VOLUME XXVII No 14 22nd September, 2010
DATES TO REMEMBER
HEAD OF COLLEGE REPORT
SEPTEMBER
Together with Reverend Father Steven Scoutas, the Parish President, the Board Chairman, the Principal of the Senior School Mrs Katsogiannis and indeed all staff, I bid farewell the Year 12 Class of 2010. I wish them every good wish for success in the HSC Examinations and their future happiness. It has been a privilege to watch our students grow and develop in mind, body and soul. I commend the College Captain, Alex Vatiliotis, Vice Captain, Aleksandra Djordjevic and Senior Prefect, Angelina Flokis together with the Prefects, for their leadership of the student body, which has been outstanding. Thank you to their Year Adviser Mr Peter Mavrommatis for his professionalism and care for this group, over the last three years. I also commend the work of their homeroom teacher, Mrs Vicki Grillakis.
Term ends for students K-12 Doxology – St Spyridon Church Year 12 Farewell Dinner and Vespers House Gala Day SS Open Day JS
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Staff Development Day
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Year 12 Formal
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Staff and students return Leadership Camp Year 12 2011
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HSC begins
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Year 10 Final Assessment Week
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Parent Forum Year 12, 2011
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OHI Day
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OHI Day Celebrations Church Years 7-9 P & F Spring Fair
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Finally I wish to thank Mrs Lambi and Mrs Diakanastasis for all the preparations towards the Year 12 Dinner.
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We commend our teachers and students on the outstanding results that were achieved in the NAPLAN tests, which show that St Spyridon students are performing at a very high level in Reading, Writing, Overall Literacy and Numeracy.
NOVEMBER 5
Musical Showcase JS School Certificate Year 4 Camp Preparing for the Preliminaries Course begins Parent Forum and BBQ Year 7 2011 Years 3 & 4 Camp
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I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday and look forward to a busy Term 4. Mrs E. Stefanou-Haag
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K-12 NEWS
SPRING FAIR – STALLS FOR HIRE
CONGRATULATIONS
ONLY 4 STALLS FOR EXTERNAL BUSINESS HIRE! BE QUICK!
…to Father Andrew and his Presvitera on the birth of their third son, Spyridon. May God shower them with His blessings.
As of the 11th of October 2010, the students are to wear Summer Uniform to school. Blazers are to be worn on formal occasions such as Divine Liturgy and Prize Giving.
Our stalls are filling up fast so if you are interested in selling your goods and/or services please contact Jim Sialepis on 0431962148 or Maria Pascalis on 0414244695 for all the details and arrangements. Our Spring Fair with the celebration of OHI National Day, attracts thousands of parishioners and people from both the Greek and local communities which is a great opportunity for you to make your business venture known and widely promoted. We look forward to hearing from you!
COLES SPORTS FOR SCHOOLS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Well done to all the families that have contributed to this venture. Just reminding you that the competition runs till 31st October. Students are encouraged to collect vouchers from family, friends and neighbours during the holidays. At the end of the program, our points will be tallied and we can choose the sporting equipment that we want. Vouchers need to be placed in an envelope clearly marked with the child’s name and class and dropped off at the school office. The student who contributes the most vouchers in the Junior School will also win a prize.
Wishing you all a very relaxing and fun school holiday!
UNIFORM CHANGE
All P&F members thank you sincerely and immensely for all your support for all our fundraising events so far this year. Have a good break hoping it will give you quality time with your children and a safe return for Term 4! Mrs M Pascalis & Ms F Diakoumis P&F Association
P & F NEWS
JUNIOR
SCHOOL
REPORT
INFANTS FATHERS DAY ASSEMBLY With the term drawing to a close, I congratulate all the students for their active participation in school activities be they sporting, academic or social. I thank the staff for their commitment to improving student outcomes and wish you all a well deserved break.
Kindy, Year 1 and Year 2 students put on an amazingly impressive and touching assembly to celebrate the special role of their fathers in their lives. They showcased their melodic voices, their creative hand movements and their colourful, comical and cleverly composed father profiles, which they recited with confidence and pride. Their audience praised them and couldn’t get enough of such fabulous entertainment.
CONGRATULATIONS We congratulate ……..Miss Besir who has completed ten years of dedicated service to the children of our College. We thank her for instilling in the children she has taught academic excellence, pride in appearance and bookwork and good manners. Miss Xenos will be replacing Miss Besir as 1E’s teacher in Term Four as Miss Besir will be taking Long Service Leave.
Our sincere congratulations and praise to Mrs Hamer, Mrs Synesios and especially to the teachers who with their tireless efforts and patience achieved an outstanding performance. We thank them for all their hard work that they devote to our children.
……… Miss Rogaris on successfully completing her Accreditation with the NSW Institute of Teachers. Miss Rogaris demonstrated professional practice and articulated the importance of linking this with
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improved student learning outcomes. Her submission demonstrated the varied nature of teacher’s work. We are extra proud of her as she is a graduate of St. Spyridon College, completing her K – 12 education in 2003. ……….Mr & Mrs Manera and Kristina Poulos (3S) on the birth of their son and brother Lucas. May Christ shower them with His blessings. ………Mr & Mrs Mahikas and Harry (KR) on the birth of their son and brother Christian. May Christ shower them with His blessings.
pick up students from the college gate - particularly when other smaller children are left in the car. ¾ Parents may pick their Infants child up in the afternoon from the Infants playground and their Primary child from the Primary playground – Undercroft Area. 8. Parents are asked to drop off their child in the morning and leave immediately. Parents are also expected to leave immediately after picking up their child in the afternoon. These procedures are necessary due to the limited parking space surrounding the college.
CO-CURRICULAR There will be no co-curricular activities next term. However, if your child is interested in participating in the Active After School Sports program, you need to contact Patricia Doyle (After School Care) to reserve your spot. For the first half of the term on Mondays, the children will be participating in Floorball (mini hockey) and for the second half, Karate. On Tuesdays Soccer will be offered. Patricia’s number is 0410 505 524.
TRAFFIC RULES Unfortunately over the last couple of weeks we have had several complaints by parents about the rudeness and aggression shown by other parents in the mornings and in the afternoons. I find it astonishing that adults could behave in such a disgraceful manner and in the sight of children.
Note ¾ In order to assist with the traffic flow, Doran St and Day Lane are ONE WAY for the school community. ¾ Police regularly patrol the Speed Zone in Gardeners Rd. during designated school zone times. ¾ Rangers will book you if you are parked illegally and contrary to street signage. ¾ Staff parking is not to be used by parents.
St Spyridon College is committed to providing a safe environment for the school community and the wider school community. For the safety of our students, I remind all parents to familiarise themselves with the school’s traffic management plan. ¾ ALL cars are to come to the college via DONCASTER AVENUE, then turn into DORAN STREET. ¾ EXIT through DAY LANE - turn left to Kensington or right to Gardeners Road. ¾ Under no circumstances must cars come TO the college through DAY LANE. ¾ Parents MUST NOT park in any driveway either of the neighbours or of the college at any time. ¾ The practice of parking or stopping in the middle of the road is prohibited. ¾ Attention is drawn to the extreme danger of leaving motors running while leaving the car to deliver or
BEFORE SCHOOL SUPERVISION A reminder to parents that school morning supervision commences at 8.15am. Please do not under any circumstance leave your child unsupervised in the playground before this time. It is a requirement that when on the school grounds children must be with a parent or grandparent until a teacher comes on duty. Regrettably, some parents are dropping their children off very early and leaving them unsupervised which can be very dangerous. Other parents cannot be
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expected to take responsibility for your child, unless you have made specific arrangements.
The Australian Mathematics Competition is held annually from its inception in 1978 as the first Competition in Australian Schools. It has become the largest single event on the Australian Education Calendar, allowing students to attempt the same tasks, on the same day in about 40 countries. It has become a truly international event, with countries throughout the Pacific and South East Asia, and some from even further afield taking part. On the 5 of August 2010 selected students from Years Three to Six were entered in this Competition.
ICAS ENGLISH COMPETITION Congratulations to all the students who performed extremely well in the ICAS English Competition. The English paper is specifically designed to test student’s academic ability in Literary and factual reading comprehension skills, textual devices, syntax and vocabulary. HIGH DISTINCTION Year 6 Demitra Nikas
The questions in this competition use mathematics from within the school syllabus, and the questions are meant to be challenging, putting the students’ problem solving skills to test.
DISTINCTION Year 3 Peter Synesios, Nicola Cafcaros
We are proud to announce very pleasing results from our 73 students who participated in the competition. Below are some of the students who need especial mention.
Year 4 Dean Albanakais, Jesse Bowler, Chrysanthi Diasinos, Florence Georgas, Joanna Skouteris
DISTINCTION
Year 5 John Mouratidis
Year 3 Peter Nikas
Year 6 Nicole Adam
Year 4 Dean Albanakis
CREDIT Year 3 Peter Nikas, Tiffany Tsoukalas, Georgia Veryinis, William Georgas, Connor Giavis, Sophie Ioannidis
Year 5 Tina Ventoura
Year 4 Liam Annesley, Stephen Bletsas, Nikki Cardamis, Christopher Denize, Nicholas Frazis, Erin Giaras, Christina Hatgis , Nicholas Kollias, Christopher Kumar, Georgia Mandadakis, John Margelis, Sophia Micos, Maree Nikitopoulos, Harris Papas, Dean Theodorakakis, Deanna Tzivakis
CREDIT Year 3 William Georgas, Nicola Cafcaros, Kyle Bae, Connor Giavis
Year 6 Nicole Adam
Year 4 Victoria Zois, Florence Georges, Rhea Tsimboukis, Nicole Stramotas, Sophia Micos, Dominic Augoustis, Stephen Bletsas, Christopher Kumar, Jesse Bowler, Felicity Ginis, Maree Nikitopoulos, Nathan Adam, Deanna Tzivakis
Year 5 Jordan Makridopolus Year 6 Athanasios Athanasiou, Anastasia Barton, Mandadakis, Mariah Stavrou, Sebastian Zois
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Year 5 Andreas Veryinis, Constantine Tsingos, Johnny Mouratidis, Leo Bae, Demetrios Avdalis, Constantinos Kollias Year 6
Mrs S. Dimitrelis English Coordinator
AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION 4
meet the players, but also to be trained themselves by Sydney FC’s famous ex captain, Steve Corica and also Sydney FC’s championship winning first team coach, Vitezslav Lavicka
Lia Albanakis, Sebastian Zois, Tim Chae, Manuel Margelis, Yiani Baratsas, Penelope Aleyiannis PROFICIENCY
Let’s hope that the pathway that Panos has pioneered for St Spyridon Junior School, in the pursuit of footballing achievements is an inspiration to other young footballers following in his footsteps.
Year 3 George Leondios Year 4 Nikki Cardamis, Joanna Skouteris, George Andrianakos, Chrysanthi Diasinos, Mariana Ioannou, Aaron Nissirios, Anastasija Stanojevic, Michael Vetsikas, Harris Papas, Jennifer Contominas, Nicholas Frazis, Sarantos Makris Year 5 Jordan Stojkovic, George Raptis, Jordan Makridopolus, George Contominas, Deyarna Xenos Year 6 Mariah Stavrou, Demitra Nikas, Eleanna Kampily, Panos Armenakas, Alexander Cardamis, Erin Hennessey, Kiri Kondou, Athanasios Athanasiou, Anastasia Barton, Paul Langlands, Melanie Stramotas
CONGRATULATIONS PANOS During the week of August 30 – September 3, Panos Armenakas of Yr 6 had the honour of representing not only St Spyridon but also NSW in the National Primary Schools Football Championships. For Panos, who has experienced the youth academies of major football clubs such as Arsenal, Panathinaikos, AJAX, Barcelona and AC Milan and also played in major junior tournaments overseas, the tournament presented yet another opportunity to be challenged. For St Spyridon Junior School, this was a first. The week long tournament was eventually won outright by Queensland although NSW pushed them right up until the final game where a draw between Victoria and Queensland would have been enough to see NSW crowned as joint Champions with Queensland. NSW in fact only lost 1 of their 7 games in the tournament; a 2-1 loss to Queensland in the round robin. The Silver Medal awarded to NSW (who had beaten Queensland 2-0 in an earlier playoff of the top 3) was still a great reward for a great effort by the team which was also Co-Captained by Panos himself.
Well done Panos ! Mrs M. Hamer Principal Junior School
The overall experience of making new friends, competing with them and socialising with them was also further enhanced the week before at the 3 day training camp where the NSW team were treated to an opportunity not only to watch Sydney FC train and
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SENIOR
SCHOOL
REPORT
PARENT FORUM YEAR 12 2011 On Wednesday, 27th October, 2010 at 7.00 p.m. a meeting will be held for all students of Year 11 and their parents. The Board of Studies Liaison Officer (BOSLO) Ms Kim Owens will be present to talk about the Higher School Certificate. The school HSC Assessment Booklet will be distributed on the night. It is expected that all students of Year 11 will attend with their parents. Students are to wear their full school uniform as they will be presented with their Year 12 badges.
MUSICAL NOTES at St Basil’s Nursing Home Mrs A. Katsogiannis Principal Senior School
On Tuesday, representatives from Years 7 – 10 had the opportunity to showcase their talents and provide a valuable community service, by performing for the residents of St Basil’s Nursing Home. We congratulate Miss Savva and all the students who performed. Your efforts put a smile on the faces of the elderly and literally made their day. Congratulations to Emanuel Kapodistrias, Dylan Kontos, Mark Mina, Lena Nesterenko, Panayioti Kapodistrias, Eleni Mavrolefterou (Year 8), Alexandros Moraitis, Niko Fotopoulos (Year 9), Sophia Belajcic (Year 10).
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS "The task of leadership is not to put greatness in humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there." ~John Buchan~ We are all leaders in some way, whether we consider ourselves to be or not. Supervisors are leaders of employees, parents and teachers are leaders of children, politicians and policemen are civic leaders, athletes are mentors to those coming up in the ranks and writers are leaders of all the hearts and minds they touch. In any relationship, each person can act as a Leader to the other.
Thank you to Ms Kokinelis for co-ordinating this event.
Perhaps most important, we are leaders of the self. The trick is to inspire yourself to dig deep and give the world your very best.
LEADERSHIP CAMP & PEER SUPPORT Last week Year 9 travelled to Camp Wolstoncroft, near Newcastle, as part of their Peer Support and Outdoor education experience. Students and staff who attended, participated in some traditional activities and some new ones as well that created much laughter and enjoyment. These included BMX bike riding in the bush and fishing!!! Peer Support Leader applicants’ behaviour and attitude was noted at camp. This, along with a host of other criteria is what determines the selection to these sought after leadership positions.
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After camp, interviews of all applicants and a teacher vote, were carried out as well. Those successful in moving to the position of Peer Support Leader in training will be notified at the start of Term 4.
PREFECTS 2011 The first round vote has resulted in a short list of applicants who will now move towards preparing their portfolios so that they are ready for interviews to be held next term. We wish all students well in their endeavors. Ms G Kokinelis Dean of Middle School
GREEK NEWS Κυρίες και κύριοι, Στο τεύχος αυτό θα σας κρατήσουµε συντροφιά µε το γραπτό µιας µαθήτριας της Α΄Λυκείου, η οποία στα Ελληνικά βρίσκεται στην Β΄Λυκείου. Η εργασία γράφτηκε στα πλαίσια των πρόσφατων διαγωνισµών του Β΄εξαµήνου. Το θέµα ήταν το εξής: “Two of your best friends had a fight and now are not talking to each other any more. You speak to them in order to rectify their friendship. Write your speech.” Καλά να περνάτε! κ. Μ. Φαλέτα Λοιπόν, ακούστε µε τώρα! Και οι δύο είσαστε οι καλύτερές µου φίλες, αλλά δεν θέλω να σας βλέπω να καυγαδίζετε. Πριν, ήσασταν κι εσείς οι καλύτερες φίλες, αλλά τώρα ξαφνικά δεν είστε. Όµως εγώ δεν καταλαβαίνω γιατί! Προσέξτε καλά τι σας λέω, δεν πρέπει οι φίλοι να έχουν πόλεµο µεταξύ τους. Πρέπει, λοιπόν, και οι δύο να συγχωρήσετε η µια την άλλη και να ξεχάσετε και να ξεπεράσετε αυτό το µεγάλο πρόβληµα που έχει δηµιουργηθεί τώρα ανάµεσά σας. Ξέρω πολύ καλά ότι κατά βάθος αγαπιέστε και το ξέρετε ότι κι εγώ σας αγαπώ, αλλά δεν µου αρέσει όταν οι καλύτερές µου φίλες καυγαδίζουν για το τίποτε! Αν ήσασταν κάποτε οι καλύετρες φίλες και αν είστε αληθινά οι καλύτερες φίλες µου, θα µου κάνετε τη χάρη να λύσετε τα προβλήµατά σας ειρηνικά και να τα ξεπεράσετε για καλά. Θυµάστε τα απογεύµατα που είχαµε στη θάλασσα όταν δεν είχατε µαλώσει ακόµη και ήµασταν αγαπηµένες; Ήταν τα καλύτερα απογεύµατα της ζωής µου και θέλω πολύ να τα ξαναζήσω µε την παρέα και
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Christopher Kolistasis 15yrs 2nd 200m, 3rd 100m, 3rd 400m Nicole Kalofonos 3rd 100m 17yrs Alex Georgiou 2nd 200m 17yrs Anja Djukic 3rd 800m 12yrs Peter Theodosi 1st 800m 17yrs Rena Lambos Javelin 14yrs 3rd Kayla Want Triple Jump 2nd 15- 16yrs, 2nd 16yrs long jump Cassie Georgiou Discus 1st 14yrs Angelina Flokis 3rd 18yrs Discus Martha Spilioti 2nd 1500m 14yrs
των δυο σας. Θυµόσαστε πόσο όµορφη και απλή ήταν η ζωή µας πριν τη φασαρία µεταξύ σας; Λοιπόν, τώρα θα σας αφήσω µόνες να τα µιλήσετε και να τα βρείτε επιτέλους! Να έχετε υπόψη σας ότι θέλω τις φίλες µου πίσω και τις δυο! Σας αγαπώ πολύ και δεν µπορώ ν’ αφήσω αυτή την κατάσταση να συνεχίζεται. Σας αγαπώ και σας θέλω πίσω χαρούµενες όπως ήσασταν πριν. Despina Carpis Year 10
LISTENING TO OUR STUDENTS Ms K. O’Shea Girls Sport
GIORGEN’S VOLCANO DIORAMA In Year 5 Science, we have been studying landforms and how they were created. As a project, we had to make a diorama of an Australian landform. I chose to make Big Ben, an active volcano located on Heard Island in the Southern Ocean. (Heard Island, whilst not part of the Australian mainland, is an Australian territory.) Big Ben is 2,745 metres high. Big Ben is the highest mountain on Australian territory.
FUTSAL 2010 What an outstanding year it has been for St Spyridon College in terms of Boys Futsal - we have 4 students from Year 9 representing NSW at the New Zealand Championships - Petros Stefadouros, Christopher Kolistasis, Leonidas Andrew. In recent days Niko Fotopoulos was selected as a NSW Secondary Futsal Representative to tour New Zealand in December. This is an outstanding achievement and wish all the boys the best of luck.
I made it from plaster, plywood, newspapers, a coke bottle and paint. To get the volcano to erupt, I filled the centre of the volcano with vinegar, coloured with red food colouring. I then poured baking soda into the vinegar. This causes a chemical reaction, which makes carbon dioxide, which then caused the volcano to ‘erupt’. Giorgen Rokos 5A
SPORTS REPORT ISA ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 2010 On Tuesday 7th September selected students attended the ISA Athletics Carnival to represent St Spyridon College. All students participated to their best ability against tough competition. Congratulations to the following students who achieved the following places in Division 2:
Mr A. Condous Boys Sport
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Lena Nesterenko 2 13 yrs Girls High Jump Alex Georgiou 3rd 17+ Triple Jump Christos Kollias 12yrs 2nd 200m, 3rd 800m, 2nd 100m, 2nd 400m Petros Stefadouros 15yrs 2nd 100m, 2nd Triple Jump Andriane Efstratiou 13yrs 3rd 200m
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