School of Leadership

News from the School of Leadership     

As we approach the midpoint of the school year, it's important to reflect on the role of the middle years of schooling in your child's education. These years are crucial in preparing students for the challenges they will face in their later years of education and beyond.

In the School of Leadership, we recognize the importance of these years and are dedicated to providing our students with the tools they need to succeed. Our approach to education focuses on growing students' capacity to lead themselves and others as is evidenced in initiatives including; 

• Our Social and Enterprise Pillars
• The Peer Companions opportunity for Years 5 and 8
• The Become Me program for Stage 3
• Choose Your Own Adventure subject selection 
• Life Design in Years 7 and 8 
• Representative sport opportunities for Years 5-8
• Celebration of Learning events for Stage 3
• The Connect 7 series of transition days for Year 6 into Year 7
• Regular use of the student diary 

Indeed, Leadership is not merely being in charge. It is about taking responsibility, making good decisions, and motivating others to work towards a common goal. These are all skills that are essential for success, no matter what your child chooses to do in the future. Leaders and teachers in the School of Leadership believe that leadership can be enhanced and developed, which is why we provide a range of opportunities for our students to take on leadership roles. These range from small-scale initiatives, such as leading a group project, to larger roles such as peer companions, participating in opportunities for growth and advocating for themselves and others.

By giving students these opportunities, we help them to develop their leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment. We encourage our students to take risks, learn from their mistakes, and reflect on their experiences to help them grow and develop their leadership potential.  Ultimately, leadership is not just about individual skills but also about the activation of capabilities and competencies for working with others. To this end, the School of Leadership places a strong emphasis on collaboration and feedback. Our students learn to work with others, share ideas, and respect different perspectives, all of which are important skills for effective leadership and the development of a strong sense of social responsibility.

We believe that the middle years of schooling are a crucial time for students to develop their leadership potential, and we are proud to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed as people. And leaders, who are confident, responsible, and ready to make a positive difference in the world.

If you would like to learn more about our approach to education and how we develop our students' leadership potential, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 

My warm regards for a productive and enjoyable remainder of Term 2.

Mrs Kate Kelly - Head of School, School of Leadership

Save the Date! 

Parent Learning Walk - Wednesday, May 31

Register via the link https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/qparj or via the QR Code below. 

Compulsory Canberra Overnight Excursion - Stage 3 Parent Information Night

Wednesday, June 14. 5.30pm- 6.45pm. 

A Note from The SOL Assistant Principal 

Term 2 has seen a chilly start to the autumn months. It is really important that students are wearing the correct winter uniform, ties for the shirt and trouser combination and navy tights for the dress. All students need to be wearing their jumpers and jackets as it gets cooler. Hats are still required for PE lessons and while on the Basketball Courts or Oval during break times.

We have had many exciting events and there are more coming up. Recently we have completed our last Shine program with Year 7 girls. We are looking to develop a similar wellbeing program that will run with Year 7 boys (so watch this space). We have had grand finals, incursions, excursions, competitions, cross country. It has been very busy for the students in the School of Leadership. Please encourage your children to get involved in the many extra-curricular activities we offer at the college.

Our Mother’s Day Liturgy today was a beautiful celebration of the unconditional love our mothers have for their children. Hearing why some of our students appreciate and love their mums made a little teary. Being a mum is such a gift from God and I genuinely wish every mum a very happy mother’s day.

Mrs Josephine Camilleri - Assistant Principal, School of Leadership

Mr Scott Carroll - Stage 3 Instructional Leader

We are already in Week 3 of Term 2. This time next term we will be travelling to Canberra for three days and two nights. No doubt many parents will have memories of their own school trips to Canberra to investigate the structures and processes that make up our democracy. As you will appreciate, mobilising 250 students and their teachers for two nights away requires a great deal of planning. I would like to thank Ms Cuneen for leading the organisation of our excursion. There will be a form sent home via Compass this week to collect information regarding your child’s medical needs. Your assistance in completing the form is much appreciated.

We are sure you and your children will have lots of questions about what to pack and what to expect over the three days. To that end we will be inviting you to come to our compulsory Canberra Information Evening on Wednesday 14th June at 6pm. Save the date!

Mr Scott Carroll - Stage 3 Instructional Leader

Stage 3 Stories… 

Religious Education:

In Stage 3 this term, students are examining the role of the Trinity in forming, and helping us to understand, “church.” The driving question is “How has the blessed trinity helped us to understand church today?” Students will explore the history of the church so that they can understand how the blessed trinity helped develop the church today. Ultimately, we expect students to explain the interconnectedness of all creation by being church.

Students started the unit by brainstorming how they think the Church began. Here is one example of a group brainstorm completed in Stage 3 Malala:

When asked what they are most looking forward to this term in religion stage 3 Malala students shared the following: 

History:

In History this term,  students are exploring the perspectives of Indigenous Australians, along with current arrivals to Australia, including the events of Settlement up until the present time. Students have explored various secondary sources to infer what they are learning, along with preparing themselves to write for perspectives in 

alignment with literacy in Term 2!

Science and Technology

In Science and Technology, students explored another entry event, much like History, to figure out how their learning of the Material World relates to our classroom context. Students will design and create Fidget’s for a selected audience and purpose. Students will explore the durability and sustainability of resources to select which are best for their own design and purpose, prototyping and altering their designs as they go.

From Year 7…

Mathematics 

Teachers/Leaders from St Lukes attended the Professional Learning Course - “Leading Excellence in Mathematics” at CathWest Innovation College, Mt Druitt. 

The objective of the course was to ​​develop skills in leading and implementing effective differentiation with a particular focus on challenging all students and extending those who are ready. Teachers/Leaders will lead this learning with their teaching teams across Years 5-10 and look forward to engaging students with innovative and responsive instructional practices. 

Year 7 Geography

On Monday 1st May Year 7 travelled to The Rocks for their Geography Excursion “Water in the World”.  This intriguing and in-depth excursion allowed our students to think critically about the impact of water sources on human settlement, and examine their own connection to the harbour city through its waterways.

Throughout the excursion our students were presented with a unique perspective on the geographical and historical importance of why Sydney Cove was chosen as the location for Australia’s first penal settlement, and learnt how water resources have been managed in Sydney by Aboriginal inhabitants, convict settlers and contemporary governments. Our students finished the day with a lovely lunch on Observatory Hill, taking in the beautiful Sydney city Landscape. 

From Year 8…

Yr 8 CAPA 

In Visual Arts, students have been exploring three dimensional art in the form of Pop Art inspired sculptures. Well done Year 8! 

Yr 8 Life Design

Students have begun exploring an interesting new topic this term: Exploring My Future. As part of the course, each lesson, Year 8 will be introduced to a new career cluster and complete a range of activities designed to see how these potential vocations align with their individual strengths, interests and motivations. 

In investigating careers in the Architectural and Construction field, some students took on the challenge of creating a bridge structure out of paper that was strong enough to support weight. The teachers were very impressed with the efforts of students in this activity and blown away by their team work, true spirit of determination, and success! 

Here are a few of our students at work with their structures. 

Yr 8 PDHPE

In PDHPE, we have been taking advantage of this stunning weather and are participating in a 5 week athletics program. Students have been rotating through a variety of workshops where they have the opportunity to engage in javelin, discus, shot put and running. Students are seeing improvements in their throwing distance and technique each week and are exploring ways to enhance their speed when sprinting. 

A reminder that all students need to wear the College hat for PE and are encouraged to bring a drink bottle. 

Once we conclude our athletics unit, our focus will shift to our health unit for this term on relationships. 

From the House Coordinators

TERESA HOUSE Update

Week 2 and 3 have been an exciting time in Teresa house as we build our energy and enthusiasm together. We have focused on developing and practicing our house chants. This has been a wonderful opportunity as we’ve come together to enhance our collective identity. When it comes time for a ‘Chant off’ with the other house later in the term, Teresa will be ready!

Wellbeing in the School of Leadership

As we begin a new term, we would like to highlight the importance of physical activity and mindfulness practices in our students' daily routines. Research has shown that incorporating these activities at the start of the day can have numerous benefits for children's physical and mental health, as well as academic performance.

Firstly, physical activity has been linked to improved cognitive function, memory, and attention span. By engaging in movement, children increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which can help them to feel more alert and ready to learn. Additionally, physical activity has been found to reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can help students to feel more focused and less distracted during the school day.

Incorporating mindfulness activities, such as deep breathing exercises, sudoku and chess, can also help to improve children's mental well-being. Studies have shown that mindfulness practices can increase emotional regulation, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve attention and self-awareness. By starting the day with these practices, children may feel more calm and centred, which can have positive effects on their overall mood and behaviour throughout the day.

Furthermore, incorporating physical activity and mindfulness practices can help to create a positive and inclusive classroom culture. By engaging in these activities together, students can feel more connected and supported as a community. This can help to foster a sense of belonging and improve social relationships, which can have long-term benefits for children's well-being.

At our school, we are committed to promoting healthy habits and positive mental health practices among our students. That's why we encourage our Year 7 and 8  students to participate in physical activity and mindfulness practices on Friday mornings in a program we call “Feel Good Friday”. We believe that these practices can help our students to thrive both academically and personally.

Positive Education talk from a Clinical Psychologist - Marcus Whelan 

Our Year 7 and 8 students of St Luke’s  gathered for a talk by psychologist Marcus Whelan. Whelan's talk focused on four critical topics: Developing a Growth Mindset, Curiosity and Interest, Self Control, and Self Knowledge.

Marcus began by explaining what a Growth Mindset is. According to him, a Growth Mindset is the belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, dedication, and persistence. On the other hand, a Fixed Mindset is the belief that one's abilities and intelligence are set in stone and cannot be changed. Whelan emphasised that having a Growth Mindset is critical for success, as it enables individuals to embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, and learn from failures.

Next Marcus covered Self Control. He explained that self-control is the ability to regulate one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in the face of temptation, distraction, or impulse. Whelan emphasised that self-control is a vital life skill because it helps individuals make better decisions, resist short-term gratification for long-term goals, and maintain positive relationships. He encouraged the students to practise self-control by setting goals, planning ahead,

Finally, Marcus talked about Self Knowledge. He explained that self-knowledge is the understanding of one's strengths, weaknesses, values, and personality traits. 

In conclusion, Marcus’ insights and advice on Developing a Growth Mindset, Curiosity and Interest, Self Control, and Self Knowledge will undoubtedly help the students navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The school is grateful to Marcus for his time and expertise and looks forward to inviting him back in the future.

Term 2 2023 eSafety Webinars for Parents/Carers

Dear Parents/Carers 

At Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) we see parents and carers as partners in your child's learning journey. In partnership with the eSafety Commissioner, CSPD would like to invite you to join the following free webinars for parents and carers:

1. eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you
2. Setting your child up for success online
3. Getting started with social media: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram
4. Online relationships and consent: sending nudes and sexting

About the webinars

If you have any further enquiries please email safeguarding@parra.catholic.edu.au.