Issue 3 Term1 2021

There are two significant events within our church calendar that bring people together for great celebrations. They are Christmas and Easter. We know they are significant because both are preceded with a significant time of preparation.

At Christmas we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus. There really is something magical about celebrating midnight mass with so many others. We return home to decorated houses, presents, and a plan for how to tackle the different gatherings that we will be attending.

During Easter, many of us gather, again at church. We celebrate as a community and possibly gathered with others for an Easter meal. We weren’t, however, preoccupied with presents and decorations. Shopping centres were not full in the week leading up to Easter and there weren’t necessarily various parties that needed to be scheduled into our calendars.

The Easter event is the pivotal celebration of our church. It is the celebration which gives us our ultimate purpose. This is the time in which we celebrate that, through Jesus, we are saved and thus, destined to spend a life with our God. We celebrate that God’s great love for us, in the person of Jesus, has conquered sin, sickness, suffering and death. This truly is a celebration of all that is good.

We gain purpose in that the resurrection means we now live with hope for a life with God, beyond what we could ever imagine. A life liberated from the constraints of this world. A life where all there is, is love.

May the peace, hope and wonder that Easter brings find its way into your lives.

Enrico Caprioli
APRIM

Kildare College Year 9 STEM Leaders attended St Monica's Parish School to hold an interactive STEM workshop. During this workshop, the STEM Leaders engaged with the Year 4 students who have been learning to program LEGO Robots, which were borrowed from Kildare College.

The Year 4 students were tasked earlier in the term to code a robot to follow the path of the First Fleet, an interdisciplinary project to learn about history with robots and combine the past with the future.

Year 9 STEM Leaders helped the groups while they practised coding on their hand drawn map; each group then had a few minutes to code the challenge map. Groups soon learnt to think creatively with their problem solving, as time was running out.

The session ended with a competition showcasing the code the students programmed on the challenge map. 3D printed ships were awarded to the group that showed the most accuracy, collaboration and sophisticated code.

Julia Groutsch
Learning Leader

Harmony Week

Recently, we celebrated Harmony Week, and the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Harmony Week reminds us about the importance of inclusion, of respecting and welcoming all regardless of their race, skin colour, religion, abilities, and sexual orientation. Any form of discrimination emerges from a place of ignorance and fear; consequently, it is vitally important that we educate ourselves, each other and our children about the value of diversity. What we say and do as parents and carers has a significant impact on our children; they are watching and listening.

As a Catholic College in the Brigidine Tradition, we are called to Living Justice; we welcome all and have a responsibility to stand-up for the oppressed, to name any form of discrimination and to hold each other to account for poor choices made. Looking for the good in others, doing good deeds, and informing ourselves and our children about the nature of our diverse society will nurture harmony and solidarity.

Bullying. No Way!

Say “No!” to Bullying and “Take a Stand Together” were themes of the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Students were invited to wear a “Bullying. No Way” ribbon and post messages about actions we all can take to prevent bullying and violence.

Bullying is when one person (or a group of people) with more power than someone else, repeatedly tries to upset them. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. It can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden. The Take a Stand Together App is a resource available to young people. Further information about bullying can be found at
https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-young-people

Is your daughter getting enough sleep?

Many teachers have noticed that a significant number of our students appear tired and are finding it difficult to concentrate. Health experts tell us that teenagers require eight to ten hours of sleep a night to function well. As we all know, sleep deprivation can lead to a range of health issues, and lack of sleep also significantly impacts our ability to learn well and problem solve. If your daughter is frequently tired, I encourage you to have a conversation with her and consider the reasons for her tiredness. Is she getting enough sleep, and if not, why? Some students have reported that their tiredness is due to being on electronic devices late at night when they are supposed to be sleeping. A conversation around the responsible use of technology and what constitutes good sleep hygiene might be a good place to start.

Mr Glenn Clifford
Director of Wellbeing

The Nunga Group and Year 9 Art students from 2020, recently completed the totem/pole project they commenced in Term 4 last year. With the help of first nations artist Chris Crebbin the students have produced amazing pieces that will be placed in the Wirra Garden alongside totems/poles from the previous project.

The students’ individual creativity, along with the stark contrasting black and white colour theme inspired by exhibits viewed at the Art Gallery and Tandanya has seen the students produce spectacular artworks.

Great work everyone!

Mrs Clark, Mrs Selga and Chris Crebbin 

Students are well into their third or fourth learning cycles of the year and we are seeing some very impressive growth rates. To stay informed about your daughter’s learning, please log into SEQTA, visit the Mathematics Assessment page where your daughter will record her growth, effort and accuracy rates as well as her learning goal for the upcoming cycle.

Recently families have received log in details for Maths Pathway from Kildare. Logging into your daughter’s dashboard will enable you to have specific information about your daughter’s:

• Test results
• What she is currently working on
• Mathematical knowledge which is mapped live against the Australian Curriculum

If you have not received this information, please email your daughter’s Maths teacher.

Numbers and Networking Event for Maths Pathway Teachers

Earlier this term we hosted a Numbers and Networking Event for Maths Pathway teachers. We were delighted to welcome teachers from St Ignatius College, Loreto College, Golden Grove High School and Henley High School.

This was a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with other Maths Pathway teachers to share examples of good practice and to learn from one another. These types of opportunities are important for improving practice and student learning outcomes.

Kildare College is recognised as a leader in Maths Pathway, and as schools implement the program, they are seeking guidance and direction from our Maths Pathway teachers.  

Kim Thomas
Middle Years Coordinator

In Year 9 Science students are obtaining data on how much energy is transferred from plants to herbivore (caterpillar). From the data, graphs will be generated comparing the mass of plant eaten versus lava mass. Students will then be able to determine the energy loss that occurs between feeding levels in eco systems.

From this laboratory, students will gain a much greater understanding of how eco systems function in a hands on and engaging manner.

Paul Beltrame
Learning Leader

The theme of the Year 7 Retreat held this term was “Being Connected”.

A retreat is always a good opportunity to spend time with friends away from school in a more relaxed and easygoing atmosphere. During the day the students were given the opportunity to reflect on things such as who they are, how they fit in with friends and peers and what God means to them.

There were various activities for the students to share a bit about themselves in small groups, discuss bigger issues in a large group setting and spend some quiet time reflecting.

It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and making the most of the opportunity given to them. During the day students made their own Dream Catchers. The Dream Catcher is a physical representation of how we are all a thread within the web of life, making us all connected. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.

I would also like to thank the group of Year 11 Peer Support Leaders who came along to lead the small groups. The way in which they conducted themselves was outstanding and the quality of care they offer to the younger students is a credit to them. They truly exemplify what it means to lead with Strength and Gentleness.

Enrico Caprioli
APRIM

As part of their World War Two studies, a number of students in Year 10 History class visited the Adelaide Holocaust Museum - Andrew Steiner Exhibition. With the museum only recently opening to schools we were honoured to be the first student group to visit.

During the visit, students heard first-hand, Andrew Steiner’s Holocaust survival story as he shared his experiences as a young Jewish boy in Budapest during World War Two.

This was followed by a journey through the museum of photographic and artefact exhibits, that brought to life some of the horrors and survival stories of war under the Nazi regime.

Students were also invited to examine primary sourced artefacts that had been saved by survivors. 

Year 10 History
Miss Beck, Mrs Selga, Ms Rowe and Ms Hennig.

Students from Year 9A, 9C and 9E core groups, walked and explored part of the Adelaide street art trail, while also viewing the fit outs of various retail stores along Rundle Mall and the East End.

While walking, students were asked to take photographs of anything that inspired them; street art, sculptures and statues, plants, shop front window displays, signs and architecture. These photographs will be the basis on which they design and create modern jewellery pieces in STEM throughout Term 2. 

Julia Groutsch
Learning Leader

Student Leaders Seminar

Kildare College Living Justice and Environmental Leaders were invited to join students from other Kildare Education Ministries schools around Australia for a two-day student seminar.

While we were unable to attend the annual event held in Victoria due to travel restrictions; with the help of technology and Zoom students were still keen to take part. While we were challenged with some internet problems, the students were able to wave to their counterparts and listen to guest speakers such as Sr Brigid Arthur’s presentation about asylum seekers/refugees.  

Over the two days, the students developed a deeper understanding of concepts relating to justice vs charity, and participated in the Justice Tree activity that reflected on issues caused in society by the 2020 COVID pandemic. They focused on issues locally, nationally, and globally and reflected on how these were responded to and whether the response was appropriate.

Students also spent time discussing how they intend to raise awareness about issues that impact society and the environment, including issues in our own College community.

Having time to converse, enabled the students to formulate and plan ideas for events that the Living Justice and Environmental groups had previously discussed but this year intend to definitely put into action!

Plans for 2021

Living Justice Group:

To raise funds for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion the Living Justice group is planning a colour run, where all students will be invited to donate to participate as an act of solidarity to ‘celebrate all that is good’ - something they felt was particularly relevant in this year of Wonder.

The ‘Winter Warmers’ drive will be back in Term 2 to raise awareness of homelessness and those less fortunate; followed by a campaign to raise awareness about the serious issue of domestic violence and the need to educate young people about healthy relationships.

Environmental Group:

To celebrate the year of ‘Wonder’ the group is keen to encourage the school community to continue the war on waste. With that in mind, the group is currently conducting a survey among the student body regarding their support for a better recycle/waste system. They are also researching various recycle/waste systems, such as the three-bin system in many shopping centres to see how well students and staff would support a similar system if it were introduced at Kildare. 

While technology may have impacted the students’ ability to converse with their interstate counterparts - it did not thwart their plans for raising awareness around Living Justice and Environmental issues in 2021!   

Well Done Everyone!

Mrs Selga, Miss Beck, Mrs Rigney and Emma Lewis

During the first term of this year, the Learning Enrichment Team have focussed on our students transitioning into the Kildare College and those who are returning to the College as we are aware from experience, knowledge and research in girls’ education that transitional times can be very challenging.

Whilst transition for some students can be an ongoing process we at Kildare acknowledge this and work in collaboration with parents/carers, students and staff to ensure processes are smooth and challenges resolved, as the student is the centre of our wellbeing for learning.

To ensure that students are at the centre of all that we do and are empowered to have a voice working in collaboration with parents/carers and College staff, this year the Personalised Plan has been designed, reviewed, and implemented in Catholic Education SA (CESA), to support learner engagement and achievement.

The Personalised Plan is for students who are:

• New arrival for whom English is an additional language or dialect requiring specialised language and literacy support
• Requiring intensive behaviour support
• Identified as Gifted (IQ 145 and above or IQ 130 and above with a disability)
• Requiring short term monitoring
• Indigenous students
• Learners with disabilities, learning disabilities, imputed additional learning needs and medical concerns
• Students in care (formerly GOM)

The Personalised Plan promotes student agency, participation and self-reflection helping students to engage in personalised planning for equity in education whilst working in collaboration with parents/carers and College staff. The Personalised Plan documents the ongoing learning and participation of students working within a ‘wrap around approach’ with parents/carers and multidisciplinary teams of allied health professionals to ensure best outcomes for engagement and learning at Kildare College.

Next term we will commence utilising the updated CESA Personalised Plan. If you have any questions in relation to the Personalised Plan, please contact me at the College.

Regards

Cherrell Murray
Director of Learning Enrichment

The Year 10 Child Studies class, after learning about milestones of children of different ages, planned and created a 'Lunchbox for Learning'. Some members of the Living Justice Group suggested that the Lunchbox for Learning could be made for children in need or in a crisis.

They have been designed for children of certain age groups and include; recipes cards, snack ideas, a textile learning aid, educational activity and affirmation cards. 

Kara Steward
Child Studies Teacher

In September 2020, the South Australian Sport Institute (SASI) conducted their talent search at a number of high schools. Kildare College students, Lorelai Smith and Madeleine Corner were identified for sprint kayaking. SASI was looking for the best potential talent for sprint kayak with the ultimate goal of finding future Olympic gold medallists. The key components that contribute to making the kayak move fast are strength, speed, endurance, arm length, and sitting height. Both Lorelai and Madeleine performed extremely well or were exceptional in one or more tests. Due to their successful results across Stage 1 and 2 of the testing they were selected into the sprint kayaking squad.

Lorelai and Madeleine have competed in several regattas since commencing their kayaking journey. On 8 March 2021 both students had the opportunity to participate in the U/16 State Titles resulting in Lorelai receiving three bronze medals for K1-200m, K1-500m, and K1-1000m.

Congratulation to both students on their kayaking success.

Bianca Parker
Sports Development Officer

It is exciting to have more volleyball teams representing Kildare than ever before, as well as many students playing basketball. All players worked hard, encouraged each other, always had a smile on their face and represented the College with integrity.

Feedback from spectators and coaches suggested that the overall improvement of individual and group performances was outstanding. Volleyballers played some great winning rallies and with a focus on serving, really challenged the opposition. Our basketballers ran new plays learnt at practice and had lots of fun.

A very big thank you to the coaches and families for their ongoing support of sport at Kildare. 

Term 2 is packed full with lots of weekly netball teams, soccer teams and an AFL team. We look forward to hearing about their successes.

Keep your eye out for results of Knockout Sport coming up next term. Teams were definitely hard to pick as we have so many talented sports women. Congratulations to those students who have been chosen, and we look forward to seeing you in action. Trainings for next term weekly and knockout sport are in Notices in SEQTA and pinned outside the gym.

Bianca Parker
Sports Development Officer

Kildare College uses the SEQTA Learning Management Software for the online management of lessons, resources and grades which are accessible from any device, anywhere at any time. We believe this accessibility is an important component of a 21st century learning environment.

SEQTA Engage allows parents online access to their daughter’s assessment details, grades and timetable.  School information such as notices and important links are also available. New families should have received a Welcome Email inviting them to register with SEQTA Engage. If you need your registration details re-issued or require assistance navigating SEQTA please contact the school on phone 8369 9999 or email info@kildare.catholic.edu.au

Once you have registered you can access SEQTA in two ways:

1. Via an App (SEQTA ENGAGE) available via the Apple Store or Google Play store.

2. Using a web browser on any internet-enabled device. Visit: parent.kildare.catholic.edu.au

Sally Morgan
SEQTA/STEM Teacher

In Week 9, our Years 7 and Year 9 students undertook the NAPLAN Readiness Test. This practice test gave students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the online platform. NAPLAN will take place in Term 3 on the following dates:

• Tuesday 11 May – Reading Test
• Wednesday 12 May – Writing and Conventions of Language Tests
• Thursday 13 May – Numeracy Test

To support your daughter in preparing for the tests you can encourage her to open the NAPLAN Browser on her desktop and acces the Demonstration Tests. This will give her the opportunity to practise each of the test types. In the week of the tests, please remind your daughter to charge her laptop each night and bring her corded head/ear phones with her to school.

We understand that some students may feel overwhelmed or anxious, but please remind your daughter that NAPLAN is a snapshot of her learning at a point in time. Please encourage her to do the best she can.

If you have any questions or concerns about NAPLAN, please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Kim Thomas
Middle Years Coordinator