A Week of Celebrations

The College community enjoyed a spectacular evening in the Great Hall at The Centre; Ivanhoe, last Tuesday, 17 November 2009 when the Year 7-11 Presentation Ceremony took place. An extremely high level of student achievement was evident and appreciated by all parents and staff in attendance.  Highlights of the evening were the announcements of 2010 College Captains Sarah Galtieri and Dhivaan Naidoo, Vice Captains Catherine Smith and Paul Dalla Rosa and Colour Captains Jacinta Allen and Matthew Rofe (Music), Julia Lovegott and Thomas Hickson (Sport), Sarah Hill (Performing Arts), Caitlin Leonard (Debating), Yvonne Nulty (Rock Eisteddfod) and Eliza Crellin (Service).

During the evening the high standard set by the award recipients was matched by our student performers, Eliza Crellin, Sarah Hill and Kirsten Archibald who sang “As Long as You are Mine” (Sarah and Eliza), “Gravity” (Kirsten) and all three girls sang “Hallelujah”. Evie Senior accompanied the girls on the piano. They delighted the audience with their musical talents.

Another highlight was the PFA raffle of a gift voucher which was won by lucky ticket holders, the Davies family who collected their $100 Greensborough Plaza shopping voucher last Wednesday.

The names of Year Level Award recipients, along with those announced at the VCE Graduation Ceremony last night, will be published in our next newsletter and full details of all awards (Years 7-12) will be published in the College magazine, Reflections ‘09, which is due to be distributed to Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students with their reports. Year 12s will receive their copies when they return for VTAC Counselling and to collect their SACS and Year 11s will receive theirs on their first school day in 2010.

I would like to thank Event Coordinator, Ms Rosemarie Neville, her Assistant, Mr Alex Vecchio and staff for supporting the ceremony. Thanks also to the PFA whose assistance with tickets and the raffle was invaluable and, on behalf of the College, I would also like to thank you, our College community, for your wonderful endorsement of the evening.

I am writing this report on Wednesday afternoon and am looking forward the VCE Graduation Ceremony, which will take place at the Melbourne Town Hall tomorrow evening.  It promises to be an exciting and emotional ceremony. We will report on it in our next issue.

End of Year Music Concert

Next week we look forward to our End of Year Music Concert, always a popular evening’s entertainment in the lead up to the end of our school year.

Trudy Thomson

Principal

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Chaplains: David Horne/Alex Zavadil–9438 8500
2^nd Hand Uniforms can be purchased in the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop in the College grounds between classrooms V8&9 'uphill' from Stewarts New Uniform Shop in the VCE Courtyard. All students with uniform items to be sold may leave them at the general office or the Secondhand Uniform Shop.  Each article left for sale must be identified with a “Sell Your Uniform” form, which is on our website (newsletter/school notices tabs), at the General Office or at the shop. 

Opening times during TERM 4 2009:

Every Saturday - 10.00am - 12.00noon.

21, 28 November, 5, 12 December.

Jill Duddy—9438 1430
New uniforms can be purchased  in the Bob Stewart Uniform Shop at the College in room V10 in the Senior School Courtyard.

Opening times during TERM 4 2009:

November:

Monday—                             8.00am – 2.00pm

Tuesday &Thursday -         12.00noon – 5.00pm

December:

Monday—                             8.00am – 2.00pm

Tuesday & Thursday -        12.00noon – 5.00pm

Saturday, 5 December-      9.30am – 12.30pm

Tuesday, 8 December-      8.00am – 4.00pm (Orientation Day)

Last Trading Day 2009:

Thursday, 17 December   

January Trading 2010:

·         Wed, Thurs & Friday, 13, 14, 15 January—9.00am – 3.00pm

·         Mon, Tues & Wed, 18, 19, 20 January—                9.00am – 4.00pm

·         Friday, 22 January -8.00am – 4.00pm

·         Wednesday, 27 January 8.00am –3.00pm

·         Thursday, 28 January -12.00noon –6.00pm

·         Friday, 29 January -9.00am – 3.00pm.

Leisure Footwear, Shop 22/23 Eltham Town Mall, 10 Arthur Street, Eltham, carry a full range of approved College footwear.  Their phone contact is 9439 4383.

8.30 am - 8.40 am Form Assembly 10 minutes

8.40 am - 9.28 am Period 1

9.28 am - 10.16 am Period 2

10.16 am - 10.46 am Recess 30 minutes

10.46 am - 11.34 am Period 3

11.34 am - 12.22 pm Period 4

12.22 pm - 1.04 pm Lunch 42 minutes

1.04 pm - 1.52 pm Period 5

1.52 pm - 2.40 pm Period 6

2.40 pm Finish

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College Council

President’s Report

 October/November 2009

To the College Community, let me firstly say thank you to those who attended the Working Bee on Sunday, 25 October 2009.   Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but as Trudy mentioned in last week’s newsletter, much was achieved and as usual the PFA provided the workers with a marvellous morning tea.  Thank you Michelle and the team as your efforts, along with all those at the Working Bee, are always appreciated. Just a quick mention of the VCE Art & Technology Exhibition which was held recently; the quality and standard of the work presented once again shows the extraordinary depth of talent we have at St Helena. Congratulations to Gemma Twomey on having her photo selected as this year’s St Helena College Art Acquisition.

Council met on Monday, 26 October 2009 and below is a summary of the meeting.

Education and Student Wellbeing Committee reported included:

Karen advised that the College had been successful in gaining funding for three staff to investigate laptop learning and that their findings would contribute to the College focus of embracing new technology in the curriculum.  Once again a positive for our children’s education.

Danielle Buzaglo was the special guest on the night who outlined her role of Student Wellbeing Resources Coordinator.

Resources Committee reports presented for July duly passed:

Finance reports as at 31/08/2009 and 30/09/2009.

Ratification of Payments for the month of August and September.

Trudy’s Principal’s report highlighted the following:

Term 4 Calendar events highlighted the successful finish to Year 12 formal studies and slight change to internal College bell times (start and end times of the day remain unchanged.  Morning recess shortened by five minutes and lunch extended by five minutes). 

Trudy focussed on an Ultranet briefing she had attended. Councillors discussed its proposed introduction into state schools in 2010.  It is seen as a positive communication and electronic learning tool which will revolutionise teaching and the way the College community interacted.

She conveyed her thanks to the small dedicated group who attended the Working Bee as well as the PFA on providing morning tea.

Student representatives report:

Carli and Lachlan were absent from this meeting due to their study commitments for Year 12 exams.   Karen Terry, Rosemarie Neville and George Willox however gave a brief overview of mini-school events. Junior School was working consistently towards the end of term, Middle School preparation for the Year 10 Formal was the focus of their activities and Karen, Senior School Principal, reported that Year 12 students and their teachers had enjoyed the end celebration of their formal days at St Helena; a picnic day at Funfields.  They had also celebrated with staff the previous Friday night at the Valedictory Dinner – it was, as always, a fantastic though sad evening for both students and their teachers. Apart from the Graduation Ceremony this was the last time those students and teachers were together as a group.  

Joint Facilities report from Mr Ross McDonald:

Ross advised that the committee had met to discuss the planting of kikuyu grass on part of the oval.  The line planting has taken place and the area has been cordoned off to maximise healthy growth of the plantings. 

Staff reports:

Trudy advised that Mr Greg Freemantle is unwell and has taken extended sick leave for the remainder of the year.  We wish him a speedy recovery.

Congratulations to James Hardingham and Neil Baillie on gaining Leading Teacher positions. 

Chaplaincy Report presented by Mr George Willox:

George reported that the Musical Afternoon had been very pleasant, but that attendance was very disappointing and, as a result, it may not be held next year.  It is a shame, as the afternoon is quite enjoyable. Thank you to all those who performed.

The committee was preparing for an increase in 2^nd Hand Uniform Sales during Term 4.   Dates for the 2^nd Hand book sales have been published and can be found in the newsletter and on the St Helena website.  If you can help out please contact the College Office, who will put you in touch with the Chaplaincy Committee Chairperson, Ms Anne Armstrong.

Just a note on the 2^nd Hand Uniform Shop.  Please remember that, contrary to what seems to be understood, the old uniform is still part of our school uniform for at least another year.  The change-over period was set at two years and this year is only the first year. Obviously, as the next year passes, we would like to see more students in new style uniforms and post 2010, common sense should always prevail on the use of the old styled uniform.   It is envisaged that the old will naturally phase itself out. The  2nd Hand Uniform shop is already starting to stock some new uniform, so please come and have a look.  There isn’t always something for everyone, but you never know what you will find.  Remember, the money raised from 2^nd Hand uniform sales goes directly to support our Chaplains, David and Alex, please support them. If you can help supervise at the shop please contact the College Office, who will put you in touch with the 2nd Hand Shop Manager..

PFA Report:

PFA meet on October 20, 2009 and the main agenda items were their contribution to the  Year  7-11 Presentation Evening and the VCE Graduation Ceremony. 

General Business:

The Performing Arts Redevelopment Project has reached a small milestone, with the interior being all but complete.  The builders have come through with their promise to make it available for Year 12 exams and last Friday, it was used for the first time for the English exam. 

The carpet and seating are ready to be installed but due to the exams, it was decided to wait until after this week when the theatre is no longer required, to install them.   Apart from some other cosmetic items, the internals are as good as complete.  The builders return after exams next week, to complete the remaining internal and external works and handover is anticipated in December, sometime prior to the end of the school year.  The next week or so should also see the College Agora, a covered eating and performance area taking shape.

Finally, the best of luck to those VCE students still sitting exams over the next three weeks.  Good luck also to all those students in the College preparing for exams, especially year 9s who sit them for the first time this year.

Regards

Sam Lombardo

College Council President