Issue 30 - 22 October 2021


'Hats off' to the graduating Class of 2021!

 

 

 


Reminders and Events

Return to School dates:

Monday 25 October:  HSC (Class of 2022)

Monday 01 November:  Years 7 to 10 students.

Sunday 24 October Year 11 Boarders return and Sunday 31 October Years 7-10 Boarders return.

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

P&F Meeting:  Tuesday 02 November 6.30pm.

Online - Please click HERE to register  (see P&F article at the end of this issue in 'SVC Community').

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

NSW Government 12-15 Year olds - Covid-19 Vaccination - WALK-IN WEEKEND 23-24 October

People aged 12-15 years are encouraged to walk-in to participating vaccination clinics for a COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October (first or second dose). 

There are many participating locations this weekend 23-24 October - for these and further details please go to the link HERE and link to the NSW Government FAQ's for parents/carers HERE .


From the Principal, Mrs Anne Fry

Dear Parents and Carers

It was wonderful to see our HSC candidates return this week.  After a relatively tentative start on Monday morning, their energy and enthusiasm grew throughout the week.  They appreciated the opportunity to complete practice English and Study of Religion papers under exam conditions and most importantly, to receive the feedback of their teachers and peers.  I was in awe of the discipline shown by many of these students who have been so committed to their learning during the long period of level 4 restrictions.  I was equally impressed with the honesty of those who admitted they have struggled to find the motivation and energy to keep going.  Regardless of where they are on the journey, these next three weeks are critical in maximising the gains they can make.  Everyone is there to support, encourage and care for them as they complete the marathon their HSC has become because of the Covid delays.  During Weeks 4 and 5, our HSC candidates will be able to access their timetabled classes on site, use the College as a study centre, speak to our counsellor, consult our Careers Adviser re Tertiary options or just re-adjust to being back among their peers.  All are important milestones on the journey towards their HSC which begins on 9 November.

Next week our new Year 12's (Class of 2022) resume face to face teaching and assessment.  We are very much looking forward to seeing them return and we are very encouraged by their awareness and willingness to settle quickly into good routines.  They know that as new College Seniors they will be role models for the Years 7-10's when they return the following week.  There will need to be some new practices integrated into our school day such as, the compulsory use of masks while indoors, trying to retain a degree of separation between cohorts and embracing "fresh air".

Next week the Foxford program will offer screen lessons each day (no screen free day) for Years 7-10.  Supervision will be offered for students on site as we have throughout the level 4 restrictions.  For some other students, this service might offer a chance to reduce anxieties about the return.  Coming in for a half or whole day could be very helpful as part of the re-orientation to F2F.  If you would like your daughter in Years 7-10 to attend, please send me an email (principal@stvincents.nsw.edu.au) so I can ensure we have the appropriate number of staff available for each day.

The last two weeks have seen significant and often ambiguous announcements about the easing of restrictions.  Often there is a lag between the Public Health Orders and the recommended guidelines for schools.  We are all doing our best to absorb the changes, understand them and implement.  Thank you for your patience and goodwill as we continue to do our best to navigate through the "minutae" of the school guidelines despite the big changes other sectors are starting to enjoy!

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal

Show more

In Sympathy

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

Allanah Joukhadar (class of 2021) - Grandmother.

 

May she rest in peace.


From the Deputy Principal

There is the adage - ‘out with the old, in with the new’, and whilst today saw the baton passed from our Class of 2021 to our incoming Year 7s for next year, the Class of 2027, there is nothing old or discarded about our graduating class.  In fact, the pride we have in their accomplishments and the young women they are breathes life and purpose into our mission of our St Vincent’s College education.  Today has been one of those very feel-good days as we have enjoyed a spirit of companionship with the Class of 2021, encouraging us to look with hope and excitement to the new faces that now enter into the relationship of what it means to be a Vinnies girl.  Neither cohort of students actually crossed paths with each other but we as teachers literally went from being physically present with Year 12 to greeting Year 7 2022 in our virtual Foxford classrooms in the space of an hour.

Our Thanksgiving Celebration outside in our beautiful Caritas Christi courtyard offered us an opportunity to give thanks for the St Vincent’s College community that has shaped the graduating Class of 2021.  Our College Motto - Scientia Religione is a reminder that learning - growing in knowledge of ourselves and our world, building our strengths and capabilities is integral to the formation of ourselves as people who are fully alive as the person our God has created us to be.  It was appropriate that we gathered together in this sacred place of community and learning gifted to us by the mission and work of Mary Aikenhead Ministries and the founding Sisters of Charity who started the school of St Vincent’s College on this site of Tarmons in May 1958 to offer a ‘religious, solid and useful education’.  We hope this is what our students have received 163 years on.  Today we celebrated the many academic successes that represent the fortitude of all our Year 12 students who have persisted in pursuit of her own personal best in knowledge and faith.  Community is about connections - we are better than our individual selves because of the relationships we share and impact upon one another.  Community often gathers around a table.  Nothing could have been more fitting for our Class of 2021 St Vincent’s students than a 'Melted Monster' lunch which the girls enjoyed in joyful conversation and friendship.

Whilst we found ourselves in a virtual space today as we welcomed our Year 7 Class of 2022, our welcome was just as sincere, and possibly more creative than usual, as we used video and Google Meets to offer an opportunity to make some new connections whilst sampling high school learning.  A huge thank you to our Student Leaders, inclusive of our Years 7 and 9 SRC Reps - Emma Frinsdorf, Joanna Lahana, Eleni Matsos and Ellie Davies for their wonderful voices and energy in delighting Year 6 students and parents with their own experiences.

It was a joy to see our new parents joining us on screen last night as we commence our partnership for the next six years of their daughter’s education and growth as a young person independent in thought, compassionate in attitude and confident to act.  To those Year 12 parents watching on screen this morning, I hope this is what you saw in your daughters.

Old or new - we take joy in proclaiming ‘once a Vinnies girl, always a Vinnie's girl’.  I am thankful for such a day as today.

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal


From the Director of Teaching and Learning

This morning’s Academic Assembly for the Class of 2021, like much of our innovative and agile approach to this academic year, was designed by thinking creatively.  What a special morning it was.  Our girls looked very polished and proud in their winter uniforms, blazers and hats.  They were seated in the Caritas Christi courtyard sharing in an acknowledgement of who they are as remarkable young women and who we are as a collective community of learners.  I hope our families at home watching enjoyed the intimate ceremony as much as we all did.  This cohort already has much to be proud of, yet as Father Ramesh stated, they are only at the ‘commencement’ of their post-school journey and the path ahead looks bright.

Here is an excerpt from my speech this morning to this inspiring cohort:

Thinking outside the square and adopting innovative approaches which ensured that HSC teaching and learning continued unabated, have been the hallmarks of this cohort’ final year.  Our learning framework’s pivotal attributes are to be informed, transformed and empowered.  We believe that this cyclical paradigm ensures that our graduating students arrive at their destination with the capabilities and attributes befitting a ‘courageous woman of action’. 

Each of you before me have arrived where you are today, through a commitment to persevere, show grit and determination to succeed.  That does not come without great commitment and willingness to be more.  I encourage each of you after today, to keep giving more and keep aspiring to be more.  Have those great post-school aspirations in sight whilst pushing further and aiming higher.  Great gains can be made between now and your final exams.  This could make the difference in not just one or two tertiary doors opening for you, but several.  Your teachers are here to guide you in your final preparations and will be available in person and in relationship with you next week.  I challenge each of you to consider - what is my dream?  Can I visualise it?  What more can I do to realise it?  How much more can I be?  Be bold in your dreams and be bright and determined in your waking hours.  The Vinnies spirit, that tangible yet palpable invisible presence, will guide you - believe in it and believe in yourselves, because your parents and your teachers certainly know you are indeed courageous women of action. 

‘The Deer’s Cry’, a Celtic hymn by Shaun Davey, that was beautifully led by our talented solosist; Mrs Jo Kenderes this morning, always gives me goosebumps and fills me with the joy of my faith.  I hope that each young woman knows that no matter what life may throw at them, Christ will be with them to guide and protect:

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,

Christ when I lie down, christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me.

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.

I arise today.

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

Show more

From the Director of Faith and Mission

We have had the most exciting and moving morning.  Year 12 returned to us for a celebration of Mass on the Caritas Christi Courtyard.  Flowers and sunshine were all around with smiles and excitement at every turn.  Thanks to the extremely clever team in IT and our Library, we managed to record the Mass and livestream it to our parents.  I believe it all went without a hitch.  Thank God.  Our first reading was from the book of Joshua.  It is a little obscure, I know, but I remember hearing it at Mass years ago and thinking ‘That is a fine message’.  I made a note of it.  In the story, set about 3,000 years ago, Joshua presents a choice to the leaders and all people of his community.  He reminds them off all they’ve been through and makes them look at all they have, reminding them that they don’t deserve what they have been given.  They have done nothing to deserve it and they are no more important than any other people.  He asks them to choose the god they will follow - the idols of the past with their false promises of prosperity, or the God of love who has given them all they have and made them all they are.  The people choose the God of love.  Nice message. 

Our Gospel was the story of the poor widow in the temple, who puts her very last coin into the offering box for the poor.  Our priest, Fr Ramesh Richards SJ, suggested that the story helps us determine what we are willing to give.  What are we up for?  It’s a question that our Year 12's are trying to answer right now and will continue to answer in the days and years to come.  How much of ourselves are we willing to put on the line for the poor?  In this year of Generosity of Spirit, perhaps we are asked to err on the side of giving too much.

The story of the poor widow makes my heart ache a little.  I mean, what was she thinking?  Why didn’t she look to tomorrow and save the little bit she had?  The story is hardly an example of good financial planning.  So why does she do it?  I think it's really a story about trusting that her community will care for her, will love her and ensure that she is ok tomorrow, just as they have looked after her today.  Like so many of those gospel stories, there's more to it than is immediately obvious.  I’ll be thinking about it for a while.

My office is full to bursting with wet packs the girls put together on St Vincent’s Day - ready for Night Patrol.  It’s been on hold since then.  But with the lockdown ending and things opening up, Night Patrol will be back on and the team will be back in touch with our friends.  I’m sure there will be some new people to get to know at our stops and perhaps some of our friends will have moved on.  I’ll be wondering about them - hoping the best for them.  It’s a transitory relationship that we form with our clients on Night Patrol.  That’s the nature of it.  It’s about being the best we can be right now, as we only have that time to be the best version of ourselves for someone else.  There’s a challenge.

Our Friday Afternoon 'BIG Movie' is on again this afternoon.  Last week we finished off The Colour Purple.  Gosh, the conversation there was amazing.  We were all a bit angry about the sexism, racism and limitation, and then so buoyed by Celie’s determination to love and be loved.  We decided we wanted something a bit lighter this week, so we are going to watch the Aussie Classic, Malcolm.  I suspect we will be challenged by the very 80's nature of the humour and the gender roles, if not the fashions.  We will notice that our understanding of the autism spectrum has come along way since then.  I’m not sure what the girls will make of the way love is found in relationships between Malcolm and the minor characters.  I’ll let you know how we go. 

Next week we are going to look at something far more challenging:  A love story as big as sectarianism in Belfast.  I’ll keep you posted.

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

Show more

Career News

University of Sydney

Why you should study History, Society and Culture

On Wednesday 27 October from 4.45pm-5.30pm, participants will learn about the benefits of humanities degrees, the variety of courses you can take, as well as experiences in and outside the classroom.  USyd presenters will also discuss the broad career opportunities available and what the job trends are for the future.  To register go here

Dissecting Science Panel

On Wednesday 3 November from 4.00pm-4.45pm, join USyd’s Science team to learn more about how you can pursue your passion in Science, which degree would work best for you and what requirements are needed for admission.  You will be able to ask questions to the assembled panel of academics and staff.  To register your interest go here

Discover why Commerce at Sydney could be for you

On Wednesday 3 November from 5.00pm-5.45pm, join USYD’s Commerce team to learn how you can take advantage of USyd’s internship placement opportunities and tailor your degree from over 100 study areas, including marketing, banking, finance, innovation, entrepreneurship, business analytics and many more.  To register gohere.

Careers in UX and Interaction Design

On Wednesday 10 November from  4.00pm-4.45pm, join this webinar to hear from our current students and alumni about their experiences with the interaction design industry.  The assembled panel will share their future career plans, their design practice and their perspective on the industry's role in our modern world.  To register your interest, go here

Southern Cross University 

Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus, has unveiled its state of the art Speech Pathology facilities which includes a health clinic due to open to the public in 2022.  To find out more go here

AIE

Open Day

On 20 November, AIE is holding an Open Day for students interested in finding out more about Game Development, 3D Animation and Visual Effects.  This event will be held at AIE campus in Sydney and is an opportunity to meet AIE teachers, staff and students.  Particular focus will be on careers in games and VFX; studios and industries that AIE work with; courses AIE offer - from beginners to professional mastery and the software skills that AIE specialise in.  For more information go here

JMC

Any student interested in a career within the creative industries may like to learn more about JMC Academy.  JMC offers bachelor courses in Music, Film, Animation and Game Design, and students and their parents and carers can access JMC’s Open Day online experience any time to find out more.

Australian University Ratings and Rankings 2021/2022

The link here provides a series of ratings and insights across a range of indicators.  On the premise that no institution is superb at everything, these rankings are high-level indicators and should be used to gain comparative insights into the varying strengths and characteristics of each institution.  A great tool to help students decide which best degree is right for them.  

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser


Sport and Health Report

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

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

TERM 4 SPORT 2021

There is still a lot of uncertainty around government restrictions and school based sport for this term.  What we do know is that once we are back at school we will be starting basic fitness training for each sport to help us prepare for next term’s competition.  This will be held on the College grounds in Year cohorts.  More information will be released on the College website and in the Bulletins' as soon as we know more.

TERM 1 SPORT 2022

We are still trying to prepare for Term 1 Sport and Registrations have been extended until Friday 5 November.  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.  Registrations will close at 5.00pm on Friday 5 November.  If you do sign up for next term, it is also expected that you will train and play some friendly Year group games this term to get ready for next term’s competition.

TILDESLEY TENNIS TOURNAMENT 2022

If you would like to trial for the SVC team to compete at this prestigious tournament, please make sure you sign up to play tennis for the College.  We will be running trials at the start of next term, but all players must be training and playing this term to prepare.

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 email Ms Jacobs if you'd like to join the Vinnies team, and use the links below to join a team or to make a donation to this very worthy cause.

100km Team

https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraisers/vinnies100

42km Team

https://www.runningforprematurebabies.com/fundraisers/vinnies

   

 

SPORTS STARS OF THE WEEK 

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who have returned to the College this week, and were all so happy to see each other and get active on the courts!  (see photos below).  It was great to see their bright faces on Wednesday as they participated in the Wellbeing Workshops.  We wish you all the best as you prepare for your HSC exams.  Remember, Strong Body helps you have a Strong Mind!

 

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


From the P&F President - P&F Meeting 02 November - 6.30pm Online

P&F Meeting:  Tuesday 02 November 6.30pm.

Online - Please click HERE to register.

NOMINATIONS FOR P&F POSITIONS 2022 

If anyone is interested in a position on the P&F Executive Committee in 2022 and would like further information, please contact P&F President Katherine Aitken 0400 583 677.

Kind regards

Katherine Aitken
P&F President

Show more

VINNIES VOICES

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/vinniesvoicesSpotify or apple

Ms Renee Payne
Community and Alumnae Relations Manager

Show more