PO Box 588, Burnie, Tas, 7320 Ph: Fax:

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1 PO Box 588, Burnie, Tas, 7320 Ph: Fax: December 2015 N o 38 From the Principal Mr Adrian Drane Advent Advent is characterised by peace, hope, joy and love. These are the things our world needs now more than ever. Lord, we pray, especially at this time of the year, for those who don t know hope and joy in their life, who don t feel loved and those not at peace. May it be at this time, this year that they find comfort, strength and solace in you. We pray for peace in our world. We pray not just for a world without violence but a world which is so at peace that every man, woman and child is filled with such a sense of hope and joy that their hearts overflow with love. We give thanks for the gifts you have bestowed on us, to give thanks for the teachers who have taught us to use those gifts, and to give thanks to our parents and siblings who always encourage us to do our best. We give thanks to the young people who have lived and learned in our College. Inside this issue From the Principal Term Dates... 3 Deputy Principal: Pastoral Wellbeing... 4 Mission Board... 7 Sports News Community News COLLEGE CALENDAR Thursday, 10 December Term 4 concludes We ask for your help in using the talents and skills you have gifted us with to the best of our ability. We ask too for help in remembering that it pleases you when we do our best. We pray that we might always remember to do what is right, just and true, especially when it is hard or difficult to do, and we pray that we may know to ask for your help. Bless all members of the College community, with a safe and loving Christmas. In your name we pray this prayer. Amen. Last Star It is hard to believe that this will be the last Marist Star for the year. The time comes and goes so very quickly. This has been another incredibly successful year for Marist Regional College. I wish to thank you the families for the opportunity to work in partnership with you in the education of your children. I also thank the staff for their dedication, passion and commitment to the learning outcomes of young people. Finally I thank the students for the respect of the power of an education and for respecting the art of learning. Our students create our culture and with that they define what it is to be Marist in our world today. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing Christmas period filled with love, family, friends, joy and laughter. God Bless. Office Hours in Monday Friday 8:15am-4:30pm (except school holidays) 9:00am-3:30pm The office will close 1:30 Friday 11 December 2015 and re-open on Monday 18 January 2016 with limited services. Full services from Wednesday 27 January However the Office will be closed Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 January 2016.

2 From the Principal (cont d) Mr Adrian Drane Camp Last week the opportunities our Year 9 students had to experience our beautiful state in weather that highlights all of its glory, really was exceptional. It was great to hear from those returning, what a pleasure to be with our students were and of the many amazing and wonderful activities that they participated in. I commend all those students who took part in the week long program. Their approach and behaviour was exemplary. All that said and done though, none of these trips would have been possible without those staff who were prepared to go above and beyond to plan, implement and run these opportunities for kids. Thank you for the time, energy and willingness. Congratulations to all the organisers, participants and of course Mr Stephen Eddington for his coordination. Jemma Kenworthy has been selected in the Tasmanian u/18 and Tasmania open indoor team s travelling to Sydney in January. Jemma has also been successful in obtaining a Tasmanian Institute of Sport Scholarship for Hockey in Congratulations Jemma. 2

3 From the Principal (cont d) Mr Adrian Drane Service Week A great success. Students were spread from Smithton to Ulverstone and everywhere in between. Their work ranged from the creative to the exhausting, all students I spoke with loved the whole experience. One student who I know to be less than enthusiastic about many things said. I was not looking forward to it, however, in the end it was alright high praise from this child I assure you. Other students just noted they loved the whole week. The response from community has again been very positive and also very grateful. Thank you to all these staff who ran or supervised activities and thanks to those who assisted through their flexibility and willingness to get involved. Congratulations to Ms Delmy Britto on her great organisation, management, planning and execution. Year 7 and 8 Cultural Day Year 7 and 8 students participated in a range of activities relating to different cultures. Here is some photos from the day. TERM DATES 2016 TERM 1 Classes commence - Year 7 & Senior College Tuesday 2 February - Year 8 10 Wednesday 3 February Classes finish Friday 8 April EASTER BREAK: Return TERM 2 Classes commence Classes finish TERM 3 Classes commence Classes finish Friday 25 March Tuesday 29 March Wednesday 30 March Tuesday 26 April Friday 1 July Tuesday 19 July Friday 23 September TERM 4 Classes commence Monday 10 October - Classes finish - Senior College Friday 4 November (To be confirmed) - Year 10 Friday 2 December (To be confirmed) - Year 7 9 Friday 9 December 3

4 Deputy Principal: Pastoral Wellbeing Mr Michael Ireland I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and enjoyable holiday. I would like to wish those students who are leaving us at the end of this year, I would like to wish all the best in their future endeavours. Uniform With the Christmas break approaching, I thought that I would take this opportunity to remind students and parents regarding some expectations of the College in preparation for next year. It is expected that students are correctly and neatly dressed at all times. I would like to remind people of the following: Hair: Hair must be neat and tidy at all times and in a style appropriate to wearing with the College uniform. Dreadlocks and clip on hair extensions are not permitted. Hair is to be worn off the face. If ribbons, scrunchies or clips are worn they are to be navy blue, plain and not showy. Hair may be dyed, however, unnatural colours are not acceptable. Make-up: Make-up is not encouraged; however, if worn, is limited to minimal foundation e.g. tinted moisturiser and/or mascara. It should not be obvious. Nail polish may not be worn with the uniform. Eyeliner, eye shadow, blush and lipstick are not acceptable. Jewellery: Students may wear one plain bracelet and/or ring. Plain studs or sleepers may be worn with pierced ears. No more than 2 earrings may be worn in the lobe (only) of each ear. No other facial piercing is acceptable, including tongue piercing. Director of Mission Mrs Jacqueline de Jonge This week our College prays for: North West Academy of Ballet's annual concert - "Cinderella". Several of our current and past students were involved Chelsea Keen (Year 10) performed the role of Cinderella. Nick von Bibra (Year 11) was a masterful prince. Ruby Doherty and Steph Faulks (Year 10) were the ugly step-sisters. Also featured were: Keenan Garrett (Year 12), Jake Wolfe (Year 12), Alec Rawlings (year 10) Everyone who is travelling away from home this holiday season: whether it be for holiday or to see family and friends. May their travels be safe and the memories stay with them for a lifetime. This Thursday is Human Rights Day so we pray for all those who are suffering as a result of not having their human rights recognised. We pray too for the strength and courage to be active in creating a world in which fundamental freedoms and human rights are given to all; help us to ensure trust, equality, freedom, hope, peace, justice, dignity and prosperity around the world. For all teachers and staff members who have educated and inspired the young people of our community over the year: may they feel the love and gratitude of those they ve served. May all staff have a relaxing and fulfilling break, enjoying time with family and friends. For our Year 7, 8 and 9 students who finish school this week and start holidays: may you remember all that you have learnt this year and celebrate your achievements; and may you all have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. 4

5 Director of Mission (cont d) Mrs Jacqueline de Jonge Week 2: (Week beginning Monday, 7 December) Continuing on our journey of learning about Advent and Christmas, I include for you this week an article called Advent Amid the Gift Wrap by Tom McGrath: Are you ready for Christmas? asked a guy I see at the train station every day. I thought of the long list of gifts I still needed to buy and the calendar crammed with holiday events and parties, and I shook my head. Hardly, I said, and we both laughed knowingly. On my train ride downtown I turned off my ipod and let my mind ponder that question a little deeper. Am I ready for Christmas? This time I thought about the meaning of the holiday the Son of God coming to earth to dwell among us and show us the way to eternal life. Again I shook my head and murmured to myself, Hardly. It was then that I vowed to take advantage of every opportunity to prepare my heart for the coming of the Christ Child into the world the world you and I live in. What I discovered was that if we know what we're preparing for, everything we encounter on the way to Christmas can prepare us for the coming of Christ, not only in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago but also into our homes, our families, our workplaces, and our communities. The usual December distractions can instead become holy moments when we find the Christ Child in our midst. Having the right attitude and perspective on the season will help you and your family avoid the excesses that make certain Christmas preparations frantic, yet draining and disappointing. As theologian John Shea says, The task seems to be the delicate one of learning to make the customs and traditions of Christmas serve the Spirit. Take a look at some of December's demanding activities with new eyes, eyes that fully expect to find God in every moment of this season of hope. Retrieved from One task that I think fits this description is the writing of Christmas cards; instead of viewing this as an arduous or even unnecessary task, think about the heartfelt prayer/wish you have for your friend/family member or even acquaintance and be buoyed by the feeling of love that person will have when they open your card! Week 3 & 4: (Week beginning Monday, 14 December) As this will be the last Marist Star for 2015, the last two reflections for Advent are included: Week 3 The third week of Advent concentrates on the virtue of Joy. As a family sit down, listen and watch the following clip: Listen to the lyrics and be moved by the music. You can t help but feel joy. Now, how will you (as a family) bring joy to someone else? Who is in need of joy? How can you bring them joy? The Christmas season is so focused on receiving, let Advent be a time of giving, especially the giving of joy to others so that they might feel love (the focus of Week 4). As a final reflection, another article from Fr Ron Rolheiser: The Rich Meaning of Christmas What does Christmas mean? Christmas is like a perfectly-cut diamond twirling in the sun, giving off an array of sparkles. Here are just some of its meanings: A four-year-old child woke up one night frightened, convinced that there were all kinds of spooks and monsters in her room. In terror she fled to her parents bedroom. Her mother took her back to her room and, after soothing her fears, assured her that it was safe there: You don t need to be afraid. After I leave, you won t be alone in the room. God will be here with you! I know that God will be here, the child protested, but I need someone in this room who has some skin. The word was made flesh and dwelt among us. John 1, 14 God is not found in monasteries, but in our homes. Wherever you find husband and wife, that s where you find God; wherever children and petty cares and cooking and arguments and reconciliation are, that s where God is too. The God I m telling about, the domestic one, not the monastic one, that s the real God. Nikos Kazantzakis 5

6 Director of Mission (cont d) Mrs Jacqueline de Jonge Every year of life waxes and wanes. Every stage of life comes and goes. Every facet of life is born and then dies. Every good moment is doomed to become only a memory. Every perfect period of living slips through our fingers and disappears. Every hope dims and every possibility turns eventually to dry clay. Until Christmas comes again. Then we are called at the deepest, most subconscious, least cognizant level to begin to live again. Christmas brings us all back to the crib of life to start over again: aware of what has gone before, conscious that nothing can last, but full of hope that this time, finally, we can learn what it takes to live well, grow to full stature of soul and spirit, and get it right. Joan Chittister After a mother has smiled for a long time at her child, the child will begin to smile back; she has awakened love in its heart, and in awakening love in its heart, she awakes also recognition. In the same way, God awakes Himself before us as love. Love radiates from God and instills the light of love in our hearts. Hans Urs Von Balthasar At Christmas, through his grace-filled birth, God says to the world: I am there. I am with you. I am your life. Do not be afraid to be happy. For ever since I wept, joy is the standard of living that is really more suitable than the anxiety and grief of those who think they have no hope. This reality, this incomparable wonder of my almighty love, I have sheltered safely in the cold stable of your world. I am there. I no longer go away from this world. Even if you do not see me. I am there. It is Christmas. Light the candles! They have more right to exist than all the darkness. It is Christmas. Christmas lasts forever. Karl Rahner Even at Christmas, when halos are pre-tested by focus groups for inclusion in mass market campaigns, they are hard to see. This is how halos are seen, by looking up into largeness, by tucking smallness into folds of infinity. I do not know this by contemplating shimmering trees. Rather there was a woman, busy at the Christmas table, and I looked up to catch a rim of radiance etching her face, to notice curves of light sliding along her shape. She out-glowed the candles. All the noise of the room left my ears and silence sharpened my sight. When this happens, I do not get overly excited. I merely allow love to be renewed, for that is the mission of haloes, the reason they are given to us. But when haloes fade, they do not abruptly vanish, abandoning us to the lesser light. They recede, as Gabriel departed from Mary, leaving us pregnant. John Shea. Some of the Church Fathers compared Jesus to a singer with a strong voice and a perfect pitch who joins a discordant choir and completely transforms it. It is not that Jesus gave us a different set of songs to sing, but helped us instead to perform our standard repertoire in an entirely new and more beautiful way. Richard McBrien The incarnation does not mean that God saves us from the pains of this life. It means that God-is-with-us. For the Christian, just as for everyone else, there will be cold, lonely seasons, seasons of sickness, seasons of frustration, and a season within which we will die. Christmas does not give us a ladder to climb out of the human condition. It gives us a drill that lets us burrow into heart of everything that is and, there, find it shimmering with divinity. Avery Dulles Looking for God these days requires the willingness to investigate the small. Aztec Poem. 6

7 From the Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching Ms Alanna Stretton 7

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10 Community News Link to Helen Jones Bursary After decades of providing knowledge, skills and love to hundreds of local people, Helen Jones now has a bursary named in her honour. The Burnie Arts Council announced the Helen Denise Jones Bursary earlier this year, and after about nine months of organisation, applications are now open. The bursary will support the development of an arts student from the North West Coast, aged between 17 and 21. Bursary application forms can be obtained from BAC secretary Pam Thorne on Those who have pledged bursary money can now send it through - and for further information on this call BAC treasurer Lyn Smith on Arts-Bursary