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St Mary’s College Gunnedah Newsletter

24th November 2017

www.stmaryscollege.nsw.edu.au Telephone: 6742 2124

DearParents,Teachers,StudentsandFriends,OnFridayNovember17thStMary’scelebratedthecompletionofschoolingforourYear12studentsattheirYear12Formal.Itwasawonderfuloccasionforparents, friendsandteachersto gather around our departing students for the last of icialevent after 13 years of schooling. Theywill nowmove on tothenextstageoftheirlivesandbegintomaketheirownwayin theworld.Theyhavebeena inegroupofyoungmenandwomenandtheywillmakeagreatcontributiontoourworldinwhatevercapacity theydecide to take.Wewish themwellasourthoughtsandprayerscontinuetofollowthemwherevertheymaybe.Asoneclassexitsanotherenters.OnThursdayNovember16thwewelcomedthenewYear7classfor2018fortheirOrientationDay.Year6studentscametovisitStMary’s for theday fromas far a ieldasNarrabri,WeeWaa, Curlewis, CarrollandBoggabri, aswell asour local students fromStXavier’sPrimarySchoolandGunnedahSouthPublicSchool.Thestudentshadaveryenjoyableday,takingtheplaceofthecurrentYear7classwhichwentoutontheirRewardsDay.TheywerementoredbystudentleadersfromourSeniorCouncilwhohelpedtowelcomethevisitorsandguidethemthroughthevariousactivities.This week the Year 10 students begin a special program called, Senior SchoolExperience. For the remainder of this term they have been allocated to seniorclasseswithsenior teacherswhohavebeen freed fromtheirYear12classes. IntheseclassesthestudentswillbelearningabouttheexpectationsandcontentinthevariousseniorsubjectsaswellasrevisingsomeofthevitalcontentfromYear10thattheywillrequiretobeginYear11atthestartofnextyear.Theearlydaysoftheprogramhavereceivedpositivereviewsfromteachersandstudentsanditisanticipatedthatthestudentswillbene itgreatlyfromtheexperiencewhichwillassistinpreparingthemforthedemandsofseniorstudyinYear11.This week a group of StMary’s students and teachers ly to the Philippines tobegintheirEmersionExperienceinsomeofthepoorerlocationsinthatcountry,seepage4 formoredetail. It isanopportunity forthemtoput intopracticetheGospelreadingfromthisSunday,TheFeastofChristtheKing.

“Iwashungryandyougavemefood;Iwasthirstyandyougavemedrink;Iwasastrangerandyoumademewelcome;nakedandyouclothedme,

sickandyouvisitedme,inprisonandyoucametoseeme.”Mt25:36‐36

`tå dâ|Ü~ Principal

CongratulationstoElizaPerkinsThe2018Lion’sYouthoftheYear.

Upcomingevents

27thNov‐1stDec‐Year10WorkExperience12thDec‐PresentationDay7‐1112thDec‐EndofYearMass13thDec‐CarolsintheConvent15thDec‐LastDayofTerm4

2018TermDates29thJanStaffReturn30thJanYear7,11&12return31stJanYear8,9&10return

UniformShopJanuaryDates

Monday22ndTuesday23rdWednesday24thMonday29thTuesday30thWednesday31st

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RELIGIONLord,bewithuseachday.

Teachustobecompassionateandlovingpeople.Grantusallthegracetoactwithpeace,love,hope,joyandcompassioninall

circumstances.Amen

THESEASONOFADVENTNextSundaymarksthebeginningoftheseasonofAdvent.Webeginanewliturgicalyear,anewjourneyasthePeopleofGodwithJesus,ourShepherd.Thisisatimewhenweareinvitedtoprepare,togetready,tomakeaplacefortheLordinourlivesandinourhomesandtoanticipateHiscoming.

CAROLSBYCANDLELIGHTStMary’s&StXavier’sinvitesyoutojoinusforourannualChristmascelebration.WHEN:13thDecemberWHERE:ConventLawn(Grotto)TIME:BBQfrom6:30pmandCarolsperformedbythejointchoirandbandfrom7pm.Bringapicnicblanket!

PLEASEGIVEGENEROUSLYOver the next three weeks we will be collecting food items to present to our local St Vincent DePaul centre to make Christmas hampers for families in the community. If you can spare one or two non-perishable food items, could you please send them with your child/children to school for collection at Mentor Groups.

MASSYOUAREINVITEDTOStMary’sCollege‘EndofYearMass”whichwillbecelebratedatStJoseph’sChurchonTuesday,December12at9:15am.Allarewelcome.

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PARISHNEWSPARISHRECONCILIATION

ReconciliationinpreparationforChristmaswillbeheldWednesday6thDecemberat6.00pm.

StJoseph’sChurch.VisitingPriestpresent.

MINISTRY ROSTER for MASS9th DECEMBER: Saturday 6.00pm

Youth Mass INTRO and POF: SMC FIRST READING: SMC

SECOND READING: SMC ALTAR GIFTS: SMC

16th DECEMBER: Saturday 6.00pm SECOND READING: Vicki Isbester

17th DECEMBER: Sunday 8.30am SECOND READING: Zoe Palmer

ALTAR GIFTS: David and Tanya Palmer

24th DECEMBER: Sunday 8.30am SECOND READING: Tim Kennedy

CHRISTMASMASS SCHEDULE

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CATHOLICIMMERSIONTOTHEPHILIPPINESOnthe22ndNovember,sevenSt.Mary’sCollegestudentsandtwoteachersareparticipatinginaCatholic Missions Immersion to Bantayan Island in the Philippines. Fundraising has been inoperation for over a yearwith the girls conductingpie drives, a garage sale, pizza days, raf les,sellingchocolates&providingfoodattheschoolsocialinTerm3.TheparticipantshavealsobeenkindlygivendonationsfromtheKnightsoftheSouthernCross,theCombined Catholic Schools P&F, St Mary’s College School Board and St. Joseph’s Churchparishioners.Proceedsraisedwillbedonatedtocommunityprojects,suchasbuildingachildren’splaygroundintheMadridejosvillagegivingthechildrenaspacetoplay.AlsototheGoodShepherdorganisationwhichaddressesissuessuchaspoverty,exploitiveemploymentandtraf icking.

MrsTeresaBoyd(teacher),MrsKarenMooney(teacher),Mayah‐Bourke‐Tindal,WhitneyMans ield,LeahBroekman,DanielKuzeff(CatholicMissionsfacilitator),Re‐

beccaEtheridge,PennieBroekman.Absent:KrystalJauja,HannahBreneger

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CATHOLICIMMERSION2016

Last year, Carrie Woods and GeorgiaWoodward, accompanied by MrsMooney visited Cambodia. The 10 dayvisit was truly memorable and lifechanging.Through theCatholicMissionsprogramwe were able to witness irst‐hand thework of the Church in schools,kindergartens, hospitals and healthclinics,aswellasarangeofpastoralandsocialprogramstheChurchimplements.UponreturningtoAustraliatheparticipantsdonatedmoneytoFatherTotetinSiemReaptoensurethechildreninthekindergartenvisitedreceivedan‘EggaDay’.Sucha small gesture can make a huge difference to the lives of these children. (seeaccompanyingphoto)Thisissuchavaluableexperienceforouryoungadults–onewhichtheywillsurelytreasureforever!

UniformShopTheCollegeUniformShopwillbeopenonthefollowingdaysinJanuary2018.

Theopeninghourswillbefrom11.15amuntil2.00pm.

Monday22,Tuesday23&Wednesday24January

Monday29January‐NormalUniformShopHours

Tuesday30January‐OpenthedayYear7,11&12returntoschool

Wednesday31January‐OpenthedayYear8,9&10returntoschool

AllgirlsenteringYear11in2018areremindedthattheyneedtostarttheyearintheirSeniorUniform.The College

Uniform Shop sells the light blue senior blouse but has limited stock of second hand senior skirts. It is important any

students having senior skirts made are ordered as soon as possible from:

Mrs Kathy Spence - Fashion Fabrics - 177 Conadilly St Gunnedah - 6742 1235

Mrs Kelly Swain – In Stitches - 38 Barber St Gunnedah – 6742 3870

It is essential that all skirts made are no higher than 10cm above the knee, as stated in the Uniform & Grooming Policy, with ample hems to allow for growth over the two years. Year 11 girls may need to readjust hems over the summer break or order new skirts of the correct length for Year 12.

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MentalHealthMonth

OctoberwasMentalHealthMonthandthethemethisyearwas'SharetheJourney’.Wehopethatthroughparticipatinginthefollowingactivitiesstudentswerere lectingontheimportanceofbeingmentallyhealthyandifconcernedfeelmorecomfortableseekinghelp.Studentsenjoyed:AfreeSausageSizzlewasonOctober11th(WorldMentalHealthDay).StudentsalsoattendedapresentationbyYouthMentalHealthSpeaker,MattPurcellandenjoyedourannualMentalHealthBBQbreakfasts.

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LanguagesFacultyTerm4hasbeenagreattermintheLanguageLabforChineseatStMary’s.ThistermtheYear8studentshavebeenabletohaveconversationsinChineseincludingthedaysoftheweekandcoun‐tries,aswellaspracticingaskingeachotherwherewearefrom.WehadsomeYear6studentsvis‐itandgetatasteofwhatChinesewillbelikewhentheycometoStMary’s.TheChineseGunnedahcommunitycontinuestosupportthisinnovativeprogramwiththestudentsbene itingfromthreenativeChinesespeakingvolunteersintheclassroomassistingMrHarristoteachthestudents.Students were excited to learn more about the Chinese culture this term, Mr Harris has beenteachingthestudentshowtodoChinesecalligraphyandplaytheChinesetilegameMajhong.

Year 6 students visited the Chinese language classroom with their Peer support team and geo a taste of Chinese Calligraphy on the year 7 orientation day.

The students had a great time and took home their artwork.

Year 8 students learnt the Chinese art form of Chinese Caligraphy from Mr Harris and his team of Chinese volunteers.

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LanguagesFacultyContinued

Year 8 students are making great improvements with their Chinese writing with Madeline and Katrina being judged the best in an in class competition to write Monday and China. Lillian one of our Chinese volunteers judged the competition.

Year 8 students are learning how to play the Traditional Chinese game Majhong as part of a Chinese culture lesson.

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LanguagesFacultyContinuedMrHarrisandhisteamofvolunteersarelookingforwardtobuildingonthegreatsuccessoftheirstyearofChinese.In2018forthe irsttimeatStMary’s,ChinesewillbeofferedinYear9and10withmanystudentsoptingtocontinuewiththissubject.AcademicAchievement AcademicAchievement8.1 8.3FaithPsimaris CallumDearMaceEverleigh KirstenGorryAnnaliseMartin LaraBenham AcademicAchievement Mostimproved8.1.MaceEverleigh8.2 Mostimproved8.2SamiGosperHughHunter Mostimproved8.3CallumDearSaigeMitchell BrockPaul

GRIPLeadershipConference

OnTuesday,7thNovember,21Year11studentstravelledtoTamworthtoparticipateinthe2017GRIPLeadershipConference.Theconferenceisaimedatyoungpeopleinterestedintakingonleadershippositionsintheirschoolsandhelpsthemtodeveloptheirleadershipskills.GRIPstandsforGenerosity,Responsibility,IntegrityandPeople,allcorevaluesoftheorganisation.Thedayitselfwasadynamiccombinationofgames,keynotespeakersandleadershipworkshops,allofwhichreceivedpositivefeedbackfromthestudents.Thedaycon irmedformanytheirdesiretoleadStMary’sin2018.

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StVincentdePaulHighSchoolCampOnthe26thand27thofOctober,13StMary’sstudentsattendedtheannualStVincentdePaulHighSchoolCampatLakeKeepit.ThestudentscompletedanumberofactivitiestohelpgivethemideasonhowtorunaneffectiveVinniesConferenceatStMary’s,intermsofleadershipandfundraisingactivities.OurstudentswerealsoaskedtoorganisetheactivitiesandGraceonThursdaynight–bothofwhichwerehugelysuccessful.OurVinnie’sConferencewouldliketoremindfamiliesthatwearecurrentlyholdingourannualStVincentdePaulChristmasDrive.Studentsareencouragedtobringinnon‐perishablefooditemsandgiftvoucherstoputintheirChristmasHampers.WewillalsohavetheoptiontodonateonQkr!incomingdays.Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupport!

RotaryPublicSpeakingOnThursday,9thofNovember,sevenYear11studentsparticipatedinthe2017RotaryPublicSpeakingCompetition.Thestudentshadtopresenta iveminutepreparedspeechonatopicoftheirchoice,however,ithastobeappliedtotheRotaryFour‐Way‐Test.ThesetopicsrangedfromthevalueofShakespearetotheneedtochangeacultureofcasualracism.SaraDear,GraceJaeger,TreMartin,MackenzieDewsbury,AngusRenton,SarahStoreyandEmmersonTullallpresentedengaginganddynamicspeeches.However,itwasSarahandEmmersonwhowonthequalifyingroundandadvancedtotheClusterFinal.SarahandEmmersonbothpresentedthesamespeechattheClusterFinalinBoggabrionWednesday,15thNovember.SarahspokeabouttheproblemofsocialmediaandEmmersonfocusedontheneedtobalancerightsandresponsibilities.Theeveningwashotlycontested,withoppositionfromGunnedahHigh,however,itwasEmmersonwhoprevailedonthenight.EmmersonwillnowadvancetotheDistrictFinals,heldinWalchainFebruary,2018.WewishEmmersonthebestofluck!

Tre Martin, Miss Brooks, Sarah Storey, Mackenzie Dews-bury, Emmerson Tull, Grace Jaeger, Sara Dear and Angus

Renton.

Sarah Storey and Emmerson Tull with Gunnedah High contestants

Emmerson Tull with Boggabri Rotary

representative Robert Breneger.

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Year6OrientationDayOnThursday,16thJune,Year6studentsenrolledatStMary’sin2018attendedtheirOrientationDay.Thestudentsparticipatedinanumberofhighschoollessonsacrossdifferentfaculties,includingPDHPE,TASCAandHG.TheyalsocompletedtwoPeerSupportsessionswithanumberofYear11leaders.Thesesessionsincludedatouroftheschool,icebreakergamesandadjustmentactivities.Eventhoughitwasraining,allthestudentsparticipatedenthusiasticallyandareeagerfortheirhighschoolexperiencetoof iciallybegin.Thankyoutoallstaffinvolvedinhelpingthedaybecomeasuccess.ThankyoutotheYear11leadersforyourworkwithYear6.

LionsYouthoftheYearLionsYouthoftheYearisacompetitionrunbyGunnedahLionseachyeartodeterminearepresentativeforGunnedahattheregionallevel.Thewinningrepresentativeisjudgedontheirpublicspeakingability,communityinvolvementandleadershipandpersonableskills.Thisyear,StMary’shadanunprecedented12candidatesapplyforLionsYouthoftheYear:MaxCrowhurst,SaraDear,MackenzieDewsbury,CalebDorrington,ConnorHall,GraceJaeger,TreMartin,ElizaPerkins,AngusRenton,PhoebeSumpter,SarahStoreyandEmmersonTull(allYr11).Allcandidateswereinterviewedand4students,Mackenzie,Grace,ElizaandAngusallquali iedforthepublicspeakinground.OnWednesday,22ndNovember,thesestudentspresenteda iveminutepreparedspeechoftheirownchoiceandtwo,twominuteimpromptuspeeches.Allstudentswereoutstandinginallareas;however,itwasElizaPerkinswhowontheLionsYouthoftheYearPublicSpeakingAward.Thankyoutoallstudents,parentsandteachersforyourinvolvementandcongratulationstoEliza.

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GreenValleyFarmOnThursday16thofNovemberYear7boardedacoachveryearlyonroutetoGreenValleyFarmforourannual "BigDayOut".Afterour long trip,wearrived safely fora fun illeddayofwaterslides,bigslide,jumpingpillow,animalparkandmuchmore.Allthestudentsenjoyedtheirday.

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#NERDHERD#

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