ÐãÐãÖ±²¥

ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ News Term 1 Week 10: From the Deputy Principal Wellbeing Secondary

Jo Dunn on 08/04/2020

As I reflect on the Term that has been, the challenges we have faced as a community are astonishing, but the way in which we have come together in support of one another is heart-warming. We started 2020 in a positive manner and I was impressed by the way our students began the year and the energy they showed. While our Capital Development Plan required us to make adjustments, our students continued with their studies and maintained a positive attitude. With the developing global situation in recent months, families have faced some very challenging moments, and continue to do so. However, it has been impossible not to notice the positive attitude exhibited by our Marist community and the readiness shown to support those around us.

We have now successfully moved to a remote learning platform and I hope students still feel connected to their classes, year group and the College community. While our primary focus to date has been rolling out our curriculum units, we have also put out several wellbeing resources that we hope can assist students and families. As we continue to develop our remote learning platform into Term 2, you will see increased connection for students with their Guild and year groups via several challenges and games.

While I am very appreciative of the support the College has received from families, on behalf of the community I would like to thank our wonderful staff for all they have accomplished in recent months. Staff have spent many hours getting our remote learning platform ready for students and families and are always looking for ways that we can connect with our students and help them feel less isolated as they carry out their education from home. Without their positive attitude and hardworking manner, none of what we have accomplished would have been possible.

As we break for the Easter holidays, I would like to wish all our families a safe and holy Easter. While there will certainly be a different feel to this break, I hope you find time to relax, stay safe and continue to give each other support and strength during these difficult times.

May we always remember to pray for one another.

ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ News Term 1 Week 10: From the Leader of Wellbeing Primary

Jo Dunn on 08/04/2020

There is no doubt the last few weeks have been a trying time for everyone in our community – students, families, and teachers. If I could deliver just one message to our Lavalla families at this time it would be this:

Please be kind to yourselves!

It seems increasingly likely that remote learning will continue into the near future. We know this is a stressful, unpredictable and difficult time for families. As a school we have an obligation to continue to provide opportunities to learn, and I acknowledge the hard work of teachers, office staff, and support staff in helping to make this happen. Their work has been nothing short of outstanding.

However, we understand that many families are enduring challenges that go far beyond the walls of the classroom. We understand that remote learning for some students this week was a great success, and that for others it may have been a real challenge. I would like all families to know that we are here and that we understand. If a child cannot complete an activity or their learning one day, that is ok. We know everyone is doing their best and that this will look very different for different students and families. We are totally ok with this. Parents need to know that the results of these next few weeks are not a reflection of themselves, students, or families. We know families are doing the best they can. We live the experience of how hectic teaching can be and know what families will be going through. We will provide the opportunities to learn, but we are also the first to understand if this doesn’t always happen too. Teaching is a tricky business!

Children are very resilient – much more so than we give them credit for. They will recover from this. We will help them, and guide them to become the able learners they can be because that is just what teachers love doing. The most important thing parents can do for their children is to simply be with them. Be present. Show them they are loved and cared for. Everything else will take care of itself.

I hope that everyone can take these next couple of weeks to reset, and reflect on this time as a family. To be there for each other, to be kind to one another, and to be compassionate to those around you. I hope that everyone enjoys the Easter break and can celebrate in the resurrection of Christ our King. We look forward to welcoming students and families back soon.

ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ News Term 1 Week 10: From the Leader of Early Childhood

Jo Dunn on 08/04/2020

I wish to extend my thanks to our Early Childhood students and their families for the incredibly positive way that they embraced the remote learning tasks last week. Students produced some excellent work and their skills in delivering their work in new and creative ways was fantastic. The teachers across Marian Campus provided very positive feedback on the quality of work that students were completing and submitting. At an Early Childhood level, we appreciate that there are large amounts of parent support required for the children to effectively access the tasks. We generously thank parents for their time in balancing their children’s remote learning with their own work and home commitments.

As we reflect on the wonderful activities and learning that our students engaged in across Term 1, our teachers are excitedly planning for new learning experiences that will excite and engage our students during Term 2. The likelihood is, that teaching and learning will continue to be offered remotely for a period of time in Term 2. The teaching staff have been very busy throughout this week engaging in professional learning and discussing ways to make Early Childhood remote learning accessible, engaging and informative for our students, whilst holding firm to our play-based learning pedagogy. We are very lucky to have a team of dedicated, enthusiastic, committed and driven teachers who have worked, and continue to work incredibly hard to ensure that the learning that is offered to our students is of the very highest possible quality. I am very thankful for all their hard work over the past few weeks, as we have transitioned and prepared for their new mode of teaching.

I hope all families have an opportunity over the Easter break to relax and recuperate after a busy few weeks. As Catholics at Easter, we celebrate new life through Jesus’ Resurrection. This seems very fitting at the moment as we search for new ways of connecting with each other and our loved ones, and of making meaning in uncertain times. My prayer is that you stay safe and healthy over the Easter break, and experience lots of love and joy as you celebrate your Easter story for 2020. I look forward to reconnecting with our students and families when Term 2 commences.

ÐãÐãÖ±²¥ News Term 1 Week 10: From the Leader of Mission and Catholic Identity

Jo Dunn on 07/04/2020

As the Term draws to a close, it is the perfect opportunity to reflect on who we are, where we are and how we are going to move forward.

Across the life of the College, throughout our neighbourhoods and throughout the world, people are trying to make sense of the current situation. The excerpt taken from St Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is an example of how Christ calls us to act:

And we urge you brothers and sisters, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thessalonians 5:14-18

Over the past few weeks, the Ministry Team have been developing resources and ideas in order to offer authentic faith experiences for our students, staff and families. These resources can be accessed via our College Website. (click here to access).

Our Website has the following resources available for families:

  • Transforming Mission Web series
  • Daily Prayer
  • Prayer Resources that link to the season of the Church. Currently you can access a booklet that allows you to pray Holy Week at home
  • Links to online worship from the Archdiocese of Perth and from Vatican City

I would like to thank all our families for their support of the Mission and Faith life of our College. The year started superbly with the PK-12 Family Mass and despite the strange conclusion, it has finished well with our Easter Liturgy. I particularly would like to thank families for the fundraising efforts for Caritas. This year our community was still able to raise a total of over $4000. This is a great effort considering the difficulties posed by Covid-19.

As we approach Easter, we are reminded that we are people of the resurrection and Christ’s resurrection points to hope. As Marists, we look to the example of Mary and Marcellin, and the Marist characteristic of Family Spirit. Let us share our hope with each other and remember to reach out to our wider family, particularly those most vulnerable and most in need. Have a holy and happy Easter and a safe holiday. I look forward to sharing our faith with you in Term 2.