Ave Maria College Newsletter Volume 104 No 6 – Friday, 19 August 2022
Page 2 of 19 Prayer Loving God, thank you for instilling in us the Franciscan values of compassion and love. May we continue to care for those in our lives. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen. Dear Parents and Carers, Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 3. I invite you to read this edition of our newsletter to hear about what is happening around the College, in particular a show case of the following recently held events: • Ave Maria Day • Year 9 Faith Formation Day • Year 11 Wellbeing Day • Year 12 Outdoor Education Camp • Kick Arts • World Youth Day Winer Fiesta • Subject Selection Evening • Staff Professional Practice Day I would like to draw to your attention the following: • College Custodian of Mission • Year 7 2024 Enrolment • Ave Maria Day 2022 • Kick Arts 2022 • Ave Tertiary Preparation Program • Data Dashboard • Volunteer Notice College Custodian of Mission I am pleased to announce that Father Anthony Doran, Parish Priest of St Monica’s, Moonee Ponds and St Vincent De Paul’s, Strathmore has been appointed Custodian of Mission for our College. I am sure you will join me in welcoming Fr Anthony to the Ave Maria College community. Year 7 2024 Enrolments A reminder to families that enrolments applications for Year 7 2024 close this weekend. Any families who are yet to lodge an application are asked to do so within the next week. Please contact Maria De Fazio, College Registrar on 9331 9308 or by emailing Registrar.AveMariaCollege@avemaria.vic.edu.au for more information From the Principal
Mary’s Annunciation is celebrated on 25 March. It directly refers to the time when Mary learnt that she was to be the mother of Jesus and when she first said ‘yes’ to God’s invitation. Saying ‘yes’ to God changed the direction of Mary’s life forever.
All students were asked to reflect on Mary’s story and message and what she teaches about being a fully alive person.
From Mary we learn what it means to have compassion and be kind to others and Fromourselves.Mary we learn the way to God.
On Friday 12 August, the College community celebrated Ave Maria Day. It is a great honour for our College to be named after Mary the mother of Jesus. What we know of Mary is told to us through the Gospels. In acknowledgement of the honored place that Mary holds within the Ave community and the Church, the following was shared with students on this very special day.
As the mother of Jesus, Mary’s model for life was to trust in the truth in God’s love no matter what challenges were presented to her. Mary listened to the voice of God and chose to say yes to Christ’s love and freedom.
From Mary we learn to trust and hope, particularly in times of difficulty.
But what do Mary’s Annunciation and Assumption really have to teach our community?FromMarywe learn the importance of faith. Mary stands out for her unconditional ‘yes’ to God and her unwavering faith throughout her lifetime.
From Mary we learn what it means to be united Jesus.
From Mary we learn the importance of listening to both the word of God but also the voice of others.
Page 3 of 19 Ave Maria Day 2022
From Mary we learn what it means to have courage and be selfless.
From Mary we learn what it means to give of ourselves. For it is in the giving that we Fromreceive.Mary we learn what is means to forgive.
The Feast of the Assumption is celebrated on the 15 August each year. It recognizes Mary as a person of firm and unwavering faith where at the end of her earthly life she transitioned into heaven and was reunited with her son Jesus.
What makes Mary’s story and message so special is that thousands of years later we continue to speak about her, we continue to learn from her, and we continue to seek inspiration from her. Not only because she was a strong woman but because she found a way to have a voice the was gentle, meaningful, and enduring.
From Mary we learn about the true power of love.
In addition to the launch of the Vocational Major in 2023, the College is also pleased to announce the introduction of the Ave Tertiary Preparation Program in partnership with St Bernard’s College and RMIT University. This program integrates the VCE Year 12 certificate with an RMIT course that will give students the skills, organisational processes, and institutional knowledge to enable you to move into an RMIT Diploma course and, on successful completion of the diploma, a degree course. Students will complete non scored VCE subjects alongside a Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation which designed as a pathway for future studies.
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Ave Tertiary Preparation Program
Canteen Volunteers The College continue to actively seek parents who can assist in the Canteen. Please see the notice in this newsletter for more information.
Thank you to Cassandra Hutchison and Caitlin Grech for working with our students through the auditions an in getting students ready for this night. Thank you to Cassandra Hutchison and Jo Hammer who supervised our students on the night.
Congratulations to the following Ave students who participated in the Kick Arts celebration hosted by the Performing Arts Captains from St Bernard’s College, St Columba’s College and Ave Maria College.
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A special congratulations is extended to Alisa Villani who won the Musical section on the night playing the piano and singing ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri.
In the first year, students will be able to select from one specialised business, engineering, health, and science streams designed to give them an introduction in an area of future study. By completing the course, they will develop the academic skills, knowledge and confidence required to participate in higher level qualifications and enhance their future career opportunities.
Over the past 18 months the college has been working Professor Fang from the University of Technology Sydney to develop a data dashboard. Led by Jo Hammer, Assistant Principal (Community and Growth) the purpose of the dashboard is to foster and develop a culture of data driven dialogue and data informed instructional practice. The development of the dashboard was sponsored by ACER, and I am pleased to say the dashboard was launched last week with staff. Please see Jo Hammer’s article in this newsletter for more information.
Data Dashboard
In the plan of your wisdom she who bore the Christ in her womb was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
Releah Cossett Lent and Voigt, M. (2019).
Professional Learning Day – Monday, 15 August 2022 Why is Disciplinary Literacy important?
in heaven, all creation rightly gives you praise, for all life and all holiness come from you.
On Monday, 15 August teaching staff were involved in a Professional Learning Day, as part of our PL focus for 2022: Whole School Reading Focus - prioritising subject based literacy across the curriculum. This day was led by Dr Pauline Thompson and Bree Hurn from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education - Melbourne University. Both Pauline and Bree have extensive experience in working with educators and schools in literacy consultation and professional learning programs designed specifically for secondary schools.
“The heart of disciplinary literacy is an understanding of the ways in which knowledge is communicating)constructedineachcontentareaandhowliteracy(reading,writing,viewing,reasoningandsupportsthatknowledgeindisciplinespecificways.”
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May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness and join in her hymn of endless love and praise. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.Godbless and may we follow the way of our college patrons as we continue to strive for truth through love.
Deputy Principal
As we reflect on the Feast of the Assumption, I would like to share the following prayer with Fatheryou.
Monday, 1 August, Year 9 and 10 students enjoyed performances by the Complete Works Theatre Company of excerpts from Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. Both texts are being studied in Year 9 and 10 English this term and students had the opportunity to engage with the actors in a Q and A session at the end of the performance, in preparation for upcoming assessments on these texts in classes. Our students are fortunate to have such rich opportunities to enhance their learning outside of the context of the classroom.
Progress Reports and Years 7 – 11 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
Throughout the day, teachers collaborated in Domain and Subject Teams to discuss and learn about before, during and after high impact reading strategies for students across the curriculum, an opportunity to reflect on our current practice and how we conduct assessments through the literacy learning lens.
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The Year 12 Outdoor and Environmental Studies class enjoyed a camp to the Lake Mountain region recently as part of their VCE Unit 4 studies. The three day camp activities included cross country skiing, water catchment analysis and staying
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Learning beyond the classroom
AssistantLaunchPrincipal (Community and Growth)
MACSSIS is a data collection tool used to inform Catholic school improvement. MACSSIS produces perception data that tells us about what different people in a school community think and feel about their learning environment. The surveys have been designed in alignment with Horizons of Hope: Vision and Context and the School Improvement Framework (SIF) Rubric capabilities, and gather data from students in Years 7 12, Families. teachers and non teaching staff.
This will be a student free day
Accessing MACSSIS: Students in years 7 10 will complete the MACSSIS in their mentor period on Wednesday 7 September, and students in years 11 and 12 will be asked to complete theirs on the student free day on 8 September, whilst staff will complete their survey as part of our DAY 8 Professional Learning, also on September 7. Families will be invited to attend via their primary email contact. This email will be sent out the week beginning Monday, 29 August when the survey opens. The email will contain unique login details of an access code and PIN. Families will have until 16 September to complete the survey, which should take no more than 20 minutes. If you have any questions or trouble accessing the survey, please feel free to email me at assitantprincipalcommunity@avemaria.vic.edu.au
Page 7 of 19 A reminder for all families: • Term 3 Progress Reports for Years 7 11 students will be published on Friday, 26 August • Years 7- 11 PST Conferences will take place on Thursday, 8 September 11.30am 7.30pm
MACS School Improvement Survey (MACSSIS)
Data DASHboard
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The Data and Growth Team were very excited to launch the College’s very own data dashboard at last week’s Day 8 Professional Learning session. In partnership with ACER Australia and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), specifically Professor Fang Chen and William Liu, the customised dashboard will affectionately be known as DASH. It is the realisation of 2 years of planning, development and construction of a dashboard that will provide teaching staff with a range of data sets and representations that will inform their teaching and learning, help them to know more about the academic progress of their students and create opportunities for data informed decision making about learning and teaching. Over the remaining weeks of term 3 and into term 4, teaching staff will continue to learn about the features and functions of the dashboard. The data and growth team are very appreciative of the College’s commitment to this project and see exciting possibilities as we continue to develop its functionality.
Father’s Day Breakfast – SAVE THE DATE
The college is very excited to be able to host our first Father’s Day breakfast since 2019. As has been the tradition, we welcome students in all year levels and their fathers / significant males to join us for a light breakfast on Thursday 1 September from 7:15am to 8:15 am. We will hear from College Alumnae, be entertained by the VCE music students, and take time to acknowledge and thank the supportive men in our community. To register your intention to attend, please CLICK HERE for the RSVP
Francis House led by Year 12 Francis House Captains: Emily Bock and Olivia Grande: “September” by Earth, Wind And Fire: We chose this song, not only because it is a lively and energetic song but because of the positive meaning in the lyrics. The song is quite popular and believe it is something that everyone can sing and dance along to and automatically brightens the mood! The lyrics which we want to highlight are “chasing the clouds away”, “never was a cloudy day” and “golden dreams were shiny days”. These lyrics specifically relate to Francis’ House symbol which is the sun and thus light.
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Clare House led by Year 12 Clare House Captains: Amelia Panaia and Sienna Zoccali : “We’re all in this together”: from High School Musical 2: We chose this song, not just because it is from the most iconic movie but the positive and fun meaning it has behind it. We believe this song is a true representation of St Clare of Assisi and highlights all her beliefs and values. The moon is a symbol of peace, justice, and care of creation and demonstrates how we are all united and stand together as a community.
Connection through Ave Maria Day
The joy of so many smiles and gratitude as students left the College at the end of Ave Maria Day showed a deep sense of belonging to our community. When students feel like they belong it impacts on everything they do, especially how they interact with their peers and how they learn. Students showed great confidence and much talent in presenting to the whole school during the Talent Show. Wild clapping erupted from the audience at the conclusion of each presenter’s performance. This was wonderful recognition that the talent of each presenter was valued and appreciated for gifting the act for all to see. The connection continued to flow through the Mass, where members of the choir provided beautiful renditions of hymns. Connections were seen everywhere as the delicious food from the food trucks were selected by friendship groups as they talked and lined up to savor the full explosion of energy and excitement of belonging to a House was evident in the House Spectacular! Spectacular! Lip Sync Competition. Everyone in the House participated in the House dance and Lip Sync routine led by the Year 12 House Captains. The enthusiasm was delightful to witness as each House angled to win the trophy. The House Captains thoughtfully linked their chosen song for the Dance and Lip Sync routine to what it means to be a member of their House:
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Helene House led by Year 12 Helene House Captains: Charley Hinton and Emily Sawaya: “Don’t Stop me now” by Queen: We have chosen this song as it reflects the characteristics of resilience, determination, and ambition. These are qualities in which every student in Helene house should strive to have. It promotes having a good time while achieving your goals and appreciating the support of others around you. Overall, displaying a proactive attitude. It relates to Helene De Chappotin's values of education and taking control of your learning as it promotes fullness of life for all.
Assistant Principal (Students and Engagement)
Multicultural Week at Ave Maria College: 22nd August to the 26th August
The lyrics “I’m gonna go, go, go, there's no stopping me” display that even though hardships may occur, they can easily be overcome. This can be implemented in our education as sometimes school may be hard, but in time and through hard work, resilience, and dedication, it'll be ok.
The student leadership group have organized an entire week to celebrate the cultural diversity of our Ave Maria College. They have organized prayers for Mentor time, songs for the bells, food discussions, cultural dance time and on the Friday the 26 August a Cultural dress up day. On Friday, 26 August students and staff are all invited to dress up in their cultural dress from their or their ancestor’s origin. If students do not have a cultural outfit, they can wear casual clothes of the colors of their flag where they or their ancestors originated from. A gold coin donation is asked of each student to support the agencies that work tirelessly to support Refugees.
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Congratulations to the leadership of all the Year 12s, and the Year 12 House Captains for doing the rehearsals with all the Year levels from Year 7 to Year 12. Congratulations for Helene for winning the House Spectacular! Spectacular! Lip Sync Dance Competition for 2022.
Mary House led by Year 12 Mary House Captains: Ella Hill and Chiara Liberatore: “Waterloo” by ABBA: Mary House is using the song ‘Waterloo’ by ABBA as it has a strong presence of the word 'water' which is the symbol of our house and well reflects our House patron Mary the mother of Jesus. The song also has 2 lead female singers representing female empowerment aligning with "she who belongs, she who thrives". Waterloo matches the school theme of 'for it is in giving we receive' as its upbeat charisma along with the positivity and joy involved in singing and dancing to ABBA brings the community of Ave together. The song also supports the theme as water, fills lakes, rivers and streams and brings life to both the environment and people. It is a blessing. As a team, we are like water. United and strong together.
Year 9 Faith Formation Day
On Monday 25 July, Year 9 students went to North Melbourne Community Centre for a day on the theme: ‘Who do I want to be?’.
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In the middle of the day, students broke into groups to explore the importance of relationships through drama. In the afternoon, students each wrote a letter to the Year 12 selves which they will get back on their Year 12 retreat in 2025.
We were lucky enough to be invited to the Winter Fiesta and World Youth Day 2023 Pilgrimage Launch at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday 4 August. It was an experience that we will never forget as the evening included a special time of prayer and reflection in the beautiful St Patrick’s Cathedral as well as a Winter Fiesta held on to the grounds of the Cathedral with live music and delicious food. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and to celebrate with others about what it means to be a young Catholic.
(Olivia Batey 9A and Mia Villani 7D) Ave Maria Day Mass Fr Tony Doran was our celebrant for the whole school Mass in Francis Hall on Friday 12 August that celebrated God’s gifts to the community and acknowledged Mary in a special way. It was also an opportunity to focus on our house patrons. Many thanks to Ms Maclure and the choir, as well as Alisa and Mia Villani who performed a beautiful song they had written.
Winter Fiesta
Director of Catholic Identity and Mission
We began by exploring how each of us are loved by God and created with certain gifts. Our task is to discover and use those gifts.
The students were in groups of about 45 students, and they participated in activities that asked them to share their stories, to celebrate the things they valued and to challenge negative thoughts. The students participated thoughtfully and showed considerable courage as they shared with the group. There were powerful moments as the students recognised that they all shared similar worries. In their reflections at the end of the day many shared that they understood each other better, that they had more connection with each other and that they felt lighter for having shared their own concerns.
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On Wednesday, 17 August the Year 11 students participated in workshops led by Flourish Girl facilitators. These workshops are focused on helping students connect with each other and challenging the negative self talk that can have a significant impact on their wellbeing and relationships.
Year 10 and Year 11 Students completed the Study Sensei program. This program focused on note taking, study habits and the way we can support our learning.
Our Year 12 students had participated in the Student Elevation program earlier in the term. This program focused on motivation and improving engagement in goals. The feedback from students was that these workshops were extremely worthwhile, and they took away some helpful ideas from the workshops.
Elevate Education
Year 11 Wellbeing Day: Flourish Girl
The Year 11s were supported throughout the day by their Mentor Teachers and Sub-School Leader, who actively engaged in the activities with the students. This shared experience made for a rich connection and growth for our students. It was wonderful to hear their voices and to see them support each other so thoughtfully. We will extend on the workshops in the next Mentor Period, in particular practicing the check in circles so that we maintain curiosity about each other and a desire to be our authentic selves.
On Friday, 5 August Elevate Education visited the College to conduct a range of workshops designed to support our students’ engagement, study skills and confidence in their learning. Students worked in Mentor Groups and were supported by some dynamic presenters who gave our students a new perspective on their learning.
Year 9 students completed the Memory Mnemonic program, which supported the development of specific memory based study skills.
In the next Professional Learning session staff will be looking at the Relationships element of the SEARCH Framework. This highlights the importance of positive relationships inside and outside of school. While staff will be focused on strategies to enhance relationships at school, such as regular check ins and developing rituals in the classroom, parents can also reinforce this at home. Lea Waters recommends developing relationship rituals at home, such as family dinners, cooking together, going for a regular walk or another activity that is routine. The point is that it scheduled in and repetitive so that important bonding time is prioritised in our busy schedules. This creates that strong sense of belonging and connection that promotes better wellbeing.
Subject selection evening is an important night, with the aim of ensuring students have considered their pathways and are making suitable choices based on the important areas of interest, ability, and aspiration – and I thank everyone for their participation, be they staff, students or parents.
External VET studies in 2023 2023 will see the highest number of students undertaking an external VET or VCE subject that we have seen at Ave. I am delighted to see the many and varied interests that our students have – and have been busy putting in their enrolment intentions with our Inner Northern VET cluster. Students will study at many different locations next year, organized through our VET cluster, from Victoria University in Footscray to Box Hill (in Box Hill and the city) – and even St. Kilda
Visible Wellbeing
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Subject selection evening
Term three has been jam packed with exciting opportunities for our 8 11 students to consider their pathways into their Senior years at Ave Maria College. The subject selection process commenced with the Subject Information Evening on Wednesday 27 July, and everyone agreed that it was a special experience to come back to discussing pathways options with parents and students in person, after two years of COVID interruptions. We were delighted with the turnout as students came to discuss their choices, and parents came to support. All Domains spruiked their subjects with colour and enthusiasm, and the Careers and Pathways team invited pathways consultants from ACU and RMIT to assist.
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Students are electing to study courses like VET Beauty, acting, fashion, dance, and animal studies in increasing numbers – and many have very clear pathways in mind. Counselling of these students has been very important as the logistics of getting to a different campus each week take a lot of personal responsibility. It is clear, however, that these courses keep many of our girls highly engaged with their pathways and interests.
The General Achievement Test and Unit 3/4 Trial exams
We remind all senior students and parents now about the General Achievement test, or GAT on Wednesday, 7 September, and trial exam arrangements in the second week of the holidays for students undertaking a year 12 subject. These are two critical events for anyone undertaking a Unit 4 subject. Information about the GAT will be distributed on Wednesday the 24 August during mentor period for any student undertaking a Year 12 study – including those year 11 students. Please note that the GAT is not optional – and is considered the first part of the VCE examination timetable – though it is not something to be studied for in the same way as it tests general ability across a range of areas. More information about preparing for the GAT will be delivered on Wednesday. The trial exams will run across the second week of the school holidays in September. These are an important starting point for revision for our students undertaking a Unit 3 and 4 sequence – it prepares them for studying multiple subjects, for revising semester one content, and for getting feedback that will establish which areas students need to revise more fully. We ask that all students participate for the full effect of exam experience –including, for many subjects, having work externally marked for the first time by accredited VCAA exam markers
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In recognition of Maths and Science week at the College, we have celebrated the modern technologies that have evolved from our early pioneers. This week's activities included a Staff Maths Quiz at Monday’s PL, times tables activity with giveaways, dry ice experiments, making a kaleidoscope and Math’s Kahoot activities. Each day there has also been a Maths fun fact in the student bulletin, such as is zero even or odd? It has been great to see students get involved.
Around the College Maths and Science Week
Early Entry Programs
• Year 11 results, • employability/transferable skills, • demonstration of the institution’s values • volunteering at school or in the community
To develop work skills, students are encouraged to find casual work. Students can find casual work on SEEK and many other company, or employment websites. Going into local businesses with an updated Resume is another good way to find work.
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All Year 10 to 12 students are encouraged to attend these in August every year. These are an opportunity to check out campuses and courses of interest. Year 10 is a great time to being these visits.
Tertiary applications are open for 2022. A VTAC Registration session occurred on 5th August, where all Year 12 students registered and began their tertiary applications. All students will have a meeting with a careers adviser this term, to assist with the application process. Parents are welcome to attend these appointments.
Careers Education Leader
This is a great volunteering opportunity in Moonee Valley for students interested in health care and paramedicine. Students receive training and attend several community events each year providing first aid services with St John. It is a recognised program for university early entry and looks great on your Resume. To express you interest, click here Casual Work
The final Open Days are on this Sunday at University of Melbourne and Victoria University, click here
Year 10 ‘I Plan’ Session
Year 12 Tertiary Applications
A clear message to all students is to do their best at school and to get involved in their school or local community. See here for further specific early entry information
St John Ambulance Youth Volunteers
During the subject selection process, students were able to research all Victorian university and vocational education courses and their VCE subject prerequisites. This ensures their choices reflect their interests and covers their future study aspirations. Students continue to use their Morrisby Careers Planner to focus their research.
There are many early entry programs now being offered by universities. Successful applicants can enter their preferred, or pathway course with a lower, or no ATAR (minimum study scores Universitiesrequired). use a range of criteria for selecting successful applicants. These differ according to each tertiary program. Criteria can include:
Page 17 of 19 Positions are advertised on Ave Learning student notices as they arise, such as Royal Melbourne Show and Bakers Delight positions. Newsletter articles available here Topics this week include: • Tertiary applications – resources SEAS and Applications webinars • Open days this weekend • Scholarships • Key application dates • Career and course exploration resources • Fantastic program for students interested in environmental science • Upcoming career events Community Announcement – School Drop off / Pick up Drop off / pick up times are always busy. Please remember that road laws need to be always obeyed. Moonee Valley Council Officers regularly patrol the area around the College and will issue fines if they observe any breaches of the laws. Do not park on or near a school crossing. Do not double park and let your child out on the road. You cannot stay in the drop off / pick up zone for longer than two minutes. Your child needs to be waiting in the zone before you arrive. Fines for offences are; • Stopping in a “No Stopping” area - $165.00 • Stopped in a Bus Zone - $99.00 • Parked for a period longer than indicated - $83.00 • Stopping on or near a children’s crossing - $165.00 • Stopped on a footpath - $99.00 • Stopped on or across a driveway or other way of access - $99.00 • Parked / stopped on a nature strip - $99.00
Business Manager
The College values being part of the local community and asks you to respect our neighbours by always obeying the road rules.
Page 18 of 19 QUICK LINKS Parent Access Module (PAM) Click here to access the College Parent Access Module (PAM) SkoolBag The SkoolBag App is the easiest way to keep up with school events, last minute notices, newsletters and all school communications. CDF Pay CDFpay is an online payment platform families can use to pay for school services from your mobile, tablet or computer at any time. Families can: place student online lunch orders, add funds to student accounts to be used for over the counter canteen purchases and add funds to student accounts to be used for Printing Credit. College Calendar Please refer to the College Calendar for all Upcoming Events and Dates of Importance. Click on the heading to take you to the Calendar.
