marist catholic college · on the evening. as a community, we have committed to this initiative...

MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE PENSHURST

Friday 8 March - Number 3

one school • one family • one communityTelephone: 9579 6188 Fax: 9579 6668 www.maristpenshurst.catholic.edu.au

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

COLLEGE FEESThe 1st installment of 2019 school fees is now overdue. Please ensure Term 1 fees are finalised in accordance with your payment plan asap. Payments can be made by Cheque, Cash, Eftpos or BPay. Any queries please contact the College Office.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.Mrs Joy O’Sullivan - College Bursar

Open Day is a great opportunity for the College community to come together and celebrate all the wonderful learning opportunitiesprovided for our students. This year was another tremendous example of the family spirit in evidence at the College with students and staff working together to showcase all that is on offer for a student of Marist Catholic College Penshurst. Our visitors commented on the professionalism of staff, the friendliness and talents of our students and the excellence of the facilities provided. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of the day.

Mr Ray Martin - Principal

2one school • one family • one community

Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALSTUDENT ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITYLateness to SchoolOver the last few weeks I’ve noticed that some students are already arriving late for school on a fairly regular basis. Unfortunately, this is a situation that can have a negative effect on the education of our young men and women.

We are all human. Cars break down and unexpected situations can occur. We know that family morning routines are not always straightforward. We are happy to accept that students will be late on the odd occasion because of unforeseen circumstances. However, arriving late on a regular basis is concerning.

Students who arrive late should report directly to Student Services. Please note that legally the school requires either an SMS, telephone call, email or written note explaining the reason for the partial absence. Where an absence note has not been received, parents will be contacted by SMS and email after 10.00am. Please respond by return SMS or email to enable us to justify the partial absence.

If you are experiencing problems, please let your son or daughter’s Leader of Wellbeing know as they may be able to offer suggestions to help.

School AttendanceDaily attendance is important for all young people to succeed academically and to ensure they don’t fall behind academically. Research consistently shows that higher student attendance is associated with higher student achievement. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your son or daughter get better grades and develop healthy life habits.

Parents are asked to note that the Sydney Catholic Schools minimum standard for attendance is 90%. 90% may seem good but is equal to one day missed per fortnight. If this continues from Years 7 - 11, a total of one year’s education will be lost. Across one year this equates to your son or daughter being absent from school 19 days.

How to encourage attendance and punctuality

1. BE FIRM. Send your son or daughter to school every day unless they are sick. The more time your child is away from school the harder it is for them to return to school.2. Develop good sleep and morning routines (i.e. school bag packed the night before, uniform organised, homework completed).3. Schedule non-urgent medical appointments outside of school time.4. Avoid taking holidays during school time.5. Take time to talk to your son or daughter about their school day. Showing an interest will exhibit the importance of school to your child.6. Contact your child’s Leader of Wellbeing if you have concerns about your child.

STUDENT TRAVEL ON BUSES AND TRAINSOpal cards have been sent directly to home addresses if applications have been approved. All students travelling on a public bus or train must tap on and tap off. We have been informed by Transport NSW that authorised officers will be patrolling ticket compliance over the next few weeks. If students are caught travelling without a valid opal card they will be issued with an official caution or issued with a fine. Please make sure your child uses the correct entry and exit process when travelling on public transport. It is important to remember that the School Opal Card is only for travel to and from school on school days and doesn’t cover travel for school excursions, sport and other activities away from school, so it’s a good idea to obtain a Child/Youth Opal Card for your son or daughter’s personal travel.

Mrs Connie Frino Assistant Principal

https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal_for_kids/



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2019 UPCOMING DATES Wed 13 Mar Year 7 Parent Study Skills Evening 7pm - 8pm La Valla Hub

Frid 15 Mar St Patrick’s Day - Project Compassion

Mon 18 Mar Year 7 Vaccincations - See flyer

Thur 21 Mar Harmony Day

Mon 8 Apr - Year 7 CampWed 10 Apr Wesley Vision Valley

Thur 11 Apr - Year 7 & Year 9 Naplan TrialsFri 12 Apr

Fri 12 Apr End of Term 1

Mon 29 Apr Staff Development Day - No Students

Tues 30 Apr Students Begin Term 2 Full College Winter Uniform

Mon 6 May - Year 12 Retreat - Group A & BFri 10 May

ASH WEDNESDAYOn Wednesday 6 March our Marist Community came together in prayer. We began the Lenten season with the marking of ashes, as a sign to remind us to live the way Jesus wants. Our Liturgy this year was led by students and teachers, who brought forth the symbols of Ashes, water and light - signs of our call to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. Lent is a special time when we stop and think about how we can play our part in God’s hope for a world that is fair, just and peaceful. We think about our relationship with God, and how through serving others we can grow closer to him. Our liturgy focused on the words of Pope Francis; “Lent prepares us for the Easter Triduum - The Lord’s passion, death and resurrection which is at the heart of our faith. Lent is a powerful season, a turning point that can foster change and conversion in each of us.” We pray that this season of Lent renews our faith and provides us with the opportunity to be the heart and hands of Jesus to all those we encounter.

Ms Josilin Kalifa - Religious Education Coordinator

Ash Wednesday is upon us again – rather late this year. In the Western calendar, Easter Sunday will be 21 April and in the Orthodox Church it will be 28 April. In 1943 (Western) Easter fell on Sunday, April 25. Easter will not fall as late again until 2038. The second latest date for Easter, April 24, occurred in 2011 and will not happen again until 2095. Between 5121 and 6482, Easter will be no later than April 24.

So: what will you do for Lent – if anything. Our Orthodox brothers and sisters are faithful to the observance of Lent. We sophisticated West have given it up, with many other wise and good customs. A thought: is Lent about giving up something or perhaps taking up something?

Many of the Seventeenth Century English poets were strongly religious and their pomes reflect: Ben Jonso, John, Donne, George Herbert and Robert Herrick among them. Here is Robert Herrick’s reflection on Lent – it is worth reading and praying.

Is this a fast, to keep The larder lean? And clean From fat of veals and sheep?

Is it to quit the dish Of flesh, yet still To fill The platter high with fish?

Is it to fast an hour, Or ragg’d to go, Or show A downcast look and sour?

No; ‘tis a fast to dole Thy sheaf of wheat, And meat, Unto the hungry soul.

It is to fast from strife, From old debate And hate; To circumcise thy life.

To show a heart grief-rent; To starve thy sin, Not bin; And that’s to keep thy Lent.

Br Tony Butler - Pastoral Associate



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YOUTH MINISTRY NEWSProject Compassion Each year Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, which runs through the six weeks of Lent, brings together communities across Australia, in solidarity with the world’s poor, to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme for Project Compassion 2019 is based around hope and giving Lent 100% in the name of hope. Hope is one of the three pillars of Christian virtue. The other two being faith and charity. It is a powerful force for good and often helps to transform lives. Last year as a community we raised over $9000. With growing numbers in our community we hope to raise over $10 000. In 2019 each year group will run a variety of events, and we are asking that you all get behind them. Our events will help us as a school come together in solidarity with the poorest people in our world.

This year, we have created a fundraising page for parents to make online donations. Nothing inspires people to give like seeing the generosity of others. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so, by clicking on the following link https://lent.caritas.org.au/marist-penshurst#blank.

One MealThe College has commenced a Social Justice program involving volunteer work with One Meal - Lending a Hand. This is a service that offers disadvantaged members of our community the opportunity to have fresh, hot and nutritious homemade meals. Students of Year 12 and staff who choose to volunteer bring a home cooked meal or a dessert on the evening. As a community, we have committed to this initiative once a term. We have received lots of positive feedback from the patrons we serve on the tremendous effort and generosity of both staff and students. On Monday 4 March, 3 students and 7 staff members attended. A huge thanks to all involved. We hope to continue to make a difference to our local community. Below is an image of the evening.

Ms Josline ElHage - Youth Ministry CoordinatorSPORT, LIFESTYLE & RECREATION On Friday 22 of February, the Year 11 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR) classes had the opportunity to visit the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation in Narrabeen. We were given the opportunity to use the world class fitness testing equipment and facilities, all in preparation for our upcoming Assessment task.

Our day began at 6.55 am, beginning our journey to Narrabeen. We participated in a wide range of fitness tests, focusing on components of fitness such as speed, agility, flexibility, explosive leg power and cardiovascular endurance. We were able to get the most accurate results to collect data, measured by technology using sensors, computer programs, pressure plates and touch pads. After the intense fitness testing we had the opportunity to use the recovery pools and spa, which were great for muscle recovery. Another highlight was watching the Manly Sea Eagles train as well as having the opportunity to ask their coach Des Hasler and some of the players questions about their intense training regime and their fitness testing procedures.

Finally, we would like to thank Mrs Katrib and Mr Falzon for organising this excursion and for the fantastic experience we had. - Kiara Chatib-Brightwell and Alfred Tang - Yr 11 SLR students

https://lent.caritas.org.au/marist-penshurst#blank



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SHROVE TUESDAYOn Tuesday, Week 6, the House Captains and SRC kicked off the Marist Catholic College fundraising for Project Compassion. Students sold Hot Pancakes in the morning for a yummy start to the day and during recess. The toppings were endless; butter, cream, maple syrup, strawberry jam, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, lemon and sugar and more. Our Student Representative Council (SRC), led by the House Captains along with their additional helpers worked through the morning, welcoming staff and students with hot pancakes to prepare themselves before Lent commences.

The Four House Captains of Dunstan, More, Salvius and Leopold took the opportunity to help raise more money on this day by competing for points. The House that sold the most pancakes on the day gained 300 points for their House. After a quick tally at the end of the morning shift, it was Salvius in the lead, selling 52 pancakes! However, after the Recess rush, the overall tally changed things and we have a winner- MORE House, selling 120 pancakes!!

Congratulations MORE House for raising the most for Caritas on the day.

It was a successful morning, raising over $600 for Caritas. “Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world’s poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity”.

Overall, it was a fantastic day, which saw the community coming together to support a worthy charity, Caritas. Thank you also the staff who volunteered their time on the day.

Ms Lea-Kathryn Nelson - SRC Coordinator

‘Shrove Tuesday was a great day of fun and enthusiasm as everyone got involved with buying and selling pancakes. It was a day full of the Marist spirit as we all participated in raising money for a good cause, earning house points and commemorated the day’s religious significance. It was an excellent initiative to be a part of as smiles and joy were seen all round as everyone came together to enjoy some pancakes as one community.’ - Sabina De Leon Year 11 SRC

‘The Shrove Tuesday Pancake morning at MCCP never ceases to amaze me, with the standout always being the community spirit on display from everyone that helps facilitate the event. Assisting in the morning is great fun, being able to work with other students and teachers to celebrate the day before the start of Lent with some delicious pancakes. The event was a great success and is always embraced well by the College.’

Edward El-Jalkh Year 12, College Captain



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MCCP SWIMMING CARNIVALOur College Swimming Carnival this year was held at Roselands Aquatic Centre. Congratulations to Salvius who won the carnival on 1842 points, with More second on 1833 points, Leopold third 1462 points, and Dunstan fourth on 1013 points. Our Year 12 leaders did a great job organising their Houses, team relays and lifting the College spirit. Thanks to Mrs Nelson for all her efforts in these areas as well.

There were seventeen records broken on the day which was an outstanding effort:

Natalie Lo U15 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle

Isabella Cox U13 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke

Dylan Antao U16 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle

Bridie Karatas U13 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly

Mitchell King 17+ 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke

Rachel Rice U15 50m Butterfly

Matilda Karatas U15 50m Breaststroke

Jennifer Burmuzovski U14 50m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke

Junior Female Relay More

17+ Male Relay Salvius

17+ Females swam for the first time and new records were set by:

Jacinta Dahdah 100m, 50m Freestyle; and 50m Butterfly, Breaststroke and Backstroke

Senior Female Relay Salvius

Well done to all these swimmers!

Congratulations to the following Age Champions:

Under 12 Male Clark Van Poppel

Under 12 Female Chelsea Turnbull

Under 13 Male Mitchell Langley

Under 13 Female Isabella Cox

Under 14 Male Joshua Craven

Under 14 Female Jennifer Burmuzovski

Under 15 Male Ethan Asuncion

Under 15 Female Natalie Lo

Under 16 Male Dylan Antao

Under 16 Female Sophie Higgs

Under 17+ Male Mitchell King

17+ Female Jacinta Dahdah

It was a great day and I’d like to thank all students for their cooperation. A huge thanks to all the staff for their efforts on the day as well.

Mr Paul Burg - Director of Sport



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MCCP SWIMMING CARNIVAL



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CBSA SWIMMING On Monday 18 February, our male Swimming Squad competed in the CBSA Swimming Carnival at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Homebush. Our boys performed outstandingly well on the night, winning the Junior Shield, the Intermediate Shield and the overall Aggregate Shield. A great effort by all the swimmers!

There were some excellent efforts but none better than the efforts of Dylan Antao. Dylan won Championship races in the Under 16 100m and 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke and came second in the 50m Backstroke. Dylan was named CBSA Under 16 Age Champion. Other standouts were Joshua Craven who was named CBSA U/14 Age Champion and Mitchell Langley who narrowly missed out on the U/13 Age Champion trophy.

Outstanding performances on the night were:

- Dylan Antao 1st U/16 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, Breaststroke and Butterfly Championships

- Mitchell Langley 1st U/13 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly and Backstroke Championships

- Joshua Craven 1st U/14 Butterfly and Backstroke Championships

- Oliver Lien 1st U/14 50m Freestyle Division

- Connor Fitzgerald 1st U/13 50m Freestyle Division

- Lucas Golovodovski 1st U/12 50m Breaststroke Championship

- Jayden Maakaroun 1st U/16 50m Freestyle Division

- MCCP 1st U/14 Freestyle Relay – Joshua Craven, Oliver Lien, Ethan Portelli and Aiden Towson

- MCCP 1st U/14 Medley Relay – Joshua Craven, Oliver Lien, Ethan Portelli and Brendan O’Cconnor

- MCCP 1st U/16 Freestyle and Medley Relays – Joshua Kent, Dylan Antao, Jayden Maakaroun and Lachlan King.

Nine swimmers were selected in the CBSA Swimming Squad to compete at the NSWCCC Swimming Championships: Oliver Lien, Ethan Portelli, Ethan Asuncion, Dylan Antao, Jayden Maakaroun, Joshua Craven, Mitchell Langley, Lucas Golovodovski, Lachlan King. Well done!

Congratulations to all swimmers on their efforts. The MCCP sporting spirit was again on display. A big thank you to Mrs Neilsen, Mrs Chandler and Ms Farrelly who gave up their time to help out on the night.

SCC SWIMMINGJust recently, our College Female Swimming Squad competed in the SCC Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre at Homebush. The team competed very well, coming third in the Junior and Intermediate Divisions, sixth in the Senior Division and fourth in the Aggregate trophy out of ten schools competing. The standout performance was from Isabella Cox who was named U/13 Age Champion.

Outstanding highlights on the night were:

- Isabella Cox 1st U/13 50m Freestyle Division and 50m Breaststroke Championship; 2nd 100m Freestyle and

50m Backstroke Championships

- Chelsea Turnbull 2nd U/12 50m Freestyle Division: 3rd 50m Breaststroke and Butterfly Championships

- Bridie Karatas 1st U/13 50m Freestyle Championship; 3rd 50m Butterfly Championship

- Hannah Turnbull 3rd U/14 50m Freestyle Division

- Jennifer Burmuzovski 3rd U/14 50m Breaststroke Championship

- Matilda Karatas 2nd U/15 50m Freestyle Division

- Natalie Lo 3rd U/15 100m Freestyle Championship

- 1st Intermediate Freestyle Relay and 3rd Medley Relay and: Rebecca Rice, Matilda Karatas, Rachel Rice,

Natalie Lo

- 3rd Junior Freestyle and Medley Relays: Jennifer Burmuzovski, Bridie Karatas, Isabella Cox, Hannah Turnbull

Congratulations to Bridie Karatas, Isabella Cox, Natalie Lo, Matilda Karatas, Rachel Rice and Rebecca Rice who have made it through to the NSWCCC Swimming Championships.

A big thank you to all the girls for their efforts on the night and thanks to Ms Curis and Mr Karpouzos who gave up their time to help.

Mr Paul Burg - Director of Sport



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SCC

VOLLEYBALL RND OPPOSITION WIN / LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 4 Casimir Win 2 - 1 Mrs Sandra Neilson5 All Saints Win 2 - 0

Intermediate 4 Casimir Loss 1 - 2 Ms Analise Emmerick5 All Saints Win 2 - 1

AFL RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 4 MSJ Loss 7 - 16 Mr George Karpouzos

5 MCCC Win 49 - 2TOUCHFOOTBALL RND OPPOSITION WIN/

LOSS SCORE COACH

Senior 4 Casimir Win 13 - 4 Mrs Belinda Earl5 All Saints Win 10 - 0

SPORT RESULTS

CBSA

CRICKET RND OPPOSITION WIN / LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 4 Lakemba Win 0/29 def 10/27 Mr Jordan Russo5 Revesby Win 2/126 def 10/47

Intermediate 4 Bye - - - - Mr Steven Gawidziel5 Revesby Win 2/111 def 4/93

Senior 4 Bye - - - - Mr Michael Young5 Revesby Win 7/115 def 8/85

BASKETBALL RND OPPOSITION WIN / LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 4 Marrickville Win 63 - 34 Ms Anna Le5 Punchbowl Loss 39 - 44

Intermediate 4 Marrickville Win 61 - 17 Ms Chloe Nasr5 Punchbowl Loss 25 - 45

Senior 4 Marrickville Loss 20 - 26 Ms Rachel Thompson5 Punchbowl Win 35 - 26

YEAR 7 2021 ENROLMENTSEnrolment applications for Year 7, 2021 are now being accepted.

All enrolments will close on Friday 5 April 2019

If your son/daughter has a sibling eligible for Year 7 enrolment for 2021, your applications must be submitted within this enrolment period.

CONGRATULATIONS

Lara Savet-Buck has been selected in the NSWCCC Girls Cricket Team. Well Done Lara!



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LENTEN PENANCE In this season of Lent, we seek to experience the mercy of God the Father, and to practice it in our daily lives. But first we must experience our need for mercy, that is, our brokenness and, indeed, our sinfulness, insofar as we have failed to love God above all, and to love our fellow men and women as ourselves. This is why the Church’s Canon Law reaffirms the obligation to do penance – to interrupt the usual comforts of life, to rediscover in prayer the merciful love of God, and to practice charity and justice towards those in need. The special times of penance are all Fridays throughout the year and the season of Lent. We recall that St John the Baptist prepared for the coming of the Lord by “preaching a baptism of repentance”. Jesus began his ministry with the exhortation: “Repent and believe the Gospel” (Mk 1:15). Repentance means the rejection of sin. It implies conversion to, and reconciliation with, God. Prayer, self-denial, and works of charity are the concrete expressions of repentance. Each of these identifies us more closely with our Saviour. By penance we make satisfaction for our sins, and take real steps in the renewal of our lives. Repentance and conversion are central, on-going, and even daily practices of Christian living. In nominating special times of penance, the Church encourages and promotes in all of us the habit of penance. Furthermore, observance of these special times by all Catholics throughout the universal Church emphasises what we call “the social dimension of sin”. The sin of the individual member always in some measure infects the whole body. Therefore during Lent and on every Friday throughout the year, we do penance, not only on our own account, but also in the name of the Church and of the world. We must take very seriously our penitential obligations and be sure to carry them out. The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has not restricted our penance to fast and abstinence; in all cases, it has left room for our own responsible choice. We should carefully select the form of penance that we consider most appropriate for our own circumstances and growth in the Christian life.

DAYS OF PENANCE

1. Abstinence from meat, and fasting, must be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All who have completed their eighteenth year and have not yet begun their sixtieth year are bound to fast. All who have completed their fourteenth year are bound to abstain.

2. On all other Fridays of the year including the Fridays of Lent, the law of the common practice of penance is fulfilled by performing any one of the following: (a) prayer – for example, Mass attendance; family prayer; a visit to a church or chapel; reading the Bible;

making the Stations of the Cross; praying the rosary. (b) self-denial – for example, not eating meat; not eating sweets or dessert; giving up entertainment to

spend time with the family; limiting food and drink so as to give to the poor of one’s own country; limiting use of social media, smart phones or television.

(c) helping others – for example, special attention to someone who is poor, sick, elderly, lonely or overburdened.

PASCHAL PRECEPT

Each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This is to be done between Ash Wednesday, 6th March, and Trinity Sunday, 16th June, 2019 unless for a good reason it is done at another time during the year. All the faithful are obliged to confess their grave sins at least once a year. St. Mary’s Cathedral SYDNEY 6th March 2019 ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY

LENT LASTS FROM ASH WEDNESDAY (6TH MARCH) TO THE MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER (18TH APRIL). ON GOOD FRIDAY AND, IF POSSIBLE, ALSO ON HOLY SATURDAY UNTIL THE EASTER VIGIL, THE EASTER FAST IS OBSERVED.



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SAMPLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM Each year NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program. In 2019 the following vaccines will be offered:

Parent Information Kits that include an information sheet, consent form and privacy statement will be sent home to parents/guardians. To consent to the vaccination of their child, parents/guardians are advised to:

Read all the information provided Complete the consent form, including signing their name next to the vaccine/s they would like

their child to receive Return the completed consent form to their child’s school Ensure that their child eats breakfast on the day of the school vaccination clinic

Please note that students who commence HPV vaccination in school clinics in Year 7 but do not complete the course during the school year may be offered catch-up doses at school in Year 8. Students who have any HPV does at their GP will be advised to complete the course with their GP. Parents/guardians who wish to withdraw their consent for any reason may do so by writing to the school Principal or by phoning the school. The Procedure for Withdrawal of Consent is available on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation To improve vaccination completion, students will be opportunistically offered any missed doses throughout the year where possible. A Record of Vaccination will be provided to each student vaccinated at each clinic as a physical card. Parents/guardians should ensure that this record is kept for future reference and should not assume that their child has been vaccinated if they do not receive this Record of Vaccination.

Year 7 students Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine as a booster dose for

all students Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine

2 dose course (at least 6 months apart)

Year 10 students Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine as a single dose

Year 8 students Gardasil 9

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, 2nd dose to any Year 8 male and female student who commenced the course in Year 7 (2018), but didn’t complete it

No year 8 student can commence HPV in the school program but the vaccine is provided free at the GP



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Supported by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. © 2019 Education Services Australia Ltd, unless otherwise indicated. Creative Commons BY 4.0, unless otherwise indicated.

FACT SHEET FOR PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CARERS

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is an annual collection that counts the number of school students receiving an adjustment due to disability and the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Each of the included students has been identified by a school team as receiving a reasonable adjustment to address a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

WHY IS THIS DATA BEING COLLECTED?All schools across Australia collect information about students with disability. However, until recently, the type of information collected has varied between each state and territory and across government, Catholic and independent school sectors. The national data collection ensures that, for the first time, information about students with disability is transparent, consistent and reliable at a national level.

A nationally consistent approach to collecting data provides evidence on:

• the number of school students receiving anadjustment due to disability

• the level of adjustment they receive

• the broad type of disability.

From 2018, the student with disability loading providedby the Australian Government is based on the national data collection. Funding is being provided via a loading at different rates based on students’ received level of adjustment (supplementary, substantial or extensive). This will enable funding to be better targeted to studenneed as identified through the collection. Schools will continue to manage their total resources to meet the learning needs of their students based on the educational expertise of their staff.

t

It is important to note that states and territories are responsible for decisions about the level of funding for government schools; and non-government education systems and approved authorities are responsible for the distribution of the needs-based Commonwealth funding that they receive. While Government funding is calculated with reference to students enrolled at a school, the Government expects schools and school systems to pool their funding from all sources—Australian Government, state/territory and private—and prioritise their spending to meet the educational needs of all of their students. This is because the Government recognises that schools and school systems are best placed to understand the individual needs of students and budget accordingly.

The students with disability loading may be used for broader supports at the classroom, school and sector level, as well as for supports for individual students. Education authorities may, for example, opt to use funding for professional learning and to build capacity and inclusive cultures in schools.

Better information about school students with disability helps parents, carers, teachers, principals, education authorities and government to gain a more complete understanding of students who are receiving adjustments because of disability and how to best support them to take part in schooling on the same basis as other students.

WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE COLLECTED?Every year, your child’s school will collect the following information for each student receiving an adjustment due to disability:

• the student’s year of schooling

• the student’s level of adjustment

• the student’s broad type of disability.

If a student has multiple disabilities, the school team, using their professional judgement, selects the broad category of disability that has the greatest impact on his/her access to education and for which adjustments are being provided.

WHAT IS THE NCCD?

marist catholic college · on the evening. as a community, we have committed to this initiative...

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