From the Deputy Principal, 

Secondary

From the Deputy Principal, Secondary

We are midway through Lent as we fittingly enter into a long weekend. The pause in the pace of life is necessary to stop and reflect on the goals we have set for ourselves and reflect on the way we are living; our students to stop and meditate each day as a spiritual, mental and physical tool. Take the time this weekend to sit with your son and see how he is tracking in his start to 2018. Lent is a time to focus prayer, service and self-regulation. These are key ingredients for both the spiritual and academic life. We are not compartmentalised beings. Every aspect of our life impacts on our whole being. The choices we make and the way we live affects our prayer life, study, community and service to others. We want our boys to be balanced young men of substance, who happily achieve their God-given potential.

STUDENT - PARENT - TEACHER LEARNING CONVERSATIONS

• Wednesday 4 April 2018, 2:00pm – 8:00pm
• Please note students will be dismissed at 1:00pm

You should have received information regarding the login procedures for booking your time slots for the Student, Parent, Teacher Learning Conversations earlier this week.  Please take the opportunity to book, as the partnership we develop with families is a critical ingredient to your son’s success. The portal will open from Monday 19 March.

The conversations are not built on a deficit model but begin from a strengths-based approach. The aim of the evening is to keep your son central to the discussion, to ensure that his needs, developmental stage, strengths and perspective are considered and listened to.

A strengths-based approach is one founded on the following beliefs:

• All people have strengths and capacities.
• People change and grow through their strengths and capacities.
• People are the experts on their own situation.
• The problem is the problem: the person is not the problem.
• Problems can blind people from noticing and appreciating their strengths and the capacity to find their own solutions.
• People have good intentions.
• People are doing the best they can.

A strengths-based approach does not mean issues or concerns are not raised – rather it includes strengths in the conversation and ensures that the negative aspects are not the sole focus of the conversation.  Often solutions to problems can be found when strengths are identified.  It can also be a way to enable the conversation to keep moving forward and not become stuck in negativity and helplessness.

CONTINUOUS ONLINE REPORTING

As we enter into the second half of Lenten Term, you will begin to receive online feedback on assessment items which will go towards your son’s final grade. Teachers will give feedback through Marksbooks which will articulate how your son is progressing, and what he needs to do to improve. SEQTA is the medium used by the school for communication, and I strongly encourage you to download the app if you have not already done so. If you have any queries, please contact Paul Mason at seqta@bps.sa.edu.au

MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPS

Our Year 8 and 9 students have been very busy on their various camps over the last few weeks. Refer to the Wellbeing article for details of their exciting adventures!

OPEN DAY

A reminder that we have an early dismissal on Wednesday 14 March at 1:00pm for Open Day.

Mr David Ruggiero

ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, SECONDARY 7 - 12