麻豆国产AV

End of Term 3

This is the last edition of The Lighthouse for this term and, as we come to the end of a very challenging Term 3,  I would like to offer my congratulations to our students for their perseverance and continued focus on their learning under difficult circumstances. I would also like to offer my heartfelt thanks to staff and parents/guardians for their efforts to continue to provide high quality learning opportunities and environments in which learning can flourish. We have been called to collectively respond with great resilience to a crisis, the likes of which we have never seen in our lifetimes, and I believe that we have done so admirably. The fact that most students continue to make good progress is testament to these collective efforts and I trust the recent Parent Teacher Interviews and Subject Selection Expo provided opportunities for feedback and some reassurance that we can look forward to next year with great optimism.

With colder and shorter days, Term 3 can be a term in which motivation wanes a little, even in a normal year, but it has been pleasing over recent weeks to see the initiative of our Student Leadership Council to promote House based competition to help build community spirit. I thank those who have participated, or maybe just taken an interest in the contributions of others and I hope that it has been a great reminder that you belong to a wonderful community. We all eagerly look forward to a return to onsite learning in Term 4, albeit somewhat belated, and I wish all students, staff and our families a safe and restful break over the upcoming holiday period.

Roadmap to return to onsite learning in Term 4

• Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) students can only attend on site for essential assessments during this week, including the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Wednesday 7 October.
• On-site supervision for children of permitted workers and vulnerable students continues in line with existing guidelines.

• Year 11 and 12 students and Year 10 students enrolled in a VCE or VCAL program return to full-time on-site schooling.
• Remote and flexible learning continues for all students in Years 7 to 10, other than for children of permitted workers and vulnerable students (including St Mary鈥檚 students who choose to learn onsite).

• Potential staged return of students in Years 7 to 10. 
• Oct 29 - last official day for Year 12

Year 12

Our Year 12 students are about to enter the final stretch of their busy year. Of course, this year has not been as we would have imagined, or hoped in many ways, for all of our students and most senior students especially. While onsite learning will recommence for Year 12 in Term 4 in the lead up to their exams which, for most VCE students, commence on November 10, we are planning in the knowledge that our normal Graduation and Valedictory events will not be possible in their traditional formats. A Final Assembly will occur on their last official school day, October 29, and planning has already commenced with the students to help to make this a memorable occasion. The Education Minister, Mr Merlino, has made it clear in a number of public announcements that there will be every effort made to help ensure that this year鈥檚 graduates are not disadvantaged when it comes to seeking tertiary entrance. We await further clarification as to the process that will be implemented to assist in this transition to the next stage.

Many of our VCAL students have completed the course requirements and are nearing the end of their secondary schooling.  It was pleasing to hear that quite a number of the students have already secured an apprenticeship or traineeship while at Aquinas and are preparing to transition to the next stage of vocational learning and work. Once again we see the evidence that there are many pathways to successful completion of Year 12 at the College.

You may have heard a remark, earlier this week, from the Federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nick Coatsworth about the importance of small goals during a lockdown. (Just as an aside, who would have thought that as the sun set on the fame of celebrity chefs and television personalities, the new social rock stars would be Chief Health Officers and epidemiologists?)  

All the focus about his comment was on the example he used rather than the point he was trying to make. The Sydney Morning Herald opened with, 鈥淒eputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth has advised people struggling with Melbourne's extended lockdown to make their beds to help boost their mental health.鈥� It made it seem like Coatsworth was trivialising the seriousness of Victoria鈥檚 situation from his lofty office in COVID free Canberra (no new cases for 61 days). 

While the key point was reported, 鈥淏ut my advice to you is this: make sure you're staying connected with friends and family. If you're feeling isolated, take what can sometimes be a difficult step to reach out and maintain those important connections". He then outlined the benefits of putting "some structure into your day", such as putting aside "dedicated time for housework". "Set yourself achievable goals. One of the simplest things you can do in the morning, and this was said to me once at a leadership seminar by someone who is a very good leader, is make your bed," Dr Coatsworth said. "It sounds so simple, but if you get into some structure and routine for the next two weeks while the stage four restrictions are still in place in metro Melbourne and the surrounds, those sorts of achievable goals and structure can be very important to keep you on track."

While the example might not seem important, the argument is one for us all to consider. Being away from our routines for a long time not only has the potential to blur our goals, but the sameness of every day can make us lose sight of them completely. Often the routines we establish, going to work or school, sports training, dance or drama classes help us as they are already goal focused. Getting there is the effort. The activity focuses us on the goal. And goals are one of the things that define our humanity. Setting targets and either meeting them or resetting is a key element to who we are. In their seminal book about the science of learning Bransford and Brown (2000) argued, 鈥淗umans are viewed as goal-directed agents who actively seek information.鈥� 

When we started this year I wrote about the goals for the year for teachers and for students. The students goals were expressed as:

It鈥檚 the first one that points back to Dr Coatsworth, the importance of progress. If you want to define learning in a non academic way, it is really a process to produce positive change. 

We start somewhere and we try to move forward to somewhere better, which is why emphasising progress is such a valid goal, as it gives us a sense that the positive change is happening. What the lockdown does is takes our mind off what we want to achieve and constantly asks us to reflect on what is happening right now and that is not always helpful. In the face of this, small structures and routines can be really important right now. They allow us to structure the day, write a to do list (which is really a small goal sheet) and give us a much greater sense of control.

And, yes, I made my bed this morning. Didn鈥檛 change my life, but it was one tick off the list and I could move on to the next thing.

"There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried".

Oscar Romero

Our world continues to be challenged by the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Daily, we are told of the challenges we face; often reminded of our obligations to follow the demands of the lockdown, of the impact on the economy, and we witness the questions that are asked of our leaders and the strategies in place to address the threats that the pandemic present to public health. We experience this while inside our homes, watching our kids undertake their studies on electronic devices and resigning to the fact that despite the positives of remote learning, the lack of face to face learning is likely to bring complications to most. In some cases, you, as parents have to work from home, or as essential workers, having to work away, yet, having to also deal with added demands and complications of attending to your children, and this is not always easy. 

Oscar Romero was the archbishop of San Salvador, capital of El Salvador, a country that suffered a long and bloody civil war where the dignity of many was continually violated and abused. He is considered one of the pioneers of Liberal Theology, encouraging us all to take action and make the world a better place, and this stance led to his assassination in early 1980. His view that 鈥渢here are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried鈥� relates to the current climate in our state, and more specifically, our city and local communities. The impact of the pandemic is substantial, and each person, in some way or another, has been affected by the degree that COVID-19 has had. Yet the reality is, that despite the reality that we are suffering, there is hope for a future without what is the current norm, and we have learnt to cherish what life can be like without the fear and impositions that the virus brings to us at the present moment. I say this respectfully, understanding that the news we all received last Sunday by the Premier, Daniel Andrews, was perhaps not what we expected, or at least hoped for.

The current state of affairs reminds me of a childhood experience that is fresh in my mind. I mentioned in a previous edition of this magazine that I once lived through an imposed curfew by the authorities, where being outside of your home at night would lead to death, being shot on the spot. This occurred as I lived in El Salvador in the early 1980s. The disappointment that I felt last Sunday reminded me of a time when as a 15 year old, I was told that I would be leaving my country of birth because we were heading to Australia. Due to the war we faced, and my father鈥檚 work, which compromised us politically, we had been given asylum to move to Australia so that we could continue to live without the fear of persecution and threats. As a 15 year old, I could not understand why we needed to leave, after all, people died all the time, and my friends and family all lived there. Leaving meant that I was to be in a place I did not want to be living in. It meant leaving behind all I knew; I could not speak a word of English and my knowledge of anything to do with Australia did not extend past 鈥淪kippy the Bush Kangaroo鈥� and having mistakenly learnt that Sydney was the Capital of the Country. I was shocked to find that I could not have a kangaroo as a pet and that Canberra is in fact the Nation鈥檚 Capital upon arriving here after a gruelling flight via the USA. The uncertainty and discomfort I faced was so negative that I am sure that in today鈥檚 world, I would have been diagnosed with a number of concerning mental health states and possible conditions. Luckily, with the support of my parents, great friends and teachers, I managed to settle and I am so happy to now call our country, my country. The journey was full of uncertainties, and I recall begging my father to allow me to return to El Salvador after being here for 3 months. Having sought asylum meant that under human rights agreements, I could not return to El Salvador for two years… well, that is what my father and mother told me. And just like I felt last Sunday, I realised at the time that I needed to not just stay here but perhaps make the most of it while it lasted. Sometimes, we just have to remain optimistic and realistic about the challenges we face. Adherence to the rules promises safety and this is what we must do for now. 

This week we have acknowledged RUOk? Day, a wonderful initiative that calls for people to engage in discussions about the importance and relevance of wellness, positive mental health and safety. It is important to ask our children about their feelings, their challenges and their fears, but we must equally encourage them to continue to work hard so that they may achieve their dreams. I often think of my childhood and remember it as a time of happiness, despite the fears that a civil war can bring. We are indeed lucky to be safe, and although the lockdown brings uncertainties and discomforts, there is hope that we will be back to normal, that our students will have the opportunities to reach their full potential and achieve their goals and that in time, our way of life will return to be as great as we want it to be. Stay positive and seek help if needed. Our suffering will reap great rewards when we find ourselves enjoying life at the cinema when the lockdown is over, or the dining table with our children tomorrow at home. 

It is indeed a challenging world, but we now have the eyes that have cried and see the future with optimism, knowing that the pain is only temporary. I hope that the lockdown has given the opportunity for you to find some inner peace and reflect on your purpose. Below is the Romero prayer, attributed to Oscar Romero because of the hope he instilled in his people, just like Jesus did during his Ministry. As always, please contact me at the College should you have any questions or concerns.

Oscar Romero鈥檚 Prayer
 
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that
is God鈥檚 work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the
Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church鈥檚 mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realising that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord鈥檚 grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the Master
Builder and the worker.
We are workers, not Master Builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.

Forgiveness

This Sunday鈥檚 readings all focus on the theme of forgiveness - sometimes one of the hardest things to do. In the first reading from Ecclesiastes 鈥淔orgive your neighbour the hurt he does you; and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven鈥� is the central statement. Understandable that Jesus incorporates this in the Lord鈥檚 prayer when teaching us how to pray to God, our Father. The second reading is extremely brief and connects Jesus鈥� death and resurrection to the forgiveness of sins. The Gospel itself has Peter discussing with Jesus how often he should forgive others - seeking a number to ascertain if he is doing the right thing to enter heaven. Jesus uses a parable to explain to Peter is not about how often, rather that you do forgive. 

How can you expect others to forgive you for your mistakes if you are not willing to do the same? We often hear younger children argue that they should not say sorry because the person they hurt did not apologise to them. It often becomes like the chicken and the egg - who is the first to make the step towards forgiving.

Many people discuss the concept of forgiveness as not just a healing of the relationship between people but also as a healing of self. I am sure there have been times where the fact you cannot forgive someone has left a 鈥渟our taste鈥� or bitterness in your heart. When we do not forgive it is often us that suffers not the perpetrator. Sr Helen Prejean, a famous nun for her work with those on death row and author of the book Dead Man Walking states that to forgive is to give forward. To give of yourself is to let go of the bitterness you hold in your heart and that allows you to heal.

So this week I pray that we may all let go of the hurt in our hearts, so that we may heal and grow in forgiveness of each other. As the gospel acclamation says:鈥滻 give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.鈥�

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal - Mission

National Child Protection Week (Sept 6-12 2020) is a reminder Child Safe organisations have a commitment to protecting and listening to children and young people to promote their inherent dignity and growth. The theme for 2020 National Child Protection is putting children first. All Australians are invited to celebrate children in their lives. Whilst we are proud that 麻豆国产AV is recognised as a leader in Child Safety school settings, we know there is no room for complacency in this vital work. 

Drawing inspiration from the doctrine of St Thomas Aquinas, the philosophy of critical thinking, problem solving and listening is positioned at the forefront of our child safety initiatives. There is an abundance of supportive literature noting young people who feel safe and well are better positioned to learn, achieve and thrive in all areas of life. The development of the role of Child Safety and Wellbeing Coordinator is one example of the commitment Aquinas has made to embed a child safe culture in our community. Having a designated position in the College to focus on building and sustaining a child safe culture is advantageous on many levels. Codes of conduct, secure surrounds, and signage are also important features of a safe and nurturing learning environment. Arguably the one of the most important areas of focus in this work is shifting from implicit to explicit in Child Safety discourse.

Clear consistent messages and conversations with young people regarding child safety is a precursor for young people having voice in their own safety. Ms Liana Buchanan, the Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, reinforced these message in a recent address to Catholic schools. Ms Buchanan reminded all delegates the power of noticing, inquiring and acting with and for young people. Whilst the concepts of voice and agency are not new there is a growing momentum regarding the importance of listening and collaboration with students at this challenging time. Encouraging voice or 鈥榩rotective participation鈥� enables young people to contribute to conversations and collective decision making especially during challenging times. 

The student led Aquinas Child Safety Committee currently consists primarily of senior students with the view to building involvement of middle years students when we return onsite. The committee works in partnership with the child safety coordinator to plan and deliver initiatives. Child safety work can be challenging for students and staff, yet offers reward beyond expectation. The Child Safety Committee has continued to operate even from remote locations continuing to consult on school based child safety policy and procedures and co-design materials to encourage young people to participate in courageous conversations about safety. 

This committee has been recognised by Catholic Education Melbourne for their innovation, commitment and wisdom beyond their years.

Authentic student voice enables young people to have a say in things that matter to them and as such I would like the last words of this piece to be from young people. Mikaela Tenney, a Year 11 student at 麻豆国产AV, said: "It's crucial to have student voice informing child safety and wellbeing in schools because, after all, nobody has better experience with, or knowledge of, the issues and happenings that affect child safety and wellbeing than those it is directly impacting".

I am beyond proud of each and every committee member: Isobel Faktor, Taylah Gioia, Mikaela Tenney, Rory O'Brien, Gilli McKenna, Dylan Tudor, Brianna Fitzmaurice, Alex Raw, Levi Mugamu, and Zac Hanrahan. Middle years students get ready an opportunity is coming your way soon!

Cheryl Kane
Child Safety and Wellbeing Coordinator

Religious Education, like all curriculum subjects, has had to find new and creative ways to engage students from a distance. Staff have been working tirelessly in year level teams to adapt, change and edit what we would normally do in person to an online format. 

Our Year 7 students have explored service and have been finding ways to help others from home. In Year 8, our students and staff have become Stile experts. Our Year 9鈥檚 have used a program called Understanding Faith as a fun alternative resource. In our Senior Years our students have met the challenges of remote assessment with courage and perseverance. 

We may not have been able to do our 鈥渦sual鈥� activities, yet throughout this pandemic we have learnt new skills, faced new challenges and learnt to collaborate even more effectively as teams.

Tania Grace
Religious Education Learning Area Leader

As part of the Sports Science course, we explore motivation of elite athletes, particularly focusing on Intrinsic and Extrinsic contributing factors. To bring this topic to life and help engage the students to support and consolidate their understanding we were fortunate to have Alex Johnson (Former Sydney Swans Premiership player) 鈥榣og in鈥� and speak to the students.   

Why Alex Johnson? Alex鈥檚 journey has been well documented through the media as a result of him having suffered seven knee reconstructions throughout his AFL career. Alex spoke to us about the many obstacles and challenges he had to overcome and factors that have motivated him throughout his rehabilitation and what continues to be the 'driving' force in his life within and beyond football. Alex was relatable in his demeanor and spoke with passion, clarity and an inspiring sense of perspective, allowing the students to reflect on their own coping mechanisms when often faced with challenging circumstances.

Mr Tom Wilson and Mr Paul Jess
Teachers

Often in Studio Art, an audience only sees the final artwork - just like Lady Gaga becoming a pop sensation overnight, the fact is, there is a LOT of effort, risk taking, trial and error and soul searching that goes into that 鈥榦vernight success鈥� and that shiny final.

From the outset, there has to be a creative spark - an idea that drives the young artist to express themselves. What do you want to say? What do you want people to see and feel? Tricky questions.

Then comes the blank page...the ideas that filled a students head magically disappear at that first white page! 

Then it starts; the spark, the mess, the drawing and painting, printing and sculpting and a great deal of mistake making. Everyone in the arts knows it is about moving forward and giving it a go. So many masterpieces and epiphanies come from taking that first step, however ridiculous and challenging it may be, it is all about getting in there and taking a chance. Students' workbooks are a treasure trove of spontaneity and creativity, exploration and experimentation in media, colour and visual language, that is proof of the creative risk taking along the way.  Here are the in progress folios of our senior students!

Sandi van der Niet
Arts Learning Area Leader

Year 12 Mini Briefs

A long time ago during Term 1, life was a lot different for our current Year 12 VCD students as they were regular attendees to timetabled VCD classes at 麻豆国产AV. During that time they had undertaken a quick design outcome (3 mini briefs 鈥� 2 weeks for each one) which involved designing a brand logo, building and commercial furniture for Palasion Real Estate. The key to this outcome was to produce quick ideas by following a design process for each of the three mini design briefs. The students' engagement in the classroom was infectious and engaging. They worked together with passion and support for one another. Isn鈥檛 it lovely to reminisce on a life which was visibly rich with happiness and engagement! Have a groovy day.

Dennis Sartory
Year 12 Visual Communication Teacher

Congratulations to our Middle Years students who have achieved either a Top of the Class Award or Top of the Year Level for Semester 1. This week, Years 7 and 8 students have enjoyed an online Excellence Awards presentation, hosted by their Year Level Leaders. Despite the challenges of remote learning and 2020 in general, our students continue to achieve great results.

See the list of recognition:

麻豆国产AV Community 2020 has been challenging RUOK? 

The theme for 2020 National RUOK day is "There's more to say after RUOK!" 

It may seem a pretty straight forward question RUOK? However before we ask, pausing to think about what we might say next is important. Are you prepared for the answer if it鈥檚 "No, I鈥檓 struggling or I鈥檝e got a bit going on right now"?  Do you recognise you aren鈥檛 expected to have all the answers and sometimes all people need is just someone who will listen? Perhaps we should consider whether it鈥檚 the best time to start this conversation. Importantly it鈥檚 also okay to acknowledge things aren鈥檛 okay too. Being able to express both positive and negative emotions in appropriate ways suggests strength of character and maturity.

Students have explored RUOK resources and discussed ways to seek information, support others and voice a concern as part of the broader Child Safety and Wellbeing program. The following links were used as discussion prompts in middle and senior years respectively:

These important discussions took place in Homeroom and Mentor meetings enhancing existing partnerships and relationships with peers and staff. Key messages emphasised in presentations where you don鈥檛 need to be an expert to reach out, just be a good friend and listen to take action and share concerns with a trusted adult. Additionally a range of resources were placed on the CLP tile for students to access.

Learning and working from home has enabled us all to communicate with others in different ways. Google meets, social media and streaming platforms have bought connectivity challenges but also new and rich ways to connect. Checking in with each other, sharing news, opinions, or the latest lockdown meme is something our community has done well. Perhaps we occasionally take for granted how important seemingly casual conversations can be? The value of social interaction and its impact on wellbeing should not be underestimated. 

COVID 19 in some respects has encouraged us to consider the pace of our frenetic lives and the importance of making time to connect. Student Child Safety and Wellbeing Committee members offered this perspective on the importance of RUOK day:

"I love the fact that we're able to be so open with the people around us. 'Are you okay?' is such an important question to ask and the fact that it's being taken so seriously ensures that Aquinas is such a welcoming community. It's helped so many students in the past and there isn't a shred of doubt in my mind that it will help others in the future." 
Levi Mugamu, Year 10

"Days can pass by before we realise we haven鈥檛 checked in with our friends in a while, so RUOK Day is the perfect reminder to send off a quick message to our mates. This can be to spark conversation or simply to let them know we're thinking of them; a little goes a long way." 
Mikaela Tenney, Year 11

During times of challenge and uncertainty keeping in contact with others, preserves psychological safety, encourages a resilient growth mindset and helps supports a hopeful and optimistic outlook. Whilst there are a number of things that may remain uncertain, we can have confidence that asking someone RUOK may have an impact well beyond prediction.

Mikaela Tenney & Levi Mugamu
Child Safety & Wellbeing Student Committee Members

Cheryl Kane
Child Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator

Are you 13-25 years old and looking for something to do these school holidays? 

Check out these free classes Headspace Knox are running over zoom these school holidays: 

• Munch: A mindful lunch experience  
• Iso-lates 鈥� online Pilates class 
• Let鈥檚 gets quizzical 鈥� online trivia game 
• Netflix Party 鈥� movie POKEMON Detective Pikachu or The Grinch  
• Gamespace: online game session  
• Self Care ain鈥檛 selfish: learn about self care and create your own self care bingo card 
• Crafternoon: try your hand at abstract painting  

No cost but you have to register - email caity.cox@headspaceknox.com.au or give us a buzz on 9801 6088 .