Midsummer Madness

Year Eight students are currently watching the Bell Theatre Company perform Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. There is lots of laughter and the students are really enjoying this great interpretation.

Sport Training Cancelled

Due to the storms this afternoon's training has been cancelled. Students can be collected straight after school.

The Passing of a CAC Legend

I was very sad to hear yesterday morning of the passing of the Honourable Ivan Gibbs, a founding patron and visionary of Coomera Anglican College.  This is a very sad day for the CAC community and in particular the Gibbs family.

Sydney Morning Herald Article

We send our love and prayers to the Gibbs family at this time.

Building Relationships Through Communication

This week we finished reading our class novel Mandragora.  As we began exploring the themes of the novel it became clear that the students wanted to spend some time going deeper into two of them: parent/children relationships and communication.

In the novel the main character, Adam Hardy, struggles to express his thoughts and feelings to his Father because he feels that his Father does not understand him and doesn't listen to him.  In the end he records what he wants to say so his Father can listen to him without Adam being in the room.

While some of the students could identify with this, others were totally shocked that a child could have this kind of relationship with a parent.  During our discussion the students shared their thoughts about parents not understanding them, not listening to them, and punishing them by not letting them go certain places or do certain things.  We moved this very interesting conversation into the realms of communication and transition.

Communication - some of the students shared how they communicate their feelings when a decision is made that they are not happy with.  These forms of communication ranged from accepting the decision and moving on, to stomping of the feet and storming out of the room screaming.  We then focused on the value of sharing thoughts and feelings in a calm and collected manner with the purpose being to create understanding from the listener (parents), not just to get your own way.

Transition - the teenage years are definitely a time of transition for the students.  Anyone who has, has had, or worked with, teenagers will attest to that.  What we often overlook is that this is also a time of transition for parents as well, particular if this is the first time going through these years.  I introduced this notion to the students and encouraged them to understand that while life seems difficult for them, every now and then they should try to see things from their parents' perspective and understand that their parents are dealing with transition as well - a transition where their precious child who has been totally dependent on them up to this point, is now wanting more independence and doesn't want Mum and Dad involved in their life as much.  I believe this difficult transition (for parents and students) can be eased a little with open and honest communication.

Life with teenagers, and as a teenager, can be challenging.  It can also be a lot of fun and very rewarding.  I hope the journey is proving to be an enjoyable one for you.

NAPLAN Online?

Could the NAPLAN tests be completed online?  According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald this is something that ACARA are considering.  There are certainly many positives to having the tests completed online and I am sure the students would feel much more comfortable in front of a computer rather than with pencil and paper.  It will be interesting to see how this develops.

 Sydney Morning Herald

NAPLAN

This week we have students in years 3, 5, 7, and 9 sitting the NAPLAN tests.  Whether you like them or not, they are a mandate from the federal government and all schools around Australia are sitting the tests this week.  I know the teachers here at CAC have been working with the students to ensure they are confident, relaxed and feeling good about the tests.  As a parent, you can support your child during this time by ensuring they are well rested, they are eating well, and by talking and listening to them about their thoughts and feelings regarding the tests.

http://www.nap.edu.au/

Term 2 is all Systems Go!

Term 2 is a very short term and we have hit the ground running.  Yesterday we had our Cross Country carnival and it was great to see the students out on the course giving it their all.  We also have the College musical coming up in week 4, May 20 and 21.  APS sport is also well and truly underway, and this Friday we will play round 3 of the competition against St Stephen's College.

In Year 8 SOSE this term we will be studying the middle ages - that tumultuous time after the fall of the Roman Empire and before the Industrial Revolution.  This historical journey promises to be a lot of fun as we delve into the past to examine how it has impacted our present.

Year 9 SOSE will follow the chronology of history and move on from the middle ages to study the causes and impacts of the industrial revolution.

In English we are currently studying the novel 'Mandragora' by David Mcrobbie.  When we complete this novel we will move onto Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', which will link in with our study of the middle ages.

As you can see, we have a lot to do in a short period of time.  So while Term 2 will be busy, it will also be lots of fun with many opportunities for the students to challenge themselves and learn and grow.