E-Newsletter Term 3 Issue 2

Semester 2 Overview of NAPLAN Results

In this issue:

NAPLAN Results University Early offers Immersion to the Philippines (video)

Student Spotlight and From the Classroom (video)

While it is important to remember that NAPLAN test results are only a snapshot of your child's performance on a test (from back in March), they are most useful for us as a College to inform how we can improve what we do on a whole College level, and at a classroom level to support better learning outcomes for all students

With the NAPLAN 2023 results, we have a lot to celebrate! When compared to the State and National averages, we have experienced growth for all years and across all domains (Reading, Writing, Numeracy, Spelling, and Grammar and Punctuation), and we have now surpassed these averages for many of the tests We also have results that are now comparable to some of the best performing schools in our system - especially Writing, where our Year 7 results were one of the highest in the whole diocese! This success in Writing flows all the way to Year 3 where around 90% of students were in the 'Strong' or 'Exceeding' proficiency levels. Writing is a foundational skill for the rest of a child's school life and beyond, and it is exciting to see such impressive results

As for the other domains, the majority of students from Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 were in the 'Strong' proficiency level, with over 70% being at this level and above for all tests.

We look forward to continuing the upward trend in our NAPLAN results as we strive for academic excellence.

University Early Offers for Year 12s

Early entry schemes are an amazing opportunity for Year 12 students to attain a position in a course, often at a university, prior to sitting their HSC Examinations. Applying for early entry can entail a range of requirements. Portfolio entries require personal statements, videos or interviews discussing interest in a course and demonstrating suitability in addition to reviewing Year 11 and 12 reports. Other programs entail demonstrating leadership skills or dedication to service or community activities. Finally, consideration can focus on achievements in the overall Preliminary Course or results in one or two Preliminary Course subjects related to a particular university course.

It is wonderful that in our inaugural Year 12 cohort 50% of students have received early entry to a variety of 2024 courses Below are the individual offers for Year 12 2023.

Jessica Bollard – UNSW B Aerospace Engineering

Nicole Bugeja – WSU B Construction Honours

Chiara Cauchi – MU B of Arts and B of Education (Primary), WSU B Social Science

Brianna Cignarella – WSU B Psychology

Mia Crescini – WSU Diploma in Business APC

Australian Pacific College Certificate IV Bookkeeping and Accounting (Free, starting 6 Nov)

Chloe Daniel – WSU B Law and Criminology

Parramatta

Hollie Ford – ACU Australian Catholic University B Early Childhood / Primary Education

Elyssia Garde – TUA B UX & Web Design

Kiera Gaul – UON University of Newcastle B Speech Pathology

Charlie Hallal – ACU Exercise and Sports Science and WSU, and Sports Science, UTS B Health

Nicholas Hallal – MU B of Engineering (Honours) specialising in Civil Engineering, UTS B Science majoring in Maths

Hanna Hunte – WSU Diploma in Communication. B of Screen & Media (Arts & Production)

Rudra Hooda – WSU Western Sydney University B Business

Courtney Keating – ACU B Primary and Special Education

Nikisha Kumar – WSU Western Sydney University B Business

Mikayla Muscat – MU B Arts; WSU B Arts; UON – B Arts with Secondary Teaching and Master of Teaching

Pippa Swindail – TUA Torrens University

Australia B Photography

Anthony Theodosiadis – USYD Conservatorium of Music – B Music (Composition)

Chloe Watson – Ettingshausens Pro Elite Full Time Dance Scholarship

Careers Breakfast

Thank you to our presenters who gave their time speaking about their careers to our students.

Pavlo Doroch – Architect

A NSW Registered Architect with Design Practitioner Registration

Works at ADS Architects which he started in 2012.

Toni Clenton – Undergraduate Project Engineer

Manisha Raju – HR Business Partner

Work at Fredon Air NSW that provides construction and engineering opportunities.

Jane Thornley – Nurse Unit Manager at Norwest Private Hospital

2024 IMMERSION TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES

A Catholic Mission Immersion is an educational program designed to provide students the experience of immersing themselves for 8-10 days in a local community and culture, to gain an understanding and appreciation of cultures different from their own, viewed from a faith perspective. The students will spend time ‘being with’ the local people in their daily routines. The experience is designed to ‘be with’ others, listening and learning We do not visit in order to help or ‘do for’ others. The experience is not designed around service work in the community. The actual day-to-day itinerary is developed in partnership with the hosting community. Catholic Mission commits to not over-burden local people with our stay. This is not merely sightseeing or tourism It is an educational, life changing, self-development program founded on Catholic principles

Leaving Period.

What do I need to do if I want to withdraw my child from the school and what fees do I need to pay?

I understand and agree that I must give the school at least ONE School term's written notice of my intention to withdraw my child's enrolment at the school I understand this does not apply if my child s leaving the school because they have completed Year 6 or Year 12 at the school. I understand and agree that I must pay ONE school's term's fees if I do not give the school this written notice at least one school term before my child's withdrawal I understand tat one school term means 10 school weeks

22/09

11/10

05/12

Please note that all of our school policies and procedures may be found on our website, including the Complaint Resolution Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy and Mobile Phone Policy.

PET BLESSING

Where: OLA church, Near St Francis Statue (in front of school office)

When: Wednesday, 4th October

PARISH CULTURAL NIGHT

Join in a wonderful evening to experience the Spanish culture within our Parish. The night will be filled with singing, dancing, food and fellowship.

Cost is $10 per person. (Children under 12 are free).

WHEN: From 6:30 pm on Saturday, 7 October to

Please RSVP via email to the Parish Office.

OLA ADVENT RETREAT

Save the date for the Advent Retreat to prepare for the coming of Jesus!

Saturday 25 November 2023

Student Spotlight NAPLAN Results

Parent Resources

In partnership with our parents who are the primary educators of their child, we want to see all students grow and become the best versions of themselves

“GRADES DO NOT DEFINE MY WORTH”

- A note of advice for Students and Parents

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For the benefit of our families, our school is subscribed to Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families School Membership. The membership offers:

monthly live webinars with Justin & quick tip videos weekly inspirational emails video library which is the full back catalogue of all of Justin's parenting webinars (such as Little People, Big Feelings, Helping your Child Manage Anxiety, Building Resilience and many many more)

All of these resources are based on positive psychology methodologies to support children and get them to thrive If you are yet to sign up, please do so here https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/sophia Password: happysophia

Santa Sophia Catholic College is a subscriber of Happy Families parenting resources.

All families of the College receive a FREE membership! Sign up here.