Monte Matters 10 October 2014 - Term 4, Week 1 For more information visit www.monte.nsw.edu.au Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College 128 Miller Street North Sydney , NSW 2060 Facsimile Absentee Office Business Office (02) 9956 5925 (02) 9409 6210 (02) 9409 6223 Registrar Development Office College Shop (02) 9409 6245 (02) 9409 6240 (02) 9409 6256 Cover photo: 20th Anniversary of the Mercy International Association celebrated at the Mercy International Centre, Baggot Street, Dublin. FROM THE PRINCIPAL Nicole Christensen Postcard from Dublin Monte Sant’Angelo North Sydney highlighted as a shining light of Mercy in action by the Australian Ambassador in Ireland. Dear Parents and Friends of Monte, Last week, Jacqui Magurren, (Deputy Principal), Joanne Ng (College Archivist), Sr Anna Koeneman RSM, Sue Mowbray and Mary Rajca and I had the privilege of representing the Sisters of Mercy North Sydney at the 20th Anniversary of the Mercy International Association celebration at the Mercy International Centre, Baggot Street, Dublin. Whilst we were very excited to be at Baggot Street Dublin, the home of our founder Catherine McAuley, nothing had prepared us for the experience that was to come. Honoured guests at the celebration included Thomas E. Griffith, representing the American Embassy, His Excellency Dominick Chilcott, The British Ambassador and the Australian Ambassador, Dr Ruth Adler. All speakers were impressive and engaging. However, it was the address given by the Australian Ambassador, Dr Ruth Adler that will live forever in our memories. The Ambassador spoke of her personal connection with the Mercy Sisters in Australia and in particular with Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College. The Ambassador shared her story that her mother had been a teacher at our College and that it was the Monte Mercy values that her Mother had embraced and passed on to her own family to shape and guide their lives. We met the Ambassador at the conclusion of her address, she was not aware that we were in the audience. It was a proud and memorable moment for the team from Monte Sant’ Angelo North Sydney. It was with great anticipation that we then awaited the arrival and address to us by the President of Ireland Michael Higgins. His words were challenging, encouraging and inspiring and he invited us to “re-invent and reimagine, to open new chapters, embrace change and advance innovation...”. Not surprisingly, he received a standing ovation. It struck me that here we were thousands of miles from home, yet we felt so closely connected to so many international participants. Thanks to the vision of Catherine McAuley and her sharing of stories she has fostered a global Mercy network. We are connected through our call to prayerful and compassionate service of the fragile and vulnerable. It is now our privilege and responsibility to reignite the sharing of these Mercy values. This week we gathered and celebrated with Ex-Students from the graduating classes of 1937 to 1964 at the annual Monte Masalou Luncheon. Strong, vibrant Mercy women who continue to enhance our lives through their ongoing support, friendships and significant contributions back to the Monte community. May God bless all our families this term and in particular our students preparing for their final exams. I look forward to seeing you at the Opening and Blessing of the O’Regan Arts and Cultural Common Sunday 19 October at 12.30pm. Nicole Christensen Principal DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SCHOOL education! It requires true inquiry based learning and builds on the thinking skills developed so effectively during the IB Middle Years Programme. TOK focuses on developing active life-long learners who have the tools to Robyn Priestley think, to inquire and to take risks. One of the unique features of the IB Diploma Programme The students explore ways of knowing through various is the inclusion of a curious core subject: Theory of disciplines, including their Diploma subjects. A priority Knowledge, affectionately known as TOK. This mandatory is to train the students to analyse personal examples and component seems to be shrouded in a certain mystique. demonstrate personal engagement with the acquisition of It’s perhaps appropriate to lift the cloak and provide a knowledge. small glimpse into the wonders of TOK. The products of TOK classes are students who have The IB Guide describes TOK as “a course about critical developed sophisticated ways of thinking about their thinking and inquiring into the process of knowing, rather world, with a preparedness to wonder and consider than about learning a specific body of knowledge”. TOK and analyse different perspectives. The girls learn examines how we know what we claim to know. This is to challenge assumptions about their world and to achieved by encouraging students to analyse knowledge consider perspectives beyond the confines of their own claims and explore knowledge questions. The IB experiences: beyond Monte, beyond Sydney’s North Shore students put it much more succinctly, telling TOK teachers and beyond Australia. Ultimately, they can engage with a that “you’re messing with our heads”. genuine understanding of the phrase from the IB Mission Statement that “others with their differences can also be While my fellow TOK teachers may describe their intent right”. somewhat more eloquently, in many ways “messing with heads” is exactly what we aim to do. We endeavour to There have been a number of affirming research projects take the girls out of their comfort zones, to consider the completed both locally and internationally which have various ways they acquire knowledge. The students are reinforced the value of TOK as a preparation for tertiary challenged to critically consider how they know what they study. Monte students and staff were involved in research know. Those ways of knowing include reason, sensory undertaken by the University of Western Sydney in 2013. perception, emotion, language, memory, intuition, faith The results showed that “DP graduates are more confident and even imagination. Given the limited shelf-life of any in their ability to use critical thinking skills than their piece of knowledge in 2014, it is crucial for students to non-IB peers, and that DP students envision their future recognise that knowledge is a human construct and that it educational success more positively”. is opportunities for acquisition of knowledge, rather than knowledge itself that will define their futures. Theory of Knowledge goes beyond delivery of knowledge; rather it gives students the tools to construct their own At times in Theory of Knowledge classes, the girls are knowledge now and in the future. Each girl emerges as challenged by the task of developing counter-claims an adult with a rich and powerful insight into herself as against positions and beliefs they already hold dear. a learner. For students, being asked to articulate and defend a perspective that may be foreign and even anathema to Robyn Priestley their own political, cultural or moral stance can be both Director of Senior School & IB Diploma Co-ordinator challenging and confrontational. But it is certainly true VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT Kate Watson At the close of a busy Term 3, Year 12 Visual Arts IB Diploma Of course students will still be encouraged to be involved students held an exhibition of their Studio Works in Mercy in opportunities to exhibit beyond the College. Recently Hall on 12 September, representing a culmination of their a number of Year 9 and 11 Visual Arts students exhibited art making achievement over the previous 20 months. their artworks as part of the Northbridge Art Prize with a commendation being awarded to Catherine McCartney A feature of the Visual Arts Diploma programme is the (Year 9) for her linoprint and a Highly Commended to emphasis on students engaging with artmaking practice Samantha Curtis (Year 11) for her whimsical sculpture in the way that an artist does, by developing a significant ‘Fragments of Identity’. body of artworks and investigations into art sustained over time, in the way practicing artists do in preparing to exhibit. For the Year 12 IB students, their exhibition marks the end of the course as they do not have a further written exam like the HSC students. While we hope in the future the new galleries will provide opportunities for past students, such as practicing artists to reconnect with the College and to provide role models for current Monte students, this weekend you might like to If you missed their exhibition last term, a selection of Year take the last opportunity to see the sculptural installation 12 IB artworks will be part of the inaugural exhibition work by up and coming artist, Kate Scardifleld (Year 12, for the formal opening of the O’Regan Arts and Cultural 2002) at the Mosman Art Gallery http://mosmanartgallery. Common next week. All students ultimately will benefit org.au/exhibitions/kate-scardifield-locating-the-pulse. from the opportunity to exhibit their creative works in the dedicated gallery spaces and to reach broader audiences We are confident that the wonderful new spaces of the for longer periods of time. The galleries are cleverly O’Regan Arts and Cultural Common will now foster a new positioned to be vital part of the ‘life’ of the building generation of Monte artists. where they effectively link the ‘old and the new’ in vibrant purpose built spaces. These spaces really do offer an Kate Watson exciting new opportunity for students across disciplines Head of Visual Arts to create and share the results of their creativity with both their peers and the wider community, but also to be audiences for this creative output on a daily basis. GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP TOUR: CHIANG MAI Laura Bernasconi Head of Year 8 In the first week of the September The tour group kept us up-to-date on of school holidays, 38 Year 8 and 9 their travels through their Blog: realise just how much fun this was students embarked on the Monte Global Citizenship Tour to Chiang Mai, Thailand. The aim was Thailand, everyone began to gong to be. We shared experiences, http://montegct2014.weebly.com/ to developed a cultural understanding and formed friendships in Thailand enhance each student’s intercultural Laura Bernasconi that we will always remember and awareness, and following in the foot Head of Year 8 hold with us during our everyday steps of those who travelled in 2013, life back in Sydney. We had our eyes empower the girls to return to Monte opened to what day-to-day life entails as ambassadors of global citizenship. Student Reflection: for Thai people and discovered some During the first week of the Term 3 of their fascinating culture, tradition The tour provided students with the school holidays we embarked on a and opportunity to become internationally 9-hour flight to Bangkok and then opportunities to practice our language minded people through customs. There were many activities onto Chiang Mai, Thailand for the skills through communicating with such as community service at a Hill much anticipated Global Citizenship the locals, which then played a really Tribe community school and local Tour. During the week on tour, we important part when it came to orphanage, culture classes including stayed at the PREM International bartering for bargains at the markets. traditional dress, cooking and fruit School (Traidhos). From there, we We also discovered new ways to carving and of course adding to the participated in a range of unique overcome the language barrier when local economy at the local markets activities that took us from shopping we were visiting the students at the where students demonstrated their at the night markets to visiting a local Hill Tribe Primary School. language and bartering skills. orphanage. This trip was a once in a lifetime To prepare for the tour the group met During Term 3, we met weekly as experience and everyone had an every Friday morning during Term a group to prepare for the tour absolutely fantastic time. Not only did 3 to conduct various learning and and all had very high expectations we discover a great part of Asia, we organisational activities consisting of but it wasn’t until we arrived that discovered many new things about team building, reflection, language we realised what lay ahead for us. ourselves as well as skills we will use and speaking skills and cultural and Once we were in the country and in the future as Global Citizens. historical awareness. experiencing the sights and smells Maeve Gallagher Year 8 CENTRAL DESERT TRIP By Nell Ringrose, Emma Huskins and Lili Sparke Year 11 In the recent holidays, 12 students got to sit alone in silence, with our These included, playing with the kids from Years 10 and 11, had the paints and journals and watch the in the pool for hours on end, having privilege to go on the Central Desert late afternoon sunset transform the a trip. Over the week of 28 September colour of the rock, to a fiery red. An included eating Kangaroo tail, building to 5 October, we, along with Mr important lesson that we learnt and closer relationships with community Leaver, Ms Hendricks, Ms Ramsey were able to apply to this moment was members, having billy can races, and Mr Newling experienced “two the importance of silence. Mumma watching spear throwing, performing way learning” with the Anangu people T who accompanied us on the trip our Whale Dreaming Dance, singing of the community of Mutitjulu, right taught us, “there is a lot more beauty the College Song and the Grandfather next to Uluru. The experience was in silence than boredom”. Song. We also got to create Walka emotionally, spiritually and physically rewarding and challenging. picnic with community, which boards with Billy and Lulu Cooley, Although our trip was rewarding two Elders who posses extraordinary in the connections we made with talents in art. From the very beginning we were community and country as well as welcomed by the community in a the friendships and experiences we We would like to thank the Mutitjulu way that was unconventional to our had, it was the more confronting community, the teachers who came lives here in Sydney, not by wave or a and serious aspects of the trip that with us, especially Mr Leaver, Lulu hello but instead a trust and attitude motivate us now, as well as changing and Billy, Mumma T, Aunty Julie, as soon as they recognised our Monte the way we think. So many questions Tracey and Clive, and everyone who uniforms when we got off the bus. we had, went unanswered, because was involved in making this trip a Throughout the week the confidence the solutions were not yet discovered. once in a lifetime oppurtunity. of both the community and Monte So many tragic and complex issues girls grew and the relationship and that affected the Mutitjulu community Nell Ringrose, Emma Huskins and Lili connection between us all became and Indigenous Australians of which Sparke more and more natural and genuine. we do not fully understand the scale. Year 11 These injustices resonated with us and We to can be discussed further at Biamunga experience the country and all it had to were fortunate enough Mob meetings, as they need to be offer first-hand. Uluru is phenomenal. understood. We walked around the base learning about stories and traditional ways Throughout the week, we got to of the Anangu people. Perhaps when participate in so many activities that Uluru looked its finest was when we lit up a smile on everyone’s faces. THE MAMRE CENTRE Stephen O’Rourke Teacher, RE Department STAFF REFLECTION: As a long term outside the classroom with fellow while their children are in care, allows member of staff at Monte I have Mercy students. these women time alone to assist the seem many examples of how the process of rebuilding their lives from Sisters have sought to be women of The Mercy Sisters have leased the 86 Mercy addressing the ever changing acre property, the centre of which is challenges of our within. This is mercy in action! contemporary the historic Mamre Homestead. This That day I saw another example world. A recent example I’d like to is a grand colonial styled building. of share with you. The farm originally belonged to the the Sisters of Mercy, empowering second Church of England Chaplain individual Rev Samuel Marsden. headlines, on some old farmland in I was invited by Sr Carmel to take 17 students from Years 7 and 8 to inspiration lives and mission without the from big western Sydney. participate in the Mercy 5 Middle At Mamre, refugees are given the School Day at Mamre House in Orchard chance to learn English, cultivate Our sharing on the return trip with the Hills. The day was co-ordinated by Kate vegetables, which were part of their students was evidence that the mercy Anderson (Ford, Class of 1992). The customary their story had touched them also that day, ‘Mercy 5’ are the five Mercy schools in children cared for during the day particularly in playing with children Sydney - Chatswood, Cronulla, North while they engage in the opportunities in the day care centre. Sydney, Parramatta and Westmead. available at Mamre. I learnt how vital We shared a bus with the Chatswood this project is in the healing process You may like to take a drive and visit students for the 50-minute journey for people who have been through the Centre. Information is available on during which students had a chance traumatic experiences in their journey website: www.mamre.com.au to meet and chat. I was accompanied to Australia. diet, and have by a Monte parent and Mercy College Teacher, Genine D’Arcy. Stephen O’Rourke One of the women we could see working in the vegetable garden in Arriving into the Mamre property I the distance by herself had only that was truly excited to be stepping into morning been told five of her extended a unique Mercy project in the winter family had died that week from fresh air outside the city, and for our the Ebola virus. Working the earth, girls to be witnessing mercy in action growing and nurturing vegetables, Teacher, Religion Department SPORTS REPORT By Stuart Hanrahan Australian Catholic Social Justice Council Last term Sports Captain Ella Boudakin reported on our visit to the launch of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council’s Social Justice Statement Launch entitled – A Crown for Australia: Striving for the best in our sporting nation. Over the next few weeks I would like to share with you some of the thoughts of the Chairman of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council – Bishop Saunders, as well as the steps developed by the Council as actions that we can personally undertake to strive for our best in this sporting nation. Bishop Saunders asks us to reflect upon how we can help build the Kingdom of God through our sporting experience – whether it be by participating in the activity itself or by cheering from the sidelines. He suggests that one important way is to honour sport’s genius for inclusion and recognition. He urges us to think about the great gift that indigenous sportspeople (both men and women) have given Australia and how the inclusion and recognition of groups of outsiders gives purpose and empowerment. Step 1 – Personal Action – Get Active: Each individual and family has a role to encourage participation in sport for personal development, where the discipline of training is rewarded with the satisfaction of performance, where competition is balanced with comradeship, and where observance of the rules encompasses also a spirit of generosity. Sports lovers or not, we can all make an effort to make the best use of the bodies God has given us by exercising regularly: walk jog, swim, ride a bike ... Step 2 – Teach Someone a Skill: It might be as simple as teaching a son or daughter, niece or nephew or a neighbour how to throw or catch a ball, ride a bike, swim or catch a frisbee. Step 3 – Watch a Game in your Local Area: Local communities are called to harness the love of sport and the contribution of players, volunteers and spectators for the good of all and with a welcoming spirit that reaches out to people who are excluded and in need. Athletics A number of Monte students qualified to represent CGSSA and Monte at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Athletics Championships at the end of term 3. Our girls performed admirably with some notable results: Olivia Beck (Year 11) – 2nd 17 Years 1500m Jacinta Fisher (Year 11) – 1st 17 Years 100m Hurdles, 1st 17 Years Triple Jump and 3rd 17 Years Javelin Tully White – 2nd 15 Years 100m and 3rd 15 Years 200m Rosie Bokeyar – 1st 16 Years Javelin Sara Dougan of Year 7 had an outstanding day breaking the record in winning the 13 years 100m. She also ran 2nd in 13 Years 200m and finished 2nd in the 13 Years Long Jump. Sara then joined the Junior 4 x 100m relay team which included Olivia Vitlich (Year 8), Chloe Malek (Year 8) and Emily Cleghorn (Year 7). Even though this is a Representative Carnival, the relay team that is selected to represent the association is the school team. Monte was selected after having won the event at the CGSSSA Carnival a few weeks prior. Congratulations to all four students and to Kate Barry (Year 7 - who ran in the CGSSSA event but was unfortunately injured on the day of the NSWCCC Carnival) in winning this prestigious event. A number of students have registered to compete at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships this weekend so we wish them the best of luck. Summer Sports Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball, Basketball and Water Polo all start this Saturday while Softball started towards the end of Term 3. As you can see it is a busy time for the Sports Department and for sport in general. Please ensure that your daughter attends all of her training sessions in line with the school policy and that she is on time to games. This means arriving 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Our coaches have a responsibility to ensure that your daughter is ready to play and this starts with your daughter being organised and on time. “It doesn’t really matter who you used to be, what matters is who you’ve become.” -- Robert Tew Stuart Hanrahan Sports Program Manager PARENTS & FRIENDS Community News Welcome back to Term 4. I hope you have polished the MONTE P&F GOLF DAY golf clubs, dusted off the fascinator and picked out your party clothes! The President’s Cup Friday October 31st Dates for the diary this term are: Sunday 19 October Opening of the O’Regan Arts and Cultural Common Friday 31 October Monte Golf Day Tuesday 4 November Melbourne Cup Lunch Tuesday 11 November P&F General Meeting Saturday 15 November Christmas Cocktails with Catherine Opening of the O’Regan Arts and Cultural Common on Sunday 19 October To help make this a community event, the P&F urgently need volunteers to provide and serve refreshments at the opening of the O’Regan Arts and Cultural Common. It’s easy - just go to the trybooking site below and it’s all set out: timeslots for helping on the day and the types How hard can it be? Join Monte Parents and Friends in a fun Ambrose competition at Moore Park Golf Club to win the prized President’s Cup! Arrive at 7.30am for a 8am shot gun start. Stay for lunch and for awards and prizes. $60 per player Carts $40 pay on the day http://www.trybooking.com/95523 of sandwiches, slices and cakes we need. We can even provide recipes if you need one! Numbers need to be finalised by 12 Oct so if you can assist on the day please register now through: http://www.trybooking.com/102326. Lauren Heath P&F President [email protected] Melbourne Cup MONTE SANT ANGELO LUNCH 2014 Tuesday, 4th of November 12 Noon ~ 4 pm North Sydney Harbourview Hotel 17 Blue Street, North Sydney. CANTEEN ROSTER There is no Canteen roster for the rest of the year. $95.00 per head Champagne on arrival, a Three Course Meal, Lucky Door Prizes, Sweeps and a Stunning view over Lavender Bay to the Harbour Bridge. ( Drinks purchased at bar prices ) Tables of 8 ( Book a table with friends or we will happily place you on a table ) RSVP Tuesday, 27th of October Contact Jenny Avvenevole 0418 459 808 [email protected] Purchase your ticket at www.trybooking.com/105410 SHARING SOME THOUGHTS By Sister Lecia RSM No. 24 Angels and Saints I really do not know why I chose this topic. Just as I thought I clearly knew the difference between an Angel and a Saint, I was confronted by anomalies: some Angels are given the title of Saint; and we often call someone who has shown us an unobtrusive kindness of great help an “Angel”. Have you ever seen an Angel? Probably not, as Angels are basically spiritual creatures invisible to earthlings. However, they are obviously capable of assuming some visible form, as Scriptural characters have claimed to have seen them, as have people of later times. Our artists have portrayed Angels as winged human-like creatures, probably to depict their role as swift messengers of God to humans. Monte Sant’ Angelo claims St Michael the Archangel as its principal Patron. If you feel so inclined, you could Google this Italian title to discover the connection, but just remember that although this search engine can answer innumerable questions, it cannot solve all the mysteries. But would you want it any other way? Life, devoid of mystery, might soon lose its meaning and appeal to us. The Three Archangels have been given very special functions and powers. St Michael’s task is to defend us against the forces of darkness and evil. St Raphael cures our wounds and sicknesses. St Gabriel is the great messenger of God, chosen to announce the astonishing news of redemption. We actually celebrated the Feast of these Archangels on 29 September. Another Feast Day of great significance to our College was celebrated on 2 October. This was The Feast of the Guardian Angels. I would draw your attention to the Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5,10. In it Jesus says to us “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives such a child in my name receives me. See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in Heaven their Angels always behold the face of my Father who is in Heaven.” Can we deepen our faith in the Angels, honour them and be grateful to them for their protection and help? And can we also become “Angels” in the lives of our fellow human beings? I will leave the Saints for next week. Until then, very best wishes to you all from Sr Lecia RSM COMMUNITY NOTICES HARBOURSIDE LOCAL AREA COMMAND CAREER NOTICES Love for Lucas IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2014 Help raise funds to support Lucas Browne and his fight against brain cancer Hosted By: Luke Jacobz and Katie Hansen December Wednesday 10 December 2014: Macquarie University School Leavers Information Fundraising Dinner 7:00pm Evening http://mq.edu.au/future_students/undergraduate Saturday 1st November 2014 Norths Leagues Club 12 Abbott St, Cammeray $100pp (Cocktail attire) 3 Course dinner Beverages Wednesday 17 December 2014: University of Melbourne Course Information Day http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/explore/events Ray Hadley DONATE NOW NSW Police Legacy Love for Lucas Appeal BSB: 815 000 Acc: 279 622 BUY TICKETS ONLINE For more details Contact North Sydney Detectives Ph: 9956 3174 https://love4lucas.gofundraise.com.au