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Welcome to Term 4

Welcome back to Term 4. I trust that you have enjoyed your break over the last couple of weeks and have found some opportunity to relax and enjoy some sunshine.

We now have a clearer understanding of the proposed roadmap to return to onsite learning for all students over the coming weeks. VCE/VCAL and Year 7 students will recommence on-site learning next week and students in Years 8 -10 are expected to resume in a couple of weeks. 

Roadmap to return to onsite learning in Term 4

Week 2 - October 12

• Year 11 and 12 students and Year 10 students enrolled in a VCE or VCAL program return to full-time on-site schooling.
• Year 7 students return to full-time on-site schooling.
• Remote and flexible learning continues for all students in Years 8 to 10, other than for children of permitted workers and vulnerable students (including St Mary鈥檚 students who choose to learn onsite).

Week 4 - October 26

• Return of students in Years 8 to 10. 
• Oct 29 - last official day for Year 12

Returning to Onsite Learning

While many students have been eagerly awaiting the return to onsite learning and the opportunity to reconnect with their teachers and friends face to face once again, there is understandably some who will feel some trepidation and uncertainty after learning remotely for so long. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg provides advice to parents in regards to discussion of the concerns about the transition back to school with your young people:

Student Attendance

All students are expected to attend onsite once their year level has returned to onsite learning. Exceptions may exist for medically vulnerable students. It is recommended that parents/carers of students with complex medical needs seek advice from the student鈥檚 medical practitioner to support decision making about whether onsite education is suitable and work with the relevant Year Level Leaders at the College in regards to a plan. Once a year level cohort has returned to onsite learning, the current online remote learning program (Continuing Learning Plan) will cease for that year level

COVID-Safe Practices

Resources will be provided to students over the coming days and weeks to remind them of the expectations regarding behaviours that will assist in minimising the risk of COVIID-19 infection. The key messages that will continue to be emphasised are

• Stay home if unwell. 
• Get tested immediately if any of the following symptoms appear: fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, night sweats, chills, acute respiratory infection (such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, and/or loss of taste.
• Maintain good hand and cough hygiene.
• Do not share food or drink and use a water bottle (drink fountains are not allowed to be used).
• Do not share other utensils.
• Maintain social distancing as much as possible.
• Wear a fitted mask at all times.
• Minimise time at lockers by carrying essentials in a small bag during the day.
• Parents/guardians must remain in cars during drop-off and pick-up times. Only adults who have an essential role will be permitted to enter College premises.

The Deputy Chief Health Officer has advised that daily temperature testing is not required while the levels of community transmission is so low, so we will be discontinuing this practice.

General Achievement Test (GAT)

On Wednesday, all students studying a Unit 3/4 subject were required to sit the General Achievement Test. This is a huge undertaking even in a non COVID-19 year, but the extra health precautions required this year added an additional layer of complexity. Thanks to the Senior School leadership team whose thorough planning made for such a smooth process and to our Senior students who continue to apply themselves so diligently to their studies this year. Thank you also to the many non-teaching staff who assisted in supervision this year amongst a small band of our regular invigilators.

Darren Atkinson
Principal

So, where do we go from here? What鈥檚 next? 

We have just returned to online classes after the strangest break. The students in my Year 12 class have exams in under five weeks, as do all other Year 12s in the State. For students in languages and performing arts the first test is even earlier. The question that they are asking is the question that we all want answered in this disrupted year.

What next? There are many ways to attempt to answer this question but one thing is certain. We can learn from the past but we cannot change it. Everything my class can do to get ready for assessment is in the future. No matter how much they have already done, and many of them have done a great deal and consequently improved, to get even better is a future focused approach. I urge them, 鈥淚t鈥檚 what we do from now that will contribute to success. You can鈥檛 go back.鈥� With this in mind we look at how success will be measured, in this case the exam, we evaluate what we can and cannot do and what steps need to be taken to improve. We use words like improvement, progress, development. Doing nothing while everyone else is progressing is equal to going backwards.

For Year 12 VCE students, what to do next is pretty clear because there is, by October of their final year, a clear goal. Do as well as you can in order to set up the next stage in your life. For Year 12 students this is based on fairly singular and momentary activity, the exams. For VCAL students it is more about how the last two years have developed, but it is still about setting up the next stage. 

But what about for Year 8 or Year 9 students? School in the Middle Years is not so singular. Even on the Curriculum side there are nine Learning Areas (much more than English and Maths) as well as four capabilities that have discrete skills; Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical, Intercultural, Personal and Social capabilities. A quick glance at the titles of the capabilities without even examining any documentation establishes that these capabilities are not maximised when people are not in the same room engaging with each other. We have learnt plenty in our Google Meets, but it has tended to be domain learning rather than Personal and Social capabilities.

So how do we apply a future focus? How do we, as I said above, evaluate what we can and cannot do and what steps need to be taken to improve? The only answer I can provide is that we will need to take it slowly and see where our students are. It would be reasonably straightforward to give every student from Years 7-10 a high stakes test on the first day back to measure progress, but is that the best thing for the students?

When we return Catholic Education Melbourne have stated that our priorities should be Mental Health and Wellbeing, Learning and Excellence and Transitions. These have always been very important at Aquinas. A key factor will be to look forward, to ensure that progress happens from now. That does not mean the past should be ignored and it will shape the future, but meeting the challenge is about what we do next.

Michael Box
Deputy Principal Learning

Returning to School

Recent announcements regarding returning to school by the State Government provided a pathway for our College to plan a to face to face learning. Year 12 and 11 VCE and VCAL students, some Year 10 students completing VCE or VET, and Year 7 students will return to school on Monday 12 October, and we eagerly await their return. The rest of the school will be back on Monday 26 October, with online learning continuing for students in Years 8, 9 and 10. There is excitement about the return to school, as this signifies that we are perhaps headed towards some needed normality and the opportunity to enjoy life with our extended families and friends. 

After completing Terms 2 and 3 in lockdown and remote learning with limited access to facilities and resources that we may have once taken for granted, returning to school may require a transition plan for your child. This last Wednesday (7th October), our VCE Unit 3 and 4 students completed their General Achievement Test. It was great to see many of the students return, as they all seemed mostly positive and prepared to take on the challenge ahead, while enjoying the comfort that seeing one another provided. It was amazing to see the happy faces, despite the masks, as the Senior Students gave life to the College momentarily. 

Next week will see the return of half of the student population as well many teachers and other school staff looking forward to their return. However, it is important to remember that the return is a significant, yet small step in the right direction. There is an obligation for all of us to follow the strategies and processes we have implemented as a way to keep all members of the community safe. created for our students with this information, and ensure to encourage your child to do their part in maintaining the safety we all deserve. With the year quickly gaining momentum towards its academic end, with final assessments for our Year 12 students taking shape and exams starting soon, it is important that we follow all directions to be safe so that the College remains open. 

A key to the success of the return for your child is not just about finding comfort that the school may provide, and in following the guidelines to preserve everyone鈥檚 wellness and safety but also finding the necessary motivation to strive and achieve his/her best. Students cannot afford to only look through the lens of negativity, they need to find reasons to be motivated and embrace the purpose of school; to be socially responsible, enjoy their relationships with peers and staff, embrace all learning and contribute to the community. This motivation needs to be sought and established, especially when returning with anxiousness and concern as the students look through a positive lens. 

The staff at the College will embrace a collective focus on the wellbeing of all students by maintaining the motivation of those doing well, re-engaging students who may have fallen back and finding ways to support those in need. There is an emphasis on celebrating success as much as possible, encouraging students to learn and offer possibilities for all students to catch up where necessary. We have strategically accounted for the demands and challenges that a transition back to school may present for the students, with staff working towards welcoming the students back, offering safety and positive learning and identifying any concerns. Please seek the support of your child鈥檚 Homeroom Teacher or Learning Mentor if you have any concerns with their transition. 

Over the course of the lockdowns, it would be fair to assume that while many people in our community have experienced positively, others may have faced confronting challenges. Perhaps, it is most likely that we have all had a dose of both positive and negative experiences while in isolation. I recently read some of the works of Zygmunt Bauman, a renowned philosopher and sociologist who proposed the theory of 鈥渓iquid modernity鈥�. Interestingly, he describes an increased obsession with perfectionism in our current world, where, in so many ways, society places such high expectations on individuals that we find ourselves forever seeking a better state. Bauman believes that it is the fragility, temporariness, vulnerability and inclination to constant change that unites all societies. This clearly defines the sense of a global community linked by the aspiration of perfection. He asserts that 鈥渢o be 鈥榤odern鈥� means to modernise, compulsively, obsessively; not so much just 鈥榯o be鈥�, let alone to keep its identity intact, but forever 鈥榖ecoming鈥�, avoiding completion, staying underdefined鈥�. 

I wonder how the recent experience under the pandemic can impact on the liquidity that such an approach promotes, allowing us the time to be content with who we are and what we can do to improve ourselves rather than seeking being someone that perhaps we are not truly destined to be. This is the purpose of holistic education, to become the best version we can be of ourselves, and not to set ourselves on a journey where we will never find the satisfactions that we may assume only exist in an evolving ultimate goal. I hope that the students will remember the time that the isolation has provided them with to reflect and appreciate their gifts as individuals. I hope that you have also enjoyed the time with them at home. This is not to say that students should not strive to achieve, it means that we must always be grateful for the achievements we reach. Each day brings a new learning opportunity, and no day should ever be perceived as a waste. 

Bauman suggests that 'liquid modernity', is the growing conviction that change is the only permanence, and uncertainty the only certainty. A hundred years ago 'to be modern' meant to chase 'the final state of perfection', now it means an infinity of improvement, with no 'final state' in sight and none desired. I hope that the experience of 2020 will bring some direction to our students as they appreciate the life they have, the gifts they have been given and the desire to not change to be someone else but rather finetune who they are in order to contribute to our society positively, and more importantly, authentically. Encourage your child to chase their dreams and to be happy being who they are. Perhaps a strategy to support this is to moderate and supervise social media, gaming and many of the other distractions that promote unrealistic expectations of people whose imperfections make them unique. The negative impact of social media and its correlation to Bauman鈥檚 views may be a discussion for another time. If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please contact me at the college or via rodeznone@aquinas.vic.edu.au

If you have any concerns with the return of your child to the College, please contact their Homeroom Teacher or Learning Mentor. Alternatively, please contact the Team Leader or Year Level Leader, or the YFC for any counselling support via yfc@aquinas.vic.edu.au

Dr Nap Rodezno
Deputy Principal

Fratelli Tutti

In preparation for this article I normally look at the upcoming weekend readings to guide my theme. Yet with the release of Pope Francis鈥� encyclical 鈥淔ratelli Tutti鈥� I nearly didn鈥檛 because there was so much to discuss in what Francis wrote. However I took a peek and I am glad I did. Here are the three introductory statements: 

The Lord will prepare a banquet for every nation.
With the help of the One who gives me strength, there is nothing I cannot master.

The readings talk about all humanity, not separating into nations and that no matter who you are or what you have experienced, with the strength of God you will make it through hardships. So relevant to our current situation where the Pope commented that the pandemic has proven our need to work together. In reading various parts of the encyclical and some of the many summaries, it is clear that Francis鈥� vision for the church is one of dialogue, friendship, unity, love and hope.

Inspired by St Francis of Assisi, the Pope focuses of a wide range of issues including

• the culture of waste; unemployment, racism, poverty; the disparity of rights and its aberrations such as slavery, trafficking, women subjugated and then forced to abort, organ trafficking
• overcoming prejudices, personal interests, historic and cultural barriers. 
• 鈥淓nvisaging and engendering an open world鈥�.
• The right to live with dignity cannot be denied to anyone, the Pope again affirms, and since rights have no borders, no one can remain excluded, regardless of where they are born
• 鈥淎 better kind of politics鈥�, which represents one of the most valuable forms of charity because it is placed at the service of the common good 
• 鈥淒ialogue and friendship in society鈥�
• The value and promotion of peace
• Religions at the service of fraternity in our world鈥� and emphasizes that terrorism is not due to religion but to erroneous interpretations of religious texts.

Source: Vatican News

There are many summaries and articles being published at the moment in regards to this new document which I encourage you to read as in the words of Pope Francis: "The global health emergency has helped demonstrate that 鈥渘o one can face life in isolation鈥� and that the time has truly come to 鈥渄ream, then, as a single human family鈥� in which we are 鈥渂rothers and sisters all鈥�.

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal - Mission

Charlotte Dring & Meg Benger
2020 Senior Music Captains

Being the 2020 Senior Music Captain has looked vastly different this year with an array of challenges coming our way. Whilst we, like many other music students, have missed out on many events and performances this year, quarantine has provided new opportunities for us to perform our music. 

"Despite being online for a large proportion of this year, we鈥檝e all been adapting as best as we can to online learning. For music students this has added an extra challenge due to limited rehearsal time and online lessons, but we鈥檝e taken advantage of every opportunity we could. For the Year 12 Music Performance and Investigation students performance exams are coming up within the next few weeks, so ensuring we are performance ready is crucial. 

I have been playing flute for 10 years and working towards such an important performance is a bit daunting, but I鈥檓 looking forward to the relief that will come after knowing I was as confident and prepared as I could have been. Filling 25 minutes seems like a long time but it really does fly by! I鈥檓 very thankful to my teachers for their support and I hope to try my best to do them proud. I give my best regards to my peers with their performances and to anyone else that has any big music events coming up."  Charlotte

"Whilst many music events and competitions have sadly been cancelled this year, technology has allowed for some music competitions and events to continue online. 

Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Victorian State Solos Championship competition in both the Junior Trumpet and Junior Cornet sections. This year was the first time the event has ever been held online and we had to send in a video of our performance. All of the entries were then judged by adjudicators, who are expert musicians from all around Australia. I have participated in this competition previously but this year I was able to use my extra available time in quarantine to even better prepare my two pieces for this competition. My practice paid off and I was awarded first place in the Junior Cornet section as the 2020 Victorian State Junior Champion - a new personal best for me! 

This event was unlike anything I have previously participated in and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to continue performing music in an event like this despite the current situation...but like everyone else, I can't wait to get back to live rehearsals and performances with all of my music friends!"  Meg

Have you ever wanted to be a Formula 1 car designer? Maybe a team manager? How about a marketing wiz? 

Students in Year 8 Design and Technology did just that during remote learning this term. They researched existing Formula 1 cars, looked at the features that worked best, designed their own new and improved cars using traditional drawing methods and 3D computer aided design. Students then moved onto designing logos and merchandise for their new Formula 1 team. They saw the project through to construction of their Formula 1 car using problem solving skills with the limited materials they had. Students were asked to create their car using recycled materials, lego or create their own template. It was great to see the variety of materials being used and their creative and innovative Formula one car designs come to life.

Kathy Thompson
Teacher

The recent competition run by the Caf茅 N9ne team has been a great inspiration for a number of students over this time of potential disconnection and isolation.

Here is a reflection on how family and friends participated for one family and the delicious menus they created.

"...we engaged the help of the "professionals", being friends in the neighbourhood, for our best breakfast feasts.  For the past 5 weeks my daughter has prepared breakfast for the group and delivered the components (once a week by 7.30am) for them to compile, send a photo, rate and offer feedback (contactless delivery of course). 

It was my intention to stop this week however my daughter has asked if we can continue, to the groups delight! 

The feasts to date have included:

• Panna Cotta, Baked Granola & Raspberry Syrup with Lime Zest
• Zucchini, Pea & Mint Fritters with Bacon Jam served on an Avocado & Tomato Salsa Salad with Lemon Zest Dressing
• Corn Fritters with Red Pepper Chilli Jam & Avocado/Tomato Salad
• Waffles with Poached Pear in Spiced Syrup, topped with Crumbed Macadamia & Wattleseed Biscuit & Ice Cream

Thank you again for inspiring us to work on a project together in the kitchen.  It has been so much more than cooking."

Landmark Photography and Design

Many of us dream once more of visiting places beyond our own state and indeed our own country. We look forward again to the possibility of visiting many of the landmarks that are well known around the world.

We asked the Year 8 students to recreate famous landmarks using common household objects during our Continued Learning Program. These are some of their creations for you to enjoy.

Adriana Dujela
Teacher

A message from Spartan School World

"With Covid-19 numbers reducing and the likelihood that the Government roadmap will follow its planned course, it appears likely that the Bayswater North retail shop will reopen for normal trading on Monday October 26th.

Until then, we will be offering a 鈥渃ontactless click and collect鈥� service for online orders from Monday September 28th. This service will operate on Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Our website will be updated to reflect this information.

When the shop reopens fully, there will be a Covid Safe plan in place to protect the health and safety of our staff and customers.

This will involve:

• A maximum of 8 customers in total instore at any time.
• Staff service only. No self-service in the shop.
• Mandatory wearing of masks in the shop for customers over 12 years of age.
• Hand sanitising on entry.
• Closed change rooms. Garments will not be available for trying on. Staff will advise customers on recommended sizes by the use of visual assessment and garment measuring guides.

As far as the fitting days go for Year 7 students, assuming the shop does open on October 26th, we will offer online appointments from Tuesday October 27th until Saturday December 5th. This should allow us enough time to cater for all of the incoming students. The appointments will be a combination of twilight times (5.30 to 8.30) and all day on Saturdays. We will only have two fitters working and appointments will be in half hour blocks.

Hopefully this will be the plan we can use and the shop can stay open for good. I鈥檒l let you know when the booking site is live. Parents will be able to access it from the Aquinas homepage as it will actually appear as a product for selection. "

At the end of Term 3, all divisions of the House Challenge were completed and the final placing were announced. 

Rice was an eager competitor with 123 points and Dominic carried second place with 146, but unfortunately neither were able to take over from Mackillop, who finished with a strong lead on 152 points. Congratulations to all houses, and especially Mackillop for taking home the victory!

This was a fantastic initiative from the Student Leaders across all year level, and brought some fun to the period of lockdown and remote learning. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated.

Here is a snapshot of some of the challenge entries...

Anime Club

All things Anime and Manga...with some gaming and other cartoons also thrown in! A social group that meets on Wednesdays at lunchtime. Examples of different activities include drawing, karaoke, celebrity heads, quizzes, new anime/manga show and tell, arts and crafts and a Japanese food festival...when we're allowed! No experience, skills or prior knowledge needed - just a willingness to get to know some great people and have some fun. All year levels are welcomed. Email Sean Miller (millersf@aquinas.vic.edu.au) for more details and to be included in the fun. 

Friday Trivia

A new iso specialist group. This social group was started to replace the famous

YFC Friday lunchtime movie and Diversity clubs. We generally use the much loved kahoots format and so far all of the quizzes have had a movie spin to them. Lots of laughs are shared as we gather to celebrate the end of another big week...by testing our knowledge of largely useless facts like "what is Harry Potter's middle name?" Email Sean Miller (millersf@aquinas.vic.edu.au) for more info. PS it's James you bunch of muggles!!

CSPV invite you to register for our Connect Webinar for parents with guest presenter Anne T Henderson

The power of parent engagement for student learning and wellbeing

Saturday 10th October 2020
9.30am-10.30am

About The Webinar

What is parent engagement ?
How can you continue to support your children鈥檚 learning when they return to school?

Purpose: A conversation with renowned parent engagement expert - author, speaker and researcher, Anne T Henderson focussing on parent engagement and the importance of continuing to be engaged in your child鈥檚 learning once they return to school. 

What we will explore: You now have a huge opportunity to continue to engage in your children鈥檚 learning, to support them to thrive. Through the expertise of Anne, you will learn how important parent engagement is for children鈥檚 learning and wellbeing and the extremely valuable role you as their parents have to support and enhance learning at home.

Who is this for: Parents and carers of Catholic school students will benefit from learning from a parent engagement expert who has researched over the past four decades and proven that parent engagement in learning significantly impacts student learning and wellbeing.