Bulletin

Upcoming Events Reminders:

Monday 04 March:  Year 7 Parents - 'Meet the Tutor' at 3.15pm in House Groups. 
Year 7 Parent Teacher Interviews 3.40pm-7.30pm.
(Parent/Teacher Appointment Bookings in the parent portal PTO (parents were emailed information on 15 February).

Wednesday 06 March:   Ash Wednesday

Thursday 07 March:  SVC International Women's Day Symposium - From 5.30pm (arrival/refreshments); 6.00pm (panel discussion); 7.30pm (conclusion) in the College Hall.  (see the flyer following).  Please register your attendance via the following link to this FREE event:  REGISTER HERE

Wednesday 20 March:  OPEN AFTERNOON  3.30pm-6.00pm.

Friday 22 March:   Year 7 Vaccinations.

Dear Parents and Carers

The seasons are changing, both the climatic and liturgical ones.  While we are all probably looking forward to the cooler nights of autumn, we are usually less enthusiastic about the extra disciplines of Lent.  I spoke of the extra challenges we face this Lenton season as the Catholic Church of Australia is held to account for the historical abuse of children in their care.  I include it here for your information as I think it is important for you to know what has been said to the students:

Good morning staff and students

Exactly this time next Wednesday we will gather at House Liturgies to receive Ashes.  This will be the commencement of the season of Lent, and each of us will be invited into this season of preparation for Easter.  Traditionally a season of atonement, Christians marked themselves with Ashes and used the time of preparation for prayer, fasting and charity.  With our more contemporary understanding of Lent it is a time to “do more, rather than do less”, but we have retained the public ritual of ashes that identifies us as Christians.  This Lent is going to come at a time when identifying as a Catholic in Australia is going to be more challenging than ever.  The Catholic Church is under intense scrutiny and criticism for a historical practice of not reporting the sexual abuse of children, and currently there is 24/7 news coverage of the conviction of Cardinal George Pell for sexual abuse.  Cardinal Pell is appealing his conviction and he is fully entitled to exercise judicial process to clear his name.  It is important that he is provided with that entitlement and we must refrain from anything that will undermine his right to a fair appeal.  However, the reality at the moment is that he has been found guilty of a heinous crime and that leaves many of us in the Church angry, confused and anxious.  It is important for us all who proclaim our membership of the Church to realize the power each of us has to represent the Church.  While the media and other commentators will be highly critical of “the Church” and focus their attention on the odious crimes and failings of an individual or a small number of people, we have the God-given right and responsibility to proclaim the news of Jesus.  To counter the times when those vested with authority in the Church have acted improperly or failed to protect the most vulnerable, we are every day in a position to take up the pursuit of goodness, kindness, fairness, tolerance.  This is our College Year of Respect - let us show our respect for the core tenets of Christianity and be a community of people living by the principles of love and forgiveness.  Let our care for each other, care for those on the margins and our care for creation, be the public face of the Church.  “The Church” is not a building, it is a community of people who choose to be the living witness of Christ.  We should not allow the public perception of the Australian Catholic Church to be created only by Cardinals, Bishops and Priests.  We are the Church and we can let our attitudes and actions be a powerful force for good in our country. 

So next Wednesday when you carry the ashes on your forehead, you will be noticed!  What will you be noticed doing? You, everyday have choices to make.  St Augustine one of the great spiritual writers of the Church once wrote, “Hope has two beautiful daughters - their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are; and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are”.

My prayer is that during Lent, Hope has 731 beautiful daughters here at St Vincent’s.  May you use your anger at wrong-doings and your courage to make things right to purposefully re-build the Kingdom of God here and now in Australia, and in so doing you become Church leaders - leaders of your own domestic churches (those small groups of friends and family to whom you minister love and compassion to).  One day, I pray you will also have the right to become endorsed leaders of the universal church.  If you want to be part of the future of the Church you have to act in the present.  Have your say as the Plenary Council listens to Australia.  As we often sing at our College Masses, We are the hope!  We are the future!  Thank you.

Last weekend Ms Rachel McLean, Sr Anne Taylor and Sr Elizabeth Dodds attended the Catholic Women's Colloquium in Adelaide.  Together they joined women all over Australia discerning a hopeful way forward for the Australian Church (see photo of the week and more in Sr Anne's article in this Bulletin).

I want to use this time to reassure you that St Vincent's College is committed to the highest standards of child safety and professional behaviour.

Last night the College hosted an information evening for Year 7, 2021.  It was reassuring to see that despite the reputational damage caused by historical practices and attitudes of the Catholic Church through the immoral behaviour of some entrusted with the care for children, parents still look to Catholic schools for the education of their children.  At our information evening last night we had an enormous level of interest from families looking for the great pastoral, academic and spiritual opportunities that a St Vincent's College education provides.  As it is obvious we will be over-subscribed for places in Year 7 2021, it is important if there are any siblings due for that year we must receive applications by 14 March 2019. 

Yours sincerely

Mrs Anne Fry
Principal

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

Evie Jones (Year 8) on the death of her great-great Aunt, Sr Colleen Bell (formerly known as Sr Eunice).  Sr Colleen was a student at St Vincent's, a teacher and a Sister of Charity.  We remember with appreciation the great 70 years of ministry of Sr Colleen.  May she rest in peace.

The Reciprocal Notion of Literacy in Numeracy

7S were in for a treat this week while they were engaged in a multidisciplinary approach to Mathematics learning with integers and calculations.  Ms O’Donoghue led the girls through a series of mathematical computation using their calculators to decode a close passage.  As students solved mathematical equations they then flipped their learning to reveal a word….this word formed the missing clue in their close passage.

This is just one of the many ways my colleagues and I are adopting to bring engagement and fun into our respectful focus on the academic rigour in learning at SVC.

MRS JASMIN MANO
DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

Lethargic and overwhelmed, I found my soul uplifted today in the Williams and O’Brien House Mass, the last House Mass for 2019, where we gathered and welcomed new students, staff and parents into a special community of the College.  The House communities find their purpose and their values through the witness of six remarkable women of faith who responded to the call to be more, two centuries ago in Ireland.  The courage and conviction of Mary Aikenhead to partner with the universal church and create a religious order that was necessary for the poor and destitute in Ireland, and the five women who responded with enthusiasm to her call to minister in Australia are examples of women who have dared to minister to those on the edge of society.

Daily, I try to move to the edge of society, to be radical in my love and hopeful in my outlook. This is sometimes challenging, particularly when I am weary and the requests are many.  After attending the Australian Catholic Women’s Colloquium last week (see Sr Anne’s reflection below) and reading the plethora of commentary, reflections and reports on Cardinal Pell’s conviction in December of five offences of child sexual abuse, I find myself lamenting the incredible hurts inflicted and ignored by clergy and people in responsibility in the Catholic Church.  I ponder how things could have been if the religious institution that defines my faith was more willing to have lay leadership and female participation in the sacraments.  Today I hold the pain of children, women and men who have been abused and excluded.

This weekend is the last opportunity for you to submit your thoughts, hopes and reflections on ‘what God is asking of us in Australia at this time’.  All parents and friends of the College are invited to contribute to SVC’s Plenary Council Submission by completing the survey here.

May radical love be your modus operandi; yours in faith. 

Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

ACYF

The 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) will take place in Perth on Sunday, 8 to Tuesday, 10 December.  The theme is ‘Listen to what the Spirit is saying’ (Rev. 2:7).

This year the College is exploring the possibility of sending students in Year 10 to attend the Festival.  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.

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 Friday 8 March.

Ms Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

Stirring the Waters:  Australian Catholic Women Responding to the Spirit Colloquium

Last weekend I travelled with Sr Elizabeth Dodds and Ms Rachel McLean to join more than 160 delegates at the three-yearly Australian Catholic Women’s Colloquium.

Water featured in the opening liturgy when we placed water from our home areas in a large central bowl to remind us of the uniqueness of this gathering - women from all over Australia - longing for more than the church life we were experiencing.  At the concluding liturgy, those waters were redistributed for us to take home as a reminder of the stirring of the waters at the gathering through meeting different women, listening to and having conversations about hopes, desires, challenges, struggles, frustrations....hearing some inspiring input.  The taking home of the water was a reminder to share these days with those at home.

Michele Connolly rsj, the keynote speaker, urged us to be involved in the life of the church, especially the preparations for the Plenary Council.  She encouraged us not to lose heart - that there will be change.  We must trust that there is a wisdom that points out the path and promises a final goal.  Using the image of childbirth, she said each day we must know where to push, to breathe and to leave things to the workings of God.

Debra Zanella presented on Mission, Mercy and Pope Francis, where there was the call to make Mercy a verb.  We are called to make our own the dream of God whose House knows no exclusion of people.  The church...we...must be people going out right to the heart of people’s lives.  Following this presentation we were able to learn from people’s experiences -  homeless, LGBTQI, refugees and Aboriginal.

The final session - Prayerful and Discerning, called us to attentive listening, share stories - to a real sense - that every woman matters and every story is important.  From this listening came ideas which will hopefully help inform preparation for the Plenary Council.

The colloquium was a time where one could witness the deep faith of women in the Jesus of the Gospels.  Stemming from our baptismal consecration, women showed passion, dreams and desires to make a difference in the future church using our giftedness and skills as women.  There was a sense of movement - things cannot be as they have been....we pray that this great southern land itself will teach us much about how we should be together and that the Spirit will move us to undreamed of possibilities. 

Sr Anne Taylor
College Companion

Front row: Sr Alice O’Sullivan, Kay Hunt, Erin Gillard, Rachel McLean, Lauren Hall
Back row: Anne McLean, Sr Liz Dodds, Sharon O’Keeffe, Sr Anne Taylor, Tiffany Davis

Boarders Out and About 

Last weekend, the boarders went to Darling Harbour for just a wander about to see what was happening over there.  Splitting up into our groups, we were looking around the shopping centre right by the water.  The older girls were very helpful pointing out facts and stories about when they came there as well. Chelsea and Chloe were in my group, and Chelsea shared with us about times she went there and even showed us a pretty awesome British Lolly Shop. When we were finished, we went over to where some of the Chinese New Year markets were and we all went a bit crazy when we saw the slime.  The funniest part was when we were sprinting over to the bus stop so we didn’t miss the bus.

This weekend we went to the movies at Bondi Junction Westfield's.  There we watched a movie called 'Alita The Battle Angel'.  However, before the movie started the Year 7's and Naomi all went together to have a look around, we were admiring some of the beautiful shops and were amazed at the fact that Gucci has a security guard at the entrance!  After an hour of just wandering around, we took our seats in the cinema and waited for the movie to start.  I won’t give away too much, but I’ll just say that the story of Alita is incredible and she is definitely an icon to any of those girls who want to be a warrior. Overall, I think everyone absolutely loved the movie, and why wouldn’t they?!  I definitely recommend it as well.  I give it 4/5. 

By Clare Canham, Year 7

Sunday Activity 

Last Sunday a truck load of boarders' went to the Bondi Junction Cinemas to see a movie.  After a long week it was the perfect activity to sit down and relax, rejuvenate and get comfy.  Amelia and I, however, saw another, alternative movie called ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’.  As we sat back and relaxed, we realised the movie had a very deep meaning or hidden message.  In one of the scenes, ‘Ralph’ is looking at comments on one of his videos, some are positive but the majority are negative.  After some time as he stands there reading them, his self-esteem reduces, but one of his friends arrives and tells him to block the negativity out.  This scene was very powerful as it carried a message and showed an example of cyberbullying and the effects it has on individuals, even through characters like Ralph.  Providing this information, the movie has a moral weaved through it’s charismatic scenes, that are family friendly, which we believe helps to develop an understanding of what cyberbullying is and why we shouldn't do it, as well as to help people who are the victims and not just be a bystander, at a young age.  This movie was a drop dead 5 out of 5, and we would highly recommend it, no matter what age.  It is a bit of fun but has a deep meaning as well.  

By Rosie Secombe and Amelia Vaughan, Year 8 Boarders

We are almost at the hump week of the term and all our new Boarders' have settled in well.  I’m sure you join me in giving huge thanks to our Boarding coordinators who use their pastoral skills, unending patience, and time to enjoy a smooth transition to a new year.

As you know, we have a new website, and the 'kinks' of the leave requests should hopefully be resolved.  We appreciate your patience in the changeover.  If there are any issues let me know, and we’ll attempt to resolve it as soon as possible.

Parents and carers, you will be receiving an email regarding Camp/Retreat Permission Notes and information very soon (starting today).  Please read carefully the information, packing list, medical and permission in the email and have your daughter return the Permission Note to Student Services no later than Friday 8 March.

Yours in Boarding

MS MARYANNE O’DONOGHUE
DIRECTOR OF BOARDING

Following an in-depth study of the Australian dietary guidelines for young people, Year 8 PDHPE students have had the opportunity to research and create a cultural dish of their choice to share with their class.  Students have also been engaged in an analysis of their own lunch boxes and have devised some easy ways to make healthier choices.

Our next activity is to critically analyse the current Coles Stikeez campaign and determine whether it promotes healthy eating in young people.

Please encourage your daughter to make her own school lunches and share with you her knowledge of the importance of including a variety of fruit, vegetables, protein and carbohydrates in them.  There are so many issues for your daughters to consider.

Ms Natalie Fletcher 
PDHPE Teacher

On Monday 18 February, six St Vincent’s College Year 11 students were part of the studio audience of the ABC’s QandA panel discussion on Drug Reform.  The selected students (pictured below) were Lauren Carr, Ellen Ebbs, Jiawei D’Arcy, Lily Carpenter, Millie Welling and Bibi O’Loghlin.  Lauren Carr was selected to ask a question on the evening.

To view this clip go to ABC’s IVIEW. URL: https://goo.gl/L7ct9j

Ms Donna Ginzburg
Gifted and Talented Coordinator

Reflection by Year 9 Students

Year 9 Dance with St Mary’s was…….

‘Fun to socialise and stay fit’.  (Alice)

‘Good to meet new people and make connections’.  (Lila-Mae)

‘Exhilarating and energetic’.  (Milla)

'On Tuesday evening we were kindly invited again to St Mary’s Cathedral School where we danced the Cha, Cha, Cha, The Waltz and the Heel-Toe to modern music.  There was also a ‘Nut Bush’ dance competition.  It was great fun and everyone was up and dancing'.

A big thank you to our hosts and to all the teachers for arranging this, and to Mrs Joan Carmody.

Mrs Joanne Anderson
Head of House | Languages Teacher

Cadetship Opportunity for Business, Engineering and Technology

2019 Business and Engineering and Technology Cadetship Programs

Professional Cadetships Australia (PCA) 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.  In 2019 two cadetship programs will be running:  Business and Engineering and Technology (ETCAD).  Successful cadets will study at a university of their choice in Sydney.  To find out more please use the following link: www.businesscadetships.com.au

UCAT Workshop

MedEntry UCAT Workshop on 23 and 24 March 2019 from 9.00am to 4.00pm (each day) at UTS, Sydney.  Course fee of $395 applies.  The entry test for medicine, UCAT (University Clinical Assessment Test) is a computer-based test and comprises five sections:  Verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning and situational judgement.  The two-day MedEntry workshop will detail the strategies to ace the UCAT. You will be taught by doctors and academics.  Attendees will be able to practice with drills, questions banks and timed exams (providing percentile ranking on each exam, subtest and question type). If interested please contact Edward Boyapati: ed.boyapati@gmail.com .

Gap Year Opportunities

Lattitude Placements for 2020

Lattitude Global Volunteering is the original Gap Year organisation with more than 40 years experience placing young Australians on worthwhile and challenging GAP placements.  Lattitude applications are open and there are two application deadlines:  11 March for priority applications and 14 June for mid-year applications.  Applications will also be processed for remaining placements after 14 June.  For more information go to: www.lattitudeaustralia.org.

AIE Information Evening

AIE is hosting an information evening on 20 March 2019 from 6.00pm-8.00pm at Level 4, 33 Mountain Street, Ultimo for students interested in game development, 3D animation and visual effects.  The evening will include presentations on different areas of industry to get into, as well as information about AIE full-time and part-time courses and entry requirements.  Student work will be on display and our teachers will be available to speak with you one on one.  To register your interest please use the following link:  https://aie.edu.au/aie_event/information-evening/ or contact Jessica Bull at jessicabu@aie.edu.au

MS HELEN MARSHALL
CAREERS ADVISER

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: www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/sport/weekly-sports-draw/  

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

TERM 1 SPORT 

IGSSA TENNIS

It was a mixed bag of results last Saturday with one bye, two rain cancellations and one loss - but we did have two wins!  I am pleased that all the teams are organising themselves well in advance with transport to and from the venues, and there is a high percentage of girls turning up for training.

At this stage there are three teams undefeated with four rounds left to play.  I am particularly impressed with our Year 7 teams.  It's their first year of IGSSA and they are both taking it in their stride - keep up the good work. 

Our Tildesley team is also putting in a great effort.  Only four weeks until game day so please know that you need to keep coming to practice.  Make the most of the opportunities to have a hit at lunchtime with the teachers - some are quite good!

We have now officially lodged our singles and doubles teams - exciting times ahead.  Stay focused girls, keep coming to training and hopefully we will be rewarded with good results this year.

Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis 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 meeting/relay session for all squad members at lunchtime on Wednesday, 13 and 20 March.  

Our swimming coaches, Jesse and Dene, are running sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 6.30am-7.30am or 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

Sport Registrations are now closed.  All trials will be held in the next few weeks - a reminder to please diarise these dates:

Basketball Trials - SVC Courts

Year 7:  Monday 4 March - 3.15pm-4.30pm

Juniors (Years 8 and 9):  Wednesday 6 March - 7.15am-8.30am

Senior (Years 10, 11 and 12):  Wednesday 6 March - 3.15pm-4.30pm.

Hockey Trials - David Phillips Field - Daceyville

All Teams – Wednesday 13 March - 4.00pm – 5.00pm (bus leaves at 3.15pm).

Football Trials - Rushcutters Bay

Juniors (Years 7, 8 and 9):  Monday 11 March - 3.30-4.30pm (walk down at 3.15pm)

Seniors (Years 10, 11 and 12):  Wednesday 6 March - 3.30pm-4.30pm (walk down at 3.15pm).

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 1 April - 3.15pm-4.45pm

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

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

As always, Caritas Christi is busy organising for its next big social justice endeavour 'International Women’s Week' (as we’ve nicknamed it).  Of course, International Women’s Day is on 8 March, but we felt that such an important day in the calendar needed more than just one day of recognition.  Coincidentally, Wangari Maathai Day is being celebrated on the Monday of that week also, so we felt we would in fact make the week a celebration of women.  Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Laureate, founded the Greenbelt Movement, “an environmental organization that empowers communities, particularly women, to conserve the environment and improve livelihoods”.   Wangari Maathai Day is celebrated by a tree-planting ceremony as an action of replenishing the earth.  Being our third tree planting ceremony, we felt that inclusion of student voice could be a fun way to empower all students so we have created an online poll in which members of the community can vote on what tree should be planted.  It is available HERE.

After the tree ceremony on Monday, we will continue the momentum with a series of beading sessions available in the Caritas Christi Courtyard.  The beading will be making bracelets and anklets in the colours of International Women’s Day, purple, green and white, as something they can wear throughout the week as a sign of solidarity.  Each of these beading tables will also be an opportunity to discuss with Caritas, Charism and Immersion students their experiences and what they’ve learnt about great women doing great things. Further, we have the Women’s Symposium on Thursday night 7 March (the flyer was in last week's Bulletin and is included in this issue also), which will be a great opportunity for all members of the community to join us in our celebration of women.  We are so excited for all of our plans and hope you have organised something within your friends, family or workforce to celebrate the fabulous women around our planet.

Hannah Lawrence
Social Justice Advocate 

Uniform Shop Update

Noone Imagewear has taken over as the College’s uniform supplier.  The new shop opened for business on Monday 25 February 2019.

Hours during term time are:

Monday:  8:00am-2:00pm

Wednesday:  12:00pm-5:00pm

Friday:  8:00am-2:00pm.

(Additional trading hours during school holidays to be advertised)

Please note that online orders will be available from 11 March 2019.  Details to follow closer to the date.

Payment Options:   Cash / EFTPOS / credit card (Visa or Mastercardonly).

(Our intrepid Book Reviewer, Ms Suzanne O'Connor, is now living in Timor Leste working in a volunteer capacity with the Loreto Sisters).

Silence of the Girls

In the three days and nights it took me to read Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker, I frequently drifted into a reverie about the Trojan War.  That is just one example of my weak (I should have been thinking about tenses of verbs) will but also the power of Barker’s writing.  I already adored her work because of The Regeneration Trilogy, books about World War I, the Great War poets and the beginning of psychiatric treatment for soldiers suffering from what was then called “shell shock”.  In little over three hundred pages, she has doubled my adoration to heroine-worship.  Simply put, Barker retells the story of The Iliad from a female perspective in the person of the mythical queen of Lyrnessus.  The novel begins with the nineteen-year old queen contemplating her future: Her city has fallen to the Greek warrior, Achilles.  Briseis watches from the ramparts of the city’s castle as the Greeks pour into the streets, intent of revenge, looting and rape.  She watches her rather unpleasant husband, her father and her brothers being slaughtered and waits for her fate.  She is paraded through the streets that are running with the blood of her people and given to Achilles as part of his reward for leading the Greeks to yet another victory.  She is reduced from queen to “bed girl” in one day because of war and is well aware that this is the customary fate of all women.  Almost at once, you see the modern parallels in perhaps all wars since the Ancient Greeks – and probably well before.