Vol 29, No 34 – 9 November 2016

College life. With obviously too many people and activities to list, I would sincerely like to thank everyone for giving “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” what they can to the College. I have always said that the Proverbs 27:17 St Patrick’s parents are the most supportive, generous and

Last Sunday’s first reading from Maccabees was an friendly group of parents that one could possibly hope to work extraordinary testimony of faith. The reading recounts the with. As a small token of the College’s deep appreciation, arrest, torture and execution of a mother and her seven sons this Friday’s Volunteer Mass and Lunch is our way of saying who were under the direction of a cruel conquering king to thank you. The parents in turn last week, through the Parents’ renounce their Jewish faith. Refusing to comply with the and Friends’ Association, treated the staff with a thank you King’s orders, each of the seven sons was tortured and lunch which further reinforces the sense of belonging and executed one at a time until eventually the mother herself appreciation that underpins our wonderful community. suffered the same horrific fate. In listening to this reading at Live Jesus in our Hearts, Forever Sunday Mass, I could not help but think of my own mother and the non-negotiable faith demands she made of her six boys and one girl. In having the freedom to attend Mass whenever we choose and with so many opportunities to express our own Catholic faith in ways that require little John Murphy sacrifice, I encourage all of us to consider the true meaning of Acting Headmaster Christmas outside of the commercial self-gratifying promotions that do little to help those in need.

Last Saturday was our Annual Year 5 Students and Parents Orientation Day. It was so nice and reassuring to see so many of our existing parents at this special event enrolling another son at the College. Equally, it was lovely to meet so many new parents who have entrusted their sons into the care of our College. In my address to the parents, I was able to share with them why St Patrick’s is an overwhelmingly happy All Homerooms in the College school. Amongst some of the reasons that I stated why I think have begun to compile the Christmas St Patrick’s is a happy school were the following: Hampers for those less fortunate than  Students becoming involved in all aspects of College ourselves, because indeed we are a very life, including our comprehensive Co-curricular blessed community in so many ways. These program. hampers will be sent to families through our  Students being committed to their learning, irrespective three designated charities – St Vincent de Paul, of their ability levels as learning demands are adjusted Catholic Care and a home for survivors of when required. domestic abuse. We ask that you bring in non-perishable food items, toiletries and Christmas  Parents working in partnership with the College and presents to fill these hampers in order to bring joy to supporting the decisions that we make. somebody else’s Christmas. All items must be new,  The support for the non-negotiable behavioural, not used. We ask that you give what you would like to uniform and grooming expectations. receive rather than what you want to get rid of. All hampers Thank you parents for your contributions which enable need to be completed by 23 November. Thank-you, in advance, St Patrick’s to enjoy the reputation for high standards, for your generosity and compassion for those who live on the personal excellence and inclusivity. By avoiding confusion margins as we aim to bring Justice & Solidarity to all. As our through mixed messages, students are able to have a sense of Founder Blessed Edmund Rice reminds us, we should give to the poor in handfuls. belonging while contributing to a College community which continues to build upon the past work of the Christian Waleed Younan Sherrie Rodricks Brothers. Acting Director of Identity Social Justice Facilitator

In addition to the support provided on a daily basis, many parents generously volunteer their precious time to support the various activities that are part and parcel of our busy

On Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 November, our Year 6 boys have their Transition and Orientation Days at school. These two days will be spent giving the boys some preparation for 2017, including meeting some of their teachers, exploring their new environment, learning about routines, classrooms and lockers and having some free time as well. The dress for the two days is neat casual. The boys will be reminded of this while on camp in Week 6.

On Wednesday 23 November, our Year 6 parents are invited to a “Preparing Your Son for High School” presentation in the Robson Auditorium. The night is aimed to assist in the transition from Primary to Secondary School for parents; what to expect from your sons, how Year 7 is organised, what changes to anticipate and more. The night commences at 5.30pm and there will be parking available on the Tennis Courts.

On Thursday 24 November, 5 White, 5 Red and 5 Gold will be presenting their instrumental concert in the Duffy Music Centre. The boys have been working hard this Semester with their strings, brass and woodwind and are excited about showing their wares to an appreciative audience. The concert commences at 11.00am in the performance space of the Duffy Music Centre. Parents are most welcome to attend. There is no need to RSVP, just turn up on the day.

Year 6 Camp Next week from November 14 to 17, Year 6 will be taking part in their Annual Camp. Can I please insist that in packing for your boys, you do not include any NUT BASED products for them to eat. There are some boys travelling with us who have allergic responses to these products. These boys dietary requirements will be met at the camp itself, but we need to aware of these boys when eating in transit. Thank you for your co operation with this.

Jim Walters—Director of Junior School

Congratulations to all the Basketball teams last Saturday with a perfect 10 wins from 10. That is the first time we have done that for some time, a tremendous effort. Well done to the J team who remain undefeated with 2 games remaining. Well done to Louis Manenti in the Prep A Cricket team who scored 54 against Barker last weekend and to both Prep A and B Tennis teams for solid victories over St Ignatius and Knox. This Friday, St Patrick’s is hosting a friendly Invitational Swimming Carnival at the College pool from 1.00 – 3.00pm. Well done to the boys who participated in the Senior School Invitational last Friday night at Ryde.

Congratulations to Cooper Edwards of Year 5 who broke the all time Inner West Harbour Association batting record and the Creak Shield district Cricket record with a score of 168 on Sunday. An amazing effort, we are all so proud of him well done.

With Year 6 on camp next week, training will be slightly different. Please make sure you check SOLE and the announcements for any changes.

Grant Andrews—Junior School Sportsmaster

Science Olympiad Awards

Recently a group of Year 11 students sat for the Australian Science Olympiad Exams. These exams are a great way for students to test their knowledge of scientific concepts and their application in critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and skills of scientific inquiry. The Science Olympiads are run in Biology, Physics and Chemistry and are a great opportunity for talented Science students to be extended. They are challenging exams for students who have completed these Science courses let alone for Year 11 students. It is wonderful that a number of our Year 11 students received recognition for good results in these exams. Congratulations t o: Andrew Clark who received a Distinction in Physics, to Baxter Brown, Gabriel De Palo, Adrien Di Lonardo, Jackson Smith and Andre Volpato who received a Credit in Physics, to Nestor Campos, Jackson Smith, Andre Volpato who received a Credit in Chemistry and Jack McGrath who received a credit in Biology.

Janine Timillero—Diverse Learning Coordinator

Parents & Friends’ General Meeting & AGM 2016

The Book Lists for Years 7-11 Textbooks Tuesday, 15 November 2016

are now available from Campion Dear Parents, Education. You are invited to attend our last P&F General Meeting & Please log on to www.campion.com.au, AGM in 2016 on Tuesday, 15 November 2016 using the code Y6RE to place your order(s). commencing at 7.30pm in the Robson Auditorium. I look forward to see you at the meeting. To take advantage of the discounted delivery fee of $10, orders must be placed before Monday 19 December. Kate Manenti—President, P&F

Any queries can be directed to Mrs. Peggy Kwong at [email protected] or 8705 9235.

St Joseph’s Alice Springs Art Enterprise with St Patrick’s

The Greeting cards and 2017 Calendar designed by the students from St Joseph’s Alice Springs Flexible Learning Centre have now arrived at SPC and are available to be purchased from reception in the front office of the Hickey Building. They both look amazing and would make wonderful Christmas gifts. Money raised from these sales will be going back to the St Joseph’s community to enable them to continue to produce such amazing works in the near future.

A set of 5 Greeting cards are selling for $15.00 The 2017 Calendar is selling for $15.00

The purchase order form can be found on SOLE under the Parent Portal. Correct Cash payment can only be accepted, as change will not be returned to the student.

Senior and Junior School Winter Sport and Non-Sport Photos: Ordering On-line

Below parents will a find shoot-key and ordering instructions relating to the Senior School Summer Sport photos. Please note that the photos will be sent to your home address and not the College. Parents are advised that if they are experiencing any difficulty in ordering they can ring the Parent Hotline on 1800 750 586 for advice.

1. Visit www.leadingimage.com.au 2. Click Order Your School Photos 3. Enter shoot-key in box provided: CL44ZZT3 4. Scroll through and select an image. Image appearing in main box is the image chosen to purchase 5. Enter required copies 6. Add to Cart 7. If further prints required please continue steps 4-6 until all images chosen 8. Click Cart on top right hand side 9. Check order is correct and click checkout 10. Customers who have already created an account enter their username & password 11. New customers click I don’t have an account and wish to create one. 12. Customers proceed through checkout to enter their credit card details 13. Once approved an invoice will be auto-generated to the customers email 14. Photos will be sent to nominated addresses and not to the school.

Night of the Notables

On Monday 7 November we had a visit from Howard Florey, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, Matthew Flinders, Louis Braille, Albert Einstein and many more Notable characters as 6 Black presented ‘Night of the Notables’. The Night of the Notables is a programme in which students engage in an in-depth study of one notable person. The students have been involved in comprehensive research which has facilitated skills of independent learning as well as higher level thinking skills. On Monday night the students showcased their product of deep personal study. They presented themselves in character as their Notable, displayed the Learning Centre they had created and engaged with the audience in a short skit.

The night highlighted the hard work that had been carried out by the students and they are to be commended on their excellent participation in this project. A big thank you is extended to the many Junior School students who came along to the night and also to the students (many of them ex notables) from the secondary who assisted.

Janine Timillero Daniel Fields Diverse Learning Coordinator Junior School Curriculum Coordinator

SPORTS DRAW - SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2016

Cricket JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT WEEKLY DRAW 1st XI v St Stanislaus' 10.00 Breen Oval SUMMER ROUND ELEVEN 12/11/2016 2nd XI v Oxley College 11.00 Oxley College CRICKET OPPOSITION VENUE TIME 3rd XI v Blue Mountains 10.00 Blue Mountains Grammar YEAR 6A Scots Cooke Park 8.00am 16A v Shore 1.30 SPC 2 YEAR 6B Scots SPC NO 4 8.00am YEAR 6C St Aloysius Anderson Park 9.30am 16B v Holy Cross 8.00 Upjohn Park YEAR 6D Newington Wyvern Phillips Park 9.30am 15A v Bye YEAR 6E St Aloysius Anderson Park 8.00am 8.30 15B v Epping Bulls Epping Boys High YEAR 6F Riverview Phillips Park 8.00am 14A v Epping Blue 8.30 Tuckwell Oval YEAR 5A Riverview SIC 5 8.00am 14B v Oakhill 8.30 Strathfield Park 1 YEAR 5B Riverview SIC 6 8.00am 14C v Sydney Grammar D 1.30 Mason Park 2 YEAR 5C Grammar Edgecliff Queens Park 6 9.30am 13A v Dundas United 8.30 George Kendall Reserve YEAR 5D Trinity Rudd Park 9.30am YEAR 5E Grammar Edgecliff Queens Park 6 8.00am 13B v North Ryde RSL 8.00 Mason Park 2 YEAR 5F Barker Rudd Park 8.00am Baseball BASKETBALL 19A v Maquarie 11.00 Major’s Bay Reserve 3 TEAM A Redlands Dunnett Hall 10.30am 16 Blue v Riverview White 8.30 Riverview 1B TEAM B Redlands Dunnett Hall 9.40am 16 Black v Thornleigh 8.30 Major’s Bay Reserve 3 TEAM C Redlands Auburn 1 9.00am 14 Blue v Kissing Point 8.30 Auluba Park 2 TEAM D Redlands Auburn 1 8.00am 14 Black v North Ryde 11.00 Major’s Bay Reserve 1 TEAM E Redlands Dunnett Hall 8.50am Basketball TEAM F Redlands Dunnett Hall 8.00am 1st V v St Stanislaus' 11.00 St Stanislaus’ College TEAM G Redlands Auburn 2 9.00am Open B v Blue Mountains 12.00 Auburn 2 TEAM H Redlands Auburn 2 8.00am 17A v St Stanislaus' 10.00 St Stanislaus’ College TEAM I Knox Auburn 3 9.00am TEAM J Knox Auburn 3 8.00am 17B v Blue Mountains 12.00 Auburn 1 TENNIS 17C v Oakhill Gold 10.00 Oakhill Gym (CSC) 1 TEAM A St Aloysius SPC Courts 9.30am 17D v Oakhill Red 1.00 SPC Gym TEAM B Barker Clarke Rd 8.00am 15A v St Stanislaus' 11.00 St Stanislaus’ College SOFTBALL 15B v Blue Mountains 11.00 Auburn 1 TEAM A Trinity Prep A Bressington West 9.30am 15C v Oakhill Gold 9.00 Oakhill Gym (CSC) 1 15D v Oakhill Red 12.00 SPC Gym VENUES: Auburn Basketball Centre: Wyatt Park, Church St, Lidcombe 15Black v Knox J 8.00 SPC Gym Cooke Park: Madeline St, Belfield 14A v St Stanislaus' 12.00 St Stanislaus’ College SPC Courts, Breen Oval, No 3, No 4: Edgar St, Strathfield 14B v Blue Mountains 11.00 Auburn 2 Phillips Park: Nicholas St, Lidcombe 14C v Oakhill Gold 8.00 Oakhill Gym (CSC) 1 Queens Park: Darley Rd, Waverley 14D v Oakhill Red 11.00 SPC Gym Rudd Park: Cnr Clarence & Varidel Strs, Belfield 14 Black v St Andrew's C 10.00 SPC Gym Bressington: Underwood Rd, Homebush Clarke Rd Tennis: Clarke Rd, Hornsby 13A v St Stanislaus' 10.00 St Stanislaus’ College Dunnett Hall: Allister St, Cremorne 13B v Blue Mountains 10.00 Auburn 1 SIC 5 and 6: Tambourine Bay Rd, Inside Senior School 13C v Oakhill Gold 8.00 Benildus Hall Anderson Park: Kuraba Rd, Neutral Bay 13D v Oakhill Red 9.00 SPC Gym 13 Black v St Spyridon B 8.00 St Spyridon Gym 13 Gold v Blue Mountains Blue 10.00 Auburn 2 Upcoming Events

Saturday 12 November – ISA Summer Round 4 NDJCA Cricket Baseball RHBL Baseball In addition to the Sport Captains listed in last week’s Especean, I’d like to extend a Saturday 12 November – Pink Stumps Day big congratulations to Fortunato Russo who has been named Captain of Baseball for (Breen Oval) the 2016-2017 season. I apologise for leaving this appointment out of last week’s article but am confident that Nat will lead the Baseball fraternity well throughout the Saturday 19 November - ISA Summer Round 5 summer. NDJCA Cricket

Congratulations RHBL Baseball

Oscar Schmidt-Uili of Year 11 was selected in the NSW U17 Rugby 7’s side who Saturday 26 November – ISA Summer Round 6 played in a lead up tournament to the National Championships last weekend. This is (last round of term 4) a huge honour for Oscar and reward for his continued hard work in this arena. NDJCA Cricket

Pink Stumps Day RHBL Baseball SPC will be hosting a ‘Pink Stumps Day’ on Breen Oval on Saturday 12 November, 16A Cricket will play until 3 December. 2016. This is in support of the McGrath Foundation, which raises money to place NDJCA Cricket teams will play until 10 December. McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia as well as to increase RHBL Baseball teams play until 17 December. breast awareness in young people.

The day will consist of: - 1st XI fixture on Breen Oval with a ‘pink flavour’ - Raffle - BBQ and Drinks - High Catch Challenge on Breen Oval (lunch break)

I would encourage all members of the College community to endeavour to get down to Breen Oval this Saturday in support of this cause. To further support the event you can donate at https://pinkstumpsday2017.gofundraise.com.au/page/stpatscricket. Go St Pat’s

Mitchell Kearsley—Head of Secondary Sport

FIXTURES ARE PUBLISHED LIVE ONLINE (includes cancellations): Go to http://www.spc.nsw.edu.au/wp/co-curriculum/junior-school/junior-sport-fixtures/ or http://www.spc.nsw.edu.au/wp/co-curriculum/ senior-school/secondary-sport-fixtures/

GROUND LOCATIONS: http://www.spc.nsw.edu.au/wp/co-curriculum/ground-locations/

WET WEATHER UPDATES: call 02 9763 1000 and follow the prompts; Twitter at http://twitter.com/SPCSeniorSport; or on the Fixtures Pages above.