Celebrating 25 Years of being ‘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

29th May, 2017 Vol.25.No.14

7th

Week of Eastertide May, the Month of Mary, Mother of God

The celebration of Easter in the Catholic Church culminates this week with Pentecost Sunday [signifying 50 days since Easter, from the Greek word for ‘fiftieth’]. This special day is a Solemnity in the universal church calendar and the liturgical colour that is used that brightens our churches is red; this vibrant colour is used to signify the fire of the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Holy Spirit to the Disciples on Pentecost Sunday also marks the origins of the Church with the Holy Spirit enlivening the disciples as Jesus returns to heaven leaving the third member of the Trinity as inspiration for the budding church and that is still with us today. Last Friday was also National Sorry Day, also having special significance as this year marks 50 years since the 1967 Referendum that saw our oldest Australians finally counted in the nation’s conscience as they were included in the Census from that time on. At last week’s NSW Catholic School Principals’ bi-annual conference I was privileged to hear Dr Chris Sara speak about his experiences as an indigenous learner from his time in primary school in Bundaberg through Teachers’ College and onto being an inspirational change agent for the Cherbourg Primary School and wider local community. His experience about the power of language and low expectations of indigenous and marginalised young people was telling. I cannot imagine what it would have felt like not to be “counted” as an indigenous person before 1967 but I am pleased to think the referendum coincided with my life beginning and that referendum continues to be pivotal in the reconciling of our country’s past. The image for this week’s Marian theme is an indigenous representation of Mary with the baby Jesus and is as strong an image as any I have seen. In this week of junior exams and study for our seniors I hope that they will feel the Holy Spirit this week through Mary’s intercession as we pray the Angelus each day at noon throughout the year. On Monday June 5

th Aquinas is hosting a Parent Forum for the electorate of Hughes focussing on the Federal

Governments contentious Gonski 2.0 policy that is being debated in Canberra as the Australian Education Act Amendment Act [2017]. The use of the Socio Economic Status [SES] is a crude and blunt one, as it was developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] for a completely different purpose than distributing educational funding and highlights the lack of thought and consultation on the long term funding of education in this country. Dr Dan White will speak at the evening and we are seeking as many parents as possible to attend the evening and complete an online petition. The impact of this funding on a low fees schooling system that we are part of will have a highly significant impact on local school fees and importantly, special education funding. The changes will realise a minus of 8% funding for the neediest students in any school…those at the margins. The night begins at 7pm and will conclude by 8:30pm. I strongly urge as many families as possible to be represented at this forum to hear a non-media filtered view of this amendment. Please keep the Baldacchino family in your thoughts and prayers as Hamish’s [Year 10] grandmother recently passed away

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

James Corcoran Principal

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Damien Kerr Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal

This week

Event Date

Years 7 - 10 Half Yearly Exams Monday 29 May

Years 7 - 10 Half Yearly Exams Tuesday 30 May

Years 7 - 10 Half Yearly Exams Wednesday 31 May

Aquinas Year 11 Mass - 8.20am

Sharks Knock Out - Rugby League (16’s Division)

University of Sydney - Lunchtime Talk

Regional Debating Competition

Years 9 - 10 Half Yearly Exams Thursday 1 June

Years 9 - 10 Half Yearly Exams Friday 2 June

Last Friday, 6 students and 1 staff member volunteered to donate blood at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service at Miranda. Sid, one of their long-serving volunteers, arrived at midday to pick them up from school and drove them down to Miranda for their donation. The blood bank was especially happy to see such a large group as they are currently short of O+ blood. Once the donation was completed students were able to refresh

with cookies, milkshakes, juice & raisin toast! With parental permission, students were allowed to be dismissed from Miranda or were safely returned back to school before 2.30pm via the blood bank bus. A BIG thankyou to Thomas Church, Matthew Ross, Michael Coyne, Zacchary Figueroa, Nicole Marino & Isabella Caruana for their first-time and life saving donations! Thomas’s donation only took 5 mins and 50 seconds. Can anyone beat this time? We need another 6 blood bank donors/volunteers for Friday, week 6 - 02/06/17. The blood bank reserves 6 spots for Aquinas every fortnight and it would be great if we could fill all these spaces. If any students (that are over 16 years old) are interested in participating, you will need to see either Olivia Lavidis or Blake Diamond or Mrs Martin for the appropriate forms.

Denise Martin Social Justice coordinator

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On Thursday the 25th May 2017 Aquinas held their annual Jersey Day. Students were asked to make a gold coin donation during morning pastoral and there were additional activities held at lunch to raise further funds and encourage school spirit. The school raised just over $1200 for the Charitable Works Fund and everyone who participated is to be congratulated on their efforts. The Charitable Works Fund (CWF) supports and funds programs run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. These programs include supporting Catholic community services, chaplaincies in hospitals, universities and aged care facilities, ministries for the deaf, religious education for Catholic children in state schools, seminarians and Aboriginal catholic ministry services. A special thank you to the Social Justice Group students who helped set-up and run the following activities at lunch: Pass the footy: Jesekah Bradstock, Jackson Ward, Stephanie Risteski, Georgia Turner, Laura Cole & Chanel-Jay Bouchaaya Crossbar challenge: Sarah-Lisa Bouchaaya, Elisabeth Krstanovski, Ruby Cole, Ryan Mulligan & Steven Skarentzos Basketball hoops: Alexandra Bolton, Micaela Jefferys, Victoria Bennett, Jessica Ross, Amelia Kirgan, Emily Boesen & Michael Monk Thanks also to Mr McGee, Mr Burke, Mrs Katrib, Mrs Reyes, Mrs Hofrichter, Mr Azzi, Mrs Van Eijk & Mrs Baird for volunteering to provide assistance with set-up & running of the activities at lunch. Denise Martin Social Justice Coordinator

JERSEY DAY 2017

THURSDAY 25/05/17

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT AQUINAS This Sunday we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The feast of Pentecost is the day where the Apostles received the power of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles now had everything they needed to begin the work of Christ. It is a work that they have passed on throughout the ages that has reached to “all the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) just as Jesus said it would. We too are called to continue that work. Like the Apostles, we have the power. Like the Apostles, we are the Church: Happy birthday! WITNESS ACTS 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will

be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

ACTS 2:12 “What does this mean?” To be a witness is to not only tell the story of Christ but to live it. Jesus healed in words and actions. Last Friday was National Sorry Day and this week is National Reconciliation Week. The following link provides some information about the importance of this day in the reconciliation process for our Aboriginal brothers and sisters. We all have a role to play as Christians and as Australians. https://www.reconciliation.org.au/news/national-sorry-day-an-important-part-of-healing/

We marked Sorry Day with prayer as we gathered for assembly and will continue to pray with reconciliation in mind this week but what will you do at home with your family? Check out the link and acknowledge the week in your home. This will be a powerful way to be a witness to this important healing process for our country!

Steve O’Connor Religious Education Coordinator

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Learning and Curriculum Matters This Week's Assessment Tasks Year 7 - 10 Exam Block Week 6 All students in Years 7-10 must bring their library cards to every examination as these will be placed on desks and used to identify students and complete rolls. The examination block for students in Years 7 and 8 extends from Monday to Wednesday only with normal lessons resuming on Thursday for all students. The Year 9 examination period concludes on Friday for some students, while others will resume normal lessons on Thursday. Students in Year 10 will only attend school for their examinations, which conclude prior to Sport on Friday. Sport will run as scheduled for all students in Years 7 – 10.

Year Subject Date

12 Physics 29.05.17

11 Senior Science 30.05.17

12 Mathematics General 1 31.05.17

12 English Standard 01.06.17

12 PDHPE 02.06.17

11 Business Studies 02.06.17

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Learning and Curriculum Matters

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AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI Examination regulations

STUDENTS MUST READ THESE REGULATIONS BEFORE EXAMINATIONS PREPARATION

1. Students are responsible for reading the exam timetable correctly. Failure to turn up for an exam based on the misreading of an exam timetable is NOT an excuse and will NOT be accepted. 2. Students must arrive to the College at least 20 minutes before the commencement of their exam. No extra time will be given to students who arrive late. 3. Students are required to enter the examination room in an orderly and silent manner. Similarly, when leaving the examination room under instruction, you must remain silent until you are outside. Once a student has entered the examination room there is to be no talking unless permission to ask a question is given by the exam supervisor. 4. It is each student's responsibility to ensure that they have been given the correct examination paper. During reading time students are expected to check their exam paper to ensure that no pages are missing. Students must not begin to write until they are directed to do so and must cease writing, immediately they are directed by the supervisor. 5. Students are NOT allowed to bring, into the examination room any mobile phones, music devices, books, bags, pencil cases or any other equipment which may be viewed as an attempt to gain an unfair advantage. If you have accidentally done so then you are to immediately bring it to the attention of the exam supervisor. 6. The borrowing of any form of equipment will NOT be permitted during an examination. It is the responsibility of every student to ensure that their pens and calculator are in a satisfactory working order. 7. Full school uniform must be worn to each examination. 8. Be sure to see to your needs before the start of each exam, as only in exceptional circumstances will a student be given permission to go to the toilet during an exam. EXAMINATION ROOM 9. Students are to use only blue or black ink when answering questions. If an examination answer is written in pencil then it may not be marked by your teacher. Any examination script written in pencil will NOT be accepted for remarking. Pencil may only be used when it has been specifically directed such as in the case of answering multiple Choice Questions. 10.Students are not permitted to leave the examination early. Candidates are urged to spend their time checking answers if they finish early. 11.If you need to talk to the exam supervisor then simply raise your hand and wait until he/she comes to you. 12.Cheating by any means, including copying, passing notes, talking, etc. will result in your immediate disqualification from the exam, and a zero mark will be given. 13.Disruptive behaviour of any kind, before, during or after the exam will result in your immediate disqualification and a zero mark will be given. If a student makes a non-serious attempt at an examination then he/she may become ineligible to receive a mark in that course. 14.Students are NOT allowed to remove any Answer Booklets or writing pads, used or unused, from the examination room. Examination papers may only be removed from the examination room where specific instructions have been given by the exam supervisor. 15.Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in your paper being cancelled. Lisa Mirabello Leader of Teaching and Learning

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Regional Catholic Schools Debating Competition - Round 2 Last Wednesday Aquinas hosted Round 3 of the Regional Catholic Schools Debating Competition in the Mackillop Learning Common. Students from OLMC and De La Salle College, Caringbah visited to Debate against our Year 7-10 teams. The Round 3 topics were drawn from the broader area of ‘Education’, a topic which inspired much discussion among our students. The topics were: Year 7 & 8: That homework is a waste of time. Year 9 & 10: That we spend too much time at school The team lists for Round 3 are below: Year 7: Ariana Halar, Jennah Bradstock, Sarah Doyle, Emily Maguire and Tamara Talevski Year 8: Jessica Sewell, Jasmin Hatter, Caitlin Monk and Zane Assen Year 9: Emily Lane, Joel Johnson, Michael Kerle and Nicholas Katsiris Year 10: Charlotte Knoke, Benjamin Capovilla, Benjamin Ferraro and James Selas Round 3 proved to be a huge success for the Aquinas teams with each team winning their Debates! Well done Aquinas! Thank you to the student volunteers who gave up their evening to help set up for the Debates and fulfilled roles of timekeeper and chairperson: Emelia Ferraro, Tayisha Smith, Jacob Talevski, Elisabeth Krstanovski, Samantha Kerle, Daniel Ferraro, Olivia Lavidis and Andrew Norris for their generosity and support for Debating during a busy time of the term. Thank you also to Mrs Fensom and Ms Wilson for adjudicating the Debates, to Mrs Capovilla, Mrs Buttling and Mrs Dickinson for coaching students and to the wonderful families who come along to watch the Debates each week. Round 4 of Debating will take place at Marist College, Kogarah this Wednesday 31st May. Students should aim to arrive by 4pm. The topic area is ‘The Environment’. Danielle Cooper Debating/Public Speaking Teacher

The Rosary

‘The Rosary &

Prayer Intentions’

will be held every

Tuesday @

lunch… Room 25

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7-10 Exam Preparation

All students are encouraged to spend some time before and after their exams this week studying in The Resource Centre. Students will be able to use the Silent Study room or other break out areas to study in small groups. If students need assistance with creating study notes or researching information they are encouraged to see one of the friendly Aquinas Library staff. The Resource Centre will be open from 8am to 4pm (Monday-Thursday)

NEW HSC Study Guides

Students will be able to find the following texts in the HSC Resources Collection

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Jessica Fraser Librarian

NEW 2016 HSC Workbooks Containing 2016 exam questions, marking guidelines, marker feedback and top-scoring student answers to help students prepare for the 2017 HSC

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SYDNEY GIANTS NETBALL VISIT

Last Thursday morning our SSNSW Netball Squad were treated with a visit from members of the Sydney Giants Netball team. Kim Green, Sarah Wall and Jamie-Lee Price ran a ‘Netfit’ session which consists of a high intensity circuit, specific to the game of netball. The session placed a huge emphasis on motivation, netball specificity and pushing the girls to their limits. The girls debriefed with a motivational chat and were encouraged to maintain focus of their goals and dreams and to always strive to achieve their best. The session was a fantastic way to kick start our Netball representative season which begins on June 19th at the Southern Sydney Netball Gala Day. The three teams will continue to incorporate this style of training in the lead up of this event each week. Yours in Netball Nicole Katrib

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Uniform shop will be open on Tuesday and Thursday

from 8-9am

UNIFORM SHOP

TUESDAY 30 May (This is the last Tuesday

until further notice)

THURSDAY 1 June

8:00am—9:00am

Please note the Uniform Shop only sells Sports Uniforms and School

bags

The Uniform Shop now has Eftpos facilities

CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 2

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

MONDAY 29/5 TUESDAY 30/5 ROWENA LONCAR, MELISSA TOWNSEND-CRYER WEDNESDAY 31/5 JEANETTE CABRERA, CELINE KEHOE, SIMONE ASSEN-LEITE THURSDAY 1/6 MELINDA HUMPHRY, LEANNE CARPENTER, ANDREA POWELL FRIDAY 2/6 JENNY KNOKE, VERONIQUE THIBAULT, LOUISE BRYANT, REBECCA HARRIS MONDAY 5/6 MARINA KOUZMENKO, ANITA MORTON, GLENN LEAL TUESDAY 6/6 MARIA TINNING, KATE KARPENKO WEDNESDAY 7/6 SARAH RAYMOND, CATHY PRATT THURSDAY 8/6 AQUINAS DAY MARGARET MOUSSA, MIN STRAUSS FRIDAY 9/6 LORETTA HERAGHTY, LISA ALLEN, LAURA HAMILTON, ANGELA ODELLI