MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE...MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE PENSHURST Friday 21 February - Number 2 one school...

MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE PENSHURST

Friday 21 February - Number 2

one school • one family • one communityTelephone: 9579 6188 Fax: 9579 6668 www.maristpenshurst.catholic.edu.au

FROM THE PRINCIPALThis week the College celebrated its Opening School Mass which was a most reverent and moving celebration. I thank Father Adam Crouch, from St Declan’s Parish Penshurst for being our celebrant. Part of the Mass was the investiture of our 2020 student leaders. Congratulations to each young person who accepted the ministry of leadership and special congratulations to Rakel and Zale, our College Captains.

In preparation for our Eucharistic celebration, the College continued the tradition of presenting a gift to our Year 12 students to acknowledge and celebrate their role as the senior leaders. We also continued the tradition of presenting our Year 7 students and staff new to the College with a Marist Pin which includes the Marist Ave Maria symbol and a globe of the earth indicating that each person is a member of the worldwide Marist community as well as our local Marist school. We also added the names of all new students and staff to the College’s Marist Heart recognising the importance of each member of our community.

The theme of our Opening School Mass, One Wild Precious Life, is also the theme this year for the Marist Association. Anthony Clarke, Director of Marist Mission and Life Formation explained this concept in a recent article and says, at its core this theme is asking the question - How can I live my life more meaningfully?

It invites us to look at who we are, the lives we are living, and our place in the world. It invites us at a deeper level to consider what it means to be truly human; this has implications for how we live together, as we know that as human beings we are all interconnected. Scientists tell us that every molecule is connected in such a way, that any change, even in the slightest way to the smallest molecule, will impact the whole. This concept is really quite profound; who we are, and how we live, impacts the universe. Through greater awareness of our place and interconnectedness within everything (including the galaxies and stars, earth, animals, plants and all human life), we are challenged to a new way of being and relating with each other, creation and God. It calls for a renewed consciousness of our need for each other, of our responsibility to creation, and of our commitment to human dignity. This is the vision St Paul expressed when he spoke to the community of Ephesus of Jesus’ mission to break down all that divides for the creation of one new humanity (Eph 2:15). It is about a new way of living together and of learning how to love. This call to one new humanity is a deeply spiritual and personal call for each one of us. It is a journey of growing in our understanding of God’s great desire for us to be who we are called to be. It is a human journey of both risk and responsibility, of challenge and gift, of a life bursting with possibility and meaning. It is a journey where each one of us is invited to ponder what we can create in our response to the question, ‘What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’

To help us on our way, let St Mary Mackillop who would “never see a need without doing something about it”, Mary our good Mother- the perfect model of the Christian faith and St Marcellin Champagnat who was an example of how ordinary people can do extraordinary things, be our models in living out our One Wild Precious Life.

Mr Ray Martin - College Principal

DATES TO REMEMBERTues 25 Feb Year 11 Information Evening Session 1: 6pm - 7pm Session 2: 7pm - 8pm

Shrove Tuesday

Wed 26 Feb Ash Wednesday

Wed 4 Mar College Open Day 3pm - 6pm South Hurstville Campus

Wed 11 Mar Year 7 Vaccinations - Visit 1

Year 7 Parent Study Skills Evening

Fri 13 Mar St Patrick’s Day Project Compassion Mufti-Day

Tues 17 Mar ‘Suceeding in the Senior School’ Mark O’Connor Presentation

Thurs 26 Mar Harmony Day

2one school • one family • one community

Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALHIGH ACHIEVERS ASSEMBLYLast Thursday 13th February we welcomed back our HSC high achievers from the HSC Class of 2019. As a College we are very proud of all the boys.

The HSC Class of 2019 were generous of spirit and committed to achieving their own personal academic excellence. Their collaborative and engaged approach to learning truly exemplified the Marist values of family spirit and love of work. Their success was a team effort and they worked hard with their peers and teachers to make sure they succeeded.

In 2019, 21 out of 22 of our HSC courses were above the NSW State Mean. That equates to 95%, and many of our courses were significantly above this Mean. These courses included Mathematics Extension 1 10.56 above, Physics 10.24 above, Ancient History 9.80 above, and not far behind were Industrial Technology (Timber), Mathematics General 1 and VET Construction. These course results are very impressive, and it is very pleasing to see results across a range of subjects and faculties.

Overall the Class of 2019 achieved 49 Band 6 or E4 results placing the College 125 out of approximately 600 schools in NSW. 25% of the cohort received an ATAR above 90, with more than 9% achieving ATARs above 95. The top ATAR was 97.05, achieved by Alex Peligritti, and this placed him in the top 3% of the State.

Significant gains were also made by students at a range of achievement levels. Marist Penshurst had ten courses where every student achieved a Band 4 or above. In fact, 88% of all student results were marks of above 70 (Band 4, 5 or 6). These courses were Studies of Religion II, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2, Mathematics, Economics, Industrial Technology (Timber), History Extension, Physics, VET Business Services and VET Construction.

57% of our student results were marks above 80% (Band 5 or 6). Additionally, results in Bands 5 and 6 have grown by almost 10 percent in 2019. This is an excellent achievement for both our students and the school.

Significant gratitude must be extended to the HSC teachers of 2019, Mr Cullerton and the Year 12 Pastoral Teachers. Their leadership and expertise helped form purposeful partnerships with students and their families, helping them to achieve their best.

UNIFORM & GROOMINGOver the next few weeks there will be a uniform and grooming blitz at the College. All uniform and grooming requirements are outlined in the Student Diary on pages 13 and 14. We ask for your support by ensuring your son/daughter’s uniform and presentation meet College standards. Should you have any concerns regarding our uniform or grooming expectations please contact your son or daughter’s Leader of Wellbeing.

YEAR 7 ASSEMBLYOn Thursday 20 February our Year 7’s gathered for their first assembly, where the MCCP Swimming Age Champion trophies and our very first bronze award for the year was presented. Congratulations to Olivia Cicuto! I set the challenge to Year 7 that all students work hard and achieve a bronze award by the end of Term 1. I’m sure all of Year 7 will achieve this and more.

Mrs Connie Frino - Assistant Principal

COLLEGE FEES2020 school fees have now been sent out to families. Please ensure Term 1 fees are finalised in accordance with your payment plan. Payments can be made by Cheque, Cash, Eftpos or BPay. Any queries please contact the College Office. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Mrs Joy O’Sullivan - College Bursar



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INAUGURAL MASS On Wednesday 19 February, we gathered together to celebrate the beginning of a new school year at Marist Catholic College Penshurst. Our Inaugural Mass was held at Our Lady of Fatima Church Kingsgrove and our celebrant Fr Adam Crouch supported our faith community as we asked for God’s blessing on the year ahead. Our Mass was based around the Marist theme of Creating One Humanity: One Wild and Precious Life.

Our new Year 7 students and staff were warmly welcomed into the Marist family. Br Tony led the community in our traditional welcome to the College by placing the names of all new staff and students in our Marist Heart. We believe by doing this, we are placing our community in the care of St Marcellin Champagnat.

Our College leaders were presented with their badges by Mr Martin and their parents and made their pledge to serve the community by following in the footsteps of St Marcellin Champagnat and living out the Marist Charism in the way of Mary in their daily actions.

Thank you to Fr Adam, Br Tony and our parent representatives for your presence and support during our Mass.

Mrs Melissa Vassallo - Religous Education Coordinator

2020 SRC LEADERSCongratulations to the following students on being elected as SRC Leaders for 2020.

YEAR 8 YEAR 9 YEAR 10 YEAR 11Mavina Khoury Anthony Kolmac Charlie Mitchell Jessica AsalJay Ta Ryan Chandler George Battikha Charlotte BulmerJames Baneres Isabella Grant Erini Papagianopoulos Adam BurridgeSebastian Florean Sianna Jovcevski Maya Reynolds Luca MattheosPatricia Papagianopoulos Luca Ianni Christian Signorelli Savvas MytiliniosAlana Green Jennifer-Tyler Lo Aleera Parberry Alyssa PavlovskiJorgia Karamalakis Emilia Barros

‘Coping & Succeeding in the HSC’ - Mr Mark O’ConnorTuesday 17 March @ 7pm

South Hurstville Campus - 29a Greenacre Rd, South Hurstville

Parents and their Year 11 & 12 sons/daughters are warmly invited to the presentation ‘Coping & Succeeding with Senior School and the HSC’. Mr Mark O’Connor (highly regarded and awarded educator) will present practical tips on how families can support each other through the senior school experience. The presentation will explore the critical aspects of motivating our children to achieve their academic potential and be at their best during this time.

Please RSVP with the number attending to [email protected] by Friday 13 March.



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YEAR 9 ELEVATEOn Tuesday 18 February, parents of students in Year 9 attended an information session and presentation by Elevate Education.

The evening with Elevate Education was a great success. Thank you to the parents and teachers who came in support of this endeavour. The presenter from Elevate provided parents with strategies specifically targeted to improving study skills, as separate to homework and assessment completion. In particular, focus was given to the use and management of technology at home, motivation, time management and organisation.

Elevate Education have provided the College with a password to access their online resource material. I encourage you to have a look at the extensive range of resources that Elevate provide.

Website: https://au.elevateeducation.com/Password: rondo

Mrs Kristina Flanagan - Campus Coordinator Mortdale

BUSINESS SERVICES NEWSOur Work Placement at Smart Group Corporation was truly an interesting and worthwhile experience. Starting on Monday we took on the challenge of working in new environments that we weren’t familiar with and being tasked with stepping out and working in the real corporate world. We spent our week working within various departments/people including Sales, Marketing, IT, Reception, Human Resources and many more. Throughout this, we developed an understanding of the companies’ operation and overall goal. We were able to build up the courage and the understanding of typical work routines as well as experiencing first-hand of travelling in rush hour. The work environment throughout was extremely friendly as well as being serious about work, with everyone ready to spark a conversation including the CEO himself. The staff were always willing to explain their work routines as well as providing us various tips regarding school and job applications, as well as guidance outside of the work environment. Work Placement is an amazing opportunity for students to gain experience and knowledge of the workplace, that will help improve not only their work ethic, but also their culture as a person.

Costa Kesoglou and Richie Lam - Year 12

On behalf of the Year 12 Business Services students, I would like to thank our Work Placement hosts for 2020 who took on our students and provided them with an invaluable experience. Many of these workplaces took on a student for the first time, and we greatly appreciate their support. Many thanks to SSBEN, King Living Furniture, Lincoln Legal, Tynan Motors, Kogarah Community Services, Mark Coure MP, Orana Group, Jihad Dib MP, Smart Group Corporation, Oatley West Public School, Sutherland Local Court, SGCH, Doctors Health Fund and Customs Brokers and Forwarders Council of Australia.

Can you help?Some of our hosts employers are parents of former MCCP students, or businesses within our community. If you are in a position to offer a placement for our VET Business Services students in August and/or October this year or would like further information in hosting one of our students, please let me know.

Mrs Peggy Chandler - VET Coordinator and Careers Adviser

https://au.elevateeducation.com/



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DIVERSE LEARNING MCCP Whole School Reading Program 2020Improving reading abilities through challenging texts, integrated reading programs, reading circles, tracking reading and related reading across Years 7-12.

This year all students will be involved in the MCCP Whole School Reading Program. The school will be participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, there will be opportunities for students to join book clubs in the library and all students will make regular visits to the library to ensure they always have a novel to read.

In addition:• Year 7 students will have a personalised reading program which is connected to an integrated curriculum across

Religion, English and HSIE key learning areas. • Year 8 will be participating in DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) each

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning during pastoral care where a reading log will be regularly checked. It is expected that all students come prepared with a novel to read and routinely read at home.

• Year 9 will be participating in a reading circles program once a fortnight in their English classes. They will have reading targets each week which will be tracked through a log, and discussion activities to complete during their allocated reading lesson.

• Year 10 will be participating in related reading where their reading is tracked through a log and is monitored by their English teacher. This is a crucial time for Year 10 to build their vocabulary in preparation for Stage 6 studies.

• Senior students will have the opportunity to join the Senior Book Club where literary theory will be discussed and students are exposed to a variety of genres.

Students who are avid readers often show greater learning gains than their peers as they are able to for example; decode unfamiliar language, make applied connections to their learning and develop the ability to form an inference.

Literacy Corner - Issue 2Context Clues: how to build academic language. All people have basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) which are developed through social interaction. This is the everyday language that people use to communicate.

A teacher’s job is to build on BICS and develop cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) within their subject area. For students to develop a sophisticated vocabulary reading is the key, often teachers will challenge students to read beyond their reading level to expose them to new academic words within the context of what they are learning in the classroom. Students can struggle with decoding these new words and making meaning from them. A trick is to use context clues when reading at home to deconstruct a word. This means you use the words within the paragraph to make inferential meaning. Ask yourself the following questions when you find a word you don’t know the meaning of;

1. Can I break the word up into smaller words to make meaning?2. Using the words around as clues what can I infer about this word?3. Predict what you think the word means and finish the paragraph.

For example: “She penned a letter to her friend” using the contexts clues of letter and friend I would guess that the word penned was a synonym for writing a letter.

Developing this critical thinking, rather than going straight to the dictionary, when reading will allow students to retain new words and access advanced reading to expand their cognitive academic language proficiency.

Mrs Rebecca Nolan - Leader of Diverse Learning



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PEER SUPPORT The Peer Support Program is currently in progress and has proven to be successful at MCCP. It’s aim is to create a smooth transition from Primary to Secondary School for our Year 7 students.

This year, a group of 50 Year 10 peer support leaders have been facilitating small groups of Year 7 students throughout Term 1.

Within their Peer Support groups, Year 7 are assisted to adjust to secondary school from both a wellbeing and academic perspective. Sessions cover a range of topics such as how to manage their study time, working collaboratively and how to deal with important issues such as bullying and how to display assertiveness and resilience.

I would like to thank the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders for the dedication they have demonstrated throughout the program so far and the care they have shown to their Year 7 group members. They have displayed skills of leadership, assertiveness and collaboration.

We have our final Peer Support session in Week 5 where all students will share a picnic lunch together and review the skills and concepts covered throughout the program. We look forward to continuing to nurture the bond between our Year 7 and Year 10 students throughout the year.

Mrs Nicole Katrib - Peer Support Facilitator



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SPORTS NEWSMCCP SWIMMING CARNIVALOur College swimming carnival was held on Wednesday 5 February. Congratulations to More House on winning the points tally for the day. The results for the day were: 1st More, 2nd Salvius, 3rd Leopold, 4th Dunstan.

Congratulations to the following students who were Age Champions for 2020:

U/12 Boys Justin Portelli U/12 Girls Amelie Camacho

U/13 Boys Thomas Kolokas U/13 Girls Chelsea Turnball

U/14 Boys Mitchell Langley U/14 Girls Isabella Cox

U/15 Boys Joshua Craven U/15 Girls Jennifer Burmuzovski

U/16 Boys Ethan Asuncion U/16 Girls Matilda Karatas

17+ Boys Dylan Antao 17+ Girls Katie Schwarzel



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CBSA SWIMMING CARNIVALWell done to the CBSA Swimming team for their efforts at the annual CBSA Swimming Carnival. We were narrowly beaten by Cathedral for the Aggregate Trophy. A big congratulations to our Under 12, 13 & 14 swimmers that won the Junior Trophy. Also congratulations to Mitchell Langley and Dylan Antao who were declared Age Champions.

Thank you to the parents who came and supported their sons and thanks to Ms Farrelly, Ms Curis, Mrs Chandler, Mrs Neilson, Mr Shipley and Mr Martin who came out to Homebush to support our boys and help with the smooth running of the carnival.

We wish the SCC Swimming Squad the best of luck for their carnival next week.

State Cup OzTagCongratulations to Tom Pitkethley and his team, Easts, on being crowned State Oztag Champions for 2020.

Mr Michael Fisher - Head of Sport

St Declan’s Parish Pastoral Care News

On Saturday, 7 March at 10.30am, St Declan’s parish will be celebrating an Anointing Mass.

To experience, as community, the prayerful and healing power of our faith through the sacrament of ‘Anointing of the Sick’.

This sacrament is for: those who are sick; those who are recovering from surgery or have upcoming surgery; those who are suffering from depression or have a physical affliction; those who have spent time in hospital or going through rehabilitation/therapy; those in need of God’s healing love.

If you know any friends, relatives or parishioners who could benefit from this sacrament and are physically able to attend, please bring them along. Enquiries Kate 0401028295



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SCC

VOLLEYBALL RND OPPOSITION WIN / LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 1 Washed Out - - Ms Danielle Polson2 Washed Out - -3 St Charbel’s Lost 0 - 2

Intermediate 1 Washed Out - - Ms Analise Emmerick2 Washed Out - -3 Mary MacKillop Lost 0 - 2

TOUCH RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Senior 1 Washed Out - - Mr Michael Falzon2 Washed Out - -3 St Charbel’s Win 12 - 2

AFL RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

1 Washed Out - - Mr George Karpouzos2 Washed Out - -3 St Charbel’s Win 50 - 0

CBSA

BASKETBALL RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 1 St Mary’s Cathedral Win 24 - 23 Mr Andy Kissane2 Casimir College Lost 15 - 223 Holy Spirit Lakemba Win 34 - 13

Intermediate 1 St Mary’s Cathedral Lost 20 - 37 Ms Chloe Nasr2 Casimir College Lost 29 - 433 Holy Spirit Lakemba Lost 37 - 62

Senior 1 St Mary’s Cathedral Lost 42 - 55 Ms Rachel Thompson2 Casimir College Lost 40 - 493 Holy Spirit Lakemba Lost 27 - 71

CRICKET RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 1 St Mary’s Cathedral Draw MCCP 5/77 - Cathedral 77 Mr Jason Stevens

2 Washed Out - -

3 Holy Spirit Lakemba Win MCCP 0/31 defLakemba 30

Intermediate 1 St Mary’s Cathedral Win MCCP 5/37 defCathedral 9/36 Mr Jordan Russo

2 Washed Out - -

3 Holy Spirit Lakemba Win MCCP 0/14 defLakemba 13

Senior 1 St Mary’s Cathedral Win MCCP 3/61 defCathedral 10/59 Mr Michael Young

2 Washed Out - -3 Bye - -

SPORT RESULTS



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COUNSELLOR’S CORNERBack to School Tips for ParentsIt’s time for your teenager to go back to school, which can be quite chaotic for some families. Here is some back to school tips that will assist parents in making sure that school gets off to a smooth start.

• Visit the schoolWalk or ride the route your teenager will take and make note of school patrols, crossing guards and high traffic areas along the way. Talk to your teenagers about NOT talking to strangers and find out what, if any, policies your teenager’s school has regarding early arrivals or late pick-ups. Learn about the school’s entrance and exit policies. Then, if you can, pop in and check out what the inside of the school looks like.

• Make homework a priority Make homework time a daily habit. Find a quiet and consistent place at home where your teenager can complete their homework. Try to avoid the bedroom as the place to do homework and study. If your teen is having great difficulty with their homework, get in contact with their teacher. It is also good to encourage your child to also reach out to their teachers if they are struggling.

• Prepare a study areaSet up an area at home to do school work and homework. Remove distractions. Don’t place the study area in the child’s bedroom. Communicate to your teen that education is important: show interest and praise your teenager’s work.

• Take charge of screen timeLimit the time that you let your teenager watch TV, game, and accessing any platforms of social media on their phones. Don’t completely eliminate their time from such platforms, as it is a tool for some teens to connect with their friends. As well as completing school tasks. Discuss and negotiate what is a suitable amount of time your child needs to access screen time. Find out what phone apps they are using too.

• Get everybody to bed on timeDuring the summer, teenagers aren’t always on a schedule, which is understandable. But, proper rest is essential for a healthy and productive school year. Help your teenagers get back on track sleep-wise by having them go to bed earlier and wake up earlier at least a week in advance of when school actually starts. Try to turn off the internet at bedtime, as this will stop your teen from accessing the net while you are asleep.

• Make healthy mealsNo one can concentrate when they’re hungry. Studies show that teenagers who eat healthy, balanced breakfasts and lunches do better in school. Encourage your teen to drink more water, and less sugary drinks. If you don’t pack your teens lunch, take an interest in finding out what they are eating throughout the day. You would be surprised of the amount of teenagers that are skipping meals throughout the day.

• Encourage balanceYour teenager’s life should not be entirely dominated by school. Your teenager also needs to have fun, relax, and enjoy their individual interests and friends. As a parent, while school is very important, try to encourage your teenager to have a healthy balance of both school and fun.

Original Edited Source edited: Dorothy Amatucci

Mr Rodriigo A. ValentinoCollege Counsellor

MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE...MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE PENSHURST Friday 21 February - Number 2 one school...

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