Yesterday, our student leaders were inducted for 2021 through a virtual assembly. Instead of a full school assembly in the Edmund Rice Centre, in the presence of all students/staff and parents/carers of our student leaders, the occasion was transmitted through each Home Room, following what has become the norm for our COVID-19 school assemblies. The aesthetics may have been different, but, the importance of the event and the symbolic meaning associated with our students assuming leadership roles were just as significant with each leader deservedly acknowledged.

In assuming their leadership role, our student leaders were reminded how they can bring life to the charism of the College through their commitment to Justice and Peace and to the Gospel message of compassion and empathy. Ultimately, the concept of leadership in the College is based on Gospel values where we are encouraged to serve and put others first.

Congratulations to the following students who will lead the student body in 2021-:

Benjamin Johnston (College Captain)

Harrison Agnew (College Vice Captain)

Samuel Leonard (Liturgy Prefect)

Michael Piela (Era for Change Prefect)

Jag Stergess (Sport Prefect)

Mustaqeem Turi (Social Justice Prefect)

Noah Perez (Sustainability Prefect)

Kieran Kelly (Community & Culture Prefect)

Blake McKay (Keira House Prefect)

Koray Budak (McMahon House Prefect)

Cain Barnes (Rice House Prefect)

Kai Pearson (Waterford House Prefect)

Flynn Allen (Ignatius House Prefect)

Matthew Moss (Crown House Prefect)

The message of leadership applies to the entire cohort of Year 12, 2021. All students are leaders through the many ways they express their capacity as an individual, evidenced in their studies, the realistic goals they set for themselves, in the dignified examples for others and the productive behaviours borne out of a conviction for compassion, justice and respect.

We look forward to the leadership of the cohort of 2021.

In the Leadership Assembly, we recognised the Academic and Service achievements of students in their Preliminary HSC Studies. A list of student achievements is included in this newsletter.

In keeping with our emphasis throughout the year on Health and Wellbeing, this week, our Year 8 students participated in a Reflection Period with the themes of Resilience and Life Choices. The Home Room Teachers facilitated the lesson utilising resources from the Youth Mission Team Australia.

In the seminar on Life Choices, students were asked to reflect on the following key points:

• The average human being makes about 35,000 life choices every day.
• Life is 10% what happens to me; and 90% how I react to it. (John Maxwell)

• Good choices are positive decisions for us and those around us, not only in the moment, but ongoing.
• Three aspects of positive life choices-:
• Developing a core centred on knowing our value and dignity
• Recognising fear as a great inhibitor to making positive life choices
• Making decisions in genuine freedom not in fear.

We anticipate that our sustained effort on a holistic education is equipping our students with valuable knowledge and skills to meet the challenges ahead of them, in a rapidly changing world environment.

Today is the feast day of St Leonard of Noblac (died 559AD), a Frankish saint, who converted to Christianity, at Christmas, in 496. St Leonard’s intercessions were credited with miracles for the release of prisoners, women in labour and the diseases of cattle.

In the prayer of St Leonard – Lord, Grant that we are encouraged by the good examples of saints, especially St Leonard. May we persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at length, through the author and finisher of our faith, Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Sam Tadros

Deputy Principal

With students sitting tests in the coming weeks, following are test-taking techniques to support students in their preparation. This information has been taken from the Study Skills Handbook.

A few days before the test or exam:

At least a few days before the exam, make sure you do the following:

• Plan out how much time you should spend on each section of the test.
• By looking at past papers, get a feel for the types of instructions that will be on your paper.
• Do some exercise so you can burn off the pent-up stress that can come before exams.
• Look after your body – lots of water to juice up your brain, healthy food, decent sleep.
• To calm nerves, make mental pictures of yourself sitting down and doing well in the test.
• Purchase any equipment you may need, extra calculator batteries, pens, rulers etc.
• Ensure you know what equipment is allowed in the test or exam.
• Focus on reviewing the key points, perhaps a condensed version of your summaries.
• Practise as many past test papers as you can get your hands on.
• Check the timetable to ensure you have a clear picture of when each exam is being held.

The night before the test or exam:

• Pack your bag with everything you will need for the next day, ensuring you have all necessary equipment.
• Don’t go to bed too late – you need to make sure your brain is fresh and alert.
• Don’t ring friends and discuss your preparation or the examination.
• Just before you go to sleep, look through your notes briefly.

The morning of the test or exam:

• Visualise success.
• Review your notes.
• Eat breakfast.
• Be on time.
• Avoid negativity.

At the start of the test or exam:

• Read the instructions carefully.
• Look through the whole paper.
• Quickly jot down anything you are worried you might forget.

During the test or exam:

• Have a plan of attack as to which questions you will do first.
• Take note of how many marks each question is worth.
• Read the questions carefully before answering.
• Brainstorm ideas before writing essays.
• Cross mistakes out neatly instead of scribbling or using liquid paper.
• If you have a mental blank leave the question and come back to it later.
• Set your work out clearly, write as neatly as possible and do nice large diagrams.
• Show all working and space your work out.
• When you finish go back and check all of your answers – don’t leave anything out.