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2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8

ABSENTEE OFFICE 9409 6210 BUSINESS OFFICE 9409 6223 COLLEGE SHOP 9409 6256 MONTE.NSW.EDU.AU

May the Holy Spirit bless you and your family with joy, love and peace this Christmas.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FROM THE PRINCIPAL 3

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL PASTORAL CARE 5

FROM THE HEAD OF HSIE 6

FROM THE HEAD OF SCIENCE 8

FROM THE IB MYP PROJECT LEADER 9

SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS 11

STUDENT SHOWCASE 14

SPORTS REPORT 16

MONTE NOTICES 21

PAGE / 3MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Friends of Monte,

We have had much to celebrate this year in what has been an Extraordinary Year of Mercy.

As the academic year draws to a close I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements, contributions and commitment of all of our girls as they continue to know, understand, protect and embrace the dreams of Catherine McAuley.

This week our Senior and Middle School Awards Ceremonies were a formal acknowledgment of the outstanding achievements of our young Mercy women in their academic, spiritual and cultural pursuits. Awards recognise the diversity of student achievement and contribution – with an emphasis on academic achievement.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this assembly was for each of our girls to reflect on what they have learned this year and to celebrate their personal triumphs, just as Catherine McAuley and Elizabeth McQuoin asked their communities to do. I wish for all our girls the opportunity to create the highest, grandest vision possible for their life because I believe in the saying: you become what you believe.

NICOLE CHRISTENSEN

Congratulations to the students who received major awards; Senior School Blue and Blue Scholarship 2016/17: Jen Fong /Madison Ueland (Two Scholarships Awarded)

Dux of Year 11 HSC Preliminary: Elyse Diamond

Dux of Year 11 IB DP: Louisa Canepa

Dux of Year 10: Madison Ueland

Middle School Dux of Year 9: Maddison Barraket

Dux of Year 8: Melanie Brittain

Dux of Year 7: Lucia Bardetta

Congratulations to all of the award recipients and to every student who gave her best. I encourage all our girls to be the pioneers of this generation. May all our young women resolve as Catherine McAuley did, to be good today and better tomorrow.

Last Friday evening saw a celebratory assembly of a different kind with our Year 12 girls, parents and carers joining together for the much anticipated Year 12 Formal. In her final address, Nadia Nero, Head of Year 12 championed for our young Mercy graduands to continue to be empowered advocates for change.

A path is made by walking it. Our graduands have the knowledge, courage and vision to continue to walk their personal path of Mercy and Justice

As this is the last Monte Matters for 2016, I take this opportunity to thank our Monte Community, our parents and carers and our staff who all walk beside our young Mercy women in their journey. You are an amazingly dedicated group of Mercy women and men and we are privileged to pioneer together as a community.

I wish all families blessings and joy for the Christmas and holiday period.

Every blessing to you all.

Mrs Nicole Christensen Principal

“‘Catherine McAuley had a dream. We have the privilege of knowing it We have the responsibility to understand it We have the duty to protect it We have the honour of living it”

Maria McGuiness RSM


FROM THE PRINCIPAL

DUX OF YEAR 11 IB DP LOUISA CANEPA, DUX OF YEAR 11 HSC PRELIMINARY, ELYSE DIAMOND AND DUX OF YEAR 10, MADISON UELAND

SENIOR SCHOOL MASS

SENIOR SCHOOL MASS

SENIOR SCHOOL MASS

DUX OF YEAR 8, MELANIE BRITTAIN, DUX OF YEAR 9, MADDISON BARRAKET AND DUX OF YEAR 7, LUCIA BARDETTA

BLUE AND BLUE SCHOLARS JEN FONG & MADISON UELAND


Jacqueline Magurren Deputy Principal Pastoral Care

On occasions we struggle to curb the hypersexualization of young women in our care. We fight against short College

uniforms, fake tan and excessive makeup as our lives begin to look more like a music video and less like reality. As adults, we grew up with boundaries, teachings from our elders, handing down of stories and rituals. Yet young women across the world today are bombarded far more than ever before by imagery and stories of the ‘ab-normal’, the surreal, the unattainable, therefore developing a distorted reality on what women should be, the way that women should act, the type of person that people will ‘Like’. This is confusing for our youth and the fact is that this is far from reality. The lack of respect that some youth have for themselves and their bodies is at times alarming and the frankness that they share with a complete stranger online, disturbing. When every meal, moment and action is to be captured on Instagram, Facebook or blogged about, when do our minds ever find peace and we get to live in the present and enjoy the moment without judgment or the need for approval?

Prayer is part of our faith, our journey, our way of life, and for some a form of prayer has transformed into Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the action of living in the present and enjoying what that moment has to offer, savoring each ‘mouthful’, as it was, with slow breathing, being conscious of one’s surroundings, slowing the heart rate, and enjoying the company that you are with or the contentment you have. In this moment of mindfulness our brains become more creative and our thought processes start to change from the fixed to a growth mindset. Research across the global has shown the benefits of mindfulness and positive psychology on the brains of our youth. To train young brains to always think in the positive, shutting out the abnormal, the fear of missing out, or the seeking of others approval, and moving their thought processes into the positive their brain performs significantly better than it does in the negative, neutral or stressed. With this understanding and sense of positivity and ‘happiness’ comes the realisation of gratitude.

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL PASTORAL CARE

Spending precious time with our families and loved ones over this Christmas break, and shutting out those distractions of our work, our online profile and the expectations on ourselves to have something better than before, is what is important. To practice mindfulness and be present with one another, break bread, celebrate what life has given us in copious amounts, is vital. Remember those who have left this life only to be welcomed by the Lord in so many ways and give thanks for the loving moments and memories we shared with them.

At this time of Christmas may the blessing of peace, hope, love and joy be with you all and bring with it a time of renewal, release and reconciliation to your lives.

Jacqueline Magurren Deputy Principal Pastoral Care


FROM THE HEAD OF HSIE

Debra Kidd Head of HSIE

National Curriculum Geography (begins in 2017)The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) have developed a number of new syllabuses over the past few years as part of the national approach to Australian curriculum content in Years K-10, and the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (2008). In HSIE the first of these syllabuses, History, was implemented into Years 7 & 9 in 2014, and into Years 8 &10 in 2015. Next year will mark the first Year 10 cohort to have successfully completed the new history course throughout Yrs. 7-10.

BOSTES has now approved the teaching of a new Geography Curriculum, a course also offered by the HSIE Department at the College, and this course will commence in 2017. The Geography specialists in the department are excited by this opportunity to develop new Teaching and Learning programmes and also have carried out a survey of students currently in Years 7-10 to cater for student input into the direction of these new courses. The new Geography Courses will be implemented into Years 7 & 9 in 2017, and into Years 8 & 10 in 2018.

These new courses are significantly different to previous state-based courses and thereby will require new Geography Textbooks for students. All new student resources have been listed on Campion Education booklists and unfortunately this means that the purchase of second-hand books will not be available or appropriate for the two year groups mentioned in 2017. The teachers of Geography have selected textbooks to be listed that will be used for both years involved in the stage, that is Stage 4 (7 & 8) and Stage 5(9 & 10), so additional textbooks will not be required to be purchased in Years 8&10 for these students.

NSW Schools Constitutional Convention 2016Each year NSW Parliament House invites one Year 11 student from all schools in NSW to participate in a Constitutional Convention related to a topic/issue concerning democracy, civics and citizenship in Australia. The focus of this year’s convention was “Referendums and Plebiscites”, and Adelaide Holm was the student who submitted the most comprehensive and impressive argument to represent the College at this event. We commend Adelaide on taking on this challenge and congratulate Adelaide on her successful selection to represent NSW at the National Schools Constitutional Convention to be held in Canberra in Term 1 2017.

“I was invited to attend the New South Wales Schools Constitutional Convention at Parliament House on the 7th of November. This event was run by the Parliament of NSW, who selected 150 students from across the state to participate in discussions about referendums and plebiscites. We had the fantastic opportunity to hear from Professor Anne Twomey, a Professor of Constitutional Law at Sydney Law School and Director of Constitutional Reform Unit at Sydney Law School. She discussed past referendums and plebiscites and how they can affect both society and the government. We then split into smaller groups and discussed three past referendums and plebiscites, allowing us to meet people from across the state and hear their opinions. We shared the information we found through our individual research and responded to questions about why referendums have occurred and how they may affect society today. Everyone then came together for the delegates to the National Constitutional Convention to be announced. I was lucky enough to be among the 30 students selected to represent New South Wales at the convention next year, which will be held in Canberra. I am looking forward to taking part in this convention, as this was an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience that I am excited to take part in again.”

Adelaide Holm Yr. 11 2016

“The best teachers are those that show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.”

Alexandra K. Trenfor


FROM THE HEAD OF HSIE

Year 11 Business Mini MarketThe Year 11 Business Studies students demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of the coursework of business by hosting a mini-market day. This required them to apply the skills of setting up a new start-up company, designing a product (food) and selling to the target market, students and staff at Monte. Some groups researched into current trends in food service presentation e.g. donuts with syringes of additional chocolate, or, they were heavily laden with lollies/sweets. Other groups looked into traditional fast foods with a twist e.g. kebabs, hamburgers, toasties or burritos. A few groups focused on the slow food phenomena e.g. home-baked cookies/brownies, or, yoghurt and acai food bowls. The students are to be congratulated on their efforts. Through their passion for this activity they raised $1,199 in profit, which they donated to Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH). Thereby showing a deeper understanding of the corporate social responsibility displayed by businesses in the real world. This activity was superbly organised and managed by Mrs Louisa Parrish with the support of Mr Lasto and Mr Blackmore.


FROM THE HEAD OF SCIENCE

Paul Wacher Head of Science

During semester 2 a small group of girls worked on an extension program with Mr Tenzing. The report below

outlines what was done.

Midway into Term 3 a group of seven Year 10 students embarked on a unique science project designed to extend and encourage their learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). The initiative was constructed to provide a realistic experience of the complex and challenging realities in undertaking a rigorous, scientific experiment, in this case a marine based investigation into the ecology of a tidal algae in an era of climate change.

With the close support and expertise of our laboratory technician Julia Fracala, the students and myself dove headlong into the task with enthusiasm and curiosity, developing the resilience necessary when working with live organisms and navigating the challenges involved in carrying out logistically difficult procedures. Advanced laboratory techniques, microscopy and biological statistics are just a few examples of the skills introduced during this program.

In a nutshell, the team aimed to extract eggs and sperm from seaweed species (Neptune’s Necklace), combine them together and then observe rates of fertilisation under different levels of ocean acidification. The students discovered that fertilisation rate was affected by acidity in the initial stages of the experiment but that this influence was lessened after a given time period had passed (approximately two hours).

Upon conclusion of the program our newly seasoned ecologists had gained a sense of both the intricacies and rewards of undertaking research in science. They are to be commended for their determination, persistence and teamwork over the last two terms and the Science department hopes to provide similar opportunities for buddying Monte researchers in the future.

Paul Wacher Head of Science

Thanks to Mr Tenzing and Ms Fracala for the efforts they have put into this ground breaking research.


FROM THE IB MYP PROJECT LEADER

Catherine Mulvenna IB MYP Project Leader

November 2016 Knowledgeable and Thinkers

Throughout this year, Year 7 students have been working on development of the IB Learner Profile attributes. The Learner Profile contains ten attributes, development of which will propel students on their journey to becoming life-long learners. The attributes imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.

At the beginning of November, the focus was on IB Learners as Knowledgeable. They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

This attribute was a nice one to focus on as year 7 reach the end of their first year of their MYP (and high-school) journey. Throughout the year students have delved into new subjects, new ways of learning, new ways of communicating, new skills, and with incredibly positive attitudes that carried them through. At the end of such a big year, it is with great delight that we can recognise the acquisition of such knowledge.

Congratulations to:

KnowledgeableCooper: Sarah Larkey Eloise Parker

Gilchrist: Rebecca Adams, Ruby Rivers

Kirk: Zara Milani, Bridget O’Sullivan

Martin: Angie Taylor, Alex Rae

Price: Natasha Hill, Elsie Watson-Clarke

Richardson: Lucy Barrie, Isabelle Cook

Treanor: Sophie Walsh, Grace Bruce

The attribute of being a Thinker is an important aspect of the IB programs, and an essential ‘takeaway’ skill. Thinkers exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognise and approach complex problems, and to make well-considered and ethical decisions.

Year 7 have had daily opportunities throughout the year to actively develop their thinking skills, through subject specific contexts and in co-curricular opportunities such as the DaVinci Decathlon.

The following students were recognised by their tutor and team teachers as students who have clearly demonstrated the ‘Thinker’ attribute.

Congratulations to:

ThinkerCooper: Josie Carlile, Emma Renouf

Gilchrist: Poppy Smith, Emilia Cimino

Kirk: Annabelle Chick, Raquelle Stramandinoli

Martin: Tarah Hall, Nicki Young

Price: Alexia Imbriotis, Anna Mauleon

Richardson: Claire Crotty, Amalia Hedley

Treanor: Ruby Quoyle, Rose Kinsella

We hope the focus on the Learner Profile this year will set the students up to successfully navigate through the rest of their high-school journey of learning! We wish to also extend congratulations to the rest of the year 7 cohort, as they have worked consistently throughout the year to develop their learning attributes in their own way.

Catherine Mulvenna IB MYP Project Leader


FROM THE IB MYP PROJECT LEADER


SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS

Sister Lecia Coombe RSM

Dear Readers,

These are my last “Thoughts” for this year. I have enjoyed writing them each week, and I trust you have found

something of interest in them. I had no special plan, other than to make the best of the time we’ve shared, by nourishing our spiritual needs.

It is impossible to separate soul and body. Our bodies are the earthly home of our eternal spirits. One cannot flourish without the other. Briefly put, “We are spiritual beings who happen to live in a human body.” Yet often we are tempted to neglect our spiritual needs.

Congratulations on completing another short year! You have endured it with faith, perseverance and joy. No matter what the perils are, we can still be glad. Yesterday I listened to two lovely young women from Kiribas sharing their deep and troubling fears for their island home on the Equator. They told us in beautiful harmony (song lyrics inspired by Proverbs

17: 22) how they survive: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. A broken heart drieth the bones.” Could we try this medicine too?

Please put aside quiet time when you can, to share your thanks and your cares and worries with the Lord: Birthday Greetings to Jesus, that The Holy Family will cherish.

I leave you now with my “Farewell to The Year of 2016”, and wish each of you “a merry heart”, until “Monte Matters” connects us again.

Sr Lecia RSM

HappyChristmas


SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS

FAREWELL TO THE YEAR OF 2016By Lecia S. Coombe

God’s Earth, our Home, is beset with strife,

And millions now must flee to a safer life.

The Great Year of Mercy is now History:

Let’s make it more than a memory,

Have Mercy inform our Service plan

For the betterment of every future clan.

If we leave our niche after many good years,

We need another to allay our fears.

We’ve all lost loved ones- a grief unmeasured,

Yet others come and make us feel treasured.

Life goes on, with sorrow and joy combined

In patterns that seem wondrously aligned.

Time is short, with so much to be done:

How can we cope? Some say: “Tis time for fun!”

Is it also time to seek strength elsewhere?

The Lord’s yoke is easy! He really does care!

God, help us do the things that matter

And leave the rest for The Four Winds to scatter.


STUDENT SHOWCASE


STUDENT SHOWCASE

Halogen Foundation “Imagination” leadership dayOn Friday 25th November, the Monte Senior Leadership team attended the Halogen Foundation’s “Imagination” leadership day for secondary schools. The day consisted of a wide range of speakers including director of “Imagination” Samantha Skinner, journalist Melissa Doyle, champion skateboarder Poppy Starr, artist Abdul Abdullah and Alex Malley, author of The Naked CEO. It was an insightful day, with the speakers giving us many ideas about reflecting our core values in our everyday actions, and most of all, leading by example. Alex Malley was a favourite, reminding us to reach our potential whilst remaining true to ourselves, as he reflected on his journey from being a disruptive, suspended school student to becoming the CEO of a major accounting firm. It was a great excursion for us to end the year with and reflect on how we can continue achieving our leadership goals in 2017. Thank you to Mrs Dench, Mr Parrish, Mrs Morgan and Mrs Di Sano for accompanying us to Homebush for a fantastic day.

Ines Paxton

SPORTS REPORT


Stuart Hanrahan Sports Program Manager

Touch Football Grand FinalsSix Monte teams played in Touch Grand Finals last Saturday morning at Queens Park. Monte 1 were outstanding in their match against Reddam House. Standout performances from Year 11 students Emma Smith and Harriet Phelps (Emma screeched away for a length of the field intercept try right before half time) saw the scores locked at 2-2 at the half and then at 4-4 at the end of regular time. This meant drop off starting with 5 versus 5 and reducing every 2 minutes until there are 3 on 3. Monte scored what looked to be the winning try in the first minute of drop off only to be called back thanks to a last ditch dive from Reddam touching Emma on the foot before she crossed the line. Reddam later worked their way up the field and our tired defence could not hold them out and they went on to win 5-4. Monte 1 were valiant in defeat and look forward to getting back into it next term. Unfortunately, it will be unlikely they are able to extract revenge against Reddam who used a number of finishing year 12 students to bolster their team this term.

I am extremely happy to report however that Monte Touch is in great shape moving forward with our top 3 year 7 teams all recording victories. Monte 15, 16 and 17 flew the flag on Saturday with fantastic wins in the 7A, 7B and 7C divisions. Well played to our other Monte year 7 team Monte 19 and our other Senior Team Monte 9 who lost hard fought matches.

Congratulations to the following students:Kate Ryan Best and Fairest for Senior Division A

Joanna Richards Best and Fairest for Senior Division H

Grace Callanan Best and Fairest for Year 7 Division C

Sara Ryan Player of the Match – Year 7A Grand Final

Bianca Jom Player of the Match – Year 7B Grand Final

SPORTS REPORT

HKDTA Tennis Monte teams have been playing in the HKDTA Tennis competition this term and have unfortunately encountered a few wash outs. As a result, we replayed the washed out round 2 on 19th November and round 5 last Saturday in lieu of playing finals this year. Final placings were determined by finishing position on the ladder.

Congratulations to:Monte 1 2nd Place Senior B

Monte 2 2nd Place Senior E

Monte 3 Champions Senior F

Monte 4 2nd Place Senior H

Monte 5 2nd Place Senior I

Monte 10 2nd Place Junior E

Monte 11 Champions Junior G

Monte 12 2nd Place Junior H

Unfortunately, due the late notification of scores from some schools the trophies were not able to be collected before school finishes. All students who won or were runners up can collect them at the beginning of Term 1 from the Sports Office.

Water PoloThe 2016 IGSSA Water Polo competition changed to a ‘first past the post’ format this year as the finals were discarded in an effort to get the girls as much water polo time as possible. A couple of our teams were the recipients of some harsh grading at the beginning of the year including Monte 1. These girls suffered some tough and large losses in the Senior 1 division but played the season out in true Monte spirit never giving up.

Congratulations to Monte 4 who finished 1st in Division Junior 3 and Monte 6 who finished 3rd in Division Junior 7. All teams have been re-set for Term 1 due to age group changes and players and families will be contacted in January with team and draw information for the Term 1 Easts competition.

Basketball Monte entered 4 basketball teams this term in the Santa Sabina Competition. Congratulations to Monte 2 & 4 who were crowned champions, Monte 3 who were runners up and Monte 1 who had a great time this season winning their first match last Saturday.


SPORTS REPORT

VolleyballSix volleyball teams have been participating in the Santa Sabina competition this Term. A big shout out to retiring Junior Representative team coach Mr Marshall Leaver who is retiring from Monte this year. Mr Leaver has been coaching volleyball at Monte since well before any of the current students were born and will be greatly missed.

Congratulations to Monte 1 who defeated the hosts Santa Sabina in Open Division 1, the combination of Monte 2 and 3 girls who played in the Open Plate Division final won against Rosebank school and Monte 6 (our year 7 team) who won the top Year 7 Division.

Last Saturday was finals day for all the volleyball girls competing in the Santa Sabina competition. All the Monte teams were in action and it was great to see the competitiveness of all the teams, despite a season that was shortened by rain. The girls in Monte 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 all played really well, with Monte 2 and 4 both securing silver. Monte 5 had a very fun and enjoyable season, and Monte 6, playing in their first competition ever, managed to win the comp and come away with a gold medal. A great result.

Monte 1 also finished the day with a gold medal. In a competition usually dominated by the Santa Sabina number one team, the win by Monte 1 was just fantastic. Monte 3 did very well throughout the season and greatly contributed to Monte 2’s success by playing up numerous times.

Throughout Term 4 every girl played her best and is to be congratulated for her effort, sportsmanship and team spirit.

Charlotte Lloyd Volleyball Captain 2016/17

FarewellIt has come time for me to ‘hang up my Monte boots’, ‘pull up stumps’ and for the ‘final hooter to sound’ on my time at Monte. I have been thinking a great deal over the last few weeks about what I would write in my final newsletter article. I have spent a large period of my life here at Monte with some significant life events cropping up along the way. Both of my children were born whilst I was here – many of you have met Jesse and Kali either at school or on the side of a sporting field. I look forward to wearing a parent ‘cap’ when Kali starts here in 2025. I managed to complete my Masters in Law during my tenure here and was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of NSW a couple of years ago with the help of a couple of Monte parents. I also lost my father who fought a long battle with bi-polar but am extremely grateful for the care, love and support that I received from the Monte community during this time.

I will forever be thankful to Ms Alcock for giving me the opportunity to work at this wonderful school some nine years ago. Her vision at the time was to separate PDHPE and sport in an effort to allow the teachers to focus on curriculum and the sports department to concentrate on delivering professionally managed and quality sporting opportunities. Ms Alcock, Mrs Christensen and Ms MaGurren have been tremendously supportive in our efforts to drive the ‘Sport for All’ philosophy that underpins this diverse and worthwhile program.

The staff in the Monte sports office are among the best in this industry and I can say that having worked closely with other Heads of Sport throughout IGSSA and CGSSSA over the years. They are dedicated, professional and above all, have the best interests of the young women at this school at the forefront of everything that they do. Thank you Liz, Tania, Matt, Katie and Lauren – you giving your best every day has ensured that this program will continue to flourish into the future.

I have received an enormous amount of support from the parents at the school and always tried my hardest to adopt the motto ‘assume positive intent’ when we may not have seen eye to eye on things. I am thankful to you all and to those who have offered their best wishes since hearing of my departure.

The girls at this school are beyond wonderful. The fact that so many make the choice to be involved in sport and physical activity here at the school is a testament to their inclusive nature, school spirit and willingness to have a go. I will truly miss watching them at sport but my fierce loyalty will always ensure that there is a piece of ‘Mary’s Mantle Blue’ in me as I watch on (in some cases from not too far away).

I am extremely proud of the work that the various teams that I have led over the years have managed to accomplish during this time. The #ITSOK2PLAY campaign was a magnificent initiative that has even been lauded by the board at the Australian Sports Commission. It has certainly played its part in the fact that over 150 of the 200 Year 7 students starting in 2017 are already enrolled in Monte sports teams for Term 1. The opportunity for year 7 to play team sports in Term 1 was only made possible 4 years ago and has now grown to see them playing touch, tennis and water polo on their first weekend of high school.

Monte swimming carnivals under the harbour bridge are a sight to see and something I will never forget. Coming from a co-ed school background meant that I had no real understanding of school-girl cheering and spirit and so was soon schooled in ‘Who’s got Spirit? – We’ve got spirit yes we do – we’ve got spirit how about you?’. The Monte athletics carnivals are the distinct opposite where for a 3-hour period during the day the grand stand is completely empty as students get in and have a go at various traditional athletic events and non-traditional games. The invitational 100m sprint that pits the fastest 8 girls in the school (run in front of the entire student body) is a true highlight.


SPORTS REPORT

Participation is at an all-time high led by the record 53 netball teams and 27 Touch Football teams that took to the arena in 2016. I am particularly proud of the development of the Alumni coaches. In 2016 over 55 of our coaches were alumni and that looks set to rise in 2017 with a number of year 12 students already contacting me to express interest. We have also expanded the sports in which student coaches can become involved. In 2016 current students coached teams in Aerobics, Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Touch Football and Water Polo. The College invests significantly in coach education and training and this is having an obvious effect on the quality of coaching our girls receive as well as the development of the ‘Monte’ sports culture.

Our netball umpiring program is the envy of schools and clubs alike. Almost 40 students have earned National Badge status in the past 3 years and in 2016 those students were recognised with a special Monte uniform which they now wear with pride at the Willoughby courts. Monte is currently providing umpires for almost 100 games per week during the season. This term Monte provided student umpires at the Easts Touch Football Competition for the first time ever with 12 girls blowing their whistles at the Saturday morning competition.

For a school that does not offer any sort of sporting scholarship and where participation is voluntary we punch way above our weight in terms of representative achievement. I have been privileged to watch our elite and emerging athletes in a variety of sports over the years and their level of success has been phenomenal.

My immense passion for sport at this school means that I could go on and on and on and on…….. so I will pack up my kit bag now by sharing with you a little secret about me – I am a really bad loser – hate it with a passion – it is the competitor in me without doubt. I hope I have always hidden it well. With that though comes the realisation that I am an excellent winner! Happiest winner you will ever see.

If you haven’t noticed I try to sign off each week with a quote of some description. I actually ask the outgoing sports captain to do one for the Angelus each year so you will see one from Mia Duggan when the 2016 edition comes out next year. My final one is:

“Play your role no-matter what it may be. As a player play your role by taking responsibility for being at matches and training on time and being ready to play and give your best effort. As a supporter play your role by being positive and encouraging to all and remember you are watching children play sport where the end result really doesn’t matter in the overall scheme of life. As an umpire play your role by treating everyone with respect and doing your best to make each call as you see it regardless of what you may hear from others who are involved”

Stuart Hanrahan Sports Program Manager

MONTE 16 DIVISION 7B CHAMPIONS

MONTE 17 YEAR 7C DIVISION CHAMPIONS

YEAR 7 PLAYER OF THE MATCH WINNERS SARA RYAN AND BIANCA JOM


SPORTS REPORT

KATE RYAN SENIOR A DIVISION MVP

GRACE CALLAHAN YEAR 7C DIVISION MVP

SOPHIE DUCZMAL MVP FOR YEAR 7C GRAND FINAL MATCH

MONTE NOTICES


From the College ShopIn the coming week the shop will be closed for stocktake on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th November.

The College shop will be open 7:30 till 1:30 on Wednesday 30th November and Thursday 1st December.

Thank you to our generous parent volunteers, who not only gave of their time but all went out of their way to welcome our new Year 7’s to the Monte with Joy and enthusiasm. It has been an energised and very happy 3 weeks in the shop, and our new students and their families will warmly remember the lovely welcome they received.

Did you know the College shop sells Monte Memorabilia. We have umbrellas, picnic rugs, coffee mugs, notebooks and pens to name a few. Do you have an Alumni in the family who would love a Monte Memento for Christmas?

Drop in to have a look or call for more information 9409 6256.

Time to plan for 2017 Stationery packs for year 8, 9 and 10 have arrived into the shop and are available to purchase.

MONTE NOTICES


MONTE NOTICES

Michael Grose

Building parent-school partnerships

parentingideas.com.au

Want more ideas to help you raise confi dent kids and resilient young people? Subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter, my FREE weekly email parenting guide at parentingideas.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did.

WORDS Michael Grose

© 2016 Michael Grose

Earning the right

INSIGHTS

Earning the right and not assuming a sense of entitlement is a life lesson parents, teachers and coaches must instil in children.

On talk-back radio recently I heard a caller tell a timely story about how as a child she was lucky enough to receive riding lessons from a renowned horse expert.

He had one condition. She had to earn the right to be taught to ride a horse. That meant she had to muck out the stables; brush and feed the horse; look after the gear and do everything else required to look after a horse. Only when she’d proved herself could she earn the right to ride a horse under his tutelage.

This caller said this powerful lesson shaped her entire life. It taught her that there were no entitlements in life; to work hard and value her achievements. She never took anything for granted.

Contrast this with the extraordinary sense of entitlement of Australian tennis players Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic who routinely treat the public, players and the game that serves them well, with utter disdain. Their attitude of entitlement is mind-boggling, not to say embarrassing to reasonable-minded, hard-working people.

Our kids should earn the rightThe talk-back caller’s earning the right story is

a fabulous lesson for all parents and teachers. If we want to raise a generation to appreciate what they have, then we shouldn’t give children or young people everything on a platter. In an era of small families, child pester power and relative affl uence it’s tempting to simply give kids what they want.

“Dad, can I have a…?”

“Sure!”

The Rolling Stones were right four decades ago when they sang, “You can’t always get what you want!” Those words form a great child-rearing lesson. That is, just because you can provide something for your kids, doesn’t mean that you do.

They need to earn the right to have something by saving, working for or simply waiting until they are old enough to appreciate it.

Similarly, kids don’t automatically have a right to greater freedoms such as going out at night; those rights need to be earned by proving they are trustworthy.

Also, kids who think they are entitled to use a part of the house such as a living room without cleaning up mess are acting with a false sense of entitlement.

In fact, there are no entitlements, only

rights. And rights are earned by being

responsible.

A child has a right to use the living room but

they also have a responsibility to clean up a

rather than leave it a pigsty. A night banished

to their room is a reminder that spending time

in the living room is not an entitlement. It’s a

right that comes with conditions.

Earning the right! A simple phrase with so

much complexity.

I suspect it’s a phrase that neither Nick

Kyrgios or Bernard Tomic heard much when

they were growing up. Maybe their parents

thought their prodigious talents excused

them from having conditions placed upon

them. If so, they did them no favours as good

manners, gratitude and graciousness appear

to be lacking in their social repertoires.

It usually takes a parent, teacher or coach to

remind kids that they have to earn the right to

have things, to do things and ultimately to be

respected. That’s a lesson that stays for life.

Building parent-school partnershipsBuilding parent-school partnershipsWORDS

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