Bulletin

REMINDERS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:

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Friday to Sunday:  21-23 June - Boarders' IN Weekend

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Monday 24 June 3.30pm-7.30pm - Year 11 Parent Teacher Interviews   (Bookings close midnight Sunday 23 June, as advised in Mrs Mano's email to Year 11 parents on 29 May).

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Friday 28 June - Last day of classes Term 2.

Friday 28 June - Boarders' Travel Day (For Boarders' who travel on buses, trains, planes only. 
             Boarders' based in Sydney are required to be at school that day - please see Boarder Lines' article).

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Saturday 29 June to Friday 05 July - College Ski Trip to Perisher.

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Monday 22 July 4.00pm - Boarding House Opens.

Monday 22 July 3.30pm-7.30pm - Year 8 Parent Teacher Evening (with Year 9/2020 Subject Selections)
                                               and Years 7-10 Boarders' Interviews.

Tuesday 23 July - Classes for Term 3 begin.

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Monday 22 July 3:30pm-7:30pm:  Year 8 Parent Teacher Interviews + Years 7-10 Boarders Interviews and Year 9/2020 Subject Selection(please see emails sent out this week from Mrs Mano to the relevant Year Group families).

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SVC UNIFORM SHOP  (Note:  Extra trading day 05 July just announced - see the flyer with Term 3 and winter school holidays open/closed information in this issue).

Orders Now Online  

Monday  8.00am-2.00pm  /  Wednesday 12.00pm-5.00pm  /  Friday 8.00am-2.00pm           

Phone:  02 9161 7979  Email:  SVC@noone.com.au  

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Dear Parents and Carers

Yesterday was a wonderful celebration of who we are and what we value at St Vincent's College.  I congratulate all who worked to make the day reflect our mission, as well as being a community building day.  The Year 12 students showed great leadership throughout the day, and I am sure no one will forget the dramatic re-enactment of the story of St Vincent de Paul.  It was good to know that many of the issues that he championed are still those that our students are passionately committed to supporting.  These include ending human trafficking, providing shelter and food to the homeless, helping people displaced by war (refugees) and access to health and education.  I personally learnt a great deal about St Vincent de Paul and I am sure the students also went home wiser.  Our ceremony in the afternoon was very profound as the plaque on the front gate, acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, was blessed with a smoking ceremony.  The plaque was arranged and designed by First Nations students in Years 10-12 and I commend their leadership.

The second celebration of the liturgy was the blessing of the Rockwall gates and two new crests attached.  One is the crest of the College and the other is the crest of Mary Aikenhead Ministries.  It is a highly distinctive crest with many symbols that were explained beautifully by Sr Elizabeth Dodds.

-  the cross is the hope of the resurrection
-  the signature is that of Mary Aikenhead
-  the flame represents compassion
-  the heart reminds us that love is the foundation of all we do
-  the wave represents the journey of the five original Sisters of Charity who came to Australia, and our journey of life.

Many of you will already be familiar with the crest as it sits proudly on the St Vincent's Hospital facade and many other health related agencies across Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.  This year is the tenth year of Mary Aikenhead Ministries.  As a College, we are very proud that Sister Elizabeth, who is a proud Vinnies ex-student, was the Congregational Leader at that time and showed remarkable courage in creating such an innovative, new governance structure.  She is indeed a "courageous woman of action"!

I would like to extend my apology for the distress and inconvenience caused to families when they received duplicate copies of early fee invoices.  While the problem was quickly rectified, I realise it gave people a nasty fright.

Only a week to go before the holidays and we are aiming for a full productive week of learning.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Anne Fry
Principal

Below:  Blessing of the Rockwall gates with the two new crests attached

As we approach the end of a dynamic semester of learning with much focus on our assessment and feedback processes, it is fitting that I remind you of the forthcoming parent/teacher student interviews that are coming up next term.  These three-way interviews are an essential element of the partnership we have with you in the education of your daughter.  To receive valuable feedback from your daughter’s teachers to improve her learning outcomes, I encourage parents to avail themselves of the opportunity to meet the teachers in order to receive this feedback and discuss areas for improvement that may assist your daughter’s learning growth in Semester 2.

The schedule for the forthcoming Parent/Teacher/Student interviews are as follows:

As we wrap up our feedback to students on assessment activities for Semester 1, teachers have been busy writing reports for our Years 7-10 students and students have been reflecting on their learning.  We hope that the reports that you will receive in the mail in the next two weeks are an informing snapshot of where your child sits in the learning continuum for each of their courses.  We hope that each student thoughtfully measures the advice given by their teachers with their own reflections and goal setting for Semester 2.  Years 7 and 9 reports will be mailed home in Week 9 followed by Years 8 and 10 in the first week of the winter holiday.

Subject Selection season is well upon us and as such, our Year 10 students have been authentically engaged in the importance of decision-making. Students have been discerning carefully the decision-making involved in selecting courses that ignite their passion and talent for their individual patterns of study in their Year 11 and Year 12 academic years.  Indeed, decision-making has been a focus of the Year 10 SVC curriculum this term, with our Cura Personalis Program also harnessing the importance of teaching adolescents to make wise decisions.  This idea has also been part of their study in their Year 10 Religious Studies program in an ethics unit, where students have been focussing on genuine pastoral solutions to ethical dilemmas.  Year 8 students will begin their Electives selection for Stage 5 courses, with an introduction from myself to the electives selections on offer in addition to mandatory curriculum for Year 9 2020 and Year 10 2021 at Wednesday morning’s (26 June) year assembly.

I leave you with an article that I found to be a very interesting read; addressing the ways in which our teenager’s brains are wired and what we can do as parents and educators to continue to nurture their adolescent development.  I hope you find it useful.  How Teens Make Decisions

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

First Nations Honoured                                           

As has been written by Mrs Fry and Mrs Anderson, yesterday was a great experience of community and what it means to be “courageous people of action”. I have enjoyed working with the Heads of House over the last five years to grow House experiences that align with a particular social justice focus, and was pleased that students were able to ‘dip into’ the themes and activities that their peers have been engaged with over the years.        

A particular delight for me was the unveiling of a plaque at the College Rockwall Crescent gate that acknowledges “the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, live, learn and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community.”  This was an initiative of the First Nations students of the College who have been working with Aunty Viv and the College leadership team to continue to improve our visual commitment to reconciliation and recognition with and of our First Nations peoples.  

The fire that enabled the smoking of the plaque was breathed into being by our students while Tamarla Bell (Year 12) read the words written by Clare Lienesch (Year 10) explaining the significance of the plaque:                                          

We have been here for over 60,000 years. As aboriginal people, we were the first to live on and nourish this land.  As we unveil this plaque we lay the foundation of the importance of this acknowledgement; for younger aboriginal people and all students...in Aboriginal culture, the meaning of country is more than just ownership or connection to land.  For us, country captures all values, places and spaces, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features. It describes the entirety of our ancestral occupation.                                                                      

The plaque acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Gadigal Land and pays respect to Elders past, present and future. The plaque pays tribute to our continued survival and cultural practice on country and has a symbolic meaning for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders here today.  Today’s unveiling of the plaque is one small but important example of how we can close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. I applaud the decision to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture in the St Vincent's College community.                                         

I look forward to working with the First Nations students as we progress our Reconciliation Action Plan in Term 3.  This is an opportunity for students, staff and parents to connect with each other and commit to reconciliation and recognition.  We will draw on the great testament of students and staff at the Sorry Day commemoration last month, where we unpacked what it means to be ‘Grounded in truth; walk together in courage'.  NAIDOC Week, which we will celebrate at the beginning of next term and which Boarding is celebrating this weekend, will provide the community with an opportunity to “Work together for a shared future”.

We have much to learn and we have much to give. I look forward to breathing life into a College commitment of partnership and understanding through a RAP.  My hope is that the flame will catch, and like the flame that was held high by Kaleb on Thursday, will spark a fire in those who want to redress imbalance and work for what is right.  Perhaps you will be part of that fire.   

Ms Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

Last weekend for our Sunday activity, girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 participated in cooking for St Canice’s which was held here at the College in the TAS rooms. Years 7 and 8 were busy making spaghetti bolognaise, mac ‘n’ cheese and basil chicken, while Year 9 cooked a range of yummy sweet treats including brownies, a vanilla cake, chocolate cake and red velvet cupcakes.  It was great to blast some music and cook on a cold, rainy day especially when we knew we were doing it for a worthwhile cause.  After all the dishes were ready, the Years 7 and 8 girls along with their coordinator Hannah, walked down to St Canice’s to deliver the delicious dishes.

Overall, this activity was a fun and relaxing way to spend a Sunday and the food we made looked and tasted like MasterChef material!  (Please see our photos below..)

Millie Fisher, Year 9, Bourke

The last IN Weekend for Term 2, and the second last one ever for Year 12, will be fun-filled with attendance at the Women’s State of Origin tonight, Indigenous activities tomorrow and Toy Story 4 on Sunday.  There will be lots of photos for next week's Boarder Lines I’m sure!

Please remember to put in end of term leave - return time for Term 3 on 22 July is after 4.00pm. 

Buses will depart early Friday morning next week 28 June for those on the CountryLink bus - and those who live in Sydney will depart after school on Friday 28 June.  If you have any questions about transport options and times or dates, please contact your relevant Boarding co-ordinator.

Yours in Boarding

Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue
Director of Boarding

On Thursday 27 June from 6.00pm-7.30pm, the SRC is holding a Networking Event with ex-St Vincent's alumni for Years 11 and 12 students in the College Hall. 

The event will consist of a keynote from Ms Katy Greenberg, a Marketing leader at Google, following by small group speed networking sessions with a range of alumni from different industries:

Alix Higgins:  Health Informatics and Coding Manager at potential(x)

Alix originally finished a degree as a nurse and worked in nursing for almost ten years.  She has now moved into health information management.

Brenda Colahan:  Owner, Brenda Colahan Fine Art Gallery

Brenda Colahan is a respected authority in the Australian art market, with over twenty years experience in the industry.  She graduated with Honours in Fine Art and Archaeology from the University of Sydney and is a trusted art valuer and adviser to artists, collectors and gallerists.

Joanna Golotta:  Head of Faculty - Drama

Joanna studied Media Communications at Sydney University and planned to work as a journalist or in public relations.  After working in both fields, she returned to complete her Master of Teaching - Head of Drama at PLC Sydney.

Simone Larmer:  Owner, Double Edge PR

Simone is the founder and owner of Double Edge PR, a highly successful consumer PR Agency.  Simone studied media and communication at RMIT and recently started Your Yoga Lifestyle, a business that works with companies to set up yoga in the workplace programmes.

Cate Smith:  Reed Exhibitions Talent Manager

Cate has many years experience in the film and music industry, working as the Director of Marketing for Paramount Pictures, BMG Music and Sony Pictures.  She is currently the Talent Manager at Reed Exhibitions.

Kathryn Massa:  Accounts Manager at Northrop Consulting Engineers

Kathryn has found her niche in Engineering following exploration of a number of different careers including nursing and interior design, she is an enthusiastic supporter of women in STEM and STEAM

Anthea Vogl:  Law Professor at UTS

Anthea joined the UTS Faculty of 2016.  She holds a BA and LLB (Hons) from the University of Sydney.  Her research and work is focused on social justice, specifically the rights of refugees.  For the last four years she has worked between Australia and Canada on a project about the importance of refugees narratives and oral history.

Katy Berg:  Brand and Reputation Marketing Manager at Google.

We really encourage all Year 11 and Year 12 girls to attend this event as it is a great opportunity to learn about different industries and create networks which are so important for life after school.  Please sign up at the following link or speak to your SRC representatives.

SIGN UP HERE

Stella Wailes and Eve Cogan
SRC Co Captains

Studying Overseas

On Wednesday 28 August from 5.00pm-7.30pm, Ascham School is hosting the annual ‘Study Overseas Information Evening’.  The intention of this evening is to provide Years 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents with an opportunity to meet representatives from a range of international tertiary institutions from North America, United Kingdom, Asia and Europe.  There will be talks about the USA and UK application processes.  This event will be held at Ascham School, 188 New South Head Road, Edgecliff, with easy access directly across the road from Edgecliff Train Station and 2 hour free parking at the Edgecliff Shopping Centre. The event will be free and registration is essential . The Trybooking registration link will open on Monday 29 July, details to be advised.  Any enquiries may be directed to Gillian Sloan, Tertiary Education and Careers Adviser at Ascham School at gillian.sloan@ascham.nsw.edu.au

UNSW

LAT Test (Law Admission Test)

The LAT will be held on 3 October in 2019.  LAT applications have opened and more information about the test can be found via the ACER website.  Please note that Year 11 students may also sit for the LAT as the LAT results are valid for two years.  The Law Admission Test (LAT) is a selection test developed to assess the types of aptitudes and skills that are critical to success in undergraduate level law program at UNSW Sydney (only).  Visit the LAT website for further information.

University of Queensland

The dates for the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) for entry into Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland in 2020 have been released.  Applicants can now view and reserve test times online.  vPlease note that a non-refundable test fee of $80 is applicable.  All applicants applying for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) will have to sit the test.  Along with the test, students will still have to meet all other entry requirements for the program.  Click here for registration details

AFTRS (Australian Film, Television and Radio School) Workshops

AFTRS Teens Workshops for high school students are the perfect way to develop skills and meet other aspiring creatives.  AFTRS' holiday workshops are taught by industry professionals using industry standard equipment and where appropriate are held in AFTRS' state-of-the-art film, TV and radio. Find out more  https://www.aftrs.edu.au/courses/

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

The Six House Experiences of St Vincent’s Day 2019 

The sun shone brightly upon our Year 12 Liturgy which sparked 2019 St Vincent’s Day 2019.  Our girls then gathered in their six Houses to head to the individual experiences presented by each House.

Aikenhead focussed on respecting lifelong good health and fitness. The three Yoga instructors taught the students how to develop their own personal routines that build core strength and symmetry.  As we are a growing ageing population, this long-term approach to an active life is important.

Cahill and Cater led creatively educational experiences where the girls developed their own art works.  A big thank you to the Year 11 students who organised and led the educational bunting activities.  The Wandana Cultural Experience worked with Cater and produced journey stones and paintings.

De Lacy was also interactive. Teams of senior students were challenged to use their initiative and cooked up meals using a set allocation of food. Younger years worked together to create birthing kits that are much needed by midwives in the developing world.

O’Brien and Williams followed a more story telling approach.  Presenters came and talked with the girls about their stories of fleeing conflict and oppression to come to build a peaceful productive future in Australia.  The film of the Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe was viewed by senior students. This powerful story is uplifting yet confronting and provokes deep reflection.  O’Brien welcomed the dedicated team from Lou’s Place, a local refuge that has provided much needed support to local women and families escaping domestic violence.  The message is one of hope, that support and help are available, and we work together to refute violence and build better futures.  The Heads of House worked tirelessly with their senior Year 11 girls to set up and lead these educational experiences, and I thank them and their teams of tutors for making this valuable day so memorable.  

Mrs Jo Anderson
Director of Pastoral Care

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

Ms Vanessa Brown:    0412 979 599 - Football
Ms Jacinta Jacobs:      0418 416 663 - Athletics/Cross Country
Ms Kat McGrath:        0411 697 195 - Netball
Ms Laura Wiggins:     0418 329 929 - Hockey
Ms Molly MacQueen:   0448 882 121 - Basketball.

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

For all draw and venue information visit this website. 

IGSSA Athletics - Homebush Athletics Stadium - 28/29 August

The College team will compete in two lead up twilight meets at Homebush on Friday 9 and 16 August. The College Athletics team will be finalised after these two meets, with one girl permitted to compete in each event at the IGSSA Carnival at Homebush on 28/29 August, next term.

Fitness sessions on Mondays will now be at Rushcutters Bay and Wednesdays are at E S Marks, and all girls selected in the squad are to attend as many of these sessions as they can.  The College bus will leave Rockwall Crescent at 3.15pm and will return at 5.30pm, or girls can be collected from the track.  If the athlete is training outside of school with a private coach she must let Ms Jacobs know.  All athletes are encouraged to continue their training over the holidays, so please speak to Tash to get a program or join her squad.

Please note that Ms Jacobs will be on long service leave for the first two weeks of next term, however, Mr Graham will be taking the girls on a hire bus to the track to train with Tash as normal. The bus will leave from Victoria Street at 3.20pm. Permission notes are now available from Ms Jacobs at training or at school.

ST CATHERINE’S  NETBALL COMPETITION

Congratulations to SVC Team 3, SVC  4, SVC  6, SVC 7 and SVC 9, who all gained a place in the semi-finals this week on Wednesday 19 June.  The good news is that SVC 6 (junior 1) and SVC 9 (junior 4) made the finals - and we are waiting to see if SVC 11 and SVC 12 make the finals also next Wednesday 26 June.  Stay tuned for the results to see if you have a game next Wednesday 26 June, as the competition convenor hopes to give junior teams a last game.  

It’s been a term filled with rain so thank you to the girls who always attend the wet weather sessions.  You have displayed courtesy and a sense of commitment to your netball.  Wednesdays at St Catherine’s has been on the whole, a delight.  Not because of winning games, but because of the smiles and open hearts that our girls own and show.  Respect for your coaches and each other - that’s what makes SVC girls very special.  I will miss all of you next term, however, I know you will keep this beautiful spirit shining.

Ms Kat McGrath
Head Netball Coach

below:  SVC 9 junior team are into the finals at St Cath's

below:  Seniors wet weather indoor training - dance fit 

IGSSA BASKETBALL  

Basketball has been an incredibly successful season so far with six out of seven teams in the top four of their divisions!  Each girl has shown diligence to her training sessions and games, developing her skills and tactics to implement on the weekend.  Best of luck to all teams for their final round of games this weekend!  A big thank you must go to all the wonderful parents for your commitment to SVC basketball this term driving to all the stadiums, and hearing your cheers always encourages the girls to play their hardest! 

Current Placings are:

SVC 1 - 4th

SVC 2 - 1st

SVC 3 - 7th

SVC 4 - 3rd

SVC 5 - 4th

SVC 6 - 1st

SVC 7 - 2nd 

Ms Molly MacQueen
Head Basketball Coach

below:  Basketball senior 2nds

below:  Basketball junior 2nds

below:  Year 7 Basketball

IGSSA FOOTBALL

The Term 2 soccer season is drawing to a close with the final games happening this week.  Just a reminder that it is first past the post and there are no semis or finals in this competition.  Currently our teams are doing well with three teams placed in the top four for their division (SVC 1, 2 and 4).  SVC 2 has been having a fantastic season, they are in second place and only just suffered their first loss.  Good luck to everyone this Saturday, let's finish the season with some strong games.

A reminder (with some wet weather forecast) to please use the following link to check if any games are cancelled.  The soccer venues can be found underneath the basketball ones if you scroll down the page.  https://m.ahigs.nsw.edu.au/venues/index

Ms Vanessa Brown
Head Football Coach

SEHA HOCKEY

All three teams have had a great season, and each week saw them improve their hockey skills, knowledge and teamwork. The coaches have been pleased to witness and experience their development during the term.  The Year 7's in particular have come ahead in leaps and bounds, and are looking good for next term’s IGSSA competition.  Thank you to those girls who have played two games most weekends to help out with numbers, it was greatly appreciated.  Term 3 training will remain the same on Wednesday afternoons at David Phillips Field, 4.00pm-5.00pm.  Please make sure you keep your fitness up over the holidays.

Good luck to all teams in their final games of the season on Saturday. 

Ms Laura Wiggins
Head Hockey Coach 

below:   Hockey Firsts

below:  Year 7 Hockey at Homebush

SPORT STARS

Congratulations to Lani Bresnahan (Year 10) who has just represented the open IGSSA touch football team at the NSWCIS Championships.  The IGSSA team won the tournament and Lani was selected in the top 20 players who trialled at the end for the NSWCIS team. She narrowly missed out on selection, but will be a strong favourite to be included next year once the senior students leave.  Well done, Lani!

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

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-Ordinator of Sport

THE SVC UNIFORM SHOP WILL NOW HAVE AN EXTRA TRADING DAY IN THE UPCOMING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: 

FRIDAY 05 JULY - 10.00AM TO 1.00PM. 

CLICK AND COLLECT

SVC Uniform Shop - NOW ONLINE

A fast and convenient way to shop for your St Vincent’s College College uniform online.  

Shop online - collect next trading day.

Online store link:  https://www.noone.com.au/school/st-vincents-college/shop

HOW IT WORKS:

Discover click and collect, the convenient and quick way to shop from Noone Shop Online.  Place your order and your order will be ready to collect on the next trading day.  We’ll get everything ready for you, so all you need to do is come in store to collect your order, or, home delivery is also available for your convenience.

1. Shop Online

Type the school link into your browser:  https://www.noone.com.au/school/st-vincents-college .  

Sign up to create your own account and then log in to commence shopping.  Add the items to your cart that you would like to purchase via Click and Collect.

2.  Choose Click and Collect Options

Choose Click and Collect options or choose Australia Post option for home delivery.  Click and Collect next trading day from the on-campus shop, or via Australia Post - 5-10 working days for delivery.

Our retail staff are available to assist you with your uniform requirements at the location listed below:

On campus trading hours (during terms):

Monday     8.00am-2.00pm
Wednesday   12.00pm-5.00pm
Friday   8.00am-2.00pm

Phone:     02 8324 6622
Email:      SVC@noone.com.au  

Are you willing and able to help us to help our Year 12 HSC students?

In the Diverse Learning Department we have a number of Year 12 students requiring Disability Provisions for their HSC examinations in October/November 2019.  HSC examination provisions are granted by NESA after a complex application process.

We are seeking a number of volunteers to assist as readers and/or scribes for the HSC examinations.  Volunteers would need to have a Working With Children Check, and cannot be the parent of a Year 12/2019 HSC student.

Our students really appreciate having an adult rather than a fellow student as their reader/scribe.  If you, or anyone you know, would be willing to help us in this endeavour, please contact Ms Alanna Rose rosea@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

Ms Alanna Rose
Learning Support Coordinator

A drinks social will be held on Friday evening 2 August 2019 from 6.00pm, for Year 8 Dad’s and Carers to be hosted by Blair Haydon (Poppy), Publican of

The Lord Nelson Hotel, 19 Kent Street, Millers Point.  Purchase your own drinks and food.

Looking forward to seeing a great roll up of Year 8 Dads and Carers.

A great start to the Dads and Daughters Sleep Out on Saturday evening 3 August.  Hoping for great support from Year 8.

For any enquiries please contact:  Michael Laing (Sophia)

0414 606 035

michaellaing@theagency.com.au

(Our Book Reviewer, Ms Suzanne O'Connor, is now living in Timor Leste working in a volunteer capacity with the Loreto Sisters).

LIVING WITHOUT A BOOKSHOP - OR A LIBRARY 

Well, in Dili, there is a tiny Portuguese bookshop but as my acquisition of Tetun is glacier-slow, I doubt I would conquer a third language any time this century.  I have access to e-books and have read some excellent ones in 2019 but others of have been great disappointments:  My latest conspiracy theory is that some reviews, especially on amazon.com.au have been written by the doting aunties of the authors. 

Allegedly, there is a public library in Baucau.  However, it keeps moving its location like some enchanted building.  As well, many of the books are written in Tetun, (see the above paragraph for my lack of new language acquisition skills).  Another solution is bookshelf plundering.  Sometimes the bookshelves of volunteers are crammed with books with garish covers and with the author’s three name (always three names) in embossed letters.  This genre of airport books is to be avoided unless one wants to read thoroughly predictable plots with cardboard characters.  However, the bookshelves of others are rich with unknown treasures.  A River Sutraby Gita Mehta is one such delight.  It is set in contemporary India.  A senior bureaucrat decides to retire after his beloved wife dies.  He takes a lowly position as the manager of a guest house near a deeply sacred river.  The job is undemanding and it allows him enough time to meditate and to listen to the stories of the guests and other people who live nearby as they tell their life stories.  His closest friend is a Muslim cleric in a neighbouring village and with whom he supposedly plays chess, but they near move beyond the opening gambit because of their engrossing conversations.  The stories are wonderful and varied, all containing learned wisdom.  My favourite quote comes from the cleric, Tariq Mia, ”The human heart has only one secret.  The capacity to love".  I have been thinking about that statement ever since I read it.  This is a deceptively gentle story.  Like the Holy river, it has times of tranquillity and times of uproar.  The copy  I read has foxed pages and curled edges but it is a gem of a book which I returned reluctantly to its bookshelf.  It was published in 1999 but it is an e-book, and the amazing Abe books has some hard copies.  I recommend making the effort to find and read it.

RUN TO READ THIS BOOK! ...

A Spring Fair Planning Meeting will be held at The College:

Tuesday 25 June at 6.30pm (venue TBC)

We look forward to seeing you there as we start getting ready for our best Spring Fair ever!  Please bring your ideas, contacts and enthusiasm!

Katherine Aitken
P&F President