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

31st July, 2017 Vol.25.No.20

17h Week of Ordinary Time

At our recent College Pastoral Assembly our student leaders launched the 2017 Envirowalk. It is one of our significant community building days, a civic clean up and our only major fund raiser each year. Catholic schools have a long standing custom of families supporting the development of facilities that their children share in and Aquinas is no different. We are very fortunate at Menai to be able to learn and teach in a College that has such delightful facilities that the families and past students have helped shape over the last twenty-five years. Our major capital works program is almost finalised with the new construction complete and just some refurbishment of spaces into reimagined uses for students and staff to be finalised.

To this end we are appealing to all students to raise as much money as they can to help defray the costs of our new buildings and amenities. We are aiming to raise in excess of $30 000 to contribute towards providing reverse cycle air conditioning in a number of spaces across the College. It is often difficult to fund raise when there is not a highly visible outcome, the last thirty-six months building activity has seen to that and I encourage all of our families to support their children in fundraising with relatives and friends, donating prizes or with their presence on the actual day. A specific letter around this has been sent home and we are looking forward to a highly successful day on Tuesday August 15

th and raising money to provide an enhanced learning environment for our students and staff.

Please keep our Year 12s in your thoughts and prayers as they tackle the first week of the HSC Trials – a daunting experience for all. I would also like to thank the staff for supporting the Class of 2017 in their study, major works and exams. I commend the Year 12s on the way in which they took up the offer of the Resource Centre [Library] as an alternative study venue over the last two weeks each afternoon from 3:10 – 6:30pm. The staff have generously given their time to supervise the learning space and it was terrific to see such broad and varied collaborative learning taking place.

St Thomas Aquinas’ prayer for students;

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Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of Your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding. Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally

Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion.

I ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

James Corcoran Principal

This Week

Event Date

HSC Trial Examinations Monday 31 July

HSC Trial Examinations Tuesday 1 August

Year 10 Incursion - Science

Aurecon Bridge Building Competition

English ICAS Competition 7-10

HSC Trial Examinations Wednesday 2 August

Aquinas Year 10 Mass - 8.20am

HSC Trial Examinations Thursday 3 August

Senior School Subject Selection Interviews with parents (7:30am - 6:00pm)

HSC Trial Examinations Friday 4 August

Year 11 Excursion - Biology

Senior School Subject Selection Interviews with parents (1:00pm - 3:00pm)

Assistant Principal

Damien Kerr Assistant Principal

The Rosary

‘The Rosary & Prayer

Intentions’ will be held

every Tuesday @

lunch…

Room 25

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Learning and Curriculum Matters

This Week's Assessment Tasks

STAGE 5 2018/19 SUBJECT SELECTION EVENING for CURRENT YEAR 8 STUDENTS Save the date! Year 8 and their parents/carers will be required to attend the mandatory Elective Subject Selection Evening for 2018/19 Stage 5 students on Wednesday August 30

th in the John Paul II Hall at 7pm.

Mrs Bissett began this process with Year 8 students during last Thursday’s pastoral period, so students should already be thinking about their interests and abilities. They will be given more information and have an opportunity to discuss subjects with current teachers on the evening of August 30

th.

STAGE 6 2018/19 SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS for YEAR 10 STUDENTS Thank you to Year 10 and your families for the overwhelmingly positive and proactive way that many of you have engaged in the subject selection process. I have enjoyed participating in and observing the many personal, phone and email conversations with students, parents/carers and other teachers and hope that this is a sign of deep thought around appropriate subject selections that take into consideration interests, post-school pathways and College recommendations based on current performance. The remaining Stage 6 subject selection process includes:

Year Subject Date

11 IPT 31.07.17

11 Music 1.08.17

10 Drama 1.08.17

9 Music 1.08.17

Date/Time Event Venue Parent/Carer attendance

required

Tuesday 2/08 3pm

Subject Selections via Web Preferences close. Subject Selection Interview bookings via School Interviews close.

N/A N/A

Thursday 4/08 7.30am - 6pm

and

Friday 5/08

12.00pm - 3pm

Subject Selection Interviews Fifteen minute interviews to validate selections already made via Web Preferences. Students will attend in full school uniform, but will not be re-quired to attend school on Thursday, other than for their interview. All Year 10 will attend school on Friday.

MLC Yes

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After students have made their subject selections and the appropriateness of these selections has been validated through the interview process, class lines will be constructed based on the selections that give the majority of students their top preferences. Though all efforts are made to ensure the appropriate pattern of study is available for each student at Aquinas, unfortunately, each year it is the case that either: There are too few students for some subjects to run, or Some students will have a subject clash, where two or more of the subjects they have chosen will run at the same time.

For these reasons, students are required to select more than the 12 units required for study in the Preliminary course. Further interviews will be held to resolve such clashes or in the instance that a subject does not run. There will also be a final meeting involving KLA coordinators and the Year 10 Pastoral Coordinator to ensure that selections are appropriate. Where there are concerns about selections, and/or where students have made selections against College recommendations, students may be called for a further discussion. Student and parent/carer attendance at the interviews is compulsory. Failure to attend, without consultation, will be taken as an indication that the student does not intend to return to Aquinas Catholic College for the completion of their final two years of schooling. Students will be notified of their successful enrolment in a senior pattern of study prior to the end of Term 3. Further reviews of these patterns of study would only occur if students fail to maintain a satisfactory academic standard commensurate with their selection in Semester 2 of Year 10.

YEAR 12 TRIAL HSC Preparation and TIMETABLE Many thanks to Mrs Fraser and the many teachers who either supervised additional classes or in the library across last week and during the holidays. Thanks must also go to the Year 12 students who made the library such a warm, collaborative environment after school each evening. It was a really positive indication of potential improvements to see the sharing and ‘breakthrough moments’ that many students participated in/experienced. Please refer to the eLearning/Library section of the newsletter for opening times during the Trials.

Students are to be outside the examination hall 20 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of each exam. All students will be seated 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure sufficient time for instructions and rolls to be given/taken.

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Lisa Mirabello Leader of Teaching and Learning

YEAR 12 TRIAL HSC TIMETABLE

1st WEEK Morning Session - Starts 8.50am Afternoon Session - Starts 12.50pm

Monday 31 July

English Std. Paper 1 (2 hours & 10 minutes reading time) English Adv. Paper 1 (2 hours & 10 minutes reading time) English Studies Paper (1 hour & 5 minutes reading time)

Music (1 hour & 5 minutes reading time) VET Retail (2 hours & 5 minutes Reading time)

Tuesday 1 August

English Std. Paper 2 (2 hours & 5 minutes reading time) English Adv. Paper 2 (2 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Design & Technology (1½ hours & 5 minutes reading time )

Wednesday 2 August

Visual Arts (1½ hours & 5 minutes reading time) Legal Studies (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Industrial Technology Timber Products and Furniture Technologies (1½ hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Thursday 3 August

Mathematics General 2 (2½ hours & 5 minutes reading time) Mathematics (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time) Mathematics General 1 (½ hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Modern History (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time) VET Hospitality (2 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Friday 4 August

Chemistry (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time) Senior Science (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Ancient History (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time) Software Design & Development (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time )

2nd WEEK Morning Session - Starts 8.50am Afternoon Session - Starts 12.50pm

Monday 7 August

Catholic Studies (1 hour) Studies of Religion I (1½ hours) Studies of Religion II (3 hours)

Community & Family Studies (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Tuesday 8 August

Physics (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Business Studies (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Wednesday 9 August

PD/H/PE (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Thursday 10 August

Biology (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

English Extension 1 (2 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Friday 11 August

Geography (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time) VET Construction (2 hours and 5 minutes reading time )

Mathematics Extension 1 (2 hours & 5 minutes reading time) Drama (1½ hours & 5 minutes reading time)

3rd WEEK Morning Session - Starts 8.50am Afternoon Session - Starts 12.50pm

Monday 14 August

Economics (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time) VET Business Services (2 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

Information Processes & Technology (3 hours & 5 minutes reading time)

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Dear Parents, Carers and Students, Why is your child’s attendance at school so important? Your child will have access to a safe learning environment and have continuity of relationships and friendships. Students who attend regularly establish better social relationships with their peers and teachers. Your child will achieve success with their learning at school and have improved performance in coursework tasks and examinations. All educational studies confirm that there is a direct link between regular attendance at school and success at examination level. Your son or daughter will have the opportunity to access the widest possible range of opportunities when they leave school with good references for further education and or employment. We would like all our students to aim for 100% attendance. 93% attendance would start to trigger cause for concern. What should I do if my child is absent from school? It is your parental responsibility to inform the school of any absences. As a minimal requirement you should carry out the following.

Parents/Carers are expected to call the school each morning your son/daughter is going to be absent.

Send a note for your son/daughter to pass to their Pastoral teacher when they return to school giving full details of the reason for absence.

Arriving to school on time. Generally lateness is not acceptable and can be counted as unauthorised absence. Therefore, a student arriving late must follow the school’s late procedure by signing in at the Administration office and provide a written explanation for this lateness from their parent/carer.

3 lates in one week = Wednesday detention

4 lates in a fortnight = Wednesday detention When the whole Pastoral class arrives on time roll call takes place smoothly and the day starts off so much better. Although it is better for students to be late than not be in school at all. Being 15 minutes late each day during an entire year is the same as missing a whole week of school! Medical appointments. Requests for your son/daughter to be out of school for appointments should be sent in prior to the date and medical appointment letters provided to authorise the absence. Your son/daughter will be released from school in sufficient time to attend the appointment. Every attempt should be made to attend school prior to and/or following a medical appointment. What about other reasons for absence? These situations are dealt with individually on their merits. However, it is generally not acceptable for your child to be absent for reasons such as: • Looking after younger children. • Celebrating a birthday. • Minding the house. • Going shopping. Important facts about attendance. 90% = An attendance of 90% might seem good but is equal to one day missed per fortnight. If this continues from Years 7-11, a total of six month’s education will be lost.

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Parents may be invited into school to discuss attendance concerns with their son or daughter's Year Coordinator or with myself. An attendance of 80% might seem acceptable but is actually equal to one day missed per week. If this continues from Years 7-11, a total of one year’s education will be lost. Parents/Carers whose children are frequently absent from school and have no on going medical concerns will be requested to send in medical evidence to support the absences and maybe invited into school to discuss their son/daughter's attendance. Remember Regular communication between schools and families during periods of non-attendance helps everyone work together to support the child to return to school. We are talking about your child’s future. So let’s all work together. The greater the attendance, the greater the

achievement.

Dominic Ritchie

Pastoral Care Coordinator

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WANTED

Marine artifacts and equipment for Marine Studies.

The Year 11 Marine Studies class is looking for marine artifacts and equipment. Any donation would be much appreciated.

Please leave donations at the front of the College office.

With thanks, Mr Ritchie

YOUNG CARER BURSARY PROGRAM

In 2017 the Young Carer Bursary Program will provide scholarships of $3,000 to 333 young carers who are engaging in study. The aim of the Young Carer Bursary Program is to make it easier for young carers to balance study with their caring role by relieving some of the financial pressure to undertake part-time work at the same time. Visit www.youngcarers.net.au/young-carer-bursary-program to register your interest or to register on behalf of a young carer you know. If you have previously applied for a bursary, you can apply again regardless of whether your application was successful or unsuccessful.

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Jessica Fraser Librarian

Year 12 Trial Study and Preparation Throughout Weeks 3 and 4 The Resource Centre will be open from 8am until 4pm for Year 12 students to study before and after exams or on their exam free days.

Unity: After School Coding and Game Development Workshop Students who have submitted the Expression of Interest Form please check your email inbox for updates about the lessons and start date.

If you have any questions please see or email Mrs Fraser at: jessica.fraser@syd.catholic.edu.au

Please Note: There will be a Premier ’s Reading Challenge participant meeting this Wednesday lunch (2/8/17) in The Resource Centre.

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GIFTED EDUCATION

NIGHT OF THE NOTABLES

Attention Year 7 students: Are you an independent learner? Do you have a particular passion or interest

that you would like to learn more about? Are you creative and like to think outside the square? Are you

organised? If you answered, “Yes” to all of these questions then Night of the Notables might just be for

you.

What is NIGHT OF THE NOTABLES? Night of the Notables is the study of someone notable who has

made a difference to our lives and the progress of humanity. It is student centred and focuses on personal

interest. Night of the Notables is such a wonderful program for the students for so many reasons:

It features suitable role models for gifted and talented children and it is a valuable source of adult role

models, mentors and individuals who pursue their lives and work with passion

It allows students to enjoy researching something they are interested in. Best learning occurs when it is

driven by interest. This leads students out of their comfort zone and helps nurture autonomous learners.

It allows students go beyond the factual research to involve themselves personally and identify with the

person of eminence.

It enables the students to recognise and enjoy greater self-esteem about their own gifts and talents

supported by their families and on show to the school community.

'Notables' values and affirms diversity in cultures, religious and national backgrounds by supporting

and affirming an individual's family, cultural and ethnic background publicly

The programme is run during school time in the library and students are expected to catch up on any

work missed.

A presentation night will be arranged for later in the term or early next term when I am able to finalise a

date on our calendar.

If you are interested in this opportunity please email me at: catherine.capovilla@syd.catholic.edu.au to

register your interest. All applications will be considered in consultation with your subject teachers and ten

students will be offered a place in the programme.

Parents, please feel free to email me should you have any other questions regarding the programme.

Catherine Capovilla

Gifted Education Teacher

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SSCCC Athletics Last Monday, 50 of our finest athletes headed out to the SSCCC Athletics Carnival at Campbelltown to represent the College across a number of track and field events. It is a very big day with over 450 competitors across 10 schools. The competition and performances were of a very high standard with a number of records broken! Records aside, our entire group worked well as a team, with coaches very proud of their efforts. A number of students filled in for others who were unable to make it and did their part to contribute to the school’s tally and fifth place ranking overall. A special thanks to Mr Tegg and Mr Burke for assisting on the day. Special mention to Jordi Mazzone, Jackson Turner and Thomas-James Searle who each took out third place in their overall age division, a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to the following students who will now represent Southern Sydney at the NSWCCC carnival: Sabrina Mac – High jump Dylan Sinikoski – 100m and 200m Alec Cotterill – 100m, 200m and 400m Thomas-James Searle – 200m Max Voller – 200m Julian Lo Russo – 1500m Jordan Lo Russo – 800m Liam Barton – long jump Samuel Hunt – shot put Christopher Lavidis – Discus throw Mrs Doran

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Did you know that more than 47,000 young people under 25 are homeless, which makes up nearly 50% of the total homeless population. The Lace it up initiative encourages those of us that are fortunate enough to have numerous pairs of different types of sneakers and shoes, to consider homeless youth for a moment. Homeless youth aren ’t as lucky as some of us. They may only have one pair of shoes that need to remain on their feet during the night to keep warm and to be able to quickly run away from harm if necessary.

In Week 3, the Social Justice Group will be selling the blue Youth Off The Streets laces for $5 a pair during morning pastoral. The aim of this fundraising initiative is to raise awareness and funds for homeless youth. Students will be encouraged to spend 60 seconds on Friday of Week 3, swapping their usual shoelaces to the limited edition Youth Off The Streets blues laces as part of the #lace up campaign.

Show your support on Friday, Week 3 by taking 60 seconds to update your laces to the blue Youth off the streets ones, take a photo and then share it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Make sure to tag Youth Off the streets and use the hashtag #laceitup.

Mrs Martin, Social Justice Coordinator

WEEK 3

UPCOMING EVENTS

St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal Week 6

The College will be contributing to the St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal via two upcoming fund raising efforts:

Firstly, there will be a mufti-day on Tuesday 22th August 2017. Students will be asked to donate a gold coin during pastoral to support this cause. Students are expected to wear enclosed shoes and appropriate clothing for a full school day. Secondly, our Year 12 group have been challenged to participate in a winter sleep out from 7pm Friday 25th August until 7am Saturday 26 August 2017 in the JPII Hall. We will be attempting to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be homeless in winter as well as raise additional funds.

Can you help?

Are you able to donate some cups of 2 minute noodles for Year 12 students to purchase on the night? Any donations can be dropped at the front office or via pastoral. Do you have access to some large-ish cardboard boxes? Any donations would be gratefully accepted. Please contact me if you are able to assist. Thank you

Denise.Martin@syd.catholic.edu.au Social justice coordinator

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Last Friday, 4 students and 1 staff member volunteered to donate blood at the Australian Red Cross, Blood Service at Miranda. The group were picked up from school at midday and driven to Miranda for their donation. 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 Aidan Conchie, Faith Dooley, Lily Wells and Grace Smith for their first-time and life saving donations! Thank you also to Mrs Gerke , who accompanied the students and also gave blood. We need another 6 blood bank donors/volunteers for Friday, Week 4 - 11/08/17. 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 Ryan Mulligan or Sarah Larkham or Mrs Martin for the appropriate forms. Denise Martin denise.martin@syd.catholic.edu.au Social Justice coordinator

Each week Maths Recall is included in the newsletter to encourage junior students to regularly focus on non calculator skills. Please show your answers to your maths teacher during your next lesson, as it shows interest and excitement about mathematical skills. 1. Write in index form 5 x 5 x 5 x 5

2. Write in index form 53 x 5

3

3. Evaluate in index form 26 ÷ 2

2

4. Between which two integers is

5. Calculate 10% of 365km

Mrs Catherine Fensom Assistant Mathematics Coordinator

MATHS DEPARTMENT RECALL CORNER

Australian Mathematics Competition

Congratulations to the over 250 Aquinas Catholic College students who completed the Australian Mathematics Competition last Thursday, with over 250 000 students around Australia and Oceana. This competition challenges students to problem solve without the use of calculators and think more widely than the usual lessons and syllabus. Results will be forwarded late in Term 3 and certificates in Term 4. Well done.

Mrs Fensom

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CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 3

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

MONDAY 31/7 TONY SHELDON, LOUISE TRUMAN, ANDREA HUNT, ANITA MORTON TUESDAY 1/8 GLENN LEAL, MONICA HOWARD WEDNESDAY 2/8 ANN-MARIE WALKER THURSDAY 3/8 JANE LEGHISSA FRIDAY 4/8 MANMEET GROVER, ARISTEA MARAKAS, LORETTA HERAGHTY MONDAY 7/8 BELINDA REZO, STEPHANIE PANAGIOTOPOULOS, ANGELA ROBINSON TUESDAY 8/8 MAIA TINNING WEDNESDAY 9/8 STAM FARRUGIA, ANGELA RILEY THURSDAY 10/8 GEOFF RAYMOND, KIM GLENIE FRIDAY 11/8 FIONA EDGAR, KAREN WILLSON, COURTNEY GRANTHAM

Uniform shop will be open on

THURSDAY

3 AUGUST

8:00am—9:00am

Please note the Uniform Shop only sells Sports Uniforms and School bags

The Uniform Shop now has Eftpos facilities

Answers:

MATHS CHALLENGE

1 54

2 56

3 24

4 3 and 4 or

5 36.5km

Maths Department

There will be a

SECOND HAND UNIFORM sale

WEDNESDAY 2 AUGUST

8:00am-8:30am Outside College Office

Most items are $5

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