UNIFORM SHOP OPERATING HOURS Tuesday/Friday 10.30am-2.00pm Wednesday 8.00am-11.30am Phone Number 9799 6163 CASH/EFTPOS or CREDIT CARDS accepted Cheques payable to TALEB AUSTRALIA Lay-bys available

Term 2 Issue 6

1 May 2015

From the Principal… Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends of the Bethlehem Community, The Month of May and devotion to Mary “In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips; never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer; neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal." --Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Father and Doctor of the Church The Angelus V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with Thee; Blessed art thou among women, And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now, and at the hour of our death, amen V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
 Hail Mary…. V. And the Word was made Flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary…. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion. In May, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary. This devotion arose among Jesuits in Rome in the late 18th century and quickly spread throughout the Western Church. By the time of Pope Pius IX's declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, it had become universal. May crownings and other special May events in honor of Mary, such as public recitation of the rosary, stem from this time. During the month of May our praying of the Angelus will have greater significance. I found this reflection on the praying of the Angelus and thought that you might be interested in it. Do you perhaps recognize the picture at left? It’s a famous painting about a famous prayer: the Angelus! In this 19th century work by the French painter Jean-Francois Millet, a farming couple prays the Angelus at dusk. This prayer is well suited to the artist’s subject matter: two humble people paying homage to our Lord and His Blessed Mother in the Hail Mary, as well as in Gospel verses recalling His Incarnation as the Word entered the World. Its name comes from its opening words in Latin, “Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.” This wonderful prayer evolved from a recitation of three Hail Mary’s following an evening bell around the 12th century to its present form (with morning and midday recitations) in the 16th century. When prayed in a group setting a leader recites the verses and everyone recites both the responses and the Hail Mary’s in between each verse, as shown above. Although the Angelus has been traditionally said three times daily, at 6 am, noon and 6 pm, you can pray it at anytime! It is still accompanied by the ringing of a bell (the Angelus bell) in some places such as Vatican City and parts of Germany and Ireland. The Angelus reminds us of the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with great, (if somewhat startling), news! As we read in Chapter One of Luke’s Gospel, (Luke 1:26-38) God wished Mary, truly a model of humility, to be the mother of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! Mary was the perfect choice. She had been born without the stain of original sin. When Mary calls herself the handmaid, the servant, of the Lord, in the Angelus (from Luke 1:38) it is with inspiring humility and sincerity. She thought of herself first and foremost as God’s servant, seeking glory not for herself but rather for Him. Mary was happy to have God work through her. As she expressed it most famously in the canticle the Magnificat, "My soul magnifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). The Angelus pays tribute to a crucial aspect of Mary’s role in the Incarnation, when it quotes from Luke’s Gospel “be it done to me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38). By saying “yes” to God in allowing herself to become His mother, she showed us the ultimate example of trust in our Creator!

The Angelus completes its short summary of the Incarnation with the moving reference to our Lord from John’s Gospel: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). As we read in the letter to the Hebrews, Christ was like us in all things but without sin (Heb 4:15). Jesus loved us enough to die for us so that we might live with Him eternally! When we pray the Angelus with humility and love, we are emulating Mary’s faith in His goodness. We are blessed in that we can ask both God and His Blessed Mother for their assistance on our journey towards Eternal Life! Bethlehem College commemorates the 100 Years of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli Ashfield RSL ANZAC Day Service, Sunday April 19

On Sunday, April 19, Year 12 Modern History students: Sarah Azzi (College President), Georgia Bowyer (College Vice President), Sathsara Radaliyagoda (SRC) Ms Stott and I joined Ex Servicemen and women and their families, representatives from other local schools in the Ashfield area and members of the public to commemorate ANZAC Day at the annual Ashfield RSL ANZAC ceremony at Ashfield Park. We were blessed with good weather and it was a touching ceremony culminating in the recitation of the ANZAC ode and the laying of wreaths at the memorial to remember those who lost their lives serving their country during times of war. Sarah had the honour of reading one of the prayers. The Bethlehem girls joined the boys from De La Salle College to lay wreaths at the memorial and then joined in a march to Ashfield RSL Club. The Club put on a lovely lunch for the visitors and made presentations to each of the schools and local community groups The Ashfield RSL Sub Branch have always been very generous in their support of our college and so I would like to thank the club, in particular, John Walsh President, for the invitation to the service and for their hospitality and generosity at the presentation. I would also like to thank the girls and Ms. Stott for giving so generously of their time to represent Bethlehem College at this important community event. The RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration Service, Thursday, April 23 The RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration Service has been conducted at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park every year since 1953. The service in collaboration between the Catholic Education Commission NSW, the Association of Independent Schools of NSW, the Department of Education and Communities and the RSL NSW State Branch. The service honours the men and women who died defending the values, principles and tradition cherished by Australians. It is a time to remember those who made great sacrifices so that we can enjoy the opportunities available in today’s society. School students conduct the ceremony and, as part of the Service, each school laid a wreath, along with dignitaries. Mrs Fisher accompanied 24 Year10A History students to the event. Talented musicians In addition to sending our History students, six of our most talented musicians were also invited to perform in the Combined Sydney Catholic Schools Choir and Orchestra: Annie Matthews, Adita Mrisho, Joanna Pritt, Jessica Tannous, Chiara Torresan, Miriam Tran. During the week I received an email from Elizabeth Mullane from CaSPA congratulating each of the performers in the Combined choir and orchestra. “To the wonderfully talented musicians of our Sydney Catholic Schools Your contribution to the commemoration of 100 years of Gallipoli was nothing short of brilliant. I think the words today from one of the RSL dignitaries best captures your achievement - 'the performance has set a new standard for music at this event'. Thank you ever so much for your commitment and for representing your College and Sydney Catholic Schools as a whole in such a dignified and professional manner. “

On Thursday 23 April, Miriam Tran (11L2), Joanna Pritt and I performed in the CaSPA Orchestra for the ANZC Centenary. Anita Mrusho (11V2), Annie Matthews (8A2 and Jessica Tannous (7V2) were also in the CaSPA Choir. The whole performance was put together by Mr James Long and Ms Elizabeth Mullane with only four rehearsals after school and during the holidays. It was a wonderful experience to play alongside students from other schools and get to know them. We also had three professional musicians play with us, this was great because we were able to get a feel of what it was like being a professional musician. The Orchestra and Choir performed pieces such as Taylor Swift’s “Safe and Sound”, a well-known Celtic Hymn “Be Thou My Vision” and James Long’s original composition with the lyrics of John McRae’s “Flanders Fields”.

-2-

Over 140 Schools came to pay respects by laying a floral wreath in the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park for the ANZAC Centenary. The RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration Service has been conducted at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park every year since 1953. Attending the commemoration was a great experience as many special and honoured guest were also in attendance. The service commemorated the men and women who died defending principles, values and traditions cherished by Australians. It was a time to remember those who made great sacrifices so that in turn, we could enjoy the opportunities available today. It was an enriching opportunity to take part in a momentous commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary, to share in the History of our Country and to give thanks for those men and women gave their lives, and continue to do so, so that we may live in a liberated and peaceful society.

By Chiara Torresan 11Caritas 1

Bethlehem College ANZAC commemoration- Friday April 24. On Friday, April 24 staff and students gathered in the College hall to commemorate the 100 years of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. While there were still many of the traditional elements of an ANZAC commemoration, the Year 12 Modern History students were able to make it relevant for today’s techno savvy generation with a journey through some interactive websites including Facebook’s #ANZAC Live where students could see “status” updates from soldiers and nurses who served at Gallipoli and the State Library of NSW’s eLearning exhibition where photos of soldiers from WW1 were superimposed on the bodies of 21st Century Australians highlighting the fact that these soldiers were ordinary young men like any of the young men of today. Sarah Azzi and Dante Duru urged everyone to take the opportunity to search online for the war records of their ancestors which Dante modelled so beautifully with the moving story of her Great, Great, Great Grandfather. The ceremony concluded with a recitation of The Ode, the playing of the Last Post on a bugle by Mr Howes and a final visual reflection. My Principal’s address followed the theme with the sharing of my experiences of being a mother of a soldier in the Australian Defence Force. My son Aidan was an infantry soldier from the ages of 17- 23. During his time in the army he was deployed twice: his first at the age of 19 serving in Iraq for six months and later in East Timor for eight months. I would like to thank Ms. Stott for her excellent coordination of the commemoration, Mr Howes for his spine tingling playing of the Last Post, the Year 12 Modern History class and students from Ms Stott’s Year 7 and 9 classes for their contributions to the service but especially our College President, Sarah Azzi for the many hours spent creating the memorable presentation. Lest We Forget. Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal 2015 On Ash Wednesday, we gathered as a community in the hall for a liturgy to commence our Lenten season. At this liturgy Ms Moodey challenged us all to go beyond just giving up things such as chocolate but to “sin less”, give more time to family and friends and to spend time each day in prayer reflecting on our actions and their affect on ourselves, others and God. The other community challenge we were presented with was to raise funds for Caritas’ project compassion appeal for 2015- an appeal aimed at helping to end poverty, promote justice and uphold the dignity of vulnerable communities from around the world. This year’s theme was “Food for Life” which focused on the way Caritas Australia is helping the world’s poorest people in places such as Fiji, Niger, Indonesia, Peru and Nepal establish sustainable food, walking with them as they free themselves from the burden of food insecurity and develop new, improved income streams for a better future. When I look at the quantity, variety and creativity of our fundraising initiatives that occurred during Lent and our community met this challenge head on and I cannot be more proud of them and the huge contribution they made to improving the lives of the less fortunate in these developing communities. Their kindness, enthusiasm, commitment and generosity were nothing short of brilliant. There were two members of staff who were pivotal in the success of our Lenten Fundraising; these two teachers not only motivated us all and modelled excellent leadership, they also encouraged and empowered many students to become leaders of a number of the key events of our fundraising efforts. I would like to thank Mrs Casey (Acting YMC) and Ms Noun (Acting Assistant Stage 6 Coordinator and ESL Teacher in Charge) for their extraordinary efforts. I would also like to thank Mrs Leach and Mrs Amari from the Finance Department who had the huge task of counting the proceeds of each of these fundraising events. The funds raised by our community far exceeded all expectations with the school raising a massive $10,763.65 Fittingly, Caritas House was the house which raised the largest amount of money — $2,379.90, with Homeroom Circle Year 9 Caritas 2 the Homeroom which raised the most money. Our Lenten fundraising campaign was a wonderful community effort with students, teachers, support staff and parents contributing equally to its success. Congratulations to everyone!

-3-

Student success Cristina Chirillo a Year 12 VET student has reached the final rounds of the 2015 NSW VET in Schools Training Awards. This award is open to full-time Year 12 school students undertaking accredited vocational education and training (including Certificate II School-based traineeships) as part of their HSC program of study in 2015. The NSW Training Awards are conducted annually by the NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC) to recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector. The Award honours and rewards the achievements of students who are completing their HSC along with a Vocational Education and Training course. At Bethlehem these can include, Business Services, Hospitality or Retail. The selection process includes a nomination from either a training provider (teacher) or an employer and an interview. The nominee then had to comment on their experience in a VET course and its application to their lives and future career aspirations. It also required any study achievements and a detailed account of their communication, team and leadership skills. Students are also to give information regarding their understanding and involvement of WHS in the workplace and in training. Lastly the nomination form required employer references expressing support for the nomination. Cristina was nominated by her teacher Mrs Tania Toomey for the NSW VET in School Student of the Year (Awarded only in NSW). Last week she entered the interview stage where she presented to a panel her eligibility for this award. Cristina is an outstanding VET student who has had a number of highly successful Work Placements where she has been commended for her skills, diligence, motivation and ability to work in a team. During one of her work placements she received an offer of a part-time job and now works every Saturday and during the holidays with one of her employers. We are very proud of Cristina’s achievements.

• Mrs Julia Allsopp and her husband James welcomed their second child, a daughter, on April 7 “Iona Laura.” • Mr Joshua True and his wife Rebecca welcomed their first child, a daughter, on April 23, “Victoria Ann”. Mothers and babies are all doing well. We know that new life brings love and joy so we thank God for their safe arrival and pray that these beautiful children will continue to grow and thrive surrounded by their loving families.

National Assessment program- (NAPLAN)- Literacy and Numeracy 2015 Parents of students in Years 7 and 9 received information about the 2015 NAPLAN tests. These tests are part of a National suite of Literacy and Numeracy tests for every Year 3, 7 and 9 student in every state and territory in Australia. The compulsory tests will be conducted across Australia on the same days for all students. The timetable is:
Tuesday 12 May - Language conventions test (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) and Writing (Persuasive or Narrative ),
Wednesday 13 May- Reading test,
Thursday 14 MayNumeracy test (Number, Algebra, function and pattern; measurement, Chance and Data; and Space)- Calculator and Non-Calculator The data gathered from these tests will provide important information to schools about the Literacy and Numeracy skills of their students and will be used to support teaching and learning programs. Parents will also receive a report indicating their child’s level of achievement. Each student’s level of achievement will be reported against the national minimum standard. It is essential that students in Years 7 & 9 are present for the tests and parents are asked to support the school by ensuring that your daughters are not absent during this time. Enrolments for Year 7 2016 - interviews commencing May 4 The 2016 Catholic schools enrolment period for Year 7 is nearly at the end. Enrolments are very strong and the College Enrolment officer, Mrs Apergis has already booked interviews with over 90 families. These interviews commence on Monday May 4 and continue throughout May. Our experience of enrolment application data during the last few years suggests that late enrolment applications come from siblings of current Bethlehem College students. Siblings still need to submit enrolment forms. If we have no idea of whether our current students have siblings who wish to attend the school, then we cannot “reserve” a place in the school. With students from 14 Catholic feeder primary schools, other non- Catholic feeder schools seeking a single sex education and Catholic students in our local State schools all seeking positions in the school, competition for places is intense. Whether you are a current Bethlehem College parent, an aspiring Bethlehem parent or know of families who wish to enroll their daughter at the College, I would ask you to submit the enrolment form this week to ensure you can be allocated an interview timeslot. Catholic Education Office Sydney- Regional Parental Forums. “Parenting in a Digital Age". Each year the Catholic Education Office Sydney offers parent forums on contemporary issues that are relevant to our families. The next forum is on a topic that continues to raise questions for all parents: “Parenting in a Digital Age". Please see the attached brochure for more details about the event. We encourage as many parents as possible to attend one of the following forums. Inner Western Regional Parent Forum - 19 May 2015 Southern Regional Parent Forum - 2 June 2015 Eastern Regional Parent Forum - 10 June 2015 These forums will also provide an opportunity for parents to contribute to the development of the draft Parent Engagement Charter. Thank you Finally, I would like to thank parents for ensuring that your daughters were so beautifully attired in their winter uniforms for Day 1 of Term 2. A reminder that the blazers are compulsory for travel to and from school; no girl should be entering or leaving the front or back gates without her blazer. Please check that your daughter’s name is clearly marked on each item of clothing so that if she misplaces it, it can be quickly located.

Mrs Paula Bounds Principal

REMINDER: Thursday 7 May 2015. Breakfast at the College commencing 8.15am and then followed by mass at St Vincent’s Church at 9am. Please see full advertisement on Ms Moodey’s Religious Education page 7. -4-

From the Assistant Principal… Dear Parents, Students and friends of the Bethlehem Community, Welcome back to Term 2. It is a very busy term. Mrs Bounds has already highlighted some important dates and events like NAPLAN. Last weekend, my niece in Year 5 expressed her anxiety about the upcoming NAPLAN exams. I explained that NAPLAN was an important datagathering tool to help teachers develop their teaching and learning programs to meet the learning needs of their students. I still don’t think I made her feel any better so I looked an article parents and students could use. I came across the following article: Helping students get ready for the NAPLAN tests. It explains that the most resilient children and young people are those who rise to meet rather than retreat from the challenges presented to them. Perhaps it’s best to view the NAPLAN tests as good learning experiences rather than dreaded pressure tests. Please see the article by leading Child Psychologist, Michael Grose in this newsletter. Two other important dates I’d like to highlight are the upcoming Student/Parent/Teacher meetings. During these meetings students will receive their Semester 1 Reports and be able to discuss their progress with their teachers. Students will be asked to complete a reflection on their achievement and set goals for Semester 2. Student’s reflections will include: • How have I gone in this subject? • Did I get the results I expected? Why? Why not? After gaining feedback from teachers, students will be asked to reflect on: • What information did I get about my performance in this subject? • What advice did I receive to improve my performance? Students will then be asked to set personal and academic goals for Semester 2. The upcoming dates are: • Years 11 and 12 Students/Parent/Teacher Meetings: Monday 25th May, 3-7pm • Years 7-10 Students/Parent/Teacher Meetings: Monday 22nd June, 10am-7pm Further details about booking online appointments will be sent to parents in the coming weeks. Please add these dates to your calendar and we look forward to seeing you at these meetings.

Wayne Wheatley Assistant Principal

REMINDER: PARENTS’ & FRIENDS’ MEETING FOR TERM 2, 2015 TUESDAY 12TH MAY AT 7PM. Agenda • Reports from P&F Committees • Planning for P&F social evening Looking forward to seeing you there.

Important Dates Term 2, 2015 4 May 4 May 5 May 7 May 8 May 11 May 12 May 12-14 May 14 May 14 May 19 May 27-29 May 2 June

Yr11 Work Placement week (Hospitality) CGSSSA Jnr & Snr Football Yr10 Allwell Testing Mother’s Day Breakfast & Mass Debating Round 4 Yr11 Work Placement wee (Retail) Parents ‘& Friends’ Meeting 7pm NAPLAN Yr11 Mass 9am St Vincent’s Church WYD Information evening 6pm College Hall IW Parent Forum at CEO Lidcombe 7-9pm Yr12 Retreat at Stanwell Tops Yr10 (Yr11 2016) Information Evening

-5-

From the Curriculum Coordinator… NATIONAL TESTING FOR YEARS 7 AND 9 The National Tests (NAPLAN) in Literacy and Numeracy take place for students in Years 7 and 9 on Tuesday 12th May (Language Conventions and Writing), Wednesday 13th May (Reading) and Thursday 14th May (Numeracy – calculator and non-calculator)). The girls may bring the following equipment with them: • Pencil sharpener • Eraser • Calculator (14th May only) It is very important that all students sit for these tests. If your daughter is too ill to attend school on any of these days, please contact the College and leave a message for Ms Sukkar (Year 7) or Mr Cinque (Year 9). REPORTS: Term 2 is always a busy one for staff as we finalise data for our Semester 1 reports. Students in Years 11 and 12 completed exams last term, and Years 7 to 10 will be completing assessments throughout this term. Please assist your daughter in ensuring that tasks are completed on time. Any student who is absent when a task is due will need to lodge an Illness/Misadventure Form within one week of the task to avoid a penalty. We look forward to meeting with you for Parent/Teacher Interviews later in the term to discuss your daughter’s progress. The Stage 6 interviews take place on Monday 25th May and Stages 4 and 5 interviews take place on Monday 22nd June. YEAR 11 2016 INFORMATION EVENING A compulsory information evening will take place on 2nd June for all Year 10 students enrolling in Year 11 at the College. We will provide information on Board of Studies requirements for the HSC and the processes for subject selection. Please note this date in your calendars.

Mrs Janet Mann, Curriculum Coordinator

ASSESSMENTS DUE The following assessments are due early in Term 2: YEAR 12

YEAR 11

WEEK 3

6th May – Business Studies

Nil

7th May – History Extension WEEK 4

11th May – Textiles

Nil

12th May – Ancient History 13th May— English Std. WEEK 5

20th May – PDHPE st

21

19th May – CFS 20th May – Society & Culture

May – English Ext 2

YEAR 10

YEAR 9

WEEK 3 WEEK 4

5th May – Allwell Testing th

May – Italian, Vis Arts

th

May – Elec History

14 15

WEEK 5

Assessment Free 12th – 14th May – NAPLAN

20th May – Commerce

18th, 20th May – Textiles

21st May – Music

18th May – English 19th May – Geography, History, Italian, Visual Arts 22nd May – Science

YEAR 8

YEAR 7

WEEK 3

4th–6th May – Tech,Vis Arts th

8

Assessment Free

May – Maths

WEEK 4

15th May – English

12th – 14th May – NAPLAN

WEEK 5

18th – 20th May – Music

19th – 21st May – Music

th

May – Italian, Japanese

21st – 22nd May – Geography

th

May – History

22nd May – History, Visual Arts

18 19

20th May – Geography 21st May - Science 7+

36

4 424x

12x

40x

20x

6 3x

6 24x

1120x

BRAIN TEASERS Problem 93

KenKen

This puzzle requires you to fill in the numbers 1 to 6 in each row and column, so that no row or column contains the same number more than once. The clues in each ‘cage’ give you additional information for the numbers in that ‘cage’. For example, 3- means the difference between these two numbers is 3, 2÷ means the quotient for these two numbers is 2. Students are invited to solve this problem, and deposit the answer, marked clearly with name and homeroom, in the box in the General Office by 3pm on Monday 11th May. The first correct entry drawn will receive a canteen voucher!!!! Unfortunately no one correctly solved last week’s teaser. Last week’s solution: 4 people (Alice was there with her son Bill, his daughter Cynthia and his second wife Della)

11+

-6-

From the Religious Education Coordinator… Christ is Risen! On the last day of Term 1 our College Community gathered together to celebrate Easter and the anticipation of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Throughout the liturgy students showed great reverence as they experienced the Stations of the Cross. They reflected on what it must have been like to be there in that moment; seeing and feeling what Christ felt and thought during those last excruciating moments. Invitation for all Students to be trained as an Altar Server On behalf of Marguerita Sotiriou I would like to invite all students who are Catholic and have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Holy Communion to become altar servers. Next Friday, interested students will have the opportunity to learn about this beautiful ministry in the Church and be trained to serve at our College liturgies. Year 12 Retreat Our Year 12 retreat is on Wednesday 27th May - Friday 29th May at Stanwell Tops Conference Centre. The retreat is central to our religious education program and pastoral care program for our senior students. A note will be sent home next week containing all the details and a permission slip that needs to be returned to your daughter’s Religion teacher please. Mother’s Day Mass (flyer right) A reminder that it is not too late to send in your reply slips for this event. Next Thursday 7 May 2015, breakfast will be under the College Hall commencing at 8.15am followed by 9am Mass at St Vincent’s Church. We would love to see as many mothers, grandmothers, aunts, guardians as possible to help us celebrate this wonderful tradition. Launch of World Youth Day (WYD) 2016 The next WYD will be in Krakow, Poland from 25 July to 31 July 2016. There will be an information evening at the College on Thursday 14 May 2015. Please see Ms Ruth Casey’s article on this very special event on Page 9 of this newsletter advising further details.

In faith, Liz Moodey Religious Education Coordinator

-7-

The Caritas Cup 2015 In 2014, Bethlehem College began the Caritas Cup, a fundraising initiative for Project Compassion. At the end of Lent, a Cup is awarded to the House and the Home Room Circle that raises the most money for Project Compassion. What began as a little spur to Lenten almsgiving has become a major event in the life of the school. The way the girls have embraced the Cup and made it their own has been inspiring. Below is the text of the speech of thanks I made in our final assembly last term. I hope it still captures all the activity and creative energy that was a part of this initiative. “We did well last year girls, and this year we have done just a little better! A deep and heart felt thank you to each and every one of you for your help in making this event such a success. More on that in a minute but first I need to make some special thank yous and acknowledgements. To Mrs. Bounds for her ‘bound’ less enthusiasm and the pleasure she takes in all your initiatives; Mr. Wheatley for his generosity and juggling skills that have made many of our events possible; the ladies in the office who gave us so much support by distributing boxes, collecting donations, collecting forms, making announcements, counting the near-endless amounts of money with care and diligence. After Year 9’s coin challenge, the school had to buy a super new coin counting machine! I would like to make special mention of Mrs. Leach who coordinated and supervised all of this; for her patience and efficiency when we realised this was going to be much bigger than we would have ever expected; and to Tarki for the endless routine of putting up tables, taking them down, firing up the bbq and cleaning it too. Thank you To all our teachers who embraced the Cup. Every teacher did one or more of these things: helped on stalls, guided their HRC’s initiatives, encouraged PC box donations, cooked, organised baby photos, sold zooper-doopers, sang, danced, volunteered to get soaked, came to Selma, washed cars, sat up late at night to count the exact number of lollies in the jar, played basketball, cheered, refereed, kept the score, wrapped raffles, cleaned up, cooked, spent the day smelling of sausages, cooked some more and cleaned up again. Thank you. And a very special thanks to the beautiful Ms. Noun who organised, seemingly effortlessly, a truly harmonious Harmony Day. What is her secret? I think it is her faith in you. She knew you would embrace the day and help her. There is something very special about Bethlehem’s hospitality and generosity. It is because of Harmony Day and Ms. Noun that our total donation to Project Compassion has set a new record. To our year 12: you are so ‘awesome’! Caritas Cup kicked off with the Valentine’s Day stall. Antoinette Harb and Natasha Cole said at the beginning they wanted the Caritas Cup to be even more successful than last year and it has been. Year 12s, your leadership and generosity throughout this time has set a wonderful tone for the rest of the school. We are very proud of you. I would like to make special mention of our school captain Sarah Azzi for her good heartedness and true leadership. I would only have to ask for help and in the quietest of ways she would make things happen. To Year 11, Ms Thorburn, Mrs McAuley and Ms Quinn for your help with the pancake stall. To all the Year 11 HRC teachers and students for organising raffles, cake stalls, and your support for Selma. All this indicates that when you are the leaders next year we will have a lot to look forward to. To Year 10 and Ms Englert who organised the Caramel Carnival. It was sweet and sticky and hugely successful. Thank you to you all and to your parents who brought in trolleys of milk and food. The lip-sync competition was one of the highlights of Harmony Day. It was a showcase of the creative initiative and the fantastic spirit of fun we have in our college. Thank you Mr Eirth and Year 10 A2. To Year 9 and Ms. Stott. The coin challenge was inspired! With bucket loads of coins the girls made lines that transversed the hall. The longest line was declared the winner. The photos depict their delightful team work and concentration. In one lunch time and with hundreds of 5c coins you made over $561.00! To Year 7 and 8. Thank you for all the wonderful array of initiatives. We hope you will bring all that energy to the Caritas Cup each year as you progress through the school. Again to each and every one of you. Thank you. As you can see even the smallest contribution, when put together, multiplies and multiplies. Now I need to bring all this back to the reason why we have spent so much time and energy on the Caritas Cup and why our fundraising goes to Project Compassion. And that reason is God. Girls, you have seen for yourselves the truth of Our Lord’s promise to us: that in giving, we receive. Remember when we began Lent we asked you to do a couple of things. First, to spend this time trying to change bad habits; habits like anger or gossip, that stop us from growing, that entangle us. Constantly, Jesus asks us to follow Him, to do good works, to care for one another. He promises that by doing this all these bad qualities that hinder us from becoming the person He wants us to be, are so much easier to discard. All the energy and hope you have generated over this time demonstrates that by following Our Lord, loving the poor, giving freely, we receive so much, so much, in return. Remember Pope Francis asks us to carry our faith joyfully. No one could be at Harmony Day, see all the food, activities and performances, Mrs ‘Beyonce’ Camps, Ms ‘Eminem’ Russo and Dr ‘Britney’ Crane – and deny that Bethlehem can ‘do’ joy well.

-8-

The Caritas Cup 2015 (continued) So, as we enter into the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord – please, tell Him everything that you have done for Project Compassion this term, the fun you have had and let this draw you close to Him, keep watch with Him tonight in the Garden of Gethsemane and stand by the Cross, as Our Lady did, and you will be more than ready, more than ready, to celebrate the great joy of the Resurrection”. Caritas Cup Results. The House winner is Caritas with a total of $2,379.90. The top three HRC’s are as follows: in third place is Year 11 Loreto 1 with $309.60; in second, is Year 12 Caritas with $348.90.

The winning HRC 9 Caritas 2

The winning HRC is Year 9 Caritas 2 with the stunning total of $505.70! Harmony Day made close to $2,000.00 Our combined class donations total $8,385.75! In 2014 our overall total was around $7,800. This year’s class donations alone outstrip last year. Altogether, Bethlehem’s donation to Project Compassion in 2015 will be the astounding and marvellous total of $10,763.65! Congratulations! And again, thank you to each and every one of you!

Ms Ruth Casey Acting Youth Ministry Coordinator

World Youth Day Information...

In July next year the Catholic schools around Sydney will be sending pilgrims to WYD 2016 in Kracow in Poland. WYD is open to our current Years 9 and 10 students. There will be an important information night with a speaker from the Sydney CEO WYD team for prospective pilgrims and their parents/carers to be held together with De La Salle and Southern Cross Colleges on: Thursday May 14 at 6pm in the College hall Even if you are only a little bit interested, please come to the meeting. WYD is an incredible experience. See the Church fully alive, full of vibrant colours of the world, full of the deep and peaceful joy that the love of Christ brings. For more information please look at the CEO Sydney WYD 2016 website http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/wyd2016/Pages/ Home.aspx Ms Ruth Casey Acting Youth Ministry Coordinator

-9-

ANZAC Day RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Day Each year, on April 25th, we as a nation unite in remembrance of the Anzacs landing in Gallipoli. This year, 2015, marks a century since this landing. On the 23rd of April, Bethlehem was proud to participate in the RSL and Schools Remember Anzac Commemoration Ceremony, held at the War Memorial building in Hyde Park. Around 150 schools, amongst them, our Year 10 History class guided by Ms Fisher, attended. We were truly blessed with the finest weather we have experienced this week so far, following the torrential rain and cyclonic winds we endured early in the week. It was an amazing event, being surrounded by all these schools, all here to commemorate and remember the Anzac soldiers and the sacrifice of their youth and life. The legend of their bravery, courage and determination, despite all the circumstances that went against them was highlighted in this ceremony. The men displayed great feats of strength, mate-ship and persistence in the face of battle. This is what we remember on Anzac Day. It is not the glorification or war, nor is it looking back on the defeat that the Anzacs faced in this battle. It is honouring and remembering the generosity of these young men in volunteering to travel to another country and fight to protect the ideals of freedom. We value the mate-ship and courage that they showed when they fought, even though they were at a clear disadvantage to the Turks’ onslaught of fire. Last but not least, we were honouring the great sacrifice they made which has shaped Australia’s identity into what it is today. This ceremony at Hyde Park, was remembering all these soldiers and their acts of selflessness. The entire ceremony was conducted by school students from all three education systems: Catholic, independent and state. The readers, music and song all made the day one of celebration of these men’s lives. At the conclusion of the event, each school laid down a wreath in honour, before concluding with everyone standing, and in union singing the words of the National Anthem. As the bugle played the Last Post, in silence we reflected, we remembered and commemorated the Anzacs and their sacrifice. Lest we forget. By Stefanie Sos 10 Vincentia 2

Counsellor’s Corner… Most parents can tell when something is out of the ordinary with their child. What parents often struggle with are the signs that suggest a young person might be experiencing a mental health problem. These are new, noticeable and persistent changes in the young person, lasting at least a few weeks, including:

• • • • • • • •

Not enjoying, or not wanting to be involved in things that they would normally enjoy. Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns. Being easily irritated or angry for no reason. Finding that their performance at school is not as good as it should be or as it once was. Involving themselves in risky behaviour that they would usually avoid, like taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol. Issues with their concentration. Seeming unusually stressed, worried, down or crying for no reason. Expressing negative, distressing, bizarre or unusual thoughts.

The key words here are persistent and ongoing. It is usual for all of us to be depressed about something in our lives, we all have our off days, but this is different to a negative mood that controls us over a period of time rather than one which we control and can limit to a day or two. If you notice a change in your child that goes on for longer than a few weeks then take her to the GP to rule out any physical condition. Then ask you child open questions about her state of mind, such as:

• • • • • •

When was the last time you felt different to how you feel now? How long have you felt this way? On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you at home/school? What is stopping you from sleeping/eating/socialising? How can I help? What can we do to make things better?

Her answers and the way she answers will highlight what is going on for her and the best way to move forward.

Karen Rushbrook School Counsellor

-10-

Careers News... The University of Notre Dame: Day in the Life of a Nursing Student Wed 1st July, 10.30am, 160 Oxford St, Darlinghurst Students attending the day will have the opportunity to meet academic staff, engage in clinical activities, experience a Nursing lecture and tour the campus. Contact: 02 8204 4404 or [email protected] http://www.nd.edu.au/events/2015/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-nursing-student University of Notre Dame: Career in Business and Law Thu 2nd July, 9.00am – 12.00pm, 104 Broadway, Chippendale Speak to law staff, discuss plans for a business career with staff from the school of business and experience a class like a University of Notre Dame student. Contact: 02 8204 4404 or [email protected] http://www.nd.edu.au/events/2015/suit-up Australian Catholic University: University Experience North Sydney: Fri 10th July Strathfield: Wed 8th July An opportunity for year 10, 11 or 12 students to experience university life by living a day as a student studying arts, business education, health or theology. http://www.acu.edu.au/study_at_acu/courses/applying_to_acu/experience_uni_before_you_start/university_experience NSW University Events https://www.whatson.unsw.edu.au/egateway/students.splash UTS Law Undergraduate Information Evening Wed 24th June, CB05B Haymarket, Building 5, Block B, City
Year 11 and 12 students and their parents are invited to learn about the Bachelor of Laws, combined degrees, scholarships, study options, pathways and career options.
http://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-law/events/lawundergraduate-information-evening UTS Discover Sessions: Midwifery Yr 9-12 Discover Nursing: Tue 30th June, 6.00pm
Learn more about nursing or midwifery by attending an interactive workshop.
More Info: http:// www.uts.edu.au/future-students/health/about-health/events-and-brochures/discover-sessions UNSW: Actuarial Studies Workshop Friday, May 15, 2015
Fri 15th May, 9.30am – 11.30am, Finity Offices, Level 7
UNSW Business School and FINITY, an Actuarial consultancy, will be available to speak to Year 11 and 12 students about the pathways available to become an actuary, what an actuary really does, and answer any questions attendees may have.
More Info: https://www.whatson.unsw.edu.au/egateway/students.events_search UTS Bachelor of Accounting Information Evening, Scholarship Course Tue 19th May, 6.30pm – 7.30pm, UTS City Broadway
Prospective students, parents and teachers are invited to visit UTS and meet students, staff and sponsors of the Bachelor of Accounting. All students in the course receive a tax free scholarship work over $46,500.
More Info: http://www.uts.edu.au/ about/uts-business-school/accounting/events/bacc-information-evening UWS Campus Experience Thursday, May 7, 2015
UWS Campus Experience Bankstown
Bankstown: Thu 7th May, Thu 11th June
Campbelltown: Thu 4th June
Hawkesbury: Thu 28th May
Parramatta: Thu 14th May
Penrith: Thu 21st May
Register for a ‘Campus Experience’
A UWS ‘Campus Experience’ allows prospective students to meet up with a current student to view the facilities and have questions answered. Tours run from 4.00pm and go for approximately 1 hour. 
More Info: http://future.uws.edu.au/future_students_home/events_at_uws/campus_experience HSC in the Holidays: “Ace the HSC” Charity Seminars 2015 Tue 5 May, UTS, Building 5
Tue 26 May, UOW Wollongong, Building 67
The Charity Seminar will provide strategies to reduce anxiety, tips to improve HSC English marks, study and examination advice and will conclude with a Q and A session.
http://hscintheholidays.com.au/seminar-form/?show=1 Engineering Link Project UTS Thu 1st October – Fri 2nd October, 8.30am – 4.00pm, Building 12 Ultimo Australia Cost: $58.50 without accommodation and $120.50 with accommodation The Engineering Link Project is a two-day event where year 10 and 11 students complete two different day-long engineering projects under the guidance of a professional engineer. http://www.telg.com.au/attention-new-south-wales-stem-teachers-and-students/ Macquarie University Campus Tours Tue 23rd June, 10.30am – 12.00pm Fri 3rd July, 10.30am – 12.00pm Fri 25th September, 5.30pm – 7.00pm Thu 19th November, 5.30pm – 7.00pm View all the facilities available at Macquarie University including their lecture theatres, library, campus hub and aquatic centre. All tours begin at the Macquarie University library. http://mq.edu.au/study/undergraduate/events/ Macquarie University: Student and Parent Information Evening Wed 20th May, 5.30pm – 8.30pm, Campus Hub Building C10A, The Atrium, Macquarie University, North Ryde Students in Years 10 to 12 and their parents are invited to learn more about Macquarie University including degree programs, entry programs, exchange opportunities, bonus point schemes, scholarships and campus life. http://www.mq.edu.au/about/events/view/student-and-parent-information-evening/

-11-

Careers News… UAC: Special Tertiary Admissions Test Test dates: Sat 16th May and Sat 30th May Registrations for mid-year Special Tertiary Admissions Tests are now open. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is used by many tertiary institutions to assess an applicant’s ability to think critically and analyze material, competencies that are considered important for success in tertiary study. http://www.uac.edu.au/stat/ University of Wollongong YouTube Chat: Choosing a Career In 2014, UOW held a number of online chats to help prospective UOW students make informed decisions about their study choices. The following chats were recorded and are available to view on their website: Orientation and Enrolment Your ATAR, Your Options Early Admission Your Career, Your Choice Future Finder http://www.uow.edu.au/future/chat/index.html UTS Future Student Facebook Page Get regular updates on future student events, ask questions and participate in Live Chats. https://www.facebook.com/UTSFutureStudents Your Path to Sydney Uni 2015: An Information Evening for Students and Parents Wed 20th May, 6.00pm – 9.00pm, Whitlam Theatre, Revesby Workers’ Club Guest speakers, including Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin and a current student, will speak about study options, scholarships, and internships. In addition, representatives from Scholarships and Financial Support, Alternative Pathways and all 16 university faculties will be in attendance to answer questions one-on-one. http://sydney.edu.au/future-students/high-school-students/your-path-to-sydney/index.shtml New York University Information Sessions Fri 1st May, 5.00pm – 7.00pm, Cranbrook School, 5 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill Information sessions will include a general discussion on higher education in the United States, the application process, how admission committees select students and financial aid for international students. Cranbrook Contact: [email protected] Loreto Information Session: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=128662 Professional Cadetships Australia: Business Engineering and Technology Cadetships Business Cadetships Applications for the Business Cadetships Program run by Professional Cadetships Australia close on 13th of May. Under the Program, UBS will continue to offer cadetship opportunities across the firm. Information on the Program is provided on the website. www.businesscadetships.com.au Engineering and Technology Cadetships Applications for the Engineering & Technology Cadetships (ETCAD) Program will open on the 28th of April. The 2015 Program provides Year 12 students with the opportunity to apply for an Engineering Cadetship at Rolls-Royce or a Technology Cadetship at Westpac. On completion of their cadetship, Technology Cadets are well-placed to pursue a career in ICT and in business. www.etcad.com.au Sydney TAFE Information Session Intro to Digital Photography: Sat 2nd May, 9.00am – 1.00pm, Ultimo College Design Fundamentals: Tue 26th May, 6.00pm – 8.00pm, Design Centre Enmore, Building G, Level G Room 10 (GG.10), 110 Edgeware Rd, Enmore http://sydneytafe.edu.au/newsevents/events Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships Applications close Sat 30th May The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship assists apprentices in NSW who have demonstrated: • Hardship in their personal circumstances. • Aptitude for vocational education and training to lead to successful completion of their trade training. • A positive attitude and application in the workplace and in off the job training. A maximum of 50 scholarships, valued at $5 000 each year for up to three years will be awarded. https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/individuals/apprenticeships_traineeships/financial_help/bert_evans_scholarships.html 2015 Peter Howard Future Chef Scholarship Applications close Mon 31st August Two students are selected for a supported culinary adventure, including travel and accommodation, to train and get valuable hands-on experience with a leading industry partner. The scholarship is open to year 12 students in NSW and ACT who are studying hospitality as part of their HSC. http://htn.com.au/ Defence Jobs Australia Information Sessions Online – Defence University Sponsorship: Thu 7th May, 6.30pm – 8.00pm https://www.facebook.com/DefenceJobsAustralia/events?ref=page_internal Australian Defence Force One Year Roles Experience what it's like to work in the Army for a year during your Gap Year. Contact: 13 19 01 http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/army/oneyearroles/ UNICEF Young Ambassadors Applications close Sun 3rd May The UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador Program is for young people aged 15-24 to speak up for children’s rights. Apply to be a member of the team for 2015/16, the role is a one-year voluntary opportunity. http://www.unicef.org.au/Act/Be-a-UNICEF-Advocate/Become-a-UNICEF-Young-Ambassador/Apply-to-become-a-Young-Ambassador.aspx

-12-

Careers News... Australian National Chemistry Quiz Thu 23rd July Registrations close: Tue 9th June Secondary students are able to participate in this chemistry quiz, which is designed to promote the study of chemistry around the world. http://schools.raci.org.au/competition/ancq/ Sydney Aviators Open Day Sun 3rd May, 8.30am – 11.00am, Bankstown Airport Half-hour trial flights will be available at a cost of $120 and short presentations on how to obtain a Private Pilot Licence will be held throughout the day. Contact: (02) 9793 8900 http://www.sydneyaviators.com.au/Default.aspx HSC Enrichment Australian Catholic University: HSC Enrichment Day North Sydney – Business Studies and Legal Studies: Thu 9th July Strathfield – Economics and English: Thu 2nd July Listen to lectures from university academics and get practical HSC advice. Attendees may attend as many sessions as you like. http://www.acu.edu.au/study_at_acu/courses/applying_to_acu/experience_uni_before_you_start/hsc_enrichment_day Macquarie University: Physics and Chemistry Enrichment Days Physics Wed 1st July, 8.30am – 4.30pm, Building E7B, Theatre 2, Macquarie University Macquarie university academics will present a one-day study program in Physics to assist year 12 students in preparing for their HSC exams. http://www.mq.edu.au/about/events/view/physics-hsc-enrichment-day/ Chemistry Fri 3rd July, 8.10am – 4.10pm, Price Theatre, Building W5A, Macquarie University A one-day program presented by Macquarie academics covering core material in The Production of Materials as well as Chemical Monitoring and Management modules to prepare students for the HSC. http://www.mq.edu.au/about/events/view/chemistry-hsc-enrichment-day/ The University of Sydney: Kickstart in the School Holidays Biology: Tue 30th June, Chemistry: Wed 1st July Physics: Mon 29th June The kickstart program will be offered at the University of Sydney Camperdown campus in the June school holidays. Each module will be available at a cost of $29.70. http://sydney.edu.au/science/outreach/high-school/kickstart/school-holidays.shtml

Ms Susan Stewart Careers Adviser

-13-

Sports Corner

NSWCCC Congratulations to the following ladies who are representing Bethlehem College and CGSSSA at the NSWCCC Swimming Championships which will be held next Monday 4th May 2015. Sophia Bruzzese: Lucy Durbin: Samantha Gregory:

13years 50m & 100m Breaststroke. 17years & Over 50m & 100m Freestyle & 17years & Over 50m Butterfly. 15years 50m & 100m Backstroke.

We wish them the best of luck in their events on Monday. CGSSSA The following CGSSSA Events are coming up in Term 2:

• • • •

4th May CGSSSA Open + Junior Football 20th May CGSSSA Basketball 29th May CGSSSA Cross Country 17th June CGSSSA Netball

MCCS Netball This year Bethlehem College has entered five Netball Teams into the MCCS Competition for Term 2. We have a team in Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and a Senior Team. Unfortunately Round 1 of MCCS was washed out yesterday due to the rain. The girls will continue to train and prepare for the competition, which will hopefully start next week. Italy Trip During the holidays some very lucky Bethlehem students went on a trip to Italy. Whilst they were there, they got to attend a Football match in Florence. This was a once in a lifetime experience and allowed the girls to experience what professional sport is like in a country on the other side of the world.

Ms Kathryn Beaumont Sports Coordinator/MCCS/CGSSSA

-14-

Ex-Students Reunion Day 14 June 2015 Please see following page for flyer advertisement

Dear former students of Bethlehem College. Our Annual Ex-Students' Reunion is less than three weeks away. Bethlehem College Ex-Students’ Association Reunion Day will be held on Sunday, 14 June. The day will commence with Mass at 10am in St Vincent’s Church Ashfield. This will be followed by morning tea in the College hall and a light luncheon. We are calling on classes celebrating their Diamond (1955), Golden (1965), Silver Jubilees (1990) as well as those who have reached their 5th10th, 20th, 30th, anniversaries etc. to consider sharing their day with former class mates. These significant anniversaries will be acknowledged. Let us know about it. We have heard about class of 1975, who is organising their 40th Anniversary. A brief report plus photos for our Newsletter would be great. Please send any news or photos by the 3 May. Please see What’s Happening on the drop down section on the menu on the College website for application forms for joining the Association. Our past year's newsletters are also available here.

To let us know you can attend the Reunion, you can download the form or use the form below.

✄---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------————— Ex Students’ Association

To RSVP, please complete and return with payment to: [email protected] OR 38 Palmer Street, Sefton, 2166 Direct Deposit : St George BSB: 112-879 Account: 446 459 975 Please ensure your full name is included as reference then forward RSVP by mail or email to us. Name: __________________________________________________(nee)_______________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________ I left Bethlehem in (Year):_______________ after completing the LC/IC/HSC/SC ⎕ Lunch and Membership $35 .00 ⎕ Are you a New Member? For further information, please contact: (02) 9799 2057 (02) 9644 3412 (02) 9799 6032 or [email protected] OR Cheques to be made payable to: Bethlehem College Ex-Students’ Association. 38 Palmer Street , Sefton, 2162

-15-

-16-

Community News – Parenting in a Digital Age—Dr Doug Ashleigh

-17-

Community News…Parenting ideas Insights Michael Grose (Helping students get ready for the NAPLAN tests)

-18-

Community News…

-19-