We were delighted to learn that Theo Powell (Yr 7) has been confirmed as a medal winner and will be awarded a medal for the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Digital Technologies competition this year. Congratulations!
From the beginning of Term 4, students are no longer permitted to wear the PE Uniform to and from school. The College summer academic uniform is to be worn, with the PE uniform brought to change as required.
Tomorrow we celebrate our Founders - St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Blessed Edmund Rice, and Fr Julien Tenison Woods. They offer us so many lessons on how we should treat others and work to make the world a better place. Our College prayer, based upon our Vision, reminds us of this when we pray: "Our Founders used a boundless generosity of human spirit to help all whom they encountered."
Edmund Rice used his wealth when he set out to help the poor boys whom he encountered on the piers of Waterford while he plied his trade as a successful merchant. The school he established provided food and clothing in addition to an education that offered a path out of poverty and thus formed the Christian Brothers. Mary MacKillop and Julien Tenison Woods established the Sisters of St Joseph, who set out to educate the poorest, especially in remote regions.
Falling foul of Church hierarchy, St Mary was excommunicated by Bishop Sheil of Adelaide in 1871. St Mary later recorded that throughout the liturgy of ex-communication, where she was required to kneel before the Altar as Bishop Sheil conducted the ritual, Mary prayed for the Bishop. Thankfully, just five months later, nine days before his death, Bishop Sheil lifted the ex-communication, realising his actions had resulted from bad advice and manipulation.
In the 1950s and '60s, smoking was prevalent, and we were slow to accept its devastating impact on many lives. Thankfully, with good Government policy that focused on a campaign of educating us on the folly of smoking, rates of young people who smoked declined significantly. However, we are seeing history repeat with rates of young people taking to Vapes increasing.
The dangers of drugs on the teenage brain and body are well documented – even for new products like vapes. Students' brains are still developing and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of vaping, alcohol, and marijuana consumption. The brain develops gradually from the back to the front, leaving the pre-frontal lobe to develop last. The teenage years are crucial for developing the frontal lobes; drug use (including vapes and alcohol) during this time can permanently impair brain function.
"Prohibition" as a policy to arrest negative behaviours has never worked effectively on its own, and it is well accepted that it needs to be accompanied by information so that students can make better choices. Our H&PE Department already provides learning experiences around this and is seeking resources to include vaping in its curriculum. As we find resources for parents, we will share them to help you with the work you do at home.
We farewell Mrs Dawn Johnson from the library today. She leaves us richer for having known and worked with her. Her quiet calmness is underlined by a strength guided by great integrity. We wish her every blessing.
May the next two weeks be a time for students to rest and for our families to restore energy. I encourage our seniors to plan a balanced rest and study program as next term is very short for them, with just two weeks before swot vac.
Stay safe and keep happy,
Frank Pisano
