Wednesday 8 March is International Women’s Day. The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren't enough and why equity matters. This year’s IWD theme prompts us to consider the difference between equality and equity. Since everyone starts from different places, true inclusion and belonging require equitable action, rather than just equality.

So what is the difference between equality and equity? The words can often be used interchangeably without a complete understanding of the difference.

Let's start with a basic definition of each word.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities.

Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Angela Myles 

Executive Principal

Next week during Week 7 we will have some variations occurring. On Monday, some students will be involved in Cross Country. This will occur on Monday morning and will happen in and around the Secondary Campus. On Wednesday and Thursday of Week 7 NAPLAN will be occurring. Ms Yeo has a piece in this newsletter about NAPLAN, could I please remind families that it is critical that students have a fully charged Chromebook and plug in earphones (not bluetooth earphones). Year 10 will have their retreat day on site on Friday.

In Week 9 of this term we will have Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday and Thursday. These Interviews are a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and discuss areas of success and areas for development which may have been identified. They will be held in the school hall. Further information will be sent to families regarding the booking of interviews.

During Tutor over the next period of time Tutors will be asking the students in their group about academic goal setting. I encourage families to discuss with their children about setting goals for academic success. It is important that students give themself some space to clearly think about and articulate what success academically looks like for them and then (with assistance, when required) develop a plan to reach the goal. It is important that they regularly check in on the goal/s and do not just set and forget their goals. Some start up questions to students

• Do I have an academic goal?
• Do I have a plan in place to achieve this goal?
• Am I working as planned?
• What does academic excellence look like for me?

Many families would be happy to know that the oval and running track have been levelled. Irrigation is being installed this week and turfing should occur next week (weather permitting). This will be another wonderful resource for our school.

Justin McCarney 

Head of Campus - Secondary 

A Reflection for International Women’s Day by Caritas Australia

Today, we honour women all over the world: sisters in our one human family, made to live lives worthy of their human dignity. 

Today, we respect women all over the world who use their voices to advocate for their own human rights, the wellbeing of their communities and the common good. 

Today, we learn from women all over the world who lend their hands and knowledge and networks to tend the earth, grow crops in season and care for our common home. 

Today, we stand with women all over the world who call us all to address the causes of poverty that continue to challenge their lives and futures. 

Today, we follow women all over the world who walk shoulder to shoulder with neighbours in need, acting in solidarity towards justice for all. 

Today, we thank women all over the world who take up roles and opportunities for growth, participating in ways that improve their own lives and those of the people around them.

Today, we look to women all over the world who hold positions of power and influence, with the capacity to move governments and organisations to act for the good of those they serve.  

Today, we commit ourselves to #EmbraceEquity so that all people, in whichever place or circumstance, have what they need to live fully.

God, whose love and goodness gathers us in:

we pray for women all over the world,

especially those challenged by poverty and other injustice.

Stir us to know women’s dignity.

Quieten us to listen to women’s voices.

Awaken us to see women’s realities.

Strengthen us to stand for women’s rights.

Fill us with hope to make a better future together.

Amen.

  

Written by Michael McGirr 

Think for a moment about some of the things you have on your walls at home. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive. They might be photos of your family or perhaps of deceased grandparents. They might be prints of famous paintings or posters with sayings that mean a lot to you. It is very common that Christians have special things: crucifixes or images of saints. All of these things inspire us in one way or another. If ever you have had to pack up to move house and looked at your bare walls as you leave, they will seem empty and colourless.

Art is one of the things that transfigures our world and makes it more beautiful. Other things do this as well: laughter, tears, cooking, music, hugs and sharing stories. They all transfigure our houses and allow us to see them as homes. They unlock the true potential of an otherwise ordinary space.

This week Project Compassion, organised by Caritas Australia, presents us with the story of Tereesa, a 27-year-old indigenous woman from Western Sydney, the area with the largest urban indigenous population in the country. Tereesa became pregnant at the age of 16.

With your help, Project Compassion has been able to support the Mums and Bubs program run by Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation. This allowed Tereesa to find accommodation, gain skills and continue her education. She was also able to connect with her culture. Her glorious artwork was featured on the Wulugul Walk during Sydney’s Vivid Light festival last year. Her use of light and colour transfigured the environment where it was displayed. In so many places, Project Compassion helps people to achieve their vision.

Of course, the transfiguration of Jesus is unique. We hear in today’s Gospel that Jesus took his closest friends to the top of a high mountain. His face shone like the sun and his face became ‘as white as the light.’ A voice from heaven said ‘this is my beloved son; listen to him.’ Peter said how wonderful it was to be there. The transfiguration may have only lasted a few minutes but it was clear that Jesus’ friends never forgot it. Like a work of art on a wall, the memory made the world seem very different. During Lent, we are also called to transfigure the world, to make a difference.

Tereesa works on one of her paintings at Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation in Western Sydney.

Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas Australia

 

Upcoming Secondary Religious Education Dates

Week 6	Wednesday - Year 8 Communion Service
Week 7	Wednesday - Year 7 Mass Friday - Year 10 Reflection day facilitated by Real Talk
Week 8	Friday - Romero Day
Week 9	Monday - Easter Art Awards in Kelso Wednesday - Year 12 Mass
Week 10	Thursday - Holy Week and Easter Liturgy

Alexander Abbey

Leader of Mission K-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

iSTEM education (Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is a vital part of our school's curriculum. It provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges. In our class, students have been challenged to design and build structures that can withstand various forces. Students use a variety of materials, such as popsicle sticks and straws, to create their designs. Here are some of the exciting activities that students in iSTEM are doing at our school:

1. Construct the tallest tower possible.
2. Construct the strongest possible bridge.
3. Construct the strongest possible tower.
4. Convert a paper bag into a parachute with the slowest rate of fall.
5. Construct a gyrocopter with the slowest glide rate.

These are just a few examples of the exciting activities that students in iSTEM are doing at our school. By providing students with these opportunities, we hope to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. We are proud of the passion, curiosity, and determination that our students bring to these activities, and we look forward to seeing their future accomplishments!

International Science School 2023 — it’s back, live and in-person! 

The fully residential International Science School returns to the University of Sydney, July 2023. Join top science students from across Australia and around the world for two weeks of inspiring talks by world-renowned scientists, amazing visits to cutting-edge research facilities, loads of hands-on experiments and activities, and a full program of social events. It’s going to be fantastic, you don’t want to miss this one.

ISS2023 will run from 2-15 July 2023 — science-mad students in Years 11 and 12 in 2023 are encouraged to apply.

https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/industry-and-community/community-engagement/international-science-school.html?fbclid=IwAR2g_nwaa5RUs__q3jAl7nne44VhtkKeolGv4n2R2dh-0F3l1eutZV8HhCs

International Women’s Day

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women around the world and to raise awareness about the issues that they face. It is a day to recognize the contributions that women make to society and to reflect on the progress that has been made in achieving gender equality.

This year, International Women's Day is especially important for those who are interested in science. Women have made tremendous contributions to the field of science throughout history, and their achievements continue to inspire future generations of scientists.

One of the most well-known female scientists is Marie Curie, who is famous for her work on radioactivity. Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, and she is still remembered as one of the greatest scientists of all time. Her work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the world, and her legacy lives on today.

But Marie Curie is not the only female scientist who has made important contributions to science. Women have been making discoveries and advancing our knowledge of the world for centuries, even though their achievements have often been overlooked or dismissed.

Today, women are still underrepresented in many areas of science. They often face discrimination and bias, and they may struggle to gain recognition for their work. However, there are many organisations and initiatives working to support women in science and to promote gender equality in the field.

One such initiative is the United Nations' International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day, celebrated on February 11th, aims to encourage more girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. By supporting women in STEM, we can help to create a more diverse and inclusive scientific community that reflects the perspectives and experiences of all people.

So, on this International Women's Day, let's celebrate the achievements of women in science and pledge to support and encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM fields. By working together, we can create a more equitable and just world where everyone has the opportunity to make a difference and achieve their full potential.

Happy International Women's Day to all the Incredible Women!

In celebration of 8th March, International Women's day, let's bring into the spotlight 10 Amazing Women Scientists!

What Is International Women's Day?

Nicole Jelbart

Science Coordinator  - Secondary 

Commerce students this term have been learning about consumer and financial decisions and the influences on these decisions. As part of their studies they were tasked with a ‘Dinner Challenge’ in which they were required to cook a family meal with a budget of $20 and the meal had to be dairy free. Below are some of the fantastic meals that were prepared by some of our students. 

Karla Croake 

HSIE Coordinator 

Agriculture students participated in the Mudgee Show Young Judges Competition last Friday 3rd March. Students were involved in judging fruit and vegetables, grain and Merino fleeces. Well done to all students who participated and congratulations to Olivia who received second place in Merino fleece judging and grain judging, Rosie for receiving second place in fruit and vegetable judging and Belle Fitzpatrick who received third place in grain judging

We wish Olivia, Rosie and Letesha (who has already qualified for Merino Fleece judging) all the best for competing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April.

Kim White & Judy Rohr

Agriculture Teachers

Classes are settling into the new Food Technology and Hospitality kitchens at the new Campus.  Three of the Year 7 Technology Mandatory classes are studying a Delicious Dairy Unit and have made pancakes, fusion ice cream and 2 ingredient pizza scrolls. In the coming week, they will make a simple Paneer cheese, which will be made into Cheese and spinach bites using puff pastry in the following lesson. The students have started their assessment task to design a herb, vegetable and edible flower garden.

The Stage 5 Food Technology classes are studying Food Trends and they have started on their assessment tasks creating a food Blog and Grazing Box. The practical lessons; cafe style breakfast, Bruschetta and Dumpling Soup with Ramen noodles have given students knowledge and skills preparing food which features daily on the menus of Trendy cafes and restaurants. 

Year 11 Food technology is studying a unit on Food Availability and Selection. Students have studied the factors that have affected food selection in Australia and have made some interesting dishes; Chicken Gyros, lemon myrtle yo yo’s (similar to melting moments) and in the last week made a social justice pizza illustrating that the types of toppings put onto a traditional base will be based on many different factors. E.g. Higher incomes may mean a wider range of toppings than those people on low incomes.

Year 12 Hospitality have just finished an assessment task on Appetisers and Salads. They made a Warm Italian sausage salad, a Thai prawn salad, Golden Fried coconut prawns with a Chilli Dipping Sauce and the last dish was a traditional Caesar Salad. Students have also participated in several catering events to count towards their last unit- Use Cookery Skills Effectively.

Judith Woods

TAS Teacher

The NSW Premier Reading challenge is up and running for another year. 

The students have the opportunity to participate by reading a total of 20 books. The entries for the challenge close on the 18th of August. The students can read 10 free choice books and 10 Premier reading challenge books to make their total. There are a number of Premier’s reading challenge books at the Learning Resource Centre to borrow.

Students who complete the challenge will have the opportunity to attend a movie afternoon with snacks in the learning resource centre to recognise and celebrate their efforts. You can pick up your personal reading log from the Learning Resource Centre. Once the students have completed the challenge they will need to hand in their reading log into the Learning Resource Centre.

If you have any questions please ask

Happy reading!

Mrs Sugden

Learning Resource Centre