The Delany community
Have you visited the College this year? Now as the COVID crisis disperses we are permitted to have parents attend the site. When you visit you will see a gradual but consistent change in the setup and facilities in the yard. First and most obvious is the entry space off Grimwood Street. This space has been converted into an outdoor learning and gathering space. It is officially the “Year 12” area, and it has two objectives: to provide a space where our senior students have ownership of and responsibility for their own area; and to provide senior students with a post-school study environment. Whether at university, TAFE or any study option next year, our graduates of 2021 will be required to independently manage themselves, their time and their study programs. This space introduces them to this mode of learning, and I must say it is very pleasing to see our Year 11 and 12 students use this space respectfully and productively.
We have a minor but important program of building work planned for this year that will further support student wellbeing. We are planning to re-purpose rooms next to this senior space to create a student wellbeing hub. This space, once completed, will provide a small kitchen for senior students, a reception area for students when they check in late for school, and offices for our house coordinators and school counsellor. While learning is the key focus at school, learning is successful when students’ wellbeing is also supported and promoted. We believe this is a key piece of the big picture for student success.
The academic community
Term 1 always passes in a blur. Already at the back end of the term, both staff and students have been working hard on projects and assessments with many tasks due in the next few weeks. Please keep talking to your children about their classes, homework and projects.
We are now reflecting on the first term of Stage 4 classes - where both Years 7 & 8 have combined classes in Religion, History and English. These combined classes have created a rich environment of learning and enabled greater differentiation of teaching - that is, meeting students at their point of need in their own learning journey. We have always, and continue to, provide excellent support for students who struggle in some classes. This Stage 4 class is also promoting an environment in which students can “stretch” their learning through more in-depth projects.
Academy 1:5:1, an opportunity class, is being launched at the beginning of Term 2. This is a program of project based teaching and learning in which students will work independently and/or collaboratively to respond to open-ended and complex problems. It is structured to ensure students meet curriculum standards but plan, design and create proposals and solutions from their own and from researched perspectives. Students in Years 9 & 10 were invited to apply for the program, provide a written statement explaining their reason for applying, and then attend an interview with staff. It has been a rigorous process and we are excited to induct over 20 students into the program. Students in Academy 1:5:1 will provide updates in our newsletters throughout the remainder of the year.
The Patrician Community
You have been sending your children to school this week in casual (mufti) clothes. This is our annual “Colours for Compassion” week in which we focus our fundraising efforts on Project Compassion. There has been a theme each day (today, for example, is NEON day - my wardrobe doesn’t provide me with many options!) and each house has planned an event. Our students and you, our families, are always generous in support of these events and I thank you.
One of our Term 1 calendar events is always St Patrick’s day on 17 March. As usual, it was a day of celebration. The highlight for me was a liturgy that was designed and delivered by our students. We watched a
re enactment of St Patrick’s journey from a privileged boy, captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland, to his escape and return to France, his conversion, and his decision to return to Ireland to spread the Good News. The rest, as they say, is history. We were also treated to a number of lovely vocal performances by our students. Happy St Patrick’s day to you and your families.
St Patrick, pray for us.
Mr Anthony Blomfield
Assistant Principal
