comment - St Aloysius

Friday, 4 February Enter through the other person’s door and lead them out your own.
Issue 11/02
‐ St Ignatius Loyola, Letter to Frs Salmeron and Broet, 1541
THE RECTOR
St Aloysius’ College began on 28 January 1879. It was originally located
on the corner of Cathedral and Palmer streets in Woolloomooloo.
Forty-five students attended that first day. By the end of the first year,
the school had grown to 115. At present, St Aloysius’ College has about
330 students in the Junior School and 860 on the Senior campus.
Today we have the opportunity to be with searching and enthusiastic
students, talented and committed staff, involved and impressive parents,
and kind and generous past students. All of us participate in a shared
mission.
We share a commitment to each other. We place considerable emphasis
on creating a culture of concern and pastoral care or Cura personalis.
Teachers take a personal interest in the intellectual, affective and
spiritual development of our students.
Educating young people is one of the most creative activities, for we
affect the very spirits of human beings. We shape the minds and hearts
of our youth for a future not our own. We serve a current generation
and in doing so give hope to future generations. This is an exciting
hope. Our relationships at school are a generative thing. Schools
provide experiences for life. They help people learn how to learn.
At St Aloysius’, we participate in a long heritage of Jesuit education.
This aims at joining learning and virtue, and developing a faith that does
justice. This seeks the ideal of being young men and women of
competence, conscience and compassion. People who know that life is
only lived well when lived generously in the service of others. This
means helping people discover that what they most have to offer is who
they are rather than what they have.
As far back as 1550, St Ignatius encouraged our teachers to be people of
faith, knowledgeable, prudent and eager to further the progress of those
in their care, organized and well-planned, cheerful, patient, kind
considerate, loving, always showing respect for students and inspiring
them. I thank our teachers and support staff for all they do in living this
ideal.
Schools are involved with the whole person – people’s intellectual,
physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. Our schools aim
to educate the whole person and value the artistic and creative, the
academic and sporting ability.
Schools lay the foundation for character. We want to help people
discover their purpose in life. This develops a sense of confidence in
themselves so they can serve well in family life and civil society. This
hopefully will bring satisfaction and enable them to change conditions
for others for the better.
THE PRINCIPAL
A recent poll shows that 70% of people think that the Federal
Government gives too much money to private schools. At this time
of year, there is normally a raft of stories about private school fees
and government funding. Now, however, there does seem to be
something of a swing in public sentiment towards questioning the
level of financial support given to private schools. The Australian
A school is a centre of service with a remarkable capacity for
inspiration and networking. We reach out to the community, to the
extended school’s family of parents, former students and friends, and
also to the poor and socially disadvantaged in the city.
Our school rightly has a good outreach focus. This is a part of our
Cura apostolica. Ours is a socially engaged spirituality. One of the
mottos of St Aloysius’ College is ‘serving to learn, learning to serve’.
So many at St Aloysius’ do listen to the reality around us and discern
ways to help those in need. Our compassion and practical
engagement is terribly important.
It was Australia Day last week. I’m
told that in 1988 on the
Bicentenary of our settlement, St
Aloysius’ College flew the
Aboriginal Flag as a sign of
recognition of the occupation of
the land prior to the arrival of
Governor Philip. Such was the
times 23 years ago and such is the
location of our school by the
harbour, that the Police came and
told the Headmaster that some
miscreant activists had put the
aboriginal flag up to disrupt the
Australia Day celebrations.
Much has changed, and today,
both the aboriginal flag and
current national flag fly on our rooftop. St Aloysius’ should set a
standard for critical analysis, value formation and social inclusion.
Much will change as a result of our efforts in this regard.
May I conclude with a quote attributed to our recently canonized
Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop said: I’ve always felt the compassionate
presence of eternal love. When the storms rage and the persecutions threaten, I
quietly creep into its deep abyss and securely shelter there. There my soul is in
peace even when my body is tossed on the stormy waves of a cold and selfish world.
If our intention is pure and we have charity in our hearts, we need never fear.
Our school is immensely blessed in its friends. I am learning that so
many involved at St Aloysius’ are extremely gifted, generous and
dedicated people who serve in a wide variety of capacities and
ministries. I thank you for being kind, talented, faithful, hardworking
and imaginative.
Peter Hosking SJ
Education Union, representing teachers in State schools, is
aggressively campaigning on the issue, and a number of newspapers
and commentators seem to be pushing the same agenda. The
commentary piece, “I’ll never pay to send my kids to school” by Wendy
Harmer in the Sunday Telegraph was typical of this line of comment.

What confers some significance on such commentary is that the
Gonski review into Federal funding of schools is underway, taking
submissions until March. This review may well shape the funding of
non-government schools for many years to come. The present model
of funding comes to end in 2012. The Education Minister, Peter
Garrett, describes the review as a once-in-a-generation chance to
make funding of schools "more transparent, fair and financially
sustainable". Headlines about rising school fees and claims that the
majority of Government funding goes to private schools, provide a
context for the review. And it is not too big a claim to argue that
such headlines and arguments are full of misinformation and bias,
amounting to a campaign against non-government schools.
It is fair to say that two images are being projected by critics: firstly,
that the majority of government funding is going to a minority of
students in private schools, and, secondly, that private schools are
equated with wealthy, well-known independent schools. Nearly all
recent articles in the media reflect these two emphases.
It is important that we remind ourselves, as a school that benefits
significantly from Government funding, of the key facts in this
debate.
Non-government schools educate about one in three of all Australian
students. While the critics focus on wealthy private schools, the vast
majority of students are educated in Catholic systemic schools (which
largely parallel the State sector) and various low fee-paying religious
and community schools. The rhetoric hardly acknowledges this. And
all schools do not get the same funding. The Socio-Economic Status
(SES) score determines whether a school will have as much as 70 per
cent of the estimated cost of educating a student in a government
school or as little as 13.7 per cent.
The next major point relates to the exact amount of Government
funding received by the non-government sector. The AEU and
others repeatedly talk of non-government schools receiving more
government funding than State schools. They conveniently (and
deliberately) ignore the fact that State schools receive most of their
funding (88%) from State Governments. The simple fact is that if
you combine Federal and State funding together, only 20% of all
government funding goes to non-government schools that educate
one in three Australian students. If the argument of the critics of the
present level of Federal funding of private schools rests on the
premise that funding should reflect the percentage of students in the
two sectors, why does the same premise not apply to the level of
State funding of non-government schools?
Two other points could be made about the rate of government
funding. Firstly, when looking at the total government funding of
schools, students at government schools receive about twice the
government funding received by students at non-government
schools. Secondly, and contrary to perceptions of ever-increasing
funding of non-government schools, newly released data from the
Productivity Commission suggests that public funding for students at
private schools has declined over recent years. At the same time,
public funding per student at government schools has risen over the
same period. In other words, measures of the total Government
funding shows a 1.2 increase in government school compared to a
1.6 per cent decrease in non-government schools.
The other financial issue that is used to stoke the fires of the debate
is that of school fees. The claim is made that private school fees have
risen by about 100 per cent in the past ten years as against an
inflation rate of 37 per cent. It is inferred that this gap between
inflation and the rise in fees is because private schools are greedy and
are taking advantage of government largesse. And it may be that
some schools would spend money in ways that I would not, but
ultimately the market may well deal with them if their fees rise
irresponsibly. But two factors need to be borne in mind. While the
inflation rate may have been 37% over the ten years, inflation in the
area of education is much higher. This is acknowledged by the
Government itself, which has an index, by the impressive name of
Average Government School Recurrent Cost (AGSRC), which
measures inflation in the educational sector and which is then used to
determine the per capita increases each year. Every year this is higher
than the inflation rate and generally by a very considerable margin.
The average AGSRC increase over the last ten years has been 5.58%,
while at Aloys our average fee increase has been 7.1 (and under 6%
for each of 2009-11). The biggest educational expenses are salaries
which have consistently (and rightly) gone up by more than the
inflation rate each year. Other fast increasing costs include the heavy
technology component which has climbed dramatically over the past
decade.
The other factor to be aware of in assessing the level of fees is that,
normally, non-government schools do not get any funding for any
capital works such as new buildings. The recent BER projects were a
significant exception to this – funding here was a result of the
Governments’ strategy to use education projects as a stimulus
measure. Therefore independent private schools have to factor
building expenses (their capital components) into their fees, as many
do, while others, such as ourselves, rely largely on fund-raising and
tend to minimize the impact of capital works on school fees. Nongovernment
schools do have to build up reserves in order to pay for
new buildings, whereas in the government sector the construction of
new buildings is met by the Department of Education and not an
individual school.
There are some other important issues pertaining to this debate about
funding. We would strongly maintain the principle of parental choice
to educate their children in religious or other non-government
schools. It is a principle that Catholics made enormous sacrifices
through almost a century when there was no government funding. It
is part of our Australian story. For some of us, there is always a fear
that some of the funding debate is code for an attack on the very
existence of a significant non-government educational sector.
Connected with this is a concern that if the debate is framed solely in
terms of equity and welfare, then the right to parental choice and the
justice of some of parents’ taxes being returned to the schools their
children are attending are both lost in the debate. Moreover, there are
significant differences within the government sector itself, between a
James Ruse or Sydney High and a small rural high school. If funding
of non-government schools is to be based mainly on needs, then
surely by the same logic, free public education for students of high
socio-economic means is the ultimate form of middle class welfare?
It follows that the user pay principle could be applied to public
education?
The Goulburn school strike of 1962
There is a tendency by some, I believe, to focus on funding of nongovernment
schools so as to avoid dealing with real issues that
pertain specifically to public education: the autonomy of a local
school within a sometimes stifling government bureaucracy, the
power of the teachers’ union in determining standards and
accountability, the relationship between selective and comprehensive
schools, and the failure of State governments to effectively support
and maintain State schools.
Aside from the specific issues of funding and fees, Catholic schools
can claim to have contributed enormously to the Australian
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community, and thus make a claim for some funding on the basis of
the common good. The historic success of immigration and
multiculturalism in Australia owes something to the Catholic schools
that played such an important role in the integration and
advancement of significant migrant groups in Australia (the Irish, the
Italians and Maltese, many East European peoples, the Lebanese, the
Vietnamese, the Filipino). In recent years, Catholic schools have
contributed to the education of refugee groups such as those from
East Timor. Every unaccompanied minor among the asylum seekers
at Woomera and Baxter (all Muslims) were given places in South
Australia’s Catholic schools. A growing number of non-Catholics
have been educated in Catholic schools. Indirectly also, Catholic
schools, as a backbone of the Catholic community’s involvement in
Australia, underpin a Church that is the largest non-Government
provider of welfare, healthcare and aged care services in Australia.
One can also argue the benefits of a diversity of school systems in
Australia. They provide variety and innovation within education.
Different systems and competition stimulate the sector as a whole. In
no other area do we praise the benefits of a monopoly. It can also be
argued that in countless other areas of Australian life (the arts, sport,
opera, drama, music, film, healthcare, to name a few), Governments
subsidise private endeavour – and the fabric of Australian life would
be the poorer without it. It would be ironic, indeed, if Government
funding of the non-government sector was seen to be under threat
because that investment in our young had proved to be too
successful.
Here at the College, the first week of school brings its share of
challenges and complications. For those new to the school, there is
the challenge of fitting into a new environment with its own rules and
ways of doing things, in effect its own culture. This can be both
exciting and daunting. For all, there is the challenge of settling back
to the routine of schooling after the holidays. Renewing old
friendships and striking up new ones, adapting to new teachers or
reacquainting with old ones, are also part of the mix. This is often
made more difficult by the demands of the weather at this time of
year in Sydney. Our Year Twelves have the challenge of settling right
back into the pace of a Year 12 programme already one term old.
Assemblies, commencement Masses, parent information evenings,
social opportunities and camps have all begun to roll out as the year
unfolds. This weekend also sees the re-commencement of the CAS
summer sport and Trials in the Junior School.
The Junior School held its House Swimming Carnival on Monday
and it was great to see the enthusiasm of the boys. Ogilvie took out
the House competition. Congratulations to the Age champions and
runners-up: in the Opens, Lucas Anderson and Matthew Pollack;
in the Under 11s, Jack Spano and Thomas Gillis; in the Under 10s,
Ben Pollack and Felix Scott; and in the Under 9s, Leon Rebecchi
and Luke Rupolo. Four records were set at the Carnival including
two individual records by Leon Rebecchi. Congratulations also to
Lucas Anderson who has been named Swim Captain for 2011.
Congratulations to Miles Llewellyn (Year 12) who was named
Captain of Chess for 2011.
Finally, may I wish everyone a very happy Chinese New Year – the
Year of the Rabbit.
For those who have died:
Oremus
let us pray
Anne O’Donnell, grandmother of Hugh O’Donnell (Year 9)
James Collins, uncle of Andrew (Year 12), Justin (Year 10)
and Alex (Year 4) Mowbray, and Miles Collins (Year 9)
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
THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Student ID photos for Years 3-12 will have all been taken by early
next week and order forms will arrive home soon. Boys should have
received most of their assessment and academic schedules as well as
co-curricula ones. Please try to extract from your sons all information
concerning these areas, which is sent home. You will also find it all
online, either through the Gonzagan or on the Academic or Cocurricula
tabs on our Intranet.
As part of the building works in 2010 - 2011, the College produced a
pedestrian and traffic management plan for the site with a number of
key recommendations for pick up and drop off of students. The
overall principles of the plan provide for:-
- A safe and convenient environment for students within which we
take steps to minimise pedestrian movements across Upper Pitt
Street.
- A desire to minimise the impact of on street parking immediately
adjacent the entrance to the school and to actively manage and
control vehicle and pedestrian traffic there.
- An active presence every day to control pedestrian movement
and designated separate pedestrian routes for Middle (7-10) and
Senior (11-12) students to and from bus and rail services.
- Appropriate kerb side parking restrictions to ensure safety and
traffic flow.
It is this last point we struggle with the most, as far too many of us
associated with the College flout traffic rules and take risks on our
front doorstep, showing little regard for the general safety of others.
We recommend a few strategies to encourage a safer approach: -
- Where possible we encourage parents who live nearby to car pool
to reduce the number of cars accessing the school.
- We encourage, too, set down and pick up at other locations away
from Upper Pitt Street. The most obvious option is to turn from
Broughton Street into Lower Pitt Street and drop students off
outside the Great Hall. It is a far safer alternative as it is a oneway
circle back onto Broughton Street and, at least for Middle
School students, they do not have to cross the road at the
crossing.
We can only continue to urge all who access the busy and narrow
streets of Milsons Point and Kirribilli at peak times to exercise more
care and consider these options.
I am always happy to receive feedback on any issues raised in The
Gonzagan, either via email, phone call, or if you wish to pop in for a
chat.
Sam Di Sano (sam.disano@staloysius.nsw.edu.au)
Chris Middleton SJ
3

THE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
The first week of school in a New Year can be a bit of a honeymoon
so to speak. Everything is positive or at least so it seems on the
surface. In a world that’s not perfect by any means, all of us seem to
be eager to be more accepting, understanding, and tolerant of each
other’s imperfections. We give ourselves a bit of time to settle in, get
used to each other’s way of doing things. What I am getting at is that
in order for this great start to become the norm, we welcome ‘warts
and all’ reports of your experiences, the quality of service and
educational formation that we provide at St Aloysius’.
Monday’s swimming carnival at SOPAC was an exciting way to
launch our sporting program for the year. For those attending this
school for the first time, it gave you a glimpse into the spirit of the
place. The spirit of generosity shown by the volunteer parent
officials, the spirit of the boys in their colour houses cheering each
other on gets bigger and better as the year progresses. Plenty of talent
was on display and we look forward to these boys working on these
talents in further inter-school carnivals representing this College. I
congratulate all the boys that swam their hearts out for their house
and those that simply cheered their mates on to give of their best.
Thank you to our volunteer parents and staff who assisted in the
smooth running of the carnival, so well managed by the Junior
School Sportsmaster, Trevor Dunne. Well done in particular to
Ogilvie House Captained by Henry Halliday and Alex Murphy
who won the house trophy at the carnival.
We look forward to many parents joining us for the Opening Mass
this Thursday followed by the welcome morning tea. On Friday we
will hold the first leg of summer sports trials and conclude them on
Saturday. Team lists will be up on the notice boards next Monday in
readiness for after school training as per note sent home by the
Sportsmaster. Next week’s training schedule however, will be
interrupted by the Year 5 camp on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
and the Years 3 and 4 ‘Getaway’ on Tuesday and Wednesday. These
camps are a wonderful opportunity for new and old boys to get to
know each other and the staff better on a personal level.
An important day for your diaries in Week 4 is the Parent
Information Evening from 7.00pm to 8.00pm (Monday 14 February).
Following this information session, new parents in Years 3 and 4 are
invited to attend an Ignatian Evening from 8.00pm to 9.00pm to be
held at the Senior School (We have listed these two events
deliberately on the same evening for your convenience).
In last week’s newsletter I mentioned that I would list all staff at the
Junior School that you might need to contact from time to time
during the year. So here is the who’s who of the Junior School.
Martin Lobo
Head of the Junior School
Joe El-Khoury
Deputy Head of Junior School
Fr Geoffrey Schneider SJ Chaplain
Suzanne Leahy Director of Curriculum Years 3-8
Debby Edwards
Secretary/Receptionist
Mary Vevers
Canteen Manager
Julianne Little
Teachers Assistant
Erin Breznik
Teachers Assistant
Sam O’Donnell
Resident Gap Student
Class Teachers
James Lister Year 3.1
Julie Hart Year 3.2
Marianne Rogan Year 4.1
(Grade 3/4 Academic Co-Ordinator)
Paul VanderMeer Year 4.2
Kate Agnew Year 5.1
Leighanna Miles Year 5.2
Jennifer Walker Year 5.3
(Grade 5 Academic Co-Ordinator)
Christine Hickey Year 5.3
Greg Marinan Year 5.4
Sara Johnson Year 6.1
(Grade 6 Academic Co-ordinator)
Anne-Maree Connolly Year 6.1
Mark Coventry Year 6.2
Virginia Cobb Year 6.3
Michelle Reay Year 6.4
Specialist Staff
Trevor Dunne
Sportsmaster
Caroline Byrne
Teacher Librarian
Melissa Mushan
Art Teacher
David Hegarty
ICT Integrator
Sara Johnson
Student counsellor (Part-time)
David Hegarty
Student counsellor (Part-time)
Anne Maree Connolly Executive Release
Music Staff
Gerard Scelzi
Junior School Music Co-ordinator
Virginia Blunt
Director, Strings Programme
Narelle Hissey
Director, Zipoli Choir
We extend a very special welcome to two members of teaching staff
that are new to the College community this year in Mrs Virginia
Cobb (6.1) and Miss Kate Agnew (5.1). We also welcome Sam O’
Donnell as our resident Gap student while James Morris moves on to
the senior school.
We congratulate the following boys on their birthdays this week:
Ben Pollack
1 Feb
Alexander Hogan 2 Feb
Matthew Brennan 3 Feb
Tom Jullienne
3 Feb
Luke Rizzo
3 Feb
Jaron Choe
4 Feb
Raja Perianayagam Rush 4 Feb
Sebastian Christie 5 Feb
Charles Raven
5 Feb
Will McManus
6 Feb
Martin Lobo
WHAT’S COMING UP
7 February Years 3&4 New Parents Ignatian Evening
7-9 February Year 5 Camp
9 February Years 3&4 Getaway
10 February Senior School classes commence 9.20am
Your Son in Year 7
THE DEPUTY HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
I do hope you had an enjoyable and refreshing holiday break. In
particular, I extend a very warm welcome to our new boys and their
families. The start of the school year is an exciting time here in the
Junior School. It is a time of settling in, making new friends and
looking forward to what your sons are going to achieve across a
broad range of areas over the months ahead. Parents and teachers
also have high hopes that boys will continue to develop strong moral
values and will display increasing maturity. Boys need to be part of
this process. To assist them in this regard, please encourage your sons
to be as independent as they are able. By making them responsible
for small tasks such as organising equipment needed for the school
day, packing and carrying their bags, checking their uniform and
tidying their work desks at home, boys gain some control over their
school life and hence develop self-confidence.
Congratulations are in order for all the boys, who have made a
fantastic effort so far their first week in wearing their summer
uniform in the right way, ie socks up, shirts tucked in and caps on
when entering and leaving the building. It is good to see so many
boys taking responsibility for their appearance. Can I also request
that boys have the appropriate hairstyle as outlined in the College
Diary. Hair must be tidy, reasonably short and neither grown or
groomed in an extravagant fashion. Your attention to this matter is
much appreciated.
4

Arrival time at School
Please note that General supervision does not begin until 8.05am. If
boys arrive early, they must sit in the amphitheatre until the Teacher
on duty signals playtime. For the safety of ourselves, our students,
our neighbours and all who use Burton St and Bligh St, the following
are important reminders:-
• The preferable drop off zones are the gates outside Burton St
and Bligh St.
• Boys are to get in or out of the car on the pavement side.
• Boys are not to be dropped off in Humphrey Place.
Caps!
It is practice at St Aloysius’ College for each student to wear his cap
when outside before school, during PE lessons, at sport and at recess
and lunch breaks. Our policy is No Hat, No Play! Please remind your
son of his responsibility in this regard.
Before School Liturgies
This term our class masses will move to Wednesday mornings at
8.05am. All students, staff and parents are invited to gather in our
Junior School Chapel for prayer and worship. Each class has one to
two masses during the term, which the boys are encouraged and
expected to attend as a class. I have provided a roster of the Class
Masses and the dates for Term 1 for your information. Please
encourage and remind your sons to come along.
Week Wednesday Mass Class
3 9 February Years 6.1 & 6.2
4 16 February Years 6.3 &6.4
5 23 February Years 5.1 & 5.2
6 2 March Years 5.3 & 5.4
7 9 March Ash Wednesday Mass
8 16 March Years 4.1 & 4.2
9 23 March No Mass
10 30 March Years 3.1 & 3.2
I hope that you and your sons enjoy a most positive year and I look
forward
to working with you throughout the year. If you have any concerns
please don’t hesitate to contact me at school on (02) 9955 9200.
Mr Joe El-Khoury
Deputy Head Junior School
CURRICULUM NEWS
THE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM YEARS 3-8
Welcome back to all students and parents. The first week has passed
with boys now settled into classes. The vast majority of students are
well prepared with timetables, diaries, text and exercise books ready
for use. At this stage it is important to get into good study habits. At
school this means students using their diaries to write in all
homework and to plan ahead. At home, this means having a quiet
place to complete homework, with good ventilation, a comfortable
chair and appropriate lighting. Students should make an effort to plan
their time, with younger students working in small blocks of time and
factoring in rest breaks. Trying to find a balance between the
academic and the co-curricular should also be a priority at this time,
with parents offering guidance and support.
Years 7 and 8 Assessment Schedules and Planners
This week Year 7 and 8 were given their assessment schedules for the
term. These schedules will also be placed on the College Intranet in
the coming week. Year 7 will also be given A3 wall planners to assist
them in planning their time in the coming week.
Year 7 Study Skills Evening – 24 February 2011
Just a reminder that all Year 7 students and one parent are invited to
attend a Study Skills Evening conducted by ELES on February 24 th
commencing at 7.30 pm in the Great Hall. This is an invaluable
evening for students and parents, with some practical tips on how to
study effectively, as well as some great advice on organisation both at
home and at school.
Textbooks
Most students have all their textbooks and other equipment. If for
any reason your son did not receive the required texts, please contact
Campion directly on 89058691.
Parent Information Night Junior School – 14 February: 7.00pm-
8.00pm
A reminder that 14 February is the date for the Junior School
Information evening. This evening allows parents to receive
information on the various processes and procedures that occur in
the Junior School.
Mathletics
All students in Years 3-6 have been issued with their Mathletics
passwords this week. Should your son have any difficulties accessing
the site, they should in the first instance alert their class teacher.
Suzanne Leahy
JUNIOR SCHOOL LIBRARY NEWS
Welcome back to the 2011 Academic Year and a special welcome to
our new boys and their families.
Our Junior School Library, known as the Mary Mackillop Library, is
open at 8.05am every morning before school for boys to borrow and
return books and to enjoy some reading time. The library is also open
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at lunch time from 1.25pm –
1.50pm. In the afternoons the library is open between 3.00pm and
4.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It is open for a short
period on Monday and Friday afternoons for a quick borrowing time.
Students in Years 3 and 4 can borrow up to four books and in Year 5
up to five books and Year 6 up to six books. This can be done at any
of the aforementioned times. Books are always and automatically
returned into our large returns box located at the door of the library.
I have enlisted the help of some very enthusiastic library monitors
from Years 6 and 5. These boys are a vital cog in the wheel of
helping to run our Junior School library. They perform many and
varied jobs from dusting to sorting to re-shelving! They also learn to
process loans and returns and to help other students locate books
they wish to view and borrow. This can also be done via our intranet.
If any parent has any free time and you would like to assist in the
library, particularly on Friday afternoons, covering books in
particular, your assistance would be gratefully appreciated. Again the
jobs may be varied and other times are available for your most
welcome assistance.
One of the most important skills we learn in the library is the
Information Skills Process. This is a vital skills acquisition for all
subjects and the terminology is one that the boys should become very
familiar with: define, locate, select. organise, present and assess.
It is a structured, sequential approach to investigation of any topic,
theme or project the boys may be set. I will give more information on
this in the coming terms.
Once again welcome back and please feel free to contact me in the
library if you have any queries and/or an opportunity to help out in
the library at times.
Last but not least…. many boys borrowed books over the
Christmas break and I would be very pleased to see them in our
returns box as soon as possible.
Caroline Byrne
Teacher Librarian
5

PASTORAL NEWS
THE DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL SERVICES
2011 has already seen some transformations in the College especially
with the very visible new Dalton Complex jutting out of the northern
side of the College. There will be many transformational experiences
for the College Community this year, especially World Youth Day.
This will take place in August and will be a very memorable journey
for the Aloysian pilgrims who will be travelling across to the other
side of the world to Spain. Mijo Ticinovic and Joe El-Khoury have
and will play significant roles in the organization of this journey. The
successful applicants have been notified and are busily planning for
the event. We all hope that World Youth Day, just like it was in
Sydney, will be an event that challenges and inspires our youth to
explore their faith. It is the youth who will be the future of the
Catholic Church and who will have such a profound influence.
Prayer for World Youth Day
God our Father,
we place the preparation
for World Youth Day 2011
in Madrid, in your hands.
Save and protect Pope Benedict
and all the pastors of the Church.
Enlighten and strengthen
all those preparing this event.
Grant them wisdom and strength
to carry out their work.
Help our community to prepare deeply
for this ecclesial celebration.
Amen
Tutor Groups
Years 7-12 New Parents/Tutor Meetings will take place in the week
beginning 14 February. This will be for all the Year 7 parents and
new parents of boys in Years 8-12. Tutors play a significant pastoral
role in your son’s development and meet with him once or twice a
week for a tutor group meeting. Although the word “tutor” implies
academic mentoring, the tutor’s role is much broader. The tutor
builds a rapport with his tutees and over the 6 years will monitor
their progress. The tutor’s role encompasses the academic, spiritual
and physical development of the student. Senior boys are also
encouraged to take on leadership roles within the group so that a
dynamic and uplifting atmosphere is created. The interviews will be a
chance for the tutor to “touch base” with you as new parents to the
Senior School.
Chris Gould
THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY
THE PARENTS’ & FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION
Trusting you and your boys have had a smooth, if not warm,
transition back into the school routine and have not melted in the
process! Thank you to all who have kindly volunteered to act as Year
Co-ordinators, Class Parents and Support Team so far. These roles
greatly enrich the college community and are rewarding for you, the
volunteers as well. We will be in contact with you shortly. It’s not too
late to put your name down, just drop your form into the P&F box in
either the Junior School or Senior School. If it is easier for you to
volunteer for Year Co-Ordinator, Class Parent or Support Team,
email us at pandf@staloysius.nsw.edu.au.
We enjoyed meeting and welcoming many new parents on Thursday
at the New Parents Mass and Morning Tea. Thank you to all those
“old parents” that were there to welcome and make our new parents
feel at home. I’m sure new friends were made and they no longer feel
like new parents!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Year Co-ordinator Briefing – 14 February at 7.00pm at the College
Oval.
Year 12 Mass and Supper – 20 February. Mass commencing at
6.00pm in The Boys’ Chapel followed by supper at Wyalla (please
note Year 12 boys are expected to accompany their parent(s).
The Blessing and Opening of Dalton Hall and the 2011 P&F
Commencement Cocktail Party – 26 February, 6.00pm at Dalton
Hall then 7.00pm at the Senior School Courtyard for Cocktail Party.
Our major P&F function, this is popular with all our parents and a
must for our new parents. Invitations were included in our mail out, a
copy of which can be found later in this newsletter. Please deposit
your RSVP slip and payments in the P&F boxes in Junior School or
Senior School. A night not to be missed!
NOTICES
First Friday Mass – 4 February at 8.35am. All parents and friends
are invited to join the First Friday Mass in The Boys’ Chapel Gallery,
(entry via second or third floors of the Senior School), followed by
coffee.
Craft Group – commencing 8 February: Craft group will be
starting up again on Tuesday 8 February from 10.00am to 12noon at
the College Oval and will run each Tuesday during the school term at
the same place/time. Everyone is welcome to attend and it would be
great to see some new faces. Please either bring along your craft
project or just come along for coffee and a chat. Sometimes we will
also take on craft type projects for the school and/or particular
causes. If you have any questions please feel free to call Jane Chapple
on 0407 219 213.
Michael Morgan
President
DIARY DATES
7 February Year 3&4 Ignatian Evening: 8.00pm-9.30pm
[Miguel Pro Playhouse]
14 February Year Co-ordinators briefing: 7.00pm
[College Oval]
15 February Year 5&6 Ignatian Evening 8.00pm–9.30pm
[Miguel Pro Playhouse]
20 February Year 12 Mass & Supper, Mass 6.00pm
[The Boys’ Chapel and Wyalla]
26 February Blessing and Opening of Dalton Hall followed
by P&F Commencement Cocktail Party:
7.00pm–9.30pm [Courtyard]
28 February Year 7-11 Ignatian Evening: 8.00pm–9.30pm
[Miguel Pro Playhouse]
CONTACT DETAILS
Chairman Phillip Cornwell 0414 223 765
President Michael Morgan 0419 679 591
Vice President/President Elect Bryan Jenkins 0414 355 255
Vice President/Pastoral Care Anita Lee 0413 946 581
Secretary Christine Moult 0413 007 486
Assistant Secretary Ann & Alex Paton 0412 250 551
Treasurer Justin Van Deventer 0402 842 136
Assistant Treasurer Cate & Greg Russell 0405 100 463
Prayer Group Co-ordinator Edwin Lapitan 0410 463 517
THE SENIOR SCHOOL CANTEEN
The following parents have kindly offered their services in the Senior
School Canteen for the week commencing 7 February:
Monday Leigh Carroll, Doreen David, Louise Kelly, Sue Neely
Tuesday Marisa Anderson, Trish Long, Randa Sleiman
Wednesday Marie D’Cruz, Karen Hart, Kay Jamieson-Kell
Thursday
Friday
Nadia Lorenzutta
Canteen Manager
Sarah Nicotra, Gina Parker, , Barbara Robinson
Erin Buckley, Kylie Craig, Barbara France, Eleanor
Noonan
6

THE UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop operates Tuesday and Friday from 8:00am to
3:00pm during school term.
Additional Trading Hours: Monday, 7 Feb 8.00am-3.00pm;
Tuesday, 8 Feb and Friday, 11 Feb 8.00am-3.30pm.
Embroidery of Award Colour on a Monthly Basis: For those who
have been honoured the award colour, please bring in your senior
blazer with forms on the last Tuesday of the month during school
term at the Uniform Shop.
Senior Blazer Fitting @$210 (sizes available from 16 to 26). Please
ask your son in Year 11 to come to the Uniform Shop before the end
of February for senior blazer fitting which is needed by Term 2 and
3, so that sufficient orders can be placed. For those who need a
special fitting, we need this done as soon as possible.
Bob Stewart Credit Accounts: 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. If you are
not satisfied with sizing, you are welcome to exchange; we will leave
the final decision to you and your son. 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
THE DIRECTOR OF CO-CURRICULA
Dalton Hall officially opened last Saturday with the Old Boys fielding
two teams against the current 1sts and 2nds teams. A big crowd was
on hand to witness both games in this new impressive facility. The
2nds had a narrow win whilst the Old Boys were a little too strong in
the 1sts match. Still it was a great workout for both teams in
preparation for the CAS competition resuming this week.
Whilst on basketball, the 1sts and 2nds will play Trinity this Friday
evening in Dalton Hall. The 2nds match is set down for 5.00pm
followed by the 1sts at 6.15pm.
Five of our 1sts cricketers were involved in a North Harbour cricket
trial against South Harbour at Trinity last Saturday. Our best
performing players were Jordan Daly who scored an unbeaten 44
runs as opener whilst Luke Vevers bowled well in his spell. The
remainder of our 1sts were involved in an internal trial at the College
Oval against 2nds and 9A players.
In chess news, congratulations to Year 12 student Miles Llewellyn on
his appointment as Chess Captain for 2011.
Swimming training for the CAS squad has commenced in the Dalton
Hall pool every Monday to Friday starting at 6.00am. Junior School
are all using the pool two mornings a week. 13’s and 14’s waterpolo
teams are training in the pool two afternoons a week.
Our 1sts teams are all very well placed in their official competitions
after one completed round. The 1sts tennis, waterpolo and volleyball
teams are all undefeated and on top of their respective ladders. The
1sts cricket are currently second placed behind Knox whilst 1sts
basketball are in third position but have five home games this term.
This weekend CAS Round 6 begins with matches against Trinity
Grammar. Details of all games appear elsewhere in this newsletter.
All students will receive draws for the season next week after
Sportmasters meet to finalise fixtures. Good luck to all teams
involved in matches this weekend.
Paul Rowland
THE JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTSMASTER
Week 1 Over so soon?
I am sure you would now know that to survive Week 1 of Term 1
with respect to sport you have had to hit the ground running. A
seemingly endless supply of notes have been brought home, venue
directories, trial information, swimming information. Due to the
nature of the events in Week 1 and 2 overload of information is a
guaranteed thing. But don’t worry you were not alone, while you
were reading notes your son was lining up selecting swimming events,
then at lunch he was signing up for summer sport trials. It is the
necessary evil we must have, if you have survived Week 1 then the
rest of the year is smooth sailing and as far as winter sport and
athletics are concerned it will be a gentle run compared to the pace
that was set last week.
Boys, both new and returning must be congratulated for their
enthusiasm and for their diligence in following the numerous tasks
required of them in Week 1. Special mention must go to the colour
house leaders for their hard work behind the scenes in preparing the
sport kits, counting notes into class piles, helping new boys sign up to
summer sports, as well as balancing their own academic and music
commitments. It must be also said that the number of boys trialing
this year was far greater than previous years across the board for all
sports. The downside of this is that we cannot take everyone that trial
into their chosen sport.
The subjective nature of such trials means that boys are only “as
good as they are on the day” but to give them all the best possible
chance to be seen over a greater number of hours in different aspects
of the trialing sport we devote a full school day to this process. Not
only that, parents that attended the trials for part of the day on Friday
commented on the positive side of having numerous coaches
watching and ten comparing.
To all the boys who did not get selected into their chosen sport I
commend you the way you bounced back and for most of you
attended another sport trial on the Saturday. As I explained to the
boys at assembly on Friday, it is not possible just to make extra teams
due to the large numbers as they would not have anyone to play in
our IPSHA competition and would tire of repeat internal games. In
Term 1 the boys involved in our Healthy lifestyle will begin a process
of skills based sessions for both Rugby and Football in preparation
for Term 2 Winter sport as well as dance and fitness lessons. These
boys are not required to bring football boots, nor purchase specific
uniforms and does not involve Saturday sessions as all training is
done within school hours. This program is run by our teaching
coaching staff in addition to outside employed coaches.
To the boys who were successful in their nominated sport,
congratulations. Team lists will be displayed next Monday but may
change as the weeks progress into our competition. Sport specific
uniforms may be purchased from the school uniform shop.
Basketball singlet numbers have been issued to all boys who were
selected in the teams from Years 5 and 6, 2011. The uniform shop
has a copy of these numbers and are not to be changed with any
other boy.
Swimming Carnival
This year proved to be a great success again both in the
pool and from the number of parents who were in
attendance. This year also saw 37 more heats of various
strokes added to the program which reflects on the
boy’s enthusiasm to participate in the carnival. We also
had finals of freestyle in every age group with some very exciting and
close races.
7

Southwell House
Relay Team
Congratulations to Ogilvie House who
won the event and raised their house
flag in celebration the following day at
recess. The Ogilvie flag will remain on
the flag pole for 2 more weeks as we
prepare for our next event, the School
Cross Country.
It was great to see so many new boys, and
their parents, get involved in the house
spirit and in the overall carnival. Thank you
very much to the parents who assisted in
official roles for the day ranging from
crowd control, catering, timekeepers to the
parents who helped clean up the end of the
day. Special mention must also be made to
the colour house captains in their role, the
first for this year and how they carried it
out.
Ogilvie House Captains
Age Champions Swimming 2011
Name
House
Open Age Champion Lucas Anderson Campion
2 nd Matthew Pollack Southwell
U11 Age Champion Jack Spano Campion
2 nd Thomas Gillis Southwell
U 10 Age Champion Ben Pollack Southwell
2 nd Felix Scott Owen
U 9 Age Champion Leon Rebecchi Ogilvie
2 nd Luke Rupolo Campion
Winning House
1st Place 266 points Ogilvie
2nd Place 254 points Southwell
3rd Place 236 points Campion
4th Place 228 points Owen
Spirit House Award
Prior to the carnival, boys were informed that a house would be
selected, regardless of the overall winner, who demonstrated
outstanding spirit and support throughout the carnival. To get
maximum involvement from the crowd each house was allocated a
song which would be played when a race was won by them, while this
was happening they had to get up and dance with points awarded for
most dancers celebrating their win. Judges included Mr Lobo, Fr
Middleton, and our new rector Fr Hosking who attended the
carnival.
The winning house for 2011 was Owen who not only had boys
dancing but parents also. Well done to all parents for their moves,
some old ones and some new!!! Great house spirit parents.
2011 Swim Captain
As we enter the swim season there is a need for a Swimming captain
to be nominated to take on the role of leadership from within the
team. This captain will work with Mr Hegarty (our Master In Charge
of Swimming for 2011) and will perform the role by being an
enthusiastic and supportive role model for his peers. As in previous
years for both Athletics and Swimming the position does not just go
by default to the Senior Age Champion, even though this may occur
but is awarded to someone who Mr Hegarty and I feel can perform
this role diligently.
Congratulations to Lucas Anderson who has been named Swim
Captain for 2011.
One of the first swim squads will be named shortly.
New Records
There are 4 records awaiting final confirmation, the Under 9s
backstroke 50m, the Junior Individual Medley (Leon Rebecchi in
Ogilvie House), the Under 9s 4x50m relay won by Ogilvie and the
Under 11s 4x50m relay won by Southwell. Once confirmed these
boys will receive certificates of commendation.
Swimming Photos
For those parents who wish to order the photos from the swimming
carnival please log on to the following website and follow these steps.
There are some great shots of boys in action etc
Got to www.akphotos.com.au
Select viewing & ordering
Select St. Aloysius Junior School
Username: aloysius
Password: junior
Please ring Anthony Khoury on 8901 5366 if you have any questions.
Dalton Hall Swimming Program Junior School
The Term 1 program will commence on this term beginning
Wednesday, 9 February and will run each Wednesday and Friday
from 7.15am to 8.15am at our new pool located in Dalton Hall in
Kirribilli. Applications are now closed and a waiting list is in place.
Forms can still be submitted and when a place becomes available
parents will be notified.
Sport Draw
This draw (in excel format) has been distributed to your son through
his class teacher. There are spares of these forms located in the note
rack at Junior School reception.
Even though games are listed for particular grounds in this
programme changes may occur and teams not listed as playing may
have games organised for them in the preceding week. If there has
been a change to the venue or time for a game for that coming
Saturday the boys will receive a “Change of Details” note by
Thursday or Friday at the latest. Details of the change will also be
placed on the sports noticeboard. It is the boy’s responsibility to
check this board for all information concerning their game. The
draws will not be placed on the school website.
Initiative
It is your son’s responsibility to listen at assembly where most sports
notices are given and is his responsibility to collect any notes that
concern him from the notes table outside my office. Boys will not be
chased up and failure to attend trainings, bring appropriate gear or
not being where he should, will result in discipline action being taken.
I do not ‘spoon feed’ the boys and I would expect that as parents you
place the emphasis on asking your son what does he need, where he
is meant to be, etc.
Training
Training is compulsory of all teams. Training starts at the time
indicated on the training schedule table so boys are asked to be at the
correct venue ready to commence by that time. Correct uniform must
also be worn to all training and games. Boys will receive d-merits for
having incorrect pieces of uniform as well as having them
confiscated. Parents may pick up their children from the training
venues on mid-week after school hour training sessions only. This is
a legal requirement of which the school needs to follow. For training
venues that are outside the school grounds boys will be transported
to and from these venues.
Saturday Games
Boys are expected to meet their coach 30min before the scheduled
start time of their game, unless otherwise stated by the coach. Boys
are also encouraged to inform other coaches within the same age
group that they are able to fill in if they require extra players.
8

Saturday/Mid-week Training Absences
If your son is going to be absent from a mid-week training session or
the Saturday game you will need to notify me by way of note the
details surrounding his absence. If your son is sick on the morning of
his game you will need to notify the team manager or wet weather
contact ASAP so that a suitable replacement can be found.
If your son is absent from training or game and I have received no
explanation prior to his absence from you then he will make up the
time during a Thursday afternoon detention. It is vital that all boys
are accounted for and that no team is disadvantaged due to unfair
teams as a result of boys not turning up to their game.
Wet Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather no decision will be made
until Saturday morning at approximately 6.30am. Boys are
asked to phone their wet weather contacts at 6.45am regarding
the scheduled game. No boy shall take it upon himself to
decide that it is too wet to play. Regarding Friday afternoon
sport, I will make a decision by recess time. Please do not
contact the school before this time.
Please ensure your son has his wet weather contact recorded in his
diary as the wet weather mobile is no longer in use nor is the school
answering machine. These contact numbers are displayed in his
classroom and on the sports notice board.
Notice Board
The sports notice board is located in the quadrangle; please refer to
this for draws, team lists and general sport information. Team lists
will be placed on the notice board before Thursday and again it is the
boy’s responsibility to see what team he is playing for that coming
Saturday game.
Parent Involvement & Expectation
Please be aware that the school employs exterior coaches to
supplement the coaching staff in the Junior School. I hope that any
concerns regarding the administration of whatever team that you may
have as parents can be brought to my attention rather than the
outside coaches. Over the next few weeks parents may be called
upon to assist at Saturday matches in the capacity of coaches and
managers while our university student coaches finalise their timetable
and work commitments.
Also as has been the case in previous years only parents who are
assisting as Team Managers are the only parents permitted to attend
pre, during and post-match discussions unless otherwise asked
specifically by the coach. I hope you understand the outcomes
behind this taking place each training and during weekend games.
Rugby League in 2011
A number of boys from Years 5 and 6 are looking to form a rugby
league team in 2011 to play in the North Sydney District Junior
Rugby League competition. At the moment, there are nine boys keen
to form a team in the Under 11 competition, but a few more are
needed from school to have an all Aloys team.
The intention is for the team to play for the Willoughby Roos Club
who share our home ground at Willoughby Park.
Should there be other boys who wish to play in this Under 11 team,
could they please let me know before the end of February. The
Willoughby Roos are also seeking interested boys in other age groups
(particularly Under 12s) to play league this year. Games are played on
Saturday afternoons, so there will be no clash with school winter
sports.
If you would like more information, please contact Michael Pollack
(father of Matthew 6.1 and Ben 5.4) on 0414 673 447 or visit the
website at www.willoughbyroos.com.au
Prep 1 st Cricket Riverina Tour December 2010
After months of planning this tour the heavens opened up over the
Riverina district the Thursday before SAC planned to leave Sydney.
The Hume Highwayy was closed at Yass and Tarcutta and the
forecast promised more rain. The tour was one phone call away from
cancellation.
Thankfully by the Friday morning the highway was open and our
country hosts were laconically optimistic that we would get our
scheduled games played….”no worries mate, a few puddles in the
outfield, gone by lunchtime. Get them down here… hope your
feeling lucky.”
The convoy of 7 vehicles purred down the Hume by 8.00am in
readiness for our first game that afternoon. Evidence of flooding was
everywhere but thankfully did not affect our progress south.
Reaching Holbrook the convoy dropped their luggage into their
cabins and the boys donned their whites for their first encounter at
the local Recreational Centre….hallowed turf for the local boys as it
is usually played on by the senior teams only.
After exchanging pleasantries and viewing the turf pitch Matthew
Dainton won the toss and batted. As this game was our less
important game (not playing for the ‘Bruiser Cup’) each player was to
bat and bowl. The pitch was a difficult batting strip and took a heavy
toll on anyone deciding to play risky or poorly thought out shots,
especially square of the wicket. The outfield was slow and big,
boundaries were a rarity. Matt Dainton was a standout in this 20/20
game and led SAC to a total of 9/68 precious runs.
The Riverina team had to score close to 4 runs an over and if Luke
d’Cruz and his early bowling companions could keep our hosts quiet
for 10 overs SAC’s total would be difficult to rope in. As has been
the case throughout 2010 our bowlers were superb. Peter Nicolaou,
Alex Heath and Seb di Sano were right on target BUT when the
game was at a crossroads with 5 overs remaining Declan McLean
casually and ever so efficiently wiped our hosts off the map. In a few
brilliant overs he took 5 wickets for 3 runs. Including a double hat
trick!! Hysteria broke out in the bush for quite some time and Mrs
Lisa McLean was the proudest mum on earth.
Holbrook all out for 40 runs. SAC home reasonably comfortably.
A lovely night was had at the Rec Centre and the boys fell into bed
by about 10.00pm.
After a hearty Saturday breakfast the group enjoyed the mini train
ride next to the swollen Ten Mile Creek, climbed all over the HMAS
Otway (submarine) and drove out to bushranger’s ‘Mad Morgan’s
Lookout’ some 50klms to our west towards Calcairn. The day was
tidied up with a cricket match between the parents and the boys.
There was not a struck match between the teams and due to poor
light the parents gladly took the offer by the umpires and the match
declared a draw.
Dinner at the 125 year old Riverina Hotel was memorable. The food
was excellent, the company superb and just to harass our hosts
further the SAC tour choir sang a few carols for the unsuspecting
locals. It was certainly time to go home.
Sunday!
SAC vs Holbrook for the honour of taking home the inaugural Bruce
‘Bruiser’ MacKinlay Cup. Bruce MacKinlay was a much loved local
identity who sadly passed away earlier in 2010. Three of his brothers
had sons playing in this match and just as many cousins. Bruce’s
parents were also there to watch the action. They would love nothing
more than hold this cup up at 2.00pm that Sunday afternoon. They
would have to knock off a fired up SAC outfit first.
Again Dainton batted first on this nasty pitch, backing his bowlers to
‘squeeze’ Holbrook’s batting order later in the day.
Wickets fell early and Holbrook looked the goods. Thankfully Paddy
Brimson peeled off 23 runs and when things were looking very dire
indeed (7 for 60) our batting hero’s Christian Walsh and James
Fredrikson played within themselves and saved the day. SAC finally
made 90 runs off their 30 overs. It did not seem to be competitive
but this country strip had a mind of its own and if the bowler put the
ball in the right places he could be handsomely rewarded. Time
would tell.
Holbrook started slowly but lost few wickets and played to a plan.
They would wait for our better bowlers to have a rest and hammer
our second raters. All those hours of bowling practice now paid
handsome dividends. Bowler after bowler found the right spots on
this pitch and our fieldsmen (none better than our team panther
9

Keegan Gyoery) did the rest. Brimson, Hughes, Buckley and, in
particular, Alex Lalor delivered the last rites to our country hosts.
SAC by 25 runs.
The ‘Bruiser Cup’ was on its way north, at least for a while.
What a fabulous experience for the boys and their parents to win the
silverware was simply the icing on a sumptuous
cake.
Thankyou to our drivers and cooks ; Nicola
Moran, Lisa Moran, Dave Buckley, Paul
Nicolaou, Andrew Hughes, Peter Fredrikson,
Ralph Gyoery, Steve Walsh and to the Heath’s
and Brimson’s who joined us later.
Thankyou also to those parents who had every right to be concerned
pre trip…I too was sleepless.
Nothing comes close however to the thank you we owe our Riverina
hosts.
To the MacKinlay clan who made this experience possible and co -
ordinated the games, food, caps, venues and brilliant atmosphere.
They never doubted the tours success and for that we are eternally
grateful. Thank you also to Jason and Bill for their umpiring/scoring.
The Bruiser Cup is safe…temporarily.
Greg Marinan, Prep 1 st Coach
Trevor Dunne
FOOTBALL MATTERS
2010 European Football Tour Report
On 28 November, thirty players and four staff
departed Australia for a three week football tour
of Spain, England and Italy. The tour takes place every three years
with a select group of footballers from Years 9, 10 and 11. The tour
aims to promote football development as well as strengthening ties
between Jesuit schools and broadening student’s cultural horizons.
Whilst on tour, players had the opportunity to attend training
sessions at some of Europe’s elite football academies. These
included; Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus and AC Milan. In
addition, the boys attended two English Premier League
(Birmingham City v Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion v
Newcastle) and one Italian Serie A match (Juventus v Lazio). The
group also enjoyed stadium tours of Barcelona (Nou Camp), Chelsea
(Stamford Bridge and Liverpool (Anfield).
Over the course of the tour, the squad is hosted by, and competes
against, fellow Jesuit schools. This enables the players to not only put
into practice the technical and tactical skills engendered at training,
but to promote the spirit of fraternity with the various host schools.
St Aloysius’ owes a debt of gratitude to Casp-Sagrat Cor de Jesus and
Sant Ignasi (Barcelona), Wimbledon College (London), Istituto
Sociale (Torino) and Leone XIII (Milano) for their generous
hospitality. Although results on a development tour are of secondary
importance, it was pleasing that the teams won the majority of
fixtures played. Overall, the group was a credit to the College both in
terms of behaviour and co-operation. No doubt, the hard work both
on and off the pitch will bear fruit in the season to come. A final
thank you to the College for its support, to tour staff: Messers
Bentley, Austin and Aguilera, as well as the many Tour parents who
assisted along the way.
For those interested in a more detailed report, daily updates (and
photos) from the tour can be found at the following link:
http://www.staloysius.nsw.edu.au/sports/football/euro2010/diary.a
sp
Antony Sindone
MIC
Thought for the week:
Never look down on anybody, unless you are helping them up.
February has arrived with alarming speed and I suspect so will the
remaining months of 2011 – especially if you are in Year 12! For this
reason it is really important to seize the day and get organized.
Remember “where there is order there is peace” – so try and
minimize stress levels by having a large wall calendar above your desk
and enter all assignment dates using a different colour pen for each
subject. Also make the most of your diary and plan to give yourself
enough time for projects and assessments.
I really like to see HSC students as soon as possible this term so I am
aware of their particular interests and do any necessary research on
their behalf. To make an appointment a student (from any year)
needs to come to The Careers Room on level 1 in Wyalla armed with
his diary. I also welcome request for meetings from parents either
with or without their sons.
Readers of this column are invited to give me feedback or request
information on specific topics.
10

Dates for your Diary
Tue 8 Feb – 7.30: Lane Cove Library Southern Cross Cultural
Exchange (Gap Year) Information Session. For oore info call 1800
500 501
Thu 10 Feb – 5.00pm–7.00pm: 187 Thomas Street, Haymarket
Insearch Info session – not all students get straight into university –
this is an alternative pathway after HSC with a fast track into second
year at UTS. Register your intent to attend at www.insearch.edu.au
Sun 20 Feb – 12.30pm–5.30pm: Sydney University Village, 90
Carillon Ave, Newtown GoKids Seminar for teenagers and parents
– looks at financial literacy, understanding how your mind works and
how to set goals, finding your passion and using that knowledge to
make important life decisions. Cost $30 each or $100 for a family of
4. Register at http://gokidsmakeadifference.eventbrite.com or call
9881 5890 or 0409 223 282
Mon 11 – Fri 15 April 2011 –Valemus Autumn School (VASE) had
places for only 50 Sydney students who are interested in pursuing
engineering as a career and I am delighted to announce that the
College has been successful in securing three places. This is the
second time it is being held. Throughout this week long program they
will be introduced to these four universities: Sydney, New South
Wales, UTS and Newcastle. They will also be taken behind the scenes
of some of the major engineering companies and projects within
Sydney and Newcastle thus providing students with the opportunity
to see engineers in action and the workings of different organizations.
VASE will provide a great experience full of practical engineering
activities and a night in Newcastle. VASE is an initiative supported by
Engineers Australia- Sydney Division, Valemus, NSW ‘Engineering”
Universities and participating Rotary Districts.
Thurs 14 April – 9.30am–3.30pm: Sydney Royal Easter Show –
special “Careers in Agriculture Expo”
Wed 18 May - 4.30pm: Sydney Convention Centre - Institute of
Chartered Accountants – Talk for Year 12 students about Accounting
Cadetships – learn about application process, tips on recruitment,
build contacts. Students wishing to attend must register online at
www.charteredaccountants.com.au/students.
Mon 23 May – 6.00pm–9.00pm: University of Notre Dame
Darlinghurst Campus NURSING Information Evening
Tue 24 May – 6.00pm–9.00pm: University of Notre Dame
Broadway Campus BUSINESS and LAW Information Evening
Wed 25 May – 6.00pm–8.00pm: University of Notre Dame
Broadway Campus Medicine Information Evening (Graduate Entry)
Thurs 26 May – 6.00pm–9.00pm: University of Notre Dame
Broadway Campus Arts & Sciences, Education, Philosophy &
Theology Information Evening
Fri 5 Aug – Closing date for students wishing to apply for early offer
for 2012 at University of Notre Dame
Wed 24 Aug – 4.30pm: 33 Erskine St, Sydney – Free event for Year
10 and 11 students to meet and network with Chartered Accountants –
great opportunity for them to hear about “a day in the life of an
accountant” from young cadets. Students wishing to attend must
register online at www.charteredaccountnats.com.au/students
What Employees Earn – a May 2010 survey by the Australian
Bureau of Statistics
http://blogs.crickey.com.au/thestump/2011/01/27/whatemployees-earn/
The Centre for Continuing Education at the University of SYDNEY
is running intensive HSC Preparation courses in a variety of
subjects for Year 12 students who wish to extend their studies and
enhance performance in the HSC. The courses will be in Biology,
Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English, Exam Preparation,
Mathematics, Physics and Study Skills. See
http://www/cce.usyd.edu.au/hsc
U Syd is offering a free copy of Getting Through Your HSC: A Practical
Guide for students and parents.
http://www.cce.usyd.edu.au/publications
US Consulate has created a “Study in the US” tab on the Consulate
General’s Facebook page to provide the most up-to-date information
on studying over there. Students and parents can become a fan at
http://www.facebook.com/sydney.usconsulate
Special item for HSC Students and their parents
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one
page” St Augustine.
Plans need to be made soon for 2012 if a student is contemplating
taking an organised “Gap” Year as many of these require application
before Easter. Over my years as a careers counsellor I never cease to
be amazed by the benefits and value of a student doing something
constructive and worthwhile the year after their HSC. Most students
will obtain a good ATAR and get into a course of their choice for
tertiary study. Most courses (very few exceptions) can be deferred
and a student can head out of the country secure in the knowledge
that that university place will be there the following year regardless of
any change in the required ATAR.
Today’s employers now tend to look at a university student’s actual
results and grades rather than a certificate of graduation. It can be
very unfortunate if a student who is not ready for tertiary study starts
university, misses lectures and gets bad results as these cannot be
removed from their transcript. Once a student begins university and
writes any exams these results become important (grade point
average)and can influence his chance of transferring to another
degree at that or a different university. It is far preferable to take a
year off and develop some independence, mature and come to
university with a much stronger motivation and realisation of the
worth of obtaining a degree.
Last year I heard Peter Fitzsimons talk about the role of parents
and the challenges facing the youth of today. Several years ago he
wrote about the value of students taking a gap year and getting out of
their comfort zone. “Travelling is a good start. (NB leaving suburban
Sydney for the Gold Coast does not count as travel.) Seriously, see if
you can spend some time overseas or in a distant part of Australia,
preferably solo. I refer young blokes, particularly to Manhood by Steve
Biddulph, in which he maintains that a modern rite of passage for
boys becoming men is for them to go away on a long trip on their
own without the support structures of family and friends and make it
on their own for a while. The opportunities should be boundless if
you’ve only got the gumption to go after them.”
These are some of the reasons for taking off a year after the HSC:
To discover the real you – when a student gives the HSC his best
effort there is little time to sit and reflect on what his strengths and
interests really are. Life is not a race and delaying by a year will not be
a handicap to further education. Often students come to tertiary
study refreshed and more focussed and with a broader knowledge of
what is out there in the real world.
To earn some money – some students may choose to work and
earn money so as to qualify for Youth Allowance – contact
Centrelink on 132 490 for details.
To help others – some programs offer applicants the chance to
develop social awareness and responsibility to go and do voluntary
work in third world countries. This is highly valued by later
employers and participants develop valuable work skills and may get
the chance to learn a language along the way.
To travel – this is an education in itself whereby students learn about
new cultures, philosophies, develop self-sufficiency and often pick up
language skills. They can also make lifelong overseas contacts and
friends.
Here as some useful websites:
www.gapaustralia.org
www.afs.org.au
www.ryep.org
www.rotary.org
www.antipodeans.com.au
www.australianvolunteers,com
www.wep.org.au
www.yfu.com.au
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www.projects-abroad.com.au
www.wep.org.au
www.larche.org.uk/preston
www.tutorsworldewide.org - I have these application forms available
with early April 2011 closing date.
Other organizations worth investigating are EF, Southern Cross
Cultural Exchange and Young Endeavour.
The University of Sydney has an interesting article of the
benefits of a GAP Year – it can prepare students for uni life and
help them clarify what they really want to do – read about the latest
research http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=5559
Malaysian Gap Year Opportunity - Nexus International School is
looking for students to work as boarding staff. Food and
accommodation and some pocket money provided. Contact 03 8889
3868 or Schubert.t@nexus.edu.my or see www.nexus.edu.my
Australian Defence Force Academy Education Award – this is
presented annually to Year 12 students in recognition of outstanding
achievement exhibited during the recruiting process for entry to
ADFA.
The award comprises of a laptop computer and certificate for the
successful student along with a plaque in recognition of his school
and is presented on behalf of the Navy, Army and Air Force to the
120 most suitable applicants who have applied for entry to ADFA.
Year 11 students who are interested should go to
http://www.defence.gov.au/adfa/applications/education_award.htm
l and see “eligibility requirements”. Also see the Long Tan
Leadership and Teamwork awards.
UNSW Campus Tours – every Friday at 3.30pm (except 22 April
2011) See www.campustours.unsw.edu.au This one hour tour gives
participants the chance to ask any questions about faculties, student
life etc. Guides are highly trained Student Ambassadors with a wealth
of knowledge about the university. Registration to attend is essential
as group size is limited to 10.
Bond University – now awards a part-fee scholarship to high
academic achievers who receive a minimum ATAR 97.8. This
scholarship awards 50% tuition remission for any single or combined
program (with the exception of medicine) plus $2500 cash bursary.
Students who meet the academic requirements of this scholarship are
eligible to apply online at www.bond.edu.au/apply. Successful
applicants may commence their studies at Bond University in any of
their three semesters: January, May or September. Students who
graduated from high school in 2009 are also eligible for this
scholarship. For more details about the Academic Excellence
Scholarship email scholarships@bond.edu.au or phone 07 5595 0103.
“Leading the Way” booklet on practical living after leaving home –
developed by NSW Dept of Human Services – download from
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documen
ts/leavingcare_carers_guide.pdf
Life after the HSC – a parents’ guide – Charles Sturt University
has prepared a useful article for parents who are helping their
children prepare for life after the HSC e.g. getting into uni, flexible
study choices, information about fees and charges etc. To find out
more visit http://www.csu.edu.au/for/parents
Year 12 Students who are interested in studying Medicine (or some
other health science degrees which may require UMAT) may wish to
do a UMAT preparation course which can be started now. There is a
wide range of these and information can be found on the Internet.
Students should begin to research which universities offer
undergraduate Medicine. I strongly recommend that a student who is
passionate about such a career path applies to numerous universities
both local, interstate and in New Zealand. Wikipedia has a
comprehensive list of Australian Medical Schools. Please see me for
more assistance.
Feedback from Hornsby TAFE TVET Accounting course – their
students obtained brilliant 2010 HSC results winning top 5 places in
NSW and 44 students obtaining Band 6 result. Year 10 students who
have an interest in a career later on in
business/commerce/economics can take this as an option in Years
11 and 12 with most of the work being done in Year 11. More
information mid-year when HSC subject selection occurs.
Australian Apprenticeships Pathways – a good site worth visiting
www.aapathways.com.au
Please would all Year 12 students purchase a copy of 2011 UAC
guide – it costs $19.95 and is available at newsagents but it will sell
out and possibly not be available later when you need it
Deirdre Agnew
Careers Counsellor (deirdre.agnew@staloysius.nsw.edu.au)
My usual days at the College are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS TRAINING SCHEDULES
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SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS FIXTURES & RESULTS