Dear Parents and Carers,
This week we have so much good news to share from our Performing Arts Co-curricular program. Firstly we celebrate the gold medal earnt by our Senior Ethics team in the Ethics Olympiad. The team was impressive against many other, very well prepared teams. Our team has now been invited to participate in the International Ethics Olympiad. Congratulations to the team of:
Lily O'Loghlin
Christina Dudding
Chelsea Cannes
Charlotte Ballinger
And their mentor Donna Ginzburg.
Secondly we commend the extraordinary effort of our Debating teams who are showing great strength and persuasion. They are now ranked 8th in the Archdale Debating Competition of 24 IGSA teams. A particular note of appreciation to our Year 7 Boarders who so capably took on the roles of Chairpersons and Time Keepers for each of the debates we hosted this week. Debating is such a great training ground for young minds and young voices.
Finally congratulations to Molly Barwick for her first placing in the Monologue Section of scoring an impressive 98% from the adjudicators in the Sydney Eisteddfod.
This has been a great week to reflect on the great skills and competencies that participation in Performing Arts can contribute to a holistic education. Congratulations to all and great appreciation to all our teachers and tutors involved, and Mrs Peoples our Co-ordinator of Performing Arts.
On Tuesday evening we welcomed back to her alma mater Gemma Sisia. The evening was a chance to catch up with Gemma and her exciting news about the growth of St Jude’s School in Arusha, Tanzania. There was a new book launched also that evening, The School That Hope Built, which we now have in our Library. This is a book I highly recommend to any Year 10s who might be interested in participating in an Immersion to Tanzania if we are able to schedule one for 2024 (there is still much to consider before we fully commit to this program).
A great week of life as we once knew it – excursions, evening gatherings, planning for local immersions, dreaming of international immersions and the joys of performing. Hard to believe only two years ago these were all on the prohibited list!
Yours sincerely,
Alison Olliver, 97 years old - Ava Escudero's Great Grandmother
This week I encourage you to consider attending the upcoming Parent Education Evening put together by a network of educational leaders in our local community, Eastern Suburbs School Leaders for Youth (ESSLY). This is an initiative we commenced in 2019 in our efforts to support our parents in the care of your children. Our aim is to create a stronger and more supportive community for our children. We know our youth socialise beyond their school gates and after the bell – we hope to offer you a shared forum as you will likely navigate this space with parents of many different schools. We believe that there is enormous value and untapped potential in schools collaborating and sharing ideas and resources to benefit all students and their parents.
With ESSLY, we strive to create a united front where our schools partner together, sharing common values and addressing critical social issues that affect our teenagers. We aim to foster a community that supports not only the academic development of our youth but also their personal growth and resilience. Schools are uniquely placed to learn much about the world of adolescence – their strengths and how they navigate challenges, as well as having access to external professionals in the fields of psychology, law, social media and alcohol and drug education. Our primary focus is to work together in supporting parents by offering knowledge and strategies to navigate the challenges of raising teenagers in today's world. We understand that adolescence can be filled with uncertainty and social pressures; we hope to come together to ensure our children's wellbeing and success.
We are delighted to invite you to join us at our unique "After the Bell" event which will take place on Thursday, 15 June, at Cranbrook. This initiative focuses on safe partying, addressing an important aspect of teenage life. We hope the evening will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for parents to navigate this particular aspect of their children's lives.
Connect and Share:
This event brings together parents, educators, and community members, providing a platform to share experiences, exchange ideas, and address concerns. By coming together, we can support one another in our collective mission of fostering the wellbeing of our youth.
Wisdom from Former Students:
One of the highlights of the event will be the privilege of listening to former students as they share the advice they would give their 17-year-old selves. Gain valuable insights from those who have experienced the challenges of youth firsthand and discover the valuable guidance they received from their parents. Their stories will inspire and empower you as you navigate the intricacies of parenting.
Expert Guidance:
We are delighted to announce that Yasmin London, Director of Education & Wellbeing, ANZ at Linewize ANZ, will be joining us once again to share her expertise. Yasmin is a renowned expert in the field of safeguarding, and her insights will provide you with valuable tools and strategies to support your children's journey.
Panel Discussion:
Join a panel of deputies and other school leaders as they engage in a thought-provoking discussion on how schools can effectively support parents and students. Gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative efforts necessary to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for our youth.
Thursday 15 June, 2023, 6pm
Cranbrook School – 5 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill
Book your tickets here.
Download flyer here.
"After the Bell" promises to be an informative and engaging evening where we will explore practical strategies, share insights, and foster meaningful connections within our community. Together, we can create an environment where our young people thrive, with the guidance and support they need to successfully navigate the complexities of adolescence.
This week the walls and doors of our classrooms were opened as our students embarked on a range of excursions, or attended incursions with guest speakers and facilitators on Monday 29th. By being situated in a different location, or because a different voice was guiding the learning, these experiences often elicit those moments of deep learning, where concepts and ideas are fully realised, skills are mastered and new questions and avenues for exploration emerge.
Such experiences are powerful in bringing learning to life. This was the case for the Year 7 excursion to Taronga Zoo where the students were able to explore the zoo, learning about animal classification and adaptations as they walked through the tiger trek, watched the seal show and navigated their way past many of the exhibits.
Outdoor experiences also provide opportunities for students to apply the skills they have learned in real world contexts. Year 8 undertook a transdisciplinary excursion to Bantry Bay, combining their geographical and scientific skills as they engaged in a range of hands on experiences including soil analysis, catching and recording creek aquatic life and comparing land management strategies. Their curiosity and considered questions were a testament to their engagement in their learning.
As part of their incursions, both Year 9 and 10 had the privilege of working with Consent Labs, being empowered to develop their conception of healthy relationships. Not only is the content of these workshops significant learning for our young women, but the organisation itself and its co-founders are also strong role models for our students.
Angie Wan and Joyce Yu committed themselves to founding this non profit well before the #MeToo movement or Chantel Contos made headlines, borne from a deep seated conviction that there was a gap in the education and knowledge of young people that needed to be filled. Their commitment to justice and their perseverance and resilience has seen their idea come to fruition. They are proof of what young women of independent thought and deep conviction can achieve for good.
Year 11 hosted Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net). Prue has significant expertise in study skills. The session focused on helping students identify changes they could make to achieve personal success in their final years of school. The main areas covered with Year 11 were dealing with distractions, managing time efficiently, planning for assessments, making brain-friendly study notes and using active study techniques to suit individual learning preferences. Parents and students can also find additional study skills tips on the following website: http://studyskillstoptipsparents.com/.
Well done to all girls in making the most of these learning opportunities. I trust they will continue to draw on the learning gained on Monday as they continue their learning with their teachers and peers in the classroom.
Ms Alison Boyd-Boland
Director of Teaching and Learning
My own teen kids never really appreciated my commentary about their technology use. I would often say: “You’ve got to disconnect, to connect”. With more lived experiences through the lens of teaching and the insights of observing our Year 9 students endeavouring in Broken Hill, it is more fitting to reshape that saying to “to authentically connect.” My observations on “authentic connections” shines a light on human connections and its many benefits.
“…we had the freedom to have our own activities ...
Without phones, it's been a very defining experience,
… we’ve been able to really connect more.” Miel and Alex
While essential, valuable and practical, technology challenges our authentic connections. The research of Dr. Fiona Kerr and Dr. Stephen Porges, shows that face-to-face human interactions trigger positive chemical reactions in our bodies, such as the release of oxytocin, dopamine, and vasopressin, leading to reduced stress and boosted immune systems. These interactions also activate empathy, trust, and a sense of belonging.
… learned new things I never knew about myself before….
….helped me meet new people… and get to know all of the teachers. Stephanie
The shared observation by students and teachers alike, of our Year 9 students in Broken Hill, where they engaged in various activities and face to face connections, without technology, authenticated a deeper level of connections and benefits posited by Kerr and Peosges. These micro-moments of connections had a calming effect and co-regulation amongst the students.
(Broken Hill) made me change my mindset,
I now realize I don't need as many material things as what I do back in Sydney” (Amy)
We saw first hand how authentic connections can be made in daily life through simple acts like smiling, appreciating nature, and expressing gratitude. It was incredibly inspiring and rewarding to observe our Year 9 students: paint, sketch, read, write, draw, sit in the desert and / or dry river bed and just be, explore First Nations People’s rock art, marvel, think, be more curious, play ball, create moments and memories to savour, search and find ‘roos, play cards, knit, crochet and simply laugh, talk, never complain, and simply be healthy, carefree kids. This was possible, not just because we were in a different environment, it was more that we afforded them the opportunity to disconnect, to authentically connect.
The phones, being removed, let us connect even more …(Alex)
Broken Hill put me more in contact with myself (Catalina)
As an academic and wellbeing educator, I encourage each of us to prioritize human connections over technological interactions, emphasizing that meaningful connections can be made within our own respective communities, daily, without the need of seeking physical relocation in a desert oasis, such as Broken Hill.
Loved being out in the outback, seeing all the trees so far apart…
gave me a lot of time to reflect…(Sophie)
Being mindful to dedicate authentic connections, each day, away from technology to engage face to face, affords us an abundance of benefits that come with genuine human connections. Authentic connections in practice can elevate us as individuals, to those we engage with and in turn strengthens our Vinnies' values and community.
Learned how to make new friends and learn lots of new things… Mia
I have some poetry….
By
A gente wind whispers in your ears,
The sun shines warmly, like it has all these years.
Rolling hills separate the land and the sky,
Trees line the horizon, and the flowing leaves sigh.
Each stone can be overturned,
To find a story worth being learned.
A buzzing ecosystem thrives,
While we watch Arabian dancers jiggle and jive
Everyday there is a uniform cycle,
Frigid mornings, whipping wind, and icicles.
By midday, the sun is high,
Then when the afternoon comes, there’s not a cloud in the sky.
As the sun sets brilliant oranges and pinks surround.
Then once nightfalls,
there is not a sound.
David Woolbank
Dean of Middle School
with Year 9 student voices
References:
Dr. Fiona Kerr (2023). Adelaide University. https://www.drfionakerr.com/about
Porges, S.W. (2022) Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience.
We made one small change to our setup this morning at Coffee Queens. It was Zara’s idea. We moved our service area along about a metre. It made a huge difference. Our team of cooks and drink designers weren’t falling over each other. We managed to stop for 3 mins of “Coffee-ography” with a team Nutbush line: hospitality and exercise in one cracker of a morning. Go Coffee Queens. This morning’s Coordination prize goes to Ms Lynne Hamilton who chose her outfit specially to match our coffee cups. Wow.
Night Patrol was cancelled yesterday because the Vinnie’s coordinators were using the van as a visual incentive at a corporate fundraiser. They need another van and it costs an extraordinary amount to do a fitout. I really hope they managed to get some sponsorship. Our Alumni Team were disappointed but they will be back on the job next month. I can’t wait until tomorrow night. We are heading out for Night Patrol with our Dad and Daughter lineup. The dads and daughters are making the sandwiches and we will have a ball distributing them to our friends in Bayside who need a hand up and sometimes a hand out. I’m going to spend this week's Sandwich Project funds on sliced cheese and long life milk for the Van.
We are launching a new initiative - the Nan and Pop Project. Caitlin Young and Ana Toko have imagined a group of Vinnie’s girls visiting St Luke’s Aged Care facility in Elizabeth Bay once a week, to read, chat, sing, play some music and generally make a new friend or two, and it’s happening. The roster has already filled up for the next term or so. The down side is that St Luke’s needs to change the day from Tuesday to … another day. They will let me know a soon as they have worked it out and I’ll let out girls know. The extraordinary thing here is that 10 minutes after I posted the roster for the Nan and Pop Project, I received an email from a fabulous student lamenting that the roster was full. Yes, that’s right: 10mins. I’m on the look out all the time for more opportunities for our girls to engage in service. It’s so hard to keep up and I fear that I’m way behind the curve of demand.
On a positive note, my prediction was fulfilled this week. Yes! Deodorant was half price at Coles. I bought out the entire stock in Lane Cove, so we are good to make up Wet Packs again for Matt Talbot. If you’d like to contribute to the Matt Talbot Wet Pack supply, please click on the link and buy a ticket or two.
https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-matt-talbot-wet-pack-support-2023
On Wednesday we had a new crew doing Kiosk service at Matt Talbot. Eliza Anderson came with us because she is the expert, and we couldn’t do without her. The Kiosk must be one of the few places in Sydney still using cash at point of sale. No credit cards there. The girls were quite happy to be taught how to count back change to ensure they give back the right amount. Do you remember the corner shop where change was given from the till and counted ‘backwards’? We also practised greeting customers appropriately. The girls embraced the truth that our customers must be greeted in a way that reflects their importance. They are respected and valued. Their value has nothing to do with where they are, what they buy and how much they have to spend. Their value is in their commonality with us - equals as humans and equally loved by God. We decided, “Good afternoon, Sir. What can I get for you today?” would be a nice way to approach our customers, and a genuine ‘thank you’ when they move off would be a good way to complete the transaction. It did help that we got the change right too. George was very impressed with us. He said mental arithmetic was a dying art, and he was thrilled that Vinnie’s girls rejected the calculator. George has black coffee with a cup of milk on the side.
We had a bumper Cupcake day yesterday. One customer was way up at the corner, saw me carrying the 11 boxes of cupcakes, and hightailed it back to claim his. He did well not to spill his tea. There is plenty of space on the Cupcake roster. Year 7’s are encouraged to sign up. Let’s see if they can surpass our Year 8’s in cupcake design and execution. I know one Year 7 DeLacy girl is particularly gifted at the whole cupcake phenomenon, so I’m sure there are others out there keen to perform.
Do sign up.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/196Jhv6rT0MIe3JuDzGKenM46BjTYZcP2prTJIHetrOg/edit?usp=sharing
Dads and Daughters, make sure Friday, 18 August, is in your calendar: 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. Tickets will go on sale in the next week or two, and I’m pretty sure there will be a fantastic raffle to be won. Here’s a photo of last year’s brave souls.
Our Mission Captains’ Period Poverty initiative to going great guns. Now apparently if you shop at Coles and you have a Flybuys card they will GIVE you a sample of a feminine hygiene product. If this works for you over the week, perhaps you might donate it to our Period Poverty drive. The collection point is in Student Services. We hope to bring some much needed dignity to women living rough in our local community.
Year 11 parents and students will receive and email this afternoon with news of the Cairns Eco-Immersion which will go ahead again this year. Do look out for it.
Next week we will celebrate St Vincent’s Festival Day on Thursday with Mass and a secret activity. I know the Mass will be lovely. Fr Ramesh Richards will join us for that - he’s a favourite with our girls - the choir will sing, and we have some super soloists who are going to share some special music with us as we focus on Justice. Gosh, I hope we all love the secret activity. I’m excited about it. It’s so hard to keep it a secret!
Last Sunday years 7, 8 and 9 traveled to Carriageworks at Eveleigh to join in the family day excitement of the Sydney Writers Festival. There were a lot of workshops to call into but the girls really enjoyed working on the Art and Craft Wall and badge making.
The Boarder of the Week award was introduced on Wednesday evening at dinner. The girls are asked to observe the behaviours of others that demonstrate the values of the Sisters of Charity - hope, respect, justice, service to the poor and generosity of spirit. They are
asked to nominate a fellow boarder who they believe exemplifies these values. The nominations will be reviewed and a worthy recipient identified. The Boarder of the Week will receive a Certificate and get a choice of a special treat. The first Boarder to earn the title of Boarder of the Week was Zara Brown (year 8) for her consideration of the younger boarders who were in sick bay. Zara took morning tea and lunch to these girls. She wasn’t asked to do it. Zara saw a need and acted with a deep generosity of spirit.
On the year 10/11/12 floor, Coordinator Jemima has introduced Thankful Thursday. The girls are encouraged to write a kind message and place it in another girls envelope.
Susan Turner
Dean of Boarding
On Tuesday it was St Vincent’s turn to host the weekly debating competition and the debating team from Danebank College, Hurstville, traveled to compete with the St Vincent’s College debating teams. Not only were we proud that two of our Boarders, Millie Spora in Year 9 and Hailey Brangwin in Year 7 represented our school as part of our debating team, it was also a wonderful opportunity for our Year 7 Boarders to get involved. All of the Year 7s volunteered to take on the official roles of Madam Chair and timekeepers for all the debates that evening. Although they had never been involved in debating before, they were brave enough to step up, learn what the roles involved and participate fully. They did an amazing job and we couldn’t have been prouder of each of them. We had a win and a defeat but we believe they were all winners by embracing a new challenge and giving it their very best. They enjoyed it so much they have all volunteered to do it all again for the next home turf debating event. We look forward to supporting them as representatives of St Vincent’s.
Kathryn Ferguson
Boarding Co-Ordinator
MACBETH COMES ALIVE FOR OUR YEAR 10 STUDENTS
By Eva Travers
In our English unit this term, year 10 have been studying Shakespeare's ‘Macbeth’.
On Monday afternoon, we had the pleasure of viewing a live performance of Macbeth from the Australian Shakespeare Company.
It was such an incredible experience that I know the whole grade was able to enjoy and learn from. The actors gave us opportunities to get involved by allowing volunteers to perform with them in a number of scenes in roles such as the three witches, the lords and King Duncan. It was so exciting to be on stage with the actors. They were extremely talented and inspiring. They really brought the play to life and created such an engaging and exciting atmosphere. We were able to gain a variety of new insights through their skills that expanded our overall understanding of the play.
It was a memorable, amusing and effective way of learning outside of the classroom setting that additionally allowed us to capture an essence of how Shakespeare’s plays would have and are still carried out today in the theatres.
We are immensely grateful for this opportunity and extend our thanks to those involved in the production and to our teachers who organised the event!
By Zahli Daly and Lila Smith
This term, Year 10 English has focused on Shakespeare's Macbeth, analyzing and unpacking the themes within.
On Monday the 29th of May, we got the opportunity to participate and engage in a live-action reenactment of Macbeth. We were lucky enough to see actors from the Australian Shakespeare Company perform the key parts of this play, giving us a better understanding of its relevance to our upcoming assessment task.
The Yr 10 Vinnies drama girls also had the opportunity to be involved in the play and act out key roles such as the witches, messengers, the king's friends and even got to interact with the other actors. This gave them an opportunity to expand their acting skills and roles as well as try new types of dialogue like Shakespeare's old english.
This play was presented in a way that was very entertaining. During the performance the actors stopped to explain the story line. The use of an interlude was helpful to follow the storyline to affirm the play in our minds. This was an overall engaging performance that we were able to interpret and understand which allowed for a better grasp on the themes, characterisation and motivations.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YEAR 7 ENGLISH?
This term, students have immersed themselves in a close study of the novel Crow Country by Australian author, Kate Constable. Here is a piece of writing by Frances McGee that beautifully captures her personal response to the complexity of some of the issues that are explored in the novel.
My personal response to Crow Country - by Frances McGee
All the world is like an Ikea store. I am like a sweaty-browed man furnishing his home office.
A man enters an Ikea store, a ball-point-typified list of ergonomic confines from a cantankerous partner in hand. This man is in the pursuit of miscellaneous knobs and bulbs, from which he may construct sanctuary for his miscellaneous musings, just as I am in the pursuit of miscellaneous thoughts from textbook-wielding teachers, from which I may construct the ability to think. Though signs of fluorescent decoration may assume mentorship of his journey, he finds the small, but sweet ability to transgress within them. As a parenthetical note is disregarded and plain nails are traded for iridescent ones, a novel, something concrete and tangible, is traded for the intangible: an exploration of Aboriginal spirituality; Crow Country. Just as this man shares in a triumphal bowl of coloured broth and buoyant meatballs some may call contentment, I now share in this clumsy soliloquy I call deep thought.
The HSC and Careers Expo is on Saturday June 3 from 9am - 3pm at Randwick Racecourse. The Expo is a great way to gather information and ask questions that may assist students in Year 10 - 12 decide their future career pathway. Use the link here to find out more information about the event and to purchase tickets.
UNSW
UNSW's Portfolio Early Entry Conditional Offer Scheme
Applications Close 21 July
At UNSW, they want to reward students’ passion, creativity and potential to succeed in their degree area. That's why from Term 1 2024, they will be evolving their UNSW Portfolio Entry Scheme to offer early conditional offers, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their passion and talent alongside their ATAR. Successful applicants will receive an early conditional offer with an adjusted ATAR entry requirement up to 10 ATAR points below the lowest selection rank for a specific degree or range of related degrees. Applications are an online process and portfolio submission requirements will depend on the degree. Please use the link here for more details and be aware that this is not just for Creative or Design to degrees.
GAP YEAR 2024
The Department of Home Affairs is pleased to present an opportunity for current Year 12 students who are exploring the option of a ‘Gap Year’ in 2024. The Home Affairs Gap Year program will commence in February 2024 with positions offered in dynamic teams where successful applicants will have the opportunity to do interesting and meaningful work that affects many parts of Australian Life. Successful applicants will be employed on a 12-month temporary contract and gain valuable experience supporting the processing and administration of essential business areas with excellent working conditions and remuneration. Please find detailed information here about this excellent opportunity.
Applications are NOW OPEN. Students may apply using the link found here.
Australian Defence Force – Gap Year
Applications are now open
Spend an exciting 12-months in the Navy, Army or Air Force, where you'll get paid for meaningful work while travelling around Australia, gaining skills for life, and making lifelong friends. On an ADF Gap Year you’ll grow and develop in a dynamic, supportive and people-focussed environment. For more information use the link found here.
UCAT & Pathways into Medicine
Webinar
5 June 7-9pm
Considering a Career in Medicine or Dentistry?
This forum is an opportunity for students and parents to find out about the UCAT, Interviews, Pathways into Medicine, and have questions answered by expert teachers who have been working in the field.
Topics Include:
● What is UCAT? UCAT scores? UCAT Sub-tests?
● Year 10, 11 and 12 - things to consider now.
● The Undergraduate Selection Criteria
● Application process into universities for medicine and dentistry
● When and who can sit the UKCAT
● GAMSAT
● Can you prepare for the UCAT?
● Undergraduate interview process
● Med School Applications
● Gap Year
● Alternative degrees and career choices
● Q & A
To register your interest for this event use the link found here.
Managing career uncertainty and anxiety: the power of career conversations, a webinar for Parents and Carers.
Wednesday 7 June, 5.30pm
Career uncertainty has been defined as the inability, as a teenager, to articulate a further education, training or work have become more unpredictable, and employment markets more competitive and fluid, career uncertainty in young people, both in Australia and internationally, is increasingly common. In this webinar, Dr Jo Gleeson (Monash University), lead author of the latest myfuture Insights paper ‘Managing career uncertainty and anxiety: the power of career conversations’, will talk about the findings of her research in this area, and share a questionnaire that can help you to facilitate career conversations with your child. Register now using this link.
Women in Defence Virtual Information Session
8 June 6.30-8.30pm
Women in Defence
Virtual Information Session 8 June 6.30-8.30pm
If any students are considering a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force they should try to attend the June 8 information webinar: Women in Defence.
Please follow the steps provided to register your interest.
Step 1 - Register to attend by using the link found here. Please note: Spaces are limited, so registrations are essential.
Step 2 – Check your emails before the info session as instructions will be sent on how to access your virtual information session.
Step 3 – Join our virtual information session using the Meeting ID or link that will be emailed to you prior to the event.
NIDA Open Day
Saturday 17 June 9.30 am to 3.30 pm
Open Day is an opportunity to learn about NIDA's courses in the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Diploma programs, meet NIDA’s teaching staff and NIDA students and alumni, tour the facilities, see students in action in various productions and behind-the-scenes roles, and discover why NIDA produces some of the world’s most influential and in-demand storytellers across stage, screen and beyond. To register your interest use the link provided.
Holiday Workshops
Australian Institute of Music (AIM)
Use the link to find out the range of programs AIM is hosting during the July school holidays. AIM’s workshops are suitable for students in Years 9 to 12, with opportunities to explore songwriting, performance and HSC exam preparation. The workshops are facilitated by AIM's own musicians and educators. You can find more information on each workshop and how to book using the links found here and here and here.
UNSW
Girls In ENGINEERING Club Virtual Reality Workshops
Please use the link found here to register your interest for the Yr 7-9 July 11 Virtual Reality Workshop and the Year 10-12 July 13 Virtual Reality workshop. All workshops will take place in the School of Computer Science and Engineering Virtual Reality Lab at the UNSW Kensington campus. Places are limited to 24 students per workshop, so secure your place asap for this free workshop opportunity.
TAFE NSW
Updates
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5)
This accredited four-year teaching degree is a degree that has a strong applied learning focus so that graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of settings such as day care, preschool, integrated child and family services. As well as practical core units, there is a work placement each semester that allows you to apply what you've learned in a real setting. For more information use the link found here.
Bachelor of Applied Commerce
Designed in consultation with industry, the Bachelor of Applied Commerce provides graduates with the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful financial professional. Complete a major in either accounting or financial planning, or do a double major. As well as developing knowledge and skills in accounting and financial planning, students will study management, marketing, law, economics and business statistics, as well as doing an industry placement in third year.
Alternatively, you can complete a Diploma of Applied Commerce by completing all first year subjects in the degree. For more information use the link found here.
Australian Patisserie Academy
Utilising the professional kitchens of TAFE NSW, the Academy team alongside international guest chefs, ensure you emerge with a patisserie skill set. From the art of cake decorating to baking the perfect sourdough, pulling exquisite sugar ribbons to creating one-of-a-kind chocolate show pieces, the Academy, situated at Ryde, is dedicated to preserving the art of patisserie. Classes are short, flexible and constantly changing to reflect industry trends. For more information use the link found here.
Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser
Congratulations to all our debating teams. Last Tuesday was round 3 and we competed against Danebank. This was our first home round and we were very lucky to have Mr Anderson cook burgers on the BBQ for afternoon tea. We had a very successful round with 6 teams winning their debates and moving us into 8th position on the leader board. Our 7B team – Ava, Eliza, Gracie and Hailey remain undefeated so we hope they can continue their winning start into round 4 and beyond. We were also very fortunate to have our Year 7 boarders join us to assist with chairing and time keeping during the debates. This is an important role when hosting so we were very appreciative of Year 7 boarders for supporting our teams for the evening. Thanks also goes to Emillie Spora for jumping into the Junior team last minute to ensure all our teams were able to participate.
Belinda Peoples
Co-Curricular Co-Ordinator
Several of our students are currently participating in Sydney Eisteddfod. Emily Emmett, Henrietta Dermody and India Barker have already competed as well as Molly Barwick who won the 16-18 years monologue section with a score of 98%. Tonight, Eleni Matsos and Katja Moritz are competing in the duologue and Josephine Dunne is performing her monologue on 19 June. Best of luck to all students who are still to compete.
Belinda Peoples
Co-Curricular Co-Ordinator
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
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
This weekend will be our second Dads@Sport for the year! Don’t forget to get a photo with your Dad at Sport this weekend and send it to Chloe Kilcran @ kilcc0123@stvincnts.nsw.edu.au or Ms Jacobs @ jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
READ MORE BY CLICKING "SHOW MORE"
The netball teams for term 2 are having an incredible season, with most of our teams coming 1st or 2nd place. Special mention to team SVC 16 who are topping their division at the moment with some great wins. All teams are improving each week with their skills and becoming more proficient. It is so nice to see all smiles on Saturday so please girls keep up the great work.
Please remember to arrive 30 minutes before start time and find your coach to warm up. I am noticing some teams are arriving 5 minutes before which is not on, so please make sure you are arriving 30 minutes before. Keep up the good uniform and attitude and I am sure we are going to have an even bigger and better season next term.
A friendly reminder that the long weekend 10th June there is NO game and round 8 will be on the following week 17th of June. Teams that normally train on the Monday of the LWE will be advised when their session will be changed to, all other teams will be on as normal just NO game that weekend. Good luck to all teams this weekend, keep going and please keep up the great work.
Basketball has become increasingly popular at Vinnies in 2023, and all of our teams are performing well in the IGSA competition. Our matches have been intense, with victories or losses decided by a narrow margin. The students are dedicated to their training, and the coaches have provided valuable feedback. I encourage the girls to maintain their excellent efforts.
It brings joy to witness the smiles on the students' faces as they learn and improve their basketball skills. Please note that there will be no game on the long weekend of June 10th, but Round 8 will commence on June 17th. Training will continue as usual during that week. I wish all the teams the best of luck this weekend and urge them to keep up their outstanding work.
Ms Elyse Harmanis - Head Basketball and Netball Coach - elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Firstly, congrats to SVC 3 on their first win of the season and what a win! It was great to see you play so well and I'm more impressed that you have been improving with every game you play together. Well done and keep it going!
Another big congrats goes to SVC4 on another great win! This means you finish 2nd on the table and advance to the semi finals! Awesome stuff! (fixtures updated on https://igsasport.spawtz.com/
SVC 2 remains in the hunt for the title with a hard fought 1-0 over OLMC1! We sit equal first in the division and can continue to put the pressure on Meriden with a strong finish to the season.
SVC1 are encouraged to keep pushing towards the end of the season. You have been battling away with injuries and I want to remind you that we start from scratch next term. And we all know how well you went in the second half of the year last time around...CHAMPS!. Keep working on your combinations and heed the great advice from Coach Liz. It will come together so don't drop your heads.
On that note, some of us need to be reminded of the importance of training. It is an expectation that you attend every session, if not only out of respect for your coaches and other players who are turning up to every session, but it makes a huge difference to team cohesion on the weekend. Please put the effort in for these last 2 rounds before we get a nice long break.
Good luck to all teams and go Year 7! The Semi-Final is 11am at Wentworth Park for anyone that wants to come down and support our Vinnie’s finalists! See you there!
Mr Nick Schroeder - Head Football Coach - schroedern@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to all students who participated at the Athletics Carnival last 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 was Williams, closely followed by De Lacy, however the mighty Red House did take out the spirit award!. 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!
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
Athletics/Fitness Training continues on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with Tash from 3.15pm-4.30pm. She will now start to concentrate more on Athletics training and getting ready for the IGSA Athletics Carnival next term.
The girls meet outside the change rooms and Tash will take them to Rushcutters Bay. You will be back at the College by 4.30pm. Next term, we will move one of the sessions to E.S Marks to prepare for the IGSA Athletics. You can do one or both sessions and if you are already training outside of school but wish to be in the Athletics team, please email Ms Jacobs.
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 Ali Green - Year 9 and Matilda Dillon - Year 7 who competed at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships this week. Both students swam exceptionally well and are to be congratulated for their efforts.
Congratulations to 3 of our excellent Year 7 students who have not missed one soccer training session or game this term. They are Hunter Sullivan, Maddison Roberts and Mavis Rhydderch. Well done girls! Keep up the great work!
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
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