May 2016 - monivae

Dolphin
the
ISSUE 28 : MAY 2016
“kindness is a language which
the deaf can hear and the
blind can read” – Mark Twain
Monivae College Hamilton - A Catholic Co-educational Secondary Day and Boarding College in the tradition of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
Welcome
Welcome to our first edition for
2016.
We celebrate our first busy term with
School Swimming and Athletic Sports,
Ash Wednesday Assembly and our new
school choir, just to name a few.
This edition we feature the positive
vibe Monivae radiates throughout the
school with the wonderful Positive
Education program and include the
commencement of Meditation classes
run by our very talented Mindfulness
Facilitator, Maryanne Gustus. These
sessions have been a popular addition
to the school calendar and have
been attended by many students and
adults who come together to learn the
techniques of mindfulness.
For the first time in the Dolphin we
are including Old Collegians births,
marriage’s and farewells.
Find us on Facebook
We currently have 2230 followers on
the Monivae Facebook page and with
“Likes” each week the page is growing.
Facebook is a great platform for keeping
you up to date with the day to day
goings on at our school.
Keep up to date with all the latest
news from Monivae College via our
websites
www.monivae.com
and
www.monivaefoundation.com
and
the
Foundation
Facebook
site
www.facebook.com/monivaecollege
foundation/
Our front cover
Taine Morris, Year 12 leader, working on
his design component in Unit 3 Product,
Design and Technology Wood.
If you have any news you would like
to share with us, please don’t hesitate
to contact us we would love to hear
from you. Email details and images to
jwhiting@monivae.vic.edu.au
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Reunions 2016
The dates for Class Reunions for 2016
are listed below.
40 Year Reunion
Class of 1976
Saturday 20th August 2016
Venue: Emerald Hotel
415 Clarendon St
South Melbourne.
Time: TBC (for dinner)
Contact Rob Velthuis for details on either
0428 518 852 or
email: rgv@novozymes.com
30 Year Reunion
Class of 1986
Saturday,15th October 2016 at 7pm.
Venue: The Roxburgh Cafe, 64
Thompson St, Hamilton.
Tour of Monivae at 5 pm.
Contact Jill Whiting 03 55511251
jwhiting@monivae.vic.edu.au
20 Year Reunion
Class of 1996
Friday 11th November 2016 at 7pm.
Venue: The Roxburgh Cafe, 64
Thompson St, Hamilton.
Tour of Monivae offered at 5pm.
Contact Jill Whiting
jwhiting@monivae.vic.edu.au
03 5551 1251
35 Year Reunion
Class of 1981
Saturday 15th October (Caulfield Cup)
Emerald Hotel
415 Clarendon St
South Melbourne
Start 5pm – Meal at 7pm
Contact Mary Murphy for details – 0402
128556 or mary.murphy8@bigpond.com
10 Year Reunion
Class of 2006
Saturday, 8th October 2016.
Grand Central Hotel 7pm
Tour of Monivae offered at 5pm.
Contact Jill Whiting
jwhiting@monivae.vic.edu.au or via
(03) 5551 1251
26 Year Reunion
Class of 1990
Saturday 16th July 2016
Venue: Melbourne TBA
Details: Contact Vara Bennett nee Peck
email: varabennett@live.com
1 Year Reunion
Class of 2015
Friday, 11th November 2016.
Monivae College Chevalier Centre
Facebook Event Link
Principal’s From the Foundation
Message
The Monivae College Foundation was first
established in September 1998 with Mr
Allan Myers QC. AC. as Chairman.
Cadet Camp – For thousands of
Monivae Old Collegians those two
words will evoke a host of different
memories. Indeed wherever I have
met former Monivae students all seem
to enjoy regaling me with tales of their
cadet experiences particularly those
of camp week. It is a quite distinctive
aspect of our College that we continue to
have cadets as part of their curriculum.
Despite the concerns of OH&S and
the limits on activities that were taken
for granted in past times the camp is
still a significant rite of passage for our
Monivae students.
As I write the students of 2016 are
forging their own memories of cadets.
A howling wind overnight and some
steady drizzle during the afternoon has
dampened the spirits very little and the
students’ resilience has been tested
but not found wanting at this stage.
Surprisingly for families that live in such
a beautiful rural environment only around
a third of our current students have
actually spent a night under canvas, so
it is still a very formative experience.
Increasingly schools are being expected
to do more of the sorts of things that
were almost exclusively in the family
domain. Monivae is well placed to
assist in these areas with its Positive
Education Program supported by the
MSC ethos that has been a trademark
of a Monivae education over the
decades. The cadet camp is just one of
the many opportunities students have to
test and display the character strengths
promoted in this program.
There has also been an increase in the
demand for bursaries to assist needy
students to benefit from what Monivae
has to offer. We are very fortunate
to have some 45 students currently
attending Monivae on bursaries and
it is because of the support of Old
Collegians and their contributions to our
Foundation Bursary and Scholarships
fund that we are able to be so inclusive
and support families in their desire for
a Monivae education. I encourage any
Old Collegians who are in a position to
do so to contribute to this fund – it really
does have a life changing impact on so
many students.
We welcome Jill Whiting to the role of
Director of Development and Marketing
at Monivae this year and wish Simon
McKinley all the best as he and his
family have moved to warmer climes at
Lindisfarne Grammar, Tweed Heads.
Since that time the Foundation has played
an integral role in assisting the College in
a number of significant developments and
other initiatives designed to improve the
lives of students.
Three key objectives have emerged
as focal points for the activities of the
Foundation. These are to assist and
support Monivae College in ensuring:
1. Every child without the necessary
financial means has the opportunity
to enjoy the benefits of a ‘Monivae
education’. The key ingredient in the
achievement of a rewarding and happy
life.
The corner stone of this objective is a five
year plan to attract perpetual scholarship
and bursary endowment funds to a value
of $5 million. It is pleasing to note we
are currently almost three years into this
plan and on target to achieve this goal.
However, we recognize it will be the
second half which will be more difficult.
The perpetual bursary and scholarship
funds to date have been established by
individuals, families, teachers, friends of
the College and the deceased estates of
past students and teachers.
2. The buildings and grounds of Monivae
are continually upgraded to a standard
necessary to provide an environment
that promotes and supports student and
teacher learning and wellbeing.
Some more recent examples of
Foundation
support
under
this
objective, which has only been possible
with generous support from local
philanthropists and past students are
the development of the Chevalier Centre
(total development cost $5.2 million),
enclosure and heating of the swimming
pool (approximate development cost $1
million – stage 2 of the Chevalier Centre
development) and the future development
of the Performing Arts Centre (stage 3 of
the Chevalier Centre development).
3. The College’s long history of educating
indigenous children and others from
under developed countries continues.
The benefits of a ‘Monivae education’
provide the foundation necessary to
enhance the potential of these children to
transform their lives.
The College currently has 19 indigenous
students including 6 from the very remote
indigenous community at Kalumburu in
the West Australian Kimberley region.
The Foundation is supporting a separate
informal ‘committee’ of very generous
and passionate individuals in establishing
sources of much needed funding to
support the Kalumburu and indigenous
program at the College.
I am pleased to advise the Monivae
College Foundation is already benefiting
from two recent additions to its team.
The first is Ms Sally Leake (Year – 1980)
who has recently joined the Board as a
Director. Sally has already added great
depth to the Board with the experience
she brings from both her past and present
positions. The second is Mrs Jill Whiting
who has recently been appointed as
Director of Development at Monivae
College and is playing a key support role
for the Foundation.
Details and contacts of the current Monivae College Foundation Board and Jill
Whiting are as follows:
Laurie Cogger (Chairman)
Year – 1973
lcogger@coggergurry.com.au
Ph: 0403 304 156
Anthony Watt
Year – 1967
stclair54@bigpond.com
Ph: 0429 145 605
Bryan Roberts
Year – 1960
bryanfroberts72@gmail.com
Ph: 0418 148 523
Carole Reid
Past Parent
creid.resource@gmail.com
Ph: 0408 523 614
Lachy Patterson
Year – 1998
lachy.patterson@gmail.com
Ph: 0429 955 669
Patrick Howman
Year - 1969
pat@hbhlegal.net.au
Ph: 0428 527 066
Sally Leake
Year – 1980
sallyleake77@gmail.com
Ph: 0402 117 987
Jill Whiting
Director of Development
jwhiting@monivae.vic.edu.au
Ph: 0407 723 298
I encourage all past students to take the time to obtain further information on the
Monivae College Foundation and assist it in continuing what is now a vital role.
Laurie Cogger
Chairman
Monivae College Foundation
(Class of 1973)
Swimming Carnival
Monivae’s Swimming Carnival was
held in ideal, fine conditions of the 17th
March.
Students swam and cheered brilliantly
throughout the day really adding to the
atmosphere. Students were given the
opportunity to gain points for the respective
houses in the participation events. It
was pleasing to see so many students
participating to add to their house points
and well done Mrs Katee Mitchell, head
of Mitchell as she easily lead her house in
the participation 50 metres… Maybe this
was the difference with Mitchell taking
the honours! Mitchell house secured the
cheering competition and were the overall
winners of the day. Congratulations to
all students on a flawless carnival filled
with great spirit, sportsmanship and
competitiveness.
Overall Results
1st Michell
2nd Londsale
3rd Glenelg
4th Ffrench - 2681.5 points
- 2342.5 points
- 2291 points
- 2111 points
Records set
15Yr Girls 50 m Freestyle -
Casey White (Lonsdale) 32.90
16Yr Boys 50 m Freestyle -
Sebastian Christie-Crane (Lonsdale) 28.19
16Yr Boys 50 m Backstroke -
Sebastian Christie-Crane (Lonsdale) 36.06
Glenelg Division Swimming
Held in Portland the Glenelg Division
Swimming Carnival was a close call with
Monivae being pipped at the post by a mere
5 points to finish second to the Hamilton &
Alexandra College. A great overall team
effort with several of our strong swimmers
unable to attend the day. Congratulations to
Kiah Connolly 12-13 Yr Girls 50 m Freestyle
record 31.83.
Age group champions
Kiah Connolly 12-13 Yr. Girls
Casey White 15Yr Girls
Sebastian Christie-Crane 16Yr Boys
Athletics Carnival
The Athletics Carnival was held on a particularly
challenging hot day at Pedrina Park, with the
extreme temperature certainly not dampening
the enthusiasm and subsequent records that
were broken on the day. What a great day for all
students, parents and staff who attended.
Glenelg Division Athletics will be held Friday 13th May
at Casterton.
Overall Results:
1st Mitchell
2nd Glenelg
3rd Lonsdale
4th Ffrench
- 4824 points
- 4700 points
- 4407 points
- 4264 points
Athletics Records Set:
Hollie Phillips – 12-13Yr Girls 800m, 2:29.05min
Jacob Hill – 12-13Yr Boys Triple Jump, 9.20m
Thomas Carter – 14Yr Boys Triple Jump, 10.70m
Ben Cullinane – 15Yr Boys 400m, 57.07s
Lily Cameron – 16Yr Girls High Jump, 1.55m
Georgia Clarke – 16Yr Girls Shot Put, 10.82m
Britt-Annie McMahon – 18-20Yr Girls Javelin, 27.04m
Britt-Annie McMahon – 18-20Yr Girls Discus, 31.87
Congratulations to our Sports captains for Swimming,
Samantha Loria and Angus Lean and our Athletics
Captains Emily Kermeen and Thomas Millard
Geelong
Regatta
Monivae rowing efforts can be rightly proud of their
tremendous effort in the Geelong Regatta.
Day one saw Year 9’s Double Scull with Angus Campbell and
Sebastian Fitzgerald coming second in their 1000 metre heat
and third in the B final. The Year 9 Double Scull was a close
race. After winning their heat, Rachael Millard and Siobhan
Wheaton came second in the final, a fantastic effort.
The Year 9 Quads competed against each other in the first
heat. The quad coxed by Mairead Kelly and rowed by Rachael
Millard, Siobhan Wheaton, Lauren Brown and Matilda Dohle
narrowly defeated the quad coxed by Eliza Millard and rowed
by Vania McCaskill, Sarah Hockey, Sophie Page and Aimee
Perkins.
Opening of
the New Turf
Wicket
After many dedicated hours by Mr McGinnity and Mr
Bailey watering and tending the turf wicket at Monivae
“The Invitation XI” 20/20 Cricket Match St Marys vs
Monivae launched the new turf wicket in style on March
4th.
Both girls’ quads put up an awesome battle in the A final,
finishing 3rd and 4th respectively.
Shelby Doherty and Annaleace Dohle competed in the Year
10 Double Scull, finishing 3rd in the heat and the final. Siobhan
Wheaton rowed in the single scull in the Year 10 age group
and finished third in her heat and a great effort of second in
the final.
On days two and three Siobhan Wheaton attended the Head
of the Schools Girls Regatta in Geelong. Siobhan won her
1000 metre heat on the Saturday and in the Semi Final on
Sunday cane third just missing the chance to row in the final.
Congratulations on a fantastic team effort and to Mr Phil
Wheaton and Ashley Quinsey for all their time and effort
supporting and coaching the teams.
The Monivae Invitation XI team proudly wore their Invitation Xl
caps and the team featured talented Monivae male and female
cricketers who currently compete in the local competition.
T20 Cricket
Action
Lachie Field and Thomas Millard’s partnership was a valuable
part of the Monivae’s innings but the runs on the board from St
Mary’s proved too many to chase.
Monivae was successful in winning the T/20 cricket
competition played at Pedrina Park, Myrniong and
Kennedy Oval.
A carnival atmosphere prevailed for the evening match with
the “Bay 13 Marquee” and it was very pleasing to see a large
crowd cheer on Monivae students who were represented in
both Monivae and St Mary’s side.
Games were played in great spirit with some brilliant catching
and ground fielding. Monivae fielded two teams with Monivae
2 featuring five of our talented female cricketers who shone
with the bat and ball.
Monivae’s new green and gold roller was put to great use and
the wicket was very true and in great Friday night conditions.
The match played out with many sixes and fours hit from both
sides!
Monivae 1 played strongly in all 3 games remaining undefeated
to win the inter-school shield in convincing fashion. Best
players were captain Riley Pickering with the bat and Tynan
Shannon with the ball.
Monivae 2 were competitive in all 3 games, coming close to
a win against Casterton and dominating with the bat against
College until a fall of quick wickets. The highlight for this team
was the fantastic leg side catch of one of the top order College
batsmen by wicket keeper Bonnie Farrugia-Gleeson, bowled
by Amy Pepper.
Geelong Regatta &
T20 Cricket Action
Fun times
in Port
Fairy for
our Year 7’s
Our Year 7’s have settled in very well to life at
Monivae and spent an action packed 3 days in
Port Fairy in the first week of term.
Lots of new friendships were formed as well as just
having some serious fun!
Students were able to enjoy learning how to
surf, with many budding Kelly Slaters and Sally
Fitzgibbons amongst them!
The weather did its part in making fishing, snorkelling
and a boat trip all very enjoyable.
The Year 12 leaders relished sharing some time
with the new Year seven students, organising and
playing games and then staying to enjoy an evening
meal with everyone.
Lily Shines
at Nationals
Year 10 student Lily Cameron successfully
competed in the State Track and Field event
in high jump held in Melbourne to qualify for
the National, Australian Junior Track and Field
Championships held in Perth in March.
Lily competed in Perth as a bottom age, 15 year old
athlete in the Under 17 age group.
Lily showed great maturity and composure to
control the nerves to try and eclipse her personal
best of 1.63m.
Lily’s previous high jump 1.63m awarded Lily the
bronze medal in Melbourne and after a close
competition in Perth, just clipping the bar with
her heels, Lily received a credible 9th out of 20
competitors at National level.
Congratulations Lily on an outstanding achievement.
Gatsby Glamour at the
Presentation Ball
Winding the clock back to the decadent
1920’s was the theme of Gatsby
Presentation Ball at the Chevalier
Centre on Saturday 19th March.
An incredible amount of behind the scenes
work went into making the scene one right
out of Downton Abbey.
Attention to detail with the amount of art
deco props and elaborate ornaments
set the scene for what was a spectacular
evening filled with grace, charm and
dancing finesse. The Presentees who took
part in this wonderful occasion worked very
hard to learn the dancing moves and the
performance was flawless.
All Presentees were presented to the special
guests for the evening, Mr Hugh Delahunty
and Mrs Judie Delahunty. Congratulations to
all involved, the P & F Committee, parents,
dancing teachers and staff in making it such
a memorable evening.
Cameron Webb, Georgia Hughes, Bailey Webb
Vania McCaskill, Lydia Fitzgerald, Aimee
Perkins, Erin Munro, Lisa Shelly, Ella Lithgow
Dean Nolte, Tameka Dayalall, Jessica Monk
Hugh Delahunty, Judie Delahunty,
Sue McGinnity, Mark McGinnity
(L-R) Caitlin Kruger, Hayden Noske, Chloe Plunkett,
Letetia Nolte, Kyle Scott, Laura McKenzie
Births, Marriages
& Farewells
Births
Megg Loren
Yvette (nee Schurmann – Class 97) & Brad Colquhoun
Luca Harrison
Emma (nee Beks – class of 2001) & Vail Scott
Ayla May
Josh Dore (class of 2003) & Tenille (nee Osmond)
Bethany Clare
Leon (staff) & Emily Furze
Arthur Lachlan
Helen (staff- nee Crawford) & Tim Wilken
Delcie Elizabeth Rose
Chris Cogger (2001) & Sarah Cogger
Marriages
Renae (nee Beks – class of 2004) & Tom Taylor
Arthur Lachlan Wilken
Chris Cogger (-class of 2001) & Sarah Murdoch
Emily (nee Neeson – class of 2008) & Andrew Sobey (class of 2000)
Engagement
Nicholas McMahon (class of 2011) & Katelyn Lewis (class of 2014)
Farewells
Robert (Bob) Rushton (HSC 1980) – prominent in the Monivae
cadets, later serving in the army
Caitlin Neeson (2001) – Partner of Andrew Sharrock (1995), mother
of Sam and Sophie
Front: Emily Sobey (Neeson) (2008), Andrew Sobey (2000)
Back L-R: Emma Stubbs (2008), Nick Logan, Ryan Petrie,
Molly Neeson (2014), Tom MacDonald, Talina Walker (2008).
Renae and Tom Taylor
Sarah, Chris & Delcie Cogger
From the
Archives
Hannagan
rst Secretary), P
, J Hannagan (Fi
itchely, B
rtin
Cr
B
Cu
)
J
,
rer
su
arn
ea
He
(Tr
R): P
esident), M Gurry oney, J Davies, M Diunlea.
below: Back (LPr
p
e
ou
Vic
(
Gr
en
ion
yd
ss
Mi
K Ro
, J Ha
ary Secretary),
White (Chaplain)
(President), Fr.
thgeber ( Second
R): P Lane, D Ra
(Lnt
Fro
hy.
op
Br
Below (L
-R) T Gu
D Foste
r (Capta rry, M Gurry, J C
in) V Ha
yes Fron urtin (Vic Capta
in)
t: P Tho
rnton
Top (L-R) - Sacred Heart College Mission Group 1965, Tennis Team 1965
Middle (L-R) - Swimming Team 1961, Sacred Heart College 1st XVIII Football Team 1963
Bottom – Sacred Heart College Form 3 1961.
Photo credit John Curtin (School Captain 1965)
NAME: Michael Harms
POSITION: Classroom Teacher
ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: Play golf, coach cricket,
drink red wine
New
Staff @
Monivae
FOOTY TEAM: Geelong
BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME IS: The Castle
INSPIRED BY: Paul Kelly
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Two sons, both at Monivae
NAME: Rebecca Phyland
POSITION: Science and Indonesian Teacher
ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: Visit the beach and improve
my SUP skills
FOOTY TEAM: Hawthorn
BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME IS: Babel
INSPIRED BY: the Dalai Lama
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Finding an endangered flower in
a NSW woodland which resulted in the realignment of a
major highway development
NAME: Isabelle Carlon
POSITION: PE and Health Teacher: Yr. 7-10 PE, Yr. 10.1
Homeroom and Yr. 11 Health and Human Development.
ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: I love being a tourist and
exploring this beautiful part of Australia, especially going to
the beach and walks through the Grampians.
FOOTY TEAM: Port Adelaide
BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME IS: The Blind Side
INSPIRED BY: My parents inspire me with their positive
and loving attitude towards life and the people around
them. Also anyone who strives through adversity and
never lets the fear of striking out, keep them from playing
the game. North Melbourne player Jason McCartney and
athlete Turia Pitt are two of my biggest inspirations.
BEST ACHIEVMENT: I love water ski racing and race
with one of my friends from home, with her Dad driving
and my Dad observing. So winning the most recent Barrie
Beehag Water Ski Race together with my Dad would be
one of my favourite race wins. Finishing a water ski race
with your team is an amazing feeling, let alone making it
onto the podium.
NAME: Meg Cook
POSITION: Registrar
ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: Watch family play sport
FOOTY TEAM: Carlton
BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME: The Da Vinci Code
INSPIRED BY: Kind hearted people
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Mother of four beautiful boys
Monivae
continues
to shine
Rio
Bound
Melissa Tapper (2007) has made history as the first
Australian Athlete to qualify for both the Olympic Games
and Paralympic Games in the same year.
Melissa has devoted herself to achieving her long time goals
of representing Australia in Table Tennis at the Olympics and
it hasn’t come without many sacrifices and lots of hard work.
Valerian McCaskill (2015), Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Governor
General Sir Peter Cosgrove
Valerian’s International
Internship Success
Melissa has competed in competitions all around the world in
her lead up to the Olympic Qualifying event in Tweed Heads
last month.
Congratulations to our Old Collegian and past Monivae
Dux Valerian McCaskill, on his selection for the New
Colombo Plan Internship in Malaysia.
Melissa’s dedication and preparation with the lead up qualifying
games has paid off with the winning match being played in
Bendigo setting in concrete her Olympic selection.
Valerian is pictured on our front page with Foreign Affairs Minister
Julie Bishop and the Official Patron of the New Colombo Plan,
Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
Melissa’s no stone unturned attitude has seen her through all
the tough times and she said” I now however do feel a lot of
relief and happiness that dreams can be achieved and that
hard work pays off and a sense of achievement, knowing that
whatever I put my mind to, I can achieve.”
The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program provides
opportunities for Australian undergraduate students to
undertake semester-based study and internships or mentorships
in participating Indo-Pacific locations. This program is open to
Australian undergraduates aged 18-28 and currently studying at
Australian Universities.
The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian
Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in
Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and
undertake internships in the region.
Valerian is currently studying Electrical Engineering and
Commenced at Monash University, he is hoping for a career
in the field of Automation. Valerian’s selection was a process
that involved many stages of selection. Valerian was selected in
the initial group of 200 outstanding students who then travelled
to Canberra where they were interviewed by the Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade. From his successful interviews,
Valerian was selected in a group of 100 students who will
become a part of this year’s New Colombo Plan.
Valerian is looking forward to studying at the University of Malaya
and the chance of internships at some Malaysian companies.
Where Are Our
Old-Collegians Now?
Pictured from left Linda Oki, Daisy Henry, Wolfgang
Henry (class of 2014), John Oki (Class of 2007)
Monivae Old Collegian, John Oki (2007
Boarder) spent Christmas 2015 visiting
his Australian family and friends with
his sister Linda.
Since leaving Monivae it has been quite a
journey for John. After completing VCE in
Australia he returned home to learn that
PNG tertiary institutions did not recognise
Australian educations qualifications and as
such had to wait and apply to complete two
years pre-med science.
John did this but in a country that has a
current of corruption running through all
facets of life, his results were ‘lost’ unless he
paid a fee! After some time he received his
results but by then it was too late to apply
for his course and so he had to wait another
year to start.
John has born these trials patiently; he is a
pillar in his village Lamina and a beacon of
inspiration to many young people from the
Southern Highlands. His sister Linda says
that John is the reason why she works so
hard at school.
Linda has just completed Year 10 at Sacred
Heart High School Tapini and was the only
girl to be selected to continue her education
at Salgari National High School, another
great achievement.
John has just completed his first year
with Divine Word University training to be
a medical officer which in PNG is a cross
between a doctor, hospital administrator,
basic surgeon and nurse. This is a four
year degree with two year placement in a
hospital. John’s first year saw him receive
outstanding results with SIS distinctions
and two high distinctions.
John Oki has come a long way from
his mountain side bamboo village and
continues to be a person that will be an
important part of the future of PNG. Huge
congratulations to John on having the
passion, determination and patience to
really make a difference.
Story Source from Helen Henry.
Georgia
Clarke
Cadet
Bivouac
Monivae College student Georgia
Clarke was initially named in the
Victorian Country Youth Girls squad
and has been selected as one of the
27 girls named in the 2016 AFL U 18
Victorian Country Youth Girls team.
85 recruit cadets were involved in
the annual recruit bivouac which
took place at Glendinning on the 16
and 17th March under the guidance
of the platoon CUO’s and Sergeants
throughout the duration.
Georgia currently plays with the North
Ballarat regional football team made of
players from the South West, Hampden,
Wimmera and Ballarat regions.
We were blessed with perfect weather for
our brief time in the bush. In fact a lot of
the recruits complained about being too
warm! (No doubt they will not be saying
that come time for the major camp in
May.)
65 girls were nominated by AFL Victoria’s
Youth Girls Academy coaching staff and
attended weekly training sessions to
determine the final team of 27 players . The
National Championships are to be played
in Melbourne from the 2nd - 5th May and
are the pinnacle competition for young
female footballers aged between 15-18
years.
Nine teams from across Australia will
compete in this year’s event, with both
Vic Country and Vic Metro to play in
Division One against Western Australia
and Queensland, while South Australia,
Northern Territory, Tasmania, NSW/ACT
and Woomeras (Indigenous team) will form
Division Two.
A variety of activities took place from
setting up platoon harbours correctly
to bushcraft skills, Outdoor Firstaid,
Navigation by day and night and of
course some basic drill thrown in for
good measure.
The majority of the cadets were most
co-operative and maintained good spirits
during this exercise.
I must mention all platoon CUO’s who
were in attendance - they worked
extremely well as a team and planned
and implemented all activities to a very
high standard.
By the time you read this another annual
May camp (May 2-6) will have come
and gone. We will have had around 200
cadets up in the bush at Victoria Point for
a week, and hopefully they would have
experienced the many dimensions that
the annual camp offers, and survived
safely.
Pedal Power
As a VCAL class we organised the
National Ride to School Day on Friday
the 4th of March.
We began organising this Ride 2 School
day a few months ago. We went to St
Mary’s Primary School and told them that
it was on and asked if they would like to
join us. To help promote the event we had
photos taken by Jill Whiting and she put
them on Facebook for people to see.
group to make sure everyone made it to
school safely, Mrs Ives had her car there
and most people put their bags in the back
of her car and she brought them up to
school, Mr Franc was giving instructions
about our route to school and other
teachers like Mr Minney and Mr Rowe
rode with the group. We had 69 St Mary’s
students come and join in.
As it got closer to the day we put posters up
around the school and communicated with
everyone via email and through the daily
notices. We’d like to thank the teachers
that helped out we had Mr Wheaton and
Miss Gustus at the car park with fruit and
fruit boxes for everyone.
A special mention goes to Cody in year 8
for riding from Hamilton to Tarrington then
back again with Mr Hatherell and some
others who live in Tarrington to the skate
park and back to school. It’s a shame
Mr Hatherell got a flat tyre on the way in!
Maybe he should have checked his bike
before riding in. On the day we had a good
turn out with over 120 people participating.
Mr Beks was at the tennis courts helping
people cross the road to make sure it was
safe, Mrs Patience rode at the end of the
Amy Pepper – behalf of the year
12 VCAL class. Career News Work
Experience
Lt(AAC) Terry Molan,
Administration Officer,
MCACU.
Monivae leading the
way in Mindfulness
Mindfulness is very much a way of life at
Monivae College. Now more than ever,
it is critical that students are equipped
with the skills and mindsets that
counteract mental illness and prepare
them for a ‘life well lived’. It’s certainly a
hot topic in today’s society. The current
pace of life and stress that comes with
it, there certainly needs to be effective
ways to handle those stressful thoughts
and feelings.
With the opening of our state-of-art Chevalier
Centre in 2015, and having within the centre
a specific room for Yoga and Meditation,
Mindfulness is an everyday practice at
Monivae College. The Mindfulness room is
a modern space featuring, polished timber
flooring, floor to glass windows overlooking
the private gardens. The entrance glass
wall can ensure privacy and peacefulness
because with a flick of a switch, the glass
wall is opaque.
Monivae College is very fortunate to have
a Meditation Practitioner trained at the
Gawler Foundation as one of our dedicated
staff members. From the beginning of
2015 Mindfulness has been embraced and
both staff and students take part in the
“Mindfulness Based Stillness Meditation
Sessions”. Meditation classes were originally
commenced at lunchtimes and offered for
our Year 12 Students. What a wonderful
journey this has been learning together the
powerful benefits of living in the present
moment and stopping the chatter in our
minds that can way too often, dominate our
thoughts.
Every second Friday afternoon during
“Alternative Education.”. Year 7 and 8
students, are being introduced to the
awareness of Mindfulness and experiencing
the practice. This is a gentle and encouraging
session.
Currently, we are offering an 8 week course
after school hours in Mindfulness Based
Stillness Mediation as taught by Paul and
Maia Bedson at the Gawler Foundation.
Our first intake has been wonderful, we
meet once a week in The Chevalier Centre,
we are all learning together. This course is
open to everyone in our school community
and beyond. It is so pleasing to see current
students, parents and friends of all ages
come together for these inspiring sessions.
Monivae College as a whole is often
described by visitors or while attending
school events as having a natural, “positive
vibe” or “positive energy”. This positive
energy is cultivated amongst the whole
school community with its approach to
Wellbeing Education at Monivae. The focus
is on developing student character strengths
helping them build their Wellbeing bank to
draw on when they need to overcome life’s
challenges. It may be as simple as “Resilience
Builders”, where students note the emotions
felt, strengths and positive self-talk used in a
good situation or simply writing down three
good things that happened that day.
Staff report that It is so rewarding being
part of such focused and engaged team at
Monivae College who strive to be the best at
fostering student’s strengths and emotions.
PO
T:
F:
E:
W:
Box 423 Hamilton, Vic 3300
(03) 5551 1200
(03) 5571 1074
reception@monivae.vic.edu.au
monivae.com