Bulletin

Tuesday 20 October to Wednesday 11 November:  HSC written examinations continue.

View the HSC Written Exam Timetable HERE

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Sunday 01 November:   All Saints Day

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Dear Parents and Carers

The HSC is now well underway and the preliminary feedback from our students has been positive.  They felt well prepared by their teachers and grateful that their exams have commenced in relative normalcy.  We are taking extra COVID precautions and continue to ask for your co-operation in ensuring that your daughter is tested at the first and mildest symptoms.

COVID has brought much of our public infrastructure under scrutiny, and high on that list is the public transport system of Sydney.  As a College community we are very reliant on the trains and buses that bring our students to school and return them home.  The issue of the student OPAL card is a privilege and sadly, I must again report that our students are misusing that privilege.  There are several issues here:

• the OPAL card is read and the number of people able to access trains and platforms is calculated.  When students do not have their OPAL card or just push through the barrier, this makes these numbers invalid.
• there is a safety issue when our students try to have 3, 4, 5 or more get through on one card.  The barriers can cause real and serious injury.
• our students are showing a disregard for the staff and for the regulations they are trying to enforce.  The role-modelling of that to younger students, prospective parents and students is deeply wrong. 

We say proudly of ourselves that our College is about advantage, not entitlement.  I am asking for your support, to ensure your daughter has an OPAL card or the cash to pay for her ticket.  We will have a team of staff at the station next week, and it will be extremely inconvenient for them and yourselves if they are unable to enter or exit the station. 

The new 'Palm Court' has already hosted a variety of gatherings and it has really become an interface between indoor and outdoor teaching spaces.  It has been used for liturgy, star-gazing, Boarders' alfresco dining, a great hang-out space for girls at recess and lunchtime and this week, the Year 9 Food Technology class turned it into a Mexican fiesta.  The photo of the week features the feast of Mexican 'street food' they had cooked.  The continual improvement in landscaping of our grounds is creating beautiful and flexible spaces.  We thank our grounds team, gardeners and all who work so hard to make our small campus as aesthetically pleasing and functional as possible.  We also salute our cleaning team, who work so hard to keep our rooms and yard clean.  We do not always make it easy.  This week there was a day set aside as 'International Cleaners Day' (Wednesday 21 October), and we express our gratitude to our wonderful team who are cleaning in a COVID environment.  They are our front-line of defence and we want to acknowledge them and thank them for their hard work.

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal 

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

Dorothy Yates (Year 8) - Grandfather.

The Family of Shirley Jones - a highly respected, former teacher at the College who died on Thursday.  Every year Shirley has donated the prize for Ancient History.

May they rest in peace.

It been a week of prayer and pasta.  Prayers of the Day for our HSC students have focussed on the subjects for each day.  We’ve given thanks for the power of words and the joy of rhythm and melody, poetry and prose.  We’ve considered how money and power can be a support to civilization and society, but sometimes get in the way of families loving each other.  Our Catalyst of the Week has continued.  This week it’s Dr Richard Harris and Dr Craig Challen, the extraordinary cave divers who were instrumental in saving the boys' soccer team from the cave in Thailand in 2018.  Richard Harris was the subject of Ahn Do’s 'Brush with Fame' (television show) recently, and he spoke of his need to still the mind and heart at the moment when he anaesthetised the boys to facilitate the escape from the cave.  He knew it was likely that he was in fact euthanising them, but there was still hope that the plan would work and the boys would survive.  Perhaps one, perhaps more than one.  He focussed on hope and tried to push the fear to the back of his consciousness.  It’s on iView.  Worth a look.

Lasagne for St Canice's

On Wednesday morning we were inundated with lasagna.  It was absolutely fantastic.  Reception was like Norton Street on a Friday night.  Our cooks excelled themselves in their skill and organization.  One budding Tetsuya placed a single leaf of basil on top of every slice of lasagna.  We could see it through the lid of the takeaway container.  Mrs Dianne Forster (our receptionist) and I were a bit overcome by that small act of graciousness and care.  I don’t know if our dinner guests noticed the presentation of their lasagna lunch, but the care all our chefs went to demonstrates to me that small acts of love and care are a way to uphold dignity.  It says a lot about who we are and how we approach others.

Our next rostered day of lasagna is 18 November for delivery to the College - and the roster is full.  Lasagna needs to be delivered to Mrs Forster at Reception in eight, labelled takeaway containers.

We do need more volunteers for the following weeks or if you can cook ahead of time, we can freeze it and deliver to St Canice’s on the right day.

If you would like to sign the family up to a bake off, please click on the link HERE .

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

The first weekend back of Term 4 was the Boarding House In-Weekend, which is often held on the first and last weekend of each term where each of the Boarders come together to settle back into the Boarding community and participate in group activities.

On the recent IN-Weekend, we came together on the Friday to start off the activities with the bi-annual 'Just Dance' competition, which is a competition between Year groups to determine who gets at the end of the year the sought-after 'Just Dance' trophy.  Earlier this year the winner was Tarli Mason and in this most recent competition the winner was Sarah Fitzgerald. 

On the Saturday whilst most girls were at sport, in-boarding activities were run which included drama games, Zumba and dance.  Once all the Boarders returned from sport at around 2:00pm, we headed to Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.  We completed a 'Scavenger Hunt' within our assigned groups which was really enjoyable, because we were set with challenges to complete in order to win amongst the other teams.  After the 'Scavenger Hunt', we watched ‘The Last Song’ in the Hall - for some 'down time' - and it was a beautiful way to end the night. ​

Dakota Macourt, Year 10 BRC member

With the HSC beginning this week, the Boarders gave full support to the Year 12's to get through their first exams.  It is important to maintain some normality during these times, and Boarders can always be relied on to keep you down to earth.  Congratulations to our new Boarding Co-Captains, Grace and Clare, on their first IN-Weekend in their new roles, which showed creativity, teamwork and fun - all important in planning boarding activities. Well done!

Yours in Boarding

Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue
Director of Boarding

Our Year 9 Food Technology students are learning about reasons for celebrating with food!  To give this topic context, they decided to look at a particular festival celebrated in Mexico during in the month of May called Cinco De Mayo!  The girls prepared and cooked traditional street food usually served during the festival, including:  Sangria, chicken tostadas with freshly made tortilla, black bean puree, cabbage and chicken mixture and finished with a drizzle of sour cream, Tortilla chips and guacamole, and tres leches cake.

Cinco de Mayo, whereas mostly considered a holiday of Mexican culture, is actually a victory celebration.  In 1862, the French started invading Mexico for the second time to gain control of the country.  When they arrived at Puebla, one of the Mexican cities, everyone thought they were going to easily defeat the defences and conquer the city.  However, the weather became really bad and the French army had to slow down because transport became more and more difficult.  That resulted in the Mexican army winning the battle. A couple of days later, the President of Mexico decided that 5 May would be a yearly celebration and a national holiday of “Battle of Cinco de Mayo”.  That tradition lives up until today.

Delicioso!

From the Food Technology Department

UNSW

Holiday Workshop at UNSW Canberra

Young Women in Engineering (YoWIE) are offering a free three-day workshop on 13 to 15 January 2021, specifically for young women who enjoy studying Mathematics and Science and are keen to find out more about engineering.  Activities planned include:

• Build and fly a rocket and gas turbine engine
• Design, build and fly a satellite remotely
• Disassemble and reassemble an engine
• Solder and program a circuit
• Command a robot to solve a series of tasks
• Design, build and test a dam. 

For more information and to apply use the link here

UNSW - Girls in Engineering Club

This club connects high school girls who are interested in discovering the possibilities of a career in engineering.  Participants will hear from inspiring role models from UNSW engineering students to female engineers, already making their mark on the world.  For more information go here.

University of Sydney

New Major in Disability and Participation

If you are  passionate about changing the way people with a disability are included and supported in communities, this new major can help you learn the skills and knowledge to create an inclusive society.

For more information go here

New Major in Biological Design

Bio design challenges conventional scientific approaches by putting design thinking at the front and centre of your degree.  For more information go here.

Australian Catholic University

Study at ACU Webinar:  A Focus on Business and Law

On 4 November at 5.00pm, ACU will host a webinar that focuses on ACU's business and law courses, highlighting ACU's Passion for Business and Passion for Law entry programs.  A current business student, law student and an ACU graduate, will share their experiences and answer questions.  Register here 

ACU Guided Visits 

On Saturday 14 November 2020, ACU is hosting sessions all day at ACU Strathfield, ACU Canberra and ACU North Sydney, for prospective students.  To book a guided campus visit.  Maximum five people per tour.  Registrations are essential here.

UTS Sydney

Careers in Animation and Visualisation

On 12 November from 5.00pm to 6.00pm, find out more about careers in animation and visualisation.  The animation and visualisation sectors are growing rapidly in Australia.  On average, over 90% of UTS Animal Logic Academy graduates have found work in the industry within six months.

Register here now to learn more about how you can Master your Career in Animation and Visualisation.

GAP Information Session

Camp America Info Session

On 18 November Camp America will host an information session for the upcoming 2021 season.  Find out what it’s like to work at a summer camp in the USA and gain invaluable experience and skills in leadership, responsibility and confidence.  For more information go here

Ms Helen Marshall
Career Adviser

From January onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring as the physical card has reached its lifespan.

These are cards for students who will be in Years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which have not been replaced in the last five years.

Impacted students and/or their parent/carer will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post.  They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.

If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted onlineby 01 December 2020 at the latest.  Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address they currently have on file.

 2021 School Travel Applications are Now Open

Term 4 2020 Sport 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.

Some Food for Thought….

For kids and teens, the desire to ‘fit in’ and be part of the tribe is so strong in their hierarchy of needs that it completely overrides the need to be healthy. Thanks to the slick, sexy and clever marketing and deep pockets of 'Big Food' and 'Big Pharma', our kids are sent powerful subliminal and overt messages that processed “food” and “drinks” and artificial substances are not only ok for them but are totally normal, cool and beneficial - and once something becomes universal it becomes entrenched in the very fabric of society and normalised as safe. 

Conscious consumers understand that everything is information and affects our body at a cellular level, switching genes on and off for better or for worse. We understand that processed "crap" sold as “food” has detrimental effects on physical, mental and emotional health leading to gut, behavioural, skin and learning issues.  We are, in fact, what we eat!  

As parents we only want the best for our children and want them to be the brightest, healthiest, and happiest versions of themselves.  A healthy and nutritious breakfast is a crucial start to every student’s day.  If they have training before school, then we need to help them make good choices at take-away stores or pack a healthy meal for them to have after training.

On this planet of free will, once your kids hit a certain age and have the power and freedom to buy and eat what they want, it is difficult as a conscious parent to sit back and watch them make choices that undermine their health, driven by the need to “fit in”, and also in part to rebel against their parents as a way of defining their own independence.  So, what is a healthy choice at ‘Melted Monster’?  The poached eggs and avocado on soy and linseed is one of my favourites.  Unfortunately, it is not the Vinnies girls' order of choice…yet!

All we can do is try to inform them, lead by example, be a role model, surrender to what is and hope that they will at some stage tune into their body to appreciate the effect that their choices have on their physical and emotional health, and trust that one day they will choose a more healthy path.  The hope is that they too will come to the poignant realisation that just because something is allowed to be sold or is consumed in society or by their circle of friends, that doesn’t make it healthy or safe.  The hope is that they are conscious and courageous enough to choose a different, more nourishing path, that better aligns with who they truly are.  That’s what we are trying to teach them during our PDHPE lessons. 

TERM 4 Sport and Swimming Training

Congratulations to all students and parents on a great start to Term 4 Sport.  I know it is difficult with the restrictions still going on and that many parents are frustrated with not being able to spectate.  Hopefully this will only be for a few more weeks and the rules may be eased by the finals.

We won’t be having our usual morning squad swimming until Term 1 2021, but we are having one morning a week of water polo/swimming fitness run by Craig Miller, for any girls wishing to do an extra session.  This will be on Wednesday mornings from 7.15am-8.15am.  All are welcome.  

TERM 1 2021 SPORT REGISTRATIONS

All students wishing to register for ESTA Touch, UNSW Water polo or IGSSA Tennis next term, are to go online and register on the College website by 3.00pm next Friday 30 October.  Please check all other commitments before signing up as refunds cannot be given after teams have been registered.

IGSSA Water Polo

Congratulations to all water polo players who played some very hard games last weekend against some tough opposition. The Senior Firsts in particular, who are playing in the top IGSSA S01 grade, really dug deep and showed true Vinnies spirit and didn’t give up until the very end of their battle with SCEGGS 1.

All players are reminded to be on time for their training sessions, particularly if they are in the morning.  We are very fortunate to have ex-Olympian Craig Miller (a parent, and coach of the Junior Firsts), who has offered to run an extra swimming/water polo fitness session on Wednesday mornings 7.15am-8.15am.  All players are welcome.

Ms Hayley Boatswain
Head Water Polo Coach

Ascham Friday Night Futsal

We have one junior and one senior futsal team entered in the Friday night competition this term.  Both teams will train together on Wednesday mornings 7.15am-8.15am - and players must be on time.  We need to work hard at training this season to try and improve our skills and work together as a team.

Please arrive at Ascham 20minutes before your start time for warm up. Unfortunately, no spectators are allowed at any games this term. Hopefully, this rule may be relaxed for the Finals.

We are still looking for a few more junior and senior futsal players.  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 this term.  Team lists and training times are on the College website.  Please arrive at Santa Sabina courts 20 minutes before your start time for warm up.  Unfortunately, no spectators are allowed at any games this term.  Hopefully, this rule may be relaxed for the finals.

Any questions please contact head coach, Elyse Harmanis:  elyse.harmanis@gmail.com .

ESTA Touch

All 16 touch teams had a wonderful start to the season last Saturday with many teams scoring great wins!  Congratulations to the Year 7 Firsts, who played some top football and defeated Kambala.  

Please arrive at the field 20 minutes before your start time for warm up.  

• If you are playing at Reservoir fields, please meet at the Bondi Junction end of the fields in the corner.  Next to Ascham.
• If you are playing at Queens Park, please meet your coach at the exercise equipment on the Queens Park Road side of the fields.

Unfortunately, no spectators are allowed at any games this term.  Hopefully, this rule may be relaxed for the finals.  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

below:  SVC 3 touch at the sideline

below:  SVC 5 touch warm up with coach Phil

below:   Year 7 touch with coach Sam

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, this term.  Any questions please contact head coach, Therese Taylor therese.jones.taylor@gmail.com

Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis Coach 

Fitness Training

Fitness training will continue on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 3.15pm-4.30pm.  Please email Ms Jacobs if you would like to join in either one or both of these days.  All levels of fitness will be catered for - and you meet outside the change rooms at 3.15pm.

AHIGS/IGSSA Mental Health Zoom Seminar

On Tuesday 27 October 7.30pm-8.30pm, IGSSA is presenting a free seminar “Discussing Mental Health with the Student Athlete” via Zoom, presented by Ms Carrie Lesson (CEO Lifeline ACT) and Mr Nick Smith (Media and Communications Professional, secondary teacher). 

More information is attached HEREand this is the Zoom link to join on Tuesday night:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89507035100

The main objectives of this seminar will be to: 

• Share mental health challenges in the sporting context of the current COVID-19 pandemic
• Discuss ideas to support schools, students and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Suggest strategies to manage the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All students and parents are encouraged to join in on Tuesday night. 

Sports Stars of the Week 

Congratulations to Frances Duffy and Tyler Ellis, in Year 8, whose AFL football team - Moore Park Tigers - won their U14, Division 2 Grand Final in the school holidays.  Tyler joined Frankie’s team this year (her first time playing footy).  The girls beat St Ives, who were top of the ladder by 2 points, after the final siren, so it was a very exciting game!  Well done girls! 

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

View this week's CANTEEN SPECIALS - 26-30 October HERE

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CANTEEN REMINDER:   NO CARD - NO FOOD.  

• Students are also reminded that you need to refill money onto your card at least 1 (one) hour BEFORE using it - as it takes that long to generate onto the card.

Selina Richardson
Site Manager

Catering Industries Pty Ltd | St Vincent’s College
Phone: 1300 364 092 | Main Phone: 9361 2420

Dennis@cateringindustries.com.au  |  www.cateringindustries.com.au

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.