Vol. 48 Issue 16 12th November 2012

FROM THE HEADMASTER

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P&F AGMThe P&F Annual General Meeting will be held in the College Library on Tuesday 13th November at

7.30pm. All parents are invited to attend.

The new Committee will be presented in the next edition of High Notes.

Dear Parents/Carers,

On Friday 2nd November, the Year 7 Class of 2013 assembled at Marist for their orientationday. Students began either nervously or excitedly depending on whether they wereentering Marist College North Shore as the only representative of their current primary school orthere was a group of familiar faces.

There was similar mix of emotionsamongst parent dictated by this being their eldest boy or somewhere down the linewith respect to attending this College. The day went smoothly and students left happyand satisfied that they now knew more about their new school.

I spoke to some parents at the beginning of the day, largely reiterating informationthat has been communicated in another form. I reminded parents that since ourpastoral welfare structures had been tweaked to include vertical tutor groups, we havebeen receiving far fewer requests from parents regarding how things work at the school from newYear 7 students who were unsure about what to do. We put this down to that in the verticaltutor groups students are comfortable asking older students for information they are unsure of.

The P&F committee have a number of important events which they are managingat this time of year. Next Tuesday 13 November from 7.00pm in the College Library is the P&F AGM.We are keen for as many parents as possible to attend and we expect that it will befinished by 8.00pm.

Secondly, as advertised later in this document, the Second Hand Book Sale takes place on Saturday 1 December and the final social function, theChristmas Drinks takes place on the evening of Friday 23rd November. Please look atthe details for each of these events.

Our second round of Parent/Teacher interviews for 2012 are taking place over threedays at the end of term on 19th-21st December 2012. Parents who wish to have a shortinterview with your son’s teachers may book a time for one of these days.

Years 7-9 will complete their last normal school day on 13th December. After that time the staffwill be involved in Professional Development and Parent/Teacher interviews up until21st December.

Thank you and God bless,

Br Peter CorrHeadmaster

Parent/Teacher Interview

Years 10 & 11 conclude

Years 7/8/9 conclude

Merry Christmas

School Fees

A reminder that all fees are now due to be paid, other than those who are on installment plans.

Mr Mark BrooksBusiness Manager

FROM THE DEPUTY HEADMASTER

Convert to Email

If you’d like to receive statements and receipts by email, please send a response to:accounts@maristns.catholic.edu.au

MCNS Accounts Department

Just like the king we need to understand that good and bad times will pass us by, but the constant is to instill Jesus message of love, compassion and forgiveness so that it is embedded deep and everlasting within each other.

Tutor Groups 2013

A letter went home to all parents last week regarding some changes for the tutor structures for 2013. Due to the increase in student numbers in 2013 we have a need to move from seven to nine tutor groups for each of the four houses.

This will mean that there will be some students (approximately 40 from each house) who will need to move from their current tutor group to one of the new tutor groups. It is our aim that there would be a maximum of 25 students in each tutor group, thus developing a greater capacity for our tutors to get to know their students better.

This process has been explained to the students and parents will be informed if their son is to change. If there are any concerns or questions regarding this change please do not hesitate to contact your son’s House Coordinator.

Mr David ForresterDeputy Headmaster

This Too Shall Pass

“There was a king who called for his jeweller and asked him to fashion a piece of jewellery that would befit all occasions in his life. After a time this jeweller returned to the king with a simple gold ring that had

no adornments or gems of precious beauty.

At first the king was annoyed at the seeming lack of thought or care that the jeweller had placed in the creation of the piece of jewellery. It was only when the king looked more closely at the ring did he notice that there was an inscription on the inside. The inscription

read simply – this too shall pass.

The king did not immediately understand the meaning of the message; however, he faithfully placed the ring on his finger. As the king went about his life with all its twists and turns, the understanding of the significance of the inscription slowly began to dawn upon him. His jeweller, in his wisdom, had truly supplied the king

with a piece of jewellery for all occasions.

The king never took the ring off and in times of great joy and celebration he would read the inscription and would be humbled by the message, understanding that such times could not be taken for granted. And in times of difficulty and sadness he would also read the inscription and be strengthened and emboldened by the message, knowing that with faith and courage

he would overcome such times.”

I first came upon this phrase from my grandfather who kept a book that he compiled about the many stories and phrases that he came across in his life. Many laughs, messages and reflections were provided in his journey. This quote “This too shall pass” I have kept close to my heart and have looked to pass on, as it’s simple but meaningful.

The story in full I only stumbled across recently. As the story explains it is about treasuring those moments that bring joy and remembering to be resilient when we inevitably hit those speed bumps in life. It is a fitting reminder to search for the rich meaning in our lives.

LEADERSHIP TEAMMeet Your 2013 Leaders

(L-R:)Service & Mission Captain: Beau Drummond

House Captain: Toby Plasto

Sports Captain: Luke Ham

(L-R:)Service & Mission Captain: Timothy Fung

House Captain: Ellis Mitchell-Paterson

Sports Captain: Alexander Fong

(L-R:)Service & Mission Captain:Maxwell Madden

House Captain: Gus Verhoeven

Sports Captain: Thepdara Sylaprany

(L-R:)Service & Mission Captain:Luke Zaher

House Captain: James Tomkins

Sports Captain: Liam Tully

College Captain:Daniel Boyle

FAITH FORMATIONIs God Your Friend?

As Christians, each of us seeks to build a strong relationship with God. We know that God is ever present with us but how often do you actually stop to think about God or even say hello to Him?

We know that each relationship we have in our lives requires some sort of commitment and work. Our friends would soon stop calling if we decided not to answer their phone calls, text messages and even Facebook messages. We need to work on our relationships with family and friends; it’s a two way thing! The same goes for our relationship with God.

In order to nourish and build our relationship we need to stop often to say hello and let Him know how we’re going and, at times, ask Him for help! We need to stop regularly to build our friendship with God. It is through this friendship that we learn to love God and place our trust in Him and also maybe listen to the messages he speaks to us in our hearts. There are many opportunities to do this in our College Community.

Mr Steve Versteegh, our Youth Ministry Coordinator, supported by members of the College Faith Formation team, leads morning prayer each Friday morning at 8.15am in the Faith Formation Room. This prayer is open to all students and staff and is an ideal opportunity to take some time out of our busy lives to connect with God.

The prayer is delivered in lots of different styles so everyone can discover their favourite way to pray, be that meditation,Taize prayer, group prayer, Lectio Divino, scripture readings etc. Remember, this group is open to all, even if you are not a member of the Catholic Church. Take some quiet time out on Friday mornings and come and check it out.

Request For Help

As you know there is an increasing amount of asylum seekers arriving in Australia due to dangerous and disastrous situations in their home countries. The pathways for seeking refuge are difficult and many find themselves in detention centres awaiting processing.

Currently there are many asylum seekers being released from detention. For now, the Government does not provide housing assistance to these people so they are left to fend for themselves with no jobs, little money and no shelter. Br Steve Cam is a Christian Brother who works with asylum seekers to help them in setting up their new lives.

Currently due to huge demands on his resources, his furniture stocks are greatly depleted. Br Steve is asking for donations of beds, fridges, washing machines, dining tables and chairs, lounges and small white goods such as toasters and kettles. He is also happy to accept clean bedding, towels and cutlery/crockery.

Br Steve can pick up but ideally the donations would be dropped off at the depot in Strathfield. Contact Br Steve on 0418 865 755. Please also feel free to contact Mrs McKinley at the College for any assistance.

Mrs Marian McKinleyDirector of Faith Formation

SOLIDARITY

As we enter the half way mark of Term 4, Marist Solidarity continues full steam ahead. Last Friday we held our final after school meeting for the term. The meeting focused on the 2012-2013 Catholic Social Justice Statement, “ The Gift of Family in Difficult Times”. Students explored in detail the importance of family and the pressures that families are facing in society today.

A number of Year 10 students will have the opportunity to explore this theme in more detail when they attend the Catholic Education Office Social Justice Day on 21st November.

During this term we have also seen changes in our service programs with Year 10 students taking on responsibility for the Cake and Coffee service at Surry Hills and Year 11 students have taken on the responsibility of St Vincent De Paul Night Patrol, while also continuing to be involved every Wednesday at Matthew Talbot Hostel.

Thirty of our Year 9 students along with Ms Devitt and Mr Giles were invited to participate in the Social Justice and Awareness Program at St Edmunds College, Wahroonga. St Edmunds is a school catering for students from Year 7-12 with a wide range of disabilities, including sensory impairment, intellectual disabilities and autism.

As part of their approach St Edmunds offers students the opportunity to participate in the SOJAD program, which gives students the experience to learn what it means to have a disability. Year 9 student, James O’Connell, shares his experiences in the next column.

As we enter into the month of November and start to think about the Christmas shopping, I ask you to spare a thought for those who won’t be able to have Christmas, who won’t be able to provide a present for their child or even put a roof over their head.

Last year as a College community we provided over 50 Christmas hampers for the St Vincent de Paul Society and I like to hope we can do the same this year. On Monday a note went home with your son explaining this year’s Christmas appeal, what types of items we would like to donate and what each house has been asked to donate each week. This information is also on the next page

As Mother Teresa wrote,

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always

start with the person nearest you”. Mr Stephen VersteeghSolidarity Coordinator

St Edmunds Experience

My experience of St. Edmunds was a realisation of how hard it is to live with a disability. In one of the activities, we were blindfolded and only had a friend as a guide who we had to walk around the block and across a road with. It was hard to listen to your guide as well as walk. When doing this I started to realise how difficult life can really be.

When we arrived, we visited some of the classes and were able to get to know some of the kids. The teachers were patient, understanding and were helping make the students life a lot easier.

Before I visited St Edmunds, I thought that the school was going to be chaos, with kids running around doing what they wanted but when we actually visited the classes, it was like a normal classroom. The students were well behaved, listened to their teachers and were doing their work.

Overall, I thought the excursion was a great experience and everyone gained some insight into what it is like to have a disability.

James O’ConnellYear 9 Salta

SOLIDARITYChristmas Appeal 2012

‘See hope in the face of despair this Christmas’

As most of us prepare to celebrate the festive season with family and friends, there are countless Australians facing the prospect of a desperate Christmas as they struggle to pay their bills, provide food and gifts for their children or worse, find somewhere safe to call home.

For 5,000 people a day, this situation is their reality. The St Vincent de Paul Society receives large numbers of calls for help every single day of the year, and the added pressure at Christmas sees this increase significantly. The time has come when we come together as a community to help ourneighbours in need.

Marist College North Shore has been heavily involved with the St Vincent De Paul Society for many years, and one of the great partnerships that the College has is the Christmas Appeal. This year we are continuing this partnership. Each tutor group has been provided with a basket for hamper items (such as food and toiletry items).

Each year we also donate presents to each family that we help in the hope of making their Christmas a little more special. If your son wishes to donate a present he can place it under the Christmas tree in the Faith Formation Office. Please include the gender and the age the present is suitable for.

Your donations will allow for the wonderful work of the St Vincent de Paul society to continue and ensure the less fortunate are able to celebrate this wonderful time of the year.

Christmas Hamper Ideas

Non-perishable foods:Tinned Fruit, Creamed Corn, Baked Beans, Spaghetti, Salmon, Tuna, Peas or Carrots

Packet goods:Breakfast Cereals, Flour, Instant Noodles, Pasta, Spreads, Rice, Packet Sauces, Jellies

Toiletries:Soap, Deodorant, Toothbrushes, Shampoo, Conditioner, Shaving Cream, Moisturising Cream

Christmas Items:Pudding, Long-life Custard, Christmas Cake, Nuts, Canned Ham, Christmas Lollies

Other Items:Supermarket Voucher, Sweet/Savoury, Chocolates, Chips, Dips, Lollies

House Roster for Items

Week beginning 12th November:

Chanel House: Other items and Christmas goods

Kelly House: Toiletry items

Salta House: Canned food items

Moore House: Packed goods and drinks

Week beginning 19th November

Chanel House: Packed goods and drinks

Kelly House: Other items and Christmas goods

Salta House: Toiletry items

Moore House: Canned food items

Week beginning 26th November:

Chanel House: Canned food items

Kelly House: Packed goods and drinks

Salta House: Other items and Christmas goods

Moore House: Toiletry items

LEARNING SUPPORTA Note From The Open Classroom

As of Monday 5th November, the Open Classroom will be open on:

Monday: 7.45am - 8.15am&

Tuesday to Friday: 8am - 8.30am

The Open Classroom will be closed for the first half of lunch and open to assist students with homework and assignments during the second half of lunch from Monday to Friday.

Ms Clare Brouggy and Mrs Dianne SandemanLearning Support Staff

After School Drama Group 2013

Expressions of interest required

Next year, Marist College would like to host an after school drama group for students in Years 7 & 8. The group would be run on a Monday from 3.30pm - 4.30pm by an external provider for a fee.

The group can only go ahead if there is enough interest. Please contact Alicia Mitchell at alicia.mitchell@syd.catholic.edu.au if you are interested in joining the drama group next year.

Ms Alicia MitchellSchool Counsellor

FROM THE COUNSELLORTEACHING & LEARNINGYear Seven to Ten

Years Seven to Ten are currently completing or about to start their last assessments for year. It is very important that students realise that this does not mean that school is over for the year and that they remain focused until the very last day of this term.

Students will continue to be assessed informally after their last formal assessment task and this will help determine application grades on the Semester Two Report.

Students in Year 10 will still have their Grades submitted to the Board of Studies even though there is no longer a School Certificate. This will now form part of the ROSA Credential.

You can read more about the ROSA by going to the NSW Board of Studies website.

Year Twelve 2012

Year Twelve have just finished the last of their HSC examinations and now have the anxious wait for their results. Please keep all of our students in your thoughts as they deal with this often stressful time in their lives.

Miss Ann McGovernDirector of Teaching and Learning

SYDNEY ALLIANCESydney Alliance City Assembly

Change Our Suburbs, Change Our City

On Sunday 28 October, three students attended the Sydney Town Hall to Change Our City. Rishi Gopalani (Year 11), Douglas Simpson (Year 11) and Jordan Mann (Year 10) joined over 1000 people, including Bishop Peter Comensoli and other students from Catholic schools representing the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney was one of the first members of this citizens’ coalition and has received the endorsement and full support of the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.

The Sydney Alliance brings together diverse community organisations, unions and religious organisations to advance the common good and achieve a fair, just and sustainable city.

The Assembly began with a roll call of organisations, with Rishi, Douglas and Jordan standing up with other representatives from the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, when called. There was then a showcase of the assemblies and progress achieved so far. The Assembly then moved into reports about the Agenda for the Common Good – transport, social inclusion, community support and health.

The Transport team shared its focus on interchange train station safety, and its work on lighting, improving neighbourhoods around stations and interchange station staffing.

We heard from Mr Tony Issa, NSW Member of Parliament for Granville who expressed his support for the work of Sydney Alliance, including its efforts in working with the Granville community to improve transport in the local area.

The Social Inclusion team showcased its work on young people, including creating good jobs for disadvantaged young people and strengthening the relationship between the youth and the police. We heard from Commissioner of Police, Andrew Scipione who committed to work with the Sydney Alliance on three objectives:

1. Inviting Sydney Alliance leaders to participate in the Community Awareness of Police Program in 2013.2. To encourage police to participate in the Sydney Alliance’s initiative – the Community Hosting Police Partnership Program.3. To work with the police diversity unit to investigate the potential of a receipts system for stop and searches.

The Assembly enabled our students to learn about, and be part of, an organisation that is putting the teachings of the Catholic Church on social justice into action. The message was to not just talk about problems but to identify change, roll up our sleeves and participate in problem solving.

The Sydney Alliance is a growing organisation and we are likely to hear more about it in the future as it attempts to engage young people. I commend Rishi, Douglas and Jordan for taking an interest in this work and for being excellent ambassadors for Marist College North Shore at this event.

For more information about Sydney Alliance and to join the mailing list, visit www.sydneyalliance.org.au.

Let every word be the fruit of action and reflection. Reflection alone without action or tending towards it is mere theory, adding its weight when we are overloaded with it already and it has led the young to despair. Action alone without reflection is being busy pointlessly. Honour the Word eternal and speak to make a new world possible.

- Archbishop Helder Camara

Mr Joe AlvaroLegal Studies

SYDNEY ALLIANCE P & F COMMITTEESecond Hand Text Book Sale

Saturday 1 December 9am - 11amin the La Valla Hall.

Payment for books can only be made by cash or cheque (made payable to ‘MCNS P&F Association’). Books will be accepted for sale, by parents or students, on Thursday 22 November from 10am to 2pm in the Archive Room (located next to the Uniform Shop) for Years 11 and 12 only and onFriday 30 November from 8am to 2pm in La Valla Hall for Years 7 - 12.

Information Packs are being distributed this week to all students in Years 8 – 11 via their Tutor Groups. Please contact the P&F via email if your son does not receive this pack in the coming days.

With thanks to those who have already offered their assistance, we are in need of more volunteers on Friday 30 November from 8am – 3pm (for a minimum of 2 hours) to help collect and price the books and set up the Hall, and on Saturday 1 December from 8:30am – 11am to sell the books.

If your son does not receive the Information Pack in the next few days, or you would like to offer assistance with the Book Sale, or have any queries please email the P & F at maristbooksale@iprimus.com.au

Christmas DrinksMarist College North Shore P&F warmly invite all parents to attend our end of year Christmas

function.

Date: Friday 23 November 2012Time: 7pm - 10pm

Location: O’Mara Plaza, Marist CollegeCost: $25 per person

RSVP by: 20 November 2012

Please note that late RSVPs cannot be accepted.(Students & siblings are not included in this event)

Cost includes finger food and refreshments.Bookings and payment can only be made by credit

card, via the secure online website www.trybooking.com/33555.

We look forward to your company as we celebrate the end of the College year!

Enquiries:Elizabeth Byrne - cmbyrne@cherry.com.au

YEAR 7 2013 ORIENTATION DAY

SPORTTable Tennis

In early October, Jay Ong (Year 7 Moore) competed in the Australian Junior Table Tennis Championships in Perth. Jay achieved excellent results inthe tournament:

• U13 Australian Junior Teams Champion• U13 Australian Junior Singles Silver medalist• U13 Australian Junior Mixed Doubles Bronze medalist

Congratulations Jay on this outstanding achievement.

Soccer

Thomas Manos’ (Year 11 Chanel) star is on the rise after achieving many accolades in the past few weeks.

Thomas became this year’s recipient of the Lucas Neill Scholarship on Wednesday 10th October at Cromer Park, Sydney. With former Manchester United and Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Bosnich presenting the award, Thomas will look to the immediate future which will see him trial with two English Premier League outfits in January 2013.

Under his Manly United FC strip, Thomas has earnedthe reputation of one of the state’s best young goalkeepers. Thomas’ dream career received a further boost after a contract offer from the Western Wanderers A-League Youth Squad after his recent training sessions with the team as well as Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners.

Last year, he was a member of the national under-16 squad who competed in the Asian Football Confederation Championship Qualifiers in Thailand.

Given the dedication required to be at the top of his sport, Marist College North Shore are very proud of Thomas’ personal achievements but more so his dedication in pursuing his HSC studies despite his growing responsibilities.

We congratulate Thomas and wish him all the best.

Jay Ong (centre) celebrates his achievements with his teammates

Thomas Manos in action on the field

HOLIDAY STUDY SKILLS COURSES AT CHATSWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CENTENNIAL AVE,

CHATSWOOD

Study Skills Courses will run in the January HolidaysThe course for YEARS 10, 11 & 12 will be held on22 & 23 January, 2013 (Tuesday & Wednesday), 9am – 1pm, both days. The Course for YEARS 7, 8 & 9 will be held on 24 & 25 January, 2013 Thursday & Friday), 9am – 1pm , both daysEach course comes with the Skills Booklet andRelevant Handouts. Content aims to help students to be organised, motivated and to manage their time and subject skills effectively.For a course outline, enrolment and enquires contact:Mrs Ann Cook, author and course convenor onPhone/Fax 98182575 or visit website www.studiesforfuturechoice.com for enrolment

Canteen13 Nov: Brenda Davy, Stephanie Lainey, Rachael Russell14 Nov: Ann Catanzariti, Margie Morgan, Katharine Watts15 Nov: Kathryn Broomhall, Julie Gaidzkar, Maureen McKee, Suzanne Devine, Stethea Grobler16 Nov: Dominica Edwards, Melaine Lindquist, Susan Mayall, Joanna Milenkiewicz, Michelle Mulligan19 Nov: Donalda Brown, Rosalind Elliot, Karen Knowles, Andrea Morgan, Bernadette Taylor, Annette Bradford20 Nov: Cathie Balden, Annie Wickett, Nola Xenakis21 Nov: Elizabeth Byrne, Dianne Pastuszak, Cindy Van Kampen22 Nov: Sally Engeman, Margarett Weller, Karen Whitehead23 Nov: Anne Young, Robina Swinney26 Nov: Lisa Boyle, Louise Burton, Ann-Marie Hilliard, Cathy Kinsella, Leonie Siutz, Christina Young

Uniform14 Nov: Helen Briggs, Ann-Marie Hilliard, Megan Sturrock17 Nov: YEAR 7 FITTING DAY - ALL VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED (SEE BELOW)21 Nov: Alison Halls, Meg Neuhaus, Cheryl Condon

VOLUNTEER ROSTERS LOOKING AHEAD

The Year 7 Fitting Day will take place on Saturday 17th November. On this day we measure and outfit close to 150 boys. I am asking for more assistance on this day. If you can spare 2 hours or more between 8.30am - 3pm it would be much appreciated. Please contact me at the College on 9957 5000, email northshore@maristcollege.com or just roll up on the day!

Mrs June MitchellUniform Shop

13 Nov: ESSA testing P&F Annual General Meeting14 Nov: Uniform Shop Open16 Nov: Class of 1987 25 Year Reunion17 Nov: Year 7 (2013) Uniform Fitting Day19 Nov: Year 9 Assessment Week begins Year 12 (2013) Hospitality Work Placement begins21 Nov: Uniform Shop Open23 Nov: P&F Christmas Drinks26 Nov: Year 7 & 8 Assessment Week begins28 Nov: Uniform Shop Open1 Dec: Second Hand Book Sale, 9am - 11am5 Dec: Uniform Shop Open6 Dec: Year 10 and 11 Champagnet Gold Volunteers Thankyou Lunch & Liturgy7 Dec: Year 10 and 11 conclude for 201212 Dec: Year 7 - 9 Champagnet Gold Uniform Shop Open13 Dec: Year 7 - 9 conclude for 201219-21 Dec: Parent/Teacher Interviews21 Dec: College closes for 201221 Jan: College Office opens for 201330 Jan: Year 7 Orientation31 Jan: All students return for 2013

YEAR 7 FITTING DAY

Where: St. Michael’s Primary School, Longueville Road, Lane CoveWhen: 16th November 2012Time: 5pm - 9.30pm

Join us for an evening of social shopping!Leave the kids at home and get your Christmas shopping done with

fabulous products on sale from over 50 unique stall holders

Tickets $5.00 each Contact: Jacky Barker 0419 624 203Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StMichaelsMumsNightOut