East Campus News

A note from our Head of Campus

A long weekend is a great opportunity to rest and relax a little before final assessment tasks are completed including the commencement of the Year 10 and Year 11 examinations. Over the past two weeks the Campus has been a hive of activity involving not only ourselves but the wider community. We have enjoyed visits with the grade six students from our local feeder primary schools who will be joining us next year.

We were delighted with the huge numbers of parents/guardians and children who attended our inaugural Year 7 (2019) information evening. A fantastic evening which I am sure has provided great knowledge and confidence to our new parents/guardians and students for 2019. We look forward to seeing all of our 2019 Year 7 students on Tuesday 4 December for their official Orientation Day.

As Year 9 headed off to camp this week it is fitting to highlight two events that showcase the talents, dedication and creativity of this year level. First is the incredible opportunity that was offered and accepted by Alliah, Chelsea, and Sara involving Federation University and secondly the very creative Gift Wall, designed as a reflection of the importance of giving, linking beautifully with our annual theme; ‘But what I do have I give to you”. Some of the best gifts are those that cost no money. A beautiful prayer service was developed by the students to accompany the Gift Wall, I have included an extract for our own reflections.

Federation University

On the Thursday, 26 July, 20 students from our Clyde North Campus attended Federation University’s Annual Casey Project introduction day where our task was explained to us. Our objective was to think of an idea that could improve or solve an issue within the City of Casey. Our team’s concept was an app developed to assist the Casey youth with finding employment. We then had several weeks to compose a formal essay that showcased our proposal. A few weeks after our submission, we received a letter informing us that we’d been chosen as a finalist! We were required to create a presentation to showcase to a panel of judges from Federation University and the Casey Council, as well as the public.

The Presentation Night was on the Wednesday, 31 October and there were 4 other schools at the evening. The order of the teams to present were drawn out of the trophy and of course, St. Peter’s College was drawn first. Our presentation included the key points from our essay and even featured a working prototype of our app, that we’d designed ourselves. It was a wonderful experience that allowed us to place our creative input into real life context. Although our team didn’t place within the top three, we were tremendously proud to make the final 6 out of the 28 teams that participated. We encourage anyone who has the opportunity to partake in this project next year to do so; it was an exciting and rewarding experience for all of us and a great learning curve!

Alliah, Chelsea & Sara

Year 9 Gift Wall

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God’.

Peter did not have any riches that he could give to this man. He did not have any material possessions to share, but Peter believed in his own abilities and was able to give of himself to others. We are all made to be unique….We all have our own character strengths that radiate from us…

We all have something to give. You have been part of a beautiful journey as a member of the founding Xspand Year 9 cohort, an opportunity to share part of yourself. You might feel that your gifts have been able to be shared or you may be feeling that they still need time to be polished and refined. Creativity, curiosity, love of learning, perspective, bravery, perseverance, honesty, zest, love, kindness, teamwork, fairness, leadership, forgiveness, humility, prudence, gratitude, hope, and humour. These are just some of them many gifts you have offered up this year. They are part of who you are and should be continued to be shared just like Peter.

What have you offered to others?

What are your gifts to share?

Mental Wellbeing: Headspace – a valuable resource:  

Whilst many of us may have heard about or have an awareness of Headspace as a place where young people, their friends and families can go to find support, advice and care. Headspace also provides a great online service called eheadspace which is a national online and phone support service, staffed by experienced youth mental health professionals. It provides 12–25 year olds, and their family and friends, a safe, secure and anonymous place to talk to a professional – whenever they need, wherever they are. Since it started eheadspace in 2011, it has grown in popularity with young people across Australia.

Not surprisingly, many young people feel more comfortable accessing our services online or by phone. As parents and guardians of young people growing up in a rapidly changing and complex world, I would encourage you to visit the Headspace website with your children as a way of making mental health a normal part of everyday conversation. Together we can build positive and purposeful conversations about the importance of healthy mental and physical wellbeing.

Julie Banda

Deputy Principal - East Campus