Bulletin

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Wednesday 03 February:  8.40am - Class of 2020 Academic Assembly for Band 6 High Achievers'. 
(Unfortunately, this year we are unable to have parents/guests attend but is being filmed for the girls to share with parents).

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Wednesday 03 February:  9.45am - Year 7 Allwell placement testing.

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Please see the Performing Arts article for Dance ensemble information and audition timings, and the Sport and Health Report article in this issue for approaching training and competition dates/timings.  Information is also on the College website for Performing Arts and Sport

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Dear Parents and Carers

As this is the first newsletter of the new year, I extend to you my very best wishes for a happy and particularly healthy 2021.  We are well and truly back in business with the first day milestones, first lessons and first assemblies behind us.  Each of these experiences have been an opportunity for us to be welcoming to our new students and teachers.  It is always a delight to see the excitement and enthusiasm of the Year 7 students as they take their first steps of their secondary educational journey.

The focus value of the year is Generosity of Spirit, and we are particularly looking at this value in the context of our learning culture.  What does generosity of spirit look like as a learning trait?  What does it look like as a professional trait in our teachers and leaders of the College?  I believe it will enrich our classroom and staffroom culture and continue to provide a point of differentiation between St Vincent's College and other fine schools.  Our iconic 'Vinnies spirit' is at its core an expression of generosity of spirit, and as learners, teachers and leaders we are committing this year to generously create and respond to opportunities to learn and grow.  We have introduced the philosophy behind this approach to our students and I am very confident that they will embrace and live out this value throughout the year.

On behalf of the College community I extend our prayers and support to the Hocking family on the death of their beloved son and brother, Finn.  The St Vincent's community have wrapped their arms around Jennifer, Nicholas and Polly (Year 9), since the news of Finn's tragic death.  The generosity of spirit expressed by families and students has been of great comfort to this heartbroken family.  May Finn rest in peace.

There is cautious optimism that we will have a year free of most of the restrictions in place to mitigate the impact of COVID.  There are, however, some very important protocols still in place:

• Mandatory use of face masks while using public transport
• Staying home if unwell
• Testing at first and mildest symptoms
• Very good hand and cough hygiene.

I ask that we work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the entire St Vincent's community.

I look forward to sharing the year ahead with you. 

Anne Fry
Principal 

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

 Eleanor Tatlow (Year 11) - beloved Grandmother.

Jemima Hutchinson (Year 12), Maggie Hutchinson (Year 9), Molly Hutchinson (Class of 2016) - beloved Grandfather.

Zara Paterson (Year 7) - Grandfather.

May they rest in peace.

I add my welcome to new and returning families.  It is always a moment of Refresh to have our staff and students walk back through the College gates ready for new beginnings - embracing new classes, new timetables, new people. We extend this welcome with a spirit of renewal to parents and carers, and express gratitude for the partnership we look forward to in educating and caring for your daughter/s. In this Year of Generosity of Spirit, my hope is that we chose a disposition that looks for the good in each member of this community, and encourage this in our daughters and students.  In doing so, we nurture each individual to grow in awareness of their own worth and capacity to give of one’s best self in an invitation to good relationship and committed learning.

A particular welcome to parents and carers new to the school community.  We look forward to our journey with you.  Our Year 7 students have experienced an orientation to the learning at the College with our inaugural Year 7 Learning Boot Camp.  This experience aims to set the students up for positive wellbeing and learning success through familiarisation with the context of our SVC community, develop effective organisation and introduce the students to the learning dispositions and attributes that will inform, transform and empower students in their learning.  The opportunity to dialogue with Year 7 parents and carers last night affirms the benefit of our working together in shaping the lived values of a St Vincent’s College education for your daughter.  Please know that a copy of the presentation has been emailed to you this afternoon.

We are excited to welcome an addition to the Pastoral Team this year.  Mr Mitchell Grace, joins us in the role of Pastoral Dean of Students.  Mr Grace brings great expertise and experience in student wellbeing and will lead staff and students in our teaching and learning within the pastoral care program.  He will work closely with the Heads of House and Tutor teachers in our support of students in developing the social-emotional capabilities and resilience to navigate times of challenge.

There is never a quiet start to the year when 715 students arrive on campus for a day of greeting in Tutor and Year groups, school photos, IT set up, locker checks and timetables.  But we are ready!  I thank the incredible energy and good work of our staff in preparing for the students in setting them up well for learning and reflecting upon their intended actions to achieve their aspirations for 2021.  I encourage parents and carers to join the dialogue with your daughters about what it is they wish to achieve to in their learning and growing this year.

All students received a College Diary upon her return to school.  To ensure you and your daughter are familiar with College Policies and Procedures please read this information and sign page 49.  The responsibilities and expectations we have of our student enable respectful relationships and positive learning for all.  Your support of all College procedures is greatly appreciated.  The students have returned from the holidays looking impressive in their uniform; please do acknowledge the expectations regarding jewellery and piercings.  A reminder that hats are a compulsory uniform item and must be worn to and from school as well as Recess and Lunch. Page 45 and 46 of the Student Diary outlines our particular policies and consequences for breaching College expectations; please ensure you are familiar with the expectations so that we have consistency of understanding and practice. In all we do at St Vincent’s College we seek to support students in accepting responsibility for actions and engaging in behaviours that are respectful and safe for themselves and others.  Whilst we engage in dialogue and reflection to learn, we also have clear consequences that provide consistency and fairness, values appreciated by adolescents and their teachers. 

The structure of Tutor groups within House enables a continuity of relationships for students and parents.  We strive to know our students as individuals and learners.  This year we are excited to introduce Year 7 Tutor groups within each House.  We aim to provide greater opportunity for students to get to know well more students across their own cohort before transitioning into the vertical Tutor group.  Year 7 are very much part of the House, in all celebrations and gatherings, and will be well connected to their Big Sisters in Year 10.  Whether new or returning parents and carers, I take this opportunity to state how much we value our partnership with you.  We seek to integrate our pastoral and academic care of students through effective communication channels.

Please be advised of the following avenues for communication with the College:

• Classroom teacher is the first point of contact when students or parents have a concern or query that is subject specific. The Head of Department is also available to offer guidance.
• Tutor teacheris first point of contact for communication in areas that are more holistic.
• Head of House, Pastoral Dean of Students and College Counsellor are also available for wellbeing support and advice where necessary.
  Executive Cor Team and College Companion welcome communication in our various portfolios.

My very best wishes to you and your families for 2021.

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

Despite the dreary weather conditions which followed Tuesday's oppressive heat, our College is bright - buzzing once again with the delightful soundtrack of our student body back on campus.  Our Year 7 students are settling in beautifully and are diligently applying their most positive learning dispositions to their Learning Bootcamp and my office door is opening and shutting frequently with my student ‘visitors’ checking in.  Indeed, the 2021 academic year is alive and kicking at SVC!

I would like to begin by acknowledging the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2020.  As I knew in my heart they would; these students rose to meet the challenges of learning amidst a pandemic head on, remaining steadfast in their resolve to be guided by their teachers' ongoing feedback to keep pushing and push they did.  They smashed the ceiling!  It is with pleasure that I will formally acknowledge their achievements at the Academic Assembly on Wednesday, where all nine All Rounders (students who achieved a top band result in at least 10 units), our NESA nominees and our 67 students from the Class of 2020 will be acknowledged formally for attaining a Band 6 (Highest Band) in one or more of their courses.  I acknowledge the wonderful work of my colleagues who assisted the students to reach these great heights since they were in Year 7.  I have enormous appreciation for my colleagues' trust, resilience and flexibility in adapting to our newer pedagogical and assessment methods necessitated by the pandemic, as it was nothing short of outstanding.  As our learning culture continues to dynamically evolve, we are committed in 2021 ‘to create and respond generously to opportunities to learn and grow’.

As with any new academic year, we have been busy settling students into their new class dynamic and timetables and I thank all of our parents and carers for their patience in allowing us the opportunity to resolve any anomalies in our 2021 timetables quickly.  Class Construction is achieved purposefully at the College to ensure that all students are placed well so that their ability to flourish in learning is possible as teachers know our students and how they learn.  Your daughter has been placed in classroom dynamics that allow her learning to be differentiated at a challenge level right for her, where her learning needs are known and nurtured and where she feels safe and included.  As your daughter settles into the 2021 academic year, please do keep me informed of any questions or concerns you may have about your daughter's learning, as it is only in knowing such concerns that we may be positioned to best address them. 

Heads of Department are working diligently to ensure that every assessment activity is scheduled for the 2021 academic year from Year 7 to Year 12.  This is a mammoth exercise that involves much cross-checking to ensure an equitable spread of assessments and to ensure that every girl has an opportunity to partake in other College events that enrich her learning.  As such, each student from Year 7-11 will receive an Assessment Handbook by the end of Week 4 (Year 12 - Class of 2021 already has theirs).  All assessment schedules will be placed on the College website for parental access and in order to support and encourage your daughters to prepare well for her assessments. 

I am very optimistic about the 2021 academic year as we continue to raise the bar of academic excellence through our commitment to the academic care of the whole person.  In 2021, I am confident our learning culture will continue to flourish as we commit ‘to create and respond generously to learn and grow’.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

Dance Ensemble Enrolments

The College has an array of opportunities that will continue to be available in 2021, as well as the introduction of a Hip Hop Dance Ensemble.  Parents can enrol their daughter via the College website.  Closing date for enrolments is Wednesday 3 February 2021. 

• Jazz Dance Ensemble 

3:15pm-4:15pm Monday-Friday.  Sign up on the College website.  Auditions will be in Term 1.  Sign up on the College website.  Audition required. 

https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/performing-arts-ensembles-enrolment/ 

• Jazz and Hip Hop Ensemble (NEW)

Students engage in a jazz ensemble lesson from 3:15-4:15 followed by a Hip Hop ensemble lesson form 4:15-5:15pm. Students who wish to do hip hop ensemble must also do jazz ensemble. (Tuesday or Friday) Sign up on the College website. Audition required. 

https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/performing-arts-ensembles-enrolment/ 

• SVC Ballet Ensemble

 (7:30am-8:30am Tuesday or Wednesday morning).  Sign up on the College website.  Audition required.  https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/performing-arts-ensembles-enrolment/ 

• Co-curricular Contemporary Dance (Paid Tuition)

 Individual or small group lessons (Occur during the school day).  Sign up on the College website.  https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/performing-arts-co-curricular-enrolment/ 

AUDITION DATES

Ballet Ensemble:  Thursday 4 February - 7:30am-8:30am - College Hall.

Jazz and Hip Hop Ensemble:  Monday 8 February - 3:00-4:30pm - College Hall.

Jazz Ensemble:   

Years 7-8:  Tuesday 9 February 3:00-4:30pm - College Hall

Years 9-11:  Wednesday 10 February 3:00pm-4:30pm - College Hall.

I look forward to seeing your daughters involved in the SVC Dance Program in 2021. 

Mrs Alana Santi
Dance Teacher
Performing Arts Department

All students interested in finding out more about the very rewarding Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (Years 9-12), are invited to come to an important information meeting in the College Hall at lunch time on Wednesday 03 February (Day 8).  Hope to see you there!

Ms Sophie Robson
Duke of Edinburgh Co-Ordinator

Sport Staff Contacts for Term 1 2021:

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 and Volleyball:  Ms Elyse Harmanis:  0434 610 870   
Head of Water Polo:  Ms Hayley Boatswain:  0404 267 554.

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

For all draw and venue information go to:   www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/sport/weekly-sports-draw/

TERM 1 SPORT

TOUCH

Welcome back to all players, especially our Year 7's.  The EAST's competition doesn’t officially start until Saturday 6 February, with the exception of SVC 1 who have their first game this weekend on 30 January.

Congratulations to those girls who checked the website or their emails and turned up to the first session back on the first day.  Please make sure that all players are at their training sessions next week as there were many missing this week.  All training and draw information can be found on the College website under Sport/touch.  Good luck to all teams for the term ahead.

The best place to check for Wet Weather Information is the Easts Touch Association's website or Facebook page.  Especially this weekend, as it is forecast to be very wet.  Please remember that Covid-safety measures will still be enforced, such as no sharing of equipment and no hand-shaking.  No spectators will be allowed at this competition for the first two weeks.

Easts website:  http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?assoc=514

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Touch Coach

IGSSA SATURDAY AND TILDESLEY TENNIS

Training has commenced this week for the IGSSA Tennis and competition commences on Saturday 6 February for all teams.  Training sessions for these teams are held on the College courts from either 7.15am 8.25am or 3.15pm-4.30pm.  Players are to check the College website or Sports noticeboard for their team's training sessions and draw.  IGSSA is using our SVC courts again this year, so all teams should get at least one game at home.  All girls are to get to let their coach Therese or Tonya know if they cannot make a session or match, so that they can organise a substitute if necessary.

Please use the Rockwall Street gate entrance and allow adequate time to find parking so that you arrive 30 minutes prior to start time to sign in and warm up.  Please see our convenor Ms Gemma Thompson if there are any problems.  Please remember that Covid safety measures will still be enforced, such as no sharing of equipment and no hand shaking.  Spectators are permitted, however, they must check in with the QR code with the convenor.

Training for the Tildesley Shield (which is held at Pennant Hills on 17-18 March, will be held on Monday 7.15am-8.25am, and Wednesday afternoons from 3.15pm-4.30pm on the College courts.  All girls are to get to let their coach Therese or Tonya know if they cannot make a session.  Any new tennis players to the College who are not in this squad are to contact Therese for more information if interested.

Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis Coach

WATER POLO

The ESSG competition has some very high standard teams and we are going to have some challenging games this season.  All teams are training hard and we should see some excellent progression throughout the season.  Next Saturday, 6 February, all of our nine teams commence competition and will be playing some top-quality matches.  Good luck to all teams for the season!

Please check the College website or the Sports Noticeboard for training times and draws.  Water polo does usually still go ahead regardless of weather.  It may only be cancelled if there is lightning or a problem at the venue.  Please make sure that you arrive at the venue 30 minutes prior to start time to sign on and warm up.  Covid-safety measures will be used at all venues, such as no sharing of equipment and no hand-shaking.  Spectators are permitted, however, they must check in with the QR code with the convenor.

Jordan, one of our water polo coaches, will be running a swim session on Wednesday mornings from 7.15am-8.15am for any keen swimmers and water polo players.  All levels are catered for and you can come to one or all.  This will commence on Wednesday 3 February.

Ms Hayley Boatswain
Head Water Polo Coach

SWIMMING TRAINING AND IGSSA SWIMMING CARNIVAL

All Years 7-10 PDHPE classes will be completing swimming trials over the next week, mainly to get times for our Year 7's and any new students who missed the College Swimming Carnival in Term 4.  These times will give the Sports staff an indication of who should be in the IGSSA team, along with those who have already been selected from the main Carnival.  There will be some swim-offs with the best Year 7 swimmers against the selected 13 year old Year 8's on Tuesday 23 February at lunchtime, and more information will be emailed to these girls.  Any swimmers who train and compete outside of school who have official times for longer distances (eg 100, 200 or 400m) are to email these to Ms Jacobs for consideration for the IGSSA team.

The IGSSA Carnival is being held later this year on Friday 26 March at Homebush Aquatic Centre and there will be a meeting/relay session for all squad members at lunchtime on Tuesday 2 March to finalise details.  Unfortunately, this year there is a clash with the College camps/retreats and we will need to work out transport arrangements for our swimmers.

Jordan, one of our water polo coaches, will be running a swim session on Wednesday mornings from 7.15am-8.15am, for any keen swimmers and water polo players.  All levels are catered for and you can come to one or all sessions.  Any potential IGSSA squad members must come to these sessions, unless they are already in a squad outside of school.  This swim session will commence next week on Wednesday 3 February.

FITNESS AND CROSS COUNTRY

Fitness training with Tash commences on Wednesday (17 February) and will be on every Monday and Wednesday afternoon as we prepare for the IGSSA Cross Country Carnival at Frensham on Friday 7 May, in Term 2.  We are allowed to enter up to ten competitors in each age group and this acts as the St Vincent’s Cross Country Championships as first girl in from each age group will be awarded our Age Champion.  We would like to have a minimum of three per age group for the relay point scores, so we are looking for more competitors. 12 and 13 years only run 3km, with all other girls doing 4km except 18 years who have to do 6km.

All levels of fitness will be catered for at the training sessions and are not just for those wanting to do cross country.  Any students wishing to improve their fitness are invited to come to one or both days.  Please email Ms Jacobs if you would like to sign up.

TERM 2 SPORT REGISTRATIONS

Registrations are now open for Term 2 Sport and close on Friday 19 February at 3.00pm.  Students can select from IGSSA Soccer, IGSSA Basketball, SEHA Hockey and Wednesday Netball at St Catherine’s.  Year 7 Netball next term will be a skills Development and mini games at SVC on Thursday afternoons.

Netball is organised by Elyse Harmanis, one of our excellent coaches, and she really does run a great development program.  Term 2 Netball is all about getting ready for the big IGSSA Competition in Term 3 and will concentrate on fitness and skill development.

To register you need to go on to the College website  http://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/Sport, then click Term 2 Regos.  You will need to know your student ID and email address and have permission from your parents to play.  If you have any problems doing this, please contact the Sports Department immediately.

SPORTS STARS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to Alexis Graham in Year 11, who will be representing the Open IGSSA Water Polo team at the CIS Championships at Danebank on Wednesday 10 February. Good Luck Lexi!

This section is to make the College community aware of some of the exceptional athletes we have in the College.  If your daughter has represented her state or country recently in her chosen Sport, please send us any results, photos or blurbs on her performance to jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-ordinator of Sport

CANTEEN REMINDER:   NO CARD - NO PURCHASE. 

-  You MUST bring your card with you to the canteen to purchase.

-  You need to refill money onto your card at least 1 (one) hour BEFORE using it (as it takes that long to generate onto the card).

-  There are GLUTEN FREE products available but only when purchased through online ordering. 

 View next week's CANTEEN SPECIALS: 01-05 February 2021  HERE

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Selina Richardson
Site Manager

Catering Industries Pty Ltd | St Vincent’s College
Phone: 1300 364 092 | Main Phone: 9361 2420

Dennis@cateringindustries.com.au  |  www.cateringindustries.com.au

A very warm welcome back to everyone, and a special welcome to those families new to the St Vincent’s College community in 2021.  If you are anything like me, the jolt back into earlier wake ups, preparing lunch boxes and ironing uniforms has been a shock to the system!  Fingers crossed for a much smoother, less COVID impacted year than the last.  I am hopeful we will be able to get back to having some of our much loved events, in particular our Spring Fair, which had to be postponed last year.

For those new to our community or anyone that hasn’t had a chance yet to get involved in the P&F, it would be great to see you at one of our meetings this year.  We have one meeting per term and everyone is welcome.  At this stage our first meeting will be held via Zoom, and it is a great way to understand how the P&F works and how we work with the school.  Don’t worry, we won’t sign you up for anything! 

I will be in touch with other news and events over the term, and in the meantime if you have any questions, thoughts or suggestions at any time, please feel free to contact me on 0400 583 677.

Here’s to a great 2021!

Katherine Aitken
P&F President 

A warm welcome to our new and returning families for 2021.

The St Vincent’s College Business Directory is a community initiative created to connect families, staff, alumni and supporters of the College in a practical and mutually beneficial way.  Our hope is that our community chooses to support other College families when doing business.

If you have not yet registered your business and would like to do so, please register here 

Jane Palin
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager