- St Mary`s Coptic Orthodox College
Transcription
- St Mary`s Coptic Orthodox College
St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College 19-35 Thorpdale Ave, Coolaroo Vic 3048 Tel: 03 93022788 Email: [email protected] Web: www.Copticvic.org February 2013 St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College is a Christian Orthodox school operated by The Coptic Diocese of Melbourne headed by His Grace Bishop Suriel and directed by Father Tadros Sharobeam. The school was opened on 23rd February 1991 by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III The school is a n independent school covering all grades from Prep – Year 12. Head of Primary: Mrs. Susan Pitsas Head of Secondary: Mr. Trevor Nye Tel: 93022788 0 Main office 2 Director 3 Head of Secondary 4 Head of Primary 5 Library Welcome to New School Year 2013 Welcome all our students, parents and staff to the new 2013 school year. 2013 is a very special year because we are celebrating our school’s 23rd anniversary. It gives me such pride that since 1991, more than 400 students have graduated from our school. We have had a great start. Three new classes have been added to cater for the increased enrolments. We needed to increase the number of our classrooms to accommodate for our new students and we have been blessed to be able to find a company that erected the new building in a short period of time at a reasonable cost. The school population is currently 670 students (350 in primary and 320 in secondary). Our total staff number is now 100, including 60 teachers. I am also thrilled to announce that more subjects have been added to our school curriculum since 2012. For example, French is now our second LOTE (Languages Other Than English) subject. Hence, our students have the opportunity to choose either Arabic or French to study as a LOTE subject from Grade 5 to Year 10. In addition, Physical Education has been added to our VCE curriculum for Y11 and Y12. Important Events 25th – 27th February: Jonah Fasting 28th February: Jonah’s Feast 25th February: First School Council Meeting at Donvale 4th March: Meet and Greet – Teachers/Parents Meeting 3.30 – 8pm 10th March Pre-Lent Sunday (Coptic Church) 11th March: Start of Lent 11th March: Public Holiday 15th – 24th March” Science Week 26th March: School Photos 28th March: Last Day of Term 1 29th March: Good Friday – Public Holiday 29th March – 13th April: First Term Holiday 14th April: Start of Term Two Remember to commemorate: 9th March: Departure of Pope Kyrollos VI 17th March: Departure of Pope Shenouda III One year since his departure 19th March: Feast of the Holy Cross English & EAL: We are excited that our school is participating this year in Victorian Schools Debating Competition, 2013. The Schools Competition is run annually for students in years 9 to 12, with schools participating both in the Melbourne metro area, as well as in regional competitions throughout Victoria. It is the largest Englishlanguage debating competition in the world and it offers students the opportunity to develop confidence as public speakers, as well as building upon important skills such as team work, the ability to research and filter information, to think and act decisively and to respond to topical issues. Our team is starting the first round on Wednesday, the 13th of March at Mercy College, Coburg from 7.00 to 9.00 pm. All parents and students are welcome to attend the competition; our team would love to see you there! Mrs Germaine Youssef Head of English – Secondary School His Grace Bishop Suriel blessing the new portables at St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College February 2013 Percentage of school graduates who enrolled in University and Tafe Courses or differed or employed for years 2009 2012 Year 8 Report Great to have OUR STUDENTS back! It was with great delight that we welcomed back our students three weeks ago. The beginning of the school year can bring with it many different emotions. It is a time of change and a time of new beginnings. It is important that we work together, parents, students, staff, to ensure each students transition this year is the best that it can be. At St. Mary's we value a team approach to student wellbeing and encourage parents to contact any of the staff members at any time. We look forward to working together in 2013. The Year 8 students are very enthusiastic and looking forward to the Evolve Program commencing on Monday 29th April and concluding on Wednesday 1st May. We wish them well on their adventure. David Zavadlal - Year 8 Coordinator New History Courses This year students in Years 9 and 10 have commenced studying the new National Curriculum history courses. The courses are quite different from the old ones, mainly in the topics that are studied. The biggest change is in the Year 9 course, where there is more of a focus on world history, as opposed to Australian history. At the moment, students at this level are learning all about the period called the Enlightenment and are studying the philosophy of the philosophers Rousseau, Paine and Voltaire. Quite a challenge for Year 9! So far they seem to be enjoying it. Our study of History is enhanced by the technology that is now available. In a matter of seconds students can use their iPads to find out what a person they are studying looked like, or what a palace that is still extant looks like today. They can also find a whole host of different texts to supplement their set texts at school. And of course they can use their iPads to take notes and write essays, etc. Students can only benefit from their study of history. It improves their comprehension and expression, and allows them to better understand how the world they are a part of has evolved and how it works today. It also contributes to a more rounded education. Mr Laidlaw MIDDLE SCHOOL 2013 In the Middle School, (Yr 7-9) at St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College, the students are at a stage where they are afforded every opportunity to develop their existing knowledge in line with the curriculum guidelines in order to prepare for their future studies. As such, specific programs have been devised and implemented to meet the students’ individual needs and enable them to achieve to their potential. Overall, the students in the Middle School are encouraged in their process of learning whilst having access to an extensive and comprehensive education. This involves implementing appropriate educational programs, holding high expectations of each student’s potential, maintaining a disciplined working environment and rewarding student effort The transition from primary to secondary school is an important aspect of the Middle School. The ‘Handover Ceremony’ marks this occasion which symbolically welcomes the grade 6 students into the Secondary School and helps introduce them to ‘secondary life’. The year 7 Orientation Day Program and transition activities are aimed at welcoming and easing the students’ transition into year 7. This year we aim to see the introduction of the following programs in the Middle School at St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College: • • • • • • • • • • • Introduction of a third class at year 7 level ACER testing for both English and Maths Introduction of the National Curriculum in Humanities at year 9 Immunisation program The continuation of enhancement classes to further extend students in English. The use of iPads across all subject areas which have been used extensively with appropriate subject based applications. Leadership initiatives though the SRC Structured revision testing for NAPLAN for both years 7 and 9 students in both Maths and English. Numerous education based programs, excursions, Maths/Science Days and camps. The year 8 and 9 students will take part in the Evolve camp. Numerous sporting events and swimming lessons. Pam Melissinos Head of Middle School A Poem About Love by Samuel Saeed Year 8 It flows amidst Him and me, I acknowledge it and so does He, A precipitation of exhilarating adrenaline spurs within me, Immediately upon the remembrance of His name. How amazing is He to me? Every day He transcends through my body, How extravagant is the smile embedded upon my face? As I envision and contemplate about Him, Deep within my heart I feel contentment. Words can't express the misery and agony of not seeing or talking to Him. As I lay on my bed, memories of Him surge through me, As if He was never gone. The possessions He provided for me and The actions He completed for me proceeds throughout my head. How thrilled am I in His sight? I sense Him every day; He is like the rainbow to my storm. Affliction and anguish travel deep within me as I hurt him with my unrighteous actions. On numerous occasions He did not care and forgive me. I questioned Him, "What is the meaning of love? He exclaimed, "I am the meaning of love!" How inspiring is His love for me? I was inspired by Jesus's extreme love for me throughout my life to write this poem about Him. Love! Introducing the 2013 Year 12 Student Leaders At St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College, we have a proud, established history of Senior School Leaders, through opportunities provided, demonstrating the kinds of skills and attributes that are required of leaders in our community and workplaces beyond the school gates. In this issue, the Year 12 students Leaders have introduced themselves. School Captains: Anne-Marie Shenouda and Joseph Hanna. St Mary's Coptic Orthodox College has a community of fellowship and unity, where each individual strives to achieve their maximum potential. The School Captains, Vice Captains and Prefects, in collaboration with the Student Representative Council, work to assist at school functions, help with the running of Chapel, organise student lead fundraising and sports competitions as well as to be active members of the SRC. We attend and run regular meetings with fellow students and work in partnership with our teachers. As School Captains, we have assumed these roles with dedication and commitment, working to propel the school towards further successes in the future. School Vice Captains: Marina Ghobrial and Daniel Soliman. Having been previously part of the Student Council, we liked the advantages we were privy to; like having our opinions considered, and the responsibility of trying to ensure a positive school experience for our peers and for ourselves. This is what we aim to continue doing: We hope that our actions as members of the student representative team inspire change and progress, and we hope to be an influential part of that change. We also aim to be approachable figures to our fellow students, friends if they need some, and a connection between them and the staff. A large part of our vision is encouraging and being part of charity work. Having previously been involved in charity fundraisers, we know the sense of self-satisfaction and the change that some financial aid can cause. We hope to share these experiences with the students of St. Mary’s College. Most importantly, we hope to have a share in influencing our school life as a whole, because we believe that our school years should be the most memorable of all. We will utilise what is at our disposal, working hard for our fellow seniors to have the best possible final year, and to pave the way for a brighter, improved future. Year 12 Prefects: Anna Mansour and Sara Hanna. As Year 12 Prefects, we are very excited to be in our final year of Secondary school. We look forward to the challenges this will present to us and our fellow peers. We have made a lot of friends over the years, and have shared many happy memories together. Being a prefect to us is not just about wearing a badge. It’s about taking pride in representing our school to the wider community. It’s about being there for our fellow students and serving our community to the best of our abilities. We feel privileged to be in such a position. The Mural "Jesus the Teacher" Shows the life of Jesus St. Joseph and St. Mary. Even then little children were drawn to him. Later it shows Jesus as a young man always accepting young children around him listening to his words of wisdom, kindness and love of everything around them. The angels guide children to Jesus for his words of comfort and care. This mural was painted by children for Year 7, 8 in the years 2011 and 2012. The brushwork expresses their different styles used to colour the mural. It is enjoyed by all in the C Building. Judy Bennetts