From the Principal

Benvenuto - Welcome

Welcome to the first edition of il giornale for 2022. This publication is a celebration of learning at St Anne’s College and contains stories of wonderful learning moments, achievements and recognition. Debbie Mori, our Publications and Communications Officer, does such an incredible job bringing it all together so please take the time to sit back and enjoy each fortnightly edition. 

The college continues to grow as we welcome a total enrolment of 443 students for 2022. As part of this growth, we take another first big step into the world of Senior Secondary education with the beginning of our School of Possibilities (Years 10-12). Some of our students are undertaking a fast track in VCE Psychology or VCE Business Management. Other specialisations being undertaken by Year 10 students include: Food Studies; Music; Product Design and Technology; IT; Sports Coaching; Visual Communication and Design; Chemistry; Economics; History; Italian; Visual Arts; Environmental Studies; Sport and Exercise Science; Biology. 

Writing curriculum for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to approve our application to deliver a broader range of VCE subjects next year is now our focus. Next year will see a change in the structure of Senior Secondary provision across Victoria. VCE and VET will remain, VCE Vocational Major will replace VCAL Intermediate and Senior Certificates, whilst the Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace the Foundation VCAL Certificate. There is still much learning and planning to occur across the year and we will be holding parent information sessions to keep you updated.

In our School of Wonder we have grown to include Year 3. The Year 3 program sees the transition from a play-based approach to more structured conceptual inquiry. The Year 3 learning program is inspired by the International Baccalaureate approach, with the learning assets continuing to be a keen focus. 

We have many new staff on board this year and a change in our leadership structure. We have appointed two Deputy Principals, one focused on Learning and Teaching and the other on Community and Wellbeing. Melissa Key has taken the Learning and Teaching Deputy role. Melissa comes to us from St Augustine’s College in Kyabram and is experienced in this space. Kate McGrath has taken on the Community Wellbeing role; this is Kate’s first foray into senior leadership and she is doing a tremendous job so far. We have also expanded other roles to support our growth such as a VCE coordinator - Chris Segrave - and another counsellor/social worker.

I would like to thank all of our community for your diligence and patience as we navigated the distribution of the rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to be used across the first four weeks of the year. Most Catholic schools in the region experienced a shortfall in the numbers of kits they received, meaning that some families did not get their kits. We have now taken delivery of the kits required to address the first-round shortfall and these were distributed today. We are also in the process of distributing the second round of kits and this should be finalised by early next week. We have had a few positive cases since our return to school, however through our COVIDsafe actions we are minimising the spread. We will continue to send out communication whenever we have been notified of a positive COVID case ‘at school’ (this does not include students or staff who were already isolating or not at school for 48 hours prior to their positive result). Please continue to test twice per week.

On Tuesday, February 1, we were extremely lucky to have Neuropsychologist Warrick Brewer join us for a day of staff learning. Warrick unpacked for us what trauma is, the physiological impact of trauma and the practical aspects of working with young people who have experienced trauma. The day was well received by all who attended and was timely as we began the school year. Warrick is an expert in the field and was able to help us understand the what, how and why of the impact of trauma on children and young adults. 

On Tuesday, February 8, the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, St Anne’s College participated in the online launch of the CES Ltd Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy which aims for Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd to move towards being a slavery-free organisation. The three CES Ltd offices committed to ensuring that their staffrooms would only buy and consume tea, coffee and drinking chocolate that is certified as slave-free by Fairtrade, UTZ or Rainforest Alliance and features one of their labels. Soon schools will be asked to do the same. It was great to have Jesse Minicozzi, Darcie Varapodio, Lillian Richardson and Alick Jarvis, as part of the Student Voice group, to join the launch. The students who participated are now thinking of small proactive actions we can take towards supporting the policy.

February 13 marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. The apology was delivered in 2008 by the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The origins of the apology event can be found in the ‘Bringing them Home’ report by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. When we acknowledge country as we gather, we are reminded that there is much to be done towards true reconciliation. Remembering this historic occasion is one way we, as a community, can keep the narrative going and take steps towards justice and healing.

The Catholic Education Sandhurst diocesan theme for 2022 is ‘Tell the Good News’. The following is from Sr Geraldine Larkins: 

If we think "but what can one person do?” we can look to St Paul who brought the good news of Jesus Christ and a vision for bringing God's kingdom on earth. Without the benefit of modern communications or transport, Paul brought the good news to the gentiles and then supported the communities he had visited. What is the Good News? God is love. This knowledge of the good news impacts all our relationships and the way we live and communicate with each other. It challenges religious education teachers to engage in dialogue and lead Christian conversations, but as St Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words”. This emphasises the importance of teachers as “witnesses, specialists and moderators” (Didier Pollefeyt). The good news is for all creation. The importance of caring for creation is not new but is often forgotten. Our care for creation comes from respect for the creator, not just a selfish response to need. “Suddenly we realise, of course, that God is not 'out there', but God is in all, through all, and with all” (Richard Rohr). Don’t be shy. If you have experienced Jesus Christ in your life, share that relationship with your community. So we will focus on telling the Good News in our actions throughout 2022; living our motto of faith, wisdom, learning will help us demonstrate the ways in which we will express this Good News – that God is Love!

 - Susan Carroll, Principal

January 

  Pragunn Kaur; Bharpur Singh; Parm Singh; Charnpreet Kaur; Cara Seddon; Dakota Rogerson; Madi Cox; Matilda Kirby; Jayden Pert; Ngtaeo Tass; Jayda Kennedy; Madison Smith; Daniella Luvara; Noah Catanzariti; Olivia Andrews; Penny Lott; Tom Nalder; Xander Raymer; Xavier Wheaton; Ella Daldy; Bailey MacGibbon; Sinead McCarroll;

Ekamjot Singh; Avreen Brar; Oscar Lambourn; Livinia Lay; Sky Grossi; Vernal Mauigoa; Rylan Farren; Rayansh Patel; Aidan Burke; Lily Hall; Olivia Jezewski; Tyson Thompson; Abbas Al-Kaeni; Dante Sultana; Savannah Shaw; Lawson Corrigan; Isla Hallett; Kulsharan Sekhon; Ty Skinner; Leah Cummins; Noah Cummins; Noah Booth; Logan Green; Simar Singh; Owen Terry; Jack Stammers; Hussain Alsarai; Sarah Baglin; Nathan Carroll; Jamie Hatch; Melissa Key; Debbie Mori; David Villani

February

Kasey Daldy; Tylan Hunt; Fatema Alatheiry; Jordan Watson; Jay Briant; Madison Reynolds-Smith; Toby Hyland; Talia Rosegas; Bayden Shepherd; Adele Ahmet; Arabella Cocomazzo; Sukhreet Hayer; Liam Carboon; Sean McAllister

Thanks to the following businesses for supporting St Anne's College:

Adornato's for landscaping supplies and Intercontinental Spares for the 40ft shipping container.