Fortnightly Newsletter - Friday November 27, 2020

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CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA Fortnightly Newsletter

In this edition.....

Heads of School Reports Social Enterprise Market Year Three-Five Production Filming Lunch time fun and Junior School Christmas art

From the Principal MR NICK JONES We are nearing the end of a busy final term. I again thank you for your continued support as we now turn to navigating the easing of restrictions, rather than their implementation. This is a great position to be in!

We have received the latest School Operations Guide that outlines significant changes in relation to operational matters for the remainder of Term Four. One of the implications of this is that we are now able to have limited numbers of parents, guardians and other visitors on-site. This is wonderful news; however, restrictions still apply and we encourage parents to continue using our current protocols for dropping off and picking up students for the remainder of this term.

In light of this, there are some changes to planned events.

This is a busy and exciting time of year and we are pleased to be able to finish the year in a way that is reminiscent of years past, albeit if it still a little different.

School Uniform Please be assured that our primary focus at Cathedral College Wangaratta is teaching and learning.

However, this policy, as well as the various policies that are in place are implemented to ensure consistency and unity across our school.

I have said before that our uniform is one of the smartest and most striking that I have seen and starting the 2021 academic year I hope to see all or students wearing correct uniform.

I sincerely thank the students who day in day out continue to wear their school uniform correctly with pride.

In preparation for 2021, please take time to refamiliarise yourself with our current uniform guide.

Uniform Guide

Uniform Policy

It may be that dresses may need taking up or down, blazers ordered and new shoes purchased. Please note that if you are buying new shoes, please make sure they are the right ones, black sneakers are not appropriate. Our uniform items, including shoes, are a significant financial investment so please ensure you purchase the correct items.

Our friendly uniform shop staff Stephanie, Heather and Sigrid are more than happy to answer any questions you have regarding uniform.

Year Nine Social Enterprise Congratulations to all involved in the pop-up markets run by our Year Nine Social Enterprise students. The buzz over the last couple of days has been wonderful. Our Social Enterprise program is an incredible initiative in so many ways. Thank you also to Mr. Matt Henderson and all of the teachers who have supported our Year Nine students.

A word on masks I sincerely thank student in Years Six to Twelve for following the guidelines in relation to wearing masks. It is hard to remember sometimes when we continually take them off and on. We need to continue to follow government directive, which is that masks still need to worn indoors.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. It is going to be a hot one!

All the best.

From the Head of Junior School MR GREG NEWBOLD We look forward to some significant events on our yearly calendar that are each a cause for celebration, adventure and reflection.

‘The Macks’, this year’s Junior School production is ready to be filmed. In a normal year, the students will have performed excitedly, with some trepidation, on the WPAC stage to a full, gleeful audience. Not in 2020, but nonetheless the theatrical opportunity will still be experienced by each class in Years Three to Five. ‘The Macks’ is an awards-type presentation to commemorate the trials and tribulations of a COVID school year. It will be released to family ‘cinemas’ soon.

One more weekend is all that is required to wait before our Year Three adventurers depart for Camp Jungai. Next Monday a coach load of enthusiastic young adventurers enters the Alexandra region in NE Victoria to climb, canoe, hike, create, socialise, dance and, accept and overcome challenges across three days. Postponed from Term Two, we are delighted that, just like the Year One sleepover, another planned event in our Junior School camps program could go ahead in its normal prescribed way. I am sure there will be many tall tales to share and a bevy of photos to peruse.

And finally, Year Five students are ready for their important Junior School Graduation dinner. This important rite-of-passage event will take place on Tuesday December 1. The first COVID graduation dinner in history will be marked. The Science Quadrangle will be the venue for an etiquette dinner for students and staff to share and break ‘bread’ before families are able to attend the formal presentation element of the evening. All Year Five students receive graduation certificates to commemorate their Junior School journey in front of a permitted 300-strong registered crowd for an outside event. A little bit different no doubt, but definitely worthwhile and of great significance.

Once again, I thank our community for the spirit of acknowledgement and grace they have accepted the variation of events that have occurred throughout the school year. We have just on three weeks to complete and undoubtedly our young people (and older) are demonstrating signs of fatigue. Term Four is normally a tiring one, following the cumulative effect of a busy school calendar. However, in this case normal reserves of stamina to concentrate and show resilience have not been built up due to the two large phases of remote learning.

Therefore, to complete the year with enough energy, plenty of opportunities for relaxation and refreshment are taken. May I suggest; sleep, walks, bike rides, board games, quiet reading, construction like Lego, ‘nanny naps’, art & craft, meditation or mindfulness colouring, and time for just doing ‘nothing’.

These ideas may be tonic for the soul and replenish the batteries to get all of us through the final few weeks.

Photo Gallery

Year Three-Five Production Filming

Photo Gallery

Lunchtime fun & Junior School Christmas Art

Photo Gallery

Year Five Warby Walk & Mural painting

From the Head of Middle School MRS BRIGID PERKINS This week we were able to join as full year levels, which allowed us to run our first Year Level Assemblies since Term One. Although only a simple and some-what regular school activity, it was an exciting change and a lovely experience to gather together to share stories, achievements and appreciate individual skills and talents.

Over the last few weeks we have also been able to re-commence some of Outdoor Education excursions which students have enthusiastically attended. The positive reports that have followed in relation to the student’s participation, manners and overall behaviour have proven how rewarding extra-curricular activities and outdoor learning can be.

Additionally, based on new government guidelines we have been able to start planning a Year Seven 2021 Orientation Day, as well as a Whole School Transition Day that will take place in early December. Further information will be provided to students and families in relation to how these days will run at school. They have always been very beneficial days in the past. They allow not only allow for social connections to be formed between students, but also for students to start building positive relationships with the students they will work with. These specific transition days will also aim to provide cohorts with a clear understanding about academic expectations for the year ahead, as well as assist students who are moving into a new sub school area.

Finally, in the last week of Term Four all Middle School year levels will be involved in activity days. Year Level Coordinators are currently finalising plans for these days and information will be sent home in the following weeks. It is always a nice way to finish the year. Year level teams have had to rethink how we coordinate these days this year, as a lot of our usual activities are not opening this season, or they may not be ready to take larger school groups, or they are not considered COVID-safe at this stage. Students will be notified by their Homeroom teachers of what they should wear on their activity days, as well as what they are required to bring to school.

From the Head of Senior School MS LAUREN LEE It has been a busy few weeks in the Senior School. On Tuesday, Year Nine students were involved in a virtual work experience program that was organised by Mr. Graham and Mr. Dunbar. Students were given the chance to select sessions on careers of interest and were able to listen to experts in each field speak about their experiences.

Our Year Nine Social Enterprise students have been working hard this week to finalise their products, ready to be sold to the College Community at the Social Enterprise Market. It has been interesting to see the students develop some outstanding ideas and I would like to congratulate each of the groups who have worked so well together this year to achieve some excellent outcomes. I would also like to thank the staff who have been involved in supporting the students along the way.

Our VCE students have continued to be diligent as they complete their examination periods. Students in Year Eleven have been studying and sitting examinations this week. Many of our Year Twelve students have already finished and I know that they were excited and ready for a rest after an incredibly challenging year. The final examination for Unit Three and Four will be held on Tuesday. We are pleased to be able to hold a Farewell Dinner for the Class of 2020 at Oaks Function Centre on Tuesday night with students and staff in attendance.

Next week marks the beginning of the Head Start period for students undertaking VCE in 2021. On Monday, students will receive a timetable for the fortnight and we will go over the requirements for completing VCE. Students will also have a chance to meet with their teachers and discuss the courses they have chosen for next year. Head Start will conclude on Friday 11th December and this marks the last day for current Year Ten and Eleven students.

As our Year Ten students will be involved in the Head Start program from next week, Mr. Gerrish took the opportunity to gather the students for a year level assembly for the first time since Term One. It was a great chance to get the students together to celebrate the year before they move over to the VCE centre and commence their VCE program next week. A big thank you must go to Gracie Bastin who acted as the MC for the assembly. Several other student representatives shared their thoughts on the year in a unique way. They were asked to describe the year using Rock, Stick, and Leaf. Mr. Gerrish explained the three questions; What rocked this year?

What will you stick with next year?

What will you leaf (leave) behind?

It was really interesting to hear from students. As expected most of the “leafs� went to remote learning or COVID-19.

Our final message for the day was shared by Bella Bridgeman. It summed up the year beautifully so I would like to share it with you here.

Wow, It's safe to say that this year has been nothing short of a roller coaster. The ups and the downs, from face masks to isolation. Remote learning may have even been a blessing in disguise for some of us.

Whatever was thrown at us we were able to adjust and do the best we could despite the challenges we were faced with. Hopefully, all of us are able to take just one thing from this year into next year. Whether that be some more independence from online learning or having a spare hair tie on your wrist because Mr. Gerrish could be walking around the corner.

I read this story a while ago that I’m going to share today that I thought was really motivating especially for us going into VCE as of Monday.

A speaker started off his seminar by showing $20 to the public. He asked the people “who wants this?” There was no surprise to see that all of them lifted their hands. He offered to give the money to one of them but insisted that he will do something to it. He crumpled the paper money and showed it again to the crowd and repeated the question. Still, everyone raised their hands. He then put the money onto the ground and stepped on it and then raised it again and offered it to the public. The people gathered there still showed interest to take that money despite seeing how dirty the note was. He told the public “No matter what I did to this money, you all still wanted this. You all went in favour of my offer just because the value of the money never decreased despite what I did to it” Moral: Similarly, believe in yourself and work hard to achieve success. Value yourself irrespective of the failures or obstacles and don’t degrade yourself just because of the temporary setbacks.

I also wanted to give a big round of applause to the teachers…

Thank you for having faith in us and for doing the best you could despite the circumstances that entailed 2020.

Thank you for putting up with students kicking each other out of the Team's calls. Also, for the muting of the teachers while we all waited to see who would be the first to voice that you were muted.

It’s pretty crazy to think this time in two years we will be sitting Year Twelve exams, some of us may even be finished. There’s no doubt Year Ten to Year Eleven will be quite a big step up. But these last couple of years have shaped us into the students we are going to be as we enter this new chapter in our schooling journey. I wish everyone the best for the coming two years. Whether you're staying at Cathedral or branching off into another pathway.

Bring on 2021.Because as of Monday we are all at the beginning of the end.

Photo Gallery

Global Food Studies Focaccia Art

Photo Gallery Social Enterprise

Photo Gallery

Social Enterprise Markets

NAIDOC Week

Congratulations to the winner of the recent NAIDOC Week colouring in competition that was run by Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA). The students were awarded a range of locally sourced prizes. Well done.

Ada Lashin Emily McLean Stephanie Parsons Maisie Palmer Jack Thomson Jorja Duffy & Jemima Pizzini Edwina Everard To further support VACCA with their efforts in assisting Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander children in their care, click here to view information about their 2020 Christmas Appeal.

From the Director of Studies MRS JULIE FINDLAY Over the last eighteen months the Education Department has consulted with a variety of school leaders, students and staff on a wide variety of issues related to education. Cathedral College Wangaratta was fortunate enough to have three students and staff members involved in this consultation process. One of the outcomes of this review has led to the recent announcement that VCAL will be gradually phased out by 2025.

VCAL, The Victorian Certificate in Applied Learning, was considered by some to provide an alternate pathway for students to complete Year Twelve but could also be perceived as less valuable than VCE. A new specialist VCE program will replace the VCAL program. The new specialised program will allow some students to combine VCE subjects with specialist, applied learning subjects, which would allow interested students to see their learning in action. This would allow greater flexibility in the learning for many students as some may pick academic subjects with an additional vocational pathway and for others a very vocational pathway with the essential academic subjects. For some students a totally academic pathway can still be followed.

This combination of approaches will help schools to cater for more individual pathways for students. This change in the VCAL delivery will not impact VET options offered by Cathedral College at the moment. We hope that it will provide greater opportunities for our students in the future as we learn more about the curriculum offerings being developed.

Chaplains' Chat Cathedral College Prayer God our Father, You are the source of all Wisdom and Truth.

We ask your blessing upon all who teach and all who learn at Cathedral College.

Enlighten us with your Truth, grant us Wisdom in our lives, and enable us to serve one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Dear Father, We pray our school will be filled with love We pray our learning will be full of truth We pray our play will be full of joy We pray our friendships will be full of forgiveness We pray our teachers will be full of wisdom We pray our community will be full of hope May we run with your love Build on your truth Play with your joy Share your forgiveness Rest in your wisdom Every day Amen

Wellbeing White Ribbon Day - Friday, 20 November 2020 Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence program by White Ribbon Australia supports schools like ours to bring about a commitment to stop domestic violence. It builds on existing initiatives to strengthen a culture of respect and equality at all levels of our school community.

The key is; To speak out, to do something and not to be passive bystanders when it comes to making better and safe schools & communities for all of us.

Say “NO” to domestic violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di-CSFwQpu4

Head to Health Head to Health provided by the Australian Department of Health, is a resource to support your wellbeing and mental health. Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations.

Whether you are trying to improve your own sense of wellbeing, looking for help with something that is bothering you, or helping someone you care about—Head to Health is a good place to start. https://headtohealth.gov.au/about-us

Our Wellbeing team

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

From the library

Junior Library: Book borrowing from our Junior School Library has finished for the year. Please remind your students to return their books at their next Library lesson. We have sent reminder notices home with students over the last few days. These reminders are of books that are outstanding loans, and are past their return date. Some of them date back over a significant time. If you are having trouble finding these books, or would like more information about them, please phone Mrs Quinn (57222144), or email the Library at library@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au.

Senior Library: All library books are now overdue, and should be returned to the Library. Middle and Senior school students may borrow for the holidays, but will need to return all books currently on loan beforehand. Many students still have books on loan from the Library since before our remote learning periods. Reminder notices have been emailed to Middle and Senior school students recently, reminding students of books that they have borrowed, that are past their return date. Some of these were due back at the Library weeks, or even months ago. If you are having trouble finding these books, or would like more information about them, please phone Mrs Quinn (57222144), or email the Library at library@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au

From the Uniform Shop Opening Hours - Term Four Due to current restrictions, the uniform shop is operating by appointment only.

Please click on the link to make an appointment:

Uniform appointment link Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday New Students

8.30am - 1.45pm 8.30am - 1.45pm 8.30am – 4.00pm 8.30am – 1.45pm by appointment

The Uniform Shop will close on Friday December 11, unless booked in for an appointment.

2021 Summer School Holidays Opening Times Monday 18th January 8.30am – 1.45pm Wednesday 20th January 8.30am – 4.00pm Thursday 21st January 8.30am – 4.00pm Friday 22nd January 8.30am – 1.45pm Saturday 23rd January 8.30am – 1.45pm Monday 25th January 8.30am – 1.45pm Wednesday 27th January 8.30am – 4.00pm

Careers Job Trainer If you are leaving school or looking for work, JobTrainer could be your opportunity to study free or low-fee courses. You can study for an accredited diploma, certificate, or short course. Learn skills for a range of jobs in demand. Through JobTrainer the Government is offering training to people aged 17-24 or out of work and providing support for businesses to retain their apprentices and trainees.

Find out more here https://yourcareer.gov.au/jobtrainer/ VCE Results Service VCE study scores, ATAR and VTAC Scaled Study Scores will be available to students via the Results and ATAR website and the Results and ATAR app on Wednesday 30 December 2020 at 7.00am. Students will receive a statement of VCE study scores from the VCAA, and those who applied for courses through VTAC this year and have paid their VTAC processing fees, will be sent an ATAR statement in the mail. Students who wish to receive their results online, will need to register at https://resultsandatar.vic.edu.au/results/applicants.htm before results are released. Registrations are already open, and students are encouraged to register soon Year Nine Virtual Work Experience On Tuesday 24 November, all of our Year Nine students attended a morning of virtual work experience Q & A sessions. The sessions were divided into 5 streams; Food and Fibre, Health, STEAM, Essential Services and Trades. Students listened to people engaged in a range of careers within these streams and were able to quiz the presenters on their work-lives. Hopefully this will whet the appetites of our students for their “real-life” work experience in Year Ten. A big thank you to our Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) for setting this up for the local schools.

School careers website Don’t forget that our school runs an expansive and most informative website. You can find it here https://www.cathedralcollegecareers.com.au/ This includes a separate, more detailed careers newsletter, which can be found here https://www.cathedralcollegecareers.com.au/newsletter

Community Connect

Wangaratta Magpies Try out link

Dates/Events and Reminders Term Four Junior School Week Nine

Senior School Week Nine

Monday November 30 Year Three Camp Jungai departs .

Junior School Assembly - Link to the virtual assembly will be emailed.

Monday November 30 Year Eleven & Twelve 2021 Head Start commences For two weeks the Year Eleven and Twelve 2021 cohort will begin their studies and meet their new teachers.

Tuesday December 1 Year Five Graduation at CCW Students arrive at 5:50pm for a staff and student dinner which will commence at 6:00pm. The graduation ceremony will take place following dinner and a virtual link will be available to view this event. Parents can attend the ceremony at 7.00pm.

Tuesday December 1 Year Twelve Dinner Students and Teachers are celebrating the end of exams with a dinner at Oaks Wangaratta.

Wednesday December 2 Chapel Week Ten Tuesday December 8 District Transition Day All students to wear casual sun smart clothing and meet their class and teacher for 2021.

Wednesday December 9 Staff Professional Development day - students are not required at school.

Middle School Week Nine

Tuesday December 8 District Transition Day All students to wear casual sun smart clothing and meet their classes and teachers for 2021 Week Ten Wednesday December 9 Staff Professional Development Day - students are not required at school.

Wednesday December 2 Chapel Thursday December 3 Year Twelve 2021 Outdoor Education Windsurfing Trip Week Ten Tuesday December 8 District Transition Day All students to wear casual sun smart clothing and meet their classes and teachers for 2021.

Wednesday December 9 Staff Professional Development Day Students are not required at school.

Friday December 11 Final Day For Year Ten and Eleven Students