St Philip’s CollegeNewsle t t er

Dear Parent s ,

15 November 2013Schwarz Crescent, PO Box 33, Alice Springs NT 0870 AUSTRALIA l Ph: 61- 8 - 8950 4511 l Fax: 61- 8 - 8950 4522 l Email: info@stphilips.nt.edu.au l Web: www.stphilips.nt.edu.au

The quality of our staff is a major reason why our students do so well. The care, guidance and commitment our staff give our students is phenomenal and they have the ability to adapt and change with the times within their area of expertise.

On Monday 11 November, the Association of Independent Schools NT Excellence in Teaching Awards were held at Parliament House in Darwin. Con-gratulations to Peter Wagner who was announced the winner of the category ‘Excellence in Literacy and Numeracy’.

Other St Philip’s College staff nominated were: Dave Armstrong, Rod Diehl, Paula Dowley, Jill Jansons, Steve Kimber, Chris Leesong, Paige Mitchell, Nicole Soorkia, Leslie Tilbrook, Pushpa Vida, Jen Water-house, Kris Wheeler and Nick Wheeler, all wonderful representa-tives of the teaching and education profession.

As our last term races away, our final four weeks are filled with end of year celebrations. Tonight our Year 12 Art students will celebrate with their Year 12 exhibition and art awards, and our Year 11 Photography students also have an exhibition in the Fred McKay Education Centre.

Next week our Year 12 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Wednesday 20 November at 8.30am in The Minnamurra Hall and the Year 12 Farewell Dinner will be at 6pm that same day at the Convention Centre. Our boarders will also be holding their Christ-mas function on Friday 22 November.

Finally, thank you to those parents who are using the Drop off/Pick up zone, it helps make it safer for all our students and staff.

What’s In This Issue Deputy Headmaster’s Message.....................................One million stars to end violence...................................News from a past GAP student......................................Girls’ Boarding News......................................................Group Photo Orders.......................................................Uniform Shop news.......................................................Orienteering Update......................................................Year 12 Art Exhibition and Awards.....................................What’s Happening in Week 6.............................................Chaplain’s Message........................................................

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Yours sincerely,

Chris Leesong Deputy Headmaster

One million stars to end violence

During Term 3 Ms Davis's Year 8 Health Class participated in a project called 'One Million Stars to end Violence', an initiative to raise awareness around violence, risks and risk taking behaviour. The Million Stars project began in September 2012, after the rape and murder of Melbourne wom-an, Jill Meagher. Maryann Talia Pau began the Pacific Women's Weaving Circle in Victoria and the 'One Million Stars' initiative. 'Many people from the community and churches volunteered to help look after the vigil, comfort people and collect written messages for Jill's family. Someone had written a quote by Dr Martin Luther King Jnr that read, "Returning hate for hate only multiplies hate, adding more darkness to a night already void of stars. Darkness cannot put out darkness, only light and love can do that." This had such a huge impact on me, that I decided to weave stars as a symbol of light, hope and courage.' The Year 8 Health class learnt how to weave the stars via online Youtube instructional video and sent away 76 stars to contribute to the cause. More info can be found at http://www.onemillionstars.net/# to find out how to get involved, the public exhibitions and a progress tally. Thanks to the Year 8’s for their enthusiasm and involvement.

Nyree Davis

News from a past GAP student...Sarah Morerwa was a GAP student with us from April to December 2010 and became a wonderful part of our community. She returned to South Africa and St Philip’s was privileged to be in a position to help her achieve her dream of becoming a paramedic. We are thrilled to share this photograph and we wish her the very best of luck for the future.

Sarah PollittChaplain

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While most of the boarders stayed in Alice for Exeat weekend, our two exchange stu-dents visited Kings Canyon and Uluru. They had a great time, though they also seemed to be glad to be back as well. Now they have hot air ballooning to look forward to in a week or so.

The boarding house was more active than normal after an Exeat weekend with five of next year’s boarders coming for a sleepover. Iona and Chelsea, from Ten-nant Creek will be going in to Year 7, as will Megan from King’s Canyon and Darcy from Mt Riddock Station. Shania, Zara’s younger sister will also be joining us and attending Year 6 at Ross Park.

Girls’ Boarding NewsAn active boarding house...

Above: Fun playing Red Rover

Above: New boarders for 2014 Shania, Iona, Megan, Darcy and Chelsea

The girls seemed to settle in very well. They had a quick tour of the College, then after dinner played Red Rover and Cat and Mouse, had a swim in the pool, ate supper and finally settled down for a mass sleepover in the Junior Rec room.

I was extremely impressed by this group of pleasant and energetic young people, and I feel filled with enthusiasm for the year ahead! I was also very happy to see how welcoming and caring our own boarders were.

Marg Stevenson Head of Girls’ Boarding

A message from the Uniform Shop...

Have you lost anything this term?

The Uniform Shop lost property box is full. Any items left at the end of Term 4 will be disposed of.

If you think you have lost anything this term, please contact Mrs Donna Summers on 8950 4560

Students from SPC have done very well in the series of Orien-teering tests. Students have attended all four of the sessions with some even taking up the extra session on Sunday 10 Nov. The culmination of the smaller test pieces were at the Scout Hall, where a challenging course was set for our navigationally savvy crew.

The course was almost entirely off the tracks west of the Scout Hall, taking most of our students less than 30 minutes running to complete. David Boffa (completed the long course solo), Jeremy Gillen, Jasper Edwards, Ryan Gaskon, Lachlan Saunders and Gab-by Ziersch have all done very well with very respectable times on many of the courses offered, making them prime candidates to compete in the National MTB Orienteering Championships 2014.

Julie Dehne and Hanna Ure-Pearce have also been heavily involved in the competition taking away some new skills and embracing orienteering. With some practice they too could be on the way to the Championships from 14 - 16 June 2014.

David AtkinsHead of Outdoor Education

LeavingSchool.com.auIt is now 12 months since you participated in the 2012 Aus-tralian Careers Guidance Survey. One of the key purposes of the survey was to gain insights that would shape the develop-ment of www.LeavingSchool.com.au: A website of resources for parents, teachers and students, to provide assistance for students who are making the transition from life at school, to life after school. I am both delighted and excited to tell you that after much work during the past 12 months, the website will be launching THIS WEEK! We are also launching the very first issue of the LeavingSchool.com.au eMagazine! Our goal is that the website and eMaga-zine will become a permanent feature of the education land-scape in Australia, but importantly will meet its stated goal of becoming a comprehensive website of resources for parents, teachers and students. The first issue contains many really interesting articles - ar-ticles on financial literacy, resume tips for school leavers, tips for parents on surviving Year 12 and much more. There are articles by guest contributors, Channel 7 Newsreader, Rebecca Maddern; Kirsty Spraggon from KirstyTV.com; Harry James Angus, the lead singer of popular band, The Cat Empire writes about being a musician and the importance of following your dream; and guest Principal Bruce Simons from The Hamilton and Alexandra College has an inspiring and reassuring message for the class of 2013. I commend the eMagazine to you and your students. In the same way the graduating class of 2013 are leaving school and starting out on the next stage of their lives, at LeavingSchool.com.au we too are just getting started. And like them, we're also feeling an excited sense of anticipation about the future.

There are still a couple of family photos to be collected from Miss Braunack’s office. Students can collect these any time during the day.

Group photos (i.e. Musical, Sports, Prefects, House, Boarding, etc) are now being displayed, and orders can be placed, at Miss Braunack’s office. Photos are $10 each. A reminder that all group photo orders MUST be placed with Miss Braunack by Wednesday 20th November (Week 6, Term 4). These photos will be available for collection at College Reception from Monday 2nd December.

If you have any queries, please contact Louise Braunack on 8950 4544.

Group PhotoOrders...

Are you leaving us at the end of the year?

Waiting lists for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 have already been established, and other year levels are in high demand.

If your son/daughter will not be returning in 2014, please notify the College by email or in writing ASAP.

If you would still like to enrol a student for 2014, please contact Mrs Carol Leesong on 8950 4501 or

registrar@stphilips.nt.edu.au

Class lists for 2014 are filling up quickly!

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Tuesday 19 November ~ Partridge House Chapel Service

moNday 18 November ~ Year 11 start Year 12 classes~ Band Retreat - The Minnamurra Hall

WedNesday 20 November ~ Year 12 SACE Exams conclude~ Year 12 Graduation Ceremony - 8.30am, The Minnamurra Hall~ Emails sent for overdue library resources~ Year 12 Farewell Dinner - 6pm, The Convention Centre

Thursday 21 November ~ Rolland House Chapel Service

Friday 22 November~ Final Year 12 Assembly - 8.30am to 9am, The Minnamurra Hall~ Year 12 Farewell Morning Tea - Recess, Dining Room~ Boarders’ Christmas Party

What’s Happening in

Week 6

2014 book lists are expected to be sent out to families by the end of next week (Week 6).

If you have any questions regarding the book lists before then, please contact Carol Leesong on 8950 4501.

2014 Book Lists

Giants netball club wants you!

We’re looking for individuals or teams who would like to join our friendly club.

Experienced or not, young, old, player, coach or umpire, all are welcome!

Maybe you’re thinking of starting a new sport or are new to town; we’d love to hear from you.

Age divisions and game times are:Under 9’s 9:00am

Under 11’s 10:00amUnder 13’s 11:00amUnder 15’s 12:00pm

Under 17’s and open divisions all play at either 1:30, 3:00 or 4:30Games are played on SaturdaysSeason starts 15th March 2014

For more information contact Crystal: neataglassgiants@gmail.com or check out our Facebook page: Neata Glass Giants Netball Club

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This newsletter is produced weekly by the PR & Marketing Department, St Philip’s College. Please submit contributions to: Jill Jansons (08) 8950 4561 or email: info@stphilips.nt.edu.au Deadline for Friday’s issue is 5pm on the preceding Tuesday.

Schwarz Crescent Alice Springs NT 0870 - PO Box 33 Alice Springs NT 0871Ph: (08) 8950 4511 Fax (08) 8950 4522

Email: info@stphilips.nt.edu.au Website: www.stphilips.nt.edu.au

Reception (08) 8950 4511 Student Access (08) 8950 4573 Library (08) 8950 4576 Registrar (08) 8950 4501 Medical Centre (08) 8950 4567 Boys’ Accommodation (08) 8950 4520Girls’ Accommodation (08) 8950 4537 Accounts (08) 8950 4525

I’ve learned-that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I’ve learned-that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back.

I’ve learned-that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I’ve learned-that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I’ve learned-that it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.

I’ve learned-that you should never ruin an apology with an excuse.

I’ve learned-that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something.

I’ve learned-that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do.

I’ve learned-that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I’ve learned-that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I’ve learned-that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I’ve learned-that you can keep going long after you can’t.

I’ve learned-that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

Chaplain’s

Message

I’ve learned-that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I’ve learned-that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I’ve learned-that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I’ve learned-that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I’ve learned-that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I’ve learned-that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I’ve learned-that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I’ve learned-that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I’ve learned-that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I’ve learned-that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I’ve learned-that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.

I’ve learned-that your family won’t always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren’t related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren’t biological.

I’ve learned-that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven

by others. Sometimes you are to learn to forgive yourself.

I’ve learned-that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I’ve learned-that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I’ve learned-that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.

I’ve learned-that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I’ve learned-that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I’ve learned-that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I’ve learned-that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I’ve learned-that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I’ve learned-that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned-that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I’ve learned-that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I’ve learned-that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings, and standing up for what you believe.

I’ve learned-that people will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.