From the Deputy Principal, Secondary

From the Deputy Principal, Secondary

Student - Parent - Teacher Conversations

• Wednesday 10 April 2019, 2:00pm – 8:00pm
• Please note students will be dismissed at 1:00pm

You should have received information regarding the login procedures for booking your time slots for Student, Parent, Teacher Conversations today as they were sent home with your son. Please take the opportunity to book, as the partnership we develop with families is a critical ingredient to your son’s success.

The conversations are not built on a deficit model but begin from a strengths-based approach. The aim of the evening is to keep your son central to the discussion, to ensure that their needs, developmental stage, strengths and perspective are considered and listened to.

A strengths-based approach is one founded on the following beliefs:

• All people have strengths and capacities.

• People change and grow through their strengths and capacities.

• People are the experts on their own situation.

• The problem is the problem: the person is not the problem.

• Problems can blind people from noticing and appreciating their strengths and  capacity to find their  own solutions.

• People have good intentions.

• People are doing the best they can.

A strengths-based approach does not mean issues or concerns are not raised – rather it includes strengths in the conversation and ensures that the negative aspects are not the sole focus of the conversation. Often solutions to problems can be found when strengths are identified. It can also be a way to enable the conversation to keep moving forward and not become stuck in negativity and helplessness.

Carly Ryan Foundation

As you would be aware, we are passionate about assisting boys in making wise choices. You only need to read the news to witness the gravitas of poor decision made by ‘mates’ and young men.

As part of our strategy to educate young men on the responsible use of technology, we facilitate several student-based initiatives. This term, as a follow up to our 2018 Carly Ryan parent session, we engaged the Carly Ryan Foundation to speak with our middle and senior students. Sonia Ryan (mother of the late Carly Ryan) spoke candidly about cybercrime and precarious online behaviour. So often the origins of cybercrime is in seemingly wholesome interactions, such as online chats and online gaming. Sonia provided invaluable insights to students and we thank her for sharing her story and continuing to allow her beautiful daughter’s light to shine through the amazing work of the Carly Ryan Foundation. Cameron (also from the Carly Ryan Foundation) spoke about gaming addiction and the debilitating effects of online addiction.

Parents play the most vital role in cyber safety. The way technology is distributed and monitored at home is essential to your child’s wellbeing. As adults, the way we use technology is a powerful example for our children. Unfortunately, the technological divide between students and parents appears to be growing as the ICT savvy student creates an overwhelming knowledge gap between child and parent. The partnership between school and home is critical in our efforts to prevent harm young people. Below are the Carly Ryan Foundation suite of brochures for parents.

LeadLearn Consulting Educator Accelerator Cycle

During Term 2 the final group of our teaching staff (31) have been selected to engage with LeadLearn Consulting through the 8-week Educator Accelerator Cycle. Teachers undergo professional development in current educational research. The cycle includes teachers receiving feedback from their students and then engaging in action research to improve their teaching practice. Educators analyse data, collaborate, plan, receive feedback and evaluate. Teachers will focus on areas such as collaboration, differentiation, task orientation and individual support. The Cycle involves teachers utilising expert coaching and classroom observations from LeadLearn Consultants. These teachers will also receive intensive professional development in Accompaniment Coaching and will then be equipped to continue this self-reflective and growth mindset approach to teaching in the future at Blackfriars. This is an investment in the acceleration of our educators’ effectiveness in delivering optimum outcomes for the students at Blackfriars.

Term 2 – Trinity Term - Return to School and Change of Uniform

A reminder that students will return on Monday 29 April 2019. When students return, they will be required to wear their full winter uniform. Please refer to the Uniform Shop article in this edition of the newsletter for further information.

2020 SACE Subject Selection Information Evening – Change of Date

You will note on the school calendar that the above event was scheduled for Wednesday 19 June. This event has now been rescheduled to Term 3 and will be held on Wednesday 31 July. Further information will be circulated closer to this time.

Easter

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our families a holy Easter. Easter is a time of great joy as we celebrate the Pascal mystery of Jesus Christ.

The Easter story is challenging as it contradicts society’s mindset on suffering. One is not asked to venture out in search of suffering — don’t worry suffering will find you! The question is how do I deal with suffering when it arrives? Do I embrace it as an opportunity for growth, resist it with bitterness, transform it with faith or transmit it with fear?

On Holy Thursday night we recall Jesus’ poignant moment of prayer as he pleads with God (whom he calls “Abba”, meaning Daddy) to take the suffering away. Abba appears silent, but Jesus knows he is there and it is that faith filled knowledge that enables him to rise and continue to face his suffering.

Jesus told many stories that still influence us today. He performed miracles that inspire and fill our hearts with faith. Yet it was through his suffering that we are able to be transformed today. Jesus’ suffering leaves us with an example on how to live as the ultimate act of evil and apparent failure is destroyed by boundless love and the deepest faith.

This Easter I ask myself, what is my suffering? What plight exists in my life that appears beyond solution? What pain am I transmitting through fear rather than transforming through faith? I bring these honestly to my Easter Jesus and ask him to transform me so I may rise up and live again – just as he did!

Blessings,

Mr David Ruggiero

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, SECONDARY