Celebrating Diversity, Equity and Courage

Last week we acknowledged International Women’s Day and celebrated the women in our community who contribute so strongly as leaders, role models and colleagues. As a society we have made significant gains in the equity journey with, by and for women of all ages, cultures and contexts. At our International Women's Day morning tea, we had the privilege to listen to Tara Edwards' story of courage, determination and survival. Tara, a proud First Nations woman has faced many challenges throughout her life but has remained steadfast in her commitment to her personal wellbeing, her family and friends, and her career. Her message to us all is "to embrace each other, uplift each other and acknowledge the achievements of others." Tara believes there is still much to aim for and hopes that diversity continues to be recognised and celebrated.

The tone we set at ATC, the challenges we make for our young people and our words and actions play a significant part in us making a difference and standing up for equity. Our Courage Framework is a key signpost in guiding our young people to be respectful upstanders in the community.

AIC Swimming

“ATC should be super proud of the swim team and supporters at the AIC swim championships last week. The students gave it their all in and out of the pool and it was lovely to see how welcomed as guests we have been by the AIC association and the member schools.” Jarrod Turner, Head of Sport.

The team finished 7th overall and were three points away from 6th place – a few tenths of seconds in a few races. Some highlights included:

• Andre Venter (Year 8) and Max Milanov (Year 9) winning their respective races
• Zach Smith (Year 5) storming home for a mighty 2nd place
• Kai Portas (Year 12) being within a couple of body lengths of the Aus Champs in the 400m Freestyle to come 3rd

• Jack Scott, Harvi and Saxon Madders (Year 12) being sensational leaders/captains of the swim team
• Many personal bests were set which our No.1 focus for every single swimmer
• The Year 11s and 12s shouting out the lungs to support on our swimmers – some amazing school spirit shown

A huge thank you must go for all of the support from staff, families and students on the day itself and in the lead up to the event – you helped get the best out of the students. Thank you to the swimming staff lead by Mr Paul Jones who are in and around the pool and gym from 5am and finish around 7pm at night.

QDU Debating

I wish to add my congratulations to members of our Senior A debating team, Patrick Muller, Matthew Perissinotto and Kilian Reboul who won their first debate of the season last week. As I mentioned previously, ATC was invited to join the Senior A Queensland Debating Union (QDU) competition. This is the highest level of competition in Queensland schools. Our students presented with conviction and clarity and were well supported by a group of our students who were in the audience. To perform in the top level is an achievement but to win first up is a major accomplishment. I wish all our debating teams the very best for their season.

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence 

Our focus on College Assembly tomorrow is twofold – Leadership and the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. We will acknowledge and celebrate the young people who have been selected by their peers in Years 7- Year 11 to form the respective Student Representative Councils. On Friday last week we celebrated the Year 6 SRC leaders. The theme of positive relationships is always vital in any community or workplace and permeates through these two themes for College Assembly. Hopefully the elected SRC members can model positive relationships in their leadership across their cohorts. The negative side of relationships is a key aspect of educating young people. The more students and young adults hear and understand that violence, whether it be verbal, emotional, psychological or physical is never the answer, the better. Along with our student leaders, the staff at ATC will continue to educate the positives of strong leadership, along with the destructive impact of negative relationships. Amongst people of all ages, there will be difference, misunderstanding, competition and poor choices from time to time. We wish to educate our young people that we have a low tolerance for poor choices, and we will continue to model constructive problem solving and restorative methods.  Please find a copy of our Anti Bullying Policy here

This policy applies to employees, parents, carers, students, volunteers, and people visiting the school site. The basic beliefs underlying the policy are:  

•  Every individual has value in a community.  

• Every individual has the right to feel safe from bullying or harassment in all its forms.  

• Every conflict can be resolved. Victims and Aggressors both need help to resolve conflict.  
• Every individual in a community is responsible for the safety of other individuals in that community. 
• Every individual in a community is responsible for ensuring that other individuals in that community can reach their potential in a supportive and non-threatening environment. 

National Schools Improvement Tool

Recently the college participated in a National School Improvement Tool. The NSIT Review is specifically designed to equip principals, boards and staff with the data needed to plot their school’s current position against international effective practice and to plan a focused approach to school improvement appropriate to the context of their school. I have been provided with the final report of the NSIT that details the key findings of the NSIT consultants who conducted the review of our school. The report provides feedback on the assessments made against each of the nine interrelated domains of effective school practice, gathered through evidence collection and consultation within your school. The nine domains of the NSIT are :

1. An explicit improvement agenda
2. Analysis and discussion of data
3. A culture that promotes learning
4. Targeted use of school resources
5. An expert teaching team
6. Systematic curriculum delivery
7. Differentiated teaching and learning
8. Effective pedagogical practices
9. School community partnerships

Across the nine domains ATC was rated predominately at the High level (Low, Medium, High, Outstanding criteria range). This is an excellent result for such a young school as ATC. The review team has also concluded with a set of Commendations, Affirmations and Recommendations to assist in future planning and to support school-wide improvement. Over the next few weeks, I will share various components of the NSIT. The commendations provided by the NSIT consultants included:-

• Teachers exhibit a positive attitude and routinely interact with available data. They refer to that data in making decisions about teaching and learning.
• The college demonstrates a resounding alignment with the Formation Pillars of learning, leadership and service.
• College community understanding of and engagement in the Edmund Rice ethos is explicit in the learning life of the school.
• The Edmund Rice Education Australia charter touchstone of inclusive community is lived through the way in which the learning, pastoral and wellbeing needs of all students are identified and responded to.
• The college commitment to providing access for every student to learning technologies is an integral and highly valued component of teaching and learning.

• A comprehensive Whole-School Approach to Inclusion Plan, drawing on research evidence and a research-based methodology, has been developed to provide clear direction and guidelines.
• Significant resources, including 10 designated case managers, are allocated to support the Whole School Approach to Inclusion Plan in bringing the college’s belief and commitment to inclusion to life.
• IM @ATC is a comprehensive and highly regarded program providing support for early career teachers and those new to the school.
• The Inclusive Practices Hub is the heart of the adjusted education programs and support for students with additional needs. It ensures the continuity of service provision and parent liaison for each identified student.
• The college vision for learning provides an explicit set of principles, an instructional model and HITS. These offer a clear focus and set of expectations for teaching within the college.

• The college service program, an embodiment of Catholic values, engages students’ charitable and community services and has provided more than 40,000 hours of service in the past two years.
• The Clontarf Foundation, the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan and the prominence of acknowledgements of First Nations peoples throughout the college exemplify the commitment to providing a culturally safe environment and ongoing education and understanding.

These are very affirming and a credit to the ATC community.

ATC Parents and Friends
The ATC P&F focus heavily on friend raising. Already this year, 400 parents gathered at West Rugby Club for Kick of Cocktails. I am also aware of a number of Year level gatherings that have occurred and are planned, to allow parents and caregivers to have some fun and get to know each other. At times, in addition to the friend raising, funds are also raised. From last year’s P&F Trivia Night $8500 was donated to the college to support the Clubs program. The resources purchased with these funds to benefit the students have included:-

Film & Media

• Camera lens
• Pop up Back Drop Screen

Cooking Club

• New smaller Aprons to fit Yr 4 students

• Bulk sized Muffin/cake trays

Gardening Club

• 2 carts/trolleys
• Greenhouse

• Materials to build new Planter boxes

Hip Hop Dance

• Portable Bluetooth Speaker Theatresports - Portable Bluetooth Speaker
• Bluetooth Charging Doc

Dungeons & Dragons

• 5 x Campaign Books
• D & D Dice Set

SLOG

• 13 new games & card sets

Robotics

• 2 Lego Spike Prime Sets

Environmental

• 200 Tube stock for Gully regeneration

• Wheel Barrows

Gardening equipment

• Mallets
• Pick axes

• Trowels
• Gloves
• Hi viz vests

Chess Club

• New sets (boards & pieces)
• Chess Clocks
• Teaching Mat

Art Club

Various items to be determined in line with the activities planned.

TASS Roll Out

We continue the change management process of rolling out TASS – this includes Parent Lounge and Student Café. Many components are the same model as SEQTA, our previous Learning Management system, but has different labels and steps.

Please refer to our frequently asked questions for a quick reference for the steps to follow in different situations.

Parent Lounge and Student Cafe FAQ (cspace.net.au)

How to submit electronic student work (cspace.net.au)

Prayers

I ask the community to please keep Connor Evans (Year 8) and this family in your thoughts and prayers following the recent passing of a family member. Please also offer your prayers for the Wild-McElroy family after the passing of Cooper Wild-McElroy’s (Year 12) grandfather. Also, we offer our condolences to Mr Chris Ryan and his family following the recent passing of Mr Ryan’s father-in-law John. We hope that the passage of time will help heal the pain of their passing. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, may perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen.

David Gardiner

Acting Principal