No. 4 24 March 2017

“A place at the table, a place for all” The ClarionSt Clare's College Waverley 41-51 Carrington Road, Waverley 2024 02 8305 7100 www.stclares.nsw.edu.au

From the Principal

A Call to Discipleship and CommunityA Psalm of Discipleship

Bless these hands that reach outInto the lives of so many people,Pausing to touch with tenderness

The hardened heartsWhere hurt is buried far beyond all

Feeling,Where love is a four-letter word

That has no meaning beyond the now.

Bless these feet that run Through the day after dayAfter day without ceasing,

Standing firm upon principle,Dancing rings around, wanting to quit,

Stopping to catch up with what is importantIn the long run,

Bless this spirit determined to be An extension of Your Spirit,

With a reservoir of compassion That is conceived of enough

Of serenity and patience For all Your cherished children,

Even if every replenishing sourceBut You were running dry.

ALL: Creator and Creating God,

We are Your disciples,May we live for love and one another.

Bless our hands to Your serviceOur feet to Your path,

Our hearts to Your purpose,Our spirit to dwell in the depths of Your spirit

For Your glory now and forever.

(Miriam Therese Winter)

St Clare and St Francis pray for us.

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,

The Importance Of Attendance

At the start of the year we held several meetings regarding assessment and curriculum. At these meetings Mr Maoudis discussed the importance of attendance and the impact it has on learning. Below are some interesting insights from the Department of Education:

To get the most out of education, children need to go to school every day. School attendance has a major influence on educational outcomes (Purdie & Buckley, 2010). Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve better results at school and are more likely to complete their schooling (Biddle, 2014).

Parents can encourage their child to attend school by having a positive attitude to learning and education.

Poor school attendance patterns can start as early as Year 1. It is important that from the first day of school parents set an expectation that their children will be at school every day.

Missing an average of ten days of school a term adds up to missing two full years of schooling by the end of Year 10.

It is important to remember that all Australian states and territories have legislation in place that requires parents to ensure their children attend school. These laws apply to all students in government and non-government schools.

All Australian governments have agreed to a school attendance target for 2019 where all schools will achieve a minimum of 90 per cent attendance.

Tips - Things You Can Do To Support School Attendance

• Talk positively about attending school and learning• Help your child get into a routine for getting ready to go to

school stress-free• Help your child to get organised for school in the morning• Talk about the positive social of the school environment:

• Friends• Favourite classes• Favourite teachers

• Talk with your teenager about their long term goals and dreams and how school can help them achieve their dreams

From the Deputy Principal

What May Prevent Full Attendance?

At St Clare’s we expect that all students achieve a minimum attendance rate of 85% as we recognise that learning and effective feedback takes place in the classroom. There are some factors that need to be monitored in order to ensure this minimum rate of attendance is achieved. The following may impact upon attendance, however it is important that parents are aware of any emerging patterns and act to ensure their daughters attend school.

Anxiety

It is important to note that all children (and adults) experience anxiety in their everyday lives. This is an expected and normal at specific times in development. What parents need to be aware of is how to talk to and mitigate some of the anxious feelings students have. Let them know that some level of anxiousness is normal and give them ways of coping with the situations they face. Don’t try to solve all their problems for them but give them the skills and understandings needed to meet the challenges they face each day.

Some students have a heightened sense of anxiety. This can be caused by separation from parents (separation anxiety) or fear of interacting with peers or other people (social anxiety). If this is a problem for your child you need to intervene early to prevent a long term problem.

Remember, put anxiety under the microscope and ask if it is normal and part of development or is it something more severe. Headspace have some great resources that can help.

School Refusal

We all have days when we don’t want to maintain our normal routine and as parents we have all heard the words “I hate school and I don’t want to go!” It is usually at times when a task is due or homework hasn’t been done. What is important is to explore the reasons behind the reluctance to attend and deal with these as they arise. It is important to be firm and consistent ensuring regular attendance at school. Allowing students to take ‘soft days off’ may in fact lead to a pattern of behaviour that makes attendance difficult.

If your child does insist on being home and you are finding it difficult to get them to school. Don’t allow them to watch TV, play computer games or engage in leisure activities as this only perpetuates the problem. Maintain a school based routine and be firm with excuse making.

For some students with physical, emotional or psychological problems attending school is difficult and seeking medical assistance is imperative in these situations. Read the signs early and step in before attendance becomes a problem.

Keep Monitoring

We encourage you to check SENTRAL regularly and pay attention to the attendance of your child. Please contact your Dean if you think that attendance is a problem for your daughter.

Thank you for your support and co-operation.

Kerrie McDiarmid

©Calvin and Hobbes

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,

The Stations of the Cross is a prayerful devotion that follows the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. The stations from Busted Halo relate to Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God. Be open to God speaking to us by praying and reflecting on these ‘virtual stations’ as we continue our journey through Lent.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0nFTVDpg34Obm1kdXM2RFg3X2c/edit

Deus Meus et Omnia (My God in all Things)

Susan Farrugia

From the Religious Education Coordinator Invitation

Mother's Day MassMonday, 15 May 9.15am

Mary Immaculate Church- followed by Morning Tea with your daughter.

Year 8 in the Chapel learning about the Stations of the Cross

Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff,

On Friday 12th May there will be a youth night held at Holy Family Parish Maroubra with adoration, praise, worship, reconciliation and prayer with a special guest speaker from the US, Steve Angrisano. Any students wanting more information please come and see me.

God bless you and your families.

Monica Ribeiro

Last Friday four Year 11 students (Elise Matouk, Kate Darby, Piper Di Mattina and Caitlin Furber) represented the College at 'A Public Faith' seminar, held at NSW

From the Youth Ministry Coordinator Parliament House. The purpose of the day was to explore

the role of religion in matters of public debate and was run by highly regarded presenters such as Bishop Richard Umbers and several senior academics from The University of Notre Dame.

The day was relevant to current Australian issues and called for our opinions through logical argument. It was a very beneficial opportunity that enabled us to gain an understanding of the role religion plays in society and the influences it has on public decisions. There was also the opportunity to meet parliamentary figures and socialise with like-minded students from other SCS schools.

Overall we found the day very interesting and are very grateful for Ms Ribeiro's supervision and contribution to the day.

Elise Matouk, Year 11

Piper, Elise, Bishop Richard Umbers, Kate and Caitlin.

With the Hon Scott Farlow MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier

proudly supported by catholic youth services and presented

by the Eastern Deaneries

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACTCHERYL.FERNANDEZ@SYD.CATHOLIC.EDU.AUCATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICES

"The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name"

HOLY FAMILY PARISH214 MAROUBRA ROAD

MAROUBRA

PIZZACAPPUCCINOS WITH THE CAPUCHINS

PRAISE + WORSHIP with the come alive youth band

Luke 1:49

12 MAYFRIDAY

6.30PM

YOUTH NIGHT

7PM

PRAISE + WORSHIP

RECONCILIATION

ADORATION

PRAYER

STEVE ANGRISANOU.S. SINGER, SONGWRITER, STORYTELLER

guest speaker

Dear Parents, Carers and Students of the St Clare’s Community.

LOGOS for Schools Program

Late last year some of our Year 10 students participated in the intensive LOGOS for Schools Program at the University of Notre Dame. Offered to secondary school students the program aims to expose students to introductory material in philosophy and ethics in order to foster critical thinking and reasoning in articulating truth. Students were able to count these units towards their preliminary HSC course.

Congratulations to the following students on completing these courses:

Katherine Darby Logos 1 PhilosophyPiper Di Mattina Logos 1 PhilosophyCaitlin Furber Logos 1 PhilosophyElissa Matouk Logos 1 Philosophy & Logos 2 Ethics

All students achieved excellent results in university level courses. Special mention must go to Katherine Darby on achieving a High Distinction in the philosophy unit. A truly outstanding effort. Thank you to Mrs Katrina O’Kelly for organising the girls’ participation. Hopefully we will have more students involved in this initiative in the future.

From the Director of Learning and Teaching

Years 7-11 Interim Reports

All students in Years 7-11 will be provided with an interim report at the end of this term. This is a small snapshot for parents on your daughters’ progress so far in Term 1. Teachers will be reporting on work habits and attitudes to learning. These reports will not be posted home. They will be uploaded to the Parent Portal on Sentral at the end of Week 10 for your perusal. Please do not hesitate to contact your daughter's classroom teacher if you would like further insight into her progress.

Year 12 Half Yearly Exams

All Year 12 students completed their half yearly examinations last week. From all reports these went very well. All Year 12 students should now be actively engaged in feedback sessions with their teachers to ensure they are making improvement. I have already heard several accounts of learning gain and growth from some student results. It is encouraging to see so many students continually using feedback to seek improvement. Year 12 reports will be due to parents early in Term 2 and we will have our Years 11 and 12 Parent Teacher interviews on Tuesday 16 May as well as our Year 12 Semester 1 Academic Assembly on Friday 12 May. More information regarding these events will be forthcoming in early Term 2.

Thank you for your continual support of learning at St Clare’s.

Kind regards,

Chris Maoudis

Katherine Darby Piper Di Mattina Caitlin Furber Elissa Matouk

Public Speaking Round 1

On Friday 10 March, the Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA) Public Speaking Zone Finals took place at Mater Maria College, Warriewood. St Clare’s was represented on the night by Lily Garrett (Year 8), Ella Schrijvers (Year 9), Danilia Hillston (Year 10) and Jeylan Riza (Year 11). Whilst we did not have success in getting through to the finals, each student is to be congratulated on their excellent oratory and speech writing skills. It is very reassuring to know that St Clare’s has such a talented group of young women as its representatives.

And a reminder that the CSDA Debating Competition starts on April 28. This season looks to be another exciting period for our debaters. We always welcome parent support as audience members at the debates.

Claire Mulcahy

Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

From the Uniform Shop

Opening hours Term 1 2017:

Tuesdays - 8.00am-10.00am

Thursdays - 2.00pm-4.00pm

2nd Hand Uniforms For Sale:

• Hospitality Uniform Size Small includes white apron, white button-up shirt, checked pants and white scarf all are in good condition. All these items are available for a total of $50.00.

Contact Louise 0416 143 625

• Blazer Size 8 (practically brand new) $220.00,

• Winter Tunic Size 2 $120.00, Size 8 $120.00,

• Cardigan Size 8 $70.00

• Long Sleeve Blouse Size Small $20.00

• Summer Tunic Size 6 (1 yr old) $80.00

• Summer Tunics Size 6 (2 yrs old) $50.00 each

• Deakin Polo Size Small $40.00

• Deakin Polo Size 14Y $30,00

• Hoodie Size 14K $65.00

• Sports Socks (never worn) Size 8-11 $8.00

• Navy Socks 3 pairs (never worn) Size 8-11 $6.00 each,

• Back Pack $60.00.

Contact Raquel 0400 429 154

Important Dates 2017

Friday 24 March Peer Support "Mystery Movie Night" 6.30pm $10 per ticket

Friday 31 March Athletics Carnival

Friday 7 April End of Term 1

Tuesday 25 April ANZAC Day

Wednesday 26 April Term 2. Students return.

Friday 12 May Year 12 Semester 1 Academic Assembly

Monday 15 May Mother's Day Mass, 9.15am Mary Immaculate Church & Morning Tea

Tuesday 16 May Years 11 and 12 Parent Teacher interviews

Important Dates

Year

7 C

amp