Issue 07 - 15 March 2019


Reminders

Upcoming Events Reminders:

Monday 18 March:  Year 10 Soiree - 5:00pm-7:00pm in the MCR.

Monday 18-25 March:  Year 12 Assessment Activities Week

Wednesday 20 MarchOPEN AFTERNOON  3.30pm-6.00pm.  REGISTER HERE

Friday 22 March:   Year 7 Vaccinations.

Friday 22 March:   IGSSA Swimming Carnival.

Wed 27, Thu 28, Fri 29 March:  Tildesley Tennis Tournament.

Thursday 28 March:  (Stage 5 and Stage 6 2020 Elective Languages students) European Study Tours Information Night - 6.00pm-7.00pm (please see FACULTY NEWS from the Languages Department in this Bulletin issue).


Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers

This Sunday we will celebrate the great Irish feast of St Patrick.  I take opportunity to recognise the great debt of gratitude we have to those first five Irish Sisters who came to Sydney in 1838, and all those Sisters of Charity who subsequently shared their same ministry of love.  We are so fortunate to have had a relationship with the Sisters of Charity since the foundation of the College in 1858.  Sr Anne Taylor rsc, who is our College Companion, is a very important part of the continuity of that relationship for current students.  On behalf of our entire community, I extend to Sr Anne our condolences on the sudden death of her brother, John.  Sr Anne will be away from her College duties for the next week.  On Monday 18 March, we will commemorate the anniversary of Mary Aikenhead being recognised as Venerable.  So, through the intercession of the Venerable Mary Aikenhead, we pray for all the Sisters of Charity, but particularly Sr Anne and her family.

This week our Year 12 students have been very purposefully completing Assessment Activities.  It has been good to see their confidence going into these Assessment Activities knowing the Activities are designed to allow them to demonstrate what they know, rather than highlight what they don't know or understand.  Using the new feedback process, each student will receive significant feedback to help direct her to areas where further growth is still possible.

I hope for any of you with Irish connections that the weekend brings you the luck of the Irish.  I am off to Bendigo for the weekend to celebrate with my family - the McEnteer clan. 

Yours sincerely

Mrs Anne Fry
Principal

(The above photo is of some of our Boarders' during their St Patrick's Day Irish themed dinner this week - see Ms O'Donoghue's Boarder Lines article).

 

Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

In Sympathy

The College community offers its condolences to the following who has lost a loved one recently:

Sr Anne Taylor (College Companion) - brother.


From the Director of Teaching and Learning

Reflective Learning at SVC

This week the College has been busy getting on with learning, whilst many students were also assessed on what they know and how they can apply their knowledge in a different context. We value very much the need to ensure that students see assessment as one part of being a learner as a means to inform future learning opportunities for the student. NESA's new guidelines that promote fair and reasonable authentic assessment is designed to enhance student engagement and motivation, whilst minimising stress and this year teachers are working hard to create assessment opportunities that fit this bill.  Not that assessment activities are ever truly fun, however, there has been a marked notice of a changed mood this term as students seem calmer and more tenacious in their application to their assessment activities. We thank you as parents for the support you give your daughters at home in preparation for these assessments and in the respectful compliance with or Assessment Policy, that is also assisting this relative calm.

As has been communicated in Bulletin articles, emails and in our Parent Information Evenings, our key goals for the 2019 academic year are assessment and feedback.  Already and in the coming weeks, students will receive assessment feedback on summative (formal) assessment opportunities through the engagement of our new student reflection form.  I include the extract from the common assessment template that your daughter will complete for her reflection each time an assessment is marked and returned to her. As a College wide initiative, every class and every subject will complete assessments via this form and already we are hearing from students the benefit of this streamlined approach to feedback.  As parents, we too welcome your feedback.

Student Reflection (Empowering learning growth from feedback)

I have learnt from this activity that…
I still need to grow my ability to...
I will do this by...

I came across this article that further informs our commitment to feedback at the College and I leave you to enjoy the read over the weekend.

8 CRITICAL LEARNING REFLECTIONS THAT PROMOTE DEEPER THINKING

https://www.wabisabilearning.com/blog/8-learning-reflections-critical-thinking

 

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning


Parent Information Regarding Government Census Data Collection

 This information can also be accessed on the College website under the heading Policies - HERE.

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Lenten Hope and Homelessness

Lenten Hope and Homelessness

This week I am hope-filled.  The readings for the second Sunday of Lent are all about hope; moving from the desert of temptations to the mountain of transfiguration.  Peter Edmonds SJ writes that the transfiguration “is a reminder of our own destiny to glory, and the sight of Jesus himself reflecting his glory, reminds us that Lent is a time for rekindling our hope".  In reading Peter’s work this week, I was reminded of my time in the Holy Land in 2016 and the incredible hope that people exude in that space; how the land becomes a 5th Gospel and the people the animators of stories millenia old.  As part of team teaching Biblical Writing in Year 9 Religion this term, we have been exploring the power of story and the need to explore the context of the people, the community and the society.  When we do this we become more cognisant of the radical message of love from Jesus; a message that is so pertinent today.

Last night Ms Alison Coates and I attended the Affordable Housing + Energy Assembly at the Sydney Town Hall.  Over 2,000 community leaders and members - including more than 200 people from The St Vincent de Paul Society, which I was supporting as the College representative for Vinnies, came together and called on state and federal MP's across the political spectrum to make concrete commitments that will help more people access affordable and secure housing and clean and affordable energy. 

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Project Compassion

Project Compassion - Week 2

Tati is a Dayak woman, living in the remote forest of West Kalimantan, Indonesia.  Like all Dayak people whose values and culture are deeply linked to the rainforest, Tati’s family has relied on it for sustenance for generations.   Her community is committed to protecting its rainforest for the future and is working with Caritas Australia and local authorities to develop alternative sustainable livelihoods.  This enables the community to develop a strong financial base and take the lead in managing land, as well as making decisions on how that land is used.

Her remote village lies deep in the rainforest, and can only be accessed by barely passable roads.  Communication is difficult and the electricity produced by a small hydro-electric installation provides limited supply to the village.

 

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Years 7-12 Y-FACTOR “SEND ME” 2019! Registrations close 22 March

Years 7-12 Y-FACTOR “SEND ME” 2019!

Registrations close 22 March

The Sydney Catholic Youth Staff and Youth Leaders from all over the Sydney Archdiocese have been working for months to make this year’s Y-Factor camp even better than 2018!  If you are currently in Years 7-12, then come have the time of your life these Easter school holidays with tons of friends you haven’t met yet!  You’ll be allocated to a WESTERN or an EASTERN Y-Factor camp based on where you live or go to school (we’ll join forces throughout the four days too).  There’ll be heaps of time for games, activities, talks, discussion, prayer and a chance to grow in your faith and relationship with God.  This camp is so big we can only run it once a year so get on board now or miss out!  Check out 2018’s camp wrap-up video here!

Who:  Y-Factor is for teens in Years 7 to 12 hosted by Sydney Catholic Youth, in collaboration with Youth Ministry Coordinators from across the Sydney Archdiocese.  All leaders will hold a current Working with Children Check and have many years of experience in youth ministry.  We’ll be using a wide variety of mediums including music, activities, multimedia, drama and testimony to communicate to young people the awesomeness of their faith, and how they can apply it to their lives daily.

When:  9:30am - Saturday 13 April to 2:00pm Tuesday 16 April 2019.

Where:  Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, Grose Vale NSW.

Two camps:  Our youth leaders from local parishes, movements and schools are working together to host two camps at the one venue.  This means that teens will join a camp based on where you live and/or go to school in the Archdiocese of Sydney.  Once registration is completed, participants will receive an email informing them of whether they will join the western or eastern areas.  There will definitely be times both camps will join forces throughout the four days too!  We are striving to build community so that we can journey with our brothers and sisters who are near us after the camp!

Transport:  A chartered bus will depart from St Joachim’s Lidcombe Parish at 8:30am on Saturday 13 April.  Please arrive at 8:00am so we can get away on time.  The bus will return to the same location on Tuesday 16 April by 3:00pm.

Cost:  The camp will cost $260 - with a discount offered when multiple siblings are attending.  The cost covers accommodation, transport, meals and activities.  If finance is a problem, please contact Sydney Catholic Youth on 9307 8152 to discuss in strictest confidence.

Child Protection and Safety:  The Archdiocese of Sydney believes that genuine concern for the safety of all participants on our camp is of the utmost importance.  All staff and volunteers have undergone child protection checks and careful screening.

Questions:  Email info@sydneycatholicyouth.org or call Sydney Catholic Youth on 9307 8152.

Registration needs to be received by March 22, 2019.  Tickets available here.

Ms Rachel McLean
Director Faith and Mission

Year 10 invitation - Australian Catholic Youth Festival

ACYF - December 2019 - Perth

‘Listen to what the Spirit is saying’ (Rev. 2: 7).

At the beginning of March I invited parents and students who are interested in attending the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) which will take place in Perth on Sunday, 8 to Tuesday, 10 December to email me their expressions of interest so we can discern the possibility of supporting this experience for students in Years 10.

The cost of the experience is likely to be $1200 including registration, flights, accommodation and food.  For more information please see the website of the ACYF 2019 website.  St Vincent’s College would be willing to organise a group to attend if there is sufficient student and parent interest.

If you are interested, please email me mcleanr@stvincents.nsw.edu.au or call 02 9368 1611 before the end of March.

Rachel McLean
Director Faith and Mission


Boarder Lines

Leave Request Website Link

The leave request link on the new website seems to be causing some issues and we do apologise for the confusion it has caused.  Please email the respective Boarding coordinator if you are unable to submit a leave request.  I am very sorry for the uncertainty it has caused and we appreciate your patience as the website is updated.

Sunday Activity - by Mia Timbs, Year 9

Last Sunday 10 March, SVC Boarders' attended their weekly activity.  The girls from Years 7, 8 and 9 who were 'in' for the weekend, joined their co-ordinators, Liza and Naomi, at the Sydney Children's Festival held near Circular Quay and The Rocks.  We caught the train from Kings Cross, changing trains at Town Hall for Circular Quay.  Upon arrival we had half an hour to spare before the festival began, so we wandered through the popular Rocks markets.  Many girls made purchases and enjoyed experiencing a part of Sydney they hadn't visited before.  The festival began with an overwhelming atmosphere of fun for all ages.  A bungee trampoline, kite making, petting zoo and face painting were some of the many activities available, and we took advantage of the free fun and participated in all of them.  Another highlight, was a stage set up featuring performances from talented children and groups from all over Sydney.  It was amazing to witness their talent, and see the fascinating things kids are capable of, being showcased.  An Indigenous group of performers were also present and invited the Indigenous girls from our Boarding House to participate with them.  Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay but it was a great privilege for their talent to be recognised as well.  We loved the festival experience and thoroughly enjoyed the activities available.  On behalf of all the boarders present we’d highly recommend attending and would love to do it all again.  By Mia Timbs

On Wednesday we celebrated St Patrick’s Day with Irish stew, mashed potatoes, potato and leek pasties and Pattie’s Mess, thanks Mark and Selina!  We also bid farewell to Chef Mark, who is leaving SVC to help care for his parents.  The Boarding House gave him a SVC Boarder Dad hat to wear with pride. We are sad to see his departure but wish he and his family well, and I’m sure he will be back to visit.

Yours in Boarding

MS MARYANNE O’DONOGHUE
DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

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From the Languages Department - Study Tours 2020

2020 France and Italy Study Tours

On Thursday 28 March at 6.00pm there will be an information evening at the College for the 2020 France and Italy Study Tours.  Applications will be considered from 2020 Stage 5 and Stage 6 Elective Languages students (this means current Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students). 

Please contact Ms Manitta for an expression of interest form and come along on 28 March for further information.

Ms Maria Manitta
Head of Languages

manittam@stvincents.nsw.edu.au   

 


Career News

NIDA Autumn School Holiday Classes

NIDA  will be offering introductory through to advanced courses for students in Years 7 to 12 during the Easter school holidays (13 to 27 April).  The courses will be in a variety of disciplines including:  Creative play, drama, acting on screen, musical theatre, singing and acting, public speaking and more.  Please use the following link to find out more:   https://www.open.nida.edu.au/holiday-classes

NSW Police Force – Recruiting Information Sessions

Venue:   NSW Police Headquarters, 1 Charles Street, Parramatta

Saturday 13 April 2019   Time:  9.00am - 12.00pm.  Tickets available from 8.00am 29 March 2019 (booking tickets is essential)

And

Saturday 15 June 2019    Time:  9.00am - 12.00pm     Tickets available from 8.00am 31 May 2019.

Attend an information session to find out more about being a NSW Police Officer and the recruitment process.  Sessions are generally run at Police Headquarters, Parramatta.  Due to limited availability and space, bookings will be accepted from prospective applicants only.

https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment/news/information_sessions

Police Recruitment Process:  Learn more about the process and the requirements here:   https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/recruitment

University of Notre Dame Medicine Information Sessions

24 March  - 10.00am-12.00pm
21 May  -  6.00pm or 7.00pm.

160 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst  (map).  Interested students should try to attend UND’s Doctor of Medicine Information Session and find out why Notre Dame is ranked the number one university for Overall Quality of Educational Experience in Australia (QILT).  Each session has been designed to provide an overview of UND’s medicine program and their unique application process.  Attendees also have the opportunity to meet academic staff and students and tour UND’s purpose-built campus.  Places are limited, please register your interest below or contact the Prospective Students Office on 02 8204 4404 or email sydney@nd.edu.au for further information.

24 March register here:  https://www.notredame.edu.au/events-items/medicine-information-session

21 May register here: https://www.notredame.edu.au/events-items/medicine-information-session2

International College of Management (ICMS)

New Degree:   Master of Event Management.

Degree News:  Bachelor of Business Management (Accounting) has been approved for professional accreditation by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (Chartered Accountants ANZ).

UNSW Built Environment

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Sport Report

Co-ordinator of Sport: Ms Jacinta Jacobs: 0418 416 663 / jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

Head of Tennis  -  Ms Therese Taylor    0408 711 881
Head of Touch  -  Ms Elyse Hermanis   0434 610 870
Head of Water polo  -  Ms Steph El Safty    0419 950 164
Head of Swimming/Cross Country - Ms Jacinta Jacobs   0418 416 663.

SPORTS DRAW:  For all draw and venue information go to:   https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/learning/sport/

Website details:   https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/learning/sport/

TERM 1 SPORT 

IGSSA and Tildesley Tennis

Last week's round up of results are as follows:  One win and one forfeit and other matches were very closely contested.  Keep up the good work girls, only two more rounds to go, so stay focused.  We are looking to have a couple of teams in the finals, but regardless, I am very happy with everyone’s effort and commitment to their teams.

Our Tildesley Tournament training continues, BUT, with only two weeks to go until game days - please ensure you come to training.  Some sessions have had less than 50% of players and this implies a lack of commitment at a time when everyone should be turning up to training and getting game ready.

As I said, it's only two weeks left - that is all - and after this you can rest up and sleep-in instead!  Please make sure you have returned your permission notes to the Sports office AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Don’t forget to indicate on the form whether you need the bus or not.

The girls have been pretty excited about their lunchtime matches against the teachers.  Some mixed results; the teachers have wise heads, and it’s great that the girls are understanding that not always does the best team win...it’s a mind game too...so keep it up girls and learn to play, keep playing your game...as well as the mind games.  Go girls!

Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis Coach
 

Below:  Tildesley Training Squad

Touch

Congratulations to seven of our fifteen touch teams who have qualified for the semi finals this weekend.  Good luck to teams SVC 2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 12 and 15 who are in the semis, weather permitting.  All other teams are in playoffs. If it's rained out this Saturday, the semis will be played the following Saturday on 23 March and finals on 30 March. 

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Coach of Touch 

Water Polo

All teams are training hard and we have seen some excellent games throughout the season.  The missed games from week one due to pool closures will now be played next week and Finals will be pushed back to 30 March and 6 April.  Good luck to all teams for their games this weekend!

Ms Steph El Safty
Head Waterpolo Coach

 

Swimming Training and IGSSA Swimming Carnival

The IGSSA Carnival is being held on Friday 22 March at Homebush Aquatic Centre, and there will be a FINAL meeting/relay session for all squad members at lunchtime on Wednesday 20 MarchAny outstanding Permission Notes need to be returned to Ms Jacobs immediately.

Our swimming coaches, Jesse and Dene, are running sessions on Tuesday (not Mondays), Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 7.00am-8.00am for any keen swimmers.  The enrolment form can be found on the College website under Sport/Swimming.  All levels are catered for and you can come to one or all sessions.  IGSSA squad members must be coming to at least two sessions/week unless they are already in a squad outside of school.

TERM 2 SPORT TRIALS

Some trials have been completed this week.

Netball Trials - SVC Courts

Year 7:  No trials.  First session will be the first Thursday back in Term 2.

Junior (Years 8 and 9):  Monday 01 April - 3.15pm-4.45pm AND 08 April - 3.15pm-4.30pm.

Senior (Years 10, 11, 12):  Wednesday 27 March - 3.15pm-4.45pm.

 

SPORT STARS

Congratulations to Stella Odgers (Year 9) and Kate Johnson (Year 8) who were part of the gold medal winning Coogee U14 girls beach relay team at the NSW Nippers State Championships recently.  This was the team’s third medal at State level in three years (two of them gold!).  Pictured below are Stella (second from left) and Kate (far right) looking relaxed and happy after their win.

Please keep the Sport staff informed of any good sporting results held outside of the College.  Information and photos can be emailed to jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

MS JACINTA JACOBS
CO-ORDINATOR OF SPORT


Caritas Corner

Harmony Day is celebrated every year on 21 March.  This day marks a time for us as a community to celebrate Australia’s culturally diverse society.  It is about promoting inclusivity, respect and a sense of belonging to all, regardless of the language you speak or the country you come from.  We are all Australian because we are bound together by a set of core Australian values.  It is a day where Australia’s multiculturalism and successful integration of migrants is celebrated.  Australia is arguably one of the most successful multicultural societies and as a nation we should be cherishing this.

As St Vincent’s College community, we too have a strong sense of multiculturalism.  It is of utmost importance that we recognise everyone's achievements and contributions to our school and the wider community.  A large part of the identity of Australia is our multiculturalism and all people who come to Australia bring some of their own cultural and religious practices, as well as taking on many new traditions.  This sharing of knowledge and ideas has enriched Australia and allowed us to expand our horizons and gain other important perspectives.

Orange has been chosen as the colour that represents Harmony Week, due to the fact that is symbolises social communication and conversation.  It also stems from the concept of freedom of ideas and a sense of mutual respect.  To show our support for cultural diversity, we can all wear something orange from 17-23 March.

Lucia Holt, Year 10

 


SAVE THE DATES: From Community and Alumnae Relations

SAVE THE DATES! ....

Friday 10 May:  Mother Daughter Dinner.  Dockside, Darling Harbour - 6.30pm

13-17 May:  Boarding Week - Celebrating 135 years of Boarding at St Vincent's College.

BOARDERS’ THE LONG LUNCH - 25 MAY 2019

To celebrate 135 years of Boarding at St Vincent’s College, past Boarders' and past and current Boarding families are warmly invited to join us for this milestone celebration.

The program:

11:30am      ‘The Boarders’ Tour of St Vincent’s College’ (optional)
12:30pm       Lunch in the Atrium
3:00pm        Conclusion

Includes a two-course lunch and drinks at $65 per person.

(Please note:  Current boarders' are unable to join us for lunch as alcohol will be served).

For details please contact Jane Palin, Community and Alumnae Relations Manager:  palinj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

ONLINE BOOKINGS:  Please book by 17 May via  TRYBOOKING The Long Lunch 

REMINDER: Year 8 Parents and Carers Social Evening - 29 March

Dear Friends

A reminder for Year 8 Parents and Carers to join host Peter Tate (Georgia, Year 8) for a friendly informal gathering on Friday 29 March 2019 from 7.00pm at The Bellevue Hotel, 159 Hargrave Street, Paddington.

All enquiries or to RSVP - please contact Michael Laing (Sophie, Year 8) by phone on 0414 606 035 or email michaellaing@theagency.com.au

 

This should be a great night out so we hope you can join in the fun!