St. Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox College Phone: (03) 9786 3145 15 Alpina Street, Frankston North, VIC 3200 Fax: (03) 9786 3988

Due to the success of parent-teacher nights held at the Hallam church in

2010, we have decided to once again hold this evening at St Mina &

St Marina Coptic Orthodox Church at 41-59 Saffron Drive, Hallam from 4pm

– 6pm and 6.30 – 8.30pm. We look forward to seeing ALL parents there.

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Monash Golden Key Homework Club starts at St Anthony’s

Once per week students from Monash University are coming to St Anthony‟s to help students with their homework. They are helping students in Years 3 to 12 on a Monday night from 3pm

to 5pm. The students are then driven by school bus back to either the Hallam or the Oakleigh church. This is a wonderful opportunity and we thank these senior students from Monash University for their help and their concern about the progress of our students. We look forward

to seeing our student numbers grow throughout the year as this is an excellent way for your child to receive coaching at no cost. For further details please contact the College.

You need textbooks and workbooks to learn ALL students MUST have all the required textbooks, workbooks, pens, pencils etc in order to

complete the work in the classroom. It is now Week 8 and I am amazed how many parents have still not supplied their children with essential books for school. If you need financial assistance there are welfare groups who can assist. If you are not sure which, contact me at

school. Otherwise ALL students MUST have these books or the students will get further behind in their studies.

Independent schools get less government funding

Nationally, Independent school students receive, on average, just over half (59.8 per cent) of the government funding that goes to government school students: • government funding for Independent school students in 2009 averaged $6315 per student.

• government funding for government schools students in 2009 averaged $10,562 per student. Saving to taxpayers – $4247 per student, or a total of $2.260 billion.

In Victoria, Independent school students receive, on average, 56.1 per cent of the government funding that goes to government school students: • government funding for Independent schools students in 2009 averaged $5310 per student.

• government funding for government school students in 2009 averaged $9470 per student. Saving to taxpayers – $4160 per student, or a total of $500.3 million. This saving is because of the contribution to education by parents of students at Independent

schools. If you are interested in how our College is funded please feel free to discuss this with me.

Gary Underwood Principal

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Term 1 Coptic Orthodox Feasts & Events Victorian Public Holidays

07/04/11 Feast of the Annunciation 08/04/11 Staff Planning Day

15/04/11 Last Friday of the Lent 17/04/11 Palm Sunday 21/04/11 Great Thursday 22/04/11 Great Friday (Western Good Friday)

23/04/11 Western Easter Saturday 24/04/11 Feast of the Holy Resurrection 25/04/11 Public Holiday – Anzac Day

26/04/11 Public Holiday – Easter Monday (substitute)

Term 2 Coptic Orthodox Feasts & Events Victorian Public Holidays 27/04/11 Commencement of Term 2 for staff & students

01/05/11 Feast of Thomas Sunday 06/05/11 District Track Day 09/05/11 Year 8 Soccer

11/05/11 Naplan Testing - Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 12/05/11 Naplan Testing - Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 12/05/11 Year 10 Soccer

13/05/11 Naplan Testing - Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 20/05/11 SEISS Year 7-11 Cross Country 25/05/11 College Photograph Day

26-27/05/11 Year 3/4/5 Camp 27/05/11 Year 9 Soccer 30/05-1/06/11 Year 6/7/8 Camp

01/06/11 Year 11 & 12 Soccer 01/06/11 Feast of the Lord’s Entry into Egypt 02/06/11 Feast of Ascension of the Lord

03/06/11 Tutankhamen Excursion Years 6 - 11 08/06/11 Year 7 Soccer 12/06/11 Feast of Pentecost

13/06/11 Start of the Apostles Fast (Lasts for 29 days) 13/06/11 Public Holiday – Queen’s Birthday 14/06/11 VCE Exams – Mid Year 15/06/11 VCE Exams – Mid Year

16/06/11 VCE GAT Exams 15-17/06/11 Year 9 – 11 Mid Year Exams 27/06/11 Year 11 & Year 12 AFL and Netball

30/06/11 Last day of term for students 01/07/11 Staff Planning Day

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

It has been an exciting time in the Technology Centre with the first half of the 54 new

computers being installed in what was the library. This process should be complete in another

week giving all Year 9-12 students access to a computer. The Federal funding which paid for

the computers and their installation is to enable all Year 9-12 students to have access to a

computer, but this will still provide a huge amount of time for other students to use the

computer centre or our laptops. The new technology centre will make a huge difference in

integrating IT into our curriculum.

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

One of Australia‟s best-known children‟s writers, Hazel Edwards, visited students in

Years 5 to 8 on Wednesday 23rd March. She spoke about how writers think and work to produce a good story. They learnt

about her fact finding missions to Antarctica, Northern Territory as well as far flung overseas locations. She spoke

about how to create characters, set the plot and creative writing ideas. Hazel

brought along her most successful title „There‟s a Hippopotamus on the Roof Eating Cake‟ which has been translated

into many languages. The children were keen to see the Braille version of the book.

She signed a collection of her recent title from the series Aussie Heroes „Sir Edward „Weary‟ Dunlop‟. She inspired many

students to think about writing.

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Years 1 and 2 enjoyed a day at the beach that complements the unit of work where we study

„Sun Smart‟ and „Beach Safety‟. We also took the opportunity of being around water to learn how to measure using water. We made sea creatures with sand. We had lots of fun.

Mrs. Zeina Iskander Year 1 Teacher

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

On Wednesday the 16th March, Years 3 and 4 were involved in a five aside soccer day with seven other participating schools. There were many highlights, much fun and excitement.

We had two boys‟ teams, two girls‟ teams and two mixed teams. All played with enthusiasm, team work and great sportsmanship. All teams did the name of St Anthony‟s and the school proud in their play and support for each other. All teams performed well but especially the

boys‟ A and girls‟ A teams who were undefeated.

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

As part of our Big Ideas program in Middle School, students across all three year levels have been developing their “Real Life” skills by planning an excursion to the city. Whilst the Year 6

and 7 students were given a defined brief exploring the Victoria Markets and its history, students in Year 8 chose a theme to explore in Melbourne and then planned their individual group experience from there. All students across Middle School were guided in developing

their map reading skills and group initiative to plan out the details of their journey including sourcing the cost of public transport to and from the city and deciding on the most suitable times for travel.

Year 8 students selected the themes of “Sporting Melbourne”, “Entertainment Melbourne”, “Tourist Melbourne” and “Retail Melbourne”. The groups ventured from the MCG to the

Docklands, and from Lygon Street all the way down to Southbank to explore some of the things that makes Melbourne “tick”. Whilst some groups got lost along the way (always under the careful supervision of a teacher!), others were just completely worn out from all the

walking! Nevertheless, all student and teachers enjoyed their day out.

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

With over 50 students or 20% of our students being picked up from school by car or walking home, Alpina Street has become more congested and thus there is more potential for an accident. Students should be picked up from the College side of the street. We recommend that parents park only on the school side of the street. This will prevent students rushing across the street which has cars parked on each side plus through traffic. I recommend that parents approach the College from Armata Crescent and turn left into Alpina Street. Cars can then exit from Alpina Street into Brunning Crescent. We do not want anyone to get hurt leaving school.

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Year 12 Student Meetings

I have had a number of meetings with the year 12 students in recent weeks. Initially there was a meeting with the whole group where we looked at factors that will influence success in

their VCE studies. These included: VCE being a partnership between the student, their school (teachers) and their parents,

and the need to work together. Time management. This can be done best through the students developing a study

timetable. I am asking all year 12 students to prepare one of these, to give me a copy and

have a copy displayed at home so that both parents and students can try to adhere to the timetable.

Study notes. Students should start preparing their study notes for all subjects starting

NOW, and then revise them on a regular basis. VCE being a competition this will place them ahead of many other students in the state.

Practice exams. Do as many of these as possible in the few weeks leading up to the exams.

Have them corrected by their teachers. The study for these has already been done (see

above).

I am also meeting with each Year 12 student individually to discuss their progress and to see how they are going with the tasks above. Parent/Teacher interviews Parent teacher interviews are to be held on the evening of Thursday the 7th April. One

element of success in a student‟s studies is a partnership between parents the teachers and the student. I would expect to see the parents of all VCE students attend this evening, demonstrating their commitment to their children.

Uniforms/College policies

A number of senior students are not complying with the college‟s policies regarding uniforms. VCE students should be acting as role models for the other students in the school on this matter. So I am asking parents to ensure that their son/daughter comes to school in their

correct uniform.

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Reminders

National Careers & Employment Expo, 9am-4pm, Fri 25 March & 10am-4pm, Sat 26 March; Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank; www.eocexpo.com.au , phone 1300 667 121 for information.

University of Melbourne Veterinary Science Open Day - Sun 27 March; 250 Princes Hwy,

Werribee; www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/openday Engineering Careers Expo – 2-7pm, Thurs 31 March; Etihad Stadium, Enquiries: Noel

Dos Santos, 9321 1726; Register: www.engineeringexpo.org.au.

1. CHECK OUT LA TROBE UNIVERSITY – The first „Talk and Tour‟ for 2011 is in the coming school holidays. This will be a great opportunity for Year 10-12 students/parents to find out about courses; see the university; have your questions answered. When: Fri 15

April; Where: La Trobe, Bundoora; Register: On-line (details soon). 2. „ACCESS ALL AREAS‟ AT MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY - The „Access all Areas‟ program will

inform those who attend regarding the „Melbourne Experience‟ from a current student perspective, admission requirements, course information, and college visits. When: 9am – 2pm, Fri 15 April; For: Year 12 only; Registration:

www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/explore/events; Info: 8344 6543 or 1800 801 662. NOTE: there will be two further sessions on 15 July and 30 Sept for 10, 11 and 12‟s.

3. THE AGE VCE AND CAREERS EXPO 2011 – Expos provide a great opportunity to collect

information, ask questions and explore options at one location. The Age VCE and Careers Expo is one such opportunity. Universities, TAFEs, independent colleges, employer groups, defence forces and others will be represented. There will be a range of

seminars that you can book into as well. When: 10am-4pm, Fri 6, Sat 7 and Sun 8 May; Where: Caulfield Racecourse. PUT THE DATES IN YOUR DIARY!

4. COMPUTER GAMES BOOT CAMP – Are you interested in becoming a professional gamer,

building and designing games or simply playing games? If so, this event is for you. The Monash University Computer Games Camp is run by the Faculty of Information Technology and is aimed at Year 9 - 12 students. When: 9 - 15 July, 2011; Register:

NOW at secure.monash.edu/infotech.promotion/games-boot-camp/register-interest-form.html .

If you have any concerns, issues or ideas then please contact me at college on 9786 3145 or email me at ajuresko@stanthonys.vic.edu.au .

Angelko Juresko VCE Coordinator

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Dear Year 9 and 10 students and parents,

For the past eight weeks I have had the privilege of being the Year 9 and 10

Coordinator. Through this time there have been many events and new programs running at St. Anthony‟s Coptic Orthodox College.

I am pleased to say that all students in Years 9 and 10 have settled well into their schooling year. Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new “Homework Club” which is available to all students every Monday from 3.30pm-5pm.

This program will be run by university students under teacher supervision and will enable St Anthony students to get extra help in any subject which will equip them well

for their future VCE education. A reminder that our new “organiser” policy is continuing and with this I would request

that all parents are checking their children‟s organiser nightly to oversee any tasks that need to be completed. Furthermore, I would encourage all parents to urge their

children to do homework or some form of study every night to enhance their marks for their current subjects and to enable them to cope with the demand of study in VCE. I would like to inform you that some of the Year 10 students have already begun to do

Year 11 subjects and hence it is absolutely crucial that they are studying on a regular basis to get the best out of their education.

Finally, I would like to inform parents that, this year St Anthony‟s has introduced new elective subjects, outdoor education, leisure sport, world food, theatre studies, careers,

leadership and revolutions. Please note that Parent Teacher interviews will be in the last week of term 1 and I

would request that all parents attend these meetings. I would hope that the remainder of this year is as great for the students as it has been

for me and the rest of the staff teaching the year 9 and 10 students.

Ninette Bebawi Year 9 and 10 Coordinator

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Date: 30/03/2011 Volume: 20

Phone: (03) 9786 3145 St. Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox College Fax: (03) 9786 3988 15 Alpina Street, Frankston North, VIC 3200