Issue 11 Term 4 2020

This term the Year 7 students collaboratively assisted in giving the Wellbeing Wall a colourful makeover!

Lead by UniSA Social Work placement students Mikaela and Samara, students were taught about the power of affirmations, positive statements and how they can help to challenge and overcome negative thoughts, which can lead to positive change and behaviours.  

The Year 7 students wrote a small message or comment to promote positivity and these messages were placed on the wall for the rest of the College community to reflect upon. 

The Wellbeing Wall is located in the Counsellors and Social Worker corridor and has already received a lot of positive responses from staff and students across all year levels.

Mia Davies
College Social Worker

The Year 10 students spent a lovely day at Henley Surf Life Saving Club for their Retreat. It was a great opportunity to get away from school and relax in a different environment while reflecting on the people they have grown to become.

Body, Mind and Spirit enabled the students to look at themselves as a whole. Small group discussions gave them the opportunity to reflect on their physical journeys in life and share them with the others in their group. A beach activity helped students to think about the possibilities that come with Wonder, the core value for next year. The day was brought to an end with a reverent and respectful thanksgiving liturgy.

It was a memorable day, the weather perfect and the sea inviting. The students laughed, joked, and shared with others. They were great ambassadors for our College and it was fantastic to see their enthusiasm for the spirit of the retreat.

Enrico Caprioli
APRIM

EDUCATING WITH COMPASSION, JUSTICE AND HUMANITY
www.kildare.catholic.edu.au

Our student leaders are role models, who support and are a voice for the student body, who uphold and promote the Kildare Ministries' values of Wonder, Justice, Courage, Hospitality, Hope and Compassion.

The 2021 student leadership process commenced during Term 3 and has recently concluded to finalise all student leadership positions.

The calibre of applications for the College Captains this year was outstanding. The students' written applications and interviews showed their commitment and vision to student leadership and their willingness to be a voice for their peers.

Our new student leaders, led by our 2021 College Captains, Mia Larkin and Laura Lines, were introduced at a recent assembly and we would like to congratulate the following students on their success in obtaining a leadership position.

2021 Student Leaders

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the students for applying and acknowledge the 2020 student leaders' contribution to our College. We are very lucky to be blessed with so many students with such refined leadership qualities.

Raymond Kropinski
Senior Year Coordinator

Our 2021 Transition Program has seen Kildare welcome 161 new students and their families into our College.

During this process, we have welcomed our families to a Parent Information Evening followed by induction visits with the 2021 new students. We have visited some students at their primary school with a staff member and two of our students, while other students have come to Kildare for a short visit with a staff member and Kildare students.

This term, we divided the Year 7 cohort into half with approximately 65 students visiting each day. The Year 8 students came on a different day and were matched with our current Year 7 students. The students were placed in small groups with the 2021 Year 11 Peer Support Leaders and House Leaders to begin making connections, whilst the families enjoyed morning tea with the Leadership Team, Counsellors and Social Worker.

During the day, students enjoyed making pizza scrolls in Food and Hospitality, beaded necklaces and bracelets in Art and making alginate worms in STEM. Wellbeing for learning was the focus after lunch and included physical activity and meditation where we centred on our bodies and minds. We also took some time to discuss coping with change and developing strategies to overcome challenges students may face when starting secondary school. 

Our day finished with a Q & A Panel where students were able to ask our Peer Support Leaders and staff a range of questions. Our new Peer Support Leaders were warm and welcoming, answering a multitude of questions, helping make the Transition Day truly special for our new students.

Some students with additional learning needs have also been scheduled to attend additional sessions for further visits in smaller groups to ensure their transition is as smooth as possible. Feedback from families and new students has been very positive.

Kim Thomas
Middle Years Coordinator

A reminder that in Week 6 the Year 11 students will sit their final exams and the Year 10 students will complete their exams on Monday of Week 7.

All Year 10 and 11 students who are yet to finalise their Personal Learning Plan and Research Project work must continue to attend the College until this work has been submitted to their teacher. If you have any questions regarding this you may contact me at the College.

Raymond Kropinski
Senior Years Coordinator

The Year 7 students from our Textile classes have been involved in creating 'Pocket Hearts' using eco-friendly materials, for the ‘1000 Hearts Kindness Project’.

This project was started in 2016 by Sarah De Jonge, as a way to spread love and compassion. The idea of the project is that the little textile hearts are placed in public places for people in the community to take. They are to keep in your pocket and are a reminder of hope and love. There is a global network of "heartists" and now Kildare is a part of this movement. 

Textiles Teachers

The Year 11 Food and Hospitality students have been busy exploring the benefits of a plant-based diet and they had the opportunity to create a plant-based meal of their own.

Some of the wonderful dishes that they produced were, shitake and pumpkin dumplings, BBQ jackfruit dumplings, spicy buffalo cauliflower and garlic naan bread. 

Alana Durka 
Hospitality and Design Teacher

To add to the existing totems in the College Wirra Garden, Year 9 Art and Nunga Group students inspired by a visit to Tandanya’s ‘Atnwengenp’ –  Our Place exhibition, have been designing, creating and painting black and white themed poles. 

Under the guidance of Chris Crabbin (First Nations Artist) they are producing amazing work.

Indigenous Focus Team

The ‘Life in the Uni Lane’ Conference was held earlier this term. This program was designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 8 and 9 to come together and experience university courses through exciting and practical workshops.

Kildare College students Natalia, Tamsyn, Chelsea and Paige attended. The conference is a wonderful opportunity for the students to hear other Aboriginal university students share their experiences about life at university. 

Engaging in interactive courses that are offered at Flinders University, including; The Museum of Art, Sports, Health and Physical Activity and STEM, gave the students valuable insight into the facilities and opportunities available to them beyond school.

Indigenous Focus Team

The Stage 1 Outdoor Ed class has been out exploring both the Port River area around Port Adelaide and West Lakes. 

During these trips students collected data on Western society's environmental impact, both positive and negative through economic and recreational activities. 

The students spent time learning about the options surrounding the Port and West Lakes, and how the two areas are linked through the science of the area and Indigenous history.

Raymond Kropinski
Senior Years Coordinator

Statewide Basketball
Since the last newsletter, our Year 8/9 Basketballers won their way through two rounds and made it to the state finals! The players won their first game, and with renewed confidence they headed into their second match positively. Unfortunately, with a late score from the opposition we could not hold on to a win. The Kildare team finished third. Congratulations! We are very proud of your efforts. 

Our Year 10 team faced fierce competition in Round 1 resulting in being knocked out early in the competition. All of the students embraced the day and had fun playing together.

Statewide Cricket
With minimal experience under their belts Kildare elected to bowl. With four wickets down in the first three overs we were in with a chance. The team was sent in to chase down 99 runs. Despite a slow start, the students batted themselves in and valiantly reached 80 runs before the 20 overs were up. Congratulations on being a part of Kildare's first cricket team. 

Beach Volleyball
Year 7 and 9 students participated in the Beach Volleyball competition at Glenelg, which was the first time many students had experienced this sport. All of the Year 9 teams had at least one win, and the two Year 7 teams made it to the finals. Unfortunately, due to extreme weather and other restrictions, Year 8 and 10 teams missed out on the opportunity to play. 

Statewide Wrap Up
In 2020 Kildare entered 13 statewide teams, including volleyball, basketball, badminton and cricket. Three teams reached state finals and five teams made it past the first round. A huge congratulations and thank you goes out to everyone who trialled, participated or assisted in any way to the success of Kildare Sport in 2020.

Sports Awards
On Monday 30 November, Kildare will hold a Sport Assembly to celebrate  and acknowledge students who were involved in sport throughout the year. 

Catherine Smith
Sports Development Officer

Ms Fairweather's Year 9 Design students visited the iconic d'Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale as part of their learning of Architectural Design. 

Students were captivated by the unusual design of the Cube, the eclectic Alternate Realities exhibition and original works of art created by the famous surrealist artist Salvador Dali. 

Once students had experienced the bizarre and wonderful Alternate Realities and Salvador Dali sculptures, students then applied their knowledge of two point perspective, to an observational drawing of the Cube. It was a wonderful day, where students were able to visit and experience an iconic work of design in the heart of McLaren Vale. 

Amy Fairweather
Art/Design Teacher

Taleah Parker, one of our Year 11 students, is currently undertaking a traineeship with the Scentre Group, enabling her to complete a Certificate III in Business as part of her senior school studies.

We were thrilled to learn that Taleah was an integral part of the NAIDOC Week events at Westfield Tea Tree Plaza as part of her traineeship, participating in a live broadcast.

Feedback indicated that she was "amazing" but we already knew that!

Rebecca Sarvas 
Careers Coordinator

Earlier this term 16 students from Years 7-9 attended the Tea Tree Gully Council Youth Leadership Conference. Students who attended were chosen as they currently hold leadership positions, or they have demonstrated emerging leadership skills. 

The students, along with student leadership teams from other schools in the Tea Tree Gully Council area participated in a fun, engaging conference that encouraged conversation about teamwork, leadership and persistence.

In the first session of the day, students participated in a project building task with Ben from Learn with Bricks. Students were tasked with creating a council building project with Lego. Kildare students designed an inclusive playground, and sports and recreation centre.

In the second session of the day, students heard from Nick O’Connor from Northern Sound System. Nick spoke about authenticity and creativity. Students were then treated to a special performance from young Adelaide band Teenage Joans. Teenage Joans, recently took out Triple J Unearthed High for 2020. Student groups were then tasked with writing and performing a song with Teenage Joans. Alessia Allocca took to the mic to jam out, with up and coming rock stars.

In the final session, students heard the story of Andy Dunt, a local firefighter and finalist on Australian Ninja Warrior. Andy’s story of persistence, personal growth, challenge, service and leadership encouraged the students to persist in leadership, even when obstacles arise. His story was very inspiring.

The students share their personal reflections of the day:

“I learnt that life throws curveballs at you and you can face them or dodge them. It is more beneficial in life to take risks. Even if they don't work out you never know what you could learn from that risk." Jacinta Vidler

“Having the opportunity to attend the youth leadership conference was amazing. The guest speakers were very inspirational, and the message that resonated with me was that change will not come to those who just wait for others to make it happen. If we want something, we must lead the way and follow our dreams.” Lerisa Theodoropoulos

“I really enjoyed every activity and meeting amazing leaders from different schools, This was really a very inspiring and exceptional experience." Pushti Shah

“I really enjoyed the day, it was very interactive and interesting. I really enjoyed making the Lego constructions at the start of the conference.” Shamsieh Rezai

“The Youth Leadership Conference is a great way to build on leadership skills in a new, creative way. It's great for forming new friendships and reflecting on what leadership really means and how we can apply it into our schools and lives.” Alessia Allocca

“I really enjoyed the day as it taught me new leadership skills and I got to meet new people. I highly recommend this day to any young leaders.” Ashlyn Clift-Hanley

“I learned to always take action, and not sit on things until it is too late. The day had really valuable experiences and we learned so much!” Abby Jones

Dominic Ascoli
Delany House Leader