Newsletter Edition 3, March 8, 2022

Principal's Message

Dear Emmanuel College Families,
The Season of Lent 
During the past week staff and students observed the start of the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday lasts for six weeks culminating with the extraordinary experience of resurrection on Easter Sunday. According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation.  Lent originated as a mirroring of this, fasting 40 days as preparation for Easter.  Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of participants. The season of Lent is a time of prayer, self-denial and for helping others and, through these acts, preparing ourselves for the arrival of Easter and the year that follows.  Students were invited to receive the ashes on their forehead during a lunch time service held in St. Ann’s Chapel.
Pray for Peace
At the same time as we observed the beginning of Lent, Eastern Europe was plunged into further conflict.  Pope Francis asked the world to pray, especially on Ash Wednesday, for peace.  Speaking at the end of a General Audience, Pope Francis invited everyone to make Ash Wednesday a Day of Fasting for Peace. 
“Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests,” he stressed. Pope Francis appealed to those “with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.”
May our prayers and efforts this Lent contribute to the world call for peace and the support of those in need through Project Compassion.
Director of Faith and Mission, Ms Helen Hodson, prepared a prayerful classroom liturgy for Ash Wednesday and an activity for students to reflect on the lives of people including Pope Francis, Mother Teresa, Malala Yousefazi, Desmond Tutu, Greta Thunberg, Rosa Parks, Eddie Mabo, Cathy Freeman, Mahatma Gandhi and Ai Weiwei whose actions have impacted our world.  Students and staff were encouraged to develop their own Lenten pledge that will have a positive impact for themselves and others.  For example:

• Raise money and promote Project Compassion
• Talk to their family about having one night a week when they prepare a meal using only the staples a refugee may have access to
• Choose to involve themselves in one of the social justice activities on offer at the College throughout the year, or social justice within their own lives
• Promoting fairness within the community

Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may “Have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) As we live into that fullness, may we also be challenged during this Lent to act with faith, hope and love now and for all future generations.
Open Evening
An invitation is extended to current and future Emmanuel College families to attend the 2022 Open Evening on Wednesday 30 March.  The Open Evening is a great opportunity to see the recent developments that have occurred at the College giving rise to a re-imagined Emmanuel.  The information session and school tours where “learning in action” can be viewed, is an ideal opportunity for families with grade five and six children to explore what an Emmanuel education offers.  Emmanuel College enrolment is open to all who seek for their children a Catholic education in the Mercy tradition.  Please share this information with family and friends who are interested in Emmanuel College enrolment.   Click here to book. 

Greater Western Region Swimming Sports
Due to a leaking 50m pool at Aquazone the WD Swimming scheduled for last week did not proceed. Consequently, progression to regional level has been determined by using this year’s school swimming sports times.  I congratulate the Emmanuel students who have been selected to compete regionally and wish them lots of success, and I congratulate Sport Coordinator Alastair Templeton, who, in the first year in his role, has had to contend with numerous issues to enable student to compete. Thankyou Alastair.
Ski for Life
Emmanuel College extends its best wishes to the Miller family taking part in ‘Ski for Life’, a charity water ski event to raise awareness for mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention. The Miller family will water ski 456 kilometres from Murray Bridge to Renmark along the Murray River, on the Labour day weekend, as a team called ‘You Do You’.  Below is a link to their ‘You Do You Ski for Life’ donation page.  You Do You Donation Page  The Miller family would appreciate your support. For more information about the Ski for Life Charity see: Ski for Life With thanks from Rorie Miller (8A), Cooper Miller (McAuley F), Harry Miller (7F) and the rest of the You Do You Ski for Life team.
International Women's Day
Finally, students are invited to involve themselves in and enjoy the activities to mark International Women’s Day on Tuesday including the ‘Girls Got Talent’ concert in the Wyton Theatre at lunch time.  See Assistant Principal Claire Wrigley’s article below with more information about International Women’s Day at Emmanuel College.
We Pray
God of hope and compassion,
You remind us of the need to turn away from our own desires, and to care for our global family, particularly at a time that has seen great loss and suffering.
We pray that during this time of Lent, we may grow in understanding of the challenges faced by those who are marginalised and vulnerable in our world as we make a home for them in our hearts. We especially send our prayers to those in the Ukraine who are experiencing the upheaval and uncertainty of war.
And as we see the challenges of others, may we respond with love and hope,
now and for all future generations.
Be with us as we walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters.
St. Joseph: Pray for us.  May the spirit of Catherine McAuley and Edmund Rice guide us in all that we do.  Amen.
Kind regards,
Peter Morgan,
Principal

A Message from Mrs Claire Wrigley

Internationals Women's Day
On Tuesday March 8 is International Women’s Day
The theme for this year’s observance is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.
The year 2022 is pivotal for achieving gender equality in the context of climate change, and environmental and disaster risk reduction, which are some of the greatest global challenges of the twenty-first century. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future, and an equal future, remains beyond our reach.
This year’s IWD observance is in recognition and celebration of the women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation and response, and to honour their leadership and contribution towards a sustainable future.
At Emmanuel College we celebrate the day with our ‘Girls Got talent’ event showcasing various talents of our girls through student acts during the event at lunchtime with special guest and keynote speaker Lisa McLeod. Having grown up in Warrnambool Lisa went on to study Planning at RMIT and forged a successful career in a predominantly male industry. We thank Lisa for her time and sharing her  inspirational story.

International Women's Day
A Day for... embracing diversity among women.
Celebrating and validating women all over the world.
Thinking about women who have inspired our lives.
Acknowledging social change achieved by, with, and for women.
Being aware of women whose worlds are in need of change.
Building solidarity among women.
Connecting with women who are important to us.Enjoying the belly-laughs of women having fun.
Claiming our space and being whoever we are with pride.Wearing our red hats regardless of age and differences (Joseph 1992).
International Women’s Day is a day for thinking about the achievements of women, but also the things that hold them back – including, importantly, violence.

Students signing in and out of school
We understand that from time to time students have appointments which impact on attendance at school. We ask that if your child is going to arrive late to school or has to leave early that parents communicate this with the school. In order for students to sign out we require communication from parents to allow this to occur prior to the time your child has to leave the school grounds. Parents are also welcome to come into reception and sign your child out.

Uniform
In order to assist with students being in the correct uniform we ask for parents' help. Student uniforms need to be organised the night before to ensure that your child attends school in the correct uniform. If they do not have the correct shoes for example the student has to wear their college uniform (NOT PE) with an alternative pair of shoes, accompanying communication is required from parents (email or signed note) explaining when new shoes will be purchased. 
At any time there is a valid reason for incorrect uniform parents are asked to communicate this with the school, stating when it will be rectified. Students and parents are reminded that the expectation for socks is white socks (no logo’s) that cover the ankle for girls and navy socks with (no logo’s) for boys.
Students are also reminded that nose piercing is not permitted at school. Nose jewellery should be taken out or covered up. Students wearing nose piercing will be asked to remove it, should students continue to wear nose piercings parents will be contacted to collect their child from school.

UNIFORM GUIDELINES 2022 V4.pdf

Vaping in schools
“Schools are smoke-free environments and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, are prohibited on school grounds.” The incidence of vaping amongst young people has increased across the country. We continue to work with our students to educate them on the risks involved and ask all students in our community to call out any inappropriate behaviour at school. 
Warrnambool Police have advised us that they are working hard to trackdown illegal selling of vapes to young people. There are people in Warrnambool selling vapes to young people from cars etc. We ask our students to inform us and share any information they may know about people selling vapes, even the colour of a car can assist police. These reports would be  treated as anonymous by the police 
Vaping devices, which are widely available in tobacconists and often illegally sold to minors, appear designed to appeal to young people with bright colours, sweet flavours and shapes that disguise them as pens or USB sticks.
Nicotine juices for vape devices are legally sold in Australia only with a prescription to help people quit smoking, but can be legally imported from online retailers. Some products reportedly contain nicotine even when labelled otherwise.
In order to gain insight into the incidence of vaping within our school all students will complete an anonymous survey on Tuesday March 9. We ask students to answer with honesty and not speculate on what they may have heard.  We hope this will give us some insight into the incidence in our school of students vaping.
What can I do as a parent or carer? 
Talk with your child, prepare yourself by getting the facts and role model an environment that's free of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

The key to communication
K - Know the facts and where to find them.
E- Engage in the topic in a relaxed easy-going way, perhaps taking the cue from around you, a note from school, a news story on it, seeing people vaping on the street.
Y - You know best how to speak to your child, and in ways that work for you, and provide them with the right information to make a healthy choice.

Resources for parents
Vaping amongst young people - Alcohol and Drug Foundation
Useful websites

• Better Health Channel — contains information on the health effects of smoking, strategies for quitting, statistics and Victoria’s laws on smoking.
• health.vic — a Victorian State Government website where schools can download documents and signage to display on school grounds.
• Quit Victoria — offers resources, information and support for people to quit smoking and vaping.
• Better Health Channel: e-cigarettes — contains information on the dangers of e-cigarettes.
• Better Health Channel: e-liquids — contains information about the liquid used in e-cigarettes and the dangers of nicotine poisoning.
• The Royal Children’s Hospital: e-cigarettes and teens — contains information on how to talk to teens about the health risks of using e-cigarettes.
• The Royal Children’s Hospital — contains a video suitable for school staff and parents/carers on health risks of using e-cigarettes

Police Talk - Senior school
Senior school students will hear a short presentation from Senior Constable John Keats on safe, legal partying/behaviours and the law on Thursday March 10. This is particularly timely given the Port Fairy Folk Festival is happening on the long weekend and in the past the police have seen an increase in risk taking behaviour by young people attending events such as these.

 Claire Wrigley,
Assistant Principal - Students

Library News

Dyslexic Friendly Font Books and Large Print Books
The Library has recently purchased a range of books that are the set texts for English at Emmanuel, written with either dyslexic friendly font or large print.  Students can visit the Library to view these.  Many students find it easier to read using these published books.  The dyslexic friendly font has a heavier base to each letter.  The books available in these fonts are:
Blueback
Fog A Dox
Sister Heart
Catching Teller Crow
Jasper Jones.
Students can also change the font on their computer by going to the three digital reading platforms we have: Sora, Wheelers and Bolinda Borrow Box.  Links to these can be found on the Library home page, via SIMON.  In each of these platforms, students can change the font, the background colour. 
The Library has also purchased some books with dyslexic friendly font that are just for leisure reading.  Students are asked to check with the Library staff to see which books are published like this.

Year 12's Studying In the Library
Year 12's were photographed in the Library in the last study period of the week, the day when face masks were no longer required to be worn from midnight.  We thought it worthy of a photograph.
Last week the students received their Year 12 hoodies.  We thank the Year 12s for using the Library for their study.  Many students are using the Library to study before and after school, making the most of the opportunity for quiet study, to use the printing facilities and to meet with the many teachers who visit the Library to offer extra assistance for the subjects that they teach.

Year 7 and 8 Journal Club
More than 15 students joined the Library and Wellbeing staff in the Reading Room to begin our Journal Club for 2022 on March 1.  The session was presented by Mrs Weymouth, using photos, beautifully coloured pens, paper and tape to create images in the new journals.  Last year we had offered the Journal Club for the first time and many of the students participated last and have joined again for 2022.  This Term we are offering three different sessions.  We are looking to offer Journal Club again in Term 2.

Margaret Sinnot,
Library Coordinator

Learning Diversity at Emmanuel

Emmanuel College recognises that all students can learn, and encourages them to extend themselves in all areas of school life. Success has a very positive impact on a student’s sense of self-worth and achievement.
At Emmanuel, 20% of our students receive additional support in their learning. One of the roles of Learning Diversity is to address the needs of those students requiring more support to achieve success.
Strategies in place for those identified as needing extra support include:

●  A Personal Learning Plan (PLP)
●  Access to Learning Diversity Assistants
●  Individualised adjusted and modified programmes
●  Access to Wellbeing
●  Regular student support meetings with parents / guardians

The National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) enables our school to better understand the needs of students with a disability and how they can be best supported at school. All our students identified as eligible for extra support are included in the NCCD. Please read the flyers to give an overview and further information on NCCD.
Currently, we are in the process of updating existing PLPs for students and these will be available at Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday April 5. We are also in the process of creating PLPs for newly identified students eligible for extra support and will also be included in the NCCD. You will be able to request a Student Support Group (SSG) meeting after viewing the updated and new PLPs at this time. If you require an SSG prior then please contact our Learning Diversity Administrator Leonie Fortuna lfortuna@emmanuel.vic.edu.au to arrange a time or phone the school.
If you do not receive a PLP and you think a child in your care should be receiving extra support, please read the flyer and contact us to discuss the matter further.

Mrs Chamon Vogels - Learning Diversity Coordinator (Years 7-9)
Ms Stacey Baker - Learning Diversity Coordinator (Years 10 -12)

GWR Sports

On Wednesday the 2nd of March the school was represented by a Senior Boys team in the Tennis and Cricket Regional finals held in Ballarat. After a day of qualifying and knockout matches both teams were able to win their way through to the State Finals.

Results throughout the day were tight in the Tennis however the team of Toby Gedye, Thomas Gedye, Charlie Lynch and Max Phillips were cool under the pressure of repeat tie breaks which proved to be the difference in the end.

In Cricket, the boys needed to defend a total of 100 in their 15 over final. After a good start where they collected 2/8 in the first two overs, things were in our favour. With two overs to go and the opposition needing 31 runs the game was as good as over however when 23 runs were conceded in 6 balls we were on the backfoot. It was up to Will White to defend 8 runs off the last over which he did brilliantly with Emmanuel becoming victors by 1 run.

The cricketers now play a state quarter final in Geelong on Monday March 21st while the Tennis team must wait until May 16 for their state Semi Final.

Swimming Sports

On Tuesday the 22nd of February we hosted the Schools Swimming Sports at Aquazone. Maguire was the overall winner on the day followed narrowly by Rice, McAuley and Egan.
Congratulations to all competitors involved and well done to all the following students who were age group champions

• 12-13 Boys- Patrick Ragg
• 12-13 Girls- Abigail McNaught
• 14 Boys- Jude de Silva-Smith
• 14 Girls- Layla McCarthy
• 15 Boys- Archie Pettigrew
• 15 Girls- Jade King
• 16 Boys- Oscar Cooke
• 16 Girls- Emma Hannagan & Mia Cook
• 17 Boys- Fergus McCoy
• 17 Girls- Mimi Jenkins
• 18-20 Boys- Alex Johnston
• 18-20 Girls- Jessie Mellblom

Goodluck to all students who are to represent the school on March 18th in Horsham at the Regional Swimming Carnival.

Alastair Templeton,
Sports Coordinator 

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Equestrian Team

On the 26th of February, Charlotte Dyson (Year 12), Ella Gapes (Year 10), Bethany Dyson (Year 7) and Bree Holscher (Year 7), made the long trek to Sale to compete at Pony Club Victoria's State Championship. Charlotte competed two horses, Custom Made in the C Grade level (85cm to 105cm) placing 11th overall individually and with her team placing 3rd overall and Here To Please in the B Grade level (95cm to 115cm) placing 13th individually. Ella Gapes also competed in the C Grade level placing 22nd individually and placing 3rd in the team. Bethany Dyson riding Dream To Remember and Bree Holscher riding Storm Haven Rattle and Hum, both competed in the D Grade level (70cm to 85cm) with Bethany placing 31st and Bree placing 21st, in a very large field of riders. 
Hannah Dyson (Year 11) and Sophie Gapes (Year 8), also attended the event to help and support these riders. 

Charlotte Dyson 
Year 12, Rice House Mentor Group F.  

Warrnambool City Library

Help us build a cardboard Treehouse!

Air Force Cadets Recruiting now for 2022

Merrival FNC looking for players

The Merrivale Football Netball Club would like to invite students of Emmanuel College to join our Under 15 and Under 18 sides for the 2022 football season.
Our junior development aims to create an inclusive environment where all children will be treated equally regardless of talent level or gender.
Our club fosters encouragement, development of both skills and knowledge of the game of football and above all creating an environment of safety, positivity, enjoyment and fun for children, parents and supporters.
For further information contact: 
Rohan Crispe Junior Football Coordinator 0434 196 117
Merrivale Football Netball Club Facebook Page

Jack Wilkins Art Prize

Upcoming Events

Tuesday March 8 
International Womens Day - Girls Got Talent 

Thursday March 10
Vic Police speaking to Senior School 

Monday March 14 
Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday March 15
GWR Golf

Wednesday March 16
Athletics Carnival 

Thursday March 17
Bullying No Way Day 

Friday March 18 
Casual Dress Day - Gold coin for Caritas
GWR Swimming Sports - Horsham

Monday March 21 
Senior Cricket State Quarter Final - Geelong 

2022 Term Dates
Term 1: Tuesday 1 February to Friday 8 April (2.25pm finish)
Term 2: Tuesday 26 April to Friday 24 June (2.25pm finish)
Term 3: Monday 11 July to Friday 16 September (Emmanuel Day 2.25pm finish)
Term 4: Monday 3 October to Friday 2 December (Year 10: 30/11. Year 9: 1/12. Year 7 & 8 2/12)

 Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences – 4pm-8.00pm
Tuesday 5 April (all year levels)
Thursday 28 April (all year levels)
Thursday 18 August (Year 10-12 only)
Wednesday 7 Sept (Year 7-9 only)

 2022 Student Free Days
Term 2
Thursday 5 May: May Race Day
Friday 6 May: Staff Professional Development Day
Tuesday 21 June: Correction and Report Preparation Day

Term 3
Monday 15 August: Mid-term break
Tuesday 16 August: Staff Professional Development Day
Friday 26 August: Year 7 & 8 Independent Learning Day

Term 4
Tuesday 1 November: Melbourne Cup Day (this day replaces Warrnambool Show Day)
Wednesday 9 November: Staff Professional Development Day