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Friday, 22 February 2019, Term 1 Week 4
Dear Parents, Staff and Students
Gratitude
Listening to our Federal and State political leaders as they enter election mode, people could very easily come to the belief that everything about our country, standard of living and society is in a parlous state. It is the nature of the adversarial political process that mostly what we hear is negativity, criticism as well as half-truths delivered by all the major players of all political persuasions.
Although it is easy to become somewhat downcast at the picture that is being painted, a few Jesus said to his disciples: minutes of reflection would lead us to the realisation that, as a community, we have much 'As the Father has loved me, for which to be grateful. We live in a beautiful country with warm summers and mild winters. so I have loved you. Many people around the word cannot go out in the midday sun in summer or have to dig Remain in my love. If you keep my their way through snow in winter just to get to work or school. Australians are blessed with commandments you will remain in generously resourced health care and social security systems ensuring support for the my love, just as I have kept my elderly, sick and disadvantaged. As a nation, we have a high life expectation. Despite Father's commandments and criticism from some, Australian children are very well educated and prepared for life in what remain in his love. is an ever-changing and challenging world. Compared to other countries, most I have told you this so that my own Australians have a decent income and can adequately support themselves or their families. joy may be in you and your joy be complete. We live in a democracy that is the envy of the world, where everyone has a voice that can be This is my commandment: made known to our elected representatives. Our justice system and public institutions are love one another, as I have loved widely regarded as fair and trustworthy. Despite the political commentary and you. A man can have no greater pessimism of some, there is so much for which we should be thankful. love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you Election Update do what I command you. Next week I will be meeting with Mr Chris Minns, Member for Kogarah (former MCK I shall not call you servants any student), Mrs Anne Melrose, Principal, Mater Dei Blakehurst as well as representatives from more, because a servant does not the Sydney Catholic Schools Office. These meetings between the Catholic education sector know his master's business; and State Members of Parliament will be taking place in every electorate before the state I call you friends, because I have election next month. Election cycles allow people or organisations to place arguments to our made known to you everything I elected representatives in an attempt to get a fair and reasonable slice of the budget pie. have learnt from my Father. The current State Government is spending $6 billion on public school capital works over the You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go coming four years. There are 595 Catholic schools in NSW and only $100 million is allocated out and to bear fruit, from this massive budget for capital works for our schools. This is manifestly unfair to the fruit that will last; and then the parents who pay their taxes and send their children to Catholic schools. Already parents are Father will give you anything you paying 90% of the costs of capital projects through building levies, fees and fundraising. ask him in my name. Similar to the argument with the Commonwealth Government, Catholic education What I command you is to love one authorities and parents are not greedy but simply asking for a fair and equitable allocation of another.' funds. As we know, due to the sacrifices of our parents, Catholic schools save governments John 15:9-17 billions of dollars to the budget bottom line!
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Parents and Friends’
Our first P&F meeting for the year will be held next Wednesday, 27 February commencing at 7.00 pm in the College library. The College Executive will be introduced to the parents along with an outline of what we are planning to achieve in 2019.
Open Day
The College Open Day will take place on Wednesday, 6 March commencing at 3.00 pm. All prospective students and their families who are hoping to enrol are both encouraged and welcomed to attend and have a guided tour of the College. If parents know anyone who may be interested, please pass on an invitation to visit us on this day.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, 27 February – Advisory Council (4.30 pm) Parents & Friends’ (7.00 pm) Thursday, 28 February – MCC Summer finals
Friday, 1 March – College Swimming Carnival
Wednesday, 6 March – College Open Afternoon
Thursday, 7 March – MCC Swimming Carnival Homebush (4.00 pm - 7.00pm) All Year 8 students attend
Friday, 8 March – Year 8 Reflection Day
Mr John Riordan Principal
HSC CLASS OF 1969 REUNION
Please contact Greg Purcell [email protected]
Proposed reunion date Saturday, 20 July 2019.
Venue to be advised.
COLLEGE FEES 2019
The College fees have now been issued via email and post. If you have not received your fees, please contact the College Office on 9587 3211 (option 2 for accounts) or email [email protected]
LIBRARY NOTICE
Could all students please check at home for any overdue library books.
Please see Library Staff if you are unsure what loans you have.
Thank you.
Ms Anne Plummer - Librarian
FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work
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The Class of 2018 achieved outstanding results in the Higher School Certificate and were congratulated on their success at the High Achievers’ Assembly held on Friday, 8 February 2019. The 2018 College Dux, Joseph El Ammar (pictured right receiving his award from Mr Chris Minns, Member for Kogarah) achieved an ATAR of 97.10 receiving a Band 6 in - Studies of Religion 2 Unit, English (Standard), Economics and Business Studies.
Joshua Vigliante (pictured left) was awarded 6th place in the State and 1st place in Sydney Catholic Schools in the Construction Examination. He received an ATAR of 95.40 and achieved a Band 6 in Mathematics General 2, Senior Science, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education and Construction Examination.
Dimitrios Tsardakas (pictured right) was awarded 1st place in Sydney Catholic Schools in Music 1. He received an ATAR of 93.40 and achieved a Band 6 in Mathematics, Music 1 and Modern Greek Continuers.
The following students achieved an ATAR greater than 90 and a Band 6 in the subjects listed below.
Jamie Laskovski Alexey Fedorov Evangelos Papaefstathiou Manny Saviolakis Alan Patrick Dormido Sam Hicks 97.05 96.90 96.75 96.40 95.05 94.95 English (Advanced) Studies of Religion II Studies of Religion II English (Advanced) Mathematics English (Advanced) Mathematics General 2 English (Advanced) English (Advanced) Mathematics General 2 Biology Biology Personal Development, Mathematics General 2 Biology Music 1 Personal Development, Health and Physical Business Studies Health and Physical Education Education
Michael Susetio Dylan Damevski Reinard Tan Benjamin Vella Joy Rozario Joshua Weiler 94.80 93.15 92.75 92.65 92.45 92.10 Mathematics Mathematics General 2 Mathematics Legal Studies English (Advanced) Mathematics General 2 Biology Visual Arts Modern History Modern History
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Connor Flanagan Joel Wooldridge Matthew Koss Michael Steriovski Liam Becvarovski 91.60 91.50 91.20 90.35 90.15 Mathematics General 2 Personal Development, Studies of Religion I Mathematics High Band 5s in all Personal Development, Health and Physical Legal Studies subjects Health and Physical Education Education Industrial Technology
Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Band 6 in one or more subjects -
Peter Aganakis Kurt Cheng James Christou Joseph Guerzoni Michael Hanna Eric Josifov Mathematics General 2 Legal Studies Modern Greek Beginners Mathematics General 2 Mathematics General 2 English (Advanced) Biology Industrial Technology Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
Andrew Koikas Tovy Li Matthew McAdam Cooper Miles Jason Mioduszewski Benjamin Mir Mathematics Extension 2 Mathematics Extension 2 Music 1 Mathematics General 2 Mathematics General 2 Music 1 Construction Examination
Zachary Spanis Peter Perivolarellis Cedric Reyes Thomas Saludo James Setiadi Mathematics General 2 Mathematics General 2 Personal Development, Personal Development, Mathematics General 2 Personal Development, Health and Physical Health and Physical Health and Physical Education Education Education FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work
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FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work
Marist14 College KOGARAH OPEN AFTERNOON 2019
Wednesday, 6 March 2019 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm
2018 HSC High Achievers with Mr Chris Minns, Member for Kogarah and Mr Steve Kamper, Member for Rockdale ǚ The average for ‘courses above State average’ has been 90.5% over the past eight years ǚ Top ATAR 97.10 ǚ 18 students received an ATAR above 90 ǚ Student ranked 6th in the State in the Construction examination ǚ Student ranked 1st in Sydney Catholic Schools in the Construction examination ǚ Student ranked 1st in Sydney Catholic Schools in Music 1 ǚ 66 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers List (Band 6 result in a course) ǚ Marist College Kogarah was ranked in the Sydney Morning Herald Top 150 Schools for the fourth consecutive year
52 Wolseley Street, Bexley 2207 | (02) 9587 3211 | www.mck.nsw.edu.au Page 6
SYDNEY JEWISH MUSEUM
As part of the Senior Curriculum, Studies of Religion 2 unit students are required to undertake a Depth Study on Christianity, Islam and Judaism. On Thursday February 14, we had the privilege of attending an authentic learning experience at the Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst, to aid in our Judaism Depth Study on Holocaust Theology. We experienced a first hand account of the Holocaust from survivor Jack Meister ; a Polish born Jewish man. His story was moving, as he was the only survivor from his family and one of the few remaining survivors to live through the atrocities of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. We were then given a tour of the museum by volunteers. We concluded the day with three consecutive lectures by Sandy Hollis, a Jewish woman and member of the Educational Department of the Museum.The lectures covered all three aspects of our Judaism Depth Study; Holocaust Theology - School of Thought, Bioethics and the Significant Practice Death and Mourning. Our visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum was a wonderful opportunity to make connections between the material being learned, and the experiences of the real world. This authentic learning experience was relevant and purposeful , rigorous and thought provoking. It was learning that will enable students to develop their social consciences and live lives of promise and meaning in a rapidly changing world. Ms Lauren Abihanna Religious Education Co-ordinator
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YEAR 7 REFLECTION DAY
On Friday, 15 February, Year 7 students participated in their first Reflection Day. The day was facilitated by Hopkins Ministries, Mr Collins, the Year 7 Coordinator and the Year 7 Religious Education Team. The students engaged in meaningful activities that involved group discussion, teamwork and discussions around value and respect, their God and their own faith. The day ended with a prayerful liturgy and meditation. An enjoyable day was had by all.
Ms Lauren Abihanna Religious Education Co-ordinator
FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work
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MCC SPORT
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our Summer MCC Representative teams on a very competitive and successful regular season. We managed to get half of our teams into the Semi Finals, which were held this week, and these results can be seen below. A huge congratulations to the MCC Tennis team and their coaches Mr Azar and Mr Lemos on progressing through to next week’s final against Marcellin College Randwick.
Also a huge thank you to the staff who volunteered their time to coach one of the Summer MCC teams this season. They give up their own time before and after school as well as returning home late on Thursday afternoons to give our students the opportunity to represent the College in their chosen sports.
Semi Final results -
Tennis Under 14s Basketball Kogarah def Marist North Shore 82-49 Marcellin Randwick def Kogarah 86-40
A Grade Basketball A Grade Cricket Marcellin Randwick def Kogarah 72-52 CBHS Lewisham def Kogarah by 20 runs Under 15s Basketball Under 14s Touch Football Marcellin Randwick def Kogarah 51-46 Holy Cross Ryde def Kogarah 4-3
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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
On the Australia Day long weekend, Fletcher Warn (Year 8) represented his club, Revesby Workers Club in the Australian Open Water Titles in Adelaide.
Fletcher competed in the 14yr boys 5km open water event and achieved an outstanding result of 3rd, especially since it was only his second attempt swimming the 5km distance.
I would like to congratulate Fletcher on behalf of the College on his outstanding achievement and we look forward to seeing him perform at a high level in the upcoming representative swimming season.
UPCOMING EVENTS Term 1 is an extremely busy time in sport for the College. Please take note of the following information regarding upcoming events. Thursday, 28 February - MCC Summer Grand Finals Friday, 1 March - MCK Swimming Carnival at Botany Thursday, 7 March - MCC Swimming Carnival at Homebush Aquatic Centre (evening) Thursday, 21 March - Golf and Squash Gala Day Thursday, 28 March - Cross Country Carnival Rugby League and Soccer trials will also begin later this term. Students are to ensure they check Sentral regularly for updates.
Mr Chris MacDougal Sports Co-ordinator
NSW COMBINED CATHOLIC COLLEGES BLUES AWARDS CEREMONY
On Monday, 11 February, the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Blues Awards Presentation was held at St Mary Star of the Sea, Wollongong to recognise outstanding achievements across the various CCC sports during 2018. Marist College Kogarah had two students from last year’s HSC class receive a prestigious Blues Award.
Michael Hanna received one for Athletics. He excelled in his events at the 2018 NSWCCC Athletics Championships winning gold in the 17+ years 100m and 200m events and silver in the 400m. Michael was named as the Age Champion for the Boys 17+ years. Michael also recently won gold medals for beach sprints at the World Lifesaving Championships in Adelaide.
Joel Wooldridge received his Blues Award for Triathlon. After an outstanding performance at the New South Wales All Schools Triathlon where Joel placed first in the NSWCCC division and third in the NSW All Schools senior male division, Joel Michael Hanna then went on to finish sixth at the Australian Schools Triathlon Festival. Joel was then selected as part of the Australian Team in the 16-19 year age division to contest the Triathlon World Championships on the Gold Coast in September where he finished a very credible 11th overall.
Congratulations to both boys on an outstanding achievement. Joel Wooldridge
Mr Mark Hildebrandt Year 10 Co-ordinator
FINIS CORONAT OPUS - The end crowns the work
The Air Force Cadets is a professional organisation under the management of the Royal Australian Air Force with the vision of being the premier air minded youth organisation in Australia. Our aims to better equip young people for community life by fostering initiative, leadership, discipline and loyalty through training programs which are also designed to stimulate an interest in a particular arm of the Defence Force.
What is the weekly time commitment for Cadets? Cadets meet once a week after school and on some weekends where Cadets are encouraged to take part in bivouacs and air force training and promotion camps over weekends and school holidays.
Will Cadets impact on school work? Cadets won't clash with school work in fact, it helps As Cadets progress through the Chain of Command they become leaders and are trained to instruct junior cadets on a range of military subjects by researching the topic, producing lesson plans and delivering the content in an engaging, professional style. By the time they need to stand up in front of their peers and do a school presentation, they would have done so countless times in the cadets giving them confidence in their own ability to accomplish anything they wish.
How much will Cadets cost me? While cadets is partly funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Defence, Air Force Squadrons generally ask for a weekly or annual subscription to help with running expenses, for 302 it’s $250 annually. The AAFC provides uniforms and most equipment. On camps, most of the equipment will be provided by Defence, however you may need to provide additional gear for comfort such as a sleeping bag for overnight activities. When they leave, Cadets they must return all uniforms and equipment.
Who can join the AAFC? To join Cadets you must: • Be a resident of Australia • Be a male or female aged between 13 and 16 • Not be a member of any other Cadet organisation
Is Cadets a pathway to defence? Yes, it can be. Cadets gives access to serving men and women, the military-like culture and way of life, so it provides an invaluable insight into Defence. Not all Cadets join the Australian Defence Force, but they can still have a safe and fun military-like experience.
Does Cadets provide help with career options? Yes. Cadets develops decision-making skills so they can meet almost any challenge. While school provides a solid academic background, Cadets develop life skills such as team work, leadership, discipline, resilience, the demonstrated capability to work unsupervised and the aptitude to issue and follow directions. Employers who are former cadets or military know they are hiring a person who has an active interest in their own self development, they are reliable, innovative and work well with others with respect, trust and a sense of collective purpose. Recruit Information Night: Wednesday 27 February 2019 7:00pm to 8:30pm at 302 Squadron (St George), parading at the Rockdale Multi User Depot, Chandler Street, Rockdale. Inquiries [email protected] Page 10
From the College Counsellor Managing online time There are many ways you can help your child maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities for the benefit of their health and wellbeing.
Talk to your kids Monitor the games, apps and devices your kids buy and then chat about any concerns you have. Your conversations should also cover positive things, such as what they love in life, careers they are interested in and new hobbies.
Find a balance Finding balance is so important and you can help your kids with that by encouraging a mix of non-screen entertainment and socialising opportunities.
Set screen time limits Set clear rules about when and for how long your child can play games or use the internet—the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines provide a useful benchmark. It may take time to strike a balance but a minor reduction each day or ‘15-minutes to switch-off’ warning can help the transition. Reducing your own screen time also sets a positive example.
Create a screentime plan Involve your kids in a family screen time plan to help set clear boundaries and balance online and offline activities. It could include an agreed age-based screen time schedule, rules about what websites can be visited and electronic games can be played (with clear consequences for breaking those rules) and control of access to the internet with daily passwords revealed once family time, homework and chores are complete. Where possible, try to avoid using screen time asa punishment as this approach may inflate its importance to children.
Filter their access You may like to install a filter on the device your child is using that can be adjusted to limit the amount of time an internet connection will be available. Find out more information about parental controls and filters in our Online safeguards section. Open location for devices Try to locate the devices that your kids use in a shared or visible place in the home.
Seek help If your child seems particularly anxious or irritable, or you notice them becoming isolated from friends or other activities, there may be an underlying issue so seek help from your child’s school counsellor or your GP, or direct your kids to support services such as Kids Helpline (1800 55 180), which offers free and confidential counselling for young people or eHeadspace (1800 650 890) for online and telephone support for those aged 12–25.
Article link: https://www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent/staying-safe/balancing-time-online/managing-online-time
Ms Amy Martin College Counsellor
Marist College Kogarah 52 Wolseley Street Bexley, NSW 2207 Telephone 9587 3211 Facsimile 9556 1790 Website: www.mck.nsw.edu.au Email: [email protected]
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