From the Principal - Marist Regional College

Nov 15, 2012
No 35
PO Box 588, Burnie, Tas, 7320 | Ph: 6432 7600 | Fax: 6431 9146 | Email: office@mrc.tas.edu.au
From the Principal
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Mrs Sue Chen
P&F fundraiser .................................2
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want—Ps 23
ENROLMENTS 2013
Second hand uniforms .................2
World Youth Day.............................2
Cambodia charity work ................3
In recent weeks there has been a steady increase in enrolments for 2013 especially for Year 11. It seems that
our reputation for excellent academic and VET results is having an impact in the wider community and
young people from other schools are seeking places in our Senior College. In interviews they look forward to
wearing a uniform, participating in extra-curricular activities provided by the College and working hard to
gain good results.
Host families needed ....................4
Last year we surveyed our Year 12 students in their final days at the College and discovered that they loved
the freedom offered in Senior College and were happy to be able to select study options from a broad range
of available subjects. As a Catholic college, we were delighted to hear that our senior students enjoyed the
academic rigour and relevance of the religion courses on offer.
COLLEGE CALENDAR
At Year 10 level many students express the desire for more freedom, whether here at Marist or in life in
general. Testing boundaries and exploring new options is a natural part of growing up and it’s not surprising
that our students want to look at all options before the crucial decisions surrounding Senior College are
made. As parents, we have the responsibility to ensure that such important decisions are investigated
carefully, with full consideration to what lies in the best interests of our children, right now and into the
future. I am heartened to hear that families while share decisions, our students are guided by parents and
caregivers who always have their best interests at heart.
BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Congratulations to our junior girls basketball team—newly crowned state champions. See Sports News on
the back pages for the latest news on the State Basketball Championships, interschool equestrian one-day
event, state golf tournament and the Australian Schools Tennis Challenge.
Science news ....................................5
Sports Roundup ...............................6
Friday, 16 November
Yr 1 0 study day
Yr 7 student-free day
2013 new students orientation
Monday, 19 November
Yr 10 exams start
Thursday, 22 November
Yr 10 exams finishes
Last day for Yr 10 students
Friday, 23 November
SC TCE exams conclude
2–7 December
Remar Blue camp
4–7 December
Yr 9 camps
Middle Years activities week
Monday, 10 December
Speech Night
Reports sent home
Tuesday, 11 December
Last day for students
Friday, 14 December
Front Office closes
Monday, 29 January 2013
Book Day
Monday, 04 February 2013
Classes commence Yr 7 & SC
Tuesday, 05 February 2013
Classes commence Yr 8-10
Thursday, 07 February 2013
Photos Yr 7 & SC
Friday, 08 February 2013
Photos Yr 8-10
From the Deputy Principal
Ms Ann Roberts
SUBJECT SELECTION CHANGES 2013
Subject changes close on Friday 16 November to enable booklists to be completed for
students. Year 11 students can make an appointment with Mrs Bissett to see me if they
wish to make subject changes in response to TQA results from 17-19 December.
I will be available for subject change appointments again from Wednesday, 23 January for
all students.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
YR10 EXAM TIMETABLE
Second-hand books &
uniforms
If you have uniform or text
books you wish to advertise for
sale in the Marist Star please
email Star@mrc.tas.edu.au
before Tuesday 20 November.
Your advertisement will appear
in the Marist Star, Thursday 22
& 29 November.
8-55-10.35
Nov 19
English
Nov 20
SOSE
Nov 21
Maths
Nov 22
Science
10.35-10.55
11.00-12.40
12.40-1.10
1.15-2.55
Sport Science
Business Studies
recess
Japanese-speaking
Lunch
Japanese & French
writing/listening
If you are considering selling a
winter uniform please be
aware that students receiving
an award or performing on
Speech Night on Monday, 10
December will need to wear
full winter uniform.
There will be no P&F second
hand uniform and textbook
sale this year.
World Youth Day 2013
Preparation Day
The first preparation activity
on the road to World Youth
Day 2013 in Rio de Janeiro is
being held Saturday 1
December, 11.00am – 4.30pm
in Launceston.
All registered pilgrims and
anyone at all interested in
joining the pilgrimage – even if
you are not sure yet – should
get themselves along to it.
Great opportunity to meet
with others, learn more about
the experience and begin your
preparation for this life
changing event. You must
register to be a part of this day.
You can register at:
www.wydtas.org.au/
preparation or by contacting
Rachelle on 0400 045 368 or
rachelle.smith@aohtas.org.au
NB: You must be aged 18-35
years as at 13 July 2013 to be
eligible. Transport will be
available for those travelling
from around the state!
P&F Open Garden fundraiser
A culmination of glorious weather, good visitor numbers, delightful gardens and a dedicated
team of parent helpers fused together to make a wonderfully successful Open Garden
weekend on 27 and 28 October.
The garden owners Maryanne Ryan, Gerald and Doreen Davey, Isabelle Ellis, Timothy Skinner
and Peter and Julie Botting deserve our heartfelt thanks for the amazing amount of effort and
countless hours placed into having their patches of heaven looking magnificent.
A labour force of more than 40 supportive parents donated time over the weekend; selling
entry tickets, food, plants and raffle tickets. Many parents and Marist staff worked in the lead
up to the weekend counting raffle money, providing OH&S expertise, photographic panache,
advertising and media knowledge, baking, growing masses of plants, and lending garden
furniture and tents.
Several families and businesses sponsored the Open Garden Raffle which was drawn on
Monday 29 October. The sponsors included Tasmania Seaweed Fertilisers, Terrylands Service
Station, Edwards landscaping and Supplies, R&K Hislop, Estate of the late HD O’Rourke, North
West Mowers, Irrigation Tasmania, Cloverlea Plants Plus, West Park Plants Plus and Roberts
Ulverstone. More than $1500 worth of raffle tickets were sold. Overall, the Open Garden
fundraiser netted $6000.00 for the College.
Next week the P&F will be asking Marist staff to tend written submissions for the funds raised.
Proceeds from the previous open garden fundraiser held in 2010 went towards visiting
authors, science and art equipment, cooking appliances for the Cradle Coast Trade Training
Centre, sewing machines and Burnie Eisteddfod sponsorship.
A sincere thank you once again,
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The P&F Team
Open letter to the Principal
Dear Mrs Chen
My name is Montana Bradley. I am 16 years of age and am currently finishing Year 10.
On 5 December this year I will be departing Tasmania for the trip of a lifetime. A group
of 10 friends and myself are travelling to Cambodia to give our time and our money to
those in need. We are travelling to the capital city of Phnom Penh to volunteer and
assist the less fortunate. The main project we will be undertaking is in a little village in
Phnom Penh which is located next to a slaughter house. Consequently, most of the
villagers are infected with cholera and, due to a lack of funding, will die.
Donations to assist Montana & the Cambodian volunteers can be left at the Front Office
My friends and I have already been fundraising and we were successful enough to
purchase a bit of land, away from the slaughter house. We also raised enough money
to relocate six of the 24 families from the original village. When we arrive in Cambodia
we will be building, painting and furnishing these houses, in order for the families to
live safe and happy lives.
I am one of the youngest people going on this trip, but most of my team are younger
than 20 years of age. The idea of this trip came together at a Christian camp, where
my team and I had been friends for years. We thought it would be good to help out
others who are less fortunate than ourselves, and have been getting advice from
Katherine Armstrong, who is our group leader, and who has been many times before.
The duration of our trip will consist of helping the village and also teaching at local
schools about Christianity and God. On our final day, we will be taking the kids from
the orphanage to a local waterpark, in which we pay for entry for each of the young
children.
This trip would not go ahead if we didn’t have such generous support from the Burnie
community through our fundraising events. At a trivia night, which was held in Burnie
two months ago, a group of my loyal friends and their families came and supported
this worthy cause. It is with my great pleasure that I inform you about the caring
Marist community we have. This was not only demonstrated with my little trivia night
but also for the ‘Day for Tegan’.
With this, I ask yourself and the Marist community if you would like to donate a sum
of money to assist the under-privileged people of Phnom Penh. I guarantee that 100%
of the funds will go to assisting the villagers in Cambodia.
I thank you for taking time out to read this letter of our journey, and I look forward to
embarking on this trip. Also, as a last point, we will be away for just over three weeks,
which means we will all be spending our Christmas in Cambodia. But most
importantly, with each other.
Yours sincerely,
Montana Bradley (10E)
CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY
Advent-ure
Sunday 2 December @ 1.00pm.
ADVENT-URE is a pilgrimage
walk from St Patrick’s College,
Prospect, to the Church of the
Apostles, Launceston with
stops, activities and reflections
along the way to help us enter
into this season of Advent.
This is the final youth event for
2012! It’s a great chance to
meet with other youth and
young adults from around the
state, celebrate the end of the
year and enter into the season
of Advent!
The walk finishes with a Youth
Mass at Church of the Apostles
and a BBQ after Mass.
Transport available from
around the state.
Open to all youth and young
adults (approx. Year 9 – 35
years). You must register by 25
November at:
www.cymtas.org.au/ADVENT-URE
or
rachelle.smith@aohtas.org.au
or 0400 045 368.
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JAPANESE EXCHANGE TEACHER
Dear Ms Ball,
I’m working as an assistant to the
Japanese teachers from next year in
your school. Let me introduce myself
by just simply saying:
I’m 3rd year student in Kochi
University and I’m in the department
of International Studies. I like seeing
movies, listening to music, reading
books, going shopping and so on.
The reason I applied for this VITA
program is that I’ve just been
interested in sharing culture with
people in different background from
mine. I’m really looking forward to
working at your school because I’ve
heard there are many students who
are interested in Japanese and
Japanese culture.
Look forward to working with you.
TEACHING EXCHANGE: Studies show students who learn more than one language develop
more flexible brains. If you are willing to assist with the VITA teacher exchange program,
please return the form below to the Front Office as soon as possible.
Sayana Kishii
Host families needed
Volunteer International Teaching Assistant (VITA) 2013
Marist Regional College is lucky to have an assistant teacher for Japanese for 10 months next
year. Sayana Kishii will work 4 days a week as a volunteer in Japanese classes.
As Host families, your responsibilities are to provide homestay accommodation and 3 meals a
day for Sayana. Sayana will contribute $125.00 a week for her board.
It is also hoped that you include Sayana in your daily family life and allow her to participate in all
of your family’s activities and hobbies and introduce her to all that the North West Coast has to
offer.
Ideal hosting periods are 6-8 weeks but are negotiable. For example, if its successful, longer
stays will be better for Sayana.
If you can assist or need any further information, please contact me at the College on 6432 7600,
email: jball@mrc.tas.edu.au and/or fill out the form and return to the College.
Ms J Ball
Head of LOTE
VITA HOST FAMILY APPLICATION FORM

Name: ...........................................................
Address: ..........................................................................................
Phone No: ...................................................
Email:................................................................................................
I am willing to host Sayana. Preferred Hosting Dates (please circle)
Sat. 2 March – Sat. 13 April
Sat. 13 April – Sat. 25 May
Sat. 25 May – Sat. 6 July
Sat. 6 July – Sat. 17 August
Sat. 17 August – Sat. 12 October
Sat. 12 October – Sat. 14 Dec.
(NB: Sayana’s VITA responsibilities cease when school finishes. Sayana may choose to depart for
Japan then to avoid peak airfares, or if invited, stay and enjoy an Australian Christmas).
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Trivia night
REMAR
Remar is the College-sponsored
youth group and runs community
service activities throughout the
year.
Last Friday night our Year 11 Remar students held a trivia night to
raise funds for their upcoming solidarity camp. The money raised
from this event will enable the students to support the
organisations they visit throughout their week-long camp by
Remar offers leadership
opportunities for our students and
provides engagement in social justice
issues and community awareness.
If you’re interested in joining Remar
in 2013, contact Ms Pitt in her new
office located beside the Chapel.
purchasing much needed resources. Our students will be mainly
living in the Brunswick community for the week and will visit St
Mary’s House of Welcome, St Vincent de Paul Collingwood
community, and the Mercy Nursing Home and participate in a number of Soup Van runs. We look
forward to hearing about their experiences upon their return.
More than 100 people attended the night and $1587.45 was raised. We would like to thank
everyone for their support throughout the evening. Sincere thanks to Mr Tom Lamb for being our
MC and congratulations to our Blue Rowers Luke Aldridge, Rachel Biggs, Adam Hart, Nicole
Moran and Georgia Templeton for organising such a wonderful evening. Best wishes for a
successful solidarity camp.
Ms Nicki Pitt
Director of Mission
SCIENCE NEWS
COMPETITIONS
Twelve students entered science investigations in the Tasmanian Science Talent Search 2012.
Jonty Fahey won the intermediate age division and Gemma Winton achieved a
commendation certificate in the intermediate age division.
Jonty also won a BHP State finalist award, meaning his research projected was
selected for the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards. If Jonty wins this
competition he receives an all-expenses-paid, 4-day trip to Melbourne in February 2013 to prepare a science exhibit to compete for a place in the International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in May 2013 in Arizona, USA.
Good luck Jonty and well done on your diligent efforts in pursuing science and
entering competitions.
Congratulations to the following students for their scientific investigations:
Jonty Fahey, Gemma Winton, Lillian Stewart, Erin Cox, Naomi Gee, Montana
Broomhall, Stephanie Cowley, Angelique Woodward, Tyler-Jane Quarrell,
Marnie White, Sam Aitken, and Jack Doherty.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Many thanks to Mr Pearce, Mr Sims and Damon Boeder (10G) in the Year 10
Boys Parallel Program for making six new carry boxes to house our new safety
glasses. We have purchased a better fitting type of safety eyewear and will be
replacing the older model of safety glasses next year for Years 9-12. The new
carry cases will ensure that the glasses won’t be easily damaged and will make
it easy to count in and out after use. Damon not only saved the Science Department money but also raised funds for new purchases for the Boys Parallel
Program.
Darren Cox
Faculty Head Science
HOT SCIENCE: Jonty Fahey (9G) with his science
investigation that earned him first place in the
Tasmanian Science Talent Search
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SPORTS NEWS
STATE CHAMPS: Marist Junior Girls (above), take on St Pats on their way to their state title at
Kingston on Sunday. Right, from top: Brad Wescombe puts on a block for Tyler Coffey; Jaylen
Howard jumps for a rebound; and Kyle Harman works hard in defence.
Marist wins state title
Marist Junior Girls basketball team are the newly crowned state champions after a
triumphant tournament in Hobart at the weekend.
The Junior Girls were undefeated at the 2012 State High School Basketball Championships,
held weekend at the Kingborough Sports Centre at Kingston, while the Senior boys finished
third following strong wins over Scotch Oakburn and Burnie High.
The Marist girls took the initiative from the outset in their first round match against St
Patricks College. In a lopsided game, Marist ran out convincing winners. The girls put up
another strong performance against MacKillop College, controlling the floor with diligent
defence and running the court in offense.
With two wins from their pool matches the girls moved through to the semi-finals to take on
Ulverstone High, who had an unexpected loss in their pool match against Scotch Oakburn.
The game was a see-sawing affair with both teams trading early blows on the score sheet.
The remainder of the game saw a defensive mindset in play by both teams. Marist used their
superior leg speed and execution to advantage, overcoming a determined Ulverstone by 12
points and progressing through to the grand final against Scotch Oakburn.
The Junior Girls were a little anxious as they took the court for the grand final against Scotch
Oakburn College but eased their anxiety by hitting the scoreboard early. Marist backed up
their great offense with strong defence, repelling many Scotch Oakburn attacks and scoring
on the transition. The intensity of the girls never wavered and they eventually ran out
comfortable winners by 20 points.
In the first of their pool matches, the Senior Boys faced off against Scotch Oakburn College.
The Marist boys shot out to a double-figure lead early in the game but great structure and
composure helped Scotch erode the deficit to take the lead in the final quarter. In some very
tight and tense final minutes, Marist snatched a one point win.
SCOREBOARD
JUNIOR GIRLS
Rd 1: MRC 68 d SPC 37
Rd 2: MRC 68 d MacKillop 37
Semi: MRC 37 d UHS 25
Final: MRC 52 d SOC 32
SENIOR BOYS
Rd 1: MRC 40 d SOC 39
Rd 2: SVC 78 d MRC 48
Rd 3: MRC 64 d BHS 50
The second round match for the boys meant encountering the all-conquering St Virgil’s
College. St Virgil’s had a significant height advantage and, with a number of players in state
squads, they displayed a polish that the Marist boys were unable to match.
Despite the resounding defeat knocking their confidence, the boys rallied in the cross over
game against Burnie High to keep their finals chances alive. The game, played at the late
start of 8.20pm, was a tight affair throughout but Marist was able to block
continues 7 ►
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GOLF
Congratulations and thank you
to Mitchell Clark, Daniel Oates
and Eli Templeton who
travelled to Launceston on
Friday to compete at the
Tasmanian Schools and
Colleges Golf Tournament
played at the Mowbray Golf
Club.
Although the boys did not
feature in the top teams’
results, they were very
competitive and played some
good golf on a course they are
not particularly familiar with.
Mitchell finished in brilliant
fashion with an eagle and
birdie in the last three holes.
EQUESTRIAN TEAM: Allie Burgess, Kristyn Cowley, Ms Ireland (coach), Stephanie
Cowley, Alice Abblitt.
Richard Lakeland
Team manager
Interschool equestrian
BY STEPHANIE COWLEY.
On 11 November 2012, the annual Interschool’s One Day Equestrian Event was held. The event
combines schools from the whole state to compete in three different disciplines. Marist fielded
one team consisting of Allie Burgess, Stephanie Cowley, Kristyn Cowley and Alice Abblitt.
The day started with dressage and everyone had a reasonably good test. Once the dressage was
over we set out to walk the cross country and show jumping short course. Before we completed
our course we sat down and watched some other riders complete their course, which supplied us
with some entertainment. Then it was our turn. Everyone rode really well. There were a few
tears, but they were soon cleared up when the results came out.
In Grade 4 Allie placed 3rd, Kristyn 4th and Stephanie 7th . In Grade 5 Alice placed 2nd. These
fantastic results put our team in 3rd place overall out of 10 teams.
We would like to thank Ms Ireland for coming up, supporting us and providing us with new
Marist saddle blankets (we looked very professional!).
Basketball win
◄ from 6
Burnie High’s main scorers with great team defence. Marist opened up a handy lead through intensity on
the boards at both ends.
The two pool wins were enough to give the boys a semi-final spot against a fleet-footed, tall Riverside
High team. Undeterred by the distinct height disparity, Marist started the game convincingly, showing
great intensity in both defence and attack. This confidence saw the boys carry an 8-point advantage well
into the second quarter. Scoring opportunities began to dry up though, as Riverside’s defence became
more cohesive. The taller team showed great speed and spread on their transitions. The signs were
looking ominous for the Marist boys as Riverside went on a 12–2 run deep in the third quarter, taking the
lead. Coach Nathan Wescombe asked the Marist boys for one last effort at the last break but they were
overrun by a more enthusiastic Riverside to finish the competition in equal third place overall.
Sincere thanks to coaches Mr Nathan Wescombe, Mrs Stacey Keiselis and Mr Shane Hayward, team
managers Mr Ian Coffey and Mrs Debbie Freeman, Marist staff Ms Leanne Harrison and all parents for
their assistance & support throughout the tournament.
Xavier Williams
Sports Coordinator
TENNIS
Good luck to our boys tennis
team currently competing in
very hot conditions at the
Australian Schools Tennis
Challenge in Albury-Wodonga.
Elliot Johnstone , Cameron
Graham-Jones, Connor Parke
and Fletcher Looney won the
right to play in the national
competition after taking out
the SATIS title earlier this year.
The tournament is a real step
up for the boys and reports
have Elliot Johnstone “holding
his own”.
The competition wraps up
today and full details will be
available in next week’s Marist
Star.
Thanks to Mr Shaun Summers
and Mr Clayton Graham-Jones
for accompanying the boys on
the trip.
Xavier Williams
Sports coordinator
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