Learning Updates
- School of Innovation

New School of Innovation Leader announced

Year 8 Learning Mentor Pat Noonan has moved into the role of School of Innovation (SOI) Leader and he, along with St Anne's staff and students, are excited about the transition. Pat joined St Anne's College at the beginning of the year, making the move from Mater Dei Catholic College, Wagga Wagga, NSW, to Shepparton. Pat immediately developed a wonderful rapport with students and staff alike, and he is looking forward to the opportunities that his new role brings.

"The emotions I feel towards my new appointment include elated, confident in the abilities of people around me, and eager to walk down 'roads diverged in a yellow wood'; a nice Robert Frost metaphor. I hope to continue exploring different roads as I love to expand myself as both an educator and a person. I am eager to walk these roads with colleagues and students alike, allowing us to grow as lifelong learners," Pat said.

Pat is taking over the SOI Leader role from Sean O'Brien who was eager to return to a teaching role in the SOI. We thank Sean for his work as SOI Leader and wish him all the best for his return to the classroom as a Year 8 Learning Mentor.

Student Voice provides leadership opportunities

Student Voice is an initiative created to provide leadership opportunities to School of Innovation (SOI) students and to give them a voice about what they would like to see happening at St Anne's College. SOI students were invited to be involved in Student Voice and there was an impressive response with 60 students submitting applications. SOI Leader Pat Noonan said, "The successful applicants really stood out with their responses." Congratulations to the four students from each year level who were chosen to represent their cohorts as part of Student Voice. They are:

Mixed emotions during heart dissection

The Year 8s recently had the opportunity to dissect a lamb's heart. The dissections scared some, and made some very excited, but as the dissection went on it seemed as though some roles flipped; people who were feeling scared to do the dissection started to enjoy it. Thanks to our Learning Mentor Chelsea we were able to identify the parts of the heart. My group worked exceptionally well and had the best communication when conducting the dissection; we worked together and identified the heart chambers and valves. It was an amazing experience and I certainly won't forget it. Thanks to Chelsea for organising this and putting up with some pre-dissection complaints from a few squeamish people (such as myself), but for also helping us realise that it was a really cool experience and that it was extremely fun.

- Alick Jarvis, Year 8

Check out our new chess club

St Anne's College finally has its very own chess club for School of Innovation students. There has been a recent boom in the game due to a popular Netflix series titled Queen’s Gambit, a story about a young chess genius who rises through the ranks and becomes the world champion. Chess has always been a popular game and from my experience most children have had some connection to the game, whether their mum or dad played it or a grandparent (there is always a chess board hanging around somewhere in someone's house).

Chess is a great game to play. It is brilliant for thinking skills; one needs to show resilience, discipline and there are the rules and etiquette to abide by. Currently we have a small group of committed players but we are hoping to grow. We play once a week and slowly each chess club member is developing their game.

If you think your child would benefit from the experience of playing chess then please encourage them to join the club. The point of contact is myself - chess coordinator Paul Howard. We are very welcoming of new members. Check mate!

- Paul Howard, School of Innovation Learning Mentor

Pop Art appropriations impress

Year 7 students have been busy appropriating the style of American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein (1923 –1997). During the 1960s Lichtenstein became a leading figure of this historic art movement. His work defined the premise of pop art through parody, inspired by comic strips and influenced by popular advertising.

Students have created a Pop-Art-style artwork of themselves, a Learning Mentor or a friend. They were required to mimic the comic-book style and include Ben Day dots, representing the printing press type of this time period.

- Chantelle Bell, Visual Arts Learning Mentor

Visual Arts task focuses on Alphabetography

During distance learning this week, Year 9 Visual Arts students completed a photography task titled Alphabetography. This task required students to write their name or spell a word using only photographs. Alphabet letters could be found or made, with only one rule - students couldn't use actual letters from signs or in books. They were asked to move slowly through their environment, looking carefully and using their imagination to find and capture photographs.

- Chantelle Bell, Visual Arts Learning Mentor

Wellness Wednesdays well under way

Wellness Wednesdays have been launched at St Anne's College. Our first session kicked off with approximately 30 students attending the first Wellness Wednesday activity - The Art of Eating Chocolate - a chocolate meditation. This was a mindful eating activity, which is basically eating with intention, attention and awareness. Students were guided by School of Innovation Leader Pat Noonan to eat a piece of chocolate slowly and mindfully. This mindfulness activity encouraged students to really tune into their awareness of the chocolate through all of their senses, mindful of how different the chocolate made them feel and being aware of how it feels to eat the chocolate.

This week the recent lockdown 4.0 did not stop students engaging in yoga. In just 10 minutes, yoga can support students to reduce stress, boost memory, improve posture, increase concentration and strength.

Each Wednesday until the end of term there will be a lunchtime wellness activity that School of Innovation students can engage in to learn simple ways to improve their overall wellbeing. Keep an eye out online and on site for further information or reach out to me at Student Wellbeing.

- Mel Formica, Wellbeing Officer

Year 9 Market Day to be rescheduled

The Year 9 Market Day that was scheduled to be held at the college on June 1 had to be postponed due to the COVID snap lockdown. Families will be informed once the Market Day has been rescheduled.

An insight into The Innovator's Mindset

The author of The Innovator's Mindset and Innovate Inside the Box, George Couros, hasa passion for exploring the connection between innovation and relationships for learning. The image below was modified from the book, The Growth Mindset Coach, and then George added the column for The Innovator's Mindset. Find out more here: https://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/8389

Reminder about mobile phone usage

School of Innovation students are reminded that mobile phones are not permitted to be used during school hours. Mobile phones need to be placed in the student's locker on arrival at the college and must remain in their locker until the end of the school day.

Students encouraged to visit Wellbeing site

The St Anne's College Wellbeing site has many useful resources and supports for School of Innovation students. Students are encouraged to access this site and explore it. They can reach out to their Pastoral Group Leader or Wellbeing Officer Mel Formica if they have any questions. Please note that the site is only accessible by students and staff.

https://sites.google.com/sackialla.catholic.edu.au/wellbeing-online/home

Be familiar with college's Social Media Policy

All parents/carers are strongly urged to read the St Anne's College Social Media Student Usage Policy (below) and to discuss with their child the college expectations regarding the responsible use of social media.

Social Media - Student Usage Policy.pdf

Carly Ryan Foundation - supporting young people

https://www.carlyryanfoundation.com

Resources created by the Carly Ryan Foundation are valuable and beneficial to regularly revisit - their aim is for all young people to have a positive online experience.

CRF_Online Contract 1.pdf

App fact sheets

Would you like to know more about the following apps?

See the parent booklet below for details on these and other commonly accessed apps.