AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI - Amazon S3s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/resources.farm1.mycms.me/aqui… · On Sunday the Church celebrated the beginning of the liturgical year,

‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ Anzac Road Menai NSW 2234 Phone 9543 0188 Facsimile 9541 0398

[email protected] www.aquinasmenai.catholic.edu.au

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI

1st

December, 2014 Vol.22.No.34

The great season of Advent began yesterday with the lighting of the first candle on the Advent

wreath. The Archdiocese’s website has an interactive Advent calendar that can be found at

http:// www.xt3.com/advent/ and provides a great way for families to link in with the spiritual

preparation for Christmas that is completely different to the maddening rush starting in

commercial shopping centres. I hope that this resource might counterbalance some of the

financial imperatives that detract from the great message of Christmas. The College has

launched the “Be an Angel” initiative for underprivileged children in the local area who are

supported by the Menai St Vincent de Paul chapter and we look forward to the great joy that our

students will bring to those less fortunate than themselves. This very practical expression of our

faith in action is just one of the traditions of the College that gives our motto of being

“Enlivened by the Spirit” such joie de vivre.

The 2015 Student Leadership Team spent two days last week exploring leadership @ Aquinas

and their goals for next year. I would like to thank Mr Pay [Pastoral Care Coordinator],

Mr Roberts [Year 12 Coordinator] & Mrs Vukovic [Year 11 Coordinator] for organising the camp

and providing valuable input for the process. Thanks also to Mrs Nolan and Miss Curis for their

respective sessions on House Patrons and public speaking. Mr Nastasi was also in attendance

and gave the students the benefit of his considerable experience in student leadership. It was

also very pleasing to see all the students engage in some study for pending assessment tasks in

their down time. We look forward to seeing the fruit of this work as 2015 unfolds.

http://www.xt3.com/advent/

‘Enlivened by the Spirit’ 2

Last Thursday saw Sutherland Shire Combined Catholic College sporting finals underway across

a number of sports @venues scattered over the local area. Congratulations to the players and

coaches of the following teams who were successful in winning their Grand finals and bring

home premiership trophies to Menai;

Premiers Year 9 & 10 Girls Softball Year 8 Girls’ Basketball Runners Up Year 7 Boys’ Oztag Girls’ water polo Year 9 Boys’ Oztag Year 8 Girls’ Volleyball Year 7 Girls’ Oztag Year 9 & 10 Boys’ Volleyball Please keep the Mueller family in your thoughts and prayers as Maxwell’s [Year 9] Grandmother passed away

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

James Corcoran Principal


Assistant Principal

Key Dates

Week 10(B) Term 4

Monday 8th December Year 10 Alternate week 7 Silver Italian excursion to Bellezza Pizza Year 10 Senior First Aid course

Tuesday 9th December Year 10 Alternate week 7 Blue Italian excursion to Bellezza Pizza

Wednesday 10th December Year 7 Mass Year 10 Alternate week Year 10 Mock interviews all day College Awards night Year 7-11 in the JPII Hall commencing at 7.00pm

Thursday 11th December Year 10 Alternate week Year 10 Jamberoo excursion 7 Green Italian excursion to Bellezza Pizza Period 4 Year group meetings Year 11 last day of school 2014

Friday 12th December Year 10 Alternate week Year 10 finish at the end of lunch then dismissed Year 7-9 Swimming competency testing during sport

Monday 1st December Staff Meeting at 3.15pm

Tuesday 2nd December 7 Red Italian excursion to Bellezza Pizza Year 10 Book return to library Year 9 Science excursion

Wednesday 3rd December Year 8 Mass Year 10 Alternate week begins Vaccination visit No. 3-Year 7 & 9

Thursday 4th December Year 10 Alternate week 7 White Italian excursion to Bellezza Pizza 9 Red excursion to ANSTO

Friday 5th December Year 10 Alternate week College Final Mass for the year in the JPII Hall Seniors Blood bank visit during sport Year 10 Sporting Challenge Period 3; then normal sport Summer Sport

Week 9(A) Term 4

Year 7 and 9 Vaccinations No.3-Wednesday 3rd December Please note that NSW Health vaccination program continues with vaccination number 3 for those students in Year 7 & 9 that were part of the first two taking place here at the College on Wednesday 3rd December 2014. These vaccinations are: Year 7 Boys and Girls dose 3 of HPV Year 9 Boys dose 3 HPV


Robert Nastasi

Assistant Principal

Year 10 Alternate/Pastoral program Year 10 commence their alternate/Pastoral program in Week 9, Wednesday 3rd December and continues through to Friday 12th December 2014. All students in Year 10 were issued a program of details put together by Mr Pay and Mrs Vukovic last week. This is a highly important initiative which aims to give these young adults some crucial life skills, including the completion of a Senior First Aid course; preparation workshops/seminars for Stage 6, undertaking mock job interviews along with being engaged by many guest speakers. My thanks to all the staff involved in this program and to the students in advance for the way in which I know they will apply themselves with diligence over Weeks 9-10 culminating in the Jamberoo picnic day on Thursday 11th December before they finish at lunchtime on Friday 12th December. End of year picnic days and Final Report distribution The Year 7-9 end of year picnic day to Thirroul beach will take place on Monday 15th December 2014 as indicated in the College calendar, which is the last day of formal classes for 2014. Details and permission notes will be distributed this week and are due back as soon as possible in Week 10. Final Reports for Year 7-10 are likely to be issued online on Friday 12th December 2014 via Coneqt-P, with user names and passwords that were sent home last week around access. Final Parent/Student/Teacher interviews and bookings An opportunity, if required for parent/teacher/student interviews pertaining to final reports, will take place on Tuesday 16th December 2014 in the College library between 9.00am to 10.30am (parents/carers are asked to go directly to the library on arrival at the College NOT via the front office please). Bookings of 5 minute intervals with class teachers will be taken by phone via the College office on Monday 15th December between 9.00am-10.30am only. Please note that there are no formal classes this day. Staff Development/Pupil Free days Please note that Wednesday 17th December and Thursday 18th December 2014 are Staff Development/Pupil free days, with the College office closing on Thursday 18th December.

Be An Angel Each Pastoral Class is being assigned an underprivileged child in the Menai area to buy a present for this Christmas. Without our help these children may not receive any Christmas presents this year. Each class is in charge of raising at least $40-$50, in any way they choose, for the child they are allocated. It is then their responsibility to buy a present for the child they have been given (it must NOT use batteries), place it in a suitable gift bag (no wrapping paper please) and return it to me with the Angel card attached by December 5

th (Friday

Week 9). If more money is raised the class can request another child to buy a present for. If extra money is raised this will be donated to St Vincent de Paul to help them with all the work they do for families at Christmas.

Thank you for your continued support. Mr Peter Tsambalas Social Justice Coordinator

Vinnie’s Clothing Bin

With over two million people living below the poverty line in Australia, including over half a million children your donation allows the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide more than immediate help, it provides something much more valuable – the opportunity of a better life. Giving clothes is a great way of helping out the community. Donations of clothing can make a great difference to an individual or a family. Good quality second hand clothing can now be donated in our very own Vinnie’s clothing bin. Our bin is currently located in the main staff car park, near the entrance to the College office where you can deposit clothing items during College hours. Good clean, wearable clothing (of all sizes) and accessories, with no rips/stains or tears, either new or used, are the most valuable donations we request. These items are always in demand, so please drop them into our Vinnie’s clothing bin to… MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Thank you for your generosity, Mr Peter Tsambalas

Social Justice Coordinator


Religious Education at Aquinas On Sunday the Church celebrated the beginning of the liturgical year, the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas – preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ and also to recall the promise of Christ to come again. This season continues until December 25th, when the season of Christmas begins. May we prepare for Christmas with an open mind and heart, allowing this Christmas to have a special meaning for each of us.

This Friday our College community will join together in the Blessed John Paul II Hall for our final Eucharistic

celebration for the year. During this celebration the Year 11 students and staff who have been participating in

training over the past months will be commissioned as Ministers of Holy Communion, and we will present our

efforts from the Be An Angel program to our local St Vincent de Paul conference members. All are welcome.

Mrs Catherine Nolan Religious Education Coordinator

Reflection on the Gospel

Sunday marked the first Sunday of Advent. In the Gospel (Mark 13:33-37) Jesus said to his disciples: “Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come”. Waiting is a prominent image in Sunday’s readings. Some people wait to be re-leased from suffering, others await the second coming of Christ. Waiting saps our energies and stifles our enthusiasm. Yet wait we must, and as we wait, we wonder: ‘What should I be doing?’ The readings suggest that we should wait with patient expectation for the day of reconciliation and peace; we should wait in joyful hope that what is to come will come soon. While we wait, we should faithfully fulfil our responsibilities. We believe that we have a future worth waiting for, that there are promises that God will keep. And so we look expectantly to the Day of the Lord, that future day of ultimate fulfilment.

Adapted from a reflection by Dianne Bergant CS

YEAR 9 EVANGELISATION DAY @ ACU

Matthew Mulligan

"Unity is not about everyone agreeing on one thing, Unity is about everyone loving each

other"

-Sam Clear

Abby Catalano

On Tuesday 25th November myself and a few other students from Aquinas participated in an

Evangelisation day at ACU. With the help of teachers including Miss Kilzi and

Mr Strudwick, schools gathered together from all across the region to talk about faith. We

had the opportunity to listen to a man named Sam Clear who walked across the world in the

light of trying to unite different religions and ideas about faith. It was amazing to hear about

all the things he had experienced and people he had met who changed and taught him so

many new things, which he shared with us hoping we can take what he said and practice it

ourselves.

Olivia Lavidis

The day started with some brief introduction games, hosted by Mr Strudwick, to ‘break the

ice’ between the different schools and students. We then forwarded into the Gleeson

Auditorium where we began the day in prayer. The prayer was shortly followed by a speech

by Sam Clear, a young Catholic with a longing for unity. During Sam Clear’s journey he

stopped at every church regardless of denomination and met many inspirational people who

were truly living in God’s footsteps. Overall he walked 15000 kilometers on foot and

encountered dozens of challenges along the way. We learnt through Sam Clear’s story that

we can see God in ourselves, in others and in eternity. Later on in the day we were given an

exclusive insight into the plans for WYD 2016, held in Krakow and the options available to

us and future pilgrims.


YEAR 9 EVANGELISATION DAY @ ACU

Angela Celi

The Year 9 Evangelisation gave us opportunity to meet Samuel Clear who told us

his story of how he travelled the world on foot for a whole year, knocking on

churches to convince and show them that the unity of Christianity is important and

is needed if it is to stop the argument of who’s right and who’s wrong. Sam told us

the stories in which along the way of his incredible journey he met kind, generous

people that helped him in his journey. We got to hear how God works in others by

having qualities of perseverance, courage, hope, kindness and humility. He

influenced us to find God in our lives today; in ourselves, in others and in eternity.

We found different ways to pray and to thank god for the things we take for

granted. It encourages us to take part in making Jesus part of our lives; a way could

be by helping in a fundraiser that takes action for us to do something in which we

can unite in Christianity (‘doing’ not just ‘saying’). We were also told about World

Youth Day 2016; that it is a great opportunity to have a deeper understanding of

God and to meet new people, and it invites all

cultures, not just Catholics.


Asylum Seekers Centre at Newtown

Two car loads of much needed goods were delivered last Wednesday to the Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC)

– and they were extremely grateful for the donations.

The effort of the students in this appeal was wonderful. Particularly wonderful were the Year 10 boys

who, off their own bat, sold ice blocks after Friday sport to raise funds, purchasing goods from Aldi with

the $250 raised. What fantastic young people.

Jenny and her son Andrew drove the goods in to the ASC and were shown around the new Newtown

premises. The Centre runs English classes, job seeking service for those with work rights, food bank -

where clients may take a box of food per week; volunteers provide cooked lunch for 30 – 40 clients per

day, counselling, legal, medical, psychological services etc. Staffed by mainly volunteers, it is a wonderful

place with such a positive vibe.

The staff and clients at the ASC were very grateful for our very substantial donation.

The following is an email note from Jenny Lynch and Fran D’Ambra - Holy Family Social Justice Team

thanking Aquinas Catholic College Menai for the donations.

Thank you so much to all the students and families who gave so generously to the annual collection for the

Asylum Seekers Centre. Your donations are really appreciated by the Centre and make a real difference

to the lives of the vulnerable people who come to use this fantastic service. We’d particularly like to

mention the amazing students who gave of their time selling ice blocks, making a profit to purchase $250

in grocery items for the ASC clients. Truly “enlivened by the spirit”. Wishing you and all the staff at

Aquinas a blessed Christmas.

Nice work Aquinas!

Mr Peter Tsambalas

Social Justice Coordinator

College Captains Adrienne Bogard and Joshua Bradstock

ready to load the donations into the cars.

Jenny Lynch with the entrepreneurial Social Justice Year 10 boys,

Vincent Holdom, Andre Sauzier, James Black and Clinton Murphy.


MATHEMATICS REPORT

On 7th August in Term 3, Aquinas students participated in The Commonwealth Bank Australian

Mathematics Competition, along with hundreds of thousands of students from over 40 countries. We

achieved 3 Distinctions, 37 credits and over 68 proficiency awards gained from our 151 entrants from the

top maths class in Years 7 to 10. (Year 12 trials prevented their participation this year.)

At the last school assembly, the Distinction awards were presented by Mr Corcoran, while the credit,

proficiency and participation awards are to be presented DURING year group assemblies.

We congratulate the Distinction winners:

Year 7 HAMISH BALDACCHINO JIMMY ARFANIS Year 9 NATHAN FRITH

Prudence Award for the most consecutive correct answers to SOPHIE STONE Year 8

We congratulate the Credit winners

JUNIOR

Year 7 BENJAMIN FERRARO CHLOE COTTER CHRISTIAN DOUEIHI

CLELIA FRANGOS AIDAN CONCHIE XAVIER ROZANC

MATTHEW JURINARIO KEZIAH NETTO LUCAS TALESKI

Year 8 SOPHIE STONE DENNIS LYKOURAS JACKSON ROCA

KEIRA DAILLY ANTONIO DOUEIHI KYE MUSCAT

DAVID ESTEPHAN SAMANTHA KERLE JACQUELINE BROWN

ALEXANDER FIRTKO ERICA LEE SARAH LARKHAM

CAMERON HUTCHISON

INTERMEDIATE

Year 9 DANIEL FERRARO JEREMY ISKANDAR BLAKE DIAMOND

KAELAN HUNTER ISABELLA WIJESEKERA JESSICA ARFANIS

Year 10 NIAMH KENNEDY BARRON SI BRANDON DEAL

SENIOR

Year 10 Accelerated (entered in SENIOR division not Intermediate)

CHARLES EDGAR JACK PETHYBRIDGE JOSHUA SWAN

Year 11 EMILY SIMPSON CAMERON LADOUCE JORDAN COELHO

We congratulate all participants in this prestigious competition.

Maths Department


'Minds on Maths’ Six students from Years 7 and 8 represented Aquinas Catholic College in the ‘Minds on Maths’ Challenge at All Saints Catholic Girls College, Liverpool on Wednesday the 26

th November against 13 other schools from the Southern

Region. Hamish Baldacchino, Caitlin Bell and Alana Bewert of Year 7 and Ryan Mulligan, Keira Dailly and Jackson Roca of Year 8 competed in 8 rounds of problem solving and Working Mathematically challenges including ‘Number Patterns’, ‘Fraction Frenzy’, and ‘Maths Yum Cha’. These students worked extremely well as a team and came away with a great sense of achievement, and an invigorated passion for Mathematics. Well done. Mrs Elyse Finnerty Maths Teacher

Last Wednesday, six Year 7 and 8 students along with Mrs Finnerty and Mr Petrie attended the Mind on Maths Day. We competed against other schools in challenging maths activities. Although we did not win, it was a very enjoyable day and it was a good opportunity for all of us.

Keira Dailly


Curriculum Matters

This Week's Assessment Tasks

Report Check-In

With reports due to be issued next week, the following, from the Study Skills website, is a timely piece

about how families might use the reporting process to generate positive conversations about teaching,

learning and personal reflection and accountability.

Ten Tips to Make the Most of the End of Year School Report

1. Before the report arrives home, a useful exercise would be to ask your child to write their own school report. Make up a grid similar to this (below) for all subjects, and ask your child to pretend to be the teacher and write about themselves. You could also create a grid that simulates your child’s previous school report.

This gives your child the opportunity to reflect on his/her own performance at school. It can provide parents with a useful insight and can be a reference to compare the teachers’ perspectives with your child’s viewpoint. It is also a good discussion point when the school report arrives home. And a discussion should take place to help your child reflect and evaluate the report with you.

2. Read your child’s report with your child. This immediately indicates openness, and provides direct encouragement and support to your child. Wherever there are positives, in either comments, grades, effort and so on, point them out to your child first. Most students will have areas to commend and should be acknowledged by the parent.

3. The report should be viewed as a vehicle to move forward, and not be perceived as a final judgment of a child’s ability - because it is not. It’s a “screenshot” and not the whole story. It is important students know they have the ability to modify and change their work ethic or study strategies, and they can improve. Reinforcing that the report is an opportunity to highlight strengths and weaknesses, which will happen throughout their working life through appraisal or performance reviews, can help the student develop goals for next year. 4. Compare the yearly report to the Semester 1 report and last year’s report.

This can be useful to identify specific subject areas where there has been an improvement or a decline. If grades improved, celebrate this achievement. If the grades declined, ask your child why this may be the case. For

Year Subject Date

12 Legal Studies 01.12.14

12 Physics 01.12.14

12 General Mathematics 02.12.14

12 Extension 2 Mathematics 03.12.14

12 Ancient History 04.12.14

12 IT Timber 04.12.14

12 Business Studies 05.12.14

Subject Grade (A-E) Effort (Always-Rarely)

Teacher’s comment

English

Maths


example, Semester 1 report grades may have been based on assignments and not exams. This could flag that exams were either not fully prepared for and study skills should be reviewed, or your child needs exam practice as they are a very different mode to demonstrate knowledge, or perhaps new concepts were introduced in Semester 2 and these could be weaknesses to work on!

5. Don’t just look at grades, focus on effort also.

A child’s performance is not measured solely by grades. Not every child will receive an A or B, in fact the average child would mostly like achieve a C grade (which typically represents the middle 60%). Effort grades however can reflect the teacher’s perspective on how hard your child worked, his/her commitment to fulfill homework, assignments and contribution in class. A child who achieved a C grade, or 55%, yet gained an Always for effort should be congratulated. Again, as the report should be viewed as a discussion and evaluation, if the effort grade is lower, ask your child why this might be the case, and make a note of this to form one of the goals for next year. 6. Consider the “year average” mark or grade.

Many schools will include the year average grade as well as your child’s grade. This is important to consider. If your child attained a B, and the year average was C, then your child is well above the average. Celebrate this. 7. TALK to your child about the report, and LISTEN.

Help your child not to blame someone or something that resulted in a disappointing report. Blame does not lead to action. If there are extenuating circumstances for a disappointing report (such as a difficult family situation like parents separating, or relocation or demanding co-curricular activities etc), acknowledge these may have affected your child’s focus and give understanding. However help your child accept that they perhaps did not put in the effort, or had not established an effective revision program, or had not given the required commitment. Asking your child what they could do next year to improve or maintain excellence is a good start. Again, it would be worthwhile jotting down your child’s comments to establish goals. Reinforcing that a yearly report is a vehicle to move forward is vital. 8. Grades varying between subjects, and compare exam results with assessment results.

Identify specific subjects where grades were ‘low” and where others were ‘high’. It is not uncommon for students to have strengths in some subjects and weaknesses in others. Few children excel across all subject areas, particularly in Years 7 – 10 when they have not yet been able to refine their academic program to areas of interest or strength. Talk to your child about why grades may vary, as there could be good reasons. For example, if your child’s report grades range from A to C, ask why? Most students would be able to articulate the divergence and it could be simply that they did not study for a subject at all, or had misread a heavily weighted question. Again, make a note of your child’s comments, to form goals or strategies for next year. Similarly compare exam grades against assessment grades (these can be accessed through SEQTA). If your child’s exam marks are noticeably less than the assessment grades, it could easily identify a weakness in exam technique and/or revision, and not be a reflection of ability or understanding. Remember, examinations are just one medium for determining a child’s knowledge.

9. Establish goals for next year and consider a holiday review program(even if only 1 hour a week). The report can, and should, be read as an instrument to create goals for next year, and possibly plan a holiday review program. As students in December typically focus on the long summer holidays, freedom and unstructured days, it’s natural for school work to wane. However, now is the time to create goals for next year, whilst the academic year remains in their recent memory. It is more difficult to establish goals in February. Goals are best determined by the child, yet parental input after discussing a yearly report is prudent and can provide direction. Identify 3 – 5 goals for Semester 1, 2015. The goals should be in response to you and your child’s discussion of the report, and teacher recommendations. Some goals could be:

Focus on reading the question in assignments/exams carefully to ensure the question is answered.

Ensure I make summary notes when I finish each topic.

Do at least 30 minutes reviewing what I learned at school each day, in addition to homework.

Ask the teacher if I don’t understand a concept.

For example, if Maths is a weakness, spend 1 hour a week doing extra Maths practice. When the goals are listed put them in a prominent place – fridge, bedroom wall, notice board etc. It would also be prudent to develop a holiday review program if there are specific subjects or areas of subjects that are weak. This does not need to be extensive, in fact, shouldn’t, however regular practice of specific subjects that will be required for cumulative learning next year can make an enormous difference. Examples of subjects where knowledge learned this year would be assumed knowledge for next year can include Maths, Science, English and Languages – as well as many others! Holiday review programs can easily be incorporated into your child’s vacation plans. For example, if your child sees a movie, they could write a review, or analyse the film techniques. If your child reads a newspaper or magazine or internet site, they could write a short paragraph about bias, purpose, persuasive techniques etc.


Great Results in Year 10 ESSA Exam

In September 137 Year 10 students from Aquinas undertook the ESSA online exam. This was an invitational trial with a

general invitation to DEC schools as well as to selected Catholic and Independent schools. Marking was completed online and

a ‘corporate marking centre’ was established at Aquinas with Ms Hermis, Ms Abi-Arraj and Mrs Woods completing the

holistic marking of the papers during the school holidays. The holistic nature of the marking means that students are rewarded

for what they know and how they explain the concepts. The online format provides frequent check papers to ensure reliability.

The ESSA exam is an award-winning exam format that was composed of 82 multiple choice style questions and three extended

response questions. The multiple choice items can ask students to rank steps or processes in order, choose yes or no against a

selection of answers, insert words to label diagrams or complete flow charts or choose the correct answer. The exam consists of

a series of stimuli, videos, photographs or text items and each item has a number of related test items attached to it.

Across NSW 5254 students completed the exam. Overall Aquinas students achieved results above the State mean in the four

reporting strands: Knowledge and Understanding, Working Scientifically, Communicating Scientifically and the Extended

Responses. Results in each strand are reported via a 6 Band structure. An overall Band is awarded and these will be available,

hopefully via SEQTA, before the end of the term.

In 2012 these students completed the ESSA exam and their 2012 results are compared with their Year 10 results, particularly in

regards to their expected growth in Science ability. A small number of students showed negative growth - Year 10 results are

lower than expected based on their Year 8 results. However 51 students (37%) displayed growth of greater than 10 marks with

the best overall growth of 30 marks.

Aquinas students performed above State average in terms of Bands 5 and 6. In the extended response questions the number of

Band 6’s was 21.2% (29 students) while for Band 5’s the percentage was 46.0% (63 students). Three students achieved a Band

1 and one student achieved a Band 2.

In the other strands 21 students were awarded a Band 6 in the Working Scientifically strand and there were also 21 Band 6

results in the Communicating Scientifically strand. 15 students received a Band 6 in the Knowledge and understanding strand

and overall 14 students received a Band 6. A total of 44 individual students received at least one Band 6 result, representing

32% of the cohort.

14 students in total were awarded an overall Band 6 and have received a KLA award. Congratulations to Charles Edgar who

scored the highest mark and to James Black, Charles Edgar, Dylan Foskett and Vincent Holdom who received Band 6’s in each

outcome. Congratulations also to Andrew Agostini (10G), Alexander Brown (10B), Ciara Bryant, Nathan Costa (10B), Dylan

Foskett, Corey Hall, Niamh Kennedy, Jacob Moussa, Laura Muller, Aidan O’Hara (10B) and Joshua Swan who also achieved

an overall Band 6.

Students who scored a Band 6 in any reporting outcome or who showed a strong positive growth were awarded an academic

merit award.

Congratulations to all students.

Mrs Woods, Science Coordinator

LASTLY, if you are very concerned about your child’s report, you should contact the school.

Learn more this year about how to set goals and be more efficient and effective with your schoolwork by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. You might like to work through a few units over the holidays.

Username: Aquinas Password: 10Success Lisa Mirabello

Learning and Curriculum Coordinator

http://www.studyskillshandbook.com.au/


Maths Recall is included in the newsletter each week and is designed for Stage 4 and 5 or junior students. The questions may focus on Working Mathematically problems and all are intended to be done without a calculator. 1. Write the HCF of 24 and 40

2. Simplify

3. Simplify

4. Simplify

5. Simplify

Mrs Catherine Fensom Maths Teacher

MATHS DEPARTMENT

RECALL CORNER

TAX FILE NUMBER (TFN) PROGRAM

Many parents would be aware of the TFN program which

has been operated by the school. The ATO, with the

cooperation of schools, has offered students aged 13 years or

over the opportunity to apply for a TFN through school. This

is a voluntary program and has made it easier for students to

obtain a TFN.

Students need a TFN for employment, applying for

Centrelink benefits, opening a bank account or deferring

university fees.

Applying for a TFN through school is easier because

students do not need to show identifying documentation to

the ATO. The school will certify the form by cross-checking

against the information held on our records. Students are not

required to show identifying documentation to the school or

ATO. Students usually receive their TFN via a notification

letter sent to their postal address within 28 days of the

application being received by the ATO.

In 2015 this will all change.

The Secondary Schools Tax File Number (TFN) Program

will not continue beyond 31 December 2014. This means

that School TFN forms will no longer be processed beyond

this date.

How students can apply for a TFN from 1 January 2015

The Australian Taxation Office in partnership with Australia

Post is making it easier for individuals to apply

for a TFN.

Students can now apply for a TFN online and have their

identity verified through an interview at a participating

Australia Post office.

Applying online is the fastest and most convenient way for

students to get a TFN. More information on applying online

can be found at ato.gov.au by searching for 'QC27248'.

Students who are unable to visit a participating Australia

Post office will need to complete the application form Tax

file number - application or enquiry for individuals form

(NAT 1432). More information about lodging this form can

be found at ato.gov.au by searching for 'QC22604'.

What does this mean for the students of Aquinas

Catholic College?

I would urge you to obtain a TFN application form from the

College office, and return it to me as soon as possible. I

believe the school process is easier than the changes being

made. As a TFN follows you through life, it is never too

early to obtain one (as long as the student has turned 13

years of age), and takes away any pressure from obtaining a

TFN when it is vital to have one (such as when being

employed for the first time).

Thank you

Lisa Higgins

Careers Adviser

(Tues, Wed and alternate Thurs)

Careers

http://www.ato.gov.au/

http://www.ato.gov.au/


eLearning @ AQUINAS in 2015

In line with Catholic Education Office (CEO) Systemic implementation, students in Years 7-12 in 2015 are

requested to bring their own computing device to school everyday. This expands the Bring Your Own

Designated Device (BYODD) program that began with Year 7 in 2014 and which has been enthusiastically

adopted. The BYODD program was implemented to replace the Digital Education Revolution (DER) which

ended in 2013.

Aquinas Catholic College recognises the need to prepare students for a rapidly changing world where technology plays an

important role in the students everyday lives.

Current Year

7 BYODD iPad continues into Year 8 2015

8

The 2 year Leasing agreement of the iPads ends at the end of this year. Students are requested

to supply their own device that meets the required specifications. Students doing electives such

as Multimedia may need to consider Apple branded devices due to design capabilities

eg MacBook Air 13”. Class teachers can provide more information once elective choices have

been confirmed.

9

The current 3 year Leasing arrangement ends at the end of this year. This device can continue

to be used next year. The students will need to bring their laptops back to the school to be

processed and cleaned. These laptops currently have versions of software that is licensed to the

College. These programs need to be removed due to licensing agreements. A service fee of

$30 will apply to cleaning up the machine ready for parents to install software they may own

the license to. A clean Windows 7 version will be installed.

10 Students purchased devices earlier this year and will continue on this 3 year arrangement – No

changes for current Year 10 students.

11

Students can continue to use their currently issued device. The warranty period for this device

has expired. There will be no changes to current software for use next year.

Students may choose to bring their own designated device, but must organise licensed

software for personally owned devices.

It is possible for some families that you already own or use a device which meets the Device Specification, in which case just

bring that. Parents should carefully consider all your purchase options. Please consider that a good quality device could last four

years.

Some parents have enquired about the use of tablet type devices for use in Years 9-12. The College would prefer the students to

use a notebook type device which matches industry standards. Not all tablet devices are compatible with our network.

Coneqt-P – Online College Management Package

At the end of last week a letter was sent to the residential address by traditional mail, listing all the

information for parents to access Coneqt-p. This letter included their username and password.

Unfortunately all Year 11 parents have been issued a new and updated username and password. The

Student Academic Report will be made available online using this access. Please check your

username and password before the release of the reports.

As a result of feedback from parents, it has been decided to issue one username for each family for ease of access. This will be

mailed to you at the child’s residential address. If there are any problems with this data could you please call the College office.

We thank you for your understanding.

Year 9 Students – All Year 9 students will be required to bring their laptop in to school to be cleaned of software over the next

two weeks. The students have been reminded to backup all data on their devices, as it will be removed. This process is due to

College owned software licenses that are on these devices. The $30 administration fee must be paid before the device can be

collected from the school. A fresh version of the operation system will be reinstalled.

Mr Hulme

eLearning Coordinator


On Monday 24th November through to

Wednesday 26th November, the Year 10

Visual Arts class set out to complete a

community mural near Menai Central

Shopping Centre. The task was big and

vast: standing before us was a 52 square

metre blank wall filled with graffiti. The

local council approached Aquinas Catholic

College earlier in the month, to put together

an art group to create a mural on the wall to

beautify the area. Year 10 Visual Arts

graciously accepted the challenge.

We had many challenges along the way

such as the heat, flies, spiders and not

to mention the stray cats. However

nothing deterred the group from

completing this task. The Visual Arts

team created an amazing mural that is

centred on a Japanese theme to create

a relaxing and calming environment.

The feedback from the public was

fantastic. The local community and

parents came past to have a look and

to congratulate the group. The

Ambulance officers who work next

door came out and mentioned that

this mural will now be their “oasis”

when they receive a disturbing call.

The Year 10 class was absolutely

amazing in their dedication to this

mural and Aquinas Catholic College

congratulates them on all their

efforts.

Well done Year 10 VA.

Ms Simone Small

Year 10 Visual Arts Teacher



CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 4

TIME: MONDAY-THURSDAY 10:00-1:35, FRIDAY 9:30-12:45

MONDAY 1/12 MARIA SKARENTZOS, TIFFANY KUNZE, STEPHANIE BRODIE

TUESDAY 2/12 KERRIE HARRINGTON, ANTOINETTE KERLE, KARINA MICHAEL

WEDNESDAY 3/12 JULIANNE MULLER, PHILIPPA MCGUINESS

THURSDAY 4/12 ANGELA TEBBIT, SARAH KAINE

FRIDAY 5/12 LIZ GARCORZ, CAROLYN BARLOW, SARINA PANTAZIS, SONJA PARKER

MONDAY 8/12 DIANA LARKHAM, CLAUDIA VITALE D’AMICO, MONICA SPOONER

TUESDAY 9/12 CHRISTINE KLEIN, MICHELLE MCNABB

WEDNESDAY 10/12 DONNA SHERMAN, MICHELLE LAWRENCE, JULIEANNE LANE

THURSDAY 11/12

FRIDAY 12/12 FIONA EDGAR, KAREN WILLSON, KATE BELL

UNIFORM SHOP

THURSDAY 4 December

8:00am—9:00am

Please note the Uniform Shop only sells

Sports Uniforms and School bags

The Uniform Shop does not accept Eftpos

or Credit cards

College caps and sports socks can be

purchased from the College Office

PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES

ARE INCREASING FROM 1/1/15

Answers:

MATHS CHALLENGE

Maths Department

1. 4

2. 2x

3. -x2

4. X2

5. +9


Documents

AQUINAS CATHOLIC COLLEGE MENAI - Amazon S3s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/resources.farm1.mycms.me/aqui… · On Sunday the Church celebrated the beginning of the liturgical year,