MARIST CATHOLIC COLLEGE PENSHURST

Friday 20 March 2020 - Number 4

one school • one family • one communityTelephone: 9579 6188 Fax: 9579 6668 www.maristpenshurst.catholic.edu.au

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALWe are now well and truly into the Lenten season. Recently I came across the following excerpt while reading. I believe it is a worthwhile reminder about what more we could be doing to serve the poor in our own community. Not just the physically poor but also the spiritually poor, those marginalised and isolated.

Excerpt from The Catholic Youth Bible:

“God has a special love for those who are poor and those who are oppressed. If we are to be authentic Christians, we must show similar love for those who are most in need in our world. Thankfully our world has been blessed with modern-day prophets who have shown us what it truly means to love and care for the poor. People like Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who risked and eventually lost his own life because he was unafraid to speak out against the grave injustices being inflicted upon the poor in his country. Or Saint Mary Mackillop, who founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart and devoted her life to educating the most poor and destitute of Australia and New Zealand. With these people and so many others as examples to follow, we too must always opt to love and serve the poor in our midst.”

God does not expect or require us to put our lives on the line, but he does ask us to be authentic Christians in our everyday living. How are we showing others that we are authentic Christians? In this unprecedented time this message is even more pertinent and our overriding concern should be those who are most vulnerable. Let us renew our trust and hope in Jesus and respond as people of faith to the pandemic. Let’s respond with love and respect for one another.

The last two weeks has seen the College alive with fundraising efforts for Project Compassion. Thank you to all the students, teachers and parents who have generously donated to Project Compassion. As a community we have raised over $6000 so far. This is an amazing effort.

TIK TOKDo your sons/daughters talk about TIK TOK? Do you know what it is and what the risks are?

TIK TOK is a video sharing social media platform developed in China and is increasingly popular with teenagers. As a company they have a record for not protecting the privacy of children and young people and it has been banned in a number of countries. It allows teenagers to create videos to short music tracks. There are suggestions by a number of esaftey commentators that it is also used by those looking to exploit young people.

I would recommend children delete TIK TOK as the risks are too high, but here are some tips that might help to keep them safe online:

• As your son/daughter to show you what they are viewing and posting on TIK TOK.• Ask your children to show you who they are following and who is following them. If they are unknown, delete

them.• Your son/daughter should never post a video or images of themselves in school uniform.• Your son/daughter should never tag their location in social media posts. • Talk to your son/daughter about what to do if they encounter inappropriate content or unwanted contact or

requests. (Report and Block)• Make accounts private so that only people known to your son/daughter can view the content.• Be a positive role model for your children in your own social media use.

Check out the following for more information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/tiktok

Mrs Connie Frino - Assistant Principal

3one school • one family • one community

Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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LEARNING & LITERACYPremier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9 and is a wonderful opportunity for our students to continue their love and enjoyment of reading into the secondary schooling years. Both libraries at MCCP have dedicated displays showcasing novels that are listed on the PRC reading list. Please see your relevant librarian if you would like help in selecting a book to read and get involved in the reading challenge!

Year 7 and 8 Combined Creative Writing Day On Friday 28 Feb, Year 7 and 8 students participated in a writing day. Year 8 students travelled to the South Hurstville campus to join Year 7 in developing their creative writing skills. Students were focused on improving three key areas in their writing; how to set a scene by creating tone and atmosphere, how to create rising tension and developing a protagonists’ change in perspective. Students were exposed to masterclass teaching, small group instruction and time for personal reflection on their writing. At the end of the day all students completed a practice creative writing test which was externally marked by ACARA NAPLAN markers. Students will receive personal feedback on specific areas to improve in their writing, this will be particularly important for Year 7 as they begin to prepare for the NAPLAN testing in Term 2. This valuable data has been recorded and will be used to track student’s writing growth as they continue to develop their writing over the course of the year.

Year 9 Persuasive Writing DayOn Friday 6 March all Year 9 participated in a persuasive writing day. This day was focused on developing the art of persuasion within a structured written form. Students consolidated their knowledge of language features and devices, learnt how to use evidence to support an argument and developed their skill in sustaining their writing in an essay. Students worked in a masterclass setting with roaming teachers to support students individually when needed. Feedback from students suggest they were able to access teachers quickly and receive explicit personal instruction which they found reaffirming. Year 9 students sat a practice NAPLAN persuasive writing test at the end of the day which is currently being marked by external ACARA NAPLAN markers. Students will receive personal feedback on specific areas to improve in their writing as they begin to prepare for the NAPLAN testing in Term 2. This valuable data has been recorded and will be used to track student’s writing growth as they continue to develop their writing over the course of the year.

Ms Rebecca Nolan - Head of Diverse Learning

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Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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LITERACY CORNER - ISSUE 3 CRITICAL READINGQuiet often students need to read as part of their homework, and this type of reading is where students need to read for meaning.

So how do you read for meaning?

Students need to ask themselves synthesis and evaluative questions and make connections to develop critical thinking. Here are some examples of critical reading that promotes critical thinking:

CRITICAL READING THOUGHTS. . . . CRITICAL THINKING / MAKING CONNECTIONS. . . .

How well does the text do what it is intended to do? How does the evidence support the intent of the text?

What are the ideas or understandings in the text? Are these based on facts or opinions?

What evidence does the text present? How does the evidence support the claim or conclusion made in the text?

What is the overall message or conclusion? What is the effect or impact or result? Do I agree / disagree?

Ms Rebecca Nolan - Head of Diverse Learning

PUBLIC SPEAKINGThe Catholic Schools Debating Association’s (CSDA) annual Public Speaking Competition began last Friday night. There was great interest in being involved in this year’s competition with many students trialling to make the team. As a result the College entered the maximum number of students and the most students the College has ever entered, with two students per year group for Years 7-10 and four senior students from Years 11 and 12. It is wonderful to see the students growing in confidence in their oratory skills and having a passion to present their ideas to an audience.

The following students were selected to represent the College:Year 7 – Arwen Arnold, Michaela LoukasYear 8 – Paddy Daly, Chloe RizzoYear 9 – Marco Gava, Annamaria PsaltisYear 10 – Maya Reynolds, Rohan ReynoldsSeniors – Zale Briscoe-Hough, Charlotte Bulmer, Adam Burridge, Damian Scalone

All Students spoke eloquently and intelligently about their chosen topic, presenting thoughtful comments about society and challenging the audience about their perceptions of the world. Students explored the expectations we and society place on ourselves under the topic Great Expectations, others metaphorically considered the mechanics and mundane routines of the world, one brave student metaphorically explored how Life is a Cabaret, while others considered the consequences of when Things Fall Apart. The continual role of learning and the changing nature of who teaches us as we grow up was explored in The Grass is Greener on My Side, while others considered what is means to be Australian through My Country. Many adjudicators commented on the polished manner of the students and their ability to engage the audience through voice projection, appropriate tone changes and consistent eye contact. As a result, four of our students progressed to the Zone Final; Michaela Loukas, Paddy Daly, Rohan Reynolds and Adam Burridge.

I would like to thank the following teachers for mentoring the students and providing continual feedback on the speeches to ensure that the students full potential was achieved: Ms Emmerick, Ms Guilfoyle, Mrs Hopkins, Mr Kissane, Mr Russo, Mr Skoflic and Mr Stevens.

Mrs Lisa Farrelly - English Coordinator

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Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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CBSA CHESSOn Thursday 5 March, students from Years 7-12 participated in the CBSA Chess Gala Day. It was our most successful Gala day so far. The students showed great sportsmanship and College spirit, with our students winning the Year 8 and 10 divisions. Years 7, 9 and Seniors made it through to the Semi-Finals.

Congratulations to the following students who were involved on the day:

SENIORS YEAR 10 YEAR 9 YEAR 8 YEAR 7Daniel Fuller Maya Reynolds Marco Gava Ethan Roche Marco ValenteIsaac Onchom Rohan Reynolds Siobhan Soares Jake Xippas Luke ChandlerConnor Soares Conor White RyanChandler Patrick O'Connell Zack GrechMarcus Gatt Christopher Vassilopoulos BrendanO'Connor Tristan Dogao Marcus Borg

Mrs Peggy Chandler - Chess Coach

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Agnoscere Et Diligere - To Know and To Love

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DATES TO REMEMBERThurs 26 Mar Harmony Day

Thurs 2 Apr - Year 7 Naplan TrialsFri 3 Apr

Wed 8 Apr - Year 9 Naplan TrialsThurs 9 Apr

Thurs 9 Apr Easter Liturgy Last Day - Term 1

SCC

VOLLEYBALL RND OPPOSITION WIN / LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 6 Rosebank College Win 2 - 0 Ms Danielle Polson7 Cancelled - -

Intermediate 6 Holy Spirit Lakemba Loss 0 - 2 Ms Analise Emmerick7 Cancelled - -

TOUCH RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Senior 6 Holy Spirit Lakemba Win 11 - 1 Mr Michael Falzon7 Cancelled - -

AFL RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 6 Bye - - Mr George Karpouzos7 Cancelled - -

CBSA

BASKETBALL RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 6 Rosebank College Win 42 - 26 Mr Andy Kissane7 Cancelled - -

Intermediate 6 Rosebank College Loss 42 - 56 Ms Chloe Nasr7 Cancelled - -

Senior 6 Rosebank College Loss 28 - 63 Ms Rachel Thompson7 Cancelled - -

CRICKET RND OPPOSITION WIN/LOSS SCORE COACH

Junior 6 Rosebank College Win MCCP 0/129 defRosebank 8/65 Mr Jason Stevens

7 Cancelled - -

Intermediate 6 De La Salle Revesby Win MCCP 4/81 defRevesby 2/80 Mr Jordan Russo

7 Cancelled - -

Senior Semi Rosebank College Win MCCP 2/100 defRosebank 5/99 Mr Michael Young

7 Cancelled - -

SPORT RESULTS

COLLEGE FEESTerm 1 fees are now overdue. Please finalised your account in accordance with your payment plan asap. Payments can be made by Cheque, Cash, Eftpos or BPay. Any queries please contact the College Office. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Mrs Joy O’Sullivan - College Bursar