20 Years of being ‘Enlivened by the Spirit’

النهاية La fine La fin Das Ende Τέλος Koniec Fin Конец Son Kết thúc הסוף

The end!

This week marks a most significant time in our Year 12 cohort’s educational journey that began in Kindergarten in the year 2000. It does not matter how you translate it, it is an ‘end’ to their time at Aquinas. They have been a fantastic year group whom have worked for the collective to ensure the name of “Aquinas College” has continued to be linked with such positivity. Student leadership, performing arts, sport, debating, World Youth Day, social justice, academic pursuits, Peer Support, and care for each other have been salient markers for the Class of 2012. We keep all of them in our prayers as they prepare for the Higher School Certificate and life beyond the gates of Aquinas. It is our hope that they make the most of the opportunities that they have been provided by the hard work and sacrifice of their families and the efforts of Aquinas staff over the last six years and their primary educators in the previous seven. Godspeed Year 12 and continue to be

‘Enlivened by the Spirit!’

Anzac Road Menai NSW 2234 Phone 9543 0188 Facsimile 9541 0398

admin@aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au www.aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI

17th

September, 2012 Vol.19.No.24

Year 7 and 9 students will receive their 2012 NAPLAN results today and I hope that each family is able to use these results as a way to initiate the ‘home’ preparation for the end of year assessments! The Semester Two exams will be upon us before we know it!

James Corcoran

Principal

Ryan Adams

Jordan Adelerhof

Felipe Aguilera

Monica Alam

Madeleine Alexander

Peter Angelis

Mark Armstrong

Bradley Arvanitis

Anthea Athanasopoulos

Chanel Attard

Danny Azar

Jovica Babunski

Leesa Baird

Joshua Baldacchino

Erin Barlow

Alexandra Bennett

Gabriella Bichi

Georgia Bird

James Blewett

Kareena Braunig

Patrick Bruce

Monique Campbell

Blaine Carrick

Louise Caruana

Bianca Cashman

Joshua Castle

Nicole Celi

Kieran Chalmers

Emily Chudowolski

Daniel Church

Nathan Ciacchi

Joshua Clinen

Damian Cohen

Alexander Coneliano

Samuel Cooke

Sophie Costa

Nathan Cronk

Kristina Curtis

Liana Danaskos

Madeleine Davis

Nicolette de Gruchy

James Docherty

Liam Ebb

Cameron Eyles

Nicola Fagerstrom

Taylor Fagerstrom

Joshua Gallagher

Rebecca Garcorz

Angela Gawlowski

Daniel Gordon

Kieran Haavisto

Luke Haavisto

Liam Hahesy

Elizabeth Hairis

Hayley Hargreaves

Jonathan Haslam

Robert Hernandez

Jarrod Holmes

Joshua Hunt

Joshua Ibrahim

Emma Jackson

Lauren Judge

Alexander Katzakis

Dean Kent

Tiarne Knight-Olsen

Helena Koczka

Jonathon Lamotta

Kyle Lara

Brooke Learmonth

Benjamin Leghissa

Julian Loader

Dylan Long

Stephanie Low

Callum Lynch

Tyson Major

Taylor Marie

Caitlin Maxwell

Rowan McAuliffe

Shaun McErlain

Lachlan McGrath

Lauren McGuinness

Alyssha Miguel

Tashya Miranda

Alexandra Mitropoulos

Rachel Moran

Benjamin Morrissey

Kassandra Mowll

Joshua Murfitt

Renee Murrant

Daniel Murray

Jackson Murray

Ahren Nariman

Mitchell Nelson

Mitchell Nemeth-Laky

Nathan O'Donnell

Thomas Orchard

Theresa Ortiz

Matthew Page

Jayden Palmer

David Papa

Michael Phillips

Kristian Portelli

Holly Prasser

Adam Raymond

Genevieve Rendell

Nicole Richardson

Victoria Robbins

Michelle Ryan

Samantha Sale

Jarrod Salmon

Brooke Sampson

Benjamin Sargeant

Joshua Saunderson

Cameron Shalhoub

Ryan Shepherd

Andrew Signor

Blake Simpson

Angelique Singer

Nicholas Sposari

David Spratt

Sophie-Louise Sprod

Nicola Starling

Courtney Stubbs

Ashley Sutton

Nicole Swan

Sean Tabet

Simone Tedeschi

Joshua Tesolin

Danielle Toso

Michael Vasilas

Kallan Ward

Adam Wardrop

Samantha Watt

Alahna Wilkinson

Joshua Williams

Michelle Wissam

Samantha Wong

Bridget Woolnough

Hayley Xuereb

Jonathan Yip

20 Years of being ‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 2

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Key Dates Week 10 Term 3

Week 1 Term 4

Monday 17th September Year 11 Preliminary Course Exams

Tuesday 18th September Year 11 Preliminary Course Exams

Wednesday 19th September Year 11 Preliminary Course Exams

Year 8 Parish Mass 8:20am

Year 12 Final Assembly Period 5

Year 12 Graduation Mass and Award Ceremony 7:30pm Holy Family Church

Thursday 20th September Year 11 Preliminary Course Exams

Year 12 Breakfast / Jamberoo

Years 7-10 Last day of formal classes

Friday 21st September Staff Development Day - No classes

Return to Term 4 Parents are reminded that the students will return to school on Monday 8

th October in summer uniform.

At the beginning of each term, every student needs to make sure that they present themselves at school, in a way that is in line with the clear uniform guidelines that are displayed in the College diary. Special attention needs to be given to suitable hair style, makeup and appropriate jewellery. These areas will be a focus for the College during Term 4. We thank all parents/carers for their continued support in meeting the uniform requirements.

Monday 8th October Years 7-11 classes resume (Students wearing summer uniform)

Year 12 HSC tutorials this week

Tuesday 9th October Year 12 HSC tutorials this week

Wednesday 10th October Year 12 HSC tutorials this week

Year 8 RE Test

Thursday 11th October Year 12 HSC tutorials this week

Year 11 Drama night production 7:00pm

Friday 12st October Year 12 HSC tutorials this week

20 Years of being ‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 3

20 Years of being ‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 4

20 Years of being ‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 5

Religious Education at Aquinas

HSC Prayer Families & Year 12 2012 Thank you to the families who offered support to our Year 12 students by becoming a HSC Prayer Family. Letters were distributed through pastoral classes last week with the names of students for whom we ask for prayers. Families are encouraged to send a written message to the student(s) that they have been allocated. The written message can be initially sent to the College office, labelled clearly with their name and that it is from their HSC Prayer Family. Messages will then be forwarded to the student(s).

This week the College community celebrates the graduation of Year 12 2012. Their graduation mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish at 7.30pm this Wednesday night. Please keep all of our Year 12 students in your prayers as they graduate from the College this week and prepare for their HSC examinations next term. Year 8 RE Test 2012 On Wednesday 10

th October 2012, all Year 8 students in Sydney Catholic Secondary Schools (systemic) will sit

for the Year 8 Religious Education Test. The questions are designed to assess knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith as taught in Catholic Secondary schools, based on the Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) Religious Education Curriculum. The test will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions and will be scored out of a possible 50 marks. Students will require an eraser for the examination and are encouraged to bring a novel to read if they complete the test early - they will be provided with a pencil to complete the examination. Students are completing sample tests in their RE classes in preparation for the test.

May you each have a safe and relaxing break.

Mrs Catherine Nolan Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Reflection on the Gospel

In Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 8:27-35) Jesus asks his disciples ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter spoke up and said to him, ‘You

are the Christ.’ When Jesus began to teach them what the Son of Man was destined for, Peter started to protest. Jesus

rebuked him, and told the disciples that if anyone wants to be a follower of his, they need to renounce themselves, take

up their cross, and follow Him.

‘Who do you say I am?’ is a confronting question. As Christians, we believe that our

actions are a reflection of our beliefs and values. Therefore, however we answer that

question for ourselves has implications for the way that we live today. It asks us to

recognise that Jesus is someone who continues to be a presence in our lives today.

Who do you say I am?

Adapted from a reflection by Greg Sunter

Practical Idea:

As you enter or leave the house each day, reflect on the

importance of that actual doorway to your life - who pass-

es through it, what it means when family come home or

leave.

Did you know?

The Mass is made up as it were of two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. These two parts are so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal

20 Years of being ‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 6

LOST PROPERTY

We have a number of items in Lost Property.

If you are missing any items please come to the office to check Lost Property

Year 10 Mock Interviews Last Wednesday 12

th September, Year 10 met in the Drama Theatre to

prepare for their Mock Interviews next term. Career Insights came and spoke to the group about how to prepare for the interview, how to present in an interview and how to write a covering letter to apply for a position. The initial handshake, eye contact, greeting an interviewer and body language and presentation were among the topics covered by the speakers. Next term on the 16

th, 17

th and 18

th of October, Career Insights will return

and each student in the year group will have a 15 minute interview. As part of the interview process the students will need to find a position to apply for and write an application, which, together with a resume, will be emailed to Career Insights. Students who are re-enrolling at Aquinas College next year are asked to apply for a part-time position, while students who are leaving are asked to apply for a real position. Students will use their school email to contact the company. More details will follow next term.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain valuable interview experience. Career Insights will provide feedback to the students which will be included in their end of year report. Students are asked to wear full school uniform to their interview and “put their best foot forward”. Over the holidays students who do not already have a resumѐ are encouraged to prepare for the Mock Interview process by putting one together. A big thank you to Mrs Lisa Higgins, our Careers Advisor for organizing this opportunity. Any questions please contact the school. Mrs Monk

Year 10 Coordinator

Maths Recall is included in the newsletter each

week and is designed for Stage 4 and 5 or junior

students. The questions may focus on Working

Mathematically problems and all are intended to

be done without a calculator.

1. Expand

2. Simplify

3. Simplify

4. Simplify

5. Simplify

Mrs Catherine Fensom

Maths Teacher

MATHS DEPARTMENT

RECALL CORNER

20 Years of being ‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 7

CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 3

TIME: MONDAY-THURSDAY 10:00-1:30, FRIDAY 10:00-12:30

MONDAY 17/9 HELP NEEDED

TUESDAY 18/9

WEDNESDAY 19/9 CARLEY STUDDEN, MICHELLE LAWRENCE

THURSDAY 20/9 GORDY GOURLAS, TANYA CHANT

FRIDAY 21/9 STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

TERM 4

MONDAY 8/10 JENNY CARR, MELISSA BIRCH

TUESDAY 9/10 JO O’HARA

WEDNESDAY 10/10 ALLISYN LADOUCE, ELENI ENGLEZOS

THURSDAY 11/10 SHELLI BAKER

FRIDAY 12/10 SANDRA QUINN, CARINA POWDITCH

UNIFORM SHOP

THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

8:00am—9:00am

Please note the Uniform Shop only sells

Sports Uniforms and School bags

(We are still waiting on school bags to be delivered.

They will delivered in 3 to 4 weeks)

* * *

Please note the uniform shop

will be selling off old style

Sport cotton junior polos and shorts

for $5 (these would be great for prac lessons)

* * *

The Uniform Shop does not accept Eftpos or Credit cards

College caps and sports socks can be purchased from the

College Office

MATHS CHALLENGE

Maths Department

Answers:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

There will be a

SECOND HAND UNIFORM

sale

Wednesday 19 September

8:00am-9:00am

Outside College Office

email: ann.conchie@aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au

If you have any donations, please hand them in to the office

Thank you