MerrylandsMerrylandsMerrylandsMerrylands

No. 19 Term 4 Week 10

A Message f rom the Pr inc ipa l

Dear Parents, Staff and Students

The Jesse Tree, our Catholic TraditionThe Jesse Tree, our Catholic TraditionThe Jesse Tree, our Catholic TraditionThe Jesse Tree, our Catholic Tradition

The Jesse Tree dates back to the middle ages and came from Europe. Even some ancient cathedrals have Jesse Tree designs in their stained glass windows. The “tree” is usually a branch or sapling and is decorated with various symbols that remind us of the purpose and promises of God from Creation to the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Jesse was the father of King David and God promised David that his Kingdom would last forever. Two centuries after the death of King David, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:

Each Jesse Tree ornament usually consists of a handmade symbol or drawing that represents one of the major stories of the Old Testament along with a brief verse of Scripture from that story.

Have a Happy, Holy and safe Christmas.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2015.

Friday 12 December 2014

CERDON COLLEGE

newsletter

College Uniform Shop

The College Uniform Shop is open every Monday and Wednesday during Term 4 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Enquiries can be made directly to the Uniform Shop on 8724 7329

SEE BACK PAGE OF NEWSLETTER FOR FULL LIST OF EXTENDED HOURS FOR 2015

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)

2015 Commencement Dates The first day of school for students in Year 7 will be Wednesday 28th January and students in Years 8 to 12 will commence on Thursday 29th January. On Thursday 29th January the College Swimming Carnival will be held at the Homebush Aquatic Centre. Students in Year 7 to 10 are to wear College Sports Uniform on this day. Year 11 students are to wear casual clothing. Students will travel to and from the Homebush Aquatic Centre on buses from the College. All students need to ensure they bring lunch and drinks for the day as canteen facilities are not available. Timetables and College Handbooks will be distributed on Friday 30th January which will also see the start of normal timetabled classes. Opening times and price list for the College Uniform Shop are available on the College Website. Extended opening hours for January are also listed on the back of this newsletter.

Mrs Patricia BakerMrs Patricia BakerMrs Patricia BakerMrs Patricia Baker PrincipalPrincipalPrincipalPrincipal

God Bless

P A G E 2

Abyssinia Abaddi 7E8, Catherine Abarca 7E8 Lilyan Abosh 11F12, Damaris Aguayo 11F11

Isabelle Bachar 7E10, Emma Balogh-Caristo 7E10 Siena Bergamin 7E6, Sandra Bou-Ghosn 7E8

Monique Brunet 11F11 Claudia Bryson Miguel 7E5, Caitlin Carey 7E6

Olivia Carniel 7E6, Tayla Contreras 7E6 Juliet Daoud 8GL3, Taylor Daoud 7E8 Jemma Dickson 7E6, Quynh Doan 7E7 Hasna Doueihi 7E8, Claire Duffy 9I32

Amelia El Halabi 7E5, Mona Elbaz 11F15 Christine Ellias 7E6, Ma Dominique Espinosa 7E5

Megan Fisher 7E6, Martha Fua 7E8 Isabella Gale 7E6, Marie Gauricci 7E6

Annabelle Gerges 7E5, Lauren Habkouk 7E10 Caitlyne Halabi 7E8, Rachelle Hanna 7E8

Wendy Le 7E6, Alanna Lee 11F14 Michelle Li 10F22, Jamie-Lee Merhi 7E7 Elise Noble 7E5, Madelin Pedersen 7E9 Sarina Pham 7E5, Illeana Prieto 11F15

Charbella Rizk 7E10, Sabah Shekeb 7E10 Renee Sing 7E6, Madison Stephens 7E6 Annie Taniane 7E7, Cindy Thach 11F17 Bitanya Tilahun 7E6, Catherine Tran 7E8

Tina Tran 7E7, Daniela Valdivia 7E5 Jessica Vuong 11F15, Jaida Walker 11F16 Serah Yi 11F13, Catherine Young 9I31

Sandra Youssif 7E8, Joanne Zeaiter 10F20

Co-ordinator’s Awards

Congratulations Pamela Kahwajy has been selected to attend

the UNSW Women in Engineering Camp on 12-16 January 2015. The application process for the camp was quite competitive and 30

young women were selected who demonstrated excellence in Maths and Science and a genuine interest in Engineering.

Pamela will spend five days on the UNSW Kensington Campus participating in hands-on workshops, exciting site visits and social events

with professional engineers.

Congratulations Pamela on your selection.

Jarara Awards Two students from Year 10 were acknowledged for their achievements at the recent Jarara Awards Ceremony. Mallory Morrell and Nicoletta Andreou were acknowledged for their academic achievement, their sporting excellence and their community leadership. Congratulations to Mallory and Nicoletta on this achievement.

Sacrament of Reconciliation During the Season of Advent, a special time of spiritual preparation for Christmas, we have the opportunity to reflect on our lives and to renew our commitment to hold Jesus at the centre of all that we are and do, an opportunity for Christ to be born once again within us and within our daily living. It has long been a tradition in the Catholic Church that part of our Spiritual preparation for Christmas is to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At Cerdon College this year, with gratitude to Fr Peter Strohmayer OSPPE, from St Margaret Mary’s Parish Merrylands, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (First Rite) has been offered at the school in one of our interview rooms specially prepared for this occasion. Please note that the final opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the College this year will be on Tuesday December 16th from 8:15am – 8:50am Sr Kate McPhee sm

Camp Gallipoli Students at Cerdon College have the opportunity to participate in Camp Gallipoli, to commemorate the Centenary of the Gallipoli campaign of 1915. The event will take place overnight between Friday 24th April, 2015 and Saturday 25th April 2015 and will be held at Centennial Park. The cost of the camp will be $120, which includes food, entertainment and transport. Please see below for the itinerary. If you are interested in attending Camp Gallipoli, students are able to collect a form from the College Office.

ITINERARY To take place on the evening of 24th April, 2015 to the morning of 25th April, 2015.

24th April 3pm – enter 4pm – entertainment (Mahalia Barnes) 5pm – screening of documentary 6pm – Formal welcome and ceremony 7pm – dinner 8pm – entertainment 9.15pm – Film: ‘The Water Diviner’ 11pm – retire 25th April 5:30 am – bugle 6am – dawn service 7am – breakfast 8am – leave Campers bring own sleeping gear. Everything else provided.

P A G E 3 N O . 1 9 T E R M 4 W E E K 1 0

The Cerdon Archibald Prize Tuesday 25th November 2014, the students in the Year 10 Visual Arts classes had their portrait exhibition. Just like the Archibald Prize held at the Art Gallery of NSW we give the audience the opportunity to vote for their favourite painting. For the first time in the history of this prize here at school we had two winners, Amelia Menouhos and Bianca Samaan.

Such was the popularity of so many artworks that the following five girls have also received Highly Commended Awards for their paintings.

Amelia Menouhos & Bianca Samaan Joint winners of the Peoples’ Choice Award

Rachael Vella, Freshta Nawabi & Therese Diab (back row) Christine Skaf & Sally Al-Saffar Highly Commended Award

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MERRYLANDS NSW 2160MERRYLANDS NSW 2160MERRYLANDS NSW 2160MERRYLANDS NSW 2160 Phone: 8724 7300 Phone: 8724 7300 Phone: 8724 7300 Phone: 8724 7300 Fax: 8724 7399Fax: 8724 7399Fax: 8724 7399Fax: 8724 7399

EEEE----mail: mail: mail: mail: cerdon@parra.catholic.edu.aucerdon@parra.catholic.edu.aucerdon@parra.catholic.edu.aucerdon@parra.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.cerdon.nsw.edu.auWebsite: www.cerdon.nsw.edu.auWebsite: www.cerdon.nsw.edu.auWebsite: www.cerdon.nsw.edu.au Follow us at: Follow us at: Follow us at: Follow us at:

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Term 4 Diary Dates Week 11

Monday 15 - Wednesday 17 December Year 11 Assessment Period Monday 15 December Year 10 Prefect Training Tuesday 16 December

Year 7-9 Mass Presentation Assemblies

Wednesday 17 December HSC Results

Year 7-9 Picnics Last Day for Students Term 4 Thursday 18 December Staff Development Day

HSC Class of 2014 Morning Tea 10:30 am Friday 19 December

Staff Development Day Last Day 2014 School Year

Term 1 2015 Diary Dates Week 1

Monday 26 January Australia Day

Tuesday 27 January Staff Return

Wednesday 28 January Year 7 Students Commence

Thursday 29 January Years 8-12 Commence

College Swimming Carnival Friday 30 January Classes Resume

Year 7 ID Photos P1 Year 8-12 Homeroom Admin P1

Year 12 Assembly P2 Week 2

Monday 2 February Year 7 Numeracy Evening for Parents 7:00 pm

Wednesday 4 February Year 11 Information Evening 7:00 pm

Thursday 5 February Voting for Class Leaders

Week 3 Monday 9 February

Year 10 Information Assembly P & F Meeting 7:00 pm Tuesday 10 February Opening Mass Practice

Wednesday 11 February Opening Mass 10:30 am

Year 12 Getting of Wisdom Friday 13 February

Final date for Subject Changes

Uniform Shop 2015 Extended Trading Hours Monday 19th January - 9:00 am—3:00 pm Tuesday 20th January - 9:00 am—3:00 pm

Wednesday 21st January - 9:00 am—3:00 pm Thursday 22nd January - 9:00 am—3:00 pm Friday 23rd January - 9:00 am—3:00 pm

Monday 26th January - CLOSED Tuesday 27th January - 9:00 am—3:00 pm

Wednesday 28th January - 9:00 am—3:00 pm

Plan Ahead This Summer To Live And Study

Overseas In 2015

With the end of the year approaching, there has never

been a be�er �me to cast your thoughts ahead to 2015.

Why not use the holidays to plan your 2015 WEP stu-

dent exchange program?

Living overseas as an exchange student opens up a

world of opportuni�es. For one, you get to experience

another part of the world. You’ll live and learn in a cul-

ture that is vastly different from your own. You will also

be exposed to a different style of learning, which will be

useful if you decide to further your studies. Are you

learning or want to learn another language? On an ex-

change program you can morph from monolingual to bilingual in a ma�er of

months. There’s no be�er way to learn a language than to surround yourself with

it day and night, 24/7! Imagine the moment when you start dreaming in another

language!

Okay, so now you’re thinking “this all sounds great, but I s�ll need more convinc-

ing.” Think about the amazing, lifelong friends you’ll make while overseas. Later in

life you may have the opportunity to travel back to your host country and reunite

with old friends. When you return from exchange, you’ll arrive back in Australia

with a new perspec�ve on culture, languages and educa�on, be&er organisa�on-

al skills, and invaluable life experiences. All of these skills are extremely a�rac�ve

to future employers.

And finally, you will most likely find that living as an exchange student in a foreign

country will allow you to develop a stronger sense of independence. WEP ex-

change students have the opportunity to discover themselves while learning

about another culture. A newfound mature outlook is one of the most beneficial

aspects of par�cipa�ng in a student exchange pro-

gram.

With over 20 different countries to choose from,

deciding where to go is the hardest part! Need more

informa�on? Use the holidays to do some research.

Visit us online at www.wep.org.au to request a free

informa�on pack, email us at info@wep.org.au, or

give us a call in the office on 1300 884 733.

…. SEEKING MENTORS

Do you want to give something back to your community?

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta’s Post School Options Team

provides one on one mentoring for secondary students. We are seeking

new mentors who would like to give something back to their community

and join this valuable and worthwhile program.

The volunteer mentor hosts the student in the workplace for one day

per week (May to September excluding school holidays). The mentor is

both a personal and professional role model for the student. All mentors

are offered free TAFE mentor training and receive a TAFE Certificate

of Attainment ‘Mentoring in the Community’.

Mentors can be from any industry, an individual in any trade area –

clerical, administration, hairdressing and beauty or a large company e.g

Bunnings.

Please consider this call for assistance so that the program can continue

to supply a valuable service to students in our Catholic communities.

If you would be interested in becoming a mentor or finding out more

information, please contact:

Leoni Jeavons-Fellows

Coordinator Post School Options

0424 750 583