Issue 18 - 12 June 2020

Virtual Athletics - Age Group Winners

Reminders

Saturday 13 June: Reminder: See Mrs Kenderes' Faith and Mission article in this issue with an update on the 'SVC Winter Sleepout' - REGISTER HERE

Monday 15 June: Edible Book Festival - LRC.

Friday 26 June: Last day of Term 2 lessons. "Snug as a bug in a rug" Day.

Friday 26 June: Boarding House closes 6.00pm.

Monday 20 July: Year 8 Parent Teacher Interviews via Google Meet; Year 9 (2021) Subject Selection Information.

Monday 20 July: Boarders return 4.00pm-6.00pm.

Tuesday 21 July: Term 3 lessons begin.

Monday 27 July: Years 7 and 9 Parent-Teacher Interviews: Google Meetings between the Tutor and parents (see Mrs Fry's Principal's Message this week).

Monday 10 August: Year 11 Parent-Teacher Interviews (face-to-face BUT is provisional - please see Mrs Fry's Principal's Message this week for details).

2021 Term Dates: Link to the dates is in Mrs Fry's article - and HERE

From the Principal, Mrs Anne Fry

Dear Parents and Carers

This week has gone by so quickly with only four days here after the public holiday on Monday. In mentioning the public holiday, I also draw your attention to the term dates for 2021, including start and finish dates, public holidays and closure days. As with all gazetted announcements, these too come with a caveat that they are subject to further revision based on government directive. While extremely hopeful that 2021 will not suffer COVID-19 disruption, this year has taught us to emulate the Boy Scouts and "be prepared". In looking at these dates, you will notice there are some differences to the typical pattern for Term 2 and Term 3. I know many families have deferred travel plans this year and are already making bookings for 2021. Please take note of the end of term dates when making bookings as the gazetted terms form the basis of compulsory attendance for all students across New South Wales. You can view the 2021 dates HERE.

Planning for Term 3 2020 is also still subject to revision in line with the policy "de jour" of the particular jurisdiction. We do know that inter-school sport will resume in Term 3 but with some modifications, and most co-curricular activities will resume with new protocols to ensure the wellbeing of participants, spectators and coaches. Parent-Teacher interviews scheduled for Term 3 have been revised.

Years 7, 8, 9 Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held as Google Meetings between the Tutor and parents. This style of Parent-Teacher Interview was recently successfully trialled for Year 10 students. The dates for these evenings are:

Year 7: Monday 27 July

Year 8: Monday 20 July (also with Year 8 Subject Selection Information)

Year 9: Monday 27 July.

For our Year 11 students, the scheduling has been more complex. The preliminary year of the HSC is such a critical one and we are very aware that parents and students very much value the feedback of the teachers. We have made the decision to schedule face-to-face Parent-Teacher Interviews for Monday 10 August, BUT with the proviso that if this is still not the responsible thing to do (8 weeks hence) then we will default to an online Parent-Teacher night with the Tutor. Precautions will be put in place to again prioritise the safety of our staff and parents.

The announcement this morning of another Eastern Suburbs school closed after a probable case of COVID reminds us of the dangers of complacency. We need to continue the basic behaviours of good respiratory hygiene, frequent hand washing and staying home when unwell. We only have ten days left this semester and "every lesson, every day" that remains is critical.

At our Assembly on Wednesday, our College Captains Mia and Ellen gave a powerful address that was live-streamed to the College about racism. While obviously in context of the worldwide reaction to the death of George Floyd, it was beautifully crafted and delivered to make it a personal extortation about our own behaviours and attitudes. At that same Assembly, I elbow-bumped the Age Champions of the 2020 Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to each of these fine athletes for taking up the challenge in such unique circumstances. (Photo of the week - and further details are also in 'Sport Report')

Good luck to those completing the St Canice's sleeping rough at home challenge over the weekend. I am sleeping 'rough' with a few intrepid Boarders somewhere around the campus, so I am praying for mild, dry conditions. It is a great cause and well worth the discomfort to remind myself of my extreme good fortune of having always had a place to call home. Later in the year if we get the green light, I know our Dads are looking forward to the Father/Daughter sleep-out in the Atrium. It is always an enjoyable, but not comfortable, occasion.

Glad tidings this week from Mrs Ormiston, who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on 10 June. We wish Mrs Ormiston and her family every blessing.

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal

St Canice's 'Sleeping Rough' Challenge

St Canice’s parish have had to postpone their virtual sleepout, but we at St Vincent's College are forging ahead. We cannot now donate directly to St Canice’s through their website, so our Accounts Department has found a way for us to donate easily through the online fee payment system. Of course, there’s no pressure to donate. We would love as many of our SVC community to spend a night out in the cold as possible in solidarity with our homeless brothers and sisters. We tend to think awareness is the key to systemic change.

The great thing about our virtual winter sleepout is that you can do it any time. If Saturday night doesn’t suit your family, why not do it tonight? Or Sunday night? Or any other night during the week. You can still join in most of the activities. if you don’t have enough room to get everyone on the loungeroom floor, divide and conquer. You could have half the family in one room, half in another, or some people enduring the discomfort of sleeping on the floor on a different night. Our fundraising facility is open all week. Once you’ve registered you will have access to all the resources so you can do the activities at any time, dip in and out as suits the demands of your life and family.

Here’s a taste of prayer planned for the evening:

GRACE OVER MY SANDWICH

For food in a world where so many wait in hunger

For love in a world where so many walk in fear

For shelter in a world where so many lie in cold

For friends and family in a world where so many are alone

Lord, we give thanks for all we have, all we are and all we can grow to be.

To prepare for the experience you will need a sleeping bag, a beanie, a sleeping mat or some cardboard. You will need some food items to prepare your 'street ration bag', a laptop or iPad/tablet fully charged - ready to join in online activities. Get your friends to join in. It’s a challenge.

The Kenderes family will be divided between the floor and the car. We will be in Wiradjeri country. The forecast there is 0 degrees at 4.00am. I don’t know what will be warmer - the floor or the car. We are determined to do it.

To register for the SVC WINTER SLEEPOUT HERE

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

Boarder Lines

During this global pandemic we know many things have changed in people’s lives and routines. Something new for us was the Boarding House remaining open during the long weekend for the Boarders. We had many activities planned for those who were in and I am thankful to Liza, who in her role as Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, organises all activities each weekend and has had to be extra vigilant in her organisation during this period to have more than the normal Sunday activity planned.

Friday saw an amazing rendition of ‘Laudate Dominum’ sung in harmony in our beautiful chapel with Mrs Kenderes. The Boarders were a little hesitant at first about singing together, but by the end of the hour our voices were vibrating off the walls. I think we may need to start a Boarders choir after that attempt!

Mrs Brooks took the girls for a nice long walk to Rushcutters Bay. Some of the seniors thought they’d have a relaxing time to spend doing their homework until they realised how nice it was just to be together in the sun and chat.

I brought back an old crafting skill my grandmother Mollie taught me, and ran a cross-stitch session. Mia, Zara, Grace, Donna and I really enjoyed the hour of stitching away….some frustrating moments when you get a knot in your thread or use the wrong colour, but hey, it’s all a learning curve. Alfie was very happy with my final pineapple.

The Boarders' love to bake. There were brownies, cookies, cupcakes and Greek biscuits all devoured over the weekend. Mrs Mano brought her talent of Greek baking and dancing, and it was a tiring experience dancing the Zorba and Bouzouki but the girls had fun, even if Mrs Mano couldn’t walk the next day!

The current situation has highlighted the need for more private space for Boarders' to be together since they cannot be in each other’s rooms. With the initiative of the ‘Diary Room’ for seniors and walks to Rushcutters Bay twice on a weekend, there are ways to spend time together off site but also utilising the space we have here on our beautiful campus. Creativity and initiative are key here. Staff are encouraging Boarders' to be out of their rooms, off their technology and spend time with each other somewhere else - whether that be on the basketball courts, in the courtyard or common rooms.

With the end of term almost upon us, the Boarders' are excited about the prospect of travelling on CountryLink buses home - a little piece of normalcy returning. The 'In Weekend' planned for the weekend of 19/20/21 June will not go ahead as planned, but we encourage all Boarders' to be IN on Friday 19 June for a whole Boarding House activity of 'Just Dance'. We need a new champion!

We hope everyone is keeping healthy and safe at home.

Yours in Boarding

Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue
Director of Boarding

Edible Book Festival

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

Sport Report

Term 3 Sports 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.

Netball and Basketball: Ms Elyse Harmanis: 0434 610 870

Hockey: Ms Laura Wiggins: 0418 329 929

Five-a-Side Soccer: Mr Nick Schroeder: 0431 117 565.

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

TERM 2 SPORT

As mentioned in last week's issue, we sadly had to cancel our Inter-House Athletics Carnival this year due to physical distancing restrictions, however, we have had lots of fun athletics events at lunchtimes and fitness challenges in Tutor time instead. The lunchtime events were conducted very competitively and the Age Champion titles were very closely contended. Medals were presented at Assembly this week.

Congratulations to the following who are our Athletics Age Champions for 2020:

12 years - Sophia Brokenshire - Aikenhead

13 years - Emilia Reed - Williams

14 years - Iyla Maguire - Cahill

15 years - Marla Falvey - Aikenhead

16 years - Chloe Korbel - De Lacy

17 years - Emma Iorfino - De Lacy

18 years - Ricci Long and Charlotte Gallagher both O'Brien (tied).

The morning fitness challenges were also very competitive with lots of House points up for grabs. The overall House Champion was Aikenhead who narrowly beat De Lacy! House Spirit was won by O’Brien. Well done to all who participated.

Fitness/athletics training with Ms Jacobs is on Mondays and Wednesdays. This caters for all Year levels and all fitness abilities. Sessions run from 3.00pm-4.00pm and incorporates jogging, stairs and circuit-style training in the College grounds. Please email jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au if you would like to join in on either day. This will hopefully become Athletics training at E S Marks Field next term.

TERM 3 SPORT

SPORT REGISTRATIONS FOR TERM 3 - HAVE BEEN EXTENDED and will now close 9.00am Monday morning 15 June.

Please go to the College website - LEARNING/SPORT/TERM 3 REGISTRATIONS if you would like to play IGSSA netball or hockey; Ascham five-a-side soccer or basketball. We are still waiting to hear if IGSSA athletics will go ahead, but if you were in the team last year or did well at the lunchtime events last week, please also choose athletics. Trials will be held for some sports in the next two weeks, whilst other teams will need to be selected from last year and last term's trials.

Year 7 netball trials will be held on Monday 22 June and Wednesday 24 June on the College courts 3.15pm-4.30pm.

below: Year 7 netball

IGSSA Cross Country

The carnival at Frensham will now be run on the last Saturday of Term 3 - 19 September. All girls interested in competing at this fun event are to please email Ms Jacobs. All competitors should be attending Monday and/or Wednesday training sessions if they are not training outside of school already.

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 lunchtime Athletics events last week. In particular the Year 12's, who all got dressed up and participated in their last Athletics Carnival at the College. Sports Captain Domenica Mitchell is to be congratulated for her excellent organization and help with these events. The Beep Test saw many students really push themselves. Charlotte Gallagher and Ricci Long (both from O’Brien) excelled all expectations and tied for Age Champion, pushing each other in all four events. Well done girls!

Below left in photo: Domenica Mitchell
Below right in Cahill yellow: College Co-Captain Ellen Ebbs

The morning Fitness Challenges were also well done with many teachers getting involved with their Tutor groups. Ms Geracitano, Ms Robson and Ms McCrudden are to be congratulated on their fine 'planks', sit ups and push ups!