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By Mrs Liisa Hammond, Principal
Matthew 13: 44-52
Matthew’s Gospel tells the tale of Jesus using three parables to try to describe the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’. Firstly, he speaks of a hidden treasure for which one man will give everything. Secondly, he shares the story of a fine pearl that, once again, inspires a man to sell each and everything he owned of worth to gain it. Thirdly, Jesus speaks of sorting through fish to keep and fish to leave, prioritising what is important.
We can easily equate this to our current Term 3, 2023 context. Our Year 10s are entering their Senior Education and Training contracts between themselves, their parents/guardians, and the College. This time is an opportunity for our 2026 cohort to weigh their options and discover what is truly important to them. They must spend time considering what they will sacrifice and what they will embrace to gain success in their post-schooling pathway.
The Year 12s are also weighing up options and considering their more emergent needs and wants as their senior schooling time draws to a close. Careful consideration and decisions around university applications, work applications, and apprenticeship options occupy thoughts and conversations.
During these times, I am often inspired to reflect on Robert Frost’s poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’. Used so frequently during times of choice and decision-making, it is almost cliched. Although there is a reason this poem endures, it is not about the road that Robert Frost symbolically took on that Autumn day – it is about the road he did not take. It is about what he was willing to give up to gain something more, something that would make all the difference in his life.
Luckily, unlike Matthew’s Gospel that veers quite dramatically into the possibility of being “… thrown into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth …”. Robert Frost and our students are afforded the opportunity to recognise the treasure that is their future.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Boys’ Forward Institute – Dr Ian Lillico
BREAKING NEWS!
Assumption College has been acknowledged as an Accredited and Recognised Boys Forward Preferred School.
As you would be aware, Assumption College, in response to our College Report from Term 4 last year, was inspired to approach world-renowned Dr Ian Lillico, founder and CEO of The Boys Forward Institute.
Surveys were remotely and randomly conducted and then face-to-face with selected boys of Years 7-10 (Document 1). A different survey was conducted of staff (Document 2) and another of parents (Document 3). A final audit based on the staff survey was conducted on-site by Dr Ian Lillico at the school on the 11th of July, 2023.
At the staff and parent seminars conducted by Dr Ian Lillico on the 10th of July, 2023, the following summaries were presented:
Students and parents:
- Boys felt safe at school, had lots of friends, tried hard, had minimal bullying, felt supported by their family, liked coming to school, were supported by their male and female friends, had good relationships with their teachers and were optimistic about the future.
- Parents felt that the school was meeting the needs of their children, were happy with the school’s bullying and homework policies, felt that communication between school and home was good, had plenty of opportunities to have a say in the school and were happy with their child’s education at Assumption College.
Staff: 90
- Extremely positive
- Nearly all academic criteria for boys’ success were above average apart from learning styles, action-based learning, teaching remembering skills, feeding boys’ curiosity, having more explicit literacy skills and lesson delivery variation.
- Staff were again very happy with the social and emotional aspects of boys at Assumption College and mentioned teaching boys to be patient, respect women and build their leadership skills based on service as areas for growth.
- Staff felt that more parent education was desirable and a more formal “coming of age” celebration of some form was needed – around Year 10.
A full examination of the report, findings, and survey results will be shared with our community via our next Parents and Friends Committee meeting on the 14th of August, 2023 – we look forward to seeing all committee and community members at that meeting.
Making it Count
The Australian Curriculum Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) is the statutory authority responsible for all Australian students from Prep to Year 10. According to ACARA, there are seven (7) General Capabilities that all students must develop knowledge, skills, behaviours and positive dispositions towards to have a complete education. One of these capabilities is currently of great concern for parents and guardians and is consistently a topic of questions, discussion and concern when discussing enrolment. That general capability is Numeracy.
Numeracy is what we consider to be a non-negotiable skill for our students to become confident and productive citizens. Students have a right to develop knowledge and skills to use mathematics confidently across all aspects of their learning and lives. This is because we know that confident, numerate students can access all aspects of learning and are empowered to challenge themselves and positively engage in higher-order Years 11 and 12 subjects, such as Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, and Physics – to name a few. These subjects are highly effective in contributing to a student’s success at gaining what is referred to as a ‘competitive ATAR’ – the highest rank you can achieve to enter top-tier courses at universities. Furthermore, if students wish to engage in a pathway of trade and industry, being a confidently numerate individual is even more important, especially by the end of Year 10. Ultimately, all learning aims to engage young people in a world of curiosity whilst empowering them to have a full and flourishing life.
With this understanding in mind, Assumption College has crafted a specific and multi-layered approach to teaching Mathematics to ensure students are able to develop their knowledge and skills. Assumption College students engage in classroom learning with qualified and enthusiastic maths teachers. These teachers are supported by our highly qualified and experienced Head of Mathematics, Mrs Esther Hohenheim – who has worked closely with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority on developing senior curriculum and assessment documents and syllabi for all Queensland students. Esther and her team are committed to high expectations for all students within supportive environments, as this encourages growth and a positive disposition to the challenges that Mathematics can sometimes pose.
Face-to-face lessons are supported by online programs and tools that students can access to further support the core learning taught in class. If a student is finding themselves overwhelmed in their study of Mathematics, we have smaller intervention classes where students can be further assisted in their numeracy journey. Additionally, small group tutorials are held on Thursday afternoons. We also offer extension and challenge classes/activities to continue fostering a passion for this subject area.
In Year 10, we offer the opportunity for students to specialise in their mathematical journey. This is done in conjunction with the students, their parents, careers counsellors and our expert staff. In Semester 2, students choose between Short Course Numeracy (for our trade and industry students as well as students who may be at risk of disengagement), General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods for their core maths learning – this is all aligned to the ACARA curriculum and provides an opportunity for students to make an informed decision about their studies in Years 11 and 12. Furthermore, we offer Hybrid Specialist Mathematics as an elective in Year 10. Highly renowned Joel Speranza teaches this course and uses face-to-face learning and online lessons to bring together a network of specialist learners across all secondary schools within the Toowoomba Diocese.
At Assumption College, our Maths Department is committed to leading the way in creating extensive opportunities for our students to engage in learning experiences that embrace technology whilst ensuring that we always maintain the connection of face-to-face learning.
Welcome to New Staff
School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Assumption College would like to congratulate Indiah Gough on securing an apprenticeship in Hairdressing. Indiah is completing her apprenticeship at Brow Beaute Co. We wish her all the best with her continuing studies.
Year 10 Work Experience
Brett Shelton recently completed his work experience at Total Dog Grooming. Well done Brett!
May our Mother Mary grant her blessings upon our College Community.
2023 Term Dates
By Mrs Anna Hardy, Assistant Principal Curriculum
At the start of this term we were fortunate enough to have Dr Ian Lillico spend our Student Free Day with us, educating our staff about boys education. I would like to share one of his factsheets that focus on boys and homework. Of course when we talk about boys, this is not discrediting our girls. Strategies that work for our boys will also work for our girls as you will read below.
Boys and Homework
By Ian Lillico (Boys Forward Institute)
Homework is an issue for many parents of boys and girls. Homes have become difficult places for students to study with the advent of television, two parents working, family fragmentation and general noise and confusion. Recent research indicates that students need to work more in class and less at home. However, when homework is set it needs to be done well and marked or assessed by the teacher. Boys (when reading) need to look for information and fact to direct their reading. You can assist them in doing their reading by asking them questions to find out prior to their reading a chapter or book. When writing an essay or assignment, get the boy to verbalize to you what he is going to write prior to writing it. This greatly aids the fluency, content and volume of his writing.
It is a good idea to spend two minutes each night with your son to help him organize his homework before he starts it. Help him order the sequence of subjects etc and then send him to his room for a set amount of time to complete it. Boys should not spend waisted hours in their room each night presumably doing homework as they begin to get a negative attitude to it as a result. I am asking teachers throughout Australia to put a time limit on each piece of homework set to give boys and their parents an indication as to how much time should be spent (on average) on the particular piece of work. This also gives parents an idea of appropriate time that should be allocated. Send him to his room for the sum of all the times suggested and have him return to you to see how he is gone. Give him positive feedback and praise him for good work completed. It is important to show an interest in his work as it makes him feel less isolated from the rest of the family. Boys are very social creatures and often don't want to make the sacrifice of isolation doing homework away from the family. Try to ensure his room has no fluorescent lights, as these are disastrous to boys' learning. An incandescent light and preferably the low voltage 12V Quartz Halogen down lights are the best for giving atmosphere. The décor, lighting and general ambience of the area where your son does his homework is critical in giving him the incentive to spend time there. The same suggestions are very effective for daughters, but with boys we often have to try much harder to get him to make the sacrifice that homework demands of him.
Subject Information Night for Year 11 2024 - 25 July 2023
This information night was for Year 10 students who will be transitioning to Year 11 in 2024. The event covered important topics such as the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), School-Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships (SBA/T) pathways, University pre-requisites, and the subjects that will be offered in Year 11 in 2024. After attending this event, students have been asked to select their preferences for Year 11 subjects. The final subject selections will be determined during Year 10 SET plan interviews.
Year 10 SET Plan Interviews - 2 to 7 August
SET plan interviews are scheduled for Year 10 students to discuss their subject preferences and academic goals for Year 11. Parents/guardians should have received notifications of the interview times in the last few weeks. If the scheduled time does not suit, rescheduling can be done through the College office.
Year 9 and 10 2024 Semester 1 Subject Selections
Year 8 and 9 students will receive a curriculum handbook outlining the subject options available for Semester 1 of 2024. They will also receive a web preference link, enabling them to make their subject selections for Semester 1. The selections for Semester 2 of 2024 will be made during Term 2, 2024.
Semester 1, 2023 Reports
Semester 1 reports for students in Years 7-11 were published on the parent portal in Sentral during the first week of the holidays. Parents who have difficulty accessing the report are encouraged to contact the College office for assistance. Open communication between parents and teachers is encouraged to ensure the students' success. In case of concerns or queries regarding the Semester 1 reports, parents can contact the College office to discuss the matter.
Semester 1, 2023 Academic Pins
The Academic Pins ceremony was held last week on Tuesday, 25 August 2023 to celebrate the academic success of over 70 students. The ceremony took place during the Assembly, and parents/guardians of these students were invited to attend. The criteria for these awards are below.
Years 7, 8, 9 and 10:
GOLD - 7 As and nothing less than a B
SILVER - 6 As and nothing less than a B
BRONZE – 5 As and nothing less than a C.
Year 11 and 12:
GOLD - A combination of 5 As and/or Achieved All Competencies (CA) for certificates, and nothing less than a B.
SILVER - A combination of 4 As and/or Achieved All Competencies (CA) for certificates, and nothing less than a B.
BRONZE - A combination of 3 As and/or Achieved All Competencies (CA) for certificates, and nothing less than a C.
Year 11 Academic Coaching
Year 11 Academic Coaching sessions have been conducted over the past few weeks. These interviews provide an invaluable opportunity for students, parents, and the College to discuss the student's academic concerns and set learning goals to ensure their success. Parents are encouraged to schedule additional meetings to discuss their child's progress whenever necessary.
I look forward to Term 3 as we navigate pathways and prepare our students for their next phase on learning in 2024.
By Mrs Julie Collins, Assistant Principal Pastoral and Wellbeing
Kindness
As the Seniors of 2023 chose the theme this year - Make a Ripple, I have tied this article into the ripple, KINDNESS can be.
Students, this is for you - The Ripple Effect of Kindness.
Kindness is often regarded as a simple gesture, then why is it so hard to show? The power of kindness is immeasurable and can have such a positive and profound impact on society.
Some thought provokers…
Acts of Kindness are Contagious
Imagine kindness as a ripple in a pond, starting from a single act and expanding outward, touching everything it encounters. A kind word, a helping hand, or a genuine smile can inspire others to follow suit. When we cultivate a culture of kindness, we witness its contagious nature, leading to a chain reaction of compassion. Embrace the opportunity to be part of the positive change in our College community.
The Power of Empathy
Kindness is deeply intertwined with empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. By putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, we develop a heightened sense of compassion. Practicing empathy allows us to connect with our peers on a deeper level, forge meaningful relationships, and foster an environment of inclusivity.
Strengthening Mental and Emotional Well-being
Kindness not only benefits the receiver but also has a significant impact on the giver's mental and emotional well-being. Engaging in acts of kindness releases dopamine and endorphins, promoting feelings of happiness and reducing stress. It is also a great bolster of our own self-esteem and self-worth.
Combating Bullying and Negative Behaviour
A compassionate environment acts as a formidable force against bullying and negative behaviour. When we choose kindness over cruelty, we contribute to dismantling the cycle of negativity. By being supportive and understanding, we empower others to confront their challenges and insecurities positively, promoting a safe and nurturing space for personal growth.
Building a Legacy of Generosity
As secondary school students, you possess the power to create a lasting impact on future generations. By embracing kindness, you not only influence your peers but also set a precedent for younger students to follow. Your acts of kindness can inspire others long after you have graduated, fostering a legacy of generosity and compassion.
Small Acts, Big Impact
Kindness doesn't always require grand gestures. Sometimes, the smallest acts can have the most significant impact on someone's day. A genuine compliment, holding the door open, or offering to help with schoolwork may seem minor, but they can mean the world to someone who needs it most.
So, let us recognise that kindness is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to our strength and humanity. As secondary school students, you are at a critical juncture in your lives, with the power to shape the world around you. By embracing kindness as a core value, you have the potential to create a compassionate, inclusive, and harmonious society.
The best news of all – kindness is not heavy to carry and doesn’t cost a cent!!
By Mrs Patrice Riordan, Assistant Principal Mission and Identity
Year 10 Retreat
On Wednesday, 12 July 2023, Year 10 students participated in a retreat day held here at the College. This day is an important part of the pastoral program for our students and is designed to provide them with an opportunity to take a break from their studies and explore ways in which they can be agents of positive change in our world. The day was be led by presenter Az Hamilton who has years of experience in motivational speaking and working with secondary school students in engaging and dynamic ways. As the founder and director of the organisation Just Motivation, Az works for social justice by ‘Educating, motivating and stirring hearts to connect with small ideas that bring about big change in the world.’ For more information about Az and Just Motivation please visit the website at http://www.justmotivation.com.au/.
Founders’ Day
At the end of last term we celebrated Founders’ Day. This is a great day for building community spirit, but it is also important to remember the contribution of our founders, Catherine McAuley, Blessed Edmund Rice and Our Lady of the Assumption. Their example of how to love and serve others that inspires us in our call to live the mission of Jesus Christ. Please keep an eye out on our social media posts and the next newsletter for plenty of pictures from the day’s events and activities.
Catholic Education Week
“Celebrated annually in Week 3 of Term 3, Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all 309 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos.
Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.”
From the Catholic Education Week website.
The Friday of Catholic Education Week (28 July 2023) was a student free day. On this day, all staff travelled to Toowoomba to join with staff from other catholic schools in the diocese. Here we celebrated mass together, listened to keynote speakers and the Bishop of Toowoomba, the Most Reverend Ken Howell. This Bishop’s Inservice Day is an important part of our calendar, allowing for staff to reflect on what it means to be a part of the Catholic story and how that impacts our roles within the College.
Grandparents Day
On Monday, 31 July 2023 over 40 Grandparents and Elders from our school community came to the College and shared morning tea and participated in a walk around our school with their grandchildren. Pope Francis’s theme for 2023 is, “His Mercy is from Age to Age.” This has been taken from a passage in Luke’s Gospel. Grandparents Day is an opportunity to recognise the importance of family and the wisdom older family members offer to us all.
Japanese Exchange Program
Assumption College had the privilege of hosting 15 Japanese students from July 20, 2023 until July 29, 2023. The students came from Chiba outside of Toyoko City. Thirteen families opened their homes to host these bright-eyed students who spoke limited English; however, between facial expressions and the occasional charades we were able to communicate. I would like to thank Jane Greenhalgh from St Saviours’ College Toowoomba for presenting this opportunity to Assumption College, Ms Meg Lawler who taught the students' English each day, and every other staff member and student who contributed in any way to the wonderful experience we were able to give these students. I have been informed they would like to return next year.
As a host family I can say we made memories we will never forget. Haruka had opportunities to attend band practice at school, go to the movies, attend Jumpers and Jazz, mixed martial arts and visit the Darling Downs Zoo. We were also able to give Haruka several adventures at my family’s property, horse riding, quad bike riding and trying as many different Australian foods as possible. Her time with us was so rewarding. She brought gentleness, peace and tranquillity to our very busy household. I would recommend everyone host a Japanese exchange student.
“It was a great experience, and I made a lifelong friend in Tamako. We went to Killarney for the bonfire, patted horses, went to various restaurants, Jumpers and Jazz and she loved the Aussie food. I taught her how to say Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi. Tamako wants to return to Australia when she is able, and I hope to go to Japan now to experience her culture.” Erin Walsh.
“It was an absolute honour to have the Japanese exchange students with us last week. Every single one of them were absolutely beautiful people who brought so much light to our school community. They kindly shared their culture with us, teaching us about Japan, their lives there, sharing gifts with us, and teaching us a bit of their language. It’s crazy how they can become part of the family in such a short amount of time. Very grateful for our beautiful new friends in Japan!" Lilly Oloman.
Prayer
Below is a prayer for busy people.
SLOW ME DOWN, LORD
Slow me down, Lord, Slow me down!
Ease the pounding of my heart
By the quieting of my mind.
Give me amid the confusion of my day
The calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles
With soothing music of the singing stream
That lives in my memory.
Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute vacations,
Of slowing down to look at a flower,
To chat with a friend, to pat a dog,
To read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day of the fable
Of the Hare and the Tortoise,
That I may know that the race is not always to the swift -
There is more to life than increasing speed.
Let me look upward into the branches of the flowing oak
And know that it is great and strong
because it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me
To send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values
That I may grow towards the stars of my great destiny.
Amen.
By Mrs Amanda McCosker, College Chaplain
Welcome back to Term 3! I hope everyone had a wonderful break and managed to find some time over the holidays to rest and recharge for what is sure to be a busy and rewarding term. There are a lot of events coming up and lots of opportunities to get involved in different things, meet some new people (perhaps even make some new friends!) and make a difference in the school and wider community.
Breakfast Club and Just Dance are continuing this term, lots of students are making the most of a warm milo on these cold mornings that just seem to be hanging on, and we are dancing up a storm each Wednesday with lots of cool song requests coming in.
One last thought from me … Just in case no one has told you today, remember, you’re more than enough. Your worth is immeasurable, your potential is limitless. Embrace your uniqueness, celebrate your strengths, and let your light shine brightly.
By Mr Scott Clegg, Business Manager
By Mr Thomas Duggan, Sports Coordinator
Congratulations to the QISSN netball team who competed in Brisbane over the holidays. The girls were awarded runners up in Division 6 for 2023. We would like to congratulate the following girls who were awarded Most Valuable Player throughout the week:
- Mikayla O’Neill
- Heidi Burton
- Imogen Fox
- Claudia Barton
A special mention to Mikayla O’Neill who received the overall most valuable player for Assumption College, and Imogen Fox who received our Tourist of the Carnival.
The girls demonstrated great sportspersonship throughout the week, and ACW are very proud of how they conducted themselves both on and off the court.
The Confraternity Rugby League team had a very successful carnival. Their 5 wins and 1 loss earned them 5th place in Div 2 and 21st overall out of a total of 52 schools across QLD. A special congratulations to Lachlan Collins who was awarded the Spirit of Confraternity Medal and Harrison Boal who was awarded the best and fairest player.
Samuel Wainwright and Mitchell Ranger were awarded as our Team’s Tourists of the Carnival whilst Harrison Boal was voted as the Players Player by his teammates.
The following players were also recognized by selectors at the end of each game for their man of the match performance:
- Lachlan Collins
- Harrison Boal
- Hamish Gartery
- Cooper Morton
- Sam Wainwright
- Mitchell Ranger
We look forward to Townsville in 2024.
The sporting life within our College has not slowed during Term 3 with many of our sporting teams and young athletes already conquering massive achievements.
The Open Rugby League team recently become the first ever Assumption College team to win the Open Darling Downs Schoolboys Competition also known as the Jonathon Thurston Cup. This team defeated Lockyer District SHS in Week 1 of term with only 13 players available to earn themselves a spot in the Grand Final. The team was strengthened with 2 of our players becoming available in the lead up to the Grand Final against Harristown SHS. The ACW team were able to seal the victory against Harristown 20-14 which created history. This is the first ever time that ACW has ever won the Jonathon Thurston Cup after appearing in the final a handful of times in the past. Special mention goes to Harrison Boal for his Man of the Match performance. Following this success, the team will now compete in the NRL Schoolboys Trophy competition. This competition has taken place on Wednesday, 02 and Thursday, 03 August 2023. Pending results of these 2 days will determine if the team progresses further.
Term 3 sees the beginning of our All School Touch Football preparations as our u15 boy and u15 girl teams have been mixed to create 2 ACW Mixed Touch Footy teams to compete in the local Mixed competition. Our teams have started the season off well with a mixture of wins and losses for both teams. We will continue to play on Wednesday nights leading up to the All Schools Touch Football Competition in Week 1 of Term 4.
On Thursday, 27 August, ACW had 40 students attend the Border District Track and Field Championships hosted by Warwick SHS. This was a wonderful day of track and field with many of our young athletes setting personal bests and making qualifying standards for their events. The day was topped off by being awarded the Girls Aggregate Trophy as the School to have the most points earned by our girl athletes. We also ranked 2nd overall which is a massive achievement. Congratulations to the following students awarded with Age Championships and Runners Up awards:
- Hayley Wainwright (14 yrs Girls Age Champion)
- Jazmine Cruda (14 yrs Girls Runner Up)
- Mikayla O’Neil (16 yrs Girls Runner UP)
- Samuel Wainwright (Opens Boys Age Champion)
We are also very proud of our 12 year old students who competed at Allora at the Southern Downs Athletics Carnival on Tuesday, 01 August 2023.
We look forward to attending the 101st Warwick Secondary Schools Sporting Association Track and Field Championships on Thursday, 10 August 2023 as well as having many of our athletes attend Darling Downs Trials in late August.
Assumption College will also have 3 teams competing in a local Interschool Netball competition in Weeks 7, 8 and 9 this term against our neighboring schools. Nominations for our Years 7/8 team, Years 9/10 team and Years 11/12 team will be happening during Week 5 of term as we look forward to taking part in this competition.
By Mrs Jenny Gillespie, College Counsellor
Adolescents (like all of us) can struggle to stay on top of their workloads and when it comes to school, parents of High School students can wonder why their young person is not more organised.
Lazy or ?
Do you have a young person who seems lazy, intentionally forgetful, unmotivated, or deliberately late? Do you have a young person who is easily distracted and regularly needs repetition of directions to get him/her back on task? Does your young person underestimate how long tasks take and do they tend to leave projects until the night before they are due?
If so, your teenager may not be engaging in these behaviours to intentionally irritate you! Rather, the cognitive skills (Executive Function) needed to initiate, sequence, organise and monitor themselves are immature.
If you have a young person with these tendencies, there is no easy fix, but you can help them. Explain that avoidance only makes things harder and teach them that being organised will make their life easier! Repeat often and teach them what being organised involves. Suggest:
Manage Time
- Use time management techniques such as checklists and prioritised “To Do” lists.
- Ask your young person to highlight assignment key points, draft and due dates on the top of each assignment in a brightly coloured marker.
- Ask them to estimate how long a task will take and consider if you think this is accurate. Suggest they plan more time to do a project than they think they will need.
- Use a weekly planner for both home and school to help your child anticipate their workload.
- Set a designated time (with beginning and end) for schoolwork.
Manage Space
- Schedule a weekly time to clean out desk and bedroom.
- Make the schoolwork area as distraction free as possible.
- Keep assignment folders in specific and consistent places.
Manage Materials
- Use subject folders with organised sections. Headings could include 'Assignments Due,' 'To Do Tonight,' 'Ongoing Work.'
- Set a time each evening to organise materials needed for school for the next day.
Remember to praise effort and progress rather than focusing on areas of continued disorganisation.
By Ms Taylor Quinn, Teacher Librarian
We hope you have been enjoying the term so far! In the library we have been having a lot of fun at lunch times with students participating in activities and making good use of their free time during breaks. It is wonderful to see students’ smiling faces as they enjoy spending time with their friends.
Our collection of dashboards is growing, with more teachers asking for a collection of resources to be available on the library website! We hope students will take advantage of these subject specific selections of information to help them with their upcoming assignments.
Book Week is approaching swiftly and will run from the 19 August 2023 to the 25 August 2023 with the theme of “Read, Grow, Inspire”. Prepare your costume and watch this space for more Book Week information. Activities will run throughout the week so we can celebrate books, foreground talented Australian authors, and highlight the importance and joy of reading as a College community.
Calling all readers from Years 7, 8 and 9.
It’s nearly that time again – time for the 2023 READER’S CHALLENGE!
For those of you who don’t know - a reader’s challenge is a bit like a trivia quiz or a Kahoot – you become part of a team of 4 students and you read 4 books. Then, we gather with teams from other schools and answer questions about the book to see which team can remember the most.
And what’s really cool is that not only are we the current CHAMPIONS from last year, this year we get to host the competition here at Assumption College.
If you’re not a fast reader, that’s totally okay – the competition isn’t until Week 2 Term 4 which gives you 10 whole weeks to read the books. You are welcome to form a team with friends, or we can put you in a team if you’d prefer.
Reader’s challenge is always lots of fun, and more than a little competitive as you will also be competing against TEACHER TEAMS!!
The Reader’s Challenge is coming up on 12 October 2023. There is still time to join the Battle of the Brains and compete against other schools in a friendly game of trivia about the selected books! The winning team will have bragging rights and claim the trophy for their school so if you like reading and/or trivia come and sign up.
Come and visit the library for more details.
We are also currently looking into our teacher reference collection, renewing and updating resources and the library will be closed in Week 10 to do our yearly stocktake.
As always if you have any questions or don’t know where to go, come to the library!
By Mrs Alison Porter, Career Development Practitioner
The Assumption College Careers Department would like to welcome all students and families to Term 3. There are many careers related events, programs and information sessions coming up. Please be sure to check out the College Careers Newsletter for additional information and opportunities.
Warwick Careers Expo 2023
Assumption College Warwick would like to thank all exhibitors who attended the 2023 Warwick Careers Expo. The event was host to over 30 exhibitors and attended by over 350 students from various Warwick Schools. It was a great event that provided opportunity for Years 9 – 12 students to talk with universities, training organisations, industry representatives and many more about future pathways and careers.
MacIntyre Wind Farm – Energy Industry Educational Career Pathway Day 2023
ACCIONA Energia has invited local community members, students and professionals interested in educational career pathways within the Energy Industry to an exclusive MacIntyre Wind Farm Project Site Tour. We are pleased to say that we have several students that have registered their interest in attending this event. More information and permission forms will be sent to parents of these students.
Year 10 SET Planning
In Year 10 Careers lessons students will be working on their Senior Education and Training plans in the lead up to their SET Plan meetings.
The SET plan is a key component of our College's career education program. It maps out a plan of action to ensure students remain on track for success in senior secondary, post-school education and work. It helps students work out their goals for when they finish Year 12 and plan what they need to do to achieve these goals.
The College will be providing more information about more information about SET Plans. Some additional information can be found at:
What's a SET Plan And How Parents Can Be Involved | Spark their Future
Understanding SET Planning | Spark their Future
2023 Ag Inspirations Program
Assumption College students recently attended the 2023 Ag Inspiration Program from 24 July 2023 to 26 July 2023. The program was provided by Ag Force in partnership with the Department of Employment, Small Business & Training and offered students an opportunity to explore various agricultural sectors, local industries, and career pathways. For the Year 10 students that participated in the program, this was an opportunity to meet with local business owners and learn about the breadth of the industry and the wide range of careers within it. The program involved for students from a variety of district schools, three days of visiting local agricultural organisations including a feedlot, apiary, dairy farm, meat processing plant and many more. The program is a great agricultural initiative and Assumption College would like to thank Ag Force and the School to Industry Pathways Program for organising this opportunity.
Music Student - Teirney Stewart
Year 8 student Tierney Stewart recently participated in the Megaband. Tierney said she really enjoyed the experience of working with the teacher as he was very knowledgeable and made the learning fun.
Tierney also had lessons with Dr Mark for piano which she said is helpful for her upcoming AMEB exams. Tierney enjoyed making friends who enjoy the same interests, and she said she looks forward to seeing them all again next year. Well done, Tierney.
Week 3 saw the University of Queensland's Scanning Electron Microscope residency at ACW. It was a privilege to provide an opportunity for students, their families, and staff, to explore the inner detail of objects normally hidden from our sight.
Here are two highlight micrographs
The underside of a sand dollar (a flat sea urchin).
The interior structure of a sea urchin spine.
A surprisingly industrial image, and probably a prompt to show how studying nature can inform industrial design.
If you missed out this year, the Science Department is hopeful that we can have a similar residency next year.
Simon Hamlet
