PO Box 6073, Canley Vale NSW 2166 ABN | 78 158 526 026

Phone | +612 9755 7778

Web | www.pal.nsw.edu.au Email | info@pal.nsw.edu.au CRICOS Provider | 03398D

Newsletter 2017 End of Year

School Calendar

December 2017

End of Term 4 teaching period — Fri 8 Dec

Staff Development Week — Mon 11 to Fri 15 Dec

NSW HSC results released by NESA —Thu 14 Dec

ATARs released by UAC —Fri 15 Dec

January 2018

School Administration Office Reopens – Mon 15 Jan

Primary School Experience Day – Fri 19 Jan

Australia Day Public Holiday — Fri 26 Jan

Staff Development Day — Mon 29 Jan

Start of Term 1 teaching period — Tue 30 Jan

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End of Year Message PANHA PAL PRINCIPAL

I would like to send my sincere gratitude and congratulations to all students, staff, families and supporters for all wonderful efforts and achievements this year. 2017 is now coming to a close, and we utilise the wisdom gained from this year’s experiences to pave an even better 2018. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Pal Buddhist School in 2017, and your part in making it the fruitful year that it was.

As we all approach the start of the December school holidays, I would like to remind all students to utilise the break time in beneficial and wholesome ways. All students should remember to practice:

• WISDOM: to realise the view that the school break is a time to continue cultivating one’s mind, one’s skills and one’s values. It is an important time to spend with family, giving oneself to house work, home projects, and connecting to family members.

• MORALITY: to ensure that one upholds respectful, considerate and selfless actions and speech, and that the student’s responsibility for academic excellence is the focus of their livelihood.

• DILIGENCE: apply the right effort consistently, to further not only their own growth, but also contribute to the growth of others, such as parents and siblings.

Read plenty of books, revise the past year’s content, and strive for excellence on the IXL program!

The School will return next year with a revival of educational excellence, standards and exciting programs to enhance and enrich every student’s development. I look forward to seeing all students return with the right viriya (energy) to make next year a great year of achievement!

Executive Report MIN-ZHAO LEE

EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT

What a year it has been! The last two weeks capped off 4 terms of growth and development for our school, making it our most successful year so far. Our Golden Evening fundraising dinner sold out; students and teachers embraced the 90% Benchmark for Academic Excellence; and we have all been inspired by the enthusiastic performance of our students in The Right Speech. We have now opened the doors to our new primary school, and begun the transition to HSC Compressed Curriculum Delivery in earnest.

This year has seen our community support expand greatly, with growth of our volunteer body, P&F association and advisory board. Our staff numbers have also grown, with the valuable addition of: Mr Maynard Huynh, Ms Ngoc Anh Tran and Mr Collin Tek. We welcome Ms Jasmine Wilson who will join us as English teacher in 2018.

Week 9 was a cascade of events: Awards Night and the Grand Finale of The Right Speech (Tuesday); Induction Day for our new students in 2018 (Wednesday); the Year 11 Critical Thinking Test Part B (Thursday); and finally, Picnic Day (Friday).

The Right Speech proved hugely popular with students, staff and community alike, and we plan to continue the public speaking program with competitions each semester. Thanks to Hai Son Shipping & Transport, Rachel Jin and Amy Pengilly for their donations in support of The Right Speech prizes.

I am proud to be part of the team that have navigated the challenges and opportunities facing our school over the past 12 months. We have much more to say — so let’s hear from the rest of our team!

Pal Buddhist School — Fortnightly Newsletter 2017 Term 4 Week 9

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HSC 2017 — 100% Success Rate Congratulations to our Year 12 Class of 2017 for their hard work in achieving HSC success. Prior to receiving their ATARs, 100% of our 2017 local HSC students received early offers and scholarships from prestigious universities including the University of Sydney, the University of Technology, Sydney, and Macquarie University. On average, each student received 2 early offers.

Early University Offers

(local students)

Oshiania Gunawan

University of Sydney (E12 Scholarship)

• Bachelor of Commerce

Macquarie University Early Offer

• Bachelor of Business Leadership and Commerce

Melissa Trieu

University of Technology Sydney Early Entry

• Bachelor of Economics

• Bachelor of Business

Western Sydney University Early Entry

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)

Sophia Tran

Macquarie University Early Offer

• Psychology/Bachelor of Primary Teaching

Western Sydney University Early Offer

• Bachelor of Primary Teaching

Jeffrey Juchkov

University of Sydney (E12 Scholarship)

• Bachelor of Project Management

Western Sydney University Early Offer

• Bachelor of Construction

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Early University Offers

Peter Tang

University of Technology Sydney Early Offer

• Bachelor of Biomedical Science

• Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology / Medical Science / Biomedical Science)

• Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology)

Athena Ho

University of Sydney (E12 Scholarship)

• Bachelor of Science

(local students)

Nathan Ma

Western Sydney University Early Offer

• Bachelor of Education

Congratulations to all our students on these impressive results for their future!

Pal Buddhist School — Fortnightly Newsletter 2017 Term 4 Week 9

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Awards Night On our Semester 2 Awards Night we were joined by parents, supporters and benefactors to celebrate and recognise the right effort made by students.

Special Awards

SRC MVP Award — Wei Jia Liu (Year 11)

Certificate and $30 gift card for the most valued SRC member as voted by their peers.

Chris Hayes Book Prize — Harry Tran (Year 7)

Framed certificate and book from Chris Hayes for demonstrated consistent hard work and effort.

Reuben F Scarf Award — Jia Man Lee (Year 10)

Framed certificate and $100 from the Reuben F Scarf Foundation for demonstrated desire to improve

ADF Long Tan Award — Kelly Huynh (Year 11)

Framed certificate and $250 cheque from the Australian Defence Force for demonstrated leadership and teamwork.

Kelly Huynh receiving ADF Long Tan Award

presented by Mr Pal

Dux Awards

Congratulations to the top student of each year, who was awarded a trophy, framed certificate and $300 Dymocks bookstore voucher.

Year 7 Richard Ma

Year 8 Quy-Huan Nguyen-Phuoc

Year 9 Cynthia Jin

Year 10 Jia Man Lee

Year 11 Tammy Lu

Virtue Awards

Awarded for the role model who best embodies the virtue, each student receives an engraved medallion, framed certificate and $200 Dymocks voucher.

Dana (generosity) – Grace Pengilly

Karuna (compassion) – Quy Phu Bui

Mudita (sympathetic joy) – Richard Ma

Upekkha (equanimity) – Harry Tran

Metta (loving kindness) – Amber Pengilly

Virtue Award winners Amber Pengilly, Richard Ma and

Grace Pengilly with school advisor Lalith de Silva

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Awards Night — In Pictures PHOTOGRAPHY: MR AND MRS TRAN

Principal Mr Panha Pal (left) and

Member for Cabramatta Mr Nick Lalich

Students paying Homage to the Buddha

Distinguished members of Tzu Chi and

Pal Buddhist School Advisory Board

School Advisor Mr Lalith de Silva

presenting Dana award to Grace Pengilly

Address by Mr Pal

Stage Band performing Thing of Gold

Mr Pal presenting Danny Thaido with

Most Improved award for Stage 4 Visual Arts

Nick Lalich MP presenting Most Improved student awards

Pal Buddhist School — Fortnightly Newsletter 2017 Term 4 Week 9

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Public Speaking Competition The Right Speech

Grand Finale — In Pictures

Finalist — Jason Ta — Year 11

Finalist — Jia Man Lee — Year 10

Preparing to face the audience. Finalist — Tammy Lu — Year 11

Finalist — Jamie Tran-Vo — Year 8

Wildcard Finalist — Richard Ma — Year 7

Judges Panel — Eng-Joo Ong, Yee-Fong Lee, Nick Lalich MP

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The Right Speech Results

Score Card

Jason Ta Year 11 31.5 /40

Jia Man Lee Year 10 34.5 /40

Jamie Tran-Vo Year 8 29.5 /40

Tammy Lu Year 11 33.0 /40

Richard Ma Year 7 37.0 /40

Winner — Richard Ma, Team Huynh

Contestant and team each receive $300.

Winner of The Right Speech Richard Ma with his family

Runner-Up — Jia Man Lee, Team Sawtell

Contestant and team each receive $150.

Runner-up Jia Man Lee with mentor Mr Joshua Sawtell,

Jun Hua Lee and guardian Ms Yau

Mr Pal, Mr Muoi Huynh, Jia Man Lee, Richard Ma, and

their mentors Mr Maynard Huynh and Mr Joshua Sawtell

Reflections from The Right Speech Stepping Up to Face your Fears

JIA MAN LEE YEAR 10

I could not be thankful enough to the school for having this opportunity to stand up on the stage and present a speech. This journey was long and arduous, but it has allowed me to grow beyond anything that I could have imagined. This journey would not be complete without my mentor, Mr Sawtell, my other teammates, my teachers, my family, and my friends. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in practising and rehearsing with me over and over again. They are the greatest support. And I wouldn’t be here without their feedback and wisdom that help me shape who I am today – a person with courage, confidence and passion.

Thinking of standing up on stage is the most frightening part of the competition but when you stand on stage, you will realise that you have nothing to lose or fear. Despite all the adrenaline, the sweat, the tears and the hard work, it was all worth it. Through this competition, I finally understood the old saying that goes, “it’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey.” I learnt to recognise my limits, but always strive to break through then. I learnt to face my fears, and embrace those that push me to new heights. Everything I believed to be impossible is actually possible. In the finals, I discovered that I am not as afraid of failure as I used to be because I learnt to treat every failure as a learning opportunity.

Pal Buddhist School — Fortnightly Newsletter 2017 Term 4 Week 9

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Winning The Right Speech RICHARD MA

YEAR 7

When The Right Speech first started, I was nervous since I never had experience talking in front of a large crowd. Even though most of the audience are my pals. By doing this competition Mr Huynh has helped me build up confidence and made me believe in myself as well as my abilities. As I got the wild card spot, I was both relieved and pressured

since I had a shot at winning, but I had a short period of time to create my speech. I thought that getting this wild card spot was a big mistake which made me lose more confidence in myself. During the day of the finals of The Right Speech, Mr Huynh and I worked on my speech for the entire day.

By the end of school, I was full of fatigue and didn’t feel very good. You might think that this was an easy process. Well, if so, you are wrong. Mr Huynh and I had to fix my speech numerous times since it was too long, or it wasn’t sophisticated enough. After winning The Right Speech competition I said this to myself, “I don’t regret doing this anymore.” The hard work has paid off and now I am the champion of The Right Speech competition.

Journey of a Mentor MR MAYNARD HUYNH

TEACHER, HSIE

The ‘Right Speech’ competition ended on Tuesday the 5th of December at the Annual Awards Night. The finale showcased phenomenal speeches and performances from our finalists. The pressure and expectations of the finalists were immense. However, all finalists showed great confidence and character to overcome great obstacles to deliver exceptional speeches. Each finalist may have experienced different journeys throughout the competition, but all have grown as charismatic and confident leaders.

Many have commented on the success of the competition, saying that the quality and skill level of our students were way above the norm. Others mentioned the competition has helped many to grow as individuals by removing the barriers of self-doubt and low self-esteem. This competition is unprecedented and has marked a historical moment where students have the opportunity to be brave and develop their public speaking skills. The ability to inspire and move people with the power of the voice and words is a vital skill, which Pal Buddhist School is proud to say our students have a solid foundation to build upon.

I have found that my journey as a mentor at Pal Buddhist School over the past few weeks was extremely purposeful. With the introduction of the competition, it has helped my group to become more cohesive and supportive of one another. The mentorship program in conjunction with The Right Speech has changed dynamically. As mentors not only can we deliver essential content but also skill development in public speaking.

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The Right Speech Transcript “Romantic Relationships in High

School: short-term gain, long-term pain?”

JAMIE TRAN-VO YEAR 8

Romantic love gives short term gain, but long-term pain. I disagree. Completely. Why? I am going to convince you that romantic love actually gives short term pain, AND long-term pain. Firstly, romantic love is NOT for young people in high school. We have the HSC, our parents, our homework, our sports and games, our sleep. Who has time for romantic love? Who has time to be obsessed with another person? Who has time to be on their phones and text their love interest every five seconds?

I’m sure many of you here can agree with me … if you have time for a girlfriend, then you will have no time for video games. If you don’t have time for video games, you definitely don’t have time for school. We only have so little free time outside of school. So… games? ... or girlfriend? Which one can actually increase my reflexes and hand-eye coordination, creative and logical thinking? Game or girlfriend? Which one can decrease my attention span, my emotional stability, and my bank account? Game or girlfriend? Romantic love. Short term pain. Long term pain. Time is short in high school. But it is time to learn. To be wise.

Mr Chong tells me that love is a bunch of chemicals in our brain as addictive as cocaine and can actually make us less intelligent. A U.S. study found that “frequent dating behaviours showed significant negative impacts on academic outcomes” for students. Science tells us that romantic love makes you foolish enough to make you forget everything except that person you like. So you only focus on them and on making babies with them. And continue the human race.

I don’t think anyone here wants to make babies in high school. So romantic love is wasted on the young. Based on a scientific analysis of students at Pal, there is a clear correlation between students in relationships and students with decreasing school performance. So here’s what happens when you are on the 8 ignoble path towards suffering.

• The wrong view is that romantic love is great because yolo.

• The wrong intention is to go out with a girl or boy. Because it’s fun and cool.

• The wrong action is to forget about school and obsess over love

• The wrong speech is to tell your friends all about it, fuel gossip and jealousy.

• The wrong livelihood is to focus your entire school life in pursuit of love, not success.

I won’t bother with the rest. This path leads to break up and heart breaks, and that is my conclusion: romantic love leads to... short-term pain and long-term pain. If you don’t become insane, love becomes a drain. Every Asian parent will say – you must get A’s, not Baes.

One last piece of advice: there is one love every high schooler should have. The best kind of love that helps us become more compassionate and generous. Loving kindness. Many young people get into relationships for selfish reasons. To look cool. To be popular. To be liked. Romantic love is selfish. Loving kindness is selfless. It is noble and good. It transcends age, gender, and beauty. ANYONE and EVERYONE SHOULD have loving kindness. If people focus more on loving kindness rather than romantic love, we would help each other more to achieve our best. Because loving kindness mettas more.

Pal Buddhist School — Fortnightly Newsletter 2017 Term 4 Week 9

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The Transition to Become an International Student

CHRIS HOANG YEAR 9

It has been 2 months since I came to Australia to study. Luckily, I had the opportunity to learn at Pal Buddhist School. As a Pal student, I got used to an anti-bullying environment.

I gained the benefits from meditation and through learning dhamma. I also learnt more about life and developed my thinking through the school’s moral conduct and the friendliness that teachers and student give to me.

My favourite subject is Science as it gives me many fascinating facts that I’ve never known. On the other hand, I first thought that Photography would be the hardest subject because I haven’t got any experience with cameras and digital media, but Mr Sawtell is always a great teacher, so I got lots of help from him and my friends while doing the assessments.

Participating in The Right Speech helps me to realise many social youth issues that we need to address and it has developed my thinking and livelihood on many aspects of life. Moreover, I had overcome my fear to present a speech before the whole school, which took lots of time and effort to practise with my mentor group.

My future plan is to be a successful hotel manager and I think that being in Pal Buddhist School will help me to achieve my dream easier and become a better person.

Studying at Pal Buddhist School EMILY TRAN

YEAR 9

It is hard to find teachers like Mr Ning who genuinely care about our understanding of our topics. (Yes, he is the one who implemented the 90% benchmark.) He combines maths and life lessons together which we all learn from and strive to achieve similar goals. He understands the student’s boredom and attempts to make lessons more enjoyable. He cracks jokes and lets us take small breaks. During maths, we have class discussions which allows him to understand our way of thinking and understanding of topics. Although he picks on everyone, this is only because he wants to check our understanding constantly. It might sometimes seem very unfair, but he only does this because he wants the best for us and tries to help us improve.

Mr Ning sets up a high standard which makes the students motivated to achieve success. Success in his definition is considered doing the best you can. He does not expect perfect marks from you but instead, he likes to see our improvement in test results. Therefore, I am very grateful he is our teacher this year.

Compressed Curriculum Update MR TERENCE CHONG

TEACHER, ENGLISH/HISTORY/SCIENCE

Compressed Curriculum (CC) is ongoing! It has been 4 weeks since CC began, with our Year 11 students charging ahead into one of the most challenging years of their school life. With a focus on Biology, Modern History, and English, students had to re-adjust their attitude and priorities toward schooling as in less than a year, they will be sitting the HSC Examination alongside our current cohort of Year 12 students. While the journey has not been easy, it is good to see Year 11s and Year 12s working closely together and supporting one another to achieve academic success. The key to succeeding in the HSC is the cooperation between Pals while still maintaining a healthy dose of competition to keep the fires burning.

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The Great Pal Adventure QUY PHU BUI

YEAR 7

The student induction was one of the best days I had at Pal.

Meeting all the new students who were going to come to our school next year; there were many years 7 coming and others too. Getting to meet a partner at the temple was great as he was sorted into my House, ‘Snow Lions’.

The best part of the day was doing the ‘Great Pal Adventure’. It was exciting to do it with my new friend, but sadly I couldn’t tell him the answers, so I showed him where it might be. After all that, we got about 19/25 correct which was a high score for me, but I didn’t get over 90% so I must do it again. Just kidding, we are not that strict to do that, right?

Checking answers with deputy principal Ms Helen Lam

There were vouchers that were rewarded to us, so we could eat. The lunch was amazing and doing everything with my new friend was fun for me and for him too.

Delicious food provided by Huong Xua,

and served by parents and friends

Co-operating with him was wonderful because at the start I thought he wouldn’t talk because he was too shy, but he wasn’t. So, all that was just in one day. It was the best and I just can’t wait for the next one!

Primary School Experience Day We are now taking enrolments for Years 3 to 12 in 2018! Following on from the success of our 2017 Student Induction Day, we will be having another Experience Day for Years 3 to 6, on Friday 19 January 2017.

What’s on the program?

• Learn about our exciting and cutting-edge use of educational technology

• Immerse yourself in our school culture

• Become a member of our school houses

• Participate in another thrilling Great Pal Adventure

• Enjoy mouthwatering lunch and recess provided by our P&F

• Discover life through our balanced lenses

New students practice mindfulness

by balancing popsicle sticks

For more information, please contact us by telephone on (02) 9755 7778, or visit our website (http://pal.nsw.edu.au/), Facebook page or YouTube channel. Why not send us an email (admin@pal.nsw.edu.au)?

Pal Buddhist School — Fortnightly Newsletter 2017 Term 4 Week 9

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Visiting Tzu Chi Foundation JASON TA YEAR 11

The Tzu Chi Foundation is a wonderful organisation to observe and be a part of. In participating and experiencing the 25th anniversary of the foundation, the amount of disaster relief and charity work that Tzu Chi has done for the world has a wholesome effect to those who are rescued by the Tzu Chi volunteers. Seeing their enthusiasm in helping and supporting those in need has enlightened me in how one should be if they really want to be help the world as a person. I am considering joining Tzu Chi, as their goals in supporting the world gave me insight on the wholesome nature that people can have. I highly recommend everyone to support them!

Contact Details

Tzu Chi Foundation Australia Branch 20-22 Glen St Eastwood NSW 2122 t: (02) 9874 7666 e: sydney@tzuchi.org.au w: http://www.tzuchi.org.au/en/

Asylum Seekers Centre 43 Bedford St Newtown NSW 2042 t: (02) 9078 1900 e: contactus@asylumseekerscentre.org.au w: https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au/

Cultivating Generosity Gift of Giving

FIONA LU YEAR 11

This term, Pal students came together to contribute to a donation drive to be donated to the Asylum Seeker Centre, Newtown. An initiative by the SRC, the aim is to help families in need this Christmas and to instil good values into us, students, of the value of giving to those in need.

The Asylum Seekers Centre is a non-profit organisation operating at Newtown. The centre aims at assisting asylum seekers who are trying to make Australia their new place to call ‘home’ and a place where they feel like they belong. Every day, the Centre is filled with asylum seekers, who drop by to collect items required for their ongoing survival and essential needs.

Food and toiletry items are the highest demand by the asylum seekers, and a huge amount were donated by the students through their generosity and compassion for these poor individuals. This is because we are privileged in having the basic rights and freedom to live a life without constant war and we have access to pretty much anything we want at any time.

By having Gift of Giving day, we were able to recognise the importance of having an awareness of the hostile conditions around the world and further, develop an understanding and appreciation of how lucky we are. Furthermore, we are able to develop metta, loving kindness which is an essential quality for all students to possess to become more wholesome individuals. Thank you for the support of parents, students and teachers who have dedicated their time and effort into donating the items for gift of giving day!

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Friends and Supporters

Huong Xua is a family run business since 1998, known for its traditional Northern Vietnamese cuisines.

Now open at Liverpool Plaza – support the community and try their famous spring rolls!

Editor’s Challenge

Working Around the Clock

Looks like I have about half a page to fill again. It’s already taken plenty of hard work to iron out the formatting and get the layout flowing just right. (As usual, please send me error reports on any mistakes you can find... I challenge you!) Add a few 10-hour emergency medical shifts and deep and meaningful deliberations with friends at 5 am* in the local car park, and I often find myself wishing there were more hours in the day.

* I don’t do this all that often, but it really does seem to generate the most creative discussion. In fact, it was during one of these discussions (along with cryptocurrency, the true nature of altruism, and the illusion of free will) that we developed the idea for this very challenge problem.

Conventional 24/7 (or to be slightly more correct, 24 × 7) service is available for 168 hours a week, so we can assume that is the constraint we are working to. Usually this means 7 days, and 24 hours per day. But what if I wanted a longer day? (Let’s keep it to a whole number of hours.) How could we arrange this?

More to the point, is this even possible with current technology? How? (No warp drives, faster-than-light travel, or gravity manipulation allowed.) I want to know any relevant numbers, like how high or how far or how fast you have to go, how massive your craft must be or what wavelength of light you are using, how much fuel it would take to get there... as long as it is relevant, as I am saying.

Remember, the core of the problem is: my week is defined as 168 hours long; I want a longer day; how can it be done with the hours I have? At what cost? What needs to change?

Once you’ve made a technical proposal, one final question: starting from midnight (0000 hours) on the first of my longer days, what is the local time back on Earth for each successive “midnight” that I experience of my longer-day cycle, up to the final hour at the end of the “week”?

For the students: I’ll leave you to enjoy that over the summer break. See you in about 1000 hours. (How many days is that, again?)