May the Holy Spirit bless you and your family with joy,
love and peace this Christmas.
2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
ABSENTEE OFFICE
9409 6210
BUSINESS OFFICE
9409 6223
COLLEGE SHOP
9409 6256
MONTE.NSW.EDU.AU
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FROM THE PRINCIPAL 3
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL PASTORAL CARE 5
FROM THE HEAD OF HSIE
6
FROM THE HEAD OF SCIENCE
8
FROM THE IB MYP PROJECT LEADER
9
SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS
11
STUDENT SHOWCASE
14
SPORTS REPORT
16
MONTE NOTICES
21
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Congratulations to the students who received
major awards;
Senior School Blue and Blue Scholarship 2016/17:
Jen Fong /Madison Ueland (Two Scholarships Awarded)
Dux of Year 11 HSC Preliminary: Elyse Diamond
Dux of Year 11 IB DP: Louisa Canepa
Dux of Year 10: Madison Ueland
Middle School Dux of Year 9: Maddison Barraket
NICOLE CHRISTENSEN
Dux of Year 8: Melanie Brittain
Dux of Year 7: Lucia Bardetta
“‘Catherine McAuley had a dream.
We have the privilege of knowing it
We have the responsibility to understand it
We have the duty to protect it
We have the honour of living it”
Maria McGuiness RSM
Dear Parents and Friends of Monte,
W
e have had much to celebrate this year in what has been
an Extraordinary Year of Mercy.
As the academic year draws to a close I would like to
acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements,
contributions and commitment of all of our girls as they
continue to know, understand, protect and embrace the
dreams of Catherine McAuley.
This week our Senior and Middle School Awards Ceremonies
were a formal acknowledgment of the outstanding
achievements of our young Mercy women in their academic,
spiritual and cultural pursuits. Awards recognise the diversity
of student achievement and contribution – with an emphasis
on academic achievement.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this assembly was for
each of our girls to reflect on what they have learned this year
and to celebrate their personal triumphs, just as Catherine
McAuley and Elizabeth McQuoin asked their communities to
do. I wish for all our girls the opportunity to create the highest,
grandest vision possible for their life because I believe in the
saying: you become what you believe.
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
Congratulations to all of the award recipients and to every
student who gave her best. I encourage all our girls to be
the pioneers of this generation. May all our young women
resolve as Catherine McAuley did, to be good today and better
tomorrow.
Last Friday evening saw a celebratory assembly of a different
kind with our Year 12 girls, parents and carers joining together
for the much anticipated Year 12 Formal. In her final address,
Nadia Nero, Head of Year 12 championed for our young Mercy
graduands to continue to be empowered advocates for
change.
A path is made by walking it. Our graduands have the
knowledge, courage and vision to continue to walk their
personal path of Mercy and Justice
As this is the last Monte Matters for 2016, I take this opportunity
to thank our Monte Community, our parents and carers and
our staff who all walk beside our young Mercy women in
their journey. You are an amazingly dedicated group of Mercy
women and men and we are privileged to pioneer together as
a community.
I wish all families blessings and joy for the Christmas and
holiday period.
Every blessing to you all.
Mrs Nicole Christensen
Principal
PAGE / 3
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
SENIOR SCHOOL MASS
SENIOR SCHOOL MASS
DUX OF YEAR 11 IB DP LOUISA CANEPA, DUX OF YEAR 11 HSC
PRELIMINARY, ELYSE DIAMOND AND DUX OF YEAR 10, MADISON UELAND
BLUE AND BLUE SCHOLARS JEN FONG & MADISON UELAND
SENIOR SCHOOL MASS
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
DUX OF YEAR 8, MELANIE BRITTAIN, DUX OF YEAR 9,
MADDISON BARRAKET AND DUX OF YEAR 7, LUCIA BARDETTA
PAGE / 4
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL PASTORAL CARE
Jacqueline Magurren
Deputy Principal Pastoral Care
O
n occasions we struggle to curb the hypersexualization of
young women in our care. We fight against short College
uniforms, fake tan and excessive makeup as our lives begin to
look more like a music video and less like reality. As adults, we
grew up with boundaries, teachings from our elders, handing
down of stories and rituals. Yet young women across the world
today are bombarded far more than ever before by imagery
and stories of the ‘ab-normal’, the surreal, the unattainable,
therefore developing a distorted reality on what women
should be, the way that women should act, the type of person
that people will ‘Like’. This is confusing for our youth and the
fact is that this is far from reality. The lack of respect that
some youth have for themselves and their bodies is at times
alarming and the frankness that they share with a complete
stranger online, disturbing. When every meal, moment and
action is to be captured on Instagram, Facebook or blogged
about, when do our minds ever find peace and we get to live
in the present and enjoy the moment without judgment or the
need for approval?
Spending precious time with our families and loved ones over
this Christmas break, and shutting out those distractions of
our work, our online profile and the expectations on ourselves
to have something better than before, is what is important. To
practice mindfulness and be present with one another, break
bread, celebrate what life has given us in copious amounts,
is vital. Remember those who have left this life only to be
welcomed by the Lord in so many ways and give thanks for the
loving moments and memories we shared with them.
At this time of Christmas may the blessing of peace, hope,
love and joy be with you all and bring with it a time of renewal,
release and reconciliation to your lives.
Jacqueline Magurren
Deputy Principal Pastoral Care
Prayer is part of our faith, our journey, our way of life, and for
some a form of prayer has transformed into Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the action of living in the present and enjoying
what that moment has to offer, savoring each ‘mouthful’,
as it was, with slow breathing, being conscious of one’s
surroundings, slowing the heart rate, and enjoying the
company that you are with or the contentment you have. In
this moment of mindfulness our brains become more creative
and our thought processes start to change from the fixed
to a growth mindset. Research across the global has shown
the benefits of mindfulness and positive psychology on the
brains of our youth. To train young brains to always think in the
positive, shutting out the abnormal, the fear of missing out,
or the seeking of others approval, and moving their thought
processes into the positive their brain performs significantly
better than it does in the negative, neutral or stressed. With
this understanding and sense of positivity and ‘happiness’
comes the realisation of gratitude.
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 5
FROM THE HEAD OF HSIE
Debra Kidd
Head of HSIE
National Curriculum Geography
(begins in 2017)
The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards
NSW (BOSTES) have developed a number of new syllabuses
over the past few years as part of the national approach to
Australian curriculum content in Years K-10, and the Melbourne
Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians (2008).
In HSIE the first of these syllabuses, History, was implemented
into Years 7 & 9 in 2014, and into Years 8 &10 in 2015. Next
year will mark the first Year 10 cohort to have successfully
completed the new history course throughout Yrs. 7-10.
BOSTES has now approved the teaching of a new Geography
Curriculum, a course also offered by the HSIE Department
at the College, and this course will commence in 2017. The
Geography specialists in the department are excited by
this opportunity to develop new Teaching and Learning
programmes and also have carried out a survey of students
currently in Years 7-10 to cater for student input into the
direction of these new courses. The new Geography Courses
will be implemented into Years 7 & 9 in 2017, and into Years 8
& 10 in 2018.
These new courses are significantly different to previous
state-based courses and thereby will require new Geography
Textbooks for students. All new student resources have been
listed on Campion Education booklists and unfortunately this
means that the purchase of second-hand books will not be
available or appropriate for the two year groups mentioned
in 2017. The teachers of Geography have selected textbooks
to be listed that will be used for both years involved in the
stage, that is Stage 4 (7 & 8) and Stage 5(9 & 10), so additional
textbooks will not be required to be purchased in Years 8&10
for these students.
“The best teachers are
those that show you
where to look but don’t
tell you what to see.”
Alexandra K. Trenfor
NSW Schools Constitutional
Convention 2016
Each year NSW Parliament House invites one Year 11 student
from all schools in NSW to participate in a Constitutional
Convention related to a topic/issue concerning democracy,
civics and citizenship in Australia. The focus of this year’s
convention was “Referendums and Plebiscites”, and Adelaide
Holm was the student who submitted the most comprehensive
and impressive argument to represent the College at this
event. We commend Adelaide on taking on this challenge and
congratulate Adelaide on her successful selection to represent
NSW at the National Schools Constitutional Convention to be
held in Canberra in Term 1 2017.
“I was invited to attend the New South Wales Schools Constitutional
Convention at Parliament House on the 7th of November. This event
was run by the Parliament of NSW, who selected 150 students from
across the state to participate in discussions about referendums
and plebiscites. We had the fantastic opportunity to hear from
Professor Anne Twomey, a Professor of Constitutional Law at
Sydney Law School and Director of Constitutional Reform Unit at
Sydney Law School. She discussed past referendums and plebiscites
and how they can affect both society and the government. We then
split into smaller groups and discussed three past referendums and
plebiscites, allowing us to meet people from across the state and
hear their opinions. We shared the information we found through
our individual research and responded to questions about why
referendums have occurred and how they may affect society today.
Everyone then came together for the delegates to the National
Constitutional Convention to be announced. I was lucky enough to
be among the 30 students selected to represent New South Wales
at the convention next year, which will be held in Canberra. I am
looking forward to taking part in this convention, as this was an
extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience that I am excited to
take part in again.”
Adelaide Holm Yr. 11 2016
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 6
FROM THE HEAD OF HSIE
Year 11 Business Mini Market
The Year 11 Business Studies students demonstrated their
knowledge and understanding of the coursework of business
by hosting a mini-market day. This required them to apply
the skills of setting up a new start-up company, designing a
product (food) and selling to the target market, students and
staff at Monte. Some groups researched into current trends
in food service presentation e.g. donuts with syringes of
additional chocolate, or, they were heavily laden with lollies/
sweets. Other groups looked into traditional fast foods with
a twist e.g. kebabs, hamburgers, toasties or burritos. A few
groups focused on the slow food phenomena e.g. homebaked cookies/brownies, or, yoghurt and acai food bowls. The
students are to be congratulated on their efforts. Through their
passion for this activity they raised $1,199 in profit, which they
donated to Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in
Humans (ACRATH). Thereby showing a deeper understanding
of the corporate social responsibility displayed by businesses
in the real world. This activity was superbly organised and
managed by Mrs Louisa Parrish with the support of Mr Lasto
and Mr Blackmore.
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 7
FROM THE HEAD OF SCIENCE
Paul Wacher
Head of Science
D
uring semester 2 a small group of girls worked on an
extension program with Mr Tenzing. The report below
outlines what was done.
Midway into Term 3 a group of seven Year 10 students
embarked on a unique science project designed to extend
and encourage their learning in STEM (science, technology,
engineering and maths). The initiative was constructed to
provide a realistic experience of the complex and challenging
realities in undertaking a rigorous, scientific experiment, in
this case a marine based investigation into the ecology of a
tidal algae in an era of climate change.
With the close support and expertise of our laboratory
technician Julia Fracala, the students and myself dove headlong
into the task with enthusiasm and curiosity, developing the
resilience necessary when working with live organisms and
navigating the challenges involved in carrying out logistically
difficult procedures. Advanced laboratory techniques,
microscopy and biological statistics are just a few examples of
the skills introduced during this program.
In a nutshell, the team aimed to extract eggs and sperm
from seaweed species (Neptune’s Necklace), combine them
together and then observe rates of fertilisation under different
levels of ocean acidification. The students discovered that
fertilisation rate was affected by acidity in the initial stages of
the experiment but that this influence was lessened after a
given time period had passed (approximately two hours).
Upon conclusion of the program our newly seasoned ecologists
had gained a sense of both the intricacies and rewards of
undertaking research in science. They are to be commended
for their determination, persistence and teamwork over the
last two terms and the Science department hopes to provide
similar opportunities for buddying Monte researchers in the
future.
Thanks to Mr Tenzing and Ms Fracala for the efforts
they have put into this ground breaking research.
Paul Wacher
Head of Science
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 8
FROM THE IB MYP PROJECT LEADER
Catherine Mulvenna
IB MYP Project Leader
November 2016 Knowledgeable
and Thinkers
Throughout this year, Year 7 students have been working
on development of the IB Learner Profile attributes. The
Learner Profile contains ten attributes, development of
which will propel students on their journey to becoming
life-long learners. The attributes imply a commitment to
help all members of the school community learn to respect
themselves, others and the world around them.
The attribute of being a Thinker is an important aspect of the
IB programs, and an essential ‘takeaway’ skill. Thinkers exercise
initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to
recognise and approach complex problems, and to make wellconsidered and ethical decisions.
Year 7 have had daily opportunities throughout the year to
actively develop their thinking skills, through subject specific
contexts and in co-curricular opportunities such as the
DaVinci Decathlon.
At the beginning of November, the focus was on IB Learners as
Knowledgeable. They explore concepts, ideas and issues that
have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire indepth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad
and balanced range of disciplines.
The following students were recognised by their tutor and
team teachers as students who have clearly demonstrated
the ‘Thinker’ attribute.
This attribute was a nice one to focus on as year 7 reach the
end of their first year of their MYP (and high-school) journey.
Throughout the year students have delved into new subjects,
new ways of learning, new ways of communicating, new
skills, and with incredibly positive attitudes that carried them
through. At the end of such a big year, it is with great delight
that we can recognise the acquisition of such knowledge.
Thinker
Congratulations to:
Congratulations to:
Cooper: Josie Carlile, Emma Renouf
Gilchrist: Poppy Smith, Emilia Cimino
Kirk: Annabelle Chick, Raquelle Stramandinoli
Martin: Tarah Hall, Nicki Young
Price: Alexia Imbriotis, Anna Mauleon
Knowledgeable
Cooper: Sarah Larkey Eloise Parker
Gilchrist: Rebecca Adams, Ruby Rivers
Kirk: Zara Milani, Bridget O’Sullivan
Martin: Angie Taylor, Alex Rae
Price: Natasha Hill, Elsie Watson-Clarke
Richardson: Lucy Barrie, Isabelle Cook
Treanor: Sophie Walsh, Grace Bruce
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
Richardson: Claire Crotty, Amalia Hedley
Treanor: Ruby Quoyle, Rose Kinsella
We hope the focus on the Learner Profile this year will set
the students up to successfully navigate through the rest of
their high-school journey of learning! We wish to also extend
congratulations to the rest of the year 7 cohort, as they have
worked consistently throughout the year to develop their
learning attributes in their own way.
Catherine Mulvenna
IB MYP Project Leader
PAGE / 9
FROM THE IB MYP PROJECT LEADER
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 10
SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS
Sister Lecia Coombe RSM
17: 22) how they survive: “A merry heart doeth good like a
medicine. A broken heart drieth the bones.” Could we try this
medicine too?
Please put aside quiet time when you can, to share your thanks
Dear Readers,
T
hese are my last “Thoughts” for this year. I have enjoyed
writing them each week, and I trust you have found
something of interest in them. I had no special plan, other than
to make the best of the time we’ve shared, by nourishing our
spiritual needs.
It is impossible to separate soul and body. Our bodies are
the earthly home of our eternal spirits. One cannot flourish
without the other. Briefly put, “We are spiritual beings who
happen to live in a human body.” Yet often we are tempted to
neglect our spiritual needs.
Congratulations on completing another short year! You have
endured it with faith, perseverance and joy. No matter what
the perils are, we can still be glad. Yesterday I listened to two
lovely young women from Kiribas sharing their deep and
troubling fears for their island home on the Equator. They
told us in beautiful harmony (song lyrics inspired by Proverbs
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
and your cares and worries with the Lord: Birthday Greetings
to Jesus, that The Holy Family will cherish.
I leave you now with my “Farewell to The Year of 2016”, and wish
each of you “a merry heart”, until “Monte Matters” connects us
again.
Sr Lecia RSM
Happy
Christmas
PAGE / 11
SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS
FAREWELL TO THE YEAR OF 2016
By Lecia S. Coombe
God’s Earth, our Home, is beset with strife,
And millions now must flee to a safer life.
The Great Year of Mercy is now History:
Let’s make it more than a memory,
Have Mercy inform our Service plan
For the betterment of every future clan.
If we leave our niche after many good years,
We need another to allay our fears.
We’ve all lost loved ones- a grief unmeasured,
Yet others come and make us feel treasured.
Life goes on, with sorrow and joy combined
In patterns that seem wondrously aligned.
Time is short, with so much to be done:
How can we cope? Some say: “Tis time for fun!”
Is it also time to seek strength elsewhere?
The Lord’s yoke is easy! He really does care!
God, help us do the things that matter
And leave the rest for The Four Winds to scatter.
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 12
STUDENT SHOWCASE
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 13
STUDENT SHOWCASE
Halogen Foundation “Imagination”
leadership day
On Friday 25th November, the Monte Senior Leadership team
attended the Halogen Foundation’s “Imagination” leadership
day for secondary schools. The day consisted of a wide range
of speakers including director of “Imagination” Samantha
Skinner, journalist Melissa Doyle, champion skateboarder
Poppy Starr, artist Abdul Abdullah and Alex Malley, author
of The Naked CEO. It was an insightful day, with the speakers
giving us many ideas about reflecting our core values in our
everyday actions, and most of all, leading by example. Alex
Malley was a favourite, reminding us to reach our potential
whilst remaining true to ourselves, as he reflected on his
journey from being a disruptive, suspended school student to
becoming the CEO of a major accounting firm. It was a great
excursion for us to end the year with and reflect on how we
can continue achieving our leadership goals in 2017. Thank
you to Mrs Dench, Mr Parrish, Mrs Morgan and Mrs Di Sano
for accompanying us to Homebush for a fantastic day.
Ines Paxton
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 14
SPORTS REPORT
SPORTS REPORT
Stuart Hanrahan
Sports Program Manager
Touch Football Grand Finals
Six Monte teams played in Touch Grand Finals last Saturday
morning at Queens Park. Monte 1 were outstanding in their
match against Reddam House. Standout performances from
Year 11 students Emma Smith and Harriet Phelps (Emma
screeched away for a length of the field intercept try right
before half time) saw the scores locked at 2-2 at the half and
then at 4-4 at the end of regular time. This meant drop off
starting with 5 versus 5 and reducing every 2 minutes until
there are 3 on 3. Monte scored what looked to be the winning
try in the first minute of drop off only to be called back thanks
to a last ditch dive from Reddam touching Emma on the foot
before she crossed the line. Reddam later worked their way up
the field and our tired defence could not hold them out and
they went on to win 5-4. Monte 1 were valiant in defeat and
look forward to getting back into it next term. Unfortunately,
it will be unlikely they are able to extract revenge against
Reddam who used a number of finishing year 12 students to
bolster their team this term.
I am extremely happy to report however that Monte Touch is
in great shape moving forward with our top 3 year 7 teams
all recording victories. Monte 15, 16 and 17 flew the flag on
Saturday with fantastic wins in the 7A, 7B and 7C divisions.
Well played to our other Monte year 7 team Monte 19 and our
other Senior Team Monte 9 who lost hard fought matches.
Congratulations to the following students:
Kate Ryan Best and Fairest for Senior Division A
Joanna Richards Best and Fairest for Senior Division H
Grace Callanan
Best and Fairest for Year 7 Division C
Sara Ryan Player of the Match – Year 7A Grand Final
Bianca Jom Player of the Match – Year 7B Grand Final
HKDTA Tennis
Monte teams have been playing in the HKDTA Tennis
competition this term and have unfortunately encountered
a few wash outs. As a result, we replayed the washed out
round 2 on 19th November and round 5 last Saturday in lieu
of playing finals this year. Final placings were determined by
finishing position on the ladder.
Congratulations to:
Monte 1
2nd Place Senior B
Monte 2 2nd Place Senior E
Monte 3 Champions Senior F
Monte 4 2nd Place Senior H
Monte 5 2nd Place Senior I
Monte 10 2nd Place Junior E
Monte 11 Champions Junior G
Monte 12 2nd Place Junior H
Unfortunately, due the late notification of scores from some
schools the trophies were not able to be collected before
school finishes. All students who won or were runners up can
collect them at the beginning of Term 1 from the Sports Office.
Water Polo
The 2016 IGSSA Water Polo competition changed to a ‘first
past the post’ format this year as the finals were discarded in
an effort to get the girls as much water polo time as possible.
A couple of our teams were the recipients of some harsh
grading at the beginning of the year including Monte 1. These
girls suffered some tough and large losses in the Senior 1
division but played the season out in true Monte spirit never
giving up.
Congratulations to Monte 4 who finished 1st in Division Junior
3 and Monte 6 who finished 3rd in Division Junior 7. All teams
have been re-set for Term 1 due to age group changes and
players and families will be contacted in January with team and
draw information for the Term 1 Easts competition.
Basketball
Monte entered 4 basketball teams this term in the Santa
Sabina Competition. Congratulations to Monte 2 & 4 who
were crowned champions, Monte 3 who were runners up and
Monte 1 who had a great time this season winning their first
match last Saturday.
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 16
SPORTS REPORT
Volleyball
Six volleyball teams have been participating in the Santa
Sabina competition this Term. A big shout out to retiring Junior
Representative team coach Mr Marshall Leaver who is retiring
from Monte this year. Mr Leaver has been coaching volleyball
at Monte since well before any of the current students were
born and will be greatly missed.
Congratulations to Monte 1 who defeated the hosts Santa
Sabina in Open Division 1, the combination of Monte 2 and 3
girls who played in the Open Plate Division final won against
Rosebank school and Monte 6 (our year 7 team) who won the
top Year 7 Division.
Last Saturday was finals day for all the volleyball girls competing
in the Santa Sabina competition. All the Monte teams were in
action and it was great to see the competitiveness of all the
teams, despite a season that was shortened by rain. The girls
in Monte 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 all played really well, with Monte 2 and
4 both securing silver. Monte 5 had a very fun and enjoyable
season, and Monte 6, playing in their first competition ever,
managed to win the comp and come away with a gold medal.
A great result.
Monte 1 also finished the day with a gold medal. In a
competition usually dominated by the Santa Sabina number
one team, the win by Monte 1 was just fantastic. Monte 3 did
very well throughout the season and greatly contributed to
Monte 2’s success by playing up numerous times.
Throughout Term 4 every girl played her best and is to be
congratulated for her effort, sportsmanship and team spirit.
Charlotte Lloyd
Volleyball Captain 2016/17
Farewell
It has come time for me to ‘hang up my Monte boots’, ‘pull
up stumps’ and for the ‘final hooter to sound’ on my time at
Monte. I have been thinking a great deal over the last few
weeks about what I would write in my final newsletter article.
I have spent a large period of my life here at Monte with some
significant life events cropping up along the way. Both of my
children were born whilst I was here – many of you have met
Jesse and Kali either at school or on the side of a sporting field.
I look forward to wearing a parent ‘cap’ when Kali starts here
in 2025. I managed to complete my Masters in Law during my
tenure here and was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme
Court of NSW a couple of years ago with the help of a couple
of Monte parents. I also lost my father who fought a long battle
with bi-polar but am extremely grateful for the care, love and
support that I received from the Monte community during this
time.
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
I will forever be thankful to Ms Alcock for giving me the
opportunity to work at this wonderful school some nine years
ago. Her vision at the time was to separate PDHPE and sport in
an effort to allow the teachers to focus on curriculum and the
sports department to concentrate on delivering professionally
managed and quality sporting opportunities. Ms Alcock, Mrs
Christensen and Ms MaGurren have been tremendously
supportive in our efforts to drive the ‘Sport for All’ philosophy
that underpins this diverse and worthwhile program.
The staff in the Monte sports office are among the best in this
industry and I can say that having worked closely with other
Heads of Sport throughout IGSSA and CGSSSA over the years.
They are dedicated, professional and above all, have the best
interests of the young women at this school at the forefront of
everything that they do. Thank you Liz, Tania, Matt, Katie and
Lauren – you giving your best every day has ensured that this
program will continue to flourish into the future.
I have received an enormous amount of support from the
parents at the school and always tried my hardest to adopt
the motto ‘assume positive intent’ when we may not have seen
eye to eye on things. I am thankful to you all and to those who
have offered their best wishes since hearing of my departure.
The girls at this school are beyond wonderful. The fact that
so many make the choice to be involved in sport and physical
activity here at the school is a testament to their inclusive
nature, school spirit and willingness to have a go. I will truly
miss watching them at sport but my fierce loyalty will always
ensure that there is a piece of ‘Mary’s Mantle Blue’ in me as I
watch on (in some cases from not too far away).
I am extremely proud of the work that the various teams that
I have led over the years have managed to accomplish during
this time. The #ITSOK2PLAY campaign was a magnificent
initiative that has even been lauded by the board at the
Australian Sports Commission. It has certainly played its part
in the fact that over 150 of the 200 Year 7 students starting
in 2017 are already enrolled in Monte sports teams for Term
1. The opportunity for year 7 to play team sports in Term 1
was only made possible 4 years ago and has now grown to
see them playing touch, tennis and water polo on their first
weekend of high school.
Monte swimming carnivals under the harbour bridge are a sight
to see and something I will never forget. Coming from a co-ed
school background meant that I had no real understanding
of school-girl cheering and spirit and so was soon schooled
in ‘Who’s got Spirit? – We’ve got spirit yes we do – we’ve got
spirit how about you?’. The Monte athletics carnivals are the
distinct opposite where for a 3-hour period during the day the
grand stand is completely empty as students get in and have
a go at various traditional athletic events and non-traditional
games. The invitational 100m sprint that pits the fastest 8 girls
in the school (run in front of the entire student body) is a true
highlight.
PAGE / 17
SPORTS REPORT
Participation is at an all-time high led by the record 53 netball
teams and 27 Touch Football teams that took to the arena in
2016. I am particularly proud of the development of the Alumni
coaches. In 2016 over 55 of our coaches were alumni and that
looks set to rise in 2017 with a number of year 12 students
already contacting me to express interest. We have also
expanded the sports in which student coaches can become
involved. In 2016 current students coached teams in Aerobics,
Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Touch Football and Water Polo.
The College invests significantly in coach education and
training and this is having an obvious effect on the quality of
coaching our girls receive as well as the development of the
‘Monte’ sports culture.
Our netball umpiring program is the envy of schools and clubs
alike. Almost 40 students have earned National Badge status
in the past 3 years and in 2016 those students were recognised
with a special Monte uniform which they now wear with pride
at the Willoughby courts. Monte is currently providing umpires
for almost 100 games per week during the season. This term
Monte provided student umpires at the Easts Touch Football
Competition for the first time ever with 12 girls blowing their
whistles at the Saturday morning competition.
YEAR 7 PLAYER OF THE MATCH WINNERS SARA RYAN AND BIANCA JOM
For a school that does not offer any sort of sporting scholarship
and where participation is voluntary we punch way above our
weight in terms of representative achievement. I have been
privileged to watch our elite and emerging athletes in a variety
of sports over the years and their level of success has been
phenomenal.
My immense passion for sport at this school means that I could
go on and on and on and on…….. so I will pack up my kit bag
now by sharing with you a little secret about me – I am a really
bad loser – hate it with a passion – it is the competitor in me
without doubt. I hope I have always hidden it well. With that
though comes the realisation that I am an excellent winner!
Happiest winner you will ever see.
MONTE 17 YEAR 7C DIVISION CHAMPIONS
If you haven’t noticed I try to sign off each week with a quote
of some description. I actually ask the outgoing sports captain
to do one for the Angelus each year so you will see one from
Mia Duggan when the 2016 edition comes out next year. My
final one is:
“Play your role no-matter what it may be. As a player play your
role by taking responsibility for being at matches and training
on time and being ready to play and give your best effort. As a
supporter play your role by being positive and encouraging to
all and remember you are watching children play sport where
the end result really doesn’t matter in the overall scheme of life.
As an umpire play your role by treating everyone with respect
and doing your best to make each call as you see it regardless
of what you may hear from others who are involved”
Stuart Hanrahan
Sports Program Manager
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
MONTE 16 DIVISION 7B CHAMPIONS
PAGE / 18
SPORTS REPORT
KATE RYAN SENIOR A DIVISION MVP
GRACE CALLAHAN YEAR 7C DIVISION MVP
SOPHIE DUCZMAL MVP FOR YEAR 7C GRAND FINAL MATCH
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 19
MONTE NOTICES
MONTE NOTICES
From the College Shop
In the coming week the shop will be closed for stocktake
on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th November.
The College shop will be open 7:30 till 1:30 on Wednesday
30th November and Thursday 1st December.
Drop in to have a look or call for more information
9409 6256.
Time to plan for 2017
Stationery packs for year 8, 9 and 10 have arrived into the
shop and are available to purchase.
Thank you to our generous parent volunteers, who not
only gave of their time but all went out of their way to
welcome our new Year 7’s to the Monte with Joy and
enthusiasm. It has been an energised and very happy 3
weeks in the shop, and our new students and their families
will warmly remember the lovely welcome they received.
Did you know the College shop sells Monte Memorabilia.
We have umbrellas, picnic rugs, coffee mugs, notebooks
and pens to name a few. Do you have an Alumni in the
family who would love a Monte Memento for Christmas?
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
PAGE / 21
MONTE NOTICES
INSIGHTS
Building parent-school partnerships
Earning
the right
WORDS Michael Grose
Earning the right and not assuming a sense of entitlement is a life lesson
parents, teachers and coaches must instil in children.
On talk-back radio recently I heard a caller tell
a timely story about how as a child she was
lucky enough to receive riding lessons from a
renowned horse expert.
He had one condition. She had to earn
the right to be taught to ride a horse. That
meant she had to muck out the stables; brush
and feed the horse; look after the gear and
do everything else required to look after a
horse. Only when she’d proved herself could
she earn the right to ride a horse under his
tutelage.
This caller said this powerful lesson shaped
her entire life. It taught her that there were no
entitlements in life; to work hard and value
her achievements. She never took anything
for granted.
Contrast this with the extraordinary sense
of entitlement of Australian tennis players
Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic who routinely
treat the public, players and the game that
serves them well, with utter disdain. Their
attitude of entitlement is mind-boggling, not
to say embarrassing to reasonable-minded,
hard-working people.
Our kids should earn the right
The talk-back caller’s earning the right story is
a fabulous lesson for all parents and teachers.
If we want to raise a generation to appreciate
what they have, then we shouldn’t give
children or young people everything on a
platter. In an era of small families, child pester
power and relative affluence it’s tempting to
simply give kids what they want.
“Dad, can I have a…?”
“Sure!”
The Rolling Stones were right four decades
ago when they sang, “You can’t always get
what you want!” Those words form a great
child-rearing lesson. That is, just because you
can provide something for your kids, doesn’t
mean that you do.
They need to earn the right to have
something by saving, working for or
simply waiting until they are old enough to
appreciate it.
Similarly, kids don’t automatically have a
right to greater freedoms such as going out
at night; those rights need to be earned by
proving they are trustworthy.
Also, kids who think they are entitled to
use a part of the house such as a living room
without cleaning up mess are acting with a
false sense of entitlement.
In fact, there are no entitlements, only
rights. And rights are earned by being
responsible.
A child has a right to use the living room but
they also have a responsibility to clean up a
rather than leave it a pigsty. A night banished
to their room is a reminder that spending time
in the living room is not an entitlement. It’s a
right that comes with conditions.
Earning the right! A simple phrase with so
much complexity.
I suspect it’s a phrase that neither Nick
Kyrgios or Bernard Tomic heard much when
they were growing up. Maybe their parents
thought their prodigious talents excused
them from having conditions placed upon
them. If so, they did them no favours as good
manners, gratitude and graciousness appear
to be lacking in their social repertoires.
It usually takes a parent, teacher or coach to
remind kids that they have to earn the right to
have things, to do things and ultimately to be
respected. That’s a lesson that stays for life.
Michael Grose
Want more ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient young people? Subscribe to Happy Kids
newsletter, my FREE weekly email parenting guide at parentingideas.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did.
parentingideas.com.au
MONTE MATTERS 2 DECEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 8
© 2016 Michael Grose
PAGE / 22