St Stephen’s News Issue 18 - Term 4 Wednesday,19 November 2014 Principal: Mrs Ida Pinese Deputy Principal Curriculum: Ms Andrea Chiesa Assistant to the Principal Administration: Mr Lance Helms Assistant to the Principal Religious Education: Mr Michael Lindsay Lot 3, McIver Road PO Box 624, Mareeba QLD 4880 Lest We Forget We Will Remember Them Forum Telephone: 4086 2500 Fax: 4092 4333 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 7:45am - 3:45pm ABN 42 498 340 094 Inside this Issue • Leadership Team Pg 3 • Year 9 News Pg 6 • Information Technology Pg 7 • Year 11 News Pg 7 • Learning Support Pg 8 • Food Technology Page 9 • Social Science News Page 10 - 11 • Sport wrap up Page 12 Chelsie McHardie and Alexandria Struthers attended the “We Will Remember Them Forum” in Cairns in October. Several Year 11 Modern History students recently attended a centenary of World War I event in Cairns called the “We Will Remember Them Forum.” The forum’s purpose was to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the Anzac spirit. Current service personnel, along with exservice personnel, shared their views on the Anzac spirit as well as their experiences in war zones and peace-keeping operations. Student delegates were given the opportunity to voice their thoughts through a speech. Alexandria Struthers chose the topic “Does the Anzac spirit continue to live on in our youth?” In the senior category, Alexandria’s speech received the highest award and she was presented with a magnificent prize as a memento. (See Alex’s speech on page 10) Alexandria Struthers, Tim Fraser, Joshua Priestly and Mellory Aitken attended the Remembrance Day Service in Mareeba with Principal, Mrs Pinese. www.sscc.qld.edu.au NOTICES Starting Dates 2015 Tuesday, 27 January: Years 7, 8, and 12 Wednesday, 28 January: All Students return RSA – Responsible Service of Alcohol RSG – Responsible Service of Gambling Delivered at St Stephen’s Catholic College in partnership with TAFE North. Term 1, 2015 – dates to be confirmed. $75 per course To register your expression of interest see Mrs Goleby in the library. 2 FROM THE Principal Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of St Stephen’s, “Go, do not be afraid, and serve.” (Pope Francis) In keeping with the charism of St Stephen’s, our students are constantly being urged to serve others, both within the school community and beyond. In their last week of school, our Year 12 students are undertaking a day of service to the outside community in a variety of occupations and venues. They are to be commended for the enthusiastic manner in which they have embraced this initiative. On Monday 10 November, at our fortnightly gathering, we held a very solemn assembly to commemorate Remembrance Day. At this ceremony, one of our newly-elected student leaders for 2015, Alexandria Struthers, President of the Social Justice Committee, delivered a very moving speech about the way in which our youth honours the Anzac spirit. Earlier this term, she spoke just as eloquently at the “We Will Remember Them Forum”, and was rewarded with the best speech award for her presentation. Sincere congratulations are also extended to other leaders-inwaiting who attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at the RSL. In performing these acts of service, they are living the model of leadership embedded in the college’s culture. During the past few weeks, leadership positions for 2015 have been finalised. I would like to congratulate all the students who nominated and spoke so passionately about their aspirations—they are all winners because of their courage, empathy, confidence and self-belief. With the departure of our year 12 students, we have a high expectation that all our year 11 students will take on the mantle of leadership for the remainder of the school year and into next year. Our college leaders for 2015 are listed below. They will be inducted at the opening mass in February next year. College Captains College Vice-Captains Augustine Deacon McAuley Muluridji President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Committee members Joshua Priestly and Mellory Aitken Ayden Smith and Joy Musch Pastoral House Leaders: Michael Curcio and Jennifer Moss Jessyk Ernst and Tahlia Avolio Jack Kruss and Katherine Rossi Jake Pendlebury and Chelsie McHardie Student Representative Council: Tiarne Reedy Conor Boyd Adrianna Soncin Zachary McAulay Social Justice Committee: Alexandria Struthers Timothy Fraser Zoe Filippelli William Snell Anthony Carpenter, Benjamin McAulay, Emily Hallam 3 In order to plan our classes for next year, a letter was sent to parents requesting information about any students who do not plan to return to St Stephen’s in 2015. If you have not returned this document, please contact the college as soon as possible. While I respect parents’ decisions about their child’s choice of school, I encourage you to make an appointment to see me if fees are a challenge, since there are many ways in which these problems can be resolved. As we approach the end of the school year, I encourage parents to support the college in ensuring that students attend until the last day on 28 November when testing will still be in progress. Your role is an important one in assisting our teachers to provide the best possible outcomes for your children. Our best wishes and a parting message are extended to the year 12 students who will graduate on Friday 21 November at a special Mass held at St Thomas’ Church. “You are arriving, not leaving. You have arrived at a new place and no one else has ever walked this path in quite the same way and where unique challenges await. You have everything you need, but no guarantee of success. Unfortunately, failure will be assured, if no action is taken. So you will step forward with confidence and the knowledge that the Lord is ever near.” (Extract from Principal’s address to graduates in 2013) Trust in the Lord, Mrs Ida Pinese | Principal [email protected] FROM THE Deputy Principal Curriculum Year 11 block exams commence on Monday 24 November. As was the practice at the end of semester one, students will only be required to attend school for the relevant exam session. They may, however, choose to remain at school to study. It is important that parents are aware of their child’s movements when not completing a test and that students are not seen in town in their school uniform, once the exam session is over. At St Stephen’s we expect students to complete all assessment tasks before going on holidays. Any student who has outstanding assessment will be required to return to school on Monday 1 December to complete unfinished tasks. Academic reports should reflect a student’s performance under assessment conditions, so it becomes difficult to make valid judgments if evidence is missing due to non-completion of tests and assignments. The following dates signify important academic events in the final weeks of term four: • Monday 24 to Friday 28 ( inclusive): block exams for Year 11 and class tests for Years 8 to 10 • Friday 28 November at 3 pm: school concludes for 2014 • Wednesday 3 December: Year 6/7 transition program • Wednesday 10 December: Reports completed and ready for posting (stationery lists and Year 9 and 10 elective subjects for 2015 will be included in these reports) I thank you in advance for ensuring that your child attends until 3 pm on the last day of term with all assessment tasks completed for the 2014 school year. Andrea Chiesa | Deputy Principal (Curriculum) [email protected] 4 FROM THE Assistant to the Principal Religious Education Social Justice Committee to be formally inaugurated. Just the other day, I asked a few of our student leaders-elect for 2015 to think about all the public addresses that our principal had made this year and to summarise for me the main theme running throughout. They each replied with: “service to others” and/or “social justice.” Indeed, in the various patrons chosen by our college founders to inspire us (St Stephen, St Augustine and Catherine McAuley) and in the person of Jesus himself, we find examples of giving of one’s self in the service of others. It is with great joy that we introduce a further four student leadership positions in 2015, all directed to a leadership of service inspired by Jesus. Our inaugural appointees to these roles are: Alexandria Struthers, Timothy Fraser, Zoe Filippelli, William Snell. These office-bearers will be ably supported by three committee members also recognized for their leadership of service: Anthony Carpenter, Benjamin McAulay and Emily Hallam. Getting Ready for 2015 (part 2)… All students will be expected to arrive for their first day in 2015 with the correct uniform, including shoes, and grooming attended to appropriately, including earrings and hair styles. Teachers will be looking for this in the first week back. For both boys and girls, hair is to be neat and tidy at all times and of a natural colour. Boys’ hair must be above the collar and of a conservative cut; radical styles are to be avoided. Boys growing facial hair are required to be clean-shaven. Girls with hair longer than shoulder length are required to have it tied with ribbons in college colours. Girls may wear up to two small (< 5mm) studs or ordinary sleepers. Studs may be plain or sport one small stone. Earrings such as hoops and huggies are not acceptable to be worn with the college uniform. Further elaboration on uniform and grooming policies can be found on the college website. FROM THE Assistant to the Principal Administration As students are gearing up for the end of the school year, the members of the Administration Team are putting the finishing touches on the program for Term1, 2015. The first day of school for Years 7, 8 and 12 is Tuesday, 27 January. Students in Years 7 and 8 will have a special program for the day, collecting books and continuing to familiarise themselves with secondary school contexts, while all Year 12s will have practice QCS exams and collect their textbooks for the term. On Wednesday, 28 January, the whole school resumes with normal classes. All students are to wear their formal uniform and ensure that shoes are cleaned and polished as well. Students in Years 9 to 12 will have Activities on Thursdays next year. These students will be allowed to wear their sports uniform every Thursday. Students in year 7 and 8 will be allowed to wear their sports uniform on the day they have a double PE lesson. These students will receive their timetables on Tuesday, 27 January, take note of the day they have a double PE lesson, and be reminded of the uniform policy. As a gentle reminder for all, it is college policy that students come to and leave school in their formal uniform except on the days specified above. The college’s Opening Mass and Leadership Induction will be held on Monday, 9 February. All parents are welcome to attend, but we would appreciate knowing in advance if you are coming so that we can have adequate seating arranged prior to the Mass. We wish all students a successful end to this school year and wish them the best of luck on their exams, which end on Friday, 28 November for students in years 8 to 11. God bless. Lance Helms | Assistant Principal (Administration) [email protected] Appreciating your support, Michael Lindsay | APRE 5 FROM THE Business Manager Facilities: • Stage six buildings: The College has constructed six new learning areas in 2014. We have two new classrooms in M Block and four new classrooms in S Block. Thank you to all staff who assisted with setting up the new rooms. • Planned Campus Upgrades: Over the summer break we will be constructing: • Three Extra Cricket nets • Roof over existing handball court • Three x Half-Court Basketball Courts • One x New Handball Court • Aerate and top dress football fields Year 9 News Congratulations to all the Year 9 Award winners at the 2014 Awards Night held on Wednesday 29th October. A special mention must go to Marco Soncin who received the Year 9 Academic Medal and Neil Alterio who was named as the Male Junior Sportsperson of the Year. Student Award Aaron Bryce Subject Award for Japanese, ICT & Maths Adam Gampe Subject Award for HPE and an Academic Excellence Award Claire Schermer Subject Award for Food Technology Dayna Poggioli Subject Award for Visual Art and a Peninsula Representative for Athletics Ely Lynch-Simmons Peninsula Representative for Basketball John Tomerini Subject Award for History and an Academic Excellence Award Maddison Leonforte Subject Award for English and an Academic Excellence Award I hope the students continue to utilize the wonderful facilities at St Stephen’s to stay fit and healthy. Marco Soncin Subject Award for Religious Education and Business and an Academic Excellence Award Finance: It is very important for the College, operationally, to keep the fee collection rate high. Please ensure your fees are fully paid by the end of the year. Matthew Cheesman Subject Award for Science and an Academic Excellence Award Matthew Want Academic Excellence Award Neil Alterio Peninsula Representative for Cross Country Hadyn Flynn | Business Manager [email protected] Rommany Soley Peninsula Representative for Soccer Ruby Kohler Subject Award for Geography and Drama and an Academic Excellence Award Tom Donovan Peninsula Representative for Cross Country Victor Bernhardi Academic Excellence Award William Smith Subject Award for Industrial Technology and Design Kyle Bing-Chew Peninsula Representative for Cricket The end of the year is rapidly approaching and in these last few weeks students will have a number of tests and assignments due. The Year 9s will have an English test on the last day of the year and it is important that students continue to work hard until the end of the year. At our last whole school assembly we will be farewelling a number of students who will be leaving the college at the end of the year. While we are sad to see these students go, we wish them all the best at their new schools and want them to know that they will always be welcome back at St Stephen’s. Chris Ellison | Year 9 Coordinator 6 Information Technology In ICT we make extensive use of the Adobe Design Suite of software. Year 9 ICT students have been producing Flash animations for virtual postcards about a travel attraction, country or city. Here are some still images from their work. Year 11 News Well, what a year it has been for the year 11 cohort. They were excited and nervous to begin their senior year. New subjects, new teachers and new challenges were waiting for them as they entered the college for a new year. Year 10 ICT students have been learning the importance of design on paper before developing web pages. Good design enables easy modification and improvement of the final product. The highlight of the year was the 11 Retreat, a rewarding experience for both the students and the teachers. The retreat, held at Quinola Lakes, near Malanda, focused on the theme of leadership. As leaders-in-waiting, the cohort had an opportunity to examine themselves and further develop their leadership skills through various activities and sessions. Even though it was cold, wet and raining, that did not dampen the excitement of the students to take time out from their busy school lives to reflect on the task ahead of them. Students engaged by working together and the quiet reflection and journaling time gave them the chance to look within themselves. It was an emotionally rewarding experience, which allowed the cohort to further develop relationships and prepare for being future leaders of St Stephen’s. As the year draws to a close, it is fair to say that the Year 11 cohort is ready to take on the challenge of being the senior leaders of the college next year. They are ready to welcome the new Year 7s and 8s. They are ready to complete the QCS test, get all dressed for a formal and graduate equipped with the skills to conquer the big wide world. Finally, special thanks goes to our amazing Year Coordinator Mr Baker and our homeroom teachers for inspiring and guiding us throughout this year. Richard Baker | Year 11 Coordinator [email protected] 7 Learning Support Well we have come to the last weeks of the term and the Learning Support Department is willing and rearing to help students. The lunchtime help sessions are still available in recess two in the library. Congratulations to the Year 12s as they finished exams and assessments. We are very proud of the 3 year 12 students who were part of the Learning Support Department on their achievements and persistence during their education journey. Next year there will be a change of name from Learning Support to Student Diversity to reflect the importance of the diverse learning styles of many students. Please read the following and try to work out what type of learner you are! Everyone—learning disability or not—has their own unique learning style. Some people learn best by seeing or reading, others by listening, and still others by doing. You can help a child with a learning disability by identifying his or her primary learning style. Is your child a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a kinesthetic learner? Once you’ve figured out how he or she learns best, you can take steps to make sure that type of learning is reinforced in the classroom and during home study. The following lists will help you determine what type of learner your child is. Is your child a visual learner? If your child is a visual learner, he or she: • Learns best by seeing or reading • Does well when material is presented and tested visually, not verbally • Benefits from written notes, directions, diagrams, charts, maps, and pictures • May love to draw, read, and write; is probably a good speller Is your child an auditory learner? If your child is an auditory learner, he or she: • Learns best by listening • Does well in lecture-based learning environments and on oral reports and tests • Benefits from classroom discussions, spoken directions, study groups • May love music, languages, and being on stage 8 Is your child a kinesthetic learner? If your child is a kinesthetic learner, he or she: • Learns best by doing and moving • Does well when he or she can move, touch, explore, and create in order to learn • Benefits from hands-on activities, lab classes, props, skits, and field trips • May love sports, drama, dance, martial arts, and arts and crafts Tips for visual learners: • Use books, videos, computers, visual aids, and flashcards. • Make detailed, color-coded or highlighted notes. • Make outlines, diagrams, and lists. • Use drawings and illustrations (preferably in color). • Take detailed notes in class. Tips for auditory learners: • Read notes or study materials out loud. • Use word associations and verbal repetition to memorize. • Study with other students. Talk things through. • Listen to books on tape or other audio recordings. • Use a tape recorder to listen to lectures again later. Tips for kinesthetic learners: • Get hands on. Do experiments and take field trips. • Use activity-based study tools, like role-playing or model building. • Study in small groups and take frequent breaks. • Use memory games and flash cards. • Study with music on in the background. Gail Musch | Learning Support Coordinator [email protected] ROBOTICS Thank you to Michael Bryce for his time and support given to Robotics at St Stephen’s. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Pictured: L-R: Matthew Crane, Reagan Whiting, Dylan Longbottom, and Aaron Bryce. Year 8 Food Technology Year 11/12 Hospitality Year 12 student Kailee Drury shared her cake decorating expertise with the year 11/12 Hospitality class. Year 9 Food Technology 9 Science News Geography As the final weeks of school approach, science students are still hard at work - especially in the lab! I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our Year 12 students on achieving what are extremely pleasing exit results in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours. I have had a wonderful first year at St Stephen’s, and am looking forward to being a part of your students’ education in 2015 and beyond. The Year 11 Senior Geography class recently completed fieldwork within the context of our latest assignment. We were required to measure the health of Mareeba’s Basalt Creek (a first order stream) using a variety of methods. This opportunity allowed us to enjoy the practical aspects of our subject. Many tests were conducted, from floating a ball to measure flow speed, to chemical titrations to determine nutrient concentrations. The health of the waterway, further supported by the macro-invertebrate data gathered, showed a surprisingly positive result despite our initial hypothesis that the water may show evidence of contamination. Pepi Ison | Science Coordinator [email protected] Our class worked very well together to complete a day that was rigorous, but enjoyable. Thanks to Mr Miller for organising such an amazing opportunity, and to Mr Veschetti and Mrs Holden who accompanied us on the day. This trip highlighted the importance of ensuring the quality of the local catchments. I look forward to other opportunities for outdoor excursions to further increase my knowledge, not just of river systems, but of natural and built environments generally. Practical activities are a great way to cement the ideas discussed in the classroom hands on experience. Tim Fraser Senior Geography Student 10 Does the Anzac spirit continue to live on in our youth? By Alexandria Struthers On the 25th of April 1915, the spirit of this nation was born when the first Australian troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli. The diggers, as they were to become known, epitomised the Anzac spirit, those Australian values of mateship, tenacity, innovation and a sense of larrikinism. The Anzac spirit, which was born at Gallipoli, continues to live on. Young Australians demonstrate the Anzac spirit through active involvement in Anzac and Remembrance Day commemorations both within their schools and local communities. Australia was a very young nation when World War 1 broke out, having only been federated in 1901. Therefore, when the mother country Britain needed support against Germany, Australia and New Zealand were there. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps or ANZACs was formed – men who earned a reputation for bravery, courage and an independent spirit. They proved that their young countries could produce soldiers equal to any in the world at that time and so began the Anzac legend and spirit. According to official war historian C.E.W. Bean, the spirit of Anzac 'stood, and still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance that will never own defeat.' That spirit is very evident on Anzac Day. Lieutenant Martin Ferguson who was serving in Afghanistan at the time, was responsible for the distribution of those care packages and cards. It was fitting that Flight Lieutenant Ferguson who has strong links with the local area and our college was the guest speaker at this year’s Anzac ceremony. His description of experiences in Afghanistan has further inspired the Anzac spirit at St Stephen’s. In conclusion, the feats of the brave Anzacs on the battlefields of Gallipoli sparked the Anzac spirit which lives on in our youth. We will continue the legacy. The spirit of Anzac is invincible. Lest we forget. Year 8 History Year 8 History students have been learning about the Spanish Conquest of the Americas. Research about the Aztec Civilisation (including human sacrifice) has stimulated some interesting class discussions! - Mrs Schincariol. Young Australians play an important role in Anzac Day commemorations. At every parade held around the nation, a large contingent of those marching is made up of school students; many proudly wearing their relatives’ war medals. Whilst some of these young people might not fully understand the significance of the event, they still seem to understand their obligation to give thanks for the sacrifices these brave servicemen and women have made. Every year at our school, our Anzac ceremony provides an opportunity for the St Stephen’s College community to commemorate the Anzac tradition. The college itself is built on a section of the Mareeba airfield which was constructed during World War II for the defence of North Queensland against a Japanese attack. We are the custodians of a World War 2 bunker built at this time for the storage of parachutes. The bunker is a focal point for our Anzac garden and cenotaph. In 2012, a school project to boost the morale of Australian troops in Afghanistan resulted in a large number of care packages and Christmas cards being dispatched. Flight 11 Sports News Sports Awards 2014 The sports awards recognise outstanding achievement in sport at the college, celebrating representation at the Peninsula, State and National sporting levels in school sport. They also acknowledge age championships attained and participation in the various extra-curricular college sporting teams. The table below indicates the point allocations that were used to decide upon the sport award recipients. Sporting Achievement Member of a school team at a District championship or extracurricular competition School age champion Attended Peninsula Regional trial / championships District age champion Attended Queensland State championships Attended Australian National championships Points 1 2 2 Senior Male Sportsperson of the Year: George Smith George competed at Tableland District Level in a total of five sports in 2014, including Rugby League, Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country and Touch Football. He was successful in being selected to attend the Regional trials in Athletics, Rugby League and Touch Football. It was in Rugby League and Touch Football that George made it to the State championships. 2014 State and Peninsula Representative Students The following students were successful in being selected to attend a Peninsula Regional championship or Queensland State championship in 2014. NAME PEN/STATE SPORT Mark Wilcox State Hockey Kayla Montagner State Athletics Ely Lynch-Simmons Peninsula Basketball Daniel Vecchio-Ruggeri Peninsula Basketball Mark Wilcox Peninsula Cricket and Hockey Kyle Bing Chew Peninsula Cricket Brandon Green Peninsula Cricket Shernya Wessels Peninsula Cross Country Tom Donovan Peninsula Cross Country Neil Alterio Peninsula Cross Country Kate Wilcox Peninsula Cross Country and Hockey Rommany Soley Peninsula Soccer Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year: Nadia Falvo Nadia was recognised for her achievements in a variety of sports including Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics. She represented St Stephen’s in all three sports at a District level and went on to compete at the Regional championships for Athletics. Nadia took out the trifecta as school age champion for Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country. She also attended the District trials for Netball. Celie Henderson Peninsula Soccer Hayden Lee Peninsula Golf Mitchell Naylor Peninsula Hockey Isaac Tahir Peninsula Hockey Misalaima Seve Peninsula Netball Harama Seve Peninsula Netball George Smith Peninsula Rugby League and Touch Football Jerusha Bishop Peninsula Tennis Zoe Feher Peninsula Swimming Senior Female Sportsperson of the Year: Kate Wilcox Kate attended three Regional championships this year in Hockey, Cross Country and Athletics. She represented St Stephen’s at the District Swimming Carnival. It was in Hockey that Kate excelled, with selection on the Peninsula team to compete at the State championships. Kate topped of her achievements by being crowned School age champion in Cross Country and Athletics. At a District level she was also age champion for Cross Country. Kayla Montagner Peninsula Athletics Dayna Poggioli Peninsula Athletics Dean McCormack Peninsula Athletics Emma Gargan Peninsula Athletics Jennifer Moss Peninsula Athletics Mitchell Naylor Peninsula Athletics Kate Tomerini Peninsula Athletics 3 3 4 Junior Male Sportsperson of the Year: Neil Alterio Neil represented St Stephen’s in Cross Country and Athletics at a District and Regional level. He went on to compete at the State championships for Cross Country. Adding to his representative level achievements, Neil was also crowned school age champion and district age champion for Cross Country. 12 Steve Groves | Sports Coordinator [email protected]
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