Issue 9 Term 3 2021

The Future Anything Shark Tank presentations were held at Kildare College. The panel, consisting of Dana Wortley MP, Member for Torrens, Carly Didcote, Community Capacity Coordinator, City of Tea Tree Gully, and Lil Mader, Business Manager, Kildare College, had the great pleasure and privilege to judge the social enterprises that were created by Year 9 students as part of their Future Anything unit in PBL. 

The panel noted the extremely high standard of all presentations and presenters, and congratulate all for their dedication to wanting to make the world a better place, by addressing an important issue in our society. Additionally, the students demonstrated a deep connection and understanding of the College's Core Values through their enterprise; Wonder, Courage, Hospitality, Hope, Compassion, and Justice.

Each social enterprise had great merit and all were very worthy contenders. Congratulations to Joslyn Field who received the highest overall score with her social enterprise, 'Sole Movement', which focuses on mental health in athletes. We are all very proud of all the students and thank their PBL teachers for their hard work behind the scenes.

We will now move onto the next stage and compete with other schools. We wish the students who have entered all the best in the National Finals.

Julia Groutsch
Learning Leader

The Women in STEM Breakfast, attended by selected Years 7-11 students was held by Catholic Education South Australia and sponsored by Optus, at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Over breakfast, students were able to participate in quizzes, listen to inspirational speakers, and engage in a student led Q&A panel. The purpose of this breakfast was to provide young women with role models who currently work in STEM occupations. It is when young women can see themselves ‘reflected in the role’, they are more likely to pursue a career in that field. In the words of Marian Wright Edelman, “You can’t be what you can’t see”.

Research conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research indicates that women are less likely to enrol in STEM courses; less than one in eight women commencing tertiary education enrol into a STEM field. The research also found that if we are going to make any difference to these statistics, we need to create opportunities for young women to see themselves in STEM-related careers, such as opportunities like this breakfast. 

Julia Groutsch
Learning Leader

It has been great for our Year 9 STEM Leaders to get back to running face to face interactive workshops at partnered Catholic Primary Schools. We were treated to a breakfast to celebrate Women in STEM at St Monica’s Parish School, Walkerville.

Kildare STEM Leaders facilitated the ‘tallest paper tower’ challenge for students to engage in while discussing what we love about STEM over croissants. The Year 3 students were victorious with their tower, made from only 30 sheets of A4 paper and tape, measuring just over 45cm and supporting a can of food for 30 seconds.

The Year 9 STEM Leaders then supported Year 4 students with Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing, and to hold a stomp rocket competition.

We finished our visit to engage in some problem solving with Year 6s who were designing a game on Scratch around a social issue of their choice for their See-Judge-Act inquiry in Religion.

Julia Groutsch
Learning Leader

Kildare College Dancers Shine in the 2021 Production of ‘80’s Mixtape’

Kildare Dancers took to the stage in our 2021 Dance Production of ‘80’s Mixtape’ at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute Ngunyawayiti Space. The show had many memorable moments, and we were delighted to finally be back in front of a live audience after last year's hiatus.

Featuring a fantastic soundtrack from artists such as Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Wham, Paula Abdul, Boy George and Starship, this year’s dance production had audiences clapping and bopping along to their favourite 80s tunes. The fun didn’t stop with the music! Costumes were just as you would imagine at a 80s themed event, neon, crazy, shiny, and over-the-top with colour. Our favourite gimmicks also got some limelight with Pac-Man and the good old Rubik’s Cube featuring in some of the larger ensemble routines.

A special thank you to old scholars, Sofia Ferraretto and Olivia Urbaniak for filling in at short notice. Charlotte Lewis, our Year 12 Dancer unfortunately had to withdraw with news of surgery required for a foot injury. We were so looking forward to Charlotte's final performance on stage with Kildare but are looking forward to see where her dancing takes her next year and beyond. 

'80s Mixtape' was created to simply bring some fun and entertainment back to the stage.  Narrated beautifully by Katya Zirnsak (Year 9 Drama student), we reminisced about heavy retro phones, cassette tapes, video rentals, and of course, poked some fun at 80s fashion!

Over the five performances presented to audiences of primary school students, family, friends and College staff, we were blown away with the professionalism of our dancers and their ability to engage with the audience in each show. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated group of students who are strongly committed to their craft.

Congratulations to the cast and crew and well done on all performances. It is always a privilege to direct such a fantastic group of talented young students.

Sue Nairn and Julia Horne
Dance Teachers

Kildare College Music Department took us back to the 70s with a nostalgic peformace of hit songs by Queen, AC/DC, The Jackson 5 and many more.

Our Brigidine Centre gymnasium was transformed into a live music venue with amazing lighting and sound. After a hiatus in 2021, we were so happy that our music students were able to perform after all their rehearsals. The audience clapped and sang with the students to the many beats from their youth.

They entertained us with two matinees and two evening performances which were sold out. 

Well done to the musicians on a wonderful 70s collaboration.

Russell McGlone and Hannah King
Music Teachers

The wonderful Year 11 and 12 Drama class have spent the past 12 weeks rehearsing in preparation for the live performance of the 'I’m not Henry Lawson’s Mother'.

The production tells the story of Louisa Lawson, a woman devoted to challenging gender sterotypes and empowering society. Despite the confines of a mental asylum, Louisa is determined to share and inspire the world throught her newspaper and poetry.

The students displayed incredible passion, devotion and commitment and have made the College community proud.  

Congratulations to all the students involved and thank you for a tremendous year. 

Carolina Salvo
Drama Teacher

The true beauty and wonder of nature is perfectly summed up in some of South Australia’s native orchids.

In Kildare College’s native garden, the Wirra, we have some stunning ones in flower currently, like the donkey orchid seen in the photograph. This photograph was taken last week from the Wirra.

In South Australia, there are more than 350 species of native orchids. They play an important role in nature – knowing how many there are and where they are found can give us an indication of the environment’s health.

However, some of these fascinating plants are endangered, including this delicate looking donkey orchid. With its two big ‘ears’ (which are actually flower petals), you may be able to see why this species is known as a donkey orchid.

Around the world, most orchids grow on rock surfaces, trees or on other host plants. The technical name for this trait is ‘epiphytic’. SA orchids are unusual though, because they grow directly in the ground.

Orchids can be pollinated by native bees, native wasps, native flies, ants and fungus gnats, or they can self-pollinate, which means they don’t need assistance to reproduce.

Different orchids flower at different times of the year. But with some species being as small as 2 cm, you could easily walk straight past them – or even worse, tread on them by accident.

At Kildare College, we have our own Orchid Club which meets each Friday at lunch to maintain the orchids we have in a purpose build shadehouse. One of the best orchid experts in Australia, Les Nesbitt, has mentored our students for the past six years in learning how to propagate and care for orchids. We also collaborate with the Adelaide Botanic Gardens in saving some of the most endangered orchids in the world from extinction. We have been collaborating in this project for over five years now and we have had amazing success.

Paul Beltrame
Learning Leader

With a group of friends just last week and not long into the evening, the conversation turned to issues currently affecting our society and world, and as usual, politics became a focal point. From here, questions were raised about the law, our government’s response to COVID and the plight of the Afghani refugees, and about doing what is just. Philosophically, the question was raised as to why the two cannot be one in the same.

When we reflect on the life of Jesus, and what he taught us, he essentially invites us to wonder about a life with God at the centre, and love for others that follows as a result of this. He challenges us to turn this wonder into a reality. It was this wonder in God and the potential that this brought to humankind that drove Jesus to do all that he did, especially to teach about what is just. And so, he turned into reality the wonder in which he approached life with God. His sense of wonder brought about a conviction for justice. He did not condemn people, he did not judge, he did not exclude people for whom or what they were and taught us that, to follow him, we must do the same.

However, for this reason that the Sadducees and the Pharisees (part of the Jewish hierarchy in the time of Jesus) wanted him gone. To love, to accept, to include others were all things that challenged the law that they not only oversaw, but also gave them power and authority. If the law, therefore, was compromised for justice, then so was their authority and power. Consequently, they decided that Jesus should be put to death. Jesus reminds them, however, that the law is there for the people, not the people for the law. Life, he explained, needs to reflect this.

If we are to truly call ourselves Christians, then we too are to follow the example of Jesus and turn our wonder of God into a reality, and thus fight for justice in our community.

St Brigid, in her community, realised her sense of wonder in God by creating a community that was inclusive and life giving. In doing so, she fought for justice. She, an ordinary person like you and I, showed us that it is possible for anyone to follow the example of Jesus and put God at the centre all things. Just as in her community, there are people in our community who for so many reasons are ostracised, judged, and suffer as a result of injustices. We need to understand that like her, we too can follow the example of Jesus and help to break down the walls of indifference and bring about justice in our community.

In these challenging times, more and more we are called to look deep into our hearts and connect to the wonder we see in God, and help bring what is just into our community, and when necessary, challenge the law.

Enrico Caprioli
APRIM

Year 12 Students, Anusha, Angie and Salma, participated in a National Titration Competition at the UniSA City East Hetzel Laboratory.

The students had to complete a titration to determine an unknown amount of a particular substance. Two students had tiny percentage errors which saw them receive 2 gold badges, and one student had a slightly bigger percentage error and received a silver badge.

The individual efforts of the students was great, and the team scores will be taken into consideration when comparing scores nationally. 

The students really enjoyed the day and were glad that they participated in the competition. 

Ester Beltrame
Chemistry and Mathematics Teacher

Year 10 Art students had the opportunity to experience ‘The Van Gogh Alive’ held in North Adelaide. What an amazing and unique visual experience this was! A plethora of yellow, and beautiful close ups of Vincent Van Gogh’s painting and drawings, enhanced his distinct painting techniques and subject matter.

This inspired the class to experience observational painting in the classroom with everyday objects. Students also attended the Hope Valley Reservoir as further enrichment for painting, 'what they can see' in their own works. 

As a class they will continue to develop knowledge and experience of observational painting, just like Vincent Van Gogh and create a refined final painting, derived by observing carefully, exactly 'what is front of you'.

Verity Clark
Art Teacher

Joslyn and Angelina individually created a short video for the Project Based Learning 'Lifting our Voices' project which aimed to inspire others to consider how we can use our voices to effect change on a human rights violation of their own choice. Angelina focused her project on Disability Rights, whereas Joslyn centred hers around Gender Inequality in Sport. 

Dr Iris Iwanicki, a Board Member of the Graham F. Peace Foundation judged the presentations at the College’s Finals. Joslyn and Angelina were awarded joint first place for their projects out of the 112 students in their year level. 

For their work with this project, Joslyn and Angelina were nominated for the 'Change Maker' award for the 2021 City of Tea Tree Gully's Youth Achievement Awards as both students demonstrated innovative thinking which has had a positive impact within their community.

Joslyn and Angelina were selected as finalists for this category and were awarded runners up. 

Congratulations, Kildare College is so proud of you both. 

Julia Groutsch
Learning Leader

Let your Light Shine!

The Year 11 Retreat was a great opportunity for the students to step out of their ordinary routines for the day and experience a day of fun, friendship, and personal and spiritual reflection.

The theme for the day was 'Let your light shine!'. The students were taken through a journey of their past experiences and participated in various exercises to discern and understand the person they are today, and think about the person they want to be in the future.

Through various activities they were encouraged to believe in themselves, now and always. They were, however, also encouraged to believe in others. If we are to shine, we should also encourage others to shine.

The story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan Woman, taken from the Gospel of John, helped students to enter a spiritual reflection and come to terms with a God who loves them unconditionally.

It was fantastic to see the Year 11 students involved in the various activities throughout the day. Their cooperation and response to the day made it an incredibly life-giving experience for all who attended. 

Enrico Caprioli   
APRIM

A group of 40 Year 10 students were fortunate enough to attend the P.A.R.T.Y Program run by SA Health. The P.A.R.T.Y program is an innovative and interactive program that educates young people on how to Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y). Experienced trauma professionals and trauma survivors worked with the Year 10 student to educate and show them the consequences of risk-taking decisions.

We started the day by learning about the effects of alcohol related and risk taking activities, led by Belinda and Marie – nurses who work in the Emergency and Intensive Care Departments at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. We were also visited by Tom, a local paramedic, who walked us through the what occurs and how emergency workers respond to accidents.

Students then participated in an emergency room simulation, where they worked on a patient who had been involved in a traumatic experience. Students were given an insight about the roles different staff play in supporting young people and their families when involved in traumatic experiences.

After lunch, students learnt about the after-effects of traumatic accidents and how patients are supported through life changing consequences.

The P.A.R.T.Y program was very beneficial and worthwhile for the students who participated. It provided them with confronting, but informative understanding of the life-long impacts that risk- taking behaviours can have. The students involved, took away an important message, from what was an invaluable learning experience.

Emma Ward
Senior Years Coordinator

Over the last few weeks, Kildare has hosted the SAPSASA Year 6/7 AFL North-East team trials coached by one of our Physical Education teachers, Miss McAteer. 

Students from other schools in the North-East district including St Pius X, St Paul's Lutheran, Dernancourt Primary and Northfield Primary School came in numbers to Kildare to earn themselves a spot on the team.

Thank you to all students who trialled. It is with great pride that we announce the 11 talented Year 7 students from Kildare College have been selected as part of the squad of 16. 

• Mia Pamula
• Keira Pignataro
• Poppy-Mae Downing
• Erin Richter
• Christie Cooper
• Anika Sos
• Lilliana Savocchia
• Maddison Hasler
• Lucy Roberts
• Amy Kosir
• Alyssa Naseby

The students showed great skill and enthusiasm with a variety of playing experience. Miss McAteer stated, "What got them over the line was their willingness to give it a go and try their hardest in every contest. They showed great teamwork and leadership skills and I look forward to coaching the team over the next few weeks to refine their skills even further."

The team will take part in two more training sessions before the competition over three days in November.

Hayley McAteer
Coach

Year 9 students have had the opportunity to participate in self defence training over the last three weeks of term. This opportunity was a student led initiative from 2020 and it was fantastic to see it come to fruition.

Through a HUMS Project Based Learning activity in 2020, a group of Year 8 students identified strategies to feel more empowered. The students presented their findings to College Leadership and as a part of the program, a recommendation was that self defence training would be completed by classes in 2021. It is has been fantastic to see our student leaders develop ideas and be active in the completion of the program.

Students have undertaken theory and practical sessions with the Academy of Self Defence and Martial Arts. The classes have been very excited with students feedback including, “It is an experience I will hold onto in the future”, and “It was good to learn things that built our confidence”. The success of the program will see it become an ongoing part of the Year 9 curriculum.

Jack Monaghan
Acting Middle Years Coordinator

Developing Healthy Relationships

Over the past week the Living Justice Group delivered an awareness campaign within the College community about the importance for young people to develop healthy relationships; this was shared with Year 7, 8 and 9 students through informative presentations and activities. Students also learned to recognise possible early warning signs to avoid unhealthy, abusive relationships. To launch the campaign, last Friday the Year 10, 11, and 12 students listened intently as White Ribbon Australia Community Partner, Mrs Vicky Welgraven, presented a powerful and informative session on the issue of domestic violence against women in society. She encouraged everyone in the audience that we can all play a part in being the change.

In light of the awareness raised, in Week 1 and 2 of Term 4, the Living Justice Group will be holding a drive hoping to collect donated children’s lunch boxes for the ‘Lunchbox-for-Learning’ program; as well as toiletries and basic needs for the ‘Tote Bags for New Mums’ initiative. The lunchboxes will be delivered to children in crisis care shelters, and the tote bags to new mums in the WCH, who often arrive with few provisions from the APY Lands.

We hope families will get behind the drive.

Living Justice Group Students and
Angie Selga, Linda Dolling, Gabbi Rigney and Emma Lewis           

Baking Club have whipped up many recipes for different themes this term. We started with an Asian themed afternoon making Pandan Waffles and Pot Sticker Dumplings, these were a hit with pops of colour and flavour.

At the most recent Baking Club we travelled back in time to create some classic vintage recipes including passionfruit shortcake, butterfly cupcakes, honey joys and mini cob dips! This really showed how food is like fashion, and the nature of recipes often depends on the era in which they were popular. 

Kara Steward and Alana Durka
Home Economics Teachers

The Mecca of Netball in SA and home to the Thunderbirds, Netball Stadium SA, was the scene for Monday’s Grand Final tournament for our Year 9 knockout team. Ms Whitton and the students certainly came to play and got off to a flying start, winning both their Round-Robin games with ease and advancing to the semi-final where their first real challenge awaited them. Kildare showed poise and confidence under immense pressure from their Kapunda opponents to win and advance through to the Grand Final. 

The Grand Final saw our Kildare team come up against a very impressive Keith outfit. Like us, Keith advanced through to the final games with relative ease. It was bound to be a blockbuster game!

Keith were red hot from the very first centre pass and capitalised on a few nervous errors made by our Kildare team, to gain an early advantage. The players rallied hard in the second quarter to cut the early deficit back to within 2 goals at the half time break.

Unfortunately though, our recent injury curse filtered through to our Netballers, and one of our defender’s game was over early in the third quarter, due to a high ankle sprain. This injury unfortunately zapped all of our momentum, and the team were unable to recover and chase down the lead their opponents maintained until the very final bell of the game. 

It was an enormous effort by our team to persist and show vigour and determination all the way until the very end. It was a match that really could have gone either way, and unfortunately it went their way this time. The team should be extremely proud of their performance, not just in the final game, but throughout the whole day.

Our team Medic, Zariah Sideris, had this account of the day:

“The Year 8/9 players showed great perseverance and dedication throughout all 4 games played today.

Game 1 against Loreto College: The team came out strong to secure a win first up, 6 goals to 0 at the start. Strong rebounds from both shooters and defenders, while continuously using communication skills from either side of the court. The team excelled in creating opportunities for the goal shooters to score, with Josyln Field shooting from various positions in the ring. Kildare pulled out the win 27-7.

Game 2 against Samaritan College: The players continued their quick and intense movement from either side of the court, while creating large spaces for leading passes. Charli Hazelhurst encouraged the team throughout, with loud calling to support the team with plays, taking on the captain role. The team played well to come out with the win 28-16 ready for the semi-finals.

Game 3 the semi-finals against Kapunda High School: Kildare came out strong, with quick early movement from the first centre pass. Great shooting and movement in the ring by Lily Sparkhall, confusing the opposition defenders. The game was very close but the girls fought hard to keep their lead for the entire game-winning 38-30.

Game 4 the finals against Keith High School: The team worked extremely hard this game and unfortunately were not able to bring home the gold but the girls played intensely and strong throughout the day. Well done everyone!”   

Carmine Caruso
Sports Development Officer

The Chai and Chat Team is a group of students from Kildare College who come together from diverse cultural backgrounds, to chat about culture, traditional food, discuss critical issues impacting refugees and share stories in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.

We welcome students from all cultural backgrounds to come and join us for a chat, cup of tea and on occasions we will cook traditional food to share. 

At our most recent get together, we had Kylie from the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) join us via Zoom to discuss leadership opportunities. We talked about how we could help as a school to bring awareness regarding issues faced by refugees. Kylie also spoke about how we could engage with other youth programs to support refugees. 

Earlier this term, some of the students from The Chai and Chat Team attended the ARA Student Leadership Day. The day incorporated many activities and was extremely educational, with a variety of topics being covered. The students learnt about many different and diverse cultures through people sharing their stories with each other. It was a fantastic opportunity to get to know other students from different schools.

Through an interactive Responding to Racism Workshop, the students learnt how to speak up for what is right and not be afraid to defend others. They continued to build leadership skills through the many activities held throughout the day and by talking to other students. Overall, the day was enjoyable and the students had fun. We really appreciate ARA for hosting and inviting us to this wonderful event. 

At the College assembly the Chai and Chat Team acknowledged the suffering of the people of Afghanistan which is affecting many of their family and friends. With the conflict in Afghanistan escalating women, children and families are being forced to flee their homes for safety. The current situation in Afghanistan is leaving families without food, water, shelter and safety. Women and children are the most vulnerable. As an act of solidarity, students and staff at Kildare College held a minute's silence for the people of Afghanistan. 

Emma Hughes, Linda Dolling, Emma Lewis and The Chai and Chat Team 

It has been a wonderful and busy term in the Resource Centre with Book Week taking place in Week 6. The theme this year was “Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds”. The students had fun taking part in activities each day surrounding the theme. They made Shakespeare inspired masquerade masks, Harry Potter House bookmarks, and Tell Your Story beaded bracelets. Some beautiful pieces were created by the students with a strong focus on literacy.

Lunchtime is always a buzzing hub of excitement in the Resource Centre and the students have especially enjoyed weekly journaling and scrapbooking sessions. It allows them time to be creative without restraints, to put their thoughts onto paper, and make some beautiful art. We have also started weekly beaded bracelet making, which has challenged the students design skills and has been a lovely spring activity.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge finished last week as well. A huge congratulations to all the students for their amazing efforts in completing the challenge and reading so many books this year. We had an incredible 1061 books read by the students this year. Everyone will receive their awards and certificates for the challenge next term.

Some exciting news to share at last! The Resource Centre now has a dedicated graphic novel and manga section with plenty of room for the collection to grow. The graphic novels and manga have been so popular this year, and it has been wonderful having the students input in curating this collection. A huge thank you to the Resource Centre Volunteers for all their efforts in helping create this collection.

Happy Reading.

Emma Gay
Resource Centre Officer

Last week, we had the absolute pleasure in watching our Year 9 debating team in action for the final time this year at Nazareth Catholic College.

Debating against Mount Carmel College, Abby Jones, Katya Zirnsak and Kavishi Alles did a sterling job stating their case that the “Julie Bishop Barbie doll sends the wrong message.” They effectively demonstrated their debating skills by speaking confidently, think clearly and spontaneously when rebutting, and providing a succinct persuasive speech in an assertive and poised manner.

With a double win for Kildare, we comfortably won the debate, as well as Katya Zirnsak (our third speaker), receiving the best overall debater for the evening.

Furthermore, we ranked 22nd out of 44 teams on the Debating SA ladder. A great way to finish off the debating season for 2021. Well done girls – we are super proud!

Bring on 2022!

Zefi Pezos and Linda Dolling
Debating Coaches