Clarion Newsletter - St Clare's College Waverley

Term 4 Number 10 17th December 2014
Waverley
From the Principal
On behalf of the staff of St Clare’s I would Iike to wish
you a happy and a holy Christmas and a wonderful
New Year.
Two years ago, when I visited Assisi I was able to go
to Greccio where Francis taught the people about Christmas
by re enacting the story. It is from this event that the tradition
of creating Nativity scenes comes. The story of this first
reenactment is told by Francis’ first biographer, Thomas
of Celano. An extract of this is included later in this
newsletter. There are hundreds of nativity scenes from
around the world in the church at Greccio
There are also links to Christmas in St Clare’s story. Near the
end of her life, St Clare was too ill to attend midnight Mass to
celebrate the birth of Jesus. She had a vision of the celebration
on the wall. It is from this that St Clare was named the Patron
of Television by Pope Pius XII in February 1958.
HSC Results
Congratulations to our Year 12, 2014 students. Our overall
results were outstanding with the average in most subjects
being above the state. The number of students achieving Band
6 and 5 results was very pleasing. Special congratulations to
those who were in the Honours lists. A detailed analysis of the
results will appear in the Clarion next year.
Moving on
The end of any year brings changes as staff move to the next
stage of their journeys. This year we farewell a number of staff
who were on temporary contracts. Ms Michelle Terry who
replaced Ms McGann while she was on Long Service Leave,
Ms Liana Gibson who replaced Ms Kristie Armstrong while
she was on Maternity Leave and Ms Sarah Quirke who was
teaching PDHPE. We wish them all the best in the next stage
of their journey.
Natalie Devenish has been with us for the last two terms as
Assistant Principal. In this role, amongst her other duties,
she has overseen the implementation of the data base,
SENTRAL. Whilst the staff have already experienced many
of the benefits of this system, our families will experience
this next year with the implementation of the Parent Portal.
I would like to thank Natalie for all that she has done for St
Clare’ s and for me personally in the last two terms.
We also farewell Anna-Louise Jones. Anna has been the
Manager of Information Services and e-Learning Coordinator
for the last two years. She has led us through a time of change
in teaching and learning with the implementation of the one
to one Laptop Program. Anna is moving to OLSH where she
will be taking on an executive role as the Leader of Innovation.
Sarah Rowland started at St Clare’s within weeks of my starting
as a TAS teacher. Sarah’s ability and passion for teaching was
41-51 Carrington Rd Waverley 2024 Ph 83057100 InfoLine 8305 7128
soon recognised by staff and students. Her
students achieved outstanding results in their HSC
examinations. Sarah’s leadership was recognised and
she took on the role of Acting House Dean and then
Head of Department TAS. The Department continued to flourish
under her leadership. Sarah married during her time at St Clare’s
and has had two beautiful children. She is an example to young
women of someone who has been able to balance family
and work. I wish Sarah well in her role at Bethany.
Martina Cooper has been an outstanding Director of Religious
Education at St Clare’s College. She has carried out all aspects of
the role with grace and dignity. Martina is an exemplary teacher
and has led and mentored the Religious Education Teachers
with professionalism and care.The results of her students in
the HSC Examinations are a testament to her teaching. Under
Martina’s guidance, our liturgical celebrations have been truly
prayerful, inclusive and reflective of our Catholic/Poor Clare
heritage. Martina has been the constant in the Leadership Team
during my time at St Clare’s. Her wisdom and support have
been there at all times. I must acknowledge in particular her
outstanding contributions to the Cyclic Review. Martina will
be greatly missed by the St Clare’s Community. I will miss her
friendship and her wisdom. We all wish her happiness and joy
as she undertakes her new role at Waverley where she will be
able to concentrate on her passion for teaching and learning in
the area of Religious Education.
Over the last few months I have been working with Mrs
Antoinette McGahan who is taking on the role of Principal next
year. I wish her all the best as she assumes the leadership and
care of the College. She will be joined by Mrs Julie Bjazevic
who is assuming the role of Religious Education Coordinator
and Mr Les Salisbury who will be returning as Acting Assistant
Principal in Term 1.
It is with great sadness that I say farewell to St Clare’s. Every
www.stclares.nsw.edu.au
Email [email protected]
day of the last seven years has been a blessing. I would like to
thank all members of the our community, the Sisters, the Staff,
the Parents and the reason for our existence - the St Clare’s
students. I will miss you all greatly. You will always hold a
special place in my heart.
Marie Therese Hirschhorn
Principal
Thomas of Celano - Fi rst Life
Francis’ inspiration to reenact the events of Bethlehem
We should note then, as matter worthy of memory and something
to be recalled with reverence, what he did, three years prior to
his death, at the town of Greccio, on the birthday of our Lord
Jesus Christ. There was a certain man in that area named John
who had a good reputation but an even better manner of life.
Blessed Francis had John summoned to him some fifteen days
prior to the birthday of the Lord. “if you desire to celebrate the
coming feast of the lord together at Greccio,” he said to him
“hurry before me and carefully make ready the things I tell you.
For I wish to enact the memory of that babe who was born in
Bethlehem: to see as much as is possible with my own bodily
eyes the discomfort of his infant needs, how he lay in a manger,
and how, with an ox and an ass standing by he rested on hay.”
Once the good and faithful man had heard Francis’s words, he
ran quickly and prepared in place all the things that the holy
man had requested.
Finally, the day of joy has drawn near
the time of exultation has come.
from many different places the brethren have been called.
As they could,
the men and women of that land with exultant hearts
prepare candles and torches to light up that night
whose shining star has enlightened every day and year.
Finally the holy man of God comes
and, finding all things prepared,
he saw them and was glad.
Indeed the manger is prepared,
the hay is carried in,
and the ox and the ass are led to the spot.
There simplicity is given a place of honour,
poverty is exalted,
humility is commended
and out of Greccio is made a new Bethlehem.
The night is lit up like day,
delighting both man and beast.
The people arrive, ecstatic at this new mystery of new joy.
The forest amplifies the cries
and the boulders echo back the joyful crowd.
The brothers sing, giving God due praise,
and the whole night abounds with jubilation.
The holy man of God stands before the manger,
filled with heartfelt sighs, contrite in his piety,
and overcome with wondrous joy.
Over the manger the solemnities of the Mass are celebrated
and the priest enjoys a new consolation.
The holy man of God is dressed in the vestments of the Levites,
since he was a Levite, and with full voice sings the holy gospel.
Here is his voice: a powerful voice, a pleasant voice, a clear
voice, a musical voice, inviting all to the highest of gifts. Then
he preaches to the people standing around him and pours forth
sweet honey about the birth of the poor King and the poor city
of Bethlehem. …The gifts of the Almighty are multiplied there
and a virtuous man sees a wondrous vision. For the man saw a
little child lying lifeless in the manger and he saw the holy man
of God approach the child and waken him from a deep sleep.
Nor is this vision unfitting, since in the hearts of many the child
Jesus has been given over to oblivion. Now he is awakened and
impressed on their loving memory by His own grace through
His holy servant Francis. At length, the night’s solemnities draw
to a close and everyone went home with joy.
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop hours 2015:
Wednesday 21st January 2015 - 8.30am-12.30pm
Wednesday 28th January 2015 – 3.00-3.30pm
Thursday 29th January 2015 – 8.00-8.30am
Student CaSPA Spirit Award - Senior Drama
Congratulations to Maddison
Noonan who has been awarded
the ‘Student CaSPA Spirit
Award for Senior Drama’ for her
commitment and contribution
to the CaSPA Student Ensemble
Program. Maddison is a highly
talented performer who recently
performed in ‘Lockie Leonard’
and has starred in many College
musicals including ‘Grease’
last year. She is a very worthy
recipient of this prestigious
award.
Jennifer Leaver, Director of
Studies
Important Dates
December
Fri 12 Last Day of Classes
Awards Ceremony
2015
January
Wed
28
Thus
29
April
Thurs
2
Year 7 8.30am-12.30pm
Other new Students 8.30am-10.30pm
Peer Support Leaders 10.30am-12.30pm
Other Students collect informaton between 11am-12.30pm
Lessons Commence
Last Day of Term 1
Sharing Technology News
Dear Parents,
I would like to take this opportunity to officially farewell the
St Clare’s parent community. My next endeavour will be as the
The Leader of Innovation, Teaching and Learning at OLSH
at Kensington and am pleased I will remain in the Eastern
Region Diocese. I have enjoyed working with your daughters
to enhance their learning and I have also enjoyed passing on my
cybersafety knowledge to you each week. Hopefully you have
found my segment useful each week and feel free to contact me
at anytime with any further concerns or issues you may have at
[email protected].
Anna-Louise Jones, Manager of Information Services
Presentation of Awards 2014
FRIAR UPDATE
Volume 7, Issue no. 12
World Day of Peace Message
December 2014
1 January 2015
Pope Francis’ message for World Day of Peace is entitled “No longer slaves, but brothers and sisters.”
In this message we are reminded that we are called to live in relationships that are inspired by by
justice and love so that the dignity, freedom and autonomy of all people is acknowledged and
respected. The Pope comments “Tragically, the growing scourge of man’s exploitation by man
gravely damages the life of communion and our calling to forge interpersonal relations marked by
respect, justice and love. This abominable phenomenon, which leads to contempt for the
fundamental rights of others and to the suppression of their freedom and dignity, takes many forms. I
would like briefly to consider these, so that, in the light of God’s word, we can consider all men and
women ‘no longer slaves, but brothers and sisters.'”
The statement concludes with the following challenge: “We know that God will ask each of us: What
did you do for your brother? (cf. Gen 4:9-10). The globalization of indifference, which today burdens
the lives of so many of our brothers and sisters, requires all of us to forge a new worldwide solidarity
and fraternity capable of giving them new hope and helping them to advance with courage amid the
problems of our time and the new horizons which they disclose and which God places in our hands.”
Download the Pope’s message here
Give us the wisdom and courage
to stand in solidarity with all who suffer lack of human dignity.
Help all who work against human trafficking to find ways
to ensure for all the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen.
Source: www.acrath.org.au
Office of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
Franciscan Provincial Office
47 Victoria Street, WAVERLEY NSW 2024
Telephone: (02) 9369 9309
Fax: (02) 9369 9322