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18 February 2019 Vol. 39, No. 1

Our theme for 2019 - 'Live your life awake'
Welcome to the Pride Newsletter from St Leo's Catholic College. Click on 'download images' in your browser to see all photos. Please email us if your contact details have changed or you would like to be added to our mailing list.
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Principal's Report

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,
Welcome back for 2019. It promises to be an exciting year in terms of learning, growth and finalisation of our learning spaces!

A challenging start and developing resilience

Students and staff have started the year very well and overcame some challenging conditions, including hot days, transitioning into new learning spaces, a power blackout and of course the transition from holiday time to a school timetable. However, in light of these challenges, it is important to keep the obstacles we experience in perspective, particularly when we compare it to people in Tasmania who are dealing with bushfires, people of North Queensland in the flood crisis, people who have lost loved ones or people struggling with health conditions on a daily basis.
Overcoming life’s hurdles and struggling to solve an issue is how students develop and learn resilience, which becomes more important down the track when they have to navigate life’s voyage under their own sails.
As parents and educators, we have to walk the fine line between caring for our young people versus cutting down all the obstacles in front of them. As a parent myself, I have certainly been guilty of the latter, as no parent enjoys watching them struggle, even though sometimes that is exactly what they need to do to improve, learn and develop resilience.
Resilience or grit is about the ability to try again, and again, when things don’t go according to plan. It is about having stamina, day in, day out and working hard towards long term goals. Professor of Psychology at Pennsylvania University and author of the book Grit, Prof. Angela Duckworth, says her research supports the notion that resilience/grit are bigger indicators of long term success than a person’s talent or IQ. Therefore, it is very important in our ever-changing world that we try and help our students develop it.
How does one develop or teach resilience/grit?
Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, Ms Carol Dweck is considered an expert in this field. Dweck suggests that we develop resilience by adopting what she refers to as a 'growth mindset'. When our students believe they can achieve more, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore, they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement.
Dweck believes that how you praise your young person will have an impact on whether they adopt a ‘fixed mindset’ or a ‘growth mindset’. If you tell your young person that they are smart or talented it encourages a fixed mindset and makes them vulnerable. Whereas praising the process they engage in, their hard work, the strategies they use, their impressive focus and perseverance encourages a growth mindset. When students have a growth mindset, they take on challenges and learn from them, therefore increasing their abilities, achievement and resilience.

The Panel

At our first Assembly this year – ‘The Panel’, as it is now called, interviewed Mr Sam Clear about his journey walking 15,500km. Setting out on December 16 from the eastern most point of Brazil, he walked through South America, Central America and North America, across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway and on foot again from Moscow to the western most point of Spain - all for the sake of Christian unity.
The journey encompassed 20 countries, 10 languages, and 568 days, thrusting Sam onto the front page of numerous overseas news services as he continued onwards despite major obstacles. Having to find food and water every day and relying on the hospitality of complete strangers, he was mugged at knife point, threatened at gunpoint, bashed on the side of the road, came face to face with dangerous animals and experienced temperatures from -33 to +47 degrees. Yet through it all, what stood tall was God’s love in action under the most incredible circumstances.
I am sure the students (and staff) took away some points on resilience and grit - particularly in the name of God’s love for all of mankind.
Members of The Panel were our College captains, two Year 7 students, Fr David Ranson and myself.
The Panel is designed to engage more with our students - so they become aware of the messages that our special guests can deliver.
Other guests this year will include our first female College Captain, Mrs Marie Florian-Kellett,
Australian of the Year nominee Ms Sophie Smith and past St Leo’s student Mr Steven Ralph - all with amazing stories to tell.

Congratulations Dux of the Broken Bay Diocese - Chelsea Tullia of St Leo’s!

Last Monday evening I (along with Mr Mahoney) attended the HSC Diocesan Awards with 13 of our students from the 2018 HSC Class. St Leo’s were awarded 14 first places in subjects across the Diocese.
The last award was the Dux of the Broken Bay Diocese (which includes 7 Secondary Schools from Chatswood, Manly to Lake Munmorah on the Central Coast - it went to Chelsea Tullia of St Leo’s - with a ATAR of 99.35. Congratulations to Chelsea, her family and her teachers!

In your prayers

We also keep in our prayers and thoughts the following staff members who lost a parent over the past three weeks:
Mrs Fiona Milkins - loss of her Father
Ms Therri Ellison - loss of her Mother
Ms Claire Stevenson - loss of her Mother
Mrs Sarah Hasman - loss of Grandfather
Mr Daniel Petrie - loss of his Mother
Mr Luke Trotz - Father is very ill in Wagga.

Communication - Skoolbag App

To assist with communication between the College, parents and students, I ask that you download the 'Skoolbag App - St Leo’s Catholic College'. Simply go the the Apple or Android Store and follow the installation instructions. There have been many revisions of the app lately, so we suggest you remove your current version and upload the new one from this site.

The year ahead

I am looking forward to a very productive and engaging year in your young person’s journey.
P.S. - Part of Year 7's E-Learning Orientation Program was to write a reflection on a Google document. Here is one of the many I found! I thought I would share it with you. Well done Jack!

Mr AF Gleeson
College Principal

SchoolTV – your online wellbeing resource

A reminder that our online wellbeing resource, SchoolTV is available to the St Leo’s community, covering topics from youth depression, to drugs and cybersafety.
Why not take a look today? Go to St Leo's SchoolTV...

Welcome to our new staff for 2019

Ms Suzanne Murphy joins us from Gilroy Catholic College where she developed extensive experience teaching Drama and English. She has a Bachelor of Arts with a Diploma of Education, a certificate in Religious Education and is completing a Masters of Educational Leadership.

Mr Andrew Introna, who has graced St Leo’s shores previously, joins us for 2019. Originally with a Bachelor of Arts from UTS, he then completed a postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Education at Macquarie University and a Graduate Diploma in Education/Religious Education at The Australian Catholic University (ACU). He is an original old boy of St Leo’s. Andrew has a natural interest in computers, creative, and audio visual technology and has had a life beyond teaching, running his on Video and Multimedia Production projects.

Mrs Marie Donaghy has been appointed Leader of Mathematics. We welcome Marie’s experience having worked at St Patrick's Marist College in Dundas, Our Lady of Lebanon, Harris Park, Mary MacKillop College in Wakeley and other institutions. She has a Bachelor of Education/Secondary Mathematics from Sydney Teacher’s College and a Certificate in Religious Education from the Australian Catholic University.

Mr Raymond Zeaiter will join Marie Donaghy in the Mathematics KLA. Having taught at Gilroy Catholic College in Castle Hill and St Patrick’s Marist College in Dundas, we will utilise his experience and training (Bachelor of Arts/Teaching from ACU and a Graduate Certificate in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame). Welcome to St Leo’s.

Ms Amy Taylor comes with experience at St Peter’s Catholic College, MacKillop in Warnervale, and St Joseph’s at East Gosford. A teacher with many creative talents, she has a Bachelor of Teaching from the University of Newcastle, an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology, and various VET training certificates. We welcome her to the TAS department.

Ms Kerri-Anne Ramsay has come to St Leo’s from Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College. She has extensive Religious Education experience which saw us appoint her as Assistant REC for Curriculum and Liturgies at St Leo’s Catholic College. Kerri-Anne has also taught at Mater Maria, St Peter's, St Paul's and Loreto Normanhurst. With a Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts from ACU, followed by a Masters in Religious Education, a Masters in Educational Leadership and currently undertaking a Master of Theology, the Leadership Team at St Leo’s is delighted to have her on board.

Ms Claire Stevenson is a wonderful addition to our Visual Arts team, having a Bachelor in Visual Arts from UWS Nepean, a Graduate Diploma of Education from the same institution and is currently studying a Masters through Charles Sturt University. Claire was a highly valued member of staff at Emmaus Catholic College before joining us here in 2019 at St Leo’s.

Mr Reiman Vegais is welcomed to St Leo's with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Teaching in Theology and History. Reiman has taught at St Aloysius College in Sydney and has a keen interest in cricket having played for the North Shore Cricket Club.

Ms Elena Salerno brings energy and enthusiasm to our new subject area at St Leo’s; Dance. With a Bachelor of Arts – Dance from WAPPA in Perth and Masters of Teaching (secondary) from UNSW, we are excited to be launching this unit of study with Elena at the helm.

Ms Therri Ellison has accepted the position of General Administration Co-ordinator at St Leo’s. Therri has extensive teaching experience across many pastoral and academic roles; particularly at St Patrick’s Marist College in Dundas. She gained a Bachelor of Arts Diploma of Education from Macquarie University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from ACU.

Welcome to you all!

Assistant Principal's Report

Into the future: 21st Century initiatives & state-of-the-art facilities

The ‘Pride Framework’, launched in 2018 to drive a personalized, rigorous, innovative, dynamic and evangelising learning journey for all students, has generated significant development in the areas of spirituality, learning and pastoral care. As a result, these exciting developments have become a reality. Further detail is available in each of the articles below:

Supported by research and professional partnerships, the College is developing its staff through two globally recognised development programs in the area of learning and pastoral care known as ‘Deep Learning' and 'Contextual Wellbeing’ (see below)
Our state-of-the-art digital learning platform known as the ‘Learning Den’ has been further enhanced to provide student voice and agency in steering their passion driven learning goals. This platform will also track and develop student focus on developing the Deep Learning Competencies
These goals will be further supported by the College Mentor Program that will co-design a ‘PLP (Personalised Learning Plan) with the students.
Through these support structures and learning platforms, students will produce eLearning Portfolios that showcases their learning, passion and goals set for 2019
The College is pleased to announce the introduction of SLCs (Student Led Conferences) where they will lead a discussion and deconstruction of their learning journey so far, goals, strengths and growth areas. These will be in addition to the parent/teacher interviews for Stage 4 Year 7-8
To enhance student belonging, each of the buildings and recreation areas have been dedicated and renamed to reflect the House Patrons and Saints. These will be important centres of activity for each house.

The College embarks 2019 with great excitement as the dream becomes a reality to offer your child a learning journey delivered via 21st century learning in state-of-the-art learning spaces ready for an ever changing world. We look forward to celebrating with you the success of your child’s passion being developed into greatness.

Deep blessings. Daniel Petrie
Acting Assistant Principal

1. Deep Learning - 'The 6Cs'

‘Deep learning is quality learning that ‘sticks’ with you for the rest of your life’.
It involves the design of quality learning experiences that fuse existing and new pedagogies that are assisted by digital technologies in order to build deep learning skills in learners. This learning is designed to prepare students for a 21st century work place that is ever evolving and demands critical, creative and collaborative people.

As a result the College teaching and learning staff will be focusing learning experiences to build a student’s capacity in the following areas:

Christian Citizenship
Creativity
Character
Communication
Collaboration
Critical Thinking.

The Deep Learning skills above are increasingly the criteria used by major corporations and institutions for selection processes to ascertain the suitability of candidates for roles or opportunities. While the College remains committed to outstanding HSC results, St Leo’s is resolute in our commitment to also ensure we have developed in our students the capacity to grow mastery in each of these skills.

2. Contextual Wellbeing

'Ultimately, lasting wellbeing, and ultimate happiness are far less to do with any aspect of our individual functioning than we might like to think; and far more to do with our relationship with the context around us'.
Contextual Wellbeing is a framework for approaching the wellbeing of students.
Dr Helen Street’s research reveals a paradoxical shift from focusing on achieving increased wellbeing via the individual and instead looking at the communal context from which they derive their identity, meaning and purpose. The sense of group cohesion is critical to student wellbeing.

Dr Street emphasised the fact that group cohesion must be deliberately and overtly developed by:

Focusing on cooperative activities
Providing opportunities for collaboration
Focusing on learning not achieving (Growth Mindset)
Giving students choice and control
Incorporating celebration and humour
Deciding the goals and aims of the class by having class meetings
Giving students a voice in how the class is run.

This important research will not only shape the continued strength of Pastoral Care at the College but also affirms the Deep Learning initiatives above.

3. Greatness Gateway

'Enter with Passion – Graduate with Greatness'

The College is proud to present the ‘Greatness Gateway’ as a result of our Pride Framework to ensure a learning journey that is personalised, rigorous, innovative, dynamic and evangelising.
The ‘Greatness Gateway’ is a solar system support and opportunity designed to develop your child’s passion into Greatness.

PLP – each student will develop a personalised learning plan that sets goals, links learning with individual passion and tracks progress. This is developed with the support of their Mentor teacher
St Leo’s Learning Den – each student will enter their PLP on the Learning Den, as well as develop an ePortfolio that showcases their learning journey and growth towards goals
Students will upload evidence to illustrate their building of capacity in each of the Growth Domains as well as the Deep Learning Skills
The ePortfolio that has been developed will then be used during the SLC in Term 3. The Student Led Conferences are driven by the students in order to take ownership of their learning and are held with parents and their Mentor Teachers
Mentoring – Mentors have a holistic view of their mentees across the six growth domains. Through growth coaching conversations, they will assist their mentee with the above at each step of the process.

4. State-of-the-art learning spaces

Term One will see the completion of the $14 million Mary MacKillop Centre which will boast an art gallery, commercial kitchens, TAS workshops, visual art studios, music specialty rooms, orchestra and band rooms, dance and drama theatre, flexible learning spaces and much more.

Air conditioning has now been completed in Bakhita House which draws the campus much closer to a completely air conditioned learning environment.
The Chapel extension and renovations will also be completed with the addition of new stained glass windows, new sanctuary furniture, updated audio visual capabilities and cooling.

Finally, Xavier Court and the Aquinas Resource Centre will merge into a seamless ‘student support hub’ that houses all Pastoral Care Leaders, College Counselor, IT support and Academic Care through the Learning Hub.
We look forward to witnessing these vibrant, inspiring new spaces assist students in all years to find their greatness.

Our Faith in Action

Opening Mass

On Wednesday 13 February, St Leo’s College celebrated our opening College Mass. Father Paul Durkin from St Agatha’s Parish Pennant Hills celebrated the mass. Beforehand, Year 12 House Ambassadors announced to the very excited year 7 students their houses and the year 7 students rang the College bell. Thank you to the senior leaders, the choir, musicians, visual technicians and others who helped to lead us.
Father Paul inspired students to 'Live your Life Awake' and quoted Pope John Paul II 'The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness'.

Invitation to Daily Prayer

Each day we pray at the commencement of Period 1, Mentor Group and the Examen at midday. Please consider praying with our college community. Daily prayers are available here.

Principal's Gold and Silver Award Winners

2018 Semester 2 Reports
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10
Congratualtions to all our winners!

From the Library

HSC Help Webinars

The State Library is running two free webinars for HSC students, outlining how to access e-resources through the State Library website. Membership is not essential for participation, although highly recommended for all students undertaking the HSC.
English: 6 March, 5-6pm - register here.
Society & Culture: 13 March, 5-6pm - register here.

Shortstacks short film festival

Calling all filmmakers! The State Library invites all budding film makers to participate in their short film festival. More information.

Overdue reminders

There are still a large number of books that are overdue from 2018. We ask that these be returned promptly so that others can borrow and enjoy these books. Any lost books will need to be paid for. Email notices will be sent out to parents in the coming fortnight to advise of any books you child/ren have that are currently overdue. Your assistance in getting these returned to the library is greatly appreciated.

Blind date with a book

To celebrate Library Lovers’ Day on February 14, the library is running a 'Blind date with a book' borrowing activity this month. Rather than choosing a book by title, author, blurb ….., students choose a book that appeals to them based on the hashtags which describe the book. These are available in the library for the duration of February.

Have you spotted either of our two new bus ads for Open Day yet? There are 14 around the Upper North Shore for the next four weeks, so keep an eye out for them!

Relief tutors needed - can you help?

The St Leo's Community Tutoring program needs a few people to work as relief tutors on occasions when one of our regular tutors is unavailable due to illness or other commitments. Sometimes, but not always, this happens at short notice.
If you would like to help with tutoring, but can’t commit to a regular role, please consider joining our small but elect band of relief volunteers. All of our tutors are given full training.
To enquire further, please call Sarah Szacsvay on 9875 2843 or 0421 082 909.

Drum tutor's success

The CAPA Co-Curricular Music Program at St Leo’s College is extremely proud of the quality and expertise of the visiting Music Tutors that come to work with our students. We are happy to report of the recent success of our drum & percussion tutor, Alex Hirlian, in winning the prestigious National Jazz Awards competition for 2018 as part of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues.
Entrants submitted three recorded pieces including one original composition and one with a band to show judges they mastered their craft. The finalists compete for prize money, performance and recording opportunities and the opportunity to perform at the Rabobank Amersfoort Jazz Festival in May 2019.
Alex was the youngest of all the finalists in this year’s competition. We congratulate him on his award and look forward to hearing of his success in Europe. Read more.

$100 Creative Kids vouchers

Families can now access Creative Kids vouchers, providing $100 for every school-age child to help cover the cost of enrolment for creative and cultural learning activities. Parents can use one voucher for every school age child per year to help meet the cost of structured creative and cultural activities, such as music lessons, languages, coding, drama and theatre, photography and graphic design. Further information.

Sports Wrap

St Leo's had a string of sporting successes over the summer.
Tara Ferris and Sophie O’Connor played for the NSW Metro Green softball team, taking out the Australian U15 Regional title, while Alyssa Mighell played in the NSW softball team competing and winning the Australian U17 National Championships.
Meantime Connor Rose continued his success after his selection in the U17s Australian Schoolboys football (soccer) team to be chosen Vice Captain for their UK tour. He then captained Australia for 3 matches and was equal top goal scorer! Well done to you all.

Calling all U14 girls soccer stars! Play for the Sacred Heart Lions.

Our Championship winning team is looking for 11, 12 & 13 year old girls to play in our G14 Stars soccer team for the Sacred Heart Lions Club.
Our G12 team won the grand final last year but need more players to keep this amazing team going. No real experience needed, just a love of fun and desire to play football with some awesome girls.
Competition is on Sundays so does not affect most school sporting commitments.
Please contact Jo Martin or check out our club's website if you are interested.

Come and join the AGGIES Team in 2019.

We are still looking for more netball players, especially aged 12-14! Please head to our club website to the 2019 Registration tab for online registration.
For any enquiries please contact the Registrar.

Come and play football with Prouille Football Club

U6 - U14 KIDS, ALL AGE
WOMEN, O35 & O45 MEN
Register online. Visit our website under the 'Competition' tab.
Or contact Kat via email or 0411 022 081