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A Ministry of Mercy Education Ltd

Issue 20: Thursday 3 December 2015Newsletter

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Ms Paddy McEvoyPRINCIPAL

Inside this issueDear Parents/Guardians, Friends & Students of SAC, As we look back on 2015, we will each have our own memorable moments and achievements that mark the year. I have recently been reflecting on the many opportunities I have in my role to attend public functions with our students. I see these moments as a privilege and they are a great source of pride for me because of the way our students represent SAC and the way they interact with members of the wider community. When I seek representatives for these out of school events, students always respond in a spirit of generosity, proud to represent their school in a public forum.The 2015 SAC Magazine was delivered to students this week and provides a wonderful record of the year for our students, their families and staff. When we surveyed students late last year in relation to the Magazine, they indicated that their most valued aspect of this document is the photography, as it provides a visual snapshot for them of a year in their life. I would like to acknowledge the work of Ms Corrina Min and Ms Alexandra Gonzalez, who worked with a group of staff and students to take that feedback on board and create a vibrant, colourful book with a structure and content that reflects the energy and creativity of our school. This week the Leadership team had an opportunity to gather with our Canteen volunteers for 2015. We are so grateful

that parents and grandparents choose to contribute generously in this way to our school community. Not only is it a thrill for students to have a family member here at school, it also enables us to offer a greater variety of options in the Canteen.Celebrating cultural diversity is a very important aspect of who we are at St Aloysius College. This week, Ms Mary Kotsionis, one of our English as an Additional Language teachers, coordinated a celebration for Spanish speaking students and their families. There was music, flamenco dance, piñatas and a variety of Spanish food provided by parents. It’s a privilege to share some of the unique celebrations of the many cultures represented in our student population.This end of the year leads us into a period of rest and renewal, one which each of us will welcome and enjoy. During that time we celebrate one of the major Christian feasts - the feast of Christmas. We celebrate the love of God born into the world in Jesus of Nazareth and the transforming power of that love in our own lives. My wish for us all at Christmas is that love will flourish in our families and in this school community and that we will be renewed by God’s love for us.

Ms Paddy McEvoyPRINCIPAL

OPENFriday 4 December 2015

8:15am - 12 noon

Monday 7 December 2015 to Friday 18 December 20158:15am - 4:30pm

CLOSEDMonday 21 December 2015 - Friday 1 January 2016

NORMAL OFFICE HOURS RESUMEMonday 4 January 2016

8:15am - 4:30pm

Tuesday 26 January 2016: AUSTRALIA DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY (closed)

Thursday 28 January 2016 8:15am - 1:00pm (open)

End of the Year Primary Mass.........2Year 7 Retreat ........................................3 Year 9 Plastic Bags Project................4Year 12 Graduation Dinner...............5Hola!..........................................................6Drama & Art Banners..........................7Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.............8Women in Policing SAC...................9Uniform Shop January Hours.......9Italian Study Tour.................................9Chinese Language Awards..............9Primary Sport......................................10Secondary Sport................................11

SCHOOL HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

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Our End of the Year Primary Mass was celebrated by Fr Paul Cashen, Administrator of the Cathedral parish on Thursday 26 November, 2015. The theme of our Mass was ‘Give thanks to God with gladness and joy’. This Mass concluded our academic school year - a year where the students have grown in knowledge and understanding, used their gifts and talents and cherished the friendships made over the year. Fr Paul Cashen in his homily highlighted that the greatest gift is love and that as we approach the season of Advent and wait with joy and anticipation for the coming of Jesus, we are asked to love one another and share that with family, friends and our community.We thank all those involved in the Mass. Our Years 6 and 7 student choir led us in the hymns and responses with their angelic voices conducted by Mr Craig Evans and accompanied by Ms Linda Clemente on the keyboard. We thank Year 7 student Stephanie Junke who carried the processional cross and Zara Browm and Taleisha Fowler who assisted Fr Paul as altar servers.

Students from Years 1 and 2 provided beautiful decorations for the pews, Year 3 students carried gifts in the Offertory procession, Year 5 students formed the Gospel procession and Year 6 students read the Prayers of the Faithful. Year 7 students assisted as ushers, distributed booklets and decorated the Cathedral. Many thanks to Ms Juliana Saunders, her baby boy and daughter and Mr Brendan May who formed the nativity as the students sang ‘Away in a Manger’ to conclude our morning celebration in an extra special way.Thank you to Ms Paddy McEvoy, Ms Christine Simpson, Ms Marian Elliott and Ms Wendy Heuzenroeder for their assistance in the Mass. Thank you to parents, caregivers and visitors who were able to join in our celebration. On behalf of the Primary staff, I wish you and your family all the blessings of love, peace and joy this Christmas.

Ms Sandra SofiaRELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR (R-7)

End of the Year Primary Mass

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YEAR 7 RETREAT

Our Year 7 Retreat was held on Wednesday 18 November, 2015. This Retreat was an opportunity for Year 7 students to reflect as a group on their Primary years and to participate in a range of social and educational activities. Students brought delicious and varied foods for our shared lunch. The day concluded with a Year 7 Liturgy in the Chapel to which all students contributed in some way. These activities were facilitated by Year 7 home class teachers, Ms Jo Weir, Ms Mel Potter, Ms Kamala Bode and myself.

Ms Sandra SofiaRELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR (R-7)

Students’ Reflections

At the Year 7 Retreat, I really enjoyed the meditation, colouring in and making God’s creation task. The shared lunch ended the day well. Ashleigh Hastings 7SS

I enjoyed working together with different people. The liturgy gave us a chance to reflect on Year 7 altogether.Alyssa Najjar 7MP

The Year 7 Retreat was a fun, relaxing and enjoyable experience where we got to work with our classmates and reflect on our school year. I enjoyed bonding with my teachers and other students to prepare for the high school years ahead. Alyssa Lagana 7 JW

I loved learning about the doors of Dublin and Catherine McAuley. It was good to be at our liturgy with all of the students from Year 7. Isabella Page 7MP

I enjoyed the Retreat because it allowed me to get closer to my friends and get to know people I don’t talk to that often. I liked doing the activities and I also liked how each and every one of us did something for the liturgy. Rui (Amy) Wang 7JW

We completed many activities that helped us connect with God and get a better understanding of the Catholic religion. The Year 7 Retreat was definitely the highlight of my year. Tegan Fitzhardy 7JW

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VET GRADUATION CEREMONYEarlier this week, we celebrated the graduation of our Year 10, 11 and 12 St Aloysius College students who studied a VET course in 2015. The graduation ceremony held at Prince Alfred College celebrated the achievements of students’ gaining qualifications that complement their school studies. This year our students studied a diverse range of VET courses including hospitality, fitness, nursing, fashion, game design, photography, make up, retail, first aid and barista courses. Congratulations to all the girls who received VET qualifications this year and gained bonus SACE credits along the way.

Ms Louise MurphyCAREER EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

YEAR 9 PLASTIC BAGS PROJECT

For 20 weeks this year, Ms Schubert’s Year 9 History class have been involved in a very special project with Ms Zoanetti. This project required students to collect plastic bags that cover ‘The Advertiser’ newspaper and then take them to Coles to recycle them. As part of the Green Jam group this initiative has been passionately supported by a large percentage of the class who have learnt of the importance of recycling plastics. As a cohort, 9VC have recycled an impressive number of 2076 bags. That’s the equivalent of 30 tennis courts and we are still going! It is shocking to think that all that plastic would have ended up sitting in landfill, blown away into our water ways, or being eaten by a fish for breakfast. By recycling plastics we are circumventing these problems and instead reusing the plastic for other purposes. It became clear to the students that this waste problem was truly significant and that public awareness was also vital if action was going to occur. A group of nine students have committed to continue this project through the remainder of their secondary years and they hope to see effective results over the years to come. So, next time you go to put something in the bin, stop and think: Should I be recycling it? We can make a huge difference by helping to keep the world clean and beautiful!Lucy Eaton 9VC

Students from 9VC at Coles ready to recycle the plastic covers

Students from 9VC folding the plastic covers and preparing them to deliver them at Coles

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THE YEAR 12 GRADUATION DINNER

The Year 12 Graduation Dinner, held at Donato Reception Centre was a fitting finale to a year of hard study for our Class of 2015.Nearly five hundred people gathered to celebrate the completion of a very challenging year. Despite the challenges, the students were wonderfully supported by family, friends, peers and teachers as they negotiated their way through the experience of Year 12. The year provided them with wonderful memories of unique experiences, friendships, special events, successes but never failures! Through sustained efforts, responding to constant encouragement and the personal desire to achieve, the Class of 2015 made it successfully to the end.Throughout the evening each student was presented to Ms Paddy McEvoy, to receive the gift of a Celtic cross, specially commissioned and made in Ireland. The cross, as a lasting keepsake of the Mercy education each student received, was given to our girls along with our hope that, through their education at SAC, they see themselves as empowered young women, eager to play a vital role in the world of the future. Parents, friends and staff received the heartfelt thanks for their constant support and encouragement; sentiments echoed in the speech delivered by our 2015 school leaders, Philippa Good 12JJ and Hannah Southcombe 12MN.We are proud of the achievements of the Class of 2015. While wishing them all the best, we encouraged each student to: “Embrace life. Set out boldly along unknown paths. Follow your star and allow yourself to be guided and moulded by the Spirit of Life”.

Ms Carolyne Williams & Ms Muriel NoujaimYEAR 12 COORDINATORS

120Z

12CW

12BC

12JJ

12MN

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HOLA!

Food, music, piñatas and a flamenco dancer brought the SAC Spanish speaking students and their parents together on Monday 30 November. Guest speaker Ms Alicia Alfaro shared Christmas traditions of the Spanish Latin American countries our girls and their families come from. It was a vibrant, colourful and joyous event where the girls made ribbon Christmas trees, whacked piñatas and danced to

Spanish music in their national costumes.

Ms Mary KotsionisEAL TEACHER

I liked the food and the dancing. I liked my grandma coming too. Amalia Vasquez 1DS

I really liked dancing to Spanish music and making Christmas trees. Catalina Requejo Regal 2LS

I liked the activities, the music and the dancing. I loved dressing in my national costume. Francheska Stansfield-Labrin 5NW

It was really fun. I enjoyed hitting the piñata and making the ribbon trees. Celina Joham 6RL

I thought this event had historical value as it brought back various memories. I liked trying the food from the different Hispanic countries. Madison Linn 7JW

Students’ Reflections

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TAFESA Kids Christmas Decorating Competition 2015

It’s only a few weeks till that jolly man in red appears down our chimneys…. but he’s stopping off at Regency International Centre at TAFE SA Regency Campus first on Saturday 12 December. So come one, come all to the TAFE SA Christmas Decorating Competition for Kids!We supply all the materials, all you do is have fun creating your personalised Christmas decorations! Prizes will be awarded to outstanding competitors! From 10:00am-12:00 noon, suitable for ages 6-14 years, cost $25 pp. Sausage Sizzle, Santa and his helpers and fabulous festive fun for all! Looking forward to seeing you soon! Ho Ho Ho!

All bookings: www.eventopia.co/RGA

Ms Louise MurphyCAREER EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

DRAMA & ART BANNERS

Recently we have been working on some new large scale banners for display in the Art and Drama foyer. Some talented Drama students from 8SG have been wearing some beautiful Aesop Fables masks for the Drama banner which will be on display outside our small Drama classroom, E3. One of our talented Year 10 Art students, Ella Grantham 10AW, has created a superb art work which will be displayed at the entrance of the expressive arts building. Many thanks to all the students involved in this creative project.

Mr Tom Coultas & Ms Michelle BarrattDRAMA COORDINATOR & ART COORDINATOR

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DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD

Silver level - Three Day/ Two Night Kayaking Expedition Navigating The Back Waters Of The River Murray

Working with the pre-school children on Tiwi Island

Cianda & Isabelle worked with the Year 6 students on Tiwi Island

Showing the official Tiwi Island flagDuke of Edinburgh’s adventurers

The ‘Dukes’, as it is so affectionately called by its participants, is an internationally recognised award which encourages young adults, aged 14-25 years, to undertake a variety of different adventures outside the normal classroom experiences.The Award is a program which allows young people who are looking for new opportunities, challenges, experiences and skills to reach their goals and develop skills such as teamwork, leadership, responsibility and community awareness.The aims of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are for participants to:• develop a sense of community service and responsibility to

others• encourage the development of personal interests and practical

skills• encourage a spirit of adventure and discovery• encourage participation in physical recreation and improve

of performance.Successful participants can be awarded up to 40 SACE credits which are obtained throughout the award. Ten credits are awarded on completion of the Bronze level, a further ten credits on completion of the Silver level and a further 20 credits on completion of the Gold level.All participants who successfully complete the Gold level are invited, with their parents/guardians, to an award ceremony at Government House.This year there are 232 students enrolled in the Dukes Award at SAC with 161 participating in the Bronze level, 65 in the Silver level and six in the Gold level.Earlier this year we were proud to announce that Taylor Burns 11NR, Sarah Colangelo 12BC, Daniella Horvat 12CW, Anya Kalu 12OZ, Caitlin Muir-Cochrane 12OZ, Elizabeth Perri 11SE, Gennifer Roelofs 11RT, Caitlin Roy 12BC and Erin Teakle 12CW had successfully completed their Gold level. They will be presented with their certificate and medal by His Excellency The Governor of South Australia at a ceremony in June 2016 by which time it is envisaged that Cianda Baker 11CE, Isabelle Dick 11AB, Mirin Heggart 11FD, Clare Peterson 10PA and Grace Sajn 11AB will also have completed their Gold level and will join the recipients at the ceremony.We would like to take this opportunity to ask you to encourage your daughters to join Dukes as soon as they are thirteen years and nine months of age. If you require further information about the Award you may contact either abrown@sac.sa.edu.au or lbutterworth@sac.sa.edu.au or search www.dukeofed.com.au.On this page are some photos of students participating in their adventurous discovery section of the Award and the Gold Residential section (Tiwi Island).

Mr Alan BrownOUTDOOR EDUCATION COORDINATOR

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JANUARY HOLIDAY OPENING TIMESWednesday 27 January 2016

8:30am-4:30pm

Thursday 28 January 20168:30am-1:00pm

Friday 29 January 20168:30am-4:30pm

SAC UNIFORM SHOP

CHINESE LANGUAGE AWARDS

South Australian Primary Schools and Secondary Schools Chinese Language Awards

Congratulations to Reghan McGinlay and Vanessa Pearce who won the Primary and Secondary sections at the Chinese Language Awards at a ceremony held last Friday 20 November. The Chinese Language Awards ceremony was held at the Bonython Hall in Adelaide University. The outstanding achievements across all school sectors in South Australia in learning Chinese were recognised at the ceremony. Both Reghan and Vanessa have been very enthusiastic and active learners of Chinese. Their awards are a credit to them and have brought honour to St Aloysius College. Best wishes to them for their future language studies.

Ms Jenny Jin TEACHER OF CHINESE

Congratulations girls!

A street parade was held on Wednesday 2 December to commemorate 100 years of women in policing SA. 100 years have passed since the first women police workers were treated equally as constables in respect to hours of labour and remuneration.Among members of the public, our students lined the streets to wave on the parade and show support for gender equality in the workforce.

100 YEARS OF WOMEN IN POLICING SA

ITALIAN STUDY TOUROur Italian Study Tour students arrived safely and have wasted no time discovering iconic landmarks in the city of Rome. Girls have thrown their coins in the Fontana di Trevi to ensure their return visit to this magical place.

SAC UNIFORM SHOP

All Responsible Facebook Users: Become a fan of our official SAC fan page!

To do this, simply search ‘St Aloysius College’ and click ‘Like’. You will then be able to view all recent posts, relevant links and photos. You’ll be kept up to date with student achievements, upcoming events and more!

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PRIMARY SPORT

Another term of Primary sport has flown by which brings us to the end of Primary sport for the 2015 year. It has been fantastic to see so many Primary students embrace the numerous sporting opportunities offered at St Aloysius College throughout 2015.

After School Sport

Beach VolleyballThis term nine beach volleyball teams represented SAC in the Spikezone Beach Volleyball Competition held on Thursday evenings. Despite it being a very short season, all nine SAC teams played extremely well showing outstanding improvement with several wins. Congratulations to the Year 7 SAC Orange team on winning the Grand Final in the Year 6/7 girls pool A competition for the fourth time, and the Year 4/5 SAC White who also won their Grand Final in the Year 4/5 division. Fantastic work girls! I look forward to seeing the very popular beach volleyball competition continue in Term 1 next year.

BasketballThroughout Weeks 3-7 this term, 41 students participated in afterschool basketball clinics run by qualified basketball instructors. Students were given the opportunity to learn the rules of the game and develop new skills in preparation for the afterschool basketball competition beginning in Term 1 next year. Well done to all students involved and I hope to see you playing out on court next year!

LacrosseLacrosse has played a big part in Primary sport at SAC this year. Lunchtime clinics were offered throughout the term with many enthusiastic novice and experienced Primary students participating in. Thank you to the Year 7-9 students who assisted by helping the younger students at the clinics. The improvement and skill level displayed throughout the term was notable and I am excited for the bright future of lacrosse here at SAC next year.

Water PoloWater polo clinics were up and running again this term with thirteen Year 5/6 students participating in the clinics each Tuesday afternoon in Weeks 3-7. Despite initially finding some of the complex skills hard to master, the girls displayed great determination to learn and improve their skills.

Contact Information for Primary Sport Coordinator:Ms Kate Marks

Tel: 0447 512 480 or 8217 3233 Email: kmarks@sac.sa.edu.au

Water polo clinicsWater polo players playing a game at water polo clinics

Congratulations

Congratulations to Sophie McGrath 7MP who has been selected in the U12 Girls state Futsal team and will be competing in Sydney in January 2016. Sophie also successfully gained a position in the U13 Skilleroo program for the 2016 outdoor soccer season. This is a fantastic achievement and we wish her all the best in the championship and future competitions.

I would like to congratulate all girls who were involved in co-curricular sport this year. They showed great enthusiasm and determination and were indeed wonderful representatives for our school.

In closing, I would like to sincerely thank the parents, staff, student/parent coaches and sport leaders who supported our Primary sport program this year. Without their support this program would not be possible.

Ms Kate MarksPRIMARY SPORT COORDINATOR

Primary Sport 2016 NEW SPORT NOMINATION PROCESS

Term 1 sport nominations for 2016 are now to be completed online. In Week 7 all current Reception to Year 6 students were emailed a Term 1 2016 Primary sport overview. A hard copy of this overview has also been provided to all students via home class trays. The document provides a summary of the Primary sport options available in Term 1 2016 as well as instructions on how to nominate. Nominations for Term 1 next year opened on Monday 30 November 2015 and will close Monday 8 February 2016. Nominations and payments will not be accepted after this date. A more detailed sport handbook will be available on the school website at the beginning of the new school year. Please feel free to contact me regarding sport for next year.

Nominate now for 2016 Term 1 sport!

Go to the following site to complete the online nomination and payment for sport at SAC.

https://SACA.formstack.com/forms/sport

Link available on the school website. Select the online payment tab from the home page.

Please refer to the Term 1 2016 Primary sport overview for further instructions. These have been emailed to all students and a hard copy has also been distributed to all students.

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Year 7 SAC Orange Beach Volleyball Premiers Basketball Clinics

Lacrosse Participants Year 4/5 SAC White beach volleyball premiers

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SECONDARY SPORT

In Weeks 5 & 6 our Junior and Senior summer sport teams played their finals games for 2015. It was fantastic to see so many students being active as a member of a Term 4 sport team. Each week they were committed and dedicated to their chosen Secondary sport team and displayed amazing school spirit and sportsmanship. Thank you to all the parents, teachers, coaches and volunteers for your contribution to the Secondary sport program and thank you to all the students for a fantastic year of sport!

A special congratulations to our teams that finished in top position for their competition this term.

TERM 4 PREMIERSJunior B SAC 1 water polo team - undefeatedJunior C SAC 1 volleyball team - undefeated

Junior B SAC 1 tennis team - undefeatedJunior B Touch football team - undefeated

Ms Vashti CasserlySECONDARY SPORT COORDINATOR

The 2015 Term 4 summer season of sport comes to a close….

Term 4 Junior B touch football premiers - SAC 1

Contact Information for Secondary Sport Coordinator:Vashti Casserly

Mobile: 0447 937 709Email: vcasserly@sac.sa.edu.au

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Term 4 Junior C volleyball premiers SAC 1

In attack for SAC 2 Junior C volleyball team

Bianca takes control for the Junior A/B basketball team

Nominate now for 2016 Term 1 sport!

Go to the following site to complete the online nomination and payment for sport at SAC.

https://SACA.formstack.com/forms/sport

Link available on the school website. Select the online payment tab from the homepage.

Please refer to the Term 1 2016 Secondary sport overview for further instructions. These have been emailed to all students and a hard copy has also been distributed to all students.

Secondary Sport 2016 NEW SPORT NOMINATION PROCESS

Term 1 sport nominations for 2016 are now to be completed online. In Week 7 all current Years 7-11 students were emailed a Term 1 2016 Secondary sport overview. The document provides a summary of the Secondary sport options available in Term 1 2016 as well as instructions on how to nominate. Nominations for Term 1 next year opened on Monday 30 November 2015 and will close Monday 8 February 2016. Nominations and payments will not be accepted after this date. A more detailed sport handbook will be available on the school website at the beginning of the new school year. Please feel free to contact Ms Vashti Casserly regarding sport for next year.

St Aloysius CollegeA Ministry of Mercy Education Ltd

53 Wakefield StreetAdelaide, South Australia 5000

Tel: 08 8217 3200

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WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIESALL THE HOPE, WONDER AND JOY

THAT THE SEASON CAN BRINGBEST WISHES FROM THE STAFF AND COUNCIL OF THE

FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTCOMMUNITIES

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIESALL THE HOPE, WONDER AND JOY

THAT THE SEASON CAN BRINGBEST WISHES FROM THE STAFF AND COUNCIL OF THE

FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTCOMMUNITIES