Issue 33 - 04 November 2022


Marnie Kenderes & Alex Simec delivering Coffee Queens delights


Reminders

  • Monday 7 November:  Drama Night in the College Hall - 6:00pm-8:00pm - free event - all welcome!
  • Tuesday 8 November: Year 9 PASS excursion
  • Thursday 10 November: Year 9 PASS excursion
  • Friday 11 November: Year 10 Social
  • Saturday 12 November:  5:00pm - Dance Concert - The Seymour Centre. Buy Tickets
  • 22-26 November:  College Production "Matilda" - College Hall. Buy Tickets
  • Monday 28 November:  College Speech Night - at Sydney Town Hall - 6:00pm. This is one of the College’s major highlights of the year and is a compulsory event for all students in Years 7 to 11.

Dear Parents and Carers

I very much enjoyed my first week back at school after two weeks of leave in New Zealand.  Even though I have not lived in New Zealand for over thirty-five years, there is something extremely special about being on home soil.  The stunning landscape of New Zealand was a very consoling backdrop to the rites of farewell for my husband’s parents.  

 

At this time of the year, the Catholic Church pays particular attention to remembering the deceased, and this week we have commemorated the two great feasts of All Saints and All Souls.  Students have been encouraged to remember all the “saints and souls” that have shaped and enriched their lives.

 

It is so pleasing to report that the HSC exams concluded today and our candidates have presented in remarkably good health and good spirt.  The exams were uninterrupted and unconstrained by COVID.  This is a remarkable difference to the circumstances faced by the previous two years of HSC students.  This may indeed have been a moment of “calm before the storm” as there seems to be increasing concern that another variant of COVID will surge before the end of the year.  We receive frequent updates from AIS, CSNSW and Public Health Agencies.  If advice around school operations change, I will alert you immediately and implement the appropriate changes in practice.

 

As I was finishing my newsletter this morning, I was delighted to be interrupted by students carrying a welcome back offering of tea and banana bread!  Two of my favourite treats and available on a weekly basis through “Coffee Queens”.  Coffee Queens is a social enterprise run as a café on site to support the Social Justice activities of the students.  Their work is both good for the body and soul!

Yours sincerely

Anne Fry


From the Deputy Principal

The 2022 Higher School Certificate is complete, and our Class of 2022 are able to say they met the challenge and the joys of learning and can rest well with the knowledge they gave it their best. Many of us can recall that endless summer between the end of school and the waiting to see what would come next. It is such a formative time to have the opportunity to be waiting and discerning, to see the positive in not needing to know yet. So much of our lives is spent busying ourselves with the planning, preparing, organising – in truth we love our holidays for the very opportunity to stop and just be. Our young graduates deserve this time to rest their magnificent brains from the particular focus on study of syllabus and imagine possibilities whilst laying on a beach or chalking up the hours of part-time work. We look forward to hearing what doors they will venture into next year and beyond. 

 

In a much smaller scale, but with everyday occurrence, as part of our Visible Wellbeing professional learning, our classroom teachers have explored the science of a brain break needed to sustain attention and activate new knowledge into memory. Our brain operates in two modes. The first is the Attention Network mode that is task focussed and requires direct attention. The second is the Default Network mode which is free form attention. This allows us to join the dots so to speak, making connections as we consolidate learning into memory. We are likely to find ourselves focussed for 15-20 minutes before the mind wanders towards 1-2 minutes of seeming distraction which in fact is our Default Network mode. Creativity and self-awareness are nurtured in this space. This moment to switch off in fact helps us to switch back on and deepen the learning we were already engaged in. It may be a moment to stand and stretch, a short breathing meditation, a mindful colouring-in or mindful mirroring with a partner. At home it is often the fridge or a cup of tea. The reality is it need not be long. As adults it is useful for us to test it ourselves and consider how we hit refresh when working on a task. Share and model this with your daughters so they too may develop the autonomy for self-directed learning at home that enables them to engage with good attention as well as a pause to transfer new learning into memory.

I have had the privilege of reading the Year 11 2022 Final Reports this past week. Of great interest to me has been to read the maturing self-awareness of these students who have recognised the individual strengths they bring to their learning as well as to their community. Students have been able to identify the behaviours and habits they have worked on that are conducive to their learning and articulate their aspirations for growth as they commence their HSC courses and lead this community as our senior students. Within these Student Reflections, there are many moments of pride as well as opportunities to strengthen. I am confident that parents and carers will appreciate the honesty and hope in their daughter’s Reflection and placing this alongside the feedback from teachers, support their implementation of good habits to progress forward. We look forward to our Class of 2023 students leading their younger peers in Tutor groups to engage in such a process of reflection for growth.


As leaders and teachers, we too engage in this continual cycle of reflection for growth and this time of year is an exciting time as we plan for the year ahead with the good learnings of the experiences and learnings of the current year. It is good to engage both our Attention and Default Network modes. Whilst this may be brain science, in its fullest form it is an authentic expression of our Ignatian way of proceeding. We experience, reflect and act from our discernment. Such reflections start with listening – being attentive to the movements throughout our days, our work, our lives. From here we look towards our deepest desires – our yearning for purpose and clarifying if we are achieving what it is we set out to do. And then we move to action – committing to new actions that nurture relationships and enable growth in learning for our staff and students, and in partnership and support of you as parents and carers – that is faithful to our mission for educating our students. In this way all of us contribute to being a dynamic learning community committed to fostering creativity, discernment, leadership, and the development of students to be courageous women of action. Our young women continue to inspire us and in so doing, renew our energies to keep on learning.

 

 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal

Webinar for Parents from DARTA - 14 November

Please see below a webinar opportunity to assist your understanding of vaping and how to navigate the education and support of your children with evidence informed by Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA)

Paul Dillon is well known to us and will again facilitate our Student Education workshops for Years 10, 11, 12 in February 2023. 

 
Vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes - e-cigarettes or 'vapes') continues to be an issue that attracts a great deal of attention as well as debate across the country.  Vaping is a new phenomenon, with the first e-cigarette being invented in 2003.  As a result, many parents have little or no experience with the issue as the devices simply weren’t around when they were in their teens.
 
This session will examine what we currently know about the use of e-cigarettes and vaping amongst Australian school-based young people.  This is an area that is constantly changing and parents attempting to make sense of the information provided by both the ‘pro-vaping’ and ‘anti-vaping’ lobbies may find it extremely difficult to navigate.  As we move towards the end of the school year parents are likely to need as much assistance as possible.
 
Cost:  $25 plus GST

This event will be live-streamed but, for those unable to attend live, a recording of the event will also be made available for a period following the event's conclusion.

To register for the event please go to the following link HERE


From the Director of Teaching and Learning and Education Administration

 ” Did I win? Did I lose? Those are the wrong questions. 
The correct question is: Did I make my best effort? 
If so, you may be outscored, but you will never lose.” - Carol Dweck

 

Throughout this year of hope-filled learning I have been focussing attention on what I consider central elements to such an endeavour - the ‘three Rs’ of responsibility, resilience and rigour. Responsibility of each learner to engage with their own learning, resilience to persist with the challenge and not to give up when it gets difficult and the rigour of pursuing the more challenging options and questions to extend thinking and skills. This has been illustrated by the ‘Learning Pit’ analogy that is in every learning space in the College and which students are now thoroughly familiar with.

Carol Dweck is a highly regarded Professor of Psychology at Stanford University and world leader in the thinking on the ways we learn and improve our knowledge and skills. Her work is based on extensive research over many years with large sample sizes and credible peer review. Her research on the effect of a simple positive concept in how students approach their learning is profound. It is centred around the idea that persistence with the harder problems and concepts in learning takes a learner out of the comfort zone and results in the formation of stronger connections in the brain’s neurons. When followed through with persistence this approach eventuates in learning success and measurable learning gains.

Traditionally learning is measured in what a student can achieve and in the same way identifies what a student cannot do. For the majority of students when faced with harder concepts and problems to solve they conclude that they are not capable of harder work and even a feeling of failure. Such a mindset in reality is limiting and puts in place a block not only for that learning situation, but a residual effect that can continue to adversely affect future learning. By challenging this paradigm of viewing success in learning new horizons are opened for future potential learning gains.

The visual and thinking of the Learning Pit establishes the reality that authentic learning only occurs in the struggle. The correct conclusion for the acceptance of the Learning Pit concept is that if you engage in authentic learning, that there will be struggle, so look for it, identify it and engage with it. The struggle is not the end point but just an important part of the journey up the other side to a point where there has been genuine learning gain.

Carol Dweck identifies that for too long we have been well meaning in praising intelligence where we would be better directed in praising effort, an ability to strategize and innovate and persevere. Her work with underperforming students and schools has identified the powerful effect of replacing a low grade, or what is considered a sub-standard achievement, with the concept of “not yet”. Such a positive future-focussed mindset aligns with the struggle of the Learning Pit by indicating that at this point the learner is not at the end point of their learning journey but rather still developing and growing as a learner. In the words of Carol Dweck “no matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment”. I encourage all students to take up the challenge in their learning, not to be discouraged with challenges, but rather recognise them for what they are - essential parts of the learning journey.

Mr Bob Anderson
Director of Teaching and Learning and Education Administration


From the Director of Faith and Mission

Today is the last day of HSC exams, and our last day of prayers for our Year 12s.  Mr Graham liked the prayer from yesterday for Physics.  My Year 11s were strangely moved by the story of Laika. It is a bit disturbing to our sensibilities that a puppy would be encased in Aluminium and blasted into orbit with minimal oxygen, and no chance of understanding what was going on. For some reason the story is sadder because Laika was a stray, found on the streets of Moscow.  That said, I do like the idea that the planets and stars and galaxies are engaged in an intricate dance that obeys all the laws of motion.  Here’s the prayer:


Speaking of the universe, we’ve been talking in Studies of Religion about the cosmology that was prevalent in the first century and earlier.  I find it helpful to remember the cosmology of the time when listening to any scripture story because it helps wade through the stuff that doesn’t matter. The Old or First Testament is full of clues about what the people of the time believed they actually saw when they looked into the skies.  It gives hints about what they felt when they considered what could be beneath their feet. 

If you look at the illustration it does make a lot of sense.  Heaven is just beyond the ocean in the sky. Water was the best way they could think of to explains all the blue.  The light of heaven is shining through holes in the ‘firmament’.  The holes in the firmament were handy for water to leak through in the form of rain.  It’s like a snow dome.  It means that a story like Noah and his ark seems quite reasonable; there’s enough water above the firmament and below the flat earth to fill up the dome and drown everything.  And of course the earth is just one area; not different continents. This is the same cosmology that existed in Jesus’ time.  That explains why we have ideas about Jesus going ‘up’ into heaven.  If you listen carefully to the Apostle’s Creed you will notice that in that statement Jesus descends into Hell. Hell wasn’t the kind of Hell that Dante and Milton described. Hell was just the underworld - a place of purification rather than torment - like a warm bath.  It made sense to the Jewish apostles that Jesus would go to the underworld like everyone else.  Later Christian theology developed the idea that Jesus must have gone to the underworld to empty it, and take all the souls with him to heaven - to the Father.  By the time we get to the Nicene Creed in 325 AD the idea of Jesus going to ‘hell’ to retrieve anyone has been forgotten.  Later it would be replaced by an idea that hell was a place of torment, with no escape, no joy and no one to come and get you - a bit like life for the poor in mediaeval Europe. Images of Satan or Lucifer have made a huge jump from the one line in the book of Isaiah where Isaiah describes the brightest morning star, “Lucifer” falling from the sky.  From there the idea of Lucifer has taken on a whole mythology of falling, and battles against other angels, a costume, a TV series on Netflix and any number of movies. Lucifer has been something to fear, and something to blame when people have made very poor choices.  “The Devil made me do it,” can release anyone from genuine regret and responsibility. 

 

By the time we get to 1620 and John Milton is writing Paradise Lost, we get a beautifully detailed picture of Hell and Satan and devils racing around getting into trouble and following the laws of rhetoric. These ancient ideas about heaven and hell, and devils and Satan persist in our language and our imagination.  They colour our understanding of what our faith tradition suggests could be the truth.  We don’t give much thought to notions of hell any more, because it doesn’t make sense that a God of infinite understanding, infinite forgiveness with a hopeless memory for our mistakes and limitations, could possibly send anyone there.  

 

The God we proclaim is a God who loves - wastefully.  “There are many rooms in my Father’s house,” according to John’s Gospel.  There’s room for everyone.  

So, on November 1, All Saints Day, we remember the great people we have loved and still love who have died.  Modern theology would tell us that their spirit, their life, their love does not die but enters into the fullness and greatness of a God who creates all things anew, who delights in the diversity and enormity of all that is seen and unseen, and who draws all that love into herself; the source of life and love.  

Here’s our prayer from All Saints Day:

All Saints Day 2022

The feast of All Saints has been celebrated in the church since about 600 AD.  It is a day to remember the lives and inspiration of the saints - those who particularly inspire us to live the best lives we can.  The Saints point us to Jesus.  All Saints Day sits between Halloween, the eve of the Day of Hallows, and All Souls Day where we remember all those who have died - saints or not. 

A Prayer for Today

Spirit of Life,

 

Inspire us today with memories of saints whose energy still lingers, in stories of goodness and in desires to help and save others. Every day you send people into our lives and into our world who challenge and guide us.  They teach us better ways to live and love.  May the lives of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today move us in ways of service.  May their stories - the strange and the familiar - teach us about justice and help us bring healing and forgiveness to our world. 

On this day we call to mind those we love who have died, who inspire us to goodness, to better ways of loving.  In thanks we pray that you hold them in the palm of your hand.

 

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

 

Amen.

Mrs Jo Kenderes
Director of Faith and Mission  

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Boarder Lines

Term 4 has definitely moved very quickly. Our first week saw our first In Weekend without Year 12s who were studying for their HSC. Saturday 15 October was the International Day of the Rural Woman so to celebrate this the boarders watched ‘Ride Like a Girl’ - the story of jockey Michelle Payne - in the hall with their doonas and pillows in solidarity together. A great way to celebrate this auspicious day surrounded by rural women. We took advantage of the beautiful weather to play some games of touch at Rushcutters Bay with the junior floor outshining the seniors! I’m pretty sure the prize of a 1.5kg bag of red frogs was the push they needed. The new boarding co-captains got to choose their first big activity and the Ghost Tour at the Q Station was the winner there. It was a beautiful night wandering around the Q Station in Manly being regaled with stories of the previous occupants. We were all very glad to be back on the bus to get back to our beds!

With the induction of our BRC at College Assembly in Week 1, I was privileged to attend Secilia Mafi’s induction at SCEGGS for Vice-Captain of her house along with her roommate, Molly McPherson. Secilia gave the Acknowledgement of Land at the Assembly and very proudly wore her BRC badge along with her new House Vice-Captain badge.

Our Sunday Activity was to Redleaf Beach near Double Bay. We caught the bus and walked down the many steep steps to the beach. It is a beautiful location, on the harbour and was a glorious, sunny day. The beach is enclosed by shark nets and a wooden jetty, set up in a half circle. There are 2 Pontoons in the bay area. The view of the harbour and surrounding area is stunning.  We had such fun.  We set ourselves up under the trees, laying down our towels, and changing into our swimming costumes.  We ran as quickly as we could down to the jetty, where we all jumped off, to face the cold salt water. It was such fun jumping off the jetty and the pontoons, which float on the water. We shared laughs and will have memories that will last. Some girls stayed in the water the entire time we were there, but others got a bit too cold and warmed up in the sun.  While the girls were swimming, a naughty ibis took Elekta’s lunch. It took the paper bag, shook it and ate through the plastic. We chased it away, but it came back. Ali was eating her lunch and a seagull took all the filling out of her wrap which she was about to take a bite of. Thank goodness there is a lovely cafe up the stairs from the beach and Elektra & Ali were able to get some lunch. The birds are so bold and not afraid. We caught the bus back to Boarding and returned just before 2pm. Everyone was exhausted but had a great time. 

Annabelle Hammond (Year 10) and Linda McCabe

The Boarding House provides a home away from home for our boarders, but it never replaces home. We would like to thank the many day families who have taken boarders to sport, had them for a weekend or just taken them out for a milkshake. We appreciate it and I know the boarders’ families do even more so. We sometimes struggle getting our boarders to sport, so please encourage your daughter to offer a lift to the boarder (even if they’re not in their team) if that is possible, we also do understand if it just doesn’t work. Thank you so much in advance!

For the boarder families, some important dates to note:

  • In Weekend - Week 8 2-4 December
  • Boarders’ Travel Day - Week 9 Wednesday 7 December
  • Boarding House closes - Week 9 Wednesday 7 December 9am

 

Yours in boarding

Maryanne O’Donoghue


Religious Studies: Year 8 Assessment and Christmas Hamper Appeal

Over the past few weeks, Year 8 have been working in small groups to create a marketing and information campaign about the College's Christmas Appeal for AfterCare. Here are a few more of the videos that were produced by our students.       Link 1.       Link 2.

  

Ms Tina De Souza

Head of Department Religious Studies

TAS : Year 10 & 11 Showcase

Throughout 2022, TAS students have been busy designing and creating in response to challenging briefs and parameters. We have commenced our 4 week showcase of their hard work in the LRC, starting off with Year 11 Textiles and Design. 

The Year 11 Textiles and Design students created an apparel piece appropriate for a resort-wear collection. Their final work needed to include at least two construction techniques and one pattern modification, suitable for current fashion design trends. Their designs reflected the creativity and innovation of these senior students, with work being produced to a high degree of proficiency in manufacture.

We have commenced exhibiting the work of the Year 10 Textiles Technology class, who focused on costume design for the Great Gatsby. Students and teachers are always welcome to view the wonderful showcase of their intriguing work in the LRC.

 Resort ware Resort ware

Mrs Kaliopi Aldridge

Textiles and Design Teacher

 

Year 10 textiles students were lucky enough to study the recent film adaption of The Great Gatsby, which was directed by film extraordinaire Baz Luhrmann with costumes made by Catherine Martin. Our class of 11 people each created a costume and portfolio that had to reflect a feeling a character portrays in a certain scene of the movie. Characters chosen include Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson and Jordan Baker. This film was particularly amazing to study as Catherine Martin is an incredible designer who creates costumes that are out-of-this-world. Her costumes are detailed, featuring intricate beading and outstanding construction techniques, and highlight the character’s emotions throughout the scene. We created our costumes for these characters for specific scenes of the film, using a range of decorative and manufacturing techniques.

 The Great Gatsby    

Isabelle Hunter

Year 10 Textiles Technology - Mrs Aldridge

Recently, our Year 10 Textiles Technology and Year 12 Textiles and Design classes participated in a course provided by Alivia from the Whitehouse Industry of design. The course focused on our ability to produce more professional design sketches. Alivia also taught us multiple techniques about watercolour and pencils as well as the incorporation of fine liner ink. The course was very enriching for our class as it will allow future textile and art students to thrive and succeed in their future years ahead of them. We first completed a range of swatches while learning how to draw specific sewing designs, then we were able to engage with Alivia and ask questions, while we worked on using the drawing styles we learnt in creative ways on blank fashion sketches that were provided by Whitehouse. Overall this course taught us all a lot about sketching and different ways to portray different textures and fabrics in a professional way. 

  

Grace Cox

Year 10 Textiles Technology - Mrs Aldridge


University of Sydney

STEM 

STEM courses open up a world of opportunity. As new fields of STEM employment continue to emerge, it’s important for today’s graduates to be agile and able to adapt their skills to this fast-changing global economy.

What can I do with a STEM degree? 

The range of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers is broad and diverse, from biomedical engineering and software development to psychology and accounting. STEM graduates are leading varied and fulfilling careers. For example, USyd has taught Australia’s first astronaut, an Antarctic explorer, a chief scientist, and a Nobel laureate. 

USyd’s purpose-built labs, teaching and learning hubs are home to the latest technology and equipment, providing you with an engaging and hands-on educational experience. Find out more about the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health and the Faculty of Engineering and IT's laboratories and facilities using the link found here.

Women in Engineering 

More women than ever are choosing to study engineering and computing at the University of Sydney. With scholarships for women, female student societies and high-calibre female lecturers and researchers the proportion of undergraduate female students at the University of Sydney studying engineering is double the national average. For more information use the link found here.

 

University of Tasmania

Fast-track Bachelor of Pharmacy with honours

introducing Australia’s only 3-year fast-track pharmacy degree. The new fast-track Bachelor of Pharmacy with honours adopts a trimester teaching model, allowing students to complete a traditional 4-year degree in just 3 years and get into the workplace sooner. Placements can be conducted in Tasmania or mainland Australia, as well as internationally. For more information check out the university of Tasmania’s website here

Australian Federal Police

the AFP are always on the lookout for candidates with sound academic performance and strong critical-thinking skills. You must be over 18 to apply for a job at the AFP, but you can still register your interest in joining if you’re under 18. To be a police officer or protective service officer you have to meet certain strict criteria for more information use the link found here and complete the AFP employment suitability questionnaire

Australian Defence Force

Cyber Gap Program

the Australian defence force cyber gap program is a 12-month online program that is undertaken in conjunction with tertiary study and is designed to enhance successful applicant’s skills and employability in the cyber security field. If you are already studying or looking to enrol in a cyber-related qualification, the Australian defence force (AFP) can offer you generous financial support, along with two cyber exposure experiences to give valuable insight into how you can help protect Australia’s online systems and information. Generous financial support with course fees reimbursement up to $15,000, and a lot more.

The Australian defence force cyber gap program is for Australian citizens, who are living in Australia and are already studying or currently enrolling in a cyber-related qualification. The Australian defence force cyber gap program runs for 12 months and to be eligible, you need to be studying for the duration of the 12-month program.

InspirationED HSC

November kickstart seminars - 13 November

Designed for both parents and students, this day of seminars will provide you with tools and tips to help you achieve your best in the year ahead. Each attendee can join 3 seminars on the day:

session 1 (parents & students): stress-free HSC

session 2 (students): English common module & essay writing, or

session 2 (parents): parent-student communication & emotional support

session 3 (parents & students): 5 secrets to HSC success

For more information use the link found here 

Helen Marshall

Careers Adviser

 


Some very exciting rehearsals are occurring all over the College at the moment for Drama Night on Monday, Annual Dance concert next Saturday and College Musical - Matilda straight after that!!!
For the Dance Concert racks and racks of matching beautiful costumes are being packed ready for the removalist and for Matilda props and costumes that are arriving or being made. I am always surprised by how many things I need to learn how to do for a Musical. For example Matilda includes a magical cake, a tipping cup and black boards that write themselves but the last straw for me recently was a life sized Dolly for Amanda’s scene in Matilda. I am so lucky to work with talented colleagues - Ms Burke has stepped in and made the doll and she is dressed and ready to rehearse next to our real live actors! Please see the great photo of Amanda.

Please come and support our students as they return to the stage to perform for the community.

UPCOMING PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS

Monday 7 November is Drama Night in the College Hall.

Saturday 12 November is the Annual Dance Concertat The Seymour Centre AND,

Tuesday 22 November the College Production - Matilda opens in the College Hall!

Please purchase your tickets for Annual Dance Concert and Matilda on the links provided and Drama night there is no need to book but please come and support our young but accomplished actors.

Ms Catherine Johnson

Head of Performing Arts

Year 8 and 9 Performing Arts Activities

Commencing on Tuesday 15 November, Years 8 and 9 students have the opportunity to participate in three weeks of Performing Arts activities.  More information has been sent to parents and carers via email.

Sign up here

Mrs Belinda Peoples
Co-Curricular Co-ordinator


2025 Sibling Enrolments - Have you submitted your daughter’s application?

Enrolments for the Year 7, 2025 year group are about to commence and we are delighted at the number of siblings who will be joining the year group and thank our College families for their continued support. 

Sibling Offers of Enrolment will be issued before the end of Term. While sibling enrolments are automatic, we do require an online Application Form and relevant documents to be submitted.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact our friendly College Registrar.

2024 College Scholarships

2024 College Scholarships  - applications open Monday 7 November


Current and prospective students are invited to apply for the following 2024 Scholarships:

  • Academic Scholarships: For new students who will be commencing in Year 7 and both new and current students entering Year 11, 2024;
  • Foundation Boarding Scholarship: Offered to a student commencing in Year 7, 2024 from a rural community;
  • Mother Mary Aikenhead Scholarship: For a new or current student entering in Year 11, 2024 demonstrating College values and strong academic merit;
  • Performing Arts Scholarships: Open to all year groups, for students of exceptional talent:
    • Madame Christian (Vocal) Scholarship;
    • Annie McPharland (Instrumental) Scholarship; and
    • Ex-Students' Union Drama Scholarship
  • Elisabeth Carey Scholarship: Offered to a student commencing in Year 7, 2024 who demonstrates character and social justice attributes and strong academic merit in Mathematics and Science;
  • Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) Boarding Scholarship: Open to all year groups, the AIEF Scholarship is offered to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student from rural New South Wales.

Further information regarding scholarships, including how to apply and key dates are available on the College website.


Mrs Robyn Pedley

registrar@stvincents.nsw.edu.au


Sport and Health Report

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

Head of Volleyball and Touch:  Ms Elyse Harmanis - 0434 610 870 elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au 
Head of Water Polo:  Mr Mark Bradley - 0412 979 599
Head of Tennis:  Ms Tonya Hetreles - 0411 984 352

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

For all draw and venue information go to:   www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/sport/weekly-sports-draw/

IGSA Spawtz:  https://igsasport.spawtz.com/  

TERM 4 SPORT

SWIMMING CARNIVAL and SWIMMING TRAINING

The highlight of the Term for most of us will be the return of the Interhouse Swimming Carnival at Drummoyne Pool  on Thursday December 1. To prepare for this Swimming Training is on  Monday mornings  7.15am - 8.15am and Wednesday afternoons 3.15pm - 4.15pm in the College pool and all are welcome to attend. Although we need more numbers on Mondays for this to continue! All students will need to nominate for which events they want to swim at the carnival on a Google form on their House Classroom or Student Life Classroom by November 24.  The Championship Races (or serious races) will be the first 2 races and then the non-competitive ones will follow. All students are encouraged to swim in at least two events on the day. Those students who cannot swim on the day can still earn some House points by offering to help and for dressing up and cheering for their House.

Those hoping to make the College Team for IGSA Carnival or  go for Age Champion need to swim in the Championship Races. The IGSA Carnival is being held on March 17 at Homebush 2023, and this squad will be picked from our carnival this term so that students can train over the holidays. Any questions, please email - jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

IGSA TENNIS 

We have had a fantastic start to Term 4 tennis, with over half of all games played ending with a win. We love to see our returning tennis players, accompanied by quite a few new faces we’ve welcomed into the sport. It has been great watching these girls learn to play on court and enjoy the challenges and surprises of their abilities. All teams have been exceptionally supportive of their team-mates, helping each other learn about positioning and scoring. It’s been great to see this enthusiasm and encouragement across the year groups from the sidelines, keep it up!

A special shout-out to teams SVC02 and SVC03 who are both currently undefeated and sitting 1st and 2nd on the leader-board of their respective divisions. SVC01 and SVC04 aren’t far behind in their divisions either – currently 4th and 3rd on their ladders, there’s still lots of opportunity to get to the top in the coming weeks! And finally, amazing job to our year 7 team SVC05 – with most of the girls having never played a proper match before, their improvement has not gone unnoticed by myself and their new coach this year, Matija.

Keep up the good work and good luck to all players this weekend!

Tennis Training

SVC 1 - Thursday mornings

SVC 2 - Wednesday afternoons

SVC 3 - Thursday mornings

SVC 4 - Wednesday afternoons

SVC 5 - Friday mornings

Tildesley Team Training - Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings - Anyone interested is invited to come along starting in Week 2. Final team selections will be held at the start of Term 1, 2023.

Ms Tonya Herteles

Head Tennis Coach: tonyahetreles910@outlook.com Mobile: 0411 984352

IGSA  WATERPOLO

Congratulations to all Water Polo teams who have had a good start to the season. You have played with true Vinnie’s spirit and fought hard so well done to all players.  SVC 1 had a good 5 all draw last week against Queenwood and SVC 2 had their first win of the year last week against Loreto, so well done girls! SVC 3 are undefeated so far and are top of the  point score table. Congratulations, the hard work is paying off!

Please make every effort to attend your scheduled training session. If for any reason you cannot attend training please make sure you inform your coach and myself. If you are sick but at school you must still attend your session to watch and be part of the team.  

Please do not be late for the warm up on Saturdays, allow for Sydney traffic and parking time. Full College sports uniform must be worn over your swimmers to and from venues, including training.  A reminder that there is swimming training on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons and this would really help your water polo fitness.

All the best for this weekend, Go Vinnies!

Waterpolo Training 

SVC 1 - Tuesday Mornings 

SVC 2 - Tuesday Afternoons

SVC 3 - Wednesday Mornings

SVC 4 -  Friday Mornings

SVC 5 - Thursday Mornings

SVC 6 - Friday mornings

Mr Mark Bradley

Head Waterpolo Coach - bradleym@svincents.nsw.edu.au Mobile: 0412 979 599

EASTS TOUCH 

The Term 4 2022 Touch season has kicked off to a great start and St Vincent's is well and truly fired up and looking at defending our ‘Champion School’ trophy. This term we  have been welcomed with sunshine and open fields and we hope this weather continues for the remainder of the term. Several of our teams are undefeated so far with SVC 2, SVC 6, SVC 7, SVC 11 and SVC 15 all placed in the top 2 in their divisions. With two more rounds to go before Semis and Finals it is imperative that all teams come to training and that we are more committed to our teams, as many were absent this week. Many girls have been arriving late to the venue on Saturday which is also not acceptable. Please make sure you are more organised and arrive at the venue 30 minutes before start time so that you get a thorough warm up.

Touch Training 

Senior Teams are on Monday afternoons

Junior Teams are on Wednesday afternoons 

Year 7 Teams are on Thursday afternoons

 

 

SANTA SABINA VOLLEYBALL

All 6 volleyball teams have had a good start to the season with several teams placed in the top two in their division. With two more rounds to go before the Semis and Finals, it is critical that all teams attend training and arrive at the venue 30 minutes before start time. 

Please make sure you check your emails regularly and also the College website which has the draw and other important information  on it. If the games are cancelled due to wet weather, Elyse will email all players. 

Good luck to all teams for this Saturday! 

 

Volleyball Training 

Senior Teams are Tuesday mornings 

Junior Teams are Tuesday afternoons

Ms Elyse Harmanis

Head Touch and Volleyball Coach - elyse.harmanis@stvincents.nsw.edu.au Mobile: 0434 610 870

 

SPORTS STARS OF THE WEEK 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

Congratulations to Seren Goddard - year 7  who was part of the 12 year old girls Orca’s team that represented the East Coast of Sydney who won the National Oztag Tournament in Coffs Harbour 2 weeks ago beating the Western Sydney Tigercubs in the Grand Final. Well done Seren!

Ms Jacinta Jacobs

Co-ordinator of Sport


Second Hand Uniform Stall

The SRC second-hand stall is back on in person! It will be held on Tuesday 15 November in the Atrium at lunch from 12:40pm - 1:20pm. It is an initiative organised by the SRC to allow for a more sustainable way to buy and sell uniforms, prescribed texts and more.  Due to non-transferability of online codes some textbooks cannot be sold.  All transactions should be cash or bank transfer: 

Each seller is responsible for pricing, providing change and the safety of their money. 

All uniforms should be in good condition and freshly clean.

Please email the SRC co-captains, Freja Raaijmakers and Tianna Flamer-Caldera, or Ms Jenny McCarthy if you have any questions.

Email:

Freja Raaijmakers: raaif0123@stvincents.nsw.edu.au

Tianna Flamer-Caldera: flamt0123@stvincents.nsw.edu.au 

Ms Jenny McCarthy: mccarthyj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au 

Please sign up here by Friday the 11/11/22 to sell your second hand items. This link is also available on the Student Life Classroom.


CANTEEN - Term 4 - This Week's Canteen Specials

TERM 4 Student Card Information  

Please Note:   Students MUST bring their Student Card with them when purchasing from the canteen.  NO CARD/NO PURCHASE. 

  • You need to refill money onto your card AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE you intend to use the card (as it takes one hour to generate funds onto the card).
  • ONLINE ORDERING is also available.
  • GLUTEN FREE products are available - only when purchased through online ordering

TO ORDER A NEW STUDENT ID CARD please click the link HERE .  Please note that students MUST use their College login to sign into the form.

 

View CANTEEN MENU SPECIALS for Week 5, 7 - 11 November


The P&F Association - Inaugural Art Exhibition

This week a letter was sent to families of Year 7 & 8 students with information on the P&F inaugural Art Exhibition to be held in 2023.

One component of the Art Exhibition will be Student Art. We are seeking students from Year 7 & 8 interested in being involved in producing group art works at the upcoming workshop on Sunday 13th November.  Please come along and join us in creating pieces for this inaugural event.


Regards,

Ms Holly Davies
Chair of the Art Exhibition Committee

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