OLSH Newsletter

111 Jasper Road, BENTLEIGH 3204 Ph (03) 8520 9200 Fax (03) 8520 9299 Absence Line (03) 8520 9250 Email: office@olsh.vic.edu.au website: www.olsh.vic.edu.au

Dear Family and Friends of OLSH College Bentleigh,

It is with great pleasure that I warmly invite parents and family members to join us for Regnet Christus Day. Our ceremony on this day will recognise student achievements in 2016. The celebration day begins with our formal presentation, with individual year levels also having an opportunity to recognise student gifts later in the day. We look forward to the opportunity to rejoice and congratulate each student on their journey through 2016.

I have come that you may have life and have it to the full!

John 10:10

Always united in our shared OLSH Spirit.

Anne O’Loughlin Principal

NEWSLETTER

Volume 45, Number 17 Friday 4 November 2016

OLSH College Bentleigh warmly invites

you to celebrate with us

Regnet Christus Day Celebration of Excellence

Ceremony

Thursday 17 November

College Hall

9.30am RSVP College Reception P: 8520 9200

office@olsh.vic.edu.au

AMETUR EXPERIENCE 2017

OLSH College Bentleigh to Europe…September 2017 (see details attached to this newsletter)

Joy is the most infallible sign of the

presence of God. Teilhard de Chardin

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On Retreat Day we were privileged to gather insight of what the city was like hundreds of years ago, enter various chapels and churches around the city and reflect on others and their stories. Charlotte Oaten On Retreat Day we had the opportunity to travel to various sites within Melbourne’s CBD. My group (Xavier) first travelled to St Francis Church and St Patrick's Cathedral. At both we were able to sit inside in silence and had the opportunity to draw, light a candle and say a prayer of our own. Bethany Paturzo

As part of Retreat Day, we were able to go inside churches and admire all the artwork. Overall it was a great experience and I would definitely go again. Mirella Cincotta During Retreat Day we travelled to St Francis church where I reflected under a tree and said a prayer inside the church. This was a truly beautiful place to reflect as it was so quiet, peaceful and made you feel calm. Brylee Nicholson ‘Street Retreat’ was an activity where you sit in silence and reflect not only about your own story but also the stories of those who walk past through art, words, colours etc. The highlight of my day was when a woman who was sitting next to me complimented me on my drawing and told me to have a good day. More often than not, we are only concerned and observant of our own lives and our own problems. The ‘Street Retreat’ reminded me that the people I see everyday have their own problems and their own lives and that it's through reaching out that our once separate live can connect. Fabiola Narcis

Sr Megan Donohue fdnsc Assistant Principal Faith and Mission

Faith and Mission

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Two staff and four students embarked on the Northern Territory Immersion over the September holidays and immersed themselves in the remote communities by working in the local schools, aged care facilities and Women’s Institutes in both Wadeye, Port Keats and in Bathurst Island. Part of the immersion included seeing and learning about the work of the Daughters of the Lady of Our Sacred Heart in the Top End. A big thank you to Mrs Maureen Malone for all the work she did prior to departure and to Sr Tess and Sr Anne for welcoming us in their communities.

Mrs Gina Coetzee and Mrs Robyn Rayment The 12 days spent in the Northern Territory over the September school holidays were some of the most amazing and life changing days I have ever experienced. This experience meant that I was fully immersed into a culture so different to what I am used to. Not only did I learn so much about the community but about myself. I was able to grow as a person and develop a greater sense of respect and understanding about the Indigenous people of the communities we visited. This trip was a journey of a lifetime and was truly an eye opening experience. I would encourage anyone to embark on this immersion if given the opportunity. A big thanks to Mrs Coetzee and Mrs Rayment for taking us on this adventure – it was one I will value forever. Micaela Harvie

The Northern Territory Immersion was an amazing experience and one which gave us the opportunity to grow together, but also individually. My favourite part of the whole trip was meeting Camila. She helped run the ‘Meals on Wheels’ program and worked at the local retirement home on Bathurst Island. She had an incredible personality. The residents in the retirement home were welcoming and friendly. They told us their childhood stories and how their lives were very different to today’s world and, at times, quite difficult. I found it an inspiring experience that I will never forget. Alexa Parmar

The trip to the Northern Territory was a life changing experience for me. I learnt so much about the Aboriginal culture and their way of life. Meeting Sister Tess in Wadeye and Sister Anne in Bathurst Island was definitely a highlight, they were both so welcoming and shared amazing stories with us. It was incredible to see the amount of work they have done in these remote communities and how much respect they had from the local people. The trip made me realise how many things at home I take for granted and it was enlightening to see these people living in poor conditions in our own country. I would definitely love to go back and visit all the inspiring people we met along the way. It was such a great journey that I would recommend to anyone. Abby Freney

Over the September holidays, I had the opportunity to take part in the Northern Territory Immersion trip. My favourite part about the entire trip was being able to interact and help with the children in the schools from Wadeye and Bathurst Island. They were amazing people and have made an impact on my heart. I realised from this trip how privileged I am to have an amazing school, education and a roof over my head. The whole experience was very much a team building exercise and I bonded with the other girls who came along with me. We worked well as a team, both among us students and with the teachers. Orla Brooks

Faith and Mission

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As the assessment and examination periods conclude for our senior students, the College KickStart program for all students

studying a VCE Unit 3 & 4 subject in 2017 begins on Monday 14 November.

All aspects of the KickStart classes will be rigorous and it is important that you and your daughter note the following:

Work related to the first outcome/s in each VCE subject will be begin.

In all subjects, students will be beginning tasks which will contribute to their VCE course requirements.

Attendance for this program is an expectation and will form part of the required attendance record for the VCE.

This time is critical for your daughter in terms of preparation and readiness for successful VCE completion - the KickStart program

is a crucial part of the process. We would encourage all parents to ensure that their daughters have an unblemished attendance

record for the duration of this program.

Our Celebration of Excellence Ceremony will be held in the College Hall at 9.30am on Thursday 17 November.

If your daughter is listed to receive an award you will receive an invitation via Caremonkey. Parents of awardees are especially

encouraged to attend. Please rsvp and refer to this invitation regarding any rehearsal requirements for your daughter.

All students are reminded that complete summer uniform including blazer is to be worn and homeroom will start at 9.00am. Students with PE or Dance on this day will be required to bring their PE uniform with them.

All parents are cordially invited to this important formal celebration of our students’ academic, sporting and community

achievements. Please advise the College Office on 8520 9200 or office@olsh.vic.edu.au by 4.00pm on Tuesday 15 November.

The following is a brief explanation of the process used to determine the award recipients for the Consistent Application to Studies, Academic Achievement and Academic Excellence Awards:

For Semester 2, an analysis of the student report data for the whole year and semester two (up until the end of October) is generated from the Accelerus reporting software currently used by the College. The top two students in each year level (according to proportion of excellent grades across the year) receive an Academic Excellence Award. The top 6 – 7 students (approximately) from semester two receive an Academic Achievement Award. The Consistent Application to Studies award recipients are determined via an analysis of the Work Habits data, which are an indication of how well a student has applied herself to her work.

The students who achieve the academic awards typically achieve grades between B and A+. It would be rare for a student below the B/B+ range to receive an academic award. Students receiving Consistent Application to Studies achieve ‘Consistently’ or ‘Excellent’ in almost every work habit - this group of students includes the hard workers who do not necessarily get the best grades.

Students are not required at the College on this day.

Ms Lynn Egan

Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

Curriculum Matters

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We congratulate the following Year 10 students who have been elected to student leadership positions for 2017

Scoliosis (spinal curvature) is an important health problem for adolescent girls and 25 per thousand are at risk of developing a significant curve. Three girls per thousand require treatment (spinal brace or surgery). Screening in the range of 11-13 years is a sound preventative measure. Self-detection is a practical way of screening for scoliosis. The following website provides you with information about the symptoms and treatment of scoliosis www.scoliosis-australia.org. A self-detection brochure can be found by following this link www.scoliosis-australia.org/pdfs/self_detection_brochure.pdf

All Year 8 students must be accompanied by one of their parents/guardians to an Issoudun Information evening which will take place on Tuesday 29 November at 7.30pm in the Theatrette. Important information regarding the Hartzer Residential Experience 2017 will be provided to parents and students. We look forward to welcoming you on this evening.

Ms Dina Oro Assistant Principal Student Wellbeing

Student Wellbeing News

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We welcomed the Year 7 cohort for 2017 on Tuesday 25 October for their Orientation day. We hope they had a great day meeting their new OLSH friends and look forward to them joining us for the new school year.

College News

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Congratulations to all the students and staff involved in the 2016 Junior Dance Show and the VCE/VET Dance performances. The night was a great success, showcasing the superb talent of various year levels as well as giving the solo performance dancers the opportunity to perform their works to a live audience. We thank Gina Coetzee for her dedication and tireless efforts throughout the year, and wish all those pursuing a pathway in the performing arts all the very best.

Joshua Debreceni Performing Arts Coordinator

College News

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Not hail, drenching rain nor gale-force winds dampened the enthusiasm of the Class of 1996 who celebrated their 20th reunion at the College on Saturday 22 October 2016. Anna Caccamo, one of the two 1996 Vice-Captains, led a small team of classmates to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. Thanks to Anna, Sarah Cameron, Tess Meyer, Bree Moleta, Sarah Ades and Melinda Parks.

It was great to see many of the 1996 student leadership group at the reunion: two Vice-Captains, Anna and Amanda Gomes; Sports Captain, Tess Meyer; Dux, Evelyn Leung and Highest VCE Aggregate, Carla Vasconi. Faye Valladares, Flame Scholarship Girl and 2016 Vice-Captain, attended as College ambassador and tour leader. In a quiet moment, she and Anna exchanged notes about their roles, both past and present. Thanks to all who made the effort to re-connect with old school friends and the College itself. We are always happy to welcome alumnae back to OLSH College Bentleigh.

Ms Shane O’Neil Alumnae Officer

Faye Valladares and Anna Caccamo, above and the

Organising Committee, below.

College News

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College News