We are very pleased to support Gemma Sisia, a St Vincent's Alumnae, and her team to launch their latest book 'The School that Hope Built' written by Madeleine Kelly. The book is a wonderful account of the 20 years Gemma has spent building The School of St Jude, a school that is changing the lives of some of the poorest children in Tanzania. Please join us to hear from Gemma, Madeleine, and Enock about how St Jude's was started and has grown from Gemma's dream to the successful, multi-campus school it is today. The trio will also very generously hold a Q&A session along with a 'meet and greet' function afterward. Light refreshments and canapés will be served.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today the College Community stopped to join in the nationwide reflection on Sorry Day. Our students shared their pride and vulnerability with their peers and teachers. I express my appreciation to them and their families for permission to share their powerful stories.
I am in Wagga today and tomorrow meeting current and prospective families from the Riverina. The beautiful Riverlands of NSW has been home to St Vincent's Boarders for over 100 years. Such continuity of relationships with generations of the same family is indeed very special.
This week the P&F had their Term 2 meeting and many issues of common interest were discussed. Of great note was the success of the inaugural Art Show raising over $30,000 to be shared with Lou's Place and the College Art Department. I want to publicly thank Holly Davies and her committee for this outstanding result. Another great success was the Mother's weekend to Mudgee and after a turbulent launch, the Mother Daughter Dinner was enjoyed by almost 700 mothers and daughters at Doltone House. There were issues around ticketing this year which compounded our ongoing dilemma each year at finding a venue big enough at the right price point. Some of the same issues are pertinent also to the Father Daughter Dinner. There were several suggestions at the P&F meeting on how going forward we ensure this event remains accessible (both in a physical and financial sense.) Could I please ask you to fill in this very quick feedback form?
The Athletics Carnival on Wednesday was spectacular with spirit, colour, and fun, and our students were out in the Autumn sun and physically active. There was a great competition held at the newly restored es Marks Field track and field facilities. Congratulations to Jacinta Jacobs and the PE team for their organisation, House Coordinators and House Captains for their enthusiasm and organisation and all who contributed to this enjoyable day. We have only 4 weeks left of the term but every one will be a perfect day to learn something new!
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Patricia Schliemann, 85 years old - Imogen Jay's maternal grandma
Frank McGovern, 103 years old, the last survivor of HMAS Perth - Tahlia Nicholson's Grandpop
Alison Edwards - Grandmother of Alex Edwards, College Nurse
Today we paused to listen. To listen with open hearts and a preparedness to hear the stories of First Nations peoples – expressed with generosity and love by our First Nations students. I feel so very privileged in this space to have the opportunity to listen to their sharing, to reflect and to hope.
It fills me with genuine sorrow for a past tainted by ignorance and mistreatment and I acknowledge the systemic injustices my history has been a part of. It is important we recognise such injustices so that we understand. I grew up in Tamworth where the Kamilaroi/Gomeroi peoples of the Kamilaroi Nation are the traditional custodians of the land. My school education was during the 1970s-1980s. I moved there from Parkes and Cootamundra, land of the Wiradjuri people. Today I reflected upon a photo of the Cootamundra Girls Home, established as a training institution for Aboriginal girls who had been removed from their families under the Aborigines Protection Act 1909 – 1969. The photos were of an era just before my formal education began. But there was never a Sorry Day Assembly in the decades of my primary and secondary school education. As a mother, I reflect upon the agony of having your children forcibly removed. I wonder at how it could ever have been presumed that a people who are the oldest continuing living culture in the world, who had survived for over 60 000 years, could have endured the robbing of children, land, and language. In today’s ceremony, Ava acknowledged the courage of these Indigenous parents and grandparents – “I acknowledge the thousands of Gadigal women who were healers, who knew the pain of sickness and violence, who fought for family and who were courageous in caring for country, who together, tried to meet new people and share with them their knowledge”. And so we were reminded of incredible courage and hope.
My eyes moved from the photo back to the faces of our students in the Hall. As an educator listening to the voices of young Indigenous women prepared to share and to teach, I am humbled and grateful. I take seriously Hailey’s prayer of hope for the leaders of our school asking to “guide their decisions so that they may create a place of peace and justice for generations to come”. I give my commitment that we will try our best. I am inspired by the love and hope of our First Nations students who are prepared to speak as shared by Annabelle “Our breath allows us to learn our stories, to tell them, to speak truth so that our voice can be heard”. I thank our First Nations students, and your families and ancestors who have nurtured you, for the gift of learning and recognition you give your community of St Vincent’s College. I use your words here as they are your stories shared in hope in all we can be together, summed up so beautifully by Kye-Tehya “We are that of many tribes but I also share my knowledge with my friends and members of the community of St Vincent’s who are also my tribe so in the future we will have an understanding and respect for all”. I hope daughters of all our families can share their own reflections on today’s Sorry Day, seeking opportunity to learn, grow and love. I acknowledge the commitment of Mrs Jo Kenderes in working with our students in preparing such a deeply reflective ceremony today and on many other days.
I acknowledge that the land on which I am learning and teaching, listening and sharing, is Gadigal Land. I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of this land and waters, and pay respects to the elders past, present and emerging. I acknowledge the wisdom imparted on this land for generations and I express my appreciation to all First Nations peoples in our St Vincent’s College community, mindful of the privilege and responsibility I have in learning from and accompanying your daughters in their education. This land was, is and always will be Gadigal land.
We also welcomed back today some Alumni from the Class of 2018 today to share their wisdom with the Class of 2023, Our Year 12s who were only Year 7s when these Alumni were in their graduating year. The opportunity to ask questions about navigating choices and strategies as steering towards then beyond HSC was gratefully received. From tips to writing Chemistry equations on the tiles of the shower wall, to taking a gap year in service action in Zambia, to seeking out back doors and opening new doors to university courses as you discover more about your interests, our current HSC cohort was certainly inspired by possibility. The Class of 2018 also graduated in our last Year of Justice and Liv Passerini, one of the 2018 College Co-captains, showcased how prevalent the College values have been in shaping her life beyond school – clearly evident in her choice to study an undergraduate degree in Social Justice, but more particularly in her pursuit of aspects of law that will enable justice and dignity in our society. Other Alumni added how justice is a choice we make in our everyday interactions, choosing not to be frustrated with a fellow student who may not grasp a concept but rather responding with genuine kindness, choosing to be just, as the right way to be. I thank Emma Henry, Ava Shepherd, Edi Cartmer and Liv Passerini for sharing their time and wisdom with their Alma Mater today.
This week began with the Subject Selection Information Evening for Year 10 on Monday. This event is both practical and symbolic. On one level it is an opportunity for students and parents to learn about the subjects offered at the College for Stage 6. However, on another level it is a symbolic moment as our Year 10 students start to envisage their Stage 6 (Year 11 and 12) experience and begin to step over that threshold from Middle Secondary to Senior Secondary. This process includes consideration of the programme of study they would like to commit to but is connected to consideration of their emerging values and priorities. It is an opportunity to identify the learning that will broaden their experience of the world and cultivate intellectual exploration and skill development. And it’s a time to reflect on identity and awareness of who they are, and who they are becoming.
The evening was full of conversation and questions as the girls sought to inform themselves about each subject on offer, judging the different opportunities available and the benefits of each one. Parents also entered into conversations with teachers, debated the merits of subjects with their daughters and sometimes reminisced or bemoaned the relative choices they had available for their own senior study.
I would like to thank all the teachers who were involved in the evening and who contributed to these valuable conversations. The partnership between home and school was tangible as everyone collaborated in the common endeavour of ensuring that each Year 10 student will be able to make an informed and confident decision about their next steps in learning.
There are two more opportunities on the horizon that I encourage Year 10 to utilise to help refine their thinking around subject selection. These are the Year 10 parent/teacher interviews scheduled for 5th June as well as the Subject Selection Forum which will run at lunchtime on 30th May and 2nd June. This latter experience will connect Year 10 with our current senior students so that they might ask further questions and gain insights from a student perspective about programmes of study. I wish to extend my thanks to these Year 11 and 12 students- there is such power and value in hearing about the student experience, from students, and these girls are generous in giving their time.
Year 10 are going to be busy over the next few weeks as they are also scheduled to sit their Minimum Standards Test in reading, writing and numeracy in week 7. These tests are designed to ensure that all students complete their education with the necessary literacy and numeracy for everyday life. It is a required component in achieving the HSC credential. Sitting these tests will be the first occasion where our Year 10 students will be able to demonstrate that they have reached the minimum standards in each of the three areas. Opportunities to resit and track growth and progress towards these standards will be offered at regular periods, ensuring all students have achieved these standards before concluding Year 12.
I wish Year 10 all the best in their decision making for subject selection and in their engagement with the Minimum Standards Tests. Both these experiences are signs of having reached a significant threshold in their education which is an achievement in itself and which will lead to many more achievements and opportunities in the near future.
Our girls provided 8 boxes of cupcakes last week for our neighbours at St Canice’s. This Thursday we were looking a bit pathetic in the cupcake carnival, but that was because of the other carnival the day before. I take my hat off to the girls who found the energy to make cupcakes the night after the carnival. We have a bit of a reputation, up at St Canice’s. Last week one gentleman was very specific in what he was searching for in a cupcake. “I want the ones with the flowers on the top. You always have the flowers on the top.” Last week, no flowers. Oops. He settled for a pink one with swirls. Choosing his cupcake was important to him. I’m guessing that he has to put up with what he’s ‘given’ a lot of the time, irrespective of what he would like. The choice is fundamental to our being fully human, isn’t it? This week we had a gorgeous batch of cupcakes with one special cupcake made especially for Charlie, with an edible flower on the top. Thank you Vinnie’s girls for your generosity and gentle care.
There is plenty of space on the Cupcake roster. Apparently baking is a great family activity. My lot eat the batter when I’m not watching and there’s nothing left to put in the tin. Clearly, other Vinnie’s families have a more controlled environment in the kitchen. Do sign up.
I have a date that all dads and daughters need to put in their calendar, and start preparing…
Friday, 18 August, Father Daughter Winter Sleepout. This is a must event for all brave daughters and slightly wacky dads. It involves a simple meal, a guest speaker or two and a movie, then we settle in for the night to sleep out in the Atrium. A simple breakfast in the morning and a coffee, and we are set to head out to Saturday sport. It’s a great experience - cold… really cold - but great. We have a team of Dad’s who do the organising, a group of Years 11 and 12 who will do the catering for us, and it is great fun. We learn a lot about what it’s like to sleep rough and cold not just one night, but every night, and something of the fears and circumstances that make homelessness a reality for so many people every night in this great city.
Today we remembered Sorry Day. Our First Nations students lead us in a ceremony that taught us about the experience of the Stolen Generation. Brooklyn shared with us that the Assimilation Policy which resulted in the Stolen Generation impacted every First Nations family. The Intergenerational trauma of abuse, neglect, institutionalisation and not every feeling loved is real. It impacts behaviour, it influences decisions, and it eats away at the heart. If you haven’t read the text of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, this is a good chance to consider it.
Click on this link to see a visual presentation from leaders in the Indigenous Community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWoIgPyQTK4
If you’d like to hear from an expert on Constitutional law who also shares our understanding of human dignity and the sacred nature of all human life, have a listen to Fr Frank Brennan SJ. He is a great friend of the College and he has been described as a ‘living national treasure.’ You may recognise his surname - his father, Sir Gerard Brennan wrote the lead judgment in the Mabo v Queensland case, who taught Australia that Terra Nullius was not a truth that could be supported any longer.
Have a listen to Fr Frank. He’s pretty extraordinary.
Frank Brennan - A Legal-lite, Watertight Indigenous Voice to Parliament
The Matt Talbot roster continues to be a point of joy in the week. The homeless men are in need of more wetpacks. If you’d like to contribute, please click on the link. I need to buy deodorant to finish off the next lot of wetpacks. I think deodorant will be on special next week, so I’m set to purchase. I do get strange looks at Coles when I buy 120 roll-on deodorants. I’m always tempted to say, “They’re not for me” but then the ridiculousness of the situation strikes me and I just smile. I hope the check-out people get a laugh out of it.
https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-matt-talbot-wet-pack-support-2023
I have enough funds for next week for the Sandwich Project. THANK YOU to you wonderful people who send me gift cards for Woolies. I’m so grateful. We can do 150 sandwiches for $120. Go us! If you feel you can help out, that would be deeply appreciated. Just email me a Woolies voucher or send a gift card in with your daughter. Thanks for your help.
Our Mission Captains have launched a new initiative - solving Period Poverty. We are collecting feminine hygiene products for our most vulnerable women. If you can help out with a packet or two that will bring some much needed dignity to women living rough in our local community. There is a box to deposit donations at Student Services.
I have so much to tell you… but I’ve run out of time. I have not, however, run out of enthusiasm.
Last Sunday the year 9’s made a well-considered decision to forego the Sunday activity. They elected to prepare for Monday’s math assessment. They worked solidly from 9.30am to 11.50am - highly focused and silent. It was an amazing effort and as a result, they were treated to an ice cream from Rivareno Gelato. The years 7 and 8 thoroughly enjoyed the ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay (and also had some gelatissimo).
The athletic carnival was an amazing experience, particularly for our younger Boarders. The opportunity to dress-up was an added bonus. Sarah Fitzgerald did a great job rallying her house, and our Boarding Co-Captain Molly McPherson and Lucy O’Mally received ribbons for 2nd and 3rd place that were brilliantly colour coordinated with their outfits.
We are introducing a new initiative - Boarder of the Week - where the girls nominate a boarder who has shown generosity of spirit, service to the poor, or characteristics reflecting justice, respect and/or hope in their attitude and behaviours.
This week a group of Year 10 PASS students stepped onto the cheerleading stage for the very first time. With nerves and excitement filling the air, they embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, ready to showcase their talents and push their boundaries.
Though beginners, their dedication to learning the intricate dance routines paid off, as they executed each move with grace and precision. With each leap, twirl, and cheer, their confidence grew, and their smiles radiated the joy they felt in this newfound activity.
The experience served as a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative nature of trying something new. This group of Year 10 students reminded us all that stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.
Steps to Uni for Year 10 Students
The Steps to University for Year 10 students publication, along with the accompanying portal, Subject Compass, will assist Year 10 students when selecting their HSC subjects. It's particularly useful for checking a student's ATAR eligibility. You can access a PDF version of Steps to Uni for Year 10 students on UAC's website using the link found here
This program offers an opportunity for school students aged: 14-18 aspiring to pursue a career in Medicine. Through sessions led by experienced medical specialists, practical learning activities, and insights into the admission process, the program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their medical application journey. For more
information and registration details please visit WWW.NIECAREERS.COM.AU
Pathways to Studying Law | Wednesday 7 June 4–4:30 pm
Find out about the University of Sydney's Bachelor of Laws and how these courses provide students with the skills, knowledge, and connections to become internationally focused lawyers. Use the link found here to register your interest.
Applying to UTS - Info Sessions - 17 June
The Applying to UTS Info Session will be held on Saturday 17 June. Find out about different application options, including applying through UAC, the UTS Early Entry Program and pathways options. Participants will have a chance to ask questions. Select to attend on campus or online via a live stream using the link here.
The Shakespeare Carnival was held last Wednesday at Sydney Girls High. Our contestants Eleni Matsos and Katja Moritz performed a duologue from Romeo and Juliet. Katja happened to be on crutches at the time, so this added a challenging aspect to their performance. However, the show must go on and the girls still performed with confidence and achieved an outstanding result of 3rd place. Well done girls and best of luck in your next performance at the Sydney Eisteddfod.
On Tuesday 16 May, our debating team started the Archdale competition. In our first round, we travelled and competed against Mount St Benedict’s College followed by our second round debates at Queenwood on May 23. We are excited to have home debates this week and are looking forward to seeing some of our school community attend in support of our teams. Our home debates also require additional support, requiring guides, timekeepers and debate chairpersons. Any student who may be interested in assisting, please let me know, your help is always greatly appreciated. Our Junior Team (Year 9 students) really need an extra debater or 2 so if you think you would like to join, please come and see me, it is not too late!
This week our Intermediate and Senior teams both competed in the Semi Finals of the Theatresports competition. We were unfortunate to not progress through to the finals, our Intermediate team only just missed out coming in third place. Congratulations to everyone for their efforts and to our Theatresports coach Georgia for her continued support and guidance of our students.
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:
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/
READ MORE BY CLICKING "SHOW MORE"
SVC 2 made some fantastic improvements this week for our girls with a 2-2 draw! The team showed how they are getting better at working together and stringing passes up the field. Great tackling by all the girls made it hard work for the opposition to put more goals past us. Congratulations to the team for putting away two goals in the second half to equalise the score by the end. A nail-biting finish saw our defence having to defend a short corner in the last 30 seconds of the game to tie - so proud! Amazing performance all round, on the right track for a win!
Congratulations to SVC 1 who played the best hockey they have played this season! It was a fast, intense game, resulting in a lot of chances for both teams. The Firsts showed that they can move the ball around the field well and were able to continuously pressure the opponent, leading to a 3-0 lead at half time. They continued their efforts in the second half, closing out the game with two more goals and achieving an amazing 5-0 win. Having now won three games in a row, the team is showing continuous improvements in their skills and efforts, which is great to see.
Congratulations to all our netball teams and basketball teams who have been training well and had some good wins last weekend. Please make sure that you are letting your coaches know if you are sick and can't play, as some teams have been left short as there is a lot of illness going around. A reminder that you must be in the correct College sports uniform. Any non- Vinnies items will be confiscated. Please purchase the College Tracksuit now that it is getting colder.
Ms Elyse Harmanis - Head Basketball and Netball Coach - elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Well done to all teams who have been training well and had some great games last weekend! Please make sure that you are letting your coaches know if you are sick and can't make it to a session. Some students have been wearing the incorrect uniform to the venues and this does not look good. Please make sure you have the College tracksuit now that it is colder.
Mr Nick Schroeder - Head Football Coach - schroedern@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Athletics Carnival on Wednesday. It was a wonderful day of House Spirit and competition. We had some excellent performances and the overall point score was very close and the overall winner will be announced at House Assembly on Wednesday. A special congratulations to our Age Champions for 2023, as some, were very close in the point score. These medals will be presented at the Assembly next week.
2023 Age Champions Runner Up
12 years - Matilda Dillon - Williams Kiki Kersten - Cater
13 years - Lilli Weinstein - De Lacy Jasmine Burrows - Williams
14 years - Siara McCreery - O’Brien Eleanor Lenton - Williams
15 years - Fancesca Dawson - Cahill Maya Holloway - Cater
16 years - Annika Wende-Dunstan - Cahill Emilia Reed - Williams
17 years - Iyla Maguire - Cahill Elsa Firth - Williams
18+ years - Katherine Johnson - De Lacy Lexie Tait - Cahill
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 the staff relay team who took out the staff v day girls v boarders relay! Well done team!!
Congratulations to Lara Roets - yr 12 who took out the 100m Invitational 100m in 13.21. This was a photo finish and she only won by one hundredth of a second from Frankie Dawson in yr 10. Nice sprinting ladies!
Congratulations to Jana Kowalski- yr 10 who completed her second Bondi to Watsons Bay swim. With very challenging conditions (choppy and windy) she finished this 10km swim with a time 3.01 (10th overall; 4th female). She was the youngest in the field! Last weekend Jana competed at the Sydney Open & Uni National Swimming Championships. She made the B final in 400m Freestyle and Open National A final 1,500 Freestyle in which she was seventh. Well done Jana!
We are very pleased to support Gemma Sisia, a St Vincent's Alumnae, and her team to launch their latest book 'The School that Hope Built' written by Madeleine Kelly. The book is a wonderful account of the 20 years Gemma has spent building The School of St Jude, a school that is changing the lives of some of the poorest children in Tanzania. Please join us to hear from Gemma, Madeleine and Enock about how St Jude's was started and has grown from Gemma's dream to the successful, multi-campus school it is today. The trio will also very generously hold a Q&A session along with a 'meet and greet' function afterwards. Light refreshments and canapés will be served. RESERVE YOUR SEAT
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
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.
Where: The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, 19 Kent St, THE ROCKS NSW 2000
(Upstairs) at 12:30 pm on Friday 4 August 2023.
$80 per person (2 courses w cheese) + drinks to be purchased separately.
Please contact Michael Laing (Sophia) to register your interest to attend. Numbers are strictly limited.
0414 606 035
michaellaing@theagency.com.au