Bulletin

Return to School dates:

Sunday 31 October:  Years 7-10 Boarders return.

Monday 01 November:  Years 7 to 10 students return.

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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').

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9 and 10 November:  Modified timetable:  (please see Mrs Fry's article in this issue)

Tutor:      8.40am-8.55am   Foxford via Google Meet
Period 1:  8.55am-9.45am   Foxford via Google Meet
Period 2:  9.45am-10.35am  Foxford via Google Meet
Students arrive at school 11.45am-12.00pm midday
Period 4:  12.00pm-12.50pm  On site
Lunch:     12.50pm-1.20pm  On site
Period 5:  1.20pm-2.10pm   On site
Period 6:  2.10pm-3.00pm  On site
Period 3:  3.05pm-3.55pm   On site.

15 and 25 November:  Foxford program for the full day.  Boarding students will be provided supervision and access to the Foxford program within the Boarding House.

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Dear Parents and Carers

As I write this newsletter I am overwhelmingly aware it is the last Friday of the Foxford program.  On Monday, we will throw open the gates and welcome our Years 7-10 students back to join the Year 11 (graduating class of 2022) and HSC candidates (graduating class of 2021).  It of course is a transition that will not be universally embraced as we know many students are experiencing anxiety about the return.  I sincerely hope that these "first day" jitters are replaced quickly with the excitement of being back, and the simple normalcy of being back in the routines and rituals of school.

Not everything will be familiar though, as we have to implement "cohorting" into our school routines.  As far as practicable, we will provide a degree of separation between Year groups, reduce social density on stairwells and locker areas, and create some new protocols for shared service areas such as the Health Centre.  It will not and cannot be a complete separation of the groups and despite our best efforts we have to face the real possibility that a transmission may occur on site.  Some families have indicated an unease of returning their daughter and we will do our best to continue to support remote learning.  It will not be the full Foxford program but more based on the Google Classroom with support by one of our teachers who will be the online tutor.  If you would be interested in discussing this further with me, please ring or email and we can talk through the individual concerns pertaining to your daughter.

To be able to facilitate the HSC examinations in a Covid-safe way, we will have to modify the timetable for the four days that we will host the largest exams.  On 9 and 10 November, the timetable will be modified:

Tutor:      8.40am-8.55am   Foxford via Google Meet
Period 1:  8.55am-9.45am   Foxford via Google Meet
Period 2:  9.45am-10.35am  Foxford via Google Meet
Students arrive at school 11.45am-12.00pm midday
Period 4:  12.00pm-12.50pm  On site
Lunch:     12.50pm-1.20pm  On site
Period 5:  1.20pm-2.10pm   On site
Period 6:  2.10pm-3.00pm  On site
Period 3 Lesson:  3.05pm-3.55pm  On site.

On 15 and 25 November, we will run the Foxford program for the full day.  Boarding students will be provided supervision and access to the Foxford program within the Boarding House.

On return to the College on Monday, we encourage our students to bring with them their Vinnies' Makes History project.  Teachers are very interested in seeing what the creativity and curiosity of the students produced for the family or College Archives.

Mrs Brooks has posted onto the Student Wellbeing Classroom considerable detail about the return to school.  Please encourage your daughter to become familiar with this information so she feels confident about her return.  Key to this confidence will be compliance with the mitigation of risk including not coming to school if unwell, hygiene and of course, vaccination.  Masks are mandatory in all the indoor spaces of the College.  It is not for discussion or negotiation, it is a requirement.  I am asking that every family support the College by engaging in positive conversation about the use of masks and explain how important it is to wear a mask while using public transport and while indoors at school.

Uniform, jewellery, hair grooming and makeup expectations will be high and this will take a whole of community approach.  We want our first engagements with the students to be positive, and so much can be done before leaving home in the morning to avoid the unnecessary disruption and negativity caused when students are not meeting the College expectations.

Two important temporary changes for this term are:

• The canteen service will not operate
• The Health Centre will not be able to offer significant periods of 'bed-rest'.  Parents will be contacted to pick up students if they are not well enough to be in class.

Today is International Teachers' Day, and as our Foxford program finishes I extend my appreciation for the extraordinary efforts of our teaching and support staff throughout the level 4 restrictions.  The P&F are providing a welcome back lunch on Monday for the staff to express the appreciation of the community.  I hope the weather is good because we are not allowed to gather in the staffroom.  The lunch will be enjoyed al fresco out in the yard with the students.

Thanks for staying the course!

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry
Principal

Today World Teachers’ Day is celebrated in Australia.  This week, our teachers have reconnected here on campus, enjoying the relational dimension that is at the heart of teaching and learning - it is in knowing the student and nurturing her particular strengths and needs that we reap our rewards in witnessing the growth of student learning.  It is a privilege to be part of the realisation of a young person’s hopes and work her way through the complexity and challenge which is the craft of learning.  Such a process does not occur without relationship, commitment and care.  I express my gratitude to all staff at St Vincent’s College who contribute to the education of our students, as well as commit to our own ongoing reflection and learning practice.

Our teachers engaged in a Professional Learning workshop during the week focussing on the transition of students back to on-campus learning.  We looked at research from overseas and Victoria who have already experienced this transition.  A study in Scotland McCluskey et al., School closures ... found that overall, returning to school was seen as having a positive impact on wellbeing.  Participants talked about feeling happier, and relieved to be able to talk in person with friends again.  It also found that anxieties about Covid were reduced through clear communication of school protocols in place.  Our students have received clear guidelines posted on their House Classrooms as to what these protocols are for our school with explicit responsibilities regarding masks, break areas, one way circulation on stairwells etc.  This study also identified the need to allow students to reflect upon the impact of the pandemic and their lockdown/online experiences rather than assume a ‘get back to normal’ attitude.  We are cognisant of the varied experiences for students and intend to lean into our Ignatian pedagogy that invites pause for reflection upon strengths and challenges to savour the accomplishments and identify actions for growth.

A study in Iceland Adolescent wellbeing amid the Covid-19 pandemic found that the control restrictions required in the pandemic had a greater impact upon the socialising of girls more than boys due to the greater tendency of girls to rely on their social network for emotional support in stressful times. Adolescence is characterised by an increased desire for independence, autonomy, and reliance on peer connections for emotional support and social development, coupled with heightened sensitivity to stress exposure associated with pubertal development.  At St Vincent’s we are mindful of the re-socialising for many of our students who live all over Sydney and beyond with our Boarding students.  This time away is not the same as a return from a school holiday and students will be looking to reconnect.  Our Tutors and classrooms will provide opportunity for sensitive and structured collaboration, whilst our Student Leaders are providing a schedule of activities in year groups for students to opt into in year groups both inside and outside at lunchtimes.  One lovely positive of this study was that girls articulated their appreciation of time spent with family, so again we encourage you to maintain such moments and continue to do what you have enjoyed doing.

And here in Australia, a 2020 study by Monash University Begin with Belonging conducted as Victoria prepared to return to school mid-Term Four just as we are now - identified the need to re-establish belonging and connections.  We will retain our Houses whilst moving to horizontal Year Group CP Tutor groups so that students are greeted by teachers and peers who know them well.  Again, our Pastoral Team and Student Leaders are preparing activities that continue to boost wellbeing and celebrate the connections we have within community.  Belonging is a critical precursor to effective learning and as a class teacher I look forward to a game of ‘Language dodge ball’ on Monday morning with my Year 7 class as we reconnect in readiness to learn.  

There is much evidence across the research and experiences of schools that testifies to the importance of routines.  In a time that has had much uncertainty, the clarity of expectations and routines encourages confidence in knowing what the school environment will be like.  We recognise the need for high expectations with high supports and ask your partnership in expressing a similar position at home.  We anticipate there may be sensory overload and fatigue as they reacquaint themselves with the socialising of the daily life of school.  Predict some unsettledness amongst the joy.  I am grateful we have these weeks before the end of the school year to re-orientate as we work together to identify where the students are at and consolidate learning in readiness to embrace a new beginning next year.

Finally, it is important we reflect upon the agility of our online Foxford environment with the confidence in our capacity to very quickly flip should the need arise to do so.  Our teachers and students have demonstrated much capability in worthwhile learning experiences via our Google technologies, so whilst we are very much embracing the opportunity to reconnect and socialise, it would be important that we maintain an open and calm mindset regarding use of Foxford lessons in a landscape where we may occasionally tap into once more.  Indeed, our Foxford story of the woollen mill in Ireland reminds us that the mill prospered post the potato famine, and to this day operates as a lucrative business enterprise and a source of community pride.

We hope that our students in all Years set the alarm clocks on Sunday night for a bright and punctual start on Monday morning to arrive with smiles behind those masks in readiness for these weeks of re-orientation and reconnection.  We are looking forward to being a full community once again.

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

References:

Halldorsdottir T, Thorisdottir IE, Meyers CCA, Asgeirsdottir BB, Kristjansson AL, Valdimarsdottir HB, Allegrante JP, Sigfusdottir ID. Adolescent well-being amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Are girls struggling more than boys? JCPP Adv. 2021 Jul;1(2):e12027. doi: 10.1002/jcv2.12027. Epub 2021 Aug 3. PMID: 34514467; PMCID: PMC8420409.

Gillean McCluskey, Debi Fry, Sarah Hamilton, Albert King, Margaret Laurie, Lesley McAra & Tracy M Stewart (2021) School closures, exam cancellations and isolation: the impact of Covid-19 on young people’s mental health, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 26:1, 46-59, DOI: 10.1080/13632752.2021.1903182

https://lens.monash.edu/@education/2020/10/05/1381438/begin-with-belonging-why-schools-in-victoria-need-to-focus-on-connection-and-wellbeing-for-term-four

Monday will be a big day.  Our students will be back on site and we can’t wait to see them, to be with them in the same space and to be away from our screens.

Monday is also the Feast of All Saints.  This is a day when traditionally we recall the great men and women who have been recognised as saints by the Church.  The point of Saints, of course, is to point us to toward Jesus.  They show us that goodness is possible in the face of difficulty, limitation,  degradation and rejection.  They show us that perfection is impossible - so stop trying - and that the best life to lead is one focussed on others. 

In recent years we have celebrated All Saints Day by remembering the great men and women in our lives who have been saints for us - those who have by word and example - taught us to be more loving, more forgiving, more accepting - the ones we loved who have led us to Christ.  On Monday morning we will share a prayer in Tutor group for All Saints Day, and our Chapel will be open throughout the day for quiet prayer and reflection. 

We are shaping up next week to get back into our Social Justice program in earnest.  We have activities ready to go and our students will be invited to join in. 

Our Friday Afternoon BIG Movie is on again this afternoon.  Last week’s Aussie classic Malcolm was a big hit.  We laughed and I felt a bit threatened by the 80’s fashions which looked too familiar.  We talked about the nature of love, loyalty, limitation and what it means to be twice exceptional.  We marvelled at the gentle care of strangers and what ‘family’ can mean in the face of rejection and loneliness.  It was great.

This week we travel to 1950’s Dublin, for My Left Foot.  I suspect there will be some questions about the expectations of Catholic morality and the beauty of Irish Catholic imagination as it tries to make sense of the nonsensical.  I think it’s going to be a winner.

Hampers!  Hampers!  Hampers! 

We are working on two separate hamper drives this term - one in CP groups and one invitational Christmas hamper for our local St Vincent de Paul.  If your family would like to sign up to provide goods for the Vinnies@SVC hampers, get your daughter to click HERE on the link and pop in a name. 

More to come.  We are at the barriers waiting for the start. 

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission

University of Sydney

Women in Engineering

More women than ever are choosing to study engineering and computing at the University of Sydney.  With scholarships for women, high school outreach programs by girls for girls, female student societies and high-calibre female lecturers and researchers, it is easy to see why.  To find out more about Engineering at USYD, use the link found here.

University Of Melbourne

Virtual Tour

If you are curious about the University of Melbourne campuses and facilities you can find out more on a self-guided, virtual tour.  Explore any time from wherever you are by using the links found here and here.  This experience is best viewed on a desktop.

UTS Sydney

UTS Parents and Carers 1-1 Consultations

On 23 November from 5.00pm to 6.00pm and 14 December from 12.00pm to 1.00pm.  Interested parents can join UTS for a consultation to find out about UTS’s admissions process, course and career information and support services.  This session is a live chat for parents of future undergraduate students interested in studying at UTS.  Current students will be online and ready to answer any of your questions.  Registrations are essential using the link found here .

UTS Parents and Carers Information Session for Business

On Thursday 04 November from 5.00pm-6.00pm, UTS is hosting an information webinar where you will hear from:  First-year subject coordinator Dr Amanda White and First and Further Year experience coordinators:  Dr James Wakefield and Dr Simone Faulkner.  Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.  Registrations are essential - use the link found here .

TAFE NSW

Summer Skills 

Summer Skills is a fee-free short course program to support skill development over the summer months for school leavers aged between 16-24 years. Whether you plan to attend TAFE NSW, university, have a gap year or are still undecided, TAFE has a course that can give you the skills for a brighter future.  For more information go here .

Whitehouse Institute of Design

Foundation Portfolio Workshop

On Saturday 6 November at 10:00am-12:00pm, the Whitehouse Institute is hosting an online workshop for aspiring designers.  The workshop is a good starting point for those wishing to develop their illustration skills and create a portfolio for application to the Bachelor of Design program.  In this 2-hour workshop, participants will gain an understanding of how to illustrate with marker and paper, experiment with different multimedia materials and learn techniques for presenting their creative ideas.  For more information go here .

Local Government NSW 

Councils across NSW are recruiting apprentices and trainees in a range of vocations - business services, horticulture, civil construction, IT and so on. For school-based and post-school traineeships and apprenticeships, use the link provided:  Careers at Council.

MedEntry

MedEntry is running an interactive, online webinar for parents and students in Years 11 and 12.  The session will cover pathways into medicine/dentistry, prerequisite subjects, how to prepare for UCAT and interviews (including free resources), and a Q & A session.  The webinar will be run by Dr Ray Boyapati (Gastroenterologist at Monash Health and Director of Education at MedEntry).  The webinar will be held on Wednesday 03 November 2021, 7.00pm to 8.00pm.  Please click here to register . 

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

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 some uncertainty around government restrictions and school based sport for this term.  What we do know is that once everyone is 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.  This will begin from next week, Monday 1 November.  Please see Ms Jacobs, Mr Bradley or Mr Broadhurst at the times listed below.

Touch Fitness Sessions will be held on the courts in the afternoons:

Year 7:   Mondays 3.15pm-4.15pm.

Year 8:  Tuesdays 3.15pm-4.15pm.

Year 9 and Year 10:  Wednesdays 3.15pm-4.15pm.

Year 11:  Thursdays 3.15pm-4.15pm.

Swimming/Water polo training in the College pool in the mornings:

Year 7:  Fridays 7.20am-8.20am

Year 8:  Thursdays 7.20am-8.20am

Year 9:  Mondays 7.20am-8.20am

Year 10:  Tuesdays 7.20am-8.20am

Year 11:  Wednesdays 7.20am-8.20am

Volleyball training will be held on one court for each Year Group in the mornings:

Year 7 and 8:  Tuesdays 7.20am-8.20am

Years 9, 10 and 11( Rotating one on Fitness):  Thursdays 7.20am-8.20am.

Tennis/Tildesley training will be held on one court for each Year Group in the mornings:

Year 7 and 8:  Monday 7.20am-8.20am

Year 9 and 10:  Wednesday 7.20am-8.20am

Year 10 and 11:  Friday 7.20am-8.20am.

Above:  Water polo training

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.  

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

We are now promoting the next Sport activity that you can get involved in - the 2021 "Premmie Marathon Challenge".  We have entered a school team in the virtual marathon (both the 42km and 100km), which is running throughout 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.

The charity is Running for Premature Babieswhich was founded by local mother Sophie Smith, who was NSW State Recipient Local Hero in the Australian of the Year Awards 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 11 students who have returned to the College this week and were all so happy to see each other and get active on the courts!  It was great to see their bright faces on Friday as they participated in a game of fun volleyball at lunchtime! (see photos below).  We look forward to seeing all Year Groups back on the courts next week.  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

Due to the current school COVID health restrictions, the on-campus College uniform shop is operational for online orders only. 

Students are able to collect prepaid online orders from the shop on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, 3.00pm-5.00pm. 

Unfortunately, due to government health restrictions, students cannot try on any uniform items. 

If you require assistance with sizing please call the Uniform Shop (02) 8324 6622 during the above hours or refer to the size chart on the Noone website www.noone.com.au

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