Bulletin

 Please see Mrs Kenderes' (Director of Faith and Mission) article in this issue.

Tuesday 23 February at (new time for this meeting) 6.30pm:  The first P&F Meeting for the year via Zoom.

Please register at this link and you will be sent login details on the morning of the meeting.

https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/our-community/parents-and-friends-association/pf-meeting-registration-23-february-2021/

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Friday 26 February:   Bi-Centenary of Catholic Education

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Monday 01 March:  Year 7 Parent/Teacher Meetings - via Google Meetings - Details to be advised.

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Tuesday 16 March:  Year 7 Vaccination program commences - see Mr Anderson's letter to Year 7 parents (emailed today 19 February). 

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Please see the Sport and Health Report article in this issue for training and competition dates/timings. 
Information is also on the College website in Sport

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REMINDER:  Masks are compulsory on public transport for students over 12 years - and all students must have a valid OPAL card to travel on buses and trains.

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Dear Parents and Carers

Yesterday was the launch of the celebrations for the Bi-Centenary of Catholic Education in Australia.  I attach for you a pastoral letter HERE from the bishops of Australia which is a reflection on the great contribution Catholic Education has made to Australia over the last 200 years.  Of particular note and celebration is the fact that for 163 out of those 200 years, St Vincent's College has continuously operated as a place of learning.  Our motto, Scientia cum Religione (faith and knowledge), has guided the footsteps of young women from 1858 through to our current times.  The graduates of the College have contributed generously and continue to contribute generously to the Commonwealth and common good of Australia.  Two occasions this week have brought this contribution into sharp focus.  I had the privilege of attending the funeral of Ms Wilga Ann Wilschefski, this week, who was a graduate from the Class of 1947.  While listening to her eulogy, I was moved by her deep affection for her alma mater and the gratitude she carried throughout her life for the education she received from the Sisters of Charity.  Wilga lived an extraordinary life full of verve and adventure.  Her's was the generation that pioneered international travel for single travellers, professional careers and a curiosity as a life-long learner.  May she rest in peace.

The second story is one of our much more recent graduates, Emily Gerrard (Class of 2015).  Just last week, Emily was named Australia's Young Engineer of the Year in honour of her innovative work designing an App to measure wind force on the superstructure of a bridge.  Emily, like Wilga, is pushing the boundaries and is destined to be a leader in her professional life.  These two stories join the thousands upon thousands of stories of Australians whose lives have been enriched by their Catholic Education.

Last Friday, Paul Dillon spoke to our Years 10, 10 and 12 students about drugs and alcohol.  He is highly respected by our students, but unfortunately for us, he does not present to younger students.  He recognises that parents play that critical role by the example they set and the role they play as educators of their children.  One issue that parents of younger students need to be alert to is VAPING.  I include for you a Fact Sheet prepared by Paul Dillon and I encourage you to regularly visit his website at http://darta.net.au/

It is illegal for people under 18 to purchase Vapes, but there is a thriving market and informal distribution network that is ensuring that very young children and adolescents are accessing these products.  Please talk to your daughters about the dangers of Vaping and addiction.

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal 

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

Caoimhe O'Beirne Stephenson (Year 7) - Grandmother. 

May she rest in peace.

When I was a kid a favourite show was Lost in Space - I still use the line ‘Danger Will Robinson’ when wishing to diffuse a situation with humour.  The robot friend of Will Robinson, simply named Robot was the embodiment for me that space exploration was a noble enterprise that required sage guidance and trusted collaboration.  My childhood images of space exploration could not have prepared me to know that four decades later I would arrive at work to watch a spacecraft land on Mars with the mission to explore signs of life.  The naming of this 2021 robotic rover - Perseverance - symbolises for us all the sheer exhilaration that accompanies accomplishment after the hard work of toiling to realise possibilities.  More joyous for me was watching the human response of all those gathered in NASA’S control room holding their breath in anticipation and then erupting in sheer joy.  I can only imagine the perseverance in their hard work toiling to make this possibility today’s momentous feat.  This is the inspiration I hope for our students - to dream big and be hopeful for the world they can create through the gift of education and a belief that in decades from now they will have toiled with curiosity and creativity to add to our world.  I cannot imagine what I may see on my screen in another 40 years as I witness our students of today become the leaders of tomorrow. 

Learning and schooling requires a disposition of care and commitment.  A student is more open to learning, more ready to engage, more positive in relationships of collaboration and inquiry when the choice that starts the day says I care and I commit.  To jump from space exploration to school expectations may indeed seem a mammoth leap in perspective.  And yet attitudes and behaviours have a way of creeping in and becoming stuck if they are not reflected upon.  I ask that parents and carers please take the time to consider the choices and actions of your daughters in such matters as uniform, punctuality, use of Opal cards and wearing of masks.  These are the mandated expectations of school and society.  They are the outward sign of civil obedience and acknowledgement of the responsibilities your growing adolescent has to contribute to public health (wearing of masks on trains) and respect for and pride in community.  We strive to create a school environment that is safe and inclusive, one that removes pressures amongst peers to adorn themselves with jewellery, eyelashes, incorrect socks in order to identify amongst peers and to remove the distraction of technologies during the school day.  We wish to make it easy for students to opt in to do the ‘right thing’ than feel pressure to make choices that become a block to learning and good relationship.  The choice to stop off for breakfast or coffee on the way to school and subsequently be late does not respect the responsibility they have to enter into Tutor of class as a contributing member of this community.  Travelling without the use of an Opal card abuses the privilege of student travel and without a mask suggests both ignorance and entitlement that one sits outside the expectations of all citizens to contribute to public health.  Please engage is such a conversation with your daughters about why such expectations exist and the gain made for themselves and others by opting in with intention and generosity of spirit.  Please ensure your daughter has some spare masks in her bag and if she has yet to apply for or renew her Opal card that she does so over the weekend.  We include the detail provided at the end of last year in this Bulletin HERE .  A student may travel with the application reference number on her phone until the actual card arrives by post.

I remind you of our procedures for consequences where students breach expectations regarding technology, punctuality, uniform, safety of property, homework and preparation for class.  In the first instance, conversation with the student is always invested with a view to flag the behaviour and challenge and support the choices being made within familiar relationships of Tutor and class teacher with the student.  After three occasions of non-compliance, parents and carers will receive an automated letter requiring the student to engage in a Responsibility and Review discussion with a Head of House or Head of Department as a consequence to these behaviours.  The student will be advised by email of the date she is to stay back after school.  Students are aware of their responsibilities in ensuring a community engaged in respect for learning and the need for accountability for the choices made that do not comply with College expectations.  As a Catholic learning community, the consequence of staying back allows for reflection for growth enabled through conversation and supportive relationship.  We appreciate your partnership with us and encourage you to have a conversation with your daughter as to ways in which she can put in place actions that improve any particular issue that has presented as non-compliance.  Each student is a valued member of this community and we strive to support her to give of her best to her learning and responsibilities to the College.

In the next week you will be receiving letters providing information about the upcoming Camps and Retreats Wednesday 24 - Friday 26 March.  We are fortunate to be able to engage once again in these opportunities to learn and grow beyond the classroom walls, with most year groups having missed this opportunity last year.  These are compulsory learning experiences and I ask you place these dates in your calendars. Camps and Retreats are an extension of the holistic learning at our College - providing opportunity to learn in new ways, take risks and enjoy achievement, problem solve in collaborative teams and to extend peer relationships so that students grow in both self-awareness and appreciation of others. Students on Camps are supported by both a specialist outdoor education teacher and a St Vincent’s College teacher.  You will be informed of the staff member responsible for leading these for each Year group in the letters that follow.  We hold the safety of students as a high priority.  We invite parents and carers to communicate directly with Fiona Culligan, our College Nurse, if you have the need to update your daughter’s health needs prior to Camp and Retreats.

This week’s Ash Wednesday Liturgy invited us to consider the ways in which our Christian faith recognises the possibilities of breathing new life from a generous spirit.  In this season of Lent we are called to be this new life for ourselves and others.  This morning’s landing of Perseverance will add to our knowledge of life on another planet.  May we persevere in our relationships, in our learning and in our spiritual reflection so that we may greet each day with a generous spirit open to discovery and blessing. 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

In our Year of Generosity of Spirit, the College is committed to our flourishing learning culture, that pastorally supports each of our girls to achieve her fullest academic potential and by doing so, ‘creating and responding generously to opportunities to learn and grow’.  To help her achieve this growth in learning, assessment activities both formative (informal) and summative (formal), are a part of the teaching and learning cycle not the end point.  Assessments take a snapshot of one moment in time, in a student’s learning continuum, yet inform us of what they know and what they still need to know. 

Assessment Activities:

• provide opportunities for teachers to gather evidence about student achievement in relation to syllabus outcomes
• enables students to demonstrate what they know and can do
• clarifies student understanding of concepts and promotes deeper understanding
• provides evidence that current understanding and skills are a suitable basis for future learning.

Assessment is a purposeful and valid measure of each student’s learning in a point and time and through our school-wide feedback model, students are given robust teacher feedback to constantly grow and improve their learning so their learning becomes deep and authentic.  At SVC we pride ourselves on Knowing our Students and thus goal setting from each assessment performance in partnership with each student’s teacher, is an integral part of our feedback model that aids student growth.

Feedback, both formally (summative) and informally (formative) is powerful in learning and our Common Assessment and Feedback Model empowers the learner by:

• Informing each student of the outcomes they have achieved on each assessment activity
• Transforming the students’ learning through concrete, skills-specific advice about how to improve on areas of weakness 
• Empowering our students to reflect on and action their teacher’s feedback to set their own new goals for learning growth.

Therefore, this reflective cycle of assessment and feedback, in the partnership between student and teacher, maximises each student’s academic potential throughout the year.

As a ‘foodie’ I am somewhat surrounded by food in my family life; with a husband in the hospitality industry and a brother-in-law chef, not to mention my own very healthy appetite. If you are like me and find yourself frequently thinking about food, you may like this anecdote to explain the difference between formative and summative assessment.

Today all students and parents/carers were emailed the 2021 Assessment Handbook and the  Assessment Activities Calendar that outlines all of your daughter’s assessments for the 2021 Academic Year.  The College’s Assessment Policy is found in each student’s Assessment Handbook for your reference and hers, with specific advice about our Illness/Misadventure Policy in the case of illness or misadventure in assessment periods. 

As we settle into term and Assessment Activities Notifications start to be issued, it is good for our students to remember the support they have in place to assist them to manage their weekly schedules.  In the first instance each teacher will establish expectations about homework and study that is conducive to a balanced approach to study, recreation, co-curricular pursuits and socialisation. In the Student Diary on page 24, each Year group lists a recommended amount of study/homework hours per day, as part of our broader Homework Policy as relevant for all students Year 7 to Year 12. 

This year our learning commitment ‘is to create and respond generously to opportunities to learn and grow.’  We welcome wholeheartedly the partnership we have with you, our parents and carers, to assist us to action this commitment.  As such, I am often asked by parents how they can better support their adolescent child in homework and study and below are a series of effective strategies that have proven successful that may be of interest to you. 

Homework Strategies:

• Ask your adolescent about their homework, know what they are learning about and when assessments are due (remember you have access to these now - maybe out a copy on the fridge?).
• Ensure a routine of doing homework is in place at set times each day.
• Have a set place where your adolescent can do their homework.
• Mobiles should be set to 'do not disturb' or off so there are no disruptions.  Out of the room is even better!
• At SVC even if your adolescent says she has ‘no assigned homework’ that evening, she should always be engaged in wide reading of a novel ideally, to assist her general literacy and articulation.
• Encourage your adolescent to start assessments as soon as they receive them (at the College all students are given a minimum 3-week notification on all assessment activities).
• Your adolescent needs to do their own assessments.  Teachers need to know what students can do independently.
• If your adolescent is having difficulty with their homework, contact their class teacher for help in the first instance and then the Tutor teacher and Head of House for wider issues.

Effective Study Strategies:  

In high school, regular study becomes important to consolidate learning.  Study time is completely different to doing set homework.  Students should regularly review work covered in class, summarise key ideas and do additional reading and research on topics, as well as practise tasks such as essays and Maths problems.

There is no one 'best' way to study.  Students often find different methods and times to study to suit themselves and their learning dispositions.  The key is regular study that supports healthy lifestyle choices and proper sleep hygiene. 

Some suggestions for effective study time include:

• no mobile device use - no social media, messaging or calls during study time
• finishing any homework for the day before starting study 
• focussing on one topic at a time
• highlighting class notes or handouts
• preparing summaries that revise concepts and skills learnt in class
• drawing diagrams, mind maps or brainstorms to show the main ideas and links between them
• explaining a topic or key concept to someone else - even the cat or dog - they are good listeners
• preparing glossaries of technical language and highlighting rubric statements for each topic/module 
• memorising short quotes
• reading summaries aloud 
• writing key concepts on flash cards (palm cards) with an explanation on the back to use for quick recall testing
• reading widely about topics being studied - adding any new information or quotes to summaries.

The best study is active study - not just reading pages and pages of notes but creating summaries and lists, drawing mind maps, practising answering questions, teaching someone else about a topic and so on.  Active study helps move content from short-term to long-term memory. 

Barriers to Study

Hopefully, the suggestions above will help your daughter settle into a good study routine.  However, there are three common barriers to study to watch out for.

Distractions:  Mobile devices and internet access are the biggest distractions to study.  Make the study area a mobile, TV, gaming and internet free zone (unless during that session they are doing research which requires internet access).  Consider downloading a social media lockout app or switching on aeroplane mode during study time to prevent interruptions.  Also, make sure friends and other family members know not to disturb study time.

Procrastination:  Students often try to avoid subjects they find difficult.  To help your adolescent, first find out why they are procrastinating.  Some tips to deal with procrastination include:

o   ensure they have a set study area with all equipment needed but no mobile devices

o   break the task down into smaller chunks such as identifying the headings for a summary first through a brainstorm; listing the headings then summarising information for one heading at a time

o   make a to-do list of tasks they can check off as they finish

o   monitor their progress and reward each step.

Disorganisation:  Have a set place for study with all the equipment they'll need and encourage using calendars, to-do lists and a study timetable.  Whether students do these on physical paper or digitally depends on each student’s individual preference - what is important is that they consistently use them.

Please do not hesitate to contact your daughter’s Tutor teacher, Subject teacher, Head of Department or myself, if you have any specific questions about your daughter’s learning or more specifically about our homework, assessment and feedback processes at the College.  We look forward to continuing to partner with you in the pastoral and academic care of your daughter this year as we commit to ‘create and respond generously to opportunities to learn and grow’.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

This year marks 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.  There are celebrations afoot across the country.  It’s been a battle; back in the dark days of sectarian animosity when Catholic schools were desperately poor, staffed in the main by nuns who were hungry themselves and funded entirely from the fees of the equally hungry families, it was tough.  But the quality of education offered was high. 

The Sisters of Charity loom large in the history of Catholic education in Australia.  We are proud of what they began and what we continue to build.  The College will be working with the Heritage Centre in a project to acknowledge past students and teachers who have shaped the face of Catholic Education in our corner of Sydney.  They are what this celebration is all about.

Ash Wednesday was celebrated in the College in six House Liturgies.  Our theme, “New Life from a Generous Spirit”, asked students to consider how they can be part of God’s plan to bring new life to the world; how can they bring life to others through generous decisions, generous words and generous actions.  We considered the generosity of the earth and how we respond with sustainable choices.  We considered the generous choice to remain silent instead of threatening another’s reputation with gossip and accusation.  We considered the generous action of listening and of course, that generosity of spirit that reveals itself in kindness and outreach to those in need.

In our liturgy we dealt with the demands of Covid safety by receiving a symbol to pin on - a piece of hessian, to remember the tradition of penance, a cross marked in charcoal and a leaf from lemon scented gum, to remember that Lent gives us a chance to grow, to change and to become more.

Our Charism team have brought back the ‘Catalyst of the Week’.  This last week we looked at Morgan Parker and his work - riding his motor bike across 35 countries - to raise awareness and bring healthcare and education to desperately poor parts of Asia.  This week it’s bicycles - and how a couple of mates are making life so much better for children in Asia and Africa.  Have a look at what they are doing.

The Ponytail Project has been launched thanks to the dedication and determination of Charlotte Patchett, our Social Justice Captain.  On 19 March, a team of volunteers will take the chair, while another equally plucky team cut their hair.  The long tresses will be donated to the Cancer Council to make wigs for those living with cancer treatment.  Shorter hair will be collected and given to the Sustainable Salon Project, which creates human hair mats to collect oil spills and save areas from environmental disaster.  True.  All of that is pretty inspiring, but the most amazing part is that the girls who have signed up and got sponsorship for their hair cut are AMAZING! 

You can sponsor a student who has signed up for the chop by clicking on the link below.  Charlotte says, “At this point our goal is $20,000.  We are nearly there.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could go even higher?”.

https://www.ponytailproject.com.au/fundraisers/StVincentsCollege!

Today is Zooper-Dooper in the Caritas Christi Courtyard Day.  The money raised will go to Vinnies@SVC, in support of the Vinnies Food Van.  We have also had a Celebration in the Caritas Christi Courtyard with three student performers providing entertainment and inspiration at lunchtime.  Natalijah Lambert wowed the crowd with her debut solo performance at SVC.  She sang “Let Her Go”.  Ellie Singleton stepped up to the mic and gave us three pieces of Slam Poetry.  Her award winning piece “Gunshot” is a bleak reminder that little has changed in the three years since it was written, and violence is still a reality for so many young people.  Her piece called “Anxiety” was poignant and raw.  She then finished her performance with “River of Hope”, her newest creation.  Ellie assured us - “And yet the river of Hope breaks its banks to meet us”.  Billie Monjo completed our celebration with a version of “A Sunday Kind of Love”; a perfect way to end the week. 

Our friends at St Vincent de Paul are re-launching their 'Brekky Van' initiative and we will be part of the venture.  Saturday and Sunday mornings, 8.00am-11.00am we meet at Lewisham and provide a cooked breakfast for our friends who are doing it tough in the Eastern region.  There is hope that students 16 years and over will be able to participate.  More details to come, but If you would like to give an expression of interest in being part of the A Team for brekky, click on the link HERE , fill in your details and I’ll be in touch.

There will be more opportunities to link our hands with our heart next week.

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

For any budding STEMinists, a new program is starting online on Monday 22 February:  A collaboration between Microsoft and Girl Geek Academy.  This program, which is designed specifically for high school girls, is an opportunity for students to learn new technical skills every Monday afternoon from 4.30pm-6.00pm and it's free to join! 

For more information: https://girlgeekacademy.com/microsoft/ 

Ms Gemma Thompson
STEM Coordinator | Science and Physics Teacher

Business Cadetships

Professional Cadetships Program

Professional Cadetships Australia provides Year 12 students with the opportunity to apply for a cadetship with leading companies.  The cadetships provide cadets with paid employment while they undertake university studies.  Under the 2021 Program, UBS and Barrenjoey Capital Partners will offer cadetships across both firms.  Business cadets study at the university of their choice in Sydney and may include a wide variety of degree programs including economics, commerce, business, computer science and technology, mathematics and the humanities.

Applications can be accessed via this website: www.businesscadetshipscom.au.  Applications open on 8 March and close on 26 May.  For more information please contact Ms Marshall - marshallh@stvincents.nsw.edu.au .

Charles Sturt University

Medicine Information Nights

Anyone interested in studying Medicine in 2022 and beyond should try to attend this webinar.  The webinar will cover key course information, entry requirements, the application process, scholarships and more.  Online registration is essential as numbers are limited at each event.  Wagga -Tuesday 16 March; Orange - Monday 22 March; Bathurst - Tuesday 23 March; Online event - Tuesday 04 May.  Time for all events 6.00pm-7.30pm.  To register for one of these events use the link here

Western Sydney University 

Scholarships

Western offers a range of scholarships across areas of:  Academic excellence and leadership, equity and opportunity, humanitarian, industry, course focused and diverse opportunities.  Visit the Western Scholarships page hereto find out more and explore your options and eligibility.

TAFE 

TAFE NSW Parent and Caregiver Resource Guide 

A TAFE guide has been developed for parents and/or care-givers to help transition their child into TAFE NSW.  The TAFE guide can be accessed via the dedicated parent and/or care-giver webpage found here 

Academy of Information Technology

AIT will be holding virtual Online Information Sessions 12-16 April 2021. Students and their parents will have the chance to hear from AIT's course advisors, educators & recent graduates. This is the ideal opportunity to explore study options and career paths in Film, Animation, 3D, Games and Mobile App Development.  Registrations are open and essential here.

United States University Admission Requirements

US university requirements are changing.  US universities will no longer require nor recommend students sit SAT Subject Tests, nor the optional writing section of the SAT.  Both these tests will be phased out globally by June 2021.  For more information please read the article found here

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

Students have returned to Garcia classrooms - keyboard lab, Garcia Dance studio, Music rehearsal rooms, the MCR and Tarmons Dance studio in 2021 - with great energy.  They are motivated to be creative and gain skills in their Performing Arts subject areas of choice.  The NSW Curriculum for Dance, Drama and Music requires so many hours of skill building that it is a relief to get back in the classrooms and start creating and rehearsing. Dance, Drama and Music ensembles have also now all commenced and are already creating interesting dances, songs and scenes.

I would like to congratulate all those students who auditioned for Dance ensembles and the College Production, and thank Mrs Santi and her Dance team for the work done auditioning over 100 Dance students.  College Production auditions went for two weeks during lunch times, and really confirmed to me how talented and motivated our students really are - it was a pleasure to audition so many talented young people.

As I have visited rehearsals last week and this week, I have already observed really exciting ideas growing and being shared in our studios and halls.  We have had to change some of our ways of planning, groupings and rehearsing to ensure we are Covid-safe, and can continue to be creative even if we needed go to the Foxford style of learning again this year.  Filming work has its own challenges and we hope to not have to forgo live performances, however, working together creatively I believe we have great options to move ahead if we are notified that we have to.  This was particularly challenging for the Performing Arts teachers and tutors last year, but as Plato stated in the Republic "our need will be the real creator", or translated loosely in the 1800's "necessity.. is the mother of invention".  I hope for a little less invention created by Covid changes, and more creativity based decisions for all in 2021.

On a very positive note, a new ensemble has been added this year for students who love the theatrical arts - Drama ensemble.  This is a wonderful new ensemble and it's great news that we have had such growth in enrolment numbers and had so much interest and requests that Junior Theatresports and Senior Theatresports ensembles were just not enough Drama in the College!

Dance also saw the introduction of two Hip Hop ensembles to add to our many Jazz Dance ensembles and two Ballet ensembles.  It is always exciting to see new art forms like Hip Hop being explored and taught in our College. 

Co-curricular Performing Arts classes both private and group in Dance, Drama, Voice and Instrumental have also commenced, and students' times appear on their own Edumate timetable.  Some students have already begun selecting pieces for AMEB and Trinity examinations and I wish all students the very best with their repertoire and skill-building in preparation before they appear before these external examiners.

Performing Arts Ensembles running at the College in 2021:

DANCE:

Monday Jazz ensemble - after school

Tuesday Jazz ensemble - after school

Tuesday Hip Hop - after school

Tuesday Ballet ensemble - before school

Wednesday Ballet ensemble - before school

Wednesday Jazz ensemble - after school

Thursday Jazz ensemble - after school

Friday Jazz ensemble  - after school

Friday Hip Hop - after school.

DRAMA:

Junior Theatresports - Thursday - lunchtime

Senior Theatresports - Monday -  lunchtime

Drama Ensemble - Tuesday - lunchtime

College Production - Tuesday and Thursday - after school

MUSIC:

Orchestra - Thursday - after school

Choir - Wednesday - morning

String ensemble - Thursday - after school

Junior Rock band - Thursday - lunchtime

Senior Rock band - Wednesday - lunchtime

Ukelele ensemble - Monday - lunchtime.

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Performing Arts

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:  Ms Elyse Harmanis:  0434 610 870   
Head of Water Polo:  Ms Hayley Boatswain:  0404 267 554
Head of Swimming/Cross Country:  Ms Jacinta Jacobs:  0418 416 663.

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

As we are slowly being allowed to spectate at some of the sporting venues, please make sure you look up the rules at the different venues before you go. Some venues are allowing one spectator per player whilst others are open to all as long as you QR code in.

It’s Dads at Sport Day tomorrow, Saturday 20 February, so we are encouraging as many fathers as possible to go and support their daughter.  #SVCDADSATSPORT.  Take a photo this Saturday with your Dad/Carer before you leave home, at drop off, or at your sport venue (where COVID permissible), tag your Sport/Year level and email it to your Comms and PR Captain, Matilda Emery emerm0121@stvincents.nsw.edu.au so she can post it to our Instagram’s SVCDads page.  

TOUCH

Congratulations to those teams that played in the rain last weekend.  Unfortunately, the weather did get too bad to continue all games.  Let’s hope the weather is kinder to us this weekend. 

The best place to check for Wet Weather Information is the Easts Touch Association website or Facebook page.  Especially this weekend as it is forecast again to be very wet.  Please remember that COVID-safety measures will still be enforced, such as no sharing of equipment and no hand-shaking.  Spectators will be allowed at this competition this weekend but are still encouraged to watch from afar and not mingle on the sidelines with the players.

-  Easts website.  

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Touch Coach

Below (two photos):  Year 7 Touch

Below:  SVC 2 Touch

SANTA SABINA VOLLEYBALL

This year we are entering six teams in the popular Santa Sabina volleyball competition at Strathfield.  This competition was due to commence last Saturday but unfortunately, it got washed out. Hopefully we will be off to a better start this weekend. Spectators are allowed at Santa Sabina this term, however, no dogs are permitted. There will also be a coffee cart available.

All team information can be found on the College website and the draw will be placed there once it is finalised.  All players should now be aware of their training times and must let the head coach Elyse know if they cannot attend for any reason.  Full Sports uniform is to be worn to all training sessions and matches. 

Please note the Santa Sabina wet weather information is tweeted on:  https://twitter.com/santasports .

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Volleyball Coach 

IGSSA SATURDAY AND TILDESLEY TENNIS

Congratulations to all teams on good attendance at training sessions this week.  Unfortunately, most games were washed out last weekend, so we hope that the weather is kinder to us this week.  I know it’s hard when we travel so far to get to some venues but the convenors do try to leave cancelling to as late as possible so that some matches can get played if possible.

If you are playing at the College, please use the Rockwall Street gate entrance and allow adequate time to find parking so that you arrive 20 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.  Some schools are not permitting any spectators this term, so please check the link below for more details.

Please view the link HERE for further instructions of COVID restrictions at various venues.

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.  With only a month until this prestigious competition, it is imperative that all players are at all training sessions.  All players are to collect a permission note from Ms Jacobs next week.

Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis Coach

WATER POLO

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 20 minutes prior to start time for 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 at most venues, however, they must check in with the QR code with the convenor.  

Please view more specific venue COVID restrictions HERE .

Just a heads up regarding spectators at some schools due to COVID.  Below are the current procedures at PLC:

• Strictly, one spectator per player is permitted (exclusive of heads of sport, water polo convenors etc)
• Entry and exit to the College should be through the Boundary Street pedestrian gate (right next to the roundabout)
• Entry for players 20 minutes prior to the start of the game
• Entry for spectators 10 minutes prior to the start of the game and they will be required to sign on using the Service NSW QR code upon arrival.  If they cannot do this, unfortunately, they will not be able to attend the game. 
• Spectators will then be asked to remain in 'holding bays' outside the pool until they are invited into the pool area by the Convenor/COVID Marshall - after all players and spectators from the previous timeslot have vacated the building.

Ms Hayley Boatswain
Head Water Polo Coach 

SWIMMING TRAINING AND IGSSA SWIMMING CARNIVAL

All Years 7-10 PDHPE classes have now done their swimming trials.  There will be some swim-offs for the best Year 7's against the selected 13 year old Year 8's on Tuesday 23 February at lunchtime, and more information has been 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 College team.

This year we will be competing in the CGSSSA Swimming Carnival instead of IGSSA.  The CGSSSA  Carnival is being held on Tuesday 9 March at Ryde Aquatic Centre, and there will be a meeting/relay session for all squad members at lunchtime on Tuesday 2 March to finalise details. All swimmers are to collect a permission note from Ms Jacobs next week.

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.

Below:  Swim training in the College pool

FITNESS AND CROSS COUNTRY

Fitness training with Tash commenced on Wednesday 17 February, and will be on every Monday and Wednesday afternoon 3.15pm-4.30pm 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.  Meet outside the change rooms at 3.15pm and the sessions are finished by 4.30pm.  There is no additional cost.  Please please email Ms Jacobs if you would like to sign up.

TERM 2 SPORT REGISTRATIONS

Registrations are for Term 2 Sport have been extended to Monday 22 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 consist of skills development and mini games at SVC on Thursday afternoons, but is still called 'St Catherine's Netball' on the registration form.  Netball is organised by Elyse Harmanis, one of our excellent coaches, and she runs 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 onto the College website  http://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/Sport, then click 'Term 2 Registrations'.  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

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

Congratulations to Elsa Firth and Tayla Ms Ausland (Year 9), who both played in Coffs Harbour last weekend at the Oztag State Cup for Easts and won the U15 Girls Division 2.  They were undefeated the whole tournament and all their hard work and training paid off.  Well done girls! 

Below:  Elsa is second from right and Tayla sixth from right

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: 22-26 February 2021  HERE

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The first P&F Meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday 23 February at (new time)  6.30pm - via Zoom.

Please register at the following link and you will be sent login details on the morning of the meeting:

https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/our-community/parents-and-friends-association/pf-meeting-registration-23-february-2021/

2021 P&F Meeting dates - via Zoom.  (Times for these meetings to be confirmed):  Tuesdays - 11 May; 03 August; 02 November. 

Mrs Jane Palin
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager

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