Issue 25 - 28 August 2020

Virtual Reality in 'Science Week'

Reminders

Saturday 29 August: Saturday Sport resumes on a regionalized basis (see more details and link to the draws in 'Sport Report').

Monday 31 August: HSC Trial Examinations conclude.

From Monday 31 August ongoing: All students are reminded that they need to bring their STUDENT CARD when they wish to purchase any food/drink from the canteen (please see the article in "Community Notices").

Tuesday 01 September: Year 12 - Return to lessons after Trials.

Monday 31 August to Tuesday 08 September: Year 11 End of Course Assessment Activity Week.

Tuesday 01 September - Wednesday 02 September: 'Catch Up' Year 12 Trial Examinations.

Wednesday 02 and 09 September: 6.30pm-7.15pm - Focus on Parenting Strategies webinar via Zoom presented by Dr Judith Locke. Article repeated in this issue (below) 'Parent Webinar'. Please register via the link - login details will be forwarded on the morning of the event.

Sunday 06 September: Father's Day.

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2021 Term Dates: Link to the dates HERE

From the Principal, Mrs Anne Fry

Dear Parents and Carers

It was a glorious day today on which to welcome back the last of our students and staff who have been in isolation. As a College community we celebrate our good fortune that we have been able to regroup so quickly as a community, that our HSC Trials were able to continue without disruption and that the good sense and graciousness of so many dispelled the fear that many initially expressed. We have so much to be grateful for, and I take forward from this experience greater empathy for other school communities, businesses and health care facilities when faced with the situation we have just experienced. Acting with love, not fear, always leads to better outcomes.

Our Year 12 students will finish their Trials on Monday and our Year 11 students commence their Year 11 exams. We wish our Year 11 students well. We know they are well prepared and now it is their time to demonstrate all their academic growth and mastery.

An important announcement was made this week by NSW Health about HSC students. To minimise disruption to teaching days or exam schedules, any HSC student requiring a COVID test will have their results 'fast-tracked'. The student must identify themselves a 2020 HSC student and their results will be given a high priority. This will allow them to get back to school or to an exam as quickly as possible on production of a NEGATIVE result.

HSC students are of an age at which it seems the virus acts quite similarly to adults. It is therefore critical that our older students:

maintain physical distancing or wear a mask when this is not possible
"stay home, get tested" at the first and mildest symptoms
maintain the highest protocols around hand hygiene
avoid large social gatherings.

We all want all our students, but particularly our HSC students, to get an uninterrupted finish to their year. They have an important part to play in ensuring their own wellbeing.

This year the theme for Science Week was "Deep Blue" and there have been many wonderful and innovative investigations this week into the natural world using scientific methodology. One of the very popular methods was by using Virtual Reality. Using the VR technology funded by our P&F grant for Digital Pathways, the students could be immersed in an underwater world without even getting wet! Thank you to Mrs Jody McDonnell, Mr Owen Crawford and the STEM Club for organising this 'enhanced' experience.

And, for another perspective on technology, I enclose for your consideration an info-graphic I received at a seminar conducted by the local Police Command (see below "What Parents Need to know about SNAPCHAT"). I found it very helpful to get this insight into the world of technology that is so familiar to our students. They understand how it works, but do not really have the wisdom to understand the implications. As parents I encourage you to share your wisdom and ask your daughters to share their knowledge.

We welcome to our extended College community two brand new members: Georgina Laliotis, born 21 August and Oliver Schroeder, born 25 August. We ask for abundant blessings of health and happiness on these beautiful babies and their families.

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal

What Parents Need to Know About SNAPCHAT

Reminder: Parent Webinar

Confident and Capable: Developing Your Teen’s Resilience

With thanks to the P&F, the College is pleased to present a two-part webinar for our parents and carers by renowned expert, Dr Judith Locke.

Helping develop your teen’s resilience

This is a 90-minute session delivered over two webinars (each 45 minutes) to help parents encourage their teens’ confidence, resilience, and self-regulation in their schooling, in an era where many parents overdo assistance and care for their children, and the challenging time of COVID-19.

Wednesday 02 and 09 September - 6:30pm-7:15pm.

To register your attendance, please click HERE

The webinar will be delivered via Zoom and you will be sent the login details on the morning of the event.

About Judith Locke: Dr Locke is a registered clinical psychologist, former teacher, school counsellor and workplace trainer. She is the Director of Confident and Capable®, an organisation specialising in delivering psychological training solutions for parents, children, teachers and other employees. Judith undertakes research investigating modern parenting, family wellbeing and academic environments. Her psychological commentary features regularly in the media including a weekly parenting column for News Corp and she is a member of both The Australian Psychological Society (the APS) and the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

Ms Jane Palin
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager

In Sympathy

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

Ms Jennifer Hoffman (Staff) - Cherished Step-Mother.

As this week draws to a close, I am sincerely grateful that we could facilitate the continuity of learning of all our Year 7 to 11 students whilst some staff and students remained in mandatory isolation. The major HSC Trial assessment operation for our graduating class has also transpired as scheduled. This week our campus began very quietly on Monday with all students in Year 12 attending their Studies of Religion Trial examinations whilst the rest of the College student body continued their learning agilely in the Foxford program. Year 7, 8, 10 and 11 students returned from Foxford back to face-to-face on Tuesday and we welcomed back our Year 9 students today. They have been missed. Year 12 have completed two full weeks of their HSC Trial examinations and look forward to concluding their final College assessments this Monday 31 August. Indeed it is fitting and somewhat metaphoric, that the Class of 2020 will resume their final Post-Trial learning on the first day of spring. Whilst spring is traditionally the season for new beginnings, so too will the spring provide opportunity for the Year 12 students to reflect on the finale of their 13 years of formal education. The Class of 2020 have been truly magnificent in their calm, measured and gritty approach to completing their final HSC internal assessments and all in the College community are cheering these courageous women of action to the finish line. I would like to thank Mr John Fry, our very calm and very personable Presiding Officer. I know that the girls have found much reassurance in the friendly faces of Mr Fry and his team of supervisors as they greeted the girls each morning and afternoon to supervise their exams.

Our Year 11 students take the baton of learning over from their big sisters on Monday, 31 August. As Year 12 concludes their final HSC Trial examinations, our Year 11 students commence their end of Year 11 examinations. We wish them well in their final study preparations this weekend. Nutritious meals, healthy sleeping patterns, fresh air and exercise are just as important as study. A reminder to our Year 11 students that full school uniform is to be worn for all examinations. Students need to be at school only when they have an examination. If students have a morning and an afternoon exam, they are to remain in the College between examinations to rest or study.

Our COVID safe practices will need to be adhered to stringently during the Year 11 examination period as per the latest governmental guidelines. Mrs Fry has outlined in her article the protocols we must be vigilant with to ensure the continuity of learning and assessment at the College. I take this opportunity to reiterate the importance for our Year 11 students to:

maintain physical distancing or wear a mask when this is not possible
'stay home, get tests' at the first and mildest symptoms
maintain the highest protocols around hand hygiene
avoid large social gatherings.

Our Illness/Misadventure Policy, which is part of our more holistic Assessment Policy, is available for all of our Year 11 students to access in any instance where a student feels unwell with flu-like symptoms during the examination period. Students who need to apply for Illness/Misadventure will sit alternate examinations on one of the catch up days; either Wednesday 9 or Thursday 10 September. Students will be notified prior to these dates if they are required to sit an alternate examination paper due to Illness or Misadventure.

Illness/Misadventure Procedure:

1. Notify Student Services before 8.30am on the morning of the activity or activity due-by date (Tel: 9361 2404 or email: collegesecretary@stvincents.nsw.edu.au). An email to me personally at manoj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au is appreciated.

2. Immediately upon return to the College after illness, students must obtain an Illness/Misadventure Application form from Student Services, complete it and attach the relevant documentation, and submit to the Head of Department on the same day.

I wish all of our senior students the very best in their final preparations this weekend and I do encourage them to take some time outside this weekend and bask in the beautiful sunshine as well.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

Just this week there has been an ethical and philosophical challenge for our nation and our society. As far as I understand it, our federal government has signed an ‘in principal’ agreement with UK-based drug company AstraZeneca to secure 25 million doses of the potential COVID-19 vaccine if it clears trials. This seems very hopeful and delightfully proactive.

In an increasingly common act of ecumenism three Archbishops - Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Archbishop Makarios, and our own Archbishop Anthony Fisher, wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to reconsider the deal. The problem for our Christian leaders is the cell line used in the manufacture of the vaccine as it relies on foetal tissue. The Archbishops believe that using "foetal tissue was deeply immoral", as it is dependent of the death of a foetus through abortion in order to harvest the material used to create the cell line. Professor Colin Pouton from the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, said the cell line was developed decades ago and had been widely used around the world. Other vaccines in Australia use the "human diploid cell lines" which are originally derived from human foetal tissue. These include rubella, hepatitis A and rabies vaccines. So, we face a dilemma. In fact, we’ve been facing it for decades, it seems, whether we were aware of it or not.

How often are we required to make a choice grounded in ethics? Our Year 9 Philosophy students are considering the philosophical dilemma of weighing up a greater good against a single ‘bad’. Many of these dilemmas ask us to think about our understanding of human life, potential life, the sacredness of all humanity and what we do about all that. I think I am regretting writing about this issue. You may like to follow the story and consider for yourself something of the implications that it suggests. Scientia cum Religione. We are called to consider deeply, to reflect and sometimes to hold in tension opposing ideas. The primacy of conscience is a great gift.

You will recall that the College held a screening of “In My Blood It Runs”. Clare Lienesch, Year 11 student, has written a reflection on her viewing of the film. It makes for sobering reading and is inspiring for us.

On Thursday 30 July, a few of the girls within our school community gathered together to watch the screening of "In My Blood It Runs". The movie is about the perspective of a 10-year old Aboriginal boy in Alice Springs, who is struggling to deal with his cultural upbringing and the State’s education outcomes that are to be met. Throughout the documentary it demonstrates the struggles and demands that our Indigenous people face within the western education system, and, also the increasing scrutiny from police and welfare.

Our younger Aboriginal generation make up 58% of young people in juvenile justice centres, in result of committing crimes between the age of 10-15. (At the time the documentary was filmed 100% of inmates in juvenile detention in the Northern Territory were indigenous children). This documentary shows us that the implementation of care and connection to land allows for us, Aboriginal people, to be able to control ourselves and our lives.

As a proud Aboriginal woman from the Barkindji Tribe, its upsetting to know that the education system I'm involved in is so successful but also failing so many of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. As a student, you want to be engaged and excited about your learning and also be successful, but throughout the documentary it seems as though the learning needs and wants of the Garawa people are not being met. It highlights how the system doesn't accept that there are other ways to learn and develop ourselves as individuals, more specifically through our culture that is more better known and understood to us. This culture is a hidden curriculum that is valid and important. This curriculum is available to Dujuan but isn't recognised by the western learning system, which to me, is very upsetting. As a community, we need to work together to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in order to have an education system where all needs are met for all students. I highly recommended this documentary as it is very informative and well worth knowing how our First Nations people's connection to land can nurture us.

Our staff have been part of a Professional Development session with Nathan Moran CEO of the Metropolitan Land Council, as he guides us through the nuances, joys and sensitivities of engaging with our First Nation's students and communities in a respectful, positive and sensitive manner. We have much to learn and we are keen to learn it.

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

Boarder Lines

With the Year 12 Trial examinations finishing for both Vinnies and SCEGGS students, the Year 12's are having a well deserved weekend off. They would like to thank the lovely and generous person (or people) who had a beautiful balloon gift delivered to the College last week for their exams. The sentiment was perfect, as you can see in the photo, and it has been enjoyed in the corridor during this exam period.

On Monday, Mrs Fry and I joined the Boarder Parents’ Association for an online meeting. Another meeting will be held soon with all Boarder parents who would like to join in. Details will follow soon which will include the date and the Zoom instructions. As we all know, Boarding is a partnership, and we are thankful for our trusting parents/carers during this year in particular. It is difficult that we can’t share our community spirit with you in your towns, so an online meeting will have to suffice.

This week we farewelled Anette Cooper, our Boarding coordinator for Years 7, 8 and 9. Anette is moving back to North Queensland to support her parents at a trying time, and we wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

Yours in Boarding

Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue
Director of Boarding

Career News

UTS Sydney

UTS Open Day

On 29 August 2020 from 9.00am-4.00pm at UTS City campus, UTS will be hosting their biggest event of the year. With over 200 talks, tours and activities on offer. Register your interest here

UTS Open Week: 31 August - 5 September

Join UTS for their virtual event and explore your course and career options online. With 200+ information sessions, virtual tours and digital workshops on offer, it's your chance to get your university questions answered. Register here

The University of Sydney

Six Reasons to Study Disability and Participation

On 2 September 2020 from 4.00pm-4.30pm, a free webinar will be delivered by Dr Kim Bulkeley. Dr Bulkeley will outline how the Disability and Participation major can help participants learn the skills and knowledge to create an inclusive society. Registrations are essential by using the link found here.

Pathways to Studying at the Business School

On 2 September 2020 from 5.00pm-6.00pm, a free webinar will be hosted by the University of Sydney’s Business School. The webinar will discuss the range of admission pathways available, and a current student who will share their journey and experience at the Business School. To register go here

The University of Sydney | Online Open Nights

On 9 and 10 September 2020 from5.00pm-9.00pm, participants can get course advice, chat to current students and attend a range of webinars at one of their Online Open Nights. Choose from either of their convenient weeknight sessions and learn about the University of Sydney from home. Learn more here.

UNSW

UNSW’s Computer Science and Engineering School

UNSW’s Computer Science and Engineering is the largest school of its kind in Australia. For more information visit the school’s website here.

Computer Science and Engineering Taster Lecture

On 8 September 2020 from 6.00pm-7.00pm, Computer Science and Engineering is hosting a webinar for interested students, go here to find out more.

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame Online Open Day 2020 will be held on 12 September 2020 from 10.00am-4.00pm. To register for this event go here

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

Sport Report

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

The Term 3 netball, soccer, basketball and hockey seasons have had a fair share of disruptions due to Covid-19. Due to government restrictions we are now changing to a regionalized draw and will play all remaining games in the east. This may mean that we will be playing other Vinnies teams in some cases, especially in netball. SVC re-enters competitions this Saturday 29 August. Please see the new draw on the website.

Thank you to all the students and parents who have adjusted to the Covid-19 rules this term. Please note that even if there is a fenced off field, we cannot congregate and spectate from behind that area either. Please be vigilant with sanitizing of hands and social distancing as much as possible. Leave all venues as soon as you have finished playing.

IGSSA NETBALL

Training started back this week and there are games for Vinnies teams this Saturday 29 August. Can I please remind everyone that training is compulsory. Morning sessions are held 7.25am-8.25am and afternoon sessions are held 3.15pm-4.30pm. All players must attend! Even if it is raining, training is still on in the gym - 2.32.

The official IGSSA competition has now been abandoned due to Covid-19 and we have changed to a regionalized competition. Unfortunately, a large number of schools in the east have withdrawn or are already playing in the RNA competition. The majority of the remaining games will be held at our home venue at Tempe, and may be against other Vinnies' teams because we have so many in the IGSSA competition.

Those teams playing at St Catherine’s please note: SVC 9 please enter through Gate 3 (St Johns car park on Albion Street) and enter through The Jane Barker Hall to the outdoor courts. SVC 1 and SVC 18 please enter through Gate 1 Albion Street, and proceed to the JKSC (gym).

We will ensure to do our best to make sure that all teams get at least three if not four more games of netball. All information regarding the new draw, training times and team lists etc can be found on the netball page on the College website under sport. www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/learning/sport/netball

Let’s all try and enjoy the remaining games of the season and be grateful that we can play sport at all.

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

above: SVC Firsts Netball

above: SVC 22 Netball

IGSSA HOCKEY

Training started back on Wednesday and all Vinnies teams will re-enter the competition this Saturday 29 August. Please see the new draw for this week on the website. This will be updated weekly in case there are any changes.

The official IGSSA competition has now been abandoned due to Covid-19 and we have changed to a regionalized competition. Unfortunately, a large number of schools in the east have withdrawn. The majority of the remaining games will be held at our home venue at David Phillips, Homebush or Steyne Park in Double Bay and may also be against other SVC teams. We will ensure to do our best to make sure that all teams get at least three if not four more games of hockey. Let’s all enjoy the remaining games of the season.

Ms Laura Wiggins
Head Hockey Coach

below: Year 7 Hockey at Homebush

ASCHAM 5-A-SIDE SOCCER

Due to Covid-19 government restrictions, the 5-a-Side games will continue at Moore Park with only Eastern Suburbs schools. The draw has been modified and will be updated on the website as soon as it is finalized. SVC teams re-enter the competition this Saturday 29 August. We will ensure to do our best to make sure that all teams get at least three, if not four more games of soccer.

All soccer games are on the Synthetic Fields so 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 Sports uniform is to be worn with SVC long socks, shin pads and boots (no metal studs).

We are still looking for a few more junior and senior futsal players for Term 4. If you are interested please contact Ms Jacobs AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Mr Hugo Forlico
Head Soccer Coach

Below: 5-a-side

BASKETBALL

Due to Covid-19 government restrictions, basketball games will continue with only Eastern Suburbs schools. All SVC teams will re-enter the competition this Saturday 29 August and the games will be played at Sydney University or Kincoppal Rose Bay. The draw has been modified and has been updated on the College website.

We will ensure to do our best to make sure that all teams get at least three, if not four more games of basketball. Let’s enjoy the remaining games of the season and be grateful that we can play sport at this time.

We are still looking for a few more junior and senior basketball players for next term. If you are interested please contact Ms Jacobs AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Basketball Coach - elyse.harmanis@gmail.com

TERM 4 SPORTS TRIALS

Trials for Term 4 Sports will be held in Week 7 if required, so please keep an eye on the Sports noticeboard and the College website for more details. We are hoping to select these teams on paper and then only run small trials for the higher teams if necessary. Please speak to Ms Jacobs if you have any questions or concerns.

Year 7 Water Polo: We still need a few more Year 7 water polo players to make up the second team. Please email Ms Jacobs if you are interested. No experience is necessary, although you do need to be a strong swimmer.

We are still looking for a few more senior and junior basketball players and any futsal players for next term. If you are interested in playing any of these in Term 4, please contact Ms Jacobs AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Below: Senior Firsts Water Polo

IGSSA ATHLETICS CARNIVAL and CROSS COUNTRY

Unfortunately, due to new Covid-19 restrictions, the IGSSA Athletics and Cross-Country carnivals have now been cancelled this term. If they can run a more regionalized-style carnival safely, IGSSA will endeavour to do so next term. Fitness training will continue on Mondays and Wednesdays from school at 3.15pm-4.30pm. All girls are to meet outside the change rooms and be ready to go at 3.15pm.

below: Training

Sports Stars of the Week

Congratulationsto our junior basketball team who are leading their competition. They have been training hard and all remembered to turn up the first day back this week! Good luck for your game against Ascham tomorrow!

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

Below: AHIGS COVID-19 Protocols for IGSSA NSW Sport - Updated 20 August 2020.

REMINDER From the Canteen - Bring Your Student Card

REMINDER: ALL STUDENTS NEED TO BRING THEIR STUDENT CARD TO THE CANTEEN TO PURCHASE ANY FOOD/DRINK FROM NEXT MONDAY 31 AUGUST.

The canteen manager wishes to remind students that they MUST BRING their student card for ordering any food/drink from the canteen. Leeway has been given this week due to the first week back again from Foxford. However, from Monday 31 August, canteen staff will not be punching in codes due to long queues, and it is also very time consuming for all concerned trying to buy recess and lunch. Thank you for your assistance.

A Reminder About 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.