The Way Weekly Recap I Friday 4 September 2020

The bittersweet building of resilience

This term our theme for Assemblies, Chapels and PC programs has been ‘resilience’. Both staff and students have unpacked what it means and what it takes to become resilient people. It is a difficult attribute to attain, because it comes through the pain of setback and disappointment.

For a young person, it is so important to have support in these times from family, friends and teachers. I want to commend our students for the positive way they have embraced building their own skills of resilience.

Year 12's have had to develop resilience through reshaping their expectations for graduation events. Year 11's have developed resilience through supporting their peers selected for student leadership, when they themselves may have missed out. The subject selection process has required resilience as students only manage to secure a back up preference or have been asked to reselect if a course they have chosen will not be running.

All students across the College from time to time need to call on their skills of resilience, to be able to concentrate on what can be learned from an assessment task in which they have underachieved. It is so difficult to see our students and children experience setbacks, but it has never been more important for them to learn to develop the resilience needed to cope, to refocus their energy and to see the joy in the struggle.  For students to recognise that real pride can come from persevering through difficulty can sometimes be a painful process. This can make students better learners and more equipped young adults who are ready to face the challenges that post-school life will present them with.

The College is so blessed to have such a supportive parent community who understands the importance of the struggle and how vital it is in shaping the character of their children.

Thank you once again for partnering with us in this way!

For many years now, the role of fathers has changed and evolved.

During the industrial revolution, fathers were often considered detached and distant due to working long hours in factories. However, today things have changed dramatically with many dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on.

Research tells us that  children with more involved fathers have better social skills, more successful relationships, stronger self-esteem, more self-control and higher grades.

Recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from having fathers who are present and interacting in everyday activities. This has transformed the understanding of how fathers shape children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.

Research also suggests that fathers influence their sons and daughters in different ways, which is especially true during their transition to adolescence. Engaging in regular physical activities can play a key role in influencing children to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks.

In this Special Report, fathers will learn about the positive impact they can have on their child’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also ensuring they indulge in a little self-care. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

Here is the link to your special report https://thac.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-fathers-day

If you are a single mum family, bestselling author and parent educator, Steve Biddulph, suggests reaching out to another male role model to be involved in your child’s life.  An Uncle, Grandpa, or even a family friend could serve a similar role in your child’s life.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Source: SchoolTV

Mrs Jacoline Petersen
Director of Student Counselling

This week in Junior choir students used Boomwhackers to practise concepts of harmony and rhythm.

Using Boomwhackers is a fun and interactive way to engage in music learning which the students are really enjoying.   Students were also able to practise rhythm and beat through body percussion and movement and participated in some fun notating team games.

Miss Simone Rapisarda
Senior School Teacher - Creative Arts

Awesome Aussie Author!
Fast Facts
Name: Matthew Reilly
Born: 1974 in Sydney
First novel: Contest 
Latest novel: The Secret Runners of New York
Next novel: The Two Lost Mountains (Jack West Jr Series #6)
Random fact: Matthew’s favourite book is Jurassic Park written by Michael Crichton

Matthew Reilly Book Bites - see if his books are to your taste?
Contest
“The New York State Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and spiralling staircases. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his eight-year-old daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare. For one night, the State Library is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Stephen Swain is to compete - whether he likes it or not. The rules are simple: seven contestants will enter, only one will leave. With his daughter in his arms, Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. Because in a contest like this, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all."
An exciting, fast paced science fiction survival novel filled with lots of action and suspense. Part Gladiator, part Star Wars, a great read!

Ice Station
“At a remote ice station in Antarctica, a team of US scientists has found something buried deep within a 100-million-year-old layer of ice. Something made of metal. In a land without boundaries, there are no rules. Every country would kill for this prize. A team of crack United States marines is sent to the station to secure the discovery. Their leader - Lieutenant Shane Schofield, call-sign: SCARECROW. They are a tight unit, tough and fearless. They would follow their leader into hell. They just did...”
Ice Station is an action-packed military adventure novel that that will have readers hooked from start to finish. Thrilling, intense and engaging, this is the perfect book for teenage boys who are not big readers.

Seven Ancient Wonders
“Two thousand years ago, it was hidden within the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Now, in the present day, it must be found again... Captain Jack West Jr - part soldier, part scholar, all hero. The odds are stacked against him and his loyal team: nine brave companions taking on the most powerful countries on earth. From the pyramids of Egypt to the swamps of Sudan, to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the boulevards of Paris: the desperate race begins for the greatest prize of all: the power to end the world or rule it.”
Part Indiana Jones, part James Bond, ‘Seven Ancient Wonders’ is a fantastic action adventure novel that many readers will enjoy. With a fascinating historical/conspiracy plot and lots of wonderful and memorial characters, this is a great book!
All these books plus many more great Matthew Reilly novels are available for borrowing from the IRC!

Overdue notices
Library overdue notices will be issued next week. The Senior IRC has recently changed the way overdue notices are issued. Instead of receiving a red note from their PC teachers, students will now receive an email from the Library informing them of which resources they have that are overdue. Like the printed version these emails will be issued every two weeks.

Students who do not return their books after receiving their third email notice as well as an email to their parents 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 Library Team

If a student presents to sport with an injury, we will be providing alternative activities to have them actively engaged during this time.

Our aim is to provide a quality alternative for the students. They will have the opportunity to engage in some service opportunities or light exercise as they are focusing on their recovery.

We ask students and parents to support this initiative by following these steps if injured:

1. The student presents to sport with an injury.
2. The student is to provide a note in their student diary to the teacher at their sport. Students will be offered to join a walking group if their injury permits. If not, they will assist at the sport by scoring or umpiring.
3. The teacher will allow the student to join a walking group for one occasion.
4. The student can use this alternative for 1 week with a diary note. If the injury requires more time, parents must provide a medical certificate to the Sports Coordinator via email ([email protected]) prior to the 2^nd occurrence.
5. If a medical certificate is provided, the Sports Coordinator will consult the student in providing an alternative activity for the duration of the time they need to be less active. This could include scoring, umpiring or others activities for this time.

Please note:

*If the injury has occurred during the day, students need to have reported to the College Nurse and will therefore proceed through the steps above.

*If the student is injured at sport, they will be assessed by the College Nurse. If they return during sport time, the student will sit on the side for the remaining time if they are unable to participate.

We believe it is important to encourage our students to remain active to improve their health and wellbeing.

Thank you for the continued support of our Sports Programs at the College.

Mr Michael Fox
Senior School Sport Coordinator