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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
The first reading from this Sunday comes from the book of Wisdom (6: 12-16). It reads almost like a modern-day riddle but as always, presents us with a guide and direction for how we might live our lives and be something upon which to base our decisions. Wisdom is something that we should strive to achieve and be constantly working toward. Below I have reproduced this reading for us to consider how wisdom might be a goal for each of us:
Wisdom is bright and does not grow dim.
By those who love her she is readily seen,
and found by those who look for her.
Quick to anticipate those who desire her,
she makes herself known to them.
Watch for her early and you will have no trouble;
you will find her sitting at your gates.
Even to think about her is understanding fully grown;
be on the alert for her and anxiety will quickly leave you.
She herself walks about looking for those who are worthy of her
and graciously shows herself to them as they go.
Today we held the first of our two Staff development days for Term 4. As previously stated, these days are designed for staff to complete programming for the new NESA syllabuses that will be introduced over the next few years. The buzz in the staff meeting was positive and a great deal of energy exists around the new programs. I thank the staff for their input and efforts to improve learning at the College and for parents and students for your ongoing support and flexibility as a result of these days.
On Tuesday evening, we held the Term 4 Parents and Friend’s meeting. This was the final meeting for 2023 and I thanked the P&F for their ongoing support. I would like to formally thank the P&F leadership team who attend these meetings and complete work and act as a sounding board at various times during the year. The opportunity to present information and discuss ideas with parents is invaluable. Please consider becoming involved in these meetings in 2024.
Ite in Veritate
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
As we head into a short break at the midway point of the term, one that commenced with a torrential downpour and electrical storm as students departed at the end of the day. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all staff, students and carers for their cooperation and understanding in being able to ensure a successful and safe departure of students under difficult circumstances.
Earlier in the week, staff and students took part in a range of initiatives that support student learning and wellbeing. Monday saw Year 9 and 10 students complete their end of year PAT testing in Literacy and Numeracy. On Tuesday, Year 11 participated in a rescheduled Elevate Education presentation centred on goal setting and preparation for the HSC that was originally postponed courtesy of last week’s blackout. Also on Tuesday, Year 9 engaged with the first of three sessions of their Youth Mental Health program, which was presented by members of the CEDoW YAM team. David and Katie Kobler from YourChoicez conducted their annual gender specific presentations to Year 9 on Wednesday.
Staff have been finalising Year 10 Academic reports this week, which will be a significant contribution to the ROSA, which will be released later in the year. Tonight, a number of our talented athletes and performers will be recognised at the annual Diocesan Sports Awards. Thanks to all staff, students and carers for their participation in these various initiatives.
Next week will see further activities with session 2 of YAM on Tuesday, Year 11 U Turn The Wheel Driver Education on Thursday and we finally say our final goodbye to Year 12 with the Formal on Friday night. Could I please remind Year 11 students that permission to drive and park on the College premises requires official approval from Mr Harpley and myself. Please ensure that appropriate permission is granted before entering College grounds.
As always, thanks for your ongoing support with all matters relating to Learning and Wellbeing. Please contact your son or daughter’s respective Year Coordinator or Pastoral Advisor should you have any questions or concerns.
Mr Simon Huntly
REMINDER
Assessment tasks
Principal’s Approved Leave and College Representation
With a number of students representing the College for external sport or other events in coming weeks, please remember that all hand in tasks must be submitted by the due date and time.
If students will miss an in-class task, due to Principal's Approved Leave or College Representation, they are required to pre-organise a rescheduled date to complete the task. This can be organised well in advance following the Request to Reschedule a Task process which begins with emailing or speaking to Ms Toogood (toogoodr01@dow.catholic.edu.au) or Ms Miller (millerc06@dow.catholic.edu.au).
HSC Minimum Standards Tests
Students in Yr 10 and 11 who have not yet attained the minimum standard in the reading, writing or numeracy tests will be provided with another opportunity to attempt in the next fortnight. Students should check their emails for information from Ms Toogood or Ms Miller regarding when these tests will be scheduled.
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TERM 4 |
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| Week 6
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Year 9 Mathematics Year 8 Visual Arts |
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| Week 7 |
Year 11 (HSC) 2024 20/11/2023 - Investigation Science & Legal Studies 22/11/2023 - Biology 23/11/2023 - SLR (2unit) |
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Ms Chardy Miller & Ms Rebecca Toogood
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Acting Curriculum Administration
In today's digital age, it is essential for us to equip our children with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely. As a Pastoral Care & Wellbeing Coordinator, I was delighted to read last night’s flash news that the end of the online platform Omegle had arrived. I thought this was a poignant reminder of the need for balance between open communication and safeguarding users, particularly our young, in an increasingly connected yet perilous online landscape. I want to share some valuable insights and tips to help you ensure your child's safety on online platforms and social media.
Open Communication
Start by fostering open and non-judgmental communication with your child. Encourage them to talk about their online experiences, friends, and any concerns they may have. This way, you can address issues as they arise.
Set Boundaries
Establish clear guidelines for internet usage. Determine appropriate screen time and create tech-free zones in the house, such as the dining room or bedrooms. Discuss the importance of privacy and the permanence of online posts.
Educate on Privacy
Teach your child about the importance of personal information protection. Advise them to use strong, unique passwords, not share personal details with strangers, and be cautious about what they post online.
Stay Informed
Keep yourself updated on the latest social media platforms and apps your child uses. Understanding these platforms allows you to guide your child effectively and help them make informed decisions.
Parental Controls
Utilise parental control features and monitoring apps to safeguard your child's online experience. These tools can help limit exposure to harmful content and manage screen time.
Encourage Critical Thinking
Promote critical thinking skills by discussing fake news, cyberbullying, and online etiquette. Encourage your child to question the authenticity of information and be kind and respectful online.
Build Resilience
Prepare your child to face online challenges by building emotional resilience. Teach them to recognise and cope with online negativity, and emphasise the importance of taking breaks from screens.
Seek Support
If you encounter online issues that are beyond your expertise, don't hesitate to seek guidance from school counselors, teachers, or online safety organisations.
Encourage Offline Activities
Balance online activities with physical activities and real-world interactions. Encourage your child to explore hobbies, read books, and engage in outdoor activities.
The digital landscape is continually evolving, making it crucial for parents to stay informed and involved in their child's online life. By implementing these strategies, you can help your child navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Remember that the key to online safety is a strong and supportive relationship with your child and firm boundaries for online and devices use. A relationship built on trust and open communication.
Thank you for your dedication to your child's wellbeing, both online and offline.
Mrs Theresa Moore
In her collection of essays entitled Art Objects, the writer Jeanette Winterson discusses how reading literature can be exciting and confronting precisely because it is constantly changing us and challenging our hold on things. For Winterson, placing readers in situations out of their normal experience is important. She encourages us to read ‘widely and boldly’. By reading widely and boldly, Winterson suggests we will inhabit an ‘energetic space’ where we will continually and creatively rethink our lives in the light of literature’s grappling with the complexity of the human condition.
Fundamental to the act of reading is a commitment to vicariously living within a world created by another. Reading allows us to enter into a long, unbroken conversation with the writer about the important things of life. I did just that last weekend when I read Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner. Published in 2003, this story is devastating, inspiring, brutal and life-affirming all at the same time. Set largely in Afghanistan, it tells of the friendship between two young boys: one troubled and guilt-ridden; the other grounded in goodness and integrity. As the plot unfolds and you engage with the characters, the language of the text and the harrowing events of the story, the universal human experiences of betrayal, regret, love and forgiveness are powerfully explored.
The ‘energetic space’ I inhabited on the weekend, courtesy of Khaled Hosseini’s wonderful storytelling, left me altered. Young people deprived of such stories, are deprived of the opportunity to think what it might be like to be in someone else’s shoes, to be a thoughtful reader of that person’s story, and to understand the emotions that someone in that situation might experience. Young people deprived of stories are ultimately deprived of those moments of wonder and insight promoted by storytelling which define other people as complicated and deep, with significant differences from oneself and hidden places worthy of profound respect. I’ll finish this article with one such moment from The Kite Runner. The main character, Amir, is reflecting on the nature of forgiveness: ‘I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night’.
Clare Murphy
English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach
MISA - Round 4
| Sport | Result | MVP | Short Report |
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Indoor Cricket 7-9 Boys Mr Berkeley |
VS BAC Win 49-37 |
Kieran Cosgrove |
The boys were keen to continue their winning streak against a strong Broughton side and were excited to get on the pitch after the unforeseen circumstances from last Tuesday. The boys started off with the bat and posted a solid total of 49 runs with some unlucky wickets in the last few overs. The boys had to put on a phenomenal bowling performance if they were going to keep Broughton under 49 runs. All the boys bowled and fielded amazingly and special mention must go to Kieran Cosgrove who took two wickets in the last over which played a significant part in the win for Mount Carmel. Well done on a good win! |
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Softball 7-9 Girls Mr Withnall
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VS STP LOSS 10-2 |
Delilah Thomas |
Another tough week of competition with the girls overcoming the forfeit last week due to the power outage and some jitters early on to get ahead in the first innings,letting it slip with some poor fielding. Solid pitching from Delilah Thomas earned her our MVP this week with some notable performances by Lovinia Camasosa, Chelsea Sirec and Lauren Lo giving us some scoring options. We will endeavour to continue branding MISA Softball with our own MCCC flavour in the weeks ahead, getting better each andevery week. |
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Oz Tag 7-9 Boys Mr King |
VS MAG Draw 7-7 |
Hudson Warren & Ashton McMillan |
A draw was a remarkable turnaround from round 1 for the boys, who were beaten quite convincingly by Magdalene Catholic College. The boys played extremely well with strong performances in both attack and defence by Hudson Warren, Ashton McMillan and Kayde Hughes. Both Jeremiah Leota-Brown and Jayden Kurniawan also played well, breaking through the opposition’s defensive line on numerous occasions. Despite the mounting injury toll and fewer substitutions, the boys were unlucky to draw as they led throughout most of the game. They certainly deserved the win. Well done on a great performance! |
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Ultimate Frisbee 10-11 Mixed Mr Martin |
VS MAS Win 15-13 |
Ariana Redding & William Montgomery |
With the week off last week we started slowly going down 1 - 4 early on, struggling to cope with the strong wind and failing to find a target up front. We finally hit our stride when Ariana Redding came on and played a front target position perfectly by running into open spaces behind the defence. William Montgomery was also critical in defence and in attack, making some incredible intercepts and pivoting really well in attack to keep the disc moving forward. We broke away when Jessica McMillan started to make some great plays and catches down the wing, at one point leading 13 - 8. We nodded off towards the end, but still managed to walk away with a win 15 - 13. Next week we will look to build on our performance against Macarthur Anglican when we face Oran Park next. |
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AFL 7-9 Girls Ms Abra
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VS STP Loss 48-1 |
Makeliah Langhi & Miyah Meurant |
Stepping off the bus and seeing the St Pat’s AFL team, I thought they may have brought the whole junior grades with them. Alas there were only 25 students. Our 12 girls got off the bus and straight on the field. This was going to be a tough game. Our girls played strong however the freshness of the St Pat’s team was the clincher, as we had no substitutes. We changed our defence in the second half and this kept St Pat’s quiet. Congratulations girls, your fitness, resilience and perseverance will always make you winners in my eyes. |
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AFL 7-9 Boys Mr Kawa
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VS THAC Win 34-22 |
Isaac Danford | The boys displayed dominance around the park with a solid performance against THAC. The match was close at half time with only a goal in it however the boys quickly extended the lead within a minute of the second half. A great team effort from all the boys and hopefully we can carry this momentum into the next round next week. |
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Volleyball 10-11 Girls Ms Hobbs |
VS MAS Win 2-0 |
April Phommasaeng-Hoang | In a commanding display of confidence and strength, the senior girls' volleyball team took the lead throughout all matches, securing an early advantage. With unwavering determination, they won the first two games, demonstrating dedication to working as a team. Opting for a third game to 15 points, the team continued their dominance, ultimately closing the match with a resounding 2-0 win. Their spirits are soaring, and they eagerly anticipate next week's game with enthusiasm and anticipation. |
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Volleyball 10-11 Boys Ms Turnbull |
VS MAS Win 2-0 |
Samuel Dwyer | In a remarkable 2-0 win against MAS, Mount Carmel's boys displayed outstanding teamwork and skill. Players like Elijah, Sebastian, Noah, Samuel, Nathan, Alex, Carlos, Krissh, Mateo, Cristian, and Hayden contributed significantly, with Samuel earning the title of Best and Fairest. A big thank you to captain Jacob on his leadership which helped get the team across the line. Congratulations to the team on a well-deserved victory! |
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BYE Oz Tag: 7-9 Girls; Ms Heath |
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Again a very busy term for sport with a lot of events occurring throughout the term. As always, students are encouraged to sign up and trial for representative teams. Below you will find registration links for both our DIO and NSWCCC events. If you require any further information please visit the Diocese of Wollongong sports here.
Registrations are Now Open for 2023
Please refer to attached 2023_Registration.pdf
Representative Pathways
| MISA Website | https:/wwwwmisaonlineeorgg.au/ |
| Diocesan Sport News | Updates and news on Wollongong Diocese sport events and trials can be viewed here |
| NSW CCC/CSNSW Sport News | Higher level CCC trials and events status can be monitored here. |
| School Sport Australia Sport News | More School Sport Australia information can be found here |
To help our community spread the joy of Christmas this year, we are gathering some household items and other goods for Vinnies’ Christmas Hampers. Each year group has been allocated certain items to donate so that we can accumulate a variety. If your household would like to donate other items on the list, you are more than welcome to do so. The Youth Ministry leaders will collect from pastoral classes every Wednesday morning.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Miss Jenny Nguyen
Youth Ministry Leader
SCHOOL FEES
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg Weekly to Fortnightly
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2024 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office.
On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2024 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
It is a requirement of CEO for us to advertise this for at least 3 weeks.
Year 7 2024 - Future Students
The Year 7 2024 Orientation Day will be held on Friday 1 December 2023. Students are requested to be at the school between 8.45am-9.00am. There will be a Year 7 Parent information night being held on Wednesday 29 November 2023 commencing at 7.00pm. Information packages and further information will be posted in the coming weeks.
The Rainer Uniform shop is located under the administration building at the foot of the stairs between the basketball courts and main building. The Uniform shop opens every Monday (8am-2.00pm), Wednesday (8.00am4.00pm and Thursday (8.00am-2.00pm). Please refer attached flyer ‘s advising fitting appointments along with contact information, price lists and trading times. The Uniform Shop will be open during the upcoming school holidays for those that wish to book for uniform fittings. Please see attached flyer with contact information and opening times.
P&F Clothing Pool
The P&F Clothing Pool will be open on Year 7 Orientation Day, Friday 1 December. Times will be advised in the coming weeks.
School Student Travel 2024
2024 school travel applications are now open. Please click here for information from Transport for NSW.