‘Enlivened by the Spirit’

Anzac Road Menai NSW 2234 Phone 9543 0188 Facsimile 9541 0398 info@aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au www.aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI

20th July, 2015 Vol.23.No.19

Terms 3 has begun with the College being a hive of activity; in classrooms, on the Oval, in the construction zone and other learning spaces as students and staff address the curriculum, take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities and as learning again commences in earnest. I am also pleased to inform the community that the College administration has moved into the new building at the front of the property adjacent to Gate 3. With a similar layout to the original admin building [circa 1993] Parent and Guest inquiries can be made at the first doors, the Visitor’s Foyer, and students can utilise the Student Foyer for their requirements. More significant and exciting news is that the MacKillop Learning Common, consisting of 12 classrooms and a breakout space [on the upper level] equivalent to three rooms should be handed over by the builders at the end of the month. We are looking forward to progressively moving into this contemporary learning area over the ensuing weeks. As the ongoing College wide refurbishments are completed it would be my hope [and expectation] that students make the most of the learning environment that they have to achieve their maximum personal learning potential.

MacKillop Learning Common Façade MacKillop Learning Common Breakout space

Whilst physical learning spaces can contribute in some way to maximising personal learning potential, it is the quality and respect of learning relationships between peers and all staff that are at the heart of educational success. The Year 12s would be well aware of this following the last school holidays where significant numbers of them were able to access the Fr Denis Foley Resource Centre each day [less two for construction related interruptions] for several hours to prepare for the upcoming HSC Trials. Through the generosity of staff in giving up several hours during their vacation period, allowed our students to catch up with their class teachers, work on major projects, study in a supervised quiet space and work in seminar rooms where focussed conversation was possible, whilst being limited in access to social media and sibling distractions!! This commitment to the growing of the Aquinas learning culture is one that the staff takes seriously and will continue in Weeks 3 & 4 each afternoon [Monday to Thursday] between 3:10 and 6:30pm where our HSC cohort can study in the Resource Centre with the opportunity to work again with staff, peers or individually. Once again, I would like to acknowledge the staff who are giving up their personal time to encourage our students to develop good learning habits that will hold them in good stead as lifelong learners.

“There is no such thing as good ‘luck’ in exams, only good preparation!”

The recent Year 7 – 10 exam period saw our Learning Support Team, led by Mrs Donlan, assist a large number students in with a range of strategies to access their formal exams. I would also like to thank our volunteers who acted as readers and or writers for our students. Their efforts also enabled students to perform at their best under exam conditions. The following members of the wider community were able to spend time during Week 6 with our students;

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Christine Klein Debbie Lewis Antoinette Kerle Sarah Raymond Geoff Raymond Miller TAFE Teachers Janice Livesey & Louise Kalhati Michele Daly Sean Daly Roz Cooper Kamal Salby Alicia Abi Badra Maria Stephen Nicole Bailey Julia Woods Jackie Harb.

Thank you all!! Thanks also to Mrs Spagnolo, one our teacher aides, who briefed and supported our volunteers throughout the exam week. To more pragmatic matters I take this opportunity to remind parents/guardians that, from time to time, we are required to provide student details and background data to government agencies. This is particularly important to note at Census time and for the August Special Circumstances applications to be submitted to AGDET. Parents/guardians are able to access the CEO Privacy Policy - Standard Collection Notice on the CEO public website http://

www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/About/Documents/privacy-collection-notice-standard.pdf. The 2014 Aquinas Catholic College Annual School Report to the Community is also now available on the school’s website and at the school administration office. The following link will take you directly to the report; http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/Parents/AnnualReports/rpt-annual-aquinasmenai.pdf During the recent school holidays a number of students [and staff] were representing the College in national competitions. Blayke Brailey [Year 11] was a member of the NSWCCC Opens Rugby League side that competed at the national championships in Wollongong. Despite NSWCCC losing the final narrowly to NSWCHS, Blayke’s efforts at hooker saw him named in the Australian Schoolboys Opens Rugby League team that will play the New Zealand schoolboys in two tests later this year. Congratulations Blayke on this achievement and on becoming only our second Australian Schoolboy representative. This is a family affair as Blayke’s brother, Jayden, was also the hooker in last year’s Australian side!! Well done also to Mr Burke on being named as the trainer for the side. On the other side of the continent in Perth, Alexandra Bolton and her Under 15 Australian team were competing in the tri nation’s indoor netball competition. They defeated New Zealand in both the 6 aside and 7 aside indoor netball competitions and were resultantly crowned the Tri Nations Winners. Congratulations Alex on this stellar achievement!!

Blayke Brailey Row1, first from the left Alexandra Bolton Back Row, third from the left. Mr Burke Row 2, first from the left

In Parish news, Fr Chris Riley from Youth of the Streets will be celebrating masses over the weekend of the 25

th and

26th of July. He will be the celebrant at the 5:30pm Saturday liturgy and the Sunday 8:30am and 10am liturgies. His

homilies are certainly are informative, challenging and confronting all at the same time. Anyone interested in supporting young people at risk or learning about the circumstances of some young Australians will find him fascinating to listen to. Please keep the Ross and Callaghan families in your thoughts and prayers as Jessica Ross [Year 7] and Matthew’s [Year 9] grandfather passed away during the holidays as did the grandfather of Sophie [Year 9] and Lachlan Callaghan [Year 10].

Eternal rest grant unto then, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

James Corcoran Principal

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Assistant Principal

Key Dates

Week 2 (B) Term 3

Week 3 (A) Term 3

Monday 20th July SSCCC Athletics at Campbelltown Year 10 into 11-2016 transition interview days

Tuesday 21st July Year 10 into 11-2016 transition interview days CEO Year 10 Evangelisation retreat-Stanwell Tops

Wednesday 22nd July Year 11 Mass at 8.20am CEO Year 10 Evangelisation retreat-Stanwell Tops Year 10 Visual Arts to the annual Archibald prize excursion to the AGNSW CCC football vs Casimir College at Marrickville at 1pm GIO Schoolboys Trophy Rugby League opens Grand Final vs Fairfield Patrician

Brothers at St Marys at 1.00pm Thursday 23rd July College Assembly Period 4

Year 10 Social Dinner Dance at Club Central Hurstville 6.30pm-Year10 receive

tickets and dismissed after lunch Friday 24th July Year 10 not required to attend school

Senior Blood Bank Visit during sport Sport

Monday 27th July Trial HSC begins today Sydney Swans AFL Gala day finals

Tuesday 28th July Trial HSC English competition for select students-7 Red; 8 Red; 9 Red; Top Year 10 class Under 14s All Schools Rugby League knockout carnival Duke of Ed briefing afternoon-3.30pm to 4.30pm

Wednesday 29th July Trial HSC Year 10 Mass at 8.20am

Thursday 30th July Trial HSC Australian Mathematics competition

Friday 31st July Trial HSC Sport

Robert Nastasi Assistant Principal

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT AQUINAS At Aquinas Catholic College our senior students choose either Catholic Studies (non-ATAR) or Studies of Religion

(ATAR) as their religious education component. This year our 1 unit Studies of Religion class will study Islam as

one of two religious traditions they focus on for the first time. The other religious tradition they study is

Christianity. The Studies of Religion course was designed for students to have a better understanding of the

religions that contribute to Australian society. In this day and age Islam gets an unfair go in a country that prides

itself on the opposite! With over one hundred students consistently engaged in this course every year Aquinas

students will be equipped to be an informed voice of reason on this topic. Without knowledge and understanding we

cannot hope for peace.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a “Spirit of IFTAR” dinner during the holidays conducted by the Islamic

Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA). ISRA is a vital organisation that contributes significantly to informing

wider Australians about the true nature of Islam. They help provide our teachers and students with resources for our

studies. Iftar is a meal that is celebrated after the sun has set during the month of Ramadan. Many Australians will

know that Ramadan concluded last week. They will also know that it is about fasting. Many Australians also think

that Halal is all about food as well. Our students are about to learn that there is much more to Ramadan and Halal.

By the end of the Term I will get them to write some answers for this section of the newsletter to help spread the

word.

Steve O’Connor

Religious Education Coordinator

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St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal The Social Justice committee will be selling Hot Chocolates each TUESDAY at RECESS for $2 to raise funds for St Vincent

De Paul. Get warm and support Vinnies at the same time.

The St Vincent De Paul Society makes a real difference in the lives of 1 out of

18 people in Australia.

When you support Vinnies, you are helping Vinnies do what they do best:

rebuild lives.

Because you are not just giving money, you're giving hope.

As we brace ourselves for another winter, some people need hope more than

anything.

40 years of the 40 Hour Famine Every year since 1975, thousands of people like you have made a stand against global hunger.

Together, world vision has raised approximately $200 million to transform millions of lives!

There’s still much more to be done. But with each year, we are making a real difference.

This year members of the Social Justice Committee will be giving up either food, technology,

furniture or even talking to raise funds for World Vision.

The 40 hour famine will be held over the weekend of the 14-16th August. Participants fast

from 8pm Friday night until 12pm on Sunday. Aquinas will have a team page for donations. Stay Tuned!

For more information go to http://www.40hourfamine.com.au/

Any questions about any of the initiatives above please see Mrs Monk. Please note there will be no meeting on 30

th August as Mrs Monk is on leave.

Mrs Julie Monk - Social Justice Coordinator

The Social Justice Committee meets once a fortnight at Lunch on THURSDAY A in room 18. All students

are welcome from 7-12. Bring your lunch.

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WYD16 Update - it is time to decide!

From Mark Smith - Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator: Tuesday, 23 June, 2015 Dear Students and Parents

Thank you for your expressions of interest in becoming part of WYD16 in Krakow in 2016. A Great Response so far:

We have now completed information nights at all of our Secondary Schools and we have been thrilled

with the response. We spoke with nearly 700 students and their parents and it was great to meet so

many of you. We then received over 750 expressions of interest - including you! Based on previous

experience, we are now expecting a pilgrim group of over 400 students - an ideal number for us as we can

ensure that we can offer all pilgrimage options, have a great mix of students from nearby regions of

Sydney on each bus and have teachers from their schools with them. It is time for you to confirm your interest!

We are now entering the final steps of WYD16 recruitment and I am hoping that you are now able to

make the decision to join us and confirm your interest. You need to complete the school confirmation of

interest form and student code of conduct that is available from your Youth Ministry Coordinator at

your school and then return it your school office with a $500 deposit by July 17 to confirm your place.

This is the end of the first week of Term 3. All school Business Managers are ready to receive your

deposits and forms now. An update on Costs and the Raffle

A reminder that the costs for each pilgrimage are: Italy - $6703 less $500 CEO subsidy = $6203

Holy Land - $6943 less $500 CEO subsidy = $6443

Prague - $5491 less $500 CEO subsidy = $4991 These prices will become final in September - they are unlikely to change much and may fall.

It would also be realistic to think that most students could sell $500 - $1000 in raffle tickets which would

reduce the cost by another $500 - $1000. Many students will be able to sell more than that - as you will

have 4 months to sell tickets and you can take tickets to their school community, workplaces, extended

family, parishes etc.

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Confirmation of Interest Deposit is refundable

The $500 deposit is refundable right up till the end of Term 1 2016. Raffle Launch

The raffle will be launched on July 31 at the One Year Out Event - which all students who have confirmed

their interests will be invited to - with students receiving their tickets and even seeing the Toyota Yaris 5

door car that is first prize. A reminder that second prize are two $3000 European holiday vouchers with

Cosmos and 3rd prize is a $2000 Visa voucher. If you are not sure about the cost - have a go at the raffle and see how you go

So by putting the confirmation of interest form and deposit in you can then “go for it” selling tickets to

see your final price come sliding down with all your tickets sold. So by December when the raffle is drawn

you will know the final price of the trip less our CEO subsidy and less how many tickets you have sold.

Then you can make a final decision about the cost. If you did pull out then you would be returned the

$500 deposit you paid and the raffle money you raised will go to other student pilgrims. Also a reminder

that schools will not be asking for final payments till well into next year - dates tbc but likely to be well

into term 2 2016. Our organisation is right on track and we are excited by our recent Poland planning visit

Two of our Catholic Education Office WYD management team leaders have just returned from another

planning trip to Poland and they have returned excited! One of our senior leaders, Kathy Campbell, was a

chief organiser of WYD in Sydney 2008 and has been heavily involved in leading our school groups to

Madrid 2011 and Rio 2013. Kathy has stated that the university accommodation we have secured in

Krakow for WYD week is by far and away the best accommodation we have ever had for a WYD - in terms

of its security, quality and location to all of the major events. Kathy was also raving about the top quality

accommodation we have secured in the stunning Zakopane for our retreat after WYD.

Our team leaders spoke highly of the security plans and overall organisation of the WYD planning team.

They have returned with beautiful photos of Poland and they have described Krakow as perfect for

hosting a WYD - deeply connected to St John Paul II and WYD, small enough to be secure, friendly and

welcoming and large enough to have all of the necessary infastructure. The local currency also converts

well - so incidental snacks and lunches will be cheaper than expected. The people of Krakow are already

excited to host us next year. All in all, we are ready to go and excited by what promises to be an experience of a lifetime full of fun,

adventure, friendships and a deep inspiration in faith. We hope that you can join us and write your own

story at WYD16 Krakow. To do so, please return your confirmation of interest form and code of conduct form with a $500 deposit

to your school by July 17.

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‘ONE YEAR OUT CELEBRATION’ WYD

KRAKOW 2016

TIME:

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1. Convert 1h into degrees of longitude

2. Are places East of Greenwich London ahead or behind in time

3. 12 noon in London find digital time in Sydney in winter

4. What is the time in Darwin when Sydney in summer time is 7am?

5. What is the time in Queensland when South Australia it is 7am?

Mrs Catherine Fensom Assistant Mathematics Coordinator

MATHS DEPARTMENT RECALL CORNER

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LEARNING AND CURRICULUM MATTERS

This Week’s Assessments

Library Open for Senior Study The library will remain open from Monday to Thursday until 6.30 for Weeks 2, 3 and 4 to support Year 12

and the Accelerated Year 11 Mathematics students who are also preparing for their HSC.

YEAR 12 TRIAL HSC EXAMINATIONS 2015 (All examinations are in the Hall unless otherwise stated)

Year Subject Date

7 & 8 Technology Mandatory This Week

12 Drama Practical 21.07.15

11 Mathematics Extension 1 23.07.15

7 Science 23.07.15

11 Visual Art 24.07.15

First Week

Morning Session Starts at 8.50am

Afternoon Session Starts at 12.50pm

Monday 27 July ‘15

English (ADVANCED) 2 hours English (STANDARD) 2 hours English Studies 1 hour

Music 1 1 hour

Tuesday 28 July ‘15

English (ADVANCED) 2 hours English (STANDARD) 2 hours

Design and Tech 1.5 hours

Wednesday 29 July ‘15

Legal Studies 3 hours Visual Art 1.5 hours

Ind Tech Wood 1.5 hours

Thursday 30 July ‘15

Mathematic Ext 2 3 hours Mathematics 3 hours Maths Gen 2 2.5 hours Maths Gen 1 2 hours

Business Studies 3 hours

Friday 31 July ‘15

Chemistry 3 hours Senior Science 3 hours

Ancient History 3 hours SDD 3 hours

Second Week Morning Session Starts at 8.50am

Afternoon Session Starts at 12.50pm

Monday 3 Aug ‘15

SOR I 1.5 hours SOR II 3 hours Catholic Studies 1 hour

CAFS 3 hours

Tuesday 4 Aug ‘15

Physics 3 hours

Hospitality 2 hours Modern History 3 hours

Wednesday 5 Aug ‘15

Economics 3 hours VET Business Services 2 hours

PDHPE 3 hours

Thursday 6 Aug ‘15

Biology 3 hours

Geography 3 hours VET Construction 2 hours

Friday 7 Aug ‘15

Mathematics Ext 1 2 hours Drama 1.5 hours

English Ext 1 2 hours

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Lisa Mirabello Leader of Teaching and Learning

Students should arrive at school at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled examination starting time

Third Week Morning Session Starts at 8.50am

Afternoon Session Starts at 12.50pm

Monday 10 Aug ‘15

Food Tech Room 9 3 hours History Ext 1 Room 9 2 hours

Music Prac HALL (see Mrs Bosi for details)

YEAR 12 TRIAL HSC EXAMINATIONS 2015 (All examinations are in the Hall unless otherwise stated)

eLe@rning Update Student and Parent Online Portal

All parents should have recently used their family online access to view the electronic copy of your child’s academic report. It would be a suggestion that a copy of this be kept somewhere safe electronically either on a hard drive or USB drive, and each semester add the currently issued reports. Over the years many parents/carers have kept paper copies of reports which have been misplaced. Electronic copies are easier to keep and use for sending if required.

If any parent has misplaced their family access to the online Coneqt-P please contact the College Office to have this reset.

All students are encouraged to consider updating their password. When the system was introduced, a generic password was distributed to students, and they were asked to immediately change this to something meaningful and easy to remember. Please check that you child has changed their password and that they are using Coneqt-S at home.

An outstanding opportunity exists for all parents and carers to check that access to textbooks, reports and class assessment results can be seen by both student and parent. Whilst you are checking your child’s device, please remind them that the device for school is an

Educational Device and there should not be games installed that

could cause interruption to learning during the school day.

It is an expectation of the College that a student bring a fully charged device to school everyday. Year 7 & 8 must only use an iPad, and Years 9 – 12 a laptop. Access to textbooks for Years 7 – 10 is by electronic access at www.endeavoureducation.com.au . The students have usernames and passwords for their textbook accounts. Anthony Hulme

eLe@rning Coordinator

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Late last term 17 Year 7 and 8 students (Year 7: Joel Johnson,

Jay Beaton, Aidan Doyle, Nicholas Katsiris, Dylan Walker, Jacob

Harb, Anthony Katakis, Michael Kerle, Year 8: Michael Parsons,

Nathan Young, Tony Hollmann, Benjamin Capovilla, Matthew

Fulton, James Selas, Xavier Rozanc, Ben Ferraro and Joshua Lane)

took part in the local heat of the Interschool Chess Challenge at

Lucas Heights Community School. The students battled it out against local high schools in a 7 round

“Swiss” competition. They played seven games and the winning

school was determined by adding the four highest scorers from each

school. All the students played well, coming up against some strong

competition. I would like to congratulate all the boys on both their

behaviour and sportsmanship; you are a credit to the College! I am pleased to announce the following results- 1st place in the secondary division: Michael Parsons 2nd place in the secondary division: Tony Hollmann Overall winners of the secondary division: Aquinas Catholic

College. I am waiting to hear from the Sydney Academy of Chess regarding

the details for the Regional semi-finals which will take place this

term. I would also like to thank Ms Rundle who was kind enough to give up her time to drive the boys to and from the venue on the

College minibus. Mrs Cathy Capovilla

INTERSCHOOL CHESS CHALLENGE

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SOUTHERN SYDNEY ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Yesterday 52 students attended the Southern Sydney Athletics Carnival at Campbelltown.

Our team was: Leah Anderson, Caitlyn Aranjo, Tayla Azar, Blake Barlow, Liam Barton, Rie-Vee

Bleakley -Fish, Shannon Brown, Bailey Cantrill, Nicholas Capovilla, Luke Caruccio, Ruby Cole, Nathan

Costa, Alec Cotterill, Jared Domazetovski, Aidan Doyle, Jack Duggan, Morgan Dutton, Benjamin

Harrington, Bradley Hunt, Joshua Incollingo, Madeline Kanellopoulos, Nicholas Katsiris, Madison

Kelly Makovec, Michael Kerle, Bailey Lang, Mikka Lastro, Christopher Lavidis, Olivia Lavidis, Keeley

Lennon, Mitchell McDonough, Carly McLachlan, Jeanette Merheb, Skye Mulholland, Keziah Netto,

Nikolas Nicaj, Cheyenne O’Connell, Madeline Parker, Oliver Perrau, Ethan Rix, Tommaso Ruperto,

Mackenzie Selmon, Claire Serwa, Jack Sipek, Aston Souris, Louise Spratt, Marcus Tiller, Cooper Towers,

Britnee Tyers, Ryan Wade, David White, Christian Yacoub, Alexander Zinnato.

This year we were greeted by a beautiful, clear, sunny day, unlike last year’s torrential rain and howling

winds! The students performed extremely well, considering they had had their own athletics carnival

postponed on two occasions so they were unable to prepare for the day. Our results were:

Boys: 5th overall Girls: 7th overall School: 5th overall

Congratulations to the following students who have been successful in making it to NSWCCC at

Homebush on Friday 11th September where they will represent Southern Sydney;

Michael Kerle - 12yrs Male Discus, Tommaso Ruperto - 12yrs Male Long Jump, Alec Cotterill - 14yrs Male 400m, Liam Barton - 14 yrs Male Long Jump, Nicholas Capovilla - 16 yrs Male 200m,

Louise Spratt- Opens Female Discus. Thank you to Miss Flegg and Mr Tegg who assisted with the day and the parents who come to support the

team. Finally, congratulations to the students for their fine representation of the College.

Mrs Capovilla

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LOST PROPERTY

We have a number of school jumpers in Lost Property.

Please check Lost Property if you are

missing any items

UNIFORM SHOP (Located next to Canteen)

THURSDAY 23July

8:00am—9:00am

Please note the Uniform Shop only sells

Sports Uniforms and School bags

The Uniform Shop does not accept Eftpos or Credit cards

College caps and sports socks can be purchased from the College Office

CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 3

TIME: MONDAY-THURSDAY 10:00-1:35, FRIDAY 9:30-12:45 MONDAY 20/7 ROSEMARY MORRISSEY TUESDAY 21/7 MELISSA RUPERTO, LINDA KIRGAN WEDNESDAY 22/7 MEGAN BERGHOLD, NATALIE DEL-GRANDE THURSDAY 23/7 ROSE HENDERSON, ANTOINETTE KERLE FRIDAY 24/7 JENNY KNOKE, VERONIQUE THIBAULT, LOUISE BRYANT, SONIA BOGARD REBECCA HARRIS MONDAY 27/7 KEVIN HUFF, MARIA KOUZMENKO TUESDAY 28/7 CHRISTINE KLEIN, SILVANA PIGNATELLI WEDNESDAY 29/7 PETA BOURKE, SUSAN GAYDON, MICHELLE WHEATLEY THURSDAY 30/7 KAREN DAVIS, CARMEL COSTA, KARINA MICHAEL FRIDAY 31/7 CATHY CARUCCIO, JOANNE STORTENBEKER, BERNADETTE AHERN LIZ GARCORZ, CAROLYN BARLOW

Answers:

MATHS CHALLENGE

Maths Department

1. = 15 (divide by 12 then by 2)

2. Ahead

3. Ahead 10 hours so 10pm which is 2200h

4. 5:30am (NT is not on Daylight Saving)

5. 6:30am (Qld not on Daylight Saving)

There will be a

SECOND HAND UNIFORM sale

THURSDAY 30 JULY

8:00am-8:30am Outside College Office

If you have any donations, please hand them in to the office

Thank you

Most items are $5