What an admirable community we have

On behalf of myself and the staff here at Assumption, I’d like to express a deep gratitude to our families for your calm good sense and generosity over the past few days. As we swung our Emergency Response into action, it was so pleasing to hear of parents, carers and students going out of their way to reach out and care for others.
As I write this on Friday morning, we still have dozens of families without electricity, including many staff. The good wishes and calm response of those who were not directly affected was tremendously appreciated – from those who helped families get our messages, to those who intercepted buses and drove students home, offers of food, housing and warm showers…it was all simply wonderful. Part of me wants to apologise for bombarding you with updates, but I appreciate that for many (especially those feeling disconnected) that it is reassuring to be kept informed, even if there’s no actual update. If you have any feedback about our response to the event, our Community Liaison Officer, Erin Petrucelli is happy listen and feed the information through.

Pave Your Way into History

You might have seen on the College social media this week that we’ve opened a new opportunity for our families to commemorate their ongoing relationship with Assumption College. The building of the Neale Daniher Community and Sports Pavilion has provided many opportunities for families, present and past, to have their family name remembered in a variety of ways, including on specific rooms, and features - and there is more information on our website for those still interested in those options.

Now however, there are two final and important opportunity for families to be involved in the completion of the Pavilion - by helping us build an entrance walkway that showcases the names of our families, past and present. The pavers that will sit within the ‘Walk of Excellence’ (telling the stories of those past students who have been inducted into the Assumption College Hall of Excellence) can now be purchased for $250.

Similarly, a named grandstand seat in the pavilion can be purchased for $1000. We welcome families past and present, and those wishing to commemorate an Assumption person they have come to know, respect and love. More details on these wonderful opportunities can be found HERE

MyCHOICE Week

A great deal of work has gone on to bring together next week’s MyChoice activities for Years 7-10. Thank you to the staff who have helped organise specific sessions, but especially to Paul Reed, Jenny McKay and Peter Augustin, who have brought it all together. We hope your children find it a valuable and enjoyable experience once again.
Year 11 and 12 classes will continue as normal.

In the Way of Mary

As Marists, one of our central goals is to live our Christian lives, our personal lives, our spiritual lives ‘in the way of Mary’. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a courageous woman who said a resounding ‘yes’ to God’s invitation to her. This short video is a beautiful reflective prayer invites us to consider how Mary’s story can inspire our own story and prompt us to live each day with conviction, kindness and family spirit. I hope you enjoy it.

LATEST NEWS

Online Parent Session: “Positive Families - How to Build Resilience and Manage Conflict Without Freaking Everybody Out”

Wednesday 16th June, 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Next Wednesday evening, we are fortunate enough to welcome back Educational Expert Adam Voigt.
Assumption has been working closely with Adam over the past 4 years to assist the school in embedding Restorative Practices into all that we do at the College.
We know that it has been a challenging time for parents throughout the term, working through the pressures of changing restrictions, managing emotions at home and supporting the varied needs of each family household. 
The online session will run from 6pm – 7pm next Wednesday and centre around affirming and building strategies that you can use at home through building resilience and positive relationships with those in your household.

A link will be sent out next week, so that you can enjoy what promises to be an informative and enjoyable session (no doubt with plenty of laughs along the way) from the comforts of your own home. We look forward to you joining us then.  

Vaping and E-Cigarettes

Across Australia, vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity, especially amongst teenagers. Like many of the adults in our community, the term vapes or ‘vaping’ may be foreign to you. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

By law, smoking and vaping are banned within the grounds of and within four metres of an entrance to all schools. Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise against this notion. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

To address this issue at school, lessons around the dangers of vaping have been added to the MyBeing Curriculum. Staff and student led presentations will also be run during House Assemblies in the coming weeks. As always, if you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please speak with your students learning mentor/ House Leader, or seek further medical or professional help.

To watch a short informative clip from Dr Michael Carr-Greg with more information click on the link - HERE

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE

Neale Daniher Community & Sports Pavilion

With the completion of the concrete pour of the first floor we have been provided with our first glimpse of the view that spectators will be able to take in from the balcony and function room.  Spectators will also be able to keep an eye on the action on Shandon Oval at the same time with almost 360 degree views.  Below is a picture of the Project Control group keeping an eye on the progress of works completed. 

Pictured: Facing the camera second from left is our Property Manager, Des Langdon, alongside some of the builders from 2 Construct.

You can keep up to date on the progress of the Neale Daniher Community & Sports Pavilion on our social media platforms where we post regular updates. We recently posted a time-lapse video of the construction to date. Check it out HERE. 

FROM THE FAITH OFFICE

Mr Paul Reed - Mission Leader

Marist Parent Connect

This weeks edition of Marist Parent Connect newsletter focuses on God's Unconditional Love. The latest edition can be found HERE.

We invite students to become ‘Marist’ in their attitudes, behaviours and beliefs, but this invitation is extended to all in our wider community. Take the opportunity to further deepen your understandings of what it means to be Marists and join us in this way of life.

Champagnat Day

This week, the College community paused to celebrate the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat. Although we celebrated virtually, Marcy's spirit was felt throughout the school. Watch the liturgy again below

NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY

Mrs Alexa Hunt - Director of Library and Information Services

The Great Winter Reading Challenge

Reading is a relaxing pastime that is great for well-being as well as having lots of other benefits.
We want everyone to read together as a community so…
The Great Winter Reading Challenge commences June 1 and finishes at the end of term 3 (even though Winter in Kilmore goes to about December 25!!!)
Students of all ages are encouraged to read as much as they can in that time.
Students can read books, magazines, newspapers, manga or read with their ears and register audio books and podcasts.
House points are awarded for all items.
Details of how to register the items read will appear on Simon shortly!

Book Club’s latest meeting!

This meeting involved us having a game of Celebrity Book heads. Three students at a time faced the rest of the group who had to guess the book characters written on special headbands they wore. Some students were quick to guess their character – but some of the characters were rather hard to work out!

A good time was had by everyone!
We welcome new members so if you would like to join Book Club please email the Library.

Quaere in the Library

Our year 7s have been “Book detectives” over the last few weeks. We’ve been looking at book covers and trying to work out what the story is from the visual clues on the covers.
We clearly have some very good storytellers as some of the suggested plots were better than the author’s ideas!

In other news…

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is on again this year. Students who wish to enter are required to read 15 books – some of which are on set lists. Students can do this challenge alongside the Great Winter Reading Challenge. If you would like to register for the Premiers’ Reading Challenge please contact the Library Staff via library@assumption.vic.edu.au

Happy Reading!

AN UPDATE FROM BOARDING

National Boarding Week

16 - 22 May was National Boarding Week. During the week we highlighted our awesome boarding facilities and enjoyed hearing from our boarders about their experiences. 
One of the highlighted videos is below, check out our FACEBOOK PAGE to see more. 

FROM THE SPORT DEPARTMENT

Engaging Parents in Sport

Parents have a unique opportunity to help their children develop life-long engagement and enjoyment with sport and physical activity.

Christine May, Senior Research Consultant, Clearinghouse for Sport shares an insight into the way, parents are the enduring role models that their children use as a basis for their own development.

Find out more about the benefits of being more actively involved in your child's sport by clicking below.

ASSOCIATED GRAMMAR SCHOOLS VICTORIA (AGSV) SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

Summer Season

Take a look at this 2021 AGSV Summer Season Highlights

Swimming

Our Swimming squad showed great style at the 2021 AGSV Swimming Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre. They competed with great enthusiasm and many came home with some personal bests. Take a look at this video highlighting the event.

SAVE THE DATES

Wednesday 16 June - Online Parent Session: “Positive Families - How to Build Resilience and Manage Conflict Without Freaking Everybody Out”

Term 3 Dates to be announced - Parent Learning Walks

29 October to 31 October - RURBAN

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kilmore District Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic is now taking bookings to vaccinate people aged OVER 50 years from Monday 3 May 2021.
If you are over 50 and would like to receive your COVID-19 vaccination, please call 5734 2127.
Please ensure you have your Medicare card details with you when you book your appointment.
We are anticipating our phone lines will be busy, so if we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message and one of our team will return your call.
For more information, visit KILMORE DISTRICT HEALTH