Bulletin

• Thursday 06 April:  Holy Thursday - Last day of Term 1.  Students dismissed at 12.40pm.
• Friday 07 April:  Easter - Good Friday.  Sunday 09 April Easter Sunday.
• Tuesday 25 April:  ANZAC Day Public Holiday.  Boarding House Opens from 4.00pm.
• Wednesday 26 April:  First Day of Classes Term 3.
• Thursday 27 April:  College Photo Day (please see the next article in this issue) - Students' full winter College uniform to be worn.
• Fri/Sat/Sun 28/29/30 April:  Boarders' IN-Weekend.
• Sunday 30 April:  165th Anniversary of the College.

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College photographs will be taken on Thursday 27 April (first week of Term 2).

All students have been issued with an order envelope through their Tutor Group.

Order your photos in either of the following two ways:

• By completing and returning the envelope to Student Services before Photo Day OR
• By using the 9 digit code on the envelope to order online via the Advanced Life website  https://www.advancedlife.com.au/

Sibling Photo Orders:  Any family who would like a sibling photo on the day should collect a Sibling Order Envelope from Student Services.

There will also be the opportunity for students to be in a 'Daughters and Granddaughters' photo.

College photos will be taken in full winter uniform.

https://www.advancedlife.com.au/

Mr Bob Anderson
Director of College Operations

Dear Parents and Carers

It is the end of the first normal "first" term for several years and with that normalcy has come the freedom to pursue the seasonal milestones of Term 1 - the P&F Cocktail Party, Year 12 Formal, co-curricular Sport, Camps and Retreats and some new additions, such as the P&F Art Show and the Broken Hill Endeavouring Experience.  All of this activity beyond the classrooms has kept us all busy and students, staff and families are absolutely ready now for a time to relax, recover and rejoice over the Easter period.

I am so grateful for the endeavours of the many who have worked so hard to make this such a productive term.  I will make special mention of the efforts of the staff who facilitated the camps and retreats.  Many schools have long since stopped running a camp program, let alone concurrently running all six camp experiences in one week.  The pressure on staff and logistics were enormous.  I express my deep appreciation to all the staff, but the sheer length of the Year 9 immersion makes me single out that team for special commendations.  Starting with Mr Mitchell Grace for his vision and meticulous planning and Mr David Woolbank for his commitment, enthusiasm and skill.  They really were the backbone of the program, and not to mention team leaders Mr Anthony George, Ms Josie Rune and Ms Tanya Schneider.  All staff who accompanied the students were magnificent, Mr Ryan Azzopardi, Ms Sharon Brien, Ms Jacinta Jacobs, Ms Vanessa Brown, Ms Maria Geracitano, Mr Tom Milenovic, Ms Jane Ashcroft, Ms Claire Norton, Ms Julia Burfitt and the "Silverton Uber driver", Mr John Fry.  They worked over and beyond any role description I have ever seen written for a teacher.  We will now do a full review of this inaugural program including the perspective of staff, parents and students.

I take this opportunity to end this term with a good news email from a member of the public.  I have no way of identifying the student but I hope she recognises herself.  She really did represent the College well:

..."I'm writing to thank one of your students for being terrifically kind, sensitive and thoughtful. At about 4.00pm last Wednesday I was climbing up the stairs from the Wharf level up to Potts Point on my way to Macleay Street.  I had come down the stairs fine earlier in the day so I wasn't expecting my fear of heights to be activated.  However, I had a mild panic attack about halfway up, became convinced I was going to fall backwards and ended up crawling and clinging to the railing at every step for about 10-15 steps (not my finest hour).  A student in a St Vincent's shirt came bounding up to ask if I was okay and if I needed any help.  By then I had made it to the landing and reoriented myself, so I knew I would be able to get to the top.  So I told her I'd had a mild panic attack but was better now.  She checked in to see if I was sure and when I said yes (and thanked her), she smiled and left me alone to get to the top of the stairs with my dignity more or less intact.  Even though I didn't need any specific help, it was SUCH a help to feel seen and supported in what could have been a very embarrassing moment and to know that there was someone looking out for me if I hadn't been able to recover quickly from the panic.  I also really appreciated the grace with which your student let me recover in peace (after checking that I really was okay).  This was an absolutely exemplary moment and I am still smiling as I think of it days later.  Please pass on my thanks to the student body and to your school in general.  It was a really great moment.  With best wishes...."

As the term ends, we farewell two very admired staff members - Ms Edelle McCrudden and Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue.  We wish them both great blessings on their journey ahead.

Easter blessings to you and your family.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Anne Fry
Principal

At this stage of the year, it is important to be checking your daughter's winter uniform.  The new term starts in late April (26 April) and the weather can be quite variable.  We have allowed in the first two weeks, the students to choose full winter or full summer uniform - but definitely no 'mix n' match'!  It is critical to note, however, that school photo day is on Thursday 27 April and students MUST BE IN THEIR WINTER UNIFORMS on that day. 
(Please see further in this issue in 'Community Notices' - new trading hours/school holiday times from the Uniform Shop).

Anne Fry
Principal

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

Ms Maxine Byrom (staff) - Sister-in-law.

Ms Alison Boyd-Boland (staff) - Uncle.

May they rest in peace.

"An Easter Prayer" by Cameron Bellm

When Lazarus stepped out of the tomb,
He was still wrapped in burial cloths -
“Unbind him,” Jesus said, “and let him go.”
What bewilderment Peter and John must have felt, then,
When they saw the linen shroud of the Lord left behind.
This was no resurrection, not as they knew it.
In that year and in this one, Jesus must have known
That we need our sorrow affirmed and embraced
Before we can enter into the possibility of hope.
He left that cloth there for us, I imagine,
To assure us that the Good Friday grief is real,
And the Easter joy therefore all the greater -
Christ unbound, so that we may also be free.
Amen.

Our Ignatian tradition invites us to look for and see the good in all things.  Easter offers us a time of ritual, prayer and reflection as we prepare to find God in moments of both fasting and flourishing.  We consider Jesus as Son of Man, fasting for 40 days and praying to His Father for the strength to face the death he knew awaited.  We consider the suffering and anguish of those around us, consider what Christ asks of us in how we choose to respond, what we are prepared to give up or to offer in action or prayer to better the lives of others.  It is then we learn to love freely, without condition nor limits, just as Jesus showed us in the gospels.  Lent is a time for us to let God in, to our hearts and thoughts, to reflect upon what needs healing or reconciling, and to orientate ourselves towards all the good that is happening.  In doing so we prepare ourselves for the Resurrection of Christ, the presence of Jesus Son of God in our lives.  As we look towards a belief that love is stronger than death, we prepare to see the joy, see the good.  This does not suppose a blinkered view of our world, but rather an intentional orientation towards recognising goodness, hope and life and choosing to be people who can freely give of ourselves in ways that offer joy and love to others, even amongst our human struggles.

In a school community we are privileged to share stories and experiences of both sorrow and joy.  In working with adolescents as both parents and teachers it is our privilege to support and witness the growth that comes through challenge to arrive at greater awareness, accomplishment and at times acceptance to wrestle with that which is difficult. Term 1 has seen this growth in our student learning within and beyond the classroom, in new co-curricular and leadership experiences and in our relationships.  The end of term offers opportunity for us all to look for the good and celebrate the joy.  We are reminded of our 2023 College vision - “Our learning commitment is to just learning because it’s good for everyone” - and ask how we are tracking as people of just thoughts, just words and just actions?  Watching the faces of students and staff embarking from our camps and retreats on Friday afternoon I could see and hear many expressions of joy in having taken the time to share experience with each other as we grow as a community.  I add my great appreciation to staff and my admiration to the students who gave wholly of themselves with delight and energy. All are deserving of a good rest to re-energise and enjoy time with our families.

Finally, I add my farewell and appreciation to both Ms Maryanne O’Donoghue and Ms Edelle McCrudden.  I have worked closely with both colleagues in the pastoral care of students and families throughout their years of service at St Vincent’s College.  It is not easy to say goodbye to a community where one has become known for their particular ways - their humour, their kindnesses, even their pets.  They have each nurtured relationships of care and pride within the Boarding and Cater House communities and leave their students the richer for the experience of striving to make the most of each day at the College.  New opportunities await and I wish them well in the paths that lay ahead.

I wish all our families the blessings of this Holy Week as we prepare a place in our hearts to let God in. 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal 

Lunch with President Obama "The Future of Leadership"

This past Tuesday, we had the amazing opportunity and honour to hear from one of the most powerful, influential and monumental leaders, former President Barack Obama at the Growth Faculties 2023 Business leaders lunch, where the focus was strength in leadership when navigating the unpredictable world and future.  To begin, we'd like to firstly give our biggest gratitude towards Carmen Pavlovic and the entire team at Global Creatures for granting us this incredible experience which we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.

President Obama offered some incredible words of wisdom which were extremely insightful and inspiring.  A key takeaway from his message about leadership was that you should worry less about what you want to be, and more about what you want to do.  This is an important reminder that the most important part of leadership is focusing on what impact you want to have, what change you want to achieve.  President Obama also spoke on the idea that often leaders may feel as though they are not achieving as much as they may want to, however, he explained leadership cannot be confused for a speedboat and is instead more like an ocean liner.  He said you might be working extremely hard and only turn the boat a few degrees, which may not seem like much in the moment, but it will change your path, putting you at a completely different point in ten years time. 

His perspective on leadership really focused on the idea that you cannot separate ‘policy from politics’.  The concept behind this is that an individual cannot be in a position of leadership and make decisions that are not guided by their morals.  A leader's actions will always be in some way a reflection of their values, no matter how hard they may try to disassociate the two.  So remain authentic and let yourself be guided by what you believe in, as once you begin to do so you allow your career path or search to truly stem from who you are as a person rather than for any other superficial gain.  Listening to his insight on this and his contributions to not only the United States of America but the entire world, clearly highlighted his actions as a reflection of his pure and good intentions and character.  A powerful message he left with us was that in any role of leadership no matter how small or large, it is all about the impact you create for others.  President Obama used the metaphor of leadership being like a relay race, in that you don't get to decide where you're going to start. The only thing you have power over is how fast you run your race in hopes that when you finally pass the baton on to the next runner, you’ve left them in a better position to start their race.  This powerful metaphor truly resonated with us not only for our leadership positions at the College, but as a general aspiration for all aspects of our lives.

The final question which was asked was - What gave President Obama hope?  To which he response was, young people.  He went on to explain that he saw the younger generations to be more instinctively inclusive of all.  As the only students in the room we felt extremely special, inspired by his words and also feeling a sense of responsibility to not let Mr President Obama down.  We left the lunch feeling extremely empowered and motivated to use our power as young leaders to make the change we want to see.

Lucy Fraser and Summer Robinson
College Co-Captains

Our commitment this year is to justice and when I wrote about this at the start of term I encouraged our students to do justice to themselves by stepping in to each learning opportunity presented to them.  As we approach the end of Term 1, I now encourage all our students to pause and reflect on their experience of learning over the past 10 weeks, particularly focusing on:

• How they have stepped into relationships of trust and mutual respect in their classes.  These relationships are a powerful expression of justice, whether it be acting with justice to support the learning of others or acknowledging the classroom as a place of justice and support for all learners. Everyone is responsible for fostering these relationships, ensuring that they are active in building the working relationship that will be central to learning.
• Ways in which they have engaged with learning challenges.  I don’t mean impossible challenges but ones that place the learner at the edge of their comfort, requiring the active engagement of skills and prior knowledge that can be transferred and applied to the new learning context.  Learning requires perseverance, commitment and energy and exhibiting these behaviors is an expression of justice to ourselves and our determination to achieve personal growth.
• Working with challenge can also be about utilising the support structures offered as well as developing our own strategies that apply to the new age, stage and level of complexity of learning.  There is justice here too as it is just that all students have access to learning and that they are supported to achieve personal potential in each and every experience.
• The ways in which the learning they have experienced has shaped their belief in themselves and their learning ability.  Our self efficacy is tightly connected to justice, in that it is an expression of our justice to ourselves and our growth and development.

In undertaking this reflection we are returning to the thinking of St Ignatius of Loyola who stated that “all the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know him better, love him more surely, and serve him more faithfully.

As a result, we ought to appreciate and use these gifts of God insofar as they help us toward our goal of loving service and union with God.”

We are asked to do justice to the skills and capabilities we have been given and this is how we might measure success in learning.  Ranks and marks are changeable and often determined by elements beyond our control, but knowing that we have engaged in learning each day, that we have used and developed our skills and that we have grown as a learner and a personhood is the measure of a success term.

I wish all students and their families a restful and restorative Easter break and look forward to welcoming the girls back for another dynamic and purposeful term of learning.

Ms Alison Boyd-Boland
Director of Teaching and Learning

"Last week Year 7 went on camp for three days to Stanwell Tops.  It was a really fun and enjoyable time for all.  It was a great opportunity for everyone to bond with others, meet new people and spend time with them.  It was a time that pushed us out of our comfort zone, but definitely let us meet many new and different people.  It was a time of laughter and enjoyment for all and we are so lucky to have gone.  For the past three days we have had amazing opportunities to do so many activities and we wouldn't be able to do it without our teachers.  We are so lucky that we had them to care for us and encourage us.  Camp would definitely not be the same without them".

Mia Timmons - Williams Year 7

"During camp, we had the opportunity to make new friends and strengthen the bonds with friends we had made already.  We were in rooms with around six people and I can speak for all of us when I say we really connected after spending morning and night together.  We learnt how to respect each other and work as a team within our sleep groups and also our day groups.  The whole point of camp was to step outside your comfort zone and to try new things, and I think we all accomplished that when we went on the 30m Goliath swing!  There were many challenge by choice activities - meaning you could stop when you felt uncomfortable or scared.  One of my favourite activities was the Treeline Adventure, where you climb in the trees and zipline down to complete the course.  I also really enjoyed the break from technology, which enabled us to appreciate our surroundings as well as all the activities we were able to do.  Year 7 camp was the best and I can't wait for camp next year".

Sofia D’Onise - Cater Year 7

Reflections

Best moments

…the amazing activities we got to participate in

…the giant swing

…Joining in fun activities with friends   

…screaming and dancing with friends at the silent disco!!

…making new friends in my cabin and trying new things

…Treetop climbing.  It was raining very heavily, everyone was covered in mud and we got to play in the rain.

I am grateful for

…bonding with my new friends making new memories

…no school work especially homework

…The time people took off to care for us

…Being able to hang it with my friends all day and make new friends

…for all the staff and teachers that came with us on camp

…the chance to meet new people who are not in my classes.

Every year the Year 11 Drama cohort works to put on a play for the College community and public to come and view.  It is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase and refine our skills while learning about the intricate process of creating a production.  The abundance of talent in each and every student in the class leaves no doubt that this year's play will be an incredible performance - that you should come and see!

The Year 11 play this year will be…Murder at Mayfield!  An original murder mystery set in the 1980's that follows six teens trying to save their small town from disaster - with a murder along the way.  The script is written by the class from scratch, so it will be a story unlike any other out there.

There will be two performances in Week 9 next term (20-21 June), so make sure you keep an eye out for when tickets go on sale!

Below are some photos of the process - on the left are the costume crew putting together pieces for each character, and on the right is the whole class having a read through of the script.

Polly Grindrod
Co-Director and Actor in Murder at Mayfield 

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Performing Arts and Drama Teacher

Co-ordinator of Sport:  Ms Jacinta Jacobs:  0418 416 663 jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

Head of Netball/Basketball:   Ms Elyse Harmanis - 0434 610 870 elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au 
Head of Football:  Mr Nick Schroeder - 0431 117 565
Head of Hockey:  Ms Paul Tssijen - 0406 941 205

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

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

IGSA Spawtz:  https://igsasport.spawtz.com/  

TERM 1 SPORT

Congratulations to all students who have finished sport for this term.  We have had many teams who qualified for finals and it has been so nice to watch you all improve this term.  

Winter Sport Registrations have closed.  The trials  have now been completed and teams are finalised. These are up on the Sports noticeboard and on the College website.  Please check your team and training times for next term.  The draws will be added at the beginning of next term once they are finalisd by IGSA.

I look forward to seeing you all back in Term 2 for another big term of Sport!

IGSA Tennis

Congratulations to SVC 5 who qualified for the finals last weekend.  They had a great match but were narrowly defeated. You have trained hard all season and should be very proud of your efforts.

Ms Tonya Herteles
Head Tennis Coach   tonyahetreles910@outlook.com  Mobile: 0411 984 352

below:   SVC 5 Tennis

IGSA Water Polo

Congratulations to SVC 3, SVC 7 and SVC 8 who qualified for the finals last weekend.  We had some very close games with SVC 8 beating SCEGGS and SVC 7 coming from behind to beat Danebank.  Unfortunately, SVC 3 were defeated by Kambala after being undefeated all season, but you should be very proud of your efforts.

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Head Water Polo Coach  jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au   Mobile: 0412 979 599

Easts Touch

Last weekend SVC 9 played their semi final and they had a great win against KRB and then went on to a tough Grand Final match against Kambala, which they won 4-1.  Well done, girls!

It was a very close competition for the Overall Trophy this term, and we came second to SCEGGS which is a great effort!  Well done to all teams and your efforts this term, you all have improved immensely and I can’t wait for an even bigger touch term in Term 4.

Santa Sabina Volleyball

Congratulations to all volleyball teams SVC 1, SVC 2, SVC 4, SVC 6 and SVC 7, who qualified for the finals last weekend - Saturday 1 April.  You have trained hard all season and we are very proud of your efforts.  A special mention to SVC 7 who came second overall in the Year 7 volleyball competition.  All students have had a great season and I am looking forward to an even bigger and better Term 4 season. 

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Touch and Volleyball Coach   elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au  Mobile: 0434 610 870 

below:   SVC 7 Volleyball

below:   SVC 6 Volleyball

Cross Country/Fitness Training

Training for cross country continues on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with Tash from 3.15pm-4.30pm.   Both days will be on in this final week of school, and Tash will have a holiday program for you if you ask her.  This is a great way to improve your general fitness or to train for the upcoming IGSA Cross Country Carnival being held at Frensham on 12 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.  There will be a meeting in the first week back next term to finalise the numbers for the IGSA Carnival at Frensham so please keep up your training over the school holidays.

TERM 2 SPORT

All trials for hockey, netball, soccer and basketball have now been completed and the teams are being finalised.  Training will commence the first week back next term and the draw will be placed on the website as soon as we receive it from IGSA.

There are new soccer jerseys available from the uniform shop, so please try and purchase one on the first week back (see the Uniform Shop holiday and amended opening hours in an article in this issue).  All players for both soccer and hockey are to have shin pads, and a mouthguard is compulsory for hockey.

Training times will also be posted on the College website this week, but hockey is always on Wednesday afternoons at David Phillips Field from 4.00pm-5.00pm.  The bus will leave Victoria Street at 3.15pm sharp and return to the College at 5.30pm.  Soccer training is held at Rushcutters Bay Park and basketball and netball are both held on the courts at school either before or after school.

If you have any questions, please look on the College website first and then if you require more information, please contact the head coach or Ms Jacobs.

SPORTS STARS OF THE WEEK

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

Congratulations towater polo team SVC 8, who had a great last game for the term on Saturday winning against SCEGGS 15-5.  Overall, a very impressive first season for our girls - it has been an absolute delight watching them grow as water polo players, connect as a team and develop beautiful new friendships.

Congratulations toMatilda Dillion, Year 7, Ali Green, Year 9 and Jana Kowalski, Year 10, who made the IGSA swimming team for the 2023 CIS Carnival next term.  Great effort girls!

below:  SVC 8 Water Polo

below:  Ali Green  -  Jana Kowalski  -  Matilda Dillon

STOP PRESS! 

Congratulations to Kate Johnson's (Year 12) U19 female beach sprint relay team, who won the national title at the Surf Life Saving Australian Championships in Perth on Friday.  The Coogee team were thrilled to defend their title from last year and ran a scorcher of a race to take out the gold medal.  Kate also won a bronze medal in the U19 mixed beach relay and finished seventh in the final of the U19 female flags competition.  Well done, Kate.

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-ordinator of Sport

The uniform shop has updated its trading hours for the upcoming holidays, and there is also a change in its regular trading hours starting from Term 2. 

It is important to note that the uniform shop will no longer be accepting cash payments and families are encouraged to place orders using the online web shop or make payments using a card only in the shop.  This change is aimed at providing a more convenient and secure payment option for customers. There will be a transition period of still accepting cash for a short period.  Thank you for understanding.

 https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/enrolments/uniform/

TERM 1 2023 Student Card Information  

Students MUST bring their Student Card with them when purchasing from the canteen.  NO CARD/NO PURCHASE. 

• Our canteen uses a cashless system so it imperative that students' have credit on their cards.  We are unable to provide service to students who do not have credit available to spend. 
• You need to refill money onto your card AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE you intend to use the card (as it takes one hour to generate funds onto the card).
• It is also critical students DO NOT provide their ID card and password to other students.
• ONLINE ORDERING is also available.
• GLUTEN FREE products are available - only when purchased through online ordering. 

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.

View CANTEEN MENU SPECIALS for Wednesday 05 April 2023 .