Sextant 13 - Campion College

THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
14 MARCH 2012
The Sextant
EDITORIAL
It is a debatable fact that a person
makes their first impression on
another being within the first thirty
seconds they meet them based on
physiognomy.
OH, WHAT A WEEK!
Peter O’Donovan, Class ’14
It has been a privilege to have
been treated to Campion
College’s ‘O-Week Experience’. For
the week which began our time at
Campion to have been any more
enjoyable, seven days would not have
sufficed.
From the expeditions to
some of Sydney’s main attractions to
the presentation on Campion’s IT
department, there was never a dull
moment. It was in this week that the
student’s first impressions were made
on the College. Though, it feels more
appropriate to say it was the College
which was making it’s impressions on
us.
It is with the most sincere gratitude
that - on behalf of the first year
students - I thank the College’s
collective for such a hospitable
welcome into the Campion
Community. The ease with which we
were able to settle into College life is a
true credit to the College and the four
RAs. Having participated in the
College’s Summer Camp, held early
last year, I wasn’t completely new to
the Campus. So, returning after a year
of anticipation brought back fond
memories of the Camp and of the
students who attended it. And it is on
ISSUE 13!
this note I’ll try to shed some light on
my experience of Orientation Week.
Possibly the highlight of the week was
the expedition to Manly beach. It was
pleasant to have found a beach that
rivals those on the east coast of the
Sunshine State. To describe the day to
those who did not attend, would take
some elegant word painting. The ferry
ride from Circular Quay to Manly
demonstrated a good enough view of
the Sydney Harbour which
immediately made the trip all the more
worthwhile. Not only was the weather
perfect and the beach volleyball courts
abundant, but the opportunity to get to
know the other first years made the
day an overall, glorious experience.
It was not before long that the most
willing (and a few of those unwilling)
first years were introduced to ‘the boys
house’. While its reputation could be
described as unheeding and audacious,
after further inspection the claims were
found to be entirely accurate. There,
respect is earned through proficiency
in Xbox, and authority is earned by
taking the respect away. Luckily the
house’s RA is readily at hand to
remind the residents of the allocated
drinking hours, inspection times and
how to clean. Cont. pg. 4
In the last few weeks I have observed
the first years with bug eyed curiosity
as they lingered around the College.
Some I saw brooding about
considering the chickens (and the
other trivia answer); a few I met held
their eyes downcast as in E.
Dickinson’s poem: “So bashful when
I spied her”; others held giddy looks I
hoped weren’t perpetual (after all, oral
muscles can only take so much before
you find yourself looking slightly
mad). Finally, I met those whose
complacent expressions left me not
much else to continue my studies on
(phlegmatics, I supposed).
In light of the various dispositions of
all thirty-eight freshies, I was
reminded of how much has happened
in the last year; how much has
changed, and how we’ve all grown!
The people of Campion are different
from others, and hence, so is its
community. We become a peculiar
tight-nit family with our beliefs and
interests stitching us even closer
together, our talents embellishing the
outer edges and hospitality shown
making the finished product cosier
than imaginable. Though reluctant to
receive a big group of alien patchwork, I now can’t wait to see each of
you attached snugly onto our throw –
the blanket we shall use to cover our
countenance for the day we make our
second impression on one another.
In anticipation of change (and
probably a blanketed ghost-like
figure),
I stitch away,
Monica Ochudzawa
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
All Submissions for Issue 14/2012 are Due Friday 13th of April
Dear Editor,
On behalf of all 2010 Sextant editorial
board members, I would like to extend
our warmest congratulations to former
board members Carmel Reeves and
Matthew Biddle on their engagement!
May the insight, patience, and wit
which featured in their writings feature
throughout their life together.
instead I hear there has been a revival in
the tradition of students leading a rosary
for the Formal Hall guests, before
heading for a good time in Toongabbie!
I have also heard that morning prayer is
well attended and the daily Masses at
Campion enjoy not only many students
but staff presence as well. I thank God
for sending such an exemplary group of
young people to Campion and pray that
the College will continue to grow as a
pinnacle of true Catholicism in
Australia!
Sincerely,
Anonymous
________________________________
Dear Editor,
I feel somewhat bewildered following a
continuous series of parties, events and
outings in the mere first 4 weeks of this
semester. While I love a good party,
I’ve found strange things occurring..
random remembrances of certain events
(or were they dreams?) during tutorials.
When asked a question about the
Yours in penship,
whiggism of Thomas Carlyle, all I
Siobhan Reeves
________________________________ could remember was the philosophical
argument I was having with the
armchair. I feel I need to focus a little
Dear Editor,
less on the parties and a little more on
I’d like to call attention to our supposed my studies in the immediate future.
“summer” holidays – did we get
gypped? Particularly during February, I Sincerely,
found that the rainfall was much, too Befuddled.
much, the sheet lightening much too
sheet-ish, and the general atmosphere P.S. Really looking forward to that St.
more fitting for the winter months. To Patrick’s day party tonight!
all the readers: perhaps we should start ________________________________
saving up to go spend our winter
holidays somewhere where we can Dear Editor,
reclaim our summer! Asia anybody?
Don’t know about you, but I’m I just wanted to say bravo! The way you
currently counting the contents of my trampled on those wretched Sex Ants*
piggy-bank…
was admirable and courageous, to say
the least. I trust they’ve dug themselves
Concerned,
into the ground and hope they remain in
Trip Planner
their ant hole for a long time.
________________________________
Regards,
Dear Editor,
An Onlooker
As we congratulate and wish well our
beloved 2011 graduates, we look
eagerly towards the new first years and
what gifts they can bring to the College.
After three weeks of observation they
look like a promising lot in the most
important aspect of Campion, the
College’s spiritual life. No longer do the
students file out of Formal Hall and
immediately all trudge off to the pub,
ISSUE 13!
*The Sex Ant Media Wars was a one
day attack staged by the rival
newspaper at the end of semester two,
immediately following the release of
the final Sextant for 2011.
14 MARCH 2012
Contents
Cover. O- Week- Peter O’Donovan
2. Letters to the Editor
3. Politics and Language- M. Makowiecki
4. Facebook- L.Jetson
5. Tradition- A.Westenberg
6. Cicero’s Imperium- P. McCumstie
Education- D. Littler
7. Concert Reviews- J. Woolnough & M.
Yeo
Mind Maps- T. Westenberg
8. Comic- J. Barlow
First Year Advice- A. Hitchings
9. Poetry
10.Staff Interview- Ms Kolar
11.The Avengers- R. Hungtington
12. Mixed Martial Arts- B. Smith
Music Reviews- J. Woolnough
13. Movie Reviews- G. Von Marburg
& R. Barlow
14. Sports Shorts- L. Reeves
15. Genesian Theatre & Metropolis
16. Making of the Sextant
The Sextant Team
Editor-in-Chief
Monica Ochudzawa
Assistant Editor
Anna Hitchings
Layout and Design
Miriam Thompson
Editorial and Design Board:
Circulation & Printing: Silvana Scarfe
Comic Artist: Jenna Barlow
Culture and Arts: Alexander
Westenberg
Politics: Mark Makowiecki
Sport: Liam Reeves
Film: Georgina Von Marburg & Ryan
Barlow
Classics Column: Marie Yeo
Theology: David Chilnicean & Jacob
Saal
Music: Joshua Woolnough
Humour: Thomas Westenberg
Poetry: Veronica Nejman
Disclaimer:
The Sextant is written by adults for adults and contains adult themes.The views expressed within are
the views of the individual authors and do not reflect the views of the Sextant Editorial Board, the
CCSA, or Campion College.
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
WAR OF THE WORDS
Mark Makowiecki, class ‘ 14
“If we put bits into the mouths of
horses to make them obey us, we also
guide their whole bodies. It is the
same with ships: even though they are
so large and driven by fierce winds,
they are steered by a very small
rudder wherever the pilot’s
inclination wishes. In the
same way the tongue is a
small member and yet has
great pretensions.” James
3:3-5
In an article for The
Australian last month,
columnist Janet Albrechtsen
considered the political
Left’s use of a trusty and
evidently antiquarian
rhetorical tool, the
obfuscation of language.
She noted a point made by
F.A. Hayek in his book The Fatal
Conceit, in which he accused the Left
of making ‘social’ into “a weasel
word that has acquired the power to
empty the nouns it qualifies of their
meanings.”
By orchestrating the redefinition of
words associated with freedom in this
manner, see ‘justice’, ‘security’ and
‘democracy’, socialists are then able
dictate what it actually means to be
just, secure, and democratic.
However, this forcing of the “weasel
word” upon unsuspecting nouns
remains just one tactic among many in
the wider war for words.
Take “clean energy future”, catchcry
of the ALP’s crusade to sell a noxious
tax. It carries all the hallmarks of a
focus group – sweet-sounding, upbeat
and altogether meaningless. Focus
groups, for the unfamiliar, are the
laboratory rats of marketing and
political spin-doctors. They pick the
contrived word combinations
designed to disarm and win over the
populace to products and policies.
Proven internationally, they are now
ISSUE 13!
par for the course in Australian
politics.
And whilst the juxtaposed slogans
“clean energy future” and “carbon
pollution” are rhetorical disasters,
they nevertheless validate
Albrechtsen’s assertion that the Left
has begun using fallacious language
to promote its hammer and sickle
14 MARCH 2012
doesn’t sell newspapers. My point is
that the mainstream media influences
how we communicate, and not just
within politics. This has profound
consequences on our culture. By
casting lights or shadows, the media
can pick its winners in the culture
wars.
Said differently, it has the
power to determine the framing - and
to an extent the future - of
ideas.
Take for instance the
Associated Press Stylebook,
a guide to journalistic
phrasing and known as “the
Journalist’s Bible”. It was
criticised by the pro-life
movement when (in an
attempt to update from
older, more biased
terminology) it suggested
that journalists reporting on
the abortion issue should:
ideology, albeit in a softer light “socialism-lite”.
A lot could also be said about the
everyday, un-rehearsed sophistry of
politicians, but to my mind that’s a
symptom of a bigger issue. The
question to ask is this; who or what is
foremost in the mind of a politician
when he’s dancing around a question?
It’s certainly not the voter, because
tax-payers prefer straight answers. So
perhaps he’s thinking only of himself?
Well, yes, that’s true to a point, but it
still doesn’t explain why he need
dance around in discomfort? The
answer, I believe, is that the politician
is serving the middle-man, the lens
through which he is viewed, that is to
say, the media.
Why? Because when the press
conference ends, the decisions about
what he actually said begin. It makes
perfect sense then, that a prudent
pollie will tailor his answer to the
needs of his scrutineers.
In stating this I’m not attempting to
blame the media for convoluted
language; we all know bad copy
"Use anti-abortion instead
of pro-life and abortion rights instead
of pro-abortion or pro-choice."
While the AP claimed its intention
had been to provide objectivity, both
sides on the abortion debate have
long-known that popular opinion
rewards the optimist and punishes the
cynic. They understand that public
perception greatly assists - or impedes
- one’s chances of long-term success
(or re-election). Such reasoning
explains both why our leaders skirt
highly emotive subjects, and why prolifers resent the phraseology of the
Associated Press.
The importance of framing is brought
out when you imagine being defined
by what you’re against.
Consider what’s conjured up in the
modern imagination at the mere
mention of the Catholic Church.
Remove the umbrella designation
“pro-life” and, according to the AP
Stylebook, you will find an institution
that is anti-abortion, anti-euthanasia,
anti-IVF, anti-embryonic stem cell
research, anti-cloning, anti-capital
punishment (in most cases), and anticontraception. Cont. pg. 5
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
PINOCCHIO SYNDROME
Leia Jetson
In a thirst for continuous real-life, I deleted
my Earthly Facebook account. The
universe was now truly my oyster, with
neither social networking group to distract
me, nor people to stalk me; I felt like a real
girl!
14 MARCH 2012
lean-stance, “like my status because I
like___”, nor location statuses, and so
forth.
Oh, by the way, did you know you can
now actually ‘poke’ someone via the
cyber web?! I’m sorry, but no. I do not
want you to poke me. I have enough
problems, with this most ridiculous
attention-seeking exploit as it is in real-
With this handsome Pinocchio reference
in mind, I have to wonder what it’d be like
if everyone suffered from the ‘Pinocchio
syndrome’ so inflicted on the wooden boy
by the Blue Fairy... would I be constantly
getting whacked in the head by long
wooden noses?
I’m taking a guess that this is probably
one of the Ten Commandments people
don’t fully understand: to lie. Urban
dictionary has well informed me that it is
actually something that happens whenever
you see Michael Moore or Al Gore
moving their lips; I have an inkling
they’re on the right track, but perhaps
there’s more to it?
Before I continue, I should like to make
note that I’m not at all claiming that those
who have a Facebook account are at all
‘liars’; I merely wish to point out the
rubbish material I see on these social
networking sites which open up an avenue
for either a fake or blurred representation
of oneself and life’s beauties. However,
neither am I exactly claiming that I have a
(serious) problem with duck-faces, the
life, to now have to deal with its cyber
effects (oh yes, I find the expectation to
poke the poker back a serious effect). But,
back to Pinocchio; imagine if this
syndrome applied to the Internet. My, oh
my, wouldn’t we have some serious cyber
nose-whacking going on?
Ok, I won’t be too harsh. Facebook does
have its pros. I have been able to keep in
touch with my family who have been
travelling amidst cyber space for the last 5
years; I am able to keep in contact with
the various friends I’ve made from all
around the universe. Considering that
there have been years where I’ve easily
From pg. 1 To have failed to mention the food would have
been neglecting to mention a considerable part of the
residential experience so far. Before the first day was over, it
was evident that daily meals were going to be something to
look forward to. It is during the meals on the deck (weather
permitting) that the majority of the group conversation is
shared and, thanks to Neil’s delicious cooking, that the
students are in good humour.
For some, staring at the basketball hoop from the college deck
became too much. In between day trips, lectures and
matriculations, the students managed to find time to
demonstrate their proficiency - or in some cases incompetence
- with the basketball. Cricket, Volleyball and other unnamed
games were among the recreational pastimes of the week.
ISSUE 13!
met over 500 people, it is only fair to say if we sincerely like any of them - that we
wish to keep in contact with them, so why
not do it via the most practical means?
Certainly these are only small reasons, but
are they not good enough? When we meet
someone and upon farewelling them say,
“it was nice meeting you” and “we should
catch up!”, do we truly mean it? Are we
truly ever going to be bothered to travel all
the way to Pluto to go visit Mickey
Mouse? Indeed not! But, does this mean
we are the ones with Pinocchio
Syndrome?
I guess the problem with Facebook was
more the sincerity of our beings and thus
becoming zombie-Pinocchio-like
creatures (just imagine a wooden version
of Frankenstein), not allowing for our true
human form of communication to take
part by talking to a human being in
person. That being said, we should simply
learn to moderate ourselves in our
technological uses. After all, Keats - a
great poet from Earth - didn’t spend every
thirty minutes of his time writing about
insignificant and shallow events of his life,
rather, he used writing to express his
passions by some of the most sensual
imagery known to man.
"There is hardly one statement of Keats'
about poetry which…will not be found to
be true, and what is more, true for greater
and more mature poetry than anything
Keats ever wrote." T. S. Eliot
Though unfortunately it was a quick demise for the hoop and
it was moved away from the parking lot.
At the conclusion of our first week came the presentation of
our academic gowns and our official induction into Campion.
Dr. Daintree addressed us here and commended us for our
willingness to flout the typical tertiary education convention.
Upon his recital of Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken, he
made it clear that we - as first year students - were embarking
on an unfamiliar journey. A journey which is not established.
So we can optimistically hope that it will indeed, make all the
difference.
In the hope that our time so far is some indication of what is to
be expected, I look forward to the opportunity to look back.
When our time here has ended and we are required to move
on, I hope we can still recall where we all began.
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
THE GREAT TRADITION
Alexander Westenberg, Class ’12
This week Campion was fortunate enough to be host to
Professor John Armstrong, senior advisor to the ViceChancellor at the University of Melbourne. Professor
Armstrong came to our College to deliver a talk as part of
the programme of the Centre for the Study of Western
Tradition; and what a talk it was! I found his talk to be
thought-provoking at worst, and downright inspiring at best.
The main thrust of the professor's talk, titled “The Great
Tradition”, was the question of what exactly it meant for
something to be in the tradition of something else, and what
it is to believe a subject has intrinsic value for its own sake.
During the talk, Nietzsche's anger at the treatment of the
pyramids was raised. The question is, why do people want to
go to see the pyramids? In the end, for some it is merely to
be able to say that they've been; in others, it is a more
humane search for something else, something different.
From pg 3 On top of that, her
detractors will have her be an
inquisitorial, conspiratorial, crusading,
unscientific, gay-hating, AIDSspreading, child-abusing bank. It’s a
caricature oft-humoured by the media,
and it’s a picture so dear to secularists
that closer inspection of it is rarely
permitted, lest a brushstroke of
optimism ruin such a masterpiece of
propaganda.
The fight then, as far as it’s temporal,
is within language. Proponents not
only of abortion, but divorce, de facto
relationships, euthanasia and legal
homosexual unions have all sought to borrow from Angela Shanahan “moral legitimacy by the conferral of
political legitimacy.” Much of their
legislative success is owed to their
talent for verbal aesthetic.
But it is the gay lobby in particular,
perhaps the strongest of the antifamily brigades, which has furthered
its cause most by way of savvy word
associations. It has the political class
convinced that it is not the family, but
legislated notions of fairness,
diversity, inclusion and tolerance
which form the basis of social
harmony. Every bill passed to this end
points to a utopia under construction.
So what might this utopia look like, or
ISSUE 13!
14 MARCH 2012
They themselves are not certain what it is, but still they go.
No, say Nietzsche and Professor Armstrong, the pyramids
must be seen for the beauty they display, for the ideals they
uphold.
Professor Armstrong made the excellent point that we should
not say we don't care how successful we are with our ideas,
or how widely held they are, because we love them for their
own sake; no, rather it is because we believe them to hold
intrinsic value that we must try to uphold them, to persuade
others to our cause; that is to say it is because we love art for
its intrinsic value that we must endeavour to make good art
appreciated. This is how tradition is continued. We study the
past for its intrinsic value, for what it can teach us about how
we should make our own decisions today. We do not stand in
the line of tradition merely because others have done the
same before us, no, we stand in that line because those
people in the past have believed in the same ideals as we do
today.
perhaps more pertinently, sound like?
I imagine the failed Anglophone
Catholic experiment of “dynamic
equivalence” would inspire a
particularly exasperating strain of
Orwellian Newspeak, where equality
is uniformity, freedom is licence and
‘tolerance’ justifies the meanest of
moral cowardice. I expect jealous
little souls would prosecute more
decent people on the grounds that
their being smarter, taller or betterlooking was “totally” unfair and thus
illegal. Feelings would rule the world.
“Curing” poverty with welfare would
continue. Pagan lords would
confiscate not only the highest of
moral grounds, but also the trees in
which to perch in, so as to throw
stones of various sizes from on high.
But I digress.
I am somewhat reassured by the
realisation that these immediate wars
for words are not limited to modern
times; instances stretch far back into
antiquity. Isocrates had this to say in
his Antidosis (c348 BC):
“Athens has in many respects been
plunged into such a state of topsyturvy and confusion that some of our
people no longer use words in their
proper meaning but wrest them from
the most honourable associations and
apply them to the basest pursuits.”
His gripe is also mine: “gay”; “love”;
“inclusion”; “marriage”; “ecstasy”;
once communicated happiness,
charity, hospitality, fidelity and
delight, respectively. Now they are
ruled in greater part by their
antonyms.
Isaiah adds a divine warning to
Isocrates’ lament:: “Woe to those who
call evil good and good evil, who put
darkness for light and light for
darkness, who put bitter for sweet and
sweet for bitter!” (Is 5:20)
Finally, the Word Himself has a word
for us: In his teaching about oaths in
Matthew 5, Jesus can be seen
pleading, above all, for honesty and
forthrightness in speech. He criticises
the Jews’ tendency to swear upon
heaven; upon earth; upon Jerusalem;
and upon their own heads for the sake
of asserting the truthfulness of their
claims. Honest men need not appeal to
anything because honest men are, by
virtue of the fact, trustworthy. Rather,
said Jesus, “let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’
and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is
more than these is from the evil
one.” (Mt 5:37)
By golly, He seems to have taken the
words right out of my mouth!
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
ON CICERO’S IMPERIUM…
Peter McCumstie, Class ‘12
Prime ministers besieged in
restaurants, secret victory speeches,
public duels between old allies – was
politics always such a turbid affair?
This would seem to be the opinion of
American novelist Robert Harris.
Imperium leads us through the streets,
courtrooms and privates homes of
Rome in the tumultuous last years of
the Republic, as we follow Marcus
Tullius Cicero in his brilliant ascent
through the cursus honorum to
ultimate consular power.
On the way - obstructing the way,
rather - we meet some fascinating
characters. The corrupt governor,
Verres, Catalina the brutal conspirator,
Pompey the miles gloriosus, and the
mysterious political genius Julius
Caesar. Closer to us stands the
senator's family and campaign team,
of whom not the least interesting is
Terentia, the shrewish but shrewd wife
who, providing more than money, is
the whetstone to Cicero's knife-like
mind.
A fascinating cast, whose witty
exchanges colourfully reflect the
complex political scene. But it is
Cicero above all who compels our
wonder. In court an incomparable
fighter, at home oppressed by nervous
exhaustion; resentful of aristocratic
snobbery, himself urbane and out of
touch with his rural origins, disgusted
by corruption and cruelty, at least once
willing to turn a blind eye for his own
gain. Ultimately we see a man who
has overcome enormous obstacles to
obtain supreme power, without any
idea of what he wants to do with it.
not stoop to trash, nor on the other
does it stray into the breathless regions
of lonely, mountaintop pedants. Only
two embarrassing anachronisms. The
narrator (Cicero's stenographer and the
inventor of short-hand symbols such
as @ and &) makes the amazing claim
that one day even women could be
taking shorthand! Otherwise,
Pompey's controversial campaign
against Mediterranean piracy is too
obviously compared with today's war
on terror.
Imperium is nevertheless well worth
the read. Nothing more fascinating
than the frequent insights into Cicero's
rhetorical art - 'all he had was his
voice,' writes Harris, transformed into
a 'fearsome instrument' under the
tutelage of Apollonius Molon by
physical exercises, gestures and a
knowledge of human psychology. The
great moment comes in the heavyweight bout between Cicero and his
lawyer-rival Hortensius in the case
against Verres. Who could look away
while Cicero, by the sheer power of
his oratory, wins the un-winnable
fight? Nowadays, when a speaker is
held to have done his best once he's
dumped his version of the statistics on
the table, when a voice both
reasonable and
persuasive is
needed
more than
e v e r, t h e
study of a
C i c e r o
might well
pay dividends.
As for accuracy, we only dare to say
that on the one hand this novel does
ROME SUMMER
SCHOOL
2-26 JULY 2012
Contact: Dr Susanna Rizzo
[email protected]
Dr David Daintree
[email protected]
ISSUE 13!
Please note that the due date for the
deposit has been extended to 23rd March
14 MARCH 2012
The Classics Corner
…ON EDUCATION
Dylan Littler, class ‘13
‘Educare’: to nourish or care for. The notion of
caring for the whole mind and body is what
the Greeks and Romans believed was best for
their children.
The great intellectual tradition of Classical
Greek education arose among the Ionians in
Asia Minor and later Athens and Corinth. This
educational tradition never lost its focus on the
whole body though. The physical body
needed training and nourishment and the
mind needed intellectual education. The body
was made healthy in the gymnasium and in
the obligatory military training all young men
endured (not to mention the Spartans’ rigorous
military training and survival techniques
taught to children as young as seven).
Intellectual development, like the physical,
was meant to feed the entire mind.
The mind itself was educated through a series
of studies that eventually came to be known as
artes liberales, or liberal arts - the arts of free
men. These arts were truly intended to be
universal. The first intellectual arts studied by
the Greeks were natural history and
philosophy along with the great works of
Homer: the Iliad and the Odyssey. Eventually
these studies included the speculative
metaphysical philosophy of men like Plato
and Aristotle as well.
Galen, a famous Greek medical scientist of
the second century BC prescribed for his
students’ education: medicine, rhetoric, music,
geometry, arithmetic, dialectics, astronomy,
literature and law-truly a liberal education.
Similarly, the education of a student’s entire
being is what Campion College aspires to
provide for its students, which is yet another
way in which it traces its roots back to
antiquity. Like great classical orators and
leaders we are given a rich academic, personal
and religious education. We actually study the
same authors and concepts that they studied
and even have the opportunity to learn the
same languages they spoke. Accordingly, is it
not a testimony to the reliability of the classical
education that it is still in use today?
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
AFTERTHEMOSH
A RETROSPECTIVE
Josh Woolnough, Class ‘14
A Day to Remember (with The Used and You Me at Six), February 28,
UNSW Roundhouse:
I honestly never thought it possible for such a small support act such as
UK pop-rockers You Me at Six to garner so much attention as they
began playing their Sidewave set last Tuesday night. The band
emerged into their massive sing along, “Loverboy” and from the onset
had the whole crowd singing every lyric, and passionately so. Even
slow crooners such as “Liquid Confidence” weren’t without their
moments: the feeling of being unified in such a huge, foreign crowd by
a single song. Finally, “Bite My Tongue” (introduced by none other
than frontman Josh Franceschi’s parents), and ending anthem,
“Underdog”, concluded an immense start to an even greater night.
Second support came from emo-pioneers, The Used, who exploded
onto the stage in a frenzy with their 2007 hit, “The Bird and the
Worm”. Closer, “Pretty Handsome Awkward” (made famous on the
first Transformers movie soundtrack) had crowd surfers and circle pits
erupting everywhere. It was no doubt the perfect way to introduce the
main act of the night…
…A Day to Remember. From the familiar gang vocals at the start of
“The Downfall of Us All” through pop hits “All Signs Point to
Lauderdale”, into the monster breakdowns of “Mr Highway’s
Thinking About the End”, the band did not let up. But the most
prominent thing about the band was their stage presence - the main
reason for their overwhelming influence on music scenes around the
world. And their influence could be heard, as well; voices from the
audience sang every song without hesitation - cries of “I will never
falter, I’ll stand my ground” in “The Danger in Starting a Fire” were so
powerful that the band themselves couldn’t be heard. More
demonstrably, the band had to make a second encore to end their set
with “The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle” in order not to start a riot
amongst the fanatics.
For some people, catharsis can’t come in a better form than being
MIND MAPS
Thomas Westenberg, Class ‘13
Study week of semester two last year was an exciting
time. The year was almost over; only the barrier of exams stood
in the way of students and their freedom. Different students
prepared for this last hurdle in different ways: some spent their
time charging about Sydney shouting out "Galumph!"
and other such adventurous things; others go
galumphing about the place shouting out "Charge";
some students were studying feverishly, at cafes, in
their rooms, under trees and so forth; others were
merely wishing study week was already over. I,
however, was doing something different. I was
discovering mind maps. The first I heard of mind
maps was when a fellow student suggested I use
them. This, however, presented me with a most
distressing question: what are mind maps?
I had two possibilities in mind. It seemed to me that mind maps
are either a map of my mind, or a map to find my mind. If it
ISSUE 13!
14 MARCH 2012
part of something so lively and unified. For others, events like this
are unique memories that last a lifetime.
AFTERTHEPOSH
Marie Yeo, Class ‘13
ARCO Chamber Orchestra, March 4, Joan Sutherland Performing
Arts Centre:
What would it be like to hear the diversion of the same scale played
over and over again but each with a different rhythm and on different
instruments? That was the sound that was so animatedly heard by avid
listeners, at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, last Sunday.
The Performers were the ARCO chamber orchestra and the concert
was run and broadcasted by ABC Classic FM. The performers were all
very accomplished and the selection in the repertoire was very
becoming to a concert dedicated to the great minimalist composer,
Arvo Part, known for his works, "Fur Alina” (for the piano) and
“Spiegel n Spiegel” (piano and violin duet), which David Chua (11')
and I performed at the last Campion music night. The music was very
enchanting and held a certain ethereal sound that seemed to circulate
around the hall and descend on the audience. Such was most evident in
Part's requiem for Benjamin Britten. It started with a church bell that
seemed to chime from a distance, followed by each of the strings
playing a descending Aeolian mode scale (Greek scale, check it out!),
and ending with the double basses, with the mode seeming to rotate
around each instrument, creating a mixture of soft breeze-like sounds.
The song cycle by Benjamin Britten was very well performed, the
trombone turned into a hunting horn by sound rather than sight. The
Tenor, however, did not do enough credit to the rest of the musicians
and their abilities to bring out the story behind this work.
The concert ended well with a piece by Elana, a contemporary
Australian composer. This piece seemed to catch the mood of the
whole concert and brought it to a beautiful yet interesting finish.
turned out to be the latter, not only was I greatly offended by
this student's suggestion, but also, I was confused. I had always
thought I had my mind nicely stowed away on the appropriate
cranial cavity. As you can imagine I was in a bit of a pickle.
Accordingly, I resorted to that Mecca of the Internet, that
Saviour of the curious and the pickled: Google. Google
described a mind map as a map of my mind and not, as I had
feared, vice versa. Still, it seemed unclear what study
benefits a map of my mind would have. Brains, to
my knowledge, are not interesting to look at.
Fortunately this problem too was solved - as indeed
most problems are - by my mother. She chipped in to
state that a mind map is really a big page of doodles
with important-sounding study notes scrawled across
it: a helpful definition.
To conclude, I may say that last year I discovered
mind maps. While it would seem appropriate to have a point to
this story, there really isn't one. The best I can do is say: Study!
It's good.
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7
THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
OI, FRESHIES!
Anna Hitchings, Class ’12
Attention First-Years! You’re probably still adjusting to life at
Campion, whether as a rezzie or day-rat.1 And while you may
already be nurturing a budding affection for our beloved
College, here are some things to take note/be wary of as a new
student to Campion life:
1. Don’t appease the chickens; they’re dirty, bothersome,
feather-brained cannibals. Every Campion student knows
this, and treats them accordingly. (Having said that, don’t
be cruel to them, or any of God’s creatures; just don’t
appease them!)
2. If you feel as though the proverbial train has left and you’re
running like mad trying to catch up, relax. We’ve all been
through this.
3. Use the Library. It’s there for our usage and there are plenty
of books inside. If unsure where to start, ask the librarian,
Ms. Kolar; she’s always friendly and willing to help.
4. Rezzies, you WILL be the object of a prank, at some point,
especially if you live in the dorms. You have been fairly
warned.
5. If you’re on the attendance list for Formal Hall and
planning on not coming, LET MARIAN KNOW.
Otherwise Neil just might cook you up and serve you in a
pie for dinner.
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14 MARCH 2012
6. Gossip spreads like wildfire at Campion. You have been
warned.
7. Try to do your readings for every subject each week. You
learn more, enjoy more, and tutorials are made far less
uncomfortable for all.
8. Try not to come late for class, especially when Dr.
McInerney comes back next semester, as you might just get
locked out. (Also it’s a matter of respect towards your
lecturer/tutor.)
9. You may find yourself getting a bit claustrophobic being in
the Campion bubble after a while. Don’t let this worry you.
Branch out; be daring; head into the city with a few friends
and check out what Sydney has to offer. There’s a LOT
more to it than Toongabbie and Parramatta.
10. If you find yourself overwhelmed with the amount of talent
at Campion – in music, sport, writing, art, etc – it’s because
there is an overwhelming amount of talent at Campion!
Don’t feel discouraged; find your own niche and discover
what you, personally, have to offer.
11. There are a lot of student clubs and activities at Campion.
Find one (or more) you like, and join!
12. Don’t forget you’ve got the Blessed Sacrament with you at
all times on campus; make a visit and have a chat any time
you want.
13. Be kind to Toffee (Mr. Kennedy’s pet dog) or you’ll have
Mr. Kennedy to answer to…
14. If you take nothing else from History 101, just
remember: WHIGGISM IS BAD!
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
Forte
By E.M.Burns
Easy ranks
like organ pipes
patient faces
waiting for now, a few seconds
of a sound that's timeless
They relax, smiling
because if
song can take flight
they're
taming eagles.
14 MARCH 2012
Incarnate
By Katie Hanlon
Made flesh, like a true Word penned
Whose deep black ink sinks into every fibre,
Permeating substance, offering to lend
Itself, its own high meaning to the page
That, open-faced, awaits the scribe.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Sextant is proud to present, on behalf of the Aid to the Church in Need Auction, the most
sought-after on the list - a personal poem by Siobhan Reeves. The poem went for $260, by far the largest bid, to an
anonymous bidder on the theme of happiness. The picture has been chosen by the poet to accompany the poem.
"Recalling Happiness"
Siobhan Reeves
The clarity of thought and
feeling
waking with a sunrise
and following its sleepy
sunbeams
across the horizon
listening to the lilting airs
of a folk tune in the distance
and capturing that moment of
exhilaration
in a coffee-stained photograph
I lost.
Standing still in the wind
and opening my eyes
feeling the stars behind the sky
and.. and letting go
of memories of love and loss and
rainy roads
surrendering all to a greater love
and in that abandonment
finding the way again.
Eleven thousand miles from
a Celtic cross in a graveyard
I'm touching its cold face
And feeling my fingers warm.
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
14 MARCH 2012
Staff Interviews
MS KOLAR
(THE LIBRARIAN)
What do you most enjoy
about the world?
The magnificence of the
Creation. I would like to
be as old as Methuselah,
969 years, the son of
Enoch ("Enoch walked
with God; and he was
not, for God took him"
Gen 5:24) to wander around the face of the Earth and have
time to wonder at the greatness, diversity and magnificence
of His Creation - to walk and talk with God.
Who is your favourite poet and what is your favourite
poem?
This is a difficult question, because there are so many poems
from a variety of poets that I enjoy - King David was a Great
Poet, for example,
As a hart longs
for flowing streams,
So longs my soul
for thee, O God.
(Psalm 42)
For with thee is the fountain of life;
In thy light do we see light.
(Psalm 36)
There are many German poets that I enjoy - Matthias
Claudius, Hoelderlin, Goethe.
I would say Gerard Manley Hopkins - in keeping with my
reply to the first question his poem "God's Grandeur" - no
matter what man does to His Creation the magnificence will
still rise through it.
Also Pied Beauty - "He fathers-forth whose beauty is past
change: Praise Him"
If you were commissioned to custom-make a single bible
and had an unlimited budget what would it turn out like?
Very much like the Bible on display in the Library; however,
with an unlimited budget very much like the Illuminated
Manuscripts - for example, the Book of Kells
If you weren't a librarian, what would you be?
A Scribe, an occupation that harks back to the days of
Antiquity - that was my first occupation before I became a
Librarian, one who transcribes documents, writes, edits and
interprets, also one who keeps records; so the occupation of
Librarian is related; but again in keeping with my reply to
the first question ideally a scribe/naturalist - recording,
noting, interpreting the experience, the wonder of "God's
Grandeur" in His Creation.
ISSUE 13!
What's your favourite place to go for a walk?
Another very difficult question - it is again the diversity of
experience that I enjoy. I enjoy the ocean, the bushland. I
suppose I enjoy most of all following the course of a river
from its creek bed through the valleys as it expands into a
majestic flow joining the wide ocean.
I love "The Secret River" and it is along it and around it that
I enjoy most of my walking - do you know what river I am
referring to? It is the title of a recent Australian novel.
What is the first book you read yourself?
It was the thickest book in the School Library - all about
Africa - as a pupil in Infant School this was a continent that
was exotic, filled with animal and plant life that was far
beyond my daily experience - it was the beginning of awe
and wonder - the expanse of God's Creation. Regrettably I do
not recall the author or title, but similar to: A geographical
present : being descriptions of the several countries of
Africa, compiled from the best authorities, with
representations of the various inhabitants in their respective
costumes, by William Burgess.
If you could be anywhere away from Sydney, where would
it be?
By the bubbling brooks, in the mist and golden light of the
Harz Mountains in Germany, where the lone eagle flies.
What is your favourite beverage and meal?
My favourite beverage is definitely coffee and again I enjoy
a variety of foods. Variety and diversity is that which I enjoy
most. I very much enjoy a slice of thick fresh sour rye bread
with caraway seeds, salami or cheese and fresh crunchy
cucumbers; then again I enjoy a large bowl of fresh fruit strawberries, paw-paw, blueberries with clumps of yoghurt
and a dob of maple syrup.
What book from Campion's library do you recommend
everyone read?
All 25,000 volumes - again I enjoy all books, especially our
Campion Library, a compact reflection of the Liberal Arts;
but in keeping with my theme: Voyages of Discovery by
Tony Rice. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 2008; First published
by Scriptum Editions in association with the Natural History
Museum, London, 2008. ( A celebration of the Greatest
Natural History Expeditions) accompanied by beautiful
illustrations; also related to this publication in theme:
Amazing Rare Things: the Art of Natural History in the Age
of Discovery, David Attenborough (Ed.). London: Kales
Press in association with the Royal Collection, 2009.
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
WAITING IN ANTICIPATION
Ralph Huntington, class ‘10
It's been a long time since I've anticipated
a movie as keenly as I am currently
anticipating The Avengers. Set for release
in May of this year, the movie will be a
major point in a saga that began with Iron
Man (2008) and continued through The
Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man II
(2010) Thor (2011) and Captain America
(2012). In this film, the heroes of those
previously named films along with some
others will come together to form a
team. While team-ups of this kind
have long been standard fare in the
comics, this is the first time
something of this nature had
happened on the big screen. That fact
alone would make the new film
something to watch for.
In addition to this, the quality of the
lead-up films themselves has gotten
me excited. While none of the films
have been perfect they have all shown
the capacity for films based on superhero comics to depict mature,
intelligent stories. Take the film that
started it all, Iron Man. At the
beginning of the film, (mild spoilers
follow) Tony Stark is something of a
James Bond figure, a millionaire
playboy living the ultimate hedonistic
good life. As the story progresses,
Stark is forced to face up to the way
in which his actions affect others and
are even damaging to the country he
sincerely believed himself to be
serving. Stark's moral reformation and
journey to becoming a better person is
by no means a smooth process and is
certainly incomplete at the end of the
second Iron Man film, but it provides an
interesting story, at least as interesting as
the sci-fi and action elements of the
movies, although I have to add, some of
the fight scenes have been truly
awesome.
So, I was anticipating this film, but I was
also more than a little frightened; so often
in the past we have seen a super-hero
movie franchise that has started out well,
only to disappoint just when things
should have reached a climax. I was
ISSUE 13!
concerned that this would prove the case
again. After all the work Marvel Comics
had done to build up the series, was there
any hope at all that the final movie could
match the hype? That's when I read one
sentence which banished my fears: “The
film will be written and directed by Joss
Whedon.”
For those of you unfamiliar with his
work, Joss Whedon is probably still best
known in Australia as the genius behind
the television show Buffy: the Vampire
14 MARCH 2012
of our own high schools? The whole
premise of the show was summed up
beautifully in an early episode; Buffy
wanted to go out, her mother grounded
her. Buffy insisted it was really important
that she go out. Her mother declares “I
know; if you don't go out, it will be the
end of the world, everything is life or
death when you are a teenage girl.” But,
of course, Buffy really did need to go out
in order to stop the world ending. This
was the essence of the story, the real
world of teen (and in later seasons young
adult) problems, made to have the
cosmic significance they so often
feel like they have.
C.S. Lewis once wrote that we have
not seen man as he truly is until we
have seen that he is like a hero in a
fairy tale and that by putting the facts
and problems of our earthly life into
a myth we do not retreat from reality
but discover it. It was perhaps the
ultimate testament to Whedon's
creative skill that he was able to
embody this truth in a drama meant
for teenagers.
Slayer. When Buffy hit the television
screens of the world in 1997 it gained
critical attention and praise for the it's
unique blend of drama and comedy,
clever inversion of existing horror and
dramatic clichés, and witty dialogue.
Almost a decade after the last season was
broadcast the show retains a loyal and
passionate fan-base.
The show was based on the premise that
high school is hell. Buffy and her friends
went to a school which was built over a
mystical vortex leading into hell. How
many of us suspected the same was true
Another thing which made Buffy
interesting for me, however, was the
fact that, at the time of its release,
most teen drama series deliberately
focused on the “bad boys and girls”
and presented a generally amoral
atmosphere. Whilst I frequently
disagreed with the moral conclusions
Whedon came to (Buffy's best friend
Willow became one of the first ever
major characters on a show to come
out as 'gay' with the obvious support
of her creator), I appreciated the
seriousness with which he and his show
took moral issues.
Whedon's follow-up to Buffy was Firefly.
Anything I say about this show in such a
short space will be wholly inadequate, let
me just say this, after it came to an end,
Whedon made a movie based on the
show called Serenity. If you ever get the
chance, see this movie.
I've been a fan of Whedon for over
fifteen years, I don't think he is going to
disappoint me now. This will be one
movie that does live up to the hype.
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
COULD YOU BE AN ACADEMIC THUG?
Brendan Smith, Class ‘13
Mixed Martial Arts is to be considered to be brutish - a
thug’s sport. But in learning it over the Summer break, I
have discovered that description to be ungenerous. Certainly,
when compared to standard boxing or wrestling, MMA is more
primal and savage. But it also calls for reserves of cunning,
strategy, skill and co-ordination, with a thinking fighter being
worth a dozen brutes in the ring. When engaged, a fighter must
be constantly on the alert for an attack from every angle. Every
style is permitted, from karate to judo, from Muay Thai to
Aikido. An opponent can launch a barrage of punches,
strike low with a shin kick, grapple, trip, all to force a
submission or a KO.
My average schedule involved training about three
nights a week under various trainers, all of whom
have over a dozen years of experience in various
disciplines. After passing my first sparring
session, I was moved from the Beginner to
Intermediate Class and began a more
intensive programme. Students at Elite
Fight Gym are expected to achieve rapid
competence at the various combinations
14 MARCH 2012
through rigorous exercise and focus. Eventually, new disciplines
were added to our training - the basic kickboxing supplemented
with Muay Thai stand up grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
ground work.
But, to my point, why should students and academics take up
this sport? Well, for one thing, the discipline required for MMA
can be applied in all aspects of our lives. Control needs to be
exercised, as an overthrown punch or extended kick could leave
you vulnerable, just as a lack of self control can leave us
vulnerable in everyday life. I have found that the same things
were being demanded of me in training as were being
demanded in class: precision of form, preparation, and
endurance. Similarly, essays, tutorials and exams
require these things too.
In conclusion: Campion will continue its
boxing club - If a strong body equals a strong
mind, then MMA should teach a student to KO
his academic life!
- MMA classes for men will be held on
Fridays at the Campion Gym (more
information will be given via email and
Monday musters).
FOR THE RECORD
Josh Woolnough, Class ‘14
Phil Woods Quartet - Woodlore
Released: 6 March 2012, Self-released
Style: Progressive Bebop
What? A classic 1992 album revisited and remastered. Classical quartet sounds, with
intertextualisation of traditional bebop elements and modern experimental jazz.
Check out: “Woodlore”
Rating: 3/5
I See Stars - Digital Renegade
Released: 13 March 2012, Sumerian Records
Style: Dubstep-infused Metalcore
What? Conceptual record revolving around man’s succumbing to digitalisation in the
future a-la Blade Runner. Ambitious, honest and utterly brutal, yet, also melodic.
Check out: “Filth Friends Unite”, “Summer Dies
in Connorsville”
Rating: 4.5/5
Say Anything - Anarchy, My Dear
Released: March 13 2012, Equal Vision Records
Style: Sarcastic yet philosophical pop
What? The band’s fifth album, dealing with secularization which dictates society’s way
of thinking. To quote frontman Max Bemis: “The idea of… a defined system of…
government that is imposed on everyone in the world, slows and negates this path to
enlightenment because it stifles creative energy and freedom of thought, which for me
comes from God.”
Check out: “Burn a Miracle”, “Night Song”
Rating: 3.5/5
ISSUE 13!
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12
THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
BIG SCREEN BREAKDOWN
Georgina von Marburg, Class ’13 & Ryan
Barlow
CARNAGE
Georgina: Roman Polanski returns to the director's chair in
this superb film adaptation of Yasmina Reza's Broadway play.
It depicts the initially civil meeting of two couples after one
son, armed with a stick, disfigured another son's face – or so
the victim's parents propose. This simple childhood quarrel
sets the arena for the ultimate argument which mercilessly
shovels through every character's personal agendas.
Although I am neither a professional critic nor a prophet, I'd
like to humbly preface this by stating that Carnage is certainly
one of the best films of the year, and one of the most unique of
the decade. Aside from its Hollywood A-listers, it carries all
the hallmarks of a low budget film: simple setting, simple
plot, and not a single prop worth more than a thousand bucks.
However, within the small, pretentious lounge room of the
Longstreet family, Carnage spawns the essential qualities of a
genuinely great film. The characters
have more layers than a Charles
Dickens protagonist, the directing
and cinematography capture the
intensity of every flawlessly spoken
line, and the moral(s) of the story
cross those boundaries of civil
company you've always wanted to.
Unfortunately, Carnage is only
screening in selected cinemas, but
the effort it takes to wrangle public
transport and find that obscurer
indie outpost is definitely worth it.
And the script of Carnage should
PROJECT X
Georgina: Project X, whose biggest stars are its Hangover
producers, follows three boys and their desperate attempt to gain
high school popularity. Apparently, the most assured way of
doing this is to throw an open party, have beer bongs trailing
down backyard trees, drive a Mercedes into the pool, and set the
neighbourhood on fire – literally. Yes, it sounds like an exciting
and unashamedly amusing spectacle for any audience, but
unfortunately Project X evokes more pity than laughter, and the
jokes and stunts prove to be no more than a teenage remix of
films such as Jackass.
The handy-cam cinematography is hardly original, yet it seemed
to work perfectly to capture the nauseating mayhem; from
beginning to end, you are forced to swim through an ocean of
sweaty armpits, dilated pupils, demoralised girls, and pathetic
young boys - of which Thomas, our protagonist, is the only one
who doesn't leave a sour taste…
I wish I could say this is a film about the degeneration of the
youth through the medium of intoxication fests; I wish I could
say it provides a scathing portrayal of the perverse high school
culture; I, at least, wish I could say it was funny and enthralling
on some level. But alas, I sign out of the first searing 2012
review.
14 MARCH 2012
be compulsory listening for every philosophy student: it's as
though you're listening to a Socratic dialogue on a lofty
metaphorical level - which is extremely ironic, considering the
moment when Christoph Waltz despairingly asks Jodie
Foster's altruistic character, “Well, what did you expect? A
revelation in universal values?”
Rating: 8.5/10
GONE
Ryan: Amanda Seyfried's star is undeniably on the rise, but is
she a natural lead? Heitor Dahlia's Gone seems to suggest that
she isn't quite. Seyfried plays Jill, a former abductee who lives
in heavily medicated paranoia over her kidnapper's return.
When her sister disappears and the police refuse to support her
crazy theory that the two cases are linked, she takes matters
into her own hands and a game of cat and mouse ensues.
As Jill, the young actress of Mean Girls and In Time, fame has
trouble mustering the presence necessary to sustain a role
demanding so much solo screen time, which impacts the tone
of the film. But Gone's shortcomings
don't rest with her alone. I can't
recall watching a thriller that runs
into so many "as if" moments. The
plot holes show up thick and fast,
destroying audience suspension of
disbelief, and there is only so much
that the actors can do with such a
hum-drum script. There is the
occasional legitimate chill to be
found here but Gone's ending is so
incredibly weak and unsatisfying
that I walked out of the cinema
feeling robbed anyway.
Ryan: Handycam films are so in right now, so why not take the
Judd Apatow Superbad template of crude party humour with a
heart of gold and give it a visual shake-up (pun intended)?
Sounds like a recipe for success if ever there was one.
Except Project X forgets to include the heart. And the humour.
And the chemistry between the characters that made Superbad
such an example of how to do this kind of film right. Project X is
so focused on nailing the feel of a chaotic party (which, as
Georgina says, works quite well) that it ends up feeling like a
bunch of depraved stuff happening on screen without anything
approaching a decent narrative to guide it.
In some ways it's hard to believe that audiences get treated to this
garbage after last month's release of Chronicle, a handycam
superhero movie also featuring three teenage male protagonists
that feels far more genuine in nearly every way. How Project X
even counts as a film is beyond me.
Rating: 2/10
Rating: 3/10
ISSUE 13!
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13
THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
SPORTS SHORTS
Liam Reeves, Class ‘14
Welcome to the 2012 sports section of the Sextant. This year
there are more sporting events and tournaments on than ever.
After a huge year of sports last year, 2012 looms as one of
Campion’s most exciting sporting years, with a fresh
injection of numerous first-year students taking charge of the
residential halls. Although many distinguished sportsmen and
women have now departed Campion, sporting talent at the
College remains high. Aside from sport, this article will
explore several other events and tournaments held on
campus, which add to student life here at Campion.
Perhaps the first event I should mention is the amazing Day
Rats vs. Rezzies Debate held in the dining hall only a few
days ago. It was the first ever debate between the Residential
and the Day students and I am sure all will agree that
everyone had a great time and it was an excellent idea. The
Rezzies fully deserved their triumph with their logical and
coherent arguments. More debates will follow throughout the
year and for further information please see Hugh McLaurin.
And on to the game of kings, last year the first ever chess
tournament, organised by Alexander Westenberg, was held at
Campion and climaxed with a ‘Human Chess’ battle for the
title between Alexander Westenberg and Anthony Nejman,
the latter of whom won. The Chess Club, according to
Alexander, was started “to foster the interest in chess at
Campion, as an excellent way to get to know people, to
better think logically, and just to have some fun.” This
semester there will be a one day Tournament followed by the
highlight of the club the Human Chess Game in second
semester, featuring live people as pieces! The Club brings
out our chessboards every Monday during lunchtime (though
of course they are available throughout the week). So if you
would like the chance to dethrone the reigning victor,
Anthony Nejman, or are interested in joining up just for the
fun please contact Alexander.
Like Don Quixote, if you’ve ever dreamed of being a shining
knight on a mighty stallion (speaking to the boys here) or
have ever imagined yourself defeating Zorro, then you may
be interested in the exciting prospect of learning how to
fence. The Campion College Fencing Club strives to uphold
the ideals of honour and discipline on which the art of
Fencing is based. Once upon a time men duelled for honour,
and it was from this that Fencing was born; today, thankfully,
such a situation is not a common occurrence in our society,
yet still we can learn from it the importance of self-discipline
ISSUE 13!
14 MARCH 2012
in all areas of our lives, be it academia or otherwise. Under
the instruction of Alexander you will be defeating Zorro (if
only in your dreams) in no time. Feel free to contact
Alexander regarding this. The Fencing Club meets every
Friday morning at 10am.
Another sport which has arrived at Campion this year is
boxing. Brendan Smith has started up a boxing club and if
anyone watched the “Warrior” last week then who doesn’t
want to fight?! So if you really want the opportunity to learn
how to master boxing and other mixed Martial Arts skills or
just want to hit someone then get it touch with Brendan who
will gladly show you how to do both.
For the girls (yes Brendan’s Cub is for boys only) Isabelle
Kopecny will be running training sessions for the girls to
learn the very important skill of self-defence. With Isabelle
having represented Australia in Judo you will have one of the
best teachers out there teaching you.
Last year, as always, soccer was a huge success, with
numerous events held to foster this sport. This year those
events will again be held and they include:
- The Cardinal’s Cup indoor soccer tournament – round robin
tournament involving around 12 teams representing Catholic
institutions, parishes and groups. (May 2012)
- The Gee Up Cup soccer competition.
- The Rezzies vs Day Rats soccer series (here is a chance for
the Days Rats to regain some honour after being beaten and
severely reprimanded by Hugh at the debate last Thursday.)
- The Presidents Plate – this is a one-day blitz, which is
crammed with excitement, fun, and tons of physical activity.
The students and staff are split into teams representing saints
and play for the ultimate trophy!
There is still an opening for someone to start up a basketball
and volleyball competition, not to mention Frisbee and all
the other great sports out there. Watch this space!
I will conclude with a quote from Aristotle confirming the
importance of all the above for a student, “A healthy mind
needs a healthy body.” Notice there how he does not say
‘could do with’ or ‘is better off with’ he says ‘needs’ and so
he is implying that we all should keep or attain a healthy
body and mind through the practice of at least some, if not
all, of the aforementioned sports and activities. (Just see
Dylan’s piece.) Hope you all get involved and have a great
time even if you are only in the audience (we need one of
those too ya know).
!
!
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THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
14 MARCH 2012
The Genesian Theatre
The Mer
chant
of Venice
By William
Shakespeare
Directed by
Constantine Costi
Season: 18th February 31st March 2012
Crown
Matrimonial
By Royce Ryton
Directed by Nanette
Frew
Season: 14th Apr - 12th
May 2012
Preview night 13th Apr
Friday and Saturday
nights at 8pm
Sunday matinée at
4.30pm
www.genesiantheatre.com.au/
1300 237 217
POKER
20
Fritz Lang's Silent Masterpiece
It has inspired figures from Hitler to George Lucas.
Now, after having its lost fragments fully restored and
remastered, Metropolis has been reborn into the
21st Century and still remains ones of the greatest
achievements in cinematic history.
When: Wednesday, 21 st of March
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Where: PDS lecture Theatre
Dining Hall
TH
Y
A
D
$10 Buy-In, max 15 players
FRI
BYO drinks
L
I
R
P
A
Be there 7.30pm for an 8pm start
ISSUE 13!
!
!
15
THE SEXTANT : PUBLICATION OF THE CCSA
14 MARCH 2012
The
Making
of the
Sextant
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ISSUE 13!
| 1 Jamison Street Sydney 2000 | Fax 02 9290 3684
Published by the
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Sincere thanks to Ms Ste!a
Soloman & Ms Teresa Gambino
for a! their assistance.
!
!
16