Senior School Newsletter Term 1, Week 6 2022
From the Principal Dear St Kevin’s College Community, This year’s International Women’s Day 2022 theme is #BreakTheBias. This campaign invites us to: •
“Imagine a gender equal world.
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A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
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A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
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A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
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Together we can forge women’s equality.
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Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias”.
As we do so let us remember the long line of women who have gifted us with their insight and vision to provide meaning in our world. Let us honour: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have cared for the land across our nation for more than sixty thousand years. Across this great expanse of time, along a continuous and unbroken line of heritage, Aboriginal women have stood as strong leaders in their communities. They have been determined women, helpful women and supportive women. For more than 2000 generations, Aboriginal mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, grandmothers and granddaughters have cared for each other, and cared for the land. They have been women of wisdom, women of joy and women of love. We acknowledge their role as custodians of this country, and as its original inhabitants since the time of the Dreaming. It is from their wisdom, their stories, their songs that we gain a deeper understanding of the sacredness of this land. Let us honour all women in Scripture whose stories need to be told such as Phoebe. A woman, a deacon, a leader of her community according to St. Paul welcomed people to her home, she led prayer and worship, all during the time of Church persecution and martyrdom. She lead with courage and unfailing faith. Let us honour Mother Teresa. A woman of great tenacity and spirit, Mother Teresa modeled her leadership through service. Never deflated, Mother Teresa cared for the ‘poorest of the poor”, leading by example. With a very strong work ethic and high expectations, Mother Teresa was prepared to speak out on issues of injustice and was an advocate for peace. She led with strength and determination. Let us honour Elizabeth Blackwell, who was born in 1821, was the first woman to graduate from medical school in the United States , became an activist for poor women’s health, and went on to found a medical school for women in England. Let us honour the most famous primate scientist in history, Jane Goodall was renowned for her work with chimpanzees and as a champion of animal rights. And Goodall wasn’t just working in a lab; she climbed trees and mimicked the behavior of chimps in Tanzania to gain their trust and study them in their natural habitat during the 1970’s. Let us honour Activist Evelyn Scott, a key game changer for indigenous rights throughout her life. She played a crucial role campaigning during the 1967 Constitutional Referendum. Her efforts were imperative and the results triumphant; the outcome was in favour for the inclusion of indigenous people in the national census. This shift acted as a springboard, giving the government leverage to build more inclusive and egalitarian laws for Indigenous Australians. Let us honour Moira Kelly. Educated at a Catholic school and living in Melbourne, Moira Kelly leads with audacity and passion. Inspired to help children from war torn countries to live a better life, Moira uses her privileged position as an articulate and educated young Australian woman, to speak for the voiceless, organising doctors to help the helpless by using their medical expertise to give life to the deformed and outcasts of our world. She leads by encouraging others to join her to serve the poor and needy.
From the Principal Let us honour some of the women who have made significant contributions in their own way and in their time. It is these women and others who have gone before them or walked beside them. We honour women of strength. From the suffragettes, to those who continue to work against racial, political and sexist injustice. We honour women of wisdom, and we give thanks for the women who take on the role of teachers and nurturers in our own lives. We honour women of justice and mercy, and we give thanks for the women who have gone before us to demand the rights and opportunities we now enjoy in our own lives. We honour all the women who, through their own courageous actions, are leaders of positive change in our world. They are mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, sisters, daughters and friends. They have supported other women, challenged women, encouraged and grown women. They have made the world a better place and we are grateful. It has been heartening to see the various student and staff initiatives to support and promote IWD over the week at the College. This is a wonderful sign of an openness to continue to build an inclusive and respectful community. Happy International Women’s Day. Blessings and Peace Mrs Deborah M Barker Principal
THE LORETO AND ST KEVIN’S CAPTAINS FOR 2022 AFTER ATTENDING A INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LECTURE. L-R: MILLIE O’HALLORAN (SCHOOL COUNCILLOR), RUBY KING (SCHOOL COUNCILLOR), CONOR LYNCH (DEPUTY COLLEGE CAPTAIN), HAMISH QUICK (DEPUTY COLLEGE CAPTAIN), ISABEL DUGGAN (CAPTAIN OF SCHOOL), ELENA CHIAM (CAPTAIN OF SCHOOL), THOMAS HALL (DEPUTY COLLEGE CAPTAIN), LUKE LOUREY (COLLEGE CAPTAIN), ZARA MASSIMINI (SCHOOL COUNCILLOR) AND SARAH ABUSAH (SCHOOL COUNCILLOR)
International Women’s Day 2022 This week on Tuesday, 8th March was International Women’s Day. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias, putting the focus on dismantling stereotypes and fighting discrimination against women. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. •
We can break the bias in our communities.
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We can break the bias in our workplaces.
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We can break the bias in our schools, colleges, and universities.
As part of raising awareness for IWD there were a number of activities and presentations throughout all College campuses. They included;
LORETO ORATION SERIES – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Our 4 College captains were invited to attend a lecture at Loreto for International Women’s Day. Guest speaker Carina Ford was asked to speak on the topic Changing Climates: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow. Loreto Toorak alumna (1989) and current school parent, Carina Ford is recognised as one of Australia’s pre-eminent migration lawyers. She is a member of numerous legal boards and committees and has a particular commitment to refugee & asylum seeker law and pro bono work through her firm. Carina was awarded the 2017 Law Institute Paul Baker Award recognising her significant achievement in the field of administrative or human rights law and the 2022 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year in recognition of her outstanding contribution to her field.
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presentations by staff members, AFLW stars, and the CEO of the CFA (County Fire Authority).
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IWD ACROSS THE COLLEGE LIBRARIES resources used by Tutors and Homeroom teachers to raise discussion and awareness on International Women’s Day was celebrated across the this year’s theme. three libraries with great enthusiasm. The libraries all displays in the Library presented wonderful displays, books about women were promoted, boys were read stories around the student-led initiatives including – fundraising theme and a great deal of discussion was generated. BBQ for the UN Women charity and the
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distribution of purple ribbons. •
to commemorate the week and provide an opportunity for further learning about and celebrating the great women in our society, the student leaders are hosting a film afternoon in week 7.
The students should be commended for the positive way in which they embraced this important day.
From the Faith and Mission Team MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE – INTERNATIONAL WOMAN’S DAY
MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE Lord, make me an instrument of peace: Bless all women who daily strive to bring peace to their communities, their homes and their hearts. Give them strength to continue to turn swords into plowshares. Where there is hatred, let me sow love: We pray for all women who face prejudice, inequality and gender disparities. Help us see and to face the discrimination against women in all the many forms it may take. Where there is injury, pardon:
The musical Come from Away tells the story of the town folk of Gander, Canada, who opened their town, their homes and their hearts to 7,000 stranded travellers for a week following the September 11 attacks on the United States. During the show, there is a beautiful scene where the travellers, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu and Buddhists all gather together for prayer and join as one. They enter into the sacredness of the moment and sing the hymn Make me a channel of your Peace. This link shows a little of this prayer taken from the US Production that was released for TV on September 10, 2021, a day before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The reason I make mention of this musical and in particular, the prayer scene is to remind us of the capacity for human kindness in even the darkest of times and the triumph of humanity over hate. The text of the prayer Make me a channel of your Peace is about transformation—the movement away from darkness to light, from despair to hope. The words of this prayer also have similarities to the writings of the prophet Isaiah in Chapter 61, where negatives become positives through the transformative work of God. Because of its use of broadly inclusive language, the words of this “peace prayer” have been adopted by many religions throughout the world. Recently, the prayer has been used to acknowledge International Woman’s Day. Drawing upon its call and response motif, each line from the prayer is accompanied by a prayer response for all women. The prayer reminds us of God’s promise of fullness of life and how we can celebrate women across the world and pray that all women be released into this fullness. We are encouraged to see how we can partner with God in dismantling the unjust systems and attitudes that contribute to inequality for all women, children and men. With God’s assurance we can believe in a tomorrow where fullness of life is a reality for all.
Comfort all women who suffer from the pain of war, violence, and abuse. Help them to become instruments of their own reconciliation and peace. Where there is division, unity: Forgive all women and men who let differences breed hate and discrimination. Let your example of valuing all of creation help us to see that we are equal partners in the stewardship of your world. Where there is darkness, light; where there is untruth, truth: Comfort all women who struggle in the darkness of abuse, poverty, and loneliness. May we stand with them in light to acknowledge their suffering and strive to remove the burdens of shame or embarrassment. Where there is doubt, true faith: We pray for all women who live in fear of their husbands, fathers, and forces that control their lives. Help them to be empowered to be their true selves through your everlasting love and faith. Where there is despair, hope: We pray for all women who live in the despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery, and abuse. May the light of your love bring them hope. Where there is sadness, new joy: Help us to see the strength and goodness in all women and men. Transform our hearts to celebrate the love and grace of all people. And may we be blessed with the courage of St. Kevin, Blessed Edmund Rice and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, to follow our own path of love for you and all sisters and brothers. Amen. Mr John Abrahams Director of Faith and Mission
Omnia Awards
Luca Lonetti - Year 7
Lucas Chick - Year 8
Harry Powell - Year 9
For ensuring that his peer was able to access books and materials whilst he was in self isolation
For the care displayed to return valuable lost property.
Outstanding personal effort in Sion Cup activities
Gianni Iannarella - Kearney
William Butterfield - Kenny
Alexander Buckland -McCarthy
For going out of his way to help a Year 7 student by returning their lost Myki card
For his enthusiastic approach to Tutor Group activities.
Hugo Williams - Rahill
For his mature contributions to the House environment.
F or his leadership and organisation of the Year 10’s for the House Swimming Competition
Genevieve Tibballs - Staff
For her contribution to IWD celebrations at the Waterford Forum
Xavier Cox - Cusack
For his astonishing gesture of sportsmanship giving his gold medal to an ineligible diver
Lachlan Groves - Purton
For his leadership both in and out of the classroom at the start of 2022.
Tim O’Dwyer - Staff
For his coordination and leadership of IWD educational activities and celebrations at Glendalough
From the Director of Teaching and Learning PRINCIPAL’S GROWTH AWARDS Principal’s Growth Awards were announced this week during the Heyington Assembly and the Waterford Forum. These awards recognise students who have persisted with their learning and in doing so, have shown a measurable amount of growth within their cohort. Our congratulations is extended to the following recipients:
Year 10 - Matthew Redenbach, Luke Allsop and Sam Gazzola. Year 11 - Oscar Huynh, Florian Di Paolo and Peter Hong. Year 12 - Matthew Nguyen, Jack Elsworth and James Morelli.
Year 8 - Alexander Dreaver, Connor Crothers and Oliver Pitt. Year 9 - Quinlan Over, Luca Di Carlo and Alex Satyendra.
CONTINUOUS ONGOING REPORTING St Kevin’s College is committed to providing students, as well as their parents and carers, with continuous reporting throughout the teaching and learning cycle. Reporting tracks student growth over time in relation to the typical pathway of learning in each area; makes clear how students are both performing and progressing against expectations; and includes specific information on how to improve. Our continuous reporting through the Portal not only supports students, as well as their parents and carers, to effectively track, reflect and improve on learning in real time, but also empowers stakeholders to take immediate action to support learning if required. Through the Portal, clear lines of communication are established and enacted
between teachers, students, and parents and carers. This system contributes to enriching the quality educational experience with which every student is provided. As well as receiving continuous feedback through the Portal, individualised feedback will also be provided during the online Academic Progress Interviews; these will be held online on Wednesday 23 March and Tuesday 29 March. The Academic Progress Report provides a summation at the conclusion of each semester. Ms Hannah Kollmorgen Director of Teaching and Learning
Student Absences Absentee Contact Information If your son is not coming to school, will be late or needs to leave school early please make contact with the College. We ask that you please leave a phone message or send an email to our absentee email, with the relevant campus. Heyington: 98220911 or heyingtonabsence@stkevins.vic.edu.au Waterford: 94214319 or waterfordabsence@stkevins.vic.edu.au Glendalough: 98279808 or glendaloughabsence@stkevins.vic.edu.au The message must include your son’s name, tutor group or year level, and a reason for the absence. Note: these emails and phone numbers can be found under the tab ‘CONTACT US’, on the parent portal.
St Kevin’s College Foundation St Kevin’s Foundation Dinner 2022 The St Kevin’s College Foundation Inc. has remained active during the last two years but is looking forward to now escalating its activities back to pre-COVID times. One wonderful way for the whole community to be involved is to attend the Foundation Dinner. All your family and friends are most welcome and we hope that all Members, current and future families, interested friends, old collegians and previous attendees gather on the night. By attending this event you are supporting the work of the St Kevin’s College Foundation. Our purpose is to raise funds for the College’s Bursary Program so that young men from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds have the opportunity to attend St Kevin’s College and so families needing financial support may be assisted. It is not a Foundation that doubles as a Building Fund to build College infrastructure but it is purely philanthropic for the benefit of the bursary program. New families to the College are particularly welcome as a wonderful way to meet other families as they start their St Kevin’s journey. Those who may wish to learn more can do so on the Foundation website within the community pages of the general College website. Also the Trybooking site has for sale raffle tickets for prizes drawn on the night. You do not have to book for the dinner to purchase raffle tickets. We look forward to seeing as many as possible on the night on Wednesday 6 April at Leonda in Hawthorn where our special guest will be Olympian Peter Bol who has a wonderful story of endeavour and seizing opportunities to tell. Peter has gone from Khartoum to Toowoomba, Perth and now Melbourne where he competes and trains with the St Kevin’s Amateur Athletic Club and represented Australia in the 800m Final at the Tokyo Olympics. Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BWGIN
Annual Foundation Dinner Date Venue
7:00pm Wednesday 6 April 2022 Leonda on the Yarra 2 Wallen Road, Hawthorn
Cost
$195 Includes three-course meal and drinks
Bookings
https://www.trybooking.com/BWGIN
Dress Enquiries
Cocktail attire foundation@associations.stkevins.vic.edu.au
Parking is available in the onsite carpark. For seating preferences (tables of 10) and groupings, please email foundation@associations.stkevins.vic.edu.au
SPECIAL GUEST: PETER BOL Olympian Peter Bol has a wonderful story of endeavor and seizing opportunities to tell. Peter has gone from Khartoum to Toowoomba, Perth and now Melbourne where he competes and trains with the St Kevin’s Amateur Athletic Club. Peter is an accomplished middle distance runner who holds the current national 800m record and in 2021, he became the first Australian athlete in 53 years to make it to the 800m final at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Music News Music Association Soiree – Friday May 6 The Music Association’s Soiree will be held on Friday May 6th. In this special evening, music staff and senior students perform for students and parents. The Soiree will be held in Boyd Egan Hall, commencing at 7pm. Information about tickets will be available soon. Introducing our Music Leaders My name’s Sebastian Poon, and I’m the Kearney Officer for Music in 2022. I’ve played the violin since I was around five or six, play some piano and trombone- and I sing a bit as well. I’ve loved being a part of the school’s music program since Year 7- and take any opportunity I can to perform outside of school as well, busking or playing in competitions. Besides music, I enjoy playing basketball with friends and reading in my downtime. Sebastian is a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Senior Choir and the Senior Vocal Ensemble. Year 7-9 Music Camp The Year 7-9 Music Camp is being held from April 4-6. This intensive rehearsal period gives our larger ensembles valuable rehearsal time, both as a full ensemble and in smaller sectional rehearsals, in the lead up to Open Day and other performances. The ensembles involved are the Intermediate Concert Band, Intermediate Strings, the Middle School Concert Band and the Middle School Strings. This year the students will only be away for one night, returning to school late on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday further rehearsals will be held at school prior to a concert for Year 7 and 8 in the afternoon. Parents of students involved should have received an email regarding the camp in the last few days. Please contact the Music Office if you have any questions. Music Association – Call for donations The St Kevin’s Music Association supports the Music Department to raise funds for the acquisition and maintenance of musical instruments for the school’s collection. Over the past few years the funds have supported the purchase of a piccolo, bass clarinet and timpani. There are a number of events on the music calendar over the coming months. At many of these nights the Music Association will be conducting raffles. We would like to invite you to make a donation
towards prizes for these raffles. All donations, large or small, are most welcome. Some suggestions include: •
Edible treats
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Bottles of wine
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Movie vouchers
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Tickets to a concert or show
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Items with a musical theme (e.g. headphones, portable speakers)
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Any other items you would like to win yourself!
Donations may be delivered to the St Kevin’s Music Office for collection by the Music Association or please email Melanie Fasham at MFasham@fasham. com.au to discuss a possible collection from you. Our first raffle will be drawn at the Music Association Soiree on Friday 6 May. Thank you for your generous support. Music Office – C305 Parents or students with Music enquiries are encouraged to contact Ms Andrea McDonald (Music Administrator) at the Music Office email music@stkevins.vic.edu.au or by phone on 9832 4941. Students are welcome to call in before school, at recess, at lunchtime or after school.
Careers News Well into the second half of Term 1, we are grateful to all the Year 12 students who have met with us to have initial discussions about their pathway plans for 2023. Although not ideal, the benefit from having parents join many of these discussions remotely has meant many have been able to do so from their own homes or workplaces. As always, the support our students receive on their journey throughout secondary school and towards the decision-making process beyond is highly valued and a tribute to the great generosity of SKC parents. A recent welcome addition to the tertiary application process has been the introduction by some institutions of Early Entry Programs. ANU, Swinburne, RMIT, VU, Deakin and La Trobe all have forms of entry which are “non-traditional” and may be solely based on Year 11 grades, or include involvement in co-curricula activities and/or leadership. Year 12 students are invited to consider applying for such programs when the time comes. For ANU, the time is NOW. Details about the application process are in this weeks Newsletter.
Items of note in the Careers News this week include: •
Dates to Diarise in Term 1
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It’s Time to Apply to ANU
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Career as a Telecommunications Engineer
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Federation University Biomedical Science (Gippsland Partnership Program)
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Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Health and Medical Science
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Monash University Engineering (Honours) – Masters Accelerated Pathway
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Career in Horticulture or Landscape Gardening
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Banking and Finance Degrees in Victoria in 2022
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Snapshot of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2022
Please see http://www.stkevinscareers. com/?page=newsletter for more details. Ms Horstman, Ms O’Sullivan & Mrs White
Sport Fixture
Results
SKC/Sacre Coeur Tennis Day Join the combined school communities for a morning of
St Kevin’s and Sacré Cœur Annual Tennis Day and Lunch Monday 4 April 2022
tennis followed by a relaxed lunch Tennis 9–12.30 followed by lunch at the St Kevin’s Pavilion Cardio tennis with coach 11.30 (45 minutes) Sit down luncheon with dessert, wines on arrival, sparkling mineral water, tea and coffee
9am
Round Robin Doubles (Kooyong Tennis Club) OR
11.30am
Cardio Tennis (Kooyong Tennis Club)
12.30pm
Lunch (St Kevin’s Pavilion)
All standards of tennis catered for from social to competitive – men welcome. Players will be placed with those of similar standard. Please nominate levels on registration • Tennis and Lunch $90 • Lunch only $65 (if you prefer not to play tennis) • Tennis only $40 • Cardio Tennis and Lunch $90 RSVP by 5pm Monday 28 March 2022 Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/724563 Co-ordinator Donna Hayes 0488 058 766
LOTS OF GREAT RAFFLE PRIZES ON THE DAY ALL PROCEEDS OF THE DAY GO TO
Senior Football Association SKC FOOTBALL FUNDRAISER SEASON OPENER All parents and caregivers of football players from Years 7-12 are welcome. When: Saturday 30 April Where: Nini’s Rooftop Bar and Restaurant Address: 302 Burwood Road, Hawthorn Time: From 7:00 - 11:00 pm Format: A casual stand up function Cost: $75 per head and includes canapes and a drink on arrival (additional drinks can be purchased at bar prices) Entertainment: Speeches, Live Auction, Silent Auction and Raffle Booking Tickets: www.trybooking.com/BRYUO For queries or donations please contact Emma Garlick - emmagarlick5@gmail.com
Parent Events SAVE THE DATE - St Kevin’s College Mother’s Day Cocktail Evening Proudly brought to you by the St Kevin’s Mothers’ Association Date: Thursday 28 April 2022 Where: River’s Edge (located in the World Trade Centre) Time: 7:30pm - 11:30pm Cost: $80 per person (7:30pm-10:30pm 3hr drink package including canapes, 10:30pm-11:30pm a cash bar will be available) * Invitation to be sent out on 15 March 2022. Fathers’ Association Meeting - 7.00pm Wednesday 16th March Brandon Room Heyington Campus Discussion topics include: Zimele Walk (20th March TBC), Father Son Cooking Classes (3-5 May), 2nd Annual Golf Day (13th May), Art Show (19th to 31st May), FA AFL Sit Down Dinner (7th June) All events still requiring some helpers and team leads. If you cannot make the meeting but would like to assist in any capacity for the aforementioned events, please email fathersassociation@stkevins.vic.edu.au
St Kevin’s Towels All Towel Purchases to be made through the Trybooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/BUYBC ORDERS WILL CLOSE ON MARCH 31 2022 until term 4. These towels come embroidered with your son’s name. They are only available for purchase in Term 1 and 4 and can take around four weeks to be delivered to the College once ordered. Please note: these towels need to be washed in cold water as they pill easily. Washing in cold water will help but may not eliminate the pilling.