Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 26 No. 7 - 11th May 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Columba Families,

The term is certainly in full swing with learning taking place in our classrooms and through a range of extracurricular activities. Columba Catholic College is a learning community of students, parents and staff. We believe that the ongoing development of our staff is central to the growth and development of our learners. This week our teaching staff engaged in a Twilight Professional Learning Session centered on Universal Design for Learning. It centers on the Why? What? And How? of learning and enables staff to cater for the range of learning abilities and styles in their classes. Special thanks to Mrs Kim Lynch for leading this learning and to our teachers for their ongoing commitment to best practice at Columba.

On Saturday I joined Mrs Maria Peck, College Captain Hannah Wilson and Year 12 student Jessica Rose at the Zonta Club of Charters Towers Women Inspiring Women Luncheon at the Arthur Titley Centre. I would like to extend my congratulations to Jessica who was awarded a bursary for her achievements and her contribution to our community. Congratulations also to past student and past staff member, Babe Dixon, on being presented with the Yellow Rose Award at the Luncheon. This award acknowledges the significant contribution Babe has made to our local community through a variety of volunteering roles. Congratulations to both Jessica and Babe on their achievements and for being outstanding role models for women in our community.

Guidance and Counselling

The effect of life’s stressors on the personal, social and academic development of students is widely acknowledged. Schools exercise a central role in supporting and assisting student development by providing a  guidance and counselling service. At Columba, the College Guidance Counsellor works in partnership with the College  community to promote and foster student development, mental health and resilience.  The Guidance Counsellor is available to meet with students, parents/guardians and staff to talk about concerns.  This is a confidential service. An appointment can be made either by contacting the Counsellor directly or leaving  a message with the office staff.  Our Guidance Counsellors are Aleesha Watson, Sarah Smith and Leah Chrisp. 

Resources for Families

School TV is a free resource to assist families in raising happy, healthy and resilient youth. These resources are available by clicking on the link on our school website at School TV  I strongly encourage families to take a look at this resource as there are a wide variety of videos and resources available here.

School Satisfaction Survey

Each year, Townsville Catholic Education seeks feedback from our school communities to understand how our schools are performing in relation to your expectations and our intention to provide an enriching Catholic school experience for our students. This is gathered through a school satisfaction survey. This week families were sent a link to this survey. To assist us in growing our learning community, please complete this survey by Wednesday 31st May. Your ongoing feedback and support is appreciated.

Enrolments for 2024 are currently being taken. To ensure that we can best support our families, please ensure that applications for enrolments are submitted as soon as possible. Please contact the College for more information.

As we approach the cooler weather, please find here a copy of the Uniform and Grooming Expectations at the College. Your support in ensuring students arrive at school in the correct uniform each day is greatly appreciated. The way we wear our uniform is a reflection of ourselves, our family and the college. Please encourage your child to wear it with pride.

Last week students across Years 7-12 represented Columba in the Charters Towers Interschool Cross Country. Special thank you to Mr Callan Newman and Mr Jaymi Evans for their support in preparing our students for this event. Congratulations to Nikki Bethel and Latika Fogarty who were awarded Age Champions on the day. 

This week we celebrated the important role that mothers, grandmothers and mother figures play in our lives as we celebrated Mother’s Day. Special thanks to Miss Lara Burns and Miss Brooke Stevenson for their leadership of the liturgy at St Mary’s Campus and to our secondary students for leading the liturgy at Mt Carmel on Tuesday also. I hope each of our mums have a great Mother’s Day this Sunday!

Special thanks also to the Year 6 Parents who hosted a Mother’s Day Stall at St Mary’s Campus. The students thoroughly enjoyed purchasing individual gifts. We appreciate your contribution and to the many families who supported this fundraising activity for the students attending Year 6 Canberra Trip.

On Saturday evening we also hosted a Rice House Mass and Youth Group at the Parish. Special thanks to Ms Christine O’Sullivan and Mrs Donna Maxsted for their support and to the students, staff and families for their attendance and engagement. It was great to see so many community members joining us to celebrate the good work and contribution of Blessed Edmund Rice.

Next week is National Boarding Week. During the upcoming week students and staff will engage in a range of activities to celebrate the importance of residential life here at Columba. This is a great time to showcase the opportunities, experiences and community that helps make Columba a great place to be. It is also a time to give thanks for the quality and continuum of care that is afforded to the students in our boarding school. 

All the best for the fortnight ahead.

Many blessings,

Melissa Turner
PRINCIPAL

CURRICULUM NEWS - MT CARMEL CAMPUS

WEEK 5 TERM 2 YEAR 11 AND 12 ASSESSMENT WEEK

During Week 5 (15^th-19^th May), Year 11 and 12 students will complete many assessment items, as indicated on the Assessment Calendar in Compass. Students are expected to attend school during this week to complete examinations and submit assessment items, on or before the due date.  During this time students will be attending normal lessons unless they are required to complete an examination.

It is crucial that students set aside blocks of time to study and complete assessments each day and establish a routine. At peak assessment times it is expected that students will need to dedicate additional time to study.

Unit 1 and 3 for most Year 11 and 12 subjects will conclude on Friday 19^th May 2023. Year 11 students commence Unit 2 and Year 12 students Unit 4 for most subjects on Monday 22^nd May 2023.

YEAR 11 SUBJECT CHANGES

If Year 11 students wish to investigate the possibility of changing subjects they need to email Mrs Peck and make an appointment to investigate the possibility. Subject changes during Year 11 and 12 are not recommended as they may disadvantage students as they may not have the foundation skills needed to achieve on Year 12 assessment. Subject changes may also impact on a student’s ability to achieve a QCE. Year 11 subject changes must be finalised by Monday 5^th June 2023. Subject changes will be considered based on curriculum merit and students must be prepared to explain the reasoning behind their application to change subjects. Please note that some subjects are full.

Year 12 students are unable to change subjects at this stage as Units 3 and 4 must be studied as a pair.

ASSESSMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES

A copy of the Columba Catholic College Assessment Policy and Procedures is available on the College website. This document should be referred to by all Year 7-12 students and parents. The document includes details about:

• Submission of assessment.
• Access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA)
• Drafting, scaffolding and response length.
• Academic integrity.

YEARS 7-12 ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS AND REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS (AARA), INCLUDING ILLNESS AND MISADVENTURE

Columba Catholic College recognises that some students have disability, impairment and/or medical conditions, or experience other circumstances that may be a barrier to their performance in assessment. Access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) are designed to assist these students.

AARA are provided to minimise barriers for eligible students so that they can demonstrate their learning, knowledge and skill in assessment. These barriers could be permanent, temporary or intermittent. Students may also be eligible for AARA where illness and misadventure (i.e. unforeseen circumstances) or other situations may prevent students from demonstrating their learning, knowledge and skill.

Students are not eligible for AARA on the following grounds:

• unfamiliarity with the English language
• matters that the student could have avoided (e.g. misreading an examination timetable)
• matters of the student’s or parent’s/carer’s own choosing (e.g. family holidays, leaving early at the end of term).

Application forms for AARA (including applying for extensions or to sit a comparable exam due to illness, injury or unforeseen circumstances) can be obtained from the College Office. All Year 11 and 12 applications must be accompanied by a detailed medical certificate or relevant documentation from another professional.

Please note that all drafts and final assessments are due on or before the due date.

CHARTERS TOWERS REGIONAL CAREERS EXPO

Year 10 and Year 12 Columba Catholic College students will be attending the Charters Towers Regional Careers Expo on Thursday 25^th May 2023. Year 10 students will attend between 11:45am – 12:45pm and Year 12 students between 1:30pm-2:30pm. Mrs Lynch will inform parents and students about arrangements for attendance at this event.

Maria Peck
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - ADMINISTRATION

SECONDARY INTERSCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL

The annual Interschool Cross Country competition was held last week, and it was a great day of running for all involved. Columba put in a fantastic effort, finishing in third place overall with 886 points, behind ASSG who took first place on 1257 points and BTC who came in second on 1022 points. CTSHS finished in fourth place on 306 points and CTSDE finished in fifth place on 36 points. 

It was an outstanding performance from Columba's runners, with several individual achievements to celebrate. Nikki Bethel was crowned the girls 13 years age champion, an incredible achievement that reflects her dedication and hard work in training. Meanwhile, Latika Fogarty won the 12 years aged championship, an impressive feat that highlights her skill and determination on the course.

Other notable mentions include Tom Scholes running 2nd in the 16 years boys race, Adam Brandis in 4th. Conrad Spratt finishing 3rd in the 13 years boys race also Ryan Kime put in a strong run, placing 3rd in the 12 years boys race, Evie Harrington and Grace Scholes receiving a solid result for all their training, finishing 4th & 5th respectively in the 14 girls. Jackson Walsh, Marcus Winterburn and Ella MacPherson finishing 3rd, 5th & 5th respectively in their races. Our Open girls showed off their sporting endurance also, with Ashlyn Hoey finishing 3rd, and right behind her Reagan Butler in 4th. 

Overall, it was a GREAT day for Columba, with our students demonstrating their talent and sportsmanship throughout the competition. 

Callan Newman
MIDDLE LEADER - SPORTS

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CSPA NEWS

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: YEAR 12 EXAM INVIGILATORS

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) welcomes early registrations of interest from community members who would like to work as invigilators at Year 12 exams being held in schools throughout Queensland in October and November. These are paid positions. Invigilators must be over 18 years old, eligible to work in Australia and hold a current paid blue card, or exemption card, or a Queensland College of Teachers registration.

Register your interest now and get notified when applications open in early June. By organising your documentation early, you'll be ready to apply straight away. Visit the QCAA website to find out more and register your interest.

FROM THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT - MC CAMPUS

To most of our young people, reading a daily Courier Mail or watching the news or current affairs  perhaps is an outdated concept. The surge of digital platforms and mobile devices has brought about the digital era of instant information, delivered through vast arrays of online channels and networks. Project Information Literacy (PIL) conducted a study and discovered that 93% of young adults obtained news from discussions with their peers (Valenza, 2018).

Nowadays, young people are staying informed with the world by “scrolling through their social feeds” - instagram, TikTok and Youtube are now the most popular news sources. The crux of the issue is that social media is where the majority of children, adolescents and young adults get their information today. Young minds indisposed to critical thought have a higher likelihood of taking posts at face value. With most 18-25 year olds looking toward social media for their news according to Statista, it is obvious that students are not against learning about the news. Rather, the current student is so inundated with different news alerts, systems, opinions, and information that it can be overwhelming (Dixon, 2023). 

While with Humanities and Social Sciences, it is a subject that requires substantial research skills and critical thinking, it is vital to understand what challenges are our young people facing these days - information overload. In the process of research for the subject study, it is essential to ensure the learners are able to distinguish the reliability and validity of the sources of information. This is more important than ever! 

In addition, it is advisable for students to spend time on extensive reading of the current issues in our world around us. One tip is to source news with credibility. It is highly encouraged that parents/caregivers can spend time guiding your child along the process of research. 

The news literacy landscape is changing, but that merely reflects that the way news is consumed is changing — not that the current generation does not care about news!

References

Dixon, F. (2023). Global facebook user age & gender distribution 2023. Statista. Accessed on 9 May 2023.https://www.statista.com/statistics/376128/facebook-global-user-age-distribution/ 

Valenza, J. (2018). Project Information Literacy News Study: A new study on new adults and news. Neverending Search. Accessed on 9 May 2023. https://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2018/10/27/project-information-literacy-news-study-a-new-study-on-new-adults-and-news/

Michael Ku
CURRICULUM MIDDLE LEADER - HUMANITIES AND LANGUAGES

FROM THE LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT - MC CAMPUS

Language learning boosts other skills

Given the measurable impact of language learning on the brain, it is no surprise that these physical changes are accompanied by the improvement of certain other skills such as communication, creativity, recall and concentration. Below are a few points that languages allow our students to boost their skills.

Better academic performance 

In a meta-analysis of 20 studies examining language learning and its impact on academic performance, the majority of studies (90%) showed that language learners perform better across a range of academic subjects than students who don’t study a second language. Learning another language also boosts student literacy, which gives learners an advantage in core school subjects like mathematics and science. 

Improved concentration 

One week of learning a new language can have a positive impact on students’ levels of alertness and focus. This improvement was maintained with continuous language study of at least five hours a week. Moreover, this study encompassed learners from the age of 18 to 78, and the improvement in attention span was noted across all age groups. So, studying a new language will boost students’ concentration, no matter what age they are.

Powerful memory 

Studying a language engages memorisation skills (learning new words and rules) as well as recall (producing new language in-class activities). So it’s no surprise that people who regularly use a second language have more powerful memories. Research shows that people who speak a second language regularly perform better on memory tests than monolingual people. It makes no difference whether they learned the language as a child or as an adult, either. What’s more, language learning improves both short term and long term memory.

More creativity 

Bilingual children exhibit more creativity in problem-solving and flexibility than their monolingual peers. The same holds true for learners of a second language. Researchers across different studies have found that studying a language seems to unlock students’ creative abilities. This could be the result of the thought processes involved in language learning. These include translation, language switching and disciplined study, along with a willingness to learn and adapt. 

Language learning skills can improve our young people’s mental abilities, and help them with problem-solving and decision–making. Ultimately, this all goes towards enriching their personal, social and professional relationships. 

Source: Spence, C. (2022, April 29). How learning a new language changes your brain: Cambridge English. World of Better Learning | Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/

Michael Ku
CURRICULUM MIDDLE LEADER - HUMANITIES AND LANGUAGES

IN THIS EDITION OF SCHOOLTV - BULLYING

Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. It can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying in any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Despite the efforts made to reduce bullying behaviours, the research tells us that one in four students still report being bullied every few weeks. However, not all negative behaviour should be considered bullying. The key difference is that bullying does not stop on its own. It’s important young people learn how to identify behaviours that are rude, behaviours that are mean, and behaviours that are related to bullying. 

In this edition of SchoolTV, caregivers can better understand why some young people engage in bullying behaviours and what to do to support a child experiencing it. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the Guidance Counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Bullying edition of SchoolTV.

Aleesha Watson & Sarah Smith

Guidance Counsellors

Aleesha Watson & Sarah Smith
GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Residential Families,

Our residential students have been engaged in a range of onsite and offsite activities since the start of the term. Fishing expeditions, shopping trips to Townville as well as weekly sporting activities have kept our students very busy along with their commitments to learning at the college.

Next week we celebrate National Boarding Week. Mrs Burns and Mrs Jarmey have collaborated with our Residential Staff to provide our students with an eventful week celebrating boarding life.

This includes some of the following activities:

• Staff Vs Student Softball game
• Formal Dinner
• Games and Activities 
• “Wellbeing Wednesday”
• Students, Staff and Parents day acknowledgements
• MKR “Steakout” and Karaoke.

In Week 3 Ms Clare Stead commenced in the role of Acting Deputy Principal Pastoral and Residential. We thank Clare for her commitment to our students and she has been spending time supporting our team and getting to know more about residential life at the College.

Next week we will also be hosting a Boarding School Roundtable. We will be joined by executive and senior leaders from Townsville Catholic Education and the Principal and residential leaders of St Teresa's Abergowrie to discuss important residential leadership matters. We welcome our visitors to Columba.

We look forward to a great week ahead.

Many blessings,

Melissa Turner
PRINCIPAL

SECONDARY INTERSCHOOL FORMAL

FLEXISCHOOLS