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Term 1, 2022
 
Families Meet & Greet
Due to Covid restrictions, we were unable to host our annual Families Meet & Greet night this year. Usually, we would meet to give out a lot of information on the year ahead. Please find a link to a PowerPoint below. We have tried our best to cover everything that we usually cover in our face-to-face presentation; however, if you have any queries, need clarification on anything or wish to contribute to Indigenous Education at Ryan in any way, shape or form, please contact our office on 07 4773 0100 or via email:  indigenous@ryan.catholic.edu.au

Link: 

https://ryan-qld.compass.education/Services/FileDownload/EmailAttachmentHandler?file=b6c710c9-7841-4ff0-8e71-2e86b48fa1ac&fileName=Families+Meet+%26+Greet+2022.pdf 
Burara Mentoring Program 

Years 10 - 12

 


The launch for our Burara Mentoring Program was held on Wednesday, 23 March 2022 at Kingpin Bowling and we had a great turnout!  It was also fantastic to see some of our past students who are now mentors in the program sign on to support our current Years 10 to 12 students. We are looking forward to a great year ahead with one-on-one mentoring and events each term which will see us gathering as a group.

Year 2 Integrated Unit

Connection to Country Presentation

 
  
This term Year 2 were learning about Connection to Country. To highlight the importance of connection to Country and how to care for Country, Gail and Georgia delivered a presentation to all 4 classes that covered these topics by using Indigenous resources from our library, videos from ABC Indigenous, along with sharing their own personal connections to their Countries. The Year 2 students then had a chance to complete a worksheet that covered who the traditional owners are of the land which Ryan Catholic College is located on and ways they could care for the Country.
Personalised Learning Plans Prep - 6

The Personalised Learning Plan (PLP) is about developing genuine partnerships, relationships and trust between the school, students and families, so as to be able to work together to maximize opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to engage and experience success at Ryan Catholic College.

In previous years the format for this was a paper document in which all stakeholders (student, parents, teacher) had input into adding to the profile of the student. This year the PLP document has been transformed into an online Google site. The creation of this is to document the students learning journey at Ryan - it encompasses all aspects of importance to them such as:

  • Information about them (interests, hobbies) 

  • Culture (country, language)

  • Class (teacher, ways they best learn, favourite subjects)

  • Learning Goals (personal, cultural, educational, parents’ aspirations)


    Teachers will have the opportunity to offer families to do this during Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC) in Term 2.

Student Achievements


Emma Monks

From an Emerging Leader presentation to Parliament. Would you have believed it? As part of his presentation Herbert MP Philip Thomson quoted our very own Emma Monk’s words from her testimony as Gold Level recipient last year. Click on this link to find out more:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25469/&sid=0206
 


Makayla Dass
In Makayla's words: Last week, I was lucky enough to have the privilege of being nominated and accepted to participate in the Griffith University Regional Arts Program, which was held in Longreach. It was a 3 day workshop, where I was able to work with the lecturers of QCA, Queensland College of Art. I expanded on my artistic technique as we explored monochromatic grey portraits, drawing still life with Willow charcoal and experimenting with wire as a medium. It was a great experience as I was able to have first-hand conversations with people in the art industry and what inspires their artistic journey. I was specifically inspired by Dr. Carol McGregor's practice, the head lecturer of Contemporary Indigenous Art at Griffith as she uses possum skin to convey her connection to country within a contemporary context. Ultimately, it was an experience that has made me realise my love for art, whilst also realising the many career opportunities that art has to offer. This program has definitely consolidated my aspiration to be an artist.



We are proud to announce that we have an agreement with Yumba-Meta Ltd to connect a school based Traineeship for a Year 11 student to sign up for a Certificate III in Community Studies. The successful student is Savannah Lawson and she will begin next term. We wish her all the best! 

Indigenous Education

Advisory Committee

This Committee  was set up in 2014 and is made up of Staff, Students, Parents and Community Representatives. We meet once a term (after hours) and we are looking for some expressions of interest from any Parents (Junior & Senior) who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander that may be interested in joining the committee.

Yarning Circle
    
Yarning Circles are held on both campuses to share thoughts and ideas.
On the Senior Campus they were held for all year groups in the E2 classroom as our Yarning Circle on the oval was undergoing renovation this term. They were a great opportunity to get together and have a yarn, introduce themselves to the group and talk about their tribes and where they are from.



  
Year 1 students using the Yarning Cards to check in and share how they are feeling. 
What's New?!?!
FAREWELLS
With great sadness and well wishes we would like to say goodbye to Georgia McGrath. Ryan Catholic College has been a large part of her life for a very long time. Georgia attended the college for Years 4 to 12 and has been working as part of the Indigenous Team since 2018.  She has been instrumental in a number of projects and initiatives and has formed positive relationships with students, staff, families and the wider community. Georgia will be sadly missed by everyone.  We wish her all the very best in securing a similar position in Cairns.




We would also like to say farewell to Jasmine Pearce who has been a great help over the past term with our Prep students. We wish her the best for her future endeavours. 

We will have 2 new staff members starting next term on the Junior Campus and we look forward to introducing them in the next newsletter!
New Staff Members

Gail Laffin: Indigenous Education Teacher, Emerging Leader Co-ordinator and Homework Club support for Years 5-8

I’ve been teaching for 25 years in the Diocese of Townsville. I am Takalaka & Gudjala. I was born & raised in Cloncurry. I have lived in the Isa for 12 yrs. I have a Bachelor of Education and have worked in both Primary and Secondary schools. I am married with 3 children - Trent has finished; Tayla is in Year 12 and Tahnee is in Year 5. We have 2 dogs, Bella & Rosie. My favourite food is Italian and hot chips. I love going to the footy - I’m a Cowboys fan and QLD supporter.

Helaina Buxton: Admin Officer for the team

Hi there! My name is Helaina but I prefer to be called Laina. I am a past student of Ryan and a lot has changed since I was studying here. I love super early mornings, the colour green and being outdoors. 

Shruthi Thangiah: Support Officer and Teacher Aide Years 7-10

My name is Shruthi and I'm one of the teacher aides that work with students in classes. I've lived in Townsville all my life and recently graduated from University with a Bachelors in Law and Psychology! In my spare time I love to read, bake and watch plenty of reality tv-shows! You may have seen me around Ryan as I've been a tutor for the past four years and I think this will be the best year yet!

Popo Ban: Support Officer and Teacher Aide Years 2, 3 & 4

I have previously worked at Ryan (class teacher) and am now part of the Indigenous Team on the Junior Campus. I am running Homework Club for Years 3 & 4 on Tuesdays which is seeing a regular uptake of keen students.

Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders Incentive Scheme for 2022 had a disruptive start but is now up and running. Welcome to all students on the program and an extra special welcome to all students who have enrolled this year for the first time. This is the final year of funding for this program, so we look forward to finishing off the year with some outstanding work.

What is different this year:

  • Entry level (fee subsidy) will only be allocated each term to school fees
  • Uniform allowance not used will be lost (no transfer of any balances will be put to school fees accounts)

 
Mentors for Emerging Leaders
This year students have had the opportunity to choose their teacher Mentor to work with throughout the year. Mentors have already been meeting with their mentees to do their PLA's and will check in with them each term.

 

Emerging Leaders Mentor Induction

On Thursday 10th March, we hosted Leisa Leon and Krista O’Connor from Townsville Catholic Education to induct our newly recruited Emerging Leaders Mentors! Our 28 mentors have each been assigned up to five mentees each to assist them through their Emerging Leaders journey throughout the year and we are so grateful to have them onboard. We have had 113 students register for the program;  our biggest year yet! It was also a pleasure to have Candi drop by and share some words of encouragement.
 

Personal Leadership Agreements

The Personal Leadership Agreement (PLA) is a document between the student, parents/carers and their Mentor. This document is necessary as it guides the students to choose what their Personal Incentive Goal will be for the year. 

All students must have completed this document, and along with their parent/s sign it in order to officially be part of the incentive level of the program. Students are meeting with their Mentors now to complete their Personal Leadership Agreements for the year!

 

Engagement Trackers

Once again this year, our Engagement Trackers for Emerging Leaders are all online.

As Engagement is one of the three main pillars in the Emerging Leaders Program, it is very important that all activities that students participate in, commit to or lead, need to be tracked. This is an integral part of the process that we take into account when doing the Incentive level Acquittals in Term 4 this year.

A tracking document has been allocated to all students (including year 7’s) on the program via the ‘Indigenous Education at Ryan Catholic College’ Google Classroom. Homeroom time is a perfect opportunity for students to be completing this tracker and making sure it is up to date.


Indigenous Homeroom

This year in Indigenous Homeroom, we are continuing with selecting two Leaders from each year level. Earlier this term, we asked for nominations from students in all year groups to be the ‘Indigenous Homeroom Leaders’ for their specific year level. We had quite a few nominations which was great to see. To give the opportunity to a wider group of students, the Homeroom Leaders term is for the Semester. New Homeroom Leaders will be appointed for Semester 2.

From the nomination forms submitted, the team in Indigenous Education have chosen two students from each year level to be awarded Homeroom Leaders. The list is as follows:

 

Year 7
Michael Williams & Jack Andersen

Year 8
Ameliah Waller & Payten McGrath

Year 9
Darcy Flynn & Chloe Logan

Year 10
Emily Clark & Cohan Zahner

Year 11
Hannah Dedaunton & Shontaye Booth

Year 12
Tayla Laffin & Vienna Faulkner

 

The role of these students includes but is not limited to; being the voice of the students in their year group, assisting the Indigenous Education team with processes in Homeroom and also to assist other students to come up with ideas and interesting activities that we can implement in our Homeroom time.

Congratulations not only to the students awarded this role, but also to the other students who entered in a nomination. 

 

Gail Laffin 

Emerging Leaders Co-ordinator 

Homework Club & Tutoring

Emerging Leaders and the Indigenous Support Team offer after school sessions from 3:15 to 4:15pm for Indigenous students who need academic assistance.


Students can access dedicated support from our Indigenous Team/Tutors to complete weekly Homework/Assessment tasks.
 Homework Club is for general homework whilst Tutoring targets English and Maths, and there are limited positions available. 
 

Homework Club is a supervised independent study session for Years 5 - 8

When: Years 7 & 8 is Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday;
Years 5 & 6 is Monday & Wednesday
Time: 3:15pm to 4:15pm 
Where: E1 Classroom 

 

Tutoring is tutor supported help that targets English and Maths

Tutoring - Years 9 - 12 

When: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Time: 3:15pm to 4:15pm 

Where: E2 Classroom 

 

 Please keep in mind there are limited spots available. Please Note: Our Duty of Care requires ALL registered students to remain in the classroom until 4:15pm unless they have been signed out through the school office. 

To apply please register through this link-

 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1QzJEf0fyPorgoYQttRp9rKRh6_7I8xGQU86BwFGbaHyqug/viewform

  

If you have any questions please contact Gail (Yrs 5, 6, 7 & 8) or Pria (Yrs 9 - 12).

Deadly Facts!

 
Coming up next term ...
Burara Mentoring Program - Mental Health Workshop: Tuesday 3rd May 4-6pm (at school)
IEAC Meeting - Wednesday 4th May 2022 - 5:30-7pm

Yarning Circles (Junior Campus)  -  TBA

Yarning Circles (Senior Campus)  
Week 3 - Friday 6th May- Yrs 9 & 10
Week 4 - Friday 13th May - Yrs 7 & 11
Week 5 - Friday 20th May - Yrs 8 & 12
Week 6 - Friday 27th May - Yrs 5 & 6

Days to wear your Indigenous Shirts in

Term 2 2022

Thursday 26th May - National Sorry Day
Friday 27th May - Thursday 2nd June - National Reconciliation Week
Friday 3rd June - Mabo Day





 
 Have a safe and blessed Easter and Happy Holidays!

For any queries, please contact us at indigenous@ryan.catholic.edu.au
From: Pria, Gail, Michelle, Alesha, Shruthi, Laina and Ban.
New staff: Leah Hanson and Kalifa Faifai LoaEaster Newsletter Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
Copyright © 2022 Ryan Catholic College, All rights reserved.


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