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Staff Member1972 - 1985
Principal1976 - 1985
VOLUME 31 NUMBER 2 May 2021ST MONICA’S COLLEGE, EPPING
Shalom, anywhere you go
Contents
MISSIONSt Monica’s College is a regional Catholic coeducational faith community. The school values the sacredness and wellbeing of all students, staff and parents and is committed to serving the young people of the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
We promote the truths and values of Jesus Christ and fidelity to the message of the Gospels. Through prayer and perseverance, we nurture genuine and harmonious relationships based on restorative principles.
Our teaching and learning approach is contemporary, global in perspective and aims to inspire life-long learning. We seek to stimulate and develop academic learning and students’ personal world view through critical thought, whilst always being respectful of students’ abilities and learning styles. We encourage and assist each Monican to reach full potential.
Student-centred educational programs and extra-curricular offerings foster respect of self, others and the environment. The College provides extensive well maintained facilities, resources and technologies which reflect an ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation.
St Monica’s College celebrates its cultural diversity and draws strong identity from its past. We endeavour to empower Monicans to flourish and contribute positively to Australia and the world, now and in the future.
OUR STRATEGIC INTENT St Monica’s College is a School of Educational Enterprise. The College is committed to adopting international perspectives focussing on global citizenship and social justice for all. There is an ongoing commitment to the development of programs and facilities including a Trade Skills Centre. The College aims to be a leader in innovation, the use of Information and Communication Technology, with state of the art resources and encouraging digital leadership. The College will continue to expand the repertoire of effective teaching practices and use of data, in order to strengthen curriculum pathways and achievement. Contemporary learning opportunities will be provided for all community members, including students, staff and parents.
ST MONICA’S COLLEGE,
EPPING
EDITORIAL TEAMPrincipal Mr Brian Hanley
Ms Pamela Griffin
COVER‘Sister Therese Quinn – Principal 1976-1985’
School of Educational Enterprise
3 Principal’s Report
4 Samaritan Medal
4 Dalton Road Campus Director’s Report
5 Davisson Street Campus Director’s Report
6 Deputy Principal’s Report (Identity, Mission & Community)
6-7 International Women’s Day 2021
8 Assistant Principal (Personnel)
9 Liturgy
10-11 2021 Junior Council – Profiles
12 Youth Ministry
13 Principal’s Address – Term 2, 2021
14 Class Captains 2021
14 The Wizard of Oz – 2021 Production
15 Asha Awad Storybook
15 Sport
16 Athlete Development Program 2021
16 Careers
17 Year 7 MYLIP Books for the Khipro community of Sindh Pakistan
17 Solar Vehicle Challenge
18 Values Education
18 Counsellors Report
19 Alumni
Principal’s Report
Brian E. HanleyCollege Principal
Shalom Aleichem
Peace to You, members of the St Monica’s College community and all readers.
The cover of this edition of The Monican highlights the unique and profound importance of Sister Therese Quinn sgs, a Sister of the Good Samaritan for 73 years, staff member of St Monica’s College commencing in 1972, and Principal from 1976 until 1985. Sister entered eternal life in her ninetieth year on Wednesday, 14 April 2021.
A fiery, determined woman, a forthright, sometimes stern leader, a bright spark of life and possessing a voice ‘like a lark’ are the perfect descriptive words for Sister Therese. You can see photographs of her ready for action, practical work with readiness to roll up her sleeves, don her gum boots, and launch into whatever project it might be.
She was academic, prudent in management, wise in counselling, affectionate and loving towards youth, and a model of consistency for staff. She was an initiator, as she took up the cudgels on two fronts by commencing and completing the construction of Dalton Road Campus and guiding a transition that transformed a girls’ secondary College into a coeducational school for the girls and boys of the northern parishes of Melbourne in 1978.
These two achievements alone bring legend status to the name of Therese Quinn. The original campus in Davisson Street was small, divided in half by Wedge Street, accommodated the Sisters’ convent which was simply and plainly constructed through financial necessity. A new junior campus was required. A new, white building amongst the scotch thistles, on hard as concrete soil, and along a dirt track called ‘Dalton Road’ confronted her.
Not all priests in the region were supportive of Therese but she would most certainly have prayed, and she did persevere. Her congregation asked much of her in service despite the heavy load she endured in Epping. Money was scarce,
males were new to the tradition of SMC, and doubters were many. She succeeded where lesser souls might have weakened.
Sister Therese continued her teaching and leadership in other Good Samaritan ministries after her time at our College and eventually she retired to Mernda to enjoy her retirement, accompanied by her friend and fellow sgs Sister, Margaret Mithen sgs. Warm relationships were re-formed with her by our Monican community in her retirement, and our care for her was personal and offered with enormous affection.
Sister Therese Quinn passed away peacefully in Villa Maria, Bundoora on the evening of Wednesday, 14 April 2021. May her soul rest in peace.
This College has so much gratitude, appreciation and love for the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Whilst the Sisters’ congregation never owned the College, the nuns did establish and staff our school from its first day in 1964. They resided in a humble convent on the grounds of Davisson Street Campus for many years.
The Sisters’ work in the northern suburban parishes of Melbourne paved the way for many vocations, enhanced educational opportunities, strong parishes, and facilitated the integration of many national cultures into a community. They had their Motor Mission that travelled as far as Lalor daily; they established another secondary College for girls in Northcote; without them so many of the Catholic Primary Schools we know so well today would not have been established. They formed and nurtured us.
Construction continues apace at the College with the Cooinda Project in full production. This exciting and innovative building project is progressing at a steady rate with the construction of a two-storey teaching and learning space along with an exciting Science and STEM double storey building attached to the rear of the Sports and Assembly Hall overlooking the Lorraine Pratt Sportsfields.
This Cooinda Project, along with the great success of the Sacred Heart Building on DSC, the new HORIZONS Centre, the Mary Duffy Esplanade on the senior campus, and the further enhancement of Ostia, all point to a School of Educational Enterprise of 2024 students at the start of 2021.
Our auditors’ report for 2020 shows a student/teacher ratio of 10.5/1 and student/non-teaching staff ratio of 20.3/1. This is true value for money for parents, allows close relationships between staff and students to blossom, and guarantees a successful and popular school for the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
We continue to settle into the governance model of MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) and soon announcements at SMC will be made concerning a School Advisory Council. We are confident that all obligations are being fulfilled and that we can position our school to function in its normal manner in this new time of governance.
A few snapshots for this time of the year: progress towards an immersion visit to Lake Mungo, the heart of indigenous culture and history; video conferencing with countries and communities across the world; youth ministry activities f lourishing; preparations for the blessing and opening of the Sister Mary Duffy sgs Esplanade on 2 June; performing arts reviving after COVID; sport accomplishments and success galore; new Co-Curricular activities offered and being enjoyed; pastoral programs operating at Years 8 and 10 at Ostia; the list could extend over many paragraphs.
Shalom – Anywhere You Go. I pray that this 2021 College Theme will seep into the hearts and minds of all Monicans and bring to them peace in mind and spirit.
Brian E. HanleyCollege Principal
The Sister Mary Duffy Esplanade
Shalom, anyw
here you go
3 3
Amorina ChiricoDeputy Principal, Director of Dalton Road Campus
Director’s ReportDalton Road
One of the first comments I heard on the first day of Term 2 was, “…let’s just be grateful that we are back. Imagine if we were in lockdown again”.
It is wonderful that we are all back safe and sound on the Dalton Road Campus for a very busy and exciting term. Our students are in their Winter uniform and wearing it very proudly and very ready to take on what is ahead of them. Our Year 7 students are very excited about many aspects of Term 2, however it appears that the corridors are full of whispers and conversations about the Year 7 Premier League competition. As I write this article, 75% of Year 7 students have headed out to compete against Salesian College and although they have heard on the grapevine that this school is very competitive, they are ready and very keen to take them on and win. Another group of students are looking forward to their first Monicans in May performance. They have rehearsed for many hours and are now ready to show staff and their parents how talented they are. They have also experienced their ‘Zoo to You’ incursion planned by the Science Faculty and it was quite probably the most fun our students had with some beautiful animals. All of this in week 3.
Our Year 8 students have also settled back into their routine and I am not surprised that their discussion has focussed on the announcement they will be sitting End of Semester Exams on 9 and 10 June. These students have not had any formal testing at all at SMC because of the COVID situation in 2020. They missed out on NAPLAN testing and Year 7 exams, therefore making this assessment their first experience of revision, planning and preparation for exams. They will be very well supported in classrooms by their teachers and are encouraged to attend ASH to support them if they require additional help. Very successful Stepping Stones experiences continue and I congratulate our students for their overwhelming attendance and positive approach to each and every activity presented to them.
Uniquely Year 9 Experiences commenced Term 2 for our Year 9 students and they have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. All the activities, the beautiful wildlife, the drive to Phillip Island and the company of friends and teachers has ensured that these events continue to be so relevant and enjoyed by all of our students. Again, attendance has been an absolute highlight and I am so proud that our Year 9 students have behaved impeccably, with each staff member commenting on how positive, inclusive and beautifully behaved our students have been. They are working towards NAPLAN testing in the week Monday 10 May and then exams a month later. I wish them well.
As we move closer to a very busy time of the year, I encourage parents to contact teachers and Year Level Leaders as necessary to inquire about your child’s progress. We are aware that exams will be a new experience for many of our students and we are able to offer great support, assistance and counselling as needed.
The legacy gifted by the Leonard Family to this College is awesome and immense. Their contributions have been exquisitely diverse – management, humanitarian, charitable, governance and student leadership, educational endeavours, always faithful sources of enormous encouragement.
The Leonard family through individual members of the clan personify so much about the grand story of a Catholic regional girls’ College established in 1964 through to this thriving School of Educational Enterprise in 2021.
They signify the importance of family in the life of a Catholic school. This College exists to serve and minister to the continuous building up of family life.
The Leonards display the crucial foundational belief that we are a Catholic College and their faith in this school and their leadership of and service to it, clearly highlight the Catholicity of SMC even as its student and staff composition broadens and diversifies in this current century.
The Leonard family live our motto ‘Pray and Persevere’. They have stayed the journey, deepened the nature of us as a good school for education of the young, they have been active and participated in our prayerful ceremonies in various ways and supported our commitment to the ministry of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
The Leonard family are truly of the Northern suburbs, from the 1960’s and before, until this day. Passionately, St Monica’s College serves the young people and the families and parishes of the Northern suburbs of Melbourne and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. That home in Royal Avenue, Reservoir is situated at the heart of the North and from it has emanated a great affection and fidelity to this secondary school further along High Street in Epping.
Whether it has been the actions of the senior members of the Leonard Family, their children, or their grandchildren, whether it be from their family home, this College, their parish of St Gabriel’s, or the vast number of civic, humanitarian and Church clubs and associations with which they have been attached, there is an underlying reason for the presentation of the 2020 Samaritan Medal to the matriarch, Dorothy and all members of the family, and in memory of John.
They have been an extraordinary family for other Monican families to follow, draw inspiration from, and we all thank the Leonards wholeheartedly.
Brian E. HanleyCollege Principal
Samaritan Medal
Mrs Dorothy Leonard and family
Mrs Dorothy Leonard with family members (L-R) Vincent, Margaret, Pauline and Gavin
Mrs Dorothy Leonard and Mr Brian Hanley, Principal
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Paula Di MariaDeputy Principal, Director of Davisson Street Campus
Director’s ReportDavisson Street
In addition to academic skills, schools teach and model positive social attitudes, personal resilience, and wellbeing. As an educational institution, we at St Monica’s College, Epping, are committed to educating our students in the Christian tradition, inclusive of strong values and Catholic social teachings that underpin our actions and our interactions. Young people spend a significant part of their lives in the school environment, a place where their skills, attitudes, values, and norms can be and often are, shaped, challenged and developed.
Much research suggests that attitudes, values, and norms that do not accept violence, can have a positive impact in reducing its prevalence in our community through cultural change. One such area where schools have a unique opportunity and critical role in contributing to generational change, is in preventing violence. As a College, we must play a significant role in educating our young people about what constitutes violence in an effort to help change any underlying attitudes that may lead to it in the first place. We must remain committed to the principles of respectful relationships and to ensuring that our young people also have the skills to understand the imperativeness of consent.
Schools cannot work in isolation to transform the ills of society. Ending various forms of violence will require major and far-reaching social change. The history of respectful relationships or gender-based violence education, does indicate that schools can play a substantial role in this process. It is however clear that short-term approaches, do little to recognise the complexity of change and the time it takes to bring any community to a common understanding, awareness, and commitment to change.
In Australia, violence against women is called many different things, including domestic violence, family violence, intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. Gender based violence refers to all of these terms, as all affect women disproportionately. Schools can and do work in a range of ways to assist students in building the skills, values and attitudes required to develop and maintain positive, healthy, and respectful relationships.
At St Monica’s College, Epping, and specifically at the Davisson Street Campus due to the developmental age of our students, we:• reinforce concepts and messaging about respect,
equality, and compassion through a strong commitment to positive relationships
• maintain high expectations of socially appropriate and acceptable comportment and conduct
• are committed to behavioural approaches that explicitly communicate positive conduct and respect for others
• provide educational opportunities for our young people to reflect on their actions and the implications of their contribution, on self and others
• use programs and processes that embed values such as respect into College routines, assisting to sustain a whole school approach
• use restorative approaches and strategies that enable students to develop skills such as problem solving, compassion and empathy
• use Pastoral Care programs to focus on social and emotional learning
• engage external professionals to ensure a focused understanding of the responsibilities associated with digital communication and cyber safety
• provide opportunities for our students to discuss concerns with trusted adults in a safe and non-judgemental capacity
• offer multi-tiered support structures for wellbeing, academic and spiritual development.
With these practices as a foundation, we are committed to the further development of content that explores gender equality, respectful, equal and non-violent relationships. We are dedicated to providing students with many opportunities to hear and think about key messages they experience across the curriculum and in different areas of the school and community. This approach reinforces gender equality, respectful, equal and non-violent relationships across the entire school through policy, practice, procedures, staffing, environment, leadership and culture.
Parents, carers and families can facilitate a primary role in the process of cultural change to stop gender-based violence. Addressing gender stereotypes contributes to a future where women and men are seen as equal. It is important to be aware of how different expectations are placed on boys and girls because of their gender. For example, the tasks adolescents are assigned, the responsibilities and freedoms they are afforded or not permitted, the careers they are expected to consider, all contribute to a young person’s perception of their place in society, of who they should be, can be or cannot be.
Much discussion, debate and demonstrative action has recently occurred in Australia in response to the disrespectful conduct of some members of our society, and so many have stood up in solidarity to not accept or tolerate this behaviour. This is but a stone in an ocean. So much more needs to eventuate from the discussions that have commenced, the debates that have been argued and the willingness from many, to push for societal transformation. Schools, parents and families can actively contribute to address some of this agenda. The remainder needs to be driven by strong and committed policy-making leaders, that will be strongly supported by those seeking a more balanced, equitable and safe world for the future generations of the young people, that we are so blessed to be raising, shaping and guiding today.
I wish all members of the Davisson Street Campus, a peace filled term punctuated by copious opportunities for growth, and where respect continues to be modelled and nurtured.
Shalom, anywhere you go
Shalom, anyw
here you go
5 5
Deputy Principal’s ReportIdentity, Mission & Community
Bernadette HarrisDeputy Principal (Identity, Mission & Community)
COLLEGE CONVERSATIONOn 22 March we hosted the first College Conversation for the year. College Conversations were introduced in 2018 to provide an opportunity for the Monican community to gather, reflect and discuss matters relating to our ethos, identity and call to mission as a Catholic school. In 2021 the topics covered will all relate to our annual theme ‘Shalom – Anywhere You Go.’
CELEBRATING YOUNG WOMENInternational Women’s Day 2021
To commemorate International Women’s Day 2021, the College hosted a breakfast to celebrate young women. Those gathered included female senior student leaders and female staff who have joined the staff in the last three years. Guests enjoyed a beautifully presented breakfast, with a pink theme, provided by the Promotions and Events team.
The focus of the morning was to share a story of a young woman who inspires, leads and is committed to making a difference every day. The example was a young, inf luential, international, woman – Malala Yousufzai. Shot and critically wounded by Taliban forces in 2012, Malala has remained steadfast in her call for all girls to have access to education. When visiting Pakistan I saw the impact that her inspiration and courage continues to have in her own country and around the world.
In 2014 Malala aged 17, was the youngest person to ever be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and in 2017 she was the youngest ever person to be named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. She has become a beacon of hope for those denied an education and an inspiration for those who seek peace. The College donated to support the Malala Fund and the work they are achieving internationally.
As we celebrated International Women’s Day, we remembered that as long as one woman faces discrimination, harassment, inequality or oppression, it is our responsibility to work toward education and promoting change. Later that morning we stood in a ring of solidarity around the building of the Sacred Heart to ‘March 4 Justice’ for all women.
At St Monica’s College we celebrate all women irrespective of their faith, age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity or disability. We always seek to foster an appreciation for the personal dignity of every person, and hope that every Monican will grow to know and love God. Our focus is to enable every Monican woman to use her gifts to serve others, whether it be in the classroom, the school yard, in the workplace, family, parish or our wider community. We acknowledge that it is in this way, that we can be a positive influence for those around us.
We gave thanks for all we have, for all we work toward, proudly celebrating and acclaiming those women who came before us, those who stand beside us, and those who will come after us.
Bernadette Harris Deputy Principal (Identity, Mission & Community)
Presented by Doctor Chris Morris, Head of Pastoral and Spiritual Studies at Catholic Theological College, the focus was Christian Meditation: The Path to Inner Peace. Chris has studied and lectured extensively on the area of meditation and provided rich insights into the links between meditation, wellbeing and our Catholic identity. It was interesting to hear about meditation as part of the Christian tradition and the value of mindfulness, stillness and prayer.
All present were able to spend some time in silent reflection and appreciated the opportunity to be guided through a short meditation. Chris enlightened those gathered and provided many resources for individual use, as well as ideas for the classroom.
As we seek to foster and appreciate peace throughout this year, the afternoon was a welcome introduction to the journey toward inner peace and enabled us to fully appreciate that:
‘Meditation is to allow God’s mysterious and silent presence within us to become more and more not only a reality, but the reality in our lives; to let it become that reality which gives meaning, shape and purpose to everything we do, to everything we are.’
– John Main
6
TESTIMONIALS:
“ International Women’s Day is an annual event where the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women are celebrated. Presented by Miss Harris, a speech was dedicated to the selfless acts of Malala Yousafzai. Not only did her acts inspire many young women to believe that they deserved a right to education, but she also inspired me to continue being grateful for the education that I have received during my time at St Monica’s College. ”
– Alyssa Golob (Year 10)
“ I enjoyed the Young Women’s Breakfast, it was an enjoyable morning where we learnt about and celebrated the achievements of young women past and present. Bernadette Harris gave a wonderful speech about work being done in Pakistan by women in education and the hardships they endure. She spoke at length of Malala and her journey thus far. I love the history Bernadette shared with us, and all the research she continues to do. I look forward to learning more in the future. ”
– Julie Rosine (Staff)
“ The Young Women’s Breakfast was a great opportunity to meet with other young women at SMC and engage in discussion about the struggles women face, including the ways in which we can unite. Through exposure to a role model like Malala Yousafzai, it inspired us to take the next step in taking a stance. ”
– Kaliopi Sword (Year 12)
“ The Young Woman’s Breakfast was an insightful opportunity to engage in a meaning ful conversation regarding women and the struggles they face, alongside various opportunities in which we have to unite and use the power of being a woman in today’s society for good. We focused particularly on the life and work of the highly inspirational Malala Yousafzai, inspiring all who participated in the morning to draw inspiration from her life and think of ways in which we can stand up for ourselves and the fellow women in our community. ”
– Mikayla De Santis (Year 12)
Shalom, anyw
here you go
7 7
Assistant PrincipalPersonnel
Kirsten HodgsonAssistant Principal(Personnel)
The development of our staff has always been a significant focus for the College, with a Teaching and Learning approach calling us to inspire life-long learning. With our ability to once again engage in face-to-face collaboration, a 2021 Staff Training plan has been established to ensure that all groups within the College are developing professionally and working collaboratively to take co-responsibility for their own upskilling and for the development of the groups they work within.
The year commenced with a strong focus on the development of leaders across the College, with hopes of enhancing each leader’s capabilities to serve and develop the members of their respective teams. Licences were purchased for all Faculty Leaders and Year Level Leaders to engage in an innovative leadership development program, aptly title Educator Impact. The program provides a best-practice framework for leadership that was designed by education leaders. Through this program, our leaders are receiving comprehensive and constructive feedback on their leadership practices from their peers, managers and those they lead, enabling them to set appropriate goals to develop in the areas identified as opportunities for the greatest growth of leadership capacity. Our leaders have truly embraced the opportunity to seek feedback and enhance their leadership profiles.
Further to this contemporary approach to leadership development, thirteen leaders across the College were selected to participate in a 2-day Leadership Development course, facilitated by reputable training organization, PD Training. These leaders were selected because they lead key non-teaching groups and the course was designed to cater to the diversity amongst their roles. Our leaders worked towards establishing clear leadership profiles and practical skills to enhance the challenges they deal with daily, within the contexts of their unique roles. Great focus was
placed on training our leaders to build on their ability to lead their teams with trust, emotional intelligence and by utilizing coaching and mentoring approaches to leadership.
Finally, our newest leaders in the College will soon embark on an Emerging Leaders Program, aimed at introducing them to the skills required to enable them to thrive as 21st century leaders. The College has also continued its f inancial contribution to staff enrolled in further tertiary studies and leadership development opportunities facilitated by the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools. All of the opportunities highlighted here have ensured that the very vast majority of the leaders at St Monica’s College have already engaged in extensive professional development by the conclusion of the first term of the 2021 school year.
Leadership is certainly not the only focus for staff training this year. Staff from our Administration Office have begun a year-long training schedule to enhance their skills and ensure a greater breadth of cross-training across the many diverse roles that fall within this College group. On 1 April, as teaching staff were engaged in a day of Professional Learning, so too were our Administration staff, as they completed a day of skills training, enabling them to learn and refresh a number of key digital skills. They were well supported on the day by our newly reformed, and abundantly resourced, eLearning team. Training programs for staff in the Finance Office and Property and Services group are also being formalised in early Term 2.
We are most excited about how staff across the College are embracing many developmental opportunities being offered to them and we look forward to the future with great optimism that we have the resources and desire to continue to invest in our greatest assets: our staff.8
As is often the case, our College Mass coincided with Holy Week in 2021, allowing us to devote time to prayer and reflection during the most sacred part of the Christian calendar. Although we were unable to gather in one sacred space to celebrate a liturgy together, each Monican helped to create a small sacred space in the classrooms and other venues where our College Mass was screened.
The contributions of the readers, commentators, choir and other Monican students helped to bring a sense of familiarity to the liturgy. It was wonderful to maintain our long-standing tradition of entrusting our year of work and studies, planning and community life to the care of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Father Anthony Girolami, chaplain and parish priest of St Francis of Assisi, Mill Park, used his homily to explain the transformative effect of peace. He encouraged every Monican to think of peace as being much more than a passive disposition towards others. Our offer of ‘Shalom’ can and should be an expression of genuine love of neighbour; carrying with it our desire for their good and their salvation. Referencing the life and example of St Patrick, the patron of our Archdiocese, Father Girolami encouraged all Monicans to allow God to work in and through us to transform the world with the gift of Shalom.
Term 1 also included the commencement of Year 7 Teaching Masses. These Masses provide our youngest Monicans with the opportunity to learn more about the celebration of the Eucharist, the ‘source and summit’ of all Christian life. By allowing time for student questions and explaining the structure, symbols and gestures included in Mass, these liturgies help Catholic students grow in their appreciation for the richness of the liturgy while also introducing non-Catholic students to the most sacred form of prayer that we include in the life of this community of faith.
Through our offering of Teaching Masses, we strive to ensure that every Monican feels at ease and welcomed during the many liturgies that we celebrate throughout the year. It is through this sense of belonging and unity that the great gift of peace will become especially evident whenever our community gathers for Mass. As we eagerly anticipate our return to gathering in one space for a College Mass at some point in the future, we give thanks for the many ways we have experienced and promoted ‘Shalom’ through prayer and liturgy in 2021.
Liturgy
Frank CumboLiturgy, Faith & Mission Coordinator
Shalom, anyw
here you go
9 9
2021 Junior Council – Profiles
Isabella Calthorpe
I think another main leadership quality I have is confidence. I’m not afraid to share my opinion or ideas with others or speak in front of large audiences.
Darren Mathiwathanan
I believe I possess a kind heart, a positive attitude, a good work ethic and I can empathize with other students.
Vy Dao
I want this position because I want to take advantage of being a Monican and make a difference, and possibly even leave a mark at St Monica’s College.
Jovan Nie
Respect, honest, empathy, influence… if I don’t get the role, I will still show all those qualities in the school grounds.
Shakti Gunasegaran
I am patient, trustworthy, punctual and display values such as honesty, excellence, responsibility and maturity – all values leaders possess.
Emily Jovanoski
Each time I have been in a leadership role, I have learnt and grown as both a person and a leader, and along with being able to offer my skills, compassion and drive, I am also a firm believer that collectively we will always gather more knowledge and create endless improvements.
Samuel Marangi
I love my school and the community that surrounds it, and Junior Council is the most major role in the school that I can get that will allow me to positively impact my school.
Ionatana Sooaemalelagi
I believe I possess positivity only because I believe that making others feel positive will encourage them to be more helpful. Negativity will get me no where or anyone else for that matter, positivity is one thing that every leader should be able to possess.
Annamaria Iozzo
To positively impact and be a great role model for the younger students at St Monica’s College.
Jordan Quiambao
I believe I possess empathy, accountability and integrity. I will try and take the challenge to represent St Monica’s College.
Kiara Petrovski
I always have a positive mindset throughout my learning and always have a smile on my face. I achieve to respect everyone
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2021 Junior Council – Profiles
Sanjita Choudhary
I am not afraid of doing what’s right even if that would cost me anything and I support gender and racial equality. I aim to fill the St Monica’s community with positivity and optimism as well as perseverance and flexibility.
Luca Novembre
I have been very emphatic towards others by trying to offer them any advice, frequently asking if they are alright and trying to relate to them through my own experiences.
Azaria Mandaza
I want to be able to share my thoughts with others to help better this campus. As well as sharing my ideas I want to learn from others because we can always grow from hearing multiple opinions.
Jennifer Nguyen
I understand we aren’t perfect but I will always aspire to be better. I live my life by these principles and it’s my belief these qualities are helpful to everyone’s life. Most importantly helping others makes me happy – I hope to build a better community for us and our school.
Amna Raza
Concerning my primary school learning, I had been nominated as house spirt for 2019. During my time occupying this role I learnt the badge does not signify the person it is their heart, how they truly act and are as a person.
Urvish Jagia
Backing and supporting other members of my team, I am truthful, able to listen and have empathy.
Niko Shibata
I am resilient, I will push to get things done and when given feedback I am always able to improve. I am easily able to influence others by sharing my opinions presented well.
Swayam Nadkarni
I always try my best when solving problems, helping out when needed and I always have a positive attitude. I like listening to all the suggestion and ideas my peers come up with.
Slavica Altandzieva
Some leadership qualities that I possess are being an active and attentive listener, taking responsibility and stepping out as a leader.
Jessica Korlevski
I have always wanted to help the less fortunate because everyone is equal and deserves the same rights as everyone else. I think Junior Council is also something that offers this.
Takdeer Brar
Always doing my personal best while encouraging others to do their best no matter what and I want to make everyone feel that they belong at St Monica’s College.
Shalom, anyw
here you go
11 11
Inner peace was an important thread through our Term 1 Youth Ministry morning and lunchtime gatherings. Students used mindfulness as a precursor to prayer, learning the value of being in the present moment where God is with us. Our initial meditations focused on gently observing the thoughts which our mind creates, using our breath to direct our thoughts, and using our breath and awareness of God’s love to carry us through a challenging moment.
As we entered Lent, our meditations took on a new focus, with students undertaking imaginative journeys with Christ in the desert, the Garden of Gethsemane and on the way to Calvary. After each meditation, students reflected on their experience through drawing or journaling.
To conclude the term, we were joined by Fr Nathan Rawlins, assistant priest at St Peter’s Parish Epping, who invited us to consider Jesus’ definition of happiness in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10). In many ways, Jesus depreciated the world’s values and exalted as blessed those who are typically perceived as unfortunate. In the Kingdom, the rich are poor and the poor are rich. The last will be first and the first will be last. This paradoxical understanding comes from experiencing who Jesus is. Ultimately, the Kingdom of God is a f lipped power structure where the King is the servant of all, modelling for us our vocation to sacrificial love.
In considering our role in the Kingdom, we may ask ourselves: how can we sanctify (make the world holy), evangelise (spread the word of God), and restore the world to Christ (by addressing injustices)? Being mindful of God’s providence and love for us brings peace which we can then spread to others.
Youth Ministry
Theresa McLaurenYouth Ministry
“ I think the Youth Ministry meditation is a great way of connecting and communicating with God. It helps us to grow stronger in our faith and find how far our faith could extend. Every session showed us that using prayers was not the only way to communicate with God, but we could use different ways that a person could feel more comfortable with. ”
– Lena Benny (Year 7)
“ The mindfulness sessions helped me find peace and calmness within the hustle and bustle of school life. It gave me an opportunity to organise my thoughts and take a break not only from the things going on around me, but within me as well. The sessions brought me reassurance, helping me to understand that through all the hardship and suffering, joy and serenity still exists – I just needed guidance to find it. ”
– Karl Rabago (Year 11)
12
Principal’s Address – Term 2, 2021
Shalom aleichem.
Hats come in all shapes and sizes, colors and designs. My two-year-old granddaughter, Adriana, just loves hats. She wears a hat virtually every day, at home, when eating, at day care, when out visiting and even occasionally when asleep.
She has sun hats, classy hats, Essendon Bombers beanies, and a favorite hat with bows and ribbons and bells and whistles.
Most Monicans like pets, some of you really love them and they are your best companion. Dogs are particularly popular, and, like hats, they come in all different forms – hundreds of breeds, little dogs and gigantic ones; housedogs and sheep station animals. Cute pooches and quick and speedy hounds. Some pups are spoilt by owners, whilst others leave many happy memories behind after they leave us.
My wife and I had a German Shepherd called Misha, and I wonder what you named your dog and why.
‘Shalom – anywhere you go’ is our College theme and means peace to you. Interestingly, peace comes in many different forms also. There is peace in society where we are not afraid and live harmoniously together. Peace often and ideally follows war and conflict. The seaside and the countryside can be peaceful and give pleasure and relaxation. Songs are written and sung about peace; many folk march in the streets for peace, chanting the phrase ‘Give peace a chance’.
Another desired type of peace is peace of mind and I am sure that, if statistics are correct, many Monicans either need peace of mind, have lost peace of mind, or are searching. Of course, many others of us are blest to possess peace of mind.
Shalom – anywhere you go. I appeal to any person listening to this Term 2 Principal’s Address to reach out and seek assistance and guidance if you are anxious, depressed, feeling blue, tense beyond belief, even suicidal at times. Please remember that true and faithful Monicans reach out and we welcome in.
There are many causes for anxiety and other mental disorders. None of them should cause you shame or lead you to feel isolated and odd. Recent studies by reputable organizations in Australia show evidence that adolescents and teenagers often experience poor mental health in significant numbers, especially during and after COVID lockdowns. Even Primary
School children are in strife mentally and emotionally on occasions.
Monicans, if this applies to you, then do not panic, do not rely on google searches alone to help you understand your issues and problems and thoughts, do not isolate yourself, reject appropriate offers of help. Earnestly try to prevent yourself falling deeper and deeper into a mental abyss.
Identifying the cause of depression or anxiety can assist. Again, research indicates that adolescents become dispirited and mentally unwell for reasons that range from school issues, gender identity and sexuality, social and emotional abuse, bullying, traumatic events such as death of a loved one, work pressures, body image, loneliness, plus conf lict and health issues such a bulimia, bipolar affective disorder, and other challenges.
My advice if peace of mind is not a part of your life, Monicans, is to reach out, do not leave your poor mental health untreated. Your individual condition is shared by millions of people throughout the world who are battling it like you. I know it is about you, but so it is for millions of others.
Suicide, withdrawal from family life or school, and attempts to self-protect by closing yourself off or away from your family, friends, teachers, professionally trained counsellors and others are not solutions. Neither is excessive alcohol, illicit drugs, irresponsible and unsafe behaviour. Bitterness towards others and the world is a negative response. So too, is self-hatred.
Usually, I believe, people who are blue and depressed cannot treat themselves. Yes, we need to want to make the effort to heal ourselves, but in tandem with others. Please never presume that your parents will be angry with you or misunderstand you if you share with them. It is not a sign of
failure to speak with a counsellor or other professional person. A word to a teacher might start a process of renewal, so too a private conversation with a friend. Statistics show that females suffer from poor mental health in greater numbers than males. Thus, women are wise to mutually support each other as they address matters.
Monicans, if you need help there are solutions to bring about peace of mind and enhance your wellbeing. At SMC we have our Counselling Team, six wonderfully sensitive and trained psychologists and counselling specialists who are only a knock on their door or an email away. Your Home Room Teacher might be a person with whom you can confide or another member of the staff, and on pages 34 and 35 of your College Planner there are organizations listed with contact phone numbers. You have most probably heard of groups such as Headspace, Beyondblue, Kids Helpline and Lifeline.
Shalom – anywhere you go. Peace to you. No one in this College is a failure. Not one person is useless. Never need a Monican believe that no one cares about them.
In a College where peace anywhere you go is proclaimed day after day, every individual’s peace of mind is priority number one. Trust, pray and persevere.
The first words uttered by Jesus after He resurrected and visited the Twelve Apostles were, ‘Peace to You.’ Our Creator knows you and offers spiritual comfort should you decide to seek it.
For those who enjoy peace of mind recognise that not every Monican has that gift just now. Support and care for those in trouble please. If a person in trouble, reach out and you will be made welcome as your peacefulness is gradually restored and revived.
Shalom Aleichem.
Shalom, anyw
here you go
13 13
Class Captains 2021
DALTON ROAD CAMPUSHomeroom Class Captain Class Vice Captain
7 Blue Olivia Karamitanis Daniel Gelsumini
7 Brown Aidan Valencia Dhiana Dias
7 Emerald Constance Papahronis Akshita Kochar
7 Gold Michael De Pasquale Navya Bhatia
7 Green Xavier Cipollone Bianca DeVincenti
7 Indigo Eva Gostich Shreyas Moudgil
7 Jade Anna-Maria Constantin Lewis Attard
7 Mauve Olivia Capetola Thomas Johns
7 Orange Maria Schwalger Andrew Lluka
7 Purple Sheriz Moreno Luca Thomas
7 Red Alexandra Karipidis George Tsiaras
7 Silver Sehajta Kamboj Annabelle Candiloro
7 White Radhika Dogra Nigel Dcunha
7 Yellow Vyvian Phan Dylan Galgano
8 Blue Harrison Uniacke Yangchi Lama
8 Brown Joan Abraham Kabir Singh
8 Emerald Seechu Maharjan Agnel John
8 Gold Illias Kapoulitsas Christina Cauchi
8 Green Neha Anup Valeriy Rodrigues
8 Indigo Madison Ditel Samuel Marangi
8 Jade Diya Niroula Nathaniel Alexander
8 Mauve Oriana Apolito Ascah Thankachen
8 Orange Jaskeetrat Singh Franco Turano
8 Purple Ria Emmaty Isabella Zammit
8 Red Elbiya Joby Ella Lee
8 Silver Grace Farah Joshua Ith
8 White Dean Wu Angel Gupta
9 Blue Madison Aquilina Christopher Charalambous
9 Brown Jasmine Khuu Tony De Pasquale
9 Emerald Bianca Ssebuufu Christian Khosho
9 Gold Thomas Pirdis Aditya Jhanji
9 Green Joshua Licastro Katia Lucchese
9 Indigo Katelyn Busuttil Annamaria Iozzo
9 Jade Brandon Mason Tricia Rodrigues
9 Mauve Isabella Calthorpe Juliette Arthur
9 Orange Fotini Ambaras Trajco Nikolov
9 Purple Chloe Frendo Malia Dixon
9 Red Eshkaa Sharma Aleisha Circosta
9 Silver Emily Mifsud Noah Pegorin
9 White Dabora Dhieu Charmaine Nguyen
9 Yellow Matthew James Aditya Talukder
DAVISSON STREET CAMPUSHomeroom Class Captain Class Vice Captain
10 Blue Allyson Jardine Ben Gibson
10 Brown Lily O’Neill Tamara Petkovska
10 Emerald Alexi Tsernakis Chanel Fiteni
10 Gold Lucinda Parker Ashlynn O’Connor
10 Green Rose Ahir Sacha Sok
10 Indigo David Panetta Gabrielle Morales
10 Mauve Simon Tawfiq Anusha Joshi
10 Orange Caitlin Dines Katia Mastropaolo
10 Purple Natalie El Markaz Chris Geo
10 Red Chris Shibu Alyssa Golob
10 Silver Thomas Kenna Vignesh Kotteeswaran
10 White James Pougioukas Jane Luu
10 Yellow Joshua Grima Chiara Nardo
11 Blue Vivian Nguyen Genevieve Wortha
11 Brown Aviva D’Souza Grant Manhika
11 Emerald Kuir Dhieu Nicholas Jong-Nguyen
11 Gold Anoushka Pillay Aydin Frisina
11 Green Jack Tatter Lauren Gladman
11 Indigo Nikita Gruevski Tiana Pandov
11 Mauve Sienna Bartolomeo Olivia Mercuri
11 Orange Julia Recchia Maddie Pegorin
11 Purple Renee Sposito Caitlin Dowsett
11 Red Kavindu Gunasekara Archisha Jha
11 Silver Annabella Younis Onel Peiris
11 White Aditi Pimplaskar Rayan Jayatilake
11 Yellow Juliette Fepuleai Jackson Robinson
14
TENNIS ACADEMY GO BACK TO BACKThe all-conquering Senior Tennis Academy team has again swept all before them by convincingly winning the 2021 SACCSS Senior Tennis Title at Hume Community Tennis Centre. The Academy sent a full team this year, with ten students entering a combination of singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Standout players included Aleks Bozinovska, who took out the Girls Singles for the second consecutive year. Aleks currently ranked 310 in Australia dominated in her victory, only dropping 1 game in 5 matches. Tennis Captain, Kevin Nguyen, also made the final of the Boys Singles, playing some power tennis in the semi-finals to get through. Other standout performers were the Girls Captain, Medinah Fuataga, and Megan Dyson, who won the Girls A Doubles, Julius Garcia and Jordan Nguyen in the Boys A Doubles and Alexei Tsernakis and Mia Stefanovska in the mixed Doubles. Darcy Brooks and David Panetta also played well in the Boys Doubles B.
The result was a just reward for the efforts of the playing group and the College looks forward to seeing similar results from the Intermediate and Junior teams later in the year.
SENIOR VOLLEYBALL BOYS REGAIN TITLEAfter a disappointing 2020 where the team were relegated to Division 2, the Senior Boys Volleyball have regained their Division 1 status by taking out the Division 2 Senior SACCSS Volleyball title at Eaglehawk Stadium. With an influx of students from the dominant Year 10 Premier League Premiership team, the team ran out convincing winners over Kolbe Catholic College in the Grand Final.
Led by Captain, Ben Chen, and the power hitting of Joseph Susi, the boys were never challenged and will return to the top flight for 2022 with high hopes. As a follow on, the team will now compete in the Volleyball Victoria One Day Schools Challenge in May against the best Volleyball Colleges in the State.
Sport
Aleks Bozinovska – Girls Singles
Medinah Fuataga and Megan Dyson – Girls A Doubles
Senior Tennis Academy Team
Senior Boys Volleyball Team
One of our very own students, Asha Awad (Year 11 Brown), has become a published author known to others beyond our shores.
It all began in 2019 when Asha was part of the Professional Writing Elective subject in Year 9. Under the guidance and expert tutelage of her teacher, Ms Alison Prince, Asha crafted a children’s storybook about a boy who could not play sport nor match the sporting prowess of his friends, but he could dance. The final result is a book titled ‘Boys Can Dance’.
The book is very well written and accompanied by wonderful illustrations. It was chosen to be shared with the students of the school communities of Khipro and Tando Allah Yar in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan. The Presentation Sisters of Pakistan, whom SMC has a close affiliation with, operate many schools within each of these communities. Asha’s work will aid in the development of the reading skills of children of all ages and genders across these various schools.
On behalf of these communities we thank Asha for her altruism in kindly allowing her work to be shared. She will receive no monetary benefit or reward for her work. Instead, the benefits of Asha’s book will exceed a value beyond any material gains, especially for the children who will derive much pleasure from reading it.
“ If there is a book that you want to read, but it has not been written yet, you must be the one to write it. ”
– Toni Morrison, American novelist.
Asha Awad Storybook
Asha Awad (Year 11 Brown)
Shalom, anyw
here you go
15 15
Careers
Term 1 saw the introduction of our new Careers timetable. The biggest impact of the new timetable was probably felt mostly by our VCAL students as it gave them the opportunity to undertake Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) as part of their VET studies. One day per week for both Year 11 and Year 12 VCAL students is now allocated for SWL. The students have embraced the opportunity and reports received from them are very positive with many reporting that they are loving their time in the workplace.
This ‘poster’ appears in the latest edition of the Careers Newsletter. We are hoping to get many Year 12 students along with interested Year 10 and Year 11 students attending these seminars. Each of the institutions will be presenting information on courses available, special programs on offer, early entry schemes, pathways to courses, etc. They will be presenting at lunchtime on the days listed and will remain behind in Period 5 for Year 12 students to ask questions (Most Year 12 students are free in Periods 5 and 6 on these days). Years 10 - 12 students will have received an email from the Careers De pa r t ment w i t h information on how to register for each of the seminars.
As Term 2 begins, we welcome Mr Fraser Stehn to the Careers Department. Mr Stehn will be based at DRC. As well as conducting Career Development sessions with students in Year 8 and Year 9 classes, he will be available for appointments with DRC students wanting advice and information regarding their career pathways. Miss Kneebone, Mrs Maloney and Mr White continue to be available for careers related appointments at DSC.
Zach Zambello looking at home on the building site
Daniel Dibella enjoying his time on the job site
The Athlete Development Program has seen the introduction of twenty-two new faces to the program across five different sports for 2021. Many of the new names were promoted directly from the College’s Talent Identification (TID) program outlining the importance of exposing our young talent to new techniques and ideas around their progression as athletes.
Term One began with the re-introduction of the athletes to the basics. The long lay off during 2020 demanded that we start the year conservatively with a strong focus on technique to ensure everyone had a sound base to progress as fast as possible.
The program had some early success with Stephanie Dimovska winning the Victorian title in Karate, and Jude Georgievski following up his Silver Medal in the long jump at the Victorian Championships with Gold at the National Championships in April.
There are many positive signs with the current crop of athletes; all coaches are looking forward to seeing great performances coming from our elite student athletes in the coming months.
Athlete Development Program 2021
YEAR 7Olivia LazarevskaFootballLindon KamberFootballLuca ThomasFootballJoel ThomasTennisJayden InturrisiBasketballLevi AfituBasketball
YEAR 8Stella BernardiHockeyLuke CvejicTennisMason Di BiaseBasketballGrace FarahAthleticsAnthony KuzmanoskiFootballErika LeosFootballGeorgia MazloungasFootballLeah PouliosFootballEvan SertisBaseballPhoenix SomervilleBasketballAmelia SuredaFootball
Cleo VasiliadisFootballAshton ConklingFootballMarcus CalafioreFootball
YEAR 9Emilia BogoevskiAthleticsJulian FarrugiaFootballJordan GreenwoodBasketballMarcus KotronisFootballEthan PandovFootballJai PrinceBasketballPatrick SuredaFootballAlo TiaTiaAFLTommy VrkicBasketballAdele ConklingFootball
YEAR 10Anthony ButeraAFLMarc MazzarellaBasketballAlek D’ArroAFL
Lucas KnightAthleticsRiley LawteyBasketballJesse MalfiAFLJonathon StathopoulosAFLThomas TalevskiBasketballNoah Walsh-QueayBasketballJude GeorgievskiAthleticsAleks BozinovskaTennis
Milana TrimcevkaBasketballHailey CordovaBasketballStephanie DimovskaKarate
YEAR 11Tristan KalkbrennerAthleticsHarrison KarvellasAFLCheyenne SchroeterAthleticsMedinah FuatagaTennis
ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ATHLETES
16
Year 7 MYLIP Books for the Khipro community of Sindh Pakistan
It was near the end of COVID enforced lockdown in 2020 that the SMC community heard about the devastation that affected the schools in Khipro, Pakistan, as highlighted in the last edition of The Monican. Conversely, at that time we were informed students would be returning to SMC campuses and that no examinations would take place. I thought about the theme “Gifts on the Table”, the loss of teaching materials in Khipro and the steadily improving skills of the students in Year 7 Purple MYLIP! Mr Zucchet was invited to show the class the photos of the damage to the Khipro schools and I asked my class if they would like to use our revision time to produce some English language resources to be sent to the Khipro schools in Pakistan. In true Monican style they responded positively and each student began a series of notes and exercises on their grammar points aided and abetted by Mr Zucchet, Mrs Rinaldo and Mrs Leach. We zoomed with Sister Ghazala, the Principal of the 19 village schools in Khipro and she thought it was a good idea and encouraged the students with the task.
WHAT IS IT?The Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge is an engineering competition which is open to primary and secondary students across Victoria. Students have the option to enter one of three challenges:• Junior and Advanced Solar Boat• Student Designed Solar Car• Sheridan Kit Solar Car.
Students design and construct their Model Solar Vehicles which are solely powered by the sun and race in a competition held at Science-works Museum early term four. The Victorian Model Solar Vehicle Challenge provides students with opportunities to pursue their interests in a competitive learning environment. There is so much valuable learning for participants including electrical/mechanical design, engineering, trouble shooting and teamwork. Students are exposed to solar panels and how they work, investigate renewable energy sources and work in collaborative learning groups to achieve the best possible outcome/result. The best model designs go on to compete in the Australian International Model Solar Challenge where students can test their skills against the greatest from across Australia and Taiwan.
DETAILSModel Solar Vehicle Challenge Workshops will be held in the STEM Hub on the Junior Campus. Students have the opportunity to construct components using 3D printers and use traditional materials to design/build their Model Solar Powered Vehicles. Students create an A2 size poster or video which outlines construction details, Greenhouse gas relevance and global warming issues/solutions to complement their entries.
KEY PERSONNELChristopher MacnaughtanTechnology Teacher [email protected]
Spiro KalantzisSenior STEM Educator [email protected]
Benjamin ColemanCoordinator of Environment & Sustainability [email protected]
Mrs Corina Ragona from the Promotions and Events Department came along and assisted the students to set out their work and formatted all the final pages so we could have the books bound and the worksheets laminated for them to be reused. In addition, each student wrote about an Australian state so the Khipro students would have reading material. COVID lockdown challenged our understanding of education, but also inspired seven Year 7 students to work to develop tools to educate others. The finished booklets were presented to the students at the Year 8 Assembly on 10 March 2021 and will be forwarded to Sr Ghazala in Khipro.
The joy of this task was that our students were prepared to share gifts that at the beginning of the year, they did not have in abundance. They worked and revised until they did and these Moncians have provided Khipro students with an opportunity to learn and be educated and in turn build a better world. Not a bad way to end the challenges of 2020!
Solar Vehicle Challenge
Shalom, anyw
here you go
17 17
Over the course of Term 1, 2021 we continue to promote Values across the College in many varied and wonderful ways. The focus of Term 1 revolved around three activities, all different but valuable in their own way of promoting Values and the importance of reaching out.
The first was the Philippines Sanitation fundraiser. The goal was to raise $6,000, so the Bacolod Kindergarten community, run by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, can build a brand-new toilet facility for their staff, students, and parents. The campaign was school wide and incorporated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, access to clean water and sanitation. We approached the campaign from various perspectives, the main one being that everyone deserves access to clean, safe and private sanitation facilities. Homeroom teachers promoted the campaign through their homerooms with the assistance of a short video. Across the school we raised $2,910 with an additional $5,000 from the 2020 Barry Wood Memorial Prize being awarded to the College by the Victorian Independent Education Union. Added to this was $1,900 from a go-fund-me campaign organised by Olivia Chamoun in 2020 making a total of $9,800 that will be sent to this small community.
Followed by the above fundraiser was the celebration of Harmony Day (21 March), across the College, from March 15 - 19. Various activities and events were planned for students and staff. The most ambitious was a short documentary capturing the cultural diversity of our staff and students. The video was created by Year 8 and Year 10 students and shared with staff and the College community via various platforms such as Facebook. Other activities included:• Live music performed by our Senior Rock Band• A staff student Futsal match held on Davisson
Street Campus• Morning prayers recited in each of the languages taught
at SMC• A screening of the Lebanese film Where Do We Go Now
for staff• Giveaways promoting Harmony Day were provided to
students• Both libraries supported Harmony Week with displays• A Harmony Week quiz for students.
To end the term, a dialogue was conducted between our Youth Ministry students and students of the Moreno Integrated School, Daet, Camarines Norte, in the Philippines. We are proud that this school has been our BRIDGE Partner under the Australian Government’s Australia-ASEAN BRIDGE Program since 2018. The dialogue focussed on the influence of faith, values, and traditions on the everyday lives of these students and was an opportunity for each set of students to enlighten and educate each other through the power of dialogue and listening
In the spirit of reaching out, 2021 will enable us to provide students and staff with the opportunity to enact our College values and reach out to our neighbours both locally and internationally. The scope and breadth of such actions is limitless and at the same time rewarding.
“ The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. ”
– Eleanor Roosevelt.
The College Counsellors provide counselling services and psychological support to the College community including individual, confidential counselling for students and support for teachers in their work with students. There are times, however, when students or parents do not feel comfortable with accessing the counselling services at school and wish to seek support externally. Additionally, the Counsellors may recommend an external service when they are unable to provide the specialist help required by the young person or family, or when it is determined that the external service would better meet their needs.
Whilst the Counsellors are available to support young people and families to access external services, there can be barriers in accessing these services. A recent Royal Commission into the Mental Health Care system in Victoria revealed that many people find the system to be overly complex and difficult to access including long wait times, strict eligibility criteria for services and inconsistent information about services. Given this, the following is a brief overview on how a young person and their family may access mental health services for non-urgent mental health issues.
Medicare Mental Health Care Plan:It is generally recommended that a GP is the first point of call for all non-urgent mental health issues. Whilst it is not always practical or possible, it is recommended that a family or individual has one regular GP who has a good knowledge of their medical history to ensure continuity of care and appropriate treatment and referrals.
A GP can assess your child’s mental health and if needed, provide a Mental Health Care Plan, which allows your child to access up to 20 Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist or other mental health practitioner each calendar year. The Medicare rebate for a psychologist ranges from $87 to $128 for each session. You will often be required to pay a “gap fee” which will vary amongst psychologists. If they bulk bill, you will not have to pay anything and if you have private health insurance, you may be able to get some money back.
The Orange Door: The Orange Door is a free central intake service connecting adults, families, children and young people to free support services in the community. These may include specia l is t counselling, youth activity programs, support groups, parenting courses,
financial advice, family mediation and therapy. The Orange Door welcomes everyone, regardless of migration status and the service does not require a referral. Phone: 1800 319 355Website: www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/
Headspace and eHeadspace:Headspace provides a range of free or low cost services, including counselling, to assist young people aged 12 - 25 with mental health and other issues. e-Headspace provides online and phone support to young people and families. Visit the website for more information and to locate the nearest Headspace centre.Phone: 1800 650 890Website: www.headspace.org.au
Neami Y-Flex:Y-Flex provides free mental health support to young people (12 - 25 years) who face barriers to accessing mainstream mental health services. The service includes input from a range of mental health practitioners who are able to conduct home-based visits to young people who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing complex mental health issues. Phone (03) 8691 5353Website: www.neaminational.org.au/
Kids Helpline:Free, confidential counselling service available to young people any time of the day or night by phone or web chat.Phone 1800 55 1800Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au/
Beyond Blue: Online resource and counselling service. People of any age can call or chat online with a trained mental health professional any time of the day or night.Phone: 1300 22 4636Website: www.beyondblue.org.au/
Parent line: A phone counselling service for parents and carers of children offering confidential counselling and support on parenting issues.Phone: 13 22 89
As always, the College Counsellors are available to answer any questions and assist with determining whether an external mental health service may be suitable for your child.
Mrs Diana Murphy, Ms Michelle Miller, Miss Belinda Sudano, Ms Sarah Malseed, Ms Laura Guirguis, and Mr Oliver JonesCollege Counsellors
Values Education
Denis ZucchetCoordinator of Values Education
Counsellors Report
18
Unlike most students, my journey at St Monica’s College was a little different. I was originally meant to graduate in 2016 but due to an unforeseen cancer diagnosis in Year 11, I spent the better part of 2015 and 2016 in the Royal Children’s Hospital. Although this was an extremely difficult time for myself and my family, I was able to go on to complete VCE over an extended period thanks to the overwhelming support from the teaching and academic staff at the College. During my time at the Royal Children’s Hospital, the work of the doctors was extremely inspiring and the care they showed all patients fuelled my passion to study medicine. I had witnessed the privileged position doctors were in that allowed them to support and care for patients who were experiencing some of the worst time of their lives. Everything I had seen and experienced whilst a patient at the Children’s pushed me to study harder so that I too could be in a position whereby I could give back to the broader community. After graduating from my undergraduate degree, I was recently offered a position in the Doctor of Medicine at The University of Melbourne. I am loving what I am learning so far, and I am excited to begin engaging with the local community when I begin my placement at the Northern Hospital later this year. Since graduation in 2017, I have also worked at the Study Centre in the Davisson Street Campus library, which involves tutoring, guiding, and supporting the senior students through their studies. It has been a great way to see the progress SMC continues to make over the years, and it has been lovely to keep in touch with some of my previous teachers. I am hoping to keep this up as I continue throughout my long journey studying medicine.
AlumniCONGRATULATIONS TO:
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Jessica Beninato (Class of 2011) and Rin Beninato on the birth of
their twin boys Sailor and Sulivan who join big brother Sawyer.
Zoe Trajkovski nee Whitwell (Class of 2008) and Christopher Trajkovski on the birth of their son Alexander
Ariane Ong (Class of 2006) and Ron Giron on the birth of their son Ethan Jordan
Matthew Kundevski (Class of 2013) and Dana Jovanovic
on their engagement
Giuseppe Tabacco (Class of 2007) and Frosina Tabacco on the birth
of their daughter Enza Everly who joins big sister Mila May
Josh Mascara (class of 2007) and Ashleigh Mascara on the birth of
their daughter Evaliah Sophia
Nathan Sharma (Class of 2009) and Ashlee Trowbridge on their marriage
James Connor (Class of 2008) and Anna Connor nee Athanasopoulos
(Class of 2007) on the birth of their son Seth Nicholas
Mark Di Paola (Class of 2001) and Dominique Wilson
on their engagement
Alycia Benincasa (Class of 2008) and Justin Rigby on their engagement
Nicole Morihovitis (Class of 2005) and Jamie Alabakis on their marriage
Dylan Company Class of 2016
Shalom, anyw
here you go
19 19
ST MONICA’S COLLEGE,
EPPING 400 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 3076
P 9409 8800
W www.stmonicas-epping.com
Shalom, anywhere you go
