southern cross catholic vocational college crossroadscrossroads dear parents/carers and the young...
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Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College 17 Comer Street BURWOOD NSW 2134
CROSSROADS
Dear Parents/Carers and the young women and men of Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College. It has been a great start to the 2020 school year.
This year marks the commencement of the work-based learning initiative at which our young people combine campus-based learning over four days a week with one day of work-based learning.
I would like to commend our young people on the positive approach that they have taken to the initiative.
At the Opening Mass this year I expressed gratitude to my colleagues and the wonderful young women and men of the College for the warm welcome that has been extended to me. It brings me great pleasure to meet and greet you at the gate each morning and to enjoy a conversation with you during the breaks.
The students are very impressive young men and women who should be very proud of themselves and their achievements. They are among the best and most capable applied learners in Sydney. They know what they want to achieve and have chosen to undertake a rigorous programme of learning to help realise their dreams.
The theme for the year, “make your mark”, underpins this journey. Sometimes, the journey will be easy, at other times challenging. It is during these challenging times that we must believe in ourselves, and through the strength of the presence of God in our lives, rise up to meet and overcome difficulty.
Isaiah tells us that ‘your light will shine like the dawn’. Matthew tells us that ‘you are the light of the world’. The imagery of light is important. It challenges you to be a bright shining light that makes a mark for all the world to see.
The vision of the College is integrated with the vision of St Mary’s Catholic Parish, Concord. The vision demands of us to make Christ present in our parish, in our local community and in our world. It challenges us to know Christ and to make him present in the everyday. So, when we make our mark, we show compassion, exercise tolerance and grant forgiveness.
Pretty challenging words to live up to. I asked the young men and women, ‘are you ready to light the fire and carry the flame for themselves, the College, the parish, the community, the country and the world?’
In making your mark, the young women and men of the College, are continuing the work started by St Mary’s parish in 1870, built on by Christian Brothers College Burwood in the 100 years since 1909, and progressed by the Alumni of Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College since 2010.
Using the words of Pope John Paul II, I challenged the young women and men of Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College to be Totus Tuss - to be all in - to be the change that they want to be - to be the change that they can be.
I pray that all of our young men and women can rise up and make their mark! I pray that all members of our community are blessed and meet mercy each day in the light of their own heart, in the arms of their loved ones and in the eyes of the stranger and the needy.
Tony Patton Principal
Ph: (02) 8372 4400 W: www.sccvc.nsw.edu.au E: [email protected]
From the Principal
Issue # 1 / 2020
What’s coming up:
Mon 24/2 - Fri 28/2: Yr 12 Work Placement
Wed 26/2: Ash Wednesday
Sun 1/3 - Sat 7/3: Catholic Schools Week
Wed 11/3: Yr 11 Learning Progress Conferences (LPCs)
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Student Attendance - Information for Parents/Carers As we begin our first term for 2020 it is timely to remind our community that ‘every lesson counts’
especially when we are keeping in mind our theme for the year ‘make your mark’. We ask for the ongoing support of parents/carers in working with the College to ensure that their son/daughter is in attendance at every one of their scheduled learning blocks. To support us in this we ask that all non-urgent appointments be made outside of class times. Booking of holidays during school terms can often create gaps in student learning and can impact on the outcomes of competency- based assessment.
Parents/Carers are reminded that in order to comply with the Education Act, a written note, email and/or ‘Compass’ entry must be returned to the College within 7 days of a student absence. Unexplained absences are recorded immediately on a student’s attendance record unless the College receives a legitimate reason for the absence. Days absent with and without explanation are recorded on all student reports. If your child has to be absent from school, you must contact the College via Mrs Amanda Ajaka’s email [email protected] and provide a reason for your child’s absence. A small number of absences may be accepted by the Principal. For example, if your child:
has to go to a special religious ceremony
is required to attend to a serious and/or urgent family situation (e.g. a funeral)
is too sick to go to school or has an infectious illness. When absences are unexplained by parents, or the explanations are not accepted by the Principal, the College will work with parents to help address the issue. Students, together with parents/carers, are reminded of the importance of punctuality as both a requirement upon enrolment and a significant contributor to student learning gain. Parents/Carers will receive an email regarding punctuality and Make-up Time/Loss of FLTs if their son/daughter’s punctuality becomes a concern. College Uniform and Presentation Policy We ask that parents/carers take the time to review the College Uniform Policy (link provided below) in order to support their son/daughter in maintaining all aspects of compliance. Please note that the College Blazer is the primary item of clothing for our students to keep warm, followed by the College jumper. We ask that no other clothing items, such as pullovers and hoodies be worn in transit to and from the College. Your ongoing support is much appreciated.
https://sccvc.nsw.edu.au/2016/02/05/policy-documents/
Kind regards Paul McSweeney
Assistant Principal - Leader of Pathways and Wellbeing
Pathways and Wellbeing
Learning and Innovation
Welcome back to our Year 12 students! I hope that 2020 is full of new discoveries, exciting explorations and affirms their success as they work toward completing their HSC and final scholastic journey. I want to also welcome our new Year 11 students and their parents/carers to the Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College community. Joining SCCVC is a big change and I wish them all the encouragement to take every opportunity that is presented to them in their broad range of Complementary and Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. Exciting times are ahead, offering wonderful opportunities for them to flourish as individuals in a new learning context compatible to their desired Preliminary/HSC pathway.
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Key Events for Teaching, Learning & Training in Term 1:
Week 4: Wednesday 19th February - Closing date for Yr 11 Course Change Applications
Week 5: Friday 28th February - Year 11 Minimum Standards Testing - Numeracy/Literacy
Week 7: Wednesday 11th March - Year 11 Learning Progress Conferences (3:30pm-7pm)
Year 11 Learning Progress Conferences
In preparation for the upcoming Year 11 Learning Progress Conferences in Week 7, parents/carers will be required to make their son/daughters Learning Progress Conference via COMPASS two weeks prior to the event. These meetings are held with the student’s Mentor and provides the opportunity for parents/carers to gain insight into how their son/daughter has commenced at the College, and the opportunity to meet their child’s primary contact whilst enrolled at SCCVC. Conference bookings will become available for parents/carers from Wednesday 26th February and conclude on Tuesday 10th March. A message will appear on your Compass homepage in the top right hand corner, inviting you to make a booking. Parents/Carers are only required to make a single conference booking with their son/daughter’s Mentor. All My Own Work - Year 11 At the commencement of studies at SCCVC all Year 11 students are required to complete the 5 modules for “All My Own Work“ providing information and acknowledging the seriousness relating to malpractice and plagiarism. Students receive a Certificate of Completion to affirm the online tests for each module, in which the College records completion for all students with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) before officially commencing their Year 11 courses. Students must complete this prior to us enrolling them into their chosen courses with NESA for Year 11. Malpractice and receiving the Year 11 or Year 12 credential We understand that students can occasionally make bad choices due to stress, tiredness and wanting to submit a task promptly especially if a due date is approaching. This in turn can result in them engaging in some act of malpractice. The College wants this not to be the case and is encouraging students and their parents/carers to be knowledgeable of what is considered as malpractice under the guidelines of NESA. As an Institution of quality education we are obliged to report any act of malpractice to NESA to uphold the integrity of fairness amongst students with the completion of the Year 11 and Year 12 credentials. Parents/Carers are encouraged to view the presentation link provided below to be informed and aware of what are acts of malpractice and the consequences if their son/daughter is found to have engaged in this with any course throughout either Year 11 or Year 12. MALPRACTICE & PLAGIARISM PRESENTATION
Year 11 and Year 12 Student Assessment Handbooks
Students in both Year 11 and Year 12 have now been shared the electronic copy of each year group Student Assessment Handbook and a hard copy of the 2020 VET Student Handbook. I ask that parents/carers review these handbooks as they outline significant policies, procedures, expectations and answer questions relating to students undertaking the NESA Preliminary and HSC credentials at SCCVC. The last page for both of the Year 11 and Year 12 Student Assessment Handbooks list each course Assessment Schedule (with links). 2020 Year 11 Student Assessment Handbook
2019-20 Year 12 Student Assessment Handbook
SCS VET Student Handbook
Luke Collins Leader of Learning and Innovation
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Catholic Life and Mission
Welcoming the Holy Season of Lent 2020 - Ash Wednesday – 26 February
Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which occurs in Work Placement/Social Outreach Week for Year 12.
There will be a sacred liturgy at the College for the Year 11 young men and women. Year 12 are encouraged to attend Ash Wednesday liturgies in their parishes.
Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Traditionally, our College supports Caritas Australia during Lent with donations to Project Compassion. Our contributions and generosity allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.
The 2020 Caritas Theme is: Let’s Go Further, Together! We encourage the College community to put compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion.
'Never see a need without doing something about it' (St Mary Mackillop)
2020 Lenten Prayer God of all peoples and nations, you accompany us on our Lenten journey. Through the life and mission of your son,
you give us the gift of mercy. May we learn to walk your way of justice and compassion with all your people. In a special way, we keep in mind the children, women and men around the world who are most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice. In this Year of Youth, may we support young people as they recognise that through their efforts, their desire to
change and their generosity, they too are participating in the building of a better world. Bless our prayers, our fasting and our Lenten gifts to Project Compassion. Through these actions, may our hearts be open to receive your grace
as we work towards a just future for all your creation. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Eucharistic Celebration for 2020 College Commencement Our Mass of Thanksgiving for 2020 College Commencement was held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Concord with the Reverend Paul Crowley PP as the celebrant on 12 February. We thank Fr Paul most sincerely for his support and inspirational words relating to the Archdiocesan and World Youth Day theme for 2020:
Jesus Calls You, Wake Up! Leave your mark on life. This theme is based on Jesus’ miracle story: ‘Jesus raises the Widow’s Son at Nain’ from the Gospel of Luke. The motto from the Gospel is:
“Young man, I say to you, arise!” (Luke 7:14) It was a wonderful celebration to mark the beginning of the College year welcoming our special guests from Sydney Catholic Schools, Kate O’Brien and Libby Denny, and our Year 11 and 12 young men and women with their families and friends. During the Mass we had the Investiture of the Yr 12 Student Leaders where they received their badges and prayed the Pledge prayer:
We stand before God and you today honoured and grateful to be called leaders. Together as one, the 2020 leadership team will support, encourage and inspire one another to achieve
the best we can for our College community. With your help and guidance, we will unite together as one, growing and expanding in our faith and College values.
We promise to bring Love, Courage, Loyalty, Respect, Equality, Determination, Faith and Hope to our community. Above all, we pray as we create history together, acknowledging the past, present and future to be.
We will do all we can to make Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College a great community and workplace of learning.
Picture by Lara Cawley - Yr 11.
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Congratulations and thank you to all our student leaders. We ask God’s blessings on you as you continue to be role models for the young men and women at SCCVC (photo right). College Choir An amazing effort and a big thanks to SCCVC College Choir members (pictured below) who led us in prayerful singing for the Mass
New Colleagues to SCCVC (Below right - pictured from left to right) Vesna Tomac, Chantry Khem, Chris Raptis, Peter Waldersee, and Tony Patton.
Sue Farrugia and John Mannah Catholic Life and Mission
The Counselling service aims to support the social and emotional needs of students and help them resolve their presenting challenges. Students have access to a full time College Counsellor who can assist them with strategies to assist with various concerns and life situations. The College Counsellor is a clinical member of PACFA and works from a Person Centred/Solution Focussed approach. The College Counsellor provides counselling and advocacy with students individually or through work with small groups. The counselling provided at the College occurs in a safe, confidential environment. Students can refer themselves to the Counsellor by making an appointment in person or via email or phone. Alternatively, referrals can be made by parent contact. At times the Counsellor will create a care plan and/or advise individuals to make an appointment with their GP to access further support from external agencies. I look forward to working with the young men and women at the College to assist them in overcoming challenges, building mental strength and experiencing success during their time at Southern Cross and beyond.
Ms Helen Ward College Counsellor
Lift Up 2020: We have already had 3 Lift Up sessions this term and are pleased to welcome 8 Year 11’s to this group. Lift Up group meets every Thursday 11:00 to 11:30 in the Well-Being room (R31) The Well Being leaders organise and run this group under the direction of Ms Ward our College Counsellor. In the first week we invited the new Year 11s to our wellbeing community. We had a tremendous turnout and there was a race to the Party Pies and Sausage Rolls. We held a general question time for all Year 11’s to give them a voice and to raise any concerns or questions regarding any area of College life so far.
From the Counsellor
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Lift-Up group is held at a 30-minute block during the break on a Thursday, students can enjoy connecting with others and having some questions answered around College life and the workplace. Weekly topics vary from “what do you do when you feel you are bullied in the workplace” to “coping skills when life gets stressful”. We offer a comfy space with an arrangement of activities, including card games, meditation and topics for personal growth. We know that when we joined the Lift Up program in Year 11 it was a fun and helpful session to connect, enjoy some morning tea and have a say in the direction we want the group to evolve. Everyone that comes through the doors of the Lift Up Program feels safe and knows that they won't feel judged and can have a chat about their week. As Well Being Leaders we know the start of the year is a great time to “find your tribe” and the Lift Up program is a great opportunity to do that and to also pursue Leadership aspirations as we have. It’s rewarding to see people feeling connected and having a voice or just coming along to relax. Feel free to drop by to see if it is something you may enjoy.
Siena Head and Daylan Kelly Student Leaders of Well-Being and Student Advocacy
Apprenticeship/Traineeship/Careers “Are you learning to be employable?” – This could be the most important question to ask your son or daughter as they get started at the College this year. For Year 11 students this has a new significance as most students pursue a part-time traineeship or apprenticeship linked to their primary VET course. There is a lot of support being provided to assist students in finding an employer. This includes their Mentor, their VET Learning Facilitator, their Work Studies Learning Facilitator, the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Coordinator Mrs Jameison and the Careers Adviser Mr Eagles. As parents you can also assist as you explore possible contacts through your own network of family, friends and business connections. All students will need to have a Tax File number, a bank account and an up to date Resume. In addition to resources being provided by Mentors, the College Careers Website has a wealth of information to assist. https://www.sccvccareers.com/ Under “IMPORTANT INFORMATION” there is a new webpage titled “ARE YOU LEARNING TO BE EMPLOYABLE?” that is progressively being uploaded with useful resources. SCCVC would like to thank the following employers for their support of our School Based Apprenticeship & Traineeship Program (SBAT) and congratulate the following students who have commenced their apprenticeship or traineeship.
Cert III in Make-up Yasemin Taskin – Employed by - The Goddess Beauty Aromatherapy Salon, Wahroonga
Cert III in Cabinet Making (Stage 1) Minoas Tzanakakis – Employed by – Bibliotheque, Marrickville
Cert III in Carpentry (Stage 1) Andre Brooks – Employed by B M Build, Revesby Jayden Ghanem – Employed by Akkari Corp, Condell Park Henry Ray – Employed AJT Renovations, Gymea Zandah Alam – Employed by DND Group, Strathfield South
Cert III in Early Childhood Education & Care Christy Azzi – Employed by Little Academy, Strathfield Karina Capra – Employed by Mama Bear Childcare, Roselands
Cert III in Electrotechnology – Electrician (Stage 1) Matthew Lucifero – Employed by Mirkom Group, South Hurstville
Cert III in Engineering – Metal Fabrication (Stage 1) Terry Khallas – Employed by BOS Engineering, Bankstown
Cert III in Health Services Assistance Bronte Carter – Employed by St Mary’s Villa, Concord
Partnerships
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Cert III in Plumbing (Stage 1) Aiden El-Hassan – Employed by Austrap Plumbing Services, Condell Park Nik Konstantin – EKorp Plumbing, Brighten-Le-Sands George Mouawad – Employed by Plumright, Greenacre Thomas O’Reilly – Employed by Answer Plumbing, Silverwater Romanous Younan - Employed by NSW Maintenance Plumbing, Guildford
Just a reminder that we are always looking for employers, so, if you know of anyone who would be interested
in employing a trainee or apprentice, please connect them with me at your earliest convenience. We are
aiming to place another 50 students before the end of this term.
Jannene Jameison Industry Partnership Coordinator – Apprentices and Trainees
Important Info: A TCID number is posted to all apprentices and trainees several weeks after sign up. This number
is your Training Contract Id. It will look like this 876543/1.
Do not lose this letter from Training Services with your TCID number. It is your record that your apprenticeship or
traineeship has been registered with your employer.
Try A Trade
In recent years we have introduced ‘Try A Trade’ taster programs for students in Yrs 9 and 10 in our local Sydney
Catholic Schools, to let them get a feel for the courses taught here at SCCVC. These programs will run again this
year, beginning in Term 2. Watch this space for further details, and be sure to tell your family and friends who
might have high school aged children interested in the array of Applied Learning opportunities that our College
offers. Below are a couple of photos from last year’s Construction Taster day in November.