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By Mr Craig Frattini - Acting Principal
A key focus this year has been to engage our staff in deeper discussions and understanding of concept of Growth mindset. Through this professional development, staff have had the opportunity to look at their own mindsets and apply this knowledge to their teaching practice.
The concept of growth mindsets is about providing an opportunity to “grow” and just because you have a growth mindset doesn’t necessarily mean you will achieve that growth. The role of the teacher is to not only encourage a growth mindset, it is also about identifying “how” the growth can be achieved. It is about looking at each student and providing them with the skills, experiences and support in order to achieve that growth.
Dr Pat Coughlan, at the recent Principal Forum, used an analogy of a stone wall in describing schools and educational institutions. Like the stones used to construct the wall, we are all different shapes and sizes and we all have our own uniqueness. Collectively as a school our staff, students, parents and community members all come together in solidarity to achieve successful outcomes for our students.
As teachers we recognise each student’s uniqueness and then adapt our teaching to cater for the learning needs. Growth, however, doesn’t always happen in a classroom. Our mission is about the growth and development of the whole person through providing a variety of opportunities and experiences.
Currently there is a wealth of opportunities across the College including our musical, vocal group and rock band, various sporting opportunities such as Broncos Cup Netball and Rugby league, Bill Turner Cup Soccer and interhouse basketball, the interschool chess competition, interschool debating, Science and Engineering Challenge, Riding for the disabled, House Masses, tutoring and of course all of the learning opportunities undertaken within the classroom.
As we approach the end of the term and with so many opportunities available, it is important to highlight the importance of having not only a growth mindset but accepting the invitation to grow and to strive to be the best we possibly can be in all areas of our lives.
Have a lovely week.
Craig
By Mr Craig Frattini, Deputy Principal
Encouraging healthy attitudes towards women
Recent events and current statistics highlight that as a nation we have a serious problem when it comes to domestic violence. While there’s no easy solution, together, we can do our part to stop violence against women. If you’re a parent or guardian, you can play an important role. Disrespect towards girls can begin in childhood, and we can break the cycle when we teach our children to be respectful and caring right from the start.
As parents, we have three main jobs:
- First, to love our children and build a strong lifetime bond
- Second, to keep them safe from harm until they can do that for themselves
- Third, to teach them all the skills they need to thrive in life and to make a positive difference in the world
Life skills approach to raising children
So what life skills do children need to learn when it comes to the issue of preventing violence against girls and women? As parents, we can talk with our kids about:
- Behaving respectfully towards others
- Communicating their needs using words and without the need to hit, snatch or shout
- Managing their emotions and their behaviours so as not to ‘fly off the handle’
Start the conversation about respect early
Start by responding to your child calmly when they are disrespectful to others. The following three-step communication approach can be used from early childhood through to teen years. Let’s put it into practice.
If a boy is making fun of his sister or a female friend:
1. STOP: Respond calmly rather than react asking him to stop the teasing.
2. EMPATHISE: Invite your son to see the behaviour through the eyes of his sister. ‘How do you think your sister/friend feels right now?’
3. EDUCATE: Provide options such as ignoring his sister or friend if she’s annoying him or providing an appropriate social script he can use to communicate his thoughts such as, “I find it annoying when you don’t share the computer”
It’s a marathon, not a sprint
When it comes to gaining academic knowledge and learning skills, parents know it takes years of consistent effort from childhood through to adolescence. In the same way, parents can take a long-term approach to teaching life skills beginning right from toddler to teen.
Parents lead the way
Parents are powerful teachers and role models for the next generation. We can teach our children how to be respectful and kind to each other. By stopping disrespect and violence at the start we can play a crucial role in putting an end to violence against girls and women.
Resources you can use
The Stop it at the Start campaign provides parents, family members and others with information and practical resources to self-reflect, and talk to boys and girls aged 10-17 about being respectful and caring. You can find videos, guides and other resources to help you have conversations with your children at www.respect.gov.au/resources/talking-about-respect.
There is so much we can do in families to develop healthy attitudes toward women. Through modelling and teaching we can change entrenched attitudes and behaviours that will put an end to the cycle of violence against women.
Dr Rosina McAlpineDr Rosina McAlpine is an author, parenting expert, mother and CEO of Win Win Parenting. Win Win Parenting supports busy working parents to effectively navigate work and family for success at home and at work. Parents learn practical strategies to manage day-to-day parenting challenges like struggles with technology, emotional outbursts and keeping calm even in the most volatile situations. Connect Dr Rosina at WinWinParenting.com or DrRosina.com.
By Mrs Carol Sharp, APRE
McAuley House Mass
On Monday, McAuley House gathered together in St. James’ Hall to celebrate the Eucharist together. A group of dedicated McAuley students from across the year levels have worked hard to put the mass together, choosing the theme of harmony and writing prayers that promoted religious tolerance and understanding - message that is definitely relevant in our modern world. Celebrating together in the smaller venue of St. James’ Hall worked well as it created a more intimate setting and created a relaxed, but appropriate atmosphere.
Saint Vincent de Paul
The school’s Saint Vincent de Paul group has been meeting regularly to explore social justice issues that are important, both in our local community and globally. Two weeks ago we sent a letter to the local council and Mayor Tracy Dobie to ask about areas of need in our community, especially regarding the drought and the effects that drought is having on a variety of people. Since then, the Mayor has responded with the names of those who are working in this area and the SVDP group looks forward to making contact and taking action to help those suffering.
The students are very keen but we are mindful that it is sometimes easy to assume what the problem is without really knowing. Therefore we would like to ask anyone who is struggling with the drought and its wide-spread impact, to please let us know what you believe the areas of need are. In addition to providing assistance we would also like to consider the social justice element of the situation. Social justice is more than just charity – it involves actively seeking to change those parts of the system that are unjust. Therefore, another thing we would really like to know is, are there parts of the system that are negatively impacting farmers and the wider community, and limiting their ability to cope with the drought? Please feel free to email me on carol.sharp@twb.catholic.edu.au using the subject line SVDP Drought Feedback.
Prayer
Spirit of God,
give us the openness, deep within us
to recognise, daily,
all people as made in your image and likeness.
Help us to learn from one another the ways of being fully alive,
at peace with ourselves and with those around us.
Give us the courage to transform
those parts of ourselves and our world
that separate and create enmity.
Help us to take steps to stop
the cycle of violence
in our homes, in our workplaces,
in our neighbourhoods, in our country,
in our world.
May we be open to our deepest yearning
for a world alive with your justice and truth,
to dream of a society
where all are treated with respect,
and, with the power of your Spirit,
to take steps to bring it about.
By Mrs Anna Hardy - Assistant Principal - Curriculum
TUTORIALS
A reminder that tutorial sessions for students run from 3.15-4.15pm each Thursday and offer students the opportunity for more study time and teacher assistance with school work and assignments.
ASSESSMENT CALENDARS
These are live on the student’s ipad, under the icon Assessment Calendars – these should help students keep ‘on top of’ their assessment and plan for important dates. Students are to check the calendar regularly for changes and updates.
YEAR 12 QCS STUDENTS
Year 12 QCS students (all OP eligible students), will attend a Mighty Minds workshop in week 10. These workshops are valuable for students sitting the QCS test and it is an expectation that students attend all facets of the College QCS program. Therefore, when making out-of-school appointments for students it is asked that QCS and Mighty Minds workshop days are avoided. This will allow our students the best preparation and the opportunity to perform as well as possible for the QCS test. The next mighty Minds workshop is on Tuesday 25th June with QCS practice tests occurring on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th June.
QCS
The QCS test will be held on Tuesday 3rd September and Wednesday 4th September. Year 12 students sitting these tests will be unable to leave the College for appointments over these two days. Please be aware of this when scheduling appointments over the next few weeks.
END OF SEMESTER REPORTS
These will be posted to parents on the last week of term. If anyone has had a recent change of address we would appreciate it if you could notify our College office as soon as possible to ensure that all student reports reach the correct destination.
ASSESSMENT
It is important that both students and parents familiarise themselves with the policy. I wish to point out an integral detail in this policy; students will complete all assessment. If the student chooses not to submit an assessment item by the due date, it cannot be marked and the draft will be marked in lieu. However that student will still complete the assessment during a detention and hand it in. This will be kept in the student’s profile but will not be marked and graded. It is imperative that all assessment is completed.
EXTENSION PROCESS
As we move towards the end of the term please be mindful of the application for extension process.
Junior students - must complete the extension form, get their subject teacher to sign and negotiate a new due date and then they must get the Junior Curriculum Program Leader, Mr Kirby to approve the extension.
Senior students - All senior student extensions go through the Senior Curriculum Program Leader, Mrs Searson for approval.
Remember that extensions are for extenuating circumstances, extended illness (with medical certificate supplied in senior years), and family bereavement. Technological issues are not grounds for an extension as backing up electronic work is the student’s responsibility. Students can not apply on the due date for an extension (unless in extenuating circumstances) as they can email staff their assessment if they are not at school. Students must make every effort to get the assessment handed in on the due date.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions in regards to Curriculum at the College.
EXAM WEEK & STUDY LEAVE
There will be an exam block for Year 12 students at the end of this term. This will run during week 8 and 9 (13th-20th June). Year 12 students will have study leave during this time; however if students have outstanding assessment for subjects, these particular students will not be granted study leave and will be required to stay at school to complete outstanding assessment.
By Mrs Alison Porter, Program Leader Student Pathways
Noteworthy items:
- A local business is offering an interested Year 10 or 11 student a position as a school-based trainee in tyre-fitting
- Reminder that Year 12 students interested in university in 2020 should be attending upcoming university open days
- Date claimer: Tertiary Studies Expo and Qld Work and Skills Expo in Brisbane, 20th and 21st of July.
General Construction White Card
Congratulations to the ten Year 10, 11 and 12 students that completed the General Construction White Card Course last week. The students spent the day learning about workplace health and safety in the building industry and all passed successfully at the end of the course.
Scholarships
Year 12 students considering further studies next year should take the time to apply for scholarships. Each year there are thousands of dollars available from a range of institutions to help students finance their studies. Often a reasonable portion of these funds go unclaimed as students don’t make application. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students take the time to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible. A good starting place to find out what is available is to look on the website of the institution at which they would like to study. Another source of scholarship information is the Good Universities Guide at https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/scholarships
Rural and Agricultural Pathways
Students interested in rural and agricultural pathways and careers should consider attending the Ag Inspirations career awareness program currently on offer through AgForce Queensland. The program aims to raise awareness of the wide variety of career options within agriculture in areas such as biosecurity, agronomy, robotic farming, banking, purchasing, transport and logistics. It will involve students from Years 10-12 visiting multiple enterprises; spending about two hours at each location learning about the business and the skills required for the various tasks involved. The program will run over three days, 22nd to 24th of July. Information regarding this will be provided to students. Those students who may be interested, should let me know as soon as possible and register their interest as places in the program are limited.
Tertiary Admissions Centres
TACs are the state / territory organisations who process most of the applications for Universities (some Universities only take direct applications, and some offer the choice of applying directly or through a TAC).
They offer financial assistance to students with low socio-economic backgrounds, to help them get to Uni. Some TACs assess each student based on their original application and the information supplied, while others require students to make a separate application. Year 12 students considering university should read all about the requirements and how to apply, and make sure they get their applications in before the cut-off dates. For more information students should visit the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre website at www.qtac.edu.au.
For more careers information, tips and news please view with careers newsletter that is regularly emailed to Year 10, 11 and 12 students or view it online at www.acwcareers.com.
By Mrs Julie Collins - Program Leader Sport
Foxtel Bronco’s School Challenge: The finals for Broncos Cup will be held at Goondiwindi on Wednesday 12th June. Please note the bus will depart at 6:00am from the College.
Congratulations to Caitlin Skaines who has been selected for Darling Downs Cross Country.
SPORTS CALENDAR
| JUNE | |
| Wednesday 12 | Broncos Foxtel Gala Day - Goondiwindi |
| Tuesday 18 | Darling Downs 11-12yrs Track & Field |
| Thursday 20 | ACW Athletics Carnival – Hamilton Oval HALF DAY |
| Friday 21 | ACW Athletics Carnival – Hamilton Oval |
| JULY | |
| Wednesday 17 | SD 12yrs – Rugby League Girls |
| Wednesday 24 | Darling Downs 12yrs GIRLS Rugby League |
| Tuesday 30 | Darling Downs 15yrs Cricket |
Bronco's Cup Netball - Round 1
On Wednesday 29th May, 4 teams of girls from Years 7-10 braved the cold and prepared to take on teams from Gundi, Allora, Stanthorpe and Warwick for round 1 of the 2019 Foxtel Netball Broncos Cup.
With each team playing 6 games – and one playing 7 on the day, it was a tough ask, but our girls were up for the challenge. All teams played extremely well, but most importantly, in the spirt of the game and represented the school extremely well.
Our A grade (Year 9/10) team came away with 4 wins from 6 which was an awesome effort with girls playing out of position all day. One of the two B grade (Year 8/9) teams came away undefeated with 7 wins from 7 starts, and our other B grade team only narrowly missed out on a clean sweep with 5 from 6. Perhaps the most impressive of all teams was our C grade (Year 7) team who rallied and came together after a late injury for 3 wins from 6 starts but improved each game in leaps and bounds – showing teamwork and great game play well beyond their years.
A special mention to Sophie Otten who did a remarkable job of coaching the Year 7 girls through their first Broncos Cup tournament.
Mrs Collins, Mrs Bourke, Miss Slattery and Mrs Pfitzner were all extremely proud of the girls and couldn’t have asked for a better display of sportsmanship and maturity.
Bring on round 2 in Gundi where ACW will be vying for a win in each division!
Bronco's Cup Rugby League - Round 1
Round 1 of the Bronco's Cup competition proved challenging for both rugby league sides. A grade, consisting of Year 9 and 10 boys, had a confident start defeating Stanthorpe State High and Allora/Killarney/Clifton combined. The afternoon contest against rivals Goondiwindi resulted in an 8 point loss. In B grade, Allora/Killarney/Clifton combined. Warwick High came out of the gates strong and built pressure from the kick off resulting in two losses. The tables turned in the afternoon when ACW went head to head against Goondiwindi. Structured ball movement and some strong defence had the boys on the board resulting in an 18 point win. Overall, the boys showed great sportsmanship towards, not only their own team mates, but played within the spirit of the game. Round 2 of Bronco’s Cup is in Goondiwindi on the 12th of June.
Darling Downs Open Rugby League
The Open boys rugby league team travelled to Harristown last week. A confident, fit side allowed the team to construct multiple plays. In attack the boys crossed multiple times and only conceded two tries. The final score was 28 - 8 to ACW at full time.
By Mrs Mary-Anne Driver
With the cold weather hitting Warwick the library has been a popular place during lunch times. We have been making bracelets and enjoying craft with Mrs Gillespie. Lego has been popular with some very detailed scenes being constructed. If anyone has any lego at home not being used, we would love to increase our supply! We also held the great chair challenge – how hard can it be to stack chairs one top of the other? Harder than it looks! Lots of laughter and suggestions were thrown around and many different techniques were used. Card games are also popular with one student ‘teaching’ others (yes a white board and pen were involved!) so everyone could enjoy the game. We have also started a jigsaw – a great quiet activity in a warm spot. Hopefully I will include a picture of the finished product eventually.
Next week is the start of exam week so it will be a quieter library for a couple of weeks as we support and help out our seniors with a warm, quiet place to study.
By Mr Scott Clegg - Business Manager
RADII SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SURVEYS
School Improvement Survey
This year our school will be participating in a School Review and Improvement survey managed by Research Australia Development and Innovation Institute (RADII). As well as school staff and students from Years 5 - 12, all parents are invited to participate in the survey. The survey provides valuable feedback for the future directions of our school.
It would be appreciated if parents could update their contact details prior to the 24 June 2019. This will ensure delivery to the correct parent email addresses are available.
On Monday the 29 July 2019, RADII will send all parents a personalized invitation to complete the survey online. If both parents' email addresses are on file at the school, the invitation will be sent to both parents. However, the survey will close once the first person has completed it. If you do not wish to complete the survey simply delete it.
The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. You can complete the survey from anywhere you have access to the internet. The survey will close on Sunday, 11 August 2019 for parents.
We encourage you to be very honest in your responses to the surveys. All responses go directly to RADII so they are confidential and anonymous. When the surveys are completed, and responses aggregated by RADII, overall data is sent to us so that we can then share the findings with you.
By Mrs Jenny Gillespie
Adolescents (like all of us) can struggle to stay on top of their workloads and when school assignments are due, parents (particularly of Junior High School students) can wonder why their young person is not more organised. Below is an edited version of an article via reputable learning resource http://www.ldonline.org. with some useful tips.
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 chronically distracted? Are you constantly repeating directions to get him/her back on task when he/she gets distracted? Does your young person underestimate how long tasks take and do they tend to leave projects are until the night before it is due?
If so, your teenager may not be engaging in these behaviours to intentionally irritate you! Rather, the cognitive skills 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 to organise themselves. Explain that avoidance only makes things harder and that being organised will make their life easier! Repeat often and help them to learn what being organised involves.
Manage Work by Managing Time!
- Use time management techniques such checklists and prioritised “To Do” lists
- Ask your young person to highlight the key points, draft and due dates on the top of each assignment in a brightly coloured marker.
- Ask him/her 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.
- Set a designated time (with beginning and end) for schoolwork.
Manage space
- Schedule a weekly time to clean out desk and bedroom
- Make the school work area as distraction free as possible
- Keep assignment folders in specific and consistent places
Manage materials
- Use a ring binder with organised sections enclosed by a zipper. 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.
Year 10 Science Red Claw Excursion
This term Year 10 Science has been studying an introductory unit to Agriculture. As part of the unit, students have been monitoring the growth rate of the crayfish species – redclaw. The species gets its name as the male develops a red claw on maturity. On Wednesday the 29th of May, students were fortunate to visit a real redclaw farm – Freshwater Australian Crayfish Traders in Tarome. The owner, Rob Hutchings (a Marine Biologist) kindly volunteered his time to show the Year 10s around his 80 ha property comprising of around 100 interconnected ponds. The trip consolidated students' understanding of the redclaw species but moreover allowed them to witness farm operations and gain advice on a good business management plan. The students were fascinated by the size of the full-grown redclaw as the ones at school are yet to reach maturity.
Year 9 Food Technology
Over the past few weeks the Year 9's have been making some healthy snack foods to gather ideas for their assessment task when they have to design their own healthy snack for teenagers. This week the students produced Cheesy Bacon Scrolls.
Year 10 Hospitality
This week the Year 10 Hospitality class has been working on designing a creative non-alcoholic beverage for a target market. Congratulations to Sarah Balfour and Ella Briggs for creating these amazing beverages!
