Dear Parents & Friends of St Clare’s

The past 12 to 14 months have presented considerable challenges to our community and school.  I am proud of our staff and students’ resilience and care for each other under trying conditions.  I am also thankful to parents and caregivers for their support of St Clare’s as we work together to supply a quality Catholic education to the young people in our care.

Those who have been following the St Clare’s Facebook page, Compass feeds and recent newsletters will note the many positive community building activities that the school undertakes throughout the school year.  While COVID-19 has limited some events and forced the re-imagining of others, the school has remained committed to ensuring that St Clare’s remains a place of welcome and hope for all our families.

The recent Year 12 Retreat, sporting events and excursions have allowed our young people to grow spiritually, socially and academically.  Our staffs’ willingness to organise these events and our young people’s willingness to join in and collaborate with each other, has seen them continue to thrive against the background of the calamity that the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking on many countries around the world.

I ask that you resist becoming complacent about the need to sanitise and that you keep your son or daughter at home should they feel less than 100%.  By keeping people home while they are ill, you are protecting the school community from infection and ensuring that, once returned to health, your sons and daughters will have a fully functioning school to return to when cured of their illness.

Last week’s Open Afternoon attracted many families from across the Manning and Great Lakes Region.  We have received a great amount of positive feedback, especially about the calibre of the St Clare’s student tour leaders who led families around the campus.  My thanks to all our students from Years 7 to 12 who showed great leadership and pride in our school by sharing their positive and thoughtful response to those visiting our school.  They certainly ‘welcomed the stranger’ to our learning environment!

 The annual Canberra/Snowy Excursion has, for many years, been a much anticipated feature of the Year 9 calendar.  Sadly, due to the pandemic, the trip was cancelled in 2020.

At the time of cancellation, the school executive made the decision to open the excursion up for both Year 9 and Year 10 “as a one off” for 2021.

Over the past six months, information about the snowy excursion has been given to Year 9 and Year 10 students and posted on Compass to parents.  At the time of writing, the trip has been fully subscribed and there is a waiting list for Year 9 and Year 10 students.  At present, we expect that the trip will take place, however, all school events and undertakings are subject to government rules around the pandemic and as such, all plans are subject to change with very short notice.  I will provide regular updates about the Canberra/Snowy Excursion in the newsletter over coming weeks.

Our regular small group masses are underway, due to the generosity of Fr George of Taree and Fr Greg of Forster who take time out of their busy schedules to lead our students and staff in regular discussion and worship.  The masses, retreat and reflection days offer our young people great opportunities for personal and spiritual growth and I thank our parish priests for their support of the young people in their parishes and in our school.

Notification of a Public Meeting

The St Clare’s Parents & Friends has, for many years provided significant advice and ‘parent voice’ to the school executive.

In recent years it has proven difficult to attract a sufficient number of parents to the group to ensure that it operated in accordance with its constitution.

In response to this trend, the Diocese has designed an alternative constituted body called a Parent Engagement Group to ensure that ‘parents voice’ is present in the school.

There will be a public meeting in the Josephite Centre on Wednesday, 2 June at 6 pm to discuss options and ensure a continued presence of parent voice at St Clare’s.

As we near World Environment Day, your son or daughter may approach you to allow them to leave school to attend a protest during the school day.  The school does not endorse any student being absent from class on these occasions.

This week we trialled a different format for our Year 7 to Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews.

I would welcome feedback from parents regarding the change of format for our Year 7 to Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews which were held on Wednesday from 9 am to 4:30 pm.  Feedback can be emailed to admin@tareesc.catholic.edu.au.

God bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal

As you all know, we recently conducted a raffle to support Ms Smyth’s daughter, little Halle, who has been battling brain cancer since 2018.  Due to the wonderful support from the St Clare’s community, $1000 was raised to help with the mounting medical costs.  A big thank you to everyone!

The lucky winners of the raffle were:

Jenna Rowsell - signed Sharks jersey;
Di Bawden - Broncos polo shirt; and
Gab McFarlane - Broncos drink bottle.

A huge thank you also to both the Sharks and Broncos NRL clubs who greatly assisted by donating the prizes.

Bruce Bielby

Mass Times

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish

Mass times at the Holy Name Church - Saturday 5.00 pm & Sunday 8.00 am, 10.00 am and 12 noon. 

Attendance is through registration only - phone 6554 6401 or email forster-tuncurry.parish@mn.catholic.org.au before 3pm Friday.  Please provide name, phone or email and preferred Mass time.  To watch the 8 am Sunday Mass live stream please send us your email address to receive the link.  The Holy Name Church is open from 9 am - 3 pm Monday - Friday for private prayer.  You are strongly encouraged to use the QR code linked to the Service NSW app to check in and out of the church.

Further updates can be viewed on the Forster-Tuncurry Parish Website: 

https://forstertuncurrycatholic.org.au/ 

Taree Catholic Parish

Our Lady of the Rosary Church Taree current Mass times are:

Saturday - 6 pm
Sunday – 9:30 am

Saturday, 15 May

6:00 pm Taree Mass
6:00 pm Harrington SCAE

Sunday, 16 May
The Ascension of the Lord

7:30 am Old Bar SCAE
7:30 am Wingham Mass
9:30 am Taree Mass

COVID-19 Mass Attendance Regulations:

Please kindly scan the QR code before entering and show the confirmation details to our volunteers at the door.  People who are unable to sign in using QR codes may do it manually.  Our volunteers are willing to assist.

Please do not attend the Mass if you are unwell, displaying COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with a COVID-19 affected person.

Please Note:

1. Catch-ups will be done on the first day of your return in order of exam roster, you may also be requested to complete two exams in one day if you have missed more than one exam.
2. You must contact the school if you are sick on any day you have an exam prior to 9 am.
3. You may receive a zero mark if you do not follow these guidelines.
4. All exams are conducted in the rooms allocated.
5. You must be present at exam room prior to exam starting.
6. If you do not have an exam you will attend your normal classes.

NOTE:

Normal examination rules apply.

Students must bring:

• Charged device
• Earphones
• Pencil for working out and notes

Students are not permitted to bring a calculator into any examination

Please enjoy these compositions from some talented young poets.

Jamaya Pearse
English Teacher

The Cherry Blossom

Your branches like arms,
Reaching out to comfort.
Your flowers an avalanche of pink,
Filling the black and white world with colour.
Petals as soft as a feather,
And beauty as radiant as the sun.
My sweet cherry blossom tree,
Spring has just begun.

Shifa Saeed

A Blossom’s Life

Cherry Blossom,
Pink like the sweetest cotton candy,
Gently dancing in the wind,
Like a group of soft pink clouds,
In a peaceful state of mind.
Symbol of life,
Symbol of mortality,
Symbol of the short nature of life
Omen of humanity
Cherry Blossom,
Short beauty
You are a sunset
You are a rainbow
You bloom
You amaze
You are gone.

Morrison Gray

The Girl & The Blossoms

Softly, she caressed the branches,
Not daring to touch the sweet flowers.
She was not worthy to touch the pastel blooms.
The soft pink spirits danced along the wood,
As much as she wanted to join them,
She knew she never could. Up
The wind rustled and it was like they sung to her.
She sat beneath the branches, hoping, wishing
Her dreams would come occur.
A light touch on her forehead,
A cool breath of air,
When she looked up
There was a tiny pink goddess sitting there.
She was blessed with a moment of peace,
A soft kindness, a happy sorrow,
Pushing her to rise and continue on the morrow.

Rachel Gay

In the Wind

The Cherry Blossoms swayed in the fresh spring air
The wind was like a song, blossoms dancing freely to it.
Effortless
Young
Free
The flowers glowed softly like neon lights and the petals are hopeful.
A symbol of inspiration as a new season
Awaits.

Ashleigh Burkill

On Friday, 7 May, Year 11 and 12 Earth and Environmental Science classes went out to the Port Macquarie Geotrail to complete their field study.  On this excursion, students learnt about the different processes that certain rocks form under, how the plate tectonic supercycle affects this rock structure and how the movement of the plates occur.  A great day was had by all despite the weather turning on us towards the end of the day.  Thank you to Mrs Wood and Mrs Dunn for an excellent day!

Isabella Devetak
Science Teacher

Taree Community Kitchen welcomes back the staff and students of St Clare’s High School.  The pandemic has certainly impacted on all our lives.  Pope Francis said “True charity requires courage:  Let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need.  We all have the duty to do good.”  St Clare’s return to the kitchen is an example of turning Pope Francis’s words into positive action.  Georgia Capes, Darcy Eady-Muxlow, Luella-Rayne McCormack and Karma-Anne Van Der Merwe, together with Mr Bielby and Mr Hobbes, cooked delicious and nutritious meals for the clients.  The patrons of the kitchen expressed their appreciation to the staff and students not only for the meal, but for their smiling faces and friendly conversation.  As the Community Kitchen volunteer, I found the students and staff caring and excellent to work with.  A job well done St Clare’s and I look forward to working with other groups throughout the year.

Carol Healey
Community Kitchen Volunteer

Careers Corner

We are now close to half-way through Term 2, and everyone is going full steam ahead!

If you have registered for the UCAT, please remember that there are free study materials and practice exams which can be accessed via the following website:

For those interested in a career in Medicine, there is a workshop being run in Taree next Monday.  Please see below for the details.  I have already emailed this to the students.

Monday, 17 May 2021 5:30 - 7:30 pm
University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health
Manning Education Centre
69A High Street, Taree

RSVP to your School Careers Adviser:  karen.mccann@mn.catholic.edu.au or Contact 4055 1900 or Megan Henry:  M.Henry@newcastle.edu.au Taree.

The UNSW is also running an information session for potential medical students on Monday, 24 May (6 – 7 pm).  The flyer has been forwarded to the students.

I would like to encourage students and parents to check the Careers section of the St Clare’s School Website each week for updated information on Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Scholarships and University Open days.  The Job Jump section has a wealth of information about all things Careers.  This information is also in the Year 12 Careers OneNote which the students have access to.

Several universities have their Early Entry schemes open and if you are thinking about a university pathway post school, this can be a great option.

The students should log in to Job Jump – click on the menu in the top right-hand corner.  Under “UNI” click on “All you need”.  Then click on “Early Entry”.  You then click on any of the university early entry pathways and you will be able to see the information you need to access these.

Year 12 please remember to keep up your productive study patterns, eat well, get some exercise, and look after yourselves.

Year 11 – now is the time to really knuckle down and become strong senior students.  It is imperative that you apply yourself well, develop strong study patterns and approach your studies with a firm commitment to doing as well as you can.

Subject Selection

Year 10 - you are coming up to “subject selection” time for 2022.  The mentoring process will begin soon, and we are taking some of our Clare lessons to get a USI number and register for Job Jump which has some very helpful information regarding subject selection for senior school.  You all have access to our Careers Team OneNote and next week there will be a booklet placed in the Content Library which we will be working through during our mentoring process.  Mrs Avery will be letting you know when this process will start.  The various KLA Coordinators will provide information regarding the various study pathways for senior school.

Year 12 are reminded to keep checking the Careers section of the school website and Job Jump for up-to-date information about possible career pathways post school.  There are many virtual and actual open days, apprenticeship information days and traineeship information.

I would also like to keep encouraging the students to have a draft ‘Cover Letter’ and resume which can be tailored for job applications both part-time and fulltime.

Work Placement

Work Placement has begun again, and the Year 12 Hospitality students have just completed their 35 hours of Work Placement at Sea World.  This was an amazing experience and allowed the students to see and experience many of the different aspects of the Hospitality industry.  The Year 12 Construction students are in the process of completing their Work Placement with various employers in our area.  I would like to thank all the employers who have hosted our students for this.  It is very much appreciated.

Back Row:  Connor McPhillips, Emily Lythgoe, Madelyn Miles-Corby, Kirra Forsayth, Sebastian Walsh, Matthew Spencer, Grace Tamer & Darcy Round
Front Row:  Lilli Henry, Erin Horsington & Maddison Eakin

Year 11 Construction and Hospitality students will be completing their Work Placement in the last week of Term 3 after their exams.  They will be registering with Mid Coast Connect, who handle this for us, in the coming weeks.  Year 11 Sports Coaching complete their Work Placement during School Sport time on Thursdays when they coach the younger students.  They also gain hours officiating at various Primary School carnivals in our area.

Work Experience

Please remember that if you are interested in doing Work Experience you will need to come and get the forms from me in my office.  The Diocese has set guidelines for Work Experience.  Year 9 and Year 10 students have to complete this during school time, however, Year 11 and Year 12 students can do Work Experience during holiday time or on the weekend.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any assistance regarding anything to do with Careers.

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser

Diocesan Cross Country

On Thursday, 29 April, it was my pleasure to accompany 13 students to Diocesan Cross Country at Lake Glenbawn in the Hunter Valley.

 Back Row:  Maya Ljumanovic, Emily Rowell, Nina Davy, Darcy Eady-Muxlow, Annabel Osborn, Kody Zahra, Patrick Guthridge & Yolanta Guthridge
Front Row:  Miley Cox, Amy Rowell, Jarrah Coe & Gemma Eady-Muxlow

After a very early start, the bus left St Clare’s at 5 am, we arrived at Lake Glenbawn ready to run.  The students were amazing and put in a wonderful effort.  Most of the students were up at 4 am, travelled for almost four hours and then ran several kilometres in a very competitive event.  Their dedication and resolve shone through with seven students qualifying for CCC and several others just missing out.

The following students qualified for CCC Cross Country:

Miley Cox, Year 7
Gemma Eady-Muxlow, Year 8
Amy Rowell, Year 9
Emily Rowell, Year 10
Yolanta Guthridge, Year 11
Patrick Guthridge & Annabel Osborn, Year 12

I would like to congratulate everyone on a fantastic effort.  All of the students were excellent ambassadors for St Clare’s and should be very proud of their efforts.

Karen McCann
PDHPE Teacher

Futsal

Congratulations to all our school’s boys and girls Futsal teams, who travelled up to Port Macquarie for the Regional Championships last week of April.  Both the boys’ and girls’ teams played with terrific spirit and sportsmanship.

Our Under 14’s girls played amazingly, going through the day undefeated, winning the grand final 2-1.  They couldn’t be split at the end of 20 minutes, necessitating extra time to find a winner.

14’s girls winners:  Elise Zammit, Maya Ljumanovic, Ashlee Brabant, Gemma Eady-Muxlow, Charlotte Anderson, Ailey Boere, Nyoka Syron, Marissa Masterantonio, Claire Downie

Our 13 girls who were playing their 1^st ever futsal tournament, played very well winning 6 games, drawing 1 and losing in the grand final 3-2.  They were playing in the under 14’s competition since there were only three under 13 teams.  All their wins and grand final loss came against girls aged 14 plus.  Well done.

13’s girls runners up:  Chilali Baggins-Cupitt, Summer Collins, Amelia Johnson, Marley Marriott, Grace Randall, Tessa Rourke
13’s girls ready for their final which they won

The 13’s boys also played well, winning all their games, but loosing against SCAS in their Grand Final 2-0 with the two sides very evenly matched.

13’s boys runners up: Rohan Dormor, Cornell Estibeiro, William Gibson, Max Lawson, Riley Paine, Jade Parvin, Kaleb Ryan, Cohen Shoesmith, Mitchell Van Kampen, Kody Zahra
Group huddle before our semi final won 6-1

All our other teams under 14’s, 15’s and 16’s boys lost in the final and again going through the day undefeated.  Very unfortunate to lose after some amazing display of futsal.

14’s and girls, as well as 13 girls and boys, have now qualified for the State Champion of Champions which will be held at Sports Central, Coffs Harbour on 24 – 26 August 2021.  Good luck to all involved!

Laurent Gonfond
Representative Sports Coordinator

Mathematics Workshop provides the opportunity for every student to obtain assistance and support in improving their understanding of Mathematics.  In the lead up to topic tests, assignments and general homework, a number of Mathematics Teachers are available each week.  There is no need to stay the whole of lunch, come and go as you see fit.  We mark a roll for parents and you may eat your lunch during your time in Room 10.

WHEN IS IT ON?  Wednesday lunchtime
WHERE?   Room 10
Bring your lunch!

We hope to see you there!

Mr Mark Fletcher
Mathematics Coordinator

Term 2 2021

Term 3 2021

ASPIRE Intern

Please see below information about the 2022 ASPIRE Intern position.  The link to the website is:

Applications close Monday 12 July 2021.

Sinfonia Presents Folk & Fantasy