Newsletter Edition 11, August 2nd 2021

Principal's Message

Dear Emmanuel College Families,
I would like to draw your attention to the current campaign, Walk Don’t Run, that aims to address the issues Emmanuel students face as pedestrians in and around our school zone, in particular when they cross Raglan Parade.  Emmanuel students are, I believe, the only students in Warrnambool forced to cross Raglan Parade without a supervised pedestrian crossing or traffic lights.  Lead by local resident Ms. Donna Monaghan, Emmanuel College fully supports the campaign to reduce the Highway speed limit to 40kmh for the morning and afternoon peak school times, and to address the conditions that make crossing these streets dangerous for students and local residents.  There is already strong community support for the campaign demonstrated with close to 500 signatures on a petition for change, and Federal member, Dan Tehan MP, has conveyed his support and will make representation to the State Minster for Roads and Road Safety.  I ask Emmanuel College families to support this campaign and to letter write, email and phone the Warrnambool City Council and our local parliamentary member Roma Britnell MP.  Thank you in anticipation of your support for school student’s safety.

Return to School
It is wonderful to have staff and students back at school and to witness the joy that comes from being with friends and colleagues.  A Year 11 student explained to me that while the lockdowns and remote learning have impacted her experience of a normal school year and many typical year 11 opportunities, the rapid movement into and out of learning from home has become easier as it almost seems normal.  We agreed it wasn’t the type of normal we wanted to experience, however the fact that a young, seventeen year old woman could rationalise what was happening and discern how to make the most of it really impressed me.  We know many young people feel a disconnect with their school, their peers and the community at present given the unpredictable nature of our world.  But there is also evidence that young people, indeed all of us, who maintain perspective in our pandemic affected lives and look after their mental and physical health can come through the current experiences with enhanced resilience.  We know this isn’t true for everyone; in fact, the latest statistics relating to young people reaching out for help are quite overwhelming.  The following link to a short SchoolTV video looks at COVID Fatigue and Youth Mental Health.  Initially you may find Dr Michael Carr-Greg’s statistics about 13-18 year olds alarming.  But I encourage you to view all eight minutes to hear Dr Carr-Greg’s practical ways to support young people: here

9 @ RICE
As previously outlined, year nine students will continue their learning at the Rice Campus in Canterbury Road in 2022 and commence the exciting new program named 9@RICE.  The recent lockdown prevented the advertised information session for this new approach to year nine learning running on site.  The information session has been recorded and this link will give you an overview of 9@RICE by the Emmanuel College Director of Year Nine, Dr. Josie Monro, and the 9@RICE Program Director Mr James Laidler:  Click here to watch.  

Parents and Friends Donation
Former members of the Emmanuel College Parents and Friends Association attended the June meeting of the College Advisory Council and presented the College with a cheque for $93,000.  Facing the challenge of attracting new members and office bearers, the Parents and Friends Association went into recess in 2014.  The money from fundraising undertaken by the P&F was invested in a term deposit and was available for ongoing works should there be sufficient interest in re-establishing the P&F.  The College sincerely thanks Mrs Catriona Campbell and Mrs Jacinta Birmingham who handed over the cheque on behalf of former members and the parent community who supported fund raising initiatives of the P&F.  With these funds the College is in a position to bring forward the purchase of a replacement College bus that has been on a wish list for some years.

Building works update
Building works continue at the McAuley Campus with the expected completion date of November 24.  Despite the impact of weather and materials delays, Fairbrother Constructions remain confident of meeting this deadline.  The completed project will provide the College with six new science laboratories, four new general-purpose classrooms that open into an examination centre for senior school exams, staff offices and additional toilets.  Along with some additional works to improve existing classrooms the current ten-year masterplan will reach fruition at the end of 2021.  The College has appointed Baldaso Cortese Architects in conjunction with Land Design Landscape Architects to develop the next ten-year plan.  The early drafts I have seen are hugely exciting and I look forward to being able to share these with the College community later this year when they are complete.

2020 Yearbook
Finally, despite many disruptions this year, the 2020 Yearbook was recently distributed to students.  Thank you in the main to Melissa Crothers for her work on the publication which captures such an important snapshot of a year in the life of Emmanuel College.

My God, look with compassion and mercy on those who are poor,
and grant us grace to do all that we can for their relief and comfort.
We ask your blessing this day – in the name and
for the sake of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.
St. Joseph: Pray for us.  May the spirit of Catherine McAuley and
Edmund Rice guide us in all that we do.  Amen.
(Based on Catherine McAuley’s prayer for the poor)

Kind regards,
Peter Morgan
Principal

Scholarship Opportunities

The College receives financial support from a small number of donors enabling us to offer scholarships. There are three scholarships of $1,000 for Year 10 students entering Year 11 in 2022 and one scholarship of $1,000 for a student in Year 9 entering Year 10 in 2022. Each scholarship is offered in the form of a credit towards school fees. Information regarding the four scholarships was sent out with the re-enrolment form via Operoo and application forms must be submitted by Wednesday 15 September 2021 to be eligible.

Jo-Anne Nelson
College Registrar 

Career News

VTAC Applications
From Monday August 2nd students will be able to create their account on VTAC, The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre.  It’s the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges. Wednesday afternoon has been set aside for this to take place. In order for the application to be successful students will need ntheir USI number and credit card details (cost is 42.00).
Please use the following link for USI application : 
https://www.emmanuelcollegecareers.com/usi
Also attached is some very useful information, recorded presentation and live webinars that will be available from today. 

Federation University
Federation University’s Early Offer Program is designed to allow VCE applicants to secure their place in their chosen degree at Federation to commence in 2022.   Not only is it exciting to receive an early offer but knowing that their place is already secured will allow each student to focus fully on their final months of secondary school. Each of our programs which have a Guaranteed ATAR will be accepting applications for an Early Offer.   You can see the full list here. 
To be eligible for an Early Offer, students must:
•    Be a current Year 12 student or recent VCE graduate (2019/2020) without undertaking further study.
•    Meet the pre-requisites for the program.
•    Apply by 3 December 2021.
•    Apply for the degree in VTAC, listing a Federation University degree in their preference list*
How to Apply:
•    Complete the Early Offer Application on the Fed. website - see federation.edu.au/earlyoffer
•    Applications for early offers will open August 2nd.
•    Select the degree from the drop-down list in the Application form.
•     Check that all pre-requisites and any additional essential entry requirements are met.
•     Use the same email address that is used in their VTAC application.
•    Apply via VTAC and list the Federation University degree in their preference list. *
What Happens Next?
•    Successful applicants receive a conditional offer (usually within 48 hours of applying).
•    Early Offer Program conditional offer recipients have exclusive access to a series of events that will prepare them for uni.
•    Successful applicants who meet the conditions of the Early Offer Program will be issued a VTAC December round offer* on 20 December 2021.
Keep in mind that applicants must apply via VTAC and remain bound by the preference system.  Please be aware that a number of courses at different institutions may make an offer, but the offer received will be for the applicant’s highest preference where they have met all selection criteria. 

Career Newsletter 
Topics for this week’s newsletter
•    Apprenticeship& traineeship resources
•    Interested in working in theatre, film or television?
•    STEM career quizzes
•    Year 12 students – university application dates and resources
•    Open Days
•    Australian Defence Force Gap Year – applications still open (Year 12)
•    Planning on studying teaching in the future? You may have to sit the CASPer test
•    Humanities – scholarship and global programs
•    Career events
For more details please use this link https://www.emmanuelcollegecareers.com

Open Days
Here is the link for all University Open Days for 2021.
With the current COVID-19 situation, you will need to check with institutions whether their
Open Days are going ahead. It is expected that this situation will be changing over time so
you can use the link below to check with individual institutions.
https://www.emmanuelcollegecareers.com/open-day

David Gladman,
Head of Career Pathways. 

Religious Education News

Religion class happenings…
Term 3 has started strongly and Religion classes were set for our students to do through our recent Lockdown 5.  It is a subject that some students can find comfort in at times of stress and anxiety in their lives with the pressures associated with a pandemic continuing on and yet another lockdown. There is of course the other side of the coin where some students may need to be catching up on any lessons they may have missed doing over that period - Olympics can be such a distraction!
Term 3
Year 7 Valuable Connections Unit - Comparing and contrasting systems of belief in what it means to be human. Identifying how prayer can invite a relationship with others and for Christians a particular relationship with God and creation.
Year 8 Informed Choices Unit - Investigating and explaining how choices informed by Christianity and supported by an informed conscience, can contribute to a person’s growing in the likeness of God. Identifying how prayer can invite a relationship with others and for Christians a particular relationship with God and creation.
Year 9 How We Identify Unit -  Critiquing documents from religious traditions other than Catholic that express a contemporary world view in light of appropriate documents from the Catholic tradition. Examining how the Church has responsibility for dialogue and cooperation with other Christian traditions, world religions and philosophies.
Year 10 VCE Religion & Society Unit 1 - Area of Study Three: Religion in Australia. In this area of study students consider religion in Australia, past and present, and the influences on Australian religious composition, in particular from migration and secularisation. They explore how the communities and later institutions of these religious traditions perceived themselves and expressed their collective identity and more.  Please ensure your student has use of the online text as this is mandatory for this year and will be required for 2022.
Year 11 VCE Religion & Society Unit 2 - Area of Study Three: Ethical Issues in Society. In this area of study students build on the knowledge explored in Areas of Study 1 and 2. Focusing on two or more ethical issues, students apply this knowledge to an examination of debates about ethical issues conducted in the public arena of societies in which multiple religious and non-religious worldviews coexist. The analysis should explain why the issue is regarded as an ethical issue, identify contributors to the debate, including religious traditions, consider the influence of participants’ contributions, and investigate the basis of ethical perspectives and moral judgments used in the debates, including the ethical methods involved in the decision-making process.
Year 12 Search For Meaning Unit - Students explore scripture references in relation to Creation and God’s expectation of us to be stewards of the Earth he created. They investigate how prayer fits into the beauty of Creation. Students explore what environmental damage is being done in our world through the TV series: “War on Waste” and investigate possible solutions. They investigate the Laudato Si’ - a papal encyclical letter from Pope Francis to all people about our global family and our common home, which encourages us to “acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face.”   It speaks to our need to enter into dialogue with each other, share our resources and be responsible stewards of creation. Students consider the ethics of waste and the way Christians and other religions can work together to change community views and policies on the way we treat our ‘common home’. They investigate how we can use the key principles of Catholic Social teaching to guide our way for all justice work - including environmental activism and care of our world for all.
Students in all Religion classes are encouraged to participate in class discussions, utilise their Journals for reflections, have a voice and justify viewpoints, tolerate and be respectful of viewpoints other than your own, have an open mindset and a positive attitude in class. 
Students often have many questions they may wish to ask about after their Religion class or conversations about what they are learning. These are great opportunities to talk together as a family.  Simple prompts to start discussion may be: Was there anything that surprised you in your Religion class this week?  What questions did the lesson raise for you?  What was affirming for you from what you learnt in RE? 

Sue Bourke,
Religious Education Coordinator.

Library News

Year 8 Picture Books
During Term 2 Year 8 English students prepared and then completed a picture book suitable for a child in Foundation to Year 2.  They developed the idea, did a story board, worked on the design and the type of illustrations to create a suitable book.  Each of the books has been bound, completing the picture book.
The following students have been shortlisted for their efforts in creating a picture book:

We are very proud of the efforts these students have made to create beautifully designed picture books.

YABBA
Young Australians Best Book Awards (YABBA) is currently inviting students to vote for their favourite books.
Students are encouraged to go to this link and have their say about their favourite books:
http://yabba.org.au/vote-online/

iPads For Book Searching
Two new iPads have been installed in the McAuley Library, allowing students to search for their favourite books with ease.

Parent/Guardian Reading Forum
Last year we held a Reading Forum for parents and guardians, giving an opportunity to ask questions and learn about support that we offer for student reading.  We are going to do a similar event this year on Tuesday 3 August, 5.00-6.00pm in the McAuley Library. An Operoo message has been sent to all families.  Please email msinnott@emmanuel.vic.edu.au if you would like to attend.

Returning Library Books
Students are encouraged to return books and other items borrowed from the Library.  In the next week or so we will be looking at overdue books.  Any books not returned then will be added to the school fee statement.  Students receive an email reminder when the book / item is going to be due back, a couple of  other email reminders and then an email is sent to the parents/guardians.   We ask for your assistance in returning items.

The Olympics
Students have been visiting the Library at Recess and Lunch to watch the Olympics and cheer on the competitors.
Marg Sinnott,
Learning Resource Centre Coordinator and Teacher Librarian 

Journal Club for Year 7

Year 7s, you are invited to be part of our first Journal Club!
It starts Tuesday August 24th from 3:45PM to 4:30PM in the library and will go for 4 weeks.  We will show you many different methods of journalling  including how to use things like video, art, writing and even music!
Snacks and materials will all be provided, so why not come along and give it a try.
Please let Mrs Sinnott know by Monday August 9th if you are interested in joining - msinnott@emmanuel.vic.edu.au
Other year levels, stay tuned, because we'll soon be offering this to you as well.

Languages

You may be interested in our Languages promotional clip – especially the stories of some of our alumni about how learning a language at Emmanuel College has been of benefit to them. 
Click here to watch Languages video. 

F45 Student Offer

Warrnambool Show

2021 Warrnambool Show, Saturday 30th October, 2021.

The Warrnambool Show is fast approaching and we are hoping this will be another great success.  We are inviting all district schools to become involved in our show and have attached schedule for the areas of Art, Craft, Cookery, Cake decorating, Photography and Horticulture for your information.
We hope you may consider your school becoming involved in one or more of these sections.We would love to see many students and schools involved in our fantastic Warrnambool Show.
If you want to contact by phone or email us at warrnamboolshow@bigpond.com to discuss further.
Ashlee Byrne
Administration Support, Warrnambool Show.

CWA Book Sale

Warrnambool Night Owls, an evening branch of the Country Women’s Association of Vic Inc,(CWA), would like to sincerely thank you for your support to us with regards to our Book Sale. We are pleased to announce that we have set a new date for the Book Sale. It will be held on the 31 October 2021.
It is hoped that our third attempt to running this event will be successful, Covid 19 please be kind to us.
The funds generated from the book sale and other activities we conduct are donated back into the community through our support of local agencies, particularly those that support women and children and families.   This year we will also be selling scones, jam and cream, and will also have a table of handcrafted items, donated by our members for sale.

Linda Johnstone,
Secretary
Warrnambool Night Owls
Country Women's Association 

Warrnambool and Moyne Youth Achiever Awards 2021

You are invited to the rescheduled 2021 Youth Awards which will be presented via livestream on Wedensday 11 August.  Due to current CoVid restrictions the Moyne Shire Youth Awards group and the Warrnambool Youth Council have decided to move this important celebration online at 7pm on Wednesday 11 August.  Watch the livestream directly through this webpage https://www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/warrnambool-and-moyne-youth-awards or via the Warrnambool City Council Facebook Page or the Moyne Shire Youth Council or Moyne Freeza Facebook Page where the winners and runners up will be announced during this ceremony.  

Tribute to John McGrath A.M.

 The Rotary Club of Warrnambool is holding an event to honour 2021 Emmanuel College Inspiring Alumni inductee John McGrath AM.  We encourage the broader College community to go along and learn of some of John’s life and his important contributions to Australia.  Details as follows:

THE FRIENDS OF ST. BRIGID's, CROSSLEY  jointly with the ROTARY CLUB OF WARRNAMBOOL
 INVITATION to a TRIBUTE to JOHN MCGRATH A.M.
former pupil of St. Brigid's School and parishioner of St. Brigid's
on Tuesday night, 17th August, 6.30pm start
A fundraiser Dinner Function, 2-course Irish variety
 @ $20 per person, BYO drinks, Irish music prior to the TRIBUTE presentation.
 For catering purposes: bookings to be finalised no later than FRIDAY, 13th August.
Contact: Jose' 0438 891 313 or Sue  0409 135 140  

Upcoming Events

Monday August 2
Week B

Tuesday August 3
Parent Reading Forum  5-6pm Library

Wednesday August 4
Year 10 Social - POSTPONED 
Monday August 9
Week A
Year 8 Camp - CANCELLED  

Tuesday August 10
Author Visit - Steven Herrick  - POSTPONED

Thursday August 12 
GAT -  General Achievement Test