Belong. Believe. Become. From our Captains Academic Enrichment Careers News Athletics Training College Tablet Program Environment Group Government House Visit Healesville Sanctuary Interviews Year 7 2016 Jazz is Alive Lisieux House Charity Library News Performing Arts College Calendar College Services Community News Sports Report ACC Results and Fixtures Mothers Day Breakfast - Friday 1 May 2015, 7.30 - 8.30am In Fide Issue 4 13 March 2015 From the Principal Mr John Finn Principal We are now in the middle phase of the Year 7 House Mass and Dinners. These are important evenings for the boys, families and staff of this level. All students who attend our College are first and foremost young men of Whitefriars. We want every boy who enters our gates each day to be free to be themselves, participate in the life of the College and feel supported along the way. That is why having a strong sense of connection is such an important resilience factor for adolescents. This sense of connection extends into each of the Houses to which the boys belong. Year 7 students are learning about life through their own experience and through the words and deeds of older boys. It was lovely to see these older students at each of our House Mass and Dinner gatherings so far. They have presented themselves in a very gentle and assured way. These evenings are also a good opportunity to hear from parents about how their sons have transitioned to Whitefriars from their various primary school settings. We have been very pleased with the comments heard to date. The College Athletics Carnival took place at the recently renamed Tom Kelly Athletic Track in Doncaster. We are delighted that Tom’s work with young people over so many years has been recognised in such a prominent way. Well done to all of our students who attended in very high numbers, participated competitively and enjoyed the day as a whole. A particular mention should be made of our senior students who set a positive tone. Our Class of 2013 re-gathered in the familiar surrounds of the Canteen Decking last Friday evening. The fact that so many were in attendance speaks well of their disposition towards the College and their desire to reconnect. We are seeking to establish strong long term links with all of our Old Collegians. All Catholic secondary schools are now finalising their enrolments for 2016. As part of this process Whitefriars will be interviewing prospective families on Saturday. We will be seeking to offer as many places as possible according to our criteria. We have found that some siblings have not yet been enrolled for next year. If this is the case, we ask that you contact our Development Office as soon as possible. One of the many events occurring now is the House Music Festival. This has been an engaging series of lunchtime acts where Houses are represented in group and solo categories. The event has seen some amazing talents emerge whilst also building on previous reputations. Well done to the many boys who have entertained us to date. The Council of International Schools conducts its membership visit to Whitefriars next week. This means that the College will expose itself to International benchmark standards should membership be granted. We are hopeful that our visitors will see us as being of true merit within the process. A report on the visit will be given in our next edition. Congratulations to the large number of Year 8 fathers who are attending the Father/Son program this week. This follows the successful inaugural running of the Mothers/Son program in Year 7 last year. We are confident that the program will be worthy of the time investment of our families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Aaron (11E2) and Nick Canil (8E6) on the recent passing of their paternal grandmother Ada Canil. May she rest in peace. Almae In Fide Parentis - In the Care of a Loving Mother. Whitefriars College Inc. Telephone +613 9872 8200 Facsimile +613 9872 4343 156 Park Road Donvale Victoria 3111 Australia www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au Email [email protected] ABN 35 808 045 134 | REG A0029974Y | CRICOS 01680G Belong. Believe. Become. In Fide Newsletter Issue 24 13 FebruaryMarch 2015 2015 From our Captains 2015 College Captains - Joel Monteiro, Middle Years Captain, James Reidy, Vice Captain, Lachlan Mahon, Captain, and Matthew Zema, Vice Captain As the end of term 1 nears, we still have plenty of great events and activities at the College. This week, the College held a special and memorable night for fathers and sons. This was the first of its kind and it was a terrific evening. It is known as ‘Time and Space for STEPPING UP’ and it signifies the best ways a father’s son can ‘step up’ to be an inspiring and grown man in the footsteps of their own father. This program is especially organised for Year 8 Students and their father or guardian. Fathers willing to be actively involved can play an important role in the lives of their sons. Other male role models may TIME & SPACE FOR add to a boy’s understanding of manhood, but a father is the most important connection in a boy’s life. STEPPING UP Year 8 Father & Son Night Wednesday 11 March 2015 It’s Important that at this age you keep a strong bond with your father. Even if it’s the simplest and McPhee Gymnasium 6.45pm for a 7.00pm Start smallest things you do to spend time with him, embrace the time you spend together and make the most of it. finish by 9.15pm Whitefriars College is delighted to offer you an opportunity to experience a lifetime memory with your son at the inaugural ‘Father & Son’ Night. The Year 8 students took plenty away from the night and I’m sure that the fathers did as well. It’s not often you really getThis innovative to single embrace evening program is an and event we have planned especially for our Year 8 students and their fathers (or male mentors). We think that this is a great time to bring appreciate your father for who they are and your son for who he is and for who he will grow to be. you together. It was a night to remember and was a huge success, full of fun times and great memories! As they say the closest role models are the ones closest to home. A reminder to all students to keep up the generous donations coming with any second hand footy boots that are no longer needed. These are to be handed in to either Br. Sean’s office or the P.E. Office. All sizes will be accepted. These footy boots will be donated to the less-fortunate kids in Timor-Leste, who will greatly appreciate your donation and guaranteed to put a smile on their faces. So if you have any old boots at home sitting around not doing much, please donate. It’s all to support the great kids in Timor-Leste. Joel Monteiro, Middle Years College Captain. Whitefriars College Inc. Telephone +613 9872 8200 Facsimile +613 9872 4343 156 Park Road Donvale Victoria 3111 Australia www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au Return to Home Page Email [email protected] ABN 35 808 045 134 | REG A0029974Y | CRICOS 01680G Belong. Believe. Become. InIn FideFide NewsletterNewsletter IssueIssue 24 1313 FebruaryMarch 2015 2015 Mother’s Day Breakfast Almae In Fide Parentis In the care of a loving mother Whitefriars celebrates the importance of mothers everyday and as a society we officially celebrate it once a year. We are excited to announce our inaugural Mother’s Day breakfast on Friday 1 May, 7.30 - 8.30am, and hope that you will be able to attend with your son/s, or the young men at Whitefriars under your care. More details will be emailed to you at the commencement of Term 2. Belong. Believe. Become. Whitefriars College Inc. Telephone +613 9872 8200 Facsimile +613 9872 4343 156 Park Road Donvale Victoria 3111 Australia www.whitefriars.vic.edu.au Return to Home Page Email [email protected] ABN 35 808 045 134 | REG A0029974Y | CRICOS 01680G Belong. Believe. Become. InIn FideFide NewsletterNewsletter IssueIssue 24 1313 FebruaryMarch 2015 2015 Mr Ashley Payne Academic Enrichment Academic Enrichment Coordinator Mathematics Week - Theme: Pi This week, Maths Week – Pi, was celebrated down in the Undercroft. Activities included the annual Chess Challenge, Online Rice Challenge, the ‘Activity Captains Maths Quiz’ and concluded with a presentation from Swinburne University on ‘Maths @ Swinburne’. The activities were extremely well supported by students. Of particular note was the Online Rice Challenge where around 50 students came together to help answer maths questions to end world hunger – every correct answer would see the World Food Program donate rice to help those less fortunate than ourselves – Well done to Mr Charlie Garzia in particular who orchestrated this event on behalf of the boys. I would also like to acknowledge Mr. Teggelove and Mrs Akers for organising the various activities and challenges. Lastly, I would like to commend the efforts of John Laidlaw (Maths Captain) for his support and bringing the whole week together. The faculty’s next enrichment activity is the CAT Competition (Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition) – Stay tuned for more details from Mrs Liz Moloney (Maths Enrichment Facilitator) regarding this event. Mathematics Week - Chess Challenge Online Rice Challenge – Students competed online to raise rice through the World Food Program Year 8 Mathematics Enrichment Program facilitated by Mrs Liz Moloney English Enrichment Programming Last week we launched our English Enrichment Program for gifted and talented students in Years 8, 9 and 10.