Vol II No: 262 (Vol 1 concluded 523) 4 February 2009

PRAYER

For our Year 12s Loving God, as our Year 12s face their last year of High School, bless each of them with strength and enthusiasm. May they tackle the year with energy and a strong commitment to succeed and to be good leaders of our College community. May each of them do their personal best, giving all they can give. We ask for them the guidance of your Holy Spirit. May all their decisions be well thought out, filled with good counsel and may they continue to deepen their awareness of your presence with them. Amen.

Events – 4 February to 11 February 5 February - PC Mass: Cathedral: 8am 6 February - Opening College Mass & Commissionings: 9am 9 February - Scholars’ Assembly: 10.35am 10 February - Academic Information for Years 11 & 12 Parents: MPC: 5.30pm. Welcome BBQ 11 February - Board Meeting: 5.30pm

Dear Members of The Cathedral College Family Recent media reports have highlighted a growing concern about numeracy and literacy standards of our students. Queensland Year 9 students scored the second lowest scores on the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy Test (NAPLAN) held in May 2008. In response to the results, the Queensland Government has recommended all Year 9 students sit a practice test in March 2009 and deficiencies in numeracy and literacy be addressed by teachers prior to the 2009 round of testing. Since 2007 The Cathedral College has operated a ‘Whole of School’ Literacy program designed to raise the level of literacy across all year levels. Dr Carol Christensen from the University of Queensland introduced the program to the staff and assisted with the implementation. Last year the teaching staff reviewed the program and a number of changes were introduced. Four areas are covered on a weekly basis including: grammatical techniques, comprehension, writing and sustained silent reading. Year 8-10 students have workbooks that are used to assist with the development of grammar, vocabulary, sentence construction and spelling. Students are expected to regularly write extended pieces to demonstrate sentence construction and paragraphing. As we move towards the conclusion of the second week, it is important students are settling to the routine of school. In speaking to a number of students homework has begun and assignments are being received across all subjects. Often the hardest step to take on any journey is the first step. Please encourage and support your student to establish good work habits and the discipline to complete tasks to a high standard. It was pleasing to see so many families attend the Year 8 Information Evening and Barbecue last night. Many new families have joined the College and last night was an opportunity to welcome them as part of The Cathedral College Family. Next Tuesday 10 February the Years 11 and 12 Information Evening and Barbecue will be held with Year 11 parents’ meeting in Our Lady’s Hall and Year 12 parents’ meeting in the Multi-Purpose Centre for a 5.30pm start.

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TCC Chronicle

Keeping parents and friends of THE CATHEDRAL COLLEGE informed.

From the PRINCIPAL cont… This Friday the College community will be attending the 2009 Opening College Mass and Commissionings. Bishop Brian Heenan, Father John Daly and Father John Hogan will concelebrate the Eucharist and lead the senior students as they pledge to lead by example in their leadership role this year. The senior students will receive their senior badge as a sign of their service to this community. The College Captains, House Captains and Residential Captains will also receive their badges. Parents of our senior students are most welcome to attend this important ceremony which commences at 9.00am. Next Monday 9 February, at the Scholars’ Assembly, we welcome back to the College the students from the 2008 Senior class who received an OP score of 1, 2 or 3 and the student who excelled in the Vocational Education Course. During the ceremony we will also recognise the outstanding achievements of so many of our students in Semester Two 2008. Our special guest is Sister Joanne Molloy who worked closely with students and staff in 2008 during Sister Margaret Dixon’s leave. Parents are most welcome to join this special Assembly which will be held in the Multi-Purpose Centre commencing at 10.35am. During this liturgical year of Evangelisation through Stewardship we are all challenged to use our gifts. We pray for assistance to recognise the gifts in others, so that together, we may respond to the call of Jesus, to spread the Good News in our communities.

God bless, Mr Mark Stower (Principal)

From the DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

It is with some relief that the start to the 2009 Academic year has proceeded relatively smoothly to this point. The number of students in Year 10, 11, 12 changing their subject selections at this point continues to cause some frustration for staff as planning and organization is difficult when student numbers are continually shifting. Students wishing to change subjects have until Monday 10th to inform Mrs McRae (Year 12), Mr Raven (Year 11), Miss McDevitt (Year10). It was exciting to be informed last week that The Cathedral College was successful in our application to the Round Two Australian Government National Secondary Computer Fund. Due to this fund, the College will be funded by the Federal Government to obtain 187 new computers over the next two years. I would like to thank the Technology Committtee for their hard work in compiling this application, especially Mr Paul Wilton and Mr Ian Davis for their knowledge and dedication. These computers and supporting infrastructure will be targeted to key areas both in the middle school and specialist areas. In the end, it will mean greater access to ICT resources for all TCC students.

I would like to remind all Yr 11 and 12 parents that the Information Evening and Welcoming BBQ for parents of senior school students will be held next Tuesday 10 February beginning at 5:30pm in Our Lady’s Hall (Year 11 Parents) and MPC (Year 12 Parents). On Monday 23 February the Rockhampton region holds the QSA monitoring day. As this creates disruption for many senior school classes and teachers it has been decided that on this day all Year 11 and 12 students at TCC will be given an assignment day at home. Students are expected to work on their assignments on this day and should not see it as a long weekend where no work is done. Mr Gerard Raven

From the

ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL STUDIES

Scholars’ Assembly will be held next Monday 9 February from 10.35am in the Multi-Purpose Centre. At the Assembly our 2008 Senior Students who achieved Ops 1-3 and our top 2008 VET student will be acknowledged together with 2008 Years 8-11 students who were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals (as per last week’s Chronicle). Students receiving awards are asked to wear formal dress (including ties for boys) and to be neatly presented.

NAPLAN: This May, our Year 9 students will be undertaking National Literacy and Numeracy testing. To help students to prepare for this testing, Literacy classes will be devoted to revising literacy and numeracy rules, comprehension and problem solving. Students will be given the opportunity to do two mini-practice tests. Part of this preparation will be to study the 2008 NAPLAN questions. Students will also study the narrative genre as part of their Term 1 English program. Parents are invited to support this preparation and will find useful material to use at home on the QSA website at www.qsa.qld.edu.au under NAPLAN Miss Patricia McDevitt

From the ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL

STUDENTS Year 8 Camp: Camp permission forms are now overdue. Parents who have not completed the forms are asked to do so promptly and return them to the College. Parents will find a copy of the camp information on the College webpage.

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Absenteeism: Attendance at the College is a vital component of students striving for academic excellence. To assist parents in knowing the whereabouts of their sons or daughters a text message will be sent at 10am each school day to notify parents that their son or daughter has been marked absent with no reason offered. Parents are asked to phone the College on the dedicated absentee line (49991399) to explain the absence prior to 9am. Mr Stephen Parle

From the ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL

MISSION PC Mass: A reminder that all are welcome to join us at 8am for this Mass which is celebrated in the Daily Mass Chapel of the Cathedral every Thursday morning. TCC/Parish Mass: The first of these Masses will be on Saturday March 7 at 6pm in the Cathedral. In prayer, Sister Margaret Dixon

From the COLLEGE CAPTAINS Welcome back to what promises to be another fantastic year at The Cathedral College. We trust that everyone has had a safe and happy holiday and is ready to embrace the school year. Last Tuesday the Seniors had the opportunity to meet a very excited bunch of Year 8 students. Their enthusiasm and energy inspires us to make 2009 a year never to forget. This Friday the College community will gather in St Joseph’s Cathedral for the Opening College Mass and Commissionings of which the Senior Commissioning is one. We wish the Year 12 students all the very best as they take up the role of the College Seniors in 2009. Once again we would like to welcome you all back and wish you all the best for the forthcoming year. Until next time, Stevie Dilley, Ebony Hunt, Robert Rooney and Riley Griffin

TUCKSHOP ROSTER: Mon: J. Jones Tues: M. Burke Wed: D. McMurdo Thurs: N. Rose, A. Newsome (pm) Fri: J. Wass GENERAL NEWS: What is the Young Carers Project? Support for students who care for a relative who has an ongoing health issue, disability, drug/alcohol issue or mental illness. All information is kept strictly confidential. Contact Rockhampton Respite & Carelink on 1800 059 059 for more information. Natalie Polkinghorne Centacare Services: Centacare Rockhampton provides a range of support services including confidential counselling, drought counselling, natural family planning, marriage education, and direct care to name a few. All members of the community are welcome to access these services. A counsellor can assist in dealing with stress, relationship concerns, or worries about a family member. The services can be helpful if someone is worried, feeling hopeless or continuously sad. Would you, or someone you know such as a friend or a family member, like to use our counselling services? Or find out more information? Call Centacare Rockhampton on 07 4927 1700 or visit www.centacare.net. Melanie Lippitt-Plumb ANNUAL PARISH FAIR: It is on again this year so please mark your diaries! MAY 31 2009 - 10.30am - 2.00pm. Theme for 2009: "Setting hearts on Fire" Watch this space for more! Margaret Hallinan

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From the SPORTS DEPARTMENT WELCOME! The Inter-house Swimming Carnival will be held on Thursday 19 February 2009 at the Southside Pool. All students are expected to attend and be actively involved in the day, whether it be through swimming competitively, swimming in the Full House Swims or by cheering for your fellow team mates. Students are required to be there by 8.30am for roll call with the first event of the day kicking off at 9.00am. A programme of events for the day is available on the school website: http://www.tccr.com.au/faqs.php?c=16 . Students are expected to be in full sports uniform. It is also recommended that students bring along a hat, water bottle and sunscreen. The Southside Pool canteen will be fully operational throughout the day. Bus students who are not directly dropped at the pool will be dropped off at the school and will have a bus take them over to the pool. This will also be the case for getting home. SCHOOL SPORT A number of our school sporting competitions is set to kick off over the next few weeks including Indoor Netball, Boys Basketball, Rugby Union and Touch Football. If you are interested in playing any of these sports, you need to place your name up on the ‘Sign Up’ sheets on the Sports Notice Board and also see Ms Clarke ASAP to collect the necessary paperwork. Indoor Netball Teams have been selected after trials were held on Monday afternoon. We are extremely excited about each and every one of our 11 teams. All players have been given the necessary paperwork and have been asked to return it by 10/02/2009. Congratulation to the 2009 QISSN squad that was also selected: Taylah Coyne, Stacee Butcher, Clare Gross, Perinna McLachlan, Meg Perry, Anna Reeve, Bryony Schamberg, Shanita Smith, Rebecca Thompson and Sheridan Walker. Touch Football: Wednesday 4 February (This afternoon) 3.30 – 5.00pm on school oval There will be an U15 girls, U15 boys and an Open girls’ team selected. The U15 boys and Open girls’ team will also be representing the school at the All Schools Championships at the beginning of October in Brisbane. We are also looking into having both of these representative teams entered into the Rockhampton Touch Assoc. Wednesday night fixtures competition, beginning in February 2009. Basketball Trials: Friday 6 February 3.30 – 5.00pm in MPC There will be a Junior and Senior boys team selected which will represent TCC in the Inter-School Basketball Competition. REPRESENTATIVE SPORT If you are interested in trialling for representative honours for any of the sports listed below, it is essential that you see Ms Clarke for the necessary paperwork ASAP as there is very limited turn around time.

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A reminder that the R&D Trials for Volleyball and Touch Football are scheduled for the same day as the Swimming Carnival. This situation is unfortunate, but unavoidable. It is expected that if you decide to trial for Volleyball or Touch, you are still expected to attend the Swimming Carnival for the morning session or afternoon session, depending on when your trials are being conducted. If you do not wish to miss any of the Swimming Carnival, I would suggest composing a letter. This letter should include necessary details and achievements so that you can still be considered for selection although absent from the trials. WHATS HAPPENING AROUND THE GROUNDS? This section is where we acknowledge the outstanding sporting achievements of our students as well as keep you up to date with what’s happening around our community. If you would like to see your son’s/daughter’s achievements published, please email Ms Clarke (melanie_clarke@tccr.rok.catholic.edu.au) with the information. Please write the article so that it does not have to be edited. Congratulations to Tamara Hanschen (Yr 12) and Alex Buckley (Yr 11) who recently attended the annual Indoor Cricket Qld State Developement Camp in Brisbane which was excellent in all aspects. As a result both girls have been invited into the 2009 Qld Development Academy for indoor cricket. Over the break Briannah Holloway competed at the Multi-Disability Australian Age Swimming Championships in Canberra. She competed in seven events receiving three bronze and one silver. Congrats on the achievements Briannah! Rockhampton Junior Tennis Assoc Inc Coaching and Fixture Programs Saturdays 8.00 - 11.00am. Registrations $54, Fixture Play $5 weekly, Coaching $10 for three hours. Qualified coaches employed. Venue Victoria Park Courts. Contact P.Peach Phone 4927 1436. The Indoor Sports Arena (ISA) will have their Junior Indoor Netball ‘Sign-on' day this Saturday, 7 Feb at 10.45am, with free ice-blocks for the kids and salad rolls for sale for the parents. The canteen will be open for drinks and nibbles. Any interested parents who wish to help coach these teams during the season are most welcome. For further information please contact Bernice Dei Rossi on 4921 2075.

Brothers Australian Football Club will be holding its 2009 Sign-on/ Come & Try day on 21 February. Sign-on includes age levels U/7, U/9, U/11, U/13, U/15 & U/17. Player numbers in each squad are not limited. Location: Kele Park, Rockhampton, off Hunter St (near the airport entrance)Time: 9.30am til 12.30pm.For any further details please contact Ross Laycock, ph 4928 6392 a/h, mob 0458 284810.

Ms Melanie Clark

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SPORT AGE GROUP RETURN DATE FOR FORMS

TOUCH FOOTBALL 15 YEARS & OPEN (B&G) Thursday 12 February 2009 VOLLEYBALL 15 YEARS & OPEN (B&G) Thursday 12 February 2009 AFL 15 YEARS (B) Tuesday 24 February 2009 NETBALL 15 YEARS & OPEN (G) Tuesday 24 February 2009 SOCCER OPEN AGE (B&G) Tuesday 24 February 2009 RUGBY LEAGUE 15 YEARS & OPEN (B) Friday 27 February 2009 SQUASH OPEN AGE (B&G) Friday 27 February 2009 HOCKEY OPEN AGE (B&G) Thursday 5 March 2009 RUGBY UNION OPEN AGE (B) Thursday 5 March 2009

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING NEWLY SIGNED UP SCHOOL BASED APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES: Year 10: Mikaela McMurdo (Cert II in Community Recreation, Gilligan’s Ireland Swimming Academy) Year 11: Natalie Steen (Cert II Community Services PCYC Tiny Tots), Kael Smith (Cert III Pastry Brumby's), Victoria York (Cert II in Agriculture Suncland Cattle Co), Brodie Cunningham (Cert III in Construction JM Kelly Group), James Swadling (Cert III in Construction, Swadling Painting Contractors) Year 12: Sharni Bliss (Cert III Tourism Capricorn Caves), Jessica Bryant (Cert III Hospitality Compass Group), Kirsten Waller (Cert III Business Dept of Natural Resources and Mines), Stephanie Waller (Cert III Childcare Archer Street Childcare Centre) 2009 DEFENCE TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Attention Yr 11 and 12 students only - if you have an interest in pursuing a technical trade career in the Army, Navy or Airforce you could be in the running for a $2000 scholarship for Yr 11 students and a $3000 scholarship for Yr 12 students. You will then have to sit a test on Monday 23 February (pupil free day for Yr 11 and 12) at TCC. Please collect an information pack from outside Mrs Weeding’s office. All you have to do is complete an application form by Monday 9 Feb and give it to Mrs Weeding who needs to stamp it with an official school stamp before posting it for you. Tertiary Studies Expo—day trip Saturday 18 July 09—Year 12 students only! Find the course, find the training, find your career. Find it all at TSXPO! Visit www.tsxpo.org for more information. Visits to St Leo’s & Duchesne Catholic UQ residential college’s and the Kelvin Grove Urban Village for QUT students will also be included! Collect a pink flyer from outside Mrs Weeding’s office. Expressions of interest close on Friday 27 February 2009.

ATTENTION YEAR 10 STUDENTS, 2009 Are reminded that the Expression of interest for work experience 2009 form is due back to the Student Counter by Friday 13 February 2009. Queensland Safety Induction Blue Card Course: Many students (especially Year 10s) will be requiring a Queensland Safety Induction Blue Card to participate in work experience related to the construction industry. Rather than lose a day of school time, it has been decided that students should complete the course in their own time online at the reduced cost of $40 for secondary school students. Please visit www.bluedogtraining.com.au and complete the Qld course as soon as possible. Students should carry the blue card in their wallet at all times. I suggest that students complete this course as soon as possible, as there will be excursions during 2009 that will require Blue Card evidence. Year 10 “What’s my Trade” One Day only Excursion to Gladstone. Friday 6 March, 2009. Maximum 43 students. More information will be given to students during their assembly lesson on Monday 16 February. A Qld Safety Blue Card will be required.

Year 11 students have been emailed (on their school email) the information for the above SAT. Closes 16 Feb 09

Year 11 and 12 students may require a Queensland Safety Induction Blue Card to participate in work experience related to the construction industry. Students can complete the course in their own time online at the reduced cost of $40 for secondary school students. Please visit www.bluedogtraining.com.au and complete the Qld course as soon as possible. Students should carry the blue card in their wallet at all times.

ITS ON!

The first of the 2009 Staff V Students Challenges is set for next Wednesday, 11 February. The first of the challenges is TOUCH FOOTY. All the action will

go down on the back oval during first break next Wednesday.

The showdown! STAFF STUDENTS

Mr Paul Dever Alex Buckley Mrs Angela Dever Nance Pepper

Mrs Lynette Fellowes Perinna McLachlan Ms Mel Clarke Jenna Dunne

Miss Kelly Spottiswood Caitlyn Ferrell Mrs Suzy Loram Gregory Kitto

Mr Michael Esdale Lachlan Campbell Mr Glen Egan Josh Gregson

Mr Tim Murphy Cody West Mr Grant Williams Jacob Stirling