College Chronicle June 19th, 2008

Dear Parents,

Holidays! We come to the end of a Semester, the end of the first half of the year and the longest break in studies apart from the year end “holidays”. In days gone by “holidays” referred to days with some religious connotation and the type of break we are having now was called a “vacation”, a going away from School.

In “The Conduct of the Schools of St Jean-Baptiste de la Salle” handbook some directions are given for vacations.

“...Among the counsels which the teachers will give the pupils so that they may pass this time well, the principals are: 1. Not to fail to say each day the morning and evening prayers that are recited in the schools. 2. To assist at Holy Mass daily with devotion and to say through Holy Mass the prayers which are in the Manual of Exercises of Piety. 3. To assist at the High Mass and Vespers in their Parish Church on Sundays and holy days of obligation. 4. To go to Confession and to go to Holy Communion at least once during this time. 5. To go each day to some Church to visit and adore the Blessed Sacrament for at least a quarter of or half an hour. 6. To say the Rosary every day, in order to acquire and preserve a devotion to the Blessed Virgin. 7. Not to frequent bad company.”

These are interesting counsels in today’s world and circumstances. Nevertheless we can derive some benefit from the directives of a Saint and a master in the education of children!
The first evident aspect of a vacation is that it is not a vacation from God! The children will not be coming to school but it is still a time for growth in their spiritual life, i.e. within the moral side of their education. It would be sad if the vacations were a time for dissipation of the soul.

Which leads to a second aspect of vacations: they are a time of re-creation; a time of rest, a time for the spirit to prepare for the next period of school life. The children need to amuse themselves with simple amusements which will not excite the passions but calm them and prepare them for the future development of their intellects and wills.

How simple this was in the past when children could be shooed from their home to play outside. Not unending hours in front of a screen of some type, but honest, refreshing amusement and fun, allowing the soul to rest and thus facilitating a real recreation.

Although the ideals of the past may not be entirely applicable today we would still do well to keep in mind the under riding principles and strive to see in “vacations” a time different from school, in which a part of a child’s overall development simply continues: in other words that the overall moral development of the child is enhanced in a spirit of prayer and simple honest recreation.

Some “housekeeping”. Parents are reminded that there is a speed limit on the school grounds – and also on the roads in the vicinity of the school and in the Tynong township. If you are running late – then be late! Secondly, His Lordship Bishop Tissier de Mallerais will be coming to Corpus Christi for confirmations in September. Further information will follow later.

To all – a happy and holy vacation.
Fr Michael Delsorte
Principal

What's On

SWIMMING PROGRAMME COMMENCES IN WEEK ONE OF THIRD TERM
Starts Friday 18th July: Secondary & Primary BOYS (Gr 3 - Yr 8)

Starts Monday 21st July:
Secondary & Primary GIRLS
(Gr 3 - Yr 8)
Please note: NO LUNCH ORDERS for girls on a Monday during 3rd Term.
Girls from Gr 3 - Yr 8 who will be at swimming may order on a Thursday!

STAC SNIPPETS
The first VCE Class (Yr 12 students) at STAC was in the Year 2000.

Message from the Primary School

Dear Parents,

In response to various issues being raised this year regarding physical education in the Primary School, I would like to inform you of the following:

On the day on which a class is taken for PE, all children must present themselves in the sports uniform as determined by the school uniform policy.

Children not in the appropriate uniform will not participate in the PE class and will either sit quietly on the sidelines, or be given some form of punishment if a note is not submitted by a parent or guardian.

Swimming is an obligatory part of the St Thomas Aquinas College curriculum, and our programme follows that laid down by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. One may not withhold their children from these classes, as from any other class.

Any further queries may be directed to the Head of Primary.

Fr. Brendan Arthur.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The guidelines for the playground have been revised for the second semester and are as follows:

1. Play in the correct areas.
2. Walk on the verandas.
3. Wear and take care of your correct uniform.
4. Take care of all school property and equipment.
5. Respectfully obey adults and remember your manners.
6. Eat your food in the classroom and put rubbish in the bin.
7. Be considerate of all students and include everyone in games.

The children who can uphold these guidelines will be given free time every second Friday afternoon.

General news

NEW BABY
Congratulations to Phil and Nicolette Z. on the recent birth of their ninth child, Joseph Francis.

CONGRATULATIONS
To Crystal B., former student of the College who recently graduated from University with full honours. Crystal is now nursing in the Emergency Department at the Warragul Hospital.

THANK YOU
To all the generous people who have brought stamps to the Church of College for the Missions. It is much appreciated. Please don't stop. (Mr Arthur Paar)

ROSARY
Everyone is invited to join the recitation of the daily (except Thursday and Sunday) Rosary in the College Chapel at 5.30pm. We resume on Monday 2nd of June. The intentions are recommended by Bishop Fellay.

KOOL
Receptions for all boys ready to be received as Pages AND Cadets will be held after High Mass on July 13th.
Boys needing anything for these receptions please contact Kees van Strijp asap.

LOST
1 SCHOOL JUMPER BELONGING TO Jonathan B.. Missing since the first week of this term. Please check your children’s jumpers and bags and return if found.

Still missing is a jumper belonging to the Jeremiah W. This has been missing most of the year.

RAFFLE
Win a ticket to the School Auction . $2 each or 3 for $5. Tickets for sale outside Church this Sunday. There will be 4 separate draws.
Tickets are also for sale for the Main Auction Raffle item : 4 seats to see Andre Rieu in concert Nov 14th 2008.

WANTED
Lots of old ceramic tiles. All colours for school art project. Please bring to the school art room. Also, tools for mosaic making. Thank you.

News from Garfield Football Club
Congratulations to Eddie M., Sebastian G. and Harry C. who have been selected to represent the W&DJFL in the Under 14 Interleague competition in July this year.
The boys were nominated by their club to try out and were selected from a group of 45 players, 5 players from each team in the W&DJFL, well done.

The St Thomas Aquinas College boys who play for Garfield are in Garfield Gold Under 10,12 & 14.

All the teams are going well with the U12's sitting 2nd on the ladder with only one loss and both the 10's & 14's sitting 5th on the ladder.

Thanks to all the parents for their support and a particular mention to Fr Arthur who has managed to get to a few of the 14's games, his barracking is greatly appreciated by the boys.

We would also like to commend all the boys on the way they have played and conducted themselves. The U14 Gold team received a special mention at the league meeting at the start of the month. A Code of Conduct report was handed out to all clubs on their progress up to round 8 - this is judged by the umpire, on the behaviour of players, supporters & officials of every club every week. Garfield is in a good position with Gold (thanks to U14 team) on top and Green 3rd, well done to all involved and lets keep up the good work.

ANDRE RIEU PACKAGE:
Have you started selling your book of 5 tickets yet?
As soon as yours are sold please return to Annette Hosie who will then give you a free ticket into the draw. The draw will take place at this year’s dinner auction. Approach your family and friends outside of the parish and school community. They might even be interested in taking a whole book thus also receiving a free ticket. More books are available from the College office.

NETBALL NEWS
Well done to all of the girls and their coaches for a wonderful effort so far this season. Thank you also to all of the parents for their support.
There will be no netball during the holidays but please remember that there will be a match on June 28th.
Thank you. Mrs Chris Green.

P&F MEETING MINUTES
The minutes from the last meeting are published in this edition of the Chronicle.

STAC Building Fund
Donate in June, Get a Tax Deduction in July.
With the end of the financial year fast approaching, those who were kindly thinking of making a tax deductable donation to the STAC Building Fund could do so before 30 June and then receive their tax deduction early in the new financial year when claiming their donation in their tax return.

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