St Agnes Catholic High Rooty Hill Newsletter

Thank you for your support over these past weeks. With so much uncertainty during the pandemic, it was encouraging to be so well supported by our parent community. The students have  quickly settled back in and it has been a pleasure to see the grounds filled with laughter and the classrooms buzzing with the sound of learning.  Over these past weeks teachers have worked closely with students to consolidate remote learning and where necessary, extra support has been provided for numeracy. 

Throughout the height of the pandemic, our capacity to be agile and flexible was a critical skill. As educators we reviewed and refined are programs and modes of delivery. This week we continue to capture the student learning experiences while they were working remotely. Many students identify increased levels of autonomy and personal responsibility during this time. We will continue to embed strategies that worked well for students during that time into our programs. 

The true strength of the St Agnes community shone through during this term. We have rallied as a community to ensure that as our world faced unprecedented times, that as best as possible, our students were able to continue learning and maintain some normality in very trying times. I am incredibly proud of each student and member of staff for the role they played during this period. 

Our Year 12 students were foremost in our minds and we endeavoured to maintain as much of their planned year as possible. Reports and student led conferences still took place and it is wonderful to see the progress of major works. We are relieved to be back face-to-face and the resilience of Year 12 has been outstanding. We offer them our full support but we must also realise that as young adults, they have an increased level of responsibility. I am confident that the forthcoming study sessions organised for them through the July holidays, which are generously supported by their teachers,  will add to their confidence and courage as they approach their final term of schooling.

Year 7 2021: Places for Year 7 next year are filling fast. If you know someone who is planning on enrolling for next year and they are yet to do so, please encourage them to contact the school now. 

Lisa-Maree Browning, 

Principal. 

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at students use of devices at recess and lunch. Due to the fact that students are not able to play ball games or use the basketball courts, it has been decided that some device use will be permitted on the playground. 

 1) Students will be allowed to use iPads at recess and lunch to listen to music and access reasonable games, Youtube videos etc. These must be visible to the duty teacher who can request to see what the students are doing. If the student refuses this request the device will be surrendered, to be picked up from the front office by a parent.

2) Students can wear ear buds, phones, pods at recess and lunch to listen to music. No big headphones are allowed.

 It is important that students recognise that there is no phone use tolerated in any class and that there should be no inappropriate use on the playground.

 We will review this in Week 9.

 St Agnes is proudly a uniform school and students are expected to be neat and well-groomed at all times.

Correct school uniform is to be worn while travelling to and from the school, while at school, and at any formal occasion designated by the Principal. Sports uniform is able to be worn to school if students have Sport, practical PDHPE or PASS. No other coats, blazers, jumpers, tops, jerseys trousers, shorts, tracksuits, hats or socks are to be worn.

If for any reason the correct uniform cannot be worn the student is to provide a note explaining the circumstance to their homeroom teacher. A full list of correct uniforms can be found in the Student Planner.

Hairstyles are required to be neat and clean and off the face and ears. Girls must have hair tied back if over shoulder length. Boys may not have hair shaved shorter than a “number 2”. Haircuts must be even or not overly graded in cut, and of one natural colour.

Mr K Wollfe

Assistant Principal

Learning at St Agnes has certainly been different over the last few months! All staff and students were required to adapt rather quickly to the changes that were imposed on us. Nonetheless and despite all the challenges, our community gathered together, focusing on the importance of student learning.

Our inaugural Year 12 class will certainly not forget their final year of schooling! They have waded through many an assessment task and looked to their teachers for much needed advice. We have developed Holiday Sessions for the students during the second week of the July break. The students have been issued the timetable and their teachers are preparing to use this time well so that the students are equipped for the Trial HSC. It is imperative that our students remain focussed and if they have any questions about how to study or what to study, they can speak to any one of their teachers AND also, consult the Prue Salter Study Skills videos. We have subscribed to specific videos for Yr 12 so that they hear first-hand, from a specialist, as to what study and revision looks like.

The Year 11 students are halfway through their courses and most are up to completing their second assessment task. They need to ensure that an appropriate amount of time is taken with each task and to seek help whenever it is needed. Most students and their parents have met with their Learning Advisor and many suggestions have been provided as to the ‘next steps’ in order to be successful with their study.

Our students from Years 7 - 10 have indeed continued to embrace the demands of learning this semester. At the end of the term, their Semester 1 report will be issued and afterwards, all parents and students will be able to engage with the relevant Learning Advisor. This will take place during the Student Led Conference sessions and will be a great opportunity to discuss successes and plan for the second half of the year. A letter was sent home last week, advising of the dates (Thursday 2/7 and Friday 3/7) and how each family can make a suitable appointment time.

Study Skills Tip for June

 TIPS FOR PARENTS: Helping students transition back to full-time schooling.

 1. BE GENTLE WITH EXPECTATIONS FOR QUITE SOME TIME

Everyone (parents, teachers and students) will be affected differently by the experiences this year and for different periods of time. We need to remember that this anxiety can manifest in many ways and therefore be gentle. We are better to err on the side of being uber-supportive this year. If you are concerned about your student's level of anxiety, reach out and seek help from a professional.

 2. KEEP LINES OF COMMUNICATION AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE

Students who are anxious often will bottle up their worries and concerns. Without being annoying (and it is a fine line) we need to let students know they can talk about what is worrying them. Both parents and teachers need to create opportunities that give students permission to share in a non-threatening environment.

 3. MINIMISE NEWS CONSUMPTION AND PANDEMIC DISCUSSION OR DIRECT FOCUS TO ENCOURAGING STATISTICS

If students are anxious, over-exposure to constant negative news can wear them down. Highlighting the positive and encouraging news and statistics can help students to focus their thoughts in a constructive direction. Make positive plans together for the future so students have good things to focus on instead and focus more on what they can control rather than what they can't.

4. RE-FOCUS ON THE PILLARS OF HEALTH: EXERCISE, SLEEP, HEALTHY EATING

Even though we will no longer be in complete lock-down, students still won't be able to do all of their usual activities for some time. We need to ensure students are still exercising in some way, perhaps snacking a bit less and more of a focus on healthy eating. Good sleep has been proven time and again to contribute to happiness, health and academic success.

 5. ALLOW STUDENTS LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO RE-CONNECT

We need to be over-generous in allowing students to spend time with friends and extended family members for the rest of this year. Students may find the school day overwhelming and exhausting at the moment. After so much 'family' time, don't be hurt if they aren't that keen to socialise when they get home and just want to go to their room. Don't let them be a complete hermit, but do let them have time to themselves to decompress from the day. Many students will need to renegotiate the dynamics with their peers and this readjustment may be stressful for some students.

 6. RESET THE ROUTINE & DAILY SCHEDULE

Routine creates certainty in an uncertain world. Having established routines and guidelines to follow is reassuring for students. Giving students a chance to contribute to the decisions as to what the new routine should be (such as bedtime) is also important. This will include starting to dial back screen time if it was increased during the last few months. In line with our 'take it slow' approach, you won't be going back to how things were earlier this year yet. It is more about reducing the screen time to make way for the schoolwork that will need to be done.

 7. LOOK FOR WAYS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS' STUDIES

After they have been back at school for a week or so, ask your student directly if there is anything they have fallen behind in or need help with. Of course many students won't tell you, so if you do have concerns contact the school - either a form or roll teacher or a subject teacher directly. While we do want students to start getting into good working habits again, it needs to be a ‘gently gently’ approach. This means they may not be doing as much work at home as they did earlier this year, and that is ok for now. The exception is our senior students. We want these students to get back into their regular study patterns as soon as they are able. If this means that parents are making extra snacks for Year 12 or googling to find a study guide for them, then so be it.

Learn more this year about how to improve your results and be more efficient and effective with your schoolwork by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Our school’s access details are:

                                             Username: stagnes

                                            Password: 24success

Mr G Kemmis                   

Head of Learning

The period during remote learning presented many challenges in the PDHPE and Sport departments. All PDSSSC competitions were unfortunately cancelled and practical lessons were also temporarily suspended when the first sporting competitions in wider society were cancelled.  When the school switched to remote learning, PDHPE adjusted their programs accordingly, with an emphasis on sharing and creating ways to keep students physically active while COVID isolation restrictions were taking place.

As the students have returned to school full time and the government has relaxed many restrictions in recent weeks, our students have been able to resume practical PDHPE lessons. At this time, students are participating in individual fitness activities such as HIIT workouts or cross country in their practical lessons. This model will continue for the remainder of the term, and all PDSSSC sport will remain suspended.

As community sport returns during July, we are anticipating that we will be able to resume a more typical PDHPE program using equipment and team activities. It is also hoped that PDSSSC sporting competitions will resume at some time during Term 3, although discussions about how this will take shape are still taking place between Sports Coordinators throughout the Diocese.

We hope that your family has coped well with the recent situation surrounding COVID, if you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr Devine and Mr Dempsey 

Year 11 students are now more than half way through their Preliminary courses. This term, the students have been working on creating multimodal texts for their assessments in their respective courses of study. These multimodal texts allow students to explore their creativity through the use of digital techniques and visual language whilst conveying analysis of their prescribed texts.

 In English Advanced, students have completed a comparative analysis of the Shakespearean classic Othello and its modern film representation. This has enabled the students to learn that point of view is central to narrative and manifests itself through the points of view of characters, narrators, composers and audiences.

In English Extension, the focus has been on the ways in which aspects of texts from the past have been appropriated into popular culture. This module develops students’ understanding of how and why cultural values are maintained and changed.

 In English Standard, students have been exploring the way that technology transforms literature through the study of the SBS multimodal text The Boat and the SBS interactive documentary Cronulla Riots.

 In EALD, students have undertaken a film study of The Sapphires to explore the ways in which the director represents values, experiences and histories of Aboriginal Peoples in the late 1960s.

 In English Studies, students have been developing their understanding of the module English and the Family whereby the use of language related to the nature of families, and roles within communities, and their diverse representations in text are explored.

Year 12 students have been working through their last module of study prior to completing their Trial HSC examinations next term. They have also had the opportunity to experience online lectures to assist with their revision process.

 In English Advanced, students have been developing their appreciation of film through the study of Goodnight, and Good Luck. Students analyse the way George Clooney’s directorial intent merges the paranoia of the Cold War, McCarthy era with the claustrophobic cinematic space, positioning the responder to develop awareness on how political intent and apathy can alter the socio-political and psycho-social world.

 In English Standard, students have been exploring The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Through this module, they are able to engage in the extensive exploration and interpretation of the text and the ways composers portray people, ideas, settings and situations in texts.

 In EALD, students have undertaken a close study of the text Waste Land (media) whereby they engage in extensive exploration and interpretation of the text and the ways the filmmakers portray people, ideas and events in the text. This has also been studied concurrently with the module Focus on Writing, which enables students to experiment with techniques, styles and forms in a range of modes and media to produce their own crafted works.

 In English Studies, students have been studying the module The Big Screen – English in Filmmaking. Through this study, students develop a deeper understanding of and proficiency in the use of language and techniques related to films, exploring the ways in which language is used in the production, promotion, reception and criticism of films.

 Mrs Melissa Devine

Leader of Learning - English

Blacktown Neighbour Aid, a program with CatholicCare, is looking for volunteers to support our senior clients in the Blacktown area to remain living independently in their own home. If you feel you would like to make a positive difference to other’s lives in this way, please contact the Manager, Deb Woolacott on 0418 114 055 or email deb.woolacott@ccss.org.au.

St Bernadette’s Parish, Lalor Park, is hosting weekly devotions to Mary Immaculate and St Bernadette and Adoration of the Blessed Sacraments every Wednesday evening at 7pm, followed by Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome. For more information, contact the parish office on (02) 9672 4037 or admin@stbernadetteslalorpark.org.au.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Parish in the Upper Blue Mountains has opened an Adoration Chapel at St Canice’s Church, Katoomba. If you would like further information or would like to sign up for a weekly hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, please call the parish office on (02) 4782 2804.

The Nigerian Catholic community come together to celebrate Mass every second and fourth Sundays of the month at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 198 Old Prospect Road, Greystanes. For more information, please contact Nigerian chaplain Fr Chinonye Akamadu via the parish office on (02) 9631 8135 or Stella Nwosu 0405 478 472.

Kirinari, located in Llandilo and Wiyanga, located in Dundas, are purpose built centres for learning that provide an inclusive education for students with a moderate intellectual disability and high support needs. If you have a child or know someone who would benefit from an alternate platform for learning in Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, please phone (02) 9840 5689 for further information.

Save the date for the National Pastoral Ministry Conference, titled ‘Alive in the Spirit: Being the Community Christ calls us to be’. The conference will be held on 9 to 11 July 2020 at St Mary, Star of the Sea College, Wollongong. More information to come. For more information, please contact Lisa Bright on 0448 652 720 or lisa.bright@parracatholic.org.

For more events https://www.parracatholic.org/events/