Term 3 Welcome
The term has begun, and I hope that the holiday period was relaxing and that you were able to spend some quality time together as a family. In particular, I would like to welcome a number of new students and their families: Ramone C Year 7, Kaiden K Year 7, Lily M Year 8, Ruby P Year 8 and Luka Y ear 10. We hope that your time with us is both productive and rewarding.

Senior Program Information Evening on Tuesday 26 July 2022
On Tuesday 26 July, we are having our Senior Information Evening, which involves important information sessions taking place to inform students and parents on subject choices for Years 10, 11 and 12.

As you may have seen in the media, Victoria’s senior secondary education is changing. From 2023 the VCE will include the Vocational Major, a 2-year program that sits within the VCE. The new VCE Vocational Major will replace the Intermediate and Senior VCAL. This means the VCE will recognise different students equally. Parents and students of Year 10 are required to attend, as we will be sharing important information regarding subject selection and the new senior certificate.

As well as stalls from every College subject area and the opportunity to chat to the specialist teachers from each of these areas there will also be guests present from Universities and TAFE providers so that students have the chance to explore several options for their educational pathway.

The Years 10, 11 and 12 students and families are invited to attend the Careers Expo that is open from 3:30pm until 8:00pm in the ASH to look at the stalls and speak with the careers team. Please be sure to also attend the information session, focused on senior programs, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in the Mary MacKillop Auditorium which will outline changes to the VCE and is designed predominantly for Year 10 students and their parents, but all are welcome to attend

Congratulations
Congratulations to Mrs. Samantha and Alex Veneziano on the birth of their son, Daniel Joseph Veneziano, born on the last Thursday of term 2 -Thursday, 23 June. Both Daniel and Sam are doing well, and he is another addition to the Penola family.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Mrs. Samantha and Alex Veneziano on the birth of their son, Daniel Joseph Veneziano, born on the last Thursday of term 2 -Thursday, 23 June. Both Daniel and Sam are doing well, and he is another addition to the Penola family.

Staffing Changes

Masks
There has been a lot of commentary this week about the fact that the Victorian Government have decided not to mandate masks again in Schools despite the Victorian Chief Health Officer recommending this. I believe that we should be strongly encouraging all staff and students to wear masks whilst indoors as this is clearly the medical advice and the number of COVID cases is increasing. The Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools, Mr Jim Miles has written a letter stating that all students over the age of 8 should wear masks indoors at schools.

RAT Tests
We will provide these RATs to parents/carers, staff or students on request, from each of the respective Campus Offices. The previous settings that required weekly testing of students and staff have ceased. A reminder if you have COVID symptoms you must complete a RAT test or if you have been identified as a household contact you must wear a mask and complete a RAT test every day prior to coming to school.

Reduction of testing and isolation exemption period
The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to four weeks.

This means that staff and students who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are not exempt from the testing and isolation requirements after four weeks of completing isolation with COVID-19. Previously, this period was 12 weeks.

This means that a student or staff member who is a household contact and wishes to attend school must take five RATs over seven days and receive negative test results and wear a face mask (if over eight years old) in indoor spaces. This applies from four weeks after the end of an isolation period when they were a case.

Families and staff will also have to report being a household contact to their school after this four-week period.

The term ahead
As ever we have our ongoing teaching and learning- our core business. Term 3 means planning for 2022: subject selection, information evenings, Year 8-10 subject selection interviews, determining staff intentions for 2023 and staff reviews. I thank you in anticipation for your support of these ventures so that once again, we may be off to a smooth start for 2023.

Term Three within secondary schools is an essential time of preparation. For Year 12 students, it is their last full school term in their lives - which can sometimes be a scary thought! It is undoubtedly a time for Year 12 students to consolidate their knowledge, continue to revise and prepare for the end of year exams. For all other students the focus of Term Three is upon subject selections for 2023 and, with this, a focus upon future career choices.

Term 3 is traditionally a very busy time of year for students, staff and parents as planning for the next year begins in earnest. As a school we are attempting to provide as much information as we can to ensure that all of our students are making informed choices with regards to their subject selections. I understand the anxieties experienced by both parents and students in trying to determine which subjects to do in the subsequent years. At 14, 15 or 16 years of age it is difficult to determine a future career path or even direction. Many students are in exactly the same position of not knowing what it is that they may do in the future.

There are some broad principles in terms of subject selections that apply to all students:

Choose subjects that you enjoy.
This makes sense to me, as students will put more effort into subjects that they enjoy and where there is an increased chance of receiving good grades.

Choose subjects that are required for your future career path

Provided you know your future career path, you should choose any prerequisite subjects that may be required. Generally, this means choosing the highest level of mathematics that you are capable of, continuing with a language if possible or investigating/researching the subjects that are required for tertiary study. Where a future career path is unknown, it is best to keep your options open by choosing a broad course or researching the consequences of not choosing a subject.

Choose subjects that you are good at.
Students may not necessarily like a particular subject, but they are very talented in the area, or have always found the subject easier than most.

I ask all families to allocate time to discuss subject selections over the next few weeks. Take advantage of the information sessions available here at the school, organise interviews with relevant staff members and complete your own research regarding what is best for your child. As long as the decisions that are made are informed decisions, then we are all doing the best that we possibly can! The College will also lead students in Years 8, 9 & 10 through the process of subject selection and important information will be distributed to students and parents over the next 4 weeks. Later in the term we will go through the process of electing student leaders for the 2023 school year, another important aspect of third term.

College Production
The upcoming production of ‘High School Musical” will hopefully provide a wonderful example of what can be achieved when many people, in this case students, staff members and parents, work together in a common endeavor. There have been months of hard work resulted in the lead up to our performances which are scheduled for Wednesday 20 July, Thursday 21 July, Friday July 22 and Saturday 23 July. We are indebted especially to our director, Ms Jane Dalli and the other staff including Ramona Arney, Simon Greatwood, Catherine Hosking, Sandra Warren, Dianne Lee and Tania Hatherell and Bethaney Warren. I will attend the Opening night session on Thursday 21 July. I thank the student body involved with High School Musical including the cast members, band, backstage and costumes. I am mindful of the time commitment that this has meant both for our students, staff but also parents as they have had to ferry around their sons or daughters to rehearsals and the like. I hope that the performances are an accurate reflection of the effort, commitment, and talents of all those involved.

NAIDOC AFL Game against Gubutt Magpies
As part of the celebrations of NAIDOC week in the past week, Penola Catholic College hosted an AFL game against the Garbutt Magpies from Townsville. The game was held on Tuesday, 5 July at the Hangar, Essendon Football Club, 275 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine. From all reports the game was a huge success

A huge thanks to Mr Arnel Davis for all of his organisation of this opportunity for our students as well as the Townsville students as well.

Parent Teacher Student Partnership Meetings
Our Parent Teacher Student interviews will take place on Thursday 11 August at both campuses. These interviews will take place via Microsoft TEAMS. Education is a three-way partnership between the school, the students and families.

Year 7 Enrolments 2024
A reminder to all of our existing families that Year 7 enrolments for 2024 close on Friday, 19 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.

Reminder: No Year 12 VCE classes on Friday, 22 July
Friday 22 July will be student free for all Year 12 VCE students as the vast majority complete their Year 12 English orals on this day. This will allow our English staff time to complete a fair and just assessment of each and every year 12 English student. Year 12 VCAL students will have normal classes on this day.

Condolences
Condolences to the Hoctor family (Amy Year 10, Claire Year 7) on the passing of their mother Alison during the holiday period after a long battle will cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoctor family throughout this most difficult time.

Condolences to the Tie family (Sahrvio Year 9) on the passing of his father during the recent holiday period. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tie family throughout this most difficult time.

Welcome to Term 3. I hope the students had time to unwind during the break after a busy Term 2.

STEAM Week
During the last week of Term 2 the students at the Glenroy Campus were involved in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Maths) week. On Friday each group chose one of the team’s projects which represented their weeks efforts. The presentations demonstrated the wonderful STEAM activities the students had designed and implemented over the 4 days. As STEAM is designed for students to be curious learners, they investigated chosen topics of interest in science, technology, engineering, art and maths to apply new skills and knowledge to a problem. Thank you to all the staff who designed and ran STEAM activities.

Academic Intervention
The Academic Intervention Program is designed to assist students that did not complete a number of assessment tasks across multiple subjects during Term 2. The new round of our Academic Intervention Program began on Wednesday, with a letter and Operoo notification sent home to those students involved.

Mobile Phones
As students are not permitted to use their mobile phones during the day; if parents need to deliver an urgent message to their child this can be communicated via the Glenroy Campus office.

I hope all students had a chance to relax over the break after a very busy term 2. It has been terrific to see the students back on campus over the past week.

Congratulations and well done to:

• The Year 10 students on their respectful behaviour during the immunisations from Hume City Council
• The Production students who have been working hard in preparation for their upcoming performances
• Year 9 Premier League Teams for their start to the season
• Those who participated and supported the 3 on 3 staff vs students basketball lunchtime activity
• VCAL students for their efforts running a lunchtime BBQ fundraiser for the RSPCA
• All students for settling back into the routine of school

Career pathways
A focus for term 3 is exploring career opportunities. Throughout term 3 students will be looking at their pathways for 2023 and have various opportunities to engage in research and reflection activities supported by the Careers Team and their Pastoral Teacher to help inform subject selections. Our Careers Expo provides further resources for students and their families about subject choices and future career pursuits. I look forward to seeing students and their families at the Careers Expo next Tuesday 26 July 26 in the ASH.

Leadership Launch
Last week our Year 10 and 11 students attended a Leadership Assembly which provided an introduction to leadership and the various leadership roles and opportunities available at Penola Catholic College. We welcomed back former College Captain Taniya Senanyake to share her experiences in leadership. I encourage all students to consider the benefits that the leadership program has to offer. Thank you to Ms Perkin for her work in supporting the students in their leadership endeavours.

Uniform expectations

I ask for your cooperation and support with the following uniform requirements:

• PE uniform only to be worn on PE days or other permitted day as directed by the Teacher.
• Students arrive to school clean shaven
• No additional jewellery items i.e. no nose piercings, piercings other than one stud/sleeper in each ear lobe
• No additional jackets/hoodies

Where will you be in 2023?

Do you have family or friends looking to join the College in 2023? Applications for 2023 closed back in August 2021.

We have limited spaces available for Year 7 in 2023.

Visit the enrolments page to submit and online application or collect an enrolment pack from one of our campuses.

Junior Campus
35 William Street, Glenroy

Senior Campus
29 Gibson Street, Broadmeadows

Victoria’s senior secondary education is changing. From 2023, the new VCE Vocational Major will replace Intermediate and Senior VCAL. This means the VCE will recognise different students equally. The new Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) will replace Foundation VCAL. Students will have more education choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences – preparing them for further study, training at TAFE or work. From 2023, more students will study the VCE. That is because the VCE will include the Vocational Major, a 2-year program that sits within the VCE. There will also be the Victorian Pathways Certificate for those who need flexibility in their learning. A new information and awareness campaign, Many Talents, One VCE explains the changes. The changes are a result of the Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth review).

The review found we needed to improve vocational learning in schools. Schools currently offering VCAL will switch to the VCE Vocational Major from 2023. Please note, students currently enrolled in Intermediate VCAL will not be disadvantaged as there are processes in place to ensure that students can complete their Intermediate studies. Teachers and careers counsellors are available to answer questions and to support students as they make decisions about their final years at school. Now students will have greater access to high-quality, relevant vocational education and applied learning opportunities. For more information, go to vic.gov.au/oneVCE and engage with all the material shared by Penola.

The important Transition Program for students will begin shortly and will lead them to successfully choose their pathway for 2023. Parents please support your child by reading the Curriculum Handbook together and discussing subject and pathway selection. All subjection information will be posted on MyPenola.

On Tuesday 26 July, we are having our Senior Information Evening, which involves important information sessions taking place to inform students and parents on subject choices for Year 11. Parents and students currently in Year 10 are required to attend, as we will be sharing important information regarding subject selection and the new senior certificate.

As well as stalls from every College subject area and the opportunity to chat to the specialist teachers from each of these areas there will also be guests present from Universities and TAFE providers so that students have the chance to explore several options for their educational pathway.

The Year 10 students and families are invited to attend the Careers Expo that is open from 3:30pm until 8:00pm in the ASH to look at the stalls and speak with the careers team. Please be sure to also attend the information session, focused on senior programs, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in the Mary MacKillop Auditorium.

Canberra Trip
VCE Legal Studies students recently visited Canberra accompanied by Mr Sam Papadopoulos and Mrs Argyropoulos. The purpose of the trip was to assist in gaining a better understanding of the structure and function of our system of Government at the Federal level and also the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution. This will assist students in Unit 4 Legal Studies, as it is very heavily based on Federal Parliament and the Constitution.

Congratulations to all involved!

Getting hands-on with languages.
When you study a language, you need to get your hands dirty. It could be about cracking the secret key to a text or experimenting with a traditional recipe in the target language. You need to ‘touch’ the language, feel it, experience it, fail at understanding it, try repeatedly and finally succeed. And when you do succeed…well, you are on top of the world! Why do we assume that the best performers in all fields were all born with their talent? Why should we ever lose the enjoyment that we had when we were little kids, when we considered that falling down was (probably the greatest) fun in our games? Let’s stop focusing on the product for a moment and let’s focus on the process. Mastery is obtained through repeated practice, through failing and failing and failing again until we get it right. Every single mistake should be celebrated in languages like a developmental stage. So, while we become competent language speakers, we might as well enjoy it. I wish all languages students plenty of fun and success in their journey.

Fulvia Galigani
Head of Languages

Looking for something to do at lunchtime? Why not come and join our Language club. Details below.

Glenroy Language Clubs

Broadmeadows Italian Club

Towards the end of last term, 13 Year 11 & 12 students attended a trip to Canberra, along with one of the Year 11 Legal Studies teacher’s Mr Sam Papadopoulos and myself.

The aim of the trip was to gain a better insight into the structure and function of our system of Government at the Federal level and also the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution. However, our visit was not only Legal and Political based. We wanted to give the students access to different places of interest in Canberra.

When we arrived in Canberra, it was important to explore our surroundings and become familiar with the city of Canberra. Where we were staying, where we were having breakfast and most importantly where the bus stop was, as that was our main mode of transportation.

That afternoon we visited Anzac Parade. The students were in awe of the monuments that have been built along Anzac Parade and are dedicated to Australian soldiers who have fought in a number of wars. They read the information on each of the monuments and studied the detail of the statues and how life like they were. Later in the afternoon, we made our way from Anzac Parade up to the Australian War Memorial. Students were surprised to hear that the displays in the museum were actual pieces of equipment, medals, uniforms and planes that have been used in past wars and that some have been donated by families to the museum. We were present for the Last Post ceremony. This occurs every afternoon just before the Memorial closes. The story of a soldier who has died in a past war is read and there is a wreath laying ceremony. Chloe B and Cameron M volunteered to lay a wreath each on behalf of the school.

Chloe’s thoughts on laying the wreath ‘Laying the wreath at the ANZAC ceremony alongside some highly respected people was an honourable experience to get to represent the school in such a special and important way.’

While Cameron commented: “I was very honoured to lay the Wreath and pay my respect to those past and present service members of our armed forces”

On Thursday and Friday we visited both the old and new Parliament House. At both these locations the students took part in role plays. At Parliament House, the students impressed both Mr Papadopoulos and myself as they chose to role play debating a Bill in the Senate (upper house of Parliament) where they decided on their own issue, they did not take up the suggestions of our facilitator. The students wanted to debate a Bill in expanding our trade to other nations and not relying only on China.

At old Parliament House, the students learnt some history as they re-enacted The Dismissal of the Whitlam Government, 1975.

However, the trip was not only Legal Studies based, we had some rest and relaxation. Students were given a guided tour of a glass blowing factory where students had a hands on experience in creating their own glass tile. Also, their competitive sides came out when we had a night our bowling.

Overall, it was an enjoyable three days. It was lovely to observe the students enjoying their time in Canberra, taking in the sites, navigating their way around Canberra, and at the same time increasing their knowledge of our Legal and Political System and key historical events in Australia’s past.

Chrisoula Argyropoulos
Head of Humanities

From the 23-26 June 17 VCE Visual Art students and 4 staff members embarked on the annual Penola Catholic College Sydney Art Tour.

This immersive four day trip provides students who are studying Visual Communication Design, Media and Studio Art the opportunity to experience a broad range of Galleries, Museums and Culture in an exciting and for many, new city. From the hustle and bustle of Ultimo, our inner-city base to the laid-back white sands of Manly, we walked, explored, and enjoyed each other’s company. These trips are about so much more than simply looking at art. At the core of this immersive experience is the relationship building, opportunities for leadership and the personal growth that takes place.

Students spent time at the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills. They witnessed the current exhibition and explored the studio home of the late artist, which remains largely as it was when he lived and worked there in the mid 1980’s. The Media students explored an exhibition dedicated to animation at the Japan Foundation Gallery. The Australian Design Centre and AFTERS, Australian Film, Television and Radio school, provided our students with opportunities to explore, see and listen to designers and educators discuss their work and post school pathways. The Art Gallery of New South Wales featured an Exhibition by one of Australia’s leading contemporary indigenous artists, Daniel Boyd. His exhibition titled, Treasure Island, was both thought provoking and beautiful. Similarly, the current exhibition being held at the Manly art gallery titled Settled / Unsettled, works by and featuring asylum -seeker migrants and refugees. The large realistic portraits with their piercing eyes were a real highlight for our students. The Powerhouse Museum provided a sensory overload on the Thursday night after dinner. We were able to explore a range of exhibitions directly relating to our areas of study and personal interests.

The Harbour is always a highlight, the Sydney weather was sparkling, we were very lucky given what unfolded in the following week. The ferry ride to Manly provides a different perspective of the city and a break from walking. Seeing the landmarks from the water is a memory that will stay with our students for years to come. On return to Circular Quay as our ferry pulled in, the Sydney Harbour Bridge provided the backdrop for a seemingly impromptu fireworks display. Just another highlight from a highly successful tour.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful students who participated in the tour. They were fantastic ambassadors for our college and our community. These Tours don’t take place without the dedication and good will of the staff who attend, Thank you.

Jason Hussey
HOL Visual Arts

School Crossing Supervisors

Ace Fun Tennis

Swimland Swim Club

St. Mark's Parish Dinner Dance Fundraiser

The SAINTS SFFC