AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI

Transcription

1 AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI 10 th September, 2012 Vol.19.No.23 FROM THE PRINCIPAL Last week saw the final prize draws for the 2012 Envirowalk. The winners of the major prizes were: 1 st Prize Louise Spratt Year 9 6 th Prize Samantha Glenie Year 10 2 nd Prize Kristina Yannopoulos Year 8 7 th Prize Nathan O Donnell Year 12 3 rd Prize Laura Grady Year 10 8 th Prize Amanda McGuire Year 10 4 th Prize Sarah Knoke Year 9 9 th Prize Tiana Thibault-Bugden Year 9 5 th Prize Renee Gritter Year 7 10 th Prize Joseph Fama Year 7 Congratulations to these all students, and these in particular on raising funds that will help leave a significant legacy for successive generations of Aquinas students. At the time of going to press the amount raised by the community was an amazing $ As last Friday s news showed Catholic schools have a great tradition of raising funds to make up the shortfall in government funding to ensure our students receive the best educational opportunities that we can provide them. Whilst parental choice of an independent school for their children acknowledges a cost differential shortfall it beggars belief that a government can slash an educational budget in September that will impact in schools in January. A letter regarding this matter from the Catholic Bishops of NSW was ed on Friday and is also on the College website. I would encourage parents to contact their local state members to seek clarification around the proposed government cuts and their impacts on all schools. A press release from Dr Dan White, Executive Director of CEO, Sydney is also included in this newsletter, which also contains pertinent information around this vexing issue. Congratulations are in order for Lauren Mowll of Year 10 who has been offered a place in the Rowing Australia High Performance Development Program. Well done Lauren!! In keeping with the sporting theme, the NSW Catholic College s state wide Cochrane Cup [for Under 14 sides] Grand final is being played this Wednesday at St Mary s. Good luck to the side and our supporters from Year 8 will no doubt spur them on to great deeds. Please find following a statement from Dr Dan White regarding a document that is being issued to all families today in afternoon pastoral class. James Corcoran Principal Dear Parents * * * Sexual Abuse: The Response of the Archdiocese of Sydney Over recent months there have been many commentaries in the media with respect to the Catholic Church s handling of allegations of sexual abuse. The document from the Archdiocese of Sydney is a clear, unambiguous articulation of the Church s responses to issues of sexual abuse. The document highlights four key principles: i. The victims of sexual abuse are the first priority. ii. Preventing abuse and protecting people is an absolute priority of parishes and schools. iii. Sexual abuse is a crime which must be reported to the police. iv. There is no protection of abusers and no cover ups. Anzac Road Menai NSW 2234 Phone Facsimile admin@aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au 20 Years of being Enlivened by the Spirit

2 All Catholic Schools and Parishes are totally committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children entrusted into our care. In particular, since the Royal Commission in the mid s, the Church and Catholic schools have developed rigorous and transparent processes for dealing with allegations of abuse, that are thoroughly overseen by the Office of the NSW Ombudsman. It is hoped that this document, produced by the Archdiocese of Sydney, will answer many commonly asked questions and address some of the misconceptions that may exist in the mind of the community with respect to this crucial issue. As Catholic Schools we will always continue to work in partnership with the Police, Civil Authorities and the Church in ensuring our children are protected by implementing proactive policies and professional standards of the highest quality. Dr Dan White EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Key Dates Week 9 Term 3 FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Monday 10th September Year 11 Preliminary Final Exams CEO Southern Region Youth forum afternoon - Year 7 & 8 selected students Tuesday 11th September Year 11 Preliminary Final Exams Archdiocesan Social Justice day Meet a Keeper program for selected Year 10 students Wednesday 12th September Year 11 Preliminary Final Exams Cochrane Cup U/14 s Rugby League Grand Final at St Mary s RSPCA talk to Year 8 during pastoral lesson Year 10 Mock interviews during pastoral lesson Thursday 13th September Year 11 Preliminary Final Exams Year 10 History excursion Friday 14th September Year 11 Preliminary Final Exams NSW CCC Athletics carnival Robert Nastasi Assistant Principal 2013 CaSPA Tour To America Don't Miss This Exciting Opportunity!!! Students can audition to perform in the USA with internationally acclaimed religious music composer John Burland in February 2013 LA Tour info - as at Go to the LA Tour tab on the CaSPA Ning for all the details and registration information. Registrations close soon so get in quick! Visit CEO Sydney Archdiocesan Performing Arts Festival 2012 at: 20 Years of being Enlivened by the Spirit 2

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4 HSC Prayer Families Religious Education at Aquinas Recently families were been invited to become a HSC prayer Family, keeping a student that you will be allocated in your prayers leading up to and throughout the HSC exam period. This is a powerful and practical way to support our Year 12 students during their final stage of their educational journey at Aquinas. The date to complete your details using the link or to return the tear off slip on the letter handed out in Week 7 and return it to the College Office, has been extended to this Wednesday, September 12 th. By the end of Term 3 each family or individual who nominates to pray for a Year 12 student will receive the name of the student(s) for whom we ask for prayers. Child Protection Sunday Yesterday was Child Protection Sunday. Young people have the right to be safe at all times. May we all work together to create a safe environment and proclaim our determination to protect young people and to stop abuse wherever it occurs. Mrs Catherine Nolan Acting Religious Education Coordinator Did you know? On Friday the Church celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast has been celebrated since the 4 th century and honours the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ; looking at the cross in light of the resurrection, as a source of victory and life. Reflection on the Gospel In Sunday s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) Jesus heals a man who couldn t hear or speak by placing his fingers into the man s ear and touching the man s tongue with spittle, saying the Aramaic word Ephphatha, be opened. Jesus could have healed this man with a simple prayer, however, he acknowledges the sheer physicality of the person to be cured. The passage also demonstrates to us that Jesus was trying to show the people that he was not exactly the Messiah that many of them were anticipating. Jesus is making the point that his mission is to all people, not just the Chosen People of Israel. Adapted from reflections by Fr Michael Tate and Greg Sunter Teen Matters Day Faithful Fashionista On September 7 th a group of Year 9 girls attended a Teen Matters Day. The former America s Next Top Model contestant, Leah Darrow, came to talk about her experiences during her teenage and young adult years. She gave advice on what to do when certain issues arise and how to always stay connected to God. The afternoon was very successful. Nicole, Rashan, Annelise, Renee, Temiqua, Audrey, Sara, Patricia, Ana, Emily, Monique, Monique, Stephanie, Claire, Carly, Lauren, and Angelique 20 Years of being Enlivened by the Spirit 4

5 Year 10 Textile Technology Year 10 Textile Technology student work is currently on display in the College library. Students designed and created fancy dress costumes, using a variety of sewing and decoration techniques. Students are currently undertaking a free choice project. We look forward to displaying their upcoming work next term. Mrs Catherine Nolan Textiles Teacher World Youth Day Pilgrims Raffle! In Week 10, our World Youth Day Pilgrims will be raffling off a Signed Cronulla Sharks Jersey! It has been signed by the entire 2012 team, including Todd Carney, Paul Gallen and Anthony Tupou. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday of Week 9, and the Raffle will be drawn on Thursday Week 10. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Pilgrims will be coming around to Pastoral classes all week, so don t forget to bring your money! 20 Years of being Enlivened by the Spirit 5

6 Thank you Aquinas for supporting the Year 9 Commerce market day last Wednesday! We are proud to announce that we raised over $2400 to donate to Starlight Childrens Foundation and the McGrath Foundation. After weeks of preparation, all students worked well in their teams and their great organisational skills were shown through managing their businesses on the day! Well done Year 9 Commerce! Ms Roche and Miss Kilzi 20 Years of being Enlivened by the Spirit 6

7 AL MARTINO S CASUAL WORK AVAILABLE DELIVERY DRIVER Required to deliver pizzas & meals for Italian Restaurant in Illawong. 2 nights per week Must have own car and current driver s licence Contact Robert on Maths Recall is included in the newsletter each week and is designed for Stage 4 and 5 or junior students. The questions may focus on Working Mathematically problems and all are intended to be done without a calculator. 1. Simplify 2. Simplify 3. Simplify MATHS DEPARTMENT RECALL CORNER 4. Simplify 5. Simplify Mrs Catherine Fensom Maths Teacher 20 Years of being Enlivened by the Spirit 7

8 UNIFORM SHOP THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 8:00am 9:00am Please note the Uniform Shop only sells Sports Uniforms and School bags Answers: MATHS CHALLENGE (We are still waiting on school bags to be delivered. They will delivered in 3 to 4 weeks) * * * Please note the uniform shop will be selling off old style Sport cotton polos and shorts for $5 (these would be great for prac lessons) * * * The Uniform Shop does not accept Eftpos or Credit cards College caps and sports socks can be purchased from the College Office Maths Department There will be a SECOND HAND UNIFORM sale Wednesday 19 September 8:00am-9:00am Outside College Office ann.conchie@aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au If you have any donations, please hand them in to the office Thank you CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 3 TIME: MONDAY-THURSDAY 10:00-1:30, FRIDAY 10:00-12:30 MONDAY 10/9 TANIA WILDER, ANGELIQUE ANDREW TUESDAY 11/9 JO O HARA WEDNESDAY 12/9 TRISH BENSON, LIBBY YIP THURSDAY 13/9 DEBORAH SCULLINO, FIONA EDGAR FRIDAY 14/9 LIZ GARCORZ, CAROLYN BARLOW, JACQUI HARGREAVES MONDAY 17/9 HELP NEEDED TUESDAY 18/9 CHRISTINE KLEIN WEDNESDAY 19/9 CARLEY STUDDEN, MICHELLE LAWRENCE THURSDAY 20/9 GORDY GOURLAS, TANYA CHANT FRIDAY 21/9 STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY TERM 4 MONDAY 8/10 JENNY CARR, MELISSA BIRCH TUESDAY 9/10 JO O HARA WEDNESDAY 10/10 ALLISYN LADOUCE, ELENI ENGLEZOS THURSDAY 11/10 SHELLI BAKER FRIDAY 12/10 SANDRA QUINN, CARINA POWDITCH 20 Years of being Enlivened by the Spirit 8