Bulletin

Please see more in Mrs Fry's 'Principal's Message'.

Sunday 05 September:  Father's Day

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Dear Parents and Carers

This weekend we celebrate the great gifts of Fathers, Grandfathers and many other wonderful nurturing relationships that have helped form the people and families of the St Vincent’s College community. 

It is particularly poignant that in this particular week we extend our condolences to Ms Nicole Rizk (RE/Business Studies teacher at the College) who is grieving for her beloved Father, Sayed, who died on Thursday morning from COVID.  Such a tragedy brings the reality of the death and suffering of COVID very close and gives us a name, face, story and insight into the web of relationships that are behind the statistics announced each morning at the press conference.  May Sayed now rest in peace and may his family be consoled through the deep faith they shared with him.

Our condolences are also extended to Mrs Brooks on the death of her Father-in-law and Mrs Anderson on the death of her Father-in-law.  May all these fine men and those each of us have lost from our own families rest in peace and may their spirit continue to shine through their children and grandchildren.

I am delighted to recognise that St Vincent’s College is a member of the National “Fathering Project”.  This is a project commenced by Professor Bruce Robinson in Western Australia and it is now strongly established across Australia.  It has as its core rationale getting Dads more involved in their children’s school lives and community activities.  This has always been a strength of the Vinnies’ community, but new initiatives and strategies are always welcome.  Like so many other things the project has been in hibernation during COVID but our champions - Mal Wise, Nav Singh, Peter Carr and Don Little, are planning some very exciting new initiatives.  If you would like to learn more about the Fathering Project please Google:  The Fathering Project.org .

The first proposed event will be the Father/Daughter Sleepout in February 2022.  This will be a much more humane experience than our previous mid-winter sleepout in August.  They were always rather rigorous experiences!

If you have not yet had an opportunity to enjoy the Father’s Day Liturgy, I encourage you to find 30 minutes on or before Sunday to celebrate in spirit with our St Vincent’s community:  The link is in Mrs Kenderes’ article.

The virtual world of learning has seen great creativity, costumes and characters appearing from all sorts of eras, and the re-imagining of some old classics.  One such delight was watching today the final of the Spelling Bee.  Congratulations to our finalists, Satine Gallardo-Walker, Taylor Hyde and the grand champion, Bonnie Joseph.  The words in the final round were eye-watering and tongue-twisting.  Well done to "Queen Bee", Mrs Jody McDonnell and her "worker bees" Ms Lyndal Rose and Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue.

Next week we are embarking on a week of project learning for Years 7 to 10.  A separate information pack has been sent to parents and students.

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal 

The College community offers its condolences to the following who have lost a loved one recently (and also mentioned in Mrs Fry's article):

Ms Nicole Rizk (Staff) - Beloved Father. 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks (Staff) - Father-in-Law.

Mrs Joanne Anderson (staff) - Father-in-Law.

May they rest in peace.

This week brought us spring.  Spring takes it’s name from the verb ‘spring’ - flower bulbs springing up and bursting into bloom.  We have celebrated spring by reminding our students and staff how we bring moments of ‘spring’ to each other - a smiling face, a message that says we are thinking of you.  Our virtual College Assembly featured a beautiful rendition of our College Anthem - ‘Flowers and Sunshine Cheer our Pathway’ - and whilst staff turned their faces to the shooting bulbs of flowers, we recognised that our togetherness as a community provides much sunshine to brighten our hearts.  Thank you to our Music students who sung through voice and instrument.  Mrs Fry’s Principal’s Address livestreamed to students, also invited our preparedness to enter into the season of tribute and valete for our Year 12 Class of 2021.  It is with joyful hearts we will enjoy this season full of gratitude and hope.  Judging by the creativity of life at school over the past few weeks, I am confident that we will achieve this well.

Last week I made reference to the state’s chief psychiatrist, Dr Murray Wright, who had appeared at the 11.00am press conferences - and was there again today.  He spoke particularly to parents and carers about how we can support our children who may be feeling fatigued and fragile in this time.  He spoke of the need to make time for sharing and listening.  Not only do we need to manage and contain all that children are listening to - but to provide a deliberate space for them to feel connected and supported.  He emphasised that parents and carers are our children’s most important resource and encouraged us to seek support from families and support organisations in how we may support our children as they need to feel assurance and hope.  I include the resource he made reference to today - put together by the National Mental Health Commission in partnership with leading organisations such as Kids Helpline, ReachOut, Headspace and the Butterfly Foundation - Chatstarter - Helping parents and young people help each other.  It is no surprise our students are tiring - they have been terrific navigating their online learning amidst making sense of the world around them.  But like all long journeys, we need a pitstop every now and then to pause and renourish. 

This morning’s Fathers and Carers Liturgy also invited us to appreciate the blessing of being children, no matter our age, and being parents and carers.  In all its challenges there is love and the joy that comes from the loving.  This is a great hope we cherish.  I hope families can take a moment together outside on the weekend - to pause, breathe and feel the spring air - to appreciate our father-figures, those with us, and those who have left us with their imprint of love - to reflect on our hopes looking forward - and to simply feel connected with each other. 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

I have been lately noticing how vivid my dreams are during lockdown.  Vivid and often bizarre.  Last night I had a dream that I was surfing - so not me, but strangely enough I was really enjoying myself at the time.  I am a land lover - I love the earth.  I appreciate nature especially now during springtime as I work from home.  I am profoundly intrigued by each new bloom or bud that forms in my garden.  It makes me happy to know that with spring's arrival we look to signs of hope for renewal and new beginnings.  I pray that the statisticians are proven wrong and that we don't see the peak numbers of COVID-19 cases they are foreboding in October.  I am hopeful that we will get through the pandemic’s dark days to arrive at a new brightness and deepest appreciation for our health and family.  For those who have lost loved ones due to the virus, especially our colleague Ms Nicole Rizk, who lost her beloved father Sayed this week, I offer her the hope that his memory will remain eternal as she surrounds her memories of her dear father with light and love.  This Father’s Day as I remember my own darling dad Andy, who I lost at a young age too.  I will think of Sayed and Andy.  I think they would like each other and even share a cheeky joke, some mezes and a beer.

As I get older I often muse how in the busyness of any given day, I can’t remember what I've had for breakfast.  I remember childhood memories, however, vividly.  The colours.  The sounds.  The places.  The tree I sat under with my dad at the local park, eating a cheeky bucket of KFC when he picked me up from school after I caught the Chickenpox.  Or the ‘Eighties to Eighties’ Day (1880-1980 to be exact) in Year 6 - Sans Souci Public School.  Dressed as a 1940’s Bobby soxer, I remember the folk dancing, the games and the planting of a time capsule to be opened in 2080.  I marvel at what would have been in that capsule - some of the new 80’s ‘technology’, perhaps - biros - liquid paper - highlighters - Clag glue - a Rubik's cube, wooden rulers and brown paper-covered exercise books.  I would like to be around when it opens, but I don’t think I’ll live till 113!  With a similar sense of excitement, I am looking forward to the Project Based Learning week we have scheduled for next week - Week 9 for our Year 7-10 classes.  The project will centre around the idea of using the backdrop of our current context - the navigation of the pandemic, to create a piece of history for the family archives or create a piece of history to be kept in the College archives.  The rationale is to create a response to the exceptional experience of COVID-19 through one or more curriculum perspectives. The only limit will be imagination!  Our suggested provocations for the project week would include completion;

●        Through art making

●        Model making

●        Documentary making

●        Oral histories of different generations of family

●        Exploring the science of vaccines

●        Analysing the statistics of pandemics

●        Exploring how the maths of Networks affect epidemiology

●        Scripting a play

●        Writing a short story

●        Write a children's book

●        Creating a prayer book for our times

to name a few.  In partnership with you, our parents, I invite you to enter into dialogue with your Year 7-10 daughters this weekend, perhaps over the Father's Day meal, to gain insight into how and through what lens, your daughter is discerning her passion for exploration of the project.  To accompany our students who need a little more guidance and support through project week, we have a team of teachers lined up to be our Foxford Riggers.  This team includes, Mr Graeme Colman, Ms Maria Manitta, Mr Michael Latham, Ms Sheenagh Doran and Ms Kate Parish, who are looking forward to meeting with these students every Period 2 during Project Based Learning Week.

Congratulations to Year 11 who have nearly completed their preliminary HSC year, but certainly finished their online assessment block.  All kudos to them - they managed the new technological model exceptionally well and they all deserve a good rest from the books this weekend.  Perhaps a bike ride with dad is in order - weather permitting!  Finally, to our Year 12 students, your resilience to ensure the decision making process from NESA a little longer, is testament to who you are as a cohort - kind, empathetic, intelligent and resilient young women, who I feel privileged to lead in learning, alongside my colleagues.

To all our dads and to my darling dad Andy, I hope that the inclement weather predicted on Sunday does naught to deter the light of laughter and love from your families into your homes.  In the spirit of the inevitable Dad joke that may be shared on Sunday, here’s one for our dads:  I’d tell you a joke about a cloud but it would be over your head.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

Cura Personalis

The ‘Wellbeing’ program ‘Cura Personalis’, continues to offer our students and teachers regular sessions designed to experience wellbeing.  With our continued virtual context and responding to the ‘pastoral’ needs of the community, this past week we have provided differing pathways to our students at different stages.

Our Year 7 students engaged in a session on ‘character strengths’.  It allowed for the students to engage with people that inspire them and also to contemplate their own curiosities and aspirations.  We have kindly included a glimpse of the slideshow that teachers use as their guide through the session.

Across Years 8-11 we again drew inspiration from Associate Professor Lea Waters’ series, which responds to life in ‘lockdown’.  The focus this week was for students to engage in movement and continue to build their understandings of how exercise has a positive impact on their mental health and overall wellbeing.  The session was complemented by Joe Wicks’ good work, offering our students a range of ways to exercise and maintain an active lifestyle even when confined by restrictions.  We offer a glimpse of the session here.

Our class of 2021, the leaders of tomorrow, continued their good work contemplating the importance of being present and continuing to notice the ‘good things’ and ‘great support’ they have around them.  They engaged in a session which was designed to continue to offer and create ‘positive emotions’ as protective factors, while at the same time connecting with those around them.  We offer a glimpse of the session here.

We are so very grateful to all of our teachers and the pastoral team who lead the Cura Personalis sessions each week.  Our deepest gratitude to all of our parents and carers for their continued support as we navigate through this unusual time together.

By savouring the moments of good, committing to being mindful and present, highlighting acts of character and practising optimism and gratitude, all students strengthen their connectedness to the culture of wellbeing - that is ‘St Vincent’s’. 

Mr Mitchell Grace
Pastoral Dean of Students

We released the Father's Day Liturgy this morning.  Thanks to the students who sent in photos of their dad and to the brave fathers who shared their thoughts and feelings about fathering.  If you haven’t seen the video as yet you can access it via the link HERE.  There are some particularly engaging reflections from Tim Mitchell, father of Jacinta, Domenica, Olivia and Lulu, and Dan Patchett’s ideas on the challenge of fathering Charlotte are most insightful.  Don Little’s admiration for his two girls leaps at us through the screen, and I know Taylor Hyde will be very proud of her dad Tyron’s contribution.  There are many, many more.  Have your tissues ready. Our dads are an extremely inspiring bunch.  No wonder our girls are the best in Sydney.

The artworks for Westmead Children’s Hospital Covid Ward have been rolling in.  We will have sent off two lots of art and some blue-tack to help get it on the walls.  The next need is some cards with “Get better soon, Thinking of you, Sending you our prayers and love” messages.  We don’t have names of any children, but that doesn’t matter.  Students and families are invited to write a card or two over the weekend, pop them in the post to Mrs Dianne Forster, Reception, C/- St Vincent’s College, Locked Bag 2700 (Rockwall Crescent), Potts Point NSW 1335, and our Di will send them off together to the correct person.

The more challenging thing that the Covid ward staff have asked for is ‘paint by numbers’ art activities.  The children need something to do that engages their creative side, isn’t screen based and is not too taxing.  They get very tired.  I’ve looked online and found quite a few on Amazon, for around $25.  I don’t have a plan to get any kits to Westmead.  Charlotte Patchett, our Social Justice Captain, is on the case.  She is working on a plan, but we are a bit stumped.  How can we do something useful there?  If you have a plan that might work, we’d love to hear it.

Last Friday at 4.00pm our merry band of movie buffs got online to argue about the wisdom of Ester Couch’s decisions, and the nature of Idgie and Ruth’s relationship in “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café".  Is Mrs Threadgoode the beecharmer?  This most beautiful film from 1991 deals with racism, grief, love, family, danger, dysfunctional relationships and the glory of friendship that transcends time and place.  The girls loved it.  We all cried.

Here’s a recipe for fried green tomatoes.  It’s actually a thing.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/fried_green_tomatoes/

Years 10, 11 and 12 are invited to join the Friday Afternoon Movie Classroom and join the Google Meet at 4.00pm.  Parents and siblings are welcome to join too.  Parents may need to just check the rating if younger children are in the room.  Today’s movie is…. 'Edward Scissorhands'.  I don’t think I loved it the first time I saw it.  Having had another look this week on the advice of Ms Tanya Schneider who guides our discussion each week in film technique and all things cinematographic, I am convinced.  This movie is a winner.  Cruelty, selfishness, ignorance, rejection, abandonment, loneliness, regret, xenophobia, purity.  It's all there.  We will see if together we can find examples of the same themes and behaviour in our world.  Is Edward Scissorhands a metaphor for a group of rejected people today?  And what is the story with Winona Ryder?  How can she live with herself?  Jump on the Google Meet at 4, and fall in love with Edward, and let’s see if we can answer some questions and keep a lid on our anger.

Click on the link for all the info.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R__0s5iQJ0bsGgPC2do29ukY44XFonjRQsCV2Po-8Fs/edit?usp=sharing

I am obsessed with Richard Rohr at the moment.  He is a Franciscan Father and theologian who is moving and shaking things up.  He has been for 30 years or so.  I know my students struggle sometimes with understanding theological notions of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. It’s not easy.  What can it all mean?  And what was/is it all for?  Atonement or Substitution theory has been around since the time of Anselm of Canterbury in the 11th Century.  During the Reformation, the Protestants took on both these theories and they are still a huge part of how they understand Jesus’ message.  Richard Rohr explains the older theory of At-One-ment - the theory that Jesus came, not to change God’s mind about us, but to change our minds about God.  That sits more comfortably with a God of boundless love than a theory of sacrifice and suffering.  If you’re interested have a listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9m9sKMJDz4

Time to get ready for Edward.

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

Competition deadlines have been extended to 17 September 2021

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Charles Sturt University Parent Information Session

On 21 September from 6.30pm to 8.00pm, CSU is holding an online Parent Information session to assist parents gain the complete picture of their child's path from high school to university.  It will be a relaxed evening with a few short presentations and opportunities to ask questions. CSU is a highly regarded regional university best known for their highly regarded Communication, Vet Science and Allied Health degrees.  To register your interest go here

University of Melbourne

Open Day Agenda - What’s On

This year, Open Day includes a range of online and on campus experiences.  For more information go here.

University of Sydney

Pathways to Law

On 22 September at 4.00pm, interested students and parents are invited to join USyd’s webinar to learn the different pathways to their law degrees. Presenters include current students who will share their experience of what it is like studying at Sydney Law School and the opportunities of which they are most looking forward to taking advantage.  To register your interest for the webinar go here

Project Management for Years 10, 11 and 12

On 1 October 2021, USYD is hosting an information session on project management and where this dynamic field can take them.  To secure a spot, please RSVP here.  Students who attend will develop an awareness of project management as a discipline, career pathways, their Bachelor of Project Management degree, and hear from their students and alumni.  They will also participate in interactive workshops with  academics and experience a master class.  The program includes a virtual site visit to Australia’s leading technology company Atlassian, to learn about projects in action.  The program includes talks from industry professionals as well.  For more information go here

Mount Stromlo Observatory

Public Astronomy Night - 24 September - 7.00pm

Mount Stromlo Observatory in conjunction with the Canberra Astronomical Society, have extended an invitation to students and parents to attend their ‘virtual’ public observing night.  Participants will see the craters of the moon, planets, and beautiful star clusters and nebulae.  On the night, attendees will be taken on a ‘tour of the universe’ with talks by astronomers from Mt Stromlo Observatory and telescope observations. For more information go here

National Gallery of Australia

Teens Art Council

Applications for NGA’s Teens Art Council 2021-2022 will open soon.  The National Gallery Youth Council is a group of young creatives who develop and deliver programs for their peers.  Made up of approximately 16 young people aged 15 to 25, the National Gallery Youth Council are recruited annually and come from all over Australia.  Over the course of a year, this group will work closely with Gallery staff to co-produce events for young audiences onsite, online and on tour.  If you are 15 and this sounds like something you may be interested in, keep an eye on NGA’s Instagram for updates and announcements or call 02 6240 6589, or email young.people@nga.gov.au or use the link here

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

Sport Staff Contacts for Term 3 2021:

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

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

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

What great achievements Australia has had in the Paralympics since last week.  It’s great to have something so inspiring on television to keep us all motivated to exercise during lockdown. 

TERM 3 SPORT

Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, all Term 3 Sport has now been cancelled or postponed.  The IGSA Saturday competition has been cancelled.  Please be aware that fees paid for Term 3 Sport will be credited to your account.  There is no need to directly contact Mrs Pauline Martin.  

There are some great home training sessions on the College website for those girls who are missing their Saturday Sport, and lots of good Tutor Challenges being organised by Ms Jacobs.

TERM 1 (2022) SPORT REGISTRATIONS

We are now preparing for Term 1/2022 Sport.  The Term 1 Sport Registrations have been extended until Friday 17 September (last day of Term 3).  Please go to the Registration section on the front of the Sport page on the College website.  The sports offered for Terms 1/2022 are:  EASTS Touch, IGSA Water Polo, IGSA Tennis, Santa Sabina Volleyball.  Please make sure you would be available and committed to all training sessions and Saturday matches before enrolling.  The registrations will close at 3.00pm on Friday 17 September.  

VINNIES OLYMPIC CHALLENGE

I would like to thank everyone for participating in the Mystery Stepper competition - especially the six ex-students - Georgia McGrath, Annika Durante, Olivia Miley-Dyer, Liz Grey, Liz Doherty and Olympian Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.    

Some prize vouchers have already been sent to the winners, such as a Lets Go Surfing Lesson and The Storeroom Vintage Voucher.  All other prizes will either be sent out or given to the winners once we return to school.

Premmie Marathon Challenge - we need you to join the Vinnies team! 

The next Sport incentive you can get involved in is the 2021 "Premmie Marathon Challenge".  We would like to enter a school team in the virtual marathon (either 42km or 100km), which is running in November.  You don't have to run the distance - if you prefer, you can walk, swim or cycle!  And you can also choose if you do it all in one hit, or split the distance over a few shorter efforts within a week or even in multiple efforts over the month.

It's for the charity Running for Premature Babies which was founded by local mother Sophie Smith, who was Australian of the Year in 2019.  All donations will help improve the chance of survival of premature babies by providing special equipment to hospitals.  Everyone who raises or donates $50 will receive a finisher's medal and anyone who raises or donates $200 will receive a free running singlet and hat.  So please contact Ms Jacobs if you would like to join the Vinnies team. 

SPORTS STARS OF THE WEEK 

The Sports Department is also profiling any students who has learnt a new skill or sport during lockdown.  This will be featured in the College Bulletin's Sports Star section each week.  So please email Ms Jacobs if this could be you.  Some girls have taken up running, who have never run before, or have started an online pilates or yoga class.  Maybe you've had some one-on-one coaching sessions in a specific sport or skill such as surfing, karate or tennis? Whatever the case may be, we would love to know how you have kept fit during lockdown and may have a great idea for others to try.

New Sports Star of the Week for Week 1 is:  Molly Barwick in Year 10

Molly has taken up jogging during lockdown and is proud to say she can now jog continuously for 15 minutes - her aim is to get to 20 minutes this week. Having never been a fan of running in the past, Molly took this lockdown period to increase her fitness and picked up her walking to a jog by following a simple beginners program on Facebook.  She believes that this program is possible for anyone and would highly recommend we all give it a go if you haven't been a runner in the past.  It's a great way to work your body aerobically and mentally destresses you!  It doesn't take long and the benefits are endless.  See Molly’s story below:

In my everyday life I really struggle to run.  Whether it’s playing my AFL games or running frantically up Victoria Street to make the train, I’ve never been able to do it nor have I enjoyed it.  I am very slow and did not have the stamina to run very fast or far.  But after watching the Olympics and becoming frustrated with the lockdown, I decided I would try and learn how to run properly.  My goal was to be able to run continuously for 20 minutes, slowly increasing my speed over practice.  My Mum found a program on Facebook that encouraged people that hadn’t run much before to slowly work themselves up and I’ve been following it every day.  I’m proud to say I haven’t given up and I’m currently able to run for 15 minutes; only 5 minutes away from my goal.  I have another week to go in my program and I plan on maintaining my 20 minutes and increasing my speed.  While I still don’t enjoy running in the moment, I like it after - and the feeling's kept me motivated to not give up.  It's a new skill I’ve learnt over the lockdown and I’m hoping when we arrive back at school, I might be a little faster and less puffed out when I run for the 3:11pm train!     

Molly Barwick - Year 10

This section is to make the College community aware of some of the exceptional athletes we have in the College.  If your daughter has represented her state or country recently in her chosen Sport, please send us any results, photos or blurbs on her performance to jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au 

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-ordinator of Sport

The College has teamed up with the National Fathering Project and the P&F Association to relaunch our Fathering Project.  The Fathering Project in schools is about supporting fathers and staff to build our community of positively engaged families - for the benefit of the kids. 

St Vincent's College would like to invite all fathers and significant father figures to be a part of the Fathering Project.  For further information or to register your interest, go to our website www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/fathering-project/

Happy Father's Day!

Ms Renee Payne
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager