Newsletter 10 2012 - 10 August
One of the most used, motivating and known sayings of Mary MacKillop is “never see a need without doing something about it”. Perhaps in the coming week we could follow Mary’s wonderful advice.
Dear parents, The Feast of Mary Mackillop was celebrated on 8 August as we commemorated the feast of the first Australian Saint. Mary’s story is quite remarkable as she came from very humble beginnings in Melbourne, Australia and began a religious order of women, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The Sisters are internationally renowned for their work in educating children who might not otherwise have received an education. The Sisters of St Joseph educated many thousands of children in Wollongong throughout their history and we are indebted to them for the great contribution they have made to education in the Illawarra and throughout Australia.
GIVING@ST MARY’S The college’s annual Good Samaritan Day enables us to reflect on the diversity of our community, to enjoy one another’s company and to raise awareness of social justice issues in our society. We have initiated a “giving” program conneced to this day. Please help us to support those in our community who are in need by giving generously. Donate now! Please go to our website www.stmarys. nsw.edu.au and donate online.
The college celebrates the very significant contribution that our Sisters, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict, have made to the Australian Church and most particularly to St Mary’s College. The celebration of “Good Sams Day” will be held on Friday 17 August, commencing with a Mass of thanksgiving for the Sisters and the work that they have been a part of in education and in various ministries.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 17 Aug
Good Sams Day
23 Aug
Year 9 disco at Edmund Rice College 6pm
24 Aug Staff professional development day - pupil-free day 29 Aug HSC Showcase from 5.30pm 30 Aug
Year 8 disco at Edmund Rice College 6pm
31 Aug Father’s Day breakfast 7.30am For student enquiries and notifications, please ring Student Office on 4226 3969
At this Mass we will be presenting our very first Good Samaritan Awards. These awards will be presented to students and staff who have shown themselves to be Good Samaritans in the tradition of the parable in our community. In recognition of the importance of this Mass in the life of the college we ask that all girls come to school dressed in their full school uniform. The Mass will be followed by all of the festivities normally associated with a party, including rides, cake stalls, food stalls, discos, talent contests, House choirs and much more. Girls will be able to wear coloured clothes for the rest of the day and appropriate change facilities will be provided as required. This should be a great day as we begin a new tradition of recognising the Good Samaritans of our community and celebrating the work of our Sisters who have provided us with such a wonderful legacy. A reminder that the college staff will be involved in a staff professional development day on 24 August focusing on the areas of pastoral care and the religious dimension of life in a Catholic school. All teachers will be involved in this day and as such there will be no classes held. Other dates for your diary include the college HSC Showcase to be held on 29
Students using the new library furniture which was bought by our P&F Association August and the Father’s Day Breakfast on 31 August. Finally, I would like to thank Mr Gerry Sozio for the tremendous contribution he has made to St Mary’s. He is a talented educator and will be a great asset to Catholic schools in our region. Our good wishes go with Gerry as he commences a new chapter in his career. I pray that you and your families have a peace-filled and relaxing weekend as we commence a very busy time in the life of the college. Frank Pitt, Principal
Love of God · Love of Learning · Hospitality · Stewardship · Peace
LEARNING AT ST MARY’S
WORK EXPERIENCE
Each KLA Faculty at St Mary’s has been working on a developed target goal linked to the college strategic goal to explore more effective pedagogical strategies and learning experiences to maximise student growth.
All Year 10 students participated in work experience last week. The feedback from students and employers has been very positive. Some student’s expressed to me that it was the best experience ever!
Some of these strategies include providing more effective feedback to students, improving results across Stage 6, increasing learning conversations leading to greater collaboration, mentoring and sharing of expertise, enrichment projects, teaching and learning reflections and increasing the use of ICT to improve learning.
Some of the student’s comments include:
Our Year 12 students are close to completing their Trial HSC. Students are encouraged to use the feedback from these exams to assist in further developing their understanding of key concepts in their subject areas. I wish all Year 12 students every success as they continue their preparation for the HSC examinations. As this is my final newsletter, it is with a touch of sadness that I say goodbye to the wonderful St Mary’s community. I feel extremely privileged to have been a part of the St Mary’s story and I enjoyed the working relationships I have had with students, parents and teachers. I wish all students every success and happiness as they continue their journey through life, always doing the best they can in whatever they do and remembering that they are “born for higher things”.
Gerry Sozio
“It was so much fun! I went around the room and helped students to complete group work. I also got to help students one on one. While I was there I visited the Disability Unit, which was a really great experience.” “I learnt so much and I had the best time. The week has reaffirmed that working with people with disabilities is something that I want to do. I cooked with students and it was so much fun! I was part of the assembly item for the infants group, they sang and danced about Australian animals, and it was gorgeous! I can’t sum up how much I enjoyed it. I did get a bit teary saying goodbye.” “I know now this is what I what to do”. Some employer responses include: • Extremely eager and enthusiastic about her job. • We would employ these two girls once they complete school. • Was given responsibilities and took initiative to complete set tasks. • Well suited to this type of work. • Polite and well mannered. Pleasant to others. Coping with the structure of the organisation and workload she has been given. • We really appreciated the help. Some of the students have been successful in gaining casual employment, some have now decided the career path they want and some have decided this is not the appropriate career path for them. Thank you to all the staff, employers and families for assisting with the work experience program. Pauline Judd, Post School Advisor
Year 8 students at their leadership day
Students enjoying their work experience!
Mr Berry and his Physics students studying the laws of motion using the recently refurbished air track
ALL-WOMEN HARMONY SINGING GROUP: “Out of the Blue Singers” are seeking new members. Rehearsals are at Figtree Community Hall each Wednesday evening. Singing! Music! Fun! Friends! Please contact Rhonda (in time for our special September intake). Phone 0415 843 197 or email g.r.odonnell@bigpond.com.
Year 8 at Taronga Zoo last week DIOCESAN BASKETBALL Four teams contested the Diocesan Basketball Carnival at Beaton Park on 26 July. All girls represented our college with admirable sportsmanship and enthusiasm. Congratulations to the Senior A team on finishing 1st and the Junior A team on 3rd place. Both our B teams finished 7th in the two divisions. Thanks to Mr Dent and Mr Lechner for coaching, and the many parents that attended in support of our players. Special mention to our Year 12 girls who played their last game for SMC after six years of representing: Rachel Harris, Meg Connell, Tazmin Lancaster, Dominique Tobin and Sally Dwyer. In between games they hit the books to study in preparation for their Trial exams. They have certainly won more games than they have lost over many Diocesan, CCC Regionals and State carnivals. They have spent many hours at training, enjoyed many trips away and lots of laughs. I am yet to see them master pushups though! Belinda Sparks
YEAR 7 OLYMPICS
FROM THE DEAN OF PASTORAL CARE
On 3 August the Olympics came to St Mary’s with our Year 7 students competing in their very own Olympic competition organised by the PDHPE faculty.
In the last newsletter I wrote about the challenges of mental health and ways in which parents can support their daughters in striving to be happy people. This week I would like to continue to focus on the role of parents and avenues of support.
Competing in teams the girls represented 16 different Olympic nations and participated in events such as dodgeball, soccer, running relays, basketball, shot put, discus, netball relays and target shooting. Our Olympic athletes demonstrated a fierce but friendly competitive spirit throughout and displayed both colour and excitement in all events. Following completion of the competition, scores were tallied with our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners receiving their prizes at the medal ceremony. Results were: Gold medal - Australia Silver medal - Austria Bronze medal - USA Debbie Preeo, PDHPE Coordinator
Times have changed so dramatically that the role of parents has shifted. When children are young, they need structure and consistency. While they still need these things when they become teenagers, they are not going to admit it. Parenting has become much more complex because young people are bombarded with information and influences from so many sources. Parents are only one influence on a child’s development, with peers, school and the media playing an increasingly large role. Even so, parents remain a very powerful force. In surveys of Australian young people asking them who they admire, it is often noted that young people answer “my parents”. So while it can be tempting to underestimate your influence, power and capacity to shape your daughter’s journey and wellbeing, don’t! Our Pastoral Team regularly speak with parents who are facing the challenges of guiding their daughters through the challenges of adolescence. As Michael Carr-Gregg indicated, no one says it is easy; however, you could consider some of the “parental check list” questions he proposed:
CONGRATULATIONS ... ... to Year 11 student and elite athlete Georgia Ohrdorf who has been selected to join the NSW Institute of Sport 2012 Basketball Squad. Well done Georgia, and good luck for a busy and challenging year. INVITATION FROM THE BOTANIC GARDEN: The Wollongong Botanic Garden invites you to “Our Backyard” for the city’s biggest familyfriendly environmental festival on Saturday 29 September, 11am-4pm. Come and learn about simple, practical environmental solutions that will benefit “Your Backyard”. Guided tours, workshops, local produce, market stalls, recycled art, family entertainment, competitions, giveaways and more! Full details at www. wollongong.nsw.gov.au.botanicgarden. MANAGING STRESS FOR WOMEN: This course is for women who are interested in creating balance in their lives by better managing stress. You will learn to: understand the effects of stress on your relationships; create healthy boundaries; develop strategies to minimise stress; and look at ways to keep balance in your life. 28 August to 18 September, every Tuesday 10am-12.30pm at Relationships Australia, level 1/63b Market Street, Wollongong. Cost is scaled according to income. Bookings essential - call 4221 2000 to register.
• Do you monitor your daughter and her activities? • Do you know her peers and encourage a pro-social network of friends (beyond Facebook!) • Are the lines of communication open? • Do you make explicit your values and attitudes? We also find that sometimes parents are at a point of exhaustion and as a result feel like they are in a state of conflict with their daughters. I would encourage parents who may be challenged at times by their daughter to make contact with her Year Coordinator to enable them to support you. On a regular basis we advertise courses or information sessions provided through local services such as CatholicCare. I would encourage involvement in these. Emma Magill
VOLLEYBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Year 10 student Lara Silveri played as Libero in the NSW U17 women’s team at the National Volleyball Championships in July. Lara was a back court player and worked hard organising the team’s defending moves. Lara also acted as a “ball girl“ in the National Men’s Olympic team demonstration match which was played prior to their departure to London. This photo shows Lara with Aidan Zingel, the middle blocker for Australia. He is teacher Mr Cameron Zingel’s younger brother. Bob Cooper
Lara Silveri with Australian volleyball Olympian Aidan Zingel MUNA Last Friday Jenny Luu and Isabella Rosandic, who represented our school as the United Kingdom at MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly), made a presentation to the Rotary Club of Illawarra Sunrise about their experience. They attended the breakfast meeting and spoke of their realisation of the issues and problems faced by countries in the United Nations and the complicated procedure of debating the resolutions with the correct facts and information. We thank the Rotary Club for their sponsorship and for giving Jenny and Isabella the opportunity to attend MUNA this year. Kerrie Guillaume
CONGRATULATIONS St Mary’s students Bonnie Bate and Taylor Haynes are appearing in The Arcadians Theatre Group’s production of the Sound of Music, which is on at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from 9-19 August. Tickets can be purchased at www.ipac.org. au or by ringing box office on 42245999. The Arcadians are very excited to be working with the girls; they are doing a great job and hopefully many students will come along to support them. We wish them the best for this production. Liza Allen, Arcadians Theatre Group
Jenny and Isabella with Ian and Edith Wilson from Illawarra Sunrise Rotary Club
FRENCH BREAKFAST
LIBRARY MAKE OVER
Friday 20 July was a bright yet cool morning when the Year 8 French students gathered in the BBQ area to enjoy a traditional French breakfast. The students enjoyed delightful croissants which were filled with chocolate or jam and washed down with orange juice. Even though they were filling, nobody could stop eating them!
The wonderful new furniture, purchased with P&F funds, has been a great success in the PLC. It has been a busy couple of weeks as students have created their own learning and reading spaces. Thank you to the students who participated in the selection of the furniture. There is a suggestion box at the Library desk for student feedback. Christine Rutherford
With the helping hand from the language teachers and some senior French students, it was a memorable morning. Year 8 French students would like to thank Monsieur Zingel and Madame Halcrow for arranging the food and providing us with a wonderful French experience. Chloe Oliver, Megan Cowley & Samara Coulson
Mr Zingel with Year 8 French students VISUAL ARTS EXCURSION TO 18TH BIENNALE OF SYDNEY On 27 July, Year 9 and 10 Visual Arts students travelled to Cockatoo Island and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, to view some extraordinary contemporary art in situ (see photo on right). We all enjoyed the large-scale installations, sculptures and performance art, some of which encouraged audiences to actively participate. It was one of those beautiful winter days where the sun’s rays cut through the crisp breeze to warm us. Add to this many inspiring artworks, smiling students and teachers, and you have the makings of a memorable day. Thank you to Helen Stefanovic, Margaret McMahon, Mary Boyle, Kerri Harrigan, Kristina Whittaker and Iain Whittaker for their enthusiasm and supervision on the day. Franca Barila LATE ARRIVALS Partial absence from school (both late arrival and early departure) is a concern in terms of attendance for our students. Of particular concern are students arriving late to school on a regular basis without serious reason. In line with NSW attendance legislation, we are required to ensure that the college has an appropriate explanation for these partial absences. If a student is late, a note of explanation is required. It is preferred that this is brought with the student on arrival. PARENTS, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU WILL NOW RECEIVE AN SMS MESSAGE IF YOUR DAUGHTER ARRIVES LATE TO SCHOOL WITHOUT EXPLANATION. Emma Magill, Dean of Pastoral Care
16 Harbour Street Wollongong - Locked Bag 42 Wollongong NSW 2500 Phone (02) 4228 6011 Fax (02) 4229 8555 www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au