Star of Peace

We have had a very busy couple of weeks with the opening of the new building, Year 12 Graduation and Formal, final P&F meeting for 2020 and our Year 7 - 2021 Information Evening and testing day.

On the 2nd of July 2019 we saw the first of the fences up to start demolition of our A block, the first building on our site here at Dundas in 1962. Fast forward to the 9th November, 2020 as our first groups of students entered the new learning spaces for the first time. As I said to students you will always be the first students to use this building. 

The building has been a long time vision for the College, to create what is sometimes called the third teacher. Contemporary theories and research recognises and values the environment as a ‘third teacher’. Behind educators and families, physical spaces hold the potential to influence what and how young people learn.

The new building consists of 12 flexible learning spaces that allow Inquiry learning to really take shape. These new spaces will allow us to bring to life in a much more authentic way, our Vision for Learning. As a College we need to provide learning that builds the character, competencies and wellbeing to allow our young people to flourish and thrive in the world, both now and into their future. We aim to ensure our students develop efficacy and expertise, to become assessment capable learners who are able to articulate where they are in their learning, where they need to go and what they need to do next.

This week our new furniture has arrived for the Library, which we hope to have up and running again next week.

I have spoken to students about chewing gum, which is a banned substance at the College. Despite my request we have already had 3 instances of checking gum stuck under desks and on the floor. This is extremely disappointing. I ask that you ensure your child/ren does not bring gum to school at all. I know that you would understand the need to follow through with consequences when this community expectation is not met.

I would like to thank Ms Vicki Fraser our Business Manager and Mr Garry Stanwell our Groundsman for their extensive support throughout the building project and the team at FAL our builders for the great collaborative effort. I would also like to thank the CEDP for providing the community at St Patrick’s Marist with these outstanding contemporary learning spaces.

This year we have been blessed to have Mr Finnerty as our Acting Assistant Principal - Innovation, Teaching and Learning. Many members of our community have had the opportunity to connect with Mr Finnerty in a variety of ways. Mr Finnerty has a wonderful way of bringing community together, of creating strong positive relationships and making every person he encounters feel listened to, understood and valued. Mr Finnerty will conclude his time with us at the end of next week, taking some well earned leave before taking on a new challenge in 2021. We thank him for his commitment, dedication and service this year, especially during our COVID shutdown.

Year 12 Graduation and Formal have been highlights for our community. Last Thursday we were able to gather with students and their families to celebrate this wonderful rite of passage.  

The celebration has had many iterations leading up to Graduation day. A tremendous amount of behind the scenes work. I would like to thank Mr Paton and Mr Bonora our Year 12 Pastoral Leader of Learning for their organisation, our talented staff musicians: Ms Andrews; Ms Dunston; Mr Frede; Mr Heffernan; Mr Hornby;  Mrs Lyons; Mr Nguyen and student musicians Alex Bozanic, Marissa Browne, Toby Gott and  Remi Lewandowski, Jaymelee Bou Francis and Laetitia Gugliotto.  Thanks also to Natasha Goldsmith for assisting with photography; Mr Moussa for his work in putting together the Year 12 visual presentations; to Mrs Le Mottee and Ms Wadih for the graduation certificates, awards, set up and assistance  during the ceremony and to our behind the scenes administration team.  A special mention to Mrs Le Mottee for her vision and organisation in putting together a very special memorial booklet for our Year 12 students.

I would also like to thank our IT team Mr Vassallo La Rosa and Mr Mesina and our Tech team Hamish Davidson and Matthew Phillips.  As well as John and his team from Planet Productions and Tristan from BAM Studios.

Principal Message to our Graduating Class of 2020:  You are an inspiration to me. Your capacity to adapt and be flexible, to be patient, kind and understanding and to continue to strive for personal goals will be remembered by all in our community. This year has not been the journey we expected or planned for. You won’t be defined by what you missed out on, but by how you responded to the challenges, the disappointments and the changes . 

Thank you for the  generous way that each of you have contributed and participated in school life from the first day you arrived. You have helped shape the beautiful and rich tapestry that tells the story of our College.

Remember, God, as Pope Francis says, counts on us for who we are, not for what we have. “You are valuable in God’s eyes” he says “and your value is priceless”. 

As you leave to go out and change the world, never forget your roots or where you come from. May the memory of the symbols and values that have been so much a part of your life over the last six years, remain with you always as a constant reminder of your Marist Family here at Dundas.  Live your lives with Strong Minds and Gentle Hearts.

Be faithful.  Follow your dreams.  Work hard and be kind. This is all anyone can ask. 

May the spirit of St Marcellin Champagnat live deeply within you always and may God bless you all the days of your lives.

A reminder that at any time you have a concern or complaint please contact the College as soon as possible. We value your feedback throughout the year.

As you would be aware, we have begun taking enrolments for 2022. The closing date for enrolments will be during Term1, date to be confirmed. It is important for current families with Year 5 students (2020) to have enrolments in by this date. This year we have an extensive waiting list for 2021.

As we move towards the conclusion of the school year, I ask that if your child/ren will not be returning you let us know as soon as possible. We have waiting lists for every year group.

Angela Hay

Principal Leader

2021 School Travel Applications are Now Open  

Applications for student travel in 2021 opened from Monday 12 October 2020.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details. *Applications must be completed by the student's parent or legal guardian if the student is aged under 16 years. Students 16 years and over must complete the application form themselves.  Where there is a change of distance eligibility based on a student’s grade, the system will automatically update a student’s entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email. Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If a student needs to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2020 to ensure that current student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card remains valid. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2020, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2021. 

OPAL Card Expiry

From January onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan.

These are cards for students who will be in years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which haven’t been replaced in the last five years.

Impacted students and/or their parent/guardian will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.

If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by December 1, 2020 at the latest. Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address we currently have on file.

New Concession Entitlement Cards

Transport for NSW will be replacing the below cards with Transport Concession Entitlement Cards (TCEC) from October 2020:

• Senior Secondary Student Concession Card (16 years and over) – also used by Mature Secondary Students (18 years and over), Distance Education Students and Home School Students
• Proof of Age card (when a student under 16 years of age looks older)
• Boarder Rail Pass.

All previous cards will be valid until they expire. A letter will be sent home with students in Years 10 and 11 requesting parental permission to supply the required data to Transport for NSW for those students who require a Transport Concession Entitlement Card.  Please note the permission notes will be required to be returned before a card can be issued and the College requests that they are returned promptly.

https://transportnsw.info/contact-us/feedback/passes-concessions-feedback

It is with great sadness that I write my final newsletter. I have been blessed to be a member of this community in 2020; a time full of gifts and challenges that I will be always eternally grateful to have experienced.

I would like to thank Mrs Hay and all of the wonderful staff at St Patrick’s Marist. I have witnessed on so many occasions the genuine care for each and every individual which builds a strong foundation of a learning, loving and caring community. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our students and parents/carers. Your support and feedback was always greatly appreciated. There were simply so many occasions where your assistance was requested, and you were there. Thank you!

As I now move to a new opportunity, and face new challenges please be assured that I will remember what you have taught me, as through you and the Holy Spirit I have been blessed.

Thank you always for your support.

Mr Patrick Finnerty

Acting Assistant Principal

Innovation, Teaching and Learning

END-OF-YEAR FINANCIAL CLOSE-OFF 2020

The finance office will close at 4.00pm on Monday 14th December, so that staff can complete end-of-year processes including stock take of uniform shop items. 

Please ensure that any financial matters are completed by this date, for example the payment of school fees (if you are not on arrangement with CEDP), purchases of school bags, sports bags, hats, ties, second-hand uniform items, etc.

Payments can be made via credit card over phone (please liaise with the finance officer) or by EFTPOS at reception. 

If you want to pay school fees in cash, please go to local post office to pay by BillPay.

The office will remain open on Tuesday, 15th December for enquiries; however, no further finance transactions can be taken. 

The office will be closed from Wednesday, 16th December for staff professional development training.

OFFICE OPENING HOURS IN 2021:

The office (including finance) will be open on Wednesday 20 January, Thursday 21 January and Friday 22 January. Our office hours during this time will be from 8.30am to 3.00pm.

The office will be closed on Monday 25 January and will re-open on Wednesday, 27 January at 11.00am (after Staff Meeting).  From Thursday, 28 January 2021 the office hours will return to 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.

PAYMENTS AT THE OFFICE

We are moving to cash-free transactions, as is similarly reflected in the current retail world due to COVID. We already have EFTPOS facilities at reception and can take credit card payments over the phone. 

Our school fees already include most required resources, so there are minimal additional costs to pay. Items that are NOT included in school fees are formals, representative sport uniforms, bags/hats/ties, replacement items, etc. We will be introducing an alternative cash-less app soon, for these items. 

LOWES UNIFORM SHOP, CARLINGFORD

Stocks of most uniform lines held in-store, in their warehouses and on order are sufficient for our back-to-school 2021 needs.

Lowes prefers online orders (if possible). Home delivery is available for your convenience. 

We are in the process of transitioning the school bags and sports bags to Lowes from Back-To-School 2021. At the moment, the school sells these items, however, once our current supply is finished, we will no longer sell them onsite. 

Lowes customer info/feedback/complaints email address is customercare@lowes.com.au for customers who want to know information, or have a problem that cannot be solved at the store level.

ONSITE UNIFORM SHOP (part of the “Book Room”)

Our onsite uniform shop is open on Thursdays (before school, during recess/lunch break). We currently sell school bags, sports bags, hats, boys’ ties, and representative sport uniforms. 

• School Bags and Sports Bags – will be transitioned to Lowes from 2021, but we will continue to sell them until our stocks run out. 

• Hats – from 2021, these will be distributed to Year 7 together with the stationery packs at the beginning of the year. All other students can purchase replacement hats from us.

• Boys Ties – boys in Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 wear the Senior tie all year, while Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 wear the Junior tie in Terms 2 and 3 only.

• Representative Sports Uniforms – are sold as required by the Sports Coordinator.

We also sell good quality second-hand uniform.

LOST PROPERTY

We usually accumulate a lot of lost property. If items are labelled, we can contact the student to come to the office to collect it, so please ensure your child’s name is on their belongings.

Unlabelled items are held in the uniform shop, so students who recognise their item can come and claim it. At the end of each term, any unclaimed uniform items are added to our second-hand uniform stock. Other items eg water bottles, lunch boxes, umbrellas, etc are discarded. 

EVACUATION AND LOCKDOWN DRILLS

These are part of our WHS compliance routine practice to ensure all students and all staff are aware of our emergency procedures, know what to do and where to go. Our procedures are designed to keep students and staff safe while emergency services deal with a real situation (if it was to occur).

As we have started using some of the new building, this term we will practice an evacuation drill (date to be advised). The WHS Committee, leadership team and I are working on the logistics.

BUILDING WORKS

• Gate E – this is our new electronic gate with intercom on Kirby Street in front of reception. This gate will be locked during the day (except for the morning entry and afternoon exit), so parents/carers/visitors should buzz the intercom for access to the school. 

• Gate F – this is another new gate in front of the new building. From 2021, it will be opened and closed at the same times as all of our other gates ie for student entry in the morning and student exit in the afternoons.

• Landscaping – we recently met with the landscape architect (again) who designed the landscaping for A block building. We are looking into fixing the concrete pathways in the front of the school and to put in disability access through to reception.

  CANTEEN

  We encourage students to pre-order their lunch (ie before homeroom). Lunch orders are handed out first, so students who have ordered, do not have to line up. 

  The canteen operators have introduced an online pre-ordering system called Flexischools. This will allow parents/students to order online at any time (eg the night before) and pay with debit/credit card, EFTPOS/direct debit or paypal. All that is required is to download the app and register as a user. Then you can order and pay online and simply pick up your lunch without having to line up.

  Ms Vicki Fraser

  Business Manager

School fee statements were issued by the Catholic Education Diocese Parramatta (CEDP) on the 19th October and are due on 18th December, unless you are on a formal payment arrangement or are awaiting a concession assessment.

If you wish to discuss your school fee options please do not hesitate to contact me confidentially on – 8841 7955 Monday to Thursday or email rwadih@parra.catholic.edu.au or  PATS-DNDSFees@parra.catholic.edu.au

 Ms Rolla Wadih

School Fee Administrator

The 11th of November marks the anniversary of the Armistice, which ended the First World War in 1918. Last Wednesday we were able to gather as a College community to remember those men and women who  have given their lives to protect our country. Over 100,000 Australians have died fighting in various wars to protect our nation.

During the ceremony, a wreath was laid and one minute silence was observed to commemorate these men and women who have lost their lives through war. The College Leaders spoke about various topics such as the  significance of Remembrance Day, the end of World War 1 and red poppies which have been used as a symbol for Remembrance Day for many years. The leaders also spoke about the purple poppy, which is now used to recognise animals who died during conflict.

I would like to thank the following people for their involvement in the Remembrance Day Service:

Flag bearers - Max Trestain and Ayden Bottos

Mrs Lyons and her Tech Crew:  Josh Fong, Hamish Davidson, Mathew Philips

College Leaders:  Imani Cogger, Alex Bozanic, Maddison Boulos and Chris Litsas.

Mrs O’Neill

Acting Leader of Learning HSIE

PEER SUPPORT TRAINING DAY

Last Friday we had Peer Support Training day and it was by far the most fun I have ever had at school! I am very lucky and very excited to become a Peer Support Leader and work with Year 7 students next year, helping them settle in and feel comfortable at St Patrick's Marist. On the training day, we took part in a bunch of activities which were enjoyable but helpful. My group had so much fun with these activities but we really did learn a lot about how to work in a team and how to lead others effectively, to help us next year with the new Year 7's. This day was a great learning experience, I wish every day was a Peer Support Training Day!

Sophia Nehme

 9 Ludovic

ST PATRICK'S MARIST COLLEGE - WRITER'S SOCIETY

FINALISTS IN NEWSPAPERS COMPETITION

Congratulations to St Patrick’s Marist College Writer’s Society who are Finalists in 2020 ATOM Front Page Competition with their entry of The New Generation! (a student newspaper).  The Front Page Competition is an initiative of Nine and Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM). It provides Australian schools and classes with the opportunity to create and submit a short school newspaper, and win fantastic prizes such as a tour of The Sydney Morning Herald newsroom plus a write-up and photo of all the winners published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers

The Writer’s Society’s newspaper The New Generation! competed in the Lower Secondary category of the competition.  See all four finalists here: https://frontpage.online/2020-lower-secondary-finalists/

The group of talented writers were thrilled with being announced as finalists in this national competition: We felt very surprised but also proud because we put so much effort and time into this project and worked collaboratively throughout the whole process. 

The winners will be announced on 25th November. Good luck to this group of highly motivated and empathetic young writers, who are hoping to put out another edition of the newspaper before the end of the year!

Ms Duffy and Ms Basha

English KLA

Year 9 Food Technology students have been studying Food For Special Occasions and Food Trends this semester. We discussed different types of cultural and traditional celebrations all over the world such as The Festival of Lights, The Rio Carnival, Thanksgiving USA, Hawaiian Luau, Japanese Lantern Festival and many more. Plus trends and changes to food celebrations in our contemporary world, including Instagram worthy food shots we have all come to expect on social media sites.

The classroom was rich in examples of all types of events. The students had a good time learning about some events they were not previously aware of and giving feedback on how their own  families hold celebrations. 

Despite this, we decided to make the assessment around the 40th anniversary of the Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cakes. Our generous staff brought in their own tattered, worn and much loved books for the students to peruse. For many of us on staff it was a nostalgic look at our experiences in making these wonderful cakes for our own children.

Students worked individually and in pairs to recreate one of the designs in this now famous  cookbook. I am sure you will agree the students did a great job making these happy birthday children's cakes but more importantly the pride they took in presenting them to staff, family and friends was priceless.

Ms D. Kasmer

Year 9 Food Technology  Teacher

CAPTIVATE DRAMA CLUB

Some dramatic Year 7 and 8 students are busy learning the script for the CEDP Captivate Drama Club!

On Thursdays during sports time, Captivate Drama Club is one of the many activities that you can sign up for. You don't need to try out, you just come and experience being involved in collaboratively participating in drama workshops and activities. 

This Play will be created into a short film and will be presented to students later on this Term. Captivate Drama Club is extremely fun and it is great for building confidence and learning how to collaborate with your peers. Drama is all about becoming a character, playing a fun role, trying something new and most importantly, being creatively challenged!

Written by Alani Grohs
Year 7

Year 8 Visual arts students have been studying sculpture and public artworks which aim to celebrate or commemorate a person within a community. During this topic, students were inspired by the artworks of artist Ah Xian, and therefore asked to select an “unsung hero” as the subject of a ceramic sculpture. Students researched people in the local area to identify characteristics which they deemed admirable and worthy of recognition. Chosen topics varied from Doctors and Nurses, to Teachers, Parents and Celebrities who have started charity organisations to help others. 

Students applied clay building techniques to create a ceramic bust of their chosen ‘hero’ with added symbols to represent their unique job or character. 

Artworks are currently drying and preparing to be fired in the kiln. We look forward to seeing the final products!

Rachel Duff

Teacher - Visual Arts