Bulletin

REMINDERS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:

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Tuesday 17 December 2019:  HSC Results Released.

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Monday 23 December 2019 to Friday 10 January 2020:  The College office is closed.

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Tuesday 28 January 2020:  Boarders' Return from 4.00pm.

Wednesday 29 January 2020:  First Day of Classes - All students - Term 1.

Wednesday 29 January 2020:  College photos - see reminder in this 'Reminders' section (below).

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Sunday 26 January 2020:   Australia Day.
Monday 27 January 2020:   Australia Day Public Holiday.

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UNIFORM SHOP - see the flyer in this issue with opening dates for Term 1 2020.

Orders Online  

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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Your daughter will have her College photo taken on Wednesday 29 January 2020 (this is the first day of Term 1 2020).  The information for you to order online was sent home with your daughter (see Mr Hekeik's email to all parents on 04 December).

In the event that this information is misplaced over the summer, your daughter will be provided with a replacement pack on 29 January. 

Mr Joseph Hekeik
Head of Operations

Dear Parents and Carers

As this is the final newsletter of the year, I take this opportunity to thank each in the community for their support throughout the year.  St Vincent's is "more than a school", and the spirit of the community is created through the respectful relationships between students, students and teachers, teachers and parents.  Thank you one and all.

Throughout the year I believe the standard of our College assemblies has been exceptional.  Yesterday maintained that high standard.  The focus was on National Disability Day and we heard from 'three wise women', Ruby Waterlow-Heuston, Ana Toko and Lucy Brader.  Each highlighted a gift we can give a person with a disability - kindness, respect and inclusion.  Like the three wise men who brought gifts of great value and scarity to honour the birth of Jesus, the gifts that Ruby, Lucy and Ana gave first-hand account of, are also often in short supply.  It was a powerful assembly and I personally consider it was a privilege to be in the audience to hear the presentation.  I include Ruby's address for your reflection:

Hi Girls!  How are we all feeling? My name’s Ruby and I'm up here because today is National Disability Day. I myself, lost my sight when I was nine because I had an aggressive form of leukemia called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Good luck repeating that.  Essentially, this means I can only see light; for example, when you turn a light on and off in a room. So basically, today I’m up here to tell you about living with a disability and hopefully educate you a bit in regard to how you treat people in my position.  Before I start, let’s define what disability actually means. A disability is a physical or mental state that has an effect on a person’s movements, senses, or activities.  Here are some facts about disabilities within Australia:

Within Australia over 4.4 millon people have some form of disability.

7 percent of children within Australia.

35.9 percent of Australian households include a person with a disability.

Almost one in five aged between 15 to 24 experience discrimination.

Ultimately, for someone with a disability we just want to be treated like anybody else.  Dignity is very important to people who have a disability, seeing that I am still fully capable of anything I put my mind to, even though I might have to do it a different way to other people, I will still get the end result. Adapting to new routines of doing things is a major challenge which takes constant practise and effort.  It is during these times that you can make a massive difference in the process, by cooperating and doing little things, such as making sure the hallways are clear and if you ever see something in the way, moving it to a less trip-able place.  Other things you could do which will assist people like me include:

.  When you’re not sure how to assist someone, asking is always better than assuming.  As they are able to let you know what they are comfortable with and what they need. 

.  Be kind to everyone who needs help, whether they look lonely or are sitting alone, or even confused.  Go up to them and ask how they are going? Whether they need a hand? Or if you can help them.  In this day and age we are all on our phones and not aware of what is going on around us.  We need to be more present and empathise with those who need us.

Thank you so much for listening, I hope I taught you a bit about living around and with people with a disability.  Look forward to hearing you in the hallways.   

By Ruby Waterlow-Heuston, Year 8

On Wednesday I farewelled the students and staff who have headed to Tanzania for the 2019 Immersion.  They were in high spirits and the long flight has obviously not dampened them (as can be seen in the photo of the week, taken on their arrival in Arusha).  On Monday, another group of students depart for Lake Mungo on a sacred pilgrimage.  These are enriching and life changing experiences for our students.

At the assemblies, yesterday and today, we also farewelled our staff and students who are leaving St Vincent's this year.  Ms Rachel McLean was celebrated for the great legacy she leaves of faith and action; Ms Chew and Mrs Matthews for their great Science teaching and Mr Rosenstrauss, Mr Morgan and Mrs O'Shanassy for their great support as temporary teachers in 2019.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Anne Fry
Principal

The final week of school saw our Vinnies students and staff still working and performing to their best.  The week began with the annual Swimming Carnival where Cater House ruled the pool, whilst all others glistened with spirit and participation. That evening and the next day, St Vincent’s College hosted the Mary Aikenhead Education Australia Student Leadership Retreat with students from our Brisbane and Melbourne schools staying overnight in the Boarding House with members of our Year 12 Student Leadership Team.  These students collaborated to discover what they share in their ministry of leadership as well as what is particular about the context of their unique school communities.  I commend the students on their pursuit to identify the signs of their times and respond as contemplatives in action.  Our schools are blessed to have such authentic student voice shaping our communities.

Our College Assembly celebrated stories of diversity and difference as mentioned in Mrs Fry’s article; as well as a particular expression of gratitude by the students to Ms Rachel McLean, who throughout her ten years at the College, has impacted profoundly on hundreds of students in the way they see their world and see themselves.  Those students and staff who are leaving the community for new beginnings have also been acknowledged and thanked in House and Tutor gatherings throughout the week.  To those students who are leaving the College to relocate out of Sydney or choose an alternate learning path, we thank you for having added to the fabric of who we are.  May your futures be blessed with relationships and experiences that enrich your growth and may you know that you will always have a connection to this community.

I take this occasion to acknowledge with deep appreciation the commitment and enduring hard work of our staff throughout the year.  Our work in schools is built upon human relationships; the nurturing of dynamic relationships that support learning and growth is the greatest joy of our work in schools, but one that takes enduring commitment and hard work.

I offer a particular note of appreciation to two members of the Pastoral Team - Mrs Mary Cartmer and Mrs Ellen O’Connor.  Mrs Cartmer has fulfilled the role of Acting Head of Williams House over the past three years 2017-2019 whilst Mrs O’Connor having been in the role of Head of Cater House 2016-2018 will step away from full-time work as she enjoys opportunity to be with her daughter.  Both these women have been exemplary pastoral leaders, responding with sensitivity to the pastoral and academic care of students as well as injecting humour and joy to the spirit of their Houses.  Mrs Cartmer will remain a proud member of Williams House as well as continuing in her role as Diverse Learning teacher.  Ms Jo Tardo who has been on extended leave pursuing study, will be returning to her role as Williams Head of House in 2020.  Ms Edelle McCrudden will continue with the leadership of Cater House bringing much expertise and care to the support of Cater students and families.

Yesterday afternoon students finished for the year in their usual manner with a Christmas Rave on the Pave, donning Santa Claus hats and good cheer to express their delight the holidays are now here.  We are fortunate to have this time of rest and renewal; I hope that all families can find the time to take time with each other and celebrate the passing of the year with its joys and struggles, as well as readying ourselves with what the new year may hold possible.  I thank you our parent community for your ongoing dialogue and partnership with the College - your open communication with the teachers and carers of your daughters, your generosity in giving time in service to community activities, and your belief in the goodness and hopes of your adolescent child as she navigates times of both challenge and accomplishment - quite simply, thank you for being there.

Please know that we commence Term 1 2020 on the same day for all students Years 7-12:  Wednesday 29 January.  Students in Years 8-12 will gather in Tutor groups at 8.40am.  Year 7 students will gather on the Paved Area as a Year group at 8.45am.  We shall be having school photos on this first day so all students are required to have impeccable school uniform to start the year - please note the opening days of the Uniform Shop in The Bulletin.

I pray that this Christmas season brings you the blessing of time, time with each other, time to refresh, time to feel joy. 

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care

The advent season is a particularly special time for me personally as my faith compels me to prepare for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming.  However, the season is also dear to me as many of my family celebrate birthdays throughout the months of November and December and being a July baby myself, I have always thought how lovely it would be to have a ‘warm’ birthday celebration.  The season for me is enveloped in a personal sense of warmth and gratitude.  I am grateful for my family, friends and colleagues who walk with me in my life and I relish the opportunity at Christmastime to let them know how deeply I hold them in my heart.  At SVC, I am grateful everyday for the privilege I have of walking with the students in their journey of secondary education.  I am often filled with enormous pride in the students and there have been many times this year where I have felt this, but perhaps the most recent profound sense of admiration and pride was at our final College Assembly.  Three brave and poised young women articulated their own stories for ‘International Day of People with Disability’, detailing for the whole assembly the realities of living with a disability.  These three students were Ruby Waterlow-Heuston, Ana Toko and Lucy Brader.  I did need to reach for a tissue after they finished their presentations, not so much as they made me sad, because I was so filled with pride and admiration for their strength that I was literally moved to tears. These fine young women have much to be proud of and much to teach us all, as they epitomise the Vinnies spirit of resilience and courage and with their quiet, yet strong determination, they will indeed make their mark on the world.  It is in these moments where I am so enlivened by the spirit that lives and breathes life into all of us.  Recently, I have worked in the Diverse Learning Centre to assist the Diverse Learning Team in Ms Alanna Rose’s medical absence.  I would like to acknowledge the remarkable work conducted by my colleagues:  Ms Deborah Quigley, (Acting Head of Department), Mrs Mary Cartmer, Ms Fiona Ducklin (Teacher’s Aide), Ms Donna Ginzburg (High Potential Learning) and Mrs Jennifer Hoffman (Teacher’s Aide), and of course Alanna herself, who works tirelessly daily to ensure all of our Diverse Learners’ needs including students with a disability are catered for, with meticulous attention to detail and much compassion. 

Yesterday, at our legendary ‘Rave on the Pave’ finale for 2019, as much as I was enjoying myself looking out at the students whilst exhibiting what my own daughters would call cringe worthy dance moves, I once again was filled with an enormous sense of gratitude and pride.  Pride in the learning that has been accomplished this year in each and every one of our students, who have worked consistently in our Year of Respectful Learning to contribute to their own learning growth.  They should be very proud of the extraordinary efforts they have made in all aspects of learning in College Life.  I am grateful for my colleagues who have worked tirelessly all year to ensure that our revised assessment and feedback processes were embedded in each and every course and that our diverse learners were catered for with compassion and educational insight, to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ that ensure every one of our Vinnies students access assessment on the same basis as their peers.  Bravo to my colleagues!  To Mr Michael Latham, who luckily for us, remains on staff but has made the decision to step away from the Head of HSIE position to spend more time with his precious son before he starts Kindy. I wish him well and thank him enormously for the difference he has made in such a short time with the staff and students of the College.  To Mrs Jo Kenderes, I thank her for all of her work leading the Religious Education Department and look forward to continuing the professional relationship with her next year when she moves into the Director of Faith and Mission role.  To my colleagues, Ms Elise Whiley, Head of PDHPE; Mr Graeme Colman, Head of Visual Arts/TAS; Ms Catherine Johnson, Head of Performing Arts; Mr Nick Garben, Head of Mathematics; Ms Maria Manitta, Head of Languages; Dr Chris Reynolds, Head of Science; Ms Monica Jarman, Head of English; Ms Jody McDonnell, Head of eLearning and Librarian and Ms Helen Marshall, Careers Adviser; I thank them for their professionalism, time and commitment to ensure that we are leading learning at the College to ensure that every day ‘is a perfect day to learn something new'.

To Ms Maxine Byrom, my assistant, without whom this Bulletin wouldn’t be published, I thank her for all of the work that she does daily to support myself and the wider College community to ensure that essential learning information is communicated.  Finally, I wish all of our families a safe and happy Christmas break and I look forward to regrouping with my own family over the summer as I look again to the possibilities and positivity of another great year of learning. 

Mrs Jasmin Mano
Director of Teaching and Learning

The smells of the raging bushfires of the last three weeks have evoked memories of my Year 12 Graduation and the endless weeks between our last examination and the envelope that held the culmination of our schooling and the rank that would determine tertiary options.  I received my envelope with my friends outside the local post office (there were no SMS then!) as the streets of Mudgee glowed golden, the air heavy with expectation and smoke. 

Two and a bit decades on, a new group of young people wait in expectation as their examinations are marked and ranks assigned.  I sense today though, that the air is not heavy with expectation, rather, there's a sense of urgency, of hope, of the need for change. 

As we finish another academic year, we can look back on all that has been accomplished.  At the beginning of the year I invited the community to consider how they could, in the words of my favourite Christian Music artist, Matt Maher, ‘rise up’ and be radical.  When we truly respect people, places, spaces without expecting anything in return, when we are a person who loves all, not just those who are easy to love like family and friends, then we are radical people. 

This year, the College continued to provide a plethora of opportunities and experiences to connect students with a faith that loves through Twilight Spirituality sessions, College Liturgies and Masses, Kairos Retreats, National and International Immersions, Social Justice and Outreach Experiences.  Throughout my time at the College I have shared that I believe these moments of faith exist in a vacuum unless we connect with stories of the Gospel and the Broader sense of Church.  Our job, as people who have said yes to Christ’s invitation to be radically inclusive and vessels of love, is to ensure that our local and national Church hears our desire to be as radical and inclusive as Christ. 

In 2009 I was standing on a precipice, wondering what the next chapter of my life would be.  I had returned from two and a half years overseas working in Arusha, Tanzania, and then writing in London to be with my critically ill Dad.  Advent had just started and I allowed my soul to be still and listen to what the spirit was saying.  Providence led me to St Vincent’s.  After ten years I am now standing on another precipice.  I take the many learnings, great friendships and profound blessings of these past ten years to the new chapter that awaits.  Thank you to the students, parents, community members, Sisters of Charity, Mary Aikenhead Ministries colleagues and College staff, who have welcomed and walked with me over the years.  I am deeply blessed by your generosity and support.  I look forward to maintaining a connection with the College and Mary Aikenhead Ministries as we all navigate what it means to a Magis person in our world today.

May radical love be your modus operandi; yours in faith.

Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

(My favourite photo below from all my experiences over the years, pictured with Matt Maher and some SVC students at the ACYF 2017) 

On Monday I am thrilled to embark on my final role at the College, an immersive educational experience with six Year 11 students and Faith in Action facilitator, Fran Kelly, on our inaugural Pilgrimage and Immersion to Lake Mungo.  We will travel along the song lines of NSW into Wiradjuri land in Narrandera, the Paakantji, the Mutthi Mutthi, the Ngiyampaa land of Lake Mungo and the Dhurga/Dharawal land of Broulee and Potato Point.  At each of these places we will learn from the elders of these community about the rich spirituality and connection to land that defines the First Nations peoples.  We will acknowledge the horrific history that continues to impact the First Nations people and commit to walking in solidarity as we strive for Voice. Treaty. Truth.

At Lake Mungo, we will be still in the great spiritual space of the desert.  We will honour Mungo Lady and Mungo Man who have been dated to 42,000 years old - the oldest human remains in Australia and some of the oldest modern humans in the world outside Africa.  We will marvel at the 20,000 year old footprints; the only Pleistocene footprints in Australia and the most numerous yet found anywhere in the world.  We will sit in silence and listen to the Creator Spirit.

Please keep:

·        Samara Cottell

·        Domenica Mitchell

·        Alexandra Schacht

·        Tarli Mason

·        Alessia Carnabuci

·        Jiawei D’Arcy 

in your prayers as we journey along the song lines.  We will be carrying your hope and your support with us on our journey. 

Ms Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

Below:  Lake Mungo the wall of China

As Advent arrived into our homes and hearts last Sunday, we are invited to accept her stillness and solitude at a time when our word and our lives feel urgent and out of control.  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 more 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:

Sacred Advent Retreat – a daily email prayer break during a busy season.

Each day invites you to slow down for a moment of reflection inspired by the rich Scripture and traditions of Advent. 

St Canice Parish - Advent Prayer Meeting.  You are invited to join us for 30 minutes each Sunday over the next three weeks where we take time to be still, reflect, share and pray. 

• When:    Sunday 8, 15 and 22 December.
• Time:     9.30am-10.00am (between the 8.30am and 10.30am masses).
• Where:   St Canice Church.

Reflection material is based on the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP's) and the Sunday Readings.  Click on links to access these materials.  

I hope that stillness finds you, 

Ms Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

A most heartfelt thank you to the students and families who supported the leadership and action of the Year 8 students in our annual Family Spirit Christmas Hamper Appeal.  The planning, education and organisation that goes into this experience of Outreach is learnt through Year 8 Cura Personalis lessons and then implemented in Tutor time.  Thank you to the indefatigable Ms Natalie Fletcher, and her supporters Mrs Di Williams and Ms May Mangano, who worked with and supported all Year 8 students and their Tutor teachers to make this appeal such a success.

We look forward to working with Year 8 2020 as they take on the leadership of this great Outreach opportunity.  Again, thank you and Christmas blessings to you and yours. 

Ms Rachel McLean
Director of Faith and Mission

This week the Parati programme came to an end.  Years 9 and 10 Boarders finished the experience with a visit to the Mary Aikenhead Aged-Care facility in Edgecliff.  This provided these Boarders' an opportunity to give back to their local community by engaging, supporting and building relationships with the residents.  The girls had the opportunity to show respect and compassion, which are some of our core values.  The aged-care residents were energised by their visit, and in return the girls increased their social skills through interacting with people they might not normally meet in everyday life.  Seeing the different generations interact together is a union of future and past generations and brings value to human interactions.

Below is an article written by the girls about the stories which were shared with them by various residents.

Ms Liza Bergantino
Years 9 and 10 Boarding and Pastoral Coordinator

Today Years 9 and 10 students went to St Vincent’s Nursing Home to celebrate the Christmas spirit with the residents.  We gave handmade gifts which Years 7-10 contributed to and helped create. 

Years 7-10 girls handcrafted boxes and bags from origami and we immersed ourselves in the creativity.  We designed our own cards and boxes to give each card a personal touch.  When we arrived at the nursing home, we were given a warm, loving greeting which created a calm space for us to speak and get to know the ladies and gentlemen who live there.  We got to know many of the residents, hearing their stories about their schooling and childhood.

By Dakota Macourt and Molly Murray

We met a man by the name of David Willoughby Leach, who was born on 17 July 1928.  He has led a very interesting life.  In 1946/1947 he served on HM ships of the British Pacific Fleet and in 1948 he completed his sub-lieutenant, and he also played rugby for Victoria.  On 21 April 1982, he was promoted to vice-admiral and he led the Navy as Chief of Naval Staff.  Mr Willoughby was awarded a CBE for distinguished service and devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy while in command of HMAS PERTH, and the ship was awarded the US Meritorious Unit Commendation.  He was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order for service as liaison officer during the Queen’s visit in 1970. 

By Chelsea Davidson

The end of term is always a sea of excitement and 2019 was no exception. The Boarders’ Christmas Party on Wednesday night was joyous, fun, loud and a lovely celebration with all staff who have contributed to Boarding over 2019.  A massive thank you to Amy Lienesch and Amelia Vaughan (Year 8) for their hard work on producing a booklet of Christmas songs and MCing the night - it flowed so well and I was very proud of them. 

We welcomed back staff who left us in Term 2 and those leaving us this year, both staff and students.  Ms Rachel McLean was farewelled for her ten years of study support, support of Boarding as both Director of Faith and Mission and Acting Principal during her tenure.  She is now an honorary Boarder with her Boarders’ jersey and Boarders’ tracksuit pants!  The First Nations students presented Ms McLean with a painting to represent current and past Boarders' with her spirit in the middle connecting everyone.  Thank you to Clare and Amy Lienesch and Tarli Mason, for their work on this beautiful design.

Boarders' never stop - and a quick pit stop to St Canice to deliver last minute donations was had on the last day of school.  Well done, girls!

We wish you all a lovely Christmas break and know that you will also have a joyous, fun and loud celebration during the holidays and we look forward to seeing our Boarders' again on Tuesday 28 January 2020, from 4.00pm! 

Yours in Boarding

Ms Maryanne O'Donoghue
Director of Boarding

Below:  From the recent IN Weekend

TAFE NSW InfoFest 2019

TAFE NSW is opening its doors from 9 to 13 December, from 9.00am-5.00pm at TAFE NSW Locations.

Any student who wants to explore their study options post-school can explore a multitude of choices at TAFE NSW InfoFest 2019.  Talk to expert teachers, get course information or any assistance that may be required to finalise enrolments for Semester 1 2020.  Find out more and register now at www.tafensw.edu.au/infofest.  With over 1,200 courses, diplomas and degrees, TAFE NSW is the leading education and training provider in Australia.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  Thank you for your positive feedback throughout 2019 and I look forward to bringing you more careers news in 2020. 

Ms Helen Marshall
Careers Adviser

What a busy few weeks it has been for Performing Arts students! In fact, it has been a really, really busy year.  In last week's Bulletin Ms Santi reported on the success of the annual SVC Dance Concert.  It was an amazing evening that celebrated the talents of nearly a third of the SVC student population - that is how much the Dance programme has grown!  Congratulations to our talented and hardworking Dance teacher, Ms Alana Santi.  It is clear at this event how much the students have grown, learned and love Dance.  A thank you also to our co-curricular Dance tutor, Ms Laura Fishwick, who supports and strengthens the skills of our students.

Our Drama students have also really excelled this year.  The mid-year Trinity examinations yielded excellent results for the Speech and Drama co-curricular students, as did the Eisteddfods.  Students have just attempted the end of year Trinity exams and we are all eagerly awaiting their results.  A big thank you and congratulations to Ms Georgia Britt for the work she has done to support and improve students' performance skills at the College.  Ms Britt is also the Theatresports tutor, and this year the College teams have made exceptional improvements.  Not only making it through all the heats but the finals and to the Grand Final!  This is the first time the College has ever had a team make the Grand Final and it was a huge achievement for these students to represent the College, but is also a sign of the skills, talent and hard work these students have shown.  Congratulations Polly Barwick (Year 8), Polly Grindrod (Year 7) and Sophie Anderson(Year 8).

Our Singing students have also recently attempted AMEB examinations in the City and we also wish them the best of luck with their results. Ms Jill Carter has worked so hard to support and extend our students' talents and skills this year, and is now supporting even more students in her work with the College Musical, Strictly Ballroom, teaching our students' six-part harmony and expecting...no...demanding their absolute best efforts to hold those notes!  Many of you who were in attendance at the College Speech Night would have witnessed the excellence Ms Carter inspires, as the Year 12 (2020) students who sang
The Beatles medley, was a performance selected by Mrs Fry from the Performing Arts co-curricular night earlier in the term.

Speech Night showcased many Performing Arts students and they are to be congratulated and thanked for sharing their skills and talents with the College community. Our Year 7 Choir sang with confidence and energy, our Orchestra sounded absolutely wonderful this year, as did our Choir.  Bibi O’Loghlin represented the College Production The Rime of the Ancient Mariner beautifully and our senior dancers showed everyone that dance can be thought provoking, politically minded and magnificent to watch, all at the same time.  Thank you to all who worked with these students to give them the skills and confidence to appear on such a large and historic stage.

Our Year 10 Drama students, as part of their Learning Immersion, recently attended an excursion to see Cosi by The Sydney Theatre Company at the Sydney Opera House.  This was really gratifying as an educator to see and hear students so excited about live theatre.  Many had never attended live theatre and some had never been inside The Opera House.  This experience really spoke to some students, allowing them to make connections with concepts about theatre - inspiring them to comment on ideas and concepts that they previously thought were just theoretical - this cognitive leap is sometimes difficult to teach in the classroom and it was enlivening and exciting to be there for their first live theatre experience.

Performing Arts students who have commenced their HSC year this term have much to do in this last week in preparation for holiday work, and I wish all students a safe but educationally productive break - remember you can never rehearse and practise too much!

I look forward to supporting and witnessing the great joys that Performing Arts students have and bring to the College next year - and, Strictly Ballroom students are reminded to rehearse, rehearse and learn lines!  Happy holidays.

Ms Catherine Johnson
Head of Performing Arts

Vinnies Junior Theatresportsteam wins the semis, the finals and goes all the way to theGrand Finals!  Congratulations.  A short word from one of the competitors follows:

In the Theatersports competition, we placed first in both the heats and final which then carried us through to the grand final!  We then finished 6th overall from a total of 50 different schools competing all across Sydney, with teams of boys and girls in Years 7 and 8.  We are all so thankful for this wonderful opportunity 😊

Polly Grindrod, Year 7

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.

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

TERM 4 SPORT

Ascham Futsal / Five-a-Side

Congratulations to all players for a great season.  Both teams made the finals, which were played last Friday.  Well done to Team 2 who won their Grand Final and are now the Five-a-Side Champions for 2019.  We look forward to seeing you all back on the pitch next year!  Thank you to the parents who came along to support the girls in their victory.

Mr Hugo Forlico
Head Futsal Coach

Below:  Ascham Champions

Santa Sabina Basketball and Volleyball

This term St Vincent's College entered three basketball and five volleyball teams into a competition held at Santa Sabina College.  This competition is a lovely way to end the school year, sharing lots of laughs whilst also learning and developing new skills.  It has been such a pleasure to watch every single girl improve out of sight this term - evident in our weekend results!  A huge congratulations must go to SVC 4 Volleyball, for winning their division and taking home a gold medal!  Thank you to the wonderful parents for supporting the girls this term, driving them to games every weekend and offering to score when needed! 

Ms Molly Macqueen
Head Volleyball and Basketball Coach

Below:  SVC 4 Winners

ESTA Touch

A very big well done to all thirteen touch teams for their efforts during this term.  It has been a great term with many teams qualifying for the finals.  We placed a well deserved fifth place in the overall School Championship Trophy, which is two places better than last year.

Some very special congratulations must be given to Poppy White (Year 7E), Tayla McAusland (Year 7A) and Gisele Obeid (Year 9J) who have all been awarded the Best and Fairest Award for the competition. This award is voted on by the referees each week and these girls were outstanding on the touch field all term.  Well done girls!

A huge congratulations to all ten SVC teams who qualified for semi-finals, but a very special mention to SVC 4, SVC 5, SVC 8, SVC 9 and SVC 11, for all making it into the Grand Finals.  Unfortunately, we had some very close games leaving the decider of first place to come down to golden try, but SVC 4 came out firing on Saturday, leaving them to be Champions of their division for touch football, Term 4.

Thank you to the coaches for all their hard work with the girls this term, it has really shown on the field and the girls have loved it.  Let’s get ready for another promising term of touch in Term 1 2020.

Ms Elyse Harmanis
Head Touch Coach

Below:   SVC 4 Touch Winners

Below:  Gisele - one of the 'Best and Fairest'

Below:  Grand Final Runners-Up

IGSSA Water Polo

This term in water polo the girls achieved some highly commendable results, with the teams improving exponentially throughout the course of the season. SVC 5 placed first overall in their competition, remaining undefeated across all their games.  SVC 2 placed second, and both SVC 3 and SVC 6 placed a well-deserved third overall in their respective competitions.  SVC 1 put up a good fight against some very strong competitors, earning an equal sixth overall along with Ascham and Kambala.  SVC 4 placed seventh overall and SVC 7 and SVC 8 both placed sixth against some tough schools.

Thank you to the parents who drove the girls to their venues all over Sydney each weekend, especially those who collected the Boarders' on the way.  Thank you also to the dedicated coaches who have worked hard with the girls this term.  We look forward to seeing most of you back next term.

Training times and team lists for 2020 will be updated on the website soon and we look forward to another strong season in the ESSG competition in Term 1. 

Swimming training will also be on in the mornings next term and we strongly recommend that all players try to sign up for at least one of these to help with their fitness for water polo.

Ms Jasmine Shires
Head Water Polo Coach

Below:  Water Polo Firsts

IGSSA and Tildesley Tennis 2020

We have seven teams entered in the IGSSA tennis competition next term, on Saturday mornings.  The teams and training times will be put on the College website once all details are finalised.  Therese Taylor is the head coach and the Tildesley tennis team will continue to train on the same days with her.  Any questions please contact Therese at therese.taylor@icloud.com .

Swimming Carnival and Training

The Inter-House Swimming Carnival was a great success on Monday 2 December.  It was a wonderfully spirited day at Drummoyne Pool and we had two records broken.  Congratulations to Cater on winning the overall point score and to O’Brien for winning House Spirit.  Also, a huge congratulations to Maddison Neill for winning the Invitational 50m freestyle again this year, in 28.18 seconds.

The 2019/20 Age Champions

13 years – Apanie Pow - Cahill

14 years - Charlie Bennett - Cater

15 years - Alexandra Tait - Cahill

16 years - Molly Whitely - Cater

17 years - Maddison Neill – Aikenhead

18 years - Alexandra Schacht – Cater

We had great feedback about the swimming squad sessions this term run by Jesse, so they will be offered again next term.  Please fill in the Registration form online to secure your spot in the Vinnies' swim squad.  All levels will be catered for as long as you are not a complete beginner.  Girls selected in the IGSSA swim team will be expected to come to at least two of these sessions a week unless they email Ms Jacobs to inform her of their swimming squad details outside of school.

SPORT STARS OF THE WEEK

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 Premieres from last week's finals.  Water polo SVC 5, Touch SVC 4, Volleyball SVC 4 and Futsal SVC 2. Your pocket authorities have all been entered onto Edumate.

A huge congratulations to our Major Sports Award Winners for this year which were awarded at the final assembly on Wednesday.

SPORTERS OF THE YEAR 2019

Track and Field Athlete of the Year – Madeleine Chubb

Basketball Player of the Year – Peggy Schell

Cross Country Runner of the Year – Mia Timbs

Football Player of the Year – Domenica Mitchell

Hockey Player of the Year – Sidney-Morgan Mulholland

Netball Player of the Year - Lauren Carr

Futsal Player of the Year - Isabella Voisey-Youldon

Swimmer of the Year – Frances Shires

Tennis Player of the Year – Emma Collins

Touch Player of the Year – Lani Bresnahan

Volleyball Player of the Year – Sophia Cotis

Water Polo Player of the Year – Taffy O’Neill.

Ms Jacinta Jacobs
Co-ordinator of Sport

THE SVC UNIFORM SHOP SCHOOL HOLIDAY TRADING DAYS: 

(Book Reviewer - Ms Suzanne O'Connor, is currently home from volunteering with the Loreto Sisters in Timor Leste; returning there in February 2020) 

THE GIRL WHO CAME OUT OF THE WOODS by Emily Barr 

This is an excellent Young Adult novel which could also be read with pleasure by adults.  At one level, it is a thriller but it is also concerned with current issues such as the future of capitalism, the possibility of a matriarchy and social media addiction. 

Since her birth, sixteen years before, Artemis has lived an idyllic life in a place called The Clearing.  There are eleven people in her community which is set in a valley in rural India.  The members of the community are from all over the world but they share common values:  A love of peaceful and harmonious living, sustainable eating and building, a rejection of capitalist attitudes and consumerism as well as the use of all technology.  Artemis is the oldest of the children; she is gentle and nurturing with all of them.  Her formal education is rich and pleasurable because she is encouraged to love learning.  For twenty years, the community has functioned very well until a mysterious and fatal sickness attacks first the younger children but then infects everyone.  Artemis’ parents beg her to leave and ask for help.  Even though she is desperately afraid, she leaves her beloved home, walks through the forest and asks for help at a small pharmacy where the kindly chemist arranges for her to be admitted to the nearest hospital along with the only other survivor, a five year old boy called Zeus.  The other person she meets in 'The Wasteland' as the community calls the outside world, is Joe who is travelling India attending Buddhist workshops and living in temples.  Artemis trusts him because she has always trusted everyone.  She soon learns that trust is dangerous in The Wasteland because Joe is addicted to his Instagram account and thirsts for “Likes”.  He knows he is betraying Artemis but his need for constant affirmation is stronger than his care for her and so he posts images and commentary about her incredible story.  Once authority discovers her, she is fostered with a loving family and relatives of both Artemis and Zeus are contacted.  The little boy is whisked away to France.  Artemis runs away to Mumbai because she does not want to be shipped off to her English grandparents.  The descriptions of the innocent girl in the overwhelming city are captivating.  Artemis seems to attract people of goodwill and often eludes evil because of her profound innocence. 

At the same time as we breathlessly follow Artemis’ journey, there is another narrative voice.  This is of a person who is locked in a cellar and cared for by an old and exhausted woman.  I imagine most readers will be blindsided by the identity of this voice as I was.  One of the many aspects of the book which I most liked - as well as the fascinating plot - is the representation of the positives and negatives of the developed world and those of the The Clearing.  Both places have attractive qualities and I think Barr is suggesting that both could benefit from interaction with each other.  It is this aspect of the novel that means it has greater depth than the usual pessimistic dystopian genre that is currently a very popular kind of Young Adult fiction.      

I also loved the mantra of the community:  We are all gods and goddesses. 

AND THEN………. 

The next book on my bedside pile was Meat Market by Juno Dawson.  it could not be more different but is just as important. 

Jana Novak is the daughter of a couple who fled the Balkan wars in the 1990’s.  Her parents, her younger brother and she are settled in London and working hard.  The family work ethic means that Jana has done extremely well in her GSCE examinations and is looking forward to her final two years of secondary education at a senior college, after which she plans to go to university.  However, beyond that outline her plans are not very detailed.  She has a group of close friends and a delightful boyfriend but she is also the endless target of her current school’s “mean girls”.  They mock her height, her long legs and her androgynous appearance.  Ironically it is this appearance that attracts the attention of an employee for a model agency who suggests she has an interview and audition.  Bemused and because it is the long school holidays, Jana (with her mother) does go to the agency where she is instantly employed.  A spontaneous kind action from Jana during her first appearance on the catwalk launches her into global social media fame and she is in demand around the world.  She learns quickly that the glamour of this new world covers some shoddiness.  For example, she is shocked to witness her agency urging already very skinny young girls to lose even more weight.  There is a turning point when she attends a photographic session and the famous photographer reveals his sexually predatory nature and attitudes.  When she complains, at the agency she is brushed aside.  However, as her world implodes, she takes the courageous step of reporting the photographer to the police.  Inevitably, some of the man’s powerful friends belittle her in various forms of media.  Then, more well established models affirm Jana with their own stories.  The echoes of the Harvey Weinstein events but with a perhaps unrealistically swift resolution leaves readers cheering. 

In comparison to the previous novel and despite the serious issue, this novel tends to be somewhat one-dimensional.  However, it is a very accessible book to read even if it is written without the grace of Emily Barr’s book.  I would recommend it without hesitation to ANY student contemplating a career in the world of fashion.  It will also challenge readers to reflect on what is acceptable and appropriate behaviour in the workplace.                    

By Ms Suzanne O'Connor                              

For almost as long as I taught at St Vincent’s College, I wrote a weekly book review column which appeared in 'The Bulletin' newsletter.  I am grateful for the many positive comments made to me by other teachers, parents, the College community and perhaps most importantly of all, the students.  Now is the right time to hand over to other avid readers. 

I would like to thank the Library staff (“I never met a librarian I did not worship”- said by Suzanne O’Connor far too often); the four principals, who allowed me to write the column and the wonderful Maxine Byrom who with saintly patience endured my scattiness, and suggested corrections when necessary. 

I am going to begin a reading blog from 17 December, but until that time I will include recommendations on my Facebook page.

Suzanne O'Connor                                                                     

Wishing all our parents and carers a wonderful Christmas break.  A huge thank you to everyone who helped in any way throughout the year.  I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Katherine Aitken 
P&F President