Vol. 49 Issue #7 27th May 2013

YEAR 12 RETREAT

FROM THE HEADMASTERDear Parents/Guardians,

Since our last newsletter, I attended our two Year 12 Retreats at the Hermitage Retreat Centre, Mittagong. I always feel that being a group leader on these retreats is a very special privilege because it provides staff with a significant insight into parts of our students’ lives that are important to their wellbeing and yet, not readily accessible in the day to day of family or school.

Thanks to the staff and students who made this week a memorable and positive event in the lives of our senior students. The College has received quite a number of phone calls from parents providing very positive reports that their sons have given them about the retreat. More importantly, students have also thanked the staff for providing them an unforgettable experience.

A second reminder to our Marist Community that our 125th Champagnat Week commences with the Feast of Champagnat and 125th Celebratory Mass for students and parents,

past and present, and all friends of Marist College North Shore. Mark this date in your diary:

Monday 3 June9.00am - 11.00am

St Mary’s CathedralSt Mary’s Road, Sydney CBD

Our Parish Priest, Fr Edward Dooley, will be the main celebrant. I hope to see you there.

A letter was sent home with students regarding changed school times due to staff inservicing and the celebration of the annual Champagnat. The details are again repeated in the Mr Forrester’s article on the next page.

The Parents and Friends Committee is organising the Trivia night for Saturday 1 June. Please see the final advertisement for this event later in this newsletter. The Committee and volunteering parents and staff have been working tirelessly for weeks now and the tickets are selling very quickly. You must book a table/ticket now! Tickets are now available online. Please see the details later in this document. I hope to see you there!

Last weekend, the students who are engaging in one of our three immersion experiences took part in a preparation retreat to enhance their awareness of the possible personal emotions and skills that the immersion will call on. The three separate groups report that their weekends went well and all students returned safely.

Staff are engaging during the next few weeks in the preparation of teaching programmes that are aligned with the National Curriculum being launch in all educational jurisdictions across Australia.

I wish you every blessing for the next two weeks.

Br Peter Corr, fmsHeadmaster

(L-R): Staff members enjoying the Mittagong sun: Michael Dela Cruz, Russell Kam, Stephen Versteegh and Tony McDonnell

Staff in action (clockwise): Paula Reinhold, Katherine Bucknole and Br Michael Hill

FROM THE DEPUTY HEADMASTERUPCOMING EVENTS

With the National Curriculum being introduced next year, all schools are involved in the planning and preparation for the new curriculum. As a result there are some days that have been listed below that have been put aside for staff to continue with the programming of the new curriculum. Accordingly, an important letter was sent home last week to all students for their parents regarding the dates and details of upcoming events. Below is a summary of the important dates/events:

Week 5: Wednesday 29 MayYear 12 Parent Teacher InterviewsClasses conclude at 2:30pm

Week 6: Monday 3 JuneChampagnat Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Compulsory celebration for all students. Details regarding expectations of the students have been detailed in a letter sent home and explained to students here at the school. All past and present parents, friends and the Marist community are welcome to attend the Mass, beginning at 9am.

Week 6: Friday 7 June Champagnat Day celebrations. Assembly in the morning followed by House events at Primrose Park. All students will be bussed to and from the park.

Week 7: Monday 10 JuneQueens Birthday - Public Holiday

Week 9: Monday 24 JunePupil Free Day Staff involved in networking with other schools in the development of new curriculum.

Week 9: Friday 28 JunePupil Free Day in lieu of expo

ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

Last week at a school assembly I spoke to all students about the importance of being planned and organised. There have been many occasions where parents are dropping items (lunches, assignments, books, sports equipment, messages etc) off at the office for their sons as they have forgotten to bring the items to school.

It is an important habit that our students learn to manage their organisational skills. The use of their diary, packing their bags the night before

and creating a planner with all activities listed are just some strategies that can be employed to assist with organisational skills. It has become increasing difficult for the Office to pass onto students the number of items that are being left for collection. Students will not be withdrawn from classes for materials to be collected as this is a disruption for staff and students.

Furthermore, the process for a student was explained if they are sick at school. Students are to see their House Coordinator or Mr Forrester and have their diary signed. They will then be sent to the sick bay, where they will be assessed and have a parent called if necessary. Students have been reminded that they are not to call parents.

If you wish to allow the College to administer Paracetmol or other medications to your son if its required, please list and sign the permission note on page 159 of your son’s diary. This is a legal requirement for our duty of care.

David ForresterDeputy Headmaster

MATHLETICS

On the first Fee Statement issued in February, all students were incorrectly charged $30.00 for a Mathletics computer licence. The credit has now been raised and all accounts have had the entry reversed.

If the first Fee Statement was paid in full including the error, the $30.00 credit has been taken off your second Fee Statement issued in May.

As our standard Fee Statement only shows items unpaid, the credit does not show on the Fee Statements that have been paid.

If you would like confirmation that you have received the credit, please email accounts@maristns.catholic.edu.au and a detailed Fee Statement showing all your transactions for the year (payments, credits etc) will be emailed to you.

Mark BrooksBusiness Manager

FINANCE

FAITH FORMATIONSACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

On Sunday 19 May, the disciples received the Holy Spirit and Christ sent them out into the world to spread the good news. If you compare the landscape of today’s society to those of the first disciples you can draw some very similar comparisons – the disciples found spreading the good message not easy and they were sometimes easily dismissed, so how do we spread the message? How do we encourage our sons to have a faith? What role does the College play in encouraging faith and giving students opportunities to explore their faith?

Over recent weeks, a number of students have become involved in the Sacramental Program. During the upcoming months students will be exploring their faith, learning more about the Church and what it means to be Catholic before being given the opportunity to become a member of the Catholic Church through undertaking the sacraments. This choice by the students and the support from their families is remarkable and shows that the message is still being heard and that faith has a role in our society.

WORLD YOUTH DAY

On the evening of Wednesday 22 May, our WYD students were given a presentation on some of the experiences they’ll have at World Youth Day in Brazil in July. This gathering of young people from around the world was started by Pope John Paul II in 1986 as a way for young people to experience the global church and to deepen their faith as part of a wider community. Pope John Paul II said that he “imagined a powerful moment in which the young people of the world could meet Christ who is eternally young”.

This year’s WYD will see the presence of the first South American Pope, meaning that the celebrations are sure to be even more colourful and vibrant, with a continuing emphasis on the need to stand in solidarity with the poor. Our students will respond to this call during their pre-pilgrimage in Peru and Pope Francis himself will be visiting the slums of Rio de Janeiro. Pope Francis has spoken of the coming celebration: “May the encounter be a sign of faith for the entire world. The youth must announce to the world it is good to follow Jesus, it is good to go with Jesus, the message of Jesus is good; it is good to come out of ourselves, from the edges of existence of the world and to bring Jesus to others”.

YEAR 12 RETREAT

Recently our Year 12 students spent three days on retreat at Mittagong and as a majority of past students can attest, this is one of the highlights of their time at the College. One of the key themes used on retreat is “Trust the Mystery”. Much to the frustration of students, when they asked the staff what was going to happen next, these words were often repeated. This theme required students to allow the day to unfold, allowing themselves to trust that everything would happen according to plan.

While I am not going to write about the activities that were undertaken at retreat, this notion of “Trust the Mystery” is very powerful. Each of us are on our own faith journey, some with no doubts regarding their relationship with God, some questioning the role of God in their lives and others doubting the very presence of God. “Trust the Mystery” is a way to challenge students to experience the presence of God in their lives, challenging them to live with the ups and downs of life, not without question, but with faith.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff members that were involved with the Year 12 retreat - Tony McDonnell who led the retreat along with Russell Kam and Chris Maoudis, as well as the small group leaders: Paula Reinhold, Dawn Russell, Katie Bucknole, Emily Devitt, Carolyn O’Brien, Vicky Drivilas, Michael Dela Cruz and Patrick Fitzgerald. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Greg Quinn and Sian Welch who took on the responsibility of being night supervisors. Without the effort and time from staff, the retreat would not have been such a success. I thank all of the staff for their dedication.

Stephen VersteeghActing Director of Faith Formation

TEACHING & LEARNINGYEAR 12

The Year 12 Reports have been finalised and should be received in the mail in the coming days. You will notice that the format of the reports is slightly different this year. The cover page still includes a Tutor comment however; there are no longer subject comments on the report - though all other information regarding cumulative marks, ranks, averages and effort are still present.

With the absence of subject comments, it is important that you look at all of the other data on the report and discuss any issues with teachers during the Parent/Teacher interviews on Wednesday 29 May. If any of you have not received a copy of your son’s report by the day of the Parent/Teacher interviews, please contact Mrs Joyce Kelly at the College who can have a reprint ready for you upon your arrival that afternoon/evening.

The Wednesday afternoon study sessions started earlier than previously published due to high demand. I was involved in the recent English focus afternoon and was happy to see the Library filled with eager Year 12 students and at least half a dozen English teachers there to help them.

A reminder that Thursday sport is also being utilised for study or “Unpacking the HSC examinations” sessions for those students not participating in MCC sport. A reminder that even though each Wednesday will have a specific faculty present to help students, the study session is open to all HSC students needing the time to organise, revise or prepare themselves. The timetable for this term is below:

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SUBJECT SESSIONS - TERM 2

Week Date Subject1 Wednesday 1 May Mathematics2 Wednesday 8 May English3 YEAR 12 RETREAT YEAR 12 RETREAT4 Wednesday 22 May PDHPE

5 Tuesday 28 May(due to Parent/Teacher Night)

Business Studies

6 Wednesday 5 June Mathematics7 Wedneday 12 June Science

8 Wednesday 19 June TAS

9 Wednesday 26 JuneOpen session for all subjects

NB: The TAS Workshops will also be open every Wednesday for students to work on their major works.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON SUBJECT SESSIONS - TERM 2

Week Date Subject1 Thursday 2 May Free study2 Thursday 9 May Free Study3 YEAR 12 RETREAT YEAR 12 RETREAT4 Thursday 23 May Geography

5 Thursday 30 May(MCC Spare Round)

PDHPE

6 Thursday 6 June Design & Technology7 Thursday 13 June Industrial Technology

8 Thursday 20 JuneConstruction/Business Studies

9 Thursday 27 June None(Last day of term)

STUDENT LANDING PAGE - GOOGLE SITES

Late last year the College began setting up a student landing page within Google Sites. This site has been used by various departments since the beginning of the year in order to communicate information to students. At its basic level, the landing page should be a “go to” page for all students at the school. It is where you will find student assessment tasks and various study or learning guides for specific subjects.

The IT Department sent a link to all students in a group email during Term 1 which had varying levels of success. Then, I shared the Google site with all students at the end of last term for hopefully easier access. For students (and therefore parents) to be able to access the landing page, students need to be using their school Google account.

If your son has forgotten his account, he should contact the IT helpdesk at the College for assistance. On logging into their email (which is on the sydstu.catholic.edu.au domain), they will find an email from me with a link to the site. Once the student has clicked on the link, the site should then remain in their Google Sites section for easy access at all times.

Any students who enrolled at the school this term will need to contact me so I can share the site with them. I really encourage all students to

LIBRARY

CREATIVE ARTSAMEB MUSIC EXAM SUCCESS

Congratulations to the following students who have successfully achieved high grades in their recent AMEB Music exams:

Liam Baker (12 Kelly) 8th Grade SaxophoneRohan Tailor (11 Chanel) Bass Guitar

Ethan Grenot (11 Salta) GuitarMatthew Failla (8 Salta) Piano

As a key part of music at the College (both in the classroom and integrated with the Music Tuition Program), AMEB Examinations provide students the opportunity to prepare for, perform to standards and then receive quality feedback with their level of musicianship with their selected instrument.

The music tutors Penny Coucill (Woodwind) and Mark Roulston (Guitar and Bass Guitar) are very proud of their students success. We actively encourage all students involved in the Music Tuition Program and in elective Music classes to participate in external music examinations to achieve to their potential and to add to their academic repertoire.

Please see Mr Herbert or Ms O’Brien if you have any questions about AMEB Exams or the Music Tuition Program.

Carolyn O’BrienCreative Arts Coordinator

WHAT’S ON AT THE LIBRARY

We welcome the Chess team back to the Library for this season where the boys compete with other schools on Fridays after school.We wish them every success and thank them for their dedication, especially Ms Drivilas and Mr Dela Paz who coordinate the team. Overdue notices have been sent out to students. Boys please return all overdue books or renew them. That is one of the conditions for using the library resources. Parents with students who have books more than a month overdue have been notified by mail and are requested to pay for lost books.

Miss McGovern has started two study groups in the library. One on Wednesday after school running until 5:30pm, specialising on a different subject each week. Also some of Year 12 have taken up the option to study in the Library instead of doing sport. We encourage the boys to use this time to study and not waste it.

Happy reading,

Simon KaddissiTeacher/Librarian

TEACHING & LEARNINGnot only utilise this tool but also to check their school email daily, as many teachers are also sending important information to the students via email as well. Google Drive is also becoming more and more utilised by teachers and students for submitting work or to enable online collaboration. The web address for the student landing page is:

https://sites.google.com/a/syd.catholic.edu.au/mcnsstudent/

NATIONAL CURRICULUM

In the next edition of High Notes I will provide you with information regarding where the College is currently positioned regarding the implementation of the National Curriculum.

Ann McGovernDirector of Teaching and Learning

CAREERS NOTICEBOARD

Click here for the latest Careers news!

P&F COMMITEE SPORTGood at Alpine Skiing, XC Skiing or

Snowboarding?

Be part of the 2013 MCNS Snow Sports Team!

The first series of the Interschools Snow Sports Competition will be held during the July School holidays from 3 July to 6 July 2013 in Perisher Valley. Last year over 6200 High School students from across Australia competed in the Interschools Competition series and more are expected this year. It’s a great opportunity for Snow Sports fans to have heaps of fun!

MCNS entered the Interschools for the first time last year and we are looking for skiers and boarders from Year 7 to Year 12 interested in joining the 2013 MCNS Snow Sports Team. All transport and accommodation requirements are the responsibility of each participant’s parents or guardians.

If you would like your child to be part of this fun event please contact:

Meg NeuhausMCNS Interschools Snow Sports CoordinatorTel: 0412 112 754Email: Ian_and_Meg@bigpond.com

MCNS TRIVIA NIGHT 2013

When: Saturday 1 June Where: La Valla Hall, Marist North ShoreDoors: 6.45pmTrivia: 7.15pmTickets: $30 per ticket

Tickets available from: http://www.trybooking.com/49832 There will be a number of small to major Auction items available on the night. Only Cash and EFTPOS will be available. Please bring your gold coins to participate in the games.If you can provide an auction item for the evening, please reply to the P&F: pnf@maristns.catholic.edu.au

TRIVIA NIGHT VOLUNTEERS

There is a lot to be done to prepare for the night and we need some parents to help with the hall set up. We would appreciate as many hands as we can get and any time you can spare on Friday 31 May from 12 noon. Please email us with your contact details and available times to pnf@maristns.catholic.edu.au

The P&F Committee

CHESSDRAW

SENIORDate Rd Home V Away

31 May 4Marist North Shore

V St. Pius B

7 Jun 5 St. Ignatius’ A VMarist North Shore

14 Jun 6Marist North Shore

V St. Pius E

21 Jun 7 Shore V Marist North Shore

INTERMEDIATE - DIV 2Date Rd Home V Away

31 May 4Marist North Shore B

VMarist North Shore D

7 Jun 5

Marist North Shore D

V Riverside Girls

Holy Cross Ryde

VMarist North Shore B

14 Jun 6

Marist North Shore B

VNorth Sydney Boys A

Marist North Shore D

VHoly Cross Ryde

21 Jun 7

North Sydney Boys A

VMarist North Shore D

North Sydney Boys D

VMarist North Shore B

INTERMEDIATE - DIV 3Date Rd Home Away

31 May 4

Marist North Shore C

V St. Pius A

St. Pius C VMarist North Shore A

7 Jun 5

North Sydney Boys E

VMarist North Shore C

Marist North Shore A

VNorth Sydney Boys B

14 Jun 6

Marist North Shore C

VNorth Sydney Girls

North Sydney Boys E

VMarist North Shore A

21 Jun 7Marist North Shore A

VMarist North Shore C

JUNIOR - DIV 5Date Rd Home V Away

31 May 4Marist North Shore C

V St Aloysius’

7 Jun 5 St. Pius A VMarist North Shore C

14 Jun 6Marist North Shore C

V BYE

21 Jun 7Marist North Shore C

V Manly B

JUNIOR - DIV 6Date Rd Home V Away

31 May 4North Sydney Girls A

VMarist North Shore E

Manly AMarist North Shore B

7 Jun 5Marist North Shore B

V Manly D

Marist North Shore E

V Manly A

14 Jun 6 Manly D VMarist North Shore E

Shore B VMarist North Shore B

21 Jun 7Marist North Shore B

V BYE

Marist North Shore E

V Shore B

JUNIOR - DIV 7Date Rd Home Away

31 May 4Marist North Shore A

VMarist North Shore D

7 Jun 5Marist North Shore D

V Queenwood

Balgowlah VMarist North Shore D

14 Jun 6Marist North Shore A

V Manly C

Marist North Shore

V Balgowlah

21 Jun 7 Manly C VMarist North Shore D

Manly F VMarist North Shore A

To see Marist North Shore progress results from this competition, please refer to the NSWJCL websitewww.nswjcl.org.au

(Click on “Schools” in the menu on the home page, then look under “Metropolitan Secondary Schools Competition” & click on “Draw and Results”)

“Promises, Promises”

MUSICAL HELP REQUIRED

The 2013 MCNS musical “Promises, Promises” is now well under way with fantastic music by Burt Bacharach and brilliant singing and dancing. To help support the students and the production team we are asking for some help with some borrowing of costumes, props and assistance with makeup for the evening performances.

COSTUMES1960’s style mens suits (like Mad Men)Brown suit (Small), Maroon suit (Medium), Black suit (Medium), Grey Pinstripe suit (Medium), Loud Check suit (Medium), Navy suit (small) 2 mens dressing gowns (1960s style)

PROPS1960’s style coffee table (1m x 40cm)Ladies Mustard yellow suit (Size 10)

HELPERSTo assist with make up on Wednesday 12th June (during the day), Thursday, 13th June - Saturday, 15th June (5.00 - 6.00pm). If you can help or have an old suit, please contact Carolyn O’Brien at the College:

carolyn.obrien@syd.catholic.edu.au

CHESS

YEAR 12 RETREAT

CANTEEN27 May: Maria de Caires, Lyndal Jenney, Martin Monaghan, Jo Nicholls, Sam Philp, Kerrie Van Loon28 May: Stephanie Lainey, Chris Saunders, Andrea Morgan29 May: Leanne Bishop, Ann Catanzariti, Margie Morgan, Katharine Watts30 May: Suzanne Devine, Julie Gaidzkar, Maureen McKee, Sandra Robinson, Anton Singh, Kasumi Tucker31 May: Dominica Edwards, Melanie Lindquist, Susan Mayall, Joanna Milenkiewicz, Michelle Mulligan3 Jun: NO CLASSES4 Jun: Cathie Bladen, Julie Bourgeat, Louise Frith, Nola Xenakis5 Jun: Joyce Aimond, Elizabeth Byrne, Dianne Pastuszak, Sandra Robinson, Cindy Van Kampen6 Jun: Lynda Challenger, Sally Engeman, Margaret Weller. Karen Whitehead, Marg Mitchell7 Jun: Brid Bowers, Mim Gazzoli, Sue Rennie, Teresa Ukrainetz, Anne Young

UNIFORM29 May: Margie Weller, Mandy Arnold, Lynda Challenger5 Jun: Janet Gill, Luija Gribben, Margaret Kamma, Sue Rennie

VOLUNTEER ROSTERS LOOKING AHEAD28 May Year 10 Careers Testing Cambodian Pre-Immersion Dinner29 May Uniform Shop open School Finishes Early (2.30pm) Year 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews Solidarity - Matthew Talbot31 May CSDA Debating Elimination 2 Northern Territory Pre-Immersion Dinner1 Jun Marist P&F Trivia Night3>7 Jun CHAMPAGNAT WEEK3 Jun 125th Anniversary Celebratory Mass & Feast of Champagnat, St Mary’s Cathedral, 9.00am NO CLASSES TODAY Night Patrol - Kelly5 Jun Uniform Shop open Solidarity - Matthew Talbot7 Jun Champagnat Day Assembly (9.00am) Champagnat Games Solidarity - Surry Hills (Salta)10 Jun PUBLIC HOLIDAY12 Jun Uniform Shop Open College Musical - Matinee Solidarity - Matthew Talbot13 Jun: College Musical (7.00pm)14 Jun: College Musical (7.00pm) CSDA Debating - Elimination Round15 Jun: College Musical (7.00pm)17 Jun: Night Patrol - Moore18 Jun: Year 7 English Incursion ‘Heroes’19 Jun: Year 8 Reflection Day Uniform Shop Open Solidarity - Matthew Talbot21 Jun: White Card Course Year 9 Commonwealth StartSmart Excursion Year 10 Catch Up Careers Testing Chanel Sandwich Making Solidarity - Surry Hills (Chanel)

Collect a piece of Marist North Shore memorabilia, celebrating 125 years...

125th Anniversary Polo ShirtSizes: M, L, XL, XXL

(S all sold out)

$55.00

Shirts can be purchased in the Office, by phone or email accounts@maristns.catholic.edu.au