MacKillop Bulletin - Term 4, Week 6, 2023

From the Deputy Principal

Welcome to Week 6, I am not sure whether to be excited or worried that there are only 4 weeks left of the term and the year.  There is so much to occur during this time and so, it is a vitally important time of the year to be on top of all the events for the rest of the year. This week, I am very excited to attend FUSION.  Evenings filled with Art, Drama and Music.  I encourage you to come along to one of the evenings and celebrate the amazing talents of our young people.   Another event next week is the Year 6 into 7 Orientation Day.  We will be welcoming our Year 7 2024 students to our College on Monday 27th November.  There are wonderful activities planned under the leadership of Alison Stevens, Director of the Junior School.  It will be a day of new beginnings and I look forward to meeting new families to the College.

Assessment for End of Year

Years 7 – 10

Students in Years 7 to 10 will have major assignments and exams in the forthcoming weeks. In the final term the major pieces are due at this time to accommodate the end-of-year processes. The final and smaller piece of assessment currently being completed is specially designed so that it can be taught and assessed to conclude for all students within the term. Attendance at school is very important to ensure that positive outcomes can be achieved.  These final pieces of assessment contribute significantly to the end of year reports.

Ms Crowden, Director of Senior School, has some dedicated information in her piece regarding the specifics for Year 9 and 10 exam blocks.

DATE CLAIMER- NAPLAN 2024 (Years 7 & 9)

The NAPLAN testing window in 2024 is from Wednesday 13th - Monday 25th March. Families of students in Year 7 and 9 2024, are asked to make a note of these dates to ensure that no appointments are made for their child at this time.

Care of Laptops 

Our Years 7 to 11 students are fortunate to have laptops for their learning. We are very pleased to say that the majority of students have taken excellent care of their laptop throughout the year.  At the end of year, students can become less focused on their normal good routines and excited about the holiday break.  It is at this time that more damage occurs and often our IT Technican are very busy during Week 1 trying to repair damage to ensure learning can commence for the year.

Over the next few weeks and over the holidays could the following please be considered to ensure that student laptops remain in good working order:

• not leaving it on a bed or floor where it can be damaged
• not leaving it where younger children and visitors may not be as careful
• keeping it away from liquids
• not carrying it around by the screen or balancing it on uneven surfaces
  

Planning for 2024

To assist with our planning for 2024, we would appreciate our parents/carers contacting the College Office to advise of any departures. When predicting student numbers for the following year, we try to be as accurate as possible as it drives staffing, budgets and class sizes. If you are aware that your child will be leaving us at the end of the year, please notify our College Office as soon as possible. We thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Yours in Christ
Lorraine Wolffe
Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning

From the Deputy Principal

As we draw towards the end of the year, I would like to highlight important dates for our community.  Attendance and engagement are important until the conclusion of the school year.  We are for parent support to ensure that their child is in attendance until the last day.

YEAR 10
Friday 24 November - Final day of scheduled classes
27 December to 1 December - Exam Block (students to be in full formal uniform)
Friday 1st December - Final Day for Year 10 students
- Theology & Spirituality Exam 9:00am – 11:00m
- Locker Clean Out 11:00am – 11:30am
- BBQ 11:30am – 12:00pm
- Celebration of Excellence Assembly 12:00pm – 1:00pm
- Dismissal 1:00pm

YEAR 9
5th December –7th December - Exam Block (students to be in full formal uniform)
Friday 8th December - Final Day for Year 9 students

YEAR 7 & 8
Monday 11th December – Year 7 & 8 Beach Day
Tuesday 12th December – Final Day for Year 7 & Year 8 students

How much sleep?

We all know that sleep is important for general health, for growth and development and for emotional well-being. However, you may not know that important memory processes take place while you are sleeping, ensuring you retain what you are learning and studying.
 
Perhaps you have heard that teenagers need between nine to ten hours of sleep per night. But where does this come from and how valid is this claim? In 1980, Mary Carskadon of Stanford sequestered a group of adolescents in the university's sleep laboratory for several days, letting them sleep for as long as they wanted, up to 10 hours. She found that the teenagers slept just over nine hours, with very little variation. This single naturalistic study is the primary basis for the adolescent sleep recommendation. However, some researchers argue that just because teenagers slept nine hours when left alone does not mean that this is the best thing for them, just like letting people eat whatever they want is not necessarily the best thing for their health. So there is no definitive answer at this point in time.
 
The amount of sleep needed by teenagers is most likely very individual, just like it is for adults. It is probably safe to assume that adolescents need more sleep than adults and that the average for most people is at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Pay attention to the signs and have students listen to their body. If they lie down in bed and fall asleep instantly, this is a sign they are not getting enough sleep for their body. It should take at least 15 minutes to fall asleep. If they wake up in the morning and are feeling exhausted, then check all lifestyle factors: are they getting enough sleep, eating healthily and getting enough exercise?
 
If teenagers are sleeping in for many hours on a weekend, unfortunately, this does not mean they are “catching up” on their sleep. According to University of Texas Southwestern sleep specialist Dr. Gregory Carter, when we think we are catching up on sleep, what we are really doing is messing with our circadian cycle -- the body's internal clock which dictates sleep patterns. Excessive sleeping in is in fact a signal that during the week students need to go to bed earlier. The aim is to work out the optimum bedtime so that the need to catch up on large amounts of sleep on the weekend is eliminated.
 
There is nothing wrong with having a power-nap in the afternoon when students get home from school, as long as the nap is no longer than 40 minutes. A short nap can help students regain their energy levels and allow them to focus on the work they have to do that evening. However, a longer nap will also disrupt sleeping patterns for that night.

Check out the unit in the Study Skills Handbook on Lifestyle and Balance to learn more about sleep and other lifestyle factors for success.  Login details can be found in SEQTA Engage and SEQTA Learn.

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: Gambling & Young People

The digital era has made gambling more accessible, and certain factors are elevating the risk of problematic gambling among young people. A new grey area is emerging, with smartphones at their fingertips blurring the boundaries between gambling and entertainment, especially within the realms of video games and social media. The current generation of young people are growing up in an unprecedented time and research highlights that a significant percentage of adolescents are involved in gambling activities.

Reports of young people gambling are frequent with many experiencing adverse consequences such as diminished academic performance and strained relationships. Today’s youth are growing up in a digital age characterised by constant connectivity, and the gambling industry has evolved significantly during their formative years. Simulated gambling, such as in video games, can further increase the likelihood of teenagers transitioning to real-money gambling and developing future gambling-related problems.

It's crucial to foster open discussions about positive media choices to help children navigate through responsible online gaming and gambling. By encouraging a balanced approach to screen time and promoting alternative activities, will help set some clear boundaries to avoid potential gambling-related issues.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to empower young people to make responsible choices in this digital age. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report

Director of Catholic Identity and Ministry

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

The MacKillop Vinnies Conference Christmas Appeal began on Monday 13 November and concludes
on Friday 1 December. 

We are seeking donations of Christmas food and gifts suitable for teenagers.  Vinnies tell us that often struggle to find donations for older children.  All donations go to support local families to make Christmas a little brighter.

Each house has a decorated wheelie bin located near each House Leader’s office.

Please refer to SEQTA Notices and Facebook posts for further details.

The Vinnies group has produced a short video if you are stuck for ideas.

From the Director of Senior School

TASC External Exams

As the TASC examinations draw to a close, it is with great pride and admiration that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Year 11 students on successfully completing this significant milestone in their academic journey. The dedication, perseverance, and hard work you've exhibited throughout this period deserve commendation, and we are immensely proud of your achievements.

As we mark the conclusion of the Year 11 exams, it's crucial to acknowledge the significance of this moment for our students. However, it's equally important to recognise that these exams are just one part of your academic endeavour and do not wholly define your abilities or potential. They are a measure of your progress at this point in time, but not a definitive judgement of your capabilities. We all hope all the Year 11 students have a safe and restful holiday period and look forward to having them back in their graduating year. 

Year 9 and 10 Examination Blocks

To our Year 9 and 10 students, who are gearing up for their examination period, it's essential to remember that these tests are an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the subjects studied so far. They serve as a checkpoint in your educational journey and are meant to assess your grasp of the material covered. It's crucial to approach these exams with diligence and commitment, but equally important to understand that they do not determine your worth or potential. Your abilities, talents, and potential cannot be solely measured by the outcome of these examinations.

Year 9 Exam Block

December 5th to 7th

Please note: All Year 9 students are to stay at school the whole time

Year 10 Exam Block

November 27th to December 1st

Please ensure that you are aware of the College Assessment Protocol for missed examinations.  See the Protocol below.

As the Director of the Senior School, I want to emphasise the importance of support during this period. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping their children navigate through the examination anxiousness. It's essential to provide an environment that fosters both academic preparation and emotional support. 

Encourage your child to maintain a balanced study schedule, get adequate rest, and practice healthy habits during this time. Remind them that these examinations are a part of their learning journey, not a definitive judgement of their abilities. Reassure them that their hard work and effort are valuable, regardless of the exam outcomes.

Should you or your child require any assistance, guidance, or support during this examination period, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am here to offer support, advice, and assistance to ensure that our students have the resources they need to navigate through this time successfully. 

Year 11 Celebration of Excellence 

A huge congratulations to the following students for receiving the awards at the most recent end of academic year celebration:

Year 11 Academic Excellence:

Year 11 Endeavours:

Careers and Pathways News

Preparing for interviews using Google’s new tool!

Google has recently come out with a new tool called ‘Interview Warmup’ to help individuals prepare for job interviews and make them feel more confident and comfortable. This is a great tool for students, or those at home, who are wanting to practice for a job interview or sharpen up on skills.

You can choose to do a practice session with five randomly selected questions or browse through all the questions available and choose what is relevant. You will then be prompted to answer the questions aloud or through typing. These responses are transcribed and will give you a chance to reflect on the answers you have given. Interview Warmup will then provide some insights into your responses and help you identify key words and phrases
you use.

Interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for those who haven’t done one before. Interview Warmup aims to help people brush up on their skills in a safe environment without the pressure of a real interview.  If this tool sounds like something that could help you, have a go in your free time and practice brushing up on your interview skills.

You can access Interview Warmup:

Careers and Pathways Bookings:

A reminder to all students and families that the Careers Office is open for bookings and they can be made via the following link:

Upcoming Careers Events:

Tasmania Police Information and Fitness Session | Saturday 25 November | 10.00am – 1.00pm
Located at the Tasmania Police Academy in Rokeby.
To read more and register, click here.

Army Reserve Information Session | Tuesday 28 November | 5.30pm
Located at the ADF Careers Centre, Anglesea Barracks.
To read more and register, click here.

UTAS ‘Know Your Options’ event | Friday 15 December | 10.00am – 5.00pm
Know Your Options is a fun, stress-free way to learn more about uni.
There will be free food, coffee, and music, so bring along the whole family and celebrate the
beginning of your uni journey.
To read me and register, click – here.

Sarah Gurney 
Careers and Pathways Advisor

Fusion 2023

Uniform Shop

2023

Last day of trade 2023 – 14^th December Thursday 12 – 6pm

BACK TO SCHOOL 2024

UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS

 Monday 22^nd January 9am - 4pm (closed for lunch 12.30 – 1)

Tuesday 23^rd 10am – 5.30pm (closed for lunch 12.30 – 1)

Thursday 25^th January 9am – 6pm (closed for lunch 12.30 – 1)

Saturday 27^th January - 9am – 12pm

Monday 29^th January 9am – 4pm (closed for lunch 12.30 – 1)

Tuesday 30^th January 10am - 5.30pm (closed for lunch 12.30 – 1)

Thursday 1^st February 9am – 6pm (closed for lunch 12.30 – 1)

Saturday 3^rd February - 9am – 12pm

Monday 5^th February 9am – 3.30 (closed for lunch 12.30 – 1)

Tuesday 6^th February 11am – 5.30pm

Thursday 8^th February 12pm – 6pm

Saturday 10^th February 9am - 12pm