Marian Catholic College 185 WAKADEN STREET, GRIFFITH NSW 2680

TELEPHONE: (02) 69692400

WEBSITE: www.mccww.catholic.edu.au

No 1

Friday 29 January 2016

Dear Parents, Students and Friends,

Welcome to the 2016 school year. I trust that the break has rejuvenated and energised you, hopeful for a successful new year. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless our school and all those who contribute to fulfilling God’s promise of “The Way, The Truth and The Life.”

A great deal of time and effort into ensuring that the first few days of 2016 go smoothly for students, and I thank those involved for spending so much time getting the school “ship shape”. Our new Year 7 students are looking ready and eager to begin their journey through high school and I wish them every success at Marian.

The 2015 HSC results were outstanding and for the third year in a row, Marian is the highest performing school in the diocese in terms of the learning growth of our students in the HSC. Our HSC results demonstrate that our College provides an excellent education for our students. A more detailed analysis of our results are in Ms Scoble’s Assistant Principal’s column in this newsletter.

To celebrate the achievements of our highest ranking students, the College will be holding the HSC High Achiever’s and Dux Ceremony

at 10am next Tuesday in the Marcellin Hall.

New Car Park and Drop-Off/Pick Up area Please be aware that new arrangements will be enforced as from Monday 1 February for students driving to school and parents who drop off their children. All drop/off and parking is either through the new Macarthur St entrance or along Hickey Crescent. Please be aware that the Wakaden Street pick up/drop off area will no longer be accessible. No students are to be crossing Wakaden St, this will be strictly enforced. Parents are asked to be mindful of this important change. It has the support of the NSW Police and Griffith City Council. Students have been briefed about the change so please have a conversation with them about these requirements. A map of the new car park arrangements are attached on the final page of this newsletter.

New Staff 2016

The following staff have been welcomed into our community.

Mrs Tonetta Iannelli will be the new HSIE Coordinator.

Mr William Lyon: HSIE/Modern History/Commerce

Ms Mary Bergmeier: PDHPE/RE/Sport

Mrs Belinda McKellar: English

Mrs Melody Richards: HSIE/Commerce/Business Studies

Mr Barry Le Cornu: PDHPE/CAFS/Science/Sport

I would also like to inform the community that Ms Petra Born will be leaving us at the end of February, we wish her well in her new position at St Josephs High School, Albion Park. Petra’s replacement will be Ms Domenica Polimeni.

There are quite a few changes to roles for a number of staff in 2016. I have included a full list of staff in this newsletter. It may be useful if you are contacting the college throughout the year.

Peace and Best Wishes

Principal

As it is, God has put all the separate parts into the body as he chose. If they were

all the same part, how could it be a body? As it is, the parts are many but the body

is one. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” and nor can the

head say to the feet, “I have no need of you.” What is more, it is precisely the parts

of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones.”

1 Corinthians 12:18-23– A letter of St Paul to the Corinthians

Together we will clearly achieve more. We need each other, let us encourage

each other to be the best we can...and as one group. As we begin the school year

let us continue to remember the words of St Paul.

“It takes a whole village to raise a child”-African Proverb

Learning and Teaching News

HSC Results in 2015

The Marian Catholic College results are outstanding for a great number of students, with large number of students with a Band 5 or Band 6 and considerably less students in the lower bands. These results match our great results achieved in recent years. In terms of the learning gain achieved by our students, according to the DeCourcy data analysis, our 2015 cohort achieved the best results we have had yet. This data is evidence of our culture of high expectations, the importance we place on a growth mindset and the ability of our expert teachers to bring out the best in our students.

Overall, from seventy HSC students, there are 24 Band 6s shared across 13 students. Our school also received 126 Band 5s, which is similar to last year. This was across the range of subjects and a range of students.

A summary of results are outlined below:

Students performed above the mean state average in 17 out of 26 of subjects;

Above state average achievement of Bands 4 to 6 was achieved in 23 out of 26 subjects;

81% of students’ subject results were between a Band 4 and Band 6 and 45% of students achieved between a Band 4 and Band 6 in all of their subjects; and

42% of students’ subject results were a Band 5 or Band 6 and about 8% of students achieved a Band 5 or Band 6 in all of their subjects.

Some of this success can be attributed to:

The Year 12 mentor program, where every Year 12 student nominates and invites a staff member to be their mentor;

The HSC Support Evenings for parents and students covering topics relating to management of learning, understanding the tertiary options, goal setting, managing stress, striking a balance, understanding examination requirements;

Tutorials run in mornings, after school and workshops delivered during holidays breaks;

Encouragement to submit drafts of assessment tasks to obtain detailed feedback;

Whole school focus on assessment for learning and feedback;

Sharing of effective teacher practice amongst staff;

Additional teachers who have experience as HSC markers.

Success in Pathways to work

Not only were our HSC results outstanding, however of equal importance, there were also

numerous achievements by our 2015 cohort in relation to pathways to employment. All of our

students who undertook a School Based Apprenticeship secured employment and many other

students achieved a Certificate II for a variety of VET and TVET courses.

Christie Scoble

Assistant Principal—Learning and Teaching

LOCKERS

Lockers are available at $20.00 for the whole year

Students are required to supply their own locks to ensure safety of items stored

CANTEEN ROSTER 2016

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1 February 2 February 3 February 4 February 5 February

S. Ciampa

J. Davidge

C. Badoco

V. Sharma

S. Favero

A. Donadel

D. Beltrame

L. Vico

A. Agostini

M. Harrison

P. Testoni

S. Comarin

E. Caffrey

R. Connelly

J. Poloni

C. Laurent

S. Sergi

CALENDAR OF EVENTS – Week 1 Term 1

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1 February 2 February 3 February 4 February 5 February

Years 8, 9 & 10 return College Assembly Lesson 1 Years 8,9 & 10 Student ID photos Lesson 3-5 Homeroom Years 7, 11 & 12 and Year Meet-ings Years 8, 9 & 10 Lesson 2

HSC High Achievers Assembly Lesson 4

Induction of House V/Captains and blessing of 2015 Leaders

Swimming Carnival

The Marian Catholic College swimming carnival will be on

Friday 5th February. The carnival is designed to provide an

opportunity for students to gain selection in the MCC Team

to represent the College at BISSA in Wagga Wagga on

Thursday 3rd March.

Selection for individual BISSA events will be as follows:

200 IM first placing only

100 Free first placing only

50 Free first 4 placing’s

50 Back, Fly & Breast first two placing’s

All students will be encouraged on the day to participate

in a heat at their ability, with the competitive swimmers

competing in the first heat of that age group.

The Big Swim will also be a part of the day – allowing all

students (swimmers and non-swimmers) to be involved in

earning points for their house. Being a part of the House

Chants is also an excellent way to earn important House

Points.

Students are to wear house colours on the day and bring

sun screen along with sun-safe clothing. Students are

expected to make their own way to the Griffith Aquatic

Centre by 8.50 am. A bus will be provided from Marian to

and from the Aquatic Centre for those who require it – the

bus will depart at 9 am sharp from Wakaden Street.

Students competing in the Individual Medley and /

or warm-up will need to be at the Aquatic Centre by

8.15 am.

Any parents/guardians wishing to help on the day would

be appreciated. Please contact myself at the college.

I look forward to a fantastic day and wish all competitors

the best on the day!!

John Seers

Marian Catholic College’s production for

2016,

GREASE, is underway!

* Students who auditioned for lead roles will be required to attend a

callback on TUESDAY 2nd FEB 3:30pm—5:30pm in DRAMA ROOM—

and any new students interested in being a part of our production must

contact Mr Hillam or Miss Calabria.

ROLES WILL BE ANNOUNCED on FRIDAY 5th FEBRUARY.

2016.

Students who are interested in assisting backstage need to see Mrs

Aventi ASAP.

Students involved in the show will be practising on Tuesdays

3:30pm—5:30pm and Sundays 1pm—5pm.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR CAST & CREW -

FRIDAY 8th JUNE—REHEARSAL AT SCHOOL

SATURDAY 9th & SUNDAY 10th JUNE—BUMP IN

(CREW AND BAND ONLY)

MONDAY 11th JUNE—FULL DRESS REHEARSAL @

THEATRE

* We have some great packages available for sponsorship so if you think

you would like to be associated with another of our fantastic productions

please email Belinda Aventi for more information

aventib@ww.catholic.edu.au

* We will have a FACEBOOK page up and running for everyone to see

our progress but for now keep the dates free

WED 15th JUNE 7pm, THURS 16th JUNE 7pm, FRI 17th

JUNE 7pm and SATURDAY 18th JUNE 2pm and 7pm.