It is a very interesting time of year at Simonds Catholic College. On one hand, many of our current Year 12 students are finishing off their final VCE exams whilst on the other hand, only last Thursday, we welcomed over 85 families to our Year 7, 2018 Information Evening. A school such as Simonds Catholic College is never stagnant. Throughout Term 4 we have continued our involvement in ACC Cricket, ACC Volleyball, ACC Tennis, ACC Public Speaking and ACC Debating. Our Year 9 students recently attended their Outdoor Education Camp at Phillip Island that was highly successful, and Year 9 students continue to participate enthusiastically in our weekly Community Service Program.

This year I have been President of the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC) competition, which has been a very enjoyable experience. Consequently, on November 30, Simonds Catholic College will be hosting the 2018 ACC Leadership Launch for the very first time. In the past, it has been a wonderful evening, where the College Captain and Vice Captains from each of the 12 ACC schools come together with some staff from each of the 12 schools for Mass, followed by a dinner. During the dinner, each of the 12 College Captains presents a snapshot of their school and describes what are the unique characteristics of their school, as well as the history behind them.

The school year is quickly coming to a close. One of the highlights of the year is our End of Year Mass and Awards Evening which is held in the St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, West Melbourne. Whilst you will be sent an invitation in coming weeks to this evening, I thought it was important to remind you of the date and time, which is, Wednesday December 6 at 7.00pm.

I wish all students in Years 7-11 well in the lead up to their exams, and encourage them to concentrate on doing as well as they can through committing themselves to a rigorous, solid and regular study routine in the coming weeks.

All the best,

Yours sincerely,

Mr Peter Riordan Principal | Simonds Catholic College

Newsletter Issue 11: 17 November 2017

St Mary’s 7-10 Campus 273 Victoria St, West Melbourne 3003 Tel: 9321 9200 FAX: 9321 9299 St Brigid’s VCE Campus 20 York St, Fitzroy North 3068 Tel: 9403 6800 FAX: 9403 6899

www.sccmelb.catholic.edu.au principal@sccmelb.catholic.edu.au

FROM THE PRINCIPAL – Mr Peter Riordan

Prayer for Young People Lord Jesus, in journeying towards the Synod,

your Church turns her attention to all the young people of the world.

We pray that they might boldly take charge of their lives,

aim for the most beautiful and profound things of life and always keep their hearts unencumbered.

Accompanied by wise and generous guides,

help them respond to the call you make to each of them, to realise a proper plan of life and achieve happiness.

Keep their hearts open to dreaming great dreams and make them concerned for the good of others

Like the Beloved Disciple,

may they stand at the foot of the Cross, to receive your Mother as a gift from you.

May they be witnesses to your Resurrection

and be aware that you are at their side as they joyously proclaim you as Lord.

Amen

Pope Francis

Mrs H Koutoulogenis – Deputy Principal (Learning & Teaching) | Head of St Mary’s Campus

Examinations are an important component of the feedback and assessment cycle at Simonds as they provide an opportunity for students to display the skills and understandings they have been developing throughout the year. In the coming weeks students will be completing course work and making final preparations for their Semester Two exams.

A Study Guide to assist with preparation has been made available and is downloadable by your son from iSimonds.

Arrangements for Year 10

Thursday 23 Nov

Friday 24 Nov Monday 27 Nov Tues 28 Nov Wed 29 Nov Thurs 30 Nov –

Wed 6 Dec

Maths Humanities Science Religious Education

English VCE Food Studies

VCE Specialist Maths Italian Japanese

Students who are doing a VCE Unit 3 & 4 subject start their Transition Program today

There will be no formal classes for Year 10 students on Thursday 23 November. Students are expected to be at school by 8.40am, as usual, on exam days. They will be dismissed after their final exam each day.

VCE Transition Following examinations, Year 10 students will be involved in VCE orientation classes for 5 days. There are important and compulsory classes for the students and will be held at the St Brigid’s VCE Campus, Fitzroy North.

The last day of classes for Year 10 students in Wednesday 6 December

Arrangements for Year 9

Tues 28 Nov Wed 29 Nov Thurs 30 Nov Friday 1 Dec

English Maths Science

HPE Languages Humanities

Exams will be held over three days and students will be dismissed once their final exam for the day has been completed. Students are expected to attend Homeroom at 8.45am, as usual, on exam days. Monday 4 December is a Transition to Year 10 day where students will experience the elective and VCE classes they have been enrolled in for 2018.

Arrangements for Year 7 & 8

Year Wed 29 Nov Thurs 30 Nov Friday 1 Dec

8 English Maths

7 Maths English

Normal classes will operate for students when they are not doing examinations. Students are required to be at school for the full day, each day.

Correction Day & Final School Day| Year 7, 8 & 9

There will be no scheduled classes for Year 7-9 students on Friday 1 December.

The final school day for students is Thursday 7 December. Students will be dismissed at 12.30pm.

2018 Booklists

Year 10 and 11 students have received the VCE Early English Booklist so that novels are purchased in time for the Transition program. Orders were due to be placed online by 3 November at www.campion.com.au. Orders will be available for pickup at students’ respective campuses on 22 November.

The main booklists for all year levels are enclosed with this newsletter. All orders are to be completed online using “GNVZ” as the code.

Year 7-10 Semester Two Exam Timetable

Year 10 STUDY DAY (No classes)

Year 10 VCE Transition @ St Brigid’s

Correction Day No Classes for Year 9 Students

Correction Day No Classes for Year 7&8 Students

Mercy Connect recruits and trains volunteers to help students from refugee families adjust to life in Australian schools. At Simonds we are lucky to have three volunteers on a regular basis. All three have experience and expertise in educational settings. Br Paul Toohey and Michelle Harris are retired teachers and Anne Shepherd is a clinical psychologist.

In early October our longest serving volunteer, Anne Shepherd was honoured by the North Melbourne Rotary Club with the Phonse Tobin Community Award. She also received a gift of $500 dollars which she has generously donated to the school. Many thanks to Anne, Michelle and Br Paul for your time and energy.

Mr T Byard

’In my life I want to become better and do a little good’ Bl. Frederic Ozanam

Year 12 Social Justice Captain accepted for new Vincentian Leadership Experience

Angus Turner (Year 12) has been selected to participate in a new St Vincent de Paul Victoria program called ‘The Footsteps of Frederic’. Each year, only 25 places are available to Year 12 students to join this program and these students must demonstrate

their passion for social justice and desire to explore their faith and grow as a leader after their secondary school experience. Angus needed to complete a written application in August this year. Now he is part of the program, he will attend an Induction Day in late November and a Leadership Camp in January 2018. During next year, Angus will attend courses and gain practical experience. This course is designed to bring new ideas from young adults into the work of SVdP as well as encouraging young adults to join social justice organisations whilst at university or working. We congratulate Angus on his initiative and look forward to hearing about his studies in 2018

Ms K O’Toole

Year 12 Year Level Coordinator

Mercy Connect volunteer honoured with Community Award

Year 12 Social Justice Captain

Now that your Year 12 Student has graduated.

Parents often feel a little left out of the process when it comes to the end of Year 12. With exams and graduation

left behind and a newly independent adult in the family telling you that everything is under control, it is hard to

know how best to assist. Yet there are still parts of the Career Development process where parents can offer help

and support.

When results are released on 15 December, your son might be delighted or disappointed, but it is important to

reassure him that the ATAR is not everything! Yes, there are many alternative paths to achieving one’s course and

career goals! That is not failure. However, the MOST crucial advice for students is to take responsibility for their own

success and make sure they have done everything that is required of them to get in to the course or employment

they want.

Parents can help with this over the coming weeks by ensuring your son has:

1. Paid for his VTAC application ($35 for most) – he must do this through his VTAC account, but he might need

to borrow your credit card!

2. Changed his VTAC Preferences – this is best done once he has his results, when he can see what his

chances are of gaining a place in his chosen preferences. However he should also have a check after his

exams, to see if there is anything he wants to add, remove or research a bit more.

3. Applied for a Tax File Number (or has one) – this is needed by mid-January for his University or TAFE

enrolment, so that he can defer his fees through HECS or a VET Student Loan. Also useful for starting a job,

so you do not lose all you pay in tax!

4. Booked any interviews, auditions, folio presentations or pre-selection tests he needs to attend. These are

all listed in the course entries on the VTAC Course Search and he should have them all recorded clearly in

his phone calendar – with reminders!

5. Applied for Jobs or Apprenticeships early if this is what he would like to do! Not everyone is ready to take

on further study at this stage, so do investigate other pathways that interest your son.

6. If seeking an apprenticeship, he has applied directly to some TAFEs for a Pre-apprenticeship course if he

did not complete one as a VET subject. Remember, if he wants to enter a trade, having a Certificate 2

(Pre-apprenticeship) and a Drivers Licence will make him much more employable!

Most importantly, there is help available for you and your son at the College. Your son has already received the

booklet Beyond Year 12 – Finding Work, Career and Course Planning 2017. If you have not seen this, you can find

it, along with other useful documents, on the Simonds Careers web page:

http://www.simondscareers.com/?page=newsletter

During Change of Preference Week – when the results come out – I will be available at Simonds St Brigid’s campus

on two days:

• Friday 15 DECEMBER – 9am to 4pm

• Tuesday 19 DECEMBER – 9am to 4pm (Students can also collect their Certificates this day)

Parents and students are most welcome to contact me before these dates as well or email me with enquiries or

to request an appointment – mellwood@sccmelb.catholic.edu.au (I will be also answering emails on 15 December

and over that weekend for those who have urgent need of assistance).

Ms M Ellwood Careers Counsellor

Career News - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Counselling

The core business of the W@SP is the provision of

individual counselling to students.

So far this year, 109 students (from a population of

480) have availed of counselling.

Issues that students bring varies widely and

includes: death, chronic ill health, mood disorders

(such as anxiety and depression), social difficulties

(such as are manifested in autism), family

dysfunction (separation, divorce), sexual identity

(identifying other than heterosexual), making and

maintaining friendships, dating and romance, drug use/abuse, addictive

behaviours (such as gambling, excessive online gaming), compulsive behaviours

(such as obsessive compulsive disorder), anger and violence, cultural issues (where

the experience of dual cultures causes negative affect) and homelessness.

I can only admire the many students who access counselling. It is never easy to

confront difficult personal issues head-on and to take steps to accelerate growth

and development.

The Wellbeing @ Simonds Program (w@sp) is pictured to your right. The wasp is an

insect with a sting (and counselling stings sometimes because of what it brings to

light). Our wasp is one that looks determined and strong, which is what counselling offers … the chance to grow

in strength and to live with determination.

Often, in the work of counselling, I am reminded of the Robert Frost quote below. To take a path less trodden …

and to step where you most need to step … can make the world of difference in a person’s life – and have lasting

positive impact.

All the best –

Mr P Rohan | Coordinator of Student Wellbeing | Counsellor

W@SP (Wellbeing @ Simonds Program) News

On the 31st of October, the Year 9 cohort embarked on a camp to Phillip Island for four days of enjoyment and personal growth. The spacious venue provided an open environment for a plethora of pastime sports such as volleyball, cricket, AFL, and the returning year 8 favourite, Gaga Ball. Camp activities, lead by the YMCA team, included bike riding, surfing, and marine exploration along the luscious beach. While the weather was almost as inconsistent as Melbourne weather, it did little to dampen our spirits or stop us from having a go at every activity. Ultimately, spending time with close friends and learning more about ourselves is what makes camp one of the best experiences in school.

Year 9 Camp

Jomar Inot | 9R

On the Tuesday 14 of November all of Year 8 set out on a join Geography and Science excursion to the Organ Pipes National Park. The students’ aim was to uncover the truth about the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Victoria. Once the boys arrived, they eagerly divided into 6 groups. Throughout the course of the day the boys hunted for the answers to such questions as; ‘Why did this area become volcanic? How did these landforms take shape, and how has human use impacted upon them?’

The boys looked at evidence of this site’s volcanic past, completing field sketches of the Organ Pipes, the Rosetta Stone and the Tessellated Pavement. Through their observations they learnt that due to the viscous nature of the lava, it travelled fast, cooled quickly, cracking and eventually shrinking , leading to the hexagon columns that make up the picturesque Organ Pipes. The students saw first hand evidence of the power of water to erode basalt rock. Finally, the boys collected photographic evidence highlighting human use and management.

At the end of the day, the students returned their field trip booklets to their teachers. Their questions answered and their understanding of the state they call home increased.

Ms K Van Der Kaay |Humanities Faculty Manager

For Christians, the weeks leading up to Christmas are known as Advent, which began in the early Church as a time of preparation for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ child, God’s gift of his Son. For many people around the world it is a time of preparation for Christmas – buying and cooking food for family celebrations and shopping for gifts. In Australia, it means summer holidays, the beach and no school! However, for some, Christmas is not always a joyous time to come together with family and celebrate over wonderful foods and gifts.

The Christmas Appeal is an opportunity to think of those people who are lonely and in need of our own local communities. A little Christmas Joy can be given by placing a gift under the Christmas Tree at the front office.

Please write the gender and age on the gift e.g. “Boy under 6.”

Ms M Krall | Religious Education Coordinator

Year 8 Humanities and Science excursion to Organ Pipes National Park

Christmas Appeal

Community Bulletin