Year 12 Students

While I am directing this week’s newsletter primarily to our Year 12 students and their parents, it is relevant to all of our students. As we approach the midpoint of Term 3, it is sobering to consider that there is less than 8 weeks of school remaining for Year 12s. I know some will not know whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. It will probably depend on their mindset.

Students and their parents need to keep in mind a few important ideas as we approach the examinations that are so pivotal for a good ATAR. In particular, three emotions can inhibit students producing their best:

Blame

When a student blames others for their lack of success they take away their responsibility and become powerless victims. “The teacher didn’t teach me this” or “my parents give me too many jobs to do around the house” are just some of the excuses that do not empower a student to take control and make a difference in their life. Stop blaming others and just commit to the task at hand.

Self-pity

Some students may have received SAC results lower than expected or feedback that has deflated them. The danger is that the child feels entitled and that this result is just not fair. Giving up is just choosing to fail. Life will always deliver some negatives and knockbacks. Are these experiences going to keep us down wallowing in self-pity or can they be seen as learning opportunities – springboards for improvement.

Lethargy

At this time of year, students will be feeling exhausted. The danger is that this can cloud their judgment and some may begin to wonder if it is all worth it. Distractions of a job, relationships, social media or even cleaning an already clean room are seen as an easier path than achieving that required ATAR. Ensure you are getting enough sleep. You will think more clearly and be able to remind yourself that Year 12 is worth the hard work, because a Victorian Certificate of Education is worth something.

It is up to students to make positive decisions to counter these negative emotions. Parents often recognise negative feelings in their children and so can play an important role in building their child up. We cannot help how we feel, but we can make a decision to have a growth mindset that takes the destructive power out of these emotions. Think positively and put things in perspective…it has been our message of positive education all year.

Year 10 Road Smart

Last year, our Year 10 students piloted the Road Smart program for Vic Roads. Their pioneering work and feedback has seen the program rolled out across Victorian schools this year and our current Year 10 students were the beneficiaries this week.

Road Smart is a road safety education and training program designed to build on the existing road knowledge, skills and behaviours of Year 10 students. The program aims to help lay down the foundations for safe driving among young drivers.

Funded by the Victorian Government, Road Smart is an initiative that supports and enhances Victoria’s Graduated Licensing System and includes:

An interactive classroom session
eLearning for students and their supervising drivers
An in-car session
A teacher resource toolkit linked to the Victorian Curriculum.

The eLearning module can only be accessed if parents have filled out and signed the hard copy permission form that was either attached to the Care Monkey permission or sent home with your child. Parents are encouraged to participate in this online module that features practical information and advice to help you in your role as a mentor, and to ensure the learning to drive experience is as stress-free as possible.

House Feast Days

Congratulations to MacKillop House on a lovely celebration of the Mass last week for their feast day. It was heartening to hear students express gratitude at the way we are marking these feast days liturgically. A great job is being done by our Mission & Catholic Identity team and in particular Ms Appleby and the liturgical music students who add so much beauty to these celebrations.

This week, we will celebrate the Feast of St Maximillian Kolbe and Marian House on the Feast of the Assumption. While in Israel, I visited the Israeli Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem. The Jewish people show their appreciation at the end of the harrowing exhibit to the Righteous Among the Nations – people who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust. I thought of the ultimate sacrifice paid by St Maximillian Kolbe who gave his life to save a husband and father who was to be executed by the Nazis in Auschwitz. It was a small but significant source of comfort in what was a distressing reflection on this horrific chapter in human history.

The Marian feast day on the Assumption of Our Lady, reminds me of two significant sites in Jerusalem – Dormition Abbey and The Tomb of Our Lady. The Catholic belief in the assumption of Mary body and soul into heaven is captured sensitively in artwork at both these sites. Jesus is seen holding Mary in burial cloths and taking her into his heavenly kingdom. It is a clear reversal of roles as we are so used to seeing the mother holding her baby boy in swaddling clothes. It is a reminder to me that in later years the child often becomes the carer of the parent. Perhaps on this feast of the Assumption, all children could be reminded of the special care we should have and show towards our mothers.

Winter Sleepout

The winter sleepout will occur on the night of Friday, 24 August and our Youth Ministry class would appreciate any donations of wool or knitting needles. If you can assist, please drop of these items to the front office at West Campus.

Car Park Etiquette

All drivers who use our car park and internal roads are reminded not only to drive safely but also to act courteously. The reality is that during peak times in the morning just prior to school beginning and at the end of the day, traffic will be congested and drivers are simply going to have to be patient. Please avoid abusive language or gestures towards other drivers. As a staff, we are working hard to educate our students in positive behaviours and acceptable conflict resolution skills. We believe it is important that our entire community also model this behaviour. Thank you for your co-operation.

Mr David Hansen

Deputy Principal - West Campus

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