College Newsletter
Term 4 Week 6 - Friday 18 November 2016
A Message from the Principal
As the academic year continues, students in Years 7 to 10 have now completed their end of year examinations and are concluding their final assignments that contribute to their end of year reports. This means that this is a very busy time for students, so parents are reminded that homework and study must still be a priority for all students.
Today, the builders have completed the refurbishment of one of our Food Technology rooms, which will be tested by our Year 9 students next week. The second Food Technology room will be refurbished as of next week. This means all students will start 2017 with 'state of the art' Food Technology rooms. The next newsletter will include photographs of the refurbished rooms and will include student reflections on how the rooms add to their learning.
As the school year draws to its conclusion, students are reminded that they need to clear their lockers so that they can be cleaned for students next year. No personal possessions can be left in the lockers over the holiday break.
God our Father,
when times are good
may I live in such a way
that I will be strengthened
for the difficult times that all of us face
at some time during our lives.
Lead me to make positive choices
to value friendship and loyalty,
to treat all with dignity and respect
and develop attitudes and values,
that support others to be valued and respected.
May I know, too,
that my faith in God
is only a shadow of God's faith in me
and his love for me.
Amen
God Bless
Mrs Patricia Baker
Principal
Campion Education Booklists for Years 7-11 2017
Campion Education would like to let you know that booklists for Years 7-11 are now available and can be completed online at www.campion.com.au. Please place your order by Friday 9th of December, 2016 for home delivery or for the school collect option.
When ordering online you will need to use the following Access Code: “F6QZ”
All orders placed online are delivered to your Home, Office or any designated address. The parcels will be delivered the week ending 20th January 2017 or ready to collect from the school collect option on Wednesday 25th January 2017.
Placing your order online by the due date is the best way to ensure students will receive all available items in time for the start of the new school year.
Wishing all students the best for the coming year!
The Team at Campion Education
Staff Awards
Mrs L Liistro (5 Years)
Mrs N Roberts (5 Years)
Mr B Sammut (5 Years)
Mrs N Steele (5 Years)
Mrs P Baker (10 Years in Leadership in the Diocese of Parramatta)
Mrs E Camilleri (10 Years)
Mrs J Kearsley (10 Years)
Mrs D Bowdler (15 Years)
Mrs N Collimore (15 Years)
Mrs M Evgenikos (15 Years)
Mr P Frendo (15 Years)
Mrs N Furia (15 Years)
Miss R Hanson (15 Years)
Ms E Murfet (15 Years)
Ms C Posavec (15 Years)
Mr M Viera (15 Years)
Mrs M Hanna (20 Years)
Mrs R Kelly (20 Years)
Mrs T Nguyen-Trinh (20 Years)
Miss L Nimac (20 Years)
Mrs J Davies (25 Years)
Mrs A Frangi (25 Years)
Mrs L McNamara (25 Years)
Sr K McPhee (25 Years)
Mrs F Pecora (25 Years)
Mrs I Redwin (25 Years)
Mrs K Tooma (25 Years)
Ms J Kemp (30 Years)
Mrs B Manduci (30 Years)
Mrs G Muscat (30 Years)
Mrs D Palucci (35 Years)
Australian Business Week
During the first week of Term 4, 120 Year 11 students participated in the Australian Business Week program. The students were broken up into teams of 20 and guided by a teacher mentor and business mentor, were given the challenging task of running a hypothetical hotel business throughout a two year simulation period.
The students had to determine leadership roles, interpret financial statements, make eight quarterly computer simulation decisions, present an eight minute oral presentation on their company’s performance over the two years of running the business, develop a hotel name, theme and logo, create a 30 second video advertisement, working website and team spirit video, as well as plan and present a trade display including a hotel directory/portfolio.
It turned out to be a wonderful week with the students discovering and showcasing an amazing array of talents. As this is a nationally recognised program, all students received an official ABW Certificate highlighting the skills developed during the program. The students learnt a lot about themselves, their fellow students and about teamwork. It was a lot of hard work but a fun learning experience for all involved.
A thank you must go to the teacher mentors who generously gave of their time and talents to work with the students throughout the week – Mr Bridges, Mr Lovadina, Mr Zammit, Mr Viera, Miss Ojong and Miss Farrugia.
A special thank you to all our sponsors without which the ABW Program could not run. We thank them for their generous support:
- LMS Advisory Pty Ltd
- Baxters Bus Lines
- Aussie Canteen Express
- Rotary Club of Holroyd
- David Sproule Trophies and Corporate Awards
- Secure Web Services
- Streets Ice Cream
The Rotary Club of Holroyd have been supporting the program for over 20 years and we owe a deep gratitude to them. This year they supplied business mentors for the entire week, as well as guest speakers, judges and sponsorship. The Club were so impressed by the student’s performance that they asked the winning team - CEO Brittany Youssef, Assistant CEO Rochelle Salatino and team member Nicole El Jammal to present at the Rotary Club meeting on Monday November 14. The students did an amazing presentation doing themselves and the College proud.
Of course, such a program requires countless hours of work before, during and even after the event. I wish to thank Ms Tasioulas and Mr Tham for all their support in organising and running such a great learning experience for the students.
Mr B Collimore
ABW Co-ordinator
Invitation to Parliament House
The World Youth Day Pilgrims from Cerdon College were invited to visit the NSW Parliament House on the 9th November 2016 by Ms Julia Finn, Member for Granville. We were acknowledged in the Chamber during Question Time and had the opportunity to witness the members of parliament challenging each other on issues of the state. The students thoroughly enjoyed the dramatics of the Chamber and appreciated that their concerns were being raised. We then had afternoon tea with Ms Finn which gave the students an opportunity to further discuss the issue of Parramatta pools, which was brought up during Question Time and to describe their experiences at WYD. Overall, it was a memorable experience.
Miss M Caspe
On 9th November Lucinda Lau, Rachel Woelfl, Natasha Fadel, Kylah Beshara, Miss Caspe and myself were given the honour to represent Cerdon College at State Parliament by Member of Granville Julia Finn. She invited us to congratulate us on our World Youth Day Pilgrimage and to give us an opportunity to sit in The Legislative Assembly. We were able to witness a sitting in action and many of us were shocked and found it hilarious how the members of Parliament acted when they would address their opposition. Ms Finn raised the concern of the closure of the public pools in the Parramatta area. This intrigued us as we all had personal connections to the pool and don't want to see it removed. Then Ms Finn invited us for afternoon tea in one of the rooms at Parliament House where we were able to discuss further our pilgrimage at WYD and find out more information about the Parliament. We were then visited by Mr Guy Zangari, Member for Fairfield and Mr Hugh McDermott, Member for Prospect and they spoke to us about what was happening in the Parliament for the day and some of the issues they must decide on. Overall the experience was amazing and gave us an opportunity to witness State Parliament live in action as well as meet our local Member Ms Julia Finn and surrounding Members.
Talia Chalita
Remembrance Day Assembly
Cerdon College staff and students gathered to commemorate Remembrance Day on the 98th anniversary of the Amistice that ended World War 1 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.
A formal school assembly was respectfully led by Year 9 and 10 students. The moving and dignified ceremony included a wreath laying ceremony, an address by Mrs Baker and students, and a minute's silence was observed at 11:00 am to remember the sacrifice of those who died or otherwise suffered in Australia's cause in wars and war-like conflicts.
Closing of the Jubilee of Mercy Holy Door
Fr Paul Roberts, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation and Pastoral Planning and Mr Richard McMahon, Director of Pastoral Planning organised a special Mass for the Closing of the Jubilee of Mercy Holy Door and Conclusion of the Way of Mercy at St Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday 13 November.
This event was celebrated by the Most Rev Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv. As part of this celebration, gifts were presented to each community within the diocese, including Cerdon College. We received an image of Rembrandt's painting "The return of the Prodigal Son" as a reminder of the Mercy that has been offered to us throughout this year and as an example for us to follow in the year ahead. The image has been on display in the library and will be used in formation experiences throughout 2017.
Christmas Appeal
As the season of Advent is almost upon us, it is time to prepare to collect items to donate to those who do not enjoy the same lifestyle that many of us take for granted. As a Marist Sisters school, Cerdon College supports the efforts of those organisations that work to provide the recognition of the dignity, equality, human rights and humanity of all people living in the community. The House of Welcome works with asylum seekers who live in the community whilst they are awaiting the outcome of their protection visa application. They also support people seeking protection in their initial settlement and transition into Australian life once they have been granted their protection visas and recognised as refugees. The House of Welcome is independent of the Government and relies solely upon donations to continue its work. The organisation has been supported by the Marist family for many years and we look forward to continuing our association with them.
All students are asked to bring in items listed on the poster below that will be collected and delivered to the House of Welcome at the end of the school term. Homeroom teachers may offer assistance to students in organising their contribution to this worthy cause.
Mr N Mulheron
Numeracy at Cerdon
TIME
Presently, Year 7 is studying Time in their Mathematics lessons. Some of the items students need to be able to do successfully include:
· Telling time both in analogue (e.g. twenty past 8) and digital form (e.g. 8:20)
· Converting digital and analogue time
· Reading and using timetables e.g. train timetables, T.V. guides etc.
· Solving problems involving time
· 12 and 24 hour time and converting between the two
· Converting units in time e.g. 1 hour = 3600 seconds
Clearly, using time is a skill every student needs not only for their Mathematics lesson but for everyday life. The more students work with time, the better they will be at it. Remember, we need to do something 200 times, ‘200 hits’, before we convert information into knowledge that we ‘just know’, in other words we know the answer without really having to work it out e.g. we just know 2 + 2 is 4.
You can all help your daughter improve their ability to understand and use time. Understanding time is not something that just happens, it is something we can all learn. Here are a few suggestions for parents:
- Have an analogue clock in our homes and ask our children to tell us the time. A clock with ordinary digits, not Roman Numerals, would be ideal.
- Solve simple time problems e.g. ‘If the movie takes 115 minutes, how long is that in hours and minutes?’, ‘If the movie starts it 2.05pm, what time will it be finished?’
- Use timetables, which are all available online, to plan a journey.
Mrs Muscat
(Numeracy Coordinator and Acting Mathematics Coordinator)
Enrichment@Cerdon
The last few weeks have been very exciting for some of our students. Year 11 students participated in the knowledge challenge, while the girls involved in the Cuberider project as well as Year 8 STEM students, were invited to participate in a webinar with a NASA astronaut. This week we also received certificates acknowledging some of our aspiring writers! As the term winds up, there are a number of initiatives available to interested students. Applications are open to the very popular Conoco-Phillips Science Experience at the University of Sydney in January as well as The Hour of Code- Open Day presented by the Girls Programming Network.
Writing Recognition
Congratulations to Felicia Aung, Erin Cahill and Victoria Georges who this week were recognised for their contributions to the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards 2016. A special congratulations is extended to Erin Cahill who also received a Certificate of Writing Excellence in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in having her literary work published in the Oz Kids in Print magazine.
Live feed with astronaut Greg Chamitoff from NASA
Last week a group of Year 8-10 students were treated to a webinar with astronaut and aeronautical engineer Professor Greg Chamitoff. This event was an initiative organised by Cuberider, in preparation for the launch into space, which will carry amongst other things, the experiments of school students including our girls, to the International Space Station. Students from schools around the world were asked to submit questions which they wanted answered about space travel and living and working on the ISS. The students learned about travelling to space, how the changing space environment affects one’s body and how one deals with the complex issue of going to the bathroom in space! One the questions submitted by our girls about food shortage and food nutrition was answered by Professor Chamitoff creating much excitement amongst our girls!
Year 11 Cerdon College Knowledge Challenge
Fresh from their preliminary exams, the Year 11 students last week participated in the annual knowledge challenge. The competition was fierce from the very beginning, with past house rivalries soon coming to the fore. Once again both Colin teams made it to the Semi-Finals, with McOscar and Marcellin also earning a place. The final was a repeat of the past few years ...Colin vs Marcellin! The final challenge was very exciting and at one stage point for point, evidence that both teams really deserved their spot! Congratulations to Theresa Nguyen, Anadora Alejo, Nikhita Kaur from Marcellin for making it once again to the grand final. Congratulations to Catherine Young, Annmaree Kenny, Thy Mai and Emily Stoove for winning the Year 11 challenge once again for Colin!
F1 in schools!
Last Tuesday Mr Matt Snape from the Engineering department at WSI TAFE came and spoke to a group of year 8 students about the F1 in School Technology Challenge. This challenge is the World’s Largest Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Competition. With the introduction of STEM as an elective next year, and its increased focus right across the curriculum, this challenge provides students with the opportunity to design and build a model car suitable for racing, practically applying what students would have learned in the classroom. Mr Snape spoke passionately about the competition and provided the girls with insights about the different stages of the challenge.
The Girls Programming Network (GPN): Hour of Code Open day
GPN is an association which works to teach girls about coding. On December 4, 2016 at the University of Sydney, GPN will be holding its Open Day. On this day participants can complete a variety of projects exploring coding, computing and even computer-less activities! Girls can bring anyone they like to the open day, both girls and boys are welcome to attend. So bring your mum, dad, sister, brother, uncle, grandma and any school friends. Anyone who wants to try an hour of code is welcome! The day is free but registration is essential.
For further information and to register please visit the GPN website
https://sites.google.com/site/girlsprogrammingnetwork/home
The Conoco Phillips Science Experience 2016/2017 at USYD & Macquarie University
Calling all junior scientists in Year 9 & 10. The Science Experience is a three to four day program filled with science-based activities, workshops and challenges. This experience is offered by a number of universities across Australia during the holiday breaks and over the years this program has been very popular amongst our students, many returning as mentors in later years. The University of Sydney and Macquarie University will both be running their programs during the January holidays. Students who are interested in Science are encouraged to apply. Please visit https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/ for further information and to register.
The Somerset National Novella Writing Competition
Calling all writers…The Somerset National Novella Writing Competition is open to all Australian high school students. It is a wonderful opportunity for serious student writers, encouraging them in their literary growth. Students are required to write a novella between 8000 - 20 000 words. The Novella will be judged by an expert panel. Winners from each state will be flown to the Gold Coast to enjoy the Somerset Celebration of Literature Festival and will receive a cash prize. The overall winner will receive a first prize of $2500.
If you enjoy writing this a fantastic opportunity for you and with the holidays starting, there is no better time to get creative and write! For further information please visit http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/celebration-of-literature/. Entries close December 2, 2016.
The Somerset National Poetry Prize
The purpose of the Somerset National Poetry Prize is to encourage a love of writing poetry amongst secondary school students, to affirm it as a worthwhile literary pursuit, and to stimulate excellence in writing. It also aims to inspire and enrich youth literature. If you enjoy writing poetry this is a fantastic opportunity for you. There are fantastic prizes on offer including flights to the Gold Coast to enjoy the Somerset celebration of Literature Festival. For further information please visit http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au/celebration-of-literature/competitions/poetry-prize/.
The competition closes December 9, 2016.
Mrs S Agius
Enrichment Co-ordinator
PDHPE and Sport Report
PDSSSC Blues Awards
Congratulations to Shiarna Tarasenko of Year 10 and Mary Cham of Year 9, who received a PDSSSC Blues Award for excellence in sport for 2016 at a ceremony at OLMC Parramatta on Monday November 14.
Shiarna Tarasenko has achieved to an exceptional level in the sport of Ice Hockey in 2016. She plays in various competitions and was recently selected in the National U18 Team. She currently plays for the Sydney Sirens in the Australian Women's Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) playing alongside women of all ages. As part of the U18 Australian Ice Hockey Team, Shiarna will play in Spain in January 2017. This is an an amazing achievement for a 15 year old. Shiarna currently plays in a full contact competition known as the Ice Hockey NSW (IHNSW) Bantams League as well as for the Blacktown Flyers in the IHNSW Women's League. Further to this, she has been playing in the U/18 IHNSW Midgets League, which is also a full contact competition for boys. To top it all off, Shiarna was also the highest goal scorer for the women's Blacktown Flyers this year. In addition to Ice Hockey, Shiarna has competed to a high standard in the sport of netball, captaining the U15s PANA Division 1 State Age team. Congratulations Shiarna on these wonderful achievements in 2016.
Mary Cham has excelled in the sport of Taekwondo once again in 2016. Firstly, she won the Silver Medal at the NSW Australian National Championships on August 26 2016. She represented NSW, competing against the two time and current national champion. Mary put up a great contest leading until midway through the second round. She walked away with the silver medal in her first ever national competition representing NSW. Mary has done her state, club and family very proud in the way she conducted herself both on and off the mat. She displayed a high standard of professionalism and sportsmanship with her team members and with competitors from other states. Mary also won the Silver Medal at NSW All Schools Championships on Saturday September 3 2016. Mary competed well at this competition despite an ankle injury. She finished the final valiantly withstanding the pain which clearly troubled her through the second round taking this bout to the very last second losing 10-12 to receive the Silver medal. Congratulations Mary on these wonderful achievements in 2016.
Oz Tag
Congratulations to Daniella Elakcnouch of Year 9, who was recently selected in the U15 Parramatta Oz Tag team to compete at the NSW Junior State Cup. The Junior State Cup will be held in Coffs Harbour on Friday 10th, Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th February. Best of luck to Daniela at this tournament.
Netball
Congratulations to Paris Kambouris of Year 7, who has been selected to attend the Football NSW Institute (FNSWI). The institute delivers advanced skill and development opportunities for the State's most talented footballers. This is a significant achievement and a great opportunity for Paris to develop as a footballer. The institute has been referred to glowingly by former Socceroo Alex Tobin, who suggests that…
"The Football NSW Institute is the official elite development program for girls U13 to U17 and will provide talented footballers a training environment, consistent with FFA policies, that delivers the highest standard of coaching and best platform for those players to realise their personal ambitions of becoming professional footballers and representing their country.”
We look forward to many more successes for Paris in the sport of football in the coming years.
Mr R Zammit
PDHPE and Sport Coordinator
School Calendars
College Uniform Shop
Regular Trading Hours
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)
Cerdon College Uniform Shop Management
Telephone: 8724 7329 (During trading hours only)
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