Number 186 December 2006

Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students,

Parents and School - Working in Partnership

The interest and support of our parent body is one of the great strengths of our school. The large numbers at our ‘Parents in Touch’ evenings, the help with the canteen, exam supervision and the homeroom parents are all strong indicators of the spirit and goodwill that exists. Unfortunately, in a school this size there will also be times when parents and the school have differing perspectives - especially in regards to rules and their enforcement.

Steve Biddulph, a ‘guru’ on adolescent boys will be working with staff and addressing a ‘parents in touch’ evening next year. He maintains that boys will accept rules, however they must be fair and consistently reinforced. This is a major challenge for both parents and schools. Boys struggle and have contempt for inconsistent application of discipline.

At the interview for entry into Marcellin, parents are asked” Why do you want your son to come to this school?” Common responses include: ‘because of the discipline, its strong reputation or its high standards’. It is sometimes disappointing when further down the track, the same parents complain about rules or punishments. The complaint often goes along the following line: “We fully support the school but…..” This ‘but’ often implies it is good to have rules and discipline but not for my son or but not in this particular instance.

It is healthy for a school community to have a regular open dialogue with parents. Whilst we welcome constructive suggestions and criticism, it makes the job of caring for our boys extremely difficult when parents inadvertently

undermine the school’s authority. Current research on boy’s education stresses that boys need the security of clearly defined parameters. Regardless, they will always test these boundaries. It is clear that guidelines are blurred when the adults in their lives appear to be pulling in different directions.

Obviously, one size will not fit everyone. A caring, pastoral school should always be aware of the needs of each student. However, in a school of 900 plus students the collective needs and safety of the majority must be paramount. Any rule or punitive action examined in isolation is in danger of being dismissed as unfair, excessive, or in some instances, draconian. For example, a boy receiving a detention for being in the wrong section of the school or disciplined for failing to wear his blazer or uniform correctly can seem harsh. Yet, it is these minor misdemeanors left unchecked, that lead to the erosion of overall standards and discipline. Just as good teaching is the basis of good discipline, reasonable and fairly administered discipline is the foundation stone of quality learning and ultimately the development of meaningful relationships.

As a school we endeavour to provide a safe, supportive environment where children are valued and listened to. After my first 12 months, I believe that for most boys, we achieve this. Marcellin exists solely for your sons. Their care, education and Christian formation are the primary functions of the school. A wise old saying by a Brother that I worked with for a number of years was – “if the school and parents are going in the same direction then the real winner is the boy”.

Mr Les SalisburyDeputy Headmaster

God bless

Les Salisbury Deputy Headmaster

Parents in Partnership

From the HeadmasterCongratulations to all these boys on their Special

Achievements in a number of different fields. Well done!

Peter SimpsonYear 11

Completed Silver Medallion for the Duke

of Edinburgh Award

Jackson BarronYear 8

Second place U15, second place U13

Branch Boardriders Surf Carnival Maroubra

Max AyshfordYear 9

First place U15 Branch Boardriders Surf

Carnival Maroubra

Scott WalshYear 9

Completed Bronze Medallion for the Duke

of Edinburgh Award

Troy ReardonYear 8

Third place U15 Branch Boardriders Surf

Carnival Maroubra

Walkathon Winners!

Congratulations to the students

pictured on the right who were

the winners of their respective

year groups in raising the

most for the recent Walkathon.

Particularly impressive is Jarrod

Garratt from Year 7 who raised

an amazing $840!

Thanks to all parents, staff

and students for the wonderful

community effort at the

WalkathonRyan Price

Year 9Raised $110 for the College Walkathon

Adam PhillisYear 8

Raised $291 for the College Walkathon

Jarrod GarrattYear 7

Raised $840 for the College Walkathon

Matthew CoginYear 9

Raised $110 for the College Walkathon

Alan EvansYear 11

Raised $104 for the College Walkathon

Nicholas ReillyYear 10

Raised $190 for the College Walkathon

Dylan ClearyYear 9

Received the Hans Kosh Award from

Eastern Suburbs Tennis Association for his

outstanding performance in tennis

Sam TurnerYear 7

Equal First Place, Wylie’s Baths Photography

Competition

Nicholas Di CampliYear 7

Equal First Place, Wylie’s Baths Photography

Competition

Ben EvansYear 11

Commended, Wylie’s Baths Photography

Competition

Cameron SorgeYear 11

Commended, Wylie’s Baths Photography

Competition

From the Headmaster

Urgent Reminder - Student Verification FormsParents are reminded to return Student Verification forms to the College by Friday 15th December. If you have not received your form please contact the College and another will be forwarded to you. This is very important as all fees will be charged as first child in a Catholic school if the form is not returned by this date.

Review Consultation for Religious PrincipalsRenewal of Appointment for Principals

The following statement has been issued by Br Kelvin for release to the Marcellin Community:“During June your Principal, Br Bill Sullivan, participated in the Review Consultation Process for Religious Principals. This is one of the accountability/development processes for our schools aimed at ensuring that the students receive a high quality education in schools that are authentically Catholic.I have received the Report of the Review Team and I am pleased to advise the school community that Br Bill has been appointed for a further four years as Principal of Marcellin College Randwick. My sincere thanks to all in the community who have contributed to this process.”

Br Kelvin Canavan, fmsExecutive Director of Schools

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 6th December Music Concert 7.00pm

Friday 8th December Year 10 Prizegiving 9.30am. Year 10 then conclude for the year

Friday 15th December Christmas assembly. School concludes for all students

Christmas NewsletterA letter will be forwarded to parents in mid-January giving details of matters concerning the commencement of the 2007 school year. The letter will detail hours of operation for the bookhire room, uniform shop and office. Included with this mailing will be the College Annual Plan for 2007. Further details will be provided at a later date. A copy of the Annual Plan can be accessed on the College website at www.marcellin.nsw.edu.au/annual report

Congratulations to the students pictured above with Br Bill who were elected to be the College Student Leaders 2007 (left to right): Thomas Holland, Nathan Hill (College Captain), Daniel

D’Ambrosio (Vice-Captain), Sean Harris, Mark Lee, Brendan Thompson, Michael Skolarikis, Zach McIntyre, Christopher O’Brien, Peter Zarzour, Jason Clark, Tyrone Blake

Marcellin College Student Leaders 2007

A Message from Br Joa....

As this is the last newsletter for the year, I would like to add my personal best wishes to all staff, students and parents for a great end of the 2006 school year and a very Blessed Christmas to all. I look forward to being back in 2007. At the moment I’m enjoying the wonderful hospitality of my Italian cousins here in beautiful Friuli - Italy’s best kept secret!

Special News Items

Marcellin College Randwick 195 Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031

Ph: (02) 9398 6355 Fax: (02) 9398 9049 secretary@marcellin.nsw.edu.au www.marcellin.nsw.edu.au

MCC Cricket vs Wahroonga - A Grade side in action!

Wylie’s Bath CompetitionThe Wylie’s Bath competition includes not only the

photography category, but also a written work category. We are proud of the two students who entered the following poems in this written work category. We hope you enjoy

their poems.

The Sea at Wylie’s BathsBy Akito Hirata

Its claws eat the Earth as it bears down upon itThe Earth scatters away in defense but all is lostAs the claws once again devour it reaching out further And further each time, infinitely, continuously and Forevermore.

Claws of blue, green, white and brown so beautiful andYet so powerful and dangerous.Picking its victim with the ease of a bear eating honey. The Earth asking for forgiveness and asking why he was made to sufferLike this.

Thirst Quencher by Leandra Moussa

The surfer admired from a distance,breezy blue and gentle green,it’s smooth and curved compositionperfect for a hot, summer day.Refreshing, soothing and sweet.The chilled, blustery windnow blows salty mist over it.It’s left conked out, trampled and trodden on,dumped violentlyonto the cold hard shore.They always tend to break at the shore left crushed and flat – useless;a burden on the beach.One has already broken,sharp and almost fatal.They once brought pleasure and satisfaction to the young surfers seeking adventure and adrenalin.It quenched their thirst for excitementwith it’s effervescent, bubbly and refreshing nature.Now it’s abandoned,left isolated,half buried in the bitter hostile sand.The crushed ‘sprite’ can,used, demoralized, violated and left to rot.

Japan Cultural TourDuring the October school holidays, a group of 18 students and three teachers went to Japan. Most students had either studied Japanese or were very interested in Japanese culture.The boys visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. Amongst some of the highlights on the tour were Tokyo Disneyland, Todaiji Temple in Nara, Kyoto Castle, Akihabara Electronic District, Miyajima Island and The Atom Bomb Museum in Hiroshima. We travelled by Bullet Train (Shinkansen) at speeds of over 280km/h to reach our destinations. Most nights were spent visiting local shopping arcades and sampling the bustling night life. It was a fantastic experience and I would like to thank all the boys and parents for their participation. Also, a special thank you to Mr. Roemling and Mr. Zouroudis for their assistance throughout the tour.

Mr. Ackerman, Japanese Teacher