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 (1 Nov) and the Feast of All Souls (2 Nov). As I have mentioned in previous editions of this newsletter, it is also quite appropriate that during this month we observe Remembrance Day, 11 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.

This week, at a special Memorial Mass in St Joseph’s Chapel, we will pray 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 Tuesday 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.

2022 Art Show
The annual College Art Show was opened on Wednesday 9 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 organisation of the Art Show.

Annual Awards Night
The annual Awards Night will be held in the Assembly and Sports Hall on Monday evening, 28 November, commencing at 7.00pm. Our guest of honour will be Mr John Domantay, a former Penola Catholic College student and College Captain. John is a 1996 graduate of Penola Catholic College and former College Captain. He achieved an ATAR of 90+. His qualifications include Bachelor of Science (Biomed) and Bachelor of Laws from Monash University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Monash University and a Diploma of Financial Services. John currently is the Founder and Director of Alecto Finance and the Founder and Director of EcoGen Technologies. He is a past recipient of the Mary of the Cross Medal. 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 9 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 Mrs Ramona Arney, Mrs Dianne Lee and our classroom and instrumental music teachers.

Headstart
This year we are continuing our successful Headstart program. Our current Years 8 - 11 students will commence their 2023 VCE subjects or 2023 Years 9 & 10 subjects on Monday 28 November and finish on Thursday 1 December. The advantages to this program are that students can begin their 2023 classwork earlier and giving them additional time to learn their respective VCE and Years 9 & 10 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.

Year 11 End of Year Dates

• Exams Wednesday 16 November – Wednesday 23 November
• Celebration Day Thursday 24 November
• Headstart program Monday 28 November – Thursday 1 December
  

Years 10 End of Year Dates

1. Last Day of classes Wednesday 16 November 16
2. Exams Thursday 17 November – Thursday 24 November
3. Headstart program Monday 28 November – Thursday 1 December
   

Year 9 End of Year Dates

• Last Day of classes Friday 18 November
• Exams Monday 21 November – Thursday 24 November
• Headstart program Monday 28 November – Thursday 1 December
  

Years 8 End of Year Dates

• Last Day of classes Thursday 24 November
• Headstart program Monday 28 November – Thursday 1 December at the Broadmeadows campus
  

Year 7 End of Year Dates

• Last Day of classes Thursday 24 November
• Headstart program Monday 28 November – Thursday 1 December at the Glenroy Campus

Student Free Days this Term
Friday 25 November is a Student Free Days for both Campuses. 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. It also allows our Junior campus staff time for correction and report writing of the end of year reports.

Year 12 Graduation Dinner
The Year 12 Graduation Dinner will occur on Monday 21 November, 2022. There has been some confusion regarding the date, but this is definitely the confirmed date. I look forward to seeing as many Year 12 students and their parents/guardians at the Dinner to celebrate the Class of 2022.

Year 7 Enrolments 2024
A reminder to all of our existing families that Year 7 enrolments for 2024 closed on Friday August 19. Letters of offer have been sent to those families who have completed the enrolment process last week. 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.

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

E-Sport
On Thursday 27 October the Penola Lions E-Sport team attended the FUSE cup Rocket League competition hosted by Ivanhoe Grammar. Both of our Year 7 and Year 8 teams got to play against student teams from other schools.

Our Year 8 team won the grand final, making them the Victorian State Champions for the FUSE competition. The team now move on to the International Competition. Well done to the students on their dedication and team work. Thanks to Mark O’Dowd for supervising the day and Dr Fiona Trapani for all her organisation.

Year 8 Retreat Day
On Wednesday 16 November the Year 8 students will be attending an excursion to Woodlands Historic Park in Somerton as part of their Religious Education Studies. Students will leave the Glenroy Campus by bus after Homeroom and return to the Glenroy Campus by bus, arriving back at school at approximately 3:00pm. Religious Education teachers and other attending staff members will accompany students.

The aim of the excursion is to support students in their understanding of the concept of the Catholic Social Teaching to Care for our Common Home as well as their exploration of Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si.’

Parks Victoria volunteers will offer students various sessions at the park which include:

• Guided spiritual walk
• Weeroona Indigenous cemetery talk
• Bandicoot sanctuary visit
• Litter removal
• Propagation of native plants demonstration

Students will be required to attend the excursion in their P.E. uniform and bring their hat and a water bottle. These items may be packed into a small bag rather than the College bag for the day. A snack for recess and a barbeque lunch will be provided, so please ensure you update any dietary requirements for your child on OPEROO.

Another fantastic fortnight of students show casing their talents and skills at various events including the Dance and Drama evening, Under the Stars performance and the Art Show. Congratulations to the talented students and thank you to all families who attended these events, it was wonderful to see you.

End of year arrangements
Year Level Coordinators have sent parent information letters via Operoo with details of the upcoming examination arrangements and special events occurring for Years 9, 10 and 11 over the coming weeks. Thank you for your attention to these dates and supporting your child through the final weeks of their current year level. If you have any queries about the events listed in the letter please contact the relevant Year Level Coordinator. Wishing all students the very best as we enter the examination period.

Peer Leadership Program
I had the privilege of working with our Student Leadership Coordinator Ms Elizabeth Perkin recently to train a group of enthusiastic Year 11 students who have taken on the role as Peer Leaders, assisting the 2023 Year 9 students. The Peer Leaders will be assigned to Year 9 Homerooms during Headstart and will support the new Year 9s as they transition to the Senior Campus. Well done to the Year 11 students who have taken on this exciting opportunity.

Social Media
I know that many students access social media platforms. As parent/guardians, you may or may not be familiar with the adult social media platform Ome TV. Reports across the county are that young people have been accessing Ome TV which can place them at the risk of exposure to adult content and predators. One of our College counsellors has kindly provided the following information which I have summarised for parents who may not be familiar with this App:

On the Ome TV platform, users are picked at random and then paired to have a one-on-one conversation. It means you cannot predict who your child will be paired with. Whilst some adults access this App to meet new people there are adults who are participating in inappropriate behaviour that you do not want a young person to witness. Photo requests can also occur via a text conversation with people participants don’t know on Ome TV. Additionally, Ome TV offers in-app purchases. Using this feature may not be secure as it may expose your bank passwords and card accounts.

I am aware that there are some students accessing the app TikTok in an inappropriate way including:

• Posting inappropriate photos and videos on social media in College uniform
• Videos/pictures or references to other students without permission

Hurtful posts about another person is unacceptable behaviour. I am very proud of our College and hope our students feel a sense of pride too. We do not tolerate any form of bullying or harassment. In addition to students speaking to a member of staff here at the College, students and their families can access the eSafety commissioner website for further support if a young person experiences cyberbullying or has concerns a post has been made on social media without their permission: https://www.esafety.gov.au/report

Memorial Mass 2022
A final reminder that tonight, Thursday 10 November at 7.30 pm, we will celebrate our annual Memorial Mass, in St Joseph’s Chapel on the Broadmeadows Campus. This occasion provides an opportunity to come together to share memories of our deceased loved ones and our faith in God’s continuing providence. The College will also be live streaming the Mass so that it can also be viewed at home if you are unable to attend. The Livestream link of the Mass will be available to view via the following link:

https://youtu.be/Ek4nEv6jU84

Year 10 Reflection Days
The Year 10 Reflection Days will take place on Monday 14 November and Tuesday 15 November, at The Meadows. This is a compulsory event for all Year 10 students. Chris Doyle will facilitate the event, providing a very positive, faith-filled experience of music, discussion and reflection. Morning tea and Lunch will be provided for all students.

Year 8 RE Excursion
Next Wednesday 16 November, all Year 8 students will be participating in our Year 8 RE excursion to Woodlands Historic Park. The theme for the excursion is the Catholic Social Teaching Principle of “To care for our Common Good and our Common Home.” The students will be involved in a variety of activities throughout the day based upon this theme. Morning tea and a BBQ lunch will be supplied for all students on the day. It promises to be a truly rewarding experience for all.

In preparation for our Year 8 Religious Education Day (Wednesday 16 November) we are asking for your donations to support your year level charity, Kadasig, which will bring hope to young children in the Philippines.

Suggested items include:

• Grey lead and coloured pencils
• Textas, rulers, erasers, glue
• Pencil cases
• Bath soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste
• Shampoo, hairbrushes
• Small tins of tuna or salmon

Please hold onto your item/s until Wednesday 16 November, when you will bring it up as an offering during our morning liturgy.

Year 9 PBL
The Year 9s have completed their Semester 2 PBL project.

Students selected a focus area from a range of topics to undertake the PBL Eco Challenge task:

• Plastic usage
• Human impact
• Ecosystems,
• Renewable energy
• Bushfires
• Climate change

Students were required to explain their chosen Eco challenge, the causes, how it impacts on the environment and what must be done to address the problem. The final assessment of projects occurred with many parents and family members in attendance. It was terrific to welcome our guests on campus.

Resource List
All students have now received their confirmed subjects for 2023. Resource Lists are now available to order textbooks, digital subscriptions and stationery. All orders must be placed by Friday 16 December to ensure delivery by 25^th January 2023 OR collection at the ERC Broadmeadows Campus on Friday 20 January. All orders must be completed online at www.campion.com.au using the code “6KYJ”

Digital resources listed for some subjects such as Edrolo and Education Perfect are compulsory and are to be purchased via Campion Education. The digital resources provide access to learning and skill development from any digital device, at any time and reinforce the learning that takes place in the classroom.

Examinations
The final day of VCAA exams is Wednesday 16 November. Thank you to all staff and parents who have contributed to the learning journey of the Class of 2022. VCE/VCAL results and ATAR statements will be published from Monday 12 December.

Students in Year 7-11 have been advised of their exam schedules. It is our expectation that students revise thoroughly for each exam so that they are able to demonstrate the key skills and knowledge required for each subject. We wish students all the best as they prepare for this valuable assessment period.

Year 8 CLIL Italian Poetry Competition
Each year, the Centre of Italian Studies (CIS) along with Swinburne University, conduct a Poetry Competition for students studying Italian. There are a large number of schools involved such as Santa Maria College, Melbourne Girl’s Grammar, Genazzano and Fitzroy High School, to name a few. The students were divided into two groups: Italian and Non-Italian and were required to recite a poem. The poem had to be memorised and include intonation and gestures.

On Thursday 15 September the (very anxious) Year 8 CLIL Italian class recited the poem they had been practicing for weeks! I am very pleased to announce that they were extremely successful and that all the stress was well worth it, as many students received certificates.

Certificato di Lode (Honourable Mention):

• Salvatore A (8E)
• Tiana L (8F)
• Amelie M (8E)
• Amelia P (8E)
• Maya I (8F)
• Maria L (8G)
• Thao P (8G)
• Krystal T (8G)
  

Certificato di Merito (Certificate of Merit):

• Callum P (8G)
• Lucas H (8G)
  

Certificato di Partecipazione (Participation):

• Amelia O (8F)
• Thomas C (8F)

I am even more pleased to announce that we even had a prize winner! Isabella M (8F) was awarded the 4^th prize! Congratulations!

I would like to thank Martina Battista, our Italian assistant who supported the CLIL class along the way and the students themselves for taking on the challenge and pushing themselves to succeed!

Maria Mancuso
Teacher of Year 8 CLIL Humanities and Italian.

November

Monday 21: Year 12 Graduation Dinner

Friday 25: Student Free Day

Monday 28: Headstart commences

December

Thursday 1: Term 4 Concludes

LOTE online for kids eResource

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