College Newsletter
Term 3 Week 4 Friday 12 August 2016
A Message from the Principal
A fortnight ago the staff from the College visited St Brigid's and St Patrick's Churches in celebration and pilgrimage of the bicentenary of the signing of the Marist Pledge by the first 'Mary-ists' at Fourviére. Sr Fidelis SM recounted the story of the arrival to Australia of the first Marist Sisters, Mother Melanie, Sr Marthe and Sr Sebastian on 8 March, 1892 on route to Fiji. Fr Michael Whelan SM spoke about the Marist sense of presence in the modern world and of its spirituality as a living relationship, as a specific way of relating to God, self, other people and the world.
The first Marists captured in the project a prophetic sense of presence; almost two hundred years later Pope Francis wrote that "There is a Marian 'style' to the Church's work of evangelisation. Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again of the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness" (Evangelii Gaudium, #288)
As Marists we are challenged to be humble and as Mary is the woman of faith, who lives and advances in faith, and 'her exceptional pilgrimage of faith represents a constant point of reference for the Church'. Mary let herself be guided by the Holy Spirit on a journey of faith towards a destiny of service and fruitlessness. (Evangelii Gaudium, #287).
In an address in 2013 Pope Francis asked:
Do I ask Mary to help me trust in God's mercy? ...
She, as a woman of faith, will surely tell you:
"Get up, go the Lord: he understands you"
And she leads us by the hand as a mother, our Mother,
to the embrace of our Father, The Father of Mercies.
May Mary guide you as well.
God Bless
Please keep each of our HSC candidates in your prayers; while Year 12 have just completed their Trial HSC exams, many are now also preparing for practical HSC examinations in Languages, Music and Drama, as well as putting the final touches to their major works in Visual Arts and Textiles and Design.
Mr Frank Caristo
Acting Principal
University of Sydney Alternate Pathway; Early Offer Year 12 (E12) Scheme now open
The Access Sydney Alternative pathway; Early Offer Year 12 (E12) scheme, which includes a $5,000 scholarship and ATAR concessions, is now open for applications. Under the E12 scheme, schools are able to each nominate up to 30 students who can now choose from 68 courses. The online application is now open on the website and students have until 5pm Friday 2 September 2016 to apply. The principal may nominate (endorse) up to 30 students for E12 and successful applications will then be assessed by a selection panel at the University.
ACU Equity Pathways Principal Recommendation Program (PRP) are now open
Applications for ACU Equity Pathways Principal’s Recommendation Program (PRP) are now open. ACU’s Equity Pathways initiative has been developed so that entry into higher education is accessible in a variety of ways, not just through gaining an ATAR score.
This program has provided students who have experienced educational disadvantage with the option to apply to ACU for special consideration in their application to university as well as access to support that would enhance their success in their post school studies at ACU.
Attached is the brochure outlining PRP program and an application form.
Names of students eligible for this program need to be submitted by the end of Term 3.
Class of 2001 Reunion
A reunion for the Class of 2001 (15 years) is being held on Saturday 10 September.
The organisers would really like to encourage past students and any staff who would like to join us to come along.
Details are as follows:
Date: Saturday 10th September
Time: 6pm
Venue: The Loft - King St Wharf
Cost: $50 (Includes canapes)
RSVP: Clare Francis (nee Crowley) clare@ducasfrancis.com by 10th August
ACER Certificates in Mathematics and Reading
Please read the flyer below and follow the instructions; a fee of $25 must be paid to ACER for each of the tests your daughter sits.
These certificate assessments are optional.
World Youth Day 2016 Krakow, Poland
During the first three weeks of Term 3, five students and two staff pilgrims took part in the Diocese of Parramatta World Youth Day experience. Our students were involved in many and varied activities designed to develop their faith, as well as to recognise that they belong to the universal Catholic Church that encompasses many nations and cultures.
As part of our formation and preparation for WYD in Krakow Poland, students from the Diocese worked in the Diocese of Tagbilaran in the Philippines. It was a humbling experience to work in schools with very few resources, and yet find some of the happiest students. We were involved in a range of activities including: English classes, painting, landscaping, sports activities and cooking classes. The students from Australia really learnt to appreciate all the facilities and resources they enjoy as part of their education in the Diocese of Parramatta.
Following our time in the Philippines we embarked on another journey to Krakow in Poland for World Youth Day. We also had the opportunity to visit sites of historical significance surrounding Krakow, including Auschwitz. In Krakow gatherings ranged from a few thousand to a few million people! The whole Australian contingent gathered at the start of WYD and were ably led in dance by the girls of Cerdon. Later crowds gathered for: the opening of WYD by the bishop of Krakow, the arrival of the Pope at WYD and the Papal Mass. On each occasion the youth present were encouraged to return to their homeland to be beacons for the Catholic Church as opposed to being people who simply "laid on their couch" as described by the Pope.
Our time ended with the long journey back to Australia, giving all involved a real sense of pilgrimage. The journey still continues with follow up meetings for those involved and it is hoped that opportunities will be made available for the Year 11 students who attended to share their experiences with the rest of Cerdon.
Mr N Mulheron
NAIDOC Week Display
Australia celebrated NAIDOC Week during the July school holidays. The theme for 2016 is Songlines: The living narrative of our nation. Further information about ‘Songlines’ may be read here.
During Term 2, students in Visual Arts (Year 10) and English (Year 7) completed work on research or activities which were represented in a variety of forms including paintings, videos and poetry. In explaining the research of the Year 10 Visual Arts students, Mrs Odonga stated that their work enabled them to investigate “... the controversial reality that Australian history has been recorded from a white perspective. The Year 10 students were investigating the power of Colonialism as a force to disempower whole races with a focus on Australia. In their research, they began to uncover a more balanced, yet shocking truth.”
In the final weeks of Term 2 and during the first few weeks of Term 3, the wider school community had the opportunity to view the work of students from Mrs Odonga's Year 10 Visual Arts class and Mrs Calderara's Year 7 English classes as part of a NAIDOC Week display in the Sr Ann Marie Learning Centre. It was evident, from the reactions and thoughtful comments made by passing students and staff as they encountered the display, that many were highly impressed by the quality and evocative nature of the students' works.
The students' works were showcased along with a selection of books and digital resources from the school’s library collection. This collection continues to evolve with the requirements of the Australian Curriculum and with the aim of providing students and teachers with up-to-date, comprehensive and accessible resources on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories and histories.
Mrs Sylaprany
Sr Ann Marie Learning Centre
Science Competition
Science Competition results have arrived and congratulations to the following girls who received awards.
Special mention to Zyra-Jane Falcon, Bianca Simonetta and Jessica Truong who received the highly coveted Distinction award.
Year 7
Mimy Huyen Bui - Merit
Mikaela Chami - Credit
Sandra Chen - Merit
Sarina Chiem - Credit
Kha Tu Doan - Credit
Charlie-Rose El Riachi - Merit
Lauryn Galea - Credit
Stephanie Khamis - Credit
Hannah Khoury - Merit
Nicola Lubczyk - Credit
Anna Nguyen - Credit
Thuy Ann Nguyen - Credit
Bethany Nicholls - Merit
Bianca Simonetta - Distinction
Natalie Sorensen - Credit
Elizabeth Tran - Credit
Jessica Truong - Distinction
Year 8
Arielle Bergmann - Merit
Bao Tram Doan -Credit
Zyra-Jane Falcon - Distinction
Rose Hanratty - Credit
Bethany Heng - Credit
Antonia Jurisic - Credit
Aleyna Ozbal - Credit
Olivia Pal - Credit
Jessica Rennie - Merit
Catherine Vu - Credit
Nicole Wang - Credit
Year 9
Steffanie Astermann - Credit
Emma Balogh-Caristo - Merit
Jemma Lee Dickson - Credit
Quynh Doan - Credit
Alisar Khalil - Merit
Wendy Le - Credit
Isabel Mateos - Credit
Emily Pham - Merit
Sabah Shekeb - Merit
Pei-i Althea Trieu -Credit
Year 10
Nicole Ashworth - Credit
Amanda Awad - Credit
Emily Dang - Credit
Marie El-Khoury - Merit
Georgia Elias - Merit
Catalina Gonzalez - Credit
Emma Hallab - Merit
Katrina Jelavic - Credit
Jessica Li - Credit
Vanessa Madeleine - Credit
Emilee McNaught - Merit
Claudia Ong - Credit
Rachel Pham - Credit
Balpreet Sunner - Credit
Teresa Tran - Credit
Year 7 English
Year 7 students in Mrs Calderara’s English class have been studying the novel ‘Hating Alison Ashley’ by Robin Klein. It is a humorous novel dealing with the complexities of being a teenager, friendships and family relationships. Students were asked to work collaboratively and think creatively in order to reenact key chapters that we have read so far.
This is an outstanding performance and interpretation of Chapter 5 by Michelle Dang, Laura Buratto, Lisa Nguyen and Alana Saliba.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1Cxtn5l_26eUm9qcnViZk1Wc1E/view?usp=sharing
Numeracy at Cerdon
Interesting Numerical Facts
· The 244th day of the year
· 224 = 23 + 45 + 67 + 89
· 12 = 2 x 2 x 3
· 12 = 2 + 4 + 6
· 12 = 3 + 4 + 5
· Twelve is a dozen
· There are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the Zodiac, 12 apostles and 12 people in a jury
· A dodecahedron has regular pentagons on its 12 faces
· There are 12 ways of arranging eight queens on a chessboard so that no queen can capture any other queen
· There are 12 spokes on a cartwheel
· A maypole has 12 dancers around it
· There are 12 lunar years named after animals in Chinese astrology
· The strength of wind is measured on the Beaufort scale which runs from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane)
These and other interesting number facts can be found in Richard Phillips’ “Numbers: facts, figures and fiction”.
Grace Muscat
(Numeracy Coordinator and Acting Mathematics Coordinator)
Enrichment@Cerdon
Following their success in last term’s event, the Science and Engineering Challenge teams have qualified for the NSW Super Challenge which will take place in a few weeks in Newcastle. Congratulations to all the students and their mentoring teachers for such a fantastic achievement!
As students are preparing for the next challenge, five teams of students are also working on the Solar Cars Mini Sprint Challenge at UNSW which will take place on September 3rd, 2016. As a school, we are also hoping to embark on the Quberider project, where selected students will learn the digital language Python so to enable them to code and experiment which will eventually be launched in space in November this year. The experiment will be conducted on the International Space Station and results will be transmitted back to Earth… This is certainly enrichment on another level!
To keep up with all Enrichment opportunities, students are strongly encouraged to join The Enrichment@ Cerdon Google Classroom.
The Aurecon Bridge Building Competition
On Tuesday August 9, Sophie Le, Rebecca Mansour and Lily Parrott represented Cerdon College in the Aurecon Bridge Building Competition at the Art Gallery of NSW. The year’s competition attracted over 250 schools across Australia and New Zealand. The NSW event had 60 schools participating with over 200 students involved. Students are required to construct a bridge with only paddle pop sticks, string, a cardboard tube and lots of glue. After a few hiccups and some re-adjusting the Cerdon team constructed a solid bridge which was able to undergo the following tests:
1) Functionality test (car gets driven across)
2) Load bearing test with the load cell (strength to weight ratio)
3) Design score (most creative, aesthetic, etc)
The bridges were judged by a panel comprising of members from various bridge associations, Aurecon and Road and Maritime Services. Unfortunately despite the girls’ best efforts, their bridge was not successful on the day, but the girls took away some valuable lessons and had a very positive experience.
Check out these amazing opportunities!!
Write 4Fun
Write 4 Fun is offering students an opportunity to write a poem or story for their chance to win some exciting prizes. Students can choose any theme.. all it takes is a burst of inspiration, a dash of creativity and a little bit of effort for great poems and stories to appear!
Entry is FREE! Entries close Wednesday 31st August, 2016.
For further information and to submit your work visit www.write4fun.net
OZ Kids in Print
Oz Kids in Print is a wonderful initiative by the The Australian Children's Literary Board to provide students with the opportunity to have their writing or art work published. The association produces magazines showcasing students’ work. All entries are eligible to enter the Arts Award program or the Writing Award program. This is a fantastic opportunity for students of all ages to participate in. If you have work which you would like to submit please visit the following website http://ozkids.com.au/#about
All entries close on October 7, 2016.
The ATOM Photo Competition 2016
This opportunity has opened just in time for the holidays and is open to any school student across Australia who enjoys taking photos. To enter, students are required to take three original photographs that offer an interpretation of a place that is special to them. Entries are to be submitted online before September 19, 2016. For further information please visit http://atomphotocomp.org/
STEM Camp for Girls- The University of Wollongong
The University of Wollongong is offering girls currently in Years 9 and 10 the opportunity to participate in a STEM Camp. The camp will include hands-on workshops, industry visits exploring themes such as ‘sustainability’, ‘renewable energies’ and ‘biomedicine’ learning more about the fields of Physics, Engineering, Mathematics and Information Technology. This is a fantastic opportunity for students who want to explore how STEM can shape our future world.
The camp will run from the 15th-18th January. The Camp fee is $299 and covers all meals, accommodation and activities during the camp. Further information is available from http://eis.uow.edu.au/stem-camp-for-girls/index.html
UNSW Women in Engineering Camp
The UNSW is offering Year 10 and 11 students interested in exploring the world of Engineering the opportunity to participate in a camp during the 2017 January holidays. Students will be involved in hands-on workshops in health, aerospace engineering, technology, natural resources, energy system and the digital future. They will visit sites around Sydney which showcase engineering in action. They will hear from female engineers about their careers journeys and meet like-minded students.
Girls interested in this opportunity are to visit https://www.engineering.unsw.edu.au/about-us/initiatives/women-in-engineering/outreach/women-in-engineering-camp
The Conoco Phillips Science Experience 2016/2017 at UNSW – change of date
Calling all junior scientists in Year 9 and 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. This year the UNSW will be offering their program during the October holidays (this has recently changed from the July holidays). Students who are interested in Science and are willing to participate in The Science Race are encouraged to apply. Please visit https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/ for further information and to register.
The ATOM Photo Competition 2016
This opportunity is open to any school student across Australia who enjoys taking photos. To enter, students are required to take three original photographs that offer an interpretation of a place that is special to them. Entries are to be submitted online before September 19, 2016. For further information please visit http://atomphotocomp.org/
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 Year 7-9 Football
On Monday August 1, the Cerdon Year 7-9 Football teams travelled to Jamison Park, South Penrith to participate in the PDSSSC Gala Day. Both teams performed very well on the day against very strong opposition. Cerdon Blue finished 3rd in Pool A, whilst Cerdon White finished 4th in Pool B. The following students are to be commended for performing with enthusiasm and representing the College with pride:
Alysha Biber, Elise Noble, Bianca Bezzina, Rachel Attard, Siena Bergamin, Katerina Bonovas, Paris Kambouris, Jessica Stipic, Sabrina Granata, Alicia O’Neill, Priscilla Granata, Olivia Achmar, Selina Kilic, Nina Furtado, Melissa Lahoud, Stephanie Raftopoulos, Josephine Moujaes, Amelia Williams, Isabella Vrtkovski, Cynthia Al Hazouri, Leila Kacanic, Melissa Spehar, Theresa Ndaira, Victoria Georges, Georgia Daoud, Daveda Jabour, Charbella Rizk and Paige Jabour.
Thank you to Mrs Roberts for training and coaching the squad. We now look forward to the PDSSSC Futsal Gala Day on Monday September 19.
Cumberland Zone Primary Athletics Carnival
On Tuesday August 9, 24 Year 10 Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) students assisted at the Cumberland Zone Primary Schools Athletics Carnival at Blacktown International Athletics Park. It was a great opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge in a practical setting and also assist our neighbouring primary schools.
Thank you to the following students who gave up their time to assist on the day:
Grace Faulkner-Irvine, Alisha Jimenez, Claudia Ong, Monique Khattar, Dominique Nasr, Mae Sleiman, Annamarie Subramaniam, Briana Titmuss, Teresa Tran, Janine Udan, Merel Yalda, Sarah Yatoma, Kristen Ayoub, Vera Chakti, Chantelle Chan, Natasha Chan, Tenisha Chandab, Christina Dinh, Emily Furtado, Shuashawnee Hancock, Brooke Litvensky, Louise O'Neill, Juliet Daoud and Louise Awad.
The girls conducted themselves professionally and approached all tasks diligently. We had some fantastic feedback from the convening school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Wentworthville, in relation to the conduct and the quality of assistance provided by our Year 10 PASS students. The opportunity also provided some much needed experience for your girls in the areas of event management and coaching. We look forward to further opportunities for our students to assist our neighbouring primary schools in the area of sport. Thank you to Mrs Roberts who accompanied the students on the day.
Working With Children Check
Parents or carers who engage the services of a private tutor or coach have an important role to play in helping to keep their children safe. The Certificate for Self Employed People will no longer be valid after their expiry date and the certificate holders will need to apply for a new Working With Children Check.
From 1st April 2016, adults who provide private tuition or coaching services to children are required to have a Working With Children Check. There are some exemptions, including volunteering by a parent or close relative with a team, program or other activity in which their child usually participates in or is a team member.
Parents or carers should ask their child’s tutor or coach for their name, date of birth and their Working With Children Check number.
They must then go online and verify the tutor or coach is not barred from working with children in NSW.
Verifying that a tutor or coach can work with children is quick and easy – just follow the simple steps at www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/parentscheckthecheck . If a person is barred, interim barred or not found then you cannot engage them in child-related work.
If you suspect that an adult is providing services to children without a Working With Children Check you can go online to make a confidential report or phone (02) 9286 7219.
ACU Step Up Programmes
Step Up – Health Science (USU)
This is a great program which has been designed by Equity Pathways and The Faculty of Health Science to support students transition to university. It has the dual purpose of inspiring students to aspire to Higher Education as well as providing students with the opportunity to gain credit towards their units in Health Science if they choose to study at ACU at no HECS cost.
This course does not contribute to their ATAR but does contribute to their university study at ACU.
The USU – Health Science program will be available for current Year 11 students.
This course will take place 16 – 20 January and applications close on 26 August. Students MUST NOT have other commitments during the course delivery week.
Student and Parent Information sessions are available on request.
Selection to the program will be based entirely on information in the application form, additional criteria and school report.
2016 SMH HSC Study Guide
The 2016 HSC Study Guide is published in the Sydney Morning Herald and is now available. The guide is a joint project with BOSTES. It is a valuable resource for students, teachers and parents covering a wide range of HSC subjects. It contains:
- study advice
- oral, performance and written exam advice
- tips for finalising submitted works
- videos
Contributors include BOSTES curriculum inspectors, experienced HSC teachers and markers, past HSC students and parents.
Updated advice for HSC students about examinations
Advice for HSC students about examinations has been updated on the Students Online website to include important information about the 2016 HSC examinations.
It covers a range of topics including revised syllabuses, changes to specifications and courses where personalised answer booklets are being introduced.
HSC Dates for Practical and Performance Examinations
School Calendars
College Uniform Shop
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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)
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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