Issue 16 - 29 May 2020



Reminders

Monday 01 June:  3:30pm-7:30pm - Year 10 Parent/Teacher Google Meets with Tutors.

Tuesday 02 June: Year 7 Vaccinations.

 

 


From the Principal, Mrs Anne Fry

Dear Parents and Carers

This week we acknowledged Sorry Day across the College.  Students and staff took the time to stop, listen and learn from the voices of First Nations' women - among them current and emerging leaders.  It is always humbling to be invited into the insights and wisdom of the world's oldest continuing culture.  If you have not yet seen the documentary our students produced on our website, I encourage you to do so by clicking HERE.  Congratulations to Mrs Kenderes and all the students involved from Years 7-12 for their generous sharing of their stories.  Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the march for reconciliation over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  At the time, the march attracted over 250,000 Australians and included in that large, spirited group were staff, students, Sisters of Charity, ex-students and parents of St Vincent's College.  It is noteworthy, that despite great differences in the methodology, our students and staff are still walking on the reconciliation journey.

Continuing on the issue of journey beings me to the issue of public transport.  The Sydney trains and bus system have had a radical re-imaging over the last ten days, as NSW Transport tries to reduce social density (or what we have been describing as over-crowding for many years).  Students will be prioritised over other passengers but I think it important each student, particularly our younger students, have a thought-through plan if the bus does not stop or train is at capacity.  In the plan, please encourage your daughter to have the College phone number in her phone (9368 1611 main line / 8324 6630 Student Services direct line) so she can advise us where she is, whether there is anything we can do to assist her journey to school or home.  Please encourage your daughter to thoroughly sanitize her hands when leaving the bus or train.  When parents are choosing to use private vehicles for their daughter's travel to and from school, this is creating congestion on Victoria Street and Rockwall Crescent, which is a major safety risk.  Could I ask you to consider 

  • deferring the pick up time by 10-20 minutes and have your daughter use the library in the interim.
  • identifying a pick up spot further away from the College (but still within walking distance).
  • car pooling.
  • having your daughter walk home (or cycle) if at all possible, and in saying this I know this will only be a handful of students.

A group of parents from the Sutherland Shire have charted a small bus to bring students to and from school.  There are a few seats still available for this service to Cronulla/Caringbah.  Bookings are on a weekly basis and payment is required in advance.  Bus departs Cronulla at 7.10am and Caringbah at 7.15am.  In the afternoon the bus will depart from the College at 3.15pm.  Please contact Vanessa Oaten 0418 868 193 for further information.

The College heard today the new, unexpected news that Joan Carmody had passed away.  "Miss Joan" has taught ballroom dancing across Sydney schools for many, many years.  She was "an institution" and will be held in fond memory by many cohorts of St Vincent's College, students who learnt from her the basics of ballroom dancing.  May she rest in peace. 

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal 

In Sympathy

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

Alessia Carnabuci (Year 12) - Grandmother.

Phoebe Sayers (Year 12), Charlotte Sayers (class of 2017), Polly Sayers (class of 2015) - Grandfather.

Sienna Wallington (Year 8), Sophia Wallington (class of 2019) - Grandmother.

 


From the Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care

Our return to a full community has seen us enjoy reconnections with friends and the comfort of face to face interactions in our learning.  Whilst this return has lifted our spirits as a community as we learn and live together, there are no doubt some challenges as we return to the expectations of school routines. The foundation on which all student expectations sit is the shared responsibility to contribute to a safe and inclusive community that enhances positive relationships and respectful learning.  Our students have enjoyed the benefits of social media to keep in touch with each other in their time away from school and have had more flexibility in their attire and sleep times as they have engaged on-line from home.

By far the biggest challenge voiced by the students is the return to school routines - wake up time and wearing school uniform.  It is by turning up on time, having given attention to the requirements of the uniform, that makes a statement of commitment to and pride in their College community, the student is then starting the day with her best foot forward.  With sufficient hours sleep, a student enhances her capacity to embrace learning and enjoy the day.  These are matters that require attention before each student leaves home and I appreciate your support in this.

Whilst students in Years 7-10 have been given permission to wear their PDHPE uniform to and from school if they have a practical lesson in PDHPE or Dance so as to remove the need for changerooms, we ask that there are no additional pullovers or jerseys.  Students may layer up beneath their school sports top and tracksuit.  We understand we are awaiting stock of College tracksuit pants in our Uniform Shop, hence students may wear plain navy tracksuit pants but no other colour or leggings.  Our biggest concern is the disarray of uniform - students with multiple or dangling earrings, bracelets, tunics that are very short.  How a student wears her uniform says much about her attitude to school and readiness to commit to the high standard we have of each other.  This level playing field is appreciated by students and parents as it is clear and consistent.

Students were also given permission to carry a small shoulder bag to carry their belongings around the College and avoid frequent visits to lockers.  This did allow students in Years 7-10 to not have to place their mobile phone in their locker.  Our observations of students this week is that by far the majority of students are still using their lockers.  Hence, we will return to our normal Mobile Phone policy this week as printed in the College Student Diary.  This requires students in Years 7-10 to keep their mobile phone turned off and in their locker between 8.40am and 3.00pm.  If a student prefers not to be using her locker, she may take her phone to be kept safely during the day in Student Services or in her Head of House office.  The rationale for this is to remove distractions from students so they focus on their learning and to support the face to face interactions with peers whilst in school hours.  It is noted that senior students may only use their phones for educative purposes with teacher permission when in class or for quick purposeful messaging when seated at break time; no student ought be moving around the College campus using their phones.  Teachers this week have addressed this behaviour with students and it appears the ambiguity needs to be removed.  I thank you in anticipation of you not messaging your daughter during school hours unless you are ready to wait for a reply at 3.00pm.  Any urgent messaging can be directed through Student Services.

Next week is World Heart Rhythm Week (1-7 June).  Ms Jacinta Jacobs, along with our Sports and Health Captain Domenica Mitchell, have innovatively engineered a week of activity to replace our annual Athletics Carnival to affirm the need for physical fitness and enjoy our traditions of healthy rivalry between the Houses.  Each House is being ably led and enthused by their House Captain - Sophia, Evie, Niamh, Aneesa, Charlotte and Matilda - to give of their athletic prowess and spirited fun to participate in the Tutor and lunchtime activities.  I look forward to being inspired by the girls next week as I put my own runners on and accelerate my walk to a good trot.  I encourage us all to do the same.

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care


From the Director of Teaching and Learning

Academic Care - the interrelationship between wellbeing and learning underpins our core business of teaching and learning at the College.  The academic care of our students is more relevant than ever in this current global context.  We are privileged to educate young women who have embraced their agility to forge ahead in learning this year, whilst managing their wellbeing to ensure it is constantly monitored and nurtured.  This delicate balance must be checked and adjusted regularly to ensure a positive mindset necessary to enable deep learning.  I had the privilege of ‘guest speaking’ to most of our Class of 2020, in the Year 12 Cura Personalis (CP) lessons yesterday and will conclude my ‘rounds’ on Monday.  I felt so privileged to be part of this period as these courageous young women were generating honest dialogue about what they have learnt about themselves and their HSC learning this year.  Their responses to questions about their challenges thus far and their active listening to the strategies of academic support available to them, was a powerful acknowledgement of this cohort’s resilience and resourcefulness.  There was consensus amongst most that speaking positively, listening to the right advice, and seeking out support from staff and peers will be a powerful component of their strength of collaboration as a cohort in the weeks ahead.  Embracing fully, all of the opportunities to enjoy the relationships of learning they encounter with their teachers and peers ‘every lesson, every day’ in the extended pre-HSC time frame, will hold them in good stead.  I have much admiration for this cohort’s tenacity to re-group and embrace the opportunities to consolidate their learning with their teachers right behind them and their peers right by their side - safely distanced of course!  The hours and hours of practice writing for feedback, HSC work-shopping and téte a tétes with their teachers, coupled with the gritty Vinnies ‘can do’ spirit is what will buoy positive mindsets and fulfill long held aspirations.  I reminded our young women today of the importance of having some fun too in the extra five days of learning NESA has given all HSC students in the State.  I am so pleased that Mrs Fry has confirmed with the community the dates and shape of the Year 12 rituals and traditions that the Class of 2020 can now look forward to celebrating, and I too am looking forward to celebrating them very much.

This week also marked the formal commencement of Subject Selection Season at the College for our Year 10 students.  The transition from Stage 5 to Stage 6 marks another important milestone in any student’s educational journey.  In preparation for this transition, we have now invited your daughter into a period of discernment as she makes choices about her Stage 6 subjects.  We hope that you are enjoying our Foxford style Subject Selection Site.  The many hours teachers and students have spent making videos for the Class of 2022 have been well worth the effort, and this innovative approach is proving to be even more popular than the actual showcase evening last year, as you can scroll through the site from the comfort of your loungeroom chair.  Each video is designed specifically to provide course specific details, yet an authentic representation of the demands of each course from our Vinnies Voices - the staff and students.  For 162 years, St Vincent’s College has nurtured young women to be courageous women of action; informed, transformed and empowered by her education.  This most recent experience of the pandemic has taught us the importance of agility and resilience.  These are qualities that we want your daughter to further develop over her final two years at the College, and our academic care will provide opportunities further to extend her capacity.  An exciting stage of learning for your daughter awaits, and this preparation phase is pivotal to her success and enjoyment in her personally designed HSC pattern of study.  As always, support is available to assist your daughter discern her first round selections due:  Friday, 19 June.  Please direct any questions that are subject-specific to the Heads of Department and for more holistic HSC advice, please feel free to contact me directly.

Finally, after much anticipation, this week we completed the full return of our total College enrolments, with our Years 7-10 students resuming face-to-face learning from Foxford.  As the student body that has spent the longest time learning agiley, we were acutely aware of the trepidation some of our students and families may have been feeling about returning to the ‘new normal’ at school.  It wasn't long after the ‘sign in’ via Student Services, that the cautious greetings to each other and their teachers gave way to some very energetic ‘virtual hugging’.  We were so pleased to see these smiling faces and hear the squeals of delight as friendship groups reunited and we, their teachers, are so happy to have them back in the fold where we can re-engage them in relationship with us, to each other and with their learning.  Teachers are currently busy preparing Junior reports for Years 7 to 10 at present and at the end of the term, you will receive your daughter’s Semester 1 Academic Reports, which will capture her learning outcomes, dispositions of learning and overall achievement in each of her subjects.  I suggest with these reports, you may want to store them at home in a special compartment of your filing cabinet, as in years to come, they will become a primary source that encapsulates the learning life of a Vinnies girl in the most extraordinary year imaginable.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning


Winter Sleepout has gone VIRTUAL

We are thinking outside the square.  We are thinking so far outside the square, that we have moved our thinking to loungerooms, balconies, backyards and driveways.  Our annual Father-Daughter Winter Sleepout has gone VIRTUAL.  We realise that tonight, about 330 people will sleep rough in the City of Sydney.  We realise that many thousands in the greater Sydney region will sleep with their families in cars, in tents and in crisis accommodation.  The COVID-19 crisis has seen many refugees and asylum seekers locked out of crisis accommodation and usual sources of basic food and other needs, so they are doing it particularly tough.  There are no emergency payments for them. 

This year St Vincent’s College will support the St Canice’s parish virtual sleepout on 13 June.  We are inviting students, ex-students, brothers, sisters, friends, mums and dads to ‘sleep rough’.   Spend a night at a friend’s house on their lounge, take your sleeping bag out onto your balcony, pitch a tent in the backyard, curl up on the verandah, try to get comfortable in the car.  If you choose to spend the night on the loungeroom floor, remember to keep the lights on; there’s no peace or gentle darkness or safety on Sydney’s streets. 

Our charism and social justice teams will produce a program of activities, online information, meditations, a video blog for encouragement and inspiration, food suggestions and helpful hints to ensure that our awareness of the plight of our fellow Sydneysiders is accurate enough to stimulate real learning and real change for us.  Marnie, Isabeau and Portia have taken the lead on this one and are putting plans in place.  More from them next week.

Here’s a word from Carrie Dean at St Canice’s:

We have just launched our Backyard Winter Sleepout.  The Sleepout is a family friendly COVID compliant event, where we invite everyone to experience sleeping rough for one night.  Whether that’s pitching a tent in the backyard, hopping in a swag on the balcony or even trying to find a ‘comfy’ spot in the car, whatever your home looks like, there is an option for everyone.

On the night you’ll be connected via video link to Canice’s Kitchen, where you will hear from our team and those working in homelessness about the challenges our street community face every day.

Click on the link above to find out more.  Our social justice team will have more information for you as the date draws near.

My family are big campers.  Me… not so much these days… but on 13 June I plan to crawl into my sleeping bag in the backyard next to the chickens.  If that’s too much, I may retreat to the car.  Either way, I know my appreciation for my bed and doona is going to be deeply enhanced and my respect for my homeless brothers and sisters will be deepened. 

Homelessness.  There’s got to be a solution.

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

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Boarder Lines

Last week was National Boarding Week.  We had Year 11 and Year 12 girls here to celebrate it, and a huge shout out to Janda and Zara in Year 11, who worked a GoPro for 24 hours to show a ‘Day in the Life of a Boarder’ video which was posted to the College’s Facebook page.  You can view it HERE.  Thank you to all those Boarders from the past who commented on how different the Boarding House looks…thankfully all good comments!  We have decided to postpone our celebration as a community to the last week of this term so that all Boarders are together to celebrate it appropriately.

Now that all Boarders have returned, it is a lovely sound around the corridors with lots of laughter and conversation on all floors - all COVID style of course! The staff and I are so very proud of how quickly each Boarder has adapted to their new world of single rooms; two at a dining table, and sitting in the corridor to chat to those around (instead of in each other's room).  The call of ‘1.5 metres’ isn’t echoed as often as it used to be which is a great thing.  This weekend Liza has planned many activities run by the all the staff to keep us amused - from sewing masks, scrapbooking, baking and many relaxation techniques.

Yours in Boarding

Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue
Director of Boarding

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Iso Reading Challenge - New Closing Date 01 June

 

Edible Book Festival

 Edible Book Festival - 15 June - students fill in the form HERE to participate.


English Department: Creative Competitions and Resources

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust: 
Shakespeare Shorts is back for 2020!  Shakespeare Shorts is a short film competition brought to you by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Submissions are welcomed from film-makers of all ages and abilities, anywhere in the world.  Submissions for our 2020 competition are open now via Film FreewayCategories include:  Best interpretation of a passage from Shakespeare (up to 10 minutes); Best film inspired by Shakespeare (up to 10 minutes); Best Shakespeare themed Animation (up to 5 minutes).  The winners of each category receive feedback from their patron, Kenneth Branagh.  More details - hereSubmission by 21 September. 

Phone It In is a story-bombing activity offered by Spineless Wonders in collaboration with #Litfest2444:  Phone It In gives you the chance to write, record and submit a piece of microlit on the theme of SOUND.  The theme of this year's competition is SOUND.  Once you have written your 200 words microlit piece and recorded it, all you need to do is upload the audio file.  If your recording is shortlisted, you will go in the running to win a $200 book voucher!  Phone It In is free to any person aged between 15 and 18 years.  Details hereSubmission date 31 May. 

Bell Shakespeare:  Bell Shakespeare is excited to announce a film festival where students are in the director’s seat. A national festival of short films about and inspired by Shakespeare that reflect unique Australian communities. Create a film in one of two categories: Retelling — films using Shakespeare’s original text and story and Reimagining - films that adapt, rework or are inspired by Shakespeare’s works.  Details www.bellshakespeare.com.au  and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbxicXfx9m .  Submissions close 3 July.

The Story Factory has an online after school program for young writers, focussing upon poetry and the novella.  The aim is publication.  Details here:  https://www.storyfactory.org.au/year-of-poetry-year-of-novella 

Education Perfect:  Byte Sized Competitions:  The Byte Sized Competitions are a series of mini competitions (20-30 minutes) hosted by EP.  These competitions are a great way for students to learn in a fun and engaging context, as well as work alongside other students.  The English Competition is held on Monday afternoons.  Details here 

Poetry in Action:  Is on the hunt for Australia’s next generation of poets, and they want to see your poetry!  Their monthly poetry challenge opens on the first and concludes on the final day of each month.  The winner for the year will be chosen from all the monthly finalists and announced towards the end of the year.  Details here:  https://www.poetryinaction.com.au/poetry-comp/

Kill Your Darlings:  The KYD School Writing Prize gives a voice to young people writing about the issues ​that concern them.  They are seeking entries of up to 1500 words in either fiction and non-fiction, with students responding to a current social or political issue.  The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, editorial support and publication in KYD.  The 2020 School Writing Prize will be judged by award-winning author Alice Pung and KYD editor Alan Vaarwerk.  Entries are open now and close on Friday 3 July.   https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au

Ms Monica Jarman
Head of Department English

English Department: Poetry and Short Story Submissions - Years 7-11

 

English Department: SVC Wide Reading - Years 7-12

 


From the Performing Arts Department

Changes due to COVID-19 have meant that so much of Performing Arts scope and sequencing and delivery had to be completely redesigned to allow our teachers to deliver Foxford style learning.  Although at first overwhelmed by the heavy technology component, our team of resourceful teachers have done an amazing job of creating new lessons that are engaging for online delivery and our students have been resilient and as always really creative.

I have shared links to Year 9 Drama classroom exercises that involved the creative use of a prop that had to be used by everyone in the group in a different way.  It is a small example of how students were determined to continue to collaborate and explore the Performing Arts in new and unexpected ways.  It certainly gave me hope that our students were happy to learn in all the new ways in which we had to work.

This creative lateral thinking has led to the reinventing of the Year 11 Play as a mini-series.  Filming the project has been an exciting new way to ensure our students can still develop this project, but an audience can still share in their work when it is completed.  Please read Lucy Atkins' promotional blurb, view her poster and follow Instagram so you can see the characters as the story unfolds.  Ditch the '80’s will be a great series of episodes to enjoy watching at the end of this term - bored with Netflix and Stan? move over commercial projects - Year 11 Drama has got you.

Dance and Music students have not been slouching either.  Dancers have been really stretched...(sorry...my students remind me often that I am not funny…) with Pilates classes and detailed lessons where they had to perform and then accurately access their own alignment and physical capabilities.  Music students across the Year groups have had so many detailed and really challenging aural and composition examples to either create or study, that they are really exploring and mastering these areas of curriculum.  I do think though that they will be very happy to return to singing and playing instruments live in the classroom with others.  Dance and Drama students are also so happy to share ideas face to face, and start to perform and rehearse in their appropriate physical spaces.  Our subjects really come alive when they are live!

As our country's health and economy is starting to find a new normal, some of our activities and events are tentatively returning to our College calendar.  One of those is the Annual Dance Concert at The Seymour Centre.  We have a booking for 7 November this year and we hope to be able to extend to you a warm invitation (subject to government policy).

So for now, follow Ditch the '80’s on Instagram and enjoy the return to face to face classes and we look forward to more exciting learning and events as the year unfolds.

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Performing Arts

Year 11 Drama Play - Update

We know you have been so excited to hear what’s happening with the Year 11 Drama play this year - and we have news for you!  This year the play will be in the form of a movie - jam-packed with talent and flashbacks to the ‘80’s.  It will be released in the last week of school so stay tuned for more information about how to subscribe.  

Keep a look out for posters around the College and in the meantime follow us on Instagram, @ditchthe80s.  Hop onto our Instagram and let us know your favourite ‘80’s song and your song might be featured.  Can’t wait for you to meet the characters and learn a bit more about them.  Any questions, queries or even if you just can’t wait! Shoot us an email at  year11play@gmail.com or dm us.

Later, posers!

Written by:  Georgia Jones (production manager) and Lucy Aitken (promotions and publicist)

 

 


Write a Book in a Day@SVC

Last week two teams embarked on the challenge of writing a book in a day, Foxford style.  The teams were given their strict parameters at an 8.00am Google Meet and then went about planning, collaborating, writing, devising, creating, writing, negotiating, illustrating, writing and editing their way to 5000 words.  So fortunate were we to have the expert planning and direction of our very own Mrs Jody McDonnell, Head of the LRC, who was able to share her wisdom of many years organising and judging the nation-wide competition that has since 2009, raised over $1.7 million dollars for Kids’ Cancer research.

Student experiences:

“Write a book in a day was really fun and a good way for everyone to work in a team.  It was a fabulous experience which I would do again”.  Christina Dudding, Year 7

“The 'Write a book in a day' competition was a great experience to improve my writing skills and interact with other girls in Year 7”.  Sofia Baricevic, Year 7

“WAB, although different this year, was an amazing day.  I think we have a record for the longest Google Meet, but the tiring work was definitely worth it as the whole team loves our finished product”.  Ella Wise, Year 10

“Write a book in a day was a really exciting, challenging and creative environment that pushed our limits and allowed us to create a work that we were proud of and engaged in”.  Mia Richter-Weinstein, Year 10

“Write a Book in a Day was a great experience.  As a team we managed to write a book consisting of ten chapters about an Olympic swimmer who goes on a journey in a caravan to Sydney, after getting on the wrong bus and ending up near Uluru.  We had a great time sharing ideas and fixing each other's grammar last Thursday”.  Alexandra Haddock, Year 7

“I was nervous at first, but by the end I was comfortable with the other girls and was confident that we had created a creative and enjoyable story”.  Lily O’Loghlin, Year 7

“My experience was a whole lot of crazy ideas for the first two hours and then suddenly writing the story”.  Julia Guirco, Year 7

​"I loved the amazing team work, the sensation of it all coming together was so rare and amazing".  Leila Spies, Year 7

“I had a really joyful and amazing experience. I loved meeting/working with all the other Year 7's and writing/illustrating my chapter”.  Lily See, Year 7

Congratulations to the 2020 Foxford WAB teams that were consistently bursting with ideas and creativity over the 8-12 hour event.

Year 10:  Ella Wise, Mia Richter-Weinstein, Kyria Lambropoulos, Frankie Oaten, Cleo Haywood, Lilas-Mae Njoo, Ella Humphries, Emeline Kwok-Valevale.

Year 7:  Alexandra Haddock, Lily O’Loghlin, Christina Dudding, Emilia Reed, Lucy Walsh, Lily See, Leila Spies, Lulu Oaten, Sofia Baricevic, Julia Guirco.

We look forward to sharing the books with the College community post judging.

Ms Donna Ginzburg
Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator


Sport Report

Term 2 Sport Staff Contacts:

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

Athletics and Fitness:  Ms Natasha Stenberg:  0412 099 882. 
Website details:   www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/learning/sport 

TERM 2 SPORT

It has been great to have everyone back this week and it was nice to see so many engaging in some physical activity with their friends, using social distancing and hygienic guidelines. Some played Tennis whilst others had a fun game of Handball or Volleyball at lunchtime.  Fitness/Athletics Training with Ms Jacobs started back on Wednesday. This caters for all year levels and all fitness abilities. It runs from 3.00pm- 4.15pm and incorporates jogging, stairs, and circuit style training in the College grounds. Please email her if you would like to join in either days.

Practical Guide for Sport and Physical Activity

The following practical guide provides information for schools on the return to school sport and physical activity.  As students return to full time face-to-face learning, sport and physical activity programs will initially focus on non-contact sports, with fitness being our main aim at St Vincent’s.

Safety and Hygiene

The following hygiene measures will continue to apply to all sport and physical activities in schools regardless of the phase, including once full sporting participation returns:

  • All sports teachers and students must always try to practice good hygiene.
  • Staff and students are required to wash their hands prior to and at the conclusion of sport and physical activities.  Encourage hand hygiene practices at regular intervals as required.
  • Maintain respiratory hygiene whilst participating in sport and physical activity, encouraging coughs or sneezes to be covered and tissues to be disposed of immediately.  Always wash your hands after having coughed, sneezed or blown your nose.
  • Discourage spitting or clearing of nasal or respiratory secretions at all times.  No shining of a cricket ball with sweat/saliva.
  • Do not train if unwell.  Students are expected to stay away from school or be collected by a parent/carer should they become unwell during the day. Students should not be participating in sport if they are unwell.
  • Do not share items such as drink bottles or towels.  Students should provide their own personal items such as water bottles, towels, clothing, mouth guards etc as required, for competitive sporting activities.
  • Avoid shaking hands.  Students should not shake opposition hands at the conclusion of a sport activity.   Instead, we will do three cheers for the opposition and three cheers for the umpire. 

TERM 3 SPORT 

Whilst we are still waiting to hear from IGSSA if and when Term 3 Sport will be on, please note that as the College Inter-House Carnival has had to be cancelled, any athletes interested in trialling for the St Vincent's athletics team will need to sign up for athletics on the website and may also choose a Saturday Sport as well. 

Training for athletics will be at fitness training sessions on Monday and/or Wednesday afternoons for the rest of this term, with the hope of training at E S Marks Field next term on Wednesdays if permitted.  They also need to compete in our lunchtime athletics events next week.

Athletics Activities Week instead of the Inter-House Carnival

As mentioned in last week's Bulletin issue, we would like to offer some fun athletics activities for inter-House fun and competition in Week 6, 1-5 June.  There are fun challenges for everyone in Tutor Groups, as well as some more serious events held at lunchtimes on the College courts.  These serious events are for the best 2-4 students in each age group in each House.  The Beep Test, Standing Long Jump, Agility Sprints and Turbo Javelin Throw will be run on the one day and you can compete in one, two or all three events to gain points for your House and to go towards Age Champion.  All other students in that age group are encouraged to come and cheer on their House on the day.

We will also run a few other fun activity challenges in Tutor Group, and Ms Jacobs and Dom Mitchell will send information next week.  These points will also go towards House Champion points - can De Lacy possibly win this again?!

Lunch Time Events

Monday 1 June:  12 and 13 years - Beep Test, Standing Long Jump, Agility Sprint and Turbo Javelin Throw.

Wednesday 3 June:  14 and 15 years - Beep Test, Standing Long Jump, Agility Sprint and Turbo Javelin Throw.

Thursday 4 June:  16 and 17 years - Beep Test, Standing Long Jump, Agility Sprint and Turbo Javelin Throw.

Friday 5 June:  18 years - Beep Test, Standing Long Jump, Agility Sprint and Turbo Javelin Throw  
(18 years - can dress up if they like in their House colours at school for their last Athletics Carnival, BUT, no face paint or anything that needs to be shared please).

If any days get rained out or there's not enough time to complete some events, these will be postponed to the following week on the same days.  Any questions, please email Ms Jacobs.

above:  House Mascots

SPORTS STARS

Please keep the Sport staff informed of any good sporting results held outside of the College.  Information and photos can be emailed to  jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

Congratulations to the energetic group of students who participated in our first fitness session back this term with Ms Jacobs.  We did lots of running around the College and found some new stairs and spaces not used much before!  

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-ordinator of Sport

 

 

 

 

 

 


From the Uniform Shop

  

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Notices from NSW Public Transport During COVID-19

 


Resources and Support - COVID-19

AISNSW (Association of Independent Schools) Resource

https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/learning-from-home/wellbeing#parents.

Greater Good Science Centre: COVID-19 parent wellbeing resources and activities

The Office of eSafety:  COVID-19: an online safety kit for parents and carers

Keeping children educated and entertained during COVID-19 crisis…It’s easy as ABC

http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/keeping-children-educated-and-entertained-during-covid-19-crisis-its-easy-as-abc/

Mindspot

https://mindspot.org.au/assets/pdf/10_Tips_for_Coping_with_Infectious_Diseases.pdf

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Headspace

https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/

ReachOut Parent discussion forum

https://forums.parents.au.reachout.com/

ReachOut Youth discussion forums

https://forums.au.reachout.com/

ReachOut.com One-on-One Support 

The Brave Program

https://www.brave-online.com/beating-stress-and-worries-about-coronavirus-covid-19/

FACE COVID ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

If you or anyone you know needs help:

●      Lifeline on 13 11 14

●      beyondblue on 1300 224 636

●      MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

●      Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

●      Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

●      Headspace on 1800 650 890

●      QLife on 1800 184 527.

Government Agencies:

NSW Department of Health

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx

NSW Department of Education

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety/novel-coronavirus.html

National Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080 - operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 


P&F Association Update

I hope everyone is settling back into the girls returning to face to face school and a slight return to normal.  Whilst it was so nice to have my daughters at home for that time I would be lying if I said I wasn’t happy to get that uniform out of the bottom of the washing basket!

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our first Zoom P&F meeting and AGM.  It was great to see some new faces, particularly our new Year 7 parents.  By all accounts the format worked with the added bonus of not having to get out of our UGG boots!  I would love to know if you would prefer to have the meeting this way moving forward each term.  Thank you to the P&F Executive Committee, who have all agreed to continue in their positions.

We were able to cover all outstanding issues form 2019 and set the framework for how we move through 2020.  They key areas we covered were the allocation of levies and fundraising.  As it is unlikely we will be able to hold our much loved Spring Fair this year, we need to look at other ways to fundraise this year.  Let’s get creative! time to think of things we have never done before as well as try and adapt some past ideas to work in this new environment. We already have plans for an online auction based on the success of last year's, and have received some great ideas from parents for other options.  If you have any ideas, please let us know.

While the full meeting reports will be sent out next week with the meeting minutes, I just wanted to touch on the flexibility and adaptability the College has shown during the last few months.  The introduction of the Foxford program so quickly meant that we were ahead of the game.  Talking with parents from other schools, the online learning our girls were offered was, in many cases, far ahead of what other schools were offering.  I’m sure what seemed relatively straightforward to us involved a huge amount of time and work behind the scenes.  A huge thank you to all College staff for making that happen.

I look forward to hearing your ideas, thoughts and suggestions for anything regarding the P&F.  The system works best with involvement from as many parents as possible.  If you would like to contact me, please feel free via email kgray_kudoss@hotmail.com or, by phone 0400 583 677.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Katherine Aitken
P&F President

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St Vincent's College Community Business Register

To further support our strong community and fellowship, St Vincent’s College is establishing a Community Business Register for our families and alumnae.

We understand that the constantly changing situation with COVID-19 has impacted businesses across our community, therefore, if you would like to profile your business to the SVC community you can now join our Business Register by completing our online SVC Community Business Register Form

We look forward to supporting your business and your family.

Jane Palin
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager

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