Number 14
20 September 2006
Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students,
It is sometimes the simple solutions that we overlook or dismiss all too readily – one ingredient for a healthy
and balanced life frequently overlooked is ‘praise’. Many fail to fully appreciate how lifegiving and nurturing
authentic praise can be.
Research psychologist Martin Seligman, of the University of Pennsylvania, believes that one’s view of life,
either optimistic or pessimistic, affects health, life expectancy and success. In his recent book ‘Learned
Optimism’, he sets out twenty years of evidence for his claims.
Pessimism and depression have risen rapidly since the Second World War, with young people ten times more
likely to suffer severe depression than their grandparents. He says that pessimists attribute bad events, such
as the loss of a job or the breakup of a marriage, to causes that are pervasive, long-lasting or permanent and
always their own fault; whereas optimists see the causes of such events as temporary, limited to the present
case and the result of circumstances, bad luck or other people’s actions. Pessimists see success as luck;
optimists as a result of their own skill and efforts.
Dr. Seligman believes that both optimism and pessimism are learned in childhood. When children fail, the
criticism of both parents and teachers has a big impact. Dr. Seligman’s research shows that if children fail
a test and then hear a ‘permanent and pervasive’ criticism, such as ‘you are stupid or no good’, then this
becomes part of what they believe about themselves. But if the response explains that problems are solvable
and specific, then that is how they see them.
Overcoming negative thinking takes work and practice, but Dr. Seligman believes optimism is easy to maintain
once you have learned the habit.
Susan Mitchell in her book ‘Be Bold and Discover the Power
of Praise’ tells us that to be optimistic, to do your best to
banish negative thoughts and replace them with positive
ones, is a form of praise. Praise in all its guises is the
beginning of starting to improve the relationship that you
have with yourself.
Susan Mitchell goes on to say that we are all constantly
battling negativity in our own minds, which is why we need
all the help we can get.
Making the effort to acknowledge one another and to affirm
achievement, success or improvement needs to be a core
value if a school is to be a healthy and life-giving place.
Greeting one another, acknowledging success, affirming
and supporting those doing it tough all ensure that a school
community is a positive and vibrant place to be.
Mother Teresa sums it up so well when she says,
Our school gives public recognition and praise to
students who have achieved excellence in a particular
area or who are working steadily and consistently by
holding regular assemblies to recognise these efforts
with awards and certificates. A ‘Special Achievement’
noticeboard is on display near the front entrance of
the College and this, combined with inclusion in the
fortnightly newsletter, also reinforces positivity and
praise.
“Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes
are truly endless”.
With best wishes
Br Bill Sullivan, fms
Headmaster
from the headmaster
Congratulations to all these boys on their Special
Achievements in a number of different fields. Well done!
Daniel Cleary
Year 11
Sam Barlett
Year 12
Brett Black
Year 7
Aaron O’Brien
Year 8
Sam Ross
Year 7
Invited to join the
NSW Institute of Sport
Hockey Squad of 25
members, including
Australian players from
NSW
Refereed Rugby Grand
Final and chosen as
Junior Referee of the
Year for the Eastern
Suburbs/Randwick
Rugby Referee
Association
Placed 5th in U13
Division of the NSW
State Surfing Titles
and U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
Reece Townley
Year 7
Justin Brook
Year 7
Liam Phelan
Year 7
Jackson Garlick
Year 7
Jake Nurmi
Year 8
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
Cameron Kennedy
Year 7
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
Robbie Jacobs
Year 8
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
Madalitso Masache
Year 8
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
Tim Dillon
Year 12
First place in Advanced
English, Business
Studies and Extension
English Semester One
U13 Rugby League
Souths District Premiers
2007 season, South
Eastern
Dylan Cleary
Year 9
Winner ESCA Stephens
Tennis cup Division 1.
Undefeated champions
from the headmaster
Marist Oratory
The 17th Annual AMSA Marist Oratory Competition was held at Trinity Catholic College
on the 6th September. This prestigious event sees around 14 Marist Schools from
NSW and the ACT gather in a high standard public speaking competition. Marcellin
was represented by six students who prepared for the competition over three weeks.
The competitors were:
Year 7
Christopher Edwards
Year 8
Matthew Edwards
Year 9
John Harding-Easson
Year 10
Thomas Bracken
Senior
Nathan Hill (Yr 11)
Impromptu
Daniel D’Ambrosio (Yr 11)
The evening was marked by particularly outstanding speeches and Marcellin College
Randwick was able to take home the aggregate trophy for the second time in three
years. It was due to our depth of talent across the divisions that saw Marcellin score
enough points to hold off the other schools.
Special mention must go to Thomas Bracken who was awarded first
place in the Year 10 division. An excellent result from a seasoned public
speaker.
Thank you to Mr Jeff Davidson and Br Joachim Fabbro for assisting
me in coaching the boys. Also special thanks the Year 11 students who
supported the team on the night and to Br Bill for driving the school
bus to the venue.
Mr Chris Maoudis, Public Speaking and Debating Co-ordinator
2006
Upcoming Events
Monday 18 September
Year 11 Preliminary Exams commence
Thursday 28th September
Year 12 Graduation Day. There will be no sport on this day. Boys will be dismissed
from school at approximately 2.00pm
Friday 29th September
Normal classes for Years 7-10. Holidays commence at 3.20pm.
Monday 16 October
Term 4 commences 8.40am.
Tuesday 17 October
Year 10 Trial School Certificate
th
th
th
Wednesday 18th—Friday 20th October Year 7 Camp
Thursday 19th October
HSC Commences
Special Parents in Touch Evening
I will be holding a special Parents in Touch evening on Tuesday 24th October commencing at 7.30pm in the
Vaughan Centre. The purpose of this night is to gain parent feedback on the progress being made in the College
with seven areas of our Strategic Plan.
It is imperative that we gain parent feedback on such issues so I would encourage parents to come along to the
night. To make this a worthwhile activity we need a minimum of 60-80 parents. I look forward to a large roll-up
of parents on the night. No preparation is required. We simply require parents to provide feedback to us based on
your experience of the Marcellin community. Please reserve this night. A separate invitation will be sent home in
Week One of Term Four.
Australian Government Investing in Our Schools Grant
Over the upcoming holiday break we will be installing airconditioning in the Greenstead Administration Wing.
This area comprises offices, a tutorial room and bookhire room. This is being funded by a grant of $35000
from the Federal Government. I would like to pass on my acknowledgement and appreciation to the Federal
Government for this most helpful financial contribution to the Marcellin College community.
Oncology Children’s Foundation Ride
Macleay Lewis, Year 9, is cycling around Sri lanka to raise funds for the Oncology
Children’s Foundation. He will be the youngest member of the cycling team. Macleay is
selling raffle tickets at school for the cost of a gold coin to help raise funds for the trip
and the Foundation. He leaves on the 28th of September. The College wishes Macleay all
the best for this fund raising adventure.
St. Aidan’s Community
The St. Aidan’s Maroubra community are holding a retirement dinner and fundraiser for Miss Pam Purdon
who taught there for 46 years and is well known to many families in the local area. The dinner will be held
on Saturday 21st October at 6.30pm at the Twin Reception Centre, Alexandria. $70 per person ($55 Seniors)
includes a 4 course meal with beer, wine and soft drinks. Please phone 9344 6364 for further details.
sport
MCC Rugby Union
Grand Finals
The Rugby Union Grand Finals were held on the 7th September
at Heffron Park in wet and wild conditions. The U/13’s
continued their stellar season to win the Grand Final defeating
a strong Pagewood team 10-0. Our Junior Rugby team held a
slender 5-0 lead at the break and were able to post another
5 pointer in the second half despite running into the strong
wind. The U/13 team have achieved the amazing statistics
of 5 wins from 5 games including scoring 176 points and not
having a single point scored against them. An outstanding
achievement from an incredible team. The player of the
match in the final was Andrew Norton.
The U/15 team met a determined Kogarah outfit, who were
able to get off to a flying start and lead
17-0 early. The Randwick boys were confident they could come back in the second half with the wind at
their backs. Despite their best efforts Randwick found Kogarah too strong and finished up winning 20-5. The
player of the match in the final was Chad Edwards. A thank you to our coaches Ms. Scevity, Mr. Burke and
Mr. McBride for all their time and efforts in preparing the teams throughout the season. Congratulations to all
boys for another successful and positive Rugby season.
MCC Volleyball
Last Thursday the U/15 and Opens Volleyball teams competed in the MCC Championships at the Sydney
Indoor Centre at Homebush. The U/15’s found themselves in a strong pool and lost their opening 2 round
games to the finalists in Lewisham and North Shore. With some better combinations and improved confidence
the U/15’s were able to win their last 2 games against Pagewood and Wahroonga. The Opens had a solid win
over Pagewood in their opening round, went down to Ashfield and won a thriller over the fancied Lewisham
side during the round games. Unfortunately the Opens missed qualifying for the semi finals on point’s
difference and were beaten by North Shore in the 5th and 6th playoff. Many thanks to Ms. Thompson and Ms.
Gissing for coaching and preparing the teams for the carnival.
Community Notices
Randwick Youth Ministry
NIDA Youth Program
The next school holiday NIDA Program
Bowling Night for Yrs 7–9 Thursday
th
th
21st September 2006 7pm–8pm @ AMF will run from 30 September to 15
October
for
ages
4–18
yrs
The
final
term
Randwick. $6 per game (includes shoe
of NIDA Youth Program’s drama classes
hire) For more information contact Tristan
starts on 22nd October. Visit www.nida.
on 0416 017 014 or tristanhaber@yahoo. edu.au or phone 9697 7626 for further
com
information
MarcellinCollegeRandwick
Ph: (02) 9398 6355
Fax: (02) 9398 9049
School Holiday Bowling Deal
During the next school holidays AMF
Bowling Randwick is offering a special
deal which includes 2 games, shoe hire,
fries, coke and a fun play token for only
$18 each day from 9am to 6pm. The
centre is located at 130 Belmore Road
Randwick
195 Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031
[email protected]
www.marcellin.nsw.edu.au