Bulletin

Upcoming Events Reminders:

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

Friday 22 March:   Year 7 Vaccinations.

Dear Parents and Carers

Today the College bells have been replaced with the great anthems that celebrate women; a very proud and vocal statement of our support for International Women's Day.  This year's theme has been #BalanceforBetter and it has been heartening to see this theme explored across many learning areas this week.  I commend the library in particular, for their promotion of women's literature, biographies and the histories of the great female artists, innovators and entrepreneurs who have changed our world.  Last evening a panel of ex-students of the College shared their stories of how they had succeeded in the corporate world of banking, stock brokering and business services.  I thank our panel of

Ms Cathy Kovacs, Head of Business Development Westpac
Dr Joanna Nash, VP Acadian Asset Management
Ms Lorren Ruster, Director, Indigenous Affairs, PwC
Michelle Stone (current parent), an accomplished television journalist (Panel Chair).

Each of our guests offered insights into how they had earned respect in their respective industry, how they operated in a values framework and how they were contributing to the social capital of Australia.  It was an inspiring way to spend the eve of International Women's Day.  My thanks to Ms Jane Palin (Advancement team), Stella Wailes, Year 12 (SRC), Krista-Jean Clarke, Year 12 (Acknowledgement of Country) and Molly Barwick, Year 8 (Prayer).

Thank you to all in the community who supported this very important event.  We have so much to be proud of in the history of St Vincent's College.  Every generation of graduates, since our very earliest days through to our current students, have been and are agents for goodness and are exemplars of the capacity of women.  Happy International Women's Day!

Loving God, we celebrate your faithfulness and love.
On this day and in this year, we commit ourselves to ‘Balance for Better’.
In this pursuit, we commit ourselves, women and men, to the full humanity of all women everywhere.
We know that whatever denies, diminishes or distorts the full humanity of women is not of God.
Today, and all days, may we be radical in our love and hopeful in our outlook.
Amen.

At the core of the advancement of women is education.  Education stretches the mind and liberates the heart, and on level 5 of the Mark 2:22 Atrium, we now have a reminder of just how important it is that we value the educational opportunities we have every day (see photo of the week at the top of this newsletter, taken on Ash Wednesday).

Yours sincerely

Mrs Anne Fry
Principal

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

Jessie Smits (Year 10) - Uncle.

Friday afternoons always bring with them the mixture of end of week fatigue and excitement of what plans may await.  As we find ourselves at the half way mark of Term 1, I invite parents and carers to check in with your daughters how she is going with her schooling so far - engagement with the variety of opportunities to grow in, aspirations for achievement and effective work habits.  It is often in the falling short of our own hopes that we can refine and create realistic strategies that may more likely enable best care of ourselves and develop capacity to learn well.  Some students have spoken about the need to get more sleep, some more exercise, some a greater work ethic, some strategies to focus more effectively in the classroom through note-taking and asking questions.

By now, teachers will have a greater sense of the learning needs of the students in their classes.  We welcome communication from students or parents at any time should you have a query or concern so we are best positioned to support the wellbeing and learning needs of students.  The Year 7 Meet the Tutor and Parent/Teacher evening last Wednesday provided great opportunity for this.  Please know parent dialogue informs our knowledge of students and consequently strategies for support and growth.

We hold the safety of students as a high priority.  Our College Nurse, Ms Fiona Culligan, has commenced a process of reviewing medical plans where known.  We invite parents and carers to communicate directly with Fiona in the Health Centre if you have the need for a conversation about your daughter’s health needs.  For all parents and carers, please attend to any outstanding Camp and Retreat permission forms.  Accuracy of information ensures safety of your daughter.

Throughout the week we have enjoyed the myriad of activities celebrating International Women’s Day today.  We encourage our girls to develop the integrity and courage to have a voice in a world that empowers respect for all.  This is not just a matter for the particular or extraordinary, but courage to voice what is right and respectful in our every day.  One area where some of our students can be better is their conduct when travelling on public transport. Please know we take seriously concerns raised by commuters where our students have not respected the needs of others, by taking up seats oblivious to those around them or engaging in language or topics of conversation that are not appropriate to air loudly for all ears to hear.  It is this state of being mindless rather than mindful that does not give the respect to self nor others, and when in uniform represents every St Vincent’s College student.  When called up to engage in opportunities of service for others or to advocate for issues that require justice, our students give a resounding response of support. I ask that our partnership between school and home also challenges our students to consider how they give respect every day on their commute to and from school.  I acknowledge that you too are not with your daughters in this travel.  But, please have the conversation that checks in with how mindful she is and how taking a stand amongst peers in the everyday is indeed a small act of courage that impacts many.

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care

Shrove Tuesday

Just like our Catholic family in England, Shrove Tuesday had a special significance for the students of St Vincent’s.  In England, Shrove Tuesday is the day where Catholics make pancakes to clear the cupboard of eggs, milk, butter and fat in preparation for the ascetic season of Lent.  While our pancakes were not made to ‘clear our cupboards’, the Student Year 12 Leadership Team gave generously of their time and cooking skills to prepare over 2000 pancakes to share with students and staff on Tuesday morning and with the clients of Night Patrol at Ward Park and Martin Place later that evening.

The pancakes, topped with lashings of maple syrup, lemon and sugar, honey, golden syrup, and jam and cream filled many a hungry belly both morning and night.  During the morning, the Student Leadership Team raised $429.20 which will go towards our contribution to the Project Compassion Fund which runs for the duration of Lent.  In Cura Personalis lessons, Year 10 students have been briefed on their leadership of awareness-raising role for Project Compassion this year, and have already begun the planning and organisation to ensure that their Tutor and House Groups consider their consumption patterns from the chai lattes and nutella toasts on the way to school to use of plastic straws to the impulse shopping of fast fashion.  I look forward to seeing how SVC students can BE MORE this year during Lent and be advocates and supporters of communities that have LESS than us.  It would be great if families supported their daughters during the Lenten period.  This year we will include reflections on the Project Compassion Stories in our Bulletins, please share these stories widely.

It was truly a blessing to be able to share our abundant pancake stacks with the clients of Night Patrol on Tuesday evening.  The gift of time and conversation is received with such welcome, and I was delighted to share the evening with ex-students who volunteered throughout Year 12 and new colleagues who are joining us in our volunteering year.  

Finally, I would like to congratulate the Social Justice Advisory Council for their leadership and organization of the activities for International Women’s Day this year.  The theme for the year, #BalanceforBetter, and as the website invites us, we will pursue this quest for balance, not just on one day of the year, but for the next 365 days!  Balance comes when we collaborate and listen to the wisdom of each other.  It was wonderful to see the students who lead and participate in social justice, Charism, Immersion teams and the SRC, collaborate throughout the week to celebrate humanity.  Enjoy their report below!

Happy International Women’s Day!

Ms Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

Project Compassion - Week 1

Life in her village in north-western Zimbabwe wasn’t easy for 12 year old Thandolwayo.  Every morning she’d walk seven kilometres and risk being attacked by crocodiles as she collected clean water for her grandparents and family.  Exhausted from hours fetching and carrying water, she’d then start her day at school.

Thandolwayo’s hope to be a nurse seemed almost impossible to realise, until Caritas Hwange helped the village install a solar-powered water system.  It’s bringing new opportunities, new hope - and a chance for Thandolwayo to concentrate on her education and her future.

Thandolwayo lives with her grandparents and other members of her family in a village of 500 people in the Hwange district of north-western Zimbabwe.  Her father left several years ago and her mother lives in a town 90 kilometres away where she works as a casual labourer.  Her older sister also moved away to attend secondary school.  Thandolwayo attends the local school which has just 35 students and two teachers.

This term has seen the start of many exciting initiatives for the SRC.  Throughout Weeks 4 and 5 we launched the 'SRC Year 11 seminars'.  These were an opportunity for Year 12 students to provide knowledge, guidance and advice to Year 11 students who have just started the new syllabus courses they completed last year.  Our seminars received lots of positive feedback with Year 11 students reporting:

“I have been very impressed with the Year 11 seminars.  I believe they have given me valuable advice, and I enjoyed hearing it first hand from students. Particularly with the new syllabus, I believe that these seminars have been good for learning different study habits and new ways of answering questions that I may face in an exam”.  Alice Regan, Year 11

“They have been a great experience and now I feel more prepared for the year ahead”.   Bronte Gooch, Year 11

We have also launched 'Year 12 lunch leave' with a trial spanning the last weeks of Term 1.  For the first time last Friday, Year 12 girls ventured outside the College gates to enjoy lunch.  It was an exciting experience for many and a great opportunity for senior students to interact with and support the local community.

Upcoming, we have new improved SRC tutoring.  In our new format, groups of around two seniors will provide free tutoring to groups of three to four younger students.  This term, there will be introductions between tutors and students and Term 2 will be the official starting date.  If you feel that this could be of benefit to your daughter or that you may benefit from this program, please use the Google form links following or in admin to sign up.

Tutor:  https: //goo.gl/forms/oWgyCQWLkgKENAm03  

Student:  https://goo.gl/forms/z3nAkP2YqVHXm2NW2   

Thank you.

Stella Wailes and Eve Cogan
SRC Co-Captains 

2020 France and Italy Study Tours

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

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

Ms Maria Manitta
Head of Languages

ANU Canberra

Year 12 university applications for ANU (Australian National University), Canberra opened on 4 March and will close on 31 May.  Interested students must apply directly to ANU via the ANU website and applications are free.

Macquarie University

Student and Parent Information Night on Wednesday 1 May 2019. 

Macquarie University will provide an opportunity for students to learn how their innovative courses will prepare them for the future, and learn about their early entry,adjustment factorsand pathway programs.  Discover how  their location within the Macquarie Park Innovation District will help students connect with future employers. If interested in attending, please register your interest by email at futurestudents@mq.edu.au or phone 9850 6767.

Macquarie in a Day

On 17 and 18 April 2019 Macquarie University is holding its ‘Day in the Life” program for interested Years 11 and 12 students.  This is a great chance to experience what a day in the life of a Macquarie student is really like.  Participating students will be be able to get a feel for MU’s campus, sit in on lectures and demos and experience practicals and tutorials.  If interested please contact MU’s Future Students team at futurestudents@mq.edu.au

University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne's Information Day for Interstate Students will be held at its Parkville campus on Monday 15 April from 8:30am-6:00pm.  The day will focus on aspects of the university that target the concerns of interstate students such as:  The application process, scholarships, student services, accommodation options and financial assistance.  If interested please register at https://study.unimelb.edu.au/connect-with-us/events-for-future-students/all-events-listing/interstate-student-information-day.

Holiday Workshop

Carpentry Boot Camp

The Master Builders Association is holding a fun, instructive four day course for Years 9 and 10 students interested in carpentry.  Participants will get hands-on experience, and by the end of the course they will have completed their White Card construction safety training certificate; Safe Use of Power Tools certificate and two days of practical/project work.  The Boot Camp will be held from the 15-18 April 2019 from 7.30am-3.30pm at the Master Builders Education Centre, Norwest NSW, at a cost of $695 per person.  If interested book online at: www.buildyourstory.com.au/bootcamp.

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 and Tildesley Tennis

We are now more than half way through the IGSSA Tennis Competition, our newer teams have been on a steep learning curve, and there has been a lot to learn.  The girls have tried hard to absorb all the information and rules required to play a match of tennis. Thank you girls for your efforts at training and learning the Art of Playing Tennis.  The girl’s skills and techniques are coming along, keep up the good work and continue to enjoy the game and camaraderie of being part of a team.

In regards to our more senior teams and more seasoned players, there is always something that can be improved upon.  This week, I would like everyone to focus on doubles play and working and communicating as a team.  Particularly the net player. Don’t just be a statue at the net, be more intuitive and thoughtful about where you need to be to assist your partner and get that ball back over the net and win extra points.

Above  SVC1    Below:   Junior Doubles

Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis Coach 

Touch

All teams are training well so far this term, especially the Year 7's who are improving hugely each week.  Congratulations to SVC 9 who are on top of the ladder, five rounds, with six other teams looking good for qualifying for the finals.  Please remember to keep up the good work with uniform and attendance, and good luck to all teams for this weekend.

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Coach of Touch 

Below:  Year 7 Touch

Water Polo

St Vincent’s water polo Term 1 is off to a great start.  With a team in every division it has been testing for some and triumphant for others.  SVC1 has been thrown into the first division with a few close games and they are hoping to win this weekend to make the semis.  SVC2 and SVC3 have had a mixture of results but looking promising for the semi finals.  SVC4 had their first win last week with a draw and narrow losses in the first few rounds.  SVC5 are hoping to get their first win this Saturday.  SVC6 and SVC7 have had mixed results but mostly positive for the semi finals.  SVC8 team has been solid with mostly wins going into the semi finals.  SVC9 and SVC10 with mixed results, but with some great wins for our new water polo players.  Good luck to all teams leading into the semi finals.  All teams are training hard and we have seen some excellent games throughout the season. 

The missed games from Week 1 due to pool closures will now be played in Week 7 and finals will be pushed back to 30 March and 6 April.  

Ms Steph El Safty
Head Waterpolo Coach

Below:  Year 7 water polo

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.  Permission Notes need to be returned to Ms Jacobs AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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

TERM 2 SPORT TRIALS

Some trials have been completed this week.

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, 9):  Monday 11 March - 3.30pm-4.30pm (walk down at 3.15pm)

Seniors (Years 10, 11, 12):  Postponed to Wednesday 13 March - 3.30pm-4.30pm.

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 AND 8 April - 3.15pm-4.15pm.

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

SPORT STAR

Congratulations to Isabella Mackay, Year 8, who progressed through 70+ runners to the individual sprint finals in the U13 girls (the best eight through to heats, quarter and semis) and came a solid 6th in the NSW State Nippers Championships.  Well done, Bella - we are very proud of your achievements. 

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

MS JACINTA JACOBS
CO-ORDINATOR OF SPORT

The highly anticipated event over this week was ‘International Women’s Week' and Caritas Christi planned many fun and inclusive activities during the week.  On Monday, was the traditional Wangari Maathai tree planting ceremony (see photos below).  This was a chance for members of the College community to come together and honour her positive contribution to society.  The ceremony took place in the Caritas Courtyard during lunch, where the students planted a lemon tree to symbolise her work in conserving the environment.  This tree will grow and develop with the community and will be permanently located in the Boarders' Courtyard where it will be appreciated by many.  As well as this ceremony, beading sessions were held throughout the week.  In this activity, students beaded bracelets and necklaces in the colours of white, purple and green to symbolise our solidarity as women.  During this significant week, all members of the College community were able to acknowledge and join in the celebrations.

The Women’s Symposium was also held on Thursday 7 March.  Several inspirational women discussed their successes and the obstacles they have overcome as courageous women of action.  This year we welcomed Joanna Nash, Cathy Kovacs and Lorenn Ruster, all ex-St Vincent’s students with an inspiring story to tell.  Each of these women have achieved high positions in their workplaces and are a true inspiration to us all. 

To conclude International Women’s Week activities, a group photo of the students was taken - the focus of the photo being Balance for Better.  Overall, ‘International Women’s Week’ was an exciting time of acknowledgment and celebration.  Please take some time during your week to thank all the amazing women who are involved in your life!

Charlotte Patchett
Caritas Christi Member

We celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday with an evening of entertaining, honest and optimistic discussion, hosted by renowned journalist Michelle Stone, and featuring three of our esteemed Alumnae; Lorenn Ruster, Joanna Nash and Cathy Kovacs.

All four women spoke of their experiences in a diverse range of workplaces on respect, finding balance and the challenges they faced in achieving success.

Many thanks to the speakers who shared their time with us and to all those parents, staff and students who attended.

Ms Jane Palin
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager, Advancement Office

SAVE THE DATES! ....

Dear Friends

You are invited to a Year 8 Parents and Carers Social Drinks Function on Friday, 29 March 2019 from 7.00pm.

The Bellevue Hotel, 159 Hargrave Street, Paddington

To be hosted by Peter Tate (Georgia, Year 8).

For more details, please direct enquiries to Michael Laing (Sophie, Year 8) by phone on 0414 606 035 or email michaellaing@theagency.com.au

Come and join in the fun! (An indication of your attendance would be appreciated).

BOARDERS’ THE LONG LUNCH - 25 MAY 2019

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

The program:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coping with Disappointment

After the wonder of Pat Barker’s novel, I was concerned that whatever I read next would be anti-climactic.  I chose Henning Markell’s last book, Quicksand, written when he knew he was dying of incurable cancer.  I have always loved his four YA novels based on his own growing up, as well as his books to help those with HIV-AIDs in Mozambique where he also established a theatre.  This last book is a series of loosely linked essays about topics that interest him as he faces death.