Bulletin

Ruby competed in five events and we are waiting to hear her results!  On the left in the above photo is Anna Hempton, Year 11, who was Ruby's tandem running partner.  Well done to you both!

Friday 19 August:  Fathering Project Sleep Out.

====================================================================

Friday 26 August - Tuesday 06 September:  Year 11 Final Blocked Assessments.

=================================================================

Friday 02 September:  Father's Day Liturgy and Breakfast - 7.30am-8.40am.

Friday 02 September:  Father's Day Dinner - 6.30pm-10.30pm.

====================================================================

Sunday 11 September:  SVC Spring Fair.

================================================================

Father Daughter Liturgy and Breakfast - CLICK HERE for tickets.

(There is no charge for this event however, we ask that you book so we can anticipate numbers attending).

 

FATHER DAUGHTER DINNER - Friday 02 September 6.30pm-10.30pm.

TICKETS SELLING FAST - BOOK NOW!

Dear Parents and Carers

This week we passed the half-way mark of the term, and there is now only three weeks left before the graduation of the Class of 2022.  It feels quite extraordinary that we are so close to saying goodbye to this fine group of soon to be graduates.  I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the exemplary manner in which they conducted themselves during the HSC Trials that finished on Monday.  The students who have completed major projects in Society and Culture, Drama, Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Languages have already or are about to submit their work.  For them, the HSC has commenced and for the others it is on the near horizon.  It is such an emotional time for each young woman as she approaches the transition to life beyond the gates of St Vincent's.  We believe they are well-prepared and we pray these final weeks are enriching and rewarding.  The quality of work I have seen showcase has been very impressive and there is more to come with exhibitions next week of Visual Arts and Design.  I am only sorry that some of the outfits I saw this week at the Textiles exhibition didn't come in my size!!

On Wednesday we celebrated at our College Assembly the Patronal Feast of the Sisters of Charity - the Feast of the Assumption.  Sr Anne Taylor, our College Companion, spoke to the students and I share an extract of her speech with you:

"On Monday we celebrated the Feast Day of the Sisters of Charity - the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven….

I wonder if I am the only Sister of Charity you have ever met?…I wonder what you know about the Sisters of Charity?….
When I was at school it was very different, as all but one or two teachers were sisters.  The Sisters of St Joseph educated me and we knew lots of things about their lives.  The Sisters of Charity Heritage Centre next door, where Sisters tell our story and many of you have visited, is one way of trying to help you understand Sisters’ lives.  If we look at what the Sisters of Charity have been doing since their foundation, hopefully you will see we respond to the needs of the time we live in…

When Mary Aikenhead founded the Sisters of Charity in Ireland in 1815, her heart’s desire was to help the poor who had miserable lives because of the British suppression of the Irish people.  Many were starving with no rights to land nor opportunities to be educated, or receive health services.  Eventually Mary Aikenhead set up a hospital and schools to help the poor.  In 1836 Archbishop Polding asked Mary Aikenhead to send Sisters from her small congregation to help the poor convict women in Australia.  Placing her faith in God, she sent Sisters John Cahill, Baptist de Lacy, Francis de Sales O’Brien, Lawrence Cater and Xavier Williams to work at Parramatta, where through their caring presence, they managed to give the convict women a more hope-filled future.

The early Australian Sisters and those who followed them, responded to the needs of the people in the areas of health and education, establishing the first hospital and the beginnings of this College on this very site in 1857/1858.  Many health, education and community care facilities followed.  I had the privilege of working in some schools set up by the Sisters in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.  In Hobart I was Head of Junior School  and later Principal of two schools in NSW, including a new school on the South Coast.  In fact, there is a teacher on the staff of St Vincent’s College who I enrolled in kindergarten…I wonder who?

In 2009 things began to change - the Sisters of Charity transferred the running of their schools and health facilities to Mary Aikenhead Ministries - whose crest we see on the gate.  Not having to look after places like schools and health institutions anymore has allowed us to move to areas where needs are not met…providing compassion, hope and practical help…to be courageous and prophetic risk-takers.  People who strive to be more…rather than do more…people who are prayerful followers of Jesus who strive to live his message of love…"   

We are indeed proud of our ongoing connections with the Sisters of Charity under the patronage of Mary, who is described with such warmth in this prayer. 

Unique Ecstasy

Thomas Kretz SJ

She was taken completely by surprise.
With her house in perfect order she should
Carry something warm to Peter’s widow,
And remind Cousin James to cut more wood.

Then it was time to pray at Joseph’s tomb,
See if a few wild flowers could be found.
She was taken completely by surprise
And could hardly keep both feet upon the ground.

Half of her heart already with her son
And, though her ties to the earth mere threads, she
Felt them snapping one by one, the slow rise
An assumption, summit of being free.                                                                        

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal

This week at College Assembly we acknowledged the Patronal Feast day of the Sisters of Charity - The Assumption of our Lady.  Our College Companion, Sr Anne, shared her knowledge and experience of the multitude of ways in which the Sisters of Charity continue to be of service here in Australia - always discerning and responding to the needs of the poor and the marginalised.  Students were invited to consider how they nurture an environment of inclusion and bring love to those they encounter each day.  At the end of this Assembly, I acknowledged the many students across Years 7-11 who have put themselves forward with a spirit of service to contribute to the leadership of the College in 2022-2023.  The willingness to apply for positions of leadership requires courage and generosity.  It also asks our students to consider their hopes for the community with a willingness to work for the good of the community.  Being prepared to stand up for justice and act in ways that exercise personal responsibility is an act of leadership asked of us all, and in a school community it is evidenced in our everyday choices and actions.

Our students have been asked to consider ways in which they choose responsibility over entitlement in their everyday - with particular focus on travelling on public transport and wearing of their school uniform.  Our children have every right to education, and in our society free travel is made available to enable access to schools.  This is still a privilege.  Students are to fulfill their obligations of wearing masks and using Opal cards, as well as demonstrate the courtesies of being mindful of the volume of their noise and the taking up seats.  Their bus and train travel places them within an environment they share with their broader community, it is not their personal lounge space.  Leadership in this domain is often about exercising personal choice to do the right things and having the challenging conversation with peers, using positive influence in service of others.

Students were asked to consider the school uniform as a symbol that unifies them as a community of St Vincent’s College students, it unites rather than divides.  Wearing the uniform in the manner in which it is designed is a visual of pride and commitment to the school.  Being prepared so that one’s uniform is ready for wearing requires a considered effort.  It reflects a buy-in to the school and shapes much of a student’s attitude to engaging with her learning and the community.  The additions of jewellery and make-up are ornaments that distract and attempt to define a student as not being prepared to do what is asked as a student of our College.  They tend to reflect a preoccupation with fashion trends and exhibit expense that is not in keeping with us being an inclusive community represented with a very smart uniform.  We had many students standing at the end of our Assembly in perfect uniform, applauded as ambassadors of our College exercising leadership in their simple everyday choice.  As parents and carers, your support and high expectation is appreciated and we hope this too reflects your hope for your daughter’s growing responsibility and capacity for leadership. 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

”Life isn’t about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself” - George Bernard Shaw

The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw was recognised as a literary giant of his time, with his influence and inspiration continuing to this present day.  There is no doubt of his writing genius with such classics as Pygmalion, which was later adapted as the acclaimed stage play My Fair Lady. Beyond simply producing entertainment, Shaw challenged audiences to consider social issues, the prevailing morality and society norms and to consider their own views and standards.  For his achievements, Shaw was recognised with many awards and accolades including the Nobel Prize for Literature, in 1925.  Whilst often controversial, Shaw challenged people to be conscious of what they believe and what they stand for, and not to simply blend in without thinking.

Education is often mistakenly summarised as the process of accumulating information and skills, when in reality an education achieves much more. Whilst one does gain knowledge and skills as part of education, the real achievement in a successful education is the development and formation of one’s own identity and standards.  The primary educators remain one’s parents or carers where we begin learning in a variety of ways from when we are young.  This education is supplemented and influenced by more formal education in school.  The best education occurs when these two hubs of learning and formation are in alignment, promoting similar values and aspirations.

One of the major responsibilities of all schools, is to play a pivotal role in preparation to go out into the world and establish one’s own identity and life.  One of the most valuable contributions schools make in this area is the safe environment to take risks with learning, try new things and challenge oneself.  The consequences of pursuing such opportunities at school will always be less than those of the reality of the wider world.  With support structures, including teachers to guide the process, there are long-lasting life lessons to be taken from one’s school experiences.

It is for this reason that students are encouraged to engage with their learning and take full advantage of the rich array of resources on offer. Throughout the year I have encouraged all students to view engagement as their responsibility and the catalyst to meaningful learning.  This is not always an easy decision for students, as it usually involves relocation into a less comfortable and a less familiar environment upon which it takes effort and struggle to overcome and emerge better for the experience.  I have been heartened this term as I engage with students who can articulate this struggle as part of their own personal “learning pit”, as by definition this acknowledges such engagement.

‘We don’t remember days, we remember moments’ - Cesare Pavese. 

Mr Bob Anderson
Director of Teaching and Learning and Education Administration

Mrs Jody McDonnell
Head of Library and e-Learning

and the LRC Team

Environmental Careers Information Session

Interested Students (and their parents)  in Years 10, 11 and 12 who are passionate about the environment, should try to attend SCEGGS Darlinghurst’s  ENVIRONMENTAL CAREERS AFTERNOON being held on Monday 22 August.  A range of speakers will give brief presentations in their area of expertise, for example:  Sustainability, Solar Energy, Environmental Law, Environmental Architects, Disaster Relief and Sustainable Concrete.  The event will be held in the Joan Freeman Building, SCEGGS, 215 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, commencing at 4.00pm and concluding at 6.00pm.  Everyone is welcome - all you have to do is turn up for what should be a really informative event.

New Ventures Worldwide (NVW)

Lattitude Global Volunteering closed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to international travel restrictions.  Lattitude had been offering international gap year experiences to Australian school leavers for several decades.  New Ventures Worldwide has employed many ex-Latitude staff and are planning to plug the hole created by the closure of Lattitude.  NVW is a UK-registered, not-for-profit community interest company.  NVW’s motivation is to promote international volunteering for young people as part of their personal and professional development.

Their primary focus is on those considering taking a gap year from January 2023, and they are also keen to raise awareness amongst those looking to start from January 2024.  NVW specialises in placements at boarding schools in the UK and Canada, and they are hoping to restart programs in Vietnam, Argentina and Fiji in 2023.

To find out more about NVW’s programs they have scheduled three online ‘NVW Information Sessions’ on:

Tuesday 30 August - 7.00pm AEST

Thursday 1 September - 7.00pm AEST

Saturday 3 September - 7.00pm AEST

Sign up here:  Volunteer Overseas Information Session - New Ventures Worldwide.

UAC

UAC Digital has the following information webinars scheduled for interested students and their parents.  Let’s Chat Scholarships on 24 August at 6.00pm, using the link found here .  Let’s Chat SRS Early Offers on 7 September at 6.00pm, using the link found here. Also, Let’s Chat Medical Science:  The Future of Health on 8 September at 6.00pm, using the link found here.

University of Sydney

Pathways to Global Literacy | Wednesday 24 August 4.00pm-4:30pm

This webinar is for students studying Society and Culture, History or a Language at school, and are wondering how they can build on this at university?  The webinar will provide an overview of Area Studies and its benefits, and will introduce a sample of our many Area Studies offerings.  Use the link here to register your interest.

Sydney Scholars Award Wednesday 24 August 5.00-5.30pm

The Sydney Scholars Award allows students who score an ATAR (or equivalent) of 95-99.85, to receive a one-off scholarship for the first year of their undergraduate studies valued at $6,000.  This scholarship requires an application which needs to be submitted by the 30 September.  To assist students with their application, the University of Sydney will run a webinar on 24 August from 5.00pm-5:30pm, with a dedicated Q&A at the end of the presentation to assist with any queries/questions.  This webinar will also contain important information regarding application tips, critical deadlines and insight from a student who has successfully received the Sydney Scholars Award and is currently studying at the University of Sydney.  To register for the webinar please use the link found here.

Engineering - Industry Engagement | Wednesday 31 August 4.00pm-4:30pm

This webinar will introduce participants to USYD’s award-winning Professional Engagement Program (PEP), embedded within all their professional engineering degrees and to USYD’s Engineering Sydney Industry Placement Scholarships (ESIPS), a 24-week hands-on industry placement allowing students to work on a real-world research project.  To register for the webinar please use the link found here.

Life of a Mathematician | Wed 31 August 5-5:30pm

Have you wondered what a day in the life of a mathematician is like? And what jobs are available in this growing sector? Join award-winning mathematician, Professor Mary Myerscough, to find out what an average day of work might be like in the field of mathematics. To register for the webinar please use the link found here.

Australian Catholic University (ACU)

Talk with Paramedics - 6 October 2022 - 5.00pm-6.00pm

A career in paramedicine means a career helping others Hear from ACU alumni about their experiences working as paramedics. Take part in a Q&A session with graduates and learn what it is like working on the frontline and using your skills to help people when they need it the most. To register your interest use  the link found here.

Talk with Youth Workers and Social Workers - 13 September 2022 - 6.00pm to 7.00pm.

As a social or youth worker, you’ll help people thrive and promote social change.  Join online to hear from ACU alumni about their experiences working as youth workers and social workers.  Take part in a Q&A session with ACU graduates and learn what it is like to step into the workforce equipped with the skills to improve individual and community wellbeing.  To register your interest use the link found here.

Talk with Psychologists - 14 September 2022 - 6.00pm to 7.00pm.

A career in psychology allows students to explore the human mind and behaviours, and improve outcomes for a range of people in the community.  Join ACU to hear from alumni about their experiences working as psychologists.  Take part in a Q&A session with graduates.  To register your interest use  the link found here.

Talk with Nurses and Midwives - 5 October 2022 - 6.00pm-7.00pm AEDT / 5.00pm-6.00pm AEST

Join ACU online to hear from alumni about their experiences working as nurses and midwives.  Take part in a Q&A session with graduates and learn what it is like working on the frontline and using your skills to help people when they need it the most.  To register your interest use the link found here.

Whitehouse Institute

Illustration and Portfolio Workshop - Saturday 27 August - 11:00am-12:00pm.

This workshop for aspiring designers intends to develop illustration skills and build a portfolio.  This introductory one-hour workshop is for aspiring designers and recommended as a starting point for those wishing to develop their illustration skills and learn how to create a portfolio for application to the Bachelor of Design program.  In this one-hour workshop, you gain an understanding of how to illustrate with Marker and Paper, experiment with different multimedia materials and learn techniques for presenting creative ideas.  For more information and to register your interest for this event, please use the link found here. 

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

Last week in The Bulletin, I was able to congratulate our Year 12 Dance students who completed their HSC Dance Practical examination.  When you read this Bulletin report Year 12 Drama students will be busy rehearsing, washing and fixing costumes, and running through sound and lighting scripts for their performance on Monday 22 August - and for the script, film, reviews and set students - they will be editing, painting, adjusting and gluing!!

Below:  Performance by Natalie     
Below:  Set by Gisele

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate every single one of them in advance.  I would also like to congratulate all our Dance and Music students who have had two years where they were barely able to rehearse with others or in front of others.  When their practical assessment opportunities were rethought and made into film submissions during covid; when their singing, dancing and acting had to be done in bedrooms, gardens or even garages; where their Google Meets showed them working and trying not to bump into cars, lamps or stub their toes on garden-bed edgers as they tried to find a suitable space!;  when their return to classroom groups meant they were fearful of dancing, singing and acting in front of others because they felt out of practice and had lost their confidence and performance skills and quality.  It has been an incredibly difficult steep learning curve to get these students back where they want to be, and I want to remind them that they have done an amazing job, and their teachers and tutors have also been amazing as they have tirelessly toiled to get skills and confidence back and buoyant.

Every student knows that the day will come when they have to present their work to the external examiners, but for Performing Arts students it is very early and often is the first HSC external examination they have, therefore, this can be very daunting.  Our Dance students led the way powering through their performances and interviews with great maturity, professionalism and tenacity!  I look forward to our Drama and Music students being prepared and performing and presenting their work with the same resilient and mature approaches.

Very soon we have exciting opportunities for our musical students to showcase and celebrate their various talents, skills and love of music.  So, students and community members alike do not miss out on this long awaited return to live music at the College - Spring Fair and Music Showcase will be fabulous and inclusive events that highlight the breadth of talent in the College.

Spring Fair Performers - register your interest with Mr McCrudden now!

Spring Fair is a wonderful College event, thanks to our Parents and Friends and staff who are working so hard to create community and raise funds for College projects that in turn support the students of SVC.  Spring Fair in the past has included many singers and instrumentalists who showed the audience just how enthusiastic and talented our Music students are at the College.  This is a wonderful supportive environment and a great day out in general. Students can sign up on the Student Life Classroom on Mr McCrudden’s post.  I am looking forward to hearing some great numbers.

Music Showcase 2022 is being held on 14 September this year at 6.00pm in the College Hall.  This will be a great night for all of our Music students to perform for family and friends.  Don’t forget to add this to your calendar and come along.  I have been hearing beautiful songs floating down the stairs over here in Garcia - it will be a night not to be missed.  The event is proudly supported by the College and therefore is free, but please reserve a ticket online by clicking on the link so we can ensure everyone has a seat!  Mask will be advisable but not mandatory in line with our Covid careful approaches, but we will not be serving refreshments, so rug up and bring your own water and snacks for a fun filled musical event in our College Hall.

Performing Arts Uniform Update:

The long-awaited SVC Performing Arts uniform has now arrived.  There are three options for our students to wear at the College during practical lessons and representing the College, when appropriate.  The long sleeve T-Shirt, the short-sleeved T-shirt and the singlet with the appropriate dance cross-back.

These can be purchased online from the Uniform Shop or in person at the College Uniform Shop.

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Department Performing Arts

Music Showcase 14 September 6.00pm-8.00pm in the College Hall. 

Book your tickets below (for seating purposes only)

https://events.humanitix.com/2022-music-showcase

Last week our Theatresports students performed in the All Girls Shield at PLC, Sydney.  Our two teams were led by our experienced seniors - Ella Humphreys, Sophie Anderson and Molly Barwick.  Unlike the Theatresports Challenge, the All Girls Shield has mixed Year groups giving students the opportunity to compete in a team with students from Years 7 to 12.  This is a great learning experience for our younger students and really gives them confidence and grows their improvisation skills.

Congratulations to our team Izzara Clarke, Stella Hunyor, Emily Emmett, Eleni Matsos, Sophie Anderson, Molly Barwick and Ella Humphreys.

Our teams performed with confidence and creativity, with SVC placing second on the night.

Mr Joseph Hekeik and Ms Belinda Peoples
Co-curricular Co-ordinators

Readers and Writers Enrichment Group

It Was Too White

The white walls

The white shutters

The white doors

The white cabinets

The white draws

It was too white

I spun in a circle

Inhale.

Exhale. 

The white swallowed me

I clasped my eyes shut tighter than ever before

The white was too pure

Too innocent

Too dangerous

My eyes fluttered open

I continued to spin

I was no longer “safe”

No longer home

Rather, I was back here

Trapped between these white walls

I never attempted to escape

These white walls hold secrets

These white walls never wanted blood

They never got it

They wanted to see pain

But they didn't want to inflict it

Of course, they were always the cause of unbearable suffering

They squeezed their way into the minds of their victims

They mess with everything one once knew

Reality was no longer real

Imagination was no longer imaginary

Life no longer lived.

By Ava McDonnell-Zammit (Year 8)

Ms Donna Ginzburg
Gifted and Talented Co-Ordinator

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

Head of Netball and Basketball - Ms Elyse Harmanis - 0434 610 870
elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au 
Head of Soccer:  Mr Nick Schroeder - 0431 117 565
Head of Hockey:  Mr Liam Jepson - 0422 027 649
Head of Athletics:  Ms Jacinta Jacobs - 0418 416 663.

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

For all draw and venue information go to:   www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/sport/weekly-sports-draw/

IGSA Spawtz:  https://igsasport.spawtz.com/  

Team lists, venue details and draws are on the College website.  This is always your first place to look for any Sport information.  Please also check the IGSA Spawtz page for any changes or wet weather updates  https://igsasport.spawtz.com/ .  Please do not call the IGSA office - always call the head coach or Ms Jacobs if you have any questions about sport. 

TERM 4 2022 and TERM 1 2023 SPORT REGISTRATIONS

Registrations are now open for summer sports for Term 4 and Term 1.  If you would like to play EASTS Touch, IGSA Water polo, IGSA Tennis or Santa Sabina Volleyball, you must go onto the College website and register.  Please make sure you have checked your other co-curricular commitments before you sign up.  Once you have registered for the two terms, you are committed to that sport and no changes can be made.  Registrations will close at 3.00pm next Friday 26 August.  So please register now!

SPORT STARS OF THE WEEK

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

Congratulations to Ali Green, Year 8, who had a great week away in Brisbane at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships.  She did some massive PB times in the 200m freestyle and 50m freestyle, and placed 5th in both.  She then swam an even faster 50m freestyle leg in the NSW relay team to bring home gold and beat the Qld and WA teams.  Ali then topped it off with a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly.  Well done, Ali.  

STOP PRESS!

Congratulations to the St Vincent's Athletics Squad, who competed so well today at the IGSA Track and Field Championships!  We made a record 23 finals and won several medals.  

Niamh Mackenzie - 1st - junior high jump and 5th in long jump.  

Lara Roets - 2nd - 17 years hurdles. 

Junior Relay - 3rd - Siara McCreery, Sienna Flick, Francesca Dawson, Lila Smith.

Emilia Reed - 5th - 15 years 800m.  

Ruby Waterlow-Heuston, Year 10, (pictured on the front of this Bulletin issue) competed in five events and we are waiting to hear her results!

Below:  Lara Roets in the hurdles

below:  Siara McCreery leading off the junior relay

below:  Niamh winning the junior high jump

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-ordinator of Sport

TERM 3 Student Card Information  

Please Note:   Students MUST bring their Student Card with them when purchasing from the canteen.  NO CARD/NO PURCHASE. 

• You need to refill money onto your card AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE you intend to use the card (as it takes one hour to generate funds onto the card).
• ONLINE ORDERING is also available.
• GLUTEN FREE products are available - only when purchased through online ordering. 

TO ORDER A NEW STUDENT ID CARD please click the link HERE .  Please note that students MUST use their College login to sign into the form.

View CANTEEN SPECIALS for Week 22-26 August:    HERE

To reserve your appointment time on the day - please click on the link below:  

https://socheritagecentre.org.au/historyweek