TERISSA SHEPHERD CHRIS SLOAN CO-PRINCIPALS

Last Friday Night we participated in a perennial community favourite – the International Night. History has seen 13 successful evenings of food, fun and entertainment in a communal setting. We like to think that the rain was even kind to us, holding off for a good two and a half hours to allow for the bulk of the wonderful variety of food to be served. Disappointingly, many of our students who had practised for their performances, missed out on the opportunity to showcase their talents. We thank them profusely for their preparedness to give time, creativity and energy to the community effort. We could not have enjoyed the continual success of international Night without the tireless help of many volunteers; many regular committers each year and also some newcomers who have joined the fold! Please see next week's Newsletter for our acknowledgements of the efforts of many.

We are almost at the end stages of organising staffing the teachers in the campuses. With interviews finalised for the Secondary Campus Leader this week, a recommendation needs to be made to Mrs Kathy McEvoy, the Director of the Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie, with Bishop Greg’s consultation and the final announcement, sometime in week 9. We look forward to sharing all staffing announcements with you in the last week of term through this medium.

As the year draws to a close we see the Year 7s depart from their secure and familiar primary campus environment to venture to new beginnings at the secondary campus. They do so, excited by the new, mixed with fears and insecurities about starting again, new teacher, timetables and a different environment. All this will be alleviated this Friday when they take part in Sports Day at SJC where they will get to know teachers, make new friends and complete together to gain points for their team. Fun is guaranteed for everyone. All parents are welcome

This week we see the Year 12s graduate. How quickly we watch our children journey through to young adulthood, on the brink of new beginnings and a new disturbance of their comfort zones. We wish them well in their future dreams and also say our prayers for both they and their families as everyone adjusts to the changes to family life, with some students departing next year for further study and braving the city challenges. We have again invited an old scholar to address the students at the Graduation Ceremony. Adrian Brine, a student of a decade ago who now has a successful career in radio, will share his journey with our young people and further support our belief in the value of a regional Catholic education in a close supportive community that values the relationship between parish, home and school.

EXPLANATION OF FEES

Please find in this Newsletter the adjusted fee structure for 2010, as passed by the Board at the last meeting. Fees have increased in accordance with the Annual guidelines of the Catholic Education Office of South Australia which takes into account rises in the CPI and other components of the budget.

Term 4 Week 7 November 26, 2009

COMING EVENTSTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26• Year 12 Graduation

Ceremony 6:00pm at Middleback Theatre

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27• STC 5/6 Redelinghuys

Campus Assembly at 9:30am• SJC Sports Day

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1• OLHCC Yr 5 recorder

concert, 11:30am in the Vessey Unit

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2• STC end of Year Mass,

9:30am, St Teresa'a Church• OLHCC R-3 Liturgy, 12:00pm• SJC Year 8 SOSE presents

Ancient Civilisations Fair, in the Piazza, 5:00-6pm

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3• OLHCC end of year, Year

4-6 Mass – 9:30am• Year 7 Celebration of

Primary Years Mass, 7pm at Our Lady Help of Christians Church

• Yr 10 Community Service Expo, 7-8pm

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4• STC Yr 5 recorder concert,

12:00 noon in the Library• STC family night, 6pm

END OF YEAR DISMISSAL• STC, Dec 8, Tue, 3:15pm• OLHCC, Tue, Dec 8, 3:20pm• Yr 10, Fri, Dec 2, 12:30pm• Yr 8&9, Tue, Dec 8, 12:30pm

Dear parents and caregivers

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A Good News Community

As the season of Advent commences, we are more than usually alert for the signs of God's provident action among us. The end of the College year is a good opportunity to look back and say "Thanks God!" for the blessings we have received.

Being conscious of our blessings helps us to recall that we have been commissioned through our Baptism to be agents of the Good News of Jesus. We are called to help others see the loving action of his Spirit in their lives and families. This can be in joyful events, and also in situations of hardship and disappointment.

In the Catholic Parish the First Sunday of Advent is when those who are enquiring about becoming Catholics take a special step. Together with the candidates and their sponsors, we discern the call God is making to them, and encourage them in moving forward to the next phase of formation and prayer.

Sharing the Good News is an opportunity for personal growth and renewal. There is nothing so effective for strengthening one's faith, as having the occasion to talk about it and show why it's important for one's own life.

Thanks God, for sharing your son with us, and thanks for trusting us to be people who both look out for Good News, and who are charged with sharing it.

Fr Jim Monaghan

ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH TEAM

Waiting in joyful hope for the coming of our saviour, Jesus Christ.

The Season of Advent begins this Sunday. Advent is a time of preparation extending over four Sundays before Christmas. We prepare and wait expectantly for a great event that is going to happen.

We are preparing for Jesus to come into our hearts and homes, full of hope and joy to prepare ourselves properly to celebrate Jesus’ birth. We also celebrate the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion and we also wait for his anticipated return.

How can we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ at Christmas? We can try to understand and know the meaning of the Christmas story. We can do this by creating a nativity as a family and bring it to Mass to be blessed. The nativity can then be kept at home during Advent as a reminder of what we are waiting for at this time of year. There will be a Blessing of the Crib (nativity) on the weekend of December 5 & 6. We can do things together as a family to prepare for Christmas such as attending Mass during Advent, make preparations for family meals together or visiting someone who is homebound or in a nursing home.

How will you prepare during Advent this year?

An Advent PrayerLord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Bernie MeixnerREC - STC

RELIGIOUS DIMENSION

PARISH NEWS

Christmas Masses:

Thurs Dec 24: 6.30 pm St Teresa's Family Mass

8.00 pm Our Lady's Family Mass

12 Midnight Our Lady's

Friday Dec 25: 9.00 am St Teresa's

WEEKEND MASS TIMESSt Teresa’s Church Our Lady Help of Christians

Church

Saturday 7.00pm Sunday 10.30am

Sunday 8.30am Sunday 5.30pm

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COLLEGE NEWS

PRIMARY CAMPUS NEWS

Opening HoursWednesday 8:00-10:00amThursday 1:00-4:30pm

We now have plenty of stock of all sizes of the short sleeved smartplay

polo top.

In Week 9 the uniform shop will still be open the above times to cater for those

going on holidays who wish to finalise next year’s uniform before they go away.

Opening hours for next year before school starts will be:

Wednesday, January 20-Monday, January 25

8:30am-4:30pmKerry Azzopardi Sharron WaldronToal Street, Whyalla Stuart Ph: 8649 3168

UNIFORM SHOP

CLASS PLACEMENTS FOR 2010

All classes for the primary campuses for 2010 have been organised and will be announced in next week’s Newsletter.

It is a long process for the teaching staff and is taken very seriously.

Thank you to the parents who have given us additional information about their children. We try to fill all expectations and we take a considerable time discerning the makeup of classes so that we have the best educational outcome for all students.

Sometimes it is not possible to fulfill all expectations, but please believe that we have tried our very best to accommodate your wishes.

END OF YEAR DISMISSAL TIMES

To clarify any misunderstandings, I wish to remind all parents about the finishing time for the primary campuses.

Patricia PagePRIMARY CAMPUS LEADER

FIRST RECONCILIATION

Last Sunday the children who have received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, celebrated with the parish family. The students received their certificates during the weekend the Masses.

Sacramental programs just don’t happen. There are many people who work both in the parish and school to ensure our sacramental programs are a success. Thank you to all who assisted in many ways.

Thank you to Melinda Gray, Amiee Winkler, Emma Hart, Roger Hawke, Kirsty Reed, Lisa Judd and Carla Opie for the preparation, time and thoughtfulness that goes into being a Sacramental Teacher.

God Bless

Eleni VailasON BEHALF OF SACRAMENTAL TEAM

CELEBRATION OF PRIMARY YEARS

The Year 7 students from both Campuses and their families will celebrate and recognise their last year in their Primary Education with a Celebration of Primary Years. This will be in the format of Celebratory Mass, special supper and Activity Day.

The evening Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Thursday, December 3 at 7 pm, followed by a light supper in the courtyard.

The Year 7 students and their teachers will continue their celebration of their primary years with an Activity Day at Point Lowly on Friday, December 4.

The day will provide the students with an opportunity to interact with others who will potentially be their peers in their secondary education at Saint John’s Campus in 2010.

Eleni Vailas CAMPUS COORDINATOR

CROWS COACHING CLINIC

When: Wednesday, December 2

Time: 5 – 6 pm

Age: 4 – 14

Venue: Bennett Oval

Cost: $25 (existing Crows Members are free)

To Register: Visit afc.com.au

Book now to avoid missing out.

COMMUNITY NEWS

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END OF YEAR MASS & LITURGY

Next week we will be celebrating our end of year 4-6 Mass and R-3 Liturgy, taking another step in our Advent journey and giving thanks to God for our year. You are most welcome to join us in the church on:

• Thursday December 3End of Year 4-6 Mass – 9:30am

• Wednesday, December 2R-3 Liturgy – 12:00pm

At the Year 4-6 Mass we will be farewelling people leaving our community at the end of the school year. May God be with them on their educational journey.

At these celebrations we bring forward donations of gifts and food for distribution by the St Vincent de Paul Society at Christmas.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Every year we collect non-perishable foods and gifts for families less fortunate than ours at Christmas time. At our end of year Mass and Liturgy, these offerings are presented at the altar and given to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

A box to collect these goods will be in each classroom. Any donations for non-perishable foods (eg. cans, pasta, sweets etc), toys (new) or any suitable gift items can be left in these boxes. Please leave toys and gift items unwrapped so the St Vincent de Paul volunteers can determine which age group they will be suitable for.

SAPSASA CRICKET

Earlier on this term several of our students represented Whyalla at the State SAPSASA carnival in Adelaide. Unfortunately they only won one game against Port Pirie, but they competed fairly and tried hard in hot conditions. Sam Sullivan was named Captain of the team and Isaac Smith received the Most Valuable Award for the Whyalla team.

Sam Sullivan (Captain)Isaac Smith (Whyalla MVP)Liam McIlduffAngus WeirAngus MacDonaldReece BartelDaniel BorlaceShannon Pudney

God Bless

Eleni Vailas

CAMPUS COORDINATOR

PARENT COMMUNITY

Please remember Christmas Raffle tickets need to be returned to the Front Office no later than the end of school Monday, December 7, 2009, sold or unsold.

If you wish to purchase more tickets, spares are also available at the Front Office.

Thank you.

Sheree Cleary ON BEHALF OF THE PARENT COMMUNITY

RECORDER CONCERT

There will be a concert by the Year 5 recorder students on Tuesday, December 1 at 11:30am in the Vessey Unit.

Students will be presented with certificates for completion of the course. The concert will be attended by the Year 6 students.

Parents are most welcome to attend.

Pierre Visser

OUR LADY HELP Of CHRISTIANS CAMPUS NEWS

CROWS VISIT

This week OLHC Campus had the Adelaide Crows visit our school to talk about how to prepare for a football match, and also give us some road safety tips. The Adelaide Crows will be returning next week to conduct a coaching clinic and everyone is invited to attend. The details are in the community news section of this newsletter (page 3).

Gareth MolyneuxPE COORDINATOR

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POETRY

The Year 5/6 class have discovered that poetry is the “math’s of language” and that we can manipulate words to say things in different ways than when we talk. We can use different patterns in poetry to make it interesting, for example rhyme and figurative speech. These are some of the outstanding examples of our interpretation of poetry.

THE SEASON OF ADVENT

Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus. Advent is a time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. At St Teresa’s Campus we are preparing for the birth of Jesus by:

Acting to help those in need – Donations of non perishable food items and toys are being accepted at the Campus office.

Reaching out to others - 6/7 Turpin, 2/3 Reed Judd and 4/5 Usher will be singing Christmas Carols to the elderly of Whyalla. We will also be sharing the message of Christmas with the Whyalla community, through our participation in the Festival of Christmas Display in the Westlands Mall.

Learning about Advent – The children are using the Advent Wreath in class prayer.

Praying – Year 1/2Tullio held a Liturgy on the theme of Advent

Family Celebrations – Classes have been invited to make Cribs (Nativity scenes)which will be blessed at Mass on the weekend of December 5/6.

END OF YEAR CLASS CELEBRATIONS

To celebrate the end of the year each class will have a movie afternoon on Tuesday, December 8. This afternoon is replacing the practice of each class having their separate class party which can be expensive and difficult for parents to manage. There is no cost involved. If you have any queries please speak to your child’s teacher.

UPCOMING EVENTS – FAMILY NIGHT

St Teresa’s Campus Family Night will be held of Friday, December 4 from 6:00pm. If your family is not attending Family night please let classroom teachers know as soon as possible.

Children of Saint Teresa’s Campus will receive a free sausage for tea. Adults and siblings will be able to purchase sausages or steak sandwiches on the night. Refreshments will also be available for purchase.

Family night is a wonderful way to celebrate the year so come along and enjoy.

The programme for Family Night beginning at 6:00 pm is:

Year 6/7 TurpinYear 4/5 UsherR/ Year 1 OwensYear 1/2 TullioYear 5/6 RedelinghuysR/Year 1 SandersYear 2/3 Reed/JuddYear 3/4 OpieYear 6/7 Gogoll

LITURGY AND ASSEMBLY IN WEEK 8

On Wednesday, December 2, St Teresa’s will celebrate with an End Of Year Mass at St Teresa’s Church at 9:30am. Children are to come to school by 8:45am as we will travel to church

by bus and return to school at the conclusion of Mass. Parents are most welcome to attend. There will be no lunch orders on this day.

There is no assembly on Friday, December 4. Instead there is Family night from 6:00pm on Friday, December 4.

LOST PROPERTY CUPBOARD

The Lost Property Cupboard is overflowing. Please come and check the cupboard for any lost items. The cupboard will be cleaned out at the end of the term.

RECORDER CONCERT

There will be a concert by the Year 5 recorder students on Friday, December 4 at 12:00 noon in the library.

Students will be presented with certificates for completion of the course. The concert will be attended by the Year 6 students.

Parents are most welcome to attend.

Pierre Visser

ST TERESA’S CAMPUS NEWS

Luke Prater

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CLASSES NEXT YEAR

The Year 8 classes of 2009 have expanded to capacity. In the interests of better tuition ratios we will be creating 5 Year 9 classes from the current 4 Year 8s, which will reduce the student numbers in each class, but allow for the occasional arrival throughout the year. There will also be 4 Year 12 classes instead of the usual 3, as student retention in an already larger cohort has meant that we still have around 90 students.

Terissa ShepherdCO-PRINCIPAL

COMMUNITY SERVICE EXPO

Next week all Year 10 students will be involved in the inaugural Samaritan College Community Service Week as part of their PLP (a compulsory unit of the new SACE). As part of the week the following events are planned:

Monday and Tuesday – students volunteer their time to work with one of Whyalla’s many volunteer and community organisations. Students should have arranged their Community Service by now – if they haven’t they will need to do so ASAP. Students who do not attend Community Service will be required to attend school as usual on these days to complete theory-based lessons.

Wednesday and Thursday – students return to school to complete a range of individual and collaborative activities based on their Community Service experiences. These activities include creating visual displays of their Community Service exploits. Given the hands-on nature of these tasks, students are permitted to wear their PE uniforms.

The week culminates in a Community Service Expo Thursday night. This extravaganza will take place in the CBC classrooms from 7:00–8:00pm. Parents and friends of the Samaritan College community are warmly invited to attend.

Heidi KorossyPLP/HPD COORDINATOR

SPORTSDAY

This Friday is the Saint John’s campus Sportsday. Attached to this sheet is a timetable outlining the time for events, team games and relays. All the students will need to be at school by 8:30am and attend caregroup from 8:35am till 8:45am. The students will then move to the grandstand for events to begin at 9:00am. The day will conclude at the normal time of 3:25pm. The Lions Club has generously donated their time holding a BBQ serving bacon and egg sandwiches till 10:00am then continuing with sausages, steak and onion. Students are encouraged to support their teams by wearing sports uniform coloured clothes, however, there is strict Sun Smart policy and students will be sent home if this does not apply. I look forward to seeing you there on Friday. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me here at the College on 86458468.

YEAR 10 SPORT AND RECREATION SURF CAMP

The Year 10 Sport and Recreation class attended a Surf camp to Aldinga during the end of Week 5. The weather was wonderful and provided us with clear skies and small waves for the students to learn to surf on. The students were involved in a series of beach games, surf lessons and surf awareness discussions over two days. We stayed at the Mini camp at the Aldinga caravan park. The class was extremely well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed themselves with a couple of people managing to stand up for a short time. Thanks goes out To Matthew Quist for his support on camp.

YEAR 9 OUTDOOR LIVING CAMP

The Year 9 outdoor living class have been learning about living and managing themselves in the Outdoors throughout the semester. At the end of Week 6 the students were able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they had learnt on a two night camp to Coffin bay. On the first day they were involved in a rotation of three activities which included kayaking, snorkelling and fishing, then on Thursday were lucky enough to complete Windsurfing, Sailing and Small Boat handling with the Coffin Bay Aquatics Centre. The weather was warm especially inside the tents!! The students were also involved in cooking their own meals on the Trangia. The students were all extremely well behaved and we received positive feedback from the Caravan Park. A huge thank you to Carly Schramm and Mark Westlake who were great support over the three days.

Kate NolanPE COORDINATOR

THE ART ROOM NEEDS PALETTES!!!

Can anyone please bring in washed plastic lids, foam trays or plastic containers??

All of these items are put to great use in the Art Room!

Please drop them off at the front office, Saint John’s Campus or directly to the Art Room.

Thank you in anticipation,

THE ART DEPARTMENT

YEAR 8 ZOO TRIP 2009

As part of the 2009 Year 8 Science Curriculum students have been exploring the topic of Ecology. During the topic, students developed an understanding of how different animals and plants interact with their environments and also undertook the task of researching and designing a Zoo Enclosure.

Through a recent development in the Adelaide Zoo Education Program, the students of Samaritan College had a wonderful opportunity to take part in the “Adelaide Zoo – Under the Stars” overnight stay program to further their understanding of Ecology.

Over the past four weeks each Year 8 caregroup travelled to Adelaide where they were involved in a short introductory lecture by Zoo Education staff before heading

SAINT jOHN’S CAMPUS NEWS

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CANTEEN ROSTERSMonday, November 30 – Friday, December 4

ST TERESA’S CAMPUS OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CAMPUS

SAINT JOHN’S CAMPUS

Mon Karen Taylor HELP NEEDED Sue Clements Chris Barsby

Tue Janice Stewart Georgina Stewart HELP NEEDED Helen Butt

Wed No Lunches – St Teresa’s End of Year Mass

Dana Campion Anneli Hardman Bev Carlson

Thu Tonia Munday Donna Clark Chris Ernesti Julie Rotherham

Fri Judy Kneebone Carmel Rosalia Julie McMahon Deb Drobnjak Annette Cameron Rose Cassar Marg Coad CANTEEN MANAGER CANTEEN MANAGER CANTEEN MANAGER

off to explore the Zoo. At night, they were involved in Night Orienteering experiencing the unique opportunity of seeing animals that are usually hidden during the day. Students slept in tents surrounded by native gardens on top of the recently built Westpac Enviro Dome waking very early in the morning to the sounds of the Zoo.

It was delightful to see how well the students behaved and to witness their positive participation in the different activities provided for them. The Night Zoo Education Officer, Caroline, was most impressed with their maturity, depth of knowledge and enthusiasm. It was a fantastic learning experience and was enjoyed by both students and staff.

“I enjoyed the night walk the most as we saw a different side to the animals and we got to walk around the zoo with friends”

Kosta Kotsomitis 8 White

“My most memorable moment was facing my fear by seeing and touching a snake”

Nicole Morton 8 Blue

“The thing I enjoyed the most about the zoo was looking at all of the unique and wonderful animals. I also liked sleeping in the tents, it was really fun and exciting”

Amber Freymark 8 Blue

“The experience was so fantastic and different from the usual camp. The animals were awesome in the dark!”

Kelsey Coad 8 Gold

“The whole thing was memorable, like being with friends that you wouldn’t be with normally. The different experiences, like roughing it, were unforgettable. Also, seeing the Cassowary nearly kill the Chicken.”

Emily Shepherd 8 Red

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SJC YRS 7-11 SPORTS DAY TIMETABLE

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SJC YRS 7-11 SPORTS DAY TIMETABLE