Newsletter Edition 19 / 2024, December 09

A Message from Mrs Claire Wrigley

As 2024 comes to a close I would like to take the opportunity to thank our parents for all your support over this year.  The year has been filled with much learning and wonderful highlights for our students. We appreciate the support of our parents as we work together to ensure your child has much success at Emmanuel College. 
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!!

Uniform
We thank parents for all your support with uniform in 2024.  We please ask that parents check your child’s uniform before they return next year and pay particular attention to ensuring your child’s dress length is appropriate. There are a number of girls with the same dress they started with in year 7 in and they are too short. Please note that Year 12’s need to wear a blazer to and from school in their final year so please do not sell this item.

Mrs Claire Wrigley
Assistant Principal - Students 

A Message from Mr Justin Houlihan

Dear Parents/Carers,

Semester reports: Please note that around 12noon this Friday, December 13, we will be releasing semester two reports.
Reminder for ordering booklists: On Monday the 4^th November, we provided details of the 2025 booklist via an Operoo email. This is a friendly reminder that 2025 booklist orders need to be completed on or before Sunday the 15^th December.
Here are some key points associated with the booklist - 
- How to complete your booklist online: Please visit the website https://campion.com.au/ and click on the “order online now” link. This link will allow you to create a new user account or if an existing customer, to re-engage with the process. Once completed, please enter the code XT4J to access the Emmanuel College 2025 Resource Lists.
- Campion Education can be contacted on 1300 433 982 or via email sales@campion.com.au if you would like to discuss any aspect of your ordering. If you would like to contact the College on any further matters, please call 5560 0888 or email administration@emmanuel.vic.edu.au 
- Certain books/novels can be purchased second hand if looking to keep costs down. This can be done by sourcing items on the Sustainable Schools Website found on this website https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au/  Please note that the College has a subscription for this website and the Emmanuel College booklists are uploaded, ensuring that you are purchasing the correct resources.

Mr Justin Houlihan
Assistant Principal – Teaching & Learning

Christmas Appeals

As we decorate our homes and place presents under the tree, Christmas becomes a cherished time to celebrate with loved ones, reflect on our blessings, and honour the year gone by. At Emmanuel, this festive season inspires us to acknowledge the abundance in our lives and extend kindness to those in need.
Christmas is a season of giving, inviting us to show compassion, especially toward members of our community who are facing challenges. One meaningful way to participate is through Christmas gift donations, which help spread joy and hope during this special time of year.
Over recent weeks, our Junior School students enthusiastically supported the Vinnies Christmas Appeal through contributions in their homerooms. The response was truly heart-warming and inspiring.
On Monday, December 2, we had the privilege of welcoming Chris Pye from St Vincent de Paul to Emmanuel College. Chris graciously accepted the generous donations from the Junior School, with the 7E Homeroom representing their peers during a gathering in the Chapel. Chris shared the vital impact of these donations, explaining how they will support individuals and families in need within our community.
That same day, our VCE VM students demonstrated their dedication to social justice and community engagement by supporting the MacKillop Family Services Christmas Appeal. As part of the VCE VM Early Start program, they organised a mini project to raise funds, bringing joy to families and children in need this Christmas. Through a car wash and the popular VCAFE initiative, the students raised $300, which they proudly presented to the MacKillop Family Services team.
This initiative highlighted the students' enthusiasm, teamwork, and genuine desire to make a positive difference during the festive season. It was a true testament to the importance of giving back and strengthening community connections.
Together, our small actions can create meaningful change, bringing light and hope to those who need it most.

For more information or to contribute:

https://donate.vinnies.org.au/christmas-appeal-vic

https://www.mackillop.org.au/get-involved/donate/wsw-christmas-gift-appeal-2024

Natasha Cummings                                 Emily Doherty
Social Justice Coordinator

My New Gallery

Footy Academy

AFL NINES
Jono Box from AFL Victoria recently visited our Year 8 Football Academy class to deliver an exciting skills session followed by a great game of AFL NINES. This fast-paced, non-tackling version of AFL showcased the students' talents.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the session, playing some outstanding football and embracing the unique style of AFL NINES. AFL Victoria hopes to engage with more classes at Emmanuel College next year, aiming to introduce AFL to a broader audience and encourage young people who haven’t yet tried the sport to give it a go. We look forward to having AFL Victoria back.
This initiative highlights the importance of sports in promoting teamwork, fitness, and fun. We look forward to seeing AFL Victoria back on campus for more exciting activities in the future!

Mr Ben Nelson
Head of Rice House/Footy Academy Coach

Teaching for 50 Years - Gerard Bourke

Gerard Bourke has been teaching in Catholic Schools for 50 years.
When he left CBC at the end of 1969 having completed Year 10, he entered the Christian Brothers Juniorate in Bundoora. He completed his Years 11 & 12 there and joined the Novitiate in 1972. His first posting as a Christian Brother was at St Virgil’s College in Hobart, at the Year 7 to 10 campus at Austin’s Ferry. His two years there coincided with the destruction of the Tasman Bridge dividing Hobart in half and causing great disruption to the life of Hobart.
In 1977 he returned to Victoria and commenced teaching at St Joseph’s Technical School, Abbotsford. At the same time, he resumed his studies for a BA at Melbourne University. He studied Biblical Studies, History, Behavioural Studies and Maths.
Facing final vows after 6 years of annual vows Gerard left the Brothers and taught for 3 years with the Marist Brothers at Immaculate Heart College, Preston.
He then returned to the Western District and taught for 10 years at Mercy (then Catholic) Regional College. He was appointed to the position of Deputy Principal and acted as Principal for six months in the second half of 1990. He completed a Graduate Diploma of Education and was appointed as Deputy Principal at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat in 1992. After eight years as Deputy, he became Director of Boarding and Curriculum Coordinator over a three year period while completing a Masters in Theology.
Gerard then served for 16 years as the Religious Education Co-Ordinator at Monivae College while participating as in the Cadet Corps as second-in-charge.
After retiring from full-time teaching, he accepted a number of short term contracts to fill in at Catholic Schools in leave replacement positions. These included two terms at Monivae in Hamilton, one term at Trinity College, Colac and two terms at Emmanuel College. He also spent five months teaching Maths at St Brigid’s College in Horsham in 2022.
In 2012 he travelled to India to visit his daughter who was on a placement at a school near Darjeeling in the Himalayas. He visited the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Bangalore (the order which conducts Monivae College) which initiated a regular visit to their training houses around southern India to teach English. On the most recent visit 12 months ago he was present for the ordination as Priests of two of his original students from 2013.
Gerard has been working in the ESL program at Emmanuel for 5 terms and enjoys the participation with the College community and the challenge of helping students to build their English skills and support their other curriculum areas. He is also a volunteer at Flagstaff Hill in the classroom there and he enjoys assisting the elderly with their shopping and other transport needs with a local service provider.

Simone Rolfe
Director of Learning

Library News

Sustainable School Shop
Emmanuel College has paid a school subscription to the Sustainable School Shop to give all Emmanuel families an opportunity to purchase second hand items at a reasonable price.
All of the Emmanuel College Book Lists for Years 7-12 have been added to the Sustainable School site now.  When purchasing books, please check that you are purchasing (or selling) the current edition of the book.  It will have a number and then letter E eg 7E.  This is showing that it is the 7th edition of the book.  Older editions will not be compatible with current study designs.
Second hand uniforms can also be bought and sold on the site.  There is a pdf showing the images of each of the uniform components on top right hand corner.

https://www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au

New Non Fiction Collection Signage
The Library has recently added to the new signage, helping staff and students to find the books they are looking for.  There are now new signs in the Non Fiction or fact books.
New Library Display Wall
In preparation for next year, the Library has a new display wall, featuring Children’s Book Council 80 years celebration and the cover image of Are We There Yet? By Alison Lester which was first published 20 years ago.
Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge
Students who successfully completed the Challenge this year were awarded their certificates and VPRC badge during the last week and were congratulated on this achievement.
Books On Loan
Books on loan to students from the College Library can be returned during this week.  Any books borrowed this year and not returned will be due back the first week of Term 1 2025.  If you are cleaning up at home and find Library books or items, we would love to have them returned to the Library.  If you have been billed for them the cost of the item will be able to be taken off your school fees.  Library books or items will have a red or green Emmanuel property sticker, spine labels and an Emmanuel barcode.
Happy Summer Reading!
Hopefully the Summer brings some time for reading.  You can visit the public library near you or students can read ebooks and listen to e audio books on our three digital reading platforms.  On these platforms they will also find the texts being studied at each year level for English and Literature.  Many students find it useful to listen to the audio books and also use the ebooks where the font size and the background colour can be changed.  Students use their computer log in and password to gain access to Sora, Wheelers and Bolinda Borrowbox.

https://soraapp.com/library/emmanuelau

https://emmanuel.wheelers.co

https://emmanuelvic.borrowbox.com

Big Summer Read
The BIG Summer Read is an annual reading challenge run by Public Libraries Victoria. The BSR encourages young readers 0-18 years to read and engage with their local public libraries over the Australian Summer holidays in December and January.
Students, you may like to challenge yourself to read some books over the holidays.  The program starts on December 1 and finishes on January 31 so there is alot of time to get some reading done.  It is for students up to 18 years of age.
See:  https://www.plv.org.au/projects/big-summer-read/ for more details.  Public Libraries across Victoria participate in this program.

Mrs Margaret Sinnott
Library Coordinator

Words for Wellbeing

Christmas Cookies  - Highlights of the Wellbeing year.
Caroline -  We took the giant skipping rope into the yard and started turning it.  Watching the spontaneous fun of students joining in was a delight. 
Megan - Running Fit4Friendships where I got to know an awesome group of girls and watch their friendships develop.
Rachele - New team members coming together through all our strengths and glimmers.
Claire - Turning yellow for R U OK day and welcoming students to school with bubbles and lollipops!!
Sophie - Diversity Month was a highlight of the year, bringing our school community together through vibrant colours and events like creating a rainbow flag on the oval, a film festival, a BBQ fundraiser, quizzes, and a reconciliation walk.
Dimity - Seeing the incredible number of wonderful students coming through and participating in the bubble house activity on Emmanuel Day!
Sian - Students showcasing their incredible talents at the Girls Got Talent show and handing out the top 10 student designed badges in celebration of International Women’s Day!

Mission Australia Survey Results
In 2024 Emmanuel College again participated in the Mission Australia survey with 236 of our 15 - 19 year old students completing the survey.  Emmanuel students reported their top three personal challenges in 2024 as school and study, personal relationships and mental health.   Students in this age group saw the top three issues facing Australia today as the cost of living, climate change and discrimination and inequality.  Mission Australia Youth Survey continues to be the biggest annual survey of its kind.
Wellbeing Support during the school holidays
The Wellbeing team are unavailable during the school holidays.  Please see the attached flyer for who to contact if your student has urgent wellbeing needs during the holiday period.

Be a little bit bored!
Enjoy the holidays and here is an article from School TV about letting our children experience the benefits of being bored!  https://emmanuel.vic.schooltv.me/content/blog/im-so-bored

Emmanuel Singers

Carols by the Merri
On a balmy December evening, our talented Emmanuel Singers gathered at Carols by the Merri, showcasing their musical talents despite the school year being over. Dressed in their college uniforms, they captivated the large crowd with four beautiful songs: A Million Dreams, Hallelujah, All is Found from Frozen, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Accompanied by Mrs. Carras-Kerr on keyboard, the performance was a perfect way to bring the community together in holiday spirit. A big congratulations to all the Emmanuel Singers for wrapping up a successful year of music with such a memorable contribution to this festive event!

Mrs Caroline Garner
Fit4Life Support, Triage & Admin Wellbeing Team Member

Year 9 Lifesaving

Year 9 Lifesaving Cohort Achieves Bronze Medallion Certification
On Friday, December 6th, the Year 9 Lifesaving cohort successfully completed their Certificate II in Public Safety - Bronze Medallion.
From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the students were rigorously examined by Travis Madigan, putting their skills to the test in various activities including signals, a 200m run-200m swim-200m run, and rescues using boards and tubes, with patient assessments conducted on the beach. They were also assessed in infant and adult CPR on mannikins, first aid scenarios, and third-party reports at the Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club (WSLSC). In addition, students completed a 135-question multiple-choice examination during class time the previous week.
Throughout the semester, the students participated in weekly swimming sessions and board/tube practice to build the necessary fitness and skills for the surf environment.
A special thanks to trainees Kate and Oscar for their support all semester, Jaffa for organising transport, and Mr Justin Houlihan, the IRB driver for the water activities on Friday.
We also had a great view of the Cruise Ship - Coral Adventure as it was docked in Warrnambool on Friday!
This is a huge achievement for the students and an excellent demonstration of their commitment and hard work!

Mark Owen
Teacher

Australian Red Cross - Lifeblood

School’s out and blood donation is in.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is urging school leavers who have turned 18 to consider taking an hour out of their day, roll up a sleeve and begin a life-long habit of saving lives.
In the past year almost 5,000 18-year-olds have become donors in Australia, which is the largest new donor group by age.
Blood donation is something meaningful you can do which makes a significant difference to people who need blood to survive or improve their quality of life, including people involved in accidents, being treated for cancer or who have immune deficiencies.
Emmanuel College Warrnambool is no stranger to saving lives through donating blood. Already this year, our Lifeblood Team has saved up to 153 lives.
To become a blood donor and join the Emmanuel College Warrnambool Lifeblood Team, you can check if you are eligible by taking a quiz on the Lifeblood website. You can also register online and book your first appointment. If you would like to take a friend for moral support, you can make an appointment for yourself and a mate to donate at the same time.
Lifeblood staff make donating a comfortable and enjoyable experience. An appointment lasts an hour, but the donation itself only takes between 5-10 minutes, plus there are free snacks to enjoy afterwards!
Appointments can also be made by calling 13 14 95 or on the DonateBlood app. Find out more about blood donation here.
A newborn. Returning the favour. Giving back to my community. A free party pie. These are all real reasons for donating blood as told to Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Lifeblood needs 100,000 new donors and, as proud supporters of blood donation, Emmanuel College is helping them get there. Share your reason for donating or discover one at https://donateblood.page.link/5iRg

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 10 December
2025 Year 7 Orientation Day
2025 Student Leadership Workshop

Thursday 12 December
VCE Results released

Friday 13 December
2024 Semester Reports released

Monday 16 December
Awards Evening

Fee Raffle

Give the Gift of Education and Make a Difference this Christmas!
This is your chance to make a real impact and help a deserving family in need. With the challenges many families are facing in today's economic climate, your support can provide a student with the opportunity of an education and give their parents the gift of a year free from school fees.
By purchasing a college raffle ticket (or two!), you have the chance to change someone's life in 2025—whether or not you have a child attending the college, or are in need of fee relief yourself. Your generosity can make all the difference for a family in need.
Purchase a ticket today, and you could be the lucky winner of school fees ($5000 worth)  covered for your child in 2025. The winner will be announced on Monday, December 16th, 2024—just in time for Christmas.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to give back and spread some festive cheer!

School TV - Youth Wellbeing Course

School TV would like to introduce an exciting and new initiative - the SchoolTV Academy: Youth Wellbeing Course!
This unique program is designed specifically for Year 8 students, with flexibility for Years 7-9, to equip them with essential mental health literacy and wellbeing skills. In today's world, empowering young people with these tools is more crucial than ever.
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course is structured around a unique framework called the Conversation Hump - a model that empowers students to navigate sensitive conversations with confidence. This invaluable skill supports not only their peers, but can be applied across all relationships, from family to friends.
The Conversation Hump uses the R.E.A.C.H. acronym helping students to:

• Recognise signs that a friend may be struggling with their mental health.
• Engage empathetically in conversations.
• Acknowledge their friend's feelings with understanding.
• Communicate effectively to ensure mutual clarity.
• Help their friends seek further support from trusted adults when needed.
  WHY THIS COURSE?
  In addition to promoting mental health awareness and support, students who complete the course receive an Accreditation Certificate.
  This certificate will be a great asset when applying for part-time jobs involving children and young people, such as babysitting or sports coaching. It signals to potential employers that these students have the training and empathy to navigate challenging conversations - a skill that's highly prized!
  Key Benefits:
  
• Builds a supportive, empathetic school community
• Enhances student resilience and mental health literacy
• Flexible deployment options to fit within school schedules
• Options for SchoolTV presenters or Wellbeing teams to lead sessions

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Further details can be found in the Academy Youth Wellbeing Course Brochure.

Child Safety