- St Aloysius` College

THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN
TO DO NOTHING. - EDMUND BURKE – Irish Statesman 1729 – 1797
FRIDAY, 26 FEBRUARY
VOL XXXIX / WEEK 5 - TERM I / 2016
THE RECTOR
In a few weeks’ time a group of Year 10 students from St
Aloysius’ College, Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview and Xavier
College will make a pilgrimage from Gore Hill Cemetery to the
Dalton Chapel at Riverview. Fr Dalton SJ founded Xavier
College in 1878, St Aloysius’ College in 1879, and Saint
Ignatius’ Riverview in 1880. He possessed good judgment,
vision, and moral courage. He was a deeply spiritual and
humble person. He endeared himself to others with his gentle
manner and wise common sense.
Fr Dalton was a man of great energy and initiative and under his leadership in Sydney, he took over “the Mission of the North
Shore”, began a new church at St Leonards, purchased two acres on which to construct St Francis Xavier Church and parish
school at Lavender Bay. When the College completed it's new sport facility in 2011, it was named Dalton Hall in his honour. The
pilgrimage by the schools founded by Fr Dalton reminds us of the gratitude we owe to those Irish Jesuits who began their mission
to Australia 150 years ago. On Thursday, 3 March, Fr Edmund Campion SJ is delivering the Term I Campion Lecture on the
history of the Catholic Church in Australia. For further details and bookings please visit: CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Our country and Church owe much to the Irish. One hundred years ago on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916, Patrick Pearse read a
proclamation outside the GPO in O’Connell St, Dublin. It was the first major armed uprising against the British Empire in the 20th
Century and was a turning point for Irish freedom from London rule. For over a week some 1,000 volunteers of the Provisional
Republic held out against the stronger British forces of 20,000. Although there had been local opposition to their cause, sympathy
for the rebels galvanised when the 16 leaders were summarily executed after their surrender.
Over the next five years support for an independent Irish republic grew in Ireland and abroad. The executions of those in the
Easter Uprising and the British deployment of the undisciplined Black and Tans drove the population into the arms of the Irish
Republican Army and Sinn Fein. It was a period of fighting of Irish against British, and then of Irish against Irish, as the Anglo-Irish
Treaty of 1921 and its implications unfolded. The 1916 rebellion was the beginning of a process that led to parliamentary
democracy in Ireland. In Australia Daniel Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne, was an ardent supporter of Irish independence. He
became a lifelong friend of Eamon de Valera and was an outspoken opponent of the proposed imposition of conscription by Prime
Minister Hughes in 1916.
In Ireland, leaders today have indicated that the centenary should not be exploited by anti-peace process fanatics. The rising was
an attack on the British and gave legitimacy to future generations of republicans who took it up. However they claim that it should
not be a celebration of militants or violent resistance. It should be remembered that when the 50th anniversary occurred in 1966,
Northern Ireland was only three years away from the start of 'The Troubles' and a conflict that went for nearly 30 years and
claimed nearly 4,000 lives.
QUO VADIMUS?
Reflection on the six virtues – Faithfulness
In 1880, the year after Fr Dalton founded St Aloysius’ College, Charles Coppens SJ wrote: “The principal responsibility of
education is to make people virtuous; any system of training which does not put virtue in the first place is a false system”. Fr
Coppens listed integrity; restraint; public spirit; compassion for the needy; magnanimity; humility; confidence; self-possession; and
a habit of application and hard-work among the virtues necessary for a well-educated student. Last year, Quo Vadimus? identified
virtues we seek our graduates to affirm. These were faithfulness, fortitude, wisdom, gratitude, compassion and justice. In the
coming weeks we shall offer a reflection on these and start with faithfulness.
As a Catholic school, we hope each student will seek to find God in all things and that each is a person of integrity and
conscience for the greater glory of God. Our Superior General, Fr Adolfo Nicolas SJ, said in 2009: “A Jesuit education promotes
depth and universality. I have been speaking to you not of general educational goals, but of specific goals that make it not just a
noble humanitarian work, but a service of the Gospel. If we dream of an educational system that teaches people to decide from
inside, from the depths of their hearts, and to serve generously not just a tribe, but as broad a slice of humanity as it can, it is
because these were the goals of Jesus, and the only reason Jesuit schools exist is to serve humanity according to the vision and
the spirit of the Gospel”.
Saint Ignatius and his companions understood that Jesus had taught them how to live a life that would have profound meaning,
joy and hope. Pope Francis said in 2013: “Always love Jesus Christ more deeply. Our lives are a response to his invitation. You
will be happy and you will build your lives well if you will know how to respond to this call. Feel the presence of the Lord in your
lives. He is close to each of you as your companion, as a friend, who knows how to help and understand you, who encourages
you in difficult moments and who never abandons you. In prayer, in conversation with him, in the reading of Scripture, you will
discover that he is truly close to you. Learn to read the traces of God in your lives. He is always communicating with us, amidst
the realities of our time and our daily existence. It is up to us to listen well”.
Fr Peter Hosking SJ
Rector
[email protected]
OREMUS
Let us pray for those in need
FOR THE SICK:
Elaine Carnevale,
Current Parent and mother of Thomas (Year 5)
Elliott Miller (SAC 2012),
brother of Tristan Miller (Year 11)
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED:
Mrs Patricia Bullen (SAC Past Parent),
mother of Fr Andy Bullen SJ (SAC 1966), Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Way Parishes, North Sydney.
Tim Carter (SAC 1963 and 1964),
uncle of Dr Mark Hedley (SAC 1983)
Doreen Little,
mother-in-law of Julianne (SAC Staff and Past Parent), grandmother of Andrew (SAC 2003), Joshua (SAC 2007), and
Matthew (SAC 2010) Little.
Ask and you shall receive … knock and the door will be opened unto you.” (Matt 7:7)
If you would like someone to be prayed for by the College community (even anonymously), please pass the details to the Rector.
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THE PRINCIPAL
In the College’s Strategic Plan, Quo Vadimus?, the practice of
teaching in our classrooms has been prioritised. In particular,
the Plan commits the College to: encouraging and measuring
effective and innovative teaching practices within a
comprehensive and collaborative approach to teacher
development through mentoring, appraisals, standards and
professional learning.
As in any profession, the development of a teacher’s capacities
requires a willingness for critical reflection and training in
innovative and effective methods of improving learning outcomes for students. There has been a paradigm shift in Australian
education over the last decade with professional, industrial and statutory insistence that teaching becomes more of a collaborative
activity than it ever was in the past. New research into the most effective teaching methodologies has also driven an agenda of
‘visible’ teaching and learning whereby students understand and take control of their own learning, and teachers provide more
transparent pathways to understanding and achievement.
On Tuesday afternoon all Teaching Staff at the College gathered for the first of a series of professional learning sessions. In a
new initiative in 2016, Teaching Staff gather three afternoons each Term instead of a sole reliance upon whole-day opportunities
at the beginning or end of the academic year.
Over the course of the year, Teaching Staff will participate in a diverse range of tailor-made Professional Learning opportunities.
These have been divided into three separate streams, aligned to three of the pillars in Quo Vadimus?, to clarify the priorities of the
College and its teachers.
Academic (Teachers, Teaching & Learning)
To foster a collaborative learning culture and community which promotes a life-long passion for learning amongst students
and staff.
Pastoral (Cura Personalis)
To deepen knowledge and develop skills that enable teachers to promote well-being and facilitate student academic
achievement through the pastoral care programs and structures.
Ignatian Formation (Faith & Justice)
To gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the College’s Jesuit tradition and Ignatian charism and explore its
impact on professional practice and the learning environment. This stream becomes especially important as experienced
teachers in the Ignatian charism come to the end of their careers and as we continue to experience a decline in the
number of active Jesuits involved in the schools ministry within the Province.
These new developments in professional learning are only one element of the College’s approach to supporting teachers in
continually improving our practice. In the coming months I will detail to the community other initiatives around appraisals,
mentoring and research.
Above: St Aloysius' College teaching staff take part in the first Professional Learning session.
Congratulations to the 1st VII Water Polo Team for their terrific win over Waverley College at Riverview last Saturday. The Water
Polo program at the College has a very strong tradition with many boys also participating in the strong Sydney club competition.
There is also a very enthusiastic parent body that surrounds the Water Polo program. The 1st VII now play off for the combined
GPS/CAS competition title on Saturday week against Knox Grammar School.
Mr Mark Tannock
Principal
[email protected]
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SENIOR SCHOOL
A very successful Year 9 father-son initiative in 2015 has led to the College embracing a broader program entitled Time
and Space for students of Years 7 – 9 in 2016. Further details of this program appear later in this article. In other news,
the 2017 academic dates are still being considered and the College hopes to release these soon. I have included a series
of simple questions and answers to explain our most basic expectations and parameters.
TIME AND SPACE
In 2015 under the guidance of a group of like-minded and enthusiastic fathers, a voluntary father-son experience was reintroduced into our Year 9 program. Part of a broader program titled Time and Space, it was coordinated by facilitator Mr
Bill Jennings and offered as a weekend away for Year 9 boys and their dads as well as two evenings, one before and one
immediately after the weekend away. In all half of the Year Group were involved in what proved to be a very worthwhile
and enjoyable experience.
After evaluating the value of the Year 9 experience of last year the College has decided to engage Mr Jennings once
again, and implement elements of the broader program throughout Years 7 – 9. Years 7 and 8 will both have the
opportunity to be involved in a one off evening which forms part of their adolescent development, this time for Mothers
and Sons - Year 7 on Tuesday, 5 April at 7.00pm in The Great Hall and Year 8 on Wednesday, 8 April, also in The Great
Hall. Bill is the creator and founder of Time and Space – www.time-space.com.au – and developed this program for the
junior and middle years of secondary, to give parents and children just what the name implies – ‘time and space’ to share
important milestones together in a familiar school community network. The programs involve a whole range of activities
and carefully guided interactions with mothers and their sons. Registrations will be via a web link, which the College will
soon provide via The Gonzagan. For the moment, keep the date free. Mr Jennings has also generously offered to revisit
last year’s inaugural participants in the Year 9 program with a one off evening, the date of which we are yet to set. More
details for those families now in Year 10 will be provided later in the Term.
Above: The 2015 Year 9 Father and Son camp was enjoyed by all
BILLETING
Thank you to those parents who have already responded to my request for billet hosts. From Sunday, 6 – Tuesday, 8
March (two nights) we need to host five Year 10 boys from Xavier College Melbourne who will participate in the
pilgrimage walk from Gore Hill to Riverview, celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the arrival of Irish Jesuits in
Australia. We will also be hosting four girls in Year 11 from the Jesuit High School Gdynia, Poland from Saturday, 28 May
– Friday, 24 June. Lastly, 10 Italian students from Leone XIII Jesuit College in Milan, Italy will be our guests Saturday, 23
July – Monday, 15 August. Any family that would like to host a visiting student is asked to contact me directly via
[email protected]
2017 TERM DATES
The College takes advice on term dates from AHISA (Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia), but
equally requires the CAS Heads to agree on the sporting calendar before we can release our dates. We also by nature,
traditionally work together with Loreto College Kirribilli and Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College to ensure consistency for
parents. We will announce these dates as soon as we can.
The Start of Term
To assist both parents and boys to understand some basic expectations of life in the Senior School, I have prepared a
number of Questions and Answers which can be found here.
Mr Sam Di Sano
Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School
[email protected]
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JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Debating season has begun well with both of our Primary ISDA Teams recording convincing first round wins against St
Martin's at Stella Maris College, Manly last Friday. In sport, most teams experienced success but none more so than the 3A
Cricket Team recording a one hundred run victory over Coogee Prep with star of the show, Jones Peters (Year 3), taking 4
wickets for 8 runs.
Monday evening saw most Junior School parents turning up for an Information Evening the first session of which was held at
Star of the Sea Church before moving to the classrooms for meetings with individual teachers. We are hoping to use this
church facility for functions and events in the future especially as it is in such close proximity to the Junior School. It was
tremendous to see most of the parents there - a sure sign of your desire to work collaboratively with us in the education of your
boys. I would like reiterate my invitation and encouragement for you to regularly give us feedback on your experience of our
programs, policies and procedures in as far as they affect your sons. While we would like to build on some of the tried and
tested ways of the past, we are very open to improvement and change if it delivers a positive outcome for your sons. As I
briefly alluded to at the information evening, while maintaining the kind of programs that have proven to be valuable, there has
been a considerable investment this year in enhancing learning support for our boys at both ends of the learning achievement
continuum as well as greater access of counselling services to facilitate early intervention.
I would like to urge parents to speak to your sons about the importance of considerate, caring and courteous behaviour while
travelling on public transport. Some practical ways they can do this is by offering their seats to fare paying adult passengers,
being mindful not to clutter and block aisles with their school bags, waiting until passengers have got off the train before
boarding, not moving around and between carriages once on board, keeping noise and the tone to 'civilised' levels and by
offering to assist older and disabled passengers. If you haven’t yet received your Opal Card or for any lost Opal Card
replacements, applications for new passes, address and other detail changes please go online using the following link
https://www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal-for-school-students/.
Happy Birthday this week to the following boys:
27 February Sam Millard (Year 5)
28 February Jesse Milevskiy (Year 6)
1 March Thomas Carnevale (Year 5) and Stuart Hudson (Year 5)
2 March Angus Collins (Year 6) and Callum Moore (Year 6)
4 March Rian Callanan (Year 5), Flynn Elliott (Year 5) and Isaac Mayer (Year 6)
Mr Martin Lobo
Head of Junior School
[email protected]
Above: Boys enjoy activities and the experiences had by all on the Year 3 and 4 Getaway.
DEPUTY HEAD OF THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Daily Examen is a technique of prayer, where we reflect on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and
discover his direction for us. The Examen is central to Ignatian Spirituality and an ancient practice in the Church that can help
us see God’s hand at work. It makes us stop, reflect on our life as a whole experience, and see God’s presence within our
whole experience.
This prayer can become a central element in the life of a busy person, helping us to find God in our ordinary activities. It has
five sequential steps:
Being aware of God’s presence today…
1. What was the best thing I heard?
2. What was the best thing I saw?
3. What was the best thing someone did for me?
4. What was the best thing I did for someone else?
5. What can I do to improve tomorrow?
Thank you God
At our first Junior School Assembly this term, Fr Peter Hosking SJ, our Rector launched and handed out to all the boys the
Angelus prayer card and the Aloy’s 5 Stars, a wallet-sized card with the daily examen prayer printed on the back, which the
boys should keep with them.
Our Aloy’s 5 Stars is a daily examen which all boys are encouraged to undertake at school and at home. We also do this as a
class every day after recess and on Fridays we stop at midday and say the Angelus followed by fallow time. The design was
created by Junior School boys and has a very special meaning. The 5 stars represent both the 5 questions that the examen
asks and the 5 stars of the Southern Cross, as seen on the Wyalla building in our Senior School and the wall outside the lift
area in the Junior School.
MOBILE PHONES
Could I remind all boys who bring mobile phones to school that the phones are to be placed safely in their school bags and are
not to be used during the school day. If boys need to contact their parents, they are to seek permission from their class
teachers or Mrs Edwards at Reception. This ensures that the phones are safe and that they are not used inappropriately during
the course of the school day. Your assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
ISDA DEBATING
Our Friday night debate against St Martin’s at Stella Maris Collegee, Manly, was a great way to start the Debating season. Both
teams performed particularly well. Matthew Davies, Henry Hayden, Aarun Bhattacharya, Alex Staikos, Lachlan Rae, Will
Spitznagel, Harry Salier and Zac Gould (all Year 6), were excellent in their respective teams as the Negative in our debate:
“That we should explore Space.” Congratulations to both teams on their well-deserved win. Thank you to Mrs Shirley Davies,
Mr Gerry Slattery, Mr Jim Hayden and Mrs Bec Christenson for assisting with transportation and to all the boys from Years 5
and 6 who turned up to support their classmates. This week we are debating against St Catherine’s College Waverley. We wish
the teams the best of luck.
Mr Joe El-Khoury
Deputy Head of Junior School
[email protected]
THE JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTSMASTER
Well it has certainly been a busy few weeks but it seems now we have found our stride before settling into the year. Boys have
settled into their summer sports, those boys in Healthy Lifestyle have begun winter sport skills and a lot of effort and
enthusiasm is being shown in PE lessons. It’s great that so many families are accessing the Junior School Sports Tab on
Manresa to download relevant information for sport. Please remember to check the Saturday fixtures draw on the Friday night
as there may have been some late changes. Results for all Summer sports are also available on Manresa
http://manresa.staloysius.nsw.edu.au/Junior/Sport/Shared%20Documents/SUMMER%20RESULTS%20Rounds%201%202.pdf
Our next major event is the Cross Country Carnival on Friday, 11 March at 9.30am. I have been reminding boys to train up for
this regardless of whether they have qualified for the Opera House Course or Bradfield Park Course. All boys ran a 1.2km time
trial in their PE lesson. Those who qualified, will run the Opera House Course, with the remaining boys running the Bradfield
Park course.
Earlier in the week Harry Evans, Lawrence Park, Luke Menzies and Harry Hill (all Year 6) took part in IPSHA basketball
trials. Congratulations to Harry Evans who was selected to represent IPSHA at the CIS basketball trials.
On Tuesday 16 February we attended our first Invitational swimming event at Knox under the captaincy of Liam Murphy (Year
6) (see his report below). While our Years 3,4 and 5 boys were away at camp, a small group of boys from Year 6 represented
our swim team.
Knox Swim Report by Liam Murphy (Year 6 and 2016 Swimming Captain)
The day started well with the Opens Relay team coming 2nd with a time of 2:38 and being beaten by 40 milliseconds.
Meanwhile the 11s came 3rd with a time of 3:13. The next event was the 50m Freestyle where the boys swam well in the
Opens with two 1st places and one 2nd place, and Liam Murphy (Year 6) swimming a Personal Best (PB) of 33.29. In the 11s
Xavier Leyden (Year 6) managed a PB with a time of 38.60. We then had Breaststroke and the boys swam well followed by
the 100m freestyle where we came 2nd and 3rd which was great news. Following that was Backstroke where Matt Davies
(Year 6) came 2nd with a time of 42.31, and Backstroke where Will Spitznagel (Year 6) came 4th. In the 50m Butterfly,
Lawrence Park (Year 6) came 3rd with a new PB of 39.35. We finished the day with Relays coming 3rd in the Opens and 4th
in the U11s. I’d like to thank Mr. Dunne and Mrs. Starr for their organisation prior and on the day of the carnival. Also I’d like to
especially thank Luke Callanan (Year 6) for recording the times and places on the day. Good job to all the boys, I’m excited for
the next carnival.
Mr Trevor Dunne
Junior School Sports Master
[email protected]
THE MARY MACKILLOP LIBRARY, JUNIOR SCHOOL
I would like to introduce our sixteen 2016 Library Monitors; these young men have volunteered to give up a playtime or two
each week to assist in the library with borrowing and returning, locating and re-shelving, running messages and even returning
lost hats and personal belonging provided they are labelled!
The library monitors are: Sean Sargeant (Year 6.1); Inigo Willoughby, Alex Howard, Mitchell Fletcher, Timmy Ng (all Year
6.2); James Hayhoe, Rory Dwyer, Charlie Sirca, Scott Bagby (all Year 6.3); and Rory Bruce, Aaron Wong, David Back,
Ethan Birrell, Luke McNamara and Oskar Bohm (all Year 6.4).
It is already Week 5 and the Mary Mackillop Library is exceedingly busy which is wonderful. Most boys are borrowing
automatically or at their teacher’s request because it is part of our reading expectations that students will build up a knowledge
and desire to use the school library for pleasure and for research and because part of our school day is devoted to silent
reading. Of course many of our families and households have their own supply of books for their children but it is a ‘good thing’
when a student is comfortable coming to, and borrowing from, our school library on a regular basis.
At St Aloysius Junior School a library lesson is just that - a ‘literary’ lesson which may cover anything from the Dewey Decimal
System for finding non-fiction texts to a visual literacy lesson using picture books; reading to persuade, inform, or entertain,
understanding how to use a contents page and a glossary page; performance poetry using pitch, pause, pace, rhythm and
volume. These matters ae addressed in their library lesson and therefore there is not always time to borrow during that lesson.
Hence the library is open every morning before school from 8.05am until 8.35am and at lunches Monday through to Thursday
at 1.25pm until the bell goes at 1.50pm. It is open again from 3.00 – 4.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
afternoons.
Caroline Byrne
Librarian
[email protected]
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FAITH & JUSTICE
The common theme from last Sunday’s readings is of 'transformation'. The first reading describes the transformation of a
pagan into a believer. Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, and the first covenant of God with Abraham’s family was
seen as a reward for Abraham’s obedience to God. St Paul, in the second reading, argues that it is not obeying the
religious laws that transform people into Christians, but the inner transformation of the heart. In the Gospel we see the
transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus is revealed as a glorious figure, greater than Moses and Elijah. He is identified by his
Father and the transfiguration experience is a revelation of who Jesus really is.
In this time of Lent the readings invite us to transform our lives by firstly discerning what needs to be changed in our lives.
We are asked to radiate the presence of the transfigured Christ to all who surround us through our actions and the way
we treat others.
Transformational leadership is often described as leadership that causes positive change in individuals. It creates
valuable and positive change in the followers with the end goal of developing good leaders. The following articles
demonstrate a style of servant leadership, and transformational leadership that is encouraged in our Aloysian Family.
There are three examples of transformation that I want to highlight this week: Ms Christina He’s presentation to the
teaching staff at our first Professional Development afternoon.( Ms He is the Chaplain and Youth Minister at Mount St
Benedict’s Pennant Hills) Ramesh Richards SJ elucidating on The Cardoner Project; and a message of community in the
prayer shared by Angela Walters at our morning Staff Briefing last Monday.
Christina was invited to speak to the staff about how to work effectively with young people. Christina is imbued with the
spirt of Saint Benedict, one of the great traditions of the Catholic Church. She is a genuine, humble and gracious young
woman who does much good for the students at her school. Christina shared ideas on the importance of Retreats, based
on research from Christine Carlton and Graham Neist. She emphasised the importance of staff formation, and gave us a
plethora of tips and strategies for engaging students.
Christina stressed the importance of teachers sharing their stories at Retreats. This was seen as a powerful tool for
students to see the human and genuine side of their lives. She also indicated that research by Leavey (1992) that
showed that Mentors are a major contributing factor in the fruitful faith development among adolescents.
Many of Christina’s suggestions were very applicable to the classroom environment as well as the Retreat setting. One of
my favourites was the idea of not feeling pressured to finish everything that has been written down in the program. The
best discussions (lessons) are sometimes the ones that aren’t planned – to just simply go with the flow!
Professional Development for staff is a very important transformational process and the advantages of such a change
can in turn bring transformation in our students.
Above: Mr Chris Gould and Ms Elizabeth Bennett join Ms Christina He (pictured centre) from Mount St Benedict's College Pennant
Hills.
Ramesh Richards SJ has been the focal point of The Cardoner Project for our Aloysian students. His enthusiasm and
passion for this organisation and the fact he worked for Cardoner means he has a wonderful understanding of the
complexity of immersions, and service years for those students finishing Year 12. My own son, Xavier (SAC 2015), is
undertaking a service year in Thailand this year, and we have been watching carefully the amazing journey that he has
been experiencing with a number of his peers.
Over the past two weeks we have had Old Boys from the College return to speak to our Year 12 students about their post
school immersions with The Cardoner Project. The Cardoner Project, a ministry of the Australian Jesuit Province, seeks
to empower young adults, especially our Old Boys, in a faith that seeks justice.
Over a hundred Old Boys have journeyed on immersions to Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, Ecuador and Nepal, where there
are exposed to the reality of lives outside Australia while at the same time reflecting on their own lives, and what they
hold dear to their heart. It is our intention that we visit communities as equals, offering not charity but friendship because
we too have our own form of poverty.
There are currently sixteen Old Boys of the College serving in Micronesia, Thailand and Cambodia on The Cardoner
Project’s Service Year Program. They live very simply in villages and they predominantly spend their time teaching
English to locals. Within two months most of these young men would be able to converse in the local language and, by
the end of the year, they would be able to speak fluently – with some even writing in the language. Even after they have
returned to Australia many go back to visit, as they see the villagers they lived with as family.
Another component of The Cardoner Project is Bellarmine House, where Old Boys predominantly from Saint Ignatius’
College Riverview and St Aloysius’ College reside, and serve approximately 8 - 12 hours a week, in the new Two Wolves
Community Cantina, a volunteer based restaurant on Broadway, in Chippendale. The profits from the restaurant support
The Cardoner Project and its friends overseas. Many also volunteer overnight at homeless shelters around Surry Hills.
In all that we do at The Cardoner Project, we remember the challenge of the Society’s previous General, Father PeterHans Kolvenbach SJ: Students, in the course of their formation, must let the gritty reality of this world into their lives, so
they can learn to feel it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering, and engage it constructively. They should learn to
perceive, think, judge, choose, and act for the rights of others, especially the disadvantaged and oppressed.
Above: Ramesh Richards SJ with St Aloysius' College Old Boys partaking in The Cardoner Project in Vietnam.
Finally Angela Walters’ beautiful reflection on Community on Monday is taken from St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: 1
Corinthians 12:12-28:
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being
part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that
reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole
body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of
them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts,
but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the
contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less
honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our
presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that
lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If
one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles,
second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of
tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all
speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Coincidently, Christina He also mentioned this Gospel reading in her presentation and how it can be represented in a
Tableaux, a freeze frame, using students. Angela spoke fondly of her first school, which also was a brand new school,
and how this reading was often read at assemblies as it symbolised the school’s Christian philosophy about respecting
and valuing all members. Most importantly it highlighted the importance of every member within her school and the close
connections that everyone had.
In many ways the analogy of the body can also be used in a school like St Aloysius’ College. Each part cannot exist by
itself. They all need to work together to accomplish the mission of the school
Proposes Christ as the model of human life
Pursues excellence in teaching and learning
Promotes lifelong learning and spiritual growth
Positive transformations are encouraged by the College in many areas. It links in closely with Ignatian spirituality in that
we want our students to learn to discern the many issues they are confronted with in society and then, through educated
decision making and action, try to make this world a fairer place for all. Transformation for all members of the Aloysian
community, particularly in Lent, means becoming more Christ like.
Mr Chris Gould
Director of Faith and Justice
[email protected]
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ACADEMIC
This week, the Making Connections Professional Learning
Program was launched for teaching staff which involves
structured, school-based Professional Learning for 2016. The
boys at St Aloysius’ College are provided with many
opportunities to participate in this learning beyond the
classroom, allowing them to foster their areas of interest and
passion.
The area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) is one place where the boys are offered this
opportunity to extend themselves and enrich what they have
learnt in their Science, Technology and Mathematics classes.
In 2015 the College applied for a grant from the Association of
Independent Schools (AIS) to initiate a new program at the
school where boys learn to build and fly a drone. I am delighted
that the College’s grant application was successful and as a
result, the College will soon launch a Drone Building Program.
This Program, targeted at students in Years 11 and 12, will offer
the boys the opportunity to collaborate and learn to build and fly
a drone.
Year 7 boys are currently engaged in the Lego Robotics
Soccerbots Program. This is an opportunity for the boys to build
Lego robots. The robots are then programmed to play soccer
against one another using an infrared soccer ball. I am sure
Year 7 boys who are participating in the Program will enjoy
telling their parents and classmates about the goal scoring that
takes place!
Also underway is the Learn to Code Program. This is open to
every student in the Senior School and is held at lunch time
each day as well as Wednesday morning before school. This
very popular program involves the study of an online coding
course called Code Academy where the students are given the
opportunity to learn the basics of coding as well as extending
on the skills they may already possess. This coding group are
working towards the University of Sydney National Computer
Science School Challenge that will be held later in the year.
Kate Quinane
Director of Teaching and Learning
[email protected]
YEAR 7 PARENT AND STUDENT STUDY
SKILLS EVENING
Last Tuesday, 16 February over 300 parents and students
attended a study skills night conducted by Dr Prue Salter.
These presentations are now in their tenth year at the College.
Dr Salter has sound practical advice for parents and students
on organisation, study and time management. If you were
unable to attend, please see either Mr Hughes or Mrs Bramble
in the Year 7 office for a copy of the handouts. Additionally the
slides from the evening can be accessed at www.enhancedlearning.net/doc/year7.pdf the password is: success
Ms Suzanne Leahy
Director of Curriculum Years 7 – 9
[email protected]
FROM THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT
The Drama Department has started the year with a number of
interesting topics studied by students in Years 9 – 12. Year 9
Drama students have been working on developing their
improvisation skills in class and have completed their first
assessment for Drama which was an improvised performance.
Year 10 have started a unit in Physical Theatre and are working
towards a group assessment for later this Term. Year 11 are
learning about Avant Garde Theatre, and the HSC cohort are
studying a new unit, Multi Discipline Theatre with a focus on Mr
Simon McBurney and his theatre company, Complicite.
Years 10 and 11 Drama students were also able to attend a
performance of STC’s Secret River on the evening of Tuesday,
9 February at the Roslyn Packer Theatre. The show received a
standing ovation from everyone in the audience, our students
were some of the first off their feet. The Year 9 Drama students
will be attending a Commedia dell’arte performance and
workshop on Wednesday next week.
Ms Heidi Quinn
Head of Drama
[email protected]
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CO-CURRICULA
It was a highly successful round of sport and non-sport last weekend for the College. Our Debating and Chess teams won the
majority of their fixtures and this success flowed onto Saturday with many wins in a range of sports.
CHESS
Chess teams performed well against Cranbrook School last Friday afternoon with the Junior and Intermediate teams particularly
impressive with their wins. Our teams play Barker College this Friday at home. Good luck to all involved.
DEBATING
In the first round of FED and ISDA Debating, we won ten of the twelve debates held against Newington College and Stella Maris
College. This was a very promising start to the season. Our debaters are up against Sydney Boys High School in FED and St
Catherine’s College in ISDA this Friday. Good luck to all coaches, managers and debaters involved.
WATER POLO
The 1st VII Water Polo team are now on top of the CAS/GPS competition following their 22-7 win over Waverley College last
Saturday. A win for the 1st VII in their last game against Knox Grammar School in two week’s would see them take out the title for
the first time since 2010. Our other Water Polo teams fared very well in the pool too with most teams successful. Samuel Jones
(Year 8) scored six goals for the 14As in their 18-3 win.
TENNIS
In tennis, we won thirteen of the twenty fixtures played. The 1st IV returned to the winner’s list with a 5-3 sets win. It was
particularly pleasing to see our Year 9 teams do so well last Saturday. The 9Bs had their first CAS win of the season. Well done
also to the 8s and 7s age groups where we won the majority of games.
VOLLEYBALL
Opens Volleyball teams played Barker College in trial games only as the Cranbrook School do not field Volleyball teams. Barker
College won all three Opens matches. The 1st VI played their best Volleyball in the second set which was a high scoring 24-26
set. Our Opens will be hoping to reverse the score-lines this week when they take on Barker College again in competition
matches this Saturday.
SWIMMING
The College Swimming Team will be competing at the annual Oakhill College Invitational Carnival this Thursday. The team will be
involved in a three-way competition against Barker College and the host school, Oakhill College. The CAS Championships will be
held on Thursday, 10 March at The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Homebush.
FENCING
Congratulations to Joseph Mayer (Year 9) on winning the individual gold medal in the Under 15 Boys Foil competition at the
Roberta Nutt Shield competition last Sunday.
THEATRESPORTS
The Annual Theatresports competition was held last Thursday evening in The Miguel Pro SJ Playhouse. As usual, it was fun night
enjoyed by all. It was terrific to see so many Year 7s involved this time.
I would like to thank Head of Drama, Mrs Heidi Quinn, and Drama teacher, Ms Che Walsh-Kemp, for their efforts behind the
scenes in preparing them for the competition. Mr Patrick Sunderland (SAC 2014) proved to be a wonderful MC and he was well
supported by a number of other Old Boys on the night.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
There will be a meeting next Wednesday in The Bellarmino at lunchtime for any student who might be interested in enrolling in the
Duke of Edinburgh Scheme.
THIS WEEKEND
The College plays Barker College on Saturday in CAS Round 9 of summer sport. Good luck to all coaches, managers and players
involved in action.
Mr Paul Rowland (SAC 1973)
Director of Co-Curricula
[email protected]
CLICK HERE FOR WEEKLY SPORTING FIXTURES.
BASKETBALL NEWS
The College won sixteen Basketball games against Cranbrook School last weekend. The 1st V and 2nd V played on Friday night
at Cranbrook. The 1st V produced one of their best performances of the season in beating the Cranbrook team 56 – 47. The team
started positively and held a handy lead at the end of each quarter. Trent Walsh (Year 12) stood out on court, hitting numerous
three pointers which gave the team the edge over the opposition. He was well supported by Harrison Kain (Year 12) and
Thomas Gillis (Year 10) who had solid games.
The 2nd V squandered a match winning lead in the final minutes and had to settle for a 34-34 draw in their fixture. The team is
still undefeated this Term and is as good as any team in their competition. The 9th V (52-17) and 10th V (30-16) also remain
undefeated.
The 10As suffered a surprise loss in their game but they only played with five team members. Well done to our other 10s teams
on their wins, including the 10Ds (37-19), 10Es (24-19) and 10Fs (22-16).The Year 9s were our most successful age group,
winning five of the six games played. Our 9As, who are currently second in their unofficial competition, take on competition
leaders Barker College this week. The 8As (36-23) and 8Bs (39-22) had solid wins. The 7As had their first CAS success, winning
28-22. The 7Ds too ran out narrow winners 15-13.
CRICKET NEWS
The College had a highly successful round in cricket last Saturday against the Cranbrook School, winning eleven of the sixteen
games played. The 1st XI are still chasing that first elusive CAS win and they went very close to achieving that at Hordern Oval,
Cranbrook School. Our team only managed 124 runs but they had Cranbrook in trouble at 7/72 at the final drinks break. However
Cranbrook rallied and secured the winning runs with two wickets to spare. Declan McLean (Year 12) with 3/13 and Hugo Young
(Year 11) were the pick of the bowlers.
The 2nd XI had a long overdue win in their match at the St Aloysius’ College War Memorial Oval. John McNally (Year 12) hit 37
runs whilst Joe Colley (Year 11) took 3/15. The 3rd XI, still undefeated, continued their run of success with a comfortable seven
wicket win. Iwan Freed (Year 12) was impressive in his 4/6 spell.
The 10As won their fixture by four wickets with William Greenland (Year 10) 5/11 and Lachlan McKenzie (Year 10) 4/19 taking
most of the wickets. Edward Smith (Year 10) contributed 41 runs with the bat. Finn Spalding (Year 10) with 51 unbeaten runs
and Jamie Graham (Year 10) with 41 runs steered the 10Bs home to victory. Rory Martin (Year 9) scored 44 not out in the 9As
win. The 9Bs and 9Cs also recorded sound wins. Alex Ishak (Year 9) scored 72 runs for the 9Cs. Matthew Manning (Year 9)
took 4/22 and Will Anstee (Year 9) collected 3/18 in the bowling. The 8As reversed their Term IV loss to Cranbrook with a solid
win at Castle Cove Oval. Tom Sidgreaves (Year 8) hit 58 runs as opener. The 8As fielded superbly and bowled tightly, giving little
away. Henry Inwood (Year 8) collected 3/3 and was only one of many who bowled well on the day. The 8Bs won convincingly by
eight wickets with Angus James (Year 8) scoring an unbeaten 26 runs whilst Benjamin Huntley (Year 8) took 3/10. Luke Cass
(Year 8) hit 49 not out and Matthew Young (Year 8) scored 37 not out in the 8C victory. Jonathan Hughes (Year 7) scored 41
runs for the 7As in their win. Nicholas Oen (Year 7) contributed 33 runs for the 7Ds.
THE BELLARMINE ACADEMY – FIDES ET RATIO
The Bellarmine Academy is open to all Year 11 students interested in discussing ontological questions in an informal environment
that will develop skills in thinking and arguing on an intellectual level. The dates for this year are below and the topics will be
announced soon.
All sessions are from 5.30 to 8.00 p.m. and will be held in The Juana Mateo Room or The Bellarmino. There will be a dinner break
at around 6.30 p.m. and sessions will resume at around 7.00 p.m.
Term I – Magis Term
Wednesday, 9 March: Fr Hosking SJ
Term II – Gonzaga Term
Wednesday, 11 May: Mr M Tannock
Wednesday, 15 June: Mr Dwyer
Term III – Loyola Term
Wednesday, 3 August: Ms M Pender
Wednesday, 24 August: Ms K Englebrecht
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Training is held every Monday from 3.30 to 5.00 pm in The Bellarmino. All are welcome to attend.
Currently we are finalising speakers for the CSDA and Rostrum Voice of Youth competitions (details and topics available on their
individual websites).
Mr Magar Etmekdjian
Master In Charge
[email protected]
DRAMA
The Drama students have been involved in various activities since the start of Term. Year 12 students have been rehearsing
tirelessly since before the Christmas holidays for their production of Waiting for Godot. The show is on Wednesday, 3 and
Thursday, 4 March at 7pm in The Miguel Pro SJ Playhouse.
The College hosted the Annual St Aloysius’ College Theatresports Competition on Thursday, 18 February with competitors from
Years 7 – 12. It was great to see so many Old Boys back to help with the competition; Patrick Sunderland (SAC 2014) hosted
the event, with Jackson Pierce (SAC 2014) serving as Timekeeper. Tom Mendes (SAC 2014) and Dominic Scarf (SAC 2012)
both as Judges.
Waiting for Godot tickets are available through trybooking at: www.trybooking.com/KLGU
Ms Heidi Quinn
Head of Drama
[email protected]
STAGE CREW
Stage Crew has been hard at work recently with the pre-production period of Samuel Beckett's famous play Waiting for Godot
well underway. Students have bumped out and deconstructed the backdrops and set pieces from The Witches preparing the
stage for the scenic elements of Waiting for Godot. Senior members of the crew also assisted with lighting, sound and stage set
up for the Annual St Aloysius’ College Theatresports Competition, held at the College on Thursday, 18 February.
Stage Crew also welcomed two new members recently, Daniel Hughes (Year 10) and Ted Conlon (Year 8). Students who are
interested in learning more about staging, audio, lighting and vision operation by joining the Stage Crew are asked to see Ms
Walsh-Kemp in the Drama Office for more information.
Ms Che Walsh-Kemp
MIC Stage Crew
[email protected]
MAJOR COLLEGE MUSICAL PRODUCTION FOR 2016
Seussical
Tony Award winners, Ms Lynn Ahrens and Mr Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favourite Year, Once On This Island, and
Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favourite Dr Seuss characters in this wonderful and very entertaining show. Join
us as we journey from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of The Whos.
The St Aloysius’ College cast and orchestra of over a hundred people have been working hard since October 2015 to bring this
amazing show to life.
Tickets are now on sale via www.trybooking.com/KKMJ
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DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
I am delighted that Br Bruce Robertson SJ (SAC 1959 and SAC Staff 1977 – 1983 and 1986 – 1991) has joined the staff of the
Development Office in a part-time capacity. Brother Robertson is an Old Boy of the College and served as Headmaster of the
Junior School in the late 1970s – early 1980s. He then served on the staff of the Senior School in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In the last twenty-five years he has worked at Xavier College Melbourne and most recently worked at the Jesuit Parish at Emerton
in the Western Suburbs.
Brother Robertson will assist the Development Office with our Class Reunion Program, pastoral visits to Old Boys and Past Staff
Members and will provide assistance to the College Archivist, Mr Jeff Palmer, as he identifies and catalogues the large number of
un-named and un-dated photographs, slides and movies that exist in the College collection. Brother Robertson will also work with
the College Faith and Justice Office in a part-time capacity.
We have recently undertaken a re-structure of the workings of the College Development Office. The result of the re-structure has
seen Mrs Lana Huntley move from her previous role as Administrative Assistant to that of Development Officer with a special
focus on the Aloysius Annual Fund – the yearly fundraising appeal to all members of the Aloysian Family.
In last week’s edition of The Sydney Morning Herald the College advertised for two new staff members. We seek to appoint an
Administrative Assistant to assist us with the administration, gift processing and database duties of the Office and also a
Development Officer whose role will be to work on enhancing and expanding the fundraising program at the College.
I would invite any suitably qualified members of the Aloysian Family to apply for the positions. Details of the roles can be found at
www.staloysius.nsw.edu.au/about-us/employment. Please feel free to pass on details of these roles to anyone you think could be
an asset to the College and those we seek to serve.
Many thanks to those members of the Aloysian Family who have already booked their tickets for the Team Trivia for Timor-Leste
fundraiser on Friday, 1 April.
This College event will raise funds for the construction of a new Jesuit High School and Teacher Training Facility in Timor-Leste.
Tickets are $50 per head and includes dinner.
All funds raised from this event will be given to Jesuit Mission who are coordinating the fundraising for this appeal and will be
credited toward the College’s pledge to raise $500,000 for this very important project.
We need your generous support. Please organise a table of ten and come along for what will be a fun night.
We are encouraging teams from a number of other schools and parishes to come along to battle it out in Team Trivia for Timor
Leste. Please ask your relations, friends and neighbours to come along and support the event – why not challenge friends with
children at other schools to form a table!
For bookings and further details please visit www.trybooking.com/KHES
Ad Majora Natus
Mr Murray Happ (SAC 1985)
Director of Development
[email protected]
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COMMUNITY & EVENTS
The first of the P&F sponsored Year Mass and Morning Teas is coming up on Sunday, 6
March. All members of Year 7 will gather at the College to share a Mass and meet up over
morning tea with the new families that have joined the College. The Year 3 and 4 Mass and
Morning Tea will be held on Sunday, 13 March.
We ask all families to please bring a plate to share for the Morning Tea.
The time for the 2016 Commencement Cocktail Party, Starry, Starry Night, can be
found: here. The P&F is really excited about the evening we have planned for you. As
always we will make sure we look out for new parents and make them welcome, savour
some good food and beverages, enjoy the music from the band Ivy Blue made up of Old
Boys of the College and hope to win a raffle prize. Thanks to some very generous
donations, raffle prizes include, Samsung and Doro mobile phones, beautiful crafted
Petusco leather handbags, a Lavender Hills linen ottoman, cognac, champagne, fine wine,
hampers and vouchers.
The P&F General Meeting on Tuesday, 8 March will be followed by a Forum with the guest
speakers being the Principal, Mr Mark Tannock, and the College Counsellor, Mrs Lorraine
Cushing. Mr Tannock will address the parent body on the progress of Quo Vadimus? and
other matters of interest to the parent body. He will be open to parent questions at the end of
his formal presentation. Lorraine commenced at the College in Term IV, 2015 as Coordinator
of Counselling Services (Years 3 – 12) and College Psychologist. Lorraine will outline the
new College counselling service and team of school counsellors as well as share some
background on a number of health promoting initiatives at the College. Lorraine will also
provide parents with tips for supporting their son’s wellbeing.
A reminder that the key business of the P&F General Meeting is a vote on an update to the
P&F Constitution. A briefing note on the proposed changes as well as the proposed updated
Constitution can be found on the P&F Information page on Manresa. We welcome everyone
to review the changes and submit any comments to [email protected]
Mrs Jane Brennan
2016 P&F President
[email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
A busy term awaits us with some very exciting and new events.
Term I Campion Lecture
‘Looking Back to the Future’ with Father Edmund Campion.
Are there lessons in our past that can guide us into the future? The first Australian Catholics
were lay people and increasingly lay people are taking responsibility for the continuance of
the Catholic faith in Australia. This lecture opens up many intriguing questions for
discussion.
Thursday, 3 March at 6.30pm in The Bellarmino Room.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
For further details visit: Campion Lecture
Team Trivia for Timor-Leste
In the 25 years preceding its independence, East Timor’s education took a huge backward
step. Eighty Percent of teachers left the country and literacy amongst 15+ years dropped to
only 48%. A fun fundraising event will be held at the College to raise monies for the
construction of a Jesuit High School and Teachers Training Facility in Timor-Leste. Other
Schools and Parishes have been invited to battle out ‘Team Trivia for Timor-Leste’. Ring
James for a table now on 9936 5568
Friday, 1 April at 6.30pm in The Great Hall.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
For further details visit: Team Trivia for Timor-Leste
St Aloysius’ College Law Lunch
Our Guest Speaker is The Hon Mr Justice Stephen Gageler SC (SAC Past Parent), a Judge
of the High Court of Australia. This event will bring together members of the Aloysian Family
working in, or with an interest in the law, with funds raised from the event supporting the
College Bursary Program. We are seeking corporate sponsorship for this event from the
legal community, if you are able to assist us, please do not hesitate to contact Murray Happ
on 9936 5561.
Friday, 29 April 12 for 12.30 at Doltone House Hyde Park.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
For further details vist: St Aloysius' College Law Lunch
SAC Rugby Lunch and Jersey Presentation
Celebrate over 100 years of Rugby at the College, hear about the World Cup Stories, the
plans for success from our Olympic Sevens team or experience the excitement of watching
your son be presented with his 1st XV jersey. Plan your table today.
Friday, 6 May 12 for 12.30 at Doltone House Hyde Park.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
For further details visit: SAC Rugby Lunch and Jersey Presentation
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Tired of throwing out unread junk mail? Consider the following tips to reduce the junk mail in
your letterbox and so minimise paper waste:
Place a No Advertising Material sticker on your letterbox. These stickers can be
obtained free of charge from the Distribution Standards Board on receipt of a
stamped self-addressed envelope.
Report junk mail which has been dumped as litter, delivered in duplicate, or
delivered to a letterbox with a No Advertising Material sticker on it; by calling the
Distribution Standards Board on 1800 676 136.
Register your details on the consumer Do Not Mail Register, which will reduce the
addressed and unsolicited mail you receive from the 500 organisations that are
members of ADMA (Association for Data-driven Marketing & Advertising).
Register with Catalogue Central or Lasoo Online Catalogues to receive only
advertising material that you want. Alternatively you can visit retailer’s own websites
to subscribe to receive particular catalogues online.
For more information about the College’s Sustainability Committee please contact Mr
Andrew Toovey, Sustainability Coordinator, at [email protected]
PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES
Recently at your Parish, some of you may have received a booklet called Lectio Divina
complied by Broken Bay Diocese with the readings for this Lenten period. Lectio Divina is
Praying the Scriptures. Praying with Scriptures involves reading a few verses of a Bible,
slowly and listen for the message God has for us there. We ask, "What are you saying to me
today, Lord? What am I to hear in this story, parable, or prophecy?" Listening in this way
requires patience and a willingness to let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to
God's.
Reading, reflecting, responding and resting -- this is the basic rhythm of divine reading.
Try Praying the Scriptures using these three steps:
Pick a quiet spot, be still. Then turn to a portion of scripture (just a few verses is fine) You
will read the verse three times, listening for a different thing each time:
1. As you read it the first time, listen for the word or phrase that touches you. As you
hear the word, gently take it into your heart and silently reflect on it during the
silence.
2. When you read it the second time, meditate on the word or phrase that speaks to
you. Consider how the word or phrase is touching your life today.
3. As you read the text this last time, consider how God is calling you forth into doing
or being through this scripture. Allow God to use these words to touch you, shape
you in your life today.
Then spend a few more moments in prayer and meditation. If you keep a journal, make
some notes about this time apart. When you are finished, go in God’s peace and love.
When we were young, we were taught to say the Our Father or Hail Mary but are there other
ways we can pray. At Mass, we say the Prayers of Faithful, which comprises of no set words
but mainly petitions. Why do we pray? If God is all powerful does praying change the
situation?
To understand the purpose and power of prayer we need to understand that faith is a
relationship with God. Prayer is the way God gives us to regularly communicate with him.
Like any important relationship we need to open our hearts and lives to our beloved through
frequent, honest communication. I recall a wonderful line in the movie Shadowlands, “... My
prayers do not change God; God changes me.”
There are a number of ways to pray, many of you would have heard of the Daily Examen,
your children practice it every day at school.
What is the Daily Examen? The Daily Examen is a method of reviewing your day in the
presence of God. It’s actually an attitude more than a method, a time set aside for thankful
reflection on where God is in your everyday life. It usually takes 15 to 20 minutes per day.
Here it is in a nutshell:
Ask God for light.
I want to look at my day with God’s eyes, not merely my own.
Give thanks.
The day I have just lived is a gift from God. Be grateful for it.
Review the day.
I carefully look back on the day just completed, being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Face your shortcomings.
I face up to what is wrong—in my life and in me.
Look toward the day to come.
I ask where I need God in the day to come.
P&F CONTACTS
Chairman
Robert Dick
President
Jane Brennan
Vice-President/ President Elect
Philip Winters
0418 962 422
Vice-President/ Pastoral Care
Mark De Vera
0414 593 727
Marie D’Cruz,
0408 219 209
Lynne Shearman
0401 063 129
Simone Spitznagel
0414 581 095
Carsten Matthai
0411 331 112
Anne Renard
0468 988 510
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
0408 864 833
0406 888 260
[email protected]
Assistant Treasurer
Lynne Harper
Senior School Logistics
Kristina Lawton
0407 297 691
Junior School Liaison
Jacinta Lee
0413 750 829
Co-Curricular Liaison
Michael Pollack
0414 673 447
Edwin Lapitan
0410 463 517
Teresa Lee
0423 773 697
Rita McRae
0406 736 388
Prayer Group Committee
SENIOR SCHOOL CANTEEN
The following parents have kindly offered their service in the Senior School Canteen for the
week commencing Monday, 29 February 2016.
Monday: Mrs Amanda Gillis, Ms Lisa Hill and Mrs Hien Thach
Tuesday: Mrs Marisa Anderson, Mrs Cathy Burke and Mrs Maryanne Paul
Wednesday: Ms Jane Anderson, Mrs Roberta Connaghan and Mrs Joanna Staikos
Thursday: Ms Clare Cory, Mrs Mardi McCarthy, Mrs Francoise Perry and Ms Lynne
Shearman
Friday: Mrs Lynne Harper, Mrs Michele Marning, Mrs Vicky Roach and Mrs Sanae Waddell
Mrs Nadia Lorenzutta
Canteen Manager
[email protected]
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DIARY DATES
With such a warm and vibrant community, St Aloysius' College
holds a number of events throughout the School year for
students, parents and friends. Please refer to the enclosed
diary dates of events coming up in the next month at the
College.
Saturday, 27 February
2016 Commencement Cocktail Party,
7:00pm
The Quadrangle
Friday, 4 March
First Friday Mass and Morning Tea,
8.45am
The Juana Mateo Room, Level 4 of the Main School Building.
Sunday, 6 March
Year 7 Family Mass and Morning Tea,
10:00am
The College Chapel followed by Morning Tea served in The
Quadrangle.
Tuesday, 8 March
P&F Meeting and Forum.
Guest Speakers: the Principal of the College, Mr Mark Tannock
and the College Counsellor Mrs Lorraine Cushing,
7:00pm
The Bellarmino, Level 2 of Wyalla.
Sunday, 13 March
Year 3 and 4 Family Mass and Morning Tea,
10.00am
The College Chapel followed by Morning Tea in The
Quadrangle.
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CAREERS
Maths is the foundation for Careers of the Future – this is the key message from the University of Sydney last Friday. Adam
Spencer (SAC 1986), Dr Karl and Sally Anne Williams from Google all stressed the importance of Maths in future roles. As Dr
Karl stated, “prove something in Maths and it stays for a lifetime”. The world is producing data at incredible speed across every
industry and there are simply not enough skilled professionals in Maths to manage this “big data”. With Computer Science and IT
having a foundation in Maths, Ms Williams advised that LinkedIn’s top 10 fastest growing jobs all had IT in their title. She
suggested students work to the formula of CX + X, where X is any variable. To be prepared for future careers, students must
study an element of computer science/maths (CX) as well as an area of interest (X).
UPCOMING EVENTS
University of Sydney: The Quantum Future: Powering the Next Technological Revolution
This presentation by Associate Professor Michael J. Biercuk looks at quantum mechanics and its role in powering everyday items
and explores potential future uses for it.
When: Tuesday, 2 March 2016
Time: 5.45 – 7.00pm
Where: Messel Lecture Theatre, Sydney Nanoscience Hub
Registration: Essential here
US College Fair
Participating universities include: Fairleigh Dickinson University; Foothill and De Anza Colleges; Georgetown University (a Jesuit
University); New York University; University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Michigan; University of South Carolina; University
of Virginia and more.
When: Thursday, 10 March 2016
Time: 5.00 – 7.00pm
Where: SCECGS Redlands Hall, 272 Military Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
Registration: www.trybooking.com/KJVA
UN Youth NSW State Conference
From Friday, 11 – Sunday, 13 March 2016 at Collaroy. This conference is for students in Years 9 – 12 who are interested in
learning about international relations and gaining public speaking and diplomacy skills. The focus in 2016 will be gender and how
gender roles intersect. Further information is available here.
UNSW: Industrial Design Workshops
From Sunday, 13 March – Monday, 30 May 2016, UNSW Built Environment are hosting numerous one-day workshops for
students in Years 10 – 12. The workshops include Industrial Design, Computational Design, Interior Architecture, City Planning
and Architecture. Further information is available here.
UNSW Built Environment Parent and Student Information Session
This event will provide prospective students and their families’ information on admission options, career pathways and an
opportunity to speak to current students.
When: Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Time: 6.00 – 8.30pm
Where: UNSW Built Environment Ground Floor Gallery
Registration: Essential here
UNSW Science and Engineering Information Night
This event is designed to give high school students an insight into the degrees on offer from UNSW Faculty of Engineering and
Science. The evening begins with presentations from the Faculty Deans and current students will share their experiences. The
floor will then be opened up for a Q&A session to answer student and parent questions.
When: Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Time: 5.30 – 8.00pm
Where: The John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Kensington
Parking: Gate 14, Barker Street Kensington or Gate 11 Botany Street Randwick
Registration: Essential here
Cochlear Autumn School of Engineering
From Monday,11 – Friday, 15 April 2016, students can gain an insight into the range of engineering careers available. Cost is
$270 which includes lunch daily and transport to various sites and universities. Application forms are available here.
University of Melbourne Interstate Info Day
On Monday, 11 April interstate students and their families who are considering studying at the University of Melbourne will have
the opportunity to visit the university. Further details are available here.
Macquarie University Light Years Ahead Exhibition
From Thursday, 7 March – Monday, 23 May 2016 the Macquarie University Art Gallery will showcases the different ways artists
have used light. Australian artists Ian Milliss, Paula Dawson and Vernon Treweeke are featured as their works experiment with
light. Further details are available here.
Macquarie University Friday Art Tours
Guided tours run every second Friday of each month. The tour includes the Australian History Museum, Paula Dawson
Holograms, Sculpture Park and Heritage Walk. Further information is available here.
University of Sydney: Dr Karl’s Short Back and Science
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will explore various science questions throughout the lecture. Some of these include looking at the
Galapagos Islands and how radioactive you are.
When: Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Time: 5.45 – 7.00pm
Where: York Lecture Theatre, at the Seymour Centre
Registration: Essential here
HSC Maths Lectures for Year 12 Students
From Monday, 4 – Wednesday, 6 July the Mathematical Association of NSW (MANSW) is providing students with revision and
preparation courses across all levels of Maths. Cost is $100 per day per person. Registration is available here.
National Youth Science Forum 2017
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a 12 day residential program for students entering Year 12 who are passionate
about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Expressions of interest open on Tuesday, 1 March 2016 and are available
here. 2017 session dates are:
Session A Canberra: Monday, 2 – Saturday, 14 January 2017
Session C Canberra: Monday, 16 – Saturday, 28 January 2017
COMPETITIONS
CSU Online: Think Again Competition
Students are invited to share a moment that inspired them to “Think Again about your future” or “show CSU what your dream
career could look like”. Opportunity to a $30,000 grant to study with CSU Online. Competition closes Monday, 29 February 2016.
Find out more and enter here.
Contact Short Story Competition
Contact2016, the 55th National Speculative Fiction Convention are inviting entries to the Natcon amateur short story competition,
sponsored by Australian Science Fiction Foundation. The theme for this competition is ‘Close Contact’ and there is an Open and a
Junior category. Entry fees are $15 for non-members. Stories must be submitted by email to [email protected] by
midnight on Monday, 29 February. Further information is available here.
SBS Write a Dramedy Screenplay
Young writers aged between 15 – 20 years are invited to write a three-minute TV screenplay inspired by a funny or awkward
family moment. First place is an iPad mini, a signed DVD of The Family Law and the screenplay will be reviewed by Benjamin
Law before being published on the SBS website. Competition closes Monday, 29 February. Further information is available here.
Class Clowns Competition
The Class Clowns is a comedy competition for high school students. The heat in Sydney is on Tuesday, 15 March from 4.00pm at
The Riverside Theatre Parramatta. Each heat consists of a workshop followed by a performance. More information is available
here.
Mrs Vanessa Shirriff
Career Development Coordinator
[email protected]
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