1

Re lection

“LivingHolyWeekmeansfollowingJesusandlearninghowtocomeoutofourselvesandreachouttoothers,especiallythosewhoaremostdistant.”

PopeFrancis

St Mary’s College Gunnedah Newsletter

4th April 2017

www.stmaryscollege.nsw.edu.au Telephone: 6742 2124

DearParents,Teachers,StudentsandFriends,

Aswe come to the endof abusy term, Iwish to thank the StMary’sstaff for theirhardwork,congratulate thestudents foryour achievements and thank the parents for your support. Ihave received many messages of appreciation andencouragement.Ihavealsoreceivedmessagesofconcernandwe need to always be open to suggestions of howwe can dothingsbetter.

Ourgoalsfortheyeararefocusedonbuildingastrongerschoolculture of Faith and Learning. I wish to congratulate our two teachers whosubstituted for Sandra Garnett, Religious Education Co‐ordinator, and who havetakenover the stewardship of the faithdimensionof the school forTerm1.NikoleBrooks has brought a youthful enthusiasm to our College prayer and hasendeavoured to involve the students in leading prayer at every opportunity. VickiIsbester has focused on the curriculum aspect of our Religious Education programandhasledtheYear12studentsawaythisweekfortheirvisittoseveralsacredsitesin Sydney and a two day re lective retreat in Wollongong. Next term Sandra willresumeherroleasRECandIwishtothankNikoleandVickifortheirgoodworkinherabsence.

Thereareearly indications thatour focuson improvingstudent learning isbearingfruit.Moststudentsaremakinggooduseoftheir20minuteseachmorninginMentorGroups.Thistimeisbeingusedtoimproveparticularelementsoflearning;whetheritbeimprovingreadingandcomprehension,improvingwrittenexpression,settingandreviewing learning goals or improving spelling and grammar. Each Monday atStudentBrie ing,MissWoolastonspeakstothestudentsaboutoneparticularaspectof learningwithpractical hints to assist students improve their learning outcomes.Year11 studentsaremakinggooduseof theYear11 study roombeingopenedupeachmorningbeforeschoolandatlunch.Year12aremakinggooduseoftheirstudyperiodsinthelibraryandmorestudentsareusingtheHomeworkCentreafterschool.

TheInteriumReportsforYear7willbeavailableattheYear7Parent/TeacherNightthisweekandthoseforYears8to10willbeemailedorpostedtoparentsbeforetheend of term and parents are encouraged to contact teachers if they require morefeedback.Reports forYears11and12willbe senthomeearlynext termready forParentTeacherInterviewsonWednesdayMay17.

Palm Sundaymarks the beginning of HolyWeek leading up to the death on GoodFridaytobefollowedbytherisingonEasterSunday:

“Heemptiedhimselftoassumetheconditionofaslave,andbecomeasmenare;andbeingasmenare,hewashumbleryet,

eventoacceptingdeath,deathonacross.”Ph2:7‐8

`tå dâ|Ü~ Principal

ANZACDayMarch25thApril

All students are encouragedto gather near Mitre 10 at10.30am to march with StMary’s College. Students aretowearfullWinterUniform.

StMary'sexhibitedtwosteersattheTamworthShow,

placing irstandsecondinthetradesteerclassof22entries.Thewinningsteer'greyboy'wentontobeawardedthe

ReserveChampionsteerfromthe50oddentries.

Kate Schiffman was alsoselected for the inal of theintermediateJuniorJudging.

Zack Murnane and Miles Lush accepting the Reserve Champion Ribbon

TamworthShowSuccess

2

ReligionProjectCompassion

Youshallloveyourneighbourasyourself. Matt22:39

ThethemeforProjectCompassion2017is“Loveyourneighbour”.

Thisyear,ProjectCompassiondemonstrateshowloveforourneighbourscantransformlivesinPhilippines,Timor‐Leste,Australia,VietnamandFiji.Caritasworkstocombatpoverty,promotejusticeandupholdthedignityofeverypersonandsodowewhenwesupportthefundraisingeffortsatschoolandputourcontributionintheProjectCompassionbox.

PopeFrancisurgesus:

“Wemustregaintheconvictionthatweneedoneanother,thatwehaveasharedresponsibilityforothersandtheworld,andthatbeinggoodanddecentareworthit.”

PopeFrancis,LaudatoSiThankyoutoalltheyeargroupswhohavemadesuchafantasticeffortsofar:

Year7–EasterEggRaf le,drawnnextweek$1.00aticketYear8‐LollybagsYear9–Milkshakesandcupcakes30thMarchYear10–PizzaforlunchonTuesdaysremember Tuesday4thAprilYear11–Fitnesschallenge,Weeks3‐5Year12–CharacterDay,Friday31stMarch

Year12RetreatYear12areontheirretreatthisweek.Wewishthemaproductive,re lectiveandenjoyabletimeaway.TheywillspendtwodaysinSydneyvisitingtheSydneyJewishMuseum,StMary’sCathedral,theIslamScienceandResearchAcademy,AuburnMosque.TheywillalsoattendapresentationfromtheNgaranNgaranCulturalAwarenesstoassisttheiracademicstudiesinStudiesofReligionorCatholicStudies.TheywillthentraveltoWollongongwheretheywillspendtwodaysonretreatwiththeYouthMissionTeam.

End poverty Promote justice Uphold dignity

3

ReligionHolyWeekActivitiesThisweekStMary’s students fromYears7‐10will prepare forEaster by participating in the Stations of the Cross with theirclassintheChapelorintheirclassroom.PARISHRECONCILIATIONInpreparationforEastertheSacramentofReconciliationwillbeheldThursday6thAprilat6.00pmwiththreevisitingpriests.

EasterMasstimesHolyThursday7pmGoodFriday3pmEasterVigil7pmEasterSunday8:30am

APrayerforHolyWeekandEasterGraciousGod,Youhaveheardthecriesofyoursufferingpeople.YouhavesentJesustoustobeourRedeemerandbrother.Openoureyestoseetheimmensityofyourloveforusandthewonderofwhatyouhavedoneforus.Giveusthecouragetobeyourhandsandheartforthosewhoareinpain.Giveusthewisdomtospeakoutforjusticeandrighteousness.Mayyourwillbedoneinustodayandalways.Amen.

Parish News MINISTRY ROSTER for MASS

8th April: Saturday 6.00pm

FIRST READING: Karen Mooney 22nd April: Saturday 6.00pm

FIRST READING: Sara Dear SECOND READING: Callum Dear

29TH April: Saturday 6.00pm

FIRST READING: Sophie Perkins SECOND READING: Chloe Perkins

30TH April: Sunday 8.30am

SECOND READING: Zoe Palmer

4

SportNewsCrossCountryandPinkStumpsCricketFriday7thAprilwillbethe inaldayofTerm1andalsoourannualCrossCountryandPinkStumpsCricketmatch.PermissionnotesfortheCrossCountryhavealreadybeensenthomeandareduebacktoschoolbyWednesday5thApril.Thestart/ inishlineforCrossCountryisonthecornerofBloom ieldandOsricStreetswiththecoursewindingdowntowardsMullibahLagoonbehindtheCaravanParkthenalongMaitlandStreettotheWoolshedReserve.Fromtherestudentsontheshortcoursewilllooparoundtheriverwalkingpathbacktothe inishlinewhilethoseonthelongcoursewillcontinueunderCohen’sBridgetothetoiletblockonDonnellyFieldsbeforereturningtoschool.TheCrossCountrywillstartataround12.30pmwithstudentsgoingtolunchoncethey inishtheCrossCountry.ThePinkStumpsMatchbetweentheStaffandYear11willcommenceduringlunchandtakeplaceontheschooltenniscourts.StudentsaretoweartheirSportsUniformonthedaywithpinkaccessoriesallowed.TheyareencouragedtobringgoldcoinstodonatetothecauseduringthePinkStumpsCricketmatch.Manyfamilieshavebeenaffectedbybreastcancerandthiscausehasspecialsigni icancetotheschoolcommunity.IfyouwouldliketodonatetoourPinkStumpsDayafundraisingpagehasbeensetupatthelinkbelow:https://pinkstumpsday2017.gofundraise.com.au/page/smcgunnedah17TouchTheDiocesanTouchSelectionsatInverellwerepostponedduewetweather.ThenewdateisThursday27thApril–Week1Term2withthebusdepartingat6.15am.IfthereareanystudentswhocannotattendonthisreviseddatepleaseseeMrKennedy.FridayNightRugbyThankstoallthosewhocompletedtheonlinesurveyaboutFridayNightRugby.UnfortunatelyduetolackofnumbersStMary’swillnotbeparticipatinginthisyear’scompetition.Thecompetitionwas15asidebutnoagegroupcouldgetmorethan13players.TherewillstillbeopportunitiestobeinvolvedinotherSchoolRugbycompetitionsofferedduringschooltimeinTerms2and3.PeelSchoolsRugbyLeagueThisyear’sPeelSchoolsRugbyLeagueCarnivalissetdownforWednesday3rdMay.WithSchoolHolidaysbetweennowandthecarnivalteamsneedtobeorganisedbytheendofthisterm.Ifyouareinterestedinplayingrugbyleaguefortheschoolthisyearpleasecompletethesurveyatthislink:http://bit.ly/SMCRLSurvey

5

SportNewsContinuedSportExcursionPermissionNotesandPaymentsMostSchoolSportExcursionshavetheduedateforpermissionnotesandpaymentstobereturnedtotheOf icetwodayspriortotheevent.ThisallowstimefortheOf iceStafftoprocessthenecessarydatathatsupervisingstaffneedtohavewiththemontheactualexcursion.IfasituationarisesthatyoucannotreturnthepermissionnoteandpaymentbytheduedatepleasecontactMrKennedyortheteacherinchargeoftheSportExcursioninadvanceoftheduedate.Failuretodothiscouldresultinyoumissingoutongoingontheexcursion.UpcomingDatesFriday7thApril CollegeCrossCountryandPinkStumpsCricketMatchThursday27thApril DioTouchInverellTuesday2ndMay JackNewtonGolfShieldForsterWednesday3rdMay JackNewtonGolfShieldForsterWednesday3rdMay PeelSchoolsRugbyLeagueTamworthThursday18thMayNSWNetballGalaDayTamworthWednesday24thMay NSWCCCTouchDubboFriday26thMay DioCrossCountry/Tennis/GolfGunnedahWednesday31stMay ArmidaleRugby7sMonday5thJune NSWCCCTeamsTennisBathurstWednesday7thJune DioSoccerInverellFriday16thJune NSWCCCCrossCountryEasternCreekThursday22ndJune CochraneCupRugbyLeagueandNetballArmidale

Thepreferredmethodofpayment

PleasenotethatStMary’sCollegenowhaveanewandeasywaytopayyourschoolfees,excursions,lunchordersanduniforms.TheQkr(pronouncedquicker)Appcanbedownloadedonanysmartphoneorusedviatheinternet.QkrisaCommonwealthBankapplicationandassuchisverysafeandeasytouse.Forexcursionsyoucanalsocompletealltheforms,assuchthereisnownoneedforyouto illoutthepapercopyandreturnittotheschool.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorwouldlikehelptosetituppleasedropintothefrontof ice,wewouldbeonlytohappytoassistyou.Pleaseensurewhenmakingaschoolpaymentthatyouselectthecorrectchildpriortoselectingtheexcursion(thisisdoneviaadropdownarrowinabanneratthetopofthescreen).

Thisisnowourpreferredmethodofpayment.

6

CAREERS CHAT UniversityRoadshowTheUniversityRoadshow(conductedbyCharlesSturtUniversity&SouthernCross)washeldonThursday,2ndMarchatGunnedahHighSchool.Informationwasprovidedontheapplicationprocess,universitylife,earlyentryschemes,scholarships,costs&accommodation.Thosestudentswhoattendedfoundthisveryworthwhileandwereableto indoutimportantinformationonuniversitylife.HealthCareersForumTheUniversityOfNewcastleDepartmentOfRuralHealthconducteditsannualHealthCareersForumforstudentsinYears10,11and12studentswhowereinterestedinacareerasahealthprofessionalrecently.Approximately30StMary’sCollegestudentsattended.Theforumincludedpresentationsandworkshopsbyacademics,cliniciansandcurrentUONDRHstudentsfromhealthdisciplinesincluding;Medicine,Nutrition&Dietetics,Physiotherapy,MedicalResearch,OccupationalTherapy,Pharmacy,MentalHealth,MedicalRadiationScience,NursingandSpeechPathology.Thiswasaveryvaluableexperienceforstudentsinterestedinthesecareerpaths.

IMPORTANTDATESFriday,5thMay UniversityofNewEnglandOpenDay(Itisan

opportunityforprospectivestudentstogetatasteoflifeasaunistudent(academic,cultural,sporting&residential).

Friday,2ndJune RegistrationsforUMATclose(UndergraduateMedicalandHealthSciencesadmissiontest)

Monday,19th–23rdJune Year10WorkExperienceWednesday,26thJuly TestdateforUMAT

7

HSIE FACULTY Junior Students:

Lachie Small, Maya Gallagher,

Claudia Hamblin, Harry Grant,

Sienna Miller, Hollie Benne ,

Mackenzie Leader,

Charlie Lawrence, Cooper

Wilkinson, Mollie Ha on,

Bella Gallagher and Ma

Etheridge These students have approached

their studies with diligence and

are striving to improve their

learning.

They will go into the draw for a

HSIE prize at Week 11 Assembly

Senior Students:

Zed Wise, Pennie Broekman,

Lachlan Jones, Bailey Tull,

Emily Gorry, Olivia Byrnes,

Alex Jones, Eliza Perkins,

Sarah Storey and

Charline D'Anastasi

Elec ve History New topic:

The rise of ISIS and the war in Syria

Year 11 Business Studies Topic Test– Nature of Business

Tuesday 4th April 15 %

Year 11 Legal Studies Star ng Law Reform and Law Reform in Ac on next week.

Next assessment Wk 4 ‐ in class test on all topics

Year 12 Half Yearly Exams

Good luck to the Year 12s who are comple ng their Half Yearly Exams

Year 11 Modern History Star ng the Boxer Rebellion next Week

Next assessment Wk 5.

Year Seven History Current Topic: Ancient Rome

Assessment Task #2 Week 3. Source Analysis on Julius Caesar. Please refer to the SAO for details. To prepare for the assessment: Read, watch and listen to addi onal sources about Julius Caesar

Things to remember: All class notes and addi onal resources can be accessed on Google Classroom.

Year Nine Final rota on of Movement of People

Next Term: World War One. Assessment Week 4 To prepare for topic: Read, watch and listen to addi onal sources about WWI, the 25th April par cularly

Australia’s involvement on the Western Front! Try and a end a ANZAC DAY Dawn Service on

Year Ten Final rota on of Rights and Freedoms

Next Term: Vietnam War. Assessment Week 4 To prepare for topic: Read, watch and listen to addi onal sources about Vietnam, par cularly the Viet Cong.

There are lots of American based movies but try to access a different perspec ve!

8

Year Eight Year 8 students are finishing their unit on Global Inequali es. Students have been looking at the differences in access to clean and safe water around the world. Whilst many of us take water for

granted, the topic allowed students to see the real cost and impact, par cularly to young children and

teenage girls, if they do not have access to clean and safe water.

Let’s do something to help.... Year 8.3 are con nuing the great work of Mrs Isbester’s Year

8.1 started last year and will be fundraising for the Living Water Myanmar Project.

Keep an eye out for all things BLUE at school and help us make a

difference in the world!

9

LanguagesFacultyTerm1hasbeenaverysuccessfulintroductiontoChineseatStMary’s.TheYear8studentsareenthusiasticaboutlearningthelanguageandareachievingahighstandardacademically.TheGunnedahcommunityhasgottenbehindtheinnovativeprogramwiththreenativeChinesespeakervolunteersintheclassroomassistingMrHarristoteachthestudents.TheChineseProgramhasevenbeennoticedbythewidercommunityofGunnedahwiththelocalnewspaperrunning2articlesaboutit.http://www.nvi.com.au/story/4501089/learnin‐the‐lingo/http://www.nvi.com.au/story/4542119/china‐the‐frontier‐for‐regional‐capatialism/

AcademicAchievement8.1 AcademicAchievement8.3HughHunter KatrinaBrettSaigeMitchell SamuelMaxwellBrockPaull KirstenGorry AcademicAchievement8.2 MostImprovedRyanLi Mostimproved8.1JosephRitterAnnaliseMartin Mostimproved8.2.ChelseaPalmerFaithPsimaris Mostimproved8.3TomBush

ChineseClubThetremendoussuccessof theChineseProgramthis termhasseen the languages faculty expand its program to include aChinese Club at lunch times where students from all yeargroups can learn this exciting new language in a fun relaxedenvironment.Students learnaboutChinesecultureandhistoryaswellastryingdifferentChinesetraditionaldishes,aMahjongChampionship, a Table Tennis Championship, Chinese Uno,ChinesecheckersandChineseBingo.Thepopularityoftheclubhasmeant that it is forced to expand to 2 lunchtimes aweeknexttermasspacehasbecomeanissueforthe25‐30studentswhoregularlyattend.

Oscar is judged first place in the class for his Chinese Character writing.

MegHassanwinnerofthe irstroundoftheStMarysChineseClubMahjongChampionship

10

StudentsenjoytraditionalChinesefoodmadebyStMarysChineseclubChinese

volunteers.

StudentsenjoyplayingmahjongduringChineseclub.

StudentsplayUNOwhilespeakingChineseinChineseclub.

SchoolCaptainBenMaherwinsthe irstroundoftheChineseclubTabletennis

championship.

ChineseClubTableTennisChampionshipRound1‐WinnerBenMaher‐Year12Round2‐WinnerKelleyHarris‐Year8ChineseClubMahjongChampionshipRound1‐WinnerMegHassan‐Year12Round2‐WinnerAlexHarris‐Year7Round3‐WinnerIsaacCoker‐Year8Round4‐WinnerSarahSchiffmann‐Year8

11

ExceptionalAchievementbyStudentsinWebDesignCompetition

Information and Software Technology (IST)students, Zac Bower and Caleb Mans ield,have been competing in an international webdesign competition run by Grok Learning (inassociation with the University of Sydney) forthe last four weeks. Web.Comp 2017 is anonline platform that teaches students how tocode and design web pages using HTML andCSSwhilsttheycompete.Thousandsofstudentsfrom around Australia and globally haveenteredthechallenge.Therearetwophasesofthecompetition.Forthe irstfourweeks,

Studentscompeteforanexclusivepositiononthecompetitionleaderboard.Inweek5(thisweek),studentsapplywhattheyhavelearnedtostyleawebpageandsubmititforvoting.Withperfectscores, both Zac and Caleb successfully earned their positions on the leaderboards of both thebeginnersandtheintermediatecompetitions.Theyarecurrentlyworkingontheirdesignsforthetournament. Ms Feodoroff received an email from Nicky Ringland, Chief Evangelist and co‐founderofGrokLearning,whoexpressedhowvery impressed the teamatGrokwerewith theboys’“exceptionalachievement”.Theyhaveaskedforpermissiontocontactthelocalmediaabouttheboys’sucessinthecompetition,whichofcoursehasbeengranted.Welookforwardtoseeingtheir hardwork celebrated in the local paper andwish themall thebest in thisweek’sDesignTournament.

12

Year9CampSixty‐eightYear9studentsattendedtheGreatAussieBushCampatTeaGardenslastweek.Theaimofthecampwastoteachthestudents’teamworkinchallengingsituationswithstudentsoftenhavingto face their fears.A lotof theactivities involved climbing to great heights with theemphasis on the “Three Cs of Team Work” –communication, cooperation and compassion. Each teamwasonlyasstrongastheirweakestmemberandinsomecasestheweakestmemberwasthesupervisingteacher.

The camp was a memorable experience with moststudents facing their fears and gaining from the overallexperience.

13

14

15

16

17

18