Bulletin

Please take a few minutes to listen to the remarkable stories of some of our remarkable ex students.  This is an exciting series of podcasts produced by our newly appointed Community and Alumnae Relations Manager, Ms Renee Payne.  Enjoy!

SCREEN FREE DAYS:

WEEK 2 - 11 OCTOBER

WEEK 3 - 21 OCTOBER

Supervision on site will be provided on days other than those specified above for students who have no other way of accessing their online learning.

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Greetings Students, ands Parents/Carers of Year 7

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to Term 4 and a particularly warm welcome to our new students and families who have joined us in the very unusual circumstances that we continue to experience in Sydney.  The constant changes to what is and isn’t permissible, who can and cannot attend/travel/participate and what is or is not mandatory continues to confuse and confound.  While the excitement and anticipation around Monday is palpable there is still a need for restraint and wisdom to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.  I have sent a letter to parents detailing our response to the return to school plan announced yesterday.  Vaccinations will provide the greatest mitigation, but we need also to continue to practise the protocols we have become so familiar with regarding hand sanitisation, testing at first and mildest symptoms, mask wearing and social distancing.  I know the College families who are currently living with COVID in their households would attest to just how easily the virus is transmissible and how surprised they were on becoming part of the daily case numbers.  We all share the responsibility of keeping the College and broader community safe.

The new term has seen the commencement of the HSC year for the Graduating Class of 2022.  Let us hope and pray their final year returns to a more normal pattern of F2F learning and assessment and a full year of the co-curricular, leadership and outreach activities that make Year 12 so memorable.  Our very stoic Graduating Class of 2021 has this week been completing Trial CSAA papers at home under timed conditions, and next week will continue to work online with their teachers to receive feedback.  Our HSC Class of 2021 will be able to be back on site on 18 October to finalise their preparations for their external exams.

Our teachers commenced their term with online professional learning facilitated by the AIS on the changing nature of teaching and learning.  It was a fascinating day of learning and reflection on the enormity of the change in the pedagogy of teaching, the dispositions of learners and the “Intelligence” revolution that will shape our future.

Enjoy Monday and the freedom we have worked so hard to achieve, and now must continue to work even harder to preserve.

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal 

SCREEN FREE DAYS:

WEEK 2 - 11 OCTOBER

WEEK 3 - 21 OCTOBER

Supervision on site will be provided on days other than those specified above for students who have no other way of accessing their online learning.

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

Moya Ryan (Year 7) - Beloved Grandfather in Ireland.

May he rest in peace.

Much anticipation and hope await us this term.  No doubt we have enjoyed the sunshine, walks and picnics over the past few weeks and now look forward to reconnecting with family and friends we have not had opportunity to see for some time.  School communities are fundamentally communities of people in relationship with each other.  Our students learn best when they feel they belong and are connected.  Our teachers and students have worked hard in maintaining this relational aspect of learning in our Foxford environment.  Just like our family and friends, time away from these relationships may offer both anticipation and apprehension as students ready themselves to return to face to face learning later this term.

Towards the end of the holiday break, a group of 16 College leaders and teachers enjoyed the opportunity to engage in some virtual professional learning - PESA’s Australasian Wellbeing in Education Conference 2021 (Positive Education Schools Association) - entitled:  Flourishing in a Changed World.  It was a revitalising uplift to step out of the particular and reflect upon our purpose of education, and its transformative impact in shaping lives of meaning and fulfillment.  There was much in the learning that aligns with our vision and offers us evidence-based practices that enhance school cultures.  Mitchell Grace includes mention of this conference in his article.  What has been rewarding upon return to schooling this week is listening to the voices of staff, students and parents and carers also expressing such aspirations for schooling to be more than a place where we ‘do’ but a place where we grow to ‘be’ all of who we are are as human beings in relationship with our communities and our world.

It has been incredibly rewarding to listen to the dialogue of our newly appointed Leadership Team as they consider the needs of their student peers in transitioning back into school, back into relationship with peers they may not have seen for a while.  Good leadership anticipates the vulnerabilities whilst leaning into using our strengths to meet people where they are at.  I am confident that our senior students will use their imagination, good humour and compassion to innovate activities that support a welcome back to school that offers a reconnection and enhances a spirit of belonging.  There will have been a variety of experiences with remote learning, from some students really enjoying it and thriving in the home learning environment, to other students who have been disconnected and feeling isolated, and are eager to return to the socially familiar and comfortable school environment. 

At home, it would be helpful to keep up the conversations checking in about how your adolescent/s are feeling and what they may be doing to reconnect and contribute to this spirit of welcome and inclusion.  Wellbeing, connection and belonging are the foundations on which successful learning is built.  I was grateful to begin my Friday with my Tutor 9 sharing what we were looking forward to, and to end my Friday in conversation with the Student Leadership Team of 2021-2022, recognising their own unique strengths and sharing their hopes for their peers and community.

Enjoy the weekend - perhaps opportunity to share our hopes and apprehensions with our children about family, friends and work so they too feel comfortable to do the same. 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

One of the greatest pleasures I have in both my role as Director of Teaching and Learning and as an English teacher, is the opportunity to continuously learn.  Learning something new or having a deeper understanding of ‘why’, still ignites my curiosity and thirst for knowledge as an adult, as much as it did in my formative years.  I guess the adage is true...I have indeed found my true calling in life.  Igniting and sustaining curiosity is a fundamental component of learning deeply.  It is appropriate that the NSW Curriculum Reform, which comes into effect for us as a Secondary College in 2024, is titled: ‘Nurturing Wonder and Igniting Passion’.

This year our Vinnies learners have indeed been informed, transformed and empowered to showcase the grit and academic buoyancy that typifies a ‘courageous women of action’.  As a College, we have continued to make learning possible, despite the level four restrictions this year, but the true heroes have been our students, who have been most resilient in adapting to the changes of their educational context, and in doing so, continuing to nurture their hearts and minds.  The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) who direct our NSW syllabi, set out general capabilities that must be embedded into our teaching and learning programs for all students from Years K-12.  They are:  literacy, numeracy, ICT capability, critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability, ethical understanding and intercultural understanding.  More than ever, these key capabilities have been nuanced and demonstrated profoundly in many authentic examples this year, as we have continued to teach and learn outside the square.

Last Tuesday, my colleagues and I enjoyed a day of professional learning in partnership with the AIS (The Association of Independent Schools NSW) to explore further the key competencies that our learners need now and will continue to need in the future, in readiness for application in a constantly evolving global landscape.  We explored renowned educator’s Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn theory of deep learning and the six key competencies that underpin them:  Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking.  In doing so, we collaborated in faculty teams and as a whole staff, to recognise the ways in which our syllabi authentically allow for the development of these essential twenty first century learning competencies and where there is opportunity to further develop them.  We will continue to ‘look deeply’ into our teaching and learning programs in the coming months and years, to ensure that every one of our Vinnies students learns how to learn for real life.  As we continue to navigate our agility in learning, we look forward to the COVID safe transition from the Foxford program to Face to Face in the coming weeks and welcoming back on campus through our invitational program, our graduating Class of 2021.  In the meantime stay safe and well. 

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

Cura Personalis

Global Leaders of Wellbeing - PESA

As a recently recognized member school of PESA*, it was with much enthusiasm that our teaching staff had the opportunity to spend some of their second week of the recent break attending the 2021 PESA conference, where our faculty were engaged with world leaders in the area of ‘Wellbeing Science’.

Access to live conversations and discussions via Zoom with the likes of Dr Martin Seligman, Professor Lea Waters, Professor Felicia Huppert, Professor Lindsey Oades, Dr Ryan Neimiec and Professor Dianne Vella Brodrick, offered such broad perspectives and a resounding sense of optimism for the continued yet magnified importance of being a leading school in this area.  We are so very grateful to all of our teachers and leaders who volunteered their time to attend.  We have included a glimpse below.

Experiencing Wellbeing

Besides the wellbeing structures and interventions that St Vincent’s has as part of its foundations, all of our teachers are facilitators of ‘Wellbeing’ through our ‘Cura Personalis’ program.  The importance of Character, Connectedness, Perspective and Discernment, Physical Health and Sustainability and Optimism - the touchpoints of our program, play foundational roles upon which we can experience elevated wellbeing.

Our Heads of Houses have led our Year 7 students, alongside their Tutor teachers, in the facilitation of the ‘Cura Personalis’ program throughout 2021.  Each week the students experience a session together and this first week of Term 4 was no different.  The upcoming, yet to be released ‘Ron’s Gone Wrong’, offered us the stimulus this week to again investigate the ‘most important things’.  Students were engaged in contemplating upon and recognising ‘acts of character’.  They took the time to articulate when they have seen such examples in those that are closest to them.  By seeing the goodness in each other, God’s work in the everyday, we continue to remind each other of what we value most.  We have kindly included a glimpse of the slideshow that guided the session. 

We are so very grateful to all of our teachers and the Pastoral Team who not only lead the Cura Personalis sessions each week, but maintain and uphold the responsive and proactive structures within the College that have enabled our students to continue steadfastly throughout this unique period.

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’.

* PESA is ‘Australia’s positive education peak association...members share an interest in an evidence-based approach to wellbeing, and a commitment to supporting our young people, and the wider community to flourish’.

Mr Mitchell Grace
Pastoral Dean of Students

University of Sydney

The University of Sydney will be hosting a number of information webinars for interested students and their parents in October and November.  Everyone is welcome to register to hear what USydney has to offer their students (Registrations are essential, links follow).

October

Innovation Hub's Upcoming Festival 

Wednesday 13 October 2021:  Are you in Year 10 or 11 and interested in innovation opportunities?  Join the assembles panel on the Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, held in partnership with the Spark Festival.  https://sparkfestival.co/

Architecture and the Built Environment Student Panel

Wednesday 13 October, 4.00pm-4.45pm:  In this webinar, attendees will hear from some of USYD’s current students.  Learn how they came to their built environment stream and what opportunities they've been able to take advantage of and enjoyed the most while studying at Sydney.

https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MJ8Dv2bSSTqWRvWc1undzw

Double Degree Medicine and Dentistry Program | Wed 20 Oct 4-4.45pm

Assessment Day is an important part of the application process.  Join USYD for this webinar to learn about the invitation process, how attendance takes place and what you can expect to happen on the day, and receiving your post-assessment results.

Pathways to Medicine and Health for Indigenous Students | Wed 27 Oct 4-4.45pm

Join this webinar to learn about USYD’s facilitated pathways into the Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine and Bachelor of Oral Health programs, including information about the new Dubbo stream starting in 2022.  You can apply to any of USYD’s medicine and health degrees through the University of Sydney Gadigal program.

Dual Degree with Sciences Po Closing Dates | Sun 31 Oct

Travel abroad, immerse yourself in French culture, learn a new language and complete a dual degree.  The closing date for Round 1 for current Year 12 students to apply directly to the University of Sydney for this course, is Sunday 31 October (recommended for domestic students).

November

Dissecting Science Panel | Wed 3 Nov 4-4.45pm

Join USYD to learn more about how students can pursue their passion in Science, which degree would be best and what requirements are needed. Participants will be able to ask questions to the panel.

Careers in UX and Interaction Design | Wed 10 Nov 4-4.45pm

Attendees will hear from current students and alumni about their experiences with the interaction design industry.  Panelists will share their plan for their path forward, their design practice and their view of the industry's role in our modern world.

UNSW

SciX@UNSW Science Extension 2022 Program

In this one-week intensive summer school, students will be placed in small groups and gain access to UNSW Science’s world-leading researchers, tools and facilities to support them in completing their independent research project.  Watch students' testimonials from last year's program here.

Applications open on Monday 11 October - students can fill out the expression of interest form found here to receive the registration link.

COVID-Normal:  Preparing for a New World

On Wednesday 27 October from 6.00pm-7.00pm, interested students can join Professor Adrienne Torda and an expert panel of senior health and community leaders including Peter Doherty, as they discuss what the future will look like as we all prepare to live with COVID-19.  To register your interest you the link found here

UNSW Indigenous Pre-Programs and IAS Applications Are Open

The UNSW Science and Engineering Indigenous Preparatory program is a free online program to support indigenous students to transition to university and to apply for alternative entry into an UNSW Science or Engineering undergraduate degree.  For more information about this and the Indigenous Admission Scheme, use the link found here 

Australian National University

Webinar Week:  11-14 October

ANU Your future, our focus:  Crawford School of Public Policy Graduate Pathways

Come along and gain a deeper understanding of the graduate pathways designed to lead ANU’s students to their career goals available to students at Crawford School.  No matter who you are and where you are, you can share your career goals and aspirations at these interactive talks with their department heads and experts.

The ANU Crawford School of Public Policy is hosting a series of online information sessions to provide an overview of our graduate programs and answer any questions you may have about studying with them.  Use the link here to find out more.

Study Resources, Environment and Development

If you are interested in policy roles to address critical social, political and policy challenges in resource extraction, environmental management and development?  You should try to attend this webinar scheduled for 13 October from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

This session of the Webinar Week will be a great opportunity for you to find out what you can gain form Crawford School’s offerings that will enable you to step up against the challenges on the way towards your career goals.  Click here to find out more.

Study National Security Policy

14 October from 5.00pm to 6.00pm:  If you are interested in leading and contributing to national security strategy development within government, industry and NGO's, then you should try to attend this webinar.  If you study at ANU’s Crawford School you will be studying at the National Security College (NSC), a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and the Australian National University, you will engage with world-leading scholars at the cutting edge of national security research with the wider national security community and with leaders in government, politics, business and NGO's in Australia and internationally.  Click here to find out more.

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

Touch and Volleyball:  Elyse Harmanis - 0434 610 870

Tennis:  Therese Taylor - 0408 711 881

Water polo:  Hayley Boatswain - 0404 267 554.

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/

How to Cope with the Final Few Weeks of Lockdown

Millions of people are less physically active than they were before Covid-19. For those working and studying  from home, the morning walk to the bus/train station has gone. Days on end can be spent hunched over a laptop without ever leaving the house. For some, that's taking a painful toll, especially on our necks and backs. We don’t want to come out of this lockdown with sore backs and we definitely don’t want to get injured when we start back at our competitive sport. So we need to get as fit as we can in the next few weeks and strengthen our muscles that we may not have been using as much as we usually do.

A survey of people working remotely, found 81% of respondents were experiencing some back, neck or shoulder pain. Almost half (48%) said they were less physically active than before the lockdown. Another study found 35% reporting new back pain while working from home. Physiotherapists and other back pain experts say those with serious or persistent problems should seek professional help, but there are things that many of us can do to help ourselves. Pretty much all the experts agree that one of the best things you can do is get moving. Don't sit in the same position for long periods. Make sure you take any opportunity you can to move your body, It doesn't need to be about exercise as such.It's about building movement into your day. We all need to take regular movement snacks. That could be taking phone calls or joining online meetings or classes standing up, just having a stretch or walking up and down the stairs when you don't really need to etc. When you're moving, different muscle groups share the work of keeping your head, neck, back and the rest of your body supported, rather than continually overloading the same muscles. We also need to go for a good walk whenever we can. Movement can help with breathing by opening up your chest, and reducing muscle atrophy. It increases blood flow and lubricates synovial joints - joints that allow free movement - like hips and shoulders.

Creating a new routine to help keep you moving can be difficult, so experts suggest setting a timer on your phone or laptop to remind you to move. It's a good way to avoid getting stuck in the same position hour after hour. We've evolved to move. We naturally want to move after about 20 or 30 minutes, so that's when you need to go and shake it about. If you're sitting when it goes off, stand up. If you're standing, have a stretch or walk up and down the stairs. The key is to create a routine that works for you. There's no point in creating a schedule that makes you feel like a failure when you don't keep to it. So ask yourself honestly what you would be prepared to do, and stick to it. Be careful, but as long as it gets you out of the chair, stretching, walking or Zumba dancing in your living room, it doesn't matter what it is!

You don't need the perfect set up with a thousand dollar chair, but if you're scrunched up on the sofa, it's not going to be good for your back. Your workspace is worth some serious thought.  Just make small tweaks that don't cost the earth. That could be as simple as using a cushion to raise you up on your chair, or to support your lower back. An inexpensive adjustable office chair can help. A mount for your laptop will raise your screen to eye level so that you're not always looking down, particularly on long online video calls. Standing desks can be helpful, I miss my one at school. But you need to alternate between standing and sitting - and take regular screen breaks. If you don't have a standing desk, I recommend standing with your laptop on an ironing board for short periods. That's what I’ve been doing and it really helps alleviate back and neck pain. But most importantly don’t forget to take regular breaks from your screen and try the following stretches and exercises. 

Friendly Comp for Term 4

Students are asked to consider whether they are interested in participating in four weeks of friendly inter-school competition once community Sport resumes.  The dates will be 6, 13, 20 and 27 November, and of course all subject to change at late notice if community health conditions warrant changes to community Sport.  All games and training will operate with Covid-safe plans.  There are benefits of fitness, pre-season training for Term 1, re-socialising and bringing routine back into our lives.  There are also risks that must be seriously considered by all parents of inter-school transmission of Covid.  If after consideration you wish to register your daughter, the College website will accept registrations up to 14 October.

TERM 1 SPORT 2022

We are now preparing for Term 1 Sport and Registrations have been extended until Thursday 14 October.  Please go to the Registration section on the front of the Sport page on the College website. The sports offered for Term 4/1 are: EASTS Touch, IGSA Water Polo, IGSA Tennis and 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 5.00pm on Thursday 14 October. 

Vinnies Premmie Babies Challenge

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 STAR OF THE WEEK 

Congratulations to our new College Sport and Health Captain - Imogen Gill.  Imogen has been very active during lockdown and has been keeping fit  by training to improve her speed and strength with Tash at Sydney Park.  Imogen will definitely be ready for the touch season when it finally starts!

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

Vinnies Voices

We are excited to announce the launch of Vinnies Voices, a podcast hosted by Natarsha Belling (Class of 1992) showcasing ten inspirational and courageous Alumnae.  In each episode our Alumnae share with us their secrets to success, life advice and their time at St Vincent's College.

Join Natarsha in this exclusive conversation with our remarkable Alumnae.  Listen to Vinnies Voices on the College's website www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/vinniesvoices, Spotify or apple

Ms Renee Payne
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager

Below:  This Vinnies Voice compilation is our Photo of the Week as featured at the beginning of this issue.

NOMINATIONS FOR P&F POSITIONS 2022

As the class of 2021 graduates, we also lose key members of our P&F Executive for various reasons.  In order to ensure a smooth transition and that the work and activities organised by the group continues, we need to look to fill those positions at our November meeting.  While it may seem daunting, the P&F Executive and other parents work together on all activities to lighten the load.  We have two major events each year - the Welcome Back Cocktail Party in February/March and the Spring Fair in September.  Sadly due to COVID we have been unable to hold these in 2021.

Meetings are held once per term and are held via Zoom at this stage.  We are looking to fill the positions of:

President

Vice President

Secretary

The St Vincent's P&F has built a positive working relationship with both the College COR Team and other stakeholder groups, which has allowed a number of improvements benefiting all our daughters.  If you feel like you are interested but would like more information about what is involved, please don't hesitate to contact me anytime on 0400 583 677.

Kind regards

Katherine Aitken
P&F President

We understand that COVID-19 and lockdowns have impacted many businesses and livelihoods across our community.  Now more than ever, it is important to rally behind and support the businesses owned by members of the College’s families and alumnae.

We encourage all members of our St Vincent's community to support these businesses by heading to our business directory on our website   www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/our-community/business-directory/

The Directory is made available as a service to the College community and publication in the Directory is not to be interpreted as an endorsement of any business by the College.

Ms Renee Payne
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager