SSC Newsletter 207 18 2018

VOLUME XXXV Nยบ 18 7th December 2018

DECEMBER Term ends for students

11th

FROM THE HEAD OF COLLEGE

Academic Excellence and Student Leadership Assembly Years 3-12 St Spyridon Day

12th

HSC results

13th

ATAR

14th

Christmas Day

25th

JANUARY Australia Day, Public Holiday

28th

Staff Development Day

29th

Staff Development Day

30th

Years 1 to 7, 11&12 commence

31st

FEBRUARY Kindergarten and Years 8-10 commence

1st

In the last Newsletter for 2018; We wish all our students, teachers and their families a Merry Christmas, a safe holiday and a Happy New Year 2019.

Mrs E. Stefanou-Haag

K-12 NEWS Mrs L. McCoy, our Drama Teacher, will be on maternity leave as she is expecting the new addition to her family in February. We wish her καλἠ ελευθεριἀ.

DEEPEST SYMPATHY Our sincere condolences to Mrs I. Paraskevas, our former Canteen Supervisor, on the passing of her beloved father, Mr Anastasios Antonaras.

May his memory be eternal.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP ASSEMBLY Years 3-12

FAREWELLS This last term of 2018 we say goodbye and good luck to two staff members.

We sadly farewell Mr John Croft, Curriculum Leader – Science.

On Tuesday, 11th December, 2018 we will be rewarding students for their academic achievements as well as announcing the Student Leaders for 2019.

Mr Croft joined St Spyridon College in 2006 and has contributed to the School’s pursuit of excellence in the area for which he was responsible.

This special assembly will take place in the Sports and Performing Arts Centre and will start promptly at 9:45am and end at approximately 11:30am.

We extend to him every good wish and blessing for the next phase of his life.

K-2 are to arrive at the Junior School at normal time. Parents to collect Infants children by 12:00pm.

Thank you Mr Croft for your commitment to our students.

Please note: There is no After School Care or Canteen on this day.

Students receiving awards will be notified beforehand.

Senior students are to arrive at School and assemble in the courtyard no later than 8:45am.

All students are to wear summer uniform and blazer.

All parents and family are encouraged to attend.

Please be seated by 9:30am.

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Students will be dismissed at the end of the Assembly for the year. Please note all students need to remain for the entire Assembly.

Orders will be available on Thursdays only after recess. Please email orders by Tuesday 3.00pm the latest for Thursday pickup. Orders placed after Tuesday 3.00pm, will NOT be available for pickup until the following Thursday.

PARENT ACCESS TO MAJOR EVENTS PHOTOS

Exchanges Exchanges will only be permitted at the Uniform Shop.

We are pleased to announce that Photos taken at major College events will now be made available to all parents via Spy School.

SCHOLARSHIPS REMINDER Photos from the recent Showcase “A Gift of Christmas” are now available to view and /or download.

Applications are now invited from new and continuing students to sit for the following ACER Examination Scholarship:

To access the photos login to Spy School and access via the Quick Links block as shown below.

Year 6 (Year 7, 2020) 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, 2020) 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, 2019.

ACER scholarship examinations will be held on Saturday, 23rd February, 2019.

UNIFORM SHOP DATES FOR BACK PURCHASES 2019

TO

SCHOOL

You may register now online: www.stspyridon.nsw.edu.au: follow the links to ACER Online Scholarship Application.

Wednesday 23rd January, 2019 - 9.00am-4.00pm Tuesday 29th January, 2019 - 9.00am-4.00pm Wednesday 30th January, 2019 - 8.30-10am & 2.30-4.00pm Orders by Email now available Orders can now be made by email through SpySchool. Please download form from Parent portal through SpySchool.

Complete the order form and email to: spyschool@stspyridon.nsw.edu.au All orders will be collected from the Admin Office of the Junior School for Kindergarten to Year 6 or the Senior School for Years 7–12.

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a photo and book exhibition about Greek immigration of the 1960s and 1970s, which marked the universal presence of the Greeks in the region so much so that Marrickville was dubbed “Greekville”.

MRS GEORGAKOPOULOS PRESENTS AT THE GREEK WELFARE CENTRE – MARRICKVILLE TOWN HALL

The article was published by “Greek City Times”.

GWC Community Services (the Greek Welfare Centre of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in NSW), as part of the month-long community awareness month “October 2018”, in cooperation with Inner West Council on Friday 2nd November at Marrickville Town Hall organized an event titled “Greek Cultural Day” devoted to the migratory wave of Greek immigrants in the 1960s and 1970s, which in their overwhelming majority settled in and around the wider area of the Sydney suburb, Marrickville.

Attending the event were the Parish Priest of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Marrickville, Father Christodoulos Economou, the Federal Member for Grayndler, Mr Anthony Albanese, the Mayor of Inner West Council, Mr Darcy Byrne, and about 130 local Greek people.

As part of the event’s program Mrs. Stella Georgakopoulos, teacher at St Spyridon Greek Orthodox College, Sydney, spoke about the historical timeline of Greek migration to Australia, and a short video production of the students of the College was also presented.

“Migration was the reason for our separation from our motherland Greece,” said Mrs Georgakopoulos. “At the same time, however, it was the reason and the occasion for us to unite Greeks all over the world in a special way and to keep the timeless values we inherited from our home, love for freedom and dignity, in our hearts in particular”, she concluded.

The program of the event lasted four hours and all guests were able to wonder the hall to look at 4

P&F NEWS It has been an eventful and very productive year for the P&F Committee. Below is the final profit tally of this calendar year’s fundraising events according to our Treasurers.

If you are looking for a way to give back with your time and meet parents from across all years at our college, join us at the AGM in 2019 (date will be confirmed in February).

Event

I have enjoyed being the scribe in 2018 for this wonderful team and I thank you all for listening.

Profit ($) Palm Sunday 7,231 Easter Raffle 2,841 Lambathes 5,230 Mother’s Day Stalls 5,353 Mother’s Night Out – tickets and 16,462 raffles Father’s Day Stalls 4,150 Father’s Day Breakfast – tickets and 11,090 raffles Spring Fair 32,000 Open Day 1,672 Junior School Showcase 1,260 Estee Lauder Night tickets 350 Products from EL night 650 TOTAL 88,289

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thank you to our ‘tribe’ of parents and friends of the College who has volunteered, donated, participated and supported our efforts.

Every little bit has counted to bring together this record fundraising amount - it is our biggest to date.

On behalf of the executive team, I would like to thank our committee for:       

turning up to 20 meetings this year selling close to 3,000 tickets being part of 12 events sourcing over 300 stall products and raffle prizes enduring multiple days of food prep, serving over 1000 meals and doing it all while smiling.

Desma Spyridopoulos Assistant Secretary

To our executive team – thank you for tirelessly collaborating to bring the vision of each event together, recording it for future reference and for being the conduit between the school and the community.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL REPORT JUNIOR SCHOOL AWARDS To be presented to students at the Academic Excellence and Students Leadership Assembly Years 3 – 12, on Tuesday 11th December 2018 First Name 3 Amethyst Vivien Anthony Zoe Mariella Katia Noah Alexander Evan

Surname

Certificate

Kotsohili Soumilas Leondaris Constantinidis Dounis-Smith Kiriakos Catharios Guerrera

1st English, 1st Maths, 1st Science, 2nd Geography, 1st Greek Gr1 1st Geography, 3rd Science 2nd Science, 3rd English 2nd English 3rd Geography 2nd Maths 3rd Maths, 1st Greek Gr3 Most Improved

3 Garnet Francesco Nikolaos Antonia Andrew Nicholas Kostan Julian Christian

Stavropoulos Dovellos Kotsohili Panayi Hadjiparaskeva Papadopoulos Stathis Liaskos

1st English, 1st Geography, 3rd Science =3rd Greek Gr1 1st Maths, 1st Science, 2nd English, 2nd Geography, 2rd Greek Gr1 1st Greek Gr2, 3rd English, 3rd Geography 2nd Maths =3rd Maths 2nd Science =3rd Maths Most Improved

3 Sapphire Nicholas Bettina Adriana Cameron Sam Sophia Zoe Diana

Soumilas Winnel Poulos Dionisopoulos Nicotera Gatsis Sigrimis Bastas

1st English, 1st Maths, 1st Geography, 2nd Science 1st Science, 2nd English, 2nd Maths, 2nd Geography 3rd English 3rd Science 3rd Maths, =3rd Geography =3rd Geography =3rd Greek Gr1 Most Improved

4 Coral George Zac Bianca Emmanuel Louis Vakina Paige Katreen

Georgantzakos Boutsalis Soumilas Moros Degabriele Cilmi Sigrimis Darwish

1st English, 2nd Science, =2nd Geography, 2rd Greek Gr1 2nd Maths, =2nd Geography, 3rd English, =3rd Science =3rd Science 1st Maths, 1st Science, 1st Geography 2nd English 3rd Maths, 1st Greek Gr3 1st Greek Gr2 Most Improved

4 Turquoise Michaela Michael Panayiota Mitchell Peter Krystal Khrysa

Deftereos Boutsalis Kranidiotis Coutts Soumilas Preketes Psillakis

1st English, 1st Maths, 1st Science, 1st Geography, 1st Greek Gr1 2nd English, 2nd Maths, 2nd Geography, 3rd Science 2nd Science 3rd English 3rd Maths, Most Improved 3rd Geography 3rd Greek Gr1

5 Amber Peter Peter Amali George Lara Alster Ioannis

Baroutis Winnel Roumanous Agiasotis Stathis Dhamari Koliopanos

1st Geography, 2nd English, 2nd Science, 3rd Maths, 3rd Greek Gr1 1st Maths 1st English, 2nd Geography 2nd Maths, 3rd Science, 3rd Geography 3rd English 1st Science 1st Greek Gr1, Most Improved

5 Iris Georgia Franklin George Chrissy Christof Mariah Ellie Sophia Akis

Karatasos Skouteris Alexandratos Drakakis Bieri Sartzetakis Liaskos Paparsenos Dimitrakopoulos

1st Maths, 1st Geography 1st Science, 2nd Geography, 2nd Greek Gr1, 3rd Maths 2nd Maths, 2nd Science 1st English 3rd Science 2nd English 3rd English 3rd Geography 1st Greek Gr2, Most Improved

6 Magenta Tara Elizabeth Holly Sophia Isabelle Sarah Victoria Chloe Christos Fotini

Zinopoulos Notaras Durrant Lane Zeiderman Constantinidis Stathos Kristallis Paraschos Tsakirios

1st English, =1st Science, 3rd Geography 1st Maths 3rd English, 3rd Science, =3rd Maths =1st Science, 2nd English 1st Geography =3rd Maths 2nd Maths, 3rd Greek Gr1 2nd Geography 2nd Greek Gr1 Most Improved

6 Pearl Alexandra Andrew Catherine Dimitra Julia Isabella Denny Chrysoula Katerina

Bizannes Dalessis Coutts Kasmas Kamaras Koutoulogenis Poulos Kirkis Dimitrakopoulos

1st English, 1st Maths, 1st Science, 3rd Geography 2nd English, 2nd Maths, =3rd Science 2nd Geography, 3rd Maths =3rd English =3rd Science 1st Geography, 1st Greek Gr1 1st Greek Gr2, 2nd Science =3rd English 1st Greek Gr3, Most Improved

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Dear Parents and Well-wishes of our beautiful school.

We have come to the end of another eventful and productive school year. I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to you all, for your cooperation and contributions towards ensuring that our students academic and pastoral welfare was adequately catered for. The successes we have experienced are due mainly to the collaborative spirit and effort, generated by our administrative staff, our academic staff and our parent body. I wish you all a joyous and safe holiday period. May 2019 bring you greater contentment, tranquility and perfect health.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION 2018 What a spectacular and glamourous evening it was. Beautiful dĂŠcor, good food, inspirational speeches, all topped off with energetic yet graceful dance sequences. That morning our students left us after rehearsals, by the evening, they returned, magically morphed into elegant young gentlemen and ladies. The poise and dignity in which they carried themselves made us all as proud as any parent or grandparent present. Our students ensured that they did justice to the immense effort that was put into the planning of the event by all concerned. I am positive that they are grateful for the indelible memory that this occasion created.

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YEAR 6 CANBERRA CAMP REVIEW Recently Year 6 went on camp for three days to Canberra, within our national capital. As part of the camp, students experienced first-hand the two houses of Parliament, role playing the House of Representatives, and participated in a secret ballot at the Electoral Commission.

Students also visited the National Museum of Australia to interact with historical stories told via artefacts, and learnt of important design aspects of Canberra City. In addition, a solemn visit to the Australian War Memorial focused students on the importance of Remembrance.

Furthermore, students extended their scientific thinking, at both the Questacon Innovation Workshop, and the National Science and Technology Centre.

To conclude their learning, students toured the Australian Institute of Sport, and spent time trialing their own sporting skills and strengths in the interactive space; Sportex. Eating nutritional foods with the athletes was a highlight each night!

Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed their camp experience, and wanted to thank the staff for taking them on such a rich and meaningful learning adventure!

Ms D. McCarthy Primary Coordinator CHRISTMAS CAROLS Christmas Carols will be held in the Junior School courtyard on Monday 10th December after morning assembly at 8:30am.

All welcome to join in singing our favourite Christmas Carols. All students may wear Christmas colours on this day.

ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY Tuesday 11th December 2018 Below you will find some information regarding our last day of the 2018 Academic Year. Please note that there will be no After School Care or Canteen on this day due to early dismissal.

Years 3 to 6 are to attend Academic Leadership Assembly at the SPACe (Senior School Campus 1130 Anzac Pde, Maroubra). Primary students are to be dropped off at the Senior School by 9:00am and be dressed in Full School Uniform.

They will be seated with their teachers by 9:15am. Parents will need to take Primary students home with them at the conclusion of the Assembly (approximately 11:30am).

Delphians: Kiara Zabetakis and Aston Roumanous Olympians: Eliyah Natsikas and Ryan Lynch Nemeans: Chrissy Drakakis and Philip Preketes Mr A. Dookie Acting Principal

Kindergarten to Year 2, are to arrive at the Junior School at normal time. Parents to collect Infants children by 12:00pm or as soon as practical if you are attending the Academic Leadership Assembly.

Private Bus children will be bussed to and from the Senior Campus. Please note early departure time of 12pm. This means, you will need to meet your child at the designated bus stop earlier.

For the safety of the students of our College I ask that you exercise extreme caution as you approach and leave the Senior Campus. The grass area opposite the Senior School admin building will be available for parking.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADERS 2019 Congratulations to the following students who have been elected to the Junior School Leadership Team for 2019.

The younger students will be looking to you for leadership by example.

CAPTAINS Amali Roumanous and George Agiasotis VICE CAPTAINS Georgia Karatasos and Peter Winnel PREFECTS Cara Diamond, Nicola Lisgaris, Sophia Paparsenos, Spyridoula Karagiorgou, Steven Paras, George Alexandratos, Akis Dimitrakopoulos and Zane Rallis.

HOUSE CAPTAINS Corinthians: Georgia Gousetis and Peter Asproukos 11

SENIOR SCHOOL REPORT OUR WEATHER STATION CAPTURES HEAVY RAINFALL

PLASTIC POLLUTION SOLUTIONS Presentation by Anthony Hill

On the 27th November more than 100 mm (four inches) of rain fell in less than 24 hours across the city, it was Sydney's wettest November day since 1984. This extreme event was recorded by our weather station, which has been operating more than a year at St Spyridon College. The data can be received, processed and seen online.

Years 7 and 8 Science students have been learning about the different environments and ecosystems of the world, as well as the various materials and resources that they are made up of.

We have studied sustainable and unsustainable resources and the overuse of some materials, such as plastic. Plastic is the most used resource in our era and is used in nearly everything including packaging, furniture, clothing, body products and many other things. However, it comes with its negatives. For example, plastic is a major threat to wildlife and the environment, and has been linked to negative human health impacts such as endocrine disruption. As we are the new scientists of this generation, we have a moral obligation to help reduce the dangers of plastic and to protect the world that we depend on.

On the graph below a “spike “can be seen, that illustrates the heavy rainfall; moreover in the same graph it is evident that the line which represents humidity peaks over the period of the heavy rain. Year 7 had the opportunity, during class, to operate the weather station and analyse the data.

Last Friday the 30th of November, Years 7 and 8 students expanded our knowledge and appreciation of this issue as guest presenter, Anthony Hill, spoke to us in the SPACe. Anthony Hill is the founder of “Plastic Pollution Solutions” and is a highly experienced science presenter. He travels around Australia educating students and adults about the dangers of plastic and how it pollutes the environment, and by engaging the audience with informative and fun activities.

The weather station is a project of cooperation between our college and the Greek weather observatory of Athens. It is exciting that such events, like the above, can be studied by scientists in Greece from data that a Greek college in Australia received. Anyone can access the weather station online at http://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/sydney/ .

Wishing you an enjoyable navigation at the website!

Mr A. Karras Science Teacher

We left the presentation with newly learned knowledge, including strategies that we can 12

apply now and in the future to reduce our dependence on plastic. We also learned how we as students can better manage the plastic that is currently already in our lives, so that we can reduce the negative impacts on the environment that we all depend on.

Gabriella Guerrera & Nektarios Kollias Year 7 Dr J. McPhee Science Teacher VISIT TO ST BASIL’S NURSING HOME As part of the “Preparing for the Preliminaries Course”, Year 10 went to St Basil’s nursing home at Randwick. It was a very moving experience and one which will remain with us forever. We sang the hymn of Saint Spyridon to the residents there, followed by Christmas songs in both Greek and English. We had the blessing of receiving a painting from Father Milton as well as talking to the residents there and handing out Christmas cards which the Year 7 students had prepared. Frances-Lee and I had the opportunity to play piano to one of the residents who housed a 180 year old antique piano in his room. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed this experience and being able to give back to the community during this time of year. We look forward to visiting the nursing home again in the future.

Efthimia Kollias Year 10

Mrs A. Katsogiannis Principal Senior School Deputy Head of College

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MIDDLE SCHOOL REPORT behaving respectfully. All who attended had a wonderful time and I am told they also enjoyed the generous and tasty meals served.

We have once again reached the end of the school year and like so many others it seems we have all been swept up in a magnificent whirlwind of endless activity. The break at this time of year offers us a time to celebrate, show gratitude, reflect on all we have achieved and all that we need to work towards improving, plus of course the opportunity for well earnt rest and renewal, so that we can do it all again with even more passion and hope next year.

Wishing all students and families a very blessed Christmas and joyful 2019!

WET’N’WILD EXCURSION

MAPLE

REWARD

Yesterday 100 students from the Middle School travelled to Wet’n’Wild for the annual MAPLE excursion. This activity is the reward excursion for students who have worked hard in doing their best to Maintain A Positive Learning Environment all year. This means they have demonstrated their responsibilities as students of St Spyridon College well by: wearing their uniform correctly, being organized for their classes, completing set work regularly and 14

END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY

MIDDLE

SCHOOL

Perfect Attendance for the Year Award Winners

Today we celebrated the student achievements during Term 4 and also acknowledged those who had outstanding records over the year in attendance and for showing ‘Excellence in Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment’.

Year 7: Charles Georgas, Petar Jovanovic, Michael Miller, Edeline Shalhoub Year 8: Penny Kezalas, Alex Stamoulis Year 9: Anastasia Dougenis, Andreja Jovanovic

Students from the Middle School also performed a number of musical items for their peers during the assembly which culminated with the much anticipated Kris Kringle gift exchange.

Excellence in ‘MAINTAINING A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT’ Medal Winners Year 7: Larisa Arnautovic, Alexandra Constantine, Crystal Coulits, Eleni Stratilias.

Year 8: James Cardamis, Adriana Drakoulis Penny Kezalas, Anastasia Lambrou, Alexander Nikitopoulos, Kira Papamihalis, Christina Pascalis, Alex Skountzos, Erin Zinopoulos.

Year 9: James Bletsas, Christina Borean, Stephanie Bousoutis, Athena Demetriou, Elise Georgiou, Anastasia Gikas, Maria Grivas, Eleni Haralambidis, Evan Hatgis, Demi Micos, Elleni Mouskos, Maria-Angela Patsalis, Evan Tsiokos.

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LEADERSHIP Congratulations to the Year 9 students who have qualified as Peer Support Leaders of Year 7 2019.

1. Teoni Antonopoulos 2. James Bletsas 1. Christina Borean 2. Vasilis Bounos 3. Billy Bourdaniotis 4. Stephanie Bousoutis 5. Chanele Bteddini 6. Rida Chowdhury 7. Alexia Costa 8. Athena Demetriou 9. Mary Diamond 10. Anastasia Dougenis 11. Mihalis Dovellos 12. Nicoletta Fatouros 13. Katherine Fragias 14. Elise Georgiou 15. Anastasia Gikas 16. Maria Grivas 17. Costantino Hadjiparaskeva 18. Eleni Haralambides 19. Evan Hatgis 20. Anthony Hatzigiakoumis 21. Carolyn Makridopolus 22. Taylor Marinos 23. Anneta Maroulis 24. Valandi Michael

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27. Demi Micos 28. Anna-Simone Mina 29. Elleni Mouskos 30. Maria-Angela Patsalis 31. Madelyn Perdikakis 32. Franklin Pyliotis 33. Theresa Sevastopoulos 34. Spencer Shalhoub 35. Valentina Spyridopoulos 36. Vicki Synesios 37. Dean Tsalikis 38. Evan Tsiokos 39. Alexei Tsiribas 40. Gregory Tsoukalas 41. Lexine Turner 42. Alannah Vezos 43. Michael Vlahos

YEARLY REPORTS

SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Students will soon be receiving their Yearly Reports. It is important for both parents and students to be aware that the Examination mark and rank (if included) reflect a single task that was sat by all students under examination conditions and is not what determines the students overall performance for the year that subject. This mark is meant to provide information on how well the student has performed in a task set under stringent examination conditions. The Assessment Mark on the other hand provides the cumulative result of all assessments completed during the year (including the Yearly Examination mark) and the students rank in their year/subject level.

Classes for 2019 are determined by the Assessment Mark. Most will find out all their classes in the new year.

The article below recently caught my attention and thought it worthy to share here, especially as at this time of year we often reflect on what has passed and make plans for the future. The writer provides much food for thought, relating to some sobering realities concerning issues we as teachers are seeing more and more often. Along with some simple, practical and logical suggestions on how parents can help navigate their children away from the statistics given in the article.

All students are reminded that they do not need to bring any text books or exercise books on their first day of school in 2019, as timetables will not be issued until that day. Instead they are to bring their pencil case, and a note pad to record the days work in temporarily.

There is a silent tragedy developing right now, in our homes, and it concerns our most precious jewels - our children. Many researchers, teachers and professionals who have been working with children for the last 15 years have been noticing this alarming development. …. which is now reaching epidemic proportions:

THE SILENT TRAGEDY AFFECTING TODAY’S CHILDREN Excerpts taken from a post by Victoria Prooday (Occupational Therapist & Psychotherapist)

WHITE PEARL BALL UPDATE

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As you all would be aware our students assisted with set-up for the ball in the afternoon and the selling of raffle tickets among other things on the evening of that event. We have recently learnt that the event raised a massive $192,000, far surpassing the $140,000 goal to buy the Elipot reader, a specialized piece of equipment for the Brain Cancer Research facility at RNSH.

  

1 in 5 children has mental health problems 43% increase in ADHD 37% increase in teen depression 100% increase in suicide rate in kids 1014 years old

No, “increased diagnostics alone” is not the reason for these statistics!

No, “they all are just born like this” is not the answer for these either!

No, “it is all the school system’s fault” is not the answer!

Yes, as painful as it can be to admit, in many cases, WE, parents, are the answer to many of our kids’ struggles!

Mrs Suzane Peponis-Brisimis, Founder of the White Pearl Ball and a Director of The Brain Cancer Group, in a recent email said: “Thank you and the College and the volunteer students for everything. You were all a critical part of the event’s success… the Bank of Sydney staff have expressed to me how fantastic the students were to work with and how well they performed their duties. I feel very proud of them as I am sure are their parents and the College”.

It is scientifically proven that the brain has the capacity to rewire itself through the environment.

Unfortunately, with the environment and parenting styles that we are providing to our children, we are rewiring their 18

brains in a wrong direction and contributing to their challenges in everyday life.

Yes, there are and always have been children who are born with disabilities and despite their parents’ best efforts to provide them with a wellbalanced environment and parenting, their children continue to struggle. These are NOT the children who are the focus here.

How can it be fixed?

It is the many others whose challenges are greatly shaped by the environmental factors that parents, with their greatest intentions, provide to their children

Offer kids a well-balanced lifestyle filled with what kids NEED, not just what they WANT. Don’t be afraid to say “No!” to your kids if what they want is not what they need.

If we want our children to grow into happy and healthy individuals, we have to go back to the basics: 1. Set limits and remember that you are your child’s PARENT, not a friend.

What is going wrong?

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Today’s children are being deprived of the fundamentals of a healthy childhood, such as:

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     

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Emotionally available parents Clearly defined limits and guidance Responsibilities Balanced nutrition and adequate sleep Movement and outdoors Creative play, social interaction, opportunities for unstructured times and boredom….YES BOREDOM!

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Instead, children are being served with:      

Provide nutritious food and limit snacks.

Spend one hour a day in green space: outside time biking, walking, playing with the dog in the garden.

Have a daily technology-free family dinner.

Play one board game a day Involve your child in one chore a day (folding laundry, tidying up their room, hanging clothes, unpacking groceries, setting the table, etc) Implement consistent sleep routine to ensure that your child gets lots of sleep in a technology-free bedroom

2. Teach responsibility and independence.

Don’t over-protect them from small failures. It trains them the skills needed to overcome greater life’s challenges:

Digitally distracted parents Indulgent parents who let kids “Rule the world” Sense of entitlement rather than responsibility Inadequate sleep and unbalanced nutrition Sedentary indoor lifestyle Endless stimulation, technological babysitters, instant gratification, and absence of dull moments

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Don’t pack your child’s backpack, don’t carry their backpack, don’t bring to school their forgotten lunch box/or assignment/or homework. Teach them the skills rather than do it for them.

3. Teach delayed gratification and provide opportunities for “boredom” as boredom is the time when creativity awakens:

Could anyone imagine that it is possible to raise a healthy generation in such an unhealthy environment? Of course not! There are no shortcuts to parenting, and we can’t trick human nature. Our children pay for the loss of wellbalanced childhood with their emotional wellbeing.

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Don’t feel responsible for being your child’s entertainment crew.

Do not use technology as a cure for boredom.

Avoid using technology during meals, in cars, restaurants, shopping centers. Use these moments as opportunities to train

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their brains to function under “boredom” Help them create a “boredom first aid kit” with activity ideas for “I am bored” times.

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4. Be emotionally available to connect with kids and teach them self-regulation and social skills:  Turn off your phones until kids are in bed to avoid digital distraction.  Become your child’s emotional coach.

Teach them to recognize and deal with frustration and anger.  Teach greeting, turn taking, sharing, empathy, table manners, conversation skills.  Connect emotionally – Smile, hug, kiss, tickle, read, dance, jump, or crawl with your child.

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TECH TALK FRIDAY Give the Gift of Screen-less Fun this Holiday Season

A cinema light box is a marquee for your teen or tween. They can set up their favourite sayings or make up some of their own and display them on the backlit box.

A mini diffuser can make a room smell great.

How about a Strange Dream Journal for your teen—talking about dreams is something the whole family can do—as a parent, do you have any dreams you remember from growing up?

An alarm clock is an important gift. In fact, it keeps on giving—every day that a young person does not use the phone as an alarm clock means longer and deeper sleep (research has shown this).

There are some with a Bluetooth speaker so if your teen likes something audio at bedtime (such as the app “CALM”), then it could be piped in from a phone or other device outside the bedroom into the speaker. For a child, there is a robot alarm clock which is pretty cool, as the eyes even light up.

2. Sign younger kids up for Little Passports. A business begun by two mothers from the USA, to inspire children to learn about the world.

They send a package each month and youth love getting the package in the mail.

With every passing year finding presents for your children that don’t involve some sort of attention-demanding tech becomes more and more difficult.

A new phone. A new video game. There’s always something else that, if you buy it, can ultimately create friction between you and your child when you are trying to support less screen time.

3. Give magazine subscriptions. New Moon Magazine is wonderful for girls from ages 8 to 12-years old. You might also consider Nat Geo Kids, Sports Illustrated Kids, and Outside Magazine.

Then, there's the problem of making this gift, which can be seen as a compromise for some kids, as fun. After all, what good is a screenless present, if your child isn't going to use it?

4. Remember the Rubik’s Cube? Skewb ultimate is that on steroids. The 12-sided puzzle is in the shape of a dodecahedron. Scramble the colors then restore them to their original configuration. This will keep your kid busy for hours.

1. Consider a gift that adds a fun or relaxing touch to a bedroom. The more a room can be thought of as a space for reflection, creativity, and relaxation, the better – rather than a place to sink into screen time. (In fact, I highly recommend making bedrooms screen-free zones for kids less than mid-high school age). Here are a few gifts ideas to support this sentiment:

5. This 3D Globe Puzzle makes a great gift as well as a fantastic family activity. It is pricey but may be a wonderful way to bond as a family.

The 540-piece puzzle looks like an exact replica of a globe when it is built.

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6. Offline Games…. here some ideas: We Didn't Playtest This At All. This ridiculous game gives players cards that will most likely make everyone else lose within one or two turns. It is a game of survival where no one survives for very long, but everyone wants to play again anyway.

Fluxx. If you are a type A personality this game will drive you nuts. The goal of the game, along with the rules, keep changing as you play. There are five types of cards: Keeper, Creeper, New Rule, Goal, and Action cards.

Once a player has the Keeper cards in front of them that match the Goal card in play, they win. Pretty simple until someone adds a new rule or changes the goal.

Machi Koro. Using dice, cards, and a little luck each player is working to build the best city.

Each player must roll dice to collect money from their property cards. That money can then be used to buy more property cards to collect even more money or to build one of four landmarks needed to win the game. A wonderful game of strategy and chance with beautiful artwork to enjoy when you are losing to your children.

7. Creation gifts are the best—what about creating music? A harmonica or perhaps a ukulele? And it is so great that there are many lessons on the internet for free.

8. A songwriting journal is perfect for your young musician. This unique journal has lines for lyrics and melody as well as spots for the feel and groove of their toon.

9. Tickets to see music, a sports game. A gift certificate to StubHub is a way for them to choose what they want to do when they are ready. A bonus is if you will say it is time with you—kids and teens want some undistracted fun time with us often more than they let on 10. For the budding chef, this edible flower garden could be a nice gift.

Ms G. Kokinelis Dean of Middle School

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GREEK COLUMN Αγαπητοί γονείς και φίλοι,

όπου κατάγεται η μητέρα μου. Ήθελα να δω πού γεννήθηκε και να γνωρίσω τον πολιτισμό του νησιού της. Τις επόμενες μέρες καταφέραμε να εξερευνήσουμε τη Σύμη από τη μια άκρη ως την άλλη. Μου άρεσαν πάρα πολύ οι ψαροταβέρνες της, οι γραφικές παραλίες της και ο ήρεμος τρόπος ζωής.

Μία ακόμη σχολική χρονιά φτάνει στο τέλος της. Σε αυτή την τελευταία έκδοση θα σας κρατήσουμε συντροφιά με τις γραπτές εργασίες μαθητριών της Γ΄ Γυμνασίου από τους διαγωνισμούς του Β΄ Εξαμήνου. Καλές γιορτές σε όλους και καλά αποτελέσματα στους μαθητές της Γ΄ Λυκείου.

Χθες, πήγαμε στη Σαντορίνη. Η Ελένη ήθελε να δει το νησί και να απολαύσει το ηλιοβασίλεμα για το οποίο μιλούν όλοι όσοι έχουν επισκεφτεί το νησί. Σήμερα ευχαριστηθήκαμε κολύμπι και ήλιο. Σε μια ώρα θα πάμε για δείπνο σε μια ταβέρνα με νόστιμα θαλασσινά.

Καλή ανάγνωση κα Μ. Φαλέτα Topic: a) You are on a holiday with your best friend. Write a diary entry of approximately 120 words in GREEK describing your trip thus far.

Πριν επιστρέψουμε στην Αυστραλία θα πάμε στη Μύκονο και στη Θεσσαλονίκη. Μου αρέσει πάρα πολύ το ταξίδι με την Ελένη και όλες οι εμπειρίες που μοιραστήκαμε ως τώρα.

Explain: Where you have been?

What did you do there?

What did you like?

Do you like travelling with your best friend?

Εδώ σ’αφήνω και θα τα ξαναπούμε σύντομα. Θεώνη Teoni Antonopoulos Year 9 (Modern Greek Year 10)

Αγαπητό μου ημερολόγιο, Πάλι σε σένα θα ανοίξω την καρδιά μου... Τον περασμένο μήνα, εγώ και η φιλενάδα μου η Ελένη αποφασίσαμε να πάμε στην Ελλάδα για διακοπές. Υπήρχαν πολλές προετοιμασίες για το ταξίδι. Μόλις κλείσαμε εισιτήρια, αρχίσαμε να ετοιμάζουμε τις βαλίτσες μας. Ήμασταν πολύ ενθουσιασμένες που θα πηγαίναμε στην Ελλάδα και που θα ταξιδεύαμε μαζί! Βάλαμε μαγιό, καπέλα, σανδάλια και γυαλιά ηλίου στις αποσκευές μας έτσι ήμασταν έτοιμες για τα μπάνια μας στις ωραίες παραλίες της Ελλάδας.

Topic: b) Write a diary entry of approximately 120 words in GREEK, where you describe a night out celebrating a birthday. You may wish to include the following information: Whose party it was?

Where did you go and what did you do?

Did you like it?

Entertainment at this function End of the night/presents

Μετά από τρεις ατέλειωτες εβδομάδες, η ημέρα επιτέλους ήρθε που πήραμε τα πράγματά μας, τα εισιτήρια και τα διαβατήριά μας και ξεκινήσαμε για το μακρινό ταξίδι στην Ελλάδα με αεροπλάνο φυσικά. Έπειτα από εισιτέσσερις ώρες πτήση φτάσαμε στην Αθήνα! Μείναμε σ’ένα ξενοδοχείο με θέα την λαμπρή Ακρόπολη. Την άλλη μέρα τριγυρίσαμε στην πόλη, ανεβήκαμε στην Ακρόπολη, θαυμάσαμε τον Παρθενώνα και είδαμε όλη την Αθήνα από ψηλά. Μετά αποφασίσαμε να πάμε στο μουσείο της Ακρόπολης να μάθουμε για την Ιστορία μας. Την επόμενη μέρα, πήραμε το πλοίο από το λιμάνι του Πειραιά για το νησί της Σύμης από

Πάλι σε σένα θα ανοίξω την καρδιά μου... Το περασμένο Σάββατο, είχα μια υπέροχη βραδιά! Ήταν τα γενέθλια της φίλης μου της Μαγδαληνής κι έτσι αποφασίσαμε να βγούμε και να γιορτάσουμε το γεγονός έξω.

Αγαπητό μου ημερολόγιο,

Η διασκέδαση άρχισε νωρίς. Αποφασίσαμε να πάμε πρώτα στο σινεμά. Η Μαγδαληνή είχε καλέσει και άλλους δέκα φίλους και φίλες. Κανονίσαμε να δούμε το έργο «Daddy’s Day Care». Η Μαγδαληνή επέλεξε αυτήν την ταινία επειδή σε όλους μας αρέσουν οι κωμωδίες. Γελάσαμε τόσο πολύ, που εγώ έκλαιγα από τα γέλια! Στη διάρκεια της ταινίας φυσικά όλοι 22

τρώγαμε πόπκορν (καλαμπόκι) και πίναμε αναψυκτικά. Μόλις τελείωσε η ταινία, η Μαγδαληνή μας ενημέρωσε ότι είχε κλείσει τραπέζι σε ένα εστιατόριο που το όνομά του είναι «Ταβερνάκι». Φτάσαμε στο εστιατόριο κατά τις εφτά η ώρα. Μας οδήγησαν στο τραπέζι μας και στη συνέχεια μας έφεραν πολλά νόστιμα φαγητά. Μας φέρανε ψητό χταποδάκι, τηγανητό χαλούμι και χωριάτικη σαλάτα. Το αγαπημένο μου πιάτο εκείνο το βράδυ ήταν το αρνί στο φούρνο. Έλιωνε στο στόμα μου, ήταν τέλειο! Τελειώνοντας το φαγητό μας, ακούσαμε μερικούς μουσικούς που προετοιμάζανε τα όργανά τους για να μας κρατήσουν συντροφιά με ελληνική μουσική και τραγούδια. Χορεύαμε όλη νύχτα και ξεχάσαμε όλες τις δυσκολίες του σχολείου. Το αγαπήσαμε το βράδυ αυτό τόσο πολύ, που κανονίσαμε να ξαναβγούμε όλοι μαζί, την άλλη βδομάδα, στο ίδιο μέρος. Εδώ σ’αφήνω. Θα τα ξαναπούμε σύντομα γιατί τώρα είμαι κουρασμένη και νυστάζω... Ελένη Alannah Vezos Year 9 (Modern Greek Year 10)

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SPORTS COLUMN BOYS SPORTS flawless. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of their game was their ability to execute excellent defence and in particular capitalise on winning the majority of the defensive rebounds. The team now sits in 2nd place and are making a strong case for a semi-final birth. The 14s are also managing to improve every week a mantra that is echoed in boys sport at training. The team enjoyed substantial possession throughout the game and more impressively were not rushed in attack and showed that when they are focussed they can win games on the back of their wellrehearsed set plays.

ISA BOYS BASKETBALL Saturday 1st December was the last round of boys’ basketball for the season with all teams playing at home against St Stanislaus College. In round 1 the boys travelled to the Bathurst School to be left disappointed with the outcome. On Saturday in the return fixtures the junior boys’ teams really rallied behind each other and showcased their excellent progress this season.

They managed to secure wins in the U13, U14 and U15’s. Perhaps the highlight of the round was the U13 boy’s fixture where the boys won their first game of the season.

While the Open boys and U17 boys were not as fortunate as the juniors Jordan Polyzos in the U17 team and John Dalakiaris in the opens were impressive wining many offensive and defensive rebounds. In particular John has really stepped up this season and his basketball has improved making him one of the leaders in the open boys’ team.

The team managed to play a really composed game of basketball and while not all their set plays in attack were effective the boys are playing better attacking basketball and the team dynamics continue to improve.

The boys and their coach Mr Panos Bounos deserve to be congratulated for their perseverance and determination which proved to be one of their most dominant performances of the year. It has been steady and gradual progress for this team. The boys are learning every week and their improved performances helped them achieve a memorable victory.

ISA BOYS CRICKET After 3 consecutive wins the team has suffered two losses in recent weeks. Last Saturday the boys team was defeated by Scots All Saints College in a tough encounter, while this week the team lost to Oxley College. While the defeats are a setback there is a sense of belief in the team that with 4 remaining games in the New Year the team has a good chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Round 5 v SAS Perhaps the highlight for the week was both the excellent batting contribution from all the boys in chasing a big total but also Nicholas Lisgaris who for the first time opened the batting and achieved a personal high score of 19 after batting for over an hour.

The 14s and 15s were also strong on the weekend with the U15s very positive and measured in attack against a team that defeated them by a margin in round 1. The 15s had done their homework and were by far more clinical than they were last week against St Gregory’s College. They found the net more often than not and their transition from defence into attack was

Batting Highlights: C. Jenkins 43 G. Hatzidis 33 personal best S. Zafiropoulos 21

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Bowling Highlights:

Upcoming sports events for 2019

S. Zafiropoulos 2 for 28 off 10 B. Hickman 2 for 31 off 8 overs B. Borodyansky 3 for 38 off 10 M. Giokas 2 for 37 off 10 overs This week was the last home game for the year 12 boys and while the loss was neither the outcome required nor desirable the boys have been impressive in their promotion of the sport and their relentless pursuit to improve their cricket skills. The schools New Year 12 students have laid the platform for the continuity of cricket at the school through their enthusiasm and relentless promotion of cricket at the College.



Round 1 Basketball Saturday 2nd February



Combined Senior and Junior School swimming carnival Thursday 21st February.

and

Cricket

Mr F. Kaldis Boys Sports

GIRLS SPORTS GIRLS BASKETBALL Round 5 TEAM OPEN B

OPPONENT Oxley College

OPEN D

Blue Mountains Grammar School Redlands

INTERMEDIATE JUNIOR B JUNIOR C Round 6

Chevalier Redlands

RESULT 30-34 LOST 22-18 WIN

MVP Anthea Condous Vivienne Hatzgiakoumis

24-18 WIN 44-14 WIN 30-19 LOST

Alexia Costa

RESULT 33-18 WIN

MVP Nicoletta Tsimboukis

24-6 WIN 17-34 LOST

Vivienne Hatzgiakoumis Elleni Mouskos

24-4 WIN

Jasmin Moros

40-18 WIN

Elena Kaldis

Victoria Xylas Katerina Alexandratos

Round 6

Batting Highlight: Spiros Zafiropoulos 57 runs

TEAM OPEN B

All the boys’ teams will be having a holiday training session which will be posted on the app, emailed and conveyed to students at school.

OPEN D

I would like to thank all families for their support and encouragement of sport at the College it has been a wonderful 2018 sporting year and a very memorable basketball season and cricket season to date.

INTERMEDIATE

Wishing all families a safe and joyous festive season and a happy and prosperous New Year.

JUNIOR C

JUNIOR B

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OPPONENT Central Coast Grammar School Oakhill College Central Coast Grammar School Blue Mountains Grammar School Chevalier

After 6 rounds of the ISA Summer Season all teams have started extremely well showing an immense amount of potential and development of their skills. Congratulations to all teams please see the current standings after at the conclusion of Round 6: BASKETBALL OPEN B OPEN D INTERMEDIATE JUNIOR B JUNIOR C TOUCH FOOTBALL

3rd Place 2nd Place 4th Place 2nd Place 4th Place 5th Place

The girls are encouraged to practice their skills and maintain their fitness over the break so that we can improve on our positions in preparation for the semi -finals.

TERM 1 DATES Saturday 2nd February – Round 7 ISA Saturday 9th February – Round 8 ISA Saturday 16th February – Round 9 ISA Saturday 23rd February – Round 10 ISA Saturday 2nd March – ISA Semi Finals Saturday 9th March – ISA Finals Mrs K. O’Shea Girls Sports

GIRLS TOUCH FOOTBALL Round 5 TEAM Junior

OPPONENT Blue Mountains Grammar School

RESULT 2-1 LOST

MVP Gabriella Guerrera

OPPONENT OXLEY

RESULT 2-1 LOST

MVP Gabriella Guerrera

3-2 WIN

Sienna Tsoukalas

Round 6 TEAM Junior

Chevalier

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