Now 7 March 2016 - Aquinas Catholic College

AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI
7th March, 2016
The Year of Mercy
Vol.24.No.6
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
This year from 6th – 12th March 2016 Aquinas Catholic College, Menai will join with Catholic schools across NSW
and the ACT to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The theme for CSW 2016 is ‘I Belong. You Belong. We
Belong.’ which aligns with the Church’s mission to support refugees and asylum seekers at this a time in our world
where vast numbers of people are fleeing war and poverty. The theme also ties in with the global Catholic Church
celebration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which focuses on pardon, strength and love. Pope Francis sees
the Year of Mercy as an opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation, and is calling on all Catholic communities to
extend mercy to those in need, particularly refugees.
Catholic Schools Week is also about forging and strengthening relationships between everyone who has a stake in
our schools – students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider community – by showcasing
our activities and actions. During Catholic Schools Week, we take the opportunity to highlight what happens in our
schools every day. For that reason, we invite you and your family to join us at our Open Night on Wednesday
evening between 6:30pm - 8:30pm to celebrate with our school and parish community during Catholic Schools Week
2016. This is an ideal opportunity to learn more about the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.
Our school has a supportive and talented community of teachers, parents, carers, clergy, parishioners and support
staff who work together to give students the best education possible. Australian Catholic Superannuation is again
the proud sponsor of Catholic Schools Week 2016 and we greatly appreciate their generous participation. I
encourage you to visit the Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund’s website at
www.catholicsuper.com.au. Our enrolments for 2016 open this Thursday.
As we head into the last three school weeks before HSC half yearly exams I know that many Year 12 students are
focussing on their upcoming assessments and are rightly treating this hectic period as time that study has priority
over social activities and any other electronic distractions. Motivation of our Year 10s, 11s and 12s will also be a
focus of the College Pastoral Care program in the coming weeks as we work towards students being responsible for
their best possible personal educational outcomes that they are able to enjoy at Aquinas. I was delighted to see so
many seniors being involved in hosting the CSDA Public Speaking Zone Finals on Friday; they were a credit to their
families, the school and themselves in their deportment and congeniality with our visitors. Thanks also to Ms
Cooper and Mrs Capovilla who organised the students for the evening.
Tied in with upcoming assessments at last week’s assembly I spoke to the students about them making a serious
attempt at making the most of their academic ability. To this end I reminded them about the simple but important
place of hard work in their personal learning. The College recommends that homework [set class homework,
reading, reviewing notes, watching educational vision, writing practice essays and studying] for each stage at the
College should generally be as follows;
Years 7 & 8
Years 9 – 10
Years 11 – 12
1 – 1.5 hours
1.5 – 2 hours
2.5 – 3 hours
Anzac Road Menai NSW 2234
info@aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au
Phone 9543 0188 Facsimile 9541 0398
www.aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
It would a personal challenge to achieve a weekly average that meets these benchmarks, and a way to keep track of
this would be to record the hours spent on homework in the student diary [or electronic calendar] and reflect at the
end of each week on your tally and how you measure up to the standard. Eryn Lara [College Dux, 2015] indicated in
her speech at the Aquinas Assembly that she spent 10 hours a day studying in the last weeks prior to the HSC and it
is this type of commitment that our students should aspire to when they think of themselves as learners wanting to
achieve personal excellence. Eryn also shared that whilst the method of personal study habits will rightly vary, it is
more important to discover the actual motivation to study to underpin success in your endeavours.
In last week’s newsletter I erred in listing Kate Donovan’s correct ensemble, she is in fact in the Senior Drama
Ensemble. Apologies Kate! In other areas of student achievement a number of our students were involved in the
NSW State Junior Surf Life Saving Championships held at Umina Beach over the weekend. At the time of
publication, we have heard that Brigitte Salib [Year 7] was a member of the Elouera Under 13 Relay team that won
the State Championship and in doing so defended their title for the fifth year. Well done!!
James Corcoran
Principal
Assistant Principal
Key Dates
Week 7 (A) Term 1
Monday 7th March


Catholic Schools Week
CCC Rugby League Gala day
Tuesday 8th March


Catholic Schools Week
‘AWE’ (Academic Writing Excellence) program for all Year 7-10 students during
morning Pastoral
Peer Support program Period 5
WYD16 fundraiser
Catholic Schools Week
Year 11 Parish Mass at 8.20am
College Open Night in the JPII Hall and the various venues around the school
commencing at 6.30pm and concluding at 8.30pm
Wednesday 9th March

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Thursday 10th March


Catholic Schools Week
Enrolments for Year 7-2017 open today
Friday 11th March

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Catholic Schools Week
Public Speaking final at St Gregory’s College Campbelltown
Year 11 Geography excursion
Sport
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Week 8 (B) Term 1
Monday 14th March

Year 7 Orientation camp
Tuesday 15th March

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Year 7 Orientation camp
‘AWE’ (Academic writing excellence) program for all Year 7-10 students during
morning Pastoral
NSWCCC opens boys Baseball trials
Wednesday 16th March
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Year 7 Orientation camp
Year 12 Parish Mass at 8.20am
SSCCC Swimming carnival
Thursday 17th March

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St Patrick’s Day fund raiser for WYD16-Gold coin and Mufti day
Year group meetings Period 4
Friday 18th March

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Senior Blood bank visit
Sport
Preparing students well for academic success and fulfilling of their potential
Last Thursday I spoke to the students at our College assembly of the importance of academic achievement and being as
successful as possible with their school work so as to reach their full potential over their six years here at Aquinas. I raised with
them that the hope of all their teachers ( and I am sure parents/carers) was for them to succeed knowing that human nature says
we would all love success in some shape or form in our lives, so why should school be any different. To that end I asked them
to focus on what I call the 3 C’s to student success to ensure that students become successful learners, they need to care, to be
captivated, and to be catapulted around learning in all their classes.
Care
The first of the C’s is to care, There is a saying about students that educators are very aware of and it is, "They, as in students
don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care."Teachers show students that we care daily through
our words and actions. Teachers ensure that our daily interactions with our students are at the forefront so that students know
that we care about their learning. Teacher know how to create an environment that ensures that each student feels safe, valued
and listened to and this often breaks down many barriers allowing students to take risks and to try new things.
Teachers give constant praise, words of encouragement, compliments, merits and genuine sincerity in everything they do daily
and it is a known fact that that every student needs this reinforcement daily. Teachers are not afraid to tell students that they
believe in them, that they are proud of them, that they are so pleased for them when they achieve. Teachers care about student
learning and the reaching of their potential. However caring multiplies tenfold when students reciprocate and demonstrate it too,
with the net result being that teachers and students will want to move mountains for each other as a result of this love and care
for learning.
Captivate
The second C is to captivate a student’s mind and engage them in the learning process but this takes energy from all parties, not
just the teacher but also the student who needs to demonstrate motivation and enthusiasm on a daily basis so as to build
positiveness and eagerness to learn.
Teachers aim in every lesson to get students jumping out of their seats, not literally but metaphorically, because we just can't
wait for them to share their thoughts and ideas. Students are encouraged to never feel afraid to present their thoughts, to ask
questions or to seek feedback, to not be embarrassed by it, because teachers love it. Teacher work in response to a student’s
curiosity and interest and we do our very best to assist you to know all you can. Essentially teachers are like watchmakers
wanting to find out just what it is that makes a student tick, because once we get that we can get the watch or in this case the
student to function like clockwork. Teachers are genuinely just as excited about learning with their students, solving problems,
and understanding things as students are. Teachers love it when the light bulb moment happens in our classes and a student
picks something up for the first time becoming an independent and excited learner, often with a beaming smile. Teachers love to
animate the learning for students, to put on their very best performance each lesson! Teachers give of their personality every
day, with lots of enthusiasm and we would hope students would also be captivated to do the same. Teacher excitement in the
classroom stems from the fact that we believe that what we teach students will have a lasting impact into the future when they
might become accountants, doctors, nurses, chefs, plumbers or even teachers. Teachers just don’t stand up in front of the class
and deliver but rather they aim to captivate students, therefore asking in return that students also come prepared to do this also
in each lesson, that is giving of their energy every day!
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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Catapult
The third C is to catapult students to higher ground. Teachers like to set the bar high for all students, holding them accountable
for their learning thus guiding them around important principles, so as to thus show them how to hold themselves when they get
into the real life game. Teachers just don’t teach students units of work or content, but we also teach students to take
responsibility for their learning, for their successes and failures, because this is image of what will happen beyond school. We
impress on students that they will need to be resilient and to drive or catapult themselves to accomplish things. With the high
expectations of your teachers come goals and we ask students to set some without being too big, some should be personal and
some should be academic. Some people often think that focusing too much on academic goals can put unwanted pressure on
students, I don’t subscribe to this theory, I see more students placing pressure on themselves around sporting goals in trying to
make teams or gain higher representation. So why are the setting of academic goals so difficult, they really are not as long as
they are realistic, but nonetheless students need a hunger to set some. Therefore we ask that students catapult themselves toward
academic success at school and doing their personal best with a laser like focus on their school work. Because by just going
through the motions at school this will not give students a sense of what hard work or high standards look like, skills requires out
in society, otherwise you will be simply happy to accept mediocrity. Therefore being academically successful and reaching your
potential will allow for a feeling of accomplishment through your effort, and as a result there will be hungry from students to
search for more, to be catapulted to the next level.
So my question to the students is “How will you measure your academic success and the reaching of your full potential in 2016,
will the 3 C’s fit in there somewhere?”
Robert Nastasi
Assistant Principal
Aquinas Catholic College
Co-Educational Catholic College
Years 7-12
Enlivened by the Spirit
A faith community fostering a spirit of service, personal
achievement and academic excellence
OPEN NIGHT
Wednesday 9th March 2016 – 6.30pm - 8.30PM
Enrolments for Year 7, 2017 open 10th March
Closing date for applications Friday 6th May 2016
Please contact the College office for more information
Anzac Road Menai 2234 Ph: (02) 9543 0188
Email: info@aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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Learning and Curriculum Matters
This Week’s Assessment:
Year
Subject
Date
12
Drama
7.03.16
12
SDD
7.03.16
10
PDHPE
7.03.16
10
Multi Media
7.03.16
9
PDHPE
This week
11
Mathematics General
8.03.16
11
Modern History
9.03.16
7
Italian
9.03.16
12
Design and Technology
10.03.16
10
Mathematics
10.03.16
11
Geography
11.03.16
9
Mathematics
11.03.16
STUDY SKILLS HANDBOOK TIP FOR MARCH
The study skills tips that follow continue the College focus on developing a growth mindset.
It was comforting to see a number of students from across year levels at the Wellbeing Night last Wednesday that was
hosted by Mr. Nastasi and Mr. Burke and to hear them, and the two guest speakers, highlight the importance of taking the
time to establish healthy and positive routines and self-talk. Some of the suggestions from the evening are similar to those
that follow and involve simple activities that could easily become part of your daily routine.
Why not try building one or two of the Life SAVER strategies into your day and seeing if they make a difference to your
mindset?
STARTING THE DAY WELL
Do you find it hard to get out of bed some days and be positive about going to school and learning? It can be hard to turn
the day around when you wake up like this and don’t take steps to start your day in a positive way. Your approach in the
first hour of the day dictates the direction of your day of learning at school.
To ensure you start your mornings well you need to make sure you have a night-time and wake-up routine.
1. Set Your Intentions Before Bed: consciously decide every night to create a positive expectation for the next morning.
2. Move Your Alarm Clock Across The Room: so you have to get up to turn it off.
3. Brush Your Teeth: when you wake up and splash water on your face.
4. Drink a Full Glass of Water: to hydrate yourself after several hours without water.
5. Add some of the following ideas to your own routines.
The “Miracle Morning” is a book written by Hal Elrod and he speaks about starting your morning with “Life SAVERS”. The
idea is that you add some of these to your morning routine or come up with your own activities for a positive start to the
day:

Silence can be meditation, mindfulness, prayer etc.

Affirmation can be a word you use that reminds you of who you are and how to be.

Visualisation is an intention (directing your focus) on how you want your day to be.

Exercise can be a short walk or stretching or going for a run (exercise is a great thing to do in the morning).

Read something that is positive and enjoyable. What you read “resonates” with you. It gets you thinking and
expanding “beyond yourself”.

Scribe is about journaling. Writing in your journal about your day gives you insight and clarity about issues. It also
helps you realise what’s working and how far you have come.
These tips are courtesy of www.humanconnections.com.au
You can learn more about creating positive learning handouts and many other topics to help you achieve your best
at school at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with these details:
Username: Aquinas
Password: 10success
Lisa Mirabello
Leader of Teaching and Learning
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YOUTH MINISTRY 2016 @ AQUINAS
What is next for WYD16 Pilgrims?


Return ‘Student pilgrim travel information form’ to Miss Kilzi by Tuesday
8th March.
Save the dates for the following WYD16
“Formation Workshops”:
th
Workshop 1: 5 of April form 3:15pm – 5:15pm
The Adventure Begins
th
Workshop 2: 26 of May from 3:30pm – 5:30pm
WYD16 – going deeper
th
Workshop 3 : 7 of June from 3:15pm – 5:15pm
Eurovision!
The Rosary
‘The Rosary & Prayer
Intentions’ on every
Tuesday @ lunch…
PROCLAIM: High School
Aged Youth Group
@ Holy Family Parish every
fortnight
Next gathering: Sunday 19th March at
6PM
Check out the “Holy Family Youth
Movement” Facebook page.
Room 44.
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS COMING UP
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Social Justice @ Aquinas
Project Compassion – Lenten Appeal
First Australian Evangeline lives in a remote community that faces many ongoing challenges. She had a limited
vision for her future until three years ago, when she started working at the Djilpin Arts Ghunmarn Culture Centre,
a community-owned venture supported by Caritas Australia. Today Evangeline is flourishing, with new skills and
a passion for the preservation and promotion of her Aboriginal culture.
Please donate to Project Compassion 2016 and help First Australians in remote communities of
Australia gain new skills and renewed passion to preserve and celebrate traditional culture. You can
donate through School boxes, by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.
Many of the families in our community have visited the beautiful country Fiji and holidayed in this idyllic place. It is
well known for it’s hospitality and wonderful warm and friendly people.
On the 20th February, Cyclone Winston, a category 5 cyclone, hit the islands of Fiji. It inflicted extensive damage on
many islands and killed over 40 people. Communications were lost with many islands and some were isolated for
many days. The total damage is estimated at FJ$1 billion. An estimated 40% of the population, that is 350,000
people have been moderately to severely affected by the storm, including 120,000 children.
As at last Friday 4th March over 30,000 people
remain homeless. Classes were suspended in
all schools for over a week and two weeks in
the hardest hit areas due to severe damage to
schools. There have been increases in cases
of dengue fever and vegetable prices have
soared by 500% due to the loss of crops.
The Fijian people need our prayers and our
help.
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This week we are asking our students to bring in donations for Fiji. Monsignor Brian Rayner at St Catherine’s at
Gymea, regularly sends containers of donations to a school and a maternity hospital that the parish supports just
outside of Suva. We will collect donations all this week and take them to Gymea next week. Monsignor Rayner has
also asked that we continue our efforts with Project Compassion and Caritas that helps and supports the people of
Fiji.
Suggested donations:
Years 7
Year 8
Years 9
Year 10
Years 11 & 12
- soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes
- pens pencils and exercise books, children's readers.
- t shirts (children and adult)
- shorts and socks (children and adult)
- clean runners, clean footy boots, clean footy jerseys.
Any questions please see or email Mrs Monk.
World’s Greatest Shave
Once again out Year 12 students will be supporting the World’s
Greatest Shave which raises funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.
At the moment 18 Students including 3 girls have decided to “be
brave and shave” for a cure!
The group is now at 90% of their fundraising target of $7,500.
If you would like to sponsor a member of the team or the whole team please go to:
https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=95061&langPref=en-CA
The big shave will take place on Friday 11th March at lunchtime at the College in the JPII Hall. Students are invited to watch for
a gold coin donation.
Mrs Julie Monk
-
Social Justice Coordinator
There will be a meeting for students who are interested in joining the
Social Justice Committee next THURSDAY B Week at lunchtime in Room 55.
We will meet once a fortnight. All welcome years 7-12!
Vinnies’ Clothing Bin
As we move forward in this season of Lent, please give clothes into our very own Vinnies’ Clothing Bin. With over two million
people living below the poverty line in Australia, including over half a million children, your donation allows the St Vincent
de Paul Society to provide more than immediate help, it provides something much more valuable – the opportunity of a better
life.
Giving clothes is a great way of helping out the community. Donations of clothing can make a great difference to an
individual or a family. Good quality second hand clothing can now be donated in our very own Vinnies’ clothing bin. Our bin
is currently located in the main staff car park, near the entrance to the College office where you can deposit clothing items
during College hours.
Good clean, wearable clothing (of all sizes) and accessories, with no rips/stains or tears, either new or used, are the most
valuable donations we request. These items are always in demand, so please drop them into our Vinnie’s clothing bin to…
MAKE A DIFFERENCE! With every good wish,
Mr Tsambalas
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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SCIENCE NEWS
Students often struggle to see the relevance of Science to their daily lives and have the perception that
Science is difficult. The numbers of students studying Science in Years 11 & 12 are dropping across
Australia while in NSW the numbers are remaining steady but fewer students are choosing to study
Science at University. The numbers of suitably qualified Science and Maths teachers are also declining
and so attracting students to study Science is made more difficult if teachers are themselves not trained
and confident in the subject content.
The implications of this decline in interest in Science could be widespread when considered alongside
two reports written and published by the Office of the Australian Chief Scientist Ian Chubb prior to his
retirement from this position. The two complementary reports review the importance of recent advances
in science on the strength of the Australian economy. These reports estimate the extent to which our
economy, our health and our environment are based on global advances in specific fields of knowledge
over the past 20 to 30 years.
It is estimated that if advances in the physical, mathematical and biological sciences over the past 20 to
30 years had not occurred, and those advances had not been incorporated into a range of products and
services, our economy would be between 20% to 30% smaller than it is today. It is also estimated that if
advances in the biological sciences over the past 30 years had not occurred, and the new medical
products and practices underpinned by those advances had not been created, the burden of disease in
Australia would be 18% to 34% higher than it is today. The health of all Australians would be
significantly worse that it is in 2016.
The cumulative effect of these changes is undoubtedly substantial. Science is now, and will continue to
be, important to the economy and therefore important to all Australians. Now, more than ever, we need
to encourage students to study Science in one of its many forms, from environmental and sports science,
to the applied sciences of nutrition and health, or the more traditional fields of engineering, medicine and
veterinary, or possibly research or teaching. The possibilities are endless and the career opportunities are
destined to grow in this area as the STEM skills, Science Technology Engineering and Maths, are
already in demand and this will continue to grow if numbers of Science students continue to fall.
The summary of these 2 reports, available from:
http://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/2016/01/reports-economic-contribution-of-advances-in-science/
is reprinted below.
Mrs Maree Woods
Science Coordinator
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‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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CSDA PUBLIC SPEAKING ZONE FINAL
Last Friday evening 4th March the College hosted the Zone Final of the CSDA Public Speaking competition with students from
thirteen other Catholic schools attending. This was one of four Zone Finals that took place that night.
Six students represented the College in the Zone Finals for their year group:
Year 7: Brock Wilson
Year 8: Kiara Moro and Joel Johnson
Year 9: Benjamin Capovilla and Lily Sheldon
Year 10: Michael Monk
The competition took place in the MacKillop Learning Centre, where over 50 students presented their speeches. The skill and
talent of every speaker was exceptional and made for an extremely challenging competition, with each speaker presenting
intelligent, entertaining and thoughtful insights on their chosen topics.
The Aquinas students performed outstandingly, with four students making it to the Final Round at St Gregory’s College,
Campbelltown next Friday 11th March, which is a tremendous achievement and certainly no easy feat. Congratulations and best
wishes to Brock Wilson, Joel Johnson, Benjamin Capovilla and Michael Monk who will compete in the Final next week.
The Year 12 students are to be congratulated for their remarkable help in preparation for the Zone Final, with 30 students
giving up their Friday evening to help with setting up, time-keeping, chair-persons, greetings and catering. Their friendly and
mature assistance was noted by the visitors to the College.
A huge thank you to Mrs Capovilla for her endless help organising for the Zone Final, to Mrs Reidy for catering and to
Mrs Fensom for adjudicating, along with the staff, students and families who came along to support the Public Speakers.
Miss Cooper
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THE BIG DAY IN AT UTS
Last Wednesday 15 students from Years 9-11: Benjamin Capovilla, Ben Ferraro, Matthew Fulton (Year 9) Alexander
Firtko, Kristijan Gurcinovski, Jonathan Low, Codey Midolla, Ryan Mulligan, Matthew Ross, Warren Wilson (Year 10)
Lachlan Bowmer, Blake Diamond, Daniel Ferraro, Brielle Gatenby and Joshua Vangi (Year 11) attended the BIG DAY
IN at the University of Technology.
The day focussed on the area of Information Technology and the
endless job opportunities that this industry can provide. Students
listened to a range of speakers for various industries including:








Jim Mussared, a site reliability engineer from Google
Anna Hynek, a management consultant from Ernst and Young
Lawrence Crumpton, an academic developer evangelist from
Microsoft Australia
Aaron Bland, a second year UTS eSports professional gamer
Kristy English, a Senior Change Manager for Westpac
Represenatives from IBM
Richard White, the founder of Wisetech Global
Luke Emrose, a technical director at Animal Logic
They also had the opportunity to wander around market stalls set up by various I.T companies and not only ask
questions but sample and test their products. Throughout the day students were encouraged to ask questions and each
time they did so they received a raffle ticket in a prize draw at the end of the day. Congratulations to Matthew Fulton (9
White) who was the major prize winner, taking home a limited edition PlayStation 4.
I would like to commend all of the students on their exemplary
behaviour. I hope that you enjoyed the day and took home some
valuable information that may assist you with your career choices
in the future.
Mrs Catherine Capovilla
Gifted Education teacher.
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Study and Homework in the Aquinas Library:
Information for new parents.
The Father Denis Foley Resource Centre is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for students to
work with supervision. All College students are welcome on any of these days, but there are groups that meet on
specific afternoons.
Tuesday 3.05 – 6.00
Year 12 Study
HSC students are invited to study together or individually with Year 12 Teachers to
assist if needed.
Wednesday 3.05 – 4.05 Study Buddies
Selected Year 7 students work on organizational and study skills with a ‘Buddy’
assigned from the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. If you think your Year 7 son or
daughter would benefit from this programme we have only a few mentors left. More
details are available from Mrs Lennon in the Library.
Thursday 3.05 – 4.30
Study Club
Thursday is a general homework afternoon, but for 3 weeks leading up to exams,
teachers are available to assist with study.
The Resource Centre is open Monday and Friday until about 3.45 for general assistance
with borrowing, printing, homework etc.
The library staff are welcoming and friendly and can be of great assistance to new
students settling into our school: encourage your sons and daughters to pay us a visit.
Jackie Lennon
Librarian
PEER SUPPORT WEEK 6:
RESILIENCE
This week Year 7 students will continue to develop their understanding of resilience,
and appreciate that being resilient is having the ability to bounce back when things
don’t work out the way we planned. They will be encouraged to consider their response
to situations they find uncomfortable and to contrast positive and negative ways of
reacting. Students will be made aware that while we can’t always control what happens
to us, we can control our attitude and response to these situations. Students will be
challenged to consider a range of problems they may face, and to develop strategies
they could use to respond in a positive and resilient way.
Miss Wilson and Mr McGrath – Peer Support
Facilitators
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MULTICULTURAL FOOD FEST
IN CELEBRATION OF
25 YEARS OF
HOLY FAMILY, MENAI
WHEN : FRIDAY, 13 MAY 2016
CALLING ALL PARISHIONERS!!!
Come and be part of the rich diversity in our parish community and celebrate our ethnic
origins through food!
If you would like to put together a food stall or alternatively, would like to be part of the
organising committee, please write your name and contact number/email on the clipboard
in the church foyer, and you will be contacted by either Carmelann or Collin.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Carmelann Netto jcnetto2001@yahoo.com.au
Collin Rozario
candcrozario@gmail.com
YOUR PARISH NEEDS YOU!
MATHS DEPARTMENT RECALL CORNER
Each week Maths Recall is included in the newsletter to encourage junior students to regularly focus on non
calculator skills. Please show your answers to your maths teacher during your next lesson, as it shows interest and
excitement about mathematical skills.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Write all factors of 8 and 12
Find the HCF of 8 and 12
Find the first 5 multiples of 8 and 12
Find the LCM of 8 and 12
Write the product of the prime factors of 96
Mrs Catherine Fensom
Assistant Mathematics Coordinator
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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7 English Incursion: The Fairest of Them All
As part of their current study of Fantasy, Myths and Legends, Year 7 were very excited to view the
Australian Playhouse performers in “The Fairest of Them All”. With a hilarious blend of traditional fairy
tales and modern social media, the three performers carried out the difficult role of entertaining over 200
students first thing on a Monday morning. They explored the dangers of social media hype, addiction to
‘selfies’, internet ‘trolls’ and ‘Trojans’ through the eyes of Snow White and her social-media-driven Prince.
#morals #entertainingEnglish #modern-fairy-tales #hashtagoverload
The incursion we had on Monday morning was hilarious. The trio from Australian Playhouse had some really
funny jokes and little bits of comedy thrown into a modern version of Snow White. Watching the actors walk
behind the set-up dressed as a troll and come out as a dwarf was very intriguing. They were very funny, so
funny most of the people around me, including myself, were close to tears of laughter. The creativity of the
costumes and their personalities was amazing, I remember at one point, one of the actors came out in a Miley
Cyrus mask and was holding a bouncing ball and started to sing Wrecking Ball. Overall this funny
performance made my day.
Keegan Darby (7 Red)
This interactive play was amusing and presented a modern take on fairy tales such as Snow White, Billy
Goats Gruff, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Aladdin. The stories were modified to integrate modern
activities including social media, such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, not present in the previous
settings of the tales.
The show started with a ‘twisted auction’ selling items such as the magic genie lamp from Aladdin and the
magic mirror from Snow White. The Year 7 students immediately took part bidding for these items by
sticking out their tongues, pulling on their earlobes and raising their eyebrows.
The complication presented by this modernised mix of tales was when the Internet Troll sent a Trojan Horse
virus to hack into Snow White's social media accounts. To overcome this, Snow White asked the Seven
Dwarves to help track down who did this and to stop it.
When Snow White arrived at the dwarves house, only one dwarf was present. The strange thing about this
dwarf was that he kept changing himself to look like the others. After much thought, Snow White figured out
he was the only dwarf at home. The lone dwarf tried to deceive Snow While, saying the others were mining
and sleeping. Unfortunately, the dwarf stumbled over his false stories and released the truth: the six other
dwarves went to film The Hobbit.
The dwarf agreed to help Snow White find the perpetrator behind the hacking and immediately accused the
Internet Troll. This led them to the Troll's bridge and when they arrived, the troll stepped out to send new
posts under Snow White's name. The dwarf and Snow White snuck up on him, stole his computer and hacked
into the Internet Troll's social media accounts. They then announced the offensive posts attacking Snow
White were the Troll’s doing. The troll apologised for everything he did, and since Snow White didn't have a
social media poster, the he became her new one. That was the closing part of the play, and we were then
given the opportunity to ask questions.
This was a brilliant performance that had all the Year 7 students engaged.
Zane Assen (7 Red)
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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Southern Sydney Rugby League
Last Monday a strong contingent of Aquinas College Rugby League players converged on Brownes Farm
Reserve to represent the SSCCC ‘East’ squad. The battle against the ‘West’ division was to gain selection
in the SSCCC representative team for 2016. In sweltering conditions the boys did their division and School
proud in dominant performances over the ‘West’. Aquinas players were the most heavily represented in the
Southern Sydney squads. Congratulations to the following players in gaining selection;
15 years
Jacob Karam
Hamish Baldacchino
Connor O’Farrell
Jimmy Arfanis
Liam Barton
Joshua Stepic
Jared Domazetovski
Jye Studdon
Lachlan Maric
Reece Burns
Travis Adelerhof
Blayke Brailey
James Roumanos
Opens
Dylan Xerri
Kieran Wyld
These players will now compete at the Sydney Independent Catholic Colleges selection trial later in March.
We wish all the players the best of luck in gaining selection in that prestigious side.
Mr McGee
As part of a student initiative through the
Environment Action Team (EAT) late last
year, EAT set about to do away with the
old water bubblers here at Aquinas. The
reason was to "Do Something" about the
overuse and dependence of plastic bottles
and begin a greening campaign to “Refill,
not landfill”).
It is with great pleasure after much
fundraising that the College's newest
building asset is open for business. Late
last Friday, a Water Refill Station was
installed in our school grounds. In the
photo attached, the EAT leaders Abriana
Vasilj and James Black, along with Senior
Geography teacher, Mr Azzi put the
station through its paces, and “Refill, do
something and not landfill.”
Thank you to all who helped fund raise,
especially last years two Year 9 Commerce
classes for them donating their profits from
the Commerce classes “Market Day.”
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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eLe@rning at Aquinas
Every student should be using the full capabilities of their devices using:

SEQTA Learn (access via the College website)

Jacaranda Textbook (www.jacplus.com.au)

Education Perfect (www.educationperfect.com)
The College has provided all students with a student login and password for the above mentioned websites. Any
student who has challenges with their device must see the ICT support staff in the library as soon as possible (recess
and lunchtime so no classtime is missed).
Students are asked to consult with the ICT staff before a new version of software is installed so all necessary security
certificates match our network.
SEQTA Engage
Parents who had not provisioned their accounts were sent an email last week. A further email will be sent to those
parents who did not get the opportunity to accept the emailed offer to set up the account. All College Academic
Reports are issued online, and access to attendance and Pastoral Care notes are also available online via SEQTA
Engage.
A great opportunity to monitor homework and classwork exists with this access. All parents can see Merit, Demerits
and communication details. Please use the options drop down menu and select Pastoral Care Details.
Office365
All students with a valid student email (@sydstu.catholic.edu.au) are able to download a copy of Office365 for their
device. Please follow the instructions provided at:
https://products.office.com/en-us/student/office-in-education
A big thank you to all the Year 7 Parents/carers who came to hear a little more on the eLearning aims of the College
before the Year 7 Parent Social Evening. Your support of the College rules and expectations in regard to devices is
appreciated.
Could all parents please ensure a fully charged device is brought to the College everyday.
Anthony Hulme
eLe@rning Coordinator
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19
Our College community currently consists of almost 1100 students and 100 staff. The
College has a potential alumni base of over 2500 ex students. The College is also part of
the wider Catholic Church community, which encompasses many more members. This
gives a sizeable base to do business with those with whom we already have a
connection or relationship.
Calling all local business owners
From the parent, local and corporate community in the Menai and surrounding area,
YOUR INVITATION to the LAUNCH of the Aquinas Business Community Directory (ABCD).
Join the event and:

Meet and connect with business owners in the local area

Discover local product/service providers and opportunities to connect and network

Hear from expert speakers and alumni graduates on relevant business topics
Monday, 21 March 2016 (6.00pm – 7.00pm)
@ Aquinas Catholic College, Anzac Road, Menai
RSVP & Enquiries
Peter Tsambalas
peter.tsambalas@syd.catholic.edu.au
or via College Office: 9543 0188
or via College Website: aquinasmenai@catholic.edu.au
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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SPORT - NSWCCC
The Registration process for trials for CCC teams have changed. To nominate for consideration the following
process needs to be followed.
NOTE: These teams are not Aquinas Catholic College teams but NSWCCC teams. Students are nominating to trial
at STATE level and as such should be a strong representative player of that sport.
NSWCCC Entry into individual Sports and Team Sports
TEAM SPORT ENTRIES
Southern Sydney Combined Catholic Colleges is the pathway for our students to progress to the NSWCCC
Championships and NSWCCC selection.
SSCCC run trials for the following teams:
Baseball
Cross Country
U/15 and Open Rugby League
U/15 and Open Touch
Swimming
Athletics
Soccer
If students wish to trial for the SSCCC teams there is a school trial first, before they progress. When students are
successful in making the school team they will be asked to register on the NSWCCC website to progress to the
SSCCC selection.
INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES
NSWCCC selection trials are run for the following sports which are either individual sports or sports which do not
have a selection championship.
AFL
Hockey
Triathlon
Cricket
Netball
Volleyball
Diving
Softball
Waterpolo
Golf
Tennis
Rugby Union
INDIVIDUAL ONLY
These Sport trials are for those students who perform at an elite level rather than just having a go. Therefore
students are only progressed to the trials if they demonstrate the necessary skills in that sport for the NSWCCC
standard. Sport experience is offered during Friday afternoon sport, weekday afternoon and weekend sport. As you
can imagine with over 150 Catholic High schools, if every school sent a bunch of kids to have a go, the trial would
soon blow out to a gala day and the NSWCCC selection trial would not serve it purpose of progressing the correct
students to NSW All Schools and National level.
REGISTRATION PROCESS ON WEBSITE
If you are interested in finding out more information on NSWCCC trials and events please look at the website, or
email mark.barnes@syd.catholic.edu.au.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Go to www.csss.nsw.edu.au website
On top right hand side of page, click LOGIN. If you don’t have a login or you have forgotten your login, go to
the HELP button (located on the top right hand side written in Blue)
Once you are logged in, go to the NSWCCC Home Page.
Click on (Individual Sport you wish to trial for)
Click on Register
Please complete the registration process.
Click on “Register for this Sport” at the bottom of the page.
An email will be sent to your Sport Coordinator for approval and consent.
You will also be required to pay online for individual sports which must be done before the event. Please
allow 7-10 days for administration to process. (this is not done automatically)
You can login to your account at any time to view sport coordinator approval
*Whilst students trailing for Rep teams are not technically absent, we ask that on their return
to the College, students bring a note verifying their attendance at the trial
Mark Barnes
Sports Coordinator
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PRE ORDER FORM FOR AQUINAS HOODIES
We are currently taking orders for the new Aquinas Hoodies and ask that you complete this
order form and return it to the office. Once payment has been processed the hoodies will
be delivered to the student via their pastoral class as soon as we are able.
Please indicate the quantity you require eg 1.2. etc within the relevant box.
Medium
X Large
Adult Sizes
Large
XX Large
XXX
Large
Pre order payments can be made with cheque made out to Aquinas Catholic College or by completing the credit card details below (No cash
please).
Visa Card
Small
Pastoral Class/es: _______________________
Children Sizes
Size 12
Master Card
Amount
Signature:
/
Size 14
Student/s Name: _______________________________________
Price
$75
Expiry Date:
Size 10
Total Cost of Order: _____________________
$
Parent Name: _________________________________________
Items
Sports Hoodies
Quantity
If Paying by Credit Card please complete the following:
NOTE: EXPIRY DATE MUST BE INCLUDED
Card Number
PLEASE
Card Holder Name:
22
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
UNIFORM SHOP
THURSDAY 10 March
8:00am—9:00am
Please note the Uniform Shop only sells
Sports Uniforms and School bags
The Uniform Shop does not accept Eftpos or
Credit cards
MATHS CHALLENGE ANSWERS
1. (1, 2, 4, 8) and (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12)
2.
3.
4.
CANTEEN NEWS
No meat or chicken products available on
Ash Wednesday (10 February) or
Fridays during LENT
Hash Browns
$1.00
Mini Spring Rolls pkt 3
with sweet & sour sauce
$2.00
Cheese & Tomato pizza slabs
will be available
$3.00
Cheese & Spinach Triangles
$3.50
Small Ricotta & Spinach Rolls
$2.50
Greek Salad & Garden Salad
$3.50
Falafel Wrap
(lettuce, tomato and hommus)
$4.50
Salad Sandwiches / rolls
Tuna / Salmon / Egg / Cheese also available
5.
Maths Department
Cheese & Bacon rolls will be replaced
by Cheese rolls on Fridays during Lent
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Each Friday during Lent in the Church
7:00pm (English) 7:30pm (Italian)
Come and spend some time with Jesus
CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 1
TIME: MONDAY-THURSDAY 10:00-1:35, FRIDAY 9:30-12:45
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
7/3
8/3
9/3
10/3
11/3
BERNADETTE COLEMAN, KEVIN HUFF, MARINA KOUZMENKO
ROBYN GRAHAM, REBECCA MAZZORE
SARAH RAYMOND, CATHY PRATT, CAROLINE RAMSAY
MARGARET MOUSSA, SALLY DONOVAN, MARIA TINNING
MARIA SKARENTZOS, LISA ALLEN, MARIE BERROA
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
14/3
15/3
16/3
17/3
18/3
MONICA SPOONER, TONY SHELDON, ROSEMARY MORRISSEY
LINDA KIRGAN, SIMONE CARLINO
BELINDA SELBY, VERONIQUE ROCA
JO FINN, ANN-MARIE WALKER, SIEN SMITH
LEANNE BROWNE, ARISTEA MARAKAS, LITSA XIROS
‘Enlivened by the Spirit’
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