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CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA Fortnightly Newsletter
In this edition..... From the Principal Science Week 2021 Book Week Careers Information Anglicare Winter Sleepout Remote Learning Photo Gallery
From the Principal MR NICK JONES It has been fantastic to see and feel the energy and excitement back on campus as our students and staff return from another period of lockdown. While the restrictions and periods of lockdowns do not get any easier for us to endure, we are becoming more efficient and effective when required to move to a remote learning environment. We hope and pray that we have experienced our last period of remote learning, however, we understand that this will largely be dependent on the success and speed of the national vaccination program. With a large number of activities and events planned for Term Three, we are committed to ensuring that as many of these can go ahead, albeit in a modified format. I was really pleased that our Year Ten and Eleven students were able to travel to Mount Hotham this week to participate in their VET Sport and Recreation camp. The excellent snow conditions are certainly a bonus! Our staff continue to focus on and prioritise the mental well-being of our students. The ongoing uncertainty of the global pandemic is having a significant effect on our young people, however, there are some strategies that we can implement to support the mental health of our children. 1. Identify what we can control. While we may have little control on the external factors that are affecting our lives, we can control how we think, feel and respond to what is happening around us. 2. Maintain familiar routines, expectations and rules as much as possible. Our young people respond best when they have a predictable and stable environment. 3. Encourage your children to speak often about how they are feeling. Let them know that feeling angry or frustrated is a normal reaction and that this negative feeling will pass. 4. Focus on maintaining balance. This means that our young people should be getting enough exercise, sleep and consuming a balanced diet. Please continue to contact your child’s Homeroom teacher, Year Level Coordinator or Head of School if you have concerns about the wellbeing of your child. All the best.
From the Head of Junior School MR GREG NEWBOLD It is with pleasure that I welcome the return onsite of our Junior School students. Our students and families are to be congratulated on the smooth and seamless way they transitioned from the holiday break straight into remote learning. Many pieces of wonderful work were shared by our students and in general, learning has continued well. Thank you for the photos and videos of work stations, artwork, stories, science experiments, musical items, mathematical activities and games that were provided. They helped immensely with maintaining a positive and optimistic atmosphere during a challenging time. Please note, the upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews have been postponed by one week to commence on Monday, August 9. This enables students to have completed 8 full school days after remote learning, allowing them to settle back into normal routines and learning patterns. The extra week gives teachers time to evaluate their students’ progress and inform future teaching and learning programs. Due to the current circumstances, we will be offering a choice of inperson, phone and online meeting options. A letter outlining the booking service will be forthcoming.
From the Head of Middle School MRS BRIGID PERKINS Once again, the return of our Middle School students after their winter break and another session of remote learning has been immensely positive. For most students and staff, the return to face-toface learning has allowed for deeper and more effective learning to take place. Additionally, the social benefits have been obvious, with most classrooms and the Middle School yard a buzz with laughing, conversations, and games. For some students, the return to the busy environment of a full school has been challenging and difficult, however parents and students should be aware that these feelings are quite common and the return to a daily routine will take time to adjust to. Additionally, navigating the social atmosphere here at school after a long time at home can also prove challenging. Time needs to be allowed for students to reconnect with their peers and staff. Consistency is the key. Aiming to maintain a daily routine, with regular times for eating, sleeping, exercising, and studying is vital for a successful transition back into completing a productive school full day. Throughout this term during our Community Time sessions, which take place on a Friday afternoon on Day 10, students have had the opportunity to sign up for a range of different Choice Workshops which will run over three sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to allow students to make connections across the different year levels in Middle School, potentially learn a new skill and simply have fun on a Friday afternoon. Students were able to choose from the following Choice Workshops: Boys Football with Mr Perkins Girls Football with Mr Manning Mixed Netball with Mrs Perkins Wellbeing, Yoga and Meditation with Mrs Lloyd Mountain Bike Riding & Bike Maintenance with Ms Laughton Service & Volunteering with Rev Jones Textiles, Sewing & Craft Activities with Mrs Bonacci Lego & Critical Thinking Challenges with Mr Weir Performing Arts Activities with Ms Edmond Musical Activities with Mr Hedderman We plan to coordinate similar workshops in Term Four to allow for students to rotate through another choice activity that they may have missed out on this term. It was really wonderful to see students through Years Six, Seven and Eight interacting with each other while learning new skills and a different setting to their usual classroom.
YEAR SEVEN 2022 DISCOVERY DAY SERIES Thursday September 2, 2021 Year Seven Information Evening
Tuesday September 7, 2021 Discovery Day
Tuesday December 7, 2021 District Transition Day
From the Head of Senior School MS ANNE HARRIS A belated welcome back After a COVID interrupted start to Term Three, 2021, it is great to have everyone back on campus and settled into face-to-face learning. Like most facets of society, schools have to be ready with Plan A, B and C depending on what restrictions are in place. With this in mind, I want to say a big thank you to the staff for being ready to try everything possible to keep planned activities happening, including House Music, Information Nights, Ski Camps/Day Trips, Inter-School Sport and our upcoming Year Ten Camp. It seems even a global pandemic cannot slow down our school calendar! To our students and families, thank you for your patience and understanding as plans change. Science Week The annual Science Week went ahead during the recent online learning period. Our agile Science Team led by Mr Adam Graham was still able to celebrate all things Science with a high degree of engagement from our students. CCW Alumni, Anna Findlay, was part of the online presentation by the University of Melbourne. Anna shared her insight as a regional student studying in the Science field. Year Eleven student Alice Kjar had the opportunity to make global connections as she participated in the esteemed International Science School. Getting ready for 2022 Even though we are only just past the halfway mark of 2021, we need our senior students to be thinking about next year. Across the sub-school, information is being streamed, recorded, presented, and shared with our students and families as we gear up to choosing subjects, pathways or university courses for 2022. I encourage all our students and families to access information, talk with teachers, listen to the presentations from older students and external presenters to make informed and well-considered choices. Take care.
From the Director of Studies MRS JULIE FINDLAY
Senior School Pathways Information Unfortunately, COVID restrictions meant we are unable to meet in person to share and discuss information about preparing for life beyond school. To replace the Senior School Pathways Evening a series of videos have been prepared to share information about the pathway options available at The College and some advice from current and past students about how they made their decisions. Additional information will be shared with students at school, including information from community members from a range of professions. As students participate in these activities, sessions will be recorded and added to the school website.
The information being shared includes: How do I apply for a course? For students wishing to find out more about applying to university, the links below will help you navigate applying to VTAC, scholarship information, and SEAS (Special Entry Access Schemes). Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iydeb0Scvc VTAC applications open on August 2 and are open until September 30. This information will also be presented at school on August 4. Scholarships Many scholarships are linked to a university or residential college. To find out more go to: https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/scholarships/search or https://cef.org.au/scholarships-guide/ Please see, or email, Mr Carson or Mr Dunbar if you have any questions. How do I explore the courses available and Higher Education options? In the past, students had the opportunity to visit each college or university. Now you can explore these institutions in virtual tours. A good place to start is by looking at the VTAC course guide for what courses are available. You can then explore where you would like to study. The course guide can be found at https://delta.vtac.edu.au/CourseSearch/searchguide.htm Please use information already on the school website for exploring specific universities. For Year Ten and Eleven Students in 2022 The information on courses and pathways available after Year Twelve is helpful for you to gain ideas of what you might do after graduation. They can help you develop a goal, or purpose, for the future. You will be amazed at how quickly you will need to be making decisions because time flies. Knowing where you would like to go, can also help you map out the subjects you want to study in Year Ten as electives and Year Eleven and Twelve as VCE subjects. On the website are videos aimed at explaining what pathways are available and how you select subjects. Part One – An introduction to pathway planning at CCW Part Two – How does VCE work? Part Three – What alternative pathways are available? Part Four – How to make subject selections, wellbeing, and student advice.
From the Director of Studies MRS JULIE FINDLAY What is a Study Score? This is explained at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wPd-qscNwA Subject Scaling explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5WoA2T4H3g A copy of The Senior School Curriculum Guide is also available. Students have been given hard copies of these books. The guide includes information for students Year Nine and above in 2022 so that you can see how a subject may lead into a future pathway. For Year Eleven students in 2022 you will hear from current VCE students about their pathway choices, challenges and subjects, then have the opportunity to discuss your subject selections and pathways in an individual interview on August 10 or 12. For Year Ten students in 2022 videos describing subjects available to you next year, will be explained in videos posted on August 5. You will also be hearing from current Year Ten students on their experience of electives, Fast Track subjects and School-Based Apprenticeships. Year Nine students in 2022 will have access to the online information videos from August 19. These videos will be accessible on the school website. Sharing information online is not the same as having the opportunity to ask questions in person. Please feel free to contact the relevant staff member if you have any queries or require further information.
Olympics Focus Many of the classes across the school have had a focus on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. While some students have been cheering on the Aussie athletes, others have had their teachers incorporate the Olympics in literacy and numeracy work. Pictured here is Reece Pearson with a relay torch from the Sydney 2000 Olympics which his mum, Jaya, was fortunate enough to run with through Myrtleford. Reece was very proud to show his class this treasure.
Food: Different by Design We celebrated Science Week from July 26 - 30. The theme for this year was ‘Food by design.’ Due to remote learning, there were limited opportunities for students to engage in a practical sense, although teachers did an amazing job of promoting discussions about Science in their classes. Year Seven and Eight students took part in a Science Delivery Webinar with students from the University of Melbourne. The presentation was highly engaging and involved games, experiments, and inspiring messages about how to overcome challenges, set realistic goals and pursue a career in Science. Students from across The College busily pondered their best science questions for Dr Karl the well-known author and science communicator. On Wednesday, July 28 a select number of inquisitive students took part in an Online Q & A with Dr Karl. Here are some of the interesting questions that were asked: Why do I like spicy food but my dad comes out in a sweat? Hamish (Year Five) Is time travel possible? - Spencer (Year Three) If birds in a truck fly around, does the truck weigh less than if the birds were on the ground? - Oscar - (Year Nine)
Scientist of the Week Competition Thank you to all the students who entered the Scientist of the Week Competition. Our Junior School winners are Victoria Molina-Gaiton (One Docker) and Cooper Drage (Three Docker). Our Middle School winners are Leila Cattier (Six Ovens) and Max Neale (Six Ovens).
International Science School – Alice Kjar During the holidays, Alice Kjar, Year Eleven, spent a week of her break immersed in a select entry science program run by the University of Sydney for aspiring science students with a passion for STEM. She was one of 15 students in Victoria to be successful. Alice chose to apply for this opportunity as she ‘loves how science can be used to connect abstract ideas and be applied to solve real-world problems,’ in addition to exploring a range of potential science career pathways. The program involved hearing from a range of amazing scientists from all over the world. Alice was involved in live laboratory tours around the University of Sydney, observations of real-life experiments and she participated in small group workshops aimed at completing hands-on experiments to test scientific theories. The highlight for Alice was a lecture on the psychology of misinformation. A key theme of the program was the importance of how easily misinformation can be spread, particularly in Science. To check the facts, and not believe everything you hear. Alice shared her experience with students from across The College in a video message. Thanks, Alice!
Science Week Wrap Thank you to the staff, students and parents for their effort in making Science Week such a success. It was pleasing to see so many curious students demonstrating their inquiry and problemsolving skills through the activities and challenges provided. Below are just some of the hands-on activities that the students took part in: Year Seven – created a model to demonstrate both lunar and solar eclipse Year Eight – made the Non-Newtonian fluid Oobleck to observe and compare the different properties and states of matter. Year Nine – constructed models of the atoms to help them understand the structure of atoms and the presence of subatomic particles. Year Ten – tested the excitability of electrons in different metal salts by completing the Flame Test.
Chaplains' Chat REV'D DAVID JONES
Confirmation 2021 In the early days of the Christian Church, when infant baptism became widespread, it became necessary to have a later service, which would ‘confirm’ the promises made at Baptism. This became known as Confirmation. The person being confirmed is old enough to understand the promises they are making. This year at Cathedral College Wangaratta we are offering Confirmation to students in Middle School who wish to be confirmed. Their commitment would be to attend 5 or 6 sessions during Term Three. If you would like your son or daughter to be confirmed this year, or you require further information regarding any aspect of the confirmation, please contact me on 57222144, or via email at djones@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au The Confirmation service is to be held on Sunday, September 12, at Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, Wangaratta.
Wellbeing with the School Counsellor MS JUNE STAMP
School Refusal Welcoming our students back on campus is a joyous time for teachers and staff, particularly watching the student’s excitement greeting their friends. Unfortunately for some students, the uncertainly of returning to school feels overwhelming and can result in school refusal. Notwithstanding the current climate, at times there can be more complex reasons for school refusal, from worries related to schoolwork, interacting with other students, playing sports or being away from family. As stated by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg “School refusal is a complex issue as there’s rarely a single cause. It may be linked to separation anxiety, worries about leaving home, a phobia, depression, social problems or learning difficulties. It can start gradually or happen suddenly.” Please follow this link to SchoolTv for further information and strategies to manage these situations. https://cathedralcollege.vic.schooltv.me/ne wsletter/school-refusal
From the Uniform Shop STEPHANIE GOODGER, HEATHER POTTER & SIGRID COLLINS
Reminder: The Uniform Shop is open on Wednesdays (8.30 am – 4.00 pm) and Fridays (8.30 am – 1.45 pm) only in Term Three. Due to increased Covid-19 trading restrictions, ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT if they wish to try on ANY article of uniform. Details to make an appointment are as follows: To book online, please follow the simple steps below. 1. Click here for the link: https://noone.com.au/school/cathedral-college/stores 2. Click the ‘BOOK AN APPOINTMENT’ button at the bottom left of the page 3. Select a convenient day from the available dates circled on the calendar and choose a time from the drop-down menu. 4. Complete the required information with the student’s name and your contact details. 5. Click ‘BOOK APPOINTMENT’ 6. You will receive an email confirmation. Orders can also be placed over the phone (03 5722 2144), via email uniformshop@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au or online https://www.noone.com.au/school/cathedral-college/shop
From Learning Enhancement MS MARY LAUGHTON Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with a disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019). Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes: year of schooling category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive. This information assists schools to: formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability. The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability. Please see here for a fact sheet for further information.
From the Library MRS BERNADETTE QUINN, MS SUZIE QUARTERMAIN & MRS DIANNE HIGGINSON
Book Week is coming!
Book Week will be held Monday 23 – Friday 27 August. We are currently planning various activities for the week and will announce them closer to the date. One activity you can be sure of will be our annual dress-up day. Start planning your costume as this year’s theme is: Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds Please remember costume day is not a competition, just be fun and creative! Costumes can be handmade, borrowed, created with clothes and items you already own, op shop clothing or purchased new. Looking for inspiration? Here’s one website that may be able to help: https://www.simplifycreateinspire.com/book-week-costume-ideas/ The books below are all shortlisted for this year’s Book of the Year. They are chosen from various categories and are all available to borrow from our Library. Middle & Senior School Library:
Junior School Library:
Careers MR ROD DUNBAR Careers & Pathways Evening cancellation Unfortunately, COVID-19 got in the way of this event. We will be replacing some of the live information with recorded presentations, particularly those regarding VCE pathways planning. These will appear on our school website. We are also aiming to provide many students with online Q & A sessions with several of the local guests who would have been in attendance at the live event. Northeast Health Traineeships A reminder that applications for the NE Health Wangaratta 2022 school-based traineeships are now open for (2022) Year Ten to Twelve students. In 2022 we will only be able to offer four Certificate Three Individual Support positions based at Illoura Aged Care. There will be an information session for interested students (hopefully held at school) on Thursday. Please see Mr Dunbar for more details about these positions and how to apply. VTAC Applications Students in Year Twelve can go online and start their VTAC application process from Monday, August 2. They have until September 30 to complete their application, without a late fee. Students will be viewing a presentation about the process, but there are also plenty of online resources, starting with VTAC.
Careers MR ROD DUNBAR Year Ten Work Experience Despite the trying times, almost 80% of our Year Ten students were able to complete a week of work experience. Several others have a placement planned for later in the year. The feedback I have received from employers has been outstanding. Congratulations to our students for the way they have conducted themselves in their workplace. Konrad Birti on work experience at KPW Lawyers
Tayla Baldock on work experience at AKDU. Working with bomb and drug detection dogs.
First Aid Training During the holidays a group of 13 Year Twelve students spent a day with a trainer from The Centre, in order to gain their PBELS (Level 1) First Aid qualification. This was a student-led initiative, after a suggestion by Chloe Hart. The students had an enjoyable day and most were going to return the following day for RSA & Food Handling courses, but the lockdown had other ideas. We will aim to complete these courses online later in the year.
Winter Sleepout Update
Dear Parents and Carers, While COVID prevents us from running a Winter Sleepout at school this year, homelessness continues throughout the Northeast. We still aim to raise funds and donations of canned goods or new blankets for Anglicare through the following activities.
How can I help? 1. Join us from home on Friday, August 6 2021 for ‘One Rough Night’ 2. Give up a comfort – food/phone/mattress/ sleeping bag/roof to sleep ‘rough’ at home 3. Make a donation to Anglicare – all donations over $2 are tax-deductible 4. Shop for others – canned goods or new blankets can be brought to Student Services Thank you for your support.
Battle of the Buskers - Interview By Luca Baricevic Hamish Gasser will be competing in the Battle Of The Buskers, which will take place on September 1 throughout Wangaratta. Hamish will be using the charango as the instrument of choice. The event will be held in Wangaratta in 3 different locations. At each place, the busker will stay and play for 20 minutes. Hamish started playing charango when he was 5 years old. He became interested in charango because he listened to different people play at the Latin American music festival held at his house every Easter. Hamish's family comes from Peru and Bolivia, so he asked his grandpa (Dante) if he could teach him how to play the charango. Dante started playing when he was very young. He taught himself how to play charango by listening to songs and fiddling around with each note. When the Spanish people came to Peru, the native Peruvians (Incas) saw the Spanish peoples instruments and guitars and wanted to make their own type of instrument. It was first made from armadillo shells, then after a few years, they started to make them out of wood. Lots of Hamish’s family and relatives are coming to see him play at the competition (Battle Of The Buskers), and hopefully, you can come to watch and support him as well.
Applications are still open to take part in this competition if you are interested. Please visit: https://www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Residents/Events/Make-Music-Day-Battle-of-theBuskers for more information.
LOTE at CCW FRAU FERGUSON
At CCW, LOTE is taught from Years Prep to Five. At Year Six, students choose the language they would like to study. Students who join The College in Year Seven will study both German and Indonesian. Students learn both subjects for one Semester before they decide what language they will continue with In Year Eight. In the Senior School, LOTE is offered as an elective from Year Nine and can continue to be studied at the VCE level. Pictured below are Junior School students who created German-made Hungry Caterpillar posters during remote learning based on matching the days of the week. Gut gemacht!
Photo Gallery LIBRARY CHALLENGES IN REMOTE LEARNING
Photo Gallery JUNIOR SCHOOL REMOTE LEARNING
Photo Gallery JUNIOR SCHOOL REMOTE LEARNING
Photo Gallery JUNIOR SCHOOL INSPIRING ART
From Administration
Census 2021 School Data Collection The Commonwealth School Data Collection will obtain certain information about our school, staff and student body. For further information regarding this process please see the link below. School Census Data Collection Information
Dates, Events, and Reminders
Term Three 2021 Junior School Week Three (Week A)
Week Four (Week B) Monday, August 9 to Thursday, August 12 Junior School Parent Teacher Interviews - online
Senior School Week Three (Week A) Thursday, August 5 Year Ten 2022 Information Night - online via The College website Friday, August 6 Health Careers Forum Virtual Winter Sleepout at home 'One Rough Night'
Week Five (Week A)
Week Four (Week B) Tuesday, August 17 Primary Winter Sports Day
Middle School Week Three (Week A) Friday, August 6 Virtual Winter Sleepout at home 'One Rough Night'
Week Four (Week B)
Week Five (Week A) Tuesday, August 17 Primary Winter Sports Day Years Seven & Eight Boys and Girls Hume Badminton Thursday, August 19 Year Nine 2022 Information Night - online via The College website
Monday, August 9 Year Nine & Ten Hume Girls Badminton Tuesday, August 10 Year Eleven 2022 Subject Selection Interviews online Thursday, August 12 VCE General Achievement Test 10:00 am Friday, August 13 Ski Trip Two (Day Trip)
Week Five (Week A) Monday, August 16 Year Eleven & Twelve Hume Girls Football