Newsletter 8 2012 - 15 June
Dear parents, Over the last few weeks we have witnessed a number of college Good Samaritans in action who have been supporting or helping groups in our community. We have had various cake days, our first winter sleepout and a dedicated group of Year 11 girls preparing to represent the college at the Good Samaritan Ministry Outreach week in the school holidays. What impresses me most about our Good Samaritans is their passion for the causes that they support, whether it is Youth Off the Street, St Vincent de Paul, Caritas or a Fistula Hospital in Africa. It’s not about honour and glory; I don’t even think it’s about money. Rather, I believe that our girls work out of a sense of compassion and a willingness to recognise and help their neighbour where and when they can. We have much to be proud of at our college; however, there is nothing that compares with the compassion and the big heart of a St Mary’s girl. In case you haven’t heard, the college has been frantically preparing for the musical extravaganza of the year: Godspell - St Mary’s style. The college community has been very generous in its support of this show, with the P&F and clever parents committing resources and much-needed labour to assist with various aspects of the production, the students contributing talent, enthusiasm, commitment, hard work and dedication, and staff giving their all to ensure the success of this show. Our community has been outstanding throughout all aspects of this production from the planning phase through to performance. My sincere thanks to all who have contributed in any way to this show you have again done St Mary’s proud.
While the entire staff has contributed in some way to the production, it would be remiss of me not to mention a number of people who have again worked very hard to ensure the show’s success. To Mr Stephen Goldrick, Ms Lisa Thrift, Mr Peter Wouters, Mrs Kerri Harrigan and all of the Creative Arts staff, my most sincere thanks. To other members of staff who have built sets, assisted with costuming, make up and all of the other behind the scenes work, thank you. This production is a community effort and a celebration of the talent and dedication of the people who make up our college. When the last performance is over, you can all take a bow. If people are still interested in attending the production, you might be lucky enough to find a few tickets left over for the Friday evening, Saturday matinee or the Saturday evening performances. I would ask that you visit the college website and check availability.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 19 Jun
Year 11 parent interviews 3.45-7pm
22 June Last day Term 2 16 July
First day Term 3
18 July
Year 7-10 parent interviews 3.45-7pm
24 July
Year 7-10 parent interviews 3.45-7pm
25 July
Grandparents’ day 10.15am
For student enquiries and notifications, please ring Student Office on 4226 3969
Last Friday, the staff of the college was involved in a very successful professional development day. Throughout this day we spent time listening to the voices of current students, we listened to a parent recount her experiences of life as a St Mary’s mum and we were visited by an ex-student who detailed her experiences of education at the college. Staff also reflected on their experiences teaching at the college. The day was a positive experience as it gave teachers the opportunity to stop, take a breath, and reflect on our core purpose as educators who have the privilege and the challenge of influencing young lives for the better. I thank you for your support of this initiative as I realise that pupil free days can put a degree of strain on families. Please know that this was a most worthwhile day and I believe that it will have positive benefits for our girls. As this is the last newsletter for the term, I pray that you and your families have a relaxing and safe holiday and I look forward to seeing you all back safe and well in Term 3. Yours sincerely, Frank Pitt - Principal
Watching the transit of Venus
ST VINNIES CEO WINTER SLEEPOUT Mr Pitt will be taking part in the Vinnies winter sleepout to be held on Lang Park on Thursday 21 June. If you would like to support this wonderful cause, log on to http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/ nsw-ceos/profile/?ceo=2174 and make a donation. All donations over $2 are tax deductible - the funds are used to provide support for those most in need.
Love of God · Love of Learning · Hospitality · Stewardship · Peace
BOORI MONTY PRYOR: ABORIGINAL WRITER AND PERFORMER On 30 May, Mr Boori Monty Pryor visited the college. He was very funny and had lots of great stories to share with us. We learnt that he has written several award-winning books with Meme McDonald, including Maybe Tomorrow, My Girragundji, The Binna Binna Man and Njunjul the Sun. Throughout the whole show the room was filled with laughter and joyful vibes. His life story is very interesting yet entertaining. Everyone got involved in the dancing and singing, including the teachers. He played the didgeridoo for us, which captivated everyone’s attention. He told us a dreamtime story of how a child represented a rainbow through dance and music. Boori’s stories are about finding strength within yourself to deal with challenges, and his skill is to create positive visions of the future for both Indigenous and all Australians. Alyssa Marks, Olivia Latif, Cellina Zayya and Olivia Shearman
CONGRATULATIONS Bonnie Bate and Taylor Haynes were recently successful in being cast in the Arcadian Theatre Group production of Sound of Music. Bonnie will play Louisa von Trapp and Talor was cast as Brigitta von Trapp. The field for auditions was extremely competitive and the talent displayed by each student was very highly rated by the audition panel. The Sound of Music will run from 9-19 August in the IMB Theatre at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. Tickets for the production are now on sale and can be booked at www.ipac.org.au or by ringing 4224 5999. Melissa Bortolazzo of Year 11 gained excellent results in Wollongong Eisteddfod flute sections. A mark of 99 - out of 100! Parrys Raines from Year 11 will be attending the Youth Embassy on the lawns of Parliament House, Canberra in the school holidays. The Youth Embassy is focused on young people from a range of religious faiths and will be open from 25-28 June. The Embassy will be a chance for under-25s to re-focus MPs, media and the public on their hopes and aspirations for a just and sustainable future. Parrys will be involved in a press conference with Rev Professor James Haire and Bishop Pat Power. If any student is in Canberra at that time and would like to be involved, please give Parrys your name. WORK EXPERIENCE
Mr Boori Monty Pryor demonstrating the didgeridoo for our students
Year 10 students will be participating in work experience from 30 July to 3 August. All students are currently in the process of organising their work experience placements and some are finding it difficult to find a placement. If you or your workplace are prepared to take one of our students for the week, please email me at: Pauline.Judd@stmarys.nsw.edu.au. Your support would be very much appreciated.
Please note the shop will be closed during these school holidays.
ProjectABLE Seven students from Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 attended the ProjectABLE workshop on 7 June. This half-day workshop gave students a taste of the type of work that care careers can offer. Students gained an insight from care workers and clients. Students who attend the workshop are invited to attend a three-day training course which will be held in the school holidays. For further information please contact me. Pauline Judd, Post School Advisor
Trading days during each term are:
TRANSIT OF VENUS
ST MARY’S UNIFORM SHOP Last trading day for Term 2 will be Thursday 21 June. First trading day for Term 3 is Tuesday 17 July.
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 8.30AM TO 1.30PM. For any enquiries please call Debbie or Margot on 4226 3722 (during shop hours or please leave a message and your call will be returned on the next trading day)
Hooray ... the clouds parted and the sun shone, allowing staff and students to observe the “once -in-a -lifetime” event: the Transit of Venus. Amazing! Thank you to the parents and friends who donated the telescope to enable the community to witness astronomical marvels. Neil Quinn, Science Coordinator
STUDENT ATTENDANCE Over the next week letters will be sent to families where student absence or partial absence has been noted as high. Although the college may be aware of reasons for absence, under new legislation we are now required to document in writing when there are concerns in relation to attendance. Studies have shown that more than eight days away from school each term can have a significant impact on a student’s education. While we acknowledge that at times absence maybe unavoidable, families are reminded to be mindful of the need for consistent school attendance. UNIFORM With the recent arrival of the cold weather some students have been wearing a mixture of the formal and sports uniform. The sports jacket is to be worn with the sports uniform. Students have been made aware regularly that if they are cold the college jumper may be worn under the sports jacket. If students continue to wear the jumper without the sports jacket, privileges to wear the uniform on Fridays may be withdrawn next term. Further to this, it is acknowledged that the jacket is not a particularly warm one and so, after discussions with the Student Representative Council, we have begun to make investigations into an alternate jacket that may provide extra warmth for the girls. It has been great to see the overall improvement with the wearing of the college blazer. This is a compulsory part of the uniform and is to be worn when students are making their way to and from school. Parents please be aware that oldstyle blazers are no longer permitted. If at any time there is a difficulty with the uniform, parents are asked to write a note in the student diary. Students should then see Miss Magill to acknowledge and sign this note. Emma Magill, Dean of Pastoral Care APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL For families wishing their daughter to take leave from the college, as mentioned in last newsletter: forms are available next week from Student Office and our website under Community Downloads.
Viewing the transit of Venus
SPORT NEWS Congratulations to Georgia Ohrdorf of Year 11 on her selection in the NSW All Schools Basketball team. Georgia will attend the National Schools Basketball Championships in Dandenong next term. Georgia also was named Most Valuable Player at the recent NSW Country Under 18s Basketball Championships. Well done Georgia and best wishes for Nationals. Congratulations also to Sally Dwyer of Year 12 on her selection in the NSW All Schools Touch team. Sally’s Wollongong team finished 2nd at the CCC Touch Carnival in Tamworth. Maddy Fisher was unlucky with a hamstring injury in the first game of the carnival. Congratulations to Eda Yakan of Year 11 on her selection in the CCC Soccer team. Eda’s Wollongong Diocese team won the CCC Finals. Eda will represent CCC at the NSW All Schools Soccer in Sutherland. Good luck Eda. UNIFORMS: Could all SMC sport uniforms please be returned to your coach or to Student Office asap. Girls issued with Netball uniforms should return playing dresses now as the Diocesan carnival has been cancelled. Belinda Sparks, Sports Coordinator LEARNING AT ST MARY’S
RECONCILIATION WEEK
Year 11 parent/teacher interviews will be conducted next Tuesday 19 June from 3.45pm in the SGN Hall. Families will receive their daughter’s reports prior to this date.
On 30 May six students attended Reconciliation Week activities at the Sydney Museum.
The Year 7-10 parent/teacher interviews will be conducted next term over two nights, Wednesday 18 July and Tuesday 24 July. Year 7-10 reports will be mailed home during the holidays. The envelope will also contain information relating to the booking of appointments for interviews.
They took part in weaving, interation with artists and aboriginal performances. They also listened to a one-hour lecture from the Museum’s indigenous educator. Ann-Maree Biddle
The Board of Studies reports student achievement in the HSC in relation to standards. Students receive marks that relate to performance bands, where each band is described in a statement summarising the knowledge, skills and understanding typically demonstrated by students who have achieved that standard. Standards packages have been produced by the Board of Studies to illustrate the standards established in Higher School Certificate courses. They include descriptions of the performance bands and how they are set, certain key statistical reports, and samples of responses typically produced by students whose achievements place them on the borderline between two bands.
Year 12 students are reminded that the HSC Trial examinations commence Monday 30 July, which is Week 3 of next term. Students are recommended to follow a study plan over the coming weeks, and practising past HSC examination questions will assist in preparation for the Trial examinations. It has been wonderful speaking to students about their learning at St Mary’s. Our students are involved in many exciting and innovative learning experiences which develop necessary life skills. As a college, we remind our students of the importance of time management and preparation for assessment tasks, but it must not be forgotten that we also nurture in our students the importance of a “love of learning”. Gerry Sozio, Dean of Studies
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF STUDIES
Where possible, there are “exemplar” student responses, which are examples of responses that were awarded full marks. The examination paper, marking guidelines and the syllabus are also included. Please go to http://arc.boardofstudies.nsw. edu.au/go/hsc/std-packs/. Our students with the indigenous dancers at the Sydney Museum
MESSAGE FROM WOLLONGONG COUNCIL: SCHOOL SAFETY AND PARKING AROUND SCHOOLS WCC Ranger Services is geared up to conduct patrols around schools, enforcing parking legislation and encouraging safe parking habits in an effort to increase children’s safety. We will be patrolling schools in the Local Government Area and we will be responding to complaints of irresponsible or dangerous parking by drivers around schools. We are working cooperatively with the NSW Police and the Roads and Maritime Service as we do this. Please help us reduce the risk to our children and help stop the few putting the many at risk. To avoid confrontation at your school, Rangers will site themselves very obviously to photograph offending vehicles. They will later post out fines rather than risk a confrontation with drivers by handing out the infringement “on-the-spot” in front of children. Please feel free to contact me on 4227 7111 about any parking concerns you have, or, alternatively, ask for our Traffic Safety Officer Mr Jack Harrison. Kevin Savage, Senior Parking Ranger, Wollongong City Council
STRESSED ABOUT THE HSC? A free four part workshop for anyone in Year 11 or 12 who is stressed out! This program helps students to use stress to their advantage without it interfering with their performance. Topics covered in the program include: What is stress and test anxiety? Learning how to relax; Learning the connection between thinking and feeling; Learning how to deal with unhelpful thoughts; Tips for managing procrastination and perfectionism; Strategies for effective study; Creating a study-life balance; Information for parents about how to best help a stressed out student. 3 part workshop in July: 4-5.30pm on Monday 2, 9 and 11 July. PLUS follow up session following trial exams on 24 September. Level 1/85 Smith Street, Wollongong. It’s free - places are limited so please register your interest early! Call Headspace on 4220 7660 or email your contact details to headspace@idgp.org.au. SURVIVING ADOLESCENCE Relationships Australia offers a course aimed at supporting parents to assist their teenagers in meeting the challenges of the adolescent years. It covers: • Developmental tasks of adolescence • Minimising conflict • Communication with your teenager • Managing yourself and your own needs • Maintaining your relationship with your teenager. 17 July to 21 August: every Tuesday night, 5.45-7.30pm at Relationships Australia, Level 1/63b Market Street, Wollongong. Cost is scaled according to income and concessions and fee waivers are available. Please call 4221 2000 to register. YOUTH MASS There will be a Youth Mass on Sunday 17 June at 5pm at St Therese Parish, West Wollongong. We invite all young people to come along and join in the music provided by Holy Spirit College and the rest of the celebration. We look forward to seeing you there. After the Mass there will be a Youth Group for those in Years 7 and 8. We will be having a trivia and pizza night from 6-7.30pm in the St Therese School Hall. Cost $2.
16 Harbour Street Wollongong - Locked Bag 42 Wollongong NSW 2500 Phone (02) 4228 6011 Fax (02) 4229 8555 www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au