College Newsletter
Term 1 Week 10 Thursday 2 April 2015
A Message from the Principal
This week, Holy Week, is a week when as Catholics we take the time to stop and walk with Jesus as he concludes his earthly role.
We feel disturbed at the actions of those around him, as Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, as Peter denies him three times and as many of his previous followers demand Barabas be freed but Jesus be crucified.
As a Catholic community we must remember that many people still pay a significant price for their willingness to remain faithful to Christ's messages in the Gospels. We must think of these Christians, our modern day martyrs who endure with great dignity, insult and humiliation as they refuse to deny the message of Jesus.
At Easter, may we find strength to continue to promote Christ's Gospel message in our words and our actions.
As a community we pray-
Lord, may we have strength to see
when something is not right
and then to try to do something about it.
May we become aware
when someone is struggling with life
and set out to encourage them.
May we notice when someone
feels abandoned or left out
and do what we can to include them
so they feel a sense of belonging.
May we sense when something needs to be done
and then simply do it.
Lord, we ask that our words and our actions
promote Christ's Gospel message.
Amen
As term one draws to a close, may I wish each member of the Cerdon community a renewing and relaxing Easter break.
School resumes Monday 20th April 2015.
God Bless
Mrs Patricia Baker
School Resumes
Students return to school in full Winter Uniform.
2016 Enrolments
All Enrolment Applications are due by Friday 22 May 2015.
College Uniform Shop
The College Uniform Shop will not be open during the holidays.
If you have been unable to purchase your daughter's Winter Uniform during Term 1, the Uniform Shop will be open when school resumes on Monday 20 April and again on Wednesday 22 April between 8:00 am-2:00 pm.
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)
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.
You will be notified by the College of the NAPLAN timetable for these assessments early next term or you can access the timetable (and all exam timetables) from Assessment Central as they become available.
Numeracy at Cerdon
What is the single most powerful and therefore important number? Ask any Year 7 student and she should be able to tell you it is TEN!!!!!
Why? There are 10 ones in ten,
10 tens in one hundred,
10 hundreds in one thousand,
10 thousands in ten thousand etc …….
Building relationships of the number ten are fundamental in any student’s Numeracy growth and development and this can start from Kindergarten. Many of our Year 7 students brushed up on this at the start of the year by focusing on their Friends of Ten. Friends of Ten are two numbers that add up to ten:
1 and 9
2 and 8
3 and 7
4 and 6
5 and 5
10 and 0
Here are two games you can play with any child from Kindergarten that focus on Friends of Ten. Both games only require a pack of normal playing cards.
1. Friends of Ten Snap: Take out the Jokers, Jacks and Kings from a pack of cards. The Queens represent zero. Play in pairs with each player receiving about half the deck. Roll a die (one dice) to see who goes first. The first player draws a card, say a 7, the second player would say ‘I need a 3 to win’. If they place a 3, either player can snap. The winner is the player with the most cards.
2. Concentration: Take out the Jokers, Jacks and Kings from a pack of cards. The Queens represent zero. Place all of the remaining cards upside down on the table. Roll a die to see who goes first. The first player selects 2 cards and if they make a pair of Friends of Ten, e.g. 2 and 8, that player keeps those cards, if not turn the cards back over and the second player has their turn. The person with the most cards is the winner.
Grace Muscat
(Leader of Learning : Numeracy)
Enrichment@Cerdon
The holidays are a great opportunity to be creative and enter some fantastic competitions. Students can not only win great prizes, but also every competition entered wins points for their colour house as well as a teacher merit award. Please ensure you keep a record of your entry and please do not hesitate to see Mrs Agius, if you need further information.
2015 Harmony Day Competition
The Moving Forward Together Association is holding a competition based on the theme
‘Harmony Day –Everyday’. Students of all ages are invited to express their views in visual arts and/or song and/or film. Each entry will receive a certificate for their participation, and all entries have a chance to share in over $6000 worth of prizes. For entry forms and full details on how to enter, visit http://www.harmonyday-everyday.org
Hurry ..this competition closes 10th April, 2015!
The Great Australian Spelling Bee - a new TV show for Kids!
Shine Australia would like you to be part in a brand new and exciting TV show. They are looking for word and spelling wizards aged 8-13. If you love words, spelling and grammar and want to be the best at it and are not scared to be in front of a camera, then this may be the show for you. Please visit https://wordplay.castasugar.com if you would like to find out more information and if you would like to apply…Be quick though, as applications close Friday April 17, 2015.
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
The Liam and Frankie Davidson Award
The Royal Australian and NZ college of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is please to advise that applications are now open for the 2015 Liam and Frankie Davidson Award, for outstanding achievement in literary writing on an issue in women’s health. Students from Years 10, 11 and 12 are invited to submit both fictional and non-fictional pieces on a broad range of women’s health issues. The original literary piece must not exceed 2000 words. First prize is $1000. Applications close April 30, 2015. For further information visit ranzcog.edu.au and select Women’s Health Options, or see Mrs Agius.
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 a 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
Mrs S Agius
Enrichment Co-ordinator
PDHPE and Sport Report
PDSSSC Swimming
On Tuesday 24th March, Cerdon’s elite swimmers represented the College at the PDSSSC Swimming Championships. This year’s team consisted of: Emily Green, Gabrielle Barbara, Bianca Buttigieg, Anthea Kazanzidis, Katarina Planinic, Claudia Ong, Trina Castelino, Elise Noble, Emerson Walshaw and Sophia Vicic. A full list of their achievements will be available soon. Congratulations to all our swimmers on their efforts at this competition. Special mention to the following students who have been selected to represent 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). Special thanks to the Year 9 PASS helpers who attended to help with important jobs such as timekeeping.
PDSSSC Tennis
This is a notice for students involved in the PDSSSC Tennis early next term: The competition will now be held over two days. The original date (21 April) will be held for singles. The new date for the Teams event is 22 April.
NSWCCC Hockey Selections
Mallory Morrell (Year 11) was our sole representative at the NSWCCC Hockey Selections in Newcastle. Mallory was named among the ‘Possibles and Probables.’ Well done Mallory.
PDSSSC Touch Football
Congratulations to Hayley Nolan (Year 11) who has been selected to represent the Parramatta Diocese at the NSWCCC Touch Football Championships. Hayley will be playing for the Opens PDSSSC team. We wish her the best of luck at this competition.
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
CCC Netball entries are closing soon! Students must be 15 to enter.
Sports Representation Outside of School
The College loves to celebrate the achievements of students who perform exceptionally well in sports outside of school. Students who compete in a competition or the like should let Ms MacKinnon know through Edmodo so that the news can be shared.
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
21st April PDSSSC Tennis (Individual)
22nd April PDSSSC Tennis (Teams)
27th April PDSSSC Soccer (Opens)
4th May NSWCCC Swimming Championships
Co-ordinators Awards
Isabella Allegretti 8G24
Tamsyn Balogh-Caristo 8G25
Bao Tram Doan 7E6
Nora Doueihi 7E7
Mary El-Helo 8G25
Antonia El-Rihani 8G26
Daniella Elakcnouch 8G26
Catalina Guerrero-Candia 7E5
Bernadette Le 7E7
Catherine Le 7E6
Suzanne Mekdessi 7E5
Sarah Vella 7E5
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
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