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29-30 November / 01 December: Boarders' IN Weekend
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Monday 02 December: College Swimming Carnival - Drummoyne Pool (see Sport Report)
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Monday 02 December: Pocket Authorities available in Edumate History.
Blazers are to be dropped off to the uniform shop on Tuesday 03/12 or Thursday 05/12.
- see 'Community Notices' in this issue for all details).
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Thursday 05 December - 2.00pm: Students last day of Term 4 2019 (see Principal's Message).
Friday 06 December - morning: Boarders' Travel Day (see Boarder Lines 22 Nov and this issue).
Tuesday 28 January 2020 - Boarders' Return: From 4.00pm (see Boarder Lines in this issue).
Wednesday 29 January 2020: First Day of Classes - All students - Term 1.
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UNIFORM SHOP - see the flyer in this issue with opening dates for Term 1 2020.
Monday 8.00am-2.00pm / Wednesday 12.00pm-5.00pm / Friday 8.00am-2.00pm
Phone: 02 9161 7979 Email: SVC@noone.com.au
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Dear Parents and Carers
The College community gathered at the Sydney Town Hall on Monday evening to acknowledge the effort and excellence of our staff and students throughout 2019. The grand surroundings lifted everyone and from the feedback I received it seems everyone enjoyed the night. Far from a night of speeches, Speech Night 2019 was showcase of our music, dance, drama, oratory and of course, a chance to recognise achievement and service. The entire event was meticulously planned by Mr Robert Anderson and ably supported by his colleagues and the COR team; the administration team of Maxine Byrom, Michelle Smith, and Cherie Tucker (Advancement team), played a significant role; the creativity of our Performing Arts staff was a major factor in ensuring the night was thoroughly enjoyable. My appreciation is deep for all those who through their participation and presence made this a memorable night. A 25 year service award was presented to Ms Linda McCabe and the staff scholarship for Professional Development was presented to Mr David Woolbank.
On Thursday evening the College Foundation hosted an evening to express appreciation to our donors, volunteers and associates who have supported the College again this year. The evening coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday which has its origin in the "thanksgiving" meal prepared by the new settlers, to thank the indigenous owners of the land they had arrived at for their hospitality and helpfulness. Without that assistance, the new settlement would not have survived. It was our chance to thank all those who have offered assistance under many guises during the College's long history. I think it would be fair to echo the sentiments of the "thanksgiving" tradition and say, without them the College would not have survived! Thank you to the Advancement team for their hospitality last night and to student musicians, Jasmine Dale, Millie McPherson, Riki Wells and Milana Peters for their entertainment.
Next Wednesday our Tanzanian Immersion departs and I wish Ms Brown, Ms Geracitano, Mr Anderson and the 15 students a safe and enriching experience. It will be a wonderful time to visit the school of St Jude as they are preparing to open their first girls-only secondary campus. We are so very proud of Gemma Sisia, who founded the School of St Jude. In her work at St Jude's, there are many echoes of her own education here at St Vincent's College.
Our last week of the academic year is next week and for the safety and dignity of all, students will be expected to maintain high standards of behaviour and dress. The College will be dismissed at 2.00pm on Thursday 5 December (supervision will be provided until 3.00pm).
We will publish a brief newsletter next week in which we will no doubt be celebrating another stellar performance in the pool by individual House teams. Good luck to all Houses competing at Monday's carnival, and all teams in grand finals over the weekend.
Yours sincerely
The College community offers its condolences to the following who has lost a loved one recently:
Athena Schregardus (Year 8) Grandfather.
Abbey Byrne (Year 12/2019) - Russell Byrne, beloved father of Abbey. Condolences to Sharon and Abbey on the loss of Russell, who fought a long and heroic fight to ensure he was there to see Abbey graduate.
The College community offers its condolences to the following who has lost a loved one recently:
Athena Schregardus (Year 8) Grandfather.
Abbey Byrne (Year 12/2019) - Russell Byrne, beloved father of Abbey. Condolences to Sharon and Abbey on the loss of Russell, who fought a long and heroic fight to ensure he was there to see Abbey graduate.
Monday evening’s Speech Night was a wonderful celebration of community and achievement, the outcome of nurturing relationships and learning. Whether it be in the classroom, on stage, the sporting arena or the humble act of caring for others, our students and staff have given much to shaping this learning community. Thank you for joining us in this celebration, parents and carers deserve high praise for your partnership in educating your daughters.
We look forward to the College Swimming Carnival this coming Monday. No matter individual students’ swimming prowess, it is day of community spirit - ‘fierce’ but good humoured rivalry between the Houses and at this end of year, a day for taking time to be in good relationship with peers and staff. Monday is a compulsory school day, like every other. Each student exhibits her commitment to the College community by making the choice to step into opportunities to participate and support their peers. Community is dependent upon the choices of collective individuals. Parents and carers are most welcome to join us at Drummoyne Pool and enjoy the colour of the day.
This week is the National AIDS Awareness Week (learn more here) which leads into World AIDS on 1 December. In 2019 the theme for Australia is Every Journey Counts. World AIDS Day encourages Australians to educate themselves and others about HIV; to take action to reduce the transmission of HIV by promoting prevention strategies; and to ensure that people living with HIV can participate fully in the life of the community, free from stigma and discrimination.
When I was in Year 12, our student leadership team decided to commandeer the local AM radio station in Mudgee and announce a ‘rainbow day’ so we could raise funds and awareness for AIDS research. At the time, it was radical to be talking about HIV and AIDS; the fact that we were students in a State High School in a small country town who were taking an interest in issues that were ‘out of ordinary’ was challenging to many of the prospective donors. We learnt some facts and shared some stories about the AIDS epidemic (stories that were about the gay community and drug users in city areas) and ended up raising some cash to support the work of the AIDS Council of Australia.
Today I am conflicted. On one hand I am delighted that students have a more holistic understanding of the challenges of these insidious diseases and are able to talk with knowledge and understanding about the need to increase research, support and funding for HIV and AIDS. However, I am saddened that East and Southern Africa is the region most affected by HIV in the world (20.6 million people at a rate of 7% HIV prevalence in adults aged 15-49). I am happy that in Australia there was a decrease in new HIV diagnoses in 2018, the lowest number since 2010. I am sad that friends continue to be infected and die from AIDS related diseases in Tanzania where in 2018, 1.6 million people were living with HIV (an estimated HIV prevalence of 4.6%). What continues to weigh on me is the stark contrast between our two countries. In Australia in 2018, 833 people were diagnosed with HIV. In Tanzania the number was 86 times ours - 72,000.
Next Wednesday, Chloe Conway, Madeleine De Bortoli, Ella Eizenberg, Tilly Fox, Marnie Gomes, Bronte Gooch, Erin Griffin, Madeleine Higgs, Elizabeth Howells, Charlotte Leedham, Emily Macris, Ruby McPherson, Niamh O’Sullivan, Alice Regan and Catherine Ryan, will travel to Arusha with Ms Vanessa Brown, Mr Bob Anderson and Ms Maria Geracitano for our annual Tanzania Immersion. The students have been readying themselves for their Immersion for the last six months and are well prepared to engage in the program of cross cultural dialogue and companionship. I look forward to hearing what the students will learn from: The courageous leadership and vision of Gemma Sisia and the energy and enthusiasm of the Gap year students who host us at the School of St Jude; the gentle companionship of the Christian Brothers living in community in Shams; the local Eddy Rice Camp leaders who will co-host a camp with the SVC students; the knowledgeable safari guides from Safaris-R-Us and the Tanzanian community they will encounter along the way.
The College’s Immersion program is firmly based on the principles of Catholic Social Teachings and has at its heart a desire for companionship. Fr Jim Mulroney captures what this looks like at a global context in his monthly reflection for the Columban Missions: Benedict had harsh words for the missionaries of his day, reminding them that they should serve for the benefit of those to whom they had been sent and not the colonial desires of those who sent them...Francis (too) has harsh words for the missionaries of today who want to reduce mission to material aid...Francis is stressing the necessity to listen unceasingly...to listen attentively to the reasons the Church holds hope...to listen intently to the new commandment of love.
This new commandment of love is radical. It is a love where judgement is left at the door and respectful listening and accompaniment inform its actions. Most of the people the SVC participants will meet on the Tanzania Immersion will know someone who lives with HIV or AIDS (if you would like to find out more about HIV and AIDS epidemic visit here). My hope is that our students will listen deeply, will stand in solidarity and then return to the College with fervour and passion to advocate for increased research, education and provision of Antiretroviral Therapy in developing countries. In partnership, World AIDS Day could become a thing of the past.
I invite you to share this prayer with your family next week and keep the Tanzania 2019 team in your prayers as they engage in what will no doubt be a life changing and life giving experience.
May God our creator bless you and give you a safe journey.
May the Spirit of Peace protect you, and remain with you in times of challenge.
May Christ be in your thoughts and words as you meet new people, as you learn from them and bring their wisdom home to us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
In the 'franticness' of end of year celebrations, wind-downs and holiday planning, I encourage you to open yourselves to the invitation of stillness that comes with Advent.
Here are some resources that you may like to connect in with over the next couple of weeks as you take stock in this hectic time and allow your soul time to catch up.
I hope that stillness finds you,
Final week to go: The week before Christmas we distribute Christmas hampers to our kitchen guests. These hampers are put together from very generous donations from individuals, businesses, schools and community groups within the local area. This year we will run a food drive, asking mainly for special treats that our guests may not normally be able to afford, which quite often are not included in Christmas donations. We are appealing for items specific to each week. The last two weeks outline is:
Week 5: (01 December) - Single serving size Christmas puddings.
Thank you as always for your generosity. Our kitchen guests really appreciate the gift of community spirit that we provide throughout the year and at Christmas.
Over the past few weeks the Boarding girls have been actively participating in the ‘Parati programme’. The Parati programme runs at the end of each year and takes place instead of our regular set-study times, now that examinations are over - phew! Activities have recently included baking for Night Patrol (referred to in last week’s Bulletin) and valuable health sessions from our own College Nurse, Mrs Fiona Culligan.
On Tuesday, Scott our local Big Issue supplier, was invited to participate in this community sharing programme. Scott talked to us about his life story and how to problem solve and think outside the square to jump the hurdles that life throws at us. Scott engaged us with his story by completing a card trick that seemed impossible to solve, however, it taught us that we should never ‘judge a book by its cover’ and that there is always going to be a solution to a difficult problem. As well as this, he showed us how to spend as little money as possible for meals by buying cans of tuna, spaghetti and a bag of lollies for a sugar hit! Monique, in Year 10 and Chelsea, in Year 9, were able to ‘bring on the challenge’ of buying as much sustainable food to live on as possible under $5. They were able to buy seven food items that came to a total of $4.65! Scott worked out that these seven items would provide someone with five meals for a week. This task taught us how to use our initiative and common sense to prioritise our money in order to buy food to live on. It also exposed us to the money Scott has to live off and what kind of food items he buys with minimal amounts of money. This was very intriguing and eye-opening for the girls as they were able to see a new insight to Scott’s life.
Millie Fisher, Year 9, Yantabulla (author)
Dakota Macourt, Year 9, Nambucca Heads (photographer)
As you can see, the junior Boarders are using the end of term well and with lots of cooking for Night Patrol and making Christmas bags for an aged care facility organised by Sr Anne Taylor, and it is very productive.
Excitement is in the air these last few days, knowing that the end of term is around the corner. As you would have read from both Mrs Fry and my article last week, school finishes at 2.00pm on Thursday 5 December. The Friday travel day had been changed earlier this year to accommodate Boarders' attending the last day of school with their friends and to celebrate as a College.
Please make sure that leave has been sent through to the relevant Boarding coordinator, letting us know what time and who is picking up your daughter, and also an approximate return time on 28 January after 4.00pm.
This IN Weekend will be activities galore! The long drive to Jamberoo is always worth it - fingers crossed for good weather.
Yours in Boarding
Congratulations to all those students who participated in the ICAS English competition. Here are the results:
Year 7
Participation: Matilda Demetriou, Chloe Mumford, Clementine Pavillard, Hannah Singh
Credit: Clare Canham, Emily Smith
Distinction: Eliza Doyle
High Distinction: Amber Murtas.
Year 8
Participation: Gabrielle Austin, Isabella MacKay
Merit: Katarina Cobden
Credit: Zara Mackey, Judith Walsh
Distinction: Charlotte Ledden, Lucy Nelson
High Distinction: Amelia Papworth.
Year 9
Participation: Mia Timbs
Merit: Ella Humphreys
Credit: Ornella Fox, Emeline Kwok-Valevale, Carla Rizzi Kelly, Mika Singh, Ella Wise
Distinction: Kyria Lambropoulos, Mia Sorenson.
Year 10
Participation: Hayley Little
Credit: Charlotte Patchett, Ellie Singleton
Distinction: Amelia Vasiliou.
What the English Department has been reading/viewing/listening to …
Ms Jarman | The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim | This YA novel explores mental health amongst adults in the Chinese community and compares it with the ready understanding of mental illness amongst the next generation. The purpose of this book is to normalise mental health for all, regardless of gender, age, background. |
Ms Jarman | Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter | A beautifully lyrical book that uses all sorts of tricks to express the complexities of the grief journey. A must for EE2 students. Worth a second, third, fourth… read. |
Ms Jarman | About a Girl by Rebekah Robinson | This is the story of Georgie Stone, her family and their journey through the Australian medical and legal system as they supported Georgie’s transgender rights. Georgie, and her family, challenged and changed restrictive laws. |
Ms Jarman | Florida by Lauren Goff | A gift from a departing EE2 student, Sophia Fitzgerald. This collection of short stories provides a masterclass in control - there are moments of terrifying beauty amongst the mundane. |
Ms Jarman | All Among the Barley by Melissa Harrison | Although set in the 1930's in rural England, this is a story for those who have the power to change the course of contemporary British history - all voters. This story reminds us of the conditions that are needed for extremist groups to gain traction. |
Ms Rune | The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker | Barker’s novel illuminates the stories of the women whose voices go unheard in Homer’s Iliad. An engaging retelling of the Trojan War and the plight of the women fighting to survive at the hands of epic heroes. |
Ms Marshall | Furious Hours by Harper Lee | Following the success of her masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird, what was Harper Lee working on? The answer, a true-crime story about Rev Willie Maxwell which she never finished. A really interesting story about Rev Maxwell and Harper Lee and the way their paths crossed in Alabama in the 1970’s. |
Ms Marshall | Agent Running in the Field by John Le Carre | Le Carre is back at age 88, and his latest novel is a beauty. Lots of references to the state of the world, particularly the UK and the usual ingredients of espionage, treachery and deception. Highly recommended. |
Ms Hunter, Ms Kennedy, Ms Thomas, Ms Jarman | Three Women by Lisa Taddeo | We didn’t quite know what to make of this one! A compelling but over-hyped book that reveals as much about the author as it does about its subjects. Caution: Mature Themes. |
Ms Thomas, Ms Rune and Ms Playoust | The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale | Atwood has responded to calls from her readers to write the next stage of the story of theocratic dictatorship, Gilead. Set 15 years after Offred is escorted out of the Commander’s house by ‘Eyes’, who may or may not be members of the rebel group, Mayday. ‘The Testaments’ is told by three narrators - Aunt Lydia and two young women, all of whom reveal intriguing insights into not only the Gilead regime but the genealogical information kept by the Aunts. In 2019, Atwood leaves us with a greater sense of certainty about the women’s stories, challenging the abuses of those who currently make accusations of ‘fake news’. |
Ms Devaney | The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus & Emma McLaughlin | A student recommendation. A Devil Wears Prada-esque novel told from the perspective of a Nanny who looks after a child of one of New York’s elite. Surprisingly entertaining - a nice palate cleanser after reading some heavier stuff. |
Ms Devaney and Ms Thomas | Dead to Me (Netflix series) | Netflix series about two women experiencing different forms of grief. It has enough twists and comedic aspects to turn a two-hander character examination into some gripping television. |
Ms Devaney | The Lost Man by Jane Harper | Australian thriller that offers some wonderful imagery to capture the isolated lives of those out in the Big Red. A man finds his brother’s dehydrated corpse by ‘The Stockman’s Grave’, but he never would have been so unprepared for the Australian heat. I devoured this - can’t wait to read Harper’s The Dry, which I’ve heard is even better. |
Ms Devaney | Scythe by Neal Shusterman | A 2016 young adult dystopian novel that a student raved about. Set in the future where the only way to die is to be ‘gleaned’ by a professional scythe. This novel centres on two young characters who are chosen to become these prestigious killers and will uncover corruption that lies within their perfect world. So far I’m gripped! |
Ms Devaney | The Red Wind by Isobelle Carmody | A library recommendation. A very sweet almost fairytale-like young adult novel that is set on a strange planet. The novel is short and the beginning of an interesting sounding series. It resonates through its depiction of brotherly love and courage and strangeness. I felt it ended too abruptly - maybe I will have to read the next one... |
Ms Playoust | Sexts, Texts & Selfies by Susan McClean | A must-read for any parent who wishes to be proactive in understanding and helping navigate the safety of their child’s online world experience. McClean is Australia’s first cyber cop and cyber-safety expert. |
Ms Playoust | Raising Resilient Kids | An interesting collection of insights, research and practical common-sense tips from education and psychology experts in Australia on how to help children ‘bounce back’. |
Ms Playoust (with her 9 and 11 year old daughters) | Greta Thunberg - No one is too small to make a difference | An inspiring collection of Greta’s speeches about climate change. Students who are interested in public speaking; or have a passion for rhetoric; a desire to be social activists; another must-read! |
Ms Hunter | The Need by Helen Phillips | A domestic thriller that captivates the reader from the opening sentence! This novel explores ideas about maternal love, loss and moral dilemmas. Not for the fainthearted... |
Ms Rune | The Power by Naomi Alderman | Women have the power to release electrical forces through their fingertips, making them the dominant power in society. An exploration of what happens when roles are subverted and women become the aggressors. |
During the Year 10 Learning Immersion - Body, Mind and Life, students have been provided with the opportunity to learn about effective stress management, which will be pivotal as students enter Stage 6. In PDHPE class groups, we have participated in yoga, meditation, mindful drawing, as well as group discussions to learn about and then implement strategies to alleviate stress. Year 10 students have also engaged in multiple team building exercises during practical lessons to improve collaboration skills which have become increasingly essential in 21st century work environments. For instance, students attempted to carry cups of water placed upon tea towels as quickly as possible and were required to utilise communication and leadership skills to effectively carry out the task. Moreover, we also took part in three Youth Mental Health First Aid sessions which have equipped us with the knowledge and skills to assist our ourselves and friends who may be suffering from a mental health problem or crisis.
The Body, Mind, Life program has allowed students to gain a better sense of personal identity and has equipped us with the tools to build respectful relationships. We have learnt many new strategies which could assist in stress reduction and help us to cope with challenges that may arise, whether they be during or following school.
The 2020 Rural Health Careers Forum will be held at 5.00pm on Wednesday 20 May 2020, at Pymble Ladies’ College. Interested students and their families should diarise this event.
Students who would like to pursue a career in health, including rural and remote health, are encouraged to attend the forum which is a free event. The forum will encompass a wide range of health careers including: Medicine, nursing and midwifery, paramedicine, Aboriginal health, health administration and allied health including physiotherapy, dietitian, speech pathology, pharmacy, occupational therapy and exercise physiology.
The forum will provide students and their parents the opportunity to:
· Speak one-on-one with health students, recent graduates and health professionals about their journeys
· Participate in hands-on activities to give an insight into a day in the life of a health professional
· Attend an information session with an interactive Q&A session and
· Talk to universities and rural workforce agencies about study and career opportunities.
Further information will be provided in early 2020, however, if you have any questions or want more information please visitor contact the forum organiser by email at: students@nswrdn.com.au
The St Vincent’s College Dance Concert was held at The Seymour Centre on Saturday 2 November. Our annual Dance Concerts showcase performances and compositions from elective classes, ensemble groups and co-curricular dance. It highlights the developments and achievements of our students in the academic year. Dance at the College has reached its 9th year, with 150 students involved in our production this year.
All Dance students have been working extremely hard and these dedicated students have rehearsed since the beginning of the year, attending multiple, additional rehearsals after school and at break times. Their commitment and enthusiasm have been outstanding which has contributed to the success of the year. So many personal achievements have been made, but most importantly, the girls have achieved these in a fun learning environment.
A special thank you to our 2019 Dance teachers, Miss Dominique Cooper, Miss Laura Fishwick, Miss Kayla Jomaa, Miss Thomasina Buchner, Mrs May Mangano and Miss Elysha Maink, for their support and commitment to developing Dance at the College and inspiring and empowering our students.
Finally, thank you to all the staff, parents, students and friends who attended on the night to support our Dance students. I have had so many lovely emails and phone calls expressing your gratitude. Your support is truly overwhelming. We look forward to our 10th Anniversary in 2020, celebrating 10 years of Dance at St Vincent's College. We hope that your daughter can join in our program for this special year of Dance.
As Dance continues to grow at the College, we have an array of opportunities that will continue to be available in 2020. Parents can enrol their daughter via the College website. Closing date for enrolments are Monday 3 February 2020.
I look forward to seeing your daughters involved in the SVC Dance Program in 2020. Have a lovely Christmas break!
Above: The Dance Teachers
SPORT STAFF CONTACTS FOR TERM 4 2019
Co-ordinator of Sport: Ms Jacinta Jacobs: 0418 416 663 / jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Ms Therese Taylor: 0408 711 881 - Head of Tennis
Ms Elyse Harmanis: 0434 610 870 - Head of Touch
Ms Jasmine Shires: 0466 672 383 - Head of Water Polo.
Ms Molly Macqueen: 0448 882 121 - Head of Basketball and Volleyball
Mr Hugo Forlico: 0411 615 031 - Head of Futsal.
Website details: https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/learning/sport/
The end of the term is fast approaching with finals on this weekend for touch. Congratulations to teams SVC 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11 who have qualified for the grand finals after some exciting semis last week.
Water polo has last round matches with a few teams in the top four positions and are looking good for Pocket Authorities. Basketball and volleyball have finals and play-offs, so good luck to all teams. SVC in volleyball are in the grand final and hoping for another win!
Both futsal teams are in the semis and at least one should make the grand final, which will played straight afterwards at Ascham on Friday night. GO VINNIES!!
Below: Volleyball SVC 5
The Inter-House Swimming Carnival will be held at Drummoyne Pool on Monday 2 December, from 9.30am-2.30pm.
Swimming squad sessions are held at school on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 7.00am-8.00am, run by Jesse from www.bondiswimcoach.com.au . Please go onto his website to enrol directly with him if you would like to sign up for Term 1 next year. All levels are catered for and you can do as many days as you like. All water polo players are encouraged to go to at least one of these sessions per week to improve their swimming fitness.
The final fitness session with Tash will be held next Wednesday from 3.15pm – 4.30pm (due to Swimming Carnival on Monday) and everyone is invited to join in. This will continue next term on the usual Mondays. All fitness levels are catered for and the venue will vary from week to week. All participants are to get changed and meet outside the changerooms at 3.15pm on Mondays. Please email Ms Jacobs If you are keen to sign up. This is for all students wanting to get ready for Cross Country next year or to just improve their fitness in general.
Some of our senior PDHPE and PASS classes have tried the new boxing studio in Victoria Street, Hustle Boxing, and loved it! The Hustle team have offered a free trial first class special and a student rate for Vinnies students. There is a 6.00am and 7.15am class every morning before school, and they have excellent showers and change rooms so you can get ready for school/work. They have just started classes on Sundays which is great for Boarders as well as those keen to get another session in. Don’t forget to mention you are from Vinnies to get the free trial class and the special rate. Please email Emily at edormer@hustleboxing.com.au
The Tildesley Tennis squad has been training hard already as they wish to defend their ‘Most Improved School’ trophy at the Tournament next year! The final session for this year will be held on the College courts on Monday morning from 7.15am-8.30am. All players must attend this important final session with Molly and Therese. It will be a combination of fitness and tennis skills.
Ms Therese Taylor
Head Tennis Coach
Please keep the Sport staff informed of any good sporting results held outside of the College. Information and photos can be emailed to jacobsj@stvincents.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to our Sports Award winners from Speech Night. The College's 2019 Junior Sportswoman of the Year went to Madeleine Chubb in Year 9. The Olympic Changemaker Award 2019 went to Gemma Fitzgerald in Year 11, and the Tildesley Tennis team, 2019 Sports Team of the Year. Well done, girls!
The Sports Person of the Year for each Sport will be awarded at the final assembly next week.
Below: 2019 Sports Team of the Year - Tildesley team
Below: Madeleine Chubb (discus) - 2019 Junior Sports Woman of the Year
All pocket authorities will be issued via Edumate by Monday 2 December. Once this appears in your daughter’s Edumate History she will be able to take her blazer to the uniform shop next week to have the embroidery completed.
The uniform shop will be especially opening on Tuesday 3 December and Thursday 5 December between 10.00am and 2.00pm for blazers to be handed in, and the price includes dry cleaning.
Please Note: Payment is required at the time the blazer is handed in. Payment can be made over the phone or in person at the shop.
A fast and convenient way to shop for your St Vincent’s College College uniform online.
Shop online - collect next trading day.
Online store link: https://www.noone.com.au/school/st-vincents-college/shop
HOW IT WORKS:
Discover click and collect, the convenient and quick way to shop from Noone Shop Online. Place your order and your order will be ready to collect on the next trading day. We’ll get everything ready for you, so all you need to do is come in store to collect your order, or, home delivery is also available for your convenience.
1. Shop Online
Type the school link into your browser: https://www.noone.com.au/school/st-vincents-college .
Sign up to create your own account and then log in to commence shopping. Add the items to your cart that you would like to purchase via Click and Collect.
2. Choose Click and Collect Options
Choose Click and Collect options or choose Australia Post option for home delivery. Click and Collect next trading day from the on-campus shop, or via Australia Post - 5-10 working days for delivery.
Our retail staff are available to assist you with your uniform requirements at the location listed below:
On campus trading hours (during terms):
Monday 8.00am-2.00pm
Wednesday 12.00pm-5.00pm
Friday 8.00am-2.00pm
Phone: 02 8324 6622
Email: SVC@noone.com.au
(Our Book Reviewer - Ms Suzanne O'Connor, is currently home from volunteering with the Loreto Sisters in Timor Leste; returning in February 2020)
TO CALAIS, IN ORDINARY TIME by James Meek
I was already favourably disposed to this novel because it was an actual, physical book waiting for me at Maluk Timor, a wonderful medical enterprise staffed by some Australian staff training Timorese doctors and nurses in special areas such as midwifery and leprosy treatment. Another reason was that I had read an earlier novel by James Meek called The People’s Act of of Love, set in early twentieth century Siberia. It was an extraordinary book with a particularly challenging conclusion.
This more recent book is set in England in 1348. It begins in a small community from which a young ploughman runs away to claim his freedom by serving as an archer defending the city of Calais, newly captured by the English. From the same community, comes a high-born girl who flees an arranged marriage in order to find her true love; she may be a little over-excited by the poetry of The Romance of the Rose as a more pragmatic cousin suggests, but Bernadine will not be swayed. A proctor, a kind of church bureaucrat, is also on the journey. These three characters meet as they move along the road to the same destination.
I have reached an age when I have a more clear recollection of the lectures about Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, delivered in the Wallace Theatre at Sydney University in 1964 than I have about the location of my glasses I misplaced fifteen minutes ago. This is fortunate because Meek assumes a familiarity with Chaucerian English rather than the whereabout of my glasses. This form of language may prove challenging to some readers. Just like Chaucer’s work, much of the language is robust, ribald and explicit which may prove challenging to a different group of readers. The other complication to the plot is the imminence of the 'Black Death' which has already crossed the Channel and destroyed many coastal towns and villages. The clergy is warning that the plague is a signal of the end of days while others choose to blame cats or infidels or the French. I came to the conclusion that nothing has really changed six hundred years later and that is part of the fascination of the book. The world is completely alien to ours yet depressingly familiar. I read the book in my last week in Timor-Leste where the references to diseases such as leprosy appear in the Timor Post with great regularity because the condition is endemic. (Despite this slightly alarming reality, I will be returning in mid-February of 2020 to volunteer for a further nine months).
Just as when I read Minette Walters books on the Black Death in late January 2019, I could draw close parallels to the world of the fiction I was reading and the world around me, so I could with this novel. Keeping in mind my warnings, I think many potential readers would enjoy this book as much as I did - even if it did take me a whole week to read.