CURRICULUM
Languages News
Holy Spirit College Language Legend #12
Holy Spirit College is lucky enough to belong to a small but vibrant linguistically and culturally diverse community – among both staff and students. This week, I invited Pidasha Lyiambian, one of our Year 9 students, to share her story with us:
"I grew up in the Northern Territory where knowing a second language was a pretty common thing.
Knowing a second language has come in handy multiple times throughout my life, mainly building up my confidence and finding new friends. Both of my parents come from Papua New Guinea (PNG) – Australia’s closet neighbour (there is only 3.8 km between PNG and Australia’s northern islands.)
PNG is a diverse country with 20 provinces and over 800 languages spoken. My Mum is from the Sandaun Province, which is part of the Highlands Region, and my Dad is from Enga, which is located in the northernmost region of the Highlands.
Both my parents are multi-lingual, my mother speaks English, Indonesian, my Father’s tribal language and her own tribal language. My Father speaks English, Tok Pisin and both his and my Mother’s tribal language.
My sister was born in Port Moresby and moved to Australia with my parents when she was three. My father moved my mother and sister here when he decided to study to be a surgeon. He realised he wanted to stay here to give our family better opportunities." - Pidasha Lyiambian
Fan Painting
It’s exciting when we can combine different learning areas for extra-curricular activities. Last week, for our final activity session for the year, we painted Japanese-inspired designs on small folded fans (called “sensu” in Japanese). We investigated some Japanese-influenced designs, and the participating students spent both Recess 1 and Recess 2 painting their designs.
Famous People who speak more than one language
Did you know American actor and film-maker, Edward Norton, can speak Japanese?
The winner of numerous awards and famous for his work on films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Bourne Legacy, Norton first studied Japanese at university.
It was around this time that his grandfather was living in Osaka (Japan), giving Norton the opportunity to visit and work with his grandfather while honing his Japanese language skills.
Apparently, although his Japanese is a little rusty now (through lack of opportunities to practice), he can still pass muster. Click here to hear Edward Norton speaking Japanese: https://teamjapanese.com/5-celebrities-speaking-japanese/.
Karen Hurford - Languages Coordinator
Careers News
As the year draws to a close I would again like to congratulate all Year 12 students on their hard work this year. It has been a pleasure to work with you all, navigating university, TAFE and scholarship applications. Mrs O’Brien and I have loved reading the Work Experience reports when students have returned from placements.
For those applying to university and waiting for an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), please take note of the following information.
There are important dates and timelines that students need to be aware of. To access this information, students will need to use their current QCAA learning account LOG IN details to register on the ATAR PORTAL. Information about ATAR registration can be found on the QTAC website - https://www.qtac.edu.au/atar/. Please note, if you are planning to apply to tertiary study in 2022, you will also need to complete a QTAC Application - https://www.qtac.edu.au/applications/.
University offers are made in ‘Rounds’. Most offers will be made on Thursday 13 January 2022, however, some courses have an earlier offer date. Offer Rounds continue each Friday after the Major Offer Round on Thursday 13 January 2022.
You can find the offer round dates by searching for the degree you applied for on the QTAC site or by visiting https://www.qtac.edu.au/keydates/.
Make sure you have uploaded all documentation prior to the relevant offer round.
It is important that you adhere closely to the deadlines outlined in your QTAC offers. You will need to accept an offer within a specific timeline, or you may lose the offer.
| Thu 9 December 2021 | Last date to submit documents and apply for the Thursday 23 December 2021 Major Offer Round |
| Fri 10 Decmeber 2021 | Last date to submit documents and apply for the Thursday 13 January and Friday 21 January 2022 Major Offer Rounds |
| Mon 20 December 2021 | Last date to change preferences for the Thursday 23 December 2021 Major Offer Round |
| Thu 23 December 2021 | Offer Round for some courses |
| Wed 5 January 2022 | Last date to change preferences for the Thursday 13 January 2022 Major Offer Round |
| Thu 13 January 2022 | Major Offer Round |
On Friday 17 December 2021 at 9:00am, ATAR results will be available on the student’s ATAR Portal Account and all Subject results will be available on the student's QCAA Learning Account.
All VET Certificates will be listed on the student’s QCE Learning Account as ‘Awarded’ or ‘Not Complete’ and will list competencies achieved. VET Certificates provided by external Registered Training Organisations will be mailed directly to students. VET Certificates provided by HSC will be mailed to the student’s home address in December and listed in the online Student Learning Account.
Students wishing to use a completed Certificate III for university application need to apply through QTAC and list their Certificate III in the ‘other qualifications’ section. If the Certificate is listed in the student’s QCAA Learning Account online, a copy of the Certificate does not need to be submitted.
If you have any questions about results, please contact QTAC on 1300 467 822. This is the general enquiries number.
The letter provided to families in early November contains information about how to contact me during the holidays if you need assistance with university applications. I will also be monitoring my email – simone_eiser@rok.catholic.edu.au.
Simone Eiser - Learning Pathways & Careers Program Leader
VET News
Congratulations Emily Thompson for being signed up for a Certificate III in Business through Maxima Group and doing a School Based Traineeship at Westpac Bank. HSC would like to thank Jennifer from Maxima Group and the Westpac for giving Emily this wonderful opportunity and for supporting our School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship Program.
Congratulations Montanah Dowden for being signed up for a Certificate III in Business through Maxima Group and doing a School Based Traineeship at the National Australia Bank. HSC would like to thank Jennifer from Maxima Group and the NAB for giving Montanah this wonderful opportunity and for supporting our School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship Program.
Ailene O'Brien - Vocational Education & Training Coordinator