Year 12 Graduation Academic Awards - 2012 - Academy of Mary ...

great opportunities that come with being in the ‘VCE Class of 2013’, it is essential that the girls devote sometime over their summer break to complete their holiday homework tasks.Semester ReportsTeachers are finalising reports in this last week of teaching. The reports for Years 7 - 10 will be available forcollection by parents or students from the College on Wednesday December 12. Parents can access a digitalcopy of the reports through the College Intranet from Monday December 10.Merry ChristmasI would like to wish all members of the Academy community a happy and a holy Christmas season and arelaxing summer break. I want to acknowledge the support and hard work of all the Heads of Department whohave work closely with me in my role as Director of Teaching and Learning. I also want to acknowledge thewonderful support of Ms Pina Vrzovski in the Student Office who has attended to a vast array of curriculumadministrative tasks. Finally, I want to thank all the teachers for their dedication, professionalism and thepositive manner in which they worked this year.DIRECTOR OF FAITH AND MISSIONMr Mark Hyland, Director of Teaching and LearningReflection DaysLast week our Year 7 homeroom groups each travelled to Eltham for their Reflection Day. Invited by the fineweather and the wide open spaces of the Eltham Community Centreeveryone took the opportunity to enjoy relaxing in the outdoors.During the reflection day activities, many students surprised themselveswhen they reflected on the things they had written at the end of Year sixregarding their worries about secondary school. Almost all were thingsthat they quickly adjusted to, didn’t eventuate or were not the problemthey thought they would be.The Year 7 students of 2012 have come a long way this year and havedeveloped a sense of cohesion as a group. The concluding liturgy atthe end of each day served as a lovely reminder of the Mercycommunity to which they belong.(Photo- 7 Green)End of Year MassYear 11: The Year 11 students concluded their year and a week ofYear 12 Orientation classes with a celebratory Mass and Assembly onFriday 30 th November. Thank you to Father Peter Varengo for leadingus in prayer.Year 7-10: As I prepare this newsletter article a dedicated team of students who make up the Liturgy Groupare preparing the End of Year Mass for the whole school to be held on Tuesday 4 th December. Given the timeof year there is a natural focus on Advent and the anticipation of the birth of Jesus. It has been a privilege towork with these students throughout the year, their contribution has been invaluable.Christmas HolidaysIn the Christian calendar, this Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent which marks our spiritual preparation forChristmas. While it is almost impossible for most of us, Advent for me also marks the time when I do my bestnot to go anywhere near shops! I have been known to head to a shopping centre and leave within 10 minutesof seeing the frenzy of gift buying and the money being spent on things that may not be valued. At that point Iwill find friends or family to visit instead. I know for most the shopping has to be done….but I need the balanceof taking quiet time to be with those I love, reflect, be appreciative, remind myself of the real reason wecelebrate Christmas and to give myself time for the spiritual amongst the busy days. My wish for you all isthat you find yourself with time and opportunity for peaceful thoughts at this time of year.Wishing you and your loved ones a lovely Christmas and safe and happy holidays,Ms Karen Fogarty, Director of Faith and MissionAcademy of Mary ImmaculateMercy Education Limited. CAN 154 531 87088 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au