‘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 October, 2014 Vol.22.No.28

I trust that all of our students in Years 7 to 10 are taking every opportunity to prepare for their upcoming exams by preparing their study notes, using a well-lit and ventilated study area, avoiding distracters like Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram as well as online and electronic games, limiting social activities and exercising regularly to be as organised as possible for these important assessments.

A reminder to all students and families to make use of the Enhanced Learning Educational Services [ELES] Study Skills Handbook website that the College has subscribed to. To access the handbook visit the website; www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and use the following Username and Password:

Username Aquinas Password 10success

There is no such thing as “Good Luck” in exams, only good preparation! Congratulations to Alex Bolton [Year 8] who has been selected in the Indoor Netball NSW Under 14 Ladies state squad to compete in the 2014 Indoor Netball Titles to be held in Perth in December. Well done Alex on making a state level team! On 12 September 2014, on advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Government raised the National Terrorism Public Alert level from ‘Medium’ to ‘High’. With the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community being our highest priority, and in light of this revised rating, the Catholic Education Office has asked that each school review its normal safety procedures to reflect this revised rating. This direction is precautionary only and in most cases, you will not notice anything different. As is usual, everyone who enters the school will be required to sign in and out. Office staff will be carefully checking the identification of all visitors. We will be reviewing our critical incident response plan and conducting our normal emergency evacuation practice drills. In the main, it will simply be about being careful and vigilant. If you have any questions or concerns about this matter, please contact the school. As you would be aware our current major capital works project addresses a number of factors contributing to a “safe and supportive environment” at the College that will create an even more secure campus for our students, staff and visitors.

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The College has recently acquired a Phantom Aerial UAV Drone Quadcopter for our students exploring multimedia in the curriculum. It is an amazing tool and has certainly engaged students [and staff!] in learning and we look forward to seeing the products our students will create in using it. In the testing stage it was able to take some images of the building site, one of which appears below…

A picture can indeed be worth a thousand words! James Corcoran Principal

Assistant Principal

Key Dates

Monday 20th October HSC examinations Year 11/12 Hospitality work placement No. 2 Year 7-10 excursion free week Staff meeting at 3.15pm

Tuesday 21st October HSC examinations

Wednesday 22nd October HSC examinations Year 7 Parish Mass at 8.20am Volunteer’s dinner at 6.30pm

Thursday 23rd October HSC examinations

Friday 24th October HSC examinations Senior Blood Bank visit Summer Sport

Week 3(A) Term 4

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Week 4(B) Term 4

Robert Nastasi

Assistant Principal

Monday 27th October HSC examinations Extension 2 English seminar at the State Library Sydney

Tuesday 28th October HSC examinations

Wednesday 29th October HSC examinations Year 11 Parish Mass at 8.20am Peer Support 2015 training day at Menai Indoor Centre Meet a Keeper Taronga Park Zoo for select Year 10's Year 12 BOS information night around the HSC in JPII Hall at 7.00pm-8.00pm

Thursday 30th October HSC examinations Year 8 Reflection day Period 4 Pastoral Period Year 11-2015 leaders nominations during Pastoral lesson

Friday 31st October HSC examinations Feast day of Nano Nagle Year 11 Reflection day Summer Sport

Menai Road public bus stop-M92 bus Despite efforts from the College and parents requesting that Sutherland Shire Council considers the placement of pedestrian fencing at the Menai Road bus stop as a safety measure for the large numbers of students catching buses there, Council has written to us this week recognising our concerns, though indicating that they are unable to accede to the request for pedestrian fencing at this time. To that end the College would ask that families of students catching the M92 and other buses on Menai Road continue to

educate, as we do, the need for students to demonstrate caution when waiting to travel and board buses on this very

busy road. Additionally the College will continue to provide teacher supervision at this public bus stop every afternoon.

WOW!!! Workshops for Organised Writing

Workshops begin this week for ALL Year 11 students.

Room 9, 3:10-4pm, every Thursday this term

Workshop One = Academic Language and how this is essential for high level academic

achievement in the HSC.

Bring a piece of writing you have already completed

(good or bad) for a starting point.

Please refer any inquiries to Mrs Wilson or Mr Roberts.

Looking forward to seeing you all there,

Kate Wilson

(Literacy Facilitator)

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Religious Education at Aquinas Term 4 Religious Education Units Throughout this term, students will undertake the following units of study in their Religious Education classes: Year 7: Stewards of Creation; Affirming Human Dignity Year 8: The Influence of Jesus; Ways of Being Catholics Year 9: Images of Good and Evil; Ten Commandments and Beatitudes Year 10: Personal and Moral Responsibility Year 11 Catholic Studies: World Religions Year 11 Studies of Religion (1 unit): Religion and Belief Systems in Australia – post 1945 Year 11 Studies of Religion (2 unit): Religion and Belief Systems in Australia – post 1945; Religious Tradition

Depth Study: Judaism HSC Prayer Family Program Late last term families who registered their interest in participating in the HSC Prayer Family program should have received the name of the student(s) for whom we ask for prayers. We encourage you to send a written message to the student(s) that you have been allocated. These can be initially sent to the College office, labelled clearly with the student name and that it is from their HSC Prayer Family. Messages will then be forwarded to the student(s). Please contact me, via the College Office, if you have any questions.

Mrs Catherine Nolan

Religious Education Coordinator

Reflection on the Gospel

In Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 22:15-21) people attempted to trap Jesus asking if it was permissible to pay taxes to Caesar. Aware of the trap Jesus replied ‘give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God’. In Jesus’ time Roman taxation was an issue that could easily cause people to take sides. It was with this very issue that the Pharisees hoped to ensnare Jesus, but Jesus outwits them. Besides exonerating himself from possible political or religious reproach, Jesus’ response suggests that one can indeed be loyal to both a religious tradition and a secular power.

Adapted from a reflection by Dianne Bergant CSS

Vinnie’s Clothing Bin

With over two million people living below the poverty line in Australia, including over half a million children your donation allows the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide more than immediate help, it provides something much more valuable – the opportunity of a better life. Giving clothes is a great way of helping out the community. Donations of clothing can make a great difference to an individual or a family. Good quality second hand clothing can now be donated in our very own Vinnie’s clothing bin. Our bin is currently located in the main staff car park, near the entrance to the College office where you can deposit clothing items during College hours. Good clean, wearable clothing (of all sizes) and accessories, with no rips/stains or tears, either new or used, are the most valuable donations we request. These items are always in demand, so please drop them into our Vinnie’s clothing bin to… MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Thank you for your generosity, Mr Peter Tsambalas

Social Justice Coordinator

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Social Justice Statement 2014 Late last term, six awesome Year 10 students (Liam Jefferys, Georgina Skinner, Jenna Lennon, Jack Pethybridge, Ethan Rix and Jordan Turner) accompanied me to the launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement 2014. The Statement is entitled, A Crown for Australia: Striving for the best our sporting nation. The Statement was launched by Kevin Sheedy AM (AFL Coach and player) and Geraldine Doogue AO (Journalist and commentator) at The Crypt, St Mary’s Cathedral, St Mary’s Rd, Sydney. The Statement challenges us to look at the place of sport in our lives – where its strengths are and how we can ensure that sport can thrive and nourish our society. Sport is a key institution in our society for developing the dignity and health of the individual, in building up and uniting communities, and as a bridge that spans divides and is a source of social justice and inclusion. There are also some key challenges that threaten to undermine these positive attributes of sport and do damage to individuals, the community and those who are most vulnerable. The Statement’s title refers to St Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9:24–27), where Paul compares the athletes of the time competing for a ‘wreath that will wither’ with our aspiration for an imperishable crown as followers of Christ. Peter Tsambalas Social Justice Coordinator

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A Prayer for Good Sports

God of all sports (and none):

From our small minds, how amused you must be when our prayers about sport are about our own success or

our team’s. Whose side are you on? How do you choose, when supporters from both sides implore your divine

intervention?

Remind us that in prayer our hearts are opened to you and our minds lifted beyond ourselves.

Just as prayer changes us, not you, O God, so sport too, can lift us beyond ourselves.

So, we pray:

We give thanks for the gift of our bodies, for the ability to run, walk, jump, swim, catch and throw.

We pray for patience and discipline, that we may learn the joy of mastering new skills: achieving success, and

cheerfully bearing failure in the company of others.

We pray that our relationships be enriched through the friendships we form.

May we learn to include others across borders of language, colour, gender and religion.

We pray that we care for others. May we especially look out for those who are differently abled,

and those often left on the boundaries.

Through our vigilance may we always play fair, and ensure that no one is abused or exploited.

We ask this through Jesus your son. Amen.

Annual collection for the Asylum Seekers Centre at Newtown In conjunction with the Holy Family Parish Menai, Aquinas Catholic College will be supporting this activity again this year. The Centre has been most grateful for the generosity of Aquinas and ask again for basic toiletry items such as: toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues, combs, shampoos, babies nappies, phone cards, talcum powder, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, moisturisers, suncream, sanitary pads, t shirts etc. Please leave these unwrapped items in the boxes provided in Pastoral classrooms from now until the end of November. The Asylum Seekers Centre is a not-for-profit organisation which relies totally on grants, donations and volunteer support. Its vision is to welcome asylum seekers to Australia and afford a dignified, meaningful and safe existence pending the fair, transparent and expeditious resolution of their claims. The Centre provides practical assistance and personal support for asylum seekers living in the community. Clients come from over 52 countries in search of safety, protection and freedom. During 2012-2013 the Centre cared for more than 1,000 asylum seekers. Thanking you for your continued generosity. Peter Tsambalas Social Justice Coordinator

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Curriculum Matters

This Week's Assessment Tasks

HSC 2015 Information Evening The 2015 HSC Information Evening is on Wednesday 29

th October in the John Paul II Hall. It begins at 7pm and

is expected to go for an hour. This night is a compulsory component of the HSC calendar for all students who are asked to attend with at least one parent. Information regarding both internal assessment and BOSTES rules for the HSC will be provided. Students are asked to attend in full school uniform. A special invitation is extended to the students in Year 10 who will undertake their HSC in Mathematics in 2015, as part of the Accelerated Mathematics program. Year 12 2015 Pattern of Study Interviews Year 11 students have now begun their HSC coursework. This week sees the beginning of the Pattern of Study interviews for Year 12, 2015. All students (regardless of whether they are withdrawing from a subject or not) should return their completed forms (signed by a parent) to the box outside my office by Wednesday 22

nd October

(unless you are currently on work placement, in which case you can submit your form upon your return). It is not compulsory to withdraw from any subject and students who are not yet sure about their pattern of study are encouraged to maintain their current pattern until they are comfortable that they have made the correct choice. It is often the case that HSC coursework is significantly different to that which formed Preliminary courses. Interviews will continue over the next few weeks. Examination Block Years 7 – 10 All students in Years 7-10 will sit their end of year examinations in Week 6. This is a change to previous years where examinations were held over two weeks, beginning in Week 5. The intention is that the additional week of preparation will give teachers and students more class time to achieve course outcomes and to prepare thoroughly for the examinations, which, in some cases, cover the whole year’s work. All students should now have a study timetable that allows them to revise course content over the next three weeks. Assistance with study preparation can be found in the classroom; by asking the teacher what needs to be prepared, by following the instructions given on examination notifications (which will be issued for all subjects conducting examinations by Week 4) and by logging in to the Study Skills website at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and seeking specific assistance with study and note-making. Our school’s access details are:

Username: Aquinas Password: 10success Lisa Mirabello Learning and Curriculum Coordinator

Year Subject Date

10 Music 21.10.14

9 Drama 21.10.14

10 Music 22.10.14

10 Drama 23.10.14

9 Visual Art 24.10.14

12 (2015) CAFS 24.10.14

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eLearning Update

Care of Devices

Students have also been reminded about the care of their device. At all times it must be carried in the school bag inside a

protective cover or case. The care of these devices is the responsibility of the student.

Over the last week there have been several cases of damage to devices caused by food or liquids. Students are reminded that

drinks should not be near the device at any time. Damage to electronics caused by food or liquids is not covered by the

manufacture warranty. If a problem does occur, please bring your device to the library as soon as possible

Study Resources

www.pearsonplaces.com.au

All students have access to online resources at Pearson Books. Please sit with your child/children and ask them to demonstrate

the wonderful resources available to them through their device that will assist them in their exams later this term.

Last week all Parents/Carers of Year 11 students were sent a copy in the mail of their username and password. We thank all the

parents who contacts us regarding access and clarified/updated mailing addresses. Please contact the College office if you did

not receive this information.

In the coming weeks the Year 11 Preliminary Report will be made available online, and an SMS will be sent once it has been

released online.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

All students have received a username and password. Students have been reminded of the importance of

password security, and the sensitive material that an online secure environment holds. Students will be

able to view, timetables, class results, upcoming assessments past reports, handbooks, policies and

homework to complete all online. At the end of last term a large number of our students have used this

package for e-submissions of assessments.

After a few technical issues we are now in a position to be able to provide parents with online access.

Due to the large number of usernames to be generated, we will release them by year groups over the

coming weeks.

The online access will allow parents/carers access to College Academic reports online when they are

released, as well as electronic copies of Semester One reports. Parents are encouraged to check patterns

of attendance with their child, homework as well as quantitive Pastoral Care records.

Some parents have asked regarding when they can view results. After all exams/assessments have been marked, and checked by

all students, the Subject coordinator will make these results available online. There may be circumstances where this may be

delayed due to misadventure.

We thank you for your understanding as the entire College community discovers the enormous number of features this

outstanding data package provides us with. If you notice any errors in data could you please contact the College office so we can

look into the matter as soon as possible.

Mr Hulme

eLearning Coordinator

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Maths Recall is included in the newsletter each week and is designed for Stage 4 and 5 or junior students. The questions may focus on Working Mathematically problems and all are intended to be done without a calculator. 1. Simplify

2. Simplify

3. Simplify

4. Expand

5. Expand

Mrs Catherine Fensom Maths Teacher

MATHS DEPARTMENT RECALL CORNER

STUDY CLUB Do you have trouble studying once you get home?

Do you find you don’t understand some of what you need to study?

Are your study notes all over the place?

Maybe you need a little help.

Come to STUDY CLUB in the Library.

TUES and THURS. 3.15 – 4-15pm Weeks 3 - 5

Work with other students

Clarify with Teacher Librarian and teachers the things you are confused

about

Get some tips on study notes and study techniques if needed

Don’t forget you can stay behind any afternoon until

4.00pm or later every day. It’s a great place to study or do

homework away from distractions.

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There will be a

SECOND HAND UNIFORM

sale

THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER

8:15am-8:45am

Outside College Office

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

Thank you

Items $5, Blazers $10

(There are a lot of female and male senior

shirts in stock)

CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 4

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

MONDAY 20/10 ROSEMARY MORRISSEY

TUESDAY 21/10 KYLIE GARRETY

WEDNESDAY 22/10 MICHELLE WHEATLEY, CATHIE FLANAGAN

THURSDAY 23/10 SUE SIMPSON, CARMEL COSTA

FRIDAY 24/10 PATRICIA WADE, CATHY CARUCCIO, JOANNE STORTENBEKER,

BERNADETTE AHERN, GAYLE NETTO

MONDAY 27/10 MARY-ELLEN ROONEY, JACKIE LORENZATTO

TUESDAY 28/10 JO O’HARA

WEDNESDAY 29/10 JACKIE TORO, LIBBY YIP

THURSDAY 30/10 ZEFFY DELHAS

FRIDAY 31/10 SONYA TRAJCEVSKI, LIZ GARCORZ, CAROLYN BARLOW, NICOLE DENOBREGA

UNIFORM SHOP

THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER

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

FRIDAY SPORT

Hats are required and water bottles

are recommended for students

participating in all sporting

activities

Answers:

MATHS CHALLENGE

Maths Department

1. -3

2. -12

3. 5x

4. 3x - 12

5. 5 - 2x - 2 = 3 - 2x