This week our Teachers and Students have been celebrating HPE Week and promoting healthy eating and living. The week kicked off with a yummy breakfast on Monday morning and will culminate with our compulsory Athletics Carnival on Friday. Thank you to our HPE staff for collaborating on this project. We invite all of our Parents and Carers to come along on Friday to the Carnival to join in the fun. There will be a BBQ available as a fundraiser for our Confraternity Team and the Year 11 Business students will be selling cold cups and snacks.

Did you know that every year we develop a School Improvement Plan which covers ten key characteristics of Catholic Schools? This plan is developed in consultation with staff, students, our P&F and College Board. If you would like to provide feedback, please either give me a call or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

Here is a copy of our 2022 Annual School Improvement Plan.

Pick Up/Drop Off Reminders: Lately I’m noticing more Parents stopping in the middle of the road and calling their child over to get in the car. This is extremely dangerous and puts the child and others at risk. Please use the painted areas to wait for your child and if these are full, patiently drive around the block or find a car park and come and collect them. 

Have a blessed week.

Kathleen McCarthy

Assessments: Extensions and Plagiarism

Extensions

I just wanted to remind all students and families about some important aspects of our Assessment Policy, especially as we are leading into the busiest time of the Term for the submission of assignments. 

It is important that students and their families understand the process involved in applying for an extension of time for formal assessment.  Applications are made in writing, using an official form that can be collected from the College Office.

All applications must be made at least 3 days prior to the final due date of the assessment.

Extensions are granted in consultation with the classroom Teacher and Curriculum Leader for students in Year 7-10, and with the Deputy Principal for students in Year 11 and 12.

Many factors are taken into consideration when approving an extension. Extensions are granted for legitimate reasons, and not simply because the student has not had enough time. The teacher will consider work ethic, use of class time, and whether the student has approached the teacher for help before signing off on an extension. 

In Senior School, extensions will also need to be approved by QCAA, and require a submission of additional evidence of the circumstances to support the application.

It is not a given that an extension will be granted.  As far as possible, students are to manage their commitments well and communicate with their teachers if they feel they are struggling with assessments.

Plagiarism

Any part of an assessment that has been plagiarised cannot be marked. This will also result in an after school detention. At the College we have processes in place to ensure quality assurance is maintained with all assessment tasks. If a student is concerned about their level of plagiarism please direct students to their Turnitin account which provides them with a detailed percentage highlighting what sections of their assessment has been plagiarised and the sources it has come from.  

Please make contact with the classroom teacher for further assistance.  

Year 11 Exam Block

Week 6 (next week) is a busy one!

Year 11 students will commence a four day exam block on Monday 23 May.

All students should be studying/completing assessment at home; studying quietly in the Study Room (Year 11 – F2), or completing an exam during exam block. Because there are only small exams during this block, they will take place in F1.

Exam block is not free time.

ALL ASSESSMENT MUST BE COMPLETED IN ALL SUBJECTS IN ORDER TO HAVE EXAM BLOCK PRIVILEGES.

Study tips

The following represent the most common study techniques

• Reading class notes
• Summarise information from a source after reading it
• Skimming and scanning textbooks or websites for relevant information
• Memorising by copying information or reading it repeatedly
• Completing practice or mock questions
• Discussing answers to questions with peers or a teacher

Athletics Carnival - Canteen Closure

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)
Week 5 Focus: Praise Notes

This week our PB4L focus is on praise notes.  

Woohoo!!! I am so proud to say that our staff have issued an amazing 2770 praise notes so far this semester and continue to add more and more each day.  This is such a wonderful reflection of how focusing on positive behaviour can make such a difference in our school.  Next week I look forward to presenting more students with certificates during assembly as they achieve 10 or more and 20 or more praise notes for the semester.

SchoolTV Focus  -  Vaping

Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:

The Arts have had an energetic and enthusiastic first half of Term 2. Inside the classroom, current music students have been analysing a range of pieces and have been busy working on their integrated projects. 

Year 6’s attended a music workshop as part of the SHINE program and discovered the realm of digital music technology. Students explored a variety of superhero themes and composed a short composition that accompanied their hero. 

There are also a range of ensemble opportunities for all students with the Vocal Ensemble and Ukulele Club continuing to grow. The Vocal Ensemble rehearses from 7:45am on a Monday morning in the music classroom. Ukulele Club commences Wednesday at First Break.

In musical news, the music classroom is now open at lunchtime for those who are part of the musical. This time will be available for students to breakdown and run through various vocal parts and support with harmonic and melodic voicing. It has been great to see all of the passion and vibrance out of every student.

Queensland Training Awards
Max Pye

Max Pye, Year 11 Student, has been shortlisted as School Based Apprentice of the Year for the 2022 Queensland Training Awards.

He is currently one of the top 5 students in this category for the North Queensland Region.  

This is a really big achievement.  Well done!

Max will take part in a phone interview this week, which is the final part of the selection process.  

We wish Max the very best of luck!

Careers Newsletter

The latest edition of our Careers Newsletter includes:

Cosmetology (Beauty)
Early Learning - Child development
Criminology
Job Interview Tips
Space Discovery

A Grade 4 student asked me “why do people drink alcohol and take drugs?” I told them they did it to escape reality. 

People drink alcohol to change who they are and how they behave. People who are shy and hardly say a word suddenly become the life of the party. People who are quiet and friendly suddenly become surly and aggressive.

Alcohol gives us an excuse to behave a certain way or lower our values’ safeguards. The important word in that sentence is excuse. It is easy after the fact to blame our behavior on the state we were in, rather than accepting the fact that the reason was because of our choice.

I played football against a bloke called Eddie Antilli who was a few years older then me. When we were in the same club I noticed he didn’t drink and one day asked him why. He replied, “Cogo, my old man said if you can’t handle your drink, then don’t.”

In other words, he became someone he didn’t like when he drank and had the courage to say no. I have no right to lecture anybody about alcohol because I most certainly imbibed when I was young. I could blame the culture I grew up in but that is an excuse as there were those around me who didn’t drink.

Too late I realized it was the alcohol that I craved and my behavior was a by-product, so nowadays I keep a close watch on my alcohol intake. Of course, there are alcoholics and drug addicts who do so because they can’t stop and that is a very easy slope to slide down.

Wendell Sailor’s father made him promise not to drink until he turned 21; a promise Wendell kept. During that time, he was signed by the Broncos, won a Premiership, played State of Origin and played for Australia.

Though he didn’t drink he quickly became caught up in the trappings of fame including money, girls and recognition; in other words, everything he dreamt of as a young man. When he turned 21 he added alcohol to the mix and that’s when he started finding trouble.

That culminated in a two-year ban from Rugby Union for testing positive to cocaine. Most people who take drugs do so in the company of alcohol because their decision making is affected. In other words, we do things we wouldn’t do if we were sober and knew they were wrong.

My sister made a rule that her kids were not allowed to drink alcohol until they were 18. Speaking with my nephew one day he admitted he’d snuck a drink before that age but made sure it was only one or two because he knew how much trouble he would get into.

He then proceeded to tell me that he was glad his mother did that because when he went to parties and stayed sober he sat and watched the way his peers behaved. He knew there was no way they would behave that way if they were sober and of course now, there is social media.

Anybody who drinks alcohol has at some point vomited. When I was young your mates would stand around laughing at you and then make sure you were okay when you crashed out. Nowadays the first thing that happens is people whip out their mobile phones and send the footage all over the World.

So now instead of your behaviour being limited to those present it is out there for the World to see; and it will never disappear. What also may never disappear is the result of that behavior.

Research clearly shows a correlation between teenage pregnancy and substance use. Simply put the values and morals you hold disappear when under the influence. 

So why do young people drink? Well I did because everyone else did, so I thought it was normal and to fit in I had to. I’m not saying I didn’t have a good time because I did but when I look back at those days I think of the money I wasted and opportunities potentially missed.

So, don’t be worried about feeling left out when you don’t get invited to “those” parties. It could be the best possible start you can have to your adult life; and maybe a blessing in disguise.

Reconciliation week is for all Australians, to come together as one to build mutually respectful relationships, between Indigenous and other Australians that allow us to work together to solve problems and generate success that is in everyone’s best interests.

To achieve Reconciliation we need to raise awareness and knowledge of Indigenous history and culture, changing attitudes that are often based on myths and misunderstandings, and encouraging action where everyone plays their part in building a better relationship with us as fellow Australians.

Athletics Carnival

It’s been a massive week for our Sports Department as we look forward to Friday’s Athletics Carnival. HPE students have been training for Track and Field events throughout the Term and finally get a chance to compete against each other on Friday. Please take the time to look at the important information below. 

When: Friday, 20th May
Where: Sunset Oval (students to be dropped off and picked up from the oval)
Time: 8:10am for the roll, 7:30am for 400m runners

Please note that the canteen will not be open and we ask all students to bring lunch and water for the day. There will be water, snacks and a sausage sizzle available to purchase during the day. Any family members who wish to come and support, please sign in at the announcers tent. If parents wish to take their child home earlier we also ask for them to sign out the students with a member of the SLT. Times for events are only an approximate and may change on the day.

We wish all students the best of luck and may the best house win.

Acknowledgements

The department would like to congratulate all students who participated in the Arthur Beetson Rugby League Carnival in Barcaldine. Additionally, the following students were acknowledged for their exceptional performance.

Sam Pou Pomare
Tyrone Huaga
Patrick Krause

Last Friday we saw a number of our students compete in the MISSA Cross Country Trials coached and managed by Steve Guest and Billi-Jean Armstrong. All of the students put in their best efforts and represented the College exceptionally well!

• Connor Boshoff - 18 Years Boys (winner)
• Serena Gowland - 16 Years Girls (winner)
• Shakiya Dixon - 15 Years Girls (winner)
• Hayley Winks - 14 Years Girls (winner)
• Tiza Wilde - 13 Years Girls (second)
• William Usher - 12 Years Boys (fifth)

When: Thursday mornings
Where: GSCC Oval (Enter via May St Gate)
What time: 7:00am - 7:40am
What is it: Athletics /endurance running and or walking training
Who is it for: All students and teachers
Permission: Students will need to collect a permission note from the office
Cost: Free
How often: Come occasionally or as many sessions as you like
Equipment: Running shoes, comfortable clothing, water bottle
Prizes: Weekly lucky door prize of $10 canteen voucher
2 major awards at Sports Award Evening later in 2022
Information: See Mr Guest for any information/ questions

Term 2 2022 Training Program:

Week 1:
200m repeats x 5 (x 3 sets - 1 min walk/ jog between repeats, 200m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 2:
800m repeats x 4 x 1 set - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats).

Week 3:
500m repeats x 3 (x 2 sets - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats, 400m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 4:
Pyramid: 200m, 400m, 600m, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m. (1 min walk/ jog between repeats).

Week 5:
400m repeats x 4 (x 2 sets - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats, 400m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 6:
300m repeats x 5 (x 2 sets - 1 min walk/ jog between repeats, 200m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 7:
Pyramid: 200m, 400m, 600m, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m. (1 min walk/ jog between repeats).

Week 8:
200m repeats x 5 (x 3 sets - 1 min walk/ jog between repeats, 200m walk/ jog between sets).

Week 9:
3000m (alternate striding 100m, jogging 100m)

Week 10:
600m repeats x 5 (x 1set - 2 min walk/ jog between repeats).

Mount Isa City Council

Mount Isa City Council is seeking stall holders for community events, please consider your participation and share our Facebook Post https://www.facebook.com/MountIsaCityCouncil/photos/a.237315406320848/5281935645192107/ or this email with your networks. Thank you.

STALL HOLDERS WANTED FOR EVENTS
Register your interest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GJ2BMQJ

FREE TRAINING

Council provides free online food handling training which can be accessed from the following link:

I’m Alert Food Handling Training http://www.imalert.com.au/foodsafety/training/welcome.php?sub=mountisa

The certificate received upon completion of this training may be submitted to Council along with your Food Licence application https://www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/homepage/101/food-license

RFDS Ball

Mount Isa Show
Entry Forms