FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Academy of Mary Immaculate

Issue 10/2011 30 th June 2011FROM THE PRINCIPALDear Members of the Academy Community,I wonder how many of you woke this morning unable to believe that it wasalready July 1 st with six months of the year gone. Summer has given wayto autumn, winter is at its peak but already the days are getting longer andthe prospect of Spring beckons. The prayer reminds us of thepreciousness of the gift of life and the attributes that should grace eachnew day – gratitude, love, hope, compassion, generosity, laughter andpatience . May those attributes be ours as we move into the second halfof the year.We come to the end of a very busy term—a term in which much has beenachieved. Next week End of Semester Reports will be posted and parentsare encouraged to read these reports very carefully and to discuss the contents with your daughter. There will be anopportunity in Term 3 to discuss your daughter’s progress at the Parent Teacher Interviews.Term 2 saw the involvement of students in numerous activities—Community Action Week, the Seeds of JusticeConference, Debating Competitions, Reflection Days, the Musical “Grease”, Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN Testing, Year 9 to12 Examinations, and a myriad of sporting activities—just to mention a few. It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm withwhich students involve themselves so wholeheartedly in College activities.At the recent College Assembly the Student of the Term for each year level was acknowledged. Congratulations to oursix Students of the Term! The profile of each student can be found later in the Newsletter.Student Safety - Public Transport: The safety of students is, of course, of paramount importance, and lately wehave become concerned about the number of students catching the tram at the Hanover Street tram stop after school.This is only an issue in the afternoon as the students’ arrival at school is staggered in the morning. To address thisconcern we have now doubled the number of staff supervising the tram stop and we have also opened another gatefrom which the students can exit the College after school. This will assist the flow of student traffic exiting the College.AMSSA Conference – Perth: Five members of the College Leadership Team will be attending the AustralasianMercy Secondary Schools’ Association Conference in Perth during the holidays, Wednesday July 6 th to Saturday July9 th . This year for the first time, students have also been invited to attend the Conference and I am delighted that twoYear 11 students, Ria Patel and Harriet Darby, will be representing the College at this important event.As this term draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and students of the Academy for alltheir efforts this term and to thank parents for their support.With best wishes - may the holidays be a time of relaxation and rejuvenation.Prayer:May we be blessed with gratitude for the giftof another new day of life.May we be blessed with love, love for God andfor all people.May we be blessed with hope; the possibilityof growth in each moment.May we be blessed with compassion for all ofcreation and for our deep connection.May we be blessed with generosity in all thatshall be asked of us this day.May we be blessed with laughter; the joy thatwill refresh our hearts.May we be blessed with patience in thedifficult challenges that may arise.And may all who hear the word of God beblessed forever.AmenSr Mary Moloney rsmPrincipalAcademy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

DEPUTY PRINCIPALParents’ Association Confectionary Drive – May 30 th to June 28 thCadbury have informed the College that from July 1 st 2011, the company will no longer accept returns ofunsold chocolates. Hence, the College will now only accept full payment for the chocolates that were distributed onMay 30 th .The money can be placed, in the envelope provided with the student’s name, homeroom and amount enclosed, in the“Chocolate Box” in the Student Office.Upcoming dates - Term 3Monday, July 18 thStaff Professional Development Day – no classes.Tuesday, July 19 thClasses commence for all students (Day 7 of the Timetable).Thursday, August 4 th Parent/ Teacher Interviews for Years 11 & 12.Tuesday, September 1 st Parent/ Teacher Interviews for Years 7 to 10.Tram/Train/Bus TravellersA reminder to all students that:‣ As a member of the Academy of Mary Immaculate community you represent the College whenever you wearthe College uniform. To act in any way that causes concern or hardship to fellow passengers reflects poorlyon yourselves and the College.‣ As concession holders it is an expectation that you offer your seat to all full fare paying passengers, especiallyelderly people. It is much better to offer your seat to another passenger and receive a “thank you” or “nothanks” than to make no offer at all.‣ School bags should not be placed in aisles where they hinder access to the exits of the tram/train as this is anissue of the safety of the passengers using public transport.Information concerning Public transport may be found on the Metlink website www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au or byphoning the Metlink call centre on 131 638.Parent /Teacher Interviews (Years 11 & 12)A letter detailing the arrangements for the VCE Parent/Teacher Interviews including the procedures for accessing theon-line booking system (PTO) will be included with your daughter’s Semester 1 Report.Parent /Teacher Interviews (Years 7, 8, 9 & 10)A letter detailing the arrangements for the Years 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher Interviews including the procedures foraccessing the on-line booking system (PTO) will be sent home in the week commencing Monday, August 15 th .Mr Adrian Fuller, Deputy PrincipalDIRECTOR OF FAITH AND MISSIONTuesday Morning Masses continue next term. We invite students’ families to come and join the celebration ofMass, beginning at 8.05am and finishing at 8.35am. The masses will be hosted by the following classes:19 th July: Texts and Traditions 3/4, 26 th July: 9 Green, 2 nd August: 9 Red, 9 th August: 9 Silver, 16 th August: 10 Blue,23 rd August: 10 Green, 30 th : 10 Red, 6 th September: 10 Silver, 13 th September: 7 Blue, 20 th September: 7 Green.Term 2 is a busy term for Reflection Days.We begin with Year 8 from 25 th July (8 Blue), 1 st August (8 Red), 8 th August (8 Green) and 15 th August (8 Silver).Year 9 on 16 th August, and Year 11 on 11 th August.The Year 7 Reflection Days are in Term 4: 7B 15 th November, 7G 16 th November, 7R 22 nd November, 7S 23 rdNovember.On 29 th August, all Year 11 students, including Texts and Traditions Units 2 & 3/4 students will attend an excursion tothe Holocaust Museum, leaving AMI at 10.40 and returning at 3.15.We look forward to Term 3 and our Mercy Fundraising events!Ms Andrea Luscombe, Director of Faith and MissionAcademy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

BUSINESS MANAGEREducation Maintenance Allowance – Second installmentParents who were late in lodging their application or their circumstances have changed since the beginning of the yearare now eligible to apply for the Education Maintenance Allowance. An application form is available from the CollegeReception.The form must be completed and return to the College by Friday 5 th August.Together with your application, your Centrelink Pensioner\Health Care Card must be sighted to confirm eligibility and aphotocopy taken.NO LATE CLAIMS WILL BE ACCEPTED.Mr Paul Romanin, Business ManagerVCE COORDINATOR’S REPORTYear 11 and 12 ReportIt is difficult to comprehend that we have reached the half way point! No doubt there have been times when thingswere busy and the pressure was mounting, but I am pleased to say the senior students have managed to get to theend of term a little weary but still standing!For many students the midyear exam period proved to be the most challenging and demanding period of theiracademic careers. I was extremely proud of how they coped with that pressure and the professionalism and attitudethey adopted during this time. No game or race finishes at the half way point! Always remember that premierships arewon in the third and fourth quarter and not in the first half.With the midyear exams behind us and the beginning of Unit 2 and 4 upon us it is imperative that students maintaintheir motivation throughout the entire year and not just half the year. Although this is a good time to rejuvenate andrest I urge all students to put some time aside for some homework which is expected to be completed during thisperiod so that they are ready to start Term 3 on a positive note. Remember it always harder to “catch up” than to“keep up.”Thank you Ms. Manolopoulos-Tzikas for organising Yoga every Thursday afternoon for the girls. Many of the girls areenjoying the opportunity of maintaining a healthy body and a healthy mind.I would like to take the opportunity at this time to thank the senior SRC for their tireless work and effort in ensuringCultural week was such a success. These activities require much preparation and organisation. The staff vs studentsoccer game, the Euro Asian concert, the Latino dancing and dress up / gelati day were the culmination of muchplanning and preparation. We are so fortunate to have leaders at this school who always focus on others rather thanthemselves. Students enthusiastically embraced the spirit of the daily events and involved themselves fully in allactivities on offer.Speaking to many students on a regular basis I appreciate they are obviously anxious about their results and anxiousabout next year and the wealth of opportunities that await. Remember that there isonly ever one moment and that is the present moment so live that moment byalways giving it your full attention. Always keep in mind that if you simply do yourbest, work to your absolute potential and cherish every moment, the details will lookafter themselves. Let’s make a commitment to identify and live that mantra on a dayto day basis.I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and restful break and hope it gives you allthe opportunity to spend time with your family and friends. I particularly wish thatsomewhere in that time there is an opportunity to spend a little bit of time doing thethings that ignite the spirit however and whatever that means to you.Thank you once again and I look forward to seeing you all in term three.Cultural Week 2011 - ( June 20 – June 24 )In keeping with this year’s College theme, “Celebrating Unity through Diversity” theAcademy celebrated a week of cultural activities beginning with a staff vs studentsoccer game on Monday, followed by a Euro Asia concert on Tuesday. This wasthen followed by some Latin dancing on the Thursday with our dress up day andGelati on Friday.Academy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

One of the greatest assets of the Academy is the fact that we celebrate the many different cultures that exist here.Thank you to the senior SRC for their organisation and support throughout the week. Thank you to all the studentswho involved themselves in these activities.I think the photos tells us how the week went!HUMANITIES DEPARTMENTMr John Andritsos, VCE CoordinatorYear 9 Story of Oz Class Excursion to the Old Melbourne Gaol (OMG)The tour of The Old Melbourne Gaol began downstairs, outside the ground floor cells where we were introduced towhat was (when it was built) the tallest building in Melbourne.We learnt that during the time that it was open, more than 50,000 prisonerspassed through, men women and even children. When new prisoners wereput in the Gaol they were put in one of the ground floor cells by themselves.This was what the authorities thought was the best way to reform criminals:total silence and solitude. In these cells, all they had were a blanket, strawmattress and a Bible, not a very comfortable lifestyle. The crimes some ofthem were imprisoned for are just ridiculous (most of them thefts of food tostay alive).We moved along the corridor, past the death masks of prisoners to a placeunder the stairs next to Ned Kelly’s death mask and a replica of his armour.Here we learnt about the final hours of two of the Kelly gang’s lives andNed’s capture. The guide also briefly discussed the movies (there aretwelve) about Ned Kelly. The Mick Jagger version was unanimously votedas the worst.Above: Students outside the Gaol walls.Below: The shooting at Glenrowan re-enacted.As we worked our way up the stairs (which are very much like a narrowerversion of the stairs in the P building), we passed the whipping frame andcame to the exact place where Ned Kelly was hanged. It was an eerie partof the tour – standing where 135 people had said their last words and died.Along the second floor, we entered a cell that was dedicated to the womenin the Gaol. Apart from sad stories of misery and mistreatment, a husbandand wife had dedicated their lives to helping women in prison and left theirfortune to the charity that is still running today.Academy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

The last stop on the tour was a brief run-down of the ghosts in the Old Melbourne Gaol. Footsteps, screams andwords had all been captured on recording. The guide said he was a sceptic of the stories himself, but the evidence ofparanormal activity had convinced him of the ghosts’ presence. It was not exactly a bright or cheery end to our tour,but then again, it’s not a very cheery place.We all enjoyed the excursion and learnt a lot about Ned Kelly, life in the Gaol and Melbourne’s history.Emma Lightfoot, 9 BlueMATHEMATICS DEPARTMENTYear 7 Mathematics Project PresentationsOver the last few weeks the Year 7 students have been working on their Problem Solving Projects. They have beenworking in small groups applying the problem solving strategies learnt throughout the semester. The students will bepresenting the results of their investigations and outlining how they developed these solutions in the East Buildingduring week 1 of Term 3. Parents and friends of Year 7 students are invited to attend these presentations onWednesday 20 th July for 7 Green and 7 Silver and Thursday 21 st July for 7 Blue and 7 Red. The presentations willcommence at 4pm and refreshments will be available. If you would like more information about this event, pleasecontact Craig Tellefson at the College.Mr Craig Tellefson, Head of MathematicsMUSIC DEPARTMENTGreetings school community,What a great semester it has been, Grease the Musical was a tremendous success. The College Band performed atthe end of term assembly and sounded wonderful. I would like to say “well done” to everyone who has worked sohard this semester. Special thanks must go to all our talented students for participating in the various events thatoccurred both during and after school.Some of the highlights include:• Dance Team - The Dance Team work extremely hard during their early morning rehearsals coordinated bySarah Cardamone in Year 12.• VCE Music Recital - On Thursday 16 June we had the Year 11 end of semester VCE recital. The studentswere accompanied by their parents, hosting a wonderful concert.• Drama Concert - A few days before we also featured Ms Kennedy’s VCE Drama class hosting their concert inthe Drama studio. Congratulations to all the girls involved.• Mr. Van Ross Lunchtime Concert – Thank you to Mr. Van Ross for a wonderful flute recital last Thursday inthe Drama Studio. Mr. Van Ross demonstrated some outstanding playing on the flute.Instrumental Enrolment and Re-Enrolment FormsStudents wishing to enrol or re-enrol for private instrumental music lessons in Semester two are to complete andsubmit enrolment forms to the student office before the commencement of Term 3. Enrolment forms are availablefrom the student office. For more information please contact Mr. Hessey at the College.Academy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

School Holiday Band RehearsalA School Band rehearsal is scheduled during the holidays on Monday 11 July (2 nd week of the holidays). Therehearsal is to prepare the band for the Melbourne Schools’ Band Festival in August. Students are to be at theCollege at 8-45am and will be dismissed at 3-30pm.Melbourne Schools’ Band FestivalThe spotlight is now shining on the College band. Preparations for the Melbourne Schools’ Band Festival have started.Once again, the girls are working hard, both in school and at home and we hope to do our best in the competition, andbring back an Award. The Melbourne Schools’ Band Festival takes place on Thursday 18 August. The girls in theschool band are in the process of learning new material for their performance at Robert Blackwood Hall.Finally I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe term break and look forward to another exciting Semester.Best wishesMr. Hessey, Head of Performing ArtsAcademy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

STUDENT OF THE TERM – TERM 2Year 7 Green – Anna VuongAnna has settled into Academy quite well. She is honest, mature, well-mannered, enthusiastic, friendly andhelpful. This is reflected in the way Anna associates with her fellow peers and her teachers. She has apositive attitude and always is inclusive of everybody in the homeroom. She is someone who constantlystrives to improve her academic performance. She has been described as a team player in the classroomand on the sporting field. She is the homeroom’s representative for the Green Team. Anna hasrepresented the College both at SCSA and NWSA Basketball and her homeroom in the Year 7 BasketballCompetition.Year 8 Green – Kaylee KaramWhen teachers were asked to comment on Kaylee, all said that she always wears her uniform with pride,that she is always prepared for her classes and always seeks clarification or assistance when needed.They said that Kaylee works hard, keeps up, catches up on missed work and is very courteous- polite andfriendly to peers and staff alike. It was also noted that she has a bubbly personality and a great sense ofhumour, recently witnessed when she took up the call of Cultural Dress Day by coming as a fully equippedMexican – poncho, sombrero hat and all. Kaylee brings much warmth and joy to her homeroom. She iskind and helpful to everyone, always ready with a hug and a laugh. She participates fully in the life of the College,being a member of Rage Book Club and joining in all lunchtime activities.Year 9 Green – Monica ArenaMonica has been an outstanding contributor to College life during Term 2. She has shown a matureapproach to her studies as well as displaying an abundance of enthusiasm for any task she has beengiven. She is friendly, cheerful and always greets her fellow students and teachers with a smile. She isextremely helpful in homeroom and is always ready to lend a helping hand to her classmates; whether itbe to complete homeroom duties, or to help someone understand their work. Monica always seeks to doher best; this was evident in her role as “Frenchy” in the College musical.Year 10 Silver – Carla CerraCarla is a quiet, conscientious and hardworking student. She works consistently in all lessons and isalways kind to fellow students. As Class Captain she is an excellent role model who is punctual andreliable at all times. She is always happy to help others, which is demonstrated in her willingness to helpout in homeroom with reading the bulletin and handing out and collecting forms. Carla demonstrates she isa team player in class and in the groups of which she is part. She has participated in many extracurricularactivities throughout the term including indoor soccer and cricket. Carla also represented the College atthe Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition.Year 11 Silver – Josephine GunningJosephine has been an asset to the College since she arrived in 2010. Her positive and vibrant approachto her studies and her enthusiastic participation in extracurricular activities have been the hallmark of hersuccess. In a short period of time she has become a member of the school band, a member of thechamber choir and played a significant role in the school musical “Grease”. Her teachers have commentedon her professionalism and diligence in the class room.Year 12 Silver – Stephanie KhaThroughout 2011 Stephanie has proven to be a mature and focused student who understands the need tobalance the academic demands of Year 12. She has worked harmoniously with both her teachers andclassmates and has actively striven to fulfill her potential in the classroom. Stephanie’s time at Academyhas been distinguished by her willingness to be involved in College activities. She is a member of theAcademian Team and is the official photographer and the organiser of the commemorative Year 12 DVDfor 2011. In homeroom she is a consistently helpful and positive presence, always willing to assist herteachers in whatever role they ask of her. Stephanie has developed a very good rapport with her teachers, borne ofmutual respect and her willingness to seek help when necessary. She has been an exemplary role model for youngerstudents, and is a young woman of tremendous integrity, poise and dedication.Academy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

NOTICESON CAMPUS UNIFORM SHOPTo all our loyal customers of “On Campus Uniform” please be advised that as at the end of Term 2 the “On Campus”Uniform Shop will cease to operate at the Academy of Mary Immaculate.I would also like to extend a warm thank you for your custom and to say that it has been a pleasure meeting andserving the College community over the last 10 years.Thanking youMrs Clorinda Novembre, On Campus UniformUniformThe new College scarf will be available early in Term 3 - $22.95.The College has moved to a sole uniform supplier, BuxWear. BuxWear will trade from the uniform shop at the Collegeand from their Thomastown Location, 218 Settlement Road, Thomastown 3074, Phone 9464 755, Fax 9464 7566,email: sales@buxweardirect.com.au, website www.buxweardirect.com.au.Parents please note that with the change to a sole supplier there will no longer be in stock supplies of the old uniform,with the exception of second hand uniform items. Therefore from July onwards any student needing a replacementpiece of uniform will need to buy either a second hand article of uniform or otherwise the complete new uniform needsto be purchased.WORK EXPERIENCE 2011Attention: Parents/Guardians of Year 10 studentsThis year’s Work Experience Week is scheduled for September 19 th to 23 rd . Many of our students have already foundtheir placement and others are about to undertake their week during the coming school holidays. We would like towork with you in encouraging your daughter to take advantage of this unique opportunity and to rise to the challengeof finding a placement incorporating her particular area of interest.A student information booklet was distributed in the final term last year and all students should now have at leastconsidered the area of work they would like to experience.Would you please ensure your daughter has begun her search, assisting her with your knowledge of the ‘world ofwork’ and perhaps guide her to an employer whom you consider prepared to support an excellent experience.Within the first couple of weeks in Term 3 the students will be expected to have completed and delivered to StudentOffice, their Work Experience Arrangement Form* and undertaken the relevant industry “Safe@Work” module.(*Original forms on College Intranet)Any queries may be directed to Mrs Anne Marie Allan (Work Experience Coordinator) on 9412 7134 orannemarie.allan@academy.vic.edu.auANAPHYLAXISAnaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressing allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. Themain causes are food allergies, eg peanuts (also a variety of other nuts), eggs, shellfish etc. Othertriggers can include bee stings, medications and latex. The most important aspect in themanagement of anaphylaxis is avoidance of the substance.People at risk are prescribed an emergency auto injector of adrenalin (EpiPen or Anapen) to beused if they develop signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.The Royal Children’s Hospital has set up an Advisory Support line for parents/guardians, schooladministrative staff, teachers and principals for information regarding Anaphylaxis. The support lineis available from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.For further information regarding Anaphylaxis, contact the Anaphylaxis Advisory Line on 1300 725911 or 0345 4235. Note that this is not an emergency help line.An ambulance “000” should always be called in an emergency.Academy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au