Issue No. 11 - May 20, 2011 - Whitefriars

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Belong. Believe. Become. (Continued from Page 1) Well done, too, to the selection of students across all Year levels who took part in the Australian Informatics Competition this Thursday. It is great to see students taking advantage of such “extension” and Learning Enhancement opportunities. For further information about Learning enhancement opportunities and possibilities, remember that Mrs Tania Sheko is our Learning Enhancement Coordinator and she is very happy to be contacted at the College. Finally, our condolences are extended to Lloyd (9C4) and Leyton (7C2) Taylor on the recent death of their grandmother. My apologies for indicating last week that the grandmother of Ben Di Pietrantonio (11E2) had died. In fact, it was his maternal grandfather. May they rest in peace. From the Captains We are well into second term now and things are starting to kick into place, students are learning, studying and playing hard. Second term sport has begun and the teams are fit and fighting to represent Whitefriars as best they can. There are some big weeks coming up for the SRC, such as “Social Justice Week” that has many activities for students to enjoy, as well as our ‘Live Below the Line’ campaign that will be going on throughout the week. 2011 College Captains L-R: Paul Harrington (Vice Captain), Jackson Cairnduff (Junior Captain), Patrick Wain (College Captain) and John Tonti– Filippini (Vice Captain) The Year 9s have started to thaw out after a freezing camp up in the mountains. The adventure was both challenging and enjoyable, however the conditions meant some groups could not participate in the bike ride leg of the journey. Unfortunately for the students, this did not prevent the hiking section of the camp (that has been known for how difficult it can be). I can safely assure you that most students had a great time. Whilst the Year 9s were away on camp, the Year 10s undertook their work experience, working in a variety of different work places. They all found this enjoyable and with a small amount of pay, gave them an insight into what it is really like in the workforce. NAPLAN testing for Year 7s were also held last week, with the Year 9 students sat theirs this week. The Year 9s realised it was their last time doing the test a fact were happy to share with the Year 7s; until they were put back in their place by being reminded that exams are coming up in a few short weeks. This term is bound to be a great one. Jackson Cairnduff Junior School Captain Haemoglobin Heroes this week... This week’s Haemoglobin Heroes came from a range of Year levels, Houses and number of previous donations, but they all donated cheerfully and successfully. Three lives were saved by each of Will Hoole, Harley Irwin, Liam O’Connell, Tim Petts, Matt Scannell and Daniel Tester. Mr David Campbell, one of the people who maintain our school facilities, also donated this week; he is a repeat donor as he is well aware of the value of his donation. This means that overall 21 lives were saved by us this week – about a football team number of people who were helped by the Whitefriars community! As has been the case since early March, donors can admire the large plasma TV on the wall of the Refreshment Area and read the plaque on it that states that it was donated by the Corsini House of Whitefriars College; they can then have a drink from the new drinks fridge and relax on the two comfortable couches that were also part of the donation. However, as good as these may be – and they are! - without the donors the Blood Bank cannot continue its function of providing free blood and blood products to anyone in Australia who needs it – and to our troops overseas. Unlike some other countries, in Australia donors are not paid and the blood is not sold to the recipients. Donors do receive refreshments afterwards as a thank you, but the main reward are the feelings of satisfaction donors get from knowing that they have helped other people in the community. So many people come away from the Centre looking cheerful and feeling really positive about themselves and life – how else do you get a chance to save three lives just by giving up one hour of your time Donation dates for the rest of this term are Tuesday 24 May (donors especially needed for this date), Wednesday 1 June, Monday 6 June and Wednesday 29 June. Please email Mrs Crossman with the date of your choice; all are for period 4. You can be dismissed from the Ringwood Centre or be driven back to school, usually in time for the normal buses. Give blood – it’s a really good feeling Page 2 Issue 11 20 May, 2011
Belong. Believe. Become. The White Mantle Religious Education Corner Mr John Abrahams Assistant Principal (Identity and Mission) A Conversation… Nurturing the Spirituality of our Young People. Late last term, I was fortunate to be present with a number of Year twelve students from Whitefriars and other neighbouring colleges, at the Yarra Deanery forum discussion on Spirituality. This event was organised by Parish Priest, Fr Bill Gill and Deanery Resource Coordinator, Mr Charles Balnaves. The afternoon provided an opportunity to be engaged in an enjoyable conversation with Rose Marie Prosser as we all discussed the importance and meaning of Spirituality and the nurturing amongst our young people. What follows is the first of a two part ‘conversation’ Rosie Marie Prosser conducted, addressing the Spirituality of the young. Part two of this conversation will appear in next week’s newsletter. The name “Whitefriars” refers to the mantle worn over the habit of the Carmelite priests and brothers. The Carmelites are known as “White Friars” because of their dress – a white mantle worn over a brown habit. The white mantle is linked with the Prophet Elijah who wore a similar garb, probably of sheepskin. The early hermits of Mount Carmel adopted this white mantle as a symbol of their devotion to Mary, the mother of our Lord. Parker J Palmer (sociologist and educator and author of `The Courage To Teach') says that spirituality is '.....the guest for connectedness with something larger and more trustworthy than our egos- with our own souls, with one another, with the worlds of history and nature, with the invisible winds of the spirit, with the mystery of being alive: Rose Marie believes that spirituality is about attending to the Mystery of the everyday moment; It requires reflection. We may even need to learn or teach reflection. Spirituality needs nurturing, calling out. It's about becoming aware of how we want to `be' in life. It can be nurtured by a sense of awe, by thankfulness and gratitude. Rose Marie believes that we can support young people by affirming their interest in social justice, in the environment, in doing things "or others affirming young people in life-giving other -centred activities”. This of course all demands interpersonal relationships -connectedness with our young people. • How do we connect with our young people • How do we give them our time • How can we offer encouragement, affirmation, guidance • How do we delight in them Michael Carr-Gregg says that young people's survival is about connectedness. Young people with nurtured spirituality and connectedness do better. Three things that will nurture the soul are: • A soul mate with whom we can share our deepest feelings • To hear stories of other people and our tradition and, • Prayer, the dialogue with the heart, pondering life's issues while holding the tensions. These are all about connectedness - relationships. • As adults can we be humble enough to be able to say that its what we do not only say, that connects with and allows connection for our young people • Do we give time to them, listening, encouraging, affirming • How do we help them to stay connected with the family while still spreading their wings Perhaps we could use driving time when we have them alone, going to bed time, job helping time, when they come in the door from school time, at the dinner table... • Do we know what it is that we do or say to them that says "I love you, you are loveable and good" • Do we know their `love language' Each person may have a different one. • Do we encourage and allow friends home • Do we help them to get to where they need to go to connect with their friends In living with, working with, being with young people and their spirituality, their resilience, their zest for life, we help them to become aware of their enjoyment, 'What did you enjoy about the......’ We can help them to be aware of and own their strengths - their God-given gifts - we can feed back to them.’ Page 3 Issue 11 20 May, 2011
Page 1: Belong. Believe. Become. In Fide In
Page 5 and 6: Belong. Believe. Become. Study Skil
Page 7 and 8: Belong. Believe. Become. News This
Page 9 and 10: Belong. Believe. Become. College Se

Issue No. 11 - May 20, 2011 - Whitefriars

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