1. family and parenting
2. children

“May the love you have in your heart be shown outwardly in your deeds”
St Clare
Term 1 Number 3 6th March 2015
From the Principal
Novena to St Clare
Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,
Dear St Clare,
Project Compassion 2015 & Caritas Australia
Did you know that as many as eight million children die
every year from malnutrition and preventable diseases such as
diarrhoea, measles and malaria. This equates to 22,000 children
dying each day. Almost all of these children live in developing
countries!
I strongly urge and encourage each girl to become the voice and
the hands of these children in our world who have so very little,
who live without water, electricity and schooling and who often
even have very little food. They also live with disease and have
a low life expectancy. Lent is a time for us to make an extra
effort to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Make Lent
a time to start putting into action some of the things that Jesus
taught us about helping and loving our neighbours.
I would like to propose a challenge to every family to try to give
a minimum of $10 to Caritas as part of the Project Compassion
Appeal for 2015. This means each girl would contribute less
than $2 per week during Lent. We ask parents to encourage their
daughters to do this as Caritas is the main Catholic charity to
which we contribute and almsgiving is a part of our Catholic
tradition. If students would like to donate more, we would also
encourage and welcome this.
As a young girl
Open Day
I would like to remind you that our College Open Day is on
Tuesday 10 March from 2.30pm to 6.00pm. Although this day
is targeted to new enrolments for 2016, you are also invited to
come along and have a look. Spread the word and encourage
your relatives, friends and neighbours to come along.
Principal’s Advisory Council
The meeting for this group is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 March
2015 at 6pm. If you are interested, please contact Colleen Daly
on [email protected] to let us know you if will be
attending.
Welcome Cocktail Evening
Please remember that our Parents’ Association is organising a
Welcome Cocktail Evening on Saturday, 21 March from 6.30pm
Continued on Page 2
you imitated your mother’s love
for the poor of your native Assisi.
Inspired by the preaching of St Francis,
who sang enthusiastically of
His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty,
you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age,
allowing St Francis to cut off your beautiful hair
and invest you with the Franciscan habit.
All through your life you offered your great suffering
for your Sisters, the Poor Clares,
and the conversion of souls.
You greatly aided St Francis with his new order,
carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans
after his death.
Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus
in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
which fuelled your vocation to love and care for the poor.
Please pray for me (mention your request)
that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did.
Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament,
to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.
Heavenly Father,
thank You for the
gift of St. Clare.
Through her
intercession,
please hear and
answer my prayer,
in the name of Jesus
Your Son.
Amen
Continued from Page 1
- 9pm at the College. The purpose of this evening is to celebrate
the beginning of the new school year with new and existing
parents. This function is designed for the parents to meet each
other, which means it is for parents/carers only. It promises to be
a very special evening. Please read the attached invitation and
let us know if are coming for catering purposes.
Promoting Good Mental Health & Well Being In Children
Parenting Ideas is a website by Michael Grose. The web address
is http://www.parentingideas.com.au and I encourage parents
to visit this site as a resource to assist in the many challenges
that are faced by being a parent. Michael Grose suggests ten
ways that good mental health in children can be supported by
their parents. He talks about promoting good mental health and
wellbeing in children in terms of encouraging them to have
opportunities that strengthen their ‘resilience’. These skills
develop the ability to ‘bounce back’ after something has upset or
unsettled them. We all know that everyday life brings a myriad
of challenges that can either affirm us or challenge us. So being
healthy and well in the mind involves handling those situations
without letting them get the best of us or overwhelming us.
I am going to list Michael Grose’s ten tips for promoting good
mental health and wellbeing in children as food for thought.
I found these not only relevant for children but also for us as
adults who are essentially models for our children.
They are as follows:
1. Model good mental health habits by minimising your own
stress levels.
2. Make sure your children get enough sleep. Children need
between 10-12 hours sleep per night to ensure proper
growth and development. Teenagers can get away with 9
hours sleep.
3. Encourage exercise – a healthy body leads to a healthy
mind.
4. Give them creative outlets – opportunities for pursuing
hobbies and interests will assist them to be immersed in
activities and forget about time and place.
5. Provide a space of their own – this can be difficult when
bedrooms might be shared, so creating a time out space can
be organised instead and is important.
6. Talk about their troubles – if your daughter has a problem,
let her know that her concerns are important to you.
7. Help them to relax – encourage relaxing activities, teach
them how to meditate or to be still. This is a challenge even
for us as adults as we live such busy lives.
8. Have two routines – a week day routine and weekend
routine. Weekdays are usually busy with sporting
commitments. Weekends should be a little more relaxing.
9. Foster volunteering and helpfulness – encourage your
children to be connected to others by joining groups and
socialising.
10. Bring fun and playfulness into their lives. Allow time and
space for children to be spontaneous and to do something
different.
Michael Grose concludes by suggesting that it would be helpful
to see these ideas first as building blocks of mental health. He
makes the point to not ignore or trivialise them. He strongly
encourages us talk to our children and to tie these activities to
their mental health. Finally, Michael says to do this our own
way and in our own time.
I found this extremely helpful and interesting and I hope that
as fellow parents that this is helpful for you and your families.
On a final note…
I have included a couple of inserts from our Executive Director
of Catholic Schools, Dr Dan White for you to read at your
leisure. As we approach the NSW State Elections, these will
inform you about school funding and how Catholic schools
need the support of State Governments to help meet the demand
of new schools in the years ahead.
Finally, I thank you for your continued cooperation and support.
Blessings on you and your families.
Antoinette McGahan
Principal
From Dr Dan White
Dear Parents/Carers
Demand for places in our Catholic schools has never been
greater, and it is not hard to see why.
Our schools continue to provide outstanding opportunities for
students in an environment where the gospel values are lived
out each day.
In order to meet this demand, the Catholic Education Office
Sydney is growing existing schools and planning new ones.
However, if it is going to be able to meet demand, more schools
will need to be built in the years ahead, particularly in the innerwest and south-west regions of Sydney.
To do this, we need the help of the State Government.
With the NSW state election just around the corner, please keep
in mind this critical issue. We are seeking a clear statement
from all political parties about what support they are prepared
to provide to help meet the capital cost of building new schools.
I will provide more information about this issue in the coming
weeks.
Dr Dan White
Executive Director of Catholic Schools
Year 11 Film Study Incursion
World’s Greatest Shave
On Wednesday February 25, Year 11 English students attended
a Film Study incursion presented by Lynda Heys from Faraway
Films. The students benefited from her hands-on expertise as
a working film maker to deconstruct their current film text,
‘Muriel’s Wedding’, studied as part of the Identity unit. Students
commented on the quality and insight of the presentation and feel
ready to explore further in class the powerful ideas raised. Ms
Jenny Leaver, Director of Studies, and Ms Tlaskal also attended
the evening screening of Lynda Heys’ film, ‘Tackling Romeo’,
as a fundraiser for the Yalari project for educating indigenous
children.’
Margaret Gray-Weale
Head of English
Today, thirty one Australians will get the news they have
blood cancer. That’s another thirty one reasons to support
the Leukaemia Foundation’s work – providing practical and
emotional support to people facing the challenge of blood
cancer, as well as investing in vital research to find better
treatments and cures. 60,000 people are going through this in
Australia right now.
Stephanie Simms is shaving her hair for the World’s Greatest
Shave. Joining her, Emma-Lee Cafarelli and Veronica
Santos-Appleby will be dying their hair and Lucinda Rofe
will be cutting her hair. This will be taking place on Friday,
March 13th. These Year 9 students are very courageous and
are amazing role models. So far, they have raised over $1,150
just from family and close friends. This money will go to the
Leukaemia Foundation. They hope to make a change, even a
small one, for people who live with cancer.
•
•
•
$560 can give a regional family a place to stay close to
treatment in the city for one week.
$1,200 can provide free transport for people who are too ill
to drive after chemotherapy treatment for two weeks.
$2,000 can aid future breakthroughs by funding a major
blood cancer research project for one week.
Feel free to sponsor our friends at their team page: http://
my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/2colour1shave
Thank you!
Emma-Lee Cafarelli, Stephanie Simms,
Veronica Santos-Appleby and Lucinda Rofe
Year 9
Important Dates
March
Mon
9 Year 7 Reflection Day
Wed-Fri 18-20 Year 7 Camp
Sat 21 Parents’ Association Function
Mon-Fri 23-27 Year 12 Exam Week
April
Thurs
Mon
2 Last day of Term 1
20 First day of Term 2
Stephanie Simms
Emma-Lee Cafarelli
Veronica Santos-Appleby
Lucinda Rofe
Uniform Shop Hours
Uniform Shop hours during Term:
Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays – 8.00-8.30am
Wednesdays – 3.00-3.30pm
Fridays – CLOSED
Cardigans, hats and navy socks are now in stock as well as all
sizes in the Summer Tunic.
Lynda Furka
Uniform Shop Co-ordinator
obtain a copy of the Private Music Tuition Brochure for 2015
either from the front office or from one of the music teachers.
This brochure includes a permission note which must be
returned to either the front office or to one of the music teachers.
The absolute DEADLINE for these permission notes is Friday,
20th March.
May I remind all parents who have not already done so, to pay
their daughter’s Private Music Tuition for Term 1, using the
online Flexischools website. Students will either have had 7
lessons or 8 lessons for the term. All parents have been emailed
the Music Tuition Timetables for Term 1.
Year 12 Music Excursion
On the 9th March, the Year 12 Music class will be attending
the HSC Encore Concert at The Opera House. This concert
showcases the very best performances and compositions from
the previous year’s HSC in the Music 1, Music 2 and Music
Extension Courses. Who knows, perhaps one of our current
Year 12 girls will be performing at this concert next year!
Join A Music Ensemble
All girls are encouraged to participate in one or more of our
music ensembles. All ensembles are free of charge and rehearse
on a weekly basis. Please note that some of our rehearsals take
place in the PAC (Performing Arts Centre) at Waverley College
while others take place in our music room (A15). (See schedule
below). Any student who is interested please see Ms Hurley
ASAP.
Thank you.
Vanessa Hurley
Music Teacher
News from the Music Department
Opening Year Mass
Congratulations to every member of the Choir who sang
beautifully at our Opening Year Mass.
Well done also to the following instrumentalists who provided
the accompaniments at the Mass:
Eloise Moore
Flute
Sakura Cook
Oboe
Madeline Van Dan
Clarinet
Cassandra Widjaja
Violin
Ella Marshall
Cello
Eleanor Finch
Keyboard
Ash Wednesday Mass
Thank you to all the Elective Music students who led the
singing at the Ash Wednesday Mass. Congratulations also on
your exemplary behaviour.
Learn An Instrument
Term 2 is fast approaching. If your daughter has been learning
an instrument throughout Term 1 at St Clare’s and will not
be continuing, please notify myself in writing by Thursday,
12th March. If I do not hear from you then I will assume that
your daughter is continuing lessons in Term 2 and she will be
timetabled accordingly.
For everyone else, it is time to start learning an instrument and
Term 2 is a great time to begin! We offer lessons in singing,
piano, flute, guitar, bass guitar and musicianship. We also have
some instruments available for hire. If you are interested, please
St Clare’s College, Waverley Music Rehearsal Schedule 2015
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Before school
7.30am – 8.30am
Mon
Waverley Concert Band
at Waverley College
No Auditions necessary
Ms Hurley
Chamber Strings
at Waverley College
Auditions necessary
College Concert Band
in St Clare’s Music Room
No auditions necessary
Ms Hurley
Lunch
College Choir
in St Clare’s Music Room
No auditions necessary
Ms Galettis
After school
3.15pm - 4.30pm
Open Year Mass
Chamber Choir
at Waverley College
Auditions necessary
Ms Hurley
Tues
Waverley Concert Band
at Waverley College
No Auditions necessary
Ash Wednesday Mass
CGSSSA Cricket
CGSSSA Cricket
On Tuesday the 24th February eleven girls from Years 9-11
attended CGSSSA Cricket. The day consisted of five games,
leading to the final. All of the girls played with enthusiasm,
sportsmanship and all tried their very best, despite the rain
and extreme winds. Overall the school achieved a great result.
However after an extremely close and competitive final, St
Clare’s lost by one run in the final over. We would like to thank
our coach, Mr Peakall for accompanying us on the day.
skilled enough to be considered for CGSSSA or NSWCCC
selection. If she qualifies, parents will receive an email advising
of their daughter’s progression. Instructions about this process
can be found on the CGSSSA website (REP INFO Page) http://
www.cgsssa.nsw.edu.au/#!representative-teams/c229p. More
information about NSWCCC can be found at their website
www.csss.nsw.edu.au/nswccc-home.aspx.
Ashleigh Barker
PDHPE & Co-Curricular Co-Ordinator
Sporting Achievement
After attending trials last Saturday, Sailor Kennard (Year 8) was
accepted into TAPS (Talented Athletes Program) which is run
by basketball NSW for the Under 15s girls. This is her second
year in the program.
The College Community is very proud of Sailor’s achievement
and looks forward to watching her skills develop.
Ashleigh Barker
PDHPE and Co-Curricular Co-ordinator
Caritas Leadership Day
CGSSSA
St Clare’s is a member of the Catholic Girls Secondary Schools
Sports Association (CGSSSA). This is the Association through
which the College has affiliation with NSW Combined Catholic
Colleges (NSWCCC). It is this affiliation that provides our
students with a pathway to state and national representation.
Over the past few years, we have had students selected in
Australian schoolgirl teams in the sports of netball, basketball,
football and water polo whilst many others have represented
NSW Combined Catholic Colleges and NSW All Schools. If
you are interested in learning more about CGSSSA we have
developed a new website – www.cgsssa.nsw.edu.au. Please
take a look.
Pathway to NSW School Teams
The pathway for St Clare’s students to represent the College
in NSW school based sports teams is through CGSSSA and
NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC). In some
sports, our students need to progress through a CGSSSA
Representative Team and in others they can trial directly with
NSWCCC. No matter which path is chosen, parents MUST
register an Expression of Interest on the NSWCCC website.
Ultimately the College will decide whether your daughter is
On Monday, eight Year 11 students and Ms Murphy attended
the Just Leadership day run by Caritas. We were one of twelve
Catholic high schools from the Sydney region.
The focus of the day was to share ideas and encourage awareness
about Project Compassion, which is Caritas’s annual fundraising
and awareness appeal.
The day began with a ‘speed dating’ activity where we met
students from other schools and discussed questions about the
concept of justice.
This was followed by an activity that shocked many of us. The
activity revealed that the world’s wealth is shared inequitably,
with the poorest 40% of the world having less than 1% of the
worlds wealth and the richest 20% have 92% of the world’s
wealth.
Another statistic that we found confronting was that the richest
65 people of the world have the same wealth as the poorest 3.5
billion.
We heard stories of the families that Project Compassion has
helped and discussed ways that we can contribute to this cause
by inspiring our school to take part.
We now have many plans to take to the College to raise
awareness of these important issues and to raise funds to
support the implementation of Caritas’s projects. The day was
inspirational and we are very keen to take part in this important
campaign.
Jemma Roper
Year 11
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INVITATION
Mrs Antoinette McGahan, Principal
together with
The Committee of the St Clare's College Parents' & Friends' Association
Cordially invite you to attend the
WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY
To meet new parents and celebrate the start of the 2015 College Year
At St Clare's College
41 51 Carrington Road, Waverley
6.30pm 9.00pm
Saturday 21 March 2015
Dress: Smart Casual
RSVP prior to 16 March at [email protected]
Finger food will be served. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Further enquiries: St Clare's College Ph. 8305 7100
Parents / Carers Only
--------------------------------------------------------St Clare’s College--------------------------------------------------------41-51 Carrington Road Waverley NSW 2024
Po Box 145 Waverley NSW 2024
ABN 82 780 246 140
Tel: (02) 8305 7100 Fax: (02) 9389 3503
email [email protected] www.stclares.nsw.edu.au
2015 NSW ELECTION UPDATE
MONDAY 2 MARCH 2015 ı UPDATE #2
26
DAYS
TO GO
LABOR PLEDGES $1.3 BILLION AND SMOOTHER
PLANNING FOR SCHOOLS & TAFES
Opposition Leader Luke Foley officially launched
Labor’s election campaign on Sunday 1 March,
promising to cut planning red tape for schools and
allocate $1.3 billion in additional capital funding
for schools and TAFE Colleges over the next
decade.
It is hoped some of the additional capital funding
will be intended for Catholic and other nongovernment schools.
Mr Foley said a Labor Government would introduce
a uniform planning code for schools and a crosssectoral schools growth task force. Both initiatives
have been advocated by CECNSW to both the
Government and Opposition (the Liberal-National
government is yet to officially launch its campaign).
A uniform planning code would give nongovernment schools authorities greater certainty
because it would ensure new schools or major
construction projects could not be rejected or
distorted by the red tape requirement of individual
councils; if a school met the requirements of the
new code, it would have to be approved.
years to local red tape,” Mr Foley said. “We’ll
use the new planning code to ensure that new
schools have better facilities that works for
parents and communities.”
Mr Foley also said a Labor government would
ensure every new school built would include
childcare or before and after school care
facilities on site so that parents could avoid
the ‘double drop-off’ of childcare and school.
He said new schools would be modern multipurpose education precincts that made the best
use of use of scarce land and enabled the wider
community to also use school infrastructure.
CECNSW also welcomes Mr Foley’s plan to
create a cross-sectoral Schools Growth Task
Force to bring the key players from the Catholic,
government and independent sectors together
to plan for growth by identifying the priority
areas.
“Our children’s education must not be hostage for
DID YOU KNOW?
The number
of seats
needed to
form majority
government
14
The net number
of seats the
Liberal-National
coalition must
drop to lose
government
24
The number
of seats Labor
must gain to win
government