Newsletter Edition 3, March 9, 2021

Principal's Message

Dear Emmanuel College Families,

Warrnambool is a wonderful place to be for the March long weekend.  The various sporting competitions and the volume of visitors they bring to town, along with the Port Fairy Folk Festival, ensures a positive, busy vibe around town.  Numerous Emmanuel staff and/or families were involved in organising and conducting these events and I acknowledge their generosity of time and service.  My grandchildren participated in the local long weekend tennis competition while their parents enjoyed the catch-up and the social aspect of the event.  Whichever way you and your family enjoyed the long weekend, I trust you feel energised returning to work today.

Whole School Liturgy
Last week we celebrated a very special whole school liturgy in the Emmanuel Centre recognising the start of the 2021 school year and the 30^th anniversary of the College.  Congratulations to Mrs Helen Hodson, Director of Faith Mission for organising her first major liturgy.   2021 is an Emmanuel milestone year; an opportunity to reflect upon how much the College has grown and to feel a sense of pride in all that has been achieved.  At the conclusion of the liturgy, I invited Fr. Lawrie to bless the 30^th anniversary badges that were to be shared with everyone in attendance. 

After the badges were blessed, we encouraged staff and students to wear their badge with pride.  We often encourage students to wear their uniform with pride or, in this case, to wear their new badge with pride.  It’s important for young people to know when we are proud of them and to feel pride themselves.  Feeling pride in their school helps young people build a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves as well as a sense of connection.  Young people need to experience connectedness to thrive, and connection to school and community, to family and peers and to something spiritual, are known to be significant protective factors in a young person’s life contributing to their health and wellbeing.  Like other whole school events, our whole school liturgy last week was an opportunity for Emmanuel students to know they belong to something greater than any of us might know or feel as individuals.

International Women's Day
Today we are recognising International Women’s Day at Emmanuel.  Although normally celebrated each year on March 8, as this was a public holiday, we are recognising the day today.  The 2021 United Nations theme for International Women's Day (IWD) is "Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world".  The theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future.

Women bear the brunt of many problems ranging from poverty to climate change, but they also possess assets and talents to solve them.  Young Emmanuel Women are celebrating IWD by performing and watching our "Girls Got Talent Concert".  The concert in the Wyton Theatre includes performances of dance, song and instrumental music.  At the conclusion of the concert, our student leaders will join Warrnambool Mayor, Vicki Jellie, for conversation and afternoon tea.  Vicki Jellie, a courageous leader in our local community, was recognised on Australia Day 2017 when she was named the Victorian Local Hero of the Year, and again in 2018 when she was inducted as a member of the Order of Australia.  Watch out for a report on the Emmanuel IWD Concert in the next newsletter.  Students will view a slide show prepared by Wellbeing Coordinator, Rachel Sloane, during the extended homeroom on Thursday. The slide can be viewed here. 

Swimming Carnival and District Competition
The last newsletter was published before the results of our swimming carnival were known.  Congratulations to McAuley House for their strong win and a huge thank you to Ms Ali Lucas for her excellent coordination of the day.  Following our school competition the best swimmers competed in the Warrnambool District Competition last Tuesday.  Coached by Mr Paul Aberline and Mr Isaac Jones, both champion swimmers themselves, the Emmanuel team competed against Warrnambool College, Brauer and Kings Colleges with Emmanuel winning both the junior and intermediate sections to be the overall winning school.  Emmanuel students were Individual Age Champions in the following divisions: 

12-13 year boys: Jude de Silva Smith
14 year girls: Molly Mansbridge
15 year girls: Mia Cook
15 year boys: Fionn Ginley 
16 year boys: Darcy Bridgewater
18 year girls: Maggie Hintum 

Congratulations to our Emmanuel swimmers who will compete in the Greater Western Region on Friday 19 March. 

Sporting Achievements
Last week Emmanuel also sent teams to the Greater Western Region competition to compete in cricket and tennis. The intermediate girls cricket, senior boys cricket and intermediate boys cricket sides all won their matches and progress to the State Finals.  The tennis side played very well but unfortunately finished Runners-Up on the day.  A huge thank you to Mark Owen, Julian Claridge, Tim Cain and Louis Callaghan for overseeing the students on the day and to Jaffa for driving our teams to Ballarat and safely home again. 

Year nine student Grace Kelly has continued her golden run with a great win at the recent Athletic State Titles.  Her time now ranks her number 1 in Australia for U16 Women.  Congratulations Grace; we are extremely proud of your dedication to training and rigorous competition and we wish you continued success.

Best wishes to all the Houses tomorrow as the annual athletics carnival is held at Brauerander.  Given the large space at Brauerander Park, parents are invited to attend this event and reminded to record their attendance with our QR code on arrival.

Library Update
The Emmanuel Library refurbishment project is very close to completed.  We are waiting for a final inspection this week and a certificate of occupancy to allow us to begin moving everything back in.  So confident are we of getting over the line this week we have included the revitalised space in our Open Night tours on March 17.  Fairbrother Builders have also been appointed to undertake the science project which will get underway shortly and be completed by the end of this year.

College Open Evening
The 2021 Emmanuel College Open event is being conducted on Wednesday 17 March.  This year the enrolment information night and the traditional open day are being rolled into a single event with the College open to visitors from 4.30 – 7.30pm.  COVID restrictions mean bookings are essential for each Information Session.  Please see the Emmanuel College website to make bookings or see further information in this newsletter.

Given the very high demand for enrolments and 245 Year seven students starting this year I encourage you to submit enrolment applications by the closing date: Friday 30 April, 2021.

As we continue the season of Lent we pray:

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

Open Evening

Emmanuel College is conducting a differently styled open event for 2021. 

Replacing the two-part event of previous years is a single evening on Wednesday 17 March. 

Please join us for a short information session, twilight tours and a learning expo.

Due to COVID restrictions bookings are essential:

 Bookings can be made here 

Once you have made your booking there will be no need to queue to register your details on the night

Inspiring students: Nominations open

The Emmanuel College Evening of Inspiration will be held at Warrnambool’s Lighthouse Theatre on Friday 30 July. This event is held once every two years and it incorporates: the induction of the Inspiring Alumni, the induction of the Young Alumni Achievers, a showcase of student talent through performance, exhibition and media and the on-stage recognition of the outstanding achievement of current students and students of the Class of 2020.

We call for nominations of current students of all year levels and members of the Class of 2020 to be recognised at this event for exceptional and inspiring individual achievements across a range of endeavours - academic, arts and culture, sporting (at a state, national or international level), leadership and community service - over the last twelve months and up until June this year. These achievements may have been made at school or beyond. Nominees will be shortlisted for recognition at this event.

Parents and students are also invited to nominate or self-nominate by contacting Jean Christie with details via email: jchristie@emmanuel.vic.edu.au

A message from Mrs Claire Wrigley

International Women’s Day – March 8
We celebrated International Women’s Day with a “Girls Got Talent” event in The Stage on Tuesday March 9. This was a wonderful event that focused on the theme for this year which is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. We had some wonderful acts from some very talented young women in our school.  Be sure to check out Words from Wellbeing newsletter next week with a full review of the event.

Warning on apps…..What apps are my kids using?
Young people are often downing loading apps and getting new apps which are on trend! A recent such app is Yolo. This app is the latest popular teen app to hit the headlines, there are genuine concerns with its anonymity feature that could put young people at risk of cyberbullying and online abuse. Due to anonymity feature it is a platform for online predators to make connections with young people.

What is YOLO?
YOLO is an anonymous messaging app that is a free add-on to Snapchat. YOLO lets users add an 'ask me anything' sticker to their Snapchat story, then privately review the questions, decide which to answer and who to share the content with. Responses are posted on Snapchat through a sticker which can be customised. Users can also reply to comments as well as share comments. YOLO is not affiliated with Snapchat and is owned by Popshow.

Anonymous online services allow people to communicate and share content without revealing their name or true identity. People may use pseudonyms or made-up names. However, not all services that claim to be anonymous are truly anonymous. Your online activity and the content you share may still be traceable and recordable in some way.

Please see the following link to a parent’s guide on the app, Parent guide to the Yolo App

Having conversations with your child about their online activity will assist with safe behaviours.

Mrs Claire Wrigley
Assistant Principal - Students

McAuley House wins Swimming Carnival

After being postponed due to inclement weather, the annual Emmanuel College swimming carnival was finally celebrated on the 22^nd of February.

The outdoor pool at Aqua Zone was soon filled with colour and excitement ready for the day ahead that all students look forward to. The music started and the house parades began around the pool, with Rice house winning the best parade. Soon the races started and so did the cheering. The novelty events were also a big hit with a great turnout for each year level.

A highlight of the day was the student teacher race which attracted large crowds. McAuley house won with the team of Paul Aberline, Isaac Jones, Balun Cumming, and Alex Johnston.

The scores were tallied and McAuley house took out a promising win. Maguire house came second, followed by Egan house, and in last place came Rice house.

Individual Age Champions:

Congratulations to all students who participated on the day.

Emily Conheady and Conor Cook
Trainees

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 15

Next

Surf Life Saving Victoria Leadership Day: Bethany Ferguson, Year 9

Bethany Ferguson of Year 9 was nominated by the Warrnambool SLSC Board of Management to represent the club at a Junior Leadership Development Day which occurred the last weekend of February at Life Saving Victoria in Port Melbourne.

Surf Livesaving is great to be involved in and to demonstrate leadership and community involvement. We hope you take your experiences from the leadership day with you into the future and well done on receiving the Good Samaritan Award.

"I was lucky enough to go to Life Saving Victoria for a day on February 27th and participate in a leadership day with 17 other 13 and 14 year olds, from around the state. During the day we saw the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, we looked at life saving pathways, talked about goals, did a visual reality workshop, learnt about Life Saving Victoria comms and participated in some practise SRC scenarios. The whole day was a lead up to the Mike Martin Award. I was recognised with the ‘Good Samaritan Award’. The leaders said it was ‘basically just an all round good human being award'. My favourite part of being involved was seeing the helicopter and looking at life saving pathways, as well as meeting other people. I would highly recommend applying for any of the LSV days or camps."

Bethany Ferguson

Hinamatsuri Day

Happy Hinamatsuri Day!  For language students the inability to travel to Japan and France for study tours or student exchanges has been very disappointing. The challenge has been to bring the culture into our school.

Our Languages trainee, Sarasa set up a beautiful, traditional display in the McAuley campus office foyer for Hinamatsuri Day, which is celebrated on 3 March each year and is also known as Girls' Day, or Dolls’ Day. This is a special day in Japan.

Platforms covered with a red carpet-material are used to display a set of ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period.  During Hinamatsuri and the preceding days, girls hold parties with their friends. It is said to be bad luck to leave the dolls on display for too long after the 3rd of March as this can delay marriage! It is also bad luck not to display the dolls every year as this will offend the spirits living inside the dolls. 

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday - RE Teachers present liturgies 

Due to Ash Wednesday happening during the COVID lockdown, when students returned to the school, the Religion teachers presented the Ash Wednesday Liturgies for each Homeroom or in Year levels. There was an air of excitement as something new was afoot and the students did not receive the Sign of the Cross in ashes on their foreheads as was usual practice but were able to pot a plant to keep alive for 40 days.

The plant will symbolise the growth and awareness that we are hoping to achieve over the period of Lent. We will offer prayers and reflections which help us to establish roots, enabling us to grow, becoming more aware of how we can ‘Be more’ within our family, school and wider community. We are encouraged to make simple lifestyle changes and act for social and environmental justice.

A Prayer/Gratitude Jar was also available to place in Homerooms for students to place slips of paper with their Prayer Intentions or words of Gratitude on it during this time of Lent.

Mrs Sue Bourke
Religious Education Coordinator

Jamie's Zoo - a highlight of Year 9 Science

Once again, the Year 9 students were privileged to have Jamie’s Zoo visit as part of their study of ecology this term.  Students enjoyed the opportunity to get up close and personal with many native fauna species while Jamie shared his knowledge of the threats such species currently experience due to invasive species and habitat destruction, the natural environment in which they inhabit and the specialised adaptations they possess. The Golden possum, black headed python, fresh water crocodile, southern hairy nosed wombat, squirrel glider, albino carpet python, and bettong were just a few of the animals Jamie used to highlight fundamental ecological concepts.

Such is the generous and engaging nature of Jamie that during each lunch break of his two-day visit was spent on the top oval with Emmanuel students’ game enough to engage with his 16ft olive python name Olive, alpine dingo and wombat Nadine.

Fun Facts:

1. Did you know that black headed pythons live in burrows in the ground and eat taipan and brown snakes, two of the worlds deadliest and venomous snakes?
2. When snakes poo it is an indication they are ready to feed again.
3. Squirrel gliders weighing between 190-300g can glide or volplane up to 60m unlike their sugar glider cousins who weigh no more than 140g and can glide up to 45m.

Mrs Suzie Wellens
Science and Laboratory Coordinator

New Library is almost complete

Children’s Book Council of Australia Shadow Judging Program

Last year three students from the College Student Book Club participated as Shadow Judges for the Book Awards.  This required the students to read the six shortlisted books from the Older Readers Category.  Many pages of words to be read.  Many characters and plots to explore.  The students did a great job completing the task and writing their responses to the six books. The students were Wrae Kitto, Rianna Kelly and Nina Fitzsimmons.

This year, we were asked to make a short film which told about the experience of being a Judge for the program.  This film was made last week and has been sent to CBCA.  It will be shown at a CBCA online event, scheduled for the evening of Wednesday 17 March.

Refurbished and Expanded Library

The building project of refurbishing and expanding the Library is almost complete.  The final touches are being undertaken.  The Library Team is looking forward to setting up the new Library.  To help with this, the Temporary Library (where we have been working from) will be closed the week beginning March 15.

Mrs Margaret Sinnott
Learning Resource Centre Coordinator and Teacher Librarian

Career News

The weekly careers newsletter can be read here. This is where you will find up to date information on career news and events.

Topics this week include:

• Free careers program for students who love hands-on learning
• Study university in the US or the UK – webinars
• Australian Defence Force – gap year program applications now open!
• Australian Defence Force Academy
• Interested in becoming a flight attendant?
• University scholarships for high achieving Year 12 students
• Australia National University and University of New England – applications now open for the 2022 intake
• Find your career crush – take the 5-minute quiz
• Inspirational Indigenous students working in STEM
• A – Z of health careers
• Download inspirational information about different STEM careers
• Do you have a passion for science and the ocean?
• Dates for your diary

For further information please visit the College Career Website 

The Careers Team

Ride2School Day - Friday March 19

JOIN US! On Friday March 19^th we will be celebrating Ride2School day! Jump on your scooter, skateboard or bike to ride into school on the day and be part of the thousands of students and staff starting their day in an active way. There will be spot prizes drawn on the day and a range of activities to celebrate the day. So dust of your wheels and head out for a spin if you haven’t been for a ride in a while to prepare for this year’s Ride2School day!

Ride2School day at Emmanuel College is supported but the Year 11 VCAL student team.

Mr Brendan Donahoo
Applied Learning (VCAL) Coordinator

Coveyance allowance: Financial assistance for Bus Travellers

Do you drive your child more than 4.8 km to catch a country school bus?
OR
Does your child catch a town bus to school?

If so, you may be eligible to claim the Conveyance allowance from the Victorian Government.  The allowance provides financial assistance towards the cost of transport for students travelling to and from school.

Students travelling by private car for more than 4.8 km to catch a country school bus should complete the Application Form for Private Car Travel.

Students travelling on a town bus who reside more than 4.8 km from the school and purchase a yearly or half-yearly bus pass from Warrnambool Bus Lines should complete the Application Form for Public Transport Travel to be reimbursed for this cost.  A copy of the receipt from Warrnambool Bus Lines should be attached to the application.

Application forms for the next claim period should be returned to Suzanne Dwyer via the school office or email to info@emmanuel.vic.edu.au no later than Thursday 11 March.

Payments made are deducted from a family’s school fees at the end of each term.

Further details can be found at the Department of Education and Training website

Youth Showcase! Expressions of interest

Following the success of our first online Youth Showcase in 2020 we are again looking to showcase and celebrate the diverse talents of young people aged between 12 and 25 years from our region.

The 2021 Youth Showcase will include exhibits of work from young creatives, performers, entrepreneurs, tradespeople and apprentices, filmmakers, and makers of all descriptions.

The showcase will be launched in April 2021 in the lead-up to the 2021 Warrnambool and Moyne Youth Awards. This is a fabulous opportunity to shine a light on the wonderful things our young people do.

To get involved complete the Expression of Interest form. Click here to access form.

For more information or for support completing the expression of interest please contact Moyne Shire Community Planning Officer Rebecca Elmes on 5568 0555 or rebecca.elmes@moyne.vic.gov.au or Warrnambool City Council Youth Development Officer Becky Nevin Berger on 5559 4478 or rnevinberger@warrnambool.vic.gov.au

Expressions of Interest close March 12 2021

Easter Arts Festival

The Easter Arts Festival is designed to be an inclusive and celebratory series of arts events including sculpture, painting, literature, music, singing, performance, dance, photographic-art, film and all forms of textile art. Festival events are held at various venues during March and April.

The program this year has something for everyone to enjoy. 

Further information and event details can be found here

Moyne Youth Awards

Moyne Shire are looking for young people to join the Moyne Youth Awards Project Working Group.

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Are aged 16+
• Live in the Moyne Shire
• Are keen to develop skills in project planning and event management, public speaking and working as part of a team
• Want to be part of something that will look great on your resume.

What do I need to commit and participate?

• Attend an induction session
• Meet with other young people approximately 5 times for about 1.5hrs between May & June to plan the Youth Awards event
• Assist with event delivery in July
• No costs involved to participate, plus support to participate

No prior skills or qualifications are needed! As long as you are passionate, dedicated to the job ahead and are a young person living in Moyne.

Note: All meetings can be accessed via zoom.

Express your interest  here 

Expressions of interest close Friday 26 March.

If you’re not sure and want to speak with someone, contact Bec Elmes, Community Planning Officer Moyne Shire Council 5568 0555 or email rebecca.elmes@moyne.vic.gov.au

Coming Events

Tuesday March 9
Week A
1pm International Women's Day - Girls Got Talent

Wednesday March 10
College Athletics Carnival

Monday March 15
Week B

Tuesday March 16
Catch up Year 7 & 10 Immunisations

Wednesday March 17
College Open Evening

Friday March 19
GWR Swimming
National Day of Action Against Bullying - Casual Clothes Day
10am Online Interschool Chess Competition

Monday March 22
Week A
Year 9 Camp

Tuesday March 23
Year 9 Camp
6pm Open Bookings for PST Conferences

Wednesday March 24
Year 9 Camp

Thursday March 25
Year 9 Camp
9am: Year 7 Coordinated NAPLAN Practice Test

Friday March 26
Year 9 Camp