May 2016 - monivae
Transcription
May 2016 - monivae
Dolphin the ISSUE 28 : MAY 2016 “kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read” – Mark Twain Monivae College Hamilton - A Catholic Co-educational Secondary Day and Boarding College in the tradition of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Welcome Welcome to our first edition for 2016. We celebrate our first busy term with School Swimming and Athletic Sports, Ash Wednesday Assembly and our new school choir, just to name a few. This edition we feature the positive vibe Monivae radiates throughout the school with the wonderful Positive Education program and include the commencement of Meditation classes run by our very talented Mindfulness Facilitator, Maryanne Gustus. These sessions have been a popular addition to the school calendar and have been attended by many students and adults who come together to learn the techniques of mindfulness. For the first time in the Dolphin we are including Old Collegians births, marriage’s and farewells. Find us on Facebook We currently have 2230 followers on the Monivae Facebook page and with “Likes” each week the page is growing. Facebook is a great platform for keeping you up to date with the day to day goings on at our school. Keep up to date with all the latest news from Monivae College via our websites www.monivae.com and www.monivaefoundation.com and the Foundation Facebook site www.facebook.com/monivaecollege foundation/ Our front cover Taine Morris, Year 12 leader, working on his design component in Unit 3 Product, Design and Technology Wood. If you have any news you would like to share with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us we would love to hear from you. Email details and images to [email protected] Ash Wednesday Liturgy Reunions 2016 The dates for Class Reunions for 2016 are listed below. 40 Year Reunion Class of 1976 Saturday 20th August 2016 Venue: Emerald Hotel 415 Clarendon St South Melbourne. Time: TBC (for dinner) Contact Rob Velthuis for details on either 0428 518 852 or email: [email protected] 30 Year Reunion Class of 1986 Saturday,15th October 2016 at 7pm. Venue: The Roxburgh Cafe, 64 Thompson St, Hamilton. Tour of Monivae at 5 pm. Contact Jill Whiting 03 55511251 [email protected] 20 Year Reunion Class of 1996 Friday 11th November 2016 at 7pm. Venue: The Roxburgh Cafe, 64 Thompson St, Hamilton. Tour of Monivae offered at 5pm. Contact Jill Whiting [email protected] 03 5551 1251 35 Year Reunion Class of 1981 Saturday 15th October (Caulfield Cup) Emerald Hotel 415 Clarendon St South Melbourne Start 5pm – Meal at 7pm Contact Mary Murphy for details – 0402 128556 or [email protected] 10 Year Reunion Class of 2006 Saturday, 8th October 2016. Grand Central Hotel 7pm Tour of Monivae offered at 5pm. Contact Jill Whiting [email protected] or via (03) 5551 1251 26 Year Reunion Class of 1990 Saturday 16th July 2016 Venue: Melbourne TBA Details: Contact Vara Bennett nee Peck email: [email protected] 1 Year Reunion Class of 2015 Friday, 11th November 2016. Monivae College Chevalier Centre Facebook Event Link Principal’s From the Foundation Message The Monivae College Foundation was first established in September 1998 with Mr Allan Myers QC. AC. as Chairman. Cadet Camp – For thousands of Monivae Old Collegians those two words will evoke a host of different memories. Indeed wherever I have met former Monivae students all seem to enjoy regaling me with tales of their cadet experiences particularly those of camp week. It is a quite distinctive aspect of our College that we continue to have cadets as part of their curriculum. Despite the concerns of OH&S and the limits on activities that were taken for granted in past times the camp is still a significant rite of passage for our Monivae students. As I write the students of 2016 are forging their own memories of cadets. A howling wind overnight and some steady drizzle during the afternoon has dampened the spirits very little and the students’ resilience has been tested but not found wanting at this stage. Surprisingly for families that live in such a beautiful rural environment only around a third of our current students have actually spent a night under canvas, so it is still a very formative experience. Increasingly schools are being expected to do more of the sorts of things that were almost exclusively in the family domain. Monivae is well placed to assist in these areas with its Positive Education Program supported by the MSC ethos that has been a trademark of a Monivae education over the decades. The cadet camp is just one of the many opportunities students have to test and display the character strengths promoted in this program. There has also been an increase in the demand for bursaries to assist needy students to benefit from what Monivae has to offer. We are very fortunate to have some 45 students currently attending Monivae on bursaries and it is because of the support of Old Collegians and their contributions to our Foundation Bursary and Scholarships fund that we are able to be so inclusive and support families in their desire for a Monivae education. I encourage any Old Collegians who are in a position to do so to contribute to this fund – it really does have a life changing impact on so many students. We welcome Jill Whiting to the role of Director of Development and Marketing at Monivae this year and wish Simon McKinley all the best as he and his family have moved to warmer climes at Lindisfarne Grammar, Tweed Heads. Since that time the Foundation has played an integral role in assisting the College in a number of significant developments and other initiatives designed to improve the lives of students. Three key objectives have emerged as focal points for the activities of the Foundation. These are to assist and support Monivae College in ensuring: 1. Every child without the necessary financial means has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a ‘Monivae education’. The key ingredient in the achievement of a rewarding and happy life. The corner stone of this objective is a five year plan to attract perpetual scholarship and bursary endowment funds to a value of $5 million. It is pleasing to note we are currently almost three years into this plan and on target to achieve this goal. However, we recognize it will be the second half which will be more difficult. The perpetual bursary and scholarship funds to date have been established by individuals, families, teachers, friends of the College and the deceased estates of past students and teachers. 2. The buildings and grounds of Monivae are continually upgraded to a standard necessary to provide an environment that promotes and supports student and teacher learning and wellbeing. Some more recent examples of Foundation support under this objective, which has only been possible with generous support from local philanthropists and past students are the development of the Chevalier Centre (total development cost $5.2 million), enclosure and heating of the swimming pool (approximate development cost $1 million – stage 2 of the Chevalier Centre development) and the future development of the Performing Arts Centre (stage 3 of the Chevalier Centre development). 3. The College’s long history of educating indigenous children and others from under developed countries continues. The benefits of a ‘Monivae education’ provide the foundation necessary to enhance the potential of these children to transform their lives. The College currently has 19 indigenous students including 6 from the very remote indigenous community at Kalumburu in the West Australian Kimberley region. The Foundation is supporting a separate informal ‘committee’ of very generous and passionate individuals in establishing sources of much needed funding to support the Kalumburu and indigenous program at the College. I am pleased to advise the Monivae College Foundation is already benefiting from two recent additions to its team. The first is Ms Sally Leake (Year – 1980) who has recently joined the Board as a Director. Sally has already added great depth to the Board with the experience she brings from both her past and present positions. The second is Mrs Jill Whiting who has recently been appointed as Director of Development at Monivae College and is playing a key support role for the Foundation. Details and contacts of the current Monivae College Foundation Board and Jill Whiting are as follows: Laurie Cogger (Chairman) Year – 1973 [email protected] Ph: 0403 304 156 Anthony Watt Year – 1967 [email protected] Ph: 0429 145 605 Bryan Roberts Year – 1960 [email protected] Ph: 0418 148 523 Carole Reid Past Parent [email protected] Ph: 0408 523 614 Lachy Patterson Year – 1998 [email protected] Ph: 0429 955 669 Patrick Howman Year - 1969 [email protected] Ph: 0428 527 066 Sally Leake Year – 1980 [email protected] Ph: 0402 117 987 Jill Whiting Director of Development [email protected] Ph: 0407 723 298 I encourage all past students to take the time to obtain further information on the Monivae College Foundation and assist it in continuing what is now a vital role. Laurie Cogger Chairman Monivae College Foundation (Class of 1973) Swimming Carnival Monivae’s Swimming Carnival was held in ideal, fine conditions of the 17th March. Students swam and cheered brilliantly throughout the day really adding to the atmosphere. Students were given the opportunity to gain points for the respective houses in the participation events. It was pleasing to see so many students participating to add to their house points and well done Mrs Katee Mitchell, head of Mitchell as she easily lead her house in the participation 50 metres… Maybe this was the difference with Mitchell taking the honours! Mitchell house secured the cheering competition and were the overall winners of the day. Congratulations to all students on a flawless carnival filled with great spirit, sportsmanship and competitiveness. Overall Results 1st Michell 2nd Londsale 3rd Glenelg 4th Ffrench - 2681.5 points - 2342.5 points - 2291 points - 2111 points Records set 15Yr Girls 50 m Freestyle - Casey White (Lonsdale) 32.90 16Yr Boys 50 m Freestyle - Sebastian Christie-Crane (Lonsdale) 28.19 16Yr Boys 50 m Backstroke - Sebastian Christie-Crane (Lonsdale) 36.06 Glenelg Division Swimming Held in Portland the Glenelg Division Swimming Carnival was a close call with Monivae being pipped at the post by a mere 5 points to finish second to the Hamilton & Alexandra College. A great overall team effort with several of our strong swimmers unable to attend the day. Congratulations to Kiah Connolly 12-13 Yr Girls 50 m Freestyle record 31.83. Age group champions Kiah Connolly 12-13 Yr. Girls Casey White 15Yr Girls Sebastian Christie-Crane 16Yr Boys Athletics Carnival The Athletics Carnival was held on a particularly challenging hot day at Pedrina Park, with the extreme temperature certainly not dampening the enthusiasm and subsequent records that were broken on the day. What a great day for all students, parents and staff who attended. Glenelg Division Athletics will be held Friday 13th May at Casterton. Overall Results: 1st Mitchell 2nd Glenelg 3rd Lonsdale 4th Ffrench - 4824 points - 4700 points - 4407 points - 4264 points Athletics Records Set: Hollie Phillips – 12-13Yr Girls 800m, 2:29.05min Jacob Hill – 12-13Yr Boys Triple Jump, 9.20m Thomas Carter – 14Yr Boys Triple Jump, 10.70m Ben Cullinane – 15Yr Boys 400m, 57.07s Lily Cameron – 16Yr Girls High Jump, 1.55m Georgia Clarke – 16Yr Girls Shot Put, 10.82m Britt-Annie McMahon – 18-20Yr Girls Javelin, 27.04m Britt-Annie McMahon – 18-20Yr Girls Discus, 31.87 Congratulations to our Sports captains for Swimming, Samantha Loria and Angus Lean and our Athletics Captains Emily Kermeen and Thomas Millard Geelong Regatta Monivae rowing efforts can be rightly proud of their tremendous effort in the Geelong Regatta. Day one saw Year 9’s Double Scull with Angus Campbell and Sebastian Fitzgerald coming second in their 1000 metre heat and third in the B final. The Year 9 Double Scull was a close race. After winning their heat, Rachael Millard and Siobhan Wheaton came second in the final, a fantastic effort. The Year 9 Quads competed against each other in the first heat. The quad coxed by Mairead Kelly and rowed by Rachael Millard, Siobhan Wheaton, Lauren Brown and Matilda Dohle narrowly defeated the quad coxed by Eliza Millard and rowed by Vania McCaskill, Sarah Hockey, Sophie Page and Aimee Perkins. Opening of the New Turf Wicket After many dedicated hours by Mr McGinnity and Mr Bailey watering and tending the turf wicket at Monivae “The Invitation XI” 20/20 Cricket Match St Marys vs Monivae launched the new turf wicket in style on March 4th. Both girls’ quads put up an awesome battle in the A final, finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. Shelby Doherty and Annaleace Dohle competed in the Year 10 Double Scull, finishing 3rd in the heat and the final. Siobhan Wheaton rowed in the single scull in the Year 10 age group and finished third in her heat and a great effort of second in the final. On days two and three Siobhan Wheaton attended the Head of the Schools Girls Regatta in Geelong. Siobhan won her 1000 metre heat on the Saturday and in the Semi Final on Sunday cane third just missing the chance to row in the final. Congratulations on a fantastic team effort and to Mr Phil Wheaton and Ashley Quinsey for all their time and effort supporting and coaching the teams. The Monivae Invitation XI team proudly wore their Invitation Xl caps and the team featured talented Monivae male and female cricketers who currently compete in the local competition. T20 Cricket Action Lachie Field and Thomas Millard’s partnership was a valuable part of the Monivae’s innings but the runs on the board from St Mary’s proved too many to chase. Monivae was successful in winning the T/20 cricket competition played at Pedrina Park, Myrniong and Kennedy Oval. A carnival atmosphere prevailed for the evening match with the “Bay 13 Marquee” and it was very pleasing to see a large crowd cheer on Monivae students who were represented in both Monivae and St Mary’s side. Games were played in great spirit with some brilliant catching and ground fielding. Monivae fielded two teams with Monivae 2 featuring five of our talented female cricketers who shone with the bat and ball. Monivae’s new green and gold roller was put to great use and the wicket was very true and in great Friday night conditions. The match played out with many sixes and fours hit from both sides! Monivae 1 played strongly in all 3 games remaining undefeated to win the inter-school shield in convincing fashion. Best players were captain Riley Pickering with the bat and Tynan Shannon with the ball. Monivae 2 were competitive in all 3 games, coming close to a win against Casterton and dominating with the bat against College until a fall of quick wickets. The highlight for this team was the fantastic leg side catch of one of the top order College batsmen by wicket keeper Bonnie Farrugia-Gleeson, bowled by Amy Pepper. Geelong Regatta & T20 Cricket Action Fun times in Port Fairy for our Year 7’s Our Year 7’s have settled in very well to life at Monivae and spent an action packed 3 days in Port Fairy in the first week of term. Lots of new friendships were formed as well as just having some serious fun! Students were able to enjoy learning how to surf, with many budding Kelly Slaters and Sally Fitzgibbons amongst them! The weather did its part in making fishing, snorkelling and a boat trip all very enjoyable. The Year 12 leaders relished sharing some time with the new Year seven students, organising and playing games and then staying to enjoy an evening meal with everyone. Lily Shines at Nationals Year 10 student Lily Cameron successfully competed in the State Track and Field event in high jump held in Melbourne to qualify for the National, Australian Junior Track and Field Championships held in Perth in March. Lily competed in Perth as a bottom age, 15 year old athlete in the Under 17 age group. Lily showed great maturity and composure to control the nerves to try and eclipse her personal best of 1.63m. Lily’s previous high jump 1.63m awarded Lily the bronze medal in Melbourne and after a close competition in Perth, just clipping the bar with her heels, Lily received a credible 9th out of 20 competitors at National level. Congratulations Lily on an outstanding achievement. Gatsby Glamour at the Presentation Ball Winding the clock back to the decadent 1920’s was the theme of Gatsby Presentation Ball at the Chevalier Centre on Saturday 19th March. An incredible amount of behind the scenes work went into making the scene one right out of Downton Abbey. Attention to detail with the amount of art deco props and elaborate ornaments set the scene for what was a spectacular evening filled with grace, charm and dancing finesse. The Presentees who took part in this wonderful occasion worked very hard to learn the dancing moves and the performance was flawless. All Presentees were presented to the special guests for the evening, Mr Hugh Delahunty and Mrs Judie Delahunty. Congratulations to all involved, the P & F Committee, parents, dancing teachers and staff in making it such a memorable evening. Cameron Webb, Georgia Hughes, Bailey Webb Vania McCaskill, Lydia Fitzgerald, Aimee Perkins, Erin Munro, Lisa Shelly, Ella Lithgow Dean Nolte, Tameka Dayalall, Jessica Monk Hugh Delahunty, Judie Delahunty, Sue McGinnity, Mark McGinnity (L-R) Caitlin Kruger, Hayden Noske, Chloe Plunkett, Letetia Nolte, Kyle Scott, Laura McKenzie Births, Marriages & Farewells Births Megg Loren Yvette (nee Schurmann – Class 97) & Brad Colquhoun Luca Harrison Emma (nee Beks – class of 2001) & Vail Scott Ayla May Josh Dore (class of 2003) & Tenille (nee Osmond) Bethany Clare Leon (staff) & Emily Furze Arthur Lachlan Helen (staff- nee Crawford) & Tim Wilken Delcie Elizabeth Rose Chris Cogger (2001) & Sarah Cogger Marriages Renae (nee Beks – class of 2004) & Tom Taylor Arthur Lachlan Wilken Chris Cogger (-class of 2001) & Sarah Murdoch Emily (nee Neeson – class of 2008) & Andrew Sobey (class of 2000) Engagement Nicholas McMahon (class of 2011) & Katelyn Lewis (class of 2014) Farewells Robert (Bob) Rushton (HSC 1980) – prominent in the Monivae cadets, later serving in the army Caitlin Neeson (2001) – Partner of Andrew Sharrock (1995), mother of Sam and Sophie Front: Emily Sobey (Neeson) (2008), Andrew Sobey (2000) Back L-R: Emma Stubbs (2008), Nick Logan, Ryan Petrie, Molly Neeson (2014), Tom MacDonald, Talina Walker (2008). Renae and Tom Taylor Sarah, Chris & Delcie Cogger From the Archives Hannagan rst Secretary), P , J Hannagan (Fi itchely, B rtin Cr B Cu ) J , rer su arn ea He (Tr R): P esident), M Gurry oney, J Davies, M Diunlea. below: Back (LPr p e ou Vic ( Gr en ion yd ss Mi K Ro , J Ha ary Secretary), White (Chaplain) (President), Fr. thgeber ( Second R): P Lane, D Ra (Lnt Fro hy. op Br Below (L -R) T Gu D Foste r (Capta rry, M Gurry, J C in) V Ha yes Fron urtin (Vic Capta in) t: P Tho rnton Top (L-R) - Sacred Heart College Mission Group 1965, Tennis Team 1965 Middle (L-R) - Swimming Team 1961, Sacred Heart College 1st XVIII Football Team 1963 Bottom – Sacred Heart College Form 3 1961. Photo credit John Curtin (School Captain 1965) NAME: Michael Harms POSITION: Classroom Teacher ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: Play golf, coach cricket, drink red wine New Staff @ Monivae FOOTY TEAM: Geelong BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME IS: The Castle INSPIRED BY: Paul Kelly BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Two sons, both at Monivae NAME: Rebecca Phyland POSITION: Science and Indonesian Teacher ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: Visit the beach and improve my SUP skills FOOTY TEAM: Hawthorn BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME IS: Babel INSPIRED BY: the Dalai Lama BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Finding an endangered flower in a NSW woodland which resulted in the realignment of a major highway development NAME: Isabelle Carlon POSITION: PE and Health Teacher: Yr. 7-10 PE, Yr. 10.1 Homeroom and Yr. 11 Health and Human Development. ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: I love being a tourist and exploring this beautiful part of Australia, especially going to the beach and walks through the Grampians. FOOTY TEAM: Port Adelaide BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME IS: The Blind Side INSPIRED BY: My parents inspire me with their positive and loving attitude towards life and the people around them. Also anyone who strives through adversity and never lets the fear of striking out, keep them from playing the game. North Melbourne player Jason McCartney and athlete Turia Pitt are two of my biggest inspirations. BEST ACHIEVMENT: I love water ski racing and race with one of my friends from home, with her Dad driving and my Dad observing. So winning the most recent Barrie Beehag Water Ski Race together with my Dad would be one of my favourite race wins. Finishing a water ski race with your team is an amazing feeling, let alone making it onto the podium. NAME: Meg Cook POSITION: Registrar ON WEEKENDS I LIKE TO: Watch family play sport FOOTY TEAM: Carlton BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME: The Da Vinci Code INSPIRED BY: Kind hearted people BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Mother of four beautiful boys Monivae continues to shine Rio Bound Melissa Tapper (2007) has made history as the first Australian Athlete to qualify for both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in the same year. Melissa has devoted herself to achieving her long time goals of representing Australia in Table Tennis at the Olympics and it hasn’t come without many sacrifices and lots of hard work. Valerian McCaskill (2015), Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove Valerian’s International Internship Success Melissa has competed in competitions all around the world in her lead up to the Olympic Qualifying event in Tweed Heads last month. Congratulations to our Old Collegian and past Monivae Dux Valerian McCaskill, on his selection for the New Colombo Plan Internship in Malaysia. Melissa’s dedication and preparation with the lead up qualifying games has paid off with the winning match being played in Bendigo setting in concrete her Olympic selection. Valerian is pictured on our front page with Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and the Official Patron of the New Colombo Plan, Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove. Melissa’s no stone unturned attitude has seen her through all the tough times and she said” I now however do feel a lot of relief and happiness that dreams can be achieved and that hard work pays off and a sense of achievement, knowing that whatever I put my mind to, I can achieve.” The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program provides opportunities for Australian undergraduate students to undertake semester-based study and internships or mentorships in participating Indo-Pacific locations. This program is open to Australian undergraduates aged 18-28 and currently studying at Australian Universities. The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. Valerian is currently studying Electrical Engineering and Commenced at Monash University, he is hoping for a career in the field of Automation. Valerian’s selection was a process that involved many stages of selection. Valerian was selected in the initial group of 200 outstanding students who then travelled to Canberra where they were interviewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. From his successful interviews, Valerian was selected in a group of 100 students who will become a part of this year’s New Colombo Plan. Valerian is looking forward to studying at the University of Malaya and the chance of internships at some Malaysian companies. Where Are Our Old-Collegians Now? Pictured from left Linda Oki, Daisy Henry, Wolfgang Henry (class of 2014), John Oki (Class of 2007) Monivae Old Collegian, John Oki (2007 Boarder) spent Christmas 2015 visiting his Australian family and friends with his sister Linda. Since leaving Monivae it has been quite a journey for John. After completing VCE in Australia he returned home to learn that PNG tertiary institutions did not recognise Australian educations qualifications and as such had to wait and apply to complete two years pre-med science. John did this but in a country that has a current of corruption running through all facets of life, his results were ‘lost’ unless he paid a fee! After some time he received his results but by then it was too late to apply for his course and so he had to wait another year to start. John has born these trials patiently; he is a pillar in his village Lamina and a beacon of inspiration to many young people from the Southern Highlands. His sister Linda says that John is the reason why she works so hard at school. Linda has just completed Year 10 at Sacred Heart High School Tapini and was the only girl to be selected to continue her education at Salgari National High School, another great achievement. John has just completed his first year with Divine Word University training to be a medical officer which in PNG is a cross between a doctor, hospital administrator, basic surgeon and nurse. This is a four year degree with two year placement in a hospital. John’s first year saw him receive outstanding results with SIS distinctions and two high distinctions. John Oki has come a long way from his mountain side bamboo village and continues to be a person that will be an important part of the future of PNG. Huge congratulations to John on having the passion, determination and patience to really make a difference. Story Source from Helen Henry. Georgia Clarke Cadet Bivouac Monivae College student Georgia Clarke was initially named in the Victorian Country Youth Girls squad and has been selected as one of the 27 girls named in the 2016 AFL U 18 Victorian Country Youth Girls team. 85 recruit cadets were involved in the annual recruit bivouac which took place at Glendinning on the 16 and 17th March under the guidance of the platoon CUO’s and Sergeants throughout the duration. Georgia currently plays with the North Ballarat regional football team made of players from the South West, Hampden, Wimmera and Ballarat regions. We were blessed with perfect weather for our brief time in the bush. In fact a lot of the recruits complained about being too warm! (No doubt they will not be saying that come time for the major camp in May.) 65 girls were nominated by AFL Victoria’s Youth Girls Academy coaching staff and attended weekly training sessions to determine the final team of 27 players . The National Championships are to be played in Melbourne from the 2nd - 5th May and are the pinnacle competition for young female footballers aged between 15-18 years. Nine teams from across Australia will compete in this year’s event, with both Vic Country and Vic Metro to play in Division One against Western Australia and Queensland, while South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania, NSW/ACT and Woomeras (Indigenous team) will form Division Two. A variety of activities took place from setting up platoon harbours correctly to bushcraft skills, Outdoor Firstaid, Navigation by day and night and of course some basic drill thrown in for good measure. The majority of the cadets were most co-operative and maintained good spirits during this exercise. I must mention all platoon CUO’s who were in attendance - they worked extremely well as a team and planned and implemented all activities to a very high standard. By the time you read this another annual May camp (May 2-6) will have come and gone. We will have had around 200 cadets up in the bush at Victoria Point for a week, and hopefully they would have experienced the many dimensions that the annual camp offers, and survived safely. Pedal Power As a VCAL class we organised the National Ride to School Day on Friday the 4th of March. We began organising this Ride 2 School day a few months ago. We went to St Mary’s Primary School and told them that it was on and asked if they would like to join us. To help promote the event we had photos taken by Jill Whiting and she put them on Facebook for people to see. group to make sure everyone made it to school safely, Mrs Ives had her car there and most people put their bags in the back of her car and she brought them up to school, Mr Franc was giving instructions about our route to school and other teachers like Mr Minney and Mr Rowe rode with the group. We had 69 St Mary’s students come and join in. As it got closer to the day we put posters up around the school and communicated with everyone via email and through the daily notices. We’d like to thank the teachers that helped out we had Mr Wheaton and Miss Gustus at the car park with fruit and fruit boxes for everyone. A special mention goes to Cody in year 8 for riding from Hamilton to Tarrington then back again with Mr Hatherell and some others who live in Tarrington to the skate park and back to school. It’s a shame Mr Hatherell got a flat tyre on the way in! Maybe he should have checked his bike before riding in. On the day we had a good turn out with over 120 people participating. Mr Beks was at the tennis courts helping people cross the road to make sure it was safe, Mrs Patience rode at the end of the Amy Pepper – behalf of the year 12 VCAL class. Career News Work Experience Lt(AAC) Terry Molan, Administration Officer, MCACU. Monivae leading the way in Mindfulness Mindfulness is very much a way of life at Monivae College. Now more than ever, it is critical that students are equipped with the skills and mindsets that counteract mental illness and prepare them for a ‘life well lived’. It’s certainly a hot topic in today’s society. The current pace of life and stress that comes with it, there certainly needs to be effective ways to handle those stressful thoughts and feelings. With the opening of our state-of-art Chevalier Centre in 2015, and having within the centre a specific room for Yoga and Meditation, Mindfulness is an everyday practice at Monivae College. The Mindfulness room is a modern space featuring, polished timber flooring, floor to glass windows overlooking the private gardens. The entrance glass wall can ensure privacy and peacefulness because with a flick of a switch, the glass wall is opaque. Monivae College is very fortunate to have a Meditation Practitioner trained at the Gawler Foundation as one of our dedicated staff members. From the beginning of 2015 Mindfulness has been embraced and both staff and students take part in the “Mindfulness Based Stillness Meditation Sessions”. Meditation classes were originally commenced at lunchtimes and offered for our Year 12 Students. What a wonderful journey this has been learning together the powerful benefits of living in the present moment and stopping the chatter in our minds that can way too often, dominate our thoughts. Every second Friday afternoon during “Alternative Education.”. Year 7 and 8 students, are being introduced to the awareness of Mindfulness and experiencing the practice. This is a gentle and encouraging session. Currently, we are offering an 8 week course after school hours in Mindfulness Based Stillness Mediation as taught by Paul and Maia Bedson at the Gawler Foundation. Our first intake has been wonderful, we meet once a week in The Chevalier Centre, we are all learning together. This course is open to everyone in our school community and beyond. It is so pleasing to see current students, parents and friends of all ages come together for these inspiring sessions. Monivae College as a whole is often described by visitors or while attending school events as having a natural, “positive vibe” or “positive energy”. This positive energy is cultivated amongst the whole school community with its approach to Wellbeing Education at Monivae. The focus is on developing student character strengths helping them build their Wellbeing bank to draw on when they need to overcome life’s challenges. It may be as simple as “Resilience Builders”, where students note the emotions felt, strengths and positive self-talk used in a good situation or simply writing down three good things that happened that day. Staff report that It is so rewarding being part of such focused and engaged team at Monivae College who strive to be the best at fostering student’s strengths and emotions. PO T: F: E: W: Box 423 Hamilton, Vic 3300 (03) 5551 1200 (03) 5571 1074 [email protected] monivae.com