The Coracle - Term 3, Week 10

In the Junior School, our Year 3 students have all completed their first Retreat experience which included Godly play, art and craft activities, making prayer jars and Liturgy. The students really enjoyed the experience and in their feedback, many of them were able to reflect on their thoughts about God and their own spirituality. 

On Friday 24 September, students explored an Islamic Artefacts trail as part of the Afghanistan Awareness Day. They looked at many of the items that are used in Islamic prayer and Liturgy and recognised many similarities between Christianity and Islam. Students enjoyed using QR codes to find out more information.

Mrs Jane Bailey | Director of Spirituality R-5

Staff Reflection Day 2021

The theme for this year's Staff Reflection Day was ‘We Are Family’. During the day, time was spent in prayer, reflecting on our Christian story and acts of service. To support the community, 55 large slabs of meals and a range of sweets were made and decorated. The food was then delivered to Fred’s Van. This charity provides over 700 meals a week to comfort to those in need from 10 sites across the state. It is part of the St Vincent de Paul Society, a Catholic organisation dedicated to supporting those who need care, and is located as part of the Vinnie’s shop in Elizabeth.

Connect - Inspire - Celebrate - Reflection Time for Year 9s

During the term, the Year 9 Rite Journey groups come together and spent time reflecting on the question, ‘Who Am I?’. During the session, students took part in different activities that looked at how special we are because we are made in the image of God.

Miss Eugenia Stopyra | Director of Spirituality 6-12

Another busy and productive term has flown by with many opportunities for our students to participate fully in their spiritual, physical, social and academic learning. 

A number of excursions have occurred for students to connect with the curriculum. The Year 4s have been to the Adelaide Zoo on Tuesday 14 September. The Year 3s visited the SAPOL Road Safety School on Wednesday 22 September and Thursday 23 September.

Our Year 3s have also participated in an internal Retreat Day where they engaged in Godly play, prayer and Liturgy. The Junior School celebrated the special men in our lives with the Father's Day Stall on Thursday 2 September. Wellbeing was also a focus with 'R U OK?' Day on Thursday 9 September. 

This term has been busy with sporting opportunities for Years 3-5 coordinated by Mr Tristan Lorensini, including SEDA College Soccer Clinics, Tri-skills, SAPSASA Athletics and Year 4 & 5 Football Carnival.

A highlight of the term was our annual Book Week Parade and Premiers Reading Challenge Presentation where students where 539 presented with their awards. We thank Mrs Ruth Sumner, Mr Vic Calleja and Mrs Michelle Arthur for coordinating these events.  

In the Arts we have had Kaboom Percussion visit for a performance and watched our talented Junior School students in our Performing Arts Showcase, led by Ms Princess Galicia. 

I'd like to thank our parents and caregivers for their ongoing support and partnership by booking Three-Way Learning Conversations to hear about your child’s progress, goals and areas for growth. If you didn’t have the opportunity to participate, you are always welcome to make appointments with teachers through SEQTA Direqt message to discuss your child’s learning, wellbeing and progress.  

Junior School Car Park - Important Update

Next term you will see some significant changes to the Junior School with the upgrade of the car park. This will be a challenging time for traffic, parking and access to the school site. We ask that you be patient and respectful in the school zones and plan how you will best drop off and collect your child during this time. Some things for you to know:

• The car park gate will remain closed. The back oval gates will all be open from 3:00pm. The front of school gates will be open from 3:00pm  
• Children can be collected from classrooms anytime from 3:00pm onwards to allow for a staggered finish, enabling cars to move off. 
• Two 'Drop-off' and 'Pick-up' zones will operate at the front of the Junior School from 8:15am - 8:40am and 3:10pm - 3:40pm. Parents must not leave their vehicles and move off once children collected.   
• If you give permission for your child to walk home or walk to a designated pickup point further away from the College without an adult, please put this in writing to the class teacher via SEQTA Direqt message.   

May the holidays provide everyone some rest and relaxation.  

Mrs Julie Hancock | Head of Junior School

Retreats

This term has been a busy one for our year level retreats. These occasions are an integral part of our Liturgical program and they provide opportunity for students to deepen their faith and reflect on their spiritual journey. The Year 9 Retreat last week focused on personal identity and how we develop it. The students participated in many activities that focused on their own personal journey. I would like to thank Miss Eugenia Stopyra, Director of Spirituality (6-12), for organising the retreats this term. 

Sports Carnivals

On Friday 17 September our Year 8s participated in the annual Knights of the Southern Cross Sports Carnival. This is an inter-college sports event between Xavier College and Thomas More College. Students have an opportunity to develop their practical skills as well as team-work through a variety of sports. The carnival is played across the three schools and it promotes great connections with the other Catholic Colleges. Special thanks to our Sport Coordinator, Miss Abbey Mozuras, for organising the carnival.

Congratulations also to Mr Peter Wallace and our Year 8/9 Boys Soccer team who finished second in the SA School Sports Competition earlier this term!

College Events

During this term we have celebrated and acknowledged Book Week, 'R U OK? Day' and on the last day of the term we had a Casual Clothes Day to raise money and awareness of the current situation in Afghanistan. As a Catholic and Anglican school, our mission to help those in need though events such as this allows us as a community to demonstrate the key Christian values that our College is founded on. 

School Holidays

As we reach the end of Term 3, I wish all families a safe and relaxing holiday. I want to thank all of our teachers and ESO’s for their committment and hard work in what has been a challenging term. I also would to thank all parents and caregivers who play such an important role in working with us to help our young people thrive. 

Mr Shane Dowling | Head of Middle School

What an explosion of creativity we have seen in the Senior School in the second half of Term 3!

It has been a delight to see students excel in the Year 11 Outdoor Education Kayaking activities, as well as the Year 12 students, who recently went on their Outdoor Education Bushwalking Camp. This was held at Mambray Creek from Monday 30 August to Wednesday 1 September. Teachers have reported how students stretched themselves and their learning to achieve outstanding results.

This was also seen in the Stage 1 & 2 Drama performance, ‘A Simple Task’, on Thursday 2 September. This was a delightful and funny performance that captured the audience. Congratulations to Mr Gerry Barbaro and all students involved.

Our Year 12s are working hard to complete their last few assignments and begin revision for their final exams. On Wednesday 15 September, they took time out to engage in the Annual Year 12 Quiz Night in the MS Auditorium which was enjoyed by all. On Friday 24 September, we had an opportunity to take the students bowling at Salisbury Bowland. Both events were valuable time away from the stresses of school to connect with their peers.

The Year 10s outdid themselves in their coaching of the Knights of the Southern Cross competition. It was a delight to see them mentor and coach the Year 8 students, not just in their chosen sport, but in good sportsmanship.

I hope all our senior students take the time to rest over the break and come back recharged for the last term of learning!

Mrs Deirdre Walters | Head of Senior School