need to consider the OP cut-offs and major round offer dates for courses in their preferences. Students and parents are welcome to see me for any assistance or queries in relation to student course preferences or QTAC applications.

Early Entry Applications

Many universities offer early entry programs. These programs involve an application process and usually offer Year 12 graduates places in university courses based on their application and school’s recommendation rather than Overall Position results. Currently many universities are offering these programs and applications are open now for students wanting to study in 2019. More information on these programs can be obtained through individual universities and by checking university websites.

Power Tynan Scholarship for 2019

The Power Tynan Scholarship Program offers high school leavers the opportunity to study any suitable business degree at the University of Southern Queensland while working for the organisation, gaining valuable full-time on-the-job mentoring and development. In addition to this, Power Tynan pays the student’s HELP fees for all successfully completed subjects. This year Power Tynan is hosting Open Days at their offices to give students and parents more information. The dates for theses are as follows:

• Toowoomba - Friday 7 September 2018 5.30pm to 7.00pm & Saturday 8 September 2018 10.30am to 12.00pm
• Stanthorpe - Thursday 13 September 2018, 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Sport News:

By Mrs Julie Collins, Program Leader Sport

After another hectic year of sport, the trials begin to wind down.

Thank you to all students who have participated in various trials throughout the year and to teachers for your patience with the numerous interruptions!!

However, there are still a few to go and we would like to acknowledge those students.

Would all athletes who have competed in the Southern Downs, Border District and All Schools Carnivals over the past few weeks please take a bow…… Congratulations to you all for your efforts in your events at the carnivals and your exemplary behaviour while representing Assumption College. Could we please applaud these students?

While some students have qualified to compete at the next level, for various reasons, they have elected not to attend the trials.

Would the following students also please take a bow.

These students have qualified to compete at the Darling Downs trials this week – we wish them success at the trials and congratulate them on their efforts.

During the term, Queensland School Sport held a team tennis competition - Assumption entered 2 teams in the tournament –

Would the following students please take a bow

Congratulations to these boys for their efforts in the competition.

Again, thank you all for your efforts in the busy sporting life of school.

Jim Stevens NRL Border Shield Rugby League Gala Day

Well done to the boys who travelled to Stanthorpe on Thursday the 23rd of August for the Jim Stevens NRL Border Shield, Rugby League Gala Day.

Results were as follows:

Lost to Stanthorpe State High: 12-8, Drew with Goondiwindi State High: 8-8, Drew with Clifton State High: 12-12 and lost to Warwick State High:8-4.

Library News:

By Mrs Mary-anne Driver

Readers Cup Challenge

On Tuesday last week Assumption participated in the Readers Challenge at Warwick High. Our students were all beautifully presented and did our school proud. Everyone agreed it was a fun afternoon.

We had great results with our teams coming first, equal second (with Warwick High) & third.

Congratulations Kaitlyn Newley, Eliza Connor and Madelyn Browne (first), Tasmyn Walters, Erin Walsh and Thomas Ryan (tie second) and Lauren Hutchinson, Connor Stiles, Rebekah Thompson and Annika McAllister (third).

Our staff team of Mr Watts, Miss Molkentin, Mrs Wooding and Mrs Driver were narrowly edged out by WSHS staff by 1 point. A special mention to Miss Molkentin and Mr Watts who scored a perfect 15/15 for the Harry Potter round.

General Library News

Games are still proving popular in the library with the fastest completing our Rubiks’ Race being hotly contested.

The CBCA (Book Week) winning book for 2018 is ‘Take Three Girls’ by Cath Crowley, Fiona Wood and Simmone Howell which deals with internet bullying and supporting each other. We had an impromptu read-aloud session – thanks Grace!

Mrs Wooding and Mr Lunn are planning an Interhouse chess competition starting shortly. Details coming soon.

Business News:

By Mr Scott Clegg, Business Manager.

Just a reminder that Term 3 school fees & camps were due on Friday 24th August 2018.

Term 4 school fees were issued this week and are due on Friday 28th September 2018.

Please contact our Business Manager, Scott Clegg at the College on 07 4660 4000 if you are having trouble paying fees.

General Notices:

Year 12 Biology Excursion

Year 12 Biology students recently travelled to USQ for a biology excursion. During the day they isolated DNA from a liver sample to determine if an infection was bacterial, fungal, viral or protozoan using PCR and electrophoresis. It was a very informative day for all involved!

Year 12 Biology Excursion

Year 7 Science

Year 7 Science students have been actively engaged in making Mouse Trap Cars as part of their experimenting with forces studies. There have been some very impressive creations!

Year 7 Mouse Trap Cars

Textiles Help Needed!

If anyone has any random buttons or scrap fabric that is no longer needed, our Textiles Department would be extremely grateful of any donations! Any donations can be left at the office.

Drought Fundraiser Free Dress and BBQ

We thank all students and staff for the fantastic response to our Drought Fundraiser last week. The support shown to our farmers during this difficult time is greatly appreciated!

Drought Fundraiser Free Dress and BBQ

Australian Catholic Church

Did You Know :

The good we rarely tell anyone…..

The Australian Catholic Church is the largest not-for-profit employer in Australia, and consists of at least 221,000 employees, of whom 165,750 are women (75%)

St Marys P&F Trivia Night

St Mary’s Catholic Parish:

Cuppa and Chat

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