CCW Newsletter Issue #14 (September 17, 2021)

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CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA

Fortnightly Newsletter

In this edition.....

From the Principal BYOD Program RU OK? Day Library Open in the Holidays National Youth Science Forum Pet Photo Competition Term Four Important Dates (Week One - Three)

From the Principal MR NICK JONES At the end of another challenging term, I would like to congratulate everybody for the grit and resilience that continues to be displayed by all members of our school community.

To our students – well done on maintaining your focus and concentration each day during remote learning. It is difficult to keep your energy levels high when you are at home and not interacting with your friends and teachers in the classroom. You have demonstrated creativity and initiative and have learnt a lot about yourself during this difficult time. Stay positive and we look forward to seeing you back at school in Term Four.

To our staff – thank you for your ability and capacity to pivot so quickly to remote learning. You have demonstrated outstanding commitment to our students, and you have ensured that a high level of teaching and learning is maintained during these periods of lockdown. Many of you are supporting your own children at home while also teaching from home and I thank you for your outstanding work during this term.

To our parents/carers – thank you for the amazing job you have done in supporting your children’s learning at home. Many of you have also been working from home while also supporting your child and we understand how difficult this has been. A heartfelt thank you to you all from me.

We are expecting information from the state government regarding a return to school over the coming week. We will inform our school community of our plans for students to return to school during the holiday period.

The College is following all the directives from the relevant authorities to ensure our school campus is a healthy and safe environment for students and staff. As part of this, I am strongly encouraging eligible members of the Cathedral College community to receive their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. It is important that we all play our part to allow our children to return to the classroom and to allow us all to reconnect and enjoy the events, activities and occasions that we have been missing.

I wish everyone a very safe and enjoyable Term Three break and I look forward to seeing you all back at school very soon.

All the best

From the Head of Junior School MR GREG NEWBOLD Yard duty on a spring afternoon could be one of life’s beautiful gifts. Prep to Year Two students running energetically, dancing and prancing, splitting rocks in a geological experiment, high footy marks, long kicks, waterfalls on the monkey bars, hide and seek, the compulsory down ball and a myriad of other games that my seniority prevents me from watching on television filled every nook and corner of the playground.

It struck me how much fun the children were having, but also how much fun it was watching, observing and sometimes even playing.

What did I learn?

Children have an incomparable capacity to create and explore. Let them just do it!

Boredom is only a state of mind, and essentially a state from which imaginative play can grow Socialisation occurs at its finest when the group needs to listen, think, discuss, compromise and play Groups of three or more can cause angst, hence the birth of the old adage, 2’s company and 3’s a crowd; however, if we manipulate groups to eliminate elements of conflict, then the ability for children to problem-solve social issues is greatly reduced and constricts their social and emotional development Children find their friends, discover different personalities, learn inclusivity and engender a spirit of acceptance and respect through play – social engineering friendship groups and situations generally backfires Being a ‘kid’ is so much fun……..even if you’re an adult (and an old one at that!)

So now the holidays are just around the corner, may I suggest the following:

Have fun

Play a board game

Find your inner child

Dress up

Play outside, swing on a swing, slide or climb

Play charades

Picnic

Meet in a park that has a playground and let the kids loose

Have a game of Twister

Teach and learn a card game

Have a joke evening

Eat dinner around the table

Go camping in the backyard

Sit outside in absolute silence right on dusk and listen...just listen

Happy holidays everyone! Thank you so very much for your support, care and understanding throughout a long and challenging term.

Hope we come back at the start of term, but as I say to the children, hope but don’t expect.

From the Head of Middle School MRS BRIGID PERKINS

Well, we are almost there! As Term Three draws to a close our Middle School community can be very proud of their efforts throughout the term, especially as it proved to be another unpredictable one, with a lot of time spent juggling face to face learning and a return to remote learning. As I have stated previously, many students have risen to the challenge, and although it has been extremely challenging to learn and teach from behind a screen, many students maintained their consistent work ethic and continued to reach out to their teachers and peers while learning off-campus. It is always important to reflect on what you have been able to achieve over the course of the term and consider the ‘small wins’ you may have had along the way. There have been many challenges, so it is vital that we focus on the positives.

Last Friday, during Community Time, all Year Six, Seven and Eight students had the opportunity to be involved in listening to and discussing a very relevant presentation by Kirra Pendergast, CEO of an organisation called 'Safe on Social'.

After a 20+ year career in Cyber Security and IT Business Consulting, in 2009 Kirra founded Australia's first consulting firm focused on Cyber Safety. KCL Business Solutions completed eSafety Risk Reviews, Policy Development, and Training Solutions for major Qld Government departments and businesses. In 2014 Kirra Pendergast founded Safe on Social Media Pty Ltd after experiencing serious and relentless cyberbullying and trolling herself.

Kirra speaks on the topic of Cyber Safety and her own experience with serious cyberbullying, to thousands of people each week. Kirra presents to students K-12, teachers, and parents at schools across Australia and New Zealand. She is also working with elite sports teams, speaks at legal seminars, government and business events, and conferences. She consults too and advises organisations in Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. Kirra is a regular media commentator on the subject of Cyber Safety. In 2019 she proudly partnered with Mamamia women's network www.mamamia.com.au to create the Safe on Social Toolkit www.safeonsocialtoolkit.com.

Our students listened to and discussed the following topics on Friday afternoon: Terms and Conditions that are put in place when you sign up to social media platforms Instagram and Snapchat Tiktok and Online Gaming Group chats We had some really interesting conversations that stemmed from listening to these presentations, and a lot of students were able to reflect on their own experiences and behaviours on various social media platforms. We hope to continue these discussions and reflections next term, as it is an area that will continue to impact the majority of Middle School students.

From the Head of Senior School MS ANNE HARRIS Congratulations, you have made it through one of the most difficult terms of learning in your school life! In this, I am referring to students, parents, carers and teachers. We are all hoping that everyone will be back on-site next term in a face-to-face learning arrangement.

Despite being in lockdown we have continued to achieve in more than just delivering remote learning. Some of those achievements that have happened this past fortnight are: Our Senior School students are well underway in their course selections for next year We wore team colours for Footy Colours Day Asked each other RUOK, and wore a touch of yellow Had parents join us online for Connect sessions We launched the information package for the BYOD program for 2022 Facilitated an on-site COVID Vaccination clinic for our students studying a Year Twelve subject In between lockdowns we even managed some fantastic camps and a snow trip I hope that all our Cathedral College community members can find some time to enjoy the Northeast Spring, whether it is at home or somewhere more than 5kms away, over the September break and that we are able to welcome you all on campus soon.

Take care.

Term Three Review See the video link below for a review of Term Three 2021 at CCW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WxmR55eLwY

From the Director of Studies MRS JULIE FINDLAY

Subjects 2022 Thank you to all the students, parents and guardians who have submitted the subject selection forms. We are in the process of finalising classes and families will be notified of their final subjects at the beginning of Term Four.

Booklists and changes in the curriculum When families are notified of subject selections, the letter will include a link to the online booklist.

Books and stationery are ordered through our local book supplier – North East School Supplies. The stationery supplies listed are essential requirements for students to complete tasks correctly.

Students do not need to buy new stationery each year but to have a pencil case with pens, pencils, a ruler and coloured pencils is essential for learning.

Several textbooks can be purchased through the Sustainable bookshop. In 2022 the Australian Curriculum and a number of VCE study designs will be revised and so the 2021 versions will not be suitable for use.

Learning Habits During the school holidays parents and guardians, of students in Years Six to Eleven will receive Term Three Progress Reports. These reports reflect the learning habits of students during the mixed modes of learning – face-to-face and remote. Learning habits are an important form of feedback to help students develop the skills to learn. Grades do improve if students apply themselves with great focus if they show persistence in trying to understand or improve. Understanding specifically what you did wrong and working through similar problems, but with a different approach or prompts, prove to be more effective ways to learn and succeed. Persistence and application are also life skills that we can apply in and out of work. By focusing on how we learn the student gains reasonability for learning, which can also lead to greater ownership, pride, and interest in learning.

An opportunity to meet with staff, online will be available on October 11 and 12. Details of how to book parent-teacher interviews will be emailed out with Progress Reports.

With the recent lift in lockdown, I hope the holidays provide an opportunity for you to have time away from the screen and recharge before our return to school in Term Four. Thank you very much for your support in navigating remote learning.

Chaplains' Chat MRS CATHY CARDEN God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the 7th day.

- Genesis 1:31-2:2 Jesus often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

- Luke 5:16 This term in some of the Junior School classes, we have been looking at the wonders of creation and nature and investigating ways that we all can take action to care for the environment.

Recently, there have been calls ups from world, religious and environmental leaders to make courageous decisions to protect and equitably share the Earth’s resources. In the Anglican Church, September is increasingly celebrated as the ‘Season of Creation’, with reminders of our responsibility to care for all things. Pope Francis put out this statement on the 1st of September:"Believers and unbelievers agree that the earth is our common heritage.

The fruits of which should benefit everyone.

The relationship between poverty and the fragility of the planet requires another way of managing the economy and measuring progress.

Conceiving a new way of living Because we need a change that unites us all.

Free from the slavery of consumerism.

Let us instead work to take good care of creation – a gift freely given Cultivating and protecting it for future generations. Caring for our common home."

The upcoming school holidays provide a great opportunity for rest and enjoyment of nature. We hope and pray that you are able to find time and space to do this, and at the same time consider what can be done to protect our wonderful world.

Below is a prayer for the end of term, and this link takes you to a wonderful hymn and digital presentation of nature – Look at the world (Rutter). https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=T4k8oVf9v78

Prayer for the end of term At the end of this school term we give thanks to God: For all the teaching and learning that has taken place, whether learning from home or at school, Learning both in and out of the classroom, For the talents and gifts that have been shared and the challenges that have been faced; For the respect and care that has been given.

For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles, For the hope that has lifted our hearts, And for the love that has kept us going We give thanks to the community that we are, and we ask you, Lord Bless our VCE students as they prepare for their exams: may your Spirit inspire them with confidence and calmness Bless ourselves and our families as we take our holidays, During this upcoming holiday time, may we make memories to cherish.

Pour out your love on us that we may return renewed and refreshed to continue our journey together.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Wellbeing with the School Counsellor MS JUNE STAMP

Healthy gaming Games are an integral part of human behaviour. It is normal and healthy for young people to engage in play as a part of their daily lives, including playing games online. Online communities can provide opportunities to feel socially connected and gaming can help young people feel a sense of belonging. However, any behaviour, when taken to the extreme, can have a negative impact on a young person’s everyday life.

Parents often ask how long young people should engage in playing games. It is important to consider whether gaming or internet use is impacting other areas of a young person’s life. Healthy behaviour relates to a young person engaging in a variety of activities and contexts (such as family time, friend time, alone time, and inside and outside activities). There are also certain activities that support a young person’s health and wellbeing, such as exercise and good quality sleep.

For further information to support your young person’s gaming use and so together you can make more informed choices, click on the below link. https://headspace.org.au/friends-and-family/understanding-gaming/

Bring Your Own Device Program - 2022

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The College is excited to provide details regarding Cathedral College Wangaratta’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program for students in Years Six to Twelve which will be launched in 2022.

As we have been unable to have a face-to-face presentation outlining specific details of the program, the link below will take you to The College website where you will find all the information you need to make an informed choice regarding purchasing your child’s device and other important details.

This includes: A pre-recorded video that outlines important information about the CCW BYOD Program. It is recommended that you watch the video as this gives an overview of the program and other important details.

A CCW BYOD handbook that also explains the program in detail, including minimum device specifications and a FAQ section.

A link to the CompNow portal, which is an option for parents to peruse and purchase a device through our selected technology partner CompNow. https://link.cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au/byod The College will continue to keep you updated with information regarding the BYOD Program.

Any further questions or queries can be sent via email to: byod.question@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au

From the Library MRS BERNADETTE QUINN, MS SUZIE QUARTERMAIN & MRS DIANNE HIGGINSON

The Library is open during the holidays

The Senior School Library will be open to students during the holidays.

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 10 am – 3 pm

Students are invited to use the space to study, or complete holiday homework

Looking for something to read?

– borrow a book from the Library!

Would you like something relaxing to read while you’re at home, or maybe a book to help with your school work?

Our books and magazines are available for ALL students (Prep to Year Twelve) to borrow, even while we’re working in remote learning.

Although you are not able to come into the Library at the moment, you are able to search for books using the online catalogue. Instructions for this are included below:

From the Library MRS BERNADETTE QUINN, MS SUZIE QUARTERMAIN & MRS DIANNE HIGGINSON

Accessing the Library catalogue from home Students are able to browse the Library catalogue and select items for borrowing. They can do this using their laptops or home computers. Please feel free to contact the Library for help at any stage.

You can access the Library system (Oliver) through the school website.

1. Go to the Cathedral College website (www.cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au) 2. Select Library Catalogue under the College Life tab

3. You can search from here. Take your time to explore the resources that are available for you to borrow.

 When choosing your book from here, there are a few things to keep in mind: A book with an orange/yellow tick on the cover is best suited for students in the Junior School We only recommend books with the orange/yellow tick for Prep-Year Three students A book with a green tick on the cover is usually more suitable for Middle or Senior School students.

Books showing a red cross on the cover are not available at the moment. Please choose something else.

4. When you have chosen the books you would like to borrow, please email your list to us at the Library (library@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au). Please remember to include your name and class in your emails.

2. We will contact you to organize the collection of the books you have selected.

3. If you would like help using the catalogue to find your books, please contact us at the Library (library@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au). We’re happy to help 😊

Careers MR ROD DUNBAR

VTAC Applications Students in Year Twelve interested in attending university should be completing their VTAC applications. They have until September 30 to complete their application, without incurring a late fee. The closing date for SEAS and Scholarships is October 8.

RSA & Food Handling Courses These sessions have been successfully rescheduled to September 28 & 29. These will be online presentations and students will be completing their courses over two half-day sessions.

Local Gap Year Jobs This is the time of year when many local employers cast their net looking for school-leavers to take on one-year positions. These often include a qualification, too, as part of a traineeship. Students are encouraged to keep checking their emails for these opportunities. We have already had positions announced by Northeast Health Wangaratta, GOTAFE as well as some local retailers.

CSU Partnership Cathedral College has recently formed an official partnership with Charles Sturt University. We will continue our close relationship with this university (and others) and in most ways, things will not look any different. However, CSU are now also providing some scholarships for our students as a part of this partnership.

CSU Parent (& Student) Information Sessions Due to COVID-19, this session will be online on September 21 from 6:30 pm. CSU promise to make it as interactive and fun as possible to make sure everyone has their questions answered and are not bored by yet another zoom! Students or parents can pick from one of three faculty sessions, and one of four specialist sessions from UAC info session, early entry and Charles Sturt Advantage, accommodation, and cost of university and scholarships.

If parents or students are interested you can register here: https://study.csu.edu.au/life/events/parents

From the Uniform Shop STEPHANIE GOODGER, HEATHER POTTER & SIGRID COLLINS

Summer Uniform Transition into Summer uniform begins from the first day back of Term Four. Students are able to wear either the correct Summer uniform or the correct Winter uniform (without a blazer) depending on the weather. Full Summer uniform must be worn from Week three, Term Four (October 18, 2021).

Appointments are available during the school holidays 8 am - 2 pm on each of the below dates.

Wednesday, September 29 Friday, October 1 Saturday, October 2.

Details can be found on the Noone Imagewear website.

We return to normal trading hours (4 days a week) from Term Four.

Please do not leave it until the last minute to try on the uniforms. Due to COVID regulations, students MUST have an appointment if they are trying on ANY part of the uniform. Also, consider going through your outgrown items, they can be sold through the shop, please ensure that they are clean, have at least 50% wear remaining and have no holes or repairs. Please do not dry clean your blazers. Sales of your secondhand items can be deducted from your school fees or paid directly into your chosen bank account.

See you all soon.

From Performing Arts MR BEN HEDDERMAN

Productions The casts of both the Junior and Senior school productions have been rehearsing diligently over this term and are on track to stage two excellent shows. I would like to thank the casts, Mr Woods, Ms Edmond and Ms Gratton for their efforts in holding rehearsals whilst in remote learning. Due to COVID regulations, we must wait until much closer to the performance dates before we can release tickets for sale, as the permitted audience number in the WPAC alters in line with Government updates to guidelines.

Instrumental Music A huge thanks to our tutors and the students for their efforts in returning to online lessons, it is certainly no easy feat. This year AMEB instrument exams are again online, with many of our students undertaking them from early Term Four. I wish these students all the best in their preparations over the holidays.

National Youth Science Forum WRITTEN BY SARAH FARLEY AND ALICE KJAR The National Youth Science Forum is a 10-day STEM program in January 2022 for Year Twelve students across Australia. It involves lectures from some amazing scientists and people working in STEM, opportunities to explore career pathways, tours of some of Melbourne's best STEM facilities, collaborative workshops, and a range of networking and social activities. The first five days will be run online, then we’ll get a chance to meet our fellow NYSF scholars in person in the second week, and the last two days will be back online to wrap up the program.

Alice and Sarah have recently been successful in their applications to take part in the program.

Alice Kjar I first heard of the NYSF from a past participant of the program who suggested I apply. They said that their experience was really valuable and they had a great time. I decided to apply because I am trying to take as many opportunities as I can this year to explore possible postschool options. I hope to gain some insight into the wide variety of fields that fall under the scope of Mathematics, and discover what pathways lead there. I hope that we will be able to attend part of it in person and get to really experience what it is like to work in STEM.

Sarah Farley I applied for the NYSF because I wanted to expand my awareness of different scientific fields whilst also deepening my knowledge of ecology and environmental science. I’d also like to be able to meet people my age from all over Australia who have similar interests. I heard of the NYSF from Mrs Findlay and Mrs Synnot at my subject selection interviews for Year Eleven, and both said that I should apply as it could provide insight into what I’m interested in, and would be a really good experience to attend.

Well done Sarah and Alice, what a wonderful achievement and we are looking forward to hearing about your experience in Term One 2022.

Photo Gallery REMOTE LEARNING AND SPRING-TIME ART

Photo Gallery R U OK? DAY

Photo Gallery FOOTY COLOURS DAY

Please see here for the full gallery of Footy Colours Day photos

Photo Gallery PET PHOTO COMPETITION

Please see here for the full gallery of Pet Competition entry photos

Photo Gallery 100 DAYS OF PREP

Community Connect

Woolworths Cricket Blast!

City Colts Cricket Club will be running a 'Woolworths Blaster Cricket' program for season 2021/22.

Junior Blasters is for those junior cricketers who are either just starting out or have done only a season or two. As a guide, Junior Blasters is suited to Preps – Grade 2. It is a fun session where everyone learns the skills of cricket and plays plenty of games.

Master Blasters is more game-based and is for children who have played cricket for a couple of seasons but are not quite ready for underage junior competition.

Both sessions are run on a Friday night from 5.30 pm at the Bill O’Callaghan Oval (Barr Reserve) under the direction of a Level 1 accredited coach. The first session will be on Friday 22nd October.

Register via Playcricket.com.au, enter Wangaratta as location and select City Colts as the centre, or for more information please contact: Ross Moore 0409 186 640 or rmmoore@esc.net.au

Dates, Events, and Reminders Term Three 2021 finishes on Friday, September 17 at 2:15 pm

Term Four Important Dates - Weeks One - Three Monday, October 4

Staff Professional Development Day (Student Free Day)

Tuesday, October 5

~ Students Commence Term Four ~ VCE GAT

Wednesday, October 6 - Friday, October 8

Year Five Swimming Program

Monday, October 11 - Tuesday, October 12

Year Six to Ten Parent Teacher Interviews

Monday, October 11 Wednesday, October 13

Senior School Production

Monday, October 11 - Friday, October 15

Year Three & Four Swimming Program

Thursday, October 14 - Friday October 15

Year Two Camp to Harrietville

Thursday, October 14

Year Seven Immunisations

Monday, October 18 - Thursday, October 21

Year One & Two Swimming Program

Wednesday, October 20

Final Day for Year Twelve students and Graduation Dinner

Friday, October 22

Junior School Athletics

**Please Note: Due to current restrictions some events may be postponed, cancelled or moved to an online setting**