St Spyridon News No.99 November

VOLUME XXIX No 18 2nd November, 2012

DATES TO REMEMBER

28th OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS

NOVEMBER Kindy Travelbugs Science incursion

1st

Vaccinations Year 7

2nd

Final Assessment Period begins Yrs 7-10 Kindergarten 2013 Orientation Years 4-6 Camp

7th

Years 3 – 6 Camp

8th – 9th

Pi Day SS

9th

Parent Forum Year 7, 2013 6.00 p.m.

Kindergarten 2013 Orientation

13th

Peer Support Day, Year 9

15th -16th

Leadership Days Year 12

19th – 20th

Divine Liturgy

22nd

Musical Showcase 12.30pm JS

23rd

Orientation Day Year 7, 2013

28th

Senior School Showcase 6.45pm

29th

DECEMBER Year 6 Graduation K-6 Awards Presentation Morning

4th

Middle School Assembly

5th

Prize Giving SS 11.30am Early Dismissal Christmas Carols Afternoon JS Term ends for students

6th

Staff Development Day

7th

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NEWS

spaghetti crab sampled by St Spyridon students and senior citizens ..in summary…

SCHOLARSHIPS

A SENSATIONAL SUPER SUCCESSFUL SPRING FAIR!

Year 7 and Year 11, 2014 Applications are now invited from new and continuing students to sit for the following ACER Examination Scholarships:

This spring fair will truly be one to remember for its sunny weather, its new BBQ menu of sizzling sweet chilli prawns and BBQ haloumi, the Ladies Auxillary’s traditional loukoumades, the new arrival of Cypriot koubes, the great tasting homemade Greek sweets, the graceful Greek dancers, the live Greek singers, the popular amusement rides, the colourful balloons, the bold body art, the fresh flowers, the sale of student artworks and the strawberry servings from the chocolate fountain and cooking show by special guests Steve and Helen from My Kitchen Rules … and of course it does not stop there.

Year 6 (Year 7, 2014) A Year 6 Scholarship for the top Year 6 student applying for St Spyridon College will receive their tuition fees paid for four years, from Year 7 to Year 10.

Year 10 (Year 11, 2014) Two scholarships for the two top Year 10 students will receive their tuition fees paid for two years.

Closing date for applications is Monday, 4th February, 2013, ACER scholarship examinations will be held on Saturday, 23rd February, 2013.

In days leading up to the Fair, this is what a P&F member faces and remembers as she/he prepares and panics to overcome challenges like dressing in goggles to survive the heat of kilos and kilos of onion cutting, watching, waiting and wondering about the pain staking outcome of a mammoth dodgem car semi trailer as it takes countless risky attempts for 2 and a half hours struggling to enter the school driveway late on a cold Friday night, chasing the clock to set up stalls in an empty school yard space at 6.30 am on Spring Fair morning, fearing the bad intentions of dark, heavy clouds looming over our heads and dreading the chances of another Wet & Wild Spring Fair, seeking souvles and a charcoal BBQ, 2 days before the Fair, to ensure the cooking of a newly advertised traditional Greek meze, kondosouvli which one has no idea about how to prepare and cook, looking at an empty parent help roster and wondering who on earth will man the stalls and the fears of failure go on…. Thankfully our school saint, Spyridon, supports this annual momentous occasion in our celebration of OHI day and our strong community spirit and brings on the positive outcome we have seen this year.

You may register now online: www.stspyridon.nsw.edu.au follow the links Scholarships and Awards, then Online Scholarships.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY Our deepest sympathy is extended to our Head of College Mrs Stefanou for the recent loss of her mother who passed away at the age of 92 in London. May God rest her soul and give strength to the family at this time.

Our deepest sympathy is also extended to Mrs Koutsoukis and her family at the recent loss of her father. Life to all of us.

UNIFORM SHOP The Uniform Shop will be open before school commences in January on Wednesday, 16th and Wednesday, 23rd January 2013. Hours 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.

2012 Spring Fair was a great success judging from all the great positive feedback we received from all of you. We thank you immensely for your support, your presence and contribution to this grand fundraiser which has collected $16,000. An impressive profit which we look forward to offering to the College in order to help it fulfil the educational needs of our students. Only with the

P&F NEWS Sizzling Sausages and Souvlakia! Satisfying Sweets! Students stepping and swinging to sousta and sirto! Super showbags! Series of stalls selling Shoe me up and Step into life! and so on….Soaring sounds! Steve & Helen serving sensational

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great support of the Parish and College executive, administrative, teaching and ancillary staff can we reach the heights of this event. Special thanks are expressed from the P&F committee to Christina Tsaconas for granting all our requests and putting support structures in place to assist preparations and clean up. We thank Mrs Stefanou and Mrs Balayannis for their generous initiative to promote this event out in the broader community. We sincerely thank Mrs Hamer, Mrs Synesios, Mrs Kerameas, Ms Giannakopoulos and Mrs Klazoglou for their promotion within the College community, planning and program preparations of this event.

Finally thank you to Mr Economou for his organisation of sound, live entertainment and MC role. Thank you to the Ladies Auxillary for their volunteer work with the preparation of the Loukoumades. We thank dearly our precious generous donors and also the stall holders who have supported this fundraiser. A special mention of all those hardworking children of P&F members, the patient and tolerant partners of P&F members and all the devoted regular parent volunteers who reduce the pressure of this very busy day. We welcome your suggestions for Spring Fair 2013.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL REPORT SPRING FAIR What an absolute wonderful day we all had last Sunday with our annual Spring Fair. The weather was perfect and the community spirit was fabulous.

Congratulations to Ms Stamoulis and her hard working committee for all their efforts and organisation. Thank you also to all other parents who came forward to help particularly with all the food. Aside from the souvlakia and sausages I have been told that the prawns were out of this world!

Congratulations and thanks to Mrs Sophia Haskas for all her wonderful work in teaching our children from Kindergarten to Year 6 their Greek Dancing.

This was an opportunity to see the progress the children make over the years.

Thank you also to our violin teacher Mr Sam Podjarski for preparing our violin group to demonstrate their talents. The ‘Dance to the Limit’ dancing group trained by one of our ex-students Miss Christine Constanti and of course our own co-curricular dance group taught by Ms Theodossiou were absolutely delightful.

Again congratulations and thank you to all those involved in the entertainment segment of our day.

Congratulations and thank you also to our very ‘hands on’ Chairman of the Board Mr Elia Economou who not only acted as the MC but ran around helping all day.

Our teachers and secretaries as always showed their commitment and dedication to our school by being here on Sunday to help organise their classes for dancing, to man their students art and craft stall and to help Year 6 with their toy stall, and for that we thank them also.

Mrs M. Pascalis P&F Assistant Secretary

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CRAFT REMINDER

MUSICAL SHOWCASE

A reminder to all those parents who did not have an opportunity to purchase their child’s craft item please do so as soon as possible, they are being held by their class teachers.

Kindergarten – Year 6 will be sharing their musical talents on Friday 23rd November at the Sports and Performing Arts Centre (SPACe) at the Senior School Campus.

The performance will be commencing at approximately 12.30p.m.

OXI DAY Mrs M. Hamer Principal

On Sunday we also commemorated OXI Day, the junior school was proudly represented by our infant’s children and Year 6. The poem Ηταν Γενναιο Παιδι was recited beautifully by Chrisanthi Diasinos and Eleni Mastroperos.

Congratulations girls and well done Ms Sirmanoglou for teaching the poem to the girls.

SENIOR SCHOOL REPORT

YEAR 6 PARENTS

THE AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION 2012

Reminder to all Year 6 parents in regards to Year 6 Graduation Dinner Dance, please confirm your attendance and purchase your tickets. The Year 6 graduation co-ordinators Mrs Marina Margelis and Mrs Mary Cardamis with a small group of mothers are busily preparing for the event.

The results of the 35th annual Australian Mathematics Competition held on 2 August in primary and secondary schools are now available.

Hundreds of thousands of students from over 40 countries entered. The AMC is renowned for its high standard and integrity and has three aims:

Any parent who cannot attend meetings but can contribute in any other way please contact either Marina or Mary or Estelle at the office.

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BEFORE SCHOOL CARE 2013

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Interest is being sought to gauge feasibility for Before School Care in 2013. If you are interested in this service, could you please leave your details at the office by the end of October.

To highlight the importance of mathematics as a curriculum subject To give students an opportunity to discover talent in mathematics To provide resources for the classroom and general discussion

St Spyridon College entered 58 students from the Middle School (Years 7-9) in this year’s AMC, and we received 2 Distinctions, 15 Credits and 33 awards of Proficiency. The two Year 10 students that were entered both received an award of Credit.

It is with pleasure that I list below, in alphabetical order within their year and by achievement, the students at St Spyridon College that received an award of Distinction, Credit or Proficiency, in the 2012 AMC. Certificates will be presented to these students at a forthcoming School assembly. Please note that individual performance reports will be given to every student that took part.

LIBRARY BOOKS Could all library books be returned to the library no later than 16th November 2012.

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION MORNINGS 2013 Kindergarten children will attend orientation morning sessions at the Junior School on Wednesday 7th and Tuesday 13th November 2012.

We look forward to welcoming our future students on these days.

Congratulations to all the students who took on the challenge and who enjoyed the challenge.

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In Year 7 Credit Steven Agiasotis, Tristan Hollink, Steffie Papadopoulos, Danielle Petrakis, Jordan Stojkovic, Constantinos Gouskos.

Proficiency Larissa Andrianakos, Lewis Athanasopoulos, Demetrios Avdalis, Panayiotis Bounos, George Contominas, Zoe Kanlis, Michael King, Constantinos Kollias, Jordan Makridopolus, George Raptis, Billy Retsas, Joel Richardson, Kerryanne Syros.

HOW WE CELEBRATED THE 28th OCTOBER - On Friday, 26th October, students of Year 9, Vicky Papadopoulos, Christos Kollias, Maria Bletsas, AnnMarie Xenos, Christina Balayannis, Danae Kyriakaki and Hara Lavdioti with the support of Mrs Faletas, addressed the School Assembly. We were impressed and inspired with their presentations.

- On Sunday, 26th October, a) Mrs Faletas attended the official celebrations at the Archdiocese with Penelope Aleyannis, Year 8, who recited her poem. Mr Kaldis attended with Year 11 Representatives who were flagbearers. The wreath was laid by Mr James Phillips, Vice President of our Parish. b) Students in Years 7-9 attended St Spyridon Church with their Year Advisers and other Teachers. Nicole Adam Year 8 recited her poem. c) Maria Bletsas, Anja Djukic, Kalioppe Kefalas, Anastasia Maloukis, Sophia Rizzo and AnnMarie Xenos all in Year 9 assisted the Ladies Auxillary at the front of St Spyridon Church by greeting all parishioners appropriately, pinning a 28th October badge on everyone.

In Year 8 Credit Nicole Adam, Mariah Stavrou, Sebastian Zois.

Proficiency Lia Albanakis, Penelope Aleyiannis, Steven Antoniou, Milos Arsenic, Daniel Arzani , Yiani Baratsas, Anastasia Barton, Alexander P. Cardamis, Erin Hennessey, Aaron Kostantakis, Paul Langlands , Manuel Margelis, Demi Nikas.

In Year 9 Distinction Christos Kollias , Anastasia Maloukis Credit Maria Bletsas, Matthew Chiam, Emanuel Kapodistrias, Theoni Thimakis.

Proficiency Kristian Kontakos, Nicholas Makridopolus , Juliet Manolias, Vicky Papadopoulos, Christos Raptis, Sophia Rizzo, Arina Sheptitskaya.

In Year 10 Credit Panayioti Kapodistrias, Lena Nesterenko.

Mr A. Kollias Curriculum Leader - Mathematics

THANK YOU PARENTS & FRIENDS I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms Anna Stamoulis and the P & F Committee for a wonderful Spring Fair held at our Junior School Campus last Sunday.

- On Monday, 29th October, Mrs Faletas along with Christina Balayannis, Nicole Adam, Danae Kyriakaki, Hara Lavdioti, Penelope Aleyannis attended the 28th October celebrations organised by the Greek Welfare Centre, at Sts Constantine and Helen Church.

Thank you to our parents, students and teachers for making the Spring Fair 2012 such a success.

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Pressure is not all bad. In fact it can be extremely useful in leading oneself towards further developing potential. So the next time pressure tries to cause you to surrender, turn it in on itself and use the pressure to stand up and take on the situation with a fiery determination.

PARENT FORUM YEAR 12, 2013 On Tuesday, 30th October, Year 11 students and their parents attended a Parent Forum.

Students were presented with their Year 12 badges.

Mrs Michalski (Board of Studies Liaison Officer) spoke about the Higher School Certificate. The College HSC 2013 Assessment Handbook was distributed along with important dates 2013.

Keep all this in mind as Examination week for Years 7-10 approaches

YEARLY EXAMINATIONS

Year 12 2013, are reminded that they must attend school for the normal school hours i.e., 8.23 a.m. – 3.05 p.m. even if they have study periods at the start or end of the day. The only exception, as of next week, is every Thursday students not involved in ISA or other lessons may sign out through the Administration office at 1.25 p.m.

It is very pleasing to see many of our younger students taking on board the organizational and study skills tips covered in Pastoral Care, during the lead up to the Yearly Examination period. A number of our Year 7’s in particular have shown they understood the importance of thinking, planning and organizing their study by summarizing work and placing it in specially created study booklets and/or folders.

We wish the Year 12 Class of 2013 all the best as they begin their HSC Assessment tasks.

Students were also reminded that effective study means not just reading over work, as it only stays in our short term memory for a little while. Real understanding and movement into long term memory comes when information and skills are actively engaged with. For example creating mind maps, flow charts, tables, question/answer cards, doing practice questions and so on. These tips if used will enable more effective learning to take place and optimal results to be achieved.

Mrs A. Katsogiannis Principal Senior School

MIDDLE REPORT

SCHOOL

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

Peter Marshall

28th OCTOBER & SPRING FAIR

There is no greater transforming power than pressure. It turns rocks into diamonds, men into mountains and women into pillars of strength.

Congratulations to all Middle School students and parents for attending the 28th October celebrations last Sunday at St Spyridon Church, the Year 11 Leaders who represented the School at the Archdiocese service, and Year 9’s who read poems at the Greek Welfare Centre event on Monday. It was also wonderful to see so many from our school, and the wider community enjoying the tasty treats and activities on offer at the Spring Fair.

One of the greatest misconceptions is that people believe life is meant to be easy and free of pressure. When life starts, it does so in both joyous and difficult circumstances. It is hard work bringing up children in this world, and that is why the process is termed 'labour of love'. Death is also a difficult event to grasp. It can happen at any moment and is rarely anticipated or adequately prepared for. It too, is hard work! So if birth, child rearing and even death is difficult, what made us think that everything in between that would be easy?

YEAR 7 2013 WELCOME BBQ AND PARENT FORUM Parents are once again reminded that on Tuesday 13 November, the Senior School along with Year 9 Peer Support Leaders (in training) will be hosting a BBQ for our new Year 7’s and their parents. This will be followed by a Parent Forum where

Champions thrive under pressure. They recognise that this conflict will surely end in developing a greater level of inner strength…RESILIENCE.

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important information will be given relating to preparations that need to be made to ensure the smooth entry of students next year. The BBQ will begin at 6pm and be followed by the Parent Forum at 7.15pm. We are all very much looking forward to meeting all our new students and their parents on this occasion. If anyone is unable to attend this event please contact the School Enrolment Officer Mrs S Balayannis on 93113340 as soon as possible.

NATIONAL YOUNG LEADERS DAY – Sydney Convention Centre Darling Harbour The second event will be attended by Prefect & Peer Support Leader applicants, and selected SRC’s.

This event will be held on Monday19th November.

The National Young Leaders Day offers an opportunity to bring together many young Australians who are leaders among their peers now, and who will in future years lead our community - whether in business, government, sports, the arts, or various organisations. The payment due date for Year 12 was extended until 31 October, and for Year 9 & SRC’s on the 9 November.

LEADERSHIP YEAR 9 This year all Year 9’ will participate in two Peer Support & Leadership Development Days held at school on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th of November. The first event will be presented by the ‘Rising Generations’ Group and is aimed at encouraging all Year 9 to step up as members of the Upper School in 2013, where it is expected they assume greater responsibility over themselves and their learning, as well as be mentors of younger students.

Ms G. Kokinelis Dean of Middle School

CAREERS

COLUMN

LUMINO CITY Are you passionate about

The second event The Peer Support Leadership Development Day aims to challenge and encourage Year 9 towards realizing their own potential, gifts and energies to serve others and make a difference.

architecture, building, and design? The UNSW Built Environment is celebrating their students’ work by holding a special event at Pier 2/3, 13 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay on Saturday 17 November from 11am to 3pm for students and their families which will give students an opportunity to meet and speak with teachers and students of Built Environment. It will showcase the work of the graduating students alongside a dynamic program of public events, featuring industry speakers, debates and research workshops.

LuminoCITY is more than just a showcase of the students work; it is an opportunity for school students to discover the many career opportunities available under the broad discipline description of ‘Built Environment’. These opportunities include a range of degree programs dedicated to built environment disciplines - Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Industrial Design, Computing in Architecture, Construction Management, Property Development, Urban Design and Sustainable Development.

LuminoCITY will be open from Friday 16th to the Thursday 22nd November from 9am to 4pm.

The program to be delivered is skill-based, fun and interactive, and provides opportunities for students get to know themselves and each other better The payment due date for this event is the 5th of November

YEAR 12, 2013 Two important Leadership Development activities have also been organised for Year 11 as they prepare to step up as role models to their younger peers.

The first event for all Year 12, 2013, is a Leadership Day held here in the SPACe. It will be presented by the ‘Rising Generations’ Group on Tuesday 20th November, 2012. The payment due date was extended until 31st October. Please ensure payment has been made.

POSITION

AVAILABLE – first year apprentice to an electrician. The firm is based in Matraville. This is for a student from St Spyridon College. In first year, students study at TAFE –

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usually for 1 day a week and work 4 days a week alongside an electrician. Please contact Mr George Michos on 0425 318 810 if you would like to know more information.

Mrs A. Skerman Careers Adviser

GREEK

COLUMN

Αγαπητοί γονείς και φίλοι, Στο τεύχος αυτό θέλω να συγχαρώ και να ευχαριστήσω τους μαθητές και μαθήτριές μας που πήραν μέρος στις εκδηλώσεις για την εθνική μας επέτειο 28η Οκτωβρίου. Συγκεκριμένα, τέσσερα παιδιά της Γ΄ Γυμνασίου παρουσίασαν εργασίες τους σχετικά με τον Β΄παγκόσμιο πόλεμο. Τα παιδιά αυτά είναι: η Βίκυ Παπαδοπούλου με θέμα την ιταλική εισβολή του 1940. Η Άννα-Μαρία Ξένου με θέμα της την γερμανική κατοχή, ο Χρήστος Κόλλιας που παρουσίασε τα εγκλήματα πολέμου στα Καλάβρυτα και για τα εγκλήματα πολέμου στο Δίστομο η Μαρία Μπλέτσα. Οι παρακάτω μαθήτριες της Β΄ Γυμνασίου απήγγειλαν ποιήματα για την 28η Οκτωβρίου: Νικολέττα Αδάμ στην εκκλησία του Αγίου Σπυρίδωνα με το «Λαοί της Γης» Πηνελόπη Αλεγιάννη στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή με το «Ηρωικό Τρίπτυχο». Δανάη Κυριακάκη, Χριστίνα Μπαλαγιάννη και Χαρά Λαβδιώτη απήγγειλαν κατά σειρά τα ποιήματα: «28η Οκτωβρίου». «Στον Ελληνικό Στρατό» και «28 Οκτωβρίου» στη συγκέντρωση του σχολείου μας. Όλες οι παραπάνω μαθήτριες απήγγειλαν επίσης τα ποιήματά τους στη γιορτή του Ελληνικού Κέντρου Προνοίας στην αίθουσα του Ιερού Ναού των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης στις 29/10/12 ενώ η υποφαινομένη εκφώνησε τον πανηγυρικό της ημέρας. Τέλος, οι: Αντρέας Νίκολσον, Μαρία Μίο, Κωνσταντίνα Συνέσιου, Λεωνίδας Ανδρέου, Ηλίας Αλεξάνδρου, Νίκος Στάσσος, Στέλλα Κρασσά και Μηνάς Κάμπος έδωσαν ένα άψογο παρών ως σημαιοφόροι στην εορτή της Ιεράς μας Αρχιεπισκοπής υπό την καθοδηγία του συντονιστή της χρονιάς τους κυρίου Φ. Καλδή. Και πάλι συγχαρητήρια σε όλα τα παιδιά μας! Κ. Μ. Φαλέτα

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SPORTS

REPORT

BOYS SPORT SATURDAY, 3rd NOVEMBER, 2012

Team Opens

Mr Georgoulopoulos

Game Time

Bench Duty

11:30am

Mr Condous and Parents

2:30pm

Mr Condous and Parents

1:30pm

Mr Condous and Parents

8:30am

Mr Condous and Parents

12:30pm

Nikolas Baratsas

10:30am

Alex Coplin,

V Oakhill Gold 15’s(Yr 9) Mr Giles

V Oakhill Gold 14’s (Yr 8)

Mr Sobolevski

V Oakhill Gold 13 REDS

Miss Savva

V Oakhill Gold 13 GREEN

Mr Condous V St Paul’s 13 WHITE

Mr Condous V St Paul’s

Panayioti Kapodistrias

Luka Kasalovic

Venue:

All Sorts Indoor Sports Centre: Sydney Corporate Park 184 Bourke Road Alexandria

Mr A. Condous Boys Sport 0418405766

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VENUE:

St Spyridon College, Sports & Performing Arts Centre, 1130 Anzac Parade, Maroubra

PRICE: Adults - $20

Children/Pensioners - $15

DATE: 29th November 2012 TIME: 7.00pm

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