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Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College 17 Comer Street BURWOOD NSW 2134

CROSSROADS

Ph: (02) 8372 4400 W: www.sccvc.nsw.edu.au E: info@sccvc.nsw.edu.au

Issue # 6 / 2020

From the Principal Dear Students, Parents and Carers,

Prayer Mary, you are the Mother of Jesus, our Lord.

You inspired the first disciples to trust completely in the promise of the Risen Christ. I pray Our Lady of the Southern Cross that I might also be a witness

to your Son Jesus in the power of His Spirit. Mary, teach me to be attentive to the voice of God and to live a life of service in truth, joy and peace.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Pray for us. Amen.

Building on Strength The term resilience is often overused, but it is most appropriate in describing the case of the continuation of learning here at Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College. Our students should be rightly proud of what they have achieved since returning to full-time learning. One of the most impressive aspects is the magnificent way that students have responded to the self-directed learning initiative. Whilst initially apprehensive, the positive response has, as described by students and learning facilitators alike, brought a sense of calmness and positivity to the learning environment. Student voice is important to us at the College and the following are extracts from some of the responses emailed to me by individual students.

The new flexible learning timetable has allowed us students to choose our pattern of study for the week. We are in charge of what and when we learn.

This new and exciting opportunity has allowed us to explore our strengths and weaknesses and to focus on achieving our goals.

Just wanted to let you know that the new learning schedule is very easy to use and has made my learning more enjoyable.

Just wanted to inform you that the new learning schedule was better than what I expected. It's better for us as we can choose each fortnight what subjects we need for an exam. I reckon it is easier for us to learn this way.

The new timetable has been a great start to a new term. This new way of learning has helped improve behaviour issues within the classroom. I am able to concentrate as there are no distractions and I am able to ask the teacher one on one questions at any time.

This New timetable also helped me to be more organised with time management as we can choose what classes we want to go to and when we go.

The new learning timetable is a great improvement at Southern Cross. The new way of learning has allowed me to control my learning. I am able to go ahead of the class or move at a slower pace, depending on my learning capabilities. As well I am able to ask the teacher about any questions regarding the topic.

One of the things I like about the new learning system is that I am able to be with friends and bounce ideas off them. When completing learning tasks I rely on the feedback of teachers and classmates. Last week with the new learning timetable, I was able to sit with my friends during a learning block and talk about ideas on the English movie 'Billy Elliot' or in Catholic Studies, regarding the sacraments.

The new timetable allows me to ask teachers questions regarding the work more often. Due to their being fewer students in the classroom teachers are able to answer our questions.

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Pathways and Wellbeing

Now I am able to build my skills in time management as I am directing my own learning and have placed my classes at times where I believe they will be best suited to me.

To build on these strengths and further support students, the College has recently implemented a Daily Progress Reporting System. Each day every student is emailed a progress report showing their overall learning risk score, the risk score for each course and the number of tasks missing for each course. The students have appreciated this initiative commenting that it better helps them target their learning.

I wish all students and family a safe and happy holiday period and look forward to their safe return in Term 3.

Tony Patton Principal

Image Source: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jVs9AlyVXlU/SHigPNbNmRI/AAAAAAAAAIg/h1r3s1Cht-k/s400/olsc.jpg

Driving to School Students are reminded that when choosing to drive to school they must be aware that parking in the vicinity of SCCVC is both limited in number of available spaces and closely monitored by Burwood Parking Officers. It is recommended that students park in unlimited time parking spaces so to avoid fines. The College does not permit students to leave the College at any time to move either their car or that of others.

Please feel free to use the link below to access the Burwood Municipal Council information regarding parking in the Burwood area. Parking in Burwood

Year 11 Student Leadership Team

At our short College Assembly last week we presented the Year 11 Student Leadership Team who will be working over next term with both Ms Holly Powles and the Year 12 Student Leaders on a number of specific projects.

We wish to acknowledge and congratulate the following six students on their leadership positions and wish them the best for their work in the coming term.

Paul McSweeney Assistant Principal

Leader of Pathways and Wellbeing

College Newsletter Thank you to those members of the College Community who took the time to respond to the survey in our last Newsletter. The results will now be discerned by the Leadership Team and you will be advised of the outcome.

Anne Powell Executive Assistant

Ellie Abouharb Bryn Brook-Evans Bronte Carter Lara Cawley Aiden El-Hassan Charlotte McCaughan

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Learning and Innovation

As we wrap up another great term, I want to congratulate our students and Learning Facilitators for the exceptional commitment with the transition to the Personalised Learning Model. It has been a challenge for some, however as shared in our last Crossroads for a majority of students this new model has increased motivation with their learning. As the students adapted to the change in learning, so too did they adapt to the concept of managing their own learning and being able to monitor their learning success. Over the past week the College introduced a new Learner Agency initiative in which all our fulltime and part time students receive a daily Grade Guardian Report about their risk index each Monday-Thursday via email. The report provides students with information on their overall risk score, individual risk score and the number of missing assignments across their courses. This new Learner Agency initiative encourages students to really become ‘managers’ of their learning and engage in conversations with Learning Facilitators about their learning. A new move this term initiated by the College Pedagogy Team was to celebrate student learning across our Year 12 students in their Mandatory and Elective courses. In the past week a number of our Year 12 students received a letter from me recognising their current ranking in one or more of these courses. It is planned that next term our Year 11 students will receive a similar letter and this will be extended to recognising excellence in learning across our Specialist (VET) courses as well. I wish all our students and Learning Facilitators a restful break and look forward to an exciting and engaging Term 3, when we return on Monday 20th July. 2020 HSC Trial Examinations 2020 HSC Trial Examinations will take place Term 3. These examinations will be held during Weeks 5-7 (Monday 17th August - Monday 31st August). This year the SCCVC HSC Trial Examination Timetable will include the following courses: Mandatory: Catholic Studies, English Studies, Work Studies Elective: Mathematics Standard, PVDI, Sport, Lifestyle & Recreation Specialist (VET): Automotive, Business Services, Construction, Entertainment, Hospitality, Human Services, IDT, Retail Services, Tourism, Travel & Events The HSC Trial Examinations are mandatory and require all Year 12 students to participate. These examinations are included in the assessment program for many of the listed courses above and appear in their 2019-20 HSC Assessment Schedules. The HSC Trial timetable will be made available to students from Friday 3rd July and an accompanying letter to outline the HSC Examinations held in October/November after the Trials are held.

Luke Collins

Leader of Learning and Innovation

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Catholic Life and Mission

SCCVC present gifts of handmade Rosaries to residents of St Mary's Villa, Concord.

Sue Farrugia and John Mannah Catholic Life and Mission

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Partnerships

The following students have been successful in gaining employment since the last edition of Crossroads. We congratulate each apprentice or trainee and thank their employers for supporting them and our school.

Construction – Cert III in Carpentry

Serge Antypas Employed by ABS Management NSW P/L in Tempe

Reuben Cule Employed with IBLD in Concord

Alexander ElChami Employed by MBA Host Employer Cowyn Building Group in Bankstown

Connor Moore Employed by MBA Host Employer Cowyn Building Group in Bankstown

Bryn Brook Evans Employed by Hire a Hubby Marrickville in Marrickville

Callum O’Neill Employed by Renfay Projects in Strathfield South

Christian Pozzolungo Employed by Renfay Projects in Strathfield South

Harrison Hicks Employed by Dynamick Tiling in Punchbowl

Retail – Cert III in Retail

Lara Cawley Employed by McDonalds Restaurant in Northmead

Harrison Fraser Employed by McDonalds Restaurant in Rosehill

Many of our students are trying to find employers in the following vocational areas. If you know of a potential employer that would be interested in finding out more about the school based apprenticeship/traineeship program, email their details to me for follow up? Retail Services Cert III – General retail, customer service work

Hospitality Cert II in Food and Beverage – Front of house work in a restaurant, hotel/club

Hospitality Cert II in Kitchen Operations – Back of house work in a restaurant, cafe or hotel/club

Health Services Assistance Cert III – Working in an aged care facility

Beauty Services Cert III in Make-up – Customer service work in a beauty & make-up salon – COVID-19 has made this area difficult to find employers, however, we ask that Beauty students wanting to be a trainee look at Business or Retail as an option to Segway into Beauty post HSC.

Early Childhood Education and Care Cert III – Working as an assistant in a child care facility for 0- 5yr olds

Information & Digital Technology Cert III – Working in the IT Industry

Real Estate Practices Cert III – General sales/office work in a Real Estate Agent

Events Cert III - Entertainment Cert III – Screen & Media Cert III – COVID-19 has made these areas difficult to find employers.

A message from the Careers Advisor Industry specific Career Information Sessions running in Term 3 In Term 3 we will be replacing our Careers Connect Expo with a series of industry specific information sessions presented by a range of employment and training providers who can provide students with up to date details on employment and training opportunities. Year 12 students may also have the opportunity to submit their up to date Resume and arrange an employment interview depending on the availability of suitable positions.

Jannene Jameison Industry Partnership Coordinator – Apprenticeships & Traineeships

jannene.jameison@syd.catholic.edu.au

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From the Counsellor

Walk and Talk in the Park at SCCVC Last week the student Well-Being Leaders Sienna Head and Liam Fallon initiated the Walk and Talk in the Park program for Well-Being. Research shows that mental health is often improved dra-matically by spending time outdoors in natural light and fresh air.

Advantages to walking outdoors include higher levels of oxyto-cin, the ‘feel-good’ hormone are released by the pituitary gland. This practice is evidence based and recommended for physical, mental and emotional well-being.

With Burwood Park at our doorstep…what an excellent resource to utilise and an initiative that promotes reflection and good self-care habits.

Students can book in Tues and Thurs 11am, individually or in pairs with Ms Ward helen.ward@syd.catholic.edu.au

Hopefully students will be able to find ways to relax and recharge with Friends and Family over the coming two week July break.

Best regards, Helen Ward

College Counsellor helen.ward@syd.catholic.edu.au

M: 0409 637 288