Issue 6, 12 April 2024

I want to acknowledge the efforts of staff, students and families over the past 11 weeks. Term 1 is long and jam-packed with events and activities. We’ve hosted, celebrated and engaged in liturgies, feast days, sports day, interschool competitions, swimming lessons, SAPSASA events, excursions and many other things. All these things have happened in addition to the high-quality teaching and learning that occurs every day at school. I certainly enjoyed the end-of-term assemblies where students have shared and celebrated their learning and achievements over the past 11 weeks. Well done to everyone on a positive start to the school year. I wish all families a happy and safe term break. May you find some rest and relaxation before coming back refreshed and ready for Term 2. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday 30th April. 

To conclude the term, our Year 12 students participated in a 2-day retreat experience at Spear Creek Holiday Park. This retreat is a compulsory aspect of the Religious Education course. It is also identified by students as an integral part of their Year 12 experience, as it provides an opportunity for the students to connect with others and supports faith and spiritual grow as they journey through their final year of schooling. 

As per our assessment and reporting schedule, students in Years 3-12 will receive an Interim Report at the end of Week 11. This report will provide a helpful snapshot of your child’s learning throughout Term 1. Please take this opportunity to discuss your child’s achievements and growth at this point in the school year. I also encourage parents/caregivers to check SEQTA and review the assessments that have been uploaded throughout the term. 

For your information, I have provided further details below relating to how and when we use SEQTA to report on student achievement throughout the year.  

While students in Years R-2 do not receive an Interim Report at the end of Term 1, you can check the SEESAW application, which is used to provide parents/caregiver with an ongoing window into student activity, learning and achievements. I encourage parents/caregivers to contact their student’s class teacher if you have any questions.

• release of results through SEQTA Engage in an ongoing manner
• an interim report at the end of Term 1 and Term 3 which will indicate the grade achieved so far in each   learning area as well as an indication of effort, made available through the SEQTA Engage Dashboard
• end-of-semester report end of Term 2 and 4 to indicate the overall grade achieved in each learning area as well as an indication of effort, made available through the SEQTA Engage Dashboard

As previously communicated, earlier in the term the College Board approved a new Mobile Phone & Personal Devices Policy. I ask all parents/caregivers to read and familiarise yourself with the policy. You can access it here. 

The policy will be implemented in full at the beginning of Term 2. Staff and students have had the opportunity to learn and understand their roles and responsibilities. As such, I kindly ask all parents/caregivers to discuss this with your children. Ultimately, we are confident that our new policy will support students to contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment at school which will support and enhance their learning and wellbeing.

The end of the term is an opportune time for a gentle reminder about the expectations for our school uniform. Please be aware that the approved college shoe is a black leather school shoe with no discernible logos or imagery (remembering that canvas shoes are not permitted). The below infographic can be useful in understanding which shoes are appropriate for school

The first day of Term 2 is a Student Free Day. Staff will be engaging in professional learning about behaviour education and wellbeing. Specifically, we will be focusing on zones of regulation, which are a framework designed to help individuals, especially children, develop self-regulation skills and emotional control. The wellbeing of our entire college community is important to us as we strive to enable everyone in our college community to reach their full potential.

Across the last 2 weeks, classes have joyfully celebrated the risen Christ; the basis of our Catholic faith. We continue to live the story of Jesus, sent by God, sharing our humanity, offering hope to those who seek guidance and support with the challenges in our world. The disciples throughout the Gospels grow in their courage and confidence to follow Jesus, celebrating his Resurrection, much like we are called to do today as we journey together as a faith community. 

With the chocolates fast disappearing from our pantries, we continue to celebrate Easter for 50 days, until the feast of Pentecost (19 May). This allows us to reflect on the hope we hold in our lives, within our community, and in our world. The Easter season is a time for us to reflect on new life and to consider the importance of taking time to individually reflect on how we can make our life ‘new’. 

Our Year 12 students have spent the last 2 days at Spear Creek on their Retreat. This has been a great opportunity to support our students in connecting with each other away from the pressures of school and an opportunity for faith and spiritual formation as they journey together as our senior cohort. We look forward to hearing about their experiences upon their return. 

The Paschal Candle is a powerful symbol of a pillar of fire and a reminder that Christ is our light.  This candle is blessed in the Easter fire, at the Easter Vigil, and is an important symbol to our Catholic faith. Fr Jim asked whether the Paschal candle could again be designed by our College with a First Nations focus to suit our context here in Port Augusta. Using our diocesan artwork (initially created by Nicole Russell, Acting Principal at St Joseph’s School Renmark, and Emmalene Richards, Barngala woman and Cultural Consultant) for our theme 'Let Your Light Shine', the candle shows that there is a piece of light in all of us, God’s light, and we are called to let our light shine before others. Each of us is integral to God’s mission of bringing God’s light and love to the world, just as Jesus did through his Resurrection. 

Through the red to yellow tones of the candle, representing the red dust surrounding Port Augusta with God’s light shining around us, the design represents the cross and tomb – a symbol of who we are as a Catholic community, what we are called to do, and the belief in the joy of the Resurrection. 

A special thank you to those staff that assisted in the design and creation of this beautiful candle, one that will be used throughout our liturgical year until next Easter.

A number of children in our school and parish community will begin their formation and preparation sessions to receive their First Holy Communion in Term 2. This is an exciting time for these children and we continue to pray for them and their families as they continue their faith journey. The first session for these children and their families will be Saturday 4 May at 6:30pm or Sunday 5 May at 10:30am at All Saints Church

Across the year, your young person will receive interim and semester reports through SEQTA. These reports capture learning up to that point of the year, a look into their academic achievements to year level curriculum and an understanding of the young person’s approach to learning. To best understand what is captured in the approach to learning are the key elements of behaviour, diligence, and engagement.  Behaviour includes classroom conduct and attitude, politeness and respect, and the consideration of the learning of others. To capture the student’s diligence towards their learning it is measured against their self-discipline and self-reflection, independent motivation towards tasks, persistence and conscientious application to classwork and homework. The last area of measurement is engagement which encompasses classroom focus, communication both verbal and nonverbal, punctuality, participation and contribution to groups and the wider class community. Your young person will receive a descriptor on their report stating, needs improvement, inconsistent, satisfactory, good, or excellent. That descriptor captures student achievement across the three core elements of behaviour, diligence, and engagement.

The Year 8 students have just completed a wooden box.  They had to design, cut, sand and nail their box together using rebate joints.  The boxes were different in size as students were required to think of something that they wanted to store and work from that idea.