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Dear parents, friends, staff and students,
This week’s gospel reading is from Matthew 25: 14-30. It is the parable that Jesus tells where the master gives three of his servants some talents before he travels abroad. When he returns, he calls the servants in and asks them what they have done with the talents. The first two servants had invested the talents and doubled their money. The third servant buried his talents and is only able to give back to the master, what he was given to start with. Each of us are given talents when we are born. For some, these talents are obvious and highly popular. For others, the talents might be a little more obscure or may be less sought after. Regardless of this, the gospel reminds us that we have an obligation to use what talents we have in order to get improvement. We have the ability to contribute positively to the world in which we live and we do this most easily by using the talents that we have been given. At the start of the year, I encouraged the students to have a growth mindset. This was trying to look for how they might achieve a goal rather than just assuming they are unable, or the task is too difficult. This gospel reinforces the idea that we shouldn’t be afraid to use our talents but further, we actually have a responsibility to use them and to use them well.
During this year, I have been referring in newsletters to our Annual Improvement Plan priorities. One of these is focussed on building a sense of belonging by creating links between the College and the wider community. This week I attended a forum with the local state member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Greg Warren, hosted by MacArthur Workplace Learning Program (MWLP) on Monday. On Tuesday, Mr Huntly and I attended the Continuous Catholic School Improvement Colloquium with Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong and on Wednesday evening, the official opening of the University of Notre Dame study centre at Oran Park. Our Year 9 students participated in YAM and Year 11 in U-Turn the wheel. Tonight, the Year 12 formal will be celebrated with parents and those who are now alumni. Next week we have the Marist Student Leaders’ gathering and on Wednesday, the parent library evening. Whilst some of these things (and similar) are ‘normal’, we should not forget that each event builds connections with those outside our college. Thank you to those who continue to work toward these relationships and help us to improve a sense of belonging with our students.
As stated above, on Wednesday, we once again are hosting a parents’ library evening. This has occurred a few times this year and is very relaxed and non-threatening. The invitation is extended to all parents to come onsite and learn about what our students are doing in share in opportunities to grow in a love of literature. Please join us for the evening commencing at 6.30pm in the College library.
Ite in Veritate
Mr Steve Lo Cascio
As Mr Lo Cascio has made mention in his section of this week’s newsletter, a number of events have taken place over the past week which are an important part of our ongoing mission to develop important community links, both within and beyond the boundaries of the College. These activities are also an important part of the ongoing learning and wellbeing support that are two of our central priorities, the other being faith development and formation. The integration of each of these aspects of Student growth are evident in the many activities that have been conducted over the past week and will be held over the coming week.
With respect to last week, the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program for Year 9 students is an important part of our Pastoral Care and Wellbeing program. Session 2 was held last Tuesday and the third and final session will be Tuesday next week. I would like to thank the staff from CEDoW and Mr Berkeley for their work in preparing, organising and presenting this valuable resource. Yesterday saw our Year 11 students take part in the annual “U Turn the Wheel” driver education presentation, conducted by Rotary and NSW Police. Again, thanks to our presenters, to Mr Harpley for liaising with our providers and organising the day and to the staff who assisted with supervision. The other significant event from last week was the finalising of Year 10 Academic marks and reports. These will be checked and formatted over the following weeks, prior to release at the end of the term and will be the first official NESA record of student achievement for our current Year 10 students. Thanks to Ms Miller, Ms Toogood and all staff involved in the teaching, learning and assessment processes that have occurred over the past year in order to reach this significant academic milestone.
Next week will see further initiatives and events occur that will supplement the daily in-class activities that are designed to enhance the Spiritual, Academic and Pastoral growth of our students. These include:
- Sun to Tues: Marist Student Leaders gathering at Mittagong
- Monday: Music Workshops for Year 7, Choir and Band members
- Tuesday: Final session of YAM
- Wed: Parent Literacy Evening
- Thur: Year 7 Resilience and Peer Relationships workshops Presented by CatholicCare
- Friday: Year 9 Fast Forward University Experience at WSU, College Assembly to recognise Year 11 preliminary course achievement.
Thanks in advance to all staff and external providers who are involved in these activities for the commitment, organisation and time involved in providing these wonderful opportunities for our students.
As always, as we head towards the final weeks of the year, please do not hesitate to contact your son or daughter’s Pastoral Advisor, Year Coordinator or College Reception should you have any questions regarding their learning, wellbeing or spiritual development.
Mr Simon Huntly
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THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME YEAR A |
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| First Reading | Proverbs 31:10-13; 19-20; 30-31 |
A worthy wife is invaluable |
| Second Reading | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 |
You are children of the light |
| Gospel |
Matthew 25: 14-15; 19-21 |
The rich man, his servants, and the talents |
Mrs Christine Meharg
Yr 11 (Yr 12 2024) will begin their first HSC school based assessments next week. Students are reminded to be making their best effort to ensure that they maximise their learning opportunities in these first assessment tasks. Following the College Assessment Policies and Procedures is also vital, if students are absent due to illness or misadventure they are reminded that they need to notify their teacher and follow the illness/misadventure procedures. Senior Afterschool Study continues to be available on Tuesdays 3-6pm this term. This provides a focused learning environment for Senior students to study individually or collaboratively.
Yr 10 are encouraged in their final weeks of Stage 5 to focus on working with their class teachers to ensure that they are continuing the development of their skills that will be carried into Stage 6. Now that they have received their confirmation of Yr 11 subjects, they should be focusing on what they can be doing now to be prepared for Yr 11.
Students in Yr 7-9 are also encouraged to maximise their opportunities over the coming weeks to ensure that they are prepared for the next year or stage of their learning in 2024. Students in Yr 8 and 9 have received their confirmation of electives for next year, so can be preparing for their new chosen courses.
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 this Thursday. 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 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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| Week 8 |
Year 11 (HSC) 2024 27/11/2023: English Advanced 27/11/2023: English Standard 27/11/2023: English Studies 29/11/2023: Chemistry 30/11/2023: PDHPE 30/11/2023: Work Studies (2unit) 01/12/2023: Mathematics Advanced 01/12/2023: Mathematics Standard 2 01/12/2023: Mathematics Standard 1 01/12/2023: Numeracy
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| Week 9 |
Year 11 (HSC) 2024 04/12/2023: Business Studies 06/12/2023: Modern History 07/12/2023: Visual Arts 08/12/2023: Mathematics Ext 2
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| Week 10 |
Year 11 (HSC) 2024 11/12/2023: CAFS 11/12/2023: Society and Culture 11/12/2023: Mathematics Ext 1 13/12/2023: SORII 13/12/2023: SORI 13/12/2023: Physics 14/12/2023: IPT |
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Ms Chardy Miller & Ms Rebecca Toogood
Leader of Learning - Curriculum Pedagogy & Leader of Learning - Acting Curriculum Administration
The English faculty began the first of our two recent staff development days by exploring the research on the enduring importance and relevance of reading in our fast-paced, technology-driven, language-dense, and image-laden world. By immersing ourselves in such scholarly research and academic writing, we were able to reflect on and then share our own philosophy, practices and attitudes. In writing our programs for the new English syllabus to begin in Years 7 and 9 in 2024, this focus on reading proved to be critical.
By starting with self, we began by reflecting on our own reading life. The following questions were explored as reflection prompts: Do we read? Do we read beyond the assessment and administrative demands of our work? If so, how often do we read and what kinds of reading do we prefer? What conditions do we require to read? And do we share our reading experiences, practices and preferences with others, including students?
As teachers, our philosophy on reading necessarily includes and influences our beliefs and actions in the teaching of reading in the classroom. Some of the questions we needed to ask ourselves included: Do we make visible regular time in our English lessons for reading? How much of the in-class reading material is selected by the teacher? Do students have any choice in what they read? Do students have the opportunity to read for pleasure and do we explicitly model and encourage this? And finally, what strategies do we have for supporting disengaged, reluctant, or resistant readers?
Emerging research in neuroscience points to the far-reaching, positive impact of reading fiction on brain development, personality, social and emotional intelligence, and decision-making. These insights affirm that reading widely, regularly, and deeply has a profound effect on a student’s life chances. For educators, parents and carers, the message then is to nurture young people’s appetite for reading. It is our task to attentively guide, model and support the development of young people’s sustained reading engagement, enjoyment, and confidence. And a perfect opportunity to do just that is to participate next week in our Parent Library evening which is being held in the college library on Wednesday 22 November from 6.30pm – 8pm. Come and join the English faculty and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, a chat, and the opportunity to look through the selection of books we have collected. You may take home as many books as you can carry and add them to your own collection. I look forward to seeing you there.
Clare Murphy
English Coordinator and Literacy Instructional Coach
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
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.
Below is a the schedule for 2024 opening days and times.
School Student Travel 2024
2024 school travel applications are now open. Please click here for information from Transport for NSW.