The College began last Friday with the following read over the PA system:

"We learned this morning of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

Thus ends her 70-year Reign as Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, including Australia.

Her sense of service defined her leadership, fulfilling her role with restraint, empathy and wisdom.  Her humility and sense of humour endeared her to many.

Her death is a significant moment in World history, and it is fitting that we mark it with a sign of respect.

Please stand in silence as we observe a minute of silence.

Students participated with dignity and respect, and we concluded the silence by playing the national anthem, followed by the Christian prayer for the dead: 

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

~Amen~

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced there will be a single observance of a public holiday on Thursday 22 September 2022 to allow Australians to pay their respects and mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

As a result, the College will join other schools in being closed on that day.

Keep safe and stay happy and I will keep us in my prayers.

Frank Pisano

Cultural Day for our Year 10 Students was this Wednesday. Students engaged in multiple workshops throughout the day, covering various indigenous topics. Students heard personal experiences from Aunty Dawn, Uncle Dougie, Uncle Hank, Cody, and Djuker, who we greatly appreciate for taking the time to join us and share their stories.

Please view the attached Newsletter for parents regarding the upcoming Year 10 Meningococcal ACWY vaccinations. Vaccinations are next Tuesday, 20 September commencing at 9.00 a.m.

Parental Newsletter No 3 20 September.

Today our year 8, 9, and 10 dance and drama students had a visit from award-winning performer and indigenous cultural advocate Ryka Ali and his grandmother Cindy. Ryka's Aboriginal background is from the Yidinji Tribe (Cairns), Wuthathi Tribe (Shelbourne Bay), and the Ku Ku Yalangi Tribe (Mossman) in North Queensland, Australia. His Torres Strait roots are from Moa, Darnley, and Yam Islands.

Ryka and Cindy presented an interactive workshop on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, discussing indigenous food, dance, clothing, music, and hunting. It wasn't all listening, though; students (and staff!) enjoyed giving the dances led by Ryka a go.

Congratulations to Year 8 student Erina McLachlan, who represented the College and Tasmanian in the recent Hervey Bay School Sports Australia National Triathlon Championships. Erina did an excellent job competing and displaying outstanding sportsmanship during the event.

Devonport will host next year's championships from March 13 - 16, and we look forward to cheering along Erina and other students who participate.

Earlier this week students studying Environmental Science and Physics visited Devil’s Gate Power Station to see the generation of renewable Hydropower at the impressive Devil’s Gate Power Station. Thanks to the team at Devil’s Gate for another fascinating learning experience.

Some studies suggest screen time can affect our boys and our girls differently. Boys are caught up in the gaming industry with hundreds of billions of dollars each year. It keeps them up at night. It creates contention in our home as sleeplessness combines with dishonesty, aggression, competitiveness, and the never-ending desire for "one more game".

Boys' online lives are complicated even more by the growth in gambling among tween and teen boys, and the continued rise of pornography. Boys' access to explicit content has never been easier or more common.

What can we do to help our boys manage their screen time, and manage the content they're exposed to, in safe, healthy ways?

Click here to register 

Click here to read this week's Mersey Leven Parish Newsletter