"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33-34
From The Principal
The Bible quote for this week was found when I was searching for a verse regarding examination encouragement. Next week our Year 12 students enter into their 2-week HSC Trial Examination block. I wish them every success in this block of examinations. We pray for strength of character, resilience in facing up to the challenges and for individual success for each of our Year 12 students. I would encourage Year 12 parents to encourage their young people to enter into this examination block in a positive and upbeat manner as a growth mindset can be a significant support factor when encountering stressful situations such as examinations.
The Primary students recently commenced Peer Support. Peer Support is held each Friday after recess and the whole Primary is involved. Peer Support is a wonderful program because it has so many positive benefits for individuals, classes and cohorts.
Participating students realise the significant outcomes of the program, including better connectedness, reduction in bullying behaviours, improved resilience and a greater sense of possibility. The Peer Support Program achieves this by helping students develop and sustain:
- positive relationships
- agency
- sense of self
- responsibility for self and others
Our Year 7 students have recently completed the Mental Health First Aid Course and we are positive that they will have benefited from the knowledge and skills that they have developed over the past 3 weeks. Thanks to Mrs Middleton for her work in organising the course and to our external presenters who engaged our students throughout the course.
Students in Year 10 are in the midst of making their decisions regarding subject selection for Year 11 and there are still a number of steps to be completed in this process. Last week the students participated in a very successful expo and parents had the opportunity for a Q and a via Zoom on Monday evening. Year 10 students are also involved in subject selection interviews with a staff mentor. I thank Mrs Boyd, Mrs Middleton, Ms Spring and Mrs Evans for their commitment to supporting the students in the subject selection journey.
Finally, I would like to thank Ms Baker, Mrs Smith, Mrs Mule and Mr Cross for their work in organising the first Kindergarten Experience Day. Themed as ‘Winter Wonderland’ next year's Kindy students spent the day in the Primary and it was enjoyable to be able to read them a story and pop in for a few visits throughout the day.
Mr Darren Parks
Acting Principal
Term 3 Week 5
Monday 17 August
Fast Feet for Sport Training-7.45am-Oval
Year 12 HSC Trial Examination Block commences until Monday 31 August
Tuesday 18 August
Primary Netball Training-7.30-8.30am-Courts
Whole College Chapel-This will be a virtual chapel service
Friday 21 August
Fast Feet for Sport Training-7.45am-Oval
Primary Peer Support-Period 3
Year 8 into Year 9 Subject Selection Expo-Periods 3 and 4-LS1
Secondary Sport-Years 7-10-Periods 5 and 6
Term 3 Week 6
Monday 24 August
Fast Feet for Sport Training-7.45am-Oval
Year 12 HSC Trial Examination Block continues until 31 August
Tuesday 25 August
Primary Netball Training-7.30-8.30am
Primary Chapel-This will be a virtual chapel-9.08am
Wednesday 26 August
Secondary Chapel-This will be a virtual chapel-8.48am
Thursday 27 August
Secondary Chapel-This will be a virtual chapel-8.48am
Friday 28 August
Fast Feet for Sport Training-7.45am-Oval
Primary Peer Support-Period 3
Secondary Sport-Years 7-10-Periods 5 and 6
Sports Update
Athletics Age Champions and Champion House
Last week the College presented athletics age champions, runners up and the champion house pointscore. Congratulations to the following students on your achievements. Smith house was the champion house for 2020, breaking a three year winning streak of Walker house. Well done to all Smith athletes.
Athletics Champion House 2020
| House | Points | Place |
| Smith | 2610.5 | 1 |
| Walker | 2486.0 | 2 |
| Brockington | 2075.0 | 3 |
| Purcival | 1929.0 | 4 |
Athletics Carnival Age Champions 2020
| Primary | |||
| Age | Gender | Champion | Runner Up |
| 9 | Girls | Eva Donovan | Annie Docherty |
| 10 | Girls | Sarah Vanem | Layla Patrick |
| 11 | Girls | Zoe Campbell | Bella Delaney |
| 12 | Girls | Katie Smith | Summer Barnden |
| 9 | Boys | Aurelien Rignault | Bowie Blakeney |
| 10 | Boys | Henry Drew | Sam Curnow |
| 11 | Boys | Wilson Carroll-Burgess | Sam Carrigg |
| 12 | Boys | Dylan Binaoro Taylor | Hayden Kelvin |
| Secondary | |||
| Age | Gender | Champion | Runner Up |
| 12/13 | Girls | Priya Singh-Pangly | Olivia Van Zwieten |
| 14 | Girls | Maryssa Reuben | Chelsea Maund |
| 15 | Girls | Mikala Campbell | Taylah Ledingham |
| 16 | Girls | Paloma Vazquez | Jade Harris |
| 17 | Girls | Letia Paton | Bronte Jarrett |
| 18 | Girls | Brianna Nay | Josephine Carey |
| 12/13 | Boys | Kelly Campbell | Kalani Franklin |
| 14 | Boys | Jack Whitaker | Ryder Moss |
| 15 | Boys | Miloš Safranek | Conrad Bahadur |
| 16 | Boys | Samuel Hanna | Ryan Kernaghan |
| 17 | Boys | Lachlan Walker | Luke Flavel |
| 18 | Boys | Timothy Weingarth | Alex Chapman |
Mr Graham Walker
Sport and Coaching Administrator
Secondary News
Year 11 Bstreetsmart Workshop
On Tuesday, Year 11 students participated in an online BStreetsmart program. This program was organised by the trauma unit of Westmead Hospital and educated students on road safety. The session began with a motor vehicle crash scenario, which included the lead up to a car crash involving three young people and a motorcyclist. The scenario showed the interaction of the rescue services at a crash scene and the potential consequences of being involved in a crash, and included an insight into the patient’s journey through the hospital from the emergency department to rehabilitation. It also followed the driver’s progression through the police station and court room.
Following the crash scenario, students heard from a presenter from the Brain Injury Unit at Westmead Hospital – who had suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a motor bike crash – The presenter gave a talk about his experiences. This was a powerful reminder of how trauma could affect anyone of the participating students.
The next part of the program included a guest speaker who had sustained a spinal injury due to a car crash and a guest speaker who has lost her son in a motor vehicle crash.
There was then a live demonstration of stopping distances and the program concludes with NSW current road safety messages.
Students found the course eye opening and provided clear insight into the severity of drink driving. They felt it was information that needed to be heard and it was great to see what happens with the decisions that you make on the road.
Year 7 complete Mental Health First Aid
Over the last three weeks, Year 7 students have participated in the Youth Mental Health program. Australian Government health studies indicate one in six adolescents will meet criteria for some type of mental illness in any given year. This course has provided an understanding on how to talk about mental health and help someone in need is an important skill. Many people feel uncomfortable and unprepared when thinking about starting a conversation with someone they are concerned about.
The Mental Health First Aid course has taught people the skills to feel confident about what to do when they are concerned that someone they care about may have a mental health problem.
The course has provided an opportunity for students to learn how to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems or a crisis such as thoughts of suicide. You’ll gain the confidence to give the most effective support you can and when and how to access professional help. You’ll also learn about the sorts of treatments which have been shown by research to be the most effective, and how to access these.
BREATHING AND KIND MEDITATION
At times all students experience tense feelings and anxious thoughts about their progress, their workload, maintaining their study performances and peer group issues. Their bodies often respond with distress signals. These include tension in their necks and backs, quickened and shallow breathing, hot facial flushes and disrupted sleep patterns.
Teaching them emotional “off ramps,” self-calming breathing and other coping strategies enables students to reduce the intensity of such negative feelings, which boosts their wellbeing and social-emotional resilience. An effective technique for achieving this is deep breathing while concentrating on kind and loving things. They can do it anywhere and anytime they have a spare five minutes.
There are two techniques for breathing described in students’ planners/journals which will very quickly relax them and prompt more optimistic mindsets. Try them yourselves.
Thinking about people and things close to their hearts will distract their amygdalas from their pressing issues and put their rational minds in charge of their thinking. It also increases their oxygen intake and blood flow to the brain which promote clarity of thought.
Acknowledgement: Hofmann, Grossman & Hinton
On Monday, 27 August our Year 10 group was invited to participate in a webinar with the Sydney Jewish Museum. It was incredible to have such an experienced and passionate guide who captivated and encouraged involvement throughout the whole year group, furthermore assisting in preparation for our upcoming TedTalk assignment. The webinar extended our knowledge of our semesters learning, shared compelling stories of individuals and of groups, whilst also educating us on genocide and the Holocaust. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the Sydney Jewish Museum without the long journey. A big thank you again to our lovely host Simon and our amazing HSIE teacher Mrs Holmes!
Mia and Paloma (Year 10)
Primary Update
This week in Peer Support Students had the opportunity to discuss their personal qualities and strengths. They identified these qualities and acknowledged how they contribute to their achievements. Through activities students recognised they used their strengths to achieve success and can be encouraged to approach future activities optimistically.
Paul Christensen and Kate Sculley
Primary Assembly
From The Office
If your child is missing a pair of glasses, please come into Reception as we have a large collection!
Canteen
All orders must be received at the canteen before 9.15am.The canteen will operate Monday to Friday.
The revised menu is below for your information and is also available on the College website.
All orders must be received at the canteen before 9.15am.
Please place the money in a paper bag of sufficient size to fit all of the lunch items.
If you are ordering a drink with your lunch please provide two (2) bags. Please write the information on the LOWER half of the bag. If money is short we will substitute items to the value received.
REMEMBER, if ordering RECESS, you must have a separate recess bag.
RECESS: Name, Teacher, PC Class, Recess Order
John Smith, Mr Falvey, 3A
Recess
Cheesymite Scroll
Pack Sultanas, Small
LUNCH BAG 1: Name, Teacher, PC Class, Lunch Order
John Smith, Mr Falvey, 3A,
Lunch
1 Snack Pie
LUNCH BAG 2: Name, Teacher, PC Class, Drink Order
John Smith, Mr Falvey, 3A,
Lunch
1 Orange Juice
Any change required will be placed in the bag for return with the lunch order.
Christine Hall
Canteen Coodinator