Secondary Campus
YEAR 12 CHILD STUDIES
The Year 12 Child Studies students were tasked with putting together a healthy eating lesson, incorporating a cooking element and theory activities, for a group of junior primary aged children. On Tuesday 14 September, 16 very enthusiastic Reception girls visited the Secondary Campus for a healthy eating immersion experience run by the Year 12 students. The girls excitedly helped to prepare a variety of healthy eating menu items, including healthy ice-cream, oat cookies and veggie sausage rolls which they were very eager to taste! The Receptions engaged in fun and educational children’s party activities which taught them all about healthy eating.
Ms Kimberley Schulze, Child Studies Teacher – Secondary
BREAKFAST WITH GRACE TAME: ACTIVIST AND ADVOCATE FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND 2021 AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
On Monday 13 September, a group of Year 10 to 12 students attended a breakfast event hosted by ‘Business Chicks’ where we listened to a presentation from Grace Tame. Grace is an Australian activist and advocate for survivors of sexual assault, and was named 2021 Australian of the Year on 25 January 2021.
Grace’s presentation was inspiring and thought-provoking and highlighted the need for policy change. The students were motivated by her story and they reflected on the importance of their voice in creating social change.
“Grace is an incredible leader, she left us with a sense of empowerment and fire to change the world!” – Alice Kneebone (12PC-06)
“This event was a super eye-opening experience that broadened our understanding on the issue surrounding womens’ violence”. – Megan Dini (12PC-04) and Emma Kelly (12PC-05)
“Grace Tame’s advocacy for educating individuals continues to empower the lives of many. The breakfast we attended was very meaningful and a great experience to hear her tell her story”. – Mikayla Leventeris (12PC-08)
Ms Elli Nicola, Teacher – Secondary and Ms Bron Kemp, Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning – Secondary
‘7’ SENIOR DANCE PERFORMANCE
Congratulations to the Senior Dance Performers in Stage 2 Dance and Cert 3 in Dance. The students created an amazing night of Dance for their audiences. Students excelled in Contemporary, Hip-Hop and Jazz routines and are one of the most polished ensembles we have had at the college.
Thank you to the parents and staff who supported the students by coming along, it makes all the difference to the students that they are supported by you.
Mrs Dani Caputo, Dance Coordinator – Secondary
VAN GOGH ALIVE
Our Year 12 Art and Design class recently visited ‘Van Gogh Alive’, the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world. Students were able to appreciate the works of Van Gogh and gain a genuine appreciation for the context in which he created these extraordinary pieces. They returned to school with a renewed enthusiasm to complete their artistic studies at school.
Ms Sally Armour, Art & Design Teacher – Secondary
UNIFORM CHANGEOVER IN COMING WEEKS
As the warmer months approach, in conjunction with the revised uniform policy, students may wear either the summer or the winter uniform over the last two weeks of Term 3 and the first two weeks of Term 2. Please note that the winter and summer uniforms cannot be combined.
The guidelines remain as follows:
Secondary Campus Uniform Guidelines 2021
Please take this time to check the fit of uniform and lengths of skirts, shorts and pants so that students can participate comfortably and in compliance with these guidelines.
Further information is available from the College website, or you may contact the relevant Year Level Director to clarify any concerns.
Mr Matthew Williams, Deputy Principal Pastoral – Secondary
YEAR 11 SAPOL: ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION SESSION
On Tuesday 14 September, the Year 11 cohort attended the ‘Fatal 5’ Road Safety Education session facilitated by the South Australian Police.
The SAPOL Road Safety Initiative is a leader in road safety education and contributes to a reduction in the frequency and severity of road trauma in South Australia. The Road Safety session outlined rules, laws and regulations around young people and driving, as well as highlighting ways in which our students can both remain safe on our roads, and minimise risk. The presentation had a particular focus on the five fatal causes of road trauma on South Australian roads:
- Drink and drug driving
- Speeding
- Distraction
- Lack of seatbelt use
- Dangerous road users
The session provided the Year 11s with an understanding of the consequences of their choices on our roads.
Ms Anna Porcelli, Year 11 Director
WELLBEING WEEK RAFFLE
Thank you to all students and staff who purchased a ticket and contributed to our Wellbeing Week raffle. The funds raised from the raffle will be donated to Kids Helpline. Congratulations to Kobe Burt (12PC-06) and Tamara Bone (7GPC-01) who were the lucky winners!
YEARS 7-9 LEARNING AND WELLBEING CHARACTER STRENGTH FOCUS
Week 9: Teamwork
As people we are social beings whose lives, in all aspects, benefit from teamwork. From raising children (as highlighted by the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”), to our lives at home, and as we know, teamwork is also critical in the workplace.
Cooperation, put simply, allows us to reach solutions we cannot reach alone. It reflects the famous Helen Keller quote, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”.
At St Michael’s we see the results of teamwork each day. We see ongoing teamwork evolve in the Eco Garden, especially now that it is blossoming with spring – have you seen it lately? And of course, in the classroom and a range of cocurricular activities that enable our students to grow to be the learners and leaders of the world.
Last week we saw Wellbeing Week unfold and encircle the St Michael’s Community in a warm and colourful cloak of positive emotions; it truly was teamwork in action. From students to staff, everyone was on board to create a set of diverse and engaging opportunities for the whole community to enjoy and unite in.
Students smiled as they wrote on the Gratitude Wall, while others smiled as they read the comments in fluorescent colour; they cooed over the baby animals in the petting zoo, and those who attended the LEC auditorium were mesmerised by the screening of Soul; they savoured the treats that came their way in the form of a special egg and bacon breakfast at Breakfast Club, zooper doopers, or donuts at recess or lunch, and they engaged with zest and enthusiasm in sporting competitions. They sang with verve as they participated in Karaoke, and on Thursday, RUOK? Day, they were enabled to contribute to a purpose larger than all of us in raising awareness and funds for Kids Helpline and Headspace, as we celebrated Warming Minds, Warming Hearts Day. Despite the beautiful spring weather, many students wore colourful socks, scarves, and beanies to support the day!
Another great example of teamwork has been evident in the follow up to the Devices Presentation earlier this year. A dedicated team of students and staff who have since met twice now in addition to the original presentation, are working towards promoting better habits for our health where devices are concerned. Two of the three meetings have occurred during lunchtime, demonstrating the team’s commitment! Their leadership and creativity in designing innovative ideas and strategies has been the fruit of their ability and willingness to work as a team. At our last meeting, Communications and Community Relations staff were left very impressed by the team’s commitment and ability to work across year levels as Year 7-12 students and a number of staff have continued to be involved!
Wild Wednesday lunch this week allowed students to view an application of teamwork that many of us probably did not grow up with: the field of Esports. Special guests, Year 12 students Ethan Golding, Nicolas Andresakis and Mathew Zito, spoke to students in Year 7 and 9 about their commitment to the competition in this sport and their perseverance that led to their win across South Australia! The winning team also spoke about the leadership that Mr Fleetwood has shown in this relatively new sport and how important his support and encouragement has been to their success.
This week, with the goodwill of students and staff, the Health and PE Faculty have also coordinated and led an amazing PE Week with an enormous range of activities on offer for students over the course of the week, and no end to the excitement of challenge they posed!
It’s evident that our community really is blessed by these opportunities, with teamwork at their core. Through these examples we see that teamwork is alive and well at St Michael’s. It inspires us towards stronger creativity and solution seeking and it energises and helps us towards developing stronger wellbeing in ourselves and those whose lives we touch!
Teamwork, as John C Maxwell said, makes the dream work!
Enjoy your weekend!
Mrs Tonia Carfora, Year 7-9 Learning and Wellbeing Initiatives Leader
PASTORAL CLASS PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS IN 2022 (STUDENTS PRESENTLY IN YEAR 7, 8 AND 9)
Planning is well underway for the 2022 academic year. At this time, our communication is in relation to Pastoral Care class placement for the new year. We are writing to you to see if there are any academic or social considerations which you think we need to take into account before placing your child in a Pastoral Care class for 2022.
Prior to the end of term (Friday 24 September), if there is any information that you would like to make us aware of, please send an email through to you son or daughter’s present Year Level Director. When an email is received, confirmation of receipt will be sent back to you. If this is not received, please make contact again to ensure your considerations have been received.
Emails can be sent through to:
Year 7 students – Mr Aldo Calo aldo.calo@smc.sa.edu.au
Year 8 students – Mr Paul Flaherty paul.flaherty@smc.sa.edu.au
Year 9 students – Mr Brent Parfrey brent.parfrey@smc.sa.edu.au
Over the coming week, students will be given an opportunity to provide some names of students that they would like to be with next year. This, along with the needs of all students will be taken into consideration when Pastoral Care staff work together to form classes for the new year.
If there are families considering moving from our community in 2022, it is important that a term’s notice is given to avoid financial penalties. Please be in contact with the school registrar if this is relevant to your situation.
Mr Aldo Calo, Year 7 Director, Mr Paul Flaherty, Year 8 Director and Mr Brent Parfrey, Year 9 Director
