Tolle Lege Volume 6

14 March 2018

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Head of Primary

Award Winners

‘My School’ website

The recent release and publication of results from NAPLAN on the ‘My School’ website, raises many interesting points. Firstly, the ‘My School’ website ranks schools according to several measures, most notably performance in NAPLAN testing in Numeracy and Literacy. The data provided to schools is extremely valuable as it indicates specific areas of strength and more importantly, areas requiring revision and consolidation. Secondly, as parents and educators we need to be mindful that the curriculum should also allow opportunities for success and expression in the Creative and Practical Arts. A wholistic education caters for the social, emotional, physical, spiritual, creative and academic domains as well as allowing for opportunities to work co-operatively, solve real life problems and to act with a moral and ethical conscience. While I agree the ‘basics’ are essential and necessary in the school context, the world is a much richer and exciting place having dancers, musicians, artists, poets, designers and philosophers contribute their unique talents, mindsets and skills.

Points of Difference

At the recent College Open Day, I had many opportunities to speak with prospective parents about what we offer and how we differ from other schools. Being a Catholic School in an Augustinian tradition, teaching the values of Truth, Love and Community is of course at the centre of all we do. By the time the boys complete their schooling, we hope they graduate as young men of humility, integrity and with a strong sense of community and service. What was most pleasing when speaking to many new parents was the sense of welcome and pride displayed by the boys who volunteered their services for the afternoon. Wellbeing in any community or organisation is measured by engagement and feeling connected. Observing the boys engaged in science laboratory experiments, robotics, Green Screen movie making, Minecraft, 3D goggles, paper spinning seed dispersal devices, Kahoots, coding programs for Imagine Logo and Sphero Balls, illustrated the remarkable diversity we offer in the Primary School curriculum. Combine this with the Instrumental Program, drama lessons, choir, specialist PE, languages, art and music lessons, and we can claim to have many ‘points of difference.’

Open Day in Primary

Thank you

I would like to personally thank the teachers for opening their classrooms and displaying work they have completed over the past six weeks. Their classrooms looked magnificent and is testament to an extremely dedicated and passionate staff. I also extend my thanks to the many boys who volunteered three hours of service for the afternoon. Not only were they knowledgeable about their respective areas, they were well spoken, polite and exuded a strong sense of confidence, welcome and pride.

Bullying

The College endeavours to provide a safe and supportive environment. We actively encourage all boys to eliminate any forms of ‘put downs’ and aggressive behaviour. The definition of ‘bullying’ which we reinforce regularly at Primary School assemblies is ‘a pattern of repeated physical, verbal, psychological or social aggression that is directed by someone with more power towards a specific student (or students) and is intended to cause harm, distress or create fear.’ Bullying may be carried out overtly (eg. through repeated social exclusion or via technology).

We must continue to work in partnership with parents, to discuss the ‘responsible digital citizenship’ message with the boys. Much has been said in the news about the validity of mobile phones in schools. The Primary School policy remains that all mobile phones are to be turned off and in bags, unless under the direction of the class teachers.

The main message is for all parents is to check your son’s online activity. The frightening statistic is that many boys over ten have been exposed to some form of online pornography, either accidentally or actively seeking out these sites. Talk to your sons about pornography and what to do if they receive inappropriate images or messages.

The National Young Leaders Day

Yesterday, 12 March, our six Primary School Leaders participated in a State-wide Leadership Day at the Sydney Convention Centre. The day focused on developing the skills necessary to be effective leaders. The boys, along with Andrew Clyne, listened to the stories of inspirational leaders in our community. Some of the notable speakers included Harrison Craig, winner of The Voice (season two), who spoke about overcoming personal setbacks to become a successful singer despite having a debilitating stutter. The boys also listened to the story of Lauren Cheatle who is the youngest female cricketer to play for Australia. She spoke about never giving up despite many setbacks and injuries and her quote - ‘if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you’ resonating with all the boys.

Beau, Jake, Ethan, Michael, Nathan and Oscar (Primary School Leaders) all found the day exciting and motivational and agreed that it will assist them to be even better leaders in the future.