Marcellin College RANDWICK

5 FEBRUARY 2020 | TERM 1, WEEK 1

Aeterna Non CaducaThe Eternal not the Transitory

Dear parents, boys and staff,

Welcome back to the 2020 academic year at Marcellin. It was wonderful to see the boys return looking refreshed and genuinely happy to be back. There is no doubt that the students at Marcellin love and respect their school and feel happy and safe here. That is important as these are the preconditions for positive learning, achievement and success.

Our Theme for 2020 comes from the St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: “Creating One New Humanity”. In his letter, Paul is relaying the message of Jesus’ mission to break down all that divides for the creation of one new humanity (Eph 2:15). It was about a new way of living together and learning how to love in a community where Jew and Gentile were divided.

As a Christian community we are continually challenged to this new way of being and relating with each other, creation and God. It calls for a renewed consciousness of our need for each other, of our responsibility to creation, and of our commitment to human dignity. Indeed, we are seeing this responsibility to creation and commitment to human dignity lived out by so many in our society during these devastating bushfires. It has been inspiring to witness in our service men and women, volunteers, church and other communities the commitment to humanity. Differences have been put aside as people from all backgrounds and walks of life have stepped up to assist one another.

This theme will be incorporated into all we do at Marcellin this year including our Masses and Assemblies, how we relate to each other and in the challenges we put before both our boys and ourselves as a staff. I hope and pray that you will also reinforce this theme with your son in and around your home and community.

In solidarity with those affected by the bushfires, Marists across Australia have been invited to participate in the National Marist Bushfire Appeal Day on Friday 7 February. At Marcellin we will have a Mufti Day and the boys are being asked to contribute a gold coin, at the very least,

to participate. Conscious that many families would have already contributed to Bushfire Appeals in recent weeks, this is voluntary. All donations will go directly to the St Vincent De Paul

bushfire fund which is distributing donations directly to families in need in affected areas.

Once again in 2020 our Annual Improvement Plan will be focused on the professional learning of our teachers in order to build their capacity and further upskill them in the most contemporary pedagogy. Specifically, we will be focusing on quality Assessment; both in its design and in the feedback provided to the boys. We have an excellent teaching staff at Marcellin who are energised and keen to improve their practice. I am confident that our Professional Learning Plan will result in them being able to further enhance your sons learning in the classroom. Nevertheless, it is also incumbent upon the boys to apply themselves seriously to their studies, work cooperatively with their teachers and act upon the feedback given to them.

During the recent holiday period a number of improvements were made at the College. Amongst them a number of classrooms have been repainted and carpeted, the Marist Centre floor has been stripped, relined and resurfaced and almost all rooms are now fully air conditioned. In recent months I have been working with Architects on a Master Plan for the College and hope to announce a major building project in the months ahead.

I do hope you have taken the time to read my commencement letter which was sent in the week prior to school starting. This letter outlines a number of expectations I have for the year as well as significant and compulsory dates for 2020. If you haven’t yet had the chance to do so, a link is provided here: 2020 Commencement Letter.

I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at our upcoming ‘meet and greet’ evening on Friday 21 February and wish you every blessing in the year ahead.

God Bless,

Mr Mark Woolford Principal

From the Principal

CreatingHumanity

EPHESIANS 2:15

Good Christians & Good Citizens

one new

From the Assistant PrincipalDear Parents/Guardians, Students and Friends of the Marcellin College Community,

Welcome back to the 2020 academic year at Marcellin College. I would especially like to welcome those families who are new to our school. I hope that your time in this community is a rewarding, happy and fulfilling one.

As I too commence my journey here at Marcellin College, I feel very privileged to be part of this wonderful Marist community. I have been humbled and am sincerely grateful for the warm welcome I have received from staff, students and the parents I have met in the short time since the school year started. In many ways, it is a sense of ‘coming home’ to me, as I first began my teaching career many years ago at Marist College Kogarah, and the Marist values of Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work and the Marian Way feel very familiar to me. In these first weeks of this new year, I have already seen these values in action at Marcellin in many ways, including:

• the 45 Year 11 Peer Support Leaders who gave up the last day of their holidays on Wednesday 29 January to welcome our new Year 7 boys to the College and assist them in their Transition to High School and being a welcoming presence as they commence their time at Marcellin

• the smooth start to classes as students get on with their learning and teachers set high expectations for our boys

• many older students assisting our newest Year 7 students in locating classrooms on their timetables, helping them with using their locker combination padlocks (always a challenge!) and being a presence on our school special buses

• the wonderful celebration of community at our College Swimming Carnival last Friday 31 January in which all boys participated with enthusiasm and in the spirit of healthy competition..despite the heat!

• the leadership of our Year 12 Senior Leaders at Assemblies and the House/Sport Captains at last week’s Carnival

• Marcellin College Staff coming together with the staff members from our neighbouring SCS schools for a beautiful Mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on our first Staff Day

• the many words of welcome I have received from boys: in the yard, at the afternoon bus lines, or as they leave class

These seemingly ‘little things’ confirm for me that Marcellin College is a school where students and staff care for one another, and where St Marcellin’s hope for the boys in his schools to be “Good Christians and Good Citizens” is certainly evident.

The partnership between home and school is paramount to the progress of students and at Marcellin we strongly value this relationship. All parents of boys in Years 7-11 in the days

prior to the return to school received a Welcome Letter from their son’s Year Coordinator. These letters were intended to establish good communication channels between parents and their son’s Homeroom Teacher/Year Coordinator and provide an overview of the pastoral program that supports learning for each student. The partnership between home and school is best founded on the knowledge that each of us has the best interests of the student at the centre of our concerns. It is founded too on sound communication and a shared understanding of how best to support the boys in reaching their full potential.

Starting the Year wellAll students have received their College Diary upon returning to school. The Marcellin College Diary is one of the best I’ve seen: comprehensive in its information about the College, its history and its procedures, and clear in indicating College expectations and Code of Conduct. To ensure you and your son are familiar with College Policies and Procedures, please sign the Parent/Student e-Learning Agreement and Parent/Student Diary Commitment on pages 60 and 61 in the College Diary. The responsibilities and expectations we have of our students enable respectful relationships and positive learning for all. With parents, the College seeks to support the boys in accepting responsibility for their actions and engaging in behaviours that are respectful and safe for themselves and others.

Your son’s Homeroom Teacher will closely monitor his use of his Diary and his organisation for school. Please ask your son to show you his Diary at least once per week and use the opportunity to have a conversation about how he is coping with the daily tasks he faces as well as any assessments he may have.

On a personal level, I look forward to getting to know your the boys of Marcellin College in the months ahead and working

with parents to support their son’s journey at this great College.

Best wishes for the year ahead and I hope to see many of you at our Meet and Greet Evening on Friday 21 February!

Mrs Catherine Anderson Assistant Principal

These seemingly ‘little things’ confirm for me that Marcellin College is a school where students and staff care

for one another, and where St Marcellin’s hope for the boys in his schools to be “Good Christians and Good Citizens”

is certainly evident.

Important Term 1 DatesWeek 3Tue 11 Feb HSC High Achievers Assembly 10.00am Wed 12 Feb Vaccinations Visit Year 7 Students

Week 4Fri 21 Feb Commencement Mass 9.30 – 11.00am

Week 5Mon 24 Feb Staff Development Day Pupil Free DayWed 26 Feb Ash Wednesday Liturgy 9.00amWeek 6 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEKMon 2 Mar Open Day and Newman Symposium 3-6pmWed 4 Mar Year 11 2021 Subject Selection Information Evening 6.30 – 7.30pm, Marist Centre

Year 7 Parent Study Skills Evening 6.30 – 7.30pm, Greenstead Hall

Week 7Wed 11 Mar P&F Meeting All Parents Welcome 6.30 – 7.30pmWeek 8Mon-Fri 16-18 Mar Year 7 Camp 16-20 Mar Year 12 Retreat Week

Week 10Mon 30 Mar Parents in Touch 6.30 – 7.00pm All Parents WelcomeFri 3 Apr College Assembly 10-11amWeek 11 HOLY WEEK Fri 8 Apr Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews 3.45 – 7pmThurs 9 Apr Term 1 Concludes

Marcellin CollegeSchool Photography Date:

4/02/2020

ONLINE ORDER CODE: 4KG GG3 DX7

Online Order link: advanced photos

Dear Parents,

Photographs can be purchased by following the link above for 7 days from the day photos are taken, after

which late fees/additional charges will be incurred.

Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups available at your school’s

advanced order site (follow the link above)

Important Information:• School photos purchased online DO NOT require

envelopes returned to school*

• Late fees/additional charges will be applied for purchases after photo day

• Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are

taken enquiries@advancedlife.com.au

Absentee Line A reminder to call the

Absentee Line if your son is sick or absent on: 9398 8009

FOR OUR NEWS & UPDATES

Follow us ON TWITTER@MCR2031

School Fees Instalment Reminder

Fortnightly Instalment due 15 February Monthly Instalment due 15 February Standard Instalment due 28 FebruaryAnnual Instalment due 28 February

From the Director of Learning

WELCOME TO THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2020

“If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.” Mary Pickford

Welcome to the 2020 academic year and a special welcome to our new families. Whether this is your son’s first year at Marcellin or his final year, it is important that all boys begin the year with a clear set of goals around their learning.

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time related goals allows students to take greater control of their own learning and to focus on tangible strategies for improvement. We encourage parents to help boys set goals for the upcoming year and to discuss these throughout the year.

Being organised is vital to academic success, especially for boys, and the home learning environment is the foundation for this success. The beginning of the year is a perfect time to establish new structures and parameters around the expectations for homework and independent study at home.

Organsiation is a skill that can be effectively developed at home and is something that parents can model, support and encourage. It is important that boys have a regimented study routine at home and a quiet place to complete their work.

Below are some things that boys can do to be more organised in 2020:

• Use a diary and write things down at the end of every lesson.

• Use a calendar, Google calendar is free and is linked to your school email account. Add your assessment to the calendar and set reminders at least two weeks before the due date. Students can share their calendar with their parents.

• Download your assessment calendar from the College website. (Week 3)

• Add important dates to the above mentioned calendar.

• Pack your bag the night before.

• Get enough sleep – this is critical to your son’s organisation! Go to bed earlier and set your alarm 15 minutes before you need to get up.

• Avoid technology before bed. Stay away from your device (phone and computer) for at least an hour before your bedtime.

• Create a study plan. This is a good way for parents and guardians to stay in touch with routine. The most effective way to create a study plan that is sustainable is to add your non-negotiables to the plan before you start. Study time is flexible and can be adapted to suit your routine, but it simply won’t if study is neglected altogether.

Things parents can do to support the home learning environment:

• Demonstrate a positive attitude towards home learning.

• Check the diary each night and encourage your son to use this an effective organisational tool.

• Set goals at home with your son - model goal setting where appropriate

• Take an interest in homework, assignments and the content learnt at school

• Devote time to reading at home – Encourage your son to read

• Creating an environment, space and time conducive to learning;

• Attending school events, information evenings and parent-teacher evenings

• Contacting the relevant teacher to discuss any problems their child is having with home learning.

Year level Homework and study recommendations

7-8 60minutes per night

9-10 60-90 minutes per night

11-12 120-180 minutes per day (Year 12 will generally complete 21-28 hours per week)

Below are a few reminders pertaining to our Assessment policy which is on the College website

• All assessments will be outlined in the College handbook made available via the College website by Monday 10 February.

• Students will also receive an assessment notification for each formal assessment task. This will be distributed via Compass Portal.

• Assessment calendars for each year group will also be available on the College website.

• It is expected that all tasks are returned within two weeks of the date of submission. (Unless there are extenuating circumstances).

• It is expected that students will receive individual feedback for each assessment task, (where appropriate), along with collective feedback

• Late submission: It is the student’s responsibility to follow procedures for submitting tasks. A penalty applies for late submission – students will lose 20% of the mark normally awarded for every calendar day late (for example, the loss of 80% of the mark awarded if a student submits work 4 days late).

Peer Support 2020

Firstly, Mr MacNamara and I would like to welcome those Year 7 families who are new to our school. I hope that you enjoy your time at this great College.

The Peer Support Program at Marcellin has officially started with the overall aim of assisting the Year 7 cohort with the transition from Year 6 into Year 7. Year 11 students have been selected to assist a group of students through a number of different opportunities and initiatives. Peer support provides students with a supportive environment that allows them to learn more about Marcellin College Randwick.

The role of the peer support leader is to be a positive model of how to behave, wear the College uniform adhering to College policies and how to meet the expectations of the College.

Year 7 students will be given insight from current Year 11 students, ensuring that they:

• treat students with respect at all times.• model appropriate behaviour.• enhance supportive peer relationships• always be inclusive.• encourage participation across all facets of College life;

from the classroom to the playground and College activities.

• Liaise with Year 7 Homeroom teacher and Mr MacNamara if there are any issues regarding behaviour, added support or any concerns you have throughout the year.

At the end of the Peer Support Program, it is hoped that all Year 7 students:• Develop skills in building positive relationships• Develop and enhance skills, including leadership skills• An opportunity to participate in College Life• Developing communication and social skills

The Peer Support program is a rewarding program for both Year 7 and 11 students. Year 7 students regularly report that having an older mentor in the College makes their first term a much easier and more engaging experience. Please check in with your son regarding the Peer Support program and also sight his College Diary every day which opens the opportunity to have a conversation about the day’s events.

Mr Mark Paterson (Year 11 Coordinator) Mr Luke MacNamara (Year 7 Coordinator)

Illness, misadventure – Absence on the day of a task or extension.

• The School Assessment cannot compensate for factors such as extended illness, misadventure or domestic problems that may have affected a student's performance throughout the course. It is the student's responsibility to fulfil all requirements specified in the assessment schedule, including those tasks given during the student's absence.

• If it is not possible to submit an assessment task on the set date due to illness or misadventure, students should submit an electronic copy of the task to the Director of Learning or Director of Curriculum. The student will then submit the hard copy task, along with an Illness Misadventure form and accompanying documentation on the FIRST day back at school.

• All documentation should be presented to the Director of Learning or Director of Curriculum before the first period.

• If a student is absent without adequate cause, in the judgment of the School, a mark of "zero" will be recorded.

• Where the absence is approved on the grounds of illness, misadventure or accident exist, then the following provisions may apply:

• An ‘alternate due date’ may be granted. Students should always be prepared to complete the task on the first day back at school. An alternative date may include:

• A designated make-up date in an examination block.

• Following the student’s last examination

• After school on a Wednesday afternoon (Academic makeup.)

• On a Thursday afternoon during the allocated sport time

• A ‘Substitute Task’ may be given. The determination of a like task or alternative task will be made by the KLA coordinator in the interests of equity and fairness for all students.

Best wishes for the academic year ahead.

Mr Christopher FerryDirector of Learning

During the school holidays, Lachlan Ayers embarked on a 10 day voyage from Hobart to Melbourne on the youth development

Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour. Along with 23 other youths aged 16-23 from around Australia, Lachlan was selected by ballot

to join this unique, challenging and inspirational experience. The voyage aims to increase self awareness, develop teamwork

and leadership skills and create a strong sense of community responsibility amongst the youth crew. Bravo Zulu Lachlan!

LACHLAN AYERS, YR 11

Congratulations to Noah Gilroy who has beenselected to play for Australia in Oztag. Selections were made

from hundreds of players and based on their performancein last years Oztag Nationals. The first tournament of the 2020

tour will be held in New Zealand in April.

NOAH GILROY, YR 12

COREY BOOTH & DAMON ASKIE, YR 11

Congratulations to Corey Booth and Damon Askie who have also been selected to play for the

Australian Oztag Development Squad.

Public Speaking and Debating News

Welcome to 2020 Public Speaking and Debating Season which will kick off this term with the CSDA Public Speaking Competition.

The dates for this years season are below. Please keep an eye out in the notices for information in regards to the competition. Public Speaking comes around quickly so if you are interested please see the coordinator for more information.

Public Speaking Dates: Term 1March 6 Public Speaking Round 1March 13 Public Speaking Zone FinalsMarch 20 Public Speaking Finals

Debating Dates: Term 2May 1 Round 1 DebatingMay 8 Round 2 DebatingMay 15 Round 3 Debating

May 22 Round 4 DebatingMay 29 Round 5 DebatingJune 3 OR 5 Round 6 Debating (Schools can choose)June 12 Elimination 1 Debating June 19 Elimination 2 Debating

Term 3June 26 Quarter-Finals DebatingJuly 24 Semi-Finals DebatingJuly 31 Grand Final Debating

Miss Danielle MaltbyDebating and Public Speaking Coordinator

With students and parents getting back into the school commute local MP Dr Marjorie O'Neill is eager to help improve the safetyh of these journeys and encourage as

many people as possible to choose an active route to school. Along with the Shadow Minister for Active Transport, Jo Haylen, this year I will be running the Coogee School Safety Survey.

The survey is a chance for parents, carers, school teachers and staff to report any concerns about the roads, footpaths, crossings and corners that students and their

guardians use to get to and from school. Your responses will help us find ways to improve safety and encourage more families to walk and ride to school.

We can then work with your school, the State Government and the local council to improve specific locations.

The survey is included: www.nswschoolsafety.com/coogee

CAMPAIGN

From the Sports CoordinatorWelcome to the start of the 2020 sporting year. We are already well under way with the College Swimming Carnival occurring in Week One and the continuation of the MCC Summer season coming up this week.

MARCELLIN COLLEGE SWIMMING CARNIVAL

The 97th Marcellin College Swimming Carnival was held last Friday January 31 at Botany Aquatic Centre. The warm day presented some challenges but I would like to congratulate the boys on the positive attitude which they brought to the event.

Students once again rotated through various events in their age groups. The activities included Water Volleyball, Tug ‘o’ War, Mixed Games and the 50m Freestyle and 50m Breaststroke events. The championship swimming events were held at the beginning and end of the carnival in front of a raucous crowd, cheering passionately for their swimmers. The support each House showed their swimmers was fantastic and I thank all the House Captains for the effort and inspiration on the day.

I would like to thank the Marcellin staff for their work on the day as well as the many parents who came along to support their sons. A big thank you to the parents who were able to give Mrs Ivancic and Mrs Adonis a hand in distributing food and drink to staff throughout the day.

Given the heat and timing of the day, the Age Championship presentations and House Winners were postponed and will be presented this Thursday morning. I will include these results in the next newsletter.

MCC SPORT

Round 7 of the MCC Summer season will be held this Thursday with an away fixture against Marist College Kogarah. A reminder that the washout round will be used next Thursday (Week Three) where we will face Champagnat Catholic College. We wish our teams well as they look to cement semi-final berths.

The College Swimming squad will be selected this week with training due to begin next Monday morning February 10 at Botany Pool. Students selected in the squad will

meet and be given a note explaining the training program in the lead up to the MCC carnival which will be held on the afternoon of March 5 at Homebush.

This Thursday during sport time students in Year 7 – Year 9 will compete in internal Cross Country trials as we look to put a squad together for the MCC carnival held towards the end of Term One. Students in Years 10 – 12 and those currently involved in a summer MCC team will have an opportunity to trial for the squad when training begins in the coming weeks.

Cross Country Trials – Thursday 6 February

U/12 Coral Sea Park

U/13 Coral Sea Park

U/14 Marcellin Fields (Heffron Park)

U/15 Marcellin Fields (Heffron Park)

Year 7, 8, and 9 will move to various mixed games for Internal Sport from Week Three. Internal Sport

Students in Years 10-12 will begin free choice sport this Thursday. This year students have already selected a Summer and Winter sport which will cover them for the year. Any associated costs regarding your sons sport choice will be sent through to families in the coming weeks.

Catholic Schools NSW Sport

NSWCCC has rebranded over the break and will now be known at Catholic Schools NSW Sport. Along with this a new website has been created which will hopefully mean an easier process for registering for events. If you require any further information regarding CSNSW Sport please visit Catholic Schools Sport or send me through an email. A reminder that these competitions are for athletes who

have extensive experience and ability in the specific sport.

We look forward to another competitive and successful sporting season for the College.

Mr James O’Shea Sports Coordinator

Careers

TERM 1 WEEK 2

Welcome back! As the New Year gets underway, I would like to draw your attention to a few important items on the Careers calendar at Marcellin College.

• The School-University visits are taking place again this year during our Year 12 parent-teacher interviews (Wednesday, 8 April) The program was very well received last year, and it is highly recommended that students from Years 10-12 attend.

• Year 10 students will be undertaking a Careers Avenue Profiling Testing Day on 17 March 9:00am – 1:30pm. More details to follow regarding this day.

• There will be opportunities for students in Years 10 and 11 to undertake the White Card Safety Course this year. The first course is scheduled for Term 2.

• For the latest career news, students should come to my office or contact me at: anthony.burke@syd.catholic.edu.au

Anthony BurkeCareers Coordinator

1300 722 542randwick.nsw.gov.au

Healing Grief

A seminar for people affected by grief or loss. Significant change can challenge our abilities to cope.

Patricia Brown is a grief specialist who lost her son to suicide in 1995. As part of her journey through grief, Patricia explored the many aspects of loss, how it changes lives and the consequences of suppressing grief, eventually publishing her story in 2014.

Patricia will provide insights and strategies on how to better understand and manage loss while building resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Patricia has co-facilitated healing grief retreats with Petrea King at Quest for Life, works as a grief coach and speaks regularly to bereavement groups.

This seminar is suitable for people aged 16 years and over who are seeking to deepen their understanding of the impact of change, loss and grief on their lives.

Bookings are required on 9093 6972 or by emailing Frida.Kitas@randwick.nsw.gov.au

Wednesday 19 February 7pm-8.30pm Margaret Martin LibraryLevel 1, Royal Randwick Shopping Centre, Belmore Rd, Randwick

Tuesday 25 February 7pm-8.30pm Margaret Martin LibraryLevel 1, Royal Randwick Shopping Centre, Belmore Rd, Randwick

Saturday 7 March 11am-1pm Bowen Library and Community CentreLevel 1, 669-673 Anzac Parade Maroubra

FREE EVENT