Delany College - Granville

Newsletter Term 1 Week 10

Principal's Message

Greetings members of the Delany family,

I would like to thank you for your support and understanding during this challenging time and I also wanted to provide you with an update.

This week, our school has remained open although learning has been provided by putting in place flexible learning arrangements:

  • We have had a smaller number of students attend school each day while the remainder of our students have accessed learning resources and classwork from home.

  • Teachers have delivered classes online, provided feedback and organised tasks and assessments for students to complete.  

  • Students have continued to receive additional support from our specialist teachers, as required.

  • Practical workshops have been provided as an option for students at school in areas such as Art, Music, Technology and PE.

Our students have been able to engage productively and participate enthusiastically online whether they have been at school or at home. 

For the remainder of Term 1:

  • Learning will continue to be delivered using our current flexible learning arrangements.   

  • It is important to remember that tasks and assessments will be due on their specified dates.

  • Additional support for students will be provided as required.  Students are able to contact their teachers and their stage coordinators if they require additional assistance or support.

If students cannot access resources online it is important to let us know so we can assist by providing alternate access to learning materials.

Students do not get a second chance at this academic year.  Therefore they must stay up to date with their work, complete assessments and work to the best of their ability.  

How can you support your child?

As you would be aware, it is critical that students continue to be productively engaged in learning and participate in regular social and physical activities.

You can support this by: 

  • Assisting your child to maintain a balanced schedule of study, rest and leisure activities - they need a plan for the week and a plan for each day;  

  • Ensuring they sign into classes outlined in their timetable, participate in online activities outlined on the Google Classroom site, and complete assessments on time.

  • Ensure they check in with their mentor each Tuesday between 3.00 and 3.30 pm.  

Also, please encourage your child to read as much as possible while they are at home. Developing their stamina for reading has such a positive impact on their learning.  Just to add some perspective: 

    • a student that reads for 5 minutes a day will read on average 282,000 words in a school year.  

    • If they increase it to 20 minutes (just 15 minutes extra), that becomes a powerful 1.8 million words!

Online reading resources are available from our library via the library page, please see below - from the Library.

Additional Support for Essential Workers.

We appreciate the difficulties for families at this time, particularly those employed in essential services or casual roles.    

We will remain open, government regulations permitting, so we can continue to provide supervision for our students.  

As a further support to you, Delany College will be open during the Term 1 school holidays:

  • Good Friday to Easter Monday - School Closed

  • Tuesday 14 April to Friday 24 April - supervision provided during normal school hours.

Details about how to access this service will be shared on the skoolbag app shortly.  Please note this service is available for essential workers and those that cannot make other supervision arrangements.  It is important that you RSVP using the link on the Skoolbag app when it is shared to advise us that you require your child to be here during the holidays.  

Thank you to our staff.

The level of care, commitment, and service shown by all members of the Delany staff: our teachers, office and IT staff, catering, maintenance and cleaning crew, has been outstanding.  

We have been able to successfully transition flexible learning arrangements due to the diligence and planning of our teaching teams over the last few months. I am very grateful and appreciative of their work, as I am sure you are.

As we prepare for Easter, we will continue to face unprecedented challenges.  However, I am confident that by working together, and embracing the spirit of hope embodied in our Easter story, we will endure those challenges and emerge as a stronger community.

God Bless

Paul Easton

Acting Principal

Assistant Principal


The simple message I have to share with you this week is BE SAFE.

Take good care of yourselves and your families, support those around you, eat well, don’t stockpile toilet paper, and be patient. No one knows just how long we will be living in these uncommon circumstances, so we look to make the best of this situation.

Communicating with parents

Over the next weeks and months it will be essential that we are able to contact you. Do we have an up-to-date email address and/or mobile phone number? If not, or if you’re unsure, please send an email to delany@parra.catholic.edu.au to confirm. There are three key ways we stay in touch with you:

  • Text to mobile phone

  • Internet: Email, Skoolbag, Facebook

  • Letters: usually printed and distributed to students (and then also posted on Skoolbag).

  • The Delany community

    The Delany community is a resilient one! Our teaching staff are working harder than ever, our students are adapting to online learning, and a small number of students continue to attend school every day.

    Resilience is a key characteristic at times like these. We are bombarded with bad news - pandemics, infections, unemployment and reports of deaths. All this news can be overwhelming for any person of any age. I encourage you to keep talking to your children and explain to them what’s happening in objective and practical language. There’s no need to panic - just to be careful and sensible.  If you observe signs of increased anxiety or stress, one great service that’s available is Kids Helpline. Here’s an extract from their website:

    We can talk with you about anything. Anytime. Any Reason.

    It might be about relationships with friends and family, school worries, homelessness, child abuse, body image, mental health, self-injury or suicide. You can contact us directly on the phone, via live WebChat and on email - every day of the week, every hour of the day.

    Our professionally trained counsellors are qualified to work with children and young people.  1800 55 1800

    The academic community 

    An enormous vote of thanks must go to our Delany teaching staff. Under critical time pressure they have adapted to the online world of education delivery. Make no mistake, this has taken a tremendous effort to shift practices so quickly. You would appreciate that lessons and learning had been prepared for classroom delivery, but this doesn’t neatly transfer into online lessons. Our staff have been on their own rollercoaster of learning - how do I best adapt this content, how do I best deliver this content, how do I use video conferencing apps to create an effective learning environment, how do I support students’ progress and their wellbeing?

    We face the very real possibility of disruption to school attendance for a prolonged period. In turn, students could miss a significant part of their year’s learning if they can’t or won’t get online. All students should be engaging in their classes inline with their regular timetabled schedules. Every subject teacher has created a “Google Classroom” for students to join. Please contact your child’s Stage Learning Leader if your child has not yet accessed, or cannot access, this information.

    The Patrician community 

    I ask that you keep our Patrician Brothers in your prayers. The majority of the Brothers are in the high risk age group and are (I hope) staying well away from our schools - even though that would break their hearts! St Patrick, watch over them.


    St Patrick, pray for us.

    Mr Anthony Blomfield

    Assistant Principal

    There is always

    GOOGLE CLASSROOM

    please click the download button for a guide to set up google classroom
    Download

    Maths Matters

    What is the purpose of calculators in the classroom?


    Calculators are a tool that students use to help them solve problems quickly. Since they eliminate tedious computations that discourage many students, calculators allow more students to solve problems and appreciate the power and value of mathematics in a real world context.


    Calculators provide many benefits, such as; solving a variety of problems in a fraction of time, students' overall attitude toward mathematics increases and an increase in test results, making them a valuable asset for students. For instance, you might have students complete a set of problems and use their calculator to check their mathematical accuracy. However, at times, students can become too reliant on the answers provided by the calculator and forget about implementing mental strategies for numerical computation.


    How can calculators assist in learning?

    Whilst a calculator provides many benefits for students it is essential that they continue to develop skills in problem solving and reasoning. Students should be engaging with tasks that balance procedural and conceptual understanding, as this allows them to understand how maths is used in everyday situations. Always consider whether your answer is reasonable or not.

    Overall, calculators are used to calculate answers and are a tool to assist our brain. 


    Miss Stephanie Llave                            Miss Kelsey Ortiz

    Numeracy Coach                                  School Learning Leader

    2020 FEES

    Fees Statements have now been issued for Term 1 Fees.  Please note the due date for Term 1 Fees is 18 March 2020

    If you have any difficulties or would like to discuss payment options, please contact me on 8633 8107.




    Margaret Hopley 

    School Support Officer

    Pedagogical

    Practising social distancing right now?

    Finding new ways to interact, connect and learn has in this time of fairly sudden social distancing and self-isolation. Interestingly, as a result of people being confined to their homes bursts of creativity and invention have begun. The following are just a few ways that your children, and you, can stay connected to aspects of the outside world.


    The National Theatre in London is going to stream a free play every Thursday night.

    You can still experience the theatre without breaking any social distancing or group activity rules.

    Access the National Theatre at: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/


    As libraries are closed it is difficult to access new reading material. Audible has just made hundreds of audio book titles available for free during the Covid-19 pandemic. Yes, free! The platform decided to release numerous titles to the general public in order to help those stuck at home in self-isolation, or students staying home from school or university.

    There are young adult books and a section on literary classics. All you need to do is head to the Audible website.

     

    There are a number of local and international museums, art galleries and zoos which have virtual tours. Virtual tours allow your children to abide by the precautions around social distancing and self-isolation while still experiencing aspects of the ‘big wide world’.


    Marita Tully

    Teacher Learning Leader

    Free Webinar


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    Struggling with distraction, procrastination and decreased motivation?

    Don't know how to keep your self-study on track?

    In our FREE WEBINAR

     
    How to Study for Your HSC From Home During COVID-19,

    I'll draw upon a decade of research with top-performing students to help students and parents successfully navigate studying for the HSC from home! 

    Rowan Kunz

    CEO Art of Smart

    Religious Education

    A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION IN TIME OF PANDEMIC

    O Mary, you always brighten our paths a sign of salvation and of hope.

    We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain while remaining steadfast in faith.

    O loving Mother,you know what we need, and we are confident you will provide for us as at Cana in Galilee.

    Intercede for us with your Son Jesus, the Divine Physician,for those who have fallen ill, for those who are vulnerable, and for those who have died. Intercede also for those charged with protecting the health and safety of others and for those who are tending to the sick and seeking a cure.

    Help us, O Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who took upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows, so as to lead us, through the Cross, to the glory of the Resurrection. Amen.

    Under thy protection we seek refuge, O Holy Mother of God.

    In our needs, despise not our petitions, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.



    Miss Sarah Guillaume

    Acting Religion Education

    Formation Leader

    Margaret Bartley 

    RE Leader Curriculum

    Some year 7 students participated in the first ever Delany College Storyathon.

    The challenge was to write a story that is EXACTLY 100 words in length with the theme: Bored.

    Students worked mainly independently on their stories and had fun!

    We hope that we can continue this valuable writing experience each term with more and more participants.


    Ms Carly Baldwin

    Literacy Coach

    A beautiful poem - My Memories

    First day of high school

    Late, late, late

    Did not know where to go

    Purple, orange, yellow, blue and green

    Big spaces you should have seen

    All I heard was 4 Cs

    Collaboration, Communication, Creativity 

    and don't forget Critical Thinking!

    New people were everywhere, new culture, sounds

    Shouting, laughter, screaming

    Learning to fly 

    I remember the smell of my grandparent’s house 

    I remember the taste of Lebanese food 

    Tabouli YUM!

    I remember Lebanon and seeing snow on the mountains for the first time. 

    I remember the chilly feel of snow on my hand .

    In Lebanon. 

    I remember  learning to walk when I was five

    I felt taller and truly felt the presence of the Lord that day.

    I got wings that day 


    Teressa Ishac - Year 12


    Driving Question: What could our money buy?

    Our school helps out Project Compassion every year throughout Lent.

    We discussed the ways we can help out during our mentor lesson and brainstorming ideas to help.

    In Maths, we discussed our task which was “What could our money buy?”. We investigated the price of Apple Products and what we could buy in the poorer countries based on the initiatives in 2016. 

    When answering the questions, one thing that surprised me was that, saving up for one Macbook Pro, you could build 40 energy saving stores in Malawi.

    In the last question, we were asked to create a product summary with 8 Apple Products that when added up, equals to the price of a borehole which was $8500 however, the price has dropped to $7700 which is a decrease of $800 in 4 years.

    What I did first was equally divide 8 into 2 of each Apple Product but I ended up getting $9700 but my next attempt was $500 more than my first try.

    As I kept trying, I got closer and closer until I finally got there. This project was my favourite task so far and I am looking forward to doing more of these.


    Sidney TakTak Year 7 

    PDHPE - Workout

    As you may be aware, an increasing number of schools across the world have announced that they are moving to online learning. Hundreds of thousands of teachers and students are busy working on transitioning to these online lessons. 

    During these times, sitting all day completing work takes its toll on our body and overall health which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle.

    Increased sedentary time combined with reduced levels of physical activity and movement can negatively impact our health.

    However, these effects can be reduced by approximately 30 minutes of daily exercise. Physical activity and exercise can have immediate health benefits and improve an individuals quality of life. 

    The PDHPE department at Delany College have designed online workouts for students to complete during their practical lessons and also incorporate into their daily routine. 

    These videos not only serve our students but also gets the whole family moving, improving physical and social wellbeing.

     

    Dylan Chen Year 7 Student:  

    “This is great! My whole family completed the workout at home” 


    Thank you to Miss Herrera, Mr Johnson and Miss Llave for participating in the videos to improve our students overall health and wellbeing. 


    Miss Tayla Whitfield 

    PDHPE Teacher.

    R3 is Zooming with Hand-washing

    Students in R3 have been participating in online learning using Zoom. This week, we’ve focused our attention to handwashing and the evolution of the practice.

    The students first glanced upon why we wash our hands today; the connection between germs, bacteria, infectious diseases and viruses. This was further enhanced by watching a small part in the 2009 BBC documentary Blood and Guts:


    The History of Surgery https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00d4b70/episodes/guide


    Students learned that surgeons and physicians never used to wash their hands going from patient to patient because “a gentleman’s hands [were] always clean” (quote by American Dr. Charles Delucena Meigs) until one day a Hungarian physician, Dr Ignazz Semmelweis took it upon himself to investigate (and demonstrate) that hand-washing could drastically reduce the astonishing number of mothers dying from child bedfever after giving birth.

    But handwashing wasn’t always a practice for medical reasons—it was once a social statement. The following article by Constance Grady was investigated in R3.


    Miss Nizam

    R3 Teacher

    Staying Positive


    It is an understatement to say that we are experiencing ‘strange times’. For most of us, our lives have changed. These changes might be minor, like washing our hands more often.

    For others, they are significant. Change is often accompanied by a degree of worry and anxiety. What we are currently in the grips of, comes with the added concerns around our health and the health of others that we love, as well as uncertain financial times.

    Perhaps the biggest change we are all experiencing is around social distancing. This is essential to ensure we minimise the risk of spreading the virus which causes COVID-19 and we should all take this seriously. However, feeling less connected brings other health concerns.

    Research has shown that the impacts of loneliness and isolation are significant. These impacts have alarmingly been compared to the health effects of obesity and smoking approximately 15 cigarettes a day.

    So it is important to ensure we find ways to minimise the negative impacts of our new social distancing rules. Here are some suggested ways to try to maintain connection and stay positive:

    ·      Try to emphasise the positive aspects of our restrictions- view this moment in time as a great opportunity to spend quality time with our families.

    Do some fun activities like board games or puzzles;

    ·      Practice mindfulness or meditation. This has proven health benefits and is a positive way to manage stress;

    ·      Sometimes our minds are too busy with worry to use mindfulness effectively.  If this is you, consider undertaking some physical exercise with a member of your household. Exercise helps the body to metabolise the stress hormone (cortisol) so go for a long walk together or do some crazy dancing in your living room;

    ·      Random acts of kindness- Although the media tends to highlight the poor behaviour brought out by this pandemic (like people fighting over toilet paper) it has also brought out much positive behaviour.

    Multiple Facebook groups have emerged linking people with a need for something, to those that can help out. But it doesn’t have to cost anything.

    I recently heard about a group of children writing letters to some of our senior residents in nursing homes. Older people experience isolation even when everything else is ‘normal’ and the present restrictions would only compound this.

    Receiving a letter or card, not only lifts the spirits of the recipient, but has a positive impact on the person sending it. Or it can be as simple as saying something positive to someone you care about;

    ·      The way we think, feel and behave all interact together and shape each other. So taking the ‘glass half full approach’ (even when that is not easy) can have a major influence on how we respond to the situation we are currently living with;

    ·      Savour the small pleasures in our lives. Enjoy that hot shower or the feeling of the breeze on your face!

    It is undeniably a difficult time, but working together, supporting and being kind to each other are  helpful tools to assist us in navigating a way through this.

     

    Remember too, there are services you can reach out to if needed:

    Lifeline 13 11 14

    Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

    Beyondblue Support Service 1300 22 46 36

    Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 RESPECT  (1800 737 732)

    Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659467

    https://headspace.org.au/

    https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling/

     

    Kate Roberts

    Wellbeing Counsellor 

    kroberts2@parra.catholic.edu.au

    From the Library

    Assistance needed: Lego wanted

    This year we have launched a new learning opportunity for students in Years 9 and 10.  The elective subject, names ‘My Ideas Experience’, challenges students to design and develop their own projects.  As part of the project design process, students will be developing prototypes using a variety of materials.  One of the mediums we would like to utilise to facilitate prototype development is Lego.    

    Accordingly, if you have any supplies of Lego they are no longer required by your family, donations would be greatly appreciated.  If you can assist, please drop off any Lego to the Administration office.

    If Something happens to your child,

    We need to be able to contact you.


    Please make sure all details are update,

    if your not sure please do not hesitate to contact our

    wonderful ladies in our Administration 02 8633 8100

    FOR MEDICAL ISSUES

    Each year Delany College updates their records in order to keep your child healthy and safe in school and on excursions.

    An important part of this process is having updated Health Care plans to let the school know about any allergies your child may have, for example Asthma or Anaphylaxis, and how staff should respond to your individual child's need.

    These are updated each year to remain current so that any medical attention we administer to your child is consistent with their needs.

    If your child has a new Health Care Plan please bring it to the Administration Office and ask that it be given to Mrs Collimore, Leader of Diverse Learning.


    Mrs Kata Collimore

    Leader Of Diverse Learning

    Important Information - Vaccinations

    Health Information

    Uniform Shop

    We are asking all parents who need to pay for Blazers to please pop into the Uniform Shop before the end of term, preferably in the next 2 weeks.

    Our Open days are Tuesday 24, Tuesday 31 March & Tuesday 7 April 


    Thank you 

    Uniform Shop

    Important Dates

    Good Friday Friday 10 April
    Last Day of TermThursday 9 April

     

    Don't forget, you can use the SkoolBag App to add events directly to your phone's calendar! 

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