COMMUNITY SPIRIT: A PLACE TO STAND AND BELONG
MONTE MATTERS
4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4 WEEK 4
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FROM THE PRINCIPAL 3
FROM THE HEAD OF GIFTED AND TALENTED 4
FROM THE HEAD OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE 5
SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS
6
SPORTS REPORT
8
STUDENT SHOWCASE
11
PARENTS’ & FRIENDS’ REPORT
14
MONTE NOTICES
16
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
NICOLE CHRISTENSEN
“Give me a place to
stand, and I will move
the world”
Archimedes
Dear Parents and Friends of Monte,
C
atherine McAuley made a major contribution to
Community building through the education system that
she pioneered. In her book ‘Tender Mercy’, Joanne Regan RSM
says, like Catherine McAuley: “we have a social responsibility
for each other.”
Extensive social science research has shown that community
involvement provides a positive platform for building school
cultures, supporting and encouraging student development
and enhancing student academic achievement.
This week I would like to acknowledge the contributions of
our extraordinary Monte Community. We are blessed to have
enormous family and community participation and support
with hundreds volunteering their time each year in order to
sustain and strengthen our College community.
The Mercy Spirit connecting our students, community and our
dedicated College staff is palpable.
In closing, I would like to share with you a short video taken
at our Mercy Day celebrations this year which recognizes the
extraordinary contributions made by 19 long serving members
of the College staff.
Archimedes, the great Greek mathematician, says, “Give me a
place to stand, and I will move the world.”
At Monte, I believe each of us stands in that place of possibility.
Our strong community spirit offers a sense of belonging and
space to all.
We pray that all members of our community experience the
warmth and sense of belonging that is at the heart of our
Mercy and Monte Spirit.
God Bless
Mrs Nicole Christensen
Principal
Throughout the year our parent volunteers support and
organise many of the extra- curricular activities including:
Friends of Debating, Friends of Performing Arts, Sports,
Fundraising, Committee and Advisory Groups, Year Social
events, Alumni, Archives and more. We are very grateful for
this collaborative strength.
Last Friday, our Parents and Friends Association held their
annual Golf Day. This week, the P&F Melbourne Cup Day was
another huge success and on Friday the P&F are hosting our
Staff Appreciation Drinks at the College.
I would like to extend a warm invitation to all our volunteers to
a special Appreciation Morning Tea to be held on Wednesday,
23 November from 10 am, on the front lawn of Casey Cottage
(The Development Office, 11 McLaren St).
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
CELEBRATING MERCY DAY IN THE JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY 2016
PAGE / 3
FROM THE HEAD OF GIFTED AND TALENTED
Lauren James
Head of Gifted and Talented
FPS Nationals student report
Jordan and Zoe, Year 8
I
t’s not the destination, but the journey… And what a journey
it was! Earlier this term, I had the pleasure of travelling to
the National Finals of the Future Problem Solving Australia
competition with Miss Simone Polly and our successful middle
years team of Jordan Parsons, Zoe Cobcroft, Natalia Toh and
Sophie Quoyle.
Whilst we were not mentally prepared for the 2 hour taxi
journey from Melbourne Airport to our finals venue of Nossal
High School in Berwick, the students were more than ready
for the challenge of the competition. The scenario presented
to the girls to solve involved a future where worker’s rights
had been severely eroded due to the ubiquity of online access
to a workforce increasingly in competition with each other. It
was fascinating to hear the solutions developed by students
from primary to senior school, who were all confidently able to
tackle such a complex problem.
In October 14-16, we went to Melbourne for a Future Problem
Solving (FPS) National Finals competition. On the first day
we took a taxi to Nossal High School, Berwick. The opening
ceremony commenced and we, along with 57 other schools
from across Australia, listened as each school was called and
a personal team flag shown. After the opening ceremony, we
were given dinner, before heading to our hotel on the third
taxi of the day. On the second day of the competition, we were
given our scenario and spent 2 hours working on our booklet,
which was the main part of the competition. We also scripted
and performed our final solution which was then judged as a
mini-competition. On the third day we got our results, however
unfortunately we didn’t place. Overall, the experience was
very beneficial to the development of our problem solving
and critical thinking skills and well as our ability to collaborate
and work in a team. We had a lot of fun and are very eager to
continue doing FPS and strive to get back to Nationals again
next year.
Our team performed commendably despite not receiving a
coveted invite to the International Conference in Wisconsin.
Miss Polly and I were incredibly proud of the girls throughout
the weekend, particularly for their efforts presenting their
action plan – a dramatic endeavour that involved costumes,
humour and even a little singing!
Congratulations to all of the students who participated in FPS
2016, training weekly to develop their skills in this challenging
program:
Year 8 Emma Brown, Zoe Cobcroft, Juliette Dwyer, Lily Duczmal
and Jordan Parsons
Year 9 Eloise Chang-Hunter, Adelaide Hayes, Grace Marks,
Olivia Morahan, Sophie Quoyle, Natalia Toh, Isabella Woods
and Sascha Zenari
Year 10 Lara Cole, Jasmine Chuawiwat, Georgia Cooper, Eve
Gaha, Jacqueline Fai, Christine Ha, Sophia Jia, Chantelle Owen
and Emily Smelt.
We look forward to 2017 (despite the fact that nationals
are “only” being held at Knox Grammar!) and the continued
success of our Monte girls.
NATALIA, JORDAN, ZOE AND SOPHIE
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
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FROM THE HEAD OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Andrew Young
Head of Music Performance
T
his past week we held our annual Music Camp Concert in
the ACC Theatre. The concert was an incredible showcase of
the depth of talent we have here at the College. Some highlights
from the concert included an inaugural performance by Staff
Choir supported by the Monte College Choir, performances by
Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Guitar Ensemble, Symphony
Orchestra and Monte Singers. Our concert grand finale of
Stephen Schwartz’s Highlights from Wicked featured all 170
girls. This was an incredible achievement by our students
and their dedicated teachers. A big congratulations to all the
students and staff who made this night a great showcase of
the girls’ talents!
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
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SR LECIA’S THOUGHTS
Sister Lecia Coombe RSM
THE AUSTRALIAN MERCY SISTERS
Dear Readers,
“If this is God’s work, it
will succeed; if it is not,
the sooner it falls to the
ground the better!”
L
ike others who have asked recently, you too may be
interested in a brief exploration of the current situation of
our Mercy Sisters.
When Catherine McAuley began our Institute in Dublin in
1831, her Sisters were in great demand. However, her ten new
foundations had necessarily to become self-supporting. Rapid
expansions everywhere followed this same pattern. That
explains why Mercy communities world-wide, though claiming
the same Foundress and Rule, were separate entities.
By the mid twentieth century, befitting the times, Australian
Mercy communities began to unite. Eventually we all belonged
to one of seventeen Congregations, which finally became part
of a body known as “The Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of
Australia” (ISMA), though governance was still effectively in the
hands of the Leaders of the seventeen Congregations.
In keeping with Vatican Directives, the new Millennium saw
a strong move towards a substantial entity, with its own
leadership powers. The next ten years were ones of intensive
enquiry and preparation for a fully united body.
Each Congregation was asked to cast a deciding vote.
(Meanwhile Papua – New Guinea became our eighteenth
Congregation.) Fifteen Congregations opted to join “The Sisters
of Mercy of Australia and Papua –New Guinea ” (ISMAPNG for
short) which was inaugurated on 12thDecember, 2011.
The Sisters best known and loved by Monte - The North
Sydney Sisters of Mercy - voted, for their own good reasons, to
remain as they were. However, twenty- three Sisters, including
our dear Sister Maureen, used their individual right to join
ISMAPNG, believing it the best thing to do. The Parramatta and
Brisbane Congregations likewise voted to remain independent,
but inevitably lost some Sisters to ISMAPNG.
Today, there are Four Congregations of Australian Mercies,
each with a vital link to Mercy International. All four share the
same Mercy values and continue working with one another in
our common Mission of Mercy. Like Catherine, we could say, “If
this is God’s work, it will succeed; if it is not, the sooner it falls
to the ground the better!”
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
I find being a member of ISMAPNG challenging but rewarding.
We have been blest with inspirational leaders who have also
engaged expert lay people to help ISMAPNG prosper. At the
present time, we are diligently preparing for Chapter, which will
set our future directions.
Acknowledged or not, these last five years have been a source
of personal loss and grief to every Sister, regardless of whether
she trustingly followed the tide or conscientiously resisted it.
Imagine, for one example, the great sadness of those who
have lost so many of their treasured Sisters. Yet our wounds
will be healed by the Mercy of God, for Whom alone we go
forward or stay back.
Please pray for the Sisters, especially that our combined
engagement in the Mercy International Reflection Process
(MIRP) may yield good fruit.
May each of you, also, experience the tender Mercy of God
this week, and be strengthened by the memory of our dear
departed, All Saints and All Souls.
Until next time, I wish you every blessing!
Sr Lecia RSM
PAGE / 6
SPORTS REPORT
SPORTS REPORT
Stuart Hanrahan
Sports Program Manager
Sports Awards Dinner
Award winners for the dinner have for the most part been
finalised this week and as such all award winners and their
parents received an email with a specific invitation to the
event. The following awards are presented on the evening:
Coach’s Award – each club team coach is asked to nominate
a student from their team to receive an award. The reasons
behind the award are solely left to the discretion of the
coach and include training and match day punctuality and
attendance, teamwork, skill development and commitment.
They are not necessarily presented to the best player in the
team.
Encouragement Award – coaches have the ability to nominate
students from their team for an encouragement award if they
feel that there are players who are deserving. There are usually
a handful of encouragement awards for each sport.
Player of the Year – a player of the year award is presented
to exceptional students from each sport. In larger sports they
are split into Junior, Intermediate and Senior and in netball into
age divisions.
Excellence is Sport Awards – elite athletes who have been
selected in CGSSSA, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges, NSW All
Schools and School Sport Australia teams are acknowledged
with a plaque and certificate outlining their achievements.
Contribution to Sport – this award is presented to a year
12 student who has made a substantial and long standing
contribution to sport at the College.
Junior Sports Woman of the Year – is presented to a student
in year 7-9 and awarded in recognition of outstanding sports
performances throughout the year. To be eligible a student
must have been selected in at least 2 Monte Representative
Sports Teams.
Senior Sports Woman of the Year - is presented to a student
in year 10-12 and awarded in recognition of outstanding sports
performances throughout the year. To be eligible a student
must have been selected in at least 2 Monte Representative
Sports Teams.
Other awards include Student Coach of the Year, Coach of the
Year, Umpire of the Year and Team of the Year.
Considering the overall number of awards that are presented
each year the evening runs along at a fairly crisp pace and
culminates in a presentation from our guest speaker who then
presents the major awards. We look forward to seeing you on
the night.
Stuart Hanrahan
Sports Program Manager
NSWCCC Basketball – Intermediate
On Thursday the 21st and Friday the 22nd of October the
Monte Basketball Intermediate team set out to Penrith to
participate in the NSWCCC Basketball Championships.
We played three tough games on the Thursday the last of
which we drew against St Pius X Adamstown, which placed us
second in our pool. The following morning we played against
Holy Spirit Bellambi in the quarter finals. It was another tough
game and unfortunately we didn’t end up on top.
The team consisted of Mya Carmody, Gracie Lee, Olivia Quirk,
Holly Anderson, Emily Cleghorn, Emily Smelt, Rosie O’shea,
Charlotte Gorman, Olivia Daher and Phillipa Graham and
myself Jessica Maschmedt. Even though we had a loss we all
thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and learnt some new
skills to take to the next tournament.
Jessica Maschmedt
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
PAGE / 8
SPORTS REPORT
Introducing the Water Polo Captain
Introducing the Touch Football Captain
Hi I’m Lexia Chilcott and I am the Water Polo Captain at Monte
for 2016/17. When I took up the sport at age 10, I had no
idea I’d still be playing seven years later! During my time at
Monte, I’ve played in numerous competitions in and outside of
school and have been lucky enough to be selected in Monte’s
representative water polo team since Year 7 and Monte 1
since Year 9. In 2015, I took up a coaching role at the college,
coaching Year 7 teams, where I have been able to watch
Monte’s water polo program grow from year to year and from
strength to strength.
Hi, my name is Yasmin Bamford and I am honoured
to be Touch Football captain of 2016/17. I have always
had a high appreciation for sport even at a very young
age competing in all different sports such as; touch
football, basketball, swimming, tennis, soccer, golf
and athletics. I have played touch football from year
6 and as I have grown, so has my love for the sport.
From year 7 I have played in the A grade team for my
age and from year 9 to present playing in Monte 1.
I love water polo because it is such a challenge - both physically
and mentally. Aside from this, it is a team sport that allows you
to forge friendships with people you never thought possible.
In my time playing for Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers, I
was able to make lifelong friends with girls from all around the
Sydney area. At Monte, I am able to interact with girls in all
different year groups, which I really enjoy.
This year, I hope to see all of Monte’s players be enthusiastic,
sportsmanlike, and share in my love and passion for the sport,
as well as enjoying themselves each time they jump into the
water. See you poolside!
Whenever I think about school sport I think of the friends
and relationships that I have made and kept throughout
my time at Monte and that is what I want to impart
onto the sporting community here. I want students to
understand the importance and positivity school sport
has on a person’s well-being and to be able to embrace it
fully. School sport improves all aspects of someone’s health
and to be a part of such a supportive and encouraging
community has helped to shape me as a Monte girl.
Yasmin Bamford
Touch Football Captain 2016/17
Lexia Chilcott
Water Polo Captain 2016/17
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
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STUDENT SHOWCASE
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
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STUDENT SHOWCASE
Central Desert Program October 2016
During the October holidays we were fortunate enough to
travel to the Central Desert for a week to develop a greater
understanding of the Anangu people and their culture.
Connecting with the community and culture was a profound
and wonderful holistic learning experience. Within the
Mutitjulu community we engaged in many activities within
childcare, aged care, land care and supporting the visual arts.
We were amazed by how much we were able to learn from
every single interaction we had with the Traditional Owners
and members of the community. One of the highlights of the
trip was the Community Picnic Day where our Monte Mob went
out onto country with the community where we were given
the opportunity to learn knowledge of the land, spirituality,
Inma and personal stories of individuals shared with us. Over
the week we found that not only were we learning more about
the beauty of the environment that we were immersed in but
we also learnt more about ourselves.
By: Central Desert Mob
Ally Frazer, Harriet Phelps, Zoe Taylor, Zoe Sullivan, Astrid Lalor,
Violet Simpson, Pri Kumar, Amy Drapac, Chloe Bull,
Stella O’Connor, Charlotte Bertram, Jess Taylor, Jen Fong,
Charlotte Eastlake and Gabby Plazas.
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
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STUDENT SHOWCASE
Theatresports Captain Mini-Interview
What is Theatresports? Theatresports is all about
improvisation and performing with other people. Teams work
together, playing a variety of games with given prompts to
perform short scenes that they make up on the spot.
How long have you been involved in Theatresports at
Monte? I started Theatresports at Monte four years ago when
I was in Year 8.
What’s your favourite game and why? Broadway Musical
because it is so ridiculous and enjoyable, especially when
everyone is in the zone listening to each other and everything
fits together perfectly.
What are the best things about being part of Theatresports
at Monte? Playing games with other people from different
years and seeing everybody’s different talents and shining
moments are the best things about this community. The
Theatresports “squad” is 100% supportive of everything you
do and this makes it so much fun.
What is your best Monte memory of Theatresports? My
favorite Monte Theatresports moment was in training when
we played Broadway and Shakespeare scenes. These are
normally played with up to five players, and we played them
with ten! We originally thought it would be a disaster and that
there would be no coherence at all, but both scenes were
truly two of the funniest and most entertaining we had ever
performed. Everyone was involved and listening and working
together. It was wonderful.
Where do you think Theatresports could take you in life?
There are so many possibilities and I know I won’t stop playing
Theatresports when I graduate next year. Many universities
have Theatresports clubs and there are plenty of competitions
and groups outside of school. Once you start Theatresports
you don’t want to stop, which is why there’s such a strong
community for it all over Sydney and Australia. Being a part of
this community is a great way to meet other interesting and
engaging people. I know Theatresports at Monte has given
me important skills for whatever career I choose and for life in
general, such as knowing how and when to put myself forward
and support others as a team, as well as coming up with ideas
quickly and acting upon them.
Nina Mountford, Theatresports Captain
What would you say to someone who has never tried
Theatresports? “Try it out and play some games” It’s not
about getting on the TSC team, being an actor or being “good”
at Theatresports (whatever that means) because, as cheesy as
it sounds, it really is just about having a whole lot of fun playing
games and being outrageous. It doesn’t matter if you have
never done any drama in your life or have never performed in
front of other people, because you can’t do anything wrong in
Theatresports.
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
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PARENTS & FRIENDS
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
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PARENTS’ & FRIENDS’ REPORT
Margot Henville
P&F President
Hi everyone,
The Annual Monte P&F Presidents Cup was played at
Northbridge Golf Course last Friday. We had a field of 34 with
a mixture of current and ex Monte Parents. The weather held
and we had a great day. This year’s winners were JulieAnne
Anderson, Ron Anderson, Trevor Harlow and Leon Reardon.
Special thanks to Helen Harlow (Abbey 2013) for her great
organisation of the day.
On Tuesday 1 November, a record sold out crowd of 108
Monte ladies joined in the excitement of the “race that stops
the nation” at the P&F 2016 Melbourne Cup lunch.
Not to be outdone by Flemington in the fashion stakes, the
Harbourview room was awash with fascinators of every colour
and shape imaginable. Luck was tried on sweepstakes and
the action was watched live on screens throughout the room.
Thank you to all those who helped in the lead up to and on
the day. A special thanks to our Year 9 organising committee;
Miriam Hancock, Iola Halsall, Jenny Sullivan, Mary Anne
Cummins and Stephanie Smith; for all the time and effort they
put into making the afternoon so enjoyable. Thank you also to
our Master of Ceremonies , Cathy Cooper, who did a fabulous
job at keeping the afternoons festivities on track.
Monte P&F invites you to the
MONTE P&F GENERAL MEETING
Date: Tuesday 8 November
Time: 7pm for a 7.15pm start
Venue: ACC Auditorium
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
PAGE / 14
MONTE NOTICES
MONTE NOTICES
From the Uniform Shop
Music Performance
2017 Stationary packs are in stock for year 8 (Cost
Concert Band rehearsal
Monday 7 November
from 3.20 pm – 4.45 pm including all Year 9 Wind
Ensemble.
$35) and Year 9/10 (Cost $30). Come by the shop
to collect them and be ready for the start of the new
school year.
There is no Wind Ensemble rehearsal on Thursday 10
November.
During our incoming Year 7 outfitting the College shop
will only during lunchtime
to existing students, on
Stage Band rehearsal
Wednesday 16 November
from 3.30 pm followed by performance at Sports
Awards Dinner from 5.30-6.00 pm.
Mondays, Tuesdays
and Thursdays.
Please refer to
ACTA for dates
There is no Stage Band rehearsal Friday 18 November.
and times.
eting
P&F General Me
r
Tues 8 Novembe
7pm for 7.15pm
star t
ACC Auditorium
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
PAGE / 16
MONTE NOTICES
MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
PAGE / 17
MONTE NOTICES
INSIGHTS
Building parent-school partnerships
WORDS Michael Grose
Helping young
people manage
exam stress
Top tips for parents to help their young person manage stress
and prepare well for coming examinations.
Now that we are coming to the pointy
imagined when they were students.
end of the year many young people
Parents too need to keep our options
will start to experience the stress that
open and be flexible about the future
comes with impending examinations.
pathways for our young people.
Young people respond differently to the
pressure that exams presents. Some will
see an exam as a challenge that they
need to rise to; some will be nervous
because they haven’t done enough
work; and many will experience real
stress as they see exams as THAT time of
the year that determines their future.
2 Develop a relaxation strategy
help your young person manage their
Your young person needs to take a
stress and prepare well for their coming
break from the pressure and resultant
examinations.
stress of pending examinations, which is
1 Help them study smarter
than likely spend time helping them
to develop smart study habits so you
be very real for students who’ve spent
might want to check in and follow their
13 years of schooling all leading to this
advice. However, you can also pass on
So as much as possible we need to help
young people take a realistic view of
they shouldn’t pin all their hopes on one
option. As generations of young people
have found, life after finishing school
doesn’t always take the path they
some of these smart study tips:
• Minimise the clutter around their
workspaces.
examinations and remind them that
and ask for help at school.
real so let’s look at some ways you can
year exams as life-defining events can
time. At least, that’s how many see it.
to refresh.
• List issues they are unsure about
Nevertheless exam stress can be very
Your young person’s teachers will more
The notion of exams, particularly final
• Take regular five minute breaks
• Plan each study period and identify
what they want to cover.
• Use mind maps and other aids to
assist memory and organise thoughts.
code for rest and relaxation. In a perfect
world your young person would have
already established a healthy relaxation
habit that recharges and replenishes his
or her batteries but importantly allows
them to take a break from the pressure
and grind of work. If not, it’s never too
late to encourage your young person to
exercise each day; relax to music or even
practise meditation and mindfulness to
clear their mind of mental clutter.
more
page
ose 2
ichaeonl Gr
M
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MONTE MATTERS 4 NOVEMBER 2016 / TERM 4, WEEK 4
© 2016 Michael Grose
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