Clyde North Campus News

Year 9 XSPAND CUP

What is it?

The XSPAND Cup is a term-based tutor group competition exclusive to our Year 9s whereby positive behaviours are rewarded with points that go towards a student’s Year 9 tutor group. At the conclusion of each term the tutor group with the most points is rewarded with a free luncheon to recognise their efforts throughout the term.

How can students earn points?

The Year 9 staff team may award points to students that display outstanding efforts following our school wide expectations - the R.O.C.K.S; who achieve over 100% growth in Maths Pathways; who succeed in Word Wars – the weekly spelling competition; and for consistently following correct uniform and attendance guidelines.

Why did we introduce the competition?

We felt the need to highlight the positive behaviours of our students in the Year 9 Program, as much goes noticed but unrecognised on a daily basis. Through some healthy competition we have found that recognising these efforts encourages others to get involved. As a result, we hope to create a more positive learning environment that embeds the R.O.C.K.S within our Year 9 learners. 

Shannon Samaranayake

Year 9 Pastoral Care Leader

A Purposeful Buzz

We are now halfway through the Term, which is fantastic news, not because I wish for the holidays to come any sooner but because it feels normal.

The weeks are busy with learning and activities ranging from the swimming carnival to House organised lunchtime activities. There is a real buzz in the yard and for the most part it is a very positive and purposeful buzz. However, at times we are seeing some students struggle with showing Respect and care for each other and their environment. 

This leads me to highlight a couple areas we want our students to focus on now and as the term and year progress:

1. The School Yard should be a place where every student feels safe, respected, and can have fun or just relax. As Cat Stevens once sang:

Remember the days of the old schoolyard 

When we had imaginings and we had

All kinds of things and we laughed

We sit very comfortably knowing that the majority of students fully embrace and support the sentiment of these lyrics through their engagement with each other.  And remind the few that are not consistently acting in a respectful, organised, collaborative, kind, or safe manner that they risk losing the privilege of spending break times in the yard, using basketball courts and even being able to join in with House Lunchtime activities. 

2. ROCKS; should now be part of our DNA at St. Peter's College. We should hear, see, and witness ROCKS in our language, actions and engagement with each and environment, and it should be a powerful influence in our thinking processes.  To remind and refresh all of us what it means to be actively living the ROCKS, the College Captains have a plan. Read further to see exactly what they have planned. 

How do we show respect?   Can we see respect?   Where are we and what are we doing when we are being respectful?    And do we respect everyone?

As part of the process to design the ROCKS, students were asked these questions and more. Based on their agreed answers the ROCKS Matrix was formed. The Matrix provides the context for each letter and examples of the behaviours that illustrate and support our school wide expectations, ROCKS. No-one should be in doubt about the answers to these questions. Respect is…..

The College Captains this week have been busy asking lots of Respect questions and examples of where they find respect within our school. 

A question for parents and guardians, if you added a column to this matrix for your family, what actions or behaviours would your family agree on?

International Women’s Day, 8 March 2022 is a day for us to join voices with people around the world and shout our message for equal rights loud and clear: “Women’s rights are human rights!”  We celebrate all women, in all their diversities. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements of women, whether social, political, economic, or cultural. 

Our wonderful library Staff, Ms Young and Ms Trainor put together a thoughtful presentation promoting this year’s theme #BreakTheBias and encouraged us to join in. We celebrate and thank the women in our lives, our hearts, and our memories. 

#BreakTheBias

Imagine a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women's equality.

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Reminders:

I wish you all a safe and productive week.

Julie Banda

Deputy Principal - Head of Clyde North Campus