Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

This week we celebrated Ash Wednesday which signifies the beginning of Lent.  It is the start of 40 days of prayer, penance and giving as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.  But what does this actually look like, how can we be active participants during this period?

Lent is not just about giving up something like chocolate or social media for a short period of time.  It is an opportunity to make positive change in our own lives, making a positive difference in someone else’s life, either it be someone we know, someone we don’t know, someone we don’t like, or someone that lives kilometres away that is simply in need.

Never see a need without doing something about it.” – Mary MacKillop, 1811

This Lenten period I encourage us all to make a difference by getting involved. 

1. Supporting Caritas as we raise funds to help the people of Turkey and Syria devastated by the recent earthquakes.
2. Being kind to others, by simply going out of your way to say something nice to someone every day.
3. Cleaning out your closet and donating used items to St Vincent de Paul.
4. Slowing down and taking time for prayer, meditation or spending quality time with family.
5. Reaching out to someone that may have hurt you and showing forgiveness.
6. Embracing the opportunity for personal growth.

As St Clare’s of Assisi would say,

“Love one another with the charity of Christ, let the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds so that compelled by such an example, the sisters may also grow in the love of God and charity for one another.”

In the previous newsletter I mentioned that at St Clare’s we are committed to providing a high-quality learning environment where all students can learn and achieve ‘Be successful’.  To help us provide this high-quality learning environment, students in Year 7 to 10 will participate in a PAT assessment next week.  The PAT assessment measures a student’s knowledge, skills and understanding in the areas of reading, writing and numeracy and helps the school pinpoint where individual students are in their learning journey – and what they need to progress.  The data collected from the PAT assessments is used to identify starting points for learning, allow the development of high impact and targeted teaching and learning strategies for all students.  These assessments will also be conducted at the end of the year to monitor student growth in 2023 and inform our schools focus for 2024.

Previous analysis of PAT, NAPLAN, HSC and school assessment data has been used to inform our school goal for 2023, which focuses on student writing and assessment, especially where students are required to read, interpret, and answer long response style questions in various situations. e.g. examinations and research tasks.

Parents/Carers can I ask that you encourage your child to fully engage in these assessments to ensure the data collected can be used to improve your child’s learning outcomes.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any concerns about your child’s learning and/or wellbeing.

‘Together with Christ we serve our community’.

Inspired by GOSPEL VALUES and the practical examples of St Mary of The Cross MacKillop and St Clare of Assisi our Mission is to…

CONNECT LEARN ASPIRE RESPECT ENGAGE

Kind regards

Phillip Gibney
Principal

Mass Times

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish

Current Mass times are Saturday, 5 pm, Sunday 8 am and 10 am.

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

Taree Catholic Parish

Saturday
4:00 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham:  Reconciliation & Rosary
4:45 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham:  Mass
6:15 pm Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass

Sunday
9:30 am Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass
7:30 am every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month Our Lady of Fatima, Old Bar:  Mass
7:30 am every 2^nd Sunday of the month St Therese, Lansdowne:  Mass
7:30 am every 4^th and 5^th Sunday of the month Star of the Sea, Harrington:  Mass

Further updates can be viewed on the Taree Parish Website:

Ash Wednesday is one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar.  It marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.  It is a time for helping others with our gifts, our smile and our generosity.

Thank you to Father Kevin, Deacon Vince, Mr Koenig and our House Leaders for leading our liturgy.

Callam Howard
Creative Arts Teacher

St Clare’s High School is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) School which means that students are expected to have their own device.  We recognise that from time to time these devices can breakdown and do need to be repaired.  The Library currently has a very limited number of laptops which can be provided to students whose devices have needed to be repaired, or to students who have failed to charge their devices, forgotten their devices or their devices have gone flat during the day.  As of Monday, 20 February 2023 the Library is only providing laptops to students under the following circumstances:

1. A student’s laptop has broken down and has been sent away for repair.  If this situation occurs then the student needs to provide a note from home to Mr Hobbes, that explains the situation and details how long the student will need to borrow a Library device. 
2. If a student has left their laptop at home, they need to see Mr Hobbes in the Library to obtain one if one is available.  If this occurs more than three times in a week the student will not be able to borrow a laptop for a week.

Students who require a laptop need to collect this from the Library, between 8:45 - 9:00 am and they need to return it to the Library by 3:20 pm on same day.  If a student fails to return a laptop to the Library, they run the risk of being unable to borrow in the future.

Laptops will no longer be available to students after 9 am.  If you need a laptop it needs to be picked up before school if one is available.

Jeremy Hobbes
Librarian

Mathematics Workshop and Homework Support will take place on Mondays at lunchtime in room 10.  Students have the opportunity to have support for homework or be in a space with a mathematics teacher present to complete more challenging work or preparing for tasks.  This is available to all year groups.

Michael Morson
Leader of Learning, Mathematics

Year 7 have been working hard this term while completing the unit 'Becoming a Scientist'.

They have been learning about safety in the science laboratory, making accurate measurements, using a Bunsen burner, setting up and drawing scientific equipment and the process of the scientific method.  I look forward to seeing these skills develop throughout the year! 

Miss Devetak
Science Teacher

On Wednesday, 8 February, Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts and Drama students ventured to Sydney to embark on three days of cultural immersion.

Visual Arts students immersed themselves in the world of Visual Arts by viewing the work of South Korean installation artist Do Ho Suh, who has for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere, exhibited his work in a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Following this, students engaged in the Yirrkala Prints, a collection of collagraph prints from six senior Yolŋu artists.  Finally, students viewed the returning annual exhibition ‘Primavera’ which is dedicated to the work of contemporary artists in Australia under the age of 35.

At the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW), Year 11 students explored the permanent collection in the Grand Courts and 20^th Century Galleries Collection:  1900s-1960s as part of their first assessment task.  Students viewed Modernist works from Impressionism through to Op Art which they have brought back to the classroom to use in their artmaking and art historical/art critical work.

Year 12 viewed the 2022 Band 6 HSC students works in ‘ArtExpress’, taking notes and gaining inspiration for their own Body of Work journey which has commenced since returning from the excursion.

A visit to the new Sydney Modern section of the AGNSW gave Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts students an insight to the Contemporary work of National and International artists.  With the trip finishing off with a visit to the once studio and home, now gallery, of renowned Contemporary Australian artist Brett Whitely.

The final night of the excursion for the Visual Arts students saw them experience storytelling through movement, music and dance as they watched ‘Dance Clan’ at Bangarra perform.  It was especially exciting watching the work of local Biripi man and Choreographer Ryan Pearson.

Drama students enjoyed a full range of drama experiences including being an audience at the musical theatre ‘Hairspray’ and being willing participants at various workshops held by renowned Drama institutions including Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir Theatre, NIDA and the Australian Theatre for Young People.  Year 11 and 12 Drama students engaged in Dramatic techniques and gained performance experience directly from those working in the Drama sector.

OnSTAGE was a highlight for all Drama students as they got to view the Band 6 performances of the 2022 HSC student cohort.  This experience is always an invaluable one as it gives the students an insight to the quality and expectations of outstanding HSC performances.

A very big thank you is extended to the teachers who came along and helped to make it possible, Callam Howard, Lyndall Laurie and Niko Campbell-Ellis.

Rebecca Huett
Creative Arts Leader of Learning

Our Year 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to visit the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) on Monday, 20 February.  The College is based at Sydney Olympic Park, and they organised a special school’s program in Factors affecting performance and Strength and conditioning for athletes.

 

The students’ knowledge was extended by learning about the efficiency of an athlete’s ability to use their Energy systems.  They participated in a variety of fitness tests with up-to-date technology systems such as motion sensors to accurately measure their speed over 20m.  Many of the students participated in ‘The Windgate’ Test which is used to measure the student’s accumulation of lactic acid caused by performing at an extremely high intensity.  One of our students, Alex Hartup participated in a Vo2 Maximum test.  This test measured Alex’s aerobic system and his maximum heart rate.  Alex recorded an excellent score reaching 215bpm maximum heart rate and 65ml/kg/min oxygen usage.  The afternoon at ACPE concluded with the students participating in a strength based circuit focussing on developing muscular endurance.

The next day we visited the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.  This venue was originally constructed for the Sydney Olympics in 2000.  It was a fantastic opportunity for the students to enjoy this wonderful venue as well as observe a school swimming and diving competition.

I would like to commend all of the students for representing our school with pride through their fantastic behaviour and manners.  I am confident that the students have gained an excellent insight into the training and commitment that is required to become an elite athlete.

A special thank you to following for making the excursion an amazing experience:

Kelly Parry and Tom Mandleberg – Australian College of Physical Education
Dru Pruwett – Bus driver

And most importantly to Nicole Lovern and Todd Curtis our wonderful Physical Educators.

Karina Hogan
Leader of Learning, PDHPE

ALL students MUST see Mr Rowe in person for further details and how to register.

Diocesan Netball Trials/Selections

U15 girls - online registrations close 9 am Tuesday, 14 March

Expressions of Interest U15 Boys Australian Football (AFL) Selection Trials

This is an expression of interest only - online expressions of Interest close Wednesday, 1 March.  Boys must be turning 14 or 15 in 2023.

Luke Rowe
Representative Sports Coordinator

A well-known quote of Mary MacKillop is “Find happiness in making others happy.”  Year 10 students have the opportunity to put these words into action by being involved in the Community Kitchen. Gemma, Rory, Joshua and Claire volunteered for the kitchen last Friday and brought happiness to the marginalised people of our community.  As the cost of living increases, the Community Kitchen becomes an important place for people to access a hot meal and basic food items.

 Jeremy Hobbes, Claire Downie, Joshua McGann, Rory Byrne & Gemma Eady-Muxlow

The people attending the kitchen were met with the smiling faces of the students.  Many of the clients at the kitchen commented on how wonderful it was to see the students preparing and serving meals.  The extras the students served including bags of lollies and chocolate muffins added to the diner’s experience.  The students created three different meals and served 100 meals.  Well done students and staff of St Clare’s.

Jeremy Hobbes
SRC Coordinator

In 2023 the following vaccines will be offered:

If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations.

In Year 7, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).  In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

How to provide consent:

1. To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
2. Follow the steps to log in to your existing Service NSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence.  If you don’t have a Service NSW account, refer to Service NSW to create one.
3. Update or confirm your personal details in Service NSW as required.
4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:

        a) Enter your child’s personal details
        b) Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
        c) Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement
        d) Provide consent

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from your child’s school.

The benefits of providing consent online:

• easily update your child’s details
• receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given
• faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit

If you require information in your language, please visit:

Online Consent 2023

Online Consent 2023 97.82 KB

Careers Corner

We are certainly back into the full swing of things here at school.

If you are interested in a Career in medicine or dentistry post school, you will more than likely need to sit the UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand).  You should visit the UCAT website:

for information.

Important UCAT ANZ 2023 Dates:

UCAT ANZ 2023 Key Dates and Test Fees

Candidates taking the UCAT ANZ in 2023 for entry to universities in Australia and New Zealand in 2024 should note these key dates.

Deadline times are 11:59 pm AEST - Australian Eastern Standard Time

Test fees

The following UCAT ANZ test fees will be charged for the 2023 test:

All fees are charged in Australian dollars.

Your bank may charge an additional international transaction as Pearson VUE is a United States merchant.  If you have queries about this, please contact your bank for information. 

The additional late fee of $85 applies to all bookings made during the late booking period (18 May - 31 May). 

The additional final late fee of $185 applies to all bookings made during the final late booking period (1 June - 5 June).

*The late fees are non-refundable.

All Year 12 students are taking part in a Careers Day at school today, Friday, 24 February.

They will be checking that their information on NESA is correct and hearing from a range of different local industries.  There will be a wealth of information given about post school pathways, resume and cover letter-writing.  Taj Simpson (Year 12 Dux 2022) is coming in to talk about his pathway and give some advice.  We will also be looking at coping strategies and what we can do to help each other in this very busy last three terms of school.

It is extremely important that all students have up-to-date resumes and a specific cover letter for at least two different choices of career.  This can be done via Job Jump, My Future, My Future Finder (UNE) and “Word”.  We will continue to develop these in the coming weeks in our Careers sessions on Fridays during Period 1 and I am encouraging the students to save these in their Careers OneNote.

A special thank you to Mrs Rowsell who will give a presentation about Trade pathways. The information she shares is excellent.

Lunch will be pizzas!

I have also included some information regarding coping and dealing with stress over the coming year.

There will be information on some of the University Early Entry pathways and scholarship options.  These will all be dealt with in more detail in the coming weeks during our Friday P1 Career Sessions.

We will also be starting our local Industry presentation again on Friday mornings during P1 thanks to Erin Lute and RIEP.  Stay tuned for more details.

The latest information from the Careers Association of Australia (CAA) is as follows:

Courses & Workshops for Students

UCAT NIE Attention Yr. 10, 11 and 12: UCAT Preparation Workshop (live online interactive). The National Institute of Education is conducting a full-day UCAT Preparation Workshop on 5 March 2023 (9am-5pm). To register: visit

For further enquiries please contact NIE at enquiries@nie.edu.au or call (02) 4367 0404 M: 0404 197 178

UCAT NIE Years 11-12 Considering a career in Medicine or Dentistry? If so, then you should start your medical interview preparation early. To register please visit

For further enquiries please contact NIE at enquiries@nie.edu.au or call (02) 4367 0404 M:0404 197 178

AIT Workshops Book a 60 minute workshop in one of the following study streams: 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Film, Game Design or IT. A representative from the Academy of Information Technology will facilitate the workshop at your school. The workshops are designed for students in Years 9-12. Book here:

or contact juline.harb@ait.edu.au to discuss further.

University of Tasmania Experience a Week as a Marine Biologist University of Tasmania is proud to present year 11-12 students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a week as a marine biologist. Experience 5 days on picturesque Maria Island on the Tasmanian East Coast, exploring issues threatening biodiversity as well as the productivity of the marine system. Apply:

ACU 1:1 Consultations For the first time in 2023, you can book ACU 1:1 consultations with students at your school library. Careers Advisers are available in person or online to present and give 1:1 advice to students about their study options and ACU’s course offerings, entry programs and pathways. Book a visit now:

iCanMed Free UCAT Webinar This webinar will cover 10 common mistakes & 5 research-based tips to save time and effort, plus how to solve Section 1-5 UCAT questions (+ mini mock test). Register:

Macquarie University Free HSC Seminar Macquarie University will be hosting a free HSC Seminar for Year 11 & 12 students on Saturday 11th March (10am-11:30am). Presented by a former Senior HSC Marker, the topics include; how to prepare effectively for exams/tasks, what teachers value in your responses & maintaining motivation. Book here:

JMC Academy Workshops & Short courses JMC is keen to hear from Year 9 - 12 students about the workshop and short course programs they are interested in, for the next roll out of the JMC school holiday, after school and Saturday programs. Students can register their interest here

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Fast Track Program. If you know someone who is passionate about horses, this could be the start of an exciting new career for them. Successful applicants will commence a full-time traineeship with a reputable stud farm while studying for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding – a nationally recognised formal qualification. Fast Track is open to anyone in Australia 18 years and over, regardless of their level of horse experience. Applications close March 12th and you can head to

or email careers@tbaus.com to find out more information.

The UTS Startups Summit UTS Startups are releasing a sneak preview into the largest entrepreneurship event for high school students in Australia. Join more than 4,000 people in an immersive exploration of entrepreneurship experiences and stories. 27 June 2023. Find out more at

or email aaron.ngan@uts.edu.au

Resources for Students

University of Sydney ARTiculate Talk Series – Request a topic to be featured in 2023 The ARTiculate Talk Series provide senior high school students with additional support for HSC subjects related to arts, humanities and social sciences and serve as a great resource for teachers. The talks are designed and delivered by academic experts in the field and complement the HSC curriculum. Request a topic to be featured in the 2023 ARTiculate series here:

HSC4Me The ultimate study app for Year 12 students Written by the most experienced teachers & markers, HSC4Me is full of resources that will boost student's knowledge & skills. The app delivers easy to follow guides & resources including: video snapshots, interactive quizzes & practice questions, worked examples and solutions, study notes, sample papers, answers & exemplars. Learn more at

Information Sessions for Students & Parents

UCAT NIE 21 February 2023: NIE presenting a FREE webinar about UCAT, Interviews, and Pathways into Medicine and Dentistry. This is NOT an advertising seminar. Registration is via:

For further enquiries please contact NIE on enquiries@nie.edu.au or call (02) 43670404. Web:

University of Tasmania Welcome to Year 12 Webinar The University of Tasmania invite you to their Welcome to Year 12 Webinar to hear about the exciting opportunity to study in Tasmania and help you gather all the information you need when considering study at UTAS in the future. Register here:

ACU Open Day Save the dates to attend Open Day at ACU’s Blacktown Campus on 29 July, North Sydney Campus on 5 August, or Strathfield Campus on 9 September. Students can get information about studying at ACU, tour the campuses and chat to friendly staff about courses.

Ethos Sports & Education Join Ethos Sports & Education for a FREE Online Webinar on March 2nd to learn more about becoming a university athlete in the US, Canada or UK. Learn more about: how to be recruited, how coaches recruit, how the divisions & scholarships work, uncovering the myths and misconceptions of the recruiting process and more. Click here to register:

Job & Work Experience for Students

JMC Game Design Work Experience Do you have any Year 10 - 11 students who are interested in learning more about Game Design? JMC will be holding a 4 day program in May. For more information and application form, please go to

MAE Careers Pathfinders Showcase Day -  Parkes For females aged 16-64 29 March 2023

NSW UE ITAB Can Women be Tradies? Exclusive female showcase event @ TAFE NSW Albury - ELECTROTECHNOLOGY - ENERGY. Thursday, 23 March 2023, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm. Learn more and register for free event:

NSW UE ITAB Robotics MAE Showcase Day (FREE). Are you female aged 16-64 and interested in a career of the future? Are you interested in a career in the 4th industrial revolution? Robotics, instrumentation, or automation and control? Come along on Thursday, 16 March 2023, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm at Adamstown NSW. Register at:

YouthXP The first dedicated jobs platform for young employees between 15-24 has expanded and added many new features to its platform. If you're aged 15-24, YouthXP is here to get you a job! Visit

Other News

ACU Canberra New Student Accommodation Our newly refurbished on-campus student accommodation is open in Canberra. Students will benefit from a full calendar of free social, academic and community events, access to campus facilities including a swimming pool and multipurpose court, as well as 24/7 access to support. Find out more:

On Friday, 10 March the students have the opportunity to do a White Card course here at St Clare’s.  The cost will be $135.  This course is being run by “Learning Live”.

I already have 11 students who have put their names down, so there is room for a couple more if anyone is interested.  You must have a White Card in order to do Work Experience in the Construction Industry.

We are once again able to go to the Health Careers Forum at the Manning Rural Health Centre which is being held on Tuesday, 7 March.  There will be information about many different Health Careers, and it is wonderful that it is held in Taree.  At the moment I have a couple of spots left as we are only allowed to take 30 students – it is open to Year 11 and Year 12 students.  We will be attending the afternoon session and will leave St Clare’s at 12:00 noon, returning at 2:50 pm.

It was my very great pleasure to accompany our Year 11 Sports Coaching class to Gloucester on Thursday, 9 February, where they assisted at the Manning Regional Primary School Swimming Carnival.  St Joey’s Taree provided the transport – thanks to Tarnya and Aaron for organising this.

The students were amazing, and everyone has sung their praises!  Thank you for being such wonderful ambassadors for St Clare’s.  It was a pleasure to be with you on the day.  Most of the students have now completed six hours of their 70 compulsory Work Placement hours which is excellent.

I would like to remind everyone about Work Experience.  It is available!  Please come and see me if you would like to do this.  I now have the current insurance documents, so we are good to go.

Year 11 and Year 12 students may complete this during school time or school holidays, however, Years 9 and 10 students have to complete this during school time.

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser

Term 1 2023