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Dear Parents and Carers
It has been a wonderful week here celebrating International Women's Day and sisterhood. This year's theme of cracking the code provided much scope to reflect on and unpack many of the "the codes" that have previously been held exclusively by men. We had an outstanding and aspiring address by our College Co-Captains Lucy Fraser and Summer Robinson. Their address was followed by our guest speaker Dr Natasha Fernandes, who holds double PHD's in Computer Science and Mathematics. Natasha spoke of the cultural codes and algorithmic codes that she has had to 'crack' in her stellar career. It was a very well-crafted address of humourous anecdotes and profound challenge. The staff (especially the Maths Department) and students were enthralled by her key-note address.
One of the most mysterious codes of all is of course "sisterhood" and the nuisances of female friendship. We have been celebrating sisterhood this week with our Year 7's meeting and engaging with their Year 10 big sisters. The friendship and role modelling of older students is something highly valued by younger students. Our vertical Tutor and House groups provide great opportunities for these relationships to grow and flourish.
This week we have commenced the public consultation phase for our new Master Plan. A webinar will be held for parents soon (to be confirmed - but very likely to be 16 March), but in the interim you can access the Master Plan via the College website . Exciting times are ahead!
Parents of students who play weekend sport will have received a letter from me regarding the absolute necessity for correct sport's uniform at Saturday Sport. You can also access that here .
The inaugural Art Show is getting close and the anticipation is growing. I hope you are looking at your walls at home and imagining where a new piece of art might enliven a space in your home. Like all inaugural events, the first one seems the heaviest load for the organising committee to carry. I encourage you to come along on the Friday night 24 or Saturday 25 March, to make a success of this event proportional to their effort to host this wonderful event.
Congratulations to Annabelle Davey (Year 8) and Isabel Laird (Year 7) who have been recognised for their support of "Kids Giving Back" charity who nurture the next generation of generosity. As generosity is a core value of the College, we are very proud of them.
The College community offers its condolences to the following families who have lost a loved one recently:
Laura Rapisardi (Year 12) - Grandmother.
Ms Mary Crotty (staff member) - Husband.
May they rest in peace.
This week we enjoyed celebrating International Women’s Day. As a school for girls’ education, we might be led to think this is each and every day. In many ways yes - we are educating girls to grow their capabilities, confident in their values, attitudes and beliefs to take their place on equitable platforms that contribute to all spheres - industry, policy, community and family. It is always good to have a day to make explicit this why and how, to draw into sharper focus what currently needs a priority of attention and what might be the particular qualities of female leadership in shaping a more equitable world. The traditional gender imbalances of leaders and office-bearers from local councils to global corporations is changing and this is not just a matter of representation to address the numbers. There is recognition of the particular focus women give to community affairs. As a school this too is our focus - empowering our students with the capacity to access and discern knowledge immersed in a faith-based community that recognises our role in enabling dignity for all people so that our young women grow to be leaders who shape the world they desire - the betterment of their communities. More women leaders are a necessary in the world we live.
If we take the world of Artificial Intelligence which is justifiably attracting attention across all spheres from cyber-security to health and education, we need also consider the need for gender equity from digital innovation to policy making. We need the representation of women as they account for half of the world’s population. We also need community-driven thinking which is a quality seen very much when women lead. The consequences of AI products that do not consider diverse or marginalised voices often experienced through inequities that already exist would only serve to further enhance inequality. I encourage you to read further about the crucial role women play in AI innovation and education to combat gender discrimination and marginalisation globally in this study by the University of Melbourne - The women putting intelligence into Artificial Intelligence. Girls’ education nurtures ethical decision-making whilst strengthening skills across all domains of STEM and humanities. Yet there are still many Board tables where women are either not equally represented, or if they are, may be sitting uncomfortably without the recognition and support they deserve.
This International Women’s Day invited us to #Embrace Equity with the theme of Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender-equal future. This theme emphasises the importance of bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education in combating discrimination and the marginalisation of women globally. We are encouraged to consider what codes need cracking? And how? We were delighted to welcome to our College Assembly for Years 10-12 Dr Natasha Fernandes, lecturer in Cybersecurity at Macquarie University. Her special interest is in designing technologies for privacy preserving, and mathematical techniques for analysing information leaks in secure systems. Years 7-9 were ably led by Lexie Tait and fellow sport leaders who focused on women in sport and their role in leadership of professional sporting organisations.
I include below articles written by Year 12 students Skye Kilcran and Lexie Tait who detail the insights gained in regards to cracking these codes.
Throughout the week we also enjoyed the opportunity to amplify the power of ‘sisterhood’. Led by our House Captains with their Years 11 and 12 peers, students paused to consider the capacity they have sister to sister in nurturing relationships that make all feel they are of value and belong. A group of students have embarked on the Sisters Project - premised on the belief that when each girl feels she is good enough just as she is, she is more determined to access support, motivated to strive for possibilities and attain the confidence to be the best of who she is and contribute meaningfully to her communities. Our girls are our current and future women leaders. The climate we create at St Vincent’s College to advance a sisterhood of support will shape the climates our students will expect and create beyond school. Our senior students in Years 10, 11, 12 have recognised their capacity to be guiding Big Sisters to their younger sisters in Years 7, 8, 9. After planning conversations and activities early in the week, we ended the week in these Big Sister / Little Sister arrangements both today and yesterday. We look forward to seeing how our student leaders will strengthen the possibilities for meaningful connections that nurture an environment of inclusion and empowerment.
A real highlight for me was the privilege of listening to a dialogue this morning that expanded our Sisters Project across the globe. At the end of 2022, Year 11 students (now Year 12) were invited to join a discussion with same-age peers who are students of The Ladies College Guernsey (in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy). This school also has a structure for Big Sister Little Sister connections. They shared their school experience over the Covid lockdown years and reflected upon the impact this had upon social dynamics for adolescents impacting engagement within their school communities. The aim of this relationship with peers beyond their own context is to develop the leadership of senior students in identifying the particular attributes of leadership that make a positive difference in nurturing safe and inclusive communities, whilst also serving as an opportunity to expand their sisterhood network across the globe. This morning we expanded this dialogue with an additional school, Cheltenham Ladies College in England, with students sharing their perspectives on the systems and attitudes that create inequities and how they are drawing upon their education to championing for a more equitable world. I have been an educator for many years and I have to say the quality of this conversation amongst roughly 18 young women earnestly listening and nodding on screen to affirm their global sisters was captivating. It was a true Masterclass, affirming that girls’ education is very much alive and offering real informed hope for a more just world.
Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2023
Wednesday 8 March was International Women’s Day and we had the privilege of welcoming Dr Natasha Fernandes, a lecturer in Cybersecurity at Macquarie University, to talk to Years 10, 11 and 12 about this year's theme of Cracking the Code. Dr Fernandes shared her personal stories, challenges and triumphs through working in the field of computer science and battling the ongoing challenge of being a woman working in a male-dominated workplace ....
... Her passion for educating young women on the opportunities in STEM and encouraging them to crack the code of the male domination allows the achievement of justice within these fields to be more reachable. Dr Fernandes shared how she didn’t always have a passion for computer science but in fact was hesitant to even give it a try, but after some encouragement from her friend, they both supported one another in taking that step of trying something new which ultimately led Natasha into discovering her life-long passion and career.
This story inspired all of the young women listening to Natasha that if we, as women, support one another we can discover new passions and succeed in fields we may have never considered. Natasha also displayed the need for women in computer science and STEM through highlighting how NASA is currently the only company in computer science that employs more women than men. She continued by stating how capable women are in these industries and how we must overcome negative stereotypes and stay resilient in achieving and thriving in male dominated environments. Natasha understands how it may be intimidating entering a workplace male dominated as early in her career was the only female engineer in her workplace but believes that through adopting the mindset of “I believe that I belong” can shape the future of STEM and give more women the opportunity to obtain leadership positions in these fields.
Dr Fernandes embodies this year’s theme of Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future as she emphasises the importance of bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education in combating discrimination and the marginalisation of women globally and believes that the next step in technology is women taking on roles of power and shaping the world for the better. If any young woman is interested in computer science, Dr Fernandes offers a workshop at Macquarie University for Years 11 and 12 girls to participate in if they are passionate about potentially exploring this field in the future. Information can be found here: https://mq-magic.web.app/.
I hope all our amazing young women have felt inspired by Natasha’s stories and encouraging words this week and can aspire to achieve their goals in the future and contribute to cracking the code.
Chloe Kilcran
Communications and Public Relations Captain
The theme for this year's International Women's Day is ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future’. To further embrace the theme, we have decided to discuss a range of female athletes that have been working to ‘Crack the Code’ and fight for a future where female athletes see equality not just through pay, but through representation and support.
One amazing female athlete you may not have heard of before, but who demonstrates the theme of cracking the code perfectly by demonstrating perseverance, courage and grit, is Bonnie Hancock. Bonnie is an ex-ironwoman and surf ski paddler. Last year, she completed a complete circumnavigation of Australia on a surf ski, a total of 12,700km over 254 days. Just to put that in perspective, she paddled an average of 50km per day, often for at least 12 hours at a time. During this journey she broke three records, for fastest circumnavigation of Australia ever, longest distance paddled by a woman in 24 hours and the youngest person to complete the trip ever. Bonnie demonstrates perfectly how individuals can play a part at cracking the code to a gender-equal future, and demonstrates how daring to dream and how support and recognition of achievements can create a much more equal and promising future for females everywhere. As in the words of Bonnie, “We may have work ahead of us, but just like this paddle, if we take it one step at a time we will get it done”.
Another example is Moya Dodd - a lawyer, sports administrator and former Vice-Captain of Australia’s women’s football team, the Matilda's. She played in FIFA’s first ever women’s tournament in 1988, 58 years after the very first men's FIFA tournament. Twenty-five years later, she joined the governing body of FIFA, one of the most privileged and male-dominated institutions in the world. She joined as one of the first women in its 108-year history. Through her life, she has never failed to fight for equity not just in female sport, but for the female population as a whole. Here is some insight into how Moya has attempted to ‘Crack the Code’. Moya’s journey from the national team to the boardroom, combined with over 20 years in law and business, has given her priceless stories and unique insights into complex issues of equality, integrity and change. I hope you have been inspired to reflect on what you can do for a gender equal future, and how you can support women everywhere to do the impossible.
“We are not here to take over, we are here to take part” - Moya Dodd
Lexie Tait
Sport and Health Captain
If we were ever in doubt about the speed at which the world of digital technologies changes, the rise of ChatGPT has left us nowhere to hide and has confirmed that we cannot expect consistency or stability in the technological landscape.
ChatGPT is a form of AI known as a large language model that enables a user to input a series of prompts or questions from which ChatGPT will generate an answer. Its answer is drawn from 45 terabytes of data that enable it to string together statistically probable sentences. In effect, it can create human-like responses to any question you might ask. This includes being able to write essays, develop lesson resources, it even has the capacity to write this article. (But I promise that it didn’t).
The emergence and availability of such a powerful tool has had an equally swift range of responses from the education sector. From fear that no student would submit their own work again and blanket bans, to nervous excitement about its potential efficiencies and opportunities for teaching and learning, the emphasis has now shifted to a clear and necessary focus on how we assist our students to navigate a world that includes such tools.
What is apparent is that schools cannot stand behind the fact that ChatGPT requires users to be 18 or over. We have a responsibility to ensure that they are well equipped to enter that space from age 18, not wait until they are already there before we provide the skills and values to help them navigate this new territory. Nor can we rely on responses like AICheatCheck which are now the new frontier to combat potential plagiarism by AI, because simply looking to ‘catch’ students using ChatGPT positions us as reactive rather than proactive educators.
What this innovation has reminded us of is the central value of education which is to build students of character and integrity with skills to navigate the world they live in. This includes supporting our young women to develop an emerging ethical framework by which they can evaluate choices that they will encounter, physically or digitally. It’s about fostering skills of critical and creative thinking, of metacognition, which cannot be entirely replicated by AI. And it’s about critical literacy, in this case AI literacy, so that they can function effectively in this digital world.
Therefore, as has occurred many times in the College’s 165 year history, our response will be founded on the core values that have withstood many local and global changes. Our College learning goal for 2023 is to foster attributes of justice in learning and in our learners. Therefore in the year of justice we will ensure that the students of St Vincent’s will be just and ethical users of technology, able to determine appropriate use from inappropriate use. And we will do justice to our students by ensuring they develop the requisite skills to technologically and ethically interact in a world of open-source intelligence. For St Vincent’s motto of Scientia cum Religione is not generated by statistically crafted responses, but by a much deeper understanding and commitment to learning that ensures our students will always be independent in thought and deed in a way that cannot be replicated by AI.
With International Women’s Day on Wednesday, the Boarders celebrated in our traditional way of learning about a woman of historical importance in the world. From Dolly Parton to Rosa Parks to Malala Yousafzai to Audrey Hepburn, there is always learning to be had. Recently our Year 12 leaders attended an afternoon tea at Loreto Normanhurst where they spent time socialising with other Boarding leaders across Sydney. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with new and existing friends from home and spend time talking about all things Boarding!
Recently we farewelled our College Nurse, Fiona Culligan, who has been with us for over four years. She has provided the Boarders with consistency, support and a calm demeanour. As staff, we will miss her humour and integrity in helping out our Boarders in the best way possible. We were unable to farewell Fiona in person but we look forward to having her over for 'schnitty' in the near future. We welcome our new nurse, Alexandra, who starts on Monday. As Boarder parents are aware, our nurse is a font of knowledge and care, and I am excited about building a new relationship with Alex and our community.
Last weekend the Years 7, 8 and 9 Boarders went on a trip to Elizabeth Bay. We walked along the Harbour taking in the scenic view of the boats and water that reflected the sun. We also had an enjoyable time playing together at the park, bonding and getting to know each other better. It was also very pleasant to get outside on a sunny day and go for a relaxing walk with friends. The new Year 7's and other new Boarders had a great opportunity to familiarise themselves with the area of Potts Point. Furthermore, our trip to Elizabeth Bay was a fabulous way to bond with the other Years and a great way to start a Sunday morning. Jessica McKelvey, Year 9
Yours in Boarding
In 2022 the following students finished the challenge and earnt:
Charlotte Ballinger - Premier's Medal
Julia Ko - Platinum Award
We have just registered our Years 7 and 8 students if they wish to keep entering this challenge, so they may achieve a special medal after completing all in Years 3-9. Once they attain their username and password from the LRC they can self report any books they have read since 1 September and we will validate these at the end of the challenge in August. All fiction books in the LRC are labelled with a PRC blue sticker so the students may identify the titles they can read. We wish to congratulate Julia Ko who achieved a Platinum Certificate and Charlotte Ballinger a Premier's Medal for 7 years consecutively completing the challenge. We hope to present these at an upcoming College assembly.
We had over 15 parents and students take part in this initiative. We hope you enjoyed reading a book alongside your daughter(s). We will run this again in the winter holidays!
Australian Reading Hour is a national day which celebrates the love of reading. Australians around the country spend one hour of their day reading, sharing their love of books and stories with others. We celebrated this initiative on Thursday 9 March, reading our favourite books in English classes and listening to books read aloud in the LRC yesterday by Mrs McDonnell, Mrs McCrudden and Ms Playoust. Our teachers managed a quick book swap at morning tea time as well. Students also participated in this initiative by sharing their favourite books through their creation of BookToks which have been running on our socials.
Our library is a busy community providing resources for all interests for our students, teachers and parents. We developed our parent library last year with generous funds from the P&F. Let us know if there is a title you wish to borrow or one you think we should make available for parents to borrow. Click for brochure and list of resources available - LIST .
As part of our study of poetry, particularly Romantic poetry, Year 10H went outside to find inspiration to write their own poems about experiences of landscape.
Some examples of student work are below:
Listen
Silver green cascading leaves
Fall off the edge to meet the ground
The whispering breeze moves slowly past
Plants all whispering with the sound
Of a thousand voices speaking true
Their secrets told to me and you. By Julia Giurco
Frangipani’s Fate
The frangipani fell to her final hours with the harsh belting of the wind.
Her stem was cruelly snapped and I watched her fall.
My eyes panned as she floated from side to side until the furrowed surface of the shed’s canopy cradled her withered condition.
The torn corpses of the leaves she once lived with lay breathless, beside her.
The glistening sun began to bleed through the pockets of blue heavens, that the branches failed to conceal. Her petals, browned of desiccation and the edges, crisp and wilted.
Hopeless, she lay there.
But the wind could not bear to be alone anymore.
With its bitter whisper, the wind summoned a sky of grey.
The clouds submerged the beaming sun, and let out a tumultuous cry.
Each droplet pelted against the frangipani’s delicate petals and thrust them furiously against the tin roof.
Hopeless, she lay there,
unable to fight back.
Drowning.
The main sources supporting her life were now her greatest enemies.
The sun dehydrated her shrivelling body,
stole her tint of luscious yellow, and used it to brighten its own.
The rain drowned her.
Even though she was already dying,
she had never felt more betrayed. By Eva Travers
The Bond
Roots are binding
Flowers are bound
They hold each other, living
In this unforgiving world.
The trees are slight yet strong
Their roots create their bond
Yet, they do not cease their giving
In this unforgiving world.
“Stand tall” they say,
“Dream big” they say,
But if the nature of this world struggles
What struggles await for me? By Lily Rowbotham
The Hanging Vines Of Envy
My talons clutched the harsh walls,
As my body twisted and lurched out of the ground,
I was forever bound.
Their laughter in the distance full of glee,
Sucked all hope and life out of me.
Oh how the sun gleamed so bright,
Filling me with hope and might.
It’s dazzling light hugging the land,
While reaching out a helping hand.
For I was forgotten and left to see,
The endless sight of concrete below me.
My fingers swaddled the buds of flowers,
Getting ready to devour,
As the hatred began to churn,
And the sadness began to burn.
For I was just a root of leaves,
Left to suffer and to grieve.
I wish they saw me in a different light,
And looked at me in delight. By Emilia Reed
UniMelb 101: A webinar for NSW students
5 April at 6.00pm. Learn what life is like at UniMelb and how to navigate the move from interstate. To register your interest use the link found here.
Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) Tours
SCA is hosting guided campus tours the last Thursday of each month starting at 4.00pm. For more information email: sca.enquiries@sydney.edu.au. This is a great opportunity to visit the studios, labs and workshops at SCA.
New Bachelor of Arts/Masters of Teaching (Secondary) course
This new double degree is fast-tracked so students will be able to graduate with an undergraduate degree and a postgraduate teaching qualification in just four years. For more details use the link found here.
Medicine Information Night
29 March. Based at their Orange campus in regional NSW for two years followed by three years of rural and regional placements, the Joint Program in Medicine is offered by Charles Sturt in partnership with Western Sydney University. Parents and carers are also welcome. To register your interest use the link found here.
Online Year 10 Subject selection and Information Evening
29 March - 6.00pm. UOW’s webinar is specifically designed for parents/carers and Year 10 students on the verge of selecting subjects to study in Years 11 and 12. The presentation will focus on things to consider when selecting subjects, how to apply for university, scholarship opportunities and provide attendees with an insight into what student life at UOW is all about. A live Q&A will run throughout the session to register your interest please use the link found here.
Timeline
Getting into medicine is a complex process. It’s not just about a student’s academic performance, you also need to succeed in UCAT and interviews. There are many important deadlines that a potential medical student must not miss. The blog found here outlines the key dates and tasks required to study Medicine (and Dentistry).
UCAT registrations have opened for 2023 and close on 17 May. The 2023 UCAT ANZ must be sat between 3 July and 11 August 2023. To book your UCAT place, use the link found here .
UCAT Timeline 2023
01 March - BOOKINGS OPEN via ucat.edu.au
10 May - Concession application deadline
17 May - Access Arrangements application deadline
17 May - BOOKING DEADLINE
31 May - Late booking deadline
05 June - FINAL late booking deadline
10 June - Cancellation deadline
03 July - Testing begins
11 August - Last testing date
Results delivered to universities by early September 2023.
Applications close 26 March. Estimates suggest that 790,000 more pilots will be required globally over the next twenty years with around one third of them required in the Asia Pacific region. To help meet the increasing need for skilled aviators, the Qantas Group Pilot Academy, The Academy, is part of a plan to build a long term talent pipeline not just for Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar, but for the industry more broadly. For more information use the link found here.
There is so much happening at the moment in all our Performing Arts curriculum subjects. In Dance, Drama and Music students are learning and rehearsing new skills and are busy being taught how to imbed content and context into all their areas of learning.
Specifically in Dance, all Years 9-12 students are currently working towards performance goals, focussing on contemporary dance technique and the strengthening and conditioning of the body to prevent injury. Students are also learning about the biomechanics of the body, investigating:
Please see the fantastic photos (at the end of this article) of Ms Santi’s Year 11 Elective Dance class embedding theory into practice.
Year 10 Drama students are studying Mask and Ritual through Ancient Greek theatre and Commedia Dell'arte. For our study of Ancient Greek theatre, we have studied Medea and Antigone, and now students are using Greek myths and legends as stimuli for creating their own theatre works. Soon we will move onto Commedia which is vastly different, but like Ancient Greek theatre utilising mask and movement to transform the actor and support story and plot development.
Please see the photos of some of my Year 10 Elective Drama class as they create performances.
Year 11 Elective Drama have been working hard to finish producing their first Individual Project. These students are also studying the Elements of Production and their role in the creation of theatre. Students are able to select from and experience Performance, Costume Design, Set Design, Directorial, Film, Promotions and Publicity, Script writing or Theatre Reviews.
Year 12 Elective Drama are completing Individual Projects and have commenced their study of the topic 'Women in Theatre'.
Years 7-12 students are attacking each area of Music from Year 7 when students break down music into such components as rhythm and learn this in a fun and engaging way like bucket drumming, then pitch and musical notation on the keyboards - working their way up to singing and performing in small ensembles and then performing solo.
Please see photos of Mr Samyia and Mr McCrudden's Year 7 Music class and Mr Samyia’s Year 12’s.
Below: Year 12 Music Performing
Our Years 8 and 9 jazz ensemble is such fun! We are beyond lucky to have an amazing group of dancers, teachers and staff at SVC! We have class every Thursday and build on flourishing our dance skills and work together to transform some of our favourite moves into routines that will be performed on 11 November at our concert. You will just have to come along then to see our incredible Dance team in action! (Trust me, just like last year, it’s going to be brilliant!).
On behalf of the students at SVC we are extremely fortunate to have many great opportunities available to us, especially our Years 8/9 jazz ensemble!
Poppy Brennan, Year 9
Last Friday, eight of our students competed in the Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition. All students were fine ambassadors for the College and their families speaking about complex issues such as the nature of war, the importance of resilience and and the parallels between art and life. Congratulations to all those who represented the College and to Ella McDonald (Year 7), Taylor Hyde (Year 9) and Joanna Lahana (Year 9), who have progressed to the second round of the competition at Marcellin College this Friday.
Thank you Ms Brien and best of luck to our St Vincent’s team.
If you have any questions regarding co-curricular activities, please email peoplesb@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Co-ordinator of Sport: Ms Jacinta Jacobs: 0418 416 663 jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.
Head of Volleyball and Touch: Ms Elyse Harmanis - 0434 610 870 elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Head of Water Polo: Ms Jacinta Jacobs - 0418 416 663
Head of Tennis: Ms Tonya Hetreles - 0411 984 352
Website: www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/lea
For all draw and venue information go to: www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/sport/weekly-sports-draw/
IGSA Spawtz: https://igsasport.spawtz.com/
As Mrs Fry mentioned in her report, there has been a big crack down on Sport uniforms this week and any student without the correct uniform on Saturday will not be permitted to participate. This includes no tights/bike pants for touch.
This week we had a wonderful International Women’s Day Assembly led by our Sport Captains. This year's theme was Cracking the Code and this is something we at St Vincent's truly believe in and have been inspired to do in so many fields, in particular, Sport! Lexie Tait, the College Sport and Health Captain, has been inspired by so many great athletes and has been highlighting these women each assembly. On Wednesday she had one very special woman to tell everyone about. Ms Moya Dodd. Moya is a lawyer, Sport administrator and a former Vice-Captain of Australia’s Women’s Football Team, the Matilda's.
Moya played in FIFA’s first ever women’s tournament in 1988. Twenty-five years later, she joined the governing body of FIFA - among the most privileged and male-dominated institutions in the world - as one of the first women in its 108-year history. Now in FIFA - she was one of only 3 of 27 FIFA Executive Committee members who declined a $25,000 gift watch at the 2014 World Cup. A year later, she found herself in a luxury Zurich hotel as her colleagues were arrested in a dawn raid. As the 'FIFA-Gate' scandals unfolded, Moya led the #womeninFIFA reform movement, becoming ‘the driving force in the recent push for women within FIFA and one of the most credible and outspoken voices for change within the within FIFA' (New York Times) and ‘one of the most credible and outspoken voices for change within the organization'. She is a great advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Moya’s journey from the national team to the boardroom, combined with over 20 years in law and business, have given her priceless stories and unique insights into complex issues of equality, integrity and change. In 2016 she was named the most influential woman in Australia by the Australian Financial Review, and in 2018 was named the seventh most powerful woman in international sport (outside the USA) by Forbes magazine. In 2020, Moya was listed in WICC's global "Best XI" for advancing women's soccer.
I was privileged to be at the Tildesley Tennis Tournament at Pennant Hills, at this big two-day IGSA tournament, and celebrated International Women’s Day watching some spectacular tennis! Well done to all girls who participated, but in particular Isabel Murray-Nobbs and Stella Beck, for making it to the third round.
Finally, we had one major award to present from CIS (the Combined Independent Schools Association). CIS is the next step after IGSA that leads to NSW All schools. A special medal was awarded to a student who qualified for the State Swimming Team last year and also competed at the National Championships in several events. Congratulations to Year 9 student, Ali Green. Well done Ali, you are definitely an athlete cracking the code. Ali was also recently selected to train with the ParaMatildas at the national soccer camp. She is a true inspiration to all her peers at the College. Well done Ali.
Winter Sport Registrations have now closed. The trials will be held next week. Please see the details below.
The Tildesley tennis team played well at the tournament at Pennant Hills on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Our singles players did particularly well with Isabel Murray-Nobbs and Stella Beck progressing through to the third round. In the doubles on Thursday our top pair Clementine Pavillard and Mia Palmer, narrowly missed out on progressing to the third round as they went down in a tiebreak 7-4.
below: Clementine and Mia - doubles team
All players competing in the IGSA Saturday competition are reminded to make sure they are wearing the correct Sport uniform and the College Sport hat.
We had some more great lunchtime matches on Monday and Tuesday with some staff challenging our players for practice. Thank you to Mr Azzopardi, Mr Schroeder, Ms Parish, Mr Milenovic and our coaches Tonya, Elyse and Matija, who all gave our players a good run!
Any problems or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Ms Tonya Herteles
Head Tennis Coach tonyahetreles910@outlook.com Mobile: 0411 984 352
below: Singles tennis team
below: Doubles tennis team
Congratulations to all teams who played last weekend as there were some really close matches. A special mention to SVC 2 who are undefeated for the season and had another great win. Also, shout out to SVC 7 who had their first official win!
All players are reminded that they must wear the full College Sport uniform over their College swimsuit and that no NON-ST VINCENT'S clothes are to be worn. All players must arrive at their venues 30 minutes prior to start time for an effective warm up.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Head Water Polo Coach bradleym@svincents.nsw.edu.au Mobile: 0412 979 599
below: SVC 2 water polo
below: SVC 7 water polo
Congratulations to all players who played last weekend, we had some great matches and some great wins, even in the heat!
All seniors are reminded that they are still expected to be at training even if they have a study in Period 6, and are not allowed to go home. Training starts at 3.30pm at Rushcutters Bay, and many are taking too long to get down there. Please make sure you all have the correct sport uniform and shoes on - sneakers or boots, no school shoes or tights! Demerits will be given for any breaches to College Rules.
Good luck to all teams for their games. Any problems or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me on the details below.
Congratulations to all Volleyball teams, we had some great games last weekend, even in the very warm conditions. Our top Year 7 team, SVC 6, has been on fire! Keep up the good training girls as it is really paying off.
Please make sure that all players are wearing the correct Sport uniform and hat! Players will not be allowed to take the court in any non-St Vincent's gear.
Good luck to all teams for their games this weekend. Any problems or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me on the details below.
Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Touch and Volleyball Coach elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au Mobile: 0434 610 870
below: Volleyball players
The IGSA Carnival is being held at Homebush Aquatic Centre on Friday 17 March and there will be a second meeting and relay practice session at lunchtime Tuesday 14 March at the pool. All swimmers must attend! Please return Permission Notes as soon as possible. If you need a hard copy please see Ms Jacobs and make sure you circle (on the form) how you will be getting there.
Training for cross country continues on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with Tash from 3.15pm-4.30pm. This is a great way to improve your general fitness or to train for the upcoming IGSA Cross Country Carnival being held at Frensham on12 May. The girls meet outside the change rooms and then Tash will take them to either Rushcutters Bay or around the College and Woolloomooloo area. You will be back at the College by 4.30pm.
You can do one or both sessions, and if you are already training outside of school but wish to be in the cross country team, please email Ms Jacobs.
Winter Sport Registrations have now closed. Trials will be held over the next two weeks of this term before we go on camps. All players must attend the trials or email Ms Jacobs if they cannot attend due to medical reasons. Please put these dates in your diaries:
NETBALL TRIALS - College Courts
Senior Trials - Years 10, 11 and 12: Wednesday 15 March - 3:15pm-4:30pm
Junior Trials - Years 8 and 9: Thursday 16 March - 3:15pm-4:30pm
Year 7 Trials: Monday 20 March - 3:15pm-4:30pm
SOCCER TRIALS - Rushcutters Bay
Senior and Juniors (if invited) Trials - Years 10, 11 and 12: Monday 20 March - 3.15pm-4.45pm.
Junior Trials - Years 7, 8 and 9: Thursday 16 March - 3.15pm-4.45pm.
BASKETBALL TRIALS - College Courts
Trials for all Years: Thursday 23 March - 3:15pm-4:45pm
HOCKEY TRIALS - UNSW David Phillips Fields
Trials for all Years: Wednesday 15 March - Bus leaves 3:15pm and arrives back to the College at 5:30pm or you can be picked up from the venue.
PLEASE WEAR YOUR PE UNIFORM and Sport shoes and bring all necessary equipment. You must email Ms Jacobs if you cannot make your trial for any reason, but try to go to the other date if possible.
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 Isabel Murray-Nobbs, Year 12, and Stella Beck, Year 9, who qualified for the third round at the Tildesley Tennis Tournament this week. Well done girls!
below: Isabel Murray-Nobbs 2nd below: Stella Beck
Congratulations to Ali Green, Year 9, who was awarded a special medallion from CIS this week at assembly. CIS is the Combined Independent Schools Association which is the next step after IGSA that leads to NSW All Schools. Ali qualified for the State Swimming Team last year and competed at the National Championships in several events. Ali was also recently selected to train with the ParaMatildas at the National Soccer Camp, and she is a true inspiration to all her peers at the College. Well done Ali, you are definitely an athlete cracking the code!
Congratulations to Alexandra Tait, Year 12. Lexie Participated in the NSW State Surf Lifesaving Championships last weekend at Queenscliffe. Lexie competed in her own age group but also made it to the Open female iron person and board finals. Over the weekend she won 2 silver medals and a Bronze - competing in ski, swim, board and iron person events , both individually & with her team. Well done Lexi!
TERM 1 2023 Student Card Information
Students MUST bring their Student Card with them when purchasing from the canteen. NO CARD/NO PURCHASE.
TO ORDER A NEW STUDENT ID CARD please click the link HERE . Please note that students MUST use their College login to sign into the form.
Join other fathers and daughters for twilight at the beach.
Saturday 18 March - 4.00pm - 6.00pm.
South Maroubra Beach
Beach volleyball, swimming, chilling and fun.
Stay longer for a casual fish and chips dinner.
No need to rsvp. Just turn up.
Plenty of parking.