Marian Catholic College

185 WAKADEN STREET, GRIFFITH NSW 2680

TELEPHONE: (02) 69692400

WEBSITE: www.mccww.catholic.edu.au Week 3 February 14, 2014

“The Prayer”

I pray you’ll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.

And help us to be wise in times when we don’t know.

Let this be our prayer, when we lose the way.

Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace.

To a place where we’ll be safe.

From the song “The Prayer” sung by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion

Dear Parents, Students and Friends

As a Catholic community it was wonderful to mark the beginning of the school year by asking for God‟s blessing on our

work at the Opening Mass. The Mass was concelebrated by Marian Chaplain, Fr Neru, Father Grace and new Assistant

Priest of the Sacred Heart Parish, Fr Rafter. We welcome Fr Rafter to Griffith and wish him well during his time with us. In

Fr Neru‟s homily he reminded us that, like the scripture readings of the mass, we are called by our name and we should

honour our name by doing good in our lives. Like St Peter and St Timothy we are blessed by God and God is with us on

our journey. He gives us the courage to do amazing things, to be the best person we can. By honouring our name we are

honouring God. The homily was a beautiful link to our Marian motto, The Way, The Truth , The Life.

At the conclusion of the mass, House Vice Captains were inducted. Congratulations go to the following students:

McCauley: Sarah Marcon, Steven Zalunardo Patrick: Jacinta Pastro, Mianno Mendoza

Brendan: Elisa Cadorin, Lua Ikenasio, Marcellin: Alanah Jeffrey, Claudia Marin

Last Friday our Year 7 students spent the day learning more about the school, their peer support groups, Year 11 group

leaders and each other. The theme, “We are Gifted” was clearly a success as they energetically threw themselves into

the activities, despite the high temperatures. More information is available to read further along in this newsletter and the

pictures on page 3 tell the story of a fun filled community day. I thank Liturgy Coordinator Ms Keane for preparing the

beautiful introductory prayer, Peer Support teachers Mr Neville and Ms Vardanega and Yr 7 Coordinator Mr Maginnity and

the enthusiastic Peer Support Leaders who ran sessions throughout the day and of course Year 7 for the generosity of

heart through making the day special for each other.

Next week, Year 7 students, their parents or significant adult are invited to the Welcome Evening, Tuesday 18

March at 7pm. During the evening teachers of Year 7 will be introduced and there will be time for an informal chat about

how the students are settling into high school life. Light refreshments will be provided by Hospitality students during the

evening and we expect the night to finish by 8.15.

Another exciting feature of the Welcome Evening will be the launch of the new Marian Catholic College website. We

will go “live” and key elements of the website will be walked through for all who attend. See you there!

Our Year Twelve Leadership team have been very busy fundraising for charities over the past weeks. Today is, of course,

Valentines Day and the student leaders have been collecting orders from students for small gifts to give to others. All in

good fun and nothing taken too seriously! The other event that is moving along is the inaugural Marian Catholic College

“Show and Shine”. Leaders Tristan Agostini and Mitchell Gibbs are, “driving" this event...pardon the pun...This promises

to be ahuge fundraiser for St Vincent’s Private Hospital, right here in Griffith. The boys and the leadership team need

our support, so please keep Sunday March 2 10-4pm free, to see the cars and bikes on display on the College oval.

Already many car club enthusiasts and local car dealerships have committed to be part of the day.

Peace and Best Wishes A special footnote that ex-Marian student of 2012 Vice-Captain Joany Badenhorst

has been selected in the Australian Winter Paralympic team.

Joany will be competing in the snowboarding event. She has a facebook page and

Principal would love to read your encouraging best wishes from students of her school.

No 3

Opening Mass 2014

Year 7 Community Day

“We Are Gifted”

Learning and Teaching News

HSC Support Evening - 13th February 2013

On Thursday 13th February we held our first HSC Support Evening for 2013. There was a fantastic turnout to the

event which is a good indicator of the dedication and drive of the students at Marian Catholic College, as well as

the supportive role our parents play in the lives of our students. Three sessions were held on the night, by Mrs

Betsy Farrugia, our Careers Advisor, Mrs Toni Griffiths, our Year 12 Coordinator and myself. Each session was

unique and provided important information to prepare our students for success in this challenging HSC year.

A session on HSC rules and procedures provided students and parents with an overview of the administrative

rules set out by the Board of Studies which must be complied with by schools and students. Students were also

provided with advice for goal setting and reminded of the importance of short, medium and long term goals in

order to succeed this year. Another session provided students with invaluable skills for exam preparation. This

advice was timely with the HSC Mid Course Exams fast approaching. Information about tertiary and career options

was also provided. We strongly encourage any students and parents who wish to explore options for the future

either tertiary study, TAFE or employment, to contact the school to make an appointment with Mrs Betsy

Farrugia.

Exam Dates for Year 12

Term 1, Weeks 10, 11 - Mid Course Exams

Term 3 , Weeks 3, 4 - Trial Exams

Term 4, Weeks 2 - 5 - HSC Exams

Preliminary Support Evening

Next Thursday, 20th February at 7pm, we are holding the first Preliminary Support Evening in the Learning

Centre. We would like to invite all Year 11 students and their parents to attend this meeting in order to make a

smooth transition to their senior schooling. Three sessions will offered on the night to inform and equip students

with the skills required to succeed in this important year. Sessions on study techniques and timetables and coping

with assessment and exam stress will be offered. We look forward to seeing you there.

Exam Dates for Preliminary Students

Term 2 , Weeks 3, 4 - Mid Course Exams

Term 3, Weeks 9, 10 - Final Exams

“The future depends on what you do today” - Mahatma Gandhi

Christie Scoble

Assistant Principal—Learning and Teaching

CALENDAR 2014

Peer Support Lesson 1 Tuesday 18th February

Year 7 Welcome Evening & website launch 7pm in the

Language Centre Tuesday 18th February

House Meetings for Swimming Carnival during Homeroom Wednesday 19th February

Vaccinations Years 7 & 9, Lessons 1 & 2 Wednesday 19th February

Preliminary Support Evening 7pm Language Centre Thursday 20th February

College Council Meeting 7.30pm College Meeting Room Monday 24th Febraury

Peer Support Lesson 1 Tuesday 25th February

Peer Support Lesson 1 Tuesday 4th March

* PRACTICES HAVE

STARTED

* Please note that

everyone (CAST/

DANCERS/MUSICIANS/

ENSEMBLE) are required

every Sunday from 1pm -

5pm at the drama room for rehearsals - please make sure you

have appropriate footwear and clothes

* THE WIZ is looking for sponsors - we have many special

packages that offer fantastic value for money please see Belinda

Aventi for more details or email aventib@ww.catholic.edu.au

Stay tuned to our facebook page for regular updates.

We look forward to an exciting semester, keep the following

dates free: Wednesday 18th June, Thursday 19th June,

Friday 20th June and Saturday 21st June.

2014 CANTEEN

duty starts @ 10am

Mon 17 K Giovinazzo, S Schaefer, A Gibbs,

J Lockwood,N Piedrabuena, N Beltrame

Tues 18 L Marin, P Nunn, L Negus, N Sergi

Wed 19 K Trimboli, F Sartor, D Smith, F Naseer

Thurs 20 E Menegon, D Zanotto, M Marando

Fri 21 L Campbell, S Raccanello, N Moursi,

M Searl, K Adams-Jones

COLLEGE MAGAZINE If you have ordered a magazine they

are ready to be collected in the Library

now.

If you overlooked ordering one last

year, it is not too late - see Michelle in

the office.

The MCC Swimming Carnival will be held

Friday 21st February at the Griffith Aquatics Centre. Students

are expected to make their own way to the pool for 8.50am roll

call. If you are unable to be drop your child at the pool, a bus

will be available from the College . Buses are also available to

return students from the swimming carnival. Swimmers

wanting to participate in individual medleys and or warm-up will

need to be at the pool by 8.15am.

The swimming carnival is a school day and compulsory

attendance is expected. If your child is unable attend, please

provide a note. All appointments made for the day, must be

cleared with Ms Scoble before the carnival. These notes need

to be shown to Pastoral Co-ordinators before leaving.

NRL Tackles Bullying

This week Marian was very lucky to have Edrick Lee and Josh McCrone come and speak to Year 8 & 9 about a powerful new „Tackle Bullying‟ DVD. The DVD aims to empower students to stand up for themselves and others who are being bullied. The DVD inspired students to take action by following proactive strategies including standing strong, staying claim, responding confidently, walking away or not responding to cyber-bullying and reporting inci-dents. Marian's processes for managing bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence are a key aspect of providing a safe and supportive school environment.

Motivational Media

It has also be a privilege to have Motivational Media attend the College this week. Motivational Media tours Australia featuring the latest mov-ies and music, as well as interviews with five young Australians. The main theme of the program suggests that to reach our full potential we need to surround ourselves with people who encourage our dreams and help us to make decisions that will help us reach our potential. We also need to be the friend who encourages others and has the strength to keep them from going down destructive pathways.

Director of Pastoral Care

Andrew Holloway

CAREERS

*CSU MyDay programs: the first one is Oral Health and Radiography on 28th of February. Please see me to register and find out what other courses are on the program for the rest of the year.

*Applications are open for a School based Traineeship at a local hardware store. Please see me. *2 possible chef apprenticeships available in Griffith. One is with Novus Restaurant interested people should call Alf at 69645276

& The Roastery on 69625560 ask for Scott or Richard. *Charles Sturt University Year 10 Information Page http://www.csu.edu.au/oncampus/getting-to-uni/year-10-information

*University of Wollongong Campus Tours UOW offers free hour-long tours every Friday between 10.00am and 3.00pm throughout the year. www.uow.edu.au/future/visit/index.html *AuSkills Smartphone App The AuSkills App is now available through Google Play and the Apple App Store and can also be used online at: http://www.auskillsapp.com/ *http://www.job-first-steps.net/index.html *www.deewr.gov.au/employability-skills Careers Adviser

VACCINATIONS - Yr. 7 & Yr. 9 Students

On Wednesday 19th February there will be:

- Yr. 7 Boys/Girls - 1st dose HPV and

Boostrix (Tetanus)

- Yr. 9 Boys only - 1st dose HPV.

Vaccination envelopes were given out this

week and must be returned by the 13th Feb-

ruary.

The remainder of the vaccinations will be

done during the year.