LIFE Summer Term Week Five
| Mon | 4 March | Labour Day Public Holiday – College Closed | |||
| Tue | 5 March | Home Study Day – College and Uniform Shop Closed | |||
| NEAS to be rescheduled | |||||
| Shrove Tuesday | |||||
| Wed | 6 March | Ash Wednesday | |||
| NEAS Yr 10 to Yr 12 vs La Salle | |||||
| OLNA Writing - First Round | |||||
| Thu | 7 March | NEAS Swim Meet at La Salle | 2:00pm to 5:00pm | ||
| OLNA Writing - First Round |
Parents please use Parent Coneqt for SEQTA Engage via this link for current letters and excursion information. SEQTA Engage
Road Safety Around Our College
The safety of our children travelling to and from school each day is of critical concern and requires the cooperation of all road users.
Sadly, too often parents/guardians transgress community expectations and general courtesies when dropping off or picking up students from the College. Additionally, student safety is seriously compromised by blatant disregard for road rules and signage.
The City of Swan Community Safety Advocate undertakes regular education patrols around the College. Much of the interaction is educative, cautioning parents/guardians on the parking requirements Surrounding the College. During Term 1 a number of parents/guardians received infringement notices for offences relating to ignoring parking regulation signage, illegal parking on footpaths, and intersection/obstruction infractions.
In addition to the above offences, unfortunately parents/guardians at Holy Cross College also exhibited behaviours which are not considered acceptable - specifically the patrolling Officers have noted instances of abusive language being directed towards them. Whilst some parents/guardians may not appreciate the City’s response in regards to parking patrols it should be remembered that these patrols are undertaken from a community safety perspective, as well as in response to requests for service from residents being affected in close proximity to the school. The Community Safety Advocate team would prefer not to have to engage in an enforcement activity, however, when pedestrian safety is compromised or access is limited to properties, the City has no option but to respond and administer the local law provisions.
As Term 2 has now commenced, the Community Safety Advocate team will begin enforcement patrols around the College and infringement notices will be issued to alleged offenders. Holy Cross College supports the initiative of the City’s Community Safety Advocate, but looks forward to the day when they are not needed.
Poor behaviour in public reflects badly on the College, but more so on the person behaving badly. Above all, disregard for the road rules comprises the safety of all students.
Parents/guardians are urged to be patient, observe the road rules and adhere to common courtesies.
Please see below the City’s Information Sheet related to School Parking.
Mr P Collins
Vice Principal
What's The Cost Of Wheat?
As part of their Humanities and Social Sciences inquiry into 'What's The Cost of Wheat?' the Year 9s had a guest visit from Bill O'Keeffe, a wheat farmer from the South West of W.A.
The students were able to hear about life growing up on one of the state's largest wheat and sheep operations and the challenges faced by farmers as they attempt to work with an unpredictable climate, changes to the soil and social isolation. They enjoyed examining the different grains and fertilisers used on the property and were able to present some wonderful questions that reflected the depth of their learning.
This was an engaging way for the Year 9s to learn about Geography and Economics and we are very grateful to Bill for making the trip to give the students the first hand perspective on farming life.
Miss Emilie Reynolds
Learning Innovator
The students were able to hear about life growing up on one of the state's largest wheat and sheep operations and the challenges faced by farmers as they attempt to work with an unpredictable climate, changes to the soil and social isolation. They enjoyed examining the different grains and fertilisers used on the property and were able to present some wonderful questions that reflected the depth of their learning.
This was an engaging way for the Year 9s to learn about Geography and Economics and we are very grateful to Bill for making the trip to give the students the first hand perspective on farming life.
Miss Emilie Reynolds
Learning Innovator
Junior School Update
Year 3
This term, the Year Three class are learning about Australia’s neighbouring countries. We started our unit of work with a hands-on activity, where pairs of students had to match the country to the correct flag. They then used QR codes around the room to check if they got them correct. We have also completed a mapping activity, labelling our neighbouring countries on a map and providing the direction they are from Perth using compass points.
In Religious Education, the Year Three’s have been learning about Reconciliation, as many of our classmates will be making this special Sacrament next week. We have been praying for them and learning about the different elements this Sacrament encompasses. We have also designed and decorated our ‘LifeLink Day Hearts’ to show how we can all work together, as one Catholic family, to reach out and help those in need in our community. We are looking forward to the Mini Vinnies and Faith Leaders taking our hearts to the LifeLink Day 2017 launch on the 7th June.
In Mathematics, students have been using number lines to demonstrate their understanding of place value. They had to work collaboratively and justify their reasoning to the group before placing their number on the line.The Year Three class really enjoyed the Cross Country a fortnight ago and they are now looking forward to making the Sacrament of Reconciliation next week. Please keep them in your prayers.
Miss Antonia Ravenscroft
Year 3 Teacher
Over the last week, the Year 5 students have been working through NAPLAN. We have now completed all four tests! These tests were on language conventions, writing, reading and numeracy. We all worked really hard and had a go at every question, but we are all relieved to have now finished.
In Mathematics, we have been exploring division with remainders. The students have learned that not all numbers divide into other numbers equally and sometimes there are numbers left over, these are called remainders. We have also learned how to convert our remainders into decimals. To work this out we have used short division and our knowledge of our times tables.
Our driving question in Religious Education is ‘What is a relationship?’ We created a cover page for this question and throughout the unit we will add information to help us answer the question. The students have looked at Gospel stories that highlight Jesus treated everyone equally, regardless of the social norms of the time. We are excited to find out what else we can add to our driving question in order to create our final answer.
We are excited to see what the rest of the term has planned for us.
Miss Jessica Armenti
Year 5 Teacher
ATAR Elevate Workshops
Year 11 and 12 ATAR students had pre-exam sessions with Elevate on Thursday. Year 11 enjoyed a workshop called 'Ace Your Exams'. Feedback was that this was engaging and inspiring. Year 12 focused on Memory Neumonics - reinforcing some skills around memorisation. Again, feedback was extremely positive. We wish our Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 students all the best for their exams over the next two weeks.
A reminder to use your study time effectively and ensure you are doing practice questions as much as possible.
Ms O'Donohue
Deputy Principal - Learning
A reminder to use your study time effectively and ensure you are doing practice questions as much as possible.
Ms O'Donohue
Deputy Principal - Learning
Drama Students In Touch With Playwriting Worldwide
The cast and crew of the 2017 Senior Production of 'An Unspeakable Triumph of Supreme Brilliance' were lucky enough this week to Skype with the playwright of the script, Don Zolidis earlier this week. Don has written over 95 plays and is based in Austin, Texas. Students were able to ask questions related to his experience in theatre as well as their own characters and his interpretation of their quirks and personalities. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring their experience of the show beyond the rehearsal room and students and staff involved relished the opportunity to explore this witty text and its wonderful characters in more depth with the mind behind the text. Special thanks to Don for giving up his time, especially with the 13 hour time difference between Perth and Austin!
Mr Chris McRae
Drama Teacher and Production Director
Mr Chris McRae
Drama Teacher and Production Director
Junior School Athletics Carnival - save the date!
This year's Junior School Athletics Carnival, for students in Kindergarten to Year 6, will be taking place at the College on Thursday, 22 June.
This is a change from previous years where the carnival has been held in Winter Term so please add this date to your calendars.
More information regarding times etc will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Vanja Basell
Assistant Principal, Junior School
The Simpson Prize Tour
The Simpson Prize is a national History competition for Year 9-10 students run by the Australian government and the History Teachers’ Association of Australia. it has been running for the past seventeen years and each year a group of eight students (one from each state and territory) and two teachers are selected to represent Australia at an ANZAC service overseas and to tour historical sites that are relevant to their study of World War One.
Each year, competing students will answer an essay question regarding a specific aspect of the war and entries are first judged at state level and then by a national panel. Teachers are invited to enter by answering a series of questions regarding their qualifications and experience as well as providing written recommendations. Teachers are interviewed at state level and then the final two are selected by the Simpson Prize Committee.
The two teachers, the eight winning students and the selected runner-up from each state or territory attended a presentation ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra before travelling to an overseas location. In 2017, the location for the tour was the Western Front, reflecting the area of focus for the essay question answered by the students.
The tour departed on 16 April and began with visiting significant sites in London, including the Imperial War Museum and Churchill’s War Rooms. The group then travelled to Ypres in Belgium to participate in the Last Post ceremony under the Menin Gate - the spot where the names of missing Australian soldiers are listed and where the surrounding countryside is littered with the graves of Australians who served there during the war.
From Ypres, we toured the important battlefields of the Western Front, including Fromelles, Pozieres, Hill 60 and Polygon Wood, learning about the strategic importance of these battles but also coming face to face with the human cost in the form of cemeteries and memorials. We were also able to participate in the amazing ‘Platoon Experience’ program, which enabled us to step into the shoes of an Australian soldier for the day.
The Western Front tour led us to the French city of Amiens and on to the ANZAC Day ceremony at Villiers-Bretonneux. This was an extremely moving experience and highlighted the close relationship that still exists between the people of France, Belgium and Australia,
The trip culminated with a visit to the Palace of Versailles and a few days spent exploring Paris before the trip home.
The opportunity to chaperone the Simpson Prize Tour was truly life-changing and the memory of the trip will be something that I treasure forever. I am very grateful to Ms. Connor for her unwavering support of the tour and hope that I am able to pass on the knowledge that I gained to my students in the years to come.
Miss Emilie Reynolds
Senior School Exams
Senior School exams are taking place during weeks 4 and 5 in Autumn term. Exams also include Year 12 general students who need to complete compulsory EST assessments. Students who are absent for any reason need to make contact with the Deputy Principal - Enrichment.Year 10 students will be on campus the entire time, while Year 11 and 12 students have home study when they do not have a scheduled exam. Year 11 and 12 students must be cleared (no outstanding assessments) for home study by the College, or they will need to attend school during normal hours.
Mr Paul Murphy
Deputy Principal
11 May 2017
College Tours Wed 31 May
Junior School Update
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten students have welcomed Autumn Term with smiles and enthusiasm. They have been immersed in the research of Minibeasts. Over the last two weeks, the students learning intention in English has been to identify the letter sounds I for insects and M for minibeasts. The students, in particular, loved learning about insects. They searched for insects during outdoor learning time, counted their six legs and were involved in a lot of sensory exploration in mud, wood chips and even sticky-icky jelly! In Mathematics, they have been learning to count up to 20. 
The students are encouraged to keep seeing the world as creative explorers with open eyes, and who are willing to challenge and experiment anything they come across in order to make their own understanding.Just a reminder that on Wednesday, 10 May we are hosting a Mother’s Day Pampering Session in our Kindergarten Classrooms. The students cannot wait to spoil their mums!
Mrs. Emma Pring and Mrs. Jo Borg
Kindergarten Teachers
Year 1
Year 1H and 1C have been enjoying the sunshine this term, with the Junior School Cross Country Carnival and our outdoor play.
All students were very excited to participate in the Cross Country Carnival, and after many weeks of training, the day was here. We were showing House spirit with our House shirts; Salvado capes, McCormack tutus, Frayne masks and Ozanam pom poms. After a few warm-up stretches, we were ready to race! We were very proud of our efforts as everyone completed the race, with smiles still on our faces.
One of our favourite times of day has been lunchtime as we get to sit down with our friends and fill them in on all our interesting experiences we have been having. It has been lots of fun making new friends and learning new games.
Miss Hannah Sibbald and Miss Aisling Keating
Year 1 Teachers
