Bulletin

Monday 05 October:   Labour Day (NSW) Public Holiday.

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Monday 12 October:  Boarders return - 4.00pm-6.00pm.

Monday 12 October: Year 12 HSC Information Night (Online) - 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Tuesday 13 October:  Classes resume for Term 4.

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16, 17, 18 October:  Boarders IN Weekend. 

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Tuesday 20 October:  HSC Written Examinations Commence  (to Wednesday 11 November).

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Canteen Reminder:  Next Term:  All students are required to bring their STUDENT CARD for all purchases of food/drink at the canteen.

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Dear Parents and Carers

Today we said goodbye to an extraordinary group of young women as they celebrated their final day of secondary school.  Every Year 12 journey has highs and lows, and the events of 2020 have tested but not broken the spirit of this year's graduands.  We wish them abundant blessings.

                  Roll of Honour 

We celebrated with them today and there are more occasions scheduled for November, when we will be able to thank them again for the great contribution each has made to the College, and the great leadership they have shown.  In particular, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Student Leadership Team of 2020.  In a year when so many events had to be modified or taken online, their leadership moved to a new realm.  They were leading and inspiring people to take risks and remain hopeful when they themselves might have been quite anxious and concerned.  They did not show it, as they championed new and novel ways of keeping the Vinnies spirit alive.  The newly announced Student Leadership Team for 2021 have a great legacy upon which to build and I know they will have the support of the entire student body, and their teachers.  I present to you now the outgoing and ingoing student leaders with gratitude and anticipation respectively:

 Year 12 Student Leadership Team 2020

                                                                                                         
Year 12 Student Leadership Team 2021

Today also brings to an end the very distinguished career of Mrs Sue Kennedy.  We thank Sue for her long and creative career as a teacher at St Vincent's College and wish upon her abundant blessings of health and happiness.  Several other of our teachers are heading off on long service leave - Dr Chris Reynolds, Mrs Alex Hunter - each for the entire Term 4, and others for smaller amounts of time throughout the term. Ms Donna Ginzburg has seconded to NESA for six weeks, which is a wonderful opportunity for her and we wish her well.

Each term this year has been unique, but this term when the global pandemic became a local reality was when the true grit of our community was revealed.  I would like to thank and commend everyone who stepped up to take on the extra burdens, and with graciousness, made lighter the loads carried by others.  Today's celebrations were the work of a wonderful student committee who had to navigate through government regulations to find the most joyful ways to say goodbye to their beloved alma mater; to Mrs Elizabeth Brooks for her care of the Year 12's, to Mrs Jo Kenderes for the magnificent Year 12 Graduation Mass and Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue for her care of the Boarders' as they 'left home, for home' for the last time.  A big, but wonderful end to the six year journey for the class of 2020!

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal 

The Principal of St Vincent’s College, Mrs Anne Fry, will be in regional areas this October to catch-up with the Vinnies community and meet with prospective families.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the benefits of a Boarding experience for your daughter.  #ExpandHerHorizons

Wagga Wagga:   Thursday 01 October

Hay:   Friday 02 October

Dubbo:   Wednesday 07 October

To make an appointment to meet Mrs Fry, please email community@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

The lyrics of Khalifa’s “See You Again” continue to ring in my ears this afternoon as my mind holds dear the jubilant faces of the Class of 2020.  These faces were streamed with tears and smiles, holding each other in warm embrace as they bid farewell to their school community today.  Whilst each individual Year 12 student has so much of which to be proud - it is the affection nestled within relationship that touched our hearts.  Relationships have a way of growing on us - through challenge and triumph - through vulnerability and courage - whatever the experience, relationships are shared and within them we feel known.  To the Class of 2020 - I extend my appreciation for having known you, for your giving of yourselves in relationship.  We do not know where we will see you again - it will be on stage, in research laboratories, around tables creating policy and within homes and communities caring for those who most need their love and advocacy.  I have no doubt we will all have to pay good money to see some of our rising stars in the future, but I sincerely hope it will always be a reuniting of relationship that holds us together with love.

“So let the light guide your way, hold every memory as you go and every road you take will always lead you home”.  Wiz Khalifa 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care

Last night for the first time in a long time, I found myself seated in our beautiful College chapel joining in a mass to celebrate the Boarding Class of 2020 graduates.  Our chapel has always been a special place for me to pray in and over the years has brought me much comfort and sometimes solace.  What a fine bunch of young women our Boarders are, and how moved I was to be a part of their very special community.  I have watched them grow over the years into the confident, intelligent and good-humoured young women they are.  I prayed for them to continue to walk a path of confidence, intelligence and good humour.  This morning yet again, I found comfort in being seated listening to Father Jamie Calder saying mass in this special space.  I was moved.  Deeply.  I watched students read the Liturgy of the word with poise and confident articulation.  For some of these students their SVC journey has been profound.  They have had their challenges over the years but have arrived at a place of significant growth in both their character and their academia.  I was moved to tears.  Not sad tears, but tears of pride and joy.  Mia and Ellen, our College Co-Captains for 2020, spoke of being ready to go forth and not worry about being ‘lost’, inspired by the story of a young Jesus being lost with frantic parents searching for him.  I am confident that the Class of 2020 will achieve greatness - they already have in terms of their spirit and their courage and each one of them is remarkable and unique as God intended.  I wish this class much happiness and COVID-safety as they celebrate their graduation, and I look forward to welcoming them back to the College on Tuesday 20 October - their first day of the HSC. 

To the rest of the College - Year 11 when you return to the College you will be the HSC Class of 2021, and you are ready!  Year 10, you will be busy preparing for your Assessment Activity Week and anticipating the excitement of your HSC Patterns of Study.  Year 9, you will be excited about the completion of your pre-NESA years. Year 8, you will nearly have completed the junior secondary years and Year 7, you are on the way to your first Subject Selection round, where for the first time you will be able to discern your own learning.  There's so much for all in our learning community to refresh and refocus on and the holiday break will bring this time to do so.  Enjoy, be safe and I look forward to regrouping as a learning community as we complete this challenging and dynamically-evolving academic year.

I leave the Class of 2020 with my favorite blessing.

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:

May you see your children’s children.

May you be poor in misfortune,

rich in blessings.

May you know nothing but happiness

From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home,

And may the land of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,

May blue be the skies above you,

May pure be the joys that surround you,

May true be the hearts that love you.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

Today has been a day of firsts and finishes.  Our Boarders’ Mass last night began a festival of farewells. The Boarding Captains designed the theme for the Mass, ‘Learning to Live Together.  Learning to Love Each Other” - Boarding:  The other eighteen hours.  They reflected on how every moment is an opportunity to learn something really important.  Fr Paul Fyfe SJ celebrated Mass with us.  He told us the story of one boy who was a member of the Wild Boars soccer team - the ones trapped in the cave in Thailand.  That boy had made a remarkable decision some years earlier.  He had decided to learn English.  He worked at it over some years, never imagining that his ability to speak and understand English, even in a simple way, would play a key part in saving his own life and the lives of his coach and team-mates.  He was the one who was able to translate for the Australian doctors and divers who came to save them.  He was able to communicate the plan, alert the rescuers to issues or worries with each boy, and most importantly reassure his team that whatever happened they would be together, and they would never be alone or abandoned.  Their friends had come from all over the world to save them.  Of course, it took thousands of people to make the rescue happen, but only one voice in the cave brought understanding and peace.  We don’t know where what we learn will take us.  We don’t know now where the lessons of justice, peace, love and forgiveness that we learn each day here at St Vincent’s, will be needed, but they are perhaps the most important lessons to have learned, and they will be needed.

Our Mass of Celebration and Blessing for our Year 12's was a beautiful expression of the challenge of the Gospel to love into the future.  Fr Jamie Calder SJ, our celebrant this morning, challenged our ideas about our own worthiness - to be loved, to be successful, to be the best we can be.  He reminded us of our great story of Mary Aikenhead and the five sisters, who said “No!” to the prevailing attitude that some lives are more important than others, that some people are more worthy of love and friendship than others.  Our sisters said, “No”, and we say “No”.  Many are more privileged than others, but no one is more worthy.  Our musicians this morning transported to a lofty place, and through their words and their exquisite sound they confirmed the same message.

Our Mass this morning was live-streamed to our Year 12 parents and to classes within the school.  An internet outage in the Potts Point area reminded us that there are some things we cannot control.  The video of the Mass, which was not impacted by the outage, will be available on Vimeo in a day or two, and we will send the link to the St Vincent’s community.

Let’s be grateful for all we have received this week.  I am grateful for my colleagues, for the joy of singing, for the blessing of my students and the smell of fresh flowers in the Chapel.

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

The In Weekend was fun filled with lots of preparation for Year 12 and the culmination of Bill and Ted Face the Music in our very own cinema.  It was very interesting introducing most of the Boarders (and Mrs Fry) to 'Bill and Ted'……the explanation of the previous movies provided some interesting conversations.

On Thursday we farewelled our Year 12 Boarders on their graduation from the Boarding House.  This event is always a beautiful send off from the Boarders to those who have led and contributed to our community for so many years.  With seven of our current Year 12 Boarders starting in Year 7, it has been a long journey, but what a journey.  Tarli and Hannah reflected on their time as Boarders since Year 7 during the moving mass organised by Mrs Jo Kenderes, and officiated by Fr Paul Fyfe.  An excerpt of their reflection is below:

Wow, what a year! Congrats girls, we made it.  Honestly, I never thought that we would get to this day, leaving a place that has become our home away from home for the past six years.  The Boarding House has been a place of acceptance where each of us have flourished into young independent women that are now ready to face the world.  We are so appreciative to be given the opportunity to be in Vinnies Boarding, and will forever remember the memories we have made.  We are also so grateful to have spent the past six years with such a diverse yet close bunch of girls who we have been blessed to call our sisters.  I can proudly say how close we have become this year and it’s sad to see this chapter of our lives come to an end.  We have made lifelong friends who we can call our sisters on this journey through high school, and I wouldn’t change a thing.  We thank you, Year 12, for being the people we could always rely on.  You were all so supportive, and honestly we don’t think we could’ve made it without you, we will forever cherish the memories we have made with each of you.  We love you!  On behalf of Year 12 we are greatly appreciative for the amount of care and concern our Boarding coordinators; Liza, Naomi, Linda and Susan have provided to us, as well as MOD (Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue) always being that person checking up on us and making sure we’re okay. Lastly, thank you to the Boarding House; girls, we wouldn’t have made it without you and honestly we are so grateful for the sisterhood we have created.  We know our friendships will last forever.

It has always been a dream to host a dinner outside and this year we were successful!  I am forever grateful for the hard work of the Boarders to set up such a beautiful space for Year 12 to graduate in style and to create lovely lasting memories.  Our proud new Boarding Co-Captains, Grace Kelly and Clare Lienesch, stepped up to the challenge of MCing the night, the first of many events they’ll be hosting throughout their captaincy.  We celebrated with a last meal chosen by Year 12, and each year it always ends up being schnitzel....our outgoing class of 2020 didn’t disappoint....but with the addition of an entrée and cold-rock for dessert - we were quite full! 

Mia Timbs, Year 10 BRC member, has spent the term supervising and creating pinatas, which were thoroughly enjoyed by the Year 12's….particularly Jemma Hatton and Hannah Quinn, who proved they had the biggest 'guns' in their year!  The Class of 2020 should be proud of the way they graduated with style and maturity.  They will be greatly missed for their humour, their laughter and their leadership of the younger ones in Boarding.  Gabbie and Hannah have led their cohort and the Boarding House as a whole, with maturity, with courage and with love.  I am proud to have watched them grow as amazing leaders over this past year and am proud to now watch them continue on their journey as amazing women in their lives.

And as they leave at the end of a term as well as Boarders returning home to their loving families, as Bill and Ted would say, ' Party on Dudes!'.

Yours in Boarding

Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue
Director of Boarding

Congratulations to Ellie Singleton (Year 11) for her successful application to participate in the National Youth Science Forum next January.  The program aims to inspire young Australians in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and its importance in our communities.

This year the course is online, however, feedback from our past students suggests that the experience will be life changing through networking opportunities with like-minded peers.  We look forward to Ellie reporting back to us next year.

Dr Chris Reynolds
Head of Department Science

It was with great pleasure and pride that we were able to invite students and teachers from the College to view the achievements of our 2020 HSC students of Design and Technology, Textiles and Design and Visual Arts.  It was with sadness that we had to accept that parents and friends of our students would not be able to visit the College under NSW Covid-19 guidelines and could not share in our celebration of the students’ achievements.  With the expert assistance of the Advancement office our exhibition will be available for online viewing by families.  Artists and designers around the world are having to exhibit their work virtually this year, and our students are in good company.

Undertaking a major project as part of an HSC course calls upon special qualities of commitment, persistence and dedication.  These students have demonstrated these qualities under challenging circumstances.  We cannot adequately express our admiration for their calm, their intelligent sense of perspective and their dedication to excellence.  The creativity and refinement so abundantly on show in the exhibition are the result of hours of dedicated hard work.  Our disciplines expose students to the difficult stuff of meeting their ambitions and dreams and this is always a journey beset by challenges, obstacles and disappointments.  It should not surprise us that these young people have coped so wonderfully with the challenges of this year.

On behalf of the students, I would like to express appreciation for the careful teaching and counsel of Mr Bob Anderson, Mrs Priscilla Laliotis, Ms Emma Palmer and Ms Tanya Schneider.  We thank too, the parents and carers who guided their children so wisely.  

My special thanks to Mr Steven Taylor for assistance with photography and hanging the exhibition, and to Ms Silk Burke and Mr Ken Devlin for assistance in mounting the exhibition.

Mr Graham Colman
Head of Department / Visual Arts and Design

Top Prize Winner - Woollahra Council Youth Photography and Film Award 2020 - Safiya Jadwat 

Beauty in the Destruction - Visual Arts Film by SVC Year 12 student, Safiya Jadwat

As mentioned in Mrs Fry's recent Bulletin article ('Principal's Message' 11 September), congratulations must be extended to our Year 12 Visual Arts student, Safiya Jadwat, who entered the Woollahra Council Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize competition this year.  Safiya’s impressive film was recently awarded Top Prize in the senior category, for her film submission titled Beauty in the Destruction.  The competition is a high school competition and is both highly competitive and prestigious. 

Safiya’s film is beautifully filmed and is conceptually captivating.  The film’s premise centres around the destruction of the 2019/2020 devastating bushfires and communicates ideas about environmental issues and the effects of climate change on our oceans, landscape and life.  Mr Shawn Seet, film maker, judged the film submissions this year.  When announcing Safiya as this year’s winner he stated the following comments in his speech:  “Safiya’s filmis beautifully executed, edited and filmed, I found it strongly giving…and it really stayed with me…”.

Part of Safiya’s statement contextualises her ideas about her film, "…In my work each scene represents an aspect of our beautiful yet damaged landscape.  It challenges the audience to focus on the consequences humans have had on the fragility of our environment, where the effect of our actions can have an everlasting impact...".

If you would like to view Safiya Jadwat’s film, go to:  Galleries2020 Youth Photographic Award & Short Film Prize

Ms Tanya Schneider
Visual Arts and Design Teacher

Charles Sturt University

Virtual Open Day

On 26 September 2020 from 12.00pm-4.00pm, CSU is hosting a virtual Open Day that will cover a range of topics from undergraduate course sessions and scholarships information, to video tours of the various campuses, facilities and accommodation options.  Contact Kate Friedlieb for registration details:  kfriedlieb@csu.edu.au

AIE 

Industry Experience Day

On 30 September 2020 commencing at 10.00am at AIE Sydney campus, 33 Mountain Street, Ultimo, students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are invited to the campus to learn about local and international game development, 3D animation and the visual effects industries.  Students will get the opportunity to learn about the different pathways to get into the industry, and what should be in a portfolio.  Attendees will be able to get creative in practical workshops using industry-standard 3D animation and game development tools.

The sessions are run by industry professionals who have worked on some blockbuster games and films.  Registrations are essential, contact AIE at  sydney@aie.edu.au.for details.

Campion College

Virtual Open Day

On 30 September from 10.00am-5.00pm.  Campion College will be hosting their Virtual Open Day.  The College offers undergraduate studies in the liberal arts. If anyone would like to learn more about Campion College, attend a live-lecture and an on-demand presentation, they should register for this event. Visit  http://www.campion.edu.au/virtual-open-day to register.

Study in the US Information Session

On 30 September from 9.00-10.00am, Internationally Educated will host a US university admission session to provide insight into the US university application process and the higher education system in the US.  Registration is required and spaces are limited.  A Q&A session will follow.  For more information and to register go here.

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

In my last Bulletin report, I had the joy of announcing and congratulating our five Onstage nominations for HSC Drama IP Performance.  Friday lunchtime of last week and this week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, have been both bittersweet, uplifting and heartbreaking as Performing Arts students from Dance, Drama and Music sang, played, danced and acted for us for the final time as Year 12 HSC students.

Even with audiences limited to their peers for the indoor performances, our students truly shone whilst performing and their audience enjoyed and appreciated their peers hard work and skills.  Year 12 Dance, Drama and Music students have been stretched, supported and steered by their teachers, their tutors and accompanists to be the best composers, designers and performers they can be.  Our co-curricular tutors have also worked tirelessly to support our students and also deserve our gratitude.  Thank you Jill Carter, Laura Fishwick and Georgia Britt, for the support and skills you have offered our students over the years.

The range of creativity and integrity from our Performing Arts HSC Drama students in Set Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Performance; HSC Dance students in Dance Composition and Dance Major Performance; and HSC Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension students in Music Composition and Performance have been nothing short of inspiring.  Each student is to be congratulated and the Performing Arts team wishes them the very best in their endeavours.

Below, each HSC Performing Arts teacher has highlighted some of the skills, achievements and components that their students have worked on this year and some of their future possibilities.  On behalf of our students and myself, I would like to extend a big thank you and congratulations to Ms Coates and Ms Santi for all their very specific teaching skills, their stamina and devotion to their art form and the love they inspire for the Performing Arts in their students' lesson after lesson.

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Performing Arts

Year 12 Dance Students 2020 - Ms Alana Santi

Congratulations to the 2020 Dance Elective students on their dedication and commitment to their Dance studies.  Despite the challenging year, the class worked extremely well and personally accomplished many personal goals.  We wish the girls luck in the Callback Nomination process and the final HSC results. 

Isabella Ciappara and Niamh O’Sullivan have also received a placement in Ev and Bow’s full-time course for 2020.  Both girls have been an integral member of our Dance program at St Vincent's College since Year 7, with their involvement in the ballet and jazz ensemble, co-curricular contemporary dance and elective dance.  We wish Isabella and Niamh all the very best as they head into the world of professional dancing. 

Olivia Garland also received four places into a full time course for 2021 - Ettingshausens Dance Theatre, Brent Street, Village Nation and The Next Step Performing Arts.  She has decided to accept her position at Ettingshausens for 2021.  Olivia has also been working in the professional industry throughout the year, spending hours rehearsing with elite choreographers in Sydney including Bec Condino’s Contemporary Arts program.  We look forward to seeing Olivia on the big stage and hearing about her achievements in the future.

Year 12 Drama Students 2020 - Ms Catherine Johnson

Drama students are not only interested in acting.  In fact, some Drama students intend to work in Production, Design, film or Events, so it is a good thing that the Individual Project for Drama allows students to select work and create such interesting projects as promotions and publicity, set, costume and lighting as well as performance.  This year there were several students who created beautiful costume designs, a student built a haunting set model and another who created a stunning lighting design, completed on the industry standard digital program for designers!  Our performers selected scripts from all styles and forms and even wrote their own.  It has been such a pleasure working with this cohort, some of whom have been in my Elective Drama classes, Theatresports, Shakespeare festivals, musicals and plays every year.  I am very proud to have worked with them in this final year through the glitchy digital moments to the glamourous or gritty moments that gave their final works depth.  Students are auditioning and applying for Creative and Performing Arts courses around the country, and I think we will see them or their designs on our stages or screens in the future.

Below left:   Bibi O'Loghlin        Below right:   Domenica Mitchell

Below left:     Ellen Ebbs                  Below right:   Samara Cottell

Year 12 Music 1, 2 and Extension - Ms Alison Coates

The Music class of 2020 was lucky, in this unpredictable year, that all learning activities were completed on schedule albeit with some modifications.  In all the uncertainties, the girls retained their enthusiasm for the subject and in good Vinnies spirit collaborated on every decision large and small.  Above all, they supported each other in their growth as musicians showing kindness, sensitivity and understanding.

Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension offer students choice to develop their individual strengths.  As well as the core components of performance, composition, aural and musicology, students are able to choose electives.  In Music 1 there are three electives, in Music 2 and Extension, there is only one elective but this is pursued to a very high level of sophistication.  Most students in Music 1 chose to prepare three performance electives, but Ruby McPherson’s creativity found expression in three epic compositions and supporting portfolios.

Taking on the extra challenge of Music 2 and Extension allowed Juliet Ivkovic Jones to develop her performance skills on the saxophone to a very high level, as well as the extensive research and analysis of topic work, sight singing and melodic dictation.  The Covid-safe requirement that HSC Music students could only have one accompanist for performances, changed the focus for some who had planned ensemble work.  Creative solutions emerged and repertoire was adapted brilliantly with greater focus on soloistic skills.  All rose to the challenges and presented vibrant programs with technical skill, stylistic understanding and intense personal expression.

We are grateful for the work of our capable accompanists and tutors who ably supported the girls in rehearsals, assessment activities, the Trial practical and the final practical examination.

After a year of working without an audience and having to forgo events such as Music Night and the Spring Fair, the opportunity to share some of the HSC performances last Friday lunchtime in the Caritas Christi courtyard was a highlight the girls will never forget.

It has been a privilege to witness the creative and personal growth of this gifted group of young musicians, and the Performing Arts team wish them every success in the future.

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Performing Arts

Year 12 Dance Students - HSC Dance Results  

The College just received the great news that six Year 12 Dance Works were nominated for the NSW Festival “Callback” for 2021.  Callback is a showcase of exemplary performances and compositions and only a select number of students are nominated each year.  We wish the girls luck for the application process and hope to see them perform on the Seymour stage in February. 

Students and Dance Works Nominated:  

CORE COMPOSITION:

Mia Cameron; Eloise Collins; Niamh O'Sullivan.                    

MAJOR STUDY PERFORMANCE:

Mia Cameron; Eloise Collins; Niamh O'Sullivan. 

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Performing Arts

 Above:  Niamh O'Sullivan         Below:   Mia Cameron

This week in Avid Readers Book Club, da Vinci Decathlon group and Ethics and Philosophy club, we saw a Socratic challenge, a few rounds of Poker, a house of cards competition and we sadly said goodbye to the much admired and extremely talented, Year 12 Philosophy Club leaders, Millie Welling and Bibi O’Loughlin.

A great week of complexity and challenge and a time to celebrate the gracious gifts that Millie and Bibi have shared with younger students.  All who will remember their generosity, enthusiasm, commitment and love of all things St Vincent’s and Philosophy.

Ms Donna Ginzburg
Gifted and Talented Co-Ordinator

Term 4 2020 Sports Staff Contacts:

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

Water Polo:  Ms Hayley Boatswain:  0404 267 554
Basketball; Volleyball; Touch:  Ms Elyse Harmanis:  0434 610 870   
Futsal:  Mr Hugo Forlico:  0411 615 031
Tennis:  Ms Therese Taylor:  0408 711 881.      

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

For all draw and venue information please visit this website.

FAREWELL YEAR 12

The Sports Department would like to congratulate Year 12 on the completion of their time at St Vincent’s College.  Well done to all Year 12 for showing such wonderful Vinnies' spirit both on and off the field!  I would especially like to thank our Sport and Health Captain, Domenica Mitchell, for the wonderful job she has done this year, in such difficult circumstances.  Thank you also to all our Captains of Sport, who have helped Domi and I to make Sport at the College so enjoyable.  May you all continue to participate in whatever makes you happy, and don’t forget to let us know if you would like to come back and coach a team next year!  All the best with your exams.  GO VINNIES!  

Congratulations to the incoming 2021 College Sports and Health Captain, Lani Bresnahan.  I look forward to working with you from next term and into 2021.  The annual inter-House Swimming Carnival is sure to be a highlight of the year, and we hope the Covid restrictions that are slowly being lifted see us all back to enjoying watching everyone playing sport soon.

above:   Netball 1 v 2

TERM 4 Sports Trials and Swimming Training

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, no trials will be conducted for Term 4 Sports.  We will also not be starting swimming training until Term 1, 2021.  There is going to be one morning a week of water polo/swimming fitness sessions, run by Craig Miller, for any girls wishing to do an extra session.  These sessions will be on Wednesday mornings from 7.15am to 8.15am.

We have selected all other Sports teams from last year’s teams and from their playing history.  In most cases there have only been two teams in each sport age grouping.  These teams may be altered slightly once we have the first training session back next term.  Please speak to Ms Jacobs if you have any questions or concerns in regard to this.

IGSSA Water Polo

We have six teams entered in the Term 4 IGSSA competition.  This will be an East/Central regional competition and won’t affect our draws too much.  It will just mean that we won’t have to travel to the Northern Suburbs and there won’t be as many grades, so it might be a slightly harder competition this year. 

All teams and training times have been placed on the College website and Craig Miller has offered to run an extra swimming/water polo fitness session on Wednesday mornings - all players are welcome. 

Ms Hayley Boatswain
Head Water Polo Coach

below:   Year 7 water polo with their Dads (in Term 1)

Ascham Friday Night Futsal

We have one junior and one senior futsal team entered in the Friday night competition next term.  Both teams will train together on Wednesday mornings 7.30-8.30am.  Team lists are on the College website.

We are still looking for a few more junior and senior futsal players for next term.  Please contact Ms Jacobs as soon as possible if you are interested in playing.

Mr Hugo Forlico
Head Soccer Coach

Santa Sabina Volleyball and Basketball   

We have two basketball and six volleyball teams entered in the Santa Sabina competition next term.  Team lists and training times are on the College website.  Any questions please contact the head coach, Ms Elyse Harmanis:  elyse.harmanis@gmail.com .

ESTA Touch

We have 16 teams entered in the Easts competition, and it has been difficult to select these teams without trials.  The draft teams and training times have been listed on the College website, but these may change a little after the first week of training sessions.  Please contact our head coach, Ms Elyse Harmanis, if you have any questions. 

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Baskball, Volleyball and Touch Coach - elyse.harmanis@gmail.com

Tildesley Tennis

We are still looking for more tennis players to train for the prestigious Tildesley Tennis Tournament to be played in Term 1 2021.  All players from Years 7 to 12 are welcome to come to training on Monday mornings 7.30am-8.30am and Wednesday afternoons 3.15pm-4.30pm, next term.  Any questions please contact head coach, Ms Therese Taylor therese.jones.taylor@gmail.com

Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis Coach

Fitness Training

Fitness training will continue on Monday and Wednesday afternoons if we get enough participants.  Please email Ms Jacobs if you would like to join in either one or both of these days.

Sports Stars of the Week 

Congratulations to SVC Hockey teams 1, 2 and 3 and their coaches.  All teams finished the season with some great games last Saturday.  It was nice to see the girls having so much fun as they played each other and had fun with their coaches!  Thank you to coaches:  Laura, Matt, Millie and Gini.

below:  Hockey 1 v 2

below:  SVC 3 last game

below:  Hockey team talk

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

AISNSW (Association of Independent Schools) Resource

https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/learning-from-home/wellbeing#parents.

Greater Good Science Centre: COVID-19 parent wellbeing resources and activities

The Office of eSafety:  COVID-19: an online safety kit for parents and carers

Keeping children educated and entertained during COVID-19 crisis…It’s easy as ABC

http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/keeping-children-educated-and-entertained-during-covid-19-crisis-its-easy-as-abc/

Mindspot

https://mindspot.org.au/assets/pdf/10_Tips_for_Coping_with_Infectious_Diseases.pdf

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Headspace

https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/

ReachOut Parent discussion forum

https://forums.parents.au.reachout.com/

ReachOut Youth discussion forums

https://forums.au.reachout.com/

ReachOut.com One-on-One Support 

The Brave Program

https://www.brave-online.com/beating-stress-and-worries-about-coronavirus-covid-19/

FACE COVID ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

If you or anyone you know needs help:

●      Lifeline on 13 11 14

●      beyondblue on 1300 224 636

●      MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

●      Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

●      Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

●      Headspace on 1800 650 890

●      QLife on 1800 184 527.

Government Agencies:

NSW Department of Health

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx

NSW Department of Education

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety/novel-coronavirus.html

National Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080 - operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.