Newsletter Edition 1 / 2024, February 5

Principal's Message

Dear Emmanuel College Families,

Opening Academic Assembly
It was wonderful to see and hear Emmanuel students returning to school last week. Their arrival means the 2024 school is well and truly underway and together we look forward to a successful year of learning together. While it was a short week much was packed into two days of classes. The highlight for me was the first whole school assembly and the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the highest Year 12 achievers from 2023 and for our 2024 College Captains to launch the year’s theme. 

During the assembly we congratulated Year 11 and 12 students who achieved the highest results in VCE-VM, VET and VCE in 2023 and/or received major College Awards. Together we proudly congratulate the following recipients:

• Catherine McAuley Award: Emily Mahoney
• Edmund Rice Award: George Stevens
• Dux of Emmanuel College: Emily Mahony
• Second Dux: Hannah Van der Aa
• Third Dux: Scarlett O’Brien
• VCE Vocational Major Award: Annameike Cozens
• Applied Learning Community Connection Award: Annameike Cozens
• VET Excellence Award: Billy Watt
• Mercy Education Award: Luamon Lual
• Social Justice & Community Service Award: Millie Shiells
• Deakin University Young Influencer Scholarship: Sophie Marris
• University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar Award: Mia Hynes, Kyra Walker
• Platinum Merit Awards: Scarlett O’Brien, Segdae Lucardie, Emily Mahony, George Stevens
• ADF Leadership & Teamwork Award: Segdae Lucardie
• ADF Future Innovators Award: Ailsa Gome
• UniSA Innovators Award: Mina Gagniere
• Women on Farms Award: Ebony Mason
• Year 12 All Rounder Award: Charli Groves
• Year 12 STEM Award: Natalie Wong

VCE High Achiever Awards for ATARs Above 90

• Monique Ahearn
• Ailsa Gome
• Thomas Lane
• Segdae Lucardie
• Charlie Lynch
• Millie Shiells
• Natalie Wong
• Zahli Clark
• Harrison Keast

Individual Subject Dux Awards (based on the highest ATAR)

• VCE Ancient History: Ted Kelly
• VCE Art – Creative Practice: Kiri Hawkes
• VCE Art – Making & Exhibiting: Kiri Hawkes
• VCE Biology: Satwika Sivasankar
• VCE Business Management: Harrison Keast
• VCE Chemistry: Emily Mahony
• VCE Drama: Kiri Hawkes
• VCE Economics: Thomas Lane
• VCE English: Emily Mahoney
• VCE External Studies – Dance: Sophie Marris
• VCE Food Studies: Tess Worrall
• VCE Foundation Math: Luka Cassidy
• VCE French: Mina Gagniere
• VCE General Math: Scarlett O’Brien
• VCE Health & Human Development: Zahli Clark
• VCE VET Allied Health Services: Amelia Boulton
• VCE History - Revolutions: Alyssa Miles-O’Bray
• VCE Japanese: Mimi Jenkins
• VCE Legal Studies: Monique Ahearn
• VCE Literature: Scarlett O’Brien, Mimi Jenkins
• VCE Media: Archie Laidler
• VCE Math Methods: Charlie Lynch
• VCE VET Music Performance: Izaak Agnew, Mia Casamento
• VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies: Charli Groves, Haley Warburton
• VCE Physical Education: (with a perfect study score of 50) Emily Mahoney
• VCE Physics: Charlie Lynch
• VCE Product Design & Technology (Resistant Metals): Nicholas Unwin
• VCE Product Design & Technology (Textiles): Hannah Van der Aa
• VCE Psychology: Asha Nepean
• VCE Specialist Math: Charlie Lynch
• VCE Visual Communication & Design: Noah Dawson

For the first time this year, the dux of each year level Year seven to eleven were presented with their awards during this assembly. We congratulate the following 2023, year level duxes:

• Year 7: Sophie Ierodiaconou and Christian Wyse
• Year 8: Tessa Phillips and Alexei Khaidurov
• Year 9:  Ruby Nelson and Samuel Anderson
• Year 10: Kyra Waller and William Callaghan
• Year 11: Satwika Sivasankar and Xavier Gercovich

The presentation of Awards to the highest achievers of 2023 is such a good way to begin the 2024 school year. Emmanuel College educates a very broad range of students and there is extensive diversity among students, a feature I explored in my address. The College proudly celebrates all student’s achievements and does not shy away from acknowledging the highest academic success.

Follow the link to view to the photo gallery from the assembly:
https://galleries.watsonphoto.com.au/gallery/ec23yr12/ 

2024 College Theme
The second part of the assembly saw College Captains Eamon Dempsey and Mathew Gome announce the 2024 College Theme: Together we SOAR (Service, Optimism, Authenticity, Respect) in 2024. The 2024 Student Leadership Team focused on the Mercy Education Values for their inspiration and included the values Service and Respect in the theme. The image (below) was designed by the Leaders to help portray the ways the theme reflects the four Emmanuel Houses in the colours on the bird’s wings and captures the essence of teamwork in the V formation of the birds in flight. As Mathew explained:

The birds shown are flying in a very specific V-formation. When flying in this formation it allows the birds to work as efficiently as possible which allows the birds to SOAR for long periods of time.  For the birds struggling to keep up with the load, there is always another one to uplift and support it back into the flock. This level of teamwork isn’t seen anywhere else in the animal kingdom and is something that we can all learn from.  As a leadership group we believe this sort of teamwork can be replicated in our school environment across all year levels in 2024. By working together in such a manner, it allows us to push ourselves to reach our full potential, and by knowing when the times are hard that there will always be someone there to lift you up and get you back on the right path.

Secondly, the image of last year's theme, ‘Courage to Climb’, can be seen as a watermark in the background.  This represents the fact that the Emmanuel College community is constantly evolving and adapting.  As leaders we felt it important to acknowledge the previous theme, showing growth for ourselves without forgetting the past. In 2023, we all took the courage to climb the mountain that was 2023.  No matter where we were on our journey, from being new to the school to a seasoned veteran, we all took the courage to climb.  This year we’ve reached the top of that mountain and as captains we encourage you to take a leap of faith from the mountain and SOAR.  Take flight into 2024 with an open-mindset, and take the year head on, succeeding at all the challenges presented to you.

The Emmanuel College Captains were genuinely inspiring, and I wish them well as they endeavour to SOAR during their own Year 12 year whilst providing encouragement and leadership to the student body.

Rice Rally
Finally, this week, I wish to commend the Rice Rally to you. On Friday 23 February there will be a celebratory atmosphere at the College as we officially launch the development of the new learning centre for the 9@RICE program, the Edmund Rice Centre. When completed the new Centre will be transformative enabling all Emmanuel students to be based on the same site for the first time in the school’s history. The College needs to raise $1.5 million to help construct the ERC which is the largest project we’ve tackled. Our community is already stepping behind us with significant donations, and the Rice Rally is a way for everyone to be involved with tickets costing just $15. I understand not everyone will be able to attend during a work day, but please consider purchasing a ticket to assist our fundraising as 100% of ticket sales will help construct the Edmund Rice Centre. Alternatively, tickets in the raffle will also support the development of the Edmund Rice Centre. 

Tickets for the Rice Rally or the raffle can be purchased online at these links:

Rice Rally: https://www.trybooking.com/CNQUL 

Raffle: https://www.rafflelink.com.au/rice-rally-raffle 

May the 2024 school year be good to each one of you and your families.  As we begin the new school year, we pray in these words from our first whole school assembly:

Lord Jesus, we come together today as a community in Faith, Hope and Love.
We ask that you support us with guidance and hope in a year of unknown experiences.
Enable us to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before us.
Open our heart and mind to the joys and challenges we encounter.
May we live with patience, forgiveness and empathy, so that we live in the fullness of Christ.
St. Joseph: Pray for us.  May the spirit of Catherine McAuley and
Edmund Rice guide us in all that we do.  Amen.

Mr Peter Morgan
Principal

A Message from Mrs Claire Wrigley

Welcome to the 2024 school year...
It was wonderful to see students return to school on Thursday last week. The students have settled in well and have had a great start. It takes a great deal of work to get the school prepared and up and going for the students. 

I acknowledge the wonderful work of our maintenance and grounds staff in preparing the school for student return and thank them for all their work. The pastoral care team along with their year level and house teams have worked hard to ensure a smooth start for students, with the support of learning diversity, wellbeing, IT team, admin, library & careers our students have a dedicated staff committed to helping our students each and every day and as we look to SOAR in 2024!!

In Junior school, we welcomed our new Year 7 students to the school and Year 8 students were happy to see each other and start their school year. As part of their transition program Year 7’s have had a house induction on Thursday, a special procession parade into the whole school assembly on Friday, and a child safety and safety online presentation on Monday after receiving their computers last week. We thank our Director of Teaching & Learning Simone Rolf for conducting the presentation along with our Fit4life Team Leader Rachele Sloane. We also acknowledge the work of our IT team with the roll out of computers to our new Year 7 students. 

Year 9@Rice students have started well and after a community BBQ on Thursday with many parents in attendance, students have settled in well to their new surroundings. They have enjoyed time getting to know new teachers as they begin to experience new subjects and electives as part of the innovative curriculum in the 9@RICE program. 

In Senior School, we welcomed our Year 10 students into senior school at an assembly on Thursday where Sean Fitzgibbon Director Senior school outlined the wonderful opportunities for students within our senior school house structure along with other key staff presenting on the various pathways in the senior school. Over the first few days students have been meeting their new teachers and settling into new classes. Mentors reunited with students from their mentor group of 2023 with Year 11 and 12 students and welcomed in the Year 10 students whom they will work with over the next three years into their group.

We look forward to seeing parents in junior school at our welcome evening on Tuesday Feb 6 at 7.00pm beginning in the Emmanuel Centre, and parents in our senior school on Thursday Feb 8, at 7.00pm in The Stage. Parents will hear briefly from the Director of School with the focus of the evening to meet your child’s year level coordinator & community leader and spend time in the homeroom or mentor room with your child's homeroom/mentor teacher.

Child Safety & Vaping Presentation 
Students were presented information on child safety at the college which included information on the three platforms available to students for reporting any matters they are concerned about. The three platforms are,  speaking to a staff member, emailing childsafety@emmanuel.vic.edu.au, or via a link on SIMON completing a google form. 

It was also made very clear to students the laws and college expectations around vaping in at school or on a school camp/excursion. It is illegal in Australia to purchase a single-use vape for anyone and illegal for children under 18 years to be vaping. If you suspect your child may be vaping we suggest you see your GP or contacting our Fit4life team for support. Vaping is harmful to a young person’s wellbeing and can become very addictive very quickly. 

At school we are asking students to report to their year level coordinator or head of house via email ensuring their confidentiality if they see or suspect someone vaping in toilets or on school grounds. If a student is reported by another student for suspicion of vaping the following will happen;

• Name reported first time - YLC/HOH will speak with students and offer wellbeing support.
• Name reported second time -YLC/HOH will speak with students and offer wellbeing support, and parents will be contacted.
• Name reported third time - YLC/HOH will speak with students and offer wellbeing support, parents will be contacted and required to come in for a meeting.

Should a student or students be caught vaping or be in possession of vapes parents will be contacted and the student will be placed on an external suspension and required to complete vaping education activities at home. Parents and the student will be required to attend a re-entry meeting with the Director of School and Assistant Principal of Students before they can return to classes. Should a student be caught on camp vaping or smoking parents will be contacted and they will be required to collect their child from the camp.

Child safety at drop off/pick up time
It is important in order to ensure the safety of all students in our school that parents use only one of two drop off/pick up points in the school. Schools and surrounding roads are very busy for a short period of time before and after school and it is imperative that parents are mindful of over a thousand students who are trying to make their way to and from school each day.

DROP OFF/PICK UP POINTS:

• Goold Drive - student drop loop (off Botanic Rd) - parents are asked to enter the Goold drive and drop off in the western (zone 1) or eastern (zone 2) drop off loop and to keep moving forward. We ask parents not to enter this area before 3.20pm in the afternoon when picking up children. It is hoped that the new carpark area will be completed in coming weeks and we thank parents for their patience during our development stage.  Please remind your child that they are not to cross the road in this area and to use the path provided.

• The Stage - (off Ardlie St) students are required to wait at the stage entrance area and parents are asked to drive through the staff car park to drop off/pick up children at this point.

The car park behind the Emmanuel Centre is for staff and Year 12 students ONLY. It is not safe to have students being dropped off/picked up in this area as it gets very busy as the year goes on with Year 12’s in cars moving in and out of this space

We would also encourage parents to have their children walk away from the school and meet them in surrounding streets. Please ensure that your child is aware they should use the school crossings in the area and avoid running across busy roads of Ardlie St, Botanic Rd and Raglan Parade. Supervised crossings are in surrounding streets  to ensure safety of your children and they are encouraged to use them.

Child safety when walking home:
We had a student approached by a man on Ardlie Street near Willow Way. Please be aware and speak with your child about the importance of safety when walking to and from school. Such as considering walking with a friend or if they see someone ahead on the path and feel uncomfortable, consider crossing the road if it is safe to do so. Please contact police if your child is inappropriately approached by a member of the community when walking to and from school.

Parent Volunteers for Year 7 Time & Space Mother/Female Mentor & Child Evening Thursday Feb 29, 6:45pm
We are inviting parents (Year 8-12 parents) to assist with facilitating a small group. All training is provided and we require volunteers to attend a training session at 5.30pm, share dinner with us and then facilitate a small group for part of the night. Group leaders will be finished at 8.30pm.

If you are able to help please email Claire Wrigley cwrigley@emmanuel.vic.edu.au  or call reception and leave your name and we will get back in contact with you. We especially ask Year 8 parents who attended last year to consider helping out this year. Parents volunteering would be required to have a WWCC.

SAVE THE DATE
Fit4Life Parent Series - Year 7 Time & Space Evening
Thursday Feb 29 at 6.45pm  
Information will be emailed to Year 7 parents via operoo on Wednesday. Please see flyer below for an outline of the evening.

Mrs Claire Wrigley
Assistant Principal - Students 

School Photos - this week!

The College will be holding its annual school photography this week on:

• Thursday Feb 8th - (Years 7,10,11 & 12). Family photos for surnames A-M
• Friday 9th Feb - (Year 8 & 9). Family photos for surnames N-Z 

All orders for student photographs must be placed online prior to this date. 

TO ORDER PHOTO PACKAGES PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW:

1. Go to www.watsonphoto.com.au and click the school photos ‘order online’ button. 
2. Enter this code to access online ordering. CE667QHD
3. Choose to order for individual or family photos. 

Family photo orders must be placed by Midday Wednesday February 7th. 
No family orders can be received after this time. 

Additional Info:
Family photos
Family photos can be taken on Thursday Feb 8th and Friday Feb 9th at the Emmanuel Centre at the following times: 

• Before School 8 am-9 am, 
• or Lunch: 1:10 pm -1:42 pm (on Friday 10th, 1:03 pm - 1:38 pm)

Student Uniform Requirements
A reminder that all students need to be dressed in full summer uniform (including blazers) and in compliance with the College policy for hair and jewellery. Please see the attached info sheet regarding student uniform for school photos. School jumpers are not required for the photos.

Open Evening

We invite families to visit Emmanuel College to participate in a guided tour led by current students, or a self-guided tour at your own pace. Be met by staff and students around the College with program displays and information showcasing the opportunities available at Emmanuel College.

Experience our hospitality, find out more about our programs and hundreds of co-curricular opportunities, see the exceptional facilities and meet our staff and students. Find out how Emmanuel College encourages all students to grow!

Bookings are essential - Book Here

Student Voice - 2024 College Theme

Matthew Gome & Eamon Dempsey
College Captains - address from the Opening Academic Assembly launching the 2024 College Theme.

Firstly, I’d like to welcome all the staff, students, special guests and returning students of the class of 2023. As we embark on another year of secondary school at Emmanuel College, we acknowledge our growth, achievements and success from last year but continue to strive to better ourselves in 2024. To the new Year 7’s here with us today, this is the very beginning of your journey here at Emmanuel College, a journey full of ups and downs, many new friendships and unforgettable memories, we wish you all the best. To the Year 12’s we welcome you back as you commence the final year of your time here at Emmanuel, we wish you the best of luck with all that your endeavours, whether it’s your studies, getting your driver’s licence or even making it to graduation, we hope you make some everlasting memories along the way and enjoy your time in your final year. Lastly to the rest of the student cohort whether you are returning or it's your first year at the College, we wish you the best with your next chapter of secondary school and hope that 2024 is a year to remember. 

The College theme at Emmanuel represents unity, teamwork as well as outlining our goal for the year to the college community. The college theme acts as a symbol of motivation and encouragement, to push students to strive for excellence and success in whatever area that may look like for them.

Early in December last year the leadership team sat down and put together numerous ideas of what our college theme could possibly be in 2024. This process involved gathering all leaders from Year 8-12 and throwing some ideas around about potential themes for the year. Following this, the Year 12 leaders narrowed down the options to finalise this year's theme. That being said, we're proud to announce that the College theme for this year is, “Together we SOAR in 2024”.

As seen in the design, the birds chosen have a strip of colour on the wings representing the four house groups Maguire, McAuley, Egan and Rice. The birds shown are flying in a very specific V-formation. When flying in this formation it allows the birds to work as efficiently as possible which allows the birds to SOAR for long periods of time. For the birds struggling to keep up with the load, there is always another one to uplift and support it back into the flock. This level of teamwork isn’t seen anywhere else in the animal kingdom and is something that we can all learn from. As a leadership group we believe this sort of teamwork can be replicated in our school environment across all year levels in 2024. By working together in such a manner it allows us to push ourselves to reach our full potential, and by knowing that when the times are hard there will always be someone there to lift you up and get you back on the right path.

Secondly, the image of last year's theme, ‘Courage to Climb’, can be seen in the background. This represents the fact that the Emmanuel College community is constantly evolving and adapting. As leaders we felt it important to acknowledge the previous theme; showing growth for ourselves without forgetting the past. In 2023, we all took the courage to climb the mountain that was 2023. No matter where we were on our journey, from being new to the school to a seasoned veteran, we all took the courage to climb. This year we’ve reached the top of that mountain and as captains we encourage you to take a leap of faith from the mountain and SOAR. Take flight into 2024 with an open-mindset, and take the year head on, succeeding at all the challenges presented to you.

The acronym SOAR also includes the four key words: Service, Optimism, Authenticity and Respect. We felt these were suitable in 2024 and we want you to give service to your passions, to your studies and to your cohort as you strive to better yourselves. Optimism is essential to those wanting to achieve their goals. With optimism we can learn from our mistakes and failures and we’re not afraid to fail again which leads into being authentic. It allows each and every one of us to step out of our comfort zones and to be our unique and individual self. Finally let's show respect to our facilities, respect to our teachers and peers, community and to ourselves. Let us create and further strengthen respectful relationships  

In a school community, teamwork involves collaboration among students, teachers, and staff to achieve everyday goals. Inclusion ensures that everyone feels welcome and valued, embracing diversity within the school. Through the catholic mercy values of Service and Respect showcased in our theme SOAR it helps us to further develop a positive and supportive school environment for all. 

All together, these characteristics and qualities go a long way to helping us SOAR in 2024. 

Library News

The Library has welcomed students this last week to borrow their next great read, print their timetables, play UNO or begin their Year 12 study. It is pleasing to see all of the year levels mixing in with one another.

Digital Reading Platforms
The texts being studied in English and Literature in 2024 are available on our three digital reading platforms.  

Instructions for students:
Use your computer log in to access from SIMON. Library homepage.

The three reading platforms are:
Sora - https://soraapp.com/library/emmanuelau
Wheelers - https://emmanuel.wheelers.co
Bolinda Borrowbox - https://emmanuelvic.borrowbox.com
Click the links to find the list of books and which platform to find them on.

There will be both ebooks and eaudio books to use to help with your English and Literature studies. Many students listen to the audio book while having the text open and reading along.

If you have any questions about getting on to the digital reading platforms, please ask the Library Staff.

On these sites you can change the book font to open dyslexic font - some students find this easier to read: the letters are more heavy based.  You can also change the background colour for the ebooks on these sites. 

Mrs Margaret Sinnott
Library Coordinator

Words for Wellbeing

The Emmanuel College Fit4Life Team send a warm welcome to everyone for back to school 2024!

Our top back to school tips from the Emmanuel Wellbeing Team are:   

1. Help your young person establish a daily morning and evening routine. 
2. Ask your student open questions.  What was the best thing that happened today?  What did you do at lunchtime? (Perhaps wait a little while before bombarding your teen with questions. Adolescents need time to recharge their tired brains after a busy school day. )
3. Name everything.   

Have a read of  the attached article of a mother’s perspective on transition to high school :
https://emmanuel.vic.schooltv.me/content/blog/transition-high-school-mothers-perspective

SchoolTV
Emmanuel College has a new resource called SchoolTV. 
SchoolTV has lots of great resources for parents of teens and is completely free for your use. 
Have a look here: https://emmanuel.vic.schooltv.me/

Headspace
Headspace are now offering access and support to a Nurse led sexual health and reproductive clinic.  See the flyer below to discover details of this service. 

Exciting News! Introducing Our New Study Skills Program for Year 11 Students

Dear Parents,

We hope this newsletter finds you well. We are thrilled to share some exciting news about a new initiative aimed at enhancing the academic success of our Year 11 students at Emmanuel College. Introducing our comprehensive Study Skills Program, powered by the innovative platform 'Atomi'.

In our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible education for our students, we have partnered with Atomi to deliver a tailored study skills program designed to equip Year 11 students with the tools they need to excel academically. The program is carefully crafted to enhance their learning experience and foster skills that go beyond the classroom.

What is Atomi?
Atomi is a cutting-edge online learning platform that delivers engaging and concise lessons in bite-sized formats. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and interactive content, making learning both enjoyable and effective. It covers a wide range of subjects and is tailored to support students at various academic levels.

The Study Skills Program
Our Study Skills Program, powered by Atomi, is designed to address the unique challenges that Year 11 students may encounter as they navigate through a crucial year in their academic journey. The program focuses on:

• Time Management: Teaching students how to effectively allocate their study time, prioritize tasks, and create a balanced study schedule.
• Note-Taking Techniques: Providing strategies for active and effective note-taking to enhance comprehension and retention of key concepts.
• Goal Setting: Empowering students to set realistic and achievable academic goals, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation.
• Exam Preparation: Equipping students with proven techniques for exam preparation, including stress management and test-taking strategies.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Encouraging students to think critically, analyze information, and develop problem-solving skills that are essential for success in their studies and beyond.

Program Schedule
To seamlessly integrate this program into our students' schedules, Atomi lessons will be completed on Thursdays during period 4, which coincides with their dedicated study period. This ensures that students can focus on building these essential study skills in a structured and supportive environment.

Parental Involvement
We encourage parents to actively engage with their child's learning journey by discussing the study skills covered in the program and reinforcing these practices at home. By working together, we can ensure a holistic approach to academic success.

Next Steps
We are excited about the potential impact this Study Skills Program will have on our Year 11 students at Emmanuel College. As we embark on this journey together, we invite you to reach out with any questions or concerns. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to witnessing the growth and success of our students with your support.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Here's to a year of growth, learning, and success!

Warm regards,

Ms Simone Rolfe
Director of Learning

Warrnambool Wolves Junior Soccer

Careers Expo

Upcoming Events

Tuesday February 6
Year 7 & 8 Parent Welcome Evening - 7pm

Thursday February 8
School Photos
VETDSS at SWTAFE Commences
Japan Trip Parent Information Session - 6.15pm
Senior School Parent Welcome Evening - 7pm

Friday February 9
School Photos

Monday February 12
Year 11 Retreat - Halls Gap (all week)
Year 7 Camp - Port Fairy (all week)

Wednesday February 14
Ash Wednesday 
Year 10 Independent Learning Day
Year 12 Faith & Formation Day

Thursday Febraury 15
9@RICE Parent Welcome Evening - 7pm

Saturday February 17
Relay for Life

Tuesday February 20
House Swimming Carnival

Wednesday February 21
WD Senior & Intermediate Cricket

Thursday February 22
School Photos Catch-up

Friday February 23
Rice Rally - Edmund Rice Centre Appeal Launch 

Child Safety