Delany College - Granville

Dear Parents and Caregivers

As you would be aware, our Year 12 students are in the midst of the final HSC exams. I would like to share with you the feedback I have received from a number of the supervisors as our students undertake their exams. Firstly, they have commended our students on their demeanour and approach to their exams. It is great to hear comments recognising how beautiful our students are and what a nice group of young women and men we have at our College. Secondly, they have commended students on the work ethic, as the majority have worked persistently making the most of every minute of the examination time. It is great to see our senior students putting in their best effort at such a critical stage of their lives. Well done Year 12 - we are very proud of you. You may have caught our feature on the ABC news last week - if not you can view it here.

https://www.facebook.com/delanygranville

For the rest of our learning community, this term is also very important. This year particularly, due to the disruptions to learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, every lesson, every learning opportunity, counts towards improving learning growth and preparing students for future success. You may be familiar with this phrase:

“Proper planning and preparation prevents poor performance”

It is important to keep in the front of our minds that our students are here to learn, to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for life beyond school. Our work, as educators and parents/caregivers, is to help them in this endeavour. Our work is to help them plan and prepare to perform by establishing good routines and practices. Across all of our stages of learning, our teachers are working hard to achieve and support students in their learning. There are some great individual examples of staff going beyond to provide extraordinary opportunities for students. Just two quick examples are our Book Week activities and the YES program (TAFE taster program) for Year 10 students. These are detailed later in our newsletter and I’m so proud of the work and initiatives that our staff provide for our students.

Finally, as you would appreciate, we are deeply in the midst of preparations for 2021.  We have a number of exciting initiatives in place that focus on both the academic performance and wellbeing of our students. A letter outlining some of the changes for 2021 will be emailed to you in the next week and will be available on the Skoolbag app.  

God Bless

Paul Easton

Principal

Can we please ask all parents & guardians, if your child has been tested for Covid-19 please make sure to send the test results back to school asap

Hello Delany College Community

Last newsletter I indicated that this term there would be a number of opportunities for students to engage in social justice initiatives which reach the broader community. Last Tuesday, our senior formation leaders launched “ Fill Your Cup”; a forum in which students and staff are able to discuss topical social justice issues. Tuesday morning saw a group of nearly twenty staff and students come together to discuss the issue of racism over a cup of hot chocolate. With the “ Black Lives Matter” movement tabled as a topical point of discussion, students and staff considered how racism is present in our own Australian communities. Reflecting on both personal anecdotes, statistical findings and current news items, the group insightfully discussed the ways in which we can combat racism in our own minds, households and communities. It was a great success and we look forward to next week’s Fill Your Cup session.

Next week we will be launching our annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Our College has always been extremely generous with our contributions to the Christmas Hampers and we have proudly presented them to the St Vincent De Paul Society every year. This year, the Christmas Hamper Appeal is of utmost importance as families in our own local communities continue to suffer hardship as a continuation of the COVID pandemic. Loss of income has been a harsh reality for so many families and they have been in our prayers over this time. The Corporal Works of Mercy urge us to actively feed the hungry and the Vinnies Christmas Appeal is one such way we can live out our Christian call of solidarity. Students will bring home a list of items which can be contributed over the coming week. If you are able, please help us build a brighter Christmas for these families in need. 

This weekend we celebrate two extremely important days in our Catholic faith. All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The increasing popularity of Halloween in our Australian context brings All Souls Day ( All Hallows’ Eve) further into popular culture. The day roots it’s traditions in the early church where the dearly departed are honoured and their atonement prayed for by the living. It is a day where we share memories of those who have gone before us and pray for them as the communion of Saints. In our Catholic Tradition All Soul’s Day is celebrated on 2 November.  All Saints day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church; all those who have attained heaven. It is on this day that we also recall the great works of the known Saints and honour their lives through prayer and adoration. It is fitting on this day to ask ourselves how we can strive for sainthood and be ‘saints’ in our own lives much like those who have gone before us. To quote our first Australian saint, Mary Mackillop, perhaps it can begin with us simply not “seeing a need without doing something about it”.

As a part of the Business Services VET course, the Year 11 students attended one week of work placement with AUSSIP. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, we were only able to complete 35 hours of the 75 hours originally designated for work experience. However, these circumstances meant that the whole class was able to be together at a simulated workplace in Parramatta.

Below is a short rundown on how the program was split throughout the week:

• On the first day, we focused on a SWOT Analysis and its application to the surrounding businesses in the Parramatta CBD. We then used what we had learned during the day and conducted our own SWOT analysis in groups, physically visiting the business in-person to help us really understand how to use this tool and why it is such a useful tool. 

• The following day, we looked at the Promotional Mix aka the 4P’s of Price, Product, Place and Promotion. We also explored finance, allowing us to determine the connection and dependence of these two aspects of a business.  We even had to pitch a product to our peers. 

• The third day was about the importance of personal presentation in the workplace. One point was made about ironing and pressed clothes, and we learned how to iron a business shirt. We were given a major challenge for the remainder of the day - 2 hours and a $100 EFTPOS card to dress one of our group members for a job interview! We had a lot of fun, and definitely had to manage our time and make quick decisions. The winning group even got to keep the outfit! Well done to the boys!

• On the fourth day, Human Resources was the core concept we learned about. We spent quite some time looking at different employment contracts to understand the rights and responsibilities we have as workers, and those of the employer. It was really interesting to see the differences between businesses, especially in types of leave and even their dress codes!       

• On the last day,  were we given a final challenge that included all the topics we addressed throughout the week. We had 4 hours to respond to a scenario that had specific needs of a business, and then present all the details to our peers and supervisors. It was quite a difficult task, but we all did our best to work together. 

Overall, we really enjoyed work placement and learned many valuable lessons about working in a Business Services environment that we can use in our everyday lives.

Maggie Fahed - Year 11

Delany Officially Recognised as a “Dyslexia Aware School”

Delany has a proud connection with the Australian Dyslexia Association after

being officially recognised as a Dyslexia Aware School in October. Three years

ago, Mrs Collimore engaged in specialised training to help teach students who

have difficulties with reading, spelling and vocabulary understanding how to

improve their literacy skills. Since then she has been running classes at Delany

to help students progress their reading and writing skills from Year 7 to Year 9.

She loves the enthusiasm and commitment her students have shown as their

skills grow and they become more proficient readers and writers. “It’s amazing

to see how, when the students are given the right tools, they blossom”. Thanks

to the continued support of Mr Easton the school has been recognised for its

ability to accommodate the needs of its students.

Fee relief is available to support families who are experiencing significant financial hardship or as a result of COVID-19. There are three ways that parents/carers can apply for fee relief with the process made as simple as possible. Information is available via this link https://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/Our-Schools/School-Fees/Fee-Relief

The page includes a list of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.  

We're here to help so please contact us if you require assistance in relation to fees.

If you have any difficulties or would like to discuss payment options, please contact me on 8633 8107.

Margaret Hopley 

School Support Officer

Friday 30 October is Halloween/ All Saints at Delany! (Sat 31 October) .

We invite you to come dressed as your favourite Halloween character or in appropriate mufti clothing. (No open-toe shoes, tights, singlets etc.)

And a $2 donation for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. 

There will be a read aloud of scary stories happening at lunch time in the library, with free lollies!

Ms Amal Nizam

Intervention/Learning Diversity Team

R3 Teacher

On Tuesday, Delany College was proud to welcome Author, Editor and Community Arts Teacher Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad. Author of “The Tribe” (2014) and the Miles Franklin award winning book “The Lebs” (2018), Dr Ahmad gave a fascinating insight into his story—from trials and tribulations he faced as a young Lebanese Muslim Australian man growing up in South-Western Sydney and his pathway into becoming a very successful Author and Community Arts Leader, serving as a Director of a Western Sydney literacy movement called Sweatshop.

Selected students from Years 9, 10 and 11 were invited to ask questions and engage in lengthy and stimulating discussions. 

Ms Amal Nizam

Intervention / Diversity Team

R3 Teacher

We have had a wonderful time celebrating Book Week this last week! The theme this year was ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’ and various departments of the College have contributed to the organisation of events and activities. Each day began with special thought provoking puzzles and competitions during Mentor time focusing on books.

The Library was host to teacher Read Alouds on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at lunchtimes. Mr Nosworthy read ‘In Cold Blood’ by Truman Capote; Ms Nizam, ‘The Bet’ by Anton Chekhov, and Ms Lee, ‘The F-Team’ by Rawah Arja.

Mrs Marie Greenberry kept students hungry each morning with her mind-numbing cryptic pictaword puzzles. Each day, Mentor Teachers were handed a sheet that showcased images that were filled with clues about book titles. Students (and teachers!) had to guess. Mrs Greenberry also left riddles for students to locate her within the school to deliver the answer sheet.

Congratulations to the following Mentors with their booksmarts and efforts:

1st Place - 8.3 Mentor

Equal 2nd and 3rd place: 12.1 & 12.3

Students in first place will be awarded with a pizza party whilst second and third were given confectionery.

An example of one of the many pictaword puzzles is located below. Do you know the answer?

Answers:

Our Costume Day was held on Wednesday and it was great to see staff and students taking part! A parade was held in the morning, with the Primary School students from Holy Trinity joining us to watch. Prizes were awarded for:

• Best dressed - Male/Female

• Most creative costume - M/F

• Most unique character - M/F

• Teacher - M/F              

• Best ‘group’ - students

                               - teachers

Congratulations to those who won prizes and well done everyone!

The Library was buzzing with activity at lunchtime on Tuesday as students went in search of answers to ten Scavenger Hunt questions. Questions were all related to books, the answers to which were found in Library books in various sections of our Delany College Library. 

Congratulations to the following seven students who answered all questions correctly and were awarded a Canteen voucher and Hobbit bookmark:

Marc Bao-Idang

Alexandra Bao-Idang

Jack Fitzpatrick

James Harris

Ysabella Bao-Idang

Matilda Jenkinson

Stella Fitzpartick

Well done!

At lunchtime on Monday we had a visit from Bob Withey and his ‘Snake Tails’ reptile display from the Australian Reptile Park.

Students had the opportunity to see a number of dangerous and deadly snakes in closed, locked display cases; touch some lizards; and see, touch, and, if they wanted, to hold a young python which was 2 metres long.

This event was a real hit with students and staff! Our photos can tell the rest of the story!

Thank you to the wonderful staff who willingly assist students.

Delany Fitness Club opening & closing times:

Requirements for Delany Fitness Club:

-You must bring a Towel

-You are required to wear gloves

-Please ensure you have a water bottle

-Appropriate clothing is to be worn, preferably sport uniform

-Enclosed Shoes

-Appropriate music is to be played

-You must fill in a pre screening form and participant induction and waiver form

-You are required to sign into the fitness club on arrival and upon leaving

-You must return all equipment to the appropriate spot.

-Please wipe down equipment after use.

During these difficult and challenging times it is important that our students remain as active as possible.

Miss N Herrera 

Acting Sustainable Health Leader

If Something happens to your child,

We need to be able to contact you.

Please make sure all details are update,

if your not sure please do not hesitate to contact our

wonderful ladies in our Administration 02 8633 8100

The Uniform Store every Tuesday.

Uniform orders can also be placed  on Line via the Delany College Web Store

www.noone.com.au/school/delany-college/shop

Orders will be available for collection on the next trading day (Tuesday’s 8am – 2pm ) or for a small fee be delivered to your home address

Thank you 

Uniform Shop