News from the School of Leadership

Dear Parents and Carers,

The School of Leadership - Middle Years School of Excellence

We are absolutely delighted to share that our school has been recognised by Adolescent Success, an esteemed international middle years specialist agency, as a Middle Years School of Excellence. This recognition affirms our commitment to providing outstanding learning experiences tailored to the unique needs of our Years 5-8 students in the School of Leadership.

At St Luke’s, our approach to the middle years is purposeful, innovative, and student-centred. A key aspect of this is Stage 3, which sets us apart from traditional senior primary spaces. This learning space empowers our students with meaningful leadership opportunities, fostering confidence, critical thinking, and responsibility from a young age. By engaging in authentic leadership experiences—whether through peer mentoring, student-led initiatives, or involvement in community projects—our students develop the skills and mindset needed for success in high school and beyond. Students also gain exposure to specialist teaching in our state of the art specialist spaces which pays dividends when they commence Year 7 with pre-existing knowledge in the Science, Art and Music areas.

One of the most successful aspects of the School of Leadership’s commitment to leadership and community engagement is our ongoing partnership with Elara Nursing Home. I could not be more proud of the students who dedicate their time and energy to this initiative. Through cart and craft, storytelling, and simple companionship, our students bring joy to the residents while gaining invaluable lessons in empathy, respect, and the power of human connection. This partnership has been profoundly enriching for both our students and the elderly residents, demonstrating the power of intergenerational relationships and the impact of small acts of kindness.

Global citizens

Beyond our local community, we are also deeply committed to fostering global connections. We look forward to strengthening our ties with our partner school in Kenya through the Global Schools initiative and furthering our engagement with our matched school in the Philippines as part of the ASEAN Bridge Program. These programs allow our students to develop a broader worldview, appreciate different cultures, and understand the importance of global citizenship. Bringing the outside world into the breezeway gates of St Luke’s enriches our students’ learning experiences, broadens their perspectives, and prepares them to be compassionate and informed global citizens.

Another example of this community's commitment to connectedness and inclusion is the provision of free online Auslan Classes that have been organised by Year 9 student, Aisha P, as part of her Year 8 Life Design Legacy Project. You can sign up using the registration details below:

Home - School Connection

As we approach the end of the term, we recognise that this is often a challenging time for students. The combination of assessment deadlines, general fatigue, and the anticipation of the holidays can sometimes lead to increased stress and poor decision-making. We often say that this is the time when “the wheels start to fall off.” However, with the support of parents and the school working together, we can guide our students through these final weeks with resilience and responsibility. Encouraging routines, reinforcing positive behaviour, and maintaining open communication will help ensure that students finish the term on a high note.

We are grateful for the partnership we share with our families and for the incredible efforts of our students and staff. Let’s finish the term strong and continue to celebrate the achievements—big and small—that make our school such a special place.

Mrs Kate Kelly - Head of School, School of Leadership

A Note from The SOL Assistant Principal

When things go wrong…

As we have learned in life, things do not always go according to plan. Things go wrong, people make mistakes, and things do not always turn out as we planned. We understand the importance of your child’s education and know that with the desire for our children to succeed in life, emotions can run high. When there is an issue with your child and you email the College, a leader or teacher receives that communication and then needs to plan the best response to ensure that your child is looked after and that the issue is resolved in a timely manner. Our staff are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to support every student (often beyond the regulated schooling hours), and positive collaboration between home and school is essential for their success. We are human and sometimes might say the wrong thing. Please remember our humanity when you email the College or phone and speak to someone directly. We ask that this communication be respectful and kind, core values we hope to enhance in all students. Kindness and compassion are necessary for us to work together to lead to the most productive outcomes for all stakeholders. Together, we can foster a supportive and respectful school community for the benefit of all our students.

How to build independence and responsibility with your child

Anytime in your child’s life is the perfect opportunity to help them learn key life skills. One way to enable this is to set achievable household chores for them to complete. Below is a helpful image that captures some age-appropriate household jobs your child can do. Loading and unloading the dishwasher, taking the silo bin to the front curb, doing laundry, cooking and washing the car should be normal activities your child does, especially in the middle years. Time to put the feet up I think!

Attendance and school refusal

During the teenage years, it can sometimes become increasingly challenging to get your young person to school regularly. It is frustrating as a parent and we may get angry, we may try to use rewards or consequences to get our kid to go to school and it is extremely stressful for the entire family. Know that we are here to help and you should reach out if you are experiencing any of these challenges. Speaking with your GP about your child’s anxiety can also assist in getting to understand the root causes of your child’s struggles. Keep in regular contact with the College to ensure that we can wrap as much support around your child as possible and facilitate a connection with our SOL school counsellor. We can consider ways to make the classroom environment less stressful for your child and put in place reasonable adjustments so that your child can feel safe and secure at school.

I know for me and my family, the morning rush can be a difficult and stressful time of the day. To ensure that I maintain a calm environment in my own household while I wrangle kids to get ready for school, I often experiment with different ways of setting the tone. Sometimes I wake my children up with different music, I use our pet cat, Gizmo, as a way to get my kids out of bed, I ban devices and just as quickly unban devices with limitations on what they can do with them in the morning and I always make my kids breakfast. I set various alarm reminders during the morning so that my kids know that the first alarm is the one that reminds them that they need to get dressed and brush their teeth. The next alarm is the reminder that we need to be getting in the car, ready to leave the house. Thinking outside the box can be challenging. Acknowledging your child’s difficulties in going to school can open the space for a meaningful conversation about their challenges.

Please reach out if you need any support at all regarding attendance and school refusal. My email is jcamilleri39@parra.catholic.edu.au or you can contact your child’s Wellbeing Coordinator or the Stage 3 Instructional Leader.

Mrs Josephine Camilleri - Assistant Principal, School of Leadership

Stage 3 Stories…

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am excited to introduce myself as the new Stage 3 Instructional Leader and sincerely thank you for welcoming me into the St Luke’s community. The past three weeks have been a whirlwind of getting to know our wonderful students, supportive parents, and the incredible St Luke’s team. With extensive experience in teaching and leadership across various year levels, I am passionate about fostering student growth, well-being, and academic success. I value strong collaboration between school and home and look forward to building meaningful partnerships to support our students on their learning journey this year.

In Stage 3, we are incredibly fortunate to have dedicated teachers who are committed to supporting both the academic and wellbeing needs of our students. This term is particularly important as students build relationships, learn how to function as a classroom community, and develop the skills to support each other’s learning and wellbeing.

We have already had some exciting events, including the Year 6 Leadership Day and an inspiring incursion with Gen Bryant, where students explored key values such as leadership, harmony, generosity, and community.

Looking ahead to next term, we will be refining how students engage with Consolidation work. This adjustment comes in response to Year 7 students expressing that their Flipped and Consolidation learning experiences have felt overwhelming at times. To better support their transition into high school, we are introducing greater consistency, routine, and accountability from Year 5 onwards.

As part of this change, students will bring home their fortnightly Consolidation learning, where parents are encouraged to discuss the tasks with their children and ensure they have meaningfully engaged with their learning. We greatly appreciate your ongoing support in fostering these skills, as it will play a key role in strengthening student learning and independence.

Thank you again for your warm welcome and support—I look forward to an exciting year ahead.

Mrs Shaz McAllister- Stage 3 Instructional Leader

Year 5 Students Launch Crochet Club

A group of enthusiastic Year 5 students have shown wonderful initiative by starting their very own crochet club! Meeting regularly during break times, the club has quickly grown into a creative and collaborative space where students are developing a valuable lifelong skill.

Crochet not only encourages patience and perseverance but also helps to strengthen fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. It fosters creativity, mindfulness, and a sense of accomplishment as students see their work come to life—stitch by stitch.

Over the past few weeks, it has been inspiring to watch their skills improve and their confidence grow. The club’s ultimate goal is to collaboratively create a beautiful blanket made up of individual granny squares—each one a unique contribution to a shared project. We look forward to seeing their finished masterpiece!

“Starting this club with my friends has meant a lot to me as I believe anyone can learn and create with just a hook and some yarn. I also believe that crochet can lead to new possibilities and improve focus.” - Aadhya P.

Year 5 Leadership Day

On Monday of Week 8, our Year 5 students had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a Leadership Day led by Gen Bryant. Students reflected on their personal strengths and unique gifts, recognising the value they bring to the world. Engaging activities helped develop key leadership qualities such as kindness and resilience, highlighting the importance of these traits in becoming a confident and compassionate leader

A highlight of the day was the Q&A session with Year 12 student leaders. Year 5 students asked thoughtful questions about their journeys and the values that guide them. It was a great opportunity to gain insight and inspiration from those further along the path. To cap off the day, Year 6 students joined the fun for a celebratory dance party—bringing everyone together in a joyful conclusion to a memorable experience.

A heartfelt thank you to Gen, her team and Year 12 student leaders for providing such an engaging and meaningful day for our students. Below are some reflections from our Year 5 students on what they learned and enjoyed most.

“At Leadership Day we got to do fun activities like the blindfold game to work on coordination and communication. Before Leadership Day started, I felt very nervous, I thought it was going to be like a lecture. Afterwards, I realised I didn’t need to be nervous at all! Leadership Day was the best!!” - Jethro C.

Leadership day was a good event because it helped shape future leaders and was very enjoyable. I found it fun because the organisers thought of activities to do, like singing and dancing, but these activities still helped inspire more people to become leaders and step out of their comfort zone. Leadership Day also explained and clarified thoughts and ideas some people were unsure about, like the transition from primary to high school, and we even got to meet four of the Year 12 house leaders. I think this was one of the best parts, because house leaders may have a lot of background knowledge about leadership. Overall, Leadership day was both informative and entertaining, a great event, and an ideal way to inspire future leaders! - Maggie V.

Year 6 Encounter Excursion -

Reflection by Mihika from Year 6 Riley

On the 10th of March, Year 6 attended a leadership day called Encounter at St John XXIII in Stanhope. It was an inspiring and uplifting experience where we joined in singing, prayer, and exciting activities alongside many other schools from across the diocese. One of the highlights of the day was the live praise and worship music led by Gen Bryant, which made the atmosphere energetic and engaging.

We brought our soul journals with us and in between all the singing and dancing, Gen Bryant, Youth Leaders guided us through moments of reflection. We thought about who we are, our hopes, and our dreams. During the first session, we got to know each other and listened to youth leaders and Gen Bryant as they shared their experiences with faith. In the journal exercise I wrote that I think God will support me in my future and I will thrive like always. We then reflected on our own aspirations and wrote our hopes for the future on swap cards, which we exchanged with students from other schools during lunch.

In the final session, we took part in a special type of prayer known as adoration,where a priest brought a symbol of Jesus into the room. In moments of quiet reflection, we knelt down considering how we encountered Jesus in our lives. We were able to deepen our faith and feel the presence of Jesus. The day concluded with even more singing and praise, leaving everyone feeling joyful and inspired.

Overall, Encounter was a lively and meaningful experience. I learned new songs, deepened my understanding of my faith, and participated in activities that brought me closer to God. I made new friendships and extended my sense of community with the schools. It was a truly special day that strengthened my connection to both my faith and my peers. Heres what some other stage 3 students thought!

“On Leadership Day, schools from all around Sydney came together for an inspiring and exciting event. The highlight of the day was Gen Bryant’s incredible performance. Her voice was truly mesmerizing as she sang a variety of songs that had everyone captivated. She even invited some brave participants to join her at the front, creating unforgettable moments for everyone. The energy in the room was good vibes ! And to top it all off, the bus ride itself was a blast, filled with laughter and good vibes, making the entire day an absolute joy from start to finish.” - Madi Payne, YR 6 Freeman

“On leadership day, a lot of schools participated to see Gen Byrant. It was a very good experience!! We sang our hearts out and we were the loudest people there! For me IT WAS AWESOME! We sang some songs from One direction, Meghan Trainor and obviously Gen Bryant herself!” - Aafreen Ruban, YR 6 Freeman

“The hall was big. When I say big, I mean big. I had to turn my head to see the whole thing at once. Then, up on the stage, we saw the one, the only GEN BRYANT! We had a blast! Singing, learning, dancing and even doing some actions and interacting between schools! The energy level was so high, everyone was having a blast, and we were all upset when the day ended.” - Declan Xander Ferrao, YR 6 Freeman

“On encounter day, Riley and Freeman got to meet Gen Bryant and a ton of other schools. We sang lots of songs, learned about Jesus, and heard how she’s managed her life with His help. It was really inspiring! We even got Mr. Rodwell and some other teachers to join us on stage and have fun with the whole group!” - Eva Kher, YR 6 Freeman

Writing in Riley!

This term, Riley has been working on creating picture books based on significant life moments, using the Seven Steps of Writing to craft engaging stories for their audience. This week, students focused on the skill of “show, don’t tell,” analysing the poem ‘Brahminy Kite’ as a mentor text to see how a skilled author brings scenes to life. After observing their teacher transform a “telling” sentence into a “showing” one, they practiced this technique through guided and independent exercises before applying it to their own writing.

To refine their work further, students participated in a peer feedback protocol using concentric circles, where they provided and received feedback in the form of two stars and a wish. Peer feedback is essential in the writing process, as it helps students see their work from a reader’s perspective, identify areas for growth, and gain new ideas for improvement.

Riley has been working very hard and we look forward to sharing their beautifully crafted

picture books soon! A great chance to do so will be at our Celebration of Learning on Thursday 3rd April at 1:30pm in the Hall. We hope to see you there!

Lauren O’Halloran & Daniel Rodwell

Year 6 Riley Teachers

From Year 7…

Year 7 News

The past few weeks have been busy in the Year 7 space. Students partook in vaccinations and more recently the NAPLAN tests during Weeks 8 and 9. For many this was an opportunity to sit in the Performance Hall and experience how seniors conduct formal assessments. A great effort to all of Year 7 for managing themselves in space and being prepared for each test!

Year 7, 2025 sitting their Numeracy NAPLAN test

Upcoming for Year 7 are both Shine and Excel days for all students on Friday the 4th April in Week 10. Students will be arranged in house and gendered groups where they will engage with their facilitator throughout the day to explore pressing issues and concerns of adolescents in their age group. The aim of the day is to empower each student with how they can either ‘Shine’ or ‘Excel’ as a student of St Luke’s and build strong relationships as well as self confidence. More details will be provided to the students at the start of Week 10.

Year 7 have also been working on the following in Level Up sessions (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for the past few weeks:

Knowledge and understanding of St Luke’s Catholic College including policies, expectations, how to use their diary and where to go for enquiries
Knowledge and understanding of how to use the digital platforms at St Luke’s Catholic College including Canvas, Compass and Google Suite
Knowledge of their teachers and who to contact for particular issues of concern e.g. wellbeing, sport, extra curricular opportunities
Knowledge and understanding of each other and their peers at St Luke’s Catholic College.

A number of initiatives will start from Term 2 to engage with students who have a particular interest in sport, or extracurricular activity. Please watch this space as Ms Villarosa will be in contact with Year 7 with more information.

It has been a busy term so far and Year 7 has risen to the challenge to navigate their first round of assessment tasks. Well done Year 7 on the effort so far and remember to finish the term successfully.

Ms Villarosa- Year 7 Wellbeing Coordinator

Year 8 News

The past few weeks, Year 8 have been exploring the theme "Embracing Each Other – each body, each mind, each culture, and each faith." It’s been a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from unity and understanding, especially as we continue to live out our theme: Together we S.O.A.R – Support each other, Own our actions, Aspire to lead and Rise together.

We’ve seen students embody this theme not just in words, but in action – showing kindness to one another, engaging thoughtfully in class, and giving their best in assessment tasks. It’s been fantastic to witness the effort and resilience many students are showing as they rise to their academic challenges.

We’re also excited for Multicultural Day this Friday, a chance to celebrate the vibrant mix of cultures in our school and to continue embracing each other with open hearts and open minds. Whether through wearing cultural dress, or learning from one another, we’re looking forward to a day filled with colour, pride and community spirit.

Looking ahead, Year 8 will take part in an important workshop with our Police Liaison Officer on Tuesday 2nd April. This session will focus on cyberbullying and the risks associated with the sharing of inappropriate messages and visuals. It's a timely and valuable opportunity to reflect on respectful online behaviour and how we can all act safely and responsibly – both in person and in digital spaces.

Mrs Zorzo - Year 8 Wellbeing Coordinator

Learning Showcase

Mathematics

Pi (π) day March 14th (3.14)

As a school community we celebrated pi day, which is the number that represents the relationship between any circle’s diameter and circumference (3.14… times larger).

We had circle based challenges which students completed, some of their solutions are below. Students discovered the value of mathematics when it comes to ordering pizza, an important life lesson.

We also had a “digits of pi” competition run by our student leaders, where students had to write down as many digits of pi as they could in a minute. Some students were able to recite over 40 digits from memory, very impressive!

Year 9 solution

Year 10 solution

Digits of pi competition

Science

This term, Year 7 students explored how materials expand and contract with temperature changes using the ball and chain apparatus. They observed that a metal ball fit through a ring at room temperature but wouldn’t pass through after being heated, showing expansion. Once cooled, it fit again, demonstrating contraction. This hands-on experiment helped students understand real-world applications, like railway tracks and bridges. It was great to see their Science skills in action.

This term, Year 8 students have been learning about the human body. They explored how the digestive system works using a hands-on simulation. Using everyday materials like banana, crackers, and various lab equipment, they mimicked the breakdown of food as it moves through the body. With "enzymes," "saliva," "acid," and "bile," they recreated the key stages of digestion, from chewing to absorption.

They conducted a heart dissection to learn how it works. They looked at the chambers, valves, and blood vessels to see how blood moves through the body. It was a great hands-on way to bring their learning to life and get them thinking about the circulatory system!

Italian

Ciao, ciao a tutti! Hello everyone!

In Italian we are learning how to describe ourselves, talking about our physical traits and our personality, emphasizing the difference between masculine and feminine forms of the adjective such as bello or bella!

We have learnt about the body parts in Italian which differs from English grammatical form. We use the verbs “sono” (I am) and “ho” (I have) to describe ourselves. The most challenging part is the pronunciation but we are resilient enough to get it right after many practices!

Students presented their Italian speeches to the class, they talked about themselves, their hobbies and their physical and personality traits, not in English but in…… Italian!

Art

Year 8 Visual Arts have been learning about techniques and crafting cardboard sculptures based on comfort food from different cultures. Students have engaged in a series of workshops and activities that primarily focus on skill development and processes that readily can be applied into real world situations should students want to focus on a career within the art world. Students also studied Roy Lichtenstein’s approach to popular art incorporating influences from onomatopoeia, which provided a segway into music ideas for art creation.

English

WriteOn 2025

WriteOn 2025 opens Monday 24 March 2025. This year the competition is held in association with the State Library of NSW. For WriteOn 2025, students use a stimulus quote to explore their voices as authors when creating an imaginative text.

The new stimulus for WriteOn 2025 is the quote:

“Could they be changing?”

Entries close on Friday 20 June 2025.

Music

Year 8 have been learning the importance of playing in a band. Exploring our driving question of what makes an iconic and memorable group performance, students have been using instruments together to arrange and perform some of the greatest hits of the past decade!

Working collaboratively, students are able to organise their band and creatively arrange their choice of instruments, experimenting with ranges of rhythmic variation through graphically notating their ideas. This week they have been putting this into practice through transferring their arrangements to instruments, practicing one of their chosen songs.

The Net

Term 1 Week 9 2025

Issue 3 · 28 Mar 2025

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