Principal Tanya Hutton's Formative Appraisal
Read More
From the Principal
- Student Achievements
- 60th Anniversary Mass
Dear Parents and Carers,
60th Anniversary Mass
The Ave Maria College community celebrated our 60th Anniversary Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne with Archbishop Peter Comensoli leading the Eucharistic celebration along with Father Anthony Doran the College Custodian of Mission. We were also joined by past Ave Maria College students (including the class of 1963 and 1964), families and members the MACS team including Dr Edward Simons, MACS Executive Director and Mr John Mills, Northern Region Regional General Manager. In gathering we reflected on our links to the Gospel story, our Franciscan heritage, Blessed Mary of the Passion (Helene de Chappotin) and Mary the mother of Jesus. We particularly acknowledged Mary of the Passion, the Foundress of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and Mary the mother of Jesus after who we are named for their their strength, commitment and powerful witness to their faith in God. Together we recognised who we are as a faith community, our foundation, our present and the future that awaits us. Well done to all those involved.
Students Achievements
Congratulations to Chiara Hutchison in Year 11 who is a very talented and accomplished competitive swimmer and has been selected to be a member of the Victorian State Swimming Team.
Chiara will be part of the representative team for School Sport Victoria at the School Sport Australia Championships to be held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, NSW, from 21 August to 26 August. We wish Chiara and the team best wishes as they represent Victoria proudly. Go Victoria!
The Dante Alighieri Poetry Recitation Competition affords students the opportunity to learn and recite an Italian poem ranging from excerpts of Dante’s Divine Comedy to those of contemporary Italian poets. Participants are assessed by judges and ranked. At the conclusion of the recitation period, students who have performed to a very high standard are the “finalists”.
On the day of the finals, the successful participants take part in a “knock-out round robin” which will determine who gets a first, second or third prize.
Congratulations to Cara Brown in Year 11 and Zara Nunez Alizzi in Year 9 who have been successful in being selected as participants from Ave Maria College in the next stage of the competition.
New College Website
Some of you may have noticed an exciting new look for the College website. In collaboration with JWAM, the Marketing Team over the last twelve months has been working to update the design and content of the College website to ensure it is user friendly, the content is current and it accurately reflects who we are as a community. In particular, that the College continues to be a high performing secondary school, where each student is known, as we provide a faith-based education enabling each person to reach their potential through positive relationships and the provision of diverse and engaging programs and pathways.
Considering this week’s very important Faith Community Celebration, I would like to share with you the following ‘Magnificat of Mary’ or as it is also known the ‘Canticle of Mary’ which is taken from the Gospel of Luke 1: 46-55.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for He has looked with favour on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Amen
In conclusion, I would like to wish the Ave Maria College community a safe and restful break and I look forward to welcoming both students and staff back at the commencement of Term 3.
God bless and may we treasure God’s word like Mary as we continue to strive for truth through love.
Message from MACS
Principal Tanya Hutton's Formative Appraisal
On Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 July 2023, a Formative Review of Ms Tanya Hutton in her role as Principal of Ave Maria College, Aberfeldie will take place. The purpose of the review is in accordance with the contract under which Ms Hutton is employed which states that “…this formative appraisal is intended to be a time of professional learning for the Principal, providing an opportunity for synthesised reflection on the early years of the contract, validated by peers.” (Clause 8.6.1)
Clause 8.5.3 states that the review provides “a non-threatening opportunity for both Principal and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) to verify their perceptions of performance with those of the wider College community.”
The areas of focus of the review will be:
THE REVIEW PANEL
The panel that will conduct the Formative Review comprises:
As part of the review process feedback from staff will be sought via interviews and an online survey. Parents may also provide feedback to the Review Panel by requesting an interview on Tuesday 25 or Wednesday 26 July 2023 or by providing feedback via email. To request an interview or provide feedback contact the Panel Chair, Ms Myers: vmyers@macs.vic.edu.au prior to Wednesday 19 July 2023.
Executive Deputy Principal
- Term Dates, Reports & VCE Parent Teacher Student Conferences
- STEM and Interdisciplinary Learning Days
- COVID Safety
Conclusion of Term 2 2023 and Commencement of Term 3 2023
The table below contains the dates for the conclusion of Term 2 2023 and the commencement of Term 3 2023:
Conclusion of Term 2 2023 | Friday 23 June 2023 (3.25pm) |
Commencement of Term 3 2023 | Monday 10 July 2023 |
Semester 1 2023 Academic Reports
The Semester 1 2023 Academic Reports for students in Years 7-12 will be made available to families via PAM on Friday 23 June 2023 (PM).
Families are encouraged to read these reports and engage in dialogue with their child about key successes and areas of future focus.
VCE Parent Teacher Student Conferences
VCE Parent Teacher Student Conferences will occur from 4.00pm – 8.00pm on Thursday 13 July 2023. These will occur online via MS Teams. Specific information about the booking of conferences will be released to families over the coming week.
Semester 1 2023 Assessment Period
All students at the College are congratulated on the industrious approach they have exhibited towards their studies during the Semester 1 2023 Assessment Period. Students have participated in a range of assessment inclusive of:
Learning Program in the Spotlight – STEM and Interdisciplinary Learning Days
As part of our celebration of student learning, each Newsletter will feature a different learning program. This aims to educate the community in relation to our wide range of offerings as well as celebrate the different pathways the students have the opportunity to engage in. This edition of the Newsletter will focus on the Ave Maria College STEM and Interdisciplinary Learning Days.
The STEM and Interdisciplinary Learning Days aim to complement the knowledge, skills and understanding acquired by students throughout the various elements of their core Learning Schedule.
Operating across Years 7, 8 and 9, these days aim to provide students with the opportunity to engage in inquiry and project based learning, enabling them to work in a range of authentic environments to problem solve, collaborate and apply design thinking.
The program on offer at each year level has been purposely designed to build within students enterprise skills and each of the Learner Attributes illustrated within the Ave Maria College Charter for Education.
Some of the many projects students are participating in as part of this initiative include:
In 2023, the Year 9 version of the program will operate in conjunction with St Bernard’s College.
Families wanting more information regarding the STEM and Interdisciplinary Learning Days Program are welcome to make contact with the College.
COVID Safety
To assist families as we navigate winter, included below is another copy of the CECV Advice previously circulated regarding COVID Safety.
Rapid Antigen Testing:
It is recommended that Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are used by students in the following circumstances:
Rapid Antigen Test are available via Council sites for those who need them. Individuals can attain 2 free packs (10 tests) for themselves and 2 free packs (10 tests) for each of their household members.
Testing Positive to COVID-19 – Notifying the College:
It is recommended that students report a positive COVID-19 test result to their school on the day they receive a positive test result.
At Ave Maria College, the following process is to be activated in circumstances that a student tests positive to COVID-19:
Note: The Department of Health also recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.
Testing Positive to COVID-19 – Isolation Recommendations:
Face Masks:
Infection Prevention and Control:
College COVID Safe Plan:
Assistant Principal (Community and Growth)
- Professional Learning and Growth Framework
- International Coalition of Girls' Schools Conference
Professional Learning and Growth Framework
At the beginning of the 2023 school year, the Data and Growth Team launched the College's Professional Learning and Growth Framework (PLGF). After much staff consultation and feedback last year, the team worked to construct a framework that both brought together and streamlined the professional learning that staff, particularly teachers, engage in. The aims of the PLGF are:
As Semester One draws to a close, it is timely to share some feedback on what has been achieved under the new framework, and how staff have responded to this new structure. Over 10 Professional Learning sessions we have covered topics such as:
In seeking staff feedback about the sessions:
International Coalition of Girls' Schools conference
At the beginning of the term holidays, both myself and Sharon Walsh, Digital Learning Leader, will be presenting at the International Coalition of Girls' Schools conference In Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Our presentation "from and idea to a dashboard" will cover the work that teaching staff in particular have been involved in over the past 6 years. We will be sharing the various stages of working with standardised testing data, data literacy strategies, and most recently, the establishment of our own data dashboard which was developed in conjunction with the University of Technology Sydney and Acer computers. Sharon and I are very excited to have this opportunity of sharing a bit of Ave on the international stage.
In addition to this presentation, I will also be presenting my action research project that I have been working on for the past 18 months. As a fellow of the Global Alliance Research Collaborative (GARC) '23 cohort I have been exploring academic resilience and learning confidence through the year 10 CHAOS Lab elective. I am very grateful for the support of our Principal and the College in being a part of this global focus on girls' education. My research and findings, based on VARK learning preference modalities and communication strategies will be shared with Ave teachers following the conference.
Assistant Principal (Students and Engagement)
- Real Schools
- Vaping
- Uniforms
A culture where the best Student-Teacher Relationships occur: our Partnership with Real Schools.
Every day there are a multitude of interactions between students and staff (regardless of whether teaching or non-teaching). These interactions impact on a student’s social, emotional, and academic experience. At Ave Maria we have a partnership with Real Schools to work with staff, students and parents to ensure that the best communication occurs. When communication breaks down between any student or staff, our restorative processes must be at the centre of restoring the trust between each party and moving forward with a fresh start.
To this end, Cassie Kitani, an expert facilitator from Real Schools, worked with parents, students and staff on Thursday 25th May and Friday 26th May. At our parent evening, Cassie unpacked what a young adolescent’s brain looks like in their teenage years, and why young people respond how they do. She explained that teenagers are designed to push boundaries as they work out who they are and their place in the world. Cassie also worked with parents to unpack why young people are at times unkind to others and the difficulties young people have at times reasoning with their parents. Parents were provided with alternative language to use when communication is not at its best. Saying things like “I am shocked/disappointed that you think this is an acceptable behaviour towards………”, may help the young person in a calmer moment reflect on their choices.
Staff will continue to be professionally developed by Cassie as we have a three year partnership with Real Schools. Staff training has involved deepening the awareness of where students are at the beginning of the lesson so that they can forge greater connections and understand the adolescent’s responses throughout the lesson or in a restorative conversation. Staff understand that the young person will have greater leverage if they feel that they are being asked to reflect on the choices they made and the impact that it may have had on others.
Vaping: the effects on the young person
Last month VicHealth Chief Executive Officer Dr Sandro Demaio welcomed the latest commitment from the Federal Government to protect its citizens from the effects of vaping.
These measures under consideration include:
Dr Damaio went on to say “E-cigarettes can contain up to 200 toxic chemicals, including those present in paint stripper and weed killer. These substances can cause cancer and impair brain function. They don’t belong in our lungs.”
At Ave Maria we continue to follow up any student who is in the bathrooms when the vape detectors are activated as vaping is illegal in any school within Victoria. We continue to work with the student and their parents/guardians to realise the effect on their health when they vape. In our partnership with parents, we will continue to work with our young people to ensure that their health and safety is not compromised by choosing to vape. One resource you may wish to view with your young person is provided by the Victorian Government through Quit: Get the Facts on Vaping: See through the haze | Quit Vaping Facts. It may be worthwhile that you read the information sheet provided and watch the following video together and then discuss the effects of vaping.
Uniform: Use the Term break to check uniform
At Ave we are very proud of how students wear their uniform. The move to wardrobe choices has been well received by all students. Please use the break to ensure that uniforms still fit and that their blazer is neat, tidy and clean to complete the uniform of choice each day for Term 3. On returning to classes in Term 3 we expect that students are adhering to our expectations on uniform in their Planners.
I hope that all young people have time to re-energise over the Term break and refresh in preparation for Term 3 and 4.
Director of Catholic Identity and Mission
- Franciscan Studies
- Mission Action Day
Franciscan Studies
A small group of staff are currently engaging in a short course on women who were influential in the early days of the Franciscan tradition. This includes reading the book written by Dr Darleen Pryds, ‘Women of the Streets: Early Franciscan Women and their Mendicant Vocation’ and discussing the key themes of each chapter. Our discussions have noted how all of these women had a deep belief in their calling to work with the everyday people of their time. All though not consecrated nuns, these women worked selflessly to preach the gospel and attained ‘significant roles of influence and leadership within their communities’. This provides a reminder that each of us are leaders and can strongly influence others to participate in our shared call to service.
Upcoming Events
4th August: Staff Faith Formation Day
11th August: Ave Maria Day
Mission Action Day Update
Our annual Mission Action Day walk was held on Tuesday, 30th May and aimed to raise awareness of and funds for our sister school, St. Maria Mazzarello in Venilale, Timor Leste. This school educates young women in the areas of food technology and hospitality. It is pleasing to announce that so far, we have raised well over $2000. Well done to all members of our community who contributed.
Director of Learning and Pathways
- Studiosity
- Exams
Studiosity
A reminder that all students have access to Studiosity. This is an online learning platform that provides academic support to students. It offers a range of services aimed at helping students improve their study skills, enhance their understanding of subjects, and achieve better academic results.
Some of the main features of Studiosity include:
Exams
Well done to all the Year 10 and 11 represents in the completion of their Semester 1 Examinations. This is an important milestone in a student's academic journey. These exams typically assess the knowledge and skills acquired by students throughout the semester. Year 10 and 11 exams are significant as they provide a snapshot of a student's academic progress and attainment.
