Caroline Chisholm College Newsletter

Term 1 Week 5 Issue 2 2020

FAITH COURAGE TOLERANCE

From the Principal

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

Last week we were honoured to host the high achieving students from our graduating class of 2019. These were students who excelled in their subjects, achieved exceptional results and are now embarking on wonderful futures. We also recognised our College Dux for 2019, Ellie Loughman. As is our custom, Ellie was invited to share with us some thoughts about her journey at Caroline Chisholm College. With her permission, I wish to share with you some of what she said. The impact these words had on our students and staff was profound.

 

My identity within this community has been very much grounded in my involvement in STEM co-circular activities in partnership with my close friend Simone, and recently, the Student Learning Committee’s first celebration of National Science Week. However, I would like to propose a new legacy for myself, a legacy where I reiterate my relatability to you all. I want to emphasise that I too felt that standing at a distinguished achiever assembly was an impossibility. The HSC for me was never something I felt ready for, rather ironically. The idea of standing here seemed so unbelievably out reach. I recognise that each person’s experience of school is unique and not something I wish to standardise. I do not plan to present a list of strategies that worked for me because the reality is that it may not work for you.  If you are to take anything away from my speech let it be that you are worthy of success, you are distinguished in your own right and that despite pressure from others or in my case, yourself, your effort is enough.

 

I honestly believe that I can be example to each of you who often feel average. While I guarantee, you are all more than ordinary, it is easy to feel that the efforts of your peers outway your own. While I have never considered myself an outstanding student or someone with the potential to be awarded with such prestige as ‘DUX’. I am here today, I hope, as testament to the power of perseverance, welcomed failure and a pretty legendary support network.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise potentially biggest motivator in my Year 12 journey, friendship and mentoring. I cannot accept such as title without recognising the dedication of the staff at the College. To all the teachers who taught the class of 2019 from 7 to 12, I thank you for your diligent commitment to our learning on behalf of my peers. The difference you make in your students is incalculable. Mrs Mills, my homeroom teacher of 6 years, your humility, comforting words, hugs and kind smile continue to inspire me. You are a role model in my life, thank you. For the beauty of a teacher, whether it be English or Legal Studies is their power to educate students with more than subject knowledge, their wisdom projects into various life lessons.

 

I’m sure we can all agree, there is no better feeling that surrounding yourself with people who love and support you completely, something I believe is critical to any goal or ambition. The beauty of my friendships at the College extend beyond a high-school dramatic façade. I cannot thank CCC enough for providing me with an abundance of students who fundamentally have become my family. I encourage you all to immerse yourself in a unity, a sisterhood of girls who care, not about marks but about effort. It motivates me more than I can ever share with you. Each of them holds a place in my heart and while some sit behind me and others venture into equally distinguished pathways I am so wholeheartedly proud.

 

My second HSC motivator, and perhaps the most difficult for me was self-belief. For those who know me you may know that directly after finishing HSC I flew alone to Cairns for two months. As someone who finds no greater joy than relaxing at home with my family or occasionally heading into the Plaza, leaving my family over Christmas and New Year was more challenging than any test I faced in the HSC. Yet, as evidence to what I had learnt at CCC, I tried to embrace every opportunity. My point being, it is okay to be uncomfortable sometimes, to feel displaced. The HSC is a key representation of this notion, feeling in limbo quite regularly. Yet the very same way I eagerly embraced my family after landing back in Sydney I can say is incredibly similar to the feeling of dropping your pen at the end of an exam or exiting the gates on graduation. My self-belief was channeled primarily through my friends and family. I struggled often to feel accomplished in myself. Even when I received my ATAR I can’t say it was immediate pride I felt - I was relieved. I was relieved that the hours at Penrith library when they would have to kick me out and the cramps in my hand were worth it. The pride comes when you realise you did everything you can and more.

 

My family have always taught me to approach a test motivated by the fact you will provide the marker with all you can, not with what you can’t. Do not be afraid to put in the work. The reality is that in any single year group 150 people can’t be DUX, but you most definitely can be distinguished. You can be proud, be proud that you gave it your best shot. Perspective is the key I believe to surviving the HSC. The upcoming stress or anxiety you may each feel is valid. The best thing you can do is channel it to work in your favour. I am a living example of this possibility.

 

I thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I leave you with 3 key things: the importance of friendship, self-belief and perspective. You are each incredible. Best of luck in your studies. And in the wise words of Harry Styles, treat people with kindness.

Thank you.
Ellie Loughman
DUX 2019

 

I am grateful to Ellie for sharing her insights with us and for giving us permission to publish her words in this newsletter. 

 

Finally, I would like you to invite your family and friends and acquaintances to our Open Night on Monday March 9 from 4.30pm to 8.00pm. We will be holding presentations in our new Performance Centre at 5.30pm and 6.30pm and the college will be showcasing excellent learning in all areas of school life. Tours will be conducted by our students, who are our best advertisement. It is always a very popular night and I look forward to seeing many of you there.

 

Last Thursday and Friday our teachers of Religious Education spent time away from school on a spiritual retreat to support them in their work. I want to share with you the prayer of St Teresa of Avila that we used on that retreat and invite you to pray it as it applied to your mission as a parent, a colleague, a friend.

 

Loving God,
We believe your Spirit fills us,
and empowers us to respond to your presence.

May your Spirit kindle within us the fire of your love.
Christ has no body now but mine,
no hands but mine,
no feet on earth but mine.
Mine are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on the world.
Mine are the feet through he walks about doing good.
Mine are the hands with which he blesses people now.

Empower me to be your eyes, feet and hands in the world.

Amen.

Dr Greg Elliott - Principal

From the Assistant Principal Pastoral

Uniform Purchases from Lowes
As of Saturday 22 February 2020, you can now purchase Caroline Chisholm uniforms and accessories at the Lowes store in Westfield Penrith. The online store will not be operational until 1 March 2020. We will advise if this date changes as soon as possible.

Lowes has acquired the existing stock previously held by The School Locker. Both The School Locker and Lowes have been experiencing some delays in stock deliveries due to the Coronavirus. So please be patient when visiting their store as not all sizes may be in stock. Lowes will note your details and contact you when the required sizes are available in store or online.

The Lowes store in Penrith is at Westfield Penrith 585 High Street, Penrith. Opening hours are Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday 10.00am to 5.00pm, and Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm (9.00pm on Thursday). We think greater ease of access to Lowes in Penrith should be beneficial to parents and students.

There are a number of students in different year groups who need to get longer skirts. Normally, we contact parents where there are issues with skirt length at the start of the year. However, this year we have held off due to the difficulties of purchasing items as we moved to our new supplier. Students whose skirt is too short will be receiving reminder letters over the next week or so. However, we would appreciate parents taking care of this before receiving a reminder letter. 

There are a few items which The School Locker could not supply in recent weeks but which students should be getting when they are available from Lowes, particularly backpacks and college socks.


No Meat on Fridays in the Canteen
Catholics in Australia older than 14 years are only required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On all Fridays in the year (including Fridays in Lent), Catholics are requested to perform an act of penance, which could include abstaining from eating meat. Traditionally, we have not sold meat products in the canteen at the college during Lent and we will continue the practice this year. While not a Church requirement, we would like the students to be led to think about the things that differentiate this season of the Church from other times and to focus on their preparation for the resurrection of Christ at Easter. 


Use of Aerosols
Students are reminded that aerosol products (such as spray deodorants) are not to be brought to or used at school or while travelling to or from school on buses. This is a serious Workplace Health and Safety issue as students with respiratory issues (such as asthma) are very susceptible to aerosol sprays.


Loss of Property
Parents and students are reminded that the college cannot take responsibility for items which go missing from bags. Students are advised not to leave items of value in unattended bags, particularly small items which can be easily taken. Students are discouraged from bringing valuable personal items or large amounts of cash to school. If the items or the money are needed for something after school, they can be left at the front office during the day. While students at the college are remarkably honest, as demonstrated by the valuable items which are found and handed in every day, we cannot make this guarantee of every one of our more than 1,000 students. In the last year or so, we have had a few reports of Apple AirPods going missing. These are expensive items but also small and easily hidden. Students are advised not to bring expensive items like these to school. They are not necessary. Students are advised to use cheap wired earphones (using an adaptor with newer iPhones) or buying relatively cheap Bluetooth earphones for use at school.


Doing the Right Thing
Congratulations to Emily Walsh (8 Kenny), Ryley Quirk (8 Kenny), and Krystal Sharpe (8 Kenny). They have been selected to receive a $5 canteen voucher for college service.


Mr Greg King - Assistant Principal

From Assistant Principal Learning

Home learning 
The beginning of the school year is a good time to revisit the College’s Home Learning Policy. Although we encourage students to persevere with tasks they find challenging, home learning should not be a source of stress for families. Students should seek the help and support of their class teachers if they are not able to complete home learning tasks in a reasonable time frame. Please spend some time discussing the value and purpose of home learning with your daughter.

 

Home Learning Policy

Rationale
Home learning is a part of school life. It aids learning and requires a partnership between parents and teachers. The following statement is important in developing this partnership to advance a young person's learning.

 

Statement
Teachers at Caroline Chisholm may set home learning activities for students across all year levels. The home learning will be purposeful, linked to class learning, achievable, differentiated and engaging. Teachers will follow up to see if homework has been completed or if the home learning requires clarification or further development.

 

Home learning should be:

  • completed in a reasonable time frame
  • rigorous 
  • set as required to support class learning
  • linked to the syllabus outcomes
  • connected to classroom learning
  • challenging, engaging and achievable
  • completed seriously and with effort.

 

When completing home learning activities, students should endeavour to complete tasks and should persist with difficult problems. Students should seek support and clarification from their teachers when they are unable to complete home learning tasks.

 

The following times are a guide to the amount of homework students should complete:

  • Years 7-8      Approximately ½ hour per night
  • Years 9-10    Up to 1 hour per night
  • Years 11-12  Sufficient time for completion of assigned tasks, assessment tasks and regular review of course content and skills


Procedures
In secondary school, students must learn how to balance their time after school hours between homework, sport, part-time work and cultural commitments, family life, friends and other social activities. Students should record all homework in their diary or google calendar. If a student is experiencing difficulties fulfilling homework requirements, they should be encouraged to speak to their class teacher before the work is due and make appropriate arrangements. If there are any concerns, parents are encouraged to contact the relevant subject teacher in the first instance.


Study Skills
A reminder to parents and students that the College subscribes to an online study skills website. If you haven’t had a look at the site recently, you might like to take some time to explore the resources available. Go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and login with these details:

USERNAME: forccconly

PASSWORD: 55results

One of the most useful pages is the ‘Things to Print’ page which contains many useful handouts and grids to assist with study.


Ms Deborah Scollard - Assistant Principal Learning

HSC HIGH ACHIEVERS

Caroline Chisholm College proudly celebrates the outstanding learning achievements of the HSC class of 2019.

  • 76% of the courses taken were above the State mean.
  • 45 Band 6 results.
  • 40% of results achieved by our students were marks of 80 or above (Bands 5 & 6).

Four students from the College were nominated for ArtExpress (Visual Arts): 

  • Madison Andrew
  • Chloe Daley
  • Holly Desmond
  • Samantha Morrison

Madison Andrew’s and Samantha Morrison’s art works were selected for ArtExpress. These nominations, and consequent selections, recognise students who have performed at the very top of the HSC course and acknowledge student excellence in this subject.

Congratulations to the following students who are among the many high achievers for 2019. 

HSC HIGH ACHIEVERS

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Title: Little Women

Author: Louisa May Alcott

I recommend the book, Little Women. Little Women is an 1868 novel centring around the lives of four sisters, Amy, Jo, Beth and Meg. It is a coming-of-age book, progressing from the sisters' childhoods to adulthood. This makes it relatable as it explores the struggles girls have while growing up. The characters are very well developed and you feel as if you grow up with them through the story.  It is a vivid, lighthearted book and was a pleasure to read.

 Written by Grace Allen (Year 10)

Food For Thought

Answer to last week's question:

The word was starting. Starting, staring, string, sting, sing, sin, in I.

 

You walk into a store and buy a bat and a ball. The total cost is $1.10. If the bat costs $1 more than the ball, how much does the ball cost?

 

Answer revealed in the next newsletter!

 

Email your thoughts/ answers to:

Paige Colgate: pcolgate@parrastu.catholic.edu.au

Lorilei Knight: lknight5@parrastu.catholic.edu.au

Leaders of the Learning Committee

OPEN NIGHT

Enrolling now for 2020

Our annual Open Night will be held on Monday 9th March from 4.30 pm to 8.00 pm. This includes information sessions, displays, performances and tours.

If you have a daughter in Years 5 or 6, you are invited to attend. We are accepting applications for Year 6 students now.

Please also let your friends know about this night if they have a daughter entering high school soon.

Applications close Friday 3 April 2020. Letters of Offer will be sent to successful applicants by Wednesday 8 April 2020.

 

Distribution of 2019 College Yearbook

2019 College Yearbooks have been distributed to students in Years 8-12. Parents/Carer’s please be advised that if your daughter was absent on the official College Photo Day in 2019 her individual photo will not appear on the year group photo page.

SCHOOL FEES

The Catholic Education Office at Parramatta facilitates the billing of all school fees and levies. School Fees have now been posted  and will be due on the 18th March 2020. 

 A number of parents use one of the means available to make part payments or automatic deduction.

 If you are experiencing difficulty in making this payment please contact Mrs Wendy Slaughter, School Fees Officer, on 4737 5520 to make an arrangement.

Diary Dates

Thursday 27 February
All Schools Triathlon, Penrith Regatta Centre
Year 9 Elective History Macquarie University Archaeology in Practice Incursion

Friday 28 February
Opening Mass and Caroline Chisholm Day 

Monday 2 March
Year 10 Medieval Day
Year 10 Study Skills Session
Year 11 Study Skills Refresher session

Wednesday 4 March
Year 11 Agriculture and Primary Industries Farm Case Study excursion
Year 10 & 12 Textiles Texstyles & Shape Seminar excursion
Year 11 & 12 Primary Industries and Agriculture Plant Pest Management excursion, WSU Richmond

Friday 6 March
Year 11 Ancient History incursion
CSDA Public Speaking competition Round 1, Bede Polding, Windsor

Monday 9 March
Open Night for 2021 Enrolments 4.30-7.30 pm

Thursday 12 March
CCC Swimming Carnival, Blacktown Year 7 students, Years 8-12 Competitors only and Year 9 PASS

Friday 13 March
Year 11 Design and Technology Shape Seminar & Exhibition excursion

CONTACTING THE COLLEGE VIA EMAIL

Caroline Chisholm College recognises that email is a fast and convenient way to communicate with your child’s teacher. We wish to remind you that teachers read their emails at various times throughout the school day. Further, teachers are generally not expected to respond to emails from parents and students outside of normal working hours. In the case of a genuine emergency please contact the school office during business hours on carolinechisholm@parra.catholic.edu.au or phone 02 4737 5500. We appreciate your assistance and understanding. If you have any questions about the above please feel free to contact the college.
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