our lady of the sacred heart college - olsh bentleighdear family and friends of our lady of the...
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OLSH newsletter
HEART MATTERS
Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence
of God! Teilhard de Chardin SJ
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College
We Believe! We Achieve! 111 Jasper Road, BENTLEIGH 3204 Ph (03) 8520 9200 Fax (03) 8520 9299 Absence Line (03) 8520 9250
Email: [email protected] website: www.olsh.vic.edu.au
Education in the OLSH Tradition:
We are Heart people who Pursue Excellence
Dear Family and Friends of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Over the past week our Year 12 students attended their Retreat and our Year 7 students their Camp. Both these events are significant milestones in our girls’ education journey. Research strongly indicates that opportunities such as retreats and camps enable young people to learn and grow together within a concentrated timeframe. We extend our sincere appreciation to the 25 members of staff who attended and facilitated these two events.
Together with the outstanding 2010 VCE results, data is now available regarding student entry into tertiary studies. OLSH College has performed extremely well with the following results:
• 77 students received first round tertiary offers. • A further 9 students received second and supplementary offers. In total 86 students received tertiary offers • 65% gained university entrance and 35% gained TAFE entrance.
Three students from the College have received scholarships from Southern Suburbs Group Training to assist them with their Vocational Education Training in Schools (VETis) courses. This is an excellent effort and our congratulations to: Renee Andersen (Year 11) $1000 for Community Services and VCE Auslan; Tiejen Prins (Year 12) $1000 for Hospitality; and Isabella Blakey (Year 10) $700 for Equine Studies and Sport and Recreation. As a College that is “passionate about the education of young women and their success” we recognise that 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. It is essential that as a community and society we continue to educate our girls to be compassionate and strong advocates who respect the dignity of all people, and strive for justice and equality in all areas of living. The recent launch of My School 2.0 has brought with it much debate on funding of catholic schools. An accompanying letter clearly outlines for the school community the accurate information on this funding. It is important that parents and the community take time to read this and understand the various levels of Federal and State funding and how they impact on the College. As we walk the path of Lent we are reminded of our need to be aware of God’s call deep in our hearts. It is a call to change of Heart – are we ready to answer?
I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you. Ezekiel 36:26
Anne O’Loughlin
Principal
Friday 11 March 2011 Volume 40, Number 3
NEWSLETTER
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Faith and Mission
Sr. Megan Donohue fdnsc Assistant Principal Faith and Mission
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Year 7s and the Visible Learning Project
Year 7 students are slowly being introduced to a new process of learning. We are calling this project ‘‘Visible Learning”. A key premise of this project is that teachers in English, Mathematics, Humanities and Science will utilise base line data such as On Demand Testing and NAPLAN to ensure that each student, no matter where they are on the developmental continuum, actually progresses and does not stay at the same point. In this exercise, students will see themselves as their own teachers ‐ and teachers see learning through the eyes of their students. Much of this project is based on the work of two academics from New Zealand: Professor John Hattie and Debra Masters. John Hattie has spent decades collecting data and
conclusions from over 800 authoritative summaries of research, to compute what strategies and tools have the greatest impact on student learning and achievement. Hattie compares elements such as class size, discovery learning, and gender along with lots of others, by putting them on the same scale to find those that have the greatest impact on student achievement. He looks at factors and strategies associated with students, home, curricula, and schools. Hattie’s principle finding is: if we want to improve learning, we must concentrate on what teachers do ‐ and how the process of teaching is undertaken in the classroom. He also provides concrete tips and tools that teachers will utilise in their own classrooms. No matter what year level your daughter is in, you can assist her by focusing on the key purpose of school. Do not ask your daughter: What did you do at school today? BUT: What did you learn at school today? After all, at school we are learning, not just doing. The Visible Learning Project will be launched to all Year 7 students in the next fortnight. Over the course of this year I will be reporting on the progress of this exciting new development at OLSH.
Ms Tania Tickyj Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Opportunities @ OLSH Last week I had the great pleasure of visiting both the Year 12 Retreat and Year 7 Camp. Both opportunities have given the girls so much to build on. It is during opportunities such as these that our girls get to know themselves a little better, build on friendships and create new ones. Camps and retreats support the wellbeing of each of the girls by encouraging them to increase their self belief and discover who they are. Thank you to the Year 12 and 7 students who embraced all that these opportunities had to offer. You are a credit to the College!
Swimming Carnival at MSAC The girls are gearing up for the OLSH Swimming Carnival to be held at MSAC, 25 March. This is a compulsory school event and all students are expected to be in attendance. A medical certificate will need to be presented if students are absent on this day. In order to continue to develop responsibility and independence in our senior students , our Year 10‐12 students will be asked to make their own way to and from MSAC. Students can catch a train to Southern Cross Station and then catch tram 112 on the corner of Spencer and Collins Street. An OLSH staff member will be at each of these stops. If you have concerns regarding your daughter travelling by train please contact the College Office so that other arrangements can be made. All Years 7‐9 students will be taken to MSAC by bus. A permission letter with further details regarding the Carnival will be sent home via your daughter.
Cybersafety As a follow up to Susan McLean’s talk to parents, she will be presenting to all students on Tuesday 15 March. Three sessions tailored to the various age groups will run throughout the day, Years 7 and 8, Years 9 and 10, and Years 11 and 12. As Susan McLean mentioned, it is very important to have open discussions with your daughter regarding issues around cybersafety. A reminder, the cybersafety booklet that was distributed on the parent information evening can be found on the College Website.
Mental Health Week Creative Writing Competition The Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria) is running their annual creative writing competition. Involvement in the competition helps to raise awareness of mental health issues. Writers are encouraged to think about what contributes to good mental health and wellbeing in their own lives. The two entrants’ categories are: Lower Secondary (Years 7, 8 & 9) with a prize of $125.00 /Upper Secondary (Years 10, 11 & 12) with a prize of $150.00. If you are interested, please email [email protected] and an entry form will be sent to you.
Ms Dina Oro Assistant Principal Student Wellbeing
Learning and Teaching
Student Wellbeing
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Premier’s Reading Challenge 2011 Every second year we invite the girls in Years 7‐10 to participate in the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Premier invites schools and students across the state to become involved to support both the development of student literacy skills and an enduring appreciation of the pleasure of reading. Between now and Friday, 9 September, the students are challenged to read fifteen books – ten from the official challenge list (identified in our library by a silver star on the spine) and five of their own choice. The challenge list is located in the library or can be accessed from the official challenge website : www.education.vic.gov.au/prc
Each successful participant is awarded a certificate signed by the Premier and has their name published in a special supplement in ‘The Age’. We have College incentives as well, with visits from noted authors who are ambassadors for the challenge, as well as the opportunity to earn points for College colours. Our challenge period is also rounded off with a celebratory pizza lunch and presentation of book vouchers to the student who reads the most books at each year level.
If you are interested in your daughter taking part in the challenge, please complete and return the consent form to the library. I would encourage girls to become involved in this positive and rewarding activity – the development of a love of reading is a lifelong treasure! Mrs Brenda O’Leary Teacher/Librarian
Students celebrate La Dolce Vita
On Sunday, 27 February, three LOTE students (Sarah Fitzgerald, Leah Meredith and Emma Pascal) from OLSH dressed up and got involved in the Lygon Street Italian Festival, La Dolce Vita. The competition they entered challenged them to dress up in something which represented Italian culture, and the girls chose to dress up as the characters of Commedia dell’Arte: a traditional Italian theatre style. There was tough competition, particularly Mario and Luigi, but the crowd could not resist the OLSH girls’ costumes! They won $100 voucher for restaurants in Carlton, a great start to a great day and a prize well earned! By Sarah Fitzgerald and Emma Pascal
Congratulations to our Homeroom Class and Vice Captains, elected this term: Homeroom Class Captain Vice Captain Homeroom Class Captain Vice Captain 7 Blue Maree Pechlivanis Hanan Daou 9 Red Anna Jende Martha O’Hagan 7 Gold Ruby Harkness Aviva White 9 White Clare Stanwix Jessie Stuart 7 Green Alexis Savvides Faye Valladares 10 Blue Megan Supple Brittany Moldrich 7 Red Kimi Ong Isabella Kenne 10 Gold Louise Cardamone Pearl Stockley 7 White Laura Kent Alexandra Wegener 10 Green Natalie Leontaridis Sophie Franklin 8 Blue Laura Aitken Bellarose Dargie 10 White Stephanie Loiacano Shannon McInnes 8 Gold Madison Costa Melissa Peet 11 Blue Kate Pappas Zhoe Botsis 8 Green Alessandra Valcastelli Alishia Francis 11 Gold Tracy Kilpady Annie Aldridge 8 Red Stephanie Chris Jessica Azzolini 11 Green Natasha Pinto Daryan Romero 8 White Emily Savvides Rachael McNamara 11 White Mikaele Horsnell Mollie Rumble 9 Blue Dana Frantzis Chloe Hodgman‐
Semergelis 12 Blue Madeline Kyriacopoulos
9 Gold Laura Piper Veronica Yim Chhon 12 Gold Daniella Di Carlo and Alicia Stilla 9 Green Morgan Hughes Nicola Gonsalves 12 Green Aleksandra Mazurek 12 White Marie Sioukas
College News
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Achievements within the Arts Domain The new year has begun with exciting achievements on the part of our 2010 Arts students. A number of our students have been recognised as outstanding in their field by external organisations. This is a great accomplishment, particularly considering the sheer number of entries and the level of intense competition for such a few winners.
• Congratulations to Janet Kan for her acceptance into Top Designs which showcases student work at the NGV. Her innovative sticky tape container, which was on display at our Arts Festival at OLSH in late October last year, is the item selected for the Top Designs exhibition. Danielle Pappas was also shortlisted for her visually exciting Crane dress that she designed and made in Textiles.
• In The Age’s photographic competition, Hannah Williamson’s entry – a photograph of her brother – was also shortlisted in the best top ten photographs.
• The Catholic Education Office’s Annual Art exhibition has accepted four outstanding entries from OLSH and they will go on display later in March at the Victorian Art Society in Victoria Street, Melbourne.
These girls have put Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Bentleigh, well and truly on the map. Congratulations!
Ms Bronwyn Cottrell Arts Domain Leader
The DIGITAL EDUCATION REVOLUTION in action at OLSH
At OLSH we attained our 2:1 ratio (2 students for 1 computer in Years 9 to 12) through the purchase and installation of 6 laptop trolleys at strategic locations around the College. This year we will reach our target of 1:1 for Years 9 to 12 by purchasing more laptops for students to use. After much investigation into the options for this initiative the decision was made to implement a take home laptop trial for terms 2, 3 and 4 of this year. The College has been able to purchase enough Acer Aspire One laptops to ensure every student in Years 9 to 11 will have one for personal use. This means students will not only have it for use in their lessons but also at home; making the concept of learning anywhere anytime a reality.
Years 9 to 11 have been chosen for this laptop trial. Parents at Years 9, 10 and 11 will receive OLSH Revolution updates direct to their email. As we move towards meeting the 1:1 target, Years 7, 8 and 12 will continue to have access to the laptop trolleys and other computers around the school. This trial program is designed to monitor the uptake and adoption of this technology and identify the benefits to students at the College. The Year 9, 10 and 11 laptop trial program will run for the remainder of the 2011 school year and be reviewed towards the end of the year. A number of factors including Government funding, will determine the viability of continuing the program in 2012. It will also give guidance for the future adoption of laptops across the remaining levels.
The proposed date for the launch of this trial is Term 2, Thursday 19 May at 7.30 pm in the College Hall. Further details of this new venture will be featured in each of the newsletters between now and the launch date. Stay tuned for more eLearning updates in future newsletters. All enquires about this program should be addressed to [email protected]
College News
The National Secondary School Computer Fund (NSSCF) is a key component of the Australian Government Digital Education Revolution (DER), aimed at assisting schools to attain a ratio of one computer per student (Years 9–12) by the end of 2011. In Stage 1, DER funding aimed at a ratio of 1:2 for 2009.
Under Stage 2, schools in the Archdiocese will have access to further funds to assist them to move to the 1:1 ratio by 2012. Source: Annual Report 2009, CEO Melbourne.
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MEET THE TEACHERS
Read a little about two of our newest members of staff...
Mrs Gina Coetzee I’m Gina Coetzee and immigrated to Australia last November. I have joined the OLSH family this year as the Dance teacher but I also teach Drama, Health and Humanities. I was born in South Africa and went to secondary school and completed my tertiary studies in the United Kingdom. This is my fourth year teaching but my first time teaching in Australia. My passion is dance and performance and I am really looking forward to PAS and Rock Eisteddfod this year – come on girls, let’s bring the trophy home! I am the homeroom teacher for Year 7 Gold and I am in Xavier house. I enjoy a bit of a competition and with the PAS and netball tournaments coming up... come on Gold and Xavier! I hope to inspire the young ladies here at OLSH to reach for the moon, that way if they don’t quite make it, they will still fall amongst the stars. I look forward to an exciting 2011, dancing like nobody’s watching and singing like nobody can hear. Thank you to all, especially to the staff and students, for the warm welcome to the OLSH community. Mr Nicholas Wanless I’m Nick Wanless and have had the privilege of joining the Science and PE departments at OLSH this year. I have found my first few weeks in the OLSH community to be extremely enjoyable and am looking forward to the year ahead. This is my first teaching job after completing my Graduate Diploma of Education last year at the Australian Catholic University, and before that a Bachelor in Applied Science. My high school years were spent at CBC St Kilda, were I graduated in 2005. Before completing my tertiary education I spent the year of 2009 backpacking abroad, an experience in which I found extremely enjoyable and gave me some valuable life experience before stepping into the classroom. I will always have the passion for travel and endeavour to try and squeeze as many trips in as possible during the holiday periods. My other passions outside of school life fall on the sporting field. My time is usually spent watching the Australian Cricket Team, Melbourne Demons, Golf and the Tottenham Hotspurs. I am still playing cricket for the Brighton Cricket Club. Thanks to all the staff for the warm welcome and looking forward to meeting many people in the OLSH community very soon.
Big Sisters and Little Sisters socialise over lunch
College News
Shrove Tuesday proved a great opportunity for our Big Sisters in Year 12 students to enjoy conversation and lunch with their Little Sisters in Year 7. Pancakes with syrup and ice cream were served – ideal fare for a warm day.
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Year 7 Camp News
I think camp was really exciting. I met new people that were in my group. I wish we could have stayed longer ‐ about five days. I loved the talent quest, I wish we could do it again! Olivia Petrou My favourite thing at camp was definitely the giant swing and raft making! One of my activities that I'm most proud of was team rescue because our group finished the activity fastest. Camp was great and I can’t wait until next time. Jewel Elliot I LOVED camp it was the best!!! I was loving the giant swing, but the high ropes were a different story ‐ it was like I was frozen to the pole. Luckily I got through it! Indiah Marshall
I think camp was GREAT! I loved it. I made friends with lots of new people and even... some teachers. I really liked it but I wish it was even longer, that would be even better. Josephine Stavropoulos
College News
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Dates for your Diary Monday, 14 March Labour Day
Thursday, 17 March European Trip parent information session in MPR @ 7.15pm
Friday, 18 March Swimming training at Oak Rec Centre @ 7.15 – 8am
19 – 20 March World Challenge Training Camp, Bunyip State Forest
Monday, 21 March Student Leaders Meeting @ 7.45am
Friday, 25 March Swimming Carnival at MSAC @ 9am
Thursday, 31 March SCSA Swim/Dive (Div 1) at MSAC in the evening
Friday, 1 April Year 12 Formal
Tuesday, 5 April P&F meeting in the Boardroom @ 7.30pm
Thursday, 7 April Year 9 Creating Conversations parent information night @ 7.30pm Friday, 8 April Last day of Term 1 Holy Week Liturgy @ 9am – ALL WELCOME Students dismissed @ 3.20pm
Saturday, 9 April Europe Trip departs
The OLSH Canteen Roster Tues 15/3 Debbie Murphy Wed 16/3 NEED HELP PLEASE Thurs 17/3 NEED HELP PLEASE Fri 18/3 Claire Attard and Tara Wolbers Mon 21/3 Koa Kofler Tues 22/3 Kay Faulks Wed 23/3 Lisa Petrou Thurs 24/3 Lisa Moulton Fri 25/3 Swimming Carnival Please note: 2011 canteen prices are effective from Tuesday 15 March.
College News
College Colours were presented to the following students at Assembly on 8 March: White and Green: Claire Turner Red: Alana Iudica Blue: Annie Aldridge Margaret Attard Zhoe Botsis Sarah Ferris Red and Blue: Natalie Thorson Congratulations!
Casual clothes on Thursday 17 March A reminder: on St Patrick’s Day, next Thursday, students are invited to wear casual clothes with something green. Please bring a gold coin donation – all funds raised will go to Comboni High School in Sudan (OLSH Missions) and Project Compassion.
CALLING OLSH PAST PUPILS
REUNION DINNER FOR CLASS OF 1983‐88 Dinner on Friday 18 March 2011
at Vincent’s Cafe Restaurant 468 Beach Road
Beaumaris Time 7 pm
BYO wine or champagne.RSVP: 11 March 2011
All enquiries to Cathy Ould, 0414 386 996 or email:
REUNION FOR CLASS OF 1956‐61 A get‐together lunch is being held on Sunday 3 April. Anyone who was part of this class for any period of time is welcome. To book, please contact either Kaye (Condon) Phelps on 03 9585 2556 or Barb Bretherton on mobile 0415 521 871 or email [email protected]
REUNION FOR CLASS OF 1961‐66 We are holding a 50‐year reunion of the Year 7 class, probably on Saturday 30 April 2011. Everyone from that class is welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Anne (Vaudrey) Felmingham on 02 6020 9253 or 0413 549 514 or by email [email protected]