CCW Newsletter Issue #1 (February 5, 2021)

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CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA Fortnightly Newsletter

In this edition.....

Principal Commissioning Staying Connected Coffee and Catch Up Heads of School Reports House Swimming House Captains 2021 Chaplain's Chat 'The Big Picnic' Dates and Reminders

Principal Commissioning As last years commissioning of Principal Nick Jones was postponed, we are delighted (and hopeful) to proceed with the Principal’s Commissioning on March 22, 2021. Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions in relation to density limits, only a small number of parents will be able to attend. Should you wish to attend, please contact Catherine Johanssen or email her at cjohansen@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au

Staying Connected HOW DO I KEEP INFORMED? College Newsletter This is issued every second Friday. It is a comprehensive summary of past and future happenings at the College and a must-read to keep abreast of what is happening at The College.

The College App The App is the best way to stay informed and includes a range of functions/information including a calendar of events, links to the College Newsletter and the ability to notify the school of an absence.

This can be accessed by searching Cathedral College Wangaratta on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Facebook – Official College Page Created to provide an online community for Cathedral College Wangaratta and persons interested in daily life at The College. https://www.facebook.com/cathedralcollegewangaratta Facebook – Parent Page The purpose of this page is for connection, rather than business advertising and personal promotion. Please join in discussions and connect with each other as a group, respecting the underpinning school values of belonging. https://www.facebook.com/groups/780919488605637/ Facebook – Old Collegians Page Cathedral College Wangaratta Old Collegians Association (CCWOCAS). A great way for past students and families to stay connected to The College. https://www.facebook.com/ccwocas/ College Website https://cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au/mainpage/ Social Media Expectations The Cathedral College Wangaratta Facebook Page outlines our expectations regarding Social Media interactions. Although it relates specifically to the College page, it is hoped that this extends to all social media technologies and platforms. Teaching our young people about their digital footprint and the promotion of positive communication is at the fore of Cathedral College Wangaratta’s teaching programs in ICT subjects. We suggest: “All members of the Cathedral College Wangaratta online community are expected to uphold the values of the school in all Social Media interactions. Social Media should not be used to insult, present offensive or inappropriate content, or to misrepresent the school or any member of the school community. We ask users and visitors to our page to respect the views of others, and be mindful that this page is accessed by minors; it is expected Cathedral College Wangaratta staff, students and parents use Social Media in a respectful and responsible manner”

Staying Connected HOW DO I KEEP INFORMED? OTHER INFORMATION RollCall – Bus Travellers The RollCall bus tracking software program creates a safer, more secure way for student travel.

RollCall provides teachers and parents with real-time information about the student’s in-transit and arrival for their daily travel. RollCall captures student movements in real-time. Students check on and off the bus by touching their NFC Fob to a device located on the bus. This information can then be viewed by parents on their personal computers or mobile device, providing them with the current location of the bus, and the time their child boards and exits the bus.

On the first day of the school year, each student travelling on a school bus will be designated a fob and lanyard for the shuttle bus they will be allocated to travel on over to the Wangaratta High School to get onto their connecting regional government bus. Students will be required to swipe these fobs when boarding buses at Cathedral College. As per the Conditions of Travel signed by all bus travellers, students must only travel on the shuttle bus service allocated to them, to and from their approved bus stop only.

There is currently no scope to change to another bus on the school bus system. If there is a change in address or situation, you must let the school know. If you lose your fob and lanyard you may purchase a new one at the cost of $10.00 by contacting Ms Peta Cooke. Upon enrolment parents will be sent a Welcome letter from RollCall inviting parents to install the app onto their mobile device. Further information on RollCall can be found on the following link http://bit.ly/RollCall_How_it_works Ordering from the Canteen The School Canteen will be open at both recess and lunchtime Monday to Friday for students to access healthy meals at affordable prices. A variety of hot and cold foods and drinks can be purchased.

To ensure the canteen continues in line with COVID-19 restrictions, we encourage parents to continue utilising H&H Canteens' online ordering service; https://quickcliq.com.au/ *Please ensure orders are made prior to 9:00 am There are different ordering options for each year level.

Prep to Year Five Students Lunch orders are to be written on a brown paper bag with name, classroom and correct money secured inside. These are to be placed in the basket provided in the classroom. The orders are then delivered to the canteen by the classroom monitors by 9:00 am.

Once the orders have been prepared, the Prep to Year Five classroom monitors will collect the baskets at recess/lunch from the canteen and their teacher will distribute the orders. The Prep to Year Five students' are not permitted to purchase items directly from the canteen. This not only ensures their safety in a busy area but also so parents are able to gauge what their child/ren are eating.

Year Six to Twelve Students Pre-orders are to be dropped off directly to the canteen. * All orders must be placed before 9:00 am.

Year Six to Twelve students will need to collect their orders directly from the canteen. The canteen is operational during recess (11:10 am) and lunch (1:00 pm).

Coffee and Catch Up Members of our regional communities are warmly invited by Principal Nick Jones to join him and staff for coffee and a ‘chat’. Our new Deputy Principal, Ms Anne Harris will be joining Nick and it will be a wonderful opportunity to meet Anne and welcome her to The College.

These informal gatherings are open to our current College community as well as new families wishing to gain an insight into our school.

To Register, click on these links. Places are limited.

Wangaratta https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coffee-and-catch-up-wangaratta-tickets-139566740879 Beechworth https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coffee-and-catch-up-beechworth-tickets-139567111989 Benalla https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coffee-and-catch-up-benalla-tickets-139567294535 Yarrawonga https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coffee-and-catch-up-yarrawonga-tickets-139567649597 Bright https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coffee-and-catch-up-bright-tickets-139567984599 Rutherglen https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/coffee-and-catch-up-rutherglen-tickets-139568321607

From the Principal MR NICK JONES

Cathedral College has enjoyed a fantastic start to the school year. There has been a genuine buzz around the campus as staff and students become familiar again with the rhythm of the school day.

Our core business at The College is quality teaching and learning and I have been very pleased with the way our students have returned to the classroom, from our youngest Prep students right through to our VCE students. A big thank you to parents and caregivers for ensuring students have presented so well to school.

Our theme for the 2021 school year is ‘Learning and Dancing in the rain’. As I explained to students and staff at our first whole school assembly, 2020 was a very difficult year for everybody and we all experienced a sense of just trying to keep our heads above water. Although we are still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of us at Cathedral College are committed to moving from a surviving mindset to a thriving mindset. This means that we are focussed on doing our very best each day, learning well and making the most of all the fantastic opportunities that are presented to us.

“Life isn’t about sheltering from the storm; it’s about learning to dance in the rain” Sherrilyn Kenyon COVID-19 Protocols Following the recent case of community transmission in Melbourne, students from twelve years of age and staff are again required to wear facemasks when indoors. Students will be required to bring facemasks with them from today and wear them at all times in the classroom and on the bus.

We continue to remind students about the need to remain socially distant where possible and to ensure that all health protocols are being followed.

It is great to be able to welcome parents and community members back onto the school campus and we thank everyone for following the required health protocols while on school grounds.

We understand that restrictions and protocols can change quickly, and I encourage you to stay updated with our school communications.

School Events Students are keenly looking forward to our Swimming Sports Carnivals next week. Parents, family and friends are encouraged to attend these events at the new outdoor swimming pool at the Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre. Please see our recent communications for further details.

I am looking forward to attending the upcoming Coffee and Catch Up sessions at our regional towns over the coming weeks (see above for times and locations). This is a great opportunity to chat with you in a casual setting and to hear your ideas and views about our great school. Our new Deputy Principal, Anne Harris, will also be joining me to meet with parents and the wider Cathedral College community.

Have a fantastic weekend.

From the Head of Junior School MR GREG NEWBOLD After one of the most the most unusual and challenging years in memory, as a school we were quite unsure as to how all of our students would commence 2021. Most pleasingly, a sense of composure, controlled excitement and happiness were clearly displayed on the first day. The new students mingled seamlessly into the mass of students returning, teachers were present to meet and greet students and parents, who in turn could happily enter the grounds, and allow their children to find their own way to class or bid them farewell from the front gate. Junior School assembly first-up enabled us to welcome our family community, introduce the staff and set the scene for a successful first day, first week and first term.

A sense of calm enveloped the Junior School!

Monday of the second week saw the 2021 Prep classes have their first day. After a little unhitching for some, the students settled remarkably quickly and transformed into school children. School is tiring, more tiring than daycare or kinder, as there are many more structures and routines to understand, extra distractions, a new, shiny playground and unfamiliar faces to meet. All in all, it can be quite overwhelming and exhausting. But full credit to our youngest people, they have made a brilliant start to their long school journey. I wonder what 2033 will look like when they graduate!

Teaching is a wonderful profession, littered with constant and immediate feedback, and offering joy, surprise and challenge on a daily basis. Learning is a marathon, patience is a given, and respect and friendliness a necessity. We look forward to sharing the 2021 journey of each child, walking with and beside them as they navigate their way through the diverse opportunities and offerings that school life produces.

Thank you to the very many families who were able to attend the Welcome Night, and I look forward to catching up with our community at the House Swimming, Friday, February 12 and the P&F Big Picnic on Thursday, February 25.

Photo Gallery PREPS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Photo Gallery PREPS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

From the Head of Middle School MRS BRIGID PERKINS The start of a new academic year is always a lovely time in a school. There is so much excitement and energy exhibited, after a long and restful summer break. Students are eager to learn who their new teachers are and what they will be studying in each subject area. This energy has been very obvious in Cathedral’s Middle School as we welcomed our new Year Six students who have moved over from the Junior School, our new Year Seven cohort who has many new faces joining us from a range of different primary schools and our experienced Year Eight students who have moved into the role models for our community. As a whole, we have started really well and there have been so many positive interactions between students, students and staff, and staff and parents. As always, this regular and pro-active communication is vital in building solid foundations for positive relationships to be built, that fosters the learning of our students.

Thank you to the many parents that attended our Welcome Evening this week. It was wonderful to meet our many new families but also to reconnect with our existing families who we haven’t been able to meet with on a face-to-face level due to an interrupted 2020. It was a very valuable process to touch base at the start of this academic year and have a casual conversation about what we aim to achieve in the Middle School but also to speak specifically to the individual needs of some students.

A new school year can be challenging for some students, as they find the pace and the many new experiences quite overwhelming. This is very normal. It does take time for our young students to get their heads around all of their different classes, teachers’ names, locker codes, House activities, new elective classes and using their diaries. Middle School is all about learning how to become more organised, balance the routines of life inside and outside the classroom and navigate through all of the information. There are many staff members that your child will work with over the next few years and we are all aiming to make sure they feel happy and safe at school. For most, this doesn’t happen straight away and does take a few weeks, even months, to truly settle in and feel comfortable in their new environment.

We have a busy term ahead with lots of exciting extra-curricular activities on the agenda. Please be aware that the Middle School Swimming Carnival is being held next week and our Year Seven cohort head off to Howman’s Gap for their first camp which focuses on assisting their transition into Cathedral College in Week Four. Additionally, we held our first session of Community Time this week which is a new designated time that all Middle School students will be involved in. During Community Time students will be given the choice on what they would like to be learning about whilst also interacting with students across each year level and not just their own. The purpose of Community Time will be to build new skills and passion in a range of different areas, but also to incorporate a growing awareness of their own sense of self and their role as active citizens in our community. Ultimately, our Community Time aims to build on the connected culture in the Middle School and I am very excited to witness the growth that will occur over the course of the year.

Photo Gallery FIRST DAY OF TERM ONE

Photo Gallery P&F PARENT WELCOME MORNIG TEA

From the Head of Senior School MS ANNE HARRIS Welcome, Ms Harris!

Cathedral College Wangaratta is delighted to welcome Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School, Ms Anne Harris. Anne is an experienced and innovative educator with a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years.

After completing her Teaching Degree, Anne taught in Karratha, WA, before moving back to teach in Perth. Anne has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Education Leadership and a Master of Education (Research). At her most recent school, Anne was the Deputy Principal of Teaching and Learning for eleven years. Her vast experience and breadth of responsibilities have made for a smooth transition to The College.

Anne enjoys new challenges and explains that this was part of why she chose to make the move East. She explains, ‘My previous school is part of the Anglican Schools Commission, so I was aware of the great work that Cathedral College was doing. From afar I have watched the College grow and evolve. I enjoy taking new opportunities and the timing felt right’.

Anne emphasises the importance of student wellbeing and believes that physically and emotionally healthy young people engage with learning and other opportunities. In The College’s first whole school assembly, Anne spoke to the students about taking risks, of challenging themselves, and, by using the analogy of a hermit crab, ‘coming out of the shelter of their shell’.

She believes strongly in students feeling safe in their environment to not only learn effectively but to take risks and step out of their comfort zone.

One of Anne’s favourite quotes is “If it is to be, it is up to me”. She explains “I really believe that students should feel that they have ownership of their learning and the choices that they make.

They should identify and celebrate their individual strengths and passions. I feel I am aligned with Cathedral’s emphasis on providing a holistic education, where our graduates are prepared for a rapidly changing world”.

Anne is enjoying all the North-East has to offer. A keen kayaker, she has joined the Yarrawonga Canoe Club. She also enjoys photography, camping and anything outdoors.

The College is delighted to welcome Anne. We wish her all the best in her new role and know that she will be an integral part of our school and our student’s success.

Anne looks forward to joining Principal Nick Jones on his regional tour of local communities to meet with current and prospective parents.

From the Director of Studies MRS JULIE FINDLAY

Welcome back to a new year at CCW. It is wonderful to see staff and students return to school and quickly settle into the routine of learning.

Before school started teachers gathered to learn for two days as part of our professional learning program. The key focus for staff this year is “What does good teaching, and learning look like?”

When teachers learn, just like students, they enjoy the opportunity to share their understanding, discuss the latest research, enjoy completing hands-on activities and, are challenged to think about what they would like to do better. This year we are fortunate enough to have staff development days at the start of each term so that staff can try new strategies during each term and then reflect and share with other colleagues in these days. Later this term, on February 26 we will also join with other ASC schools to share our learning with teachers at the schools in Cobram and Trinity.

The focus of our discussions this year is based on the research of many leading educators, one of which is John Hattie of Melbourne University. 'How we can have the most impact on students learning' will be a cornerstone of our discussions throughout the year. We also hope to open up this discussion to students and parents later in the year and gain their feedback. Gaining the feedback of other members of the school community is invaluable in affirming what you believe but also helping us to gauge areas of improvement.

We believe this focus of learning for staff and students comes at a timing point in the school history, as we reach full capacity and we have developed a broad offering of subjects in our curriculum. Of course, COVID has also prompted us all to rethink what is possible and what may be possible in the future. We also advocate for life-long learning in our students and it is hoped we live this philosophy in our actions.

New Staff Principal Nick Jones and Director of Studies Mrs Julie Findlay have enjoyed inducting and getting to know new members of staff. New staff bring new ideas and energy to The College. This year, we warmly welcome (from left to right).

Nick Jones (Principal), Ms Kate Gratton (Secondary Humanities/Business), Kerrie Humphreys (Teaching Assistant and Laboratory Technician), Fiona Newton (Art and Teacher Assistant), Nicole Smith (GAP Year student), Elizabeth Fuhrmeister (Junior School Teacher), James Carmichael (GAP Year student), Susan Xiong (Maths and Science – Secondary) Tamsin Curran (Teacher Assistant – Middle and Senior School), Emily Quirk (GAP Year student), Julie Findlay (Director of Studies) Anne Harris (Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School), Paige Perkins (Teacher Assistant Junior School).

Unavailable for the photo (left to right) Ingrid Barlagen (Indonesian teacher), Emily Naish (Learning enhancement - Junior School) Kyran Hagens (GAP year)

Chaplains' Chat "Asking for Help" “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”

Psalm 46:1

Are you afraid to ask for help? Do you think it’s a sign of weakness to need help? Did you know that asking for help is a gift? Those who have the grace to ask for help have been given a special gift by God. They’ve learned that they weren’t made to do it alone. They have learned to be more Christlike. Jesus never did it alone. He was always getting advice from God the Father. He also had his disciples who he sent out to proclaim the Good News, the Gospel. So don’t ever think asking for help is a weakness. It’s the way God planned it.

Rev’d David Jones Chaplain A School Prayer My school is made up of people like me, we make it what it is; It will be friendly – if I am friendly.

It will be a happy place – if I am a happy person.

It will accomplish much – if I work hard.

It will give much to others – if I am a generous giver.

It will be a place of loyalty, truth, trust, co-operation and love - if I show these qualities.

Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all these things which I want my school to be.

This prayer we offer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Wellbeing Starting Year Seven poses many new challenges, but also offers exciting opportunities. It comes with a number of mixed feelings. Unfortunately for many Year Six students, 2020 was marred with school closures and remote learning due to the pandemic and the overall impact of this is still unknown.

For many students regular orientation activities at the end of 2020 were less than ideal. Therefore, many students may be feeling a little bit more anxious than usual about their expectations of starting Year 7. Grasping new skills and establishing new study practices can quickly become daunting and overwhelming.

During this time of transition, parents and carers need to be supportive, but also realistic in their expectations. This is an important milestone in your child’s life. There will be feelings of exhilaration, but also the fear of the unknown. Therefore it will be important for parents and carers to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s mood and mental health during this time. They could easily become overly anxious or even depressed. Please contact your child's homeroom teacher is you have any concerns.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg at School TV has a special report with a number of strategies offered to support this transition period. https://cathedralcollege.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions Best wishes for a great year.

June Stamp College Counsellor

Our Wellbeing team

Ms June Stamp, College Counsellor; Rev David Jones, Senior School Chaplain; Mrs Cathy Carden, Junior School Chaplain

From Administration BUS TRAVELLERS The Education Department and the Department of Transport continue to work closely with DHHS and transport operators to implement measures to limit the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) so that students can feel confident travelling on school transport.

Transport operators will continue enhanced cleaning across all services to ensure that high-touch surfaces such as handrails and seating areas are regularly disinfected.

Physical distancing is to be maintained for adult bus staff (driver and other attendants) where practical. Physical distancing should be exercised by parents and school staff at bus stops, interchanges and school bus loading areas.

Students should: not use transport if unwell practise hand hygiene before and after using transport (prior to leaving home and at the end of the school day) practise physical distancing at bus stops, train stations and interchange locations for other shared transport services where practical.

Students 12 years and older must wear face masks whilst travelling. Where possible, siblings should be seated together. Bus staff will not monitor the wearing of face masks or bus seating plans but are encouraged to discuss these arrangements with schools if needed.

Peta Cooke Bus Coordinator

ASPIRE 2020 – YEARBOOK If your child didn’t receive a Yearbook at the end of 2020 or should you wish to take another one for your family, please ask at reception.

STUDENT DROP OFF & CAR PARKING Would all parents please note that the approved student drop-off point is at the front of the school and not the rear car park adjacent to the stadium. Cars moving through the stadium car park are creating a danger to pedestrians who have parked appropriately and are moving into the school.

Students who are driving are asked to park at the front of the school on the gravel car park adjacent to the main parents’ car park.

Please note that the speed limit in all car parks is 10 kph because it is a shared area with pedestrians.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ian Collins Business Manager

Sports Student Achievements Over the holidays two students from Twelve Murdoch had success in their chosen sports.

Zali Peebles had been selected in the Australian Junior Barefoot Waterski team to compete in April 2020. The event was run in December with a video of each of her runs sent to a central international judging panel. As a result, she achieved personal best scores on some sections and came second overall in the Junior World barefoot event. A terrific achievement!

Maddy Mailer competed last weekend in the Victorian Country Long Course Championships in Warragul. She competed in 5 events over two days, finishing in the top six in all events and winning a Bronze medal in each of the 200m Individual Medley and the 100m Butterfly. This was all on the back of a disrupted preparation and over 6 months of no training due to the pandemic over the winter. Another terrific achievement!

From the Uniform Shop The Term One opening hours of the Uniform Shop are: Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8:30 am - 1:45 pm 8:30 am - 1:45 pm 8:30 am - 1:45 pm 8:30 am - 1:45 pm

Please note: If your child needs to try on any part of the uniform, you will need to make an appointment.

Please follow the instructions at https://www.noone.com.au/school/cathedralcollege/stores Orders can also be made via the Noone Website for collection at your convenience.

Stephanie, Heather and Sigrid.

House Captains 2021

Careers VTAC offers Congratulations to the forty-nine 2020 graduates who have (thus far) received an offer of a university placement for this year (of the fifty-eight who applied). Many of these offers were the students' first preference, which is excellent news. There may yet be a few more offers in the upcoming rounds. Some students also received offers interstate and several graduates have transitioned into apprenticeships or other full-time employment. We wish them every success in their new endeavours.

CSU Visit Representatives from Charles Sturt University will be visiting on Tuesday, February 9 to discuss study and life at CSU (and universities in general), either in Albury or elsewhere. Students in Years Eleven & Twelve are invited to attend this session, which will be during lunch in the VCE Centre. We aim to have other universities/organisations visit at various times during the year.

CCW Careers Website In case you were not aware, the school hosts a comprehensive careers website with a cornucopia of resources. Check it out at https://www.cathedralcollegecareers.com.au/ Please feel free to contact me for any careers-related matter via rdunbar@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) So far this year we have signed up seventeen senior students on a SBAT. This involves them connecting with the workplace one day a week, whilst still completing their school program.

Some of the areas of engagement are Building/Construction, Plumbing, Electrical, Agriculture and Aged Care. If you have a business (or know of someone) and are looking or willing to take on a young trainee one day per week, please get in touch and we will see if we have any likely candidates. There are still a few students looking to find a suitable employer.

CCW Parents & Friends Committee The next P & F meeting will be on Tuesday, February 9 at 6:30 pm in the CCW staff room.

Dates/Events and Reminders Term One 2021 Junior School

Senior School

Week Three (Week A)

Week Three (Week A)

Monday, February 8 Year Three and Four Swimming Program

Wednesday, February 10 Senior School Swimming Carnival

Tuesday, February 9 Year Three and Four Swimming Program

Week Four (Week B)

Wednesday, February 10 Year Three and Four Swimming Program Chapel School free day for Prep students Thursday, February 11 Year Three and Four Swimming Program Friday, February 12 Junior School Swimming Carnival Week Four (Week B) Tuesday, February 16 Year One and Two Swimming Program Wednesday, February 17 School free day for Prep students Year One and Two Swimming Program Sub-School House Assembly Thursday, February 18 Year One and Two Swimming Program Friday, February 19 Year One and Two Swimming Program

Middle School Week Three (Week A)

Monday, February 8 Year Seven Outdoor Education Windsurfing Tuesday, February 9 Year Seven Outdoor Education Windsurfing Wednesday, February 10 Chapel Thursday, February 11 Middle School Swimming Carnival

Week Four (Week B) Wednesday, February 17 Year Seven Camp departs to return on Friday

Monday, February 15 Year Eleven Outdoor Education Canoe Trip departs to return on Wednesday Wednesday, February 17 Sub-School House Assembly