Chev Need to Knows
9 August 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
We could not have a Need to Know without reference to the Olympics.
Olympic Athletes: More Than Just Competitors
Olympic athletes may not be saving lives like doctors, nurses, and paramedics do. They may not be protecting lives like police officers and firefighters do. Nor are they nurturing lives in the way parents do. Yet, they offer us something equally valuable: stories of humility, perseverance, and success.
Consider the humility of Kaylee McKeown, or the story of the canoeist Fox sisters, whose family's collective achievements would rank 12th on the medal tally. Then there are the remarkable achievements of Ariarne Titmus. However, two stories stand out for their unique lessons.
Cameron McEvoy: The Power of Thinking Differently
Cameron McEvoy, a 30-year-old long-time Olympian, faced heartbreak after his performance in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. An intelligent individual and an astrophysicist in training, McEvoy dared to think differently. He trained far less in the pool and far more outside of it, defying traditional methods and approaches to win gold in the 50m men’s freestyle event. His story reminds us that resilience and the willingness to challenge conventional thinking can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Saya Sakakibara: One Day at a Time
Saya Sakakibara, the BMX Champion from Helensburgh, endured significant challenges. In 2020, her brother Kai's promising BMX career was tragically altered by a life-changing crash. Saya suffered a severe accident at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, battling concussion and ongoing other injuries for at least a year. In a recent interview, when asked how she managed to come back to win gold at these Paris Olympics, Saya simply said, “I managed one day at a time.”
Her words echo the message we reflected on at the beginning of the term from Kath Koschel: “Turn up every day” and put your best foot forward, even though some days will be better than others. Kath Koschel also says, "Everything we do in life is a choice. Every interaction we have with ourselves and with others has the potential to change the course of someone's day – to lift them up or drag them down. That is the power we hold as human beings. It is both a tremendous opportunity and a tremendous responsibility. When we appreciate this, we come to see that it is our choice whether these interactions are positive or negative. Life really can be that simple.”
In conclusion, these stories from the Olympics are not just about athletic achievement; they are about human spirit and the choices we make every day. As we go about our lives, let us remember the lessons from Cameron and Saya – to think differently, to persevere, and to make each day count.
Best wishes for the weekend and the week ahead.
Greg Miller
Principal
Parent Teacher Interviews - Feedback Survey
We are seeking your feedback regarding our parent-teacher interview format.
Online parent-teacher interviews came into existence during the Covid lockdown. Feedback from parents at that time was they preferred the online interviews to the previous setting, which was sitting in McGrath Hall, among many other interviews. They noted that the hall-style interviews were in a busy, distracting atmosphere, while the online setting was more personal and allowed for easier conversation around sensitive matters. Obviously, there are also considerable time savings, flexibility, and convenience in online meetings.
It is now time for us to check in with you to ensure these benefits are being realised and are still the preference of the majority.
Please take a few moments to complete this short survey and thank you for your participation: Parent Teacher Interviews - Feedback Survey.
Diverse Learning - NOVA Information Session - 16 August 2024
Join NOVA EMPLOYMENT for an upcoming information session on 16 August 2024, focused on helping those with specific needs or disabilities into future employment. Located in Bowral, 58 Station Street, the session will run from 10am to 2pm, examining the facilitation of school-to-employment pathways, along with job assistance and post school placement support.
For further information, see this flyer or contact Ryan Weir at 0419 521 404.
Rebecca Graham
Senior Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Year 11 Presentation Ball - volunteers required
A small group of parents have been working hard to transform McGrath Hall into a magnificent venue for the Presentation Ball. Additional help is required in the week leading up to the Ball (Saturday 24 to Thursday 29 August) and to pack up after the Ball (Saturday 31 August).
Please complete the Volunteer Helper form to indicate your availability. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide!
Parent Webinar - Open Parachute
We are pleased to share a complimentary Parent Webinar from Open Parachute, Neuroaffirming Care: An Introduction for Caregivers of ASD and ADHD Kids.
Neurodivergent Clinical Psychologist Adelle Sushames will discuss the neurodiversity-affirming model of autism and ADHD and help parents gain some knowledge for supporting their neurodivergent child and ultimately, experience success at home and school.
Please click on this link for further information on the webinar encouraging you to register your attendance for Tuesday, 20 August 2024.
Kelly Clunn and Natalie LaGarde
Assistant Principals - Wellbeing
Term 3 Retreats
Year 9 Retreat @ Fitzroy Falls
Students in Clancy, Reid and Riversdale will be attending on Monday 12 August.
If you have not already done so, could parents please complete the online permission and registration which was sent via email and through portal ASAP.
Year 8 Retreat @ Douglas Park
Students in 8.1 and 8.2 – Monday 2 September
Students in 8.3 and 8.4 – Monday 9 September
Students in 8.5 and 8.6 – Monday 16 September
Students in 8.7 and 8.8 – Monday 23 September
Further information will be sent home in the coming weeks.
Sandy Abbey
Assistant Principal - Faith Formation and Mission
Sacre Coeur Centre car park - Exit Boom Gate
Please be aware that the exit boom gate in the Sacre Coeur Centre car park is an automatic boom gate and will open when you pause at the gate. Please do not exit via the entrance drive located at Gate 4. The car park is one-way only (enter Gate 4, exit Gate 3).
Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Please note the Chev Shop will be closed on the following dates and times:
- Week 6 - Thursday 29 August and Friday 30 August - all day
The shop will reopen in Week 7 (Thursday 5 September and Friday 6 September) with normal trading hours. Please visit the Chev Shop website for normal trading hours.
ISA Round 10
ISA Round 10 is this Saturday 10 August. Team fixtures and bus information can be found in the Parent Lounge and on the Parent Orbit app under School Links >> Extra Curricular.
IMPORTANT: We aim to have the fixtures and bus times uploaded to School Links by Wednesday each week. Please check the fixtures on a Friday afternoon/evening for any last minute changes to bus times and/or game cancellations.
All buses will leave from the bus zone on Charlotte Street. Students leaving the College should be dropped off in the JFC car park.
Duke of Ed - Parent Information Session
The Duke of Ed is a prestigious award that's all about getting active, learning a skill, and giving back to your community. Youth Advance is partnering with Chev to offer this opportunity for students in Years 9 to 12.
Youth Advance is running a Zoom information session on Wednesday 14 August at 7.30pm for interested parents:
Meeting ID: 211 678 1063
Passcode (if requested): 959577
Coach Phillips
Extra Curriculum Administrator
Picton Town Talk - Wednesday 14 August
We understand it is not always convenient to make it to the College for events, especially for those in our outlying towns and villages. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to our ‘Town Talks’ with our Principal, Greg Miller.
Greg will be making a special visit to Picton on Wednesday 14 August, and he’s looking forward to sharing a drink, some nibbles, and most importantly, a conversation with you.
To make the most of our time together, we’d love to hear from you in advance. Please take a moment to share up to three areas you’d like to discuss with Greg via the booking link. He will be preparing a brief presentation covering points of interest, followed by an open Q&A and conversation. Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival and some nibbles while we chat. Please let us know if you can make it by booking a free spot here.
Wednesday 14 August
6.00pm for a 6.30pm start
Picton Bowling Club
We look forward to catching up with you!
Father’s Day Brekkie - 29 August 7.30 am - 8.45am
We warmly welcome fathers, grandfathers, father figures and accompanying students to our Father's Day Brekkie.
Tickets are $10 per person each (adults and students) which includes a bacon and egg roll or sausage sandwich, hot drink, and a morning of reflection and gratitude. Please note that a ticket also needs to be purchased for each student attending with their father/father figure.
Ticket holders do not need to stay for the whole time. You can come and go as you please. A short reflection will be held at 8.15am.
Tickets are available for purchase until 26 August https://events.humanitix.com/father-s-day-brekkie-2024.
We look forward to welcoming all the special men in our student’s lives.
- 10 August - Greater Sydney Schools Cattle Competition
- 10 August - ISA Round 10
- 12 August - Year 9 Retreat (Clancy, Reid, Riversdale)
- 12 to 23 August - Year 12 Trial HSC exams
- 13 to 15 August - Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Interviews
- 14 August - Principal Town Talk - Picton
- 17 August - ISA Semi Finals
- 19 August - Year 11 Student Leadership Formation
- 19 August - Year 9 VET Work Ready sessions
- 19 August - Year 11 Presentation Ball Practice
- 22 August - Year 9 2025 Subject Selection Information Evening
- 24 August - ISA Finals
- 26 August - Mid Term Break - students do not attend
- 27 August - Year 11 Presentation Ball Practice
- 29 August - Father's Day Breakfast
- 30 August - Presentation Ball
- 2 September - Year 12 Wilderness Excursion
- 2 September - Year 8 Retreat (8.1 and 8.2)
- 2 to 3 September - Year 10 Wilderness Excursion
- 5 September - HSC Showcase
Chev Need to Knows Archive
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