Chisholm Need to Know

CAROLINE CHISHOLM COLLEGE

Term 1 School Fees Due 17 March 2021
Please note that Term 1 School Fees are due for payment by the close of business on Wednesday 17 March 2021 unless a fee arrangement is in place. Please contact Wendy Slaughter as soon as possible on 02 4737 5500 if you wish to discuss payment arrangements.

Updated COVID-19 advice
Enclosed with this Need to Know is a letter from the Executive Director, Gregory Whitby, that summarises the important changes that were recently announced by the NSW Government that affect the conduct of activities at schools and the interaction between the school and parents and carers.

Please read this letter carefully and note the need to comply with sign-in arrangements including checking in with QR codes, gathering limits, and the observance of COVID-19 safety protocols of social distancing, use of hand sanitisers and handwashing.

STEM Club
This week we are launching our STEM Club with a focus on encouraging our students to participate in a range of STEM competitions and activities.  These opportunities allow students to use and develop skills in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) while also developing skills in problem solving, communication, teamwork and creativity.  We will also be offering a 10 week coding course facilitated by a Computer Engineer who has volunteered her time.

These activities will be run during normal class time and participation requires that students catch up on work missed from scheduled lessons while they are attending STEM Club.

We are excited about the opportunities we can provide access to that are relevant to what is happening in our local and wider community as STEM related career opportunities will increase dramatically in Western Sydney in the coming decades. 

If you have any questions about STEM Club and your daughter's participation then please contact Mr Ian Fuller of Mr Dean Radanovic at the College.

Year 10 and 11 Study Skills Sessions
This week Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net) ran a study skills session with Year 10 and 11. The main area covered for Year 10 was the importance of using this year as a training period to prepare for senior studies. Students need to learn how to work effectively at home, manage distractions, make brain-friendly study notes and work out which study techniques work best for them.

Year 10 Students also attended a session with Rocky Biasi from Human Connections (www.humanconnections.com.au). The main points of this session were how to get into the best mental and emotional state for peak performance. The students were presented with a range of techniques and strategies to help them manage stress and overwhelm, learn how to refocus on priorities and minimise mental focus on disappointments and set-backs, how to access motivation and deal with procrastination. Students also looked at how to develop key character strengths and a Growth mindset.

In the Year 11 session, Dr Salter explored advanced research about the brain and how that could be used to make their study more effective. Parents are encouraged to review the handout from the session with students and discuss the main areas identified where changes need to be made. Parents can also find extra study skills tips on the following website: http://studyskillstoptipsparents.com/

All secondary students at our school also have access to a great study skills website to help students develop their skills. Go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and enter the username: forccconly and the password: 55results and start improving your results today!

Caroline Chisholm's Annual Cross Country Carnival will be held on Wednesday 31st March (Week 10) in periods 3 and 4
The age your daughter is turning THIS year (2021) will determine the distance she will be required to run.

The distances per age group are as follows;
12 Girls – 3km
13 Girls – 3km
14 Girls – 4km
15 Girls – 4km
16 Girls – 4km
17 Girls – 4km
18+ Girls – 6km

Students have been sent the link, via email, to register their participation in the Cross Country Carnival. Please note parents are not required to fill out the form for students. 

Registrations must be finalised by Friday 26th March.

Any questions can be directed to Sports Coordinator - Stephen McIlveen smcilveen@parra.catholic.edu.au

Part time work
From Year 9 on many of our students start to look for part time jobs. There is research which talks about the many positive aspects of this, as well as the potential negative impact of part time work on schooling. Part time work can be a very positive thing - it develops independence and self-organisation. Students learn interpersonal and organisational skills, as well as skills in following directions. However, the study also shows that there are significant impacts on students' learning if they work more than 10 hours a week. The study showed that, on average, a Year 12 student loses half an ATAR percentage point for each hour per week worked above 10 hours. Unfortunately, many of our students work significantly more hours than this and parents and carers need to be having conversations with them and putting limits on their daughters' paid work hours. If a workplace won't agree to limited hours, students would be better off not having the job at all. I am very concerned about students who work up to 20 hours – or even more. This is bordering on full time work and part time school. Additionally, parents need to be monitoring when their daughters are working and what responsibilities they are given, particularly those with responsibilities of late night lock ups. Hours of part time work should allow students to have the normal sleep patterns required of teenagers which should be 8-10 hours uninterrupted. Studies continue to show the serious impact that poor sleep patterns can have on adolescent wellbeing and academic performance.

Letter from Mr Gregory Whitby

Please see attached letter regarding COVID-19 update for schools.
Download

Diary Dates - Term 1 Week 8

Monday 15 March
Staff Professional Learning Day - No students at school

Tuesday 16 March
Staff Professional Learning Day - No students at school

Wednesday 17 March
PDSSSC Touch Gala Day/Selections, The Kingsway

Friday 19 March
Year 12 Visual Art Excursion to Art Gallery of NSW / Armoury, SOPA
Year 11 Geography Excursion to Auseco Biophysical Interactions, Frenchs Forest

Diary Dates - Term 1 Week 9

Wednesday 24 March
Constitutional Convention Excursion

Thursday 25 March
Constitutional Convention Excursion
NAPLAN Practice - Year 7 & 9 Omnibus & Writing Test

Friday 26 March
Year 11 & 12 Ancient History Excursion to Chau Chak Wing Museum 

Upskill at CathWest

View the attached flyer for Upskill Courses offered by CathWest. Printed copies are available at Student Services.
Download

CONTACTING THE COLLEGE VIA EMAIL

Caroline Chisholm College recognises that email is a fast and convenient way to communicate with your child’s teacher. We wish to remind you that teachers read their emails at various times throughout the school day. Further, teachers are generally not expected to respond to emails from parents and students outside of normal working hours. In the case of a genuine emergency please contact the school office during business hours on carolinechisholm@parra.catholic.edu.au or phone 02 4737 5500. We appreciate your assistance and understanding. If you have any questions about the above please feel free to contact the college.