Saint Patrick s College Newsletter

Transcription

1 Friday, 25 November 2016 Saint Patrick s College Newsletter Seek Wisdom In Christ Advent Prayer Father, all powerful and ever living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When he humbled himself to come among us, he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ will come again in his glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest. Amen Dear Parents, Students and Friends of the College A Time to Prepare. As we move into the last weeks of the academic year, we begin the liturgical year this Sunday - the first week of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation for receiving Christ. At this time of the year, we cannot help but be drawn into the busy-ness of the things we do. There is pressure to work it all out and make sure we are ready for Christmas. During Advent, we are invited to 'prepare a way for the Lord', to slow down, leave pressures aside and focus on 'getting ready' to receive Christ with joy. White Ribbon Day November 25 is White Ribbon Day where we are all encouraged to stand up, speak out and act to prevent men s violence against women. At St Patrick s, respectful relationships with one another is at the core of what we do and who we are with Christ as our centre. Yesterday at assembly we remembered the 32 women who have been killed in NSW this year as a result of violence from men. This week in Parliament we heard the voice of a brave MP, Emma Husar share of her personal experience of domestic violence that moved many to tears. The message all of us need to hear and speak about is that violence from men towards women is never ok. For further information click here. The College Annual Art Exhibition The Opening of the College Annual Art Exhibition on Wednesday, 23 November was, once again, a fine celebration of talent. Many people came to view the works and, indeed, were very impressed. Congratulations to the Visual Art Teachers for their work with the students and for the time they generously gave in setting up and taking down the artworks. Students and staff were able to attend and the staff morning tea which was prepared by staff and students was wonderful. Next week s newsletter will have the photograph spread. Well done! The College Awards Night The College Awards Night for Years 7 11 will be held on Monday, 12 December in Rice Hall commencing at 7.00pm. Newman Showcase Evening On Monday, 28 November all are invited to see the displays from our Newman students in Years 7 to 10. The night will begin at 6pm and finish at 7.30pm. Parent Advisory Council The Parents Advisory Council met for the last time this week. Many thanks for the work of the PAC members in There are two long serving members of the PAC who will be finishing up this year. Our chairperson, Mrs Lyn Hoyle and secretary, Mrs Karen Moseley. For the last 16 years, these Mums have given many hours of service and dedication to the College under three. Their contribution includes Parents and Friends Association, Parent Advisory Board, Parent Advisory Council, College Band, Canteen, uniform shop, Debating and Public Speaking events, Performing Arts events for Dance, Music and Drama, Parent Information Evenings, Interview selection panels for Sydney Catholic Schools and Enrolment committee meetings. Their contribution was recognized by Dr Dan White, Executive Director of Page 1

2 Sydney Catholic Schools with a certificate for their years of service to schools. I thank both Lyn and Karen for the work with St Pat s and on a personal level their support for Principals of the College. As both retire from the Parent Advisory Council, we congratulate Mr Martin Jones as the incoming chair for 2017 and Mrs Denise Viskovic as secretary of the PAC. College Assembly This week we gathered for our Term 4 whole school assembly. The photos capture some of the activity in Semester 2 from Timor-Leste Immersion to Father John s 30th celebration, sports awards, geography competition awards. Father John presented the College with a beautiful vase and other holy artworks from his recent pilgrimage to Ireland. Go gently, Ms Libby Denny, Principal A Day with the Airforce The Year 10 students who volunteered to take part in the annual Legacy Badge day this year on 2 September were commended for their efforts. They participated in an exemplary manner and their hard work and commitment was recognised. Legacy organised A Day with the Air force to thank Legacy Week s highest selling students. The following Year 10 students were chosen to attend this wonderful event: Ryan Jamieson Christopher Breen Maxwell Porter Leonardo Nosatti Ryan Jamieson and Maxwell Porter accepted the invitation and went to the RAAF Base at Richmond on 16 November as this is not an organised College. The event organiser Ms Sarah Hallab commented The group of students are to be congratulated on being so wellbehaved and easy to work with. My colleague and I were very impressed with their level of questions and interest in what the RAAF officers do on base. We are very proud of these students and are very pleased that both Ryan and Max were able to attend and enjoy such a great experience. We thank legacy and the Air Force for conducting such an important event for students in the community. Mrs Lorella Ganiatsos Year 10 Pastoral Coordinator From the CAPA Department On Tuesday two of our HSC Dance students had the opportunity to perform in the Sydney Catholic Schools HSC Dance Recital at Southern Cross Vocational College Burwood. Ella Cutcliffe performed her Major Study Performance and Louise Moseley performed her Core Performance. Both students performed beautifully and were a credit to St Patrick s College. Reminder that the auditions for the Dance Companies 2016 will happen next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3.00pm pm in Nagle Hall. If you wish to audition place your name on the list in the staffroom foyer, you only need to attend one of the audition dates. The audition will comprise of two parts, a dance class and the performance of a sequence of movement in small groups. You should wear form fitting dance clothes, with your hair tied up and no jewellery. You may wear dance shoes, however, bare feet is recommended. If you have any questions please see Miss Hickson. Miss Lauren Hickson Dance Teacher Page 2

3 SAFETY ALERT Police have issued an alert to young people and are asking parents to be mindful of reports pertaining to an older male in the Sutherland area, approximately 5 foot 5, chubby and of olive complexion. If anyone see a person matching this description acting suspiciously in proximity to young people please contact both the College and Sutherland Police. From the Director of Pastoral Care It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. In an age where parents are busier than ever before, there is an increasing role for the sparent in raising of a child. To view this week s article, click here. Mrs Jodie Hughes Director of Pastoral Care FAMILY 2 FAMILY Christmas Appeal You only have to walk through the different shopping centres in our area to be reminded that Christmas is approaching. This year, as part of our school outreach, we are asking you to contribute to the Christmas appeal, FAMILY 2 FAMILY to support the St Vincent de Paul Society. This is a joint initiative with St Patrick s Primary School. This initiative involves each class in Years 7-10 and the College staff, receiving the details of a family living in the Sutherland community, whose circumstances have resulted in them needing assistance for Christmas. We envisage that you will take the time to sit down with your son/daughter and give thanks for the many blessings in your own family life, before discussing ways you can help the family whose details you have been given. This is a great opportunity to involve your son/daughter in the joy of giving to others and giving them some responsibility in choosing a suitable gift for one, (or more if you can) of the family members in need. Students have received notes outlining their Pastoral Care s allocated family which also includes a list of gift suggestions that may help you with your donations. This initiative is about your family giving to another - living out the teachings of Christ. We thank you in anticipation for supporting the FAMILY 2 FAMILY Christmas Appeal. Miss Jacqui Harris Acting Youth Ministry Coordinator Page 3

4 College Assembly Thursday, 24 November Page 4

5 Peer Tutoring Peer Tutoring has finished for the year! If any students are still wanting to come up to the library after school to complete their homework, the Library is open until 4pm on most days. Thanks to all involved and a special mention to the Year 11's who helped out every week. Miss Rebecca Hines Peer Tutoring Coordinator Social Justice Day 2016 On Wednesday, 16 November a group of six Year 10 students travelled to Southern Cross Vocational College to partake in a day about Social Justice towards elderly people. Throughout the day we were given the opportunity to be split into groups with students from different schools to complete a variety of workshops about the health and wellbeing for elders in our community. During our morning tea break we were fortunate enough to be joined by an elderly parishioner from the Belmore community. We were given the opportunity to learn about what life was like for them when they were younger and how life is for them now. We sat down with a lovely woman by the name of Jean who told us stories about her six children and her abundance of grandchildren and what life was like growing up without the use of internet and mobile phones. The conversation that we had with Jean was the highlight of my time at this Social Justice Day because we were able to learn about life from a time we are not familiar with whilst spending time with this remarkable lady. Every student was asked to bring a photograph of themselves with an elderly person and during one of the workshops we were asked to tell the story of that person in our photograph and what inspired us about them. Listening to the other students stories of loss and survival empowered all of us to appreciate what we have with our elderly families and friends. After a final prayer and brilliant performance from the children involved in CASPA we embarked on our journey back to the school. With a lot of interesting singing and conversations about our day we arrived back at school ready to share our experiences with everyone in our College community. This is an experience I really appreciated being a part of and something I would love to be given the opportunity to attend again. Sarah Lang 10D SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE COLLEGE UNIFORM SHOP The Uniform Shop is looking for volunteers to assist in You would be rostered on once a month on a Thursday. Please contact Julie Little on Page 5

6 IMPORTANT DATES TERM Mon 28 Nov Year 7 Vaccinations Mon 28 Nov 6pm Newman Showcase Evening Wed 30 Nov pm Year 10 Barn Dance Thur 8 Dec - Fri 9 Dec Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Qualifying Adventurous Journey Fri 9 Dec Gold Award Picnic Day Fri 9 Dec Year 10 Picnic Day Fri 9 Dec 6-8pm Carols Evening Mon 12 Dec Awards Evening Years 7-11 Mon 12 Dec - Tue 13 Dec Year 10 Reflection Day/Peer Support Tue 13 Dec Christmas Liturgy & Final College Assembly. Last day of attendance. Wed 14 Dec Years 7-9 Picnic Day Thur 15 Dec - Fri 16 Dec am Parent/Teacher Interviews To view this week s esmart article, click here From the Accounts Department Thank you to all the families that have settled their account for the year. For those families who have an outstanding balance, all payments are now overdue. Your immediate action is appreciated. Sydney Catholic Schools permits payment of school fees by instalments annually, per term, monthly, or fortnightly. The College also accepts weekly payments. If you wish to change your instalment plan for 2017, please accounts@spcsutherland.catholic.edu.au If you elect to pay by the term, your final payment will be due approximately mid August. If you elect to pay by the month, your final payment will be mid November. If you elect to pay by the fortnight, your final payment will be due early November. Enquiries regarding fees and payments can be made by phoning the College Office. All conversations are strictly confidential. Thank you for your support. Mrs Jodie Alvaro Business Manager Page 6

7 FROM ST PATRICK S SUTHERLAND PARISH CHRISTMAS HAM & TURKEY BINGO NIGHT All welcome! Saturday 3 December, 6.30pm. $30 for a book of 3 tickets 20 games. To RSVP, phone Sue on or me. You can also place your name on the sheet which is located at the back of the church. Come along for a fun filled night and help raise funds to restore our beautiful church. SAUSAGE SIZZLE Saturday, 3 December after the 5pm Vigil Mass. Sausage sandwiches - $3 and cans of drinks only $2. All proceeds will go towards our Church Restoration Fund. All welcome! ANNUAL GIFT GIVING FAMILY MASS Saturday 10 December at 5pm. This is our annual gift giving Mass. All welcome to donate a gift suitable for a family. The gifts don t need to be expensive, just something a family may enjoy eg beach toys, G rated DVD, playing cards etc. Just pop your gift in the baskets which will be at the back of the church at this Mass. Gifts will be then disbursed by SVDP. If it is more convenient for you, you are more than welcome to donate money and I will purchase a gift on your behalf. Just place your donation under the presbytery door in an envelope marked Donation for Gift giving Mass attention Kay Macadam. Thank you for your generosity DATES - have been set for Family Mass, Children s Liturgy and Youth Mass. Collect a brochure from the back of the church. SCY (Sutherland Catholic Youth) MASS 2017 Any youth wishing to participate in the Youth Masses at Sutherland Parish next yeast, please collect a note from the back of the church, complete and return to me or simply me (see below address). HELP NEEDED Anyone wishing to assist in ministries at St Patrick s Parish, collect a note from the back of the church, complete and return to me. If you have any enquiries regarding the above, please don t hesitate to contact me. Kay Macadam For St Patrick s Parish Sutherland Sacrament Team Phone or admin@stpatssutherland.org.au Tuesday to Thursday - 9am to 3.30pm Page 7