College Newsletter
Term 2 Week 2 Friday 1 May 2015
A Message from the Principal
On 25th April, Australians and New Zealanders (ANZAC) pause to commemorate the contribution of men and women who have not only served in the defence of their countries, but who have lost their lives in the service of their country.
Our College ANZAC Ceremony commemorated the sacrifice of service men and women who have served our country. Our College Counsellor, Ms Julie McNamara, remembered her great uncle who was killed during the Gallipoli compaign and has no known grave, but is counted among the 8,709 Australians who lost their lives in the Gallipoli campaign.
Immediately outside the Commonwealth War Grave in Lone Pine Gallipoli, are inscribed these words from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, (1881-1931) who led the Turkish troops who fought against the ANZAC forces and who later became a leader in modern Turkey:
"THOSE HEROES THAT SHED THEIR BLOOD AND LOST THEIR LIVES ARE NOW LYING IN THE SOIL OF A FRIENDLY COUNTRY.
THEREFORE REST IN PEACE.
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JOHNNIES AND MEHMETS TO US AS THEY LIE SIDE BY SIDE HERE IN THIS COUNTRY OF OURS.
YOU, THE MOTHERS, WHO SENT THEIR SONS FROM FARAWAY COUNTRIES WIPE AWAY YOUR TEARS; YOUR SONS ARE NOW LYING IN OUR BOSOM AND ARE AT PEACE, AFTER HAVING LOST THEIR LIVES ON THIS LAND, THEY HAVE BECOME OUR SONS AS WELL".
These words now reinforce the friendship between Australia and Turkey. A friendship based on great mutual respect. This is an important message to all today. We must ensure we build relationships that show respect for all in the community.
Students and staff represented Cerdon College at Dawn Service commemorations at Merrylands and Parramatta.
God Bless
Mrs Patricia Baker
In Sympathy
Please keep the Bleeker family in your thoughts and prayers, following the passing of Mr Bleeker this week.
May he rest in Peace
Amen
Centenary of ANZAC
My great uncle Patrick was one of the first soldiers to land at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.
Patrick was 26 years old and had taken leave from his job as a member of the Queensland police force to join the army.
As part of the 9th Battalion that landed at Gallipoli, they were to secure the beachhead for the following troops. They were taken as close to shore as possible on the Destroyer HMS Colne, before they manned the boats to row the remaining distance to shore.
Although the landing became confused, Patrick's company managed to climb the hillside where they fought their way across the scrubby plateau underneath a hail of Turkish shrapnel.
Patrick's company was forced into a desperate fighting withdrawal in face of the Turkish counter attack around 10:00 am on the day of the landing.
Patrick's mates reported that he, along with others, was shot and killed during the retreat that followed.
Patrick's body was never recovered and he is believed to have been buried by the Turks.
Patrick is remembered at the Lone Pine Memorial to the missing. He was the first Queensland police officer to be killed during the Great War and was honoured with a Queensland Water Police vessel, the PJ Moynihan being commissioned in his honour in 1995. The vessel is still in service today.
Patrick was awarded the 1914-15 Star, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.
For all who lost their lives on April 25 we pray: Rest in Peace.
Ms Julie McNamara
2016 Enrolments
All Enrolment Applications are due by Friday 22 May 2015.
NAPLAN
The NAP National Assessment Program website contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions and other information regarding the assessment. You can access the website by clicking here.
The NAPLAN timetable for these assessments is now available and you can access the timetable (and all exam timetables) from Assessment Central. This timetable was included in the term update sent to you last week.
A reminder that students will need to bring the following items to the exam –
- 2B Pencil
- Eraser
- Pencil Sharpener
- School approved calculator for Thursday’s calculator exam
Co-ordinators Awards
Catherine Abarca 8G25
Javiera Aguayo 8GL3
Felicia Aung 10F19
Emma Balogh-Caristo 8G27
Alysha Biber 8GL3
Isabella Caroso 8G25
Jada Challita 8G24
Shantelle Dang 12FF6
Quynh Doan 8G25
Ma Dominique Espinosa 8G27
Carol-Ann Essey 8G25
Alena Fares 10F19
Emily Green 11F12
Caitlyne Halabi 8GL3
Caitlin Hitti 8G27
Alisar Khalil 8G27
Atong Majok 8G25
Theresa Nguyen 10F21
Bella Shepherd 8G24
Tyra Stephens 12FF2
Sarah Talab 8G23
Catherine Tran 8G26
Daniela Valdivia 8GL3
Numeracy at Cerdon
Grace Muscat
(Leader of Learning : Numeracy)
Enrichment@Cerdon
Welcome back to term two! During this term the Cerdon College Knowledge Challenge will begin for each year group as well as preparation for the Science and Engineering challenge for selected Year 9 and 10 students. Over the holidays a number of students entered a variety of competitions and we wish them well with their entries.
Check out these opportunities for term two!
Closing soon ….2015 What matters? Writing Competition
The Whitlam Institute invites students from Years 5-12 to write a 400-600 word opinion piece on what matters to them and why. Your work needs to be original and focus on a matter of significance. It needs to be readable and engaging.
If you enjoy writing and are passionate about an issue, this is your chance to express your ideas. There are a number of prizes, including $350 first prize per category. Entries close May 6, 2015
Further information is available on www.whitlam.org/whatmatter
The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards 2015
This annual poetry competition for school aged children is a unique national project, giving Australia’s youth a voice and an opportunity to strive for excellence in literature.
Australian students are invited to submit original poems on the theme ‘The Open Door’ or a theme of their choice. There are a number of categories available as well as hundreds of dollars worth of prizes.
This is a fantastic opportunity for all students. For further information visit http://www.dorothea.com.au/ The competition closes June 30, 2015.
The Young Australian Art Awards
The Young at Art & Young Australian Art Awards programs are initiatives of Children’s Charity Network. Students from K-12 are invited to submit art work on any theme in any of the following categories:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Photography
- Computer Art
- Indigenous NEW!
There are three age groups, they are;
- Junior (Prep to Grade 4)
- Middle (Grade 5 to Year 8)
- Senior (Year 9 to Year 12)
Entry is free to ALL children attending either a primary or secondary school within Australia
All artwork can be uploaded once you have registered with the young at art website.
For further information visit www.youngatart.com.au
Future Leaders Awards:
Writing Prize
The Future Leaders Writing Prize is designed to recognise and reward talented young writers. Students in Years 11 and 12 are invited to submit a piece of writing (800-1000 words) on any topic or theme. It can be fiction or non-fiction. The winners of the award will have their work published and will receive a prize of $1000.
Photography Prize
The Future Leaders Photography Prize is designed to recognise and reward talented young photographers. Students in Year 12 are invited to submit one photograph on any theme. Winners of the award will receive $1000.
Further information is available on www.futureleaders.com.au
Entries for each of these competitions close on July 1st, 2015.
Mrs S Agius
Enrichment Co-ordinator
PDHPE and Sport Report
What was supposed to be a busy start to the sporting calendar this term ended with all competitions being washed out in the first fortnight. Students involved in PDSSSC Tennis Singles, PDSSSC Tennis Doubles and PDSSSC Soccer (Opens) will need to listen closely to the morning announcements concerning new dates for these events.
NSWCCC Swimming
Best of luck to the following students who have been selected to represent the Parramatta Diocese at the NSWCCC Swimming Championships on the 4th May: Emerson Walshaw (Year 8), Emily Green (Year 11), Bianca Buttigieg (Year 10) and Katarina Planinic (Year 10). We look forward to hearing of your achievements.
NSWCCC Netball trials
This year, Julia Achmar, Allyson Issa and Catherine Raftopolous (all Year 10) will be trialling for the NSWCCC Netball teams. Allyson will be trialling for the Opens team on the 6th May, whilst Julia and Catherine will be trialling for the Under 15s on the 5th May. We look forward to hearing how the day goes.
Individual Sports
Cerdon encourages students who excel in a chosen sport outside of the school to represent the College at NSWCCC level and beyond. Interested students are encouraged to talk to their PDHPE teacher about their capabilities and collect nomination forms from Ms MacKinnon. Students who represent the College at PDSSSC level are encouraged to access the website www.secondarysportparra.catholic.edu.au for information and the relevant nomination forms. If events are postponed due to wet weather, this information will be made available on the website.
Students can also register for individual representative teams in sports such as Netball, Diving, Cricket and many others at NSWCCC level. More information can be found at www.csss.nsw.edu.au. This website must be opened in Chrome (not firefox or explorer).
Sport@Cerdon Edmodo page
Students should join the Edmodo Sport@Cerdon page for up to date information about all sports. Go to www.edmodo.com. Create a login. Look for groups and then click on join. The code to join is p8v5gg. Parents are also welcome to join the group.
Ms MacKinnon
PDHPE/Sport Coordinator
Upcoming Events
4th May NSWCCC Swimming Championships
5th May NSWCCC Netball Trials (15 Years)
5th May PDSSSC Cross Country Championships
6th May NSWCCC Netball Trials (Opens)
11th May PDSSSC Open Soccer
22nd May PDSSSC Tennis Teams
22nd May Year 8 Jump Rope for Heart (Period 5 and 6 only)
Whooping Cough Information
Usually 9 to 10 days (can range from 6 to 20 days).
Symptoms:
Starts with a running nose, followed by persistent cough that comes in bouts. Bouts maybe followed by vomiting and a whooping sound as the child gasps for air.
Do I need to keep my child home?
Yes, until the first 5 days of a special antibiotic have been taken.
How can I help prevent spread?
Immunisation at 2, 4, 6 months and 4 years of age. A particular antibiotic can be given for the patient and those that have been in close contact. The infected child should be excluded from childcare and school until 5 days after treatment begins. Unimmunised childcare attendees may be excluded from childcare unless they take the antibiotics.
School Excursions and Incursions
For all other excursions and sports activities, you may still receive a permission note which will need to be completed and forwarded to school by the due date. Some of these excursions may incur a cost which will also need to be paid by the due date. There are no exceptions or extensions to the due date for these activities.
A copy of each notification and permission note is also available from the College Website.
Change of Contact Details
Thank you
College Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop's normal trading hours are as follows -
Monday and Wednesday 8:00 am—2:00 pm (Terms 1 and 4)
Mondays only 8:00 am—2:00 pm (from Week 5 Term 2 and all Term 3)
School Calendars
About us
Email: cerdon@parra.catholic.edu.au
Website: http://dev.cerdon.nsw.edu.au
Location: Sherwood Rd, Merrylands West, New South Wales, Australia
Phone: 8724 7300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CerdonCollege
Twitter: @CerdonCollege