principal`s reflection - Mount St Joseph Milperra

21 February 2013
Issue No. 02
Mary MacKillop Speaks
“Do all you can with the means at
your disposal and calmly leave
the rest to God.” (1891)
PRINCIPAL’S REFLECTION
"Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise."
Thursday 21 February—Friday
22 February
 NSW All Schools Triathlon
Monday 25 February
 Year 11 and 12 Music
Excursion—6.00pm
Tuesday 26 February
 Blood Bank Mobile Unit at
MSJ
 Year 11 Voc Ed Parent
Meeting 7.00pm-9.00pm
The Season of Lent, which leads us to the celebration of Holy Easter, is
for the Church a most valuable and important liturgical time. Every
day is a constant invitation into a loving relationship with God. Lent is
a particular time of year where we can deepen that relationship. It is a time where we can seek
to respond to God's initiative of loving us first.
The action of reading God's Word, sharing each other's lives and the building of our
relationships with each other, is the very living and breathing way of God being active in our
lives and our world. All of these actions through God lead us to a new life, a transformed life,
with a renewed heart as we have been promised.
Let us pray that this Lent will help us reproduce in our lives the self-sacrificing love of Christ.
Through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son's death and
resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives.
Thursday 28 February
 Year 12 Biology Excursion
Friday 1 March
 School Photo Day
Monday 4 March
 SCC Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 5 March
 Year 11 Biology Excursion
 Year 10 Parent Information
Meeting 7.00pm
Wednesday 6 March
 Year 9 Science Excursion
 CGSSSA Touch Football
Monday 10 March—Friday 15
March
 Fitzroy Week
Opening School Mass
On Ash Wednesday, 13 February, we gathered as a community to celebrate the beginning of
our 54th academic year. It was a wonderful gathering of community where we were able to ask
for the Lord’s blessing on all of our endeavours this year. My thanks go to to Fr Maurice
Thompson PP and Fr Luca for celebrating the Mass with us. Fr Maurice challenged us this Lent
to be a community and to see our faith in Christ as that which binds us together and makes us
one. Fr Maurice adapted Aesop’s fable of the six sticks to demonstrate that there is strength in
unity particularly when we are bound together by Christ.
I thank Mr Nolan and Mr Mahoney for their preparation and assistance on the day. Thanks also
to those involved in music ministry, Eucharistic ministry and ministry of the Word. I thank
Mr Ghanem, Ms Innes and the Year 11 Entertainment VET students and Mr Hickey and the
Hospitality VET students and all staff involved in the preparation and seamless organisation of
the celebration. We are a school that expects our students to demonstrate exemplary behaviour
and so congratulations to the students for their sincerity and reverence during the liturgy.
Additionally I wish to thank Dr Mark Turkington Director of Catholic schools in the Southern
Region, Mr Merv McCormack Senior Consultant of Catholic Secondary Schools in the Southern
Region, my fellow Principals, Miss Lisa Harbrow Grove, Mrs Patricia Laidler, Ms Julie King and
Mrs Lea De Angelis and the many parents who were able to join us.
Pastoral Care
UNIFORM SHOP HOURS
Tuesdays 12 noon to 4.00pm
Fridays 8.30am to 12.30pm
Research tells us that one of the ways that we can help our young people with their studies is to
build academic self-concept which assists by building resilience and connectedness. I hope all
students, particularly Year 9 and Year 11, have been able to begin the term and feel that they
have been successful in each of the subjects they have chosen or have now changed to subjects
more suited to their abilities and future needs.
It may be in straightforward aspects of your work such as: completing all your homework, it
may be feeling that you understand the subject content or it may be having the maturity to ask
questions of the teacher or your peers if you are unsure. The enemy of academic self-concept is
“Mr/Miss I’m too cool for school” and parents can assist students by challenging this attitude
whenever it appears.
Annual Swimming Carnival
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
The Annual School Swimming Carnival was held this week
and it was an outstanding success. All the students must be
commended for the enthusiasm and energy they put into the
day. Participation rates were extremely high which added
greatly to the overall success of the carnival. I was impressed
with the way each of our Houses rallied around each other
and especially during the relay races and the ‘war cries’.
Congratulations to the House Captains who encouraged their
teams and led from the front. Well done to Penola (House
Captain: Dominica Lovisa, House Sports Captain: Ana –Marie
Bumbar), the eventual winners. Congratulations also to all the
age champions and place recipients. It was great to see so
many parents in attendance. Well done to all the staff for
their work and support on the day. Special thanks to Ms Craft
and the PDHPE staff for the preparation and organisation of
the day. Further reports and results will appear in the next
newsletter.
School Attendance
High Achievers Award Ceremony
The MSJ community was able to come together on
21 February for the High Achievers Award Ceremony for the
2012 HSC. In addition we were able to present a large
number of the class of 2012 with a Certificate for their efforts
in achieving ATAR’s of 90 or above and in particular, warmly
congratulate, the Dux of the School for 2012, Lauren Meola
with an ATAR of 97.75. I thank Mr Ray for his organisation of
the Assembly and the many parents who were able to
celebrate such a special event.
Parents will be receiving a pamphlet from the Catholic
Education Office Sydney entitled: ‘Compulsory School
Attendance: Information for Parents’. Could I ask parents to
take the time to read this important document and I would like
to highlight a few areas of this document to parents
specifically around applications for student leave.
In New South Wales, all children from six years of age are
legally required to attend school until after they complete
Year 10 and until they turn 17 Years of age.
A Principal may grant certificates of exemption from the
compulsory education requirements of the Education Act
when it has been clearly demonstrated by the applicant that an
exemption is in the students’ best interests in the short and
long term and that alternatives to exemption have been
considered.
Parents should be aware that the School does not generally
consider that absence from school, particularly in the senior
years, is in the best interests of the students.
Applications for Exemption forms may be collected by students
from the Student Services Office.
Mr Stephen Mahoney
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Electronic Communications
A reminder from our last newsletter, that in keeping with our
commitment to environmental sustainability, we will be
producing an electronic version of the newsletter from the
commencement of Term Two. Throughout Term One, the
newsletter will be produced in both forms (paper and
electronic). The electronic version will be sent to parents via
email. PDF versions will be available on our website if that is
your preferred mode of access. I ask parents/carers to please
ensure that the school has up-to-date email addresses to
ensure correct delivery of the e-Newsletter. (See insert)
School Fees and Levies
Hopefully you have received my letter about the school fees
and levies for 2013. Fee statements should arrive in your
letter box early next week. Fees and Levies set by the school
are the Administration Levy (set to assist with operational
costs) and the Subject and Resources fees (set to cover the cost
of delivering a course). Tuition fees are approved by the
Sydney Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Board for Catholic
Schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Happy Birthday to
Lisa Dao, Mareeva Raco, Carla Sacco, Anika
Cavar, Vanessa El-Haddad, Katrina Kovacs,
Michelle O’Young, Clara Hayfa, Alannah
Georgiou, Brooklyn Tanovic, Serena Tran, Laura Frizza,
Jennifer Vu, Dalal Yshac, Corina Field, Kristine Fong, Brooke
Harvey, Kaitlyn Linnegar, Kristie Godfrey, Jasmine Roussel,
Tina Lam, Sophie Pham, Emily Selwood, Caitlyn Van
Woudenberg and Alisa Nehme.
Ms Janine Kenney
PRINCIPAL
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR’S
REPORT
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 13 February, MSJ
held its Opening Mass to
celebrate the commencement of
the new academic year and the
beginning of the season of Lent.
During the Mass, students and
staff received ashes as a sign of our commitment to self-denial
and helping others in preparation for the great celebration of
Easter.
As always, the students entered into the
reverence of the Mass, participating well. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank
Fr Maurice and Fr Luca for celebrating Mass
and the staff and students who gave of their
time and talents to ensure the success of the
liturgy.
Project Compassion
Ash Wednesday also marks the start of our annual Lenten
appeal. This year, the focus of Project Compassion is on
opening doors into a better future for the world’s poorest
communities. During Lent, students are encouraged to donate
instead of spending money on a luxury item or something they
may have given up.
Thanks to Miss Kermode for the effort that has been put in to
the preparation of the launch.
Pope Benedict’s Resignation
School Photos
On 28 February, Pope Benedict XVI will resign from the
Papacy. In a letter the Pope, 85, said his advanced age and the
pace of change in the modern world had left him unable to
“adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me”. The Vatican
has indicated that a conclave to elect a successor would start
sometime between 15 March and 20 March. More than 100
cardinals under the age of 80 will travel to Rome during this
time, with many already consulting each other to develop a
profile of the man who will continue to lead the Church.
School Photos will be taken on Friday 1 March for ALL
students.
Upcoming Church Celebrations
All students must have an individual photo taken for the
purposes of school records and identification cards.
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22 February: Feast of the Chair of St Peter – celebrating
the Papacy and St Peter as the first Bishop of Rome
24 February: Second Sunday of Lent
1 March: Autumn Ember Day – a special day of prayer
and penance marking the first Friday of the autumn
season
3 March: Third Sunday of Lent
Mr Chris Nolan
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR
PASTORAL CARE COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Blue Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received a Blue
Award at last week’s school assembly. The Blue Award
acknowledges students’ commitment to their studies and
excellence in application.
Year 7 2012
Kathryn Corpuz, Julie Dao, Mareeva Raco, Alexandra
Stojanovska, Stephanie Stone, Whitney Xu.
Year 8 2012
Karla Daniele, Jade Gaias, Tiana Ishac, Hannah Kellert, Lauren
Lowe, Maria Mai, Courtney New, Joanne Nguyen, Isabella
Zepina.
Year 9 2012
Vanessa Abi-Esber, Virdha Abish, Raquel Ameneiro, Alison
Bourne, Felicia Bruzzese, Josephine Elias, Emma Flynn,
Rebecca Johnson, Brittany Ledwell, Montana Sedman, Jessica
Vujevic.
Year 10 2012
Erin Curran, Christine Fadly, Jessica Huynh, Mary
Kouventaris, Jessica Massih, Tania Meli, Anne Nguyen,
Paulina Przybylo, Simone Peris, Raquelle Wehbe, Claudia
Zaccagnini.
Year 11 2012
Ashleigh Andrade, Cynthia Calaitzopoulos, Josephine Canceri,
Shelby Chew, Madeleine Costello, Koreen Cueto, Rachael
Keith, Stephanie Lloyd, Katherine Lyle, Maria Marrapodi,
Hayley New, Rachel Pais, Rebecca Peters, Matilda Rudd,
Isabella Spagnolo, Claire Tidyman, Kimberly Tran, Anne Vu,
Mary Vu.
To receive this significant award a student must achieve the
highest commendation from every teacher on their semester
report in the areas of: effort, completion of work, conduct and
independent work. Students in Years 7-12 have between
seven and ten subjects, thus a student in Year 7 with ten
subjects must have all 40 indicators of application to studies
in the uppermost domain.
On Monday this week students received an envelope from
PixiFoto outlining the photo book options available for
purchase. Should parents wish to order a package the
envelope and money or credit card details must be brought to
school on the day of the photos. Students hand the envelope to
the photographer.
All Year 12 students should be present on this Friday morning
no later than 8.30am for their Year Photo. Year 12s are asked
to assemble promptly on the oval.
FAMILY PHOTOS – should parents wish their daughters to
have a family photo an envelope may be obtained from
Student Services. Family Photos will be taken at lunch time.
Could I remind students that normal school rules apply on this
day and, in particular, no make-up is to be worn, no jewellery
other than that permitted and hair is to be neatly tied back.
We would appreciate parental support of these expectations.
Year 7 Vaccinations
The first round of vaccinations will take place for Year 7 on
Monday 4 March.
A letter and information package has been sent home with the
students. All 4 cards (HPV, dTpa, Hepatitis B and Varicella)
should be returned to Student Services by Monday
25 February. Should you decide not to participate in the
vaccination program or not require a particular vaccination
the cards(s) should be crossed and student name and parent
signature recorded on the card(s).
Ms Lee Barham
PASTORAL CARE COORDINATOR
FORTHCOMING EXCURSIONS
Parents and Caregivers are asked to ensure that permission
envelopes are signed and returned to Student Services by the
due date. Failure to return notes by the due date may mean
that students will not be permitted to attend the excursion.
DETAILS OF EXCURSION
Year 7 Science Workbook
Year 8 Visual Arts
Excursion
Year 9 Science Workbook
Year 9 Science/Geography
Excursion
Year 9,10,11,12 Dance,
Drama & Entertainment
Year 10 Australian
Geography Competition
Year 10 Information
Evening
Year 11 Vocational
Educational Information
Evening
Year 11 Elevate Education
Year 11 Biology Excursion
Year 12 Biology Excursion
DATE OF
EXCURSION
13-3-2013
PAYMENT &
PERMSSION
DUE BY
22-2-2013
5-3-2013
6-3-2013
22-2-2013
1-3-2013
5-6-2013
Overdue
2, 3 & 4 April
25-2-2013
5-3-2013
4-3-2013
26-2-2013
25-2-2013
5-3-2013
28-2-2013
Overdue
25-2-2013
22-2-2013
PROJECT COMPASSION
Over the Lenten season, we are called to pray, fast, and give
alms. At MSJ we call students and staff to engage with Project
Compassion through Caritas through this season. Students
donate small change that they may have spent on luxuries
during Lent, and together we raise funds to help the good
works of Caritas.
Ditosa is one young girl that we will help.
Ditosa, 12, lives in the village of Matuba in
Mozambique. Her parents died of AIDS
related illnesses some years ago, so Ditosa
and her little sister, Fique, 7, are cared for by their
grandmother and aunt who are both HIV positive and too
weak to work.
An extremely poor community, most of the houses are built of
mud bricks and there is no sewerage system. Two years ago a
water pump was installed in the village, so Ditosa no longer
has to walk two kilometres to collect water.
Many children in this area have lost one or both of their
parents to AIDS. In Mozambique, an estimated 11.5 percent of
adults live with HIV (Source: UNICEF 2009).
With a generation missing and many grandparents struggling
to provide for grandchildren, in 2007 Caritas Chokwe
coordinated the Matuba Children’s Centre and Caritas
Australia supplied the funding.
Here, children learn about computers, carpentry and
handicrafts; receive help with homework; grow vegetables to
eat and sell, learn about health, nutrition and hygiene, plus
they are provided with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to help
manage HIV/AIDS.
a gift and gives purpose to life. Afterwards, the student leaders
worked in small groups and discussed challenging questions
pertaining to why faith matters in our world today. Cardinal
Pell then addressed the school leaders and commended them
on what they had shared and the strength of their religious
convictions. He challenged them to be faithful to the teachings
of the Catholic Church in the face of trials in our modern
world.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Josephine and Lara for
their participation in the evening. Both girls represented the
school with great enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and
share their ideas with others.
Ms Jacqueline Simpson
YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR
LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR
On Saturday 9 February, our School Captain, Josephine
Canceri, competed in the local judging of the 2013 Lions
Youth of the Year competition. Josephine competed against a
student from Georges River Grammar School and the judges
said that both students were of a very high standard.
The judging involved a 40 minute interview, followed by the
answering of two impromptu questions and a five minute
prepared speech. Josephine was successful in winning the
local judging and she will now go onto represent the Yagoona
Lions Club at the regional judging on 9 March at Bankstown
Trotting Club. Congratulations Josephine on your success in
the first phase of the competition and all the best as you
progress further.
With our support, Matuba Children’s Centre opens doors for
children and young people; they find hope for the future and
a safe place where they can grow.
“The love that I have for my own children is the love that I
have for these children too,” said Elvira Mabundi, Centre
Mr Michael Bellamy
HSIE (SOCIAL SCIENCES) COORDINATOR
Coordinator.
Thank you for your support of Project Compassion this year.
Miss Amy Kermode
SOCIAL JUSTICE COORDINATOR
CARDINAL’S PENTECOST CONSULTATION
EVENING
On 7 February, Mr Nolan (REC) and I accompanied our
school leaders, Josephine Canceri and Lara Vaccaro, to the
Cardinal’s Pentecost Consultation Evening. Each year at
Pentecost, Cardinal Pell releases a statement to the youth of
Sydney on different matters that challenge individuals in our
contemporary society. This year’s theme was ‘Why Faith
Matters’. The evening provided the Cardinal an opportunity to
meet with student leaders from Catholic Schools across the
Sydney Archdiocese and gain their perspective on the issue.
Christian Ellis, a guest speaker, opened the evening with an
inspiring anecdote about his personal experience of
conversion into the Catholic faith. He addressed the students
in the context of the theme and essentially argued that faith is
New parents to the school who are also ex-students
are invited to register with ALESA (our ex-students’
association) if they haven’t already done so.
To submit your details including postal address and/or
email address, please email Sr Kathleen Price at
[email protected].
YEAR 12 HISTORY EXTENSION EXCURSION
After Term Four had concluded at the end of last year, the
Year 11 History Extension students took time out of the
beginning of their holidays for an excursion to the State
Library. Eleven students and Mr Page met in the Library coffee
shop before embarking on an orientation that was both
thorough and useful. We received insights into using the
Library’s vast online resources, as well as a tour of the Library
and a run down on how to use its more traditional resources.
The tour was very helpful in giving students a path forward
with regards to studying for their History Project, due later in
the year. All in all, it was a wonderful start to the holidays!
Mr Page
HISTORY TEACHER
DESIGNTECH EXHIBITION
It was with great pleasure that Ms Tonitto and I attended the
opening of the DesignTECH exhibition at the Powerhouse
Museum on Friday 15 February. This exhibition showcases 22
of the best Major Design Projects from over 2000 HSC
candidates. MSJ 2012 graduate Stephanie MacIntosh was one
of the students who were chosen to exhibit their work.
Students in Design and Technology spend a large part of their
HSC year designing and producing a solution to a problem.
This problem is one that the students have identified
themselves through the use of extensive problem solving and
creative thinking skills.
Stephanie, who is a surf lifesaver observed the problems that
occurred with body boarders who struggled with constantly
losing their fins out in the surf and surfers with arthritis who
struggled to get their fins on. With these problems in mind,
Stephanie designed and produced the Flipsock, an ankle-high
neoprene sock with a polyurethane fin. The sock sits across
the heal and easily slips on to the foot. Stephanie has obtained
a provisional patent for her prototype and hopes to one day
have her design commercially produced. Stephanie is to be
congratulated on her hard work and perseverance on a very
challenging design project.
The DesignTECH exhibition is running until 12 May 2013, I
encourage you to take a look at some truly outstanding
projects.
GIFTED & TALENTED – UNIVERSITY OF
WOLLONGONG LEARNING LABS –
JANUARY 2013
Mount St Joseph Milperra was fortunate to have a number of
students accepted to attend the University of Wollongong
Learning Labs held on the 17th & 18th of January in 2013.
Learning Labs, an academic enrichment program for students
in years 7 -10, offered students innovative and challenging
workshops that covered a range of academic fields. This was a
wonderful opportunity for our students to engage in higher
order thinking and socialise with like-minded peers in a
university setting.
Rebecca Saleme, Jorji Simpson, Whitney Xu (Year 8), Kim
Cao, Nicole El-Aswad, Alyne Gollon, Lauren Lowe, Veronica
Zaccagnini (Year 9), Brittany Ledwell, Casey Moore (Year 10)
participated in a variety of workshops.
1. Crimes against people and property: What’s involved in
proving someone guilty?
On the first day of the two-day workshop the students learnt
about criminal law and the elements of a crime. On day 2, the
focus was property law, ‘larceny’ and what is required to find
someone guilty of committing ‘larceny’. The workshop was
pitched at a high level, however the Professor ensured all
students were engaged in the learning and discussions. It
gave students an insight into criminal law and what would be
in store for them if they chose to study criminology at
university.
2. Segments, joints and muscles: Investigating how we move?
This workshop was based on investigating how humans move.
The participants performed three experiments and had the
opportunity to visit a neural control of movement lab and use
the same technology that was used by the makers of Shrek. A
favourite experiment involved wearing prism glasses that shift
eyesight 50 degrees to the left. The students, wearing these
glasses, attempted to walk carrying items - there were many
spills and laughs.
3. Energy, climate change and your chaotic world.
During this workshop the students studied the Earth’s climate
system and the Earth’s atmosphere. They learnt that our
climate can behave in chaotic ways and that we have a great
responsibility to look after our environment to ensure a
sustainable future.
4. DIY GMOs - Exploring Genetic Engineering.
In this workshop students learnt about different types of DNA
and how to chemically extract a single gene from a
chromosome. They also explored the ethics of biotechnology,
genetic engineering and cloning. Using a laboratory used by
third-year biotechnology students, they conducted an
experiment where they inserted a gene called green
fluorescent protein into the DNA of E. Coli bacteria which
made the bacteria glow fluorescent green when exposed to UV
light.
Ms Munro
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY TEACHER
Overall the students found the learning labs very challenging,
extremely stimulating and informative. It was an invaluable
experience for our students, who appeared to have had lots of
fun.
Mrs Jennifer Edwards
GIFTED & TALENTED FACILITATOR
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD – SILVER
EXPEDITION
THE SPORT REPORT
Open Cricket Report
Our first game of the season saw MSJ verse Casimir. MSJ won
the toss and elected to bowl. The team took 6 wickets
including an outstanding catch from Louise Aggar and
wickets to both Prue Roebuck and Chloe Devlin. Casimir
finished the innings with 50 runs.
MSJ's batting innings started with the top order crumbling,
losing 3 quick wickets. A win looked out of reach for the MSJ
team until Prue Roebuck added 20 runs to our total. Laura
Towell managed to defend against the fast Casimir bowlers
and remain in for the entire innings. Congratulations to the
team who managed to hang on to take victory. The final score
was Casimir 6/50 and MSJ 6/67.
For the Duke of Edinburgh silver expedition Cassandra Castro,
Ashleigh Daus, Abby Andrews, Tegan Henderson, Tayla
Campedelli, Ebony Taulaga, Alexa Callaghan, Ana-Marie
Bumbar and I, along with Miss Cuda and Mrs Cornforth set
out from Mt Victoria in anticipation of hiking to Blackheath.
The hike was over 3 days, the last day we would all agree was
the most difficult. There were many highlights as well as
hardships. Injury was common as we were hiking through
dense bush with many logs and vines which tripped the
majority of us. We came across huge biting flies and on the
last day a two metre snake which sent Mrs Cornforth running
back down the mountain. Whilst hiking we got to see a variety
of wildlife, sit by and even have a shower under waterfalls,
take turns at leading the group and have lunch by the lookout
the first day and the creek the next.
Unlike the practice expedition we were able to swim when we
got to camp which impressed us all and gave us the
motivation to get to camp as early as possible. We camped in
the valley both nights and on the last day climbed an eighth of
Mount Everest to get out of the valley and reach the top. I’ve
never seen a group of people so happy to see a half sign when
we reached half way and this gave us the determination to
reach the fire trails at the top. This expedition gave us all the
opportunity to learn things about each other and revise and
further our knowledge of skills such as taking bearings,
reading a map and working as a team unit. Even when we
were at breaking point everyone pushed themselves, the heat
and time restraint didn’t hold us back.
Dana Karnold
YEAR 11 STUDENT
Round 2 MSJ vs Holy Spirit
MSJ were unstoppable against the Holy Spirit team from
Lakemba. The team was sent into bat first after losing the toss.
The team went from strength to strength with impressive
innings from Madison Bradford, Prudence Rosebuck and
Chloe Devlin. MSJ finished with 3/94. The teams bowling
efforts were equally impressive, with 7 wickets falling,
Maddison Bradford taking 3 individual wickets. Special
mention goes to Louise Aggar who made her debut as wicket
keeper and to her fielding team who supported her in her
role.. The final Holy Spirit score was 7/40.
Ms Craft
Junior Volleyball
Holy Spirit College defeated MSJ (25-21, 20-25, 15-11)
The second game of the competition was played on
14 February. The girls had a better understanding of the game
and were ready to put all they learnt from last week into
practice. Holly Spirit College put up a good fight and ended
the first set with a win. We came back, winning the second set
and then only lost the last set by two. Excellent job girls, some
of your serving skills have improved. Keep it up.
Ms Cuda
Senior Girls Touch Football
Our first game of the season was boiling hot with most of the
talk being centered around how to keep our drinks cool
during the game. We got off to a bit of a slow start, as the girls
were getting used to playing together. After some discussion
about attacking strategies we were able to create some gaps in
the defense allowing us to score two great tries. It wasn’t
enough however, with the score ending up 8-2. Game two
started with the girls being more confident in attack and using
more communication when defending. It was an extremely
tough game reaching 10-0 before time was called but in great
spirit the MSJ team played on embracing the opportunity to
gain more experience and practice some of our attacking
strategies. Special mention to Briony Rippon for being such a
trooper, hope the broken arm heals quickly! Looking forward
to a great season.
Ms Duncan
SCHOOL BAGS ARE NOW IN STOCK
AT THE UNIFORM SHOP
Shop Hours:
Tuesdays (12 noon—4.00pm)
Fridays (8.30am—12.30pm)
JJAMM EXPERIENCE 2013
Starting on 9 February, Josephine and I were privileged to participate in the JJAMM Retreat with over 38 school leaders from all
over Australia and New Zealand. JJAMM stands for Joseph, Fr Julian Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop, all whom have
relevance to the foundation of the Sisters of St Joseph, the founders of our school.
Our JJAMM journey began at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney where we stayed overnight. Accompanied by Sr Jan Barnett
rsj, Ms Chapman and Ms Barham, Josephine and I started our retreat by listening to the history of JJAMM through the founders’
voices. We had time to gather and pray around Mary’s share with tomb together, and were also taken on a tour of the Muesum,
where we were able to learn and discuss Mary MacKillop, Julian and Joseph’s lives and the influences they had on society both
then and now. The day concluded with Mass at the Mary MacKillop Chapel, where Josephine and I stated what we felt it meant to
be a Josephite leader. “ A Josephite leader is a person of action and integrity who aims to lead by example, guided by their faith,
and in the spirit of Mary MacKillop, Fr Julian Tenison Woods and St Joseph .”
The next part of our journey took us to Kincumber on the Central Coast. During the three and a half days, we worked long hours,
usually waking up for breakfast at around 7.00am and then having sessions to 10.30pm. The focus on each day varied, an
emphasis was put on what it meant for all of us as students in Josephite schools to be leaders and how we can make a change and
overall benefit the wider community. Josephine and I, along with the assistance of Ms Barham, had an opportunity to design a
poster which visually represented our school values along with designing a shield that represents our school. These both are going
to be displayed on the SRC Notice Board. Josephine and I presented our Peru Day video from 2012 which they all reacted
remarkably too, all wishing they could be apart and host an exciting and greatly successful event like it, that supports the
continuing work of the Sisters of St Joseph.
Throughout the retreat we had opportunities to represent the students of MSJ, the SRC and to reflect and brainstorm initiatives for
the year ahead, including JJAMM week and St Joseph’s Day, and how to continue the great emphasis our school has on social
justice and environmental issues whilst hopefully being able to implement some new ideas for both. We can really see that as we
are all in a Josephite school how important it is for students, teachers and families to support the Sisters of St Joseph in their
ongoing work to meet the needs of those in our own communities and abroad.
These organisations which have also been our House charities include: Good Grief, the Mary MacKillop Foundation, Josephite
Community Aid, Josephite Women Counter Trafficking Project, Mary MacKillop Rural Services, Ethica and St Anthony’s special
school all of whom operate from Sydney or NSW. They are fantastic Josephite organisations that we can support as students,
ex-students and families to enrich our Josephite connections and support what it means to be Catholic Josephite people of action,
hospitality, compassion, wisdom, acceptance and loyalty.
We would like to thank Ms Kenney for allowing us this opportunity and Ms Barham for leaving her family and school to take this
journey with us for five days so we were able to represent the MSJ community. Josephine and I arrived back home in a clear and
motivated mindset. We both, along with our Vice-Captain, Sophie McGing, are excited for the year ahead and hope to work with
the rest of the SRC, student body, teachers and staff to make this year a year of great success and satisfaction. Get on board and be
people of action!
“Be the change you want to see in 2-0-1-3” – SRC 2013.
Lara Vaccaro
SCHOOL SPORTS CAPTAIN
VOCATION EDUCATION
AT MSJ
Through the study of Vocational
Education courses at Mount St Joseph
students are encouraged to complete
not just the theoretical aspects of
subjects but also to obtain skills, knowledge and practical
experiences in specific industries. These courses allow
students to complete modules from courses that they can
study after school as well as allowing them to gain valuable
practical experiences in companies through the work
placement component of their courses. Students gain a
national credential up to a Certificate III when they study
these courses.
The range of Vocational Education opportunities available at
MSJ include those delivered at school like Business Services,
Hospitality and Entertainment Industry as well as those
delivered offsite by TAFE or other private providers. This
year we have over 120 Year 11 and 12 students studying
Vocational Education courses at school. Another nine
students are studying TAFE Delivered Vocational Education
and Training (TVET) including Animal Studies, Tourism,
Photography and Hairdressing. Four students are studying
Health Sevices Assistance, one at Bankstown Hospital and
three at Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College.
Many school based activities complement the experiences
gained in class and the activities undertaken so far this year
by Hospitality students include preparation and service for
the Year 7 Parents Afternoon Tea and the 2012 High
Achievers’ Morning Tea. Entertainment Industry students
have set up for the High Achievers’ Assembly and coordinate
the set-up of most school assemblies during the year.
We are fortunate to have dedicated and highly skilled staff
that have a combination of education and industry
experience. Mrs Lattouf, Miss Dein, Mr Ghanem, Ms Innes
and Mr Hickey are well recognized for their dedicated
service to Vocational Education.
Students in Year 12 also have the opportunity to complete
their RSA and RCG qualifications though St Patrick’s
Business College providing them valuable qualifications for
part-time work.
The value of these courses is highlighted by the Vocational
Education logo which shows that Vocational Education
creates many opportunities for students.
We look forward to meeting the parents and caregivers of
our new Vocational Education students at an Information
Evening on 26 February 2013.
MSJ OPEN DAY
Saturday 23 March 2013
10am-2pm
12 Noon -Enrolment Information Session
(Principal and Assistant Principal)
Organised Tours of the school throughout the Day
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER:
A weekend for married couples.
Take time out of your busy schedule, to invest in your most
precious asset . . . Your Marriage! This is a unique opportunity to
recharge your relationship batteries, refocus on each other and
fall in love all over again!
Weekend date:
15 – 17 March at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre,
Varroville, NSW
Bookings:
Ardell & Bill Sharpe tel. 02 4283 3435 or
[email protected]
Information:
website www.wwme.org.au
Ms Sydenham
POST COMPULSORY COORDINATOR
UNIFORM SHOP HOURS
Tuesdays: 12 noon—4.00pm
Fridays: 8.30am—12.30pm