Seasons at Stannies Autumn Edition 2021

seasons at

stannies TERM 1 | AUTUMN 2021

Celebrating Our Spirit AUTUMN TERM 1 2021 | 1 www.stannies.com

Year 8 Visual is becoming a popular sport for students.

2Football |ArtSEASONS AT STANNIES

Welcome

From the Head of College Dear members of the St Stanislaus’ College Community With the 2021 College year underway, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all students and their families. In particular, I welcome those who are joining the Stannies community this year. I hope that you have found your transition a smooth one and that you enjoy and gain much from your association with Stannies.

With this year promising so much, we eagerly look forward to working alongside students and their families as we strive to achieve all that we can in the year ahead.

The beginning of the year has been most promising, with our boys moving quickly into routine as they approach College life with their typical vigour and enthusiasm.

Term 1 has given us a sense of what the postpandemic, new normal might look like. We were able to return to hosting many events and activities that are much loved by the community albeit in a somewhat different way.

This edition of Seasons At Stannies shows our excitement at being together and out-and-about during a very busy Term. This record of our sellout Musical, Senior Biology excursion, Years 7 and 8 Student Conferences and the successful Royal Easter Show Cattle Team are but a few examples of the breadth and quality of life at Stannies. They highlight our commitment to ensuring our boys are fully alive (John 10:10).

Enjoy this look back over Term 1, 2021. We go into Term 2 with confidence, trusting in the name of the Lord.

Mr Lindsay Luck, Head of College

Transforming Schools

The Elevate Program offers a choice of progressive opportunities, Unleashing Brilliance and Project Inspire, for students who have a keen interest in challenging themselves beyond the classroom curriculum.

For Years 7 to 10, Unleashing Brilliance provides our students with realworld applications of knowledge. Students have the opportunity to co-design a project and extend the transferable skills learned in the classroom. Students immerse themselves in a challenging project to deepen their understanding and build on individual student interest. The program aims to assist participants to develop and model leadership skills, build mutually beneficial learning relationships and benefit from collaborating with others to plan, develop and create.

Project Inspire is a Stannies and Mackillop College co-educational, co-curricular, talented and gifted program for self-selected Year 10 students. The project is a learning framework of supported mentorship designed to match experience with drive and passion. Professional, qualified mentors offer their time and expertise to work alongside students who are self-starters and leaders in their own right to knowledge, share and work on a specific outcome over a set period of time. Stepping up from the usual work experience model, Project Inspire takes mentoring to a new level - inspiring students to be job and change the world ready.

The Elevate Program emphasises the critical skills for the 21st century: communication, critical thinking and reflection, creativity and collaboration.

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Creativity

Student Voice The annual musical is held in conjunction with students and staff from St Stanislaus’ College and MacKillop College. The collaboration allows the production team to draw on an exceptionally talented pool of students to cast each year’s musical.

Recent combined productions have included: Sweeney Todd, Footloose, We Will Rock You and Jesus Christ Superstar. The productions cater for around 100 students on stage, in the band, or as part of the crew; a massive cast and crew who always work hard to present a well-polished and entertaining performance.

Performances take place in the Performing Arts Centre at Stannies and, in recent times, have

attracted sellout crowds to watch the students perform.

engaged and entertained.

The combined musical is undoubtedly a highlight of the College calendar. This year’s production, Little Shop of Horrors, sold out for the entire run, the week before production commenced.

Each year our closed dress rehearsal is performed to an audience of excited students from our Catholic Primary Schools in Bathurst and the surrounds.

This dress rehearsal is always a high energy event that puts our performers into the showtime mood for the public run of shows. And this year they did not disappoint! From amazing puppetry, toe-tapping tap dancing, sublime singing, dazzling dentists and a colourful chorus, this year’s production kept the audience

Lead roles: Ruby Hobba, Jackson Hughes, Mitchell Wilson, Jacob George and Fintan Sinclair

“Little Shop of Horrors premiered in 1982 and closed 2,209 performances later. A revival in 2003 saw the original Seymour play Mushnik and the original designer of Audrey II, Martin Robinson, enlist the help of his friends in Jim Henson’s studio to create more high-tech puppets. In a similar vein, we were very pleased and grateful to have the practical genius of our own puppeteer surgeons - Mark Bradbury, David Glasson, Brad McCormick, Karl Bringolf and Phil Lewis. Collectively they, with the sewing and painting of Ms Roth and her amazing crew, nursed our Audrey puppets back to health when all seemed lost!

It is such a thrill and a privilege to be able to work on this production with the amazing team, band and cast that we have. The resilience of our students and the energy they bring to their roles is beyond compare.

They are dedicated, motivated and talented. Directing this musical took me back to my own childhood. Not just watching the comic genius of Rick Moranis on television, but also remembering watching my brother on stage in our school’s production.

The show is at its essence light-hearted, it certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously. Writer/Director Howard Ashton commented that it “satirises many things: science fiction, ‘B’ movies, musical comedy itself, and even the Faust legend, there is a deeper meaning that can’t be overlooked”. Though the tunes are catchy and the costumes bright, one can not escape the underlying gravity of the gendered violence that occurs on the stage. We have sought to present an Audrey who is innocent and likeable and a Seymour who is empathetic, but naive. As an audience, we grieve for the pure and true love that they lost. Our fine cast has walked the line between fictional farce and social critique impeccably. Their good humour, thoughtful questions and inspired characterisation have made them a delight to direct.”

Mrs Fiona Tilley, Director

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Creativity

Jackson Hughes as Seymour with fully grown Audrey II

The Stage Crew

The Band

The Stannies Cast members

Students loved being able to perform for an audience

Jacob George singing the finale

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Stannies Family

Vincentian Voice On Friday 21 February 2020, I was ordained a priest for the Bathurst Diocese in the Cathedral of St Michael and St John. The very next morning I celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving, my first at which I was the Principal Celebrant, in the St Stanislaus’ College Chapel.

This was the obvious choice for me, since it was while I was living at Stannies that I discerned my vocation to the priesthood, inspired in part by the witness of the Vincentian priests.

In 2007, I finished a Bachelor of Science with a major in Mathematics in Sydney and had been accepted into the 18 month Bachelor of Teaching at CSU Bathurst. Coincidentially, Stannies was advertising for supervisors in the Boarding House; I moved into Stannies on Australia Day 2008.

Working and living at the school, I found myself drawn into the life of the Boarding House and the wider College. I began tutoring

Stannies students in Mathematics and played guitar for Boarding House Masses. At the same time, I found myself less and less drawn to the idea of teaching. I deferred my studies (and eventually withdrew) and took on more hours in boarding and more students to tutor.

By mid-2009 my life revolved around Stannies. However, I knew this arrangement was only short-term. In July 2009, I had a conversation which prompted me to seriously consider the priesthood. Over the months that followed I was led to greater conviction that God was calling me to be a priest.

The witness of the Vincentian Priests at the College (Fr Doug Akehurst, Fr Rom Barry and Fr Jim Maloney) made me wonder if I should consider becoming a Vincentian myself.

I met with Fr Doug, who listened to my story and helped me to recognise that I was called to the Diocesan priesthood. Despite this, the Vincentian charism greatly

Fr Karl Sinclair, centre, celebrating his first Mass as Principal Celebrant

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influenced the kind of priest I wanted to be, driven by a deep sense of justice and care for the poor. I joined the Seminary in 2012 and was ordained a priest eight years later.

One of the ways that the Vincentian charism was alive during my time at Stannies was the involvement of the students in the SVDP Conferences, which raised their awareness of the poor, helping them to see Jesus in the poor and the poor in Jesus.

As the Stannies community strives to take up the Vincentian charism, perhaps it is worth reflecting on the missionary zeal of St Vincent himself. His strong desire for evangelism was integral to his charism: helping people to encounter Jesus in their lives so that they can respond to their own call, living lives of prayer and service.

One area of strength that can be built upon in this regard is the tradition of singing in prayer and liturgy at Stannies. Listening to the boys sing praise to God has always been a highlight of worshipping with the Stannies community and there is much talent among the students in music and singing.

Stannies’ repertoire of school songs and hymns are able to lead students to a deeper encounter of Jesus in the Holy Spirit.

The Vincentian charism is alive and well at St Stanislaus’ College.

However, we are always being called to go deeper. I am thankful for the formative role Stannies has played thus far in my life and I look forward to working with the College into the future.

Collaboration

Bathurst Council leads the way In Term 1, our Year 11 Biology students commenced their study of ecosystems and the various human impacts that affect biodiversity and the overall health of an ecosystem.

participating in the planting of around 70 native trees, shrubs and grasses within the riparian vegetation zone of the Macquarie Wambuul River.

The aim of the rehabilitation program is to increase the habitat for a range of species such as the

The class undertook a field study along the Macquarie Wambuul River to look at the health of the waterway and its effect on the plant species along the river.

Bathurst Regional Council regularly hosts school tree planting days with primary and secondary school students from across the Bathurst Region and on Friday 12 March they were delighted to host Year 11 Biology students at the Kefford Street Nursery Open Space on the banks of the Macquarie Wambuul River.

Grey-headed Flying Fox and the Platypus, along with endangered

Tom testing the soil

species such as the Boorolong Frog and the Murray Cod. This was a great opportunity for the students to have a hands-on reallife application of their knowledge as well as a fantastic opportunity to have a positive impact on the river riparian corridor that will be long lasting.

Iggy preparing to plant a tree

Council’s Ms Kristie Kearney, Environmental Programs Coordinator and Mr Bill Josh, Community Environmental Engagement Officer, gave a talk to students on the vital role of waterways and environmental issues such as human impacts in relation to hydrological processes.

The talk also explored the environmental rehabilitation of significant waterways and ecological communities, particularly in the Bathurst region, with a focus on the Macquarie River catchment.

Students were able to see firsthand the important role that environmental rehabilitation plays in improving biodiversity through

Tree planting

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Collaboration

Sport Highlights

Clayton Allen

Jack Gangemi

Kurt Lansom

Congratulations to Stannies students and Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) athletes Clayton Allen, Jack Gangemi and Kurt Lansom on their selection as Basketball athletes for the 2021 Your Local Club Academy Games three-day tournament which took place in venues across the Hunter Region recently.

Academy Games is a regular event on the WRAS calendar where athletes from the 11 regional academies in NSW meet to compete across a number of different sports. The Games showcase our states talented emerging athletes over three days of quality competition.

The event saw 1300 junior regional athletes come together for strong competition across seven sporting codes including Basketball.

Congratulations to Stannies Swim Team members Tyler Johnson, Knox Gibson, Jack Mulligan and Kosema Finau on their selection for the upcoming CIS Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Sydney.

These students competed in the College Carnival and along with our other Stannies Swimming Team members won selection for the Diocesan Carnival as well as the Independent Schools Association (ISA) swimming meet.

The NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports Council, known as CIS, aims to provide a pathway to state and national level competition in a wide variety of sports for students and staff in the independent sector.

These students are now eligible to compete in the All Schools Swimming Carnival in May.

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Tyler Johnson

Jack Mulligan

Knox Gibson

Kosema Finau

Critical Thinking

History breaks out of the classroom Stannies will share in $50,000 for projects which promote military understanding or enhance veteran wellbeing, after success in the Anzac Community Grants Program.

Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole, announced the College would receive $2,000 from the NSW Government for its “Stannies History Outdoor Classroom” project.

“Respecting the service and sacrifice of our Veterans is a vital part of our Australian way of life.

Projects like this at Stannies help to acknowledge their efforts and importantly enrich our local community,” Mr Toole said.

“As a community, we are very proud

of their efforts and I am personally delighted our community and this project have been chosen for this funding.”

St Stanislaus College Dean of Learning Improvement and Innovation, Melissa Lang, said the Head of History and Languages, Stella King, applied for the grant to support the Outdoor History Classroom initiative.

“This will include a shipping container to house tools and equipment to enable our students to carry out simulated archaeological digs here on site,” she said.

“Further down the track, we are also aiming to reconstruct a trench system as a visual representation of the nature of World War One.”

“The College is incredibly grateful to our local member Paul Toole for his support. We are looking forward to our Ancient and Modern History students gaining access to these key skills.”

The annual Anzac Community Grants Program has injected almost $250,000 into 180 community-based projects since its inception in 2015. The current round of Anzac Community Grants has seen over 40 projects delivered across categories including: • Local community historical research and education; • Preservation or display of war memorabilia; • Public commemorative events, arts and culture; and • Support to members of the NSW veteran community.

Melissa Lang, Paul Toole with keen history students

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Communication

Student Conferences Student Conferences were held at the College for Years 7 and 8 students, staff and families at the end of Term 1.

Student Conferences are an opportunity for our junior students to formally present what they have learnt in Term 1 to their parents and invited guests. This aspect of Learning to Learn (L2L) is unique to our Stannies junior school program and is aimed at encouraging enthusiastic and motivated learners.

The transition to High School

commences in Year 7 where students are assigned the one teacher for key subjects: Civics (History

and

Geography)

and

Learning to Learn, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) and Religious Education.

This focus allows teachers to learn about the individual, to get to know a student’s strengths and areas for improvement, likes and dislikes and to support each student in the best way possible.

This is followed by How We Learn, Literacy and Numeracy Skills and Creativity, Activity, and Service modules. Junior years Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) is problem solving in action. The Learning to Learn Program is designed to develop positive learning belief sets: focus on learning versus the work, teach for understanding versus knowledge, encourage deep versus surface learning strategies, promote independence versus dependence, develop a growth versus a fixed mindset.

Year 7 Student Conference

Year 7 Student Conference

Year 7 Student Conference

Year 7 Student Conference

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Communication

Stannies Cattle Team

The Cattle Team with the Charity Steer

A JAD Speckle Park steer from St Stanislaus’ College was sold at the Schute Bell Charity Steer Auction during the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Thursday 1 April 2021.

The charity steer initiative, started in 1994, donates all funds raised to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

The idea of Keith Prosser and Robert Ryan has now become a tradition and an exciting educational experience for Ag students who prepare the animals for the auction.

Founded in 1994, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute is the legacy of legendary heart transplant surgeon, Dr Victor Chang. The Victor Chang Cardiac

Research Institute is one of the most respected heart research facilities in the world and is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease.

To support this wonderful organisation in 1998, Stock and Station agency Shute Bell, introduced the auction of a charity steer at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Over the past 22 years, the auction of the Charity Steer has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Institute.

Each year a school has been charged with the task of preparing these animals for show and sale during the SRES Purebred Steer Show and sale in the showground amphitheatre during the Young Auctioneers competition.

This year St Stanislaus’ College is again extremely proud to undertake the preparation of the steer, “Chunks”. Students have been taking great care of this young steer over the past term, breaking to lead, feeding, weighing and caring for him.

This was a wonderful learning opportunity for all Agriculture and Primary Industries students throughout the school as they tend to the health and welfare of the animal as well as the nutritional requirements.

Weighing in at 688kg, the Victor Chang Charity steer was sold at auction for $32,000. The JAD Speckle Park Steer has made a wonderful contribution to The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Well done to the Stannies Cattle Team.

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Celebration

Year 7 Insight

Year 7 Elements of Arts Visual Arts class

Year 7 Elements of Arts Visual Arts class

Year 7 Elements of Arts Visual Arts class

Year 7 Elements of Arts Visual Arts class

P&F Welcoming BBQ

P&F Welcoming BBQ

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P&F Welcoming BBQ

Celebration

Year 7 Insight

Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon

Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon

Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon

Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon

Year 7 SSC & MKC Combined Mass and Luncheon

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Community

Stannies Old Boys’ Association A student’s relationship with Stannies continues after he leaves the College through the strong and supportive Old Boys community.

The SSC Old Boys Association is run by an Executive Committee consisting of members of all age groups – including some who left Stannies many years ago, while others are very recent school leavers.

The Association provides members with the opportunity to remain in contact with one another, enjoy numerous organised events, keep up-to-date with the latest College news and developments and support the College and its current students.

All Stannies Old Boys are warmly invited to join SSCOBA. Members are kept informed of what’s happening through the Seasons at Stannies magazine, the College website, member emails and St Stanislaus College Old Boys Facebook page.

Membership fees enable the Old Boys to make valuable contributions to assist current students. Together we can make a

difference and we need your help to do it. Contact oldboys@stannies. com for membership registration and further details. The drawcard of the Association’s activities for 2021 is the annual Fundraising Dinner.

Save the date SSCOBA invites all Stannies Old Boys and their partners, as well as all members of the Stannies community, to join us for our 2021 fundraising Black-Tie event in support of student scholarships for those students in need or who are doing it tough.

Date: 7 August 2021 Venue: Stannies Performing Arts Centre (PAC) Tickets: Details available soon Confirmed reunions attending include 20, 21 and 40 Years. Have you got a reunion and would like to attend? Please email oldboys@ stannies.com.

Regular updates will be posted to the Old Boys Facebook page. See you there!

Dear Old Boy You are invited to join us to enjoy school-boy rugby at its best.

Come along to any of the games listed below with friends and family and reconnect with the Stannies community.

24 April Barker College Away 1 May Sydney Grammar School, Away 8 May The Scots College Away 15 May St Aloysius College Away 22 May St Ignatius College Away 29 May ISA ROUND 1 St Patricks College, Strathfield, Away 5 June ISA ROUND 2

St Gregory’s College Away 17 July ISA ROUND 3

St Augustine’s College Home 24 July

ISA ROUND 4 Kinross Wolaroi School, Home

31 July ISA ROUND 5

St Pius X College Away 7 August ISA ROUND 6

Oakhill College Home 14 August ISA ROUND 7

Bye, no game We look forward to seeing you.

Vice President Jack English with Hamish Keith at the 2019 Old Boys dinner

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Kind regards The Old Boys Executive

Community

Year 12 Dinner This year’s special guest speaker for the Year 12 Dinner was Old Boy, College Board Director and local Bathurstian, Mr James Horsburgh.

James spoke with authenticity and candour about his time at the College and life after Stannies.

At the tender age of 23, James was living the dream. He was in his fourth year of a Commerce/Law degree with the University of New England. He had just started dating the lady who would become his future wife! He lived at St Albert’s College (Albies) and played rugby as a hooker. James loves St Alberts College. In fact, he quips ‘if I hadn’t broken my neck, I would still be living there.’

On a random Wednesday night in 2004, he was out with some mates celebrating Presidents’ Night at the UNE Union Bistro. James or ‘Teddy’ as he is affectionately known, had been drinking, but his subsequent toxicology report indicated he was not drunk. Without thinking, he joined his mates who were playing in the new water feature which had just been built. Instead of just stepping into the fountain, he dived in, hitting his head. He couldn’t move and would have drowned if his mate Peter Flynn had not pulled him out of the water. Whilst in hospital, James needed to make a decision. He could either focus on how unfair life can be or he could metaphorically get up and push forward! He chose the latter.

James received a lot of support after the accident. His mum was a Community Health Nurse and had cared for young quadriplegics in the past. She had an excellent understanding of what help and

support James would need.

& Co in Bathurst.

James’ father, Mark, recalled “We have a family motto we always joke about – ‘down the right path, with difficulty’ – and just before he went into theatre he said: “Don’t worry dad, we’ll get through this. Down the right path, with difficulty.”

James tries to maintain a good work/life balance. He lives on a hobby farm with his wife and three young daughters. He has also coached rugby, coaching the Bathurst Bulldogs in both the Central West Rugby 1st and 2ndgrade competitions. Just like when he went back to studying law after his accident, James had to learn how to adapt his coaching style.

Instead of simply demonstrating a particular rugby drill, he had to learn how to describe the technique or strategy in great detail. James also likes the social aspect of rugby, as the games he attends are like ‘one big UNE reunion for him, where I can catch up with my old mates.’

After his spinal injury, James changed his Uni enrolment to a distance student, so he could complete his double degree. As you can imagine, this was not without challenges. He did, however, learn to be patient - this was helped by engaging in mindfulness exercises as well as intense soul searching.

By any measure, James has forged a successful and fulfilling life.

After finishing his Undergraduate Degrees at UNE, James completed his Masters, where he specialised in Family Law. James has continued to specialise in Family Law and is now a partner at McIntosh McPhillamy

These days James is more focused on the administration of rugby holding office as Secretary of Bathurst Bulldogs and Treasurer of the Central West Rugby Union.

Paul McDonald with Lindsay Luck and James Horsburgh acknowledging 2020 Dux, Charles Moses

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EVERY DAY IS OPEN DAY AT STANNIES.

Personal tours are available with a member of the College Leadership Team.

Further information about scholarships, tours or enrolments is available from the College Registrar, registrar@stannies.com or 6331 4177

JOIN US AT STANNIES www.stannies.com

@stanniesbathurst

Page 7: Ms Kristie Kearney, Bathurst Regional Council, Environmental Programs Coordinator Page 9: Mr Brian Wood, Electorate Officer, Media and Communications

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220 Bentinck Street (PO Box 97) Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: 02 6331 4177 Fax: 02 6334 4285 Email: registrar@stannies.com www.stannies.com