GET TO KNOW OUR COLLEGE LEADERS AND HOUSE CAPTAINS

College Leader Danica Colella

As a leader I would describe myself as confident, strong minded, and motivated. I complete everything I do to the best of my ability and always voice my opinions and matters that I stand for.

I am the proudest of the grades I achieve in school and the motivation and drive I behold in doing so. I am very proud of my successful outcomes.

My greatest sporting moment was when I scored six goals in one soccer game or being awarded Best and Fairest in a few of my footy games.

Someone I admire would be my mum and dad as they are both so hard working, yet always put the needs of my sisters and I before themselves.

My favourite books are anything by Shakespeare! I’m a big drama student and adore all his playwrights. He is a genius.

In my spare time I like to hang out with friends and family, travel, and stay at home with my pet bird and dog.

The best thing about attending SMC is the communal environment and amazing teachers who understand and care about their student’s needs.

Leadership means to me to lead a community to do positive, new things which is beneficial to all.

I have a pet dog called Alvin and bird called Zazu.

To be a Lasallian Leader means to work well with others, listen to a range of opinions, and act to what benefits the wider community.

A teacher at SMC I admire is Ms O’Hara because she understands her students and is always caring. She also knows how to have a good laugh and give advice.

Something interesting about me no one knows? I have 3 sisters with the first and last being 18 years apart.

Mutien House Captain Bridie Dolan

As a leader I would describe myself as understanding and encouraging.

My favourite TV program is Gilmore Girls.

My greatest sporting moment was getting best on ground for the SMC Knockout Grand Final in 2021.

My favourite books is the hunger games series.

In my spare time I like to watch shows and catch up with friends.

The best thing about attending SMC is the support I receive from teachers, and getting to spend time with friends.

One chore I don’t like doing is all of them!

Leadership means to me to encourage others and not just lead people, but to help them learn and grow.

I have a pet cat whose name is Keith, and she’s female!

Five words which best describe my personality are determined, energetic, enthusiastic, talkative, and ambitious.

A person I most admire is my mum.

A teacher at SMC I admire is Ms Papuc because she is always there to support her students.

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS – STUDENT VOICE PROJECT

It is with much pleasure that last week we had the official handover of the renovated bathrooms in the LaSalle Courtyard. Over most of last year, a dedicated core group of students met frequently with a view to plan the renovations. Whilst they initially met with the team of architects to discuss their perspectives on the way in which the bathrooms should meet the needs of the student population, following this, they met to finalise details in functionality and aesthetics. Core to their considerations was the wellbeing of the student cohort, as research has indicated that bathrooms are often the place where students may go when they are upset. To this end, the bathrooms represent a fresh and airy façade, with considered planning of facilities and space. The addition of affirming quotes decided by the students add a level of voiced care for all those who enter.

The students involved in this project were very excited to see their plans come to fruition, and to have had the honour of ‘cutting the ribbon’ signifying their completion. They were also touched by the kind words of Acting Principal, Damian Patton and Business Manager Dominic LoBasso, who offered heartfelt thanks for their involvement.

Many thanks to the following students who contributed in some way to this process:

Lina Ciampa, Annalisa Cirillo, Kiara Didyk, Jordan Kupeckyj, Michael Leonardos, Ruby Lynch, Beatrice McClure, Alyssa Meade, Lucas Sebastiano, Morgan Smith, and Summer Truong.

In addition, there were also a number of students who have since left our community:

Monique Monti, Joseph O’Leary, Dylan Petherick, Jayde Scardigno, Nadia Spaccavento, and Katelyn Spencer.

Mrs Tonia Carfora, Year 7-9 Wellbeing Initiatives Leader

ECO SQUAD GROWING TREES FOR THE ‘MY TREE PROJECT’

Last week the Secondary Campus Eco Squad attended three workshops as part of the My Tree Project. During these workshops, the students were involved in building a propagation table with an automatic watering system, filling growing tubes with native soil mix and an art workshop focused on the importance of trees.

So what is the My Tree Project? It is a project of WACRA (Western Adelaide Coastal Residents’ Association) in response to the critical global environmental situation and its serious impact on local communities. This program enables children to play an active role in dealing with the challenges of climate change by growing endemic trees and understorey plants and creating artwork about what a tree means to them. Sponsorship from SA Water has ensured its implementation.

We are proud to be part of this project, growing approximately 500 native trees in our Eco Garden. Once they are fully grown, it will be our job to find them suitable homes around our localcommunity and ensure they are planted correctly so that they will be here for many years to come. Hopefully a few of these trees will also be planted in our own school!

Trees are our lifeblood and must always be respected, especially now that we face the impacts of climate change.

Mrs Robyn Palmer, Sustainability Officer

YEARS 7-9 CHARACTER STRENGTH FOCUS

Week 8: Perspective

When we think of a person who is wise, it’s likely we’ll picture an elderly man with a long white beard, perhaps a bit like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, or Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter. Often these images are nurtured by what we read or view, or our personal experiences.

In our lives, if we are lucky, we will have strong role models of perspective. I was lucky to have a friend who embodied this strength. Anna was a lot older than me, and just had a way of making things clear. She could always see the bigger picture and had a gentle way of pausing before elaborating her thoughts which never seemed to carry judgement. She lost her battle to cancer in the recent past, and I will always be grateful that our paths crossed so many years ago, and that I was blessed by her friendship and her wisdom.

Perspective is the ability to see the bigger picture in life, without being distracted by the tiny details. While listening to others, perspective helps us to appreciate life lessons, and what’s best for the situation in question, informing our choices. This ability to think in broader terms helps us to be able to give sound advice to others and to recognise and think about multiple sides before making decisions. It helps us to flourish and leads us towards being stronger learners and leaders in the world.

This week also sees the celebration of Harmony Day, a day that focuses on inclusivity, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of background, language, or culture. We were reminded of this by a powerful presentation shared across the Secondary Campus, created by students and their teacher, Ms Henry. Amongst the many areas that can truly benefit from engaging stronger perspective, this is definitely one of them. There is no doubt that when we flick the perspective ‘switch’ we can be more empowered to know, value and care for each other, and hopefully also lead in a more inclusive and equitable way.

Wishing you a great Week 8 and weekend ahead!

Mrs Tonia Carfora, Year 7-9 Wellbeing Initiatives Leader

LASALLIAN STUDENT LEADERS SEMINAR

This week our College Captains participated online in the Lasallian Student Leaders Seminar run by the Lasallian Mission Council in Sydney. Our students were joined by College Captains from all over the District, including Papua New Guinea. They discussed and reflected on what skills and attributes make a good leader and how working in a leadership team helps everyone play to their strengths. We were reminded of the importance of living by the Lasallian core values of Faith, Service, and Community.

Sharina Rabusic, Lasallian Campus Minister

WEEK 7- KINDNESS WEEK: KINDNESS SPOTTING COMPETITION

Congratulations to Year 7 student, Daniel Jelonek, who was the winner of the kindness spotting competition held last week, with his entry that expressed gratitude for the kindness of his music teacher.

The competition asked students and staff to explain an act of kindness they had seen in 30 words or less and the entries were then transformed into a stunning kindness tree by our Communications and Community Relations Team. Daniel’s entry was chosen at random amongst many special stories.

The icing on the cake was that later that same day, Daniel saw me in the yard and made a point of thanking me again for the prize – a canteen voucher. In a gesture of kindness, Daniel had used the voucher to buy some treats for his friends!

Congratulations and well done Daniel!

Mrs Tonia Carfora, Year 7-9 Wellbeing Initiatives Leader