Clyde North Campus News

The last two weeks have been a flurry of activities, some of which were sporting and fun while others lead us into our most important and reflective period of Lent in preparation for the celebrations of Easter. Many of us as youngsters would have been encouraged to give up something like chocolate or other such treats. This Lenten season, let us challenge ourselves to commit or take on board activities that support the needs of others. Project Compassion was launched and already each House has planned what they will take on to raise funds for those who are less fortunate. The Lenten season gives us permission to pause, reflect and allow ourselves the gift of generosity to care and meet the needs of others.

We enjoyed the mouth-watering tastes of pancakes cooked with precision by the VCAL students on Pancake Tuesday.  Ash Wednesday was reverent and spiritual providing the timely and appropriate pause as we embarked on our Lenten journey.

The 2020 Rosemary Graham competition is now well underway with three big House events over the past two weeks. The Hogan Golf Cup is a special favourite for many of our students who are both keen competition golfers and weekend novices, this includes some of our staff.  Well done to the MacKillop House who were victorious under the expertise and leadership of Tom Ryan. The first round of House Tabloid Sports provided the entire campus the opportunity to laugh, have fun and earn some valuable points for the Rosemary Graham Cup, with four Houses sharing first place. And to complete the week the Swimming Carnival saw Assisi and Augustine battle it out to the last event, with Assisi victorious by three points. A stunning carnival full of colour, fun, passion and impressive House Spirit. Well done to all competitors in both the swimming and novelty events and a special thank you to all the students who came along to cheer and support their House. My sincere thanks to Ms Chloe Malter and her team for a most enjoyable and professional carnival.  Make sure you check out the first point’s ladder for 2020 at the end of this newsletter.

Last week Alisha (Year 9) met with me to discuss a rather unique idea of expressing gratitude. We know that when we practice gratitude on a regular basis it supports and promotes our wellbeing. More than any other personality trait, gratitude is strongly linked to mental health and life satisfaction. Grateful people experience more joy, love, and enthusiasm, and they enjoy protection from destructive emotions like envy, greed, and bitterness. Gratitude practice begins by paying attention and seeing all the good things we normally take for granted. Alisha did just this, she noticed the good work of the fire fighters who have and continue to fight the recent bush fires. It was while watching a charity concert on television that Alisha found herself wanting to practice gratitude. The question was how? The answer, very simple, create a large handmade Thank you card, signed by as many students as possible and send this to our fire fighters. Alisha has mobilised her resources including teachers and students. The end product will be a wonderful representation of gratitude in the shape of a card, but it is the practice of gratitude by all who participate in making and signing the card that will truly foster a deep sense of gratitude for our fire fighters. Well done Alisha.

Rosemary Graham Shield

The first totals for the year:  Whilst Augustine are leading, this year is shaping up for a much more competitive season with Romero and Glowrey well on the heels of Assisi. This year promises to be exciting as all Houses have planned one major event alongside some smaller activities taking place throughout the year. The first of which is the Augustine Lip Sync Battle and if the rehearsals are anything to go by this will be a fabulously entertaining event this term.

Year 7 Camp

This week our year 7 students ventured off to their first camp with the College. I look forward to hearing all about their adventures and experiences. No doubt they will return a little tired and may have been a little homesick during the camp. Nevertheless this camp provides our newest members of the College a great opportunity to develop new and consolidate existing friendships and connections with their peers. Next week all year 7 students will have the opportunity to stand for the House Forum Leader elections. I encourage all year 7 students to take a risk, be brave and apply for this most rewarding leadership position within their House.

Key Reminders

Once again I remind parents that the gates on MacKillop Way are not to be used to drop off or pick children. The car park is for Staff and Visitors only. Last week students were put at risk with the volume of parents entering and leaving this carpark. We will eventually have a functioning turning carpark for drop off and pick but until then, please collect your child from outside the carpark.

I wish you all a safe and productive week.

Julie Banda

Deputy Principal - Head of Clyde North Campus