Senior School Newsletter Term 1, Week 5 2022
Pictured: 2022 SKC 1st XI Cricket Team
From the Principal Dear St Kevin’s College Community As I write to you this week, my mind moves to the people of Ukraine and the tragedy that is unfolding. At the Heyington assembly held last Monday and throughout the Ash Wednesday services held at Glendalough, Waterford and Heyington, we prayed for the people of Russia and Ukraine immersed in an untenable situation of meaninglessness. Reactions from world leaders have been strong with Pope Francis offering the following impassioned statements: “May the weapons fall silent. God is with the peacemakers, not with those who use violence ... It is the people who are the real victims, who pay for the folly of war with their own skin.” He said he was moved by images of elderly people seeking refuge and mothers escaping with their children. “They are brothers and sisters, for whom it is urgent to open up humanitarian corridors...they must be welcomed”, he said. Of those who wage war, he said “they don’t consider the everyday lives of people but put partisan interests before everything and trust in the diabolic and perverse logic of weapons, which is the furthest thing from God’s mind.” As we begin our Lenten journey through to Easter Sunday, may we do so with our attention placed on building peace in our lives, our families and on the local, national and global stage. May peace be our mantra throughout the next 40 days and our outward action in all that we do and say at St Kevin’s and beyond. We begin this by embracing the opportunities at the College with, the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the junior school, the reintroduction of Outprac at Year 9, and the commencement of the senior school social justice tutoring program at Trinity Primary school.
PRAYER FOR UKRAINE Loving God, We pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need. May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world. Amen. Blessings and Peace Mrs Deborah M Barker Principal
From the Faith and Mission Team JOURNEY INTO THE DESERT OF LENT As Ash Wednesday starts the season of Lent, we are reminded that the forty days of Lent provides us with an opportunity each and every year for us to look into our hearts and see whether our external and internal lives are in union. We are called upon to try and unclutter many of the unnecessary distractions of life in order to more fully prepare for the joyous season of Easter. ‘Lord, forgive what I have been, amend what I am and bless what I shall be. As these ashes are a sign of repentance, so change my heart and my life by the power of your cross and passion.’ Our theme for Lent this year is ‘Journey into the Desert of Lent’. Luke’s Gospel provides us with the rich story of Jesus, being led by the Spirit, enters the desert, where for forty days he is tempted before he leaves to commence his ministry. The desert was a special place for the Jewish people. There they wandered forty years, symbolically, under Moses. For all their complaining in the desert, they felt intensely close to God through Moses. God was a pillar of cloud by day, and a column of fire by night - a way of saying that God was always with them. Later prophets often urged Israel to return spiritually to the desert, to discover their God afresh.
For impatience and selfishness… For the sharp word and actions done and not done… For our thoughtfulness and complacency… For our harsh judgement of others… For our apathy and lack of vision… For our hidden thoughts known only to you… For our hard hearts and our stubborn ways… For our lack of kindness and consideration… For our pride and jealousy… For our many sins and failings… God of Hope, we journey with Jesus during this Lenten season with the certain hope that you will renew each of us as your true disciples. Call us out of the wilderness of selfishness and indifference. Help us to reach out to those who do not know hope or love being your messengers of love and peace. May we welcome the opportunity to enter into the desert of our hearts, so we may become the best we can possibly be over these forty days of Lent, leading to the joyous season of Easter.
This is why Jesus goes into the desert. He’s taking our place, helping us re-experience intimacy with God, and providing the grace for us to identify with God - instead Mr John Abrahams of becoming rivals to God. Lent is a kind of journey into Director of Faith and Mission the desert. Going into the desert we can see the compromises we frequently make, the excuses we give, and the lack of growth that often represents our spiritual lives. In the desert we can also see our failings more clearly - the depth of the way we still do not see God, and still want to be our own gods, not caring what effect this may have on others. Lent is a time to learn to travel light, to clear the clutter from our crowded lives and find a space, a desert. Deserts are bleak; no creature comforts, only a vast expanse of stillness, sharpening awareness of ourselves and God. This Lent we are called to look into our hearts and see whether our external and internal lives are in union. We are called upon to go into the desert space of our lives, to try and unclutter many of the unnecessary distractions of life in order to more fully prepare for the joyous season of Easter. And so we look into our hearts and ask God for forgiveness…
COVID-safe distribution of Ashes
Omnia Awards
NEW STUDENT PHOTOS YET TO BE TAKEN
Oliver O’Carroll - Year 7
For his excellent sportsmanship at Futsal and his commitment to fair play
Charles Foo - Kearney
For demonstrating great patience when tutoring younger students in the Kearney social justice program
Vincent Nai - Year 8
For his willing assistance to all members of the college community
Oliver Muleta - Kenny
For the generosity, kindness and camaraderie he has displayed to others during Badminton.
Ivan Kutlesa - Year 9
For working hard to make a positive start to his academic studies at Waterford
Finn Slattery - McCarthy
For his continued support and mentorship of the Year 10’s in his Tutor Group
Hamish Cooper - Rahill
For his support of a student new to the College
Douglas Kerr - Cusack
For his willingness to offer assistance to a member of public who was in need
Zach Ibrahim - Purton
For his fantastic start to the academic year and his positive contributions to tutor group
From the Director of Teaching and Learning VCE AND CAREERS AT ST KEVIN’S COLLEGE 2022 Parents/Carers of students currently undertaking their VCE are encouraged to view two important video presentations by Assistant Teaching and Learning - VCE, Mr Ian Korac and Head of Careers, Ms Sue White. These presentations were put together for the House Information evenings which took place earlier in the term. Both presentations include important information for students undertaking the VCE and planning their future pathways. Assistant Teaching and Learning - VCE, Mr Ian Korac outlines: •
Procedures for VCE assessment
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Special Provisions for SACs and Examinations
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Academic support structures for VCE students
Head of Careers - Ms Sue White outlines: •
Year 11 … a time for commitment & consolidation
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Year 12 Valuable Resources
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SKC Careers Website
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Options for 2023
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What is VTAC? VTAC Resources
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Tertiary Study
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Types of Courses
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Cost
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Selection Process
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ATAR Calculation, Profile & Scaling
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Scholarships
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Special Consideration (SEAS)
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Tax File Numbers
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Key Dates
Please find the presentation on the Portal via this link. Ms Hannah Kollmorgen Director of Teaching and Learning
From the Dean of Student Wellbeing At St Kevin’s, we have a continued focus on student wellbeing and student personal development. This is built into a range of curriculum areas and targeted initiatives. Educating our students and involving them in conversations around important topics such as internet safety, mental health, respectful relationships, inclusivity and wellbeing contributes to their development into healthy young adults. Each Term, students will be involved in a various curriculum initiatives and actions. Some key focus areas for Term 1 include: •
Whole school awareness - Supporting national initiatives through presentations and Homeroom/Tutor based activities, including – Safer Internet Day, International Women’s Day, Close the Gap and National Day Against Violence and Bullying.
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7-9 Health Curriculum (Weekly Lessons) - focus on mental health, stress management, help seeking, developing friendships, peer pressures and respectful relationships, healthy and active living.
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Yr 10 - Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with a focus on belonging, identity and reconciliation.
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Yr 11 - Trial of Elephant Ed (external partner) workshop on the topic of Consent
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Yr 12 - Guest presenter series which offers a diverse range of presenters, both male and female, including CEOs, Directors, Politicians, Doctors, Professors, Leaders of Non For Profit organisations, Local Heroes, Religious Leaders and many more
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Lunch Clubs – providing students weekly opportunities to develop new friendships
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Student Voice Groups in Years 10 - 12 – meet regularly to discuss issues around consent, sexuality, masculinity, and mental health.
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Partnership with Girl’s Schools - combined Respectful Relationship activities.
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Regular updates on the Student Wellbeing Hub
This, combined with the other opportunities taking place such as APS, Outdoor Education Programs, Drama, Debating, Dancing, Music, Retreats, Outpracs and many more. Our holistic approach to student wellbeing ensures that all students have opportunities to thrive, promotes open-mindedness and adaptability, and positions our students to be their best. Mr Alain Van Gurp Dean of Student Wellbeing
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 Ensemble Rehearsals
Music Association Soiree – Friday 6 May
All ensembles have now commenced and rehearse each week. Considering the special COVID conditions in place for the first part of the term, large groups have split and are rehearsing in smaller sections. We look forward to recommencing full rehearsals as soon as possible, but these smaller rehearsals have been very worthwhile. This alternating sequence of rehearsals will continue until large groups can rehearse all together.
The Music Association held it’s first meeting on Monday night. Their first function will be the Soiree, which has been rescheduled to Friday 6 May. 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 7:00 pm. Information about tickets will be available soon.
Ensembles are preparing for performances at assemblies, Open Day, festivals and concerts.
Music Office – C305
Parents or students with Music enquiries are encouraged to contact Ms Andrea McDonald (Music It is important that students monitor their emails, Administrator) at the Music Office email as this is an important method of communication music@stkevins.vic.edu.au or by phone on between the music staff and students at the moment. 9832 4941. Students are welcome to call in before Here is a link to the Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule. school, at recess, at lunchtime or after school. Introducing our Music Leaders Cusack Music Officer, Ethan Cheung Hello, my name is Ethan Cheung and I am the Music Officer for Cusack for 2022. I play percussion, which includes many instruments such as timpani, xylophone and drum kit. I love how versatile playing percussion is, it has allowed me to play many different genres of music both within St Kevin’s and beyond. Outside of music, I am very fond of maths and science. Ethan is a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Senior Concert Band, Senior Choir, Big Band 1 and the Senior Percussion Ensemble.
Productions Year 10 SKC/Sacre Coeur Play
Tickets:
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
Via TryBooking
7/8/9 March @7pm
Ms Edwina Tribe Head of Productions
Ruby Tout Theatre, Heyington
YEAR 10 SKC/SACRÉ CŒUR PLAY
ankee in Y t u c i t c e n n A Co
s Court ’ r u h t r A King
7, 8, 9 MARCH, 2022 BASED ON A STORY BY MARK TWAIN, ADAPTED BY TIM KELLY
Careers News Encouraging students to research tertiary courses is often not easy. Young people often work on a “needs to know” basis and it can be daunting for them to think what might come next after Year 12 which looms as such a huge hurdle. It is even more difficult for some students to consider moving away from home to study, to a local residential college, interstate or overseas. In many other countries, however, this is commonplace. St Kevin’s students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Law or Politics, Philosophy and Economics, to name a few high demand courses, are well advised to apply everywhere possible to improve their chances of receiving an offer for a place following the release of results. International options may require additional testing, such as the SATs or ACTs in the case of the US, specialised academic tests for UK universities such as the STEP and MAT. In addition, the timeline may be different from the Victorian system.
Items of note in the Careers News this week include:
Students who are aiming high academically and would like to experience a College lifestyle at a University with a worldwide reputation are encouraged to look into interstate offerings. It is possible to apply for tertiary study both in Melbourne and other States and make the final decision in December following the release of results. I would encourage students to research broadly and keep all options open.
Please see http://www.stkevinscareers. com/?page=newsletter for more details.
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Dates to Diarise in Term 1
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ANU Applications for 2023 Entry
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Monash University Information Evening: Webinar
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News from Federation University: Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours); Bachelor of Nursing; New Bachelor of Cognitive Enterprise
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Career in Nuclear Medicine Technology
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Engineering Heroes Podcast
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Medical Specialty Fact Sheets
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Nursing and/or Midwifery Degrees in 2022
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Snapshot of The Australian College of the Arts (Collarts) 2022
Ms Horstman, Ms O’Sullivan & Mrs White Careers Department
Sport Fixture
Results
Dean of Sport It was yet another sunny Melbourne weekend for the boys to enjoy their sport. This weekend, boys were all over Melbourne and Geelong: - Altona for Badminton, Glen Waverley for Lawn Bowls, Dandenong for Volleyball, Thomastown for Futsal, Berwick for Cricket, Yarra River for Rowing, Monash Uni for Squash and Futsal as well as our St Kevin’s home grounds– the four corners of Melbourne had SKC students playing sport. Thank you to the parents for your endeavours in getting around on Saturday driving boys to their various sports. The traffic on Saturday seems to be getting worse and worse which can also be seen as a positive as we move back to “Normal” operations. Please ensure that you leave plenty of time to get to games on time. Wet Weather All good things must come to an end, and this weekend has the promise for Wet Weather. A reminder to parents that the college does have an Adverse Weather Line where if there are washouts. This line only covers SKC hosted matches. This number will be updated by the hour from 7am Saturday morning. In addition, there will be updates provided on the Sport Portal Page if there are cancellations. On the portal page we will endeavour to provide updates on other schools cancellations, however those schools also run Adverse Weather Lines. These numbers are on the Portal Page. As there are over 1500 games across the APS on a weekend we cannot keep updated with all sporting fixtures. If your sons game is not listed on the Adverse Weather Line or the portal the game is STILL ON. Do not assume otherwise. ADVERSE WEATHER LINE - 9822 9102 Team of the Week/Sportsman of the Week This week’s team of the week is the 1st Volleyball Team. Over the past two weeks they have had some fantastic comebacks to claim victory over Haileybury (after being two sets down) and Melbourne Grammar School. The team has trained extremely hard from November with many boys new to the sport of Volleyball with some early season setbacks to be in a strong position under the direction of coach Rob Apps and Captain Massimo Machese. This week’s Sportsman of the week is Lucis Yole from the Year 9A Cricket team who scored his second century of the season against Haileybury. A great achievement. Mr Tom Courtney Dean of Sport
Pictured: 1st Volleyball team v MGS, Lucis Yole
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
Fathers’ Association It is always a time to reflect and consider the positives in our daily lives (even with those niggling little annoyances we face from time to time) when the world around us seems to be falling apart. As war rages in Ukraine and floods ravage the streets and suburbs of northern NSW and southern QLD, we must take heed of the pain and suffering others are going through and assist where ever possible, but more importantly, take solace in the calm we are experiencing at home. We often take for granted the lives we lead and complain about seemingly unimportant issues which, most times in hindsight (and reference) make us cringe at our pettiness. I don’t, for one minute, discount the hardships most face in their day-to-day lives and the challenges a lot of us have to endure but it is relevant to put things in perspective and try to maintain a positive attitude and outlook wherever possible. As we reach the halfway mark of the term, it is pleasing and very reassuring to see and be involved with a host of events and gatherings. As we learn to live with COVID as a part of our existence I hope the return to work, especially in the CBD is continuous and on going as the businesses there have suffered severely. Hopefully the turnaround has begun and better times are ahead. Please remember that the Fathers’ Association is there for parents to network, meet other parents and also be a source of assistance both personally and professionally for anyone facing hardships or needing a hand. We are here to help. Our next and last meeting for Term 1 is on Wednesday 16th March in the Brandon Room (yes in person) at Heyington 7.00pm. Drinks and snacks will be provided. If you can RSVP to: fathersassociation@stkevins.vic. edu.au The final contribution from the FA for the term will be the Zimele Walk on Sunday 20th March where we man the BBQ’s and will require some volunteers - again through the email above or come to the meeting and raise your hand. In the second week of Term two we have the ever-popular year 6 Father Son Cooking Class at Waterford and require a chef to put a menu together and work the three nights. This is a huge opportunity for a hospo family to contribute and also get some great publicity and exposure throughout the school for their venue. Please come to the meeting or email or call myself or the FA email above to offer. This is of the utmost importance as we would not want to see the event not proceed due to lack of assistance. We also need a couple of dads to help on the nights. Thank you for reading and have a great week. Yours, David J Kahan President - St Kevin’s Fathers’ Association
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.
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.