Term four has certainly been busy and full of opportunities for our students.

The Year 8s participated in an RE reflection day early in the term where they had the opportunity to where they reflected on ‘Life Choices’.

The Year 8 cohort have also been participating in Premier League this term. All our year 8 teams have represented Penola with pride and dignity.

Congratulations to all junior students who won sport awards presented at our annual sports award night on Monday 28 October.

On 29 October the Year 7 students participated in an ‘Ancient Civilisation’ Incursion. The students were immersed into life in ancient Rome. The presenters were very impressed by the behaviour and level of involvement of our students during the presentations. I have included some photos of the day. Thank you to Ms Maria Mancuso and the Year7 humanities teachers for organising this great opportunity for our students.

Our Year 7 and 8 students are about to participate in a beach safety program at either Altona or Port Melbourne Beach. The sessions will be run by life saving Victoria and will include activities such as:

• Rescue in water
• Paddle boarding on water
• life jacket rescue in water
• Theory CPR on sand
• Theory water safety on sand.

Thank you to Mr Pell and the PE staff for organising this exciting opportunity. We look forward to hearing all about the students beach experience.

Our junior drama and music students ae also preparing for our junior soiree evening scheduled to take place on 13 November in our Mary Mackillop Auditorium at the Senior Campus. This event will showcase the talents of our Year 7 and 8 students in instrumental music, choir, contemporary music workshops, and drama.

The students have volunteered their own time and have been busy rehearsing under the guidance of Mr Peng and Ms Pradhan. I look forward to joining our families to watch the performance in November.

This term we have a number of events where interested students can show leadership qualities. We are looking for student volunteers for events such as grade 4 visits, our Year 7 information night for 2025 students and our end of year events for Years 7 and 8. If you think your child would benefit or be interested in participating in these college events as a leader please encourage them to speak to their homeroom teacher.

Farewell Class of 2024
Last week the College farewelled the Year 12 class of 2024. I would like to thank all students and staff for the way in which they respectfully participated in the week of celebrations. It was lovely to share the occasion with families and thank you to everyone who was able to attend the College Assembly and the Mass and Graduation ceremony. I wish our year 12 students every success for the future and thank families for their support as members of our College community.

The Hume Whittlesea LLEN has released the newly updated Pathways Guide now available on their website. The Pathways Guide offers students, career pathways teams, families, and community organisations a comprehensive resource. Inside, you’ll find information on:

• Education and training options, including school-based, flexible, and post-secondary pathways.
• Support services and assistance programs.
• Tips on choosing a career path, finding employment, understanding workplace rights, and applying for jobs.

To access the guide, please visit the Hume Whittlesea Local Learning and Employment Network website at www.hwllen.com.au. Navigate to the “Resources” page to view or download your copy. Our Careers

Supporting wellbeing during exams
We are approaching a busy time for our Year 9 to 11 students who will be completing final assessments and preparing for end of semester exams. Families will receive a letter from the year level coordinators shortly outlining key exam dates and arrangements. Students will be provided with exam revision resources and are encouraged to revise regularly to avoid last minute cramming and stress.

Experiencing some stress during exams and peak assessment can be helpful in moderation and can help motivate students to study however if you are worried about your child’s stress levels please make contact with the year level coordinator.

Headspace provides some useful tips for students and families about efficient exam study and reducing stress.

Celebrating student success
Penola Catholic College provides many opportunities for students to show case their varied skills and talents and it has been terrific to see so many students display their hard work including the Performing Arts evenings, Technology and Visual Arts shows, Sports Awards Night, and Under the Stars musical performance. Congratulations to all students who have participated in various events and made the most of the co-curricular program this year.

As we enter the month of November, traditionally dedicated to remembering the deceased within the Catholic Tradition, we prepare to celebrate the College Memorial Mass on Wednesday 6 November. The month of November is traditionally a time in which the Catholic community remembers those who have died. It is related to the fact that the end of November is the end of the Liturgical Year with a new year starting the First Sunday of Advent – the four-week period of preparation before Christmas. The Church then uses this end of the year period as a time to think of the end of life and the end of all things and the great hope that our earthly end is transition into a new life in God’s heavenly reality. We give thanks for those who have gone before us and we look with prayer and hope to their new life in heaven and our desire to join them there one day.

Throughout Term 3 and already this term, we have had opportunities to explore and celebrate the faith dimension of the College. Each Year level by now will have had a reflection day. The Year 10’s went out to St George Catholic Chapel in Campbellfield and spent two days with Ministry artist Chris Doyle, where they examined many life choices amidst music, prayer and a liturgy.

The Year 8’s once again gathered for the second instalment of the reflection days run by Youth Mission Team Melbourne. We focused on the footsteps of St Paul and life choices. As is tradition, we completed each day with a beautiful, moving liturgy.

On Wednesday 23 October, the Year 12 students gathered to celebrate as a Year level the end of their secondary education. Fr Samuel Pearson and Fr Mahir Murad celebrated the Mass, which was well attended. We wish the Year 12 students the very best with exams.

Currently the Year 9 level is experiencing their reflection days, held at Westmeadows Community Garden. Here we have given a strong emphasis on Indigenous culture through cooking, gardening and music and culture. We are blessed to have Aunty Jo, Eva, Ganga and Sean First Nations Incursions.

We continue to gather in Mannes House for Alpha Youth group to talk all things faith related. Fridays have been dedicated to gathering for prayer, Adoration and Rosary. Fr Samuel Pearson continues to play a major role in assisting the Catholic formation of the students and staff.

Many thanks
Mr Vince Iannuzzi

The Annual Technology Show took place during the second week of this term and was inaugurated by Principal Tracey Kift. The event opened with an exciting Fashion Show, featuring a stunning collection of garments created by Year 10-12 students. In the foyer, an impressive display showcased student work from various Technology subjects.

One of the highlights of the show was the Cake Decorating Competition, which attracted over 30 entries from both staff and students. With the bar set high from previous years, many of the submissions were exceptional. The event drew a large crowd, with parents and friends attending to show their support for this highly anticipated annual showcase.

Head of Technology
Mr John Paul

On Tuesday 22 October the Year 10 & 11 Theatre Studies classes and Year 9 & 10 Dance classes showcased their talents at a performance evening. It was a vibrant evening that celebrated the very best of what Penola students are capable of. These students imbodied this year’s theme of ‘Do your best and God will bless your efforts’. The students did do their best and outcome was excellent. Well done to Ms Dalli and her students on their outstanding efforts.

"Those performance nights are awesome, opportunities to showcase what we've worked so hard on in class over the last few months"
Mason H 11K

"I really loved having the opportunity to do 2 great dances this semester alongside nice girls as we all came together and made a hip pop dance out of 2 songs which was really fun and a great experience for me to express my love for dance. Hopefully dance can be a subject for next year so that more people including myself can get more opportunities to do dances , it’s great for the school to have so many events to showcase students talent"
Hanniel K 10I

"We felt very excited to perform!"
"We felt butterflies in our stomachs but loved dancing on stage"
"We put in a lot of effort practicing at lunch times to make sure our dance was perfect!"
Year 9 Dance Students

We are excited to announce a new website dedicated to showcasing the Italian homestay program between our school and a partner school in Italy. This immersive experience has brought students closer to Italian culture through a combination of language learning, authentic cuisine, and unforgettable interactions with local families.

The website features a collection of students' reflections, capturing their personal growth and memorable moments. Browse through vibrant pictures of the program’s highlights—from exploring historic landmarks to bonding with host families.

Visit the website today to see how this enriching experience has transformed our students!

Hello Penola Staff, Students and Parents,

My name is Riley M, and I am one of your 2025 Captains of Sustainability alongside Max W. I have chosen to apply for the role of Sustainability captain as sustainability is an increasingly important issue in the world today, and this role gives me an opportunity to work closely with my friends and fellow leaders.

I am Max W, and I am your other 2025 Sustainability Captain! I chose to apply for this position for the chance to reduce Penola’s environmental impact and work closely with the new members of the sustainability club to make some positive changes throughout the year.

Over the next year, we plan to work closely with the sustainability team to oversee some of the following:

• A garden for the new Hospitality area
• Year-long auditing of classrooms focusing on energy use in classrooms during recess/lunch in buildings across the senior campus
• Compost and bottle/can bins across the campus, and recycling bins for paper to be placed in every classroom
• Encouraging staff to be role models to students by turning off interactive whiteboards, reducing photocopying, and collecting unwanted single sided printouts to be reused
• Monthly newsletter posts to update parents on progress and encourage parents to participate in home auditing of electricity waste
• Advertise sustainability club participation at the beginning of each term to encourage new membership
• Wear green clothing day to coincide with Environmental Education Week

Hopefully 2025 is the year where we revamp the Sustainability ideas across the college, and implement long lasting policies that benefit all.

Have a wonderful year in 2025!

Riley and Max
Captains of Sustainability

On Tuesday 29 October, our Year 7 students had the exciting opportunity to travel back in time to experience life in ancient Rome. To enrich their study of this fascinating era in Humanities, they learned captivating stories and intriguing facts about Roman people, places, and everyday life. The students eagerly participated in gladiatorial battles, donning costumes as the Emperor, senators, and other members of Roman society to oversee the action. Their enthusiasm and engagement truly brought history to life!

On Friday 11 October 2024, Glen D 8E represented the college in the Victorian Secondary Open Chess State Final at Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School. The tournament was conducted by the Northern Star Chess organisation. There were 57 representative Victorian secondary schools and some 380 students who qualified for the State Final. Glen had received the silver medal in the Junior category of the SACCSS interschool chess tournament at Antonine College in July. His win gave him direct entry into the State Final.

Being an Open tournament, Glen faced students from Years 7 to 12 who qualified. The game format was Swiss-system with 9 rounds. In this game format, competitors meet one-on-one in each round and are paired electronically using a set of rules designed to ensure that each competitor plays opponents with a similar running score but does not play the same opponent more than once. The winner is the competitor with the highest aggregate points earned in all rounds.

Most of the schools represented had a number of qualifying students which bolstered their outcome in the teams’ award. Glen was a sole representative. He was gallant in every game winning four and playing the five other games near the limit of high-level chess, at times, unluckily timing out or being caught up in a race to return the queen.

Glen displayed the spirit of fair play, leadership in his decision making, a high-level of understanding of his opponents thinking, and an agreeable and confident demeanour.

After the tournament, Glen commented on how the experience of the day will hold him in good stead in future tournaments. He stated his interest in further promoting competitive chess to his interested peers within the campus chess clubs. Congratulations and a whole college community thanks to Glen for his dedication, commitment, interest, and fine ambassadorship for Penola Catholic College.

SACCSS interschool chess (with the possibility of entry into the state finals) is part of our co-curricular program at Penola Catholic College, and we look forward to increasing the number of participants next year. We are grateful for the support of Ms. McKeown, Mr. Pell, Mr. Hajjar, and Ms. Ampfea throughout this year’s chess competitions.

Mr. Katsahambas

Year 11 Exam Timetable - November 2024

November

Monday 4 November - Student Free Day

Tuesday 5 November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Thursday 27 November - Headstart Commences

December

Thursday 5 December - Term 4 Concludes

VPCLive Event - Empower Students to Manage Bullying - Thursday 14 November 7.30pm

Essendon Football Club Next Generation Academy Come & Try Session

Hume City Council: Home energy saving events in November

Parentshop Upcoming Courses

VACCA Foster Care Program

Government Funded Financial support for families, Saverplus

Dallas Footy Fun Program

Broadmeadows Stars SC - Get Active Kids Voucher

Ace Fun Tennis School