‘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

17th August, 2015 Vol.23.No.23

This online survey, run by CEO, Sydney will be officially launched in Week 7 and will close at the end of Week 9 (24

th August to 13

th September). At the start of Week 7, all current residential guardians of our students will receive

an email inviting them to follow the survey link. I would encourage all parents to avail themselves of the opportunity to be involved in this important data gathering and planning exercise.

Late last year the College reviewed the internal Challenge Class structures that have developed since the program’s inception in 2010. As part of that process all of our Challenge Class teachers who had not already had the opportunity to, have been undertaking the University of NSW’s Mini Certificate of Gifted Education [Mini COGE] in 2015 with the support of the CEO, Sydney. Practically, this means that 25 staff have been taking a course that has 3 sessions and runs from 12noon until 5pm. To date, we have been able to use a Staff Development Day and one other day to meet this commitment. Finding dates with the UNSW staff and that do not clash with major events, exams, Year 12 commitments and the like has been a complex task. To complete this course we have been given permission by the CEO, Revesby to conclude classes on the Friday 16

th of October @ 12noon following Period 4.

This will allow staff to complete the course that runs until 5pm [as they have done twice already this year] and for other curriculum development. It is a “Bye” week for Aquinas in representative sport, so no teams will be disadvantaged and no classes will be impacted upon. We will arrange buses to take students on amalgamated routes that normally run in the afternoon. Limited supervision will be available at the College for families who wish their children to remain on site until the normal finishing time.

Congratulations to Georgia Wiltshire of Year 8 who competed in the NSW Junior Road Cycling Championships held at Tamworth last weekend and finished with a bronze medallion in the time trial event. Well done Georgia! Best wishes also to our Opens Rugby League Team in their GIO Final at Kogarah Jubilee and our Senior Netballers who play in the NSWCCC Gala at Penrith tomorrow.

Please keep the Lake family in your thoughts and prayers as Miah-Rose [Year 11] and Joshua’s [Year 12] grandfather passed away last week.

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

James Corcoran Principal

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17th August 2015

Dear Parents and Carers

I have been contacted by our local Police Liaison Officer requesting that we reinforce with our students the key

‘stranger danger’ messages. While we have not been provided with details of a particular incident, I understand

the police have been pursuing a line of inquiry that involves a 1999 white Hyundai Excel with tinted windows

similar to the one below.

If you see a vehicle matching this description and are able to safely obtain the

vehicle registration and a description of the male driver, these details would

assist police with their inquiries. If you have any information that you believe

may be of help to the police, please call your local police station or go to the

Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Any

information provided to this site will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Our highest priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our students. I have included stranger danger advice at

the bottom of this communication which has been provided to us by the police. This may be helpful when speaking

to your child about the matter.

Late last term our students were reminded of the Safe People, Safe Places strategies and we will continue to repeat

these messages on a regular basis. You may find that your child has further questions about this conversation

when he/she speaks with you. It will be normal for your child to feel curious and may even be worried. If you have

any concerns about your child’s response, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Year Coordinator

Here are the Safe People, Safe Places messages for children:

Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times;

Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths

where there are lots of other people;

Be mindful of your surroundings, particularly when listening to music through your headphones;

Know where safe places are: e.g. a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever

frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police;

Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults

you know and trust;

Don’t talk to people you don’t know, and never get into a car with someone you don’t know;

If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop;

If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared;

If someone tries to grab you, yell out, “Go away, I don’t know you!” This lets other people know you have been

approached by someone you don’t know.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely

James Corcoran

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Assistant Principal

Key Dates

Monday 17th August Science week

Year 7 History Excursion- half the year group

Tuesday 18th August Envirowalk- All students to attend the day in College sport uniform including sport/athletic shoes, not canvas, slip on etc. -dismissal from school at 3.05pm except Year 12

GIO Opens RL City vs Terrigal High at Jubilee Oval-2pm kick off

CCC Netball Championships at Penrith

HSC Industrial Technology marking today

Wednesday 19th August Year 8 Parish Mass at 8.20am

Cochrane Cup RL semi- final vs Red Bend College Forbes in Forbes (travel)

Macleay College talk to Year 12 at lunchtime

Year 12 Drama showcase evening starting at 6.30pm

Thursday 20th August Cochrane Cup RL semi final vs Red Bend College Forbes in Forbes (match day)

Year 10 History incursion

Year 8 Science incursion

Year group meeting Period 4

Year 10 into 11-2016 Subject Market afternoon in the library from 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Friday 21st August Aquinas Winter Sleep out in the JPII Hall

HSC Construction Concreting Competency Day

HSC Preparation seminars during sport

Year 10 into 11-2016 initial subject selections forms due today

HSC Drama exam

Senior blood bank visit

Sport

Week 6 (B) Term 3

Robert Nastasi

Assistant Principal

Monday 24th August Year 11 Assessment free week

Year 9 Accelerated Maths information session at 5pm in the Library

Tuesday 25th August Year 11 Biology excursion

Wednesday 26th August Year 7 Parish Mass at 8.20am

Year 11 BStreetsmart road safety program

Year 7 Reflection Day with Chris Doyle in the JPII Hall

UNSW talk at lunchtime for Year 12

HSC Major works exhibition afternoon/evening-3.30pm to 6.30pm

Year 9-2016 Electives Information Night from 7pm to 8pm in the JPII Hall

Thursday 27th August Aquinas Music Night

Friday 28th August HSC Preparation seminars during sport

Year 11 U Turn the Wheel excursion

Sport

Week 7 (A) Term 3

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Year 12 Winter Sleepout

This Friday 21st August is the annual Year 12 Winter Sleepout to

raise funds for St Vincent De Paul. We are very fortunate this year

to have a guest speaker, Erin, from the St Vincent De Paul Youth

Ambassadors program . Members of the local chapter of Vinnies

will also be attending for the first hour or so to show their support

for this annual event.

Year 12 students should have already returned their permission

notes to either Mr Roberts or Mrs Monk. They will need to bring

warm clothes to sleep in, as we sleep on the floor of the John

Paul II Hall.

We will be selling yummy homemade soup, sausage sizzle and hot chocolates throughout the night to raise funds for the Winter

Sleepout. Students are encouraged to bring in cash for this and also Bingo on the night.

Families can also donate to the team page at

http://nswvinniesschoolsleepout.gofundraise.com.au/page/AquinasCollegeWinterSleepout

Could we also ask for any business in the area that have cardboard boxes to donate them to the school for the event. Like the

homeless people in Sydney we would like to have something between us and the cold floor so cardboard boxes would be

appreciated. Please leave them with the office.

World Vision's 40 Hour Famine

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 40 hour Famine over the weekend. So far we have raised nearly

$1,500 for World Vision with some participants still to do their famine this weekend due to sporting or Duke of Ed.

Commitments. If you still would like to join or donate its not too late! Just go to

https://40hf2015.everydayhero.com/au/aquinas-college-menai/members

The 40 Hour Famine raises money to help children, their families and communities in desperate need.

The funds support World Vision’s work tackling the causes of poverty, and by doing the 40 Hour Famine you are part of a

movement of Australians who are willing to take action against hunger.

Any questions about any of the initiatives above please see Mrs Monk.

The Social Justice Committee meets every Thursday A at lunchtime in room 18. All welcome 7-12.

Mrs Julie Monk Social Justice Coordinator.

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LEARNING AND CURRICULUM MATTERS This Week’s Assessments

YEAR 11 Preliminary Examinations Weeks 9 and 10

Year 11 students should now be well into a structured study timetable that sees them fully prepared for their end of Preliminary

Course examinations in Weeks 9 and 10. Studying for an entire year’s work for every subject can be a daunting task and

students who might be looking for additional support about how to study can find helpful hints at http://

www.studyskillshandbook.com.au/

Our username is: Aquinas

Password: 10success

One of the links that might be helpful is the Improving How You Study Units. The following links can be found under the

Summarising Section.

1. What are study notes?

2. Why make study notes?

3. When should I make study notes?

4. What format should study notes take?

5. How do I make study notes?

6. Where do mind maps and other styles fit in?

7. How can I improve my study notes?

8. What do I do with the study notes after I've done them?

9. Other questions asked about study notes.

Year 11 students are also invited to attend the Tuesday night study sessions in the Resource Centre (Library) while preparing

for their Preliminary Course examinations.

Year 11 2016 Subject Selection

Current Year 10 students and their parents are reminded that subject selection forms are due to be returned to the box

outside Ms. Mirabello’s office by 9am on Friday 21st August. There will be a Subject Market on Thursday 20th August in

Rooms 5, 6 and 7, the Fitness Centre and the TAS block from 3.30 to 5.00pm for students. All students are required to attend

this subject market to ensure that they have made the best choices. There will be a sign in sheet in Room 5. Students are also

reminded to utilize the services of Mrs. Higgins and to access university entry requirement information at http://

www.uac.edu.au/documents/publications/year10-booklet-18.pdf.

Finally, all students should have a look at HSC examinations in the subjects that they are interested in. These can be found

atwww.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au. There is a link on the left side of the page that will take you directly to HSC examinations.

Year Subject Date

11 Food Technology 17.08.15

11 Software Design and Development 17.08.15

9 Mathematics 17.08.15

8 PDHPE 17.08.15

11 Economics 19.08.15

11 Food Technology 19.08.15

11 Hospitality 19.08.15

11 Studies of Religion 2 Unit 19.08.15

11 Advanced and Standard English 20.08.15

9 Food Technology 20.08.15

11 Biology 21.08.15

11 Mathematics 21.08.15

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Year 9 2016 Electives Information Evening

Current Year 8 students and their parents are reminded that there is a compulsory Information Evening regarding the

selection of Elective Courses for 2016 from 7pm until 8pm in the John Paul ll Hall on Wednesday 26 th August. The evening

will include a subject market where students can ask specific questions of the teachers and see a selection of the work from

each subject.

Interim Malpractice Policy

In keeping with BOSTES guidelines and in response to recent incidents of malpractice at the college, I would like to remind all

students and parents of what constitutes malpractice in assessment tasks. With a disappointing number of senior students

having missed the Athletics Carnival, some to work on coming assessment tasks, it is timely to note that malpractice includes

any attempt to gain an advantage over others in the cohor t.

Students who engage in any kind of malpractice run the risk of receiving a zero result for their assessment task and of wasting

college resources and the time and energy of teachers and students who may need to set or sit additional tasks as a result of the

incident. Please take note of the college policy below.

What is Malpractice? Malpractice is any act committed by a student to gain an unfair advantage over

another/others.

Malpractice includes, but is not limited to:

copying, buying, stealing or borrowing part or all of someone else’s work and presenting it as their own

using material directly from books, journals, CDs, the internet, or other origins without acknowledging the source

submitting work that contains a large and unacknowledged contribution from another person such as a parent, tutor, coach

or author

paying for material that is associated with a task, such as process diaries, logs or journals.

paying someone to write or prepare an assessment task

using the words, ideas, designs or work of others without acknowledgement

being in possession of unauthorised notes or electronic devices during an assessment task

copying from another student

breaching school examination rules

providing false explanations in an Illness/Misadventure Appeal to explain work not handed in by the due date

knowingly absenting themselves from class on the day of/day prior to a task to have extra time to work on the task either at

school or at home

making a non-serious attempt that is frivolous or offensive

assisting another/other student/s to engage in malpractice.

How will the College respond to instances of Malpractice?

In the first instance, it is the College’s responsibility to ensure that all assessment and examination rules are clear and

transparent.

All students who are entered in one or more Preliminary or HSC course must have completed the HSC: All My Own Work

program on the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) website.

In any case where malpractice is suspected, the incident will be investigated by the Assessment Review Panel. The panel will

be comprised of the Leader of Teaching and Learning (Curriculum), the relevant KLA coordinator, and where required, the

Assistant Principal. The relevant Year coordinator may also be asked to participate in the process, to provide support to the

student/students involved.

The panel will review each case of malpractice on its merits, considering all the issues, in order to arrive at a fair conclusion.

Parents will be informed of any instance of proven malpractice and will be required to attend an interview at the College. The

support of the College Counsellor will be made available for the student.

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Lisa Mirabello Leader of Teaching and Learning

Detected malpractice will limit a student’s marks (and at a Stage 6 level, jeopardise their HSC). One or more of the following

will apply:

reduced marks for all or part of the task or examination

zero marks for all or part of the task or examination

the re-scheduling of all or part of the task or examination for the individual and/or the entire cohort

other in-school consequences as determined by the Assessment Review Panel in consultation with the Assistant

Principal/Principal

jeopardise the student’s entry to post school pathways.

Any proven case of malpractice in a HSC course requires mandatory reporting of the breach on the Malpractice Register

administered by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES).

CAREER NEWS

As the ATO no longer accepts Tax File Number applications through schools, here is the information on how students need to apply for a tax file number now.

Australian residents – TFN application

Apply at Australia Post

You can apply for a TFN at a participating Australia Post retail outlet. If you're an Australian resident and able to attend an interview. There is no fee for lodging a TFN application. If you're an Australian resident the easiest way to apply for a TFN is to:

1. Complete the online form.

2. Print the summary, which will include your application reference number, and take it to your Australia

Post interview.

3. Attend an interview at a participating Australia Post outlet within 30 days of completing your online

form. You'll need to take your printed summary and proof of identity documents to the interview.

Visit the Australia Post website to book your interview.

Lisa Higgins Careers Adviser (Tues, Wed and alternate Thurs)

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ITALIAN DANCE NIGHT 2015

On Friday 14th August, a number of Year 10 and 11 Aquinas Italian students attended the annual Italian

Dance night held at Five Dock. This years’ dance was one of the best, with the biggest attendance of

students studying Italian from various Catholic schools in Sydney.

All had a great time dancing and socializing and experiencing how Italian students celebrate “Italian

style”

Here are some pics from the night;- Mrs Gulisano

YOUTH MINISTRY @ AQUINAS: UPDATE WYD16 I am happy to announce that we so far have 19 CONFIRMED pilgrims for WY16. If any student is still interested in WY16, you are NOT too late to pick up a Confirmation of Interest Form, WYD Deposit form and Brief Medical Information forms from Miss Kilzi. If any parents would like more details on WYD16 please do not hesitate to contact me at

the College.

Rosary The Rosary & prayer intentions: On every Tuesday in room 15 during lunch 1.

If anyone has any question s please see Miss Kilzi

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1. Simplify 1 more than 5g

2. Write an expression for double t plus 8

3. Evaluate 5b if b = 4

4. Write an expression for 7 times the sum of a + b

5. Write an expression for the product of 3 and c squared

Mrs Catherine Fensom Assistant Mathematics Coordinator

MATHS DEPARTMENT RECALL CORNER

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Year 12 Drama Showcase Night

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BIG SCIENCE COMPETITION

130 Science students at Aquinas recently completed the Big Science competition. Students from the Red classes from Years 7 – 10 as well as any student wishing to participate from any other class were challenged by the questions and all participants are to be congratulated for their efforts. Certificates for Distinction and High Distinction achievement will be presented at the next full College Assembly while credit and participation certificates will be presented to students by their science teacher. Congratulations to every student who participated in this challenging competition. 33 students received Credit awards and 84 received Participation awards. Students awarded High Distinctions were James Selas, Georgia Thompson and Caitlin Bell from Year 8 and Daniel Ferraro from Year 10. Students awarded a Distinction were Keeley Lennon, Holly Huopainen and Gabriel Danaskos from Year 7, Joshua Vangi, Hamish Baldacchino, Faith Savellis, Emma Higgins and Ben Ferraro from Year 8 and Anadelia Samarasinha from Year 10. Photos of these students have been added to the Science Wall of Fame which recognizes the achievements of students in their whole year group tasks. Currently there are 78 different students recognized on the Wall of Fame from 28 separate tasks as well as 2 external competitions. The recent Year 12 HSC Trial Exams as well as the Year 7 “Toy” task will see more students included in this merit list. Maree Woods Science Coordinator

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National Literacy and Numeracy Week

31st August – September 6th

Aquinas will be celebrating with some fabulous activities and competitions throughout the week.

Stay tuned for more detail as the week approaches.

Mrs Kate Wilson (Literacy Facilitator) and David Bulmer (Leader of Teaching and Learning)

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GIFTED EDUCATION NEWS

AURECON BRIDGE BUILDING COMPETITION 2015

Last Tuesday three Year 8 students: Emma Higgins (8 Red), Tony Hollmann (8 Purple) and David White (8 Blue)

attended the Aurecon Bridge Building Competition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The students’ brief was

to construct a bridge with a 650mm span, no wider than 140mm using only:

8 balsa sticks 6.5mm x 6.5mm x 580mm long

8 balsa sticks 6.5mm x 6.5mm x 330mm long

1 cardboard tube

1 tube of epoxy glue

1 piece of 5m string

The task entailed many hours in the Learning Centre researching, viewing videos of past bridge builds, designing,

cutting, gluing and testing.

Over 50 schools from around the state entered this year’s competition and the bridges were of an extremely high

standard. Unfortunately the students weren’t successful in taking out a prize but they certainly learnt a lot about

bridges and the wonderful possibilities that a career in

engineering can provide you with.

Cathy Capovilla

Gifted Education Teacher

‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 16

CRYSTAL GROWING COMPETITION RESULTS

Last term ten students from Years 7 and 8 were involved in the NSW Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)

Crystal Growing Competition. The students were: Year 7- Emily Lane, Alexis Long and Billy Mayes. Year 8:

Xavier Rozanc, Benjamin Capovilla, Joshua Lane, Benjamin Ferraro, David White, James Selas and Jack Harris.

Students met regularly in the Science labs to prepare their alum solution and then grow their crystal. This year’s

competition saw 48 schools register and 1000 students from Kindergarten to Year 10 grow crystals.

I am pleased to announce the following results for Aquinas Catholic College:

Joshua Lane (8 RED) – Highly commended

James Selas (8 RED) – Highly commended

Billy Mayes (7 PURPLE) – Finalist

Emily Lane (7 WHITE) – Finalist

Benjamin Ferraro (8 RED) – Finalist

Jack Harris (8 RED) – Finalist

David White (8 BLUE) – Participation

Benjamin Capovilla (8 RED) – Participation

Xavier Rozanc (8 GREEN) – Participation

Alexis Long (7 RED) – Participation

Finally I would like to thank Mrs Julie Wells, the College’s

Science Lab Assistant for preparing all of the materials and

giving up several lunch times to work with the students.

Cathy Capovilla

Gifted Education Teacher

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UNIFORM SHOP (Located next to Canteen)

THURSDAY 20 August

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

CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 3

TIME: MONDAY-THURSDAY 10:00-1:35, FRIDAY 9:30-12:45

MONDAY 17/8 JACKIE LORENZATTO

TUESDAY 18/8 ENVIROWALK

WEDNESDAY 19/8 JULIANNE LANE, MEGAN BERGHOLD, KAREN BRADSHAW

THURSDAY 20/8 MELINDA HUMPHRY, LEANNE CARPENTER

FRIDAY 21/8 JENNY KNOKE, VERONIQUE THIBAULT, LOUISE BRYANT, REBECCA HARRIS,

SONIA BOGARD

MONDAY 24/8 TONY SHELDON, MARINA KOUZMENKO

TUESDAY 25/8 LINDA KIRGAN, SIMONE CARLINO

WEDNESDAY 26/8 VERONIQUE ROCA, SONIA NIELSEN, KRISTEN KASPARIAN

THURSDAY 27/8 MARGARET MOUSSA, SALLY DONOVAN

FRIDAY 28/8 MARIA SKARENTZOS, CATHY CARUCCIO, LISA ALLEN

Answers:

MATHS CHALLENGE

Maths Department

1. 5g + 1

2. 2t + 8

3. 20

4. 7(a + b)

5. 3c2

ENVIROWALK

18 AUGUST

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our Envirowalk is tomorrow 18 August. To make it a success we rely

heavily on the support of many parents and grandparents to be there

on the day to barbecue, serve food and drinks, and make it a fun day

for the students. We also need men for some heavier duties, and to

pick up and give out drinks.

We also need donations of sauce, (bbq and

tomato), & disposable gloves.

Could all students please bring a plastic bag on the day.

Thank you

Parent Group

RITE OF CHRISTIAN

INITIATION OF ADULTS

The RCIA is our process of welcoming new adult members into the

Church. If you have asked the above question of yourself or have

had other adults asking about our Catholic Christian belief and way

of life please come and find out more.

An enquiry Night will be held on

Wednesday 26 August at

7:30pm in the Church.

If you would like further information prior to this evening please

contact Keith 9543 0665 or the Parish Office

(9543 2677)