Newsletter 28 February 2022

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

There’s a group of boys who congregate outside my office each morning. They’re Year 9, and I don’t think they’ve figured out yet that they’re right next to my window, or that I can hear almost every word they say (don’t tell them!). During the first week of school they were sharing stories of their holidays and generally mucking around. In the second week though, a lot of their conversation (in between the giggles and snide remarks to each other) was a pretty serious discussion about the subjects they are studying and enjoying. Mostly, they don’t seem to share the same classes – they have different interests and therefore timetables, but one message keeps coming up loud and clear – they’re loving being at school. MyMAP has now entered its third year, and listening to these boys, it is shaping into everything we hoped it would be – a tailored, individual program for every child that challenged them and ignited their passion for learning.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of our College and our staff, but also our students and parents, for the energy, positivity and dedication that has been brought to developing this program. We are a unique school for many reasons, but first among them is the MyMAP program. Over the coming weeks we have leadership teams from several schools visiting us to learn about MyMAP. More and more of our peers are seeing the good sense of meeting students learning needs where they are at and building on their interests and goals.

I think the growth in our student population is due not just to families moving to our region, but also because so many of you are sharing your child’s MyMAP journey and successes. Thank you for that and I hope you feel encouraged and inspired to help us continue to improve the program for the betterment of our current students, and those who follow.

Communication from the College

We have so many channels of communication to parents and our community, that I thought I’d take a moment to remind everyone how we use the various pathways:

•  Newsletter: Once a month big news stories and advertising.
• Letters ‘From the Principal’: on a special letterhead, these are significant announcements to our community. Emailed and found on PAM
• General Letters: Information about programs specific to your family. Emailed and found on PAM
• Notifications in the SIMON/PAM Everywhere App: reminders about important information. Often ‘pushed’ to specific groups (ie. Generally, not everyone gets the same push notifications).
• Text Messages: only used in emergency situations
• Social Media: good news sharing, especially photos (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn)

Vaping

Returning from the summer break, we seem to have a small outbreak of vaping amongst our male students! We ask parents to be vigilant with packages received by their children (most are ordered online). Vaping is very unhealthy for teenage lungs and like smoking, is illegal on school sites.

RATs

Thank you to all those who have kept up the surveillance testing. The Department of Health has noted an upswing in positive cases this last week for teens (especially Years 10-12). Our positive cases have been pretty balanced across the year levels, so we should be diligent in testing where symptomatic and taking the surveillance RATs twice a week. We have had many asymptomatic cases picked up through the surveillance RAT use.  The College has received a significant amount of RATs and masks as part of our Government allocation. If you require another pack of RATs at home, please send your child to Reception.

Blessings for new beginnings

One of my favourite spiritual authors is a John O’Donahue. In his writings, he reminds us all that blessings and grace can be found in the ordinary moments and experiences of life. Here’s a blessing for family life in February in Australia:

On the mornings when the child walks out the front door resplendent in a uniform a few sizes too big with the sunburn of times in the sun still peeling from their legs, may you know the blessing of a return to the routines and energy and stories of the beginning of the school year.

May the solidarity of a supportive school community lift your spirits.

May the gift of known patterns bring comfort and joy to your days.

May the laughter and of teens bring lightness and a clarity that all will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well.

Amen.

Ms Kate Fogarty,
College Principal

MyMAP Learning

Recently the school had the opportunity to be interviewed for a podcast in regard to myMAP and how it has changed our school. They interviewed Ms Fogarty, Mr Cleary, Ms Aglinskas as well as us (Bill Year 11 and Bel Year 11), to gauge an idea of how myMAP works and the impacts it has had. The Human restoration project is a not-for-profit organisation based in the United States that is dedicated to transforming school systems and focusing on a student centred and humane education. This podcast was very eager to speak to Assumption about myMAP due to the school's student centred curriculum where autonomy and agency are provided to students to select their subjects.

Chris from the human restoration program asked several questions including what a day in the life of an ACK student looked like, and how the myMAP program worked. Ms Fogarty gave the overview of our school day whilst Mr Cleary spoke about the ideology behind the myMAP program. Mr Cleary and Mrs Aglinskas explained how the courses worked and the subjects within them were chosen. We (Bill and Bel) then explained the process of how we picked our subjects elucidating the support of teachers and parents when selecting subjects. We also explained how the environment in the classroom changed after the myMAP program was implemented. We spoke about the minimization of behavioural issues due to the students’ doing classes that they enjoy rather than following what the curriculum forces you to learn. We described how the relationships between teachers and students changed due to the fact that teachers are also teaching things that they specialise in and generally enjoy teaching. One of the main points we touched on was how students were able to take their own pathways that will lead them to their desired career and how the teachers are able to support and push the students that they have had in their myMAP classes throughout their VCE or VCAL studies.

We really enjoyed the opportunity of giving a student perspective, it was a great honour to represent the students view on how the myMAP program works. This was a great learning opportunity for us both and we are excited to see the publishing of the podcast. Moving forward we hope people around the world get the chance to learn about our exciting stage not age program and wish that more and more schools implement the myMAP into their curriculum.

The Podcast is likely to be available in a couple of weeks. We look forward to sharing this with you when it is available.

Students,

Bill and Bel

Student Wellbeing at Assumption College

Student Leaders take part in Restorative Practices training.

During the first week of term our student leaders took part in a training session run by Adam Voigt centred around Restorative Practices. The session encouraged students to look into the different styles of leadership and how they can focus on setting realistic, achievable goals. Building on these strengths, Adam explained our restorative continuum (image below), emphasising how important affective language can be in encouraging and reinforcing positive actions and well as addressing harmful behaviours.

For those relatively new to restorative practices, it’s really easy to throw in a few affective words throughout the week:

“I’m really pleased that you decided to cook dinner tonight”

“It disappoints me that you didn’t put your socks straight into the wash”

“I was really impressed that even though you weren’t confident for your first match on the weekend you gave it a try and met some new friends!”

As we continue to embed restorative practices in all that we do at Assumption College, our Senior Students will again be involved in facilitating these discussions with House Leaders and teachers throughout the year. Last year this was extremely successful, not only in developing our student leaders communication skills, but in the response from our students in having or student leaders role modelling these behaviours with them.    

Year 7 and 9 MyBeing Classes team up with The University of Melbourne

Assumption College is partnering with The University of Melbourne to further develop the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program within our MyBeing Curriculum. The partnership involves gathering data with a particular focus on evaluating the impact that this program has on our students resilience, peer support, gender-inequality attitudes and use of positive coping strategies. What is particularly valuable to our College is the data that being part of this research will provide, allowing the school to gain valuable insights into the social health of our Year 7’s and 9’s and the strategies and supports that we can put in place to meet this need.

Do you know about Assumption Schooltv?

Did you know that Assumption College parents and guardians are able to access Assumption SchoolTV through the link HERE? This is an amazing resource, hosted by one of Australia’s most well regarded Psychologists, Dr Michael Carr-Greg. There are endless, short 3 – 10 minutes videos/ fact 

Understanding Adolescence

Adolescence is the transitional stage of development that is usually associated with the teenage years. In 2018, the Australian Curriculum Assessment Authority, redefined adolescence as affecting young people aged between 10-24 years. During this time, they experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth which affects how teenagers feel, think, make decisions and interact with the world around them.

During adolescence, a child's brain can be considered as being “under-construction”. The rate at which this progresses will vary depending on the individual and also their gender. As a result, some parents may view adolescence as stressful or difficult. However, it does not need to be. Setting boundaries, implementing consistent monitoring and maintaining a strong and loving connection will help families adjust during this time.

It is also an important time to keep the communication lines open through clear and age appropriate conversations. Speak openly about changes that they are experiencing and be conscious of their mental health as many of the conditions people confront in adulthood, can begin to manifest in adolescence.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to guide and best support their young person as they transition through adolescence. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please get in touch with your child’s Learning Mentor or contact with the Wellbeing team. 

Co-Curricular Activities are back up and running!

It was great to see so many of our Year 7’s make their debut for Assumption recently. Thank-you for your assistance in submitting your child’s Co-Curricular activities for 2022. This goes a long way in ensuring that we have the right teams entered for our activities. If you are yet to do so, you can get in touch with our Sports Director Mr Fil Simao or Performing Arts Co-Ordinator Ms Jo Porch.

A reminder that if your child is not able to participate in a fixture/ game, they must complete a leave form no later than the Monday prior to the match.

Assumption College is also a working farm (yes – there are sheep/ cows and chickens on site!), unfortunately that means that we can’t have pets/animals on site.

We look forward to seeing you across the year at the various activities that are on offer.

 Mr Peter Augustin,
Deputy Principal Wellbeing

From the Student Leaders

With the return of school and onsite learning so has come the return of sport.  For me this includes local futsal and cricket. I have enjoyed being back with friends again, especially in the summer heat before it cools off to cold Kilmore weather.

Getting back into school and sitting at my desk again and studying for my classes, at times may not be as fun as hanging out with friends, however it has been refreshing to have a routine again and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.

The student leadership team has really come together.  There are a lot of great minds in the team and it’s exciting to see what everyone’s ideas are for improving the college and ensuring all of us involved make the most of 2022.

With plenty of schoolwork ahead, SAC’s, essays and the occasional late night study sessions, I’m glad to have such an amazing friendship group to help balance my school and social life. I think it is one of the most valuable things a student at Assumption College could have. Especially when it feels like everything’s starting to build up on you, it’s important to have a good group of friends that you can rely on to help you relax and reset.

I’m excited for the year ahead and look forward to helping out as much as I can in my role as college captain.

Oliver Nuttall,
College Captain

Our Marist Catholic Tradition

Opening School Liturgy

We begin each year by asking God’s blessings upon the community at our traditional opening liturgy, this year live streamed from the Le Rosey chapel. This prayerful gathering provides a formal opportunity to welcome to all members of the Assumption College Kilmore community, especially those staff, students and families who join us for the first time

The liturgy provides a wonderful opportunity to remind the community of our College Motto – Quae Supra Quaere – and the great tradition this College has of Seeking the Things that are Above through our acts of compassion and kindness, living lives of love and peace. It also allowed us the opportunity to introduce our beautiful College theme for 2022: “Known and Loved. Dignity for All” with the dramatic icon of Mary and the child Jesus, represented by a young African woman seeking refuge with her child, wrapped in a yellow emergency blanket.

Our College Captains, Sophie Beveridge and Oliver Nuttall, in their address to the community, spoke of the nine values and qualities that are at the heart of seeking the things that are above: to always be people of Compassion, Kindness, and Humility; to build and maintain relationships through Gentleness, Patience and Forgiveness; to live a life filled with Love, Peace and Gratitude

Our Principal, Ms Kate Fogarty, spoke in her presentation on this being the 150th year of Marist education in Australia, and that we celebrate as a Marist school the wonderful tradition the Marists have left us of not just excellence in education but also of loving care for all who are part of our school communities. This is who we are.

To celebrate this great milestone, and as a way of acknowledging that each of us individually and personally are welcome, are part of the community, are known and loved, all students were presented with a 150 Years of Marist Education in Australia commemorative badge.

The ceremony concluded with all our new staff and students being presented with their House Badge, a fitting way to remind everyone that they belong within this community, and known and – as Marcellin Champagnat would insist – are loved and loved equally.

Please click HERE to view our opening Liturgy.

Tomorrow we will officially launch the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal – our traditional educational and fundraising program that supports the amazing work Caritas Australia does in developing countries around the world in the promotion of justice and community development projects. Keep a look out for the Caritas donation boxes around our College.

Mr Paul Reed,
Mission Leader

Known and Loved - dignity for all

The New Marist Theme for this year is to be 'Known and Loved'. Let us be encouraged to live this mission courageously though our actions. Let our prayer be that everyone, especially the least, lost, and invisible are ‘known and loved’ as we strive to uphold, restore and defend the dignity for all.

We pray today that everyone in our Assumption community has a year in which they truly experience being ‘known and loved’. May ours be a community that strives to restore and defend the dignity of all.

The short video below is a lovely introduction into this theme, and we encourage you all to have a look.  Followed by a lovely Prayer.

Parent/Carer Engagement

Relationship Building

We are thrilled to have two new staff join the Development Department; Kylie Lawtey and Kate Boulton. They are both strong communicators and will help ensure you remain connected and have the information you need. 

Kylie Lawtey is our Enrolment and Community Relations Officer. She administers the day to day enrolments, undertakes school tours and expos, provides professional and accurate advice and information to our families about enrolment requirements and processes. She also works on developing and delivering engagement plans so families are informed.  Kylie comes from and extensive background in enrolments and marketing in Catholic Secondary Education.

Kate Boulton is our Alumni and Community Relations Officer. This role coordinates events including RURBAN, builds networks, manages stakeholders, and creates communications that engages with the broader College and alumni communities. Kate will be connecting families both past and present. She comes to us with years of experience in community engagement and customer service. 

New Parents Welcome Evening 

A big thank you to all that attended our new Parents Welcome Evening on Friday night.  A wonderful, relaxed evening on the lawns of Shandon House, with music provided by our students, a delicious BBQ cooked by our amazing staff and some informative tours conducted by our student leaders.

Student Achievements

2021 Schools Short Story/Poem Competition Finalist

Late last year, Year 8 student Edith, entered the Write for Fun competition. This is an Australia wide writing competition for all school aged children. She submitted a short poem and was chosen as one of 13 finalists from over 4000 entries. What a wonderful achievement, congratulations. To read Edith's poem please click on the link below.

SIMON Everywhere

Are you someone that loves to carry a mobile phone with you most of the day? Then perhaps you might want to download the SIMON EVERYWHERE app. 

This App can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

All parents and carers, students and staff who download the SIMON Everywhere App will have the ability to receive school notifications by an alert from the App. Examples of immediate alerts could include reminders about College events, cancellation of sport training, etc.

Please be aware that Push Notifications can only be received via the SIMON Everywhere App not your PAM desktop account.

SIMON Everywhere App & Notification Screens

Community News