“Take time to enjoy the everyday miracles in our lives.” Monte Matters 7 November 2014 - Term 4, Week 5 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 www.monte.nsw.edu.au FROM THE PRINCIPAL Nicole Christensen Take time to enjoy the everyday miracles in our lives. Dear Parents and Friends of Monte, Every day at Monte our girls come together in Chapel for a dedicated time of reflection and prayer. Every week our Miracles happen everyday, right here in our own lives. teachers and staff come together every Thursday morning They are always there, like gifts waiting to be opened. before school for contemplation and prayer. If our minds are preoccupied or we’re too busy or rushed, If we can turn off our mobile phones for a few minutes, we may not notice the miracles around us. The pace of and turn off the television and computer at home, we give life can become overwhelming at this time of the year; ourselves the chance to go beyond the physicality realm with end of year exams, family and work commitments of our selves. Through daily prayer and reflection we can and Christmas events. We need to learn and practice give ourselves the time to slow down and reconnect with how to live each day connected to the peace of present our inner spirit. moment awareness. Otherwise we miss out on seeing and experiencing God’s gifts and the miracles around us. From this spirit centered realm we are able to tap into the Spirit of God and a realm where we are able to pay Miracles are commonly described as an act of God or attention and appreciate the presence of miracles in a Devine intervention that only a few of us will ever our lives. Through prayer and gratitude our lives can be experience. I believe that miracles happen every day in transformed. our own lives. Miracles only seem extraordinary because we are not paying attention to their presence in our Let’s spend a few moments each day to pause, slow down everyday lives. our pace and remember to take a few deep breaths. Take a walk, enjoy a sunrise or enjoy a cup of tea or meal with The word miracle comes from the Latin word “miraculum” a friend. Be a parent who makes time for your children meaning to behold with rapt attention. When we pay and listen. Spend time talking with them about things attention we begin to notice the everyday miracles in our other than their schoolwork. Let’s pause and reconnect lives. with each other, listening with our whole body, hearts and mind. In a discussion on miracles, The Sisters of Mercy Worldwide said, “As Roman Catholics we shouldn’t have any difficulty Let’s spend a few moments each day open to the presence in believing in miracles. In fact, we have all experienced of miracles. graced moments in our own lives and in the lives of others, which have come as gifts. To believe in miracles one must be “If the love of God really reigns in your heart it will quickly able to accept gifts, freely bestowed. Neither should we find show itself in the exterior.” Catherine McAuley. it difficult to accept that gifts have come our way because someone who cares for us prayed to God on our behalf. It is a graced world in which we live and so miracles are entirely Nicole Christensen possible and do happen.” Principal The Year 10 exams run this whole week, Year 9 commence next Wednesday and Year 12 IBDP exams run until 21 November. We wish those girls all the best with their DEPUTY PRINCIPAL revision and we hope that they are able to revise well ADMINISTRATION teaching staff, the support staff and the Sports Office staff and construct their thoughts during the exams in order to achieve their best. I would also like to thank all the staff who enable your daughters to take part in so many of these activities. The all take time to facilitate these opportunities that the girls are able to take up. Sometimes at the expense of time spent with their families and their own free time. While we all Joe Galletta know that is part of life in a school, it is still important to recognise the contribution of those groups. Finally, as the year draws to a close, there are some “big It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of 2014 ticket” events still to run: the Sports Dinner, Awards but for Monte the pace never lets up. To write the Monte Ceremonies, Year 10 Pastoral Program, Languages Days Matters report at this time of year gives me a chance to and Reflection Days all dot the landscape between now congratulate all the students and staff who have taken part and the end of the year. We hope that each student takes in all of the many activities that we have run throughout part in these wholeheartedly to get the most out of all the year. From sports, to debating, to Community Service the experiences available at Monte, and we hope that the to Fundraising, our community has excelled itself yet students understand and appreciate the work put in by again. the staff and their own parents who allow them to share in all of those wonderful experiences. There are a lot of events still to go, to round off the year, particularly for our Year 10, Year 9 and Year 12IB Joe Galletta students who are now in the midst of their final exams. Deputy Principal Administration At Monte, the teachers of Mathematics have been working actively to help students make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others and model with Mathematics. MATHS DEPARTMENT Maths in Action Year 11 This week, the Year 11 General Mathematics students attended an ‘incursion’ to concentrate on the Focus Study - Energy and Sustainability. On the same day in the Sydney Morning Herald was an article “Window closing to stop climate change.” Most apt we thought! Margaret Walker Acting Head of Department Mr Alex Minchin, an Engineer of Sustainable Design, brought the day’s learning into perspective with a presentation about his job and how students can be Making Maths Meaningful at Monte. conscious about saving energy in building and the environment. Hi Team I came upon this man and his measuring tool in Catherine McAuley Place this morning. What is he measuring? Is it a good reading? How does it work? An open-ended question for measurement. He mentions Australian Standards, it doesn’t comply and hence maintenance will now act. Answers provided but I want active learning first! Jo Cooper The girls using an energy calculator to work out how much energy they use in their home. Year 7 Groups of students in Mrs Pinnuck’s Year 7 Mathematics class investigated “How many people would fit in Nura Kammeraigal?”, while studying length and area this term. So wrote Ms Joanne Cooper, Acting Director Middle School, to the Maths staff one morning this term. The question raised a number of other questions that the groups had to answer and define, before being able The first aim of MYP mathematics is ‘to encourage and to proceed. They defined the boundaries of the space, the enable students to: enjoy mathematics, develop curiosity size of a ‘person’ and how the average person would be and begin to appreciate its elegance and power.’ (MYP positioned as they occupied the space, in their quest to find Mathematics Guide, 2014) a solution. Each group presented their plans, calculations and findings in a PowerPoint presentation. In the Australian Curriculum, this same aim is written ‘for students to develop an increasingly sophisticated One group discovered that 8000 newborn babies standing understanding of mathematical concepts and fluency upright might fit in Nura Kammeraigal. While fitting with mathematical processes.’ (Mathematics K-10, NSW the notion of the maximum people, the practicality of Syllabus for the Australian curriculum, 2012) standing newborns upright and packing them into the space proved to delight the cohort of students who worked The use of approriate units and knowing where the on that project. Other groups found that approximately decimal points should be positioned was sometimes 900 people could stand or approximately 450 people could challenging and drew on their deep knowledge of working sit in the space but noted the it would be rather cramped with decimals. The investigation gave context to their and would indeed impinge on the personal space of those learning and made their thinking visible. But it was in the people. sharing of their presentations that the appropriateness and meaning of their results were considered and debated for their relevance. The activity allowed students to solve a problem, make Year 7 Enrichment choices, worked On Monday, 27 October the Year 7 Enrichment Mathematics collaboratively, stating their reasons, and communicated class attended the Talented Mathematicians Workshop their working in their presentations in a logical and fluid run by Inquisitive Minds, in partnership with MANSW, manner. in Killara. Having focused on developing logic, reasoning formulate and interpretate. They and problem solving skills in class all year, it was a great opportunity for the girls to put these skills into practice. Working in teams with students from other Sydney schools, many in higher year groups, the girls were confident and impressive in their ability to solve a diverse range of problems presented in a fast-paced environment. The energy and enthusiasm from all students on the day was overwhelming! Special mention must go to Bella Lynn and her partner from Masada College, who were awarded the 1st place Certificate of Achievement in the final problem solving competition of the day. Margaret Walker Acting Head of Mathematics MERCY IN ACTION TIMOR LESTE FUNDRAISER Thursday 13 November 6.00pm-8.30pm “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 Can you assist us by supporting our fundraising event for the children and adolescents of Maliana in Timor Leste? In July 2014, 18 students and four Monte Staff went to Timor Leste to begin building a relationship between the community in Maliana and Monte and Cultural Common, commencing funds we raise the better the outcomes Sant’ Angelo. at 6.00pm with food and drinks, an for the young people in Maliana. exhibition plus a concert commencing They went to the Collegio where at 7.00pm and finishing at 8.30pm. two Sisters house, feed and educate this work. over 400 students who come in from Tickets cost $30.00 with a family ticket outlying poor villages. of four or more $100. The Sisters have less than a dollar a Book via Trybooking: day to feed the children and improving http://www.trybooking.com/109640 the student’s nutrition levels is paramount if their learning capacity is If you are unable to attend the evening to be increased. we would still love your financial support. You can donate to this Timor The Food for Thought Program which we are officially launching Leste fundraiser just follow the links Sr Carmel and the Timor Leste WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN TIMOR LESTE on the Monte website. on Thursday 13 November 6.00pm8.30pm aims to do just that - provide Perhaps you could encourage your more funds so the Sisters can better workplace companions to participate feed the children. as well and take up a collection as a Christmas effort from your company. There will be a wonderful cultural evening in the new O’Regan Arts Our sincere thanks for assisting us in The need its ongoing and the more Book your ticket today. http://www.trybooking. com/109640 STUDENT SHOWCASE POETRY By Cleo Borean Year 8 Love is ... A warm flame A burning candle Looking at a sunset Precious Very tender Warm A ray of sunshine A breath of fresh air A cool breeze A new world Orange and white A bud ready to bloom A new colour A new feeling Different Unique MERCY IN ACTION SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE We work with the communities we serve to identify needs and to ensure our responses enhance community wellbeing. Service opportunity for Year 11 Senior Buddy Peer Support Program Year 11 students keen to develop their links with younger students are trialing a new form of peer support. Volunteers from Year 11 have offered to help Year 7 students with their tasks, homework and studies across a range of subjects. At a recent Year 7 Form Meeting, Stephanie Orr and Kenzie Taylor of Year 11 outlined the plan for flexible peer tutoring: A student wanting some help from a senior buddy sends an email to the administrator. The information is put into a Google drive document that also contains the names and subject specialties of the senior buddies. Stephanie, Kenzie and Lily Bruce then match up the Year 7 student with a suitable senior buddy and introduce them to each other. Peer Support Plan As Year 7 students have many assignments/tasks at the moment, a new plan is being tried this term. This plan aims to offer help to students who would like the assistance of a senior buddy as they work on their tasks. What would a buddy do? Buddies will • Help students understand the question and task instructions • Suggest where they might find information • Demonstrate how to make notes • Suggest how students might arrange their responses • Proof-‐read and help edit responses The Year 7 student would be linked up with a suitable Year 11 student. The student and buddy would meet at lunchtime or at Pitstop after school in the Library at a time that suits both girls If students would like a senior buddy email: Miss O’Haiher on [email protected] The buddy pair then exchange emails and arrange meetings at lunch or afterschool in the library at times to suit them and when needed. A number of pairs have already been set up, just in time for the many assignments and tests that Year 7 are managing. The pairings will be reviewd each week to make any adjustments required. It is planned to extend the program to Year 8 in 2015 and to offer information sessions to the Year 11 buddies who would like to review junior tasks/units as they help the juniors. Opposite is the flyer published in Year 7 homerooms to introduce the program. Louise O’Haiher Year 11 Assistant Head of Year Any questions? ask Miss O’Haiher PARENTS & FRIENDS By Lauren Heath , President MSAMC P&F Association Monte Golf Day Many thanks to Rob Parkman (Year 9 parent) and Joe The P&F Annual Golf Day last Friday had its biggest turn out Kabalan (Year 11 parent) for outstanding advice and since the event began. With a sunny day and magnificent assistance on the day which was much appreciated. Also course, there were no excuses for bad play. Certainly the many thanks to the P&F Executive for their support. winners proved that my tag line, “How hard can it be?” to be officially false, as they cruised to a comfortable win. Finally, thanks to all those who hit, chopped, hacked and putted on the day. Such a good way for Monte parents and Congratulations to the winners of the President’s Cup for friends to connect. 2014: Julie Anne and Ron Anderson, Greg Keoghan and Craig Smith who demonstrated that good luck, team work Matthew Hamra and a husband and wife combination can be awesome. P&F Golf Day Organiser PARENTS & FRIENDS By Lauren Heath , President MSAMC P&F Association Melbourne Cup Lunch Good fun, fashion and food characterised the Melbourne Cup Lunch at the Harbourview Hotel. And we didn’t forget the horse race! A big thank you to Jenny Avvenevole and her team of Year 9 parents who did such a fantastic job MONTE SANT’ ANGELO MERCY COLLEGE P & F GENERAL MEETING organising the event. For some of us, our emotional energy is just about spent. TUESDAY 11th NOVEMBER, 2014 At 7:15pm for 7:30pm start We are just holding it all together as we ride out the end McQUOIN CENTRE Christmas Party of year exams, deadlines and schedules. Well, I have a proposition for you: on 15 November 2014, the Monte P&F Christmas Cocktails with Catherine is not to be missed. For AGENDA 1. Open meeting – Lauren Heath, Chair 2. Welcome Prayer $50 you can come and channel your inner “Hot Chocolate” 3. Guest Speaker: Ms Jacqueline Magurren, Deputy Principal Pastoral Care and parade your dance steps to ‘Barnsie’ and ‘Farnsie’ 4. Apologies and Minutes from previous meeting covers. 5. Business Arising Tickets are still available but HURRY, as bookings will close Principal – Nicole Christensen on 12 November. http://www.trybooking.com/107842 President – Lauren Heath Treasurer – Andrew Rutherford 6. Reports: P&F General Meeting The P&F General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 November, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start in the McQuoin Foyer. Ms Jacqueline Magurren, Deputy Principal Pastoral Care, will speak about the latest Wellbeing Survey. See Meeting Agenda following. Lauren Heath P&F President [email protected] Social Convener/Class Parent Liaison – Nicki Upfold 7. General Business Questions from attendees Correspondence 8. Raffle Draw 9. Close Meeting and join us for nibbles and drinks. SHARING SOME THOUGHTS By Sister Lecia RSM “Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matt 18:3 Today I will consider St Therese’s “Little Way of Love”, as a help to developing our own spirituality. Therese likens it to the love that exists between a mother and child. Just as the child is supported at all times by its mother, so too are we wrapped in God’s Love every moment. Without it, our hearts are restless. This Little Way of Spiritual Childhood is marked by Love, Humility, Confidence and Abandonment. Love is something we learn from first being loved, and something we can then perfect by practice. It includes a childlike and absolute love for God our Father, as well as concern and care for our neighbor. What can we give God except love? What does God want from us except love? We can put aside all other attributes of God, like his omniscience and omnipotence, and see only one thing: His love! Love shines out of the words of Jesus: “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him, and make our home with him.”(Jn 14:23) This is the source of the power we have to give God a love worthy of Him. The Blessed Sacrament was the centre and inspiration of Therese’s “Little Way”. In it she found all the secrets of the Father’s love. Though our Saviour has ascended to Heaven, He remains accessible to us here in this valley of tears as a small white host, to nourish the soul of his little child with his own substance and to dwell in it. In complete simplicity of outlook, Therese saw the whole of the Catholic Church, with its Hierarchy and Sacraments, existing solely to plant the seed of divine love in each soul and lift it up to God. What is Humility? It is dependence on God. Just as a little child relies on its mother, so does the little soul depend on the Father for everything, especially its life of union with Him through the dwelling of the Holy Trinity. If we rely entirely on grace, we will be led through perils to great sanctity. It is the littleness of the little soul that makes it realise its dependence on the Father. Such humility, which is the essential foundation of the Little Way, is the most powerful thing in the world, for it is the key that unlocks the soul to grace by removing self-love and pride. The Sacrament of Reconciliation takes its place quite simply in “The Little Way” as the Father’s plan for emptying the soul of self-love and enabling the little one to take firm hold of God’s hand again. Confidence, Trust and Abandonment to the merciful love of the Father spring from Humility. All the Heavenly Father needs is a look, a cry, a prayer, and He is there to do all in us and for us. How could we fear such a tender friend? Therese says God carries us in his arms, as we love Him with quality one day at a time. Best wishes, as you ponder this mini account of “The Little Way”, from Sr Lecia, RSM SPORTS REPORT By Stuart Hanrahan, Sports Program Manager Introducing the Tennis Captain .... Isabelle Lleonart Hi, my name is Isabelle Lleonart and I am the Tennis Captain for 2014/15. Since joining the Monte Tennis team in Year 7, I have been fortunate to represent the College in the IGSSSA, HDKTA and CGSSSA Representative Competitions. In 2012, Monte was re-entered into the annual Tildesley Shield Competition, which has provided us with great opportunities to build our team’s competitive nature and overall school spirit. As such, I have enjoyed representing Monte in these tournaments as they have allowed for great improvements in physical technique and competition mindset, and importantly, has created friendships across all years. Monte has come away with impressive results in all of these competitions, and with more new and strong players joining, I believe that our confidence, match play and Montevation will continue to develop and improve. Monte Tennis provides players with great skills and instills a sense of unity and sportsmanship, all while improving Gymnastics Six Monte students represented the College at the IGSSA Gymnastics Competition on Friday 24 October. Special health and fitness. Introducing the Softball Captain ... Isabelle Laker congratulations go to Maddie Wilson (Year 9) who won Hello everyone! I’m Isabelle Laker, the Level 6 Floor Apparatus, with Lucy Henderson (Year the Softball Captain for the 2014/15 10) finishing 4th in the same event. Laura Holmes (Year season. I have been an enthusiastic 11) finished 3rd in the Level 6 Bars. The girls combined member of our Softball community to earn enough points to finish second overall from all since I was a (not-so-tiny) Year 7 schools competing in the Level 6 Division. back in 2010, and played in Monte 4. I believe my passion for Softball Sport Awards Dinner has evolved from my general love of A copy of the invitation to the annual Sports Awards Dinner sport: I represented NSW in primary follows in this edition of Monte Matters. Guest speaker is Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, swimmer Emma McKeon. Award winners have now been emailed. Please RSVP by confirming your seats in Trybooking ASAP www. trybooking.com/DTFA. If you are an award winner and are not able to attend please ensure that you email Mrs Liz Morgan on [email protected]. The dinner takes place in the McQuoin Centre from 6.00pm on Wednesday 19 November. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” -- Confucius Stuart Hanrahan Sports Program Manager school girls Cricket, and also continue to play Soccer and Hockey. I have been fortunate enough to play for Monte 1 since Year 8, and since then have also represented the Manly Warringah Softball Association in the Junior NSW competition in Canberra. Monte’s Softball program has been invaluable, each season allowing me to improve my skills, stay fit and make friends from across the years. As well as being involved in the Manly Warringah Softball competition, each year Monte puts together two CGSSSA teams to compete against other girls’ schools. Playing Softball for Monte is an amazing opportunity that I greatly appreciate, and I look forward to seeing more girls getting involved. SPORTS REPORT By Stuart Hanrahan, Sports Program Manager Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College Invites students and parents to the annual Sports Awards Dinner 2014 With Special Guest Speaker Emma McKeon Australian Swimming Champion and Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Date: Wednesday 19th November 2014 Time: 6.00pm – 10.00pm Venue: McQuoin Centre Cost: $40 per person RSVP: Monday 10th November 2014 Tickets on sale through Trybooking: http://www.trybooking.com/DTFA • • • • • BYO Drinks (including alcohol for parents). Students are required to wear full summer uniform and blazer (not sports uniform). Parents are required to select their own seating. Instructions on how to do this will be provided in the booking process. Students will be seated together. Capacity is 500 please book early to secure your seat. If there is no booking then entry will not be permitted. MONTE NOTICES THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER 11.00AM PERFORMING ARTS Music Academy COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW COLLEGE PRINCIPAL Trip to Japan If your daughter who is currently in a Choir, Band or Orchestra, is interested in the Music Tour to Japan in June Dear Parents and Friends of the Monte Community, 2015, expressions of interest are due now. Following the success of the tour to the USA last year, we know this will Sr. Loreto Conroy RSM, Congregation Leader of the Sisters be a tremendous experience for all the students and the of Mercy North Sydney and Mr. Steven Rubic, Chairman Music staff. of the College Board, would like to announce the Commissioning of the New College Principal, Mrs. Nicole Studio Concerts Christensen. The first in a series of studio concerts by students of the Music Academy Tutors was held on Monday night. If your This is to take place at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College daughter takes lessons, please ask her about her concert. on Thursday 27 November 11.00am - 12.15pm in the These are absolutely delightful events, and showcase the McQuoin Centre followed by light refreshments from hard work the girls and their tutors have done over the 12.15pm - 1.30pm. year. The next series will be on Monday evening in various venues including the Chapel and the Theatre. An official invitation has been sent out to all parents. Lessons for 2015 Please RSVP now via trybooking: Pink forms for instrumental and vocal lessons for 2015 are www.trybooking.com/GIEW available, and should be completed and returned before the end of the term if possible. This is a whole College event. Mr Andrew Young END OF TERM EVENTS Head of Music Performance Please note changes to the following end of school events: Senior Schoool Awards Ceremony: The Senior School Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday 27 November at 1.30pm in the McQuoin Centre. This follows the Mass for the Commissioning of the new COLLEGE SHOP Year 10 Senior Suit A number of Year 9 students who have been fitted for College Principal. their senior suit have been unable to take home their Middle School Award Ceremony: material used for these suits which has caused a delay in The Middle School Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday 2 December from 11.00am - 12.45pm in the McQuoin Centre. There will be no Liturgy at St Mary’s on this day. uniforms. Unfortunately there has been a delay with the their manufacturing. The manufacturer has assured us that these items will be available from 17 November. If there is any change to this delivery date you will be advised. Students will be informed when the uniforms have arrived for pick up. Margaret Eade College Shop Manager [email protected] MONTE NOTICES CAREERS OFFICE IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2014 December Wednesday 10 December 2014: Macquarie University School Leavers Information Evening http://mq.edu.au/future_students/undergraduate Wednesday 17 December 2014: Monte P&F Christmas Cocktails with Catherine University of Melbourne Course Information Day http://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/explore/events January 2015 Tuesday 6 January 2015: University of Sydney, Information Day 2015, 9.30am – 4.00pm http://sydney.edu.au TRAFFIC WARNING Parking Rangers What do you get when you put two vocalists, a four-piece brass section, two guitarists, a bass guitarist and vocalist, a drummer, a percussionist, a keyboardist and PR/ booking agent together? You get “Crunching Numbers” The Parking Rangers are continuing their blitz on traffic and parking related offences in and around the College. Please ensure appropriate driving and parking habits when in the College vicinity, particularly with drop-offs and pick-ups. LOST PROPERTY It’s not lost - it’s in Lost Property There are many items in Lost Property that must be cleared before the end of year, so PLEASE ask your daughters to go to Reception and check Lost Property. A ‘covers’ Band that plays ‘Top 50’ hits from the 60s through to the 80s. And they are playing live at the Monte P&F Christmas Cocktails with Catherine. All items left in Lost Property will be disposed of at the end of the term. Join us for Year 11 Parents CHRISTMAS DRINKS Friday, 5th December 2014 At The Firehouse Hotel (Fireplace Lounge) 86 Walker Street, North Sydney From 5:30pm RSVP: Jill Polley ([email protected]) or 0417494078 Saturday 15 November 6.30pm - 11.00pm $50 per ticket Book your ticket now: http://www.trybooking.com/107842
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