On Thursday, 22 June several Principals and Catholic Education Chief Information Officer, Klarissa Plimmer, faced freezing temperatures at the Canberra Airport Hangar armed with only a cardboard box for protection to raise funds and awareness of homelessness at Vinnies CEO Sleepout. 

Collectively the Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn team raised over $46,000, naming them top performing fundraising team in Canberra.

Our Principals reflected on their CEO Sleepout experience:

“Participating in this year’s Vinnies Sleepout was a humbling experience. Each of the participants were invited to undertake a role play with a scenario of an individual in distress. Accessing services was not easy and extremely frustrating. It is no surprise that people give up. The ‘run around’ to try and get support was a stark reminder of how one can quickly lose their self-worth as a result of the crises they find themselves in.”

– Paul Carroll, St Francis Xavier College

“Friday morning, after the sleepout it took about 3 hours to thaw out. I was lucky! This was after a hot shower, heating in my home and car and sitting in the sun during a meeting at Catholic Education. I cannot even begin to imagine what life would be like on the streets or surviving in a car. How could you get up, feel refreshed, and try to find work or have to deal with agencies where you have to seek care and assistance. It would be a cycle that is hard to break. A special thanks to Vinnies and all the work they do for homelessness and those who are in need of emergency care.”

– Loretta Wholley, Merici College

“I was prepared for the cold, I was prepared for the concrete ‘mattress’ and I was prepared for very little sleep. What I wasn’t expecting was to learn how many people in Canberra simply do not have what it takes to put food on the table or a roof over their head; to discover that many battlers simply can’t effectively access the right support. I found out how much Vinnies volunteers do in our community, which was the biggest shock of the night. The workers and volunteers of Vinnies literally are life savers. They are the heroes, not us Principals who had one uncomfortable night.”

– Matt Egan-Richards, St Clare of Assisi Primary School, Conder

Schools across the Archdiocese showed further support this month through Mini Vinnies ‘Stay Outs’, blanket drives and ‘Winter Woolies Days’, donating warm clothing and participating in educational activities. 

At St Michael’s Primary School, Kaleen, students were invited to participate in a Mini Vinnies ‘Stay Out’ until 8.00pm with school made pumpkin soup and a visit from the Vinnies Night Patrol van.  

Principal Patrick Ellis said that students were able to get a feel for the importance of raising awareness of homelessness in Canberra and gain a deeper understanding. 

“The students who took part in the Stay Out had a fun and educational evening learning more about the realities of homelessness,” he said.

St John Paul II College students raised almost $15,000 at the College’s Sleepout, where participants endured a -4 degree night for a great cause.

Thank you to David Austin (Good Shepherd Primary School), Catherine Rey (St John Paul II College), Loretta Wholley (Merici College), Matt Egan-Richards (St Clare of Assisi Primary School), Claire Fraser (St Gregory’s Primary School), Paul Carroll (St Francis Xavier College),  Leah Taylor (Holy Family Primary School) and Catholic Education Chief Information Officer Klarissa Plimmer for your participation in the 2019 Sleepout.

In celebration of Families Week, ten SFX College students made the annual four and a half hour journey from Canberra to visit St Francis Xavier Primary School in Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales.

Year 10 St Francis Xavier College leadership students first started visiting the primary school in 2006 in what has gone on to become an annual tradition.

This year, Year 3-6 students also had the privilege of working with St Francis Xavier College IT teacher, Peter Crane, who taught the students the basics of coding and how to program microbots.

Together students planted over 30 native trees and shrubs around the school grounds for National Tree Day, contributing to the 25 million trees planted to date.

SFX College Principal, Paul Carroll, said that the relationship between the schools is a special one.

“It is a wonderful experience for the SFX College students to venture out west to gain a greater insight into the life of students in the country and to make a contribution to their sister school,” he said.

St Francis Xavier Primary School Principal, Jacinta Elwin, said that it was a great day for all involved and the school enjoyed celebrating and working together for worthy causes.

“The day enabled us to do all of these special things together as a community,” she said.

Rosary Primary School in Watson has unveiled a creative design hub called ‘The Makerspace Invention Lab’, where students can develop their critical thinking skills to turn 2D ideas into 3D inventions during class projects and lunchtime clubs.

The introduction of Makerspace supports a school-wide focus on incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) into everyday learning. STEM has been integrated into classroom lessons, video game challenges and a MathsBURST program for Years 4-6.

Makerspace provides an additional channel for student centred learning and risk taking in an imaginative environment where they are inspired to design and create using a variety of resources and materials. Students are able to visualise, invent and build with purpose.

The school launched Makerspace with the announcement of the school’s participation in The Global Cardboard Challenge, inspired by a 9-year-old boy who built his own elaborate DIY arcade completely out of cardboard, that then went viral.

The Global Cardboard Challenge aims to get children to use creativity and problem solving to complete their game. It requires the use of many skills such as ingenuity, resourcefulness, perseverance, collaboration, teamwork and critical thinking.

Year 4 Classroom teacher and STEM Contact, Kath Watson, said that student engagement has been high in the Makerspace due to its self-directed learning and range of activities that cater to all abilities.

“My class always want to know when are we coming back before we have even finished each session in the Makerspace,” she said.

“We intend to have a game day where each child in the Cardboard Challenge can bring a friend to try out their arcade game once all are completed.”

Following the second phase of the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) Junior Pilot in seven schools in the Archdiocese, Religious Education Coordinators (RECs) gathered for a time of prayer, personal formation and collaboration this month to exchange learnings and key ideas of what has been working well in each of their schools.

St Vincent’s Primary School Aranda REC, Luke Maher, shared new developments following the commencement of the program at the school last year with the ‘Hearts a Blaze’ program, and provided valuable insight into the role of the Youth Minister at their school.

Catholic Education Project Officer for New Evangelisation in Catholic Schools, Nathan Galea, said that it was great to meet with key Catholic leaders within the CSYMA network.

“It was very encouraging to see the development of the role of the Youth Minister in the primary context, particularly in the varying ways they are developing our students’ relationship with each school and Parish,” he said.

A group of Highly Accomplished Lead Teachers (HALTs) representing the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn recently attended the third HALT Summit in Darwin. 

The Central theme, ‘Expanding our Impact’, was evident in all presentations that explored how HALTs can influence decision making in an education setting and have an impact on the learning agenda. This was further observed through local school visits and a range of keynote speakers including  highly accomplished practitioner and author Dr Lyn Sharratt, Laureate Professor John Hattie and Director of Cut through Coaching and Consulting, Dan Haesler.

Anna Partridge (Mother Teresa School, Harrison), Kathleen Garvie (Merici College, Braddon) and Wendy Mockler (Lumen Christi College, Pambula Beach) presented their ideas in a ‘share space’ session with 34 HALTS from around Australia.

Kelly Candy (St Francis Xavier College, Florey) visited Taminmin College in a small town called Humpty Doo to practise strategies based on shared experience, flexible learning spaces and energised teaching.

Kathy Kinnane (St Clares College, Griffith) was fortunate to visit Jabiru Area School to discuss how sacred local Aboriginal stories can be best delivered to students.

Kathy described her experience at the Summit as a professional revelation that certified the value of the HALT Network.

“Spending time with others who were challenging themselves to complete the HALT program and continually reflecting on every aspect of our professional practice, while also having opportunities for cross-sectoral networking and friendships has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” she said.

“Education in the Northern Territory is exciting and innovative and I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to go to the Summit.”

St Bede’s Braidwood Assistant Principal and Literacy Coordinator, Julian Laffan, is a talented artist, educator, curator and illustrator who specialises in woodcut and drawing.

Julian’s latest exhibition, ‘Illuminated artefacts’, was held at Beaver Galleries in Canberra from 30 May – 16 June, where 19 of his hand-carved woodcuts, coloured with gouache, oil and pencil were on display.

Each of Julian’s works thoughtfully explore history and identity and are described as a “reflection of place and time in a single captured moment, carved and suspended as an imagine in timber”.

Julian held his first solo exhibition in 2005, has worked on print-based projects internationally and is featured in the collections of the Canberra Museum and Gallery and Print Council of Australia.

Last year Julian presented at the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA) Conference in Perth that explored ‘The Art of English’ and the ways in which narrative can be expressed in images.

Julian has collaborated with two literary authors and has illustrated a book titled ‘Leaving the Lyrebird Forest’, written by Gary Crew.

Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, is proud of the passion and creativity demonstrated by Julian Laffan and we are blessed to have him as a valued member of our community.

Catholic schools celebrated National Reconciliation Week (NRW) from 27 May – 3 June with a variety of activities, assemblies, Indigenous performances and prayerful experiences that reflected the 2019 theme, ‘Grounded in Truth: Walk together with Courage.’

Carroll College, Broulee commenced the week by attending the annual Sorry Day Moruya Bridge Walk organised by the Eurobodalla Aboriginal Boys to Men group. The march recognised Australia’s traditional land owners and paid respect to the Stolen Generation.

Over 200 St Gregory’s Primary School students walked in reconciliation with family, friends and local schools in Queanbeyan. The message was clear as students marched down the main street with a sign that said, ‘Proud to be part of the Ngunnawal Nation’.

In Canberra, a group of teachers attended a guided walk of Reconciliation Place as part of a professional learning experience, to discover the inspiring artworks and the stories behind them that are significant to Australia’s Aboriginal history. The guided Reconciliation Walk is run by the Australian Government’s National Capital Authority and is free for schools to participate in throughout the year.  

At Merici College in Canberra, students enjoyed bush tucker in the Indigenous Garden, watched dreamtime movies and participated in a collaborative art project. The College’s Narragunnawali Mob shared a celebratory cake and came together to acknowledge the First Nations at a community lunch.

At Sts Peter and Paul’s Primary School, Garran it was smiles all around when students and staff were treated to an interactive and engaging show by Indigenous performer Lucas Proudfoot from Circular Rhythm.

Library lessons at St Jude’s Primary School, Holder, explored the concept of Reconciliation. Students decorated cut-outs of hands and feet in the colours of the Aboriginal flag to resemble blossoms on poster trees.

Sacred Heart Central School, Cootamundra, Wiradjuri students used Indigenous craft to build bark nets that that drew inspiration from native flora to create a tree symbolic to the theme.

Students across the Archdiocese enjoyed learning about our shared histories, cultures and achievements during NRW and had fun learning about how we can work together towards reconciliation in Australia.

Catholic Education librarians and literacy leaders attended the 2019 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Conference in Canberra from 31 May – 2 June to support children’s literature and literacy in our schools.

The conference was a celebration of renowned authors, illustrators and children's books that explored the theme, ‘And now they’re laughing’, that delved into issues portrayed in Australian children’s literature.

Attendees were provided with the opportunity to meet and discuss literature and their students with national and internationally acclaimed writers including Morris Gleitzman, Jeannie Baker, Matt Cosgrove and Emily Rodda​.

St Bede’s Primary School, Braidwood Assistant Principal, Julian Laffan, said that the conference increased teachers’ knowledge of how to inspire children to craft their writing through a series of informative workshops.

“Being able to share our System vision of quality literature, daily reading and daily writing was received with excitement from the CBCA board and authors alike,” he said.

“Hearing Jeannie Baker describe her collage process, the crafting of fantasy direct from real life by Emily Rodda and ‘How to Entertain’ from Morris Gleitzman was amazing.”

Jacinta Elwin, Principal of St Francis Xavier Primary School, Lake Cargelligo, said that attending the CBCA Conference was a highlight in her teaching career.

“Being able to listen to and meet Emily Rodda will be a memorable moment for me always,” she said.

“Every conference session resulted  in personal or professional gain.”

Trinity Catholic Primary School, Murrumburrah have raised $6,000 through a school walkathon to fund outdoor shading and seating improvements.

Students, family members and friends of the school were treated to checkpoints along the route with fruit and refreshments, before ending the walk with a barbeque at the park.

The Murrumburrah community rallied to raise funds for the school, with generous contributions from many local businesses.

Students who raised the most money at the Walkathon received special acknowledgement and all students were entered into a lucky door prize.

Principal Marylou Gorham said that it was a sensational day and thanked everyone who assisted in organising and running the major fundraising event.

Congratulations to St Patrick’s Parish School Cooma student, Abbie Hamilton, who won the bronze medal at the NSW Catholic Primary School (NSWCPS) and NSW Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Cross Country at Eastern Creek this month.

Abbie ran against the best Cross Country runners in NSW Catholic Primary Schools and will go on to represent MacKillop at the upcoming NSW Primary School Sports Association (NSWPSSA) Cross Country on Friday, 26 July. 

Congratulations to all of our secondary students that competed at the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Football Championships. Sacred Heart Central School, Cootamundra took out the Championships in the Girls Junior event while Hennessy Catholic College, Young were victorious in the Junior Boys, Senior Girls and Senior Boys divisions.

The Junior and Senior Boys and Girls now progress to the inter-Diocesan gala day in Young on Wednesday, 3 July to compete for a place in the next round to be held in Sydney.

The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Basketball Championships held at the end of May saw success for Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn, Lumen Christi College, Pambula Beach, McAuley Catholic Central School, Tumut and Carroll College, Broulee.

The 7/8 and 9/10 girls and boys teams will now progress to the NSWCCC Championships in Penrith on the 28th and 29th of October. Good luck to our representatives! 

Mathematics teachers in the Archdiocese are participating in a series of cluster based Professional Learning workshops for the continued improvement of maths-based education in our schools.

The cluster approach brings together knowledgeable Primary and Secondary teachers who collaborate to find consistent and innovative ways to improve student learning outcomes using lesson analysis.

The program led by Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Numeracy Officer, Chris Higgins, provides participants with pre-workshop tasks that draw on information from their current classroom teachings.

Through lesson demonstration and observation of student learning, teachers develop a deeper knowledge of student achievement using the ‘Make, Say, Write and Do’ Framework.

In post-brief discussions, teachers are able to identify actions to support the development of learning for students. These engaging practices can then be used in their own classrooms.

The cluster approach has been successful in increasing teacher networks across the Archdiocese by providing a more informed and collaborative approach to teaching mathematics. The workshops will continue throughout 2019 and 2020.