Photo of the Week
Reminders and/or Events
Reminders
College photos can be ordered by returning to Student Services the physical envelope issued to all students last term, or online at: https://www.advancedlife.com.au/ using our School Order Code: NZP A6K V5V. NB From 7 May there is a late fee for orders made after that date
- Sunday 30 April: 165th Anniversary of the College
- Friday 5 May: Year 11 Social - BUY TICKETS
- Friday 5 May: Dubbo Boarding Expo
- Saturday 6-7 May: Mothers Weekend in Mudgee - STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE
- Monday 8 May: Year 9 Parent Teacher Meetings - Google Meet
- Friday 12 May: Mother Daughter Liturgy - 7:45 am, College Chapel
- Friday 12 May: Mother Daughter Dinner (SOLD OUT) - 7:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the new term. Term 2 is a short term of only 9 weeks but it is so important in anchoring the experience of each cohort. For the year 7s, their physical and social growth always amazes me; when they returned in their winter uniforms this week they looked older, taller and knowing. This is their last week in their year 7 Tutor Groups before they join their Vertical Tutor groups next week. They are ready to go and embrace the relationships with their big sisters in years 8-12. For the year 8s, this term will be full of discernment as they start to consider the choices available in the year 9 elective program in 2024. The year 9s are still processing the richness of their endeavours in Broken Hill and how they bring those new competencies back into their daily engagement with their school-based learning. The year 10s are also this term going to be faced with the comprehensive subject selection process involved in choosing subjects for their HSC years. Year 11 students will reach the mid point of their Prelim year this term and the year 12s, they are already deeply immersed in the Early Offer process for tertiary courses for next year. In the 9 weeks of this term, much will happen that will require attentiveness, participation and setting positive goals. I am, already well underway in the interviewing of the year 7 class of 2025 (the graduating class of 2030!). It always provides such a sense of optimism about the College when we are talking to families who will be part of the College well into the future. We will always be proud of our heritage as we prepare to celebrate our 165th Birthday on Monday, 1st May. Unfortunately, the rain appears to be persisting Sunday-Monday so we have postponed many of the activities planned for the day. The Birthday cake will still be enjoyed and a photo taken to commemorate the occasion but it will revert to a full teaching day. In fact, teaching and learning is a great way to honour the achievements of the College over its long and accomplished history.
Enjoy Term 2 with the return of wintery weather and the chance to showcase our very stylish winter uniform. I do take this opportunity to stress that the uniform needs to be worn with pride with regards to the appropriate length of dresses/skirts, shirts tucked in, make-up and jewellery and hair styled in accordance with the style guide in the student diary.
ANZAC Day was commemorated on Wednesday with our student historians highlighting the individual stories of those who have created the ANZAC legend. Lest we forget.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Anne Fry
Principal
The College community offers its condolences to the following families who have lost a loved one recently:
Caitlin Young - Pop
May he rest in peace.
Teaching and Learning
From the Director of Teaching and Learning
I hope that you and your families had a restful break and welcome you and your daughter(s) back to Term 2. I wanted to start Term 2 as I did Term 1, with a reflection on the College’s value of justice. Easter is a natural prompt for consideration of justice as we are reminded of the way in which Jesus’ life was defined by his commitment to justice, even when facing incredible injustice himself.
For us justice might manifest in much more practical situations as we strive for justice in learning. Last term I encouraged students to do justice to themselves by deliberately stepping in to engage with their learning. Some examples of intentional engagement included being proactive in striving to maintain focus, connecting with peers and teachers when needing support, being open to new experiences, subjects and learning opportunities, asking questions, trying things more than once or becoming comfortable with and persevering in the face of challenge.
This term I would like to explore the ways in which students can do justice to their learning potential and their capabilities by intentionally developing skills that support learning. These skills include being able to maintain an organised approach to learning, developing the ability to manage competing demands, experimenting with strategies for studying and consolidating new learning.
These skills can be challenging because they are not always easy to sustain. They are challenging because they are not always exciting nor are they always connected to extrinsic motivations. They are challenging as they often require discipline. They are challenging because they are learned by trial and error.
The College staff commenced the term with a day of professional learning with Professor Lea Waters as she led us through more of the Visible Wellbeing framework that the College has implemented. She explained that ‘to achieve a goal we need to change habits’. These skills of learning are habits- the habit of documenting and planning one’s time during the week, the habit of studying regularly and not at the 11th hour, the habit of ignoring distraction and focusing on the learning task. Therefore these habits are also central to our goal of personal learning growth. We will find justice in learning if, each term, we can be confident that the time spent in the classroom, engaged in learning has led to growth, be that growth in knowledge, skills and/or capabilities.
Therefore this term our approach to justice in learning will be on developing the habits and skills that set us up for effective learning. I welcome the opportunity to walk alongside your daughter in this endeavour and celebrate her learning successes over the course of the term.
Ms Alison Boyd-Boland
Director of Teaching and Learning
Dean of Early Secondary
Celebrating our Growth
It has been a short but eventful week for us starting back as a Year 7 group this term. Some things were different like wearing our winter uniforms, new friends made at camp, our first photo day as well as new topics in many subjects. Other things though remained the same, like our happiness in seeing friends, difficulties fitting everything in our lockers as well as getting straight into our learning and homework!
One big change though for Term 2 and the rest of our time at SVC is happening next week. We will be joining our Vertical Tutor Group permanently and connecting with students from our House in Years 8-12. We have already connected with many of our ‘Big Sisters’ during CP time, so although this is new, we feel like we are ready for it also.
Today we celebrated mass with Father Sascha and many of our Year 7 Tutor teachers and CP teachers. It was a special time to reflect on the strong connections we have made as a Year 7 group as well as give thanks for all that our Tutor teachers have supported us with over the past Term (as well as many members of the community). We were all given the opportunity to write ‘who’ and ‘what’ we were grateful for in our experiences so far and many Tutor groups had so many post-it notes they were falling off…
It has been a really great start back to the term. Year 7 just can’t wait to meet their fellow Tutor Group members and teachers next week.
Ms Sheenagh Doran
Dean of Early Secondary
Ms Doran, Ms Cartmer with Year 7 Williams students Maisie Fordham, Talia Fleming & Evie Slack-Smith
Careers
From Ms Marshall's Desk
Sport
Sport and Health Report
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 Football: Mr Nick Schroeder - 0431 117 565
Head of Hockey: Mr Paul Tssijen - 0406 941 205
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/
TERM 2 SPORT
Welcome to Term 2 Sport and what we hope will be another successful term! The two big highlights of the Term will be the IGSA Cross Country Carnival at Frensham on Friday, May 12 and the Interhouse Athletics Carnival at E S Marks Field on Wednesday May 24
Training commenced this week for all teams and games commence this Saturday. Please check the College website for all teams and draw information. If you have any questions please email your Head Coach.
READ MORE BY CLICKING "SHOW MORE"
Alumnae
From the Alumnae Office
Mother Daughter Dinner Friday 12th May
For any current parents who are also ex-students of the college and are attending the dinner, we would love to have a group photo with all the ‘Alumnae Mums’ and their daughters. The photo will be scheduled for approximately 9:00 pm. Edwina Heiler will make an announcement on the evening on where to congregate. If you would like to take part, please listen out for Edwina’s announcement on the night.
St Vincent’s College Ex Student Union – 165th Reunion Dinner
Just a reminder to all of our ex-students of the invitation extended to you all to attend the 165th Reunion Dinner being held on 16th June. Early bird tickets are currently available here.
The Ex-Student’s Union is also looking for some support for the night by way of raffle prizes. If you would like to contribute, please contact me at heilere@stvincents.nsw.edu.au or the Union directly at stvincentsexstudents@gmail.com
Community Notices
Woollahra Libraries
Studying for the HSC?
Woollahra Libraries is inviting St Vincent's HSC students to attend their HSC events. They have subject experts, university lecturers, HSC markers and free tutors to help students succeed at a range of upcoming events, as well as opportunities to destress during study periods!
Uniform Shop - Reminder of NEW TRADING HOURS
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.
https://www.stvincents.nsw.
The Women's Night of Spirituality
The unique event has been conducted at St Mary's North for over 25 years. It is an evening when women, who come from diverse backgrounds, share aspects of the spiritual dimensions of their lives - what gets them up in the morning, what gives them joy, and hope and how they deal with life's knock-backs and adversities.
Join us for an uplifting evening
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | 7pm | St Mary's North Sydney
for more information please email communications@northsydneycatholics.com
Canteen 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 is 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.
