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23 February 2012
Message from the Principal
This Wednesday, known as Ash Wednesday marks the
beginning of the Season of Lent.
The Church has set aside certain times throughout the
year to help us remember particular events in the life of Jesus and to
remind us of who we are and what we are called to do. During the liturgical
season of Lent, which lasts for forty days, we remember the forty days that
Jesus spent alone in the desert. In the course of a liturgical year the
whole mystery of Christ is unfolded, from his birth through to his
Ascension and to Pentecost. Lent is one of these times when the Church
especially calls us to do penance and to renew our love for God and for
others.
As a Catholic community we value the Season of Lent as it
provides a
A Time of Preparation through Prayer, Penance and Almsgiving
A Time of Remembering and Reflection
A Time of Repentance and Renewal
A Time of Forgiveness
A Time of Growth
As a community, students and staff will gather in prayer
on Wednesday for the traditional distribution of ashes. This is a ceremony
of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public
penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they
were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them
ashes made from the palms from the previous year. The penitents did not
enter the church again until Holy Thursday after having won reconciliation
by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later,
all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes
as part of the faith ritual. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes
was followed by a penitential procession.
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the
Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with
Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes
symbolize penance and remorse, they are also a reminder that God is
gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His
Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the
Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with
reflection, prayer and penance.
On Saturday evening, Alex Bullock – Circle Leader for
Community Outreach and College Captain Elaiza Luker joined student leaders
from other Catholic colleges for the official launch of Project Compassion.
This was led by Bishop Finnigan and Sr Joan, a Sister of Mercy who works
with disadvantaged communities in Peru. On behalf of our community, the
girls pledged our support to raise awareness and funds to support
underprivileged communities build better lives for themselves.
The 2012 message for Project Compassion carries a simple,
yet insightful message: "If you want Peace, work for Justice" –
Pope Paul VI.
Student Leadership
Last weekend I was privileged to join our Year 12 student
leaders as they continued their formation program. Incorporated into the
program was a reflection on the faith the community had in them. I
congratulate the girls on the commitment and enthusiasm they gave to their
role and their focus on working together for current and future needs of
the College. Thank you to Mrs Picton, Ms O’Callaghan, Mr Hickey, Mrs Gray
and Mrs Holmes for their guidance during the training.
On Friday we were delighted to be joined by many parents
as we formally acknowledged twenty young women as they were inducted into
their new role as a Student Representative Council member. These girls have
committed to actively live out the values of the College especially in
working on ways to offer all students a responsible voice. We congratulate
the girls on the appointment. We acknowledge the efforts of Sarah Slatter,
the Year 12 S R C President and Mrs Doherty the SRC mentor teacher.
Student Representative Council
Member
Semester One 2012
SRC President: Sarah Slatter
NAME
YEAR
NAME
YEAR
Coolock 1
Bridget Jurgs
12
Goretti 1
Hilary Maguire
12
Coolock 2
Tatjana Aruha
12
Goretti 2
Emma McGaw
12
Coolock 3
Amy Paige
11
Goretti 3
Madison Hoffman
11
Coolock 4
Grace Oxenford
11
Goretti 4
Kate Hobbins
10
Coolock 5
Laurie Oxenford
10
Goretti 5
Matilda Reading
10
McAuley 1
Tegan Excell
12
Xavier 1
Jessica Reading
12
McAuley 2
Patronella Amet
11
Xavier 2
Rhiannan Hale
11
McAuley 3
Ashlee Gray
11
Xavier 3
Felicity Smith
10
McAuley 4
Courtney Hall
11
Xavier 4
Grace Krautz
10
McAuley 5
Rose O’Shannessey
10
Xavier 5
Bianca Comber
10
REFURBISHMENT PROJECT
At the beginning of the Christmas break a team of
builders and contractors commenced work on the 2011 /12 Refurbishment
project. This included the re establishment of a Library and Resource area,
including a Media Room along with the refurbishment of the College archive
room. This has been established in the lower floor of the Kate Reardon
block and we are delighted that although we continue to work through the
final stages of the project, students and staff are able to access these
new facilities. I extend my thanks especially to our library team, Teacher
Librarian MrsTrudi Burgess, Library Assistants – Mrs Madonna Train and Sr
Bernie for the assistance and patience during this period.
This week marks the final stage of the re establishment
of a new Administration area in the former Ellen Whitty Block. Along with
updating the facilities, this development addresses the need for the
College to ensure all areas have appropriate disability access. Once
completed, all aspects of administration including Student Services will
operate from the one building. It is intended that this move will occur
during the week of February 27 to Mar 2. Although we are endeavouring to
minimize disruption, it may be necessary to have all calls diverted to our
College mobile for a short time.
I acknowledge the patience of both staff and students
during this construction period.
God Bless
Mrs Margaret Battle
From AP Mission
Last Week our Year 8 girls made the trek out to the Bunya
Mountains where they experienced a variety of team-building and initiative
activities that helped create new opportunities for the girls to meet new
friends and develop problem-solving abilities. Without doubt, it was one of
the most successful camps that the teachers have been on and the girls were
a pleasure to have on such an enterprise.
Unfortunately, there have been some issues arise in the
Junior school which have not been as harmonious. Tension has developed
between some friendship groups as a result of the excessive and brash use
of technology in the form of sms texting, facebook and other social
networking facilities. I can only stress to parents the importance of
monitoring your daughter’s use of such things and explaining to them that
once words are written in these formats they cannot be erased – the old
adage of think twice before writing anything you may regret needs to be
emphasized at home as well as at school. The safety of your daughter is our
number one priority as we know it is yours.
If you do have any concerns, your daughter’s Home Class
teacher should be the first person you call or e-mail. As part of our
Pastoral Care Policy we emphasize the importance of maintaining open
communication with home and it works better if we know sooner rather than
later.
We had our Sophia’s Circles sign up this week in the
Callaghan Centre. It was an excellent opportunity for our Circle leaders to
promote their Circle and to inform our Year 8 students and our new students
about the Circles and how they operate in the College. The name Sophia’s
Circle derives from the Greek goddess of wisdom.
We have five Circles; Celebration and Liturgy, Community
Outreach, Cultural and Activities Circle our Student Representative Council
and the Peer Support group. Each Circle has a leader and one of the
teaching staff to support the leader. Meetings are held at lunch times and
the leaders have planned out their projects for the year. This year the
leaders are keen to contribute to the Newsletter, so our College community
will be well informed on their plans for each term.
Round one of the QDU debating is starting with teams
receiving their topics. Topics and venues have been given to our debaters
and meetings are in full swing. Wednesday March 7 is the first round for
the years 9 and 11 teams and our year 8 and 10 and 12 teams compete on
March 14.
Other dates to note include our International Women’s day
breakfast on Friday March 9. Invitations have been mailed out, so keep the
morning free to have breakfast with your daughter.
Mrs Linda Creedon
From AP Curriculum
University Roadshow comes to St Saviour’s College
Some of you are aware of the University Road show that
was on February 15. Various universities across Queensland came to St.
Saviour’s College to speak to the Year 10 and Year 11 students about what
it was like to be a university student. The representatives from the
different University’s spoke to us about how to apply to a university, the
costs of study and accommodation. Following formal input, we were able to
go to where the different Universities had displays and discuss our future
options with each of them. It was really good to have the one on one time
with the representatives because they gave information that was relevant
about our future. Each University had something that interested everyone
and gave useful information when it comes our time to think about it. It
was a very useful and informative experience and everyone could take
something out of it.
Matilda Reading
Year 10
Study for Success Program Parent Information
evening
Last Monday many parents and their daughters attended the
information session regarding the Study for Success program. A Parent Guide
was distributed on the night and posted to those who were not able to
attend. It is important for the success of the program that parents,
students and staff are involved. The Wall planners will be distributed
through class when the work leading up to the use of the Wall Planner has
been presented to students.
Teaching and Learning
We are at the half-way point of Term 1 and therefore it
is leading to the first round of examinations at the end of the term. As
part of the preparation for these examinations students should be revising
the work covered each week. Please discuss with your daughter her plan to
complete this revision. This would be particularly needed in Mathematics
and Science.
Assignments would be coming due over the next two weeks.
Hopefully your daughter is in the practice of commencing work as soon as it
is distributed. Note parents and carers can go to the College website to
obtain a copy of the student Assessment Calendars for Semester 1.
Mrs Kathryn Janovsky
News from McAuley Residential College
Welcome to Term 1 2012.
On Thursday February 9, we celebrated our senior students
receiving their badges. What a wonderful opening Eucharist. Thank you to Fr
Ray Crowley and Fr Peter Dorfield for their inspiring words and celebration
of liturgy. Thank you to the school choir. Congratulations girls!
It was wonderful to see some of our boarders participate
throughout the liturgy.
Molly O’Connell read our Acknowledgement of Country,
Sarah Gale read our Acknowledgment of Mercy, Elle Tindale-Smith read one of
our Prayers of Intercession.
It was great to see such wonderful support from parents
who attended to support their daughter in their final year. Congratulations
to Julia Aukai, Boarder Captain and Ellie Tindale-Smith, Boarder Vice
Captain for 2012.
Let us pray that the year ahead, will be a wonderful
year, not only for our year 12 girls, but for all students at the
college.
We have lots of wonderful things planned in McAuley House
for the coming year and we look forward to these with great joy.
Boarding
The boarding staff makes it a priority of getting to know each girl
and their individual preferences for sporting, social, artistic and
cultural activities.
A boarding house ‘buddy system’ is an important feature, involving
the senior girls being matched with new and junior girls to make their
welcome to the School a comfortable and pleasant one.
The Head Boarding is available to assist with general pastoral and
welfare matters and represents the ‘Mum-away-from-home’ for the girls on
any issue whatsoever. Similarly, parents can comfortably speak with the
Head of Boarding about any issue.
Care with local hospitals and doctors when required.
The boarding house has a commitment to the organisation of, and
participation in, almost any activity with which the girls wish to be
involved.
Transport is arranged and provided for boarding students after school
during the week
Our boarding mistresses are aware that living away from home can be
exciting but a little frightening and their role is to provide the
support, encouragement, and gentle guidance to help new boarders settle
into life away from home and to ensure the happiness of older
boarders.
Jan Pearman
Head of Boarding
Caritas
On February 15 2012, many students from St Saviour’s, St
Mary’s, and Downlands participated in a program called Caritas. Caritas is
a non for profit, non government organisation that raises awareness of
poverty worldwide.
Some fast facts about worldwide poverty;
There are approximately 7 billion people in the world and 2.5 of the
people are living in poverty.
The average Australian uses about 350 litres of water a day, and 20%
of the world does not have access to clean water.
At the event students learnt how people in poverty
stricken countries really need help. They mainly do not have fresh water,
food to eat and clothes to wear unless the Caritas foundation, with
generous support from communities around the world, give the fundraising
money to help the poverty stricken countries. The Caritas foundation, in
2012, is determined to help make a change in East Timor and raise as much
money as they can to make sure they receive just as much support and
generosity as in previous years.
Every dollar is a step closer.
Thank you,
Alexandria Bulloch
Community Outreach Leader
McAuley making a Big Splash
McAuley House has upset all other Houses by claiming the
2012 Inter-House Swimming Carnival held at Milne Bay Aquatic Centre on
Friday 10th Feb. The McAuley House name will appear on the Carnival Trophy
for the first time. It was all done through team spirit as McAuley swimmers
keep piling on the points despite not winning a single age champion trophy.
Age Champions for 2012 are:
13 Years:
1.
Shannon Luck
Goretti
59
2.
Crystal Deitz
McAuley
52
3.
Tina Duncan
Xavier
46
4.
Lisa Jarvis
Xavier
43
14 Years:
1.
Hannah Bridgeman Goretti
72
2.
Aleisha Stuart
Coolock
57
3.
Renee Bradley
McAuley
51
4.
Danika French
Coolock
46
15 Years:
1.
Brodie Liston
Coolock
80
2.
Stacey Tindale-Smith
McAuley
67
3.
Isabel Mortlock
Xavier
59
4.
Ngtali Malone
Xavier
45
16 Years:
1.
Amy Bosworth
Xavier
80
2.
Molly O’Connell
Goretti
66
3.
Amelia Halaufia
McAuley
64
4.
Ashlee Gray
McAuley
35
17 + Years:
1.
Shannen Bosworth
Xavier
77
2.
Ellie Tindale-Smith
McAuley
64
2.
Katie Conway
McAuley
64
4.
Tess Picone
Goretti
62
Iron Women
(Combined points from all events)
1.
Amy Bosworth
Xavier
180
2.
Ellie Tindale-Smith
McAuley
47
3.
Shannen Bosworth
Xavier
93
4.
Mikaela Stegert
McAuley
91
Congratulations to all girls for their efforts.
Xavier House proved they will be a force this year by
finishing second in the carnival with 956 points, while Goretti and Coolock
fought out a mighty battle for the minor places, with Goretti finishing 3rd
with a total of 881 points, just 4 points in front of Coolock.
While the swimming was sensational, the House Spirit was
very evident with Houses cheering themselves horse by the end of the
carnival. House Leaders and assistants ensured all swimmers felt supported
with War Cries, cheers and dances ringing through the stands constantly.
The House Spirit Trophy goes to Goretti for their continuous enthusiasm and
vocal support.
Well done to all those who participated (even if was only
in support or the House swim) in the spirit of the day.
We extend a very warm welcome to Mizuho Matsukawa and
Yukari Imonawa, the two Japanese exchange students from our sister school,
Shijonawate in Osaka. These students will be spending the year at our
College and we wish them a very happy and rewarding stay with us. Thank you
to the generous hospitality shown to Mizuho and Yukari by their current
host families (the families of Brooke Pollock and Gabrielle and Eden
Siemsen, respectively).
Lexie McGregor
Japanese teacher
Library News
With the launch of National Year of Reading this week,
the library is a hive of activity. Many girls have agreed to go on a Blind
Date with a book, with most agreeing the date had been a success! Girls
will have come across some new ‘editions’ when venturing into the restrooms
over the last couple of days. Wee Reads have been appearing on the backs of
the bathroom doors advertising the first page of a library novel. These Wee
Reads are designed to wet the girls’ appetites with the hope they will come
to the library and borrow the WHOLE book.
One of the aims of the Love 2 Read campaign is to
encourage homes to develop positive reading cultures, so included with
Library News during the next couple of months, I will share with you the 10
Reading Rules that appear on the Big Bookshelf Website:
Readers surround themselves with books. You will visit
the home of a good reader and see bookshelves groaning under the weight of
various tomes, bedside tables holding a stack of books and the odd book on
the coffee table. If you delve inside the bag of a reader, you will often
find a well-loved, dog eared paperback. So rule one is simple: create the
right environment by surrounding yourself, and your kids, with books.
This may seem like an obvious statement, and a silly
rule, but it is not. There are many houses in this country in which there
are few (if any) books. In a wealthy, developed country like ours, this is
a very odd thing. There are third world countries in which education and
knowledge is valued far more than in our society, and maybe we take what is
available for granted. But just because books are so readily available in
our country does not always translate into these books being taken into our
homes.
Children can’t learn to cook without the ingredients,
they can’t learn to play cricket without a bat and ball, and they can’t
learn to play piano without the instrument.
They can’t learn to read without a book.
It is not difficult to create the right environment – a
reading environment – in your home. All it takes is a bookcase, or
bookshelf and a nice comfy chair and voila! You have yourself a reading
corner and the beginnings of a reading environment.
Books are easy to collect. Yes, they can be expensive,
and if you can afford to treat yourself, by all means buy beautiful new
books. Make them a treat. When my children were much younger, I used to
make a special trip to the bookshop in the school holidays and each of my
children was allowed to pick one book. We would then retreat to the local
café for a coffee and hot chocolate, over which we would excitedly pore
over our new books. It was special time together, and my teenage children
still treasure those ‘holiday books’.
However, if money is tight, there are always book sales,
second hand bookshops and of course, the local library. You can borrow
books, of course, but many libraries have regular sales where they sell off
the books they no longer need in their collection at very low prices.
In addition, if you put the word out to family and
friends that you’re on the lookout for some books, you may well be
overwhelmed by donations. Gradually you will build up your own little
‘library’.
If you make your home a place where books are seen, loved
and treasured you are sending an important message to your child: In this
house books are valued. That means books are important.
More importantly, by creating the right environment – a
reading environment- you are providing your children with the tools to get
started.
On March 16 Interact will be holding a girls night in for
Years 8 and 9. The night will start at 5pm with a sausage sizzle and run
through till 9pm with a range of movies and games to enjoy with all your
friends. The cost will be $5.00 to come along and have a good night at
Girls Night In.
Careers and Pathways Update
The Young Endeavour Youth
Scheme is now accepting applications for young Australians aged 16
to 23 to join a voyage aboard the national sail training ship Young Endeavour. The ballot for voyages departing between
July and December 2012 will close on 2 March 2012.
A voyage in Young Endeavour
is an exciting experience, and a unique opportunity for youth to develop
teamwork and leadership skills through a world recognised organisation.
During each voyage youth crew from across Australia learn
the skills to successfully sail a square rigged ship, including climbing
the 30 metre mast, setting and furling sails, and maintaining a 24 hour
watch on the bridge. They also learn to navigate, take the helm, keep
lookout and help the chef in the ship’s galley. Once they have learned
these skills, each youth crew will take command of Young Endeavour for 24 hours, and on their last day at sea
will host a local group of youth with special needs, sharing their new
found knowledge and experiences.
Applications are accepted all year round, however first
round offers will be made after the ballot closes on Friday 2 March 2012.
For more information on dates and fees, or to apply for voyages, visit
www.youngendeavour.gov.au
DEFENCE TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIPS
are available with further information available from the following
website.
