Newsletter Edition 1 / 2023, February 6

Principal's Message

Dear Emmanuel College Families,

Commencement of the 2023 School Year
The start of the 2023 school year began with mass, the first in three years, with the staff of Emmanuel and the six local Catholic Primary schools gathering in St. Joseph’s Church. The liturgy was followed by the first staff meeting for 2023 where we welcomed 26 new staff and renewed our knowledge of the expectations upon all of us employed by Emmanuel College.  The College begins 2023 with a full compliment of staff, however, the process of staffing for the 2023 school year was the most difficult experienced in the past ten years.  The College’s strategy to attract quality teachers and school staff is reflected in the school’s strategic intention to continuously and incrementally improve and grow the College as a place in which young people want to learn and qualified staff want to work.  With the arrival of students last Tuesday, including 234 year seven students and 20 new students across years eight to twelve, our campuses were quickly abuzz with the energy and activity of 1271 young people.

Whole School Assembly
One of the highlights of the week was the special whole school Assembly to celebrate the highest Year 12 achievers from 2023 and for the College Captains to launch this year’s theme.  The event was live streamed and you are welcome to view the recording at this link: https://youtube.com/live/b1gM3mlxwUw  If you are short for time I especially encourage you to view and hear the speech by the 2022 Year 12 Dux starting around the 1 hour 10 minute mark.  A proud 2023 parent viewed the event from interstate and wrote the following message to me which I share with you as a sign of how important events like these are to how we develop the culture of this school as a faith and learning community.
I felt so proud to be an Emmanuel community member!  It was an excellent production from the slides to our well-spoken presenters.  Although we tuned in to see our son, we stayed watching so proud of each of his cohort as they won awards.  We loved watching the Year 7's parade in and thought the 2023 theme is great …  It was so lovely to hear Jace (2022 Dux) thank our cleaners, gardeners, IT and Admin staff as well as teachers.  It takes a whole village to raise a child and I'm so thankful Emmanuel is our village that helped support and shape these wonderful kids.  I hope everyone was as inspired and proud of our school as I was this morning.  Congratulations.  (2023 Parent)

During the assembly we congratulated Year 11 and 12 students who achieved the highest results in VCAL, VET and VCE in 2022 and/or received major College Awards.  Together we proudly congratulate the following recipients:

• Catherine McAuley Award: Lucy El-Hage
• Edmund Rice Award: Finn Cook
• Dux of Emmanuel College: Jace Nepean
• Second Dux: Zack Houlihan
• Third Dux: William Pennington
• VCAL Dux: Joshua Thom
• VET Excellence Awards: Jordan Garner, Molly Kellermeier
• Mercy Education Award: Nina Fitzsimmons
• Deakin University Young Influencer Scholarship: Paige Armistead
• University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar Award: Satwika Sivasankar
• Platinum Merit Awards: Eliza Lane, Sophie Wrigley, Lucy El-Hage, Maggie Moss
• Beverley Melican Public Speaking Award: Louise Tamer
• ADF Leadership & Teamwork Award: Bree Fox
• ADF Future Innovators Award: William Gleisner
• UniSA Innovators Award: Sophie Wrigley
• Sportsperson of the Year Award: Ethan Boyd
• Year 12 All Rounder Award: Jamie Lloyd

VCE High Achiever Awards for ATARs Above 90:

• Jace Nepean
• Zack Houlihan
• William Pennington
• Lucy El-Hage
• Samara Herpich
• Clara Hunold
• Molly Kellermeier
• Luke Kenna
• Amiee Lowe
• Maggie Moss
• Darcy O’Keefe
• William Gleisner
• Lousie Tamer
• Emma Zerbe

Individual Subject Dux Awards (based on ATAR):

• VCE Accounting: Archie Bolden
• VCE Ancient History: Molly Kellermeier
• VCE Art: Samara Herpich
• VCE Biology: Emily Mahony, Natalie Wong
• VCE Business Management: Luke Kenna, Emily Mahony
• VCE Chemistry: Jace Nepean
• VCE Drama: Samara Herpich
• VCE Economics: Amiee Lowe
• VCE English: Jace Nepean (perfect study score of 50)
• VCE External Studies - German: Clara Hunold (perfect study score of 50)
• VCE French: Jace Nepean (perfect study score of 50)
• VCE Further Math: William Pennington
• VCE Health & Human Development: Hannah van der Aa
• VET Health Services: Tamsyn Curran, Jenna Twaddle
• VCE Japanese: Zack Houlihan
• VCE Legal Studies: Maggie Moss
• VCE Literature: Darcy O’Keefe (perfect study score of 50)
• VCE Math Methods: Zack Houlihan
• VET Music Performance: Evie Dalton
• VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies: Emma Zerbe
• VCE Physical Education: Lucy El-Hage
• VCE Physics: William Gleisner
• VCE Product Design & Technology (Resistant Metals): Curran O’Donnell
• VCE Product Design & Technology (Textiles): Halle Collins
• VCE Psychology: Scarlett O’Brien
• VCE Specialist Math: Jace Nepean
• VET Sport & Recreation: Harrison Keast
• VCE Studio Arts: Leigha Lehman
• VCE Visual Communication & Design: Caitlin Williams

Among other things, I spoke about the College Dux, Jace Nepean, whose ATAR score of 99.95, the highest possible score, is known as a “perfect ATAR score”.  Not only is it an extraordinary score, it’s something very few people achieve.  Jace was one of only 37 students among 50,000 Victorian Year 12's to receive a perfect ATAR score, and he is we believe, the first Emmanuel student to achieve this recognition.  We acknowledge that extraordinary achievements like Jace’s don’t come easily; they take commitment and hard work, and in Jace we saw a young man who epitomised both qualities. Jace’s achievements and last week’s awards assembly, also confirm Emmanuel College is a school where young people can achieve academic and other outcomes equivalent to the best in Victoria. This week Jace is relocating to Canberra where he will commence a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) Science at the Australian National University where he will be in good company with Jacob Gome, our 2020 Dux who is studying in the same field.  We wish him every success.

The final part of the assembly saw College Captains Paige Armistead, Segdae Lucardie, Emily Mahony and George Stevens announce the 2023 College Theme:  Courage to Climb. Persistence. Positivity. Potential.  Working with the 2023 Student Leadership Team and focusing on the Mercy Education Values for their inspiration, they have adopted the value of Courage and are seeking to explore the ways in which it speaks to us and inspires us.  Emily said, “’Courage to Climb’ encourages each one of us this year to challenge ourselves, to step outside our comfort zones and try and conquer our own mountains.  In the image we created to help visualise the theme, we decided to shape the edges of the mountain as bumpy because all journeys have their ups and downs, but as a whole, these bumps are all part of the mountain.”  The captains were genuinely inspiring and I wish them well as they climb their own Year 12 mountain this year whilst also providing encouragement and leadership to the student body.

Upcoming Events
There are multiple events this week that point to the school year being well and truly underway.  I wish to highlight the Independent Learning Day for Years 8, 9, and 10 on Wednesday 15 February.  Both the Year Seven camp and the Year 11 retreat are running in this week and the Year 12 Retreat Day is on this day.  To provide the staffing required for these events, Year 8, 9 and 10 will work from home.  While students will not attend school, it is not a holiday.  As the name of the day suggests, students are expected to work independently in their home study environment and complete the tasks set by their teachers in their Google Classroom.

In closing this week, on behalf of the College, I extend our deep condolences to the Ross family following the death of Paul over the weekend.  Paul’s daughter is in year eight, as well as nieces and nephews in other year levels.  At this sad time, please remember in your thoughts and prayers Paul’s family and friends.
May Paul know the loving embrace of God, and may perpetual light shine upon him. 
May he rest in peace. Amen.

May the 2023 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 that 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

And so the 2023 School Year Begins...
It was wonderful to see students return to school on Tuesday last week. The students have settled in well and have had a great start. 

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, a special procession parade into the whole school assembly, a child safety and safety online presentations, new computer induction session and to finish off the week they had a time management presentation. We thank our Director of Teaching & Learning Simone Rolf for conducting the presentations along with our Wellbeing coordinator Rachele Sloane. We also acknowledge the work of our IT team with the roll out of computers to our new year 7 students. Both Year 7 and Year 8 students have also enjoyed the new adventure course and were all given a safety presentation and shown how to use the equipment in a safe manner. 

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

Senior School
We welcomed our Year 10 students into senior school at an assembly on Tuesday where Shane Smith, Director Senior school outlined the wonderful opportunities for students within our senior school house structure.  Students spent the week meeting their new teachers and settling into new classes. Mentors reunited with students from their mentor group of 2022 with Year 11 and 12 students and welcomed in the Year 10 students they will work with over the next three years into their group.

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 Centre (off Botanic Rd) - parents are asked to drive up the Goold road towards the building and turn left into the loop to drop off/pick up in the designated area. We ask parents not to enter this area before 3.15pm in the afternoon when picking up children.
• 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 road beside the Emmanuel Centre and the car park behind the Emmanuel Centre are prohibited spaces for drop off & pick up. 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 crossing and avoid running across busy roads of Ardlie St and Botanic Rd.

Parent Volunteers Required
We are seeking parents (Year 8-12 parents) to assist with facilitating a small group for the Year 7 Time & Space Mother/Female Mentor & Child Evening on February 23. 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.

New Wellbeing Space for Students & Staff - Sensory Relaxation Room
We have developed a new space in the wellbeing area of the school that allows students and staff  a room to access to take some time out. The room is a welcoming space that provides students and staff with an area to enhance relaxation and desensitisation from the sounds and lights of the school environment. Lighting is low and there is a massage chair, salt lap, air diffuser and comfortable seating that creates a relaxing and calming environment. This has already been utilised by several students and will be a great space for all.

Mrs Claire Wrigley
Assistant Principal - Students 

Study Hall 2023

The Study Hall program is continuing in 2023 and started last week. Students are invited to come to the library after school for help with their homework and developing their study skills. They also receive 2 biscuits as an incentive!
For students in Years 7 and 8, the program runs on Mondays from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the Reading Room with Mrs West and they will receive Merit Points as a bonus. The points are awarded once a term.
For students in Years 9 to 12, the program runs on Mondays to Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Students can stay for as long as they like for as many sessions as they like. 
Maths teachers will be available to help students on most Wednesdays. 
English teachers will be available to help students on most Thursdays.

Ms Simone Rolfe
Director of Learning

9@RICE Family BBQ

The 9@RICE community hosted family members to a BBQ lunch on their first day of 2023. The student leaders created a really fun and relaxed environment whilst they cooked lunch for over 300 people. It was pleasing to see so many families come and say hello. The staff of 9@RICE were able to meet many of their students families and make connections which should prove beneficial in having a really positive start to 2023. Thank you to all involved in the lunch and especially the student leaders who did a wonderful job.

There is a welcome / information night scheduled for 9@RICE family members on the 14/2/2023. We look forward to seeing you there.

Mr Glen Martin
Director of 9@RICE

Student Voice

A Message from our College Captains
At our Opening Assembly and Senior Awards Ceremony, our 4 College captains gave their first captains speech; Paige Armitstead, George Stevens, Emily Mahony and Segdae Lucardie, launching the 2023 College theme.
Late last year 80 students who form this year's Student Leadership group, spent time developing goals and priorities for this year, and in doing so devised the 2023 College Theme. Below are some exerpts from the College Captain's speeches.

Segdae Lucardie - College Captain:
I warmly welcome the 234 Year seven students who are beginning their journey here at Emmanuel.
We know from our five years of education here already, you are in for an awesome time. 
There will be so many memories to be created and I strongly encourage you to have a go at the huge variety of opportunities that are thrown at you during your time here.
That goes for every student here today, not just the Year 7’s - have a go and see what is out there when the chance arises - these chances create memories and help make your time at school enjoyable and importantly memorable.
I would like to announce the theme for 2023 will be
“COURAGE TO CLIMB” 

Emily Mahony - College Captain:
In line with the Mercy Values, this year's theme focuses on the concept of courage.
‘Courage to Climb’ encourages each and every one of us this year to challenge ourselves, to step outside of our comfort zones and try and conquer our own mountains. In the visual design of our theme, we decided to shape the edges of the mountain as bumpy because all journeys have their ups and downs, but as a whole, these bumps are all part of the same path to the top of the mountain. 
There are three P words along the bottom.
The first, Persistence.  Undoubtedly we are all going to face challenges this year whether it be in school, personally, or in some other form, but this year's theme encourages us when these challenges arise, to keep going… not to let knocks affect us… and to persist.
Secondly, Positivity. Positivity is the basis of motivation! We wanted to have a strong emphasis on this in 2023.  Without positivity, a lot of what we are talking about isn’t possible. I encourage you all this year to try and isolate negative talk, find the good instead of focusing on the bad, and promote an optimistic mindset. When we are positive we are all capable of achieving our best which leads me to the final P.
Potential. When we have the courage, persistence, and positivity to climb, we give ourselves the best chance to recognize our full potential. Despite where we find ourselves on the mountain we all have the potential to keep going. I hope that you are able to reflect on our theme during 2023 and realize that with persistence, positivity, and potential, we can all have the courage to climb together.

Paige Armitstead - College Captain:
Enjoy every class; every event and every relationship you make with those around you; because time flies by and you’ll find yourself reaching Year 12, and sitting in your first Year 12 class wondering how fast Secondary school went. You may even wish you could go back and re-live these moments.
You don’t need to have everything under control this year, you have so much help around you! Most of the older students sitting around you have gone through what you are about to experience, and it is a very fun and exciting time. 
To the new students starting in Years 8 - 12, you have chosen to start your climb a bit higher up the mountain than those who are starting Year 7. This means you need that little bit more courage, and this doesn't mean proving to others you are greater, stronger, or smarter, but having confidence to just be yourself and enjoy meeting new people. Emmanuel will always welcome you as yourself. 
Enjoy 2023 at Emmanuel College everybody, work hard and be kind! 

George Stevens - College Captain:
The quote goes, “Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing”.
Obviously, we will all interpret this differently, but for me, I think this quote is a great one to think about when we look at all the opportunities we will be given and what we have to celebrate as we go through 2023.
With all of our mountain tops being unique and at different levels, I think each of us should be really excited about the opportunities we will be given that will allow us to keep climbing throughout the year.
Despite what year level you are moving into this year it brings opportunities and with those, it brings times to celebrate.
We all know the Swim Sports and the Athletics Carnival are two of the biggest days on the school calendar to bring out house spirit and create many memories. I think this year each house is forming up nicely to perform well on both days!
There will also be times throughout the year to celebrate gaining merits, students who give their best both in and out of the classroom, and also participate in many other extracurricular activities like academic competitions, camps, and sporting representation.
These exciting opportunities give all of us so much potential in our own ways! If we can embrace these through our positivity to trying new things or just showing up to school and having a goal to put a smile on someone’s face each day, then we can all persist together and eventually, the top of that mountain for each of us won’t look so far away. And if we as students and teachers can have the courage to climb our mountain this year, then just imagine what Emmanuel College’s mountain looks like. If we spread this positivity, embrace the climb and be there for each other this year, we as people at Emmanuel can form the largest, most amazing mountain in 2023, full of positivity, opportunity, and excitement, all by just having that courage to climb.

Library News

Emmanuel College Library provides a space for learning and teaching.  The redeveloped and expanded Library was officially opened in May 2022.  The library is an integral part of learning at Emmanuel. The Library is a space where students can learn, collaborate, study, read and join in the many offerings for recreation including chess, UNO and playing cards and other games.

The College Library is open:
Monday to Thursday: 8.00am-5.30pm
Friday: 8.00am-5.00pm

Students are welcome to study, play cards, print, read in the Library.  It is a staff supervised space, where all students are welcome.  Books can be returned in the blue returns box near The Emmanuel Centre entrance or the return chute near the D Wing corridor.

Book Club
The Library offers a Book Club for students and one for parents and guardians.  The Student Book Club meets at lunchtime in the Reading Room usually twice a term.  The parents/guardians Book Club meets after school, usually in the evening.  If anyone is interested in joining these Book Clubs, please email Margaret Sinnott: msinnott@emmanuel.vic.edu.au

eBooks and Audio Books
The Library offers a range of digital reading platforms for students and staff to use.
eBooks and e Audio books have been purchased for the set English and Literature texts for Emmanuel in 2023. This gives students the option of reading the text on their computer, using the special features such as dyslexic font, making the print larger and changing the backgrounds of the pages and also the option of listening to the text as an audio book. Students use their log in and password to gain access. Any questions, please email Mrs Sinnott: msinnott@emmanuel.vic.edu.au

Please see the attached list that has all the texts, year levels and whether they are available as an ebook or an e audio book. Some are available in a variety of formats. The 3 digital reading platforms are: 
https://soraapp.com/library/emmanuelau  
https://emmanuel.wheelers.co  
https://emmanuelvic.borrowbox.com

During the year the newsletter will contain suggested new books to read.  We welcome students to suggest books to be purchased for the Library.  The Library catalogue is available on SIMON for students to search and find their next great read. 
Please contact the Library on 5560 0812 is you have any questions or wish to be involved in the Library.

Mrs Margaret Sinnott
Library Coordinator

School Photos - 9 & 10 February

The College will be holding its annual school photography days on:

• Thursday Feb 9th - (Years 7,10,11 & 12). Family photos for surnames A-M
• Friday 10th 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. JNY5ZNRP
3. Choose to order for individual or family photos. 

Family photo orders must be placed by Midday Wednesday February 8th. 
No family orders can be received after this time. 

Family photos 
Family photos can be taken on Thursday Feb 9th and Friday Feb 10th at the Emmanuel Centre at the following times: 

• Before School 8 am-9 am, 
• Recess 11:00 am -11:25 am, (on Friday 10th, 10:45 am - 11:15 am)
• or Lunch: 1:05 am-1:45 am (on Friday 10th, 1:00 pm - 1:40 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.

2023 Open Evening - Wednesday 22 March

Performing Arts News

The Performing Arts team extend a hearty welcome back to all of our Performing Arts students and private instrumental students. We also welcome Molly Kellermeier and Martin Wohlers to the Music team for Term 1.
Below is information regarding the 2023 musical, private lessons and the Year 7 Instrumental Program.

Auditions for Frozen Jnr are starting on Monday 6^th Feb and conclude Friday 10^th. An information booklet is in student messages with an audition booking link embedded. It isn’t too late to audition!

Private music tuition lessons will begin Week 2. Students will be emailed their timetable and all timetables will be posted on the notice board at The STAGE. Kathy McDonald will send an email reminder of lessons for Term 1 only and then it is student responsibility to be remember their private music lesson time.
Once a student has received their timetable, if there is any issue, they should see Kathy McDonald at The STAGE office as soon as possible.

We are trialling a change to the Year 7 Instrumental Program this year. Year 7 students will be allocated an instrument at the end of the term compared to our usual routine of distributing at the start of the term. This allows time for each student to handle, learn and have a go at playing each instrument to then inform their top three choices of instrument for allocation. We hope that through this experiential process, students will feel comfortable with the instrument they have chosen to play for the year and this interest will grow and develop throughout their schooling.

As Richard Gill OAM suggests, “Music helps us communicate, collaborate and develop our creativity. Music helps our brain make connections that support our learning in other areas, such as literacy and numeracy. Music helps us express and engage with our emotions.”

We look forward to an exciting year in the Performing Arts and to sharing the gifts and talents of our students with parents, friends and family throughout the year.

Ms Megan Davis
Performing Arts Coordinator

Holiday Actors Presents Shrek the Musical

Emmanuel College applauds Holiday Actors on its Summer production of Shrek the Musical.  Holiday Actors is a youth theatre company established in 1985 when a group of students from CBC and St Ann’s (now Emmanuel College) collaborated to perform Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Still going strong today, Holiday Actors entertained sell out audiences in the Lighthouse Theatre last week with its colourful, professional standard musical.  
Emmanuel students performing on stage were:
Akira Fish-Laird (Year 11)
Amelia McLeod (Year 10)
Flynn El-Hage (Year 10)
Jess Bushell (Year 10)
Kate Partridge (Year 11)
Layla Kermond (Year 9)
As well as Emmanuel Alumni:
Kaitlyn Gust  (Class of 2021)
Caitlin Garner (Class of 2020)
Harry Price (Class of 2018)
Nicky McKenzie (Class of 2019)
and Emmanuel VET Music Graduate Taine de Manser (Class of 21)
The orchestra included Emmanuel music tutors:
Dean Mulholland
Erin Toulmin
We proudly congratulate our many community members including parents and staff that participated and assisted with Shrek the Musical.  
We look forward to presenting our own musical theatre production of Frozen in 2023.
Photos: Anne de Manser - HA.

Caroline Garner,
Administration

2023 Youth Advisory Group

Headspace Open Art Studio

Warrnambool FNC U14 Girls AFL

Port Fairy Marathon

Upcoming Events

Monday February 6
Frozen Auditions
Year 7 Swimming Trials

Tuesday February 7 
Frozen Auditions 
Year 7 Assembly
Year 7 Parent Welcome Evening

 Wednesday February 8
Frozen Auditions

Thursday February 9
Frozen Auditions
School Photos (Year 7, 10, 11, 12)
Senior School Parent Welcome Evening  

Friday February 10
School Photos  (Year 8 & 9)

Monday February 13
Year 7 Camp - Port Fairy (All Week)
Year 11 Retreat - Halls Gap (All Week)

Tuesday February 14
9@RICE Parent Welcome Evening

Wednesday February 15
Year 8, 9 & 10 Independent Learning Day
Year 12 Reflection Day

Monday February 20
Year 8 Parent Welcome Evening

Tuesday February 21
Swimming Carnival
Frozen Rehearsals