Caroline Chisholm College Newsletter

Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of Caroline Chisholm College,

In a few days our Year 12 students will be entering the exam room to begin their Trial HSC. The students I have spoken to really don’t like it when I say, “It’s just another assessment”. This is perhaps because they have been working so hard on perfecting their study, and their exam techniques. We know only too well that exams are not a perfect way of judging someone’s skill and knowledge. Our students and teachers, however, have done a wonderful job of preparing for these exams and we are looking forward to some excellent results . . . but it is just another assessment. Of greater concern to me is that our girls are approaching this challenge with a healthy attitude about themselves and their learning. Whilst many hours should be dedicated to study and practice, this should be balanced with sufficient sleep, a good healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, a bit of exercise (even taking the dog for a walk) and minimal distractions from social media and part-time work. It is a fact that, the better our students do in the coming months the more choices they will have for next year and beyond. It is worth the sacrifice to establish a good position for university entry, further training or a job of their choice. Our teachers stand ready to support the girls in any way we can, and I know a large number of classes convened during the recent holidays for tutorials and study sessions.

We have been delighted to host Japanese students from our sister school Tokyo Junshin Catholic school. The students are being hosted with Caroline Chisholm families, and I am very grateful for their hospitality. Our sister school relationship is very important to us and reinforces the important lesson that we are a global school and our students are citizens, not just of Glenmore Park, but of the world. In September this year, we are travelling with 19 of our Chisholm students back to our sister school in Tokyo Junshin - and it will be my first trip to Japan. The friendships established through our sister school program can last a life time. To our very special visitors I say ようこそ (welcome!).

In the coming weeks, we will be holding two very important information sessions. The first will be about Learn+, our new diploma program commencing in 2020. This will be for students and parents currently in Years 9 and 10 who may consider a diploma pathway through to Year 12. We will be joined at this session by some of our partner training organisations who will help us deliver the diploma studies. The date of the Learn+ information session is August 14 at 6pm in the college library.

The second information evening is about our Caroline Chisholm Pilgrimage to the UK in April 2020 for students who, next year will be in Years 10, 11 and 12. Harvest Journe’s have arranged the tour for us. Families of students in Years 9, 10 and 11 received a brochure about the pilgrimage late last term. Come along to hear more about this exciting adventure where we will explore the early influences on the life of Caroline Chisholm, the development of her faith in God and the deep spirituality of service and justice. The date of the Caroline Chisholm Pilgrimage information session is August 20 at 6pm in the college library.

It is a privilege to be part of a community that creates opportunities for young people. I hope that our students appreciate the great start in life a Chisholm education provides. I know that many do.

Mr Greg Elliott
Principal

Proposed Bus Route Changes

Morning services:
4015 – a new route servicing Mulgoa Rise
4131 – no longer takes CCC students. Need to get 4015 or 4080
4043 – no longer takes CCC students. Need to get 4002
789 – no longer takes CCC students. Need to get 4080
4008 – no longer takes CCC students. Need to get 4002

Afternoon services:
4549 – changes to route
4555 – changes to route
4572 – a new route servicing Mulgoa Rise
4514 – no longer takes CCC students. Need to get 4555
4563 – no longer takes CCC students. Need to get 4555

The new bus routes students are now being asked to take have some significant changes from their current routes so they should be checked too. At my request, Busways have agreed to have a link on their website where parents can view the relevant PDFs of the route changes. I will provide that link via Skoolbag as soon as Busways provides it.

Please note that these are proposed changes. The consultation period for these changes is from Monday 29 July to Monday 12 August. There is no way for the college to work out the implications for individual students. Parents will need to check any implications of changes carefully and convey any concerns to Busways. Busways has asked parents to provide any feedback, whether positive or negative in writing to infoline@busways.com.au prior to 12th August 2019.

Blazers
Generally, I have been pleased with the way students have been wearing their uniform at the start of this term. Students are reminded that it is still compulsory to wear the college blazer to and from school each day (other than sport uniform days) for the rest of this term or until otherwise advised.

“Doing the Right Thing Awards”

Appreciation of Honesty

 Mr Greg King - Assistant Principal

National Science Week - LAUNCHING SOON!

This year, Caroline Chisholm College will be celebrating Science Week. This celebration of Science will take place in week 5 this term, 19-23 August. The theme for National Science Week 2019 is ‘Destination Moon’ in semi-centennial celebration of Neil Armstrong’s, Buzz Aldrin’s and Michael Collin’s Lunar Landing on the 20th of July 1969. The Learning Committee are organising and leading this event which aims to build a sense of appreciation for the great achievements of humanity which have led us to the moon and beyond. We will also explore how these achievements have changed our understanding of the world and our place in the world.

A series of activities will run during Science Week including rocket building sessions, classroom activities such as creative story writing and the viewing of the space themed movie, Hidden Figures, which celebrates the contribution of women to space exploration. The week will culminate in the ‘Rocket Launch Competition’ on Friday 23 August.

We encourage all the girls to participate in National Science Week and to learn the value of scientific endeavours for humanity.

Design Challenge

On Tuesday this week Mr Mills and Mrs Blakers launched a Design Challenge with their Year 10 iSTEM and Year 10 Design and Technology classes. During this Design Challenge, students will engage in activities that foster creative and critical thinking and which enable them to offer innovative solutions to real world problems. Students will be working with external partners and will be supported by Dr Jacqueline Melvold and other members of staff from the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney. The ‘Design Thinking Process’ on the left will be used to frame the Design Challenge.

During the Design Challenge, students will explore this question:

How might we promote a positive and inclusive student well-being experience at CCC?

Here are some of the students’ initial responses to the Design Challenge and to the question, ‘what are you most excited about in this Design Challenge?’ 

• I am interested in seeing new ideas and to see what everyone comes up with. Yashini Rupasinghe
•  Using the new design thinking strategy. -  Ella Desmond
• Prototyping. - Tiffany Harvey
• Not having strict constraints and I get to design what I want. - Tahlia Godfrey
•  I like how we are going to create something to address an issue in the school. - Imogen Scully
•  Working with new people that I normally don't work with. - Monique Buksh

Updates will follow in future newsletters.

Ms Deborah Scollard - Assistant Principal Learning

Thank you to the community of Caroline Chisholm College for all the generous donations to the St Vincent de Paul Winter appeal. Year 10 Food Technology students enjoyed giving their time to sort the variety of food staples and blankets which will be collected over the holidays for distribution by representatives from St Vincent de Paul.

What has been happening?

From 29 June to the 5 July Krystal participated in the 2019 Australian Artistic Roller Skating Championships. Krystal participate in 2 group events, the first being quartet team Les Petites Etoiles which placed fifth. The second event was Small show group which she place First.

Well done Krystal. We are extremely proud of you at Caroline Chisholm College.

Lily Marmont our College Social Justice Leader was recently awarded the Nepean Rotary Youth Service Award. She was commended for her significant position of leadership in which she is an outstanding and exemplary ambassador for the college. During her six years at Caroline Chisholm Lily has involved herself the Social Justice, Communications and Liturgy committees, as well as the Agriculture Club and Student Representative Council.

Mrs Sonya Peters -  Leader of Learning Year 12