The Net

School of Leadership

News from the School of Leadership     

 

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we draw closer to the end of the academic year, the familiar buzz of excitement and anticipation fills our school community. With Christmas, end-of-year events, and the eagerly awaited school reports on the horizon, it is a time for celebration and reflection on a year of growth and achievement. However, as we look forward to these festivities, it is equally important to remember the value of maintaining routine.

The Importance of Routine and Celebration as We Approach Year’s End

Routine is the foundation that supports our students’ sense of security and purpose. Amidst the many events and activities of this time of year, routines offer a steadying rhythm. Routines enable students to stay focused, manage their time effectively, and approach their goals with clarity. As we prepare students to finish strong, we continue to emphasise regular study habits, consistent attendance, and a positive approach to all learning activities. These are skills and values that will serve them well beyond the classroom, even as they enjoy the excitement of the season.

The Christmas season and school events provide moments of joy and community celebration, reinforcing the spirit of our school and giving us the chance to reflect on the journey we’ve shared. We encourage families to participate in these events as a way of strengthening connections, creating memories, and celebrating all that we have accomplished together. Mrs Camilleri and I are delighted to welcome Year 6 parents and carers to the Year 6 Thanksgiving liturgy next week.  

Finally, with school reports soon to be released, we recognize the value of taking time to discuss and celebrate the progress each student has made. These reports are more than just academic summaries—they are snapshots of individual growth, resilience, and dedication. We encourage families to view these reports as a basis for meaningful conversations, celebrating successes and identifying areas for continued growth.

Celebrating 2024 - A Year in Review

Last week, the School of Leadership hosted a special event designed to shine a light on the contributions, experiences, participation and leadership of students across Years 5.8. We were also thrilled to award the inaugural recipients of the The School of Leadership Lucan Awards. 

St. Luke was known for his dedication to spreading the Gospel and his compassionate care for others, using his gifts to proclaim the Good News. The Lucan Award recognises a student in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 who consistently demonstrates outstanding commitment to our school and the wider community. The Lucan Award is presented to a student who embodies the values of St. Luke's Catholic College including faith, hope and love.  The recipients have used their gifts to Live the Good News – in areas such as liturgy, leadership, service and example.

By implementing The Lucan Award, we not only recognise and uplift outstanding students, but we also aim to inspire the entire St. Luke's community to grow in excellence, integrity, and a shared commitment to sustaining a positive culture.

Criteria for selection of The Lucan Award:

  • Embodies the values of faith, hope and love
  • Contributes to the faith life of the School of Leadership through social outreach, prayer and service
  • Demonstrated leadership capacity 
  • Engagement in a wide range of extra-curricular activities and initiatives
  • Demonstrated ability to show kindness, compassion, and respect for all staff,  students, and the wider community

The recipients of the School of Leadership Lucan Awards are:

 

Year 5: Aiden Thomas

 

Year 6: Mia Morris

Year 7: Walter Purcell

Year 8: Amelia Diana 

Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement as we close out the year together. Let’s keep our focus, maintain our routines, and savour each celebration along the way!

 

 

 

 Mrs Kate Kelly - Head of School, School of Leadership

 

A Note from The SOL Assistant Principal 

 

Congratulations - St.Luke’s Day

The students in the School of Leadership have been very busy this term participating in many opportunities the College affords them including our St.Luke’s Day Talent Showcase. The bravery of some very talented students in performing in front of one thousand students and teachers was inspiring. It was such a proud moment to watch many students, especially those in Years 5 and 6 reach high notes, land challenging dance moves, and nail musical compositions. Congratulations to all our students who performed at this event.

 

Screen time and access to devices

It is no secret that many of our young people are spending too much time on their devices for leisure, but have you ever considered how this is actually impacting them? According to The Educator, Australia in their recent article How screen addiction is harming teen brains, studies show that excessive screen time has an impact on a child and teenager’s attention and focus. It is alarming that it also correlates to a child’s cognitive capacity and decreases. As we move into the holiday period, please be vigilant about your children's time on devices. As a parent, I understand the challenge associated with getting a child off a device, but it is in providing structure and boundaries or even time limits, that we are supporting the healthy use of technology, which is a fundamental part of our lives. 

 

Mrs Josephine Camilleri - Assistant Principal, School of Leadership

 

Stage 3 Stories… 

 

Stage 3 have much to celebrate this week. Year 5 Acutis students had a taste of Year 6 as they supported the Kindergarten Orientation, chaperoning Kindergarten students in and out of the classrooms and making them feel welcome!

 

Here is what some of the Year 5 students had to say about their first experience as Kinder Buddies:

 

Anya: “It was really cute. We got to talk to new kindy students while they played with Play-Doh and did some drawing. I am really excited for them to come to St Luke’s next year!” 

 

Mihika: “It was like meeting a mini-me! I cannot wait to see them slowly grow up next year when they start their schooling journey.” 

 

Rigveda: “My first experience as a kindy buddy was really fun. I asked them different questions and began finding out more about them. At the end of the time, they all had smiles on their faces. I can’t wait to see them next year” 

 

Riley: “I was surprised how much my new kinder buddy already knew. She even knew how to spell her name! It was a pretty fun time getting to know them and giving them insights into what life at St Luke’s is like.”

 

Riley: “This experience felt like I stepped back in time to when I first began at St Luke’s in Kindy.  It was a great experience and I am looking forward to seeing how the future kindy’s grow and to become a guide for my buddy.” 

 

Stage 3 Touch Football Gala Day - Week 4 

On Friday the 8th of November select students participated in the Stage 3 Touch Football Gala day. Despite the challenging heat, they played a total of six games, showcasing excellent teamwork, determination, and skill. Congratulations to the following students on their selection for the team and their outstanding efforts throughout the day:

  • Emmanuel Abwi, Nivan Adhikari, Shanaya Agarwal, Vyom, Arya, Miel Camerino, Cameron Cefai, Anthony Francis, Milena Guerrero, Nevaeh Landrelli, Elouise Layoun, Cassius Magele, Megan Meneses, Romeo Nguyen, Janet Odion, Karma Parajuli, Peter Jnr Patolo, Yashida Senthilkumar, Stjepan Siric, Zoe Timson, Eilah VanDePoll

 

 

 

St Luke’s Day Talent Showcase - Week 5 

We’ve always known Stage 3 was brimming with talent, but on St. Luke’s Day, our Year 5 and 6 students truly took centre stage! A huge congratulations to the following students who dazzled at the St. Luke’s Day 5-12 Talent Show, showcasing the extraordinary abilities of Stage 3:

  • Nevaeh Landrelli, Declan Ferrao, Tissa Regin, Esther Gandy, Anaahat Kaur, Vihana Shah, Hea Pandya, Navya Mavnar, Shanaya Agarwal, Shanaya Macwan, Anya Shah, Joaquin Frijas, Miel Camerino, Noah De Leon, Lester Pamploma 

 

 

 

Year 6 Thanksgiving Liturgy 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Year 7…

 

 

Year 7 have been buzzing with activity over the past few weeks, and it’s been wonderful to see the hive come alive! It is clear that they have been making the most of each opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate together. They engaged in a swimming excursion, where students showed great teamwork and energy in the pool. They also took on PAT assessments, demonstrating their growing skills and focus. St. Luke’s Day brought another highlight as students embraced the day’s values and spirit of celebration. Finally, our Breakfast Club has become a favourite way to start Thursday mornings, allowing students to fuel up and connect with friends before heading into the day. It’s safe to say Year 7 has been a hive of positive energy and growth!

 

Miss Rowena Chand- Year 7 Wellbeing Coordinator

 

 

Life Design

 

It is with great pleasure that the students of Year 7 invite you to their  SIM Showcase. This is an opportunity for our year 7 students to present to you their learning this year in Life Design. They will be designing wonderful and creative ways to display their learning and are excited to welcome you. 

 

The event details for you as parents is as follows: 

- When: 12th December 2024

- Time: 3-4 pm for guests and family to attend and view their works

- Where: St Luke's Performance Hall

 

For the students, this is a compulsory event as part of their work in this unit. Students will be required to stay at school from 2:30- 4:30 so that they have adequate time to set up their displays and pack them up at the end. For further details, please see note that was sent home via compass on 1/11/24. 

 

 

 

Technologies

Year 7 are well underway into their final project for the year, with a Jewellery, Downforce and Robotics unit. Below are some progress photos of their work, with students’ applying skills and tools in order to refine and develop a quality project. Can’t wait to see the final result!

 

The progress photos below showcase the students in 7TECH4A actively working on their EV3 robot projects, demonstrating their growing proficiency in robotics and coding skills. Students apply problem-solving strategies, refine design elements, and use various tools to enhance their robot's functionality and precision. Through collaborative discussions and iterative adjustments, students integrate programming, mechanical assembly, and testing to elevate the quality of their projects. These hands-on experiences not only highlight their technical skill development but also their commitment to solve problems through collaborative means.

 

Creative Arts - Art and Music 

 

Year 7 recently had an incursion exploring learned performative and listening skills through an African Drumming Incursion. The students interacted with percussive sounds through movement and creating beats using Djembes with call and response. They excelled in their performative skills, in their attention and drumming! 

 

HSIE

Year 7 are currently studying Ancient Egypt and as part of this, students have been able to engage in the ancient practice of mummification. To do this, students are required to create a mixture of salts to create ‘natron’ which the ancient Egyptians used in the mummification process. It will be interesting to see how successful our students are in mummification. 

 

 

From Year 8…

 

Year 8 is flying towards the SOE and we could not be prouder! So far this term, they have been involved with, in addition to their normal classroom learning; Rep Sport, PAT Tests, Music and English Incursions, Talent Shows, Peer Companions and of course, St Luke’s Day. They say pictures tell a story, so I will allow those below to do just that! A gentle reminder, Camp is only a few weeks away. Thank you to all parents who have provided consent and completed the required forms via Compass. If you have not, please can I request you do so as soon as possible. 

 

Mr Zaccaria - 8 Wellbeing Coordinator

 

 

 

Science

 

 

HSIE

In Year 8 History, students are learning about the ways in which historians engage with children to teach them about history. To do this, we are investigating Medieval Japan. Throughout the term, students will be working together to create an artefact which will educate their peers on an aspect of Medieval Japan using the techniques and methods learnt throughout the term. We look forward to seeing what our clever students can come up with!