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St Clare’s High School Davis Street, Taree 2430
Telephone (02) 6552 3300
Fax (02) 6552 3656
NEWSLETTER 12/2016 29 APRIL 2016
Dear Parents and Friends of St Clare’s
Welcome to Term 2 2016.
A good sized group of students and staff marched in the Taree ANZAC Day Parade on Monday.
Despite the weather, spirits were high and our young people represented their family and school
community with considerable dignity.
Casey Griffiths and Declan Moylan and St Clare’s students
School Captains, Isabella Blenkin and Thomas Dormor had the honour of delivering the
memorial speech to the considerable gathering of local people. They delivered an engaging,
thoughtful and thought provoking speech which has drawn a great amount of praise and
appreciation from many members of the local community. Their speech follows.
Anzac Day Speech - 2016
The word ‘Sonder’ was first coined by author John Koenig to describe an idea that defies
definition in the English language. Put simply, ‘sonder’ is the realisation that each random
passerby, every stranger that brushes past you in the street, is living a life as vivid and as complex
as your own. A life in which you might only appear once, as a blur of traffic passing on the
highway, as a glowing window at dusk. A life filled with their own ambitions, their own friends,
their own routines, worries and desires. A life just like your own, a person, just the same as you.
Now each year, on Anzac Day, we pause to think of the soldiers who gave their lives to defend
the country that we call home, and in doing so, we often remember them as someone’s husband,
as someone’s daughter, as someone’s brother.
We remember them as someone’s someone, a beautiful thought in itself, and yet, only half the
story that needs telling.
See, even more so, in considering this idea of ‘sonder’, we are called to remember them, simply,
as men and women, as individuals, each filled with those same ambitions and routines and
worries. Each with a mind just like you or I, filled to the brim with all their own fear and
excitement about the adventure to come.
Ladies and gentlemen, when you remember those who served, remember the person.
But how do we remember the person? We must become curious, we must ask questions, and we
must safeguard the stories of the past.
If I had not asked questions myself, I would never have found out that my great great grandfather
was a transport sergeant in the First World War, spending day after day with hundreds of war
horses, a heartbreaking position in itself. If I had not asked questions, I would not have found
out that he was hospitalised in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s house after a compound fracture to the
leg caused by a fallen mule. If I had not asked questions, I would not have found out that my
great great grandfather continued to work with horses long after the war ended, despite the horrors
he must have endured. But as we know, the veterans were not inclined to go into great detail
about their experiences, but rather told small anecdotes.
We must remember the individuals, like Australian Sapper, Thomas Edward Drane, one of the
first men to enlist at the beginning of WWI as a member of the 1st Field Company Engineers.
His diary describes the excitement of departure from Sydney, the exotic landscapes of Egypt, the
endless days at sea. But most vivid of all is that of the 25th of April 1915, this day, 101 years
ago.
“We were awakened up about 1.30am and told to get our equipment on... We were all excited…
what drew my attention was a very bright star in the sky, that shone out so brightly and seemed
to be a magnet drawing us towards it.
...then a bright light shone out from the shore and one shot rang over the hills. We knew that we
were seen by the Turks and we were told to get out, and get ashore the best way we could, every
man for himself.
It was just Hell let lose, nothing short of murder, to see our boys go down like sheep, it made
your blood boil, and then that is the time you get mad with excitement, and you are only out to
kill or be killed, to avenge the pals who you have loved like brothers. I along with my chums were
lucky to reach the shore after a few attempts to wade through water up to the neck. It was the
coldest Turkish bath I ever had… we were wet to the skin.
Then the order was given to fix bayonets; and drive the Turks out, which we did with a vengeance.
I will never forget that charge, for our boys started to coo-ee for all they were worth...
What happen is too awful to put down, for even should I put it down no one would realise what
war is like unless they have been in the thick of it, as we were then”
Now, while we remember these stories, it’s just as important to remember that war is not one-
sided. The Battle of Fromelles, for example, occurred a century ago, and the stories we hear as
Australians involve our men, the newly arrived 5th Division, attacking a strongly fortified German
front.
And yet, we don’t often think of what the opposition were facing, the thousands of foreigners
marching towards them - and while we mourn the 5 and a half thousand casualties we suffered
that dark day, we also keep in mind the absolute terror that the opposition must have experienced.
We remember our fallen, and we remember the fallen of our opponents too. There is not one
enemy in war.
ANZAC Day is one of the most important parts of our nation, and every year we are consistently
reminded to reflect on the qualities of mateship and courage for which those who serve, then and
now, are so famous for.
But, we believe that this is already more known to us than we realise, we already respect their
bravery, their achievements, what they gave to our country. It’s what we do with this legacy that
matters, the way we bring it into our everyday lives, the way we make it relevant today, that
ensures, we will remember them.
The legacy lives on, and while we proclaim our remembrance every year, we must also consider
what it means to us. It embodies the traits that, with history, we Australians have become the
bearers of, and it is through simple, everyday acts, that this ANZAC spirit lives on. Be kind to
one another. Remember to laugh. Endure when times become difficult. And keep alive that same
courage that our ANZACs held when they had nothing else left.
We come together to rescue one another in times of need during natural disaster. We see the good
humour in situations that don’t go as planned. We have an unyielding sense of duty towards each
other, putting others first. This ANZAC spirit lives on through us.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we believe ANZAC day is all about. We ask you to focus
less on the solemn gravity of the event, but rather reflect on how far we have come. Consider the
stories that do not get told.
When you remember those who served, remember the person.
Remember the individual, just like you or I, and remember that our national identity comes not
only from what occurred in the past, but the way we choose to act today.
Isabella Blenkin & Thomas Dormor
School Captains - Thomas Dormor & Isabella Blenkin
St Clare’s community followed the Taree ANZAC commemorations with those of our own on
Wednesday, 27 April.
The assembly was organised by our senior student leadership group with the help and guidance
of staff member, Mr Ian Evans. Guests included Taree Mayor, Mr Paul Hogan, RSL Sub-
Branch President, Mr Darcy Elbourne, RSL Sub-Branch Secretary, Mr Dennis Lawrence
and RSL Sub-Branch member Mr Norm Webster.
A wreath was laid during the ceremony and Mr Elbourne spoke to the gathering about aspects
of the ode and his family’s connection to the local area and the
ANZAC tradition. The RSL Sub-Branch made a presentation of
books and vouchers to the school which were gratefully accepted
by student leaders. School Captains Isabella Blenkin and
Thomas Dormor delivered their ANZAC Day address, prayers
for the fallen were shared and the ceremony was closed by the
singing of the National Anthem.
In all aspects; from the catafalque party conducted by Cadet Ronan Moon, Ben Horsburgh,
Johnathon Black, Connor Van Wyk (Year 11) and Molly Reid (Year 8) drilled by staff
member Mr Bernie Holland, bugler Nicholas Parsons (Year 10), the music led by Mrs Jenny
McKendry and Cadence, the public leadership shown by our student leaders: Isabella Blenkin,
Thomas Dormor, Casey
Griffiths, Blake Jeffriess,
Melanie Malakou, Lucy
McIntosh, Laura Moy,
Connor Moylan, Damien
Owen, Luke Polson, Connor
Thorp, Thomas Tsang and
Emily Fowle’s leading of the
National Anthem and the
student bodies’ engagement in
the ceremony was excellent.
School Captains - Thomas Dormor &
Isabella Blenkin
Camps and out of class events play an important part in the education process. Last term a
significant number of students and staff took part in a Duke of Edinburgh camp. They walked
44 kms over four days from Point Lookout, New England National Park, Ebor to Bellingen. A
full report of this camp will be in next week’s newsletter. I would like to thank Mr Bernie
Holland, coordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh program and staff members, Mr Phill Carney
and Mrs Karen McCann for giving up their holiday time to ensure the Duke of Edinburgh
program can be run at the school and the camp could proceed.
We also owe a great deal of thanks to Deacon Vince Ryan and Ministry Coordinator, Denise
Ryan, who gave up a significant amount of time in the holidays to take a dozen senior students
on the immersion trip into inner Sydney.
Each of these events are formative in nature and contribute greatly to the personal growth,
resilience and empathy of our students and, as such, offer important moments of learning for our
young people.
Last night the SRC hosted the first school social for 2016. The event was well received and a
good time was had by all. My thanks to the SRC representatives and SRC Coordinator, Mrs Jane
Polson for their excellent work on behalf of the school community.
Year 12 students enjoying the social
In closing, I thank our staff for their willingness to go the extra “yard” to ensure that your sons
and daughters are offered every opportunity to develop their skills and talents and grow into an
ethical person who leads a good and happy life.
I would also like to thank RSL Sub-Branch member Mr Norm Webster for his kind donation to
the school in memory of his brother WD Webster killed in action in 1942 and his brother-in-
law LA Campton killed in action in 1945. Lest we forget.
God Bless
Principal
P & F – NEXT MEETING, WEDNESDAY, 11 MAY 2016
6 PM SCHOOL LIBRARY
PRAYERS: Please pray for those who are currently experiencing health difficulties and continue
to pray for community members experiencing challenges, pain, sickness and grief in their lives
at this time.
CHAPLAINCY/PASTORAL CARE: A reminder to all that the school has a Chaplain. Please
feel free to contact our Chaplain, Deacon Vince Ryan, through the school office if he can be of
assistance to you or any member of our whole school community.
Mass Times
Our Lady of the Rosary,
Taree 75 Albert St, Taree
Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm
Sunday Mass: 9:30 am
Our Lady of Perpetual
Help, Wingham
8 Farquhar Street, Wingham
Sunday: 8:30am
St Bernadette’s, Krambach Bucketts Way, Krambach
Saturday: 6:30 pm
Sunday: 9 am
(Mass is celebrated on
alternate weekends – please
speak to Deacon Vince or
Mrs Denise Ryan at school
for information on which
weekend mass will be
celebrated)
Our Lady Star of the Sea,
Harrington Pilot St, Harrington
Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm
(1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays in
each month)
Saturday Liturgy of the Word
and Communion: 6:00 pm
(2nd and 4th Saturdays of
each month)
St Therese's, Lansdowne Cundle Rd, Lansdowne
Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm
(2nd and 4th Saturdays of
each month)
Our Lady of Fatima, Old
Bar 20 Hall St, Old Bar, Sunday
Mass: 7:30 am
St Patrick's, Cundletown River St, Cundletown
Sunday Mass: 6:00 pm
Forster-Tuncurry Catholic
Parish
Holy Name of Jesus Parish
Church, Forster 33 Lake Street, Forster
Sunday Mass: 9:00 am
St Mary, Star of the Sea
Church, Tuncurry 15 Peel Street, Tuncurry
Saturday Vigil: 6:00 pm
Sunday Mass: 7:00 am
CAREERS CORNER: Careers Day #2 for Year 12 students has had a date alteration. Our
careers days are tied to our major school carnivals and, due to the Greater Taree City Council
informing us that the Rec Grounds were no longer available next week as originally booked, we
will now hold our second careers day on Friday, 13 May in Week 3 of Term 2 in conjunction
with the re-scheduled Athletics Carnival. More details regarding this will be presented in next
week’s school newsletter.
2016 HSC Examination Timetable is available
The 2016 HSC Written Examination Timetable became available on Wednesday 27 April.
Students can view their personal timetable via their Students Online account.
It is ESSENTIAL that HSC students log in to check personal details, subjects and timetables.
Students should speak to the Curriculum Coordinator, Mrs Theresa Avery, or a Year 12 Student
Coordinator, Mrs Bronwen Davidson, if there are any errors, omissions or clashes in their
timetable. Unfortunately, there cannot be any adjustments to the HSC Timetable if a student has
a crowded timetable. If this has happened, students must start preparing for this.
Our school can also download the 2016 HSC Written Examination Timetable via Schools Online
but CANNOT access a student’s individual timetable. Parents can access the full timetable
which will be published on the BOSTES website from Wednesday, 4 May 2016.
Ian Evans, Careers Adviser
MATHS WORKSHOP - Mathematics Workshop provides the opportunity for every student to
obtain assistance and support in improving their understanding of
mathematics. Four mathematics teachers are available each week
to explain the concepts you are finding difficult or give assistance
to enable you to complete your homework, assignments or any
work that you may have missed due to absence from class.
WHEN IS IT ON? Wednesday lunchtime - every week.
Bring your lunch!
WHERE? Room 10
We hope to see you there!
Mrs Julie Rowsell- Mathematics Coordinator
LEAVE NOTES & STUDENT MESSAGES: It would be appreciated if parents/guardians
would send in a written note if their child needs to leave early for appointments etc. Notes
should be handed in at the front office in the morning before roll call. If parents/guardians need
to notify their child of a change of afternoon arrangements, it is necessary to phone the school
prior to 2:25 pm (End of Lunch – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday) or prior to 1:55
pm (End of Lunch – Thursday Sport) as it is often difficult to locate students if their last lesson
is a PE Prac or there has been a room change. Students cannot be collected from the school
during school hours by anyone other than a parent or guardian without written permission.
Thank you.
LATE NOTES: Lateness to school is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained to the
school the same way as other forms of absence. Arriving Late for school requires a
handwritten note from a parent/carer or a phone call from a parent/carer or the absence is
recorded as an unexplained partial absence. Thank you.
SCHOOL CLINIC: Students are reminded that if they are unwell whilst at school they are to
advise their teacher who will then send them to the Front Office. If necessary, the office staff
will contact a parent while the student waits in the Clinic. Students are not to contact parents on
their mobile phones as this leaves teachers and office staff unaware of the situation and is also in
breach of the school policy – use of mobile phones. Thank you.
MONDAY 2/5 Help Urgently Required
TUESDAY 3/5 Monica McMullen, Sue Lythgoe
WEDNESDAY 4/5 Jackie Wiseman
THURSDAY 5/5 Lisa Starling
FRIDAY 6/5 Janette Wright
VACANCIES STILL EXIST
MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS
IF YOU CAN ASSIST PLEASE CONTACT CHERYL KINGSFORD
AT ST CLARE’S: 6591 2104, HOME: 6552 1857 OR
VIA EMAIL: [email protected]
COMING EVENTS - 2016
Term 2
Week 2 Thursday 5/5 ♦ Year 12 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews – 3:45 to 6:30 pm
School Hall
♦ Dio Cross Country
Week 3 Tuesday 10/5 ♦ NAPLAN
Wednesday 11/5 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm (St Clare’s High School)
Friday 13/5 ♦ Athletics Carnival
Year 12 Careers Day No.2
Week 7 Wednesday 8/6 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm (Holy Name Primary School, Forster)
Week 10 Thursday 30/6 ♦ NAIDOC Day Assembly
Friday 1/7 ♦ Last Day of Term 2
Term 3
Week 1 Monday 18/7 ♦ First Day of Term 3
Week 2 Monday 25/7 ♦ Students from Kobe Kaisei arrive
Week 3 Sunday 31/7 ♦ Year 9 Snowy Excursion Departs
Wednesday 3/8 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm (St Joseph’s Primary School, Wingham)
Thursday 4/8 ♦ Kobe Kaisei students depart St Clare’s
Friday 5/8 ♦ Year 9 Snowy Excursion Returns
Week 6 Thursday 26/8 ♦ Year 7 Vaccination – 3rd dose
Week 7 Wednesday 31/8 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm
Week 10 Friday 23/9 ♦ Last Day of Term 3
Term 4
Week 3 Wednesday 26/10 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm
Week 7 Wednesday 23/11 ♦ P & F Meeting – 6 pm
F r R o b G a l e a i s a s i n g e r a n d s o n g w r i t e r w i t h a n
i n t e r n a t i o n a l f a n b a s e . F r . R o b h a s a p p e a r e d o n
t h e X F a c t o r a n d h a s r e c o r d e d w i t h s e v e r a l
r e n o w n e d a r t i s t s , i n c l u d i n g G u y S e b a s t i a n
, P a u l i n i , G a r r y & , N a t a s h a P i n t o & A m e l i a
F a r r u g i a . F r R o b h a s a s i g n i f i c a n t e v a n g e l i s t i c
a n d o u t r e a c h m i n i s t r y , s p e a k i n g a n d s i n g i n g a t
s c h o o l s , c o n f e r e n c e s a n d c h u r c h e s a r o u n d t h e
w o r l d .
Manning Entertainment Centre on Friday 3rd June commencing at 8.00pm.
Tickets are $5.00 for Students under 18 years and $15.00 for Adults.
Tickets may be purchased at the MEC telephone 6592 5466 or via their website
E v e n t p r o m o t e d b y O u r L a d y o f t h e R o s a r y
C a t h o l i c P a r i s h , 7 5 A l b e r t S t r e e t , T a r e e N S W 2 4 3 0
Fr. Rob Galea in Concert
How To Support Your Child Through
Senior School
Presented by two experts in Peak Performance Psychology and Learning.
Rocky Biasi and Prue Salter PhD
Please Forward This To Your Parents...
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Stress and Anxiety in our Senior Students is increasing.
When I work with Year 10, 11 and 12 students I start by asking them two simple questions:
How do you react when you think of Year 12?
What message have you received about Year 12?
The answers will not surprise you. Students answer question one with responses such as:
Fear Pressure Panic Anxiety Overwhelmed
It’s little wonder that students feel this negatively about the senior years because they tell me the
main message they hear about Year 12 is: “It’s do or die”, “It sets us up for our future”.
The Message About Senior School Needs To Change
When our children receive the message that how they perform in the senior years will set them up for
their future career, success and prosperity – they are not being told the entire truth - these days
there are many different career pathways.
What's more, empowering students to develop the “grit”, the determination, the perseverance, the
resilience to excel plays a greater role in future success. This is one of the challenges for a parent of
a senior student.
This is what's needed - rather than panic about academic results the focus needs to be on the
mindset and study skills and habits that will produce personal best performance.
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