黑料社区

Greetings,

The past several weeks have been busy and significant in respect to the College鈥檚 academic calendar. Year 12 completed their Trial HSC examinations and will over the next two weeks receive some important feedback on what they are able to do at this point as well as what is needed moving forward to attain their best in the HSC examinations in October. There is still plenty of time and much can still be done and achieved. It is important that all Year 12 in all classes continue to aim for the stars, that is to aim to achieve their personal best; in doing so it will help every individual student鈥檚 rank and the classes rank within the whole NSW cohort.

Much has been in the media recently about the State and National NAPLAN results for 2024. 黑料社区 NAPLAN does not follow the narrative in the media of falling standards. 黑料社区 Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN results are significantly above both State and National averages with Year 7 2024 significantly above previous Year 7鈥檚 for all strands. Year 7 has been improving every year since 2017 and is now above results going back to the first NAPLAN data we have in 2009. Year 9 2024 NAPLAN was above 2023 results in all strands except Reading. Year 9 Writing has been improving since 2017, however, Spelling and Gramar are slightly lower than 2017.

Our Year 7 and Year 9 NAPLAN data and our Year 7-10 Allwell assessment data, provides the College and teachers with rich information to inform them about the learning needs of students in front of them. It also provides national comparisons and benchmarks to aim for, helping us to improve each individual students achievement so that they can attain at their best, creating opportunities and fulfilling their potential.

In addition to the busy academic programme in the College these past few weeks students have been fully engaged in the closing rounds and finals of the winter sport competition. There will be three Netball teams in the Semi Finals this weekend. The First Girls Soccer team and 19 Boys鈥� Soccer teams have made it to the Semi Finals this weekend with two teams qualifying directly for the Finals next week. In addition, we have eight out of ten Tennis teams in the Finals this weekend at Gosford. We wish all our Semi Finals and Finals teams and their coaches and managers every success.

Research tells us that practice and feedback are the most essential elements to improving performance. This applies to all aspects of life, but evidence certainly supports this in education. There is no shortcut to hard work and particularly for boys who at times 鈥渙verestimate their ability and underestimate the effort required鈥�. Thank you to all those parents who support their children by getting them to training and rehearsal and who keep motivating and encouraging them to keep practicing and working hard. Building resilience is one of the more significant attributes home and school can work on together.

The last two weeks have also been busy in the Catholic and Lasallian life of the College. Thursday 8th August was the Feast of Mary MacKillop of the Cross. Monday 12th August was the Feast of St Benildus, and Thursday 15th August was the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption is a very special day in the Catholic calendar. Mary is a woman who made a very strong choice for God in her life, whose vocation was to bring Christ to the world. This belief that Catholics hold about the assumption of Mary into heaven is but one of many traditions, values and principles of Catholic faith that we pass on to the Catholic community here at 黑料社区 and to all students as a source of awareness. It is so encouraging to see our students engaged in the many Lasallian service programmes that help us nurture that faith tradition.

While academic achievement is important and essential Catholic Education goes beyond skills and qualifications. It guides individuals to seek wholeness, truth and hope in their lives, sees the person as essentially social, with a sense of community, based on solidarity and the promotion of justice. College Liturgies, Mission Action Day, service programmes to India, Vietnam and the Philippines, service to the disabled through the swim programme, St. Lucy鈥檚 Day, Aboriginal community service programmes, and Retreats and Reflection Days are all examples of how our students live out their faith in ways which hold meaning for them.

Lastly, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the 135 Year 11 students who nominated for leadership for 2025. It is humbling to see such skill and aspiration and a heartbreaking job to have to select twenty-two. The Forbes magazine defines leadership as 鈥渁 process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task鈥�. Lao Tzu defines leadership as 鈥渨hen his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves鈥�. A leader is someone who gets people to realise their own future, who can rally others and get stuff done. We are honoured to have such fine young men and women in these roles for 2025 and all those unfortunately not badged who are encouraged to live that aspiration, rallying others and getting stuff done. Leadership is not just the badge and not just for the badged. (Leaders for 2025 are published elsewhere in this newsletter).

Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal

The Olympics provided us with many wonderful examples of Aiming for the Stars.

In applying the Olympics to Christianity we discover the following:

No one achieved success without a lot of human support,
The athletes displayed an insatiable quest for betterment,
The expanded sense of understanding what we are capable of achieving,
The ability to transcend current boundaries.

What the French did to an extraordinary degree was to offer encouragement regardless of the outcome.

Remember hope, not despair, fuels action.

There are several faith opportunities students can get involved in at 黑料社区 each week. The Mission Team encourages everyone to come along!

Ms Jaimee Bocasan
Co-ordinator of Prayer and Liturgy

Join us for the Lasallians Without Borders Service Program Bingo Night on Saturday 31st August. Tickets only $20 are on sale now:  .

All proceeds go towards the College's Service Program in India and Fiji in the September/October holidays.

You are invited to attend Chapel Mass on Friday at 8.00am. Please park in visitors spots or via the main entrance gate on the right hand side. All other car parking spots are reserved.

2024 Mission Action Day is on again on Tuesday 3rd September. The theme is Walk as One as we walk together to support our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. By participating, we show our commitment to standing together and supporting communities beyond our own. 

Students will be participating in several activities to raise money. Each student is asked to raise a minimum of $20.00. Every ticket purchased gives students an automatic entry into the major prize raffle for each year group. Prizes include Playstation 5s, iPads, NRL Grand Final tickets, Event Cinema movie tickets and more. We also have a teacher vs student football match and MAD Fashions on the Field.

Donations via: 

The funds we raise will go towards critical projects in Pakistan and PNG, providing much-needed assistance and hope.

We welcome fathers, grandfathers and father figures to our Father's Day Mass on Friday 30th August.

Year 9 students came together today for a meaningful team building activity, assembling birthing kits that will be sent to under-resourced communities in Africa and Southeast Asia. These kits are essential for safe deliveries in areas without access to hospitals, reflecting our students' commitment to making a global impact.

Mr Chris Goodman
Director of Mission

Please note, there has been some slight changes to the Term dates for 2025. Please find the finalised dates below: 

Term 1
Friday 31st January - Year 7 and 11, Term 1 commences
Monday 3rd February - Year 8, 9, 10 and 12, Term 1 commences
Friday 11th April - Term 1 concludes

Term 2
Monday 28th April 鈥� Term 2 commences
Friday 27th June 鈥� Term 2 concludes

Term 3
Monday 21st July 鈥� Term 3 commences
Friday 26th September 鈥� Term 3 concludes

Term 4
Monday 13th October 鈥� Term 4 commences
Thursday 4th December 鈥� Year 10 Term 4 concludes
Tuesday 9th December - Years 7 ,8, 9 and 11 students Term 4 concludes

Ms Deborah Gillis
Acting Deputy Principal

This year, a record number of students put their names forward for Student College leadership and the quality of the potential leaders was evident from the beginning of the process. We congratulate all students who nominated themselves and who applied for a leadership position.

To narrow down the candidature to just 22 students was not an easy task with so many candidates demonstrating strong leadership qualities. The College is conscious that there may be disappointment for those that were not successful. In a community such as ours, we are grateful for the sensitive and caring support of all our students and staff. All students are encouraged to continue to seeking opportunities to lead and we know that all our 2024-25 leadership aspirants will continue to represent themselves and the College in Faith, Service and Community over the coming year.

The College leaders for 2024-25 will be introduced at our final Year 12 assembly on Tuesday 24th September. All Year 11 students will be expected to attend the final Year 12 assembly, in support of the incoming leaders and our graduating class of 2024. The Assembly will follow the morning examination session on the 24th September.

The 2024-25 Student College Leaders will be formally inducted into their leadership roles in Term 4. The College invited the following 22 students to take up Leadership positions for 2024-25:

Mrs Donna Findlay
Director of Wellbeing and Student Management

An information evening will be held on Monday 19th August for those interested in the 2025 Cambodia Tour. The tour is open to all 2025 Year 9 and 10 students and will be held during the April school holidays from Sunday 13th - Wednesday 23rd April. 

Information Evening Details:
Monday 19th August
6.30pm
Miguel Lecture Theatre, 黑料社区 

The evening is open to students and parents/carers.

If you are attending, please make a booking via 

Mr David Newman
Dean of Benildus

Summer sport registration is open for Basketball, Cricket, Touch Football and Rugby 7s. Registration is via the TASS Parent Portal and closes on Monday 26th August. Late registrations are unable to be accepted. 

Further information can be found in the Around the Grounds article in this Newsletter.

This week, Christian Attard and Nathan Colaco (both Year 11) alongside other finalists from local schools graduated from the Generational Leaders Showcase held at Woolworths Head Office. This event marked the culmination of months of hard work, innovation, and leadership working with coaches and industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills. Both students completed community based projects, with Nathan focusing on a sports program for disadvantaged children and Christian developing an app to assist domestic violence victims.

The showcase was a fantastic opportunity for our students to demonstrate their skills and ideas, reflecting the dedication and creativity they've contributed to this program. 

Mrs Gabby Russo
Head of Marketing & Communications

Directing Mamma Mia! at 黑料社区 was both an exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience. Despite having directed over 30 shows in my career, I felt the pressure more than ever stepping into this role. The 黑料社区 Musical is known for its high standards and unforgettable performances, and I knew I had big shoes to fill. The anticipation of living up to this reputation weighed heavily on me, but it also fuelled my determination to bring out the best in every cast and crew member. From the very first rehearsal, the nervous energy was palpable, but it quickly transformed into an incredible drive to create something truly special. The cast, comprised of incredibly talented students, poured their hearts into every performance, creating a sense of community that felt more like family than a typical production.

As with any great high school musical, it鈥檚 all about the students and giving them an experience that they can cherish for years to come, so I thought I鈥檇 hand over to some of our senior cast and crew for their reflections.

Alyzandra Almario (Year 12), who鈥檚 'Donna' had audiences in laughter and tears, captured this perfectly: "I couldn't have asked for a better final hurrah for my Year 12 journey. Though I was sad to see the set packed up and shipped to its next production to create similar magic, in Mr. Turbott's words, the ghost of my taverna will always linger. The lessons of grit and balance through this tough HSC period came second to the sanctuary created by this cast as we built a second home to escape the stresses of student life. I want to thank our directors for their support, which shaped both our characters on stage and our personal characters off stage. There's a lot I can learn from Donna, but only because of that Island of Kalokari that raised her."

Aly's reflection is a testament to the growth and transformation that the cast experienced throughout the production. Mamma Mia! was not just a Musical; it was a journey that allowed these students to explore their talents and push their boundaries.

Genevieve Brouillard (Year 12 Music Captain), who brought Sophie鈥檚 energy to life, shared her thoughts: "黑料社区's production of Mamma Mia! has been one of the greatest highlights of my high school experience and the most perfect way to finish. The incredible cast members, dedicated production team, and the love that filled every rehearsal made this process unforgettable and a place that truly felt like home. The sheer joy and genuine passion from the entire cast for the music and storyline shone through on stage, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to bring Sophie's energetic and playful energy to life."

Genevieve's words reminded me of the importance of joy in theatre. The enthusiasm that radiated from the cast was infectious, and it was evident that they were not just performing; they were living the story of Mamma Mia!.

Nicholas Gomez (Year 12 Drama Captain), who played Sky, had a similar experience: "Being part of the College Musical Mamma Mia! was an unforgettable experience. From the first rehearsal to the final curtain call, the energy and camaraderie among the cast and crew were incredible. Performing 'Lay All Your Love on Me' was a highlight for me. The process of bringing this number to life was both challenging and exhilarating. The complexity of the choreography, combined with its fun and engaging elements, made it an absolute joy to be a part of."

Matthew Walker-Rolls (Year 12), who brought Bill Austin to life, reflected on his journey: "My final 黑料社区 Musical, and what an ending. But truthfully, it never ends with your closing bow 鈥� the friendships you make along the way continue to grow outside the show. Whether that be with teachers, or with mates; it is an experience none of us will ever forget. Auditions were daunting for me, as I am not the strongest singer, but I decided to take a chance and go for it, and it paid off. From there, I embarked on the best rehearsal process I鈥檝e ever had. We all genuinely looked forward to rehearsals and had genuine fun 鈥� whilst putting on one of 黑料社区鈥檚, dare I say, best Musicals.

As for the shows themselves, every single performance was astonishing. The audience cheered consistently, joined in dancing and singing to ABBA, and had a great time. This made the shows far more enjoyable to perform, as we knew that the audience appreciated us. The feeling of acting, singing, and dancing on stage with some of the best people in the world, whilst the audience roared, and your director watching over you with a proud smile 鈥� that鈥檚 a feeling we will never forget. Thank you to the entirety of this production. Every single aspect, from onstage, and all the sheer effort put in backstage and leading up to the shows 鈥� thank you all. And to the director, Mr Turbott, thank you for making this one of the best experiences possible. And of course, thank you to the cast of 鈥楳amma Mia! 2024.鈥�"

As a director, watching the cast tackle challenging choreography and complex scenes with such dedication and enthusiasm was incredibly rewarding. Nicolas's experience highlights the balance between hard work and the sheer joy of performing.

Nicolas Odendaal (Year 12), our stage manager, expressed his gratitude: "I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been a part of bringing Mamma Mia! to life. Working on this incredible production has been a deeply rewarding experience, and I am filled with immense pride for what we have achieved. I just want to say thank you to the talented and hardworking cast, dedicated crew, and a huge thank you to the teachers who each played a crucial role in making this musical a reality. And a special thanks to Mr. Turbott, who poured his heart and soul into this production."

This sentiment was echoed by fellow stage manager Alexander Saxby (Year 12) who said 鈥�Working on the musical was an experience I'll cherish for the rest of my life, the competency, creativity and dedication from everyone to pull this together is unlike anything I've ever been apart of.鈥�

Nicolas and Alex鈥檚 words reflect the collective effort that went into making Mamma Mia! a success. It was not just the performers on stage but also the dedicated crew and teachers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the show to life.

Joshua Vaz (Year 11), who took on the role of Sam, humorously described his experience: "Playing Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia! was like trying to dance on a trampoline - unpredictable, exhilarating, and occasionally leading to unexpected twists. Every time I sung my lungs out or attempted a smooth dance move, I had to remind myself that my only competition was the impeccable choreography and the sheer enthusiasm of the cast. The best part? Realising that my epic dance moves could rival a dad at a wedding鈥攁nd the audience loved it!"

Joshua's humour and light-heartedness were essential to the spirit of Mamma Mia!. His ability to bring levity to the role of Sam added a unique charm to the production, making it memorable for both the cast and the audience.

Ava Bizzanelli (Year 11), who played Rosie, shared one of her favourite moments: "I had the best time performing Mamma Mia! alongside such a talented and dedicated cast! One of my favourite moments was the dress rehearsal at the Pioneer Theatre; it was such an incredible experience watching everything come together. I am forever grateful for all the memories we made and for everyone's hard work!"

Ava's reflection on the dress rehearsal encapsulates the magic of theatre. It鈥檚 in those final moments before opening night, when everything falls into place, that the true essence of the production comes to life.

Bernadette Laird (Year 11) who brought the house down as crowd favourite Tanya, summed up the experience beautifully: "Mamma Mia! remains one of my favorite shows I鈥檝e ever done! Every rehearsal felt like hanging out with my mates, with the end performance (and if you saw it, you鈥檇 agree) being pretty spectacular. I feel so proud to have created such great art with such a fantastic cast, crew, and director. I鈥檒l always look back on the memories I made with genuine joy and happiness."

Bernadette's pride in the production is a sentiment shared by everyone involved. Mamma Mia! was not just a show; it was an experience that we will all cherish forever.

Directing Mamma Mia! was a journey filled with challenges, laughter, and immense pride. The dedication and passion of the cast and crew made this production a resounding success. I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together, and I am grateful for the memories we created. I want to thank the Performing Arts department for deciding to 鈥楾ake A Chance on Me鈥� in directing this show. This experience has left a lasting impact on all of us, and the legacy of Mamma Mia! will continue to resonate in our hearts for years to come.

Mr Brad Turbott
Drama Teacher

On Tuesday 30th July Ancient History and History Extension students were involved with targeted workshops led by David Nally (in preparation for their Trials).

Ancient History students focused on an analysis of Agrippina the Younger and the representation of Agrippina t in ancient and modern sources.

Extension History students explored the Use and Misuse of History and Post Truth as a form of Post-Post Modernism.

Mrs Gloria Richards
Academic Head of History

黑料社区's Indigenous community recently got together for an Incursion Day. On this day, they learnt traditional practices, learning how to craft a didgeridoo and the art of throwing a boomerang.

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are encouraged to attend the Finance Careers Breakfast on Wednesday 21st August. The breakfast will focus on career opportunities available and what skills and attributes you need to be successful in these careers.

Event Details:
7.00am - 8.45am, Wednesday 21st August
CSC Foyer, 黑料社区
$13 per person for a light breakfast

Booking are essential www.trybooking.com/CUCAR

Booking close today, Friday 16th August

As students prepare for the next assessment, mastering the art of proofreading is key to ensuring your hard work shines through. In this month's article, we dive into the essential steps to proof your assessments effectively and elevate your academic performance.

First Proof:
To begin, consider relocating to a fresh setting for a focused proofreading session. Find a place that is not your usual study space where you can concentrate on refining your work. Bring along the assessment criteria and question prompts to guide your review. Your initial proof should encompass the following key factors:

• Word Count: Confirm that your assessment aligns with the specified word limit. Identify any excess words that may need trimming to meet requirements.
• Spelling/Grammar: While spell check can be helpful, don't rely solely on it. Look out for common errors like 'form' instead of 'from' that may slip through automated checks. 
• Sources: Verify that all sources for visuals, examples, and quotes are properly cited and listed to support your arguments. 
• Criteria/Question Answered? Review the assessment criteria and ensure that your responses directly address the requirements. Tick off each criterion as you confirm its coverage in your work. 
• Repetition: It鈥檚 easy to repeat points, double check you haven鈥檛 done this. 
• Useful Information: It鈥檚 not uncommon to write unnecessary information. Do you have points that don鈥檛 really answer the question? Have you written clearly? Is there any information you could leave out? Is there any information that you realise needs to be added? 
• Reinforce: This is where you need to finalise which words you will bold, highlight, underline etc. so your assignment clearly identifies the main points. Bolding can let the teacher see clearly that you have covered all the parts of the question, that there is a sequence of ideas and you have organised the information well.

Second Proof:
The next day repeat the above steps, but this time - READ YOUR ASSIGNMENT OUT LOUD! If you didn鈥檛 print your assignment to proof the first time, now could be the time. Reading and hearing the words spoken in different mediums can sometimes give a new perspective to your writing. Note down any changes you need to make.

Third Proof:
It鈥檚 always a good idea to ask someone to proof your assignment after you have proofed it first. It is common for the writer not to pick up typos or silly mistakes because they know what they meant and see the words they intended to write, and not the errors. So recruit a proof reader (parent, relatives, older sibling or friend etc.) to gain fresh insights.

Remember, meticulous proofreading is a valuable skill that can elevate the quality of your work and set you on the path to academic success.

You can learn more about being more effective with assessments in the ASSIGNMENT SKILLS unit of
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Mr Gavin Russell
Assistant Principal Curriculum

Well done to our Year 12 students who have finished their HSC Trials this week. 

Enhanced Learning Educational Services have provided 黑料社区 with a complimentary planning grid and videos to help our students plan their study time between now and their final exams. 

To access this resource please click here
Username: 2024year12
Password : 2024year12

Mr Gavin Russell
Assistant Principal Curriculum

Geography students from 黑料社区 tested their geographical skills and knowledge against students from all around Australia in the 2024 Geography Competition.

Over 54,000 students from 600 schools across Australia entered the Australian Geography Competition so the results provide an external benchmark as to how our students are going in certain aspects of Geography. Within the College, we have a number of student geographers who performed at a very high level in the competition this year with Michael Rizk gaining a High Distinction, five students achieving a Distinction and five receiving Credits. Special acknowledgement goes to Year 9 student Jake Towers, who achieved in the top 1% in his Year Level across Australia.

The competition is a joint initiative of the Australian Geography Teachers鈥� Association and the royal Geographical Society of Queensland.

Ms Kendra Bruseker
Academic Head of Social Sciences

On Monday 5th August, the Year 9 and Year 10 French elective classes participated in an excursion to the Alliance Fran莽aise  in the city. Upon their arrival there, students were split into two groups and took part in a two-hour workshop on 鈥楲es Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024鈥�. This was a relevant workshop for the boys as it occurred during the Olympics in Paris this year. During the workshop students improved their French knowledge by learning about Olympic games history, sports in French, the Paris Olympics and French champions. After the workshops students were treated to an authentic French lunch at the Four Frogs Creperie in Circular Quay where they had a native French speaker take their orders in French. They were able to either try the classic sweet crepe of their choice or a gallette ( a savoury crepe). Learning about current events relating to France and tasting authentic French food is a vital part of the curriculum for language students and enriches their learning experience by bringing a little bit of France to them in Sydney.

Ms Karin Fabris Da Silva
Academic Head of Languages

Last week, Year 9 Photography and Digital Media students went on an excursion to Taronga Zoo to put their manual photography skills into practice. Students were given a Scavenger Hunt list of photos that they needed to produce throughout the day. The zoo tested all students鈥� skills and understanding of taking photos using a DSLR as they needed to shoot in a variety of lighting settings, through glass, water, bars and grates, not to mention trying to get the perfect shot of an animal that might move quickly or be very good at hiding. The boys had to be very patient with the tigers but were rewarded with some fantastic shots.

Rachael Manning
Photography and Digital Media Teacher

Please enjoy some student recounts from the day:

鈥淥n our excursion, we went to Taronga Zoo and had a blast. It was an enjoyable experience and we learnt a lot photographing the various animals in different lighting and scenes. We even got to do a scavenger hunt and compete with other groups to see who could complete it to the best standard.鈥� - Blake Cromie, Year 9

鈥淭aronga Zoo was an amazing experience for the Year 9 Photography class. It helped us develop our skills in different lighting situations and helped develop our abilities through the different compositions of our shots at the zoo. We started by travelling through the different habitats at the zoo such as the Australian walk which included wallabies, emus, kangaroos, koalas and echidnas. As we moved around the zoo, taking shots and trying to complete our scavenger hunt, we visited areas such as the orest dventure, African savannah, tiger trek, rainforest trail, seal walk and the backyard to bush habitats. As we stopped at each, we would have time to compose creative photos and develop and refine our skills.

I think that this excursion was an astonishing adventure that helped us learn how to capture the best photos that demonstrated our creativity and technical skills in a different setting to 黑料社区. Getting a different perspective and type of photography was a great learning experience for the boys to have and grow their photography capabilities.鈥� - Fynn Grady, Year 9

History students across Years 8, 9 and 10 from 黑料社区 tested their historical skills and knowledge against students all around Australia in the 2024 Australian HIstory Competition. The Competition is proudly supported by The History Teachers Association of Australia.

Students from schools all across Australia entered the Australian History Competition so the results gives us an external benchmark as to how our students are performing in certain aspects of History. The Australian History competition noted that this year's paper was harder than previous years and had a stronger focus on interpreting and analysing sources for information.

We have recently received the results and are very proud of our students' achievements.

We have a number of Historians at our school who performed at a very high level in the competition this year with three students gaining High Distinctions, four gaining Distinctions, eight Credits and 17 Merits.

Of particular note are:

Stage 4 Category from Year 8
Sebastian Haywood achieved a High Distinction with a mark of 92.
Angelo Chichizola achieved a High Distinction with a mark of 88.
Maxym Zhebelev achieved a Distinction with a mark of 82.

Stage 5 Category from Year 9
Jack Towers a High Distinction with a mark of 88.

Stage 5 Category from Year 10
Samuel Diaz Gomez achieved a Distinction with a mark of 76.
Senuk Ranasinghe achieved a Distinction with a mark of 76.
Joel Orshansky achieved a Distinction with a mark of 74.

Congratulations to all our entrants for their participation and we look forward to entering the 2025 Australian History Competition.

Mrs Gloria Richards
Academic Head of History

At the end of Term 2, the Year 9 French elective class turned their classroom into a kitchen and learned to follow an authentic French recipe for crepes and make their own crepes in class. This allowed them to practice vocabulary for foods whilst making an iconic French food which they could then enjoy with a topping of their choice. These types of immersive experiences make language learning more relevant and enjoyable for students and staff.

Ms Karin Fabris Da Silva
Academic Head of Languages

This week 黑料社区's Year 11 PDHPE classes experienced an intense fitness master class led by alumni Miss Madison Hare (Class of 2016 College Captain) and Miss Holly Reid (Class of 2021 Sports Captain). Madison who now runs her owns a fitness business, alongside Holly, shared their expertise and practical skills to push students to their limits with some challenging workouts. 

Ms Nicole Wickert 
Academic Head of PDHPE

It was an honour to welcome back Kumva and Kwibuka, survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. With candor, wisdom, and compassion, they shared memories that moved us, showcasing injustice, faith and the complexities of legal systems. Jean Paul Amed茅e Nizigama and Dr Nadine Umutoni Wa Shema also offered their reflections on being married to survivors, discussing what it means to truly listen, learn, and love someone who has endured so much.

These interactions are essential for students, as they understand the complexities of the past and the importance of empathy in the present. We are grateful for this unforgettable experience and remain committed to ensuring these vital stories continue to be heard.

Last term, Year 8 students participated in a Languages incursion for part of the day to immerse themselves in the culture of their chosen language of study.

Italian students prepared for the incursion by studying the famous area of Cinque Terre in Italy as well as the key vocabulary of the Disney movie 鈥楲uca鈥�. On the day of the incursion, students watched the movie 鈥楲uca鈥� in Italian with English subtitles, completed a quiz about the movie and were served gelato by the Year 10 Italian class which they had to order in Italian.

French students prepared for their incursion by familiarising themselves with French BD (Comics) and more specifically with the 鈥楲e Petit Nicolas鈥� series. On the day of the incursion, they watched the live action movie of 鈥楲e Petit Nicolas鈥� in French with English subtitles. They also completed a quiz on the movie and then were served authentic croissants and pain au chocolat by the Year 10 French class.

Immersing themselves in language and culture is an essential part of learning a foreign language and it was an experience enjoyed by all.

Ms Karin Fabris Da Silva
Academic Head of Languages

Year 10 Visual Arts had a fantastic day participating in a drawing workshop with renowned artist, Melinda Hunt. Known for her walking and drawing series, Melinda took the boys on a walk through the College where they created drawings using the sights, smells and sounds around them. Students find inspiration in the flight of birds, the sounds of rain and PDHPE students in the CSC playing dodgeball, to create a series of abstract and experiential drawings using a vast array of materials.

The students had a ball exploring new techniques and moving outside of their comfort zones to create intriguing and inspiring artworks. A fantastic day was had by all and we thank Melinda for her workshop.

Mrs Rachael Manning
Visual Arts Teacher

On Tuesday 6th August, Year 11 Biology students embarked on an excursion to the Field of Mars and Sugarloaf Hill to study the long-nosed bandicoot. The day involved hands-on research, measuring environmental factors like soil pH, temperature, wind speed, and humidity, while also assessing human impacts such as road construction and the use of fox poison 1080 on the bandicoot population. The excursion provided a practical application of classroom lessons, allowing students to explore the challenges faced by native species in their natural habitat. Scenic breaks by the river and park fields added to the enriching experience, making it an engaging and educational day.

Students Jessica Waters and Anaya Ghangurde thoroughly enjoyed their time on the excursion as reflected in their recount below:

We really enjoyed our excursion where we undertook a practical study of the bandicoot. Here we studied and recorded environmental factors that affect the native species, such as soil compaction, amount of leaf litter for shelter, and competition between other predators for prey and resources. Other animals competing for the bandicoots鈥� most desired snack 鈥� insects, 鈥� included the wallaby. Our lunch breaks were surrounded by scenic views of the glistening saltwater river, in which we were greeted by the small friendly crab species 鈥� that we could hold! This was an amazing experience that always had us on our feet and never left us uninterested, and we鈥檙e glad we got this opportunity to bring our in-class lessons to life!

We (Year 11 Biology) had the opportunity to go to Field of Mars and Sugarloaf Hill in order to conduct case studies on factors affecting the population distribution and abundance of long-nose bandicoots. The main focus was the measurement of abiotic factors at two separate sites, such as soil pH, soil temperature, wind speed and humidity. Towards the tail end of the day, our group explored the human impacts in the species, investigating in depth the construction of roads and the use of fox poison 1080. Thanks to the lovely weather our breaks during the day were by the lakeside or on the park fields, after which we discussed which of our two sites would be a more suitable habitat. It was eye-opening to study a native species in depth and it helped inform us of the impact humans have on the wildlife that sustains our country.

Mrs Maria Thomas
Academic Head of Science

Recently Year 11 Engineering Studies students started the topic Biomedical Engineering and had the pleasure to host Amy and Ine from Ottobock Australia. Amy and Ine shared their expertise and passion for their work, showcasing cutting-edge prosthetic hand prototypes that captivated our students. We wish them the best of luck for the Paris Paralympics! Their visit was truly inspiring, giving our students a glimpse into the world of biomedical innovation.

Mr Anthony Zhang
TAS Teacher

The Walsh library is here for all students after school from Monday 鈥� Thursday until 5.00pm.

The library was open in the last week of the school holidays to accommodate Year 12 students preparing for their HSC Trial exams. It was also open until 6pm Monday 鈥� Thursday in Week 1 and 2 so students could do some 鈥極n Target鈥� study with support from a variety of different teachers.

In Week 1 and 2 the library was used for; one on one help from teachers including History, Religion, Geography, Economics, Languages & English, small group Academic Support delivered by Learning Support, Maths homework help and even a visit from a special guest lecturer.

Thank you to all the 黑料社区 staff who give their time after school to help support our students.

Ms Tania Moriarty
Academic Head of Library

Study Boost Program

We offer a varied Study Boost Program for students to access after school. Students do not need to book in for any Study Boost session they simply visit the library and are directed to different teachers who are there to help. We review this program every term, please see below the timetable for Study Boost in Term 3.

The 黑料社区 Agriculture Show Team had a fantastic day at the Greater Sydney School Cattle Competition, held on Saturday at the Hawkesbury Showground. The competition is a steer growth and development project involving high schools from across the region and is the last show for our team for the year.

For the past 100 days, our dedicated students have been feeding and preparing our steer, Richard, for the competition. Their hard work culminated in a series of events, including parading and beef judging, where their efforts were put to the test.

We are thrilled to announce that Luca Compton achieved 1st place in the Experienced Junior Parader event, showcasing his exceptional skills and dedication. Congratulations also to Rory Tunks, who secured 5th place in the Novice Junior Parader event.

黑料社区 Alumni Andrew Scarsbrook (Class of 2019) returned to the showground as one of the Associate Judge's, providing valuable insights and support. It was also great to see our very own 黑料社区 First Aider, Ms. Chapman, on hand through her work with St. John's Ambulance, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

Overall, it was a day filled with pride and accomplishment for the 黑料社区 community, and we eagerly anticipate the final results in the coming weeks.

Ms Stellina Trestrail
Co-ordinator of Agriculture

Tennis
黑料社区鈥檚 Tennis teams have a proud tradition of success, and the 2024 season is no exception. Remarkably, eight out of our ten teams have made it to the ISA finals at Gosford Tennis Club. For the first time in ISA history, the 黑料社区 1st team will face off against our 黑料社区 2nd team in the Final. This is an incredible achievement and a testament to 黑料社区鈥檚 continued dominance in ISA Tennis.

Netball and Football

Our Netball and Football competitions are entering the knock-out stage, with Semi-Finals scheduled for this weekend. 黑料社区 is well represented, with three Netball teams and 21 of our 23 Football teams competing in the Semi-Finals. Key matches to watch on Saturday include:

鈼� Boys 1st XI vs. St. Paul's Grammar at 9:30 am (黑料社区)
鈼� Girls 1st XI vs. Redlands at 11:00 am (黑料社区)
鈼� 1sts Netball vs. Blue Mountains Grammar at 9.30 am (Netball Centre, Olympic Park)

Rugby
This weekend marks the final week of the ISA Rugby season, for the College with 黑料社区 students heading to Strathfield against St Patrick's College. While this will be the last game of the 2024 season for most teams, some however, will continue into the following week to complete unmatched fixtures. It has been a successful season for 黑料社区 Rugby, and we extend our best wishes to all our players and coaches for their final game.

Summer Sport Registration Now Open

Registration for summer sports is now open. To register, please log onto the TASS Parent Portal. As this is a new system, a detailed description is provided at the conclusion of this sports report. It is essential that all players are registered by the closing date, Monday 26th August. Players who miss this deadline may not receive important information regarding trials and may not be placed on a team. Late registrations cannot be accepted.

Please contact Mrs Katie Thornely if you have any questions kthornely@oakhill.nsw.edu.au

Summer Sports on Offer:

• Basketball (Boys and Girls)
• Touch Football (Boys and Girls)
• Cricket
• Rugby 7鈥檚 (Girls only 鈥� played on Monday nights)

Click here to find out more: 

2024 Summer Sport Trials:

• Basketball
  • Saturday 7th September 鈥� CSC Courts
  • Saturday 14th September 鈥� CSC Courts
    If you have a team of friends (minimum 9 players, preferably 10), you must still attend the trial. Please see Mr Walsh with your registered list of players. Registration is mandatory.

• Touch Football
  • Wednesday 4th September 鈥� Hermann Oval
  • Thursday 5th September 鈥� Hermann Oval

• Cricket
  • Details to be confirmed.

Further details will be emailed once registration has closed.

Student Achievements

Rugby ISA Representatives

Congratulations to the following Rugby players for making the ISA teams:

To Callum Spooner, Tobias Comito and Ben Visage (all Year 10) for making the Brumbies U16 team.

Ned Cane - Swimming

Congratulations to Ned Cane (Year 11) who earned a silver medal in the Boys 17-19 Years 200m Breaststroke at the School Sport Australia Games, held at the Gold Coast. After a week of intense training at the AIS for the NSW Future Olympians camp, Ned faced the tough challenge of competing in Queensland. Despite the quick turnaround, he delivered a strong performance and secured silver, a very pleasing result. 

Ashton Crawford, Rhys Webster and Josh Cetinik - Football

Congratulations to Ashton Crawford (Year 9), Rhys Webster (Year 10), and Josh Cetinik (Year 11) for representing NSW in the National Youth Football Championships in Wollongong from Tuesday 16th to Sunday 21st July. Ashton competed in the U/15s, while Rhys and Josh played in the U/16s. All three athletes performed exceptionally well, making both their sport and 黑料社区 proud.

Tristan Nicholson - Indoor Cricket

Congratulations to Tristan Nicholson (Year 10) on his selection for the NSW U16 Indoor Cricket team. Representing your state is an outstanding achievement, and we look forward to seeing Tristan continue to excel in the coming years.

Keegan Free - Athletics

Congratulations to Keegan Free (Year 9) competed in two meets in Canada, excelling in all of his events:

Okanagan Club Kelowna, Jack Brow Memorial Meet
1st Shot Put
1st Discus
1st Javelin (breaking the current meet record!)
2nd in Men's Opens 4 x 100m Relay

BC Athletics Vancouver
Trevor Craven Memorial Meet
1st Shot Put
1st Discus
1st Javelin

黑料社区 is proud of Keegan's achievements and look forward to his continued success at the upcoming ISA Athletics Carnival.

Benjamin Fogarty and Zac Martyn - Baseball

Benjamin Fogarty (Year 7) and Zac Martyn (Year 8) have just returned from representing Australia at the Baseball Intermediate League World Series in Livermore, California, USA. They were part of the first ever Australian team to win a game at the World Series, achieving a superb walk-off victory over Canada. Competing against the best baseball nations in the world was an incredible experience for them both.


Rugby - Farewell Damien Oval

Our Year 12 1st XV Rugby Boys played their final game on Damien Oval last Saturday. For many of the boys it has been six hard years of blood, sweat and tears. It may be their last game on Damien but we look forward to seeing the boys coach our junior teams in the years to come. Thanks for the memories.

Mr Anthony Toro
Acting Head of Sports

In the recent holidays, 16 students spent eight days on an inaugural Football Tour to New Zealand. The trip was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all as reflected in the recount below:

In July we went on 黑料社区's first ever overseas Football Tour. It was a great tour with everyone returning home with memories to keep for life. Some highlights of the trip were:

Our visit to De La Salle Mangere, the school where Br Steve Hogan formerly served as Principal, where we were greeted with a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony along with a Haka, and one of the students being lucky enough to swap ties with Kavish.

The second game playing against Hamilton Boys High School, it was a challenging and monumental game with ups and downs. The one day of rain causing the pitch to turn to mud, a closely contested match with a last minute winner.

The third and final game of the tour, playing against St Pats Town, our late Head of Sport Mr Wisemantel鈥檚 old school . It served us excellent weather with a view over the mountains to match it. The close contest ending with a 2-1 victory for 黑料社区.

Another highlight was visiting the All Blacks Experience and learning what it takes to create a winning culture like the All Blacks and the Black Ferns. Facing the Haka from the male and female teams, who taught us what it means to wear their jersey with pride.

We were lucky enough to go on a tour of the New Zealand Campus of Innovation, which is the Wellington Phoenix's training facility. Here we witnessed the technology and development New Zealand is putting into its Football.

Outside of game time we went on a gondola and luge ride, we visited the Rotorua Thermal Pools and created memories with some of our best mates.

Thank you to Br Steve Hogan and all staff involved in the planning and preparation of the tour. A special thanks to the three teachers who gave up their holidays to take us to New Zealand, Mr Morrison, Mr De Paoli and Mrs Findlay.

We hope that this tour inspires the future footballers of 黑料社区 to try new things and visit another country with your school.

Cameron Saunders and Cooper Bell (Year 11)

The 2024 Fiji Rugby Tour was a tour to remember. Fiji is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, warm-hearted people, and, of course, for having one of the most passionate rugby communities in the world. During the tour we were able to strengthen bonds with our teammates, have fun and go for a swim, but of course play Rugby. 

The first game we played was against Maraist and let's just say, the bus ride on the way there was not as noisy as it was on the plane. The boys didn鈥檛 know what to expect and so everyone was quiet and in the zone. When we arrived we dropped all our gear and started to stretch and warm up for our games. The first game was the C鈥檚 team and as we cheered them on they went out onto that field and played hard. We had some amazing runs and tackles from the boys and we as a cohort were all really impressed. Next game was the B鈥檚 game and they were not going to hold back, they got straight into the match with some thrilling tackles and line breaks made by some of the boys. The last match was the A鈥檚 match and that match was a close game. The boys went out onto the field scoring two early tries to put 黑料社区 up in the lead by half time. Unfortunately, Marist crawled back by scoring three more tries to win the game. Overall, all the boys put a valiant effort in and stepped up to perform the best for the College. 

The next day we immersed ourselves at one of the schools in Fiji. Getting off the bus, we were both excited and hot at the same time as we were greeted by the school and were given some food and drink to enjoy while we watched them perform their tribal dancing and rituals to greet us in their primary school. We spent time with these kids, getting to know them and playing around with them was just truly spectacular. We then walked home with them to their village and learned that these kids have to walk home from school everyday back to their villages. We were then given a tour around the village and had a ceremony where all the teachers and the Fijians all were given some karva as part of the ceremony. There was dancing, laughter and enjoyment for the boys while we were at the village. We then said goodbye to the village and thanked them for all the food and drink we were given and got back on the bus. 

The next day we then headed to another village where we were again greeted and shown around the school. We played games and had chats with the Fijian kids creating bonds and lasting memories. We then said our farewells and got back on the bus and headed to the SigaToka River Safari. It was an incredible experience as there were twists and turns and over course, the 360鈥檚. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed getting wet as it was a super hot day. 

The next day we played our last game against a school in Sigatoka. The first game was the C鈥檚 and they got underway with some big tackles from some of the boys and some great tries from Levi James and William O鈥機onnor. Unfortunately the boys lost the game but they were brave and stepped up to endure the game. The second game was the B鈥檚 and they were awesome. As all the boys sat on the sideline watching, the B鈥檚 were scoring tries and making tackles everywhere on the field. The B鈥檚 valiantly won the game and showed an excellent performance. The last game was the A鈥檚 game and the boys had a tough game but unfortunately lost the game, however Adam Hochsetter and Lucian Bester had some great runs and tackles. 

This Fiji Rugby tour was a special trip and one to remember, playing rugby and immersing ourselves in the Fijian experience was just such a delight and a wonder to experience. I鈥檇 like to thank all the teachers who made this possible and were willing to sacrifice some of their school holidays just to go on tour with us.

Riley Paki and Jack Treak, Year 9, Fiji Tour Captains.

We are looking forward to welcoming all players on Friday 23rd August 2024 at Lynwood Golf Course for the P&F Annual Golf Day.

All guests will soon receive an email outlining the events of the day along with arrival times and dress code.

We thank all our sponsors and the 黑料社区 community for their continued support assisting our fundraising endeavours.

See you on the green!

Carina Morales
P&F President

Please find below the upcoming Uniform Shop roster.

Mosman Youth is hosting a parenting webinar on Navigating Change on Tuesday 10th September, 6.00pm - 7.30pm. This webinar is designed to support children experiencing grief, loss and change. 

If you are interested in further information please click 

The Hills Shire Council is running a FREE study help session for high school students in Years 7-10, giving them access to study help from experts in English. All tutors are recent graduates and university students to create a relaxed and approachable environment for students. 

Literary Analysis and Persuasive Writing Workshop
Years 9-10
4.30pm - 5.30pm, Castle Hill Library
Thursday 22nd August

Please follow the link to register - spots are limited! 

Parent consent is a strict requirement for all attendees under the age of 18.