Dear members of the Penola Catholic College community,
Month of November
Traditionally, Catholics observe November as the month of the Holy Souls. The month commences with two great Feast Days, the Feast of All Saints (1st Nov) and the Feast of All Souls (2nd Nov). As I have mentioned in previous editions of this newsletter, it is also quite appropriate that during this month we observe Remembrance Day, 11th November, the anniversary of the day in 1918 when the hostilities ceased in the Great War, now more commonly known as the First World War. In remembering, honouring and praying for the dead we recognise the inestimable value of life, the dignity and sanctity of those who have died, and the sure belief that life continues beyond death albeit in a way that we do not fully understand. In remembering and praying for own loved ones who have died, we pay tribute to the gift that they have been to us, and we extend to them the care that they shared with us during their lives on earth.
Last week, at a special Memorial Mass in St Joseph’s Chapel, we prayed with those in our community who have suffered the loss of family members and friends this year. The great consolation for us is that we know that those who have died are now with God, and are experiencing the fullness of God’s mercy and love.
We also celebrated All Saints day on 1 November. On this day we remember the people of God throughout history like our patron, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, who have been recognised as Saints by the Church. These individuals, young and old have lived out their faith and, at times, have paid the ultimate price for believing in God by giving their lives as martyrs. This year we think again especially of those countries around the world where Christians are being persecuted and are suffering for their faith. We remember the living saints of our times, the people of God living in this world today who by their example live their faith out daily. We pray that the Saints past and present may inspire us all to follow their example of service to others.
2020 Mobile Phone Ban
We have made the decision to ban mobile phones throughout the school day for 2020. Thanks to parents who responded to the survey with in excess of 70% of parent responses in support of a ban of mobile phones. Students will still bring their phones to school but they are not to be taken to class nor into the grounds at recess and lunchtimes. Students will be responsible for locking their own phones in their lockers throughout the day. There may be times where a staff member specifically asks students to bring their mobile phones to class to use for educational purposes such as specific apps etc. but this will be clearly communicated to students. There will obviously be a range of sanctions for students who are caught with their mobiles which will be outlined to students over the next fortnight and to families in the next newsletter. It is our intention to introduce this in Headstart this year. I have listed below the consequences for students who are caught using their mobile phone during the school day in Headstart and throughout 2020.
1st offence
The student will receive a warning and the teacher will record this on Office 365 Excel
2nd offence
The phone will be confiscated and placed in the office. An automated message will be sent to the parent
Eg. Your child has breached the Mobile Phone Policy for the 2nd time. Should there be a further breach, you will be required to collect the phone from the Campus Office
Students who refuse to hand the phone over to the staff member will incur the consequences of the 3rd offence
3rd offence
The phone will be confiscated and placed in the office. A parent will be required to collect the phone.
4th offence
The phone will be confiscated and placed in the office. A YLC/COS meeting will be scheduled with parents and students. A Saturday Detention will be applied
2019 Art Show
The annual College Art Show was opened on Wednesday 6 November. The works on display have been taken from all subject areas in the Visual Arts department and across all year levels. The items on display are of a high standard and provide evidence that our students have wonderful opportunities to develop their talents and skills in these areas of endeavour. Congratulations to Mr Jason Hussey, Mrs Naomi Diaz and all our art teachers and technicians for their efforts throughout the year and for the organization of the Art Show.
Annual Awards Night
The annual Awards Night will be held in the Assembly and Sports Hall on Tuesday evening, 26 November, commencing at 7.00pm. Our guest of honour will be Brenton Eggleston, a former Penola Catholic College student and College Dux. Brenton has gone on to become a physiotherapist working in elite sport in the AFL and English Premier League. All College families are warmly invited to attend this significant occasion.
Under the Starts Concert
Our music performers had the opportunity to shine at the Under the Stars concert held on Wednesday 6 November. This event showcased the talents of our musicians, bands and performers. Unfortunately I am rhythmically challenged but I can appreciate the talents of our students and their musicianship. Hours and hours of practice goes into perfecting their skills and talents and I was incredibly proud of the courageous students who performed live on these nights. I thank the parents and friends who supported our students on these nights as well as the Music staff including Mr James Maddocks, Mrs Dianne Lee and our classroom and instrumental music teachers.
Headstart
This year we are continuing our successful Headstart program at the end of the year to eight days for current Years 9, 10 and 11. In effect this means that our current Years 9 - 11 students will commence their 2020 VCE/VCAL subjects on Tuesday 26 November and finish on Thursday 5 December. The advantages to this program are that students can begin their 2020 classwork earlier and giving them additional time to learn their respective VCE and VCAL subjects. I have included this information now so that families can plan their end of year holidays with certainty and also know the finish times of each of the respective year levels. Current Years 7 & 8 students will commence Headstart on Monday 2 December and finish on Thursday 5 December.
Year 11 End of Year Dates
Exams Wednesday November 13 – Wednesday November 20
Celebration Day Thursday November 21
Headstart program Tuesday November 26 – Thursday December 5
Years 10 End of Year Dates
Last Day of classes Wednesday November 13
Exams Thursday November 14 – Thursday November 21
Headstart program Tuesday November 26 – Thursday December 5
Year 9 End of Year Dates
Last Day of classes Friday November 15
Exams Monday November 18 – Thursday November 21
Headstart program Tuesday November 26 – Thursday December 5
Years 8 End of Year Dates
Last Day of classes Thursday November 28
Headstart program Monday December 2 – Thursday December 5 at the Broadmeadows Campus
Year 7 End of Year Dates
Last Day of classes Thursday November 28
Headstart program Monday December 2 – Thursday December 5 at the Glenroy Campus
Student Free Days this Term
Friday 22 November and Monday 25 November are Student Free Days for the Broadmeadows/Senior Campus. This will allow our Senior students (Years 9-11) a small break between finishing exams and commencing their Headstart program and allow our staff to have a correction day to finalise grades. Our junior students (Years 7&8) have exams on Friday 22 November. The Year 7 students are at the Glenroy campus and Year 8 students are at the Broadmeadows campus.
Friday 29 November is a Student-Free Day for our Years 7 & 8 students at the Glenroy campus to all our Junior campus staff time for correction and report writing of the end of year reports.
Year 7 Enrolments 2021
A reminder to all of our existing families that Year 7 enrolments for 2020 closed on Friday 16 August. A number of families applied after the close of enrolment last year and it makes it very difficult to accurately plan for the following year so I ask that you submit your enrolment as soon as possible. Often families assume that we know that there is a younger sibling but I would be very disappointed if one of our existing families missed out on an enrolment due to not submitting their enrolment in a timely manner.
REMAR Solidarity Trip
Best wishes to Miss Nicole Allan, Miss Emma Tabone and Mrs Nella Dalrymple and the 7 members of our Blue Caravel who will travel to Alice Springs on Friday November 29 for the REMAR solidarity immersion experience and return on Friday December 6. I will also accompany the students for the first part of the trip from Friday 29 November to Tuesday 3 December. Once again, our caravel members will support the people of the Amoonguna indigenous community located near Alice Springs. We wish them every blessing and trust that both communities, ours and theirs, will be enriched by this experience.
God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.
Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.
In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Amen.
Chris Caldow
Principal
