The Coracle - Term 2, Week 5

JUNIOR SCHOOL

During the first weeks of this term, the Year 4 students engaged in a Retreat experience. They took part in prayer and Liturgy, and were immersed in nature as they walked around the lake, taking photographs of things that caught their eye. Students used their pictures to create beautiful works of art using a range of different media. The students made prayer chains to use in the closing Liturgy, choosing gemstones and beads to represent their different types of prayers. This was a great opportunity for the students to ‘retreat’ from their normal school day and spend time thinking about their relationship with God and the world.

It has been a joy to be able to engage in our community Liturgies again, and we celebrated a beautiful Mother's Day Liturgy led by our Year 1 students. They prayed, sang, and read to our female caregivers, in thanksgiving of all that they do for us. This was followed by a lovely afternoon tea to complete the occasion.

Mrs Jane Bailey | Director of Spirituality R-5

MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL

Year 7 and 11 Reflection Days

This year we have been able to implement our ‘Connect, Inspire, Celebrate’ year-level Reflection Days. These days are an important part of who we are as an Anglican and Catholic College. The day gives students a chance to have a break from ordinary lessons but, more importantly, an opportunity to grow in their personal and peer relationships.

This term, we have had two Reflection Days: Year 7 in Week 1, and Year 11 in Week 3.  During this time, the students worked in small discussion groups, exploring themes about their life journeys and how they connect to others, using the Scripture from the Bible as our base. It was a time of fun, discussion, and reflection.

Combined Anglican School Service

On Tuesday 23 May, we took the Year 5 Spirituality Squad and our Year 7 leaders to represent the College at the Combined Anglican School Service at St Peter’s Cathedral in North Adelaide. During the morning, the students rotated around different workshops, giving them a chance to meet other students from Anglican schools, and also to learn about the Cathedral. In the afternoon, we celebrated a Liturgy of the Word with the Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide and the Bishop of the Murray Diocese.

Miss Eugenia Stopyra | Director of Spirituality 6-12

This week is National Reconciliation Week, which commenced with National Sorry Day on May 26 and concludes tomorrow with Mabo Day on June 3. It is a time for "all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia".

Our Anglican and Catholic community holds reconciliation at its heart, and we celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation in both faiths; this is where we ask for forgiveness and restore our relationship with God, which has been broken by sin (our mistakes).

This year’s theme is “Be a Voice for Generations”. True Reconciliation is broken down into three core practices: Learn, Understand, and Act. These can be applied to individuals, communities, organisations, and governments. At a school level and working with young students, we talk about the following:

LEARN: Listen - To deeply listen to all voices and ensure that every voice is heard in matters that relate to them.

UNDERSTAND: Acknowledge - To truly understand the hurt and harm that’s been caused.

ACT: Repair - To rebuild relationships that have been damaged due to past or present wrongs. We do this by building cultural awareness, celebrating culture and embedding inclusive practices in our policies, processes, and actions, and joining with First Nations people to ‘be a Voice for Generations’.

This term, we celebrated opportunities our students experienced with the recent introduction of ‘Student Life’ activities. These are coordinated by Mr Oliver Harms and include Wednesday morning Health Hustle, Friday morning Cross Country running, and after-school Basketball. We thank the staff who have taken on additional responsibilities to enable these to happen.

Our Junior School students have also participated in rich opportunities that enhance learning and wellbeing and connect to the curriculum through hands-on life experiences.

• Reception Gorge Wildlife Park Excursion
• Years 3-5 Student Leadership Conference
• SEDA Netball/Cricket
• Year 4 Retreat
• Year 2-3 Indonesian Dance & Culture Incursion
• Mothers Day Stall
• Year 1 Nature Play Incursion
• Year 1 Mother's Day Liturgy
• Year 5 Camp - El Shaddai

Mrs Julie Hancock | Head of Junior School

Year 8 Medieval Fair

Our Year 8 students were transported back through time during the Medieval Fair on Friday 19 May, embracing the spirit of Medieval history and invention. Students participated in many activities and games, including archery and bocce. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, students also learned about sword fighting and the importance of discipline. In addition to this, the students showcased their Humanities artifacts and catapults made in Science lessons at our Learning Exhibition.

Year 9 Forensic Science Incursion

Our Year 9 students eagerly engaged in a captivating Forensic Science incursion on Thursday 11 May, run by Education Interactive. The session included the presentation of evidence from a fictional crime scene, allowing students to apply their scientific skills and concepts. They were encouraged to analyse the evidence and use their critical and creative thinking skills to solve the crime. The students found the session to be informative and rewarding.

Years 6-8 Debating Competitions

On Monday 15 May, our Middle School Debating Team participated in their first competition this term. Thank you to our teachers, Miss Oliwia Derda and Ms Kylie Brown, who are coordinating the teams. This was the second time the students had debated and, despite their limited experience, our students made an extremely impressive contest.

Attendance, Punctuality & Uniform

I would like to reiterate the importance of attendance and punctuality to school.

Attendance is paramount for success at school. As educators, we know from our years of experience that students who do not attend, or who are frequently late to school, will often have significant gaps in their learning. This can have a detrimental long-term impact, not only on school completion, but on future employment. 

Please note, we will be focusing on students’ punctuality and ensuring that they are wearing the correct uniform. Families are reminded that school starts at 8:40am, so please ensure students arrive earlier to settle and prepare themselves for lessons. As a College, we want to partner with our families to ensure students are on time and ready to learn, so we seek your support with this matter.

I hope the rest of the term goes well for you.

Mr Shane Dowling | Head of Middle School

We are thrilled to share some of the incredible experiences and events that our Senior School students have been participating in. These activities have not only provided valuable learning opportunities, but also fostered personal growth for each student.

Our adventurous Year 11 and 12 students embarked on an Outdoor Education Camp at the picturesque Deep Creek Conservation Park during Week 1 of this term. They explored the great outdoors, engaged in team-building activities, and learned valuable skills in environmental conservation.

Our talented Year 12 Drama students showcased their passion for the performing arts with their captivating production of "The Clock Stuck One" on Thursday 11 May in our Lake Arts Theatre. The play left the audience spellbound with its brilliant performances and thought-provoking storyline.

Our Year 10s embarked on the Careers and Employment Expo at the Adelaide Showgrounds on Friday 12 May. This allowed our students to explore various options for their futures, interact with industry professionals, and gain valuable insights into potential career pathways.

Ensuring the safety of our students on the road is a top priority. On Monday 8 May, our Year 11 students participated in the Road Awareness Program (RAP), which aimed to promote responsible and safe driving habits. They learned about the importance of road safety through engaging workshops and interactive sessions.

The College understands the importance of addressing the health and wellbeing of our students. Recently, our Year 10 students attended a Pelvic Pain, Endometriosis, and Periods (PPEP) Talk. This informative session, held in the Lake Arts Theatre on Monday 22 May, aimed to empower students with knowledge about menstrual health, addressing common concerns and promoting open conversations around reproductive health.

We held our Semester 1 Learning Progress Meetings for students in Years 6 to 12. These meetings provided an opportunity for students, parents, and teachers to discuss individual progress, set goals, and collaborate on strategies for academic success. If you missed these meetings, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teachers to discuss their progress at any point across the year.

Mrs Deirdre Walters | Head of Senior School