Term 2 I Friday 10 May 2019

In 2008 an important group of leaders met in Melbourne to discuss the future of education and schooling.  What came out of the meeting was a clear commitment to an education system based on Australia’s perceived future needs.

'In the 21st Century Australia’s capacity to provide a high quality of life for all will depend on the ability to compete in the global economy on knowledge and innovation. Education equips young people with the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to take advantage of opportunity and to face the challenges of this era with confidence.'  2008 Melbourne Declaration

The perceived needs included an emphasis on technology and its’ use:

Rapid and continuing advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) are changing the ways people share, use, develop and process information and technology. In this digital age, young people need to be highly skilled in the use of ICT.

With the recent announcement that NAPLAN is going online across all NSW schools, there will be a general commotion around the readiness of schools to prepare for this major change. Fortunately, Thomas Hassall have had an initial trial with online NAPLAN and so most of the bugs we encountered last year should be resolved as we come to the examination time. Nevertheless, online NAPLAN is an indication that Education is moving more and more to a 21^st Century delivery of the curriculum. We will endeavor to ensure we are abreast of the changes and bring our teaching practices into line with the expectations of the wider community.

In 2008 the leaders did not necessarily foresee all of the problems that are now evident with the development of new technologies in the life of young people. Some of the issues that have arisen for young people include: saturation of screen time/ addiction to gaming/ use of social media, the  issues arising from the identity of young people being formed by a bombardment of messages from a world that challenges our traditional values, issues around access to inappropriate sites etc.  I think it is fair to say that our community, and certainly all schools, are being challenged by these current trends.

The natural reaction to the negative effects of technology is to place a ban on all technology and go back to basics. This is currently happening in some schools, but I think this flies in the face of where we are as a community living in the 21^st Century. More and more we are having to navigate the world of technology: at home, at play, at work and typically in schools. We need to use technology to assist us in living well in all areas of life and to do this we must learn how to stay in control of technology and not allow this to dominate or determine our values, beliefs, habits and behaviors. We need to be in charge of technology and educate our community as to what this could look like. This education is not just for our young minds but also for parents, teachers and allied professionals (counsellors, psychologists and social workers etc) trying to deal with the complexity of problems that are now presenting in schools.  

Over the next few months I want to explore the questions around what a good plan for using technology at home and at school should look like. I will not have all the answers, but I will try to draw on experts from a range of fields to assist us in our thinking and understanding as we endeavor to create a safe and robust community of learning across our College.

Term 2

The results are in, it was a close decision but it has been announced that Modern SCI-FI is the best! The Galactic Council of Librarians send their thanks and gratitude to the students of Thomas Hassall for their wise decision and for restoring peace to the world of literature.

Three lucky students have won prizes! First prize went to Jack Binskin. (Year 8) Jack has won a $30 gift card to Galaxy Bookshop. 2nd prize went to Nathan Fanning (Year 9) and 3rd prize went to Cooper Lewis. (Year 7)
Library staff would like to thank all the students who participated in this competition.

Term 2 Competition Sneak Peak
‘1 Down, 3 Across, 2 Down, 4 Across’ – What does it mean? Stay tuned for more information soon!

Library Open Times
The IRC is closed to all students during recess and lunchtime on Tuesdays. Open times before school will still stay the same.

What’s new on the shelf?
They’re not the heroes we deserve. They’re just the ones we could find.
Aurora Rising – Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
“The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch...
A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm. A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates. A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy's biggest chip on his shoulder. An alien warrior with anger management issues. A tomboy pilot who's totally not into him, in case you were wondering. And Ty's squad isn't even his biggest problem – that'd be Aurora Jie-Lin O'Malley, the girl he's just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler's squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.”

‘Aurora Rising’ is the first part of an epic new science fiction adventure by the bestselling authors of the Illuminae Files Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. Containing pages filled with heart racing action, incredible suspense and laugh out loud humour, this is a novel that is bound to be a winner. One of the special features of this book is its range of fascinating, diverse and wonderful characters. Readers will find great joy in following this ragtag group of space travellers as they overcome their differences to work together and succeed. 
Each chapter in the novel follows an individual team member, this system of rotating perspectives is a great format that not only gives the reader a deeper insight into the thoughts and feelings of all the characters but also provides the story with fresh energy that keeps the plot going at a fast and exciting pace.

‘Aurora Rising’ is a fantastic new space opera novel. Part Firefly, part Guardians of the Galaxy, this book is bound to a favourite with readers who enjoy science fiction, action stories and a great adventure!
Lots more great new novels have arrived in the IRC. Make sure you check the new book stand for all the latest titles.

Overdue notices
Overdue notices have been sent out.  If any students require a printed list of their loans please speak to Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith.
Students who do not return their books after receiving their third notice as well as an email will be invoiced for a replacement copy.
All invoices will still stand if books are returned after this final date.

If you have any problems or questions regarding overdue books please speak to Mrs Comiskey or Mr Smith who will be happy to help.

Mrs Annette Comiskey & Mr Michael Smith
Senior IRC Library Team

We were blessed that the weather cleared as the day progressed.

The House Hot Lap was very well contested with enthusiastic cheering and a bright surge of colour running around the Grange. 

Congratulations to CARMICHAEL house who won the overall House Point competition at the Carnival.

The results were;

1st – Carmichael                         1994 points                    

2nd – Liddell                                1977 points                       

3rd – Lewis                                  1946 points                     

4th – Wilberforce                         1603 points

Age Champions

12 Years - Mia T & Jayden S

13 Years - Cynthia N & Braeden W

14 Years - Elise M & Joshua F

15 Years - Zoe N & Flynn S-F

16 Years - Isabella VR & Christopher L

17 Years - Tasha M & Jackson P

18 Years - Alexandria A & Tyler C

Names of students of the top 6 finishes, who will compete at the NASSA carnival are printed on the PEC Building noticeboard.  We wish them all the best as they represent the College on Thursday 30 May. Training will be on Wednesday's from 2:45pm to 3:30pm outside the PEC Building.

Mr Michael Fox
Senior School Sports Coordinator