St Clare's Catholic High School
Hassall Grove
18 April, 2018
Praise God by Your Life
To provide excellence in education:
- through quality teaching and learning
- by providing a safe and creative learning environment
- by challenging students to strive for academic excellence
- by being a place where faith and values are enriched and shared within the Catholic tradition.
Our daily Reading from Gospel, John 6:35-40
Jesus answered them: I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever hunger; no one who believes in me will ever thirst. 36 But, as I have told you, you can see me and still you do not believe. 37 Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me; I will certainly not reject anyone who comes to me, 38 because I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 Now the will of him who sent me is that I should lose nothing of all that he has given to me, but that I should raise it up on the last day. 40 It is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and that I should raise that person up on the last day.
MAY - IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, 1st May School photos - students are to be in full winter uniform including blazers
Wednesday, 9th May Year 11, 2019 Information Session 1 at 6.30pm-7.30pm
Tuesday, 15 May- Thursday 17 May NAPLAN Testing - Year 7 & 9 only
Tuesday, 22nd May Year 11, 2019 Subject Selection Information at 6.30pm-8.00pm
Wednesday, 23nd May Year 10 Careers Market Day
Thursday, 24th May Year 7 Immunisations
Principal's Message - Mr Morris
Dear St Clare's community,
I hope this holiday newsletter finds everyone safe, relaxed and enjoying much deserved quality time with family and friends. Term 1 has certainly been a busy term for everyone.
In particular I would like to congratulate all students who made it to school on our last day of term. As we say everyday is an opportunity to learn. It was disappointing however, that some of our Year 9 and 10 students were not present last Friday. We missed the opportunity to thank and acknowledge students who were absent for their contribution to the school term as they may have participated in PDSSSC competitions, Social Justice initiatives and Diocesan events. I would encourage parents to insist that your son and daughter attends school, especially at the conclusion of each term. Thank you for your ongoing support.
The term finished with each Leader of Year conducting pastoral meetings and to award students who achieved Merit Certificates and or Principals’ Awards. One Year 7 student came up to me and said “I told you I was going to get a Principals’ Award Mr Morris’. This is why we do what we do, ensuring each student has the opportunity to celebrate success and achieve their personal goals in their own way.
ENROLMENTS FOR 2019
Years 8, 9 and 10 for 2019
New families wishing to enrol their son or daughter at St Clare’s in 2019 are encouraged to contact the school and complete an Enrolment Application. An interview with myself will then be scheduled. Please see our website for further details of how to enrol.
Year 7, 2019
Enrolments for Year 7, 2019 have been coming in rapidly. I would like to remind all parents all enrolment applications need to be returned to the School Office as soon as possible. It is critical that all enrolments are finalised so I can arrange interviews with each student and parent/s. This year we will be holding Year 7, 2019 interviews on a Saturday in early June. A date and time will be finalised early in term 2.
Year 11, 2019
As previously mentioned, Year 10 students currently attending St Clare’s, will be automatically enrolled for Year 11, 2019. A majority of students have already indicated they will be joining our first Year 11 cohort for 2019. We have also had significant interest and commitment from families wishing to enrol their son or daughter from outside the school. This is an exciting time for both students and teachers.
To make this decision easier for families I will be releasing courses that we will be offering for selection in week 1 term 2. I would like families to know that we are committed to ensuring students have access to a range of courses both at a school and system level, offering different modes of access across the system. It is critical that we keep learning opportunities mobile and accessible for each student dependant on their pathway.
However, should you wish to opt out of this process, parents will be asked to complete a Google form indicating that your son or daughter will be pursuing another school or destination in 2019. We are required to collect this information as part of our reporting to government, particularly if a student is under 17 years of age. This form will be sent to your son's/daughter's email account. This will enable your son or daughter to assist you in completing the form, if required. Please take the time to discuss this decision and step as a family. This form will be sent out during the week beginning 21st May.
I will be writing to you personally and I look forward to seeing Year 10 families on Wednesday, 9th May as we continue to shape together what 2019 will look like for our students and community.
God Bless, have a safe break and I look forward to seeing all students upon their return to school on Monday, 30th April.
Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning - Mr Hulme
Term 2 commences on Monday, 30th April. It will be Day 6 (Week B) of the School timetable.
Students are required to attend school in full winter uniform. This uniform is required throughout terms 2 and 3. Your support in regards to the winter uniform and grooming is greatly appreciated.
Correct school uniform leads to more accountability and ultimately students respect for themselves and respect for the School.
Blazers are to be worn to and from school each day. The school jumper can be worn under the blazer on colder days. It is NOT a substitute for the blazer. Students are only permitted to wear school jumpers.
The School sports uniform, jacket and jumper can be worn every Thursday. The sports jacket is NOT a substitute for the School blazer or jumper. Please do not substitute the sports uniform for the normal school uniform.
Students are expected to meet the school’s grooming expectations on their return to school for the start of term 2. Part of the condition of enrolment at St Clare’s is that students follow the guidelines set out in relation to hairstyle, grooming, jewellery and mobile phone use.
UNIFORM / HAIR
Boys must have their shirts tucked in before and after school and when when entering a classroom.
Earrings for boys are not part of the school uniform and are not permitted.
Facial jewellery is also not part of our school uniform and is not permitted.
Girls should have their hair tied back, skirts to knee height, have no nail polish or false finger nails and only one pair of earrings (a small/fine sleeper or stud in the lower ear lobe only).
Haircuts must be in accordance with the School Policy, as indicated in the diary/website.
Chewing gum is not allowed at the School.
There will be thorough grooming and uniform checks on the first day of term 2. It is important that we ‘get the little things right’.
MOBILE PHONES
Smartphones may be used to listen to music outside of school time or as instructed by teachers. However, no device is to be used for photographing and sound or visual recording at school without teacher permission.
Speakers are not allowed to be used at school.
Students may use their phone during recess and lunch for important communications. For example, contacting parents, work or confirming medical appointments. Students are not to be using phones while walking around the school grounds. As a matter of courtesy, please ask a teacher prior to using your phone during these times.
Students should not be using their phones to contact family members during school hours to be picked up. If students are feeling unwell they must first speak with Office staff or their Leader of Year. The School office staff will then make arrangements with your family.
Recess and lunch is an opportunity to build friendships and relationships with your peers and teachers, a time to eat, and for some to take part in physical activities. It is not a time to spend on your phone.
Phones are not be used for communicating on snapchat or other social media sites during school hours.
Students are not to use or have earphones protruding from their clothing during school hours.
YEARS 7 - 10 PROGRESS REPORTS
The Progress Reports will be issued to the students in week 1. We apologise for any inconvenience due to the delay but the external company has been trying to resolve some data issues to protect data. Unfortunately, this has delayed the printing/release of these reports. Emailing is not currently available.
These reports provide an additional opportunity for parents/caregivers and students to receive feedback about their son’s/daughter’s own learning. The progress reports provide feedback on three categories; Effort, Behaviour and Passion for Learning. The descriptors
Working above expectations
Working at expectations
Working below expectations
are designed to be INDIVIDUALISED for each student and are NOT DETERMINED by either marks or rank order. This means that if a student who is extremely capable is currently working below expectations, then they could expect to receive this descriptor for one or all of the Effort, Behaviour and Progress categories.
Progress reports differ from Semester and Yearly reports as these report on students against other students in their cohort, by allocating an overall grade, while Progress Reports do not rank students against each other in this manner.
SAMPLE PROGRESS REPORT SCENARIOS
Scenario 1: A student who achieved one of the highest marks in a class for an assessment task, but who is extremely capable academically (who did not extend themselves) and who did not submit any practice responses and/or complete homework tasks, would NOT receive Working above expectations.
Scenario 2: A student who has previously tested as one who struggles academically, but who has taken every educational opportunity offered and who has shown initiative and perseverance that has resulted in a learning gain, might achieve Working above expectations in one or more categories.
CURRICULUM MATTERS
Assessment Tasks
As we reach the end of the assessment cycle for the first term, it might be useful to consider a few important parts of the process and look forward to term 2. There are often a range of questions students and parents ask about assessments so we will consider a few Frequently Asked Questions.
Why have assessments?
This is quite a popular question (sometimes expressed by students as they enter the exam room) but an understanding of why we have Assessments is actually essential in the whole learning process. Assessments are important because they give students the opportunity to test the skills they have learned. In assessments, students can showcase their improvements and are acknowledged for their effort and hard work. Descriptive feedback provided by teachers, allows students to see where their strengths are and how they can improve for next time. Assessments are a chance for students to crystallise their understanding. Assessments also give teachers a chance to evaluate student strengths and weaknesses so that they can adjust their teaching to ensure students are improving.
What is the process if I am away for an assessment?
The process is slightly different for the Junior years (Years 7 - 9) and the Senior years (10 and soon 11/12).
In Years 7 - 9, if a student misses an assessment through illness or misadventure, they should bring a note from their parent/caregiver that clearly explains the illness or misadventure. This note should be given to the subject teacher on their first day back at school. If you know that you will be away before the task is due, bring in a note at your earliest opportunity. We would always suggest an original/genuine Doctor’s certificate
Years 10-12 processes are slightly more involved because students are completing external credentials such as the Record of School Achievement and the HSC. If a student misses a task due to illness or misadventure they will need to complete an Illness/Misadventure Appeal Form. This form includes a statement that needs to be completed by a parent. Submit the form on your first day back or as soon as you know you will miss the task. The verdict of the appeal will be emailed to relevant teachers, parents/caregivers and to the student. If the form is not submitted or is not approved, the student will receive an N-Award Warning Letter. An original/genuine Doctor’s certificate must be submitted for illness appeals.
By sending the letter, your teacher can organise a different time for you to complete the task when they know that there is an official reason why the task was not submitted.
If a student is to be absent for an extended period of time, they should seek a Principal’s Approved Leave form from the front office.
What should I do when I receive an assessment back?
The most important thing is to use the feedback to help you improve. It would be a good idea that you spend some time making goals on how you can improve. Share these goals with your Learning Advisor. It is also a good idea for parents to see the assessment so that they know early on how their child is progressing. All returned assessment MUST be kept in a secure location in the event of an appeal of Grade or mark. Failure to produce on request will not support the appeal process.
What happens if I do not submit a task or there is Malpractice?
If a student does not submit an assessment task, they will receive a Warning Letter in Years 7 - 9. If the student receives a number of these Warning Letters in a subject or across subjects, a meeting will be required with parents.
In Years 10 - 12, the student will receive an N-Award Warning Letter. After two warning letters in a course in which the issue is not addressed, the student may not be eligible to progress into the next year or may not be eligible to gain their HSC or an ATAR. N-Award Warning Letters may also be issued for incomplete coursework.
Malpractice involves plagiarism (using the intellectual material of another author), collusion (when the student’s work is the product of assistance by other people), cheating in a task, or other issues outlined in the student’s Assessment Handbook (available at the school website).
All my assessments seem to happen at around the same time. How do I manage this?
Like many other schools, our school has assessment windows when students will complete a number of tasks. This means that students can focus on learning during other times and on assessments during these assessment windows.
A key idea is setting up a study timetable and using the School Diary to break down each task into manageable sections.
Where do I go for further information?
If you require further information on assessments, please refer to the School’s Assessment Policy located on the school website.
The Assessment Schedule Calendar has the dates of all assessments for each year group. This calendar lists the assessments for each class so, although it might look like there are many assessments happening on the same day, it is usually just the one assessment listed for each class. This way each student knows when their class will complete the assessment.
Assessments in Term 2
Weeks 3 to 6 in Term 2 are often a busy time for assessments, particularly for Year 9 and 10 students.
Year 7 and 9 students will have NAPLAN tests in Week 3 (15-17 May). If students miss any of the NAPLAN tests, there will be catch-up opportunities on Friday. A Doctor’s certificate MUST be obtained for illness. Further details will be forwarded to students in Week 1.
Year 9 and 10 students will have Semester 1 Exams in Week 5. Students will receive a timetable of these exams in the first weeks back in Term 2. This will also be available on the School Website.
CHECKING DEVICES
The holiday period is a great opportunity for the students to have a break from technology. It would be a perfect opportunity for parents/caregivers to inspect these personally owned devices. Could we ask parents/caregivers to remove any unwanted games and videos. The devices are meant to be an educational tool.
If a teacher suspects a student device has undesirable material or content, the device will be taken from the student and left in the School Office for parent collection. We would ask all parents to please delete/remove unwanted content so students are not distracted in the classroom.
As a general rule we would suggest no more than 2 games on a device.
ROAD SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Safety of students as they travel to and from school each day is important. It is expected that parents/carers, grandparents and family members will support the school through role modelling safe road use behaviours.
- These include:
Using designated footpaths or walking in areas away from the road
Holding the children’s hand (for those up to 8 years of age) and actively supervising all children as they walk to and from school.
Teaching children to Stop, Look, Listen and Think every time they cross the road
Walking with children to cross roads (do not call children across the road)
Crossing roads away from parked cars
Parking correctly in designated areas
Getting children in and out of the car on the footpath side
Using seat belt restraints for all passengers prior to driving away
Waiting safely at bus stops and waiting until the bus has gone and choosing a safe place to cross.
Waiting to one side of the footpath, so other uses can still use pathways and don’t have to walk on the road
Displaying safe practice and following all road rules when riding bikes
Assistant Principal, Wellbeing & Learning - Ms Deschamps
INTRODUCING Positive Behaviour Support for Learning TERM 2 2018
Every student will commence on the BRONZE status day 1, term 2. Students maintaining a BRONZE status are tracking well in their learning. Students are asked to maintain this level at a minimum. However we are encouraging all students to aim for SILVER, GOLD and PLATINUM status. These levels highlight students who are committed to learning, leaders among their peers and advocates for the great learning community of St Clare’s. As a staff we want to provide the opportunity for these students to have evidence and acknowledgement of their effort and commitment which they in turn will use to build excellence portfolios as they embark on future careers.
This model of student management is formed with acknowledgment and consultation with global industries who emphasise that they want employees who are committed, leaders, cooperative, work in teams, strive to succeed, dependable, consistent, enthusiastic, creative, work to improve their workplace, flexible, adaptable and problem solve. All of these are skills which all students can demonstrate in our student management policy.
Students will be provided with a variety of community service opportunities. It is wonderful to see how many students have already committed to or initiating work towards community service contributions.
We ask parents to continue conversations about our Positive Behaviour Support for Learning with your children. Your support will work alongside that of staff to ensure we set our students up for success for their futures.
Students who are involved in any of the behaviours below the BRONZE status, will receive the appropriate consequence aligned to the action. Each student will decrease one status at a time. It is the students responsibility to move back up to the appropriate status. The student will be able to make an application to move back up in status two weeks after the decrease in status.
School Counsellor - Ms Luthra
The ProACTive group will be starting from week 4 in session 2. Mrs Sally Wardley, Coordinator Wellbeing and Behaviour Team Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta will be co-facilitating the group with me.
Thank you to all families and students who have supported this program over the past two years.