Padua Immersion - Aranda Homelands

In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding and respecting the diverse cultures that shape our nation is more important than ever. One of the most profound ways students can engage with Australia's rich heritage is through an Indigenous immersion experience in Central Australia—a journey that not only educates but transforms.

This year, our students have the unique opportunity to embark on a seven-day cultural and environmental adventure through the heart of the Northern Territory. The itinerary is designed to foster deep connections with the land, its traditional custodians, and the stories that have shaped it for tens of thousands of years.

Day 1: Arrival and Awe

The journey begins at Ayers Rock Airport, where students are welcomed by their guide and taken to Uluru for a guided base walk along the Mala track. As the sun sets over this sacred monolith, students witness the breathtaking transformation of the landscape, setting the tone for the days ahead.

Day 2: Walking Through Time

Exploration continues at Kata Tjuta National Park, where students hike the Valley of the Winds among the majestic Olga Rocks. A visit to the Uluru Cultural Centre deepens their understanding of Anangu culture and the spiritual significance of the land.

Day 3: Into the Heart of Country

Departing Yulara, the group travels to Lilla Remote Outstation near Kings Canyon. Here, they are welcomed by the Luritja traditional owners in a moving ceremony that marks the beginning of a truly immersive cultural experience.

Day 4: Living Culture

Students engage in hands-on cultural activities including boomerang crafting, sand and dot painting, and traditional bush cooking around the campfire. Guided walks through sacred sites and a hike along the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk offer both physical challenge and spiritual insight.

Day 5: From Outstation to Outback Town

The journey continues to Alice Springs, where students visit the Desert Park to learn about desert ecosystems and the interconnection between land and culture.

Day 6: Natural Wonders and Wildlife

A day trip through the West MacDonnell Ranges introduces students to stunning natural sites like Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, and Ellery Creek Big Hole. A visit to the Alice Springs Reptile Centre adds a hands-on encounter with local fauna.

Day 7: Reflection and Farewell

Before departing, students spend a morning in Alice Springs township, reflecting on their journey and selecting souvenirs that represent their experience.

This immersion is more than a school trip—it’s a journey of respect, learning, and connection. It encourages students to see Australia through a broader lens, appreciating the depth of Indigenous knowledge, resilience, and custodianship of the land. By walking alongside traditional owners and engaging with their stories, students gain insights that textbooks alone cannot provide.

We believe this experience will leave a lasting impact, fostering empathy, cultural awareness, and a deeper sense of responsibility toward reconciliation and environmental stewardship.

Planning is well underway for this immersion taking place in the first week of the September school holidays. Tour leaders are Sam Wright, Jessie Young and Kate Swift and we will be taking 21 students from the senior school with us. We will be travelling with a company ‘Remote Education Tours’ who have been facilitating the same trip with John Paul College for many years.

They have recently updated their promotional video, and I encourage you to have a look.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T94v0h1Au3w4ksoI9jf5sH_Pll-EXQZf/view

Starting Strong to Great Classrooms in Semester Two

In the book ‘Run the Room: The Teacher's Guide to Behaviour’, Professor Tom Bennett emphasises the importance of setting clear boundaries in classrooms to foster effective teaching and learning. He argues that boundaries create a safe, predictable environment where students know what is expected of them and can focus on their education without distractions. Key reasons for setting boundaries include:

1. Clarity and Consistency: Boundaries help reduce ambiguity, making it clear to students what behaviours are acceptable and what are not.
2. Safety: A structured environment ensures physical and emotional safety, allowing students to feel secure and respected.
3. Learning Focus: By minimizing disruptions, boundaries allow teachers and students to dedicate their energy to the learning process.
4. Fairness and Trust: Consistently applied boundaries demonstrate fairness, which builds trust between teachers and students.
5. Empowerment: Boundaries equip students with a sense of responsibility and help them develop self-discipline.

Bennett underscores that boundaries must be communicated clearly, enforced consistently, and combined with empathy and understanding to be effective.

As we all are about to embark on Semester 2 I reiterate the message to teachers and students about the importance of setting up a strong start to classes and to establishing expectations and positive affirming and respectful relationships early.

While at times our students may feel we are “too strict” or “punishing them” or even “Not fair” I reiterate the point that our (and ultimately their) success lies in our ability to provide a structured and predictable learning environment with clear routines, values, norms, and expectations of behaviours.

Thriving & Surviving Y12 Webinar

On Wednesday, 26th June, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will be hosting a webinar for parents titled "Surviving and Thriving in Year 12." The session is designed to provide practical strategies and support for parents as they help their children navigate the challenges of their final year of school.

The webinar can be accessed by visiting the below link: https://michaelcarrgregg.com/store/thriving-surviving-year-12-with-mcg

Youth Road Safety

Fact Sheet

Whether you’re biking or riding an e-scooter, follow these simple road safety tips to stay safe and have fun on the move!

E-scooter Road Rules

Fact Sheet

Tougher penalties as e-scooters are made permanent.

Uniform Competition

As a way to reward and recognise those students wearing the correct uniform and uniform correctly, as a collective we will be running a Homeroom Uniform competition with prizes given to the homeroom on each campus with the most days with ALL students in the homeroom in the correct uniform

(All homerooms registering a date with the correct uniform this term will go into a draw for a second prize!)

Homeroom teachers, please access the Google link to register your dates your homeroom has been in the correct uniform.

Winners are announced and prizes are awarded on the last day of Term 2.

So far, our top achieving homerooms across the campus are:

• M’ton 10-12: Elizabeth 3 (Mrs Charlene Storm)
• M’ton 7-9: Sebastian 4 (Mrs Lauren Rothschild)
• Rosebud: Goold 3 (Mr Brendan Smith)
• Tyabb: Cardijn 1 (Ms Carmela Theobald)

Special shout out to Cardijn House (Mrs Kelly Sheen) who have totally embraced the challenge and have each homeroom register in correct uniform!!!

Keep up the great work folks!

Student Photo Permissions

At times, photographs or videos of our students will be published in newsletters, on the school intranet or website, or in our social media. Copies of our Standard Collection Notice and Privacy Policy are available on the College website in the Enrolments section of our Policies page. Please note that consent to use these images in this way, if provided at enrolment, may be withdrawn at any time by contacting our marketing team via email: marketing@padua.vic.edu.au .