Thank you

The College wishes all families an enjoyable semester break from the routine of making lunches, washing and ironing uniforms, early drop offs for training and the myriad of other school related activities. The commitment that you undertake in ensuring that your sons are well organised and actively contribute to all aspects of an Augustinian Catholic education can never be underestimated. We thank you for allowing us to educate your sons, and in partnership with you, their primary educators, contribute to promote the Augustinian values of truth, love, community, humility and interiority.

The most powerful currency in any organisation and in all facets of life is to be appreciated. As well as being appreciated, it is important to be grateful for the many gifts and wonderful opportunities we often take for granted. The College would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of our community:  coaches, managers, volunteers in the canteen, P&F committee, class mothers/ fathers for their support this semester.

If travelling by road during the break, please drive carefully. The College looks forward to welcoming all families back on Tuesday 24 July.

Teacher efficacy

I have the utmost respect for the teachers at the College and this optimism springs from a belief in the individual and collective efficacy of teachers to change the lives of students through their work in classrooms. A Hebrew proverb states ‘a child is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit’ or from William Ward ‘the mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates, and great teacher inspires’ best sums up the teachers at St Augustine’s. I really do believe we have inspirational teachers, ones who place the boys at the centre of all learning.

I hope that all teachers can recharge their batteries and enjoy some quality family time together during the semester break.

Positive Intent

When confronted with a situation in which we feel criticised, it is helpful to take a step back and look at it from a different point of view. Rather than being suspicious of other people’s motives we need to assume that they are doing the best they can and that their intentions are not to attack us but to help us grow and be more successful.

PepsiCo CEO founder Indra Nooyi in Fortune magazine said, “when you assume negative intent, you’re angry. If you take away that anger and assume positive intent, you will be amazed. You don’t get defensive. You don’t scream.”

The conversations you may have with your son’s teachers are always intended to be positive. The messages are intended to help your son grow and be more successful.

I would like to think that all students can take on a mindset that looks for the learning in all situations, assuming that teachers are operating to the best of their ability. Having the ‘difficult conversation’ with a parent, colleague or child is never easy, however it is essential. 

Whilst teaching is demanding, it can also be the most rewarding job in the world.  Each and every day you have an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives.  That is never going to be easy! 

Reports

Assessment is the broad name for the collection and evaluation of a student’s learning. Assessment enhances student engagement and motivation, particularly when it incorporates interaction with teachers, other students and a range of resources. The data that is collected for reporting purposes is not used to defend a grade given, rather assist students plan their next stage in learning.

Assessment:

• Enables students to demonstrate what they know and can do
• Clarifies student understanding of concepts and promotes deeper understanding
• Provides opportunities for teachers to gather evidence about student achievement in relation to outcomes

The report that your son has received this semester is the culmination of information gathered from a variety of sources, including both class and standardises test, work samples, informal and formal classroom observations, student/teacher conferences, written activities, oral presentations, individual and group work. The collection of this information is then translated into the A-E reporting scale which was e-mailed recently.

I trust that you have had the opportunity to discuss Semester One reports with your sons and set some targets and goals for Semester Two.  I remind all boys that success is ‘accomplishing something you set out to do’ and that requires persistence, confidence, organisation and the ability to ‘get along’. The boys who actively utilise these foundations for success are the ones who receive the results they deserve.

Well done to all boys for their enthusiastic attitude and application to their studies in Semester 1.

Caritas – Love

It is staggering to believe that in Uganda over 10 million people live in poverty while in Cambodia over one third of children go to bed hungry and 14 million people live in poverty. It takes 5 hours to collect water from a well in Uganda and that thousands of children die each year from water borne diseases.

The question I leave all boys to contemplate is ‘Do you have the courage to care?’ An Augustinian education should encourage students to feel slightly uncomfortable and to think about issues they can challenge and then support. The SEA Program actively supports orphanages and schools in Nepal, the Philippines as well as each of our Colour Houses supporting a charity of their choice.

During the holidays it may be as simple as doing something from the suggestions below to begin the conversion from self to thinking about others.

• Make a card for someone you love and send it by mail to them
• Do not watch TV or play computer games in the afternoon, instead help someone else
• Make a special list of all the people you want to remember in prayer, and then pray for them tonight
• Help get dinner ready and/or clean up after dinner
• Do not eat any junk food today. Try to eat good things. Instead, donate your money to a charity that is close to your heart
• Do an extra chore at home without being asked
• Do something nice-in secret-for someone

Top 10 Tips

Michael Carr Gregg (Child Psychologist) always has excellent suggestions. His Top 10 tips for parents makes a lot of sense.

• Exams don’t measure intelligence
• Money, despite what Kim Kardashian says, can’t buy happiness
• Non-conformity is good. There is something wonderful about the eccentric in this world
• Being able to resolve disagreements amicably is important (teaching conflict resolution skills is vital)
• It is important to apologise when you are wrong
• People are more important than things
• Doing nothing is not a waste of time
• Knowledge does not equal understanding
• Failure can be good
• Don’t give up. Put your head down and work hard. Never wait for things to happen; make them happen  

During these holidays may God’s care keep us from all harm, may God’s word strengthen our hearts, and may God’s Holy Spirit fill us with joy.  

Terry Walsh
Head of Primary School