Friday, 4 November Issue 11/32

THE RECTOR

This week we celebrated the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls. All Saints’ Day has its roots in the early Church’s Martyrs’ Day attested by Saint Ephraim’s hymn of 359 AD. By the 7th Century, this feast was known as All Saints. For the first 400 years of the Church’s history, to be baptised a Christian opened one to the prospect of being killed for the faith – baptism was a courageous choice. A martyr was one who witnessed to faithful service and sacrificial love, even to enduring suffering and death. The early Christians saw Jesus as the archetypical martyr on account of his passion and crucifixion.

Some Saints are formally proclaimed in the Canon of Saints; some are known only to God. We may think Saints are perfect, but often their greatest witness was how they coped with the difficulties of life and yet still managed to reflect the love of God in a range of ways. The canonised Saints were as involved in the struggle and mystery of human life as we are. They were subject to human limitation; indeed some were notorious sinners before their conversion. We share their human weakness. More importantly we share the openness they had to the way God was leading them. Saints give us a good example about how to live. They are like us yet beyond us – accessible and inspiring us to reach beyond our capabilities to the magis – the better things.

Furthermore, saints live and walk among people like you and me. We have seen people witness to Christ through their commitment and generosity. These saints are ordinary people captivated by the Gospel of Christ and transformed through love. There are surely some among us here and now. They have truly realised and found the courage to live the depth of their identity in the image and likeness of God. For most of us, sanctity and martyrdom will not come in dramatic ways. The quotidian – of looking after a sick relative or friend in need, of the struggle with dependence or the quest for balance, of living with physical or emotional affliction, of wanting meaningful employment or a happy home, of feeling unloved or being unloving – take us into the reality of participating in the lot of the martyrs and saints. So many go through their own persecutions and find the blessings within their daily lives.

From the earliest days of the Christian religion, we have honoured with great respect the memory of the dead. All Souls Day has its origins in praying for the dead in 6th Century Benedictine monasteries. It was a way of recognising the human bonds which go beyond death. By the 10th Century, this feast was a way of praying for those who had died, that they may know the merciful love of God. The Preface of Christian Death has a beautiful phrase: In Jesus,

who rose from the dead, our hope of resurrection dawned. The sadness of certain death gives way to the bright promise of immortality. Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling is laid aside, we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.

In a secular society, it’s interesting to hear the word soul in conversation. People may be described as a lost soul or a beautiful soul. A tune or a painting can stir a soul and mellow jazz is said to be soulful. We alert others to distress by an SOS, save our souls. Nearly all the great religions believe in a soul – something that survives the body in death. Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that the soul makes us human, and sets us apart from other animals. The soul is distinct from but intimately connected to the intellect and memory and also to the heart and emotions.

All Souls’ Day touches many people quite deeply. The Mission, a film on the Jesuit Reductions in Paraguay during the 17th and 18th centuries, finishes with a phrase: The spirit of the dead is kept alive through the memories of the living. The spirit of those we loved is kept alive because we, who knew them in life, do not forget in death. On All Souls’ Day we remember a life. To know someone is to love them. To have loved someone is a very personal experience. Remembering can be a time of grief. Grief is one of those emotions which celebrate love. Nothing on earth can make up for the loss of one who has loved you. We cope with the loss of the person as best we can. Grief is the price we pay for love. Emily Dickinson wrote: ‘tis not the

dying hurts us so – ‘tis living – hurts us more. It will be the living from here on, the long days and the longer nights, that will test us. Our lives are changed because of what we shared together.

Some television shows suggest that all life’s challenges can be negotiated superficially. In the space of one hour, minus the time for advertisements, characters deal with the complexities of interpersonal relationships and the difficulties of death, and have them all resolved. Characters move to the next chapter of life as if nothing traumatic has happened. But it is never so simple. Suffering and adversity shape us deeply and truly. All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days say so much about the human struggle, community and the need for hope within and beyond life. It is a time to remind us to love the life that each of us has been given, to spend time with our families and those dearest, and to allow others to teach and nourish us. Our shared journey in faith and hope is the most treasured gift of all.

Peter Hosking SJ

  2 

THE PRINCIPAL

The relational emphasis at Aloysius’ is a distinctive feature of the school and its nature as an educational community. This focus can be found in the strong sense of collegiality among the staff, the fruitful partnership of parents and school, the sense of school spirit and peer support among the boys, and the warmth of the relationship between students and their teachers. It is the latter that strikes me as key to understanding the ethos of the school. It is part of our tradition and defines something of the style of the school, with a certain humour and informality to the relationship, while maintaining mutual respect and working co-operatively towards common goals. The pastoral care of our staff, the generosity of teachers in going beyond the classroom, and their involvement in every aspect of school life are all seen and experienced by the boys. One of my favourite ways of seeing the vocation of teaching comes from the words of St John Chrysostom, written some sixteen hundred years ago: What is a greater work than to direct the minds and form the character of the young? I hold with certainty, that no painter, no sculptor, nor any artist does such excellent work as the one who moulds the mind of youth. Such a sentiment has inspired my own love of teaching and my respect for those who practise their craft with passion, commitment and expertise. Some may see teaching primarily as a science or as a profession, but, it seems to me, the teacher is inevitably linked to the role of a formator, with something of the artist, the sower and the parent involved in the role.

In the gospels, one of the favoured ways of depicting Jesus is precisely as Teacher. In the Eastern churches, a favoured icon of Jesus is that of the Teacher. Jesus as Teacher addresses the human heart above all. He is not primarily a giver of information, but rather is the One who gives life. Both friend and foe alike address Him as Teacher when they seek his view on the key questions in life. Jesus points above all to the centrality of love in life and to the God who is Love.

Christians speak of the vocation of teaching because in part teachers partake in the ministry of Jesus. Teaching is an act of hope in the future and it is an affirmation of the value of the human. In the secular world too, at least as depicted in the movies, there is almost an instinctive regard for teachers. They are seen as agents of empowerment, people who can touch and transform the lives of young people, people who can inspire and bring out the best in the human, companions on the journey of discovery. The list is rich and varied over the history of cinema: Goodbye Mr Chips, Blackboard Jungle, Mona Lisa Smile, Dead Poet’s Society, Good Will Hunting, Mr Holland’s Opus, Finding Forrester, Children of a Lesser God, Conrack, Stand and Deliver, to name a few. There is science to back up Hollywood in this regard. Some contemporary studies (for example by Linda Darling-Hammond from Stanford University) have examined student achievement data and concluded that the quality of a school’s teaching body was a stronger predictor of student results than a family’s socio-economic status or factors such as curriculum changes. Consequently, how we regard teachers goes to the very heart of what we as a society value as most important in life. Teachers are a school’s most valuable resource and the relationship between staff and students is such a critical factor in creating an environment that best facilitates student learning and formation. Time and time again, I have been struck and pleased by students commenting on the relationship between staff and students as a real feature of the College. This good relationship is also something commented on by many parents. The relationship between teachers and their students is the core of any school that professes to be about formation and education and not just instruction. Of course there are glitches, misunderstandings and even mistakes from time to time,

and as with most things, we need to keep working at our professionalism and our pastoral care for our students. We are blessed with the quality of our teachers here at Aloysius’. Many serve on Board of Studies committees, preparing syllabi, setting examinations for the School Certificate and HSC, and marking the HSC. Others serve in their professional associations. Still others continue with further studies. Here at school, every aspect of school life relies on the generous involvement of teachers: drama and music, cadets, debating and public speaking, sport, community service and retreats, social events, overseas tours, and so on. Last Friday, the College marked International Teachers’ Day, and Mr Michael Morgan and many members of the Parents and Friends’ Association generously put on a morning tea at the school to celebrate the occasion. The food, sent in by our parents, could only be described as outstanding! In itself, it was a small but much appreciated gesture. Another measure by which one might look at the profession is that of those entering the profession. Anecdotally at least, it is encouraging to see a renewal of interest in young people in teaching as a career. It has been very noticeable here at St Aloysius’ over the last five or so years that an increased number of Old Boys are taking up teaching. Over the last couple of years, there would hardly be a month where there isn’t a young Old Boy doing a practicum in the Junior or Senior Schools. It may be, too, that GFC has delivered something of a reality check in terms of careers and perhaps amongst this new generation of young adults there is a disposition against fast money and conversely, there is a greater interest in finding meaning and being creative or nurturing in discerning career paths. I like to think, also, that this apparent surge of interest reflects well on what the boys see in the teachers around them. All Saints’ Day was marked with two liturgies for the Junior and Senior schools on Tuesday. At the Senior School, William Hughes (Year 11) offered the reflection after the readings, focusing on our understanding of heroes today. His words are found later in this Gonzagan. Led by Rohan Hora, Michael Paton and Dom Scarf, the boys provided excellent musical support for the celebration. At such Masses, student participation is emphasised, especially through student reflections and a more contemporary edge to the Music. Similarly our acolyte, Kieran Joel (Year 11) and our chief altar server, Liam Sweeney (Year 9) ensured good support in this area of ministry. The Prayers of the Faithful were read in five languages. Our student Eucharistic Ministers for the coming year were also commissioned at the All Saints’ Day Mass. Thirty-six of our Seniors will serve in this role as Ministers of Holy Communion, and hopefully they will consider offering their service in their local parishes: Federico Anca Mitchell Arnold John Booth Blake Cohen Tom Craven James Crouch Jacob Dolores Campbell Duffy James Evans Roman Eymont Andrew France Patrick Furlong Alexanderson Cameron Gray William Hade William Hughes Ben Jackson Tim Jackson Grant Jansson Matthew Jepson Kieran Joel Thomas Jordan Daniel Kwon Kevin Lee Tim Manion Sam Mathias Declan McCarthy Elliott Miller Paddy Morgan Luke Nicholson Alex Smith Eliot Stuntz Matthew Thomson Jean-Luc Vrisakis Tim Wheatley Harrison Williams Mitchell Wood

Last weekend, four House plays were performed in the Miguel Pro Playhouse: Troy, Cheerleaders, Democracy and Cheerleaders, There’s a Ghost in the Basement M’Lord and Snow white and the Dreadful Dwarves. All four plays were directed by Year 11 students – Max Baume and Nic Alexandrou (assisted by Nathan Depangher, Claudio Trovato, Federico Anca and Patrick Lau), Anthony Slaven and David Quaglia (assisted by Dominic Scarf and Luke Nicholson), Matt Cosgriff and Mason Davies, and Ben McCann and Elliott Miller, respectively. The cast of 52 was drawn from across Years 7-11.

  3 

The production drew capacity and appreciative audiences. There were also many striking individual performances – Jack McClatchey (Year 8) as the material girl, Milo Ryan (Year 8) as Zeus, Joseph Hickey (Year 8) as Mr Miyagi, Lorenzo Benitez (Year 9) as Napoleon, and James Agius (Year 9) as Snow White. The Production team also included a heavy student component with Patrick Finnegan (Year 10) as Stage Manager, Lachlan Boyle (Year 8) in charge of Lighting and Dom Ryan (Year 9) looking after Sound.

James Agius & Jack McClatchey from the winning Southwell House play 

These House plays, coming towards the end of the year, allow students to assume a much greater role in their production. The plays also serve a purpose in allowing a range of boys to work co-operatively and to take on responsibilities, and their associated

pressures, while at the same time providing opportunities for boys to enjoy the stage. For some, too, it is an invaluable opportunity to move outside their comfort zone and try something new. All this was apparent last weekend. Left: Patrick Finnegan and Lachlan Boyle 

This week also saw the Years 3-7 Orientation Day. Our Year 6 students, together with those coming into the school in Year 7 spent the morning at the Senior

School familiarising themselves with the Year 7 classrooms and with many of the teachers in Year 7. They also spent time in the Science Laboratories and in the Art and Music Departments. The prefects attached to Year 7 classes next year, led by Matthew Thomson, stayed with the boys and assisted throughout the morning, In the Junior School our new Year 3 and 5 students for next year spent the morning getting to know the Aloys boys and each other. Again the Prefects attached to the Junior School next year, led by Matthew Jepson, spent the morning in the Junior School helping out.

Chris Middleton SJ

Oremus let us pray

For the sick:

Jeanette Rice, grandmother of Max Cornwell (Year 11) and Henry Cornwell (SAC 2008)

We pray for all those awaiting organ transplants, and for donor families for their generous gift of life

For those who have died:

Alan Leggett, grandfather of James Dainton (Year 9) and Matthew Dainton (Year 7)

Ask and you shall receive … knock and the door will be opened unto you.” (Matt 7:7)

If you would like someone to be prayed for by the College community (even anonymously), please pass the details to the Rector

WHAT’S COMING UP

5 November Drama Celebration 6 November Year 10 Family Mass & Morning Tea 7-10 November School Certificate Examinations 8 November Year 10 Music Recital 11 November College Swim Invitational

THE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL This is a significant week for those of us who were born into and/or have been brought up in the Catholic tradition of our Christian faith. It’s the beginning of the month of November, a month dedicated to remembering, honouring and praying for those who have gone before us to their eternal reward. Some of these whom we venerate as saints are ordinary men and women that have led an extraordinarily exemplary life and others having sacrificed their lives for what they truly believed in, have been formally acknowledged by the Church through the process of Canonisation. But, in the true sense of the word, in the eyes of God, all men and women that have led an exemplary life of love and of service to God and humanity are Saints and, therefore, our heroes. So whether we celebrated All Saints’ Day on Tuesday or All Souls’ Day on Wednesday, or the Mass for our dearly departed at the P&F Mass on Thursday, we set out to honour all of God’s Saints, people made in His likeness. We will encourage boys to specially remember in their prayers members of their extended families, and I invite boys and their parents to record their special people’s names in the Book of Remembrance, located in both the Junior School Chapel and the Boys’ Chapel at the Upper Pitt Street Campus. Orientation Day was held on Wednesday and it was a day of excitement for most students, new and old. A new school, new class teacher and new classmates bring with them great anticipation of what might be in store for next year, and also a degree of anxiety that’s all part of the total experience. Information packages for 2012 have been sent to new families while text books and stationery requirement lists will be posted on our website shortly for all students. Please note that while it may be convenient for you to order the whole package from Campion Books, please feel free to purchase stationery requirements elsewhere if it’s better value for your money. Last week’s “Loud Shirt Day” appeal for the hearing impaired, organised by Mrs Reay and the Social Justice Committee, raised $600 and I am delighted to confirm that 5.4’s Air Guitar Night Evening raised exactly $15,000, of which $9,000 is being forwarded to the Familia Mojo, with the remaining $6,000 to the Philippines Jesuit Prison ministry and the Jesuit-sponsored orphanage in Manila. On Tuesday this week, the SRC held a Pink Cup Cake day for Breast Cancer awareness with our resident Junior Master Chef Fintan

O’Shea’s pink macaroons proving to be a big hit. Michael Sywak and Fintan O’Shea, two of the SRC reps from Year 5 with breast cancer information placards 

In sport, we congratulate the following boys on their selection in the Northern Suburbs Basketball Association representative teams as follows: Trent Walsh, Jeremy

Heddle and Harry Lidbetter (U14) and Isaac Richardson and Joe Bonadeo (U12). Our congratulations this week go to the following boys, who are celebrating their birthdays: 4 November Paolo Ibay, Jack Marning & Thomas Smelt 5 November Alexander Di Sano 6 November Henry Cox & Thomas Gillis Thomas Gillis

Martin Lobo

  4 

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

School Fee Raffle: Each Term the College Development Office conducts a School Fee Raffle through the school fee statements that are posted to all parents. Families are encouraged to buy a ticket in the Raffle with the prize being one Term’s core fee (currently $3,205 for a boy in the Senior School and $2,749 for a boy in the Junior School) for one son. Funds raised from the Raffle are directed to the College Bursary Programme which enables boys from families of limited financial means the chance to attend the College. Last Friday, Father Rector drew the Term 3 School Fee Raffle. I am pleased to advise the winners were Mr Joseph Hayes and Ms Jacinta O’Meara-Hayes (Patrick, Year 7). Previous winners this year have been Mr Steve and Mrs Megan Rubic (Term 1), and Mr Paul and Mrs Colette Thompson (Term 2). The Term 4 Raffle will be drawn in Term 1, 2012. I would encourage all families to be a part of the Raffle, as they say, ‘you have to be in it to win it!’ 2011 New Years’ Eve: As mentioned in last week’s edition of The Gonzagan, tickets for the College’s annual New Years’ Eve Family Picnic have gone on sale. This year, tickets will only be available for sale via an online booking website, trybooking.com. Tickets are $250 per family (for parents and their children only) or $60 per person. This event, held annually since 2000, is a favourite of the Aloysian Family. It is a child friendly event and allows us as a family to welcome the New Year together. For further details of this event, please see the flyer that appears elsewhere in this edition of The Gonzagan or go to www.trybooking.com/16476 . Ticket sales are limited to 1,200 (there are 4 roofs at the College) and will remain on sale until 5.00pm on 28 December 2011 – unless sold prior. This event is a self-catered affair, so pack the picnic basket, grab the blanket and come along and see the world’s best fireworks from arguably the best vantage sport in Sydney! Ticket sales to date have been very strong and I would encourage anyone considering coming along on the night to buy their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Many thanks for your ongoing support of the College – we are a community blessed with so many generous people! If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Murray Happ (SAC 1985) Director of Development (9936 5561 / Murray.Happ@staloysius.nsw.edu.au) HOMILY ON ALL SAINTS’ DAY

Luke Skywalker – a farm boy, a “nobody” from a distant, forgotten planet who becomes the galaxy’s greatest hero. Sounds familiar? Jesus of Nazareth – born into nothing, a poor family, arguably a “nobody”, yet becomes the world’s biggest hero, driving one of the most popular religions in the world. In our day-to-day life, we are constantly confronted with heroes. The obvious and the not-so-obvious; the famous and the not-so-famous. All Saints’ Day celebrates a range of our faith heroes in all times and all places. Often we can develop misconceptions of the word “hero” leading to our dismissal of some of the less obvious heroes in our lives due to enforced definitions of the media and society. Through this, several categories of heroes arise. Who are the real heroes in our lives? When asked at the tender age of 7 who my heroes were, I would have replied “the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, “Batman” and an extensive list of sports superstars, and for a very good reason. These images of heroism are your stock standard cliché figures defined by a mould of qualities; leadership, loyalty, strength, modesty, striving for justice and finally, popularity. In our 7-year-old world, it is hard to identify these qualities as a lot of us wouldn’t know what they really meant, let alone how to spell them. It is now that we can recognise, however, that the moulds constructed by these qualities are mere representations of real life heroes in the worlds of our parents and

adults, just like the relationship between Skywalker and Jesus. I, for one, would be shocked if my 6-year-old cousin told me her list of heroes included Superwoman, Kim Possible and Nelson Mandela. Jesus is arguably the first true example of a hero presented to human kind and the people whom we consider heroes today are the ones who reflect these qualities. Thankfully, Jesus was kind enough to pass down this knowledge in a little list we call The Beatitudes. When you think about it, the heroes whom we consider the greatest, are those “who hunger and thirst for righteousness”, “those who are pure in heart”, the “merciful” and the “peacemakers” but it was Jesus who encompasses all of these qualities and therefore became the ultimate hero. Today, we have come together to celebrate those who strive to live out in full, the list of guidelines handed down by Jesus. Unfortunately, this little list we were given is often distorted by the fast-paced lifestyles we all involve ourselves in, leaving us little time for the true recognition of the people who represent the true heroic characteristics. With this distortion comes with it a category of ‘false’ heroes. Paris Hilton, Charlie Sheen and DJ Pauly D have become Hollywood-manufactured heroes, thrust into the limelight through our televisions, magazines and newspapers, and created an age where it is totally acceptable for a daughter to tell her mother “When I grow up, I want to be just like Paris Hilton”. However, when examining the similarities between the moral principles of Jesus and Charlie Sheen, they are far and few between, although Jesus may have considered himself ‘bi-winning’. When we look at the common denominator between Paris, Charlie and Pauly D, it quite obviously is fame and it becomes obvious that fame has been attached on to this list of heroic requirements outlined by Jesus in The Beatitudes. This allows figures like Charlie and Paris to achieve hero status which, unfortunately, in this case brings with it vast amounts of influence and role-modeling. Now I’m sure none of you plan on “banging 7-gram rocks” as Mr Sheen so elegantly put it, but it does distract us from the heroes right in front of our very eyes who are displaying the true heroic qualities. Our real heroes. One of Jesus’s most renowned qualities was his strong moral integrity, sticking up for what he loved and believed in. This undeniably shown through his death in the name of human salvation. Once again, we are witness to the reflection of this quality through the martyrdom of the Jesuit martyrs and other heroes of faith or justice which were recognised earlier – outstanding human beings who have this seemingly unworldly ability to unconditionally stand up for what they believe in and ultimately die for it. Not for fame or popularity, but for the ultimate expression of the values of The Beatitudes. If we look hard enough, it is easy to find that there are saints amongst us today. Donald Ritchie – heard of him? Well Don is a war veteran, and upon resignation from the military, bought a now extremely valuable property in Vaucluse in Sydney’s east. This area is known for two things, the extravagant multimillion dollar properties and the overlooked cliff the ‘Gap,’ infamous due to its reputation as a suicide spot. Don Ritchie lives and has lived opposite the gap for five decades, and each day keeps an active eye out for people who may need help. Instead of joining the locals of Vaucluse and turning a blind eye to the frequent occurrences, Don coaxes people away from the cliffside by greeting them with a smile and invites them in for a cup of tea and a chat. Over the 50+ years Don has been opening his doors, he has saved over 160 lives, and has maintained relationships with most of them. Through this incredibly selfless act, Don has become a suicide prevention advocate, and more importantly, a hero. To not only the 160, but the families and friends of these individuals too, and it has been commented that the beauty of Don’s work is through his humility. Don received the Australia’s Local Hero 2011 award, and when you ask anyone in Sydney, “Have you heard of Donald Ritchie?”, it is more often than not followed by a “What? Who?” For me, Donald is an absolute inspiration and the epitome of a hero in today’s world, and I believe that needs no explanation. Finally boys, I encourage you to look past the “heroes” who are force-fed to us. Look past the cliché and manufactured heroes, and find our real heroes. Who are the real heroes in your life?

William Hughes Senior Prefect for Pastoral Services

  5 

PASTORAL NEWS THE DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL SERVICES

Last Friday, the Parents and Friends provided an amazing feast for staff, from both the Junior and Senior Schools, for International Teachers’ Day in the Lawrence Campbell Senior Common Room. We were all overwhelmed with the abundance and quality of food. Mr Michael Morgan, the P&F President, shared this lovely reflection about teachers. It was found on one of the food platters sent in by one of the parents.

Why God Made Teachers (Kevin William Huff) When God created teachers, He gave us special friends To help us understand His world and truly comprehend The beauty and the wonder of everything we see, And become a better person with each discovery. When God created teachers, He gave us special guides To show us ways in which to grow so we can all decide How to live and how to do what’s right instead of wrong, To lead us so that we can lead and learn how to be strong. Why God created teachers, in His wisdom and His grace, Was to help us learn to make our world a better, wiser place.

Chris Gould

THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY THE PARENTS’ & FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION

By the time this column appears, a new P&F Committee will have been elected and a new cycle of the P&F year will have begun. My year as President has been extremely busy, but also deeply rewarding, so it is not without a little sadness that I write this column for the last time. As has been the case so often over the past year, there are many to whom I would like to express my thanks on behalf of the whole P&F Committee. Beginning with last Friday, we had an opportunity to thank the dedicated staff of the College at the morning tea to celebrate International Teachers’ Day. The event was well attended and I am very grateful to those parents who contributed so generously to the lavish catering – a most emphatic show of our appreciation! Throughout the year, the P&F Committee has been fortunate to have the support of talented and hard-working members of the school community. The Year Co-ordinators, Class Parents and Support Team members have all tackled their responsibilities with enthusiasm, and I congratulate them on the success of the many functions they organised. Their efforts have done much to bring the school community together and add, not only depth, but also a great deal of fun to the life of the College. The privilege of working on the P&F is that of access into the College Community and the many there who help steer us through. We work across the entire school spectrum of teachers and support staff and, at every encounter, are given the warmest welcome and every assistance to play our role of making the parents feel they are so much a part of the school. Finally, my special thanks go to Fr Peter Hosking, Fr Chris Middleton, Mr Sam Di Sano and Mr Martin Lobo who, as well as attending countless P&F events, have encouraged us in our activities throughout the year and have always made themselves available to share their invaluable experience, wisdom and spiritual guidance. I wish the new Committee all the very best in what I am sure will be a most successful and fulfilling term in office. Meantime, for almost ten years the College has run a very successful volunteering programme at St Canice’s, Darlinghurst. Additional volunteers are being sought to become involved in this unique outreach SAC programme, which is held every Tuesday and Friday. If you are interested, an induction morning tea will be held at

St Canice’s Soup Kitchen, 28 Roslyn Street, Elizabeth Bay on 15&18 November, commencing at 9.30am. For further information, contact Jennifer Monckton (Monckton@optusnet.com.au or 0411 745 275). On behalf of the P&F committee

Michael Morgan President DIARY DATES 6 November Year 10 Mass & Morning Tea [Boys’ Chapel &

Canisius Room] 30 November Year 6 Farewell Mass & Thanksgiving [Boys’

Chapel and Great Hall] 1 December Carol’s Festival [Junior School] 3 December P&F Second Hand Book Sale [Canisius Room] CONTACT DETAILS

Chairman President Vice-President/President Elect Vice-President/Pastoral Care Secretary Assistant Secretaries Treasurer Assistant Treasurers Prayer Group Co-ordinator

Phillip Cornwell Michael Morgan Bryan Jenkins Anita Lee Christine Moult Ann & Alex Paton Justin Van Deventer Cate & Greg Russell Edwin Lapitan

0414 223 765 0419 679 591 0414 355 255 0413 946 581 0413 007 486 0412 250 551 0402 842 136 0405 100 463 0410 463 517

BOOK SALE & UNIFORM SALE

The P&F Second Hand Book Sale will take place on 3 December from 8.30-11.30am in the Canisius Room. This is an opportunity to purchase many of your son(s) books for next year at reduced prices and raise funds for our school at the same time. Books will be accepted for sale on 2 December. A list of books that will be accepted for sale and a book summary sheet will be sent home closer to the date of the sale. In order to submit books for sale you MUST provide the following: 1. A book summary sheet listing ALL books you have

submitted for sale 2. A stamped, self-addressed envelope 3. Each book must have a post-it note inside the front cover

with the title of the book and the name and current year of the student selling the book.

Please be aware that some books are marked as “retain for next year”, so do not inadvertently send these in for sale. The current Year 12 boys are also encouraged to send in their textbooks for sale. Any of these books that are not sold on the day will be held for a future sale next September. The current Year 12 boys and any boys leaving on school tours before 2 December, may leave books to be included in the sale at Reception in the Senior School, provided the books are correctly labelled and accompanied by a book summary sheet and stamped, self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that they are packaged securely and cannot become separated. Please note: No credit card facilities will be available at the sale – only cash and cheques will be accepted. Volunteers are needed to assist with the sale on 2 December from 8.30am-2.00pm and on 3 December from 7.45am-2.00pm. The advantage of helping is that you can buy your books before the sale starts. If you can help, please contact Paula Nicholson at paulanich@optusnet.com.au. Other enquiries can be made to Annette Spooner (annette@netsavvy.com.au) or Dare Skinner (dareskin@bigpond.net.au). Second Hand Uniform Sale: Well-loved Summer and Winter uniforms, in good condition, are required for a sale to be held on 3 December, outside the Canisius Room, from 8.00-10.00am. Please leave any donations at the Uniform Shop. For more details, please contact Jenny Carter (0407 977 180).

  6 

THE SENIOR SCHOOL CANTEEN

The following parents have kindly offered their services in the Senior School Canteen for the week commencing 7 November: Monday Kate Breslin, Barbara Goh, Elizabeth Porter, Kandy

Russo Tuesday Jo-anne Ryan, Maria Johnson Wednesday Margot Duncan, Margie Gillespie, Sarah Janssen,

Cathryn Thomson, Elizabeth Laukka Thursday Karineh Sahagian, Sue Sims, Tjandra Dari Tilla Dewi Friday Kylie Diamond, Rosemary Marks, Caroline Pierce

Nadia Lorenzutta Canteen Manager  THE UNIFORM SHOP

The Uniform Shop operates Tuesday and Friday (open during lunch on both days) from 8:00am to 3:00pm during school term.

Trading Hours in November/December

The shop will be closed on 22 November due to the Annual Distribution of Prizes, but will open on 21 November (8.00am-3.00pm) instead. Trading will be from 8.00am-4.00pm on the following days: 25, 29 & 30 November and 1, 2, 5 & 6 December. Trading will be from 8.00-3.00pm on the following days: 7 & 8 December. The shop’s last day of trading is 8 December and trading will resume on 19 January. For further trading hours, please view the College website, under “Uniform Shop”. Embroider of Colours: For those who have already handed in their blazers on/before the collection day, you may pick it up on 8 November prior to the Annual Distribution of Prizes. Delivery to Junior School: Orders can be made via email, phone (between 9.00am & 11.30am) or by leaving a message on our answering machine. Items will be delivered to Reception at the Junior School for collection before lunch. Please inform your son to collect your purchase from Reception. Bob Stewart Credit Accounts (‘No’ Credit Card details required): I urge that, if you have not yet opened a Credit Account with Bob Stewart, kindly please do so; as it helps to process transactions much faster and gets the boys back to their classes. For more information, please go on to the College website, under Uniform Shop, to download the form. If you do not wish to open a Credit Account, please obtain a form of payment for your son to make a purchase.

* If you would like to send your son to the shop for a uniform purchase, we are happy to fit him for your convenience. We accept cash, cheques (payable to “Bob Stewart Pty Ltd”), credit cards, EFTPOS or Bob Stewart Credit Account.*

Irene Lau Supervisor (staloysius@bobstewart.com.au /9955 4193)

CO-CURRICULAR NEWS SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS REPORTS Basketball: The 1st V encountered a very mentally tough Trinity team and went down by 1 point, in a nail biter. In what has been a tremendously successful season thus far for the 1st, this game served as an eye-opener and hopefully reignited the desire to work hard for results, as nothing comes easily. On a day of dismal shooting by the team, Fabijan Krslovic was the exception, with 34 points and 18 rebounds in his finest game for the blue and gold to date. Next week we face a tough Knox outfit. If we could take anything from this loss

it’s that mind-set plays as much a part of success as anything else. We hope this loss to Trinity was the price to pay for a lesson well learnt. In the 2nds, Luke Nicholson played another great game, top scoring with 14 points and helping the team to secure the victory. Caillan Andrew was the second top scorer with 4 points and did a nice job of protecting the basket. Tom Kennedy and Daniel Sahagian came off the bench and did a great job of controlling the game from the point guard position and also forcing crucial turnovers on defence. The 3rds lost 20-28 against a tenacious Trinity team. Best players were Terence Kwan and Mitchell Arnold. The boys put themselves in a position to win the game, unfortunately they were let down by poor finishing. The 4ths had an outstanding win 33-20. The win was a great team effort, but special mention must go to James Sinclair for his great work in the point and Daniel Raisin for his top-scoring performance after only just being elevated from the 5ths. The 5ths took an initial lead in the match, but were eventually outgunned by a determined Trinity side. Credit must go to Declan McCarthy who scored more than 50% of the team’s points and to Anthony Slaven whose determination is a hallmark of his play. The 6ths’ match was memorable for some of the courage shown by our players but, unfortunately, not the score. Marco De Vera’s firm stance to take a charge from an opposing player who was easily twice his weight was indicative of the spirit required. Further work on the fundamental skills of basketball should result in a dramatic improvement in team’s performance. The 10As took on Trinity, where a power struggle ensued. Trinity took the upper hand and opened the gap to 10 before Aloys sparked a run with strong d and transition basketball. Forcing a tie, Jordan Hookway missed at the buzzer to seal the draw. Hookway lead with 12, with Michael Bounds and Jason Emery leading the support with defensive stops and strong rebounding. The 10Bs took the lead early in the game but were unable to hold momentum. The game swung back and forth till late in the 2nd where Trinity had too much. Patrick Daly topped with 13 points with Steve Mastrangelo complimenting him with 8 points. It was a great game from the 10Cs, just losing it in the clutch by two. Mathew Janssen was best on court. The 10Ds played their smartest defensive game of the season. The boys choked Trinity’s offense resulting in turnovers and errors that were capitalised on. Conor McIntyre played very well. The 9As met a very tough opponent in Trinity. But the team played extremely well and were unlucky not to narrow the final margin to single figures. All players contributed in some way on both ends of the court. The leading scorers were Alex Walker (8pts); William Halliday (6pts) and Sam Lawson (5pts). Sam Lawson deserves special mention for an outstanding defensive effort. The 9Bs were outclassed by Trinity and need to practice their transition and passing skills this week. Thomas Nowlan was a standout both in attack and defence. The 9Cs had a strong win, 27-16, a testament to their consistent approach to the season thus far. Lachlan Hughes had an absolute stunner of a game, converting multiple steals into strong lay-ups, while Simon Cooper and Ben Harte showed their range from the field. Alec Diamond and Liam Shiel-Dick both showed consistent strength on both offence and defence. The 9Ds had a nail biter of a win, 14-12. Strong offensive sets by John Kim, Alex Tonkin and Seb Porter-Zadro helped the team stay ahead for the majority of the game, with it all coming down to a final, controversial play down Trinity’s end. With one second on the clock, Trinity inbounded the ball and made a three-point shot under pressure that would have won them the game had Aloys not called a timeout a split second earlier, disallowing the shot and giving the team a moment to recalibrate their always-strong defence, and clinch a win over a committed Trinity side. The 9Es showed great promise in a game that ended with a very competitive finish. At half time, the boys were down 8-16 but fought back for a 15-17 finish. It would probably have been a different result if we had of had an extra few minutes to play. Greater accuracy when shooting will allow the team to maximise their potential. The 9Fs were unfortunately outplayed by Trinity, who displayed greater accuracy when shooting and agility on the court. At half time the boys were down 8-24, with the final result 20-49. The player of the

  7 

match was Andrew Saltos, who showed good defence and scored 6 points. The boys are encouraged to be more focused at training to improve their basic skills. The 8As played a great second half to reduce a 20 point deficit to 9 points at the conclusion of the game. John Lidbetter again had an outstanding offensive game and Peter Sleiman was great on D. 8Bs lost 19-28. The boys started well, jumping out to an early lead but eventually Trinity’s trap got the better of the team. With their fast paced game catching us off guard at times, we lost the lead however continued to drive the ball to the basket, keeping us in the match. The team fought hard every minute and were unlucky the game wasn’t a bit closer. Man of the match: Alex Dong. The 8Es played a solid game with good all-round effort by all. They were either tied, or one basket up or down, for a majority of the game, until the last few minutes when Trinity fought hard and the Es lost momentum and form. The teams defence has greatly improved – especially David Parker, who played a well throughout. The 8Fs faced tough opposition but played well. Top scorer was Aaron Jeffreys with 8 points. (Sinclair Watson, MIC) Fencing: At the recent National Fencing Championships Emilio Lapitan bested fencers from NSW, Victoria, ACT, New Zealand and Japan to bring home gold in the U11s. Emilio will end up on top of the rankings for NSW U11s for the 2011 season. Emmanuel Lapitan, meanwhile, brought home bronze in the U13s, topping in NSW (in equal third with another NSW fencer). He also led the NSW team to win silver in Saturday’s team competitions, where Victoria got gold (Emilio missed the team competition due to a Zipoli choir engagement). Tennis: Both the 1sts and 2nds won their matches and some great tennis took place. The stand out players were Scott Murray, Zach Mytkowski, Liam Roberts and Max Evans. The Year 10 tennis group fought hard but, unfortunately, were beaten in all grades. In the 10Bs, Matthew Bain and Dean Bartolotta won their singles. In the 10Cs, it was very, very close and it was a shame we lost by 2 games. The stand outs were Josh Caccamo and Will Ridley, who won their 10C doubles and singles; Will fighting hard until he won 7-6. The Year 8 tennis boys won all of their matches, a tremendous effort. Sorren Raheb-Mol was the pick of the players this week. Water Polo: With the 1sts having a bye this weekend, all eyes were on the 2nds for the opening round of competition at Cabarita. The boys got off to a fantastic start, using their experience to keep the scores level at the break. Max Van Deventer (Year 11) and Tim Manion (Year 11) showed great skill in defence. Unfortunately, our fitness let us down in the second half and Cranbrook ended with a comfortable win. The 16As had a very good win over Joey’s (6-4) and demonstrated their depth of talent, with all members making a positive contribution during the match. The 16Bs, despite going down to Joey’s (2-4), showed great improvement from last week and were in the match right up until the last whistle. The 14As continued their successful start to their season, with a comfortable 11-1 win over Joey’s. The boys were dominant in both attack and defence and never let Joey’s in the game. Good passing and unselfish teamwork highlighted their execution of counter attack. The strong victory was highlighted by the performances of Reece Aquilina (Year 7) and Sean O’Shea (Year 7). (John Williams, MIC) THE JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTSMASTER 2012 Swimming Carnival Update: We have been advised by SOPAC (Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre) that they are having some difficult complications with the 2012 carnival calendar, as the training and preparation schedule for the Elite athletes has increased due to the 2012 London Olympics. Extended resource allocations scheduled to accommodate these requirements have impacted some of their regular regional and zone swimming carnivals. As a result this has led us to having to move our day carnival on 2 February to a twilight carnival (2.00-7.30pm) on the same day. For those parent helpers listed below who now can no longer commit as a volunteer, please let me know so a suitable replacement can be found:

Mrs Brennan, Amanda Gillis, Mrs Gorman, Liz Laukka, Michael Pollack, Catherine Dean, Jodie Spano, Ray Eaton, Belinda Ienco, Caroline Thomas, Felicity Hertz, Elizabeth McClintock, Petra Mazaraki, Catherine Rush, Gretchen Hampton, Nicola Tonuri, and Jude O Shea. As per the case two years ago, boys will come to school as normal on the Thursday and we will then be transported out to SOPAC for a 2.15pm start. The carnival should conclude by 7.30pm and boys will receive more information regarding details for the day later this term and again in Term 1 next year.

Trevor Dunne

Round 9 Opponent Result Cricket 6A Traditional Grammar Edge Draw 1156B Super 8 Newington Win 145-946C Super 8 Loss 73-1095A Traditional Grammar Ives Win by 52 runs5B Super 8 Kings Loss by 18 runs5C Super 8 Win by 3 wickets5D Super 8 Waverley Win by 5 wickets4A Traditional Shore Win by 7 wickets4B Super 8 Win 4C Super 8 Scots 3A Super 8 Newington Basketball Prep A

St Pius’

Loss 27-38 Prep B Loss 29-44 Prep C Loss 23-38 Prep D Loss 25-37 Prep E Loss 8-58 Prep F Loss 16-24 Year 3 & 4A Redlands Win 16-24 Year 3 & 4B Win 20-9 Tennis Prep A Kings Win 20-4 Prep B Win 24-10 Prep C St Patrick’s Win 32-2 Prep D Win 32-11 SAC Tennis SAC 1 Match Point 7 Win 36-28 SAC 2 Match Point 8 Win 54-10 SAC 3 SAC 4 Win 50-14 SAC 4 SAC 3 Loss 50-14

CRICKET NEWS Round 2 of the CAS season saw mixed results, with some exceptional individual performances. Matt Dainton, with his Jacques Kallis swagger and an unbeaten 35, steered the 8As to an eight wicket victory. Jack Buckley was solid in seeing off the new ball and Joe Hansen finished the match with a hat trick of boundaries. The 8Bs also dominated with a nine-wicket victory, Andrew Holland the star taking 4/2. I enjoyed watching the 9As fight to salvage a draw in their two-day game. Nick Cramp was superb with a mix of patience and aggression. His knock of 42 went a long way in preventing Trinity from securing maximum points. He fell to a decent catch on the boundary off a full toss, a mode of dismissal which was to repeat itself several times later in the day. In fact, the full toss was not a friend of the College last Saturday. Three of our First XI fell to this delivery. One wonders what could have been made of the last session. A task of 112 runs off 22 overs would, on most days, have been a realistic target. With only two wickets in hand though it was not to be. Tom Goh shone with 95, caught off a “screamer” in the gully. Standing on the point boundary with Coach Quinane, we’d suggest the ball could not have been travelling any faster, the Trinity gully fieldsman horizontal at the point of taking the catch. Chris Mullarkey provided more of the afternoon’s entertainment with a hard hitting 46.

  8 

Our three other senior sides went down to Trinity by similar scores. Tim Russell, Josh Saltos (Thirds) and Michael Paton (Fourths) all scored 32. Mr Evans provided the following account of the Fourths match last week end: This was the first outing for the 4ths this season. Alex Smith faced and early on showed his good eye with a mean smash to the boundary. But the Trinity attack was both fast and accurate. All the top order men lost their wickets cheaply. At 4/18 the 4ths were fearing a paltry total but Paddy Jenkins took to the bowling with confidence and quickly amassed his 15 runs. Michael Paton joined him at the crease and things started to look promising. Paton top scored with 32. The final tally was a commendable 89. Michael Paton delivered a forceful captain’s speech at the change of innings and all approached the bowling with confidence. Of the opening bowlers Tim Goode was the more threatening and bowled one of the openers just as he was about to open his shoulders. Best figures in the innings went to Anthony Spiteri who finished with 1 for 4 off his two overs. Alex Smith picked up the other wicket. A special thanks to Mr Evans who commenced proceedings with his Third XI in the morning and then stepped in to coach the Fourths whose coach was unavailable for the afternoon game. The Tens’ age group continued on their winning ways. Our As again narrowly missed out on outright victory, the Bs won by five wickets (Matt D’Cruz 28 no & 3/28, Michael Goode 2/11) and the Cs by eight wickets. Best wishes to all sides playing Knox this weekend. Please check the Cricket Board and the draw in this Gonzagan for venue and match times. Trivia #2: Last week’s trivia question, Who was the last batsman dismissed in the 1975 World Cup? was answered correctly by Grant Jansson in quick time. (Must have been a free period!) Ben Kyriazis also correctly answered – Jeff Thomson, who was run out for 21. Being the only respondents, they lead the trivia challenge. This week’s question(s): Give me the name of the New Zealand batsman who faced “that ball” when playing Australia. I also need the bowler and Australia’s captain that day. Paul Luchi MIC SWIMMING NEWS The St Aloysius’ College Invitational Carnival will be held at North Sydney Pool on 11 November at 7.00pm. All Senior School swimmers are expected to attend to represent their school. Year 6 boys are also invited to attend to compete in the 13 years/under and

time trials on the night. The carnival is an excellent opportunity for boys to work on their racing technique and to record some times. This is the Annual Carnival hosted by St Aloysius’ and we rely on parents to assist with time keeping, for the carnival to run smoothly. Please contact me by email to offer your assistance. On the morning of the Carnival there will be a swim breakfast at 7.45am outside Dalton Hall for all swimmers. Please note, there will be no training on this morning. If any parent is interested in offering their assistance at Swim breakfasts, please contact me via email. The CAS Invitational Carnival will be held on 18 November at Homebush; 6.00pm start. This carnival is a time trial only event and boys can swim in as many races as they wish. Boys are to make their own way to and from the carnival. Swimming Dates Term 4 11 November NB: There will be NO morning training Swim Breakfast: 7.45am St Aloysius’ Invitational Carnival: 7.00pm [North

Sydney Pool] 18 November Training: 6.00am; Swim Breakfast: 7.45am CAS Invitational Carnival: 6.00pm [Homebush] 29 November Senior School Swimming Carnival [Homebush]

Danae Craig (Danae.Craig@staloysius.nsw.edu.au) MIC VOLLEYBALL NEWS The Firsts faced a very strong Trinity team on the weekend. The boys had some good moments, with Nick Hall and Fred Giannone stepping up into new positions. Captain Ben Crumpton was strong at the net and Roman Eymont made some big improvements in the third set. The boys will look to improve and learn from their performance as they head towards the end of Term 4. Despite the 0-2 loss to Trinity, there were encouraging signs of improvement both in the level of skills and teamwork. At times, concentration dropped at critical stages of the match, which saw the opposition capitalise and win both sets in a tight tussle. Tim Spooner and Matthew Thomson worked tirelessly in both sets.

Jen Zongor Mark Gair 1sts Coach MIC

  9 

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS FIXTURES & RESULTS

  10 

Thought for the week: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British politician & wartime leader

Current Year 11 students are coming to enquire about GAP options for themselves in 2013. An interesting website to investigate is http://mhscareers.com/StudentExchangeGapYear.html. For students who may want something really different in their Gap Year there will be an Information Day about the Coastal Maritime Cadet Program which will be held at the National Maritime Museum (Terrace Room) at Darling Harbour for students and parents at 1.00 pm on 17 November. Phone 0418 449 528 or email info@coastguard.edu.au if you plan to attend or would like further information. ADF Gap Year: Applications for 2012 are now closed and may reopen in 2012 for the 2013 intake. Hope & Home: Interesting adventure and volunteer opportunities in Nepal. Enmore Design College of TAFE is offering a Bachelor of Interior Design over three years. Applicants require an HSC, submit a 500 word essay and attend an interview and submit a portfolio of design and art work. Start date is 27 February and ends 28 November 2014. Cost of this course is $43,200. The Australian Government has launched the Young Worker Toolkit for 15-24 year olds. It is an online reference tool for smart phone browsing and will provide information to help deal with common workplace questions and issues. Young people make up almost one-fifth of Australia’s workforce and can be at a higher risk of unfair treatment as they may lack knowledge of workplace laws and practices. Topics covered include: getting started at work and a summary of the different types of employment; pay and conditions; workplace safety; bullying and harassment; the far dismissal code; and where to go for help. See www.youngworkertoolkit.youth.gov.au. Tax File Numbers: Students with part-time jobs can get their TFN through the College – collect the necessary form from The Careers Room and return it to reception to be processed. HSC students who will enrol at university next year and wish to defer their student contribution (previously known as HECS = Higher Education Contribution Scheme) can do likewise. For more information about TFN contact Joy Walden on 9354 3618.

Final reminders to 2011 HSC students

Macquarie University Preferred Admission Scheme: Through their School Partner Program (which this College joined this year) Macquarie Uni is offering two HSC students from each Partner School a selection bonus of five points for enrolment into programs of study. This Preferred Admission Scheme aims to assist students whose ATAR score may not reflect their ability to succeed in their chosen field of study at uni in gaining access to their preferred tertiary education option. Successful applicants are not required to meet any specific criteria other than having an ATAR over 72.55. The College can nominate five students to be considered for the bonus points – each student must fill out an application form. The school rank these students in order of priority – when UAC preferences close in January the university will assess the candidate pool from each partner school and award the points to the two highest candidates whose UAC application indicates a genuine desire to study at Macquarie University. If a student is planning to defer the studies they should still apply now. For more information contact Julia Watters (9850 7382). Closing date for applications is 7 December. Charles Hawker Scholarships 2012: Applications accepted from 9 December to 6 January. Value: $60,000 over four years. Visit http://www.hawkerscholarship.org/application.html or contact the secretary for more information (08 8127 1654). 15 December until 6 January – Year 12 Careers Advisory Service: Offers professional and impartial advice during the summer holidays.

Phone 1300 300 687 or go to www.cas.det.nsw.edu.au for helpful information which may assist students in clarifying course choices, employment opportunities, career pathways and training options.

Information especially for Current Year 11 students

Please purchase a copy of the UAC 2012 Guide @ $19.95 from a newsagent. It is very helpful to have it for reference and to check on the range of university options in NSW and ACT. It is useful to bring it with you when you have a careers interview. Some advice as you begins your HSC year on the application of effective Study Habits. Effective study is an important part of good scholarship. Being organised, planning ahead and being sure of what is required will help you to avoid rushing your work and not doing your best. Here are some things that can really help you produce your best work: Keep a diary and make sure you know when your work is due to be handed in. Note the dates and times when you will gather information for research tasks and when you might do a first draft of your work. Be well organised – keep your notes and folders in order and reorganise them regularly (use dividers or coloured paper or properly named digital files to separate each topic). Make sure you understand what is required for each task, project or assignment. If you are not sure, ask your teacher for further explanation. Visit the HSC Online website and read what they say about time management and good study habits.

INFORMATION RECEIVED THIS WEEK

The School for Excellence (TSFX) runs “Mastering the HSC”, a unique and powerful program designed to motivate, empower and organise students to ensure they are provided with the necessary skills and information to maximise HSC scores. This program consists of an intense learning/study skills lecture as well as two specialised “Master Classes” in select Year 12 subjects. Dates & Venues: 6 November (University of NSW) and 12 November (Uni of Sydney). For more information call 1300 364 065 or see www.tsfx.com.au. Students who cannot attend these talks are invited to join their online service free of charge. Phone 1300 364 173 or go to www.tsfx.com.au/nsw. “Careers in Sport, Leisure & Fitness” Workshops which will be held at Sydney Olympic Park as follows: 8, 17 & 28 November, 6 December, 10.15am-2.30pm: Cost $25.00. For more information contact Julie Stafford Education Manager at NSW Sports Federation Inc (0405 841 016). 14 November, 11.30am-2.00pm: JMC Academy Showcase – students interested in pursuing studies in film, animation or music are encouraged to go along and be inspired by JMC students. It will include a repertoire of bands, animated short-films, student TV commercials and documentaries. Phone 9281 8899 for tickets or email npeters@jmc.edu.au.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

9 November, 6.30-8.30pm: Macquarie University will be holding an Information Evening for Non-Current School Leavers and Mature Age Students. Please contact Raewyn Burden (futurestudent@mq.edu.au) to register your interest. 13 November, 11.00am: St Patrick’s Institution of Education Open Day, cnr Devonshire & Riley Streets, Surry Hills – phone 8306 2333. Talk to current students, ex-students and staff. Diploma courses in Business Administration, Business and Marketing. Entrance to these courses not ATAR dependent – also a pathway into university. 14 & 15 November, 6.00-8.00pm: UTS Parents’ Information Evenings at UTS Aerial Function Centre, City Campus. A great

  11 

opportunity to gain information about admissions, entry pathways, scholarships and support services available for UTS students. Parents will have a chance to talk to current UTS students about their experiences and join a tour of campus and facilities. To register go to http://www.undergraduate.uts.edu.au/events. 16 November, 6.00-8.00pm: UTS Parents’ Information Evening at their Ku-ring-gai campus in Lindfield, in their small lecture theatre. Degrees offered here include Business, Education, Events, Leisure, Sport, Tourism & Nursing. Register at http://www.undergraduate.uts.edu.au/events. 19 November, 11.00am-2.00pm: Open Day at Williams Business College in North Sydney. Excellent short courses on offer – office skills, management and marketing – great stepping stones in a career or to help you get into university. Phone 9957 5588. 21 November, 7.00-9.00pm: Gene Therapy – Disease Discovery Evening at UNSW Museum of Human Disease. These sessions are designed to offer students an insight into life as a doctor or medical scientist. There will be a presentation of approximately 40 minutes followed by time to visit the Museum of Human Disease and view related specimens and displays. Numbers are strictly limited. Register now to avoid disappointment (www.network.unsw.edu.au). (Search keyword “Gene Therapy”) 24 November: BASAIR Aviation College will hold a Career Information Session. Basair has been operating for more than 20 years training commercial pilots. It requires only one year of vocational study before students graduate and enter the workforce. With Boeing and Airbus, it is expected that number of required pilots will double in the next 15 years. For more information see www.basair.com.au. They will hold Career Information Sessions on 26 October and 24 November, from 7.00-8.30pm at Basair Aviation College, 131 Vega Crescent, Bankstown Airport. Registration is compulsory at www.basair.com.au/careerinfonight. 30 November: Living with Teenagers – Strategies for Stress. Free Parent/Carer Information talks by psychologists at Hornsby. Venue: Mission Australia, Level 1, 1 Coronation Street (enter via Pacific highway) 7.30-8.30pm. Booking is essential on 9482 1366. 30 November: - Closing date for Undergraduate Scholarships at Macquarie University. Booklets available from the Careers Room. 10 December: Registrations close for Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand for Semester 1 in 2012. Their 2012 Undergraduate Prospectus has arrived – it is also online www.otago.ac.nz/prospectivestudents/otago010559.pdf. They also have a website for students from Australia www.otago.ac.nz/prospectivestudents/australia/index.html. Preferential Entry guarantees high-calibre students a place at Otago when they meet University Entrance requirements ATAR 80.00. 19 December: University of Melbourne Course Information Day. This is a final opportunity for current HSC students to speak with course representatives and undergraduates and to hear about the selection and enrolment process. For registration and program details go to www.cop.unimelb.edu.au. They also have a useful website to find pathways to various careers www.pathways.unimelb.edu.au. U Melb has leapfrogged the Australian National University to No 1 place in Australia and No 60 worldwide in the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) in 2011. 9-12 January: Important opportunity for current Year 10 or 11 students – 2012 UNSW Minerals Summer School (UMSS). Cost: $200.00. Closing date 30 September. Don’t delay in applying as it fills up quickly. Students will begin at UNSW campus for introductory lectures and lab sessions then travel to Hunter Valley and visit surface and underground mining operations and important environmental rehabilitation sites. This is both intensive and exciting and will show career options students didn’t know existed. Applications on the website www.mining.unsw.edu.au/node/510. 9-20 January: UTS School of Architecture will be running a summer school program for students interested in architecture. This is for current Year 10 & 11 students. Cost: $599 for a two-week intensive course and includes cost of most materials. Contact Gavin Perin (9514 1177). Venue: Building 6, 702-730 Harris Street, Ultimo.

25 January: Information session and selection screening for students interested in Electrical Trades at Meadowbank TAFE a 9.00am, Room H-4-17. Phone Bob Kefford (9942 3641). A free website which may be useful for senior students was launched in July 2010 by Uni Australia – www.uniaustralia.com.au. It provides student reviews, ratings and rankings and comparisons plus articles and guides giving tips for bridging the gap between high school and university. For more information contact Rowan Kunz (rowan.kunz@uniaustralia.com.au or 0422 160 488). They report that a recent University of New England study revealed that a staggering one in five university students quit in their first year, either due to dissatisfaction or unhappiness with their course. Another new website to assist students in the selection of a university is http://whatdegreewhichuniversity.com. Travel & Work in Canada: A bilateral agreement between the Australian and Canadian governments allows 18-30 year old Australian passport holders to travel and work in Canada for up to two years. No job offer is required. If you are thinking about a Gap Year or university break participating in the International Exchange Canada (IEC) could be a great option. See www.australia.gc.ca and go to “Travel and Work in Canada”. Visits to Charles Sturt University: Open Day Every Day. (Monday to Friday). Contact 1800 334 733 – go and have a personalised tour of the campus that suits you (Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange or Wagga Wagga). You will have the chance to talk to professional staff, see their state-of-the-art facilities and equipment ad see campus accommodation. Please note three working days’ notice is required for this booking. See http://www.csu.edu.au/oncampus/campus-tour/tour. HSC Advice Line opened on 15 October. Phone 131 112 for course assistance available from experienced teachers in twenty of the most popular HSC courses. Also see http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/advice-line.html, http://studentsonline.bos.nsw.edu.au/ and http://hsc.csu/edu/au/.

Deirdre Agnew Careers Counsellor (deirdre.agnew@staloysius.nsw.edu.au) My usual days at the College are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

  12 

  13 

  14 

  15