Absentee Line - Text 0417 596 611 or Phone Primary 8150 2397, Secondary 8150 2323 or Email student.reception@smc.sa.edu.au

News

Term 1 Week 5 2023

Editorial

Primary Campus – Praise and Respect the Process

This week we acknowledge student achievement from Semester Two 2022. There were many award winners, and this means many of our students are exceeding expectations in their studies.

Here are the criteria we use to determine awards winners:

  • Academic Excellence is 8 out of 10 grades are an A and the rest B (Yr. 3-6)
  • Primary Values – all Values are Always with only two as usually
  • Application – 8 out of 10 subjects are Excellent and no Satisfactory.

Most pleasing was the increase in the number of students achieving awards for the Primary Values – we see these as the building blocks of learning success, and it suggests that our students are digging themselves some strong foundations for the future.

We strive to be a growth mindset school, and this means we value effort, as much, if not more than outcome. Our students learn about their brains and one of the things we emphasise is that the brain is a muscle that needs to be strengthened through hard work and persistence. One of the ways parents and caregivers can help with this is through the way we use praise – if we celebrate the process of learning not just the outcomes. If we just say “You are so smart” we are praising the person, BUT if we say “You worked really hard to solve that problem” we are praising the process and reinforcing great learning habits.

The primary years are the foundation years and students are learning new things every day. We know that everyone learns at a different pace and its definitely not a race. Let’s praise the process of having a go, trying again and doing your best.

Well done to all award winners who exceeded expectations last semester and we look forward to the achievements of 2023.

Student Award Winners

Joanne Gilmore, Director Teaching & Learning

#alwayslearnngalwayswillbe

Weekly Communication and Important Dates

Weekly Communication and Important Dates

Week 6

6 -10 March
Secondary Campus Arts Week

8 March
International Women’s Day

Week 7

13 March
Adelaide Cup Public Holiday

13 – 17 March
Kindness Week

17 March
National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

Uniform Shop Holiday opening hours for Term 2 winter uniform

Tuesday 25th April – Closed (Anzac Day)

Wednesday 26th April – 8am to 4.15pm

Thursday 27th April – 8am to 4.15pm

Friday 28th April – 8am to 4.15pm

Monday 1st May – 8am to 4:15pm (start of term 2) OPEN (if not a pupil free day)

We have commenced fittings for winter.  Get in early to avoid the rush!

Year 12 Ties

Ties can be purchased from the Book Room.

Cash payments for ties can be made at the book room and Credit card payment through the Front office and the receipt to the Book room for collection of the tie.

Cost of the Year 12 tie is $25.00

Secondary Campus

Get to know our College Leaders and House Captains

Isabella Agnos – College Captain

My greatest sporting moment: Watching the Richmond Tigers win the Grand Final in 2017.

My favorite book is The Hunger Games Catching Fire

Funniest moment in my life was: My friend in primary school was swooped by a Cockatoo.

In my spare time I like to: Listen to music.

The best thing about attending SMC is: Having access to a variety of subject choices.

One chore I don’t like doing is: Taking the rubbish bins out.

Leadership means to me: Expressing new ideas and creating positive environments.

To be a Lasallian Leader means: To be an inclusive and encouraging leader who ensures that peoples’ ideas are shared.

This year as a College Leader I wish to be best known as: A welcoming and approachable leader.

Five words which best describe my personality are: Organised, studious, outgoing, happy and caring.

A quote that I believe in is: Be the change you want to see in the world.

A teacher at SMC I admire is:   Emily Burns

Why? For her continuous efforts to create an inclusive and positive environment for students of all backgrounds and experiences.

Luis Consalvo – College Captain

My favourite song is: Night Fever by Bee Gees

Someone I admire: Someone that I strongly admire is my father because he always goes out of his way to provide me with not only exceptional advice, but key life lessons. He is someone that I will always appreciate in my life.

The best thing about attending SMC is: Meeting people in our inclusive community from different backgrounds and making lifelong friendships.

One chore I don’t like doing is: Pulling out weeds.

Leadership to me means: Being able to have a strong positive influence on someone in need and being open and approachable to anyone seeking help/advice within the community. It is something that comes naturally to people in many different ways, but leadership is always present to make someone’s life better.

To be a Lasallian Leader means: To lead and teach others the same way our founder St John Baptist De La Salle did.

This year as a College Leader I wish to be best known as: Someone who is welcoming funny, respectful, and approachable, and someone who is known for always putting others before themselves.

Five words which best describe my personality are: Funny, respectful, confident, approachable, and resilient.

A quote that I believe in is: The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Nelson Mandela.

A teacher at SMC I admire is: Mr Monti, because he always provides me with endless advice in relation to not only school but life in general.

Something interesting about me no one knows. Apart from soccer, my most enjoyable hobby is fishing.

YEARS 7-9 CHARACTER STRENGTH FOCUS

Week 5: Teamwork

There are so many films and great novels that highlight this strength, and probably many more people we can think of who embody it well, across all walks of life.  As Helen Keller, American author, advocate, activist and lecturer, once said “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

The VIA (Values in Action) website reports that the notion of a team can refer to work or sports teams, but can also refer to family, marriage/partnerships, or even a group of friends working on something together.

As people, it’s true that we need to be connected. As a result, teamwork is an empowering and rewarding strength. It connects us and helps us to support each other, aligning closely with a focus on positive relationships; a strong feature of the Lasallian ethos.

Teamwork helps us to work together towards a common goal.  and partners with Creativity, Fairness and Leadership to create wonderful community experiences, such as those we see so often at St Michael’s, including the wonderful Sports Day we recently celebrated. These events only come about because of the work and contributions of many team members, and as a result they have positive knock-on effects to literally thousands of people.

Teamwork is also alive and well in many ongoing and enduring teams at the College such as Eco Squad, and of course, a glimpse into classrooms, or onto playing fields, or a peek into any of the many meeting rooms on campus will showcase many examples of teamwork too!

In Teamwork we recognize and appreciate the talents we each bring, and importantly we celebrate our united achievements and seek continuous improvement. It’s about knowing, valuing and caring for each other and supporting each other to engage with our curiosities and reach our potential, together.

Wishing you and your respective teams a happy and fruitful weekend ahead.

Tonia Carfora, Year 7-9 Wellbeing Initiatives Leader

Home Study Support in the Library

Careers and VET Services

Year 12 2022 Graduates

We have sent an email to our 2022 graduates with some key updates for their transition to study, work and beyond. We also remind graduating students that if they need help in this transition stage, they can contact the College and book in a time to see one of the Career Counsellors. We would love to receive some photos of our graduates transitioning to work or study so we to share with the community and have asked to students to email us.

Higher Education Subjects

We are excited that three of our Year 12 students will be undertaking an approved University subject each semester in 2023. We have one student who was awarded a full University of Adelaide HeadStart Scholarship which will cover the full cost and 2 students who have been accepted into the Flinders University Extension Studies program. Students in Year 11 may wish to look into these options in advance as they are competitive to get into. Students cannot count both a Certificate 3 and a Higher Ed subject towards their ATAR. Year 11 students who believe that a university subject may be something they are interested in in 2024, are invited to email Ms. Coorey who will forward more information.

Year 12 Students interested in applying for exciting and lucrative Scholarships applications open now:

University of Melbourne “Hansen Scholarship” (Financial Need plus other criteria: Hansen Scholarship Program (unimelb.edu.au)

ANU Tuckwell Scholarship Academics, Leadership, Vision and Co-Curricular: https://tuckwell.anu.edu.au/

Western Adelaide Jobs Expo

The free jobs expo is designed to help all Job Seekers to connect with local Employers. Tuesday 21March 10am -2.30pm St Clair Recreation Centre.

Register:

https://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/community/events-and-activities/events/western-adelaide-jobs-expo-2023

Community Notes

First Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 27th February)

We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Laxmi, a 16-year-old girl living in Jajarkot, a remote district in Nepal where almost half of the population live below the poverty line.  Tragedy struck when Laxmi was 10 years old and her father passed away. Her father worked hard to pay for his children’s education and, after losing him, Laxmi was at risk of falling further into extreme poverty.

With the support of our partner Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child’s club at her school where she was encouraged to resume her education. Through the child’s club, Laxmi developed the skills and confidence to become a leader, advocating for clean water taps at her school.

Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She continues to be involved in the child’s club, serving as an advisor and mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school.

Watch a short film about Laxmi’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion.

Congratulations

Last year, Year 12 Legal Studies students were put forward for the Governor’s Civics Awards for Schools. Our awardees were invited to a reception at Government House on Friday 15 February where they participated in a round-table discussion with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson, Governor of South Australia.

These awards provide the opportunity for young South Australians to develop their capacity and awareness in the area of active and informed citizenship in a multicultural and democratic society. The awards aim to highlight the importance of civics education in the South Australian historical context and be a conduit for quality student engagement and learning in these areas.

Megan Adrain (award winner) – her Inquiry focused on the Australian Government’s duty of care to combat environmental issues in order to protect the future of humanity.

Grace Cavallaro (award winner) – investigated the extent to which the government is effectively addressing Australia’s teacher crisis and protecting the education system.

Benjamin Ryan – (merit) researched specific environmental legislation and uncovered whether such Acts promote environmental protection and conservation.

We congratulate these students and wish them every success as they begin their tertiary studies this week.

Elli Nicola, Teacher – Legal Studies, English, AIF