1 Vol. 5, Ed.25, August 25 2016 PAGE 1 ST VIRGIL’S COLLEGE – THE STAR PLAIN TEXT, PRINT VE RSION THURSDAY AUGUST 25 2016 F ROM THE PRINCIPAL MR DAMIAN MESSER Athletics Carnival We are currently in the midst of a very exciting Athletics Carnival at the Domain Athletics Centre. It is wonderful to see so many boys getting into the House spirit and the competition is red hot! At this stage it is too close to call and we will update you via our social media platforms and in next week's Star as to who has been the successful House. African Visitor I am excited to advise that this Friday and Monday next week we will have a special friend, Samuel Karanja visiting from Nairobi, Kenya. One of the highlights of my trip (and Mark Waddington's visit) to Kenya was meeting Karanja and spending time with him and his amazing family and network of friends. Both Mark and I visited his mother’s home in the slums of Nairobi and benefitted greatly from his experiences and insights into the lives of people living in slum communities such as Makura where the Mary Rice Centre is located.
Transcript
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Vol. 5, Ed.25, August 25 2016 PAGE 1 ST VIRGIL’S COLLEGE – THE STAR
PLAIN TEXT, PRINT VERSION THURSDAY AUGUST 25 20 16
FROM THE PRINCIPAL MR DAMIAN MESSER
Athletics Carnival
We are currently in the midst of a very exciting Athletics Carnival at the Domain Athletics Centre. It is
wonderful to see so many boys getting into the House spirit and the competition is red hot! At this
stage it is too close to call and we will update you via our social media platforms and in next week's Star
as to who has been the successful House.
African Visitor
I am excited to advise that this Friday and Monday next week we will have a special friend, Samuel
Karanja visiting from Nairobi, Kenya.
One of the highlights of my trip (and Mark Waddington's visit) to Kenya was meeting Karanja and
spending time with him and his amazing family and network of friends. Both Mark and I visited his
mother’s home in the slums of Nairobi and benefitted greatly from his experiences and insights into
the lives of people living in slum communities such as Makura where the Mary Rice Centre is located.
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Karanja is a great support for Br Russell Peters in addition to his work for the Edmund Rice
Foundation and Edmund Rice camps. I have no doubt that students and staff will love the experience
of meeting this incredible young man – he is a great story teller!
He will attend Assembly on Friday, visit Junior School at the end of their day and then speak to the
Grade 9s and 10s during singing on Monday as well as visiting Junior School classrooms on Monday
morning.
The following article is from the African Brothers weekly newsletter and provides some context to his
visit -
KARANJA IN THE LAND OF THE BLESSED
I am here in Australia on behalf of ERFA, to continue the connection between Edmund Rice schools in
Australia, and Edmund Rice Ministries in East Africa. I spent the whole of last week as a tourist in
Sydney beaches and harbours, but this week I am “working”!
I am currently staying on the Central Coast of New South Wales, north of Sydney.
I am just back from “The Haven” with Br Michael Burton. “The Haven” is a wonderful centre that
provides alternative schooling for troubled children in Gosford. The centre operates from the
fundraising efforts of St. Edward’s College in Gosford.
I also had the opportunity to visit St Edward’s and speak to 1200 boys at the assembly about my life
and the ministries in East Africa! I really enjoyed interacting with Year 11 and 12 students during RE
classes, joining Indigenous boys for cross- cultural conversations and meeting the Christian Brothers
community in the school. I will also visit other schools in Hobart and Victoria, the Amberley Centre in
Melbourne, and Edmund Rice Foundation activities in both Melbourne and Brisbane. As you can see I
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am very busy but at the same time having lots of fun with my hosts and enjoying re-connecting with
people I have previously met in East Africa.
Samuel Karanja
Book Week
A major highlight at our Junior School last week was the Book week parade held on Thursday
afternoon. It was great to see so many members of the community get involved with some creative and
outrageous interpretations of the theme Australiana. The parade highlighted just how important story
is in the life of our boys and I am sure that story telling made its way home that evening. The images
attached speak for themselves.
Community Football Lunch
Football has meant many things to the St Virgil’s community over the years but last week it provided
the back drop for our annual community lunch at Bellerive Oval. The guests were treated to three key
note speakers, Mr Ray McLean from Leading Teams, Mr Michael Moschogianis and Miss Laura Kane
from the North Melbourne Football Club and Mr Graeme Rainbow and Bruce Woods from the SVC
History Centre Archives who entertained with their very informative presentations. It was wonderful to
see the breadth of participation from so many sections of our wider St Virgil’s and Old Virgilian
community. A great afternoon was had by all. Many thanks must go to Andrew Colrain for being the
MC for the afternoon and to Mr Mark Waddington for his great organisation of the event.
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Old Virgilians Association Luncheon
Next Tuesday August 30 at Austins Ferry we are hosting the OVA August Luncheon will will bring
together generations of old scholars for a great afternoon of story telling, connection and nostalgia.
One of the key elements that defines St Virgil's is our sense of community and our past students are are
key component of this. Our old scholars are the custodians of our rich story and traditions and exhort
us to maintain the values, faith and standards that has defined the College for over 100 years. At most
luncheons I will have an old scholar remind me that the boys socks should always be pulled up!
The luncheon commences at 12 noon and there are still places available. If you are an old scholar or
have friends and family who attended the College please consider coming along - and bringing a mate
or two from your era. Please email Mark Waddington at [email protected] if you can
attend.
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL MR TERRY BL IZZARD
Austins Ferry is a busy place at the moment with lots of exciting learning opportunities. Our Grade 7
students have all now completed their Ferntree field trip, the first of the Grade 9 groups have
undertaken their community service and as mentioned previously the Grade 10 students have been
immersed in their work experience. Learning experiences such as these are often referred to as
experiential learning, in other words learning by doing.
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Much research has been done on how boys learn, and while there is no “one size fits all”, many boys
benefit from experiential learning. I have always believed that the thing we miss in these kinds of
activities are the incidental learnings - boys learning without realising they are learning! I think
Benjamin Franklin captured boys learning best when he said “tell me and I forget, teach me and I may
remember, involve me and I learn.”
Grade 9 Welfare
This week we had the last session on the Heroes Journey unit in Welfare. In this unit we have been
inspired by the work of the late Jim Stynes as we explore the stories of individuals who have moved out
of their ordinary world and done extraordinary things, i.e. the heroes journey. Today we spoke about
everyday heroes and the values and behaviours that make them such. We have challenged the boys to
think of someone that they know or know of who could be considered an everyday hero, and to identify
what are the values and behaviours this person displays.
It might be a good conversation for parents to have with their sons, particularly if you can explain
someone you regard as a hero. All of these activities aim to support the boys in their journey into
healthy, well-adjusted young men of faith.
For the Diary
Please note that in Week 9 of this Term, Wednesday September 14, the Co-Curricular Photos will be
taken. As we only get the one opportunity for these to be taken it is important that all boys are in
attendance.
Homework Club
Homework Club is on each Thursday after school (not tonight due to House Athletics) in the Library
and is a great opportunity for boys to have specialist tutoring from teachers in subjects such as maths
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and english. A cup of milo is also provided in addition to the great learning support! All enquiries can
JUNIOR SCHOOL MR ANDREW PINELLI , HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Justice and Solidarity
We are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself.
― EREA Touchstone
Why do we send our children to school? Is it to gain a qualification or and education? My hope would be, at the end of the day, that the answer would be both. A qualification (be that academic or in a skill or trade for that matter) will position our child so that they can go forth into the world and try to make a difference of some sort. We, as parents, hope that this qualification will get our child a job and set them off as a productive member of our community and wider society – and the cycle of life continues.
I see the gaining of a qualification as something quite different to an education. Yes, a key part of an education is the academic pursuit (which might well lead to the gaining of a qualification). However,
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a well- educated student will gain more than a qualification. At St Virgil’s, whilst academic pursuits are encouraged and celebrated so too are the efforts on the sporting field, in the music halls or the art galleries as well as the countless efforts the boys make towards a range of outreach activities. This is clearly evident in this week’s Star item with a wide variety of achievements being celebrated. The education that we try to share with our boys is real in that we strive to get our boys to notice and engage with the poor and marginalised in their own community and abroad by utilising their gifts and talents and giving of themselves.
ICAS Information Technology
In a recent edition of The Star, we shared the really good results of our boys who participated in the
ICT Assessment. At a recent assembly, we were able to Grade 4 student, Patrick Harman, a
University Medal for this competition as a participant who scored in the top 2% of Tasmania. What a
fantastic achievement Patrick and a great pleasure to be able to present Patrick with his medal.
Book Week
A great celebration of reading and literacy, along with some amazing costumes, was celebrated last
Thursday. A little earlier than most Official Book Week celebrations, our boys and staff certainly got
into the spirit of the event. With the objective of encouraging our boys to read, and read often, as well
as to find reading enjoyable our Book Week celebrations were a great success. There was certainly a
vast array of costumes that certainly showed the boys enthusiasm. A big thank you to Ms Stary and Mrs
Sutton for their efforts in getting the day organised.
Hockey
Our Grade 5/6 Team competed in the Hockey Grand Final last week. Unfortunately, after a gallant
performance, the boys lost to a very talented Corpus Christi team. All the boys in the team are to be
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commended for a great performance all season but especially in the Grand Final. A special thank you
to Paul Ashby and Susie Pritchard for guiding the boys through the season.
Maths Relay
Two teams of 4 boys from Grade 5 and 6 represented St Virgil’s at the annual Mathematics Relay last
weekend. A challenge set of 20 problems are on offer for the boys with the objective to be as quick, and
as accurate as possible. Congratulations to Nicholas Skelly and Caerwyn James (Grade 5) and Caleb
Devine and Sahib Singh (Grade 6) who placed 3rd in their group.
Woodwork
Grade 4 B commenced Wood Work this week with an induction into the workshop. This is an
important aspect of the programme as it reminds our boys that there is always a safe way to act and
work with the tools available. After that, they got underway designing a CO2 Racer. There are a number
of significant design concepts for the boys to consider like leaving adequate material to drill a hole to
actually put the gas canister in as well as where to drill holes for the wheels to be added. We look
forward to watching these designs progress into mean looking street machines!
ICAS Spelling Assessment
Last Term, a number of boys undertook the ICAS Spelling Assessment. A number of boys, noted below,
did particularly well in this assessment. Well done to:
Merit Credit Distinction
Grade 3 Toby Gannon
Archie Gray
Daniel Mooney
Tom Prokopiec Ryan Hodge
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Grade 4 Luke Holloway Tommy Direen
Oscar Brewer
William Faux
Tristan Marshall
Daniel Wylie
Grade 5
Ayrton Cooke
Jensen Cooke Caerwyn James
Grade 6
Will Lukianenko
Ronan Mosenthal
River Smith
Fergus Wells
Connor Spangler Caleb Devine
Lucien Foong
Junior School P & F Association
Father’s Day Stall and Breakfast
Our Father’s Day Stall will be in operation next Thursday, September 1. Boys are asked to bring gifts in
by Tuesday of next week in readiness for this.
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Our annual Father’s Day breakfast will be held next Friday commencing at 7.30am. We will also need
some willing mums to come along and cook up a storm. All dads are then welcome to stay for our
Assembly which will commence at 9am in the Hall.
Further details about both of these activities will be posted via Parent Paperwork very soon.
Junior School Fair
Mark in your calendar September 11 which is our Fair Day. All boys are expected to attend and assist on their class stall wearing their sports uniform. Through Parent
Paperwork, all parents should have received by now, a request for either co-ordinating a stall or
helping out. There is a lot of assistance available to those parents who generously offer to co-ordinate a
stall, so please consider this level of assistance. Please offer your time, even if it is only brief, to assist in
making our Fair a great success.
There is still the opportunity for businesses to donate money and have stalls named after them. These
monetary donations are a great help towards the success of the Fair. Details about these opportunities
are in the letter or can be discussed with Simone Ashby (President) or Andrew Pinelli.
If you are on Facebook, please join, share and like the SVC Junior School P & F page which
is https://www.facebook.com/St-Virgils-College-465593033527084/
There are continual updates being posted on the Facebook page so please like these and share them
with friends and family.
Parent Paperwork
It has been fantastic to receive positive feedback about the Parent Paperwork system. Many parents
have been able to respond to the notifications very quickly which has really helped us out at the Junior
School. The system is now being used extensively to deliver all information about College excursions,
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incursions, sporting and music trips and other events that have traditionally been communicated to
you via a paper-based, student delivered form. To enable the system to work optimally though it is
essential that the College has your latest email contact details. If you change details, in particular email
addresses, at any time please advise the College office on soon as practicable. Thank you for your
assistance in this matter - I trust you will enjoy the great benefits that Parent Paperwork and our other
ICT systems provide to you.
Junior School Notices
We fully understand that sometimes your son may not bring home information in a timely fashion.
Could I please encourage all parents to check out the “In the School Bag” link on the College website
as it will contain any current, relevant notes that you may need.
Calendar Update
Parents and guardians are reminded to subscribe to the College’s online calendar. The great advantage
of this is that if there are necessary changes to dates these changes can be made immediately. Please
check the calendar at: http://www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au/calendar/
Significant, upcoming events are summarised below
August
Week 6 B
College House Athletics Carnival August 25
STCPSSA Football round 6 August 26
Week 7 A
Grade 6 Canberra Trip information session @ 5.30pm September 1
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Father’s Day breakfast September 2
Assembly led by Grade 6 C @ 9am September 2
STCPSSA Football round 7 September 2
Father’s Day September 4
Week 8 B
Clarence Eisteddfod – Choir performance September 6
Clarence Eisteddfod – Gr 5 & 6 Band performance September 7
STCPSSA Football round 8 September 9
Junior School Fair September 11
ASSISTANT DEPUTY PRINCIPAL:
MIDDLE SCHOOL&TRANSITIONS MR CAMERON ALEXANDER
Grade 10 GYC Transition
GYC preliminary course selections are to be made online by Friday August 19. If any boy has lost their log on details to make these selections they can contact me to have them resent. On Friday Mr Mathew Derrick from GYC will be available at recess for any boy who has any questions regarding their course selection.
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Preliminary Course Selection Due
Friday 19 August 4:30pm Guilford Young College
Course Counselling Tue. 15, Wed. 16 & Thur. 17 November
4:00pm – 6:00pm Glenorchy & Hobart Campuses
Grade 10 Orientation Day Wednesday 7 December
8:30am – 12:30pm Glenorchy & Hobart Campuses
Grade 10 Leavers’ Tops
Orders for Leavers tops have now closed, however families are reminded that payment needs to be made through the College Uniform Shop.
Cost: Short Sleeve Polo $45.00
Long Sleeve Rugby Jumper $65.00
Payment: Due on or before Friday September 15 2016.
• All Payments made through the Uniform Shop
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DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MRS JODIE WILLIAMS
2016 Clarence Eisteddfod
The College Choirs, Bands and various music ensembles have been entered into the upcoming Clarence Eisteddfod. All boys involved in these ensembles have been given the music required to rehearse. Please encourage them at home to practice their music in the upcoming month so that they are fully prepared for their performance.
It is important that all students attend every rehearsal in the upcoming weeks. Working towards Eisteddfod performances is a team effort and everybody needs to be there to ensure that all parts are covered in rehearsal.
The Eisteddfod runs from Monday September 5 – Friday September 9 at Citywide, Mornington.
Parents and friends are invited to attend and support the boys.
The following ensembles will be competing in the Eisteddfod during the following times:
Monday September 5
Morning: Senior Choir
Evening: Concert Band (including the Grade 8 Band) and Percussion Ensemble
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Tuesday September 6
Morning: Junior Choir
Evening: Stage Band
Wednesday September 7
Morning: Grade 5&6 Bands, Flute and Saxophone Ensemble
SPORT NEWS MR JAMES DALTON
Student Achievements
Good luck to Callum Bishop who will be competing in Go Karting Rotax ProTour event this weekend.
Good luck to Bayley Campbell who will be competing in Canberra at the Australian Race Walking
Championships this weekend.
Sailing
Admiral Br Peter Flint
Can You Help?
The new Sabots are in good shape and could be used "as is'" but they have a collection of gelcoat
"dings" and other minor fibre glass repairs needed. I'm asking if we have the skills available to repair
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them ourselves, or do we engage professionals but thereby reduce the funds that could be better used
elsewhere.
There seem to be a some options for their repair, provided we have the necessary skills available.
• Have one or more working bees at the MEC. (Marine Education Centre.)
• One or two boats are taken home to be worked on.
• A combination of both.
If you have gelcoat skills with or without fibre glass skills, and are able to be involved in some way, would you let me know please by email - [email protected]
That knowledge will give me a good sense of how to move forward.
I've pencilled in September 3 and 10 as possible on-site working bees. Other tasks that I'd like to get
done are:
• Remove decals on the Sabots.
• Put the repaired centreboards back into the pacers.
• Ready the MEC support boat for the water.
• Organise proper storage for the Sabots' masts.
Exciting times - please consider coming along!
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A Week in Photos To view this week’s photos from around the College please visit http://stvirgils.tas.edu.au/photo-‐album/
Parents and Friends Association Katrina Arkley President
Junior School Fair Sunday September 11, 11am-2pm
Senior School Fair Monday November 14, 5pm-8pm
The Croon Show Saturday November 19, 7.30pm
College Uniform Shop -‐ Trading Hours Term 2
Trading hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday and Thursday
Please contact Manager Caitlin Butterworth on 03 6249 3610 or
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Austins Ferry Canteen Mrs Carol Hilyer
The Canteen is trialling Muffins on Wednesdays to Fridays for the rest of this term.
We will Have Apple & Cinnamon or Cheese & Bacon both for $2 each.
Friday August 26 Sharon Roach Janine Hickey Monday August 29 Anita Stevenson Tuesday August 30 Rachel Kyle Wednesday August 31 Meika Stibbings Thursday September 1 Rae Kertezz-Kovacic Friday September 2 Tina Jenkins Tracy Noble Rachel Fisher
