14 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Message:

By Mr Kort Goodman - Principal

QCS Tests, Exams and Assessment

Well done to all the students who have completed their exams and assignments to the best of their ability. Over the last two weeks I have had the opportunity to visit many of the classrooms to observe student presentations and assignment work and I have been very impressed. I have also spoken to teachers across all year levels regarding exam results and they also are impressed with the efforts of their students.

I would particularly like to congratulate the Year 12 students who sat the QCS test and then backed up four days later for exam block. If your application and the amount of effort you put into the QCS test and in preparing for your exams is reflected in your results, you can be assured that you have done really well. You have set a wonderful example for our community by striving to achieve to the best of your ability.

Year 8 Camp Kokoda, Year 11 Leadership Camp and Year 10 Work Experience

Next week our Year 8 and 11 students both head off on their respective camps, and our Year 10 students are at work experience. On behalf of the students I would like to thank Mr Frattini and Mrs Porter for the work they have done in preparation for the camps and work experience. I would also like to thank the staff members who have made themselves available to assist with the supervision of these camps and to visit students on work experience. I am sure that all of the students who are attending these camps and work experience will benefit greatly from the experience.

Drought Fundraiser and Student Letters of Support for Farmers

Congratulations to the students and staff of Assumption College on their efforts to support members of the community who are struggling due to the ongoing drought. We continue to have a fantastic response to the ongoing initiatives being carried out. At this point in time our College community has raised approximately $2500 and written many letters of support. This continued support for our farmers during this difficult time is greatly appreciated!

In order to have these funds and letters of support distributed to those in need, we have decided to engage the services of the Downs & West Community Support Organisation. This organisation is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity and next Tuesday, Sr Christine Henry rsc, will visit to collect the donated funds and student letters from College leaders Stephanie Lockhart and Mary Higgins.

End of Term 3 Farewell

At the of the term we will be farewelling Mrs Sue Pike. Mrs Pike is taking up a position at a school in Toowoomba where she now lives. We wish Mrs Pike all the best for her future endeavours and we thank her greatly for the commitment and dedication she demonstrated whilst undertaking her role at our College.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a great break. Please be safe and take appropriate breaks when travelling. We look forward to students returning on Monday 8th October refreshed and ready to participate fully and give their best in Term 4.

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

Is Your Child’s Brain Ready For The Online Playgrounds

By Martine Oglethorpe

Every week I spend time with teachers, students and parents helping them understand technology and the digital world, and present strategies to manage devices at home and at school. Ultimately, I want to ensure they are kept safe online and have the ability to thrive in this world, whilst reaping the many benefits the technology has to offer.

I am certainly not against technology, against social media or against video games. In fact, I see great benefits to incorporating them into our lives and the lives of our children. What I am against however, is the handing over of the devices with full access to the internet when there is little understanding of the potential harm and little to no safeguards.

If you are deciding to allow your child to have a device, search the internet, open a social media account or to play an online game, make sure that while you must certainly be teaching them the skills and thinking they will need, you cannot rely on that teaching alone. So, check age guidelines and if you think your child can manage and you are prepared to put in the time with them, then you must:

Play that game: have a go with them at playing that game even if it is driving you crazy. You may just have some fun, enjoy some bonding and most importantly be able to have the most relevant conversations about any themes, content or possible dangers that may be found while playing.

Go to the settings: Always, always, check out what is available in the settings to make the experience as safe and user friendly as possible. This is where you can select who can contact your child, who can see their content, what content they can see, who can comment to them, what they can say, what words or phrases they can hear etc.

Google the potential risks: Understand some of the risks that have been associated with the game or app so you know you are doing all you can to avoid that risk.

Connect with your child: Talk to your child about what they like to do. We don’t always have to be lecturing about what not to do online, but we can certainly be speaking about the positive elements and how we can encourage them to find ways to enjoy the good.

Watch them in this playground: Just as you would when they first take off the training wheels, or first make it on to the skatepark, we watch to see how they are going. Check to see if they are learning from past mistakes, to see if they have a back-up plan, to warn if you need to and to help them get back up again should they fall.

Martine Oglethorpe

Martine Oglethorpe is an accredited speaker with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and has presented to numerous parent groups, schools and teachers. She is a speaker, counsellor and educator with a passion for building resilient kids in a digital world. Contact details: info@martineoglethorpe.com.au.

APRE News:

By Mrs Kate Cullen, APRE

Year 10

Students were handed letters last week regarding some upcoming events and copies are available on the College Website. Here is a brief overview:

• A World Religion Excursion to a Buddhist Temple, Jewish Synagogue and Mosque on the 18th of October is designed to help students with their final unit on world religions in Year 10 Religion, but also provide an experience they can draw on across their studies in senior religion. Students choosing Study of Religion in Year 11 will, in particular, benefit from this excursion - please return the permission slip to confirm numbers for buses.
• High Seas Retreat is designed for Year 10 students to reflect on where they are now at the end of Year 10 and what their current goals are that they wish to work towards, heading into the final senior years of their study. Students need only return the form if they have particular dietary needs for catering purposes. As was said in the letter, they can wear sports uniform for the day as we will be a little active during ice-breaker activities and will spend some time outside in the afternoon. We look forward to all students participating on the day.

Henri Nouwen Reflection: Choice Calling for Discipline

When we look critically at the many thoughts and feelings that fill our minds and hearts, we may come to the horrifying discovery that we often choose death instead of life, curse instead of blessing. Jealousy, envy, anger, resentment, greed, lust, vindictiveness, revenge, hatred ... they all float in that large reservoir of our inner life. Often we take them for granted and allow them to be there and do their destructive work.

But God asks us to choose life and to choose blessing. This choice requires an immense inner discipline. It requires a great attentiveness to the death-forces within us and a great commitment to let the forces of life come to dominate our thoughts and feelings. We cannot always do this alone; often we need a caring guide or a loving community to support us. But it is important that we both make the inner effort and seek the support we need from others to help us choose life.

Curriculum News:

By Mrs Anna Hardy, Assistant Principal—Curriculum

Year 12 QCS

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who sat the QCS test last Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a big two days, which included four separate tests. All students showed great commitment to the tests and were exceptionally well behaved. They should be commended for their efforts. Well done!

Year 11 QCS practice

Year 11 will sit their first QCS practice test on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th October 2018. A letter which outlines the details of this test, as well as the required equipment, will be included with the Term 3 interim report. Please note students not sitting the QCS (non-OP students) will not be required to attend school on these dates.

Interim reports

Term Three progress reports will be posted home at the end of this term for students in years 7-12. Please make sure the College office has your correct mailing address.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at anna.hardy@twb.catholic.edu.au if you have questions about the events above or if you would like to discuss curriculum at the College further.

Sport News:

By Mrs Julie Collins, Program Leader Sport

Border District & All Schools

Thank you to all students who competed at the recent Border District and WSSSA Athletics Carnivals. Congratulations to all students for your efforts in your events and your exemplary behaviour while representing our College.

Results From The Carnivals

Tennis

During the term, Queensland School Sport held a team tennis competition. Assumption entered two teams in the tournament. Congratulations to the following boys for their efforts in training and competing.

Darling Downs Representative Teams

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in various Darling Downs Teams.

State Team

Congratulations to Abby Grayson for selection in the 2018 Interschool Equestrian Qld State Team to compete in Secondary Showjumping - 110cm. This year a team of 82 riders from across the State will be travelling to Werribee, Victoria, competing from October 1st to October 5th at the 2018 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships. We wish Abby the best of luck at the championships.

Library News:

By Mrs Mary-anne Driver

Exciting news in the world of the library. We are getting a new library management system at the beginning of Term 4, so it’s all hands on deck to get our collection up to date and ready for the change over. Thanks to all the volunteers who have given up their breaks to help us out. Stay tuned next term for updates on how this system will help our library improve.

Library Happenings

Chess Tournament

On Monday, September 10th we held Round 1 of Assumption’s first ever Inter-House Chess Tournament! We had 34 students compete in both junior and senior sections with Rice competing against Romero, and McAuley going head to head with Donovan. Students played very well and it was wonderful to see many students from PCs turning out to encourage and support their peers. The results of Round 1 were:

Donovan: 2 points
Rice: 3 points
McAuley: 3.5 points
Romero: 8.5 points

We look forward to the next 2 rounds of the tournament which will be held early in Term 4.

Assumption College Chess Tournament

General Notices:

Fathers Day BBQ

Thank you to all the students and their families who attended this year’s Father’s Day BBQ in honour of the important members of our families. It was a lovely afternoon and a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time with those special people in our lives.

Fathers Day BBQ

Year 7 Science

Our Year 7 Science students have been constructing bridges as part of their learning to demonstrate the relationship between compression and tension. Students then used weights to test the strength of their bridge building skills. Some very impressive structures were built!

Year 7 Science

Year 11/12 Home Economics – Textiles Unit

In response to the Queensland Government’s plastic bag ban in July 2018, the senior Home Economics students have researched, designed and constructed a reusable grocery bag suitable to be used to replace single-use plastic shopping bags.

Riding For The Disabled

Term Two and Three of 2018 saw twenty Assumption College students volunteer their time to assist with the Riding for the Disabled Association. RDA enables people with disabilities to experience enjoyment, challenge and a sense of achievement through participation in horse riding and equestrian activities. Every Thursday afternoon, a group of students assisted the organisation to help riders in need.

We are very proud of our students who embraced this wonderful opportunity to be part of the local community. They represented the College and themselves in a caring and professional manner.

Riding for the Disabled

Year 9 ITD – CO2 Powered Cars

Mr Lunn’s Year 9 ITD class has been designing and building CO2 powered cars as part of their studies. This week they tested their cars with some amazing, fast results! Well done students and Mr Lunn.

Year 9 ITD – CO2 Powered Cars

Year 12 Hospitality Studies High Tea

As part of their assessment this term the Year 12 Hospitality Studies students prepared and served up a delightful High Tea, which consisted of many mouth-watering delicacies such as rosewater meringue kisses, buttermilk scones and salmon and cream cheese scrolls. Thank you very much to the parish ladies group for being our customers!

Year 12 Hospitality Studies High Tea

Australian Catholic Church

Did You Know:

The good we rarely tell anyone.

• There are 777,000 school children within the Catholic sector, and
• There are 1,710 schools within the Catholic sector
  1,239 primary schools
  350 secondary schools
  95 primary/secondary schools combined
  17 special schools

Magpie Safety

St Mary’s Catholic Parish:

St Marys Parish Family Groups

Are you wanting to make new friends, have some fun, extend your support network, or create a greater sense of belonging in the community? If you are single, a sole parent, a family with/without children, or a grandparent then a St Mary’s Parish Family Group may be just what you’re looking for. Family Groups meet once a month for a simple social function (eg. picnics, BBQs, pizza nights, tennis, fishing, games nights) and are low cost/no cost. We’d LOVE more people to be involved – ALL WELCOME! For more information contact Family Group Co-ordinators, Justin and Marguerite Walsh on 0411 092 841 or the Parish Office on 4661 1033.

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