HSC VIDEO

On Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending the Year 12 Pastoral Assembly by Zoom and I was absolutely delighted to watch a video compiled for Year 12. I thank Ms Cupillari and Ms Tolhurst, as this wasn’t the typical College video, but one which was a compilation of literally hundreds of well wishes from parents/carers and family members of this year’s Year 12 group.

During Lockdown, Remote Learning and such a different HSC year, our students have had to overcome much. However, I believe they will be absolutely buoyed by what they saw and heard – highlighting that they are not only loved by their God – but that they have incredible love and support from their families. This comes at a fantastic time as students are required to stay focused over the coming weeks.

HSC Timetable (Version 3)

NESA released the revised HSC timetable today. Essentially, students will sit for examinations in all HSC courses with examinations commencing on November 9 and lasting until December 3.

Today I have sent a letter to Year 12 students and families to provide details about the College plans in Term 4 in the lead up to the commencement of the exams. Across the five weeks prior, students will have a mixture of remote lessons, study workshops and, from Week, 4 face-to-face lessons. While there may be many different viewpoints on NESA’s decision – I am pleased that there is now certainty.

YEAR 11

I would like to commend our year 11s on the way in which they have entered into their own end of Preliminary HSC examination period. The online examination system is one they would have been unfamiliar with, however, they have shown determination and steadfastness throughout the examination period. We look forward to commencing HSC courses in early Term Four.

R U OK? day

On Thursday, September 9 the College was able to pause and recognise R U Ok? day; an opportunity to genuinely ask friends, peers and family members if they are indeed okay. Activities in Pastoral Care Classes occurred, and we hope students did and do recognise the importance of checking in with others – even if it is remotely at the moment - to support those in need.

As I communicated with Magdalene staff this week, it's vitally important that we don't see this day as just a 'tick-a-box' - a day we can wrap in bubble-wrap until the next September 9 rolls around. It is critical to have mental wellness perpetually on our minds. Indeed, supporting mental wellness ultimately is protective and helps us perform at our best.

See Mrs Taccone’s article later in this newsletter.

ADVICE TO PARENTS DURING REMOTE LEARNING

In the last newsletter I shared advice from the Department of Education about how best to support our young people during Remote Learning. The other day I attended Professional Learning provided by Macquarie University and so I would like to share some key messages and practical tips.

I was pleased to hear that Macquarie University is supportive of our College approach to provide 60-65% of the amount of work which would normally be covered in face-to-face lessons. Indeed, one of the key messages for parents/carers to “re-examine their expectations”. While we always have high expectations for students at Magdalene – the Professors gave ‘permission’ for us to perhaps not always reach what we have may have originally thought would be the outcome. Remote online learning is very different from face-to-face learning!

The three university professors who presented each spoke about how we all (teachers and parents) need to be mindful of how intellectually challenging online learning can be. As such, it was commented that parents/carers need to be gentle on themselves and not only provide time for their children to have breaks for physical exercise, meditation or time for music and/or reading but also build in pleasurable activities for their children and themselves. The use of having a timeout or giving ‘permission’ to go for a short walk – all were seen as incredibly beneficial.

Obvious advice was presented around the importance of dedicated learning spaces – but they were also aware of everyone’s very different personal circumstances.

While one professor was quick to point out that last year’s NAPLAN results do not appear to have been impacted by the 2020 period of remote learning, they were aware that how well students embrace online learning – is very much a personal choice and preference.

In closing, the challenge that this Macquarie University Seminar was to try and regard this period of Lockdown and remote learning as a way of refreshing and recharging. This could be a seen as a chance for quality time between children and their parents, a time to value more opportunities for creative arts, for highlighting the importance of physical exercise and walking in the local area, for cooking, for family dinners and/or pottering around in the garden.

This information provided by Macquarie University can therefore be quite comforting. No doubt there are some amazing things happening across the Magdalene community but for me it’s nice to hear that we should not be so tough on ourselves – or our young adults - during this very challenging time we face.

PRAYER

As cases of coronavirus continue to rise in our community, we continue to ask for God’s grace and healing outreach.

God's healing hand

To our brothers and sisters who have contracted

and are suffering due to the Coronavirus Disease,

we pray that God’s healing hand may rest upon you.

To medical doctors, nurses and the supporting staff

who are in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19,

may the Good Lord sustain you and inspire you

to render your life-saving services with due care, love and compassion.

To all those who have lost their loved ones due to the Coronavirus outbreak,

we convey our deepest sympathies.

We pray that their souls, through God’s mercy, may rest in eternal peace.

We pray that God may grant all bereaved families his consolation and strengthen their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.

Amen

[Prayer adapted from the 2020 Easter Message of the Catholic Bishops of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe]