For schools the summer holidays marks a juncture point for students in their educational journey. Whether it be considering year 7 to 8 or 10 to 11 it is this time of year where mind shifts occur and students focus on how the next year will be different to what they have experienced thus far. In how we have structured the program at QACI it is this break we are about to commence that marks the key juncture point. For year 10 it is the move from preparing for the IB to actually starting it. Whilst the classes, teachers or even the content will not appear to shift significantly (if our preparation has been successful this shift should be relatively seemless) the mindset of the learner should have. The IB and certainly QACI leaner profile is what students should be exhibiting and focussing upon. Being an independent and self managed learner, an enquirer, thinking globally and establishing informed views on social and ethical issues. Whist subjects such as TOK specifically frame this in a curriculum sense this needs to be the norm as far as student working and being at QACI. With a new cohort of 93 already in place for 2010 the 2009 cohort shift from being role modelled to, to being the role models and the guides of. This is a significant shift in their place and thinking. They move from learners about and participants in the QACI culture to guardians of and enhancers of the culture. For some individuals it is a time where they must ultimately make a decision if QACI and its many opportunities and equally so demands, is the pathway for them. Overall this time of year requires a major mind shift the equal to the junior school –senior school shift that occurs in most schools when a student moves from year 10 to 11.
For our year 12 the learning of “new work is over”. In some cases subjects are all but finished. They are now clearly focussed on revision for their final high stakes exams. Their active engagement with the academy community has moved from leaders to one of an exit strategy and handover and it is time for the whole community to ensure an environment which supports their final endeavour.
For our year 11 the September break marks their move squarely into the leadership frame of the academy. “the farm has been handed on by the year 12”. Can I say from my observations that this cohort is ready and that the next 12 months of QACI is in strong and considered minds and hands. As a group they too start to experience the reality of the high stakes component of IB with their extended essay proposals due in the first week.
For the students who have not even joined us yet, this time of year is a significant point as they receive and complete enrolment forms, choose subjects and engage with their year 10 buddy.
In our life cycle this break is more than just two weeks. It is the major transition point for our roles and contributions at QACI.
Soma and Psyche
Towards the end of each term, students, teachers and even some parents have a tendency to become tired, run-down and somewhat irritable. I call this pattern of behaviour “end-of-term-itis”. Each term is busy and there are pressures we all encounter. At the end of the term, with assessments completed, everyone is ready for a rest; to have a break from routine and to energise for the term ahead.
Since the time of the ancient Greek and Chinese cultures, there has been an understanding of soma and psyche – the critical connection between the body, mind and soul. Modern medicine is developing greater awareness about the relationship between these systems and how they impact on an individual’s well-being. Stress is a normal part of life but too much stress reduces cognitive performance by limiting focus and higher order thinking. Stress also has a negative impact upon the health and immune systems, reducing our ability to ward off colds and flu in the short term and leading to more serious illnesses if stress continues over a number of years. However, regular physical exercise has been identified as an effective way to counteract the effects of stress, improve immune function and increase psychological well-being.
Epidemiologists, neurologists and sociomedical scientists at Columbia, Carnegie Mellon and Pennsylvania Universities have now explored the role of social networks in the development of health and well-being. Researchers have identified that belonging to diverse social groups contributes significantly to improved immune function, recovery from serious health issues and protects us during significant life transitions. It seems that there are significant risks associated with being socially isolated but being a part of diverse social networks improves our physical and psychological health, increases our resilience and allows us to cope better when we have to make transitions in life.
I recently received an email from a student who is now at University, letting me know how well she is getting on and bringing me up to date with news of other students. As with most students who make the transition to a new setting (to a new high school, to the Academy, to University and to work), this student has maintained social contact with friends from a prior setting and expanded existing social networks by establishing new friends in the new setting. Students who are integrated into different social networks manage transitions better.
Social psychologist, Jolanda Jetten from the University of Queensland and her international colleagues have researched students’ transition experiences when entering university and found that one of the best indicators of healthy adjustment was the number of social groups that a student belonged to before starting at University.
During the holidays, as well as catching up on some rest, relaxing, exercising and eating healthily, students should take some time to re-connect with friends from the Academy as well as from other settings and groups. Consider meeting friends for a walk followed by a social catch-up and a fruit juice. You will be connecting soma and psyche and doing yourself a lot of good.
Michele Juratowitch ©
Last chance for 2010
Are you aware of a student who would benefit from the unique opportunities offered by the Queensland Academies? Students interested in entering Year 10 in 2010 at either the Queensland Academy for Health Sciences or the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries have until 19 October to register for the entry test.
The 3000 hits by 19 October challenge
You may have viewed the Queensland Academies’ pop video clip on YouTube, but has your brother or uncle or next door neighbour’s cousin’s aunt’s middle son’s best friend? The challenge is on to reach 3000 viewings by the 2010 new student registration deadline, 19 October. Pop the ‘Queensland Academies’ tag in the YouTube search and pass it on.
CI @spire://09
It is with great pride that every family will receive a mailed invitation to ASPIRE - our special evening of celebration of academic achievement and creative innovation. Each year we ensure that our production provides as many opportunities for students to contribute to the creative direction of the project. Sheridan Eccelston of Year 11 has designed this year’s invitation, the theme of which will be reflected in performances by our many talented students- including highlights from the recent Songs of Sanctuary performance and selected Year 12 Theatre and Film works. Your mailed invitation will outline booking details, and while we know that we look forward to sharing this event with you, seating is unfortunately limited to two seats per family due to the capacity of the theatre.
Staff planning this event are already busy conceptualising a very innovative performance and our outstanding team of student theatre technicians will play a key role in its delivery. We look forward to seeing you there.
Kathy Mackey
Do not miss exIBit
QACI’s annual graduating IB Visual Arts exhibition, exIBit, will be officially opened in our Gallery on Wednesday Oct 7 by the Chief Examiner of IB Visual Arts, Dr Max Darby.
Presented and installed by the Year 12 Visual Arts students led by Glenda Hobdell, this exhibition promises to equal if not surpass the fantastic work of our inaugural cohort last year. exIBit 09 features in excess of 250 individidual works including mixed media drawings and paintings, animations, video montages, digital imaging, photography, light/sound installations and games design.
Students have been working tirelessly towards the staging of their exhibition, putting in many long hours for the past month. The individual displays are the result of two years of studio practice and research to deliver a cohesive body of original artwork – a huge task that the students have all met extremely well.
Displaying a level of artistic maturity beyond the collective artists’ years this show promises a viewing experience that is not to be missed and will be remembered as a special highlight of 2009.
The exhibition will continue to be open from 10am until 2pm throughout Term 4.
Glenda Hobdell
Link http://qaci.eq.edu.au/index.php/exhibitions/event/exibit/
Do not miss Our Year 12 Final film showing
Three years of learning will culminate in a night of outstanding films for our year 12 cohort ion Thursday 8 October. Experience a range of genres as these very talented young people present an insight to their creativity and thinking.
40 Hour Famine
QACI had three students who have raised $442 $254 and $200 respectively :Samlara Canin-Henkel and Cameron Whitten.
India Ghariss) for this cause this term.
This demonstrates great commitment to others. Well done.
Great results in ICAS English competition
Last term all of our students sat the English competition in pursuit of a bench mark of how we are travelling in literacy against international markers.
I am very pleased to say that they did very well in comparison with others schools in Queensland ,state and private , who sat the test. Our mean result vs. ( the state mean) were
Year 10 33.1 (27.6),year 11 35.4 (27.2) and year 12 32.4 (28.9).Overall we received 7 High Distinctions (top 1%) ,41 Distinctions and 56 credits.
Griffith University Experience days
As you may be aware Griffith will be holding our Experience Day Program again this year from 26 – 30 October.
Students are encouraged to consider attending if Griffith may be an option for them .By doing so they will have the opportunity to be university student's for a day.
To view the program, including a full list of workshop activities and dates, please visit website, wwww.griffith.edu.au/experiencedays.
If interested
- Select appropriate activity days within the context of your QACI program and commitments
- See Mr Stewart the guidance officer
Note registrations close 14 October 2009 so you will have to ensure you see Mr Stewart well before this.
Pink Day – Free Dress Opportunity- From Kirby Mellifont
On Monday the 26th of October, the National Breast Cancer Foundation plays host to Pink Ribbon Day, and I have some ideas in mind that could allow QACI to raise lots of money for the cause.
We are able to order boxes that include a range of items that can be sold to anyone who is willing to support. These boxes include: 8 Silk Ribbon pins, 6 enamel pins, 6 Diamante pins and 12 pink ribbon pens.
A Think Pink dress up day - Ask everyone to donate the standard free dress day charge and wear at least 1 pink item of clothing that is visible. I am sure we would really get into this.
Well done on the initiative Kirby. We will support your endeavour . so everyone needs to date claim this day and get ready their best pink outfits for this cause. A cause unfortunately has or continues to impact on far too many of our lives.
Upcoming Events
30/09 – QTAC applications close for year 12
5 /10- Term 4 commences (no student free day)
7 /10 Year 12 IB Art show opens
8/10 Year 12 Film showing – Final works
14/10 Term 3 reports issued to year 10 and 11
17/10 Year 11 YES (semi-formal ) benefit
17/10 Queensland Music festival choral competition
19 /10 Pupil free day
23 October – ASPIRE – QACI awards night
28 October - Pink Day Free dress
