WEEKLY NEWS
Issue #5
31 March– 7 April 2017
DUCHESNE DATES
Monday 3 April
Reflection with Lidia at Mindful Monday 6.30-7.30pm in the Learning lounge
Becoming a Professional: internships and exchanges 7-7.30pm in the Dining Hall
Wednesday 5th April
Academic Formal Dinner
Campus dates
Mid Semester Exams all week; Waterpolo on Friday 31st March; Cricket Saturday 1st April;
Debating and Chess Monday 3rd April; Waterpolo 7th April.
From the Head of College
Though the humidity of a Brisbane summer has not yet quite faded, lulling
us into thinking that the year has just begun, time has flown and mid-sem
exams are upon us. There are the inevitable quizzes and assignments due
too. I see a few girls hunkered down in the Learning Lounge and somehow
there’s a sense of settling into the real purpose for your residence here at
Duchesne. This time may test the friendships you have formed – what you
need from each other now is very different to the support you need on the
sporting field, a College party, O Week or when you’re tired and need a listening ear. “Life is a series of relationships and the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your relationships – at home, at work, everywhere. It is therefore imperative to be mindful
of all relationships, to nourish and strengthen them with kindness, empathy, love and fun.”
Ann-Marie Byrne (Environment Foundation General Manager)
Right now, you need to have the support of each other – 1st year for 1st
year, 3rd year for 2nd year, 2nd year for 1st year, every Duchesne girl for
every Duchesne girl. Be there for each other – even if it’s a smile in the
Note:
corridor, consideration for someone who wants an early night, or
So that all residents
sharing a late night snack.
have a chance to read
the weekly newsletter,
please do not remove
it from the Dining
Hall.
Let’s let each other know that we have each other’s backs.
Best wishes for a fruitful weekend.
Thérèse
From the Deputy Head (Acting)
It was wonderful to see so many of you out to support the touch team on Sunday. My two
cocker spaniels also loved the attention! This past week I have seen a lot of girls supporting
others, but have also heard of girls displaying what can only be described as bullying
behaviour. If you have suffered from or witnessed bullying in the past, you will know how
harmful it can be. Don’t be a bystander. If you think someone is behaving inappropriately, tell them, or report
it. Sometimes we don’t realise how our words or actions affect others. In the short time I have been here, I
can see the Duchesne difference is in the caring, inclusive community culture that you all create. Don’t let the
actions of a few drag down our amazing culture. Every person has individual gifts to share. Be open, listen to
others, grow and flourish in this amazing environment.
Inclusively yours, Vanessa
Tutorial rooms
Please do not leave your belongings
in them. If you need to use a room,
check with reception first.
Bean Bags
Bean bags have gone missing from
the learning lounge. Please be
mindful of others who need to use
them and return them.
Candles
If you have candles in your room
then you need to dispose of them
a.s.a.p. Our Fire Alarm records the
rooms that set the alarm off and
you don’t want to be responsible for
the $1300 call-out fee!
It’s never too late…
to make new friends.
They’re out there.
Waiting to connect with you.
In the end we’re left with our friends,
our loved ones and memories.
Keep your heart open to
new friendships.
Every new friend is a
new adventure…
Academic Formal Dinner 5 April
Our next Formal Dinner honours our residents and their academic
achievements. If you cannot attend, you need to send an email with a
valid reason to [email protected] by 9 am Monday
3rd April. Please also indicate whether you require a late meal . The
catering staff go to a huge amount of effort organising formal dinners,
so we are unable to cater for those who do not provide their apologies
and late meal request in writing and before 9 am Monday.
Ladies attending the formal dinner and requiring a vegetarian meal
will also need to provide their name to Julia before 9 am Monday. Only those people who have given their name to Julia will be catered for.
A reminder that Formal Dinners require respectful dinner etiquette –
appropriate dress (shorts and playsuits are not appropriate) and no
mobile phones.
Bullying
Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological aggressive behaviour by a person or group directed towards a less powerful
person or group that is intended to cause harm, distress or fear.
Duchesne College prides itself on being a caring, inclusive
community and behaviour of this nature is not tolerated. If
you see this kind of behaviour, be it on social media or in person,
please report it immediately.
From the Dean of Studies
A couple of things.
1.
Thérèse and Vanessa and I are enjoying our Progress Meetings with you, our exciting students; have you had your meeting yet? If not, our ideal is to have met with you
before Easter.
2.
All the Colleges try to get the best value for the money they spend, most of which was in effect yours or
your parents’/guardians’. One way to do this is by sharing tutorials, and some of you have already made excellent use of the tutes offered here at Duchesne. Since the budget for tutes is already covered via your fees,
it seems odd not to make use of them, especially because there is a strong degree of correlation between those students who perform poorly and those who fail to attend College tutes. Apart from the
absence of actual assessment, College tutes usually have one special difference from those at uni: you students set most/all of the agenda. It is therefore crucial that, whenever you can, you email the tutor – in advance – the questions you already know you want to ask. It is not reasonable to expect every tutor to be able
to answer every question on the spot.
I was a bit surprised recently to speak with two students who said they were unaware of our cooperative
tutes with Leo’s, John’s and Women’s, so here is some info. You are WELCOME to attend ANY tute offered
at ANY of our four Lakes Colleges, so just check the Google Calendar links I sent you on 27 February and
again a few days ago, click on the Agenda view at top right and search for what’s on offer. Actual course/
subject/unit offerings and timings may vary from time to time; the tutor may be sick or there may be a clash
with a Formal Dinner, so it’s a good idea to check just before you intend to arrive for the tute, to see whether
or not it’s still on. While even the combined resources of four Colleges do not permit tutes in all courses/
subjects/units, I will always try to find help for someone who asks for it, but I need to know a.s.a.p. Please
remember that getting reliable tutors can be a challenge; I regularly ask Course Coordinators for help but
some parts of the unis perceive a conflict of interest, so that approach does not always work; other CCs are
very helpful. And if you ever hear about a “good” tutor, please let me know and I’ll follow up
with them.
Best wishes…Denis
Meet… Joanna White
Born and bred in Brisbane with a stint in Cairns as a child. Jo studied at
UQ doing a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) and Bachelor
of Arts (French and Government). After graduation, she joined Rio Tinto
as a graduate Accountant and qualified as a CPA. Over 18 years with Rio
Tinto, she worked in various commercial roles in great locations like Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Salt Lake City, Singapore and central Qld’s Clermont and visited many of the operations and offices around the globe
(USA, Canada, Namibia, South Africa, London and Spain). Jo is a proud
mum to Millie the beagle. She loves to travel to interesting locations, catch
up with friends and her family, usually over food. She is a foodie so studied
a Graduate Diploma in Gastronomy with the University of Adelaide and Le
Cordon Bleu. After leaving Rio Tinto in 2013, Jo worked as the Store Manager of Chouquette, a beautiful French patisserie at New Farm in Brisbane.
She joined the Duchesne College team last September as Business Manager
and is enjoying the broad scope of her role with everything from oversight
of catering to managing the College Finances.
Flu Vaccinations
Free for residents, associates and staff in the RP
Seminar room. Sign up at Reception to ensure a spot
or drop in and wait at the following dates and times:
Tuesday 4th April 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday 11th April 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Tuesday 11th April 4:30pm - 5:30pm
RA Duty Roster
Saturday 1st April—Friday 7th April
The RA phone has changed! Please note the new number 0447
212 596
SAT
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
Sinead
Sinead
Sarah
Sarah
Sarah
Sarah
Sarah
UQ Security is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 3365 3333 in an emergency, or
3365 1234 for general enquiries.
Our Night Porters work 5– 11pm every evening. Their number is 0430 100 475
Quest Security work 11pm—6 am 7 days a week. Their number is 0449 726 710