FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Academy of Mary Immaculate

The God of Winter 

May the God of Winter be with you, walking with you as warmth and light, 

through the dark and cold Winter moments of your journey. 

May your belief in the God of Winter, and your trust in the hidden 

growth of Winter, be, for you, a source of inner strength that sustains 

you through the difficult movement from the cold and darkness of your 

Winter times to the warmth and light of God’s Spring times for you. 

May the blessing of Winter-hope be with you. 

Amen 

Issue 8/2011 3 rd June 2011 

FROM THE PRINCIPAL 

Dear Members of the Academy Community, 

One tends to be more introspective in winter and thus, over the past few days, I have been reflecting on the joys of 

being a member of the Academy of Mary Immaculate Community. It is no coincidence that in our Strategic Plan 2009- 

2013 the word “community” is the word that is used most often. It is also no surprise that the findings of the School 

Improvement Framework Review reinforce the fact that the concept of community is very important at the Academy 

and is indeed a lived reality. 

The recent College Musical is one example of the Academy community at work! Students not only performed in the 

Musical but were also involved in the organization of the choreography and the music; 4 members of staff made guest 

appearances in the Musical much to the delight of all, other staff worked backstage, a number of parents were 

involved in costume design, and members of the Parents’ Association catered for each of the 5 performances. The 

College Advisory Council also strongly supported this initiative as they do all aspects of Academy life. The 

involvement of a number of students from Simonds College was much appreciated and strengthened the relationship 

between the two schools. 

Over 1200 people – staff, students, parents, family members, members of the College Advisory Council, and the 

wider community - enjoyed the musical and celebrated with the students whose passion and enthusiasm was 

contagious. 

Many thanks to the Director of the Musical, Mr Allan Hessey, for his tireless work over many months. 

Our sense of community also has an international dimension as evidenced by this lovely letter from the retiring 

Principal of Nishiyama High School, Mr Kunikhiko Suhara, and I quote “I was so happy that I could start the sister 

school relationship between your school and our school. I thank you and your school from the bottom of my heart for 

our sweet friendship. I remember that I was able to attend the celebration of the 150 th anniversary of the founding of 

your school. I hope that this wonderful relationship between Academy of Mary Immaculate and Kyoto Nishiyama High 

School will continue forever. Thank you for everything.” 

One never knows the effect one has on another person and again I quote from a recently received letter from a 

student teacher. In the letter the student teacher talked about being inspired a number of years ago by an Academy 

staff member “Several years ago, whilst working in a shop on Brunswick Street, I chanced upon a member of your 

staff who so inspired me with her passion and enthusiasm for teaching that I quit my job two weeks later and enrolled 

into full-time study in the visual arts, which eventually led me to a graduate diploma in education.” - Again the concept 

of community at work. 

Academy of Mary Immaculate 

Mercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B 

88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au

As we move into the examination period I encourage students to maintain their momentum, keep working hard and 

ensure that they give of their best. Success is achieved through hard work, diligent effort and perseverance. I wish 

the girls well. 

On Sunday, June 5 th we celebrate The Feast of the Ascension, remembering the words of Jesus as he ascended to 

the Father – “Know that I am with you always until the end of time.” 

Therein lies our hope and our peace. 

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal 

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL 

Missed SAC’s - Non Submission of Work Policy 

There have been a number of queries regarding “What is an Approved Absence” for students who have missed a 

SAC, In Class Task or submission date for an Extended Assessment Task. The following guidelines are contained 

in the College’s “Non Submission of Work Policy”. 

What is a College Approved Absence 

A. Illness 

If you are ill on the day of an In-Class Task (SAC) or an Extended Assessment Task Submission Day, you must: 

‣ Ask a parent to ring the college on the day of the In-Class Task or an Extended Assessment Task Submission 

Day. 

‣ For students in years 11 & 12 - provide a medical certificate that clearly indicates that you were unable to 

attend school on the day of the task for medical reasons. 

‣ For students in years 7 to 10 - provide a letter from your parents and, preferably, a medical certificate that 

clearly indicates that you were unable to attend school on the day of the task for medical reasons. 

B. Significant Family or Personal Trauma 

‘Personal Trauma’ includes, but is not limited to, death, serious illness, a serious accident involving a close family 

member, or a family break up occurring on or near the day of In-Class Task or an Extended Assessment Task 

Submission Day. If any of the above applies to you, you must: 

‣ Ask a parent to ring the college on the day of the In-Class Task or an Extended Assessment Task Submission 

Day. 

‣ Provide a letter from your parents that confirm that your absence was due to significant personal or family 

trauma. 

C. Approved Participation in an Official College Event 

These events must be under the supervision of a College teacher. 

Mid Year Exam Dates 

VCE (Unit 3) exams will be held from Tuesday, June 14 th to Thursday, June 16 th (GAT). Classes for Year 12 students 

will finish at 3.15pm on Friday, June 10 th . Classes for Year 12 students will recommence on Friday, June 17 th . 

VCE (Unit 1) exams will be held from Thursday, June 9 th to Thursday, June 16 th . Classes for Year 11 students will 

finish at 3.15pm on Wednesday, June 8 th and will recommence on Friday, June 17 th . 

Year 9 & 10 Exams will be held from Tuesday, June 15 th to Friday, June 17 th . Normal classes will operate for 

students in Years 9 and 10 during exam week. 

Venues for Exams 

VCE Exams, including the GAT, will be held on level 2 & 3 of P Building. 

Year 9 & 10 Exams will be held in Homerooms. 




All students (VCE, Years 9 & 10) are expected to wear full college uniform, not PE uniform for the Exam 

Period. 

Parents’ Association Confectionary Drive – May 30 th to June 28 th 

Students may return the money and/or chocolates as follows: 

a) If all chocolates have been sold the money can be placed, in the envelope provided with the student’s 

name, homeroom and amount enclosed, in the “Chocolate Box” in the Student Office. 

b) If students wish to return chocolates or obtain additional boxes of chocolates, this will be done in the 

Murray Room between 8.20am & 8.50am on the following dates: 

Thursday June 9 th 

Thursday June 16 th 

Thursday June 23 rd & 

Tuesday, June 26 th 

Students are asked not to return partially sold boxes of chocolates to the Student Office or to their Homeroom Teacher. 

Mr Adrian Fuller, Deputy Principal 

DIRECTOR OF FAITH AND MISSION 

Community Action Week Reflections From Students 

All our Year 10s went out on Community Action Placements for the whole week in May. Here are some of their 

comments: 

‘A week isn’t enough’ 

‘Everyone is unique. You must respond to a variety of people’. 

‘The residents enjoy telling their stories and you can’t judge a person’s mental capacity 

based on their physical restrictions’ 

‘Appreciate your family – look after them when they’re old’ 

‘The elderly have a lot to offer – be patient and understanding and remain calm’ 

‘Be open-minded and patient. It’s a very rewarding experience’ 

‘I have been made most welcome and feel comfortable’ 

‘I enjoy this kind of work and am well suited to it’ 

‘We want to go back’ 

‘Using my initiative to assist in whatever way I could was my personal challenge’ 

For my community action, I went to Mount View Primary School. This is a normal primary school by most standards, 

but they also run a hearing impaired facility. Around 25 children with varying levels of hearing impairments are part of 

the program; they still attend class with other students, and come out of class for daily one-on-one sessions with a 

specialist teacher. Some students also have other impairments, such as vision impairment. When we went to Mount 

View, we participated in various aspects of the school, working with the kids in their one-on-one sessions, as well as 

aiding them and the other students in the classroom. It was amazing to see how determined and eager these children 

as young as five were to learn, as I tried to put myself in their shoes, I realized how much I took for granted and grew 

a great respect for these children, and all people living with any kind of impairment. They are an inspiration to all and 

I’m so glad to have met them. It was worth the long journey that it took to get there, during our five days we met some 

of the most inspiring children, and this experience will stay with me forever. Lydia Hobden 

Global Justice Also in May, the Year 9s participated in the Catholic Mission 

sponsored Village Space’s dramatised, interactive stories of Global Justice, performed 

‘in-the-round’ with a focus on Climate Change. The production highlighted our areas of 

responsibility from the personal, through family, religious and cultural and local 

community, onto the national, international and ecological arena. It challenged us to 

consider how we can make a difference in, and for the world. 




Fundraising for Japan will be held each lunchtime next week, with activities each 

lunchtime next week. Monday to Thursday we will watch Totoro, and on Friday 

Academy’s Japanese Dance Group will perform for us. On Thursday there will also 

be a Panya Food Stall & origami making. We will also be selling fundraising badges. 

Class Masses for the rest of Term 2 are as follows: 8 Blue on 6 th June; 8 Green 

on 13 th June; 8 Red & 8 Silver on 20 th June; and 9 Blue on 27 th June. All welcome, 

especially parents and grandparents of students in each class. Mass starts at 8.05 

and finishes at 8.30 sharp. 

In Term 3 we have Student Reflection Days for Year 8s on 25 th July (8B), 1 st August (8R), 8 th August (8G) and 15 th 

August (8S). Year 9s on 16 th August, and 11s on 11 th August. On 29 th August, all Year 11s, including Texts and 

Traditions 3/4 students will attend an excursion to the Holocaust Museum. Year 7s’ Reflection Days are in Term 4. 

DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING 

Ms Andrea Luscombe, Director of Faith and Mission 

Examinations Semester examinations for Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 commence next week. The Year 11 exams will be 

held from June 9 – 16, the Year 12 from June 14 – 16 and Years 9&10 exams from June 15-17 

VCE Unit 2 & 4 VCE Units 2 & 4 will commence on Friday June 17 after the completion of the VCAA June exam 

period and the College VCE Semester One exams. 

Year 11 students who successfully applied to change subjects will commence their new Unit 2 subjects on that day. 

Learning Conferences for Talented Students. 

A group of Year 11 students attended the ‘Gifted and Talented Conference’ at Camberwell Grammar. The students 

tackled the question of ‘How do we know what we know”. They pondered empiricist traditions stemming from 

Aristotle and the rationalist utopias of Plato. They explored the question of Good and Evil, virtue ethics and post 

modernism. Then, as if the student minds had not been stretched aplenty, the conference delved into the very quirky 

world of quantum theory. It was a challenging and most enjoyable day that has become a highlight on our College 

calendar. 

A group of students attended a Year 9 student conference sponsored by the Catholic Education Office and the 

University of Melbourne on the theme of ‘Engineering and Humanitarianism’. Working with engineering 

undergraduates, the students sought to find engineering solutions to deadly levels of pollution in the Tonlé Sap Lake 

in Cambodia. The day long program was an excellent opportunity for the Year 9 students to learn about the various 

disciplines of Engineering and the impact they can make on the world while engaging their scientific thinking and 

reasoning skills. 

Assessment Calendar 

The calendar is organized such that most tasks are identified as occurring in the given week. You will observe that 

some tasks have been allocated to a specific day. 

June 6 Day 6 

Yr 9 English Poetry Analysis 

Yr 11 Eng Language SAC 2B 

Yr 12 Eng Language SAC 2B 

Yr 7 Pink MMC Art Assignment Due 

Yr 11 VCE Art ‘Personal Interpretive Framework’ 

SAC 

Yr 7 Silver Assignment Due 

Unit 3 Visual Communication and Design SAC 3 

(Folio) Due 

Yr 11 Biology Research project: Reproduction in 

flowering plants and mammals (model and 

written component) 

7 Day 7 

VCE Drama 

( Outcome 1) SAC 

Ensemble 

Performance 

(6.00pm) 

Yr 8 Pink Art 

Appreciation 

Assignment due 

Unit 3&4 Texts & 

Traditions : SAC 3b 

Nature & 

Challenges to 

Exegetical Method 

45 mins 

8 Day 8 

Unit 3&4 

Texts & 

Traditions: 

SAC 3a 

Exegesis 75 

mins, 

Exegetical 

exercise 

9 Day 9 

Year 11 

Exams 

Yr 12 Studio 

Arts – Unit 3 

– SAT 1 - 

Due 

10 Day 10 

Year 11 

Exams 




13 Day 1 

Queen’s Birthday Holiday 

Yr 8 English Persuasive Speech or flexibly 

structured Debates 

Yr 7 Humanities Economics task 

Yr 8 Humanities Economics task 

Yr 11 Literature Views & Values essay based on 

The Great Gatsby 

Yr 12 English Using Language to Persuade: 

Analysis of Language 

VET Interactive Digital Media Complete SAC 2 

14 Day 2 

VCE Exams 

Year 11 Exams 

Yr 10 Digital Art and 

Photography 1B 

Prac assessment 

‘Moving Image’ due 

15 Day 3 

VCE Exams 

Year 11 

Exams 

Year 9 & 10 

Exams 

VCE Drama 

Ensemble 

Analysis 

(Outcome 2) 

SAC 

Yr 10 Digital 

Art and 

Photography 

1A Prac 

assessment 

‘Moving 

Image’ due 

16 Day 4 

GAT 

Year 11 

Exams 

Year 9 & 10 

Exams 

17 Day 5 

Year 9 & 10 

Exams 

Yr 12 Art 

Outcome 2 

Unit 3 Folio 

Due 

Mr Mark Hyland, Director of Teaching and Learning 

YEAR 10 COORDINATOR’S REPORT 

Year 10 Community Action 16 th -20 th May 

Year 10 students recently spent a week working with various agencies around Melbourne including Special 

Development Schools, Aged Care Facilities and Refugee Centres. Students were able to explore the ideas of justice 

that were the focus of their RE lessons in Term 1 and apply them in a practical sense within their placement. The girls 

learnt many valuable skills throughout the week including patience and understanding with most students embracing 

their newfound responsibilities. Congratulations Year 10 girls on an excellent and rewarding week. 

Year 10 Careers Day 

On Friday 3 rd June all Year 10 Students will be participating in a Year 10 Careers Day. Students will complete 

vocational testing in the morning and will be addressed by some inspirational guest speakers, including a former 

student. During the afternoon, students choose three different workshops to attend. Parents will have the opportunity 

to join in the process at a Career Wise Briefing on Wednesday 23 rd June at 6.30pm. During this evening, the results 

of the vocational assessment will be given out and discussed. 

Ms Karen Hocking, Year 10 Coordinator 

VCE COORDINATOR’S REPORT 

I have been very pleased and proud of the professionalism and maturity shown by many of the Year 11 and 12 

students who are coping admirably with the demands of Term 2. 

Many are feeling the heat of constant SACS and mid year exams looming, but they have risen to the challenge of the 

increased workload. I encourage students to maintain that level of commitment throughout the next two weeks. 

• Year 11 exams will take place from Thursday June 9 to Thursday June 16. 

• Year 12 exams will take place from Tuesday June 14 to Thursday June 16. 

• Please note that Friday June 16 is a normal school day and the beginning on Unit 2 and 4 studies. 

I had the pleasure of meeting many of the parents at Parent Teacher night on Thursday May 5 and Thursday May 12. 

It was a wonderful opportunity to speak to you about your daughter’s progress and develop strategies to maintain her 

sustained success. Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss your daughter’s progress. Over the last 

month I also had the opportunity to meet with many Year 11 students to discuss their progress during the semester 

and investigate subject choices going into next semester. 




I would like to also congratulate the many senior students who took part in the Grease musical. Their enthusiastic 

participation sets an excellent example to the younger students at the school. I enjoyed attending the show on 

Thursday May 19, and was impressed by their energy. Well done girls! 

Thank you to Ms. Manolopoulos-Tzikas for organising the excursion to the University of Melbourne, for the Tertiary 

Information Seminar on Thursday May 12 ( all Year 12 students). Informed choices are always the best choices so I 

encourage all students to make an effort to visit and research a variety of courses for next year. Many of the 

Universities have open days during Term 3, so please encourage your daughters to be proactive in seeking the open 

day dates and times. Ms. Manolopoulos–Tzikas is the person you will need to see with any of your concerns relating 

to careers and University courses. I would also encourage all Year 11 students to attend the University open days as 

they, too, begin the process of looking into tertiary courses for 2013. 

On Monday May 23, all Year 11 students were involved in a car safe seminar during periods 5 and 6. Our guest 

speaker, John Maher, talked to the students about the impact of a car accident on his family’s life. He talked honestly 

about the choices we make and the importance of respecting your car and licence. Many of our students are in the 

process of receiving their learners’ permit so the talk was particularly pertinent. 

Our Year 12 students had the pleasure of welcoming back Sonya Karras, on Friday May 27 for Part Two of our party 

safe seminar program. Sonya was most informative and talked specifically about the dangers of drugs and young 

people. For many of the students her talk was a real eye opener. Sonya left us with some practical strategies young 

people can employ to ensure they stay out of trouble. 

Thank you to our Director of Teaching and Learning, Mr. Mark Hyland, for conducting a GAT preparation seminar 

( Thursday, June 2 ) for all Year 12’s and those Year 11 students currently enrolled in a Unit 3 or 4 subject. 

Mr. Hyland provided the students with some practical suggestions as to how to maximise their performance in the 

GAT. This annual seminar proves to be an invaluable tool in preparing students for their mid year exams. 

For many students the midyear exams are only weeks away and for many parents you know what that 

means..............a stressful household with perhaps the odd door or two slamming! 

Here are some tips on how as a parent we can support our daughters. 

1. Make sure she has a work space which is free from any clutter and noise. 

2. Encourage your daughter to take a break every 50 minutes for 5 or 10 minutes. 

3. Build in rewards when studying like a “free evening” if you get study done during the day. 

4. Encourage her to go for a walk with you which may clear her mind and gives you the opportunity to talk one 

on one. 

5. Connect with her without being too overbearing. If she doesn’t want to talk let her be. Just be there for her. 

6. Encourage her to see her teachers if she is struggling with her work. 

7. Zone out times where the internet or tv is off limits. 

8. Always encourage her to be positive by focusing on what she can do not what she cannot do! 

I wish all students every success for their mid year exams and remind them that the result is always a reflection of the 

effort and work that is put in during the process of preparation. Good luck. 

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT 

Public Speaking 

Mr John Andritsos, VCE Coordinator 

Three students participated in the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Awards; Leah Alysandratos, Michaela Bugara, 

Kimmie Berhanu. Their prepared speeches ranged from the importance of mateship to the value of education in 

breaking cycles of poverty and finally on the importance of volunteering. Their impromptu speeches were on the topic 

of ‘Honesty’ and gave some revealing insights into its central role in society. 

The DAV Debating teams had quite a good round. The A Grade won debating a secret topic, That the Government 

Should Cease Funding Australian Films and Caitlin Phillips was the best speaker. The B Grade won the debate That 

Australia is a Racist Country and Claudia Lombard was awarded best speaker. The C Grade lost their debate the 

issue of whether or not women prisoners should be allowed to care for their babies in gaol. Both D Grade teams won 

very close debates. The topic was That we Should Ban Beauty Pageants. The best speakers were Ambra Soci and 

Amelia Fryer. Thank you very much to the parents and teachers who are supporting the students and especially 

everyone who attended the debate and cheered the students on. 

The next round is 27 th July. 

Mr Christopher Bourne, Head of English 




NOTICES 

ON CAMPUS 

UNIFORM SHOP 

There will be a 40% discount on the old style uniform 

The Uniform Shop is open on the following days during school terms: 

Tuesdays—3.00pm to 4.00pm and Fridays—12.30pm to 1.30pm, 

The uniform shop will be open during the Term 1 holiday break on the following days and times: 

Wednesday, April 13 th 10.00am to 2.00pm 

Thursday, April 14 th 10.00am to 2.00pm 

Friday, April 15 th 

10.00am to 2.00pm 

Mrs Clorinda Novembre, Phone 9486 0130 

Position available 

Part-time Uniform Shop Retail Assistant 

Academy Of Mary Immaculate has appointed Buxwear as the Uniform Supplier. At the Beginning of Term 3, the uniform shop 

located at Academy of Mary Immaculate will be operated by Buxwear. We are therefore seeking a responsible person to work parttime 

as the retail shop manager, able to work independently and possess highly developed communication skills. Retail experience 

preferred. 

Required hours: Tuesdays—3.00pm to 4.00pm and Fridays—12.30pm to 1.30pm 

Other hours as required 

Please send resume to: (Including 2 referee’s) to: 

David Loewy 

Managing Director 

Buxwear Uniforms 

8/169 Cheltenham Road 

Dandenong, Vic. 3175 

Or email resume 

david@buxwear.com.au 

All enquiry please contact: Ph. (03) 9792-0424 




Would parents/guardians please encourage and remind students to return their Work Experience 

Arrangement Forms before the end of this term. All students are very welcome to call in to see Mrs Allan for 

assistance.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Academy of Mary Immaculate

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