Swinging Into Action

I hope that all students have felt positive about the start of the academic year. I also hope that all families have felt supported as new learning begins for their child in a climate of academic care. It has been a busy few weeks and you would be forgiven for feeling that the holidays are now a distant memory. I have been incredibly impressed with the overall attitude of students in and out of the classroom as they engage in their work and interact with one another.

Year 7 Outdoor Education

We welcomed back the Year 7 students last Friday as they returned from their 4-day program at Camp Somerset. Students experienced a diverse variety of activities including how to cook for themselves, work collaboratively while canoeing, navigate social and emotional concerns, abseil, mountain biking, and have fun in a safe and inclusive way. Of those I asked across a number of groups, one of the most popular activities was the Giant Swing.

Harnessed and lifted to a height of almost twenty metres by your peers before you release the rope that allows you to swing, the activity captures many of the elements of the program. Each student has a choice as to how high they go and being able to communicate this to their team of “donkeys” is crucial. Students have a tremendous view ahead of them. Meanwhile, they are the only one to decide when to release their hold that sends them swinging into action. My hope is that they carry their experience of this into all aspects of their learning, spiritual and social and emotional growth; through stepping out of their comfort zone, working closely with a strong support network and reflecting upon the courage it will take to let go and take flight into the unknown. I thank Ms Kim Wood for her leadership and organisation, parents for allowing us to take your child away for several days, and all staff who attended in various capacities.

Robotics meets Positive Psychology

I was amazed at the energy coming out of the Year 7 Information Technology class I visited the other day. Focusing on EV3 robots, students were highly engaged and in flow as they attempted to code their robots to navigate a simple route. Research in the field of positive psychology informs us that those who experience high levels of flow report high levels of wellbeing. Working in small groups, each student had a specific role and executed this with increasing precision and a strong sense of purpose. The collaboration and initiative on display reflected in many ways some of the skills the same students developed whilst on their outdoor education program. I thank Mrs Kate Vaney for allowing me to observe her robotic technicians in action.

Student Handbook

All students in Years 6-12 are in receipt of a student handbook. The handbook is a tremendous resource for referring to key policies and procedures, recording work and assessments to be completed and as a conduit for maintaining a strong home-school partnership. To this end I would kindly ask that parents and carers with children in years 6-10, sign their handbook on a weekly basis please.

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students