Newsletter 4 2010 ~ 24 March
Dear parents and carers, The recent tragedies in our region, with the tsunami in Japan, the earthquake in New Zealand and our own situation with floods, can leave one feeling helpless to provide assistance or even to offer support in any meaningful way. The situation in Libya is a human crisis of a different kind, with people seeking regime change and dying for a cause that they truly believe in. We might ask how we, who live in a relatively safe part of the world, can even appreciate what these people are going through or the immense difficulties that are confronting them. The answer is fairly simple: unless we have experienced what they are experiencing, we really can have little understanding of their situation. At times such as this I am reminded of a beautiful quote that speaks to me and perhaps gives us some small understanding of how we can respond. “Said a wise man to one deep in sorrow, ‘I did not come to comfort you; Only God can do that, But I did come to say How deeply and tenderly I feel for you’.” Tryon Edwards (1809-1894), American clergyman and writer Perhaps this week we can keep in our thoughts and prayers those people who are suffering tragedy. We might also contribute in a practical way to the relief efforts through making a contribution to the humanitarian organisations who are already at work in these areas.
Year 7 Camp - 9-11 March The Year 7 Camp was an overwhelming success. The girls had a wonderful time and made many new friendships as they ate, bunked down, swam, paddled canoes and took part in activities that required teamwork, trust and a willingness to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. I am delighted to report that they did all this and more and the results were a great time had by all. The girls arrived home a little late on Friday afternoon looking happy, exhausted and just about talked out. The staff were in a similar state and I am sure they all slept very well on Friday night.
Our camp and retreat programs would not be possible without the support of a very generous staff. To the teachers and support staff who left their families for three days and took on the role of retreat or group leader, parent, confidant, buddy etc, etc, my most sincere thanks. To the staff who remained behind and picked up extra classes, did extra yard duties and generally filled in where required, I thank you for your support. We are blessed with an outstanding staff.
such incidents and to support us in dealing with any issue. Parents are very powerful in this area and discussing this with your daughter and the college is a very effective way of making sure that bullying is dealt with every time.
Corporal punishment is expressly forbidden at St Mary’s College and this is reflected in our discipline policy and other publications. It is Year 7 welcome BBQ - 13 March The welcome BBQ was a great success. With over also a legislative requirement. In 400 parents and students in attendance, enough short, physical violence of any sort is totally unacceptable and it will not food to feed an army and a beautiful afternoon, be tolerated in any form. If you have we just about had the perfect day. The sense of hospitality and welcome that was evident and the any concerns in this area or you would like further clarification of generosity of people helping on the day left me this matter please don’t hesitate to feeling very proud of our community. I again contact me. thank Megan Waud and the P&F Executive for doing such an outstanding job. An event such as I pray that you and your families this builds wonderful community in the college have a peace-filled weekend as we and this was very much on display. continue our Lenten journey at this special time in our liturgical year. College open day - 15 March Yours sincerely, Frank Pitt, Principal Tuesday saw the college welcome families interested in joining our community in 2012. With over 300 prospective students visiting during the day for a tour, and with the hall filled to capacity on Tuesday evening, St Mary’s students and staff shone. Our student tour guides were excellent ambassadors and I was told repeatedly about how impressive our girls were and what good role models they were for the little girls in their care. The staff were also very generous with their time throughout the day as they welcomed visitors into their classes and made themselves available to parents on Tuesday evening. This was an excellent day and, if initial Ash Wednesday liturgy numbers are any indication, a sign of great interest in enrolments at the college in 2012.
Bullying and YouTube There has been a lot of media attention given to a YouTube clip showing a bullying incident and a subsequent retaliation at a NSW school. Bullying is an issue that we as a college have no tolerance for in any form, whether it is physical, emotional or cyber bullying. In most cases the college doesn’t even know that it is happening. We rely on the girls or you, as parents, to inform us of Preparing the ashes
LOVE OF GOD - LOVE OF LEARNING - HOSPITALITY - STEWARDSHIP - PEACE
Year 11 community days
Stewardship in Action - Year 11
On 3 and 4 March, Year 11 took time to reflect on themselves as a part of the community, engaging in sessions run by teachers and guest speakers on topics that would affect us in senior school and later.
Year 11 were introduced to a series of opportunities to consider our banner of stewardship in Week 5 and by now should have developed their thoughts and actions further. Stewardship in Action was introduced to the students via three areas - care for self, academic care and extending stewardship in action via the community service program.
At this time Year 11 Community Service was launched. This is a program of 12 hours of community service which encourages the girls to adopt a generous and giving spirit throughout their lives. We were blessed to have a number of St Mary’s alumni speakers who shared their own experiences. This was an enjoyable and inspiring experience for Year 11 and we thank all those who helped in its running. Hannah McGarry
During the care for self workshop, the issues and concerns for mental health were considered. Mrs Simmone Santangelo presented a seminar and this was followed with the students exploring a series on online services. From here it is hoped that the girls have a greater understanding and are aware of a variety of access points if they are in need. In relation to academic care, each student was provided with a study guide poster and marker. Following a presentation by Mr Selby where the girls were asked to reflect honestly on their approach to their academic work, time was given to put some plans and goals into action with the study plan. The students responded with vigor and we hope that Year 11 parents have seen this continue at home. The study guide is now available for all students on the college website. Finally, the program focused on stewardship of others in our community. Our guest presenter, Sam Clear, spoke to the girls of challenges and the rewards of reaching out to others. From here the students have been invited to begin their own journey through the community service program.
$100 was raised for the launch of Project Compassion with a pancake breakfast organised by Year 11 students
Magpies!! Magpies have been a problem in our community vegetable garden. They have been pulling out our newly-planted crops and destroying them. Students have been trying to resolve the problem and have come up with a creative solution to deter the birds. We have made buckets with big eyes and planted them in the garden to scare the magpies away. Big blue eyes painted on rocks collected after swimming lessons at the Continental Pool are to be added. If you have any other suggestions please contact me by emailing adam.everatt@stmarys.nsw.edu.au.
Each of these areas are key aspects of stewardship in relation to how we care for ourselves and for others. I trust by now that parents of Year 11 students have seen some evidence of the benefits of the program and I invite you to continue to discuss the concepts with your daughters. Emma Magill INFORMATION FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP • Rainier have informed us that the uniform shop is no longer able to accept cheques as payment. • Any student who received a “temporary” hat is now able to swap that hat for one with the school crest. (The uniform shop is open from 8.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.)
A “magpie-scaring bucket” in our garden
From Kulilla
Outdoor movie night
On 3 March I spoke to Year 11 as part of the Lean on Me-Seeking Support program. We looked at information about depression: recognising the signs, treatment, caring for friends who are experiencing depression, and asking for help when needed. This presentation is available on line at www.blackdoginstitute.org.au.
From the Polding Learning Centre
Hey girls, 8 April is the last day of term so bring your family and classmates along to the college’s inaugural outdoor movie night for a fun time hosted by our P&F. We’re screening You Again starring Kristen Bell, Odette Annable and Sigourney Weaver. Gates will open from 6pm and the movie will start at 6.45pm. It’s a BYO picnic and rug, with drinks, popcorn and lollies available for purchase through the RSPCA Club. Tickets are $5 each or $15 for a family and are available at lunchtime on 29 and 31 March, and 1 April.
The Premier’s Reading Challenge is available for all students from Years 7 to 9. To successfully complete the challenge, students must read 15 books from the PRC list and 5 personal choice books.
A strong emphasis was placed on being aware of the people we can turn to when we need support, which is available in many ways at school: teachers, year coordinators, student office staff, friends and the friendly staff at the Kulilla centre. Simonne Santangelo, college psychologist
Students completing the Challenge will receive a certificate and their names will appear on the PRC Honour Roll. Students must have an online reading record entered and validated by the end of August to be eligible. We challenge all students in Years 7-9 to enter. For book lists and other information visit the PRC website on https:// products.schools.nsw.edu.au/prc/ home.html or ask at the library.
News from the P&F A big thank you to Megan Waud for organising the Year 7 BBQ, and Frank and many staff for attending. We are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful community. Helen Bow, P&F President Year 7 welcome BBQ: The BBQ held on Sunday 13 March was a great success and the biggest ever! Over 400 people enjoyed a beautiful afternoon relaxing and getting to know other families. The BBQ could not have been so successful without the invaluable help from the following people: Rob Anderson, Katherine Daly, Kathryn Fairley, Tracey Kirk-Downey, Eric Lengling, Sally McNeill, Jennifer Portman, Angela Robertson, Terry Wright, Janelle, Maggie Henderson, Helen Bow, the Year 12 Student Executive team, many Year 8 girls who gave up their Sunday afternoon, and particularly Talia Zanotta Year 12 and Georgia Henderson Year 9 who both showed amazing initiative in knowing where help was needed and getting the job done. My apologies to anyone who helped that I haven’t mentioned; your tireless efforts were much appreciated. Megan Waud, P&F Vice President Fashion Parade and Formal Expo: The fashion parade is on 8 June and already we know it is going to be BIGGER and BETTER than last year! We are asking for some helpers before the event and on the night. If you can help please email your details to Maggie Henderson at artbymaggieh@ hotmail.com.au. We are looking for an expo coordinator to source and manage stallholders, a lucky door prize coordinator, and Year 12 parent representatives for each group of models to help in the lead up to the event. If you are in Year 12 and interested in modelling, please tell Mrs Todhunter. Movie Night 8 April: Our first outdoor movie night is being held on the last day of term - 8 April. We will be screening You Again. This is a PG rated movie and children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult. There is a limit of 200 tickets. If inclement weather arises, the movie will be screened in the SGN hall. Tickets are $5 each or $15 for a family and are available for purchase at particular lunchtimes in the shade area at the rear of the admin building: Tuesday 29 March, Thursday 31 March and Friday 1 April. Please bring the correct money. Year 12 Grad lunch: Parents have expressed a desire for a Year 12 graduation social gathering for families. A number of ideas have been investigated and it was decided at the last P&F meeting that a luncheon will be held after the Graduation Mass. This is not a compulsory event. We are just trying to provide families with an opportunity to join other families to celebrate the end of
their daughter’s schooling. More information will follow. Next P&F meeting: The next meeting is on 11 May when we will be deciding on how to spend some of our funds. It would be great to see as many parents as possible join us at 7pm in the Polding Learning Centre. Some ideas we are considering is a commercialgrade coffee machine to enable our students to gain barista skills, and outdoor seating for the Year 12 courtyard. Please put this date in your diary.
Applications for 2012 enrolment Dear parents, If your current student has a sister who would like to come to St Mary’s next year, can you please collect an enrolment package from Reception. The closing date for applications is 8 April. Interviews will be held in May.
Canteen “Have a picnic” day! On 3 March St Mary’s was taken over by teddies, crazy hats, picnic blankets and bandannas! Participation was high and everyone was excited! The normally green grass of the Convent Courtyard was a dazzling rainbow array of picnic blankets with scrumptious foods and girls having a great time, whilst raising money for Canteen to help kids with cancer. Thanks to our judges, and all who helped with setting up - it was a great time and a lot of money was raised for a great cause. To see such a high level of support was heart warming and very encouraging. A big thanks to Mr Selby. Tayla Howard
From the Director of Mission Lent and Easter in the Catholic tradition is associated with the concept of sacrifice. Written and pictorial images of the crucifixion remind us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice in giving up his life so that humanity may once again know the love that God has for each person. Sacrifice is not commonly spoken about in society even though we often meet extraordinary role models in our families, schools and communities. These are the people who give up their time, energy and talent to serve others. This week we have an example of sacrifice on a grand scale in the engineers and electricity workers known as the “Fukushima Fifty” who have chosen to stay behind to try and stablise the nuclear reactors in Fukushima that threaten the whole of Japan. These selfless workers remind us of the capacity human beings have to place the safety and health of others above their own survival. These unnamed workers are heroes in the true sense as their ultimate sacrifice is not motivated by fame or money but by a sense of duty and responsibility and ultimately their love for others. In this second week of Lent may we be inspired by these “fifty” to live a life that is focused on the needs of others. One of the ways in which we could do this is by keeping the people of Japan in mind, and by praying for the workers and their families as they confront the real possibility that they too may have to make the ultimate sacrifice of laying down their lives for the sake of their friends. Joanne Hack
Fun at the picnic
Interact project In January a team of Rotarians from Wollongong visited the Philippines to continue their involvement in assistance projects. This was an opportunity for them to present two microscopes which had been donated by St Mary’s Interact Club student fundraising. The microscopes were presented to a special education school for blind and deaf students, and to Kansilingan High School. Both schools sent back messages of thanks to our students. It is the first time either school had the opportunity to use a microscope.
Mrs Dove and Mrs Groeller at the Maths Department “Pi Day”
CONGRATULATIONS to Holly Heffernan (Year 10) who won the Australian under 17 cycling track team sprint event which was held in Sydney last weekend. Well done!
30 Mar 8 Apr 27 Apr
Language performance 7pm in SGN Hall Last day Term 1 First day Term 2
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Café Mediterranée: Join us for a soirée of international music, good coffee and wonderful performances being held in the SGN hall on Wednesday 30 March at 7pm. Be entertained by our LOTE students who will perform in French and Italian for you! All welcome. Please RSVP via email to Patricia.Turek@stmarys.nsw.edu.au.
Triathlon Team wins
Diocesan soccer
Visit by AFL Grand Final referee
Three Year 10 students won a gold medal at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Triathlon teams event held in Penrith on 9 March. Competing in the Intermediate age group, they also came third in the NSW All Schools event.
On 8 March we took six teams to Nowra, two in each age group, and everyone enjoyed the day. We had three teams make the grand final; one in each age group, and whilst we didn’t win, the girls displayed great skills, determination and managed to keep spirits up until the final buzzer. Well done girls, I am very proud of your achievements. A special mention and good luck to Eda Yakan who was named in the Diocesan Open team as striker. Jenny Maidment
On 16 March Troy Pannell and Darren Wilson ran our AFL teams through some skills and drills. Their passion for the sport and enthusiasm for the opportunities it creates was obvious. I’d like to thank all the players who attended, and of course a big thanks to Troy, Darren and Carl Fletcher for making the trip from Melbourne. If you are interested in becoming an AFL umpire please email carl.fletcher@aflnswact .com.au. Adam Everatt
Brooke Marcinkowski swam 600m, Holly Heffernan cycled 15km, and Madeline Martinoski ran 4km to bring the team home. This year the college entered eight teams and one individual in the event the last time we won gold was seven years ago. This was a fantastic performance from the girls and we are very proud of their achievement. Well done! Belinda Sparks
Troy Pannell, Elise Vinson, Genevieve Vickers and Darren Wilson
Calling all Science students...
Madeline Martinoski, Brooke Marcinkowski and Holly Heffernan
Raising Children Network: This network has expanded and now includes information, tools and resources on raising children in the pre-teen and early teen years. New sections cover topics such as puberty, mental health, school, teenage friendships and social networking. All Raising Children website content is evidence-based and independently reviewed by professionals. The site is supported by the Australian Govt and contains no advertising or other commercial interests. Go to www.raisingchildren.net.au.
At the moment all Years 8 and 10 students are working on their Student Research Projects in Science. Why not enter your project into the Google Science Fair? The competition is open to students aged 13-18, and the prizes are truly amazing: once -in-a-lifetime experiences, internships and scholarships. You will receive your prize at an awards ceremony at Google Headquarters in California. Entries close on 4 April. To enter go to www.google.com/sciencefair Your Science teacher has more information and Google stickers to hand out to interested students. Neil Quinn
There is an honour board in the Polding Learning Centre which shows the names of the college dux for each year. Our records do not contain the names of the dux for each of the years 1957 , 1958, 1963, 1965 and 1966. The board lists Barbara James as the dux in 1959; however, there is the possibility that Janet Walker was the dux in 1959 and Barbara James was the dux in 1958. Our rolls verify that Barbara James was in Year 5 in 1958 and Janet Walker was in Year 5 in 1959. If anyone can give us further information or fill in the blanks, we would be most grateful. Please contact John Phelan: john.phelan@stmarys.nsw.edu.au.
Palms Australia is seeking volunteers willing to live in another country to share skills to reduce poverty. Positions exist in education, health, administration, agriculture, trades and other skilled areas. Live simply on a volunteer allowance in Africa, Timor-Leste or the Pacific. Positions range from six months to two years, starting after July 2011. All expenses, including travel, insurance and health are covered. INFORMATION SESSION: Sunday 27 March, 10.30am-12.30pm, The Hermitage, Old South Road and Bong Bong Road, Mittagong. Enquiries to Marie Gilbert 9518 9551 or marie@palms.org.au. Website www.palms.org.au/news/2011-information-sessions.
Locked Bag 42 - Wollongong NSW 2500 - Phone 02 4228 6011 - Fax 02 4229 8555 - www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au