St Agnes Catholic High Rooty Hill Newsletter

Term Four : Issue 1 | 4 November 2019

ST AGNES CATHOLIC (7-12) HIGH SCHOOL

From the Principal

Welcome to Year 12

On the first day of Term 4 we welcomed our 2020 Year 12 cohort! These students have commenced their HSC studies and this time next year will be sitting for their HSC Examinations. As the inaugural Year 12 cohort of St Agnes Catholic High School, these students certainly have a clear place in the history of the School. We wish them well in their studies; they are true role models for the students who will follow them in coming years.

Refurbishment and Building Work

Over the past few months and through this term, there is upgrades and refurbishment of identified spaces to ensure that we are well placed to cater for our increased numbers in 2020. With the addition of another cohort and a full capacity in our Year 7 cohort, it is expected that our total enrolment next year will be approximately 860 students. The new Performance Hub and Stage 4 Spaces are running to schedule and will provide state of the art facilities from mid Term 2 next year.

Year 7 2020 Orientation Day

We welcome Year 7, 2020 on Monday 18th November. This will provide an opportunity for them to be formally welcomed to St Agnes and to engage in a range of activities to build relationships and familiarise themselves with the site and the nature of high school.

Year 10 – Term 4

Following their final assessments, Year 10 engage in a variety of programs and activities to prepare them for Year 11 or Post School Transition. Details for Term 4 have already been given to Year 10 by their Leader of Learning, Mr Chris Chavez. It is important that parents support the School by ensuring that students attend the Transition Program, Community Days and Activities.

Recognition:

We were delighted to learn last Friday that our Wellbeing Program headed by Mrs Antoinette Meade won the inaugural Ann D Clark Award which is a joint Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta and Teachers Mutual Bank initiative that recognises the work schools do to improve outcomes for students beyond the classroom. We are very proud of the work we do each day and it is wonderful to receive such recognition.

Pace Bene,

Lisa-Maree Browning

Principal

4-8 November Year 10 Assessment Block

5 November PASS Bline Cables Excursion, Yr 11 Economics Excursion

8 November Year 10 Movie Afternoon 2:30 – 4:30 

11-15 November 7-9 Assessment Block

12 November - Year 7 Vaccinations

18 November Year 7/2020 Orientation Day

19 November Year 10 HSIE Excursion

20 November Year 9 Bline TenPin Bowling

22 November Year 10 Community Day (Raging Waters), Year 5 Technology Day, Year 9 TenPin Bowling

25 November Year 5 Technology Day, Year 11 Legal Studies Excursion, Year 9 Activities Day

26 November PASS Aline Cables Excursion

27 November Year 12 Downing Centre

28 November Year 8 Samba Incursion, HSC Dance Excursion

3 December Road to Bethlehem at Loyola

4 December Year 10 Step Up into Year 11 2020

11 December End of Year Mass

12 December Semester 2 Awards Ceremony    

From the Assistant Principal

 There has been a lot of discussion lately about how Australia should be doing better in Maths when compared to other countries. Included in this discussion is the trend for Year 11 and 12 students to drop Mathematics from their pattern of study for the HSC. Many people believe that they do not have a ‘maths brain’.

Research shows us that many people suffer from ‘maths anxiety’ where their beliefs about their ability to cope with maths problems, affects their performance. This is found across all lines of gender, ethnicity and educational background.

There are plenty of men and women out there, including the highly educated, who proudly — or shamefacedly — wave the math anxiety flag. "Oh yes, that’s me, I don’t have a math brain" — though the whole idea of a math brain is frowned on by those who study this topic.

There is a general assumption that women are affected more than men, and that maths and maths anxiety contribute to the barriers that keep women underrepresented in the STEM fields.

As far as math anxiety, “many more girls and women than men are anxious,” said Jo Boaler, a professor of mathematics education at Stanford, “and we know anxiety holds people back — there are still messages out there that math is for boys and not for girls.” Dr. Boaler believes the message to all girls and boys, is there’s no such thing as a maths person. She says the popular idea that boys and girls learn differently is “not supported by the neuroscientific literature.

What does this mean for us? The answer is that all students can do well in Mathematics. But they need to be prepared to go through times where they do not understand some things. It is not a problem not to know things, but it is a problem if we give up still not knowing. We need to stop treating maths as a race where the quickest to answer is the best. We need much less emphasis on students answering quickly, and more attention to teaching math as a visual subject, and as a place for creativity. We need to make it more about deep conceptual understanding.

“The lovely thing is when you change maths education and make it more about deep conceptual understanding, the gender differences disappear,” Dr. Boaler said. “Boys and girls both do well.

From the Head of Mission

“One Spirit” - the Feast of St Francis of Assisi

A warm welcome back to the final term for the school year. Last term we ended the last school day with a beautiful celebration of our Franciscan heritage and spirituality with the Feast of St Francis of Assisi around the theme “One Spirit”. We were blessed to have the Eucharist celebrated by Fr Benedict MacKenzie from the Friars of St Francis who shared with us a homily that challenged all of us to give our entire lives to the service of God and to trust Him with all our hearts, just as St Francis of Assisi did. 

I’d like to again thank you to all staff and students for making this day a memorable one for our school year! A particular thank you to the students who assisted in designing the altar banner and were involved in the preparation of the Mass, our talented musicians and singers, to the helpers of the St Francis Games and to the wonderful multicultural performers.

Our celebrations began with Mass but continued on with the first of its kind - the St Francis Games! Our relationship with our students and community spirit is a strong part of the St Agnes story and in what we pride ourselves on. This day was the epitome of that. With fun-filled year group challenges that involved pie on faces, water dunks, water balloons and a tug of war full of excitement and emotion, it was an afternoon to remember! A very big thank you to Mr Conte, Ms McKenzie and Mrs Othman for the creative minds the games and this will for certain become an event to look forward to every year.

Our celebrations would not be complete without the most-awaited multicultural performances. What makes St Agnes a special school is that diversity is our norm and the multitude of cultures we have showcases our unique identities and just how big the world really is! This year we had a variety of cultures, starting with a Korean hip-hop dance, to a Filipino sinulog dance and tagalog love song, to the upbeat Middle Eastern dance, and the vibrant Pacifica performances. The talent here at St Agnes is admirable! Happy Feast of St Francis of Assisi to our St Agnes community. May we imitate his love and compassion for creation and one another as we grow in spirit and truth.

 Who Was Saint Francis of Assisi?

Born in Italy circa 1181, Saint Francis of Assisi was renowned for drinking and partying in his youth. After fighting in a battle between Assisi and Perugia, Francis was captured and imprisoned for ransom. He spent nearly a year in prison — awaiting his father's payment — and, according to legend, began receiving visions from God. After his release from prison, Francis heard the voice of Christ, who told him to repair the Christian Church and live a life of poverty. Consequently, he abandoned his life of luxury and became a devotee of the faith, his reputation spread all over the Christian world. 

Later in life, Francis reportedly received a vision that left him with the stigmata of Christ — marks resembling the wounds Jesus Christ suffered when he was crucified — making Francis the first person to receive such holy wounds. He was canonized as a saint on July 16, 1228. During his life he also developed a deep love of nature and animals and is known as the patron saint of the environment and animals; his life and words have had a lasting resonance with millions of followers across the globe. Each October, many animals the world over are blessed on his feast day.

I’d also like to share the words to the entrance song from our Mass titled “All Who Enter Here” by John Angotti as it captures exactly what St Agnes is all about, our four pillars of Inclusivity, Compassion, Integrity and Dignity:

All who enter here: God’s loving mercy.

All who enter here: God’s amazing grace.

All who enter here: Peace of the Spirit.

To all who enter here.

The stranger in this land

All are welcome here

Those who need a helping hand

All are welcome here

The homeless on the street

No place to eat or sleep

Here all will find rest

Those whose lives are broken

All are welcome here

The ones with no love shown them

All are welcome here

The suffering and the poor

embraced by Christ the Lord

Always open is love’s door

Here we are united

In God’s mercy and kindness

In forgiveness of sin

Here we are assembles

As treasured earthen vessels

In Christ we do believe.


Spirituality Day 2019 Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong

This year our Formation Goal as a school is to gain a deeper understanding of the dignity of the human person through our Franciscan spirituality. One way to know St Francis is through meditation, as he spent many years throughout his life isolated in his own thoughts and this was a way, he received inspiration to imitate Jesus, not just for doing good works, but in the depth of his suffering too. 

The purpose for our Staff Spirituality Day at the Nan Tien Temple, a Buddhist temple is that St Francis and the Buddha are very similar believe it or not. For Buddhists, St Francis is the most attractive of all the Christian saints. In many ways his life was similar to the Buddha’s. His behavior and teachings manifested the best of Jesus’ gospel of love, gentleness, forgiveness, simplicity and renunciation. He  actually did “go and sell that thou hast and give it to the poor...and follow me” (Matthew 19,21). 

If St Francis had been one of his disciples, the Buddha would have praised him as an exemplary monk. However, the two men were also different in some ways. St Francis was inept in practical matters while the Buddha showed sound judgment and common sense in most things he did. St Francis’ simplicity extended to intellectual matters; he was innocent, trusting and guileless in the best possible way. The Buddha by contrast, was thoughtful, knowledgeable and intellectually rigorous. Francis had all the endearing qualities of a child; the Buddha, all the finest attributes of an adult. In keeping with Jesus’ teachings Francis had a particular love for the poor and neglected while this attitude was not characteristic of the Buddha. Not that  the Buddha was callous towards such people but that he did not give them special attention. The lives, teachings and examples of the Buddha and Saint Francis are important today in that they can serve as bridges of understanding between Buddhists and Christians.

 We began our day just as students would be for an excursion as excited staff on a school bus ready for our 1.5 hour journey to Wollongong. As soon as we reached the Nan Tien Temple, a sudden calm welcomed us and nature surrounded our every horizon. We started with Tai Chi, learnt and experienced the Buddhist meditation ways by a Reverend, went on a tour around the temple grounds and learnt more about Buddhism and had a nice vegetarian lunch. It was a wonderful day to reflect on our many blessings and also our own spiritual compass and to experience mindfulness through Buddhism and in many ways, the connection of respecting the other (our dignity) and having the right understanding of who we are resonates with our Catholic faith; towards enlightenment and happiness.

I’d like to share this Buddhist’s Mantra that is based on the Prayer of St Francis. May this mantra, this prayer, this deep aspiration, be a help and inspiration to your life.

 

May I be an agent of love in this world.

Where there is hatred, let me bring loving-kindness;

Where there is injury, forgiveness;

Where there is doubt, insight;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

May I console as well as be consoled.

May I understand as well as be understood;

May I love as well as be loved;

For in giving we receive;

In forgiving, we are forgiven;

In dying to self-centeredness, we are born to the deathless    

Social Justice Statement Launch

“Making It Real: Genuine Human Encounter in our Digital World”

(Taken from the CEDP website) This annual day is aimed at launching the yearly Australian Catholic Social Justice statement, which this year is focused on addressing how the internet has changed the way we communicate, work, learn, and do business - and how we can contribute towards a more just and loving digital world.

 Diocese of Parramatta Social Justice Coordinator Sr Louise McKeogh FMA said the day provides an opportunity for students and teachers to create an ongoing awareness and action plan for making the social justice statement concrete and real in the lives of the students and school community.

 “Students had the opportunity to meet other like-minded students and plan together for the year ahead. There was a lot of sharing across school communities and they also got to learn about new ideas and options for action from other schools," Sr Louise said.

This year our Year 9 students Javier Garcia, Julia Freeman, Rita El-Ghossein and Mark De Guzman were involved in the Social Justice Statement launch and have come up with some great ways for St Agnes in 2020 to be more digital conscious of the amount of hours we spend online and how our behaviour affects not only others but ourselves in ways that can make a huge impact on our wellbeing and relationships. Our goal is to encourage healthy interactions online as a means to spread positive messages and to be actively aware of the role of social media in our lives. Join us in this exciting new venture in 2020!

St Agnes and Jesuit Social Services Building a Just Society Together


In Week 2, Jesuit Social Services (JSS) School Liaison Coordinator Claire Thomas shared the mission of Jesuit Social Services and the Ignite Food Store in our very own community in Emerton to Year 8 and 11. JSS is a wonderful organisation because through their programs, people can be active, contributing and valued members of their community and this speaks closely to our St Agnes culture as we deeply value the dignity of every human person. I’d like to commend all students for the level of respect they showed to Claire who has also commented on the positive vibe and spirit she felt when she walked through our school and really felt the community spirit! Our response to this new partnership is to run a quick food drive. Each homeroom is encouraged to bring in ONE item from the item list allocated to their homeroom. If you’d like to donate a bag of items to JSS, all donations will be collected by Friday 8 November

 I’d like to extend my biggest thanks to all staff, students and parents who are behind this organisation and food drive as it’s all about helping our local community. For more information about the Ignite Food Store, you can watch the video from this link https://vimeo.com/329699264 or visit the Jesuit Social Services website at http://jss.org.au.

Young Christian Students Act for Climate Change

I encourage all students to get behind the great idea that the St Agnes YCS group have developed to bring awareness about Climate change & the step towards no single use plastics!

 YCS TOTE BAG COMPETITION

As part of the ‘Young Christian Students’ initiative, there will be an opportunity for all students of St Agnes to speak out a message through creativity that can be shared within and beyond our community with a tote bag design competition. In order to participate in this initiative, you must:

 Design a tote bag that speaks out about - Climate Change 

 Submit a digital copy

(digital software or photocopied artwork) with the google classroom code: leqvqp

The top 2 chosen designs will be professionally printed on tote bags and will be available to be purchased by students. All proceeds will go towards raising money to help organisations save our planet!!! 

Finalists will receive their tote bags for FREE!! 

 Competition is open till November 18 

“Saving with one tote at a time”

 I look forward to sharing with you all the results of our Ignite Food Store Drive and YCS Action for Climate Change soon.

St Agnes were Lifted Live in the Forecourt

 Last weekend, 44 St Agnes students attended Lifted Live at St Patrick’s Cathedral forecourt. One of the highlights of the evening was watching Bishop Vincent karaoke on the Cathedral steps! This evening is a highlight in our school calendar as the Catholic Youth Parramatta host the most wonderful night that engages our young people to embrace their valued place in the Church full of what young people like best - awesome music, great food, blow up activities and the opportunity to meet other young people who share the faith. A very big thank you to our FIAT (Faith in Action Team) teachers - Mr Sadsad, Mr Zucco and Ms Raad for accompanying the students this weekend. Their generosity to spend their Saturday night with our students is all done in the St Agnes spirit of generosity that is a true blessing to our school. I encourage more students to come along to Lifted Live in 2020! 

Pace e bene,

Mary Reyes

From the Head of Learning

Year 11/12 

On Wednesday 16/10, Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net) ran a study skills session with Year 11.  The session focused on helping students identify changes and improvements they could make to their approach to their studies in order to maximise their results in their final year of school. The main areas covered with Year 11 were working effectively in the evenings and dealing with distractions, managing time efficiently, planning for assessments, making brain-friendly study notes on a regular basis and using a wide variety of active study techniques to suit individual learning styles. Parents are encouraged to review the handout from the session with students and discuss the main areas identified where changes need to be made. Parents can also find extra study skills tips on the following website: http://studyskillstoptipsparents.com/.  All secondary students and parents at our school have access to a great study skills website to help students develop their skills. There are lots of useful handouts on the THINGS TO PRINT page on this site and students can work through the units where they need additional help.

Year 10 Examinations and the next steps

Our Year 10 students have begun their exams in earnest and these will conclude on 8th November. All students need to be actively studying and if they have any questions, they can contact their class teacher and also, log on to the Study Skills website (see below for further information). Some Year 10 students still need to finish the NESA Modules, All My Own Work and do so as a priority once the exams have concluded. The students must receive 100% in each of the modules prior to commencing any Stage 6 study. Finally, the students who did not meet Minimum Standards in Reading, Writing and Numeracy will also have their second chance to do so at the end of the examination period (8/11). 

Year 7 - 9 Examinations/Final Assessments

The students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will commence their examinations/final assessments from Week 5. However, the Stage 5 electives did start the week before in order to accomodate all exams in the allocated time period. Similar to Year 10, these students must revise all notes, see their teacher(s) and refer to the Study Skills website for tips.

All students need to be reminded that learning continues in the classroom after the examinations and teachers will be looking for ways to include such positive learning behaviour in each Semester 2 report.

 Study Skills Tip for November: Managing Examination Anxiety

If you are someone who freezes or has a mental blank during an exam or is overly anxious you may find that the heightened anxiety is reducing your ability to recall.

 Remember that being as prepared as possible and not leaving your study until the last minute can make a big difference in reducing anxiety.  Start your study early and make a plan so that you have time to study what you need to without stress. It is also important to note that the more practice tests you do, the more familiar you are with the test so it will be less intimidating and you will be used to working under time limits.

 When you are in the exam, if you feel anxious, a good strategy is to close your eyes for a moment and take some long, deep breaths. When you open your eyes do some of the questions you find easy or feel confident about. Meanwhile your subconscious will have a chance to recall the things you are struggling to remember. Another trick is try moving your eyes to different directions, ie looking up and to the left etc. This can also sometimes prompt recall.

 You could also seek help from a counsellor for techniques on how to manage stress. You can also visit the MANAGING STRESS unit for more strategies

 Learn more at 
www.studyskillshandbook.com.au.

Our school’s subscription details are -

Username: stagnes

Password: 24success

Mr G Kemmis

Head of Learning

School Activities

St Agnes - Building student efficiency in their own Literacy Learning!

Student- Centred Literacy Case Management Meetings at St Agnes are redefining our student possibilities in literacy.

 “If we want students to take charge of their learning, we can't keep relegating them to a passive role.” Frey, Fisher and Hattie (2018)

During 2019 the St Agnes Literacy Team has introduced writing-focussed, student-centred meetings between individual students and ALL their subject teachers. The aim of these meetings is to plot student progress in their writing using a Visible Literacy Continuum. This Visible Literacy Continuum was purposely written by the Literacy Team from the student perspective to measure skills that the student is learning to master.

  ‘I am learning, I am experimenting with, I use effectively’.

 Three literacy meetings are held with the student - one per fortnight. This gives the students time to implement those strategies, identified by the student and their team of teachers, that will help them improve their writing. The meetings are positive, driven by  affirmation, which increases student confidence in articulating their literacy learning.

Three questions are asked in the meetings:

 ·  What are the great features of the student’s writing?

·  What skill descriptors would the student like to focus on?

·  What are the instructional practices that we will undertake for two weeks?

 Over six weeks the student’s literacy improves significantly as they identify and articulate their next steps using the Visible Literacy Continuum as a framework for progression.

 Parents and carers too, can see the benefit of this process, knowing that the rewards will be in their child’s improved writing skills, across all subjects.

 In year 11 we have 32 students who have self-nominated for this Literacy meeting process.

Recently we began the process with year 9 students.

Year 7 have been using the Visible Literacy Continuum as part of their classroom learning and assessment for their entire year at St Agnes. They now know, as beautifully articulated by Ryan, Robert, Garvay, Paula and Jordana, ‘where they are at in their writing’, ‘where they are going’ ‘with what strategies’ and ‘the skills that will tell them, how they know they’ve achieved their writing goals’. Outstanding work year 7!

St Agnes’ teachers have presented this model of Literacy improvement to two Literacy conferences in Australia (ACEL and ALEA) with great interest and success.

 Most significantly though, it is benefitting the students. Their voice captured in feedback suggests that Literacy Case Management framed by the Visible Literacy Continuum is a pivotal part of their success in building writing skills.

 And the benefit for the teachers?  We have been empowered in this process by the development of a learning community where all ideas and strategies are shared with the premise of what is necessary for one student is good for all.

Possibilities thinking!

 Antoinette Meade and Chrissy Payne

On behalf of the St Agnes Literacy Team

Service Learning

Thank you so much to staff, students and friends of the St Agnes community who have so generously given of their time and talent to sew dresses for children in need.  As a community, we have made 50 dresses that will be sent to The Philippines, Sierra Leone and/or Uganda in the near future. 

If you would like to participate in this service initiative, please contact Jenet Chapman (jchapman8@parra.catholic.edu.au) for a sewing kit (all the materials needed to complete a dress are included).

Olympics Unleashed

Our Year 9 Students were lucky enough to be part of the 'Olympics Unleashed' program. ?

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the NSW Government welcomed St Agnes CHS to be a part of 'Olympics Unleashed', a program taking  Olympians and NSWIS Athletes into New South Wales schools to inspire and motivate young Australians ahead of Tokyo 2020, and beyond.

Olympics Unleashed is about the Olympic spirit, we encourage our community to follow our athlete and be a part of the Australian Olympic Team as we approach Tokyo 2020, and beyond.

Declan Stacey a World Cup, World Series & Commonwealth Games Medallist in Diving, visited St Agnes. Declan was an amazing speaker and a great motivator to our students.

I'm sure the students came away thinking differently about achieving their goals after hearing Declan's story.

Let's all get behind Declan Stacey in the lead up to the Olympics by following his journey. @decstacey1

Airforce Aviation Program

Sergeant Bradley Postle and members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) engaged with 37 St Agnes Catholic High School across grades 7 to 11 in a simulator program 

. The experience consisted of an immersive flying lesson with instructors inside the Super Hornet simulator, air traffic control games, virtual reality flying experience, and a variety of aviation presentations. 

The Super Hornet simulator was a fantastic experience as students were guided with the aid of commercial pilots and commanded a jet across a Queensland horizon. The virtual reality experience provided insight into the basic instrumentation and controls of the jet as well as the taking off and landing challenges. Air traffic control games involved students directing instruction out of several airports across the world including LAX and New York City’s LaGuardia Airport. One of our students achieved a record score and was awarded for his efforts. The program was a huge success and students have already started asking when the program will return. It is safe to say that we now have a handful of students that are extremely curious about careers as pilots, air traffic controllers and air combat officers with the Australian Defence Force. 

St Agnes….we have LIFT-OFF!!!!! 

Smoking Ceremony with Rhett Burraston

Rhett Burraston attended our school and met with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to enhance their knowledge of land management, cultural identity and connection with country. He began with an acknowledgement of country with the use of clap sticks and a smoking ceremony. After the acknowledgement he described some of his Elders disciplines and how Mother Earth is a reflection of those values. Students debriefed and reflected on what was spoken and then shared an engaging lesson on the Yambacoona Mountain, Diniwan (Emu) in the sky, the Kamilaroi and the Ngemba people, and the little Thigiabillas and Mt Oxley’s creation. Students connection to culture was very clear on the day and many expressed an interest in meeting with Rhett again and engaging in further cultural programs at school. We can’t wait to share more of these experiences together and with the rest of the school community. 

Nashwa Karafotias

CommBank Talk with Year 11 Maths students

The Commonwealth Bank Branch Manager at Doonside, Christopher Kay came out and spoke to some of our Year 11 Mathematics students about the importance of owning their financial wellbeing. The three key points that were discussed were the importance of saving, banking safely online and making sound decisions about the use of credit and loans. Students were extremely engaged and questions ranged from RBA interest rates, how to save on a regular basis without using it all, how superannuation works and how they could begin saving for cars, homes and holidays. 

Anyone interested in finding out more information can speak to Mrs. Karafotias who can give them a booklet and contact details for Christopher and his team at Commonwealth Bank. 

Ofa, William, Pati and John pushing wheelbarrows and a WAKA in the blazing 36C heat. All four of our students were definitely suited to trade work showing leadership, physical strength and a mental focus as they safely and effectively dug up and then set a slab, making it ready for paving. Well done boys!!!

Noticeboard

MindGuide

MindGuide is a free online database to help people in Western Sydney navigate mental health information, support and services. MindGuide provides information for consumers, carers and professionals.The E-mental health resource aims to increase access to information, resources and treatment, and therefore help to overcome obstacles for seeking help.Available via Apple Store or Google Play as an app or via the internet www.mindfuide.org.au
Samantha Padovani-Ginies
School Family Liaison Officer

From the Business Manager

School Fees – 

All school fees for 2019 are now overdue. If you need an extension of time or a payment plan please contact Lorraine Bailey on 8882 0706.

 If you are currently on a payment plan, please continue to make payments as per your arrangements.

 If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the Business Manager Kelly Pickett on – 8882 0702 immediately. 

 Thank you to those parents who have paid fees or who have made contact with the school to explain their circumstances. The school is always happy to assist those parents/ caregivers who require more time to pay off their children’s school fees.

Uniform Shop Opening times

TERM 4 opening times are:-

Monday 8am - 12pm

Wednesday 12pm - 3:30pm


Remember, Year 10 will now wear the Senior Uniform in 2020, purchase now to ensure your student has the correct uniform.

Orders can be made online at https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools

From the Bishops Office

Plenary Council 2020 Diocesan Session 4: 6 November

You are invited to the fourth of the six sessions in the Diocese of Parramatta to gather and discern the Plenary Council 2020 National Themes for Discernment. This session on ‘Humble, Healing and Merciful’ will be held on 6 November from 6.30pm to 9pm at the Institute for Mission, Blacktown. To RSVP, please contact tanya.quinn@parracatholic.org or contact the Pastoral Planning Office on 8838 3441.

Holy Hour for Vocations: 7 November

Youth aged 18 to 35 and families are invited to join The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth for the Holy Hour for Vocations at The Good Shepherd Parish Church, on Thursday 7 November at 7pm. Dinner will be served afterwards. RSVP to Sr Paula – vocationscsfn@gmail.com or 0449 656 406.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Marriage Enrichment Weekend: 8-10 November

The Worldwide Marriage Encounter are hosting a Marriage Enrichment Weekend from 8 to 10 November at the Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW. Take the time to step back from everyday distractions and rediscover your relationship. Book online at www.wwme.org.au or contact Adrian and Janet on 0490 774 419 or adrian.janet1@bigpond.com

Five Hours with Nuns Discernment Retreat: 9 November

The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth are offering a discernment retreat “Five Hours with Nuns” for women aged 18 to 35 at the Holy Spirit Convent, Plumpton on 9 November at 3pm. This retreat is one-to-one encounter and includes prayer times, talks and accompaniment. To RSVP, contact Sr Paula on 0449 656 406 or vocationscsfn@gmail.com.

Alpha Program Weekend Training: 8-10 November

The Pastoral Planning Office is running a training course in the Alpha Catholic program at the Institute for Mission, Blacktown. A sample Alpha evening will be held on Friday 8 November from 7pm to 9pm, before full-day training sessions on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November. Morning and afternoon tea and lunch will be provided. To register, and for more information, please contact Lisa in the Pastoral Planning Office on 8838 3497 or lisa.bright@parracatholic.org

St Philomena Mass and Devotions: 9 November

Mass and Devotions for St Philomena will be held on Saturday 9 November at St John Vianney Parish, Doonside. Mass will be held at 12Midday, with confession from 11.30am. Please bring a snack to share. For further information, contact Libby Peoples on 0423 154 463 or epeoples9@gmail.com.

Office for Worship Music Workshop: 13 November

The Office for Worship is conducting a Music Workshop for musicians and liturgy planners on Wednesday 13 November at the Institute for Mission, Blacktown from 7pm to 9pm. Supper will be provided. Choosing appropriate hymns for Mass and what to sing at Mass and why will be discussed. To register by 8 November, call Anne on 8838 3456 or anne.alimangohan@parracatholic.org.

Greystanes Parish Craft Market: 16 November

OLQP Parish is holding its popular Craft Market event on Saturday 16 November 8am-2pm at Camilleri Hall 198 Old Prospect Rd, Greystanes. Featuring 40 stalls selling handmade goods. A great day out for the whole family with a raffle, Devonshire tea, face painting and a BBQ serving breakfast and lunch. Proceeds go to Diabetes NSW & ACT.

ACU Centre for Liturgy Pastoral Formation Day: 16 November

What do Catholics believe about Sacraments of Healing? How do priests, deacons and lay ministers care for the sick? These questions and more will be investigated during a pastoral formation day run by the ACU Centre for Liturgy at the Institute for Mission, Blacktown on 16 November from 9am to 4.45pm (registration from 8.30am). Cost is $60 and registration is essential via http://www.acu.edu.au/pastoral_formation_days. For more information, call 02 9701 4751.

Memorial Mass for those bereaved by suicide: 19 November

CatholicCare Western Sydney and Blue Mountains together with the Diocese of Parramatta invite those bereaved by suicide to a Mass to honour loved ones who have taken their lives. Mass will be celebrated at St Oliver Plunkett Church, 35 Wigram Street, Harris Park. 6:45pm for 7pm start. RSVP 14 November Ph: 02 8843 2575 or rita.chater@ccss.org.au

Reflection Day for Women: 23 November

Preparing our hearts for Advent - Reflection Day for Women. Saturday 23 November 9.30am – 3.00 pm. Mt Schoenstatt, Fairlight Rd Mulgoa. Facilitator: Sr Mary Louise. Cost $25 BYO own lunch. Tea & coffee provided. Take some time out for prayer and reflection! To register or for more information info@schoenstatt.org.au or phone: 4773 8338.

Country Care Link Volunteers Needed

Open Support, a not-for profit, community service organisation is in need of volunteer drivers for their Country Care Link program, which is a transport service for regional NSW families, couples and individuals when in Sydney for medical appointments and hospital stays. For more information or to receive a volunteer information pack, please email volunteer@opensupport.org.au, call 02 8382 6437 or visit www.opensupport.org.au

Walk with Christ: 24 November

Please join your fellow Sydneysiders in the Walk with Christ annual Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Sydney on the Feast of Christ The King on Sunday 24 November at 2.30pm. Thousands of people took part in last year’s joyful public proclamation and act of worship to invoke Christ’s blessing upon our beautiful city. Meet at the corner of Martin Place & Pitt Street at 2.30pm on November 24. More details through the Archdiocese of Sydney.

For more events please go to: parracatholic.org/events

Buses

Remember to TAP ON and TAP OFF so we can keep our school bus services running.

Any problems with Bus transport, please contact Busways asap (02) 9625 8900

Download the SkoolBag App

https://moqproducts.com.au/skoolbag/installation-instructions/
The SkoolBag app is the easiest way keep up with school events, last minute notices, newsletters and all school communications.

New format of our Newsletter can be translated to 100+ languages

With our Google Translation integration, you can access our newsletter in ANY language. Simply scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to give it a try.

St Agnes Catholic High Rooty Hill