St Andrews College Marayong eNewsletter Term 3 Week 6

Congratulations to our Year 12 cohort who have recently finished their final school-based examinations. They should be congratulated on the way they engaged in their exams. While many of our students experienced success some of our students may be disappointed by their results. It is important that they know that every student still has time for growth in the lead-up to the HSC. Teachers and students will be working productively together to ensure that students achieve their best. While it is an exciting time, it is important to remember to focus on your study and act on the feedback you receive.

Many of our Year 12 students are already undertaking practical parts of their HSC exams. The Japanese, Visual Arts, Drama, Design & Technology, Industrial Technology, Extension Science, Society & Culture and Music students have their final projects and performances being marked over the next weeks and we wish them every success in these endeavours.

It is also an important time for the Year 11 students. The students are sitting their end-of-course exams beginning next week which is a cumulation of their studies for the year. They are encouraged to achieve their best as these exams can be used by universities and employers to make decisions about their futures. The Year 11 students are also undertaking choices about which subjects they will be continuing for their HSC. Please see your teachers or Ms May if you need any assistance in making your decision.

Our students in Years 7 to 10 have been working hard throughout the term. Each student has been receiving feedback via Canvas for tasks they have completed in class or at home. These provide valuable insight on how the student is progressing as well as advice to improve their performance in future tasks. These tasks can also be a great way to start a conversation with your child about their progress in class and their achievement. There are also many assessment tasks coming up in the next few weeks, students are reminded not to leave it until the last minute to finish the task so they can produce their best work. 

Mr Bill Robson

Acting Assistant Principal Teaching, Learning and Wellbeing.

Bullying

In a perfect world, there would be no bullying. Unfortunately, we live in a complex world and bullying does occur. 

Bullying in schools is a worldwide problem that can have negative consequences for the general school climate and for the right of students to learn in a safe environment without fear. Bullying can also have negative lifelong consequences--both for students who bully and for their victims. 

Bullying happens on buses, in the cafeteria, gym, hallways, playground, and in classrooms even after school. The most frequent form bullying takes is through psychological humiliation words such as teasing, taunting, ridiculing, name-calling, and gossip, secrets. This type of bullying happens in the “physical” world and that world has time and space limits. 

Cyberbullying is making school days even more painful for many children preventing them from doing their job. Bullying in cyberspace is not bound by school hours, school days, or facing the intended bully victim. Unfortunately, the nature of the Internet often insulates the bully from the consequences of their behaviour.

What does cyberbullying look like?

Cyberbullying behaviour might include:

• abusive texts and emails
• hurtful messages, images or videos
• imitating others online
• excluding others online
• humiliating others online
• spreading nasty online gossip and chat
• creating fake accounts to trick someone or humiliate them

What can you do as a parent?

The Government has set up a site to support students, Teachers and Parents in dealing with issues around Cyber Safety. 

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

This site is a great way to get information and support when there are concerns online with your children or friends. You are able to apply for assistance if you have an issue and they will advise and help with the concern.

Sexual Harassment

The College has started an education session for students about sexual harassment. We have noticed, especially online, comments and harassment of a sexual nature being made by students towards others. In response to this, we will ensure that all students receive the same information regarding sexual harassment. The following is a quick overview of what they will be taught.

Sexual harassment is defined as when a person in relation to another: 

• makes an unwanted sexual advance.
• an unwelcome request for sexual favours.
• engages in other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.

Where a reasonable person, would have regard for all the circumstances and would have anticipated the possibility that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated, or intimidated by the behaviour.

The intent of the harasser is not relevant. It can be a one-off or a pattern of behaviour. A person going along with it at the time or not objecting does not make the behaviour consensual or acceptable.

Examples could include.

• Unwelcome physical contact (brushing up against someone, touching, hugging blocking someone’s path, invading their personal space)
• Sexually suggestive behaviour (leering, staring, offensive gestures, winking, throwing kisses, licking lips)
• Sexually suggestive comments or jokes in another person’s presence, even if it's not about them, comments or questions of a sexual nature or asking about a person’s private life or appearance.
• Repeated invitations to go out on dates, unwanted declarations of affection, and personal gifts.
• Displaying offensive screensavers, photos, calendars, or objects.
• Sexually explicit emails, text messages or posts on social networking sites
• Requests for sex, sexual assault, indecent exposure, physical assault and stalking (which are criminal offences)

These can happen at school or outside school. If they affect or target a student or teacher at the College, the time it happened will be irrelevant. If there is a connection to the school, the school will respond to the harassment.

Students at the College are expected to be always respectful. They can prevent any bullying or harassment by 

• Being aware and identifying any discriminatory, harassing, or bullying behaviour
• Not acting in a discriminatory, harassing, or bullying way.
• Assisting the College to eliminate such behaviours whether a complaint is made about the behaviour or not.
• Reporting behaviour that appears to be discriminatory, harassing or bullying.
• Assisting the College when investigating a complaint.

Reporting Sexual Harassment.

All complaints will be treated seriously and dealt with in a timely manner and conducted in a fair and impartial way.

Students are encouraged to see a teacher, their Leader of Wellbeing or any of the College Leadership team to raise a complaint. Any report will be confidential.

If students are found to be engaged in such a breach of conduct, there will be severe disciplinary action taken. Allegations related to criminal conduct will be reported to the Police.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact me at the College.

harassment is defined as serious misconduct and students will be subject to severe

What is in the Planner?

“When you judge someone, you have no time to love them”

Love is a way that we increase Positive Emotions. Spend time being positive and the right emotions will come through.

Always remember to be kind to YOU. Use your strengths and practice positive self-talk.

Did you know that your brain can process 110 bits of data per second? When you are distracted by your phone or technology you use about 60 bits. The remaining bits are not enough to get started on homework or other tasks. When we are distracted, we tend to procrastinate. You need to ensure that your focus is on the right task at the right time.

Thank you and God Bless.

Mr Nicholas Thrum

Assistant Principal - Students

Year 11 Design & Technology students have risen to the challenge of designing and producing promotional materials for an innovative tiny home concept, utilising recycled shipping containers. The project, aimed at fostering creativity and environmental consciousness, required students to incorporate a variety of space-saving and sustainable design elements into their proposals.

Students employed advanced tools such as Sketchup, a leading computer-aided design (CAD) software, to create detailed digital models of their tiny homes. These CAD models showcased the thoughtful integration of sustainable features, including efficient use of space, eco-friendly materials, and renewable energy solutions. In addition to the digital designs, students crafted architectural models employing industry-standard drawing skills and physical prototypes, providing a tangible representation of their ideas.

The final component of the project involved developing a slideshow presentation to highlight the key features and benefits of their tiny home designs. This presentation served as a platform for students to effectively communicate their innovative solutions, emphasising the importance of sustainability in modern living.

The project not only honed students' technical skills but also encouraged them to think critically about the future of housing and the role of design in addressing environmental challenges. Have a look at some of their outstanding designs!

Miss Catalina Valdivia 

TAS Teacher

Our Year 10 Youth Ministry leaders demonstrated the skills that they have learned in their recent formation sessions by volunteering to help with the Year 6 Reflection Day at St Andrew's Primary School. The day was run by Eleanor and Sebastian from Catholic Youth Parramatta, as well as Zain and Anna from ‘Youthworks’ at the St Andrew the Apostle Parish Youth Group. The theme of the day was ‘Prayer Power’, where the Year 6 students delved deeper into what it means to explore their personal prayer lives. It was a great day that encapsulated the true essence of our church community - having our primary school, high school and parish collaborating with our Diocese was truly a great sight to see. The Year 10 students spent the day facilitating small groups, running icebreaker activities and prayer workshops, and forming positive relationships with the Year 6 students. They exemplified servant leadership and were great role models for our primary school students. 

We’d like to thank our Year 10 students for their service to the community, and we are looking forward to more opportunities to see them grow. 

Miss Olivia Tan

Faith in Action Teacher (FIAT) Coordinator 

All Year 10 students attended the Be Street Smart excursion on Wednesday 21st August at Qudos Bank Arena. This excursion focused on road safety and educating young people about the importance of being safe road users and included a real-life simulated crash scene. This valuable learning experience aligns with our unit of study this term on road safety, titled ‘Arrive alive’ as part of our PDHPE curriculum.

It was an incredibly eye-opening experience designed to educate students about staying safe on the road and expose them to a multitude of potential risks often overlooked in our day-to-day lives. From learning about situational awareness to understanding how to navigate unfamiliar contexts, the excursion provided valuable knowledge to enhance student safety but also left a lasting impression about how to stay safe and be prepared for any situation on the road as a passenger, pedestrian or driver.

A huge takeaway from this experience was listening to the detrimental impact that poor decision-making on the road had on people's lives from those willing to tell their stories about how being dangerous on the road led to a significant change in their lives. Students heard from speakers who are living with a brain injury and others who were left in a wheelchair as the result of people drinking and/or drug driving. They also heard from the perspective of a mother who lost her 17-year-old son after he chose to drive under the influence and killed 4 other people. We then watched an experiment conducted by a driving school demonstrating the impact of going only 10km over the speed limit and the impact various stopping distances have when braking (40kms compared to 50kms, 60kms and 80kms). This was a harsh reality check and reminder about the consequences of being dangerous on the road. We hope this experience has encouraged students to think before making decisions when driving or being a passenger as they learn to drive and work towards their provisional licence.

Mrs Kayla Brogan

Leader of Learning - PDHPE

VET Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways Excursion to Raging Waters

On Thursday 22nd August members of the Year 12 VET Skills for Work and
Vocational Pathways course visited Raging Waters Sydney.

In order to support their theoretical learning and gain authentic experience, students
met with Raging Waters’ management and staff. The excursion involved a number of activities that gave insight into the requirements of employees within a dynamic workplace.

The class participated in a panel discussion where they learnt about the varied
career pathways that staff utilised to attain their positions at Raging Waters and
heard about the many opportunities that are available within the international Water
Park industry. The class was given the opportunity to ask the Raging Waters staff
pre-prepared questions regarding their VET course content in its application. The class then participated in a CPR session to enhance their understanding of
Work Health Safety policies and procedures. Students did their best to use the correct
form and pace using techniques shared by the instructor.

From the CPR session, students moved to the water slides where they learnt about
water park operations. The reasons for the various ride regulations were explained
before students practised providing safety instructions to customers of the water
park. Students supported and challenged each other to conduct a compliant safety
briefing including all of the required elements.

The Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways students participated in their final
session of the day by visiting the Raging Waters commercial kitchen.
The class learnt about the food ordering, production and presentation systems
before following safe food handling practices to produce their own chicken burgers
for lunch.

Before returning to school the students were thanked for their full participation,
exemplary behaviour and engaging questions. Each was encouraged to apply for a
position of employment at Raging Waters and asked by Raging Waters’ General
Manager to add that they were students of St Andrews College in their application- a
testament to these students.

The excursion was a positive experience for the students that gave them useful
insight into the theory of their course in its practical application.
Thank you to Ms May and Mr McLoughlin for their involvement in the day.

Mrs Bernadette Bradford

VET Teacher

College Leadership Team

Leaders of Learning - Wellbeing

College Leaders of Learning - KLA

College Leaders of Learning