Cathedral College Wangaratta A school of The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.)
VISTA
JUNE 2020 J June 2020
VISTA 2020 Mid year publication Published - June 2020 Editor - Kellie Cairncross
cathedralcollege.wangaratta
Cathedral College Wangaratta Alumni page - Cathedral College Wangaratta Old Collegians
Cathedral College Wangaratta
Photo courtesy of Oscar Brundell Year Eight Digital Media Theme - ‘hands’ Front cover Harry and Edward Jones observing Anzac Day Photo courtesy of Ms Alison Jones
Guiding Principles |OUR VISION Cathedral College Wangaratta is a school that inspires a passion for learning and a commitment to excellence. Our College is a safe and nurturing place where every individual is valued for their God given talents. Our students are inspired to be resilient, compassionate and proactive people who go on to contribute to a just, fair and loving world.
| OUR PURPOSE To provide the resources, facilities, opportunities and a learning environment conducive to whole of person development.
To provide a Child Safe environment.
To create a sense of life-long belonging.
Promote leadership, accountability and academic excellence as core values within a living, dynamic Christian community where faith is real.
Partner with our Church, the ASC, our families and our communities to support each other and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Provide a consultative, collaborative environment for our staff where communication is encouraged and excellence rewarded.
|OUR VALUES Faith:
Living by Gospel values
Justice:
Demonstrating fairness, compassion and conviction
Integrity:
Acting with honesty and openness
Excellence: Respect:
Diversity:
Pursuing high standards in all things
Respecting self, others and our planet
Promoting social inclusion and celebrating difference
“Our students are inspired to be resilient, compassionate and proactive people who go on to contribute to a just, fair and loving world.�
Meet Cathedral College Wangaratta’s Fourth Principal
Mr Nick Jones Semester One, 2020 has been an incredible period of time where our world as we know it has been changed forever. The year began with devastating bushfires across our country. A number of Cathedral families were affected by the natural disaster as family members evacuated their homes, while others stayed behind to defend property and livestock. Fortunately, all our students returned safely to begin the new school year; however, we were only just beginning to hear about a potentially deadly virus that was starting to develop across the globe. As we reflect on the past six months, it is fair to say that we have all learnt a great deal about ourselves and each other. We have experienced how important community is and that the only way to get through difficult times is through supporting and connecting with each other. We have been forced into a position which has allowed us to truly appreciate what is really important. The simple joys of working, learning, laughing, growing and playing together have never been more important than right now. This period of time has allowed me, as the new Principal, to closely examine what makes Cathedral College such a special place to be. What became clearly evident is the care and consideration that all members of the school community display towards each other. Teachers have been outstanding in the way in which they have supported the individual needs of students during the period of remote learning. Students have been reaching out to each other and offering support through the various digital platforms. Parents have been connecting and sharing their experiences as they supervised and supported the learning of their children at home. The phrase ‘we are all in this together’ has never been more poignant. This period of time has also demonstrated how agile and resilient our school community truly is. Students and teachers have risen to the challenges of remote learning, many of them thriving while others have required guidance and support. We should take much confidence in this knowing that we possess the individual strength to overcome challenges and obstacles that are placed in our way. Our new challenge as a school community is to embrace all the things that we have learnt about ourselves and each other to enhance our learning experiences at Cathedral College. Remote learning has allowed us to continue to develop the content knowledge that is required for students to succeed in our education system. This mode of learning, however, has been less successful in developing the key skills and competencies that we know are vital for students to succeed in the modern world. Often described as key competencies or 21st century skills, our students are required to develop these attributes that include; critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, teamwork, personal and social skills. These key competencies can only be genuinely refined when people interact in a physical space with each other. Semester One, 2020 has challenged us all, however, I have great hope and optimism that Cathedral College Wangaratta will continue to overcome the challenges placed in front of us and that we have grown from the experience. We are a strong and united community. We have solid foundations to build on as we strive for excellence and develop the best educational experiences for our students. Roll on Semester Two!
“We have experienced how important community is and that the only way to get
through difficult times is through supporting
and connecting with each
other. We have been forced into a position which has allowed us to truly appreciate what is really important. The simple joys of working, learning, laughing, growing and playing together have never been more important than right now.”
Farewell Mr Keith Willett Farewell, Keith
Mrs Julie Findlay - Director of Studies Mr Keith Willett joined the Cathedral College Wangaratta staff in Term Two, 2014. Keith was well known in the local community having grown up in Boomanoomana, attending school locally and returning to the area to teach and raise his family. He has been an active member of a number of clubs and community groups over the years. This strong connection to the community and providing the best outcomes for students has been front and centre of his work at our school for the last six years. Wellbeing has also been at the cornerstone of his role as Head of Senior School, and this has led him to be involved in links with the local indigenous community groups, NECAMS and the Youth Council to name a few. Keith has been a strong advocate for relationships being the foundation stone of teaching. Knowing students and showing an interest in their lives has helped him foster a strong sense of belonging amongst our Senior students. As Max Hemphill, Year 12 commented “Mr Willett is a good person; he is even better at banter. What I will always appreciate is that he had time for students. Whether you were in Year Twelve or Prep.” Instantly likeable, Keith quickly became a familiar face to all. Mr Willett would often visit us during class, see what we were learning, and somehow always have a relevant story up his sleeve. He would often take these moments as an opportunity to impart wisdom, regaling us with stories ranging from sausages to car theft. The comfort at which both staff and students were able to interact with Mr Willett, paired with his ability to exercise authority with ease made him an invaluable asset over the years. Keith’s strong belief in developing relationships has not just been valued by students, but also extends to his work. As a fellow Senior School Colleague, Tim Gerrish reflected that “Students have appreciated his humour, personability and absolute fairness. Keith’s ability to communicate with all staff in a way that makes them feel valued and empowered has ensured that his counsel was keenly sought on any matter.” His advice, tempered by many years of teaching experience, was always considered and compassionate. Despite his busy role, Keith always found time to sit down with staff and listen to what was happening at the ‘coal-face’. As a result, he was continually attuned to the needs of his students and colleagues. Keith has many wise mantras pertaining to teaching, the general day to day happenings at school and life beyond the school gate. His role as a mentor to so many in this community has had a terrific and farreaching impact.” Personally, I will continue to go about my work here asking the question, “What would Keith do”? It has worked pretty well for me up to this point! Although we will all miss Keith’s friendship and contribution to Cathedral College, we wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his career.
“Although he’s trading his boots in for a new pair, Mr Willett has left very big shoes to fill, and his presence will be missed by all. I wish him luck in his new role and hope he will be as appreciated there as he was at Cathedral”
- Mitchell Harris (Year Twelve)
Life is a beautiful thing
Ms Amy Noble - colleague and friend A ‘good life’ according to Keith Willett, needs to deliver three essentials: you need to have humour, you need to be kind and most of all, you need to know ‘someone’s got your back.’ These three attributes exemplify Keith Willett in the grandest sense of ‘life according to Keith’. Keith and I crossed paths many years ago when I was on teaching-rounds. He introduced himself and explained why he loved pre-service teachers so much... “They teach all my classes and they are charged with making my coffee so I don’t have to! You bewdy”! The look of confusion that must have swept my face would have been palpable...he then grinned with a typical “just joking, kid”. Keith then imparted the most important advice that I still hold in firm stead regarding my teaching today, “Look, teaching is 90% relationships and the rest just follows”. And this is how Keith operated his professional life - the kindness to humanity comes first. With his teaching, the students were not only entertained but inadvertently learnt a vast amount of practical knowledge that would serve them well in their adulthood. Holistic learning, above all, crossed the barriers of the narrow prism of one subject, one body of knowledge. Education for life comes from wise teachers. Good teachers inspire; good teachers lead the way – especially in times of despair and stress. The cliché... `a tower of strength’ must have been forged with Keith in mind. Keith has lead, guided and supported both staff and students with such a committed dedication, ensuring that they always emerged intact with the will to continue on. This is because - no matter what, Keith has always provided the tether which has held everyone together. When a person leaves an institution, a legacy is left along with the memories of what has been. For us, the legend of Keith will remain steadfast in the knowledge that `life IS a beautiful thing’. Why? Because Keith made it so.
My time at Cathedral College Wangaratta Mr Keith Willett - Deputy Principal
Without doubt, that which I have found most rewarding and enjoyable in my time at Cathedral College is the relationships that I have been fortunate to share with students, staff and families. By and large these relationships have been constructive, productive and respectful. One of the collective character traits that struck me very early in my time at Cathedral was the respect that students and staff had for all members of the school community, regardless of difference. I think that for a large organisation that does have to work within certain parameters around uniform, behaviour and other expectations, Cathedral allows all to express their individuality with confidence, knowing they will be respected. My advice to young people is this. Be a good listener; think carefully and thoroughly before making a decision. Most importantly be yourself. I think this quote sums it up perfectly.
“This above all: to thine self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not be false to any man.” - Hamlet Act 1 Sc 111 by William Shakespeare I wish you all well and feel fortunate to be able to continue my work within the Anglican Schools Commission Community and the challenges that being a Principal will undoubtedly bring.
Welcome Bishop Clarence Bester At Eleven O’clock on Saturday, February 22, Archbishop Philip Freier, assisted by other Bishops from across Australia consecrated The Venerable Clarence Bester as a Bishop in the Church of God at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne. Following this service, which many people from the Wangaratta Diocese attended, Bishop Clarence was installed in a service at Wangaratta Cathedral on Sunday afternoon. The service was attended by over 500 people, including the Executive Staff and Chaplains from our school. We congratulate Bishop Clarence on his recent Consecration and Installation as the 11th Bishop of Wangaratta, and we look forward to working with him, and continuing the strong relationship that exists between Bishop, Diocese of Wangaratta, the Cathedral and our school.
-Reverend David Jones
“IF YOU WANT TO GO QUICKLY, GO TOGETHER, IF YOU WANT TO GO SLOWLY, GO ALONE”
New and returning staff Mr Tom Aggett Mr Ross Baker Miss Shaylee Boruch Mrs Kellie Cairncross Mr Dale Carmody Mr Michael Clark Ms Peta Cooke Mr Luke Elkington Mrs Elizabeth Gallagher Ms Ethne Green Mrs Diane Higginson Ms Susanne Hodgson Mr Daniel Hogarth Mr Nick Jones Miss Anna Martin Mrs Mim Murray Ms Candace Potter Miss Penny Townsend Ms Kristie Thomson Miss Opal Thomas Mr Lachlan Wood
African Proverb
Year Three classroom teacher Year Six classroom teacher and MS Mathematics and Science Art and JS Teaching assistant Director of Development/VCE Psychology teacher - secondary Year Five classroom teacher Head of Stirling House, Mathematics and Physical Education - secondary Office Administration HOPE T and L Leader, VCE Health and Physical Education - secondary Food Technology and Learning Enhancement - secondary Piano Teacher Library Assistant Teaching Assistant Prep-Year 12 English and Humanities teacher Principal JS Teaching Assistant PE, Psychology, Photography teacher - secondary VCE Psychology Humanities and Indonesian teacher - secondary Teaching Assistant SS Teaching Assistant OED and Sport
Term Two 2020 - A term like no other
“Our parents and guardians have been magnificent in the way they have supervised and supported the learning of their children and our students have amazed us with their flexibility, adaptability and positivity.�
- Nick Jones
“In teaching, relationships are everything. I am certain that by working so closely in partnership with our wonderful families that it will only improve the learning in my classroom when the children return to school.” -Jennifer Waugh,Year One Classroom Teacher
After an extended holiday period and in response to the country being placed in lockdown, the College transitioned to remote teaching and learning in Term Two. Dining tables became make-shift home offices, parents juggled family and work commitments whilst supporting their own children to learn from home and teachers learnt a raft of digital platforms and technologies to enable students to learn effectively from home. The College’s teaching staff knew that the demands of teaching online were much more than delivering curriculum and learning the technologies that would enable students to learn remotely. They understood that connecting with students and creating vibrant online communities was vital. The College’s teaching and support staff responded with agility. Online learning communities and classes were developed and the staff moved to adapt to a rapidly changing teaching landscape. The use of ICT in teaching was no longer a teaching tool used to enhance learning, it was the teaching tool. Staff teamed, classroomed, zoomed, chatted, emailed and connected in novel ways. Exploring how to make learning relevant and worthwhile are constant preoccupations for teachers. During remote learning, parents were invited into the world of school and have been privy to their child’s school ‘life’. Teachers were also invited into family homes (albeit virtually) and the result was parents and teachers have communicated more than ever. This important collaboration was a silver lining in this difficult period. This unique time also compelled many to stop, reflect and ask the question, what exactly, is an education worth having?
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At CCW, we seek to teach our students how to learn, how to innovate and how to challenge conventional thinking. This type of learning requires interaction and collaboration. It requires a deep personal connection with the subject matter and with other people who share that physical space. Principal Nick Jones explains “It has become clear that although digital, remote learning can allow for the continuation of the transfer of knowledge, it is much less successful in the development of the heart and mind. The physical setting of a school provides educational opportunities and experiences that develop the whole person. We have all become acutely aware of why we desperately need the physical community that our school provides. We have gained a deep appreciation for what we have, and this will enhance and guide all that we do in the future.”
“IT IS OFTEN IN THE DARKEST SKIES THAT WE SEE THE
BRIGHTEST STARS”
CCW Learning @ home
“I can adapt to any situation, change isn’t always negative and when it comes to education and learning, I am quite resilient.“ - Anonymous (student survey)
From necessitation came innovation
“The College campus was eerily empty but family homes and backyards became the classroom and a canvas for creativity and resourcefulness.�
We have always known there is an innate need for creativity and connection and the transition to remote learning affirmed that. What emerged was a movement towards students engaging in ‘old school’ activities. With more down time, creativity thrived, and we have delighted in the images and videos that students have shared being crafty, gardening, cooking, making, baking and connecting with nature. Students had the luxury of less commitments and more time to recreate and reimagine and as a result, they became innovative and inventive. We have been treated to short stories, science experiments, performances, creative trick shots, short films, introspective photography, beautiful music, thoughtful artworks and more. CCW Art teacher Valerie Cross explained, “Since remote learning has become our new normal, I have been overjoyed by some extraordinary findings. Creativity is a portal, but finding the door, the right platform, can be surprisingly hard to discover. For some, remote learning has allowed easier access. Some of my students have overwhelmed me with their creative results. Suddenly out of nowhere, students are creating sophisticated imagery that is breathtaking and sublime. This has been time to contemplate and to re-imagine a better world.”
2020 School Captains Kyran Hagens
What do you feel you have achieved whilst at school? My time at Cathedral College has allowed me to make the most of various opportunities. There have been many, but my most memorable achievement would be going on the inaugural school trip to Nepal and assisting in the school restoration project there. This was extremely rewarding. Another highlight for me was attending the state Mathematics Camp with 23 other regional Victorian students.
What are you hoping to do after the completion of Year Twelve ? After completing Year Twelve at Cathedral, I hope to continue for a year as a teacher’s aid. One day I might want to be a teacher and I feel like it would give me a little taste of what that would be like. It is also appealing to be able to work with the students for one final year. It would be a great way to finish my time at Cathedral College. After my gap I plan on studying a double degree in Nanotechnology and Applied Sciences at RMIT University. I see this as an amazing course with the potential to get me into Medicine.
What advice would you give our young people about their educational journey? After the year we’ve had so far, there’s a lot of advice I could give! My main piece of advice would be to find a good balance in your life. This means finding times to be serious and give ‘your all’, but also make sure to find moments to relax and enjoy yourself. I feel it is important to know when to take risks, but also equally important to know when to play it safe. There needs to be that healthy balance between school and fun.
“ You can carve your own path, be your own kind of leader. We do need to create a new generation of leadership.” - Jacinda Ardern
Lily Mullins
What do you feel you have achieved whilst at school? Through the subjects I studied in Years Seven, Eight and Nine, Cathedral enabled me to find a passion for languages and culture, and that helped me find the confidence to go to Germany on exchange for 12 months. I still study German and by doing this, I am able to keep improving my German language skills. Through the various opportunities to participate in a range of different sports I was able to represent the school at zone/ district and state level where I was able to improve my sport skills and develop friendships. I’ve been able to gain so much knowledge both socially and academically from my peers and teachers, which I will always remember and I know will be useful in years to come.
What are you hoping to do after the completion of Year Twelve ? I’m hoping to have a GAP year next year to save enough money so I can travel around South America, do some volunteer work, learn Spanish and visit friends. I hope to go to University in a few years time but with all the new careers and opportunities in the world, it’s hard for me to decide what I want to study, but hopefully it will most likely be something in the Health Sector.
What advice would you give our young people about their educational journey? I think the most important part of school and our educational journey is the journey of growing and understanding yourself and your capabilities. I think it is important to challenge yourself every day, whether that be academically or socially. We always have room to grow and improve. We have so many opportunities at Cathedral College, so make the most of it and enjoy school, because before you know it, it will be almost over!
“I think it is important to challenge yourself every day, whether that be academically or socially. We always have room to grow and improve. We have so many opportunities at Cathedral College, so make the most of it and enjoy school, because before you know it, it’ll be almost over!”
House Our House system is an integral part of our school’s pastoral system and a key vehicle for the delivery of cross age learning, sporting, cultural and performance challenges. House Captains assume a range of leadership responsibilities and opportunities. We congratulate this year’s House Captains.
2020 SS
MS
JJ
Buffalo
Cobbler
Feathertop
Hotham
Stirling
Warby
Imogen Taylor
Brooke Thwaites
Andre Vitti
Jasmine Clancy
Sarah Wilson
Sian Buckley
Max Hemphill
Billie Davern
Bethany James
Jacob Goodger
Oscar Day
Timothy Twitchett
Sebastian Friend
Harry Jones
Portia Kaine
Chantelle Dickson
Isabella Pasquali
Lachlan Thomson
Hunter Kerr
Tully Frasca
Elijah Royal
Ruby Hanlon
William Trompf
Indya Rossato
Mac Correll
Edward Jones
Lilly Noble
Alice Colson
Madeline Jones
Harry Allen
Emma McDonald
Madison Olenczuk
William Farrington
Heidi O’Halloran
Christian Pasquali
Llewela Browne
House Clubs is a new initiative this year and will be held approximately twice a term. Students will participate in a range of activities (in their House groups) that may include sporting, artistic and musical pursuits, board games, meditation and cooking activities. Each House rotates through the activities, giving all students experiences they may not necessarily encounter otherwise. House Groups is another way that our students develop a sense of belonging and engage in cross age learning.
House Captain Induction
House Swimming
House activities engender a
sense of belonging and are an integral part of life at the College.
ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS
This year, Anzac Day was observed from our homes. Many students commemorated Anzac Day by observing their own dawn service at the end of the driveway, and families shared these images with our community. At school, an Anzac Day Service was held which was broadcast live via the College‘s YouTube channel. It was a memorable and deeply moving experience.
ANZAC Day Prayer Let us pray
Jesus said: “The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.” Loving God, we give you thanks for the opportunity to reflect upon the meaning and significance of Anzac Day. We give thanks for the. peace and security that we enjoy in this nation which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in time of war. In our nation of prosperity and freedom let us never forget the cost of these privileges that we enjoy today. We remember all those who went off to war and those who laid down their lives to defend our country. We especially think today of those who went from our school. We pray that the labour and sacrifice of those who served in times of war may not be forgotten but that their spirit may live on in us and in the generations to come. We ask that the peace and justice which they sought to preserve may be seen and known in each one of our lives, in our school community, and in our country.
Lest we forget
These prayers we offer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Ode:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Alumni Nathan Bullen - Graduating Class of 2016 I grew up in Bright, and I started at Cathedral when I was in Year Nine in 2013. I graduated from Cathedral as part of the Class of 2016, and from there I planned on going straight on to University. Over half way through Year Twelve there was a change of plan, as I managed to get a gap year job working at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop campus just out of Mansfield. I spent the year living and working in the bush with almost 230 Year Nine students, running, hiking and skiing, as well as pretty much everything in-between. The transition from student to staff member in less than 3 months was definitely a little jarring at first, but it was an amazing year and definitely led to many of the greatest experiences of my life so far. After I finished my gap year, I moved to Melbourne to commence my Bachelor of Interior Architecture at Monash, of which I’m now in my third year. Since half-way through last year, I’ve also been working part time at an architecture firm based in Richmond, Idle Architecture Studio, which has given me some fantastic experience and insight into the way that the industry operates.
Are there any specific future goals that you are working towards at the moment? Next year, I start my Honours year at University, so I’m really just working towards that, trying to decide on what my research piece will focus around, and trying to round out my grades and experience so that come the end of 2021, I have a competitive application into the Masters of Architecture for 2022.
What has been the biggest challenge for you and how has this been overcome? I always thought I was the type of person who would feel right at home in the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, so it really surprised me that when I finally got down to the city to start my degree, I really missed the country. Having grown up in Bright and then spending my gap year working out in the bush for most of the year, being in the buzz of the city 24/7 and not just for a weekend or week away, was surprisingly hard for me. Now, going into my third year living in Melbourne, I’ve really gained an appreciation for the city and all the experiences it offers. I still miss the county, but I definitely feel much more at home in the city than I did when I first moved here.
What piece of advice would you give to current students at Cathedral? Don’t be afraid to take some time for yourself to give yourself a meaningful experience, and as clichéd as it sounds, “find yourself.” I think having a year for a little bit of personal development between senior school and university is a great thing to be able to take do. Do something that pushes your comfort zone and challenges you, but most importantly, do something you enjoy! On that note – it’s good to have a plan on what you want to do after school, but don’t be afraid to deviate from it; some of the best experiences of my life so far have happened when I deviated from my original plans.
“Take advantage of every opportunity you have, even if it’s indirectly. The school has lots of connections to the bigger and broader world. Use this.”
What type of professional and personal skills does it take to succeed in your profession? As an Architect, communication is probably the most important skill to help you succeed. Verbal communication is key (and anyone who knows me knows I could probably talk underwater), but visual communication is by far the most crucial. You as the designer have the ideas, and need to use your plans, drawings and visual imaging to represent them in a way that your client can not only understand, but engage with and feel that their vision is coming to fruition (it is their project in the end). On top of that, it also needs to be clear and understandable for contractors and builders, so both you and the client get the desired outcome at the end.
What stands out from your time at Cathedral College? More than anything, the overwhelming support shown to me by my peers and members of staff alike – I think as a cohort we had excellent relationships with each other and with all of our teachers, (especially in Year Eleven and Twelve) which really helped create some great memories.
Taylor Farmer - Graduating class of 2016
I graduated from Cathedral College in 2016. I live in Melbourne and am in my third and final year studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine at Monash University. Are there any specific future goals that you are working towards at the moment? Besides finishing my degree, I am aiming to get a graduate job with Ambulance Victoria. I would love to work anywhere in the state, but a long-term goal is to work in regional Victoria where I grew up.
What has been the biggest challenge for you and how has this been overcome? The biggest challenge for me was finding a work life balance, because University is a more independent learning environment and you have to make sure you keep up. I found the best way to overcome this was to set small tasks and work towards them, and that applies to high school as well.
What type of professional and personal skills does it take to succeed in your profession? In any healthcare profession you need to be a good communicator and a ‘people person’. One of the best things about working in healthcare is that you learn so much about the people you meet and have an impact on so many in the community. The best kinds of attributes for these jobs are the kind that make you a good person in general. It helps being cool headed under pressure and having a strong stomach too!
What stands out from your time at Cathedral College? When I first started at Cathedral College, the school was much smaller than it is now. I really enjoyed having small classes where I knew everyone, and the teachers were really in tune with individual student needs.
344 Wangaratta-Whitfield Road PO BOX 1086 Wangaratta VIC 3676 Telephone: 03 5722 2144 Email: office@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au
Cathedral College Wangaratta
A school of The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.)
344 Wangaratta-Whitfield Road PO BOX 1086 Wangaratta VIC 3676 Telephone: 03 5722 2144 Email: office@cathedralcollege.vic.edu.au
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