St Clare’s High School Davis Street, Taree 2430

Telephone (02) 6552 3300

Fax (02) 6552 3656

NEWSLETTER 12/2016 29 APRIL 2016

Dear Parents and Friends of St Clare’s

Welcome to Term 2 2016.

A good sized group of students and staff marched in the Taree ANZAC Day Parade on Monday.

Despite the weather, spirits were high and our young people represented their family and school

community with considerable dignity.

Casey Griffiths and Declan Moylan and St Clare’s students

School Captains, Isabella Blenkin and Thomas Dormor had the honour of delivering the

memorial speech to the considerable gathering of local people. They delivered an engaging,

thoughtful and thought provoking speech which has drawn a great amount of praise and

appreciation from many members of the local community. Their speech follows.

Anzac Day Speech - 2016

The word ‘Sonder’ was first coined by author John Koenig to describe an idea that defies

definition in the English language. Put simply, ‘sonder’ is the realisation that each random

passerby, every stranger that brushes past you in the street, is living a life as vivid and as complex

as your own. A life in which you might only appear once, as a blur of traffic passing on the

highway, as a glowing window at dusk. A life filled with their own ambitions, their own friends,

their own routines, worries and desires. A life just like your own, a person, just the same as you.

Now each year, on Anzac Day, we pause to think of the soldiers who gave their lives to defend

the country that we call home, and in doing so, we often remember them as someone’s husband,

as someone’s daughter, as someone’s brother.

We remember them as someone’s someone, a beautiful thought in itself, and yet, only half the

story that needs telling.

See, even more so, in considering this idea of ‘sonder’, we are called to remember them, simply,

as men and women, as individuals, each filled with those same ambitions and routines and

worries. Each with a mind just like you or I, filled to the brim with all their own fear and

excitement about the adventure to come.

Ladies and gentlemen, when you remember those who served, remember the person.

But how do we remember the person? We must become curious, we must ask questions, and we

must safeguard the stories of the past.

If I had not asked questions myself, I would never have found out that my great great grandfather

was a transport sergeant in the First World War, spending day after day with hundreds of war

horses, a heartbreaking position in itself. If I had not asked questions, I would not have found

out that he was hospitalised in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s house after a compound fracture to the

leg caused by a fallen mule. If I had not asked questions, I would not have found out that my

great great grandfather continued to work with horses long after the war ended, despite the horrors

he must have endured. But as we know, the veterans were not inclined to go into great detail

about their experiences, but rather told small anecdotes.

We must remember the individuals, like Australian Sapper, Thomas Edward Drane, one of the

first men to enlist at the beginning of WWI as a member of the 1st Field Company Engineers.

His diary describes the excitement of departure from Sydney, the exotic landscapes of Egypt, the

endless days at sea. But most vivid of all is that of the 25th of April 1915, this day, 101 years

ago.

“We were awakened up about 1.30am and told to get our equipment on... We were all excited…

what drew my attention was a very bright star in the sky, that shone out so brightly and seemed

to be a magnet drawing us towards it.

...then a bright light shone out from the shore and one shot rang over the hills. We knew that we

were seen by the Turks and we were told to get out, and get ashore the best way we could, every

man for himself.

It was just Hell let lose, nothing short of murder, to see our boys go down like sheep, it made

your blood boil, and then that is the time you get mad with excitement, and you are only out to

kill or be killed, to avenge the pals who you have loved like brothers. I along with my chums were

lucky to reach the shore after a few attempts to wade through water up to the neck. It was the

coldest Turkish bath I ever had… we were wet to the skin.

Then the order was given to fix bayonets; and drive the Turks out, which we did with a vengeance.

I will never forget that charge, for our boys started to coo-ee for all they were worth...

What happen is too awful to put down, for even should I put it down no one would realise what

war is like unless they have been in the thick of it, as we were then”

Now, while we remember these stories, it’s just as important to remember that war is not one-

sided. The Battle of Fromelles, for example, occurred a century ago, and the stories we hear as

Australians involve our men, the newly arrived 5th Division, attacking a strongly fortified German

front.

And yet, we don’t often think of what the opposition were facing, the thousands of foreigners

marching towards them - and while we mourn the 5 and a half thousand casualties we suffered

that dark day, we also keep in mind the absolute terror that the opposition must have experienced.

We remember our fallen, and we remember the fallen of our opponents too. There is not one

enemy in war.

ANZAC Day is one of the most important parts of our nation, and every year we are consistently

reminded to reflect on the qualities of mateship and courage for which those who serve, then and

now, are so famous for.

But, we believe that this is already more known to us than we realise, we already respect their

bravery, their achievements, what they gave to our country. It’s what we do with this legacy that

matters, the way we bring it into our everyday lives, the way we make it relevant today, that

ensures, we will remember them.

The legacy lives on, and while we proclaim our remembrance every year, we must also consider

what it means to us. It embodies the traits that, with history, we Australians have become the

bearers of, and it is through simple, everyday acts, that this ANZAC spirit lives on. Be kind to

one another. Remember to laugh. Endure when times become difficult. And keep alive that same

courage that our ANZACs held when they had nothing else left.

We come together to rescue one another in times of need during natural disaster. We see the good

humour in situations that don’t go as planned. We have an unyielding sense of duty towards each

other, putting others first. This ANZAC spirit lives on through us.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we believe ANZAC day is all about. We ask you to focus

less on the solemn gravity of the event, but rather reflect on how far we have come. Consider the

stories that do not get told.

When you remember those who served, remember the person.

Remember the individual, just like you or I, and remember that our national identity comes not

only from what occurred in the past, but the way we choose to act today.

Isabella Blenkin & Thomas Dormor

School Captains - Thomas Dormor & Isabella Blenkin

St Clare’s community followed the Taree ANZAC commemorations with those of our own on

Wednesday, 27 April.

The assembly was organised by our senior student leadership group with the help and guidance

of staff member, Mr Ian Evans. Guests included Taree Mayor, Mr Paul Hogan, RSL Sub-

Branch President, Mr Darcy Elbourne, RSL Sub-Branch Secretary, Mr Dennis Lawrence

and RSL Sub-Branch member Mr Norm Webster.

A wreath was laid during the ceremony and Mr Elbourne spoke to the gathering about aspects

of the ode and his family’s connection to the local area and the

ANZAC tradition. The RSL Sub-Branch made a presentation of

books and vouchers to the school which were gratefully accepted

by student leaders. School Captains Isabella Blenkin and

Thomas Dormor delivered their ANZAC Day address, prayers

for the fallen were shared and the ceremony was closed by the

singing of the National Anthem.

In all aspects; from the catafalque party conducted by Cadet Ronan Moon, Ben Horsburgh,

Johnathon Black, Connor Van Wyk (Year 11) and Molly Reid (Year 8) drilled by staff

member Mr Bernie Holland, bugler Nicholas Parsons (Year 10), the music led by Mrs Jenny

McKendry and Cadence, the public leadership shown by our student leaders: Isabella Blenkin,

Thomas Dormor, Casey

Griffiths, Blake Jeffriess,

Melanie Malakou, Lucy

McIntosh, Laura Moy,

Connor Moylan, Damien

Owen, Luke Polson, Connor

Thorp, Thomas Tsang and

Emily Fowle’s leading of the

National Anthem and the

student bodies’ engagement in

the ceremony was excellent.

School Captains - Thomas Dormor &

Isabella Blenkin

Camps and out of class events play an important part in the education process. Last term a

significant number of students and staff took part in a Duke of Edinburgh camp. They walked

44 kms over four days from Point Lookout, New England National Park, Ebor to Bellingen. A

full report of this camp will be in next week’s newsletter. I would like to thank Mr Bernie

Holland, coordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh program and staff members, Mr Phill Carney

and Mrs Karen McCann for giving up their holiday time to ensure the Duke of Edinburgh

program can be run at the school and the camp could proceed.

We also owe a great deal of thanks to Deacon Vince Ryan and Ministry Coordinator, Denise

Ryan, who gave up a significant amount of time in the holidays to take a dozen senior students

on the immersion trip into inner Sydney.

Each of these events are formative in nature and contribute greatly to the personal growth,

resilience and empathy of our students and, as such, offer important moments of learning for our

young people.

Last night the SRC hosted the first school social for 2016. The event was well received and a

good time was had by all. My thanks to the SRC representatives and SRC Coordinator, Mrs Jane

Polson for their excellent work on behalf of the school community.

Year 12 students enjoying the social

In closing, I thank our staff for their willingness to go the extra “yard” to ensure that your sons

and daughters are offered every opportunity to develop their skills and talents and grow into an

ethical person who leads a good and happy life.

I would also like to thank RSL Sub-Branch member Mr Norm Webster for his kind donation to

the school in memory of his brother WD Webster killed in action in 1942 and his brother-in-

law LA Campton killed in action in 1945. Lest we forget.

God Bless

Principal

P & F – NEXT MEETING, WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY 2016

6 PM SCHOOL LIBRARY

PRAYERS: Please pray for those who are currently experiencing health difficulties and continue

to pray for community members experiencing challenges, pain, sickness and grief in their lives

at this time.

CHAPLAINCY/PASTORAL CARE: A reminder to all that the school has a Chaplain. Please

feel free to contact our Chaplain, Deacon Vince Ryan, through the school office if he can be of

assistance to you or any member of our whole school community.

Mass Times

Our Lady of the Rosary,

Taree 75 Albert St, Taree

Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm

Sunday Mass: 9:30 am

Our Lady of Perpetual

Help, Wingham

8 Farquhar Street, Wingham

Sunday: 8:30am

St Bernadette’s, Krambach Bucketts Way, Krambach

Saturday: 6:30 pm

Sunday: 9 am

(Mass is celebrated on

alternate weekends – please

speak to Deacon Vince or

Mrs Denise Ryan at school

for information on which

weekend mass will be

celebrated)

Our Lady Star of the Sea,

Harrington Pilot St, Harrington

Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm

(1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays in

each month)

Saturday Liturgy of the Word

and Communion: 6:00 pm

(2nd and 4th Saturdays of

each month)

St Therese's, Lansdowne Cundle Rd, Lansdowne

Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm

(2nd and 4th Saturdays of

each month)

Our Lady of Fatima, Old

Bar 20 Hall St, Old Bar, Sunday

Mass: 7:30 am

St Patrick's, Cundletown River St, Cundletown

Sunday Mass: 6:00 pm

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic

Parish

Holy Name of Jesus Parish

Church, Forster 33 Lake Street, Forster

Sunday Mass: 9:00 am

St Mary, Star of the Sea

Church, Tuncurry 15 Peel Street, Tuncurry

Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm

Sunday Mass: 7:00 am

CAREERS CORNER: Careers Day #2 for Year 12 students has had a date alteration. Our

careers days are tied to our major school carnivals and, due to the Greater Taree City Council

informing us that the Rec Grounds were no longer available next week as originally booked, we

will now hold our second careers day on Friday, 13 May in Week 3 of Term 2 in conjunction

with the re-scheduled Athletics Carnival. More details regarding this will be presented in next

week’s school newsletter.

2016 HSC Examination Timetable is available

The 2016 HSC Written Examination Timetable became available on Wednesday 27 April.

Students can view their personal timetable via their Students Online account.

It is ESSENTIAL that HSC students log in to check personal details, subjects and timetables.

Students should speak to the Curriculum Coordinator, Mrs Theresa Avery, or a Year 12 Student

Coordinator, Mrs Bronwen Davidson, if there are any errors, omissions or clashes in their

timetable. Unfortunately, there cannot be any adjustments to the HSC Timetable if a student has

a crowded timetable. If this has happened, students must start preparing for this.

Our school can also download the 2016 HSC Written Examination Timetable via Schools Online

but CANNOT access a student’s individual timetable. Parents can access the full timetable

which will be published on the BOSTES website from Wednesday, 4 May 2016.

Ian Evans, Careers Adviser

MATHS WORKSHOP - Mathematics Workshop provides the opportunity for every student to

obtain assistance and support in improving their understanding of

mathematics. Four mathematics teachers are available each week

to explain the concepts you are finding difficult or give assistance

to enable you to complete your homework, assignments or any

work that you may have missed due to absence from class.

WHEN IS IT ON? Wednesday lunchtime - every week.

Bring your lunch!

WHERE? Room 10

We hope to see you there!

Mrs Julie Rowsell- Mathematics Coordinator

LEAVE NOTES & STUDENT MESSAGES: It would be appreciated if parents/guardians

would send in a written note if their child needs to leave early for appointments etc. Notes

should be handed in at the front office in the morning before roll call. If parents/guardians need

to notify their child of a change of afternoon arrangements, it is necessary to phone the school

prior to 2:25 pm (End of Lunch – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday) or prior to 1:55

pm (End of Lunch – Thursday Sport) as it is often difficult to locate students if their last lesson

is a PE Prac or there has been a room change. Students cannot be collected from the school

during school hours by anyone other than a parent or guardian without written permission.

Thank you.

LATE NOTES: Lateness to school is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained to the

school the same way as other forms of absence. Arriving Late for school requires a

handwritten note from a parent/carer or a phone call from a parent/carer or the absence is

recorded as an unexplained partial absence. Thank you.

SCHOOL CLINIC: Students are reminded that if they are unwell whilst at school they are to

advise their teacher who will then send them to the Front Office. If necessary, the office staff

will contact a parent while the student waits in the Clinic. Students are not to contact parents on

their mobile phones as this leaves teachers and office staff unaware of the situation and is also in

breach of the school policy – use of mobile phones. Thank you.

MONDAY 2/5 Help Urgently Required

TUESDAY 3/5 Monica McMullen, Sue Lythgoe

WEDNESDAY 4/5 Jackie Wiseman

THURSDAY 5/5 Lisa Starling

FRIDAY 6/5 Janette Wright

VACANCIES STILL EXIST

MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS

IF YOU CAN ASSIST PLEASE CONTACT CHERYL KINGSFORD

AT ST CLARE’S: 6591 2104, HOME: 6552 1857 OR

VIA EMAIL: cheryl.kingsford@mn.catholic.edu.au

COMING EVENTS - 2016

Term 2

Week 2 Thursday 5/5 ♦ Year 12 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews – 3:45 to 6:30 pm

School Hall

♦ Dio Cross Country

Week 3 Tuesday 10/5 ♦ NAPLAN

Wednesday 11/5 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm (St Clare’s High School)

Friday 13/5 ♦ Athletics Carnival

Year 12 Careers Day No.2

Week 7 Wednesday 8/6 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm (Holy Name Primary School, Forster)

Week 10 Thursday 30/6 ♦ NAIDOC Day Assembly

Friday 1/7 ♦ Last Day of Term 2

Term 3

Week 1 Monday 18/7 ♦ First Day of Term 3

Week 2 Monday 25/7 ♦ Students from Kobe Kaisei arrive

Week 3 Sunday 31/7 ♦ Year 9 Snowy Excursion Departs

Wednesday 3/8 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm (St Joseph’s Primary School, Wingham)

Thursday 4/8 ♦ Kobe Kaisei students depart St Clare’s

Friday 5/8 ♦ Year 9 Snowy Excursion Returns

Week 6 Thursday 26/8 ♦ Year 7 Vaccination – 3rd dose

Week 7 Wednesday 31/8 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm

Week 10 Friday 23/9 ♦ Last Day of Term 3

Term 4

Week 3 Wednesday 26/10 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm

Week 7 Wednesday 23/11 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm

F r R o b G a l e a i s a s i n g e r a n d s o n g w r i t e r w i t h a n

i n t e r n a t i o n a l f a n b a s e . F r . R o b h a s a p p e a r e d o n

t h e X F a c t o r a n d h a s r e c o r d e d w i t h s e v e r a l

r e n o w n e d a r t i s t s , i n c l u d i n g G u y S e b a s t i a n

, P a u l i n i , G a r r y & , N a t a s h a P i n t o & A m e l i a

F a r r u g i a . F r R o b h a s a s i g n i f i c a n t e v a n g e l i s t i c

a n d o u t r e a c h m i n i s t r y , s p e a k i n g a n d s i n g i n g a t

s c h o o l s , c o n f e r e n c e s a n d c h u r c h e s a r o u n d t h e

w o r l d .

Manning Entertainment Centre on Friday 3rd June commencing at 8.00pm.

Tickets are $5.00 for Students under 18 years and $15.00 for Adults.

Tickets may be purchased at the MEC telephone 6592 5466 or via their website

mec@gtcc.nsw.gov.au

E v e n t p r o m o t e d b y O u r L a d y o f t h e R o s a r y

C a t h o l i c P a r i s h , 7 5 A l b e r t S t r e e t , T a r e e N S W 2 4 3 0

Fr. Rob Galea in Concert

How To Support Your Child Through

Senior School

Presented by two experts in Peak Performance Psychology and Learning.

Rocky Biasi and Prue Salter PhD

Please Forward This To Your Parents...

OR announce it in your newsletter and website. However you best communicate with your parents.

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Stress and Anxiety in our Senior Students is increasing.

When I work with Year 10, 11 and 12 students I start by asking them two simple questions:

How do you react when you think of Year 12?

What message have you received about Year 12?

The answers will not surprise you. Students answer question one with responses such as:

Fear Pressure Panic Anxiety Overwhelmed

It’s little wonder that students feel this negatively about the senior years because they tell me the

main message they hear about Year 12 is: “It’s do or die”, “It sets us up for our future”.

The Message About Senior School Needs To Change

When our children receive the message that how they perform in the senior years will set them up for

their future career, success and prosperity – they are not being told the entire truth - these days

there are many different career pathways.

What's more, empowering students to develop the “grit”, the determination, the perseverance, the

resilience to excel plays a greater role in future success. This is one of the challenges for a parent of

a senior student.

This is what's needed - rather than panic about academic results the focus needs to be on the

mindset and study skills and habits that will produce personal best performance.

For The First Time Our Face To Face Presentation To Parents

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