12 JUNE 2018 / NO. 16

FROM THE PRINCIPAL 10

th Week of Ordinary Time

Aquinas Day 2018

Fr Dan & Fr Daniele, College Chaplains Last Aquinas Day, Year 12 2018

A dry Mr Kerr A damper Mr Ritchie

I would like to acknowledge all the hard work of the students and staff who ran stalls and activities that raised monies to go towards our Timor L’Este immersion program and for the young people of the town of Maliana. Thanks also to Fr Daniele & Fr Dan [our College Chaplains] Mrs Pelham [Assistant REC] and Mr O’Connor [REC] for organising such a beautiful liturgy. Appreciations also to Mrs Bosi, Ms Blanch, Mr Ortiz & Mr Broady who arranged, played and lead the musical component of our mass. Following the stalls and activities we were treated to seven amazing acts in the annual Aquinas Day Talent Quest.

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Congratulations to the following acts who finished in the official places following some very difficult judging discernment;

1st Alyssa Morabito [MacKillop House] & Brigitte Duncan Hoo Smith [La Salle House] 2nd Sabrina Mac [Nagle House] & Sarah Larkham [MacKillop House] 3rd Jayden Clarke [Nagle]

The Year 12 Students with their Aquinas video and well-choreographed dance ensemble again prevailed over the staff despite their valiant musical and dance techniques, and homage to Matilda. Thank you to all the students for their involvement and / or good natured support and the staff that put it all together; Mrs Bosi, Ms Blanch, Ms Cooper, Mrs Baird, Mr Ortiz, Mr Broady and Ms Woolnough. Finally, the entire day ran smoothly due to the great preparation and organisation that Mrs Martin, our Social Justice Coordinator, was able to bring to the day, thank you so much!

JAMES CORCORAN PRINCIPAL

DAMIEN KERR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL The following events are mirrored in the Aquinas Catholic College publicly available calendar.

Week 7 Monday 11 June 2018

Queen’s Birthday Holiday Tuesday 12 June 2018

Normal Classes - All Years

Work Experience - Hospitality Wednesday 13 June 2018

Work Experience - Hospitality

Year 11 Excursion - Digital Photography Thursday 14 June

Work Experience - Hospitality

Year 12 Excursion - Ancient History Friday 15 June

Work Experience - Hospitality

SSCCC East Winter Competition Round 5

Year 12 Incursion - English

Week 8

Monday 18 June 2018

Duke of Edinburgh Hike - Silver

Excursion - Asylum Seeker Visit

Lunchtime Business Stalls - Year 9 Commerce (Class 3)

Tuesday 19 June 2018

Duke of Edinburgh Hike - Silver

Year 11 Excursion - Geography

Lunchtime Business Stalls - Year 9 Commerce (Class 1)

Wednesday 20 June 2018

Lunchtime Business Stalls - Year 9 Commerce (Class 2)

Cancer Council Survey - PDHPE Classes

NSWCCC Cross Country

Thursday 21 June 2018

Athletics Carnival

Friday 22 June 2018

SSCCC East Winter Competition Round 6

BBQ Masters

Tom Reynolds - Independent Drug Education Australia Rice Hall - St Patrick’s College President Avenue Sutherland Please register your attendance here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6_JICn5bOo0pINr0ZRDZ1ywOW3MlyDiX-bnmyJwVdQE3AUA/viewform

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LEARNING AND CURRICULUM MATTERS

LISA MIRABELLO LEADER OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

Year Subject Date

11 SLR This week

11 Exploring Early Childhood This week

12 Geography 12.06.18

8 Technology Mandatory This week hand in during class

12 Mathematics General 1. Mathematics General 2, Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 2.

13.06.18

12 Modern History 13.06.18

11 Business Studies 13.06.18

7 Technology Mandatory This week hand in during class

12 Drama 14.06.18

11 Ancient History 14.06.18

10 Multi-Media 14.06.18

9 Maths 14.06.18

11 PDHPE 15.06.18

PUBLIC SPEAKING On Thursday of Week 6 Benjamin Capovilla competed in the Plain English Speaking Competition Regional Final at The Arts Unit, Lewisham. This level of the competition required Benjamin to present a prepared speech and an impromptu speech against twelve other students. The topic for the impromptu speech was ‘After the Storm.’ While Benjamin didn’t make it through to the next round, this was a fantastic opportunity and he represented the College in an exceptional manner. Well done Benjamin!

DANIELLE COOPER DEBATING TEACHER

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PASTORAL CARE

Dear Parents, Carers and Students, Being a teenager in 2018 is not easy and there are many factors that can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety in a young person’s life. Causes of stress for our students here at the College may include; academic stress, exams, sport, family, relationships, sickness, financial stress and the list goes on.

Stress is a natural response when we are placed under pressure or find ourselves in an unfamiliar situation. We all respond differently when placed in these situations and it is important that we recognise our feelings of stress and know that we can work through them. Learning how to cope with stress is an important skill for all teenagers to acquire.

Reachout.com tells us that: ‘Coping’ describes any behaviour that is designed to manage the stresses and overwhelming feelings that come with tough situations.

By learning positive coping strategies early in their teenage years, children develop lifelong skills, building up resilience and wellbeing that will stand them in good stead throughout their adult years.

Reachout suggest the following tips for coping when faced with tough times.

1. Talk to Someone

2. Journaling- writing down your feelings, what is troubling you and ways which you can deal with the situation.

3. Be kind to yourself - eat well, exercise and try some meditation.

4. Take a break - give yourself permission to leave situations that make you stressed or angry. For example, leaving a stressful conversation and coming back to speak when you are calm and ready.

5. Use positive self-talk and focus on the positives.

6. Take a step back - prioritise and leave some time for leisure.

7. Think about the big picture - when you’re going through a tough time, ask yourself. “How important is this, will it matter in 5 years time?”

8. Practise gratitude - each day write down three things you are grateful for.

Here at Aquinas Catholic College we always encourage the students to share their concerns and talk to someone they can trust. That person may be a parent, friend, teacher, counsellor, priest or sports coach. We want all students of the College to know that they are supported, they are not alone and we are here to help.

A new initiative to further support students is a link in Compass, under School Favourites, titled ‘Reporting Bullying Concerns’. Students can complete a report bullying survey about themselves or others and remain anonymous. Mr Ritchie will receive a notification and investigate reports in consultation with the relevant Year Coordinator.

Clarification regarding the College uniform:

Girls are required to have their hair tired back all day, have one pair of earrings and no coloured or false finger nails.

Boys are required to have their shirts tucked in all day, apart from playing games on the oval, handball, etc.

The College blazer is required to be worn by all students to and from the College, Monday to Thursday.

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead.

DOMINIC RITCHIE PASTORAL CARE COORDINATOR

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Where do I start my research?

Start your research in the Aquinas Catholic College Library website:

https://oliver.aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au/oliver/home/news

The "Big6™" is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more on Big6, visit: www.big6.com

Homework help for students in Year 7 - 8

Tuesdays in The Resource Centre

3:00 - 4:00pm

A Duke of Edinburgh Service

INFORMATION AND INNOVATION

Start with a simple Browse and then click Search other sources to explore a variety of other online sources and linked libraries.

You will need passwords for the following subscriptions:

Encyclopaedia Britannica Username: aquinascoll Password: menai

Infobase databases

Ancient and Medieval History Online

Bloom's Literature

Science Online

World Religions Online

Username: sydney950

Password: ch68ae

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COMPASS

Parent Information: Entering Attendance Notes

When entering a note to explain your son or daughter’s absence please complete the following steps:

The Compass App

Please remember the following:

Planned Absences: If you are planning Leave, you must complete the Application for Leave form available from the School Documents page under the Communities tab in Compass or via the Forms page of Aquinas Catholic College website. When your Leave is approved a note will be entered in Compass by Aquinas Staff.

Unplanned Absences: ie. Illness, Medical Appointment etc. Only explain these absences after they have occurred.

If you see an attendance inconsistency, please contact the class teacher or office via email.

If you need to contact your son or daughter’s teacher please email them directly rather than entering a note in the attendance section of Compass.

1. Login to the Compass App with your unique username and password

2. Select your son or

daughter by clicking on their ID photo or name - this will open their Profile Page

3. Click Approvals - here you will see a list of approved absences that have been entered this year

4. Click the Blue ‘add’ circle

5. Add a Reason by clicking the arrow next to None

6. Add additional information or a comment to support the reason selected

7. Ensure you check the Start and End Dates and Times - if you enter a note for the incorrect date or time you need to contact the school to have it removed

8. Click Add Note/Approval

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JESSICA FRASER INFORMATION AND INNOVATION COORDINATOR

The Compass Web Browser

1. Login to the Compass Web Browser with your unique username and password

2. Select + Add Attendance Note (Approved Absence/Late) for your son or daughter

3. Select a Reason:

4. Add additional information or a comment to support the reason

selected 5. Ensure you check the Start and End Dates and Times - if you enter

a note for the incorrect date or time you need to contact the school to have it removed

6. Click Save

7. Back on the Homepage: if you see a green banner - Attendance: Attendance Note Required you can click on the link and you will be taken to a list of unexplained absences for your son or daughter. There are 6 rolls in a day therefore if your son or daughter is absent for a whole day there will be six rolls listed

8. You will also see roll inconsistencies here. A roll inconsistency occurs when a teacher marks a student absent yet they have been marked present in other rolls taken that day

9. Please don’t add attendance notes in this section. Refer to the screenshots above and click + Add Attendance Note in the Notes/Approvals tab

10. If you see a roll inconsistency please email the class teacher (Don’t enter an attendance note). There is always a possibility that your son or daughter did not attend the lesson and their attendance needs to be accounted for. Year Coordinators will be addressing roll inconsistencies with individual students each week. If you need to email a class teacher go back to the homepage and click Send Email to (Student’s Name) Teachers - customise the teacher list by using the red X

If you experience any difficulty or have any questions please contact the College Office on (02) 9543 0188

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SOCIAL JUSTICE

Aquinas Day Stalls

THURSDAY WEEK 6 - 07/06/18

On Thursday, 7th June 2018 (Week 6), the Aquinas community held their annual Aquinas Day, which celebrates the Feast Day of our patron saint, St Thomas Aquinas and attempts to raise money for the Timor L’Este Immersion Programme. The day was divided into three sessions. Firstly, students attended a whole school mass in the JPII Hall. During the middle of the day, students were able to enjoy themselves by running and participating in stalls and activities. The stalls and activities encompassed a wide range of indoor and outdoor things to do as well as sweet & savoury treats to eat. These included karaoke, a disco in Room 9, bubble soccer, football challenges around the oval and indoor activities such as balloon popping, lollipop pong, FIFA and Wii U challenges, a photo booth activities, table tennis, and board games. There was also a wide variety of hot and sweet foods available ranging from KFC, pizza, garlic bread, sausage sandwiches and egg and bacon rolls cooked on the BBQ as well as krispy kreme donuts, subway cookies and cupcakes. Any of the treats could be washed down with soft drink, hot chocolates and frozen snow cones. We raised approximately $6000 via the Aquinas Day stalls, which is an amazing effort for about 2 hours. My most sincere thanks to all the staff, who once again worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure its smooth running as well as to all the students who participated in and celebrated a wonderful Aquinas community and did their best to raise money for Timor L’Este.

In conjunction with St Catherine's at Gymea, Aquinas is trying to support some Fijian country communities that are still feeling the affects of their most recent cyclone. Aquinas will be donating the teacher's desks from the old staff room towards this cause. Currently the container is only ¾ full. We need to try and fill the remaining space with clothes and sporting equipment that is no longer worn or used. We would like to encourage all families to look through their wardrobes & homes for any items that could be donated. All clothing needs to be in wearable condition and can be suitable for hot or cold weather. We can only send shoes or footy boots that do not have traces of soil which can not be transported overseas safely. Any sporting equipment that you no longer use would also be greatly appreciated. For example tennis rackets and any sort of balls and bats. All items need to be brought to school in a plastic bag and left at the front office. As soon as the container is full, it will be able to be sent to Fiji to help those a little less privileged. Thank you once again, for your support in all our social justice endeavours.

Unwanted Clothing & Sporting equipment

for FIJI

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AQUINAS DAY PHOTOS

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DENISE MARTIN SOCIAL JUSTICE COORDINATOR

Social Justice meetings are held every Tuesday Week A in TR1. Please come along and join us.

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LISA HIGGINS CAREERS ADVISOR

CAREERS

The local Careers Advisors from the Sutherland Shire have put together a series of Mini Careers Expos to benefit local students, after school so parents can also attend. The first one is 20th June at the Jannali High School, for Apprenticeships and Traineeships. The second one is being hosted by us at Aquinas, on the 4th July - and focussing on Hospitality and Events. The third and final expo is on Allied Health careers at Caringbah High School on the 1st August. Dates, times and registration details are on each flyer which have been emailed to all Year 10, 11 and 12 students.

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CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 2

TIME: MONDAY-THURSDAY 10:30-14:00, FRIDAY 10.00-12:30

MONDAY 11/6 PUBLIC HOLIDAY TUESDAY 12/6 SILVANA PIGNATELLI, KATE KARPENKO WEDNESDAY 13/6 MARIE CLAIRE ABDULLAH THURSDAY 14/6 ANN-MARIE WALKER FRIDAY 15/6 LORETTA HERAGHTY, LISA ALLEN, LAURA HAMILTON, ANGELA ODELLI ANDREA POWELL MONDAY 18/6 VANESSA COKER, ROSEMARY MORRISSEY TUESDAY 19/6 MARISSA HASSAPIS, MARY-ELLEN ROONEY WEDNESDAY 20/6 JULIANNE LANE, KAREN BRADSHAW THURSDAY 21/6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL FRIDAY 22/6 GAYLE NETTO, LOUISE TRUMAN, SOPHIE TRIANTOS

UNIFORM SHOP

THURSDAY 14 JUNE

8:00am - 9:00am

Please note the Uniform Shop only sells Sports Uniforms and School bags

(There are second hand Blazers available, various sizes. Please contact the office for more

information)

The Uniform Shop now has Eftpos facilities

Rosary & Prayer Group

Held weekly every TUESDAY

at RECESS in ROOM 5.

Everyone is welcome.

DOMINIC RITCHIE PASTORAL CARE COORDINATOR

Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science Applications for the 2018/19 Aboriginal Summer School for Excellence in Technology and Science (ASSETS) program have been extended until 19 June. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 10 students who are interested in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) are eligible to apply

ASSETS is a free nine-day summer school for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 10 students. There are three summer schools held across the 2018/19 summer holidays. More than 100 students from across Australia will participate.

Download application form and fact sheet from the link below: https://www.csiro.au/en/Education/Programs/Indigenous-STEM/ASSETS/ASSETS-UpcomingSS

Share the opportunity with colleagues and students that may be interested in applying.

Please feel free to contact the ASSETS team on 03 9545 8700 or assetsprogram@csiro.au if you require any further information.