The“Joy and Freedom Clarion of the Spirit” No. 12 17 August 2018

St Clare's College Waverley 41-51 Carrington Road, Waverley 2024 02 8305 7100 www.stclares.nsw.edu.au

A PRAYER TO ST CLARE From the Principal Clare, our sister and friend, Stir our fractured, fearful hearts To embrace God’s extravagant, Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff, Healing love. As last Saturday, 11 August, was the Feast of our beloved St , I am dedicating this week’s Woman, graced with wisdom and courage, newsletter item in Clare’s honour. This is especially Teach us to discern and create timely as our Year 11s begin their campaigns for the Opportunities for cooperation, challenge various upcoming senior student leadership positions. and compassion. Clare, our light and path, was an extraordinary woman filled with faith, determination, persistence, courage and Clare, our companion and guide, above all unconditional love for all. Our girls can learn Inspire our choices much from her wisdom and example, particularly from To be healers and reconcilers, her leadership. In her 41 years of religious life, Clare And trusted friends of God – clearly demonstrates her invincible resolve to lead a Reverencing all creation, simple and contemplative gospel life as Francis had Respecting each other. taught her.

Next Friday, 24 August, we will gather as a community Amen. in remembrance of this extraordinary woman and her St Clare and St Francis Pray for us. inspiration to us. Parents, Carers and friends are most Sr Joyce Harris – Prayers from Franciscan Hearts welcome to join us in celebrating Clare’s Feast Day with Mass at 10.30am at Mary Immaculate Waverley. Following Mass, our Year 12 College Leaders have organised a myriad of activities back at school in which the community will participate.

I hope you enjoy the following which we have also shared with our current College Captain candidates for 2018/2019...

OPEN AFTERNOON Wednesday 28 August 2.00pm-3.30pm

Published July 31, 2018

prayer, without her radical trust relationships near and far, with in God, she could do nothing. St. Francis and his brothers, with She prayed for strength and , with , and with guidance when she was called . to lead her community of “Poor Ladies” as a young adult. Later, Clare lived perseverance. when an invading army swarmed Her entire life, she fought for a her vulnerable convent of San way of life like Francis’ in which she Damiano, outside the protection of could be true to the gospel as she the city walls, she prayed. Upon understood it. For her, this meant praying, she felt led to stand at the living in poverty, in total reliance window in front of the army, armed upon God. She appealed to every only with the host, the body of in her lifetime to approve the Christ, and her trust in God. Faced rule she had written to regulate with Clare’s shining strength, the life in her community. When Pope army became confused and fled. after Pope said no, she didn’t give Thus, through prayer, Clare saved up. Finally, on her deathbed, the not only her convent but also Pope sent word that he had heard Photo credit: Chris Light the city of Assisi. Finally, Clare’s she was dying and he wondered if prayer undergirded her day-to-day there was anything he could do for leadership in the convent. When her. When she said, “Approve my faced with lack of food, with illness, As St. Clare of Assisi’s (1194- rule,” he relented, and she received with cold, she prayed. People 1253) feast day approaches on papal approval two days before she brought turnips, medicine, and August 11, I’ve been reflecting died. blankets, and year after year, all on her soulful leadership. Best the Sisters’ needs were supplied. Leading with soul is never easy, known as St. Francis’ “little plant,” whether one lives in thirteenth- Clare eventually emerged as a century Europe or modern times. Clare knew how to strong leader in her own right The way is often fraught with build community. Though she in thirteenth-century Italy and stresses, discouragements, and lived in an enclosed community beyond. While St. Francis took obstacles that challenge our at San Damiano her entire life center stage with his extroverted commitment to walk our path with as a Sister, she built community charismatic leadership, St. Clare faith. However, we can turn to both at home and from afar. She quietly built stronger structures those who have come before us, showed her 50 fellow Sisters how behind the scenes. those like St. Clare who embody to live together in compassionate the qualities of a good leader. They As I muse on St. Clare and her service in cramped quarters and show us not only that it is possible contributions, three leadership difficult conditions. Beyond San to lead with soul but also that we lessons stand out for me. Clare Damiano, she instructed Agnes are not alone in the journey. teaches me about prayer, of Prague, a princess who left community-building, and behind wealth and status to (An earlier version of this blog persistence. found a religious community like appeared in April 2016.) https:// Clare’s, in building a convent. executivesoulblog.wordpress. While Francis’ communities faced com/2018/07/31/3-leadership-lessons- Clare knew the power divisive conflicts, Clare taught of-st-clare-3/ of prayer. She knew that prayer her communities to work through provided the foundation for conflicts in ways that built stronger all of her leadership. Without relationships. And she also built The Feast of the Assumption – 15 August Athletics Carnival The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary The Athletics Carnival was another outstanding success. is celebrated every year on August 15. It commemorates The cheers and the participation by the girls were just Mary’s assumption into Heaven – body and soul. It also brilliant as usual. Many thanks to the PDHPE Department signifies the Blessed Virgin’s passing into eternal life and for the organisation and to all the staff for their support. it is the most important of all Marian feasts. Mark McCoy, Congratulations to: our Director of Religious Education, has shared a beautiful reflection which I hope you enjoy. Championship House Reid Participation House Reid HSC Performances and Major Projects Spirit Cup Keady This is a critical time for our Year 12 students studying Society & Culture, Music, Drama, Visual Arts and Design & Finally Technology. They are currently finalising their major works A gentle reminder as usual to all students, that ‘success is for submission and will be showcasing their work next not an option, but an expectation’, hence it is essential week. that students remain focussed, think positive and strive HSC Drama Performances will take place next Tuesday, for their personal best in all they do. Each girl can always 21 August from 5.00pm - 7.30pm. Our Annual Combined make a difference to her achievement and performance, St Clare’s College and Waverley College Visual Arts and if she is determined, hard working and consistent in her Design Show takes place next Wednesday 22 August efforts. Thank you for your continued support. from 6.00 - 8.00pm, and next Thursday, 23 August from Blessings on you and your families, 9.00am - 3.00pm. This event will be held at Waverley College. Parents, Carers, friends are invited to attend and Antoinette McGahan view the works of the students from both Colleges. HSC and Senior Music Performances have been organised for Thursday, 23 August from 6.00pm - 7.30pm. Parents, carers and students are invited to attend all these events especially to support our girls during this time.

Congratulations to Reid for being the outright winners of the Athletics Carnival From the Deputy Principal

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff, • All students are expected to maintain 85% attendance. Those students who fall below this will be required to contact the college to discuss the matter with the Senior Students at St Clare’s Dean. Poor attendance will result in students being As we approach the halfway point of Term 3 we are restricted from attending excursions and camps. reminded that our Year 12 students only have a few weeks • Students must attend every lesson when at school. of school left with us. Furthermore, our current Year 11 Student are not permitted to sit in sick bay for the students will move into their final year of study beginning duration of one lesson. Sick bay is a place where their HSC course in term 4. There has been much to students go while parents are called and they wait to celebrate with this current group of Year 12 students. They go home. If a student is sick enough to be out of class have proven themselves to be a highly motivated and they will be sent home responsible group of young women. Their commitment • Remember if you are picking your daughter up from to their studies and the way they live out the values we school early for an appointment a note must be have here at the College has been outstanding and this handed in to the Dean in the morning. Phone calls has been made evident in their approach to their trial HSC on the day are strongly discouraged and should only exams. We actively encourage the girls to come to school occur in the case of an emergency. Students will not over the next few weeks with a view to refine and evaluate be called out of class and lessons disrupted unless their performances in these exams to ensure they are as the situation is an emergency. Parents/ Carers need to prepared for their HSC as they can be. The girls have been come into the school to sign their daughters out. working hard on St Clare’s Day celebrations and I am sure this will prove to be a memorable day for the whole College community. The Year 12 farewells and House activities Uniform that lead up to their graduation will be memorable for them We have high expectations in relation to uniform and as and I encourage all of the girls to embrace these last few we move into the second half of Term 3 it is important to weeks and make the most of their last term of classes at consider the following: the College. Next term students return in their summer uniform, so Our Year 11 students are preparing themselves for their please make sure they have been checked in time. This final Preliminary HSC exams. As part of this process they means that the length of the uniform be should be on the have been engaged in some targeted workshops that knee. will take place in their Senior Studies lessons. Girls have already had some very thought provoking and helpful Year 10 students are required to have a sport uniform workshops run by our Head of English and they will now in Year 11 and as such these need to be of appropriate move through subject based sessions that will give them quality and kept at the end of the year some additional support and skills in the lead up to these Students are not permitted to wear their sports uniform important exams. to school unless they have sport or a PASS lesson. If they do wear the wrong uniform they will be given a Tuesday detention. Only in exceptional circumstances should they Attendance, Punctuality And Sick Bay wear their sports uniform outside of these times. A note It is timely that I remind families of the importance of must be brought to school to state why they are wearing attendance and punctuality and the processes that this uniform, however please be aware that trivial excuses are involved in leaving school early. The following is the will still result in detention. Students need to be organised overview of procedures that we have outlined before: and responsible for their uniform. • The school day commences at 8.40 am when the first Thank you for your support and co-operation. warning bell rings. It is important that students arrive at school on time. Homeroom begins at 8.45am and Kerrie McDiarmid is compulsory for all students. If students are late to homeroom they will be sent to the office and marked as late for the day. After three instances of being late the student will be placed on detention From the Director of Learning and Teaching

Dear Parents, Carers and Students, This week we also held our Year 10 Subject Selection Interviews. This was the next crucial step in the discernment process for Year 10 moving into Stage Year 12 6 in 2019. Students and Parents engaged with the The Year 12 Trial HSC comes to an end this coming course recommendations and Allwell data to ensure the Monday. The girls have engaged with their examinations in preferences they have selected are both engaging and a diligent and professional manner and the coming weeks suitable. We will now begin the line development and will provide them with important feedback for their pending students will be informed of their allocations by the end of HSC Exams. this term. Whilst the remaining weeks can be wistfully wasted away with graduation events and nostalgia, now is not the time Year 8 Allwell Testing to be easing off study. A strong study regimen needs to be maintained in order to ensure continued growth before the On Friday 31 August 2018, all Year 8 will be engaged in final HSC exams. Allwell testing. This will give the College crucial progress data to ensure students are meeting their potential. This Next week will see Year 12 briefed on the University data will inform class profiles and pedagogy improvement Admissions Process as well as being reminded to seek for our students. We will also map this data against their teacher feedback and reflect on their results. Many Year 7 NAPLAN results so we can track students’ learning students will have major HSC projects to complete. We gain as well as initiate any support students may need. have the HSC Drama and Music practical trials as well as the TAS and Art show. Thank you for your continued support of learning at St Clare’s. Christopher Maoudis Year 8 & 10 Subject Selections Year 8 have all completed their subject preferencing for Stage 5. These choices are now locked in and the College executives are working through the process of developing the course offerings. Students will be informed of their final allocations by the end of the term.

Important Dates Tuesday 21 August HSC Drama Performances 5pm-7.30pm Art & Design Exhibition: Opening Wed 6pm-8pm Wednesday-Thursday 22-23 August Viewing Thu: 9am-3pm Thursday 23 August Senior Music Recital 6pm Friday 24 August St Clare’s Mass & Events - Mass 10.30am at Mary Immaculate Church Year 8 Allwell Testing Friday 31 August EastFest at St Clare’s College 6.30pm-9.30pm Saturday 1 September Holdsworth Ball Tuesday 4 September Year 8 Reflection Day Friday 21 September Year 12 Formal Wednesday 26 September Year 12 Graduation Mass 4.30pm-5.30pm & Assembly 5.30pm-9pm Friday 28 September Last Day of Term 3 Monday 15 October First Day of Term 4 From the Director of Religious Education

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff, Not only was Mary happy to accept the responsibility she Reflection on the Feast of the Assumption of the was given, but she did so with little complaint. The Gospel Blessed Virgin Mary reading for the Feast of the Assumption, the story of the visitation, includes a section known as Mary’s song. In The story of Mary is a story of a young woman who placed Mary’s song we hear of no complaint but instead of great her trust in God when called to be the mother of Jesus. joy, acceptance and tremendous humility. This passage in Mary did not ask for all the specifics, instead she just Luke has also contributed to great prayer in the Catholic answered with a resounding ‘Yes!’. tradition including the beautiful prayer the Magnificat. The Today life revolves around wanting to know what to do and Magnificat teaches us that a faith-filled life is achievable if why to do it. People want detailed instructions as to what we place our trust in God even if we are not sure. is going to happen and when. Think about the rise in the In the same week we celebrated the feast day of another use of Navmans in cars to point us in the specific direction inspirational woman, St Clare of Assisi, let us remember we need to head. We are at ease for even the most Clare’s words that echo Mary’s song: impossible journey if we are given specific instructions on how we are to achieve and complete it. In the story of Love God. Serve God. Everything else is in that. Mary, we learn of a young woman, given an impossible Mark McCoy task and very little detail as to how to achieve it. Director of Religious Education

Fra Angelico’s The Annunciation (c. 1438): Virgin Mary being told she will give birth to Jesus Christ by the Angel . Youth Ministry Coordinator

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff, Youth Forum Year of Youth Forum with Dr Dan White S Y D N E Y ' S E A S T E R N D E A N E R Y P R E S E N T S On 30 July four students were kindly invited to attend the Back by po Eastern Suburbs Catholic Youth Forum in Daceyville pular dem to discuss the issue of Human Trafficking and Slavery with and! a multitude of other CEO schools in the region including; St Mary’s Cathedral Boys College, St Ursula’s College and more. EAS FEST FREE EVENT This forum allowed mixing students from all schools and FRIDAY FOOD PROVIDED involved working collaboratively to reflect upon the issue 31 AUGUST ALL YOUNG PEOPLE of Human Trafficking and Slavery that remains to be an 6:30 PM 16-35 WELCOME underground issue globally! The theme highlighted in the forum was ‘Do Not be Afraid’, this years’ WYD theme VENUE ST CLARE'S COLLEGE, WAVERLEY elected by Pope Francis. To enforce this theme each 41-51 Carrington Rd, attendee contributed to the discussion of what we, as Waverley NSW 2024 individuals of strong faith, can do to enrich the fibre of our PRAISE AND WORSHIP society. Eradicating situations of human mistreatment and Music by the 'Come Alive' Band by walking in Jesus’ footsteps to fulfil his image for us as a BE INSPIRED society we can accomplish this. Reflection led by Fr Dan McCaughan We want to thank Ms Ribeiro, Mr McCoy and all of the dedicated individuals who planned and hosted such a lovely, accommodating and informative evening! Ruby Baird, Year 10

F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N , C O N T A C T E A S T E R N D E A N E R Y S Y D N E Y @ G M A I L . C O M

Patron of drought relief NSW is now declared 100 per cent in drought, we ask Saint Heribert of , Patron Saint of Drought Relief, for his intercession. St Heribert cultivated an intense spiritual life while serving his people and his diocese. He gave all the money he could spare from his own personal income to the poor, sent money to priests throughout Students with Dr Dan and Sr Nolene at the Youth Forum his diocese and went to hospitals and private homes to help the sick. During a great drought in the city, he led a EastFest 2018 procession through the streets of the city to the church of The next EastFest will be happening on Friday 31 St Severinus, and when he rose from his knees at the altar, August at St Clare’s College. The Come Alive band a torrential rain came down and the year’s harvest was will be providing praise and worship music and Fr Dan saved. People all over the world pray to him for rain. McCaughan will be leading a reflection. All are welcome Saint Heribert pray for us (and some rain). to attend. Any students interested in helping on the night, please email me. Monica Ribeiro Year 10 Textiles Excursion

On Monday 6 August, Year 10 students had the opportunity to visit the Whitehouse Institute of Design with Miss Ferlito and Miss Smith for a Pattern Making Workshop. It gave us the opportunity to think like fashion designers as we had to measure and record our body measurements, design our dress and make alterations to an existing pattern. We found it to be a fun and worthwhile experience for our upcoming assessment task as we have to make and modify a dress suitable for a tea party. Velvet Sheriden-Burec and Pippa Killigrew Year 10 Skiing drama Year 10 student Dorothy Daley recently competed in the Sydney Interschools Snow Sports Championships. She competed in Division 2 Females in Skier Cross. WORKS HSC Drama Performances Dorothy tells us “A total of 69 girls from schools all over Sydney including myself raced down a specific 2018 track twice and were timed. Both times were added together to give us rankings. I came 16th out of the St Clare’s College Waverley 69 girls.” Well done Dorothy - we are proud of you! Paul Arundel Head of PDHPE Tuesday 21st August 5pm San Damiano Hall

Enquiries 02 8305 7100

As you know our Australian Farmers and their Rural Due to an overwhelming amount of donations they Communities are suffering due to the horrific droughts have currently stopped taking dresses, however, they that are taking place. As a College we have decided are still accepting monetary donations to help with the to do our bit in supporting the farmers through two distributions of dresses and to help with the extra costs initiatives over the next week. This will be led by our including shoes, hair etc. We have decided for part of Student Leadership team, these include: our donations to go toward this cause. We will also be getting our students to write ‘Dress Tags’ and letters of • ‘A fiver for a farmer’ We are asking all students and hope to these young women which will be attached to staff to donate a minimum of $5 for our farmers. Part of the dresses before they are sent out. the money raised will help go towards gift cards, food, water and hay stacks etc to help out these communities If you would like to find out anymore information please who are in desperate need of our support. feel free to email me: [email protected]. edu.au • ‘Dresses for drought’ As formal season approaches unfortunately many rural schools have been forced to Thank you for all your support! cancel their formals as families cannot afford to let their Courtney McNally children attend. The Australian community have been donating dresses which will be distributed to these young Teacher In Charge of Student Leadership girls for free. Visual Arts and Design Exhibition Debating Workshop News

Last week marked the beginning of the Debating Are you Sirius? Yes, yes I am! Workshops at St Clare’s College. This was a successful Are you a Harry Potter fan? workshop that covered the general basics about debating Do you desire a club to discuss all things Harry Potter? including some debating games. Now you can have one! Our next session: Tuesday 21 August, we will begin practising our debating skills in a more competitive style. We can sit and talk about this O.W.L. lunch long! All students are welcome to join the Debating Workshops The Harry Potter Club is in full swing here at St Clare’s and I encourage students to come who may just want College!! We are currently exploring Harry’s Messiah to build their confidence in public speaking. Students Complex by looking at each novel in more depth. We meet attending include all year groups. If you wish to join, please on Wednesday, once a fortnight (Day 8), during lunch, in A11. contact Ms Bronkhorst: [email protected] We have a Google Classroom page where we can continue Shannon Bronkhorst to debate topics and share Harry Potter related videos and English and Religion Teacher information. Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator There are currently 35 members from Years 7 to 12. Our second meeting of Term 3 is next Wednesday 22 August. Contact Ms Bronkhorst if you are interested in coming along to future meetings. [email protected]

Coles Little Shop Collectibles

Coles is currently giving out “Little Shop” figurines with sales and we are collecting them for Learning Support resources. If anyone shops at Coles and is not interested in keeping them, then kindly send them to school and hand them in at Reception for use in Skills. Thank you very much for your help with this! Phillip Baldock, Learning Support Teacher

Harry Potter Snacks Our Senior team also did extremely well, finishing the day CGSSSA AFL with two wins and one draw out of four games. With the team’s experience ranging from State representatives to On Tuesday 31 July an historic sporting event occurred, “How far can I run with the ball?” The team spent the first not just for St Clare’s Sport but for CGSSSA Sport. Our few minutes of Game 1 finding their rhythm; however, very St Clare’s girls competed in the Inaugural CGSSSA AFL soon after, a mixture of skill transfer and natural ability Championships. The gala day was held at Macquarie shone through and it started raining goals! University Playing Fields and we couldn’t have asked for Games 2, 3 and 4 brought more impressive game play, more beautiful conditions. as our girls (including those who had never played the There was much anticipation and excitement leading into game before) took spectacular marks and linked beautiful this day and the event certainly did not disappoint. It was passages of running play. Narrowly missing out on playing an organised and well run tournament taking on the usual in the grand final, and finishing 3rd overall, the team played CGSSSA round robin format, with the winning teams hard all day, but more importantly had a lot of fun and of each pool playing in the Grand Finals. There were 11 represented St Clare’s with sportsmanship and respect. schools participating, which was a nice even number of 10 I would like to take the opportunity to thank AFL NSW schools in each of the two age divisions. who came out to run a Training and Skills Session with our St Clare’s fielded both experienced players at club girls in the lead up to the day. Their generosity, support level and girls who had never played before. However, and guidance of our girls is very much appreciated and regardless of experience, all girls were outstanding in the we look forward to continuing to work with them as we way they listened to their coaches, to the officials helping keep growing women’s sport and keep playing AFL at St and supporting and in the way they played the game. Clare’s. Our Junior team did extremely well winning two out of Also a big thank you to Mr D’archy and Mr Fricot for their their four games to Trinity Catholic College Auburn and St leadership and for coaching the girls and for the time Ursula’s College Kingsgrove, especially considering this and effort given to training and on the day. Their support, was the first time some of the girls had actually played guidance and positive energy made the day a special one. the game. Every game was played with a positive attitude Well done girls, thank you for all your efforts and for the and everyone was very supportive towards one another. way you represented our school. Although the team didn’t make it into the finals we played every game as best as we could which included never Louise Winchester giving up. The girls finished 3rd overall which was an Sports Coordinator incredible achievement.

Above Left: Senior Team Above Right: Year 12 Below Right: Junior Team St Clare’s College:

Term 3 Workshop Dates:

1: Tuesday 7th August 2: Tuesday 21st August 3: Tuesday 4th September 4: Tuesday 18th September

→ 3:15pm - 4:30pm in A11 Debating can help you to develop important skills. It can help you learn to: ● develop sound and logical arguments ● show great initiative and leadership ● expand your mind ● increase your understanding of important issues ● increase your academic performance ● increase your confidence, poise, and self-esteem

This workshop is a great opportunity for YOU to develop your skills!! Creative Writing Competitions!

FUN FOR ALL!! PRIZES FOR SOME!!!

Do you have a desperate desire to dispose of dreary dialect? Is there an imperceptible itch isolated inside your imagination? Can you create captivating conundrums with your cranium?

If you answered yes to any of the above you should enter one or more of the many external creative writing competitions available. Crack open your mind and allow the creative juices to flow, seep, and ooze all over the page!

There are competitions for poems and/or short stories.

Some prizes include: $1,000, $700, Fitbit Ionic, Apple iPad 32GB, Xbox One X, PlayStation 4, $250, $150.

See Ms Bronkhorst for more information and entry forms (please bring a mop to clean up ooze).

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic" - Albus Dumbledore.

Waverley College and St Clares College invite you to the HOLDSWORTH BALL

When: Saturday the 1st of September Where: St Clare's College, San Damiano Hall Join us for the most glamorous event of the season. Wear your best suit and tie or dress.