IONA 8

As we enter exam week, students may begin to feel a heightened sense of stress and anxiety. Exams and tests are one element of learning and assessment here at the College, and it is important that students find ways to manage their organisation and planning for these assessments. Usually, the best way to cope with tests and exams is to be prepared – that means keeping on top of school work in an ongoing way and planning for revision sooner rather than later. Leaving all the preparation to the last minute is one sure way to increase stress and anxiety.  When I did a search for the top study skills, these were the study skills that made every list.

1. Time Management
2. Set goals
3. Get a good night’s sleep
4. Avoid procrastination
5. Utilise your teachers
6. Get a study buddy
7. Balance
8. Mistakes are okay – learn from them (Growth Mindset)

At the start of the year, all students attended study skills workshops.  For those students who are worried about the week ahead, perhaps the notes and the learning from that workshop are a way to begin.  These resources are accessible via the link provided to all students and parents at the beginning of the year.

Different people study in different ways and there is really no one correct way, but the tips and hints will certainly help with your organisation and planning.  Since there is no one way, perhaps a study group or study buddy is one way to overcome some of the nerves. Research shows that peer-to-peer learning is very powerful, not just about the content being studied but also in relation to learning how to study and prepare.

For any task or assessment or exam that is coming up, no matter what the outcomes, each student should be able to look back and say to herself that she has done as much as she possibly can. We will work with whatever the result is.

Once again, while we strongly encourage each student to take this part of their learning seriously, we encourage each girl to own that her self-perception and self-worth is more than just a reflection of her academic results.  We want each student in our care to hear and understand that she is a valued and loved member of this community, precious to us, and what she contributes in a broader sense to the St Columba’s College community is just as important as her academic learning.

This Sunday we celebrate the great feast of the Ascension of our Lord into heaven forty days after his resurrection. We find this account in chapter one of Acts of the Apostles. We pray…

God in heaven,

our minds were prepared

for the coming of your kingdom

when you took Christ beyond our sight

so that we might seek him in glory.

May we follow where he has led

and find our hope in his glory,

for he is Lord forever. Amen

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Chanel La Rosa, CHLJ2, who recently achieved Junior Black Belt in Karate. Chanel has also recently become a sempai, which is a junior leadership teacher for Karate. Well done Chanel!

Keira McElligott, CHLJ1, recently competed in the international Cheerleading Competition, Global All Levels Dance and Cheer Championship. Global Games was held 17-20 May in Honolulu, Hawaii. Some 10,000 athletes competed from eight countries. Keira’s team Cheer Factor Australia-Force competed in a very hard group of 8 teams from all over the world, finishing 2nd by a margin of 0.2. Congratulations Keira!

If your daughter has recently had an achievement in a co-curricular activity, we would love to hear about it. Please email iona@columba.vic.edu.au with the details so we can include it in upcoming IONA issues.

Alumnae News

Ex-student Emily Ryan (‘01) recently performed as a Sway Pole performer at the 2019 Eurovision, as part of Australian entrant Kate Miller-Heidke’s routine.

Pictured: Alumnae Emily Ryan (right) at Eurovision

Essendon Youth Council

The EYC is a forum for young people aged 15-25 years old who are living in the electorate of Essendon.  The Essendon electorate includes the suburbs of Strathmore Heights, Strathmore, Essendon, Essendon North, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale, Flemington and Travancore.

Many young people in Essendon have expressed to Danny that there are few opportunities for them to raise their concerns and ideas with their local politicians.  The EYC provides young people in our electorate with a voice and an opportunity to speak to Danny directly about the issues that matter to them. The EYC also provides young people with an opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain confidence, assist in organising forums or events and learn about meeting procedures and setting agendas.

The Essendon Youth Council will meet on a monthly basis at Danny’s Electorate Office at Suite 1, 28 Shuter Street, Moonee Ponds.  Any interested young people can email rachael.davies@parliament.vic.gov.au to register their interest and attendance, or if they would like more information, please see the flyer here.

Cyber-flashing

The ease and convenience of using a device’s wireless connectivity to accept and transfer files provide many benefits but it can also leave individuals exposed to unwanted activity on their device. Refer to the article linked below regarding the concerns of exposure to Cyber-flashing.

Cyber-flashing is the new iPhone safety threat

How to prevent getting cyber-flashed

Getting cyber-flashed is distressing and given whoever is sending the files is nearby, is a serious safety risk. To prevent cyber-flashing, follow these simple security tips:

1. Turn the app off

Most file sharing apps such as Airdrop are set to “contacts only” by default. This is to limit the file-sharing feature to people who you know. You can set Airdrop and similar apps to “off” to completely stop anyone attempting to transfer. Only leave apps like Airdrop on when you need them, and don’t forget to shut the app off after using.

2. Update your apps

The major concern over file sharing apps is the possibility for it to be exploited to gather, steal or malign data from your device. Software publishers are always aware of these vulnerabilities. Update your apps to get the latest, most secure version from the developer.

3. Do not accept any files from any person you do not know

If you don’t know the sender, then you have no reason to accept the file being sent to you. Reject the file no matter how harmless it appears to be. Note that even if you do not accept a file, the automatic ‘preview’ box may show the content and so turning the app off when not is use is the safest tip to follow.

For more safety information for parents, please visit the government e-safety site; https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/time-online

The latest Careers Newsletter is available to download below. It contains important information on tertiary open days, information evenings and more.  

Careers Newsletter – May 31 2019

On Tuesday, 21 May, the Parents’ Association hosted the annual Father/Male Mentor & Daughter Games Night at the College. For students in Years 7-9, the night provides a fun opportunity for daughters to spend time with a special male mentor or their dad. Board games, physical games like ping-pong and volleyball, brain games and dancing were all enjoyed, with the night topped off with a delicious BBQ.

Thank you to the VET Events students, Hannah Eres and Georgia Hanna, who assisted in the organisation of the event, as well as the Parents’ Association, who provided another great opportunity for our community to become involved in College life.

If you are interested in joining the Parents’ Association, meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be held in the Bruton Building at 7.30pm, June 18. All welcome.

SCSA Basketball Tournament

On Monday 27 May our basketball teams travelled to MSAC to compete in the SCSA Basketball tournament! After weeks of training with our coaches Ms Tran (Juniors), Mr Wiseman and Mr Di Pietro (Inters and Seniors) we were ready to give it our all. Despite giving it our best go, with some really well-played games and great teamwork the Junior A, Junior B and Seniors were unable to qualify for the finals, so we all cheered on our intermediates courtside as they battled Avila College in a nail-biting grand final.

Unfortunately, the girls were unable to take home the title, placing 2nd! Great stuff girls, we are very proud of you guys! Special mention to Year 9 student Taylah Babic, who was awarded player of the grand final by the referees for the intermediate category! Way to go Taylah! – Isabella Santilli, Sports Captain

Female Football Week

Female Football Week (FFW) (May 7-13 2019) is an initiative that celebrates the growth of women’s football and acknowledges the important role women play in developing the game both on and off the park, run by Football Victoria (governing body in soccer in Victoria). We had a great turnout to recognize the week at STC, with many girls showing up to celebrate all things soccer with indoor soccer round robbins running at lunchtimes in the MPC. The event was a great way to promote women’s sport in our school community and act as a way for girls to get active with their friends! – Isabella Santilli, Sports Captain

SCSA Athletics

On Friday 24 May, students attended Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park to take part in the SCSA Athletics competition. After delaying the hurdles events due to rain, the sun eventually came out to see our student perform in a number of events. After hard work and effort, our Junior team placed 8th, Intermediates placed 5th and our Seniors placed 8th, with the College ranking 7th overall. A special mention to our relay-medley team, who came second after amazing effort!

Library Opening Hours – Term 2

Monday – Thursday 7.45am – 4.30pm

Friday 7.45am – 4.00pm

*A reminder that the Library will be closed on Thursday 13 June due to the Student Free Day.

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge 2019

There are currently 25 students participating in the Reading Challenge.

Getting involved is easy!

The Challenge requires students from Year 7-10 to read 15 books (10 from the book lists and 5 of their own choosing). Of course, they can read EVEN more if they like!

1. Students can let a library staff member know they are keen to participate. They will register students online.
2. Once registered, students can log in using their personal username and password.
3. If you would like their name to appear on the online Honour Roll, a parent/guardian will need to provide permission via CareMonkey – a letter will be sent out by the school via that medium.
4. It’s reading time! Students then enter the books they’ve read into their online record.
5. Once students have completed the challenge, they will need to hand in to library staff a printed list of their completed books, signed by a parent/guardian. Staff will then verify that they have completed the Challenge.

For more information about the Challenge and to view the book lists, visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc.

The Library also has hard copies of the book lists available for students to look at. We would love it if you could encourage students to get involved!