‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ Anzac Road Menai NSW 2234 Phone 9543 0188 Facsimile 9541 0398 [email protected]www.aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au FROM THE PRINCIPAL AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI 22 nd June, 2015 Vol.23.No.18 Just a final reminder to parents and students the term will conclude this week with our Semester One Student / Parent / Teacher interview days on Thursday 25 th and Friday 26 th June. Interviews will run from 8:30am until 8pm on the Thursday and again from 8:30am – 12:30pm on the Friday. There will be no classes on these days and it is a College expectation that students attend these interviews with their parent[s] in full winter school uniform. A reminder to parents that each scheduled interview is for 5 minutes and that if were a need for further discussion at another occasion that can be arranged, and in doing so will ensure a more timely flow of interviews. We look forward to having open three way conversations centred on learning on these days and refocussing efforts for the remainder of the year. Given the construction underway on site I would ask that all families access the hall via Gate 3 on Anzac Road, this is the pedestrian gate nearest the new administration building. As foreshadowed in last week’s newsletter the College Office will move on the last two days of term into the new Administration Building, consequently, there will limited functionality of the College Office on these days. We thank all members for community in advance for their understanding as this exercise unfolds. I commend the holiday study program to our Year 12s in preparation for the looming HSC Trial exams that commence in Week 3 of Term 3. Offering students a study option in the Fr Denis Foley Resource Centre is another initiative to build the learning culture of the College and to underpin the efforts of students throughout the year to maximise their learning potential. There is no such thing as ‘good luck’ in exams, only good preparation. A reminder to families of students in Years 10 – 12 that the University of Notre Dame Australia [UNDA] will be holding an information evening on 16 th July between 5.00 - 7.00pm at St Aloysius Parish Hall, Giddings Avenue, Cronulla. A similar event last year proved most beneficial for students looking at tertiary education opportunities. A number of Aquinas Alumni are currently studying @ the UNDA campuses in Sydney across a range of fields and report positively about the professionalism of the staff, facilities and the continuance of higher education in a Catholic context. As the term rounds out Aquinas students’ sporting and extracurricular representation continues unabated; Best wishes to Rose Lewis, Breanna Lawrence, and Jacqui Cowell [Year 11] who will represent the College at the NSW State Equestrian Championships. Well done to Lochlainn Nolan [Year 8] who has had a stellar year in kyokushin martial arts, taking out the Under 12- 13 Australian Championships. Lochlainn has now won his age group at the national championships for the third successive year. A fantastic achievement! Congratulations to the 17 of our chess players who recently competed in the Inter School Chess Challenge Heat [Secondary Division] 2015 held at Lucas Heights Community School. After a tense day of competition the Aquinian team prevailed, being named Champion School. Checkmate! A number of students at Aquinas are performing at "CaSPA Live!” this evening in vocal / dance / drama routines. Best wishes to Kate Donovan [Year 7], Charlotte Knoke, Jack Harris, Joshua Lane [Year 8] and Michael Monk [Year 9]. Break a leg! The Opens Rugby League had a successful trip to Kempsey where they played St Paul’s College and won 40 -0. They are now into the quarter finals of the NSW Combined Catholic College’s Cup – a first for a Menai team. Well done!! James Corcoran Principal
Just a final reminder to parents and students the term will conclude this week with our Semester One Student / Parent / Teacher interview days on Thursday 25
th and Friday 26
th June. Interviews will run from 8:30am until 8pm on
the Thursday and again from 8:30am – 12:30pm on the Friday. There will be no classes on these days and it is a College expectation that students attend these interviews with their parent[s] in full winter school uniform. A reminder to parents that each scheduled interview is for 5 minutes and that if were a need for further discussion at another occasion that can be arranged, and in doing so will ensure a more timely flow of interviews. We look forward to having open three way conversations centred on learning on these days and refocussing efforts for the remainder of the year. Given the construction underway on site I would ask that all families access the hall via Gate 3 on Anzac Road, this is the pedestrian gate nearest the new administration building. As foreshadowed in last week’s newsletter the College Office will move on the last two days of term into the new Administration Building, consequently, there will limited functionality of the College Office on these days. We thank all members for community in advance for their understanding as this exercise unfolds. I commend the holiday study program to our Year 12s in preparation for the looming HSC Trial exams that commence in Week 3 of Term 3. Offering students a study option in the Fr Denis Foley Resource Centre is another initiative to build the learning culture of the College and to underpin the efforts of students throughout the year to maximise their learning potential. There is no such thing as ‘good luck’ in exams, only good preparation. A reminder to families of students in Years 10 – 12 that the University of Notre Dame Australia [UNDA] will be holding an information evening on 16
th July between 5.00 - 7.00pm at St Aloysius Parish Hall, Giddings Avenue,
Cronulla. A similar event last year proved most beneficial for students looking at tertiary education opportunities. A number of Aquinas Alumni are currently studying @ the UNDA campuses in Sydney across a range of fields and report positively about the professionalism of the staff, facilities and the continuance of higher education in a Catholic context. As the term rounds out Aquinas students’ sporting and extracurricular representation continues unabated; Best wishes to Rose Lewis, Breanna Lawrence, and Jacqui Cowell [Year 11] who will represent the College at
the NSW State Equestrian Championships. Well done to Lochlainn Nolan [Year 8] who has had a stellar year in kyokushin martial arts, taking out the Under
12- 13 Australian Championships. Lochlainn has now won his age group at the national championships for the third successive year. A fantastic achievement!
Congratulations to the 17 of our chess players who recently competed in the Inter School Chess Challenge Heat
[Secondary Division] 2015 held at Lucas Heights Community School. After a tense day of competition the Aquinian team prevailed, being named Champion School. Checkmate!
A number of students at Aquinas are performing at "CaSPA Live!” this evening in vocal / dance / drama routines.
Best wishes to Kate Donovan [Year 7], Charlotte Knoke, Jack Harris, Joshua Lane [Year 8] and Michael Monk [Year 9]. Break a leg!
The Opens Rugby League had a successful trip to Kempsey where they played St Paul’s College and won 40-0.
They are now into the quarter finals of the NSW Combined Catholic College’s Cup – a first for a Menai team. Well done!!
James Corcoran Principal
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 2
Assistant Principal
Key Dates
Week 10 (B) Term 2
Monday 22nd June Year 12 Excursion to ACU for Studies of RE focus day Opens Rugby League to Kempsey for NSWCCC Cup
Tuesday 23rd June Tuesday Week B lessons Opens Rugby League to Kempsey for NSWCCC Cup
Wednesday 24th June Year 10 Mass Year 7-10 Semester 1 reports released online Year 7-10 Parent Teacher online booking close at 10.30am
Thursday 25th June Year 7-10 Parent Teacher interviews; 8.30am to 8.00pm in JP11 Hall. NO CLASSES TODAY
Year 11-2016 re-enrolment forms due back to College office by today
Friday 26th June Year 7-10 Parent Teacher interviews; 8.30am to 12.30pm in JP11 Hall. NO CLASSES TODAY
Year 10 online bookings open at 3.00pm for transition interviews into Year 11-2016 End of Term 2
Week 1 (A) Term 3
Monday 13th July Day 1 Term 3 COLLEGE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL AT THE RIDGE-full sport uniform including
athletic shoes Year 10 into 11-2016 online bookings CLOSE at 5.00pm today for transition interviews Year 12 Assessment free week
Tuesday 14th July UTS talk to Year 12 at lunchtime Staff Meeting at 3.15pm
Wednesday 15th July Year 12 Mass
Thursday 16th July University of Notre Dame Australia's information evening at St Aloysius Parish Hall,
Giddings Avenue, Cronulla.
Friday 17th July Year 12 Physics excursion Sport
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 3
Robert Nastasi Assistant Principal
Year 7-10 Parent/ Teacher/ student Interviews 25th & 26th June 2015 A reminder once again that Year 7-10 Semester one Reports will be released electronically via SEQTA in Week 10, with Parent/
Teacher/Student interviews taking place on Thursday 25th June from 8.30am to 8.00pm and Friday 26th June from 8.30am to
12.30pm. To that end the Year 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student online booking details are as follows: Log into: www.schoolinterviews.com.au
Event code is: D2AAF
Bookings open: Monday 15th June, 2015 at 4.00pm
Bookings Close Wednesday 24th June, 2015 at 10.30am
Simply find your son/daughters teacher for each subject and click on the time that best suits
You will be able to print off or save the booking schedule.
Note that some teachers will not be available at all times/day(s) due to their official work days and or being on leave etc,
but they can be contacted in term 3 via phone As previously stated these days are mandatory and require all families to make 5 minute bookings with all class teachers to
gather important feedback about the progress of their children thus far in 2015 and ways to further enhance learning outcomes.
Also note that students are expected to bring with them to these interviews their report portfolios as a tool for discussion and
that all students are expected to present in full school winter uniform. Finally these days are in effect pupil free days other than
attending interviews and therefore for Year 11 and 12 study days, though they are welcome to use the College resource centre if
they wish.
Year 10 into 11 Transition process and interviews for 2016/17 Stage 6 studies
The Year 10 into 11 Transition process for 2016/17 Stage 6 studies has commenced last week with all Year 10 students briefed
of the process and issued with a package including enrolment forms for Stage 6, 2016 along with details around the 20 minute
Transition interviews that will take place in week 2 of term 3 with a member of the Leadership team at the College. Enrolment forms are due back to the student’s Pastoral teacher before Thursday Week 10, Term 2 or earlier. Additionally any
student intending to leave Aquinas Catholic College needs to submit an Intention to Leave Form which can be obtained from
Mr Tsambalas or the front office; these too are due before the end of this term to the College office or Pastoral teacher. Details of the Transition interviews that ALL students intending to return to the College must be part of along with at least one
parent/carer are as follows: Log into: www.schoolinterviews.com.au Event code: MR7LB Bookings open: Friday 26/6/15 at 3.00pm (last day of Term 2) Bookings close: Monday 13/7/15 at 5.00pm (first day of Term 3)
Re-scheduled Athletics Carnival As you would have seen via the note sent home last Thursday that the College Athletics Carnival has been re-scheduled for
Monday 13th July (first day back of Term 3) at the Ridge. All students are expected to attend in full College sport Uniform
including athletic sport shoes. Non-attendance will appear on the College final report and a letter will be sent home requiring
an explanation for any absence. Wishing all students and their families a restful and happy holiday! Can I remind students and families that our normal standards
are expected around haircuts and winter uniform upon return to school on Monday 13th July (Week A).
LEARNING AND CURRICULUM MATTERS This Week’s Assessments
YEAR 12 TRIAL HSC EXAMINATIONS 2015
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 1.5 hours
Business Studies 3 hours
Friday 31 July ‘15
Chemistry 3 hours Senior Science 3 hours
Ancient History 3 hours SDD 3 hours
Year Subject Date
12 English Extension 2 22.06.15 12 Legal Studies 22.06.15 11 English Extension 1 22.06.15 11 Drama 22.06.15 11 Food Technology 22.06.15 9 Industrial Technology Timber Deathe 22.06.15 12 Hospitality 23.06.15 12 SOR2 23.05.15 11 Italian Beginners 23.06.15 11 Italian Continuers 23.06.15 9 Industrial Technology Timber Broady 23.06.15 12 Advanced English 24.06.15 12 Standard English 24.06.15 12 Food Technology 24.06.15 11 Geography 24.06.15 11 SOR1 24.06.15 9 Multi Media 24.06.15
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 5
Lisa Mirabello Leader of Teaching and Learning
Year 12 Holiday Study Program and Trial HSC Examinations With Trial HSC examinations beginning in Week 3 of Term 3, senior students should be in full study mode during the Term 2 holidays. The College library will be open from 9am - 1pm for each week day of the holidays apart from Friday 3rd and Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th July when there will be power outages in the school as a result of the building program. At the library, students will find a quiet space to work independently, without the distractions that can be found at home and/or they may choose to work from one of the collaborative learning spaces, with their peers. Calling for Assistance from Pre-2015 HSC Students Are you a former Aquinas student who has some spare time and something to offer the current Year 12 students in terms of study tips and advice, knowledge of and expertise in a particular subject, or just the time to help test/quiz students on their own subject content? Do you have a spare day or even a few hours to volunteer during the coming holidays? If this sounds like you, please email me at [email protected] to see how you might help. This would be a great opportunity if you are undertaking a teaching degree and/or if you are just looking for a way to contribute to the college community. We would be very grateful for your assistance. If this is not you, but you know another former student who might be able to help, please pass on my email.
Science Department Initiative I would like to recognise the initiative of Mrs Woods and the Science department in their bid to highlight academic success in all things scientific. They have recently unveiled the Science Wall of Fame, a wall of photographs of all students in Years 7-12 who have achieved success in Science assessment tasks. It was heartwarming to see such a great variety of faces and an impressive combination of both male and female future scientists. Congratulations to all students who currently have a 'mugshot' on the Wall of Fame and I encourage other students to set this as a possible future academic goal.
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
Regional Titration Winners off to the Nationals On Tuesday 16th June, nine Aquinas Chemistry students participated in the 2015 NSW Schools Titration Competition with two
teams of 3 from Year 11 and one team from Year 12. This is the largest analytical chemistry competition in Australia and is
best described as an Olympic-class event for Chemistry students. In a 90 minute time period the students are required to
perform a set of acid-base titrations to determine the unknown concentration of acid in a vinegar solution. A team’s score will
depend on the accuracy of the work of each of its members with zero being a perfect score and 10,000 being the highest
possible losing score. Students complete a minimum of 4 specimen analysis, usually taking about 15 minutes for each individual test and then
together complete their group results sheet for the different samples each has examined. Scores are calculated by determining
the difference between the students reported results and the actual results. For example, Sample C had a concentration of
0.1136 and Dylan Foskett, after completing 4 analyses and then carrying out the calculation determined the answer to be
0.1131, a difference of 0.0005 or 5/10000th. His score was converted to 5 and then squared to give a result of 25 out of a
possible 10,000. A stellar result that would earn him a gold medal at the National competition if he could repeat his efforts.
Corey Hall, also from Year 11 scored 65, with an error of 0.0008 and a single mark added for a calculation error. Another
brilliant score. The winning team on the day was the Year 12 team of Eryn Lara, Isabella Krstanovski and Georgia Bell who will almost
certainly be invited to compete in the National Competition in September. The decision will be made by the event organisers
once results from across the country are collated. Congratulations to each of the participants, Charles Edgar, Vincent Holdom, Dylan Foskett (3nd placed team), Corey Hall, Jack
Pethybridge and Natalie Giannoulas (2nd placed team) and to Eryn, Isabella and Georgia, all of whom have practiced hard and
taken on this challenge with enthusiasm and have developed teamwork skills that will enhance their lives into the future. For
the Year 11’s this analytical process is part of the HSC course and the skills they have developed will carry through to their
HSC year and to University if they choose a chemistry subject. For the Year 12’s this has given them some added confidence in
one of their Year 12 mandatory practicals which is consistently examined in the HSC exam. Thank you also to Mrs Julie Wells and Mrs Mary-Anne Lee our brilliant lab assistants who had all the equipment and solutions
organized well in advance and even provided afternoon tea for the participants before they started. Thank you also to
Mrs Melissa Gerke and Miss Elyza Al-Gharib who both supported the students at various times during the competition.
The Medals
The winners
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 11
Charlie, Dylan and Vince
Corey Hall showing great technique
Natalie and Jack showing that Chemistry is fun
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 12
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 13
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)
NOT OPEN 25 JUNE
NEXT OPEN ON THURSDAY 16 July
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
