Bulletin

Monday 10 August:  Year 11 Parent-Teacher Interviews - 3.30pm-7.40pm via Google Meets with subject teachers. 

Tuesday 11 August:  P&F Meeting at 6.00pm via Zoom.  For Parents/Carers wishing to attend, please register your details here.  The Zoom meeting ID and Password will be sent to you on the morning of 11 August.

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2021 Term Dates:  Link to the dates HERE

Dear Parents and Carers

The 75th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima occurred on Thursday 6 August, as the world struggled to absorb the scenes of destruction caused by the explosion in Beirut.  This was a tragic convergence of two explosions, 75 years apart, that illustrates the vulnerability of human life.  We extend our prayers to the people of Lebanon, a country renown for its resilience and hospitality during periods of instability in their region.  In particular we offer our prayers to our College families who have family in Beirut.  Our Lady of Lebanon, pray for them.

One of my favourite annual events is the presentation of the Year 11 Leadership Speeches.  Despite the restrictions and limitations that COVID has created, this event went ahead on Wednesday and it was a joy to hear the vision and passion our Year 11 students were able to articulate.  Their optimism based such solid values, and their future-focussed presentations were able to take us beyond our current context.  I particularly commend their ability to speak so articulately while contending with the discomfort of a face mask.  I believe this is a skill we are all likely to need in the very near future.  I have sent correspondence home on Thursday explaining that we have identified circumstances where we believe masks will help us further mitigate risk.  I would ask that each student has access to a face mask, and understands how to safely use a cloth (re-usable) or disposable (single use) mask.

On Tuesday, the Trustees of Mary Aikenhead Ministries made a virtual "stewardship" visit to the College.  It was the intent this year of the Trustees to visit each of the ministries, and meet our staff and students.  Unfortunately, this had to be managed as a virtual visit, but I wanted to congratulate those involved in the creation of a video to tell the 2020 story, and a set of 'Q & A' style questions that our students were so confidently able to ask the Trustees.  I include a link to the video (the password is:  RotY2020fSaS), and the questions.  At the stewardship meeting, the Trustees heard with the appreciation of the self-restraint of our staff in not buying coffee from local businesses while we are a 'hot spot'.  The Trustees responded today by sending a coffee cart to serve the caffeine requirements of the staff.  It was a delightful and well appreciated gesture.

We are still in a period of uncertainty in NSW, and over the weekend the Premier has asked young people to be very cautious in their social activities and gatherings.  I am particularly conscious of the need to protect the well-being of our Year 12's in the lead up to their Trials.

Stay safe,

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal 

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

Maggie Eisenhauer (Year 8) Grandfather.

At SVC, ‘learning for life’ is the paramount objective of our Learning Framework.  Igniting in our students a love of learning is one of the most rewarding achievements an educator can celebrate.  I love teaching but I love learning even more.  It inspires me to share newfound insights with my colleagues and ignites new ideas to offer my students and thus the cycle of teaching and learning continues.  As a College steeped in the tradition of St Ignatius of Loyola, our pedagogical paradigm follows a cycle that through experience, one can reflect and act upon learning.  Thus, in this similar cyclical nature we invite our students to learn in a culture that is informing, transforming and empowering.

On Wednesday morning I had the opportunity to lead with some of my colleagues, the Years 7, 8 and 9 Year Assemblies.  The focus of these assemblies was inspired by our desire to listen to the student voice.  We wanted to elicit from them, a response to 2020 in terms of their own reflections on learning at SVC, both during Foxford and face-to-face.  In a truly Ignatian approach, my colleague Ms Tina De Souza, (Head of Religious Studies) and I thought it important to ask the students to consider the importance of making good choices as part of our pedagogical paradigm.  The Ignatian approach to good choices emphasizes freedom yet requires work.  In learning, good choices are enablers to student growth.  Keen to gain a sense of our students' own sense of efficacy and agency in learning, we invited the students to honestly measure their own participation levels in all aspects of our learning culture.  I was enthralled by the students’ willingness and commitment to taking up this challenge.  So, after a 15 minute gathering as a Year Group and armed with coloured post-it-notes and sheets of butchers paper, my colleagues and I set out across the campus grounds to allow the students to reflect on their own learning.  Goal setting, Assessment planning and Teacher feedback were the topics du jour.  What we asked the students to honestly respond to, was both the experience and the action lived, in each of these areas apparent in our learning culture.  The experience for both the students and the teachers that morning was meaningful.

The Vinnies spirit is most definitely contributing to the wind in the sails of our learning culture.  As we pride ourselves on providing an education based on advantage not entitlement, so too are we not complacent about our growth as the most improved school from last year’s HSC results.  In our quest to do better, be better, ‘every lesson, every day’, so too do we wish our students to have agency and voice in their own learning culture.  As we as teaching staff continue to refine our goal setting, assessment and feedback model, we too know that it is the students’ sense of agency and ownership of their own learning that empowers our holistic learning culture.

I commend the students on their wholehearted involvement at the Year assemblies and their willingness to invest in their own learning.  I leave you to read the authentic responses from our students when asked to consider the lived experience of their learning culture.

What is the purpose of Reflection?

Reflection helps us to evaluate what areas of our work we need to improve on or we are strong in, this helps us to improve our work.

Reflections help you to understand how far you've come and if you have achieved your goals. You might realise that you need to work harder or that you have done well in this topic. Reflections are a time to reflect on how you have improved  your knowledge.

Reflection is for reflecting, so we know to recognise mistakes, positive feedback and how to improve for next time.

What is a goal that you have set this year in your learning, that is learning?

A goal I have set this year dedicated to my learning is to be organised and have time management with all of my homework assessments so as to get them done in good time and still have time for things like exercise and reading.

My goal was to take feedback from my teachers and apply it to improve my results.

I have made a goal of becoming more organised and preparing for assessments as soon as the notification releases.

I wanted to try and do well in all my subjects and enjoy everything being my first year of high school.

How do I use the feedback my teachers give me?

It helps me to see how I went and makes me really think about my places of improvement.

Whether it is positive or negative, feedback helps us reflect on ourselves.

Feedback is constructive criticism so you are aware of what you are doing wrong and how you can later improve.

At Vinnies we take feedback on board and improve our understanding.

Feedback is so important as we can learn from our mistakes or know where you are in your learning.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

Tomorrow is the feast of Mary Mackillop, Australia’s first saint.  She won’t be our last.  Eileen O’Connor is on the way to being recognized by the Church for her extraordinary work with the poor and marginalized here in Sydney, caring for the sick.  The congregation she started, Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor, (more commonly known as the Brown Nurses) continues to offer healthcare, advocacy and friendship to the sick poor and disadvantaged.  They are exclusively about caring for the poor.

But I digress.  Mary Mackillop began the Josephites in response to the dreadful need of the poor children of the colony, to an education.  She believed education was key to ending the cycle of poverty.  We know that’s still true.  She had great friends who joined her in this uncomfortable, exhausting work.  If you haven’t been to the Mary Mackillop Museum, I challenge you to pop over to North Sydney and have a look.  It is fantastic. 

The display of the early uniform or habit of the Sisters of St Joseph is terrifying.  It is beyond me how they managed to achieve anything in that ludicrously heavy serge tunic, thick stockings, boots and wimple.  The boots would have afforded some protection from the brown snakes in the paddocks and bushland of Penola, South Australia, but I can’t see much joy in the rest of the garb.  Surely it got in the way of what they were trying to achieve. 

When you read accounts of the difficulties Mary faced in caring for the children and families of the poor, her clothing does not figure as an obstacle. That must be my imagination run wild. Of much greater venom is the suspicion and insistent limitation of the hierarchical church, to what Mary saw as a call from God.  Bishop Sheil just couldn’t abide the audacity of the woman to think that she could have an idea, care for those that God had seemingly forgot, and see her project of educating children to fruition without the support, guidance and ‘interference’ of those in power.  Her excommunication in 1871 gutted her, but did not put out the fire of justice in her belly.  Strength and resilience are the stuff of this our first great saint.  Consequently the Sisters of St Joseph are a force for good in our nation.

Like our own five Sisters of Charity who started a school and hospital here on this sight, Mary Mackillop is another example of a courageous woman of action.  In this time of discernment of student leadership for next year, courage and action are much prized by our students and the whole community. 

"Let us try to keep God with us by charity of thought, word and act."

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

Over the past two weeks students have worked tirelessly to represent their Houses proudly in the 2020 Inter-House Debating Competition.

Students in Years 7 and 8 have been debating in House teams at lunchtimes with the guidance and support of their older peers who have coached their House teams.  Each debate has been student-led with girls from all Houses assisting as chairpersons, timekeepers and adjudicators.  It has been most impressive to see the amount of time and dedication students have offered to allow this competition to take place.

The teams have enthusiastically debated on topics such as:  ‘Sports involving animals should be banned’; ‘That we should ban all medical testing on animals’ and whether or not it’s right that ‘we should have video surveillance in all public places’.  All debaters have demonstrated thoughtful preparation, team spirit and great courage in arguing for their Houses. 

The standard of debate has been impressively high and all students should be proud of the incredible effort they have put in.  Special commendations go to the Williams 1 and Aikenhead teams, who made it through to the semi finals on Thursday, and I would like to offer a huge congratulations to the formidable teams from O’Brien and Cater, who made it through to the grand final to debate the contentious topic, ‘Public protests are essential to creating social change’. 

While it was very close, the grand final was won by the articulate and thoughtful CATER TEAM - THE 2020 INTER-HOUSE DEBATING CHAMPIONS.  Well done to Cosima Clements Lee, Zoe Vella, Clare Tolhurst and Amelia Bell, who were the speakers on the Cater team and to their coaches, Lucy Fraser and Summer Robinson. 

Ms Siobhan Devaney
Debating and Public Speaking Co-ordinator

Below:  Cater team at the Grand Final with their coaches

Below:  The Winning Cater Team with College Captains, Ellen Ebbs and Mia Chaaya

Below:  Runners Up O'Brien Team at the Grand Final with their Coach Lily Deerfield

Below:  Leila Spies (Year 7) from O'Brien 2 team

Below:  Aikenhead Team with Coach Taylor Foltman

Below:  O'Brien 1 Team with Coach Sienna Mackey

Potential Year 11 Medical Students

Year 11 students intending to study Medicine could watch the Free Bootcamp and read the Medical Entry Handbook and 'Quality Guarantee', found under the "Free Resources" tab on the Med Entry website:  MedEntry.edu.au

Design and Technical Careers in the Performing Arts

The National institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) is renowned for excellence in acting training, but rewarding behind-the-scenes careers also start at NIDA. Careers such as stage manager, costume maker, set designer, scenic artist, set builder and crew member.  Applications to study at NIDA in 2021 are now open until 30 September.  Please contact education@nida.edu.au to organise an online information session with NIDA teaching staff about the aforementioned career pathways at NIDA.

The Hotel School - Virtual Open Days

On 18-20 August interested students will be able to join The Hotel School event: Take part in the personal branding session for social media, chat with current students, academics and course advisors, listen to industry managers plus gain access to a library of resources.  Registrations are essential - for more information go here

US University Virtual Tour 

Join tour guides Maddie Earle (Harvard Graduate) and John Poliniak (MIT Student), as they give a virtual tour around their universities.  Learn about their experiences on campus and application tips to get into top US universities.  Register to receive links to the tour videos, and for a unique opportunity to join a live Q&A with the tour guides on 8 August.  Register here

US College Connect Presentations

US College Connect is offering zoom presentations for students and families with a focus on applying to US and UK universities, the Arts and Sporting Scholarships.  Please contact Deb Wheeler at 0414 765 889 or deb@uscollegeconnect.com to organize a presentation specifically designed for individual students.

Science Week

National Science Week 2020 will be held from 15-23 August.  Shining light on the wonderful world of science once again, as University of Sydney researchers get involved in a range of online events for National Science Week.  Join Dr Karl's House Party on Monday 17 August.  For more information use the link found here

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

Term 3 Sports Staff Contacts:

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

Hockey:  Ms Laura Wiggins:  0418 329 929
Athletics:   Ms Jacinta Jacobs:  0418 416 663
Netball:  Ms Elyse Harmanis:  0434 610 870   
Five-a-Side Soccer:  Mr Hugo Forlico:  0411 615 031.      

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

STOP PRESS:  IGSSA Twilight Athletics Carnival at SOPAC Tonight - has now been CANCELLED.

The Term 3 Netball, Soccer, Basketball and Hockey seasons are off to a great start with more than 300 students participating in one of these sports.  All players should now be aware of their team, training times, game times and coaches.  Students are reminded that training is compulsory and that a note/email is required to the Sports Department if you will miss a training session and/or game.  There are 8 rounds with finals being played on 12 September.  Thank you to all the parents who have adjusted to the IGSSA COVID-19 rule this term by dropping their daughters off at sport and collecting them at the end.  Please note, that even if there is a fenced off field we cannot congregate and spectate from behind that area either.

IGSSA Netball

We have had a great start to the season, with many of our 22 teams undefeated after the first two rounds.  Can I please remind everyone that training is compulsory.  Morning sessions are held from 7.25am-8.25am, and afternoon sessions are held from 3.15pm-4.30pm.  All players must attend - even if it is raining - training is still on in the gym - 2.32.

Every week we have numerous Boarders who need lifts to games, so if you live near the College or pass by it to get to sport, please offer assistance and the girls would be very appreciative.  Boarders, please also be proactive and ask other girls in your team for a lift, and don’t leave it until the last minute.

A reminder that no spectators are allowed at the matches this term due to COVID restrictions.  Please allow extra time to get to schools like Frensham and Loreto Normanhurst as the traffic can be bad on Saturday mornings.

All information regarding the draw, training times, team lists etc can be found on the netball page on the College website under Sport. www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/learning/sport/netball

Good luck to all teams for your first game this Saturday!

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Netball Coach    elyse.harmanis@gmail.com

below:  SVC Firsts Netball

below:  SVC 2

below:  SVC 6 in action

below:   SVC 20

below:  SVC 22

IGSSA Hockey

SVC 1 came up against a strong Abbotsleigh team last weekend and played very well together despite the score.  They continue to improve each week as they get used to playing as a team.  Although SVC 2 drew against Ravenswood, the girls played extremely well and worked as a team to have a majority of the game play.  Although they didn't score, they had some excellent shots on goal.  SVC 3 had a loss to Wenona, however, are improving on their skills and positional play with a lot of new hockey players joining the team.  The coaches are all excited for the future of Vinnies hockey with the improvements we’re seeing each week. 

The IGSSA hockey competition has some very good hockey schools and after some tough matches again last weekend, we realized that we have some hard training to do.  All girls are encouraged to come to fitness training on Monday’s after school (with Tash) if they can, and to give 100% attention at hockey training on Wednesdays. 

All teams train at David Phillips Turf Field on Wednesday afternoons from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.  A bus will take the girls to the synthetic field at Daceyville at 3.15pm, departing from Victoria Street.  The bus will depart the field at 5.00pm, so any students being picked up from the venue need to be collected by this time.  If parents are late, the students will be taken back to the College and will need to be picked up from there at approximately 5.30pm.  The field is an all weather pitch, so training is always on.

We are looking for a few more players, if anyone is interested please contact Laura Wiggins as soon as possible.

Ms Laura Wiggins
Head Hockey Coach

above:  Action at Santa
below:  Goalie

below:  Homebush game

Ascham Five-a-Side Soccer and Basketball

The five-a-side games are going well at Moore Park with some tough competition last Saturday.  We had three wins and three losses, but all teams are working well together with true Vinnies spirit. 

All soccer games are on the synthetic fields, so they should always be on unless there is lightning.  All players are to arrive 30 minutes before their game to have a light training session.  Full Sport uniform is to be worn with SVC long socks, shin pads and boots (no metal studs).  

The junior basketball team had another good win last Saturday.  Please make sure that all team members are at training with Phil on Tuesday afternoons so that you can continue these great results.

Mr Hugo Forlico
Head Soccer Coach

above:   Year 7 Soccer              below:   SVC 2 Soccer

Term 4 Sport Registrations

All girls wishing to play IGSSA water polo, ESTA touch, Santa Sabina basketball, volleyball or futsal, are to go onto the College website and register by 3.00pm on Friday 14 August.  No late registrations will be accepted after this date as we have to send in our team numbers to the various associations.

Trials for all these sports will be held in Weeks 5 and 6, so please keep an eye on the Sports noticeboard and theCollege website for more details.  Once you register you are committed to that team and the registration costs, so please consider all other activities that may conflict, as we have had many late withdrawals this term, leaving our teams short.

PLEASE NOTE:  THE IGSSA TWILIGHT ATHLETICS CARNIVAL AT SOPAC TONIGHT (FRIDAY 07 AUGUST) - HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN.

Due to Covid-19 the IGSSA athletics season which was originally cancelled has has now been modified.  The 27 IGSSA schools have been designated one Friday night twilight meet each and St Vincent's College was to compete tonight - but as noted above has now been cancelled due to rain, and we are waiting to hear if we can compete next Friday night.  The final team will be selected after our last training session on Wednesday 12 August or a re-scheduled twilight night.  

The team is reminded that they are expected to be at training either Mondays at school/Rushcutters Bay 3.15pm-4.15pm, or Wednesday afternoons at E S Marks Field 4.00pm-5.00pm, if they are not already training outside of school.  

The IGSSA Carnival is now being held over two days at Homebush Stadium on Thursday 20 August and Friday 21 August.  The juniors (12, 13 and 14 years) will be competing on the Thursday, intermediates (15 and 16 years) will compete on the Friday morning and seniors (16 and 17 years) on the Friday afternoon.

NO spectators are allowed at any of the carnivals and all events will be combined to Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Once I have the new program, I will let the girls know and put it on the College website.

The Athletics squad have all been emailed a Permission Note which needed to be returned to Ms Jacobs today, 07 August. 

SPORTS STARS

Please keep the Sports 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 Alexis Graham in Year 10, who has been selected in the Australian squad for U17 water polo - quite a major achievement.  I know she has been working towards this goal for a while.  She is one of only eight girls from NSW who made the squad, so, congratulations Lexie! 

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-ordinator of Sport

Update from IGSSA - see below:

Students, please take a moment to read the following important updates from the College Canteen.

Online Ordering  

Online ordering is now available for students to choose and order before 8.30am that day.  

View the four week rotating specials here HERE

Term 3 Procedures for Entering the Canteen Area

• Students must sanitize their hands before entering the Canteen. 
• Limit of five persons at any one time inside.
• Anyone not purchasing items in the Canteen are not to be in the Canteen area.  Friends are asked to stay outside who are not buying anything (this is to assist in the line up not being massive to enter).
• Students MUST have money already on their Student Card as well as having their card with them to purchase (no punching in their codes anymore).
• Online orders can be picked up from the Canteen with their ID as purchase - 10 minutes into lunch time.

Thank you for your support.

Selina Richardson
Site Manager

Catering Industries Pty Ltd | St Vincent’s College
Phone: 1300 364 092 | Main Phone: 9361 2420

Dennis@cateringindustries.com.au  |  www.cateringindustries.com.au

As mentioned in articles in previous issues, the Uniform Shop is pleased to announce that as of Term 3 there will be an overall reduction of approximately ten per cent in the cost of St Vincent’s College uniform items.  See the Term 3 price list HERE .  In addition to this, several uniform items have been reviewed and improved both in style and fabric, and they are listed below:

An additional option has been added to the winter uniform:  A trouser and a short sleeve overshirt (sits over the trouser waistband - not tucked in) have been introduced for wearing in winter only.

• The trouser is made of a polyester/wool/elastane fabric.  The cut of the trouser is designed to flatter all shapes and sizes.
• The overshirt is a thicker textured cotton fabric to be worn with the trouser only; with the cardigan and/or blazer.

NOTE:  The long sleeve blouse is only to be worn with the winter pinafore or senior winter skirt.

• The Sport shorts and tracksuit pant are now made from stretch microfibre fabric and the shorts also feature a built-in bike short.  Both items now have zip inseam pockets included.
• The tracksuit jacket has been updated to a soft-shell tri-core fabric which is both wind and shower resistant and has a polar fleece lining for added warmth.  It also features multiple zip pockets.  The shape of the jacket is also a slimmer fit, so students will need to try on a sample in the shop to determine the appropriate size.  Please note - only limited sizes are currently in stock as the order has been delayed.  It is envisaged the stock of some sizes will arrive in August, with all sizes fully stocked by Term 4 2020.
• The athletics singlet has been updated to be a sublimated print lightweight fit for purpose top.
• Both swimwear items have been re-designed and feature the latest fabric and finishing technology.  The new water polo and regular swimming costume/bathers have been produced by a top swimwear specialist factory.
• Swim caps have been updated to silicone.  

A rugby-style top is being developed, which will be an optional item of the Sport uniform.  The Uniform Shop will advise when it is available.  They welcome your feedback on these new styles and fabrics.

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. 

Dear Parents and Carers

The next meeting for the St Vincent’s College Parents and Friends Association will be on Tuesday 11 August 2020 at 6.00pm.

The meeting will be held via Zoom.  If you would like to attend, please register your details here.  The Zoom meeting ID and Password will be sent to you on the morning of 11 August.

Mrs Jane Palin
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager