Issuu

seasons at

stannies TERM 3 | SPRING 2020

Celebrating Our Spirit Front cover

Photo TBA (selection in folder)

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 1 www.stannies.com

Year 8 Visual 2 |ArtSEASONS

AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020

Welcome

From the Head of College As I sit in an “extra”, covering a class whilst their usual teacher is away, the Year 10 Auto boys have reminded me that Term 3 at Stannies was one of the more unusual “seasons” in our 153 year history. In fact, they wonder whether we could call this publication “Seasons” at all. For the first time we didn’t have a Rugby season! For many who had been training since Term 4 last year, this was a major disappointment and things just didn’t feel right. COVID-19 and the resulting physical distancing requirements severely affected many of our regular rituals including the Year 12 Graduation, bands and choirs, Finn Cup and significantly our celebration of Founder’s Day Mass. We didn’t even sing the Vincentius! However, as you can see in this Spring edition of Seasons, our community has been busy and full of life - just in different ways. The pandemic caused us to operate in different ways and not all of them bad.

It prompted us to think deeply about the purpose of many of the things that we usually just assume are important and relevant. What stands out amongst all that has occurred is a sense of connection - to each other in teams and light-hearted competition, to the community in performances and media, and to our history through the increasing involvement of our Old Boys in the daily lives of our current students. Looking across the city from up on our hill you can’t help but “feel” the change of seasons. Gone now are the dust and smoke clouds of January and the snow on the mountains in the distance. In their place, the deepening green of the landscape brought on by the recent rains. Despite all that has challenged us during the year so far, the view from the hill and represented on our front cover, reminds us of the great good that comes when we trust in the name of the Lord. Mr Lindsay Luck, Head of College

Transforming Schools As a transforming school, embedding 21st Century enterprise skills of critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration is at the core of our College learning culture.

The 4Cs strengthen our students’ ability to find their place – professionally, personally, socially – in today’s fast-changing world, while building on other life-enhancing Cs: curiosity, confidence, caring and cooperation.

Here at Stannies, creativity is an essential part of our student’s learning process. Creativity represents an attitude and ability for innovation which is learnt, taught and implemented in every classroom. We know that creativity is a process that happens throughout our lifetime meaning we recognise and find value in creativity at all levels. We are also aware that boys are visual, kinesthetic learners and so providing opportunities to be creative builds their confidence and preparation for other areas of skill. The Transforming Schools framework makes quality a reality not just an aspiration in learning.

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 1

Stannies Family

Vincentian Voice city from its place on the hill. Part of my work takes place in a building that sits on the site of the original ‘College down in the Town’ (to use Fr John Hall CM’s descriptive phrase). So, while it’s hard not to see or hear of Stannies almost every day at present, the College has long been part of my story and the story of our family.

Fr Paul Devitt Vicar General Dean of the Cathedral Cathedral of St Michael and St John, Bathurst

Bishop Matthew Quinn arrived in the colony of NSW in October 1866. He had hardly unpacked his bags before he set about establishing new schools for girls and boys, utilising the buildings of the denominational school already in operation on the corner of George and Keppel Streets. St Stanislaus High School opened in January 1867 and remained in this location as both a High School and St Charles’ Seminary until the relocation of both to the current site in 1873. Boarders were enrolled from the first year of operation, thus giving Stannies the distinction of being both the first boys’ boarding school and the first Seminary in Australia. I currently live in Bathurst where Stannies stands out from many vantage points and overlooks the

My dad and uncles were educated there in the 1930s and 1940s. Dad spoke very affectionately of his time at Stannies and of the priests who taught and guided him. Dad’s father died when he was 11 so the Stannies priests were very significant ‘father figures’ for him. Fr John McMahon was always singled out as a wise and kind mentor who obviously had a great influence on Dad. He also kept lifelong friendships with his classmates who included Fathers Joe Keady and Jim Maloney. When the time came for secondary education for one of my cousins, myself and each of my brothers, it was only ever going to be Stannies where that education would take place. So another generation of Devitts were educated in the decades of 1960s through to the 1980s. The education and experience of boarding school gave each of us a wider view of the world and helped set firm foundations on which to build our future careers. Being a priest in the Bathurst Diocese and especially living in Bathurst itself, I get to see the current crop of Stannies men and often think that Bishop Quinn must be very pleased to see where the

2 | SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020

school has come to from its humble beginnings and what an important influence it is having on the lives of so many boys as they negotiate the journey into manhood. The diversity of the modern curriculum and extra-curricular offerings that are available to the boys enables each one to explore his own unique gifts and talents and grow into a young man capable of taking on any challenge he wants to. The spirit of camaraderie both in the school and in the community is obvious and palpable. The boys often join the Cathedral Parish for Sunday Mass and we all enjoy their presence - especially their singing. They give their all to the singing and their great contribution to our liturgies adds a life-giving energy to all present. Parishioners often comment on how polite the boys are and I’ve found this to be consistently true whether I’ve met them at school, in the church or around town. Stannies began as a Diocesan school. In 1889, care of both the College and the Seminary was placed into the hands of the Vincentians and their spirituality has been the guiding light of Stannies men ever since. Underpinning everything that happens at Stannies is the abiding influence of St Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam – a clear focus on reaching out to those in need, those on the margins of society, those doing it tough for whatever reason. I’ve seen this played out at every level – from the various heads of

Stannies Family

Vincentian Voice College I’ve worked with over 34 years, the Vincentian priests who have lived at Stannies, the staff, the boys and the wider Stannies family. So many times – sometimes overtly, sometimes working quietly behind the scenes – Stannies personnel have made significant differences to the lives of people who have found themselves in a difficult situation where they needed a helping hand. At such times we see the values and example of Jesus clearly articulated and exemplified. Fr John Hall CM concluded his 1944 History of St Stanislaus’ College with ‘unbounded confidence in the future’. That confidence was firmly placed then and it remains so today. Fr Paul Devitt VG with Elliot Hyland at the Diocesan HSC Awards in 2019

L-R Fr Danny Meagher, Rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush; Fr Paul Devitt, Vicar General and Dean of the Cathedral; and Fr Greg Kennedy, Parish Priest of St Brigid’s Parish, Dubbo.

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 3

Creativity

Student Voice This year’s Bathurst Eisteddfod looked a little different to previous years with a combination of live performance sections (conducted under strict social distancing parameters) and a new online pre-recorded performances offering. Syllabus A was for dance, music and speech solos, duos and quartets and Syllabus B included groups and a few fun and new sections. This year marked the 75th Anniversary of the Bathurst Eisteddfod, a special milestone for the annual event.

Due to COVID-19, government rules and guidelines continued to change on a regular basis in the lead up to the event. Whilst we wished to see all our Stannies student performers shining on stage in 2020, there was still a chance that the Eisteddfod Committee might have had to cancel, depending on government guidelines at the time. Speech and Drama is a powerful way for students to learn the necessary building blocks for a life of effective communication. It empowers boys and enables them to develop self-confidence, a creative imagination, empathy and

Eisteddfod student success

4 | SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020

maturity in interpersonal skills. These are fantastic skills that they can carry through the years and will use in so many scenarios and phases of their lives. The Eisteddfod went ahead from late August to mid-September and the final results for our Stannies students were outstanding. Jackson Hughes (Year 11), Harry Morrissey (Year 9), Luke Hogan (Year 7), Anthony Scorgie (Year 7) and Jamie Mulholland (Year 7) between them were awarded three major awards, eight first places, nine second places, four third places and four highly commended placings.

Creativity

Student Voice Well done to the following students on their outstanding results: Jackson Hughes Year 11

Most Promising Tap Dancer Award 1st place Open National Character Championship 2nd place Open Tap Championship

Harry Morrissey Year 9

The Bathurst Arts Council Perpetual Trophy, Best Open Age Character Sketch 1st place Open Character Sketch 1st place Open Australian Verse 1st place 15 & 16 years Bible Reading 1st place Open age group Improvisation 2nd place 15 & 16 years Prepared Mime 2nd place 15 & 16 years Impromptu Mime

Jamie Mulholland Year 7

1st place 14 years and under Scene for two performers

Luke Hogan Year 7

1st place 13 years only/14 years only Character Sketch Solo

2nd place 14 years and under Prepared Mime for two performers 1st place Secondary School Age Telephone Conversation (Impromptu) duo/trio 2nd place 14 years only Recitation Solo 2nd place 13 and 14 years Humorous Verse solo 2nd place 13 and 14 years only Sight Reading solo 2nd place 13 and 14 years only Impromptu Mime for Solo Performers 2nd place 11 and 12 years only/13 and 14 years only Ask the Expert Solo

Stannies Podcast Term 4 will see the launch of the highly anticipated Stannies Podcast. An innovation of the Stannies Student Media Team, lead podcast producer Liam Gildea, Year 9, has been on a learning curve in interview technique and podcast format design in preparation of its launch. The Stannies Podcast is all about the Stannies student voice. The program will give students the opportunity to express their own thoughts and feelings about a topic. Each podcast will also cover what students have going on at the College and what’s coming up. The main feature will be an interview with a student who is proud of a particular hard-won achievement. Each episode ends with a Stannies wrap-up. The podcast production currently runs as part of the Year 9 Extension Music program through the faculty of Creative Arts. During the early production development phase, Liam composed, performed and produced the program’s original theme music. Look out for the launch announcements later in the year.

Liam Gildea

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 5

Creativity

Student Voice Radio Calling Stannies Year 11 student and Media Team member Ben Watson-Tauaalo, recently joined a number of Charles Sturt University’s 2MCE community radio volunteers, a Blayney High School student, two CSU students and a CSU staff member to undertake the study unit Interview Skill Set as part of the Certificate III in Screen and Media. The training was conducted by Kevin Klehr for the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO). The first few classes were held online due to COVID-19 and Ben quickly became known for his kind and supportive feedback, commitment to learning and his wit! When classes could be held on campus, the team had a fun few days learning how to use handheld microphones and the intricacies of sound editing. Ben picked up these skills really quickly, and as the youngest of the group, impressed the rest of the group with his maturity. His final assessment interview was excellent. Two 2MCE community radio volunteers already broadcasting on 2MCE, Rielle and Jen have asked Ben

to join the presenting team to give their program, The Collective Self 2.0, a young person’s perspective on things that matter to them. Ben has also worked alongside 2MCE Intern/ Charles Sturt University student, Kate, to present the hour-long program, Aus Music Showcase. Ben’s program aired in September and showcased new Australian music releases. Ben did a terrific job, using his learnt skills in the CMTO training course which were underpinned by the great work of the Stannies student Media Team. It was a great opportunity, provided by CSU, to have Ben join the 2MCE training group, which has provided him and 2MCE with some great opportunities for his involvement at the station. Thank you to Station Manager – 2MCE and National Radio News CSU, Lisa McLean, for her support and encouragement of our Stannies student Media Team.

Ben at CSU 2MCE studios

6 | SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020

Collaboration

Team Spirit The 2020 College House Shield competition is now over and the winner is Joseph House.

competition, golf challenge, farm challenge, footy challenge, National Science Week, tennis challenge and the Spelling Bee. Next season we will look to involve tutor groups, have more faculty-based activities, year group-based events as well as the Athletics and Cross Country carnivals. It is important to continue to build these vertical relationships across the College through activities such as the House Cup to ensure that students have the opportunity to work collaboratively and creatively to achieve their goals. It allows for each student to form themselves in a well-rounded manner with exposure to many of the attributes that we encourage and foster as a Stannies Man.

Samuel Giokaris, Joseph’s House Captain, with Mr Elliott

The aim of the House Shield is to encourage participation in varying activities across the College and assist students to develop relationships and camaraderie between the year groups. The competition also provides students with an understanding of our Stannies traditions and builds on our school culture where all students have a place and are known. Joseph House collected 243 points to take out a clear win.

Opening Mass

Project Compassion

NRL Tipping

Finn Cup

Winter Appeal

Counter Strike

Hand Ball

Golf Challenge

Farmer Challenge

Footy Challenge

Science Week

Tennis

Spelling Bee

Totals

Points Position

Josh Lane completing the Farm Challenge

Swim Carnival

This year’s events included the Swimming Carnival, Opening Mass, Project Compassion fundraising, NRL footy tipping, St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal fundraising, Counter-Strike challenge, handball

Charles

220

6th

John

231

4th

Joseph

243

1st

Justin

229

5th

Vincent

239

2nd

Xavier

238

3rd

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 7

Collaboration

Sport Highlights

Congratulations

Wil Taylor

Jack Morrison

Joe Sullivan

Bill Statham

Rugby Union Selection Congratulations to students Wil Taylor Year 10, Jack Morrison Year 11 and Joe Sullivan Year 12, on their selection by NSW Waratahs talent scouts to attend the Under 16 and Under 18 Waratahs Gen Blue Squad Camps respectively, in October. Due to School Boy Rugby being cancelled this year, Wil joined the Central West competition, playing for the Cowra/Canowindra Barbarian team and was selected on his performance from his weekend game at Wellington. Jack and Joe played with the Orange Emus Rugby Union Football Club and their U18s team won the Central West Colts competition over Orange City 26-25. Over the course of three games this year, their Emus team have won two games by one point including the Grand Final match while the other game was a draw. NSW Junior Rugby Union is running three NSW Waratahs Gen Blue Camps with the best players from each age group participating in one match day and one training day led by NSW Waratahs coaching staff as well as Academy staff and expert coaches.

Rugby League Selection Bill Statham Year 11 has been named in the Penrith Panthers Junior Representatives SG Ball squad. He had a two-day training session in the holidays before attending five Friday night/Saturday morning sessions at Panthers in November/December, culminating in a final selection trial against a rival NRL club. The Under 18s SG Ball junior representative program is a time-honoured competition and represents a vital part of the pathways program that produces future NRL players. In particular the squad which Bill has been named for, the Laurie Daley Cup in the under-18s age group, is an important competition for country kids. These competitions have also been a major part of the resurrection of junior rugby league in country areas. The Panthers Academy and the satellite programs that run throughout the Penrith Junior League and western NSW areas are a dream-goal for many local players.

8 | SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020

Critical Thinking

Writing History At Stannies, our role as educators is to not only focus on our classroom and co-curricular teaching but to also be aware that we are teaching students lifelong learning skills for a future they are yet to navigate and discover. Our approach to encouraging boys to write and to write well is to provide opportunities for visual, hands-on learning that allows for choice and creativity with clear frameworks and structures in place. It is critical that we as educators move away from the ‘industrial education factory’ of the past and instead identify the individual needs of the students we teach. The impact on teaching will be to provide students with the skills and space to be flexible, creative and innovative. How do we then develop the literary skills of writing and also meet the challenges of 21stcentury critical thinking? Our focus is to teach the boys to write within the constructs of PEEL, paragraphs that are formed from four key components: Point, Evidence,

Charlie Bennett

Explanation and Link. Point and Link have a dedicated sentence at the beginning and end, while the length of evidence and explanation is based on the year level and expectations of detail, so can range from two through to six sentences. To help build confidence, students begin by colour coding each component, therefore, recognising its place and purpose within the paragraph. English goes a step further by using techniques such as TEPA. Technique, Evidence, Purpose and Analysis all within the one sentence, sitting inside the PEEL paragraph. These structures have also been used across a range of subjects throughout Term 3 alone, including History, Geography, English and Science. To further support literacy engagement, English required their Year 10 students to research, design, create and reflect on a visual representation in response to the topic: Science fiction generates both inspiration and caution. Do you agree? To do this students needed to demonstrate their understanding of the genre of Science-Fiction, its main concerns and its purpose in the written

Jack Heffernan

form prior to creating their 3D models. The work submitted was outstanding. Similarly, Year 9 History students presented a written response in PEEL paragraph form based on their research of an Australian WWI soldier. The students then created a care package, whilst writing an extended response that included the context of their chosen soldier and a justification for their selection of each item to send overseas to their soldier on the front. It was wonderful to see the quality of the care packages and thoughtful inclusions. This structure is not restricted to the Humanities, further being used in Science as students prepare for an essay response incorporating PEEL structure and writing under test conditions. We are proud of the passion our teachers have for building the boys’ confidence in writing and engagement in literacy. The positive outcomes are clearly evident and reflected in the strong literacy-based HSC results for our students each year.

Jack Gangemi

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 9

Communication

College Gift The Old Boys’ Association paired with the graduating class of 2020 and matched them dollar for dollar, to assist in the construction of what’s sure to be a meeting point for Old Boys and current students alike for the much anticipated 2021 Rugby season.

Joe, Jack, Will and John turning the first sod

Our Year 12 class of 2020 worked tirelessly throughout this year to raise money for their gift to the College. The gifting is a long standing Year 12 student tradition. Fundraising activities have included barbecues, a paper plane flying competition, Easter egg guessing competition, self-portrait artwork printed on tea towels and lunchtime flash-sales of pizza and hot chips. Despite the challenging year, the students managed to raise just over $5,800. This has been achieved

Sandstone being delivered

by engaging staff and students through a range of communications channels, encouraging everyone to contribute in any way, small or large, that they can.

The southern end of the No. 1 Oval is a great vantage point to look back at the College and will be a great spot to also run a music or art class or even pose for some pictures! The sandstone seating also ties in with the matching sandstone seating at the front of the College in the Reflection Garden.

Early in the year, discussions between Prefects and the Old Boys’ Association began to take place. With a joint initiative of planning to construct some sandstone seating at the southern end of the No. 1 Oval.

The sandstone blocks were delivered on 21 September, the first sod of earth turned on 22 September and the blocks set in place as seating on 24 September 2020.

The students were very motivated to fundraise for a gift that could be used by all and also be a beautiful addition to our amazing natural landscape.

Congratulations to all our Year 12s and the Old Boys’ Association for their stunning contribution to the College and thank you Stannies Building and Grounds team for bringing their vision to a reality.

Year 12 2020 with Year Coordinator Alex Clements

10 | SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020

Celebration

Year 7 Insight

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 11

Celebration

Year 7 Insight

12 | SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020

Community

This year has, quite rightly due to COVID, seen a stop to our events and face to face activities, however, the Committee are all working behind the scenes via Zoom meetings and emails. We look forward to announcing an online members event soon. Stannies OBA now has an expanding range of branded merchandise including polo shirts, puffer vests, hoodies and exclusively designed Old Boys tie. To order please email oldboys@ stannies.com. Wanting to membership It assists us contributions students.

know where your fee money goes? to make valuable to assist current

contributions to the College. Together we can make a difference. We need your help to do it. Thank you to Old Boys’ Association Vice President, Jack English (2001), and Keegan Bringolf (2015) both former Deputy Head Prefects who represented the Stannies Old Boys Association members in congratulating the Year 12 Class of 2020. The two thanked the 2020 cohort for their contributions to the College as a year group and the importance of finishing well in the final push in preparing for their HSC Examinations. Each Year 12 student received an Old Boys tie as well as our sincere best wishes for the future.

Head Prefect, Jack Lynch, being presented with this Old Boys tie

Last year we funded blazers, laptop computers and excursions to assist those experiencing personal hardship, in many cases due to the drought. This month we collaborated with the class of 2020 and matched dollar for dollar their amazing fundraising effort of almost $6,000. The new sandstone tiered seating is now in place, overlooking the No. 1 Oval. With greater numbers we would also like to further fund facilities upgrades and make larger

Old Boys’ Association Vice President, Jack English, and Keegan Bringolf (2015) with Year 12

SEASONS AT STANNIES - SPRING TERM 3 2020 | 13

Community The College recently undertook production of two commissioned videos to showcase our boarding facilities and educational opportunities here at the College. For this project, we worked with Ribbon Gang Media Agency in Bathurst. Ribbon Gang, previously known as Brijid Media Agency, was founded in 2015 by Stannies Old Boy James Lloyd (2007) and David ten Broeke. Both Bathurst locals, they had a vision and a belief that there was a need in Regional NSW for highly skilled film makers, videographers, digital designers and developers and marketing professionals. Now having recently rebranded, they have increased their offerings, expanded their team to 11 (and growing) and continue to work with clients throughout Bathurst and the Central West Region, Sydney, Newcastle and as far up as Brisbane. Along with the rest of the Gang, Stannies Old Boy Nick

Plunkett (2015) is also part of the team as Account Manager. Nick was the first hire of Ribbon Gang and remains a rock within the organisation to this day. James says “We are “gutsy” individuals, free thinkers and rebels who welcome a challenge and push the boundaries to achieve outstanding results for our clients. We believe a team is only as good as its people, so we try and put our clients and team at the heart of everything we do”. As the organisation continues to grow, they will look for and hire people that are not only experts in their field, but who practice these values daily. Ribbon Gang’s work on The Immersive Room threewalled projection installation at the National Motor Museum was recently nominated for an IMAGinE 2020 museums award. Established in 2008, the IMAGinE awards celebrate and recognise the projects and programs created and presented by NSW museums and galleries and the people that make it happen and bring it all to life.

The Ribbon Gang team with Old Boys James Lloyd (front, second from right) and Nick Plunket (back, far right) Front cover: Brad McCormick Page 6: Lisa McLean Station Manager at 2MCE and National Radio News, CSU Back page: James Lloyd Ribbon Gang Media Agency

14 |

220 Bentinck Street (PO Box 97) Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: 02 6331 4177 Fax: 02 6334 4285 registrar@stannies.com SEASONS AT STANNIES -Email: SPRING TERM 3 2020 www.stannies.com